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Monthly Archives: January 2006

Thanks for the concern…

January 30, 2006 at 3:01pm

and no, I’m not pregnant. Nor planning to be. So there you go. The answer to the question you and the rest of the world wonders about as soon as they see me with my chilluns.

But if I want more, I’ll have more. So there, world, thinking I can only have four or less. I don’t care what you think.

Part of me just wants to have 10 kids just to spite everyone. People here are so weird about big families. Makes me want to make mine bigger. But then again, having kids just to spite people is probably not a good idea. And I feel like four is perfect.

(not quite sure why I went off on that rant…just got on here to say I’m fine. But I don’t really have anything else to say…except maybe that I reek of grease from the Fish and Chips joint Dave and I went to for lunch. Gross. Fine reading here today, folks.) :)

Posted in old blog

by Shannon Montez

13 comments

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January 30, 2006 - 3:36 pm Courtney Kelly - Dude why stop at 10? ;) That woman in AR is pregnant with #16 already... someone has to one-up her :) rofl...

January 30, 2006 - 4:25 pm Alison - yup. totally agree with Courtney. Actually, I don't see any reason to stop at 17. Or twenty. Or thirty, really. I mean, come on. Why are you being so shallow about this whole thing? Who CARES what people think. ;) Lemme tell ya...I'd say 9 out of 10 times I leave the house, both of my littles are in tow. And folks assume, because of my age, that I am a whore-single parent. I see it in how they look at me. It sucks. But screw them. (If only someone WOULD, maybe they'd be in a position similar to yours and mine...)

January 30, 2006 - 10:43 pm Heather - ROFL . . yes, having more to spite people probably isn't the way to go! We had a family here in town that had 16 or 17, I can't really remember. But everybody had at least one Springer in their grade.

January 30, 2006 - 10:46 pm Moriah Bettencourt - In my heart I could TOTALLY be a mother of four or six... you know if money were no object & I could have a live in nanny to help me out when things got messy. LOL Really, I'm the youngest of 4 so I can totally see it but alas I married a man that was 1 of 2. We NEED to have another child, I hate the thought of Alex being an only (trust me, when people find out you have 1 child who's 7 they think you're equally crazy as the person with 4 ;) ). I tease Geoff that maybe we'll have 2 closer together when we are a little older... our little love children. LOL. Oh well, I'm rambling... just had to weigh in & tell you you're fine. Hey, Alex is in school in Los Altos now, we should have lunch sometime!

January 31, 2006 - 10:30 am Andrea - Come on sis--just one more?? We really need to be pregnant at the same time. Or at least within the same decade.... :)

January 31, 2006 - 1:18 pm Hilary Erickson - K....

January 31, 2006 - 1:29 pm Julie - Shannon, I always enjoy reading your blog for the literary content! So enlightening! =)

January 31, 2006 - 10:12 pm stephanie thiel - Wow! Did I miss something? Man...You rant REALLY well!! Proud of you girl!

January 31, 2006 - 11:02 pm april - girlfriend, I'm on the opposite end of your totem pole. I have zero kids, which apparently makes me as much of a circus freak as people who have four kids! ;) we cant win, can we?!? hang in there! the next time someone asks if you are, tell them "why yes, actually, we just found out yesterday we're having triplets!" :P

February 1, 2006 - 5:57 am traci - "But then again, having kids just to spite people is probably not a good idea." LOL! People have kids for a lot dumber reason, though... :P

February 1, 2006 - 3:31 pm Alana M - Here Shannon, check out this board: http://bbs.babycenter.com/board/baby/babyfamily/5712 I read it every day in awe of these great ladies. I wish I had the strength and patience for more children, but 3 is my magic number.

February 7, 2006 - 12:38 pm doris - fabulous entry . . . love your sarcastic sense of humor . . . i was #5 in my family . . . and SO happy to be here . . . :D

February 10, 2006 - 11:14 am Kelli Crowe - spite them spite them all! kellicrowe

Calling in sick today.

January 27, 2006 at 8:58am

Please? Can’t I? Just call in sick today? I’d really love to stay in bed and have someone take care of me. Or lay on the couch under a blanket and watch TV all day today.

I have a hangover. Well, that’s what it feels like, anyway. I’ve never had an ACTUAL hangover, so I wouldn’t really know, but it’s a headache and nausea and just plain tired. I just don’t really want to participate in the world today. That’s all.

But no sick days as a mom. The buggers don’t care how you feel. Only how they feel. That bites.

I took some Excedrin and hopefully I’ll be feeling good soon. Or at least able to deal with life. I guess I can’t complain. They’re watching Caillou while I sit here and type. So why am I sitting here typing? I should go relax! :)

*edited to add:*  The Excedrin did the trick. I feel much better. Although I’ve got the jitters from the caffiene. Still, don’t think I’ll put anything useful into the plans. Sick or not, a day off sounds nice. :)

Posted in old blog

by Shannon Montez

11 comments

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January 27, 2006 - 9:57 am Steph (karlslove) - bless your heart! Being sick and then being responsible for other people stinks! Should I hope for a really long nap time? :)

January 27, 2006 - 10:22 am AmyG - oh shannon - I'm so sorry. I hate days like those.....those are days they get to watch TV all day as I lay on the couch and occasionally fall asleep.

