Hello.

So its been a while. My little girl is two now and my boy is eight. He is no longer being treated for Bipolar and is just on meds for the ADHD. He has anxiety attacks every once in a while, but doing well. My hubbie has transferred to a different city in north Louisiana. Leaving me and my two kids here to get the house on the market. Big job for me. Trying to deal with it one day at a time. So I spend my days running around the house trying to keep it normal as possible, but get things done to the house as well. I will try to get on here more often to keep ya updated on my life. Good night for now. Take care and take it easy.
Love Always, Always and Forever,
Kristina Leigh

It's been 14 years!

It's been 14 years since my 9 year old cousin was killed in New Orleans. My cousin was walking across the street from a convenient store with his friends and a young 17 year old teen ran the red light hitting Jonathan. The first hit was on his hip which caused him to be thrown into the air and the second hit which knocked him to the ground hitting his head, causing brain damage. He was on life support but by a hard decision he was taken off. Jonathan (John-John) was born on 03/17/1985 and was killed 01/19/1995. There was a lot of issues that happened the night when we found out about his death. My two sisters and I lived in Texas at the time with my Moma at my step dads house. Also my Uncle and his family lived down the road from us. Everyone else lived here in Louisiana. We did not have a phone at the time and did not get the message of John until after 9 at night. My uncle came by to give us the news. So my Moma left with my uncle to use a payphone to make calls to find out what happened and to make arrangements to leave for Louisiana. In the mean time my step dad was drunk and passed out. He awoke from hearing me crying in kitchen. My older sister went to the bathroom just as he woke up. He started questioning my tears and could not understand the news we just found out. Just as he was going to hit me my sister came in and got in the middle. Causing them to get into a fist fight. The night went horribly bad. My Moma came home in the middle of the fight and tried to stop it, with no luck. My step dad ended up in jail until he sobered up and my sister got kicked out. I will never forget her reading a poem at John's funeral with bruises and scratches on her arms and body from the fight. My sister was 17 at the time and was my protector. I was 14 and my little sister was about to turn 11. Due to the horrible night my older sister was no longer allowed to live with us. So the trip to Louisiana was not only to attend the funeral but to leave behind my sister. It was really hard to handle and I carried that burden for years thinking "if I wasn't in the kitchen crying he would have not heard me and woke up and my sister would still be here in Texas". However, I also would think that because of that night "she no longer had to put up with the life she had to live there in Texas". My step dad since has stopped drinking and now is doing way better. The way I wish it would have been when I lived there. I am so proud that he has changed. As far as my older sister and I, we take the life that we use to live and embedded in our mind that we want the best for our children. Breaking that circle. To no longer carry the memories of how it use to be. To live in the present day and look forward to the future. I have learned to say that my life began when I became wife and mother. That my past memories where in the past behind me. It took a long time to forgive my past, and I try not to think about it. But like an old co-worker of mine always said "Kristina has the mind of an elephant". I remember a lot of things wishing sometimes I didn't. I remember so much just as if it just happened. So to end this blog I want to say I love and miss you John-John I will always remember such a great, lovable, caring cousin you where. Below is the poem my sister read.

Do not stand and my grave and weep

I am not there. I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow

I am the diamond glitz on snow.

I am the sunlight on ripened grain

I am the gentle autumn's rain.

When you awaken in the morning's hush,

I am the swift uplifting rush.

I am the soft star that shines at night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry.

I am not there; I did not die.

Author Unknown

28 and feeling great!!!!

Today is my 28th birthday and I was lucky enough to just sit around the house with Philip and Shanna. Philip was sick at school today so I had to go get him early from school, but he is doing ok. Shanna is cooing more. It is so cute. I will be vlogging her talking soon. I keep forgetting to record it because I get so involed in talking back to her. Maybe I will remember next time. She is getting so so big. I took some pica's today of Philip and Shanna and Buster. Hope that you like the photos. I took so many these where a couple of my favorites. So any way. We are going to be going out for dinner for my birthday Friday. Last Saturday I had my first Tupperware party. My consultant director hosted it for me being my first. However, this Sunday I will be doing it on my own for my sister. I can not wait. It is going to be so much fun. So I received an email today from my Aunt and I thought I should share it.

A GREAT RECIPE FOR ANYTIME!

1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.

2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Talk to God about what is going on in your life. Buy a lock if you have to.

3. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, 'My purpose is to__________ today. I am thankful for______________'

4. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.

5. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli , almonds & walnuts.

6. Try to make at least three people smile each day.

7. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip ,issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.

8. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.

9. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

10. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

11. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

12. You are not so important that you have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

13. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.

14. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

15. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

16. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this really matter?

17. Forgive everyone for everything.

18. What other people think of you is none of your business.

19. GOD heals everything - but you have to ask Him.

20. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

21. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch!

22. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

23. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: I am thankful for__________. Today I accomplished_________.

24. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.

25. When you are feeling down, start listing your many blessings. You'll be smiling before you know it.

Hope that this inspires you to enjoy every moment that you have. No matter what moment you are living in. To remember that God always has a plan. Well it is late so good night and talk or see you soon.

Over two minutes of smiles and coo's for MiMi from Shanna...

