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Today is my 32nd birthday and if there’s anythin Today is my 32nd birthday and if there’s anything I’ve learned in my last year that I want to take with me into this year, it’s this:

I make my own magic 🪄

I am capable of creating, crafting, and designing this next chapter of life to be whatever I want. Infertility cannot stop me anymore. And I can’t wait.

#heytherechelsie #myvibrantlife #harrypotterworldorlando #birthdaywish #lifeafterinfertility #childlessnotbychoice #ttccommunity #lifeaftermiscarriage
Happy birthday to my ride-or-die and bff for life Happy birthday to my ride-or-die and bff for life @ericaligenza. To have her in your life means you have the most loyal, inspiring, and generous friend that you would ever ask for. I can’t believe that this little app brought us together (with our girl @blondeandambitiousblog) so many years ago. Grateful that they both turned out to be real people (lol) and women who have held me up during the hardest times of my adult life. 

Hope you have the best day, E! Counting down the days until we are together again! ❤️

#heytherechelsie #myvibrantlife #friendsforkeeps #instagramfriends #marchbirthday #friendshipbracelets #bffgoals👭
We fix each other’s crowns instead of pointing o We fix each other’s crowns instead of pointing out they are crooked. 👑 

To the women to always have my back, who inspire me daily to level up, who cry with me, who cheer me on, who save a seat at the table for me, and who keep fighting the good fight - I love you. You keep my world vibrant, and keep me going on my hardest days. 

Happy International Women’s Day!

#womensmonth #internationalwomensday #girlganggoals #girlgangs #womenhelpingwomen #squad❤️
2021 felt like a dumpster fire that burned out of 2021 felt like a dumpster fire that burned out of control about 90% of the time. Between a cancer scare that resulted in countless scans and blood tests, failed infertility treatments that broke our hearts every time, no matter how much we tried not to get our hopes up, and then the devastating blow that I needed to have a total hysterectomy and thus ending any hopes we had of starting our family - I felt like my life and my hopes and my dreams for our future had been reduced to a pile of ash. 

It feels surreal, to be starting the new year feeling so grateful for where 2021 left me. For the first time in four years, I have energy, motivation, and can actually get out of bed without being in extreme pain. I can actually think beyond the next 24 hours and make plans that I can follow through on. My life doesn’t revolve around iron transfusions, cycle tracking, or the anxiety that comes with the two week wait. 

What’s been even more surreal is to be able to say that I have been finding more acceptance and purpose in our new childless future and life. If I can’t have the life I planned on, then I’m going to live the hell out of the life I have instead. Dustin and I are rebuilding our futures both separately and together, and for the first time in four years, I’m excited to see what comes next for us. I feel more steady in this new life and more sure of the path we’re on then ever before. 

For in order to rise from its own ashes, 
A phoenix must first burn. 

2021 burned me. 
So I’m 2022, I will rise. 

#heytherechelsie #myvibrantlife #childlessnotbychoice #childlessafterinfertility #lifeafterinfertility #findingpurpose #ttccommunity #infertilityawareness #jamaicavacation #wordoftheyear #ttcsupport
Endlessly grateful for being 6 weeks post op from Endlessly grateful for being 6 weeks post op from my total hysterectomy and feeling more like myself than I have in over a year. And I’m endlessly grateful for this guy - who has been my rock through every doctor’s appointment, every procedure, and every day I couldn’t get out of bed. Not only that, he is the sweetest, most tender uncle to our nieces that I could ever hope or ask for to share our girls with.
Just grateful for my health and my love and the hope for better days.

#heytherechelsie #myvibrantlife #ttccommunity #hysterectomy #hysterectomyrecovery #ttcjourney #husbandwife #ttcsupport #infertilitysucks
You are the keeper of all my secrets, the guardian You are the keeper of all my secrets, the guardian against all my fears, and the safe place I call home. 

Grateful to have you by my side as we walk into an unknown future that neither of us were prepared to face. But every day we walk further down our new road, I find more solid footing and more hope for what’s to come, because you keep me grounded through the waves of grief.

