The Dan and Shelby Crew

Emma Sage - February Spotlight

2010-02-03T15:33:00.000-08:00

The wonderful sunshine that is Emma Sage was born on October 26, 2000 at 1:35 PM. She has always had dark red curly hair and beautiful green eyes. Now in third grade, Emma auditioned for the Oral Reading UIL team. Her favorite subject is science because she gets to do experiments. Her favorite experiment is when her teacher brought a bag of ice and had the students touch it and label it hot or cold. Then her teacher microwaved it and asked the students the same question. Emma liked this experiment because she was able to touch to learn.

Emma is always singing loudly in Primary. Her teachers at church always can tell when she is singing because she puts her heart and soul into it. She recently participated in the Primary Program and started crying during the song Families Can Be Together Forvever. When Dan and I asked her about it later, she explained that her heart felt warm. She recognized it as the Holy Ghost and Dan and I are very proud to be the parents of such a sensitive spirit. Emma is good friends with our neighbor's daughter, Jillian. She often attends their church activities on Friday nights and always shares her testimony whenever the oppurtunity presents itself.
Emma enjoys dancing and singing. She often puts on plays/musicals with her sisters for the family. This summer the kids wrote a short little skit themselves and performed it for Dan and I after we got home from grocery shopping. It was great! She also loves going shopping with me, especially picking up pizza from Little Caesar's. Pizza Night is a big thing at our house :) The Shadow Game, a backyard game that the kids made up, is her absolute favorite thing to play.

Emma likes to have friends over and enjoys school. She loves her teachers at Chisholm Ridge Elementary School and at church. She is such a joy to have in our family. We love her so much! Love you mostest, Emma Sage!

Mary Elizabeth Douglas-September Spotlight

2009-09-07T08:03:00.000-07:00

The blessing that is our "Mary Muffin" came to us on September 16, 2002. From the ver begining she has been a joy and a outgoing gal. She loves to be doing anything that her older sisters are doing a believes that her brother Jacob can do no wrong. Wyatt, being the little brother is of course ofter wrong. She is an artist at heart and is always creating things for the family, be it jewelry or and hand made card or drawing, it will always say on it, with love to you from Mary. This year she started speech therapy and is realy improving. Her problem is lazy sounds and should be easier to fix then Brin's twin speech. Mary is always smiling and love to be with her Dad. She will often help give the dogs their weekly baths and loves to go on walks with dad and help with Jasper and Rusty. She started first grade this year and is loving every minute of it. Her reading and spelling are greatly improving and she has made a ton of new friends. For her birthday this year she wants to have an art party and make jewelry and crafts. I am not a crafty person but I should be able to do that one. She has a great friend that lives right across the street from us. They look like sisters and have been confussed for being twins. Her name is Alison and she will ofter come to church with us and ward activities. Mary keeps telling her that she needs to get bapitized when they turn eight so that they can be friends forever. Mary gave her a Book Of Mormon with her testimony in it, and tells her she wants her and her family be go to the temple to become a forever family. I'm not sure if any of this makes it back to the parents, but the enjoy having Mary around so we can only hope her example will lead to more questions about what we believe. We are so greatful to have Mary in our family and know that she was indeed a great blessing from our Father in Heaven.

It's hard to believe that she will be baptized next year, but I know that she is so ready to do it. She makes all of her family very proud. We love you mostest Mary Muffin!!!

OUR NEW PUPPY: Jasper Hale Douglas

2009-08-09T12:05:00.000-07:00

This is our newest family member, Jasper Hale Douglas. He was born June 5, 2009. He is a cream colored short-haired daschund puppy. He is 9 weeks old and is still a bit afraid of Rusty. We brought him home last night and he took to the kids right away. He is smaller than Rusty was as a puppy. He loves to play with Rusty's pink bell ball and we bought him a little red dog doll to help him teeth.

Rusty is acting like a great big brother to little Jasper. When we brought him home, Rusty jumped on him and was very excited to have a new friend. He plays with him until Jasper tries to get into something that Rusty is used to having all to himself. When Rusty plays fetch, Jasper looks at him caustiously and then runs after him and tries to play, too. Right now, his mouth is too small for the tennis balls so he just pushes them with his nose. They are so cute and great together.