January 27, 2006 - 10:38 am Julie - Feel better soon Shannon! If I lived anywhere near you, I'd come over and occupy the kiddos so you could have a nice nap and some relaxing alone time. Sending you good thoughts and big hugs!

January 27, 2006 - 11:33 am Shelby - oh man! no breaks! I hope you feel better soon :)

January 27, 2006 - 12:44 pm Kathi - Are you PREGNANT???

January 27, 2006 - 1:54 pm Moriah Bettencourt - Sing it Sister!!! Just Wednesday I was feeling totally cruddy & was lamenting the same thing... at no time can I elect to have the day off. LOL Hope you're feeling better soon! I have an annoying little cold, nothing too bad but enough to remind me that I'm tired!!

January 27, 2006 - 4:41 pm kent - Glad you feel better!

January 27, 2006 - 7:58 pm kellicrowe - never had a hangover either well there was that one time I accidentlly took twice as much nyquil as I was suppossed to felt pretty bad when i finally woke up not sure if that counts glad the excedrine is helping when i feel all icky i call it a snow day pretend like it snowed and everything is cancelled...cause it is in the south with a tiny bit of snow...and watch tv all day and eat popcorn. kellicrowe

January 27, 2006 - 10:34 pm Tammy - The first thing that popped into my head was the pregnant thing too! Could it be? Glad you're feeling better but why is that? Mom can't be sick or everything falls apart! As women, we really do hold a lot together in this world, don't we!?! Hope a good nights' sleep is in order! Blessings, Tammy

January 28, 2006 - 6:41 am april - oh no!! hope you're feeling back to normal today. excedrin makes me shaky, too. there's gotta be crack in those things! :P

January 29, 2006 - 10:33 pm traci - Hugs! And congrats on the big-ole-layout in the CK ad for (crap...my mind is going...totally can't remember which idea book it was for)...but anyway, bottom line, the Mute layout ROCKS (which didn't have your name on it but was so obviously you...unless it wasn't, in which case I'll feel dumb...though I already do for being so rambling). :)

That reminds me…

January 24, 2006 at 10:19am

Kelli, with her comment to my american idol post about how she sometimes apologizes to whoever might have overheard her singing by herself in the car, reminded me of something I used to do.

I worked at an amusement park, Lagoon, when I was a teenager. Quite an experience. Sometimes I would get off work at one or two in the morning. And after a long walk to a parking lot in a dark, empty field I’d finally get to my ride…a great, big, old full-size van.

Mom always told me I need to check the back of the van to make sure there were no murderer/rapists hiding in the back of the van waiting to attack me.

But the thought of looking back there was too scary. I just couldn’t look.

So I’d get in the van and start driving as quickly as possible, then start singing as loudly as I could. The purpose was two-fold. One: I wouldn’t be able to hear a murderer until I was already dead, thus sparing me the whole "fear" part of the ordeal. Two: Possibly the murderer would start laughing, allowing me time to crash the car and kill the unseatbelted passenger.

Yeah, I’m a thinker. My plan was brilliant. And fortunately I never had to put any of my plans into action. But the horrible loud singing did make me feel better.

Posted in old blog

by Shannon Montez

16 comments

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January 24, 2006 - 10:26 am Janet O - SNORT! That had me laughing out loud...thank you! See, my deal is that I sing GREAT when I'm in the car or by myself - but put me in front of people and OMG it's awful. Stupid nerves.

January 24, 2006 - 11:49 am AmyG - that's hilarious Shannon!!! I wouldn't have looked in the backseat either......just means they'd get you sooner. lol

January 24, 2006 - 1:00 pm Candy - Actually sitting here laughing outloud at this story . . . too cute!

January 24, 2006 - 1:09 pm Hilary Erickson - My response is 2-fold A) I still check the back of my car, even though I no-longer work at the ghetto hospital I do work late. B) There are complete lunatics that work at Lagoon (like Dave Bailey). YOU SHOULD HAVE BEEN MORE CAREFUL.

January 24, 2006 - 3:36 pm Jami - Ha Ha that makes me laugh. I always thought that I would start barking or acting like I have rabies or like I was totally nuts or something. I like the idea of making them laugh.....that's got to be a Shannon original :)

January 24, 2006 - 4:16 pm Kelli Crowe - there is brilliance in that plan just the fact that you had a plan that included loud singing to foil the bad guy makes me admire your resourcefullness:) what did you do at the park? kellicrowe

January 24, 2006 - 8:00 pm Regina - I can hardly breathe...trying not to laugh too hard...I am 31 and STILL do that!!! Although we live with our driveway facing our land and lots of trees, and I am only driving to Casey's to get us our refill mugs full of soda. I feel like everytime I walk out at night, every somewhat scary movie scene pops into my head. Oh, and I try to make sure I am singing a hymn or something so they might feel guilty too. I can not believe I just admitted this. I haven't even told my dh... ;)

January 25, 2006 - 6:40 am pegmanrique - that is histerical!! not that you could be murdered, just the whole singing thing, hehe! sounds like something i would do.

