Hay Bales to Highways Chapter 7: A.K.A. All questions are eventually answered...

How appropriate that the 7th ed. of Haybales ended up being produced on our 7th anniversary! Yay for 7 years spent with my best friend--the husband I adore! Happy Anniversary honey! I'm so thankful for you and our years together--you were totally worth leaving all those haybales behind for. I love you!

So...in the last chapter of our story I was doing a whole lot of waiting and wondering--but a girl can't go forever without answers to her questions, right?

I remember distinctly talking with my friends about how we hadn't made any proclamations of love even though we were into our 4th month or so of dating. I *knew* there was love in our relationship but was waiting to hear it from the horse's mouth (so to speak). One evening after teaching piano lessons, Mr Wonderful came to pick me up and I asked him to take me to the post office since I hadn't gone yet that day (anyone ever go to Cedarville? well, let me tell ya, there was a LOT of walking involved and somedays I just couldn't make the trek to the P.O.). He looked at me funny and took me over (but not until the END of our date). I was surprised to see a card addressed to me in Mr. W's scrawl waiting there for me. I laughed as I got in the car and asked him why he didn't just hand me the card himself. He said it was special and as I started to rip into it yelled that I needed to "STOP OPENING THAT CARD!"

I was perplexed...to say the least. He told me I had to wait until he dropped me off to read it and so as soon as he did I pulled the card out and read the words *i love you* and a list of all the reasons why and I couldn't believe he finally "told" me he loved me and then I ran to my room and repeatedly speed-dialed his number (even though I knew he wasn't home yet) so that I could talk to him as soon as he got in and by talk, I mean, so that I could yell at him for not telling me in person! I finally got a hold of him and gave him a piece of my mind and he told me he was to nervous to say it in person--but thankfully, after that, he wasn't =)

The school year went by so quickly--it was by far my best at Cedarville. I was so happy in my little love bubble and so sad to see the year ending. I knew Mr. W. was going to be in Ohio for the summer so I decided to take some classes over the summer so that I could graduate early and since my best friend had decided to take classes over the summer it would be perfect! We found an apartment to live in just before spring break and made all sorts of fun fabulous plans--this was going to be the BEST summer ever!!!

And then...my best friend met HER Mr. Wonderful during spring break and wanted to go back home to TN so I was stuck living with strangers in OH, which was totally fine b/c I had my Mr. Wonderful to keep me company! It was going to be awesome and I would make new friends--what more could a young girl want? The last week of school Mr. W and I went to get ice cream and he started talking about how he was offered a job...in NJ....9 hours away....and that instead of waiting to move back home in the fall that he was going to move in the summer--like immediately.

I was heartbroken!

Then I was mad!

Now I was stuck living in OH with strangers and NO boyfriend.

I was saying, "WHY didn't you tell me this SOONER? I have to stay here this summer now and I'll be ALL ALONE! What were you thinking? I can't believe you're leaving!!?!?"

and He said, "Well, if I'm going to buy you a ring I need to go home where I can make more money!"

"What? Buy me a ring? Your want to MARRY ME???"

Mr W.: "Of course I want to marry you! Remember that one time we talked about whether or not you could see yourself marrying me and you said yes? Well, I have to go get a good job so we can do that!"

I was completely dumbfounded. We talked about marriage the same way we talked about movies or tv shows or music--it was a topic that came up--I didn't think we were having the talk--but apparently we were.

I temporarily forgot how angry I was and became happy and excited! I still had to spend the whole crappy summer by myself in the middle of a cornfield in OH but at least I had OUR future to look forward too! And believe me, it's going to TAKE the rest of our future together for Mr. Wonderful to make up that horrible summer to me--but he's doing been doing such a good job these past 7 years that I've almost forgiven him....almost....

