Where have I been???????

Where to start? So much has happened since I last blogged. FB sort of took over from my blogging. That's where most of my pics live. And now, I have so many pictures that it's overwhelming.

Since I last blogged, I started teaching full-time, am on the PTA Board at Cate's school, am Cate's Room Mom, my mom had her gallbladder out, Cate had lice, I did the 3 Day Breast Cancer Walk, and my family joined a new church plant in Mansfield. Whew. Are you tired? I am.

Working full-time has been a huge adjustment. I manage to get everything done, but I don't love missing preschool parties and not being able to work up at Cate's school. I'm trying to work just part-time next year. I think that will make me a much happier mommy and a better and more patient teacher.

Mom had her gallbladder out about 2 wks ago. That was fun--not at all. The pain beforehand was excruciating and then she had some blockage to her liver so she turned a not-so-nice shade of yellow. Thankfully, she's much better now. Staples came out today...or maybe they come out tomorrow. She is sooooooo ready for them to come out.

Lice. What can you say? I suspect hat day at her school as the culprit. Catie has hair down to her waist. I spent 4 hours on the bathroom floor combing out nits--the bathroom was the only room with a light bright enough to see the nits. Note: Nits are very hard to see in honey-blonde hair. The best I can say about it is it was a bonding time, lol. For the last 2 hours, she was sound asleep in my lap.

The Breast Cancer 3 Day was amazing. I was very proud of myself; I walked every mile. The blisters/sore muscles weren't too bad. I won't do it again till the kids are older; the practice eats up too much of what little free time I have. I love the slogan though (one of them anyway), and I'm really trying to apply it to my life: Do something that matters.

The new church plant--I'm so very excited about that as well. We are based in Mansfield. We hope to be meeting in a school in early Spring. We are a Christian church with instrumental music and a very contemporary feel. I absolutely love both the worship leader and the minister. The worship leader has such a thoughtful approach to worship. He is always looking for the best way to enhance people's communication with God. The minister--well, I've gone to church my whole life so I've heard a LOT of sermons. What I love about him is that he makes me think. It's not the same ol', same ol'. And he doesn't care if you're comfortable about it or not. Just like Jesus. Now, lol, I'm not saying he's JESUS, but like Jesus, he is most concerned with helping people mature spiritually and be the best they can be, not about making them FEEL good. He is also the hardest working minister I've ever known. If you're in the area, we'd love to have you visit. I know you will be blessed!!!

I will try to get some pictures up soon. This picture drought is ridiculous.

In the meantime, one last request. Our building manager's wife was killed in a car accident yesterday afternoon. They have a 2 yr old and a 2 mth old. Pray, pray, pray. I'm not sure how you get past something like that. I know he needs the comfort only God can give him. And pray for us to support as best we can.

Blessings and love to you all,
Khristy

Vegas

1. Iconic Vegas sign

2. The Aggie girls the night of Jon's Birthday Dinner at Sensi in the Bellagio--Joyce, Michele, Khristy, Katie, & Amanda

3. Shawn & me in the Bellagio Conservatory

4. Jon & Michele--couldn't ask for better friends!!!

5. Shawn & me posing on a Bellagio balcony with the Paris hotel in the background

My little actress & the bluebonnets

1. Catie & Ms. Lesa--who having JUST got in from camp still came to see Cate, Heather, & Nathan.

2. Cate played Chicken Lickin' at Drama Camp. They re-enacted the story: The Stinky Cheeseman and other stupid stories. Very cute!!

3. Cate in the bluebonnets.

4. Quinn in the bluebonnets.

5. JD in the bluebonnets--note the lovely war wound.

Dinosaurs over Spring Break

1. JD & Cate searching for fossils.

2. Family pic with the long necks.

3. Cate, my little drama girl, showing her fear of the dinosaur coming after her (her idea!).

4. Kids playing in the dinosaur head.

5. One of my fave pics of JD

*These are in reverse chronological order.

Cute Etsy store!

My sister forwarded me this super cute link for Fancy Schmancy Designs...because every home needs a few more polka dots ... on Etsy.com. She's doing a giveaway for a monogrammed cake holder so I'm doing a shameless promo! Here's the link: http://fancyschmancydesigns.blogspot.com/2009/06/new-etsy-shop-and-give-away.html

Precious stuff...the woman has 5 kids and still does this....she may be a robot....but regardless, her stuff is adorable. Take a look!

