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Monday, February 1, 2010

How Much Is Too Much??

WARNING- The following post is not a well thought out, perfect, cookie-cutter post. Instead it is a smorgasbord of thoughts that have been circulating in my head for about a month or so regarding this very blog.

A lot has happened over the past month. This past year I got married, bought my first house, and supported my husband with a job change that requires him to travel frequently. Most people would automatically assume that that was the kind of "a lot" that I was referring too, however, it's not. The "a lot" that I'm talking about is more internal. With the support of my husband by my side, I have made a lot of decisions about my future, my relationships, and my life in general. I've done a lot of soul searching- if you will- and discovered a lot about who I am deep down and exactly what I want out of this life.

Right about now you are probably wondering how all of this relates to my blog. If you've checked back in at all over the last month or so, you will have noticed that I haven't put up any new posts. I would love to say that it was because I was just wayyy to busy to blog (I actually was very busy over the holidays), but that was not it. The fact is, I didn't know exactly what I should blog about. There were just some days that I would be so consumed with all of the thoughts in my head, that I was certain I couldn't properly mask what I was feeling, so I thought a post was better left untyped. In the middle of all this, I entertained the idea of making my blog solely about all of the neat ideas or things I found to decorate my house with, dress myself in, or throw a party with, but that didn't feel right either. Don't get me wrong, I would love to someday have another blog that is aesthetically beautiful, has sponsors and giveaways and resembles many of the blogs I now follow, but that's not what I started this blog for. I started this blog to tell about my life and the ups and downs that go with it......but wait.......I didn't reallly want to tell about the downs. It's no secret that I am a very open and honest person. If you googled what "wearing your heart on your sleeve" meant, you'd see a big picture of muah! However, I felt like everyone elses blogs were so picture perfect, that I didn't want to be the one with the imperfect blog that gave people something to gossip about. The more I thought about it though, having a cookie cutter blog ALL the time was just highly unrealistic. I mean you can only blog so much about rainbows and butterflies. So I then decided that I would just be totally real and if I was in a rainbow kind of mood, I would write about that, but if I was in a rainstorm kind of mood, I would write about that and not hold back. The only problem is, that's a lot easier said than done. And here is where my question comes in...How much is too much?? Is it too much to talk about the relationship issues going on with a family member? Is it too much to discuss a yucky bladder infection? Is sharing details about exactly when Adam & I want to start a family too much? I'm not sure! I want my blog to feel personal and give my readers (although I only have 3 followers right now) something to relate to, but the fact is...this is a public forum that is open to all. There are a lot of risks involved with sharing your life, your real life. And these are risks that could not only affect me, but also the people that I love. Maybe they're not comfortable with me sharing all the details. Is it still fair to dish so other people can relate? I'm not sure and I definitely don't have all the answers, but for now, I will try hard to find the balance. After all, isn't that what success is all about...balance??

Friday, December 18, 2009

Schoool's Outtt for.... CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!

Can't wait to blog about all of the fun things I have been doing the last couple weeks! I will finally have time.

Oh...and....What is your favorite Christmas song?

Mine is... Oh Holy Night...

and listening to Celine Dion sing it is absolute heaven! I listened to it on the way to teach today and couldn't help but cry. When the gift buying and party throwing begin to take over the holidays, it helps remind me about the true meaning of CHRISTmas.



Wednesday, November 25, 2009

A Grateful Heart

On this day before Thanksgiving, I feel compelled to catch up on my blogging by listing the things I am so very grateful for:
  1. My Savior....without Him I would for certain be lost
  2. My Family and Upbringing....wonderful people who helped shape me into the woman I have become
  3. Heaven....where my Grandpa Perry is watching over me
  4. Mr. Robinson....so lucky to experience life and grow old with him
  5. Music....my emotional outlet & it gives me something fun to dance to ;)
  6. Miss Betsy and Miss Khloe....I love black and white...and have the most precious dogs to prove it
  7. My Job...happy to inspire 3rd grade minds and be inspired by my fellow teachers
  8. My Nest aka My House....blessed to have a beautiful and warm place to lay my head each night
  9. My Children...they're not here or even on their way yet, but I dream of wearing their little names on a necklace around my neck each day...close to my heart...I can't wait to meet them
  10. My Favorite Pastimes....reading blogs, crafting, learning to decorate, lounging
  11. My Legs....bigger than I want, but healthy enough to carry me through this journey called life
  12. Chandeliers...silly I know...but it just makes me so happy to look at them

I have realized that sometimes when you feel like concentrating on the negative, it's so much more fulfilling to turn each negative into a positive and thank God for giving you opportunities to grow!

Happy Thanksgiving everybody!