January 25, 2006 - 6:57 am Hanni - Wahahahaha!!!! :) I was always afraid to check the back seat, too!

January 25, 2006 - 10:14 am candi - hahah..you sound SOOOOO like me.. I have little crazy plans like that too. hehe.

January 25, 2006 - 10:42 am Julie - I swear we were identical twins in another life Shannon. I use to do that too...in my Mom's van! I didn't work at an amusement park though.

January 25, 2006 - 5:47 pm Sande Krieger - hahahahahahahahaha! You are too funny! I used to do silly things like that when I was a teenager too! My singing would have prevented any would be thug from carrying out a dastardly deed because he'd have to have both hands over his ears!

January 26, 2006 - 2:14 pm Becky (mommaduck) - LOL! Sounds like a plan I would come up with! Too funny!

January 26, 2006 - 5:25 pm kent - You are so funny!! Great to have lunch together!! Happy Belated Birthday and thanks for letting me vent. My life is better than a soap opera huh?

January 27, 2006 - 12:58 pm Meg - Hey, I worked at Lagoon AND I know Dave. I was a Dart Girl! How hot is that? Of course, I had the same worry getting into my ride, a big ol' green VW bus. There was always someone lurking around to check out my bus. Why did we think that getting off work at 2am was okay?? Anyway, I like to think that there is someway we might know each other since we went to the same school at the same time, but, considering the graduating class size, most likely not. I still love your LO's and blog and glad that I found them.

January 30, 2006 - 3:38 pm Courtney Kelly - OMGosh, I just about spit my water all over my keyboard... that is freaking hilarious!!!

Rip off

January 20, 2006 at 9:08am

Dig_1 This is so unfair.

Ok. Franklin is starting to talk. Which is cool. But one thing has started to bug me.

For a long time, he called me daddy. Which is fine. Kind of cute. He’ll say mama when prompted, but when he calls for me spontaneously, he smiles, runs up to me, and calls me Daddy.

That’s not the bad part. So yesterday, he started calling me "moooooooom." You know what I mean. That whiney, complainy, I-want-something-and-you’re-going-to-get-it-for-me voice that he obviously learned from the other three. Not just once, but followed me around doing it. For a good half hour. Which might have been cute had it not been the dinner-time, everyone’s whining and complaining part of the day.

Dang. The kid totally skipped over "mommy" and "mama" and all that cute stuff. Went from calling me the wrong name to calling me the annoying version. What a rip off. Can’t stay bugged though. Everything he does is cute. Just look at him! :)

Posted in old blog

by Shannon Montez

21 comments

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January 20, 2006 - 10:19 am candi - hahah...gotta love that!! adorable little one..and I love your MUTE layout in CK. Saw it in the preview...so stinking cute!! :)

January 20, 2006 - 10:47 am Hilary Erickson - oh MAN.... Well, at least maybe you'll get a super-cute I love you? :) Hilary

January 20, 2006 - 11:48 am shannon c - Yup, he is a cutie! I have a story to rival your ancient gum story. Today while shopping, my youngest (21/2)kept showing me his tongue. Trying to get done and out of the store, I said, "Nice." Boy, you have a nice tongue? Well, a few seconds later, he showed me what looked like melted-now wet-chocolate(hopefully)on the bottom of the cart. EWWWWW! Just thought I would share that with ya. Have a good one. S

January 20, 2006 - 12:23 pm joanna - You're so funny, Shannon! He's ADORABLE!! Stay away, Harper! Stay away!! (I'm trying to restrain her but the drool is just streaming out of her mouth!)

January 20, 2006 - 12:54 pm stacy benintendi - totally ripped off!!!! but that pic. is to die for.

January 20, 2006 - 1:55 pm Cynthia - Oh no! My little girl calls me "daddy" too! She's 20 months. I keep trying to correct her, but maybe I shoud just enjoy it before it turns into "mooooooooom"!

January 20, 2006 - 3:43 pm Carrie Owens - what a cute little story :) Max has that smae shirt...it was Jack's :) LOVE it! He's so cute!!

January 20, 2006 - 4:50 pm kent - Cute! Sorry about the whining though - yeah that's not fair!

January 20, 2006 - 5:13 pm Jessi - Love the story! :)

January 20, 2006 - 7:32 pm Lindsay Teague - awwww.shannon, that sucks!!! That's a funny story though! Lindsay

January 20, 2006 - 7:53 pm Lara - Both my kids called me daddy first. And the second did just what Franklin did...went right to MOM! Although, since then she calls me Mommy...so maybe it'll just be out of order for you too?

January 20, 2006 - 8:10 pm Missy_G - He is a cutie! But that whiny moooooom drives me crazy too. I hope he start saying the sweet Mommy soon! Have a great day!

January 20, 2006 - 9:26 pm april - oh man! that *is* a rip off!

January 20, 2006 - 10:11 pm Layne - Shanwaaaa, just like behavioralists try to let little boys play with dolls and girls play with trucks, you also should not be bound by the traditionalist thought that only mothers are called mom. Moms can be Dads also.

