J&K Christopherson

My giggler

2011-11-11T02:53:00.000-08:00

What's new in the Christopherson world?!

Autumn giggles!

Halloween

2011-11-11T02:45:00.001-08:00

Autumn was "The Scarecrow" from the wizard of Oz this year.

I ended up being a scary looking Dorothy to go with it.
(I did try really hard to find a Dorothy Dress that was modest, but that didn't happen, so I wore my Capris underneath - but forgot to wear socks)

But, on the plus side - Autumn got to meet her Great Grandma April for the first time on Halloween!

We stopped off at as many relatives' houses as we could for our "trick-or-treat" run.
Namely: Great Grandma Jackie's, Great Aunt Cindy's, Great Grandma April's, Great Aunt Connie's, and Great Aunt Cherry's.
It was a great night for visiting with family!

All My Children

2011-11-11T02:42:00.000-08:00

I figured I should put the pictures up of Kayley, Autumn, and myself up since I have a couple to share now!

Home for the Holidays

2011-11-11T01:14:00.000-08:00

I can't believe how close Thanksgiving, and even Christmas are getting!

With that thought in mind I figured I would update everyone on what our Holiday plans are shaping up to be...

We're moving to Boise, Idaho!!

Jay, just this week, accepted an offer to work for Micron Technology, Inc.
He will be employed as a full time Dry Etch Engineer.
When they extended the offer they didn't set a start date, but asked how soon we could "get up there."
Jay will be talking to the HR contact tomorrow to give them the date we've decided we could make it by (the 28th of this month... yes only 17 days away), and we'll be turning in a rental application tomorrow with a hold deposit for a 2 bed/1.5 bath townhouse once I make sure it's a ground level entrance so we can move the piano.
Everything is moving so fast!

My to-do list for the next few days includes, but is not limited to:
•Call Autumn's pediatrician and see if she has any recommendations for a good doc in Boise
•Call my doctor & repeat
•Pick up change of address form at Post Office
•Possibly go through some stuff and make a DI donation
•Post stuff online to sell:
couches, sewing machine inside it's own table, coffee table, entertainment center, various odds and ends...
•Call Daisy Maids and get quotes for "moving out" cleaning including carpet cleaning (to ensure we get our renters deposit back)
•Call Questar Gas to give them "turn off" date
•Call Rocky Mountain power & repeat
•Call Comcast & repeat
•Call car repair shop and get price for new headlight (it just barely stopped working... perfect timing)
•Call Insurance company and inform them of move & go over all the changes to our policy that'll make, etc
•Keep being a good mom in the process
•Pack a little bit
•Call moving companies and schedule one to move us (I'm not having us do all our own packing/moving with Jay still working part time 'till we move and me having Autumn to take care of while doing everything else... no way)
•Change address for bank, credit card, hospital billing, etc
•Try not to freak out or slow down during any of this

Yep... I'm going to be crazy busy over the next couple of weeks.

So... for Thanksgiving weekend we'll be moving to our new home.
Yes, we will be moving 'home for the holidays.'
Maybe we'll actually get a T-day meal somewhere... but who knows at this point.

For Christmas?
As soon as Jay has his scheduled nailed down with Micron (and knows what days he'll have off) we'll be buying plane tickets home to Colorado.
On the Christopherson side everyone will be coming home, so we will try to get us into a photo session at the same place we all went 2 years ago before any of the babies were born. It'll be great to have professional pictures of the 3 grand-babies all together in addition to the family.

My little brother will also be coming home for Christmas, so he'll be able to see/meet Autumn for the first time. Yay!

I'm so excited about all of this!
Jay & I have been praying (more like begging) for a long time that he would get a job. It just so happens that he got one just in time (because if he hadn't I would have to go back to work) and a week before his birthday to boot!

Now I have to figure out how we're going to celebrate his b-day this next week... Hmmm, maybe I'll host a "moving away" party for our friends and family?!
Or maybe not... that would just add another HUGE to-do onto my list.

I just hope I have enough energy to get everything done, in a reasonably organized fashion, and without loosing my patience.
I'm stressed out! But, in a good way at least!

Before I know it it'll be 2012!

But for now... happy 11/11/11 everybody!

It's about love

2011-09-23T00:40:00.000-07:00

I spent this past weekend with Kayley and her family.

I can't describe to you the overwhelming sense of confirmation that I did the best thing for my daughter 5 years ago when I placed her for adoption.
She is with the right family.

She was meant to be their daughter/sister/granddaughter/niece/cousin.

I met up with James, Stephanie, Kayley, Maggie, James' sister, brother, sister in-law, nieces, nephew and parents all on the temple grounds Saturday morning.

Jay and I were late getting there because little miss Autumn spit up all over her first outfit - so we almost missed them.

I dashed out of the waiting area for patrons not going into the temple when I saw them walk past the window toward the temple grounds exit. I scrambled as fast as my legs would carry me (unencumbered by the baby stroller that was waiting with Jay - Autumn tucked inside) and called out "Stephanie! Stephanie! Steph!" 'till I got her attention.

Actually, I got her mother in-laws attention first who echoed my cry to Stephanie.

It was like I caught up with one of my best friends.
Her face lit up when she saw me and promptly came over to give me a hug!

Of course she asked: "Are your husband and baby here?!"

I sheepishly answered that yes, they were, and that we had gotten there later than we had expected to.
We had a brief conversation as they were headed over to the reflecting pool to take pictures with the photographer she had hired - but I told her that I would go grab Jay and Autumn and meet them all over there.

As Jay and I walked over toward this group of practically strangers I felt very anxious - how was everyone going to react to meeting me?! I was practically petrified.

All that melted away immediately when we caught up to them and - James' mother Beverly took me into her arms in a very warm and tight embrace saying: "I've wanted to give you a hug for a very long time."

Every little tiny worry and doubt in my mind vanished. It was confirmation all over again that these people were exactly who God wanted my little girl's family to be.

Stephanie introduced me to Kayley - who immediately gave me a hug, and to the rest of the family that was there.

James' dad also gave me a very warm embrace and whispered words in my ear that brought tears to my eyes: "Thank you so very much for your sacrifice."
I could only respond "you're welcome."

What else could I say?! I knew 5 years ago that James and Stephanie were supposed to be my little girls parents. I couldn't have asked for more than that - but she was given so much more. She was given a complete family of people that love and adore her. Something I hadn't even considered in my shallow 20 year-old mind when I gave her away. I just knew that it was about love.

That's what it's always been about.
I love my daughter. I've always loved her. Deeper than I can explain to anyone that has never had children, or any child that they love or care for.
I loved her enough to know that, even though I loved her more than I ever thought possible, I couldn't be the best mom for her when I was that young. When I was still growing up myself. When there were years of uncertainty before me. When I didn't have someone to be her daddy by my side - married to me. I wasn't my daughter's best option. I loved her enough to know that and to give her the best thing I could - a complete family. A forever family.

Saturday confirmed all of that, all over to me.

It's about love.

It always has been - and it always will be.

I love you Kayley.
I love you Stephanie & James.
I love your family.
Thank you for letting me be a part of it.

When saying goodbye to James, Stephanie, Maggie and Kayley on Monday - Kayley gave me a bouquet of flowers picked in the grass where we were, gave me a hug and said "Goodbye, I love you."
She said to me the same four words I said to her 5 years earlier.
I cannot deny that it's about love.

Guess what?!

2011-07-19T20:50:00.000-07:00

I had a baby!

Autumn Lynn Christopherson arrived at 7:27pm on July 15, 2011.
She weighed in at 8lbs, 7.6oz and measured 19 inches long.

She has a full head of brown hair, and bright blue eyes.
Right off the bat both Jay and I agreed that she looks like a "Hellewell."

Daddy got to hold her first

Mommy got a chance later.

She wasn't thrilled about her bath.

She made a lot of noise that night as she slept because she still had a bit of fluid in her lungs to clean out. The nurses called it "singing."

I'm delighted to be a mom.

I don't think anybody could deny the existence of God in their right mind after seeing/going through labor and bringing a miracle into existence.

I can feel my Savior's love - in all the world around me.
I am ever aware of his love for me, for Jay, and this beautiful little girl that I get to call my own.
I've been truly blessed.

Kayley Faith

2011-07-06T18:28:00.000-07:00

I'm pretty sure that everybody officially "following" my blog knows that I am a birth mom.
If you don't follow though, and you are unsure of what a birth mom is...
I've provided the definitions to common phrases meaning the same thing:

birth mother

— n
the woman who gives birth to a child, regardless of whether she is the genetic mother or subsequently brings up the child

birth parent

- n
a biological mother (birth mother) or biological father (birth father); a biological parent.

So basically, I had a child, almost 5 years ago now, but placed her for adoption.
I haven't seen her in person since the 2nd day I spent in the hospital with her (also the day I signed the adoption papers and gave her to her parents).

In the arrangements made between Kayley's (my daughter) parents and myself, we agreed that she and I would not have an in-person relationship unless she asked for one.
I was the one to actually make this request because of a conversation I had had with a very close friend of mine (who was 65 at the time, and also adopted). He had said to me: "Krystin, you need to be open to the idea that she may never want to know you. I've never wanted to meet my birth parents. I knew I was adopted, but I had a mom and a dad. I was content. I never needed to 'look into' that part of my life to make myself whole as a person. If these people that you are giving her away to are anything like my parents were, she may never need or want to know you. You need to be prepared to accept that."

So, since I placed Kayley for adoption, I haven't ever "met" her in person. I've seen videos and pictures of her online via Facebook and her parents blog. I've stayed in touch with her adoptive mother, Stephanie, via e-mail and text as well. I've been content with this. I even share my story on adoption with random strangers when the subject arises (which it does quite often when you're pregnant and people ask "is this your first?").

Well, about 3 days ago I got a text message from Stephanie letting me know that, "out of the blue," Kayley asked if she could write me a letter. I responded with affirmation that that was ok, and that I was looking forward to reading it.

The letter arrived today. I opened it.

After "aww-ing" at the picture on the front of the card, I opened it and read the first sentence.

I started bawling immediately.

I'm not sure if I can describe the emotions of relief, joy, and absolute love I have for this little girl and her family completely overcame me.

So, I'm planning a trip in the near future, as soon as this baby gets here (hopefully before and/on around the 26th - because that is Kayley's birthday) to go meet my daughter.
I can't tell you how much this means to me.

