boys don't like peppermint

I got one of the GREATEST Christmas gifts from my husband this year. Typically, we don't exchange gifts. I buy pretties/what I want for the house throughout the year, and in August of this year he finally got his boat. So, naturally, I wasn't expecting to see this shiny beauty perched on my kitchen counter.

Hello gorgeous!

I have been wanting one of these suckers for for-ev-er! I'm thinking that the hub's likes my baking??

Since Christmas, I have been getting my workout on in the kitchen: pumpkin bread, grinch cookies (a.k.a. mint chocolate chip) sweet potato souffle, and coconut cake. Gotta break it in, ya know?

Nick took one bite of my festive, green grinch cookie...discovered they were in fact mint, and left it sitting on the counter.

Last night, I made Williams Sonoma's chocolate peppermint cookies for the boys's at work. Thank's Shannon!!

Pretty, right? Soft, mint-chocolaty perfection!

It's now almost 4PM, and they are still sitting on my desk. This doesn't happen.

Almost all of them have cracked the lid, and just as the sweet aroma of peppermint tickle's their noses, they politely smile, and say, "No thanks."

I've come to the conclusion that boys just don't like peppermint.

The girl's down in the office loved them, and I'm currently on my third...what?

At this rate I'll have no choice but to finally to use my gym membership that I got over the summer

Peace, Love, and Calories, people!

K

christmas time

I just realized I haven't blogged one time this season.

I'm sorry.

I think I was waiting for the one perfect thing to write about, when there's truly so much to say about this beautiful time of year.

This month has been chock-full of all the things I love the most: baking, 40 degree FL mornings, shopping, lights, births, glitter, friends, decorating, parties, giving, wrapping, egg nog, yankee candles, carols...love, love, love it!

This season has been especially special to me because the past two Christmas's have been really tough in the Dittman home. This year is new, and different, and even though I'll have to Skype with my family on Christmas morning, it will be wonderful to wake up in our home next to the man I love, and spend this Christmas together.

It's in this time that I want to embrace the family traditions that are special to Nick, and to me, but also to develop some new ones of our own. In my family we always go to Cracker Barrel on Christmas Eve morning for breakfast. We've done it for 21 years.

                                                                          2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

 For some reason, we only have pictures of the past 5 years. Taking pictures...a newer tradition? Yes.
 Then we go to the Christmas Eve service that evening at church, and we come home to a huge itallian dinner prepared by my Mom, and we eat till we're overly stuffed. Then we get to open one gift...(this has slowly dwindled due to the fact that we're still kids at heart, and want to have more to open the next morning.)

This year will be different, and that's ok, and good.
Merry Christmas dear friends, and remember HE is the reason for this fabulous season!

Much love,
K

lunch time thoughts

Today I got free lunch.

This made me really happy, because it involved a biscuit (Thanks, Bill)

I love biscuits. I don't know if there's anything better in this world than a hot, homemade biscuit right out of the oven with a little bit of butter, jelly, honey...whatever.

Anyways, moving on...

There was also red beans and rice in this lunch combo, which didn't thrill me as much as the biscuit, but smelled really good. Before I dig in, I look for a spoon, or a fork.

I find this

I hate "sporks." They are so odd, and un-natural. Really, what's the point? Just throw a fork, or a spoon in the bag...but don't marry two totally seperate utensils, and force them to become one.

It's just wrong.

I ate my red beans and rice with the "spork," however I felt like I was back in kindergarden.

Any other "spork" haters out there, or is it just me?

Happy Friday, people :)

Love,
K

thanksgiving

After hours preparing the Thanksgiving feast...

After the blessing is said...

After you eat your weight (and then some) in delicious food...

After the awful task of washing every pot, pan, dish, glass, and silverware you own...

What's next...?

Except for me and Cowboy...we watched "Elf."
Hope you all had a fabulous Thanksgiving!

Happy "black" Friday!

Love,
K

thankful

Tomorrow is the big day. Tomorrow I will roast my first turkey. Is that weird that I've never made a whole bird by myself? Tomorrow we will gather around the table, and eat way too much. Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, and I am just giddy with excitement!

I have so much to be thankful for this year, and as routine as it seems...oh well.

* My husbands health. Poor guy has been through so much, and I am truly grateful to just have my buddy home. He knows me. He balances me. He compliments me. I'm just really thankful for him.

