10---11---12

So here's what I've been doing for the past 3 months:

In October (10)

A few of us decided to got to the "Greatest Show on Earth"
The Elephants were my favorite part of the show ( and the white Siberian Tigers)

This trick was pretty mind boggling. They got 7 motorcycles going in this little metal round cage at one point! It was amazing!

In October we had a regional Education Conference where Elder Holland came out here to speak. There were great teachers, speakers, and events that brought single adults from all over the East coast together. I had a great time and was able to meet Elder and Sister Holland and talk to them for a few minutes. It was truly an incredible experience. Here are more pictures from the Conference taken by Timothy Connor.

Ben & I enjoy hot chocolate during the opening night festivities.

De Ette & Seth

Timothy & I before the big Black & White Ball at the State Capital

Ty(Texas) & Lisa(DC) came out for the Education Conference and stayed with me

Elder Holland spoke from the heart and was very candid!

We all had a great time at the dance!

Halloween

I was a flapper. I thought this was a great and easy costume. I wore this on Halloween day to my seminary class. My students were a bit surprised (I think they thought I was dressed like a hooker). When I asked any of them if they knew what I was no one knew. When I told them I was a flapper from the 20's they still had no idea what a flapper was. I was a bit embaressed and took off my wig and boa to teach the lesson that morning. Ha Ha

Julie & Natalie turning into cats.

In November (11)

Natalie's family came to town and you know that means getting all the friends together. Usually this means that I can convince Julie to share her talents (after much begging). Thanks Ju!

The Winter Gala

Danny came down from Vermont to hang out with the Boston Crew and attended the Gala with us. Earlier that day Danny and I checked out the Old North Bridge and the Minute Man Museum and sights.
This dance was more fun than any of us anticipated!

I love these ladies!

Chris & Katasha

Julie & Kylee

Thanksgiving Dinner

Esther was kind and invited me and many others to join her a wonderful Thanksgiving meal. I got to meet new friends and eat wonderful food! Thanks Esther!

Esther & Kylee

In December (12)

The girls down the street and my apartment decided to have a little Holiday Dinner. It was great to get all gathered together. It turned out fantastic!

As part of the festivities that was Natalie's Birthday 14 of us ladies decided to go to the "Urban Nutcracker". We had a great time and the day just got better with the Relief Society Christmas Concert later that night and then of course Natalie's Birthday Bash!

Isn't the birthday girl beautiful in her festive red dress!

Happy 25th Birthday Natalie! (No Julie you already had your birhtday, remember)

These are my "sisters" out her in Boston (I miss you Marianne)

The 3 amigos

Julie and Matt (visiting from Vermont)

The Dr.'s Danny & Matt came to Natalie's Birthday Bash

The roommates

Now I'm semi caught up on life! How are you doing?
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Puppeteer

My mom told me last night that she is so glad that the Lord is the Puppeteer in her life. She told me that she knows that although it might be painful when He pulls the strings that eventually He will direct you where you need to be and when.

Thanks Mom & Dad, Chels & Mike, Danielle & Kevin, and many others for being so supportive as strings in my life are getting pulled. I love you all very much!

15 minute rule

I know that there's some unofficial rule that if you go to a class and the teacher doesn't show up for 15 mintutes or something you can leave the class.

So what happens when you are the teacher and all but 1 of your student don't show up?

I waited until 6:30 am (well past the 15 minute rule) to cancel class. In the meantime I talked to my student and her mom who had come to class the morning for Seminary from Woburn.

Who knew the snow would scare everyone away--certainly not me.

Faith Precedes the Miracle

The story of the Children of Israel always fascinated me as a kid, the plagues, the crossing of the Red Sea, the wandering, The mana from heaven, the healed bitter water, the golden calf, The Lord continuously blessing them, and their foolishness & murmuring after 430 years of pleading to be delivered from bondage.

I have heard theses stories many times, as have you I'm sure, but yesterday as I was preparing to teach my seminary class there was one phrase that stuck out to me. The strange thing is that we are in Exodus 14, which has a lot of powerful and beautiful phrases, and the one that stuck out to me was not one of those. It was simple and found in Exodus 14:15 "And the LORD said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward (emphasis added)."

