This is mostly a test. A test to see if anyone is out there, if anyone is reading. Also a test to see if I can still navigate my website after neglecting it for 6 years. WordPress has added a lot of bells and whistles backstage since I’ve been gone.
A lot has happened–had a baby at 41, emerged from the pandemic, sent one daughter to Chile, another to Peru, and one is about to go to Poland on missions for our church. I helped start a blackberry farm with my husband and kids. Had a May bride, then a June bride. And between all of the big stuff was all the small stuff–driving kids to and from lessons, doing laundry, cleaning the kitchen, living.
So much to write about that never got written. At least not on this blog.
Do people read blogs anymore? Tell me in the comments. Then I’ll know.
Not that I haven’t been writing at all, mind you. I’ve had some small articles published, entered contests, finished journals . . .
I have several unpublished manuscripts in my closet, more unfinished manuscripts on my computer, and even more in my head. In time I’ll get them out on paper. For now, though, I’m letting the roses run wild. Eventually we will get out the pruners and get to work.
If you read this, I would love for you to give me your own mini update. I hope your life is as wonderfully full as mine. If not, know that there are always good things to come.
Chelsea Dyreng 
I tried to leave a comment but I don’t know what I did, hahaha!So great to hear from you! I’m not the best person to market research with, but I read a lot of stuff
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thank you for your blog and yes I did read it. I have been navigation retirement and tending my grandchildren. There is always something to do. Again , thankyou.
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Hi Chelsea, What a fun surprise to get your “test” email. I don’t know if you remember me. My maiden name is Nield. You were on the judging panel for Star Valley’s Junior Miss program with your mom back in 1996. My twin sister Mindi and I participated that year. My grandma married William Burton Bagley a few years before that. I can’t remember the exact relation to your mom, but I know you are related somehow. Anyway, I’ve always looked up to you and remember seeing you perform at Ricks College while I was there from 97-99. I then transferred to USU and married my husband who is also from Rigby. We moved to Archer after I graduated and have lived in Rigby, Menan, Burley and now we live in Texas. We are back in Rigby and Star Valley visiting for the summer and enjoying the escape from the Texas Heat!
I love that you are still finding time to write. I was a blogger back when my kids were little and then one day I couldn’t find my blog on the internet. It just completely disappeared and I was so sad.
I hope you get lots of responses. I’d love to continue reading whatever you publish. And wow!!! 2 weddings back to back, a baby at 41 and 3 missionaries. You are a rockstar! I have 4 kids. 24, 22, 18 and 14. My sister Mindi has 8 and had her youngest at 40. She lives in Rigby now and her baby girl is starting 2nd grade this fall and mine is starting high school.
Well, I just wanted to reach out and say hi and encourage you to keep publishing. Enjoy the rest of your summer!
Marci Mendoza
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You are alive. That is all that matters.
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Hi Chelsea!
I loved seeing a post from you. Since I also follow you on social media, I’ve seen your occasional posts about your wonderful missionary children. Three missionaries is impressive! You must be doing something right as a parent.
I ordered and read both of your published books five years ago. On Goodreads, I gave them both 5 stars! (Note that I give very few books 5 stars. 🙂 ) I served my mission in Mexico so I especially loved your insights and thoughts on the Mesoamerican cultures.
Over the past 5 years, my family and I moved from the Houston Texas area up to the Austin area. We love being part of the original Austin stake. Our “baby” just graduated from high school two months ago. She’ll be attending Austin Community College majoring in theatre. The job that brought us up to Austin blew up after two years (government funding!) and my subsequent job just got outsourced three months ago to Accenture. (I’m an attorney btw.) So, I’ve spent the past three months working full-time on finding a new in-house legal position. I’m up to 110 applications! Just too many dang lawyers. 🙂
Anyway, it was great to hear from you. I love your blog posts so you still have at least an audience of one.
Best wishes!
Dave
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Hi Chelsea!
I loved seeing a post from you. Since I also follow you on social media, I’ve seen your occasional posts about your wonderful missionary children. Three missionaries is impressive! You must be doing something right as a parent.
I ordered and read both of your published books five years ago. On Goodreads, I gave them both 5 stars! (Note that I give very few books 5 stars. 🙂 ) I served my mission in Mexico so I especially loved your insights and thoughts on the Mesoamerican cultures.
Over the past 5 years, my family and I moved from the Houston Texas area up to the Austin area. We love being part of the original Austin stake. Our “baby” just graduated from high school two months ago. She’ll be attending Austin Community College majoring in theatre. The job that brought us up to Austin blew up after two years (government funding!) and my subsequent job just got outsourced three months ago to Accenture. (I’m an attorney btw.) So, I’ve spent the past three months working full-time on finding a new in-house legal position. I’m up to 110 applications! Just too many dang lawyers. 🙂
Anyway, it was great to hear from you. I love your blog posts so you still have at least an audience of one.
Best wishes!
Dave
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It is so fun to see your life and family! Can hardly believe that it has been 30 years since we graduated high school! I have 2 kids and have been married 28 years to my Rigby boy. We now live and work in Rexburg. Thanks for sharing a glimpse in your life.
Jeni Summers Bybee
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I read your blog. I started during Covid when you had a new story every day that I would reach my kids during lunch. Like you, a lot has happened in the last six years. My oldest is a senior and all of my kids are busy with school, sports, jobs and life. We’ve been able to travel a lot and hope to do more with the kids as they graduate.
congrats on all the fun things going on in your life.
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Hi from across the Atlantic, I started reading your blog after Scott exchanged your first book for Belgian chocolates at the UNC Tax Symposium and met your twins at some point in Washington (I think during the 2015 ATA symposium). I have twins daughters too, and a third daughter over here in Belgium. I’ve left the academic side of academia, so I don’t get any annual updates anymore. I do have a big blackberry bush that is taking over my tiny garden. So that’s that for a bunch of chaotic comments from my side. Happy to see you are all doing well.
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I read your blog!!! Heehee. This gave me so much joy.
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Hi, I can’t remember how I found you, so sorry. But I love your style of writing so much that I would take a paragraph and write it word for word. I heard that to improve your writing you should find someone you like their style and copy it! I hope you don’t find this creepy! I’m glad you’re back.
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