Life turned upside down
One year ago tomorrow my season of the Biggest Loser premiered. WOW…what a year it has been. I sort of fell off the face of the earth for a while. I was not posting blogs as often, not logging on to Facebook as frequently and I have been getting many questions about how I am doing. I figured there was no better way to answer that question then in blog.
Life has pretty much been turned upside down. As many of you may know, my Husband Nick and I received the amazing news that we were expecting our first child. We were over come with joy. Everything in life changes when you are expecting a child. Things you once desired are no longer a priority and you start looking at life with a realistic perspective.
A little over two weeks after finding out we had our first child on the way my husband worked his last day of work. The company he worked for the last 11+ years decided to close down their Appleton, WI facility. Unfortunately this is an all too common occurrence in todays economy. The only problem is Nick carried our health insurance and with me being self employed I do not have the option of taking over that responsibility. So we figured…OK…we will have to take advantage of COBRA until Nick finds another job. Well, when the paperwork came in and I took a look at the COBRA payment my jaw hit the floor. I cannot believe how expensive it is. That combined with the fact that it is not very easy to find a good job today has added a lot of stress.
As if being pregnant and my husband losing his job was not enough my business partners sat down with me on a Monday and pretty much told me that they felt it would be best for all of us if I dissolved my ownership in the business on the first of the year (which just happened to be that Friday). Although since I have returned from the show we have talked about this situation, I just did not expect the timing. I felt blind sided and hurt yet there is a small part of me that understands their side. Being on the show has put a huge toll on the business. I was gone for 5 months while filming the show and I was borderline useless for about 3 months following that (this was the time between coming home from the show but before finale). I could go on about this forever.
I am hopeful that everything will work out. Nick and I are both diligently working to make sure we can bring our child into a stable and secure environment. In terms of health, fitness and weight loss…that is an entirely different blog for another day.

19 comments
Permalink1
yikes! rough spell for sure. *big hugs for ya*
Permalink2
Kristin — this just sucks for you all. I am so sorry this happened.
I know how bad this sucks because my husband and I have both had our companies shut down in the past six months — I was told the week of Christmas. Everyone tells me — this is going to be ok - you’ll be fine — don’t worry this will work out — even “Its God’s plan” (my favorite)…but the reality of it is — it just sucks.
I have been told Q1 is supposed to be the start of the pickup for the economy. There is hope and truth in that.
Chin up camper.
PS You should talk to your OB/GYN immediately about payment options. I’m sure they will work with you.
Permalink3
Kristin~
I am so sorry! I found out about being pregnant with our third child a day after my husband lost his job. It was so scary! I am a stay-at-home-mom, and we had a 2.5-year-old and a six-month-old at home. (Yes, the third one was planned.
) My husband, thankfully, was able to get a job two weeks later but we didn’t get a pay check until a month and a half later. Our insurance didn’t kick in until I was 20 weeks pregnant. I was so stressed out and worried for my children. I guess I’m trying to tell you that I have been there, so I feel your pain. It sucks.
I hope and pray that things will get better for you guys soon!
Permalink4
i’m so sorry kristin..hopefully you and Nick can find new opportunities soon
Permalink5
Hi Krisin,
So sorry to hear your News about the job loss. I just checked your Blog out today because I was thinking about you after watching last nights B.L. Premiere. Congrats on the baby! It is the best present you will ever get!!
On The Cobra Insurance, I think because your husband’s layoff was before Dec. 31, 2009 you are eligible for the ARRA assistance in which the federal Gov. pick up 65% of your COBRA Premium for up to 9 months after the layoff. I would look into this, it would hopefully get you throught the pregnancy!
Best of luck, you are a very inspiring individual!!!
Just another Wisconsin Girl
Permalink6
Hey girl,
I came to the blog to hyperlink an old entry you had posted (I’m hosting my second BL competition and it kicks off today) and I was super excited to see you had blogged.
WOW…sorry to hear about Nick’s job but still OVER JOYED about baby Steede! It’ll all work out I’m sure and I can rally people to raise funds if that’s what it comes down to in order to help “mini-Krisick” <–Kristin + Nick…idk, just work with me (haha)….anyways, rally if it means helping Healthy Baby enter Healthy Environment.
Let me know chica.
Yea, so as for me…well, needless to say there’s been a little stress in life and I um…gained…um…like 15 pounds in one month. ARE YOU KIDDING ME! eek! So now I’m still past the 100 lbs down mark, but slowly turning this train around!
Have a great day Kristin! (hugs)
Permalink7
I have no idea why I came to your site today but I did. Know you are not alone. It does not make it any easier but you are not alone. I am praying for you and Nick and the baby that is coming into this world.
I am sure you are still a bit overwhelmed with all of what is going on but know you have my prayers.
