Like most normal people New Year's Eve is a day that we all look back on what accomplishments we've made or exciting things that have happened to us. 2012 has been a great year with many ups and downs but mostly all ups!!

January started with classes for my Masters degree, with the end in site it was a great feeling. Our family took pictures at Christmas and getting those back were fun to look at see just how huge our family really is!

The month of  February was filled with basketball games that kept Brad and I very busy!

March was great with another state boys basketball trip with Danville high school. Once again we made it to the finals but ended up losing a heart breaking game. Its crazy how attached I become to the athletes, coaches and parents. Every job has it's ups and downs but I really love my job and couldn't see myself doing anything else. It's such a great feeling!!!

April came and want with lots of SCC softball and baseball games in the cold!

May...what a great month with lots of different things happening!! My little sister Becca graduated from North Butler high school making me feel really old and making us all so proud. Her next steps are to go to DMACC for nursing which I know she'll excel at and do great things!!

The next thing to happen was I turned 30...I thought this would be a hard thing to accept but it's actually been great!! I really think that 30's could be my favorite!! I got a lot of love from those that I love!!!

I had mentioned to Brad way back that I think celebrating my 30th birthday in Vegas could be a lot of fun. Well he remembered that and to my surprise stuck with it...it ended up being just us that went but I wouldn't change it for the world...we had a blast!!! We got to see Rocky! (Ryan's love)

We stayed at the Luxor and for those of you that ever watched Chris Angel we found the door where the card is still stuck between the glass.

We decided to see Believe the Chris Angel show that is put on in the Luxor...it was a great show with things that still blow my mind...but I guess that's why they call him the mind freak!!

Brad and I had a great time being on the strip and seeing all the things that Vegas has to offer...but my favorite was our romantic dinner in one of the restaurants that looks over the Bellagio fountains! It was pretty pricey but it was well worth it. I couldn't wait for the sun to go down so I could experience the fountains in person. Thank goodness I got to witness it once to be able to record it but ruined Brad's romantic proposal because when we returned for Brad's second attempt the show was cancelled due to high winds....OPPS!! He still proposed but not like he had planned...welcome to the life with Sheena...I seem to always make things interesting...we have a great video of the fountains though ;)

June was filled with many exciting events...we walked in our second Ovarian Cancer walk in Des Moines...my dad, sara, Ryan, Sara, Becca, Tori, Cody, Sawyer, Brad and Heidi were all there to support me! It still seems crazy that it all happened 11 years ago!!

I got to experience New York City of the first time with one of my best friends and it has to be one of my top trips! Kali and Sara made this trip fun, laid back and just a blast. We had great weather and many firsts! I can't wait to go back!! I got to see time square and the ball that's lit up all year with 2012 under it!

I got to see the empire state building...

And my favorite building the Flat Iron building...the history and architecture is amazing!

The skyline was breath taking and almost unreal...

I got to see my first Broadway show Priscilla Queen of the Desert...it had great music, hot performers and lots of comedy.

One of the things I knew I had to see when we were in NYC was the September 11 Memorial...like most I can remember where I was when it happened and remember watching it all day and night. I watched the 1st anniversary and many after that. Not to say it was a highlight of the trip but I knew I had to see it with my own eyes. This memorial is beautiful and going on father's day made it real with all the notes and flower left.

One of the other things I knew I had to do was go the the TODAY show...and we got on TV and got to shake Al's hand!!!

We read a book on Central Parks lawn!

We went to watch a movie in Bryant park...along with all the other new yorkers!

The end of June was my next trip was a girls weekend with my mom and sisters to Chicago!

July started with Kaitlyn and I finishing our Masters and GRADUATING!!!!! Our family threw us a party and all favorites were there to celebrate with me!

Kaitlyn and I decided after all of our hard work we'd take a trip to Chicago...so back I went!!!

Before the start of football and volleyball my fiancé and I decided to take trip of our own...we decided to hit a Royals game and check another stadium off our list!

September brought our family another little girl, Adelyn Sue!!!

And my Danville football team wore Teal in honor of Ovarian Cancer month and me...it was a memorial night for me!

We walked in yet another Ovarian Caner walk in Cedar Rapids this time...it was great to have my grandparents there with me! (Dave and Mom were shopping)

October brought lots of games and meetings to possible get a Pre-athletic training program at SCC. This has been a dream of mine and one of the reasons to get my Masters. We have done all we can do so now its finding a 4 year school go in on our plan with us. Things really are starting to happen with this!!!

