tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24586951050886995302024-02-19T04:24:10.151-08:00The Christensen Familystephchristensen15http://www.blogger.com/profile/01952034108385316697noreply@blogger.comBlogger104125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2458695105088699530.post-63176394114808183602020-10-13T19:30:00.024-07:002020-10-17T20:46:49.656-07:00Chance Gets Pneumonia (Empyema)<p>(This post is ridiculously long. I've been writing this nightly since coming to the hospital with Chance. It's proven to be great therapy for me each night and I'm hopeful we'll look back at this as a hard time and rough memory soon. For now it's our reality and we're dealing with so much emotion, this is a great way to help me channel my thoughts and energy and get through this.) </p><p>About a month ago, Chance spike a fever of 104 degrees. This went on for 8 days as we tried to figure out what was wrong with him. After lots of tests a chest x-ray revealed he had pneumonia. Antibiotics were ordered and everything seemed to clear up quickly and nicely. I was shocked it was so quick! He was back at preschool and soccer after a week and seemed healthy and fine.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOOSPZSlXdicajGzBG_qd5iNN6OEEPUF-RxJ07zBWtHpaq_tmQedinPjUfW87Hxk8wYPKarqRfobfhtVrHawKwvnUhhFwIYqndeHZ-AUreVnC3Ny-k7B47l0cJ5w9VaJw2-Xi1NU5YlTg/s2048/C5453433-E53A-43C0-A945-313B366B926B.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOOSPZSlXdicajGzBG_qd5iNN6OEEPUF-RxJ07zBWtHpaq_tmQedinPjUfW87Hxk8wYPKarqRfobfhtVrHawKwvnUhhFwIYqndeHZ-AUreVnC3Ny-k7B47l0cJ5w9VaJw2-Xi1NU5YlTg/w480-h640/C5453433-E53A-43C0-A945-313B366B926B.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7NFoZoh_Hy0mYDkJ-p4SG9bCnyPj_iPjgk4Kbq2d2N5JTIsYI1ZA8RpKzAW_Iyg1LR7ApqPFRXo7nyZh_-WL_B5upEGYaRAA5GbID0TTVrp9sx55DLR4_Lhyphenhyphent0GqtSu_-WWz0mFglm8c/s2048/C119CC1C-8420-44D4-8E18-132F809503B0.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7NFoZoh_Hy0mYDkJ-p4SG9bCnyPj_iPjgk4Kbq2d2N5JTIsYI1ZA8RpKzAW_Iyg1LR7ApqPFRXo7nyZh_-WL_B5upEGYaRAA5GbID0TTVrp9sx55DLR4_Lhyphenhyphent0GqtSu_-WWz0mFglm8c/w640-h480/C119CC1C-8420-44D4-8E18-132F809503B0.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>About 3 weeks later, I started noticing he had an increased heart rate. It was around 134 in the daytime which I knew was high. The only reason we knew this was because I'm crazy and monitor his oxygen all the time given his history of asthma and with his recent pneumonia I was paranoid about his breathing. I called the doctor and had a telehealth visit. He thought it might just be a cold and told me to wait a week or two.</p><p>After about a week I could tell his breathing was getting a little bit labored and he would be tired after running around with friends or going up the stairs. His heart rate still hadn't gone down and I felt like he had lost quite a bit of weight. Even though the scale didn't show it, his body just changed so much, so fast. </p><p>ADD PICS</p><p><b>DAY ONE (Wednesday): </b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP3weXB5KrTacpumF7Olqs4X7qYbH6zv9lASDTddG1Yy5gCFGvdbvZGA9nDMSD7I9E9h2Wl1Kp7pZo58pOuYpa8yb3Cuho1qwkElqmDLJ3sbX4qtTFtM5gjSYTh_1BqyhxZZqgbZVyJ4A/s2048/4F42BAE2-F22B-4AE1-A8E5-93365D060D97.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP3weXB5KrTacpumF7Olqs4X7qYbH6zv9lASDTddG1Yy5gCFGvdbvZGA9nDMSD7I9E9h2Wl1Kp7pZo58pOuYpa8yb3Cuho1qwkElqmDLJ3sbX4qtTFtM5gjSYTh_1BqyhxZZqgbZVyJ4A/w480-h640/4F42BAE2-F22B-4AE1-A8E5-93365D060D97.heic" width="480" /></a></div><p>I decided to have a second doctor take a look at him just to get another opinion. He also did a telehealth visit but at the last minute Dr. Foster agreed he wanted to take a look at his chest and listen to him so we brought him into the clinic. Thank goodness. Dr. Foster listened to him and instantly wanted to have him go to the hospital for a chest x-ray. </p><p>As we were driving home from the x-ray I got a call from the doctor saying we needed to go straight to the ER, and that Chance had a really significant infection in his lungs. I got home, we quickly packed, had Frank Taylor (our sweet neighbor) come over and give him a blessing, and headed up to my mom's to drop of Ellie. We then went straight to Primary Children's where I knew he would receive the best possible care. The craziest thing in all of this was that Chance had no fever, no cough, and no indication other than the high heart rate that anything was off or wrong. While we were packing for the hospital he was running around the front yard and climbing and playing in and out of the truck with his neighbor Finley. It was so weird.</p><p>Once we dropped of Ellie we headed up to the hospital. We checked into the ER and things got ugly real fast. Chance had to take a few tests that scared him so much. A blood test, COVID test, placement of IV and an ultrasound all happened at once. He was in pain, exhausted, and so scared of the nurses and doctors. I knew it was going to be a rough stay at the hospital but I honestly had no idea what was coming. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh3q2bJMuEqfEVx_fdTEBHQCYtN0U0gndCeCa6L1TcSsKID1Xped_KeT-ZgYTLoIQlGwbcB7w9hd3FNBZvUOBB_kpgsV70YorB5oAip2F-SMII1WqbS6kSGzwjmGXF1MW-eXi0_t4n2nA/s2048/ADDF2E60-6D57-4D01-963E-71A48FA7F989.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1639" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh3q2bJMuEqfEVx_fdTEBHQCYtN0U0gndCeCa6L1TcSsKID1Xped_KeT-ZgYTLoIQlGwbcB7w9hd3FNBZvUOBB_kpgsV70YorB5oAip2F-SMII1WqbS6kSGzwjmGXF1MW-eXi0_t4n2nA/w512-h640/ADDF2E60-6D57-4D01-963E-71A48FA7F989.jpeg" width="512" /></a></div><p></p><p>Late that night we were transferred to the CMU (Children's Medical Unit). I was relieved about this because I learned in our first stay back when he had RSV that the 3rd floor is much better than the second floor. The 3rd floor has crying, which you think is a bad thing, but at the hospital noise is a good thing. The second floor holds the intensive care areas, and the silence is eerie. I was relieved to be on this floor and am hoping we don't have to go up a floor at any time during the rest of our stay here. </p><p>We got checked into our room and tried to get some rest, but we got very little. Andrew and I shared a tiny bed in Chance's room for the first couple of days and it has been COZY. We have to rotate at the same time if we want to move, and it takes us fully spooning to fit. </p><p><b>Day TWO (Thursday): </b></p><p>We started learning Chance's empyema was pretty significant. The doctors explained to us that he would have to have a chest tube to drain what they call a pleural effusion, or extra fluid from the pleural space around his infected lung. They warned us that the procedure would be very painful but that it should remove a lot of that liquid and help him to recover with the help of antibiotics. His CPR score, which is an indication score of inflammation in the body, was at 6.8. After a long day of waiting (Chance was surprisingly happy on this day but STARVING because he couldn't eat) we were finally able to have Andrew give him a blessing and then I walked him down to the operating room for surgery.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsVEF-9WwizOz7_H2KDaRCxT34bYCqqIXC4bJ4lMmuKNFNQivFWyx0nEn0Bx8plmrDKzvknzY36JIg372kvyjeC4EJ9kI8GBNB6915nIpXF2uCMS8SBK4ZeuxOkgbGtifUAYGGgpJIuSs/s2048/218452DB-0B20-4EE2-997C-2425D8DDDA9D.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsVEF-9WwizOz7_H2KDaRCxT34bYCqqIXC4bJ4lMmuKNFNQivFWyx0nEn0Bx8plmrDKzvknzY36JIg372kvyjeC4EJ9kI8GBNB6915nIpXF2uCMS8SBK4ZeuxOkgbGtifUAYGGgpJIuSs/w480-h640/218452DB-0B20-4EE2-997C-2425D8DDDA9D.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p>Andrew SUNRUN - INTERVIEW IN BATHROOM BEFORE SURGERY. UNDER COVID LOCKDOWN AND COULDN'T LEAVE THE ROOM. </p><p>Andrew had to wait, talk about leaving him, how hard it was on both of us, etc. We were on COVID lockdown. </p><p>After surgery we were so sad he was in so much pain, getting him awake from anesthesia, helping him move, go to the bathroom, etc. It was so rough the first day. </p><p><b>Day 3 (FRIDAY)</b>: Resting, waiting, anything else? CRP was down at 4.3, we were happy to see him make progress! He had a lot of anxiety, started moving, went to the bathroom, by the end of the day he was fine and playing and moving. We both went home, I went to see Ellie at my mom's house and Andrew took care of Chance. It was a big deal because he walked and had lots of confidence. After I got home Andrew left and went to his parent's house to take a break. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoqXuJQwWvnlQ9waWZlCElkh11K2iA0TQ-nz8tIhoTHhWMfH9H0YfG9iDl11xhyVV3LOWpN1576P5dnD0B8uezk6kR1ZwmU85TpVMoBd9mSR4fMTiux36wv34Vyd_vPumtUD2BrglCGvA/s2048/BBF9D170-1001-4A52-8D38-558B70CFBCBB.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoqXuJQwWvnlQ9waWZlCElkh11K2iA0TQ-nz8tIhoTHhWMfH9H0YfG9iDl11xhyVV3LOWpN1576P5dnD0B8uezk6kR1ZwmU85TpVMoBd9mSR4fMTiux36wv34Vyd_vPumtUD2BrglCGvA/w480-h640/BBF9D170-1001-4A52-8D38-558B70CFBCBB.heic" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><b>Day 4 (SATURDAY):</b> Chance's birthday! Was a great day. We thought we were making progress and that we were going to be out of here in just a couple of days. Talk about gifts, decorating his room, etc. We were very optimistic this would be a breeze and would be leaving soon. Chance felt so much love and we were overwhelmed with how many people brought cards and gifts, etc. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw7E66zy-_4oohm7Zq8nTAGr8RzNijGb6-pe8DCOHBdxToT5OkpkQHFBI1PdXDiQAr-CNbFGQUeAqX9Gt_mHoq9Jq6GJm7-vJHQyXhJbHKLgzMxOHYDNa8t3S6YGtWX598Sw_sqIgnpEA/s2048/75427AE6-A0D6-4BAB-B369-564AA31895E4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw7E66zy-_4oohm7Zq8nTAGr8RzNijGb6-pe8DCOHBdxToT5OkpkQHFBI1PdXDiQAr-CNbFGQUeAqX9Gt_mHoq9Jq6GJm7-vJHQyXhJbHKLgzMxOHYDNa8t3S6YGtWX598Sw_sqIgnpEA/w480-h640/75427AE6-A0D6-4BAB-B369-564AA31895E4.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwOionIklcD_pJ7ZE_g5UodvGqjXiKofZ6JeRB8iR5yyi6q0E-EVG5dEIqQu1d5L6PTAqngNLLrwrU9PQx0ZNZ8Clea0L4YQCIKmcD_SiFx6nTOluZFEVemqubIHvivpCfUv26HbOIgYo/s2048/6EFED7C0-170C-4414-B6D3-5043298CC09C.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwOionIklcD_pJ7ZE_g5UodvGqjXiKofZ6JeRB8iR5yyi6q0E-EVG5dEIqQu1d5L6PTAqngNLLrwrU9PQx0ZNZ8Clea0L4YQCIKmcD_SiFx6nTOluZFEVemqubIHvivpCfUv26HbOIgYo/w640-h480/6EFED7C0-170C-4414-B6D3-5043298CC09C.jpeg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsnmr5WGVaXNlqM6NBNylLeuUWfWs-0VB7_UTgNjONUmljnlWRtp40DRvHz5qqG_ZBl8n2XTqMugUWm3SlNhmPRbfL11JIYawT8wPWRqD4ZZtquoXWbGDfqHM_khzAP_KDcJlIWNt_QMg/s2048/3C8C1B8A-F3E2-4749-825B-B71216662D64.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsnmr5WGVaXNlqM6NBNylLeuUWfWs-0VB7_UTgNjONUmljnlWRtp40DRvHz5qqG_ZBl8n2XTqMugUWm3SlNhmPRbfL11JIYawT8wPWRqD4ZZtquoXWbGDfqHM_khzAP_KDcJlIWNt_QMg/w480-h640/3C8C1B8A-F3E2-4749-825B-B71216662D64.heic" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf13NxiAibM33GCXijjqhn5Gri9VCXRXesImWzNyFm3ZJ0EDbLoyEjXs2yurx60tBi4j1IdhqNC0kiJnnWrFHINCb4lDQ9WFD5VWtQsspjK2woI9QuwWJIUsz0nv_w_Jej0JOCzbMPCRk/w480-h640/E630590E-2172-4ED2-BFD1-698D6DCAD4DC.heic" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8WLw6dCIg19FoISQ5JbNfIcvQ6YtbPEYQkhJ0yIRAjcG73H2d_KtJx6LYzJz9w6Vkg8E7xUKlBHD_84xdKMrVFSbOkMl1l9_tUW5SrV0Wly6-P_O-JnkarMxBqq8CRFRiU-6Tt_-M44c/s4032/78885D2C-08DE-47C1-8E4C-28563302DECC.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8WLw6dCIg19FoISQ5JbNfIcvQ6YtbPEYQkhJ0yIRAjcG73H2d_KtJx6LYzJz9w6Vkg8E7xUKlBHD_84xdKMrVFSbOkMl1l9_tUW5SrV0Wly6-P_O-JnkarMxBqq8CRFRiU-6Tt_-M44c/w480-h640/78885D2C-08DE-47C1-8E4C-28563302DECC.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFwJASr8PJMz9X5XCcZBX5Cb2DgN5S07iAeH-KyEcENsK98soMJcinbNrhU8GdAxfSg09nCT68aGZyzKY-VRDt35ofG6Rez7Nc4WyRvfOkT7kS6NgX1INlVKlXpxMegYruuIMwaAijfnM/s2048/15DDAB30-2617-4CF4-A61F-B14F3D2FAA1F.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFwJASr8PJMz9X5XCcZBX5Cb2DgN5S07iAeH-KyEcENsK98soMJcinbNrhU8GdAxfSg09nCT68aGZyzKY-VRDt35ofG6Rez7Nc4WyRvfOkT7kS6NgX1INlVKlXpxMegYruuIMwaAijfnM/w480-h640/15DDAB30-2617-4CF4-A61F-B14F3D2FAA1F.heic" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p><b>Day FIVE (SUNDAY)</b>: CRP was up .1 and 2.7. He was resting and doing well and then I noticed in the afternoon his heart rate went up to the high 130s and I knew something was weird again. We watched him and played with him and felt that he was making progress. He was happy. I went to Karen's for a yummy dinner and to see Ellie. Andrew went earlier in the afternoon to see Ellie and play with her before putting her down for a nap. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1BVYx5Ch-bkwCl04B9GGjZdYpGlUk5qTs0v0tL7oHr1u5PgRFVuxANARltaLk_QIKmjHFLxBxhyphenhyphenY7IXv1E0JOl2e6pZG30eRLF0mhx9VTYVcJHCvwM1qFdAGD_uptJQ2T9TthVdGqV4g/s2048/DC6311B5-1BD5-4C0C-980E-79A1A51BE42B.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1BVYx5Ch-bkwCl04B9GGjZdYpGlUk5qTs0v0tL7oHr1u5PgRFVuxANARltaLk_QIKmjHFLxBxhyphenhyphenY7IXv1E0JOl2e6pZG30eRLF0mhx9VTYVcJHCvwM1qFdAGD_uptJQ2T9TthVdGqV4g/w480-h640/DC6311B5-1BD5-4C0C-980E-79A1A51BE42B.heic" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZLwzlsuHoWPcgMFLVAvaRL_DrbzyZY66SAvt_DCVH8oN2majbcc0WhifFShzyWhE42D0jfJzNV-CuUQAxlRnU7Jx-SnJgSCsWThvJLNLvwPJvCxJkdp9yYMiIxWSWay-VTAdLrnj0bXk/s2048/025CDB88-6AEC-40C3-93C9-A80E3DE1D99F.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZLwzlsuHoWPcgMFLVAvaRL_DrbzyZY66SAvt_DCVH8oN2majbcc0WhifFShzyWhE42D0jfJzNV-CuUQAxlRnU7Jx-SnJgSCsWThvJLNLvwPJvCxJkdp9yYMiIxWSWay-VTAdLrnj0bXk/w480-h640/025CDB88-6AEC-40C3-93C9-A80E3DE1D99F.heic" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p><b>Day SIX (MONDAY): </b>CRP jumped to an alarming 10.6. Today was a rough day. We were very scared to wake up and hear that this number was so high. It was so high they actually didn't believe that was right and wanted to get a test again to be sure it was accurate. It came back that the number was in fact correct, so we knew things were going to start to get ugly. I cried a lot today. We had to take Chance down to get a CT scan and he was so nervous. We tried to make it fun and were happy to find the scanning equipment was actually shaped like a Pirate Ship! He was so brave as he laid down on the table and held our hands and held still during the test. On the way back from our test I asked the nurse if they could wheel Chance outside for some fresh air. The nurse was sweet and agreed to take him through a little garden area where he and Andrew threw some coins into the fountain and made wishes that he would get better. He looked so sick in that wheelchair and as we were walking down the main hall in the hospital I caught lots of empathetic looks from people who passed by us. All I could think was how I have been on the other side of it and felt so bad for families going through something so hard with a sick kiddo, and how I couldn't believe this was happening to US. We were that family! I still can't believe this is happening to us and got pretty overwhelmed with all the tests he had to do today. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC0dsrqMyOQ_CE9C_xxbkUeGuel_qRx2oD2zqW6L1ZoXfJW8JigjIa7gFIPkBUwnkMAS50QC5rMUy_ZqwMDJDpw8THUfxpOzOfhA30EI9LmFd9Bk-8Z5nIg9oX_IhKbbQnyY7__iUgexc/s2048/ED089B5B-13C8-4FAA-9964-779E1E5C8516.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC0dsrqMyOQ_CE9C_xxbkUeGuel_qRx2oD2zqW6L1ZoXfJW8JigjIa7gFIPkBUwnkMAS50QC5rMUy_ZqwMDJDpw8THUfxpOzOfhA30EI9LmFd9Bk-8Z5nIg9oX_IhKbbQnyY7__iUgexc/w480-h640/ED089B5B-13C8-4FAA-9964-779E1E5C8516.heic" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgySWpeaGcEe_j06hZo7sHVn3jfhWKnUyTJP_-1Qh3n8KaqOcyy2nDlex6OAtEg5PsPzhjLckWuqCmRQ7PNXLof1llgZqgDgqCZ8ju5jQcb4p3afqUsXOeuDQToBxlZXR3ldpaM2t1AxDw/s2048/891CF592-3873-45B0-8600-0CFA8B473264.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgySWpeaGcEe_j06hZo7sHVn3jfhWKnUyTJP_-1Qh3n8KaqOcyy2nDlex6OAtEg5PsPzhjLckWuqCmRQ7PNXLof1llgZqgDgqCZ8ju5jQcb4p3afqUsXOeuDQToBxlZXR3ldpaM2t1AxDw/w480-h640/891CF592-3873-45B0-8600-0CFA8B473264.heic" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV_ZSTPpioEte8R4XVnaDdHVQoSjPUJ9wKsP1YoDeQRFxZoyn1OJ3qKjBmaPw_o9V_pllbOzhuxTtbieKehdcoUcqRAPVdLVOSspnWCfJb2g_dImf2JZO0mBe_w0fGGXYErT1TbUxtBGg/s2048/47B93704-DB75-40E6-89EE-8D16EC89E9F3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV_ZSTPpioEte8R4XVnaDdHVQoSjPUJ9wKsP1YoDeQRFxZoyn1OJ3qKjBmaPw_o9V_pllbOzhuxTtbieKehdcoUcqRAPVdLVOSspnWCfJb2g_dImf2JZO0mBe_w0fGGXYErT1TbUxtBGg/w360-h640/47B93704-DB75-40E6-89EE-8D16EC89E9F3.jpeg" width="360" /></a></div><p></p><p>The scan revealed that he needs a second chest tube placed in his chest. I haven't ever felt my heart break like it did today. Andrew and I both cried (I've never seen Andrew cry like he has this week), and of course immediately following this news we learned he needed to have a new IV placed, which is the saddest thing ever. Every time he's poked he loses his mind and screams in pain. Andrew and I have to lie on the bed with him and hold him down because he tries to kick and pull his arm back. These screams will give me nightmares for the rest of my life, I'm sure of it. I hate everything about this place and the situation we're in. I hate the way Chance smells like IVs and blood and sweat, I hate the sounds of the monitors, I hate the sounds of the screaming sick kids on either sides of our walls. I hate the numerous tests he has to continue doing. I hate walking the halls and seeing all the other parents with yellow badges looking as sad and helpless as I feel. It is so heartbreaking and I wish I could fix everything so no person ever has to spend any time here in this place. As much as my heart breaks for Chance, I can't help but feel like we're the lucky ones here. Chance at least has hair. There are so many sick kids here. It's so sad and heart breaking.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm11iBQVkov9DVau6My1g0FW5RhZgvtUxlR71G8vErCPykz7_8W0XLEMckdF3I5PDUVuW0FrA6c16FKC8U40-OMEC_CSgzuIRsbaokijo8KY3DJLDOAijSjmaMyLdLu2P-23eDhL1wqic/s2048/DC25D761-0A41-4BF0-8D06-BD733DF51FBB.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm11iBQVkov9DVau6My1g0FW5RhZgvtUxlR71G8vErCPykz7_8W0XLEMckdF3I5PDUVuW0FrA6c16FKC8U40-OMEC_CSgzuIRsbaokijo8KY3DJLDOAijSjmaMyLdLu2P-23eDhL1wqic/w480-h640/DC25D761-0A41-4BF0-8D06-BD733DF51FBB.heic" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p>I miss Ellie so much. My mom and Andrew's mom have been taking care of her this whole week. They have been such a great help but I fantasize about holding her in her green chair at home and rocking her to sleep while Chance breathes peacefully in his bed next door. I hope so much we can go home soon. This stay is taking a toll on all of us and I just want this nightmare to end.</p><p>I know I will never be the same after this. I have pleaded with God to have this end for us soon. I know after this I will never look at trial or hardship or sickness or pain the same way. I can't stop thinking about families in third world countries who go through this kind of illness with their kids and have no way to help them because they don't get to enjoy the medical advancements we have. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEAZNsh32UlNCnu4oweHAgJ4qmlouJukPLcyOohaYcxjqSkh0sWnMW_YXf5Ls-qmVExYRE-jFHYGDaYsfjqBdvWb0iM0BhzexW0opGqQSt7Z5215EGhw3zdoO2otDA8EXG-qQGv0Mw2IA/s2048/6F324891-F20A-481E-BAA0-F98CC0AA45DF.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEAZNsh32UlNCnu4oweHAgJ4qmlouJukPLcyOohaYcxjqSkh0sWnMW_YXf5Ls-qmVExYRE-jFHYGDaYsfjqBdvWb0iM0BhzexW0opGqQSt7Z5215EGhw3zdoO2otDA8EXG-qQGv0Mw2IA/w480-h640/6F324891-F20A-481E-BAA0-F98CC0AA45DF.heic" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p><b>DAY 7 (TUESDAY) </b>Yesterday was such a rough day. I came into today with really low hopes but am surprised the day wasn't quite as bad as I expected. We awoke to another alarming CRP reading of 18.2. We were happy to hear the surgery had been scheduled for 11:00 today, meaning Chance didn't have to go hungry for too long. Poor kid has been starving half the time we have been here. Because we were out of our COVID lockdown, this time both Andrew and I were able to take Chance down to the operating room. While he was on the table being sedated we were able to have a good conversation with the surgeon and felt a lot of peace that he was in good hands. Everyone loves Chance. I think it's because . Before I left the OR I asked the surgeon if he had kids and he said he had five. Through tears, I asked him to take care of Chance like he would his own kids and he assured me he would.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr1rDKYPfGgr6hTvBp3FytQAOuNzaJpLMhxtrbqS64ALtd18fRaBZBrNS7Yjm4c4heGNN_Jt7dScA3_GSR99OcpFd_hG45sftrR_u0o_XnuukCsi8QlWHG9DEozFSp6wJ7uRTdKoPiNIs/s2048/92DFE282-325E-4B3C-B733-87030721C1BB.