Greetings all!  It's been awhile since I have posted. Having a new baby has kept me very busy. Today I am posting about the contest my hubby is in. Every year Redbook Magazine has a "Hottest Husband" in America contest. Well my hubby made it to the top 25 finalists for this year. I will post the link. Follow the link and please vote for my husband Gary Warner. Pass the word to family & friends. Post it to your Facebook & blogs. Gary is a wonderful husband of 19 yrs, and great daddy to our 9 children. He is also a dedicated soldier in the US Army.  Thank you!

~Shannon

‎"America's Hottest Husband" contest is up and running. You can vote for Gary at http://www.redbookmag.com/love-sex/hot-husband/americas-hottest-husbands-finalists-2011#fbIndex1
Please everyone vote for my sweety! Tell your family, friends, post it on your facebook and blogs. Vote for Gary Warner as "America's Hottest Husband 2011"
VOTING ENDS MARCH 18TH.

Introducing: Londyn Grace.

This is our precious Londyn Grace. She is 3yrs old and is a complete princess.  Londyn was born in Italy while we were stationed there.  You may wonder how she got her name. Our 8yr old daughter Rebecca (who was 6 when she came up with the name) named her. She said if the baby was a girl her name was going to be Londyn. We like it so we said ok.  I had no idea until much later that she got the name from the Suite Life of Zack and Cody. We love it none the less and it fits her well.

Londyn is our 7th child.  Spoiled, spoiled spoiled!  She is our only thumb sucker and although she looks adorable doing it, we are trying so hard to break her of it.  She loves watching Dora, Team Umizoomi and The Fresh Beat Band.  Londyn enjoys riding her barbie jeep, playing with brothers and sisters and having her nails painted. 

We are so glad we were blessed with her. She is a joy and a true gift from God.

~Shannon

Sunny days are ahead...

I am feeling a little better each day. I am still nauseous but it is definatly getting better. I am 12wks prego today and I feel this pregnancy is flying by. To be honest I love being pregnant but I really can't wait to snuggle with my presous baby.  Wheather it is your first, second, fifth, or tenth child each one is special and unique. Children don't just come in two flavors: chocolate and vanilla, believe it or not there are other flavors:  strawberry, blueberry, butterscotch, butter pecan....you get the picture. Each one unique and special.

Tomorrow is to be a very nice day with Friday and Saturday to be even better. I can't wait! I may get to open my windows and air out this stale house from being all closed up during the long NNY winter.  I know the kids can't wait to get out as well.  I am praying the warm weather comes to stay put here soon!

~Shannon

11wks 4days....

Being tired has overcome me lately. Sorry for the lack in blogging. I promise to try and be better.  I am now almost 12wks pregnant with our 9th child.  I'm nauseous all day however it is subsiding a bit, and I have been extremly tired.  I can't believe how fast this pregnancy is going.  I got to see our beautiful baby last week and he/she has a nice strong heartbeat of 180bpm.  Which totally set my nerves at ease.  My plan is to do alot of blogging about my pregnancy to help me keep track of what is going on.

The children are excited and so far the vote is....5 want girls and not sure what the other 3 want. But all Gary and I want is a healthy baby.  We feel so privilaged that God would bless us with another child.  Each one is a wonderful gift from God and unique in their own way.

Spring is in the air.....

We have had less snow fall this year than the past 3 winters we have lived here in Upstate NY. The snow is melting nicely and the smell outdoors is that of spring. Oh how I long for the beautiful weather the spring and summer bring.

Being a large family living in limited space (military housing) can be a challenge.  Especially in the long winter months. We love being outdoors together, even if just sitting on a blanket in the front yard. I take it all in. The sights and sounds of the seasons.  I absolutly love the smell of fresh cut grass!  I bought mammoth sunflower seeds that will get to about 12ft. The girls and I will plant them indoors to get the seedlings started.  Then plant them outdoors once the chance of frost is gone and watch them grow, grow grow. 

Oh spring is definatly in the air and it can't get here soon enough for me!

Blessings, Shannon

Outside finally.............

Today, here in Upstate NY was absolutly beautiful. The sun was shining, the breeze was minimal and the temperature was about 45. I took the 3 youngest children  out to release energy that definatly needed to be released.   I love to be outdoors, and loath being inside.

Here is my perfect day.....  Waking up in the morning, getting the kids breakfast, sending them outdoors, doing my morning cleaning and then heading out with the kids for the rest of the day.  I love taking care of the outside of our home, gardening (can't do to much because not alot of space), and just enjoying playing and watching the kids play.  The warmth and sunshine make me feel so relaxed and at peace. I enjoy watching the kids ride their bikes, play hide n seek, taking long walks, going to the park...oh the list can go on and on.  I could dig in the dirt planting flowers and plants all day.  Pulling weeds and mowing actually relaxes me...weird huh???  I enjoy sitting at my table outside drinking a cold glass of sweet tea or leamonaid while chatting with a neighbor of two.

So what do you enjoy doing outdoors?  What do you do with your children outside?  Please share...I can always use more ideas.

Blessings, Shannon

Well.................

I posted a new "Topic of the Week". It is on recycling, something I think strongly about. So go check it out and if you all start putting it into practice let me know how it goes.  It is so easy and so beneficial to our world.  It's kinda funny, because people assume since we are a large family that we would have alot of trash on trash day but we don't.  Hmmm I wonder why......MAYBE BECAUSE WE RECYCLE.  We may have 3 bags of trash in our trash bin for the week, but the recycle bin is usually over half way full.  That is less for our dumps and less harmful chemicels from plastics in our soil.

So read it. I hope you start the recycling adventure. It is very rewarding.  And if you already recycle....BRAVO!

Blessings, Shannon