bad blogger

Dear all those who read this,

I have fallen off this wagon so many times, thank you for being patient with me! Life is busy, busy, busy. Sloan is loving and doing super in 1st grade! She is coming home with homework that I am having to email the teacher about (cv/vc--what the hell is that?) Kevin set a Baylor attendance record at the Texas A&M volleyball match with over 3,000 people! We are ready for basketball season for sure! I just took my LAST test (with exception to my final and state boards) today and will start my preceptorship on Friday. This is where for 120 hours I follow a nurse, this serves as a transition into practicum as a RN. I will be in the ICU (super excited about this) and ready to learn! The weather is heavenly, couldn't ask for anything better! I have been working lots in the ER and seeing so many crazy things....the human body is amazing! Here is the CUTEST picture of Sloan, my brother Keegan took it this weekend and so thankful for that. ( I am HORRIBLE at getting pictures taken, or even remembering the camera) Have a great week!

summer summary

Quick update about this summer.....

Kristen-summer off from school, worked and experienced some wonderful/educational experiences at the hospital. Keeping up with my running, even broke down and bought new running shoes!

Kevin-football is underway, very excited about Baylor and their anticipated success. Going to Austin City Limits and is on the countdown. Has a blog updated each tuesday : kevinsmusicandmisery.blogspot.com.

Sloan- toothless, lost top 2 and bottom 2 without any permanent teeth yet....looks funny, hopefully pictures to come. found out she likes to fish, caught a small catfish with my parents. LOVES to swim, is a daredevil jumping off the diving board at the pool doing cannonballs, belly flops and anything else that can possibly make a splash. very excited about starting school. last week she told me, "mom, I am totally freakin' out about school".

Most favorite moments this summer is taking the dogs (chloe and canaan) to the lake, sloan throwing the ball for canaan to catch only to have chloe fight canaan for it...
Even though this was one of the most memorable summer, I am eager to start back to school. Only 4 months left for me then I graduate!!!!!!!!!!!!

the best of both worlds

Sloan put on a concert tonight, a Hanna Montana concert that is. She sang 2 numbers, "fly on the wall", and "best of both worlds". If I can get my head wrapped around where I downloaded the videos I will post them, they are one word....hysterical! great black mail material later on down the road. She dressed up in her best concert atire and put her best face on.

Last week she beegggggged me for some play make up and I allowed her to choose 2 items: lipstick and eyeshadow. Needless to say she choose a "hooker" purple lipstick and a "i am a tramp" purple eyeshadow...I had to reinforce the rule of not leaving the house under any circumstance wearing this make up.

Tonight she has been quite the entertainer, not only did she put on a concert, but autographs were given after the show. Also, the going ticket price was 5cents, best deal in town.

chloe lynn

we have a new addition to our little family these days, chloe lynn. she is a 2 year old doxen that my parents adopted and we are dog sitting while they are in ireland. chloe's favorite things to do in no particular order:
1. cuddle
2. lick your face
3. roll on her back and get scratched
4. chase birds

she is such as sweet dog and sloan and her are best buds. when kevin tickles her and sloan starts laughing real hard, chloe runs up to her, jumps on the couch and barks/growl es at kevin to protect sloan. too funny. they pretty much are inseparable these days. she also loves to run around outside and chases all the birds. the funniest thing is when chloe leaves our yard, all we hear is sloan yelling at the top of her lungs, "CHLOE LYNN get over here" in the most hick southern accent you can imagine.

we took chloe to the lake with kenda and her dog canaan along with some other dogs. all the other dogs are out in the lake fetching balls and all we see it chloe run and jump into the lake doing a belly flop. i am still laughing about this. at the lake we refer to her as "coach chloe" because she is constantly barking at the other dogs "telling" them out to swim, when to get out of the lake and so on....quite the personality for such a little thing. we have enjoyed having her around and will be sad to give her back to mom and dad.

cute quip

Kevin calls me at work Saturday and tells me this funny story, but let me preface it first. We told Sloan that on the weekends she is allowed to watch morning cartoons in her room if she happens to get up before 8am. (we showed her what that looks like on a clock). So this Saturday, she did just that. Kevin found her in her room, on her bed watching television and drawing pictures. Here is the following conversation:

Dad: hey sloan whatcha watching?
Sloan: just television, but its the longest.comericial.ever.
Dad: well, Sloan, its because you are watching an infomercial...lol
Sloan: that vacuum is only 4lbs and you can carry it with one hand!