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr1rDKYPfGgr6hTvBp3FytQAOuNzaJpLMhxtrbqS64ALtd18fRaBZBrNS7Yjm4c4heGNN_Jt7dScA3_GSR99OcpFd_hG45sftrR_u0o_XnuukCsi8QlWHG9DEozFSp6wJ7uRTdKoPiNIs/w480-h640/92DFE282-325E-4B3C-B733-87030721C1BB.heic" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p>While Chance was in surgery Andrew and I grabbed some snacks from the Ronald McDonald room (we were starving also because any time Chance can't eat, we also don't eat since we don't want to eat in front of him. </p><p>We took the food out onto the roof and sat in the sun. I closed my eyes and pretended like I was at Lake Powell and Andrew and I had an amazing chat about hardship and trials and how much this experience is changing us as people. I seriously don't think I'll ever be the same. While Chance was in surgery, I sat in the sun and closed my eyes and felt the warmth on my face and I'll never forget how at peace I felt today. It was like magic because I am generally so anxious. I am confident it was the power of prayers and the support of my dad and other angels helping us get through this crazy time. The fact that I've been able to sleep, be alert, be an advocate for Chance, all while keeping my composure while living through one of my biggest nightmares is shocking to me and the only explanation I can come to for this is that I am being lifted and strengthened and pulled through this by something that is bigger than myself. I hope I never forget that peaceful feeling I felt in the sun on the roof today. A major win from today was that they placed a PICC line in Chance's arm. This means he won't have to have pokes every time they draw blood, give him an IV, etc. which is SO AMAZING. It takes a lot of anxiety off of him and I'm hoping this helps things go smoother from now on. I really wish we would have done this sooner. </p><p>Tonight went better than I thought. He came out of sedation and was a little bit loopy, but has been moving around surprisingly better than he did last time and seems to be handling everything great. He did throw up (projectile vomited I should say!) right after surgery because he wanted to eat pizza right after and I think he had too much too soon. We were happy to hear him talking and acting a little bit silly not too long after he woke up. He has been on some oxygen tonight and of course I get anxious when that happens (RSV flashbacks...I still have PTSD of his oxygen dropping and that sound the monitor makes when it his 89% or lower sends chills down my spine every time). We just took him to the bathroom for the first time since his surgery and it reminds me of how I went to the bathroom the first time after having Chance! It is so rough. It takes at least two of us, sometimes 3. One has to hold onto Chance in case he falls, one has to hold the box and make sure his chest tube is safe, and one has to move the PICC line IV stand. It's quite the obstacle and takes at least 10 minutes, which is exhausting for all of us.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2fL35lGvTU1mPvKR0kuUw-mYpxjm2W9WCh_vOzNZmBAFx7ot0jDPMQVx-OrvG1Gq4L92Ha4tnRdfJnsvIttxxt7uEbewrkUjJyUrOVGGcE4397fDQddchGQlbE0-KfavqzcpsKy1XML0/s2048/3E362AB5-DABA-48E5-A564-19D530CD8DE6.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2fL35lGvTU1mPvKR0kuUw-mYpxjm2W9WCh_vOzNZmBAFx7ot0jDPMQVx-OrvG1Gq4L92Ha4tnRdfJnsvIttxxt7uEbewrkUjJyUrOVGGcE4397fDQddchGQlbE0-KfavqzcpsKy1XML0/w480-h640/3E362AB5-DABA-48E5-A564-19D530CD8DE6.heic" width="480" /></a></div><p>We are getting ready to go to bed. Chance seems happy and hasn't needed oxygen since going to the bathroom. I'm so grateful for this and am hoping I get some sleep tonight. Lucky for us Chance has been sleeping great here. Praying we have good news tomorrow and that this is behind us soon.</p><p><b>DAY 10 (Friday): </b>The last two days have just been waiting. Waiting, waiting, waiting. The hospital room feels so small. The good news is his CRP number is going DOWN! It dropped from 18 to 9 after his surgery, then yesterday to 5.8 and today was at 4.1. The numbers are a good indicator that the inflammation is going on and his body along with the antibiotics are working hard to fight off the infection. It feels like a marathon right now. Poor kid is basically chained to his bed all.day.long. Not only that, but every time he has to go to the bathroom (which feels like every ten minutes) it's a huge ordeal. We have to call at least one nurse in, rearrange cords, etc. He was in good spirits for the most of the day today. I tried hard to keep him happy and entertained. A sweet lady from their "art therapy" team came in and they had lots of fun with some colorful clay. We also worked hard on thank-you cards for all his friends, he was so excited to put stickers on them and color them. I think it's really good for him to have tasks to accomplish right now, so we made a list of all his family, doctors, and friends he needed to make them for and we have been slowly working on them for a couple days. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ShN-N0x0csteI7aaMGoNO7-D2ynr5Ei7B5LMDsXtUH3FfgudFBbPX62OIQeZFz2RiKjrzt-esUizCLIVi4ebFI0xLGd6GAxNcfdP_r8r6liVzRMX_V3mjFA2SYvoONpnvABLWTRrAIs/s2048/03EC149C-F9A7-467D-947D-D0AC1141F280.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ShN-N0x0csteI7aaMGoNO7-D2ynr5Ei7B5LMDsXtUH3FfgudFBbPX62OIQeZFz2RiKjrzt-esUizCLIVi4ebFI0xLGd6GAxNcfdP_r8r6liVzRMX_V3mjFA2SYvoONpnvABLWTRrAIs/w480-h640/03EC149C-F9A7-467D-947D-D0AC1141F280.heic" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p>I felt like mom of the year today because I convinced the nurses to let me take him in the wheelchair down to the wishing well/garden area again. To my horror they had me take him by MYSELF. I was pushing a wheelchair, holding a box full of Chance's bodily fluid which CANNOT be dropped, making sure we didn't kink his tube, all while pushing an IV stand with the pump on a generator for his tube. I was so stressed out. I also got so many sympathetic looks in the hallway walking around the hospital. I still can't believe we're on this end of it and I'm that tired mom and Chance is that sick kid.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv4SPWKEs4CjmABN9TqYkO0-EoY8MMGFgC9oazimXJZ4m15p6YtqPwYfmo6ssFLi9ux522qQtZxKtc7eCqapqrnRVcNhcC7GTKFUphlD9etNohd2hdbVL1UZf6aIaiw-BUqbhZRhyphenhyphenfojQ/s2048/F121E02D-B4AE-4019-9647-F9FE43D1BB0B.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv4SPWKEs4CjmABN9TqYkO0-EoY8MMGFgC9oazimXJZ4m15p6YtqPwYfmo6ssFLi9ux522qQtZxKtc7eCqapqrnRVcNhcC7GTKFUphlD9etNohd2hdbVL1UZf6aIaiw-BUqbhZRhyphenhyphenfojQ/w480-h640/F121E02D-B4AE-4019-9647-F9FE43D1BB0B.heic" width="480" /></a></div><p>I'm stressed about his heart rate. I need it to go down. Different doctors on different teams are giving me conflicting information and I'm confused and it makes me nervous. The attending physician on the Infectious Disease team mentioned she wanted to do a blood test today when I brought up his heart rate, making me think this is unusual. The other doctor on the other team told me about 30 minutes later that it's not very high and they aren't worried about it. I feel like this type of confusion has been coming up a lot lately, but maybe it's just because I'm more stressed than ever right now. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM9Sz5hGIgfQbvv9W3aVWnZAI1_mva8PeajsI3u2jSqdb1TemQm0LThJVE212f-gLS3FhOk_fU87vbsZCQCugzVnzk2_jcXP5Cgn3olmvY1_TKm51rjuBKTiRCq-5BiYK4obpEqjTyEwk/s2048/E5C49166-3E47-4102-B66B-9962696239F0.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM9Sz5hGIgfQbvv9W3aVWnZAI1_mva8PeajsI3u2jSqdb1TemQm0LThJVE212f-gLS3FhOk_fU87vbsZCQCugzVnzk2_jcXP5Cgn3olmvY1_TKm51rjuBKTiRCq-5BiYK4obpEqjTyEwk/w480-h640/E5C49166-3E47-4102-B66B-9962696239F0.heic" width="480" /></a></div><p>I just found out my next door neighbor, her husband and their EIGHT kids all have COVID-19. I was taking a bath tonight and had this thought that maybe God put us into the hospital right now to protect us. I know COVID hasn't affected "most kids" but Chance continues to show us he does not fall into the "most kid" category. I felt strongly tonight that God was protecting us, so we're just going to cling to that thought because it was a good thought. </p><p><b>Day 11 (Saturday)</b></p><p>I wish I could see into the future. So much. I continue to worry. Worry. Worry.Worry. About Chance and his stinking heart rate. About this damn infection, about how much his chest tube is draining, about whether or not he really has a fever because he's had so much Tylenol and Motrin it's probably impossible to tell right? I worry about his hydration and if he's drinking enough. The list goes on and on. I wish I could just take the monitor and turn the heart rate down to 90 or 100. And that would magically bump his heart rate down and he could finally rest and everything would be fine. I can't stop fighting this nagging feeling that there is something else going on besides just this pneumonia. I don't know if that's "mother's intuition" or anxiety. I am having a hard time understanding which is which these days. I am also having the hardest time controlling my worry and wish so much I could just turn it off. I just love Chance so much it overwhelms me, and I want more than I've ever wanted anything in the world, for him to just get better. I dream of the doctors walking in the room saying, "get dressed, it's time to go home!" I have his outfit in his bag all ready to go and even got him the cutest new beanie to wear when we leave. </p><p>Last night Andrew stayed at the hospital while I took Ellie home. After she went to sleep I cried in the bathtub because I thought for sure when I took that bath it would mean that this ordeal was behind us. But coming home to a house without Chance and Andrew was so rough it overwhelmed me. I went in Chance's room, looked around, smelled his clothes and lost it. I just need him to get better.</p><p>It was so good to be with Ellie. I have mounting guilt about the lack of attention, time and energy I've given her lately. I am so grateful to both of our amazing moms for taking over with Ellie. She's such a fiesty little thing. I can tell she misses me a lot. It was good for my soul to play with her. This morning we woke up and snuggled in my bed for a while. Then we watched cartoons and I got her breakfast and went for a run. I pushed her in her jogging stroller and we listened to music and I tried my best to have a good day and clear my head. It was normal, but it wasn't. I'm going through the motions and trying to be the best mom I can, but my heart is with Chance and I can't fully be present in anything until he is better. There is a hole in my heart right now that is with me wherever I go.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvb-kBoYNqPi4Xd4aMNfLRRHfnkaekezQ0yiqWpNOg3fQe5BpYWIvfT3BhG3UpEF3Ei8DyFyI48olAQVUiwYcLtFCXa63Xu7wQFkYkJJTbPVkLLmwQE7HHukudUXp-lD9w-CiwxY6zwjk/s2048/2B74F084-FEFD-4B0F-95DA-33548447529B.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvb-kBoYNqPi4Xd4aMNfLRRHfnkaekezQ0yiqWpNOg3fQe5BpYWIvfT3BhG3UpEF3Ei8DyFyI48olAQVUiwYcLtFCXa63Xu7wQFkYkJJTbPVkLLmwQE7HHukudUXp-lD9w-CiwxY6zwjk/w480-h640/2B74F084-FEFD-4B0F-95DA-33548447529B.heic" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p>I got myself ready today, and even wore a cute fall hat for a couple of hours because I'm so sad we're missing out on Fall. It's one of my favorite times of the year and I am so sad we have now missed his birthday, lots of fun Fall activities, and now missed out on Andrew's family Halloween party tonight. Chance LOVES Halloween and is going to be so bummed to miss going to Cornbellies this year. He really has waited all year for it and there's no way we're going. COVID-19 cases are at an all time high, which only adds to my stress levels. With his freaky lungs I have no way of knowing how this new virus would affect him. </p><p>At the same time, as I sit here crying and feeling overwhelmed by this whole process, I have to reset and find gratitude. Gratitude that Chance is still with me in this room, driving me crazy with his crazy energy and cracking me up with his imagination. He really is in good spirits considering everything he's been through and the fact that he's been basically chained to a bed for 11 days. I am so impressed with his energy, sense of humor, and imagination. I really do have so much gratitude that he is otherwise a healthy, happy, normal kid. There are so many kids here in this hospital that have never had the luxury of "normal" and have never been healthy. As much as this hospital stay has absolutely sucked, I will always be grateful for the amount of uninterrupted, quality time I've been able to share with Chance. I'm so grateful that tonight I was able to play "store" with him. We cut up paper to use as money and he set up his animals and toys on his bed and I pretended to buy things from him. He loved it so much, I'm sure we'll play again tomorrow and I'm going to go on Amazon after I'm done writing this and look for a cash register for him. We also built a fort. I put blankets around the top of his bed and he hid underneath it and was so excited about it. He kept hiding and saying "can you see me mommy!" Before bed we played basketball! He has a hoop the nurse brought in on the back of his door and he had so much fun shooting hoops. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhAs3f9uc7VoW0F9K0XtMpRmdexNBgqbouONXlmky9oDpmc7iISLUWB5L0gcmfxOHUsP97BOrDisf13Qc-nZPH604FAEYH9QPGNld7jdq1qOZrSc59XWbDHFci2bItXcGWnC7HlCb6jcE/s2048/9E8093B3-2833-4EF8-A9D6-55BD863D8AD9.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhAs3f9uc7VoW0F9K0XtMpRmdexNBgqbouONXlmky9oDpmc7iISLUWB5L0gcmfxOHUsP97BOrDisf13Qc-nZPH604FAEYH9QPGNld7jdq1qOZrSc59XWbDHFci2bItXcGWnC7HlCb6jcE/w360-h640/9E8093B3-2833-4EF8-A9D6-55BD863D8AD9.jpeg" width="360" /></a></div><br />I know he's in good hands here and I need to trust the doctors more. For some reason I think that if I ask enough questions or care enough I'll magically be able to fix him. Tonight Erica (my favorite resident doctor who has been with us from the beginning) came in and talked to me because I was worried about his heart rate. She told me they think he's getting better and we have made a lot of progress. She said they are going to do some additional blood work tomorrow morning to check his blood levels and electrolyte levels to be sure there is nothing wrong with his kidneys. She said they don't have any reason to think they aren't fine she just wants to be sure we're being careful and monitoring everything. I felt so good to know that they are really watching him and constantly monitoring his levels and checking his blood. But of course right after she leaves, I get online and start researching kidneys and pneumonias, and now I'm freaking out and can't sleep. I need to NOT get ONLINE and check things. It is never helpful and only causes me more worry and grief. It's the weirdest impulsive thing I do and I need to get myself to stop. But now I'm nervous about his kidneys and hoping everything comes back tomorrow and it's a better day. Andrew is coming up tomorrow after he drops off Ellie at his mom's so we will both be here to spend the day with Chance.<p></p><p>I am wondering if all of this is happening to drive me to my knees. I have prayed harder and more earnestly in the last week than I have in years. I am doing my best to trust God and His plan for us and Chance, but it's so hard sometimes. Aside from Andrew, I have never known a love like I have for Chance, and so I've never felt heartbreak like this either. Being a mom is the most wonderful, heartbreaking rollercoaster ride I have ever been on.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbFxiyoyTLU4HJ2uD3m3YLvYuGHBqM2pgm2X7EEDV-iS1ncscUV_wF737aChZMxDMaDj6GSCQRiGpl9zjoPJ6iWk9eMenmac_jH8ov85mIzwRFa8zP29-2DNWRTwv_VT560DpOA9YNBAk/s2048/4F6F51DD-D60A-4896-A039-CFFE0216CA68.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbFxiyoyTLU4HJ2uD3m3YLvYuGHBqM2pgm2X7EEDV-iS1ncscUV_wF737aChZMxDMaDj6GSCQRiGpl9zjoPJ6iWk9eMenmac_jH8ov85mIzwRFa8zP29-2DNWRTwv_VT560DpOA9YNBAk/w480-h640/4F6F51DD-D60A-4896-A039-CFFE0216CA68.heic" width="480" /></a></div><p>Once again, I'm nervous for what tomorrow will bring. Praying all the bloodwork comes back normal and we have another slow, uneventful day tomorrow. Even though slow is boring, slow here is good.</p><p>Saw this quote in a pamphlet they had at the hospital and loved it so I'm sharing it here: </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSoP37NaLN22dVemOWliZZPbLWAsiq7lJIFSzli5V9sF4G_9vMIroriwqi7AxIgJIpn3l1UVwGAS4tdVlnt417n-xgHEKu_6yHrYU-xxPM_bPo8ASzcSTTjoOgFyuZaQ7SlAd-798mBvY/s1250/C32035A9-BE8D-4888-8ECD-2216EBA0F5CC.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSoP37NaLN22dVemOWliZZPbLWAsiq7lJIFSzli5V9sF4G_9vMIroriwqi7AxIgJIpn3l1UVwGAS4tdVlnt417n-xgHEKu_6yHrYU-xxPM_bPo8ASzcSTTjoOgFyuZaQ7SlAd-798mBvY/w512-h640/C32035A9-BE8D-4888-8ECD-2216EBA0F5CC.JPG" width="512" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>stephchristensen15http://www.blogger.com/profile/01952034108385316697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2458695105088699530.post-30293686033570649462020-08-10T21:35:00.011-07:002020-08-10T21:43:25.612-07:00Lake Powell: Christensen Family Trip! <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg251PwL_GXKTxjVu_i0BSF9P60PjaUNCtebED4qTAI7y7ni38-sG8zuPhA0FzYEHbCTuY-z9_exXMi7otuR6rpoH6AiEHj43dH4SvBVPMRvtzDBvbFgfUyCRjak2DkSISYurOmdYyFlKY/s2048/IMG_0452.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg251PwL_GXKTxjVu_i0BSF9P60PjaUNCtebED4qTAI7y7ni38-sG8zuPhA0FzYEHbCTuY-z9_exXMi7otuR6rpoH6AiEHj43dH4SvBVPMRvtzDBvbFgfUyCRjak2DkSISYurOmdYyFlKY/s640/IMG_0452.jpg" width="640" /></a>We just got home from Lake Powell and it was magical! I needed to blog about it so I don't forget how amazing this time of my life is. I had so many moments this week where I thought "I've never been so happy in my life!" It really was magical. We were able to go with Andrew's family on our 3rd annual family trip and we had such a blast! <p></p><p>We go to Lake Powell all the time but each time I always get anxious about going with kids. I always get nervous about the water and the houseboat and something bad happening. I just love my little family so much and the idea of some potential heartbreak that could and does happen there is sometimes enough for me to freak myself out and not want to go at all. But this year was amazing! Chance was a great age. He listened really well and followed our safety rules with life jackets and swimming and was so awesome and cute and easy. Ellie wasn't easy because she crawls and is learning to walk and falling everywhere but was a total cutie and took super long naps. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF3un7CpxYZEb2VrAjQo8rdHFUMJQziKYYKuTVU6mFgz8R3sj6dsUbD05gnTwkhd9PoDzhV2o9Ae3_fIy2J0TM9kVQTdt9a9BvXNHFlGyFVLDOUsAP1gMQGApdy6M7JiYvpP6eOXr1hz0/s2048/IMG_0592.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF3un7CpxYZEb2VrAjQo8rdHFUMJQziKYYKuTVU6mFgz8R3sj6dsUbD05gnTwkhd9PoDzhV2o9Ae3_fIy2J0TM9kVQTdt9a9BvXNHFlGyFVLDOUsAP1gMQGApdy6M7JiYvpP6eOXr1hz0/s640/IMG_0592.JPG" width="640" /></a></p><p>Andrew found us an awesome beach to stay at in Padre Bay, and it was so shallow that even if Chance had fallen in by accident he would have been able to touch the bottom so it was so great and I was really able to enjoy myself with fewer worries! There was no one on either side of us and the beach was beautiful perfect sand with no "pokies" (weeds) as Chance calls them. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNsn2TQczlmDxRE2AEIUjC-TZdJMvvcersBKoqJH3T0EJEzWwu2jK6TO1S4tGxumU0XV2jcshEbsayfM3vyEGCANEw33YSX9NWwTb8gs_gR2-_Jz23kuTmKWGbGkYKpmH-Qez3lnEgZbA/s2048/5A999E84-E857-4949-BA6F-32F0B64756F8.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNsn2TQczlmDxRE2AEIUjC-TZdJMvvcersBKoqJH3T0EJEzWwu2jK6TO1S4tGxumU0XV2jcshEbsayfM3vyEGCANEw33YSX9NWwTb8gs_gR2-_Jz23kuTmKWGbGkYKpmH-Qez3lnEgZbA/s640/5A999E84-E857-4949-BA6F-32F0B64756F8.heic" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaHPRVHgLkr7l1NidiH-rgN-gWIhHvvpZsV0Igd0GfEq4rqyS5BNPhgubEgqDhBpz6ActNIz5v4iAUxV1_WGRvD1YxXTUw7T6FySoafhQMpVTk6Ww8tCCkMoB47snl6d6MBqkeM_8Ad7U/s2048/54A65F88-D958-4D6A-800B-7BD18E72E41A.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaHPRVHgLkr7l1NidiH-rgN-gWIhHvvpZsV0Igd0GfEq4rqyS5BNPhgubEgqDhBpz6ActNIz5v4iAUxV1_WGRvD1YxXTUw7T6FySoafhQMpVTk6Ww8tCCkMoB47snl6d6MBqkeM_8Ad7U/s640/54A65F88-D958-4D6A-800B-7BD18E72E41A.heic" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii8W5AuTMjiTtNYYWntInoSGLYNzJJQI84M6rtO4fiUS-yq6ZxlOI4BE-_ThW89trTx44vH3hllKvohgBoV3bDVDoH97K8oulgtUi47dIDpcDZT3jX5DJQh8adglD0X4ipr6pH3oHGTGg/s2048/FD807377-8D36-4FBC-9593-1FBBFD5D43F3.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii8W5AuTMjiTtNYYWntInoSGLYNzJJQI84M6rtO4fiUS-yq6ZxlOI4BE-_ThW89trTx44vH3hllKvohgBoV3bDVDoH97K8oulgtUi47dIDpcDZT3jX5DJQh8adglD0X4ipr6pH3oHGTGg/s640/FD807377-8D36-4FBC-9593-1FBBFD5D43F3.heic" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"> I told Andrew this while we were there, but I really do think this is the best and most beautiful phase of my life so far. I'm constantly overwhelmed with love. Sometimes my heart is so full when I look at my family I feel like it actually physically aches. I know that things will come in waves, and that there will be good times and bad times and I'm sure we have plenty of heartache ahead, but right now I just am so full of love and happiness and gratitude. Right now I feel happy, strong, healthy and seeing my family be happy and healthy is just the absolute best. I hope I never forget how content and fulfilled I am at this time in my life. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9xptH32tqIsxFETmm2EC9UebHxdfTvR6jcOTI7gN5FLARFFgk1SpdvHP1pt57q6J_uRw-y1IQfjA7QS8cu52y3kLnDVFtP4E0ffAvBUMDYkHglPwaqthdc_meydfzcvBJWPDlGQ77JKw/s2048/IMG_0422.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9xptH32tqIsxFETmm2EC9UebHxdfTvR6jcOTI7gN5FLARFFgk1SpdvHP1pt57q6J_uRw-y1IQfjA7QS8cu52y3kLnDVFtP4E0ffAvBUMDYkHglPwaqthdc_meydfzcvBJWPDlGQ77JKw/s640/IMG_0422.JPG" /></a></div><div></div><div>Like I said, Ellie was SO much fun. She is so spunky and is getting a fun and silly personality. She's constantly knocking things over just to say "uh-oh" and get a reaction out of me so she can giggle her head offt. She's almost always smiley and constantly on the go. She definitely takes a lot of my energy but she is so much fun. She's also SO snuggly and loves to sit on my lap facing me and snuggle into my chest. Smelling her hair and kissing those squishy cheeks makes me feel like I could burst. I always have a blast snuggling her on the boat and had lots of fun with her in the water this trip. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi41Xwg9n0MUKFvWiEH8Q_AMHbsyX9_-koUNQwDa7J2tlSgAqhNa5MMH0pc3SDGx10J-fsyiXEjbV2HFgtDNPb8YE_8nEwfRqKahkrrnIZzglNvbEPlBuis9OyjiO5BdZQ5eDwjRdhRqQA/s4032/IMG_0330.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi41Xwg9n0MUKFvWiEH8Q_AMHbsyX9_-koUNQwDa7J2tlSgAqhNa5MMH0pc3SDGx10J-fsyiXEjbV2HFgtDNPb8YE_8nEwfRqKahkrrnIZzglNvbEPlBuis9OyjiO5BdZQ5eDwjRdhRqQA/s640/IMG_0330.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT8l8eW-hHfwNKtgiNrMHVmf-2vtrLYnzM_0uVG4PXxDJXUE5PC65OpmpzI1-l-NWaetGdX6r-QHEbPQdZX_mTeaA8zhBYHPgBNJ8ol-Y4XIZwcy4YvFYVejM-Ru8JJ7IV64wAyXtQBbA/s4032/IMG_0339.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT8l8eW-hHfwNKtgiNrMHVmf-2vtrLYnzM_0uVG4PXxDJXUE5PC65OpmpzI1-l-NWaetGdX6r-QHEbPQdZX_mTeaA8zhBYHPgBNJ8ol-Y4XIZwcy4YvFYVejM-Ru8JJ7IV64wAyXtQBbA/s640/IMG_0339.