AFV Or Bust!

AFV (Americas Funniest Videos): Anyone else a fan? For years we have said that we were going to send in funny video of Jacob and today we finally did. Here are a few clips that went in. We sent in a total of 9 but these were the ones that I could upload together. There were a few other funny ones with Jakie a little older, but this will give you the idea. Which one do you think has a shot at getting on the show? Any 10,000 winners or 100,000 winner clips in there?? I doubt any of them will go that far, but it would be fun to get one or a few them on the show. Jakie would be so thrilled to see himself on "The Funny Show!"

Mr. Brave Stuff!

Jacob had his one year physical this last Monday and to our surprise he had to get shots. Should it have been to our surprise??? Well, no. If I had done my homework I would have realized that he needed his boosters at 4 years old. He is almost 5 in December, but with no school requiring it and the fact that we got here last summer at 3 & 1/2 and they said come back in a year..I never thought anything more about it. We took Ricky in for his 2 month appointment 3 weeks ago and he got his first shots. He took 3 right to the thighs:( Sad huh! Well, Jacob came with me to that appointment and was traumatized by Ricky crying (I had to take him in with us). He said that he did not want to get any shots anymore. I unwittingly assured him that he did not need anymore shots until he had to got to kindergarten. Why did I do this?? That is what I thought was true. Flash forward to Monday when I took Jakie in promising that he did not have to have any shots. They did a full exam (He is super healthy) and then asked me about his shot records. I gave them to them last year when I arrived, but they could not find them. So, the nurse promptly suggested that we just do all of the required 4 year shots plus a hep A that is now being offered to kids. My jaw hit the floor and I wish I had a picture of Jakie's face when he heard that. He looked at the nurse with wide eyes and his body turned toward the door (to run I think) and said, "HUH"??? He immediately looked at me and said with accusation, "you promised mommy"!! He squatted into a corner and started rocking himself so of course I went over to help him and told him that he would need them sooner or later. He was having none of it. He quoted me and my tone when I told him that he did not have to have shots today and begged me to honor that. Well, that was it. I could not force him that day. How could I? I did not want him to think that I was a liar, even if it was by accident. I asked the nurse to please let us re-schedule a walk in apt for shots and they agreed. So, after weeks of verbal preparation and warning that the shots were coming, I took Jakie in for all 4 that he needed. I was amazed at Jakie's willingness to go when I had warned him before hand and prepared him by explanation. The nurses were awesome (thank goodness) and they had all 4 done in like 5 seconds! Thanks ladies! Jakie cried for a second but stayed brave and exclaimed"hey, that wasn't that bad", when it was all over. He loved his band aids (because he was sure without them he would bleed to death) and wore them with pride. He called them his war wounds. Jake told me on the way home that he was glad that I was there. He said that I made him feel safe and he is not afraid with me by his side. Such a cutie I guess it was all just another reminder to be open with the kids and even if it is out of my way (and the second apt definitely was), it is worth it to keep your kids trust.
P.S. Stats for Jakie were 90th % for height 45 & 1/2 inches tall and 44 lbs. (90th for weight)

Stats for Ricky were 95th for weight (13lbs, 15oz ) and 26 inches long. (90th for height)

Memmory Lane

My mom and dad finally released pictures of my family to me to copy last May. I spent days uploading slides into a scanner so that I could finally see what my childhood looked like. There were thousands and thousands of images, but I could only get about 500 copied to bring home. I spend today editing many of them and here were a few of my favorites. The adults in the pics are my mother and father (if you don't know them) and I am in every other photo in the tiles. Sorry they aren't super big you should be able to see better if you click on the photo. It made me see family resemblances. Do you see any of my kids in me?

The trip down memory lane made me miss the good old days and made me sad I cant see my brothers and sisters very easily. There are tons of them in my library here so I guess I will have to send them to everyone as time goes on. Anyway, enjoy!

T.G.I.F. FUN!

