Happy New Year, almost....

Well, yes I know it's been a while! So much has been going on, it's been nuts. Last post I mentioned I was working again, yes I am, but now at a different job than then. Wait, lemme back up, that last post was the day before Halloween, and Trey was sick. Got him on TamiFlu and he seemed to get well pretty quick except he missed Halloween altogether. He slept thru the doorbell ringing, dogs barking and kids hollering for candy. No trick or treating for him this year.
Then it was time for my birthday again... they keep coming closer and closer together! Guess that's better than the alternative! ;) After that I got another job. The one I had was at a private day school and it was good, but I'm not cut out to be a teacher and I had a class of 3 year olds on Tuesdays and a class of 4 year olds on Thursdays. I was ready to pull my hair out on those days! Bless teachers hearts! SO.... I got another job, my dream job... at a scrapbooking store!! I am working at the Scrapbook Junkie and love it! Come see me if you're in the area! The days fly by and it's fun to help people get into the hobby! Then it's time for Thanksgiving, one of my favorite holidays! We had the usual fare with the family! Good times and good eats! Next is the hustle and bustle of Christmas, but the Grinch in me came out.... I had no extra money to spend this year.... but it worked out, lighter than in the past, but everyone was happy. Just glad to get this year over with and pray 2010 is better, it has to be, hopefully it can't be any worse....

We did have a Christmas miracle in our family this year though! Nick's cousin has been sick for a while with a bad heart. In and out of the hospital numerous times. The doctors would think they got it fixed then he'd go down again. Finally put him on UNOS for a heart. Not really sure how long he was on the list, but Nick and I were heading out to shop for Trey on Thursday the 17th of December, and his mom called to tell us they were on stand-by, meaning, be ready they may have a heart for him. Then around 2:30 they told them to head to the hospital, it was a match and after a few more tests, they may do surgery that night! When it happens, it happens fast! Sure enough, in the wee hours of the morning of the 18th, he got a new heart! Last time we saw him, he looked pretty bad, and had a backpack and port line for medication that he had to have 24/7. So it couldn't have come at a better time. He came through surgery with flying colors, and was in CICU for a few days, then to a regular room for a day or two then home for Christmas!
If that isn't a miracle, I don't know what is! One week almost to the day, home with a new heart!
He was given the greatest gift this year, from a stranger! We are so grateful and his family has their husband and dad back! We have said many prayers during this for the donor family and the doctors and they have all been answered!

Our Christmas was crazy as usual! 4 get togethers and lots of food and whew, I'm in a food coma... so much junk, sweets and food non stop! Tonight I'm making a real dinner and will try to stay away from the leftovers!

No work until Wednesday, so hope to get this pit cleaned up and all that laundry done! No rest for the weary!

Hope you all have a Happy New Year!

kris

I'm still around!

I can't believe it's been so long since I posted! I haven't been up to too much except working again! EWWWW!! But it's a must do in this economy! I forgot how tired I am in the evening when I work, how messy my house stays, how big the pile of laundry gets, how I don't have my days to grocery shop, visit my grandparents, or have lunch with my girls, I could go on and on, but I digress. Anyhoo... I have missed checking in on the blogs I keep up with, (or used to) and just playing away the day away on the net. I am still scrapping when I can, but those times are few and far between too! Well, this is a short and sweet post, I have a sicky kiddo today and need to go check on him! Check y'all later!

KRIS

Another Anniversary

It has been a year since our lives changed overnight. In some ways it's hard to believe it's been that long, in others it seems like yesterday. This time last year we were headed to Mom and Dad's to hunker down. It was hardly blowing but the water had already risen at home. It wouldn't be but hours until the nation's third costliest storm hit us head on. To remind you of what we went through, read my post from last year about seeing hell. Since then have we seen former presidents raising money or movie stars on our behalf begging the rest of the country for help, have we even seen much help from our own government? Some who needed living arrangements are still fighting with FEMA, but where are all the trailers?? In Louisiana.... for Pete's sake! I'm going to rename this storm and it's victims, (one of which I am, though I hate that word), The Forgotten Ones. We had to fight with FEMA for 3 months to help, then after 3 months they said we no longer qualify. We pay a mortgage for a place that is still condemned, and we pay rent. Thanks FEMA, said with all the sarcasm I can muster. I'm trying to be happy because we all lived through it, we have a home and our health, but sometimes I wonder...anyway, this is one anniversary that can quietly slink off into the night and I won't care. I'm going to go to sleep tonight not worried, sick to my stomach or scared and not hearing the roar of hell. I'm looking forward to tomorrow for it's a new day!

kris

Where were you?

Do you remember where you were on this day 8 years ago? I remember it as clearly as I remember where I was when President Reagan was shot, when Challenger exploded and when we lost the space shuttle Columbia. Things like this stick in your mind always. It's a good thing... we should remember who was lost, who the heroes were and always lift up the families whose lives are forever changed in a split second. Never again will 9/11 be just another date.

with reflection,

kris

Creek Kids Warehouse is open!!

Today was the Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting for our new Children's Ministry! I am so proud to be a part of the team and WOW what a day! It rocked! Everything went well, the kids were wide-eyed and excited, just wait, there's more to come!! We started this building journey 2+years ago, and broke ground June 08 and today it was a reality! I took a few pics, but they aren't great, so hopefully I can direct you to better ones as soon as they are published! I am the Shop Foreman at the 10am service time, if you are in the area, stop by and say HI! The whole building is themed as a Warehouse, garage, alley, service station, you get the jist.(Click pics for larger size!)
in the Chop Shop (volunteer lounge)

new kids check in

the alley

entrance to the Garage (door closed)

when large group starts, the siren goes off

and the door opens to the Garage area.

Couldn't get a good pic, too dark!

this is the slide from the loft to the main stage,

Trey was messing around one day when I was

painting!

More of the alley; foosball, air hockey, basketball,

skateboarding, shave cream wall, Tic Tac Toe,

checkers, video games, ping pong... it's hard getting the

kids outta here! (and some grown ups)

K-1 classroom, still waiting on the rugs for in here.

2-3 grade classroom, those bean bags are HUGE!

4-5th grade room.

We are just so blessed to have this for our kids, the people that

volunteer are the best and the Campus director rocks!

We are having a carnival for the community in Sept,

it's gonna be a biggie! More on that later!

Happy Birthday Morgan!

Happy Birthday to my sweet niece today!
She is 3!
How time flies!

2006

2009

Love you Mo!

Aunt Kiss