August Spotlight: Brin and Breann

2009-08-09T10:12:00.000-07:00

The cutest twins ever, Brin Donna and Breann Shirley came to our family on July 30, 1998. Fraternal twins, they were ten minutes apart, a small fact that Brin doesn't let Breann forget. They've always been together although they are very different. Brin is very reserved and a quiet helper, while Breann is more outgoing. When they were just babies, they shared a crib. I would come in to check on them and Breann would be sucking on Brin's nose like it was her pacifier. When Breann was only one, she broke her left leg and had to wear a cast for 8 months. She handled it like a big girl and has never had any other broken bones. Brin broke her arm when she was 10 playing in the front yard when she tripped and fell in the street. For the longest time, she was the only member of our family to never have broken a bone.

They start middle school this year and are very excited to be starting band. In May they went to a special band instrument testing night at Highland Middle School and played each of the instruments separately. Brin is going to play the saxophone and Breann is going to play the trombone. They also are both taking piano lessons. Brin is excited to finally get a locker, instead of "those little cubbies." They have grown up so much and we love them more than words can convey. Brin is the older twin and she loves to build things. She is always creating some new buildings with Wyatt's blocks or with her Magnetix. Brin is an awesome helper and she loves to play with her brothers and sisters. She loves animals and always offers to help with our puppy, Rusty. She recently took Rusty to the vet with me and out veterinarian gave her and Breann a tour of the animal hospital. Brin was so excited! She wants to be a veterinarian when she grows up.

Breann loves to draw and create art. She is always willing to help Dad outside in the yard or help Mom in the kitchen. She is very excited to start middle school this year and can't wait to learn how to play the trombone. Breann likes to play outside and run as fast as she can. She is always outside playing tag and likes to race the boys on our street to see if she can beat them. She wants to be an artist or designer when she grows up. Brin and Breann are the greatest twins in the world. We love them so much and they're always making us smile. They have wonderful talents and are such sweethearts!

May Spotlight......WYATT WAANATAN DOUGLAS

2009-05-11T06:55:00.000-07:00

Wyatt is the youngest in the family and there are 10 years between him and his brother. That was a gift from Heavenly Father, because my boys drive me crazy. I love them dearly, but I needed that time to prepare for an other boy. Wyatt is really into trains. He has all the Geo Trax sets and plays with them daily. Its Brin's job to set up the sets to make one great system, she does the best job of this. Wyatt loves all of his siblings, but has recently discovered how hard it is to be a big brother. I watch a 10 month old for a neighbor, and Wyatt has to do alot to help, like taking out dirty diapers, getting spoons, food, entertaining her so I can clean, after a long day we both sat on the couch and wyatt said, "it's hard to be a big brother, I'm going to give Jake tons of hugs when he gets home and say thanks for being a great big brother." I admit it I started to tear up, Its nice when your kids show appreciation for each other. Wyatt is also our comedian. He loves to watch movies and can remember his favorite lines from his favorite shows. It reminds me of Dan's brothers, how can quote movie line for line. Wyatt loves to swim and lets everyone know he is going to be a swimmer like Jacob. He starts school this next year and can already write his name and knows most of the alphabet. I am going to miss having him at home, but he is so ready and can hardly wait. Wyatt is pretty tall for his age, we did that two old height thing and doubled it and he should be about 6'6" , Jacob is only suppose to be 6'3" and that really bugs him. Wyatt is learning to share and that just because your the youngest, you don't get a free ride to do what ever you want. He is loved by all his family and we are so grateful that Heavenly Father let us know that he was waiting. Our family wouldn't be complete without him. Wyatt is a great kid to end on!

April spotlight... TAINA DIANE DOUGLAS

2009-04-06T09:03:00.000-07:00

The blessing that is Taina, came into our lives on April 27, 1996. She had the most beautiful heart face and was always happy. She is in the 7th grade now and is a straight "A" student. She is going for the "Top Hawk" award, her schools top academic award, for all three years of middle school, something that neither of her siblings was able to do.

She started to play the oboe last year and has done real well with it, although singing is still her love. She has received a 1 rating on her solos and is improving every day.