November is always busy with the start of SCC Men's Basketball...since we have tournament on Thanksgiving I cooked and we had our own little family meal with our roommate Emily her boyfriend Bryan and Brad and I. It was a laid back day with good friends.

December is always a fun time of year setting up the Christmas tree and getting ready for time with family. I also got offered a promotion at work making me a Supervisor instead of a Coordinator over the Athletic trainers. We also found out that our classes got approved by the curriculum board so we can proceed with our pre-athletic training dream!! This means I could be teaching next fall!! SCARY!

2012 has been very busy with school, traveling and new chapters in my life. I can't wait to see what 2013 brings me!!

Happy Holidays from the girls!!!

Well it's happened, I turned 30! I thought it may feel different, I woke up this morning with no knee pain and didn't need a push up bra or any extra anti-aging lotion. Haha. At the age of 30 I thought life might be different, married, kids, etc but it didn't happen that way and I'm ok with it. I have been through things that most people my age don't have to deal with and it helps me everyday to look at my life and cherish every moment. I have an amazing family who supports me in whatever I want to do, I have an understand boyfriend who doesn't understand my love for my job but just shakes his head and does with it. I have so many friends who love me for who I am and many athletes who I treat as if there my own. I have accomplished so much in my 30 years it's really hard to believe that I could regret any of it. Everything that happens in life are lessons and that's exactly how I look at it. People have come and gone in my life and each and everyone of them have taught me something. Life is not measured on material things, and today made me realize how many lives I have touched and it's something that I will never forget. I know my 30's are going to be great and I can't wait to see where they took me. VEGAS here I come!!!

My Crazy Life

Everyone had an idea of how their life would progress, where they would be when their 18, 22, 30...but mine has been very different. I went to college, had a great time and thought I met the love of my life...oh how fast things can change. I got married at the age of 24, thought for sure I'd have a kid at 26 or 27 but instead got a divorce. It's crazy how life has different plans than you thought of. Now I'm dating the one guys how has been in my life for 11 years and says "he's been though 5 boyfriends and a husband"! Haha! I always get the fun question of when are you guys getting married...your 29 don't you think it's times for kids. I guess my answer to that is no...I'm not ready! When life has thrown you some different curve balls you sit back and hope to not move to fast and make another wrong decision.

I love my job but with as busy as I am, kids is not in the plans right now...I work 50-60 hours a week and don't have time to do my laundry let alone raise a kid. My plan at the age of 29 is to start my Masters next Monday, get that done in a year (I know crazy), start a Pre-Athletic Training program at SCC and maybe then get to slow down a little...(then think of children)! I know to others my plan isn't ideal and I'm going to be over 30 when I have my first kid....(OH WELL) but it's my life not theirs. I think I'm the type of person who doesn't try to make people feel bad cause of their choices so it's always funny how those same people are the ones that make you feel bad because of your choices.

Someday I hope to have 2 kids of my own and will enjoy every moment with them. Until then I will LOVE my nieces and nephews just like my own and spend every minute that I can with them.

That's Sawyers "smile"

Sawyer Kisses are the best!

Sawyer in 4in heels

All my nieces and nephews

He's such a stud!

Aunt Sheena and Sawyer hanging out

9 Years Ago

I can't believe how fast time flies and how much things change in such a short time. I can't believe that 9 years ago today I would have been in the hospital learning that I would forever be tagged as a cancer survivor. To be quite honest if you would have told me that at the age of 19 I would be told that I was diagnosised with ovarian cancer I would have laughed in your face but after surviving and sharing my story and helping other who are going through the same thing I wouldn't change one minute of it.

I remember waking up Oct 14 with a lump that poked out when I stood...I had no pain just couldn't figure out what was going on...so after attending Grandpa Henrichs' funeral my mom and Grandma told me I would be getting it checked out...(terrified thinking it was just a hernia) I agreed. I went to a PA in Fayette who told me I was pregnant and sent me on my way. Knowing I couldn't be I went for further testing to end up being told I have something else going on and that I was not pregnant but would be going to Iowa City on Monday morning. I arrived that morning with a herd of people my mom and dad, my Grandma Hansen...Andy and his mom Connie and myself, just trying to figure out what they were really going to find. The moment I got in there for an exam Dr. Sood said you have a mass...we are pretty certain it's just benign but we won't know until surgery. That day was such a blur from having pelvic exam and having 8 students in the room to being poked to draw my blood...to being asked if I will be a volunteer in their study. Of course I agreed...if someday a girl at the age of 19 won't have to go through the same thing I would do it.

