Blog Neglect

When I pulled up this blog today, Dean started to laugh when he saw the date of the last post. Okay, I've been more than a little bit neglectful of this blog site. I have kids and a full time job and craziness in my life. I'm afraid it just wasn't a priority.

So here is the last two years (almost) in a nut shell.

Dean left his job at Arnell-West and went to work for Brigham Young University as a Construction Cost Estimator for Physical Facilities. He is proud to say that he played a part in the cosmetic facelift to Lavell Edwards Stadium.

Christian started his senior year and the marching band season that went with that, he finished his senior year (well, almost--there's still a couple more credits to polish off). He joined the Marines and is preparing to head off to boot camp in October.

His band, Just for the Record, wrote a song in honor of Christian called, "I Swore into the Marines in Skinny Jeans." Check them out on Facebook or at this link. You can listen to this song and you'll hear Christian drumming his heart out. At their last concert, he cut his hand and was very proud of the blood spatter on his drum set.

Spencer, Kristina and Sidney wrapped up two more years of school full of homework, friends, piano lessons, color guard (for Sid), and many other activities. It's hard to believe we started another school year just last week.

As for me, I left my job at the library (sniff, sniff) to take full time employment as an account manager with a company in Chicago. I work from home, traveling occasionally when necessary. It's a good job as far as full time jobs are concerned. Not my dream job of being a librarian but hey, when the economy stinks and money is tight, I count my lucky stars that I found a full time job when I was looking for one and that I do have the flexibility of working from home. I've been with that job for just over a year now. I'm still doing Close to My Heart (see my CTMH blog here) but on a more limited basis.

And just three weeks ago we said goodbye to our wonderful Jack. After 11+ healthy, happy and wonderful years taking care of our family, cancer got the better of him very quickly. He is sorely missed.

So there is two years worth of blog posts in one. I will try to be better. I make no promises. but I will try.

Time to Play Catch Up

Yes, I am more than a bit behind on the blog. Sorry, but when life gets busy, the blog goes by the wayside. I must repent of this in the new year.

So here we go. A quick recap of the last few months in the Shupe household.


Christian finished up an amazing marching band season with American Fork High School. In spite of the tragic accident involving Heather Christensen, the band moved on and won several competitions. They won the Western Regional Competition and then, thanks to the generous support of family, friends and sponsors, they went on to Indianapolis for Nationals. They made the semi finals there and ended up placing 15th out of the 91 bands attending. We were able to watch them perform at nationals via a live satellite feed at the high school. It was a great wrap up to a unique season. Here is a YouTube link if you want to take the 9 minutes or so to watch the performance. It was a tribute to World War II veterans and featured music from Band of Brothers. Christian is the second bass drum from the left if you can spot him. Also note the injured band members in the front by the pit, playing their instruments but unable to march. And hang on for the tribute at the end.




Remember this cute, fluffy little thing? Well, she's grown...


...and grown and grown and grown. Inga loves the snow and it makes for quite a challenge when walking the dogs. Jack prefers to keep to the sidewalk, Inga prefers to romp through the snow off the sidewalk. I think she's pretending she's in the Swiss Alps tracking down a lost traveler. But we love her and she has brought new life into ten year old Jack. They are the best of friends.



And speaking of cute things, have you been to Hogle Zoo yet to see this baby elephant? If you haven't, you really must. We went to see her in October and all I could think was, "I think my dog is that big."



Halloween came and went. It was the year of the pirate. Sidney, Kristina, myself and several friends dressed up as pirates. Even Jack the dog ended up in a pirate costume. Poor thing--he's just too good natured to protest when we do such ridiculous things. Inga had the good sense to have nothing to do with any costume.



And Thanksgiving came and went. We held it at our house this year and stuffed ourselves until we thought we would burst. Isn't that what Thanksgiving is all about? Oh, yes, and the thanks part too.




We took the family to Disneyland for Christmas this year. We spent three days in mid-December at Disneyland. The first day, it poured rain. Never fear. Who's afraid of a little rain? Not us. But apparently, a lot of other people. We spent six hours at the park and walked onto almost every ride.

The next day was perfect. It was overcast so I think that scared people away but there was no rain and again, we rode ride after ride after ride with little if any wait. The kids actually went on Splash Mountain twice in a row and didn't even have to get off in between.