* My precious nephew, Ezra. He is a bundle of smiley perfection. He is such a gift to me, and I only wish he lived closer.

* Skype! In just a few clicks I can see the faces I love so much. I'm also thankful for the techi geeks that invented it.

* Arguments. Oddly enough after a good ol' knock down drag out...you calm down, and actually talk through your problems. I love that. I need that.

* My iPhone. Is that shallow? I hope not. I just really love it, and can do just about anything on it. It makes me happy.

* My dog. He's so lazy in the mornings, and likes to stay under all the covers until around 10 am. Sometimes I make the bed with him still in it.

* My kitchen. It's where I feel alive, and I just like to pretend I'm Giada. She's so pretty.

* My Mom.

* Clean sheets. Every Saturday.

* Target clearance. It can make any day instantly better. 30-50% off? Yes, please. Never pay full price. Ever!

* My US Weekly subscription. I look forward to opening the mailbox, and seeing who made the cover each week. I hope we can leave poor Kim & Kris alone by now.

* Y'all who read this brainless blog. Really...it means a lot to me :)

* My relationship with Jesus Christ. He loves, accepts, and forgives me. Such mercy I cannot fathom, and I will never walk through this life alone. Thank you, Lord. You are so good to me.

Happy Thanksgiving, friends! Hope your day is filled with lots of blessings!

friday thoughts

Horay...it's FRIDAY! Thank you, Jesus!

Sheesh! I don't know about you, but it's been a week! I really just wanted to do a cartwheel this morning, because I'm so happy it's Friday. Granted, the cartwheel didn't happen...because I think I have early stages of arthritis starting in my knee.

Seriously?

Yeah, seriously.

So, a few things:

1.) Demi Moore filed for divorce from Ashton Kutcher yesterday.

 http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20536470,00.html
I just loved them together! Yes, a 16 year age difference is alot, but it seemed like it worked for them, you know? Again, my heart is just so sad. Like Kim...I can't imagine having the world publically "judge" my marriage the way we do. Something that is meant to be so sacred, and private plastered all over the cover's of magazines. I think sometimes we feel we own the "right" to say what we want, because after all, they chose stardom. Their life IS our business...when really it isn't at all. It's NOT our place to cast judgement. Life happens whether your a billionaire, or not. I hope in this time, Demi, and Kim can find peace in their life, and their decisions.

2.) Nick and I are hosting Thanksgiving this year at our house...AHHHH! Just kidding :) I'm very excited, and trying not to go overboard as I have a tendancy of doing sometimes. I like everything to be perfect...and that just ain't life. It's going to be great...as long as I don't totally jack up the turkey!! I'm kinda loving this look for my bird this year. Thoughts?

3.) It's November 18, and Nick already put Christmas lights up on the house. Lol, bless him. I'm actually loving it, b\c every other year, it's been December 23 before they go up, so it's been a sweet change. I appreciate him, even though some of our neighbors think we're crazy! As long as they come down by Jan 1, 2012 we're ok :)

4.) Have you been watching Private Practice?? So stinkin' good! 2 hr "Intervention" last night, and we didn't even get to finish it...because we're officially old farts, and staying up till 11 PM on a weeknight is just unheard of in our house. I'll finish it tonight...after the...

5.) Casting Crown's concert! Yay!

Happy almost weekend, friends! Make it a good one :)

Love,
K

keratin?

What's the deal with this, really? I recently heard so much about it, and just super skeptical that this could ever work for me...

I have a love/hate relationship with my curls, and like most women, my hair has changed a lot since I've gotten older...curse! My once beloved spirals are gone, and although my curls are still very much here...they are frizzy, and quite uncooperative most of the time...special thanks to Florida's ungodly heat, and humidity index. Heat comes with the territory, I get it, but for most of the summer, and heck even fall, we curly haired girls look more like Bozo the Clown than anything else.

So what's a curly to do?

I've researched till I'm blue in the face, and for the most part, this whole keratin deal seems to be a good thing...aside from a few not so happy ladies that got a "bad batch," majority are thrilled with the results. I'm not looking for a super sleek J-Lo type of thing...I can't totally part with my curls permanently, but a little taming of the hair beast would be welcomed!

