Scheffer Sentiments

Fall 2011

2011-11-04T08:23:00.001-07:00

Piper 2 months

2011-07-28T19:34:00.001-07:00

1 week old already

2011-06-11T12:57:00.000-07:00

2011-06-08T13:28:00.000-07:00

2011-06-08T13:23:00.000-07:00

Piper Peyton Scheffer

2011-06-08T13:20:00.001-07:00

birthday fun!

2011-03-26T18:17:00.001-07:00

Just had fun playin' with my boys today!

Spring Break - Trip to IN/OH/KY (wherever we were?)

2011-03-26T18:10:00.000-07:00

Had fun with the family! Went by too fast!

January fun

2011-02-02T16:25:00.000-08:00

Christmas 2010

2010-12-30T17:20:00.000-08:00

Asher wanted every gift opened before he would open another package, so it took us awhile to get through the gifts. In fact, his daddy and I had to open the last 4 or 5 for him because he wasn't interested anymore.

1st snow of 2010

2010-12-05T13:34:00.000-08:00

I'm not sure who had more fun, Trey or Asher. Trey's making up for lost time with all the snow he missed growing up!

Halloween

2010-10-31T15:37:00.000-07:00

Asher and his 7 paci's

2010-08-23T19:05:00.000-07:00

He discovered all the spare paci's the other day and insisted that they go in Elmo too. So, at bedtime, he pulls them all out! He hit the jackpot that night because all 7 were in Elmo for his taking, and he wanted them all! It was pretty funny to watch him try to handle them all at once.

4 days 'til Daddy comes home!

2010-07-29T19:51:00.001-07:00

Today, Asher pooped and peed in his potty!! He sat down while grandma was sitting on her potty, and grandma took his diaper off, but didn't really expect him to do anything, and when he got up, there was something in there! This wasn't the singing potty, luckily, because I'm sure he would have jumped right up had it started singing to him the minute his pee hit the potty. We didn't get a repeat performance today, though. Couldn't get him to sit on it again today. We'll keep trying. I don't think it's quite time to buy pull-ups, unfortunately.

He rode his tricycle all the way down the driveway today. I didn't see him do it, but mom got a video. We blew bubbles today. This time he kinda tried to bat at them with his hand, though he was kinda slow. He also tried to bite them, but didn't have much luck with that.

We went to the park this evening. He only swung a little bit. He mostly enjoyed going up and down the steps and back and forth across the little "bridge". He's getting more adventurous for sure. He tried climbing that blue bar looking thing at the end where the slides are. Note to self-He needs to wear tennis shoes to the park so he doesn't slip as much when he's playing around.

Oh, and Trey, I took the Pack N Play zipper to JoAnn. She'll call your cell phone when she's done. She said give her a couple of days. So, if she calls while in Guatamala, don't feel like you have to answer!

I'm glad it's the weekend! I made crepes with Nutella tonight - it doesn't get much better than that! Asher liked it too.

I was playing with him tonight. He throw his panda bear away from me, and I'd crawl over him to get it and then crawl back over him to my original spot. Then, he'd take the panda and throw it on the other side of him again, and I'd have to crawl over him to go get it and come back. That amused him for awhile. Then, I was playing with his rubber ducky, and started singing the rubber ducky song, which he totally equated with bath time, so he gave me the bath sign and wanted to go take his bath. And of course no day is complete unless he's sat in every car in our yard. He really likes jamming out in grandma's ride.

He's learned the sign for "drink" which largely looks like his sign for "all done" so you really have to be paying attention to which he's doing. Some of his signs do look a bit alike. I think he's started kindof shrugging his shoulders/putting his head down on one shoulder to mean "no." I'll keep observing, but that's what it seems like he's communicating when he does that. He was totally doing the "car" sign tonight when we walked to the park and saw cars. Gotta keep those signs coming. There are so many more I need to learn, so I can teach him. He gets so frustrated when he can't communicate what he's wanting.

He was giving grandma and me lots of hugs tonight. He'd give her one, then me one, then her one, then me one. It was so sweet.

I think there are maggots in our trashcan. After the trash guys got the trash out, I could see these things crawling around in the bottom. I left it out all day in the sun today, which mom thinks will kill the maggots, and I guess I'm going to go pour some soap in there and wash it out tomorrow. Seriously, where it my husband when I need him! So incredibly gross.