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBfkRmtDqX73efRv9kd4DnMcRzC2I4v5cP-O8xvWJtWHgAGJIquZ4EVpUP4amKM1S0t2hrHwjip7sCPJH7DtTNrlNR90htgrAevqm63QnSach2UOAdVzYW51R7ZcLQxli5Zl0NLDmZ66I/s915/C813FB92-D6CF-4917-984C-440D7AFB1A49.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="915" data-original-width="686" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBfkRmtDqX73efRv9kd4DnMcRzC2I4v5cP-O8xvWJtWHgAGJIquZ4EVpUP4amKM1S0t2hrHwjip7sCPJH7DtTNrlNR90htgrAevqm63QnSach2UOAdVzYW51R7ZcLQxli5Zl0NLDmZ66I/s640/C813FB92-D6CF-4917-984C-440D7AFB1A49.jpeg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Chance is a total ball of energy and sunshine right now. He is so curious, spirited, and adventurous and I'm so happy he got some bravery this trip and decided he wanted to try some new things behind the boat! He hasn't shown much interest in surfing this year (it's quietly been breaking my heart!) but a few days before the trip he randomly said he wanted to go surfing with us. It was a complete shift and we were shocked! He just jumped right in the water and wanted to do it and we had the best time ever. He also dug in the sand THE WHOLE TIME. I really think he could have dug all night and day if we had let him. He is the cutest. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf25J-EsqZjW5iugPxw7sdjrvpgefPPauRYUyo0ym-z12bHVYhpnGgVdYCXKw_FTmPiMqKAbtxmMq8-BJguj5ZUiRicyxbChgYwFkvw46y0XQ5H6bz07Wa7bZeK9sfUFpopBcLJkC3EjE/s4032/IMG_0516+%25281%2529.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf25J-EsqZjW5iugPxw7sdjrvpgefPPauRYUyo0ym-z12bHVYhpnGgVdYCXKw_FTmPiMqKAbtxmMq8-BJguj5ZUiRicyxbChgYwFkvw46y0XQ5H6bz07Wa7bZeK9sfUFpopBcLJkC3EjE/s640/IMG_0516+%25281%2529.jpeg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNRnfSvgQQdYjhvz2hzUXyQisKdxBK3NneeycgBV40CyzsoXTNq_CAaF78RwQfZPO1xCvy3qezZOPR9uzSLDOWCmS-13QsWiunUQDKawwlfFDPAgGHwudYz1iWkQkFYLDJR3pOHnrx-4M/s2048/IMG_0239.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNRnfSvgQQdYjhvz2hzUXyQisKdxBK3NneeycgBV40CyzsoXTNq_CAaF78RwQfZPO1xCvy3qezZOPR9uzSLDOWCmS-13QsWiunUQDKawwlfFDPAgGHwudYz1iWkQkFYLDJR3pOHnrx-4M/w450-h800/IMG_0239.JPG" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHbvU3-P8qcghbzez8EFFIF5jz6ApiIEx-dGohCPRuYHaZt_r0LnzbMkJOTL5SiqpcnAd-Fa4C9xOStuW358yg6lTuhMnNtLIqLNynXo0NsdivK8x2oMsGeFUV1_MgrCMsUVhcEIXBz8A/s2048/IMG_0345.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHbvU3-P8qcghbzez8EFFIF5jz6ApiIEx-dGohCPRuYHaZt_r0LnzbMkJOTL5SiqpcnAd-Fa4C9xOStuW358yg6lTuhMnNtLIqLNynXo0NsdivK8x2oMsGeFUV1_MgrCMsUVhcEIXBz8A/s640/IMG_0345.HEIC" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJZC-0qPmE2r9ZlzCprHLl4ZZb2qMhbVnhJT1Xj-VDiGP08_v2OjNElO8ejXy5driUct9_0YbqU0KT9M-f5vI0h7gJm3TcZIgoGd_GeaPKkh5Xu47TY8F39myKCUOrPLbFqiZwSmfTDfQ/s2048/CF9FD952-5AD5-4D39-8438-DF00B790C41D.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJZC-0qPmE2r9ZlzCprHLl4ZZb2qMhbVnhJT1Xj-VDiGP08_v2OjNElO8ejXy5driUct9_0YbqU0KT9M-f5vI0h7gJm3TcZIgoGd_GeaPKkh5Xu47TY8F39myKCUOrPLbFqiZwSmfTDfQ/s640/CF9FD952-5AD5-4D39-8438-DF00B790C41D.heic" width="640" /></a></div>Andrew is the greatest Captain in Lake Powell. He's so optimistic, relaxed, and just really good for me. I'm so happy with how our marriage is going! Seeing how he loves our kids and teaches and plays with them, but also loves me and makes me feel seen and appreciated is really great and I feel really lucky he's mine. In Lake Powell he works SO hard the whole time to make sure everyone is safe, the boats are all hooked up, and that everyone is taken care of. And the weirdest thing is he loves it. He goes non-stop and even wakes up in the night to make sure the ropes are tight on the houseboat and that everything is good. He does it all with a smile on his face. He's also a total kid behind the boat and it is my very favorite thing to see him having so much fun on the water. Him rocking his sunglasses and short shorts is probably my favorite thing about Lake Powell! 😜He's so yummy! <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioEyaX1usYgSwkFzzSlxr50xV4_ElXqmS_OW8AVIzml2l1Ao24i3lHg2pGpPgru4-SaTceJhFYADereEp1GZaqjloHJK8RylRKq6iyMTY7cdmCQ6n35_85RWyfc1Kud0ne40ra3bCIpY0/s4032/IMG_0348.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioEyaX1usYgSwkFzzSlxr50xV4_ElXqmS_OW8AVIzml2l1Ao24i3lHg2pGpPgru4-SaTceJhFYADereEp1GZaqjloHJK8RylRKq6iyMTY7cdmCQ6n35_85RWyfc1Kud0ne40ra3bCIpY0/s640/IMG_0348.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhopFHxm7Z4MQjgfRRyW7pJ4UKyYRmpbPFMjs5CyDPk1YSPIDT4o-jwAcIbS_vwTt6u8Wn0AHdI9SBI7-evGr-h0ZcOiR7fDCija8TLtZGRkzV0knacFzukTxGnZu21COq2jVWiu65Xm1Q/s2048/IMG_0350.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhopFHxm7Z4MQjgfRRyW7pJ4UKyYRmpbPFMjs5CyDPk1YSPIDT4o-jwAcIbS_vwTt6u8Wn0AHdI9SBI7-evGr-h0ZcOiR7fDCija8TLtZGRkzV0knacFzukTxGnZu21COq2jVWiu65Xm1Q/s640/IMG_0350.HEIC" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRHZQjtGHblpERgmSzYxcgYxLuF_7QUN6OunZC5YVG0k8wQbB__ocXn2evzHBguWsFlcVGBUvyHpK0qQyplb7FiqPzubREkWjwXLx4lsNxORRAzWew4ONwcZV4OjuG5H0WayUVeS_hxJ4/s2048/IMG_0458.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRHZQjtGHblpERgmSzYxcgYxLuF_7QUN6OunZC5YVG0k8wQbB__ocXn2evzHBguWsFlcVGBUvyHpK0qQyplb7FiqPzubREkWjwXLx4lsNxORRAzWew4ONwcZV4OjuG5H0WayUVeS_hxJ4/s640/IMG_0458.HEIC" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">^^Cutest matching twinners!^^<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRCVG161F5JKnaBktKt65SrT-F8SyWgF8-YxnL4u8DqNAYgSVSSMCX9q5TywB2D1ORgV4PmxZ3lnDmFz4-vsEMg9CaUimUYw90RigBgc5R0JodG54ZO9MTZBWB0pDR7GR8iTvv7RhJlPY/s2048/IMG_2727.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRCVG161F5JKnaBktKt65SrT-F8SyWgF8-YxnL4u8DqNAYgSVSSMCX9q5TywB2D1ORgV4PmxZ3lnDmFz4-vsEMg9CaUimUYw90RigBgc5R0JodG54ZO9MTZBWB0pDR7GR8iTvv7RhJlPY/s640/IMG_2727.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmigTFe0Om18toTfE76JP2INOHFSP1F7Mmhlr0BV81iXOzCRrS9tletOwaOuzb8Ko9c10OH1Q82s6AC-ZW1zrNO1yaJT2w2DWa01In3IbxLYUpTV5WVVJQjkcNjXEata8ygE6J_WO4iQ0/s2048/IMG_3309.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmigTFe0Om18toTfE76JP2INOHFSP1F7Mmhlr0BV81iXOzCRrS9tletOwaOuzb8Ko9c10OH1Q82s6AC-ZW1zrNO1yaJT2w2DWa01In3IbxLYUpTV5WVVJQjkcNjXEata8ygE6J_WO4iQ0/s640/IMG_3309.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHNYPTBSPd66geRlYLwpYWhUShTmd_7k6i8dDB7EoZpDFzSH2-Z-NfLVfd6O0Y0Bt2z2wIMOVj3p_fRlP4h_yacGKPpl6uWV98CH5AgU4Hz7EdGMI7zT9GL0kuv07grS6wHUQ1j5ho3Hk/s2048/IMG_0476.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHNYPTBSPd66geRlYLwpYWhUShTmd_7k6i8dDB7EoZpDFzSH2-Z-NfLVfd6O0Y0Bt2z2wIMOVj3p_fRlP4h_yacGKPpl6uWV98CH5AgU4Hz7EdGMI7zT9GL0kuv07grS6wHUQ1j5ho3Hk/s640/IMG_0476.HEIC" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Pirate Day was a hit as always. Andrew went all out this year and even purchased us both official pirate attire. It was hilarious and he is such a maniac. The kids loved finding their buried treasure! </span></div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH4hQ6WAHDWstGGhgRCIT4vZaUGrEAGRtawKh1cYPhDFbNzLmOIGUJhmq3bTfzU2JphProoaFU8ISRuhweYS3RvO5vC1f1oyou9DEngMGVw2pJuTktamzeoj2rbmVpmliU-dbij1aEWog/s915/4D544F42-18DB-4F11-93FB-26F28CAE2C7F.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="515" data-original-width="915" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH4hQ6WAHDWstGGhgRCIT4vZaUGrEAGRtawKh1cYPhDFbNzLmOIGUJhmq3bTfzU2JphProoaFU8ISRuhweYS3RvO5vC1f1oyou9DEngMGVw2pJuTktamzeoj2rbmVpmliU-dbij1aEWog/s640/4D544F42-18DB-4F11-93FB-26F28CAE2C7F.jpeg" width="640" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL3SMA57ogiy-PJ9_fLnpKU0JC5AiYSyjtRKjFhDU53VJNruvXPN4A7hVJ4_Y64CZa6zrqgamIq8olZG3rwpOIfI9o9tUAOz3NpjIu8JV6OL-Isqg9aT4Kclvo4fSVUSwBrTHjK5cxDK4/s2048/IMG_4034.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL3SMA57ogiy-PJ9_fLnpKU0JC5AiYSyjtRKjFhDU53VJNruvXPN4A7hVJ4_Y64CZa6zrqgamIq8olZG3rwpOIfI9o9tUAOz3NpjIu8JV6OL-Isqg9aT4Kclvo4fSVUSwBrTHjK5cxDK4/s640/IMG_4034.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5PenHlpNGtkCObw6AQdgkDM82L6n2o5_zHA63Pd17Yb2cnDpH1KUzvZcmvsXB0FlyqqoF30uGqugrV7doUUyaVGHCz0hutDQCz2WbnWG_P-SzhtsV0-4Ch39i71P6pYZRoXy20CfsUow/s2048/IMG_4200.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5PenHlpNGtkCObw6AQdgkDM82L6n2o5_zHA63Pd17Yb2cnDpH1KUzvZcmvsXB0FlyqqoF30uGqugrV7doUUyaVGHCz0hutDQCz2WbnWG_P-SzhtsV0-4Ch39i71P6pYZRoXy20CfsUow/s640/IMG_4200.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5c9VDyxp2bcG_RvhJAlkSISiVBlVM2jU7dIWq4AjOAxNgWYrrwN2nKZKi55vWCsp89W0SSMEapsXnOdkI8yO8dl9SXQ__wlXeSIyHIUofnAeSx76vbcdFBHPxGvWXhJLdQzsFM-D8jAw/s2048/IMG_9408.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5c9VDyxp2bcG_RvhJAlkSISiVBlVM2jU7dIWq4AjOAxNgWYrrwN2nKZKi55vWCsp89W0SSMEapsXnOdkI8yO8dl9SXQ__wlXeSIyHIUofnAeSx76vbcdFBHPxGvWXhJLdQzsFM-D8jAw/s640/IMG_9408.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">^^Ellie hated her eye patch^^</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguMf7c-t0OgBR9O5v-qO6j7HaHh6-1kUAY3JsKoeZg2ywd1uaBYWzi2SVup9R4Nu-60M7y0b8F0h8kDzXL-p9n__PvU1T5bGwQwdoK9H81Yc9LAWPqFUfT0DxSgORFBV_ia6eTK4onC-U/s2048/98C31338-F40B-40CF-83A4-B8C82859ABB4.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguMf7c-t0OgBR9O5v-qO6j7HaHh6-1kUAY3JsKoeZg2ywd1uaBYWzi2SVup9R4Nu-60M7y0b8F0h8kDzXL-p9n__PvU1T5bGwQwdoK9H81Yc9LAWPqFUfT0DxSgORFBV_ia6eTK4onC-U/s640/98C31338-F40B-40CF-83A4-B8C82859ABB4.heic" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd8arWuxS3PGLZWtOo-u375V9C5RXwIm022-dERrTvr6Rb10YqDLbxzF_5fTCE1ukqWHz2qFSanOuEDzQ4wInQo3haoQun3LoBv_hvM94-EZV4Uep4ttREZqudCUVhc8MM3cpNg9S7ChU/s2048/F4C8EEEE-3889-4E3A-9665-DA0DBE1C150C.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd8arWuxS3PGLZWtOo-u375V9C5RXwIm022-dERrTvr6Rb10YqDLbxzF_5fTCE1ukqWHz2qFSanOuEDzQ4wInQo3haoQun3LoBv_hvM94-EZV4Uep4ttREZqudCUVhc8MM3cpNg9S7ChU/s640/F4C8EEEE-3889-4E3A-9665-DA0DBE1C150C.heic" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm so sad the trip is over! It was a blast and I can't wait until next time! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNRvkb_kHQn3GScyyDUuAJeRD_6YkDmsTLApTj1APWxP5RezSCW2r3N9YJq8AgpzIWYBpoZLR-Z2qHMyOugWUCZp-PVtnRe8kCHa_WSyjphMfnbPb1N37QlJtxKgqVFeO2uQ1d-zLH4qk/s3088/31ED6E74-8CE6-449B-9B98-15A147987961.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNRvkb_kHQn3GScyyDUuAJeRD_6YkDmsTLApTj1APWxP5RezSCW2r3N9YJq8AgpzIWYBpoZLR-Z2qHMyOugWUCZp-PVtnRe8kCHa_WSyjphMfnbPb1N37QlJtxKgqVFeO2uQ1d-zLH4qk/s640/31ED6E74-8CE6-449B-9B98-15A147987961.jpeg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p></div>stephchristensen15http://www.blogger.com/profile/01952034108385316697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2458695105088699530.post-87056877865004492952020-08-01T22:18:00.000-07:002020-08-10T22:18:48.563-07:00Hiking Timp<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNsh1ArPCRTCMqspJN5K0dAnZHknmrPfj8Vf7LD59vfQnhYXic1r5QvE_dW1_29Nm2Fday9wTeswvog4sKT1TVnGGihKfFfAe7_YfH_A9dNmIinuSw4wlctbJqtomlP6QudeRm0yE8CFE/s2048/IMG_8344.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNsh1ArPCRTCMqspJN5K0dAnZHknmrPfj8Vf7LD59vfQnhYXic1r5QvE_dW1_29Nm2Fday9wTeswvog4sKT1TVnGGihKfFfAe7_YfH_A9dNmIinuSw4wlctbJqtomlP6QudeRm0yE8CFE/s640/IMG_8344.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">We did a hard thing! And a bucket list thing! We finally made it to the top of Mount Timpanogos and it was so great! I absolutely love being in the mountains but with our kiddos we don't hike as much as we'd like to so it was so fun to do something adventurous and hard together. </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDQyt6YnKQZ5zHSab0wnFnOmtDhjEKjYeHMOvG08gHCGqXZr3-LLtRPv-afR-BzpJnlmbXyagLqTkYHXQ-tn1WvFxf8Ikqd3V0hNQPNa7eM-vHpR7-hAA_hCItRmOFydmSp8U1e9BgMnU/s2048/IMG_8320.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDQyt6YnKQZ5zHSab0wnFnOmtDhjEKjYeHMOvG08gHCGqXZr3-LLtRPv-afR-BzpJnlmbXyagLqTkYHXQ-tn1WvFxf8Ikqd3V0hNQPNa7eM-vHpR7-hAA_hCItRmOFydmSp8U1e9BgMnU/s640/IMG_8320.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_GwVlIb7ePMFyvugu8fViyZtb64cWaE-GKVbLJbs2kVMenliu04w2ccmB96vSCGt73lLxvbAh-LrbPt8VJrj12DRNDATOEJZsCm6Vr2cnZlM2cTQptFDi-rijrTJP0dvMk7V1FSZk4zo/s2048/IMG_8306.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_GwVlIb7ePMFyvugu8fViyZtb64cWaE-GKVbLJbs2kVMenliu04w2ccmB96vSCGt73lLxvbAh-LrbPt8VJrj12DRNDATOEJZsCm6Vr2cnZlM2cTQptFDi-rijrTJP0dvMk7V1FSZk4zo/s640/IMG_8306.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;">Our friends invited us to come with them and we were so excited because we've wanted to do this forever so they were great accountability partners, otherwise I don't know if we would ever get around to it. We slept at my mom's house and woke up at 3am in order to meet our friends at 4am. We hiked for a long time in the dark with our head lamps. It was so awesome to see the sun coming up behind us and to be up that early. I really loved being up that early and vowed to become a better morning person. We will see if that happens or not. :)</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif9sQAbPR_I8khlzTWSkR_GD40gMuuLbAOizZvfZ0jagAxGwUeNZ1xpLWWFAdP4hFNQ375M6yhxIHbYq8hqMzr2qCKXqwff31UiEco3KuMZLzDmUyoS7xGwSonpHSRqQPF0axoSYV2a-0/s2048/IMG_8290.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif9sQAbPR_I8khlzTWSkR_GD40gMuuLbAOizZvfZ0jagAxGwUeNZ1xpLWWFAdP4hFNQ375M6yhxIHbYq8hqMzr2qCKXqwff31UiEco3KuMZLzDmUyoS7xGwSonpHSRqQPF0axoSYV2a-0/s640/IMG_8290.HEIC" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8E4gj-N4Sa8ApMTGgvy9zIIpw7VvAR98QLqVEqrvMvFb4XxTS8VzU2mISJnP4D_8MHrQreXK4uIhWeEAtB-8ToBz-otmuwx2uoJFvRRI6yKxN_VVy0KBwjiqGEpfTLZ33ZLg0EIaZDlo/s2048/IMG_8295.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8E4gj-N4Sa8ApMTGgvy9zIIpw7VvAR98QLqVEqrvMvFb4XxTS8VzU2mISJnP4D_8MHrQreXK4uIhWeEAtB-8ToBz-otmuwx2uoJFvRRI6yKxN_VVy0KBwjiqGEpfTLZ33ZLg0EIaZDlo/s640/IMG_8295.HEIC" width="640" /></a>Once the sun came up I couldn't believe how pretty everything was! There were amazing wildflowers and lots of waterfalls. One of my favorite parts of the hike was how there were lots of different types of terrain. We would hike on the trail, on rocks, snow, through pretty meadows and fields, and it was just cool! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQHiDg5K24uUc9Kv_dQ28rIm2UdwXBkf-pz-701ZokqXvjBoFZPRiA6nIrKatCkecImCQxt7QWtWGZFYh1fBlrDrbD9LnCLXdGICs3fWTMp3SV9MG-T6l1G6aqbdQnxqQHEU1ItDPq6zY/s2048/IMG_8292.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQHiDg5K24uUc9Kv_dQ28rIm2UdwXBkf-pz-701ZokqXvjBoFZPRiA6nIrKatCkecImCQxt7QWtWGZFYh1fBlrDrbD9LnCLXdGICs3fWTMp3SV9MG-T6l1G6aqbdQnxqQHEU1ItDPq6zY/s640/IMG_8292.HEIC" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxNSq0LBEBuBZKT1cgwOYD9tcrzVqTd3sUwX10StyKFyDlN_C__06_gKs-wqizEpc0nV0m6RYNpuAhbAnM8rcvLjIwvf8bRywDKNqh4ML-u1-MEBw8j7nDp7BzE2ITMnKXWIdoDsYE3Sk/s2048/IMG_8299.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxNSq0LBEBuBZKT1cgwOYD9tcrzVqTd3sUwX10StyKFyDlN_C__06_gKs-wqizEpc0nV0m6RYNpuAhbAnM8rcvLjIwvf8bRywDKNqh4ML-u1-MEBw8j7nDp7BzE2ITMnKXWIdoDsYE3Sk/s640/IMG_8299.HEIC" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVp9Uzfaa3_nMlFaSVW3GEeFfwCJN-dn4G_cAlv4ks_DaWH5iD_2231Z3JUXd5EqV71knE7Zj6CnKbFErMuqFrVaEa1nG8wG57Zg_AAOTFhL7vTSm1xggEi6jS2s6VcVPw5DcecWgClJ0/s2048/IMG_8300.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVp9Uzfaa3_nMlFaSVW3GEeFfwCJN-dn4G_cAlv4ks_DaWH5iD_2231Z3JUXd5EqV71knE7Zj6CnKbFErMuqFrVaEa1nG8wG57Zg_AAOTFhL7vTSm1xggEi6jS2s6VcVPw5DcecWgClJ0/s640/IMG_8300.jpeg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5DFyLAupUfR_fOgPPUmeDRloH1i3rAl9meAU6qE8CpK-bxRFF2yNe5ShFDQC63GvzbOqf0pFXeo5EvVtVZRLXG56UYRHf6_3ScKuOo9vxxcf9WgeyOJE3IS9kkgEGvHYWeb92M285H4I/s2048/IMG_9982.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5DFyLAupUfR_fOgPPUmeDRloH1i3rAl9meAU6qE8CpK-bxRFF2yNe5ShFDQC63GvzbOqf0pFXeo5EvVtVZRLXG56UYRHf6_3ScKuOo9vxxcf9WgeyOJE3IS9kkgEGvHYWeb92M285H4I/s640/IMG_9982.HEIC" /></a></div><p>It was a great day! </p><p><br /></p>stephchristensen15http://www.blogger.com/profile/01952034108385316697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2458695105088699530.post-7168745200903374062020-05-11T22:24:00.001-07:002020-07-30T22:27:23.494-07:00Ellie Bellie is One!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheCwFVaSxqewlOM8OZtYvTzXSSk-WXNkLS0w4QNhbKS4_wgoC4XCD839MHDyh7tf2Z88EEFaJj1PbGeVZ8KWBMGIlC0a8ufBlfthQqaujQnMlU__mVM81iyaQ_K7RP6gCxonwLxPrXLgc/s2048/78E8253E-65A8-4A7A-B94B-B17A0CD0B702.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheCwFVaSxqewlOM8OZtYvTzXSSk-WXNkLS0w4QNhbKS4_wgoC4XCD839MHDyh7tf2Z88EEFaJj1PbGeVZ8KWBMGIlC0a8ufBlfthQqaujQnMlU__mVM81iyaQ_K7RP6gCxonwLxPrXLgc/w375-h500/78E8253E-65A8-4A7A-B94B-B17A0CD0B702.jpeg" width="375" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">My baby is one! I can't even believe it. I really feel like I blinked and she was ONE. It's been so much fun having a baby girl, it has been everything I dreamed it would be. We had so much fun celebrating her this week. Right now with everything going on with COVID we are banned from gathering in groups of 20 or more. So many people are sick right now and it's just a scary and uncertain time, and with Grandmas we're trying to be extra careful so I decided to throw TWO parties, one for each family. We had my family over (my mom, Haley, Danny, Owen, Leah and Dean) on Friday night and Andrew's family (Grandma Karen, Grandpa Gerry, Grandma Cow, Sy, Ashlee, Aaden, Kate, Luke and Joshy) on Saturday night. I am crazy and made a double decker cake and we served one each night. I also made one smash cake for each night for a grand total of FOUR cakes. Yes I'm extreme but I loved it and had so much fun doing it!</div><div style="text-align: left;">We had a great weekend at Ellie's parties and Andrew smoked lots of yummy food for everyone. We even went all out and rented a bouncey house for the kids and stayed outside in the backyard to be safe. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: left;">She got lots of cute toys and clothes and everyone had fun enjoying her cuteness. The first night she was NOT happy (I think she's a little socially awkward because we've been in quarantine so long! Ha!) But the second night she was much more comfortable and even ate her smash cake so I was happy. She's just so much fun and I wish I could freeze her and time and my babies forever right now. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_opmmGktw4DMdFxrcCxacukgdEaIbGwZ8D9xuTJlDZhfrU5pqxFxQqHmgNCYE53GHnXYuBH4QLyTNPEmVuWU3DJM8wFAlphbNZcLqtkbEKuftfEOH_axxKp3vRm-Du71Nw_5pXoYpRao/s2048/E3BDD883-8202-4149-9E6D-A888BA9274C7.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="625" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_opmmGktw4DMdFxrcCxacukgdEaIbGwZ8D9xuTJlDZhfrU5pqxFxQqHmgNCYE53GHnXYuBH4QLyTNPEmVuWU3DJM8wFAlphbNZcLqtkbEKuftfEOH_axxKp3vRm-Du71Nw_5pXoYpRao/w469-h625/E3BDD883-8202-4149-9E6D-A888BA9274C7.jpeg" width="469" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixemCq0J_q8qBSqe_7mCyNEPKzRFjdXTjBI16ycJQXPgqazbNMt2s5WmREUh2vEUZQ-K5zjJ15mSqHJk3jhasi9iEKwPiS4Q1FYGNVd9S_cTEQBwmtFkevOUDltSjReZBHP2Ms6pODwZw/s2048/4AACDB2D-1481-413F-B045-676AC07794CD.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="625" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixemCq0J_q8qBSqe_7mCyNEPKzRFjdXTjBI16ycJQXPgqazbNMt2s5WmREUh2vEUZQ-K5zjJ15mSqHJk3jhasi9iEKwPiS4Q1FYGNVd9S_cTEQBwmtFkevOUDltSjReZBHP2Ms6pODwZw/w469-h625/4AACDB2D-1481-413F-B045-676AC07794CD.jpeg" width="469" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdrCfXlSXwezfuKbRu7gTD-g62arwzLpu2r3KykDLWQm7VPjYrysW666MSoOSO-czzoL86Vj9Ft42he0unfQb-O96VQEP860o4plx1rYTf-8hFZYzESPbVBJs7taJ8qzRQChg4GbgIjPc/s2048/5C6CFD1A-8574-48DD-9EC8-66BBEC705B89.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="625" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdrCfXlSXwezfuKbRu7gTD-g62arwzLpu2r3KykDLWQm7VPjYrysW666MSoOSO-czzoL86Vj9Ft42he0unfQb-O96VQEP860o4plx1rYTf-8hFZYzESPbVBJs7taJ8qzRQChg4GbgIjPc/w469-h625/5C6CFD1A-8574-48DD-9EC8-66BBEC705B89.jpeg" width="469" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji854oWn6AC9KOz4kZFsUDZIe2zeUwcmdvdjGskse6ZlmOtNmNEhW12TppAOyAHUkdemithVBKvF6kew2ghyj8Gn3_552Ee3F_N26UHWB5Y8M0zZf_Q0sDR7DLmHJhWQihbiguB6YPpxA/s2048/39610C42-10EC-4541-9C62-B78E356DD844.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="469" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji854oWn6AC9KOz4kZFsUDZIe2zeUwcmdvdjGskse6ZlmOtNmNEhW12TppAOyAHUkdemithVBKvF6kew2ghyj8Gn3_552Ee3F_N26UHWB5Y8M0zZf_Q0sDR7DLmHJhWQihbiguB6YPpxA/w625-h469/39610C42-10EC-4541-9C62-B78E356DD844.jpeg" width="625" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiST533danuaQzVi_gNXSz9067NZ6zef66JjE3-_Je3dXRTK15e0dmS7kbgYhvGnpnbI69se63SQ4wyxUC7Ng3sl2gIyFD4KYwyJhmQ5OzWyD1sqzVwhrcqt50-XVe9TE5jMEjQSrlinCE/s2048/C200C8A4-3A16-4B6D-A66E-23FF2A35E8B1.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="469" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiST533danuaQzVi_gNXSz9067NZ6zef66JjE3-_Je3dXRTK15e0dmS7kbgYhvGnpnbI69se63SQ4wyxUC7Ng3sl2gIyFD4KYwyJhmQ5OzWyD1sqzVwhrcqt50-XVe9TE5jMEjQSrlinCE/w625-h469/C200C8A4-3A16-4B6D-A66E-23FF2A35E8B1.heic" width="625" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: left;">With Chance, it felt like the first year of his life was the longest year of my life. Everything was new and unexpected and stressful for me since I felt like I didn't know what I was doing. With Ellie it's felt like it has completely flown by and it feels like time just keeps going faster and faster. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Ellie has been such a dream baby. I think it's a combination of me being so much more relaxed and her being SO easy. She's really just been so easy from the beginning. Ellie goes with the flow, eats, sleeps and hangs out and does whatever we want her to do! In her first year of life she's been to Lake Powell three times (the first time at 2 weeks old!), St George (4 weeks old), Bear Lake, many day boating trips, Disneyland, Hawaii, skiing in the mountains, and so much more. She's such a great little traveler and really just goes with our flow. Her life jacket has actually become her favorite sleeping spot! :) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYqbs54ODbOpBSSyqsZ2KHHy4SSykS-q-li_JxCiTPklEKiQn2e1vlK21f2BG837tKzAPEVBhGEu1DU5_JqF3Q4dG9ImYJ0WUE28flLo5ELusvszRyVgmHi_bi4ZNWCfimPm_v4rpTsho/s2048/2DF4DA18-81FB-4607-930B-0630EDA09A64.