Helping out a great family

So this family was brought to my attention by a friend of mine. They work with a program called Reece's Rainbow that advocate for children all over the world who are in orphanages and institutions simply because they were born with Down Syndrome.

They are currently working toward adopting 2 children, Ianna and Axel. They both have different conditions and I believe they are each from different countries. They are both around ten years old.

At the moment, they are very, very close to being able to bring Axel home. Hopefully, the Lord willing, they will leave for his country sometime in December to start the process of bringing him home.

At the moment they are holding a raffle for an iPad. As you know, these things are pretty pricey. But right now you can buy a raffle ticket for one of these babies for $25. And if you donate $100 to the site, you get 5 entries.

Here's the family's blog:
http://myianna.blogspot.com/
And here's the entry advertising the raffle:
http://myianna.blogspot.com/2010/10/ipad-give-away.html
I hope that some of you wonderful blog readers will be able to help this family out by contributing to the raffle or at least spreading the word.

God bless you all, my lovely blog readers.

~KK~

Long Time Gone

I have been severely neglecting my blogs as of late, mostly due to lack of internet access, but partly because of severe laziness on my part. So, an update on the goings on of the last few months.

In June and July I worked in the Resource room at District 25. I enjoyed the company of a wonderful Special Ed. teacher who usually teaches in American Falls. She and I had a LOT in common and got along great. Also in our room was another aide, a friend of mine who also works at Alameda Ctr. During the 2 months we worked together at summer school, she studied for and passed a slew of tests to become a certified Special Ed. teacher. She's now working at Kinport, the program I worked at last year.

I skipped out on the last few days of summer school to head back east to visit family and friends in Maine. I spent 3 weeks there, enjoying the company at our family reunion and visiting friends all over. We went to the ocean and I spent a day in New Hampshire with my honorary family, the Collins' at their family reunion. I also got a massive case of sun poisoning and had a bad run in with coconut rum (NEVER AGAIN, let me tell you!). I lost about 15 pounds due to sweating and lots of activity (WOOHOO).

The day after I returned to lovely, hot and dry Idaho, I had a job interview for a full-time position at Alameda. It was the easiest, most stress-free interview of my life!!! The very next day, I was informed that the job was mine!!!! I was really sad to leave Kinport, but I couldn't pass up full-time work, benefits, and a pay raise. It seemed almost too good to be true!!!

Diane stressed all summer about her job. She had her paycheck extended throughout the summer so we had money, but she was really stressed about finances and her dislike of her job. But at the last minute (5 days before our school jobs started) she was called about an interview in Logan, UT. The job would be in our area, but the company is based in Logan. The day after the interview they called to offer her the job!!! She's started her training and will begin working soon. This is a huge burden lifted off of her shoulders. I am so happy for her. I hated to see her so stressed and unhappy. Her job will be working with at risk babies and toddlers and their families to make sure they stay developmentally on track. Her title is Early Childhood Family Educator. It sounds so official and important. I love it.

So school started last Monday, at least for the staff. We had meetings and prep times and more meetings. Alameda Ctr. has an entirely new administration. This is both a good and bad thing. Good, because the administration has been so unstable for several years. Bad, because new administration equals changes and not everyone likes changes, staff and students both. We're managing. I'm getting used to a new job, new hours, new boss and coworkers. It'll take some time, but I'll get into a routine. We'll see how my body and mind handles the workload and the stress. I'm hoping things will work out for the best.

We finally got the last of our kittens from last year adopted out, only to have one returned after a nine month stint in a new home. She came back with what the vet called the worst case of ear mites she had ever seen. Bearie scratched her face to a bloody mess in an attempt to ease the itching. Now she's in a cone while she heals. She's less than thrilled. She's also less than thrilled (to say the least) that we have taken in a new foster. This one is an approximately 3 month old kitten who was starved and severely mistreated by her last owners. She's the sweetest, most loving kitty I've ever seen and we're working to get some meat on her bones and to keep her hydrated. She's started getting her shots and when she's healthier, she'll start going to Adoption Days every month until we find her a forever home. Diane was very hesitant to take on a new foster, especially such a high maintenance one while Bearie is still healing, but I begged. I just couldn't bear to see her end up in a shelter where she would be on death row. The Humane Society didn't have any open fosters, so if we didn't take her that's where she would have ended up. I named her Inkblot, but mostly we just call her Baby. She's getting healthier and stronger by the day!

So that's what's been happening around here. I've spent a lot of time this weekend catching up on blogs, emails, and facebook. Leave comments and let me know what's happening in your lives!!!

~KK~

Father's Day

Happy Father's day to all fathers and father figures everywhere! God bless you all.

~KK~

Learning

I've been spending my days (when I'm not at work) learning how to sew and make jewelry. It is so much fun and it's good to have a hobby, something to help me unwind. I love making patterns for necklaces and bracelets and trying desperately to sew a straight line (I'm not very successful yet). I've learned how to make burp cloths and "Loveys", a cute little baby blanket. It's great.

I'm also learning how to teach high schoolers. They're a mystery. I just can't seem to make them realize that I mean business and that I'm not "one of them."

I can't help it if I'm short, people!!!!!!!!

Sorry.

It's all one big learning experience...

~KK~

Easter and General Conference

It's a lovely weekend for celebrating Easter. I love Easter. It's such a spiritual time and also so much fun.

This Easter happens to be falling on General Conference weekend. Also one of my favorite weekends.

The first session of conference is almost over and it's been so uplifting and fulfilling. President Uchtdorff gave my favorite talk of the morning. It reminded me of one of my favorite Kenneth Cope songs and I thought I'd share it. It's called "His Hands".