I love you. ❤️

#heytherechelsie #myvibrantlife #hysterectomy #childlessnotbychoice #ttccommunity #childless #adenomyosis #ttcjourney #infertilityawareness
I’m officially three weeks post hysterectomy tod I’m officially three weeks post hysterectomy today and was feeling well enough to shoot the holiday campaign photos for @shopmscb (with the help from my partner in crime, @kenzie_peach)

In fact, I told my surgeon last week at my first post-op appointment that I’m actually feeling the best I’ve felt ALL year. And I mean, that’s saying something since I was only two weeks post-op then, right? 

Even though the decision to go through with the hysterectomy felt impossibly hard to make, I know now that I made the right choice for me, my sanity, and my body. I feel more like me in the last week than I have in over a year. It’s like I’m waking up from a long, painful, dark hibernation and my world is starting to fill with vibrant colors again.

And even though I’m still sad it had to come to this, I am also feeling excited for what’s to come.

#heytherechelsie #myvibrantlife #hysterectomy #hysterectomyrecovery #childlessnotbychoice #ttccommunity #infertilityawareness #infertilitywarrior #ttccommunity
There’s been a little more laughter in our home There’s been a little more laughter in our home lately. Snuggles and kisses and staying up way too late watching Netflix. It’s like the worst is behind us and we’re on the other side of what we’ve been dreading and the darkness that has covered us for so long is starting to lift. It doesn’t mean we’re 100% okay, but we can feel the light and the hope for the future and we’re choosing to face it hand-in-hand, together. 

And every night, you whisper to me: “This isn’t your fault. You’re my best friend. I love you more today than ever before. We’re going to live a beautiful life together.” And every night, we grow a little bit closer and our hearts mend a little more, and I know deep in my bones, that we’re going to be okay.

I love you, Dustin.

#ttccommunity #ttcjourney #hysterectomy #childfreenotbychoice #childfreeafterinfertility #infertilityawareness #infertilitysucks #healingafterinfertility

Hey There, Chelsie

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Lifestyle + Personal

HTC & Purina Give Back | Giving Tuesday

This post was sponsored by Just Right by Purina. All Opinions are my Own

Giving Tuesday with Just Right by Purina // Hey There, Chelsie

When Dustin and I were newly married, living in a small trailer home on the outskirts of our college town, we dreamed about the day we could bring home our first dog. We were THAT couple that oooo’d and ahhh’d at every dog we saw walking by us at the park and we would spend hours researching different breeds online and planning our future life with our future dog.

One day, early into our marriage, we decide to take a drive down to the Idaho Falls Animal Shelter (about 30 minutes away) to see if we could get our “dog fix.” We were told that they were always looking for volunteers to take their dogs for walks and felt like that might be a nice way to spend time with some dogs. We drove down expecting to spend an hour or so there, and ended up spending the whole day there. We LOVED it. We loved being able to spend time with the dogs and feeling like we were doing something helpful with our time.

The next Saturday, we woke up, and decided we would head down to the shelter again to walk some dogs. And the Saturday after that, we drove down again. Before we knew it, we had spent almost every Saturday for a year at the shelter. We came to know and love the Animal Control Officers by name and earned their trust, which allowed us to help them in quarantine with new litters of puppies and kittens. We gave dogs baths and walks and worked with the ones that were too scared to come out of their kennels. While we were skeptical of a city shelter and their policies at first, we came to know that they do everything in their power to keep the animals safe, healthy, and find them new homes. Our love for dogs grew and grew with every passing Saturday and we went from “those dog people” to “THOSE dog people” in the span of a few months. It is because of the IFAS and the ACO’s who let us volunteer so consistnelty that we knew we would bring home our own dog today (and would be prepared for it.)

That is why I am so, so honored and humbled to be partnering with Just Right by Purina today, for Giving Tuesday. If you’ve been around HTC for a while, you’ll know that I’ve been privileged to work with them for the last year and it’s been an amazing partnership. We have been able to feed our dogs kibble that’s completely personalized to them and their needs and create content around our lives as dog parents and owners. When they told me about their plans for our last campaign, I cried. Purina offered to donate $1,000 dollars to the animal organization of my choice and I knew immediately that I wanted my donation to go to the Idaho Falls Animal Shelter.

