Stuff n Stuff

I am trying to finish up my pictures from our Canyon Lake trip before we go to California on Friday, and hope to post it up. However, I am currently occupied with Eclipse and trying to finish that, too. I read Twilight over a year ago and introduced it to a bunch of my local friends back then (introduced to me by Cynthia). I then read New Moon and when I started Eclipse, I just wasn't into it. In the past year, I've picked it up a few times, but never got hooked (after reading the first chapter a few times). Maybe it was the Jacob lover in me, knowing that at the end of the series, she HAS to end up with Edward, so therefore uninterested in reading. I lent the book or introduced the series to a lot of my friends, and even gave out my third book to friends and heard gasps that I hadn't read it myself. I am really close to done, maybe 50 more pages. I've been up til 1am the past few nights, but I just can't read easily during the day. Plus, it competes with another late night addiction...can anyone guess???? By the way, for those of you that don't frequent Stephenie Meyer .com I read it today and you can see movie clips, read an article from Entertainment Weekly on the BYU grad, and even found a blog called Twilight Moms. Wow, how cool is that?

Besides, in the past week we've had both cars needing repair which left me homebound one day (gasp). Michael worked on one with a friend and fixed it, the van was in the shop and after paying the $$ to fix, came home with the same problem. Hmmmm. Also, Michael is still fixing the fridge, and has emptied it, defrosted the freezer 5 times in the past month. Then one day while on a bike ride, his flat tire was irreparable and I had to go pick him up. He said to me, "You know you better go get that external hard drive that you've been wanting because your computer is next to break down." So I did that on Saturday and I have secured a back up to my back up:) I also ordered a new camera today because mine is getting error signals that is telling me it is near the end of its life.

We are securing rental cars, and hotels for 2 upcoming trips (one with the fam and one just the two of us) and all the while trying to get organized and ready to fly out of town. The kids have done swim lessons for 2 weeks and its fun to see such major improvement. Tyler is loving baseball, and we even got to see a Round Rock Express game on Monday night. And by the way, did you know that MY TOWN is #7 best place to live in the US? Read Here. I believe in not overscheduling your child, but it seems to apply mostly to during the school year. Lots of down time during the summer. Tyler is also learning piano and all 3 kids are doing gymnastics every Wednesday. It just kindof all happened at once. Wow, I'm tired just writing all of that.

I hope YOU dance

Ever since I can remember, I've LOVED to dance. I walk around with a beat in my head and bust out in moves unnannounced. I was on the drill team in both jr. high and high school, and got to wear crazy costumes as I moved in sync with 60 other girls. First I was a Rebelette in Louisiana, then a Bearkadette in Texas. (My friend Wendy and I in high school)

a few costumes...A few more...

Although I loved this "team sport" I liked the free style a bit better. Our church would have monthly youth dances where a bunch of my friends would get together to get all gussied up in hopes that our dream guy would push his way through the crowd to ask us to dance the night away with him. I can't remember that ever happening. Of course I loved the boys at these dances, but they only swayed back and forth and in a circle to the slow songs, and at the fast songs, they bolted to the bathroom, or back to their designated chairs lining the walls. I usually had a few friends that would "shake it" with me to the fast songs, but most often a lot of girls even went to line the walls as well. This left a wide open dance floor. Now I didn't necessarily think it was fun to dance all by myself with everyone staring at me. I preferred at least a few friends to join me in the center of the room to dance crazy, free style. But I didn't always get that. I'm not completely self assured enough to do it alone.

My high school friend Nicole was also on the drill team at her high school, but I couldn't seem to get her to show up at the dances. But when we went off to college at BYU, we found a way to dance. We went to Club Omni once, but it wasn't a very crowded night and it seemed anti climactic. Here we are dancing in the street after. We then had a weekend away to South Padre Island in the summer of my 19th year with a few friends, and Nicole and I wore our "clubbing shirts" i.e. something sparkly. We had a lot of fun dancing the night away, not caring what everyone else was doing around us, having fun doing our thing. (A blurry picture of a picture)
Then, the summer I turned 21, I drove with my brother Ryan, his wife Alayna, and my cousin Mike from Houston to Austin. Alayna also LOVES to dance. Quite possibly more than I do. She really "got jiggy with it" at her wedding reception, which I loved and admired in a girl who had just married my older brother. (I am dancing just behind Alayna, the bride)Anyway, when we took our trip, we knew we had to find a club on 6th street and dance. Ryan and Mike stood on the wall in this club and watched us dance. Once again, it wasn't very crowded, and I just wished there were more people out on the dance floor. We did get up on a platform though and had some good laughs and the boys got pretty embarresed, we loved that.