Okay, I'm yawning. Time for bed. Missing my honey. The weekend just isn't the same without him with me!

Asher talking to grandma

2010-07-29T10:22:00.000-07:00

Grandma took this with her camera phone. He's squirting himself with the water bottle and talking to grandma.

5 days 'til Daddy comes home!

2010-07-28T19:39:00.000-07:00

Asher walked around in my high heels today. He did surprisingly well. And he was pushing Michaela's stroller around tonight...Hurry home, daddy, he needs some male bonding time. Of course, he tried to run over the baby doll on the ground and, at some point he threw the animals out of the stroller and then tried to get in himself.

He also enjoyed getting on and off of the coffee table today. He'd get on there and start jabbering away, then he'd have me help him off. Then he climb back on. I don't really want to make a practice of him sitting on the coffee table, but he was having such a good time and forgot that he wanted his paci, so I just let him.

Homer came over and put some powder stuff on those wasp-looking things' mounds in front of our garage. I haven't seen them, since, but it's poisonous, so being extra careful about Asher touching his shoes and stuff after walking around out there.

The terrible twos are finally truly here, I think. Today, we were going to go to the Knake's to have birthday cake with Olivia and the gang, so I took his shirt off to give him a clean one. He threw an absolute fit. I showed him 5 other shirt options, and he didn't want any of them. He kept pointing to the dirty clothes hamper where his shirt was, and I told him no. So, I let him cry awhile. He was trying to rip the shirt off that I had on him. So, grandma asked him if he wanted to go pick out a shirt, and he finally calmed down. So they went in there, and he wanted the one in the dirty clothes hamper. He won this one because grandma was here and we were trying to get out the door. We're going to have to have a game plan for this one....again, I need the Lord's wisdom on what battles to fight. Maybe this one avenue the Lord is going to use to teach me dependence on the Spirit.

He's signing "car" pretty good now. And he's got "yes" down. We played with bubbles (the little one from the wedding). He liked watching them but didn't try to chase them. They fly away so fast. He tried to blow the bubbles, which he accomplished only once because he would pucker up and breath in and out really quickly like he was panting, and he wouldn't get close enough, so he just put the stick in the bubbles and pulled it out for me and I blew the bubbles.

Tonight he had a grand ole time playing with the older girls (Knakes and Stollers) and then just with Michaela for awhile. He was so amused he didn't even ask for his paci the whole time. He really liked the candles on Olivia's cake, and he enjoyed the cake and ice cream. He was having a hard time waiting for his turn to get a piece of cake.

Really missed my honey today.

Asher's pic to daddy

2010-07-27T18:26:00.000-07:00

6 days 'til Daddy comes home!

2010-07-27T18:05:00.000-07:00

Today Asher's runny nose seems worse. He's also really cranky today. He's been throwing little fits every time something doesn't go his way (I get off the phone with someone, the video ends and I turn the

t.v. off, when he wants his paci and I say no, he wanted in the swing, so I put him in, and then he threw a fit when I started swinging him, etc.). I wonder if it's just because he's still a little sick. Signing Time says I can virtually avoid the "terrible twos" if I teach him how to sign and communicate - we'll see, I suppose. On that note, he has kindof learned the sign for "water" and "car". He doesn't do the exact sign, but he definitely tries to do it when we do it.

Today, he walked all the way down the hall in grandma's sandals. He's doing pretty good at it. He also sat in grandma's car with the radio on and played with the steering wheel for awhile. He enjoyed driving! He colored a picture for daddy today with his red and blue crayons. I'll try to post that next. He likes his new Lightning McQueen shirt, I think. He picked it out today. Last night he picked his dinosaur shirt to sleep in. I think he's enjoying picking his clothes out. Grandma's been really good at that. I'll have to remember to let him do that.

I think I need to get the booster seat (without the tray) and let him sit at the table with us now. He still sits in his high chair, but he never stays very long. He gets out and then sits on my lap and eats the rest of his meal. Nothing new, really, but I wonder if the booster would help. He'd be at the table with us.

