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The Hansen's Update

2012-01-28T12:18:00.000-07:00

The last time I published a blog was back in October. Since then, things have changed a lot within the Hansen Family. We are now living in Provo, UT, and in the middle of house-hunting. I have been here now since just after Thanksgiving, while the Mistah arrived one week ago. We are eternally grateful for family, for their generosity and patience as we stumble our way through finding a home for our little Hansen Family. I've found two jobs while living here, and Mistah is still in the process of searching. Life can throw you some curve balls when you least expect it, but we've found that since arriving, we've been blessed on multiple levels. Now, if only the one home we've put an offer in on will come through... We can move our stuff out of storage, and establish our home here in Utah.

With The Hansen's: Crafts, Baking, and Cooking

2011-10-22T18:00:00.000-06:00

Patriotic "United In Love" Pennant Banner

On Thursday, I got my craft on. I had Mistah print off some BOLD and large text for me to cut out, trace on to my white fabric, and then sewed on to my individual pennants. I then sewed the pennants inside out, pulling the fabric right-side out, and added the double-bias tape to the top, to create this banner. This product is being used in two separate photography shoots ("Coming Home" Family Deployment Session, and a Family Session).

Home-Made Chocolate Chip Cookies... YUMMM!!

And, don't ask WHAT entered my mind, but, I felt that we needed home-made chocolate chip cookies... Mistah LOVES them (and hates me for making them, they do so much damage to his "girlish figure."), but lacks self-control from eating the entire batch. There was another two cookie trays baking while I took this picture.

Smashed Red Potato Pan Cakes

Tonight, I decided to try to get creative in the kitchen. Having never made mashed potatoes, I went on to one of my favorite websites (AllRecipes), and using four red potatoes,created smashed potatoes for the first time. I didn't peal my reds, decided we like the skins. The result was way creamy (I guess some people really like theirs creamy). I then went for a Potato Cake recipe. If we had enough time, I would have let these guys brown a bit more, but Mistah's steak had just come off the BBQ.

South-Western Ribeye, Potato Cake, and Spinach Salad

Mistah made an incredible South-Western marinade utilizing 1/4 of a McCormick's Seasoning bag, Tabasco, Worchestershire sauce, and brown sugar. The product was WAYYY good for a family who never takes out our BBQ. Of course, because we didn't have any greens, we added spinach as our side salad.

Living With Migraines

2011-10-16T13:18:00.002-06:00

It starts with a sharp pain behind the eye, that begins to throb with every blink. At times, it transfers to the opposite eye, or throbs behind both eyes. I had a pain so intense on one side of my face, I couldn't lay on my side, my face throbbed so hard. Light becomes piercing and intense. At night, when driving, auras surround anything emitting a light. The pain pierces straight to the back of the head, making anything unbearable. To block this, I use an eye covering to block out light, AFTER closing all black-out curtains, which still emits too much light. My feet, which are normally cold to begin with, become freezing, along with my hands.

Most senses become so heightened and sensitive, it is all I can do to DE-sensitize myself. Perfumes/Colognes, peanut butter, other foods... make me so nauseous. During a more recent migraine, my hearing made me nauseous. I've often wondered about locking myself in my closet, where it seems darkest, but the air conditioner doesn't reach there. I almost crave a dark and cool room to lock myself away in.

I have what is called "Chronic Migraines". I get one 2 days or more out of the week. Lack of sleep, stress, the barometer / weather / temperature change, hormones, what I eat, if I eat, if I don't get enough water... My migraine lasts from 1 to 3 days, leaving me immobile and wanting nothing but hiding my head under my pillow.

If I can catch them early enough, I take a "preventative" medication to attempt to stop the on-coming migraine. I can usually tell if I'm going to have one by the "aura," but, I also get incredibly sleepy, end up in a state of depression, get incredibly irritable, and crave carbs or salty food. If it's too late, I take an "abortive" medication, which normally never touches it.

Not many people understand the difference between a "headache" and a "migraine." Migraine pain feels like it is pulsing or throbbing, vision is blurred, and there's an intense sensitivity of the other senses. A migraine usually is aggravated by daily activities such as walking up stairs. Headache pain is above the eyes or ears, behind the head, or in the back of the upper neck, and has many causes.

