Happy Easter {#3}

Easter.

 What is Easter?

I have always known Easter to be a celebration involving family, candy, dyed eggs, food, Easter egg hunting, and fun. I never celebrated this holiday for it's real purpose.

At 29 years old..I ask, "What is Easter?" I know it's something about the resurrection of Christ Jesus but I know nothing more.

Being a fairly new follower in Christ I wanted to share this with you all.

I remember the story from church {3/17/12} about the resurrection of Jesus. As Kale and I sit listening quietly to our Senior Pastor I believe we were both taken by the story and how he approached this teaching. Here is the beginning of the teaching:

John 20:1-9

John 20:1-9 NIV

Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don't know where they have put him!" So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus' head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen. Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.)

The story went on and was extremely interesting. Something I had never heard before or that I can remember. I love the way our Senior Pastor taught this in his own understanding and through scripture.  I am continuing this 4 week study through my church online. I heard the first teaching and missed the last three being out of town and sick.  This story starts off too good to not want to finish it. And for that matter it would be a great bedtime story to read to my kids on the days before Easter in upcoming years.

There was one verse given to all before leaving church at the end of each teaching. One stood out for me:

Sometimes doubting is not a lack of faith but rather an expression of it. Sometimes to doubt is merely to insist that God be taken seriously, not frivolously - to insist that our faith is placed in and upheld by something other than tricks (Mark Buchanan).

To end this long Easter Celebration..I give you my Easter Flowers.

Typically I would receive flowers in a vase with a cute little card addressed to me ~ Love Kale and the boys. Now of course it would have included ~ love Morgan.

This year was different. I. Like. Different!

My boys planted me flowers instead. I was shocked. The sad part? I waited for the flower man to knock on the door or Kale to walk in with a smile on his face and a bouquet in his hands.

I really like that they decided to give me Easter flowers this way:

{ The small flowers were the gift, however, it was a beautiful spring touch to see all of my other plants blooming beautifully}

{ They even filled my empty pots }

{ And they added brick and new mulch around the side of the house } 

I love my boys!

Happy Easter {finally} to all of our family and friends! Despite Morgan and Mommy being sick ON Easter Sunday...this couldn't have turned out any better. 

The kiddos thank everyone for their wonderful little Easter cards, candy, and gifts. They are sending you all thank you cards.

And one more picture of all three kiddos on Easter

Happy Easter {#2}

As mentioned in our last post :

Kale put on a pretty great Easter for the kiddos. Morgan and mommy were sick so we stayed in bed most of the day.

Flew home from Florida Sunday morning. Got off plane and drove about 45 minutes. Arrived home around 9am.

When I walked through the front door my boys were watching cartoons and Kale was cooking a big Easter breakfast including pancakes. :) My favorite.

Everyone ate breakfast except mom. I headed upstairs and fell asleep sick to my tummy. Morgan too.

Every once in a while I was awake to hear everything going on.




They started out dying easter eggs. Messy! But the boys enjoyed themselves. This was daddy's set up. Of course. My coffee cups. My baking pan and my cooling rack! Where was I? Oh in bed unable to stop this... But what more could I ask for than a man who attempts to at least do his best.

Then Kale decided to hunt down cash. He stuffed the empty easter eggs full of money {instead of candy}. Every time one of the boys would find an easter egg I would hear them yell, "More money!!!!"

Then they found their easter baskets. These weren't like last years. But with Kale inspired shopping this was definitely top notch.

After lunch they decided to eat candy Kale purchased. When they all came to check up on me I told Kale that I wanted the boys to make a Pinterest inspired bird nest. I thought it would be fun and creative. He looked at me all funny as he usually does when I mention ANYTHING involving Pinterest.

The inspiration:

from pinterest

In the making:

The boys version:

Beautiful!!!!

With mommy and Morgan being sick...this turned out to be a great Easter! I am proud of Kale for handling the mommy duties alone. He did so great. I am also proud of my boys for being so well behaved on Easter.

