FREE CRIB?! Say what?

Discount Queens & Totsy are giving away this beyond awesome crib!  Isn't that kinda ironic?  My husband & I have just recently started spreading the news that we are expecting #3.  It's like that crib was made for us! 

I'm supposed to explain why I deserve this crib in order to be entered to win it.  I'm not gonna lie, I don't deserve this crib anymore than the next person!  It would just be super awesome if we actually won something!!!!

Week 1

I've decided to take small steps towards a healthier, more confident me.  Each week I plan on adding something (no matter how small it is).

I figured I'd start super easy.  Week 1:  walk around the block 5 times a week.

It's only about a mile and a half, but I figured I'd start slow in order to avoid burning myself out!

Today, Conner & I started out our week on a great start.  Walked around the block (& yes, he walked the whole way).  During our walk we picked flowers, found pine cones, & discovered a few locust shells (Conner was afraid of them at first BUT now he thinks they are awesome). 

I'm not really worried about what numbers show up on the scale right now!  Taking things slow, making healthier choices, & trying to love me for me.

-Kierra

Hunter Glen

I begged my mom & dad to allow me to start horseback riding lessons.  BEGGED & BEGGED!  For my 12th birthday, my mom asked me... "Do you want a big birthday party or do you want me to pay for 2 or 3 riding lesson?" 

Little did she know, those 3 riding lessons (yes, the ones that I chose over a birthday party) would turn into 2 lessons a week, 1 horse show a month, $350 tall boots, totes full of grooming & show gear, etc.  We even came close to buying a pony one year... until we found out that she was INSANE! Mom & dad wouldn't agree to buying me an insane pony...

In high school, my photography teacher gave us an assignment to photograph our life's passion.  He explained that pictures of sports, band, and other school activities wouldn't get you a very good grade.  When most kids graduate, the stop those sports that they once loved.  They no longer participate in bad or other activities.  He actually used me as an example of someone that had a life's passion.  Every assignment that I had,  I somehow incorporated Hunter Glen.  He said that horseback riding was my life's passion... that it was something I would do FOREVER!  You know what... I thought I would. 

I graduated from high school.  I was really serious with Chris.  One day I just stopped showing up for lessons.  I stopped going to the barn everyday.  I stopped it all. 

That was the biggest mistake I've ever made.  There isn't a day that goes by that I don't miss everything about that place.  The horses, the people.   I feel like a part of me is missing. 

Today, I took Conner to visit that very place.  It was like coming home again after being gone for 4 years.  The sounds.  The smells.  The feeling I get inside when I just so much as let a pony nuzzle on my hand.  I was overwhelmed with emotions.  

Just FYI... I still have all of my riding gear.  It sits in my mom's garage.  It's something that I'll never be able to give up... I'm determined to get back into the saddle.  & I'm determined to get Conner into one... maybe for his birthday I'll offer to pay for just 3 lessons (because we all know what 3 lessons will lead to...)

  -Kierra

Strength

"Our strength grows out of our weaknesses"

I am on the hunt for a tattoo.  I want words of encouragement permanently inked into my skin.  Something that will always be there to help push me forward.  On my hunt for these perfect words, i came across this quote.  I don't think these are the words that will become a permanate part of my body, but they did make me stop & think...

I see myself as weak.  I have a low self esteem, a negative outlook, and I'm generally not a people person.  My husband is constantly telling me that I'm beautiful... showing me how positive thinking gives you positive results... and introducing me to new & exciting people.  He's amazing (don't tell him, but I envy him... I want to be like him). 

My past weaknesses have turned me into the strong person I am today.  I know that the weaknesses that I have now are going to make me stronger. 

 I am ready and willing to be stronger. 

-Kierra

I have my reasons

I am not what you would call a "people person."  I'm easily frustrated, irritated, and annoyed by people.  I'm sure a lot of people feel this way on occasion... not me.  It's an everyday kind of thing.

My husband has a pretty good theory as to why I'm like this

I was one of those girls that grew up way too slow & then way too fast.  I was an unbelievably shy girl.  I didn't really come out of my shell until my senior year.  That's when I met Christopher.  He was one of those boys from the "wrong side of the tracks."  He had a baby.  Lived in a rough household.  Was far from a straight A student (like myself).  I saw a side to him that not many others had ever been given the chance to see. 

We both fell head over heels.  Maybe it was the fact that opposites attract.  Or the fact that i wanted to fix his problems. Or we were young and naive.    We dated for 7 months before I wound up being pregnant (i was the LAST person people expected to end up pregnant...) 

Having a baby made me grow up.  When Conner was just 3 months old, Chris & I went through something that I would never wish onto anyone!  I'm still not ready to talk about it.  Some of you know what we went through... I'm sure one day I'll be ready.  Today just isn't that day. 

Because of what we did go through, I grew up so fast.  I shut myself off from the world for over a year.  I cut off all of my friends (thankfully they all stuck around).  I hated the world.  I hated everyone.  I hated myself.  I became bitter.

Chris told me that he thinks being forced to grow up so fast made me look at people differently.  I see people out, wasting their money, partying... & I look at them in disgust.  I get annoyed & irritated.  I suppose it's the fact that I feel much older than I am.  I see the people my age doing things that people my age should be doing, and I see them as immature.  I guess somewhere down, deep inside I think "I'm 22... I don't do THOSE things... why do they?"  BECAUSE they are still 22 at heart... I'm much, much older. 

Darius Rucker's (he'll always be Hootie to me) song "This" basically sums up my life.  I hate the things that I had to go through at such a young age, but I love my life now.  I know things would be so different if my past wasn't just the way it is.  God makes everything happen for a reason.  He never puts you through more than you can handle. 