Amy
Permalink8
Wow Kristin, it sounds like a lot of things are coming at you and Nick all at once! Good luck to both of you and know that things WILL turn around. Congratulations on the baby!!!!! I think you will be an excellent mom!!
Permalink9
I know you have probably heard to “hang in there.” I understand about the insurance because I am home with kids and my husband is a teacher. We choose to make it on one income, but it is the insurance that we need. He actually wants to do something else, but can’t. I donate my time to publish a magazine and was hoping it would take off into a nice business. It isn’t with this economy. Well, we keep having things thrown at us, but then it really does work out some how. Miracles? I just try to will positive things to happen. They usually do eventually if I keep appreciating the little things and the little blessings we do have. The best thing is to have family around. The stress can get to you, so have an outlet and people to talk to. You can always blog and we can listen. I think something will pan out that wouldn’t if this had not happened. Best to you and congrats on the most precious of things- a baby!
Permalink10
Thanks for posting again, I thought something had happened with the baby. Canada is having its layoffs too. It is very hard to make ends meet when there is less money in your household. Most of us are learning that the extra pair of shoes or the new pair of jeans is not worth it if it means less food on the table. Life is what we make of it. If you believe that there is something out there for you then it will happen. Just always believe! Having any job is better then not having one at all.
Permalink11
Oh, Kristin! I am so sorry this has happened. Unfortunately, like you said, this is happening all over the nation and the world for that matter. The timing is horrible. As the saying goes, when one door closes another one will open. Just keep looking for that open door my dear and it will work itself out. Stay positive. I wish you and Nick that best and can’t wait to see your posting when you find out if Baby Steede is a boy or a girl! Best wishes and I am sending a prayer out tonight for you all.
Permalink12
Kristin: Sorry to hear things haven’t been working out for you & Nick. I hope things change soon. They say things happen in 3’s so hopefully they will turn around now!!! Good Luck.
Permalink13
Ok Kristin, first off….HUG!!! You know if there is anything I can do please let me know. Even if ya just need to vent! Things happen for a reason. I know right now it might not seem that way, but they do! See you going on the show and loosing that weight, BABY…HELLO! The show happened for a reason! Just keep your head up girlie!!! Try and be as positive about it as you can! You are having a baby!!! OMG! Thats positive!
Permalink14
Kristin, I know there’s not one thing I can say to make it better. But I will pray for you family, that God will show you his awesome provision and you will bring a healthy Baby Steede into a healthy and happy environment. My co-worker’s husband lost his job shortly before they had twins! She constantly came into work crying and worried about what they were going to do. Even now, its a struggle as she works part-time in order to bring some sort of income in while her husband searches for a job. Its difficult, but they have two beautiful, happy, healthy baby boys and though its not comfortable or easy, they are making it work. I’ll pray that God will give you peace that surpasses all understanding.
Katie.
Permalink15
Bless. Your. Heart. I am so sorry that you guys are going through all of this. Please know that I am praying for you and that God has a plan for your lives. You may not figure it out for a while, but you will eventually. Jer. 29:11 Keep on keeping on!
Permalink16
Hey Kristin,
You were amazing on BL and I’m glad I just found your web page. I’m just starting my WL journey and right now it’s kicking my butt! I know YOU know how that feels! I signed up for Boot Camp at my local YMCA and it’s so embarrassing,but I still go. Every grunt, every strain, every exercise I want to quit, but I don’t and I won’t. So sorry to hear about your husband’s job. How stressful and overwhelmed you must feel! What type of work is he looking for? Anyways, thanks for being an inspiration! Keep your head up and think positive!
Emilie
Permalink17
YUK!!! It’s such a crazy time in a crazy world. Our home is filled with financial uncertainty as well. It seems like life is completley upside down…hard work and being good at your job doesn’t necessarily mean that we get to keep them. It’s just wrong. I’m not going to say chin up…or it’ll get better…because I know that those words just don’t help.
BUT… YAY that you’re having a baby.
and maybe my huband’s and my motto can help a bit… we just look at today when tomorrow seems so uncertain and say… “Well, we’re ok today.”
Hopefully we all can say that for a LONG LONG time…
I also work as a county case worker in MN… Health care is available here for Pregnant women.
Feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions.
Cheryl
Permalink18
It’s been a while since you last updated. Wondering how you guys are doing these days? How’s the pregnancy coming along? We’re pulling for you!
Permalink19
Wisconsin’s economy is horrible! I hope things have picked up for both of you.
Having dealt with COBRA ourselves, I breathed a huge sigh of relief that we were able to make the payments for December-March, when my new insurance kicked in.
I wish I had seen this sooner, as there is a subsidy available at this time for people who were laid off. Here’s hoping you saw it in your paperwork.
Sunny in WI