Sep 01
They say Virginia is for lovers, but I’m a little more geographically inclusive. Call me crazy, but Virginia is a little small for my liking. Besides, I’d say I’m more a West Coast girl anyway. I know, here I am in the Midwest – don’t ask me how that happened. Well, you could ask, but you already know. The word is “family.”
Regardless of where you’re at, I’m telling you – there’s something about September. Especially when it’s rainy. Like today. How could September get off to a more perfect start? This month begs for soft touchable sweaters, layers of beautiful scarves, and curling up in an oversized couch to enjoy steaming hot caramelized apple cider from Scooters. Or gourmet french vanilla hot chocolate at home. Also in an oversized couch.
This month, make yourself a playlist and fall in love. It doesn’t have to be that romantical kind of love (though that’s a great kind of love to fall into). Just fall in love. You know, with yourself – with your family, your friends and your LIFE. After all, no one is going to live your life as well as you can. Your playlist can help remind you of how great love is. Need a few song suggestions? I’ve got a couple. You’ll notice that they’re all songs by country music heartthrobs. What can I say? Men with great voices help my mood.
Tagged with: are you gonna kiss me or not? • fall • family • happy • invisible • jaron & the long road to love • josh gracin • keith urban • lee brice • love • love like crazy • lover • music • my heart is open • september • that's beautiful to me • thompson square
Aug 29
Actually, there are all sorts of words. Around a quarter million in the English language, if you believe this article. But I don’t think there are any words adequate to express the excitement in the Christensen house since we heard “THE news.” I won’t make you hold your breath – mostly because I’m so excited about it. ALISHA. IS. MOVING.
And not just moving – she is moving to MISSOURI! I don’t know how we convinced her, but we have done it! Actually, she just (finally) felt like it was the right thing to do. And our whole family is super grateful every single day – we’re totally counting down, but trying not to. 16 weeks sounds a lot better than 121 days. If you’re going to get technical, we’ve rounded the weeks down. Don’t get technical – it seems longer. She’ll be out here at the end of December. Merry Christmas to us! I can’t think of a better present. If you can, we don’t need to know about it – this is all the happiness we need.
Tagged with: alisha • christmas • family • happy • missouri • moving
Aug 12
Alisha might be my mother’s favorite child. If you doubt me, take a look at the screenshot of Alisha’s facebook wall. (You can make it bigger if you click on it.) I mean, it’s not like I am seeing Mom every day, but who gets the facebook message? Uh huh. What happened to the whole candy bar talk?
Oh well. Fair or not, at least I have the satisfaction that Alisha lives in Missouri vicariously through my blog. (And no, that’s not narcissism talking. She told me. So unless you’re calling her narcissistic…) Of course, I would trade that satisfaction in a heartbeat if she’d move out here. Via the blog, I’m her official updater until we convince her to move. (See Dad, this whole “living your whole life online” is not so bad.)
So, continuing with the reasons that Alisha should move here…
- I discovered the BEST artisan ice cream place. Ever. And it’s right near my house. Pineapple-cilantro sorbet? Yes, it sounds totally weird. And it’s amazing.
- In the same week, I discovered KC’s own version of my favorite frozen yogurt hotspot in Vegas. Except better. Also right near my house. (I knew moving was a good idea.) I’d highly recommend the Pomegranate Yogurt with kiwi, strawberries and pineapple. It hits the spot every time. Plus, you pay by the ounce – you can make it the perfect size for you. No small, medium, or large issues to deal with.
- You could come with me to the MoBar Family Law Conference and hang out at the Lake while I attend seminars all day. The shopping’s good too – outlets galore! You’ve got time to plan – it’s next August.
- Road trips. The latest was this past weekend to McPherson, Kansas. I drove from the MoBar Family Law Conference to pick up the kids from vacation at our Aunt & Uncle’s house. I know, it’s shocking, but we don’t go to McPherson just for the sightseeing. Unless you count “seeing” our darling cousins. Then we are totally guilty of going there for the sightseeing.
Since getting back from the MoBar Family Law Conference this week, I’ve been working around the clock. But those are a few of the simple pleasures that are a part of life here in KCMO. C’mon Alisha… don’t you want to be a part of it?
Tagged with: alisha • family • glace • kansas • kcmo • mcpherson • missouri • red mango
Aug 01
Wahoo! Today I’m celebrating. Well, actually I’m celebrating all month, because that’s how I roll. I highly recommend that when you have a birthday, you celebrate all month too. I can’t take credit for that brilliant idea. It’s a suggestion I got from a friend of mine a long time ago and it means the month of August totally rocks every year. I’ve officially reached “antique” status. For those of you who don’t speak the language of my 2.0, that means I’m now 25 years old. Don’t fault her for the whole “antique” thing – she’s only 11, so 25 is bound to sound ancient.
There are so many blessings in my life! In honor of turning 25 today, I thought I’d list 25 things that I’m grateful for. Yep, this is going to be a long list. Deal with it – it’s my party, and I’ll write what I want to.
