Tyler

I love my kids!

I love them all equally. This one is a little special! Why? Well, its a very long story. It has everything to do with my recovery and the choice I made to stay sober. A life isn't a life if you don't have anything to live for. I lived for this little boy right here! I am so thankful everyday that we (Tyler and I) made it through something very special and dear to my heart. He was the one I had my eyes on during my crises of recovery. He is the one I chose to LIVE for. He is the little boy that hugged me so tightly during the most painful time in my life. I couldn't be happier to have lived through the hardest thing I have ever been through with him right beside me!!

I love you Tyler Shank. I am so grateful to have you in my life. 

(and my new photography logo)

Love mommy!

This post was inspired last night when I had a meeting with my Mary Kay consultant. { she was trying to recruit me }. She is a great woman who has been through some things herself. She had asked me some important questions in regards to my past etc. This little boy came out in my small story. I was very happy to tell it. I am very happy to be sober and to be living the life that the LORD has chosen for me. 

~ Love the shank family

Morgan's First Birthday ( the inspiration )

Morgan's First Birthday is coming rather rapidly. Up until about a week ago...it seemed as if it was months away. Kale and I were having a conversation and out of nowhere he asks, "You do realize that her birthday is just two weeks away right?" I freaked. I mean freaked!

If is was an already hosted party somewhere like Chuck E Cheese or somewhere that only involves bringing a cake and buying pizza than I think I would still be in the safe zone. But nooooo...little miss crafty crafter DIY'er has to go all out and get crazy with it.

So... I did. I got a little crazy. All of these photos were pulled off Pinterest (of course)!

Here is a small sampling of the ideas I have been eyeing for at least 6 months now!

( the link for this image goes no where from pinterst )

This table is more or less the inspiration. Along with about 1200 other Soiree inspired tables I have chosen from Pinterest. This is so beautiful. I just can't stand it!

( Tutorial Here )

So cute and thankfully Tyler loves the IZZY Clementine pop drinks from Starbucks.

( Tutorial Here )

These look so delicious. I can't wait to make these and then eat them all up before daddy Kale gets them! I want to make these minus the stripes and sprinkles. I'm thinking edible glitter.

( Tutorial Here )

These look so good too. Can you see a pattern yet? Yes. Pink everything.

I can't remember where I scored this photo. It must have been off Pinterest. I am thinking pink and silver instead. I love the glitter. It could be overwhelming if I go too crazy but at this point I think it will be alright.

( Tutorial Here )

These are adorable. I love the little flags and the polka dots. I definitely am loving these polka dots!

I think you guys get the point. This is going to be so much fun to create. I can't wait to get started on all of these fun projects. First...I must go SHOP!!

Love,

The Shank Family

( and your crafty little crafter DIY'er ME )

I Think We are Back

Well, I want to say I think I am gonna be coming back to blogger! I am really excited because it has been so long since I have created a blog post. I will start out by telling everyone that I love them and I miss sending these out! Our Shank Family is doing pretty good these days. Look for an email update regarding "us" and what has been going on within our family soon. Good news to come. 

Here are some updates:

Morgan's First Birthday has been organized. It will be out at Burdette Park this year as we have family coming in town and needed to provide additional space. We also wanted a mini vacation for the celebration as well. Burdette Park was the ideal place to have this wonderful FIRST birthday for our little Morgan.

The official invitation design by mommy Shank:

Kale is really loving and enjoying working out at Bristol Meyer Squibb. It is a completely new atmosphere for him. I couldn't be happier seeing my husband walking through the back door everyday with loads of energy and a huge smile. I am so glad he is not burnt out anymore. He used to come home stinky, sweaty, irritated and tired. Normally he would pass out on the couch and I would have to get him to bed. He helped around the house but not as much as he does now.

I am truly grateful to our Lord for providing this door that opened for Kale. The power of prayer is so unbelievable. We just recently found out that Abengoa Bioenergy is moving a lot of managers to other job sites around the US. They will not be replaced. This is a sign that shutting down this ethanol plant is coming soon. I am really glad that Kale has a new job and we don't have to struggle when that time would have come. I do, however, pray for the families that will be enduring this job loss.

He now has the energy a daddy needs!!

Colten is gone for Thanksgiving. He is in Texas! I am sure he is having a blast seeing all of his family. His Aunt Jana is getting married which is a great deal. I am very happy that Colten gets to be part of her wedding party!!!

Tyler is doing well. He is my handsome little helper around the house. He loves to help me cook. I doubt (or well I'm hoping) that will never change!!

Morgan is getting bigger and bigger! My little girl at 11 months old is wearing 12-18 months in pants and 18 months in shorts. She is a little chub! She has 4 teeth. She is eating like a monster! She is our little hunny.

I am currently still in school. I have a little over a year and a half left. I am about to up my game here after the holidays and take on school full time. I am really hoping that I can handle the load. I have also started a small business with Photography!

I am really excited to share this. It is nothing big and does bring in some income. However, I have been investing all of my profits towards my business so it hasn't helped our family financially but it has given me a good ground start business wise. I keep buying templates, seasonal cards, prints, lenses and more. I think this is the smarter way to go about it and of course Kale does too.

Here is some of my most recent work:

I am a little proud I guess but shouldn't I be? I guess that I have finally found my TWO passions in life. Photography and Design.

I plan on merging these gifts here in the next few years. I do plan on owning my own business. I must be a little entrepreneur because I have set out to be my own boss and I am pretty confident my career will lead me to this.

Well. So far that is all I have. I will definitely be posting at least once a week.

We miss you and love you all!!

Oh - and don't bother copying these pics. I will be making everyone in the family a CD (now that I know how) of our family for your use. I think this will be a great gift or gift add on for everyone.

LOVE-

The Shank Family