cotton.headed.ninny.muggins

"He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree."

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

this has been a wonderful week full of visits from family and friends. as many christmas is my favorite holiday, but i have feel that getting older christmas has become even more special than when i was younger. speaking with family and friends, i have expressed not feeling the typical "christmas day at noon blues." you know what i am talking about...the feeling most kids get after all their presents are open and now the long 352 days wait till next christmas. getting older those "blues" disappear and now it is all about the true meaning of christmas. the birth of our Savior! and being in the presence of family and friends!

i always LOVE being with my family for the holidays and this year matt and i were able to spend christmas eve together both at my aunt and uncle's (in mission viejo) and then at his family's home (in riverside). this is the beginning of many driving miles from family to family...i guess that's what happens when get "betrothed" to someone (as what my grandpa said in his christmas eve toast).

this week i was able to see many friends, including claire. claire and i had our 2nd annual claire and shannon christmas cookie extravaganza! we made soooo many cookies...double chocolate chip, sugar, pumpkin chocolate chip, peanut butter and no bake peanut butter-oatmeal-chocolate cookies...can't wait till next year!

(not all but some of the cookies)

christmas eve was wonderful...at my aunt's and UD's it is always fun! with jokes flying around and lots of laughter! matt and i received some of our first engagements presents from my wonderful aunt and uncle (wedding champagne glasses and picture frame). dinner was amazing!

we then made our way over to matt's family home. this is my 2nd year spending christmas eve with them and it is always very nice! opening christmas gifts, eating lots of cookies and spending time with matt's family was very enjoyable...so many more of these to follow!

after going to 8am mass (least crowded christmas mass) we came back and got back into our christmas pj's then began to make latkes (jewish potato pancakes) and crepes. G-ma and G-pa came over a wonderful breakfast and opening presents! (g-ma got a I-PAD!) such

a blessing to spend christmas morning with g-ma and g-pa!

(the new shredder g-ma gave me to shred the potatoes)

(latkes: grandma said it reminded her of her mother's latkes)

the rest of the day we laid around watching "it's a wonderful life" and "the nativity story." for dinner we decided to go to the new little sushi place lauren and i discovered at 10pm on thursday. even though we were the only white people at the sushi place, we started the night off well. after sushi we hit up mcdonald's for ice cream cones then drove down to balboa and go on the ferry to look at christmas lights.

it was a wonderful christmas!

"Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love! "

after 2,399 days he asked the BIG question!

engagement story:

Disclaimer: sorry this is really long, i always told myself that i wouldn't have a long engagement story blog post, sorry i lied :)

just 1 week ago, matt asked me the very important question many girls look forward to..."should we park here and walk?" hahah just kidding/well kindof :)

on December 2 (just one day shy of our 6 year and 7 month anniversary) matt planned a special date night for us.

Lets start from the beginning of the day...matt told me about a week before that he was going to have thursday night off from school. me, being the planning type, i said lets go use our disneyland passes, and he said sure. then a few days after (about a day after i told matt that we don't go on any dates anymore because we are soo busy) he said lets go out for a nice dinner. hmmmmm...now i was thinking maybe this will be the "big question night!?!" but i have had a few "big question events" that i thought matt would ask and found out that i was wrong. But who knew this night would be different.

being a PE coach i have a group of 4th grader girls who ask me at least once a week "Coach Shea, are you engaged yet?" well on thursday it was their time to ask this week...when they asked i told them that i wasn't yet but was going on a date with matt and that maybe this was the night! they were all excited and started giving me pointers on what to wear "wear a pretty dress, with heels and lipstick" ha

after work i rushed home to get ready, not really thinking that this night would be any different then our other nights out. after a call from matt saying that he would be a few minutes late, matt showed up to my house. getting ready to go, i asked me mom to take a picture of us on my phone so that i could have a new phone background. then matt said "shannon, don't you have to go to the bathroom?" and i actually did (later i found out that he did this so that he could ask my mom for a lighter)

on our way, matt had a mapquest in his car for the Cliff restaurant in Laguna Beach. Never been there before, i asked him how he found it, he said on Yelp. I asked what did you type in, he said "cool restaurants" (typical matt!)

