First Birthday of the 2011!

It came in with a bang....Wendy's birthday was a success. It was a lot of fun planning it and keeping it a secret from her....just in hopes that she would be just as excited to hang with some of her peeps instead of going to a movie. Always a good time, with good peeps!

The Birthday Girl!

Wendy's big Happy Birthday, Janurary 22nd! Her husband and I pulled off a surprise party for her. I felt so awful the last 2 weeks having to lie to her about stuff...where I was...what I was doing...but it was all for the good of the cause. The day of her birthday was hard because I'm pretty sure she was a little bummed that none of us did anything with her...but little did she know the fun night we had planned for her. I hope she had fun...I know I did! :) Love ya girl....

My BFF for the last 2 weeks.

We did it! Dustan and I pulled off a surprise birthday party for Wendy......with the help of a few friends. :) A success if I do say so myself.

Who wears a hat to a party?

My awesome friend Jen...who is the girl I can count on no matter what! She is always there for me...motivates me to lose weight and promises not to give up on this for both of us! I don't know where'd I be without her! Thanks for the laughs tonight. :)

Last photo of 2010!

Grandma's house has been sold...many great memories there...but now it's time for someone else to make new memories.

Another year has come and gone...out with the old and in with the new. Things change...people change....and life changes. This year has been good to me and I look forward to what new adventures lie ahead.



Random things and thoughts that happened in 2010!

• As I sit and write this I think back to 1 year ago tonight...it was my first night in my new house. I've survied homeownership for 1 year....and I think I like it! (minus the flood)
• I volunteered to be part of the Partner's Campaign for the YMCA to help raise money for kids and families to be part of the Y. I was even named the rookie of the year for raising money. I will sign autographs later....my rookie card should be coming out soon!
• I organized an event at my school for National Wear Red day...everyone paid $5 to wear jeans and wore RED in celebration of Go Red for Women...I donated the money to the AHA .
• I got to meet the men that saved my life at my 1st celebration of life event with the CSFD...and my mom flew out to join us!
• I was part of the largest CPR event at a Sky Sox Baseball game in part with the CSFD and even got to throw out the first pitch and did 4 interviews with a few of the TV stations and the CSFD. How FUN!
• My littlest brother Michael graduated from high school!
• My sidekick Wendy and I helped with the Go RED for Women event this summer by getting silent auction donations from local business's. I couldn't have done it without her.
• I finished my paper for my Master's degree and am now a MASTER of something or another!
• Participated in a photo shoot this summer for a survivor gallery for the Go Red for Women event.....had sooo much fun doing it! Hmmm..maybe I should do more photo shoots?
• Had an extraordinary time with my Aunt Pam and her family this summer....we went whitewater rafting and it would have to be one of the highlights of the summer....I believe I got the backbend of the year award from Sonya.
• I became a CPR instructor and taught my 1st class.
• Had a great 4th of July with Torie and her family blowing up things in the backyard.
• Got a few little projects done around my house and hosted a few parties with many laughs!
• Slept on a patio lounger chair for an entire night!
• Celebrated with Anne in welcoming Easton James.
• Married Alex off to Jacob after many long talks to just go for it!
• Made a very good friend in Jennifer....who has been by my side during some rough times...so thankful to have her in my life! Thanks Mark. :)
• Many fun girl's nights with The Big C and Weeds.
• Learned to relax a little more....
• Friends like W and G and T that put up with my @*?! and still love me!
• Learned to give up and let go and have faith.....
• To 2 and 4 year olds that make my life amazing...you know who you are!
• To so much more but this post is getting so long...that I can't keep it up!

Here's to family, friends and life in 2010. You were great....can't wait to see what is next.

Much love to those of you that read this.... :)

Birthday girls.

Another birthday celebration with one of my best friends. We share MY birthday. Even though she is a year older than me! :) We may not talk every day or even every week, but no matter what she is always there for me when I need her.

Long time friends.

Jenny, Heather and I at Angie's having a birthday celebration. My how life has changed, but I am truly blessed to have such great women in my life! I worked with these two at Schaefers and we have many, many stories that we could share....Wow, we were pretty crazy but good memories none the less. :)

Wow...how time flies.

