tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62097328181635713182024-03-05T13:08:34.496-08:00Hubbard's CupboardGood news...I saw a dog today.Chelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17187148674999066460noreply@blogger.comBlogger114125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6209732818163571318.post-61310020229688192382012-09-20T20:15:00.000-07:002012-09-20T20:15:04.091-07:00The Story of Van's Birth...9 weeks late...I am going to finally write the story of Van's birth. This will probably end up being a long post so feel free to skip wherever you want...or not read it at all...if anyone even checks this blog anymore.
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Van's due date was July 9. He didn't come on July 9. On Friday July 13 I called me doctor and told him that Van was not moving very much so he told me to go the hospital to get a non-stress test done to monitor Van's movements and if they were low then they would induce me.
After that phone call I cried because I knew Van needed to come that day. I just had a gut feeling that he was not OK and needed to come out. I didn't understand why we were even wasting our time with the test and why they couldn't just induce me.
Before I headed to the hospital for the test Meg, Jesse and I went to Village Inn and ate breakfast. They were trying to brighten my mood in case I was really not going to be induced that day because I was seriously a grumpy goose.
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After breakfast we headed to the hospital and as we were checking in for the test the lady there said, "Your Doctor is on the phone right now. He said we should just admit you and induce labor now."
Needless to say I was relieved. My gut instincts were right. It was time.
They admitted me to my room and started me on IV antibiotics. I am Strep-B positive and as many of you out there know that can be fatal to babies if their mothers aren't given antibiotics before birth.
They started me on antibiotics and a slow drip of Petocin (spelling?). <br />
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My labor started to progress slowly but surely and after 8 hours they bumped the dosage up and broke my water.
I figured we were well on our way at that point but man was I wrong.
After 18 hours of labor I was finally fully effaced and dilated. They said I should start pushing.
Again, I thought that this wouldn't be longer than an hour of two...but again, I was very wrong.
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After 4 1/2 hours of hard pushing my doctor finally said "We are going to use the vacuum twice. If he doesn't come out with that then we will push him back up and do a C-Section."
At this point Jesse gave me a blessing that said Van was not supposed to come out via C-Section. That he and I would both recover fully and we would be strong.
I was a little scared when it said that we would "both recover fully" but we just pushed forward.
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I also need to say here that during my entire labor Van was showing NO signs of distress. He and I were both progressing normally. The only reason why they decided to use the vacuum was because I was so exhausted from 4 1/2 hours of pushing and I started to get Charlie Horses in my neck and upper back and the pain was excruciating.
So the doctor used the vacuum once and Van came down very far but wasn't out. They did it a second time and he came down farther but wasn't out. This is the point where they were planning on pushing him back up and doing a C-Section. But as the doctor felt Van he discovered that the umbilical chord was wrapped around his neck twice and if he pushed him back up he would strangle him. So he had to use the vacuum a 3rd time.
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The reason why they generally do not use the vacuum 3 times is because of the amount of pressure it puts on the baby's head. But we didn't have a choice, they had to use it a third time or we could lose Van.
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The third time was the charm and Van came out. He was 7 pounds 11 ounces and 21.25 inches long. He was born extremely alert and after they cleaned him up and gave him to me I gave him a bottle and he was a champ and ate the whole thing and even gave me a burp (which surprised me since he and I were both completely new at this). He barely cried and was just happy to be there.
He did have a bit of a cone head but the NICU nurses checked him out and said he looked fine.
Jesse and I then spent time alone with him for about an hour and then they took him to the nursery for his first bath and so Jesse and I could sleep after 22 hours of labor and 4 1/2 hours of pushing.
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I fell asleep and I guess a few minutes after the nurse from the nursery came and got Jesse and informed him that Van's head was swelling at an extremely rapid rate and that they had called Van's doctor to come to the hospital right away and they were taking Van down to the NICU.
After I had been sleeping for about an hour I was awoken by my doctor (Dr. Nelson) who is also Van's doctor. I was completely shocked to see him since he wasn't supposed to see Van until his 2 week checkup. Dr. Nelson has been my doctor for 10 years and he and I know each other very well. He has helped me through some scary health things in the past, but I had never seen him look the way he did when he woke me up.
He told me that Van was in the NICU and that Jesse was with him. He explained a little of what was going on with Van and I said that I didn't think I could see Van in the NICU. I just didn't think I could handle it. And Dr. Nelson very seriously said, "You need to go down there Chelsea. This is very serious."
So they wheeled me down to the NICU where the Neonatologist came over to Jesse and I and said "There are 3 scenarios. First, his brain is causing the swelling and he will probably die. Second, he has a bleed from blood vessels rupturing between his skull and his skin and if his blood doesn't clot fast enough he can bleed out and die. Or third he has the same scenario as number two, but if he clots fast enough he will probably make it but might have some developmental problems."
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So for the next hour Jesse and I sat in the corner of the NICU and watched dozens of people running around poking and prodding our new baby boy. I cannot explain the despair that we felt during that time. Hours earlier had been the happiest moments of our life and now our precious boy might be taken from us. We cried and prayed and cried some more.
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After that hour they told us they needed us to leave the room and if they needed us to donate blood to him or if they needed to give him clotting medication they would call us in our room.
Those several hours in our room were spent crying and sitting in silent prayer. <br />
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After about 10 hours they finally let us go down and see him. He was extremely sedated and his head was so swollen it was heartbreaking to see. I felt such guilt that I didn't know more and didn't force them to give me a C-Section earlier. I had to keep reminding myself of the blessing I got right before Van was born that said he could not come out via C-Section. But it was still so hard to see him suffering and not be able to take it all from him. We didn't get to hold him or touch him, but Jesse and I sat in there for a few hours and Jesse gave him a blessing and we had our first family prayer together.
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I also need to mention that at this time both of our families were fasting and praying for Van. Many of Jesse's work friends fasted as well. And I am sure many more people prayed and fasted on our behalf than we even know about. We felt that support and it was the only thing keeping us together.
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That night they told us the best thing we could do was sleep and if Van took a turn for the worse they would come get us. They didn't get us all night and in the morning when we went down to the NICU they told us they were confident that the swelling was not his brain, but that it was blood vessels which had burst from the use of the vacuum 3 times. They said his blood was clotting extremely well and they didn't know how he was doing so well. That is the first time I got to hold him since the moment after he was born and I cannot explain the complete bliss I felt to have my baby in my arms.
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At that time they told us they expected him to be in the NICU for the next 6 days. The swelling stopped growing and they also said they were confident that he wouldn't have any brain damage.
I was released from the hospital on Monday afternoon. We went and visited him that night and then again the next morning (which was Tuesday and they told us the earliest he would leave would be Friday). When we walked in they asked us if we wanted to listen in on rounds and hear the update on Van.
As we sat in rounds and they talked about Van the news was all amazing. The Neonatologist who had been caring for Van 24/7 for the last 4 days turned to Jesse and I with tears in his eyes and said, "We see a lot of miracles down here, but this is one of the most drastic I have seen. I have no idea how I am saying this to you today, but you can take your son home. He is healthy and has exceeded all of our expectations."
Jesse and I were excited and scared to death. Van still had headaches and swelling but they spent hours telling us how to care for him and as we left the hospital that afternoon the nurses lined up and clapped for us as we walked out. Some of them cried right along with us. And we were so blessed to have so many amazing nurses and doctors caring for our sweet Van. We were so blessed to be at IMC (Intermountain Medical Center) in Murray where they had such an excellent NICU so he didn't have to be Life-Flighted anywhere, and we were so blessed that our sweet Van had NO lasting effects. He is a normal baby who has changed our lives for the better and has already taught us so much.
We love him and can never express how grateful we are for the miracles that our little family received.
Here are some pictures of our adorable Vanner Man:<br />
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My first time holding him after he was in the NICU
(2 days old)
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I love him in this Pooh Bear hat! (2 weeks old)</div>
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First time in the Bumbo...at 8 weeks old.</div>
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Chelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17187148674999066460noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6209732818163571318.post-7070200916238571672012-03-19T15:15:00.002-07:002012-03-19T15:23:35.521-07:00It's a Mad, Mad World...Well it's just a mad, mad world, isn't it?<br /><br />Little did I know when I wrote that last post (which was really depressing...sorry about that) that I was 4 days pregnant.<br /><br />Jesse and I have tried to get pregnant for 4 years and obviously hadn't been having much luck.<br /><br />We were going to start the adoption process in the next year or so. I wasn't too stressed about it. I just wanted to get the Graves Disease taken care of and then we'd get the ball rolling on having a baby.<br /><br />When I found out I was pregnant I was overwhelmed. I read up on babies born to mothers with un-treated Graves Disease and the odds of my little babe being born with Graves Disease was extremely high. I just felt so guilty that I was going to make this innocent little baby go through so much. But Jesse gave me a blessing and it said that this baby was coming when it was supposed to and that it would have extra protection in my belly. And that everything would be fine. So when I think about it too much or start feeling guilty I just re-read my journal entry from the night Jesse gave me the blessing and the anxiety is lessened.<br /><br />Since then, we have found out that we are having a boy! And he is growing healthy and strong. And everything looks "normal" as far as they can tell. I can't tell you what a relief it all is.<br /><br />I am 24 weeks and I am still sicker than a dog. But I don't care as long as this little boy continues to grow healthy and strong. I will go through whatever I have to if it means he can have a healthy and strong body. I pray every day that he will.<br /><br />I am still scared to death to be a mom, and I don't know if I'll ever be ready, but I am so grateful that I am pregnant and that the Lord has blessed me with so much!Chelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17187148674999066460noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6209732818163571318.post-9901498960866061662011-10-07T16:56:00.001-07:002011-10-07T17:02:14.326-07:00A sad day...<div>Today is a sad day. It's not the end of the world. And I am grateful that I do not have thyroid cancer, but today I had some scary news confirmed.<br /><br />I have Graves Disease.<br /><br />And I think they couldn't have given the disease a scarier name.<br /><br />I will see an Endocrinologist in 2 weeks and we will decide whether to do radioactive treatments to pretty much kill my thyroid or if we should completely remove it.<br /><br />To be completely honest I would rather get the stupid thing out so that the worst parts of this incurable auto-immune disease would be stopped in their tracks, but we shall see what he has to say.<br /><br />But for today I am going to cry a bit and let myself feel sorry for this crap that has been put on my plate.<br /><br />And tomorrow I will move on and be positive.</div>Chelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17187148674999066460noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6209732818163571318.post-81380847416095211032011-09-23T12:16:00.000-07:002011-09-23T12:23:00.853-07:00Overwhelmed...Today I had to wait 2 hours to find out if I had Thyroid cancer. Those were some of the worst 2 hours of my life.<br /><br />After waiting those 2 hours I went into my Doctor's office and he said he is "extremely confident" that I do not have cancer. I can't tell you the overwhelming joy I felt when those words came out of his mouth.<br /><br />I am going in for a thyroid ultra-sound in an hour to see if there are any growths on my thyroid. They believe it is shutting down. My sister Marissa had half of her thyroid removed a few years ago and has had no problems since, so let's hope I am in the same boat as her.<br /><br />I just had to post and say how grateful I am. Some days are extremely hard and I have been pretty sick lately, but I am so grateful that my illnesses are not going to make me leave this earth anytime soon. I am also grateful for my amazing boss, my amazing husband (who changed his flight to come home early from a work trip as soon as I called him and told him that I might have cancer...he is ALWAYS so good to me, but it's times like this that I am reminded of his devotion to me...and of mine to him), for my Megs...she takes more stress & pain from me than I probably even know...and for my cute Mom who has the busiest life & doesn't have a moment for herself, but she is always willing to drop ANYTHING to be by my side.<br /><br />I am overwhelmed and grateful.Chelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17187148674999066460noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6209732818163571318.post-80346070567732315372011-08-17T11:59:00.000-07:002011-08-17T12:13:48.201-07:00Crohn's Disease ArticleMy mom sent this article to me and it made me cry. The way the lady in the article explains the way Crohn's controls her life is exactly how I feel and it was nice to hear someone else take the words right out of my mouth.
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<br />I also appreciate that there are doctors out there searching for the cause of Crohn's so they can help cure it so that people like me can live life more fully without wondering when the next flare up will be and how long it will last. I am so grateful that I live in this day and time when I can get the help I need and continue to have hope. I am also very grateful that none of my cousins, siblings, parents, or aunts and uncles have this disease as far as we know (the article talks about one family in which several cousins have the disease and I hope my family continues to not share in this statistic).
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<br />If any of you haven't heard my Crohn's story and want to know more I am always willing to talk about it. Leave me a comment if you have questions or if you want to hear more. I am not going to write it all down here unless I feel like people would actually want to hear it.
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<br />Thanks for listening to me...
