Ahhh…summertime.  I am totally loving summertime.  This past month has been, far and away, the most relaxing month I have ever experienced in my life.  I still have crap to deal with (though it’s almost over…YAY), but I am surrounded by such amazing people, old and new, that I can breathe again.  I am loving life.  I don’t remember a time EVER when I was this happy.  I feel like a little girl.  :)  I’m even giggling on a regular basis…and I’m not a giggler.  No way.  Not me.  :)  I love this stuff.  This is how life is supposed to be.  Me and my monkey have been spending great quality time together.  I’ve been spending lots of time with my sisters.  I’ve gotten in some great beach time and I’m rockin a killer tan for the first time ever (I’ve never been darker than my sister Kelly, she pretends to be mad about it).  I’ve read some great books.  I’ve made some new friends, I’ve rekindled some old friendships.  I’ve done a lot of swimming.  I’ve done more going out for drinks than usual, but it’s summer and I needed some fun in my life, darnit!  I’ve got a really great new thang going that I hope will last for a long time. :)  And, I’ve actually been knitting.  Yes, knitting.  Finally.  Woo hoo.

This is one of my best friends ever, Katie, who I’ve been friends with for nine years.  I’m so glad that we have been hanging out more since I moved back to civilization.  She is such a great support for me.  Katie is the type of person that you can tell anything to and she will never, ever judge you.  She will listen to anything and not cram her advice down your throat, she will just be your shoulder to cry on or your person to vent to.  We have both been through our share of really crappy times over the last nine years and seen each other at rock bottom and at our best.  We are both in good places right now and have been having a blast doing fun stuff together.  This pic is from a “girl” night at her house this past Saturday. 

OK, I uploaded that one pic and now wordpress won’t let me upload any of my knitting pics!  Argh!  I’m too tired to mess around, so I will update this tomorrow.  Darn! I really have been knitting too! 

I’ve been living by this…it is what it is.  No matter how bad things seem, everything happens for a reason and I really believe that things work out for the best.  I hope everyone is doing well and is having a great summer!!  :)  I’ve been a TERRIBLE blog commenter, but I have been enjoying reading…

My baby graduated from his pre-k program today! I am such a proud mama! He is such a smart boy and he is SO ready for kindergarten. He has another week at the pre-school, then we take off to Maine for 2 weeks, then he is in and out of day camps for the summer. They are run by the town and I thought it would be a great way for him to meet kids that he would be going to kindergarten with. He is also playing t-ball and soccer again this summer and he is SO excited for them to start.

He has such an extensive history of ear infections, I was a little concerned about his hearing and speech earlier in the spring/late winter, but I had him evaluated by a professional, and I was delighted to hear that he is just fine. Considering that he has had over 20 ear infections in his short life, she said he is lucky to be stringing together 4-5 word sentences, let alone the dissertations that he comes up with. The sounds that he has difficultly with are very age appropriate. She thinks that I just notice them more because he talks SO MUCH more than the average 5 year old and he has an extensive vocabulary. Of course, as a proud mama, I knew that he was smart, but it was very validating to hear it from someone else, who actually knows what they are talking about. He is seeing an ENT to check out any issues with his ears from the infections in a few weeks, but she wasn’t concerned that there was any kind of damage that was affecting his speech and he was not recommended for speech services at this time. I was so relieved. She also didn’t have any trouble at all understanding him, he just needs to be reminded to slow down sometimes.  And, I was kind of mad that our old doctor never recommended any of these services or evaluations. I guess that’s what I get for living in the sticks for so long where not too many of the adults know how to speak properly. HAHA (I can only say that because 1-I’m not from there, and 2-I’m joking, sort of, LOL) This school district is AWESOME too. I requested the speech evaluation and was in with the SLP the next week. I’m sure it didn’t hurt that I work in the district, but still… Whatever works… Next, pray he doesn’t need tubes in his ears. I’m sure keeping my fingers crossed!

Here’s a picture of us together from today. The ceremony was so cute. His teacher taught the class a bunch of sign language that they showed us today and they did a song in sign language. They sang a few songs and walked up to get their diplomas. They even had a little reception after it with pizza and appetizers and desserts. It was a fun afternoon! My parents, sister and nephew were able to come too!

