Kristen Blog

Well...our last day in Yellowstone wasn't really even in Yellowstone at all.  We decided to spend the day with minimal driving, since we would embark on another long drive the next day.  We also wanted to play it rather low key, since we had worn ourselves out with touristy things the day prior.  And I officially decided I could NOT leave the Yellowstone area without having at least attempted to put a line in a river somewhere.  So...we focused on a little area in the Grand Tetons, which was close, visited a lodge to buy some permits and a little fishing rod, and we headed to Jackson Lake Dam for a little outdoor fun and fishing. Since we only had one fishing pole, we had to take turns casting out and reeling in (and that's about ALL we did as far as "fishing" is concerned at Jackson Lake Dam...cause we caught all of about NOTHING!).   There was plenty to entertain us while we waited turns to not catch fish, though...  Besides playing in the ...

Yellowstone Day 2 West Thumb Geyser We quickly discovered that driving into Yellowstone was an adventure in itself.  Since we stayed in Moran, just outside of the Grand Tetons, we had an extra drive just getting to Yellowstone.  Once in the park, there are a number of factors that can lengthen the amount of time you spend in the car, namely, traffic and construction.  The road is pretty simple, and it is easy to get caught behind a chain of cars or a slow moving vehicle (unless YOU are that slow moving vehicle...but I am NOT referring AT ALL to my husband's overly cautious driving, so quit making assumptions...you KNOW what that does...).   While researching at home the first night, I found that the main features are centered on one main loop.  Once you drive into the park, you can follow this loop and get a quick overview of everything there is to see.  We packed up the car with food, snacks, drinks, and other supplies (extra layers,...

I would be lying if I didn't mention that, for all the pomp and circumstance of the weekend, it was as difficult for me as it was celebratory.  I know I talk about it a lot, but I will never understand this human experience of simultaneous conflicting emotions.  Let's just sit with that for a minute.  🤷‍♀️ I love and hate in the same breath.  I cry concurrent with rejoicing.  Pleading prayers ejaculate from the depths of my soul, the response (or lack thereof) causes me to DIE INSIDE; yet, my heart aches with gratitude, and it is praise that passes from my lips...because I KNOW that ALL from God is good.  "Yea though He slay me..." I grow so tired of having to let go.  I do not want to let go anymore.  I am weary of watching the flowers fade.  My heart is desperate for eternal Spring.  But my feet remain here, and I have no choice but to participate.  I am wife, and I am Mom, and I despise quitting.  I will NOT be a quit...

Ahhhhhhhhhhhh!  Heeellllllpp.  It is Saturday morning (a beautiful Saturday morning, by the way).  I am alone with my kids...and EVERYONE is all up in my grill.  An hour and a half of non-stop interruption and NO quiet time during my morning Bible time.  I am a volcano ready to erupt.  Happy Graduation!  Mama's officially home, and just about ready (ALREADY?!) to turn back and bolt.  I need a hero! #parenting It's not that I have a tendency to exaggerate.  It might SEEM that way, of course, but the truth is whatever I feel, I feel it that INTENSELY.  I am a highly sensitive individual, after all.  Whereas one person might be a little irritated, I am RAGING IRATE.  Have you not noticed all the all caps and exclamation points?!  Those are not just cute little additions, my friends, they represent the intensity of my emotions.  This IS Kristen Shanna, and I feel VERY passionately about everything I feel.  It i...

Tough week.  What person in their right mind would be sad about NOT having to work 20 extra hours and keep up with classwork?    You guys...I'm starting to think I'm not in my right mind!!  😱  I mean, I know I stink at closing doors...you should have seen when I tried it once.  Stiff...awkward...indefinitive.  Ok????  It was just terrible!!  And I especially CANNOT close doors when it involves people, because I just love so much my heart aches.  I don't like saying goodbye...even when it is for a short time. But I'm not just sad.  I'm scared.  I'm terrified about how I am going to cope when I leave this role behind.  I have loved this role.  I have hated it at times, but I have loved it.  How much more needed could I have felt this year?  And feeling necessary, needed...wanted...loved...that's ALWAYS been my biggest heart issue.  I have surely felt needed this year, all around the block.  Will...

In case you think you've ever had a bad week...just multiply it by about a hundred thousand million, and you will begin to inch your way closer to mine.  Uh...meh...gud.  😒 Seriously, though.  It was bad.  Did you ever have to walk up to your Goliath physique neighbor and say, "Hi, my name is Kristen, and apparently my daughter was riding your (bleep) and really (bleeped) you off!"  Because you yell at her every time she drives by your house, and now she is really scared to even get in her car?  Nope?!!!  Well...welcome to Kristen Shanna...And Everything Else. Because that's what it is really starting to feel like.  Everything else.  Everyone else.  Everyone else's problem just kind of tends to land on...MEH. Did you ever have to go to your kid's school and go into the principal's office, which is MUCH LESS SCARY when you DIDN'T DO IT?  Just sayin', 1994..., Did you ever have to say to your kid's principal, "I just want to ...