Kristen Blog

We officially have another teenager!  This kid...I can't believe it.  Eden made the keen observation that we now have 2 teenagers in the house again.  ...because Xander is 20...yeah...it took me a minute to get it, too! He is actually the last of my children I would expect to find in the zoo-proclaimed "Quiet Place."  By the way...they put the "quiet place" about 10 feet down-pond from the inclusive playground, where there is a large chime set for the kids to play, which my kids happened to be playing as I "enjoyed" the space while pondering, "Where is this said, "Quiet Place?" It was a decent week, my friends.  I have no complaints.  Life is never without its inconveniences and dissatisfactions, but I try to cherish the moments when they take a back seat and I am just content.  It doesn't hurt that I LOVE summer!!  I love getting outside (even in the heat) and moving in nature - in the garden, around the neighborhood, and especially

I heard the cicada's sing today.  (Sounds like a book title, don't you think?  It's on my bucket list, so...we'll see. 😉) I (still) get by with a little help from my friends.  💕 Regarding the cicadas, Evan asked, "Why do they do that?"  And I felt a little sad.  My neighbor has shared her story of telling her girls the cicada's song symbolizes the end of summer.  What began as a positive, happy little foretelling became a dread as they aged. Oh, summer.  I feel a little like Rock Biter in The Never-Ending Story, "I couldn't hold on to (it).  (Time) pulled (it) right out of my hands." Where DOES the time go?!!  It certainly hasn't felt like much of a productive summer.  But...then...I have pretty high standards in that regard.  What I guess I should say is I haven't been overly active.  I haven't produced and directed many (if any) amazing summer experiences (aside from the upcoming capstone).  I haven't done any major home o

Every now and then, something comes along and kicks me down, causing me to re-evaluate my life, my choices, my actions, my decisions.  And I’ll be honest...my first instinct is to FALL APART.  Actually, if I'm really honest, I just up and decide to quit EVERYTHING. Withdrawal has ALWAYS been my first resort, but...ultimately, I realize I am stuck.  I can’t hide forever. At some point, I have to pick myself up, dust off the grime and carry on. Sometimes it is hard for me to remember that not all people are the same.  While external diversity is a given, I tend to expect all of humanity to aspire to certain core character traits. Kindness. Respect. Honesty. Dignity. Integrity.  Well, all I can say is...don’t get caught sleeping in the wolf’s den, my friends.  As it turns out, while these traits are often expected in a friend, they are not always reciprocated.  Some people really just are HORRIBLE.  And apparently, even I am not always immune to the sheep's disguise.   What can I