He looks like such a little man here!

I might even post again in less than a month. Tomorrow is the little guy’s birthday party. He won’t be 5 until the 23rd, but I wanted to have his friend party before he stopped going to the pre-school because he has made so many wonderful new friends there and before we went away to Maine for our big summer vacation! It’s a busy weekend around here!!

…I graduated!

Since I finished in December, I wasn’t sure that I wanted to walk, but I am glad that I did.  Connor was beaming and especially enjoyed telling anyone who would listen that he was very proud of his mommy for graduating from high school. Embarrassing?  You bet.  He only needed to be corrected about 100 times. 

I love how flattering those silly penguin suits are.  I had such a cute dress on and not one picture of it!

I loved my car. She even had a name. It was Holly the Hyundai. She certainly wasn’t the nicest car in the world. She had tons, and I mean TONS of miles, and she was getting on in her years, but she was a good, solid car and she was cheap. Now, she is gone forever.

Late Wednesday, I was driving, by myself, ON THE HIGHWAY, AT NIGHT, and a deer jumped right out in front of me. I didn’t have time to do anything. I hardly even knew what had happened before I hit the poor thing. It was terrifying. I was SOOOOO glad that Connor wasn’t with me! My car is a total loss, according to the insurance company, which annoyed me at first because from where I was sitting it didn’t look that bad. But, when I went back to gather my belongings today, I completely understood. The car is a mess. I was going 65mph (which is a miracle, I have a wicked lead foot and typically would have been going faster) and the hood is all crunched in, the passenger door is bent so bad it won’t open, and even the roof is bent in three places. It was very disappointing that the airbags didn’t go off. Anyone who looked at the car who knew anything about cars said that they definitely should have.

BUT, if the airbags did go off, I probably would have been hurt worse, with airbag burns/broken glasses/broken nose/black eyes, etc. Right now, I have a nasty bruise on my hip, from my seatbelt, my wrists and elbows are sore, I think from tightening up on the steering wheel and I have an unbearably sore back. I finally broke down and saw the doctor (she thinks it’s just muscle related) but she sent me for x-rays, just to be safe. Everyone said it’s better to have everything documented for the insurance company now, than for them to give me a hard time later on, if I ever did have a problem. I think it stinks that insurance companies can be such stinkers, but I suppose they do deal with people who bleed the system. I am just glad to be here! It could have been SO much worse!

I have so much more to blog about, but the car accident really shook me up and it’s been all I’ve been thinking about. It was really scary. I was so lucky that a really nice police officer came out to the scene and sat with me until my dad got there. The wrecker driver was so creepy looking, I would have rather hitched home than gotten into his truck. I hope that once all of this insurance crap is settled I’ll be able to sleep again and then I can get back my head and put together a decent blog post because I HAVE been knitting!!

Here’s a few more pics…you can see me sending a picture message in a few of them. At least my dad was smart enough to remember to bring a regular camera!

Happy Mother’s Day to all you mommies out there! I hope you have a great day! My day is starting out great because it is 7:45 and Connor is still sleeping.

Connor made a lovely sign at pre-school for me to hang up. The background is his handprints and there is a poem that reads, “My little hands saved for Mom, here forever more, my little hands you’ll someday miss, my little hands that grab you tight when you tuck me in to say goodnight, my little hands that send love your way on this and every Mother’s Day.” Love, Connor 2008 Isn’t that cute? I cried. I’ve been overly emotional this week, but I loved it. He also planted a seed a while back at school and it has started to grow already, so that was the other part of the gift for me. He can’t remember if he chose a flower or a bean though. I love that kid, he is too cute. He says he’ll ask his teacher on his next school day!

Today we are having a yummy lasagna dinner with my mom and dad (who has been sick with pneumonia, the poor guy!) and my sister and nephew. It’s supposed to be a beautiful day, so I think we’ll head out for a walk to the park too. I hope everyone has a terrific day!