Grandma cleaned out our refrigerator for us. It hasn't looked that good since we brought it home from the store. It sure is nice having her around. It was Tuesday Taco night at Garfields, so we got Tacos. They were good.

I almost got out of going to Dallas today, almost. Dale said we were pretty well done, and there's not actually any reason he can think of that I have to come in to Dallas anymore. He actually likes that I work away from the office - he says because I do, he thinks in more abstract terms, which I guess he likes. Anyway, I told him I didn't have to come, but he said Patricia had some planning meetings scheduled and he said basically I can just come hang out with my fellow co-workers and re-connect. That's nice. I'm sure he'll keep me plenty busy while I'm there, but at least he sees the value in me taking time to re-connect. I'm really thinking what that means is next year, he won't see any need at all for me to come down to Dallas, which I'll be perfectly happy with. I agree there's not much benefit to me being there, on the work-side of things. Everything that can't be done from here, I've already asked other people to do, so we can get it all cranked out before the audit.

Not looking forward to being away from my boys for 5 days next week.

I've been killing my own flies this week. So, gross and utterly annoying. God has had mercy on me, and I have been able to kill them. One woke me up this morning, though, and I don't think I ever got that one killed. Hope he's not still in there tonight.

Okay, well, that's about everything exciting going on in my world. Missing my honey.

7 days 'til Daddy comes home!

2010-07-26T18:49:00.000-07:00

So, today, Asher slept until almost 8, took a two hour nap, and is looking pretty tired at 8:50. His nose has been running pretty good today. I think he's just not feeling 100% right now.

I think I caught what mom had on Friday, so I'm hoping Asher doesn't catch that.

As the pics show, Asher had fun sitting on his head, and he went swinging in his new swing quite a bit. Tonight I was folding clothes and he decided he wanted to put my underwear on (see pic). He enjoyed trying to put his legs through the holes and pull them up - he's learning how to get them up himself, but he's not quite there. However, he did put his new crocs on by himself today. Grandma has evidently been encouraging him to do that today. We had spaghetti for dinner (see pic), and he ate a ton of spaghetti, and then we went to DQ, and he ate almost half of grandma's blizzard. I couldn't believe it.

We watched the Signing Time vol. 4 this evening. It's a little more advanced, teaching signs like "cousin" and "aunt", but it also teaches the feelings, like happy, surprised, etc. So, I'm trying to learn them, so we can keep teaching him more signs. He did "yes" and mimicked "no". He's also been bumping body parts on lots of stuff today and every time he whines and whines until I kiss it (reminds me of his aunt Shawna). Anyway, I thought I'd take the opportunity to teach him the sign for hurt. He mimicked that one, kindof. So, I'll keep working on that one, too.

He said "bath" again to night, but it was more like "bah". Oh, I forgot to mention, he was playing with his big dump truck on the living room end table, and he knocked off his 1 yr. pic and broke the glass out. I need to go sweep it up. It was destined to happen, I suppose. I also think he almost tried to say "car" tonight. He took his paci out and said something after I said the word car...didn't sound like car, but I think he was trying. He did talk to us the who walk home from DQ tonight-not sure he even took a breath. Just talked away.

So, all these thoughts are a bit disjointed, but that's the highlights for today, I think.

I learned that my dear cousin, whom I truly love dearly, has moved in with her boyfriend. It made me really sad. I know that in the past we've discussed that she's claimed faith in Christ - so what happened? Has the church let her down and failed to even tell her that it's wrong in God's eyes, or has she grown apart from the Lord and just doesn't care about the things of the Lord anymore? I'm just so troubled by it all. I know she's been really hurt by past circumstances in her life, and I can totally understand that, I can't imagine having to go through what she has, but God can totally bring healing and strength and make a relationship beautiful when it's done within the parameters he's set up, when we care about honoring the One who has sacrificed everything for us. How can we love the Lord so little, so as to dishonor him so completely, so often, when He has loved us so much? Of course, I can't just point a finger, without four pointing back, right? I'm challenged to love the Lord and honor Him more than I do, knowing He deserves my respect, my obedience, my sacrifice.

I'm not really taking time to proof this because I know I need to get my baby in bed, but I hopefully that makes sense.