So, for any of you bloggies that have had this done, please share some words of wisdom with a sister. I would never forgive myself if I ultimately changed the life of my hair.

Happy hump day kiddo's!
Love,
K

my obsession

I have a little obsession.

It's ahhh-mazing! Literally, you can do EVERYTHING on this website!
Need a recipe? Got it
Looking for a cute "out and about" outfit? Done
Want decorating idea's? Here
Are you a DIY kind of gal? Welcome to your heaven
Got a great idea/need idea's? Hello

I could quite literally spend hours, days, weeks here.

If you haven't discovered this little slice of happiness, well...here ya go.

Happy hump day, pinners
Love ya,
K

kim kardashian's sad divorce

Today is a very sad day.

After 72 days, Kim Kardashian has filed for divorce from Kris Humphries. My friend texted me, and it's all over the internet. This is her second marriage.

Y'all I am so sad that I really want to cry, and I actually did.

In a lot of way's, I can't relate to Kim Kardashian.
I can't relate to balancing like 12 different jobs:
 *perfume's
 *a clothing line (I'm wearing my lace leopard KK number today...love)
 *books,
 *tv show's
 *weight loss stuff

And...

Her extravagant lifestyle.
Her 10 million dollar wedding.
Her beautiful home.
Her amazing shoes, clothes, make-up (I'd KILL for her lash's)
That perfect hair.

GAH!

It looks like she's got it all...

And in some way's...I can relate. After all, she's human. She's not exempt from hurt.

I'm so broken to see how disposal the covenant of marriage has become today. It literally rips my heart out. A promise is no longer a promise. A vow is no longer a vow. For better or worse...do we only promise better? Sickness and health...do you truly mean that? Life begins to chip away at you until you decide to "throw in the towel." Look out for me! Your not happy...leave!
Marriage is tough, and it takes daily work, and dying of yourself. It takes love, and respect...and those two don't always go hand in hand. It's not a fairy tail, and life isn't always shiny, and pretty after, "I Do." Hello? You married people feel me? "Love is not a place to come and go as we please. It's a house we enter in, and commit not to leave." Oh how I love me some Warren Barfield :)

Precious friends, please hear me...yes, there are grounds for divorce: abuse, and habitual unfaithfulness are not to be overlooked. Get out! I have friends in my life that are going through this terrible time right now, so I am choosing my words carefully.

Married friends, I'm begging you, fight for, and believe your marriages...DON'T give up! Your mate will disappoint you, and they will let you down, but that's no reason to leave, even though we all want to sometimes. One of my favorite songs is "God Gave Me You" by Dave Barnes

God gave me you for the ups and downs

God gave me you for the days of doubt
And for when I think I lost my way
There are no words here left to say, it’s true
God gave me you

On my own I’m only
Half of what I could be
I can’t do without you
We are stitched together
And what love has tethered
I can never undo

Love is not a fight, but's it's something worth fighting for.
I love y'all,
K

one sweet day

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Nick and I are sitting in the "solace" room located in the cancer institute at St. Joseph's Hospital. We're eating Chipotle, and watching the Tenessee football game. Let me first clarify something...

NICK DOESN'T HAVE CANCER!

Squirrel note: patients are moved from the ER to this floor due to over-flow. Apparantly there were a shortage of beds at the main hospital, so this is where we ended up. I will say, the little transporter girl could have let us know this tid bit of valuable info as she was taking us from our original room 521 to F313. Poor nurses had a heck of a time getting me to calm down, and assuring me that Nick's a non cancer patient on a cancer floor. Period.

Moving on...

In between taking bites of my chicken taco, I asked him, "Do you know what today is?"
He thought for a moment, smiled and said, "The day I proposed to you?" It was more of a question kind of answer...never the less...he remembered.

Impressive kid!

Rewind 6 years ago.

I remember like it was yesterday. Nick told me he was taking me to look at hunting property. This idea didn't thrill me in the least, but figured I could atleast get a nice dinner out of it, so I agreed. After almost 2 hours of driving, I ask if we're getting close...I'm not a good long distance traverler. I kind of revert back into a impatient child, and can get really annoying. "Almost," he says, "I think your going to like it."

We end up parking at a beautiful spot on the beach at Amelia Island, and there was a lady with three horses waiting on us.