we get to laguna beach and there is no parking, so we drove around for about 20 minutes looking for a spot, after finding one we took the little hike to the Cliff. getting to the Cliff there are not that many people there. sitting down matt looks at the beach and says "i wonder how we can get down there?" so at this point i am thinking matt doesn't have anything planned. If he did he wouldn't have asked. eating dinner, we were sitting and i figured it wasn't going to happen, so i asked "matt, are going to propose when you are done with grad school? right?" and he gave me one of the faces like "i don't know?" after dinner we got up and left and walked back to his car. getting to his car he says "lets go on a scavenger hunt!" hmmmmm......this hasn't happened before. he says he wants to be more spontaneous.

He got a bag out of his car and we started walking to the beach. I said "well, this will be my highlight of the week! ha" he said "IT BETTER BE!" getting to the beach, no one is around and he tells me to turn around and he was going to get the hunt set up, and once he was done he would text me. so after waiting for 20 minutes (matt says it was like 5) he texted "in 20 seconds follow the lights" I count to 30 (just incase he wasn't ready) and I turn around to see 4 tealight candles in the sand. being completely dark except for the lights i walk to the last candle. not sure what to do next i see a shadowed matt about 20 feet away. i say "matt, what should i do next" he says "the last 2 candles burnt out, walk towards me"

after getting to him and being face to face, i say "now what?" and this time he gets on one knee and says "Marry Me!" i couldn't believe it! i started laughing and then laughing some more and then tearing up and then laughing again! i am still not sure if i said yes but the ring was put on my finger! and then i gave matt a big hug! and laughed some more!

just what i wanted :)

after laughing with each other we were both like "wow!" it happened! walking back, Matt says don't put this on facebook yet! ha lets take this in! not having an engagement picture i told matt we need to find someone to take our picture. we found some people walking around and i asked if they would take our picture and also told them what just happened! they were really happy to do it and even said that they should have their picture taken so that we would remember them and name our first born! ha

finally getting to our car, i had a lot of people to call and tell the news, while matt was relieved and just called his mom. we also visited claire at fashion island to tell her the news and it was so great to see her and her reaction. finally getting home and telling many people about the special question, matt laid on the couch emotionally exhausted! ha all he wanted to do was see the heat play the calvaliers (lebron's first time back), and i had to make it official and tell the whole facebook world!

well now we are engaged! not sure when we will plan the big day! the earliest would be a year from now, but we are looking more to summer or fall 2012. we shall see! but we both are sooooo happy and it is sooo fun to wear a beautiful ring on that finger.

also one more thing: going to my PE coaching job on friday was fun! i told one girl and she seemed to tell the whole school. I had teachers and kids coming up to me asking to see the ring!

the first people we told, our photographers :)

healthy and loving life!

"Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given

to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you

must honor God with your body."

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

(isn't she cute?!?!)

6 months after college....AND I AM LOVING LIFE!

life is really going soooo well! i am working as a pe coach ("Coach Shea, do your friends call you Coach Shea?"), a behavior interventionist (working with children who have autism) and now....(drum roll please)...a health and wellness coach! (i guess i like to wear many hats!)

as a health and wellness coach i get to help others lose weight, gain energy, gain lean muscle, and the best part is to educate them on how to live a healthy, active lifestyle without a fad diet!

i started my nutrition program about 2.5 weeks ago and everyday i feel amazing! (no joke!) i have a ton more energy, my bum knee has stopped hurting while i run (now i am running miles and miles without having to stop or "baby" my knee for the rest of the day), i have lost 3lbs of fat and i am really toning out now! but best part EVERDAY IS A GREAT DAY FOR ME!

