The Shaffer Site

Photography 101

2010-10-29T07:50:00.000-07:00

My friends have graciously been trying to teach me how to take better pictures. I am so thankful for their help, and I think out of 250 pictures, these turned out pretty good. What do you think?

New Budget Bag Store

2010-08-28T05:51:00.000-07:00

Thanks to the guys at SkorInc.com I have a new Online Store!!! I am super excited to have an easy way for you to get the Budget Bag you want!!!

Just pick the bag you want, I will make it, and send it to you!!! Super Easy!!!

Check it out and place an order here.... www.budgetbags.storenvy.com

Have a great day!!!!

Much Love

BUDGET BAGS!!!

2010-08-18T14:40:00.001-07:00

I have started a little side business of making these adorable Budget Bags. If you are budgeting and tired of the plain ol' accordion file, this should be the answer for you. We began budgeting back in January and since I wasn't really looking forward to it, I decided to make something that would make me smile every time I needed to reach for cash. Now that I have started the cash only budget, I will never go back to credit. It has been so freeing.

I have several colors available...and they are custom to your categories. I will try to get available colors posted soon.

Email me at maggieshaffer@mac.com for orders or questions....please allow 2-3 weeks for delivery. I will ship them anywhere in the US as well.

Pricing...

Budget Bag with 6 envelopes..................$40

Budget Bag with 7-10 envelopes.............$45

Budget Bag with 10-15 envelopes...........$50

*all include a velcro change envelope

Budget Bag with 6 envelopes pictured below....

Color and Pattern Choices...

Scrapbooking is back to relaxing!

2010-07-08T17:51:00.000-07:00

I have really been struggling to get back into scrapbooking our lives. I have really wanted to do digital scrapbooking, but it really has just gotten hard to get done. So I tried using Smilebox...but I feel like the layouts aren't good enough for what I know I can do in photoshop. So I decided...as long as it may take, I am going to be scrapbooking using photoshop.

I love looking at all the pictures from when Levi was little. so fun to remember how adorable he was and look forward to the little man he is becoming. I have just been cherishing these moments....you should too.

Here are a couple...

Edmonson Photos

2009-05-27T07:57:00.000-07:00

When I look at these pictures, it reminds me of how blessed I am to have such an amazing family. Our dear friend David Edmonson took these pictures for us. It was an amazing experience and the outcome was unbelievable. I can't wait to get them on canvas and hang them in the house. The family photo and the one of Stella in the garden are going to be entered in a competition in November for David. I so hope he wins!

Stella Reneé Shaffer

2009-04-21T09:34:00.001-07:00

What an adventure our family has been on. It has been a very long 8 months for sure. I have definitely learned amazing things from God in this time of being patient. He has stripped me down to where I was able to only be dependent upon Him, and that is what I needed.

God has blessed us beyond our imaginations. I need to be honest here. I really was praying that God would bring a little girl into our family, but with not knowing the sex of the baby, I was having to talk myself into being perfectly fine with another baby boy. It was hard to do, but I was able to convince myself that either sex would be great. Truly, as long as my baby was healthy, I knew that God had a plan.

Fast forward to one of the greatest mornings I have ever had. At 11:00pm on the 15th of April I went into labor and had to get to the hospital ASAP. I was scheduled to have another cesarian section and not go into labor, but things weren't going the way I thought they should. After having labor contractions for about 3 hours, I was taken into surgery. The spinal was done and the contractions were gone, I was at peace. I love my doctor. He was so sweet and knew I had been in tons of pain, so he was able to still make me laugh through it all. There were only about 4 people in the room and I'm not even sure there was anyone else in the hospital. At least that's how quiet it was. As I was laying there waiting for our baby to be brought out, a peace came over me. I was having a great time because all these 8 months would be behind me and I would be able to be a good mom again. I was excited.

Then it happened. Dr. Maxey looked at Robby and said "I want you to tell her what it is!" Then Robby said "it's a girl, baby!" I think he choked up, and I got tears in my eyes and said "What? Is it really a girl? Really? A girl? I can't believe it!" I was so overwhelmed. A beautiful baby girl. My heart raced! I couldn't wait to see her! When they showed her to me I just was so full of joy that I didn't even cry! I was too excited! I am so thankful that God has blessed our family with a beautiful and very healthy baby girl, Stella. I am amazed by how healthy she is. No NICU. The pediatrician even said "We aren't even treating her like a premie because of how healthy she is." I couldn't ask for more. Then, there was Levi holding his baby sister for the first time. I have told many of my friends how that moment is really the happiest moment of my life. Seeing my grown up baby boy hold his baby sister and be the proudest big brother in the world. He loves her so much. He is always asking to hold her. He gives her kisses and says he will protect her. It's amazing. I am literally on cloud 9 and I hope to never come down. So without further ado, here is our newest addition....

Stella Reneé

Her she is again!

Levi holding her for the first time!

Our first day together!

Sweet Heart!

Roomtime Turned Snoozetime

2009-03-29T16:48:00.000-07:00

So this was funny to me. I told Levi today that he could either have Roomtime in his bedroom, or he could nap in his room. I just needed to rest, and needed him to have some time to himself. So he said he wanted to have roomtime. I would have chosen that too if I were him. So he went in his room and I laid down with the monitor on. He was having a ball. Laughing and talking to himself. Playing with who knows what and talking to either himself or not sure who-else. Then about 30 minutes into roomtime, I didn't hear anything. I waited for about 15 minutes and then started to get a little nervous. So I went upstairs very quietly. I thought maybe he had actually fallen asleep. Sure enough, I walked in and he was on the other side of his bed, by the wall, passed out snoring. I couldn't believe it. I guess he was seriously tired. So an hour later I went in and snapped some pictures. I knew it would wake him up, so I was ready for him to wake. So here are the pictures of him passed out, light on, in the corner of the room. Too funny.

asleep in the corner

he piled his "babies" and his blanket for a pillow

starting to wake up because of the camera

well, hello there!

I love this face. So precious!

Is it almost over?

2009-03-17T17:19:00.000-07:00

I have been contemplating recently about what God is teaching me in this pregnancy, and I am having a hard time figuring it out. You see, at the beginning I was exhausted and so nauseous. I couldn't wait for the first 12 weeks to be over. They ended and I felt like a new woman, but not for long. Since January I have been fighting desperately with my immune system. I am usually an extremely healthy person. I really don't get sick much at all. However, since January, I have had 5 sinus infections, and just recently got the Flu. I mean really? It has been one of the hardest times in my life for sure. I am now past the fever part of the Flu, but have absolutely no energy at all.