That's news for tonight. I prayed a lot last night, and read Proverbs 29, which talked about needing to discipline our children, and how it's good for them. I really just walked away with the fact that I need the Holy Spirit's help and God's wisdome (one and the same?) to know when to say "no", when it's okay to just let him be, when I need to discipline, when I don't. When to set rules and insist he obey for the sake of learning to obey and respect other people's property, and when it's okay to just let him be a kid, even if something gets hurt. That's a day by day dependence on God for me to get it all right.

It was good to talk to Trey tonight. All day, when Asher and grandma would come inside, I'd hear the back door open, and for a split second, anticipate Trey was coming through the door, and then my heart would sink a little when I remembered he's in another country. Love you, dear.

Shelly

8 days 'til Daddy comes home!

2010-07-25T19:46:00.001-07:00

I don't want Daddy to miss out on the day-to-day details. So, we'll try to keep the blog current for dad (Trey, that is.)

Asher was asking for "dada" when he walked into the church, and didn't quite understand why dad wasn't there today. On the way out, he saw Addison eating a donut, which I told him he didn't need (since he already had one), and he threw a royal fit. He kept pointing back at the church when we left and crying, so I don't know if he really just wanted that donut, or if he really just wanted to see his daddy. I'm inclined to think it's the latter. He was inconsolable for about 20 minutes. I just had to let him roll on the floor and cry. He eventually got over it and got happy again. He took a nap - 1 1/2 hrs. Then, we hung out at the Stoller's pool for about 1 1/2 hrs. He used his new little swimsuit, with the floatie stuff inside it, and it really does help him float! He got in some with grandma and kicked around, but mostly he just wanted to throw the rings in, and let me just say that the Stoller's have a lot of rings! He kept going back for more! Yes, he did slip and fall in. I was right there in the water and grabbed him, but he never actually went under thanks to the floating swimsuit. He didn't get scared or anything.

Then, Michelle and Aiden came over. Asher was acting a lot like Garrett treated him....Asher was going around hugging Aiden. He was also giving Aiden the balls from the ball pit, since Aiden was obviously into the balls. Aiden really liked that ball pit - he actually played in it lots more than Asher ever has. This was the first time I've seen the two boys interact. I think being around his older cousins really helped Asher's social skills. It was so sweet to see Asher hugging Aiden. Aiden enjoyed the velcro on Asher's new shoes. Aiden also liked pulling Asher's pacifier out of his mouth.

Asher ate tomatoes today. Crazy. He also said "bath" today. Well, it was more like "ba-i", but he was definitely trying to say bath.

And then, he wanted Grandma to brush his teeth, not mommy. And got mad when mommy put him to bed, but grandma. I can't win. He's a daddy's boy and grandma's boy, and not a mommy's boy. Mom says that's cause I have to be the stern one that enforces the rules - maybe that's so. I don't like having to be that one. I hate being picked last all the time. I'm afraid that's just how it's always going to be. Trey is the permissive parent, I'm the not-so-permissive, rule-enforcer, don't let you play with IPODS and DVD's and things you can ruin that daddy lets you play with, more likely to tell you no parent. I feel like I'm Debbie downer, and dad is fun daddy. Okay, so I'm on a tangent - I'm just really bothered by the fact that my son wanted grandma to put him to bed - that's my thing, my time with my son. I just felt really rejected tonight. Why do I let the whims of an 18 month old bother me so much?

Anyway, see Asher hugging his puppy in the pic. He's definitely been a huggy boy today. I hope he's always my huggy boy.

Miss you, Trey. Praying for you. Tonight's an I'm going to cry night...wish you were here.

Shelly

vacation July

2010-07-25T19:40:00.000-07:00

Times with family are too few. Had a great time in Branson!

July with the kids

2010-07-14T19:48:00.001-07:00

He sure had fun with the kids. He liked following them around. He really like riding in the electric cars this week!

April

2010-07-14T19:43:00.001-07:00

Mom got these pics while we were on vacation.

First Word!

2010-03-31T18:12:00.000-07:00

Our little Chicken!

2009-11-02T18:09:00.001-08:00

It will come as a shock to some, I know, but mom actually got more pics than I did, but at least I got a couple!

He didn't really know what was going on, of course, but he was a good sport as we took him around town so everyone could see our little chicken.

