Stuff That Makes Us Hillarys

Hey kids - since there is only the 4 of you reading my blog - well 3 unless Elder H is breaking the rules, I wanted to give a shout out to you all of you. Everyone's been so busy - and your blogs are so amazingly fun. I just think that you are fantastic human beings, and I thought you might want to hear that from yer mom. Dad and I were commenting on our Saturday - Ashley and Mandy were in the room talking and it was so funny to listen to them ramble on. They were watching SNL shorts and Mandy was in her Zumba clothes, Ashley was towelheaded and makeup applying bound - but it didn't stop the bantering and laughter. It was like music to our ears. We received a call from Matt and Bethany and Andy indicating that they just purchased tickets to come for the 4th of July - (I know of 2 families celebrating that choice!) We received a packet of pictures from Elder Hillary and a 42 word letter - that's actually a long one! Ryan, Mandy's husband was running his heart out in Oregon for the BYU track team, and Michael, Ashley's hubby came over after work and we all just sat in the back yard and ate lasagna and laughed and told stories. I just don't know if I can remember a more perfect day. Thanks for that kids. We are so spread out - but needless to say - we are never alone. I love you all more than life itself. I am proud of who you are - and what you give to the world. I see greatness in each of you, and I watch you giving back to the world all it has given to you. Thank you for your goodness, and your laughter, and your dedication to this family. We are all made of the 'Stuff that makes us Hillarys'. XOXOXXO Mom, Bob, Shewurly

Been working on some family history - love family history. You just seem to find the strangest lines. Like, who would have known? This must have been one of our first family reunions. That darn Uhura, she always got out of setting up the picnic tables and setting out the food. She kept going on and on about hearing whale sounds, she always worn the hearing aid thing. (We had a few in our family line like that) Must have been light years before polygamy, lucky girl, we had to share one husband in our time! After years of being together, out of no where, they started just disappearing! They were like beaming out and having desires to boldly go where no man has gone before. I know that they were quite adventurers though, always trecking here and there, they didn't have to wear the bonnets though. Looking somewhat dazed and confused here, they were often accused of being worlds away. There was no one in charge of the family for years, but there always seemed to be somebody trying to be the captain of the ship, what an ego! I see here that we have come across some strong family traits, I believe the ears are a dead give away for our line. So excited that we were able to preserve this family portrait, thought it might be an Enterprising idea to share it with you all. I'll need to put it back into the pressurized air preservation tank to keep it safe for the Next Generation. (Or it will be the Wrath of Kahn for me!) There's for sure enough hot heads pictured here to power any nuclear wessels. (Is there a doctor in the house in case?) Certainly the photographer must have had their weapons set on stun just to get them all to hold still! I'm sure that if a couple of them, well at least one of them could talk, they would say about family history, "Jim! I'm giving it all she's got!" always did have over achievers in our family. Logically speaking though, take a moment to 'bridge' the gap in your family - no bones about it - you'll probably find some warped family members too! Kirk out, Pine in...

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Now all of my children know that I love them beyond worlds - but on their birthday I get to up the anti on them and make them the official poster child for the day. Yesterday, on Ashley's birthday she was on my computer ALL DAY so I wasn't able to post on her birthday - I'll make up for that today. This picture of Ashley and Mike was taken on her wedding day, three years ago - but it might as well have been taken just today - they are still blissfully liplocked. You can't tease them and say, "Gosh could you go get a room" because they will literally get up and get a room... we are very cautious at family dinners.... So you might wonder why we call her Lee Lee Pee Pee, it's not what you think - we just start out with nicknames and we add on to them and they become engraved in our heads and that's the way it is after that. Lee Lee has been called Ashem Crashem also - you'll have to see her car for that one. I used to be just Bob, now I'm Bobby Shew and for what reason? No one knows. I just wanted to brag on the child so if you would just go to the kitchen and get a wooden spoon and (no Mike - that's not what I'm talking about) start gagging yourself with a spoon - you'll be prepared for this blog. Happy Birthday Ashley! You are my buddy. I've never met anyone quite like you - they do not exist. You have taken life - and made it full of love, laughter, and beauty. I watch people in public when they see you, towering at 5'11" and then adding 4 inch heels - you are a vision of beauty and grace - just don't let them see you run at a soccer game. You are the sweet 'Karin' of our family - you carry her genes, and by the way you wear jeans nicely also! You own stock in Bakers, no, DSW, no Bakers, no, DSW... never the less - you own most of Buckle/Whimsey/Rodworks. Is that a bad thing? NO! You love Tigers Blood, sammie at the movies, movies in general, driving so that your passengers are screaming in fear, and you kill small anmials on the road. I would say that you are a well rounded person - but you're not - you are a workout maniac, we have to put duct tape on you to keep your Buckle Jeans from falling down over your DSW, Baker, heels. You are SMRT! You are finishing up your Masters Degree in Chemical Engineering and you're only 24 (well barely). That's no easy task - so proud of your choices - of your amazing work ethics mixing up bomb fluids - or is it the flares that go on the side of the road? I get so confused.... You are a sweetheart - always making sure that everyone is taken care of - family, Andy, neighbors, and Zoey. You brought a treasure to our family, Mike is everyone's sweetheart - but his heart only belongs to you. You found your soulmate - and he come's complete with an enormous heart of his own. You two are perfect pull-aparts. Dorks, in English. I love that you tolorate me, you spend time with me, and you push me to tears on bike rides. I envy your flat tummy, guns, and tiny butt. Mandy and I never ever ever ever want you to be mad at us because you can rip someone's head off with one swipe of your eyes - and that doesn't even count your lip service! Holy Cow - you can scare people - that's why we love you, that's why you're always packin' right? You are a girly girl, to the max, yet at a moments notice you are in the middle of the pack when it comes to service. You can under stand why I always 'look up to you' and it's not for obvious reasons - you are a gift to our family - and we hope that you have a wonderful year of memories ahead - most importantly being that of being fruitful and procreating - for HEAVENS SAKE GIRL - GET A ROOM! Love you Lee Lee Pee Pee, Ashem Crashem, Wickem Wackem. Would you like fry sauce with that?

