Mr. Westly

It's been awhile since I posted anything about the little Mini Doodle, so here's an update on his little life. He's crawling, pulling himself to standing, furniture walking, exploring everything, and eating Cheerios obsessively!

A Little S&P and Lots of EVOO

Keeping with my New Year's attitude to reclaim my life and live fuller, I've been trying out brand new recipes at least once or twice a week. Last night I busted out my Rachel Ray book and cooked with some ingredients I've never used before, namely shallots and red wine. I made chicken cutlets in red wine and tomato reduction served with herbed fettuccine (it's sounds fancier than it was!) Yum-yum!

January's Art Project: notecards

This month, to keep my resolution, I hand-drew notecards and envelopes for me to use in my correspondences. I don't really have a lot, but I like using that word :) I used markers to color them in. I may do some more...

Wishes Wreath

This week Michael saw on the Today Show this idea of making wishes of things you want to do this year. They hung their wishes on a tree branch like ornaments. But we thought it would be fun to make a wreath of wishes. So for only $15 we made not only an artsy decoration for our front door, but also an inspirational piece for the year. Our wishes range from big things like take Westly to Disneyland, to little things like a picnic in the park. Now when Saturday comes, we don't have to ponder what to do. We can look at our wishes wreath and get some ideas. When we fulfill the wish, we'll record the date on the back. Should be fun!

If you're interested, here's how we did it. Bought a grape-vine wreath from Michael's for $9. Strung ribbon through it for some extra decoration. I did it real loose and almost birds-nest-like.


Cut out little tags from your fave paper. If you want to layer them (we did three colors), make the biggest tag about 3 1/4" by 2 1/4". Write your wishes on the cards. We also got glitter sticker letters to add some glam.

Hole punch the cards, string ribbon through them, knot at top. Then string your cards through the wreath and arrange them in a fun way.

We wedged some of the cards in the wreath as well.

Ta-da! Go with a color scheme that either matches the room it's hanging in, or that inspires you.

Resolution for 2012

I'm not a huge resolution-maker. I always have the same type of goals for each year: draw closer to the Lord, love my husband even more, eat healthier, etc. But I also try to come up with one new resolution to meet for the year, usually something fun.

A few years ago I made the resolution to read at least one book a month. The next year, I made the resolution to make healthier eating choices, so we switched to free-range meats, shopped at Trader Joe's, and cut out soda and chips, etc. Last year, I made the resolution to be less-opinionated about people. So far, these resolutions have become habits in our life-style.

This year my resolution is to be more creative and artistic. I plan to have a project each month, and create something I can use or bless others with.

So for January, I'm going to make my own thank-you and hello notes to send to people. Every month I send my mom and grandmas pictures of Westly, so I'll make some cards to go with them.

There we go! Happy 2012!

So Long 2011

Whew! What a year it has been! 2011 was filled with some extremities: exmtreme joy and some extreme moments of anguish. Of course this was mainly the year of Westly Cavanaugh, but some other great things happened as well.

I managed to write and publish my third book in the Sherlock Academy series: The Holmes Brigade.


In February, Michael and I went on one last get-away before the little Doodle came. A friend got us a great deal at Fess Parker Inn. We enjoyed a luxury suite and fine dining.

I enjoyed a wonderful pregnancy that was relatively easy with no morning sickness or issues. I have to say being pregnant was one of the happiest periods of my life. I enjoyed growing and learning about the baby, and enjoyed little perks like luscious hair and relaxive hormones that helped my back!

We spent the first months of the year preparing for and anticipating the arrival of our little Fig

Westly Cavanaugh came on his due date April 6 at 1:28am.

I had a great labor and delivery, and by the grace of God was able to deliver all-natural. It was the hardest and best experience of my life thus far!

Thanks to Papa Shaw, Michael and I were still able to fit in a few dates here and there, including our 4th anniversary we spent at Sycamore Springs in Avila. It was Westly's first over-nighter away from home and he was great.

We hosted our annual Halloween party. Theme this year: Heroes/Villains. Michael went as Mario, I as Princess Peach, and West as Toad

Hardest moment of the year: Westly's emergency. It took us by surprise, rocked our world, deepened our faith in God, and left an imprint on our hearts that will never fully go away. We are so thankful for everyone's prayers and support and for God's healing hand on him.

And here we are, the Shaw family, a little worse for wear, but very much in love with each other, the Lord, and with life.

Farewell, 2011! Hello, 2012. We are ready for another year, come what may. We wish you all health and blessings in this new year.
"Thus far has the Lord helped us..." (1 Samuel)...And He will help us again in 2012!