Summer Vacation Part 2

I absolutely love where I live, but lawdhavemercy do I love to get away! We did one of those impromptu trips this past week. You know one of those that involves a text from another mother that says something along the lines of “ We booked our hotel in Orange beach at such-and- such place, during such-and-such time- y’all in?”, and well, YES, we were in! We do what mothers do- we deliver! And, the beach, is one of my most favorite places to visit. So, it wasn’t really that hard of a decision!

(Sisterly love- I am most certain that Avery had her dress on backwards)

And Alabama? This trip? I feel guilty saying things like "We needed this vacation", or, “He needed this vacation”, knowing time away is most certainly, a luxury, but I'm still going to say it. We/He… needed this vacation after the last year that our family has endured. We took a very quiet rest this past week… and it was nice. It was definitely one of those "Wow, this is really happening" moments. Because last year, I would have never dreamed that we would have arrived in this place, ever.

(Picture #2 of 2 with me in it)

People who love each other and talk about being together more often--here we were, in the middle of summer, in the middle of coast--together. And it was pure love!

I can honestly say that I am more relaxed than I've been in a long time, in complete sync with my family, and most importantly, my own mind and spirit. I think that is pretty important for anyone… to aligned with those things. I think this vacation delivered in the way that it was supposed to!

We arrived home last night..all relaxed and so thankful for this time that was spent together!

I've learned there are parts of me that love quiet and calm and relaxed and slow, and there are parts of me that love adrenaline, projects, busy and stimulated. When one part's up to bat, the other one's just benched for a bit, getting ready for his turn. aI think that I have a great team; because, we play well with each other. It is almost adrenaline, project's, busy, and stimulated's turn...

With that said…I am going to enjoy a little bit more of summer laziness for the next few days. Monday… I start checking items off my to-do-list. I thrive on lists, we all know. School is just around the corner y’all! Ashlynn starts August 10^th, and not long after, I start back August 20^th.

Please keep our family, and most importantly, Daniel in your thoughts and prayers in the coming weeks. We head back to St. Louis on Monday, July 30^th for our one- year post- transplant- check-up. Which, inevitably means a whole lot of testing, including a bone marrow biopsy. While, there are no reasons to believe that the cancer is back… it still must be done. One year, my friends! Another birthday of sorts to celebrate! 

The Big Three-Oh...

I am thirty.

and so far… I am happily thirty.



Last night, I took away my twenties and tucked them away, storing them in my mind… all of the happiness and all of the sorrows.

Let me tell you- 20 was easy to box up- me and twenty… we never got along that great anyway- so that goodbye, was every bit easy. Twenty three… that one was tough. Two very important things happened that year- things that would truly change my life forever- giving birth to my first-born and marrying my best friend. I held that one tight in my arms- I had a really hard time packing that one up. Packed that life changing year one away very carefully! Maybe I can visit again someday? Twenty eight… another tough one… thanking it for the events that unfolded, but, glad to see it go. Twenty-eight and I went down with a fight. Twenty nine- what a glorious year that was!

But, once all of the twenties were properly packed up, farewells were said, and stored away appropriately, I was ready to adequately welcome the thirties. Although I can’t see very far into the thirties yet, I am positive that there are many good things to happen. I can already see the great beauty. I’m very sure that with the beauty, there will also be sorrow. However, I can always thank the twenties for giving me the appropriate coping skills to deal with the sorrow, and reap the benefit from the new coping skills, that will be learned in the thirties, right? I also see the enormous amount of growth, challenges, experiences, and love that I will find in the thirties- and, I can’t wait!

And how does one write about such a milestone? I am not really sure, but I am going to try, because I have put much thought into it. I can tell you this- while, you cannot write your past, you can certainly write your present and your future. And, that is what I am going to do.

So, I am going to fill you in on some things that the past thirty years have taught me:

I've learned...that you are the author of your own happiness.

I’ve learned… that strength cannot not be bought nor borrowed. And, it most certainly cannot be found overnight. Instead… it takes years, and I think that I have finally found it!

I've learned...that the best music, you'll never, ever hear on the radio. You must seek it out in other places.

I've learned...that picking up everything and moving to Risco, MO on a whim can reap some of the most beautiful, beautiful rewards.

I’ve learned that there is good in every. Single. Person. You just have to look deep sometimes!

I’ve learned… that family is most certain the most important thing in my life. Should your ship ever capsize… you never, ever let your family go down. Bottom line is- you should never let family be taken granted for- and there is no way that I would be “me” without mine.

I’ve learned… that I love children very, very much.

I ‘ve learned… and witnessed the kind of love that has no words. That life-changing kind of love. And I learned it through marriage and giving birth to three beautiful little girls. This love has given me the ability to have responsibilities, and confidence that I never had before. I have also learned how to give my whole heart…

I've learned...that I believe in God, and feel the presence of him in many events in my life. I also believe that I have the liberty to explore who He is on my own, and that He encourages me to. I feel him more in terms of love or judgment, instead of fear, like I used to. I've also learned that He is oh-so-much bigger and more beautiful than the books written about him. ...and that He can be found, most of the time, in the most prominent places away from church.

I’ve learned the value of good friendships. Although, I am not always the best friend… I still value each and every one of my friendships.

I’ve learned… that accomplishing things that so many people never dreamed that you would ever accomplish… is one of the best feelings in the world!

I've learned...that quality is always better than quantity… and that goes for everything (jewelry, clothes, shoes…)!

I've learned...that snail mail is so much more fun than email.

I’ve learned… how to finally breathe again.

I’ve learned… true happiness, and for THAT… I am very thankful!

...and to think that all of this has been learned in thirty years.

...and there's so much more to learn.

but for now...it’s my thirtieth birthday, and the 4^th of July!

So…

Today, I am enjoying the it's-my-birthday things and celebrating the 4^th of July appropriately! XOXO Kristin