So that leaves me to wondering what I am supposed to see in all this. At this point I feel like I will never feel human again. I think there was a point in my life when I had lots of energy and got a lot of things done. Not right now, though. I mean what am I going to do when I have a newborn and I haven't been able to rest before that sweet baby comes? Well, i am just thinking that I am going to finally do life with God's strength and not my own. That is my prayer now. It should always be my prayer, but I am always in my own way. So I am here now, in need of a strength that my earthly body has no way of providing.

So my heavenly Father will be my strength. I am believing God for a miracle of health before and after this baby comes. I know he can heal me, and I am believing it!

The Grammy's 2009

2009-02-13T09:07:00.000-08:00

There are a few things that we get to do with the band that are exciting, and I have to say...the Grammy's are one of them. We went a couple of years ago when the guys were nominated and had a blast. This year the guys were nominated for their song "You Reign" and Bart was also nominated for his "Hymned Again"record. All I can say is that we are just so proud of them just for being nominated. We waited with baited breathe to see if they had won, and once again it was a no. Nevertheless, we had a great time. Robby and I were both sick, and all of us were so tired, but we really enjoyed all being together and just having a good time! Maybe someday they will win a Grammy, not sure, but it was a fun trip for sure.

The guys looking awesome!

The Whole Family

Just the girls.

Me and my honey!

Bart and Shannon

Kelly and Lacy Feezel

Mike and Abby

Nathan and Amanda

Me and Rob again

The girls in the "VIP" room at a party the night before. We left after 5 minutes and went to bed!

At P.F. Changs for dinner the night before

The whole gang!

(For some reason I didn't get a picture of Jim and Misti by themselves, sorry guys!)

Colorado Bliss

2009-01-05T10:30:00.000-08:00

I can't believe how much snow there is here in Pagosa Springs this time. This is a yearly trip that we take to this beautiful little town. It has been snowing since we got here and hasn't let up yet. It is breathtaking! We usually bring family and/or friends with us. This year we have our friends Jenny and Ryan Simmons with us. I am usually able to Snowboard with Robby, but as I am 21 weeks pregnant and Jenny is 24 weeks pregnant, that isn't happening this time. So Ryan and Robby are Snowboarding while Jenny, Levi, and I are enjoying the snow and condo! The hot chocolate is flowing and I think we have just been eating all day long. They might have to roll me to the car when we get ready to leave.

So here are a few pictures of our trip so far. I just don't want to get behind with the New Year, so enjoy them now, while we are still in the Snow!!!! I will probably have more in a couple of days to stay tuned!

The Family enjoying the Snow!

Jenny and Ryan

He loves throwing Snowballs

Mommy and Levi walking together!

He loves to eat the snow too!

Just wanted to pose for us.

I think he would sleep in the Snow if he could!

Mommy, Jenny, and Levi when we first got out in it!

Thanksgiving

2008-12-23T12:33:00.001-08:00

Here are just a few pictures from our Thanksgiving in Branson, Mo. We went to Silver Dollar City with Robby's parents, Stan and Pat. Or as Levi affectionately calls them, MawMaw and PawPaw. We had a great time, although it was really cold on one of the days we were there. It really has become a tradition to go there for Thanksgiving. Levi really loves the big ball area where he can play in the balls and shoot them into the air. I, or course, really love the food there! Oh and the Hot Chocolate!

We pray that this holiday season you remember the importance of why we celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas. We are so thankful for Family and Friends, but most of all Christ. For without Him, it would all be meaningless! Love to you all!

Levi playing his Mexican guitar

He really loves his Christmas lights and always wants to turn them on!

He wanted to wear MawMaw's socks for some reason.

MawMaw and Levi laughing as we wait for the Train.

Levi and MawMaw

Laying on the balls, he couldn't really get up.

Putting the balls into the vacuums. So cool!

One of my favorite pictures daddy took!

So funny, he was desperately trying to get more balls out!

Just couldn't get them out!

Another one of my favorite pictures!

MawMaw, PawPaw, and Levi

Mommy, Daddy, and Levi. Our Christmas Card!

God's Unconditional Love

2008-11-18T14:10:00.000-08:00

I had a really bad day last Saturday. I had no sleep the night before because I slept with Levi at my sister-in-laws house and he moves like crazy. The kind of sleep where every five minutes he would move and breathe heavy. His legs were in my back at one point. I am a seriously light sleeper so I got no sleep at all. I am not so sure that Levi slept that well either because he would occasionally sit up and just look at me. The room I was in was freezing as well and my feet never got warm.

During the day I was so tired and Levi wasn't listening to me at all. All I could think was "please just obey me for once you ungrateful child." In the evening, we were home but we still had about 4 hours to go until bedtime for Levi and I was at the end of my rope with him. He kept throwing fits and was still not obeying me. I had to discipline him several times, and then I snapped. I yelled at him and scared him. I was so in the wrong. I had lost it completely and taken it out on a 2 year old. He was just being 2. I know that he is going to be disobedient, and I am just supposed to direct him and bring him up in the ways of Christ. My flesh just completely took over.

That night as I tucked him in the bed, all I could do was ask him for forgiveness. I told him that when mommy raised her voice at him she was wrong to do that. He said he forgave me as well as he could and hugged me and gave me a big kiss.

The next morning when I went in his room to get him up and ready for church, and all I heard when I opened the door was "MOMMY!!!! Hi mommy!!!" He had completely forgotten about the day before. He didn't even remember the incident. I couldn't believe it. He still loved me, despite how wrong I had treated him. I was so thankful that he had really forgotten. During church there was amazing worship and I was trying to sing a song that I had sung a ton of times and I couldn't get it out without balling. It was the song "Inside Out" and the first line is

"A thousand times I've failed, yet your mercy remains"

I couldn't sing it. My son had shown me God. God was talking to me through my 2 year old. All I could hear Him saying was that He loved me. After all the mistakes I make, He forgives me when I come to Him and talk about it and ask. My son had shown me the unconditional love that God has for me. All the times that I mess up and my flesh takes over, He is there. His mercy remains. I am so thankful.