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYqbs54ODbOpBSSyqsZ2KHHy4SSykS-q-li_JxCiTPklEKiQn2e1vlK21f2BG837tKzAPEVBhGEu1DU5_JqF3Q4dG9ImYJ0WUE28flLo5ELusvszRyVgmHi_bi4ZNWCfimPm_v4rpTsho/w500-h375/2DF4DA18-81FB-4607-930B-0630EDA09A64.jpeg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">When I look back on this first year I'll always be so grateful for all the sweet moments I got to have with her in so many beautiful places! We really got through the "nursing, sleeping, nurse some more" phase while having so much fun! But really, the down side has been how FAST it has gone. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe2p19CzzqAuhfrf_PuYOXsr39JbMBMbcHmcdv74PydjxNyTKjrkOe7OTcOkvzPB6Ii3cns_IfmvoIpWp1b30nq2IKDQD60VBkxrmAxdh6l2_L5l0tQKyutqk-6nINTrsbeKW19hG3KlU/s1991/6FAFD3D0-DE8A-43BD-8CBE-B3D66EA81731.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="1991" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe2p19CzzqAuhfrf_PuYOXsr39JbMBMbcHmcdv74PydjxNyTKjrkOe7OTcOkvzPB6Ii3cns_IfmvoIpWp1b30nq2IKDQD60VBkxrmAxdh6l2_L5l0tQKyutqk-6nINTrsbeKW19hG3KlU/w500-h386/6FAFD3D0-DE8A-43BD-8CBE-B3D66EA81731.jpeg" title="Ellie in California" width="500" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Ellie in California^^</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh2UjEqLRJvUP5fDmW09dqQ1V-CeF9lnTt3s-D6VgX_8iH0U-QJidQ9GEGCbz-xYnOf92Jxmpt1KP-4bvnCHNMqkiw6ov072F-nT9g8QwWlOm8cuoBXsKT6IhG312tBsm1z6zbkyD8-HQ/s2048/F884524F-6F1E-4E59-A711-E728D2C0D418.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh2UjEqLRJvUP5fDmW09dqQ1V-CeF9lnTt3s-D6VgX_8iH0U-QJidQ9GEGCbz-xYnOf92Jxmpt1KP-4bvnCHNMqkiw6ov072F-nT9g8QwWlOm8cuoBXsKT6IhG312tBsm1z6zbkyD8-HQ/w500-h375/F884524F-6F1E-4E59-A711-E728D2C0D418.jpeg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7BPmx9J5w1scJSYWUzBxfxLd5CVfpZGUOkjs9BQGkQa8jsd4894MeiR1Peyy-6cJtSAfVYVx8b1u60Vv_64MbnQ9OCuclZSZPWMchrGy6cnfVNtiwekrQgPxByF__NcSpLjJfyCr_r3o/s2048/9C708E85-0FB3-48E0-972D-493F286DA6FB.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="625" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7BPmx9J5w1scJSYWUzBxfxLd5CVfpZGUOkjs9BQGkQa8jsd4894MeiR1Peyy-6cJtSAfVYVx8b1u60Vv_64MbnQ9OCuclZSZPWMchrGy6cnfVNtiwekrQgPxByF__NcSpLjJfyCr_r3o/w469-h625/9C708E85-0FB3-48E0-972D-493F286DA6FB.jpeg" width="469" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbAtx9Wtn1_TqtPdWomwFHboLbhy3RMw6nFIM2Kq_9DJjM8fkfwivYjnCVurC-yNRxvITmtjqOHgCg5g0nuYUTVefTvli3xtC8MrQXoh801YtaozeMWaQB941mMwwSZZ1AY4uPAdbJAZs/s1820/8E0B72B9-4B76-4288-9A25-F55E74DE2257.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1820" data-original-width="1024" height="781" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbAtx9Wtn1_TqtPdWomwFHboLbhy3RMw6nFIM2Kq_9DJjM8fkfwivYjnCVurC-yNRxvITmtjqOHgCg5g0nuYUTVefTvli3xtC8MrQXoh801YtaozeMWaQB941mMwwSZZ1AY4uPAdbJAZs/w439-h781/8E0B72B9-4B76-4288-9A25-F55E74DE2257.jpeg" width="439" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">^^Ellie in Hawaii^^</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMwRuccOF7nZRQ-UxwboBkjWARZRCa6Y51s5xMsFuDWWUp7gSISFyoSZQkkrnck2IVddVWR-kjH7QQCWbhQV21MBVaR8tqatFLotBs2QRnwz__Gic28GeZ3IihDgrJN0TLlUF2MdQWHzA/s2048/16E5EBD9-ADEC-48FA-8498-57899707F423.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMwRuccOF7nZRQ-UxwboBkjWARZRCa6Y51s5xMsFuDWWUp7gSISFyoSZQkkrnck2IVddVWR-kjH7QQCWbhQV21MBVaR8tqatFLotBs2QRnwz__Gic28GeZ3IihDgrJN0TLlUF2MdQWHzA/w375-h500/16E5EBD9-ADEC-48FA-8498-57899707F423.jpeg" width="375" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">^^Ellie in Bear Lake^^</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim6-1jOvv3_hpZ8ed7N0Uh3jsGIxKTdFhPwitihQL87AzbdOqLAfUeKO8F0S_DjtJHtPo2-9qDmRxN9-EnicXb9wPBgrVxW3n1SoDTNFrsT_YVs4wy_UkQFORqlB0k9w_dUykA4QSb8n0/s1795/33A1BD24-C286-4BE5-B92F-D64873F35A03.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1795" data-original-width="1440" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim6-1jOvv3_hpZ8ed7N0Uh3jsGIxKTdFhPwitihQL87AzbdOqLAfUeKO8F0S_DjtJHtPo2-9qDmRxN9-EnicXb9wPBgrVxW3n1SoDTNFrsT_YVs4wy_UkQFORqlB0k9w_dUykA4QSb8n0/w401-h500/33A1BD24-C286-4BE5-B92F-D64873F35A03.jpeg" width="401" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRTu4cV-2nLnj417jPfLYoJ6KykUIDCdFxWSIAByTPBdESMRr_VOjBu7C6P4r7F4ZUupHTAimYMT6besP7Coel5ZG2Hx9JDf3GvBabbJDLrvMuNrDPiaOT72RtcpYCscdNUCL0_s9eRck/s1800/DBA4C3F1-3D31-46D0-A00D-B0A5AB23F4AB.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRTu4cV-2nLnj417jPfLYoJ6KykUIDCdFxWSIAByTPBdESMRr_VOjBu7C6P4r7F4ZUupHTAimYMT6besP7Coel5ZG2Hx9JDf3GvBabbJDLrvMuNrDPiaOT72RtcpYCscdNUCL0_s9eRck/w400-h500/DBA4C3F1-3D31-46D0-A00D-B0A5AB23F4AB.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">^^Ellie in Disneyland!^^</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvYMiswMSM7U4YLCP7I10WVYhzAew4EJAGWZ5zpKlHl6lKRcbZYpAjWRRgyr9mjQw2VXoVjbyK5TAjWVCre2A-WClvM1fdUkmj48nvXhnoW4ysFm5Da2r8rkuTM1Cs8Nct124uuAXid3U/s2048/76D2358D-7438-4768-ABEE-F9FCCFE9A251.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvYMiswMSM7U4YLCP7I10WVYhzAew4EJAGWZ5zpKlHl6lKRcbZYpAjWRRgyr9mjQw2VXoVjbyK5TAjWVCre2A-WClvM1fdUkmj48nvXhnoW4ysFm5Da2r8rkuTM1Cs8Nct124uuAXid3U/w500-h333/76D2358D-7438-4768-ABEE-F9FCCFE9A251.jpeg" width="500" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggOqaCJ_KSA95Ezscp1WLNEPefbHk0y00Y_b2H1UBg2QAw8p2Xtiw6zZWIOONvLB3sQc9QjvHbwbKEukiMmzcjdRm3sOcv-eDCyn-VKRqinJizyWuKkl7a4dhglEfWh8xmevtHHe4c-cg/s2048/B68508E6-ACC6-4DE3-A60E-2C13FF675D89.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggOqaCJ_KSA95Ezscp1WLNEPefbHk0y00Y_b2H1UBg2QAw8p2Xtiw6zZWIOONvLB3sQc9QjvHbwbKEukiMmzcjdRm3sOcv-eDCyn-VKRqinJizyWuKkl7a4dhglEfWh8xmevtHHe4c-cg/w375-h500/B68508E6-ACC6-4DE3-A60E-2C13FF675D89.jpeg" width="375" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">^^Ellie in Lake Powell^^</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZmDeF-MThPWchWatR2t0lRAlTw5A5NLwuQRRnTWWVAq8J-pkHDt1gb848Jxn3qTNxElgUpC4lAhuF9nBDKasb7tZEvwNiQNI_QWlXn5sexUn3x5MAkHsIYc5m2HqPvQgiCtuZLNCmQwk/s2048/462F81C1-C969-4C74-8C12-3DB89904862A.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1537" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZmDeF-MThPWchWatR2t0lRAlTw5A5NLwuQRRnTWWVAq8J-pkHDt1gb848Jxn3qTNxElgUpC4lAhuF9nBDKasb7tZEvwNiQNI_QWlXn5sexUn3x5MAkHsIYc5m2HqPvQgiCtuZLNCmQwk/w375-h500/462F81C1-C969-4C74-8C12-3DB89904862A.jpeg" width="375" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">^^Ellie at the rodeo!^^</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEeQ0OczPAbe2FZ123gv90TQXYwijRooe6uKePQCh4JNqYMTGZEaOXnhurMLPiMZE9Lc4ZcujYzxPkhSnZmHoVHYwLlgvzcekIuMpKD7SuntUmGfVHxSXzECgJyBy_phDJweJfCn52iNM/s2048/B5A3C608-F090-46DF-BEC1-B99C9D1BA05C.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEeQ0OczPAbe2FZ123gv90TQXYwijRooe6uKePQCh4JNqYMTGZEaOXnhurMLPiMZE9Lc4ZcujYzxPkhSnZmHoVHYwLlgvzcekIuMpKD7SuntUmGfVHxSXzECgJyBy_phDJweJfCn52iNM/w300-h400/B5A3C608-F090-46DF-BEC1-B99C9D1BA05C.heic" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">^^Ellie in St. George^^</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF7D-nlMDjA4OjXueXEcSmyXDLtfaPQ11zjFWkDFluDMCar9u3BjCD7CoZHa02MDebsiPfZsLWRlJlWTQq14PHWKYnoefywy1Z-zN9RcEt_XQ9gZDYBNeiy0c34w6hux3vkH1YGty4HuE/s2048/C801AAC5-8E38-4A47-88DD-D45F23FF537E.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF7D-nlMDjA4OjXueXEcSmyXDLtfaPQ11zjFWkDFluDMCar9u3BjCD7CoZHa02MDebsiPfZsLWRlJlWTQq14PHWKYnoefywy1Z-zN9RcEt_XQ9gZDYBNeiy0c34w6hux3vkH1YGty4HuE/w375-h500/C801AAC5-8E38-4A47-88DD-D45F23FF537E.jpeg" width="375" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">^^Chance is SO IN LOVE with Ellie and is such a cute, sweet brother to her^^</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Since Ellie was born I have loved so much about her. Being pregnant with her was more fun this time around, pushing TWICE to get her here was a dream, and the biggest dream of all was how healthy, happy and amazingly beautiful she was from day one. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Some of my favorite things about Ellie when she was a newborn were:</div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Her calm demeanor</li><li>Her HAIR! So much hair and so curly and dark, which were both unexpected (Chance was BALD then blonde!) It's been so much fun</li><li>How good of a sleeper she was...so easy!</li><li>Her coo noises when she sleeps</li><li>How much she loves me and is attached to me! </li><li>How much she loves her daddy </li></ul><div>Now that she's a little bigger my favorite things about her have changed but here they are so I never forget!</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Her spirit! She is spunky and fiesty! She let's us know exactly what she wants when she wants it, even though she can't talk!</li><li>Her dancing skills and how she shakes all over and smiles whenever music comes on </li><li>Her wrist and feet movements whenever she's excited about something</li><li>How much she loves Chance</li><li>How good of a sleeper she still is! </li><li>Her amazing pirate teeth - they've come in so randomly, the side teeth have come in before her front teeth so we joke that she looks like a pirate :)</li><li>The way she sits facing me on my lap and always hugs and snuggles me </li><li>The way here hair smells when she's all clean </li><li>The way she hugs and squezes any stuffed animal you give her</li><li>I could go forever! </li></ul><div>Here are a few of my favorite pictures of Ellie from her first year! She's just the best and I'm so glad I get to be her mom. </div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_tzaMrclqgpAHKCtoRumYcwsIySUiyimcrBZY3znQomc7KQANtu6Y5MkvBoy7xkwc0nFFQ4KS3KU_ab4xFcGnWWBCtzEyGUFV-xut1uRuoSYzLj-wVgDL2S3RyLJ0X2VS6mRmP8Kfrtk/s2048/8470BAC6-F0BF-4266-9AAF-43F8A3478D94.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="625" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_tzaMrclqgpAHKCtoRumYcwsIySUiyimcrBZY3znQomc7KQANtu6Y5MkvBoy7xkwc0nFFQ4KS3KU_ab4xFcGnWWBCtzEyGUFV-xut1uRuoSYzLj-wVgDL2S3RyLJ0X2VS6mRmP8Kfrtk/w469-h625/8470BAC6-F0BF-4266-9AAF-43F8A3478D94.jpeg" width="469" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEYxXVJlcWpRarHFpx-LHQxMJGTyfgzCnLSHOMYXenKk9oTJ7nQdcy8Taj2GgZKOcJ8Tsg9C2Mc1ztyEYKGnRkf-3q4VC1kNuKE8pGCgG0mVgodEIoBv6U9kq-d27_ReB3UvcYZsI3cqg/s2048/7C261BE6-6006-47AC-8A18-A0B7ECF9E14E.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="625" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEYxXVJlcWpRarHFpx-LHQxMJGTyfgzCnLSHOMYXenKk9oTJ7nQdcy8Taj2GgZKOcJ8Tsg9C2Mc1ztyEYKGnRkf-3q4VC1kNuKE8pGCgG0mVgodEIoBv6U9kq-d27_ReB3UvcYZsI3cqg/w469-h625/7C261BE6-6006-47AC-8A18-A0B7ECF9E14E.jpeg" width="469" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjovXwgFufZYuMEC179EHMJhX7HpriWbTavvXfR6FVo0XkFW2g5tusYt2ya4E2AJ3DqbdCP7TXo7geDomfFgHgfKp0e9JVFo8QuhS9EgUp-vBjmufVVlZgthQdESgMTRrPTG1JjXIxgSIY/s2048/4DA98FBD-49E0-47BE-BF47-69ACF9669B83.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="625" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjovXwgFufZYuMEC179EHMJhX7HpriWbTavvXfR6FVo0XkFW2g5tusYt2ya4E2AJ3DqbdCP7TXo7geDomfFgHgfKp0e9JVFo8QuhS9EgUp-vBjmufVVlZgthQdESgMTRrPTG1JjXIxgSIY/w469-h625/4DA98FBD-49E0-47BE-BF47-69ACF9669B83.jpeg" width="469" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">xoxo</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">-steph</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>stephchristensen15http://www.blogger.com/profile/01952034108385316697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2458695105088699530.post-85149613147794712162020-04-14T08:52:00.002-07:002020-04-14T09:07:16.413-07:00Easter weekend <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We just wrapped up Easter weekend and it was a good one in the midst of this crazy time. We were originally planning on being in Rome on Easter Sunday which is unthinkable now! It is SO crazy to think how fast and how much things have changed in just a couple of months.<br />
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Right now everyone continues to be at home and practice "social distancing." We haven't been able to gather with our families and friends and so it was kind of a bummer not having a big Easter like we're used to but we made it fun and it ended up being a really great weekend. We visited grandmas, cooked and baked lots of food, and really enjoyed quality time together. With how much we travel this whole "stay home" thing has really been different for Andrew and me but I think it's been really good for us and our kids to be forced to slow down. Even though we've had to cancel trips I feel like this was so much better to be able to spend quality time at home.<br />
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On Friday we decided to go visit Andrew's Grandma Fonny (she's 98!) and even thought we couldn't give hugs we had a really nice time. She sat in her yard and watched Chance do an Easter egg hunt we brought for him. It was a sunny, warm day (finally!) and her trees were blossoming and I just felt so happy and peaceful watching my cute kids and enjoying spending some time with her. We also brought a picnic and laid on a blanket and visited with Grandma. She hasn't been able to do anything with anyone so she was so happy we did this and it was so fun to watch her light up watching Chance chase eggs and Ellie crawl around. She still calls Chance "Chase" which cracks me up but we love it.<br />
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Naturally I made Ellie and Chance pose for a photo shoot because they looked so cute and Springy! Ah they make me melt! It only I could get Chance to smile like a normal person...haha.<br />
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We also brought Chance's soccer ball and goal and he and Andrew ran around and played soccer after Chance had found all his eggs. Grandma loved watching them and I loved laying in the sun. At one point Grandma mentioned how pretty her trees looked because they had just been trimmed and I couldn't help but think how amazing she is, she's always able to find beauty and joy in every situation and I absolutely love that about her. She's one of the most positive people I've ever met and I love her like my own grandma.<br />
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I was so happy to see the blossoms in full bloom on grandma's street. This is one of my favorite little streets in all of Utah! </div>
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After we went to Grandma's we came home and had naps (all of us...perks of quarantine!) And when the kids woke up we hung out at home and baked Easter cupcakes and hung out. It was a lot of fun! </div>
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Saturday I got up before the sun and went for a long 12 mile run. It felt so good to be up before the world and run long and hard. One day I'm going to be old like our grandmas and I just really enjoyed this run by myself. I hope I never take for granted how good it feels to be young and strong and alive! I came home and hung out with the kids while Andrew went for a run, then we had the best time waiting outside on our curb for the Easter Bunny to come drive through our neighborhood. The city set this up and it was a cute little bonus for us since we couldn't go anywhere. Chance loved waving at the bunny and having fun shouting across the street to our neighbors as they sat in their yards.</div>
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After the parade we packed up and headed up to Grandma Cows (her real name is Joye and Ellie is named after her but that's her nickname because of her farm) but we went up there for another Easter egg hunt! Andrew hid the eggs in her beautiful yard and we visited and had fun with her while enjoying her gorgeous views. The kids loved seeing the horses too and I loved taking pictures of them! It was another awesome day and I couldn't help but thinking if we had been in Italy during this time we would have missed out on this special time visiting with our grandmas.<br />
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After we went to Grandma Cow's we went to Andrew's parents house for our third and final egg hunt. Chance was in heaven and played with some of their toys outside while Andrew and I ate lunch on the deck and visited with Andrew's parents and Joshy from a distance. It was such good weather and it was sooo good to visit with people even though we couldn't get closer. </div>
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We ended Saturday with lots of cooking (potatoes and rolls and cake for Luke's birthday) and had fun being home with just the four of us. </div>
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On Sunday we woke up and did home church with Chance and he was may be a little traumatized about the crucifixion of Christ but we did our best to teach him HA! We had fun being lazy on Sunday morning and in the afternoon I finished making us a yummy feast of WAY too much food for only 2 adults and a toddler and a baby (whoops) but we had a yummy dinner and another great day. </div>
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We didn't have real flowers this year so Chance and I made these awesome tulips for our table centerpiece. :) </div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Andrew and I also celebrated our 8 year anniversary on Sunday! It's so crazy to think of all that has changed in 8 years! We've built so much together! We watched our wedding video in the basement with our kids and talked about our early dating and marriage days and it was so much fun. Hopefully we'll get a much needed date night in the near future and actually enjoy a real anniversary but this will do for now. I can't even imagine having a babysitter and actually going out again. That sounds SO nice. Sigh. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Spring time blossoms will always have a special place in my heart! </span></div>
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I am feeling so grateful for my little family, our home and my health during this crazy time in the world. I can't believe I'm living through a time where my friend just brought me a mask for me and Chance to wear to the grocery store, I don't leave my house without hand sanitizer, and I've only been to one store in over a month. These are definitely times I never thought I'd see, but I'm realizing for me this is a great experience to go through. There is so much value in slowing down my life. I am always busy, always going, but in the last month I've felt more moments of peace than I can remember in a long time.</div>
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Happy Easter!</div>
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xoxo</div>
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-steph </div>
stephchristensen15http://www.blogger.com/profile/01952034108385316697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2458695105088699530.post-69671474301281635002020-04-03T22:26:00.001-07:002020-04-03T22:26:36.680-07:00Another Day in Quarantine<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This week has started to feel hard as the reality of my new normal is starting to sink in. We're on week 3 of being pretty much shut down and socially distanced from everyone and with no end in sight I've become discouraged these past few days. I am still waking up, cleaning my house, doing the things I have to get done, but inside I'm feeling down and uneasy about how much longer this is going to last and the affect it will have on our family and so many people we love, physically, emotionally, and financially. I get so angry watching the news I have had to limit my consumption. I really can't even handle how much back and forth blaming and bickering there is - it is so discouraging for me to see our country leadership spending more time pointing fingers and placing blame at a time when I so strongly feel we should all be coming together to solve problems and save lives. It feels so backwards to me and it just really brings me down so I watch Cake Wars instead and I've found I'm much happier.<br />
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The first 2 weeks we were home, Andrew and I decided we were going to use this time to focus on our health and get ripped out of our minds. :) I have been working out like crazy and even ran a half marathon outside last Saturday! This week though, I decided to chill out a little. I'm still running and working out but I decided to make Lavain Bakery cookies and one thing led to another and now it's Saturday and all I have done is eat lots of cookies this week. I will admit this strategy has been good and made me happier so I'm just going to go with it. Desperate times I guess. I'm currently on the fence though as to whether or not I want to use this time to keep working out and be disciplined or if I should just let myself go for a month or two and pig out? It really is 50-50, I am totally on the fence...so we shall see. I really just wish someone could tell me how long this thing is going to last so I could plan on when I need to kick my butt into gear. :)<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">^^I spend a lot of my time in our gym these days. I am so glad we got this finished!^^</span></div>
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Today was an okay day. I woke up feeling positive and ready to be an awesome mom. I got Chance breakfast and took my time feeding Ellie in our green comfy chair and just played with her, sang to her and read to her for longer than usual. I figured we have nowhere to go and nothing to do, so why not just sit? It was pretty sweet and made my heart happy to just sit and enjoy her and all her cuteness.<br />
