...and for future reference, I can NOT (just ask my sister).   Well...to be honest, I am A LOT better at it now.  Chalk it up to the whole MA Counseling thing.  I can, now, keep secrets AND withhold judgment with the best of them.  For your sake, alone...what can I say? But...anyway.  My current big secret is the dog park.  (Yeah...it's a little embarrassingly pathetic now that I read it, too.  That's the mom life, though.  You tend to lose all forms of humility...and freedom.  Definitely, you lose all freedom.) But...all is not lost for #KristenShanna, because I now have the dog park.   Do you not remember my phobia of big dogs?  Officially desensitized since I met my new giant canine best friend, Loki.  (Of course, my favorite would be Loki...and if that doesn't strike you as typical, you don't know a lot about me.) Loki is a gentle giant, and he has pretty much nothing in common with my favorite, conflicted villain.  (H...

I don't know about you, but I feel like I have been riding on the struggle bus for long enough now. If I didn't find my stop, I think I might have lost my mind...or something a heck of a lot worse, because 90% of my problems might actually be eliminated if I had. Just sayin'.  I checked out two books this week at the library. One is a self-help about being resilient to shaming. (Let me tell you something...I may sound rude at times. It took a good and trusted friend to help me see that. However, you will NEVER question where you stand with me, if you spend a little time in my presence. I may be brutal, but I am honest and clear. Because I have been the recipient of this non-verbal high and mighty, bologna some people like to dish out, and in my haughty opinion, THAT IS THE WORST. Just, fyi, people...if you feel it in your heart, it shows in your face and actions. You are not hiding it...especially from the hyper-senstive. So...yeah...just...go ahead and take a ...

 There's really not much else on this earth that matters when I am in the presence of my great.  They've all come to expect it, and no one really questions it anymore.  If you look closely, you can clearly see that he ALSO appreciates these special times together. They are so few and far between, after all. And I don't even mind anymore that he is not mine.  I have actually come to fully appreciate the benefits of O.P.B's (Other People's Babies).  I can give them just as much love and affection, but I actually get a break when they return home to someone else.  Not a bad set-up, this whole "Great-Aunt" thing.  I think I can dig it. Besides, I have enough of my own, don't you know?!!  It was so sweet watching them go ga-ga over the little guy.  (And even sweeter to watch him respond to them...wait for it...) I was talking with my s-i-l and said, "Michelle...Matt and I have had a child in the house for almost 20 years now."  I mean...serio...

Let’s face it...my 16yo is definitely more motherly in the “holiday planning” department. Calendars and structure have NEVER been my cup of tea. I went to the dentist this week. I happen to like my hygenist. (Matt said it sounded like we were having a party in there...and I’ll admit I’m a little self conscious knowing people have been hearing me all this time! ) But when she asked me my Easter plans, and I said I couldn’t think that far in advance... What can I say? I tend to bring the party with me impromptu-style...even to the dentist. We threw something together, and Eden added a special touch. Ok, so maybe hunting for empty Easter eggs would be a bit dull. I guess the “empty tomb” explanation might lose its affect after a bit. In my defense, I spent more money than time this year. So, they got more fun gifts! But...Eden added the candy (and a few of her own monetary contributions) to make the egg hunt a little more appealing for the boys. See...usually they just get cand...