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

A Very "Surprising" Birthday Party

For those of you who don't already know, my Grandma's name is Beulah but we've always called her Boo. Well, Boo turned 76 on September 6th. Because she was coming in town the following weekend, I thought it would be fun to throw her a small surprise birthday party. The day of the surprise soon arrived. The plan was for all of the girls (April, Mom, Aunt Rita, Boo and me) to go shopping at the outlets and then come back to my apartment for the celebration. Meanwhile, Adam was going to have everything all set up and decorated by the time we got there. Then we were supposed to all walk into our apartment and sing Happy Birthday and eat cake. That was the PLAN! Now, let me tell you what ACTUALLY happened. Boo rode with me up to the outlets, and my mom, sister and aunt all rode together. Towards the end of shopping time, my mom and Boo decided to walk down to some other stores. Because I am slightly OCD and wanted to make sure everything was set up for the party (no offense Adam), I thought this was the perfect time to escape. I told April and my Aunt Rita that I was going to get a head start and I would see them back at the apartment. Just as I am pulling into my apartment complex, I get a phone call from April. She is just having a normal conversation with me but then right before we hang up tells me that my mom wants me to ask Boo why her cell phone isn't on because she has been trying to call her. WAIT...WHAT?!?! Boo was supposed to be riding back with them! No, no April explains to me, apparently Boo told my mom that she was going to find me in the parking lot to ride back with since she rode with me there. At this point, I tell April that she better turn around and go get the birthday girl, because she IS NOT with me. At the same time I realize that Boo's phone is not turned on...GREAT! This should be fun! So....about 30 minutes pass when we get a call from the front gate....they're here...birthday girl in tow. Adam and I rush to light all 76 candles that we put on Boo's birthday cake, so we can surprise her right when she walks in. I figured after getting left at the outlet mall, that she would need an extra special surprise. So here we are holding her cake, literally about to burn the apartment down with all the candles, and the door opens to everyone walking in....EXCEPT BOO! As I am asking where she is, they start looking all around the apartment and saying, "Okay Kristin...haha...You got us...We knew you were joking on the phone earlier...Now where is she?" Because I know she is not there and that I am NOT playing a joke on anybody, I quickly blow out all of the candles. At this point, I am a big ball of emotions. How could they have thought she was with me? April and my aunt SAW me get into my car and drive off! Did I really just have to blow out all 76 candles on my Grandma's cake? How could they leave a 76 year old lady in the dark, at the outlet mall, with a dead cell phone? UGH! At this point I am seriously yelling at April to go get back in the car and GET BOO! After April and my Aunt Rita leave to go pick her up once again, I throw myself onto my couch on the verge of busting out into tears. About 5 minutes pass when all of a sudden the door opens and Boo is with my sister and aunt. Still determined to surprise Boo with her lit birthday cake, I jump up and re-light all of the candles. As I am turning the corner, I hear Boo complaining about how mad she was to have to get a taxi back to my apartment. I want to make everything okay, so I immediately start making everybody sing "Happy Birthday," and have Boo blow out her candles. She was shocked and very excited to have a birthday party! As it turns out, she wasn't the only one surprised that night.....I was officially punk'd by my family. Boo had been with them the whole time! They were scheming all evening about how to pull that prank off, and as much as I hate to admit it, they got me! We all laughed about it and ended up having a great birthday celebration for Boo. Now I just have to think of something amazing to get even with! Any ideas??


Birthday Cake with 76 Candles


The cake after the candles were removed


The Pranksters!


76!


The Birthday Queen! Love my Boo!

Monday, August 24, 2009

Ohhh...We're Half Way There!

Amazing what a difference 6 weeks can make. Here are some of the latest pictures of our new home. We are still on schedule to close in October. What a wonderful birthday present that will be!
Front of the House


Betsy checking out her new yard!



Kitchen


Family Room


Master Bedroom


The sitting room in the master

Slacking On The Blog!

It's been so long since I blogged last, that I don't even know where to start. Let me do a quick rewind of my life the past 6 weeks. My mom came in town to visit for about a week in mid-July. When it was time for her to go home, I flew back to Utah with her to help her clean out the basement and have a garage sale. It was a successful trip for 2 reasons...a.) We got my parents house almost all ready to put on the market so they can move back to GA...Yayy!!... and b.) My parents let me keep the proceeds from the garage sale to help with our closing costs in October. I flew back to Georgia about 5 days before I was supposed to go back to work. However, just a day or so before then, I found out that my county was being furloughed for 3 days. 3 days = $635 less than what I signed my contract for! Booo! It really irked me and honestly still does, but I promised myself I wouldn't go on and on about it. I'm just thankful to have a job! After my 3 involuntary days off, I was left with only 2 days to get my classroom all set up and get ready for the first week of school. Technically, I had to get everything set up in just 1 day because the kids came for "Sneak Peek" the second day I was back. Everything from that point, right up until this past weekend is kind of a blur. I haven't been that busy since before my wedding, and it was a hard adjustment. School officially started the following Monday, and I have been adjusting to my "back to work schedule" ever since. Whew! It’s been crazy…but sometimes crazy is good…right?!?!

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

A Place to Call Our Own...A New Home

Yay! Yay! Yay! It's official!! Adam and I are building our first home!!!! We feel so blessed!!!! The neighborhood is called Fieldstone. It's located in Cumming, Ga (about 15 minutes north of Alpharetta). We seriously could not be more EXCITED!!!! Ever since we signed the papers last week, we have been planning out how we want to decorate and landscape etc. It will obviously take us a long while to complete all the projects we want to do, but that's what makes it fun. We can't wait to grow into this house and make it our own for years to come. It should be move in ready by October. I will keep you updated with pictures throughout the entire process!! Yayy!!!!!!

"A house is made with walls and beams.
A home is made with love and dreams."


Standing by our sold sign :)

Front view of our lot...Adam playing in the dirt


Left side view

Right side view