Hello 2021, Goodbye 2020!

 It has been a hot minute since I came on here.  This past year has been challenging to say the least.  The Covid-19 virus has completely changed the world and this past year has been proof of that.  Due to this awful virus, I have missed weddings, funerals, trips that had been planned for months and most importantly my family.  I was blessed enough to see my mom in early February before everything shut down but nothing has been the same since.

Shortly after coming back from Florida, the virus started hitting pretty hard in the US.  Connor has been e-learning since last spring and Matt has been working from home since March. With the stresses and anxiety of everything going on in the world, I am fortunate to say that none of my loved ones have gotten sick.  I have been keeping a close eye on my own safety during this time and that is why Matt and I have agreed to keep Connor home for the rest of the school year or until we can all get the vaccine, even though it has been a challenge.  I have prayed for all of you and hope that you are and will continue to stay safe and healthy.

Some positive things that have happened this year are that we've joined a church.  I have become a lot more spiritual this year.  I have had some personal challenges this year and I have felt at times that my faith and prayers has been the only thing to keep me going at times.  I have also loved spending so much time with my boys (for the most part ;) without our busy everyday schedules.  I have also loved that my in-laws have been so close through this difficult weird time.  Next to my own family, they are the next best thing. I love them like my own family.

Going into 2021, I am praying and hoping it will be better than 2020 and I will get to see my family and friends again.  I did find out some unfortunate news.  I was told I have skin cancer under my right eye and to remove it, there are three surgeries that will need to happen in addition to having my eye shut for a month. Not the New Years I was expecting and hoped for but I know I have the love around me and my support team that will help me get through.  I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season and I hope y'all have a beautiful New Year!  Cheers to a very Happy New Year to you and your loved ones.

Until next year,

Kristin 

Hello Spring!

Hello Everyone & Hello Spring!!  🌷🌷

I am so happy that Spring is FINALLY here!!  I feel like it has been Winter for a year.  These past few months have been a whirlwind for me and my family.  Passing out in front of my son, getting a pacemaker unexpectedly, bladder surgery, repairing my friendship with my best friend after an extremely difficult couple of years, my husband getting a promotion and trying to be the best wife and mother I can be for my family day in and day out has been a lot but it's times like these that I think about how blessed I am to be here and for the support system I have in my friends and family. 
When an unfortunate thing happens to you, you really think about all the important things in your life and the important people that help you through the good times and the bad times.

Spring is always a beautiful time for new growth and new beginnings.  It can also be a very sad time for me as well.  My brother died Spring of 2010, his birthday is also in the Spring.  He would be 38 years old on March 27th, if he were still here with us.  I know he is looking down on all of us and he is in a much better place now but man do I miss him.  There isn't a day that goes by since his death that I don't think of him.  I often wonder how he would be as an Uncle.  He was an incredible Father to his son, Remy.  I'm heartbroken that he'll never get to meet my son.  I think they would of been two peas in a pod.  I talk about him often to my son.  Talking about him makes me smile and think about all the great memories I have of us from when we were kids.  I remember before he died, he told me that he thought I would be an incredible mother.  I still think about that conversation often and hope he is looking down, proud of me.

Even though there has only been a couple days of "spring like" weather, we are hoping for better weather very soon.  Connor and I were able to get out a little bit this past week to draw with chalk, ride bikes, jump in puddles and take a walk trying to find a Woodpecker that is somewhere close in the neighborhood.  Our tulips are starting to come up too!  We can't wait until they bloom.  We can't wait for much more time outside and going to the parks around the area.

I hope everyone has a beautiful and safe Spring!!

 

Much Love,
KJA

Connor drawing a railroad track with his chalk!

Our tulips are starting to pop up!

Connor splashing in the puddles!

Update Continued...

Hello Friends!!

It's been a little while but it has been quite a month.  Following the first update post I posted about about a month ago, I will continue with what has been going on...