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<br />Here's the article from the Deseret News:
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<br /><strong>Discovery of 'hitchhiking' gene at University of Utah could bring scientists one step closer to defeating Crohn's disease</strong>
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<br />SALT LAKE CITY — It began with a stomach ache when Charlotte Shragge was in her 20s.
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<br />At the time, she thought it was due to the poor diet of a typical college student. But then it got worse.
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<br />"I started getting sick and having a lot of digestive issues," she said. "It got to the point that I didn't even go out in public, it was so debilitating. I really didn't feel safe leaving home and not knowing where I could find the next restroom."
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<br />Her parents took her to a doctor and she was ultimately diagnosed with Crohn's disease, a debilitating and painful chronic bowel disorder that affects an estimated 700,000 people in the United States.
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<br />Scientists believe there is a genetic link to the disease, but finding a cure remains elusive because its cause is thought to be linked to as many as 70 different genes. One Utah doctor believes his research may bring scientists one small step closer to reaching a better understanding of the causes of Crohn's, and hopefully closer to a cure.
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<br />Now 37, Shragge treats her disease with a variety of drugs, monitoring her stress, and staying away from certain foods when she has a flareup. Still, drugs lose their effectiveness over time and she must be re-evaluated for new ones. Flareups can come on suddenly and can last anywhere from a week to as long as four months.
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<br />"Having a chronic disease can be a bit of a roller coaster. I've had long periods of feeling great and I've had other periods of feeling just downright ill, and wondering what the next step is," Shragge said. It's not uncommon for body fatigue and joint pain to settle in as well.
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<br />"We've looked at Crohn's disease recurrence in families," said Dr. Stephen Guthery, an associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Utah who also treats Crohn's patients at Primary Children's Medical Center. Guthery said the link among family members is evidence of a genetic risk for Crohn's.
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<br />Shragge said after being diagnosed she discovered she had several cousins who also had the condition. She said she recently lost a cousin who suffered from chronic ulcerative colitis and succumbed to colon cancer. She said she wanted to share her story in order to spread awareness.
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<br />"It's not something that I'm going to hide or be ashamed of," she said.
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<br />There are genetic risk factors for a variety of diseases, such as heart disease or obesity. Guthery said with Crohn's there are believed to be around 70 identified genetic risk factors, making it an extremely complex condition to understand.
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<br />Taking samples of 100 Utah Crohn's patients, as part of over 1,800 patients across the country and in Russia, Guthery and his group traced protein levels to their genetic origins. What they found was a history that went back as far as the first humans to grow domesticated crops. In a study published this month in the British journal Molecular Biology and Evolution, Guthery and a team of other researchers traced the early origins of a key digestive gene. What they found was that genetic mutations that allowed early humans to better digest domestic crops had a "hitchhiker" gene that contributes to Crohn's.
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<br />"Our work suggests that one genetic mutation in this region became common in Europeans because it was beneficial, and that neighboring disease-causing genetic changes hitchhiked and became more common," Guthery said.
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<br />The story actually goes back further to the Fertile Crescent area, which is now parts of Iraq, Iran and Israel. Early crops, such as lentils, peas, wheat and barley, were low in the amino acid ergothioneine and humans genetically adapted to better digest the food. However, other mutations also took place.
<br />"In this case, we think an adaptation to a transient change in diet around 12,000 years ago resulted in a genetic predisposition of Crohn's disease that is present in about half of all Europeans today," said Chad Huff, the study's lead author and human genetics research fellow at the U.
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<br />"We feel that we're getting closer," Guthery said.
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<br />Meanwhile, people like Shragge manage their condition with drugs, diet and exercise. Shragge admits that one of her favorite foods is Mexican. When her condition is dormant, she can handle it just fine, but it's always taking a chance.
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<br />"It really is kind of like playing Russian roulette," she said.Chelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17187148674999066460noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6209732818163571318.post-37760518008330340002011-08-15T12:44:00.000-07:002011-08-15T12:54:17.832-07:00I am looking forward to:<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WHENTRZZgqk/Tkl4mqPY_mI/AAAAAAAAA3I/uNkIleQV968/s1600/Wizard%2Bof%2BOz.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641172613827460706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 280px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WHENTRZZgqk/Tkl4mqPY_mI/AAAAAAAAA3I/uNkIleQV968/s400/Wizard%2Bof%2BOz.jpg" border="0" /></a>For those of you that don't know, I am going to be in The Wizard of Oz at The Grand Theater in Salt Lake City. I am so excited to be in a show again. The Wizard of Oz isn't my favorite musical in the whole world, but it will be fun none-the-less. I can't wait to sing and dance and act again. It is so nice to pretend to be someone else for a while and I can't wait for rehearsals to start. I am sure I will be tired and sometimes I will wonder why in the heck I signed up for it, but I am so excited for all of the fun things that come along with being in a show!
<br />Chelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17187148674999066460noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6209732818163571318.post-80147330478318156542011-07-12T14:57:00.000-07:002011-07-12T15:39:51.973-07:00Random Allergic Reaction...<div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-27WPn_8x7Pg/ThzKk7-H1SI/AAAAAAAAA2A/8W_-Q7HiUog/s1600/Benadryl.png"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628596370228630818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 290px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 271px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-27WPn_8x7Pg/ThzKk7-H1SI/AAAAAAAAA2A/8W_-Q7HiUog/s400/Benadryl.png" border="0" /></a>A week ago I got back from lunch and while I worked at my desk I felt my lip begin to swell a little bit. For those of you who know me, you might know that sometimes my lips swell when my Crohn's is flaring up, but when it happens it only happens to my bottom lip.<br /><br />The swelling last week was to my top lip. It felt hot and itchy, but I took one Benadryl and thought that would take care of it.<br /><br />3 hours later I was pretty uncomfortable, but I figured it would just go away.<br /><br />I went to our Young Women's activity in which we were going to weed one of our neighbor's yards since she recently had knee surgery and couldn't kneel down and pull weeds. While at the activity my throat felt like it was swelling up, but again, I tried to put it out of my mind.<br /><br />Soon it was bad enough that I excused myself from the activity and headed home. I took 2 Benadryl tablets and 30 minutes later my lip was so swollen that it had several blood blisters underneath the skin and I couldn't swallow.<br /><br />Jesse was with the Scouts swimming so I couldn't get a hold of him to see if he thought I should head into the E.R.<br /><br />I didn't call Meg yet because I knew she would tell me to go right away and I needed a calm person to tell me what to do (I appreciate that Meg is so protective, but I didn't want to spend money on the E.R. if I didn't have to)...so I called my sweet friend Tara who is a nurse and told her what was going on. She was home with her kids and she said, "I am coming over right now. You can't be alone. You need to go to the E.R. and I will come be with you until you go just in case." I got emotional of course (I am emotional in general...I know, surprise, surprise, but I get really emotional when I don't feel well and people are sweet to me).<br /><br />I told her not to worry since it was so late and that I would walk over to my neighbor's house and be with them until I could get a hold of Jesse. And so I walked over to the Seethalers. They happened to be outside and as soon as Manon saw me she stopped what she was doing and said she wanted to take me to the E.R.<br /><br />We called Meg and Jesse and told them which E.R. I was headed to and we were off.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628596373287826242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 162px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gYSfc8eZMfI/ThzKlHXfc0I/AAAAAAAAA2I/6a5viUHHzxk/s400/Lone%2BPeak%2BER.jpg" border="0" /><br />Manon and I are great friends, but we are SO different. The whole car ride I was a little on edge, but Manon helped me feel like everything was going to be OK. She kept my mind occupied and helped me laugh a bit, which I appreciated more than she will ever know.<br /><br />We got to the E.R. and they took me back right away. The nurse who took care of me that night was so much fun. I appreciate it when I get medical professionals that are not tight-laced. I am so dramatic that I need the people around me to be at ease and to understand that I am making jokes because I am scared to death. Anyway, the nurse and the doctor were both so sweet to me the whole night and took such good care of me.<br /><br />This is getting long, so I will try and sum up the rest of it....<br /><br />They gave me an Epi shot and some other meds through an I.V. After the pain subsided a bit and I could breath easier I looked down and noticed that my feet were SO DIRTY. They were BLACK. I didn't realize that when I was weeding in flip-flops my feet had been covered in dirt. As soon as I saw it I said, "Look at my feet! They look horrible" and Manon started laughing. The doctor said he thought I probably had a shopping cart outside because I looked like a homeless person. It was a funny distraction and when Meg walked in I asked her to wash them for me (Manon would've done it if I asked but I was too embarrassed to ask her to do it).<br /><br />As I stated before, I am extremely emotional when I am sick and seeing Meg wash my feet made me get choked up. It just reminded me of Christ. And it was so sweet to sit in a room with one of my best friends, my twin, and my husband and realize how blessed I am. I am so grateful that I have so many people around me who serve me continually. I do have random crap happen to me, but I am one of the luckiest people in the world and I appreciate the abundant blessings the Lord gives to me.<br /><br />Sometimes I recognize these things at the oddest times, but it made the night so much easier when I sat back and realized how fortunate I am.<br /><br />To close, I am feeling better. I felt funny for a few days and sometimes I had a hard time breathing and swallowing...and I looked like I had been punched in the face 50 times for about 2 days but it has gone away now and I am planning on never having a random allergic reaction again!<br /><br />Thanks for listening peeps...and thanks to Tara, Manon, Meg and Jesse for taking such good care of me!<br /><br /><br /><p>Sweet Tara (Tara...I stole this off your blog...)</p><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628596379803916210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTASs95ePr9qV2OfHiK6z1LnnffUZTNDcOi5qVDFMSayrGRzqBr2kiLow2b0aN8Jj7DrS2DNegrX31Rb7P64F5zT1Q5UpdhU5q1z87uufcd_LRc-XmcSB97PK2oenWSjWjcKjiz_Ydf6xp/s400/Tara" border="0" /></p><br /><p>Fabulous Manon...(and her hubby Jake...who was sweet enough to put the kids to bed while Manon sat with me in the E.R. for 5 hours)</p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628597663163265602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7FWqo17bHd6dmw4-1nq6Q8xcj2nH1e-7_37UpnGtFusRw_dpw50g3Tm4MB-vrSjZK_quRUp1oq3Q9hnvrrUtcpm6HfvGLh5hj-DCi35JUis7LT1FywO2Q3U7_nvVhDu_QOH86ugq9KWAd/s400/Manon+2.jpg" border="0" />And you know these kids...they are the center of my world...