tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34101976028961126222012-02-01T05:28:26.801-08:00Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.comBlogger6591100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-85245149075800925532011-11-11T08:55:00.000-08:002011-11-22T07:08:22.986-08:00

Dear Friends,Many of you have been asking about us, some concerned that we are not well or something is wrong. I assure that everything is fine at the Laurence household....I'm finding myself so fulfilled that blogging has not been on my mind for some time now. I apologize for being remiss in posting this sooner and thank you for your concern.I'm not sure I'll return to blogging but I'm on

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-81845775732682003382011-04-27T11:45:00.001-07:002011-04-27T12:18:34.487-07:00

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-83310872214202802782011-03-26T08:22:00.000-07:002011-03-26T08:25:34.194-07:00

...watch this video. Breathtaking!

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-60925517040780960452011-03-25T08:59:00.000-07:002011-03-27T06:44:12.613-07:00

UPDATE: All sculptures are taken. Thank you! If you missed this running, one more round will be available soon.More Madonna and Child wall reliefs are now available over at Mrs. Laurence. Due to the life-span of the mold and my time currently needed in other areas, only one more round of sculptures will be made after these. For those of you who have been waiting on them for a while now, my humble

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-17078821242111120662011-03-24T07:40:00.000-07:002011-03-24T08:10:10.652-07:00

Through a lens. Blurry, but oh!...those drunken eyes, that goofy smile, all those teeth...pure joy!

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-29254822780915203132011-03-23T11:36:00.000-07:002011-03-23T12:33:28.792-07:00

Life is full right now. Very full. I'm sorry it's been a while since I last came here. So much has happened these last few weeks, months really. I'm not really sure where I should start and do I share everything or keep most of it to myself? Probably a little of both?We were very nearly chosen to adopt a new baby...a brother for Kilian, due in May. They would have been a year apart, so close. It

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-1456795548189569592011-02-25T10:19:00.000-08:002011-02-25T10:42:16.435-08:00

Made this yesterday. Light and fluffy. Positively scrumptious.Recipe here.

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-49910949981108450582011-02-21T15:42:00.001-08:002011-02-21T16:07:02.877-08:00

It's cold here and I'm dying to make a new casserole dish this week. But I only want to make a really yummy one. So instead of flipping through my cookbooks or the internet, I'd like you to give me your BEST casserole recipe ever....something that makes your mouth water everytime you think about it. Would you share? For me?

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-71440049474223294062011-02-17T08:17:00.000-08:002011-02-17T12:40:34.646-08:00

If you only have time for one post today, perhaps this should be it. I hope you aren't getting sick of me linking every time she writes, but something compels me. Every time."Strangers eat at our table, bathe in our showers, sleep in our beds, share our everything. And I fleetingly wonder if it wouldn’t be better for my girls if I maintained some semblance of normal, but He shows me that HIS

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-27844118795688458082011-02-16T10:43:00.000-08:002011-02-16T13:11:02.755-08:00

Patrick loved this picture of Kilian from our Saturday afternoon, so I edited it a bit so he could replace the outdated one on his office desk at work. Everything about the photo was good except three things. Do you see them? Love digital photography!

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-52327614410346511162011-02-07T16:31:00.001-08:002011-02-07T17:01:28.465-08:00

....we were here. I love being married to a man who doesn't care about pro-football (the college variety is a different story).Madeleine is quite charmed by all the attention she gets at this place, everyone telling her to stay away from apples and such. She did meet the evil queen, who reflected in a rather magnificent malicious tone, "Why, Miss White, you look so different with your ginger hair

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-54715454754265888032011-01-28T08:01:00.000-08:002011-01-28T08:06:48.919-08:00

....when they call you Mommy, doesn't it?"Maybe I will never sleep past 7:00 in the morning and maybe I will never have time to brush my hair and maybe I will never be able to eat a full meal without getting up anddown a million times. It’s worth it. Maybe it will always take me twice as long to do everything and maybe I will never have a really clean house and maybe my days of staying out late

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-75483689513436252922011-01-25T07:47:00.000-08:002011-01-25T08:34:57.426-08:00

....of an afternoon walk on a lovely day. How I love these three. How they adore each other, the younger admiring the older, the older guiding and protecting and loving the younger. Not so long ago I asked God for at least ten children. I couldn't imagine being happy or feeling fulfilled with any less.But I saw with my first child, my one, only child was enough to fulfill. Then two....even more

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-83048418518735406642011-01-18T08:11:00.000-08:002011-01-18T08:16:29.615-08:00

"Impatience renders us hard, unkind, masterful, and in some circumstances, violent. It always implies a loss of depth." ~ Dietrich von Hildebrandht: my friend Pia via Facebook this morning

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-36927137517441593602011-01-14T12:55:00.000-08:002011-01-14T13:18:39.556-08:00

....the goal of one Chinese mother for her daughters, will never, ever be as beautiful or awe-inspiring or life-changing as this perfect Lily.(You may want to grab a few tissues.)