matt started on a program this week and he has already felt changes with his body. more energy!

with the nutrition program it is NOT a diet! (when you start a diet your first question is "when do i end this diet?") it is a healthy lifestyle! BUT no need to take out your favorite friday night meals (buca di beppo for me!) just tips on how to get all the nutrition you need throughout the day!

some interesting facts:

- it takes 3,000-3,500 calories per day to get all the recommended daily allowance of nutrients one needs

- green tea works wonders for energy

- 1 billion people in the world are overweight and in 2015 about 2.5 billion people will be overweight! and 1 billion people are underweight :(

i have learned so many wonderful things and already have helped others their own nutrition programs. with helping others i start off with their own health profile (tell them their BMI, let them know how much protein they should get a day, tell them their resting metabolic rate, etc.) then with the information i map out a nutrition program that will work best for them! i have been helping those overweight, already living a healthy lifestyle, and those who just need some more energy.

please feel free to call/text 951.233.0979 or email me shannon.r.shea@gmail.com if you would like me to do a wellness profile and nutrition program for you!

happy autumn and no yoke

"Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower."

happy fall/autumn!

fall is one of my favorite seasons! it reminds me of going back to school, halloween, thanksgiving, wearing sweats and uggs, baking, drinking tea with the momma and sister, etc.

the past 19 years i have been going to school with fall begins, and the past 4 i have spent the beginning of autumn in malibu. this year it is great to spend my fall at home.

i have so many autumn plans for this season and my first was to bake some pumpkin chocolate chip cookies. but thanks to the grocery store, there is still no pumpkin puree to be found! so instead i decided to bake some chocolate chip, oatmeal, coconut cookies. after getting all the ingredients ready, i noticed that i had forgotten to get eggs! (we were never really a big egg family) being that it was 9pm and i didn't want to go back to the grocery store, i decided to google "no egg chocolate chip oatmeal coconut cookies" I found a website. though i was a little skeptical (replacing the eggs was boiling water mixed with baking soda) they actually came out really tasty!

i am going to bring them to our bible study tonight...hopefully everyone will like them!

Ingredients:

Servings:

0

cookies

• 1 cup butter or 1 cup margarine
• 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 cup boiling water
• 2 cups quick-cooking oats
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

Change Measurements: US | Metric

Directions:

Prep Time: 10 mins

Total Time: 46 mins

1. 1Beat butter or margarine, sugars and vanilla until light and fluffy.
2. 2Add flour and salt, mix well.
3. 3Dissolve baking soda in boiling water and add to mixture. Stir in rolled oats, raisins and chocolate chips.
4. 4Drop by teaspoonful onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 10-12 minutes.
5. 5Don't over cook.
6. 6(There are no eggs in this recipe, I didn't forget to type it down). Makes 3 dozen

WHO SAID THAT YOU NEED EGGS FOR COOKIES!?!?!?!

pink ribbon and vayda

a family friend is having a baby and asked me where she should get a cute baby shower banner...me being the crafty person i am (ha) said how bout if i made the banner. we got some ideas off of etsy (one of my favorite crafty websites). after getting the idea lauren and i were off to joann's with some of our craft coupons

materials included: 1 yard each of pink and brown felt material, 1/2 yard of three cute material (from the sale corner), a 3 yard roll of cute ribbon, printed letters. total cost $10.07

after cutting the felt into circles (i used a bowl and large plate as a stencil for the circles) and the material into letters, i based (a loose stitch to keep material together) the circles together and used my gma's sewing machine to sew the circles. after 5+ attempts and i got frustrated and my amazing gma came to the rescue. she helped me figure out how to sew in a circle (pretty difficult)

once i finished sewing i used fabric glue to attach the letters. then i tacked and glue the circles to the ribbon. after i used the left over material and and cute into 1.5 by 6 inch strips and tied them in between the letters.