Now that sounds kinda negative - but it's not because I had so much fun! Ashley and I headed to The Mikado Restaurant for the 'Trip to Japan' tickets from X96 Radio From Hell. We had to be there from 6 - 10 am and then at about 9:30 we started tearing into shushi to find the hidden Yen. There were 3 rounds of 10 sushi bars, and the first round found no winners - so the second round came out - and the cute girl next to me won! We were the only 2 girls out of the 10 contestants. She was so cute she was just crying - her and her husband had been married for 12 years - married way to young, survived being too young of parents, had never been anywhere - and boom - they're off to Japan - I was so excited for her (and not too broken hearted because I'm headed of to the South of France in June - oh darn) But I had such a great time - great food, great company (thanks Lee Lee!), the craziest ever Radio Show and most of all a day off from the ordinary. I did walk away with dinner for two - Happy Birthday Del in June! So - FYI - you really should go out and check out the Mikado Restaraunt across from the South Towne Mall - I don't think you'll be dissapointed in any way. Me so need a Tums... (and lypo butt suction according to this picture....)

Ok - so totally random activity. This will be me tomorrow morning all dressed up and ready to eat? (I think that's a bong in my hands....?) (Bing Bong Mandy!) I'm one of 10 qualifiers for the RFH X96 'win 2 tickets to Japan if you bite into your sushi and find a yen' contest tomorrow morning at Mikado. You had to be the first caller in after hearing the screaming sumo's - and since I have probably never missed a show in most of their 5,000 it seems, lucky me! (Just a little late since Mandy is already there and I've missed almost all of her performances. But I'll be darned if I don't have a passport ready to go!)

Haven't said much about it to anyone except for my funny kids because they know that I'll probably: a) never ever win or, b) swallow the coin. But since I've been disparately searching for someplace to take Del for his birthday in June, I win dinner for 2 at Mikado not matter if I win tomorrow or not - so I say that's one lucky fortune cookie eh? Or is that Chinese? Heck - please don't tick off the Asians. Lee Lee is going to join me because she might be a 'chosen one' also! Besides - how might a 23 year old spend her last day being 23? For this old lady mom (Bobby Shew) I hope it's the spring roll and not squid. Cross your fingers and pass the chop sticks! (PS - thanks RFH and Mikado and my immoral er, immortal support - Lee Lee)

So, right after that wonderful spiritual post, I'm adding my funny for the day. I approached Del this week and said - "Honey, for Mother's Day would you mind buying me some mulch for my flower beds? You don't even have to get me a card or anything - just 6 bags of mulch" I'm a little tight on money right now - so I thought I would at least try. He said that he would feel terrible just getting me that and, what would it look like, and how bad he would feel. But never-the-less we pulled into Lowes and he bought me my Mom's day dream gift. Today in church a friend of mine said - "Did you see what I got for Mother's Day?" (Back up a bit and remember that I just taught a gardening class and I had encouraged people to plant their gardens and to start with good soil) Sheryl said, "He bought me a bag of dirt!" I started laughing until I cried - I told her that I received mulch! She said - mulch? That's nothing I got a bag of dirt I'm so excited! And she seriously was, and I seriously was excited about my mulch! Needless to day a couple of old dirt bag ladies, were thrilled with their gifts and with their husbands who 'dared to be different to make sure their wives were happy' on Mother's Day. Get down, get dirty... or mulchy if you wish... Thanks Del and Tracy - you are real men in our books!