To another great Easter as a Shank :)

{Easter Cards to follow}

Happy Easter 2012 { #1 }

Tyler 6  ~  Morgan 4 mo's  ~ Colten 9




 I wanted to celebrate Easter with the boys this year :( I was just too sick to. So was Morgan. Kale managed to pull off a good time for the boys. I could hear them scattering through the house hunting eggs. I loved hearing the laughter all 3 boys made while having a good day.

This weekend { now that we are all well } we did some more celebrating.

More Easter fun posts to come.

Just wanted to show off my beautiful kiddos in the meantime!

Love
The Shank Family

Very Sick Shanks

I wanted to briefly send out a post about our health.

It's nothing threatening by any means but it's not so great either.

Week of March 26 - 30

 Kale started feeling sick. That Tuesday he came home from work sick.  I sent him to Urgent Care. He was sent home with some medication. Kale is the kind of person - for him to miss work - it must be pretty bad. He just doesn't miss work.

He slept things off that day and night and returned to work the next day. Still not feeling that great he duked it out and went on.

April 5

By the weekend he was o.k and seeing little Morgan and myself off to Florida on a plane. He felt great over the weekend and so did the boys.

We thought it was just a small bug he got and it's gone and over.

When we got to Florida Morgan started acted really weird. We { my family and I } assumed she was tired from the trip. She was spitting up a lot more than usual. Her poo's were also a lot more loose than normal. Then out to eat at Olive Garden and she projectile vomits across the table. I mean seriously. You think I would have gotten the hint my daughter was sick. I so didn't. She also just went through a formula brand change. So with all those factors involved I didn't really get alarmed.

April 8

Well the morning I was to fly home with Morgan wasn't so good for me. I woke up and had this incredible headache that covered my skull, down my neck and some of my spine. I was in a lot of discomfort.

By that night I was in bed. I sort of just slept. Then it got worse. I was in tears. My stomach pain was just so overwhelming I couldn't do anything but cry. I did take a few of the pills Kale had for stomach cramps.

The day I found out I was sick two of my family members from Florida were also sick.  I also found out the little boy {2 yrs old} that I babysit during the week was sick too.

April 10


I  kept Tyler home from school Tuesday because he said he wasn't feeling well. I though I better keep him home so I don't have to get in a car and drive to get him from school. 

So this lasts { for me } from Sunday through today. I am feeling better besides this headache I can't get to go away and slight nausea.

Morgan is feeling much better. She is active, playful, and smiling away. She is a little irritable but other than that she is eating well.

Kale is running around the house taking care of everyone. Feeding everyone. Dishes. Baseball Practice.  Poor Guy!

April 11

The day I start feeling better Kale texts me and tells me to add him to the list of sick people. I said Oh No! He came home vomiting. Poor guy. He took care of me while I was sick this whole time and thankfully I am well enough to take care of him again.

April 12

Kale ended up being too sick to return to work. He was in bad shape!

TODAY:


Kale went back to work this morning. He isn't up to par but isn't bedridden anymore. I am o.k. besides my stomach being in knots from this flu. Tyler is o.k. to return to school again. I don't believe he was ever sick actually. No symptoms. He was just being a mama's boy. I was too sick to really mind if he stayed home and snuggled with us.

Christian { the 2 year old I watch } is also better.

This has been a VERY rough week!

All-a-while Colten actually survived! He never got sick. He's a lucky little man.

I know this is strange but when a slight minute passed that things were calm in this house I did get some pictures because I am little miss picture taker.

Morgan's bloated Tummy :(

Pancakes from Kale. I got served in bed. Any other time this would be at treat but I actually disliked the fact I was confined to my bed.

Christian and Tyler being snuggle bugs

Morgan finally falls asleep after a fussy episode of not feeling very well

And finally she is feeling a little better



I am so glad this is over. I am crossing my fingers that this is over. An entire week spent in bed very ill for our whole family is enough for me.

I am still praying for Colten's health to remain good. I really can't handle anymore.

