Command Center

Just so you know... we are aware that we're nerds! Jerry and I both spend a lot more time on the computer than watching TV. In fact, I don't watch any TV and he only watches sports and Meet the Press. We could live without a TV, but please don't take away our computers!

Most nights, up until a month or so ago, you would fine me in the kitchen on one computer and Jerry in our room on the other. Then I had the bright idea that it might be fun to get a bigger desk and sit next to each other while we surfed the nights away. My mom offered to buy us two new office chairs and a desk for Christmas.

We ended up putting in a desk similar to the one in our learning room downstairs where the boys sit to do school work. [If you ever need an simple, inexpensive desk that doesn't take up much space... this is the way to go!] I found two "executive" office chairs on sale half off on Cyber Monday to complete the setup. One evening a couple weeks ago Jerry put up the desk and assembled the chairs and we were good to go.

Roz came home and pronounced the set up "ridiculous". She said it looks like we are running a business or some kind of command center from our bedroom. Well, we kind of are. Aren't all families like mini corporations? And, while we don't make any money from our blogs, blogging kind of feels like a job.

What does Roz know anyway!? We love it and that's all that matters! We haven't left our room since. Just kidding!

I wish I would have taken a picture of Jerry sitting here last Saturday. He had both computers going. He was watching the Badgers in the Rose Bowl (full screen) on mine and had Twitter up on his while playing Scrabble on his iPad. And he says I'm addicted to the computer! :)

We still need to find a better spot (maybe a rack or shelf?) for the CPU for Jerry's computer and get some zip ties or something to deal with the cords hanging below the desk, but it's a great set up! You know what makes it even better? A new iMac and faster internet connection... we just splurged on both! So if you ever wonder what we're doing after the boys are in bed, you can just picture us here.

New (Furry) Additions

We have added two new members to the Shown family since Christmas. Since our dog Buck died a few months ago we have been without a pet, but we aren't ready to add a dog to the family just yet (although I really, really miss having a crumb picker-upper!). Wesley is our tender-hearted animal lover so we decided to get him a cage for Christmas and let him pick a hamster or gerbils.

Wesley and I discussed the pros and cons of both hamsters and gerbils before deciding gerbils were the way to go. The two main benefits of gerbils (according to Wesley anyway) are that they are not nocturnal and he could get two.

He and I went to the pet store the Monday after Christmas to buy the gerbils. We did check the local Humane Society which does have gerbils occasionally but they only had one and we wanted two. We ended up with two brown brothers that Wesley named Milt and Ocho. Great Uncle Ty suggested Milt for a name (there is a long standing family joke about Milt). Wesley is 8 years old so Ocho was his other choice. Actually, in McCormack-speak "Milt" means eight too (again, long story/family joke).

Milt and Ocho are cute, curious little guys. They are much friendlier than the gerbils Roz had many years ago. Whenever you open the cage door they are right there to peek out or crawl up onto your hand. We haven't worked up to holding them or letting them play outside the cage yet. All the boys are enjoy watching their antics.

Shopping for Wesley's birthday will be easy this year because he has grand plans to expand the gerbil cage and get various accessories (like a ball for them to run around in). Welcome to the family Milt and Ocho!

Sledding with Dad

A couple days after Christmas Jerry loaded up the boys and took them sledding. Despite the fact that two of our best sleds are out of commission they still had a great time!

Here's the gang with their new Christmas hats and scarves on (except for Hayden). Unfortunately, the inflatable 3 man sled you see in the background didn't make it... hopefully we can patch the hole. It had been in storage for several years and, of course, now that the boys are big enough to use it we found a small hole in it.

Thanks to an unseasonal warm up most of the snow is gone now. The boys are not happy about that at all! However, since we live in Wisconsin I can (thankfully!) guarantee that isn't the last of the snow we'll see before spring!

Christmas 2010

Christmas seemed to sneak up on me a bit this year. I'm not sure why. It just didn't seem possible that it had been a whole year since we did it the last time. I'm sure all you other moms can relate... the month of December requires added responsibilities on top of already full plates! We don't even go all out at our house. We keep gifts to a minimum and try not to over extend ourselves, but it always ends up being a busy month anyway.

We were faithful in our Jesse Tree devotions. A few nights we had to read through two because we had something going on but we didn't skip any! It went so well this year, and we all enjoyed it so much, that we decided to order a year long devotional to work through. (You can get a sneak peek on Amazon here.)

We had several parties in December. We stuffed stockings. The boys were in our church's Christmas Cantata. We looked at lights and made cookies. We had packages stacked up and did lots of wrapping. Plus all the normal things that keep us busy... school, meals, chores, and laundry...LOTS of laundry.

