A Day in the Life of Kristin - August 2014

A few years ago a friend challenged me to do a Day in the Life series where I spoke in all too great detail what an average day looked like for me. I thought I would tackle again with just one day - as we are in a unique phase right now being in our new home, commuting via train, waiting for this baby to arrive...

Life is busy but blissful. We have mostly settled into a new home and a new routine. August was definitely a "survival" mode for me as we had just moved in, had lots of company, and I was working an obscene number of hours trying to make a big due date at the end of the month. Things have slowed considerably now fortunately, and I am just in the waiting mode...

5:30 - Alarm goes off. Try to hit snooze.
6:00 - Drag yourself out of bed. Shower and get ready quickly. Throw together a packed lunch. Probably hummus, carrots, frozen dinner... maybe a piece of fruit, granola bar or some veggie straws.
6:40 - Out the door with John to head to the train. Train leaves at 6:56, and it waits for no one. Enjoy reading a chapter of scripture or two with John. We are in the New Testament right now and loving the time we get together on the train.
7:30 - Train arrives in Downtown Boston - walk 10 min to work through beautiful brown stone buildings in the South End neighborhood of Boston towards the Office.

7:45 - 6:15 pm: Work! Work right now consists of creating and reviewing training materials for a new system we are implementing. We have created the materials, and spend time working with our client to review them. We also have a few status meetings in there, some mock demos of the system, system testing, lots of email and following up on issues...

6:15 pm - Rush downstairs to hit the shuttle for the 6:30 train! Unfortunately in August I was taking even later trains far too often because I was a) working too late or b) not getting to the train fast enough...again it waits for no one! But the 6:30 was always my goal.

7:20 pm - If all goes well I arrive back in my town and walk back home. John and I try to take the train together home, if we don't he picks me up from the Train Station.

7:20 - 8:15 - Change into some comfy clothes and eat some dinner. John makes me dinner many many weeknights, especially lately. I am usually wiped from work and being pregnant. Dinners are simple during the week. Our favorites are quesadillas, pita pizzas, open face sandwiches, salads with the goods from our farm share, and occasionally something a little more involved...

8:15 - 9:30 - Hang with John, usually watch a tv show together or just talk.

9:30 - I usually head upstairs and read /go to bed. Sometimes it is even earlier! Being pregnant wears me out!!

And a few photos from life lately...

Us in front of our new home in August...

Farm Share is amazing... John picks it up at work every other week

A Trip to Texas and Gratitude for Family

In July I went down to Dallas for the weekend - it was fantastic. I helped host a bridal shower for my sister Heather and my mom and sister threw a baby shower for me.

I wish I would have gotten more photos with all of the wonderful friends and family who joined us - it was truly a fantastic weekend. A lot of the McElderry clan came in town as well... so it was this blissful weekend with family from all over and from both the Bates and McElderry side. I am so grateful for my parents and sisters, as well as the new family I have gained in becoming a McElderry. Baby Boy was spoiled rotten and I was overwhelmed with love and generosity. 

Family is really the greatest - I am learning this more and more over the years. They are the ones who stick by you through each part of your life. Some friends stick with you and stay in touch... but many pass by as the seasons and circumstances of life change. But your family is always with you.

I can't wait for what this fall has in store for us. Our little guy is going to arrive any day now, and in November my sister gets married and we add one more to our numbers. I have another nephew on the way in December... and we will get to see much extended family this fall at the wedding and over the holidays. 

We did a 3d ultrasound with my parents and sisters. It was so cool! I think baby boy has my nose...

In case you were wondering....

I am married to a certified stud muffin. Reminds me of the time he tried to use a cuddle kit on me...

An Eternal Family

Note: I drafted this many months ago - and never hit publish. Wanted to share anyway...

We are joyfully expecting a baby boy in early October.

I have so many thoughts I could share on this topic. John and I have been hoping and praying for this sweet babe for a long time, and we are so grateful the time is here. It never ceases to amaze me how God has such a perfect plan for our lives. We often felt frustrated or saddened during our wait. Why us? Why not now?

Now that the time is here, it feels like just the right time. I know there was a divine purpose in this timing and I am grateful for a God who loves us and knows what is best. 

As can be expected, we have a lot of anxiety and nerves coupled with all of our excitement. Will we be patient enough? Kind enough? Nurturing enough? 

I know that Heavenly Father will prepare us. We won't be perfect parents, but we will be prepared. I feel so grateful he trusts me with one of his children. 

I also know that as I fail, and I will fail at some things, that I can be renewed and start again through the power of the Savior's atonement. 

I know that families are eternal. I know  that our lives and our family relationships extend beyond this mortal existence. It brings me such peace. 

Hello There!

Well....Hello There! What a hiatus this has been. I haven't posted since April.  Life has been all kinds of wonderful the last 4 months. So many blessings and so many good experiences.

As some of you may know - John and I are expecting our first child in just a few weeks (due Oct 1). We are anxiously awaiting to meet our sweet son (it's a boy!), and just praying and hoping he comes to us safely.

This photo is from John's brother's wedding back in March. I really love this photo of us because we are just beaming with happiness.

The winter was long and hard for us this year. Lots of struggles in our family and personal lives that I don't need to delve into here.

But somehow out of the fog of winter the brightness of Spring emerges, and so does a new gift of hope and light and warmth.

I feel so very blessed and full of joy. I hope in my moments of weakness (even during the beautiful summer), I can remember the brightness that always can shine in our lives if we choose to see it. It is never really gone after all... even in the midst of wintery blues.