For her last birthday she wanted to start cake decorating, so we got her a set. Now she is in charge of making all the families birthday cakes. She wants to marry a chef and her favorite shows are on the Food Network.

One of her favorite pastimes is to read. She reads everything that she can get her hands on, and usually when I can't find her, she is in her room with a book. She also loves to help me cook and will usually make dinner with my supervision. Acting is still one of her passions and she is in charge of writing the skit for Girls Camp this year. It’s going to be about the paths that our different choices lead us down. She is so excited to do this. The only sad part about camp is that Kaia won't be there with her.

At church she is in the Beehive class presidency and really loves reaching out to the less active girls. She has a very strong testimony and is not at all shy about letting you know what she believes. She has had several friends ask questions and has been able to answer them very well. For one of her YW projects last year she learned a song from Jekyll and Hyde and performed it at their YW in excellence program. Kaia played the piano for her and it was great. It brought a tear to my eye to have her succeed in that goal. She was very nervous, but her voice was perfect.

She is a very special part of our family and makes everyday an adventure. We are truly blessed to have her in our family. We all really love our Taina Bug!!!

Stardust....2009 Priests and Laurals Prom

2009-04-06T07:14:00.000-07:00

Kaia went to the church prom this year with Jason. The dress was made by Grandma Fudge and I and was from a Halloween costume pattern. They went with three other girls, so Jason was on the dance floor all night. I took Kaia to get her hair and make-up done by my hair-dresser, Chris, he is the best and really made the whole thing fun for Kaia. They had a great dinner and a chocolate bar at the dance. She got home about 1:30 a.m. and then we talked about all the dresses and the music and everything else until about 3:00 a.m. She got so many comments on her dress and was told more then once that she looked like she walked out of a Jane Austin novel, all in all I think she had a great time.

March Spotlight.......JACOB DANIEL DOUGLAS

2009-03-09T09:13:00.000-07:00

The blessing that is Jacob came into our lives on Feb. 13th 1994 at 11:43 a.m. He had the cord around his neck and wasn't breathing when he was born, but the doctor reacted fast and all turned out well, although I will never forget that fear. He was 7 lbs. 10 oz. and 21 in. long. From the very start Jacob has been a real out going kid. even as a baby he was very hard to keep entertained and I really reliaded on Kaia to help me with that, so I could get something done. Jacob is very kind and is always helping those in need. He is known as the jokster at school and can usually make just about anyone feel better and smile. He is becoming quite popular with the girls, I have even had to ask a young lady to stop calling the house until he is 16.

Jacob is very involved in the band and swimming and has done very well in both this year. He was the only Freshman to go to region for the Swim team and dropped 3 seconds off his time for the 200 meter free . He loves to swim distance and the coach is looking for great things from him in the years to come. He just performed at UIL for the bands solo and ensemble contest and got a 1 rating which means that he will performing at state. He really loves playing the tuba and the kids that are in his section are as fun loving as he is. Next year is the bands state year and he is really excited as it will be his first time performing a half time show at state.

Although he hasn't had one of his friends convert, they do know what he stands for and he has had many opportunities to show what is right. He has had decussions with teachers, coaches, and friends and has had to defend his beliefs on a number of occasions. He use to get teased for not swearing or talking rude about young ladies, but now, he is respected and they will change the subject when he comes around. Come to think of it, that is why he is so popular with the young ladies, oh well, you got to take the good with the bad.

Jacob is doing great with his Scouting and will finish his Eagle by the end of summer. Last year when Dan was in Young Mens, they where able to go on a High Adventure Camp to Colorado. They really had a great time together and talk about it often. Jacob is the Teachers Quorem Pres. and seems to really have a flare to get everyone involved.

Jacob will start taking Drivers Ed. in April and he is super excited. He is already fighting with Kaia about who will drive to Seminary. He is doing great in school and never brings any homework home, that use to worry me, but he still gets all A's so I try to be cool about it although I still bug him about it once in a awhile. One more thing that Jacob likes to brag about is how tall he is getting. He is about 5 ft. 10 in, as tall as I am, and is quick to point out that he is still growing. Of course I always responed that it doesn't matter how tall he gets I will always be the mama. He shares a room with Wyatt and is pretty good about it. I guess if you wait 10 years for a brother you are pretty easy going.