the new bundle of joy got her name from one of my favorite movies My Girl

(it is pronounced VAY-DA)

l.o.v.e.j.o.b

i started my new job at the beginning of august...and I LOVE IT! everyday i fall more and more in love with it! i have learned soooo much and really found what i think i want to do the rest of my life.....now you might be thinking what is this incredible job? why is she sooo happy and loving it?!?!?!?!

drum roll please....i am a behavior interventionist! (next question: what the heck does that mean?!?)

i work for a company called SAGE BEHAVIOR SERVICES http://www.sagebehaviorservices.com/ i assist children who have developmental disabilities by helping to build skills and minimize challenging behaviors in all settings including the home, school, and community. we implement research-based ABA interventions and protocols as defined in an individualized, positive behavior intervention plan. most of the children i am working with have some form of autism. i get to go into their homes and work with kids by playing games and helping with their build their skills. i have worked with a handful of children and each one already has a special place in my heart. though i am still a "trainee" i do get to work with the children and build rapport (building a relationship, a fancy word).

there is one little girl who has Rett's http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/rett/detail_rett.htm and reminds me of Boo from Monster's Inc. the cutest little girl. I have gotten to work with her a few times and love every second of it. during one session we were helping her with walking with her walker (Rett's makes it hard for children to walk). while she was walking we use bubbles to get her motivated to walk forward. when i was blowing the bubbles she was trying to blow but she kept blowing up until i showed her how to blow forward like blowing bubble gum. When she tried she almost got it but forgot to the let the air out...she pretty much looked like she was holding her breath (it was really really cute!) also today she leaned against me and by default i gave her a lil kiss on the head. she is just sooo adorable!

another little girl (about 8yr) who has autism is a very hard worker and has a very loving caring family. her father always is helping and working alongside us during the sessions. during this past week i was able to work one on one with her. she sometimes makes these really loud noises (it is her stim). when we were working together she made a loud noise and i imitated her (you know me and weird voices). she looked at me and looked like she was thinking "that's my noise you, can't make the same one as me!" haha throughout the rest of the session she really was examining me and looked like she was thinking "this new girl is kindof cool..." though most of the kids i have worked with can't speak, you know that there is alot going on inside of their head.

i already have sooo many more stories about the kids so please when you see me next ask me about it! also if you don't know much about autism, please research it (1 in 110 children will have some form of autism) and also different ways we are working with children with autism such as with ABA.

blessed are those

I. Blessed are those who stop and listen to my chatter. You may not understand me; but I love when people talk to me, for I long for companionship, too.

II. Blessed are those who take my hand and walk with me when the path is rough, for I easily stumble and grow weary. But thank you, too, for letting me walk alone when the path is smooth, for I must learn independence.

III. Blessed are those who take the time to tell me about special happenings, for unless you make special effort to inform me, I remain ignorant.

IV. Blessed are those who wait for me. I may be slow, but I appreciate your patience.

V. Blessed are those who are not ashamed to be seen in public with me, for I did not choose to be born thus. It could have been you as well.

VI. Blessed are those who do not pity me, for I don't want pity. All I want is understanding and respect for what I have learned as well.

VII. Blessed are those who notice my accomplishments, small as they may seem to you. I must work long and hard to learn many of the things you take for granted.

VIII. Blessed are those who include me in their games, even though I may not understand the rules, I still like to be included in your activities.

IX. Blessed are those who think of me as a person who loves, and hurts, and feels joy and pain just like you do, for in that respect I am normal.

Author Unknown

lupus free cookies!

i have a co-worker at work who has lupus and since i love baking i decided to make her cookies that are "lupus free." Though the first batch were kindof gooey (but oooo sooo good!) my sis added some more flour and they came out perfect!

