Wednesday, May 13, 2009

WOW!!!

I just found out I am a Great Aunt!!! Long complicated story, but just came in contact with my niece for the first time since she was little, and she has a beautiful 1.5 year old daughter!! Gorgeous!!

I am sad that I missed out on so much of her life, but hope that I can be a support to her now that she a mommy!

I am hoping to meet them when I get to AZ next week.

Kristen

Friday, May 8, 2009

Scone Friday!!

Yum!! Faith has started a tradition of making scones every Thursday night while Mike and the kids and I all go on a walk around the neighborhood.

Let me tell you, she has gotten pretty good at these things. I will share the recipe with you, so you too can have scone Fridays!! Be sure to read the comments, there is one from a person who owns a cafe and she gives some great suggestions for variations on the recipe!

For the last couple of weeks she has been making chocolate chip scones but this week she shook it up a bit. This time she added apples chopped and lightly coated in cinnamon and sugar, and cinnamon. Delicious.

Enjoy!!

Kristen

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Big Salads and Big Shopping!!

Paula and I got to celebrate yesterday!! With a delicious lunch and great time of shopping we got to celebrate surviving my first semester back to school!

We met at Portillos and enjoyed their garbage salad and yummy lemon poppy seed muffins. Yum!! Felt so nice to sit outside and talk and munch. I appreciate my P. hanging in with me through these last few months. She has been a bit neglected by me, while I tried to figure out my new schedule. It was great to just slow down for a bit.

Then we hit the stores, me with the goal of spending my birthday money, thanks Paula, mom, mom Jones, and Gma Bolles :) Paula had a different goal. She decided that since I was a college student I needed a bikini. Yikes!! I humored her and tried one on, but quickly took it off and tried to erase the image from my mind!! We compromised and I got my little black skirty bottom and a bikini top.

It was a good day. I thank God for putting my sweet friend in my life. I don't know what I would do without her!!

Oh, and now that I have a break, I can finally read a fictional book again!!!! P. gave me a bagful. Last night I started reading "Belong to Me" by Marisa de los Santos- only read three chapters last night and it is already fabulous!!!!

Kristen

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

A Close Shave

I helped Faith shave her legs for the first time the other night. It was over due. She had never cared about it before, but told me a couple of weeks ago she was reluctant to wear shorts because of the hair on her legs...

It was time.

Okay ladies, do you remember the first time you shaved your legs? I do. My mom was convinced I was too young. I think I was in the 6th grade.

I remember I was being teased by kids for my hairy legs.

Mom said, No. So I, fortunate enough to have a big sister, snagged a razor and went at it. I don't remember any major issues with the shaving, but I do know I didn't clean the tub out when I was done.

Mom found the remains in the tub and asked me if I had shaved. I can't remember if I said yes or no, but pretty sure I said no.

Always a memory that stuck with me. I always said I would let my girls shave whenever they wanted and told them that.

But I have to say it was a tough moment. It just seems so grown up. I know she is growing up, but until now I have been able to deny it a bit. This was much more tangible.

All that said, I was glad to share in it. Faith and I sitting on the side of the tub, Kylee sitting on the toilet seat behind us. Me teaching Faith the ins and outs of a smooth shave, and how not to nick yourself too badly. I am sorry that I stole that moment from my mom. And so glad that I got it.

Kristen

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Blog Break

Well the Spring semester of school is officially over for me!!

I took a break from writing on here, there was so much to do, something had to go. The blog got cut.

But I missed it. And have lots and lots of thoughts swirling around right now.

School for me was great! The thing I was most worried about was the writing portion. I had not written a college level paper in 13 years! So of course, one of my classes, Humanities 370- The Popular Arts, was super writing intensive. Huge amounts of reading, like 60+ pages a week, and tons of writing. Very challenging, but I learned so much and loved thinking about stuff! Also cool, was watching all the movies for the class. My kids now have a huge appreciation for 1930's-1960's cinema! Pretty cool.

And I ended up with a 4.0 this semester!! Still made dinner for my fam. at least 5 nights a week, schooled the kids and kept the house in a sort of order. Now that I am on break, I am feeling a bit restless. Break won't last long though, I have a 30 day summer class starting on June 1st, so I have much to prepare for before it starts.

Also learned something about myself. I think schooling the kids has really taught me some amazing organizational skills!! I was not even aware that I had them!

Lots going on this month.

Mike is going to Africa with Scott. The kids and I are going to AZ while he is away. We are all excited.

Kids are also finishing up a great school year. They have really done awesome this year, learned so much.

Faith went for an orthodontic appointment to see if her jaw and slowed down enough to possibly fix her bite with braces. Unfortunately, it looks as if we are looking at surgery as she gets older :( What a great kid though, she thought that sounded better than wearing braces for several years.

Okay, I guess that is enough for now. More later.

Kristen