The Christensen Clan is growing...

...By two feet. That's right, Adam and I are expecting a baby in September. 

We found out I was pregnant when I was about four weeks along. I had the urge to take a pregnancy test and low and behold, it was positive. I was in such disbelief, I had the doctor confirm it. I am now 12 weeks along and am heading into my second trimester. 

So far, I have been very fortunate. I have had no morning sickness and haven only been nauseous when I let myself get too hungry. I have been feeling so great that it is hard to believe I am even pregnant. Besides being abnormally tired (like falling asleep at 8:30 or 9:00), I have felt pretty normal. 

We had our first doctor's appointment last week and it was incredibly surreal. We were able to hear the heartbeat and it was at a strong 175 and the most beautiful sound. Hearing it made it a little more real for us. 

Here is a 12 week picture taken during snowpocalypse 2013! The baggy sweater isn't very figure forming but trust me- no bump!

• How far along? 12 Weeks
• Total weight gain/loss: At week 8, I was down six pounds and haven't gained or lost any.
• Maternity clothes? Nope! I have bought some on sale as I know I will need them at some point!
• Stretch marks? Nope!
• Sleep: I usually wake up 2-3 times a night needing to go the bathroom and eat something. This has become less regular and I heard sleeping gets better in the second trimester! Here's hoping!
• Best moment this week: Hearing the beautiful heartbeat of 175! 
• Miss Anything? I do miss a glass of wine every once in a while but that's about it. 
• Movement: Not yet
• Food cravings: Salty food-specifically potato chips and french onion dip which is so weird since I usually can't stand potato chips. Don't worry, I limit myself. I also crave cereal, spaghetti, and fruit smoothies (I usually have one per day and sometimes add spinach)
• Anything making you queasy or sick: Large pieces of meat like chicken breasts or steak. Strong smells make me nauseous as well. 
• Gender: I have NO IDEA. Some think boy, some think girl. 
• Labor Signs: NO WAY!!!
• Symptoms: Fatigue and sore breasts
• Belly Button in or out? In!
• Wedding rings on or off? On!
• Happy or Moody most of the time: For the most part happy but I have had some cranky spurts. Adam is a saint for putting up with me!
• Looking forward to: Week 14! We get to see baby C for the first time!

Summer Summer Summer Time

I have been looking forward to kicking off this summer for quite a while. This past weekend is when the craziness started and it won't be done until about the middle of July (unless something else gets planned!).

Adam and I went to Kansas City with my brother to visit friends and family. While it was a short trip, it was probably the most fun I have had in a while. We went to a Royals game and the celebrations started at 10:00 am and didn't stop until about 11:30 pm when we went to bed! 

This coming weekend we are going to Omaha to visit Adam's dad and stepmom and brother and his family. Monday, morning, I fly out bright and early for a conference in Indianapolis. I have been wanting to go to IFI for quite a while and am really excited that I finally have the chance! 

I come back from that on the 14th (My birthday BTW) where Adam and I are taking a cooking class on stir-fry! I will have just enough time to get caught up on laundry and work before we leave for Key West on the 20th! We will spend six glorious days in Key West! I am so looking forward to getting some Florida sun, jet skiing, snorkeling, shopping, etc! 

We come back from that trip on the 26th and and my mom will be up 4 days later to visit for a few days. Once she is gone, I pack up and head to Door County for the 4th! 

Bah! Busy Busy Busy!!! I am sooo excited though! 

Happy Anniversary-Round 2

Last year, I was writing about my first year of marriage and how there will always be “firsts” through the rest of our marriage (children, homes, vacations, etc.) and year number two was no different.

Right after I wrote that post, I was offered a new job and Adam and I ended up taking the plunge and make the move to Kearney, NE. I am so grateful that I had Adam by my side during the process. Moving as far as we did from our families made us really rely on each other and further depend on each other. We have definitely had our fair share of highs and lows this past year but if I really look back at this year and compare it to our first year, I believe we have matured much more in our relationship.

Not only did we move to Nebraska and I started a new job, Adam started going to back to school full time. I have never been more proud of him than I am right now. I remember writing this same thing last Spring when he started taking a few classes and became catholic, but my pride for him has grown even more which makes me so excited for the coming years.

Adam, thank-you for being my support-sytem, my best friend, my sounding board, making me laugh when I need it, and knowing when to give me space. I love you with all my heart and am looking forward to what life will bring us!

I am not sure what year three will bring, but I am confident that it we will grow closer and become stronger. Happy 2^nd Anniversary Sweets!!!

Well...It has been a while!

As the title shows, it has been far too long since I have been on this and the last few posts really chronicle update of my new life and job in Nebraska. Today I want to focus on something that has been on my mind the past week

Adam and I typically go to one of two Catholic churches in Kearney but this past Sunday we decided to go to the Newman Center instead. I haven't been to the Newman Center since right when the school year started. Since I was so new to campus, I really didn't recognize any of the students and I doubt they knew who I really was. When we went on Sunday, I was surprised to see how many of the students I work with at Mass. These aren't students that I see occassionally, but ones that I work with multiple times a week and, for whatever reason, it never dawned on me that, "Hey, they could be religious" and it is from students who I wouldn't have quite expected. It was refreshing to see fraternity brothers and sorority sisters attending mass together. It makes me happy to see that the chapter they joined, with the members in, are supportive and share the same beliefs.