Like an airhead, I still haven't the slightest clue what's going on. Sunset, beach, horses, boyfriend, decoy... really, Kristin?

Really.

So off we go, and I'm not going to lie, I'm feeling like a actress in a movie as my horse trots softly in the sand, and surf. The sun was begining to set, and it was a beautiful night. Perfection.

Nick stops, gets off his horse, and walks over to me. I'm trying to figure out how to get down off the saddle, and he stops me. He said, "I kinda thought I would do this differently, but I want you to stay on your horse."

I don't remember every word after that...but I do remember the best part.

"Will you make me the happiest man alive, and spend the rest of your life with me?"

Y'all, I'm not one to brag, but I do think I have one of the BEST proposal's around.

Oh, and the best part, besides me saying "YES," we have some pretty great pictures...thanks to our sweet horse lady. Somehow Nick slipped her his camera, and she captured the moments that always make me smile.

And here we are...6 years later, eating chips, and salsa, sitting in the hospital, and remembering the day our lives changed forever.

Life is good.

Love,
K

washington

Happy Fall, y'all!

That's exactly what my fall welcome mat says, and for some reason...I smile every time I see it.

Gosh, I have so much to catch you up on...so much on my mind, and oddly...I don't even know where to begin?!?! Ha, that's a first!

Well, I've been fighting a little cold/flu bug thing since my flight home from Washington last Tuesday. Dang that recycled air, and coughing people on planes. Ug, gross! But seeing my sweet brother, Chance now as a father, and meeting my new nephew was so very worth it! Ezra looks just like him :)

Washington is unlike any place I have ever seen, or been to before in my life. It's unbelievable! There are mountains everwhere, and I LOVE this b\c I live in one of the flattest states ever. I felt like a little kid with my head tilted straight back looking up at the sky high evergreens. Talk about perfect Christmas trees! I love that people walk, and bike everywhere, and that fresh food is at your finger tips. There are markets, co-op's, and gardens galore! Chance has one of the biggest, and most plentiful gardens I had ever seen! Tomato's, pears, eggplant, pumpkins, corn, red bell peppers, black berries...you name it, he grows it. *Envy* Life is more slow paced, and people take their time going places. Everything is so green, partly b\c it rains non-stop, and the leaves are all fabulous shades of yellow, red, and orange. I ADORE this! The Pacific Ocean is incredible, and I was just in awe of Jesus everywhere I looked. What a beautiful gift we are given.

I loved holding Ezra, and telling him all about the wonderful things in store for him in this life. I am totally obsessed with him, his sweet baby smell, his little sounds as he sleeps, and how he just stares at you with his beautiful blue eyes. Yeah, I got it bad.

Rose is such an incredible mother, and just seeing her so attentive to Ezra's needs just melted my heart. They make one beautiful family.

I treasure the times I get to spend with my family, and no matter where we are, what state we live in, or what's going on in our lifes, we make it happen. I know what I have been given is a gift, and I savor every minute!

Happy Monday, sweet friends.

Love,
K

scared

My "sweet" husband...bless him, scared the crap out of me this morning.

I was in the bathroom getting ready for work. Putting my contacts in to be exact, and it's a miracle that I still have an eye ball right now.

So, there I am, half perched on the bathroom counter, right up in the mirror trying to get my contacts in my sleepy eyes, and Nick sneaks up and yells..

"HI!!"

Do you think I laughed?

No.

Instead, I burst into tears.

I hate being scared...especially on purpose. Needless to say, the husband felt pretty bad. As he should :)

So this brought be to today's post. What makes you scared?

Are they silly little things, like someone yelling "BOO"? Clearly like me? Or are they a deeper fear?

My list:
* Roach's. HATE, HATE, HATE, LOATHE them!
* Horror movies. This is a love/hate thing. I like the "idea" of them, but when I watch one, heck even the preview...I won't sleep for weeks.
*Coming home late to an empty house. If Nick's traveling, I don't stay out past dark, unless the house is lit up like a christmas tree :) Call me an old lady.
*Following another car too closely. Blame it on the fact that my beloved Altima was totaled 4 years ago, b\c a Sheriff Deputy wasn't paying attention. Keep a safe distance, people.
*Door to Door Solicitors. Unless your a adorable 3 foot tall girl scout selling my favorite tagalong cookies, don't bother coming to our door.
*Roller Coaster's. I went on my first roller coaster in 7th grade. It still amazes me that I was even tall enough? My friend talked me into going, and I went. She warned me to keep my head back, b\c after the ride starts, your going too fast to lift your head up. Well, my head flew forward, and I stared at the ground the ENTIRE time, screaming to the top of my lungs. Never again!
*Needles. I never realized this fear until I began donating blood. I have 0+, the good stuff, so there's always a need. You dear phlebotomist will have to find another vein donor, b\c this chic passes out everytime :(

Well there ya go. My scardy list.

