End of the year thoughts......

I have been thinking a lot lately about my preschool this past year! Whenever I finish something, I always look back and take stock.....what went well, what do I need to change?...Every person does this! Right!?

Today I started to get emotional...because of this experience....

I was teaching a child how to pump on the swing! This little guy has been scared to death all year with the whole motion thing on the swing!! His eyes and heart just race even if I push him a little! He was still trying to figure it all out! But once in awhile he will quietly slide on the swing for another trial! This wasn't his first time to get on the swing... But, "snap".....today he got it! He figured out the whole back and forth thing, pumping his legs etc! His little "light" turned on and he just got it! He wasn't going full force.....but he figured out the rhythm of it all!

That is all worth it to me! Seeing a child accomplish something...and their sweet face just beams! I have seen it so many times.....these last two years! When something finally clicks in their little brains.....it is a wonderful thing to witness! That is why I love my job!

As I was in the temple today...I walked past a painting of Christ and children surrounding Him. I got a grin and glimpse of pure joy....understanding the joy Christ must feel around His sweet children! I am truly blessed to have the privilege to have a hand in some children's' growth!

I have felt picked on, because I can't physically have anymore children...but I then refer to being surrounded by my three children! And....there is nothing like all the other inquisitive 3,4 and 5 year old that surround me!

Can't wait for my sweet 23 preschool children to head off to Kindergarten this coming fall! They are ready and willing! All so smart! I will miss them!

WHY?????

We voted 600 times.....wasn't enough?

What are your thoughts on this?

Happy Birthday, Ms. Molly!!!!

To my twin sister........ spilt from birth.......

Happy Birthday 26 year old lady(give or take!)

Molly and I met in 1995 while we were in the same ward in Logan Utah. She was needing a blessing because the doctors needed to deliver Sarah early, due to high blood pressure! We lived down the street and she asked Shane to help. Our first encounter! I remember delivering these really dry pink cupcakes! Little did I know she was a top notch cook!

About 6 months earlier, I was having a hard time adjusting to young married life....not having a girlfriend to hang out with! I worked during the day and Shane went to school during the day and worked at night. I was alone and pregnant......needing someone to chat with! So, I fervently prayed to find a special friend.

My prayer was answered! Seriously! I was really praying hard! I had met her.....Molly Harker Collins! We had a lot in common, new babies, craftiness etc. We just clicked! It felt like I knew her for a long time! We spent time together thinking of ways to make money! IT is just in our blood! We found that smothering paint onto cutout pinewood Christmas decorations would benefit to that money making! We had a booth in the mall craft store and also put our creations in the big Logan Novemberfest craft fair! I think we made enough money for a few Christmas presents or pieces of furniture? But, the experience of doing it together and working hard along with our sweet babes on our hips was so much fun and a great memory!

Dylan and Sarah became instant boyfriend and girlfriend! We even had their wedding plans worked out! But......now that they have a mind of their own.....they are negative on that! We will see......as soon as Dylan hits puberty....he may change his mind!

In 1997 Travis and Molly wanted to move back to Pasco, Wa. I was so sad! They found a job in Richland, and packed up and moved, even before selling their condo. Luckily, we sold their condo in several months!

Shane had graduated in 1998. He was offered a job to work for Farm Credit Services in Spokane! I was excited that we would be only 2 hours away from Molly! A year and a half later, we were offered a job in Pasco! Miracles never cease! We would of never thought that we would live outside of Utah! We moved to Pasco were Molly was! No more long distance phone calls!

WE had instant friends while moving to a new territory! Molly and Travis made us feel at home! They helped in so many ways! I remember calling her several times to give me directions! Molly even had a babysitting job set up for me when I moved here! She is amazing!

Luckily, we have had babies around the same time, we could moan and groan together! Except, Molly doesn't complain! We have spent many nights playing cards and games! Camping and BBQ together! We have had great birthday celebrations and holidays! The Harkers have always included us any Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner! Thank you! She even included me in her BUNCO group!

Most importantly, Molly is always there for me! In time of need, she has fixed me many meals, cleaned my house, listened to me complain, cry or laugh! She is my FRIEND!!!! I prayed for her, and look what I got!

CHEERS!

To another year of fun, dice rollin', card playin', phone chattin', primary idea swappin', kid complain', treadmill crazed walkin', FRIENDSHIP!!!!

How's your....Over the shoulder boulder holder...fittin' you lately?

Because of this latest picture of my "sagging fluffs"....I decided I needed a lesson on bra coverage and to buy a nice new bra! I know....you are probably thinking...What the...? Kristen is so blunt! Sorry.....it's the facts of life....and when you have big juicy ones' like me....you need to learn how to wear em' honey!

I went to Lane Bryant....a wonderful store for women larger than size 14. They are having a sale ...buy one, get one half off. I did the thing your not suppose to do! Buy it without trying on! But , Hunter was with me and I just couldn't have him in the dressing room with me asking a millon questions out loud...so everyone can hear him!(i.e."Mom, why are your boobs so big?")

