Forever 29!!

Today I enter the last year of my 20's and I know what you're thinking... "There is no way that amazing, Star Wars obsessed creature is almost 30!" But all jokes aside, I've been pondering on my 20's the last couple of days... where I've been and what I've done. Sometimes I think I over analyze things and I have to step back. It's no secret I'm a bit wound up, I freely admit to it but I have to say that I've had the most beautiful 29 years. I married my nerd in shining armor, I have a beautiful daughter and I have an amazing support system within my family and friends. I was born into the mountains of Virginia, I've seen Hawaii, I love my job, I live in the land of the free and I'm currently chasing my dreams of publishing a book. I am one blessed girl.
At the beginning of the week I was pretty down about getting another year older but today I will celebrate. I will appreciate the beautiful life I have lead and won't stress growing older, it's a privilege denied to many.
To all my family and friends, gosh, thank you for all your love and wishes today. It means everything to me.
To my fellow 29 year olds... let's embrace our last year of our 20's and plan for the journey that is our 30's.
I'm so thankful to be able to do this blog and I'm shocked that people actually read it.
Big things are coming for year 29... Always sparkle and remember to always be you!!

-k

Just a few of my favorite things...

I figured I'd try something different for this blog entry... It's no secret that I love beauty products and today I figured I'd share a few of my favorites.

First and foremost, my book of the month. "The Princess Diarisy" by the late Carrie Fisher a.ka. Princess Leia. The first princess I idolized. Carrie Fisher was one of the most talented, genuine and satiricle faces of Hollywood. Her unrequited love for Harrison Ford was endearing. Her wonderful anecdotes about her famous hairstyle were laugh out loud funny. It made me laugh, cry and everything in between. While this isn't really a beauty product, most people know I read a lot and to me, a good book is just as good as a good moisturizer! 

I'm not big on supporting anything "Kardashian" but man, these lipsticks by Kylie are legit. I have to take minute to blame Courtney for my latest obsession with Kylie makeup. If you're on the fence about the new lipstick craze, my suggestion is to go big or go home and try out a Kylie shade. You won't be disappointed. 

Y'all... this Kevin Murphy "Repair Me" hand cream is where it's at. It's winter time and if you're like me the your hands get really dry- this is the absolute best hand cream. My hands are soft and aren't cracking this year like they usually do. Kevin Murphy, in general, makes an amazing product and I just so happen to have an uncle who owns a Kevin Murphy focused salon so he always keeps in the "in" on what the best products for my hair are. Everyone should try out a Kevin Murphy product... you won't be sorry. 

And finally... my go to perfume set. Amazing Grace by Philosophy. This is an amazing fragrance. It's clean, feminine and not over powering for those of us who work in an office. Hubs took my subtle hints when I found this amazing set on the Philosophy website right after Christmas.. Happy Early Birthday to me!! Just like Kevin Murphy, Philosophy is one of those brands who don't make a bad product. 

Honestly, today I was going to blog about my no good, very bad day but I decided against it. I figured I'd write about a few things that make me happy besides the obvious, God, Family and Friends-- those always make me happy. 

McKenna is 3!!!

At 6:58 am today, my 2 lb 6 oz miracle baby turns 3!



It's hard to believe that 3 years ago she was a premie. Born 10 weeks early, McKenna was and still is my most amazing achievement. She's my hero and my best friend.

Over the past 3 years she's developed a very feisty personality. She's particular about where to put her barbies like her daddy but when things don't go her way, watch out! (She might get that from her momma) She likes to hide out in her closet and watch Shimmer and Shine on her tablet and may be on her way to being a crazy cat lady. I'm constantly in awe of how wonderful this tiny human is and couldn't be prouder.

To all of you who reached out to us after Kenna's birth offering prayers, your own NICU experiences and gifts for our sweet girl... I'll never be able to repay your kindness and we are forever grateful.

I didn't handle the NICU well. I freely admit it. Never in my wildest dreams did I think that our experience in the NICU would make me a better person and mother.

Let me elaborate on that one before you jump to anything: I used to live my life so wound up and almost wrecklessly. I was a time bomb. Having McKenna be in the situation she was in and having no control over it was not only humbling but humiliating. I blamed myself for so long and out of that blame I finally took the time to step back and understood what was really important.

I've now channeled my pent up energy into making sure that little girl has the amazing life possible

I started this blog as an outlet, my own path to amazing grace and along the way I realized that the grace I was desperately searching for now calls me "momma."

Thank you all so much for the support over the last 3 years. I'm going to take a couple days with McKenna and Winston but I'll be back with a less mushy blog entry.

-k

New Year... New Something?

I keep reading all of these "New Year New Me" posts and while I understand the need to better yourself I don't think you have to be a new "you," just a better you. This year I'm completely against resolutions. I'm not even doing the goal thing. I will be 29 in a little less than 2 weeks and while I don't feel "old" I don't feel as young as I should either.
We all could do things to make us happier but feeing the need to "recreate" myself at 29 just doesn't sound appealing. I like me. I like the person I've become. It's taken so much soul searching but I've come to terms that I'll always be a glass half empty type of girl. I love Star Wars, action movies and I detest high heels. I'm more Homer Simpson than Marge and if you ask me where the vacuum is in our home, I'd give you a blank stare. But this is who I am.
My mom gifted me with a super cute clarisonic for Christmas and it's kind of amazing. My 29 year old skin is showing signs of my 16 year old skin. Let me just put it out there that I've never had bad skin.... God gave me a trade off. I won't have bad skin but I'll probably always be chubby. By the way, that is not fat shaming- that is acceptance of Dr.Pepper love. Anywho, mom got me and my 19 year old college student sister one for Christmas and while I know it is simply mom looking out for our skin I also started to think, "You're not getting any younger, Kayla so you really need to get with this adult shit and take better care of yourself." And that's what I've been attempting.