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-82152775039723196962011-01-14T09:10:00.000-08:002011-01-14T09:17:59.621-08:00

Last bloom before pruning. I've never really respected the later blooms of the season...they're typically thin and limp and pink-spotted. But I rather like the way she says it...makes me appreciate them all over again.

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-78408761603530289852011-01-10T16:00:00.000-08:002011-01-10T16:35:53.924-08:00

...when I'm not watching my grandchildren frolic about my grey and white, shingle-style, cape cod beach-house-with-an-oval-window-on-a-marvelous-plot-of-land, I'll be here.... ...and I'll be wearing that hat, too.

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-91674889635612069122011-01-08T06:43:00.000-08:002011-01-08T06:50:42.222-08:00

I walk through the door to inspect her bedroom. All is tidy for company expected, the floors cleared of dolls and blocks and blankets. Little crimson-haired, sapphire-eyed girl tries hard to smooth her wrinkled bed and looks up at me, "It's not like you do it, Mama. I can't get all the crumples out." The doorbell rings and company is here now and I tell her how pretty her bed is, just the way it

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-49893143021070550852011-01-07T09:05:00.000-08:002011-01-07T09:18:24.401-08:00

Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in a calm spirit. Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset. ~St. Francis de Sales

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-60598430680500353402011-01-06T12:03:00.000-08:002011-01-06T12:13:42.953-08:00

I have fifteen Madonna and Child wall sculptures available over at the Etsy shop now. My deep and humble gratitude for your interest. May these pieces bless your homes......and Happy Epiphany!

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-12360478583014919662011-01-03T11:32:00.000-08:002011-01-07T09:19:35.110-08:00

and the best Advent ever, fell this year in my household. Finally, after thirteen years of doing this in various ways, I've finally figured out the secret to the Advent and Christmas I've always wanted....The quiet one. I spent less than three minutes on the entirety of Christmas shopping for the children this year. It's no secret we we don't buy lots of things for our children at Christmas time,

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-57015661162555969412010-12-30T09:27:00.001-08:002010-12-30T09:35:22.757-08:00

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-25494977428803708612010-12-23T07:06:00.000-08:002010-12-23T09:03:16.545-08:00

Our soup days are nearly over and part of me is relieved, looking forward to filling and fulfilling food, but part of me dreads every night feeling....satisfied. We are so, so blessed here.It has been a good advent.Today we bake springerles and make cranberry sauce. Tomorrow we (hopefully) ice skate in the day and get all dressed for dinner at the same place we always enjoy on Christmas Eve with

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-89512485868167691432010-12-22T10:21:00.000-08:002010-12-22T10:41:51.026-08:00

I am so sorry for not posting about this sooner. I'd been having difficulty with the sculptures...they were coming out all flawed and I was spending hours upon hours (just ask my husband who kept household order those days!) cleaning up the details of each one with fine sanding tools and toothpicks. The problems with the mold have been solved. I'm only sorry it was not in time for Christmas - I

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-69469730555955724242010-12-21T08:42:00.000-08:002010-12-21T10:13:26.902-08:00

I like shelter magazines generally (though my favorite one went out of print last year). They're fun to look at. But most of the time, though the photographs can be quite lovely, the motive behind the lens is not a good one. Often it leaves one coveting, hungry for things...better things...nicer things. At this time of year the focus is preeminently "christmas"....mantles covered in greenery and

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-18059221621917568152010-12-17T08:35:00.000-08:002010-12-17T08:51:53.329-08:00

I dropped the girls off at a kids' crafting activity last weekend where all the children had made posters. They could write whatever message they wanted. I passed over Hanna Montana banners and superhero signs to find this. For us.

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-66124014312967448762010-12-16T08:19:00.000-08:002010-12-16T08:31:15.063-08:00

Totally unstaged.....in all his de-tangling he never took that ribbon out of his mouth....boys are so different....love them.