Too often, we allow ourselves to define ourselves by our job. My title as "Assistant Director for Greek Affairs" pigeon holes me in the category of just working with fraternties and sororities, putting out fires, tackling risk management, and the list goes on and on. The first thing that definitely doesn't come to mind is "listener." I have a student who is completely open and comfortable with her faith and loves to sit down and chat with me. Regardless of what I choose to believe it doesn't matter to her but what matters is that there is someone there who is willing to listen to her without judgement. I am not sure how I became that person with her, but I am thrilled to be that for her!

I think, especially since I work for a state institution, we aren't supposed to talk about religion or beliefs. The more I think about it, the more I find this to be contradictory to what I do. I am in the profession of "developing" students to reach their fullest potential. Finding one's spiritual self is part of the process that I think many college students go through in finding their identity. Why do we have to draw the line? We so much encourage students and colleagues to be that "safe place" for students who trying to find their identity when it comes to sexuality and personal identity, but why isn't religion inluded?

Its the small things...

Working with fraternities and sororities definitely has its challenges, but, for the most part, the challenges are usually accompannied by something that makes you feel really good about the job you have and the people you work with. After a late president's meeting this week, I was welcomed to an awesome email the following morning that read:

Hey just wanted to tell you thanks for the meeting. That was way more productive and controlled than any full presidents meeting we have had before. Only 45 minutes and we covered that much material? Sweet.

Its the small things that can make your day!

One a side note, there is a philanthropy event on campus called Big Pink Volleyball! Yes, you play volleyball with a big pink volleyball! I was impressed to see four Greek teams, three of which were teams comprised of all three councils! Yay for Greek Unity! I ended up playing on a team that comprised of the Assistant Director of Multicultral Affairs, Asst. Dir. of Student Activities, a Career Counselor, Coordinator of Peer Health, a Chapter Advisor, a Peer Health educator, and a chapter Expansion Consultant! Pretty random, huh? Respectively, our team was called The Oldies! Umm, I am pretty sure our average age was, maybe, 30!?!? Even though we did miserably, it was a lot of fun! Here is a picture for your viewing enjoyment!

That's, right, I am wearing the only pink t-shirt I own-My Delta Zeta Intramural shirt circa 2004!

I think the hardest part about moving to a place where you don't know anyone is making new friends! Well, I think I am well on my way to having a great support system in Kearney!

Don't Worry, I am Alive

Yes, I am still here! Anyone who works in Student Affairs knows that the months of August and September virtually allow no free time. I am not complaining, just stating a fact. Here is what I have been up to:

1. WORK
2. WORK
3. WORK

You get the picture! Have I been doing other things than work? Yes, here and there. Adam and I were able to head to Kansas City one last time before things got crazy for me. I was able to go to a friend's baby shower and spend some quality, down-time with another friend.

Oh, Adam and I have also been doing some casual car shopping. We plan on purchasing a new (new to us) car and the one we are really fixed on is a Nissan Murano. Adam was a little iffy about it when we were first looking, but once we test drove one, he fell in love with it! They have such a smooth ride for being an all-wheel drive vehicle. When we moved, we sold the Blazer that Adam drove so we have been down to one car. This really hasn't been an issue since we live on campus and I work on campus! I really have no need for a car during the day. Adam is also going to school so he walks to class everyday. We were hoping to purchase another car in October but since it hasn't affected our daily routine too much, we might wait longer just to save more money.

So back to the old J-O-B, I really do love it. I have definitely had challenging situations/days, but all in all, my first two months have been pretty good! We just wrapped up with sorority recruitment, and, somehow, it has been the least dramatic recruitment I have ever experienced! I am surprised by this because usually the first year at a new school makes the process a little more challenging. Ask me in a couple months once school is in full swing and I will let you know if I still love it just as much!

Wecome to Kearney!

Adam and I made the big move a little over a week ago to start our new life in Kearney, NE. We moved up on the 25th and were able to get everything unpacked by the end of the day on Tuesday. It was nice have a couple days in between unpacking and my first day to really get to know Kearney and scope things out.

I have really only live in two places-Rolla, MO and Maryville, MO. Both are great towns, but I get the impression that Kearney has much more to offer and we can't wait to jump right in.

My first day went surprisingly fast with meeting new people and chatting with students. Unfortunately, my email account hasn't been set up yet so it is making things difficult as far as scheduling meetings, setting up my calendar etc. Don't get me wrong, I have plenty of things to do,  unfortunately, the majority of what I need to do, is send emails!!! It is somewhat sad that my work is so dependent on it.

I have tried to familiarize myself with reports and files that were left for me but looking into those has only raised more questions for me to ask! It is a never ending cycle!

VisitKearney is a great site that lists several things to do in the area from shopping to camping. It also has a pretty comprehensive list of restaurants, lodging, etc.