Giving Tuesday with Just Right by Purina // Hey There, Chelsie

One of the most powerful and fondest memories we have of volunteering at the IFAS is caring for Jules – the sweetest, friendliest shepherd mix we had ever met. Jules was a bit of a jumper in the kennel (she would seriously jump 3 feet straight in the air like she was on a pogo stick when someone walked by her,) which unfortunately turned off a lot of families who came into the shelter looking for a dog. When you took Jules out to the backyard to play, she calmed right down and just wanted to be pet and loved on. Dustin and I fell in love with her instantly and would have adopted her if we were in a position to do so. Instead, we made it our mission to find her a home and we told every family who came into that shelter for a month straight to meet Jules and to see if she would be a good fit.

We were worried as time went on and no one seemed to be interested in her. We came into the shelter one day and saw that she was no longer in her kennel and found out that the shelter had arranged for her to go to an SPCA in California where she would have a better chance of being adopted. We were sad that we couldn’t find her a home in Idaho but so grateful that she had another chance to find a family in California.

About a month later, Dustin and I found ourselves in San Fransico on a trip facing a bit of a predicament – our car had been broken into overnight and the rear passenger window had been smashed. We drove around for an hour until our insurance found a place that could replace our window, which was going to take another hour to repair. We decide to walk around the city while we waited for the car to be fixed and found ourselves a block away from the San Fransico SPCA. Since we were in the habit of volunteering at the animal shelter, we decided to pop our heads in and see if we could take any dogs for walks while we waited. Low and behold, as we walked through the hall of kennels, we stumbled upon our Jules. She was as happy as could be, sitting on a doggy bed with a toy, and instantly recognized us (which made our hearts so happy.) We got to take her for a walk and found out that she had a family who was in the middle of finishing her adoption paperwork! She was going to a home in just a few days! Our hearts were so, so full.

I am so, so thankful for the opportunities Dustin and I had to volunteer at the IFAS for over a year. We learned so much about dogs and ourselves in that time. We learned to give every dog a chance, and to always give them the benefit of the doubt. We learned to be patient with the dogs that were scarred, and we learned how beautiful it was to watch a dog be given a second chance. We learned of the unconditional love dogs have – that even when their humans and families decided to give them up, they were still capable of loving us, their volunteers. We learned how to read body language and how to understand a dog’s emotions and feelings in certain situations. And, we were able to strengthen our marriage and relationship by always making it a priority to volunteer at the shelter every week. There is something so powerful about watching your spouse spend his free time at the shelter, washing out cages or sitting in the opposite corner of the kennel with a terrified dog who just needs someone to show her kindness.

Giving Tuesday with Just Right by Purina // Hey There, Chelsie

Giving Tuesday with Just Right by Purina // Hey There, Chelsie Giving Tuesday with Just Right by Purina // Hey There, Chelsie

I am so grateful that I can finally repay the Idaho Falls Animal Shelter in some small way for all the lessons we learned and the opportunities we were given to serve by teaming up with Just Right by Purina and donating $1,000 dollars today, on Giving Tuesday, for the Christmas season. I know how crazy the shelter can get during this time of year, and I know that this donation will help them out in so many ways.

Dustin and I wouldn’t be the people we are (or have the marriage we have or have the little fur family we have) without the volunteering experiences we had in that first year of marriage at the Idaho Falls animal shelter. Not only that, but we knew, without a shadow of a doubt, how serious a choice we were making when we finally decided to bring Rosie home and add her to our family. We learned about the importance of commitment, to each other, and to our dogs and that’s a lesson we’ll forever be grateful for.

So, from the bottom of my heart, thank you, to the Idaho Falls Animal Shelter for everything. And thank you to Just Right by Purina, for allowing us the opportunity to give back to them during this season of giving.

We’d love to hear how you are giving back today in the comments below!

Leave a Comment · Written On:November 27, 2018

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ChelsChats: 2020 Life Update

Chelsie - Hey There Chelsie

Hey there, I’m Chelsie!

