Day Ten One confession

I love Cottenelle Booty Wipes. No word of a lie. Seriously, they make you feel so fresh and ... clean! I was hesitant at first. I mean seriously, what am I a baby? Well! I tell you! If feeling this fresh and airy is what a baby feels like, slap a diaper on me and throw a bott .... never mind. Don't do either of those things. Just trust me. Try it.

Day Nine Two words that describe your life right now

In Limbo.

Day Eight Three turn ons.

1. A good/involved dad
2. A great smile
3. Someone who makes me laugh

Day Seven Four turn offs

1. General bad hygiene.
2. Smoking.
3. Bad Temper.
4. Inability/lack of wanting to communicate.

Day Six Five people who mean a lot to you.

1. Mom
2. Dawn
3. Michael
4. Jenie
5. My kids (they get grouped into one because I'm only allowed 5...)

Day Five Six things you wish you could change or you wish you’d never done

1. I wish I'd buckled down and went to college.
2. I wish I'd had a spine and will of my own WAY before now.
3. I'd stop the wind in S. Alberta from blowing so much so hard.
4. I'd take you with me everywhere I go.
5. I would be able to stop analyzing things to death and just DO them.
6. I find my love for reading again.

Day Four Seven things that cross your mind a lot.

1. Am I REALLY doing this?
2. How can I make that work?
3. Why would they treat him like that? He's NOT a "normal" kid!
4. This is scary, but worth it.
5. I wish scary things didn't make me cry.
6. When did I become such a girl?!?!
7. I wish she had a best friend.

Day Three Eight things you couldn't live without

(I'm keeping this strictly material)
1. Cleaning products. I'm an addict. It may be a problem. 2. Toothbrush. I kid you not. I am a teeth brushing Nazi.3. The internet.
We have a long, deep rooted relationship that has carried me through some really rough times ;)
4. Measuring cups, I have more than a dozen of them. I'm neurotic... no need for discussion.5. Pictures. I have thousands of them ... and that may be an underestimate.
6. My phone. I have a slight panic attack when I think I have driven anywhere without it.7. Flip Flops.
Or THONGS, as I still prefer to think of them.
There's a reason why I need pedicures so often.8. "Free" long distance to Canada. Cause *sniff sniff* no one will *boo hoo* move to *sob* Texas!

Day Two Nine things about yourself that most people don't know.

I had Brogans "Friend Party" (which no one came to ...) to take care of. That is all the excuse I need for the lapse in day. So says me.

1. I love pedicures. It's not just a "those are nice" kind of thing. I would have one once a week if I could justify it.2. I think my Maui Jim sunglasses are the cats meow. Seriously, I adore them. They are so light I forget I have them on my face - and for someone who doesn't wear glasses, that's saying something.3. I would rather be with someone I like doing nothing than doing something I like by myself.
4. I would rather be poor than unhappy. Though being poor sucks :)
5. I hold myself to a high standard of friendship, but rarely expect anyone to return the sentiment.6. I love baking, but hate having what I bake hang about after.
7. A friend of mine who owns a health food shoppe and sells the product, talked me into trying out the HcG diet. I haven't regretted it for a minute. It shows the most in my face ...8. I have done more "rebellious" things in my late 20's and early 30's than I ever did in my teens and early 20's.
9. It has taken me a long time to come into my own. Now that I'm here, I really like who I am.

Day One Ten things you want to say to ten different people right now.

C.J.: Since you left, I've hardly had any contact with you because you've become wrapped up in your life. I miss you :(
D.H.: I love having you just a phone call away. I can't imagine what my life would be like without free long distance between Texas/Alberta.
J.C.: My relationship with you has made me a better person. For that, you're forgiven for being such a dork.
B&J: You two make me laugh, mad, at ease, contemplative, feel cared for. I love the dickens out of you.
D.C.: There's too much ground to cover with you; I could dedicate an entry solely to our friendship. The years have been good to us.
T&M: I love you two. You've shown me in too many ways to mention that I matter to you. I appreciate your eternal optimism. And loving endearments :)
M&J: If you'd just move to Texas, life would be SO much better! ... not just for me!
K.J.: I wish our relationship had never changed. I miss you. I understand you had to do what was best for you ... but I still miss you.
T.F.: My heart aches for you. You know where to find me when you are ready to feel it and be heard.
F.E.: I'm good enough, I'm smart enough. And Frick! You should give me a chance!