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-88532089278010915882010-12-07T10:05:00.000-08:002010-12-07T11:41:14.917-08:00

We always use fresh greenery for advent, but the wreath I bought this year is drying out quicker than usual. I think next year I'm going to cave in and invest in something I can use year after year. Makes sense. Must be why everyone else does it. They're sensible. :)We are doing something that has turned out, though quite by accident, to be extraordinarily sensible this year. In deciding what to

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-22904399553977814862010-12-03T07:17:00.000-08:002010-12-03T07:51:40.785-08:00

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, visit Soulemama here.

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-68318542398690640312010-12-01T08:45:00.000-08:002010-12-01T10:05:22.620-08:00

"For the last time, would you please stop bothering me? Go away....we'll read it later....just..let..me..finish...."I turned away from the simmering soup to scold with eyes too, but her sunken face, those tears welled up, that fallen mouth trying hard not to burst into weeping, braced me.This wasn't the first time that day my girl was pushed into sadness and rejection. Earlier while playing

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-44637869681962215522010-11-30T07:39:00.000-08:002010-11-30T07:47:20.917-08:00

I've been looking forward to this for months. The day to begin the Christmas Novena...St. Andrew's Novena. It is to be said fifteen times a day from today until Christmas, and it is piously believed that whoever prays it faithfully will obtain what is asked.It is a beautiful prayer. I promise it will heighten your anticipation of Christ's holy birth and help you to focus on the real beauty of

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-13333070678069070942010-11-28T08:50:00.000-08:002010-11-28T10:13:03.146-08:00

This and the next two picture posts are recaps from one of the best Thanksgiving weekends we've had. Funny, I didn't capture anything of the meal or the beloved company who gathered at the table, but you'll just have to take my word that it was wonderful. How I love cooking that meal.Happy belated Thanksgiving, and Happy Advent!

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-21963406041198472002010-11-28T08:39:00.000-08:002010-11-28T08:49:35.388-08:00

....outside Planned Parenthood. His first time. The contrast...the vision of my sweet darling (who very well could have been brought to a facility ugly as this, but whose mother chose differently) in front of this building. So striking.

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-16245806516585935922010-11-28T08:28:00.000-08:002010-11-28T08:38:42.040-08:00

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-37365911381253670712010-11-23T22:11:00.000-08:002010-11-23T22:11:40.441-08:00

Thank you to all who entered the drawing for the fabric giveaway. I'm pleased to announce the winners:Stack 1 goes to Mary (needles...fidnet), #7 out of nine entriesStack 2 to Lillian, #13 of 28 entriesStack 3 goes to Christine....#7 out of 12 entriesCongratulations, ladies! Please send me your addresses so I can get your packages in the mail!

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-57858775089386002292010-11-22T09:41:00.000-08:002010-11-23T09:10:25.075-08:00

UPDATE: Entries are closed. I'll have the winners selected later today - we're baking and cooking all morning. The house smells divine of cranberries, apples, pumpkin and cinnamon. Hope yours does too!_________________________________________________I have three stacks of fabric for three people. My hope here is to bless you with my excess. Don't be concerned...I'm not giving my whole stash away

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com49tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-6242416924057946532010-11-20T21:17:00.000-08:002010-11-20T21:36:42.657-08:00

I only captured one photo....I didn't want to interrupt their whispers. One blurry image I'll treasure the rest of my days....

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-59471663709095411072010-11-19T10:07:00.000-08:002010-11-19T12:46:16.332-08:00

Reader Jessica asks: "I remember a while back on your blog, you mentioned that you are a minimalist and have only what you need (in terms of clothes and such). Can you tell me how you arrived at that? I'd like to get our family to become more simple in terms of our possessions...."I get this question often both from blog readers and real-life friends, so I thought I'd share some brief thoughts

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-13786098658355040132010-11-16T11:37:00.000-08:002010-11-17T00:11:50.245-08:00

I've been working on a large scale religious art project for the home for a few months now. I can only do a little at a time and won't be revealing the whole thing until it's done, which likely won't be until January or so, but here's a part of it... I can't draw freehand to save my own life....but I can look at an object and do a rough sketch. Much better if it's two-dimensional, i.e.