I constantly struggle with my temper and suppressing it. I am far from a perfect mother, but I am doing the best I can and learning from my mistakes. I do know that I love my son so much and never want to hurt him. What a lesson this has been.

Where's the Cat??

2008-11-09T06:27:00.000-08:00

Not many people, including some close friends, know that we actually have a cat in our house. His name is Digit. Weird name you say? He was actually named after one of Dian Fossey's favorite gorillas in Africa. (Watch Gorilla's in the Mist if you have no clue who I am talking about). I used to really want to be a primatologist, this is why I am obsessed with Gorillas. Strange maybe, but none the less, true.

Anyway, we have a cat named Digit. Now for anyone who knows about him, they know that he is a very sweet cat. He just hides a lot. Mainly in my closet and under my bed. He is constantly tortured by our dog Carter. I actually feel bad for him a lot because he was the first one to be with me, then came the dog. I am sure he thinks that is entirely unfair.

I have actually had Digit since he was a baby kitten. He is a black cat that is rapidly approaching the age of 10. He may be older than 10 but I'm bad at birthdays. He sheds like crazy, hardly ever comes out of hiding, everynight sleeps between my legs (so I can't turn over cause he won't budge), and sheds like crazy. There are many reasons that I am tired of having a cat. One being the cat litter box. GROSS!!! I am so tired of changing it, and now my darling husband cleans it soooo much more than I do. Now that I am pregnant I can't change it, so that works out.

So being that there are many reasons that I am tired of having a cat, I actually got really sad last night, As I was lying in bed trying to fall asleep, my mind started to wander as it often does, and I thought to myself. "I haven't seen Digit in about a day!" Then I start thinking..."Oh my goodness, Levi let the dog out yesterday and when I put him down for a nap and came downstairs it was freezing because the back door was WIDE open! Oh my gosh! The CAT!!! I haven't seen him since that time!" Mind you this was now a day and a half later!!!!

I have actually had scares like this before and he is usually in the house and has found a new hiding spot. Robby always tells me he is in her somewhere and he is always right. So I call Rob and he doesn't answer. I am trying to remain calm and look everywhere I think he might be. He is not in any closet, not on any bed, not under any beds! After exhausting a search I actually go outside at 11:00p.m. and start calling for him. Like he is really going to run up to me and praise me for saving him from the outside world that he does not know at all. He's not a dog, remember. So after calling out the back, I think I should take a shot at the front yard. There is a farm to our right and I am really starting to panic. I don't know if it is because I won't have a cat anymore, I think it is more that if he did get out I will never know if he is hurt or dead. I will always feel guilty and wonder what happened to him. Then I realize, as much as a pain he is, I love that cat. He has been a part of my family before I even knew Robby.

So I go in the front yard, with tears in my eyes and start calling for him in the pitch black. I start to walk around the front of the house to see if he might be in the farmers field just chillin'. As I walk around the corner there is this completely still big black blob. My heart sinks because he's not moving and it's cold outside. He's old, remember. I stand there and say his name and he doesn't move. I am so sad. Then as I walk up to him, he MOVED!!! He walked toward me and let me pick him up and carry him inside. Please note, he never lets me pick him up without clawing my stomach with his back claws to get away! He's awesome!

He lets me cuddle him and I just keep telling him how sorry I am that he has not had food and has just been living as a wild man. He was so cold.

Thank the Lord, he is fine. He just ran right to the food and kept meowing at me. He got on the bed and I pet him like crazy. Cat hair flying everywhere from the shedding. (I am now washing the sheets) He wrapped himself up between my legs and we went to sleep. He was in the same spot when we woke up. Poor baby. He probably didn't sleep at all while in the jungles of Roanoke. He was probably trying to get back in the house the entire time.

So for all of you that laugh about the elusive cat that we have, that I always complain about. And for all of you who don't even know him and now feel empathy for him, know that he is loved. I am thankful to have my kitty back in the house, and I just pray he dies of natural causes some day, not because we left the door open and he thought the other side of the street was greener.

Stupid Blog

2008-11-06T15:17:00.000-08:00

I am trying desperately to upload pictures and it's not working. It's making me crazy and I am frustrated that when I have time to actually get a blog out there, I can't!!! So hang on to you hats, I will try again later when the little one is sawing logs!

Fall and Halloween

2008-11-06T15:11:00.000-08:00

He loved being Buzz
Buzz Lightyear

In the choo choo train
I love his kisses!
I think he actually looks like me here
So cute!
In the jump house, he loves jumping!
More kisses!

Sorry I haven't been on in a while. I have not been feeling the greatest and therefore have not felt like blogging. We have had a lot going on, Robby coming in and out of town like a flash has been difficult. Thanks to my extended family, Levi and I are doing great. Can't wait for the weekend of the 21st though. That means Robby will be done touring for a while and we will be able to act like a fairly normal family. So in the mean time, enjoy these pics of our buddy and squeeze the ones you love tightly!!!

One More Coming in May!!

2008-10-06T15:46:00.000-07:00

I'm PREGNANT!!! I just can't contain how excited I am about being pregnant. It has been a harder journey than I thought it would be to have a second baby, but it was worth it. About 4 months ago I miscarried and that was really hard. I tried to remind myself that God was in control, but I found myself mad. I wanted it so badly, so why couldn't it be as easy as Levi? My Father and family got me through and I was constantly seeing God in everything that was happening. He stripped me of this idea of control that I had. I for some reason thought that I was in control of what was happening. I kept saying to myself, "I should have taken it more easy, I shouldn't have taken that spinning class." I blamed myself. I know now that it wasn't anything I did or could have done. This whole process really has taught me a lot. I know that God is fully in control and that His plans for me are perfect. His timing is perfect. I just hope that I can always keep this insight into everything that will occur in this life. I am by no means "out of the woods", if you will, but I am believing God is doing something miraculous in me.

All that to say, Levi will be a big brother some time in May. I am only 8 weeks, and so far everything looks good. I find no reason not to tell, because I am an open book. No reason to be closed. No matter what happens, I am thankful.

Thank you Lord!

2008-09-25T18:42:00.000-07:00

For a while now I was wondering if Levi would ever be interested in using the "potty". I have consistently asked him if he wanted to go in the big boy potty, and the answer has always been a consistent no!

He has been back at MDO for about a month now and his teacher, Ms. Myra, told me that it is her goal to have everyone in her class potty trained by December. I thought it was a valiant goal, but I warned her that Levi might be a little more than resistant. Boy was I wrong.

