This is just a quick note to those of you out there who have been waiting for news about baby.  Riley Thomas joined our family Thursday June 11 at 1:03 pm.  He is 7 lbs 5 oz and 21.5 in.  Baby and I are both doing well and have made it home with all important pieces attached.  On a side note, my epidural failed to set so I essentially delivered him naturally.  My hats off to all mothers who choose natural delivery.  You are much stronger than I am.  It was the hardest thing I have ever done and I was crying (screaming, ranting) for pain medicine the whole time.  I am a huge wuss.  Good news -- labour only lasted a few hours so I guess I can handle anything for a few hours.  


Many of you know that we did not plan to have a second child and were completely shocked to find ourselves expecting in our late 30's.  But, we are all thrilled that Riley has joined us.  He looks just like his brother and father.  So far he has been a very good baby and I am relishing these first few days when he just poops, eats and sleeps.  He slept for 5 hours last night and would have probably slept more if I did not have to feed him.  Riley's older brother is being wonderful and super helpful.  We really are very lucky.

Daddy and older brother are off at the dinosaur museum so I am going to take a quick peek at my flist in a bit.  I was already at skip=160 before labour set in, so I am cringing inwardly at how far back I will have to go in order to catch up.  That said, I am also psyched to browse all of the fantastic goodies I am sure to find to help pass the time in between feedings, poop and sleep cycles that are now my life.  Older brother starts summer camp tomorrow so baby and I will have lots of time to establish routines and bond.  Life is good sometimes.

I closing, I owe a huge thank you to you all for the warm wishes and the kindness shared while I was preggers.  It was not easy for me and you all helped boost me through these last few months.  So .....

Thank you, thank you, thank you.  Pictures to follow!
Much love,
Kristen

So sorry to bother  you all, but I have a quick question and I hope someone on my f-list knows the answer.  I know I don't usually post on this journal, but I am bordering on desperate!  Why do some of my icons/user pics keep changing to random other icons?  It has happened a couple of times in the past and has always changed back.  This time it happened I seem to be stuck with this pic of some young lady I don't know.  I'm sure she is a lovely person, but I really want my favorite AS/S icon back.  

Anyone who has some LJ savvy who is willing to help me will be showered with my undying devotion and gratitude.  Thanks in advance.

OK, dk_labyrinth wrote a scorchingly hot AS/S one shot for me just because she is made of awesome.  Please go read and show her some love.  Maybe if we all tell her how much we loved this she'll jump on the AS/S ship full time -- or at least write a sequel.

http://dk-labyrinth.livejournal.com/12295.html?#cutid1

Thanks hon.  This was wonderful and definitely warmed me up on a cold night!

I have seen this around before and may have even done it a few times in the past.  Rather than paste the same answers on many different journals, I am posting this here so that it might inspire others to play.   So here is the game: 
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It seems that the only time I post to this journal is when someone tags me with a MEME.  It has been a beast of a month.  I have been leaning heavily on fandom to provide me with an escape from reality.  Truthfully, I am blown away by the talent and creativity I have found here in fandom.  All of the writers on my flist are amazing.  Most of you don't know me because I can be painfully shy and keep to myself.  However, please know that I am out here lurking and loving each of your contributions to the greater fandom at large.  

I feel obliged to complete this MEME in order to give back to just a few of those people (I can only pick 10) who have helped prop me back up each day.

On to the MEME:

Pick 10 people and give them the "you make my day" award in no particular order. If you're picked, you are charged with picking 10 of your own (unless you've already done it).

NOTE:  You don't have to play if you don't want to, but I would like to recognize the following individuals who bring me much joy.  Thank you all.  In alphabetical order:

abusing_sarcasm
alaana_fair
bageldelight
blamebrampton
draykonis
enchanted_jae
kcstories
lovely_slyth
sesheta_66
slashpervert

For the most part I picked people who have friended me back so that they will get this post on their friends page.  I don't comment often enough, so please accept this as a little token of my appreciation.  

Also, I would like to give an extra special shout out to samaelthekind. He is not someone I have friended, so I did not list him above.  I read his writing at Skyehawke and in my humble opinion rates extra special recognition.  He is crazy talented.  If for whatever reason you have not come across his writing yet, give him a peek and share the love that is Samael.
 
CLICK THE LINK FOR THE AWESOMENESS THAT IS SAMAEL---->  skyehawke :: archives :: :: Author :: Samael

Special love to abusing_sarcasmfor being the AS/S queen, and for tagging me! All hail the queen.
 

Hello to all.  My name is Kristen and I am a 33 year old housewife who lives in Alabama.  I created this journal only to friend people who are f-locking their journals due to LJ's crackdown on that which it deems unacceptable.

I discovered the HP fandom when I was on bedrest (7 of 9 months) while I was pregnant three years ago.  I was instantly hooked and have lurked steadily since. I am not a writer -- however, I endeavor to become a more proficient commenter.  I have leaned on fandom to get me through some very hard times and hope to remain a part of it into the future.

Thank you to all writers who are responding to the LJ crackdown by taking the time to verify age statements and protecting their work.  It would be a shame if quality fiction is lost because of the heavy-handedness of the politically correct crowd.

So if you are reading this, please friend me back.  You have discovered me because I have tried to friend you.  I will not be posting to this journal, but you may come across my name attached to a comment on the future.  Again, thank you for your time!