Asher at Pumpkins in the Park

2009-09-19T18:42:00.001-07:00

Asher in the Illinois Corn

2009-09-19T18:36:00.000-07:00

Asher says "Gig'em!"

2009-09-19T18:33:00.001-07:00

More Padre Pics

2009-06-27T13:23:00.000-07:00

More Padre Pics

2009-06-27T13:19:00.000-07:00

Asher 6 Month pics

2009-06-27T13:12:00.001-07:00

Flipping this Yard!

2009-05-30T18:26:00.000-07:00

Well, after a year and a half, we finally have greenery planted at our house! I'm sure our neighbors are very happy! I'm not sure we'll have any money for groceries for the next three years, but by golly, we have plants!

New New Pics

2009-05-25T15:29:00.000-07:00

New Asher Pics

2009-05-25T15:24:00.000-07:00

Check out our little boy...he is growing up so fast!

Asher 14 weeks

2009-04-22T19:56:00.000-07:00

So precious....

Asher Easter Egg Hunt

2009-04-11T09:07:00.000-07:00

Well, he's too little to really appreciate an Easter basket and eggs, so we just borrowed a few for a picture op, while the community kids were out hunting eggs in the park.

Gig'em Asher!

2009-03-04T14:19:00.001-08:00

Asher at Nikki's Wedding

2009-03-04T14:10:00.000-08:00

Check out our cute boy in his fancy digs!

Asher at 5-6 Weeks!

2009-02-14T19:23:00.000-08:00

Our boy is growing up so fast! Check out the pics!

2009-01-29T16:28:00.001-08:00

https://www.google.com/accounts/ServiceLogin?passive=true&go=true&continue=http%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Flh%2FviewAlbum%3Funame%3DTMerrell3%26aid%3D5296861536600168721&service=lh2

Isn't he precious????

2009-01-22T17:24:00.000-08:00

Asher - 3 weeks tomorrow

2009-01-19T15:25:00.000-08:00

Mom and Dad clipped his fingernails today...it takes two of us, of course. I think he's going through a growth spurt...he's been really hungry today!

We had a visit from Woody and Kathy Glenn from Dallas on Saturday, it was so fun to have them here! We miss them tons, and an afternoon just wasn't enough time with them!

Asher Update!

2009-01-16T17:16:00.000-08:00

Here are pics of Asher from week 1-2.

enjoy!

http://picasaweb.google.com/TMerrell3/AsherAt2Weeks#

Check Out More ASHER Pics!

2009-01-01T10:50:00.000-08:00

Go to:

http://picasaweb.google.com/TMerrell3/SchefferSentiments?authkey=uNohhVCUCUs#

for more!

Asher is here!

2009-01-01T10:15:00.001-08:00

4th anniversary and 39 weeks!

2008-12-18T18:12:00.001-08:00

Alaska pjs!

2008-12-18T18:02:00.001-08:00

Okay, so this isn't quite Alaska, but I'm hoping this is the closest I'll ever get during the winter!

Trey's even growing a beard to keep himself warm this winter! Not a bad idea, seeing as it's been 10 degrees lately.

37 weeks!

2008-12-07T16:04:00.001-08:00

Okay, I'm starting to get a bit more uncomfortable these days....3 weeks and counting! We're definitely hoping he comes before the new year!

35 weeks

2008-11-21T11:40:00.000-08:00

That means only 5 weeks left, maybe even less!

31 and a half weeks

2008-10-29T11:07:00.000-07:00

Not sure there's been much change in size since a week and a half ago's pic, but I'm starting to feel more pregnancy ailments for sure.

Halloween

2008-10-25T14:10:00.001-07:00

We decorated our pumpkin in honor of our coming bundle of joy.

Shelly at 30 weeks

2008-10-24T13:39:00.000-07:00

Have I grown?????

Today starts 31 weeks.....only 9 weeks left! Crazy!

New Bathroom

2008-10-15T17:06:00.001-07:00

What will lots of time, patience, energy, and money get you? A New bathroom! We are thrilled to finally have our own (small but nice) bathroom in our bedroom. Yeah!

Leaves!

2008-10-15T17:01:00.000-07:00

We have got some good looking leaves in our front yard! Fall in on the way!