The following morning, Thursday, October 4th, I woke up as usual.  My husband went to work and I was spending the morning with my son before he went to school that afternoon.  I was excited because I had just bought a ticket to go see one of my favorite actresses at her book signing for that evening.

I was talking to my sister-in-law, as I do most mornings when we have our "coffee chat".  I was telling her I was feeling dizzy.  I laid down and put my feet up as I was told to always do when suffering from a dizzy spell.  Once I started feeling better, she asked me if I had eaten anything yet today.  I told her no, so I went to the kitchen and grabbed a breakfast bar from my pantry.

I then went upstairs to go to the bathroom and I felt dizzy again.  The next thing I know, I woke up on my bathroom floor with my four year old screaming on the top of his lungs.  My sister-in-law heard everything on the other line so she immediately hung up and dialed 911.  Not remembering, once I woke up I immediately called 911 too.  I had never been so scared in my life and as a mom, I took it really hard knowing what my son had just witnessed. 

The next thing I know, my sister-in-law is flying through my door and at the same time the paramedics showed up.  A few minutes later, my mother-in-law showed up.  They took me in the ambulance to Northwest Community Hospital and ran some tests.  Once I got to the hospital, they saw that there was a six seconds pause in my heart rhythm.  Being a heart transplant recipient they were very concerned.  NCH is not a specialty hospital so they decided to transfer me to Loyola Medical Center.  LMC is where my Cardiology team is so I felt happy to go there, because I know that they would know my history and know what the next steps were to take.

After waiting hours and hours at NCH including moving to ICU, I finally transferred to LMC at around 3:00am on Friday morning.  Once I got to LMC and was sent to a room in their ICU, the team of doctors came in later that morning to make their rounds.  They wanted to put a pacemaker in me because of the pause in my heart rhythm.  At first, I didn't take it very well.  I have had this heart for 20 years with no issues and then all of a sudden this?!  I was in disbelief.  I demanded I speak to my actual Cardiologist before making any decisions.

My doctor came in later that day and pretty much scared me.  He basically said that what happened to me could happen again without the pacemaker and next time it could be a different outcome and I may not wake up.  After talking to him, my parents, my husband and my best friend, I made the decision to get the pacemaker.  My doctor made a few phone calls and they let me get my pacemaker Friday evening, so I didn't have to stay in the hospital the whole weekend and get it done on Monday.

After getting an echo and an angiogram, I know my heart is healthy with the exception of my tricuspid valve regurgitating, which has been for years.  They have kept an eye on it and have told me that one day, I will probably need to have valve replacement surgery.  I was released from the hospital the next day.

I want to thank everyone again for the continued thoughts and prayers.  They are very much appreciated, as always.

Much Love,
KJA

Update

Hi Friends!!

Monday night was so bad!!  I had constant bladder spasms.  Every 30 seconds I would have a bad spasm.  I only was able to get 2.5 hours of sleep.  On Tuesday morning, my wonderful in-laws took my son for a couple hours so I could nap before my procedure on Tuesday afternoon.  It's been a crazy 24 hours but I know it's one step closer to getting completely healed. 

Yesterday, I had the Cystoscopy done.  The waiting was nerve-racking but it was all okay once I got back to the Operating Room and they gave me the medication to relax me.  They took out the 12fr catheter that had been in since last Thursday from the Emergency Room and put in a 14fr catheter.  They also found 5 bladder stones.  They removed those as well.  The procedure lasted about an hour they said.

Once I got to recovery, I had a bit of shortness of breath but my vitals were good.  They gave me some oxygen for a little while, then it got better.  Once I felt better, I was up pretty fast.  They gave me some graham crackers and sprite.  I was able to walk around a little bit.  They discharged me by giving me 2 Tylenol with Codeine and prescribing me Tolterodine Tartrate (helps with bladder spasms) and Cephalexin (antibiotic).  When I got home, I was pretty tired.  I ate the Panera Bread my mother-in-law got for me on the way home then I went to bed.

I was able to sleep much better last night.  I took a Tolterodine Tartrate before I went to sleep at around 9:00pm.  I woke up in pain around 12:30am, so I took some Tylenol.  That took the edge off and I was able to get back to sleep.