At any wedding reception I get the chance, if I have a few friends to join me, I like to dance. Unfortunately, my husband isn't one to enjoy such an activity. He will slow dance with me, but I've learned...he really doesn't like it when I try to get him to fast dance with me. Here is me at my 2nd wedding reception in California. Michael's sisters Julie (back of her head) Karen, and my sil Alayna with the funky arm move. I've been to a few gatherings since I've been here in Austin where I've located friends who also enjoy dancing. One friend has had a few New Years Eve parties where they clear out the furniture and play dance music for the night. Fun, but only a few join in which leaves everyone else in attendance eating food and watching those few on the dance floor. I feel a bit inhibited realizing this. At another party held by my Mexican friend, it was so great to see everyone dancing out on the floor of the living room. However, it was spanish music and I wished it was music I knew, could sing along to (this is also a requirement to thoroughly enjoy my dancing, music I can sing with).

In talking to my friend Jackie, she told me when her family comes into town that she goes dancing with them. I got so excited and asked her to tell me the next time she went because I wanted to go. Then I realized my sister in law Alayna was coming into town and I thought it would be fun to take my sister in laws out to dance. When I just mentioned the possibility to Alayna over the phone, I almost could have heard the shriek all the way from Puerto Rico. Needless to say, she was VERY excited at the idea. My other 2 sis in laws were also on board, we just had to hammer out a few details. Jackie tried to help me locate a place closer to where we had our reunion, but didn't come up with much. Then we thought about going to 6th street downtown, but ended up driving up almost to Round Rock to go to a dance spot in the suburbs. I thought it'd be a bit safer than roaming downtown with a street full of crazies at late hours. Jackie then expressed interest in coming and said she was going to ask around to see if others wanted to join in.

You see, I am a Mormon, which is known to the world as being a conservative people. But...clubbing doesn't seem to fit into that ultra conservative Mormon description. It is...maybe out of the "norm." I knew this dancing thing might not be recieved well amongst our Mormon friends, and well....lets just say I was right. Not that anyone see's dancing in and of itself as bad, but the idea that we are going sans husbands to a smoke filled club with loud music and drinking. Jackie didn't seem to quite realize we'd get such an odd reception. When she brought it up to a few friends in my presence, here are the responses we got:

"What, without your husbands?"

"Will you still wear your wedding ring!?"

"Do you dance with other guys?!"

I mean please--these people KNOW me, what are they thinking??? I'll admit, the responses annoyed me. We did have a friend back out because she didn't feel comfortable and I get that. I don't fault the comfort level of someone doing something they don't feel good about, I just want don't want people to fault me for doing something that I do feel good about. Hence my epiphany in the previous post. I get it, I understand that not everyone can seperate the environment from the dancing, but I can. I'm also grateful that I have a husband that supports this love of mine and trusts me unconditionally. (He took these pictures of me getting ready)

Anyway, Jackie mentioned it to a few more people that were very excited about a girls night out dancing. My sister in laws and I got ready at the family cabin and had a fun drive up north. We were so excited, we took some fun pictures of ourselves in the parking lot.

Kristen, Kim, Rachel, Alayna

We got to the club at 9pm and it wasn't too crowded yet. Fortunately, it was ladies night, so we didn't have to pay a dime (hooray)! I worried that with a Wednesday night, we wouldn't get the crowd I hoped for. Alayna and I once again made it up to the platform for a bit (not the best angle, sorry Alayners). We had some techno music without words and it was okay, but at around 10pm they started playing MY music! The stuff I loved! I could sing AND dance. 4 local friends joined up with us then and the room started to fill up. By 11pm the place was hopping and we were having so much fun. The 8 of us formed our own little mini circle and just did our own thing, surrounded by the crowd around us. I even managed to get myself unlimited free orange juice for the night. I declared myself the designated driver (among my other non drinking friends) and I got a special wristband for free juice. How cool is that?
Alayna, Kim, Rachel, Kristen, Jessica, Jackie, Claudia, Yessy

(I wish I had a picture of all of us dancing)

So the dancing was everything that I hoped it would be...and more! I especially loved it when the strobe lights came on and made everyones dancing look like slow motion. Kimmie and Rachel really had it in them (I was so proud--never seen them dance before) and Kim even started a cool move that we all caught onto. Jackie, Jessica, and Alayna were hard core with me. Sweating it out to (literally) the end. It was fun to see my friends moves:) Then, just before 1am I got to do something I had always dreamed of....I sang Kareoke. Even though I couldn't quite get the tempo at the beginning of the song, I rocked the chorus!

We parted ways with my local friends and I was wide awake as the driver of the 4 chica's back to the cabin in the woods. After a run to McDonald's for the dinner Rachel never had, Alayna kept me awake the whole time with conversation until we reached our sleeping fam at around 3am.