<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628598841920288594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 330px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs977sdDmWTjGu80E3RFU2ZBphC4GlhEZPIX3UpXreLPPGhHB4qrqJwDpdFGSUQDXq0Nlgfa7FjfO5u4j8BGptuxEIq_xXTWL3wLgwxei4x2kCFrM7n1jZkIgJYteQZPwsMnh49qNlL66s/s400/Disney+2008.jpg" border="0" /></div></div>Chelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17187148674999066460noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6209732818163571318.post-90168157492770984122011-06-29T13:45:00.000-07:002011-06-29T14:30:38.688-07:00Another "Grateful" Post...I feel like posting some random pictures. For some reason I started looking at the random pictures that are saved on my work computer and some made me laugh so I decided to post some...and they are in no particular order.<br /><br />Along with some pictures I thought I would list some things that I am grateful for....because I am in a horrible mood today and need to pull myself out of it...<br /><br />1. Meg. I know, I know, anyone who reads this blog knows that I am grateful for Meg but I am saying it again. She knows me through and through and loves me for all of my faults and all of my strengths. She makes me laugh harder than anyone else can and sometimes we are in the middle of a store and we are laughing so hard we are on the floor and people must think we are crazy...and I don't care if they do. I LOVE laughing with her and I appreciate how much of my burdens that she shoulders with me. She is so strong and I wouldn't be able to function without her.<br /><br />2. Jesse. Again, I talk about being grateful for him too, but he is so good to me. He is so patient and understanding. He and I are so different, but he balances me out in a way that I have never had from any relationship before. He tries to understand my dramatic-self and I try to understand his worry-free-self. We have learned so much together and I am so grateful that he is so patient with me.<br /><br />3. Young Women's. I have the best calling in the world. I have always loved Young Women's and am so grateful that I work with such amazing women and that I get to hang out with some of the sweetest and strongest girls I have ever known. They listen to me teach every week and they love me anyway, even when I don't have all of the answers or teach a lesson that probably isn't very informative or entertaining. I am trying to be better and be a good teacher and a good listener and they are so good at being patient with me.<br /><br />4. Patience. I have used that word several times in this post already and I am so grateful for the patient people in my life. I am not a patient person. I never have been. But I am grateful that I am surrounded by people who have been blessed with this amazing attribute and who use said attribute when dealing with me. I am one lucky duck....in so many ways.<br /><br />Life is good. June was a long month for me and I am so glad it's almost over. Yea for July! Fireworks, paid-holidays, and BBQ!<br /><br />And now...randomness....<br /><br />(Jesse, me...and a chicken...I was thrilled to be holding it...as you can see...and my hair's all messed up...I was not prepared for Jesse to hand this chicken to me and to have someone take our picture...)<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623751222684070514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT3oh4lVTJxEnvEF4EwzOdwKHUv_PEBb4-QQE95BlX56MARQD4dKKYwv-OD66zrvIc2KSliwJLovyYCvZ2N1rJSTfxjGrK3K5hcowlhezPbNDOpj8fn96PgwJE2RSIrI-L28M7O9EXgrtG/s400/8-1-10_%2528412%2529.JPG" border="0" /><br />(Meg, Ford, and Me at her wedding...this chick is about to have twin girls...yep...2 more Chelsea & Megan's running around this earth...get ready world :)<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623751211078725298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd5SFxjbqLgn8Mq-eiO3ZBg3ahgkzyG3xqgnNF-xRcWP7pSymHOnC-_7Srd3nD_No8pWzP1vFPgs1YAf4y0vdYc_1lPuDmym1hasQtTjrLNdIpickgoHZQ3-PEIwX4yBDU66aouoo4ceJR/s400/Fords+Wedding+06.JPG" border="0" /><br />(I love Jesse's face as he pushed me off that huge tree. It really was SO high up. I tried it once and swore I'd never do it again. But I tried it again last summer and it re-affirmed the fact that I do NOT like jumping off things)<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623751215849073170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZwqTlSXdSb7TS4SWG8yeUhOAD4zzN-KnbvuQknoQIDN-BeoSBrImxuVwovBmXVVTXuP5BazD6scVzpt9w_UdKhm6lfpndRV6yNAIRq-_rJ9-lzKcIjZnLIDDraI_O-RuFiXBd67xJPfKV/s400/7-13-08+142.jpg" border="0" /><br />(Our wedding day...I loved every minute of it!)<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623752790612787026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 286px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiksH3K66yzyV4cuWdL518XH72XBK00-CAJCqWIb43bFgzOCSK60X_6l0hbJqsYPDmM8qYr-I8EmKpl2OIYTiOAFwCd4PkZodwN75ffhHJQeQ98Pcreuj301DWSU-OS3WsuamLa6Mg_IBrB/s400/Jesse+Chelsea.JPG" border="0" /><br />(DISNEYLAND!!!!)<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623752789850286818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 330px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXUveLTQBPIp9Pkvyq-Wway4lhMuOI9lvpBGCgXb-UjxE84sKak5GHJtyZASb96lJ8JBJ25UocXeWH3DSX6s6fR4hruyAKPru7x89jWIMBd3BuSIVXsU_TUjYJzUcjaD0956k_-AT7o1UJ/s400/Disney+2008.jpg" border="0" /><br />The end.Chelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17187148674999066460noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6209732818163571318.post-23160536798198848352011-05-19T09:57:00.000-07:002011-05-19T10:16:47.866-07:00Words that must go...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Z2P9rmN5tQ066zx5OCPBGsA0VOkwR6LaTeb76zjnhIMcN-t3LT-SQgqF4zI674pB80j7sfEM3nPqoGj61psiJUErtmEaChLnPHNjZUbeXrB-Lpfr8v8KnQExiHEGhZvlcSf_FA9d6a0W/s1600/5.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608475082015215714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Z2P9rmN5tQ066zx5OCPBGsA0VOkwR6LaTeb76zjnhIMcN-t3LT-SQgqF4zI674pB80j7sfEM3nPqoGj61psiJUErtmEaChLnPHNjZUbeXrB-Lpfr8v8KnQExiHEGhZvlcSf_FA9d6a0W/s400/5.jpg" border="0" /></a>Just some ramblings by me, myself, and I.<br /><br />Some words/things that must go:<br /><br />-Thread (i.e. "I can't 'thread' the vein"...I am getting woosie just thinking about it)<br />-Laceration (man that makes my skin crawl)<br />-Effaced (I don't even want to know what the complete definition of that word is...)<br />-Having a hair in my mouth (it reminds me of that time I ate the Barbie hair...if you know that story you are probably laughing right now, and I am dry heaving) <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608476743588104322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 352px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrQWbN4JVzIWFpI3-9ceROpH72ZHI4YrdRB356Ui4-pjXcc456Ku1ooeAi1Z19y0q7uz544MMc_FAusge3TXPKsv-3z6U6LYTMA9m2a_PwbjQmPpj4TsGV_6B7xeZ4FQE_smzbpwzIbLRZ/s400/Barbie+Hair.jpg" border="0" />-De-glove (thanks to Meg for teaching me that one...yick...)<br /><br />That's all I can think of for now.<br /><br />What are some words/things/phrases that make you sick?<br /><br />I know, I know, I am an odd duck...but you probably have random words that make you sick too...you know you do... <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608475089684044050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihGjAdiV7UQvXlUFlyqGfQI7Er5FGhlkfMRIP8TMpg5jbJ6Zwylin6KgIpWcYDDZqHzq0dR4ImR9c1ReUwilvxQ8IdP-rEboKsgYeqB0Yc3sT90z68p28z3K-9QseCkTHdKCXUKw4PVPZj/s400/Birthday+015.jpg" border="0" />Chelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17187148674999066460noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6209732818163571318.post-34145437915319996852011-05-05T11:41:00.000-07:002011-05-05T12:24:09.408-07:00Man Up Chelsea...<div><br /><div>I know, I know, I need to blog more. I have a hard time blogging when I don't have anything fun going on in my life, and right now my life is pretty dull. Don't get me wrong, I'd rather have dull than have another ambulance story or something, but still, dull....</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div>The point of this post is to say how much I love my physical therapist. Her name is Erinlee Boden and she works at <a href="http://www.utahphysicaltherapyspecialists.com/">Utah Physical Therapy Specialists</a>. I have been going to see her twice a week for the last 4 months.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div>For those of you who have never been to physical therapy you should know it's not a walk in the park. They find the weakest parts of your body and make you do the weirdest exercises to build strength in the counter-muscles. Anyway, it's hard...to say the least. I have been to physical therapy several times in my life (I am not planning on ever going again, because getting hit from behind 3 times is enough for one lifetime...I have decided and so it shall be). Anyway...I have had some good physical therapists and I have had some GREAT physical therapists and Erinlee is one of the GREATS. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>She reminds me of a mix of two of my favorite people in the whole world so I felt comfortable with her right off the bat. She is also hilarious and I appreciate a person who can really make me laugh. Over the last few months she has been there with me on some of the worst days I've had and has helped me reach some great milestones too. Last week she told me that we would only have one more appointment together and then she couldn't do any more for me. I had known that day was coming and I dreaded hearing it. I was relieved because I would have more time on my hands after work and because it meant that I didn't have to get beat-up multiple times each week, but I was more upset than I was relieved. Whenever physical therapy is over I get emotional. I just appreciate the amazing people in my life who have helped me heal. I am not back to my old self, and we don't know that I ever will be, but she has worked so hard with me and for me and I appreciate it more than she can ever know.</div><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>On my last day with her I brought my twin sister with me for support (since I'm a big baby...hence the title of this post "Man Up Chelsea". I really need to get over this emotional side of my personality...sheesh) and I also brought Erinlee my favorite treat. What better way to thank someone than by bringing them Cakebites from <a href="http://www.thesweettoothfairy.com/">The Sweet Tooth Fairy</a>?!</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603312496472835554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoRFFEsiEhxwygp6MK4gsTqIoP518sODJFCxZTrqDGyiiDchVErJSa5XGPJr03cOu5lzASLudWXNQ4fFG5n14r0RLJA2fwO2_3ca2hCki95g6KB0zt2VTjGhH-f2zLya8GJFkK_WgjanFq/s400/Sweet+Tooth+Fairy+04.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603312503076406098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv3X2a4FrH-XnDxUecypjB9iZ9XD5hYZMqDsMxWj16ZO3H3U7zQ6KrjTLXKrjBToMenArLd0QpEIvCJKL27YI27GvGpvPyrYxY6ovuK1JPux2p4D-Xc5gPEwEokRKe1WrXTJLZ3i1SzkMz/s400/Sweet+Tooth+Fairy+03.jpg" border="0" />So that's what I did. I brought her some Red Velvet Cakebites and I thanked her for her help and went on my way. I just wanted to post and say how grateful I am for her and for the staff at Utah Physical Therapy Specialists. And I am also grateful that the reckless driver that hit me had insurance. That is another great blessing. I have learned so much over these last few months and Erinlee has given me a lot of tools to take care of myself and continue to build strength at home. Thanks again for listening...if anyone out there is actually reading this :)</div>Chelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17187148674999066460noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6209732818163571318.post-16605867604463947982011-01-10T20:14:00.000-08:002011-03-06T20:50:36.043-08:00Twins & Tigers<div align="center"><em><span style="font-family:georgia;">I know it's a little late, but I thought I better write about one of the best days of my life while I still remember all of the details of the day. First let's start by saying that this day was an absolute dream come true for me and Meg. We got to meet baby white tigers! No joke! They were about 3 months old when we met them. They were twin babies, a boy (Titan) and a girl (Athena). They were magnificent and fun and awe-inspiring. I couldn't believe that we were in the presence of such great animals. Meg and my sweet step-dad Tim gave us this meeting as our Christmas present. Sufficeth to say it was the best present ever!<br /></span></em></div><div align="center"><em></em></div><div align="center"><em></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span></em></div><br /><div align="center"><em><span style="font-family:georgia;">We got to feed them bottles, clean them up after said bottles, and play with them for an hour.