What's yours?

Lot of love,
K

the help

I have been meaning to blog about this movie since it's release date, and just never got around to it. If you haven't seen it yet...

GO
TODAY
RUN
HURRY HURRY HURRY

Hands down, one of the greatest movies ever!

Happy hump day :)

Lots of lovin,
K

ezra rose williamson

Our family recieved a priceless gift on Friday afternoon. He arrived in the world at 3:55 PM, all 9 lbs and 7 ounces of him.

Friends, meet my new nephew

Ezra Rose Williamson

Isn't he just delicious?

His name is Biblical, and in Hebrew meaning "Helper." Ezra also authored the books of Chronicles, Ezra and Nehemiah.

I am in awe of my brother, and his incredible girlfriend, Carly Rose. Y'all, she worked so stinking hard, and that little boy was just not ready to come out of his happy home. She labored for 34 hours...100% natural!!! Just amazing!

He's here. After 9 months of laugh's, tears, and countless prayers, Ezra Rose is here.

Psalm 139:13-16

13 "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."

Welcome to the big world little man. Your Aunt Kiki is counting down the days till I get to hold you in my arms.

I love you,  my precious Ezra.

worry wart

Confession time.

I am a worry wart.
Gross! I just got a visual of that.

I worry about everything, and nothing. I worry about things I can control, and things I can't.

Am I a loving, and supportive wife to Nick? Have I prayed for him today?
How long has it been since I called my Dad? 2 weeks?
Am I giving my girlfriend the right marriage advice? Were my words seasoned with love?
It's going to rain today, and BOTH of my umbrella's are at home. Really?
Am I going to be a good mother?
What if I can't have children?
Did I wear that skirt twice this week to work? Yeah, I totally did.
What am I going to do with my life? Do I know my purpose?
Am I enough?
Am I too much?
Will I ever finish school? Will I be 30, and still be in school?
Why won't she call me back? Did I offend her by something I said?
Am I a valuable employee?

People, we all worry. But why? Really, what's it going to do? Stress you out more? Put you in a bad mood? Yes, and yes!

Matthew 6:25-27 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?

Y'all I'm convicted. Today, if worry creeps up into your day, just breathe.

 Breathe and smile. Life is going to happen, and no amount of worry will ever change that.

Happy hump day, my worry FREE friends!

Love,
K

labor day wknd

It's Labor Day weekend...what to do?

Well, since we be boat owners...we went boating!

Yes, even though there was a tropical storm brewing out somewhere...we ventured it. Now we were not total fools, and went with some friends that also had a boat with a GPS. We're good :)

Truthfully, it was a fabulous day, minus the crazy wind, and the fact that I was so fearful of being tossed overboard, that I remained tense for like 3 whole hours. This makes for your entire body being unbelievably sore the following day. No bueno. But anyways, I got to practice driving down the river, before we got into the bay. Happiness! Note: No boaters were injured or killed in this process.

We got to see the Skyway from a different view. Very cool!

Once we got through the rough open water, we found a great fishing spot where the water was a lot calmer, and a school of "lady fish" were practly jumping into our boat. My kind of fishing, people.

They were nothing to brag about, as you can tell...but this was the first fish we caught on our boat! I would have been proud if it were a minnow :)
Sadly, I was better at feeding the fish, than actually catching them. They like shrimp!

Best part of the day...

Dolphins :)

How was your weekend?

xoxo,
K

want this, love this, need this

I am addicted to "The Pioneer Woman"

If you haven't heard of her...get in the know, like today!

Anyways, this was today's giveaway

PRESH!

I'm just thinking how perfect this would look in my kitchen. It kinda makes me wanna bust out the old hula hoop, and whip up some pina colada's.

