Of Note...

You know how you wait and wait and wait for your peeps to update their blogs and when they finally do they express how busy they've been... well... this is not one of those times! I haven't been to busy. No time hasn't just flown by. And no, not much has been 'happen'n in the hansen household' (alliteration points please). However... in case anyone, seriously anyone? cares what's been going on here is the 411, the gist, the haps, the skinny, the low down and so forth...

1. I'm doing this in list form because? BECAUSE I want to.
2. Adam was made a manager at ol' UPS, therefore he starts earlier and ends later than before (9 pm - 4 am). Translation=Cheri has a lot of alone time. Let's be honest, being alone 5 out of 7 nights is not only creepy, but boring.

3. We went to Yellowstone over the weekend and it was gorgeous as usual! We left as soon as Adam got of work and arrived at noon on Saturday. I caught a huge fish (it was the biggest out of everyone's, but who's bragging... oh wait... it's me...). We saw the sights, fished, and watched a mama grizz and her 3 bebehs roam the beautiful Hayden Valley. I have never seen a grizzly with cubs, let alone 3, and so this pretty much rocked my socks. Sadly we left at 11 am on Monday so Adam could be home in time to shower and get to work by 9 pm. Boo. It was a whirlwind trip but so worth it. Side note: I just found out that as a 'bsa' employee, I have access to our properties for fweeee. This means, I can take peeps and stay at the cabins in Jackson Hole and run the river for free not to mention all the other fun things they have i.e. kayaks, zip line etc... I wish I had known this sooner 'cause that's pretty much awesome.

The ladies at artist point - Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

Adam & I at Tower

The Buffalo almost killed us...

Tower Falls

4. Last week whilst I was typing away at my desk I felt what seemed like a little pin prick on my arm. I automatically looked down to see this unidentified bug on my arm. Seriously NO ONE in my office had a clue what type of bug this was. It's body was small like a mosquito, but it didn't have wings or anything that looked 'stingy'... honestly it looked like a microscopic caterpillar. Any way ever since then I have had this bump on my arm that looks like a blister. tmi?  It's kinda freakin' me out and hasn't gone away. Seriously though, who get's bit by a bug at their desk? That same night while picking raspberries I was bit 5 times by mosquitoes, and I'm pretty sure one spider. I hate creepy crawly things so you can imagine this was a particularly horrifying day.

5. I'm old. I honestly go to bed by ten these days. Sometimes sooner. I can't even count the number of times people have called/text me at 9:30/10 and I am already in asleep in bed with an open book in my hand.

6. I have started reading the Harry Potter books with my sister(s) for our book club and I am LOVIN' them. I know... I am waaaay behind this 'trend', but they are honest to goodness fun summer reads. I have only read the first book, but I'm excited for numero dos.

7. I miss seeing my peeps. Adam and I used to have bbq's all the time at our house during the summer. The last bbq we had was on Father's Day. Also, I have been very spoiled over the years with my cutest friends. I have kept in touch with so many of them since high school/college and it was very rare for us all to go a month without at least getting together once for dinner/book club/someone's birthday/or other random celebration. Sadly we just haven't gotten together in what seems like years... though I know it's only been less than two months. Perhaps it seems longer to me cause I'm a lonely old social soul? Probably! Ha ha.

8. Along the lines of missing people, the last of my Vienna gals are moving away from me. I hope more than anything that we will stay in touch and that our paths will cross again! Speaking of Europe, my cute mama and papa found out today that a couple dropped out and they get to go see the Passion Play in Oberammergau, Germany! They have been on the waiting list for months and finally today a spot opened up! Oh how I wish I could be a stowaway! I am even more jealous that their tour begins in Athens, Greece. Oh how I hope to go there one day! They also go to Italy. Le sigh. My cute mama has never been to Florence or Rome and I wish I could go again and experience it with her.

9. I'm tired now. It's 11 pm... which is waaay past my bedtime.

10. Nighty night!

Changed

There are moments in life that stop time. The present fades and for a moment you gaze into eternity. The past few weeks have been filled with these moments. One of my dearest friends and her husband were preparing for the delivery of their little boy. Because of physical complications they knew that little baby Grant's time on this earth would be short. 

As the delivery date drew near I asked a few of my friends if they would join me in a fast for the mommy, daddy, and baby. I fast every month like most other Latter-Day Saints, but usually it's a "Oh! It's Fast Sunday" fast which I realize only minutes before we depart for church. No prayer is said to focus my fast on a singular purpose. Rarely do I legitimately fast for the 2 meals (i.e. we get out of church by noon and I'm usually eating a snack by 1:30). This time was different. Not only have I begun praying more fervently for these two amazing people and their beautiful family but this fast had purpose.  I was focused on this beautiful baby and his wonderful parents and big sister and for the first time in all my life I could have fasted for days. The spirit was so strong and I was filled with gratitude for our wonderful Savior and the Plan of Salvation.

