it's a small world after all

Last night at the grocery store check-out, I felt a light touch on my arm and looked up to have a woman ask, "Excuse me, but are you from San Antonio?" Before I even answered, 'Yes,' I recognized her face. "Are you Kristen?" She looked surprised and said she was. She remembered my face but not my name so I re-introduced myself.

I wasn't surprised that she hadn't remember my name. Although we'd been on the high school dance team together years ago, I was a year younger and had been so quiet and shy I was surprised she remembered me at all. But here we were, both of us a couple states away from our old high school, in the same grocery store at the same time.

"Do you have any kids?" she asked. When I told her I had three boys, she excitedly said she had two boys of her own. They've been in Colorado for three years, and it's been almost two for us. We've been literally blocks away from each other, living parallel lives and hadn't run into each other until yesterday. What are the odds?

We exchanged numbers and plan to get the boys together soon. It will be interesting to get to know her all these years later, in a completely different arena. No more high kicks, football games and competitions. Both of us a little heavier and rough around the edges from motherhood. I remember admiring her back then, as a dancer and person. She was one of the few genuinely nice and non-catty girls on the team.

Makes me wonder who else might be near. I should pay closer attention...

a love story

He stopped by to say 'hi' wearing a crisp white button down and his darkest Wrangler jeans. I was surprised to see him since he usually hung out at my apartment while I worked Saturdays at the Antique Mall. Although he lived over three hours away and was struggling to get his business off the ground while recovering from a broken leg, he'd come to San Marcos to see me almost every weekend for the last five months since we'd reunited. I liked to feel I gave him a safe haven to relax and recharge in after his hellish week in Bryan. We talked about where we might go for dinner that night and then he headed back to my apartment. I didn't even wonder why he had been all dressed up.

After work I drove home to meet him and we decided on a restaurant. I told him that first I needed to feed my friend's dog since she was out of town. On the way there we saw a turtle crossing the very busy road. Knowing my affection for reptiles, he quickly pulled over and I grabbed the little guy. He drove us to the river and I dropped off the grateful turtle.

We ended up at a restaurant on the San Marcos River and had a couple drinks with dinner. He seemed a little distracted but not enough for me to ask him about it. When we were done he asked if I wanted to go out to Five Mile dam, a favorite spot of ours but not a place we normally went on Saturday nights. We usually just rented a movie and stayed home. I was a little perplexed at his request but said I thought we should just head back to my place. Once we returned, he opened the fridge and pulled out a dozen roses. Wow. Then he said he'd forgotten something in the car and would be right back. I started cutting the stems and placing the roses in a vase when suddenly things started to seem in slow motion. He'd given me flowers in the past but he usually sent wildflowers, never roses. And what could he have left in the car? Something was afoot but my mind could not fathom that this might be "it." After dating a non-commital, immature jackass for almost five years and then finally walking away, I could not imagine that this guy I'd been dating for just five months would have the inclination or courage to propose to me.

He walked back into the kitchen of my apartment and asked me to sit down. I was really starting to have an out of body experience at that point and was glad to. He sat next to me and said, "I went to see your parents today." And I said, "What?! Why?" I was still not believing my ears. He waited for it to sink in and then pulled out a burgandy box and set it on the table. He said he wanted to know if I would be his wife and then he opened the box. I was in shock and still had not gotten past the fact that he'd gone to San Antonio that day and asked my parents for their blessings. I said, "Yes!" of course and he put the ring on my finger. He'd had it sized by finding out my ring size from my sister. Everyone had known about it but me! He handed me the phone and said we needed to call everyone because they were all waiting to hear the news. I could still hardly believe it, that we were engaged, but I was happy to spread the news.

He brought out a bottle of champagne and we went outside to drink it together. I lived in an old house that had been converted to apartments and so I had my own backyard. He'd built me a bench swing a couple of months earlier and that's where we sat, with fireflies blinking silently in the dark around us as we sipped our champagne and let it sink in. Our future together. What could it hold?