Jakie said he was so bored and as you can see from my last blog, so was I! Well, when I got a call from friends of the ward inviting us to join them on an impromptu trip to the "fountain Stairs" downtown Jakie and I was were excited. The stairs are a super cool water feature right on the river shore downtown right next to Heinz Field. The fountain is designed in 5 graduated stair shaped pools that go from street level down to the North Shore boardwalk. We got there at about 1pm and after Sunblock and snacks Jakie was off. The kids chased each other around until they met a lady that had a bag full of water guns for her kids and was willing to share. Jakie had a blast! He ran around like a crazy man, interrupted by a brief time out for shooting girls in the face at close range with water pistols (see sad face), while Ricky and I hung out in the shade with the other moms and babies. The views of the bridges and buildings near by were great, and the breeze from the Allegheny River and pool were refreshing. It was fun. I planned to stay for an hour or so but 3& 1/2 hours later we were still asking for just 5 more minutes. Jakie passed out in the car after eating his lunch and snack on the way home and I thought.... yep, it was worth it just for the quite ride home:)

Just when I thought the day was winding down and the fun was over, I got lost (which happens frequently) when my GPS battery died. I ended up winding around through some of the most scenic sections of the City and loved it. The view was so clear. Usually the view is grey and mucky, but not Friday. It was super clear, so with two sleeping kids in the car and a small camera in the diaper bag (there for moments just like this when I forgot the good camera) I pulled up to the look out point, left the car running with windows down and leaned out to get these shots. I loved it! Pittsburgh is quite photogenic. Up close I give the city a 5, but from a distance it is a big 10! I figure not bad for a little point and click camera! Enjoy the shots.

So, just when I thought we had reached our maximum entertainment I went to get Rick from work and he said he wanted to do a bonfire! Really?? YAY! So, off to the church field we went. We have a great big field that flanks our meeting house. It reminds me of one I visited when I was a kid (Rosecrans building). There is a large fire pit there. We sent out a few notifying texts to friends with invites to join us and headed out. We got there about about 7pm and the Olson's met us later that evening. It was fun to let Jakie run, Ricky sleep and Rick and I relax and talk to friends. We roasted wieners and smores and just had a fun evening. I went to bed early after all of the excitement and heat! It was a fun day. Wish they were all this fun. Here is what I was able to shoot from the fire! It made me want to camp!

Summer Boredom!

Anyone else bored?? I need to find something more to do. This summer has been overcast and rainy here in Pittsburgh. That is something considering we moved here from Seattle!!! There are way more rainy days here than I remember there. Right now we are inside again because there is rain. We had a sunny break early this morning so I took the boys out to play. Ricky started smiling so much I broke out the camera and decided to get it all down on film. It was fun for about 1/2 hour and then they were bored.

On another note, I need ideas of things to do indoors for them. Especially with winter on the horizon. I suspect there will be many park days between now and Oct. so that we can enjoy the last few days of summer, but has anyone got any ideas?

Also, if you live near by and want free pics of your kids, I am trying to practice angles, depts and composition on pics to build a portfolio. Anyone want free pics of their kids? It would be fun to shoot pics of others kids since mine are going to revolt at some point because of all of the pictures I am taking of them. It would just take a fun afternoon and cutie pie kids (or families, parents, couples, pets, whatever. I am open and just want to be creative and fun).

Here was another fun one that we had a few days later. This time we did bubbles!

New Photos Of Jakie

Could he be any cuter?? Jakie is now just over 4 & 1/2 years old, about 44lbs and about 42 inches tall. He is tall and lanky, thin but in proportion and has such beautifully striking features (as you can see) He is extremely inquisitive, head strong, smart as a whip and rambunctious as ever. He drives his mommy crazy on occasion but warms my heat with his sweet kisses. I particularly love his random wellings of love that he shows us with hugs, snuggles and tender moments of sweet praise. Rick and I love this little boy with all of our hearts and could not imagine our lives without him.

Sweet New Photos Of Ricky

I just could not resist. He wanted to pose for me so I just took the chance. I just love the ones of him looking down at the camera! He looks like the kids on the memory lane boxes. Anyone remember those? His 8 week appointment revealed that he is 13lbs and 15 oz., his eyes will in fact be this color blue, and that he is in the 95th % for height and weight. He is super sweet, coos, started smiling at about 6 weeks and loves to have adoring glances. He loves his momma and smiles at me adoringly. He loves to eat, eat, and of course, eat. His gas is now out of control and he blows out a diaper a day. Other than that Ricky is just a wonderful baby. He is most content lying in Mommy's arms in a warm spot right after nursing or a bath. Second favorite place is being held and kissed by daddy and Jakie. He is a happy baby.