There really aren't words to express the love a birth mother has for a child she places for adoption. Anyone who says otherwise is gravely misinformed.

I really don't blog much

2011-06-24T18:57:00.000-07:00

So yeah... the last time I really said anything about what was going on in my life was back in December.

So... here's to the 6-month update!

I'm still pregnant.
35 weeks + 1 day today.
I'm having constant contractions - every 4 to 5 minutes 'round the clock.
My due date is July 28th - but I doubt I'll make it there.

My husband finished his Master's degree at the University of Utah as of 12/31/2010 and has been "unemployed" ever since.
Right now he's tutoring part time at a local high school. Lucky for us, this tutoring position is steady throughout the summer because of summer school - otherwise we'd be in a financial mess.

As for right now, I am on a Leave of Absence from my place of work. My short term disability should kick in some time this next week. However, when I'm done with short term disability - my job is not guaranteed to still be available. So, I may be looking again come October for work - my doctor wants me on short term 'till October 21st.

Jay is searching for jobs all over the U.S./world right now. Turned in 15 applications today as a matter of fact. But, so far, he's only interviewed with one company and they didn't offer him a position. If/when he gets a full-time offer with an income that we can live on - we'll move to wherever the job is.

I've done some heavy spring cleaning this year to make room for our baby to come.
I set up the cute crib and organized all the baby shower presents too.
We will be having a little girl and will name her Autumn.

It's super surreal to think that I'm going to actually have a kid and be a mom.

I haven't had any wacko cravings with this pregnancy - just green vegetables, same as when I was pregnant with Kayley. Veggies are awesome!

Once I deliver this little girl my mom will be coming out to stay with us for a little while to help out. When she goes back home Jay's mother is planning to do the same. After her visit, my best friend Allison is going to come out for a day.

I've taken a few pictures of the "prep" from Autumn - but haven't uploaded any onto my computer yet so I don't have any to post today, but I'm certain I will in the near future.

(Now I'm adding them in)

So yeah... that's an update on our life for the moment.
I'm sure I'll blog again before another 6 months have passed by. (at least I hope I will anyway...)

Thanks for reading!

Day 30: A letter to yourself.

2011-02-01T19:09:00.001-08:00

I’ve had a really hard time coming up with what to write to myself, that’s why this is so late.

Dear Krystin,
Times are tough. Life isn’t fair. You know how it goes.
I know you find yourself often hating the situation you are in. Work isn’t easy, money is tight, and depression drains you of your energy. But… don’t get caught up in the here and now. You have a very positive future to look forward to. You’re expecting you and Jay’s first child. You’ve dreamed of and prayed for this since becoming engaged to him. You made it. It’s actually going to happen. Boy or girl, you’re going to be a great mom.
Jay is going to find a job. You know that. It’s just a matter of time and persistence.
You’re a great friend. You always have been. You make other people’s days a little lighter with your warm smile and cheerful disposition (even if you’re faking it). You have the power to move mountains with your positive attitude toward finding the best in crappy situations. It sounds ridiculously like a fortune cookie, but it’s true.
Don’t be afraid to continue to stand up for equality at work. Don’t be afraid to be an advocate for others. You are one of those unique individuals that can be bold enough to speak up when others aren’t or cannot. Don’t lose that quality, even if you’re continually fired for it. It will be a huge asset in your life and will serve a great purpose for you and those around you. Don’t back down from saying or doing what is right.
Set attainable goals for yourself. You often find yourself “coming up short” because you’re afraid of setting realistic goals and losing your desire or willpower to see them through. You can achieve them. You just have to allow yourself to. Baby steps, Rome wasn’t built in one day.
Read your scriptures, even if it’s only one verse a day. You know you need to. There is power in the Gospel that is bigger and greater than you. Allow it to work in your life. Don’t be afraid to take the first step by letting it in. You’ve always been a “fence sitter.” Stop doing that to yourself. Jump in, both feet, and allow yourself to fail a few times. You learn more by participating rather than watching life pass you by and others receive the blessings you so desire for you and your family. Start actively playing a role in your own salvation. Those basic Sunday school answers, do them. You never have consistently, so start.
Go to bed on time, even on your days off. You know how vital sleep is to your health. Stop making excuses to not or finding things to distract you. Go to bed. When you feel better life seems happier. Your attitude is improved, and you are less stressed all around. Don’t compromise yourself by not following the basics.
Be kind to your husband. He has to make the decision to be “in this” with you every single day. Stop taking him for granted and remember that. Love him unconditionally. Remember what you are both striving for together as a family. Play an active part in that. Don’t just stand by and wonder why things aren’t getting any easier or better. It takes constant effort and work. You will feel better about yourself for putting in the effort. No regrets.
Love yourself. Forgive yourself for your past mistakes. So many people have found it in their hearts to forgive you for those things you have done. Allow you to forgive yourself. Stop carrying around that constant anguish. It only drags you down. Allow yourself to move on.
Do everything you can so that your home is the optimal place for your son or daughter to learn and grow. Love is the basic necessity. Love of husband and wife toward one another, and love toward your son/daughter. It’s that basic. Everything else is chaff in the wind. Make sure you give your child the best start possible, just how you did for Kayley.
Enjoy the ride of life. There will always be ups and down, the point is to go through them all and thank the Lord for the ride. It’s a beautiful journey. Don’t miss out by staying too focused on one point or another. Embrace the big picture. Thank God for those blessings you often miss when you focus on the negative. A thankful heart is a happy one.
Read this letter to yourself on a yearly basis to keep your focus.
Endure to the end, you will make it.
Love,
Yourself

Day 29: Something you hope to change about yourself. And why.

2011-01-16T14:03:00.000-08:00

I hope to change how much self-doubt I have.

I've never been all that confident (even if I seem that way).
I'd like to feel more confident and sure of myself in the future.

It's an uphill battle.
It always will be.
I know that.

I've come rather far in my life. But I still would like to be better at it.
I imagine it will always be a work in progress.

Day 28: What if you were pregnant or got someone pregnant, what would you do?

2011-01-16T13:57:00.001-08:00

Funny you should ask.

Considering that I am...
I can actually answer this question from two different perspectives.

I was once pregnant out of wedlock.
My current boyfriend and I made immediate plans to get married.
When that fell apart I made immediate plans to place my kiddo for adoption.
I did just that.
I'm happy to say that she has 2 of the best parents one could ever hope for.
I wouldn't go back and change how any of that went for the world.

Now, I'm pregnant once again. But this time is different.
This time I'm already married.
This pregnancy was planned - although still a surprise.
It's funny. On almost a daily basis I still have the "realization moment" of "oh my gosh, I'm pregnant!"
My emotions toward being pregnant are still the same.

I really enjoyed being pregnant with my first.
I'm really enjoying being pregnant with my second.

I know that I've done, and am doing the right thing for both of my children.
I'm excited to be a mom.
In both ways.

Day 27: What’s the best thing going for you right now?

2011-01-16T13:52:00.000-08:00

As for the right here and now, I'd have to say being happily married and expecting.

I can't begin to tell you the taxing emotions my husband and I have been through over the past year and a half while we tried to conceive, and had one failed pregnancy.
It's devastating to be disappointed every month for that long.
My heart literally breaks for every couple out there trying to become pregnant that, for whatever reason, cannot.
It is simply one of the worst possible trials for anyone to go through.
I'm so grateful we're not "waiting" any longer. I only hope I successfully carry, and have a normal birth.

Honestly, the best thing going for me right now is my future as a mom.

Day 26: Have you ever thought about giving up on life? If so, when and why?

2011-01-16T13:34:00.000-08:00

I'll admit, I have. At several different points.

I'm really lucky to have had my parents growing up. My mom especially.
There are a couple of specific times she could even list that she remembers taking me to the hospital due to my emotional breakdowns. Those weren't pretty, but honestly, had she not, I wouldn't be here.

I also think that at any time that I've ever considered, or tried, to commit suicide I've chickened out. I'm afraid to die. I'm afraid of mortal pain, or irreversible consequences for doing something stupid, especially life-threatening.

The first time I remember making an attempt on my life was shortly after my friend Miles committed suicide himself. My friends and I were so young. None of us knew how to deal with those emotions and life-altering realizations that we lost him, and nobody could ask him why. I don't think we'll honestly ever know all the reasons he did.
This was the first time my mother ever took me to the hospital due to a mental freak-out of mine. I remember intentionally overdosing on insulin so that my blood sugar would plummet and hopefully cause me to go unconscious before dying. It wasn't to be so though. My mom crammed a bunch of sugar-loaded food down me while rushing to the hospital. They ended up not keeping me overnight, but I was there until 3am or so for psychiatric evaluation.

The second time we made a similar hospital run was after I lost my fried Sean. This time didn't involve me attempting to harm myself in any way. I remember being in the bathroom just sobbing and my mother asking me "do you need me to take you to the hospital?" I only remember nodding. And she did just that. God bless you mom. I don't know what my brain was contemplating doing had you not, or had you pretended that "nothing was wrong." Or that "I could handle it." Again, this time I was also not admitted, but the hospital gave me a set of scrubs to wear while on observation to ensure I didn't have anything to harm myself on my person. My mom and I kept these scrubs as a reminder - and as a way for me to not have to say anything if I needed similar action from her in the future. She told me to just "put them on" and she'd respond right away. I wouldn't have to ask or say anything. I can't tell you how many times having those scrubs in the bottom of my dresser drawer kept me sane and focused on the good in my life. I never had to put them on again. Just having them there was enough.

(I never realized how hard it would be to write all this out - I'm literally sobbing while I do because of how blessed I am to have my mommy)

The 3rd attempt I remember was one my friend Jennie Nguyen pulled me out of. I was raped on my High School choir trip. She was my room mate/bed mate for the trip. I remember her taking me out to the service elevator at the hotel, and sitting inside if for couple of hours while she helped me calm my nerves, and get through all the emotional fall-out that I couldn't tell any adult on the trip about. We had been severely threatened as students on the trip that if there was any "boy/girl funny business" there would be no questions asked, and an immediate flight home. I couldn't tell. We hadn't even competed yet. And I wasn't about to have rumors start. To this day a number of my friends still don't know the whole story. It's hard to have to tell someone their friend is a rapist and have them believe you. Especially as a young high school student.

