Important Things Said By Me!

Where did the time go?

noreply@blogger.com (Shelby Leigh) — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 18:05:00 +0000

Wow, has it been that long? Really! Well, whatever! I'm gonna give this a go again and try to post regularly again. Hopefully, I can keep my promise! I'm even getting threats from the internet to update my page. Sorry Internet!

Shelby, this is the Internet

noreply@blogger.com (Michael) — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 02:05:00 +0000

and I demand that you update your site, please ; )

Vacation!

noreply@blogger.com (Shelby Leigh) — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 13:00:00 +0000

We took our first family trip this past weekend! What a great time we had.

On the way we stopped at the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, KY. to get a little time out of the car. Much to our surprise there was a Corvette Rally celebrating the Anniversary of the Museum. There was over 2,000 Vette's there, what a site!

National Corvette Museum
Bowling Green, KY

Next we went to Chattanooga, TN and visited Rock City (in Georgia). It was beautiful. Before arriving at the top you walk along this beautiful path called the Enchanted Trail, enchanted it was...also a tight squeeze in a few spots through very narrow cut outs in the mountains.

Me and Zie at Lookout Mountain

Mike and Zie on the Enchanted Trail

From the top of Lookout Mountain you can see 7 states. What a site! They have each of the 7 state's flags flying as well and Kenzie was just thrilled to see that, sh responded to the beauty with a "OOOOOOO-AHHHHHH." She just loves to look at flags.

View from Lookout Mountain
Rock City, GA

From Chattanooga we headed to Black Mountain, NC to visit with my Grandfather's wife, Naomi. She was just thrilled to meet Kenzie and we had a great visit. The retirement community she lives in is really nice, surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains. The view was breathtaking!

Black Mountain, NC

Zie and Naomi

After North Carolina, we made our way back to Gatlinburg, TN. Essentially, the Wisconsin Dells of the South. I went there as a kid and remembered it being a fun time. Of course it just doesn't seem like it was when I was younger. It has become the white trash meca of the south, straight out of a Jeff Foxworthy joke. But, we still had a good time walking the strip, checking out the shops and counting the missing teeth on the people passing by!

Hillbilly Mohawk

All good things must come to an end...

We're back home now and it's back to work for me today! It was nice to be home and with my family for a few days! Wish I could do this more often! I really feel like I'm missing out on a lot not being around enough!

~Shelby

Happy Birthday Shorts!

noreply@blogger.com (Shelby Leigh) — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 12:45:00 +0000

Just a quick Happy Birthday to the Shorts, she 8 months old today! She's doing so well.

We had to huge milestones this weekend! While on vacation she pulled herself up to a standing position using the couch to get her favorite toy, the remote. It was so fun to see. She didn't stand for very long, but still wow! When we returned from our trip, we got in the house, put her down on the floor and she just took off crawling. I was she that she was just never gonna crawl and go straight to walking, but finally she did it!

Shorts in Daddy's bandana!

All this is just great, I just wish she wouldn't grow up so fast!

Happy Birthday Shorts!

Happy Birthday Allison!

noreply@blogger.com (Shelby Leigh) — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 13:47:00 +0000

Wishing the best sister in the world a very Happy Birthday! Wish I could spend it with you!

It's been awhile...

noreply@blogger.com (Shelby Leigh) — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 04:03:00 +0000

Another month has come and gone! Where did the summer go? I've been pretty busy lately! So it's been awhile since my last post.

We've made significant progress on the remodel of the house. We've got the front room painted and are about to start on the dining room then the new floor and trim to follow. All we'll have left is the kitchen, second bathroom, and guest bedroom/computer room and everything will be done. Thankfully we have until Christmas to finish the "All we have left" rooms.

Work has been just that, work! Not a big fan of it, but its something I have to do I guess. The peeps I work with really make it easier to go in each day, we always manage to have a good time regardless of how bad it is...

Me, I'm doing well. Keeping busy, that's for sure. I always manage to pass the time with one task or another. Had a lot going on recently and a lot more to look forward to.

Having a great time with Miss Zie. She truly is the light of my life. I just love to watch her play, sleep, eat, learn, and grow. This time is so precious and I cherish every last second that I have with her.

I spent this past weekend in Lake Geneva, WI with my mom, sister, and Miss Zie, a girls weekend! Its something we plan to do each year and I look forward to the next trip. We had a great time. It's so beautiful up there. We stayed that the Grand Geneva Resort, the former Playboy Club. The property was AMAZING! Downtown Lake Geneva is really nice, shopping, food, fun, and BEAUTIFUL houses. We took a great trip around the lake!

We've got our first family vacation to look forward to! We are leaving Thursday evening for Tennessee and North Carolina. We're gonna head to Chattanooga, TN and see the sites of Lookout Mountain overnight before heading to North Carolina to visit Naomi(my Grandpa's wife) for the day. On the way back home we plan to spend 2 says in Gatlinburg, TN. visiting Smokey Mountain National Park and other historic sites. It's a short little vacation, but a vacation none the less.