Awkward Moments Define My Life: Home Sweet Home Edition

Ah! Home at last! We had a lovely long weekend in upstate NY and even though it was punctuated by horrible day-long downpours and power outages we had a lovely time at my future sister-in-law's bridal shower, at the beach with my parents, flying kits with my dad, making cookies with my mama and general family bonding time with my handsome brothers and lovely f-s-i-l =) The girls were awesome on the way UP to NY but were DEFINITELY not in the mood for the 6 hour trip home today. There wasn't too much screaming--just a general sadness and grumpiness about them! ha!

Here's where it gets awkward...

We left pretty early this morning so we got back right at nap time (SCORE!) and after we laid the girls down I ran out to the car to shuffle some things around. And of course, as soon as I got home I peeled off all my layers and put on grungy lounging clothes, took out my contacts and tossed my hair up in an "awesome" high, messy, bun on the top right of my head that would have put Princess Leia's 'do to shame. I was power walking to the car in case any of my neighbors might peak outside and see my sinful shameful apparel and even ducked skillfully into the car when a new neighbor (whom I haven't yet met) walked out to her car--I mean, that is a first impression no one deserves to have! So I thought I'd made it in the clear and was heading back from the car with an armload of road-trip-trash, froggy backpack and assorted baby toys when I heard,

"Hey! Don't I know you from somewhere? Weren't you a teacher at Ar*****?"

I froze and felt my stomach literally drop to the ground. Here I was in all my dirty blue skirt, stretched out see-throughish-tank-top, husband's too big flip flops, weird hair, lopsided glasses and armful of crap....ah, yikes. I thought about just running for the door but turned around to be faced with one of my past students. Of course he wanted to tell me everything he had been up to and I nodded and smiled while clutching my car junk to my chest to hide as much of my "outfit" as possible. I tried to keep the reunion short and stumbled into the house--only to resolve to never EVER go to my car again without, at least, non-embarrassing clothes on.

And that my friends is why my cheeks are currently red. And yes, I may be a bit sensitive but it was a moment, and it was awkward so I just thought I'd share. A new installment of Haybales to Highways tomorrow in honor of my 7th wedding anniversary! Woot! and good night!

Headed *Home* Where the Buffalo Coy Dogs Roam

The only word that sums up how I'm feeling at the moment is,

"YAY!"

Blog Design FYI

I've been asked by a lot of people about my blog design so I thought I'd devote a post to it =) I learned how to design my blog layout myself after spending a few hours of quality time with my computer, html codes, image shack and photo editing software. It definitely wasn't the most fun I've ever had but I've learned how to piece together a fun-looking blog. I have a few tips if you want to customize your blog a bit more yourself:

* there are a million sites that have blogger templates you can upload yourself that are easy to install under the html section on the layout page--there is a nice variety of pre-made templates that are more interesting than the run of the mill blogger ones

* pimpmyprofile.com even has a blogger template "maker" that writes the html code for you if you upload the design you want for your background--allows you to pick the color of your tables etc. very easy to use.

* i couldn't even begin to explain exactly how i write the code for my pages--it's much easier to show in person but if anyone out there in bloggy land seriously wants a new look and wants someone to do it for them i have no problem manufacturing a blog layout (for a small fee as it is TIME CONSUMING)

* it is very simple to make your own fun headers and labels--i use photoshop elements to design all of my headers but there is a good free one you can use--microsoft digital image starter edition--free download online and is good for editing pictures and piecing together header images

* i get my backgrounds online usually by doing image searches on google (for ex. i search for "floral background" and pick from the nine million floral background results)

* you can also use digital scrapbook kits to design your blog--these are uber fun b/c they contain letters, papers and extra goodies (like frames and flowers etc) that you can piece together for a coherent look. you can buy them for around $5 online or you can find free images you like from shabbyprincess.com or scraporchard.com to name a few

* i use a third party "host" to upload my images for my blog like image shack or flickr

oh man, that is all for now--any more questions please feel free to ask--i'm not a blog superstar or anything but i've learned a few tricks that make tricking out your blog easier =)

and now back to our regularly scheduled programming...