A week ago little Grant was born. In his 30 hours on this earth I don't know of anyone who could feel more love. What a wonderful life he had! He was able to be surrounded by his family and spend hours in the warm arms of his dear mommy and daddy. He lived a life free of pain, free of sin, free of hate and all of the trials that plague this mortal life. Megan and Brad are truly choice parents. They are strong, humble, faithful, pure, loving, kind, and cheerful. There is no doubt in my mind that Grant chose these two wonderful beings to be his mommy and daddy and that he is now preparing for the day they will be reunited. I believe with my whole being that families can be together forever. I know that this beautiful family is an eternal one and for the first time I KNOW that I want a family of my own. I never met Grant while he lived, but I have felt his sweet angelic spirit. He has taught me more about the gospel than anyone I know.

WE LOVE YOU BABY GRANT!

'El Vive

I have read, been taught, prayed, seen film depictions of, and heard about the atonement, the crucifixion and the resurrection of Jesus Christ all my life. I thought I knew. I thought I had some idea of what it would have been like for the Savior as I pondered the scriptures and the lessons taught in primary, young women's, institute, and in my other church meetings. All of that changed when I listened to Jeffrey R. Holland's talk given last Easter. I don't believe that I have ever been so moved, so utterly and completely touched, by words in my whole life. We, all of us, are so incredibly and amazingly blessed. I only have '5 followers'. I don't have a blog to "change the world" ... or any noble purpose, but I do hope that someone, somewhere, will hear this message and be blessed by it as I have.

I love the Savior. Love does not even seem like enough when I think of the Savior and all he has done for us. I forget to say my prayers. I almost never read my scriptures. I attend the temple only a few times a year. I get relieved sometimes when a vacation overlaps a Sunday so that I can have a week off from my calling at church. How horrible is that? I am not worthy. I don't think I ever will feel worthy. I want to be better... I need to be better. But in all my faults... I do have one thing: I know, I know from the very depth of my soul that Jesus Christ lives! I know that He suffered more than anyone can suffer and that he ultimately gave his life for us. For me. I am not worthy, but through Him I can become the woman I want to be.

I am so grateful that even though I have too many imperfections to count I have always been solid and unwavering in one thing: my testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. How wonderful and merciful the plan of salvation is. How truly blessed we are to know that we will be with our families forever. That because of Christ's birth, atonement, death, and resurrection we may all return to him and our Heavenly Father.

Happy Easter!

Frisky 'Frisco

I have loved San Francisco since I was a wee child. Being the youngest, when I was 8 I thought it was the shiz to visit my sister and her hubby whilst he finished podiatry school in San Fran and later in L.A. when he did his res at Cedars Sinai. San Fran is seriously beautiful! The architecture! The awesomeness that is the hilly streets! China Town! Delicious restaurants! The Pacific! The Golden Gates! Gazing at the bay and beautiful view of sail boats out your window! A trip with your sweetums! Spontinagety! All of this EQUALS I heart San Francisco! (Also, the Tanner family lived here... what more can be said?!).

As Adam's first trip to San Fran and my first trip as an adult we made some rookie mistakes. First was the unexpected CASH only $4.00 Bridge Bay Toll fee. Uh... who carries cash these days? Luckily we had some cash in the consol. Still, cash only? Lame.

Cheri's Travel Tip #1: Carry $20 in cash and also have $5 in quarters for the parking meters as no one will give you change for more than a dollar in quarters. LAME.

Second rookie mistake was how ridiculously expensive parking is. We're talking $3.50 per half hour! Uh seriously? Who charges for each half hour? Also, who wants to spend $20-30 on parking if it's not valet? Nobody. So that was a bit lame. Even if you park a mile away from your destination you're paying $12 for the day. Le sigh.

Enter Cheri's Travel Tip #2: It is well worth the extra $60+/night to have a place near Fisherman's Wharf. Not that the streets aren't tubular, but who wants to walk around creepy Vietnamese shops in unfamiliar and rather shady parts of a huge city? Nobody. Pier 39 Hotel = Better location. You aren't tied to the 2 hour parking meters and won't be spending $20+/day for parking.

I don't have any more tips. Everything else went quite smoothly! We pre-purchased our trip to Alcatraz online which was brilliant to avoid lines and it sells out weeks in advance! The island was gorgeous juxtaposed to the cold penitentiary walls! All the plants and flowers were in full bloom. Everywhere you turned there were gorgeous flowers and greenery with a spectacular view of the city! We also could have not asked for better weather! I remember San Fran being rainy, a bit chilly and windy. However, we experienced perfect weather! Our days were mostly sunny with light breezes. Awesomeness!