I know I've had several other times when I've feel the desire to end my life. Or times when I've devised several ways in which I could. I'm just glad I haven't. I've seen the fall-out, and all the negative that comes from it. I've seen it rip friends apart, destroy hope, and drown all understanding. I never want to do that to anyone I love. Ever. It's simply not worth it.

Day 25: The reason you believe you’re still alive today.

2011-01-16T13:32:00.000-08:00

"The" reason... I don't know if there is just one. I can think of several at least. But really, when I think about the most concrete reason I'd have to say it is: Because I haven't completed my family yet.

Yup. 'Nuf said.

Day 24: Make a playlist to someone, and explain why you chose all the songs.

2011-01-16T13:14:00.000-08:00

For my husband:

1. Truly, Madly, Deeply - Savage Garden.
I chose this song because, well... it pretty much has all the lyrics I feel toward my husband without saying.

2. Unchained Melody - Righteous Brothers.
Another love song that fits how I feel about my husband. Yeah... I'm dang lucky.

3. Zombie Jamboree - Rockapella.
I would not know about this song if it wasn't for Jay. When we were dating he made me a mixed CD which included this song. Really, I light up every time I hear it because it's just so dang funny. Besides, if you know my husband at all you'd understand that at least one song has to be about zombies.

4. Stand by your Man - Tammy Wynette.
He doesn't like country. But this song has deep meaning for me concerning him.

5. Jump around - House of Pain.
One of the first songs we danced to together at a Bishop's Storehouse dance.

6. Fever - (not written by, but performed by) Peggy Lee.
Yep, you guessed it. That's how he makes me feel.

7. You shook me all night long - AC/DC.
Why? A. It's a great song. B. There's a story here. Lol

Day 23: Something you wish you had done in your life.

2011-01-10T18:27:00.000-08:00

I really look at this topic a bit differently.
I find that on a daily basis I am referring to my "bucket list," or things I plan on doing in my life before I die.

So, my "I wish I had done this" is really more of a "I still plan to do this."

Travel - specifically to Eastern Asia, all of Europe, the Safaris in Africa, and numerous locations in South America (temples, the Amazon Rain Forrest, Machu Picchu, etc).

I guess this does classify as an "I wish I had done" back when I wouldn't have been the one footing the bill.

C'est la vie - there's not way in heck my parents would have afforded that or allowed me to go without supervision anyway.

Day 22: Something you wish you hadn’t done in your life.

2011-01-09T12:17:00.000-08:00

Oh there's a fair number of things I could put down here.

However, with all the lessons I've learned from doing all of those "things," I really believe that I am better off for having done them.

I still think the one and only "thing" or situation that stands out in my mind is in regards to one of my previous co-workers. I wish I hadn't trusted him.

However, going through "that situation" allowed me to see the true nature of my current boyfriend at the time, and allowed me to learn that I was willing and able to stand up for myself and not be victimized a second time around. I went through everything by myself. Completely alone. Hospital, lawyer, court, etc.

I don't think I even told my mother about this all 'till a year later. In fact, I'm pretty certain of that.

Because of that lesson I've been able to protect other women from him in the future. We're talking permanent record, and lifelong restraining order from the state I reside in. Convicted, sentenced, prevented from making someone else a victim.

So really, regardless of the fact that I wish I hadn't trusted him. I'm glad I was able to learn my various lessons afterward and become a better person because of it.

I think the eluded to story pretty much speaks for itself.
I don't let others tread on me anymore.

Day 21: Your best friend is in a car accident and you two got into a fight an hour before. What do you do?

2011-01-08T23:24:00.000-08:00

This is my best friend we're talking about.

It doesn't matter if I'm in a fight with my best friend or not - if they are in a car accident (worse than a slight fender-bender) I would be there at a moment's notice assuming I got a phone call about it.
This means I would rush to the accident scene, the hospital, wherever. Even across country or the world if necessary.
I'm the kind of friend you only need to ask once to be there for you.
And that goes for all of my friends. Not just my best.

Day 20: Your views on drugs and alcohol.

2011-01-08T23:11:00.000-08:00

I'll start, first and foremost, with my view on drugs.

Drugs - a medical necessity.
Controlled substances are necessary for a variety of reasons and there are many people that could not survive without them.

My view is much more stern when it comes to "street drugs" or drugs with a classification DEA code of "1." These drugs are things like cocaine, marijuana, LSD, heroine, meth, etc. These drugs I am completely against their uses for "recreational" or sometimes even medicinal purposes. There is a reason they are considered "street drugs." They are medically unsafe in almost any amount, and their addictive natures make them more of a medical hazard than any type of medicinal purpose they may contain.

Alcohol - for cooking, medicinal, sterilization, and industrial purposes I think it's great.

For use as a beverage... really, you're better off just drinking water. Too much potential for abuse in my mind, and I believe the national drinking age should be raised.
The number of deaths, even weekly, due to alcohol intoxication is staggering - regardless of the "method" a person becomes deceased (driving, etc.).

Basically my view on both drugs and alcohol when it comes to consumption in a recreational method - don't do it, or be 100% ready to accept any and all responsibility for the consequences if you do. Those consequences include, but are not limited to: death, dismemberment, medical problems, addiction, legal fines, jail time, and damnation.

Day 19: What do you think of religion?

2011-01-06T19:05:00.000-08:00

I think that religion is a method by which God almighty shared a way for us, his children, to return to him in heart, mind, and spirit.

I think that a lack of religion (of any kind) in a culture robs those individuals of having a relationship with their creator and Heavenly Father.

I think that banning any kind of religion is wrong.

I believe we, as humans, have free agency to choose what to believe, and how to worship what we believe to be God, or the Divine creator.

I pity those that don't share my belief on this. And I pity those that would willingly rob others of having a religion.

Day 18: Your views on gay marriage.

2011-01-06T19:00:00.000-08:00

I don't think it should be legal.

I know there are many of my friends that disagree with my view on this.
However, that does not mean I will change my view at all.

I believe that the true reason Sodom & Gomorrah were destroyed was because gay marriage was "legalized" and/or "sanctioned" by the government. Taking away the true meaning of marriage: a contract between Man and Woman, ordained by God almighty. Or in other words - only entered into under church authority.

I have no problem with you having opposing beliefs, but just note that I think any other op pinion on this matter is wrong.

I believe this is a total black and white issue. No gray areas. I think it is morally, ethically, and overwhelmingly wrong.

Day 17: A book you’ve read that changed your views on something.

2011-01-04T11:40:00.000-08:00

It's not a huge "out-there" kind of view change but...

In my British Literature class back in High School I read both Beowulf and Grendel, by John Gardner.

I was surprised by how much Grendel changed my view on the whole "what was right" within the story Beowulf.

I like the book a lot. I've even recommended it to my father (and my recommending a book to my dad took a lot of guts - this man is well read).

So yeah - not a huge change - just an opening of perspective.

You should read it.
Here's a preview:
http://books.google.com/books?id=RXw4jDg7o40C&printsec=frontcover&dq=grendel&source=bl&ots=FSdkMjQb-K&sig=yr-Om1KY3qIxzll594Lm1wPEIZ0&hl=en&ei=bXgjTZv6EJOssAOiobWSCg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=9&sqi=2&ved=0CFEQ6AEwCA#v=onepage&q&f=false

Day 16: Someone or something you definitely could live without.

2011-01-04T11:35:00.000-08:00

Something: makeup.

It baffles me how both my mother and my sister double-attacked me over Christmas vacation this year about me not wearing makeup to church. Really - it's not necessary.

I feel confident in my own skin. I don't like my acne - but I don't feel the need to cover it up and/or make it worse by exposing it to more crap than my normal body oils, etc.

My best friend in High School NEVER wore makeup. Ever. And I owe her a lot.
She gave me the confidence to do the same - granted, a few years down the road.

I find that when I don't have to fret about how my face looks I'm a much happier and less stressed out of a person. My skin feels better. My skin heals better. And really - I don't find "putting on a mask" makes me feel any better about myself.

Besides, my husband doesn't like to kiss me when I'm wearing any. It just gets in the way.

So... look out world. I don't wear makeup, and I don't give a damn about what you think about that. I like myself this way.

Day 15: Something or someone you couldn’t live without.

2011-01-04T11:33:00.000-08:00

My husband.

Jay is by far the love of my life.
I couldn't have dreamed up a more perfect man for me. It blows my mind on a regular basis how understanding, patient, loving, and forgiving this man is toward me.

He's my rock. Hands down.

I can't wait to see him hold his future son or daughter. He's going to make one hell of a daddy.

I love him more than words can express.

Day 14: A hero that has let you down.

2011-01-04T11:31:00.000-08:00

*deep breath in*

Jimmy Bartlett.

Yeah, that was hard to type here.

I'll admit, I kind of idolized him from High School through my only year in college. It just seems like ever since then he's shattered that image - and failed to keep a number of promises.

I have more than a slightly bitter taste in my mouth in regards to a few of those promises that were broken.

Day 13: A band or artist that has gotten you through some tough days.

2011-01-04T11:27:00.000-08:00

Evanescence. Hands down.

I actually don't listen to specific bands or artists much. I just generally don't listen to music very often at all.

However, every March I find myself leaning on the words to one of Evanescence's songs. It got me through the loss of Ryan. And I still find it's lyrics soothing every time of year when that wound is on the top of my mind.

Day 12: Something you never get compliments on.

2011-01-04T11:22:00.000-08:00

Ok, time for me to start sounding like a whiny girl.

I never get compliments on my looks. Really.
I know I usually look decent and/or good. But, I never get those desired "oh my goodness that is the cutest skirt/blouse/shoes/etc ever!" compliments that I give on a regular basis. Or "your hair is really cute today."

I admit, it would be nice to have to put up with more compliments than I could handle. But, I'm just asking for maybe one a day. That's it.

In general, I feel frumpy and unnoticed.

This fact is made even more evident by how my attitude automatically changes any time my husband compliments my looks without me fishing for them.

I'd be a much happier person if I got complimented on my looks more.

Oh the vanity...

Day 11: Something people seem to compliment you the most on.

2010-12-29T18:04:00.002-08:00

My voice.

Even if I'm not in church choir, or someone only catches me singing to myself in the elevator at work. It always baffles me that so many people in my life have complimented my voice.

