Cheriz: My life with Cystic Fibrosis

My husband, Andrew, is currently at Wartburg Theological Seminary and is starting his first week of his second year there. Every year he lives on campus for one week. He enjoys starting each semester on campus where he can build friendships with other students and professors. It's the only time he is on campus. Usually he does long-distance learning, online, from home. It was the only way we could manage him doing a four year Master degree program while working. This week is the hardest for us. However, we have something on Thursday and Friday this week, so Andrew will only be gone 3 days instead of the typical full five. So that will make this week a bit easier than the other semesters. It's hard for Andrew to be away, although I know he is having a blast. We send random pictures back and forth like a book he may be reading or a game I may be playing with our kiddo. It is hard for the kid(s) to not see Andrew every day. We are foster parents and stability is a BIG issue for ...

Since my last Cystic Fibrosis clinic, which you may have read about on my Facebook page , I have been working on a couple goals... both medical and personal. And boy do I love this summer weather! Summer weather combines one medical and one personal goal!! EXERCISE + MORE FAMILY TIME! I'm not one to enjoy extreme heat (90+), but have really LOVED the nice days outside with the family this summer! Sun (+sunblock LOL), freezie pops, flip flops, YES PLEASE! We have even spent some time at the lake this summer! Our kiddo(s) LOVE(S) the water and so does Andrew! I don't enjoy being IN the water as much as I like being ON the water. We have spent a dozen days this summer at our two favorite park/splashpads as well! Even days spent at home are usually in the kiddie pool. We are enjoying this weather and getting some exercise too! WALK! I try to talk advantage and do some walking when its nice out and I feel good. My Physical Therapist at clinic said it needs to be 15 mins of full acti...

I wasn't sure if I wanted to discuss this or should write this post. I had to make a really tough decision this week. I have been struggling with it for months. I finally decided to bite the bullet and do what I needed to... I decided to share because there are probably many others in the same or similar situation. Well, here it is: I took a giant step back in my career.<insert gasp> That's right. I, Cheriz Kunkel, houses fanatic, architecture loving, Realtor, has taken a step away from her Real Estate Career. Let that sink in. NOTE: If you are looking to buy or sell- STILL CONTACT ME. I still make commission on referrals!!!! Plus, I worked with some AMAZING realtors that are friends. So please still reach out!!! Realtor of Year: 2017 I have been a Realtor for 5 years now and I have LOVED being in this industry. Helping people buy & sell, nothing gives me a greater joy than having a 1st time home owner excited to purchase their own HOME! I had always wanted to do R...

Born 12 weeks early and diagnosed with cystic fibrosis shortly People didn't think I'd live past 5 and tomorrow I turn 34 years old. BOOM BABY! I wear my age, gray hair, and wrinkles proudly (yes, even the wrinkles). Hats off to all the medication for keeping me alive. And OF COURSE... my parents, doctors, family, and friends. Research and fundraising has really helped some AMAZING, life prolonging drugs come to market. I have a large support system that helps and volunteers. I'm so thankful!! Heaven knows I needed that support system when I became a foster mom. Especially since I went from zero kids to three specialized (needs) kids. All three of whom I LOVE completely and will do anything for in the future. But, I needed help when I was sick, run down, and tired. As I said in a previous post last mont, " It's a challenge to be foster parents, it's not a challenge to love them" (Blog post: Thinking of Fostering ). I know most parents are guilty of s...

Hey everyone! So I am boldly going where I have not gone before…into the realm of blogging. Now to start off I will say that I am not a writer, so over the course of the next, well rest of my life, bear with me as I share my perspective on our life. To start off I am going to let you all know a little bit about myself, as if my lovely wife hasn't shared that information in the past! I am married to the lovely Cheriz, I am a graduate from the culinary arts program from Joliet Junior College, I love to cook, bake, be outdoors, movies, baseball (Go White Sox!), and I love my job! Recently I transitioned from working at Hy-Vee as the Assistant Meat Manager, a job which I really did enjoy but did not allow me to spend the kind of time I wanted with Cheriz. Also looking into the future and the discussion of fostering kids, it was not the right fit for me and our family. The transition lead me to becoming the General Manager of Culver's, which if you do not know, is a casual dinning r...