I wish we would have had more time to go to the Muir Woods. We'll do that next time I suppose! All in all it was a wonderful escape the hum drum day-to-day tasks and it was nice to take a trip with just Adam. We go on vacays all the time with family and friends but rarely just the two of us. We're a good time!

Here we are at the Golden Gate Bridge:

and Takin' the Ferry to Alcatraz!'

Aren't we cute in our Alcatraz Audio Tour Gear?!

as we took the boat back Ad snapped this pic of the island de Alcatraz... I like to think I'm on that sail boat..

Gotta love the movie BIG right? I wished for a million dollars... do you think it'll happen? 

And lastly, we stopped for some grub at Bubba Gump Shrimp at Pier 39 and visited Fisherman's Wharf:

Dear Spring Break in San Francisco,

You treated us well. Thank you for the sweet respite from school and work, the perfect weather, the delicious food and the super comfy bed. Next time how 'bout you leave out the horrible tooth ache resulting in an emergency root canal upon my return? Eh! Alright. I won't be picky...

Best wishes, The Hansens.

"so excited, 'cause we're reunited, hey hey"

It is no secret that I love to socialize! Better yet, I love to gather with friends/family! Therefore this year and in particular this week has been a little piece of heaven for me.

Reunion 1: My roommate from Vienna Mindy was in town visiting from Ohio so we did a little last minute "Vienna Reunion" with Mariss (who is soon moving to the AZ for hub's Med School), Cameo (who is soon leaving for some Grad School fun) and myself! I wish that more of the girls were in UT, but sadly so many aren't in state anymore so to all of you WE LOVE YOU! It was so fun to catch up with these girlies!

Reunion 2: Birthday reunion! I haven't seen my friend Travis since November so we gathered and celebrated his and Adam's birthdays on Friday with some Pizza Factory and cosmic bowling! It was crazy fun!

Reunion 3: While Adam went on a man date with my brother in law to play paintball, Marci and I reunited with Andi! This girl is honestly one of the most amazing women I know. She has the most gorgeous singing voice and is known at the elementary school she teaches at as “the rapping teacher”! Seriously she writes raps/beatboxes/sings to help the 3rd graders learn multiplication/measurements/states/counties etc! She is awesome! She is the sweetest girl and it’s a bit intimidating because she is honestly the ENTIRE package! She is the most Christ-like woman I know and is earnestly humble and encompasses ‘goodness’ in every aspect of her life. I have never heard this girl speak ill of anyone. She’s incredible and when you are with her you can’t help but think “I wanna be like this girl!” Anywho on Saturday I joined Andi and Marci for a girl night out! We went to dinner, did a ‘jam’ session with Beyonce on our way to Alice in Wonderland (Marci’s favorite Disney) and Andi introduced us to ‘sweet potato fries’. Sinfully delicious! Good times were had by all!

Reunion 4: Roommate Reunion/Baby Blessing! I haven’t seen my roommate Biz in 5 years! Isn’t that sad! We had some bizarre experiences and we all married the cute boys we dated while in this “love shack” on 7th East in Provo! Sigh. Wow. Those were some special times we had! Anyways, while at dinner Wednesday with the Vienna gals I found out little Biz had a baby girl and the blessing was this Sunday!

ALSO, in December I reunited with 2 of my dear friends while they were home for the holidays! Love you Q and Leis!

Reunited! And in case you were wondering “it feels so good”!

happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear bs, happy birthday to you!

It's no secret that I work for the BSA office in Salt Lake. No it's not where I thought I'd be at age 26, nor is it somewhere I planned on staying. Though I made more as a part-time teller for Zion's Bank than I do now for a full-time contributor to 'society' or whatever, I work with some awesome people and it's a nice place to spend 9 hours a day. 

As a secretary to 5 men and an assistant to all it is easy to get lost in my own work and the events I am working on *scout-o-rama*cough*.  Usually the furthest thing from my mind and/or interest is Scouting once I've 'left the building' so to speak, so initially I had no plans on attending our 100th Anniversary Gala. Though I am the complete opposite of a "Scouter", I decided to go and support my 'peeps' in their event, and honestly I am so glad that i did. One of the photographers posted her photos of the event on her blog. It was awesome! They certainly showed us off to the whole nation! Great JORRRB!

Speaking of  birthday's Adam celebrated #26 this week! It was pretty low key since we are going to San Diego in 2 weeks but he did enjoy some delicious Cold Stone and played the new Battlefield  Bad Company 2 which came out on his actual birthday (pre-ordered = best wife ever)! Love you hun even though you NEVER check our blog!

Well... Now I'm going to go watch some 'Big Bang Theory' (<--- THanks Stacie!) to hopefully ward off any nightmares I will have as a result of watching '2012' with Adam and Russ. Sigh. I HATE endoftheworld movies and am not sure why I decided to watch it. I blame John Cussack.