This is a shining moment in the Christensen family. This is only the 2nd time my dad has ever been to a movie with me, it is the first time Mike has ever gone to a movie with him. He took Adam, Jake and myself to see Batman in 1989. That was the last time until this special day...12/26/2010 we all went as a family to see True Grit. He did well and the movie was good too. :)

Only Bryan.

I had to give my cousin Bryan a hard time for his cell phone. I'm not sure if you can really see it but it's OLD...it even has the antenna you can pull up to get better reception. He is a lawyer and they always tell the lawyers they can't bring in their phones due to cameras, video recording and the like. Well, let's just say that the security guard always lets Bryan in because his phone is an antique!

Christmas with Grandma 2010!

Me and the family...where's Dad? Sitting with his mom. We spent about an hour at the nursing home with Dad's side of the family celebrating Christmas. Always a good time with plenty of laughs!

My beautiful grandmother.

I am always so blessed to see my grandma. She is a tough old German woman hanging on with her ever breath. They gave her 6 months to a year and she is coming up on that year. I love her so much and am so fortunate to have had the time I did with her...sharing stories with me ...spending time with her while my parents were with Adam....Jake and I have many memories with Grandma.

My first table.

I took on the responsibilty to be a table hostess this year at the women's luncheon at my church, Calvary Worship Center. I was to decorate a table and thanks to many friends it all came together.

Thanksgiving 2010!

One of my Colorado families....I love these guys with all my heart!

Parade of Lights

Had a blast with the Franklund kids at the Parade of lights this year! The weather was great and the kids were so fun to watch. We had in depth conversations about the Grinch and I think Maggie has come to love him. Jack shared his caramel corn until he decided that after 3 pieces that I'd had enough....glad he's staying on top of my WW with me. :) I couldn't have asked for a better evening....thanks guys!

We did it!

My good buddy Jen and I rocked the 5k Turkey Trot this morning despite the cold weather. It was about 14 degrees but the sunshine made it bareable. I have to say that I didn't do as well as I would have liked to but I learned that running on a treadmill and running outside are wayyy different..the cold air was killing my lungs!

I'm thankful for so many things in my life and she is one of them. Jen has helped me do things that I've needed to do for a long time...she motivates me and supports me in this adventure to a healthier Sara. I think our competitive nature also plays into that a little....I couldn't have done it without her!

Thankful....

Happy Thanksgiving 2010!

Another year has come and gone and I'm so thankful for everything in my life. I have to say that I am truly blessed...I felt the need to write this today as I had my 7th invite to spend Thanksgiving with another one of my friends. It makes me realize that I'm the lucky one to have such great people in my life. People have been asking me where am I going to spend Thanksgiving....I wish I could stop at each of the places I was invited to, but that's not going to be possible. It would be like a turkey marathon....speaking of marathons...I'm going to do a tiny part of a marathon tomorrow morning.

I'm going to be doing the Turkey Trot at one of the local YMCA's. It is a 5k run/walk....I have been running for the last couple of months but don't think I will be able to run the whole thing....I am going to give it my best shot! I have to thank my friend Jen for inspiring me to do it and not bailing on me...as it is going to be soooo cold tomorrow morning. I hope my lungs don't freeze. :) She's been an amazing support to me on this getting healthy plan....we are doing it together and I'm so thankful for her!

I hope you all have a blessed Thanksgiving and remember that I'm so thankful to have you in my life! :)

Long time friend....

Spinning our hearts out.....come back and put your hands up in the air!! :)

Halloween party 10'

The Franklund's hosted a Halloween party and I didn't get a chance to dress up...they all did an awesome job though! Dustan is Maggie's pit crew, Scott the Scarecrow and my two best buds the withches...who are far from that, but they looked good!

My transportation crew....

Maggie, the racecar driver, and Jack the airplane pilot! They are too cute....I love these kids..they mean the world to me!

Go Red for Women 2010!