This was the last time I saw Elder Hillary - he was just leaving the hosptial after having surgery on his lung. Behind those big blue eyes were portions of fear but massive amounts of faith. If you are reading this post on May 10th you can see at the right that we are now at 599 days left - we are SO past the 600's. Today, as customary, I received my Mother's Day Missionary Phone Call. I had held the phone for an hour before he even called - practicing not crying. It worked for a bit. He sounded so amazing - he's a different person all together - he's where he should be and then some. His health is checked often, and his language is tested even more often, and his biking skills are tested basically, daily (that one's for you Ryan M (: ). He is my Warrior, you may not know him as I do if you don't already know this. He is far beyond me in many ways. His first questions? Tell me about my family, tell me everything. His last words? Tell them all I love them so much. So I send that out to you Matt, Bethany, Andy, Ashley, Mike, Mandy and Ryan - you are loved. And as you know, in Texas everything is bigger, and so thus is the case with your little brother. Heart, mind and soul - and a little around the waistline - authentic Mexican food, being able to prounounce it, being able to actually eat it... priceless. And so are you my son. Thanks for being one of 4 amazing reasons why I celebrate being a Mother today. I love you all.

Just wanted to thank Ryan - my son in law Ryan, (because we have 2 Ryan's in the family, one is currently Elder Ryan) who has made a great sacrifice to have Mandy be able to travel to Korea for her BYU Wind Symphony tour. Today I received my Mom's day card from Mandy - who left long before Cinco De Mayo (: and yet it was mailed on the 9th. Ryan, I know that the honey do list is long and relentless - I know this because she is her mother's daughter! I'm sure in kinda went like this...

1. Mail my moms' mom's day card on this day or die.
2. Water the tomatos growing in the pots in front of the sliding door, daily.
3. Do the dishes, daily.
4. Please wash all of your clothes, daily.
5. Please vacuum, daily.
6. Please eat, daily.
7. Please be a good man, daily.
8. Call your own mom, daily.
9. Listen for my skype call, daily.
10. Know you are the best hubby ever, daily.
and last but not least, please try to answer at least one of my mom's 'daily' calls to see if you are doing all of the above, daily.

Ryan - thanks for helping Mandy live this dream. I know it was extremely difficult as it was quite expensive, and I know that you are working 150 hours a week just to make up for it and still training hard in your running with Regionals coming right around the corner. I will never forget your kindness to her as a sweet husband. She's a lucky girl, and Del and I are even luckier that she found you. Please, know that we love you, daily.

You can't foll0w this child - because we love him so much we want to keep him private - but they might let you in if you request it. They are my 'Royal Hillary' bloggers. Andy wasn't allowed to put a dime in his mouth that he found on the ground - that's the story they wrote, but I believe it was because he misses his favorite Grandma's and Grandpa's in Utah! (: I LOVE THESE PICTURES SO MUCH THAT I ACTUALLY STOLE THEM FROM THEIR BLOG - please forgive me.... Love my Matt & Bethany & Andy! Please tell Anne of Green Gables Hello! Oh - and Edward Cullen from Forks too.


I say - If you've got 'em flaunt 'em. Can you tell I love 'em? They are my adventures - and life is S-W-E-E-E-E-T with them in my life. Can you imagine the noise in Heaven before they came to earth? Must have been a beautiful place! Anywho - enjoy them, their stories are way fun - they're surely worth every moment spent in raising them! Love Ya Kids! Love Ya Andy!

Oh - and if you are curious about Del and I, you can find out about us here at the homesite. As you can see, empty nesting suits us well. Once we've found our teeth, glasses, and hearing aids we're on the go. Del has a 100 mile Race for the Cure bicycle ride for Diabetes in June, and I have a 100 mile Little Red Riding Hood ride for Cancer just before that, so you can see we're getting ready to hit the road in this picture. Right after the ride, we come home and get on the Harley's and remind ourselves how much more fun - real horsepower - can be. "How did you get your bike clips on those boots dear?" "Nice butt padded dress there honey!" Please pass the Advil... and a Cliff Bar, and throw in a Rock Star...

Hey pretty lady - today was rough. I spent the weekend with you and I always seem to wear my judgmental robes. This week I wore my long black ones and my pointed witch had to match. I drove home and left a trail of tears. So I thought I might just tell the world that you were right to have my middle name be 'Dork' because most of the time lately I am. I don't know many things but I do know that I am lucky to have a mom that has a heart of gold and lips of bright fuchsia - even when you're wearing turquoise. I am lucky that when I come to your home - I find it packed to the ceiling with love, and chocolate, and laughter. I am fortunate to hear the amazing stories that people tell me about you. You can tell who your friends are by what they say behind your back - and you have true, lifelong friends. You can tell that even though your mom left this life and left you to be alone at 15 years old, you have redefined the word 'mother' because there is no one like you on earth. You are the last remaining member of your entire family here on earth - and the tug of war game is strong to keep you here. I hope that somewhere in your almost 80 years of life, you have found all of the joy you deserve coming back to you. I know that my life is richer because of you. You are my sunshine. I love you dearly - just wanted the world to eat their hearts out because you're mine. XOXOXO .....and if you ever throw money in my back seat again for gas I'll cut one of the remaining 9 toes off...... thanks mudder.