- The Gospel of Jesus Christ and my membership in His Church
- Mom
- Dad
- Alisha
- Logan
- Jessie
- Reece
- Wade
- Sam
- Cassie
- My law degree from BYU
- Running my own law firm
- Living in KCMO
- Cute running clothes
- The color blue – that totally bright, really happy blue.
- Cupcakes
- Country music - Trace Adkins, Carrie Underwood, Justin Moore, Jason Aldean, Jaron & the Long Road to Love… all those good people.
- Four Inch Heels
- The Piano
- Scented Candles
- Calla Lilies
- Italian Food
- Texas Roadhouse Rolls
- Men who open doors
- Big dreams. And little dreams. Just all sorts of dreams.
I picked up a card a little while ago. There’s a quote on it and it’s how I’m determined to live. “This is your world. Shape it or someone else will.”
Tagged with: 2.0s • alisha • birthday • cassie • cupcakes • dad • family • jessie • kcmo • leila • logan • mom • reece • sam • the 2.0s • wade
Jul 31
Yesterday my parents celebrated their 28th wedding anniversary. In this day and age, that’s a pretty remarkable accomplishment in and of itself. Add in the fact that they still like each other? Well, that’s priceless. Mom still calls Dad “Boyfriend” (he’s even saved in her cellphone as that – like he doesn’t have another name or something) and my Dad is still crazy about her. He’s even learned to instant message so that he can hang out with her when he’s gone at work. They talk – and it’s more than just “please pass the salt.” I know there are at least eight people in this world that are thrilled that my parents still like each other. (Besides them of course.) No prizes for guessing who. Since there are no prizes, I can tell you who we are – Me, Alisha, Logan, Jessie, Reece, Wade, Sam and Cassie. Maybe I should’ve offered prizes. Reece might be inclined to remember who we all are then.
Dad’s in Brazil right now – it made taking Mom out on a date last night kind of difficult for him. Don’t worry, he’s not a slacker – he’s got plans for when he gets back. Mom was cool about him being at work. After all, having a job’s kind of important when you’re supporting a family. HOWEVER, we couldn’t really let the day go uncelebrated. A waterfall in the living room (don’t ask – just be appreciative when your roof doesn’t decide to leak during a rainstorm) cut a big chunk of time out of our lives, but we still had enough time to do SOMETHING.
My Dad has two favorite restaurants – Ma & Pa’s Kettle and The Rib Crib. He’s a country guy. What can we say? When he’s out of the country, Mom and I NEVER go to either one. They aren’t really our style. (Mom is NOT a country girl.) Except last night. We did their anniversary just like they’d do a normal date night* for them – dinner at Ma & Pa’s and a movie at the local theater. It was almost like Dad was there.
And yes Dad, before you ask – I made sure to get Mom’s door.
*Dad’s already got “real” anniversary plans for when he gets back that are a departure from the normal routine, so I didn’t spoil anything, don’t worry.
Tagged with: 28 years • anniversary • cameron • dad • family • kids • ma and pa's kettle • mom
Jul 17
I just looked at the calendar. It’s the 17th, can you believe it? How did we get to the 17th with only ONE blog post for the month?! Maybe it’s time to create a blogging schedule. I’d say I don’t like schedules, but my mom might call me a liar. After all, I’ve always had some sort of long term schedule going – but I call them “plans” so it doesn’t feel quite so rigid. So maybe what I need is a blogging “plan.” Whatever we call it, I think I need something so I can avoid facebook messages of “get crackin’ on your blog!” Yes, that is a direct quote. Sort of. From Alisha. Really though, I could blame the lack of posts this month on my darling sister Alisha.
My youngest sister Cassie turned 10 this month. That’s right, there are NO Christensens left in the single digits! (Actually, I’m sure there are, but none in OUR immediate family. Christensen is a pretty common last name after all.) Alisha came all the way from Utah to be Cassie’s birthday surprise. Kind of fitting, seeing that Cassie is Alisha’s 2.0. (Yes, Cassie, when you look at Alisha you can see yourself in 12 years. Count your blessings.) It was so much fun to see Alisha, and then she left. Meanie. We are still working on that list of reasons why she should move out here. If anyone wants to add to it, PLEASE do. We can use all the help we can get. If you’re looking to add to a list of reasons why she shouldn’t move, please keep those comments to yourself. No one wants to hear them.
While you think of reasons for Alisha to move, I’m giving you a few more… Alisha, please pay attention.
- Dad built you a boat. Yes, I’m sure it was all for you, even if he’s been out fishing in it every day with the 2.0s. It would be rude if you didn’t use it at least weekly, and how are you going to do that living in Utah? The boat is obligated to stay on the family pond – it sinks otherwise, I’m sure. Especially if it’s in Utah.
