Homeward Bound!

It's time to say farewell to White Mountain, and the computer for the summer! WAHOO!! We are goin' home!!

We are going to be too busy hiking, fishing, camping, relaxing, wining and dining, running, and everything and anything you can do outdoors, so it's goodbye blog for at least a little while!

I hope you all have a wonderful summer!

Take Care,

Here Home Hope: A review

"A story about how women can have it all if we own it all."

-Kelly Meyer

Philanthropist and O Magazine's Power list

"Here's how I knew something about my life had to change" (pg. 1)

"...Something in my life had to change. What I also discovered was that I was the only one who could do it. Not having that realization was what held me back for so long. I was ready to rewrite Things to Change rule Number One. My life is up to me to define. I needed to make my own dreams come true." (pg. 286)

 These are just two of the many quotes I took away from the book, Here, Home, Hope by Kaira Rouda.

Kaira Rouda writes a quick-whit and funny novel that shows us appearances can be deceiving and are not always what they seem. She creates a fictional place named Grandville, a place much like the neighborhoods found on Desperate Housewives and where everyone knows your name and business.


Armed with post-it notes and a pen, Kelly Johnson takes action in reminding herself of T2C (Things to change.) A stay at home mom of two boys who are heading off to summer camp and a wife to a successful attorney, Kelly decides she is ready to embark on a journey to change her life after a self evaluation.

Being envious of her two best friends, Charlotte and Kathryn who have perfect lives, marriages, and careers. But throughout the book, Kelly soon finds out that the "grass is not always greener on the other side" and finds out what happens in the closed homes of her friends. Kelly is soon asked to help her friend's anorexic daughter, and also being a "marriage referee" to others. Through all of this, Kelly has become an entrepreneur and her business is blooming!

This was a wonderful, easy, fast read that was entertaining from the time I opened the book, till the end. Even though I am not in the middle of a mid-life crises, I could relate to Kelly's character in that she took action to take care of her life and find the little things that make her happy. She even has a list of Things 2 Change. Kelly said it best,

"I'm happy. This is a great time of life. This sunset. Your friendship. A business. Great kids. A mostly perfect husnbad. I am not trying to brag or anything, I'm just feeling so thankful and blessed. I really love my life, my self, right now" (pg. 286)

Are you intrigued yet? 

Here is a video trailer of the book (which by the way, I have never even heard of a book having a trailer! It's really good!)

You can buy the book here

Want to know more about Kaira Rouda or want to know about her upcoming books? She has an Official Website and blog!

Or, if you're a twitter fan click here

Go check her out! And to all the women out there, this book will enlighten and empower you, as it did me!

**A special thank you to One2One Network for providing the book. I was not compensated in any way. All opinions and statements are my own 

The Sweetest Thing...And WINNER!

This is perhaps the sweetest sound I have ever heard! What makes it even better is, she really only performs for her Daddy. Yup, a Daddy girl for sure!

And the winner for the Headband giveaway is....

Amy Brewer, who said:
"I love this. I think the headband is so cute!! Would suite me just fine. Your daughter is beautiful. She has a beautiful smile and darling eyes..too cute!!" 


Thank you Amy! And Congratulations :) ....Please email me @ toryshultz (at)gmail (dot)com to claim your prize :) ...

Well folks, this weekend we are headed home!! WAHOO!!!

ABKA visits White Mountain!!!

This week has been a wirlwind of a week, but I wouldn't want it any other way. Clint and I have been so busy, we haven't been on the computer-at all! It's been lovely to just disconnect while reconnecting with friends, each other, and having lots of baby time...

This past week we have had the blessing of the ABKA team which consisted of the Chief Instructor, Denny Holztbaur and his....Minion, Christa Baily! They came here 9 months ago in September for the very first time to help our karate school (well, not so much our's as Clint's and other's Karate class. I only say that because I'm not starting until September) get started up. It has been amazing watching and learning from them.

ABKA is a christian based martial art program which not only hits, kicks, and trains hard but they also dedicate their time to do important mission work around the world!

If you want to learn more about it...You can read about it here.

We held a community wide Karate Tournament on Saturday where all of Clint's student's performed their Kata's.

Christa Baily, Denny Holbauer, and Clint talking to the class 

Clint talking to the crowd explaining the tournament 

Clint performing a kata with his white belts 

One of Clint's students performing her kata

Using a sword! 