Ricky's Blessing Day 8/2/09

We were so happy to bless our beautiful boy in Provo Utah on August 2nd 2009. Here are the pictures we have and the blessing points as remembered by a few recorders. I think we got it all. Thanks Sister Gallespy for recording the words without me even having to ask. I missed a few that you got and they were very important ones! Wish you were all there! Dearest Father in Heaven, we take this infant Richard Jennings Shumway in our hands to give to him a name. Little Ricky I bless you with :
-A reverence for the name which you bare.
-May you know in your heart the goodness associated with this name.
-You will be blessed with a keen sense of perspective and to know what is important.
-With a strong sense of love for our Savior, Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father.
-To know of the intense love you will feel from those who you call family.
-To know of the love, protection, and help that your family will give to you.
-Dear Son, you will be blessed with a desire to lead others in the paths of righteousness.
-To have a strong desire to learn and grow in an intelectual capacity.
-To receive direction with love and direct others with love.
-To have a strong testimony of the gospel.
-To seek understanding of the gospel so you can worthily serve a mission at the right time.
-To make good decisions.
-To prepare for your eternal companion.
-To have a sweet soft spirit.
-To have good interactions with others and help others to feel of the spirit.
-Little Ricky, you are so loved and will always be loved.
-I bless you to know that in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Juat To Catch Up

Here are other things that happened while in UT.














Ricky started smiling!! Yes, it is early (he was 6 weeks when he started) but he is definitely a provoked smiler. He loves to engage eye contact, coo and smile a sweet smirk that is followed up by a big open mouth smile! This is not as good as he usually does, but he stops when I get out the camera. It is like he gets entranced!















Ricky was blessed in Provo in Ricks home ward on 8/2/09. It was a beautiful blessing in which Rick gave Ricky his Grandfathers name (Richard Jennings Shumway) and blessed him to live up to it. It was really a beautiful blessing. Here he is in his blessing suit.




















This is a picture of him in the blue crochet suite was Ricky in his daddy's blessing suit. We have tried it on Jacob and Ricky each and they are both too big for them. Ricky's biceps were way to huge and he was too long for it. It sure was cute though!















Ricky got to meet his great Grandma Shumway for the first time while visiting.


















Ricky and Jakie just love their grandmas! They love grandmas, great grandmas and pretty much all ladies that want to love them. Grandmother Shumway was giving them such sweet love here and they loved her back!















Well, it is official, Ricky's eyes are definitely blue. They are so pretty! They have a grey blue band that has a lighter blue band inside around the dark pupils. I love looking at them!















Could this child have received more kisses???? Aunt Katie and Grandma Shumway sure gave him a lot, but every time I got him back from family members at gatherings I could smell numerous colognes and perfumes and see lipstick kisses all over him. He could not believe his luck!















Provo Canyon: South Fork Park Grounds















The stream that cooled our hot summer day before coming home.















Uncle Cam dipping Jacob in the stream in his undies!















Jacob walking across the stones. Such a ham! This was a favorite family home evening site for Dad while we lived in UT.




















Jacob throwing rocks in the Provo river (a favorite pass time) in a park of Ricks childhood near their home in Provo where he grew up.

























A visit with Linus Harker. Kelly and Danny brought their kids over. Jakie and Linus took a minute to warm up but just look at they being buds!

Well, when all else fails and we are bored.... Go love Ricky. That is what seems to happen with Jakie. He sure loves his little brother.

Exerpts From The Funeral

Well, it is over. The formal services for Dad have officially been completed. The services were absolutely beautiful and the attendance was astounding! Such a fitting tribute to such a wonderful man and example. I truly thought it was the perfect mix of simplicity and class. It would not have fit any other way. I am convinced that Dad was pleased with the way things were.