The next day, my neck was a bit stiff because I threw my hair around so much. A week later, I'm still on a high with having so much fun doing something I love.

my 30th birthday

Disclaimer: My documentation hereby is by no means to boast or brag, just simply recording for myself and to give credit to those who contributed in making my day wonderful. I recognize that this may be boring to some. I'll never know if you skip past all my ramblings.

Michael woke me up at 6:55am (as agreed the night before) so he could give me his gift before he went to work. I almost always ask him to take off a half a day from work, but with all of our july vacations, it just wasn't practical. He got me a ladybug charm to go with my charm bracelet. He calls me ladybug, so it is very sentimental to me...I loved it.

He then directed me to the front of the house to look out the window. To my surprise, I saw my front yard filled with balloons staked to the ground and some pink streamers with a poster that read HAPPY BIRTHDAY KRISTEN. Once I got closer, I could tell that each letter was cut out of construction paper very delicately and was amazed at the time that must have taken. I found out the Jessica and Stacy were the sneaky ones. Stacy made the poster and had the idea to stake the balloons down with bent hangars in the ground (I'll have to remember that one) and Jessica is the one who ordered and had to wait at 6am for HEB to get them ready (even though she called ahead to order). They worked furiously in my yard, and worried I'd wake, even though Michael assured them I never wake before 7am. It's true.

Once he got to work, he emailed me my 2nd gift. One he'd been working on since April. He had emailed people from my contact list (he also knows my password) and asked them to "be creative" and share birthday sentiments. He made it into a blog which thoroughly impressed me. A few that I got letters from included my BYU roommates: Amy, Hali, and Abbi. The later two are barely on their computers, so this was a an amazing thing. Amy wrote the cutest poem

on how I've already got the gift of youth. Thanks, Amylicious. You have known me a long time and love me still the same. Abbi wrote a top 10 list of how the roommates knew I was home back in the day. Including clogging in the kitchen and Indigo Girls CD on repeat. Other letters came from Jenn my Jerusalem friend who shared the crazy experience of traveling the world with me and having fun while also have such intense spiritual experiences. Laurie whom I shared a house with as a newlywed (she and her hubby were in the attic with us in the basement). She reminded me of how kindred our spirits are, and how blessed we are to have a circle of friendship from school still exist today. From Cassidy whom is just 2 days younger than me. We had parties on the 8th a few times in high school. We thought we were pretty cool. She has also started a photography business, so we chat about that. She mentioned my "dolphin shrill" and the "kristen stare" which really made me laugh. Nicole reminded me of how we'd get on the radio in the wee hours of the morning (back in high school) and won tickets to a Duran Duran concert and Phil Collins. I got other letters, but not from blog readers, so I'll commence with that commentary.

My kids were still asleep. I laid down for a few minutes, but then got up and read the newest Ensign quietly on the couch. All about how we can share our testimonies through modern technology. I love modern technology. The kids came out and enjoyed the balloon display out the front window. They got cereal, I checked my email and Alice left me birthday wishes. A BYU dear friend who lives in Switzerland, so had a one up on the time advantage to be the first friend to give me love. She also wrote me a wonderful letter to me on "michael's blog."

I got my first call around 8:30am from Linda in Florida. She used to live here, and for 3 and a half great years, we shared our daily lives with each other. Our kids played we watched The Bachelor and Oprah and talked about life and how to raise our children. We still talk nearly weekly, and I'm grateful she made the countdown to my birthday a fun one instead of a sad one. She is the one who mailed me 30 presents a month ago to count down to my birthday. If you want to see them all, click here to see the seperate blog I made for her to see me opening all the gifts.

I then got the kids dressed in the swimsuits for their first day of swim lessons. I signed up 2 months ago as the only 2 week time slot we could do. I dressed myself in my new Target dress and was happy to see my friend G also signed her daughter up for lessons. So I can look forward to chatting with a friend for the next 2 weeks while I watch my 3 little ones improve their swimming skills. I laughed as I watched my 3 kids take instruction from others. They do well. It's fun to be able to focus on all 3 while sitting alone...no little ones to have to hold out of the pool. Such a weird place to be.

Emily called me while we were out to wish me a happy day. She mailed me a package (which I opened later) but wished I'd opened it sooner because the bracelet she sent perfectly matched the dress I wore all day. I got a great letter with pictures of yore from her on "Michael's blog." She and I went to high school together and even planned to be in some classes together in college. Her adorable daughters were models for me 2 years ago as I experimented with my photography. I'm grateful we've stayed in such close touch. Her blog is a witty one to read.

We came home, washed the chlorine out of Alyssa's hair, and I got her all gussied up in a cute new outfit. The kids went to admire the balloons outside when Alyssa decided to squat on the front sidewalk and pee out of her cute new shorts I had just recently placed on her. Then Matthew decided to use the bushes on our lawn as his personal toilet. I promptly reminded them that we have 2 very nice toilets just 20 paces from the very spot they relieved themselves. Sheesh.