Almost immediately I thought of Simon Peter in Matthew 14:22-33. Here again we usually talk about Peter and his walking on the water, how his faith falters, and the Lord saves him. But I was drawn to this part of the story,... "And when Peter was come down out of the ship..."

In both cases, the Children of Israel & Peter, had to take action (faith + works) before the miracles came. The Children of Israel had to walk forward towards the Red Sea--before Moses parted it by the Lord's power. Peter had to get out of the boat and step into/on to the water--before being able to walk towards the Savior on the water.

I wonder how many times in my life I have asked, even pleaded with the Lord, for deliverance. Then on the cusp of the Lord making it happen, in His time and on His terms, I have murmured because the way seemed impossible. I wonder how many times I've asked the Lord to work miracles in my life. Then when the opportunity came I sat inside the boat instead of walking on the water.

I hope to be more faithful; more of a believer and less of a murmurer. I hope that in order to make more miracles happen in my life I become action-oriented with my faith. I hope that I can, "Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord" in my life.

Thank Goodness!

I'm thankful...

• for the Old North Bridge
• that I live near my amazing sister and husband
• for living the questions
• for making things happen
• for the unexpected
• for Kigatsuku
• that I live in a beautiful house
• for my eternal family
• that I have amazing friends
• for music
• for good books
• for first kisses
• that I'm surviving a broken heart (not from romance)
  
• that the last thing I said to my brother was kind
• for holding hands and butterflies
  
• for fireworks, waterfalls, stars, trees, swings, and rain
• that not all my prayers have been answered how I wanted
• that some of them have
• to know there's a plan
  
• for punk kids, early morning seminary, and sleeping in

This list could go on and on....but I'll stop here, for no particular reason, and just say that I have a long list of things that I'm thankful for. Chances are ,if you are reading my blog, you are on my list! Happy Thanksgiving!

I'm allergic to working during the holidays

So I'm sitting here at work and my office closed at 2:00 pm. I decided to go get some lunch and come back and work for a few more hours. I got back to the office and sat down at my desk and as I was talking on the phone it started....

So here I am at about 3: 20 with hives all over my body. I have no idea why or what I'm allergic to. The only thing I can think of is that I'm allergic to working during the holidays. I guess this is my body's way of saying---GO HOME!

Happy Birthday Mom!

I thought that for your birthday I would share a list of qualities that I love about you and how these qualities are manifest in your hubby & kidlets. You have left a distinct trace of your beauty, talents, desires, personality, faith, love, and all that is you in your family.

Smarty Pants

You helped inspired Chelsea and I to graduate from college. You set the example that graduating from college is important-even if you have to do it with 2 children. So now you have 2 college graduates, 1 college student that has just finished her Master's degree and is working on her PhD. , 1 working kid who plans to go back to school to get her Master's degree, and one husband (through your dedication) who not only got his Master's degree but went on to get his PhD. Mom thanks for your love and appreciation of education and for inspiring us to go out and learn about life!

The man of your dreams

You lucked out and happen to marry that most amazing man ever (but this blog isn't about you dad)! I venture to say that Dad is the man he is today, in part, because of you! Mom you have been one incredible wife! You have always supported Dad in all that he does. All those nights he went jogging so he could run his marathons, all the times the family had to move for education or professional pursuits, and all the time you sacrificed away from Dad so he could be with other families in his church capacities. There is so much more but I want you to know that your relationship with Dad is inspiring to me and many others!

Book Worm

I may have gotten my love for writing from Dad but I got my love of reading and words from you. You are my wordsmith. You seem to know just about every word there is, how to spell, it and what it means. My love for reading started at a young age when you would read to me. This love of reading and words became my major in college and is still a big part of who I am. I believe there are a few more things about me that come from you or are inspired by you but I have a hard time separating me from you and at any one point. Love ya mom!

Don't Settle for less

Mom, you have always inspired us to dream big dreams, to accomplish our goals, and to never settle for less than we deserve. Chelsea is the perfect example of this. With her will to be educated, her desire to go to Africa, and her choice in a wonderful loving husband, she has listen to you, and embodied this mantra! She is fiercely independent, strong, powerful, loving, smart, and she continues to learn from you what it truly means to be a woman today.