January 21, 2006 - 10:30 am Alana M - Snicker...ya got shafted gal. I saw your LO in the latest CK ad...I guess Franklin doesn't have a MUTE button anymore eh?

January 21, 2006 - 4:25 pm Julie - I agree. Totally cutie pie. Guess you can't stay too mad at him for ripping you off. Why do they have to be little heartbreakers like that?

January 22, 2006 - 5:25 pm Steph (karlslove) - that picture!! what a cutie...no matter when he calls you!

January 23, 2006 - 5:58 pm Sande Krieger - That is too funny...and SO NOT FAIR (but I'm still kind of laughing here). Dads are always the "Party Parent" and moms do all the work and get none of the praise or big bucks. 'tis our lot in life. Sad, but true. Great blog, BTW! I might just have to hang out here every day. I've always been a fan, but it's been a permanent deal ever since you told the garden girls they "sucked" and then got put in as one. Still makes me smile.

January 23, 2006 - 10:07 pm Kelli Crowe - he looks way cool mooooooooom! you were so ripped off kellicrowe

January 24, 2006 - 9:06 am AmyG - hehehe....I know how you feel though. All my kids still call me Mommy (gonna keep that as long as I can. lol) but Andrew when he wants something says "moooommmmmmm".

January 24, 2006 - 12:27 pm Melissa - Oh, I know the tone.... that rots that he skipped right to it! LOL!

I am NOT the next American Idol

January 18, 2006 at 8:50am

We watched American Idol last night. The first episode. The one that is mostly dedicated to the fools who think they can sing and show up with big dreams and little talent. Although I laughed (pretty hard sometimes), it was hard to watch. Not just because of the awful singing, but because I felt SO BAD for these people that SERIOUSLY thought they were good and had no idea how horrible they were. I felt so bad for them because I know how they feel. I had a very similar experience.

My roommate in college was a great singer. She was trying out for a musical production. She talked me into trying out with her. My voice is ok. It’s not horrible. I didn’t have dreams of getting the lead, maybe a part in the chorus. It seemed fun. Seemed like a good idea at the time.

I picked out a song. I practiced for hours. I knew I was going to NAIL this. I sounded AWESOME. I got up on the stage when my turn came. The piano starts. My part comes. I begin to sing. WHAT IS THAT SOUND?! That could NOT be my voice. Oh my gosh. Where is that note I’m supposed to hit? I swear I had this down. I can NOT find a single not I’m supposed to hit. My throat has closed up, my voice is totally uncontrollable, I have NO IDEA how I’m making such awful noise. I could hear the noise and WISHED it would stop it but it just kept going. It’s possessed.

I was SO BAD, the pianist couldn’t figure out where I was in the song. So not only was my part horrible, the piano wasn’t right either. She was just playing the same note over and over, desperately searching for where I could possibly be in that song.

I wanted to die. I actually wished the stage had a trap door that they could send me through so I wouldn’t have to look at anyone. I couldn’t get out of the auditorium fast enough. I was absolutely mortified.

And I’m so glad it wasn’t on national TV.

Posted in old blog

by Shannon Montez

12 comments

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January 18, 2006 - 10:16 am Monica - We watched too...the kids felt so bad for the people crying and didn't understand the judges being so harsh. I kept thinking, "that's life...get used to it!" :)

January 18, 2006 - 10:54 am Andrea - Oh, sis....this is why I love ya. Your humble talents--we'll just chalk this one up on your list of funny try-out stories. ("So, do I just leave now?") :)

January 18, 2006 - 12:05 pm Ren - See - I'm the one who watches the entire first episodes of American Idol either through my fingers, or completely with my head covered with a blanket. I get SOO STINKIN' embarrassed for these people I just can't stand it...especially when you just REALLLLy wonder if they are deaf - really - cause SURELY some of those people know they don't sound good enough for idol? Right? SURELY these people know that? I sing - I really can sing - and I would NEVER audition for this show, because I know I'll never be good enough for what they need. and just think - people actually ENCOURAGE them to continue to persue their singing 'careers'...it's sad, really, when you think about it, huh? EEK! STill can't wait for tonights episode that will be tivod and watched AGAIN behind my hands - while my husband complains as I'm DYING behind the 'curtains' I've created! it's addicting...a shame!

January 18, 2006 - 1:03 pm Shannon - I'm so sorry for such an awful experience! I think I myself suffered from that American Idol syndrome for a bit -- people telling me I was fantastic when it was not so much the case. Luckily, American Idol came around after I had discovered the truth so I was saved from any potential embarrassment.

January 18, 2006 - 1:08 pm Julie - I have had embarrassing experiences like that too. I need to see if I can catch a rerun of the show!

January 18, 2006 - 3:08 pm Lindsay Teague - omg shannon...I can just see it! :) That's quite a story! I'm sure it wasn't THAT bad! :) American Idol is the best show ever! Lindsay

January 18, 2006 - 7:28 pm Hilary Erickson - You, my friend, are just smarter than those people.

January 19, 2006 - 9:57 am kent - Oh man - you brought up tramatic memories of my 5th grade talent show where I thought I could sing. Never sang by myself in front of people again!

