People

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Dear Holly: Everyone Loves to Hold You (San Diego Vacation/2016 Mitsubishi Outlander)

5 months.

Dear Holly: Everyone Loves to Hold You (San Diego Vacation in a 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander)

Dear Holly,

Earlier this week, we got back from our annual California vacation. Normally we go to Sacramento where Mommy is from, but this time was special, as Mommy’s youngest brother got married in San Diego.

While I have many upcoming stories and adventures to tell you and your brother about our trip, I want to start by showing you these pictures of your cousins and aunts holding you.

As we drove to each new stop on our trip throughout San Diego in the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander, we caught up with a new bunch of Mommy’s family members who were eager to see “Little Holly.”

Dear Holly: Everyone Loves to Hold You (San Diego Vacation in a 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander)

There is nothing like holding a precious little baby.

And with Mommy having 9 siblings, 8 of whom we saw while on our vacation with their families, there was always someone who needed a turn of being able to hold you.

For me, it was an honor to be able to share you each person who held you. I loved seeing the look on each of their faces when they saw you. It was rewarding for me to be able to see how much they valued you being there.

Dear Holly: Everyone Loves to Hold You (San Diego Vacation in a 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander)

I suppose our family vacation in San Diego set a record for being the least amount of time I’ve ever held you in a week. Even though it was a bit of a culture shock, not constantly holding you and playing with you for hours at a time, I still got to see family be able to appreciate you.

Everyone loves to hold you. You’re so smiley and happy.

Not to mention, everyone is surprised by how long you are and how fair your skin is.

You are a very special little girl and you have many people in your life who love you very, very much.

Love,

Daddy

Dear Holly: Everyone Loves to Hold You (San Diego Vacation in a 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander)

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I Didn’t Make Kelly Ripa’s Top 20… But I Will Still Keep Trying to Reach My Goal of Being a TV Host

I Didn’t Make Kelly Ripa’s Top 20… But I Will Keep Trying to Reach My Goal of Being a TV Host

Today I learned, after much anticipation, I indeed did not proceed into the Top 20 from the Top 40 contenders for Kelly Ripa’s Co-Host for a Day Contest. But that’s alright, because I have learned some valuable things from this surreal experience:

I realized what a support system I have in place. I have been amazed and humbled over the past couple of weeks how quickly people who have known me over the years helped support my dream by voting for me on Kelly Ripa’s website and sharing my link on their Facebook pages.

So here’s a major thank you to everyone who took the time and who made the effort to try to convince Kelly Ripa’s producers for me to be her co-host for a day. I am absolutely gracious and will never forget that.

I also received official validation from producers in New York City that I do have enough talent to be considered to host a TV show. They were the ones who chose me, along with the other 39 contenders.

Before these past couple of weeks, it was simply a goal in life to be considered to be a host. Now, my dream has been legitimized.

For the rest of my life, I’ll have the satisfaction in knowing I made it to the Top 40, out of all of America.

It would have been convenient for me to have realized at age 18 that being a TV host would be what I would want to do for a living. However, it took all this life experience in the past 17 years since graduating high school (like being married 8 years and having 2 kids) to get to the level of confidence and emotional intelligence I am at now.

Back when I was young, I didn’t have what it took. Now, I do. Now, I’m ready.

So here’s to seeing if I can still reach my dream job of being a TV host. I’m still working hard on my dream.

One door closed, another shall open. At least, it will if I keep knocking on enough doors.

Leave a comment Posted on fatherhood, parenting, People, Storytelling, Uncategorized, vegan

Live with Kelly Co-Host Contest, Top 40 Contender: 2nd Video/Next Deadline, October 5th

Live with Kelly Co-Host Contest Top 40 Contender: 2nd Video/Next Deadline, October 5th

I am so grateful for everyone who has been helping me out by liking, commenting on, and sharing my 1st video; since I made it to the Top 40 for Kelly Ripa’s Co-Host for a Day Contest, last Friday. After all, my chances of winning are definitely based on how the free market (that’s you) reacts to my video on Kelly’s website.

On October 5th, we’ll all find out if I made it to the next cut; to the Top 20. So in addition to how well my 1st video does based on the public’s views, comments, likes, and shares, my success in the contest will be based on my newest assignment:

Make a video to showcase my ability to demonstrate how to do something in 60 seconds or less, which also features my personality.

I would have chosen to feature my adorable 5 month-old daughter in the video, using the angle on me being a daddy blogger.

However, no one under the age of 18 was permitted in the video.

So I decided the next best choice was for me to feature my “Manly Vegan Protein Smoothie” which I invented 3 and a half years ago, and have been drinking every day since then.

I chose this for a couple of reasons…

It gave me a reason to feature my Rubik’s Cube coffee mug. Who wouldn’t think that’s cool?

Plus, there aren’t a lot of vegan males out there. Being such a rare demographic makes me stand out from the crowd.