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-21146191967560613802010-11-12T10:40:00.000-08:002010-11-12T11:18:59.380-08:00

When I opened our children's clothing storage boxes in the garage, I was rather disgusted at the sight of so much....still in beautiful condition....just sitting there, unused and untouched for years. So it's off to where it's needed. ~The things may be gone, but the memories remain. Now those same clothes will make new memories somewhere else.~It feels wonderful.~

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-38692336997927408822010-11-11T08:30:00.000-08:002010-11-11T08:37:15.132-08:00

"Roughing it" (ha!) in the backyard. The first was hot, the second rainy and the last c-c-cold......but magical nonetheless.

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-1341799291022488132010-11-09T12:10:00.000-08:002010-11-09T12:21:17.041-08:00

by Madeleine L.With no help from mom other than reminding to darken her lines after coloring was finished.From Draw Write Now, Book One. (Recommended by Lissa years ago. We love this series!)

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-19770437303924039072010-11-09T09:32:00.000-08:002010-11-09T09:35:40.527-08:00

....has a Babylonian ziggurat as a centerpiece on her brunch table. :)

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-62900719232580055912010-11-05T13:30:00.000-07:002010-11-05T13:49:09.516-07:00

Ha! Based on some recent (and hilarious!) e-mails from readers here, I'd just like to make it clear that in the post below I am in no way condoning abandoning your responsibilities in favor of "seizing the day", except very rarely and when we feel called to do so (by God, not our own impetuousness). I did that my first two years of homeschooling. It was fun, yes. We learned even while we

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-87277059406501048452010-11-04T08:59:00.001-07:002010-11-04T11:33:00.429-07:00

A beautifuly temperate late afternoon, it was clear the evening would be warm and balmy. At four-thirty I phoned my husband at work and said, "Let's skip dinner and meet at the ocean." I packed up some granola bars and snacks, brought him a change of clothes (I knew he'd want to dive in) and we did just that.It was light when we arrived we played...while the sun set and the sky darkened to an

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-48587227974977943642010-11-02T09:16:00.000-07:002010-11-02T09:53:56.790-07:00

I'm still here, I promise. As you can see I still haven't spent any time fixing the color or layout of this blog. I do have some ideas, but I have to go somewhere to take a picture to make them work. Ha. One of these days. I hope you'll bear with the less-than-beautiful in the meantime.A couple of things of note:Here's Killer in his halloween costume. (Yes, that's one of his many nicknames.

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-75492004745363062732010-10-22T13:22:00.000-07:002010-10-22T13:43:34.147-07:00

I was signing in to Blogger when it asked me if I wanted to try the new design templates. I think this feature has been alive for months, but I never bothered to check it out before. You all know I don't change the look of my blog much. Once I like something, I like it for a long time. Also, I just don't enjoy "decorating" a computer space - trying to choose just the right header photo and just

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-3826869103770106202010-10-15T15:23:00.000-07:002010-10-15T15:49:09.710-07:00

pumpkin soup*pumpkin breadfront door pumpkins*This soup was SO delicious:3 cups pureed pumpkin3 cups scalded milk (I used half milk, half heavy cream and didn't scald it)1 Tb butter1 Tb flour2 Tb brown sugar1 tsp salt1/2 tsp cinnamon1/4 tsp gingerHeat the above ingredients in a saucepan and serve.~ from The Joy of Cooking

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-74223342865190488972010-10-13T16:28:00.000-07:002010-10-13T22:34:31.899-07:00

It seems just yesterday I was buried under the monstrous daily laundry piles only a baby creates. It seems like yesterday I awoke many times in the middle of the night, changed ten diapers a day, fed him his every meal and held him all day long.I savored his first three months - the infant stage - this time. I soaked it all up and I treasured it. Indeed there were days I found myself completely

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-17124120677608493762010-10-12T21:15:00.000-07:002010-10-12T22:52:10.974-07:00

One of my four brothers is in grave need of prayer. I'm asking you to storm heaven on his behalf, for me....for my mother, who hasn't slept in days. In recent months he has turned a lost sheep. I don't think I need to say more, but his situation is particularly serious right now. Pray for remorse...hope...faith...grace. Pray that he remembers who he was and knows he is loved. Just pray. I know

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-26252285919514025282010-10-07T12:06:00.000-07:002010-10-07T13:03:53.936-07:00

On Thursdays the girls attend science and art classes for half the day through our charter homeschool. My favorite little man and I take advantage of this time by sneaking out on a date together. Sometimes we have lunch, sometimes we walk along the ocean and sometimes we lie on a blanket underneath a big oak tree at a park nearby and play peek-a-boo and all sorts of other silly games that evoke

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-27154589078683884072010-10-07T08:31:00.000-07:002010-10-07T13:08:28.407-07:00

UPDATE: Again, they are all sold. This time in less than two hours. I'm beginning to feel guilty for not being as fast as you would like. Oh that I could have four hands! Make that six. Seriously though, there will be more. I'll try to give an estimate as to when in the next few days. Thanks for your patience.Seven available. Here. These will not ship until next week sometime. Thank you again....