(i.e. too many pictures of me with no wrinkles, freckles or stray hair and plenty of mommy stories)

Little Known Facts About Shelly Continued AND A Cry for Help

Little Known Facts About Shelly:

Shelly has WAVY hair.

Having wavy hair is kind of annoying because it's not curly and it's not straight--it's straighter than curly but curlier than straight--see what a predicament that places one in? What type of hair products can you buy? Everything is either for STRAIGHT or CURLY hair. Usually I bypass the whole debate by blowing my hair out straight--it makes life much less complicated and I can go on to contemplate the truly meaningful things like why do hot dogs come in packs of 6 while hot dog buns come in packs of 8? Etc.



However, when A's hair started to grow out I started getting a lot of questions about why her hair was curly. I remember one discussion in particular when an older woman asked me, "Where did those curls come from?" I answered that it couldn't be my husband--straightest hair ever! but was probably from me because my hair is wavy. She looked at me. Laughed and said, "Your hair is not curly. It is not wavy. It is straight--haven't you looked in a mirror?" Now, obviously this lady knows nothing about flat irons or blow dryers but it really flipped my switch that she figured I was lying about having "almost curly" hair. So that's why I feel it's important that you all know the truth about me and my straighter that curly and curlier than straight hair.



Oh, and on another note, I'm in a wedding soon! (Yippee!) and need *Updo* ideas. Any updo that doesn't look remotely like my normal updo (see pic on the right) would be a vast improvement! I am searching for a COOL updo and am having the HARDEST time. So, if you have any ideas--online or otherwise give a girl some help and point me in the right direction. I'm contemplating all sorts of crazy thing like hair pieces and hot rollers--I need help and I need it fast! Oh, and I don't mean google updos and give me the first 2 sites that pop up--I'm asking only for pictures or really good hair sites (few and far between b/c I've been looking and looking and looking for a longgggggggg time!). Thanks in advance =)

This Message is for *Baby Gap*

Can someone puhleaseeeeeee tell Baby Gap to stop tempting me with super cute fall-ish clothes before my stinkin' economic stimulus check comes? Seriously. I can't take it anymore! I love fall-ish clothes....I love economic stimuls checks. Why in the world do we have to be the last people on earth to get one? Oh the things I ponder at the end of a LONGGGG day....

Steppin' Out With My Baby

A big *thanks* to the J.P.'s for letting us use their swim club pass whilst they are away! Woot!

Rosebud swam until her lips were blue and she was all shiver-y! We enjoyed our day there very much and by *we* I mean everyone except for M who was cool as a cucumber the whole time and totally above the whole "having fun" thing. Yay for friends and family and water and sun and fun!

Do your kids ever smile for professional pictures?

They came out cute but sometimes I think maybe I should just stick to taking pictures of my babies at home =) To see more go here...

Reassurance

I *love* these pictures of Mr. Wonderful reassuring A the day of her dance recital!

We are lucky to have such a loving man in our family!

I don't know what his pep talk included but it worked and got her on the dance floor for at least, the second half of her recital =)

PPOTD = Pet Peeve Of The Day

So...you ever think ahead and call and set up an appointment to get your baby's picture done with just enough time on either side of the appt. so that you dont' have to hurry but don't interrupt any naps and you get there a little early and are all ready to go with a happy baby and then see that they took 3 walk -ins and you have to wait over an hour for your SCHEDULED appt and walk around trying to keep your little baby happy while everyone else in the world gets their pictures taken and then ordered and then re-ordered b/c they changed their mind or forgot a coupon and so an HOUR goes by before you even GET to the room to get your picture taken?

It might have happened to me...once or twice...or today.

Seriously, why make an appointment system if no one else has to make one? Just wondering...=)

p.s. the pictures DID come out marvelous so i can't complain....well, i can complain, but not too much. ha!

Photo-Re-Touchers Anonymous

Hello. My name is Shelly and I have a problem. I enjoy taking pictures of myself only to go through them on Photoshop and take out all blemishes, wrinkles, freckles etc. Somebody stop me. Please!