My parents called to sing to me. And as much as I love to be with my kids on their birthdays, I realized it must be hard for them to be away from me on mine. I love and am so grateful for my parents, and the fun week they provided us last week for our reunion (pictures later on that one).

My friend Michele then called, who lives just a neighborhood away. It was fun to talk to her as the summer has slipped away from us and we don't seem to see each other very much. She is an example of strength to me. Then Cynthia called from College Station. She used to live 5 houses away from me, but only for 9 short months. We had just become great friends when she moved, and we've kept in touch since she isn't too far away. Our kids love each other and I love to sit and chat with her. It is SHE who introduced the Twilight series to me and forbid me from reading the back cover so I could be surprised...I'm glad she did:) She also wrote me a great list of reasons why we have a great friendship on "Michael's blog."

All day I was thinking about my dear friend Natalie who was in the hospital. The day before I called her and she was so upset that she didn't get my birthday package in the mail, and I couldn't believe she was thinking of me. I've talked to her every year for 15 years on my birthday. She is my old and true friend. My sister. A sweet letter spoke to me on "Michael's blog" as well. She has the world's greatest laugh, and with her, I feel funny.

Around noon Jessica picked me up to go to lunch. Needing kid friendly, we went to Jason's Deli. Jess and I have lunched there with kids before, so it worked out perfectly. The kids actually ate their meals and then I allowed them 2 ice cream cones (they have a machine to do it yourself). They also like to play with Jessica's little guy, Ezra. She told me all about the planning and executing Stacy and she made for the balloon's in the yard. It was fun to hear the details about it afterwords. Jessica also wrote a thoughtful extensive letter on "Michael's blog." I love to hear her stories, she has a great perspective on life.


She took these pictures of me and my kids after lunch.

I then took my kids to Target. On my birthday what makes me happy is to see my kids happy. All year I tell them "no" when they ask for things at the store, and I think we'd all LIKE to spoil our kids and buy they what they want, but WE KNOW it is in THEIR best interest to not have everything they want, right? So, I let them pick out a toy on my birthday. I've done it for a few years, but this year, they seemed a bit greedier. Maybe because we just got off vacation where they are pampered by everyone. They got their toy, I got myself a shirt, and we headed out. I was going to take my charm and bracelet and little ladybug to James Avery to get saudered together, but our van is having some malfunctions, I thought it best to just head home.

Once home, I had a message from my sil Karen, so I called her back. She sang to me the first line of Happy Birthday and then said, "do I need to sing the rest?" To which I laughed and said, "no, I know how it goes." We then talked about photography and lenses, and the fun she's having with her new craft. Michael's parents then called to sing to me with his youngest sis Julie (I just went to link her up and saw she posted about me for my bday--how sweet!) It was nice to chat a bit with them since Michael is usually the one to talk when they call each Sunday night. They sent me a fun package with a really cool apron Janet made me (it is like a big shirt) and a fun necklace and GC to Old Navy.

Tyler ran up to me at home with the cutest card he made all by himself without any promptings. I wondered what cookies he liked that I made and he couldn't come up with that, but it was cute that he said he loves when I make cookies.

I then got a call from my local friend Emily, whom I served with in the Primary Presidency for 2 years. She was the President, and I her counselor, but I always appreciated that she seemed to need me, and included me in all things. We developed a great bond, and though she often seems to be a woman of few words, I feel like I really know her from all the time we've spent together. She welcomed her #3 baby (in 3 years) 2 days after my bday.

As I checked my email throughout the day, I got birthday notes from Natalie C. who is a local friend that is on vacation (she's taught me to make the dolls). My high school drill team buddy, Wendy (who really needs to get a blog--and start leaving comments when she reads mine). It was then that Yahoo news informed me that both Matthew McConaughey and Nicole Kidman had babies on my birthday, which I think is pretty cool. I got an IM from Jeff (my webhost friend in MD whom he and his wife Maren wrote letters on "michael's blog" to me previously). A text from Tamara (my Ricks roommate whose wedding I'll go to next month in San Diego), and facebook nudges by a few photographers and my former Laurel, Kelsey. Have I mentioned I do love modern technology?

Michael came home from work as I was watching last weeks episode of the Bachelorette on the computer. Had to get all caught up. We had Dominoes pizza for dinner. We opened the packages I got in the mail (as previously mentioned) and the cards from my grandparents. My grandma and grandpa Ball and my Grandma Hill ALWAYS without fail send a card with a check in it for each of our birthdays. I am amazed at how thoughtful they are at remembering not just "their own" but the spouses, great grandkids, my cousins, etc. Very generous. My grandma Ball also called me later to give a verbal Happy Birthday wish. All 3 grandparents live in Utah. I got to see the Balls in February, but its been a year since I've seen my gma Hill.