</span></em><em><span style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="font-family:georgia;">**Side note: Some of these pictures are a little blurry...these kitties moved A LOT so I tried my best**</span></em></div><div align="center"><em></em></div><div align="center"><em></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span></em></div><br /><div align="center"><em><span style="font-family:georgia;">(Meg & Titan meeting for the first time)</span></em></div><br /><div align="center"><em></em></div><br /><div align="center"><em><span style="font-family:georgia;"></div></span></em><em><span style="font-family:georgia;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560778206360788386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRV8CmDNx8W0HJYFrUwp6WBCYbk_3WwiN14Bh1rDDlRdK__cAmpVFeZb7VGSOCecJf1n7faOfuNuY8cUE-W5B41A5Ta0g7w6MjQxwDlImkRuqGJzVRomS-27oa5ybvP03mEqELjFAkoh1y/s400/2010-11-18-12h28m20.jpg" /> <p align="center">(Me & Athena getting acquainted)</p><p align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560778215745581282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2KjiEDPASd5yXtpYMliKihPsRezIBjV3HKteVujW_dO8-1U_SWiSsbYgEesXYdrDnr6jHmR4cUsrfZgbDMwbB_aGRiKYE7KkSVWlN9hJ_CETvcP4oPDEZXLHl79bTa0SgkQFhQv0F5FJp/s400/2010-11-18-12h31m40.jpg" /></span></em></p><p align="center"><em><span style="font-family:georgia;">(Me & Titan getting to know each other)</span></em></p><p><em><span style="font-family:georgia;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581189291451283442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDxW7R5AnIpH3tAiFlfspmak0iDqcG_pBIOnrWxEid-YGLCEdZwKkAnH5wyUWLIWpgy4L6ThrhaY3_EIEmvf_odbYUyvPu5WYfEEAOkMYbEO30Q64-uKxPFRs9-PtorvCxAKwjWfbl_1qm/s400/2010-11-18-12h32m03.jpg" /></span></em></p><p align="center"><em><span style="font-family:georgia;">(Me showing the babies that I am ready to play...don't worry, they weren't hurting me at all...they were so sweet!) </span></em></p><p align="center"><em><span style="font-family:georgia;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560778226480820242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd3KbsRN8sQZK41S4TMbxaigqNhcO8K9nwYfHnfV5icMAsqBwLvmOEgM9QqZYew4Qfme4pHGVuXAbp3xi5AUC-ya5Jc951Q_atzneCpk86UVkdrkRFxaWhXLKhqJ7MpN6TA_tb3MPZKUqj/s400/2010-11-18-12h31m47.jpg" /></span></em></p><p align="center"><em><span style="font-family:georgia;">Titan waiting for his bottle...</span></em></p><p align="center"><em><span style="font-family:georgia;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581188861098443810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj70gT72yrh2VXbcdzuIg918GDrF-DiM9n5EmP3vfS5Bip40g_3AG-AFB3rztLgSTaqbNzr4DZ6DNoIvPgVQ4pDjXbkHXG5Jw2XvHo2c-47UNIWubfK7ivHg-6S7L5WMT-wQjb-YffDOjT3/s400/2010-11-18-12h38m31.jpg" /></span></em></p><p align="center"><em><span style="font-family:georgia;">Meg cleaning Titan up after he "drank" his bottle. (He really just played games with Meg and got the goats milk EVERYWHERE)</span></em></p><p align="center"><em><span style="font-family:georgia;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581188862573264818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB1-bHYloP5S6tj8xyO4A3upfmegKrhbp4JYm7A0G8HdtxL02lhC-vXSMaNZFQDihwhsggBycDlcM__KWnl9V-RGDXOahu_-u68cYgLWExsfQkVcOE7qeYeaHiBOuWO17KL-y0-yBN6nEy/s400/2010-11-18-12h41m55.jpg" /></span></em></p><p align="center"><em><span style="font-family:georgia;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581186286299865586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsduDq3JmGpvJL_Tr5iS58od6hZOutcMWNHEd33tKgFqZUm3XNT3T26ZF7MRq82QUFiSQvaLTYP5xYseVjEsH_fz83x-h_OUaXf04EjO_ko61rBkXA3IA_hooYVeceAnpjwgmdqsInnseb/s400/2010-11-18-12h33m15.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581188158739284610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvHcVdpMjY5ERCUVcHATLFLDp3aRT8r6y9VuOuacW9XQ4mDyn1b_Kk1x8OCO-btgs5uhHyHaeJXP-JSTAgwu4g6RF0Iux44vB4iLx3-9rUBoz6nO-VIV6b6Bf4ymEoAjxHfI_HrRhYlboQ/s400/2010-11-18-12h53m43.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581186273743734546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjduyvbmlnspKPhNgsGiQkp-ZqbR05A7G-rWNg6Zt0xAQ-d0E8aE6L4ey-IOY1GRvFTgIEAPZLlwUYAzWphx6hn6mXh4VwRs_vT5SxjoVJ9gCI5X9wddlzEPTdOnOZlYGGlbs60Cy_jGWlN/s400/2010-11-18-12h33m01.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581186278299438370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPQm_ZXWjub6K9kVzDpDBICjcPzQMfyVZx-yizjW6pYkMN5Oa2C-9wSZtPa4g4Jap9NN-RoCBCbx-kuP7Iuf8HhnKPdd36ZbysU2e_VVUXvD243RTJqdTu5wSJO2fz5HiH8sLKqk0me9In/s400/2010-11-18-12h33m11.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581188165479127778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijtVHaC7ZVle64fitA8Vgdq_UXDCC-PflmMq4GBGHenlL-MF1h_8v94Px9ZUcIxzeTSE_r6Qb82j7HTM5uqTLPFlzVeMBdK_aLf_AJEUAeZEvcMM8QKNXQtN9QxhR4i39l_T8LDNtJmjLk/s400/2010-11-18-12h54m47.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581188176813478002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3A1vjIIyMEIE7tbZ9VDsoDZLDdorZCvK1EiMNU6eApjeGj0IsapMqn3exB-zow_Cs5njyUnW80mncs8wYmyimB8CZnLuXEL-4Bs_Y63OQMyFWXYUb_GuQDVA20IeuruQsJN3inQEVZH9v/s400/2010-11-18-12h57m54.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581189300519545970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYn_Oj8IypljHDGiMV6OB6Jc5FL_8AMyXYcCdBddKrT-zA9l0y-80I_6vN1F3_ssEnRSA2cFpZ1S2pGQoXXtR9zGAbFHUTnzHI0Xd3YqtvnE9k9KlDtKALkDZlbkLjDE6xX6zyIDo86duv/s400/2010-11-18-13h05m31.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581188866280365282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNHSFzi2G3Kj1aCU2Ven9VO3NR5mIxtThmYCNeGqYcTk1Rk1wVADmVAG2RVCdrjbJeWyo0U8zS3r1UxVu-ceDxJUO5TTRj0PSITLIBD3WE2H7lJwh2x2c_pEgLEadI0rEO9-O_jL_GieaB/s400/2010-11-18-13h04m37.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581189306893955698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4MBM39QyY7zPJekjtShAT0VdrL1bymSEhLNQ111lKtvR0VR_vqsx2ckpwZeRyPWkq0G9oijyjNVXcSZVkU8lLF13_0a7iY4o0u-XI4ujA4Orcm5WY5yKFlyn_s9ya5QGrnZ-rltrkHwYn/s400/2010-11-18-13h11m02.jpg" /></span></em></p><em><span style="font-family:georgia;">It was an amazing day and it was so hard to walk out the door when our hour of play time was up. Thanks McTimmy (my Step-dad) for making Meg & my dreams come true!</span></em>Chelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17187148674999066460noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6209732818163571318.post-53322722794681459042010-10-22T15:51:00.000-07:002010-10-22T15:55:21.114-07:00I'm Alive...I promise!I figured I should probably get on this blog and let everyone know I'm alive. A lot of people who read my blog (not that "a lot" of people read my blog...well, who knows really?) also read my Twin Meg's blog. And her last post was about my car accident. I think I will blog about the whole experience in a few days. It's still a little raw for me to talk about, and yes, I am still hurting, but every day it gets a little better and the emotions of it all are finally settling down a bit.<br /><br />But, I wanted to let anyone who is wondering know that I am certainly alive and I am getting better. Thanks for the thoughts, notes, and prayers. I have felt so much love over the last 10 days and I appreciate it more than anyone can know.<br /><br />Anyway, I will write more later, and it will be positive. I swear!Chelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17187148674999066460noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6209732818163571318.post-64379551983534190052010-07-30T10:09:00.000-07:002010-07-30T10:26:57.356-07:00Grumpy Goose...<div>I have been in a horrible mood for about a week. Some people might say longer.</div><div></div><div> </div><div>I just need to get this all off my chest.</div><div></div><br /><div>I am a grumpy goose. And I wish I could get over it. But I just can't seem to get out of this funk I am in...stupid me being in a stupid mood...</div><div></div><br /><div>For historical purposes I would like to state what my last month has been like:</div><div></div><br /><div>-I had a horrid kidney infection. For 3 days I had a fever of over 100 degrees that wouldn't break. It finally did. And I finally got a CT Scan which revealed a kidney stone in addition to the infection. It's still in my kidney though, so that will be a nice surprise when it decides to make it's presence known...</div><div></div><br /><div>-I have been sicker than a dog. My Crohn's just thinks it can run my life. And at the moment it is. But I will conquer it again one day...I will, I swear</div><div></div><br /><div>-It has been hot. I am not a fan of Summer. I can't wait for Fall and the crisp air...and then snow...snow is my favorite thing in the whole world...it makes me feel all peaceful and warm inside. And not warm as in it's 100 degrees outside so you can't sleep at night because you are a sweaty mess...that is not the "warm" I am talking about...</div><div></div><br /><div>On a different note there have been a couple of good things happening as of late. First of all, we bought a new car. The car shopping experience was not fun...and I am not a fan of car salesman (I know, who is?) but we finally decided on this little beauty:</div><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499749399921775650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 159px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnBWVup2W7XWmVp27DnmXy7vdn-k3F9jRF3Li0WkyiJ2eREBwqkTE3HLMgnlwl2Uzn_u6JgXGakiXf8iSThpReF0LpbQv-Xy9veP3k9WmSzBTleBMvMELOX58Gf3sDp15jt4Us3CgSueNQ/s400/Scion.bmp" border="0" />It is brand-spankin' new and I LOVE it. It's a Scion xD. We personalized the entire car and it only had 25 miles on it when we picked it up...oh, and our actual car has a bigger Spoiler than this picture...I like Spoilers and have never had one on my car, so I splurged :)</p><p>Also, Jesse's sister and her family are here from Germany. Her hubby, Lee, is in the Air Force and thus they move from place to place and I never get to see them...neither does anyone else for that matter, but this is my blog, so I shall state that "I" never get to see them. I love my Wilstead's and I wish I could see them more...they are headed to Spain for the next 11 months and then after that who knows...hopefully they will move to the States so we can visit them.</p><p>Thanks for listening to me peeps. My next post shall be about one of the greatest nights of my life...the night that Meg and I met the Barenaked Ladies...man was that amazing...so the next time you hear from me it shall be a positive post with fun pictures, I promise!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499751165444513986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 185px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdDBovb5F0InGnHkhy2xjpOl_W0c_CyCXe-S3VOjSPSBUldnjoKXMZjles1BjLJzG00tB9GrhmCNQ2G9mj5ANxT1TnmH6Xh3txNO7DW4B_0vbCSCeyOJs17ltbFE4llubbiN1JHEyLiOEk/s400/BNL+Concert+2010.jpg" border="0" /></p>Chelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17187148674999066460noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6209732818163571318.post-16169601459855096422010-06-29T14:17:00.000-07:002010-06-29T14:33:25.646-07:00My Friend, Facebook...Dear Facebook,<br />I know I haven't been a faithful follower lately, but I used to be addicted to you. I decided that I should let you know that I'm still here, but my reasons for logging on have changed.<br /><br />I am no longer looking to find old friends. I just like to spy on people. That's right, spy. I don't like to look at stranger's profiles or anything, I just like to look at people's pictures that I used to know and who I am not in touch with anymore. Some of them I like, some of them I don't. But I surely appreciate that I can look into these people's lives and decide if getting re-acquainted is a good idea or not. And usually, just looking at their pictures is enough. And I like that.<br /><br />So thank you, Facebook. For helping me find closure in some cases...and on certain days when I really need it you help me laugh when I find out that I'm not the only one who's gained 20 pounds since high school :) Good work Facebook. Good work.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488309670676422626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 261px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Z82J3vg6GBM/TCpkkTICX-I/AAAAAAAAAxg/fW2Ct5tv8J0/s400/Woman_Spy_main.jpg" border="0" />Chelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17187148674999066460noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6209732818163571318.post-50964026691062453172010-06-10T12:57:00.000-07:002010-06-10T13:43:37.695-07:00Alright, already...I know, I know, I haven't written anything in a LONG time. But I am just following the ol' saying "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all."<br /><br />Now I don't mean that I have un-nice things to say. I mean, I don't have anyone to rip on or anything (might I add that I love people, in general. So hopefully anyone out there who's reading this doesn't think that I would rip on someone, especially in writing :)...but, I don't really have anything really interesting to talk about. And I have been sicker than a dog. Yep. That's right. I guess people have been frustrated lately that I don't tell them when I'm sick and when I need something. Well, here we go...I am sick. Sick, sick, sick. No, I don't need anything. But I did tell my sweet brother the other day that what I could really use is some slack. If I am not my talkative-self, please forgive me. If I see you out and about and I don't look too happy to see you please don't take it personally. At the moment I can't handle much. Even the slightest thing puts me over the edge...I even get overwhelmed when my phone rings...<br /><br />Anyway, that's enough of that. The point of that whole last paragraph was to let you know (does anyone even read this blog?) that I haven't been posting because I can't think of anything of note to say. But, I was reading my cute friend Julie's blog and she had her "Crazy 8's" posted so I thought, "There's something I can do." So here we go:<br /><br /><em>CRAZY 8's</em><br /><br /><em>8 TV Shows I Love To Watch:</em><br />1. Better Off Ted<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481243681932900162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Z82J3vg6GBM/TBFKFnz290I/AAAAAAAAAwY/6S36EwskSik/s400/better+off+ted.jpg" border="0" /><br />2. The Bachelor/Bachelorette (I always tell myself at the beginning of the season to remember that it's not a big deal who the person chooses in the end, but I always end up caring...sad, I know, but true...)