This post jumped all over the place.  I hope you got the general idea.  Basically... if you see me looking at you in disgust, just remember that it's not you... well, it's most likely not you.  I just really don't like people...

Skinny... please!

All of you mommas know that losing weight & feeling sexy after having kids is no easy task.  I struggle with my self esteem daily!  (& the fact that I LOVE baking doesn't help...)

I plan on using this blog to help me & others with their goals.  I'll share recipes, exercise experiences, and even my epic fails!  & feel free to share your struggles, advice, etc

My goal is to fit into that pile of jeans that i can't manage to just get rid of... What's your goal?

I Love Brownies!

Every woman has an unspoken love for chocolate.  There are just some things that can only be cured by curling up on the couch with a big ol' brownie!  I love brownies, but when I actually take the time to make them I usually end up getting to eat one piece before they disappear.  My husband LOVES brownies more than anyone that I know.  He will sit dow with the whole pan of brownie and eat every last crumb. 

So, I did what any normal woman would do!  I made brownies today, BUT I put something in them that well keep the hubby out!

I am 100% positive that Conner & I will be the only ones eating these!

       





O yea... I'll get around to it

If you look up procrastinator in the dictionary you'll find a picture of me.  Don't believe me? 

Like right now, I'm supposed to be getting ready for a jewelry show that I'm doing tonight (I've actually had week to get ready... ok, 2 months).  Instead of preparing myself, I'm blogging... watching ELMO with Conner... playing with the neighbors dog... trying to convince the cat to run away...

About a week ago I realized we were getting low on cat food... yesterday we ran out.  This morning I was reminded of the lack of cat food my Smokey (the cat, of course!).  "Meow... meow... MEOW!!!"  Need a translation?  "Feed me please... please... FEED ME DAMN IT!!!"  When she started cursing at me I knew I couldn't avoid it anymore so, I did what anyone else in my situation would do.  I threw her a piece of lunch meat in hopes that it would shut her up for awhile...

I know, I know... I'm a horrible person that shouldn't be allowed to have pets.  In my defense, I've been trying to convince Smokey to run away from weeks.  I beg her.  BUT she always comes back... & I'm pretty sure that there is a good chance she's preggers.  So now, I'll be throwing a bunch of lunch meat on the floor (and the occasional can of tuna). 

I suppose I really SHOULD go buy cat food... O, and get ready for this party. 

But first I'm going to go visit my grandparents and pick up my brother...

Pig Lickin' Cupcakes

I've had the urge to blog for the past few days, but haven't had time to actually sit down and focus! 

These pictures have been in my camera for a few weeks, so I figured I'd put them to good use.   I usually make Pig Lickin' cake, but I've fallen in LOVE with cupcakes.  No need to cut into indivifual pieces, no need for plates or forks...

Pig Lickin' Cupcakes

• 1 box butter golden cake mix
• 2 small boxes instant vanilla pudding
• 3/4 cup oil
• 4 eggs
• 1 small can mandarin oranges - undrained
• 1 container cool whip
• 15 oz can crushed pineapple - undrained

1. Preheat oven to 350
2. Mix cake mix, 1 box pudding, oil, eggs, and oranges (including juice).
3. Bake 20ish minutes (this is actually a guess... the cake recipe calls for 30-40.  Use a tooth pick to see if they are done)
4. Cook cupcakes completley!
5. Mix pineapple and box of pudding.  Fold in cool whip.
6. Ice cupcakes.  Serve.  Store in refridgerator.

Happy Baking!

Country Music & Country Boys

Before I met Christopher I was 100% different!  I REFUSED to listen to country music.  I honestly believe that it was all songs about tractors, big red barns, & beer.  Thanks to my husband I only listen to country music now.  I'm addicted!!!  

It all started with a mixed cd that Christopher gave me after dating for a few months.  "Beautiful Mess" by Diamond Rio, "You Save Me" by Kenny Chesney,

Who woulda ever thought that I would have ended up listening to country music & marrying a redneck?  We are a living, breathing example of opposites attracting.  I was a Hollister wearing, Dashboard Confessional listening, honor roll student.  Chris was a Wrangler jean (with skoal rings in the pockets!!!) wearing, George Straight listening, just getting by in school kinda guy.  Our differences balance us out. 

I know saying he completes me is cliche, but that's really the best way to describe it.  I'm always stressing about stupid things.  Chris is always calm about everything.  I envy his ability to deal with stressful situations with such ease.  I'M JEALOUS!!!

This completely random blog was brought on by the CMT country music awards that I have finally got around to watching (2 days after it originally aired).  My post about country music quickly turned into one about my Country boy. 

Without that country boy, I would've never given country music a chance.  I would be missing out on such great things! 

& It's all because of my country boy

Making the Switch

Guess who switched from Tumblr to Blogspot?  Obviously I did!

If you are friend with me on facebook then you know that it just so happens to be my birthday!  It's not a big deal (I'll be 22 at 9:30 tonight).  Nothing spectacular happens at 22.  I can already drive, vote, drink, smoke, buy porn, gamble, etc (I actually only do one of those things... And I'm not telling you which it is)!  I plan on spending the majority of my birthday feeding, washing, and tucking in the elderly.  That's right, I will be working!  Perhaps my coworkers will be extra nice and extra helpful tonight... well, maybe!

If you wanna get me a birthday gift, you can just book  Premier Design Homeshow!  C'mon, that's like me giving you free jewelry for MY birthday... win/win, right?