To you who have wondered about what a migraine is, and if it is different from a headache, understand that it is. I am so blessed to have a husband who understands and is willing to help me go with it.

Running... A Metaphor For Life

2011-10-13T16:11:00.003-06:00

"Running is a metaphor for life: There is always someone faster than you, always someone slower. All you can do is hang in there and put your heart into it."

What a powerful statement that is. Since March, I have been attempting to train for a 5k (3.1 miles). There were many hinderances, many excuses that were made. I made it to the fourth and most progressive week, and found I couldn't physically handle it. Mistah ran with me. Ashley Ran with me. But, for some reason, my body wouldn't let me push beyond a certain limit. It was at that point I discovered I was pregnant. A few weeks later, after having experienced abdominal pain and bleeding, our joy became short-lived, and we were rushed to the Operating Room for a D&C: We had miscarried.

It took me months to heal, both mentally and physically. Mistah continued to train hard, I had fallen into a depressive-state. I didn't want to climb out of bed, didn't want to ride the bike, didn't want to run. In September, I put my running shoes on, and began the RunningMateMedia 5k-101 Training all over. It was painful, but not as painful as when I first started: breathing hurt, my lower back always seemed to hurt, and blisters covered my feet.

I'm in my fifth week now, with three weeks to go, running for longer periods with shorter breaks, and have scheduled to run alongside my husband in my first 5k just before Halloween! The last time I've felt like this would have been my freshman year, training for the first Swim Meet, and having to dive off of the block, and swimming the hardest stroke: Butterfly. Within a week, I had dropped my time from 1:41 to 1:29, and it continued to drop throughout three years of competing.

"In running, it doesn't matter whether you come in first, in the middle of the pack, or last. You can say, 'I have finished.' There is a lot of satisfaction in that."
Fred Lebow, New York City Marathon Co-Founder

181st Semi-Annual General Conference

2011-10-05T22:29:00.002-06:00

Six months have come and passed since the last General Conference. A lot has happened since April! The friday before Conference, I finished reading The Book Of Mormon. This summer, Young Women's Camp was held on a Ward-level rather than a Stake-level, and the Clovis YW Presidency and I managed to create a successful camp! I've been a Sun-Beam Teacher and Nursery Teacher, to now have been released from both. I have started a small business that seems to be growing slowly but surely! I'm continuing to learn as I go, continuing to challenge myself everyday, and include my husband within this business with me! My husband came with me to Wyoming to visit family for the first time since we married three-and-a-half years ago.

One particular talk that was given that struck me, was one that was VERY similar to her original one she gave during the Young Women General Broadcast this Spring. And the one thing she said that struck me the most was:

"The greatest thing a father can do for his daughter is to love her mother."

Elaine S. Dalton (General Auxiliary, President of Young Women Presidency) had given a talk this spring titled "Guardians of Virtue," a talk I later used with our Young Women at Camp, and in a personal Testimony following Camp. In her "Guardians of Virtues" talk, she explained that the Young Women needed to "protect, shield, and defend moral purity because the power to create mortal life is a sacred and exalted power and must be safeguarded until you are married. Virtue is a requirement to have the companionship and guidance of the Holy Ghost." With her talk this past Saturday Morning Session, she emphasized that our Young Women need to look to their fathers and how THEY love their spouse and Eternal Companion as an example for the life they should live and set goals toward. Father's set examples for their daughters, assisting them to prepare for Temple and all the blessings that come with entering their doors. She stated that Father's are the Guardians of their families. She then explained that these Father's are the Guardians of Virtue, being Priesthood Holders, and need to practice Virtue, eliminating anything that would lead them away from being Virtuous.

Personal Purity = True Love

Having been witness of many families (the majority of them having more d than sons), I have seen daughters watch their fathers in admiration as they show love and charity toward their wives. I have seen how much of a Super-Hero their father is to them. And, in time, I hope and pray that Mistah and I will have the ability to share these moments.

"Brethren, Fathers, Young Men... How do you raise a girl? Love her mother. Lead your family to the Temple. Be Guardians of Virtue, and magnify your Priesthood. You have been entrusted with Heavenly Father's Royal Daughters. They are Virtuous and Elect."