I laughed all day.

mom, waterworks, and a little graduate

Today Sloan graduated Kindergarten, sniff...sniff. I knew I was going to be emotional, but nothing can really prepare oneself for your only child walking across a stage in a red gown and mortar to the "graduation anthem". I just saw Sloan's life flash before my eyes and thinking about looking back to this moment when she graduates high school, goes to prom, goes to college, etc....I decided that I will be needing a lifetime supply of Prozac just to get through these sentinel events. She just happened to be the cutest graduate on stage (in my humble opinion) and after I greeted her in her Kindergarten room one last time only to break down in tears once again. Kenda, the best sister ever and who had a grasp of the situation at hand came prepared with kleenex. Kevin of course held me as I wept, sniffed snot, then wept some more. He knows I wear my heart on my sleeve and knew that today would be quite the emotional one for me. He definitely was my shoulder to cry on, literally and figuratively. As I left the school I called my mom who couldn't be there, as usual she comforted me like she always has since I was an infant. I hope I can be half of the mother to Sloan that my mom has been to me and still continues to be even after I have inched into adulthood. I rely on my mom for so many things. She reassures me on parenting skills, gives the BEST advice ever and knows exactly when I need a pick me up phone call or a beautiful bouquet of flowers to make me feel better. So Sloan is off to Oklahoma today with Ibbie and Phil until Sunday. I am SUPPOSED to be studying.....but right now I am going to enjoy the quiet evening with Kevin!

Sloan, the not so secret shopper

My mom came into town today for a job interview (keep your fingers crossed, will keep you updated) and after the interview we went out for a margarita and talk. After 1 margarita we took off to the mall with Sloan and Kenda as well. We make a B-line to Victoria's Secret (store credit card in hand) and this is where Sloan excels as a personal shopper. Here are a few one liners that we and other shoppers heard:

"no, you're not a medium, I think you're a large....ma'am."
"can I help you find something ma'am?"
"these are hot"
"the lady at the counter can check you out when you're done"
"here are all the mediums "(as she pulls out EVERY drawer that holds mediums)

This isn't just at VS, its at Target, HEB, Walmart...she is such a good personal shopper always wanting to attend to my needs. We were at Target once, momma needed to get out of the house so I went to my home away from home. Sloan was having a difficult time at home with good behaviors and I was up to here (3 feet above forehead). As we are walking around, she is asking me "ma'am, what can I help you find today?" so I creatively said " I am looking for good behaviors, we ran out at home and I really could use some for my little girl." WITHOUT missing a beat she replies, "we are all out, maybe next time they will be in stock."....all I could do was give her a hug and laugh.

with a big sigh of relief, this semester is officially over! on my last test I made a 90 which in nursing world is like making a 150 on a test, then yesterday I took my final exam and again scored a 90. I have this summer and the fall, then I am done with nursing school. I am beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Thanks to everyone who is in my corner, who provided their time babysitting, prayers, or encouraging emails, THANK YOU!

copy cat

So in my sister's footstep, I am going to post a top 10 list of my favorite things. She has an excellent blogg to follow too....insearchofcanaan.blogspot.com check it out!

Kristen's Top 10 List (randomly placed, of course)

1. Grande 2 shot Americano from Starbucks

2. Grey t-shirt from the GAP

3. Cuddling up on the couch to watch mindless TV

4. Crossword puzzles and word jumbles

5. Full tank of gas

6. Smell of Gain Fabric Soap

7. NOT getting the last of the cereal (all those loose crumbs---blech)

8. Target shopping

9. Watching funniest home videos with Sloan and Kevin

10. Listening to NPR

you're going to need staples....

FYI, not very therapeutic to a 6 year old who just fell off of the monkey bars at school, hit her head on a rock, and is covered in blood, and scared to death. Needless to say, it took 4 adults (me, kevin, the nurse practitioner and another nurse) to hold Sloan down in order to clean the back of her head and put a staple to keep it from bleeding and promote healing. Poor baby. She is home now, sitting up in bed (she refused to lay down) and watching television.