Super cute, right?

2016 brought me many wonderful things, weddings, vacations, another year with my family and friends and a fabulous new job. I want 2017 to bring many more wonderful things my way.
I will be self publishing my first ebook on Amazon sometime in the near future. And no, it's nothing historical or autobiographical. It's fluff. Pure and simple. Stick with me through 2017. 29 is going to be my best year and it's not going to have anything to do with resolutions.

Things My Daughter Says...

McKenna has her first appt with the speech therapist on Friday. I'm still very timid and unsure about this entire situation but if I have to jump out of my comfort zone for the good of my child, I will. You are probably wondering, "why in the world is she so put off by speech therapy?" Well, let me explain it to you.
When I was between the ages of 5-7 I went to speech therapy 2 days a week in elementary school. They would come get me out of class to attend this hour long session in which I would practice saying words like, "snake," "shoes," "lisp." You get where this is going and I don't have to tell you what was wrong with my speech. Needless to say, it worked. I went on to perform in plays, compete in speech competitions and be an all around loud mouth but it still gave me a feeling of being different. And not this "good different" everyone always talks about, I'm talking about feeling alienated from your peers because you couldn't say "snake" correctly.

Behold 5 year old Kayla!!

From the day I found out I was pregnant, everything about our lives has been different from our peers. I was not pregnant for 9 months, my child cooked in a box for 6 weeks after she was born, McKenna was born before the actual baby shower, she was later to walk, to talk and to eat solid food. I guess I was just hoping for some normalcy. I say all these things not for a pity party but more for those moms out there that are afraid. Afraid to talk about things in fear of being "different." Look, I've always been "different," and it's hard sometimes because a lot of people don't get you but that's okay. I really don't care how different I may seem, I want McKenna to grow up normal. I want normal things for her: I want her to ride a bike, I want her to cheer lead (if she opts for that) or play basketball, I want her to be able to do everything that everyone else can do.
I hope that sharing these things can help new or questioning mommies out there realize that we are not alone.

-k

"Super" Tuesday!

Today is "Super Tuesday," and typically refers to a Tuesday early in primary season where the greatest number of states hold primary elections. I generally don't share my political views outside my tiny group of friends who know what my "soap boxes" are. I really don't care who you're voting for and it drives me crazy that people get sucked into these empty promises from these politicians. I'm not pointing fingers because let's face it, they all make these insane promises to save the world and they might back up 1-2 of these promises in 4-8 years. We collectively need to educate ourselves in the ways of the world and hold these candidates accountable. So much faith is put into these candidates to change things but in reality we are the change. We are the people and we are the voice of the nation. Capital Hill may be where the hearings and arguments are held but WE are the tax payers, WE should control what happens with our country and WE need to follow through to make a better life for our children.
That being said, I know who I'm voting for. Do I think he/she is going to change the world? Of course not. Have I done my research? Yes. My convictions are strong and they're mine to carry.
This election season has been entertaining to say the least. I never actually thought that I'd live in a world where Donald Trump would run for president, let alone be leading the polls for the Republican Party. It takes me back a Simpson's episode...

I hope everyone has a "Super" Tuesday. I don't care who you vote for (okay, that's a total lie but none the less) but please make sure you vote. Let your voice be heard, just calm it down on facebook.

-k

Going Gray.....

Leo waited all those years and then gave an acceptance speech about climate change!?! Seriously? He just couldn't make my dreams come true. All I wanted was for him to grab the Oscar, stage dive into the audience, grab Kate Winslet's hand and run away together. THAT would have been epic. 

Anywho, for those of you who don't know, Leo finally won an Oscar last night and it was marvelous, well until his acceptance speech. 

I spent the entire weekend sick in bed and it was miserable. I'm not meant to be confined to a bed.  I'm a terrible patient. I've had enough orange juice and fluids to last a week. When this morning rolled around, I was more than happy to get back on with every day life. 

My marvelous Uncle and his team at Bliss Salon have done it again with my hair. We decided to make a bold move and go gray! I'm in love. I hate to make a shameless plug but I'm going to. At Bliss Salon I feel like a queen. Kevin Fuller and team always make sure my hair looks amazing before I walk out the door. I'm not just saying this because he's my uncle, I'm saying it because it's true. Uncle Kev at Bliss Salon has a true passion for beauty and pampering. When he does my hair, he knows that he doesn't have to curl it or fix it up but he ALWAYS does because he actually wants to.

Today is the family meeting with McKenna's development team where they determine the best steps to take with her speech evals. I'm praying for a strong outcome and hoping for a team who actually care instead of making us a number. If any of you have an extra time today, please say a little prayer for us. 

All my love,

k