Would you?

If someone gave you a bottle of Formaldehyde would you rub it all over your body? How about your babies? It's unbelievable to me, but that's just what we seem to be doing. I came across this article tonight and thought I'd share it with you. I doubted that my son's soap (which I used 10 minutes ago to make a bubble bath) contained formaldehyde...but it does. I threw it right in the garbage! It makes me wonder what other ingredients are put into common house hold products that are harmful to us. Scary.

Spring Fun

Ok, so it's not spring yet...but it sure feels like it! The weather here is so beautiful this time of year.

The other day Hubby, J and I decided we wanted to go fishing so we grabbed some necessary items and headed to a nearby pond.

Check out this albino fish we caught...it was so awesome! What are the chances of catching one of these babies? Apparently it's pretty good because we caught one more and then the man fishing a little ways off from us caught one too. Oh well! It was fun while it lasted!
The city has done a great job with all the parks, ponds, and splash pads they have around. It's a very fun and unique place to live.

Once again

I will be placing another Usborne Book order next week. Just like last time...e-mail if you are interested (ashleejo@msn.com). The only difference is that I won't be coming up anytime soon, so those living "north" (or east!) of me will have to pay the extra shipping charge. I will pay it myself if you place an order for $40 or more. Also, since it isn't a "party" I will do drawings for discounted books (50-65%off).

Thanks!

How much?

How much would you pay for a toothbrush? Do you buy the simplest ones or the cool complicated ones? Occasionally I find myself splurging a little for the vibrating kind, but for the most part, I usually go for one with some "special" features...but I stay on the cheaper end of the spectrum (although, someday when I have money to burn, I am going to buy one a Sonicare).


J HATES brushing his teeth. I've tried singing some silly made-up song, making a game out of it, and even bribery. Nothing works! I usually have to chase him down and battle it out until the deed's done. Then I saw this...





Have you seen "Tooth Tunes" before? It plays "The Bare Necessities" and it has to be on your teeth to really hear it. I'm not sure of the exact science behind it. I know it has something to do with the vibrations from your teeth to your ears but how isn't so important to me. What IS important is that J LOVES it! He can't get enough. :) This baby is the best toothbrush ever invented (and well worth the $$)!

Sorry...It's a long one!

To answer some of your questions...

Monday (Dec. 29th) around 3 in the afternoon, Shelbi got what they thought was the flu. The next morning Rian was leaving for work at 4am and asked her how she was doing and she said she was ok. As the day progressed, Melea had a feeling it was more than just the flu so she called Rian and asked him to come home and take Shelbi to the doctor. When they got there she was really dehydrated and the dr. told them to go right over to the hospital. At the hospital she collapsed and they had to revive her. They called life flight to take her to Primary Children's, but by then she collapsed again. The were unable to revive her this time and she died. It was very sudden and unexpected. Rian and Melea were shocked and devastated.


Hubby was doing some work for his dad starting that Monday. I debated about whether or not J and I were going for weeks before we left. Hubby would be staying at his parents house and I was going to stay at my dads. I kept thinking that there was no point in my going if we weren't even going to stay together. But something kept telling me to go...so I did. And I'm glad. My dad lives just a few blocks from the hospital so my sister and I were able to go over. I will never forget the sight of Rian and Melea holding their little Shelbi. It was very sweet and sad at the same time.


Wednesday morning was a hard one. Mary and I went over to help them clean up their house and get ready for the onslaught of visitors they'd be getting. I'm thankful for all the help that they received that morning. Their little house was filled with family and friends. Generous people brought food by the truck load, among other gifts. I have never witnessed such generosity. Shelbi's room was left untouched, however. It wasn't until Thursday that Melea went in. When she looked on Shelbi's bed, she found a binder with some papers in it. Before they took Shelbi to the hospital, she was sitting in her bed and spilled water. When Melea went to clean her off, she swept the binder and the paper on it aside where it sat waiting to be discovered.

Sweet Shelbi had written a letter to her mom, dad, and brother. In it she bore her testimony. She said, "I love the snow...I love it!" She also said she loves Jesus. She colored pictures for all her friends and for her grandparents. Each of the grandparents' pictures were of things like the tree of life, heaven and earth, and things like that. On the back she drew another picture and wrote "LOVE" in big letters. Those pictures and letter were such a blessing! We know she knew she was going to "live with Jesus" and she spent her last day thinking of her family and coloring pictures for them and her friends.


Friday they finally found out why she died. She had a hernia that her intestines somehow got stuck in, causing her bowls to burst which poisoned her body. It was her time to return home and no matter how many times we think "if only" or "we should have", nothing would change Heavenly Fathers plans.

December and January have been very crazy months for me. It seems there's been one trial after another - the worst being Shelbi's death. I have learned so many lessons and discovered so much about myself. A few weeks ago I was listening to some talk radio show that stated that Christians grow weaker during times of prosperity and stronger during times of adversity (or something to that effect). At the time I thought it was an interesting statement. I never imagined it would become a boon for me during those hard times. I have learned first hand that its true. If we are faithful and prayerful, we can find strength in our adversity.

I am so grateful for Heavenly Fathers mercy and love. I know He is there. He heals our broken hearts and is aware of each one of us. I'm thankful he is in control and knows what's best for us.

Thank you all for the love and support you've given my family...especially Shelbi's family. You are wonderful!

Shebi Kay Elwell

My niece Shelbi:



Shelbi Kay Elwell 2002 ~ 2008 Our little princess, Shelbi Kay Elwell, age six, passed away from a sudden illness on Dec. 30, 2008.Shelbi was born to her loving parents, Rian and MeLea Elwell on Feb. 26, 2002. Shelbi loved princesses, Barbies, playing with her cousins, her brothers, and her many friends. She was a happy and fun loving little girl. She shared hugs and kisses with her family. She attended Pony Express Elementary School where she was in the first grade. Survived by her parents, her brothers, Cameron, Nathan and Carter, grandparents, Brad and Debra Sheppard, Ted and Roxene Kresser, Jack and Marsha Elwell, great grandparents, Grant and Karen Stubbs, RueLeen Sheppard, Susan Elwell, Frankie Barney, aunts, uncles, and many cousins. Funeral services will be held Saturday, Jan. 3, 2009 at 11 a.m. at the Eagle Mountain East Stake Center, 4506 E. Pony Express Parkway, Eagle Mountain, Utah. Viewings Friday evening from 6-8 p.m. at the church and Saturday 9:30-10:45 a.m. prior to the funeral. Burial, American Fork Cemetery.