January 19, 2006 - 10:14 am AmyG - the part that amazes me is that these people have to have friends - SOMEONE who can tell them. No, Im sorry but you can't sing. I'm not talking about the people who can something resembling a decent voice...I'm talking the scary HORRIBLE singers.....why hasn't anyone told them? Spare them the humiliation.

January 19, 2006 - 11:50 am Moriah Bettencourt - OMG it's painful to watch some of these people. I hate though when they are truly crushed, not the dumb ones (like the too tan Paris Hilton wannabe chick) though... those ones I crack up over. Moriah

January 19, 2006 - 6:16 pm candi - oh. my. gosh. I can so see this in my head. I am sure it wasn't quite as bad as you felt it was. LOVE american idol!! :)

January 23, 2006 - 10:05 pm Kelli Crowe - i think i empathize with the humiliation the less talented idol wannabeeees too much it is painful you story sound painful but you wrote it so funnily i was smothering my on laughter as i read it in hopes of not waking up my family i am not good at the singing not a bit there are times when i am all alone singing in the minivan and i sound so bad to myself i say out loud wow that was bad just incase somehow someone heard me i want them to know i KNOW it was bad kudos to you for tryng out kellicrowe

Martin Luther King Day

January 16, 2006 at 4:51pm

I’m all for this day.

But I wish the kids still went to school on it.

Nothing like a four-day weekend filled with a whole lot of nothing to make time pass

v  e  r  y     s  l  o  w  l  y…..

bored. tired. ready for bedtime that is still 3.5 hours away.

Oh, and did I mentioned that Franklin learned to scream today? Not just yell, but he’s perfected the art of the high-pitched, potentially eardrum bursting scream.

Breathe in, breathe out…that’s all I am thinking right now. Just keep breathing until 8:00. Don’t hurt people. Don’t freak out. Just breathe….

Posted in old blog

by Shannon Montez

8 comments

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January 16, 2006 - 5:16 pm joanna - LOL, Shannon!!!!

January 16, 2006 - 7:12 pm Jami - Way funny!!! I'd say that my four day weekend was also a little over-rated.

January 16, 2006 - 8:23 pm Alana M - I hear ya hon, it was a long four days for me too. Argh...they are in bed now. Hope tomorrow is better.

January 17, 2006 - 5:40 am Julie - Lovely. It was great when Jenna learned how to do that too...just keep breathing, just keep breathing, just keep breathing, breathing, breathing...what do we do? We breathe!

January 17, 2006 - 7:59 am stacy benintendi - this is NOT good news. that kind of screaming has lead me to be a verbaly abusive mother at times (something that i'm not) but it somehow causes some sort of short in my reasonability (is that even a word?) every year our bed time gets earlier and earlier. we started out at nine and we are currently at 6:30. now this is heaven. next year i think we'll just put them down at five and forget dinner all together. yeah, thats a good idea NO DINNER DISHES.

January 17, 2006 - 9:15 am Hilary Erickson - In... and out.... And Martin Luther was all for equality so let Dave take the kids next year. :) Four day weekend? Were you off on Friday too? Crazy stuff.

January 17, 2006 - 9:49 am candi - been there...my kid screams too...and lucky me...I have the WHOLE week off work and home with him...but I hope to find lots of stuff to keep us busy!

January 17, 2006 - 1:05 pm Missy_G - Wow sounds like the same lovely weekend I had! I hope today is a much better day.

I must’ve been the last one…

January 13, 2006 at 4:43pm

because I was tagged by probably five people in the last couple days. :) OK THEN!!!!

Some things you really never cared to know about me:

4 Jobs You Have Had in Your Life: This is good… let’s see… McDonalds, Telemarketer, Janitor, Collector, Waitress…I’ve had some really GREAT jobs.

4 Movies You Could Watch Over and Over:
This is hard for me. Once I’ve seen it once, I’m pretty much good. Kid shows, though, I used to watch over and over and over…

4 Places You Have Lived:
Utah, California, Alaska, In the Back of the Truck for a month

4 TV Shows You Love to Watch:
Lost, Amazing Race, Extreme Makeover Home Edition, My Name is Earl

4 Places You Have Been on Vacation:
Pacific Northwest, Disneyland, Philly, New York

4 websites you visit daily:
Well, I think there’s just the one: 2 Peas in a Bucket. But if a have a minute I’ll check various blogs.

4 of your favorite foods:
Candy, Mexican, Cookies, Thai (and don’t forget brownies…) I hope I’m not making any other foods feel bad…really foods, I love you all. :)

4 places you would rather be right now:
1. right here.  2. With the fam in UT  3. Someplace exotic…and warm. 4. mostly, though, here.

4 Bloggers You are Tagging:
1. Andrea, my sister, who just started her blog. 2. Jami, My adorable sister-in-law  3. Laurissa- My best friend from High School  4. Mike, my brother, who hasn’t posted ANYTHING since JULY!! Maybe this will be the kick in the pants he needs. :)   Thought I’d go off the scrapping path here… :)

Posted in old blog

by Shannon Montez

3 comments

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January 13, 2006 - 6:49 pm Andrea - Really? You're tagging me? Sweet! so, um, what do I do now? I'm so new at this blogging thing....