Thank you to everyone who has had me in their thoughts and prayers this week.  It is very much appreciated!!  I hope to be all better in about 6 days.

Much Love,
KJA

Hello October!!!

HAPPY OCTOBER!!!! 

🍀🍁🍂🍃

              Much Love,

              KJA

Life is not always perfect

Hello Friends!

It's been a tough couple weeks for me.  I first found out that I have Arthritis in my back, shoulder and knee.  Finding that out makes sense on why I have been in so much pain lately.  😒  My doctor had me start physical therapy.  Getting old sucks sometimes.  The following week my life became more challenged for me.

I have catheterized for the past 24 years to be able to go to the bathroom.  I had a bladder reconstructive surgery when I was 11 years old and when the surgery was performed they rerouted my bladder, so I now catheterize through the navel.  

For the past week, I have been having trouble getting my catheters in (I use a new catheter each time).  It would take me 30+ minutes to just get my catheter in.  By Thursday afternoon, I wasn't able to get my catheter in at all.  I ended up cancelling my physical therapy appointment and going to the Emergency Room.  After waiting hours in the waiting room and getting back to a room, I hadn't gone to the bathroom  in over 12 hours.  They did a bladder scan and said I had 720 milliliters of urine in my bladder.  😳  After hours of pain, I finally had relief at 12:50am on Friday morning.  They sent me home with a catheter and an attached urine bag.

The following morning I went to a new Urologist, which happens to be the Head of Urology at Loyola University Medical Center.  Him and his staff were amazing and so nice.  He would like me to come in and get a Cystoscopy done on Tuesday.  They are going to try and get a bigger catheter in me and have me go home with that for a week.  Once the week passes, if all goes well, they will take it out and everything should be back to normal right before I leave for my vacation on the 11th of October.

Even though it's been a tough couple weeks, I am trying to continue to stay strong and positive.  I will hopefully be out of the woods in about 10 days.  

I wanted to end this blog by posting something I read just this morning.  It really put everything that I've been going through these past couple of weeks in perspective for me and it really made sense.  

Happy Sunday, Everyone!! 💜

Three life lessons from a pencil: ✎✎

1.  Pain can sharpen you.

2.  Everything you do leaves a mark.

3.  What's inside of you is more useful than what's               outside.

Much Love,

KJA

Happy Fall, Y'all!!!

Hello Friends!!

Happy First Day of Fall! I hope everyone enjoys their weekend spending time with their loved ones.  We will be spending our weekend having some fun.  My husband's work has a Family Day every year with food, music and fun activities so we'll be doing that today and then tomorrow we'll be going on our annual apple picking trip with the rest of the family.  We can't wait to eat way too many apple donuts and go have our annual fried chicken lunch at Mad Dan's in Twin Lakes, WI!

Much Love,
KJA

Bullying

Hello Friends!!

I recently watched, Sierra Burgess Is A Loser on Netflix.  It was a wonderful movie and I highly recommend it to anyone that has faced bullying in their life.  I was bullied as a child and it was no fun.  I've always felt like an outcast in my life and still do at times.  This movie made me cry, laugh and everything in between.  It really made me think about how it was for me when I was in school.  

I could totally relate to the main character.  She was me and with social media, smart phones and all the technology they have nowadays, I can only imagine how much tougher being bullied is now.  If you have the opportunity, please watch this movie.  It truly is great one, plus the song at the end it so beautiful and it's called Sunflower.  :)  

I've posted the lyrics to the song below.  I've also attached an article explaining how the song was a standout anthem in the movie.  AMAZING!! 

