STEED FAMILY

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

"TO BLOG OR NOT TO BLOG?"

The world of blogging is interesting. It seems that these days, everyone has a blog. Many use their blogs as a sort of on-line journal, chronicling their lives and the activities of their families. Others have craft blogs, cooking blogs, home-schooling blogs, self-help blogs. In fact, I think you could a find a blog for almost anything with Google's help. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy looking at blogs as much as the next person. Blog-watching has a bit of a voyueristic quality for me. Sort of like taking a walk on a summer evening and glancing in people's open windows as you pass by (a practice my husband finds rather disturbing). I myself jumped on the blog bandwagon a several years ago. It was fun for a while, but I got weary and during a particularly challenging time in my life, decided to give it up for a while. I switched to facebook and decided it was much easier. It has been two years since I last blogged and after polling my facebook friends, I have decided to take it up again. However, I want my blog to be more than just a journal. I want to share my thoughts, opinions and ideas. I want my blog to be worthwhile. Lofty goals? Yes, but I'll give it a try. I will probably still post about my grandchildren, vacations, or parties I've given. I will probably regress to my fluffier side from time to time. But I'm really going to try to dig deeper and come up with some posts that show more of what is inside.

Once after giving a speech at my church on teaching children, a woman told me that she had no idea that I had such deep, spiritual thoughts. She was surprised at the content of the message I had shared and said she looked at me in a completely different way. No longer would I just be the fun-loving, laughing party-girl whose shoes always matched my bag (although I have learned from What Not to Wear that this is a no-no). I admit, it is often hard for me to share the deeper, more intimate side of my personality. I do not wear my spiritual side on my sleeve. But perhaps I have given the wrong impression more often than not. So, I will try harder to discuss deep, important issues and ideas. To share my personal feelings. Wish me luck - and good luck to those of you who choose to read!

Sunday, June 14, 2009

"A Prom, Two Graduations, and an Anniversary"

The past five weeks have been so crazy and I haven't kept up with my blogging, so this post is a biggie. I'm going to get all caught up on what has been happening with us. First of all, May brought Prom time and Kelsey went to her last official high school dance.

She wanted a short dress this time. Doesn't she look beautiful.

Here she is with her date, Chris Russell. They had a great time together. It was a great way to cap off her high school experience.

Next on the agenda was Wade's graduation from the University of Utah. He graduated May 8 with a bachelor's degree in Economics. Funny thing, his major was supposed to graduate at 11 in the morning with the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences )weird) but no one bothered to tell him that so we all attended the David Eccles College of Business Graduation that night at 6:45. Wade's name wasn't listed in the program and we had a few tense moments, but no worries. They just read his name and his major like nothing happened. Apparently, you can walk at any commencement. There was one Family and Consumer Science major who graduated in Wade's ceremony. Go figure - just pick the date and time that is most convenient for you and your family I guess!!!

Shayla and Wade with the proud parents.

Congratualtions Wade! Now it's on to graduate school!

A few weeks later it was Kelsey's turn. She graduated from LDS Seminary on June 2. Grandpa and Grandma Dalton were on hand.

Two days later, Kelsey graduated from Viewmont High School with honors. Kelsey we are so proud of you!

With Mom and Dad

The proud Grandparents

"The Three" - Whitney, Kailey

and Kelsey

Kelsey and her friends with the hot pink honor cords they got in honor of their friend Desiree Bastian who was killed in a tragic car accident before their sophomore year.

The whole gang after graduation

On June 5th, my parents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. On June 13, the whole family met at Maddox Restaurant for a celebration party. We enjoyed a delicious dinner, a fun program, yummy cake, and family togetherness.

With the "Golden Couple"

Since Mom and Dad are not the silver platter type, we made them a photo book with pictures from their childhoods, wedding pictures, and pictures of the family through the years. They loved looking through the book and can't wait to show it to their friends.

Their anniversary cake

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!

Here's to many more.