OK Moma I have a new video for you of Shanna cooing and smiling for you. Enjoy.

I went to my friend Claire's 30th birthday party last night with Philip and Shanna. I hate to tell Claire but Shanna was the highlight of the party. Shanna talked to everyone last night and her smiles where ear to ear. I think everyone held Shanna last night. Except for Mr. Matt (he is afraid to hold Shanna because it is contagious). LOL. It was so fun. We had a wonderful time. Claire purchased some cakes that where to die for. And I was introduced to a wonderful new pizza. Believe it or not but Wal-Mart brand pizza is so so good, you should try it you would no longer get delivery pizza and Claire stated that it is only 6 dollars for the 16 in. I think.

So enough about pizza. Scott's Mom and Dad came into town and stayed the night last night. Philip misses his Grandmaw so much that he was so happy to see them pull up into the driveway. However, while getting ready for the party Philip wanted to stay with his Grandmaw. Understandable, he is so close to Scott's Mom and Dad. So just as I was about to walk out of the door and Philip decided to go. No problem with me being that Mom and Dad did need some rest. So off we went. The party started at 6 and I did not get home until a little after 9 last night. I know way past Philip's bed time. So about an hour before I left the party Scott called me two to three times trying to get me home as soon as possible before Mom and Dad went to bed. Grandmaw wanted to spend time with her Philip. So as soon as I got home Philip had his bath, teeth brushed and medication taken to then finally snuggle into the bed with his Grandmaw. And this morning he got to play with Grandmaw and Gramps. I am so lucky to have such wonderful in laws.

So any way, I have to make some more phone calls today. I am trying to find a psychiatrist for Philip that takes our insurance. Yesterday I spent two hours on the phone calling offices from the phone book because there where only two listed on our insurance plane that I printed from the insurance website. One will not answer the phone (I have no clue what is up with that) and the other is not taking any new clients. So here I was on a rampage with the insurance company. I have to get someone. The insurance company suggested that his current Dr request to process with them a Single Case Agreement. Cool (I thought). So here I am now currently back and forth with the Dr's company billing dept and the insurance company trying to get things in order. And if the insurance company will not comply with the amount the Dr wants I am going to scream. I mean I paid out of pocket last year a little over 1,000.00 to Philip's Dr. Not including medications. So if I could pay out that amount, then the insurance company that I pay for should allow me to keep his Dr and just pay the co-pay. WORK with me PEOPLE...... So with that being said I need to go to make phone calls. Wish me luck and patience. I am going to need a lot of it all today. Love everyone and take it easy.

Philip does not feel good today...

Philip did not feel good today when he got home from school. His legs where hurting and he had a headache. Here is a little video of him from today.

Philip however did have a great day at school today. He got three stickers/stars. If he gets three stickers or stars that means he had a great day with no problems. He is doing so well on this medication. I do have to schedule another appointment with his Dr. Today I told him that he was getting so big and handsome. Shanna is doing well, we spent most of the day today at my friends Claire's house. Afterwards Shanna and I went to my Aunts work to drop off some information for her party and Shanna was non stop cooing at her. I should have recorded her talking to Aunt Patty but I forgot my camera. Next thing I know Shanna will be walking. Babies grow so fast. Well I hope you enjoy the video. "Moma I will be posting a video of Shanna for you problie tomorrow. The one I took today was a little long. SO I will try to get a shorter clip for you tomorrow. Love ya Moma.

30 mins to 4 hours of fun!!!

Today went pretty well. I was finally able to get all of the information needed to file for my income tax. It only took three trips to the social security office to do so. Philip had a good day at school. Due to me being at the social security office, I missed the school Mardi Gras parade that the 1st graders put on for the younger students. I really wanted to go. It would have been so cute to see the little ones at the school. I want to get more involved with the school for Philip. But I am afraid that the more time spent at school, I am afraid that Philip would not pay attention to the rules that the class room has set for him. He may think that since I am there it is more of a free time for him. But any way, after Philip got home for school he had to clean his room from the night before. He went to bed before cleaning his room. In the mean time, I got a call from my older sister Heather that she was heading out to Maw-Maw and Paw-Paws house to pick up some linen from my Aunt and wanted to see Shanna. I don't have much gas in the car but figured it would be a while until she saw her again so I went. It takes 30 minutes to get to Maw-Maw and Paw-Paws house but when we got there Philip and Shanna had a great time. Philip played with Noah with no problems (for the first time, totally weird) and Shanna was passed around cooing at everyone. She is toooo cute... Shanna even had her Uncle Timmy talking to her in that baby voice talk. Love it. To see all of the smiles that babies do to adults it is worth an eye full. It is amazing that no matter how your day went, how sad you are, how mad you got, once you see a baby it makes your day better. I love to see my Paw-Paw smile and babies do the trick. So here I am just getting home and feed Shanna and now I got to get to bed. A long day tomorrow. MARDI GRAS parade!!! Yea!!! Good night. Hopefully I will have time to blog tomorrow.

Video

Hope you enjoy this little clip of Philip, Shanna, Buster and Scott. Chloe' was somewhere and I was behind the camera. Sorry. ENJOY...