Pediatric Cancer Survivor, Infertility Warrior, and Jeep Enthusiast.

I healed my relationship with my body through makeup and clothes and found confidence in living a full and vibrant life through the process.

Whether we’re chatting style tips, makeup tricks, or strategies for personal growth, I’m here to help you find and embrace your inner vibrance.

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Today is my 32nd birthday and if there’s anythin Today is my 32nd birthday and if there’s anything I’ve learned in my last year that I want to take with me into this year, it’s this:

I make my own magic 🪄

I am capable of creating, crafting, and designing this next chapter of life to be whatever I want. Infertility cannot stop me anymore. And I can’t wait.

#heytherechelsie #myvibrantlife #harrypotterworldorlando #birthdaywish #lifeafterinfertility #childlessnotbychoice #ttccommunity #lifeaftermiscarriage
Happy birthday to my ride-or-die and bff for life Happy birthday to my ride-or-die and bff for life @ericaligenza. To have her in your life means you have the most loyal, inspiring, and generous friend that you would ever ask for. I can’t believe that this little app brought us together (with our girl @blondeandambitiousblog) so many years ago. Grateful that they both turned out to be real people (lol) and women who have held me up during the hardest times of my adult life. 

Hope you have the best day, E! Counting down the days until we are together again! ❤️

#heytherechelsie #myvibrantlife #friendsforkeeps #instagramfriends #marchbirthday #friendshipbracelets #bffgoals👭
We fix each other’s crowns instead of pointing o We fix each other’s crowns instead of pointing out they are crooked. 👑 

To the women to always have my back, who inspire me daily to level up, who cry with me, who cheer me on, who save a seat at the table for me, and who keep fighting the good fight - I love you. You keep my world vibrant, and keep me going on my hardest days. 

Happy International Women’s Day!

#womensmonth #internationalwomensday #girlganggoals #girlgangs #womenhelpingwomen #squad❤️
2021 felt like a dumpster fire that burned out of 2021 felt like a dumpster fire that burned out of control about 90% of the time. Between a cancer scare that resulted in countless scans and blood tests, failed infertility treatments that broke our hearts every time, no matter how much we tried not to get our hopes up, and then the devastating blow that I needed to have a total hysterectomy and thus ending any hopes we had of starting our family - I felt like my life and my hopes and my dreams for our future had been reduced to a pile of ash. 

It feels surreal, to be starting the new year feeling so grateful for where 2021 left me. For the first time in four years, I have energy, motivation, and can actually get out of bed without being in extreme pain. I can actually think beyond the next 24 hours and make plans that I can follow through on. My life doesn’t revolve around iron transfusions, cycle tracking, or the anxiety that comes with the two week wait. 

What’s been even more surreal is to be able to say that I have been finding more acceptance and purpose in our new childless future and life. If I can’t have the life I planned on, then I’m going to live the hell out of the life I have instead. Dustin and I are rebuilding our futures both separately and together, and for the first time in four years, I’m excited to see what comes next for us. I feel more steady in this new life and more sure of the path we’re on then ever before. 

For in order to rise from its own ashes, 
A phoenix must first burn. 

2021 burned me. 
So I’m 2022, I will rise. 

#heytherechelsie #myvibrantlife #childlessnotbychoice #childlessafterinfertility #lifeafterinfertility #findingpurpose #ttccommunity #infertilityawareness #jamaicavacation #wordoftheyear #ttcsupport
Endlessly grateful for being 6 weeks post op from Endlessly grateful for being 6 weeks post op from my total hysterectomy and feeling more like myself than I have in over a year. And I’m endlessly grateful for this guy - who has been my rock through every doctor’s appointment, every procedure, and every day I couldn’t get out of bed. Not only that, he is the sweetest, most tender uncle to our nieces that I could ever hope or ask for to share our girls with.
Just grateful for my health and my love and the hope for better days.

#heytherechelsie #myvibrantlife #ttccommunity #hysterectomy #hysterectomyrecovery #ttcjourney #husbandwife #ttcsupport #infertilitysucks
You are the keeper of all my secrets, the guardian You are the keeper of all my secrets, the guardian against all my fears, and the safe place I call home. 