Wendy and I had a great day on October 22nd, 2010 at the Antler's Hilton volunteering for the Go Red for Women Event. We are posing with my portrait they are using for the Survivor's Gallery around town. I hope to get it when they're done....we'll see. I may have to schmooze Ent. It is a wonderful event with a bunch of amazing women. I had so much fun this day with Wendy and all the women. I am so lucky, blessed, honored to have such a great friend, more like sister, in Wendy. Love ya girl and thanks for all your help with this event!

Cookies.

One of the silent auction items I loved. It was from Andrew Collins Cookies...a gift basket of Go Red Cookies. What an amazing guy! I hope to co-chair the Silent Auction committee next year for this event. Wendy and I rocked it this summer as members but think we can do great things if we are in charge???

Flashback?

Alex's crew for her 80's themed bachelorette party!

Who's getting married?

Alex's 80's themed bachelorette party! Me and 2 other friends threw her a bachelorette party and had so much fun. We started out at her house...then went bowling and singing and dancing. Fun times were had!

A baby shower....

My good friend Anne, the one with balloons behind her head, is bringing a bundle of fun into this world. I threw her a baby shower with a couple friends and we had a blast! She is due...November 15th, how do I remember this..well it's my dad's birthday. Her and her husband will be amazing parents, I just know it!

Life...so they say.

Things have been pretty crazy for the last few weeks since I've posted but I try to keep my spirits up for my sake as well as others. I am not the type of girl that likes others to worry about me...so I smile and remember there's a plan for everything that comes my way....whether it be blood clots in the brain....an enlarged heart...(is that really a bad thing?) and a water damaged house......LIFE.....the good...the bad..and the ugly!

I have rejoined for the like the 4th or 10th time weight watchers and have been sucessful so far the last 2 weeks. 5.8lbs in 2 weeks....I have a friend doing it with me and that is what motivates me....I'm a competitive girl...if you didn't know that already....

School is in session..I have coached softball and am now helping coach volleyball and working like a dog at school to be the best math teacher I can be.....I pray for patience every morning and for God to get me through the day and He comes through every time! Life is GOOD no matter what the circumstances! Have Faith.....

Going RED!

Here's just one of my pictures from the photo shoot I did for the Go Red for Women event. It will be held on October 22, 2010 at the Antler's Hilton Downtown Colorado Springs. I had such a blast at this photo shoot....I look forward to seeing the other pics from this event. I will share when I get them.

I don't know why....

Here it goes...

My life....why me? One year ago on July 24th, 2009...I woke up to a second chance at life. Not many people live through what I went through...they say 7% survive sudden cardiac arrest outside of the hospital. Not great odds if you actually think about it..would you go into surgery with a 7% chance of surviving? I know I wouldn't!

I didn't have a choice in the matter, but I came out on top!

My life has forever been changed since that week of hell last year!

It took me a long time to figure out why I was brought back...I always thought I had a purpose to fulfill but I have come to the realization that I was saved for another reason. It was to have a relationship with God..the one who saved me! I know there are great plans for me...but I couldn't do any of them without Him in my life. So, here is what I have done with this life in the past year that has been granted an extension......

1. Became a Christian.

2. Bought my first house.

3. Celebrated life with firefighters and many friends :)

4. Became a campaigner for the YMCA - was rookie of the year!

5. Shared my story with the Go Red for Women campaign in Denver and raised $380 for them.

6. Became a CPR instructor.

7. Became very involved in the American Heart Association -

- Did the Heart Walk,

- Volunteered on 3 committees-sponsorship, silent auction, and passion

- Shared my story as a survivor

- Did a photo shoot as part of a traveling survivor gallery around Colorado Springs

- My story and photos will be presented in the Gazette paper on August 22 in a 22 page spread

for Go RED for Women

8. Threw out the first pitch at a Sky Sox baseball game for a massive CPR training event

9. Was interview by 3 TV stations, 2 of which aired on the 10 o'clock news and 1 for the CSFD to use

for a training video for CPR

10. Got my Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction

So, that sums it up for the big things..for the things that really matter....having dinner at friends house, playing five straight, watching movies, watching tv shows like lost, survivor, weeds with my girls, the long hikes with friends just talking about everything and nothing, spending time with the kids - Maggie, Jack, Ian, Ben, Delanie, Levi, Daniel, going to church with friends and family, bike rides all summer, girls night out, birthday parties, just lovin' on the people that mean the most to me.