It's odd. Even at my current job. I answer calls and it seems at least every other call I get complimented on how pleasant of a voice I have. How I'm so nice to listen to, and so easy to understand. I guess being raised in a family where your spoken diction or grammar was automatically corrected has brought me a long way in that regard.

But... on the singing part of things. I just don't get it some times. I know I sing well - but I don't consider myself to be anything special as far as my voice goes. And several people in "the industry" have assured me of such. So it's hard to have any compliments on my singing ability boost my confidence at all if I don't know that person's vocal credentials. I've been tainted. :(

Day 10: Someone you need to let go, or wish you didn’t know.

2010-12-29T18:01:00.000-08:00

A certain individual that will remain nameless.

Really... that's all I'm going to say on this one.

Day 9: Someone you didn’t want to let go, but just drifted.

2010-12-29T17:55:00.000-08:00

This has been a hard one for me to think about.

So many people come to mind...

I think the one person that tops my list is probably my best friend Liz Bartlett.
Liz is the kind of girl that is there for you, no matter what.
Right after Ryan passed away Liz was really hurting for me. I didn't know how to react. I kind of pushed her away. It seems we haven't been nearly as close as we were ever since.

This is something I regret on almost a weekly basis at least.

Day 8: Someone who made your life hell, or treated you like crap.

2010-12-26T12:04:00.000-08:00

Looking back over my life thus far, I'll admit I've had bad relationships, and even enemies. There have been several who have treated me badly.

However, it's hard for me to focus on only one. There are so many past instances in my life that I have truly "gotten over" and "forgiven."

I don't believe that re-opening some of those wounds, which I have already healed, are worth naming a name. I've truly forgiven those people.

So... I'm turning this into a "person who made you appreciate your life all that much more by their poor example."

That boils down to my grandmother.

I love her dearly, but we're not close. However, due to her lack of warmth I've developed even stronger connections with my immediate and extended family. It's funny how one rotten egg can sometimes bring the rest together.

For that, I am truly grateful.

Day 7: Someone who has made your life worth living for.

2010-12-26T11:59:00.000-08:00

I love how day 7 lines up on Christmas for me.

As such, when contemplating one person I found myself focusing more and more on my personal savior, Jesus Christ.

I find the more I study the Bible and Book of Mormon the more appreciative I become of his mission here on the Earth and the incredible sacrifice he made for me, and for everyone. This Christmas became even more sweet for me as I did not shop for Christmas presents at all. Nope, none, nada. Being able to truly focus on the pure meaning of Christmas has developed an even greater love for Jesus Christ. I feel as though my personal relationship with him is ever growing and has finally reached a recognizable level for me.

I know this post is a day behind - but know that this was my continued thought throughout the day on Christmas.

How blessed am I to have a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.
He truly has mad my life worth living for.

Day 6: Something you hope you never have to do.

2010-12-24T16:02:00.000-08:00

This, without a doubt, tops my list of things I hope I never have to do:

Bury a child of mine before I die.

I've been to several funerals throughout my life. All are sad. But, to me, the one (or two) people I focus on the most throughout a funeral service is that person's mother and/or father. I can't even begin the imagine the heartbreak and the feeling of unfairness in the world to be there, be strong, and say goodbye to a baby you brought into this world. I just don't know if I'd be able to do it.

I hope I never have to.

Day 5: Something you hope to do in your life.

2010-12-23T17:47:00.000-08:00

Oh the list is truly endless...

Really though, what tops my list of things I want to do during my life is:

Get a college degree.

Really, this sounds so simple to some, but I didn't make it past my freshman year at CSU.
I want to go to college and actually get a degree (any degree really) in something that I feel passionate about. That list is still pretty long - 35 to 40 things come to mind that I could go to school for and easily enjoy my time studying those subjects. But I want to go to school for something that I equally feel passionate for, as well as something that I will use in my everyday living. Something that will make a difference for me outside of a specific type of employment. Knowledge I will actually use outside of a formal work place. You know, something that MATTERS!

I have plans to do this at some point - but no drive just yet to commit to one specific subject or area of study. Hopefully that will be determined within the next 2-3 years so that I can begin.

I really hope to do this in my life.

Day 4: Something you have to forgive someone for.

2010-12-22T18:38:00.000-08:00

I have to forgive a couple of my past employers for "letting me go."

I know this sounds so typical - but honestly, I've held a deep resentment towards a couple of my former employers for at least a year now. A very deep resentment.
I guess that's mainly because I loved my jobs. I really felt accomplished after a hard day's work at both of these positions, so being let go really hit me pretty low.

Yeah... this is kind of a short post. But I don't want to drill into this one much more. It's still a pretty sore wound.

Day 3: Something you have to forgive yourself for.

2010-12-21T20:43:00.000-08:00

Not saying goodbye to Ryan or telling him "I love you" before he died.

My junior year was a very difficult time in my life. I was dating Ryan Keller, a guy that treated me with the utmost respect. A guy I only ever held hands with for the 6 months that we dated. Not even one innocent kiss. Nope. Nada. None. When I asked him why he told me straight up his intention of keeping our relationship 100% clean so that we would be able to rely on each other, always. Really, he was one amazing guy.

The last conversation I had with Ryan before he drove home that Tuesday evening, March 4th, 2003, is one I will never forget. It was so thoughtless, meaningless, unimportant. I didn't even say "thank you" for the information he gave to me that I asked him for. I said "ok" and walked away to go rub that information in someone else's face because he'd proven me right. Stupid. Truly stupid.

For the next month I was a shell to those people closest to me. I acted the part I was expected to - "the trooper." I was the girl who had lost her boyfriend. Who was "strong enough" to continue on, and to forge new friendships with all those she didn't know who had held Ryan dear. It was awkward. It was difficult. And I DID NOT share what I was thinking or feeling deep inside of me to anybody. I just couldn't. I didn't know how.

I have to forgive myself for all of that. For not knowing how to stay sane and whole through that whole rest of the year. How to not let some friendships practically shatter because I didn't know how to be real around anyone any more. I have to forgive myself for being human. I always expect better or the best from myself and am usually bitterly disappointed when looking back. This is what I need to forgive myself for.

I hope some day that I can.

Day 2: Something you love about yourself.

2010-12-20T20:47:00.001-08:00

Ok, honestly this one is going to sound extremely odd in a way to some people but...

I LOVE how up-front, bold, and "in-your-face" I am.
I'll admit that this characteristic has gotten the best of me at times (can you say fired?) but still. This is one thing I absolutely love about myself.

It takes a person with real fire and guts to unabashedly say what they think to anyone without fear of the consequences.

I was lucky enough to be raised by a man that is very politically outspoken (on certain topics) as well as being very "set in his ways." I value knowing what you believe, and being willing to fight to the death when you have the facts to back it up. That being said - I also love that I am willing to not pick a fight and leave other persons in a tivy when I will not argue a point with them. I choose to believe what I believe. You are more than welcome to tell me what you believe and/or know to be true, however, that does not mean I will change my opinion. I will take into consideration what you share, and your research on any topic. But it's up to me to decide what I believe. You have no power over me. I have free agency.

Enough said.

Day 1: Something you hate about yourself.

2010-12-19T11:43:00.000-08:00

Oh there are so many things I dislike about myself... but what do I truly hate?

I hate having my disease. There, I said it.
Almost everyone I know knows that I have diabetes. However, whenever I get on the topic I automatically stand up on my soap box and tell whomever is around how this disease really isn't a big deal. I tell about how simple it is to manage, and how those that use it as an excuse are my biggest pet peeve.

Really though - I hate having this disease.

I hate how much energy I spend on "taking care of it" and "managing my blood sugars" etc.
I hate how much money this disease takes out of my pocket every day.
Put it this way: without medical insurance the test strips alone to test my blood sugar cost a little more than $1 each. I test my blood sugar 4-7 times a day. Yeah... that's just the start.
I also spend about $12 every 3 days on just the plastic supplies to deliver my insulin into my body. This is not including the cost of the wipes (alcohol, etc.) to sterilize my skin and everything else. This also does not include the price of the actual insulin itself.
Blah... I really do hate having this disease.

I also hate how having this disease dramatically increases the risk for several other medical problems. Scroll the list:

Hypo/Hyperthyroidism
Kidney Failure
Blindness
High Blood Pressure
Weight gain
Neuropathy
Amputations (feet, hands, limbs, etc)
Various organ transplants
Really... the list is truly endless

I also hate how having this disease dramatically increases the risk of my children developing it.
I also hate the fact that I really have to keep medical insurance at all costs (because it's cheaper to have the insurance than to pay for everything associated with having it out of my own pocket).
I hate how much medical procedures cost just to up-keep good diabetic health.
I hate how my immune system is constantly compromised and how much longer it takes my body to heal from scrapes, bruises, cuts, and even minor illnesses like colds.

Really... count your blessings for not having my disease.
It is one thing I truly hate about myself, and there's not much chance of finding a cure for my type of diabetes (type 1) in the near future. Science just isn't moving fast enough - and finding a cure for it post onset is limited to finding a way to block your immune system for continuing to attack your healthy body functions (production of insulin) in the future (including if you had a pancreas transplant).

So yeah... that pretty much sums it up.

The Truth

2010-12-19T11:42:00.001-08:00

A friend of mine had this on her blog so I decided I would give it a whirl too. It's called 30 days of truth.

Day 1: Something you hate about yourself.
Day 2: Something you love about yourself.
Day 3: Something you have to forgive yourself for.
Day 4: Something you have to forgive someone for.
Day 5: Something you hope to do in your life.
Day 6: Something you hope you never have to do.
Day 7: Someone who has made your life worth living for.
Day 8: Someone who made your life hell, or treated you like crap.
Day 9: Someone you didn’t want to let go, but just drifted.
Day 10: Someone you need to let go, or wish you didn’t know.
Day 11: Something people seem to compliment you the most on.
Day 12: Something you never get compliments on.
Day 13: A band or artist that has gotten you through some tough days.
Day 14: A hero that has let you down.
Day 15: Something or someone you couldn’t live without.
Day 16: Someone or something you definitely could live without.
Day 17: A book you’ve read that changed your views on something.
Day 18: Your views on gay marriage.
Day 19: What do you think of religion?
Day 20: Your views on drugs and alcohol.
Day 21: Your best friend is in a car accident and you two got into a fight an hour before. What do you do?
Day 22: Something you wish you hadn’t done in your life.
Day 23: Something you wish you had done in your life.
Day 24: Make a playlist to someone, and explain why you chose all the songs.
Day 25: The reason you believe you’re still alive today.
Day 26: Have you ever thought about giving up on life? If so, when and why?
Day 27: What’s the best thing going for you right now?
Day 28: What if you were pregnant or got someone pregnant, what would you do?
Day 29: Something you hope to change about yourself. And why.
Day 30: A letter to yourself.

