"OH SNAP"

Those are the words that came out of Mackguire's mouth, along with the swinging arm while snapping his fingers. Followed by "I thought it was a girl." I think he was more shocked then disappointed that his sibling radar was off. Cam and I took care of the disappointed looks for him, and Creed just sitting there I am sure wondering why this creature on the screen is being called a baby. I think it kind of frightened him, he stayed by my side the whole time.

So there it is. For some reason the Lord wants lots of Shirley men on this earth and do you blame him they are great guys.

Of course we were hoping for a girl, that goes without saying. However, Cam and I do know that for people who were never expected to have kids we really can't complain about 3 healthy and happy boys. I just know this gray patch of hair on top of my head is going to spread to like a fierce virus.

As for names Mack had Sunshine Lollypop picked out for his baby sister, so in a way I guess I am glad to dodge that bullet. We asked him after the appt. if he had a boy name and he couldn't think of one at first. Later on though he said Caden. We told him that name was taken by his cousin already but he said that doesn't matter we can have two. Which should be a huge compliment to his cousin Caden who is always so good to him. So at least Cam and I don't have to worry about Sunshine Lollypop!

Sorry for the wierd graphic picture, I just thought the three male statues was fitting and applied somehow.

Watch out South Dakota WE'RE BACK!

I can't believe that we have returned to the birthplace of my boys, our future child and our dog for that matter. It is such a peaceful feeling being back, in many ways it feels as if we never left. I pulled in after 6 days of being on the road (we had some detours and took our sweet time getting here) and it felt similar as to when I pull into my birthplace of Rexburg. HOME! I guess we planted longer roots here in our 4 years than we originally thought.

Last night after we pulled onto base we drove by our old house to see if it was still around or if it had succumbed to the wrecking ball. Sure enough it was there and looked pretty sad and dilapidated. The new houses are almost done so I think the wrecking ball is coming soon. Mack didn't really remember the house, after all he was 2 1/2 when we moved. He did like hearing about it though and me pointing to his bedroom window. We aren't sure if we are living in base housing or venturing on our own again. So for now we are living in the temporary housing available on base. We will keep you posted.

We miss our friends and life in California but look forward to starting our Airforce life again.



our pathetic OLD house!

one of our detours was in LA for Cam's brother Kimballs graduation

Our farewell bonfire with some friends (not the warmest day)

some of our die-hard friends who braved the cold

HE'S HOME!!

Yea! I can finally stop whining and moaning about being a single pregnant mom. Cam is finally home. I know to some of you these past 3 months have gone by quick, and in some ways it has for me too. That said though, it sure is nice to have another adult around especially when that adult is Daddy! The moment he arrived is one that will be etched in my mind forever. The boys of course were out the door to meet his car before I could even get my increasingly large hiney off the chair. So my first sight was Mackguire and Cam sitting in his car their eyes filled with tears. Mack said "mommy I am crying, but they are happy tears" the moment was so tender and sweet. Creed wouldn't let go of his neck and just kept kissing him everywhere all night long. He would mainly focus on his face, but there were lots of kisses on the arms, legs, and stomach. Anywhere he could reach. I guess he really did miss every part of his Daddy. For the last 3 days Creed keeps saying " I am so happy Daddy is home, I missed him so much."

To top my joy of having my family reunited I was lucky enough the next day to send that family away on the Father/Son camp out at church. The timing couldn't have been more perfect. I was ready to hand over all duties to Cam. I can't even begin to express how weird that night and next morning were to have complete time all to myself. When you have been "on duty" for so long it is hard to turn it off. I tried to live it up by going shopping and out to dinner with my great friend Robin whose 3 boys were off too. And then that night I went to another friends house who was hosting a movie night for some of the other lucky women whose boys were gone. I only made it through about 15 min of the movie before I crashed. I think my body knew it was time to come out of survival mode and just needed to sleep. To end my time alone I got a phone call the next morning from my gal Lauren who wanted to know if I wanted to go get a pedi and some lunch. I quickly jumped on it and said "yes lets hurry and go before the boys get home and I get stuck putting camping stuff away." So all in all my time was well spent and very much enjoyed. I just wish these camp outs were once a month. A mom can only dream!

Can I really leave the beach?