Just for the record...

1. I love having Steve home! Yay for a week off from work!
2. I love spending time the Vaughns.
3. I love beating people at domino's.
4. Days with 70 degree weather make me happy.
5. My windows are open and the air is OFF!
6. I wish I had more time to edit pictures.
7. I need to list a butt-load of stuff on ebay this week. Bleck.
8. I really want a single jogging stroller. For free. (that shouldn't be too hard, ha!)
9. I am thankful for my husband and my babies.
10. Why in the world has everyone gotten their economic stimulus check with the exception of me. Seriously. I *need* (want) it.
11. Billy Ray Cyrus is a name-dropper and a weirdo. He would be dead to me if he hadn't come up with Achy Breaky Heart.
12. The end.

It's Alarming How Charming They Are!

My Mama...

...started a blog...

go ahead and read it--it's probably going to be all about me so you're definitely going to want to

check it out

HA!

Happy Father's Day!

My dearest Mr. Wonder-full,

Happy Happy Father's Day!

I hope that this day is as special for you as you make every single day for us!

We LOVE you!

The Wonder Girls

We Miss You Already!

this picture is funny b/c everyone looks weird except for my mom =)

Thank you for making the big trip Granny of the North and Amy Girl! We LOVE you and appreciate your taking the long drive to see A's recital!

See 'n Say

Mama: "Rosebud--who's the prettiest girl in the world? Is it you?"

Rosebud: "No!"

Mama: "Well, who is the prettiest girl in the world than?"

Rosebud: "It's Daddy!"

Favoritism

Isn't it cool that God doesn't like me better than you?

The Big Day Part 1

To see how it went click here!

Those Cheeks *Must* Be Genetic

One of the *many* reasons that I'm glad I have two girls is that I didn't have to get rid of any of A's baby clothes! When I put the same outfits on M that A wore my heart gets extra mushy. Just thought I'd share!

Rambling Randomness Thursday Edition

* My favorite show of all time is Gilmore Girls...

I was sad when it went off the air.

I miss it.

I wanted a daughter so I could be cool like Lorelei.

I went and had two daughters though so that makes me twice as cool....right?

*Lorelei is a cool name. Which brings me to my next random thought...

I have two really good baby names that I'd like to use--anyone out there interested in surrogacy?

Moving on...

*This is my best friend.

I get to see her Monday--can I hear a woot woot!?

Isn't she the cutest thing you've ever seen?

* We are probably such excellent friends because we share the same middle name, were home schooled, and have a mutual passion for Mario and big sun glasses.

See what I mean?* The other day I blogged about never having eaten a twinkie. I've also never eaten: sweet potatoes, marshmallow fluff, watermelon (or any melon), ranch dressing, any seafood, raw tomatoes

*Tomorrow is Rosebud's big dance recital and I can hardly wait!

That is all. Good night and have a pleasant tomorrow!

Desperately Seeking Mommy

or...

Devouring Delicious Digits

or

Tenaciously Teething Toddler

or

Beautiful Baby Beacon

or....?

Am I the only person who thinks it's strange that you can BUY pre-made rubber band balls?

I saw one for sale at Target the other day and thought it was just a fluke but when looking up a rubber band ball picture for my blog found they are sold at ever office supply store and then some! Isn't half the fun of a rubber band ball making it yourself? Ha!

Shelly has never...

...eaten a twinkie.

They make me nervous and I'm not sure why.

(possibly all of those tales that they last forever or something)

Just thought I'd share.

Because I think it's important.

I never thought when typing two links into my blog that I'd get so much feedback as I did regarding the use of hormonal contraception. I just jotted the links and thought I'd share why I personally don't use the pill. I know many people don't agree with me but I think it's good for people to thoroughly examine their beliefs. My personal belief is that life begins at conception and for me, using hormonal b.c. conflicts with that belief. Here's a quick outline of the three ways in which the pill works:

How Hormonal Methods Work
All hormonal contraceptives have at least three mechanisms of action. Artificial female hormones are the active ingredient in all hormonal contraceptives — estrogen and progestin. Some products contain both hormones and others progestin only. Using both hormones together is somewhat more effective than progestin alone, but the estrogen component is responsible for most of the serious health hazards associated with hormonal methods.