Blowing chunks

2010-12-19T03:41:00.000-08:00

The title truly says it all.
This is the 3rd time I've truly thrown up real food since becoming pregnant.

Yes, you read that right.

I'm pregnant. About 7-8 weeks a long as of Wednesday. I give a range because I still haven't had my first sonogram, but my Doctor did confirm my pregnancy with a blood test (on a Wednesday) and told me I was 3-4 weeks a long when she gave me the results. So yeah, until an OB gives me an official week number and due date, it's between weeks and end of July - Beginning of August for the due date.

So... I've joined the world-wide group of expecting mothers that have that lovely thing commonly called "morning sickness."
This is a curse.
Basically, I didn't have any morning sickness whatsoever when I was pregnant with Kayley. So, this is all new to me. So far I've managed to gag myself on my toothbrush every morning since I was 4-5 weeks a long, some times throwing up stomach juices (I intentionally brush my teeth before I eat).
But, as for real food loss - only 3 meals.

Let me say this much - being able to manage my blood sugars accurately with this pregnancy has been horrible. When I throw up - I go super low considering I've already taken insulin for the food I ate. And if I correct my blood sugar with juice or a capri sun... well... lets just say that juice in general is not sitting well on my tummy. Basically comes right back up within a half hour.

So yeah... I'm sitting in front of my computer at 4:56am with my pink "hospital bucket" (the cute rectangular one I got from the last time I was in a maternity ward - but never had to use) in case I don't stop heaving for the next little while, whining to all of cyber-space about being pregnant and feeling ill. Just thought you'd all like to know.

Hopefully the next post will be much happier. :P

Unemployment blues

2010-09-28T16:24:00.000-07:00

I'm convinced that I shouldn't have a job.
I want to be a stay-at-home wife.
That being said...

I got fired again.

My feelings toward this news are:
Bitter, depressed, stressed, self-questioning, distraught, manic, afraid, uncertain.

I wish I had a job.
More than that, I wish I knew how we are going to be able to pay our bills, and maintain having insurance because my stupid disease is very expensive.

In short, life goes on.
Now I'm just most worried about the quality of life I'll be able to lead emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually.
I wasn't ready for another kick while I was still down...

Share the Love

2010-04-18T19:45:00.000-07:00

I like this idea for "things to do" on my days off.
That's right, I have a job now. There will be another blog about this subject later.
So anyway... feel free to read on and leave a comment. :)

The first five people to respond to this blog will get something made by me! It will be MY choice of course and will be made for YOU. This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:

1. I make no guarantees that you will like what I make.
2. What I create will be for you.
3. It'll be done within a year - hopefully by the end of this one.
4. You have no clue what it's going to be. It may be sewn, painted, written, or maybe something totally random that I come up with on a whim, etc.
5. I reserve the right to do something extremely strange.

The catch? Oh, the catch is that you must re-post this on your blog and offer the same to the first 5 people who do the same on your blog. So leave a comment so I can get creative and be sure to "share the love".

Love you all!
Krystin

My California Adventure

2009-06-26T14:54:00.001-07:00

So back in May of 2009 Jay and I decided to take a fun trip to Southern California.
It's remarkable that I haven't blogged about it before now however.
I've been more than neglecting my own blog as of late it seems.

Anyway, so on the 14th of May, Jay and I flew into LAX for my Disneyland/California adventure.
I'll admit that my previous experience in Southern California at the theme parks was not enjoyable, or a memory I wanted to ever have to re-live, but my thought process centered around this: "If and when my children ask me if/when I took a trip to Disneyland, Universal Studios, the California Beach, or anything a long those lines, I wanted to have a POSITIVE experience there to tell them about." So - considering Disney was offering a free 1 day park pass for your birthday - to celebrate your birthday with Disney (it was their 50th birthday in 2009) we decided to take the bait and have a fun trip down in L.A., staying at my brother and sister in-law's apartment, to do the typical Southern California sight-seeing.

So... here goes in reverse order!

Our last stop on our trip was to Universal Studios - we took the tour, and rode most of the rides in the park (I'm pretty sure one was closed down so we couldn't get that one in).
Unfortunately for us, our day was cut short at the park as they were hosting Prom for one (or possibly a couple) schools that evening. I wish they had mentioned this before we purchased the tickets to get into the park to begin with, but... alas, they didn't.

The day prior to our Universal adventures was my birthday (May 15th for anybody that doesn't know, or wants to keep track).
This, of course, was our Disneyland day.
We opted for Disneyland rather than California Adventure - so next time we're down in that area of the world we'll have to hit the other park (maybe the "giving a day of service for a free ticket to any Disney park for a day" trade-off in 2010 will provide for that incentive).
Again, the pictures are in reverse - but it shows the major highlights of the day (including the $8 plate of overcooked spaghetti & meatballs I had for lunch - ouch!)

I actually got my official Mickey Mouse ears this trip - expensive, but worth the memory they provide.

And a bunch of balloons!!

No... I'm just kidding... *sighs* the guy selling these balloons was in the bottom right-hand corner of the picture holding fast to his merchandise.

I also found my knight in *shining* armor! Sorry Jay - but trust me, that gear is heavy and uncomfortable to wear!

This one's of the tree house bridge (formerly Swiss Family Robinson tree house - now it is Tarzan themed).

On board the Mark Twain! This was a leisurely boat ride - welcome toward the end of a long day of hoofing it around the whole park.

Making my birthday wish at the wishing well!

I found this sign to be pretty funny. :)

Why did the *headless* chicken cross the road?

I told Jay to heed this sign's warning...

but he didn't listen... *sighs*

The infamous small world clock tower (I took so many pictures on this ride - and no, I will not burden you all with them here).

Mmmmmm, that $$ lunch mentioned above.

A happy Jay with his $$ pizza!

Look who I found!! Goofy!

The day prior to our Disneyland excursion was our 1st full day in CA.
That evening my brother Diego (aka Ben) and his wife Mariela convinced us to go to a local climbing gym with them.
I had a good time, but my muscles were pretty sore a couple of days later.
We also went out for frozen yogurt (or was it custard?) afterward - a worthwhile venture!

Earlier that same day - on our own because Diego and Mariela both had to work - at Venice Beach. We got some sun, and had a fun time wandering a long all the shops, and almost all the way to Santa Monica beach, but we decided to turn back before we made the whole trip.

So that pretty much sums up our entire trip. Short, but sweet. We had a good trip, with lots and lots of pictures. Hopefully I'll figure out the problem with uploading all of those to Facebook (I have tried to upload them at least 5 times over the last 8 months to no avail).
So now that you're updated on our lives to the point of mid May 2009, maybe I'll put another post up from last year in the coming weeks (or maybe not - no promises).

California Here We Come!

2009-05-12T10:26:00.001-07:00

I figured I'd better put a brief update on our lives here (considering the last two blogs weren't really about 'us' per say).

Jay and I are still living our everyday 9-5 (or 10-6 in Jay's case) lives.
This past weekend we spent a good amount of time cleaning up our apartment (because it was driving me nuts!) and grocery shopping.

While we were out and about we also decided to get us a new pet fish (sadly our almost 2-year-old beta, Sprout, bit the dust on Monday last week :( and I missed him). I cried when I came home to find his poor white body laid to rest on the bottom of the bowl. He hadn't been doing too well toward the end as it was.

The new beta isn't nearly as blue as Sprout was, but he sure is pretty. He has a lot of red in his fins on top of the blue. The red reminded me of fire, so I was thinking of naming him Fawkes (after the Phoenix in Harry Potter) before finally deciding on Dante.

In the small tank next to Dante's bowl are some other recent additions to our family purchased at least a month ago. They are: Grog (an African Dwarf water frog), Yoda (a golden snail) and Chewy (another golden snail). I'll be adding pictures later.

Originally Yoda was Sprout's companion, but for the week we were without sprout I put him in with the frog and other snail.
I was planning on putting him back in the fish bowl with our new family addition, but Dante won't let him even emerge from his shell when he's in there, so he might be relocated into the frog tank permanently. Only time will tell (I'm considering putting him back in the fish bowl in the dark so that he has a fighting chance of getting out of his shell and getting a bite to eat before the fish wakes back up).

So... that's the family currently.

On to future plans!

With my birthday coming up this Friday Jay and I decided to give in to the Disney commercials and register my birthday online for a free park pass to Disneyland. This, of course, means we have to get out to California to put it to use on Friday.
Therefore, we will be flying into LAX Thursday morning and staying with my Brother and Sister-in-law (Diego and Mariela). I think we'll be renting a car as well, I'd better give them both a call today to check on that before we get there.
So, in the next few days plan on seeing a TON of photos from our trip!

Other future plans we have in store are starting our family. There's no 'bun in the oven' yet, but there will be one soon (I can't very well be pregnant before going on a bunch of roller coasters in California).
This is the reason I'm getting the apartment cleaned up too. Need to get things ready for another person who'll be living with us (and in our bedroom none-the-less).

Anyway, that's what's going on in our crazy lives lately.
Come back soon to see pictures of our pets and vacation!

Shalie's Wedding

2009-04-17T14:11:00.000-07:00

About a month ago my cute cousin Shalie decided to get herself hitched for all time and eternity in the Idaho Falls Temple.

Lucky for me, Jay and I were able to take a day off work and drive up to be there for the whole thing, including the temple ceremony.
We arrived in Idaho Falls rather late in the evening on Thursday night (April 9th) and headed over to Shalie's hotel after checking into ours.

It's no secret to anybody in my family that I am THE most enthusiastic gift-giver anybody knows. Being thus, I was so excited about the wedding present I got for Levi and Shalie that I practically begged her to open it that night. She didn't argue at all, and was quite happy to do so in fact.