January 14, 2006 - 8:32 am Hilary Erickson - I'm glad that you made all the foods feel so loved. I bet they're all feeling fuzzy right now. :)

January 15, 2006 - 9:12 pm sarah h. - Ha Ha! Laughing about the apology to all the other foods. Very funny! And your children are so cute they are making me grind my teeth! Arg! The cuteness!

January 12, 2006 at 4:36pm

Older_2Well, I had a great birthday. Dave took the day off, got friends to watch the Littles, and took me to San Francisco for a day of shopping and fun.

Before we did anything, though, I requested a picture with him in front of the Golden Gate bridge. Ended up that was about all we got. First, it took me forever to get this half-decent shot. Then, we got a call from the school that Matthew was breaking out in a rash, so we headed home. Still, the morning spent together was very pleasant.

We recently celebrated our 10th anniversary. It makes me so happy to be where we are. As much fun as we had in the beginning, as great as the journey has been, my favorite part is NOW. I love that I still enjoy spending my time with him. I love that the past 10 years have brought us closer together instead of farther apart. I love that I’ve learned so much about him that I didn’t know in the beginning, and ALMOST all of it is good. :)

So far, I love 30. I love being where I am. I feel good. I feel great. It just fits.

(And a quick shout-out to my mom, who just celebrated the big 6-0!! Happy Birthday!! I wish I could’ve been there. Mom and Grandma had the same birthday, mine was the day before…a fun, special connection, it always made me feel special.)

Posted in old blog

by Shannon Montez

13 comments

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January 12, 2006 - 4:38 pm AmyG - great picture Shannon - you look happy :)

January 12, 2006 - 5:49 pm Maureen - What a gorgeous picture! Happy Birthday.....you young'n ;) I also wanted to say...I feel the same way about my dh, after 15 years....it's awesome!

January 12, 2006 - 6:57 pm Jackie - Happy Birthday Shannon!

January 12, 2006 - 8:34 pm joanna - Awwww, so sweet!!! Love the photo and the fact that you had a morning with your sweetie pie!! You're gonna rock 30!!

January 13, 2006 - 12:59 am jamie - that is the sweetest picture, shannon! glad you guys got some morning time!

January 13, 2006 - 2:48 am april - Glad your birthday was good! What a sweet picture of the two of you!

January 13, 2006 - 7:56 am maggie holmes - cool picture - happy birthday!! maggie

January 13, 2006 - 10:26 am Rachel - Great pic! Glad to hear your day was good :)

January 13, 2006 - 1:26 pm Julie - Great photo! Sounds like you had a great morning! Hope the rash was nothing.

January 14, 2006 - 8:33 am Hilary Erickson - Loving the picture... and it does sound like a beautifully, nice day... right up til' the rash call. Darn that Matthew. :)

January 15, 2006 - 11:06 am Shelby - cute picture! Glad you had a good day :)

January 16, 2006 - 6:59 pm traci - Such a cute photo!!

January 19, 2006 - 9:52 am kent - That's a great photo! I like the 30's too and I hope you enjoy this next phase of life! Congrats to you and Dave on 10 years (wow you're getting old!) :-)

Ruminations as I near the point where I hand over the crown of youth to don the laurels of age and wisdom. :)

January 7, 2006 at 4:30pm

I have a little more than a day left before my 30th birthday.

And I’m surprised at the feeling that has come over me.

I thought the 30s would be warmly welcomed by me. I had no fear. I think 30 fits me well. I’ve been telling people for months that my age will finally match my place in life. Most people spend their 30s doing what I spent my 20s doing. I’ve only lied about my age once. And it was to someone freaking out about the fact that I had 4 kids, then asked how old I was. I was 28. I said I was 30. I always felt I was being judged for being a young mom. Something that didn’t bother me usually, but occasionally, comments could get on my nerves. So, now, finally, I would fit.

But now, as I’m closing out this decade, my 20′s, I’m feeling kind of sad. Like the one thing I had going for me was youth. I loved being a young mom. Being the youngest person at adult gatherings. The youngest mom in the parent meetings. Well, I may not have as much money, but I’m younger than you. :) It was something to cling to, I guess. Although I had a lot of kids and a lot more responsibility than most people my age, I still loved the thought that I was a youthful mom. That I could get away with being a little immature, wearing clothes that fit my age, but not really my station. I felt free. I just liked the feeling of being young. 

Now, well, I’ll be 30. I’ll fit. I’ll match what I’ve felt for years now. But that little incongruity, being different than I felt, was fun. The 20s were a wild ride. The 30s will be too, I’m sure, as I will be parenting teenagers by the end of it. But there is a little part of me that just isn’t ready to step from one decade to the next. Not yet. I’m feeling blue.

But part of me still thinks it will be nice. A little relief. I know myself better now. I’m comfortable with who I am. I have a better handle on things. I grew a lot in my 20s. Maybe now, I can just take what I’ve learned and make things work a little smoother. Maybe. Hopefully.