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I forced Chance to do some chores like I do everyday and he fought me on it like he does everyday. Today he had to clean up his room (which was very easy since most of his room is currently a fort right now), he had to wipe down light switches, and pick up his toys. Surprisingly this takes him almost an hour each day. He's a maniac and takes so long. I tell him I'm going to start "counting" and you would think I beat him or something with the way he panics when I start counting. I don't even know how far I'm counting or what the outcome would be if I got to a made up number, and either does he, but it works and makes him get going so I guess that's a win? After chores Ellie napped and Chance and I had some time to hang out just the two of us since Andrew was downstairs working all day. We FaceTimed my mom and she was sounding down so we decided we would "heart attack" her. We cut out some cute hearts (Chance is working on his cutting) and drew notes and pictures on them.<br />
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After Ellie woke up from her nap we had lunch and drove up to "Grammys" after picking up some Chip cookies to drop off to her. It's so weird how everything is either shut down or curb-side service. I got my cookies and wiped the box with Lysol before brining them into the car. I had that same thought I always get, which is how in the hell did we get here? And how weird is it that it is becoming instinctive and impulsive for me to wipe down anything I touch, hand sanitize and wash my hands like crazy, and not want my kids to be inside anywhere but my home? I forced myself to push out those thoughts and come back to the present moment, like I always do whenever I start going down a scary mind path.<br />
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Chance and I listened to Disney songs in the car as we drove the half hour to grammy's. Every song that comes on he asks "what movie is that mom?" We also played his new favorite game which is "I Spy" and had a lot of fun. I think I'm going to write down all the questions he asks in a day and record them here, just to remember how funny and curious he is right now. It's exhausting trying to be a good parent. I sometimes just want to tell him to be quiet but then I remember how he geniunely just loves that he can talk now and so badly just wants to learn.<br />
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When we got to grammy's we decided to be sneaky and doorbell ditch her. Chance held the hearts and I taped them and he stuck them on her door. We then rang the doorbell and ran around to the side of her house and waited for her to open the door. Once she opened we jumped out and said "SURPRISE!" and we were all equally excited. My mom was happy to have us visit and Chance was stoked about this new concept of doorbell ditching and can't wait to try it out some more. We stayed for a while and played in the backyard while my mom sat up on the deck and we talked until we got too cold.<br />
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I forgot Chance's jacket so he wore my hoodie and looked like a hoodlum and played while I froze my buns off. Ellie ate crackers on a blanket and waved at grammy like the perfect little angel child she is. We made Chance run to the fence and back a few times to get his wiggles out. I pushed him on the swing and tried to teach him how to "pump" by himself but he wasn't getting it.<br />
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We came home and all took a nap today. I have been taking naps lately at 3pm when both kids nap just because I can. It's a good part of my day these days so I'm going to live it up while I can. :) When we woke up Andrew had finished work so we all drove to get dinner (J Dawgs was closed and I was devastated, so we settled for Carls Jr. because it had the smallest drive-thru line. The food ended up being as mediocre as I remembered it when I ate there last which was at least 10+ years ago). We drove then to Meiers Meats in Alpine and then finished driving around looking at a couple of lots and talking about what our future holds.<br />
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One of my favorite things about Andrew is that after almost 8 years of being married to him, I absolutely love talking to him like old friends. I like to just have regular conversations with him like a friend and he's just a good person to talk to. I think it's a really good thing that we can still just genuinely enjoy a normal, mundane thing like driving in the car and talking.<br />
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We came home and Andrew and Chance decided to have a "special sleepover" downstairs. Chance was stoked so they decided to watch a movie and pop popcorn. I fed Ellie and put her to bed, then had a bubble bath and some time alone in my thoughts. I decided to get my computer out and just start writing. It really is therapeutic for me at a time like this.<br />
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Chance has been obsessed with Frozen 2 lately. There is a song that I love that has stuck with me during this crazy time and I keep coming back to the phrase "do the next right thing" throughout my days. Elsa is lost and Ana thinks she is either gone or dead or something, and is in total despair. The song talk about how when you're lost and alone and not sure what to do you get up, and do the next right thing.<br />
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I love this part of the song:<br />
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You are lost, hope is gone<br />
But you must go on<br />
And do the next right thing<br />
Can there be a day beyond this night?<br />
I don't know anymore what is true<br />
I can't find my direction, I'm all alone<br />
The only star that guided me was you<br />
How to rise from the floor?<br />
But it's not you I'm rising for<br />
Just do the next right thing<br />
Take a step, step again<br />
It is all that I can to do<br />
The next right thing<br />
I won't look too far ahead<br />
It's too much for me to take<br />
But break it down to this next breath, this next step<br />
This next choice is one that I can make<br />
So I'll walk through this night<br />
Stumbling blindly toward the light<br />
And do the next right thing<br />
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I think that will be my motto for the rest of this Coronavirus craziness, however long that lasts. Just to focus on doing the next right thing. Not looking too far ahead but to break it down and just keep going until this is a memory and thing of the past.<br />
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I am uncertain and uneasy about the future for me and so many people I love. I worry about the economy, our health, and what lies ahead in these weird times. I do know that all I can do is focus on doing the next right thing and make the most of this crazy time.<br />
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xoxo<br />
-steph<br />
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stephchristensen15http://www.blogger.com/profile/01952034108385316697noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2458695105088699530.post-61459359039509979562020-04-02T21:53:00.002-07:002020-04-02T22:06:28.052-07:00COVID-19 and 2020 so far<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Coronavirus. The first time I heard about this virus in China was in December. I was in the thick of planning our annual big X4 event with Qualtrics and we heard from one of our manufacturers in China that one of our huge swag shipments might be delayed because their factories were shut down due to this illness called the "Coronavirus". This was really stressful at the time because it was a huge order, and not having it arrive would have been a huge loss that would have majorly impacted our event. It's so weird for me to think now that in that moment, that was my concern. I had no idea how much things would change, how much my life would be impacted, and how quickly things could escalate. Never in my wildest imagination did I think that in the modern world I'd live to see times like these.<br />
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January and early February flew by as we were busy planning for X4. We had ski passes and were skiing a lot, having as much fun as possible during this crazy work time for us. Andrew and I were both kind of rocked when Kobe Bryant died in a helicopter crash. But we started hearing about Coronavirus more and more at work. We are an international company at Qualtrics so I have lots of friends I work with in various parts all over the world. We knew it was growing fast, but for some reason I thought the U.S. would be untouchable. And even if it was touchable, we would be able to quickly and efficiently nip it before it affected me much.</div>
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In February we started to get nervous. Coronavirus hit the US and people were starting to talk about how quickly it spreads, and through contact. It was the first time I had heard the term "social distancing" and more and more people were talking about how it may be good to avoid big groups for the time being. </div>
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As February wore on I started to get nervous about our event canceling. Conferences in Australia, Europe, China, and other parts of the world started canceling. Then Facebook and Salesforce canceled theirs. The week before we canceled Domopalooza announced their cancelation. It was really surreal and I couldn't believe it when our boss announced to us we would cancel. I cried lots of tears and was disappointed. </div>
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Once the reality set in of what this meant, I started to get nervous. I was seeing what was happening in Italy with how fast the virus was spreading, and talking to my friends in London and Australia who were dealing with lockdowns, empty grocery store shelves, and limitations on where they could go and when. It started to sink in that this virus was here, it wasn't going anywhere, and I needed to prepare.</div>
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While we have always had a decent amount of food storage for emergencies, I felt a lot of anxiety thinking about not being able to buy hand sanitizer, cleaning products, diapers, and formula for Ellie like I was seeing in other parts of the world. The first thoughts I had were I needed to prepare. I dropped the kids off at Candice's one morning and instead of going into the office I spent the day at Costco and Walmart. I knew I might be being crazy but I didn't really care. This was before the rush happened but I could see a handful of people getting prepared like I was, but nothing crazy like we would see in the coming weeks. I spent about $1,200 dollars on groceries in about 3 hours. I was careful not to hoard or buy things we wouldn't use, eat or need. But I bought all the things that gave me comfort. Lots of baby food, 12 boxes of formula for Ellie, Chance's favorite foods, lots of frozen chicken and hamburger. Lots of yummy snacks and tons of diapers, wipes, tampons, and cleaning stuff. Looking back I am SO glad I did this. Lots of people thought I was acting silly at the time. Many of my friends and family were still not taking the virus seriously, but because I was so in touch with many people globally I feel like I had a pretty clear view early on as to how serious this was. </div>
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On March 11th a global pandemic was officially declared. About a week after I stocked up and got organized all hell broke loose when Rudy Gobert, center for the Utah Jazz, tested positive for Coronavirus and shut down the NBA. They literally just stopped playing and shut everything down in ONE day. Everything seemed to change after that. I couldn't believe they would just stop the NBA. It still seems surreal to me. Schools closed. Pretty much every event after that was canceled. People stopped gathering, traveling, and started the "social distancing" movement per the CDC and WHO's recommendation to "flatten the curve", as there was a fear that the virus would overwhelm our healthcare system. Disneyland closed and I may or may not have cried about that. </div>
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March 15th was the last time our family got together for my birthday. We hung out at my mom's house and did cake and presents, but my birthday was kind of lost in the craziness as was to be expected. Since then we haven't touched, hugged, or been near anyone except for our little family of Chance, Ellie, Andrew and me. </div>
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I saw this on Facebook and wanted to post here so I can look back and remember all that has changed during this crazy time...</div>
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<li>Gas prices 2 miles from home was $1.99</li>
<li>All schools are canceled - yes canceled</li>
<li>Social distancing measures on the rise.</li>
<li>Tape on the floors at grocery stores and gas stations others to help distance shoppers (6ft) from each other.</li>
<li>Limited number of people inside stores, therefore, lineups outside the store doors.</li>
<li>Non-essential stores and businesses mandated closed.</li>
<li>Parks, trails, entire cities locked up.</li>
<li>Entire sports seasons canceled.</li>
<li>Concerts, tours, festivals, entertainment events - canceled.</li>
<li>Weddings, family celebrations, funerals, holiday gatherings - canceled.</li>
<li>No masses, churches are closed.</li>
<li>No gatherings of 50 or more, then 20 or more, now 10 or more.</li>
<li>Don't socialize with anyone outside of your home.</li>
<li>Children's outdoor play parks are closed.</li>
<li>We are to distance from each other.</li>
<li>Shortage of masks, gowns, gloves for our front-line workers.</li>
<li>Shortage of ventilators for the critically ill.</li>
<li>Panic buying sets in and we have no toilet paper, no disinfecting supplies, no paper towel no laundry soap, no hand sanitizer.</li>
<li>Groery store shelves are empty.</li>
<li>Manufacturers, distilleries and other businesses switch their lines to help make visors, masks, hand sanitizer, and PPE.</li>
<li>Government closes the border to all non-essential travel.</li>
<li>Fines are established for breaking the rules.</li>
<li>Stadiums and recreation facilities open up for the overflow of COVID-19 patients.</li>
<li>Press conferences daily from the President. Daily updates on new cases, recoveries, and deaths.</li>
<li>Government incentives to stay home.</li>
<li>Barely anyone on the roads.</li>
<li>People wearing masks and gloves outside.</li>
<li>Essential service workers are terrified to go to work.</li>
<li>Medical field workers are afraid to go home to their families. Many are sleeping in their garages.</li>
<li>People are making masks from homemade fabrics to donate to hospitals in short supply</li>
<li>This is the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic, declared March 11th, 2020.</li>
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This has truly been a surreal time for me. I wake up every morning and remember what is going on and it continues to surprise me, day in and day out. Andrew and I have both been working from home for almost a month now, and it's felt like an eternity. We've now canceled trips to Italy, Hawaii, Disneyland and possibly Lake Powell in May. </div>
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While this has been a challenging time, it really has been positive in a lot of ways. We have never spent so much time together at home. We are constantly traveling, working, and doing things. We have very active social lives and have lots going on what feels like constantly. So for us to be forced to be home, slow down, and spend time together has been really great for us. I have never made so many meals and we have never eaten at our table together so often. We also have had to get creative on ways to entertain ourselves. We've had lots of movie nights, lots of crafting, lots of working out, practicing braiding my hair HAHA, lots of baking and cooking, lots of chores, and lots of wrestling. </div>
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I have also spent a good amount of time taking cute pictures of my kids, online shopping, and even gave the boys haircuts this weekend which ended up being a total success! On some days I find myself dressing Ellie in darling outfits just to enjoy her cuteness, even thought we have nowhere to go! </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">^^they really both are so handsome^^</span></div>
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Tonight I had to leave the house and take a minute for myself though. Sometimes the weight of all this catches up to me and I feel like I need to step away for a second, breathe, and be sad for a minute. I know it may sound dramatic but I feel like I'm grieving what used to be. My old life of carefree travel, lots of play and lots of adventure and fun. I know it's selfish to think this way because so many people have it so much worse. We've been fortunate (so far) to keep our jobs in this, to have a nice home and good food and lots to keep us busy. I know we are so blessed and this is hard for me. I can't imagine how hard it is on other people who have more stress of illness, job loss, financial stresses and more. I drove around tonight to recalibrate and felt like I just needed a second to let myself be sad. I got a drink at Sonic and while I was driving saw how many businesses were completely empty. The parking lots were empty, and most had signs on the door that they were closed. I felt like a crazy person just driving and crying for a little while, thinking of how many people are struggling and how much life has changed so quickly.</div>
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I know things are going to be okay. I know that they will get better and some day this will be a distant memory, but that doesn't make this time any less challenging. I think it's okay to have emotion about this, and to go back and forth between strength and needing a moment to grieve the past. I think it will be some time before things get back to normal. There may even be a new normal after this. </div>
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Every day has its own challenges, but for now I'm going to keep waking up, keep working out, keep taking care of my babies and doing everything I can to control what I can control within my home.</div>
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xoxo</div>
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-steph</div>
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PS - I am going to keep journaling this journey for a while because writing seems to be therapeutic for me!</div>
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stephchristensen15http://www.blogger.com/profile/01952034108385316697noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2458695105088699530.post-58614436545621462882019-08-20T20:51:00.000-07:002020-04-02T20:51:47.691-07:00Ellie's Blessing Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Last Sunday we blessed our sweet Ellie Belly. It was a beautiful day and Andrew did such a great job with the blessing.We were so happy to have our awesome family and a few close friends in attendance. Ellie killed it with her pleated sleeves and I was proud of myself for making some pretty tasty food for us (PSA: chicken salad sandwiches with Dill are amazingggg). I also took a few last minute pictures of Ellie in our kitchen with Andrew holding her and they turned out just how I wanted! It was a successful day all around and my heart is so full.<br />
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Here are a few pictures so I don't forget how awesome it all was!<br />
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^^Ellie is clearly thrilled in this one! Ha!^^</div>
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<br />stephchristensen15http://www.blogger.com/profile/01952034108385316697noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2458695105088699530.post-21580661769544438722019-05-24T13:11:00.001-07:002020-09-22T21:31:51.003-07:00Ellie is here! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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I'm so excited to post about the arrival of our littlest cutest little munchkin. Ellie Joye Christensen joined our family on May 7th, 2019. She weighed 7 lbs 8 oz and was 21 inches long. She came SO fast (I literally pushed two times) and has been the best little person ever since. </div>
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She came with a full head of dark, CURLY hair and I love it so much. She had a perfectly round head (unlike Chance with his terrifying cone head!) and started nursing and sleeping like a gem. I'm not sure if I'm just more relaxed this time around but everything seems to be easier with her than with Chance.</div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">My heart is so full of love and joy these days. Being a mom has made me happier than I ever knew I could be, and I'm so fulfilled and content. Seeing Chance meet Ellie at the hospital for the first time and holding both my babies in my arms was one of the happiest moments of my life and I'm so grateful they are mine. </span><br />
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Having a little girl is FUN. I've gone kind of crazy on headbands and painted her toes already! It's so much fun and I'm so glad I have both a boy and a girl.<br />
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We had lots of visitors at the hospital and we were so excited to tell Grandma Joye we were naming Ellie after her. She cried and it was a very sweet moment. </div>
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Chance has been adjusting to Ellie surprisingly well! The first few days were a little rough (he didn't want Ellie in his room, etc.) but now he is obsessed with her and so sweet and gentle. He mostly just calls her "baby sister" and tries to shove things in her face for her to look at. </div>