Hugs & Kisses

Though Grant could be rowdy, obnoxious, and into everything and everyone's business--he also had a heart of gold. I remember many times he would be angry at me and then minutes later he would sit next to me and hug me. He would love to just be with his sisters, hold their hands, sit next to them, hug them (hit them), and even snuggle up next to them. Mom Granty got that from you. Grant fought to live when he was born, the struggled while he was alive, and he was only with us for a little while. It was your strength, wisdom, courage, love, honestly, and devotion through the thick and thin has been and continues to inspire all who know you.

" Traditions...traditions" ( think Fiddler on the Roof)

Whether they were dad's family or your family--you filled up our home and lives with traditions. Danielle loves these traditions and just the other day was reciting to me a bunch of the family traditions that she treasures. I don't know if Kevin knows what he's in for with carrying on those cherished traditions. Mom you have always been the one encouraging us to go pursue our dreams but you are also the first one to want us all back at home with you together. Danielle exemplifies this as the middle child. She loves to be surrounded by her family (though she might not readily admit this). I think it's going to be a struggle for all our in laws to realize that we Shields have our traditions!

Little Miss Black Book

You knew it would happen eventually. With 6 girls you knew that at least one of them would be like you were as a girl-boy crazy! I hear it told that in high school and college you were the dating queen and had to swat the boys a way (heaven knows why I didn't get that part of you??). Well Kaitlin has clinched that spot by having her first kiss first (well, so far), having boyfriend(s) in high school, and for running up your cell phone and text messages.

Express Yourself

I remember you singing in the kitchen, in public, or where ever your heart desired. We'd say stop and get embarrassed but you'd say, "You don't want an ordinary mom do you?" Well, mom as a result you don't have any "ordinary" kids! Alexa exemplifies your freedom to express how you feel. You've never been one to hold back. You get what you see and people love you for that.

Wild Child

I know you have spent the better half of you life trying to fool everyone into believing that you didn't have a wild side--but the truth in manifest in Clay! We all know you didn't do anything to crazy and wild in your past, but mom--you did ( and still do) have a wild side. Clay is spitfire and full of wild child but he also can be very complimentary and sweet. Besides we got to give him credit for being surrounded by girls, girls, and more girls all the time. It's no wonder he's a bit on the wild side!

Mary & Martha

Camryn is mom's little helper. She is Martha in that she helps with dishes, does her homework, practices her piano, and does what mom and dad say. She is Mary because takes the time to pray, to write letters to her sisters far away, to say she loves you, and to do so many little things that matter so much. She, like you mom, is both Mary & Martha. You take the time for the things that matter (even if they don't seem to make a difference at the time): FHE, Family scripture study, family prayers, family reunions, watching family videos. You also do the things that a mom does-the practical, needs to get done stuff: driving kids every which way, making food all day long, laundry, cleaning, and so much more!

Family....isn't it about time!

Can you believe that you had all these kids?? Can you believe that they are all growing up, graduating from college, getting married, accomplishing their dreams, staying close to the Lord, and still bugging you. Can you believe that you are done being pregnant (I think 6 years is long enough), that all your kids are gone during the majority of the day, that you only have half the bunch now living at home, and that you have 2 new sons. Can you believe that you have 4 returned missionaries, 8 temple worthy members, a son who holds the Aaronic priesthood, a husband and 2 sons-in-law who hold the Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthood, a son preaching the gospel in the spirit world, and a life time of memories still to come. Thanks mom for being a part of all of our lives!

Here is a special poem for you.

I love you Mommy!

The first born in the wilderness, Kylee

San Diego on Fire

I haven't written much if at all on here about my mission. Not because I don't like to talk about my mission-in fact I absolutely LOVED my mission. I learned so much about others and about myself. I also fell in love with San Diego (this is not hard).

Lately San Diego has been on my mind and heart as it was burning out of control. People were evacuated from their homes, waiting where ever they could find places, and wondering if they would have a home to come back to. I thought of all my "families", my "areas, my "temple", my "Mormon Battalion Visitors Center." They were all weighing heavily on my heart.