Enjoy,
KJA

How the Song 'Sunflower' Became the Standout Anthem of Netflix's 'Sierra Burgess is a Loser'

Sunflower

Rose girls in glass vases
Perfect bodies, perfect faces
They all belong in magazines
Those girls the boys are chasing
Winning all the games they're playing
They're always in a different league

Stretching toward the sky like I don't care
Wishing you could see me standing there

But I'm a sunflower, a little funny
If I were a rose, maybe you'd want me
If I could, I'd change overnight
I'd turn into something you'd like
But I'm a sunflower, a little funny
If I were a rose, maybe you'd pick me
But I know you don't have a clue
This sunflower's waiting for you
Waiting for you

But I'm a sunflower, a little funny
And if I were her, maybe you'd pick me
But I know you don't have a clue
This sunflower's waiting for you
Waiting for you

09/11/01

I’ll never forget this day. I was a junior in high school doing OTJ training in my schools mail room. I heard on the radio when the first plane hit. It was this surreal silence throughout the school that day. Thinking of the men and women that we lost this day, 17 years ago. You are in my thoughts and prayers. 🙏🏻❤️#neverforget #9/11

On this day, 17 years ago...

On this day... 17 years ago 246 people went to sleep in preparation for their morning flights. 2,606 people went to sleep in preparation for work in the morning tomorrow. 343 firefighters went to sleep in preparation for their morning shift. 60 police officers went to sleep in preparation for morning patrol. 8 paramedics went to sleep in preparation for the morning shift of saving lives. None of them saw past 10:00am Sept 11, 2001. In one single moment life may never be the same. As you live and enjoy the breaths you take today and tonight before you go to sleep in preparation for your life tomorrow, kiss the ones you love, snuggle a little tighter, and never take one second of your life for granted.

9/11/01 Never forget.

Happy 40th Birthday, Theresa Marie!

Hello Friends!!

Today is one of my good friends 40th birthday! I posted on Facebook this morning 40 things that I love about her.  She sobbed! She was so thankful for the post and gave me the most genuine thank you's I've ever received in my life.  You are so welcome my friend!  I love you! I posted those 40 things below so you all can see. 

Enjoy!
KJA

📸 taken in November, 2017

40 reasons on why I love you on your 40th birthday…..

1. I love you because you make me smile
2. I love you because you are so funny
3. I love you because you love bubble teas like me
4. I love you because we make dancing in the car so fun
5. I love you because you sing so incredible
6. I love you because you are an angel that was brought in
my life
7. I love you because you are beautiful inside and out
8. I love you because you are so loud when you laugh
9. I love you because you are so loud when you talk
10. I love you because you love my son as much as I do
11. I love you because you are honest
12. I love you because you are loyal
13. I love you because your love for reality television is just
like mine.
14. I love you because you love honey boo boo
15. I love you because when I need to talk to you, I get your
full attention
16. I love you because you and your mom have a special
bond like I do with my mom
17. I love you because you always smell good
18. I love you because you make me feel so welcome
whenever I step foot into your home
19. I love you because when you love, you love hard
20. I love you because you appreciate the little things in life
21. I love you because you introduced me to Santa Fe
Mexican food
22. I love you because you introduced me to Santa Fe’s
margaritas
23. I love you because you introduced me to the Wheaton
farmers Market
24. I love you because you are my farmers market buddy.
25. I love you because of your faith
26. I love you because of the wonderful blessed cross you
gave me last year. I will cherish it forever. It’s helped me
when I was at a low point in my life. Thank you!
27. I love you because you drink the right amount of water
everyday
28. I love you because you want me to drink the right
amount of water everyday.
29. I love you because you want your loved ones to always
be happy and healthy
30. I love you because of your hugs
31. I love you because you are high maintenance when it
comes to what you want
32. I love you because you love fresh flowers
33. I love you because even though we are so different, we
are so the same
34. I love you because you are never boring.
35. I love you because we can get together at Starbucks
and talk for hours (or until they say they are closing in
20 minutes) and never want to leave each other
36. I love you because you have a really COOL name
(Hahahaha, get it?!?)
37. I love you because you’re awesome
38. I love you because you love tea
39. I love you because I got to spend the last evening of
your 30s with you.
40. And I love you because today you are 40 and you deserve nothing but happiness in your life!