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-86127708306928501432010-09-29T22:58:00.000-07:002010-09-29T23:31:53.892-07:00

...favorite books, these two,a much anticipated breakthrough...and a man who grants his wife her only birthday request - a roasted artichoke and a margarita :)Life is good.

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-24720524800772295452010-09-27T08:50:00.000-07:002010-09-28T07:06:55.633-07:00

All reliefs are taken at this time. Thank you! I am so happy you like them. Please check back next Thursday for more....More sculptures available here. My humble gratitude for your interest....

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-22771623670064072892010-09-23T12:34:00.000-07:002010-09-23T12:50:19.661-07:00

Have you seen this movie? Wonderful! Patrick and I both thought it was one of the most inspiring films we'd ever seen. Very well done.

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-36247500361181781892010-09-23T08:31:00.000-07:002010-09-23T08:43:24.575-07:00

A butterfly landed on her finger. I didn't capture it in time, I was too captivated by this face. Zoom in if you want to see the cutest freckles in the world. :)

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-80568376793212255992010-09-22T09:02:00.000-07:002010-09-22T22:34:35.981-07:00

The other night as Patrick and I were tucking the girls into bed, I sensed the familiar feeling of something warm and slimy all over my shirt and running down my arm. Kilian is quite the spitty baby and I just....laughed. It reminded me of an evening last month:We were just about to leave for a formal event....dinner, champagne, lots of people dressed in suits and pretty gowns. We don't do formal

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-23566425792932746482010-09-21T10:39:00.000-07:002010-09-21T11:03:27.295-07:00

Oops. I just tried to trim my own hair and...well...cutting a straight line is not as easy as I thought it would be. I may have to go get it cut, which would be the first professional haircut I've had in four years. It's funny, we all have things we're willing to spend money on - I've no problem buying pretty bed or table linens or other happy-household items, but I can't bring myself to spend on

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-46523446998616886142010-09-15T13:45:00.000-07:002010-09-15T13:58:58.030-07:00

Wow, everyone. You people are fast! All sculptures are currently spoken for. For those who purchased, thank you...very much. I do hope you like them! For those who missed round one, I should have more available toward the end of next week. So stay tuned...or tune out and back in again after Wednesday. :)

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-26169152551262640052010-09-14T14:37:00.000-07:002010-09-15T13:45:40.996-07:00

10 8 6 3 0 available here. More to come later.... Personal apology/disclaimer: the reliefs are listed at a price higher than I would like (though I assure they are worth it - they are heavy, highly detailed sculptures), but the price is necessary to cover my costs. I know you understand, so....thank you!

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-32491891619075312202010-09-11T09:02:00.000-07:002010-09-11T09:12:11.417-07:00

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-56322265757776929762010-09-07T08:40:00.000-07:002010-09-07T09:01:31.402-07:00

....written this myself, only not so well. Her thoughts are precisely what I was trying to relay last week. Though I left out so much of what was on my mind (which may or may not have anything to do with a baby waking up and needing me), she filled in all the blanks perfectly. Danielle....I love you.

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-64630215950857926842010-09-02T08:50:00.000-07:002010-09-03T10:14:09.263-07:00

We started the school year last week. I'm more encouraged now than I was a few weeks ago when I was feeling like a failure of a homeschooling mother. We're down to a bare-bones curriculum - faith, reading, writing and arithmetic during the day, and my husband does history with the girls in the evening. It's pretty dry right now as I'm working with the girls when the baby naps or when we're in the

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-70442932686025441392010-08-31T08:48:00.000-07:002010-11-16T13:08:23.642-08:00

For those who have been asking for before and after pictures of our bedroom.Before: After:This small-scale redo of our bedroom started a few months back when we learned we would be staying in our home for another year. It was really a long time coming. Most people who've been married as long as we have at least have purchased things as basic as lamps for their bedroom, or had something ....