I had never at that time had any type of surgery..so going from a hernia to a large mass was horrible...I much rather would have took the hernia! I went back to school and took my mid-terms still thinking in a week or two I'd be back to normal and possibly be playing volleyball by the conference tournament. Little did I know my life would forever change.

I walked in on Oct 25 at 7 am to something I have never done before...getting prepped for surgery. I have never had an IV either...and this was the thing that was making me nervous the most. I worked myself up as I normally do with something unknown but as I was waiting for the painful stick and whatever else I thought comes next the dr. told me we were done! As I was saying my good-byes to my mom and dad the only thing I wanted to remember was to wake up and ask if it was cancer and if I could still possibly have kids. I was so terrified that I would get into the operating room and start my count down from 100 and get to 1 and still feel everything...little did I know I wouldn't even be told to start the count down because I was already out.

Waking up from surgery was the strangest thing I have ever experienced...you come in and out from sleeping and have no concept of time...I just remember when I finally got to see my mom and dad...I could tell my mom had been crying, I did remember to ask my 2 questions...I was told it was cancer but Dr. Sood said when he stitched me up I was cancer free and I could possibly still have children. I remember my mom and Traci keeping me company after everyone had left after the 6 hour surgery that was only suppose to be 2 hours.

I never thought at the age of 19 my mom would have to help me walk to the bathroom...help me shower and wait on me hand and foot...but sometimes life throws crazy things at you. I remember all of the visitors that came to see me in the hospital and made me stay so much easier.

After I went home I got the call that I was going to have to start chemotherapy at the beginning of next week. I didn't even think about it I knew it's what I needed to do to make sure everything was gone. The day that I arrived for my 5 day chemo treatment was the day I met Dr. Giesler...at first I really wasn't to fond of the guy but he became my biggest fan and the person who could always lift my spirits.

I had choosen to get a pic line to receive all of my treatments by but after there was no nurses who could do that Dr. Giesler broke the news that I needed to get a port...(best thing I did in my life). I started my first chemotherapy treatment that day. The treatments were 5 days straight of being admitted and then 2 weeks off, still having to come in once a week for those two days. I did this 3 times. People had told me that chemotherapy was horrible but I never got sick just really tired and my body hurt. I did lose my hair but that was the least of my worries..I just knew I had to continue forward and not stop to look back. I would have time to reflect after the treatments.

I will never forget my family and friends that never left my side...if it was people coming to the hospital to see me or waiting for me after my treatments even when in the middle of conversion I would fall asleep.

My life since then has been like any normal life...I just have scars that I get asked about all the time..and a bad obsession of teal ribbons or anything teal really. If I could go back and change what has happened in my life I wouldn't change one thing about going through cancer. It has made me the person I am today...I look at life different, people different and myself differently. I never saw myself as a strong and determined person but after my experience with cancer I believe I can go through anything.

My next plan is to continue raising Ovarian Cancer Awareness...even if it means driving everyone crazy with Teal!!!!



Finally Decided!!

Well...I have been going back and forth for months now about buying a Kindle...but just have been dragging my feet. After eating some amazing sushi we decided to do some shopping at Coralville so of course we had to go to Barnes and Noble, one of my favorite hang outs. After getting my Carmel Apple Spice from StarBucks I thought I'd check out the Nook counter. The lady was asking me some different questions and after telling her I was looking at the Kindle she started in with the differences. After hearing them all I decided that I had to have a Nook. If you are looking at either the Nook is definetly the way to go...many more options! After getting it home and registering it I downloaded my first book...Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult. I'd have to admit curling up with my Nook at night at first was different than a book but now I'm in love. My favorite thing to do is sit out on my front porch curled up on my patio furniture reading my Nook.

My New Love....ZUMBA

Well I found my new love...Zumba! We have offered this at Great River Medical Center where I work for months if not a year now but I will admit I was terrified at the fact of dancing in front of other. For those of you who know me, know I am not a dancer so for me to be in love is HUGE!! I have done this for a month now and I'm addicted. Its a time to let free and just dance with no one judging you. It's a fun workout without feeling like your working out. On Thursday I did 5 minutes of pretty much just squatting and never really realized that my quads were on fire...It's GREAT! I would recommend this to anyone who wants something different when it comes to working out!!