This is what I had to keep asking myself on Saturday while my friend Robin Ladle and I sat on the warm sand with perfect calm waters watching our children frolic and play in the ocean and sand. We were there just us two moms with five kids under five, because of course Cam is gone and her husband Josh (of Rexburg descent, small world, just had to throw that in!) was occupied for the day. And I really wanted at least one warm day before we moved so I could hit the beach. Saturday thankfully delivered! If I am lucky maybe I can squeeze one more in this week before the packers come.

Anyway, I used to always think I was a lake or swimming pool kind of girl. (I know growing up in Idaho I didn't really have a choice.) After all, the ocean is full of terrifying creatures and the waves can be super dangerous. But mostly the mess of the sand was enough to convince me that the ocean is overrated. However, after living here I have to pat myself on the back for letting go of my OCD behavior when it comes to sand. Don't get me wrong I still hate it! The way it always makes its grimy gritty way into my car, my house, my washing machine and at last the dryer. But after 2.5 years of regular beach outings I have decided the fun and enjoyment we get after a day at the beach is so worth the extra vacuuming I have to do. I still don't really go in the water, I tell everyone it is because it's too cold. But in reality I have been to aquariums and I know what lies beneath and well, the Jaws movies still have too much of an effect on my Psyche.

So thanks Robin for braving the outing with your 3 little kids (one being a newborn) and no husband. (YEA! for MOMMY POWER!) I was pretty homeless all weekend while we had one last open house Saturday and Sunday for a last ditch effort to sell our house. (Don't ask what happened to our previous buyers. I am still fuming!) So it was nice to share the day with a friend.

Mack and his friend Parker. She was such a trooper and kept up with him climbing on all sorts of treacherous rocks!

My Lovely Young Women

OK so I haven't had a date in like forever, (well at least since Cam left which seems like forever) and two of my sweet young women Brittany and Sarah decided that I needed one desperately. They arranged the baby sitter and even brought me flowers (my favorite, Lily's. I don't know how they knew). Then we went to Monterey and rented a surrey and rode down the beach. Something I have wanted to do since we moved here. Again, I am not sure that they knew that either, they are just in tune with me I guess. At the end of our riding experience we had a yummy picnic on the beach and to top the evening off we went for manicures. It was so fun and so sweet of them.
To say that I have loved my calling at church working with the Young Women is an understatement. I truly don't even think of it as a calling, service or a sacrifice. It is a pleasure and something I have enjoyed so much and look forward to every Wednesday night and Sunday. I am going to miss them so much when I move.

my pretty, pretty flowers

me and my dates having our picnic on the beach
How fun is this? These girls are awesome!

And now this baby is 3!!!

My little Creedo is not so little anymore. I can't believe he is 3. Luckily for me he is still my baby. At least that is what he tells me all the time. He is no rush to grow up. He has been so proud today telling everyone its his birthday and then he will say he is a big boy. Shortly after that he will say "no" and will put his pluggy in his month and say "I'm a baby" with a big smirky little smile. He is such a sweetie and continually melts my heart. However, make no mistake he is also 3, so he can break my heart just as quickly as he melts it. But he never ceases to tell me I am his best friend and follows it with one of his gigantic neck hugs. Happy Birthday Baby we love you. We can't wait for more years with you.

Here he is our 7lb 4oz baby boy Loving his 1st birthday cake which doubled as an Easter cake how special to have your first birthday on Easter.
Now he is a sweet 2
What a happy little Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde

My baby's 5!!!!!

I never thought this day would come! I can't believe how at times it seemed to be going by so slow but yet in reality these 5 years have actually flown by. Although this seems like the eternal birthday celebration since we have been celebrating since March. Today is the day that it has sunk in with me and I am reminiscing about all the hard times, hard times (oh wait did I say that twice, well for good reason) and more importantly the amazing moments the laughter and the joy I have had in raising Mackguire. He is truly turning into a wonderfully sweet little man. So to Mr. Magoo, Macky-tacky, Mickey-Mack, and Magilicutty (never had to spell that one before, don't know if its right) Happy Birthday! We Love you and couldn't imagine our lives without you in it.


Our 3 week early pip-sqeak 5lb 10oz baby boy
1 year later not too much of a pip-squeak anymore. Same Rabbit and basket
My big 2 year old
Looks who 3
A handsome little boy is starting to form.

And now my guy is 5!
At school today sharing his birthday treat.
Poor guy last year on his birthday he had to go to urgent care for a dislocated elbow and today on his birthday he had to go to the dentist for a check-up before he gets 2 fillings tomorrow. I thought this picture was too funny, the boys were actively involved in the cartoon playing above their heads.