From the category archives:

Samantha

Motherhood

by Kristi on January 20, 2025


Thinking back on the last 19 years with Sam brings up a lot of different pictures in my mind. Like the silly times trying to get her in the car seat, and her wiggling out of the straps. Or the happy times at the playground, pushing her on the swing and seeing her smile. I […]

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Connected by starlight

by Kristi on January 2, 2025


Sam started talking about tattoos a year ago and I said I would get one with her. We would randomly send each other idea, or talk about it… I don’t remember if it was before or after her first hospitalization. but I said we are DEFINITELY getting a tattoo and she agreed. She started a […]

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Kid in pain – Part 3

by Kristi on December 22, 2024


I’ve been diving into my blog files, the medical files, and making lists. Sam has a 99% diagnosis of Crohn’s Disease. Oh, the weeks of two different hospital visits, emergency survey, ileostomy bag, and the future concept of weeks, months, and years of potential hardship. I feel like I’ve been wresting with resentment for a […]

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Sam left for college

by Kristi on August 25, 2024


I’m sitting at the pool a the Marriott Marquis in San Diego on a Sunday afternoon. The last three days have been productive, fun, sad, and joyful. I am crying off and on right now though, so there is that. To be fair, tears are not actually coming DOWN but they are welling up and […]

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Incarcerated

by Kristi on May 20, 2024


Filling out college forms for classes. “Were you incarcerated?” Does that mean was I burned? – Sam funnies It was cuter when I wrote them down when she was 4, but I’ll take “ridiculous things my child said when she was 18, Alex”

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Senior Challenge: Sammie & Papa

by Kristi on March 28, 2024


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Dropped

by Kristi on March 23, 2024


“It just dropped from the ceiling!” I walked in the house today to Sam sitting down to lunch. I leaned against the chair, chatting with her about the previous evenings events. She had a freshly made bagel sandwich on her plate. She had just taken a bite out of the sandwich so the plate was […]

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Senior Challenge: Siblings

by Kristi on March 5, 2024


I don’t know if this “Siblings” chapter is my favorite chapter but right now it makes me a little sad. I think the Surprises chapter was the most nostalgic because it was really showing Sam’s softer side and how she felt in certain moments. This chapter I created makes me happy and sad to watch […]

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Senior Challenge: Surprises

by Kristi on December 5, 2023


Sam’s always been a fan of surprises. Her genuine happiness and gratitude for polka dots, exciting trips, soccer games, white boards, and even a new car has always been so enjoyable to see. As she’s gotten older, it’s been harder to surprise her but so rewarding and nostalgic to watch it back on video. Grateful for the memories […]

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Senior Challenge: Halloween

by Kristi on October 31, 2023


It’s October and here is another installment of “OH MY GAWD, SAM IS GRADUATING” and I’m going to be so sad very soon. This video wasn’t as sad as the last one. This one was pretty fun to create. Halloween was/is always a favorite in our house. I love watching how she changes each year. […]

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Granny and Tree Sprite

by Kristi on October 14, 2023


Sam has the most amazing comedic timing and is such a fantastic actress. Pair that along with her beautiful singing it’s a dream to be able to watch her on stage. This fall they had a performance of Into the Woods. They actually had TWO performances. One where she was a step-sister with a local […]

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Senior Challenge: School Days

by Kristi on October 1, 2023


I’m on a mission to create a graduation video for Sam. It’s coming up quick (yes, I know it’s “only” October but still…) and then I realized that the video will most likely be about 30 minutes long. With so many friends starting the “Senior Challenge” photo posts on social media, I figured I would […]

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2023 Theater Banquet

by Kristi on June 17, 2023


This year was special as both kids were in musical theater together. Slightly bittersweet as this will be the ONLY year they will be at school together as G is transferring to a different high school. Beyond the benefits of Sam being the official chauffeur, they were in zero period Intermediate Theater and the last […]

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Yearly Checkup

by Kristi on May 25, 2016


We had our 10yo and 8you yearly checkup yesterday. It went well. My 10yo is staying about the same on her weight chart which is what we have been watching. For awhile she was going down so the hunt for the perfect amount of calories a day was quite a struggle. So the 8yo jumps […]

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Soccer Update

by Kristi on May 28, 2015


Well, she finally did it. S tried out for a more competitive team and made it. We basically snuck on, really. Tryouts for that group were in January and we didn’t go because she was in the middle of “ZOMG WTFBBQ IS GOING ON WITH HER STOMACH” time and we didn’t want more pressure on her. […]

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