What will it hold? In nine years we've come so far. Farther than I could have imagined. And even though he had no running water when he asked me to marry him, I never once doubted he was solid in every way.
He has kept his word to my parents, that he would love me and provide for me.
He has surpassed my expectations and inspired me to be a better person.
He has grown as a man, a husband and a father.
He truly is a gift from God.



Happy 9th Anniversary Big Blue! I love you!

spring has sprung

It finally happened about a week ago. I reached the point where I decided it's about time to do something about this roll of skin that spills out of my jeans when I bend over. There will be no more babies in this baby pocket I've grown, so it's time for the pocket to go!

My husband has always been so flattering and supportive that for the last three years I've been sinking further into denial that I'm getting more and more out of shape with every passing day. And as my doctor so kindly explained to me at my last check-up, as I age it will be easier to gain and harder to lose these extra pounds.

So for a week now I've changed my way of thinking and eating.

No more snacking (not even cheese nips, dammit).
I will eat green things every day.
I don't need to feel like I'm about to pop after very meal.
It will not kill me to feel a hunger pang (gasp) every now and then.
No eating or drinking after 5:30.
Only one drinky drink a week.
No more making chocolate chip cookies just for fun.

And I have taken up running. And I hate running.

But you know what? After just seven days, I see and feel a difference. I thought that after six years and three babies worth of damage, I would have to be patient. But I already feel better. My skin is better, my clothes fit better, and I think I might just get into this running thing.

An iPod would be great so I could listen to Melissa Etheridge for inspiration. Am I the only one who tears up when she sings, "I Run for Life"? I swear that song gives me goosebumps.

But seriously, with my family history of cancer, heart disease and diabetes, I really need to take control. I'm not getting any younger.

I want to set an example for my children and be an inspiration for my husband, as he has been for me. I want to be the mom at the pool this summer that the other moms look at and think "bitch".

This past week as I was conscious of everything I ate, I have become hyper-aware of every commercial I see and hear and it is amazing. No wonder so many Americans are overweight and in debt. There is a constant drumbeat of, "Eat more than you need!" and "Spend more than you have!" And if you're not really thinking about it, it sneaks up and seeps into your subconscious. Our capitalistic society is not into self-control or self-denial in any way, shape or form. Our economy may be doing great, but we need to wake up!

Anyway, my rebellious nature is now fueled to rebel against the marketing machines of corporate fast-food America and that will be my strength!

So as Melissa says, "I run for your mother, your sister, your wife. I run for you and I my friend. I run for life!"

sick kid tips

After being up all night with a sick toddler, I thought it might be fun to document some of what I've learned about taking care of sick kids over the last six and a half years. Maybe it can be of use to someone out there...

1. Putting a sick child in a bath is usually the best thing to do for pretty much any illness: colds, coughs, and stomach ailments. Even if they have a fever they usually perk right up from the sound and feel of the water.
2. If you have a sick child, play it safe and put a towel on their pillow when they go to bed. That way, in case they don't make it to the toilet you don't have to change the sheets in the middle of the night...just remove the towel and do what you determine is best: wash it or burn it (depending on the viscosity of the vomit).
3. If a sick child throws up down you shirt, don't even try to salvage your bra. Just. throw. it. away.
4. Same goes for diarrhea on any part of your clothes. There's just no point.
5. Don't bother climbing back into your nice, warm bed after cleaning up the vomit all over the bathroom. It's just no use. They have an uncanny knack of knowing exactly when you are all snuggled in, about to hit REM, and they will punish you for it. Better to stand outside their door with your eyes closed and try to sleep. Don't lean on the wall or they will sense that, too. It won't be long before they scream your name again...
6. It is possible for a child to vomit and have diarrhea simultaneously so be prepared. It's best to sit them on the toilet with a trash can in front of them than the other way around.
7. This one I heard about through my sister-in-law: If you've put a bowl in their bed for an emergency (vomit), always treat the bowl as if it's full. Even if it looks like it's not.
8. Always rememeber, they can only be sick for so long and then it will be the next kid's turn. So depending on how many kids you have, use the following calculation to determine when you might sleep again: Z (number of kids you have) X Y (length of illness) = oh never mind. You're never going to sleep again so just forget it.

When oh when will spring be here?????