So ladies and gentlemen, Levi actually figured out TONIGHT that he could actually make "tee-tee" come out! He has control! So we sat, we tee-teed, we got up. Two seconds later, we sat, we tee-teed, we got up. This went on for a good 30 minutes! (ok maybe only 5 minutes, but it felt like 30!) Oh yea, we got candies!!!

Now I know that parents have been doing this for years, but I really was waiting for the moment when he was 3 1/2 and it would just click. I need wait no longer. It clicked tonight. Now listen, I don't know that I have made more of a scene that I did tonight when more than just one drop came out. Stream people! It was a stream! I screamed, he gave me a hug and he smiled the biggest smile I think I have ever seen. All the waiting was worth it.

Now the hard part begins! To all those parents who think it may not ever happen, it will. I never believed, but I do now!

Good Luck and may the force be with you!

Disney World

2008-09-15T11:20:00.001-07:00

What can I say, except that I had a blast at Disney World this year. It just does something to you when your 2 year old loves every minute of it! We often had to tell Levi that Mickey was taking a nap, so we had to go take a nap too. He just needed to sleep so we could go back later and he wouldn't be a beast. When it was time for us to leave the park at night we had to tell Levi that Mickey Mouse went to sleep so it's time for us to go to sleep too. We reassured him that he would see him again the next day.

We were utterly exhausted, so stinking hot, but loving every minute of it. (I think Robby could have done without the people) All in all it was amazing. Even when we were pouring with sweat. It really made It's a Small World seem not as bad. At least there was air conditioning!!!! Same for Pirates of the Caribbean. AIR!!!! I didn't care what ride it was, as long as it had air!!!

So enjoy the photos and everybody sing with me.....

"It's a small world after all, it's a small world after all, it's a small world after all, it's a small, small world!!!!!

Levi with Mike and Sulley

He really LOVED the carousel!
His first Mickey Ears. They are so small and cute! (He hated wearing them)
At Animal Kingdom petting the animals. I think it's funny that he is pointing at his tail!
Levi and Jiminey Cricket (He has never seen him before, but loved him)
Couldn't stop talking about Mickey and Minney
He loved to kiss her nose, It was sooo sweet!
Mommy and Levi at the Nemo ride at Epcot
Levi with Buzz and Woody ( had to be pushed up there a little)
Super cool! Speed and Mater!
Like Father, Like Son!
On the Carousel again, sweating our tails off.
Still loving it!
On the Dumbo ride. He liked this one too! A little dare devil!
Kissing Mickey's nose. He was so excited to see him! He hugged and kissed them both!
There's the pose again with Goliath
Posing with JoJo
Hugging Pluto
Hugging Pooh Bear
It's a Small World, again. Just incase you didn't know that.

Me and Levi at Playhouse Disney

Levi hugging Wall-E

Levi and Handy Manny (he wouldn't stop talking about him)

Levi and June from Little Einstein's (there's the pose)

Levi with Leo (again, the pose)

Sorry!

2008-09-13T18:52:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone. It is just taking me forever to get pictures uploaded. I needed a vacation from my vacation. This week Robby is home so I will actually be able to get posting done I think. So hang on tight.... fun times are a comin'! It just takes a while!

Peace Out My Peeps

Disney....

2008-09-06T05:06:00.000-07:00

Greetings everyone! Just a little update from Disney World. Levi is having the time of his life so far. He is definitely in Sensory Overload! We have only been to Disney's Hollywood Studios yesterday and that was definitely the place for him. They have all the Pixar stuff and Playhouse Disney characters.

When we first arrived I was a little nervous that he wouldn't want to go near the large foamy characters, they probably would scare me too. Much to our elation, he LOVED the characters. Well, everyone except Mr. Incredible. He was a little creepy if I do say so myself. It was a guy with tons of extra padding and a big, (and I mean HUDGE) head. So Levi said hi from afar, but ain't no way he was going to give that guy a hug.

He also has this pose that he has done with every character. I am not sure what he is doing, but he has been consistent. It's so funny. He looks like he's trying to be Spiderman, but he has never seen Spiderman. I think his cousin might have something to do with that. (Thanks William)

So if you're wondering why I am not posting a picture with this, it is because we are at our timeshare. Our condo is awesome and very nice, we just haven't been able to figure out for the past 4 years why they can't keep up with the times and put in wireless or at least a land line. It's ridiculous!!! So I can't upload pictures because we are using a Sprint card to get internet and it's not fast enough.

I do have to say that we really are hear to see Rob and the band play a concert for Night of Joy. We never told Levi that daddy was playing drums and I am really glad we didn't. For some crazy reason, that I can't figure out, they were scheduled to play last night at 11:30 pm and 12:45 am. WHAT? Yea, that's what I said too. So needless to say, after a long day at the park, no nap for either Levi or me, we went to bed and skipped out on the show. I feel a little bad, but I know Robby was fine with it. We will just have to catch that another time! We will just have to focus on Mickey Mouse the rest of the time!

So stay tuned for pictures, and video of course, we are taking tons of both.

I have been here a couple of times before, but there is nothing like bringing your son to Disney World and watching the excitement he gets from seeing so many wonderful things. I just pray we can continue to teach him and show him how blessed he truly is to be able to do this. We are so thankful.

See you real soon!!!

Date Night and Bubble Bath

2008-08-31T19:09:00.000-07:00

Just incase you were worried, these date nights and bubble baths are with my buddy Levi.

See we have a little thing we like to do on Sunday nights after getting done with working at church. Robby is usually on the road on Sundays, so it's just me and little man. We get in the car, usually hungry from all the play with other kids, and head to dinner. Tonight it was McDonalds. Yuck, I know. Hey, it was boys choice tonight. (not going to pretend I didn't eat it)

After playing more and stuffing ourselves, we headed home for a night of more fun in the tub. Levi loves bubbles of any kind. The process goes something like this...

-turn on the faucet

-dump in some bubble bath

-watch levi wait patiently for the water to rise

-once the water is at the approved level...

-turn on the jets for supreme bubble making!

So have fun in your tub with your kids! This way it doesn't matter if you get splashed! You're wet anyway!

Pajama Day!!

2008-08-31T12:38:00.000-07:00

Today Levi and Mommy had Pajama Day! I am actually still in mine. Hey, it's the Sabbath right?