Saturday, June 6, 2009

With Liberty and Justice for All

Yesterday was a great day for our family. The Lord has blessed us and answered our prayers. After nine months, this difficult trial has ended and an innocent man is free. God Bless America! Please watch this FOX News report.

http://www.fox13now.com/video/?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=3838782

Sunday, May 31, 2009

I'm on Facebook!

Well, I have done it! I have finally caved in to the peer pressure and now have a Facebook Page. For months I have felt left out, out of the loop, ostracized, etc. hearing everyone talk about what they learned or saw on Facebook. I wanted all my friends to get blogs, but instead they just got Facebook pages. I got to be too much for me so I took a deep breath and jumped in with both feet. I admit it is pretty fun, and not as complicated as I thought it would be. I still wish all my friends, sister in laws, nieces would get blogs. (The backgrounds are so pretty) I also wish the friends that have blogs would update them (Shauna R.) At least now I can feel cool along with all you other Facebookers. Thank you for adding me as your friend. You can never have too many friends!

Thursday, May 28, 2009

My New Scanner

I have been working on a photo book project involving hundreds of pictures from both past and present. I needed to scan the pictures into my computer and did not have the capability with the equipment we have at home. I have been wanting my own scanner hooked up to my own computer for quite some time and this did it. Val bought me this awesome new scanner!

It is a Fujitsu Scansnap S1500 and it is the most awesome thing I have ever seen. It scans photos (or documents) directly into a jpeg format - none of that pdf crap. You can save your pictures right into a file folder. It is so EASY and fun. I have been scanning like mad since yesterday afternoon when Val hooked it up. I am telling you, this little machine is going to change my life!

Anyone who knows me knows how important pictures are to me. I love to scrapbook, make photo books, play around with pictures, etc. (why aren't I a photographer?) I seriously cannot tell you how excited and happy I am about my scanner!!!!! I would recommend this machine to anyone.

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Ten Days of Shauna

May is an awesome month for me because I get to celebrate Mothers' Day, my wedding anniversary, and my birthday all within the space of a couple of weeks depending on the calendar. My kids usually call it "Shauna Week". This year because Mothers' Day fell on the 10th, it was "Ten Days of Shauna".

I began my month on May 10th, celebrating Mothers' Day with my family. All I ever wanted to be was a mother. It has been one of the most rewarding, experiences I have ever had. I can hardly believe that I have held this title for almost 28 years! I want my children to know how much I love them and how proud I am of the men and women they have become and the wise choices they have made. It hasn't been easy - we have had some challenging times - but it has definitely been worth it! Here are my babies in their one-year pictures. . .

Travis Wayne Steed

October 28, 1981

Wade David Steed

July 30, 1983

Tara Dawn Steed
August 22, 1986

Kelsey Ann Steed

October 12, 1990

After Mothers' Day, Val and I celebrate our wedding anniversary on May 17. This year was 29 years for us! It has been an incredible journey together. Thanks, honey, for our four wonderful children. Thanks for working so hard to support our family. I love you and would marry you again. I love the fact that we are growing old(er) together. Tara says we are an example of love and endurance. I guess that is a compliment. . .

Val and Shauna Steed

May 17, 1980

Three days after my anniversary, on May 20, it's HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME! Yes, today is my birthday. I am not going to say how old I am, but it's not too hard to figure out. I really can't believe I am this old!!!! I still feel like a young mother inside and I definitely don't act my age, just ask my girls and their friends. Oh well . . . wasn't I a cute baby, though?

Shauna Kaye Dalton

May 20

COMING FULL CIRCLE

At the end of April, we had our last Viewmont Dance Concert. The theme was Coming Full Circle II. The girls performed favorite pieces from previous concerts. There two alumni pieces which Tara and Shayla were able to perform in. It was an amazing concert and such a fun one for our family to finish up with. We have been involved in the dance program at Viewmont for the past six years. It has been an incredible experience for our family and we have such special memories. We are grateful to Bon Pierce, the director, for creating such a wonderful, worthwhile experience for the girls and their families. Below are pictures from each of the pieces Kelsey, Tara and Shayla performed in. Enjoy!