Kristen Blog

This is J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge.  See that path we are walking on?  Guess what it is made of.  In Missouri, it would likely be gravel...limestone.  I could have easily assumed that as we were walking on the paths in Sanibel.  But I think it was Matt who first noticed...the paths in Sanibel are all made of tiny shells.   🐚  You have got to be kidding me!  What a happy, tiny detail I could easily have missed.  This is what Sanibel gave me... I remember the day I found out I was pregnant with Evan.  Even more...I remember the day Matt announced we could try again for our fourth.  After all the trauma of miscarriages, and the miraculous joy of Dillon's birth...and that weird blood thing, where I couldn't have an epidural...I thought he'd never let us try again.  He really wanted to "end" on a happy note.  But I really wanted to square off the numbers, and three just wasn't working for me. We tho...

Sanibel Vacation - FISHING!  With Captain Pete Rogers! Very likely my favorite day of our Sanibel Vacation yet! We started the morning slowly. It was warmer earlier.  The kids were in the pool by 9 am, and I was reading my Bible pool side. Oh, man, if every morning IN MY LIFE could be like this... Lunched.  Packed and snacked up, ready to go by noon.  We met Captain Pete at his house, and we left by boat via his backyard!  Seriously?!! How did he GET this job?!! I asked if I could move in, but he didn't seem interested in a late 30's adopted daughter, her husband and 4 kids moving in. ;) Ah, well. Within the first few minutes of our trip, we spotted a couple of dolphins.  The weather was nice and overcast for most of the day, so the threat of sunburn was minimal.  We started out fishing for trout.  Perhaps it was the first stop where we also caught some snapper.  Pete knew just where to place ...

RELAX… I was up by 6 a.m.  I debated trying to go back to sleep, but the house was sooooo quiet, and that was soooooo inviting to me.  So, I got up at 6- yep...that's early for me. It is amazing how early you can get up when you actually want to get out of bed.  (Like Saturday morning after a crummy work week.) 😂 I managed to figure out the newfangled Keurig machine on my own (ok...after a lesson or two).  I made myself a lovely little iced mocha…YUM!  And I was outside to watch the world wake up.  Just me, a book and a blanket (because even Sanibel is a little cool in winter) and this AMAZING view...Sanibel... AHHHHH to be outside in the middle of winter, experiencing the world wake up. What joy! I have a newfound appreciation for that evil word, m.o.r.n.i.n.g. I am in awe at how happy a slow day can be, when you are in Sanibel, FL.  Slow days don't usually equate to good in Liberty, MO. We went to the beach around 1...

Merida* is one of the most amazing teens I know.  She has this beautiful, large smile, and her hair is cut in a cute, stylish, highlighted bob.  She is always kind and always so happy to see me.  Merida has cerebral palsy.  She has little control over her right hand and arm, and she walks with a right-side limp. Merida doesn't talk much.  I can probably count the words in her vocabulary on my fingers and toes.  She often uses and ipad to speak, but it can be frustratingly limited.  Merida has learned to advocate for herself by speaking the words, "Need help."  I have been working in Merida's class for 3 years now, but I only get to see the group once a month.  We are all so happy when my day to visit rolls around.  We have built quite a bond, this class and I. Recently, I brought out a Lego Communication activity.  I work to help my students become more prepared with the skills they will need for employment.  Communi...

Sanibel, Florida Day One WOW!  Traveling with 6 is definitely not for wimps!  We got up at 6 am...an early start for the O’Haras, who prefer to wake up closer to noon.  We all had a carry-on bag plus a personal item bag.  I had the stroller with Evan in it, and Matt carried his car seat.  We practiced before-hand, but that did not prepare us for the packed airplane we were about to meet.  Fortunately, DELTA pleaded twice for “volunteers” to check their carry-on bags.   “Yes and AMEN!”  By the second call, we offered to step in as tribute.  And THANK GOD we did.  I don’t know how we expected to make it with so many bags and all these kids. Dillon sat by the window.  He did GREAT!...they all did.  Eden gave up the window to Dillon, and Xander gave up her iPhone to Evan and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse…which the whole airplane got to appreciate during our taxi to take-off. We got early board...

I tend to be drawn to the tough kids.  The ones who never participate and have total attitude problems.  I don't know what it is, except I have this overwhelming ability to see the beauty in everyone.  (I'm pretty sure I was the only one in the theater who came out of Star Wars: The Last Jedi feeling sorry for Kylo Ren.  But...did literally NO ONE else see the look in his eyes when Rey walked out?!!!) I can't help but see beauty in people.  Even the least of us have beauty - strengths and gifts and vulnerability.  I am beautiful.  I have energy and love and empathy.  My heart is so full it could burst.  That is beautiful. The best of us have ulginess, too.  Sometimes I am ugly.  Sometimes I make the wrong choice.  I do stupid things and make a total mess. Today is a great example.  I was running barely on time for a school.  I got in my car and saw the gas gauge: 19 miles to empty.  I looked at my GPS: 1...

It has been a long winter for me. I was sick for quite awhile during and after my pregnancy. I ended up in the hospital just two weeks after Evan was born. I had been having gall bladder attacks, though I did not know what they were, during the pregnancy. (Terrible pain!!) By the time I had it removed, it was full of stones. I had a complication during surgery, and I ended up developing pancreatitis. (Even more painful!!) I had to stay in the hospital for a week, and I was in pain for two weeks. During that time, I honestly thought I might never get better. I am so grateful to be pain free and healthy today! Unfortunately, I have suffered some pretty severe depression in the aftermath. I think it was a mixture of postpartum, seasonal affect, and a natural response to a year-long series of chaotic and challenging circumstances.  I am trying to give myself grace right now and treat this illness like I treated my pregnancy and my other illness. I am taking a l...