Anyway, while we were relaxing playing a little Wii (which only lasts about 5 minutes with a 2 1/2 year old), I decided to get out the camera. I love capturing Levi on video. I don't do it enough. There are so many things in his life, and little moments and words that I have missed. I don't want to forget anymore of them. I have pictures, but videos just do something else to the heart. You get to see these little jewels in action.

Bare with the editing, I love iMovie, it's just a little tricky. Hopefully it will get better in time. It has actually taken me about 2 hours to get it just right. (I actually accidentally deleted the whole thing once, wasn't very happy about that!)

Enjoy a little look into our Pajama Day! Love you all!

It's Gonna Get Loud Around Here!

2008-08-23T18:51:00.000-07:00

He wants to catch your ear in order to awaken your voice. When you have your "quiet" time, or as you walk outdoors, or during your commute, may the decibel level rise to joyful noise and cries of need—and may God listen to the sound of your voice!

The above is an exert from a Blog a stumbled upon in searching for someone to help me. Tonight as I listened to my pastor go through Luke 11:1-13, I was more convicted than I have been. I really wasn't so sure that was possible. The Lord's Prayer. We've all read it, heard it, spoken it. Have we really applied it? I haven't.

I have really been struggling lately with prayer, reading, just the pursuit of Jesus in general. My greatest desire right now at this moment, and I pray for every moment in my life to come, is to passionately pursue Jesus. A true relationship with Him. No more checking the quiet time off my list (which I never get to do anyway). I am going to pursue Jesus to the fullest and let Him overflow out of me. Still I get concerned and I doubt myself.

Therein lies the problem. Myself. I am in the stinking way! It's about Him, not me. As Matt said tonight, I can ask and ask and ask, knock, and knock and knock. If I am not doing what I need to be doing and actually becoming active in this pursuit, then it will go nowhere.

I might be the laziest person I know. So that needs to end. I spend more time in a day watching tv, answering email, working out, thinking about dinner, playing with Levi, reading everything but the Bible. But I don't have enough time to pursue Christ. How am I supposed to enstill the lessons of Christ in Levi when I and not living it at all? His heart must be breaking. The world and all my idols are winning! Do I really want to stand before Christ and say, "sorry I just really needed to see the Olympics, nothing personal!" It is very personal. I want it to be personal.

So that all brought me to this Blog, Between Two Worlds. You should take a look. He talks about talking outloud when we pray. Why do we always feel we need to be silent? Well I will tell you this, I think this is a marvelous thought. Actually talking to God. Getting away in a silent place so that He has my full attention and me raising my voice to Him. I have never had a problem being loud. So tonight as I talked with my buddies, I told them I just didn't know where to start. Well, I think this is it. I do talk to Him, it's just not a priority. Or, it wasn't a priority. He is waiting to hear from me, and He will. It just might get a little loud around here.

Worship in the raw

2008-08-22T19:05:00.000-07:00

If you don't know who Phil Wickham is then I want to tell you. He has got to be the most overlooked, amazingly blessed, passionate songwriter of our time. Bart recently talked about him on his blog, so I thought I would add the link to my blog as well incase any of you don't read the MercyMe blog. Phil has recorded a night of worship at a church in Portland with just him and a guitar and God's people praising Him. He is giving it away to everyone in order to Singalong and just worship our Mighty Father. Don't miss this amazing album. There's no reason to, it's completely free! You will be blessed by it! I promise! If you aren't, come talk to me. We need to sort through some things!

Video Fun

2008-08-21T14:12:00.000-07:00

Robby came home and had just gotten us a new video camera. It is this amazing little contraption called a Flip. It's pretty inexpensive, and just a tiny video camera that records only an hour at a time. Perfect for us. It even fits in my pocket. Just one more thing for me to lose. So enjoy our little trip to the Rangers game. Please note who Levi is really rooting for while singing Take Me Out to the Ball Game!

Fireworks and Family

2008-08-20T11:16:00.000-07:00

So I have this Family. It's truly amazing to call them Family! We are together all the time and actually are still trying to figure out how we can all live together! Maybe someday. Until then we just spend time together whenever we can. Robby, Levi, and I go to the rangers games often, but on a rare and most awesome occasion, we can get a set of twins and 2 two year olds into the car and make it family time with fireworks! It's great when we can make it happen! Owen Osteens favorite artist is Elvis. He LOVES him! So we went to the rangers game on Fireworks night and watched as they did the most spectacular fireworks display to Elvis songs. It was so much fun. So enjoy a small glimpse into our family life. We were sad Robby couldn't be there, he was busy! I love you guys more than you know!

3rd Annual Restaurant Week

2008-08-15T12:16:00.000-07:00

The Lights are Famous evidently!
Here we are looking Fabulous!
Kristen, Molly, Tracy, and Julie (who hates Goat Cheese!)
Kyle and Andrea looking awesome!
Our resident Photographer
Meredith, Andrea, and Me!

Well another great year for Restaurant Week. This year me and the girl went to Craft in Dallas at the W Hotel. We had a great time and I just love these women. We don't see enough of each other with our crazy lives! so to all of you... I love you and I hope to see more of you than just at Restaurant week! Food Rules!!!!

The Most Spectacular Finish!

2008-08-10T21:17:00.000-07:00

Ok seriously enough, you need to be watching the Olympics. You shouldn't be missing it. Tonight I watched and literally screamed and jumped up and down as the United States men "smashed" the French at their own game! Here is the quote from the French early on about the Americans..."The Americans? We are going to smash them! That's what we came here for!"

I guess Alaine Bernard wasn't ready for the American team to use that for fuel. Do they not know by now that this only makes us want to beat them even more? So We started with Phelps, who of course kept us strong at the start, Garrett Weber-Gale and Cullen Jones kept us in it during the middle of the race. The crucial moment came when Jason Lezak was trailing Alaine Bernard. Suddenly at the end of the race, and I mean the end, Lezak literally snuck up on Bernard and just barely beat him to the wall. It was AMAZING! The shot above is Phelps SCREAMING for his team mates just after seeing the clock. There was a brief moment when they didn't know who had won. It was truly spectacular. (Oh, and how about those muscles?)