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-47843727158933930622010-08-26T09:04:00.000-07:002010-08-26T09:22:52.103-07:00

I won't even charge you to see those toes. (If you want to sniff his baby head though, that's probably out of your price range. :) Signs of a baby in the house: I post dark, blurry pictures, (and photos with my huge shadow in them for that matter), and I don't even care. Perfectionism has no room in the heart of a woman blessed with new life. This is exactly how he looks at me in the mirror when

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-14162865026528890672010-08-23T15:19:00.000-07:002010-08-23T15:28:46.600-07:00

....something I've been working on for you. Doing sort of a trial run, working out some glitches. More on this later...

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com39tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-43379241466048486892010-08-21T11:17:00.000-07:002010-08-31T16:40:11.316-07:00

My second attempt at modern art. Better. I think. I put it here on my nightstand to get a sense for whether I'd really like something like this in my bedroom on a larger scale (and hung on the wall). Then I realized the canvas happily hides my telephone/answering machine system behind it. I'm always looking for ways to hide electronics and their mangly cords. So it might stay. Maybe.In the end

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-1478310689331022312010-08-20T08:33:00.000-07:002010-08-20T09:06:45.040-07:00

One of our favorite and most often-visited hiking spots. My husband loves walking this trail. It's perfect for a sunset picnic dinner. These pictures make me just plain happy.

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-23372301710091874582010-08-05T07:18:00.001-07:002010-08-05T07:51:09.194-07:00

Yesterday we went to a park in the morning, the pool in the afternoon and a different park for a picnic dinner in the evening. Love summertime. Kilian is teething right now, big time. He likes to be held facing forward when his gums frustrate him. He sleeps eight hours straight at night now. Sometimes nine.Not everything is as perfect as it seems. I'm having to let go of a lot these days. The

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-21470325264363507632010-07-23T13:13:00.000-07:002010-08-20T17:14:44.874-07:00

For those who asked about the hard-to-see thing on our baptismal gown, yes, it's an embroidered cross. The gown isn't a family heirloom. My mother had it made for me by a lovely woman in Pennsylvania when we were expecting our first baby. I tried hard to find her website, but it is no longer on the web. She must have gone out of business. That's too bad, but I know Cheryl could easily whip one of

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-4060482740730306772010-07-20T06:19:00.000-07:002010-07-20T19:29:40.787-07:00

Kilian was baptized weeks ago, and if it hadn't been for the fact that I was sick as a dog on the day of his christening I'm quite sure I would have posted pictures that very day. From what I can remember (which is very little) it was beautiful.Gianna begged us to take photos of her with her baby brother in his gown. I'm so happy I did.Though I don't remember much from the day, Kilian was

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-33871121844192938762010-07-15T10:46:00.000-07:002010-07-15T11:18:39.765-07:00

Since all I have time to do with this blog these days is pictures...You get a good sense of Kilian's temperament from these photos. He's such a happy baby. I think he looks like a sausage in this one below. :)Never very fond of graphic tees before, I now realize it's because I had girls. I'm totally smitten with them on a boy! ~

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-64709990770673593812010-07-07T08:04:00.000-07:002010-07-07T08:57:52.415-07:00

I've been telling myself I won't post anything here until I write a thorough post detailing the ways in which my life is different now with a baby, how I love that my time is not my own, how I've been freed of my terrible fault of laziness....but honestly I'm not sure when that time will come. So here's something short and lacking in depth:I am so very happy. So in love with this baby and the

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-81723350268410499482010-06-18T09:07:00.000-07:002010-06-18T09:18:40.684-07:00

Every day, he gives me these.

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-7682594745103346832010-06-16T08:57:00.001-07:002010-06-16T08:59:36.782-07:00

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-47632478524258898132010-06-12T11:32:00.000-07:002010-09-14T15:10:06.540-07:00

Forewarning: Contained here below is way more info than you wanted to know, but I want to remember, so you're stuck with the whole story.Months ago while searching for a nice Madonna and Child plaque to go above the girls' beds, I came across this one:Even though the detail wasn't easy to see from the photo, I could see enough to know I would love this particular representation - the folds of

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-42945421472599851132010-06-08T00:00:00.000-07:002010-06-08T00:21:12.684-07:00