(Connor’s favorite springtime activity)

ETA: Life has been hard at times lately, Connor and I have been through a ton of transitions (as have others, but this blog isn’t about them). Regardless, yesterday was the best Mother’s Day I have ever had. It was peaceful, it was relaxed, it was calm, there was no fighting, no stress, no fear, no worrying, no walking around on eggshells. It was simply lovely. All I had ever wanted in a Mother’s Day and all we did was hang out together. We went to Target in the morning to pick up a few things and then we had breakfast at Dunkin Donuts. Connor ordered for me. It was the cutest thing ever (I kept it simple with a tea and a muffin). Then we played out in the yard and Connor buried himself in dirt (not a sandbox-dirt and mulch-nice and dirty). After that we had an early dinner with my parents and my sister and nephew. The boys played outside some more after dinner while I chatted on the back porch with my sister. Then Connor and I snuggled up for the night and just spent some much needed quality time together, after the chaos of the previous week. I was apprehensive about this Mother’s Day, as it was my first being alone, but in my heart I was always alone before anyways. This year I might have been alone in a physical sense, but my heart is so full of love and happiness, all of the other yucky stuff is long gone. Connor asked yesterday when Kid’s Day was. Well, everyday is Kid’s Day for that little guy. I love you so much Connor, thank you for making me feel like the best mommy in the whole world. I feel lucky enough to have the best little guy ever!

The world lost a beautiful person today.  My uncle died about two hours ago after a long and painful battle with cancer.  He suffered tremendously toward the end and even though I know he’s in a better place now, it still hurts like hell.  I’m sure I’ll never understand why some people are taken from us when they are too young to leave.  I suppose that’s one of those questions that we aren’t supposed to know the answer to.  The picture above is the first time my aunt and uncle celebrated a happy occasion after my uncle was sick the first time.  It was taken three and a half years ago.  His first battle with cancer was long, about two years.  There were surgeries, chemotherapy treatments, radiation treatments, and pain.  Lots of pain.  Then he got better.  This time there was just pain.  The first tumor was discovered in January and they just kept coming.  They were everywhere and nothing could be done.  The pain was unbearable-in a physical and emotional sense.  My cousin expecting her first baby in August certainly adds to the emotional pain.  My aunt and uncle are some of the best people you could ever meet.  They are so happy and laugh all the time.  It’s so hard to keep that in mind through the pain.  Now, we somehow have to find a way to heal.  For me, that’s where I get lost.  My uncle’s younger brother lost a battle to cancer a few years ago.  I can find some comfort in knowing that tonight he was reunited with him, and also with his father.  I guess that’s a good place to start.

I know that tonight he will be able to sleep without feeling any pain too, for the first time in a long time.  Sleep well, Uncle, I love you.

(This post is a mess, not an example of my finest writing, for sure.  But, I needed to get it out.  Oh well.)

It’s been a crazy week.  I’ve been working, mommying, being sick (with bronchitis-yuck), dealing with sad family stuff and actually knitting (very little).  I’ve got a blog post in my head.  But, I’m too tired to write it.  I am not, however, too tired to share with someone my little bit of excitement.  It’s not that exciting to anyone but me.  But, I’m home alone and I need to share it with someone.

I just bought size 8 jeans.

I know, totally superficial.  But I’m excited anyways, in a proud way, not a bragging way.  I haven’t been in the single digits since high school and that was 9 years ago.  Five months ago, the jeans were a fourteen.   So, I’m allowing myself to take a few minutes to be just as excited as I would have been in high school, maybe even a little more though because high school Kristin never had a baby!

Time to go back to dancing around in front of the mirror.  Shhh…don’t tell. 

Seriously though, a crafty post is coming soon.  Promise.  I’m almost done with a sock that really looks like a sock. 

Remember this? Well, someday, it will fit her! Isn’t she perfect? I love her! Joanna Grace was born on April 7, 2008, at
11:52am. She weighed 7lb.6oz. and was 18 1/2 in long. I have an ever growing list of things to knit her in my head!

Congratulations Melissa and Joe! I love you guys!

Life around here has changed a lot in the past few months. It’s been hard: some of it great, some good, some not so good, some just plain crappy. Some because of me, some because of others. But, I really believe that everything is a lesson. I’ve lost some friends that I thought were good ones, I’ve gained some really great new friends that were previously just acquaintances. I got this in an e-mail today from someone that I haven’t spoken to in years and it really touched my heart. I wanted to pass it along to as many people as possible because I think that there are so many beautiful words in it. Take a look see. It’s worth it. Pass it along if you want to.