My little brother Russell called, whom you all met in the post he put up. I have always looked up to him as an example, even though he is younger than me. He is the epitomy of goodness and is the peacemaker in our family. He and his wife, Kim, are so good for each other and will be amazing parents someday. I know because of the way they treat my children, who love them to pieces. He just finished his first year of medical school and I look forward to calling him for prescriptions when I really need them...is that legal? I love that they are just a 2 hour drive away in San Antonio.

We had a Birthday family home evening. Michael taught the children how to give me a proper foot massage, opened a few presents, and sat around and had fun. We told him all about our day, as usual, and he probed with even more questions. He told me all about his sneakiness and chatted about the letters friends sent him for me on the blog. He knows well how to make me feel special. (I love Tyler's face here and Matthew and Alyssa with tongue's hanging out).

I then got ready for my evening out while watching the finale of the Bachelorette. Karen H. called to say she couldn't come, but wished me well anyway and dropped off a gift for me the next day (a cute picture frame). She is an old friend that I don't get to chat with that much because of various child stages, but even with a demanding calling at church, she still was thoughtful of me. When I first moved here, I did a play group with her and Linda and our then 2 year olds (Tyler). I have vivid memories of her trying to help her daughter go to the bathroom while pretending her arms was the toilet seat. We were at a park with no bathrooms and this was just hysterical to me. She was also the VERY FIRST family that I did family portraits of, that kick started my photography business almost 5 years ago. I just did their family pictures last month, before her oldest child reported to his mission in Spain.

The doorbell rang and it was time for me to go out. I had to leave the Bachelorette recording....

Jessica and Stacy had contacted Michael a week or so ago about doing a birthday friend gathering the night of my birthday. I didn't know anything about it until Sunday at church when someone said, "see you tomorrow" to which I looked at Stacy and said, "was that supposed to be a surprise?" I guess not, but it was a fun surprise at that point, and to see who was going to come, as I had no idea who was contacted to come. It was Cheesecake Factory for dessert. I'll admit, I have a bit of disdain for the 4th of July holiday because without fail, most of my friends are out of town on my birthday. I mean, you get one day off, why not take 9 more and make it a two week vacation? I was so happy to see a good crowd of great friends gathered to party the night away.

Left to right in back: Jessica, Becca, Gretchen, Emily, Debra, Stacy, Clair, Tiere (Rachelle's sister)

Michele, me, Rachelle, Betty Ann (Rachelle's mom)

Stacy planned the greatest game for us to play while we sat at the table which was so much funner to me than just random conversation with the person next to you that others at the table aren't included in. She said since I am always the question asker, she wanted to see who knew the most about me. She had a list of 15 questions that she asked to see who would get the highest points. Where was I born? How many siblings do I have? What is my maiden name? Where did I got to college? How did I meet Michael? What year was I married? What Temple? My favorite ice cream? It was so much fun for me to watch my friends and then at the end reveal my answers with stories. Becca got the highest score (9 out of 15), and Michele came in half a point behind.

A few friends brought gifts, which I totally don't expect because I rarely bring them to big gatherings. The effort in coming is gift enough for me. Comically, both Jessica and Stacy remembered comments I had made to them about a few different kitchen supplies I was lacking, so that was gifted to me. My lovely neighbor Clair (9th picture down on the link) brought me orange gerbera daisies because she knows I love the color. Becca brought a cute bracelet, Rachelle gave me smelly lotions (and her cool mom got me a Cheesecake GC) and sweet cards from the others. Gretchen, Becca, Michele, and Jessica also wrote letters to me previously on "Michael's blog" for me. I came home from my evening out just happy and content. I felt special and loved all day. On my doorstep I found a pineapple plant from my friend Candida who wasn't able to come and the next day, Jackie brought me bath oils. My sister in law, Jen, called the next day from vacation to make sure I got the package that she sent a week or so ago. It was a cute brown shirt that says "hug." She and her husband did a hilarious birthday tribut via video for me singing in the characters of Babs and some other old guy whom I should probably know. I'm so grateful for my friendship with her, she is an amazing listener and advice giver.

Finally, as a gift to myself, I asked my local photographer friend to take a few shots of me at the blessed age of 29. I've lost weight lately and with plans to gain weight again in the future, I wanted to remember this time. We had so much fun, and I'm glad I got the nerve to do it. I think all women need to do this for themselves.

Happy Birthday to me.