Who's with me?

Happy weekend, friends!
xoxo,
K

ignorance is bliss?

I have a little routine in the morning.
I developed this a while back, and rather like it. My routine is...

* Get up...reluctantly
* Shuffle to the kitchen to start my tea pot. French press = happiness
* Whisper "Goodmorning, Jesus"
* Let Cowboy outside
* Water my herbs on the patio
* Pour coffee, become human
* Eat something healthy for breakfast
* Turn on CMT (for those of you yet to know this sweet nugget of joy, CMT = country music television)
* Sing/dance while I get ready for another day

Then Nick came home from D.C. after being gone for 4 months. Love this very much!!
His routine is different.

Nick likes to watch the news in the morning...probably like the rest of America.

I don't. I kinda hate it. Actually, I really hate it.

So, this morning the news came on. And here were the headlines.

* New Tampa teen charged in plot to blow up Freedom High School.
* Groom killed by shark on honeymoon, while bride looks on helplessly.
* CA teen remembers slain officers final act of kindness.

Exactly why I choose to not watch the news. Ever. Talk about depressing.

I know I should. I know it's the responsible "adult" thing to do. I should be aware if the stock market crashes, or if a savage criminal escaped from prison last night. I get it, but I think I'll stick to sipping my coffee, singing Jake Owen's "Barefoot Blue Jean Night" and thanking the Lord for another day of life.

Is ignorance really bliss?

So if there is a world catastrophe, would one of you "newsies" give me a heads up?
Thanks.

Love,
K

love bucket

I was encouraged today.

In my devotion this morning, I was reminded of my love bucket. Isn't it cute?

 How's it looking today? Is it sloshing over the sides because it's so full? Is it chilling mid way? Is it dry as a bone?

Am I filling the buckets of the people God has placed in my life, or selfishly seeking the well-being of my own bucket? "We know that some people in the world are bucket fillers. These are the people who pour into you and encourage you. They leave you feeling better about yourself and life than you did before encountering them. And then there are bucket dippers. These people are often running on empty themselves and deplete others of their strength and energy." -Victoria Osteen

Philippians 2:4 "Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others."

Today, let's fill someone's bucket with some love.

xo,
K

life's a beach

Happy Monday, people. Is it really Monday, already?

Our weekend was simply wonderful! Our sweet friends were kind enough to lend us their beach condo in Treasure Island for the weekend, and we were happy to accept! I think we both needed a little break from reality for a few days :)

We picked up groceries Friday evening at the coolest Publix EVER! Not only is it directly next door to the condo, but it has a boat dock, and elevators!! I know, my dream!! I think I made a total of three trips. Just because.

I love little beach communities, because everything is so close, it only makes sense to walk everywhere. Believe me, I was feeling it this morning when I got out of bed. Pathetic! I love the simplicity of life at the beach. It's totally acceptable to stay in your swim suit and cover up all day, sport a make-up less face, beach hair, a funky sunburn, and sand between your toes (and in your bed). It just makes me so happy.

We slept late, ate way too many cookies, and did whatever we felt like. Total bliss! Our friends and their kids joined us on Saturday evening for dinner and watching the sunset. It thrills my soul to see the sweet innocence of children at the beach. I love to hear their giggles as they try to run through the sand hills, and see their little toes curl tightly in the shoreline as the waves pull backward into the surf. Such a fun evening.

Poor Nick spent most of the time inside...Dr's orders. No beach, but he never complained, and got to watch from the balcony. Such a trooper!

That's our fun...what did y'all do?

xo,
K

a painful blessing

Well hello there! How are you all? I'm sorry it's been a while since I posted. I've got so much to tell you, but let me start by saying...

God is so good, & His timing is so perfect.

To make a long story somewhat short (I'm not very good at this) Nick had a severe gallbladder attack 2 (or so) weeks ago. He went to the ER in D.C. with extreme abdominal pain. They did a CT, & blood work, but found nothing. They sent him home with 2 perscriptions, & told him to rest. I was worried sick, & just wanted him to get home right away. Something was very wrong, & he needed to see a doctor. Thankfully he got a late flight out of D.C Wednesday evening, & I almost cried when I saw him. He looked pale, sick, & very weak. We should have gone right to the ER, but he refused, & just wanted to go home to sleep.