We are indeed blessed to have Jacob in our lives and we now with him around that we will never have a dull moment. He is our clown and is always up to help a sibling feel better. We are so pround of him and know that he is a great blessing to our family.

Jason's Baptisim

2009-03-09T08:58:00.001-07:00

We are pleased to announce that Jason was baptized on Feb. 21st. Kaia and Jacob gave the talks and Dan baptized him. The spirit was so strong there that there wasn't a dry eye anywhere. This is a very special young man and he has already told his college that he will need two years off to serve a mission. Kaia has been talking to him about the church for 2 years and he has been coming to church with us about 8 months. Since his baptisim he is going to Seminary and has started to go Home Teaching. He always says that he is just happier when he is around the church. This has been a great experience for the whole family and we are indeed blessed that Heavenly Father let us be apart of it.

The February Spotlight.....KAIA LEE DOUGLAS

2009-02-03T08:47:00.000-08:00

The blessing that is Kaia, came into our lives on February 10,1992 at 5:35 p.m. she weighed 7 pounds and was 19 inches long. From the very start Kaia was a tender heart. She loves to help others and was always excited about each new baby we have had. She can be a little shy, but she enjoys helping people. She has visited our local children's hospital to visit the kids there and lift their spirits. She thinks that she may want to go into medicine, but she also really enjoys literature and wouldn't mind studying that at school. She is trying to decide where to go to college, and she should be able to get some good scholarships. She is #4 in her class of 600 and already has biology and history college credits. She has always taken her studies serious and loves to try new subjects. Next year she is taking Art as her elective.

She still plays her trumpet and has been Section Leader over 30 trumpets for the past two years. In the three field shows that the band has done,(the school is only 4 years old), she has had a solo in each. Down here band is a big thing, which we love as all of our kids want to play instruments. They compete in the State Marching contest every two years and we took 12Th our fist time there. Kaia is also first chair in her section and has placed in the top 3 every year in the region band where she competes against 300 trumpets. She hasn't made the State Band yet, but was in the top 50 trumpets in the state.( they only take 25 trumpets to the State Band) She would like to keep playing the horn in college but, doesn't want to necessarily study music .

One of the reasons the Kaia loves Texas is because of all the missionary experiences she has had. She has to defend or talk about our beliefs on a daily basis and has has to even correct teachers when they make a false statement about the church. It has been great blessing in her life and has forced her to truly know what she believes and how to defend it. Right now she has a friend that is interested in the church and he spends most Sundays with us. His name is Jason and he is a great young man. He took Kaia to their Band Banquet and they went to the Priest and Laurel Prom together. She has been on a few other dates, like Homecoming with a young man named Cody, but would rather just go out with friends.

She started driving this year and takes the van, or "Mormon marshmallow" as her friends call it to seminary and school everyday. She likes being able to drive and I like not having to go to seminary at 5:45 in the morning.

Kaia is loved by her family and has a great relationship with all her siblings. I often see her talking one-on-one with all of the kids. Last summer she was able to be Taina's YCL at girls camp. Taina really enjoyed that as it was her first time. Kaia is a great helper and a great example to her siblings. We couldn't have asked for a better daughter.

A Snow Day in Fort Worth

2009-01-31T15:39:00.000-08:00

On last Wednesday we had a big ice storm come through. It left about a third if an inch if ice on everything. We all got the day off and the kids had a blast jumping on our neighbors tramp and sliding down the driveway on cardboard. I was a bit sad when Wyatt told me that this was the most snow he had ever seen, made me long for the mountains again, but I soon recovered when I reminded myself of the shoveling that we use to have to do. You all in Utah might be looking at the pictures and saying that we need to toughen up. But that is why we live in Texas so we can have it nice and easy.

2009-01-12T17:55:00.000-08:00

This is our newest member of the family. His name is Rusty Fudge Douglas and he was born on September 29, 2008. We brought him home the Saturday before Christmas and he was of course a hit. He is a full blood miniture dachshund and won't get much bigger then he is now. He is our cocktail frank dog, (not a weiner dog) he's too little. I never thought that we would be a dog family but he has settled in great and we are falling in love with him.