Ten Days

... okay, I'll play.
I was scrolling through a mysterious strangers blog recently... Okay, so I don't know if she's actually that mysterious since I've never met her. But that's the point! The mystery is who IS she? What's she REALLY like? Does she like her life? Where does she see herself going?
In any case.
She posted an entry about writing specific things from a list for 10 days. Since I have become a blogging slacker, I thought it'd be an easy way to write something yet still maintain that I have a life.
So, here's the schedule. Over the next 10 days, I'll blog about the items on this list:

Day One: Ten things you want to say to ten different people right now.

Day Two: Nine things about yourself that most people don't know.

Day Three: Eight things you couldn't live without.

Day Four: Seven things that cross your mind a lot.

Day Five: Six things you wish you could change or you wish you’d never done.

Day Six: Five people who mean a lot to you.

Day Seven: Four turn offs.

Day Eight: Three turn ons.

Day Nine: Two words that describe your life right now.

Day Ten: One confession.

Go ahead and join in. If you're in my blog roll. Other wise, forget it.
Ha. Ha.
Kidding.

Red Bull Art

@ the Galleria. I took the time to go see it, it's amazing how much time I have to waste on my hands now the kids are both in school full time. I need a job ... Not to say the exhibit wasn't awesome. Cause it was well worth the time and effort. But seriously ... I need a job.

I'm American

Did the test. Said the oath. Got the pretty piece of paper with my name on it. He's thrilled for me ... deep deep down.

Friends

Labor Day weekend a couple of my girl friends and I jetted off before any of our kids were awake (I think even before the sun knew what was going on) to make a dent in the offerings of Canton. To be clear ... that is 99.98% THEIR damages. Those girls know how to SHOP. I was honestly just along for the ride because I like going anywhere with these girlies. It's always fun and you never know what's going to be said ... or found next ... "I suppose Michael would think it was a nice throne ..."

Where in the World

I am woefully behind. I feel no shame. I feel elation and joy that my life is so full that I have better things to do than blog about everything that happens in my life.
Didja hear me? Elation and Joy.
That's right.
I said it.
I feel no remorse in leaving you behind. In the dust. Wondering "what in the world happened to Krista?"
Well ... let's catch you up. Now that I've insulted all my readers and alienated the any who may have been interested. Haha.

The purpose of (most) of my family coming down was to be a part of Rhiannon's baptism. In the LDS faith, our kids get baptised at eight. Believing that they should be of an age of accountability before they enter the waters of repentance. It was a great experience for Rhiannon. What kid doesn't like having a whole day (other than her birthday) all about them?
The only sad thing about the day is that it meant the next day was when everyone but my mom headed home. I hate having my family live so far from me. Some days it tears me apart inside because I am so torn on whether I am doing the right thing living in Texas when they ALL live within 20 minutes of each other in Alberta.
The sweetest, most tender moment between the girls happened the Sunday they were packing to leave. The girls had asked about Rhiannon going up to Canada with them and then flying home. I pointed out that we simply did not have the funds to be able to do that and left it as a done topic. However, moments later, Jenie happened upon them all pooling their precious, hard earned/saved monies in order to buy Rhiannon a plane ticket themselves.
"I have $11 .... I have $60 ... I have $27 ... If we add it all together we'd have ..." I got chocked up. It was such a sweet moment. Knowing these babies love each other so much that they are all willing to sacrifice money they have been saving/earning for at least the last year ... it killed me!

The "adults" (yeah, I am still childish enough to giggle when I think of being considered an adult when my parents are around) all went to Joe's Crab Shack one night and I partook of my first crab. I admit it, crab has intimidated me in the past. I have never gone out to eat with anyone that has ordered it so I had no idea how to get into the suckers! Jenie and I sat next together, which ended up being a comedy of errors with all the crab flying. I definitely think she was worse than I was; I ended up with some crab down my shirt. And NOT from me being unable to get it in my mouth.

Before my mom headed home we went over to Mesquite and participated in the weekly (seasonal) rodeo they hold out there. It was a ton of fun to cheer on the athletes, have the kids run in a "Cash Cow" and just generally smell the live stock. I know, I know. A lot of people hate that smell. I don't. I love the horses smell especially.

Took the kids out to watch the Perseid meteor shower ... Rhiannon was asleep way before the first star shot across the sky, Brogan was a trooper and stuck it out with me till the bitter end. And let me tell you, he was bitter. I guess you have to be a little older to understand how incredible the show really was.