<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481246251223970178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 270px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Z82J3vg6GBM/TBFMbLKlcYI/AAAAAAAAAww/4h_1hwPm8sE/s400/bachelorette-logo1.jpg" border="0" /> 3. Glee<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481243705248023490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Z82J3vg6GBM/TBFKG-qng8I/AAAAAAAAAwo/T4PS8Lq8aMo/s400/glee-promos.jpg" border="0" /> 4. Community<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481246265599203874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 308px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Z82J3vg6GBM/TBFMcAt6GiI/AAAAAAAAAw4/V1mcannKFiA/s400/community.jpg" border="0" /> 5. Parks and Recreation<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481246272327201842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 299px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Z82J3vg6GBM/TBFMcZx_NDI/AAAAAAAAAxA/Cr70UowBfl8/s400/park-n-recreation.jpg" border="0" /> 6. The Deep End<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481246864143831298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 130px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Z82J3vg6GBM/TBFM-2eEUQI/AAAAAAAAAxY/2QuhL6CI_7k/s400/0000063909_20100121100802.jpg" border="0" /> 7. Big Bang Theory<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481243696537280802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 333px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Z82J3vg6GBM/TBFKGeN0ISI/AAAAAAAAAwg/YzPpwOyrx3k/s400/bigbangtheory.jpg" border="0" /> 8. The Office<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481246278006945794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Z82J3vg6GBM/TBFMcu8JOAI/AAAAAAAAAxI/8b7RDl6Yh3g/s400/the-office.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><em>8 Favorite Restaurants:</em><br />1. Zupas<br />2. Jamba Juice<br />3. Mikado<br />4. Blue Fish<br />5. Winger's (but only because I go there with my favorite people...you know who you are...)<br />6. Mimi's<br />7. 5 Guys Burgers and Fries<br />8. Hire's Big H<br /><br /><br /><em>8 Things That Happened Yesterday:</em><br />1. Work<br />2. Pharmacy<br />3. Ate :)<br />4. Played Majong<br />5. Watched "Better Off Ted"<br />6. Watched "Glee"<br />7. Did the dishes<br />8. Slept!!!<br /><br /><br /><em>8 Things I'm Looking Forward To:</em><br />1. The Wilstead's coming here for the Summer!<br />2. Leaving work :)<br />3. Eating the cake-bites my cute Mom brought me from The Sweet Tooth Fairy. She's so good to me!<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481246292966029906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 219px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 220px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Z82J3vg6GBM/TBFMdmqqulI/AAAAAAAAAxQ/ImW21CCEEpg/s400/TheSweetToothFairy.jpg" border="0" /> 4. Deciding which pictures to put up in the new picture frames in my room<br />5. Hanging out with Meg...<br />6. Hanging out with Jesse...<br />7. Seeing Toy Story 3!<br />8. Sleeping...<br /><br /><br /><em>8 Things On My Wish List:</em><br />1. Get feeling better!<br />2. Get cast in another show...I need something to distract me...<br />3. Sleep<br />4. Sleep<br />5. Sleep<br />6. Go to Disneyland (I know, I know, that's the story of my life, but I really need to go again soon!)<br /><br /><div>7. Lose a few pounds...again, that's the story of my life...</div><div>8. Get a puppy!</div><br /><div></div><div><em>8 People I Tag:</em></div><div>1. Amy</div><div>2. Meg</div><div>3. Andee</div><div>4. Liz</div><div>5. Ford</div><div>6. April</div><div>7. Becky</div><div>8. Stephanie</div><br /><div></div><div>Thanks for listening peeps! I hope everyone/anyone who reads this are doing well!</div>Chelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17187148674999066460noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6209732818163571318.post-58473930929131822722010-04-06T16:14:00.000-07:002010-04-08T07:53:07.085-07:00Belated Birthday Post 2010<div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>My birthday was over a month ago, but today was just one of those bad days, and I need something happy to bring me out of this blah mood, and what better to do that than to reminisce about a birthday weekend with my best friend Meg in DISNEYLAND?!<br /><br />So, our birthday is on Valentine's Day. It happened to be on a Sunday this year, so we decided that we would fly out on Friday night after work, have a few hours to play in the park, sleep at our hotel across the street, play all day Saturday, play all day Sunday, and then fly back Monday morning (which happened to be President's Day, so we both had the day off work). It was the perfect plan. And we were very excited for our trip.<br /><br />We got to the airport at 2:30. Our plane was to leave at 4:30.<br /><br />We got to our gate at 3:30, and about 30 minutes later we were informed that our flight was delayed. For 4 hours.<br /><br />Meg and I both have horrible anxiety about flying, so we had both taken a Xanax when we got to the airport (before we knew about the delay). The brunt of the calmness that comes with Xanax was wasted on the hours spent in the airport. But we laughed the whole time and it didn't even matter that we weren't going to Disneyland that night. Because hanging out with Meg is a vacation in and of itself in my opinion.<br /><br /><em>(Here we are a few hours into our delay...sitting on the airport floor....)</em><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457170351915659810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI_AVY_QEkA7rp4u81cqSanx3H8117MrB0OJ1qkidkPafiz3_NuTjr6aUtN33Yev5t-T7Sd7hkQb4UrG_qi7XhqFBkIXhx8yKwB9kbtX8CFMkszxVarW-sahqLfRiIm3da-W336ejtKRAO/s400/2010-02-12-19h30m01.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><p><em>(Meg being a punk)</em></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457170373977379874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJCMfqWE7bzw4lPf6yASlwR_Go_e89M6OAFSk1zRNZ1_Z32pJ6339l32rgBjQfvOWL4WcvZsMGqd5LbmAjY9ihBz88-bOLhnRqA6CB6rashE_w9u9UtSqhOLT__Ual5nYqGTtUii8qviUX/s400/2010-02-12-19h27m34.jpg" border="0" /><em>(Here I am laughing about the fact that my straw was cardboard...it tainted the taste of my wonderful hot chocolate...oh, and we were laughing about the drunk man next to us. He was talking jibberish)</em><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457170379564342242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ8Fl_Zuo3x-_IFi2Tcx2wpA4EbNBvS0hDbwBew1uwcjMPEsFwO3Yd_2drRV387m95v-DyEOPB7VX7yy4QSyDSruNscTld4J3ZRO2WnLM53wo4K3eXT0MgYrq_ISv40za4XahW5niCFC3B/s400/2010-02-12-19h43m05.jpg" border="0" /><em>(I was sad once I was about half way through my hot chocolate because my cardboard straw was soggy...sick...really, who thought of a cardboard straw? It was a horrible idea.)</em><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457170390518281298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAR0HRM6AIGRCVYmIGjY1aa86pcBi1qAhLvqSr1C7JlFvIEb1GzP4a4H9jVNGHk6szwiC4GGvtRvYz-uCen_Bh52T-zMNnOhAXlMb3vJ4WaguKRZMS0KQqNXKqZbpYduVaJ1TGlIbtGPHR/s400/2010-02-12-19h28m00.jpg" border="0" /><br /><em>(We finally made it to the park the next morning! Woohoo!!!!)</em><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457171224395359842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn9Gm_0qe6tfH4GTjg7R0CtenEQ6fAPmAzNZIo0PLc-H9jON0LJkN6NproUVbgrAJmaKw2wuuKGsBUNDRjJdvQibzQLxsHf2Pm5k4E9uB7gNmMVgSamYKhUo_RmYjIt9P6jtIkOM-2h0sc/s400/2010-02-13-11h31m56.jpg" border="0" /><em>(Here's Meg being the nut-job that she is in line for Small World)</em><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457171454222714162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpRr7GMY8lMF_naKcnn0-Z4X1FfTtv-3-E-thVam5V0G712BJUIXesNcpiAnCKNJyq9b8OyEDNdb2l1RKtoCcDohcCSNEkOqa3YC7HGrO6cF8Ezykz-mVpcGbZB_mTyA9eDQJSbZAV4Bru/s400/2010-02-13-11h43m23.jpg" border="0" /><br /><em>(More Meg...waiting in line at Pirates, one of our favorite rides...but everyone loves it, right?!)</em><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457171462004414914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg_J7l7qUpbG3p9vThOO1nOox3gaKee0yIjMnktt3sxOpsJrcTS7-iPTMRDgMrKWVtQhTuBdqH5tWnnxILJflpboBWNWYJITc6ko1XrFo0mpw5za0i4glrbsDRFV1V2lq2TA0_6_yOaWZh/s400/2010-02-13-12h39m54.jpg" border="0" /><em>(Here we are with Minnie!!!!)</em><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457171873864214194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw1ANjuozU8cKnqYf0XI5jwhbRN7_DrglblG4u_snuFLnitUF2UdsKwEDocqM8s2lakJq6J2jPsQWaShW5LFswLZlK0Zdx0TGBw9LOqQnVovU4R735XEpqWQ_Imk4yGsBXdmh9TPPwGi7x/s400/2010-02-13-14h11m05.jpg" border="0" /><br /><em>(Here I am in Bell's library)</em><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457171880613185874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDBEGI2wgdH41SOCOOuA1YCeomhcRJaQgDT5mmED1lciUPMZSgNaUlk7wL6FRhJy9I-jOwlXgurFTwzN4kfYKT0vjUDE40z96rITNUaVBrQKmR4-CDN019mGNBX1FyjP8kGoIIQ7vc79Z4/s400/2010-02-13-20h26m14.jpg" border="0" /><br /><em>(We were leaving the park when we took this picture...we were very crazed and tired :)</em><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457172158890171810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnD4eLpXxLtWuUnV1im3UeY0-Lnm2u8_QwiGaP5zGQfehTtt8B9wiFX4iB8JTC1Ep8bsLtUcdZ0cIiPeHdP7kAVT3C237ghX4LnjhnwqWxVfBUcSIkiK2E2vpdxRDzZj1VMWTAzra4P5el/s400/2010-02-13-21h12m16.jpg" border="0" /><em>(Here we are at Chip & Dale's Country Critter Breakfast on the morning of our Birthday. This was my favorite part of the trip!)</em></div><br /><div><em></em><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457172165595957922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi693ZNvvMtyE-IkueDGzn2Zu-ckSX7Q8PotRUlCEl_Nence4NeHo8SGtCI4GaPrwYBnrLPK9mG-8SsgVeaB6FWG51BsbUnspqIQZtgU-DfCpODtn2QbDPA4H0pPmz3SD1Q260h9V0w6Kt-/s400/2010-02-14-09h07m12.jpg" border="0" /> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457172170800052018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj73c3M_XbTeVcU_FAnwen8SLR_KLExB4iaQbJqgstwjgBPOwSILtemO8xJNfyR3bUP2FMIdADDSm5_F9A5fxEssbMRUk1AOe7XROfJ6MshCGDAXNbl-rkbvGT2fhot8BwiyO9dL9Io3CM1/s400/2010-02-14-09h07m21.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457172445650152018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLdU3fo3tb7gHIiDZ-ZMw3lahFwPv84acrINPDL_0tHDGo8xgQUljZ_rFv252tlQDYOLfpHaZpwExLX7-UomaA1YiCbkW_Lpy06rBB6oZClV6uBeAUzN41Bzv811a9FbM2-2-c7RfheRtl/s400/2010-02-14-09h38m52.jpg" border="0" /><em>(Meg & Dale seeing each other for the first time...)</em><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457172452490067522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNubhybFCfQbsdI62jXCBsCKdAi2FSzZhhWq3szzDotu26rjlS5Dlrbn2SltHyn53MuzUtk9BPXtZARkELzMjstMiOBfLF7PIJ_KPtgBJbzP7eLUCorXeqRuUB62Is4VAaf6KjaCXpT3k2/s400/2010-02-14-10h00m39.jpg" border="0" /><em>(Dale giving Meg a birthday kiss. I love her facial expression!)</em><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457172710102089458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjogRWPCXYqae3f21XbqU7_xu_R28TVY5x8suFa69H9eXLNQ6140bVtnoHdNfz-3hUDGkIQdkU0VL7CWmhqWeUdtZ1CLPB28hLhUdHyh8rxus3JBG1HpiRrqluyvUHmTJDXSz73hXITfK19/s400/2010-02-14-10h01m11.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457172460600382498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA5_3C6AhGBr1RSqpkwjqmjcBcgHnPRRB4WOBeHBL2PUBwIDB7U9SkuJ0gAZ34JHBUnnd3CLW59rkE1h-EnCRz4ZREKycbzisD_w9A1bjSwzCjSqc8y6VkZ-9XCFcn49UMr5sfSRf7v7os/s400/2010-02-14-10h00m59.jpg" border="0" /><em>(Waiting in line for the Alice In Wonderland ride...not my favorite ride, but still a necessity when you go to Disneyland)</em><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457172719689560962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg30ZqoxSCfPvk3rCU23XvG8lUPEVi_Zud2b_RfmC9pHs-kZigV4SrcCBb_M2wNWd_cE40LwbMp8YfYAznq4v0OZgSD06LAnBmLXH2Dd_pUnhidZTHJQ4gA_kyxvQznMI1jaecoJtwt7FT2/s400/2010-02-14-16h06m12.jpg" border="0" /><em>(And finally, just for the heck of it, here is our Birthday dinner spread at my Mom's house...she is always so good to us. Thanks cutest Mom for making life a party!)</em><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457173143514126898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYApYgGMT1c_0-ykJ38IalMpk67XsiqnxcKBRl7pPz8ST8Rb7RjHMX5iMAGlK20KTHmqjwoO54s-FG8KKuTL9wI0WodD0unCaUoqlCP6qjzPuG4yNO44RuQFBJRq24Y-DY9oiFgSQv6UiO/s400/2010-02-28-17h29m28.jpg" border="0" /><em>(And finally, here we are blowing out the candles. I wonder how often Meg & I wish for the EXACT same thing...we can't talk about it, of course, because then it wouldn't come true ;) but I bet it happens a lot...)</em><br /><p><em></em></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457173136223608338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigZEsJF_p40dFFD8WtmiG0hEpVMkuHquE4eO6gm8214tFJh70zCA0o9RV2QP2MhS9fdFHt4thZjagmKg8sDTBktNZqDAId4v-6f-0CYvfOMBdhKvY6pwvdTe3Yw0ATp0EMtMuE9lHoYdxm/s400/2010-02-28-18h19m45.jpg" border="0" /></p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Chelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17187148674999066460noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6209732818163571318.post-21008575374647252892010-03-11T14:50:00.000-08:002010-03-11T15:05:32.808-08:00Ain't Nothin' Up...I haven't been too chatty lately. That's why I haven't been blogging. There really isn't anything going on in my life right now that's fun enough to talk about. I have been sicker than a dog for the last few months, but who wants to hear about that? And Jesse hates it when I post things that aren't upbeat, so I don't like getting on here and telling stories unless I have something upbeat to say...and thus I haven't blogged in a while.