1. Hormonal contraceptives prevent ovulation. No egg is released so sperm cannot fertilize it. It is widely agreed that this is a major mechanism of hormonal birth control.
A woman may ovulate anyway.

2. Hormonal contraceptives may also prevent fertilization by changing the consistency of natural secretions in the vagina, making it harder for the sperm to reach the egg. It is not clear how effective this mechanism is in preventing fertilization.

3. A woman may ovulate anyway, and sperm may still reach the egg, resulting in fertilization. When this occurs, hormonal contraceptives make it difficult for the embryo to implant in the uterus by keeping the edometrium (lining of the uterus) thinned. This results in the death and expulsion of the embryo. Most scientists agree this occurs, but it is not clear how often. Some doctors do not prescribe hormonal contraceptives because they find this mechanism objectionable. (more info here)

--> So, to sum up--b.c. doesn't necessarily or always have abortive effects--more often than not ovulation or conception are prevented by the pill but sometimes when the first two steps fail the third fail safe of b.c. is to prevent implantation of the embryo after which the body gets rid of it. It took losing two babies for me personally to realize just how strongly I believe in fighting for the life of a baby at all costs--including the cost of inconvenient (and annoying) non-hormonal b.c. is (for me). And that my friends, is all.

Profiling A & M

The Importance of Being Earnest

Change is in the air

I've decided to make my blog a bit more "private" and am giving "code names" to my "family members."
Ah! I love "unncessary quotation marks!"
Amelie = Princess Rosebud or Wonder Girl or A
Maeve = Mavis Beacon or Wonder Baby or M
Steve = Mr. Wonderful or S, Mr. W, Honey Hottie Pants and so on
Got all that?
Oh! And *you* can call me Shelly =)
Anywho, please, if you refer to me or my family members in comments please use their
code names or initials.
That is all =)

The People At The Chinese Restaurant MUST Have Seen Me Coming

Pet Peeve #2: Parking Lot Peril

You know when you drive a regular car and everyone else in the world has huge mini-vans (oxymoron) or SUV's and you park and then you try to leave and you have to inch out of your spot

inch

by inch

by inch

slowly

ever so slowly

because you can't see around all of the tall vehicles and you think you're in the clear and then

WOOSH!
WHIZ!

SCREEECHHHH!

someone races behind you so they can get around your car before you can pull out fully and "block" them for a few seconds as you put your car into gear to go forward?

Yeah...I hate that.

Stinkin' fast car driving through parking lot people and large SUV sun blocking cars that make it hard to see.

Haha...but the jokes on them see--I get 35 mpg and they get 12 so I win in the end...

Or at least, that's what I tell myself.

Fin.

Water Water Everywhere and Not A Drop to....

Drink!

It's so gross and hot and humid and sticky and bleh outside and all I can think about is going swimming! Now, if only the magic pool fairy would do one of the following: A. move my family to haddon township B. build a pool in HH C. Send me a big check so I could buy a membership. =)

Kickin' it old school with my baby

I think M doesn't appreciate smushy face pictures anymore.

That is all.

Jazz Hands

My Jazzy husband put on a fun n' fabulous jazz concert last night with the kids from school. They did a fabulous job and A and M behaved beautifully! It's always like a little miracle when everyone is good and happy (especially when in a concert setting--yikes! remember what happened to me last time?!?). Yay for good, easy, enjoyable nights with my loves!

Sneak Attack

It's amazing how much pain and suffering this sweet little lamb causes at night.

I think she scissor kicked my face 15 times.

She's a regular karate master.

{or taekwondo, krav maga, judo or wushu}

But only by night.

During the day she's a mild-mannered baby.

Go figure.