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Andrew has been super-dad since she came and has been taking care of all of us as usual. He has a few weeks off work which is awesome and so he can keep Chance busy while I nurse 24/7! I kind of went a little crazy "nesting" this time around and ended up repainting our entire house days before she came. We got back from the hospital to find our house smelled SO stronly like fumes so we ended up going to Andrew's parents house and staying for a few days. It was crazy but SO amazing because 1) their house is like a 5 star resort and 2) they were able to help lots with Chance and Ellie while I recovered. It was such a huge blessing and worked out great. I've decided I want to stay there each time I have a baby! Haha!</div>
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For Ellie I wish all the best things in life. I hope she can be strong and soft in the best ways. I hope she is confident and finds happiness. I hope she grows up to be a beautiful young lady and is a good friend to others. I hope she finds her passions in life and lives to the fullest. I hope she knows how much I love her and how my heart felt like it could explode when I met her. </div>
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We love you Ellie! Welcome to our family! </div>
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ps - I am SO glad I'm not pregnant anymore...ouch!</div>
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xoxo</div>
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-steph </div>
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<br />stephchristensen15http://www.blogger.com/profile/01952034108385316697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2458695105088699530.post-88257961916840019632019-04-30T02:40:00.001-07:002019-04-30T02:42:26.734-07:00My Cute Easter Bunny Hoppy Easter!<br />
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Chance was looking so fly this year I couldn't let it go unblogged. He is getting so big I can't believe it. I'm bracing myself for baby girl to come soon and trying to prepare myself for the fact that it's got to be impossible to have a little girl as good and awesome and fun as Chance.<br />
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Some of my favorite things about him right now are:</div>
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<li>The way he says "Love you mommy" randomly all the time </li>
<li>His obsession with Andrew and wanting to rough house with him</li>
<li>How he always says "thank you" for everyhting I do for him (I seriously don't know where got that and wish I could take parenting credit but he really just does it)</li>
<li>How much he loves his cousins and "Finley" (our neighbor) </li>
<li>His spirit and zest for life</li>
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We had a great day at Church, spending time with family, and eating wayyyy to much sugar. Gotta love Easter!<br />
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xoxo<br />
-steph<br />
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<br />stephchristensen15http://www.blogger.com/profile/01952034108385316697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2458695105088699530.post-25619439426633624332018-12-12T21:48:00.003-08:002018-12-26T21:04:28.945-08:00Winter UpdateWinter is in full force over here!<br />
We have come to accept that our lives have two main seasons. About half the year (April-September) I call it our our “fun” season. We travel and play and boat and enjoy ourselves so much! Then the other half of the year is what I’ve dubbed the “gloomy” season. We work lots. I have my big event coming up in March so work gets nuts fast. Andrew has been super busy as well and traveling lots, so between the two of us we try and squeeze in some time for family and fun wherever we can.<br />
<img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTDzeATH4rpEIx7EKqpBwIdCLjN7JQ3d9zYTucoQY762GXMsKujSiasBvB5bVCaBF3bu1bnO-4jGKMIN8Tpvlew24arMgMfcue4U00_BaAJbdzWHuxzRupvoc05uHxtH_vjVQRLPPAKqg/" /><br />
It dumped snow a couple of weeks ago and we were so excited! We spent about 20 minutes getting chance bundled up to go play in the snow and he was outside for about 5 before Andrew and I got too paranoid that he would be sick and made him go inside.😂 Chance’s horrible lungs have made us crazy parents and him bubble boy in the winter, but we don’t care we just want to avoid a hospital visit this season!<br />
Other updates...we had a fun Thanksgiving. We ate lots because we went to two dinners back to back, per usual. Thanksgiving is always busy but fun with family and I love turkey dinners so much. We have been taking a yearly picture on the stairs since Chance was born and I love seeing how much he’s grown!<br />
<img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX9wu2jkpRwofSSmN-dqt_0tPVo0duWrce-b6QgL-5E-YU50Dy2BvKDBJX47zMNCsjhQfrtyIrKCztbl5ZTsUeWi5af3gRmaxixxWoMmVM7tItiApyCngm3Zhzou8HQK01zx_lKD9WzAs/" /><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_BWX5u5gZdOGztDZysGgx1CVW3eWF5c_EAo5_VImv7CYK4HTQII-K6xlv0pPy4iDaeluR5SjfbvZXaMhiD2G45sH_GPZx-hqF7kq8NyzqnzAEWw4UMBy7E-LlOz3gG2kl8-vasLsFVhg/" /><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjauC-Sg-FfGzNAAkyJMXnSE5e3gslCyTm9lKb1eqOLgdM7aou_YkTcJi6xyrkv4nPit3PkKfIRvAFQeCLjk7uWLvgJPBpfMAzLYaiM-QJxYDhhBj0Yi_NQA5TOcbi5X2xnj7xP_s5_-U4/" /><br />
Now that December’s here we’ve been trying to fit in fun festive stuff wherever we can. I took Chance downtown with my sister and her kids and my mom and we did the “Light the World” vending machines, Andrew and I came downtown and saw the lights with Chancey and he loved them, we played in the snow, decorated our house and bought a new Christmas tree (that was longggg overdue!), and have lots of fun parties and things we are doing with friends and family. Even though winter is rough sometimes, I’m loving this holiday season and the joy and magic having a two-year old brings into my life.<br />
<img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEq7W_nNXN88TLjzJ48QhaeRzd3IgL4Iy0jZ4dvvmjQZxjW3hwKlIAh2T4zbwTHl_b74VAZAq-l2vu3YbIPKzujL76mDa629bTHPsX2F6ybCtNabIjpcO-519MOCgexVpqWH4ODkymeys/" /><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4HwpFw-v0s_avmR0iH_ZFvvMw14F5Jhu4vejyWY-UmsPnh6mua0asQ3Dcu4u9zoTAT2Q2prou6W4ZYU44OM6S5Zw1STeikUwDe_JcfQWcrJF34my69xHu4HmbWzoYWaTqtoo2CFEk3pU/" /><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEMG_Wp_J8uaMriHj4biqz9s6IpLR0vsIaR5On2JMkJFTPgyDLN_RynpYmtKBy2UJwfegWiOwdx-BAnYEgmBa03_LzO6xjgIZnNs0XtxYuKyWI5DsY19QQ3ATV7pnhiEQz77o9PN8Whsc/" /><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhldWO2_hBWZhDT8ec7EhDEfLrmbQMsvLuQ1AK-ypO2LSWk8Pb0ZuF6IywjQ9_wGVLZ_1aNHeRGPlGydEh0mxOKHYQfyOyODJdyxTaoj-SmDu5phyphenhyphenu1d-KWMiSD46s7fjV5Am4Cb-hzFM/" /><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjQYFx9Viiuzzg3zz_qmDJwZHZQ_DByzNaFGGmNmXMxAz21zRcrPO1rmdaLblbFcz6rn_WVwf12oS5mlh_JA9ar2inHL0V3jSbOa4b7HoFtszGpD4DkqzP4TlgzDk5ilFLU-VlF3ShGq0/" /><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvCpzPYpg3UijXxl1xuEG_CGuzyBDVewysKggElWqiovary9nV836QqPZSigpYmV9bFc05FzZVmcFLpqwu72SYPPZzBbMtQK378iUwSmHNhYImJ33R06CwnbJGzOQsWxG7D-PWi7BXjL4/" /><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeGOLW6neJGCReUmMXmh377EUEAWvmMzR67bFUCIPGZHIBQtd84mqv-ZFQGLtNu8WthHmOR9s8wNduNXblywpz1zzxprehsvgE-3AqRGdh-HCRdhBNpbR_0H-araWr4PqCG7kGCJKZYSI/" /><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYUAkJ1MP8q_N34on_VXfjIDEdWfVanz-ZMYuQihCfYQ96SwajQUalb6TY0RIXOs3ZNFCJA0u0v2qu15wtr6Xk7-9h3ujsa3A-1383y5KmseJaq-Tm_yoX4Kt6CeKKN8XlvT9dxbJFplA/" /><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVKri57gA5Csm0j7X_Z3ZnFQDWsC0tB-0zD4XvDllPbi9i1U_Uhbba8awIzupBaW27RuzRCqaqUP6xb2zQAwCqtcTOtUnybhwOIatyM1KctveH1yOhJ6bbPXCDs7EpIL1A_XARtfQSbKM/" /><br />
Earlier this week we went and visited Andrews grandma Fonny. She had us all over to for dinner and to see her amazing Christmas village and we had such a fun night. The kids loved it but Chance just wanted to touch everything which was tough, I can’t blame him!<br />
It’s impossible to get a picture of all the grandkids looking at the same time! Grandma Fonny is the best and we love her so much. <img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzrGDp35LCG8IseXcHp6ewpbHx2f-oA1kfDU1WuWQIIyOufLatoJWVDQvcD6Ki8rZy67Gccyy_X-5Hf47PMagoOh2MWR4GDf-LRQxwkEnKIjNZFaNaccebwRPmhQxUgHobmTOGENHZpWc/" /><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeszBlLA8ly-4DS3-fvvltS6kNUvuYoZIu8Hs0G_fEn7zBPiA7-RaKpkppF5-Dkh0VXqmn6zvgnJFJfyBOuIavDwRH1Lhkh399PRkBJZ0LdxNHy4E4MiTBZkX84INB4YwO6qhD65VJroc/" /><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTxMBzAS6smcJ_4925y12_P1tLQaDVp5jDj4gGw1mBBkH_Le56-bEEhvWlOfvV5xwMTgj_udbYXZuZqmP-f4D-85tadgLoUico6Xz7ll7tmEbOeBx1q6d5v29eeqkESbFSNsPF6JUFaIs/" /><br />
Anyways, life is crazy but it is so so good. Love my little family and want to freeze this time forever!!!<br />
-steph<br />
<br />stephchristensen15http://www.blogger.com/profile/01952034108385316697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2458695105088699530.post-27472655780475188102018-10-17T23:08:00.001-07:002019-04-30T02:30:07.806-07:00A weekend trip to San Francisco A couple of weeks ago Andrew found out he had to be in San Francisco for a meeting so Chancey and I decided to tag along and make a trip out of it and we had such a fun time!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQcikZTAGST3h73CVOVynVFjAQkOjJIhQf4ne0PUILaEoPZTs1ESkKLeujvI9Oc2ux6qFjFxJlaV8LOt4zZbkjRNBpmznnKa6FCM-eSOsdIz9zAy6DlLHbEaQNkOe4FeLJ71vCaC_mPXo/s1600/IMG_6662.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQcikZTAGST3h73CVOVynVFjAQkOjJIhQf4ne0PUILaEoPZTs1ESkKLeujvI9Oc2ux6qFjFxJlaV8LOt4zZbkjRNBpmznnKa6FCM-eSOsdIz9zAy6DlLHbEaQNkOe4FeLJ71vCaC_mPXo/s640/IMG_6662.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2RGvtPN7qnqavvWuzhIYjo5IXiUfNgP2vo_ZvQRrlHwFyC6E3fo7i09wSH6dCmnry-5yqXIu3y215iG52OH2K0MRvL4JcacwUN2IIrM9po6CXUb_n4hJj5kVzgqoDH2B3xZtM2Fu_lCw/s1600/IMG_6657.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2RGvtPN7qnqavvWuzhIYjo5IXiUfNgP2vo_ZvQRrlHwFyC6E3fo7i09wSH6dCmnry-5yqXIu3y215iG52OH2K0MRvL4JcacwUN2IIrM9po6CXUb_n4hJj5kVzgqoDH2B3xZtM2Fu_lCw/s640/IMG_6657.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
Andrew and I have both been to San Francisco a lot for work, so we decided to be total tourists and it was so much fun to slow down and actually see the sites! We saw pretty much everything you're supposed to as complete tourists and had the best time ever. We didn't have a car so we opted to go with the Big Bus tours. We did this in Paris and I swear this is the best way to see a city in a short time. It's amazing because you don't have to worry about getting around and parking, you just hop on and hop off whenever you feel like it and it's the best thing ever!<br />
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I love these guys!<br />
<br />
xoxo<br />
-stephstephchristensen15http://www.blogger.com/profile/01952034108385316697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2458695105088699530.post-75499427175849672232018-10-17T22:59:00.004-07:002018-10-17T23:09:30.134-07:00Chancey’s Second Birthday<p><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8IN45QO5_ka-OMxGpv_Vf_bWcfzBvodiKg3TJupa2m2tGvkxoxQJVYoYDaDzXaj1V8f5fJN3Z1-s-VTLU6wDG6vsdeVG9Qj-91rH5d2HWmXCcDhn5LFRW5rXcNdXx_a0HBe7j7RJrlLY/" alt="">I’m not really sure how it happened, but Chance is TWO! It’s like out of nowhere his baby days are gone. I feel like the normal thing to feel would be sad about him growing, but I can honestly say I’m not sad! I am enjoying seeing him grow so much and (so far) am loving each stage more than the last. <img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDQFfwU0gjcIwhel15EHdmQrkZnAowh8wWcH3NAHEmFilOQm_PxYaCvPF69YOue6deF1JCsZZewVjrGHNw1OTnE0UKH_mHOgO367kR1D_O9GF1v7L3DB0utMU3CdOnUKDyAn5yNj50c0I/" alt="">Naturally celebrations were in order so we had both of our families over for a special “Cars” themed, fun, night! I was so grateful most of them were able to make it. They are so sweet and brought Chance some very cute gifts!</p>
<p>I got so excited planning Chancey’s birthday party. I know some people might think it’s dumb to even throw a party for a two-year-old because he won’t remember it, but I will and that’s enough for me! Also I like to think that one day he will look back at pictures like these and see how much love so many people have for him!<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb0VERNFzsK5UsTARm-WM70xxYe9uXu4w-JiGLd_2s4uStRK4Se7AN3r5NbrzNIodesO83OwLmVXgO1veC71BFiCO2pRADpQnxZfDoZjI4qsePV6EWLDdHGJDmkqKUu4Lk3xV9NY_BgYA/" alt=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4wlk8gNwr6nYhANzYNLTNTzfAtygm2pK5jl8fD5xNzGrbrI9lM4bNhfGQmX3Y2w2sgLrONACDP8mGLGKFI9QKSEvsVtFM13VTH8FcMpwyzT_uZLa2faLQVJnFlSwoeHzjoWUQYql1v3A/" alt=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzvIAKStsYHmGORrjsW5BLMp7vnnBieTAyOxCQm8lrwNaorQdGQ_ZGaouiarZehZ9lh9ki99NEbuXp5gSwbOTuqPy2Ga2rxm9cG-YY_OoSQYNs3JORzqXyz_x1_ii7jwVshb951LSf9VQ/" alt="">It was a fun night of dinner, games, coloring, presents and desserts and I loved every minute of it. I themed some of the food and treats around the Cars movie and it was cute and fun. Chance loved having all his cousins to play with in one place. He was seriously in heaven!</p>
<p><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIamLCuMvIcGb38RoU_79PQNGTDYV9JmXBP1RDqbzprego5ONumNF8fM-ZLCY0BLCmD31of37B3lOh6cZgeQo5InRAJPvgD9vzMMpi9Kx_cziScwrVnFu8FKVkJiqzwiego-J6MZangos/" alt=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSNKEXREYP-nkJTGYfBfmbbGnusR2qmZRchTJicDz8Pn5GlgOCep2lPiJWz6Zg_pCdmxkLbbnGdtpgaWQeZ2H7fsUngGiMOhohNg0Y1h7A1HN9FVRwTzyl1Cfder9rWXkYOv0YIFgI_Zk/" alt=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUfBb3Gxocm5f4cyK4OwECAklYbFCrXuikj_SDYaToTmwGH_ip9wh_v6I3sT8AqrBZg5z5I3TeT0EA1Jfw-MClIhC9OT_btdj5ijlAuztqb0S2o2LHVdRLtR3a_Xs5bwa4j74HM8f1va4/" alt=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVxyACYEV1LKfL0Ax49XCcSPoTo6GZjf3EULdYk9wUUtU38v9eUoGfMJBn1Bgy5j9zO7x290J6tkBdJumelEw_QPqQ2iFHaXu3lsZCciUR1cmLiulDmwexQwdf_KpUOQ3LXT_IF-utowY/" alt="">I feel so lucky that I get to raise this special kid (even though he’s been pushing my buttons lately...terrible twos are NO joke!) I’m probably biased but I really do think he is special. He has a zest and excitement for life that inspires me and keeps me going, and he makes me so genuinely happy and it just really is the best. I had no idea how truly fulfilling motherhood could be. <img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCrjOF-9rqXXA38Px7w8OfteI-F47W_AjtgIMVPZueLpdTr08TVSuZn9cpOFovwy8LHqBFb639QPJZrmspjkSza_-mcVkIDAUaPJknzGkU-UhiGENZ3d6IcGPFhoYlffxlrwT5AZgcYLg/" alt="">Happy birthday Chancey Pants. Your dad and I love you to the moon and back!</p>
stephchristensen15http://www.blogger.com/profile/01952034108385316697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2458695105088699530.post-30300265907078932562018-09-23T15:47:00.001-07:002018-09-23T15:48:00.446-07:00Here’s to trying new things<p>This weekend has been really fun. On Friday night we got together with some friends and played pickeball from about 9 til 1 in the morning. On Saturday Andrew and I went on a golfing date without Chance. Both nights were a great reminder to me to keep trying new things. I loved both activities so much! I’m one who knows how I like to spend my time and don’t branch out often. Especially when it comes to new sports. But this weekend was a reminder to me that there are so many fun things to do in the world and I still have so much to try!<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2GqQGWoWCKyO8Lg-YLSkqYwsvd4mX2tYMVA8cH90k_Y7904E5siwoboLnbrWVZPl-5rmFCPri542SeMiOF26XiN7BAmjOVViEnoBLgevZH8EiJNyeTYV3VZrFgBG92qmd7OjdeFi54Uc/" alt="">Pickleball was seriously cool. I didn’t take any pictures but we played with three other couples and quickly picked up on the rules and loved it. It’s kind of like if ping pong and tennis had a baby, you’d get pickleball. I loved it because it’s quick and you have to be on your toes...but also you don’t have to be as good or run as much as tennis.😂<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcC_DBN0PYb8i8h0Iza6TVG5Le2oowOxFmCAISvKpSsXHqW9SOtXWuE3sigzEnM3Dx7B7WUGMtsBs_sIjUI3h1dThmQA2DK0yp7PH__VIoqERd7x-JjAkxJ1E4EUL8BbeNvdHsJnQZ0vM/" alt="">Golf with Andrew was fun too. Neither of us have been very much but I got him some clubs for his birthday and he just played in a golf tournament at work and loved it. We went and hit a bucket of balls and then played a 9 hole scramble and had such an awesome time we vowed to do more! </p><p>Here’s to trying new things!<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIyODoEjjtNfqHuCvi0uifez6feO8T2bfXt_KQc4Xr4InVIEXI7ZZi0N9PL07JCnQ_ZCysq1GZHpLZyezVnRh_nQXt4yXvKTUkIghovGLeSsp6CIdnrxoDvD28B2gTvUcm0DpJDkJ4h9Y/" alt="">Also, off topic because we do this every year, but we spent our Sunday today up in the mountains enjoying the leaves on the Alpine Loop. I (of course) got car sick and barfed but it was worth it as always!<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUe_3p_iOeE3C7ixa2WL8keTutHuJ96ey6TURkp3yaKVa6cAvTopkz61t21EKPSe6VtZURrpI1GpnSR7pdNXD1hl5_oieOZb4b-JSoG5N3PIfstWsvTM4BRCJFOwEnh-GFknrJxku5bVw/" alt=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrMIMYrIh-3wmsVEiMlxm5tI2XVveXWpwwWfI4kemWBsln76t8iR_H112XNNrHiBFe4f-_5vUlLrIpN6zLVG1RxmfbosaNLCX9EaMfyZculLOQFLHEvqJEoGs-4BVJ1415la2Hn5KpokI/" alt=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIhtnaWXV_9oVwZ3pFORHl1c0FJ8ZYxnxrWnW7cV2iPooP3dGT1wKWW6J5R62ibZVUxquv7wZisZCb1kKuEZB17lOjFMFMmfCrkvUlL5gT4fh9zBLtDRM1YJ1zX0pF8QY7o5geV4_r2nw/" alt=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0RoKwmme6WYMgNBIjP7-21FIhhkmPxYfj7_zc8j32FzCPOviXSl_8eCXA2bwNuxyMKKDOQWHvSo3y59A7nNvSKbvJ_EXhX-8JbGLrLJeXDNaI0UER7IIM2uedKY_X0LEo36P4QuEVnIo/" alt=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWWStUwAOuwu2TuJGKpFf6oILzOSoBJLRm6RvIVrdPooJRNkdItBd_N_2N1kICRwbyWBt0akZv7-Y0Dn_Jz4uC2ibPB4UvOrsjw71PKnMCpBt532tviIvSGY6wxifoVY4nSLtXe8zIPzU/" alt=""></p><p>Yay for fall! </p><p>xoxo</p><p>-steph</p>stephchristensen15http://www.blogger.com/profile/01952034108385316697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2458695105088699530.post-84464399722169036512018-09-15T21:58:00.003-07:002018-09-15T22:03:25.734-07:00Chance and Finley<p>Chancey has this cute little buddy in our neighborhood named Finley. Lots of the time when he wakes up from naps the first thing he says is “Finn!” It’s like he’s just thinking about playing with her every waking moment and it cracks me up. It’s so sweet and I love this phase he’s in right now.</p>
<p><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFCrhJdacxfL062xKojTlYvGQZA7OC6BCaBJyfhj6HB7qqafE-LpcMuqY5foq_z9CUuKXoz3FCJMuMnZQ9rP1Q_vswQ0vsdHfCjJs3d7_jPDebGwAH9zuWhq0SnoiQmDnMJG-CRrrPCZ4/" alt=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfR6vruHaVsHtS2qBJpYfwdp1JIVdqsMfGKdh-1sq2D3TxGETmOhypASj9AAUB9XLN5sCTRV-imyxDtA1fhNCchfzV6pesJhH_jvBWzpYpfNuH50h2F26Ca6nt2XugJi5BfeBT2XY3-F4/" alt="">Today they spend most of the day playing together. She even came over and had lunch at our house because they wouldn’t separate to eat! It reminded me of my childhood friend, Spencer Bastian. We were always together growing up as kids and were <b>always </b>outside doing something. It was so fun to have a buddy to grow up with. It makes me happy to see Chance having that in his life already!<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpakIvR07Gf3xn1w7f-kb-2GDMRtcdW1GerW74YqBAiRLuNVk8FREKnwKt8Kpzo3Cb_lQ-5otjUjBJGhfHdnN8httOtGcTScRUc9yFGmMcPRQ03-BbBpfdqhIneQhRv47zW7wuY2GhxWs/" alt=""> I can’t believe how big Chance seems all the sudden. Also it cracks me up that they are literally eating or drinking in every single picture in this post! I think they’ve just collaborated and figured out that if they go back and forth between houses they get twice the snacks! Love these little friends! <img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBpdNy7FZxwV2gDIcS64HXMcE649kz_HTw8y5SWOQh2Psth7YYaBbWFMrMQE7GIUkQyfKznECk3Nncb-ETt4bDOTZ4rsBWOx0iiFq4mI9_xt2_h1bx0P7JSQUZqHtV2dzMfR_To6eInsU/" alt=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtbZ8pVb8Q9HXg-R_aOFLcWuXyXsVj97mZlj68kMlBqqDtOqmhPgwSXxDF090ddLye43YEvZP6ayn6ECySj553m2zRQu03T25QzrEOjJ9RylD9LLa5elTgfuO8qFH7y99AciOfkrNZx6E/" alt=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjdbhvxqr4uxOl4ro0SejqMO1UHvI_-x6dT0sX9G0ZrhvtlKuLqRDI-QRlo4lw7P7WMG2Uabr3pKRRYbCFaG48KgrIvHjdUPB4zSGTyRwpyYG-3l6rzvISSo0VkYSEwHMHzO5FmGp-UVw/" alt="">These are a couple cute pictures from last year...<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh8s7Cg6W6gfTAHPaMeK1HDgxy4dgmiQFwJ8cP7Dxf7gaDtyYGEZC2S_R0jVsr7ux21iGNcYZ8NN0JTz1Of84NrvYccL7PRweDJlCiv5R_yFtHzhm9uwUc3TCf-yq3ndk3n6FWQaQAYdM/" alt=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSQX0ha_9Z2mwLGPpDIPi4pRKdQT9NxEBuuaZl-zLKfsDZUdGCI4CYz6XSeKw27-NKg1EpEX60CYiMSe3NuAe9fx6AcbpImV6meiBRn2cvd0-mgr1_eQsB88xn0sv7yxJEpn5HGN-Dc2U/" alt=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmszyVQLCDA0tp6XgJ3NKkh92v7BziksUMt5vNqC7-J4rro1S7vO7ye6unv_5gzt90DmN3GBZ3cRFkjWCt2HZLNSHE4S2H_CPFoZmGplsANnnA-UEp-vnoleCJfS2SsuMLt3cx3LDiq9U/" alt=""></p>
stephchristensen15http://www.blogger.com/profile/01952034108385316697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2458695105088699530.post-21606587708797552812018-09-15T17:23:00.002-07:002018-09-15T21:33:10.510-07:00Mountain biking with Annie!<p>The other day I got up before the sun and met my friend Annie in Draper to go mountain biking. Annie is one of the sweetest and coolest people I know and I love having her as my friend and adventure buddy. She’s also an incredible skier and loves nature as much as I do and is up for a good time. Oh and bonus: she’s a nurse and so I pretty much have a person on call for Chance 24/7. She’s the best and I just love her.</p>
<p><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBLmzJFVOXQhWSqnX4Qb5Uxs8rSUTOxQfd7hF7koabCUD8WI0WdDqUBHpyi6-9tzk4b8VsynpSheXrT-JaBIqvn-n3Fa1vUifVvfz8EInzJPLex-m74wIvkkGKYva32Bqf5w3wKUuuzS4/" alt=""> It was so fun and beautiful! We went super early and I decided how much I love being awake before the world. Mornings are the best and after this adventure I’ve vowed to try to be more of a morning person.