His Hands
by Kenneth Cope

his hands
tools of creation
stronger than nations
power without end
and yet through them we find our truest friend
his hands
sermons of kindness
healing men's blindness
halting years of pain
children waiting to be held again

his hands would serve his whole life though
showing man what hands might do
giving, ever giving, endlessly
each day was filled with selflessness
and i'll not rest until i make up my hands what they could be
'til these hands become like those from galilee

his hands
lifting a leper
warming a beggar
calling back the dead
breaking bread, five thousand fed
his hands
hushing contention
pointing to heaven
ever free of sin
then bidding man to follow him

his hands would serve his whole life though
showing man what hands might do
giving, ever giving, endlessly
each day was filled with selflessness
and i'll not rest until i make up my hands what they could be
'til these hands become like those from galilee

his hands
clasped in agony
as he he lay pleading, bleeding in the garden
while just moments away
other hands betray him
out of greed, shameful greed
and then his hands
are trembling
straining to carry the beam that they've been led to
as he stumbles through the streets
heading towards the hill on which he died
he would die
they take his hands, his mighty hands, those gentle hands
and then they pierce them, they pierce them
he lets them, because of love
from birth to death was selflessness
and clearly now i see him with his hands
calling to me
and though i'm not yet as i would be
he has shown me how i could be
i will make my hands like those from galilee

I hope I can work harder to make my hands like those from Galilee.

God Bless and Happy Easter everyone.

~KK~

Everything in Moderation

Life is starting to look up for me. I'm making some changes in my life, hopefully for the better, and for the first time in a long time, things are going right.

Both D and I have joined Prepaid Legal, Inc. and we are both working to protect our identities, prepare wills, and file for bankruptcy. The bankruptcy thing is important. There are many things that we want to do that just aren't going to happen unless we get our finances straightened out and we've determined that we both need a fresh start, a second chance to do things right.

Once the financial situation is settled and we are secure in our life, D has decided to become a foster parent. We will both go through training, but only she will certify as a parent. I will just be another adult in the household. I'll be there to support and help, of course, but I'm not ready to take on the responsibilty of being a parent. D has 11 years on me and a lot of experience crammed into those 11 years. She's been waiting to do this for a long time. I'm excited that she will finally have the chance.

My health has been touch and go recently, but I feel that I am improving and discovering ways to make myself healthy and happy. Only time and experimentation with different medications, diet, and exercise plans will bring me to a healthy and comfortable living condition.

As for the title of this post, I have decided to moderate my life in order to be healthy and happy. Moderate spending, moderate eating, moderate work, and moderate play. I believe that is the key to being healthy and happy.

~KK~

Birthdays and Baptisms

Well this weekend is gonna be a busy one. After much drama and planning, I got the weekend off so D and I would be able to attend her niece's birthday party and our friend's baptism. We also get to spend time up in Rigby and visit some friends in Rexburg, too.

Alyssa is turning 16 today- Happy Birthday, Alystica- and we're excited to be able to celebrate with her.

Zoey has waited a long time and prepared very hard for her baptism. Even though they have moved pretty far away (PARKER??? talk about the middle of nowhere), we are very excited to share this special day with her.

We've been working to make some changes in our lives to make life better for us. We're cleaning a lot and discussing plans for the near future and preparing for the distant future. Working together instead of not communicating is making life for us much better.

I'm in full swing in my preparations for summer and Christmas. I've already started saving money for both trips and talking to my mom and dad about the trips.

Life is good and exciting and wonderful. I feel so blessed.

~KK~

I'm back!!!

I've really been away for too long. I should write more often. Bad Kaitlyn.

What's been going on in the potato state? Coldness, for one thing. There hasn't been much snow this winter (so far, fingers crossed) but it has been cold!!! Temperatures have dipped into negative numbers several times and I am constantly scraping thick layrs of frost off my windshield in the mornings.

We survived the craziness of the holidays. Christmas was wonderful, if a little homesick for me this year. I really wanted to either be in Kentucky for my first Christmas, or to be in Maine. I miss my family and it's hard living so far away from everyone.

D and I got our pictures taken by the wonderful Jaimee. It was really fun, if really cold. Jaimee is so talented and professional. The pictures turned out great. I may put some up for your viewing pleasure sometime soon.

Work work work. Sometimes it seems like all we do. But it isn't always enough. We've been struggling to make ends meet, and it's been tough on both of us. We snip a grump at each other a lot these days, but there are brighter days ahead!! Soon my car will be paid off and there will be $300 extra a month in our pockets. It will be a huge lift. $300 doesn't seem like that much but it will buy us food and the other not-quite-necessities that we've been going without. March can't come soon enough.

And speaking of things to come, my adopted little brother Aaron will be leaving for his Mission in February. He's serving in California!!! Congrats, Elder!!!

Also to come this year are Krystal, Matt, Jon, and Steve's graduation! My crew that I started this crazy journey with are finishing it and moving on to bigger and better things. More on that to come. When they graduate, their families will be coming out and I will get a much needed does of love from Maine. Can't wait!!!

This summer (planning ahead) I plan to spend 2 weeks in Maine for a family reunion. I'm excited because it's been so long since I've been back east and I know so much has changed and I can't wait to visit everyone and spend time with all my loved ones.

And planning waaaaay ahead, I've started saving for a plane ticket to go and spend Christmas vacation in Kentucky this year. Come hell or high water that's where I'll be.

So there's a brief (or not so brief) update on me and my crazy life!

God Bless!

~KK~