Finding Krissi

Often when we pray we thank our Heavenly Father for our blessings. I can't help to think that frequently our thanks is a statement we utter in thoughtless repetition. Not to say we are not thankful. Of course we are thankful. No matter our circumstances we can think of blessings in our life. The silver lining in the clouds. I am thinking more about the thanks we feel. Those moments where in quiet reflection we feel peace and happiness. An overwhelming thanks for all of our blessings. I have thought a lot about my blessings, and the things I consider blessings. I have decided that blessings come in all kinds of packages. Over the past couple years I have even learned that blessings do not always come in pretty packages. Sometimes those things that we have to be the most thankful for come at the end of a long trial. Trials are the most unwanted yet most needed blessings. Trials humble us humans. Trials make us look past ourselves. Trials change our perspective. Have you ever ...

About a year and half ago Al received a keyboard for Christmas. I think at the time Brent and I figured it would gather dust, and even though Al said she wanted one... well kids say they want many things. After a few months, Al started asking for piano lessons, and so she started piano lessons. Again, Brent and I figured it would just be a matter of time before she lost interest. In September, Al started with the first book, by the end of October she had moved into her second book, and in April, she moved into her third book. Much to Brent’s and my amazement, Al practiced. She practiced daily without being asked. When it was time for her first recital, she chose a hard song. A hard song! Our Al chose a hard song! A song that I felt was way above her abilities. It is hard to describe the transformation Al has went through this year. Piano is only one of the areas that she has impressed Brent and I. Her grades in school have improved dramatically and her motivation to do her b...

Yesterday was a day full of surprises. First off the boys had an orthodontics appointment. I have been dreading this visit because this was going to be the visit in which I would walk away 5,000 dollars in debt. A. started phase 1 orthodontics at 9 years old, I have been told, since his first dentist visit at 4, he would need braces. There was also a point in time that A. would not smile because of his teeth. So I accepted the brace debt and have known it was coming. The same pattern has repeated with H. at his first dentist appointment I was told that he would need braces. So you see going to the orthodontist was bound to happen. It was just luck that the boys had to do it at the same time. So there we were, at the orthodontist, a guy who has already fixed S.'s teeth, and performed a small miracle on A.'s teeth. I like him, he is a nice guy, even if he is an Orthodontist. Like I said there we were Brent, the boys, and me. First up was A. he jumped in the chair as t...

Two posts in one day. It may be a first. It's not. Once upon a time I was constantly posting. Sometimes two or three times a day. When did I have that kind of time? Where did that time go? Okay, so lately the song below has been on a loop in my head. For some reason it is resonating with me right now. Possibly because my life is going through a transition. Not just my life but Me. I can actually feel all these changes taking place. Such a difficult thing, feeling, emotion to explain. Whatever it is I love this song. I think because it is about taking on life without inhibitions. I need less inhibitions! I also need to KNOW that it is okay that I don't have all the answers. That I can have parts of my story that are unwritten. Maybe I just need to enjoy writing the story a little bit more and worry less about how it is going to end. Whatever my reasons I love this song right now. So turn up the volume, throw up your arms, and sing with me people. I am unwritt...

I have picked up a little slack from a friend or two about not sharing information. Sometimes I am a big open book and I let the whole world in. I tell you guys everything even stuff I probably shouldn't. On the other hand sometimes I am a closed book and I don't say a word. It is a mystery when I choose to do one or the other. :) A mystery I have yet to figure out. So I didn't say anything but then the news kind of leaked out like news does. Even when you don't think it's news it's just life. Have I built up the suspense enough? Well the friends who gave me slack already know as for the rest of you here it is. Last week S. was elected as a ninth grade officer at her school. She is thrilled, over the moon, thinks this is going to be the best year EVER! She worked hard preparing for the election. At her school you have to prepare a portfolio. For the portfolio you have to come up with ideas for several activities.  Activities like a school dance...

I have been sitting in this chair since one this afternoon. Okay, well I did get up and run a kid there and another one there and then back to get them again. But!! Other than that I have been here ALL DAY!! With my nose buried in a book, my fingers typing away, and my head processing information. School is hard...and there is lots to accomplish and time keeps speeding up. I swear what was 24 hours a year ago is more like 22 now. I don't know how that happened but it has happened.  Do you know how it happened? So I'm still sitting here in this chair. Except for now I'm stepping away from the book. The book that talks about Onomatopoeias, Similes, Metaphors, Alliteration, and Personification, also the structures of an atom and did you know.... Never mind I don't even think I want to know.. Tomorrow is the last night of one more class and my graduation date is now officially under a year. WOO HOO BABY! All I have to do is survive less than 10 classes ...

Honestly, there are many things about me that I'm not to crazy about. I have a running list in my head of things that I ought to change. Also, I have a running list of things I ought not have done. I picture those list on long scrolls, if I was to ever let go, the paper would go on and on and on. Picking at myself is probably one of the most girly things I do. Women are famous for finding fault. We start with ourselves and we move outward. We find fault in our lives, husbands, kids, and . . . Well the list kind of just goes on from there. Ironically, our list of greatness is much (x1000) smaller. We don't take time to numerate all of the qualities that make us fantastic. I'm sure that the list exist it is just buried under all of those fault finding list. Sadly, I believe that this keeps our brains tuned into fault finding instead of great finding. (I just love when I make up phrases. :)) That is to say, instead of finding the greatness in every day, we look for and f...