This is why we watch the Olympics at the Shaffers. I was by myself, Levi will watch it again with me in the morning, but I didn't care. I felt like I was there with everyone else waiting with bated breathe for some sort of swimming miracle, and it happened! Robby and the guys are on the bus and said they were all screaming and jumping up and down. When we won they were all hugging and high fiving as though they too had just won!

So, in short, don't miss anything else. You are missing history unfold if you aren't watching. I promise, you won't be disappointed. It's always so unpredictable! So buckle down and enjoy the rest! I guarantee there will be more excitement!

People, it is us who "Smashed" them!

The Olympics

2008-08-10T11:45:00.001-07:00

I have been waiting for this for 4 years and it is finally here. The 2008 Olympics, and I CAN'T STOP WATCHING!!! If I am not home, I Tivo them. If I am home, they are always on. Levi is even now always asking to watch swimming. I think I am getting him interested in Gymnastics, he was a little hesitant with the Volleyball though.

I am absolutely amazed at the human body that God created. The abilities these athletes have. The machines that they fuel by desire, focus, determination, and (yes Lanny) PASSION!!! I hope that everyone is watching these Olympics. I know that it is not healthy for my TV to be on all the time. Not healthy for me or my son. But you know what. I DON'T CARE RIGHT NOW!!! For these next two weeks we will be diligently supporting our country. We will be cheering, crying, screaming at the tv as all these athletes are striving for one of the greatest moments in their lives. We have so much to be thankful for, and one of them is that we wake up every morning and take a breath in order to live our lives to Glorify God. I just wish I could take my breath everyday as a machine and fuel it with energy instead of thinking about how wonderful that cupcake is going to taste. Maybe in heaven I will be the athlete I always wanted to be. For now, I will just watch the ones that have that gift and root for them all the way to the Closing Ceremonies! Please don't forget what an amazing blessing it is just to be able to watch these events as they unfold around the world. I get to see it happen even though I am not even there! It's greatness! So God Bless America as we shoot to obliterate the competition. It's not about politics right now, its about the whole world coming together to show what they are made of. And we, as the United States, are made of some amazing athletes! So GO RED, WHITE, and BLUE!!!!

Peace Out!

THANKS ANDREA!

2008-07-23T11:59:00.000-07:00

For those of you who don't know, I have been Scrapbooking for years. I often look at pages in magazines that have been done by computer and think, how the heck did they do that? Then there is Photoshop to deal with again. I never understood the whole "layers" thing. Until today!!! I saw Andrea's blog (The Stewarts) and saw that she had done the digital scrapbooking thing. So I tried it, and figured out Photoshop and there you have it. A cool header. So thank you Andrea, for putting that link on there and forcing me to use my brain and play with photoshop once again. I will probably forget everything I just did, but you never know. It just may stick!

Superman?

2008-07-22T18:53:00.000-07:00

Showing his muscles (or trying anyway)
Superman?

I just think these pictures are hilarious. The best part about these swim trunks are that they were Robby's swim trunks when he was 1. I mean that's just awesome isn't it? We had to squeeze little Levi into them, but it was well worth it just for the pictures. We kept telling him to show us how strong he is, and I guess he is so strong he can take off like Superman. Priceless pictures.

Celebrity Morph by MyHeritage

2008-07-20T20:05:00.001-07:00

MyHeritage: Celebrity Morph - Free family tree - Genology

First Fishing Trip

2008-07-19T12:48:00.000-07:00

Levi and paw paw
Here's my first fish!!

Everything I needed to learn about fishing so far, paw paw has taught me!

This is Levi's first fish! He caught it with Paw Paw! He loved it till it started flapping him in the face. That just wasn't cool and we aren't sure if he will ever do it again. He loved it for a moment though.

WE'RE BACK!!

2008-07-06T18:22:00.000-07:00

Greetings from home! That's right we made it. I am so sorry I haven't blogged in so long, but I have been gone forever it seems. On the road to Colorado, South Carolina, Georgia, and Nashville. For some reason though, I didn't take any pictures on the second trip. I don't

know what I was thinking! Well, I am glad to be back with my community and so glad to be back at church. I miss that place when I am gone. Now if I could just quit eating like I'm still on vacation, that would be awesome!!!

Blog Vomit

2008-04-30T14:07:00.000-07:00

Sorry about the Blog vomit, but my computer started uploading pics and I got excited. Make sure you scroll down and don't miss anything! Love to all my hommies!

Fenway Park

2008-04-30T14:04:00.000-07:00

We were so blessed to be able to go to the Opening Day game at Fenway Park. The only reason we got to go was because Robby and Bart know Todd Jones who plays for Detroit. Even though the Tigers lost, and we shamefully wore Red Sox gear all day, we had an amazing time. One of my favorite things about Robby is his love for the Great American Game. He was so excited and so I inturn was excited. However, after just finishing a cleanse, I was more excited about the ballpark food than anything. I was a bit disappointed in the dogs though. Nothing like Busch Stadium hotdogs. Go Cards :)

Boston Trip

2008-04-30T13:53:00.000-07:00

In April we went to Boston with some friends to have a good time and relax. Oh yea, and go to Opening Day of the Red Sox. I will post that separately. It deserves it's own blog. It was an awesome time and I would love to go back. It wasn't the greatest getting home though. remember when all the flights got cancelled. Yea, that's right. We got cancelled all day, then had to fly into Houston and rent a car and drive home. got home about 1 in the morning. Let me tell ya, mama wasn't happy!!! God is good though. We were able to at least get home on the day we were supposed to. Thankful!

JOY

2008-04-30T09:22:00.000-07:00

I love these pictures of Levi. I am amazed at how the little people love Bubbles. I don't mean just think they are cool, I mean bubbles can change the mood of these small people. I really don't understand what happens when a child sees bubbles and tries to chase them, but it changes their soul and changes their attitude faster than anything else I have found yet. I am hoping that Levi chases Christ with the abandon that he chases bubbles. That is my hope as a mother!

The Mexico Trip

2008-04-28T19:57:00.000-07:00

There are so many great things that Mexico taught me. Not Mexico itself, but the people that are there. The orphanage we went to was amazing. I love the kids and they loved us. Instead of writing a ton about it right now, I will let you just enjoy their sweet faces. There is another sweet face in there that showed me it doesn't matter if you speak the language, playtime is still playtime. And playtime is always better with friends!