Wrong answer.

At 2 am the next morning, he was in even more pain. I knew we needed to get to the hospital quickly. Once we got checked in, they began to run more tests. Finally they did an ultrasound, & discovered his gallbladder was in bad shape. It was full of stones, & severely inflamed. By 9 am, he was admitted, on heavy antibiotics, & on a morphine drip. They kept him through the weekend, & scheduled his surgery for Monday. He was inoperable until the inflamation subsided.

Come Monday, amazingly Nick wasn't in any pain at all! Huge relief, but agreed that surgery was the best decision. After a healthy dose of "happy juice" I kissed him goodbye, & watched as they wheeled him back to the OR.Y'all, I admit, I was a little emotional. This was the first time Nick had ever had surgery, & I was just being a wife. They gave us a number to follow his progress on the big T.V.'s in the waiting room, & I anxiously awaited an update. About an hour into surgery, I got a call from the OR saying that there was a lot more damage than anticipated. He would be in for a few more hours. Then I just began to pray.

3 hours later, Nick's surgeon, came to talk to us. He explained that he had never seen such a thing in his life! Nick's gallbladder was black, completely dead, & gangrene had began to set in to his bile ducts, & the side of his stomach. They inserted a drainage tube into his side to monitor any remaining infection in hopes that they removed it all during surgery. If he had not had that attack in D.C. things could have been bad. Really bad.

The following days were just a blur. I stayed with him for two nights dozing off & on in the little hard recliner by his bedside. It was in those nights that I just watched him breath, & silently thanked our great God for sparing his life, & his health. I smiled when his eyes opened long enough to squeeze my hand, & say, "Thank you, Kris. I love you." He won't ever remember the sweet names he called me on those nights, but I will never forget them.

Last Friday he was released to come home, & we were both crazy excited! I'm so proud of how well he is doing, & thankful that each day is better than before. His staples came out yesterday (he is going to have one wicked scar) & has been cleared to resume regular activity (in moderation) NO lifting anything heavier than a gallon of milk for 1 month. Funny how the other night, I noticed his backpack had mysteriously moved from the floor to the top of our huge ottoman in the living room.

Me: "Um, yeah, how did this get up here?"

Nick: "Huh?"

Me: "Nick!"

Nick: "Cowboy helped me get it up there. He's the best little dog."

It's going to be a long few weeks...
Thank you all for all your prayers, sweet friends. Y'all are amazing!

All my love,
K

the most amazing gift!

For my little brother's 17th Birthday, my parents gave him one of the most amazing gifts ever!

Trent lives, eats, and breathe's football. Period. Anyone who knows Trent, knows this fact. It's apparent in every aspect of his life.

He went to a football camp at J.M.U this summer, and came home completely changed. He learned not only how to excel on the field, and become a better player, but more so a better competitor for Christ.

Awesome!

So, my Dad took a picture of Trent at one of his games, and worked some photo magic. The outcome is too amazing for words. The creed along the side was inscribed on the FCA Bible he recieved at camp. I'll repost the creed. It's blurry if I blow it up.

I am a Christian first and last.

I am created in the likeness of
God Almighty to bring Him glory.
I am a member of Team Jesus Christ.
I wear the colors of the cross.

 I am a Competitor now and forever.
I am made to strive, to strain,
to stretch and to succeed
in the arena of competition.
I am a Christian Competitor
and as such, I face my challenger
with the face of Christ.

 I do not trust in myself.
I do not boast in my abilities
or believe in my own strength.
I rely solely on the power of God.
I compete for the pleasure of
my Heavenly Father, the honor of Christ
and the reputation of the Holy Spirit.

 My attitude on and off
the field is above reproach -
my conduct beyond criticism.
Whether I am preparing,
practicing or playing;
I submit to God's authority
and those He has put over me.
I respect my coaches, officials,
teammates and competitors
out of respect for the Lord.

 My body is the temple of Jesus Christ.
I protect it from within and without.
Nothing enters my body that
does not honor the Living God.
My sweat is an offering to my Master.
My soreness is a sacrifice to my Savior.

 I give my all - all of the time.
I do not give up. I do not give in.
I do not give out. I am the Lord’s warrior -
a competitor by conviction
and a disciple of determination.
I am confident beyond reason
because my confidence lies in Christ.
The results of my efforts
must result in His glory.