Sandy Cove

noreply@blogger.com (Shelby Leigh) — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 18:04:00 +0000

Purchased the paint for the walls in the living room, its called Sandy Cove. I think once this project is done it will look really nice! If it ever gets done!

Poor Mike!

noreply@blogger.com (Shelby Leigh) — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 05:14:00 +0000

Mike got his 2nd Tysabri infusion yesterday! They had a hard time starting his IV again, had to stick him 3 times. Poor guy! I thought we were gonna have to pick him up off the floor. Hopefully, we won't have to go through this again next month, or I'll be starting them myself at home. Not to brag on my skills, but I rarely miss!

On a positive note, shortly after the last 2 treatments Mike stated that the cramps in his legs went away, same as last treatment. Of course it comes back but it seems to happen rather close to the next treatment, perhaps around the time the previous infusion is wearing off. Good news to me regardless.

Always a sad day!

noreply@blogger.com (Shelby Leigh) — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 03:51:00 +0000

Today marks the 8th Anniversary of my father's passing! I can't believe it's been 8 years! It feels like just yesterday I was hanging out with him. I miss him more than I could ever express. I feel especially sad this year now that I have a child of my own that will never get to experience him. He would have been such a awesome grandfather. I look forward to telling her all about him and sharing with her all my memories of him and everything he taught me.

I miss you Dad and would give anything for just one more day!

In loving Memory of Kenneth Frank Greaves
December 6, 1947 - August 5, 2001

Primed

noreply@blogger.com (Shelby Leigh) — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 17:16:00 +0000

Well, we made a little progress this weekend! We got the hallway and living room primed and ready for painting yesterday. It took most of the day and boy are we paying for it today, crazy sore! Mike plans to get the ceiling painted this week and then we'll toss some color up next weekend. Still not sure what color though!

Blog/Website updates/changes

noreply@blogger.com (Shelby Leigh) — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 04:19:00 +0000

We've had some recent updates and changes made to our personal websites. Mike's server went down and he has put it on the back burner for now. I guess it goes to show the changes in our priorities these days.

Mike's personal site www.michaeljohnston.net also had a merger with blogger you can now find it there. This is his "PG-13" site.

TaintedKernel.com, Mike's angry blog site has also made the blogger merger list. Mike will also be speaking his mind from this "R" rated site.

We bid farewell to www.shelbygreaves.com. Postings will longer be made, or I should say, postings have not been made since 2007. You were a good site and we shared some fun times, RIP!

We merged www.shelbyjohnston.com (which I never launched) with my blogger page as well. Either address www.shelbyjohnston.com or shelbyjohnston.blogspot.com works and will get you to the same place, here!

Our personal site, www.shelbyandmike.com, previously our wedding website, which later became a Babyblog, is now a family site which also had a merger with blogger. Check there for updates on life in the Johnston family.

And INTRODUCING, www.kenziejohnston.com (come on, you all knew it would happen eventually). We just got this one started tonight! You'll have to wait till she wakes up tomorrow to get started on it before any real progress is made on the site. Check there for news and pictures from the little miss.

Some new favorites!

noreply@blogger.com (Shelby Leigh) — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 04:18:00 +0000

Some new favorites of Miss Zie. She's got such a great personality and just loves having her picture taken. You can see more pictures of her and occasionally some of us on Mike's picasa site. He updates it frequently so be sure to check it often.

AAAAARRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH!!!!

Rockin' her tubtime mohawk

www.com

noreply@blogger.com (Shelby Leigh) — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 03:21:00 +0000

FYI

For your convenience you can now get to this wonderful site by simply typing

www.shelbyjohnston.com

The old way is still available as well.

Where does the time go?

noreply@blogger.com (Shelby Leigh) — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 23:32:00 +0000

Wow, time is just racing by! We've got a lot going on right now! Just started work on the house again. We knocked the dividing wall in the front room down and man does it really open the place up! Now we're in the middle of prep work for painting. I'm beginning to realize how difficult it is to accomplish anything when you only have 2 days a week to do it. Of course after a long work week, especially the kind of weeks I've been having lately, the last thing you want to do on the weekend is more hard work. But, it must be done. Got to get the room finished and the floor down before "Zie" starts crawling.

Mike Loves you!

Mike had is first infusion of Tysabri and it seems to be doing it's job so far. His everyday aches and pains have decreased and he's made it through some rough times without a flair up. Fingers still crossed that this is the right stuff.

Zie is an outside kind of girl!