Maybe 30 won't be so bad

Sometimes I wonder if anyone cares, today I know that many do. I've had some sadness in the past year, and besides that, turning 30 was not something I was very happy about. Numbers never mattered to me, but this birthday was something I was just annoyed by. As usual for me, the anticipation of it all brought more anxiety than the actual day. Michael and others close to me made my day perfect, and I threw my sadness over the number out the window. I've always been a big fan of birthdays. My own, or others. I don't believe when people say they don't care that much about their own birthday. Maybe someone stopped caring because nothing was done for them. I try to do my best to make birthdays special for those close to me. I fall short because it is a fairly impossible task, but I try. For my kids and husband, it is an all out hoopla celebration. And my husband knows enough how important it is for me to have the same thing. I'm not asking much, just a week set aside for pampering, gifts, and celebration.

No, really, the first birthday I had married to my husband we were driving across country. I was pregnant with Tyler (about 6 months) and in a pretty crappy hotel in the middle of Ohio I think. We got there at midnight and planned to leave at 7am and had to hurry to get to our destination by the end of that day. He got up at some obscure hour and went into the bathroom and blew up with his own breath about 50 or so balloons. He threw them all over the floor for me to wake up to. That was joyous.

Last year, he got me a charm and necklace of the number 7 because how could 7 not be my lucky/favorite number with a birthday like 7/7? So thoughtful of him, and he went to a jewelry store all by himself to order it. I seem to have misplaced that #7, but when I find it, I'll add it to my new charm bracelet.

Last week Michael said to me, "I wish your birthday was today because I am so excited for it." I've told him in the past to "lie at all costs if you do any sort of surprise for me" because I notice things...and I often find out. He planned a surprise a few years back for something and when I went asking questions, he felt guilty lying, so told me details and I became more suspicious and found out. Because of that, I gave him permission to lie when it regards a surprise for me.

Today I have recieved birthday wishes in many ways: calls, friends stopping by, texts, emails, IM's, facebook, packages in the mail, cards, balloons staked into my yard, hugs from my kids, lunch with a dear friend, dessert with a handful of friends, a foot massage from my kids and husband, and even a sneaky post on MY blog (I love my brother). To have people stop and think of me on "my day" really makes me feel special and loved. More than anyone will ever know. Michael actually started a blog all by himself for the purpose of posting loving entries from some of my dearest friends new and old. Those individuals took the time to write thoughtful messages to me, which made my cry and laugh and filled with many wonderful memories. Some memories that people have of me that I don't even remember them happening. This is such a gift to me because I love having a record of my life for myself and my kids. I love to journal, to blog, to photograph the events of my life, but I can't remember it all and my perspective is so different from those I experienced life with. So this gift of writing from others to me is so precious, so thank you for those who contributed. I thought about opening it up so others can get to know me in a different way, but some have more personal things in them and may not prefer others to read it. It's funny though, reading from high school and college friends all the crazy things I did and the person I was seems like a lifetime ago. Sometimes I wonder where that crazy girl went because I feel inhibited at times. But I've had a great life, and I am blessed to be surrounded by so many wonderful examples and love.

My final birthday wish...let me hear from all you lurkers. For all of you that tell me, "I don't know what to say" you don't have to say anything, just post with your first name so I know who stopped by:) I love to know who is actually reading what I write.

Pictures to come.

Krissybears turns 30, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

This is not Kristen. Yes I know identity theft can be a real crime, but in this case it has a good cause. This is Kristen’s younger brother Russell. I wanted to make a blog post online about Kristen. I knew that if I did it on my own that it would reach a limited audience. Plus I really love being sneaky. I have been waiting for the right chance to use my knowledge of Kristen’s password. And here it is!! (Password may soon be available on ebay to the highest bidder. Just kidding).
My first vivid memory of Kristen is from when we first moved into our house in Slidell, LA (I was 4 she was 7). The house had a banister on the second floor that overlooked the living room below. As I remember the house was almost finished as we were moving in. Anyways, the living room was still empty of furniture and had a pile of carpet scraps directly under the banister. She dared me to jump off the banister into the pile of carpets. And I responded, “No, you do it.” She did and broke her collar bone. The truth of the whole story didn’t come out until about two years ago. She’s always been a good secret keeper.
Kristen is a great friend, mother, wife, confidant, entrepreneur and leader. But only two other people know what it is like to have been blessed with her as a sister. I loved the fun we had when she let me tag along with her in her high school days. I learned about everything from country music to driving to dating from her. I am so grateful for the bond we developed in those days and for the great relationship we still enjoy.
She has an unbelievable ability to be supportive to those she cares about especially during the hard times. She is so genuinely interested in people she can get to know anyone after five minutes and 500 questions. She loves her rowdy little ones and is a great example of a caring, involved mother. She is full of a zeal for life and is always ready for a laugh, some fun, or a juicy story.
I read an article in the New York Times a while ago that emphasized the degree of our moral and emotional being that we acquire from our siblings. Parents and friends play important roles, but siblings are usually around from early childhood years learning to play and share to the elderly years after parents and even spouses might have passed on. Kristen is a constant in many peoples lives, but I feel lucky to have a constant, life-long friend in my big sis.
Love you Kris.