Posted in old blog

by Shannon Montez

22 comments

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January 7, 2006 - 8:04 pm kimberly lough - Just think..... by being a young mom, you'll get to be with your kids, their kids, etc. for a lot longer than most people get to-that's cool!

January 7, 2006 - 8:14 pm elizabeth - Happy Birthday : ) Welcome to the world of thirty-somethings! I'm sure you'll get used to the laurels quickly : )

January 7, 2006 - 8:37 pm Hilary Erickson - Umm... you're a garden ... what else matters?

January 7, 2006 - 11:35 pm Barb - lol just hang around people who are older than you...then you will always be the youngest no matter what. Happy Birthday too! Barb

January 8, 2006 - 6:22 am joanna - You're so smart, Shannon! Love reading your thoughts!! happppppppppy birthday to you, my dear! I shall have to go back and read this post in a year when I reach this milestone myself. Besides, you still look young, even if you are really, really old now!! :p

January 8, 2006 - 8:12 am Sophia - Shannon, I hope that your birthday was fabulous! The thirties are wonderful! Trust me, on this one! Motherhood is easier, marriage is more settled, life is just better and better! Sophia

January 8, 2006 - 8:23 am Rhonda - Happy, happy birthday to you!

January 8, 2006 - 10:36 am Lara - You're still younger than all those other moms...right? I had a bit of a panic attack the week before I turned 30, but it was all okay in the end. I envy you...sometimes I wish I'd had my kids all before the age of 26 instead of having started at 26. Where I am, in a student ward, I am considered old as the hills because everyone is married at age 20!

January 8, 2006 - 3:34 pm Courtney - Shannon! Happy Birthday! I too turn the "big 3-0" next Sunday...it is daunting, but I am going to take in stride as you have...will use use as an example! Love you attitude about it all...I really am trying to tell myself that 30 is the new 20...oh well! Happy Birthday! Courtney

January 8, 2006 - 5:58 pm Katrina - Happy Birthday Shannon! I turned 35 last week, so I'm still ahead of you...but I totally understand where you're coming from. My kids are 13 and 9, so I was the young Mom for a long time. Now I feel like I blend in with all the other Moms. Except when I'm the only Mom who knows the songs when I chaperone the middle school dances.

January 8, 2006 - 8:26 pm Jami - Happy Birthday!!! Layne and I will play a little "Cities and Knights" in honor of you tomorrow:)

January 8, 2006 - 11:26 pm Christie - Happy 30th Birthday! What a splendid day!

January 9, 2006 - 9:02 am tifsmith - happy happy happy happy happy happy happy happy happy birthday to you!

January 9, 2006 - 9:09 am Shelby - Happy Happy birthday my friend(happy birthday to us!)! I too am having the same downer thoughts about being 30...the whole thing about being younger than everyone...that was always working for me too. I wish you the happiest of birthdays though, and if you ever need someone to commiserate with...you know I am just an email away :)

January 9, 2006 - 10:34 am Kathi - Happy Birthday!!!!!!!!!!

January 9, 2006 - 3:10 pm kellicrowe - happy birthday! i was always the youngest mommy in the group too was sage advice from a seasoned 32 year old this is where it gets good more figured out more comfy and you still look 12 kellicrowe

January 9, 2006 - 6:43 pm karen - hi shannon, i've never commented on your blog although i read quite faithfully but today i can totally relate! i too close in on thirty (less than a month) and i can't say that i'am happy. there is something about being that young mom in the room that lets you feel you have the edge. anyway i've enjoyed being young with my kids, guess i'am just sad it went by so fast.

January 10, 2006 - 10:35 am Moriah Bettencourt - Awwwww! Happy birthday Chica! It's okay. 30 really snuck up on me but I was okay with it, I had the breakdown at 25 (my imaginary age when I was supposed to have my children by, that didn't happen as Alex was born in the end of my 26th year). You 30's are cool though, people take you seriously & no longer proclaim loudly that you're "just a baby" (I HATED that!!). Hope you had a happy day! Let's shop again soon!

January 10, 2006 - 11:40 am Trailady - I totally understand. 29 was a tough milestone for me, but I LOVE being in my 30's. I'm finally getting comfortable in my own skin and in being ME! I think you will find your next decade VERY rewarding. You will be at the top of your game!! I'm actually excited about my 40's now. I wouldn't trade the knowledge I have now for perkier breasts & fewer stretch marks!

January 10, 2006 - 6:57 pm shannon c - Happy Birthday! Hope you had/have a good one!!

January 11, 2006 - 8:32 pm Regina - I hope your birthday was wonderful! I turn 32 this year - I may run a little slower, but it isn't too bad. ;)

January 12, 2006 - 1:55 pm kent - Hey remember me? I bet you thought I dropped off the face of the earth. It's a long story and I think I will put it on my blog so check it out. ANYWAY, Happy Birthday and I feel like a bad friend for not doing anything for you. We HAVE to get together. I'll call you next week and buy you lunch! Hey our favorite restaurant is out of that chocolate desert. I keep bugging the owner and they are trying to get more in. :-)

Cycle

January 5, 2006 at 12:54pm

I’ve noticed I go through this cycle.