<br /><br />I do want to say a few things though.<br /><br />First of all, I am grateful for friends who let me come to their house late at night because I am too lonely and too sick to be alone. Thanks for taking care of me Jake & Manon, even though I wasn't much fun to be with and I didn't look so hot. You guys are always so good to me.<br /><br />Second, I am grateful for this little guy...<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447513708543342162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 276px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3vGmwx5-9PWwuW3oLob3JAVPWpBtH-vtZ3auxzAZVDO0BKI3mbmSU_iPjwdoCYunt7lgYJKlaAtw3n_yadnIGHpmP_Jsg-ehDvppAoEtOt2C-E_vPf9jiBJ5Elc892UXsqE19damnLEZC/s400/Woody+in+Fridge.bmp" border="0" /> He is always so concerned about me and he always keeps me laughing....I mean, why is he in the fridge? And why is he so serious about being in the fridge? And why must he open my cupboards and destroy everything inside? He just gets these ideas in his head and he has to go through with them. I love him. And I am so grateful that he makes my home so interesting.<br /><br />Third, I am grateful for Jesse's job. It is extremely comforting that he has a job that he loves and that they love him right back. He works for Varian Medical and his job is very secure. They have sent him on several business trips lately, and while I am very sick of him being gone, I am grateful that they are investing so much in him.<br /><br />And finally, let me just say that I feel like answers are right around the corner for me. Things can only get better. And I will be my happy, upbeat self once more...I promise!Chelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17187148674999066460noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6209732818163571318.post-57049468603853771692010-02-19T14:10:00.000-08:002010-02-19T14:35:15.525-08:00Scraggly Little Chels...The dang coolest person in the world (my awesome friend Michelle) wrote an embarrassing story from her past on her blog and I decided I would do the same. Her story happened to her in 6th grade, and one of my most memorable moments (which seemed like the end-of-the-world at the time) was in 6th grade as well.<br /><br />Let me just give you a little visual...I don't think I can post a 6th grade picture of me. I just don't want that out there for the world to see. I was scraggly. And I don't mean a little bit. For those of you who have only known me over the last 5-10 years, you don't know much about me because 6th grade was the most defining year of my life. I still feel like a 6th-grader inside.<br /><br />While I was in 6th grade I was skinny. Like rail thin. I think I was about 5 feet tall and I weighed 80 pounds. I never showered, I never did my hair, and I was always outside playing a sport of some sort. I was a tom-boy through and through. And I had absolutely NO chest.<br /><br />Again, for those of you who know me now, you know that I have the complete opposite of "NO chest". But that didn't happen for me until 9th grade. Anyway, I was not concerned about the no-chest fact because I didn't want to bother with girlie things, but when my boyfriend decided to break up with me for a more girlie-girl, I decided it was time to ask my mom for a bra. Yep. A boy made me make that decision.<br /><br />Now, the fact that I got a bra didn't change my outer appearance. I still wore a bright yellow over-sized T-shirt with matching yellow stretch-shorts along with matching yellow socks (which I folded over halfway) and black sandals (yep...head-to-toe bright yellow and socks and sandals to top it all off)...but I knew that I was wearing that bra and it had to have some effect, right? Right.<br /><br />The problem with not NEEDING a bra is that it's easy to forget to wear it sometimes.<br /><br />And sometimes I would forget where I placed it.<br /><br />And so, our story begins:<br /><br />It was the last week of 6th grade. We were going to have our sports day (I don't remember what it's called...if you remember Ford or Meg, will you please leave it as a comment on this post so I can remember?) and the school had asked Meg & me to sing the Star Spangled Banner at the opening ceremonies. We were pumped! My mom recorded the piano part on a cassette tape and I lugged her big boom-box to school with me on the bus that day...in a black garbage bag. Why did I bother putting it in a bag when the boom-box had a handle you might ask? Well I have no idea. I often make things more complicated then they need to be...maybe it's because I wanted someone to ask me what was in the bag? I don't know...<br /><br />So I lug the massive boom-box to my classroom in the black plastic garbage bag and I then remove the boom-box from the bag so Meg & I can warm up to the music in the bathroom. I have butterflies as I walk down the hallway to the bathroom. People are whispering and there's a lot of excitement in the air, and I am just feeling really cool in my yellow outfit with my scraggly hair and my socks and sandals. Meg and I practice and then we head back to our classrooms. We are nervous but excited. Only a few minutes until our singing debut. But then, as I make my way to my classroom I can hear the boys laughing and talking...I can hear the word "bra" being said by several different voices...I quickly feel my back to see if I happened to remember to put mine on today...it's not there...but there's no way that the group of people huddled up in my classroom could be seeing my bra...my tiny little white bra lying on the floor...and I look...yep, it's mine...it must have made it into that classy black plastic garbage bag somehow...but as I break through the circle to pick it up (I had to pick it up, I couldn't just leave it there...though now that I look back it would've been the smart thing to do...I didn't need it anyway) I did something that I will forever regret...I really and truly am forever sorry about what I said as I picked the little white thing off the floor... "Oh, this is Megan's bra...I'll go give it to her..." And off I went to slip it on in the bathroom.<br /><br />Needless to say I was sick about lying all day long and I had to tell Meg the truth when we got home that night because the guilt was just killing me...and Meg being the cool person that she is forgave me...though she did want me to confess to it so she didn't have that hanging over her head for the last week of school, but what was I supposed to do? Bring up the horrible ordeal again and say, "Does anyone remember the bra that was on the floor yesterday? Well, it wasn't Megan's, it was mine." It never happened. And I still owe you for that Meg. I'll take you to Frogurt tonight. My treat. And then maybe scraggly little Chelsea's most embarrassing memory can finally be laid to rest...<br /><br />The moral of this story: Don't bring your boom-box to school in a black plastic gargabe bag.Chelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17187148674999066460noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6209732818163571318.post-53809292566253915382010-02-03T10:06:00.000-08:002010-02-03T10:35:07.575-08:00Happy to be "Jesse's Girl"...Today is my sweet hubby's birthday. He's 29 years old. I am more in love with him today than I was on our wedding day. We have been through so much together, but through thick and thin we have stuck together and it has paid off. I love him with all of my heart. I decided to list the top 5 reasons why I love "my Kight" (his middle name is Knight, so I always call him "my Knight") and why I am so happy to be called "Jesse's girl":<br /><br />1. His smile<br /><br />There is a sort of innocence about his smile, but there is also a hint of mischievousness to it as well. He is always up to something...it's usually good, but he's always surprising me and keeping me on my tows. No two days are the same with him and I appreciate that more than he will ever know...<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434081424985063746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 390px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg03moG-F2DOkgUaRJfTtdqAPw36FslSa1xBY4RQJJn1lsh4qJbejT_jwVjobcQeZU1ZnVipiPJWjpB5v-Hg3Y7F1r2Mfh4-BVuvM-YB4D5o7Oeu0annEqoGsw4LACpEEnJRj9Y8IA_Jw9/s400/My+Knight.JPG" border="0" /><br />2. His heart.<br /><br />Jesse always does sweet and spontaneous things for me. I often get love notes and flowers "just because" and I love it when he drops by my office unexpected. He is also very giving of his time to others. Whether it be helping a friend put shelves up in their garage or driving his cute mom home from the hospital, he's always sacrificing for others and I love that about him.<br /><br />3. His relationship with Meg.<br /><br />Jesse and Meg are truly brother and sister. You could almost call them best friends. They have been through a lot together and have spent many hours at my side taking care of me. At first there was a bit of competition to see "who Chelsea loved more" and Meg swears Jesse broke her toe in a leg wrestle in which the winner would gain the title of "the one Chelsea loved the most"...(which ended up to be a tie, just so you know ;) but not matter what they are honest with each other, they chat for hours on end, and sometimes they talk about things with each other that I have no idea about. I am grateful that he accepted Meg as part of the package when we got married and that they love each other completely.<br /><br /><em>(this is a picture of Meg & Jesse going down a zip-line into a pond at the Hubbard Family Reunion. She was scared to death as you can see, but she trusted Jesse enough to give it a shot. Notice Jesse's smile, he can't believe Meg actually agreed to do it...and yes, Meg comes to the Hubbard Family Reunions :)</em><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434083300091943314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKO_9OoqwpZt_3s8jJ26HJoInfj0LA4uX8Zr1GUG-o-hJMTu1KHrGwOeN7bITvC5tGfIcV4Q26M_nL9HszfKs1mYZoYO0BOpXjgADoVKzEulqFbuOYKDOYBIk0eCvpl-4kvQRywi_Ufxdx/s400/7-13-08+164.jpg" border="0" />4. He is a steady force...</p><p>As many of you know I am pretty dramatic and am known to be pretty emotional. It can be a good thing, but it can also be a very bad thing in tense situations. But no matter what the situation is Jesse is there. Solid as a rock. In the 8 years I have known him he has lost his temper maybe 3 times. And I am in awe of that. It is a characteristic that I can only dream of, and I appreciate his patience with me all of the time...</p><p><em>(Another Hubbard Family Reunion picture in Ibapah. He asked me to jump out of this tree and I wanted to shock him, so I said I would, but once I got up in the tree I wanted to get back down, so he came up the ladder to help me be calm and to reassure me that it would be fun. Yes, it was fun. No, I would never do it again)</em></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434084602969185186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdFcYOJIfSsTAzMiSEq8XnJsdjDNRYrgxPakgO8DWFHmYyEVMZwSMvSEwrhs0zkcQa_fgr1X82S-srzHqPAB6DYM8-fjVboWZcN2An96F0iH5i4xw-kcauSvm79Sfa0vV8gLMv4vi0BRyz/s400/7-13-08+142.jpg" border="0" /><br /><p>5. Forgiving.</p><p>Finally, Jesse is very forgiving. He gives everyone the benefit of the doubt, no matter what. He wants to believe in the best in people and I benefit from his forgiveness often. It seems like whenever we happen to have an argument or disagreement we can always understand each other in the end and a simple kiss can solve everything.</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434086245302723634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH08YqO2NgL0eRkNFC74gcrlQWgPZa6i-G3hc3c4hsh-krrepTG-BqoH8Sxqs3Na-DQ2zM13yFet0Q1GJUAJQggCoxb1IdPByvXvoGd9HbivWQEMFFuizyNZU8kiToTjVpoBZnih2xRH-q/s400/Me+%26+Jess.jpg" border="0" /></p><p>HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESSE! I love you with all of my heart and hope this year is a fabulous one for you. You deserve it! </p>Chelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17187148674999066460noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6209732818163571318.post-17758789925080756702010-01-29T09:26:00.000-08:002010-01-29T10:07:48.257-08:00Answers...Some of you know about my 7 year battle with abdominal issues. I have been told that I have Crohn's Disease, but there is no cure and there is no perfect method of treatment for it since they don't know what causes it. From February of 2003 until September of 2006 I tried dozens and dozens of different medications and we finally found some that worked. The medication that worked for me from September of 2006 until around September of 2009 has started to be less and less effective and the last few months have been agonizing for me. I am in constant pain and have constant nausea and I don't enjoy many things since I am suffering pretty much all the time.<br /><br />In December I received my 5th colonoscopy so they could see if there were holes in my intestinal wall...but everything came back "normal". As grateful as I was that everything was "normal" I was also upset that I was going thru such a bad flare-up and I wasn't getting any relief.