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<p><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV05lhn59gAU2rew6iBUrNFXViQUHHx4H_jYHZ89MGiX673Qwn6p_lBTGbnj6DCiMwpaMN_jtJwwTUZDmWb3tTA7vUkbB2efPB9cs6gRSk-j-AcbZbE6VBRsgi0XZu77lazDCieQTlEb4/" alt=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyrzPAL62lwaQLyY5m_HEaGqa0eoA5abH3zJg60CYY1NWBO-7vORKfMiodh1COEtkSfaPwV31iygNclLnsJl2-CN81NRrlA7p4ZyAueHXnpwQwk1Eo7Qc2JMxum888UAX800zMQiUXiHY/" alt="">I was so happy to see the leaves were already chnging! We rode through a few groves with lots of brilliant colors and it was a great time. While I was riding I prayed gratitude to God for my healthy body that works and let’s me do fun things and enjoy my life as much as I do. My heart is so full with love and blessings and I’m so grateful for this chapter of my life and all the amazing people in it.</p><p><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKPkS4S22rD0v8TcPjVfEwZVE1tkDF2GLy_3dVdDS2MEQV7orTWqkUy4M7PW_kAZfHS4fFgVcFElUiwwmcYUnnHpup5Xr_Oz9mVuzks4k3SmOJEMAWC87vG5_5cvrL3wPpFd5nXkfHvVk/" alt="">I look like a dork in this picture hahaha but it’s okay it’s all about the memories! Fall is the best! </p><p>xoxo</p><p>-steph</p>
stephchristensen15http://www.blogger.com/profile/01952034108385316697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2458695105088699530.post-11379433554495458592018-09-06T20:43:00.006-07:002018-09-09T20:32:57.532-07:00Dad’s Birthday Tradition I’m feeling pretty old tonight. It’s 9:21 and I’m already curled up in bed with my face washed, pants off (woot!🎉) and lights out. This week has been packed full and it feels like we have been going non-stop lately. I’m not complaining. I really love being busy and having our days full, especially when they involve spending time with people we love. But by the time Friday rolls around after a long week like this I’m so ready for a break.
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There’s something so rewarding and fulfilling to me about hard work and a full day. I’ve been trying to give it my all at work and at home this week and it’s crazy how much happier it makes me when I put my whole self into whatever I’m doing and sincerely try my best. Lately I feel like I live two lives. I’m home with Chance Monday, Wednesday and Friday and in the office every Tuesday and Thursday. I’m either a total mom and housewife cooking and cleaning and going to the gym with my friends (which is so awesome by the way!) or I’m dressed up nice going to work all day. It’s so weird doing both what feels like almost full time, but I’m so grateful for the flexibility my company has given me and have loved my work schedule so much!<br />
<img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Dhr_eGZzp939Ysc7o0KQ9bNdRqY40dOums5woPTAFhJ8HelnXPk5bkEqhd2zl7b2FEQfviME-ml7fgXaNgtAe83a4yHbcn8c-bIu-yJoaXfaj0clDlpPWhhahjWKO07QLxnh6ebbFr4/" /><br />
Tonight we did our annual dinner in the mountains with my family to celebrate my dad’s birthday. He would have been 69 years old today, and it’s almost been <b>six</b> years now since he died, which is hard for me to wrap my head around. We went up to the mountains with my family and, per tradition, my mom brought KFC and we had s’mores and explored the water and mountains with our little kiddos.<br />
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My dad would have called it “reconnoitering”. He used funny weird big words. Chance so badly wants to be big, and chased Owen all over. He climbed super high up the rocks and as I watched Andrew climb high and let him go I could help but remember my dad always encouraging us to play and explore and be brave. Chance was filthy and so happy. On the way home Andrew and I talked about how much we love seeing Chance run around in nature. He’s so curious and loves life and being outside and there’s just nothing better than a cute little kid covered in dirt. It’s like he was meant for the outdoors.<img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitjTFVvUmrx_xUmkjFmmv98rmWsbIFG6etLBpvjde2iZQwJPQYd6jjCQo6a_VmbdB6IbRDDaedkhpC1KDLwplVloWZ9m4J6KfHJxfJ5ypzTJe65h6Yh5-Bb7knGr8f2val9B7yajVgGYw/" /><br />
My sister is due with her third baby any day now. She really is the toughest pregnant person and never complains and looks so cute pregnant. I can’t wait to have another new baby in the family! I’m so baby hungry! Fingers crossed we have a second soon!<img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ps54fg67SbtNff2R_DLhsFcNKF9GDiHqMvyZrz5_KmjoGjJ-D4pcOP9aeqwzW30OA7lRAEUyQg6JiPE402kAlVtTG92c6wGADVLc1l6na0RI6-SeiP2XxOITfRHQSkvmtC55py3RlmY/" /><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsIvRY0o0J0oYsg5GbUaNYeAUcpCZJ4GL4J4Oy4zgcMqfyau5DtuvMv5NdTaTW2OELRuJ493xWDrgXsYR9iwpnvVPkHQtNOaOlbHYEmBE6Kk6TjHnSIpu3jFZgToQ6GH5kRUKNid0-5wA/" /><br />
Anyways. This week has been good and I’m so happy to have such amazing people in my life.<img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglAeHx-tiBpijUrpkhia2Tg1MdDOGO7Aiox1Y8eZmScIlgFgl_zMw6K_xj56CMyVOFFnclDJaHM9u3qQtNEE30HeyRr4rr5CUZTNEQITtuiXAsHdTQFqrrH-fs6G0N0vGWgYIXffLmHWE/" /><br />
Happy birthday to my dear daddio. I hope he knows we still miss him.<br />
xoxo<br />
-steph<br />
<br />stephchristensen15http://www.blogger.com/profile/01952034108385316697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2458695105088699530.post-372566654014702112018-09-04T11:49:00.003-07:002018-09-05T15:05:32.647-07:00Labor Day Weekend at the LakeThis past weekend we decided we would do Labor Day right and bring summer to a close in our favorite place ever...Lake Powell. Andrew invited some of the guys from his work for this trip and my colleague came with his wife and daughter. It was such a fun time and I’m so sad to see summer coming to an end.<br />
<img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4WBHmBJtiTNDUE6XKPcpjDEtWpGiii7uCDHwimL4QL2O_ozd_jlCDoLSnErwahuITRVXBUpnEq2efkhqFN03NwgC-XFVK6Rqmhvzu93jT1kmLOjAVhfIECMNaBfOUYz1rZUmntSrndN0/" /><br />
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It was so much fun to host this group! Everyone was so nice and helpful and lots of fun to be around. We spent our days eating, skiing, surfing, tubing, wakeboarding (a couple of the guys were pros and it was <b>SO</b> fun to watch them throw backflips and amazing other tricks!) eating, napping, and playing lots of games! I had so much fun prepping and making lots of yummy meals for the group. This trip went so smooth because both Andrew and I knew what to expect and were better able to prepare to host a large group. It made my soul happy to be on the water and to share my favorite place, hobbies and foods with new people. <img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Ug_H2_JUWMNgrzBYAUiHMJXFvTYVzxfcSR6NKzZHmo_07tNZofJ3wyGZssm_KrQ5dWUQesC0YSB95b2Mb1RRQI6AXqubrOc-2qhruLx_gzTl0r4H-2RZhIIFVWfKyFdF-ylFJsSb_qU/" /><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPx4Y4UExMOvC2HpbdkeOmkvq5SJEH-VR9YGuGUM6AWlt5rwSwRydKRLvfLDIgP09ki7LAZPdpeR0Q9NeddPp3EMXOeQhUKXIS7lz2OjSFA0Rxppu6fI0sEKTxQnyOoHyZvroZenwLFDE/" /><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE35DgM4xXso5PPZMtsAX3aoh_mt1jWfzQdIiHMPf88FcHX5urQLw30oHzZ_qRn7mO5Wt1Q5lECI4BkHhOzjXeTz26kmhwMT6d876-kF3AnqVQ0BwjmLsbGNR7Nurx9eSI3BrL1hICRs4/" /><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg55zXYGVfIUmLTLf1c60a0xzdL0Gg-93kWz5qrJgiDOYyuxHegeVbtRG4KHJ44arixFw8f6MOxY7_w_uh0AfJZVuvuU3C8_pr3raSBp3nc4f1TBlg8zS1Z0HY-5_lmDoj4JXorhg7uWIU/" /><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAboCBOwSde3VpV06RiTODc_dJwa0Lc5FCMOkVEXwnsSaPCYbdzWt2AJ44uLCeEMlnVnW_HRuGl3VgzejekKVG0kl6retAttdg5YvJ-AFQBZw2lAjEo0Im-pBj61mFt1OFSEefugzRjXc/" /></div>
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We went back and forth when deciding to bring Chance with us because we have carted him around so much this summer, but I’m so glad we decided to. He is the best little travel buddy and loves the boat and even though he is the busiest kid ever he was so much fun to have along.<br />
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<img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXkjtVF3c9ZNdFrqoGxI69z4_ZVDBE9P4Y0jp4-TCcZoykfIjnPu3NzQgWuBx-iunmiGBneosqCK03nV9BqbqT4yIitkayf64erPyoouPFSq7ISqqY9vPzEx9uj_JWku2mt4I9DEb4bYc/" /><br />
^This might be one of my favorite pictures ever!^<img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicvMz7xvTklJGUUGjAz1enZVuf7e6pzYTEmhxd_DqvtOFXVh13u557oFcvVwEp9vnv6A6ripznNNKS10S_fozss9jt63EoFCMrtGGnam4AYC_k8KZAuwTBLJsrfi9VtPmN-39hnrwK_Yg/" /><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhsNJMOpNwA4Su2T4bMlvXrbDSZe_TDuANtZckmvr6_4fPhu3aBJRk6H6sjcE0bfA2c29CCRVqfa2rzIQhVqsGAPGVVnI9XK_wYobLIjhEPACdtT3zQ2orTAcW0Xjc5gO4J0vQDWC-TfM/" /><br />
We played lots of games. I loved it! It does my heart good to see people putting down their phones and playing actual board games and laughing and talking to each other. <img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpaMOUC7zcH8oICFByMSuZAILE34G2i2FRKDVnNZj-Fcb4mr1z3Tgxh8qT9nKceA_C3CuQgQDKD72dQaQYOSLEht7lDOnR0PRcFMD3s9PDpFpmdHaXro79CwB9KAiOUV_XGyZkLry787o/" /><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbau12DaabeJLl57LhT5fHKGvpvaHLntxzknumaY_xZv5iWzveG2531NAn9Tut9TmC4QBjhBfmetwaVwOHcqdmiR2wX3YMBZq7jwE05U2Gw7opmBdGbRK2vH04t7WlKORAYhJaY4pwwcQ/" /><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu6IixMsn2t9IIJkoipI4UC78Ot3iuObIxBMmsC10Amq11OELtqE6hz3XifxN8Q4UYtYZHZb1lIK5WryskBP0aAO0OE4oXmtJeuJG6V7hjS1BsBeacO5UapddZOLI_14uACmgMKQbLcHo/" /><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtuEqp0VIRr3YTW-wp64kc4NbpyPJFBAW0qn8jkM-WcTTh_sc8aNOIbQW1Mpu7PvOY3pfkpJQlgd8ww7m0fzdcwUADjYTPRzGqeF1WfIGGL23FoouxYHwszXK1HyUdQ5F2ltqzvobDwfQ/" /><br />
On Sunday we took a boat drive to this awesome slot canyon where we did some sight seeing and jumped off some rocks. There is something about being outside and in a pretty place that is actually spiritual to me.<br />
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I feel closer to God in these places than anywhere else, and the whole time we were in Lake Powell I couldn’t help but say prayers of gratitude for my family, my health, and my life. We have had an extra fun summer, and I often times feel guilty for having things be fun and good when so many people suffer and have hard times. A cute girl I follow on Instagram posted this yesterday and it really spoke to me:<br />
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So with fall coming up, I’ve decided to focus this next season on embracing my life’s happiness. To stop feeling guilty for the good. I’ll keep serving others, loving my family, working my hardest, living life to the fullest, staying true to myself, and being eternally grateful for the endless blessings in my life. And I’ll continue having lots of fun along the way.<br />
Bring it on, fall! ✌🏼<br />
xoxo<br />
-stephstephchristensen15http://www.blogger.com/profile/01952034108385316697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2458695105088699530.post-16378782653361706892018-08-26T08:20:00.003-07:002018-09-05T15:03:35.216-07:00S’mores and StuffThis week has been a good week. Summer is coming to an end and while I’m sad about the endless days of sun, water and popsicles I’m excited for fall and what’s ahead.<br />
Last night I felt fall in the air and it was dreamy! Yesterday we worked hard in the yard (it’s been SUCH a process but we are almost there!) While Andrew and I worked Chance played in the neighbors yard with lots of kids and two new puppies our neighbors just bought last week. It was the first time I felt like he was a real kid and not a baby. I kept checking across the street to see if he needed me and it was bittersweet to see he was just fine and so happy playing.<br />
When it started to get dark we remembered we had a child to feed so we grabbed Chance and took a drive to Costa Vida. We came home and ate in the backyard and enjoyed the <b>perfect</b> weather!<br />
It was past Chancey’s bedtime but we decided to keep him up late and do a fire with just the three of us and make s’mores. I loved it so much. Chance sat on Andrew’s lap and pointed to the fire and kept saying “hot, hot!” and I just looked at the two of them and felt like my heart could explode with love.<br />
<img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip7qOpJaADta_Bhicd9feXjBr37HuC2tQ2nsWtKqUOJzCZ-RPp_fedE8wvNMa_ZT7FPD14AOr1lLqRXdyfEW0EjYKdm0nf-Xfcf1xSOQE24DJiTOPHany1NQ1BvXC5Z3xDUQRd2Av5m9U/" /> <img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgebEjj-wHXYM1j4cMzkhCxQBmN2sOzIrs0ZhB_1iWenss_QJAfjvV8sDSA0PnvhdSFT-_g-YYNGA5AHuRX8Ft_UhmuYjLQoUuyIsajkU9Zon4nG36yjhWNaeBZ5AmxdyMHhS_J7t9_3z4/" /><br />
Chance loved the s’mores but mostly wanted to eat the chocolate. He’s definitely my child.<br />
It was a good, simple night and I was so happy to be home.stephchristensen15http://www.blogger.com/profile/01952034108385316697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2458695105088699530.post-37706114278833925272018-08-21T21:29:00.002-07:002018-08-21T21:42:37.191-07:00Summertime Updates Yesterday our neighborhood started back to school and it hit me that summer is really coming to an end. I couldn't believe how fast it's gone. I have loved sitting on my porch these past two days while Chance plays outside and talking to all the little kiddos passing by about their time back to school. They told me about their outfits and hairstyles and teachers. One kid told me today he got the worst teacher in 3rd grade and he's super mad about it. It cracked me up. I love my neighborhood.<br />
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This summer has been so awesome. I have always loved summer in general, but this really has been the best summers of my life and I'm so grateful for the health and happiness we've been able to enojy together as a family. It's good times like these that make the hard times ahead (which will inevitably come) bearable. I recognize this has been a good season for us and we are just going to be grateful and enjoy it!<br />
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We just put Chance down for bed and Andrew wants me to watch a movie with him tonight, but I figured I needed to slow down and record some good times because it seems they are flying by faster and faster each day and I don't want to miss or forget them.<br />
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We feel really lucky to have been able to play lots this summer and make some awesome memories. Andrew works so hard for us and is lucky to have some flexibility with his job so we've been able to have some fun. I wanted to record a few highlights from summer.</div>
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We spent a week at Lake Powell with some of our favorite friends and it was amazing. No kids + friends + Lake Powell is kind of life changing and so rejuvenating and I loved it so much.<br />
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Some of my best times are in bed with these two. When Chance wakes up in the morning we let him come hang out with us and lay around for a bit. It's just awesome and I love this picture because it reminds me of these good times.<br />
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Chance has spent most of his summer in the water. We've had lots of fun play dates with friends at pools and reservoirs and we've both loved it! Sometimes I wish I could just trade him places for like a week and just sleep as much as I wanted, eat lots of food, have everyone tell me how cute I am and worry about nothing except for playing. This kid has the life.<br />
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Earlier this summer Andrew and I did a bike race together through my work for the Huntsman 140. I look forward to this every year, it's always lots of fun! We were signed up to ride 50 miles but Andrew's bike got a flat tire and we were actually happy because we shortened our ride once we fixed his tire and ended up going and visiting his grandma and doing a much more leisure ride. It was so fun and a great memory!<br />
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We've spent lots of our days outside on the porch with popsicles. I have never seen this kid happier than when he's eating his popsicles, surrounded by friends, and running through water. </div>
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Chance's first time surfing behind the boat. He was nervous and just about to breakout into an all out panic scream in this picture. We're working on it. :)<br />
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He rocks hats like his dad all day everyday. I think he loves them because Andrew wears them, which makes it even more awesome. I love those big round eyes.<br />
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A great representation of our summer - loaded up with so much stuff all the time! Trying to do fun stuff with kids is fun but so exhausting! Thank goodness I have this rad wagon to carry all our crap!<br />
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Andrew's sister got married this summer. Andrew and I love, love!<br />
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I love this cute picture Chance's babysitter Candice sent me of him riding this stryder bike. We've been so lucky to have the most awesome babysitter for him two days a week while I'm at work. She is always doing something fun and he loves going to her house so much. She's been such a blessing to us and we love her so much!<br />
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We finished out the summer with family trips with both our families at the lake! We went with Andrew's family to Lake Powell and with my family to Bear Lake. We can't get enough of the sunshine! </div>
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^^^I love Chancey's face in this one!!!^^^</div>
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So much fun with cousins! </div>
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^^^No comment :)^^^</div>
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can't believe how old he looks in this last one! Stop growing!!<br />
<br />
Anyways, lots of pictures and lots of good memories. We will definitely miss summer!<br />
<br />
xoxo<br />
-stephstephchristensen15http://www.blogger.com/profile/01952034108385316697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2458695105088699530.post-58879069521805850182018-04-30T20:44:00.000-07:002018-08-21T20:48:03.728-07:0018 Months: A Note to My Chance Man<br />
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<br />
To My Chancer Man,<br />
<br />
I'm not sure how, but just like that you're 18 months old. I wanted to sit down and write you a love letter because you're just the best and I'm so grateful to you for making me a mom. Your little spirit came into your dad's and my life and changed us forever. When I had you I didn't realize that with the long sleepless nights, endless nasty diapers, and constant messes, you would also bring the happiest spirit, funniest personality, and contagious smile that lights up my life. Being your mom is the most rewarding job I've ever done, and I'm so grateful you're mine.<br />
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I know I'm your mom so I probably shouldn't say it because it feels braggy in a way, but Chance you are so stinking cute. I love you so much. Your spunky personality, curiosity, and zest for life is so awesome and contagious. You've given me this greater sense of purpose and love and being a mama is just the coolest thing I've ever done and I'm so grateful I've had the opportunity to do it.<br />
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That said, your resilient little attitude that keeps us on our toes. It seems like just recently your dad and I have learned that "terrible twos" that are quickly approaching are no joke. You're pretty particular about what you want these days, especially when it comes to two things: your cars and food. You're curiosity leads to (lots) of messes around the house but at least we get awesome photos, and I wouldn't have it any other way.<br />
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Currently, you're OBSESSED with cars (both the movie, especially Cars 3 and all toy cars!) Every morning when you get us up (at 7 on the dot!) the first thing you almost always say is "CARS!" You have this funny way of saying that word and you almost sound German because you say the "C" out of the back of your throat and it comes out with a sweet accent. You're hilarious and crack us up everyday.<br />
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Some other things you love right now are:</div>
<ul>
<li>Being outside</li>
<li>Jumping off things </li>
<li>Reading </li>
<li>Being around people! Especially your cousins and neighbor friends! </li>
<li>WATER</li>
<li>Eating, eating, and more eating! </li>
</ul>
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A funny quirk of yours that I always want to remember is how you constantly have your hands full. You really are always holding at least 3 or 4 things in your hands at all times, and constantly figuring out how to climb and maneuver with your hands full. We are constantly telling you "put your stuff down then you can do that!" It's so funny.<br />
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Thank you for coming into our family Chancey! We still don't know what we're doing as your parents (as you can see in the photo below) but it's been a wild ride and I promise we'll keep doing everything we can to show you how much we love you and give you a good life.<br />
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xoxo<br />
-mom<br />
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<br />stephchristensen15http://www.blogger.com/profile/01952034108385316697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2458695105088699530.post-38315049613738448642018-04-22T21:10:00.000-07:002018-04-24T21:31:59.848-07:00Andrew Runs a MarathonThis last weekend Andrew ran the Salt Lake City marathon and I was so proud I wanted to be sure I write it down so we can remember it. He ran it in about 4:35 which isn't bad considering he had to poop twice (TMI) and he didn't really stick to his full training.<br />
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The morning of his marathon he was supposed to wake up around 4:30am in order to get downtown, stretched, and checked in by the time it started at 7am. Somehow he missed his alarm and didn't wakt up until 6am. I don't know how but he rushed and still made it down there right as it was starting! He had to park pretty far from the starting line and run the whole way there, so he really ran over 27 miles! I've never seen him move as fast as he was when he was trying to get out the door, it was amazing and I was glad he made it.<br />
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In January I told him I wanted to do a marathon in between each pregnancy so I made him start training with me. I lasted month and a half I got behind on a few long runs during my crazy event time in March and threw in the towel and never signed up. I'm super dedicated as you can tell.<br />