I got them a set of matching towels, oven mits and hot pad, sheets, plates, bowels, cups, and some reusable ice cubes from Bed, Bath and Beyond.
I went ahead and purchased a "party bucket" as well to display it all in, but you can't see it in this picture due to the gift bag.

Shalie and Levi were so precious to admire at the temple that day. I was able to concentrate more on their ceremony than on my own due to all the adrenaline pumping through my veins on my special day. I was blessed to have gone.
They were married on April 10, 2009.

Right after the ceremony I went back into the bride's room and did Shalie's hair up as best I could. I was quite happy with the way it turned out, although I took about 100 bobby pins to do so!

The next few pictures are from on the temple grounds shortly after the ceremony.
Unfortunately I wasn't able to snap a shot of them coming out because I was right in front of them after doing Shalie's hair.

The happy couple with their parents and grandparents.

Shalie and her mom, Linette.

Glenn and all six of his kids!

Plus Linette

Their immediate families

Although the batteries in my camera were dying, I still managed to get several good shots of the two of them on the Temple grounds.
I photo shoped some of these and they are at the end of this blog.

The happy couple on their way home for the luncheon.

Their first "official" reception was held in Malad, ID where the two will be living at Levi's mother's house before heading off to school at BYU-I.
Shalie had me do a slightly different hair style for the reception than in the wedding photos at the temple.

Their adorable wedding cake!

The food table
There were 5 or 6 other cakes baked for them so that they could take the main cake to their second reception in Murray, UT.

Kaela hiding from a snapshot at one of the tables.

Jaeden Longhusrt (I hope I spelled that right)

Because there was not a professional photographer to lock these images into history, I decided to get some good pictures of the decorations at the reception.
Shalie hand-made most of them, and I thought they turned out just darling.

The gift table
I'll also mention here that I became the 'interior decorator' as well for both receptions. There's just something about weddings that calls my name.
I can remember how much my arms hurt after hanging the backdrops and making everything displayed look 'just right.'

People in the receiving line.

Various relatives attended both receptions and the wedding itself, but, unfortunately I wasn't able to get a good picture of everyone.
See who you recognize!

I also thought it was very cute how Shalie and Levi both wore tennis shoes at their reception. Here they took the opportunity to model how contemporary they are!

Viewing the gift table

I've always loved how, at weddings, the little kids are so taken by the bride in her gown. Some of the best candid shots, in my opinion, at weddings come from interaction between the happy couple and kids.

Proof that both Jay and I were there, but we were both pretty tired by the end of the night.

Shalie's beautiful sisters Taesha and Kaela (again I hope I spelled those right)

The 'father-daughter dance' to the tune of "I held her first."

The 'mother-son, and son-mother-in-law dance'
I can't remember what song was played however.

Shalie finally getting a moment to soak in that "Wow, I just got married!" feeling.

End of the dance.

And now... time for cake!!

One of their beautiful presents.
I believe that you can click on any one of these images to enlarge it for viewing. You will then have to hit the back button on either your mouse after doing so.

Shalie's sisters "did up" their car with lipstick.
I was so glad somebody did!

The candid "graduation" shot!

Another couple classic candids!

This was the second reception in Murray, UT.
Shalie decided she wanted me to style her hair 'down' this time-around and avoid any more bobby pins!

This was my favorite "are we done yet?" shot of the whole wedding line.
Everyone was exhausted at this point due to lack of sleep and a whirlwind of activities.

The two photo shopped photos.
I want to do something else with these, but I have really cheap software... so maybe some day I will convert some of those photos into Black and White, and do something really cool with color overlay like Anne Geddes.

I hope you enjoyed all the pictures!!

Christmas (plus New Years) in February!

2009-02-05T07:46:00.000-08:00

Well... I figured it has been quite a while since I blogged last, and when looking at my last post I realized it was in November!
Ack!
Time does fly by rather fast I guess.

So, what have we been doing over the past two months?
Well, for Christmas we flew home to Colorado to spend it with both of our families.
Jay and I are lucky enough to have our parents live in the same neighborhood and attend the same family ward, so we don't have to argue over which side of the family to visit each year.
Christmas morning was spent with his parents where we slept the night before, but unfortunately I didn't snap any pictures while we were there (that was my dumb blond moment for the trip).
Christmas day was then spent at my sister Stephanie's house a little ways away. (There's just too many of us to all fit in my parent's house anymore)
Unfortunately I had another blond moment while at their house and my camera didn't capture any pictures there either.

We drew names in our family this year 'tween the kids' treating the married ones as one unit. Jay and I got Mariela and Diego. They were pretty easy to shop for considering they are the only two that have passports (and actually use them) in my family. With the help of Sam's Club we purchased a 5-day 4-night trip to Cancun, Mexico (excluding air fare of course). The reaction from the other adults in my family was basically all the same: "Can you guys draw my name next year?" It was pretty cool. I can't wait to see pictures from their trip this year.

Moving a long after Christmas...
My mom's gift to all of us this year was renting a cabin for the 3 days following Christmas. We all drove down to Colorado Springs, up through Divide, over the river and through the woods, to a little cabin up near Pikes Peak.
There were 4 bedrooms for all of us to share, a cozy fire place, a hot tub, a tire swing, and a few hills around (ok, really they were driveways because any "hill" up there was speckled with trees) for some good sledding!

We pre-planned a few fun family activities for up in the cabin so that we weren't all just bored up there and sitting around. One day we had a competition crossword puzzle to see who would do the dishes (my team of Jasen, Stephanie, & Jay won). That was pretty fun. I realized that almost everybody in my family is good at those.
That evening we started baking the gingerbread for our extravagant house we planned to build.
My brother Ben (aka Diego) bought a pattern online for a pretty sweet beach house. And although we had some problems assembling the darn thing in the beginning, the finished product was pretty sweet. Every single material used to build it is edible!
Take a look!

My added touches were the well and the trash can by the door, oh yeah, and the grass (died white rice). My brother can be credited with the bicycle, and the surf board. Melissa was the master behind our two sunbathers. After marveling at our accomplishment we decided to leave the house behind for the following tenants to enjoy!

Sunday morning Jay and I had to take off early from the cabin leaving everyone else behind for another night. I had to be back to work on Monday, and we had a 3pm flight out of DIA to book it to after dropping by my friend Jenn's wedding (which we didn't get to stay for, but at least we got to give our congratulations before jetting off - literally).
Before leaving the cabin we did our usual family photo, and I had all the girls put on their white hats that I knitted for us all just to show off my work. :)

All in all I had a blast at Christmas and can't wait to go home and visit again soon.

Moving on though... because we spend Thanksgiving with my Grandma April, and Christmas with our immediate families, we decided to go visit my Grandparents in Heyburn, ID (my dad's dad George and step Granny Charlotte) for the new year.
We drove up New Years Day and stayed through the weekend with them.
It was nice just hanging out with them and going to a temple session at the Twin Falls temple together.
We snapped a few quick shots before taking off on Sunday for the drive home, but I can't find my camera right now, so I'll have to upload those later.
Lucky for us the weather was bright and sunny both days we were driving, so we didn't have a single delay a long the way.

Ok, so that about covers it all. Just another couple months in the life of two married nerds!
Oh how I love being boring!

Houston, Texas - NASA

2008-12-04T14:30:00.001-08:00

I've been meaning to post this blog for a long time now, but I just didn't get around to it 'till now.

The "2nd" part of our Houston trip (well... 4 hours of the last day spent there really) was a trip to the Johnson Space Center, aka NASA!!

Jay and I had a blast touring the whole museum as well as going on the tram tour to historic mission control and various training centers on the base.

The highlight for me was indeed mission control. We toured there merely and hour before docking proceedures were to commence for the space shuttle that flew up on Friday (2 days earlier) to swap out one person at the international space station.

Speaking of the international space station. They have a training layout in a building there of every single piece of equipment up there. Obviously it isn't laid out exactly how it would appear in space, because they have to lay it out flat on Earth. But they do this so that when they take up new equipment to the station itself they can practice beforehand (and make sure it fits right, etc.).
This is the training space station building (don't remember the real name) where that all happens.

This is the arm on the shuttle that the astronauts use to manuver large/heavy objects around outside the space station for building/maintenance procedures. On earth it can't lift anything heavier than a balloon filled with air, but in space it can manuver the entire station itself (one piece at a time).

Going into the building with the "Saturn 5" rocket (that they flew to the moon in the Apollo Missions) on loan to the Johnson Space Center from the Smithsonian.

My favorite mission story:

This was my birthday present to Jay (and half-birthday present to myself - considering our birthday's are each other's half-birdays).

We had a lot of fun browsing the gift shop afterward and I bought a really cute white sweat-shirt-ish kind of a thing with the NASA logo on it. I also bought a picture of us just before going on the tour (they are required to take photographs of every person who sets foot on the base for security reasons).

Crazy 8's

2008-11-25T08:50:00.000-08:00

I've been tagged!