End of School

We're all in the midst of the end of year crunch. Things are crazy! Shawn's traveling a lot, and the kids have had all kinds of things going on--end of year parties, talent shows, and preschool graduation.

Our exciting news is that Cate made her school talent show. I didn't even know she was trying out!!! I asked her what she was singing in the show, and she said, "I want a hippopatumus (sp?) for Christmas!!" How funny is that? Christmas in June! But the music teacher told me she was relaxed, on pitch, and had cute little motions. And I found out that they try out in front of their whole grade, teachers, and assorted staff. She tried out in front of ~70 people. The whole thing stresses me out! I didn't worry about the tryouts bc I didn't know she was doing it. The show is June 2nd at 8:15 and 9:45 if you'd like to come.

Our other news is that I have a second interview at the Life School for the speech/drama position. My 2nd interview is next Thursday. Prayers appreciated, although I have total peace that God's in control and whatever happens is meant to be.

Other than that, we're all ready for summer. The kids want to swim every day. I think we will have the use of a friend's pool this summer (they're going to be gone almost the whole summer) so I'll have 2 little brown Indians by August. Poor Quinn may be a darker shade of pale by then, although I tend to slather him in SPF 75 so he may not be, lol.

Hope all's well with you and yours.

Bob Smiley Live!!

I just spent an evening laughing at an old friend. But as I wrote on Facebook, it's okay; he's a comedian so he was happy we were laughing!!! I went to high school with Bob Smiley, and even back then, he was hysterical. He & his brother and me & my best friend were inseparable back in the day. Tonight brought back so many fond memories of church and high school--back then my biggest problem was would my lunch money stretch till Friday and would Dad give me money to go to Braum's after church on Sunday? I don't mean to belittle the teen years, but at least in my case, I had it really good. I had loyal friends and family. My family was always there for me; my best friend would no sooner have betrayed me than she would've stopped breathing. She just couldn't do it.

And Bob & Brian--well, they taught me that guys & girls could be friends--best friends. They made me feel beautiful, special, funny, and important. And yet, I was always safe with them. I knew they wouldn't make a pass at me--or expect me to go drinking with them or try drugs or anything like that. We had the much cliched "good clean fun." And oh my, did we have fun! We always did church activities together, but we also supported each other at sporting events and we could all be counted on to be a prom date in a pinch! A prom date with no strings. I had a prom date once who expected/hoped I'd go up to a cabin afterwards and.....who knows what he hoped. Bob & Brian simply expected us to have fun and be ourselves. There was no pretending and no stress.

I guess this is all in my head:
1. Because I saw Bob's show tonight http://www.bobsmiley.com/
2. Because Shawn & I are getting ready to help teach a class on Sex & Dating to our high schoolers at church so male/female relationships are at the forefront of my thinking right now

So consider this a giant thank you to God for taking care of me in those vulnerable years and giving me people who loved me and looked out for me!!!

How can it be Easter???

Okay, will someone tell me how in the heck it's been a month since I posted? I swear it was last week! Anyway, I have a couple more pics to post, but I figure I should give you all a little text this time too!

I'm still heavily into fundraising and training for the Breast Cancer 3 Day. I love it--okay, maybe not the fundraising, but I do enjoy organizing events and talking to people. I just don't enjoy the pressure to raise X amt of money by a certain date. I've raised 1480 so far and have another 600 promised plus one last family member who is giving an undetermined amt! :) So, I really am almost there. I probably don't know where about $120 is coming from so that is awesome.

The training on the other hand is so much fun. I know you all are wondering what bodysnatcher has taken me over because the Khristy you know does not like heat, dirt, or bugs, and all of those are found in abundance outside in Texas where we are doing all our training! I still don't like heat, dirt, and bugs, and I may get a bit less chipper as the full weight of a Texas summer rains down on my head....HOWEVER, at the moment, it's fantastic, and what I've realized is it's because we're training as a team. 7.5 miles goes by really fast when you have someone to talk to, but trust me....by yourself, it is the walk that will NOT end. I love exercising and gabbing with my teammates, watching the kids play, etc. It's truly a fun time! Now be nice when I'm complaining about the 105 degree days in July/August!

What else? Cate's started horseback riding lessons. She adores it, and according to her teacher, she's doing really well. I'm waiting for the inevitable "I want my own horse" campaign. No worries on that score, says the mom who won't even let her kids have a dog right now.