But ultimately, it’s not about a smoothie; it’s about me selling my personality in 60 seconds; to prove that I can be both classy and quirky.

So on October 5th, we’ll see if I’m worthy of the Top 20. I’ll be sure to let you know how it goes.

Remember that n the meantime, here’s a reminder of how you can help me out, if you haven’t already:

  1. Click on this link to visit the LIVE with Kelly Facebook page
  2.  Once you’re there, “like” my video
  3.  Next, leave a comment on it, telling everyone how you know me and specifically why I would be the best choice
  4. After you’ve done that, share that link, promoting me as your top choice on your own Facebook page
  5.  Also, tweet that same link on Twitter as your choice: @nickshellwrites
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Dear Holly: Your New Animal Party Bouncer by Fisher Price

5 months.

Dear Holly: Your New Animal Party Bouncer by Fisher Price

Dear Holly,

We ended up with some money still left on our baby registry for you at Target, so this weekend Mommy and I took you and your brother to figure out what exactly to spend the money on; as we knew we would like some sort of device to keep you occupied each night while we eat dinner at the big table.

It didn’t take long at all before Mommy and I found exactly what you needed: The Animal Party Bouncer by Fisher Price. At about $30, the price was right on budget, by the time we also accounted for the $7.50 for the required size D battery; which I couldn’t find in anything less than a 4-pack.

Dear Holly: Your New Animal Party Bouncer by Fisher Price

(Though once we got home, we realized we already that size battery upstairs in the supply closet.)

I assembled your new bouncer while Mommy made lunch. By the time our vegan quesadillas were ready, I had finished putting it all together.

And yes, it was a success!

Mommy and I were able to actually eat lunch without having to get up. You were entertained by the “fun bouncy action and removable toy bar” as well as the “gentle calming vibrations”. I like how your own body movements cause the bouncer to softly bounce.

Dear Holly: Your New Animal Party Bouncer by Fisher Price

Though we haven’t had the Animal Party Bouncer long enough to try this part out, it apparently is also “soft and comfy for soothing and snoozing”. I look forward to you being able to fall asleep in it easily while in your bouncer, which would seem to be an easier and more natural way for your to nap instead of Mommy or me picking you up and going through all the motions of getting to fall asleep for naps.

Dear Holly: Your New Animal Party Bouncer by Fisher Price

And since the Animal Party Bouncer can hold up to 25 pounds, I know you’ll be able to use it for a while before you outgrow it. (You’re still in the 25th percentile for your weight; yet the 82nd percentile for your height.)

I’m not sure who’s going to like your new seat more: you and your parents.

Love,

Daddy

Dear Holly: Your New Animal Party Bouncer by Fisher Price

@FisherPrice

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I, Nick Shell, Have Been Chosen as One of the Top 40 Contenders for the Live with Kelly and You Co-Host Search… Now I Need Your Help!

I, Nick Shell, Have Been Chosen as One of the Top 40 Contenders for the Live with Kelly and You Co-Host Search… Now I Need Your Personal Help!

I see myself as a pretty average guy, but fortunately, the producers for Live with Kelly disagree with me on that…

Because today, I received a call from Live with Kelly, asking me if I had heard the news on their show today, or seen the news on their website: I have been chosen as one of the Top 40 Contenders for the Live with Kelly and You Co-Host contest!

It was just two weeks ago that I shot my initial submission video in the park. To my amazement, the producers felt that out of all of America, I am worthy of being in the Top 40.

Yes, I admit, I’m currently in shock; at least a little bit. I’m so happy and honored just to make it this far; even just to have any producers at Live with Kelly know who I even am.

However, I don’t have much time to process this exciting news. Instead, it’s time for more work for me- and for you…

This weekend, I will be making my submission video for the next level of the contest; which if I made it through, I would be part of the Top 20; to further be decided by America.

Even now though, I need your support.

You can easily help me in a tremendous way by doing any (or, preferably, all of) the following things:

  1. Click on this link to visit the LIVE with Kelly Facebook page
  2.  Once you’re there, “like” my video
  3.  Next, leave a comment on it, telling everyone how you know me and specifically why I would be the best choice
  4. After you’ve done that, share that link, promoting me as your top choice on your own Facebook page
  5.  Also, tweet that same link on Twitter as your choice: @nickshellwrites

I need your help as members of family; as my friends; as members of my hometown of Fort Payne, Alabama; as fellow neighbors in my current town of Spring Hill, TN, which also represents Nashville; as fellow graduates of Liberty University; as blog subscribers; and/or as YouTube subscribers, to prove through your pro-activity in social media that America truly does support Nick Shell as the most-obvious choice for the Live with Kelly and You Co-Host contest.

Will you do that for me? I don’t need money. I don’t need you to buy anything. I just need you to help create and sustain a social media buzz to help “elect” me for Kelly’s co-host for a day.

I thank you in advance. Thank you for celebrating with me today that I even made it this far. I feel humbled, yet quite eager to prove myself to America!