We took it easy Christmas Eve afternoon, some napped and we played a few games by the fire, then we went to our church's candlelight service. We took a few family photos before we left. [Someday I am going to get a photo with everyone smiling nicely. Someday!]

We came home to crockpot macaroni and hot dogs (both made by Jerry). Definitely not fancy but the kids love it.

The boys went right to bed at 8pm and Jerry helped me set out the gifts. I heard Eli trying to wake Justus up at 3:30am or so. I'm not sure if he would have gone back to sleep but I didn't want to risk it so I just brought him into our room to finish out the night. We didn't get up (again) until a little bit before 7am. I popped a breakfast casserole in the oven to cook while we opened gifts.

We pass out all the gifts and then take turns opening them so we can see what everyone got. Jerry is the official wrapping paper picker upper.

We let the boys play for a few minutes while we finished the breakfast preparations. Then Roz and I left poor Jer with the clean up so we could go to mass with Grandma LaVerne and the DeCleenes. We made a little mistake and left too early because we thought it started at 10am (it was 10:30am) so we went and got ourselves a hot chocolate from the gas station and sat by their fireplace and visited a few minutes. We mostly wondered why the news was so depressing and what people thought of about two losers sitting at the gas station on Christmas morning.

Sir Hayden and Sir Pickle
These knight dress up outfits were a big hit!

Each year I try to give the kids a little gift homemade by mom. This year I made these super easy fleece hats and scarves. Each boy got a different fabric and they turned out better than I hoped! I was a little worried about them fitting since I couldn't try them on anybody before I wrapped them, but they fit great. Here is Hayden modeling his:

After naps for the little boys we headed to the DeCleene Christmas gathering to visit with family and eat goodies.

We had the McCormack family Christmas the 18th of so that was the end of our Christmas festivities. The living room stayed a disaster for a few days before we took down the tree and returned everything to normal. Hayden says the living room looks "plain" now.

Speaking of the tree, we had been storing it in the original cardboard box but after 12 years it finally bit the dust. I knew we would need a new storage container so I planned ahead and bought a storage bag. Wednesday when we went to take down the tree I could not (for the life of me!) find that storage bag. I still don't know what happened to it. My best guess is that it accidentally got thrown away with some boxes that we recycled. I know it made it into the house but after that... your guess is as good as mine! Jerry finally went and bought another one. Murphy's Law would say the lost one should have turned up after we bought a new one, but it didn't.

Due to both Christmas and New Year's being on Saturday, Jerry was able to use 3 vacation days and get 10 days in a row off! It has been nice to have both him and Roz home for the whole week. We were able to get a lot done and still have plenty of time to take it easy too. At least this year we didn't have to pack for a 4,000 mile trip during the holidays!

Can't say the same for Roz, who headed out to Florida this morning with a group of kids to go help build a Habitat for Humanity house in Miami. Roz is already thinking about where to go next New Year's day so she can keep the tradition going!

Team Cookie 2010

We saved all the cookie making this year until the week before Christmas. I figured it would be easier to squeeze it in when we weren't worried about school and when Roz was home to help. It didn't work as well as I had hoped because it ended up Roz had to work so I did a little bit each day. I didn't make as many as I have in years past... just enough of our favorites for us and a few to share on platters.

The first day the boys helped me make dipped pretzels. Two words: controlled chaos! Okay, two more: sprinkles everywhere!

We saved the best for last. Christmas Eve day we all decorated the cut out cookies together. It went pretty well. JD got his own bowl of frosting and knife because he kept licking things. He also dumped a whole bottle of sprinkles on one cookie, but thankfully we had him decorating on a tray so it was easy to clean up the mess.

I got squeeze bottles to try a new frosting technique but haven't perfected that icing recipe yet so just went with old method so I didn't ruin all my lovely cookies!

Eli let me borrow his snowman apron. He purchased it at the AWANA store before Christmas. I have no idea why he looks so crabby in these pictures. He seemed to be having a good time.

Many hands make light work and after a short time we had an island full of frosted, sprinkled cookies. Good work Team Cookie 2010! I can't imagine how long it would have taken to decorate these by myself.

Merry Christmas!!

For to us a child is born,

to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6


A Christmas Prayer
by Robert Louis Stevenson

Loving Father, Help us remember the birth of Jesus, that we may share in the song of angels, the gladness of the shepherds, and the worship of the wise men. Close the door of hate and open the door of love all over the world. Let kindness come with every gift and good desires with every greeting.

Deliver us from evil by the blessing which Christ brings, and teach us to be merry with clean hearts. May Christmas morning make us happy to be Thy children, and Christmas evening bring us to our beds with grateful thoughts, forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus' sake, Amen!

Look at the Lights!

After dinner on the 23rd we made a big batch of hot chocolate and loaded the boys into the van to go look at lights. We visited the same displays we'd been to in years past and they did not disappoint.