I had an epiphany I thought I'd share

I was driving really late last night following Michael in his car and the kids were asleep in my car. It was about a 2 hour drive, but I just don't do well driving. Something about the hum of the road just makes me sleepy and I lose it. Because of this, Michael usually does the majority of our driving on long trips while I talk or read to him, inbetween my cat naps. But last night I had to buck up. We were in San Antonio, and because he had joined us at our reunion a few days after we got there, we had 2 cars. I was more tired than usual because of all the activities of the week, sun, and swimming that morning. I tried to occupy my mind by singing or phone conversations, but my throat was really dry from a cold and I didn't have a drink. My mind wandered to the fun activities of the week and all the things we did (of course you all know that will be highlighted later with many a pictures).

Its interesting having conversations with siblings who grew up in the same house as you, but after marrying another (who obviously grew up in a different house) and through their own adult decisions, make different choices. Not bad choices, but different. It was fun to have conversations, but to tread lightly on each of our different ideas on things. I had a similar conversation with The Claytons a few weeks ago that has really got me thinking. We talked about how people outside of our church see "mormons" as being very similar, with strict beliefs. But once we have been members, we see that there really are many different "degree's" of Mormonism. Not even necessarily between good and bad, but how each of us is able to make different decisions for us and our families that may vary from what that in another family does. So having conversations with my siblings is just fascinating, considering that we came from the same home and I would expect us to have the same ideals, but we don't necessarily on everything. I also enjoying talking to others to see how they choose to live, because inevitably we think differently on some topics, while the same on others. This isn't just one 1 or 2 topics, but hundreds of things. From what Sabbath activities we choose to the food/liquids we consume to the books we read to the places we go to the way we raise our children and speak to them. Many different choices, many different degree's.

For example. I love my People magazine. Some may say that is smut and I shouldn't be reading that. But I honestly and truly and completely do not see anything wrong with it. Yes, I should be reading my scriptures first to give me my daily spiritual nourishment, but after that, in my opinion, its ok to enjoy the lives of others that I don't even know, but am fascinated by. But I realize this is my opinion as the spirit speaks to me and others may view it differently, as the spirit speaks to them.

I've always had some frustration when it came to Adam and Eve and understanding why it was that our Heavenly Father gave them 2 very distinct charges that comepletely contradicted each other. One was that they were forbidden to eat of the fruit of knowledge of good and evil, while the other was to multiply (have children--which they couldn't without partaking of the fruit). They knew they couldn't do both. They had to choose.

Then as I thought of my week and an activity that I so thoroughly enjoyed, yet I know there are people out there that would be disapproving. I analyzed before, during, and after this event and was keenly aware of how the spirit was speaking to me, and felt completely ok with being there. But I do understand that others can view this event and decide not to be there, while I viewed the event and felt good about being there. According to each of us...how the spirit speaks to us. I wondered to myself, "how is it that others see this event as not right, while I see it as just fine?" Then I thought of all the other intricacies of how we are so different and view life so differently and its ok that one person thinks one thing isn't ok while the other person see's it as just fine. WE ARE ALL DIFFERENT! Well of course, but how can one thing be "right" for one person and "wrong" for another person. I want everything to be black and white, and I've had the epiphany that it doesn't all have to be (yeah, maybe I'm late in the game). I have been instructed by prophets and apostles as to what is black and white, while all the others things, I have to choose for myself and my family according to how the spirit speaks to me. Just because one person see's something in the "gray area" as black doesn't mean it's wrong for me to see it as white...and vice versa.

So because we have chosen as parents to only watch church movies on Sunday does not mean that we view or see others as making "wrong choices" by watching television on that day. Because I think its just fine to read my People magazine, I do understand why others may choose not to read it. I grew up in a home where the caffeinated drinks flowed freely. Michael grew up in a home that it was prohibited. We became adults, got married, made our own choices for ourselves and our families. It was fascinating to me to have a respectable conversation with my siblings, their spouses and my parents. Between the 10 of us adults, we each view this topic a bit differently and that's ok. We can love and respect each other despite having different feelings of passion (oh you know there is a lot of passion on this one) and realize that "to each his own." This was a good thing for me to experience.

Back to my event.....We have 2 charges that come from our church leaders to "Stand in Holy Places" as well as "Live in the World but not be wordly." These 2 charges often seem to counter impose each other. Make good choices, despite our surroundings. We are asked to live our lives and choose the things we do with our lives and live according to the spirit, which is guided by the Holy Ghost. You'll just have to stay tuned to see my "fun event" that others might not agree with:)

On a completely different note, I'll end with....
"Farewell 29, you've been good to me, even though I've not liked you. I will always look back to you with fondness. Much much fondness."