Here goes:

8 TV shows I enjoy watching when I have time and would like to chill:
1. Simpsons
2. 24
3. What Not to Wear (although I don't get cable/satelite)
4. Are You Smarter than a 5th grader?
5. Grey's Anatomy (I haven't been watching since the 3rd season though...)
6. The Price is Right (I miss Bob Barker)
7. King of the Hill
8. Family Guy

8 things that happened yesterday:
1. Got to work @ 6:30am
2. Ate chicken noodle soup for lunch
3. Worked an 11 hour day
4. Made plans to do the laundry when I got home (didn't happen though)
5. Watched the end of a Simpson's episode
6. Helped make macaroni & cheese for dinner
7. Went to my visiting teacher's condo with my husband for FHE/Visiting Teaching with 3 other couples
8. Had a diet rootbeer float

8 things I am looking forward to:
1. Going to the cabin after Christmas with my family!! - Ditto to my sister
2. My first slumber party as a distributor
3. Lunch today - Chicken noodle soup again (it's home-made)
4. Thanksgiving down in Orem with my grandma and 2 aunts, uncles & cousins
5. Having a baby (at some point - still not pregnant don't freak out)
6. Putting up my little Christmas tree with all the cute decorations I bought last year
7. New Years day, day after New Years, and the weekend with my grandparents in Heyburn.
8. Christmas Present Shopping (honestly the only type of shopping I actually enjoy)

8 things I love about fall:
1. The smell of it
2. Indian summer days - ditto to my sister
3. My craftiness kicks in and I make stuff
4. Snow (yes it comes in the fall)
5. Thanksgiving (especially the dark meat Turkey parts of it and the giblets)
6. Having my husband not disagree to the layers of blankets on our bed
7. Hot Chocolate is easier to find in the stores (in multiple flavors)
8. Matching scarves, gloves & hats

8 things on my wish list:
1. Pedicure & Manicure at a high-end salon (not one of those cheap, typically Asian-run places in the mall)
2. A working printer
3. Internet @ home
4. A laptop case of my choosing (I want a hard case, but I don't want it looking like a briefcase - although the functionality of a briefcase would do me well)
5. A white saphire pendant with two stones (pretty much identical to the fake one I lost)
6. Several cute pencil skirts
7. A new winter coat
8. A professional massage

8 people I am tagging:
1. Jay Christopherson
2. James Buckner
3. Stephanie Buckner
4. Meagan Gerrard
5. Justin Gerrard
6. Kenny McLean
7. Loalyn Hellewell
8. Jasen Pollock
(If you don't have a blog and/or a gmail account you could always e-mail me @ KrysinEChristopherson@gmail.com and I'll post yours in my comments)

Houston, TX - The wedding

2008-11-19T07:12:00.000-08:00

This past weekend flew past in a blur...
Jay and I flew to Houston, TX on Friday for his little brother Matt's wedding.
We arrived in Houston, picked up our rental car, and immediately got on the highway right in the middle of rush hour (or maybe the highways are always that crowded?).
We found out over the course of our trip that the highways there are almost always busy, but during usual rush hour traffic times they are more than packed!
That's ok though, we rented a Garmin GPS navigation system for in our car so we didn't have to struggle with looking down at a map while driving around. Actually, Jay did all of the driving seeing as I'm not 25 yet and couldn't drive our rental car without paying a super-high price on top of what we were already paying.
Friday night we went out to a barbeque place for the rehearsal dinner, met Michelle's family and had fun in general just hanging out and talking to everyone there.

Saturday morning was the wedding, and it was absolutely beautiful. They were sealed for all time and eternity in the Houston, TX temple. Jay was their best man and Michelle had two of her friends, one of her cousins, and Lindsay (our sister in-law) as her brides maids.

After the ceremony Michelle and Matt both went into the visitor's room where her parents were waiting (Michelle is a convert to the church) and had a beautiful moment filled with tears and hugs all around. It really was a beautiful morning.

The reception that day was at the church where Michelle's parents attend in the heart of the city. They did a short ring ceremony for all her family and friends to be able to witness, and of course, did all the other traditional wedding stuff (with the exception of a garter toss).

We all bid them farewell as they drove off into the sunset (well, actually into rush hour traffic) on their way to Dallas. They are currently on their honeymoon in San Diego, CA visiting Sea World and various other things that the "San Diego City Card" gets them in to for free.

This Friday will be an open house at the Belleview building in Littleton, CO for all of Matt's friends and family to attend. Sadly Jay and I will not be able to go due to my lack of vacation time this year, but we'll see them again at some point. After all, they're in my family!

October 31 party at Apartment 13

2008-11-03T15:49:00.000-08:00

Jay and I hosted a blast of a party at our apartment Halloween night.
We had all the decor out that you could imagine: spider web, black lights, a bubble fogger, a graveyard (complete with headstone and chainlink fence), a tablecloth smeared in blood, ghosts hanging from the ceiling and black and orange streamers. And that was just on the inside!!

Outside on the front porch we had caution tape reading: Enter if you Dare!, more spider web, and a big orange bucket filled with apples and dry ice making the perfect bobbing for apples witches brew.

All in all the evening went quite well. We played several rounds of catch phrase and had a roaring good time hanging out with all of our good friends from the ward. Sadly, there were several people who did not show up that had RSVP'd.

Oh well, a good party is a good party, tough luck for those that couldn't make it.

I served plenty of good food (chili, hot apple cider, chips & dips, doughnuts, cheesey-puffs, chex mix, and lots and lots of candy) which was shared by almost everyone who came.

I was dressed as Marie Antoinette and Jay even got into the spirit of things by dressing up as an "emperor of evil." Sad to say I didn't get a picture of his entire costume on him. The mask was pretty dang cool if I do say so myself. And I do!

Tonight's task will be to clean up some of the decor and store it away for next year. I daresay the party was quite a success having had 17 adults and two babies attend our cute little one-roomed apartment.

Another Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween!!

2008-10-31T14:42:00.001-07:00

Another Halloween Season!

I'll add more pictures later from our Halloween party tonight, but these few are from Lagoon, my friend Dave Rees' party, and from what I wore to work today.

Seussical Photo Blog

2008-10-25T13:26:00.000-07:00

How many of me?

2008-10-20T13:48:00.001-07:00

I took the idea from my sister and looked up my name as well.

I am proud to announce that I am the only Krystin Christopherson that anybody knows!

HowManyOfMe.com

There are
1
or fewer people with my name in the U.S.A.

http://howmanyofme.com">How many have your name?

Flashback Friday - Randy Jay Christopherson

2008-10-17T14:33:00.001-07:00

My husband the scientist...Oh what was I thinking?!

I don't have many clever things to write in this one today mainly due to a lack of awesome pictures like the one above.

However, I do plan to compose another blog in the future highlighting the many achievements of my husbands life.

Including the final length of his hairline.

Anyway, as promised I've posted this picture of his longer-haired days.

Eat it up!

Krystin does headshots!

2008-10-15T13:09:00.001-07:00

I've never had professional headshots taken of myself...

I do plan to rectify this at some point in my acting career, but for the here-and-now my little digital camera will just have to do

This one is of me after taking out my self-put-in pin curls

(my hair was so dirty in this picture, but I still let the hubby capture a shot) This is what I usually looked like before taking off my wig and costume
Cheap headshot:

1. Do your hair & makeup

2. Drive to Wal Mart
3. Go to the bathroom assesories isle and hang up a few rugs next to each other on the shelves

(or go to the plastic flowers isle for a more colorful backdrop)

4. Take a ton of pictures (spray & pray)

5. Go to the kodac kiosk back in the photo center @ Wal Mart...

6. Edit, Crop, Print

Clean cavity-free teeth: $57.00
Curls to kill for: $2.00
Professional-looking Headshots: $4.16

Getting the role you actually audition for: Priceless

There are some things that money can't buy... for everything else there's (Chase) MasterCard!

Work, work, work... all day long

2008-10-14T15:47:00.000-07:00

I have a hard time explaining what I do for a living to a lot of people, so I figured I would take my sister's idea and display in pictures.

Q: Who do you work for?

A: General Communications, Inc.

Q: What do you do?

A: My company is an Audio-Visual Systems Integrator.

My technical title is "Sales Administrative Assistant"
My primary roles are assisting the outside sales team in completing contracts, managing a contact database, processing paperwork when a contract is landed, and any other task that I am assigned via upper management or by a sales team member.

Q: What does your company do?

A: My company designs, builds, installs and integrates high-end Audio-Visual systems in end-user facilities.

Meaning: if a business, government entity, school, or health care facility wants to have any A/V equipment put into thier location we can do it.

From small to large applications we can design a system (with our in-house engineers), calculate the expenditures (in-house estimating department), and install/integrate the system with what is already at the end location (huge installation team that travels inside and outside of the United States).

Basically, we're a one-stop shop for a happy end-user.

Here's a few pictures of completed work:

Salt Lake Community College - ASL Labratory

Boondocks - control room

Intermountain Medical Center (inside view of one of the racks)

Pinedale Aquatic Center (Wyoming)

Q: Who do you work with?
A: I work with guys mainly
(although the number of women working here is growing)

Lalo Guadaramma (Project Manager)David Rees (Technician)Gary Lund (Estimator)
Andrew Collette (Estimator)
Evan Weight (Estimator)
Colby Rytting (Sales - Health Care Development Manager)
Nathan Wright (AutoCAD technician)

Lynn Southworth (Service Technician)
Justin Cahoon (IT)
Connie Lane (Receptionist)
Russ Cahoon (Inside Sales)
I like my job, and what I do.

I've been with General Communications for over a year now (my longest position held in my life besides being a student)

For now, it pays the bills, but being a full-time mom is in my future (no, I'm not pregnant yet).

So... I guess if this doesn't answer all of your questions about my company and/or what I do you can always send me an e-mail or something if you really want to know more.

Otherwise...I'm done explaining TA-DA!

My Backwards Time Travel Comes To A Close

2008-10-09T14:42:00.000-07:00

My whole purpose in working backwards in time was to come to this blog...

It is not secret that I am a birth mother to a beautiful blond-haired, blue-eyed girl.

Back when I was pregnant I was a very confused person. I didn't know where my place in the world was, and I didn't know what being responsible truly meant.

I got pregnant while in a relationship with a guy I fathomed I was in love with.

We found out together and started making immediate plans to get married and start our family off right.

As chance would have it... this wasn't meant to be and I had to figure out what I was going to do.

I knew what was expected of me via my family and my religion, so I did just as I had be brought up to do. I made plans to place this unborn child into a family where both a mother and a father were present and could adequately care for one.

But, one week before I actually chose the parents of this little child my father asked me "Krystin, have you actually prayed to know weather or not you are supposed to keep her?"

The question boggled my mind.

I had never even fathomed keeping her. How could I?!

I was 20 years old, not employed, and my only medical insurance was through my parents.

How could I look after and care for a child full-time and make ends meet?

I had been counseled by my bishop that "the Lord will test you for some time to make sure you are serious about following his plan. Do not expect any answers to your prayers immediately."

He was right.... I prayed.... and I prayed harder than I ever had in my entire life before that point. All I got as an answer for almost a solid week was an empty void.

I was lost, confused, and utterly fearful.

However, the answer did come.

I was sitting in the social services office of the church with my councillor when, by divine inspiration I am sure, she handed me a letter.

This letter was not addressed to me, nor was it about me specifically.

This letter was addressed to the Bishops and other Axillary leader of the church on the subject of unwed parents.

This was my answer. A Divine message from God on how and why I should go about the adoption process.

Why it was the right thing to do.

And most of all, how I would be blessed for it in the eternities.