- Yogurt! is more fun to play in Missouri. For all of you people out-of-the-know, Yogurt! is a weird game Alisha taught us when she was out here. You know the game “Slug Bug”? Yogurt! is kind of like that, except you don’t hit people. You just call out “Yogurt!” when you see a yellow car. Infinitely more fun than Slug Bug. (Or maybe I just think that because I’m better at Yogurt! than Slug Bug.)
- You can play the guitar in my postcard ANYTIME you want to. I know, I’m so generous.
- KC has the coolest old houses.
- UCM has your program. At least close to your program. So you could finish studying close to me.
- I will make you cupcakes on your (real) birthday. AND on your fake birthday. But I won’t make them so often that you get fat.
- And finally…. I love you! We all love you! All of us now-double-digit Christensens LOVE you! And we miss you already. So come home soon.
Tagged with: alisha • cupcakes • family • love • move to missouri • postcard • reasons to move to missouri
May 26
Samantha (my 2.0) and I are about the same height. She’s 11. (I’m totally cheating in the picture – gotta love a great pair of four inch heels.) Shocking, I know, but given the fact that I quit getting taller right around age 12, I’ve got my fingers crossed that she gets there soon. I’m even hopeful that she gets taller than me, but don’t tell her. I’ve got to keep that whole dominate older sister persona intact. Of course, if you’ve ever read my blog, you know that EVERYONE is taller than me now except the 2.0s. Dominate older sister persona STILL intact, shortest one or not. No, I don’t weigh the same as I did when I was 12. That’s why I said I quit getting taller. Thank goodness I developed a few curves after the fact. Otherwise it’d be a little harder to pull off the whole “I’m an adult, I’m a lawyer, and you should listen to me.”
We were hanging out this week when Sam hit her head on an open kitchen cabinet door. Ever the optimist, she said “Well, at least I’m tall enough to hit my head!” Talk about a silver lining. That’s my 2.0. And I love her.
Tagged with: 2.0 • big sister • family • lawyer • leila • sam • short • tall
May 20
Please notice the smiley face on the right. It looks happy, don’t you think? Well, it’s all in honor of the youngest 2.0, Cassandra. Cassie for short. And for now, she’s EXTRA short. Or at least still shorter than me. Since she’s 9, I shouldn’t gloat too much. “Should” being the operative word.
You might wonder why the smiley face is in honor of Cassie. It could be because she’s so pleasant. Or because we all smile when we’re around her. Or because we thought she looked like red ketchup on a bun. Take your pick. If you really want to know what it’s for though, I’ll tell you. A few months ago, I took the kids to Ma & Pa’s (Dad’s favorite down home diner). Cassie got a burger. And when it came time for the ketchup, she Very. Carefully. Drew a smiley face.
Mom and I went today – and in honor of Cassandra, there you have it. One happy little cheeseburger.
Tagged with: 2.0s • cassandra • cassie • cheeseburger • family • happy • ma & pa's
May 18
This past weekend my family had a man night. Yes, you read that right. My family- girls included – had a “man” night. And that might not make sense to you. “Man” night doesn’t sound like it would involve GIRLS, I know. But really, doesn’t that make it the ULTIMATE man night? Wade picked out what we’d eat, Mom made it (it’s nice having a girl along to do the cooking), and we watched a “kill movie,” otherwise known as an “action movie.” I took pictures of it all. (Sorry for the blurriness… I’m still waiting for a flash to magically appear on my iPhone. Maybe it will come out with one on the next iPhone. Which I am totally getting.)
Reece summed up our collective feelings on man night the next morning when we were cleaning up the carnage. ”I heart man night.”
Me too, Reece. Me too.
Tagged with: dad • family • iphone • logan • man night • movie • reece • wade
May 15
You thought we only had a Cowboy Casanova, didn’t you? Wrong! My little brother Wade (who is not really “little,” but he is 13 so I’m reserving the right to call him that) is the GQ Romeo of the Christensen household. Trust me on this. I chaperoned on his school field trip this week. “Romeo” is definitely the right name for him.
First, I think I’ve never met a 13 year old boy who’s cool enough to want his old lady sister to come help out on any field trip. Second, I’ve never met a 13 year old boy who’s cool enough to hang out with his 5th grade sister AT the same field trip. AND skate with BOTH OF THEM out on the roller skating rink. In FRONT of all his friends.
Those seventh grade girls TOTALLY swooned over him. And why not? Any smart girl knows that a man will treat his wife the same way he treats his mom and his sisters. (Well, there will be a few key differences, but don’t make me go into those here. Please.) Wade’s definitely got a few things figured out. I love him. TONS. Trust me, everyone should have a Romeo in their life. Or at least a brother like Wade.
Tagged with: cowboy casanova • family • reece • sam • wade
They say Virginia is for lovers, but I’m a little more geographically inclusive. Call me crazy, but Virginia is a little small for my liking. Besides, I’d say I’m more a West Coast girl anyway. I know, here I am in the Midwest – don’t ask me how that happened. Well, you could ask, but you already know. The word is “family.”