Inspiration, Courage, and Love

2010-08-21T10:07:00.001-06:00

It's coming up so quickly. Not quite quick enough, but enough that the end is in sight. It hasn't been the greatest of times apart. There have been some strenuous hurdles to jump over, struggles that would have been easier to get through if you were here... Hailey is almost back to her old self; her and Baby Kitty are chasing eachother around the house, cuddling with one another, seeing who can get to the water bowl first after I fill it up. She races me to the door, letting me know that she has to go out. Later, we found out about the PCOS and the newest medications I have to be on, oh the joys of THOSE medications... After months of being jerked around by the Child Development Center, finally came to the conclusion that it was not the place for me, and that we would rather work along the support system of our friends/family members in the immediate area, babysitting their children around our own schedule, then the restrictive and almost non-existant schedule of the CDC... It hasn't been the easiest time, but we've made it through.

Soon, you'll be home, walking into your house with all of your guests, your 2-month late birthday presents. We will have a great photographer take some awesome pictures of us as you step out of the terminal and into my arms. We will find a great field to get more photos done for future Christmas cards... And, when you come home, you will have food you've longed for... Not the prisonish food you've eaten for the past little while. You'll have barbeque, vegetables, fruit, dessert... Games... Friends. The house will be decorated, waiting upon your arrival. You have been missed. Not only by me, but by some furry, four-legged critters, who every time they hear your voice on the speaker-phone, their heads cock back-and-forth.

Young Women's Camp 2010

2010-06-13T17:03:00.000-06:00

A week of Girls Camp has come and passed... Another 4th year hike of 6 miles completed (and finding out that my cheapy e-bay backpackers tent has holes in it and broken poles from last years fiasco of flying out of Brother Dick's truck), a rock wall conquered, a zip line flown... And a well deserved shower / scrub / shave and slept in my own bed last night. NOT to mention, the return of my puppy!!

I have been a rope's course facilitator now since 2006, and have known the power behind team work and the spiritual nature that is gained through accomplishing Copes. I've been on many different courses (California State University, Monterey Bay's; Happy Valley Conference Center; Sanctuary Rock Gym; Camp Wehinepay's Cope Course), and KNOW the exhileration felt after accomplishing such feats. I've seen many a person receive such emotions. This last climb meant a lot to me. My husband has recently been sent off; I had to run my 1-year old puppy to the vet, thinking she would need surgery, after being turned away from every vet in Clovis; I thought I was going to miss out on Young Women's Camp this year, something I had been looking forward to since LAST year; The stress of my job at the Child Development Center, and whether I should quit or not (which I think I will not, because I need to stay busy, and CAN handle the job, AND the stress).

When I climbed that wall, and got half way up, my arms became so dead and weak, I was worried that I wasn't going to be able to make it. But, I wanted that zip line sooo bad. I LOVE zip line!! Absolutely LOVE it. My legs were shaking, and all I could do was watch as my body became sooo tired with exhaustion, and think to myself, this is the physical nature of the last couple of weeks of emotions that I've been going through... AND, I WILL get past this!!! I was SOOO close to the top... I was within reach of the nest, and felt I wasn't going to be able to crawl up, my arms were so tired. But, the Rope's Course Facilitator told me that there was a lip, a way for me to catch on to the nest... and I crawled up. At this point, I was hyperventilating... not because I was scared, but because I was so tired, and hurting so bad, but happy that I made it, with the help and encouragement of the girl's down below. When it came time for me to be able to connect to that zip line, and slide myself off that nest, I was off in a jiffy. There was no waiting, there was no pause... just relief... If felt sooo good to soar, to feel nothing beneath me...

Many people believe that General Conference is their dose of spiritual renewal... something they get twice a year. For me, YW Camp is my third, and much needed dose. There were a few obstacles that tried to keep me from going this year, but between fasting, Temple name boxes, Bishop blessings, and good friends/family, and an awesome veteriarian... I had it made. I appreciate everything all of these people did for me to make it possible, for how they paid attention to these needs... I'm grateful for not only these friends who helped me in this great time of need, but for my mom, who though she may not even be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, knew how much goin to camp meant to me, and how upset I'd be if I wouldn't have been able to make it, really encouraged me to make things work so that I could! And for this, Mom, you are an incredible inspiration. You helped to raise a kooky, quirky, wierd, Camp leader, that somehow inspires Young Women to become better individuals, and enjoy the great outdoors at the same time. I love you!

