OK, so I haven't blogged in a really, really, really long time. Like, really. But I have to document my experience over the last 30 days because it was kind of a big deal to me and I want to be able to look back and remember how truly awesome it was.
Wednesday, August 13, 2014
My Whole 30 Experience
Posted by Kiersti at 6:34 AM 2 comments
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
50's Poodle Skirts
Posted by Kiersti at 1:36 PM 0 comments
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Well, Hello There!
I know it's been a very super long time since I posted anything.....I was getting a little tired of revisiting my brother's death every time I wrote anything down. I finally feel like I'm in a different/happier place now.
So let's talk about what's been going on around these parts now, shall we?
Lauren is in Kindergarten now, which means I spend {some days} an hour and a half in the car just driving to/picking up from school. We chose to apply for all of the charter schools within 15 minutes of our house, and got lucky enough to get picked for one. I couldn't be happier - every time I make that drive, I remind myself how much I love this school and the hour and a half is a small sacrifice to make for peace of mind. I know we made the right choice, even though it's a little rough and she has CRAZY homework for a Kindergartener {she's going to pass us up in the brains department in about 2 years}. She is reading and doing math that I didn't realize a 6 year old could do. Smarty pants!
Mya is in her second year of preschool and loving it. She gets to go to a preschool where she has a lot of friends from the ward, and loves her teacher. She is full of sassafrass and attitude, but she is a crack up and I can't get enough of her. I lied. I get quite enough of her on a daily basis but I love the heck out of her and wouldn't change her for anything. The good Lord must see something in us as parents that we don't quite yet to be trusted with this one!
Jane is running and talking all over the place. I've never seen a kid that hates to sit still more than her. She loves to play with her sisters, and is quite independent.....most of the time. She is constantly getting compliments on her beautiful hair and she has the temper to match. She is her daddy's daughter - a tease! She has the world wrapped around her little finger and she knows it.
For a long time I felt like I got the shaft on life. Everything seemed to always work out for everyone else, but never for me. I never liked my callings in the church, my kids were the only ones throwing epic tantrums in the middle of Target, Jane will never sleep through the night, my relationships with my friends are not what I want them to be, I can't keep up on day to day life, my house looks like a war zone, yada yada yada, bla bla bla.
I decided that I needed to change my outlook on life and to remember my blessings and that we are given trials to strengthen us and our faith.
And now it seems like so many things ARE working out for our family. Lauren got into an amazing charter school - granted it is 12 minutes away, and I feel like I spend an eternity in the car every day, but I know she is supposed to be there, and I am so grateful for the opportunity.
I got a new calling, Junior Primary Chorister, and I was really nervous about it, but I LOVE it. For the first time in my life I feel completely comfortable in a calling and it is such a blessing for me to get to sing with those little darlings every Sunday.
Every day I try and take a moment and reflect on where my life is at, where our family is at, and I can't help but recognize how immensley blessed I am.
My kids are going to throw tantrums in public, my work schedule may be crazy, my house might be a wreck.....so what?
I have a wonderful family, amazing friends, my kids are spectacular, and my husband.....oh my wonderful, supportive, loving, funny husband does everything he can to make my life easier and our house run as smoothly as possible. I couldn't ask for a better partner!
Ladies - he makes dinner every single night, bathes the kids, cleans the house, and does homework/reading with Lauren. I don't know how things would work around here without him.
I am blessed, life is amazing, and maybe you'll hear more from us in the near future.
That is, if anyone still reads this old thing anymore, wink wink!
Posted by Kiersti at 6:54 AM 6 comments
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
When Least Expected
This is quite personal, but I have found that writing about this stuff really helps, so I guess I'll share.
It's amazing how a seemingly normal situation can trigger something.
On Sunday, we sat down to enjoy a lovely game of Ticket to Ride at the cabin, and my nieces were turning on a movie.
They had chosen to watch "7 Pounds" - you know, the one with Will Smith.
I mentioned that it was a sad movie, and then my brain started going nuts thinking about the plot of the movie and that led to an absolute panic attack.
I have never experienced anything like it.
My body was shaking uncontrollably and I felt like I couldn't breathe.
I was reliving sitting in my parents' living room late into the night on November 8, listening to my father talk to someone at the hospital, answering endless questions about my brother and agreeing to donate his organs/tissues/bones.
I could see the look on my Dad's face all over again - absolute heartbreak and despair.
I was completely overwhelmed.
I put my face in my hands and tried to compose myself, but couldn't.
I wanted to scream, I wanted to run, and I just wanted that stupid movie to be OFF.
I stood up and I think blurted out "I need you to turn this off" or something like that and ran to the bathroom.
I'm pretty sure my family might think I'm a bit crazy.
It took me a couple of minutes to compose myself before I was able to go back and join the family.
But it got me thinking about the recipients - the lives that have been saved and changed because of Trevor's death.
I talked to my dad yesterday, and we discussed writing letters and attempting to contact the recipients and hear their stories.
I think it could be a very healing experience to learn about them.
To put faces and names to these unknown people out there, walking around with these physical pieces of my little brother - their lives forever changed.
I sent an email this morning to the Texas Organ Sharing Alliance and asked some questions about how to get started in the process.
I'm not sure what will happen by going down this road, but I can't imagine it won't be a positive step in the healing process.
We shall see, we shall see.
I have always been very vocal to my family and husband that I want to be a donor, I have always felt very strongly about it.
I will forever be so proud of my parents for making that decision under such horrible circumstances.
Knowing that some really good, positive things could come from such a tragedy is comforting, and I really want to know more about it.
BE A DONOR!
Posted by Kiersti at 6:45 AM 7 comments
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
The Great {preschool} Graduate
Posted by Kiersti at 6:14 AM 5 comments
Party Time, Excellent
Posted by Kiersti at 6:02 AM 2 comments
Friday, May 18, 2012
And the Baby is ONE
What I would do without this kid to brighten my every day is a mystery to me.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JANE PANTS!
Posted by Kiersti at 7:36 AM 0 comments