I came home and looked on Lane Bryant web site...and found some interesting facts!

1. How to measure you for a bra: measure the width under your boobs, and measure the fullest part of your boobs. Subtract the two measurements and that will determine the cup size.

My measurements are 44 in around and fullest part is 48.....so I would be a D cup. (TMI!!!)

2ins.=B cup

3ins.=C cup

4ins.=D cup

5ins.=DD cup

and so forth

2.Adjust your bra straps neither too tight or too loose!

3. Pull down the back part, so it rests under your shoulder blades.

4. Make sure all the "fluff" is in the cup!

5. If the front part of your bra doesn't rest on your breastbone....means your cup size is too small.

6. Everytime you wash bra, readjust your straps.

7. While looking in the mirror, your "fluffs" must be inbetween your shoulder and elbow!

8. Eight out of ten women wear the wrong bra size!

9. If the bra rides up in the back....could be too loose. Tighten up!

10. Measure every 6 months for change.....(wieght, age, giving birth)

11. Any digging, extra material in the front......wrong size......

I hope no one was offended.....But.....I sure needed the knowlege!

"Do your "fluffs" hang low?? Do they wobble to and fro...

Can you tie em' in a knot? Can you tie em' in a bow?....

Oh Sorry! Got a little carried away!!!

Happy weekend to you!

What is there not to like? So.....CUTE!

MY BOO!I love that he sang this song! Love it....I love how he takes his cute little runs....and I think he moves good! Simon and Randy want David Cook to win!
My hopes are for little Davey to win!
Who do you think will win?
Two more AI nights....then my night show will be "So you think you can dance"!

Note**See Below Posts** SCIPIO, UTAH!!!!! A WONDERFUL PLACE!

Many of you are asking, where is Scipio? I thought that same thing about 15 years ago! Yeah, I actually married a small town boy! Scipio is located off of the I15, inbetween Provo and Fillmore!
You gotta love the place! There are homes still standing that are over 100 years old! IT is a town of about 250+. It has a chapel and a neighborhood park, a little store, a couple of gas stations, and a Super 8! But, the best thing about Scipio, is the people! They are all down to earth, humble people! They love the land that they work on and they have a deep gratitude for the progenitors that found "Circle Valley" many years ago! You always feel at home when you are there! Everyone waves to you! Everyone knows you! I let my kids just run free there! This is a great place to raise children! They learn how to work hard! Fixing fence, moving pipe, lifting hay, moving cattle, feeding animals, planting crops etc. etc. The work never ends....and it makes a better person out of ya! I love that my husband was raised that way and my children can get a glimpse of that kinda life style!
The Round UP!!
Once a year, my father'n'law and all of his sons and nephews and uncles gather together out "North"(cabin and corrals)and gather all the calves in one corrall and brands them, gives them their shots, ear tags them, and other cowboy stuff(rocky mountain oysters anyone?) So...we(women and children) bring some of their meals to them! The children have a blast! They ride horses and play in the dirt and build forts and just be wanna' be cowboys! We always look forward to it and seem to add in a few extra activities....baby blessing and family photo!
I love the family that I married into! They have accepted me and love me!
My kids do have the best of both worlds!

Hangin' out with my little Bro!

This was taken almost two months ago....gross, I know!!! My little brother delivered his fourth child! The midwive did not make it in time...so Gary did it! Way to go Cheryl...she did all the work! She is amazing!
Anyway.....Here is a brief explanation of our visit with him and family at Disneyland!



So...I just got my pictures developed....yeah, forgot my digtal camera when we went to Universal...so I bought a throw away digtal....and the pictures turned out pretty good! So....bare with me on more pictures from Disneyland!
My little brother has year round Disneyland passes and can come all year for free. So, he came home from work early and brought his two older children to spend the last half of Disneyland with us! Thanks for coming!
*Things to remember!!!
NEmo Ride! Cute!
Star Wars sword demo.
Riding Buzz Lightyear...over and over again!
Getting soaked on Splash Mountain!
Loved the Disney Parade
Disneyland is just MAGICAL!!!

Hangin' out with my Big Bro.

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS....Trip with Uncle John and Aunt Nola,Meagan, Addie, Andrew, and Peter.

HEY, Good Lookin'!!!

Lots of places to get wet!!!

Katie and Hunter and Curious George!


Hunter enjoying the kid areas added to Universal! WE could of stayed there forever!

Finish off the day with a great dinner and great company! My older brother and family and my Dad!We had a great time with my oldest brother and his family! Even though we don't see them often, we still keep in contact! It was like we never have been seperated! Our kids are similar ages and we always have fun together!
*Things to remember from this trip!
The endless escalator...not fun with a stroller!
The wierd gut on the tram ride...taking his shoes off!
The super scarey House of Horrors ride!
Getting really wet on Curious Goerge and Coca Cola display!
The Mummy ride..being able to go on it two times in a row!
The neat child switch rooms!