I couldn't survive this life without the amazing friends and family that surround me.

A year has come and gone...a once in a lifetime event..as one of my good friends stated...

It's time to live life like you're dying...cuz guess what? You are!

I'm glad that I am here to do all these things with all the people I love...truly know that I love all of you from the depths of my big ol' wacky HEART!

4th of July Craziness....

I'm not sure how many people still follow my blog...it was originally set up for family and friends when I lived in Korea. I'm wondering if people still check in on my blog..would you leave me a comment to let me know if you do.

We were capturing the blackness of my hand in this photo...shooting bottle rockets without the bottle. :)

Who knew??

A year ago I didn't know this beautiful woman..and now I'm in her backyard blowing things/toys up with her husband. God is good!

Giffins + Me.

Nathan and I were the entertainment of the night....I had a ton of fun blowing things up at the Giffin house. I'm glad that I'm still alive to tell the story. I would have to say between the piece of homemade Mexican dynamite and shooting off bottle rockets in my hand made for an awesome night! Love being part of Torie's beautiful family.

Just us girls.

Delanie and I having fun on the 4th of July. She is not so much about the fireworks...they are loud, and dangerous ya know!

Have you done it?

Have you lived? Have you laughed? Have you loved?

Remember that life is short, tomorrow is not promised...

I find that I get caught up in trying to please people and worry about if they are happy..I need to get back to that place where I am happy.

Peace....peace.....peace.....as someone use to say to me.

Heart Walk 2010.

June 12th, 2010. Heart Walk at the Air Force Academy. I am doing what I can to help raise awareness and with the support of my family and friends we can do it!

Heart Walk 2010.

Here is part of our crew for the Heart Walk. The Franklunds didn't quite make it in time for the photo shoot....it could have been because they stopped by my house to get me pants. :) It was cold, rainy, and windy but we rocked the 5k. Who would have thought that June 12th would have been so yucky...47 degrees yikes! Nevertheless it was a good, quick walk for a great cause!

Priceless...

Another beautiful day in Colorado with a good friend hiking in Williams canyon....I am blessed!

Beautiful day for a hike.

Last Sunday I went hiking with Cynthia and her boys....and stopped to get a family shot. This is the best I could do..and I think it is adorable.

I think he is scared...

Wyatt must think we are going to be prosecuted or maybe he is gasping for air...or he is just being a boy!

Boys??

Do boys ever pose for a picture...I think they are always being weird. Walker, Wyatt and Cynthia at the top of Williams canyon. Nevermind the sign....

Being silly.

Maggie making faces in the car ride home. She is a smart little girl and the things she says always make me laugh.

What a good brother....

Jack after he had both of his fingers up his nose...I thought this picture did him more justice. He sacrifices everyday and he doesn't even know it by sitting in his sister's pink car seat. What a stud!

Ahhh...home.

How I miss the lakes of MN...but I do have the best of both worlds.

MN lakes and CO mountains, I'm a blessed girl!

Akiva is 6!

Celebrating Akiva's 6th birthday with him. Mighty Beanz were the way to go...oh and the Star Wars shirt. Trying to get a serious face outta him was impossible so we'll go with this. Love ya little guy!

Family.....

Taking the high road with this picture....see the statue behind us...well...this picture hides more than the other one I could be putting up...classy I know. Clifton, Jake and I doing dinner at Buca's.

He will be a good......

Jake and Amaria...such a cute picture I couldn't pass it up. He will be a good daddy someday.

So cute...

My cousin Clifton and his daughter Amaria at dinner. She was so cute whenever we posed for a picture she would put her arm around me....awwwww!

Dinner with Aunt Susuan..

Always glad to see my Aunt Susan. We all went out to Buca's for dinner, I had never been. It was good. Jake and Susan share the same birthday...Jake thinks that makes him special or something! :) Love you Aunt Susie!!

Grandma or Grocery?

Jake's car that he chauferred me around in for 2 days....I call it the grandma getter he says it's for groceries. It works..thanks little brother!

Cousins...

We had a blast running through the maze gardens...Demante beat us in both the kid and adult mazes.