Child Prodigies

I mean, how can you not love kids?

Why I work for the environment...

Some people tell me that caring about environmental issues is buying into a fake agenda.

That may be their truth (depending on where they stand on the political spectrum), but there are two main things I bring up:

1. God cares about his creation. Not only that, he charges us to take care of it. Genesis 1:26-31 and Psalm 19:1-6. 
2. What if, at the end of the day, it is a big conspiracy? We end up with cleaner water, better air quality, more fuel efficient cars, and safer cities. oops.

{Now, if you want to talk to me about the way people approach environmental issues... that's a different conversation}

Thankful November

 Honestly, I think this whole Facebook "Thankful November" thing seems like it's gotten a little out of hand. 

But I tend to think that about most things that are "trendy." 

Unless, of course, that "trendy thing" has to do with a country song that includes a rap (can I get an amen?). 

Last week John and I reached the two-months mark for marriage (hurray!). 

It has been fabulous. 

We're big fans of marriage in this house. We both come from a long line of strong marriages, and we intend to keep that tradition. 

For us, marriage has been easier than dating and being engaged - mainly because it means we're in the same place at the same time and can coordinate our busy lives better! 

[Trust me, 30 miles might not seem like a long distance, but in LA traffic it might as well be another state. These past few years we got really good at communicating without being able to actually see each other very frequently. We got good at purposely listening, looking for creative ways to support each other, and making sure we express clear expectations. It was a rewarding exercise... but we're glad the distance is over].

During these brief 2 months of marriage, I've slept for about 90% of it.

I wish I was kidding.

Five days after saying "I do," I got inexplicably sick and have not gotten better. 

So far, I've been to 6 doctor appointments {and counting} and have had my blood drawn 4 times with over 30 vials of blood taken. Basically, the lab techs and I are besties. 

While it may not be newlywed paradise, John and I keep coming back to realizing we have so much to be thankful for. 

Here is our "thankful november" list.

[good incredible insurance]

[a wonderfully comfortable home]

[neighbors that feel more like family]

[jobs that challenge us]

[laughter with coworkers]

[coworkers that get us onto the field level for Dodgers playoff games - holla!]

[supportive parents]

[friends that will literally drop what they are doing to help]

[fall TV shows are back on- What's up How I Met Your Mother and Big Bang Theory]

[delirious laugh fests when I mix up words ie: "let's unfreeze the food"]

[pumpkin coffee from Trader Joes]

[a faithful God]

[daylight savings time]

[crisp air]

[a period of rest without school]

[weekends]

[our UCLA medical team]

[flexible work schedules]

xoxo, Kristen Holdsworth

A push and a shove....

"Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His love endures forever."

Sometimes I need a gentle reminder that HE is good. Sometimes I need a shove.

Either way, I'm learning to trust in the Lord and seek him first, not last.

2013 Goals and Resolutions

When I was a wee little one (ok, pretty much until last year) my parents made my brother and I sit down and write out our goals. Let me tell you... these were not ordinary new year's goals. My parents were goal task masters (If you're reading this mom, I'm just kidding). But seriously.

We had to set goals that were realistic, achievable, quantifiable, etc. etc. etc. AND we couldn't just write them out- they had to cover a broad range of categories. Spiritual, physical, emotional/social, and cognitive... I think.

When we were younger, I didn't mind it (probably because I was a chronic over-pleaser). My brother, on the other hand, HATED it. He would mumble off his goals like my parents were making him eat broccoli (they did that too us too).

Now that I'm older, I've made some goals and resolutions for the upcoming year. The funny thing is, they almost meet all the requirements my parents had... and I did it all on my own. Thanks, Mom and Dad, for your training and upbringing. :)

2013 Goals and Resolutions:

Create a Bible reading plan or find a study and do it consistently

Continue community group

Work out 3 times per week- cardio/strength training twice and yoga once

Meatless Monday (one day per week no meat)

Blog twice per month (at least)

Take more pictures AND upload/organize them

Craft more

Continue to check off movies from Best Picture Academy Awards list 

Coming up in the next few weeks, I will let all two of my followers know what I have been up to, just in case they want to read about instead of just living it with me.

On Time

I am once again the proud owner of a working alarm clock! The level of happiness this brings me is slightly embarrassing.... but that's ok.

One morning I woke up feeling rather rested. Apparently, my alarm clock decided to just become a clock... so I got an extra hour and a half of sleep- CRAZY!

Enter the INCESSANT question: "Your cell phone doesn't have an alarm?"

Yes.... yes. My cell phone does have an alarm... but I can't use it because I stress out that there's been "user error" and I am unable to get restful sleep. 

Finding a black alarm clock under $15 was no easy task. Target City didn't have one (who wants to pay $20 for something to nag you to get up in the morning... no thanks), Ross didn't have one, and CVS didn't have one (they only had multi-colored LED lights). If you've tried all of those places in West LA, you've pretty much run out of options.

Enter Big Lots!!!! 

I love you, my little black radio alarm clock with a dimmer. 

AND, it has two alarm settings, for a "Mr." and a "Mrs." if you catch my drift. 

SCORE! 

Wardrobe Malfunctions

Monday: Wore my skirt sideways from the time I got dressed, all the way up to campus, and 1/2 way through my first class.

Tuesday: Wore my shirt backwards THE ENTIRE DAY without noticing until around 10 pm when my neck felt itchy and I saw the tag.

Wednesday: Mascara on one set of eyelashes but not the other.

All things considered, I would say I'm handling my school load pretty well. I even managed to finish BOTH of my papers due this week a day (or three) before their deadlines! Now if only I could get a grip on my wardrobe and grooming habits!