I bawled my head off silently, folded up the letter, and picked up the family profile of a couple that is now my child's parents.

Those two people are James & Stephanie Buckner.

The spirit truly guided and inspired my family in the short week that followed.

I didn't even pack a hospital bag 'till the night before I went into labor

(I was almost 4 weeks early)
3 hours and 5 minutes after my water broke at home...

(while I was sitting on the toilet of all the lucky places to be)

my daughter came into this world, as perfect as could be.

I was overwhelmed.

I had a baby!

(Our first picture taken together)

She was, what the nurses called "cheesy" covered with all this gunk, but she was still dang cute

Here's her getting her footprints taken

My mother, holding her new granddaughter
6 lbs, 9 oz

Hollering up a storm

Her first meal
Her first bath (she really didn't like it except for the hair washing part)

Her first diaper
Sami, her cousin, holding her
My self-taken picture of just the two of us the following day
At the hospital the day her parents arrived
Grandma holding her before the hospital photos were taken
Her new mom and dad.
I call this photo "Past, Present, and Future"

In it you have myself taking the biggest step of my life (which is now in my past)

You have Kayley's (that's her name) parents - her present

And you have Jay's reflection in the mirror - my future husband

(he was the signed witness on all of the adoption papers - he held me while my hand trembled signing her away, and while everyone else in the room sobbed)

It wasn't easy, but it was the right thing to do.

I wouldn't change the course of events now even if given the divine option to do so.

Kayley has been sealed to her eternal family and will grow up knowing that she is special, she is loved, and most of all, she is a daughter of God.

I love you Kayley.

I love you James & Stephanie.

May God bless your family in all things.

Bishop's Warehouse Single's Dance

2008-10-09T14:34:00.000-07:00

When I was still only dating Jay (just after his family's fire and his first haircut in 3 years) we went to a dance out at the Bishop's Warehouse in Colorado.

These are some candid shots of the evening.

Jamie dancing with some random guy.

Carissa is in the background on the left. My husbands ever-present personality!
Our first "couple shot"
Don't I just look "oh-so-happy?!"
Chris Despain...

Jay with one of his favorite snacks... licorice
More randomness

Chalking - goodbye style

2008-10-09T14:08:00.000-07:00

Just before my boyfriend (at the time) took off to grad school in Utah my best bud Jamie and I decided to chalk him...

In the end, we were up 'till about 5:30 scribbling away at the sidewalk and driveway.

We had a lot of fun (as you can tell), and Jay was super-surprised.

And, of course, with a little leap of faith he was on his way.

I was tagged!

2008-09-02T12:17:00.000-07:00

Where were you 10 years ago?

Ten years ago I had just started my 7th grade year at Summit Ridge Middle School and man was I a tiny little thing! My favorite movie at that time was Clueless. Allison Hadley quickly became my best friend. I was getting used to having a locker and haveing classes in different classrooms every "period." This was the first year I had to ride the bus to school. One word explains that: akward! I had to get up early and wait for the bus. I think I only missed the bus twice the whole year though. Although, I do remember running to get on it a time or two. My favorite class was keyboarding. My favorite teacher was the guy math teacher. All the girls in my class thought he was cute. I was a TA in the front office and got to sort all the school's mail and answer the phone.

Five things on today's to-do list?

1. Survive work 2. Set up equipment in the JSMB for enrichment tonight 3. Put things away that are still in boxes in the living room from my move 4. Fill the gas tank 5. Go to bed on time

A Snack I enjoy:

Fruit smiles. (A fruit snack at wal mart for about $1.50/box = 20 pouches)

Things I would do if I were a millionaire:

I'm assuming more than $1 million in this budget:

Take a trip to Scottland with my hubby, buy/build a small cozy house with land, set up a college fund for my daughter, buy a convertable, quit my job & buy my own medical insurance, find out the age minimum to serve a full-time mission with my husband and do so, build and maintain a youth center, learn to pilot/fly, add an air strip to my plot of land, run for an important political office, travel to a few more places, spit out a bunch of kids, happily retire.

Places I have lived:

According to my current credit report: (it's accurate)

Littleton, Colorado, Ft. Collins, Colorado, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Now I tag...

James, Stephanie & Kayley Buckner

Little Bunny Foo-Foo

2008-08-20T15:30:00.000-07:00

A couple of months after I placed my daughter for adoption I was blessed with a little baby rabbit.

My brother was working for an excavating company, and when digging up someone's backyard for a swimming pool they came accross a rabbit's burrow.

Unfortunately, the parents didn't survive the excavation...

There were two little baby bunnies that did however, but when my brother looked over to where they were the 2nd time... one was missing.

It seems his paternal instincts kicked in because he rescued the one that was remaining (a little girl) and brought her home with him that day.

I've always loved bunnies...

Tilly was so small at first that I had to bottle feed her with formula.

Look how tiny!

Eyes barely open
Sweet little furball
Here she is a bit bigger
happily bouncing around my bed and trying to avoid me catching her
I think she's cute

Ears perked

This is the last picture that I got of her.

She was on solid food by this time and just kept getting bigger (and turning back toward her wild side)
My dog leaning over my bed to get a look at Tilly inside her cage
I took good care of the little thing 'till one day my mom let her out in the garden (that had not been planted that year and was full of weeds) opened the cage and let her "escape" to life in the neighborhood wild.

Hopefully she's still out there today and loving every minute of the great outdoors.

It didn't take more than one day for her to find her way out of the garden and out of the backyard to the surrounding neighborhood.

Eddie Font, a true story

2008-08-19T15:22:00.000-07:00

My mom and I drove out to Utah with my friend Eddie Font (investigator at the time) for October conference.

A plus to the trip is that Jay lived in Salt Lake City, so he palled around with us for conference

Jay, Eddie and I in front of the statue of Christ in the North Visitor Center on Temple Square

Jay and I Looking at the temple
Another shot
Eddie Standing in front of the temple and reflection pool
Jay holding me
We had a really good time at conference, and Eddie was really touched by the spirit there.

He later decided to be baptized in January.

Eddie is a birth father, and his 2 kids were able to come to his baptism.

A very spiritual high for all those involved.

Halloween 2006

2008-08-19T15:08:00.000-07:00

Ah my favorite holliday...

You get to get dressed up, act the role of your costume... and people reward you for doing this by giving you....

FREE CANDY!!!!!!!

Yes!

Me (Mime/Jester), Meagan O'Melveny (The incredible Hulk), Brian Ford (as a woman)

:)
Kimberly (Romero) Jensen (Hospital patient), Dan Jensen (Her Sugar Daddy)
Tyler Knoles
Jamie (Taysom) Sauter
Megan (Kuttler) Gerrard
Me
Again
And again

I remember hating this make-up so much!
(It took about 1 hr. to put it all on)
Oh no! I'm in a box that's shrinking. HELP!
At work as a "Devilish Angel" or "Heavenly Devil"
One of my co-workers & I
(5" stilletos baby!)
Another co-worker of mine

Friends and role models

2008-08-19T15:01:00.000-07:00

When I was young, dumb, and pregnant I went to several group therapy sessions at LDS family services.

From this "birth mom" group I made several friends.

One of the best ones is Fran.

She is one awesome lady!

Fran and I out to lunch at Mimi's cafe

Fran and I take 2

I'm so lucky to have had these powerful role models to help me though one of the hardest points in my life. They truly are amazing women!

Diego's wedding 11-18-2006

2008-08-19T14:53:00.000-07:00

In November of 2006 my brother, Diego, got married to one beautiful lady.

Her name? Mariela

These are the few snap-shots I took at the day of their wedding.

Diego/Ben was so happy

And Mariela was simply beautiful

Kiss the bride (again and again)

Isn't her dress gorgeous?
Awwwww
I loved her bouquet!
Cassidy was grumpy... but cute

Return with Honor

2008-08-19T14:46:00.000-07:00

When Jay and I were still only dating (and he was living out in the doorms at the University of Utah) he would come home about once a month to visit so we could see each other on a regular basis.

On one of these occasions he had a double-reason to come home for a visit.

His little brother Matt was flying home from Scottland where he had just finished serving a full-time mission for our church.

These are the pictures that I took that weekend of Matt and his family and Jay and I.

Matt, straight out of the International Arrivals at DIA
Jay and I (we were up really late the night before... so we were tired)

Mmmmmmmmm..... kissy-face!

Diego's Reception 12-29-2006

2008-08-15T12:27:00.000-07:00

A month or so after their wedding my brother and sister-in-law had a reception in Denver at our place.

Unfortunately it snowed about 5 ft. The night before so not many people showed up for it.

My dad borrowed my camera and zipped around in his electric cart snapping photos of everyone.

Me, Jay, Sister Bebe Sami
Brother Bebe & Sister Howell
Sami, Jasen, Stephanie, Cassidy
My mom inbetween the two fountains (punch & chocolate)
Cassidy (cute as ever)
Diego & Mariela
Diego, Sami, Mariela
Sister & Brother Larsen

The table of goodies
Jay & I again

A different sister Larsen

Brother Larsen's head, Sister Howell, Brother Howell, Brother Bebe

Bebes, Brother (Bishop) Larsen standing, Larsen's sitting, Howells

Me & Jay
Mommy
Mariela, Diego & one of Diegos good friends from back in the day
Mom & Sister Larsen (Bishop's wife)

Digo, Mariela & the Osieczaneks
The Urbans
Christophersons (my in-laws)

Randy Christopherson, Frank Despain, John Roskelly
Lori & Royd Despain

Despite the lack of people we still had a good time conversing with everyone that showed up.

Baby # 3

2008-08-14T13:25:00.000-07:00

I've always had a high oppinion of my sister, but the fact that she's a trooper through labor and delivery only increases that.

These pictures are from Stephanies 3rd round at this game.

Stephanie, looking fabulous of course! Big ol' grin
Last chance for a picture of the prego belly
Loalyn (my mom) and Stephanie
Mom and Steph again
Welcome to the world Shelby!

The super-mom
Starting to pink up

Hey mom! I can see you! Hi!!
Steph talking to her new baby

The poor thing was so blue in the face from getting bruised

Shelby, me and Steph
Not too long before this I had given birth to my little girl and placed her for adoption.

Stephanie was there for that one, so this time for her it was a little more emotional.

We both cried.