Grateful to have you by my side as we walk into an unknown future that neither of us were prepared to face. But every day we walk further down our new road, I find more solid footing and more hope for what’s to come, because you keep me grounded through the waves of grief.

I love you. ❤️

#heytherechelsie #myvibrantlife #hysterectomy #childlessnotbychoice #ttccommunity #childless #adenomyosis #ttcjourney #infertilityawareness
I’m officially three weeks post hysterectomy tod I’m officially three weeks post hysterectomy today and was feeling well enough to shoot the holiday campaign photos for @shopmscb (with the help from my partner in crime, @kenzie_peach)

In fact, I told my surgeon last week at my first post-op appointment that I’m actually feeling the best I’ve felt ALL year. And I mean, that’s saying something since I was only two weeks post-op then, right? 

Even though the decision to go through with the hysterectomy felt impossibly hard to make, I know now that I made the right choice for me, my sanity, and my body. I feel more like me in the last week than I have in over a year. It’s like I’m waking up from a long, painful, dark hibernation and my world is starting to fill with vibrant colors again.

And even though I’m still sad it had to come to this, I am also feeling excited for what’s to come.

#heytherechelsie #myvibrantlife #hysterectomy #hysterectomyrecovery #childlessnotbychoice #ttccommunity #infertilityawareness #infertilitywarrior #ttccommunity
There’s been a little more laughter in our home There’s been a little more laughter in our home lately. Snuggles and kisses and staying up way too late watching Netflix. It’s like the worst is behind us and we’re on the other side of what we’ve been dreading and the darkness that has covered us for so long is starting to lift. It doesn’t mean we’re 100% okay, but we can feel the light and the hope for the future and we’re choosing to face it hand-in-hand, together. 

And every night, you whisper to me: “This isn’t your fault. You’re my best friend. I love you more today than ever before. We’re going to live a beautiful life together.” And every night, we grow a little bit closer and our hearts mend a little more, and I know deep in my bones, that we’re going to be okay.

I love you, Dustin.

#ttccommunity #ttcjourney #hysterectomy #childfreenotbychoice #childfreeafterinfertility #infertilityawareness #infertilitysucks #healingafterinfertility

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Today is my 32nd birthday and if there’s anythin Today is my 32nd birthday and if there’s anything I’ve learned in my last year that I want to take with me into this year, it’s this:

I make my own magic 🪄

I am capable of creating, crafting, and designing this next chapter of life to be whatever I want. Infertility cannot stop me anymore. And I can’t wait.

#heytherechelsie #myvibrantlife #harrypotterworldorlando #birthdaywish #lifeafterinfertility #childlessnotbychoice #ttccommunity #lifeaftermiscarriage
Happy birthday to my ride-or-die and bff for life Happy birthday to my ride-or-die and bff for life @ericaligenza. To have her in your life means you have the most loyal, inspiring, and generous friend that you would ever ask for. I can’t believe that this little app brought us together (with our girl @blondeandambitiousblog) so many years ago. Grateful that they both turned out to be real people (lol) and women who have held me up during the hardest times of my adult life. 

Hope you have the best day, E! Counting down the days until we are together again! ❤️

#heytherechelsie #myvibrantlife #friendsforkeeps #instagramfriends #marchbirthday #friendshipbracelets #bffgoals👭
We fix each other’s crowns instead of pointing o We fix each other’s crowns instead of pointing out they are crooked. 👑 

To the women to always have my back, who inspire me daily to level up, who cry with me, who cheer me on, who save a seat at the table for me, and who keep fighting the good fight - I love you. You keep my world vibrant, and keep me going on my hardest days. 

Happy International Women’s Day!

#womensmonth #internationalwomensday #girlganggoals #girlgangs #womenhelpingwomen #squad❤️
2021 felt like a dumpster fire that burned out of 2021 felt like a dumpster fire that burned out of control about 90% of the time. Between a cancer scare that resulted in countless scans and blood tests, failed infertility treatments that broke our hearts every time, no matter how much we tried not to get our hopes up, and then the devastating blow that I needed to have a total hysterectomy and thus ending any hopes we had of starting our family - I felt like my life and my hopes and my dreams for our future had been reduced to a pile of ash. 