I guess I know what my weekend looks like:

Cleaning. Scrubbing. Washing & disinfecting EVERYTHING.  My efforts might help. I pray that no one else gets sick and that my family starts getting back to normal again.

My Sweet Good-Bye Letter

I forgot to mention how sweet my 9 year old is while creating my Florida Trip post.

Before I left I wrote Colten a letter. It was a simple letter from a mother to her oldest son about responsibility, behavior, attitude and you get the point. 

I expect a lot more from Colten than I do from Tyler given their ages!

In return, he wrote a letter to ME.

Which I adore.

The $ part was him thinking I was fishing a tournament. I was hoping to but it didn't work out this year. Hopefully next year this girl will get to fish at least ONE!

I love it! AND I love my Colten!

M&M Trip { FLORIDA } 2012

Morgan and Mommy decided to go on a little mommy/daughter trip. Where to? One of my all-time favorite places!

The Sunshine State

I did some fishing while Morgan hung out with her Grandma. Then on the last day before returning home we all decided to hit the beach. You can't go somewhere like Florida and NOT go to the beach!

We are "thinking" of starting a new Shank Family Tradition... Mommy/Daughter Trips and Father/Son trips. This isn't exactly in the works quiet yet but hopefully over this next year or two we will begin this small idea and put it into the works. 

We have always gone places as a FAMILY. But with hunting trips, fishing trips, girl get-a-ways and all that we have finally decided it's o.k. to go off without the others. We might only get to do this twice a year BUT anything is better than nothing!

Mommy and Morgan will take small trips alone. It will be our girl time together. Then, other times, Kale and the boys will go off as fathers and sons and enjoy some dirty man stuff together. Dirty = mud, deer, guns, trucks, 4 wheelers, etc. Ha Ha  and They Better stay out of trouble!!!

I think this is going to be fun planning and fun doing. 

This trip was for me. I needed to get out of this house. I've been kind of cooped up since pregnancy and really needed this. I am so thankful Kale agreed and so very thankful to have been able to go. This was a much needed mini vacation and I had a ton of fun!

Some Pics from Our Trip:

Little Miss Morgan's First Plane Ride

She did very well. She slept on the 45 minute ride to airport. When we got there she woke up and was sort of fussy. But the minute people noticed her they were in love. She ended up getting so much attention she stopped fussing.

When we got on the plane there were two teenage girls. I heard them giggling over Morgan. I looked over and asked them if they would like to hold her. They both just lit up with smiles. I sure did hand my little ham over. They were in LOVE. They even text their friends that were seated else where and LOL'd them saying they got the baby! I was very blessed with the gesture.

Soon after take-off my wee one fell asleep. The flight was really great at an hour and forty minutes. Not bad.

Almost immediately after arriving in Florida I went fishing. ANYONE who knows me knows it wouldn't have taken long to get my little butt out on a BOAT! 

We didn't have all the luck in the world but I did catch a beauty!

After fishing, visiting, napping, eating and family time we went to the beach on the last day we were there.

This was Morgan's First Trip to The Beach!!!

I thought she would cry... She did not. She actually was very quiet. I think she was wondering what this was. It was very cute. She just froze and started breathing heavily.

She's still rockin' that fluffy duck hair I LOVE

I'm not so artistic but for memories sake I took about 2 seconds to carve this into the sand :)

This trip was well worth taking with a 4 month old ( help excluded ). I didn't think it would be so easy but knew it would be exhausting.

Can't wait to go on another Mommy + Daughter Trip!

Next up are the boys...Where will they go? What will they do?

Whatever Kale plans I know will be fun and full of precious memories!

Their Own Plans

{ SUNDAY April 1 }

We seriously had one lazy day on Sunday. Kale and I both were catching up on rest. The boys started to get a little restless, needless to say, and decided to come up with their own plan.