I think in part I was reminded of 15 years ago when my best friends house burned to the ground and I was states away from her and coudn't do anything. She had to move to a apt. for a while until they could rebuild her home. She lost everything. It was devastating. Eventually they did get to go back "home" and they rebuilt their lives.

Also it reminded me of when the seminary building where my Dad taught, across from my hgih school, was burned to the ground. This was a hate crime. It was hard to realize that people have that much hate. Here again, we rebuilt, and this time we got a nice building and we strenthend our testimonies.

I know that San Diego will regrow, rebuild, and start again but today my heart and prayers go out to those who have to do that. To those who lost everything-you are on my mind and in my heart today.

A Bad Day!

I have a lot of random thoughts swarming around in my head lately. I just overheard a coworker of mine say, "I'm just having a bad day." Not uncommon to hear but for some reason that was all it took for the bees in my head to come flying out in this post.


Dear Co-worker-


I hear you are having a bad day? I'm sorry to hear that. I'm sure in your world of undulation today is bad but tomorrow will be better. A bad day you say?? Let me tell you about a bad day.

The fires are now under control in San Diego, the winds have ceased, but the wreckage of her firey jaws are unimaginable. People are forced to face the fact that they are now homeless. Not only that but many people have lost their past--pictures erased, years forgotten as journals were devoured, precious tangibles lost forever, and so much more. Where do you even start? That is a bad day!

This morning my seminary class and I read about how Joseph's brothers were so mad at him, and his dreams, that they wanted to kill him. Thanks to his oldest brother, Reuben, they didn't. But don't worry they threw him in a pit and eventually he would be sold as a slave and taken to Egypt. Now that is a bad day!

I'm currently reading a book about WWII that I find fascinating (see post about my interest in WWII) where a little girl is reading a book in her basement when her entire city is laid to waste by an accidental bombing. Everyone she knows is murdered in their sleep. That is a bad day.

So you see-- today I don't think you are having that bad of a day. Just thought I'd let you know.

Your loving co-worker, Kylee

Maybe I'll see you sooner....

Last night I was talking to my family and filling them in on how great the LDS New England Education Conference for singles out here in Boston went (more on that to come...) After talking to Mom and Dad I talked to my little sister Camryn (9). I just couldn't help but share our conversation. So here it goes:

Kylee: Hey Cam! How are you doing? Are you enjoying your school break or are you ready to go back to school?
Camryn: I want to go back to school.
Kylee: Are you being a good girl from mommy and daddy?
Camryn: yep!
Kylee: How is soccer going?
Camryn: it's good ( most of our conversations go something like this)
Kylee: Well, I love you and miss you and can't wait to see you around Christmas time.
Camryn: Well (slight pause for effect), maybe I'll see you sooner...?
Kylee: Well I don't think so...
Camryn: interrupting---maybe you'll get married!
Kylee: (Trying really hard not to fall off my bed in laughter)--well, thanks for your confidence but I don't think I'll be getting married before Christmas time.
Camryn: Well, I fasted for you to get married.
Kylee: (what do you say to that)--well, thank you for doing that. I'm sure it will help me.

Out of the mouth of babes! Man I love that girl!

3 Month Sugar Fast!!!

I've been eating way too much sugar! I decided last night that I'm going to bring back a little sugar fast that I used to do annually. I pick 3 months in which I will not be eating/drinking any (un natural) sugar--this is always up to interpretation--I'm a stickler.


I have chosen the months of January (after my b-day of course), February, and March to begin my sugar fast. Other than Valentine's Day there aren't too many days that sweets are a big deal in these months.


I figure that it's time to kick my nasty habit of Cola, test my self control, and save a little money. All this will be accomplished with my 3 month sugar fast. Wish me luck!

I'm putting this in here now in hopes that a few of you that read this will decided to join me. Also to give you a good amount of warning that this will be happening so when I start saying, No, but thank you anyway"--to all your offeres of sugary delight

Anyone with me??

Don't worry for those of you who love your sugar there is a "Who wants a world where sugar is forbidden" campaign for you!