P.J. Funnybunny

When I was little, my favorite book was "It's Not Easy Being a Bunny" by Marilyn Sadler and illustrated by Roger Bollen. Because I loved this book so much, my favorite food is cooked carrots. For those of you who have read this book (most likely not really anyone besides my family), you may understand the cooked carrots reference. However, for the sake of those who do not know what I'm talking about, let me explain.

P.J. Funnybunny was a sad bunny who didn't want to be a bunny. His mother made him eat cooked carrots every day, he had too many brothers and sisters, and his ears were huge! So P.J. decides to leave home because he doesn't want to be a bunny anymore. He tries to live with a bunch of different animals, but it doesn't work out, so in the end....he doesn't want to be a bear, a bird, a beaver, a pig, a moose, a possum, or a skunk. He just wants to be a bunny. :) He returns home and eats all of his cooked carrots, played with all of his brothers and sisters, and enjoyed being a bunny.

When I came home this summer from Franciscan University, I had read many many books, but when I saw my old favorite, I had to read it. I'm so glad I did. Even though it may seem silly and childish, this book really has a good message. There is no need to be someone you're not. Just be who you were born to be! God has a special plan for each and every person! No matter who you are, God has a plan for you. Don't spend your life trying to be someone else. Just be you!

Now i remember why I love this book so much! Thanks P.J.! You're an inspiration! :)

P.J. Funnybunny.

This is my favorite page. I think P.J. and I have a lot in common. ;)

A picture is worth 1000 words..

Katie and Shannon at Pismo Beach 2010

Katie has this bad habit of constantly wanting to be snapping photos. I think she thinks she is the paparazzi. Or maybe she wishes the paparazzi was following her. I'm not really sure. All I know is, she ALWAYS wants to get a picture of EVERYTHING. We get dressed up...take a picture. We intent to a household....take a picture. These make sense I guess. BUT...we go outside....take a picture. We are bored in our room...take a picture. We are hanging out with friends...take a picture. And the list goes on and on. I always complain when she whips out the camera, and she always says, "In 5 or 10 years, you'll appreciate these." And she's right of course. I mean, it's good to have memories to look back on. And there's no way you can remember EVERY little detail of your life without the help of a few photos. 

My opinion of a good picture is one that is hilarious and fun to look at. So I love the picture of Katie and I at Pismo Beach. The best part was, we didn't have to keep jumping over and over. It only took like 2 or 3 pictures to get a perfect one! I love that we are so far off the ground. Pictures like this, I have to thank Katie for. It's one of my favorite pictures ever, and the only reason it was taken, is because Katie said that we HAD to take pictures and make memories. Typical Katie. So, thank you Katie for always taking pictures. You're right, I always do end up appreciating this documentation of our fun times! 

So, remember, a picture is worth 1000 words. Save your memories by taking pictures. You only live once. Make every moment count. Make every moment special. Don't take pictures constantly. That's not the point. The point is, life is full of beautiful moments, and you don't want to forget all those. Memories will always be made, picture or no picture, but I have to admit, some of the most random pictures Katie has forced me to smile for, have turned out to be the best ones of us. 

This doesn't happen everyday.

So adorable! Fight on!

Uncle Dave's induction into the Reedley College Hall of Fame. 

The Circle of Life.

Christmas Tree Cuties!

Grandaddy and Sorcha! 

Sisters :)

Grandaddy and the kids.

Go Liam Go!

Bounce house!

Happiness..

Remember when you're a kid and you're always so happy? If only that could last your entire life. Well maybe it can. When you grow up, you shouldn't feel like you have to abandon all happiness and adjust to the "real world." There can be happiness in the real world too. If every person kept the happiness and joy they have as a child, then the world would be a wonderful place full of people who want to make everyone around them happy. Happiness is contagious. When one person is happy, they spread their happiness to those around them.