JD's been sick for the last 4 days, but I think he's on the mend now. It was suggested that he had the rotovirus since that fit the symptoms. Whatever he had, he was miserable--on and off low-grade fever, diarrhea, not fun. He did not eat--and I mean not a bite that I saw--from Wednesday night until Saturday night. He finally ate some mac & cheese Sat night. Thankfully, he drank the whole time so he never got dehydrated. He just felt terrible, poor guy. But he seemed a lot closer to his old self today, hallelujah, even if he has lost a few pounds.

Quinn is Quinn. He's got a headful of hair that's looking redder every day, and he's finally talking more where people can understand him. He's learned to get out of his crib, which bites, but he doesn't do it TOO much. We'll probably put him in a real bed in a room with JD this summer. Oh joy.

Well, I guess that's it from here. I'll try to be a better blogger; I admit FB has taken me over somewhat, and I forget about my blog!! Oh, and I have some beautiful bluebonnet pictures coming--just have to get them downloaded off my camera!

A Bagillion Pictures

Enjoying Elmo Live at the Nokia Theatre.

Catie & Julie at their 1st grade program.

Needless to say, JD dressed himself with no input from me.

Quinn thought his cupcakes and ice cream were fantastic! This pic was taken at his 2 yr old birthday party.

How cute is he???

The Dickersons had puppies--we went to see them. The stuffed dog was as close as Quinn got to the precious puppies. Cate braved petting one while Dave held it.

JD.....well, a picture's worth a thousand words, lol.

Hulk Smash Hands--the best presents ever---they roar and say things like, "You're making me angry. You won't like me when I'm angry." Shawn & I love them, too--fantastic toy! Good job, Santa!

Reading starts early in our family.....if you have to be addicted, it's a good addiction to have!

Santa's Sidekick looks a little out of control.....and don't you love how Q thinks you ought to act while wearing a suit!

Cate's teacher: Mrs. Belote--the woman's amazing....

Cate doing her gingerbread house in Art Class at school.

My To Do list.......

And, BTW, I have about a billion pics to post.....but I just haven't gotten around to it. Look, they're on my to do list. That's all I can promise.

Health Status & 3 Day Update!

Great news! First, I'm almost healed. I have full range front to back motion in my foot. Side to side's still a little iffy, but I'm much better!

Second, I went in for a sick visit today with JD and came out with a $200 check for the 3 Day Walk!! I am so excited. I've raised $800 in 21 days--not too shabby. I know a number of you have told me you're planning on donating. Thanks in advance, and I'd be soooooooooooo grateful if you could do it sooner rather than later so I can help my other team members with their fundraising. Thanks again for supporting such a great cause!

Well, since I mentioned the sick visit, maybe I should tell you what's what. Cate had strep recently and is in the middle of her 2nd course of meds. However, the dr. said her throat looked great. She's virtually well.

JD, on the other hand, had antibiotics that knocked out the strep, but did jack all for the upper respiratory stuff (viral, of course!) and the ear infection that's developed. So, he's starting his second course of antibiotics tomorrow. Pain in the neck to remember who's had what/when. Last time all 3 were sick, I had to start writing it down on a notepad to keep track of it all. Sad, but true!

Good news on my foot & an update!

First of all, I did not break my foot. Hooray! It's bruised/badly sprained, and I have to wear a boot till Thursday when I go back to make sure there are no stress fractures. It is very clear that I am getting old---and seriously need to warm up before a game....if there are any more games. We'll see.

My update is that I've raised 26% of my funds for my 3 Day Walk supporting the fight against Breast Cancer--that's $605 since January 26th! I can't thank everyone enough for their support. If you're planning on giving, thank you so much, and let me urge you to do it right now before life gets in the way. If you click the picture in the right column of my blog, it will take you right to my personal page and you can donate online. Also, be aware that if you give online, you can break the gift down over 4 mths. So, if you want to give a $100 but that's a bit steep in one month, you can break it up into 4 parts--$25 each month. And I will do handsprings in your honor...okay, maybe I should wait to do that till after my foot heals, lol. Also, a lot of companies will match your donation. You can check that online--or ask me, and I'll get back to you.

Just to tell you how much even the smallest donations help, 5 yr survival rates in 1982 were 76%. Since the Susan G. Komen movement began, that survival rate has increased to 98%, praise the Lord!!! This is due to increased awareness and the outpouring of money into cancer research. Thanks again for helping me change the world!!