<br /><br />My G.I. Specialist decided that it was time to do a test that I've never had to do before. It's called a Small Capsule Endoscopy and the gist of the test is that I swallowed a MASSIVE pill (seriously people, it was the size of two Jolly Ranchers stuck together) which was really a little camera that was taking pictures every few seconds and it transmitted pictures to a little computer that I wore for 8 hours.<br /><br />It's been a week and a half since that test and I finally received a phone call from my doctor yesterday to discuss the results. He told me that for the first 4 hours after I swallowed the pill all of the pictures were from my stomach. The pill never left my stomach. Then after 4 hours I ate a small lunch since that was what I was instructed to do, and he said for another 4 hours the pill took pictures of my stomach full of food.<br /><br />The average person's stomach empties every 60-90 minutes. He said that "worst case scenario" the soup that I had for lunch should've left my stomach after 60 minutes. But after 4 hours it was still there.<br /><br />Knowing this won't solve all of my problems, but I am grateful that I'm not crazy :) and that we have a good starting point to know what I need next.<br /><br />The next step will be to get an endoscopy where they'll look at the ulcers I now have in my stomach (another thing we discovered from this test), then they'll pull the camera-tube-thing back up, they'll wake me up, I'll sallow that dang horse pill again, and then they'll knock me out again, put the camera-tube-thing down my throat again and they'll guide the pill past my stomach so they can check out the rest of my intestines.<br /><br />The point of this post wasn't to have people feeling sorry for me, nor was it to gross anyone out, but I just have to say that I am overwhelmed with gratitude at this moment. I am grateful that I have a boss who is trying to be as understanding as possible when I have to leave for an hour or two to get some medicine and lie down for a while, that I have a family who loves and supports me and who prays and fasts for me often, and that I have been blessed with amazing doctors in my life who don't want me to suffer anymore. I really am truly grateful that we can get more answers soon and that one day I can be some-what normal :)<br /><p></p><p><em>(Below is a picture of one of the pill-cams available...mine looked a lot like this one, but it was bigger and it had different coloring...)<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432224213569075266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZocffyC8G39FF_z_ebfBs5Snxtlq3_a9Aj6rNkSuL1y5haxwu-9ZSBNT2qouVGm0H76QTflOpuddGj-veyWYfVBjQTQL_1JoX5RWUVkv2E30hK_qQRuE7aQQxIrs_L-emOf5x74loqUyJ/s400/pillcam_capsule_endoscope_full_size_portrait.jpg" border="0" /></em></p>Chelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17187148674999066460noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6209732818163571318.post-20294372171063764752010-01-26T12:54:00.000-08:002010-01-26T13:14:41.902-08:00Goodbye 2009I saw this little quiz on one of my friend's blogs and decided it would be fun to give it a try...feel free to do this on your own blog if anyone reads this because I would love to see what your answers are.<br /><br />1. What did you do in 2009 that you had never done before? <strong>Went to Hawaii! Man was it fun, I can't believe I waited so long to go there. Hopefully we will be going again soon!</strong><br /><br />2. What would you like in 2010 that you lacked in 2009? <strong>Thicker skin...</strong><br /><br />3. My best memory of 2009? <strong>My niece Cameron being born. That chick is hilarious and I am so grateful that she is part of our family!</strong><br /><br />4. What was your biggest achievement? <strong>Hmmm...good question...I guess I'd say getting straight A's in my first semester back at school.</strong><br /><br />5. What was your biggest failure? <strong>We don't need to talk about it ;)</strong><br /><br />6. Did you or someone you know suffer an illness? <strong>Oddly enough this was the healthiest year I've had in a long time. That was one of the best parts of 2009 in my opinion. But the biggest illness my family experienced this year was the recovery of my brother-in-law Ryan when he gave his kidney to a friend. But he's the one who sacrificed the most (and my sister Marissa sacrificed a lot to do that to). Good work Ryan, you are truly amazing!</strong><br /><br />7. What was your best purchase? <strong>Tickets to Disneyland :)</strong><br /><br />8. What behavior merited celebration this year? <strong>Being less of a procrastinator then I used to be. I still procrastinate, but it's gotten SO much better.</strong><br /><br />9. What behavior appalled or depressed you? <strong>Anxiety</strong><br /><br />10. Where did all your money go? <strong>Our house. I don't spend money very much, so the house payment is the biggest bill we have in our life and I'm grateful for that!</strong><br /><br />11. What was your favorite song for 2009? <strong>Paramore's "the only exception"</strong><br /><br />12. Who was your biggest influence of 2009? <strong>My sister Marissa. She had a baby and took care of a husband recovering from major surgery while still managing to be her charming self. She's always so good to me and I'm just so grateful to have her as my big sister. I love you Marisk!</strong><br /><br />13. What was your favorite new TV show? <strong>Modern Family</strong><br /><br />14. What was your favorite new book? <strong>"Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict" by Laurie Viera Rigler. I randomly purchased this book while I was in San Francisco on a lovely weekend get-away with my Mom, step-dad Tim, and Jesse. They were sweet enough to treat us to this trip just for the heck of it and it was one of the greatest trips of my life. Thanks Mom and McTimmy!</strong><br /><br />15. What was your favorite new movie? <strong>I can't decide between "Up" by Disney/Pixar, "The Blind Side" with Sandra Bullock, who I LOVE, and "Sherlock Holmes" with Robert Downey Jr., who I also LOVE. They were all fabulous for different reasons :)</strong><br /><br />16. What is your favorite new fashion? <strong>Cardigans are a pretty big fashion currently, and since I LOVE cardigans I am very happy that I can find them pretty much anywhere and they are in fun colors and prints.</strong><br /><br />17. What has kept you sane? <strong>Meg, of course. Though sometimes she is the reason why I'm crazy, she is also my sanity. LOVE YOU MEG!</strong>Chelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17187148674999066460noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6209732818163571318.post-53857009288072844962010-01-17T20:07:00.001-08:002010-01-17T20:47:06.863-08:00The Holiday Season...a little late...<div><div><div><div><div><div><div>The 2009 Holiday season was a great one. We had tons of fun parties to attend, and as usually there was good food to be had.</div><div></div><div><br /></div><div>First of all, there was the Anderson Family Christmas Party. Since I was a little girl this has been my favorite party of the year, and though it's not the same now that all of my cousins are grown up and have their own children, it is still fun to get together to chat, eat and have fun. First we went bowling...I don't have pictures of this, but we did have a blast...and I think I might have had the worst score out of everyone. Is it just me, or does anyone else have bowling games that are over 100 or under 30? I can't be in the middle. I am either really good, or I really stink at bowling...and I happend to be having one of the not-so-good bowling days :)</div><div></div><div> </div><div>After bowling we went to a nearby church to eat and have Santa come talk to the little kids and bring them presents. My poor cousin Marcee had just had surgery a couple of days before, but she was a good sport to come along for the ride anyway, and her cute husband Marc had never been to an Anderson Family Christmas Party but he'll be more prepared for it all next year :)</div><div></div><div><em></em> </div><div><em>(from left to right: Marc, Marcee, Colby (one of my step-brothers), and Jake (another step brother))</em> </div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427928188285287250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5EYGpd5Vlyny_hM7nchXr2Pp_gfnV8oApH7PGq_6Dfj7mnBVDRkcOW9ZONah4fMBLeT8Q_tNCAgnwkSR6AknFDjCs-LYiZXfp0CQhWoeRuXBMZbY5DLtlszni9_3rjkT2-oXPRvI3YeEP/s400/2009-12-19-14h55m14.jpg" /> <div><em>My Mom went nuts with the bowling themed decorations...it turned out so cute! My Mom is amazing at everything she does (oh, and Meg made the snowman centerpieces, which were amazing too...the apple doesn't fall to far from the tree in Meg and my Mom's case)...oh, and my sister-in-law Amy made these amazing cupcakes with white chocolate bowling-pin toppers :)</em></div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427928899684060082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG1kOQDuUiZKlMxDyzMKzGF3YNF-6ArbyLoQegyKPp-7bbs_FzlGlv0gPwEU1DgxgWWOhuD9v4Z__m45I_v0Ps2Meh1A2LpF_MP7eqo-8U0oL1BX7F7X0NLs-d4Kk7KbWw8ZnLsWHl5yiI/s400/2009-12-19-14h55m41.jpg" /><em>Some more of my cousins :)</em></div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427929861499452898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIb9BRjc9IBP22bVZIhk1FLPsMrMTYLbIlmkAWAy8eKNxG_WsrYUx4nBrUK215dg_XJty8S17njQwER8Oske1YyK2Ag0htwiu_B_kPTi6fC17tUgZXtuYIROyW1luc_-jS3RmmanBKxP1R/s400/2009-12-19-14h54m42.jpg" />Our next Holiday celebration was Christmas Eve. We always celebrate Christmas Eve in Heber City with my Dad. Christmas Eve with my Dad is one of the best nights of the year. We always eat amazing food, then we sing carols for hours, play a game or two, exchange presents, and then head home to get some sleep before the big day. Here are some pictures at my Dad's house on Christmas Eve:</div><br /><div><em>Meg and I bought matching Christmas outfits...we HAD to people...we are twins after all :)</em><br /></div></div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427935026053423298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhODyEQu19qHmYEEGsKaUksKJWcT23qkIeCxxCqzysGeVIXqvlrBzGsNCLTGDBLwAxxb44GJusFBwm1I7g2egNF-sdeDHFZqCxlgKW4LklM17QaMoBAAYKXc41FzdhpQD_9rELhtxEcwGE/s400/4244555473_e413d3eb1d_b.jpg" /> <p><em>My sister Ashley and my niece Cameron hanging out before the festivities...Cameron was getting some new teeth so she was a slobbery mess. I love her as a slobbery mess!</em></p></div><div><em></em></div><div><em><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427931308908729634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMibi5W3sA722t8soWOXzZu5_BZorkzfj7y7dSkJVOH35v6enQ5KZJ5xnhfr5nEqSC0Dz4YzyNkODkvOqkWvuGuke_c_pKD4Zl6z8zJTeaRWiL8VGgEa_1LTeCK98LiNAH6siZ6AXqPvuH/s400/2009-12-24-19h43m38.jpg" />Meg showing Cameron a picture of herself...</em></div><div><em></em></div><div><em><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427934289951683442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMUuwD1P4_U6JclDcag9jxWFtw-gdNH9HVdTbBoLqgEva8xKxFn1hkibqBhlXHkSm9JVSd08g8XPc8G0tOjHxsq67-DcacZT2rth8fZp7awUlok_2sDsZdMVKEt5OXp4U1Z11S0DuOgiPK/s400/4244555457_378f856980_b.jpg" />Singing carols...</em><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427931879294891586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwYF5W-ReJKUvdSs7uFHErNDLghi01GhE0iLVQ5EiJ69Zj-uXG5Op7OlX3iobmEVWhKMaNPeo_RQ3c2_Sw_M4DpKaS8SyGYdUke2OJ5ck5SO8Gk4Hcq6qV4lOlQ9gdHLlZKtxnb_kaEylH/s400/2009-12-24-19h44m03.jpg" /> <em>Exchanging presents...</em><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427932843294286642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkR0C4-11X4jpRn7WsMmYALoMlB2l3F6ZctnT-wR0OJ-tBc7-jbWzgGp8mWd2tfEXpz4Y-cOfkJURHzHUMuEEjbfsYqJOEu7S-YCNrjHFwc29iWGTfPp-Lk6ZtKDqA8zjN68IkrL9VF2Hi/s400/2009-12-24-20h08m19.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427935663247920786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7rdWyKgvrHDv2bQgP0jizQUfuVoBO9AEkfyJOfgWDvlncXC5NZV8uvjuRp59xrzUO1UkIIpf32l04pbkbeqvRiaEEPm_SnBEhBu7Y8brvaQeEjGT9GF8UvVOtsZevyYjEQzWNPTr7wSsb/s400/4245511386_e8dd3f23d8_b.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427932833129678018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkJ_6O57_u9sn_6LkW1cQpSGVsn_TKoNWG72GBLwgdJoWanaCyiLA1ZYc_jiBLN52JQe4zJ6kjk8MOfm58xY9JzY47qAxUzoqZKNBIqIHp2g_3bgzg9kqGcQvt9Fy6_OJrBlOR7EjsEKhf/s400/2009-12-24-20h07m45.jpg" /></div></div></div></div>Alright, I can't talk about Christmas anymore, it's making me miss it too much...I will post about Christmas day later...I hope all of you had as much fun during the Holidays as we did. Happy New Year! I can't wait for 2010 and all of the possibilities ahead!</div></div>Chelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17187148674999066460noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6209732818163571318.post-71137884433063503332009-12-06T19:19:00.001-08:002009-12-06T19:55:50.062-08:00Thanksgiving, London, and the 3rd Greatest Night of the Year<div align="center">To begin, let's talk about Thanksgiving 2009. Jesse and I switch off going to his family and mine for Thanksgiving every other year. This year was my family. We all got to my Mom's house at 2:00 PM and dinner started shortly after that.