I walk through the house to grab a bottle of water from the fridge and see Tyler standing in the hallway just as quiet as can be. I said, "Buddy, what are you doing"? He asked me if I knew where his bathing suit was. I said yeeessss. It's in your 3rd drawer. He said, "O.k. thanks mom". "Your welcome", I replied. Thinking nothing of it I continue on to get my bottle of water. On my way back to the family room I see Tyler standing in the hallway again. He is dressed in his bathing suit, swim shirt and flip flops. I just chuckled and asked him if he wanted to play in the water? He started nodding and said yes, yes, yes. "O.k. then", I replied.

2 seconds later Colten comes out of his room with the same attire. Smiling again I just started to chuckle. I knew they were being a little too quiet.

So we did hook them up with some water. And of course not 2 seconds into this they both hugged oneself and started shivering. Kale and I both at this point are telling them not to be sissy's. For what time we were outside was pretty good.

Colten turned into a spider monkey and a dog. Yes. You heard correctly. He decided he was going to jump over the water twisting his body in mid air. So we started calling him spider monkey.

Then he ran through the water on all fours like a dog.

After this he decided to show off for us and do push ups over the water! Seriously. Kale uses push ups as a discipline. You would think he hated push ups but nope. Only when he HAS to do them.

Kale sat around eating...Yes...one thing he does best. He asked me If I had ever told anyone about "THE BEAVER"? I said,  "yes I think I have told Beth". This is what Kale believes { that him doing this beaver face at me with his two front teeth } is what made me fall in love with him! HILARIOUS! So he sticks crackers in his mouth like a beaver to make me laugh. I laughed hard. This is ONE reason I love my husband...

And of course this little amateur photographer decided to get some pro-wanna-be shots. So I did. And they are good. Pretty Good. 

The boys got pooped out and laid down on the grass. So I took my chance and scored!

The boys feel accomplished - their master plan of playing in water

Kale feels accomplished - making me fall in love again by doing "The Beaver "

Morgan feels accomplished - she napped the entire time

and of course I feel accomplished - got some rad photos

Well I guess that wraps up Sunday for the Shanks

Friends and Food

{ Saturday March 31 }

We love our friends. Our good friends.  They are family.

Beth, Dan and Zach Titzer

Ashley and Simon Wertman

We hang out with these two fam's more than anyone. 

Last Saturday we were invited to an evening at the Titzer's. We love going. It's always a long day/night. The boys get to hang out with Zach. He's cool. He's older. He's 11. So of course Colten and Tyler both look up to him.

We all enjoyed great food! I enjoyed a little photography. We all enjoyed good conversations. And of course we all thought Kale would be there. He was not. He stayed at work until probably 11pm that night. We missed him though. And the surprise 12 pack did too.

On this occasion we started doing something a little different. We decided to start trying recipes with each other.  We would all make a unique dish and share. And that we did. 

Some Recipes we tried together:

Recipe here

Recipe here

Recipe here

At the end of the night, as usual, we made s'mores. Sat around and watched the boys talk. It's pretty interesting when they don't know we are listening!

We ended up leaving on perfect timing. Morgan's teeth were hurting her and I couldn't find anything for them. So we said our goodbyes and headed home.

Love our friends. Love our get-togethers. Love good food!

Spring Break Week

{ Friday March 30 }

I had mentioned in an earlier post this week that both our boys were on Spring Break. I can't run daycare and have my boys running around like crazy. 

So I searched for a few options and came across this one:

Church Day Camp

It wasn't through our church but that's o.k. They didn't push anything onto the children and a bible verse is a bible verse so I was totally cool with all that they had to offer.

The boys enjoyed arts & crafts, reading, bible verse studies, playing outside, and so much more. I was actually very impressed with the organization of the kids camp they attended. 

I dropped them off in the morning - had daycare throughout the day - when daycare was over I went and picked up our boys. They were usually covered in food, dirt, and paint. And that's o.k. As long as they had fun.

The last day of Church Camp they held a small play and spaghetti dinner for the families. Kale couldn't attend because of work but I took lots of pictures for him. And a few videos. I was a proud "mama bear" as Tyler likes to call me.

My boys are sort of sad to go back to school. They really enjoyed camp. 

They both got t-shirts and ran around with markers getting them signed. Fun Fun!