I went in the on the 16th of August for my Citizenship Naturalization Test and found it ridiculously easy. Seriously. I studied for how long ... for THAT?!?! Humbug! However, it was cause for celebration and a few good friends and I went out to celebrate my Americanization by eating ... French food @ Cadot in Dallas. An odd choice, maybe ... but darn! Was it ever tasty! The service couldn't have been better; the Chef/owner came by himself twice to check on our meals and indulge in chat about various French dishes. Delightful!

I took the boy back to school shopping and quickly learned that we both have the same patience level for that tomfoolery.
School started way too early ... I could have handled a few more weeks of sleeping in ;) Rhiannon was nervous about who was going to be in her class more than who her actual teacher is and Brogan was unimpressed with the whole idea. They've both settled down into their classes fairly well. Brogan wants to be in another class because that is where his favorite little girl is and Rhiannon has got "warnings" from her teacher pretty much every day since school started ... I guess that means she's doing alright and not cowering in her desk ... So the year is going just dandy so far. Hardy Har Har.

How the West was Won

Eight swarming kids. One tired Gramma. Three terrorized parents. That's how. Just kidding on the terrorized part. Mostly.

We hit up the Alamo on day three... or four depending on how you keep track of days.
Brogan was acting and feeling rather monsterous that morning. Seriously, does he not look like a serial killer in training? I, however, was having a great day ... (love ya, Michael!) Took some pictures, read some plaques, talked to a couple from Jersey ...
Headed over to the Children's Museum three blocks down from the Alamo and let the kids go (under strict parental supervision) wild. For darn near 5 hours. If not 6. Who was keeping count anyway? I seriously cannot look at this picture of Lily without breaking into laughter. She is such a riot.

Thinking and Being

The Second day in San Antonio we thought we'd be all smart and get there RIGHT when the gates opened so that we could get the rest of the rides out of the way, watch the shows and then enjoy the water park at the very end before we left. The thought was there. The intention was good. However, we all failed to read on the map the day before that even though the park opens at 10, NOTHING besides the aquarium opens till ELEVEN. Sure, go ahead, get in a line. Sure, go ahead, get there early. It's not like you can DO anything there. Lame-o.
However, once it actually opened for business, we were kinda in good spots to get in early on the rides we wanted to go on. Or THOUGHT we wanted to get on. The roller coaster LOOKED tame enough. (those are the girls standing under the track...) It didn't LOOK like it was going to try to slam your vertebra down through your tail bone. Six story vertical drop with only lap belts, no back support ... and a lot of jerking about. Yaaay ... let's never do that again. Ever. This is what Jenie looks like right after she thinks she's going to die... and what I look like ... It wasn't pretty my friend. Not pretty at all.
We all headed over to watch the Shamu show after that ... and Michael's face expresses just how incredibly powerful the show is. He's not looking all "Holy Crap!" cause he just got SOAKED (haha, that's Lily's face) - he's looking like that because the show is just ... emotional. I have seen the show three times now and I still get choked up.
The water skiing show was to watch also ... it's pretty fun to see what YEARS of doing something athletic can bring about... a career at Sea World ;) Seriously, though. It'd be cool to say your job is water skiing at Sea World.
The rain and lightening had started coming down by this point so we scurried over to the last show we had hoped to watch. They kept delaying the show because of the lightening and high wires and what not involved, which gave the kids a chance to talk to the whale trainer before the cancelled the show entirely.

the rest of the story ...

I was so tired after I had put together the last two posts I simply couldn't stay awake long enough to WRITE about what we did. I'm well rested and wee bit keyed up right now, though - so here goes!
My mom, kids and I drove down to San Antonio from Austin, checked us in, got us groceries, had supper ... generally wasted time till Michael, Jenie and their kids showed up. THEN the fun REALLY started ... okay, so it started the next day. But it's all relative. I think maybe we went to the pool that night ... but maybe not. It's all kind of blurry ...
The NEXT day - we'll call it the 1st day because I have photographic proof that it happened... We went to Sea World. We touched dolphins, fed sea lions, splashed in the water park, went on some REALLY lame rides, one AWESOME one (those are Michaels, Hannas and my feet dangling on the last set of seats you see) and waited in line for what seemed to be HOURS for an okay one. The kids couldn't have been better. Other than Brogan, who was DONE like ten minutes after we got there, there was no complaining, no whining, no fighting ... just a whole lot of fun been had by all.