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"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."
Margaret Mead

Why I Walk....

My baby's turning 2!

The picture in the hat is minutes after birth. The other two are right before we left the hospital on Day 4.

*******

Two years ago this Friday I found myself in the Mansfield Methodist Hospital, a planned ultrasound having turned into a delivery due to high blood pressure. His due date was March 1 so Jan 30 was a little early, even for me!

Some 10 hours after arrival, Quinn burst into the world, lungs working just fine, let me tell you. He weighed 5lb 6 oz. His only problem was temperature regulation, but every pediatrician we saw commented on how well he was doing.

We took him home 4 days later weighing 4lb 14 oz.

My how times have changed!

These last 2 pictures were taken December 2008. My lightweight bald preemie has turned into a round mound of sound with loads of strawberry blond hair. He's gone from not even making the growth chart to being nearly 50% everywhere. He weighed 18lb 6 oz at a year. He's now around 28--a serious year of eating and bulking up! He fits right into our family, running everywhere and talking nonstop (although we're still not exactly sure which language he's speaking, lol.)

It's been a wonderful 2 years, Quinn, and we're so glad you're in our lives!!!

The 3 Day!!!!

Okay, I did it. I bit the bullet and am now officially signed up.

GULP! That gulp is both for the training and the fundraising in my future, LOL!

Here is my fundraising letter:
I have taken on an incredible challenge. On November 6-8th, I'll be walking 60 miles over the course of three days, camping out at night with thousands of other women and men taking this journey with me.

It's for an event called the Breast Cancer 3-Day, which benefits Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund. Every advancement in breast cancer research, treatment, education and prevention in the last 25 years has been touched by a Komen for the Cure grant. They are working hard to build a future without breast cancer, and I plan on raising $3,000 to help bring us closer to that goal.

Please consider making a donation of $100, which you can spread out over four months, using the payment plan option if you donate online at www.The3Day.org. Please also ask your employer if they will double your donation with a matching gift. Of course, I will sing your praises and bow down and worship if you are able to give more. And if you can't, I will love you all the same and will appreciate your prayers and positive thinking!!!

I know all of us have been affected by cancer. I am so tired of cancer attacking those I love. At last count, my family tree looks like this:
Maternal grandmother: uterine cancer
Maternal grandfather: lung cancer
Paternal aunt: lung cancer
Paternal aunt: melanoma
Maternal aunt: breast cancer survivor
Father: melanoma survivor

Without a cure, one in eight women in the U.S. will continue to be diagnosed with breast cancer. That's why I'm walking in the 3-Day--because everyone deserves a lifetime.

Just follow the link below to visit my personal fundraising webpage and make a donation or you can search for my name in the Donate section. If you don't want to donate online, please download and print a donation form and mail it to the address on the form. Or you can call 800.996.3DAY to donate over the phone. I would like to reach my fundraising goal by October 1st, so don't delay!

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this email, and thank you for your support.

Sincerely,
Khristy Hullett
http://www.the3day.org/site/TR/Walk/DallasFtWorthEvent?px=3015855&pg=personal&fr_id=1295

P.S. Don't wait - donate today!

The 3 Day Event--Susan G. Komen

I'm thinking of putting together a team for the 3 Day Walk for the Cure Event. You know--the Susan G. Komen thing. The DFW event is November 6-8, 2009. If you're interested, let me know. You can take a look at the website for more info/reqs--www.the3day.org.

Friends!!

Here's a pic at Starbucks with some of my favorite people--Jon & Michele Arnold. We managed to sneak out sans kids for some grown-up time.

I must say having friends is great, amazing, terrific, wonderful--but to have friends who've known you for some 15 or so years, traveled with you to all kinds of crazy places, basically became grown ups with you--- and still love you?

That's a miracle and a blessing from God! Love you guys!

Happy New Year!!!

I never make New Year's resolutions, but I've found myself thinking the last month of things I want to be more control of--and of course, they pretty much have to do with fitness in one form or other.

Resolutions:
1. Lose the same 10 pounds once again.
2. Keep going to the gym (in my defense, I've gone at least 3x a week since March---until the last 2 weeks...)
3. Not only track expenses, but make some 1, 3, and 5 year goals.

That's it for now, as I have to go the grocery store. Have a wonderful day--don't OD on football!!