New Adventure

I would like to let everyone know I have started a business with a great friend of mine, Amber Rausch. It is called Forever Christine Tutus! It is in honor and memory of my mom! How perfect is that. We make custom tutus for all your little princesses! It is so much fun. It has been so therapeutic for me. Everyday I get to see my mom's name. Everytime I make a tutu I think of her. I get to talk about her and share my her legacy with strangers. I know she would be amazed and so proud. My mom danced her whole life and taught me everything I know. Dance is one thing that has connected us through the eternities. This is her logo she drew many many years ago for all the dance adventure she embarked on. Now it is our logo! A few months ago I also got this logo tatooed on my ankle. Might sound silly but it has special meaning to me that I can't explain. I know my mom would laugh (and forgive me for doing it.) I couldn't be happier with it though.

So for those of you with little girls....you know who you are....yes I am talking to you! You need a Christine tutu! Something to give to your daughter and send you a reminder of how miraculous a relationship is between mother and daughter. We are just getting up and started. We are doing tutu parties, so if any of you would be willing to host a party (you get a free tutu) let me know. Or if you just want to order a tutu let me know and I will give you all the details. Those of you who live out of state....are not off the hook I will ship it to you! Love you all. Thanks for your support in my healing! Love Shannon

One Year

It has been one year since my mom left us. I want to pay tribute to my family for surviving the last year. It has been a hard one and I think the years to come will continue to be hard for awhile. We have survived and I know my mom is very proud of us. I miss her so much and I can't even let my mind remember that I have not seen or talked to my mom in over a year. How could that be? How are we supposed to be okay with that. How can I go from talking and being with her everyday to not at all.

Recently, a little 13 year old girl in our Sunday School class at church passed away. Randi Jo. What a sweet, precious girl she was. As I attended all of the events and offered my support to her family I reflected on my experience of losing my mom. It's easy to try to avoid those feelings. I feel if I don't open the wound then it won't hurt so bad. The busier I stay, the less it hurts. But sometimes the wound is forced to be opened and felt, which is an important part in healing. Everytime I look at a picture of her it makes me smile! She is amazing. I long for the day when I get to be with her again! I love you mom.

Thank you to all of you who supported me this last year. And especially to those who didn't stop calling, or emailing, or sending me special things to help me through. A special thanks to Ashley for the beautiful flowers sent on the year anniversary. It all helps me so much

The Good Times

This picture is so special to me. After I graduated from the University of Utah I went to my parents house for a week to celebrate! They spoiled me just like they used to. It was so much fun. This particular night they took me to a play at Tuachan. Halfway through the show it started to downpour! By the time we made it back to the car we were soaked head to toe. It was so much fun. My mom and I were laughing so hard! My mom was so much fun. We had such a blast together. The best times I can remember in my life were the times spent laughing hysterically with my mom! I love and miss her so much.

One Word Blog Tag

you're feeling: lonely (Jason is gone tonight)
to your left: my cell phone
on your mind: Sleep
last meal included: yogurt
you sometimes find it hard to: find happiness
the weather: cold and windy
something you have a collection of: my mom's art
a smell that cheers you up: summer rain
a smell that ruins your mood: onions or B.O.
how long since you last shaved: 5 days ago....yikes!
the current state of your hair: awful, needs to be done, luckily I have an appt next week!
the largest item on your desk right now (not computer): a stack of bills!
your skill with chopsticks: non existent
which section you head to first in the bookstore: non-fiction
... and after that? children's
something you're craving: sleep...I obviously don't get enough of it
your general thoughts on the presidential race: Confused
how many times have you been to the hospital this year: none thank goodness
a favorite place to go for quiet time: my bedroom, cemetery
you've always secretly thought you'd be good: teaching, and being a mom (until I actually became one)
something that freaks you out a little: everything and nothing at the same time (does that make any sense)
something you've eaten too much of lately: I don't eat much these days
you have never: been out of the country
you never want to: lose my family
Those were hard to keep to one word!! ... I tag Jenny, Alix, and Austin :)

Saying Goodbye

Tootaloo to our bedroom
When we finished our basement I put my handprints on the floor' I'll forever be there'

Me and Carter being sad'
Time to move on (notice the banisters also painted by me)Good bye Kitchen that I painted' (notice where the fridge was) I'm such an excellent painter! he he
Jason couldn't be happier to get out!
Carter's room' (Also painted with my own bare hands)

Our New Home

So as some of you already know we have moved. Yes the state finally kicked us out of our house and we moved! Everything actually went very well. UTA treated us great and gave us a great value for our home...more than we could have gotten selling it on our own for sure. It has been a blessing. The spec home that we built did not sell and we decided the best thing to do was to move into it. So here we are! We live in Saratoga Springs in a beautiful home. Things are going really well. We are actually really starting to like it here. The house is feeling like our home now with furniture and pictures on the walls. I feel so much better being out of boxes and knowing where I am! Ever since we got that letter in the mail saying they were taking our house things have been in complete disarray. It was a bit sad leaving our first home but it was a good move and we are doing good!