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Beautiful motivated Andrew kept up with his training and ended up doing it by himself. He did awesome. It was so much fun to watch for him at the finish line and cheer him on as he ended (even though I felt a litttttle dumb). Right before he crossed the finish line he stopped to give Chance and me a kiss and the DJ said "that guy's going to be a politician...look at him kissing babies!"<br />
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He was cute and I loved that he kissed us right before he finished so much. Chance and I made some sweet little signs (we spent a solid 2 minutes on thesm) and my mom and Andrew's parents came to support him as well.<br />
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I surprised him with an Apple Watch when he was done and he loved it. Go me.<br />
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It was a fun, happy day and I was so proud of him for setting a goal and sticking to it!<br />
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xoxo<br />
-steph<br />
<br />stephchristensen15http://www.blogger.com/profile/01952034108385316697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2458695105088699530.post-29669439826211860802018-04-14T20:49:00.000-07:002018-04-24T21:12:13.921-07:00Easter Stuff<span style="font-family: inherit;">Easter with a toddler was pretty low key but fun this year. I'm learning I love the toddler stage so much. I wish people would have told me this was coming. Seeing the world through Chance's eyes gives life a whole new perspective. He's the ideal age for holidays too because he's old enough to know something special is going on but not old enough to know that we spent spent next to nothing on him. :) #score</span><br />
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We were able to spend time at Andrew's parents house and Chance got to participate in not one but TWO easter egg hunts, and even though he was sick with a cold (what's new) he was in heaven. This kid is definitely mine because he loves candy like his mama.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">We are kind of obsessed with him if you can't tell...</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I had fun getting him a cute cheap little basket and I spent a whopping $5 on some digger toys that he absolutely loved. We put some little candies in about a dozen eggs around the house and he was a happy camper. I'm enjoying the days where a $5 Wal-Mart construction digger truck feels like Christmas to him. :) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Like I said, the day was low key. We had a cold in our house (what's new) so we didn't party too hard. We had fun watching conference, spending time with Andrew's family, and eating lots of yummy food. My mom had to go out of town to visit my grandma who is sick in California so we weren't able to get together with my side of the family, which was a major bummer because I love ham. Oh and visiting with my family. :)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />The best part of the day was when I tripped over Chance's basket while filming his easter egg hunt. Andrew died laughing and it was amazing. Chance was sad because I stepped in his basket and his crap went flying everywhere so he got stressed, which made it even more hilarious. Good times.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">He was so obsessed with his digger trucks it was the cutest thing ever to watch him line them up and play with them all day. He was in heaven and I loved it so much.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">We did get to spend a fun day at Andrew's parents house. Their home is so beautiful I feel like I'm in a magazine whenever I hang out there. Karen is also an insane cook and made a beautiful yummy meal. Chance loves hanging out there and especially eating in his high chair because he can throw food at the dog and gets a kick out of it. He also loves running all over and up and down the hills in their backyard. They had a cute easter egg hunt and Karen did darling toys for all the grandkids. It was a party as always!I had a blast taking way too many pictures of Chance being the cutest kid ever. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />Chance had so much fun playing with his cousins. They give him so much attention and he loves it!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> ^^^How amazing is this one of Chance?! His hands couldn't be placed more perfect.^^^</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Easter 2018 is a wrap! Love my people so much.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">xoxo</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">-steph</span></div>
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stephchristensen15http://www.blogger.com/profile/01952034108385316697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2458695105088699530.post-23530432941712081992018-03-30T08:55:00.000-07:002018-08-21T20:45:18.464-07:00Rand's Retirement TributeAnyone who knows me knows basketball has always been a big part of my life. I feel like most things in my life that are good I owe to basketball. If it weren't for basketball I wouldn't have met Andrew, wouldn't have had our awesome Chance, I wouldn't have had my education, my job, and all the amazing travels and life experiences I've had so far. Basketball has seen me through some hard times and it is just really meaningful to me.<br />
<br />
My high school coach is retiring from teaching and coaching, and a book is being assembled to compile some memories from his players.<br />
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I wanted to share what I wrote to him on my blog so I have it later if I want it!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6L8bCg1D9WJL1qWBsi5r36VAI7cYnpBgdNuu-37DABggZ9aXGgi4aUdjl2_K9pfUmqzbC0qpeQp1plrmekTmhSM4tm5_Cnx5Dq7zcY0ayPJ3OAnN8_oewwv9HQZMOAqPcPOiPgZZmCKg/s1600/2.24.2005-4280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6L8bCg1D9WJL1qWBsi5r36VAI7cYnpBgdNuu-37DABggZ9aXGgi4aUdjl2_K9pfUmqzbC0qpeQp1plrmekTmhSM4tm5_Cnx5Dq7zcY0ayPJ3OAnN8_oewwv9HQZMOAqPcPOiPgZZmCKg/s640/2.24.2005-4280.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://trent.photo/2005/02/24/bingham-huddle/" target="_blank">source</a></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Thoughts on Rand</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
By: Stephanie “Sam” Christensen (Sampson)</div>
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2003-2007</div>
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I have loved basketball as long as I can remember and spent every free minute practicing in my driveway. I would practice ball handling, dribbling, free throws, and jumpers over and over, every night, rain or shine until my mom called me inside. I grew up in a neighborhood surrounded by boys, and I wanted to be the best. I had played for some tough coaches growing up, and the first time I met Rand and saw his classroom decorated with athletes who had played at the next level I knew I wanted to be part of his program.<br />
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If I had to use one word to sum up my time playing basketball at Bingham High School as part of Rand’s program (aside from terrifying!) it would be memorable. Memorable in more ways than I can count. Learning and growing from Rand as a student and an athlete changed my life, and now that I’m grown and have my own career and family, there are many times even today I reflect on my time playing for Rand and appreciate not just the lessons of the game, but the life lessons he instilled in me. He demanded perfection on and off the court, and although he scared the hell out of me, I loved the idea of playing for a successful program and someone who could challenge and push me to be better.<br />
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I was a cocky freshman when I showed up for tryouts at Bingham High School. I distinctly remember thinking I was the cool kid on the block in my black and gold Allen Iverson sneakers. From day one Rand kept me on my toes. I’ll never forget tryouts. At the time I considered myself a good player, if not one of the best around. I felt like I had a good showing at tryouts and it never occured to me that I wouldn’t make the team. On the final day of tryouts Rand called each one of us up to talk to us individually. I kept shooting hoops for what felt like eternity as he called everyone up to talk with them. Everyone but me. I kept thinking he would call my name but he kept skipping past me. Finally after everyone else had been dismissed he called my name. After talking my ear off for about 30 minutes and nearly scaring me to death he finally told me I had made the team. Rand chose me dead last that for his team that day. Little did I know this was just the beginning of an ongoing life lesson he would teach me: humility!<br />
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From day one on his team I was convinced Rand did not like me. It would be an understatement to say we didn’t get off to a good start. My first assignment as a freshman on his team was to memorize everyone’s name. If me or any other freshman failed this assignment, the whole team would have to run a “Texas” sprint (which to my 14 year-old self was pretty much a death sentence). I practiced all week to memorize not just everyone’s first and last, but even middle name. I admittedly studied harder for this task than I ever studied on any test in school. When practice arrived Rand called on me first to recite names and I was ready. I stood in the huddle confidently and quickly cranked through everyone’s full name. I had just finished naming the whole team and went to take my place back in line with a smug when Rand pointed at the coaches. What? We were supposed to name the coaches? I got through a few: Rand, Charron, Todd. Then there was one more coach left. I didn’t know his name yet but he kind of scared me as well because he was absolutely humongous. I panicked. The tall guy must have seen the fear in my eyes because while I was desperately trying to recall his name he started mouthing it to try and help me out. Shelly? Delly? I had no idea what he was saying. I glanced frantically around the circle, silently pleading for someone else to help me but all I got were blank, pissed off stares. The only movement I could see was that of Natalie Barney, shaking her head at me with a piercing stare that said “you are so dead.” To my horror Rand blew his whistle and said “on the baseline.” We ran long and hard that day, and my fear for both Rand and Natalie Barney grew 10 times.<br />
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Rand pushed me hard in practice. It felt like he called me out a lot. He tried every approach with me. He’d yell, be nice, then yell again. As I mentioned I was cocky, and he was initially very frustrated with me, especially when we found ourselves in the fourth quarter of the Skyline game at home.<br />
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Skyline was blowing us out. I think we were down by at least twenty points when Rand put all his reserves in, including my freshman self. Skyline had decided to stall. Rand told us to stand back and not guard them. We were in an all-out standoff and I couldn’t take it. We were losing! We needed to get the ball back! I ignored Rand’s call to stand back and told the team to get up and play. I got up on them and guarded them and tried to get the ball back. I must have fouled or something because there was a dead ball shortly after and Rand called a timeout. I locked eyes with him while jogging off the court and took one look at him and knew I was busted big time. He was fuming mad that I had ignored his call to stand down. Instead of listening to him, I started arguing with him that we were losing and shouldn’t be stalling. He looked me in the eyes and pointed to the locker room and said “get out of here.” I couldn’t believe it. I had never been kicked out of a game. While the fourth quarter played on I sat in the locker fuming. What was he thinking pulling me out? I could have brought us back! My competitive self was fuming. It didn’t even occur to me that I should be scared of the repercussions of my actions until the team and coaches entered the locker room. Normally Rand would speak first but this time all the assistants spoke. While they touched on what we could have been better in the game, Rand and I had an all-out staring contest. He stood there, arms folded, and glared at me. I couldn’t be the first one to break eye contact so I glared right back at him. I wasn’t going to look away, I couldn’t let him win this! I knew better. I was fourteen after all. The longer we stared at each other the more scared I got (I swear I was sweating and shaking inwardly), but I couldn’t let him see it. Finally, after all the coaches had spoken, he points directly at me and says “Will someone please explain to GOD why I did what I did?” As some of the captains answered explaining he was wanting the other team to call a timeout and change out their starters the gravity of what I had done started settling in. My teammates were looking at me like it might be the last time I would see them. I also started to realize how mad Rand really was. As the coaches started to leave the locker room Rand picked up a roll of tape and threw it as hard as he could, narrowly missing Kim Roberts’ forehead.He was pissed and I was screwed. After he left, the tiny bit of courage I had left escaped me and I started bawling. I was convinced I was going to be kicked off the team, and that my basketball career was over and my hopes and dreams were done and gone forever. Practice was at 6am the next morning, so naturally I arrived at 5am. I had to beat Rand to the gym, beg for his forgiveness, and save my future! Apologizing to Rand that morning was one of the scariest things I had done up to that point in my life, but after some groveling on my end, we were done talking and he told me to suit up for practice. As I turned to leave I could have sworn I saw a glimmer of amusement in his eyes and even what could have even been a smile as I ran off to the locker room.<br />
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From then on I knew Rand liked me even though I drove him crazy. I quickly learned that him yelling was like a compliment on this team. He pushed me hard and continued to ride me in practice, but I started to know it was because he believed in me, our team, and my future.<br />
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My sophomore year was fun. We had built a strong team with some cool captains who were pretty creative. For our team photos, someone suggested we take them on the high school roof. Naturally we all thought this would be a great idea, especially since it was illegal to access. One day after practice our team got showered, did our hair and makeup, put on our uniforms and snuck to the side of the high school where we had found a way to get up to the roof. We took turns boosting each other up onto the roof (which was super sketchy looking back!), careful not to be too loud and get caught. We all took our place on the roof as someone below took the photo (which ended up looking sweet by the way). Unfortunately, as we were headed down off the roof the janitor happened to be up there doing some work up there and we were so busted. The janitor (who I distinctly remember looking and acting eerily similar to Argus Filch from Harry Potter) angrily walked us down to the principal’s office. We were all nervous but hid it by laughing it off and joking that “they’re not going to expel all of us!” At the principal’s office we were lightly reprimanded and thought we were in the clear until he told us we needed to go tell Rand what had happened. Now we were scared. We had no idea how he’d react or how much we would have to run for this one. Before going to his room we all went down and got a diet coke from the vending machine. We each walked into his portable and faced him where he sat at his desk. Then, one at a time, we delivered our diet coke to him and said “I’m sorry”. He had no idea what was going on until one of our captains explained what had happened. We all fearfully awaited our conditioning sentence when to our surprise Rand started laughing and told us how much he loved the team unity. We were all relieved that day.<br />
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2007 was a good year. It was my senior year of high school, I had a scholarship to go play at Southern Utah University, and it was the year we won state. I was lucky enough to be a co-captain with Megan Marks that year, and this team and season were magical.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbK8smVJZSe28ZmEcBjaBDlcEamwU7HzONYU3jaez4-hQIwKp-D_ZI__VPjKgaQhl0jluRdSwxZY3wLdsFFyGwJQNobTOZ0AR2Q1i0mdNM2LPBw9y0yvXDTmN9xrc7XAkeeHe6_y9Gxkw/s1600/2.24.2007-9276+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="677" data-original-width="1016" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbK8smVJZSe28ZmEcBjaBDlcEamwU7HzONYU3jaez4-hQIwKp-D_ZI__VPjKgaQhl0jluRdSwxZY3wLdsFFyGwJQNobTOZ0AR2Q1i0mdNM2LPBw9y0yvXDTmN9xrc7XAkeeHe6_y9Gxkw/s640/2.24.2007-9276+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://trent.photo/2007/02/#jp-carousel-25583" target="_blank">source</a></td></tr>
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One of the biggest things I’ll never forget going into the state tournament was the unwavering knowledge that our team had something special. We were close, had overcome some adversity that season (loses to Riverton and Davis...boo) but had grown from it and were ready to come together and win. It started with Rand. I will always remember the feeling of absolute confidence that trickled down from the coaching staff. It wasn’t a false confidence either. In every way, our team was prepared. Our coaches worked hard for our team. They knew everything about each opponent, had full scouting reports, and prepped us in every way possible. As captains, we knew our teammates, and had created a sense of team unity and trust in each other that could only be described as special. From the head coach down to the last seat on the bench we were in sync. In the state playoffs we won every game in the state playoffs by at least 20 points. It’s been over eleven years since that time and I still look back on it as one of my fondest memories.<br />
<br />
There are a lot of things I appreciate about Rand. Anyone who has a drive and passion for success automatically has respect in my book, but more importantly anyone who can dedicate his life to contributing to the success of thousands of teenage boys and girls, and have such an influence in their lives, both on and off the court is something to be celebrated.<br />
<br />
Like I mentioned earlier, playing for Rand Rasmussen changed my life. Because of Rand I have come to appreciate value and hard work. I had a taste of success during our time together and it taught me that the only limits I have are the ones I set for myself. His program taught me the importance of being on time, overcoming adversity, and that when people get together with a common goal anything is possible.<br />
<br />
Rand, thank you for everything. Your tactics have always been unique, but they worked for me. Enjoy your retirement, you’ve earned it.<br />
<br />
Lots of love,<br />
“Sam”<br />
<br />stephchristensen15http://www.blogger.com/profile/01952034108385316697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2458695105088699530.post-86835984912800518962018-03-22T19:55:00.001-07:002018-03-22T20:39:26.716-07:00Chance these days...<br />
Chance is so cool these days I felt he deserved a quick post so we can always remember his awesomeness. He's the happiest, spunkiest, little monster and I love him so much my heart could explode. He's almost 18 months old and gets cuter by the minute. He makes messes faster than I can pick them up, and is the busiest little guy I've ever seen. It seems like he went from a little baby boy to this giant toddler man child overnight. People always tell you enjoy them while they're little because they grow fast, and now I totally understand what they are talking about.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO8IgH_oWQf7lyY1xPuSy8fkAddXyTXYYVqfnACGiEAo9N0-NKN_rWwth6hM1o7dFZgjfLt9fN2YUmDjwPhuG9Vx3TD6_a7qo2jvDbAmpJ_EOo7cLkx2QaXvvnCn43Y_JCB2w4KAtYEOY/s1600/IMG_0003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1106" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO8IgH_oWQf7lyY1xPuSy8fkAddXyTXYYVqfnACGiEAo9N0-NKN_rWwth6hM1o7dFZgjfLt9fN2YUmDjwPhuG9Vx3TD6_a7qo2jvDbAmpJ_EOo7cLkx2QaXvvnCn43Y_JCB2w4KAtYEOY/s640/IMG_0003.JPG" width="624" /></a></div>
Together Andrew and I compiled this list of things we love about Chance right now:<br />
<ol>
<li>How happy he is </li>
<li>His animal sounds</li>
<li>How he believes that if he says "peas" for anything he will get it! </li>
<li>His super speedy waddle run</li>
<li>How he's getting his own interests and imagination</li>
<li>How much he loves bananas </li>
<li>How he dances and shakes whenever he hears music (foot stomp, heavy head, squat) </li>
<li>How obsessed he is with putting on our shoes </li>
<li>How much he loves water and splashing </li>
<li>How he's started really hugging and being cuddly. It melts my whole heart. </li>
</ol>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2A7qK5M06Zu5nnJvsSd7o1YQbjyvM9wcoccUPgiCyNBrBKjCTl8M89b9BGbIP4U4KjSFc3Bo02lcpA4Z4xNFyWZ2qw7uN_eYVXoMZ1P2TuFpLZtGhnpB9EL1YGCepGDUD8ixXvVBertc/s1600/IMG_0960.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2A7qK5M06Zu5nnJvsSd7o1YQbjyvM9wcoccUPgiCyNBrBKjCTl8M89b9BGbIP4U4KjSFc3Bo02lcpA4Z4xNFyWZ2qw7uN_eYVXoMZ1P2TuFpLZtGhnpB9EL1YGCepGDUD8ixXvVBertc/s640/IMG_0960.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Right now his favorite words are: </div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Mama</li>
<li>Dada</li>
<li>Hi</li>
<li>Ball</li>
<li>"Peas" (Please) </li>
<li>Shoes</li>
<li>Bubbles </li>
<li>Out</li>
<li>Yeah </li>
<li>And all animal noises! </li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOQjjdnDaYdWREa3wmkJcMnIeGp-uUV9TgCWibkesYpeYwNZuB2TDUQHH8aIl9eb9hHLm4z6k1IfvYv7o5Qe5-CFoMgMDwXzamziHKrDoaEOtxpHGXF-LKBjDg9SJ9bsnqcYc1c5N2IaY/s1600/IMG_0804.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOQjjdnDaYdWREa3wmkJcMnIeGp-uUV9TgCWibkesYpeYwNZuB2TDUQHH8aIl9eb9hHLm4z6k1IfvYv7o5Qe5-CFoMgMDwXzamziHKrDoaEOtxpHGXF-LKBjDg9SJ9bsnqcYc1c5N2IaY/s640/IMG_0804.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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We love you Chancey pants.<br />
<br />
xoxo<br />
-steph (and Andrew) </div>
</div>
<br />
<br />stephchristensen15http://www.blogger.com/profile/01952034108385316697noreply@blogger.com0