It's Coming

2008-04-20T18:47:00.000-07:00

Fellow Bloggers,
I apologize for the lengthy absence from the blogging world. There has been so much that I have been doing recently and a lot of those things have pictures. Some have been absentmindedly placed on Robby's computer and therefore are going to be a challenge to get back. Seeing as he is so often out of town. So please be patient. The most crazy catchup in history is coming. Hold on to your computers!!!! I love you all!!!
Maggie

Sad Snow Day!

2008-03-10T12:47:00.001-07:00

Sorry for the delay...stupid blogger wouldn't upload pics....here you go....
Well the snow in March was really beautiful. The sad part is we weren't able to really enjoy it. Levi has been sick now for a week! He got so dehydrated on Saturday that I decided to go ahead and take him to Urgent Care. My doctor said I needed to take him in, so I did. It was awful. IV's, Xrays,urinary catheter. My main roll was to keep him calm and held down for all of it. All the tests came back fine and he just has gastritis. So after the fluids, he is so much better. He slept till 10 this morning! Thanks to all that were praying, and to my community for always being there for us! I love you all!

Oh, and check out the random duck that likes our front yard. He might have come back from the south a little early!

Park Bliss

2008-03-06T11:21:00.000-08:00

We just discovered an amazing park by our house yesterday. It was a beautiful day, not like today, and we decided to take advantage of feeling good, and the weather. Enjoy some shots of Levi in Park bliss...

BLAH....

2008-03-06T10:34:00.000-08:00

My baby still doesn't feel well. His daddy was home yesterday and he seemed to feel fine. THen today he woke up sad and can't keep anything down. I am a little tired, but mostly I am worried about my baby. This pic is an example of what I miss when he doesn't fell good. I am praying for a quick recovery!

Thankful

2008-03-04T20:04:00.000-08:00

It's a NEW DAY! Woke up this morning to a beautiful day. My friend Jen came over to just be with me...can't thank her enough. That is what community is. Knowing I can depend on the people in my life to just be there.

My darling husband caught an early flight home and I don't know if he will ever know what that means to me. It's awesome to know that he can change plans for me.

The only thing that really stunk was that LEvi woke up with a virus. So he was lethargic and throwing up. Never any fun when you can't help your baby.

I believe God made our day this way to allow me to be that mom that I so desperately want to be. The only one Levi has and the ONLY one he wants to snuggle with when he feels bad. It was awesome. Not that he was sick, but that he needed me to be there and I was there.

Today I am thankful...

Coming up to Breathe...

2008-03-03T14:46:00.000-08:00

I know this is the album title of the band's record before the latest one, but it's fitting. I made an appointment to see a counselor today and I feel a bit better. Our church has a counseling center that works with our church and so I decided to quit talking about the thing I need to do, and go ahead and do it.

I have been put on this earth to worship and glorify God. This is my purpose! I just find it hard to figure out what that means exactly in my little world here on earth. I miss my husband, but the thing is...I love what he does. He is out there ministering to people every night. Would I be considered a ministers wife of sorts? Maybe. But my pastor tells me I am to be the minister. My church is equipping me to be a minister. My focus needs to change.

I love my community. My husband, my son, my friends, my church. I just need to stop and look around.

"I'm on my way to you"

In the words of MercyMe-grace tells another story

They say don’t waste your time
You simply cannot find
An ounce of good within the heart of man
They say we’ve got to lay
In the bed we’ve made
And live this life without a second chance
But I’m inclined to say
There must be something more

We’ve been told that the heart is just too far gone to save
But grace tells us another story
Where glory sends hopelessness away
Oh grace tells us another story

They say we cannot change
There is no other way
Get used it cause this is all there is
They say don’t raise your voice
Cause we don’t have a choice
We’re dealt this hand so learn to live with it
Well I have to believe
There must something more

Chorus

And though we may not understand
Why You’d give us another chance
We praise You who lets us start again

I'm Drowning

2008-03-03T07:23:00.000-08:00

I'm lost. I am that soccer mom that is hiding out trying to figure out her place in this world. I have so many struggles right now. I actually feel like I might be loosing it a bit. I just don't know if there is enough space in this little blog post box to get it all out. Blogging might be my therapist right now.

Struggles....

-Fell like I don't have an identity
-Don't have the motivation to be the best mom I could be
-Have so much to say but feel like no ones listening
-depression
-know where to go for help, but won't go
-The Bible stares at me all day but I don't have the desire to read it
-Don't feel pretty at all no matter how much my husband tells me I am
-So badly want to be accepted by everyone
-Feel like I don't have any talents
-Dreams to be so many things that I am not
-No contentment with anything
-Want to eat all the time
-Husband isn't home much

So these are just a few of the demons that are trying to overtake my life. I am literally drowning in this suburb. I feel like I need to get out. I live for vacations because I don't have to have responsibility.

But here's the question.....once I get out, my issues will still be there. They are in my heart, deep. You see, I have this friend that is getting worked on. She is doing the things she needs to do in order to fix her heart. There is a night at our church where people come together and love on each other and work through the issues that haunt them. Recovery....how many excuses have I come up with on why I can't make it. Robby's not not home, what if there problems are so much more significant than mine, I think I am just complaining, too tired. You name it, I have the excuse.

So I read a blog from my Pastors wife, Lauren. I envy her. Not because she has it all together, but because she admits she doesn't. One of her entries was about the "Question that saved her marriage" The question was "How?" How do we get this all right? Will I be trying to find that answer my whole life? I want the answer now! (Another struggle...patience)

I want to be that woman who knows she is a beautiful, loved child of God, but I don't see the light at the end. I'm just slowly fading into this land of want. Hopefully soon the light will slowly fade into view.

The Elusive Photoshop

2008-03-02T20:10:00.001-08:00

I tried tonight to use my Photoshop program again. It just isn't going through my brain. I don't understand how it works. Do you have to have a certain gene that allows you to understand that program. If so, I do not have it. Lacking the gene officially! I desperately want to be good at taking pictures. It is something I feel I could be good at if I wanted to. I just don't know where to start. What books to read, classes to take. Everyone I know that is great at taking pictures says to me "I just read books and taught myself." Really? The seriously taught themselves to take these stunning pictures? Well then, I am going to come back on my next post and be an AMAZING photographer! You'll see! In the mean time here is another pic of the boy! Enjoy.

Reading...