We call her...grass stain

Play ball....T-ball season is officially under way, the mighty Chili Peppers played their first game last night and number 5 was our little MVP of the game. Sloan came home from school and was ready to get dressed to for her 6:40pm game. Kevin bought her the real deal white socks with the red stripe of up the side, and she had white pants from last season, she looks like a little Jennie Finch (one of the best softball players in the world). Her goal last night wasn't to hit one out of the ball park, or make amazing plays, but to see how many grass stains she could get on her pants. If a ball made it from the "T" then she went after it, by sliding. Sometimes she was feet away from the ball, yet we still slid. When we were up to bat, we slid to 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and yes...home as well. We can hold our head high and say, "goal accomplished". See pictures below!

Family

I just wanted to share how special my family is to me. This week started off with a test over the cardiovascular system and oh so many diseases/disorders and so on....I have dedicated much time and effort into studying for this test. Unfortunately, I did not preform as well as I had wanted. I came home Monday night in tears and shut myself up in my room until the next morning only to still be in my "funk", very emotional.

As I am sitting on the couch sobbing, Kevin tells me he has never seen me like this. I told him I was tired, emotionally tired, physically tired, just plain tired. I was tired of having to pick myself up and get back on the horse only to be knocked down again. I was tired of not being able to spend time with my family, go to t-ball practices, Texas Ranger games, having hobo breakfasts on the weekend with Sloan and Kevin. He encouraged me, reinforcing that he and Sloan (and everyone else) is behind me 100% and believe in my dream.

My mom calls and I am too emotional to even talk to her, I am just so disappointed in myself, all my efforts seem for nothing. I have never felt like this before, I even emailed my advisor telling her I am not sure I am going to be able to feel motivated to go on, my drive is gone. This is where my mom initiates "no herring left behind". I can just see her sending out a APB text to the family "kristen is down, she needs encouraging" and so the calls and text messages begin. I am doing a clinical in the ER and my phone is blowing up with encouraging messages, prayers, and even Kaleb is telling me about this girl in his class who Shusshed him and called him an asshole...poor guy.

Needless to say, I met with my advisor, I am back on the horse (with drive) and ready to conquer High risk OB/pediatric congenital heart defects/ hematology and more. Thanks to my wonderful family, who I would be so lost without. I appreciate your encouraging words and absolutely needed them, I know I can accomplish my goal and its so nice to know you think so too!

Sloan, Emma, and Lilly celebrating St. Patrick's Day!

So its been a while, lots going on these days. I had a test over neurological functions, brain injuries, strokes, and anything to do with spinal injuries. Lots of stuff. I did pass, whew. Kevin has been busy with our very successful men's basketball team...yeah Baylor. They won last night to send them to the next round in the NIT tournament. I know it sounds like I know what I am talking about, but really I am just remembering our conversation about how all this works. LOL. Sloan had a birthday on Tuesday, she looked so cute in her obligatory birthday crown, green and white faux braids and green shirt. I just can't believe my baby is so big. This Saturday I am off work (thank the lord) and hosting a party for Sloan at the local bowling alley. I am so excited for her, but nervous all in the same breath. For those who have heard my soap box schpeel about birthday parties know that this is a big deal for me. We are having lots of family come into town, my brother Kaleb from Oregon and his girlfriend Lindsey, my grandparents from Hereford, and my cousin, her husband and 3 kiddos from near Austin! We are so fortunate to have family nearby!!!! Here are some pictures from her day at school, the 2 other little cuties are Emma, who is in Sloan's class, and her little sister Lily. How cute are they???

Junie B. Jones

If you've never had the pleasure of reading the Junie B. Jones series, you are missing out. These books are aimed toward K-3rd graders, but I look forward to reading them each night to Sloan. The book we just finished was about bringing a pet to school for pet day, and that Junie B. Jones wanted to bring a fish on a leash (the fish was dead), then tried to catch a racoon, and ultimately brought a fish stick. These are must reads that all ages can enjoy!

star wars gal

So for valentines day I got Star Wars episodes IV, V, and VI. I am so excited that Sloan is wanting to watch these movies with me! Growing up, these movies were my favorite of all time and still are! There are so many good memories of watching these movies at home with my mom and dad. I always thought I could be like Princess Leia, she is so strong and independant yet feminine. I think she is a great role model for little girls, be strong, stand up for what you believe in!