It feels surreal, to be starting the new year feeling so grateful for where 2021 left me. For the first time in four years, I have energy, motivation, and can actually get out of bed without being in extreme pain. I can actually think beyond the next 24 hours and make plans that I can follow through on. My life doesn’t revolve around iron transfusions, cycle tracking, or the anxiety that comes with the two week wait. 

What’s been even more surreal is to be able to say that I have been finding more acceptance and purpose in our new childless future and life. If I can’t have the life I planned on, then I’m going to live the hell out of the life I have instead. Dustin and I are rebuilding our futures both separately and together, and for the first time in four years, I’m excited to see what comes next for us. I feel more steady in this new life and more sure of the path we’re on then ever before. 

For in order to rise from its own ashes, 
A phoenix must first burn. 

2021 burned me. 
So I’m 2022, I will rise. 

#heytherechelsie #myvibrantlife #childlessnotbychoice #childlessafterinfertility #lifeafterinfertility #findingpurpose #ttccommunity #infertilityawareness #jamaicavacation #wordoftheyear #ttcsupport
Endlessly grateful for being 6 weeks post op from Endlessly grateful for being 6 weeks post op from my total hysterectomy and feeling more like myself than I have in over a year. And I’m endlessly grateful for this guy - who has been my rock through every doctor’s appointment, every procedure, and every day I couldn’t get out of bed. Not only that, he is the sweetest, most tender uncle to our nieces that I could ever hope or ask for to share our girls with.
Just grateful for my health and my love and the hope for better days.

#heytherechelsie #myvibrantlife #ttccommunity #hysterectomy #hysterectomyrecovery #ttcjourney #husbandwife #ttcsupport #infertilitysucks
You are the keeper of all my secrets, the guardian You are the keeper of all my secrets, the guardian against all my fears, and the safe place I call home. 

Grateful to have you by my side as we walk into an unknown future that neither of us were prepared to face. But every day we walk further down our new road, I find more solid footing and more hope for what’s to come, because you keep me grounded through the waves of grief.

I love you. ❤️

#heytherechelsie #myvibrantlife #hysterectomy #childlessnotbychoice #ttccommunity #childless #adenomyosis #ttcjourney #infertilityawareness
I’m officially three weeks post hysterectomy tod I’m officially three weeks post hysterectomy today and was feeling well enough to shoot the holiday campaign photos for @shopmscb (with the help from my partner in crime, @kenzie_peach)

In fact, I told my surgeon last week at my first post-op appointment that I’m actually feeling the best I’ve felt ALL year. And I mean, that’s saying something since I was only two weeks post-op then, right? 

Even though the decision to go through with the hysterectomy felt impossibly hard to make, I know now that I made the right choice for me, my sanity, and my body. I feel more like me in the last week than I have in over a year. It’s like I’m waking up from a long, painful, dark hibernation and my world is starting to fill with vibrant colors again.

And even though I’m still sad it had to come to this, I am also feeling excited for what’s to come.

#heytherechelsie #myvibrantlife #hysterectomy #hysterectomyrecovery #childlessnotbychoice #ttccommunity #infertilityawareness #infertilitywarrior #ttccommunity
There’s been a little more laughter in our home There’s been a little more laughter in our home lately. Snuggles and kisses and staying up way too late watching Netflix. It’s like the worst is behind us and we’re on the other side of what we’ve been dreading and the darkness that has covered us for so long is starting to lift. It doesn’t mean we’re 100% okay, but we can feel the light and the hope for the future and we’re choosing to face it hand-in-hand, together. 

And every night, you whisper to me: “This isn’t your fault. You’re my best friend. I love you more today than ever before. We’re going to live a beautiful life together.” And every night, we grow a little bit closer and our hearts mend a little more, and I know deep in my bones, that we’re going to be okay.

I love you, Dustin.

#ttccommunity #ttcjourney #hysterectomy #childfreenotbychoice #childfreeafterinfertility #infertilityawareness #infertilitysucks #healingafterinfertility

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