I finally finished the molding and casting project I started months ago and had Patrick hang the reliefs up on the girls' wall yesterday. I couldn't be happier with the outcome. The finished reliefs captured all the details I'd hoped they would.a close up (click on the image for detail)in the girls' roomI'll be back to post more of a start-to-finish (with pictures) in the next few days. Now that

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-44959732725604713812010-06-07T08:52:00.000-07:002010-06-07T09:08:17.355-07:00

With a new baby there are lots of "firsts" - first diaper change, first bath, first outing, first smile. They're all milestones to a new mother, all exciting, important moments.Yesterday was a first for my Kilian....a first procession. On one of my favorite hillsides in the world. On Corpus Christi Sunday. The beauty of "firsts" has never seemed more sublime, to this mother.

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-85507569134543664862010-06-02T22:11:00.000-07:002010-06-03T14:03:08.250-07:00

enamored handsome dude the park baby portrait daddy's boy in love with grandmafeeding... ...and more feeding thinkinglots of lovingtypical scene - unshowered and still in my pjs at noon :)

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-39657146801778088262010-05-31T09:12:00.000-07:002010-05-31T09:26:51.362-07:00

Sweet. Cuddly. Affectionate. Loving. Hot-tempered. Hilariously funny. Super smart. Artistic. Interested. Beautiful. Our favorite redhead in the whole wide world. And now, a big sister.We love you so much, Madeleine. Happy Birthday, Sweetheart!

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-86124911519932397792010-05-29T13:54:00.000-07:002010-05-29T14:35:28.930-07:00

Today is our second full day back at home. It would have been day three had it not been for major storms in Denver, our connection city, on the day of our return flight. We spent the night in a hotel there with nothing but the shirts on our backs (and just enough diapers and formula for the overnight layover!). Fortunately we got out on a standby flight the next day. I cried the moment the United

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-84599085001312502342010-05-26T10:24:00.000-07:002010-05-26T10:32:42.054-07:00

We finally got the call we've been waiting for. We can officially take our son home with us. Plane tickets are booked, bags are packed, and we leave tonight. Hooray!!He's ours. :)

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com38tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-86678778387917121062010-05-18T11:14:00.000-07:002010-05-21T06:16:08.214-07:00

We're still here in Peachtree City, awaiting a call from our attorney to let us know we can return to California. That call should come in the next few days. I do miss the girls - we've been talking every night and they're having a marvellous time with their Grandma, who is spoiling them as grandmas do. But this bonding time with Kilian has been wonderful. So little distraction. He is such a good

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-25338117867062497282010-05-16T12:55:00.000-07:002010-05-16T14:15:26.569-07:00

I have so much to tell you all, and I'll get to that soon. Right now it is so very hard to pull myself away from Kilian long enough to get on the internet. No words can describe what's going on here or the love I have for my new son. At this moment he's my whole world....the sweetest, most precious, most heart-captivating little bundle of joy in the universe.But something happened just a little

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com47tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-50724459217219908202010-05-15T09:07:00.000-07:002010-05-15T09:26:38.192-07:00

Kilian Joseph Patrick Laurence~ born May 14, 2010, 6:50 p.m.7 lbs. 6 oz.20.5 inches ~The timing of our travel including delays, cancelled flights and lost baggage couldn't have been more perfect. Born within minutes of our arrival at the hospital, Baby Kilian waited for us to be here before he showed himself! He's healthy, wonderful, adorable......and I'm in love.Thank you for every single prayer

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com92tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-27689625531207552062010-05-14T05:16:00.000-07:002010-05-14T05:16:00.916-07:00

See you soon!

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com55tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-8964309337156740402010-05-11T19:23:00.001-07:002010-05-11T19:33:07.001-07:00

At the park today. Pigtails... ...and missing teeth......two of life's most precious things.

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-81611406865369753752010-05-10T08:26:00.000-07:002010-05-10T08:41:44.097-07:00

I was without an internet connection for two days. At least I thought I was. When re-organizing my bedroom I unplugged and re-plugged our connection. I was sure I did it right and that the problem must have been some sort of external broadband glitch. But the technician who came to my house reminded me I needed to plug the cord into the jack that said "phone line". He only laughed a little...

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-2290699724483339012010-05-05T12:49:00.000-07:002010-05-05T12:51:27.109-07:00

...in my last post? Strike that. I wanna go to Georgia.