Watching Airplanes

2009-10-05T21:59:00.000-06:00

"Sitting out here on the hood of this truck, looking up at the caramel sunset sky. Checking my watch doing the math in my head, counting back to when you said goodbye. Those runway lights are getting brighter. I'm sitting out here watching airplanes, take off, and fly! Trying to figure out which one you might be on... Right now, I'm sitting out here and watching airplanes... Wondering what you'd do if you looked out your window, and saw me running down the runway, just like I was crazy." Gary Allan's "Watching Airplanes"

Oh how things have changed in only a few short months... The puppy you left at the end of July no longer is our cute little fluff butt, but now an almost full-grown, beautiful adult dog. She has been learning rather quickly the commands I give her, her sits, downs, and stays... That her dog bed is something to sleep on, not chew up. She loves when I'm in the kitchen, whether it's baking or cooking, she really doesn't care, as long as whatever I'm working with accidently slips onto the kitchen tile... She sticks pretty close, has to be RIGHT under foot, and wants to be petted consistantly! She and Baby Kitty are getting along great, and even play with one another, chasing eachother around the couch...

I can't wait for our cuddle sessions on the couch... Baby Kitty trying to sleep ON us while we're snuggled under the blanket, Hailey-Rose in all attempts to get as much attention as she possibly can. Having a cat declare it's bedtime around 9:30PM, and demanding we head for bed right this once! If we don't make it according to her watch, she finds a spot on the bed, and makes us have to work our way around HER. And, her presents she brings us in bed... Live cockroaches and brown recluses...ALIVE.

October 3rd and 4th General Conference Weekend

2009-10-03T17:02:00.000-06:00

It is Saturday afternoon, and I have just listened to two sessions of awesome LDS Speakers. And, it was nice to be alone, by myself, away from the sound of playing children, to be able to absorb the wise and influencial wisdom of our Prophet and Apostles. Though many of the talks seem to be discussed at EVERY General Conference, the continuous repitition only reminds us how we are forever learning and facing challenges and obsticles that obstruct our path to the Celestial Kingdom. Most of the discussions heard through this General Conference have been relayed to our Investigators and Ward Missionary "After-Baptism" Fellowshippers. I am glad that, even though I was only baptized a few years ago, that I can relay to our most recent converts in their newly obtained knowledge and belief! I always love to hear President Iring, for he, and the majority of our Elders, Presidents, and fellow Speakers are people of much wisdom. We have a renound Cardiac Surgeon, a Chemist, amongst other greatly appreciated people, people who may not be "OF" the World, but brilliant beyond our Church. People we can look up to, strive to be like, people who are strongly cemented into their beliefs, and will not allow the World to affect their way of life.

When Ryan comes home, there are many things we need to work on... Scripture study, family prayers (wake-up, bedtime, etc), Family Home Evenings are a few that will be mentioned. We will be visiting the Temple with the family for the first time since we assisted friends receiving their Endowments for their wedding. That was the San Antonio Temple in August of 2008. The last time I was even near a Temple was when I visited Albuquerque this summer with friends. A very beautiful Temple, but sadly, I only saw the outside. We definitely need to visit the Temple on a more frequent basis. Even if that means making a monthly trip to Albuquerque with Ryan. Lubbock is not so far away that we could make a few trips a month.

I love Ryan so much, and believe that he is a strong Priesthood holder, a man deeply devoted to our Heavenly Father, with strong beliefs that will never be deterred by his friends in the Military. I am proud of my Mister, proud of his decision to serve his country, to partake of a mission in Portugal, to push me to become a stronger person, more devote in my own belief. I'm glad that I chose him to Confirm me September 17th, 2006 in our Presidio of Monterey's Young Single Adult Ward. I am a better person because of him, and appreciate everything he does for this family. I can't wait for him to come home, because as I've told him in a recent e-mail, as soon as he's home, he is officially MINE once again!