Using the bo staffs 

After the Katas, there was lots of sparring: 

Denny explaining the rules of sparring and how to accumulate points:

They handed out medals and gifts for each student who participated:

They also gave out awards to the best students who performed well:

I will update more pictures of the ABKA visit here in White Mountain in a few days.

P.S. ONE MORE DAY UNTIL THE GIVEAWAY ENDS!!! All you have to do is comment on the post where B is wearing her cute headband :) ...You have very good odds as their are only 5 entrants so far :) ...

First Time GIVEAWAY!

Do you remember this cute picture of B?

'Course you do! It's to darn cute not to remember!

Anyway, I'm sure you all noticed the flower headband right? Of course you did because it's almost as big as her head!

Anyway, I ordered this (and 3 others) from a very talented lady over at KellyJoyBotique after winning a contest on one of the many, many blogs I read. Seriously, I was so proud. I have never won anything and I won a gift certificate to her shop on Etsy.

I also bought this headband for myself:

Let's just keep it simple....I love it. It's wonderfully made, and good quality I'm not the girl to dress up all girly but when I wear this, I feel oh-so-pretty! Go check Kelly out, she also has amazing Collegiate pins/clips for sale to support your favorite team and so many other handmade flair for girls! Not only are her products amazing, she's a gem to work with! 

And here's the GREAT news....I bought an extra one just to give away to one of my readers!!! 

Let me say it again, I'm giving one away to one of my readers!!! 

All you have to do is comment on this post. Simple. That's it. Let me get to know you, say a few words about my darling daughter, or just a quick hello would suffice. 

I'll randomly pick a winner next Wednesday May 18th. 

Good luck! 

*I was not compensated in any way for this giveaway and all opinions are my own.

Wordless Wednesday: I Only Need 1 Thing...

Ode To Clint: Inspiring Coach!

It's not everyday that teachers in rural Alaska (aka: The Bush) get national recognition for all their hard work and dedication to their students, so when I saw an opportunity to nominate an Inspiring Coach for the Brooks Running Program, I didn't hesitate to nominate Clint. Yes, he is my husband, but that fact doesn't make it any less important. He inspires me and others in so many ways. Clint is either working, tutoring, coaching, or volunteering his time for after school activities as well as runs a Dojo and ABKA Karate program. He actually has very little time for himself.

To nominate Clint I had to write two different essays (1) that highlights his achievements and coaching experience and (2) how he inspires me as a fellow teacher.

This was the requirements for me to be able to nominate Clint:

Now on to the good news! 

......

......

.....

.....

Clint is one of the finalist for this program!

Let me say it again with more spunk.....

Clint is a finalist for Inspiring Coach!!!!

Whew! 

Here is what Clint has been given for the White Mountain School XC Running Program: 

I am so excited for the running program next year, and even more excited that I can brag about my husbands greatness, because he really is just that..Great. He takes so much time and dedication in helping our students succeed in everything that they do, it's nice that he's able to get some recognition for it... Recognition that would help our students in achieving their dreams as well! 

So here's to Clint... Raise a glass of bubbly with me (since we don't have wine in the village, I'll just pretend with my water glass) and congratulate my wonderful husband! 

Not only does he get all of the above, but his profile (along with the essays) will appear on the Brooks website! I'll be sure to put the link on the site when it  comes available in June! 

He also has a chance to win the GRAND PRIZE of: 

Which would not only help out Whit Mountain, but other schools around our district as well!

Let's see if he can make it all the way!

Good job Clint...I may have written the letters, but you were my inspiration!

If you want to see updates of the activities that Clinr is involved in, including his Karate class, go to his blog here

all images are from the Brooks site here

Top Ten Tuesday!

I am going to try a new "feature" on this blog and make lists of 10 things every Tuesday. It is going to a different topic every week, I hope you enjoy! Also, go here for

Top Ten {Tuesday} with Tory


1. High Heels

I never wear high heels. Ever. I'm graceful in a lot of ways, but not in high heels! The only exception to this was our wedding, and I wouldn't even call them high heels as they were only an inch high and very, very wide.