Day three was sunny so we ended up with a busier day but still not crazy. Kristina complained about the ten minute wait for some of the rides. I think we spoiled her with the previous two days.



And Christmas was wonderful. It has been a relaxing and wonderful holiday for all of us. We hope it was the same for you. Life is good, not perfect, but very good. We are blessed.

Watched over

It's been an interesting 24 hours. Yesterday, American Fork's Marching Band went to a competition at Idaho State University in Pocatello. Christian texted us to let us know that they had swept their division. We were thrilled for him and went about our business, expecting him home in a few hours.

A little after 7:00 pm, as Dean and I came home from walking the dogs, we received a text from Christian. "The bus ahead of us just went off the road and tipped." Thus began a long, dramatic evening with us waiting for bits and pieces of information as it arrived and worrying for Christian. The bus driver of one of the buses had blacked out. The woodwinds instructor, Heather Christensen, jumped up and tried to steer the bus. She was thrown from the bus and killed. But amazingly, and they are crediting her with this, other than bumps and bruises, none of the 50 students on the bus were injured. No other fatalities, no broken bones. A highway patrolman told the band director at the hospital that he was amazed. "Someone was watching over your kids," he said.

I do believe someone was watching over them. I do believe Heather's selflessness helped. I'm just grateful they are all well. At a tribute at the high school tonight to Heather, Mr. Miller, the band director, commented on the fact that the kids have dedicated this year's performance to veterans who fought for and some even died for this country. He felt perhaps, last night, some of those same people were looking out for those kids on the bus. Someone was. And thank God for that.

The kids are performing Tuesday evening at BYU. The performance will be dedicated to Heather.

Marching Band

It's marching band season and it is currently ruling Christian's life. He has practice 12 hours a week, he has competitions every weekend and while he complains about the time involved (of course there has to be something to complain about), he is loving it. And so far, American Fork High School has ruled every competition. They are doing a tribute to World War II, featuring music from Band of Brothers and the video game, Medal of Honor. And each of the kids wears a dog tag around their neck that honors someone from the armed forces. Christian is wearing a dog tag honoring his Great-grandpa, Andrew Jackson Moffitt, who fought in the Pacific in World War II. We saw him perform at the high school but I didn't take any pictures because I couldn't get a good view of the whole field. But he's got some competitions coming up in the BYU and U of U stadiums so I anticipate some really good pictures from those. I will post those later. He's performing in Pocatello this weekend if anyone wants to make the trip.

Here is the drumline. Christian is the first one on the left in the back row.


It makes a mother so proud.

Back to School

Meet Twila Fehlman reincarnated on her first day of fourth grade.

She's got the attitude for junior high.

And this one just makes life easier for me.

This one is too cool for school, or at least for photos. Anyone else have a high schooler that just won't allow a decent picture to be taken of him, ever?

Here is my motley crue on their first day of school. Yes, we're back to school. Yippee, I think. With one in high school and two in junior high this year, back to school cost a small fortune. And I'm not even including Christian's marching band fees because I paid those in increments over the summer. But so far, everyone seems to be doing well. Spencer and Kristina didn't get lost on their first day at junior high as they thought they might. No, Kristina waited until day five to get lost :-).

And you know, this one is going to school too. Yes, we are on week four of puppy obedience school. And Inga is doing pretty well. She's the youngest and biggest puppy there. I swear she grows over night. She's sprouted legs over the last few weeks so she's now a big fur ball with legs. If you intend to come and see her while she is still relatively small, you'd better hurry. She's not waiting around for anyone.

Brace Yourself

Dean and I knew this was coming. We just didn't expect both 12 year olds to be ready for braces at the exact same time. But so it was. So a couple of weeks ago, a day apart, Spencer and Kristina got their braces on. And here they are in all their glory.




They are both finally past the sore mouth and the difficulty eating. Now, Spencer likes to kid Kristina that his braces will be off sooner than hers. He's looking at 18 months, Kristina at three years. Wow, that sounds like a prison sentence, doesn't it? And Dean and I are bracing ourselves for the payments over the next several months. Thank heaven for dental insurance with orthodontic coverage!