The boys had a great time and enjoyed sipping their hot cocoa while we drove around. Thanks to our collection of travel coffee mugs we didn't even have a spill. I drew the line at cookies though because I didn't want a van full of crumbs and sprinkles.

One house in particular goes all out. You have to get out of the car and walk around to really appreciate the display. So that's what we did!

10/10 Weight Loss Challenge (#2)

I am going to be hosting another 10/10 Weight Loss Challenge. Several of the participants from the last group want to keep their momentum going so the new start date is coming up FAST!! If you want to join in let me know ASAP!! A few of the "rules" are changing so even if you did the challenge last time please read this carefully. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Anyone who has at least 10 pounds to lose is welcome to join in the fun. It doesn't matter where you live, this will be a "virtual" challenge! Anyone (invite a friend or two!) who wants to join pays an entry fee of $10. You have 6 weeks to lose 10 pounds. The entry fee will be refunded to each individual who loses 10 pounds by the end date, but those who do not meet the goal will forfeit their $10 and it'll be divided among those who did. For this weight loss challenge you will only be required to weigh yourself twice - once for weigh in and once for weigh out. You will need access to a scale, a digital camera, and have a way to get me the photo (via email or Facebook).

NEW: Anyone who has successfully completed a previous challenge (lost 10 pounds at least once) can join as a "maintainer" for future rounds. You still need to register, pay, and send in photos but instead of losing 10 pounds you have to maintain your start date weight through the next round, if you gain (even a pound!) you will forfeit your $10. Maintainer status is only available to people who have been in the group as a successful loser at least once.

To join the challenge you'll need to:

1. Register: Contact me (email: shellyshown@gmail.com) and let me know you're in and if you would like to be in the optional Facebook group (see below). Active group members can add friends to the group but they still need to contact me to "register" so I know who to add to my list. Anyone who does not pay or send a photo by the deadline dates will be disqualified (and removed from the FB group).
   
2. Money Due: Get me your $10 and a self-addressed stamped envelope to me by the due date. Or if you are local you can get the money to me in person.
   
3. Weigh In/Start Date: Take a digital photo of your weight on the scale (numbers only - no identifying features!) and email them to me no later than the start date. This information will NOT be shared with anyone and will be deleted--but we don't want any cheating. I will mail my pictures to one member of the group for accountability as well. Anyone who does not get me their weigh in photo by the end of the start day will be disqualified.
   
4. Weigh Out/End Date: You'll have to send another picture on the challenge end date to verify your loss (unless you forfeit). If you do not send a "weigh out" photo by the end of the day your it will be considered a forfeit and your entry fee will be lost. No exceptions.
   
5. Pay Day: The day after the challenge ends I will mail out the money to those who completed the challenge. In the event no one in the group loses 10 pounds, you will have the option to roll your entry fee into the next challenge or have your money refunded.
6. Optional: Join the "secret" Facebook group to encourage one another and hold each other accountable during the 6 weeks. It is only "secret" because that is what Facebook calls the most protected/private group setting. You do not have to be part of the FB group to take part in the challenge. The FB group is completely optional, but a great way to get and give support! Only current group members will be allowed in the FB group.
   

Registration Date: NOW and up until the start date! (To register see #1 above.)

Money Due: January 3, 2011 (I was going to make it the 2nd but since there is no mail that day I made it the 3rd). Please get your entry fee in on time! The due date is already fast approaching and less than a week away.

Weigh In - Start Date: January 3, 2011

Weigh Out - End Date: February 14, 2011 (take your photo early - before you eat a Valentine's Day dinner!)

A Thoughtful Gift

This is repost from 2008, but I always think of this on cookie baking day!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I am in the middle of a marathon baking day! I decided I needed a break for a minute. While I've been making a mess of my kitchen, I was thinking of the year I didn't do any baking. Hayden was born 4 days before Thanksgiving in 2005 (he wasn't due until the end of January). While the twins had been early, Wesley hadn't been so at that point we didn't really expect Hayden to be early. (Now we know better!)

The month between Thanksgiving and Christmas that is normally filled with shopping, decorating, and baking was instead filled with daily trips to the NICU and prayers that Hayden would be home in time for Christmas. He struggled with eating more than expected and just barely made it home in time on the evening of the 23rd. That was the best Christmas gift!

That year, of course, stands out a bit in my mind as quite different from the rest. It was more simple. The fun extras were just that...fun extras, not necessities. The tree went up late, I didn't get out every decoration, and I didn't have time for baking that year. And you know what? We survived! :) Because I'm sure you all know that Christmas isn't about cookies and gifts and decorating. It isn't even about friends and family. It's about the One who came to save the world.

But here is the part I wanted to share, the part that I thought of this morning as I made my sugar cookie dough...