Going home to the place where you were raised...is like visiting an old friend!

<****Warning****Journal entry of our trip******Detailed and long****For Posterity**
We made it! Ten days of fun and four days of driving! It was a fun filled adventure.....and a trip my kids never will forget! With us living so far from family....my children appreiciate it more! They savor each enviroment, experience and each family member! Even though we spent most of our tax return on the trip...It is money well spent!

I can remember 14 years ago....the morning of my wedding...when I was scared to death to get married....one thing I remember my mother saying to me...."Think how lucky your children will be, they will have the best of both worlds!" This trip reminded me of my moms' wise words, as we traveled across the plains. My kids get to experience the "Ranch" way of life and they get to experience "California" and all the entertainment that is available! They are very lucky! They love both places in different ways!

So....I thought I would post first about our visit to California!


Cousins! Hunter, Andrew and Sydney ....Three Musketeers!!!

As soon as we pulled into Redlands, Ca. I got this feeling...like, it was yesterday, that I was there as a child and teenager! Weird! I am an adult now! Everything was overgrown and older.....but the same..... it was like visiting an old friend! A good feeling of good memories! This was the place were I grew to be the person I am today!
We stayed at my parents house. This in not the house that I was raised in! My two youngest kids don't get it! "My kids asked....Which room was yours', Mom?" I would say..." No, I was not raised in this huge house with a built in pool and massive backyard!" I had to show them the house that I was raised in! We had a "DoughBoy" swimming pool and had to share rooms! The grandkids can now benifit from my Dad and Mom's hard work throughout the years!
I love the smell of the city of Redlands... orange blossoms, pollution, hot air! It is the smell of home! I love the palm trees, all the traffic, different races, stucco houses, our beautiful temple!
I attended the ward that I grew up in! Some people recognized me! Yeah, I have gained some (alot) of weight! My brother is in the bishopric now, and it is fun to see him up on the stand! The funniest thing was, the same lady that was the organist when I was a child, is still today! That must be her eternal calling on this earth! She recognized me! It was fun to visit with old friends!
So...my parents are on a 2 year mission. They will be done this Sept. They serve as the Public Affairs Representatives for the LA district. Their office is located on the temple grounds. They live about 1 1/2 hours away from LA. They get to go home on the weekends and serve during the week. It was fun to visually see where they serve!
We headed to LA with them on Sunday and Dylan was educated with the local GRAFFITI that was plaserted all over the LA freeways!Yuck!
The LA temple is so big and beautiful! It is breathtaking! It was built in the 1950's! It is special to me...that is were I recieved my endowments before my mission! There are several other buildings on the grounds, mission home, huge apartment complex that houses those who are serving in the temple! We were able to stay in one apartment while we were there.
Mom and Dad's apartment is so small! Mom had it decorated with her stuff! One benifit for couple missionaries....you can have a T.V.! I caught "Dancing with the Stars" while we were there! Can't miss that!
I felt a strong appreciation for Mom and Dad serving these last 20 months! It is hard work, working all day on organizing benifits and functions to enable the missionary work to go forth! Driving back and forth from LA to Yucaipa is hard too! They ain't no spring chickens' anymore!
My oldest brother and his family met us at Universal Studios,(more photos of that day to come) where we enjoyed their company and learned about the "Movies"! They were filming "Desperate Housewives and Ghost Whisperer" on the lot! Fun new rides..."Jurassic Park", "The Mummy", and a great water park (children get soaked) called "Curious George!"
We went to dinner at the "Farmers' Market" and spotted our first movie star....the dad from "Juno"...I forgot his name? I guess the stars like to hang out their cause' they don't get harrassed! He was with his teenage son and enjoying dinner himself! Later on, while in Utah...I saw.....an Osmond brother!!! Don't be shocked!
The next day.....DISNEYLAND
The sad thing for me, is it isn't the same Disneyland I was raised with! They totally took out the old parking lot and created California Disney! It looks so different! I used to close my eyes and point in the direction I wanted to go! I knew it that well! Now...it is bigger and better! We got a room at the "Paradise Pier Resort" and walked to Disneyland. We couldn't afford to go to Calif. Disney...who has time....when you just have one day! New rides: Nemo sub. ride! Cute! The best thing I loved about our visit....was seeing it in my 5 yr. olds' eyes! He has been there, but as a baby! This was his first time.....Disneyland has the magical touch! Hunter loved everything!
My youngest brother met us there with his two girls. Our favorite ride: "Splash Mountain"
This was the day before Katlyns' birthday...so we treated as her birthday celebration! She was sung to by Lilo and Stitch.....for breakfast! Very cute!




By the end of our fun filled day of walking, riding and eating....we were tired! This is Hunter on the bottom of the elavator....lying on the ground exhausted! What a day!
The next day...we were off to Utah~!!