More Trees

2008-10-13T20:18:00.001-07:00

Fall in Cissna

2008-10-13T20:15:00.000-07:00

Check out the Trees in the Midwest!

Better pic

2008-10-08T11:15:00.000-07:00

My cheeks don't look quite so chubby in this one, so I had to include it too! The sweater just hides the baby bump a bit.

3rd Trimester begins

2008-10-08T11:09:00.000-07:00

Trey wanted a new photo...wow, there's been some progress in just two weeks. I can definitely feel him moving around more and more with each passing week. In some ways, I'm ready for him to come yesterday, and then again, it's a little overwhelming to realize how much life is going to change once he gets here...

Shelly at 26 Weeks

2008-09-29T19:26:00.000-07:00

Here is a pic of my wife at around 26 weeks....she is "glowing" as they say. Little Asher is growing in her belly, and he is kicking more and more...and making life more uncomfortable as well.

Illinois Cornfield

2008-09-15T15:49:00.000-07:00

This is becoming a tradition for us...to get a pic in the natural Illinois surroundings....corn.

Kristin's Visit

2008-09-15T15:46:00.000-07:00

I couldn't get Baby Asher to kick her while she was down there!

Expensive dinner

2008-09-01T17:51:00.000-07:00

The most special part of the trip for me was having Trey feel little Asher kick for the first time!
Asher has been kicking and moving quite a bit in the past several days. Well, actually, he probably was before, but I now recognize that it's him, and his kicks are definitely stronger. I don't think he likes it when I lay down on my side. That's when I feel him kick the most. I guess it gets a little cramped when my belly is mashed against the mattress. (Oh, and by the way, while we were away, they caught racoon #2 in Trey's office....what a crazy week! Trey was just glad he wasn't in the office for either racoon #1 or racoon #2 dropping (literally) in for a counseling session.

Lake Geneva

2008-09-01T17:48:00.000-07:00

Here's the beach at Lake Geneva. It's a beautiful lake and a fun little town.

Golfing

2008-09-01T17:45:00.000-07:00

Trey played golf on this beautful golf course! I was his chauffeur and caddy! Of course, I made him carry his own clubs most of the time, so I'm not sure I made such a good caddy.

Babymooning!!!!

2008-09-01T17:38:00.001-07:00

Trey and I

went babymooning to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. Our last hoorah before I'm too uncomfortable to move! It was a lot of fun! After a week apart (I was in Dallas) it was even more special to get to spend the weekend away together!

2008-08-16T08:59:00.000-07:00

Here's me at 21 weeks. I'm in the baby room, which is now bright green, but this pic doesn't show the color well.

Old Settlers Mud Volleyball

2008-08-16T08:56:00.000-07:00

This is Trey after his first game of mud volleyball. Today he got much filthier, but I didn't have my camera.

Shelly at 18 weeks!

2008-07-29T08:43:00.000-07:00

Dad thinks I should be updating our blog more often...the only thing interesting right now is the size of my tummy! That and the fact that a raccoon relieved himself on Trey's computer, giving Trey a lovely welcome home from Lubbock gift last Monday and ruined his computer. Yeah, that's about it. Good times.

16 weeks

2008-07-13T14:33:00.000-07:00

This is Shelly at 16 weeks.

2008-07-11T15:03:00.000-07:00

July 4th visit

2008-07-11T14:53:00.000-07:00

Here's Garrett and Liani, sitting in our tree! They came in over 4th of July weekend. I was worn out after just two days with them. I'm not so confident about this whole parenting thing anymore (guess it's a little late for that, huh?).

2008-06-26T09:31:00.000-07:00

Here's me at the end of my first trimester. I definitely have a baby bump! I popped a button on my pants the other day...so not cool!

2008-06-26T09:23:00.000-07:00

Here's our newly painted house! It wasn't quite the color I expected it to be, but I think it looks nice. I have wonderful parents and a wonderful aunt and husband who really worked hard to get it painted for us! There's still stuff left to do, but isn't there always?

Baby on the Way

2008-06-18T13:29:00.001-07:00

Well, now that we have a baby on the way, we decided we needed a way to keep everyone updated on life. This is our attempt to do that.