2. Shopping/Malls
I loathe shopping for clothes for myself and shopping malls. I can't stand to be in a mall for more than an hour. I get claustrophobic in the stores with all the racks around, clothes hanging, and the mannequins. Call me crazy, but I'd rather be in a thrift store, or even better, the outdoors.

3. Coffee
I don't like coffee unless I'm sipping it from Clint's cup o' joe. If it's not his coffee...I don't drink it :)


4. Circus Peanuts

I don't really know anyone who actually likes these candies...But when I'm feeling oh so sick, I crave them! That, and some ice chips along with some crackers. Mmmmm! But, I don't dare eat them when I'm feeling good. I think it must be a comfort thing. See, these candies are actually called "medicine" in my family. My grandma used to sneak me some every day after school when I went to visit her. She said it would, "take all the sick bugs away!" I miss her. But I'm really happy that I have this comfort food to remember her buy, even if it is circus peanuts.**Note to self: buy a couple bags of circus peanuts and send them to White Mountain for those awful times I'm sick!**

5. Five Things in Five Years
I love making lists. I really do. But more than making them, I love crossing stuff off the list. Sometimes I will even write something down that I already did just so I can cross it off ( I know, call me crazy but I like it!) Here is a list of 5 things I want to do in 5 years:

                                    1. Become a certified Yoga instructor and attend at least one conference in AZ
                                    2. Take a health/fitness/nutrition course and become the healthiest me I can be
                                    3. Finish our basement at home in Ketchikan
                                    4. Go to Utah again & visit Moab and Zion National Park
                                    5. Have another baby :)

6. Pregnancy
I'm so thankful, and really proud that I had an easy pregnancy and quick delivery......6 hrs to be exact from the time of my first contraction to holding B (don't get me wrong, I know it doesn't happen that way for every Mama...And I truly admire those who have long and hard deliveries...But I'm thankful and blessed that I didn't have to go through one)

7. Maimouphobia
It means fear of monkeys...Seriously, I looked it up and that's a real word. Anyway, my fear started in my younger days-- 6 years old to be exact! My Papa and mother would always say, "Brush your teeth, or you will have little monkeys in your mouth!" It would literally give me nightmares about little monkeys in my mouth, just chomping away on my teeth! One day, my Papa thought it would be "nice" to give me a stuffed gorilla... Lets just say, I wasn't very thankful. fast forward a couple years and we were at the zoo. Dad thought it would be nice to get a picture of his girls....holing a monkey-From that day forward. I have never liked them-especially small ones!

8.  I love the rain more than the sun
no real explanation other than the fact that I like the rain.

9. Photography

I have a love for photography which started in 7th grade. Now that I have a perfect subject (my daughter) I pretend I'm a professional. I would love to take photography classes! I just bought myself some new lenses to play around with and can't be happier about the purchase!

10. Mother
 My favorite label that I have ever owned is being called a mom. B and my husband Clint are the best and I'm a better woman because of them!

Wanna share your top ten list? Go here and share! 

all images are from here

Happy Mother's Day!!

It's because of this chic that I am able to be called "mom"...It's because of her that I am able to celebrate Mother's Day.

Today in and of itself is special.

 I don't need flowers. I don't need chocolates or breakfast in bed, or a night on the town...

I have everything I could ever want here on the couch with me...I have the love of my beautiful daughter and my amazing husband-and not to mention our fur ball of our fur baby, Sierra...

To all the mother's in my life, especially my own mother, mother-in-law, sister-in-law, cousins, aunts, and friends... Thank you for being amazing inspiration in teaching me how to become the best mother I can be to my precious gift of a daughter. Happy Mother's Day!!

Walk For Life!

Clint and I organized the annual Walk For Life again this year which is a region and state-wide event for suicide prevention. Here in White Mountain, we had over 80 walkers this year. We gathered at the tribal office, prayed, and listened to an elder talk about his experiences and some lessons for us as we think about how we can help those who don't have a calm peace of mind.

It was a good time....

With good people....

We walked a mile around town. It couldn't have been a more perfect day...Well, I guess you could say that it could be better if there wasn't much snow on the ground and it was warm enough to veto the hat 'n gloves -but no reason to waste breathe on petty little things like that!! Oops, I guess I just did ;) ....

Walking with my sweet, sweet family!

B wakin' with her Daddy:

Clint also posted different pictures about the Walk over at his blog ....You can click here to read it!