Kenzie is also doing well. We've found her happy place, outside. She can be as angry as hell but as soon as you take her outside, instant happiness. I think we may need to move to a year round good climate area so she can be outside all the time. She's really taken to eating solid foods, loves her carrots, peas and sweet potatos. We've just introduced her to Apple Juice in a sippy cup, which is a fun sight. She'll get the hang of it in no time. We're hoping to see some crawling soon! Although, she gets around rather well by scooting backwards and rolling around. Once she really gets moving I'm sure she'll be hard to keep up with.

Talking to Great Grannie Vining

She really is a joy, just the happiest baby I've seen. She wakes up happy (which she didn't get from me or her father) and she goes to sleep happy (most of the time). It really is amazing how much having a child does to you. It has brought out the best in me and Mike too. The world could be falling apart around me and all I need is to see her smile and everything is right again. She really is amazing.

6 months old

noreply@blogger.com (Shelby Leigh) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 04:16:00 +0000

She's 6 months old already! Man, where did the time go! It really seems like yesterday that we bought her home! I'm absolutely amazed at how fast she is growing, changing and learning. It's just to funny who something so simple as sitting up can be such a milestone...

Miss Kenzie and her new tea set

Happy 4th of July

noreply@blogger.com (Shelby Leigh) — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 06:24:00 +0000

Happy Independence Day!

Taste of Chicago

noreply@blogger.com (Shelby Leigh) — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 06:08:00 +0000

I finally made my first trip to the taste of Chicago this past Monday! Had the day off so we hopped on the Metra and made our way downtown. It was nice, perfect time to go, the weather was beautiful, and it was not crowded at all. We spent the whole afternoon walking around getting a taste of some of the best food Chicago has to offer. Kenzie seemed to to enjoy the adventure as well.

We also got a chance to stop in and see Sandy and the lovely ladies of Leydig. Had a good time visiting and are looking forward to having that chance again soon.

The trip home was alittle rough, full train, we had to stand for a bit. I am beginning to learn the difficulties of traveling with an infant. We almost missed the train going there and coming back, can't run as fast with a stroller and a diaper bag. we'll get better in time I guess.

Finally!

noreply@blogger.com (Shelby Leigh) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 18:14:00 +0000

She's finally holding her own bottle. Now all she has to do is make her formula herself and that will free up almost 3 hours in my day!

Kenzie's First Dip!

noreply@blogger.com (Shelby Leigh) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 18:10:00 +0000

Kenzie went for her first dip in the pool! She didn't seem to like it much, but didn't hate it either...baby steps!

My little towel head!

Weekend chalked full of fun!

noreply@blogger.com (Shelby Leigh) — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 00:27:00 +0000

Had a big weekend, at least Kenzie did...

Friday she went downtown to attended her very first Bluefest in Grant Park with Grandma and Grandpa Johnston. While at the Bluesfest she also attended her first sanctioned Drunktown event and was a big hit with the citizens. She even got the approval of the Mayor of Drunktown, and avid baby hater, Brian, my sister's boyfriend.

Apparently the blues make her sleepy!

Kenzie also had her first sleepover with her Grandparents. She was such a good girl for them (which was a relief, now they will likely have her back again). She slept until a shocking 8:30am (figures!!!).

It was a nice break for us too! I had the chance to sleep in for the first time in 5 months, but of course woke up at 7:00am and couldn't go back to sleep. I'm officially programed I guess.

Saturday we attended a birthday party for the daughter of a dear friend of mine, Carrie. Her daughter Tatumn turned 6 this year, wow how time flies.

Sunday Special K and I went shopping and bought daddy some new clothes, ones without stains on them, we'll see how long they stay that way.

Now we are all tired and in desperate need of some sleep! Might just be a very early night for me!

5 Months Old

noreply@blogger.com (Shelby Leigh) — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 17:04:00 +0000

Miss Kenzie is 5 months old today! Happy Birthday sweetie! slow down, what's your hurry to grow up?

Brookfield Zoo

noreply@blogger.com (Shelby Leigh) — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 19:34:00 +0000

We made our first trip to the Zoo on Friday! It was a great day to be outside, the weather was just beautiful. We walked the entire park and saw all that there was to see. We're looking forward to going back again soon, it really was a great day!

Brookfield Zoo Trip June 4, 2009

Bears

And more Bears

Mom and Kenzie at the Children's Zoo

Dad and Kenzie taking in the Brookfield sites!

Peeking Kenzie

Big Kitty

Another Big Kitty!

She's a maniac, maniac on the floor!

noreply@blogger.com (Shelby Leigh) — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 16:46:00 +0000

Auntie Aly knitted Kenzie some legwarmers...way too cute!

Happy Birthday Grannie

noreply@blogger.com (Shelby Leigh) — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 01:00:00 +0000

Wishing Grannie Vining a very Happy 82th Birthday!

Too many bottles!

noreply@blogger.com (Shelby Leigh) — Thu, 28 May 2009 14:18:00 +0000

Kenzie after one too many bottles!