 LET THE COMPETITION BEGIN.
LET THE GLORY BE GOD'S.

Can I get a AMEN?? Now THAT just gives me chills! I am so very proud!!









.

happy birthday, baby trent

I remember the night my Mom and Dad told us 4 children, that we were getting a new baby brother. We were having spaghetti.

My Dad cried.

Chance objected, saying..."I don't want to share my room with another boy!"

I asked if another kid would possibly fit in our tiny Ford Arrow Star van?

My Mom just smiled.

And a few months later on July 25, 1994. We all welcomed a little 7 lb 4 oz baby boy named Trent Sterling into the world. Compared to the rest of us, he was the Williamson with the smallest birth weight. My Mother yelled at the Dr, "No! He's too small, put him back in!"

He slept in his pac-n-play in my parents huge walk in closet for the first two years of his life, simply because there wasn't any room in our tiny 3 bedroom home.

I loved being his "second mother", and always felt the need to carry him around on my hip. He called me Kiki.

He learned to drive the same 1995 Chevy Surburban that me, Chance, Alexa, & Austin drove. Yes, we still have that thing. Mom and Dad always said, "Once you learn to drive this big truck, you can drive anything."

Today he turns 17 years old.

He loves his Lord, serving others, family memories, scary movies, the beach, friends, football, dancing, and rap.

Baby Trent, Happy Birthday sweet brother! Thank you for bringing such joy to my life, and not being too old to still hold my hand. May today be filled with all the things you love the most. I love you so very much!

All my love,
Kiki

hello summer

I got my new Athleta catalog in the mail yesterday. Happy day :)
Check out this little number

Perfect little backyard BBQ/beachy/date night summer dress, don't you think?

I'm lovin' it.

the craziest thing i've probably ever heard

So, y'all are not even going to believe the story I am about to tell you...

But it's the truth...

The terribly painful, God's honest truth.

Two weeks ago, over the 4th of July weekend, I discovered a little black "cut" on my toe...the soft spot between my pinky and 4th toe. Random? Yes, but these things do happen, right?

It didn't hurt badly, just more annoying than anything. So, I cleaned it properly and figured it would heal quickly. As the week went on, I noticed the little black cut started to move? What began between my toe's, was now in the middle of my foot, and left a little red trail in it's path.

"Maybe it's a splinter?" After all, it's summer, and 98% of the time I'm usually in flipflops, or bare foot. But this seemed deeper than any splinter I had ever had as a kid, and it HURT like craziness. Plus, how would one get a "splinter" between one's toe?? Yeah...not so much.

By Saturday evening, I was limping, and on the verge of tears. Whatever was habitating in my foot was causing a painful infection. I sat in the bathroom floor late that night, trying to pick it out...panicked at this point that it was some kind of little creature. Nick wanted to take me to the ER, and I refused. How humiliating!

"Hi, can you please cut this "worm" out of my foot?" Fail!

So, Sunday morning, we set off for the Dr. All the while, thinking...

How did it get in there?
Is "it" alive?
Why is it moving?
Please, just get it out!

After about a million questions from the Dr...including, "Kristin, have you been to Africa recently? There are dangerous parasites/worms that dwell in damp area's, and can find their way into the body upon direct contact."

SERIOUSLY??

A few minutes later

Y'all. I was freaking out!

So, in comes the Dr. and the nurse, and a few other on lookers.

Followed by a big ol' shot of Lidocaine. That. Mess. KILLS!!!
Then he cut my foot open, and went hunting. Would you like to know what he found?

A hair.

That's right, kids. A dog hair that belongs to my little black rat terrier, Cowboy.

Your probably all wondering the same thing.

HOW????

As was I. However, I think this one just cannot be explained. Somehow, one of Cowboy's little hairs found it's way into my skin, and started movin' and groovin'. The infection began when my body could not rid itself of this little foreign hair. I stumped every single person in that office.
I even got to take my hair home. In a speciman cup.

I'm not gonna lie. I was really hoping that after going through all of that, I would have more to show than a wimpy dog hair. Come on, a worm would make me seem like a warrior.

So, word of the day, dog lovers. Beware of stray hairs. You just never know :)

Cowboy, I still love ya, buddy!

xoxo,
K