1 1/2 cups white flour or whole wheat pastry flour (i used wheat flour from Henry's farmers market)
1 heaping TB arrowroot or cornstarch (i used arrowroot also from Henry's)
1 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup flaked coconut (i used shredded coconut instead)
approx 1/4-1/3 cup semisweet choc chips
1/2 cup oil
2/3 cup maple syrup (i used honey instead)
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp orange extract (this makes the cookies very citrus tasting, i probably would leave out next time)

1. Mix dry ingredients together.
2. Stir wet ingredients together well and add to the dry. (Optional: 1/3 cup chopped pecans or walnuts)
3. Form balls of dough ~2" in diameter, place on parchment lined sheets and flatten.
4. Bake at 350 degrees for 12-16 minutes until lightly browned.
This recipe can be doubled.

"a balanced diet is a cookie in each hand"

a cup of berries, a squirt of lemon and growing up

"growing up is never easy. you hold on to things that were. you wonder what's to come. but that night, i think we knew it was time to let go of what had been, and look ahead to what would be. other days. new days. days to come. the thing is, we didn't have to hate each other for getting older. we just had to forgive ourselves...for growing up."

the Wonder Years

a few weeks back i received a very exciting phone call from susan. she wanted to let me know that there was a position opening at ADP www.adp.com (the company she has worked with for years). needing something to take up my free time and also wanting to make a little mooo-lah, this opportunity couldn't have come at a better time! so here i am after almost completing 2 x 40+ hour weeks: exhausted, busy and loving life :)

at ADP i am working in the accounting office as somewhat of an administrative assistant. filing, data processing, billing, filling the coffee machine and so on and so on... it is somewhere i never thought i would be, but i am really enjoying it and also learning a lot about the "real world" ;) and life after college.

not having much free time during the day (working from 7am-4:30pm) i have made an effort to not come home everyday after work and "veg" on the couch. i try to work out after work everyday (still training for my november half marathon) i have also fit in some baking and creating time. tonight lauren and i made this yummy lemon cake for our wonderful g-pa's birthday.

we decided to make what we call a "martha stewart cake." the cake part was lemon and the frosting was a buttercream-lemon frosting. we layered our cake with strawberries and gpa's favorite, blueberries. after a little splitting of the cake (yikes!) we tried to fix it by frosting the entire cake. it seemed to work and we added blackberries around the base and some lemon slices on the top. not sure how it taste yet...we will find out tomorrow! happy 82nd birthday G-PA!

"spread love everywhere you go. let no one ever come to you without leaving happier." momma teresa

lilia's bridal weekend

(photo by claire)

may 28th-29th

lilia is becoming a mrs. in a few weeks! so to celebrate we (diana, kapua, molly & me) had a fun filled weekend celebrating lilia's singleness.

friday

first stop was godmother's cafe in malibu:

(lilia and her grilled cheese w/ tomato soup; turkey,avocado sandwich w/ tomato soup; tortilla soup w/ a yummy sandwich)

we later had a nice relaxing day at the getty villa:

for the evening we stopped by ralph's and picked up some cheese, salami and wheat thins to bring with us to SIP (malibu wine tasting room). we really enjoyed sitting around, sipping our wine, eating our snacks around the outside fire:

saturday

for the bachelorette party we decided to go to hollywood.

we ate at cafe WAS:

(

(gnocchi; frog legs; burger with a quail egg & fries;

crab, tomato & avocado; beet salad)

at midnight we saw the BEST WORST MOVIE ever "THE ROOM" and was able to take a picture with the lead actor/producer/director/creepiest man that has ever touched me (just look at my face!):

it was quite fun seeing this movie! it was very packed (5 theaters) where we yelled at the movie ("water" "hello denny") and threw spoons at the screen. if you want to have an active, fun experience at the movies and don't mind seeing the worst acting/movie ever i suggest seeing this movie!

some extras from the weekend:

lilia and all her presents:

the card i made for lilia out of her wedding invitation:

i like to call these hanky panky cupcakes (too bad they melted the next day :(