Knowing there wasn't going to be much baking going on a with a baby in the NICU, one sweet lady from church offered to take Roz to her house for a baking day. Sure, of course! Then she asked that Roz bring my cut out cookie recipe along with the frosting recipe and my cookie cutters. I said okay and wondered why in the world they would want my recipe when I was sure they had a perfectly good recipe and cutters of their own.

Roz was picked up. She baked, decorated, and had a great time. She was dropped back at home with a pile of cookies. Our cookies. My cookies. They tasted and looked exactly like they always do, made with the same recipe in the familiar shapes. This wasn't just a gift of cookies! It was an unexpected gift of service, of time, of tradition; a modern day foot washing. Those cookies were my second favorite gift that year and probably one of the most thoughtful, Christ-like gifts I've ever received!

A Shepherd's Story

This Sunday was the Children's Christmas program at our church. All the kids, including our five boys, have been practicing very hard for over a month. My boys were super disappointed when the program was rescheduled because of the blizzard that blew through town last Sunday.

When this Sunday rolled around they were all ready to go and, thankfully, the weather cooperated. One benefit of the program being delayed a week was that Roz was able to be there! She even got in the Christmas spirit by wearing my "ugly" Christmas sweater. Grandma Vern, Grandma Linda, and the whole LeClair family came too.


For those of you who couldn't make it, especially the AZ grandparents, I want to give you a taste of what it would have been like if you were able to come in person. Wesley was a narrating shepherd, look for him in dark blue on the upper right. JD and Eli were also shepherds, you won't be able to miss JD... just look for him swaying near the front right. Eli is a bit harder to pick out, he's on the left side in brown. Justus was a sheep (middle right) and Hayden was Joseph (center, behind the angels).

Here is the program (click on any image to enlarge it):

Here are few short video clips from the program. I didn't record the whole program. Not the best quality but I think you'll enjoy them anyway. All the kids are so cute and did such a great job!

First, a clip from Eli's favorite song "Angels are Rejoicing" and some of the readings, including Wesley, followed by "Away in a Manger".


Next up, a little Latin... Wesley was pretty excited about that since he has been learning some Latin this year and actually knew what "in excelsis Deo" means.



Next up the "Joyful, Joyful Medley"...



And last, the final song, "Happy Hallelujah Christmas Song".



Here are a few still shots of the children. I didn't get one shot where all the kids are clear at the same time. They just wiggle around too much!


Special thanks... if you worked on the program, if you came to watch in person, or if you watched these short clips. And extra special thanks to the children of Faith Chapel for working so hard and doing such a great job!

The (Video) Games We Play

My boys love playing games on my iPod touch. I have to set a timer or they would play for hours. What games could cause scenes like this?


Only two: Angry Birds and Cut the Rope. I had the free version of Angry Birds on my iPod and the boys begged me to buy the full version for 99 cents. I held off for awhile but finally gave in and then made a profit. I told the four big boys if they each gave me $1 then I'd buy it and they ran off to get their little wallets.

It wasn't until a day or two later that Wesley asked why I needed a dollar from each of them if the app only costs 99 cents. Jerry told him it was for wear and tear on my iPod. And how true that is! I have to recharge it twice a day just to keep up with them.

JD is pretty much banned from playing with my iPod unless I am sitting right there because he posts weird things to my Facebook status or deletes applications in about two seconds. I don't know how he does it. A couple weeks ago I found out he had the iPod when he posted the following to Facebook and I just happened to see it pop up:

How sad is that?! He was in the next room and I found out what he was doing because of Facebook! Guess I won't be asked to write any articles for parenting magazines anytime soon.

Hayden especially loves to play on the iPod. It's his post nap wake up routine to sit on the recliner and play a few rounds. Ask him about it sometime. He'll go on for several minutes about levels and birds and all sorts of stuff that won't make sense to you if you're anything like me! Even when he isn't playing he still thinks about the game. Here is some recent artwork...

"Angry Birds" by Hayden, age 5
and the real Angry Birds (below)


"Cut the Rope" by Hayden, age 5
and the real Cut the Rope (below)

I thought his drawings were so funny that I sent them to Roz at school (since she's the one who got them hooked on Cut the Rope). She showed them around the dorm for some laughs. Thankfully, the iPod costs enough that I'm not even tempted to buy one for any of the boys. We are trying to maintain a mostly video game free/limited TV home for them. I'd rather they read a book! We have no Wii or Xbox or DS systems.

When I say we don't have any video games Wesley always says we do. Here is what our video game system looks like:Pac Man, Bosconian, Dig Dug, Rally-X, and Galaxian on a plug & play joystick are the extent of our "gaming system". Well, that and the iPod. And after seeing how addicting the games can be for them I'm glad we've opted out of anything more serious than that!