Happy 40th Birthday Theresa!! You are one of the most precious human beings in this world and it is a privilege to have you in my life. I love you so so much and I hope you have the most beautiful day today!! 

Getting Older...

Hello Friends!!

One of my closest friends will be 40 this week!  Thinking about her turning the big 4-0 got me thinking about how I'll be turning the big 3-5 in a couple months.  I will be 35 this year guys!  I can't believe it.  I remember being a kid and my mom and her friends were the age my friends and I are now and I thought they were so old. 😆  

I have gone through so much in my life and one thing I have learned is that you should embrace your age.  Age is just a number.  Do what makes you happy, no matter how old you are.

YOU be YOU, no matter the age ALWAYS!

Much Love,

KJA

Happy Labor Day, Everyone!!

"No work in insignificant.  All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence." 
                                                         -Martin Luther King Jr.

I hope you all are enjoying your holiday with friends and family.

Much Love,

Kristin

Beautiful Video

Hello Friends!!

Below I linked a beautiful video that made my heart so happy!  I hope you all love it as much as I do.

Enjoy,
KJA

Click link below:

Beautiful Video

Hello September!!

HAPPY SEPTEMBER, EVERYONE!! 🍎🍎🍎

5 Inspirational Bloggers

Hello Friends!!

I wanted to share with you 5 bloggers that I follow on Instagram and their blogs that are truly inspirational to me...

Kristy Wick-Lifestyle Blogger     Kristy Wicks Instagram     Kristy Wicks Blog

Erin Kern-Lifestyle Blogger     Erin Kern Instagram     Erin Kern Blog

Layla Palmer-Lifestyle Blogger     Layla Palmer Instagram     Layla Palmer Blog

Eva Amurri Martino-Lifestyle Blogger  Eva Amurri Martino Instagram   Eva Amurri Martino Blog

Kayti Oldham-Beauty Blogger     Kayti Oldham Instagram     Kayti Oldham Blog

Enjoy,

KJA

My goal!

Hello Friends!!

I know it's been a hot minute.  I hope you all enjoyed your summer and are getting back into the swing of things with fall right around the corner.  Our summer was full and busy!  Disney World and my son turning 4 in June, Fourth of July activities, birthday parties, and a Montana trip my husband and I went on just a couple weeks ago.  I plan on sharing some photos with you all in a upcoming post.

My goal is to post at the very least weekly.  I made this personal blog sometime ago and have put it on the back burner because quite honestly life has gotten in the way but my son just started back at preschool and now I have some more free time to really enjoy sharing with you my life.

Much Love,

KJA

It's been a minute!

Hello Friends!!

I know it's been a hot minute since I posted on here.  I've been busy with planning a big Disney World trip our family is going on next month!  It will be so much fun and I can't wait to share with you all!  My son will be 4 years old next month and it will be his first time going to Disney World.  We went on a Disney Cruise when he was about 1.5 years old but he was so young.  I am hoping he'll remember this trip.  My mother-in-law is so excited to be taking all the kids and grandkids!  She and my sister-in-law have been planning for well over a year.

Also, I have been thinking about my sons birthday party.  We are having it the week after we get back from Disney World so this summer will be busy busy busy!  I can't wait though!  Watching him smiling and being excited brings my heart pure joy!

I hope you all are having a wonderful spring!

KJA

Surprising my Dad and Stepmom.

Hello Friends!!


Yesterday was such a fun day! I have been planning to come to Georgia for probably about two-three months to surprise my Dad for his birthday. With the help of my brother and sister-in-law, it finally happened! When I walked up my dads mouth dropped. He could hardly believe I was right in front of him. My stepmom too. She was just as surprised. It was a beautiful moment.
Here’s a picture of my dad, brother and myself. I hope you all have a beautiful Sunday! ❤️

Enjoy,
KJA

Ideas for Self Care....

Hello Friends!!

I found this and thought it was super helpful.  I've tried these and am looking forward to trying them again.  Hope this can be helpful for someone reading this too.

Enjoy,

KJA