I BELIEVE

A birth certificate shows that we were born; a death certificate shows that we died; pictures show that we lived.

Have a seat. Relax. And read this slowly.

I believe - That we don’t have to change friends if we understand that friends change.

I believe - That no matter how good a friend is, they’re going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that.

I believe - That true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance.

I believe - That you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life.

I believe - That it’s taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.

I believe - That you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them.

I believe - That you can keep going long after you think you can’t.

I believe - That we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.

I believe - That either you control your attitude or it controls you.

I believe - That heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.

I believe - That money is a lousy way of keeping score.

I believe - That sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you’re down will be the ones to help you get back up.

I believe - That sometimes when I’m angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesn’t give me the right to be cruel.

I believe - That maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you’ve had and what you’ve learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you’ve celebrated.

I believe - That it isn’t always enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself.

I believe - That no matter how bad your heart is broken, the world doesn’t stop for your grief.

I believe - That our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.

I believe - Two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different.

I believe - That your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don’t even know you.

I believe - That even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you - you will find the strength to help.

I believe - That credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.

I believe - That the people you care about most in life are taken from you too soon.

I believe - The happiest people don’t necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything they have.

I spent the other night, while watching The Biggest Loser (when I wasn’t bawling-I can’t believe the ladies actually did it!!!!  Everyone lost so much weight, it was awesome, but I’m pulling for the ladies!), organizing my giant craft closet/computer/office stuff closet.  I took some pictures and I thought I’d share them.  I threw out a bunch of crap and I can’t believe how great it looks.  I wish I had taken a “before” shot.  It was a GIANT disaster.  You’ll have to trust me.  It’s an awesome closet.  There’s an outlet, so I can leave stuff plugged it and the desk has a light built into it, so I can even see when I’m sitting at it.  Pretty neat.  There are lights in the ceiling too, and I have one pointed at the closet for extra lighting as well.

Here’s what it looks like when the doors are closed.  Not too exciting. 

And when the doors are opened…I have a bigger bookcase and I think I’m going to use that instead of the plastic bins.  It’ll be prettier and it’s really tall and it will fit next to the desk so there will be more usable space for, um, expansion.  That’s always a good thing! But this is good for now.

Here’s a shot of my yarn stash, it’s on the left.  Connor’s art cart and paint set are on the right.  It’s not all yarn!  (I wish!)

I finally have a spot for my printer and sewing machine too.  YAY! I was so sick of moving them around and having to plug them in all the time, although I haven’t bothered to plug the sewing machine in yet.  Just knowing I can and leave it that way it comforting enough!

I really cut back on my fabric stash when I cleaned.  I had a lot of little bits of junk that I tossed.  I feel better about it and it looks neat enough for a shelf now.  I only have 2 WIPs and they are out too.  I like it.  When stuff is neat it actually makes me want to work on it, so I’m happy!

In case you were wondering, the WIPs are the Misty Garden scarf because I was in need of something seriously easy and a sock because I decided to give it a go again.  And I am just realizing that they are both pink.  Yikes.  What does that say? I am not a pink sort of a girl.  I must be knitting gifts and I didn’t even realize it.  Onto my favorite part of the week…

GOODIES!!

These are from Erin.  I knew of her from a Ravelry forum and I won a contest on her blog.  I had the great pleasure of meeting her on Wednesday at Knit Night, that I finally got a chance to go to.  I knew ahead of time that I won the contest and that she was bringing the prize, but I was not expecting so much yarn in a million years!  AWESOME!!  Connor is so psyched because he has been begging me for a new sweater and he wanted a green one!  My cousin Carrie just found out she is having a baby girl and I’m going to make her something with the light purple one and I will need to find something extra special for the beautiful skein of handspun!  I AM SO EXCITED.  Thank you so much Erin!!!  And, let me just say, I loved knit night.  I had never been to one, but it was a lovely group of people.  It was so great to get out and meet some people and chat.  I had tons of fun and I cannot wait for next week!