2008-03-02T11:29:00.000-08:00

I have had this problem over the years with not finishing books. I am not a great reader, but want to be. I want to be that person that reads super fast and can finish 14 books in 2 weeks (I don't know where that number came from but you get the gist). So I have recently started (and plan to complete) a book called Death By Suburbs. The author is David Goetz. I am so convicted as I read this book. I feel as though I need to read it again as soon as I finish it in order not to forget anything he says. You see, I have another problem which Mr. Goetz addresses in his book. I am constantly in the world and mostly of the world. This is painful for the person who desperately wants to have a relationship with Christ. What an enormous struggle it is. Got a new car, want a newer car, have to have the greatest lawn, have to have the latest stuff. All the while loosing sight of why I am even on this earth to begin with. If you too have this struggle, pick up this book and read it. It is possible to have a deep relationship with our Lord while living in the suburbs!

What Happened

2008-03-01T20:53:00.000-08:00

I'm going to try and keep this short....
What Happened? Can someone explain to me where the time has gone. I blinked! It's gone! The time is gone! He was 6 lbs 1 oz! Now in this picture he is a big boy. It is so exciting, but too fast. I just want to remember it all. I want to remember the bath in the sink, the cries for me all night, the look in his eyes as he first realized he was here. I just don't remember as well as I should. Now I can't get enough time in with him. I want to just hug him and kiss him every waking moment. I pray that he has a heart for God and he changes lives. I pray he lives out a transformation in his soul. I pray everyday that he would just live to be saved!

Valentine's Day Party

2008-03-01T06:48:00.000-08:00

Levi had a Valentine's Day party at his MDO and I volunteered to help. this was really a milestone for me. I have always wondered how you get started with the whole room mom thing, and volunteering thing. So I feel like I have arrived. It was CRAZY! There were kids everywhere. In the midst of the playing and screaming, I was trying to make sure that Levi didn't go around and eat every other kids cupcake. He is just like his mama. Wants cake, and wants it now! So I spent the whole time running after him saying "no, not yours!" He ate a cupcake, and a huge cookie. Then on the way home he crashed from the sugar. He doesn't rally ever get sugar, so it just made him crash big time. It was fun though!

The 2nd Birthday

2008-03-01T06:42:00.000-08:00

For some reason I just can't get my act together a lot of times. Another one of those times besides the blogging, was when I just didn't get a 2nd Birthday party for my son put together. We had been traveling almost the entire month of December and I just didn't get it done. So we invited a couple of friends and family over to the house at the last minute just so Levi could blow out a candle and eat some cake. We took a couple of pictures to prove to him later in life that we really did have a birthday party. Some days I still feel bad, but people keep reminding me that he doesn't know that I didn't throw him this elaborate bash. I am also trying to remind myself constantly that this game called life is NOT a competition. I always feel like I have to keep up with the Joneses and so I am trying to not do that anymore. So here are the pics of the "bash" Enjoy!

The Cruise

2008-02-27T06:29:00.000-08:00

Greeting again from the Blogging world. Of course it has been a while. I wouldn't be Maggie if i actually kept up woth something. My friend Shannon started her blog, so this always gets me motivated when my sweet friend with 3 adorable children has the time to keep her blog going, and me with 1 has a hard time. So thank you Shannon. Lot's has happened since the last time we talked...a young girl (18) moved in, tried to keep her head a float, we tried to impart the wisdom of Christ, then she just recently moved out. In between that time, we were busy traveling a ton. I have learned more in this 5 month window than maybe all the time I have lived. The Lord has shown me compassion, patience, and a love for Him I didn't know I had in me. It has been amazing. Anywho, during this time, I had the privilege of going on a cruise with Robby. I really actually just tagged along on a work trip for him, but hey! We had a great time! I really enjoyed being on the boat, and as you can see we LOVED the ice cream machine. It was a regular stop for us when we were even the least bit hungry. I am still trying to drop the ice cream pounds. We rode scooters in Key West and went to an amazing resort in Mexcio. It was awesome. I so missed my baby though! He had a great time wiht his cousins, William and Kaleigh. Papa and Mama were really pooped when we picked them up. So there it is! I am back and this time, LOOK OUT, I am back with a vengeance! Blessings of God to you All!

The Colorado Trip

2007-09-25T13:56:00.000-07:00

We went to Colorado recently. By "we" I mean me, mom, dad, josie, virginia, abby, and levi. Josie, Virginia, and Abby are my 3 nieces that my mom and dad were having a BLAST with this summer. I think they really wanted to steal them by the end of the summer. They were pretty lonely when they went home. Anywho, this was a long trip, but a beautiful one. We had some great times, and some "oh my goodness what have I gotten myself into" moments, but overall it was great. Just imagine all of us crammed into a Yukon XL and it should give you a good laugh. Lots of backyardigans. By the time we were on our way home, even the girls in the back were begging me to put on Levi's "show" so that he would stop screaming. God bless the little ones. Patience is almost a quality of mine now!

Crazy Lives

2007-09-25T13:39:00.000-07:00

I have been a bit reprimanded by some friends about how I need to record my thoughts and share them with others. Well you asked for it....It's crazy around here!!!! Robby is about to go on tour, Levi is about to turn 2 soon, and I am trying to keep up with Levi. Although it is extremely crazy, I have never been so blessed in life. Each day I have been thinking how I wish I could freeze time in this place that we are in. I absolutely love life right now. How can it get better. Then I remember what is to come eternally and that just gets me excited. I am thankful for the community of believers that God has allowed me to be with and I am still trying to be consistent in reading his word. Which I am not being right now. I am ready to be the example to Levi and I am not a good one right now. But with great prayer I will be that example to him and hopefully he will learn from us that God's word must infuse our lives daily and we must be in constant relationship with him. Now I am not normally that in depth on a blog, but those are my thoughts. I love you all that have come to visit!!!! Hope to see you soon!

Cool Dude

2007-07-08T08:27:00.000-07:00

It has been so amazing to watch Levi grow up into this little boy! He is talking all the time and really doesn't stop talking until he want's to whine for something. We are working on that. He knows a series of signs and can now communicate pretty well. Levi loves to swim, give kisses, give hugs, walk up and down the stairs, chase the dog, get chased by the dog, chase the cat (when he isn't hiding), play catch with daddy, ride the lawn mower with daddy, read books, and tons more! Everyday we wonder how our little Levi will one day change the world, I guess we will just have to keep praying for him and wait and see what God has in store for him!