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-36913232195777332822010-05-05T10:54:00.000-07:002010-05-05T11:42:22.952-07:00

Well, it's looking like we'll wait a bit longer. Amanda's doctor says he doesn't think she'll go this week. I'm slightly relieved, actually. This morning I suddenly realized I'm not packed yet and I don't have any onesies or a diaper bag. Makes me wonder what else I'm forgetting, but honestly these past few weeks my brain has proved itself to be not much more than mush and I've been floating

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-72681157923323351852010-05-04T07:42:00.000-07:002010-05-05T09:09:30.611-07:00

I haven't mentioned news on our baby in a while because, well, there is no news. As far as we know Amanda is still at 1cm, but we're hoping to hear of progress after her ob appointment tomorrow. Our due date is only two days away, but it's looking like he'll be late. We've been having lots of fun getting ready though. We have bottles, diapers, tiny little newborn outfits, and a name. I love his

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com34tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-86708135318197448352010-05-03T07:00:00.000-07:002010-05-03T07:29:30.976-07:00

Prismacolor pastels and charcoal~Using the Gluck method. We love Gluck. Can't recommend highly enough. Gianna took a Mission:Renaissance class last year and now we have the video series for home instruction, but you can have your child try the ducks above using this free tutorial.

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-49450842412870737522010-04-30T09:59:00.001-07:002010-05-01T09:11:07.582-07:00

That I can't post about first Holy Communions here forever. We're still basking in the holy glow in this household and I don't want it to ever end. Gianna was deeply moved the other day when she learned the abbey would like her to wear her dress and veil again for their May Crowning mass and procession. Her dad and I will likely be in Georgia at the time, but I'm so happy for her and pleased she

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-85348908944582993832010-04-28T06:51:00.000-07:002010-04-28T07:10:50.729-07:00

Today we see before us, two precious gifts for Jesus, beautifully wrapped in white garments, the white garments of the newly baptized, the white garments of the martyrs who have been “washed in the Blood of the Lamb.” They are about to receive their first Holy Communion: the Communion in which Baptism finds its fulfillment and the Communion which bears its perfect fruit in the sacrificial love of

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-29197714219120256532010-04-25T22:21:00.000-07:002010-04-25T22:31:07.394-07:00

....was far too profound for pictures.

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-13523829063317408392010-04-23T11:27:00.000-07:002010-04-24T08:04:37.289-07:00

It may have taken me ten days to get only part of my rocking chair seat cushion done, and I may not have started the back cushion yet which will likely take me another month to complete, but I'm so proud of myself. This is my first sewing-involved upholstery project, and I took on cutting foam to size and zippers and welting cord and making continuous fabric to cover said welting. The cover may

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-85054176719029658872010-04-22T06:26:00.000-07:002010-04-22T06:50:06.907-07:00

We've all been sick this past week....stuffy noses, sore throats, a bit of vomiting here and there mixed with a minor dose of pink eye. I usually escape this stuff somehow, no matter how under the weather everyone else is. But not this time.On the adoption front, Amanda's OB says she's looking right on target for her due date (only two weeks away!). Our caseworker says we'll get a phone call when

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-59321718359170818582010-04-16T11:26:00.000-07:002010-04-16T11:44:04.505-07:00

I don't know how I missed Leila's Easter post, but whether you enjoy reading about food or not the pictures alone are worth clicking over for.No doubt we all have to try this recipe. After all, Leila says it's easy, and it's still Easter. Anything this pretty, delicious and simple to make must. be. attempted. I'm copying her magazine snapshot just to tempt you. I'm not sure I'll get to it this

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-25387928473096079192010-04-15T08:59:00.000-07:002010-04-15T09:08:09.072-07:00

I've been having trouble posting the pretty little box from the random number generator here (if you know how to do this, please tell me!), but the winner of the $100 giveaway is #25 - Veronica, from The Little Way (go and check out her adorable clan of boys!). Congratulations Veronica! Please send me your address, and thank you to all who entered!

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410197602896112622.post-36430214014053258492010-04-14T10:48:00.000-07:002010-04-26T16:47:50.433-07:00

Last weekend two moms took two best friends out for a special girls' lunch and dress shopping. Utterly memorable.These two girls will receive their First Holy Communion in just under two weeks in a mass celebrated by Father Sebastian, a devout Norbertine and good friend of both our families. Last night we all joined Father at a dinner for the girls' final preparation before their first

Kristen Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03832263040185490691noreply@blogger.com4