Stage 1: I’ll get super-motivated and excited about things, start doing things really well. Making goals, working hard. Makes me happy and excited.

Stage 2:  I get tired. Relax a bit on the intensity of desire and drive to accomplish and do well. But the habits I formed during Stage 1 periods keep me going. Probably my normal state of things.

Stage 3: I get LAZY. Forget everything. I just want to do what’s easiest. I don’t really care. Weight, homemaking, money, cooking, time management, no drive to do what’s best for us in any of those categories. I waste my time, eat junk, let things pile up…not real happy with myself when I’m in this stage. I’ll stay in this stage for a while until I get so fed up with myself and the way things are going that I work myself into a frenzy and get back to Stage 1.

Sometimes I really wish I was a Stage 1 kind of person. I have friends like that. My friend Laurissa, for example. Always driven, always making good choices, always doing the right thing. She teaches her kids music lessons, ran a marathon, budgets her money, is really accomplished in every aspect. I really admire the abilities of people to be Stage 1 all the time. I’ve noticed most of my friends are like that in some aspect. I just really love that quality in people. People that have drive and instinct and make good choices, even when they’re hard. I married one of these people.

Anyway, I’ve been trying to think and make goals like I talked about yesterday. And realized I’m in a Stage 3 kind of mood. Just feeling lazy and careless and bored with myself. While I’d like to lose some weight, (just a little) I’m ok enough with myself that the effort just doesn’t seem worth it. And I’d like to change a few things about how I’m doing things, but not enough to do more than WISH I was doing it differently.

I’m hoping this mood will pass soon and I can hit 30 with a Stage 1- butt-kicking-start-of-a-new-decade. Probably thinking more seriously about what I want and where I want to go in the future will bring on such motivation. I hope. :)

Posted in old blog

by Shannon Montez

13 comments

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January 5, 2006 - 1:59 pm kellicrowe - i'm 32 and um..... truthfully i like that stage 3 place most of my friends are those stage 1ers too but they like to come a visit me and chill i did have a friend once who was not fun to visit no matter how much funthe kids were having she made them change (and us) activities every 15 minutes i was like (bad words) are you doing, woman? ya know, i am ok with being a stage 3 as ling as i know i have stage 1 in me. see i can turn any blog entry into something about me kellicrowe

January 5, 2006 - 2:00 pm Hilary Erickson - Umm... I'm pretty sure that if you stay in stage 1 you have a coronary... don't you? I'm fairly sure that's a fact.

January 5, 2006 - 2:42 pm Julie - Ha, ha Hilary! That is funny. I think most people go through cycles like that. I know I do.

January 5, 2006 - 5:22 pm Hanni - i go through those stages too and i'm willing to guess that those people who seem like they are always in stage 1 go through the other stages too. :)

January 5, 2006 - 5:36 pm Molly - From one Stage 3 person to another, I feel ya. I wish, so wish, I could be a stage 1, but it just isn't going to happen! So here, let's raise up a chocolate bar in unison, and shout, Stage 3'ers rock! But we would be raising them from the couch, as not to exert to much energy! ;)

January 5, 2006 - 6:43 pm doris - oh dear. i don't think i've ever been in stage one. :P

January 6, 2006 - 10:44 am april - if you figure out how to be Stage1 all the time, let me know! ;)

January 7, 2006 - 5:07 am Erica - LOL, Doris stole my line...I don't even know what stage 1 feels like so you're further ahead than me :p

January 7, 2006 - 2:58 pm MarilynH - I go through these stages--but on a much slower scale. I was at stage one for four years way back at the end of last century. Slowly slided into stage three with the birth of child number three and four. Have been at #3 ever since. suuuuuucks, man.

January 7, 2006 - 7:53 pm kimberly lough - Shannon-I have identified with you since your "invisible" layout (this summer?). One of my all time favorite layouts-ever! I'm 35 (yipes) and have 4 kids under 8. I wanted 4 kids, got 4 kids and all the craziness and fun that goes with it. I used to be soooooooooooo "together" when I just had one kid, fell apart after the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th (please!). I just keep telling myself that when they are all in school I'll get it together. Maybe I'm just fooling myself. I'll venture to guess none of your stage one friends have a blog where some random lady from Indiana is writing to them! You are so real and I think you are great. Amazing what you've done with scrapbooking. I've only been at two peas since this summer-you were one the first peas I scrapped. You, Kelli Crowe, Tia Bennett, Heather Preckel and Ashley Calder are soooooooooo talented. Keep doing what your doing.

January 7, 2006 - 7:55 pm candi - you took the words from me...seriously that is me. I go in all those stages, only stage one last about 10 min for me....hehehe.

January 7, 2006 - 8:00 pm kimberly lough - make that-you were one of the first peas I "bossed"!

January 16, 2006 - 7:02 pm traci - Shannon, this is SO ME!!!! I was just thinking along similar lines. It seems like it only takes me about two months to run through the whole cycle. I would love to stay in Stage 1 all the time...or even Stage 2. It's this Stage 3 part that makes getting back into 1 so hard!