I also had the biggest crush on Luke Skywalker, who didn't? Watching them now, I am like, "what was I thinking?" but Sloan said he was cute...the tradition lives on.

I am watching the Oscars becuase there is NOTHING else on, and I could care less about the awards. I can't even go to the movies without falling asleep before the climax of the movie. We subscribe to Nexflix which is nice, we get all the new releases and without late charges, get to keep them for as long as we need. I can get through about 15 minutes of a movie before falling asleep on the couch or bed. After 4-5 days, Kevin just gives up on me finishing it and returns the movie. I just get the update on what happened from him. My goal is to finish a whole movie before I turn 30. LOL.

Valentines day

Today was so much fun spending time as a family...Kevin and I took Sloan out to dinner at Johnny Carino's, okay so we went there for us. If we went where Sloan wanted to go, we'd still be at Chucky Cheese. We exchanged gifts before we left and I was so excited to give Sloan her gift. We've been through a rough patch here lately with me being at school A LOT and work A LOT so my mom suggested a necklace that she can hold on to when she has a "moment".

I found the I love you charm at James Avery that is in sign language. Growing up my mom and dad always did the I love you sign to us, and we still use it now with Sloan. Of course when I went to J.A. to buy the charm I cried, it was just so overwhelming and sentimental to me to pass this on to Sloan. Kevin got her 2 shirts and the Hannah Montana movie in 3-D (yeah! with lots of sarcasam)...lol.

So Happy Valentines Day to all...I hope your day was as wonderful as ours was!

Left Handedness

I have no idea why I thought about how much I enjoy being left handed, but here I am....I wasn't always happy to be left handed though. It started in 2nd grade when my teacher told me I was stupid and she MADE me write with my right hand, then criticize how bad my handwriting was. Well, it doesn't matter what hand I write with, its still bad! :)

I googled some info on being left handed and found out only 13% of the WHOLE world is left handed, but only 4% of that 13% are women. We left handed women are rare and special! Left handed (back in the day) was looked on as "broken" or associated with evil. Come to find out, nowadays left handed people are highly sought after in the sports world. Since almost 90% of the people are right handed, they aren't ready to deal with us lefties when we come up to bat, or throw a pitch, we are at an advantage! Left handed people have infiltrated the arts as well.

Also, even though we are the minority, we are survivors. Since we do have to adapt to a righty world, this has lead us to be more resilient and adaptive to change. Some famous lefties are Leonardo di Vinci, Michelangelo, Joan of Arc, Jimi Hendrix, 7 US presidents, H.G. Wells, Kurt Kobain and Hellen Keller.

Now, hold your head high, Lefties! We have much to be proud of...apparently anyone can be a righty, not everyone can be left handed.

In true Herring fashion

I started this blog as a way for family to keep up with "the huffine's", and in true herring fashion, I have not been diligent in posting. Hopefully, that will change today! We have been busy little bees here lately and enjoying almost every minute of it.

Sloan is in a basketball league, she is so enthusiastic about playing and learning new skills. It is so amazing to see her develop this way. We think sports is so important in teaching sportsmanship, playing fair, following direction from the coach (who is a god send), and in eliminating the infinite amount of energy this child has! It was a little intimidating on the first day of practice when the coach says, "alright, lets start with layups", GULP, my child doesn't even have dribbling down pat! In the end, the layup still needs a little work, but Sloan is dribbling like a regular Harlem globtrotter.

Kevin is very excited that baseball season is approaching, he lives, eats, and breathes baseball. Its fun to watch him get all excited about these games. He and Coach Smith have a special relationship, all I can say is boys will be boys. Of course he (we) were let down when Oklahoma didn't win the national championship, but we still have the new york mets!

School for me is in full swing, the opprotunities that I am exposed to daily at work and school are just amazing. I spend a lot of time studying, although it never seems that I've done it enough. A friend of mine, Angie, has a great blog and has inspired me to keep this up. Also, my cousin Heather is constantly keeping me laughing with stories and pictures of her day to day life as a mom of 3. I figure if they have time, I can make time!