The viewing was surprisingly comforting and gave me a sense of closure. I have always been afraid of funerals since I have only been to one previously and had a bit of trepidation about attending a viewing. I found that my fears were quite unfounded. Seeing Dad without his spirit was such a testimate to me that the body and spirit really are separate and that human life is only a mixture of both. To see one without the other is to be un finished. I was able to know that he has moved on and that comforts me as I know just where he went. I am sure that all that attended would say that dad looked so good. So much better than he had been in the months leading up to his passing. The last time I saw him was in March and it was hard to see him so sick. It truly helped me to restore my thoughts of him in better times, rather than the ones I had of him when he was not well. I am grateful for that.

There were so many parts of the services and memories shared of dad that I wish I could share. Katie, Cam, Mom and Rick (and Jerry and Scott) did such a wonderful job. I would post their thoughts in their entirety if I could. Much of it was their memories and adoration for dad. Not everything they shared was written so it is hard to recapture their thoughts but I did want to share a part of the thoughts given. Rick took a part of a talk given by Dad last April (Easter Sunday) and wove it into his talk about Dad. I have copied much of the information and share it below. It is mostly Dad and parts of it are from Rick. This section of the talk was commenced by sharing stories about the kind of man dad was and how he helped and touched peoples lives with love and kindness. It continues in his words as follows:

As I contemplate this, I have often asked myself, “How can I follow?”, “How can I become such a man?” The task is indeed daunting.

Fortunately, Dad has provided me with the answers. Through his exemplary life, our experiences together, and the words I’d like to close with, I feel confident that I have been prepared for the remainder of my mortality. I understand what it is that I must do to truly live with him someday. I also believe that as a result of his association with all of you, you may feel some sense of the same.

The last discourse that he gave in mortality took place last Easter Sunday from this pulpit. He shared then what I referenced before – the way to a well-lived life, and the way to immortality and exaltation. Allow me to share with you a few of his words:

o “Life threw us a curve ball last September – high, fast, and inside. Stage 4 cancer…terminal at some point. What have I learned because of it? As you might imagine, [I’ve engaged in] much contemplation in the quiet hours of the night.

o Interestingly enough, I’ve been made more aware of the atonement – how it encompasses all things. I thought I knew about it before, but this [experience] has brought [to me] an increased love and appreciation for the Savior, and what he has done for all of us.

o What does that mean that the atonement encompasses all? It’s everything that we do and say.

o It includes our willingness to follow Christ as our Savior, to keep the commandments, and to go about doing good – to serve. These things have been made clearer to me through this experience.

o Go about doing good – I love that phrase. This has been made clearer because of many of you have shown how you follow the Savior – friends, family, and neighbors showing by example what it means to follow Christ. Whether it’s a loaf of fresh bread from the oven, or a phone call “just to check,” my life has changed and I am better for it.

o Christ has taken our burdens – what shall we do to repay that unplayable debt? I will tell you how…we should “always remember him.” We should have his spirit to be with us – ALWAYS. Those who tarry here have a few precious moments remaining “to prepare to meet God.” Unfinished business is our worst business. Today we have a little more time to bless others – time to be kinder, more compassionate, quicker to thank, more generous in sharing, more gracious in caring.

o These are the things that I have learned. Enjoy your family, take joy in any accomplishment, and don’t worry about the small things. The worry is not worth the cost. Find ways to show your love to your neighbors, friends, co-workers, and family. Tell them that you love them, mean it, and show it.

o I did not choose this path – I think. But I am at peace with it because I know that God is in charge, and his will be done. It has done much to deepen my love and appreciation for life, and the gifts that it presents. Go to a birthday party and enjoy it. Love and appreciate your children and grandchildren – play lizards. Enjoy the beauty around you. Know that all blessings come from God. Young men and young women – look to your fathers and mothers as examples, do it today. Be a good member of your family. Enjoy going to a game with them, a concert, or McDonald's. Look for ways to be of service – God will show you how.
Again, love those that you associate with, appreciate the small acts and the large occasions, and pray to God that you will know what to do to go about doing good. You will change lives as you do so. Mine has certainly been changed because of you.”

Rick ended his thoughts (and dads thoughts) with his love and adoration for one of the worlds "greatest men". I loved this tribute and am so glad that most of the thoughts shared Friday were echoed in Dad's very own words. He did not only preach how to love and serve, he actually did it. I hope that one day my loved ones can say the same of me. He is truly missed.