<br /></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">This was my niece, Cameron's (aka Peach), first Thanksgiving. Even though she is only 7 months old she really enjoys feeding herself and trying new foods. Marissa, Peach's Mom, decided to let her go at it all by herself. So we stripped her down to her diaper and then she ate Jello, yams, a pickle, and some pumpkin pie. She had food up to her armpits and she couldn't have been happier about the whole experience :)</div><div align="center"><em></em></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><em>Meg & Peach before dinner</em></div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412329785170693970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj796YRBtdEuQCPY-2xZ1hzGVkSuzOecMMwKyOyIlzNid3QBZqJZy0gatbjRoSr1nM9Rp5PYUYZFzG9Bgw5Rg6DhrbaYz15mIEoSC3bD9FsKQBs6YOBevPcRbCBjLyaQu5zkD2V9ILGMMm5/s400/2009-11-26-15h16m06.jpg" /> <em>Me & Peach before dinner</em></div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412330076935714450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH5oTF0fdW6FS3qmoAYYY8u-SWj7CitYqnOpN-Ttfu42E7-u1d5KZ_Ea9OUGGx92CkiNl3tqaFSxtwU_nxjQSkggkKeigS85bBjAb_RJnYuwt9tbFtSAssYZvith1XQAOVf5X4Va8RfGUJ/s400/2009-11-26-15h16m25.jpg" /><em>Peach dives in...(and please look at Meg in the background! What is she talking about...man I am laughing so hard at this pictures...)</em><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412330570068675890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKW5YGyDvQVNEJ3u9A3YKgh7JkTOiObRmZ4roktFU_-PZTYyiYXr428P8MKKwbIPh2BJItegVLuwaOAGQRFs8vJXHEUatMzdxuiXsis-tKJingTLHMrnMYnYIt-BgJHUElzbvJR58ajdai/s400/2009-11-26-16h00m00.jpg" /><em>Peach in pure bliss...</em><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412331118162805586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOHK3YUtCKDg4TdPvVDhUhVRwJInGOo-AtbglatHv-eAeP1lYl4_BVXAclRIQICZT24Kl8pyXZmzvWSt-N5djYadPr74Sfle5tiN43r0yxBUx8sQM9jbx2CnuA1c9b9BLffE4e_Nfe2phZ/s400/2009-11-26-16h02m17.jpg" /><em>A bath after the madness...</em><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412331762750827202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb9WSt3l6rc9CeyBI6cvEeoKDFEF9Qmoj_WoMn7TqPzwJ8evlt9DZyIX6YbG1A6ANy-6zDS-jCvOMacGGZNeWBEPht7wmIbzxRtzORzIGcowzQxXAIPaUWUUz8Wt8W-5RTjaYUh2RfZ18C/s400/2009-11-26-16h11m01.jpg" />Thanksgiving was an amazing day! And after dinner and some puzzle time Meg and I decided to go up to our Dad's house for some games and a sleepover. Sadly I forgot my camera, so I didn't take any pictures, but we had a blast! I always love sleeping at my Dad & Joyce's. It's so peaceful there, and even though Heber is only 45 minutes away, it always feels like a mini-vacation when I am there and I am always grateful for that.</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">Next, we come to baby London. One of Jesse's best friends from his childhood is Eric Wilson. Eric and Jesse got into lots of trouble growing up and still do. Eric and Linsey got married a year after us, and Linsey and I were forced upon each other. Luckily she and I clicked and she is one of my best friends now. I can tell her anything and she just listens. She also does my hair and I am grateful for her helping me be crazy when I want to be, and helping me go back to "normal" 6 weeks later. She never knows what I'll come up with next, but she helps me accomplish what I want to and always makes me look good, well, at least my hair :)</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">They had their first kid on November 16, 2009. Her name is London and she is absolutely perfect! I am excited to watch this little girl grow up and to help her learn that Eric and Jesse are fun, but they are certainly crazy as well, so it's usually best to sit back and watch them execute their crazy ideas, rather then get involved :)</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><em>Here she is (sorry it doesn't really show her face very well...you will be seeing more of this chick in the future though!):</em></div><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412333238162734882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz9CVZp-g0vyaiEopuGwBulTFfJ3PiFUm7owLrPtVy1dbZ9wI6VP5MuJ9U6qLt4nHMj4hcZleiuZ5bmmKeaWWZlM2g2zWAsIvkVe_MBjw8FirQ2I4mrHUaRbhfgtz_Bl1mB2WBO5f3vOm3/s400/2009-11-17-21h07m28.jpg" /></p><p> </p><p>And last but not least, we come to THE 3RD GREATEST NIGHT OF THE YEAR! </p><p>We have an annual party with my Mom, my step-dad Timmy, and my siblings and their spouses every year for Christmas. It's usually the first Tuesday or Wednesday of December. We go to the Roof at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building for dinner and then we go on a carriage ride around the city. It is always a blast! Here are some pictures from that night:</p><br /><div align="center"><em></em> </div><div align="center"><em></em> </div><div align="center"><em>Me & Peach...man, there are a lot of pictures of me holding baby girls in this post!</em><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412334100672505330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMf63DpCvGc0ZPzu7SJQVFKc7jUwbqDFSIKrOgnD4gnjc_7OdJ3vOX_MBzUlJifv5HD8yKaA6aZWyug9dhktC0XwVU2cd8E22I6gtIoBYqLywYnoFj7qRlJxQNiWKWUZ5j59xdPzHnWn77/s400/2009-12-02-18h16m15.jpg" /><em>Here are the boys eating their delicious food (Jake, Colby, Quenten & Jesse)</em><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412334827229723874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdun-iwW2xFzOQt1W9nLlD8eSEf_vqnXT33OdFXiVy4Y4ybt2Sv19FPNAIqtBs-hz4TV_P3q66gEPiKUybl_aPabwhfsMm9TghiDeCc3a_2_et13aG_n5HaYcSgsDSW2_i1dsZoC5anup_/s400/2009-12-02-18h45m42.jpg" /> <p align="center"><em>Here we see my Mom, Meg and myself before we ate our first beloved "Chocolate Pots" as Meg calls them...they are pretty much a chocolate pudding but 100 times better...mmm...chocolate pots</em><br /></p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412335341167600370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaVbSEieyd2GSqJdBZ5nuset_GtB5oOUFcriVWqaQbTnAfYjhyphenhyphenf5UdTRQzkPzbMMDakVeFzbreFOxY5wShLYDPiPiAZOwkzwITy3duJupbrq2h2BWCWvUkYzyV3S_L15OsMmU13UuRTwuS/s400/2009-12-02-19h06m35.jpg" /> <p align="center"><em>My brother Jeff and his wife Amy at the Roof:</em><br /></p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412335724360489074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKoFpw97gyKpJZfg8kgp5cwKB6AwL36Y7ivsV3DWU_mjNEtSAZCJv42VEgVJ3nAXRL2sxtlITVwLOObMY6Enke9m6i9omWrHVdUcLFTW4bwGZdL2huO6wOVFwRhcHBt6Svkgfjtk2yDSQ3/s400/2009-12-02-19h16m43.jpg" /> <p align="center"><em>Tod (Ashley's boyfriend), Ashley and Cambria...</em><br /></p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412336116516054226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjCwKZP6JNjjenonDcAdcYWtoR4yUjLWP5fNrJ2swCNk4B2wFDE1Y5F_psWjffoqATD5b9IBm61LwsSlX7UFuGznK0-TdY3ddtDHbJmN2r5uqWKKtRiw8UpZcz88IMXj-_BCq5vMksPeQY/s400/2009-12-02-19h17m21.jpg" /> <p align="center"><em>And finally a picture of the lights at Temple Square...Jesse took this one and I love it! Thanks Mom and Tim for another great Bean Family Christmas Party!</em><br /></p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412336769479940386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrikswlYMQo5vGKTbAf7wp4LGbHiGCzBXLmUOZg4NU1k6I_9pJ4aMa9pVPdT8t5mG3BpnawJ_xrwC19-D5cn1Ymh5Gv-BheY-Hwdiy4QFiKGOSzlrJ3US05CbDcZekeFk_2_3QY_2Oqno4/s400/2009-12-02-19h29m59.jpg" />Chelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17187148674999066460noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6209732818163571318.post-18921720680570662352009-12-02T18:52:00.000-08:002009-12-02T19:15:25.410-08:00Merciful Blessings...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN2_U1ml0BHJh0IudHFRei4jdZSTVvwWVbK3V0W0_Y2iupsg85bb_3Z5UurpvKG6Fgxx3KIRbFspeo7CHaLy2Pc46KG1ADqQ2r3aQOT-JuOxkOXrFRStW3cG0XZaZbixNuavbNX8z7yjAU/s1600-h/2007-11-03-20h33m43.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410842826373712082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN2_U1ml0BHJh0IudHFRei4jdZSTVvwWVbK3V0W0_Y2iupsg85bb_3Z5UurpvKG6Fgxx3KIRbFspeo7CHaLy2Pc46KG1ADqQ2r3aQOT-JuOxkOXrFRStW3cG0XZaZbixNuavbNX8z7yjAU/s400/2007-11-03-20h33m43.jpg" /></a> <div><div><div><div><div><div>I am grateful tonight for merciful blessings. I just spoke with my sweet dad who was in a horrible car accident last night. A woman swerved into on-coming traffic and my dad t-boned her car. They were both going 55 mph. She then continued on and crashed with another vehicle behind my dad. The woman who caused the accidents passed away, and the man in the 2nd accident was taken to the hospital in serious condition. My dad only has some pretty deep cuts and bruises on his hands, but other than that he is ok. </div><div></div><div></div><br /><div>So tonight, I am grateful that he was watched over. I am grateful that he was kept safe while all of this craziness was going on around him. I am grateful that he and I can become closer through all of this and that I can understand what he is going through in some respects.</div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div>Really this post isn't to be depressing. It is to say that I am grateful for family. I am grateful for this life. I am grateful for my amazing dad and for all that he has taught me and continues to teach me. I am grateful that we are such close friends now that I am an adult and we can relate to each other even more now that I am no longer a little girl. Don't get me wrong, he was amazing to me growing up, it's just nice to understand him more and respect him for all of the things he has gone through and all of the things he has told me so I don't suffer the same things he has.</div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div>He is so good to me and I am so glad he is my dad. And thank you to Heavenly Father for answering my prayers and keeping my family safe. What a sweet and precious gift that is. I love you dad! <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410842540967042306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Yg2ryuK7GMRUbvWUquf6NidULTwR_UPUaeLCvoLe3fHUkMn2CHXlJqCIRgZtxDT7AwHeOcBZz96-A2eDYrj2ghdthJ4dmoAzBh0Pcomn_uwir-oGOqOBjofTa4Q0zGVRtvNhkW_E0INu/s400/2007-04-01-17h43m03.jpg" /></div></div></div></div></div></div>Chelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17187148674999066460noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6209732818163571318.post-81359823241855758382009-11-30T07:10:00.000-08:002009-11-30T08:18:24.675-08:00'Tis the Season!<div><div><div><div><div><div>I am so ready for this Holiday Season! These are some of my favorite things about Christmas time:</div><div></div><br /><div>1. Snow. Obviously. If you know me at all then you know I am addicted to the beauty, the smell, and the feeling that snow brings!</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409930571310072786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 259px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Z82J3vg6GBM/SxPvMQp2g9I/AAAAAAAAAok/YdN7EWpL45M/s400/snow.jpg" border="0" />2. Food. I am food lover. As I am sure most of you are. But I love making good food for the people I care about and giving it to them. And yes Manon and Jake, you each get your own jars of Hubbard Hot Fudge this year :)<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409930697162263442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Z82J3vg6GBM/SxPvTlfWi5I/AAAAAAAAAos/k987VM6iFLs/s400/food.jpg" border="0" /> <div></div><div>3. Presents. I love getting presents, but I mean it when I say that I would much rather GIVE them. I love getting meaningful gifts and then watching someones face as they open it!</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409930805011125442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 216px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Z82J3vg6GBM/SxPvZ3QhlMI/AAAAAAAAAo0/vvnOJryngio/s400/presents.jpg" border="0" /> <div></div><div>4. Lights. I love the twinkle of Christmas lights. Perfect, sparkly little Christmas lights. On trees, on houses, wherever. I love them!</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409930901996015794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Z82J3vg6GBM/SxPvfgjhkLI/AAAAAAAAAo8/i7AWxyj1D1E/s400/lights.jpg" border="0" /> <div></div><div>5. Singing. I love singing with my sisters this time of year. I always love singing with them, but it's different when you get to sing about the Savior's birth and sing carols that everyone waits to hear. Man I love singing!</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409931014663458210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 252px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 264px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Z82J3vg6GBM/SxPvmERiTaI/AAAAAAAAApE/OY1lEvymLJk/s400/carolers.jpg" border="0" /><em>(Might I add that my sisters and I do not look as cool as these carolers who I found on Google Image...)</em><br /><br /><div></div><div>6. Parties. I love the amount of parties that I get to go to in such a small amount of time. It all starts this Wednesday with the annual Bean Family Roof & Carriage Ride Night! This tradition started the year my Mom & Tim got married and now, 5 years later, it is my 3rd favorite night of the year (if you were wondering my 1st favorite night of the year is my Birthday celebration with Meg on Valentine's Day, and the 2nd is Christmas Eve, but the Bean Party is my 3rd favorite).</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409931284049617634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Z82J3vg6GBM/SxPv1v0M4uI/AAAAAAAAApM/wdPKus1Bg4o/s400/party.jpg" border="0" /> <div></div><div>I am one lucky duck to have so many wonderful things to look forward to over the next few weeks. I just have two things to say: "<span style="color:#33ccff;"><strong>Let it Snow!</strong></span>" and "<span style="color:#33cc00;"><strong>Merry Christmas</strong></span>!"</div></div></div></div></div></div>Chelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17187148674999066460noreply@blogger.com1