Vacation to the Lake

I can't stand to see that messy treadmill picture when I come to my blog. We are on a little vacation with my family. Still managed to find a laptop and wifi connection, though my family said it would be fun to see if I could go without internet for a week. Nah, don't need to try that experiment. We are staying at a cabin on Canyon Lake in between Austin and San Antonio. It's funny because last time I came I was with my high school loverboy and other friends (nat and em, do ya remember) so crazy memories flooding back. Since most of my family are in Texas for the summer, it worked out well. For those of you that don't know, I am the 2nd of 4 children..and the only girl. Growing up with 3 brothers wasn't so bad. I wished for a sister, but now I have 8 (including Michaels side) so thats been great. Maybe not the same as having a blood sister, but I'll take it. (yes, I do have one in heaven, I won't completely discount that).

My brother Ryan is just 2 years older than me and he and his family live in Puerto Rico. We had our family reunion there last summer, and that was really fun! He has 2 little boys. His wife, Alayna, and I had the same major at BYU so we had classes together and I am actually 10 days older than her. It was great to live close to them in college and he and Michael both did grad school in the East, so we were pretty close, then.

Russell is just younger than me by 4 years. He was my sidekick in high school, I dragged him around with me to events and even made him buy tampons so he could be a sensitive husband someday. I like to take partial credit for his "knowledge of how to treat a girl" but I think a lot of it is instinct. He married Kim 2 years ago and they live just a stones throw away from us in San Antonio. Since they don't have kids yet, they dote on mine, which I love.

Kirk is the youngest (8 years younger than me) and he married Rachel last summer. She's also from Houston, they met in high school and dated before his mission, and stayed close during. Hence the wedding 2 months after he got home:) They go to BYU, but are living in Houston for the summer. Rachel and Kim were actually roommates at BYU and Rachel and Kirk introduced Russell to Kim--got that? So best friends married brothers--isn't that a BF's dream?

Click here to see my entire fam last summer in PR

My parents have been in the same house in Houston since my freshman year of High School. However, my dad has been working in Nigeria for the past year while my mom is jumping around the country fulfilling her role as the American Mothers, Inc. President.

So here we are all together. So far, no battle wounds.
Now you know a little bit more about my family.

Pay it Forward

2 and a half years ago, a friend of mine asked if I wanted her old tread mill. I was SO excited, and used it often...for a while. I had it in our room which I wasn't excited about, but it was the only space it worked. I had a mini tv/vcr set up so I could watch tv while I exercised. It helped me shed baby weight with #3. Then I got a membership to our community center and the tread mill became a shelf (all the stuff next to it, was on it before this picture).



I was finally ready to get rid of it. I wanted to put it on Craig's List to get a few bucks, but Michael said, "someone gave it to you free, why don't you just give it to someone else?" He's right.


So, I sent an email to our ward RS secretary to send an email out to others to see if anyone wanted it. Well, she emailed me right away saying she wanted it and when I didn't respond within an hour (surprisingly, I wasn't near my computer) she called my home. She really wanted it! It made me happy to give it to someone who was really excited about it. After the transfer, a few days later, she said she had something for me as a thank you. I reminded her it was free for me, so no need. Well, she came over and when I saw this, I shrieked...and gasped...it was so beautiful. She made this bag for me, remembering I love these colors, and I just couldn't believe the beauty therein. It actually coordinates with my kitchen curtains without the brown. I think she should sell them on etsy, what do you all think? I'd buy one! This bag is worth more to me than the $50 I would have tried to get on Craig's List.

Blue

I used to have a blue room. It was the first room we painted when we moved into our home 5 and a half years ago. I got this bedspread when we were in graduate school in Delaware. I saw it in the Pottery Barn catalog and I fell in love with it. I had just gotten money for my birthday from my grandparents (both sets have always been generous like clockwork for mine, my husbands, and my childrens birthdays). I loved the bedspread so much, I was planning for the time I would paint my bedroom walls blue to match it. We did it the first month we were in our home. I did white accents, Michael built my beautiful tv armoire (patterned after a ripped out magazine page from Pottery Barn). The curio cabinet in the corner, we found in an empty dumpster in Delaware at our apartment complex. It was a wood brown color, and I painted it to match our room. It holds my precious moments collection (my grandma Hill has a larger collection).

I loved this blue, but after 4 years, I got tired of it. I wanted something all new. Michael's sister, Julie, helped me paint it a dark tan color because I wanted to do chocolate and orange shades. Looking back at these pictures, I miss it, but I love the new colors. Each room in my home is a different color, and I'm halfway through the process of painting each room a different color again:) Crazy, I know.

I don't know why, but I thought it would be fun for the kids to see their names painted on the wall and then help paint over it. Knowing their names were hidden under the new paint.

This was December 2006 and I've got new colors, but I'm working on wall hangings now, that I'll try to get a new post up soon.