Lensofme.com: Seeing Life Through My Lens
Welcome to Lensofme.com, where I share life’s mess and magic through my unique perspective—a gift that helps me find contentment in adversity, whether I’m navigating hospital halls, parenting chaos, or capturing a sunset.
I’m Christen, a non-traditional Midwest woman, mental health nurse, mom to seven (three of my own, four steps—yes, it’s a circus!), and a traveler who’s explored 49 states and beyond. Here, I write to process the thoughts filling my head, making room for more, and offer stories that might shift your perspective, lend you strength, or remind you that You Are Enough—just as I’ve come to understand.
Perspective guides me like a lifeline. As a nurse, I’ve witnessed humanity’s highs and lows, collecting lessons from each patient about what shapes us—and me. As a mother, stepmother, and wife again since my second marriage in 2024, I grow through my children’s gifts and challenges, cherishing Kennedy’s unique playfulness, Jonathyn’s quirky self, and moments like 10-year-old William tearfully asking our family to pray for the Titanic passengers at 2:20 am—a memory that deepens my understanding of empathy.
Now, Jonathyn thrives in the tech field on his own. William excels as a graduating senior with honors, thriving as a person with autism and enlisting in the Navy, leaving for boot camp after graduation. Alex, also a senior, explores where life might lead while sharing his passion for gaming with siblings and friends. Kennedy, a junior, honor student, and choir member, fills our house with music and hope as she plans to major in Forensic Science, blending her love of science and criminal justice (her hashtag preaches #girlscandosciencetoo). I eagerly anticipate following my dreamer child’s ventures. Serenity and Theo carve their paths as upcoming freshmen through writing, singing, reading books beyond their age, and computer gaming. Most importantly, I’m excited to witness their individual talents yet to be discovered.
As a traveler, I’ve chased new worldviews, from volcano boarding in Nicaragua to defying gravity in the Dubai desert. Through every experience, I’ve discovered I am Enough—a mantra inked on my arm in my grandmother’s handwriting, urging me to laugh enough, love enough, and live enough, even when the world feels heavy.
Our family—a beautiful blend, blended and blessed—embraces adventures like our Oahu trip, cultural exchanges with an exchange student, and traditions like playing “find Grandpa” at Christmas. We laugh through quirks, from banana-in-the-toilet rescues to presidential motorcade delays, and celebrate milestones, like a first passport sparking dreams of world travel.
My journey with mental health deeply shapes me, fueling my drive as a nurse and nurturing my compassion for those I serve. I navigate Seasonal Affective Disorder, ADHD, and anxiety, driving my advocacy to #stopthestigma. If I—with my knowledge—struggle to overcome treatment barriers in a broken healthcare system, I wonder what hope others have—a question that shapes my evolving purpose and calls me to act.
At Lensofme.com, I share these stories—raw, funny, heartfelt—to connect with women and others who might need a fresh perspective or a shared experience to face another day. From advocating for healthcare reform to celebrating our family’s chaos and beauty, a new way to see the world awaits. Dive into my lens, share your story, and let’s grow together—you’re enough, and I’m here to remind you through my lens.
More stories to come as I keep seeing and sharing.
#Lensofme #PerspectiveMatters #WeAreEnough #MentalHealthAdvocacy #Family #BlendedAndBlessed #CulturalExchange
