Kristen Blog

Dillon's First ER Visit August 28, 2011...happy birthday, broghan! Ugh! So, so, so, so tired. Little Man fell off the back of the wagon yesterday, and though I was cautious about concussion and anything else that he might have damaged, I determined that he was okay...as he remained his bouncy, daring self for the rest of the day. But my anxiety returned when he woke up this morning crying and in obvious pain. I trekked the kids all the way to church, hoping he just needed to wake up...but when he was still whining as we arrived, and he started to hold his head and shoulders funny, I thought I'd better call his doctor. We ended up in the ER...an extremely long wait later...and several emotionally traumatic moments for the little guy (and a completely draining physical and emotional experience for me)...and we are in the clear. His doctor (Hoffman, who completely ROCKS, by the way) said it was just like whiplash after a car wre...

Ugh! A Crazy Day What a fr*@!ing CRAZY day. (I'm sorry...there is no better way to describe it. Well, okay there is, but hey, I never said I was perfect...to you. There is that Mary Poppins bit I like to quote, but I've never quoted it to you!...yet.) I totally lost it today. I think the winter blues finally hit me. They were just a bit delayed this year. I sank into a pretty deep depression and had a complete meltdown on The Hub. (Thank God, he has learned how to help me cope!) I think I am overwhelmed. We have this future house transition out before us, and we are sitting in the period of Unknown...just waiting here and twiddling our thumbs. The Hub's schedule has been pretty chaotic. We've been very busy without any downtime together, and then all of these people are suddenly contacting him for his time. ...AWAY from me! Can you believe the audacity?! They obviously do not understand the severity of my attachment. I DO NOT...

My Spirit-Led Homeschool It is amazing the pull the world has on me. I so easily get caught up in comparison. The more I learn about God, the more I make decisions that are painfully contrary to the world. I have full confidence in my spirit-based decisions, until I look at the people around me. Then, I wonder must I be from some other planet?...or am I just way off target?! God tells us we will be in conflict with the world around us...the world "hates" us, because we are not of the world ( John 17:13-16 ). So, why am I confused that I seem to be living completely opposite from everyone around me? I am...and the Word says I should be! Jesus did what He saw the Father doing. He did NOTHING of his own initiative ( John 5:19 ). This is exactly my heart's longing (and exactly why everything I do of my own initiative fails miserably!). I want to listen to that inner voice, which is the spirit of God leading in me...and I'm ...

Stellar Day Wednesday 1/12/2011          Whoa! We had a stellar day today. . .well, minus the tyrant one-year-old who was storming around the house like a little Napoleon. I think he's still cranky from his recent ear infections, or maybe it's his teeth. (Please, God, tell me that it NOT just his new personality!) He spent his day all dictator-like, bossing and screaming and tearing things up. "Will somebody please distract the baby?!" Oh, wait...there's only one of me. HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO MANAGE ALL OF THIS?! At times I was ready to tear my hair out, but then I would think of something to distract him. A little play dough here, the Wiggles there...we managed to get through the day. (At least he enjoyed getting out of the house this evening, and he was extremely happy in his bath!) As for the homeschool part of our day, I took the time to feed the kids breakfast (it's a novel concept). Then, I took the time to pla...

Baby D's Memorial I am so moved...I am SO MOVED. I spent 2 1/2 hours yesterday evening at the most moving memorial I have ever attended. Our church group is genuine, loving and naturally very close-knit...though our numbers have rapidly increased in the last few years. The large sanctuary was filled with one large family, mourning with a precious young couple and the loss of one of OUR babies. Yet, we dedicated him back to his Rightful Owner. We sang worship songs...starting with our contemporary rendition of "It is Well..." (That's where I FIRST lost it. The old hymns always get me.) We prayed. We heard a message from our beloved pastor. Baby D's daddy, a singer on the worship team, even mustered the faith and courage to get up and sing with the worship team. (And...that is when I REALLY lost it. I had been longing all week to take away this pain from them, and I kept thinking, "I just wish I could see A up on the sta...

Visiting Great-Grandma Carlene Tuesday January 4, 2011 Whew! We were gone from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. today. I guess it's a normal workday for some, but I'm not used to going for that long...especially not toting around 3 kids. Actually, the kids went to Grandma Clock's house for the morning, while The Hub and I had the privilege of volunteering for a "Safe at Home" program for the elderly. We learned to install grab bars and a handrail (in 30 degree temperatures!). Certainly not our typical homeschool day. It was such a meaningful experience. I really enjoyed spending time with this elderly woman, and she was so appreciative of the service and the company. And...Your Little Homie got to drill a hole in concrete! Can you believe I did that?!            Afterwards, we decided to travel up and see my grandma, whom we missed seeing on Christmas Eve (with the whole illness fiasco). I always wish I had more time...

What A Christmas!   In case you haven't noticed, I've had a rough stretch in the last month or so. For starters, at least one person in The Fam has been sick since mid-November. From croup to bronchitis to sinusitis...our immunities have been severely attacked this winter! This, along with other irritating and upsetting circumstances (a horrible computer virus, a HEATED mis-understanding with my dear friend's husband, etc.) has left me DESPERATELY on the edge of "The Cliffs of Insanity." (It's inconceivable, I know.) Well, one week before Christmas, the s*!& REALLY hit the fan...(Is that appropriate?...I think, in this case friends, it really is. I'm honest... not perfect, just honest.) Anyway, one week before Christmas, I, THE Mary Poppins of Law-Abiding and Tightwad Extraordinaire, received a $175 ticket (SORRY, AFRICA!!!!) for running a red light. I looked that cop (the same man who had come to my d...