"I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and to do good while they live."
-Ecclesiastes 3:12

I love this song from the musical Scrooge. The words always make me smile:

They say happiness is a thing you can't see
A thing you can't touch
I disagree
Happiness is standing beside me
I can see him
He can see me
Happiness is whatever you want it to be
Happiness is a high hill
Will I find it?
Yes, I will
Happiness is a tall tree
Can I climb it?
Watch and see
They say happiness is the folly of fools
Pity poor me
One of the fools
Happiness is smiling upon me
Walking my way
Sharing my day
Happiness is whatever you want it to be
Happiness is a bright star
Are we happy?
Yes, we are
Happiness is a clear sky
Give me wings and let me fly
Let me fly
For happiness is whatever you want it to be
Yes, happiness is whatever you want it to be

Don't worry. Be happy! :) Greet each day with a smile and start an epidemic of happiness!

Grandpa..

Grandpa holding Lily

My Grandpa was one of the greatest people I ever knew! I miss him so much! Every St. Patrick's Day I know that I will think of him now. I know he is in a better place now and all the pain and suffering is gone. One day I hope to see him again! What a great Irishman he was! So strong even in the midst of suffering. Today I can only think of all my memories of Grandpa. Watching football, Thanksgiving dinner, visiting the cabin, putting up Christmas lights, BBQ's, and Grandpa's chair.  Dinner is not done at Grandma's until we've all had our dessert. And women should not commentate on football games. (What do they know?) I love you so much Grandpa! I know you are still watching over me from up above. Happy St. Patrick's Day!

St. Patrick's Day in Kindergarten

When I was in Kindergarten, I remember going to school on St. Patrick's Day and reading the book Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss. I don't remember too many details about Kindergarten, but this is one that really sticks out in my mind. Not only did we read the book, but we ate green scrambled eggs and ham. It sounds a little weird and disgusting, but it was actually really exciting! And guess what! It tastes exactly the same, even though it was colored green. Surprising right? Another thing I remember about St. Patrick's Day when I was so small, was how my family celebrated St. Paddy's Day. I remember having the Best Ever Muffins (colored green of course!) and green scrambled eggs. I also remember that I had to wear something green to bed the night before because if not, then you would DEFINITELY get pinched as soon as (or even before) you woke up! My family takes this Holiday very seriously. As St. Patrick's Day approaches, I can't help but remember when I was a wee little one, and all the fun memories of this special day that I have. I love being Irish! And this is what I wish for all who read this:

*P. S.: Don't forget to wear GREEN on St. Patrick's Day!!! 

Let's start from the very beginning...

Katie + Shannon 

5 years old

The beginning is always a very good place to start, so I'm going to start out with KINDERGARTEN. Kindergarten is a wonderful place where kids learn a lot...well hopefully. :) When I was in Kindergarten, I had just moved to California, so I was in a new place, and I was embarking on a new adventure in my life: school. School can be fun, scary, exciting, terrifying, new, and an adventure. For me it was ALL these things and more! I was very shy in Kindergarten. I didn't really talk to anyone but the teacher. I did all my work, and I liked school. I was fairly smart, and I actually enjoyed doing my schoolwork everyday. My best friend was Katie. I met her before school started, and we were the best of friends ever since that day we met at the park. One small problem, Katie didn't go to the same Kindergarten as I did. I went to Public School and she went to Catholic school. So, I only saw her outside of school. But that was ok, because outside of school we spent nearly every moment together! At least it seemed that way. We loved to spend time together and play our little games! We were very happy. However, when I went to school, I was still very very shy. So, my mom put me into an acting club/children's choir. It worked wonders for me! I broke out of my shell eventually, and now I'm a very friendly person, and I'm not really shy at all. Being up on the stage made me feel like I was my character, not myself, so I wasn't afraid to talk to people and be someone from a story. It made me feel special! I loved it! :) My dream was to become a Prima Ballerina someday, and then teach ballet when I got too old to perform. It's so nice to be able to dream ANYTHING. When you're 5 years old, you can be ANYTHING you want to be. You can fly a plane, be a star, or even be the president, no matter what! The key is to keep the best and most important dreams alive when you grow up...