My Guilty Pleasure

When asked what is my guilty pleasure, I can almost answer that question immediately. The answer? My iPhone! I'm slightly embarrassed that I'm even sharing that, but it's true. 

I know so many older people that complain about too many of us "kids" rely on our cell phones these days. They complain that we don't know what face-to-face socializing really is. While my iPhone is with me 24/7, I love to text, keep up with friends and family on Facebook, and play the most addictive Candy Crush, I would not ever choose my phone over a face-to-face conversation any day. 

I live away from all of my friends and family so my iPhone keeps us all connected! FaceTime is probably the best invention ever! I love that our parents can see Aiden a lot more often even though we are miles apart.

I also take way too many pictures of Aiden. It's so much easier to take a picture with my phone than it is to see Aiden do something so cute and have to run and find my camera. I ALWAYS have my phone with me. Always. I use it a lot. And it dies a lot. But it is always with me.

What is your guilty pleasure? Share your link in the comments on Everyday Bay's blog post here.

My Story

I'm coming back from a long break from blogging to take part in a challenge by Jerika over at Everyday Bay. She has a post that explains the Blog Everyday in September Challenge that you can read here.

So, this is my story. It will most likely be long, and I will probably include way too many non-important details, but I like to ramble, so thanks in advance if you stick with me!

I was born in Lubbock, Texas due to my mom and dad being in the Air Force. We didn't stay there long and my parents got stationed in Guam, where my brother was born. We didn't stay there long either and we moved to Louisiana. We lived in a numerous amount of places until we moved to a small town that I call home. 

I went to a different school for Kindergarten, a different school for first grade, and then attended the same school from second grade all the way through graduation. I didn't have a lot of friends, but that wasn't for a lack of trying. I didn't ever really feel accepted. I wasn't hated by the "popular kids", but I wasn't bashed by them either. I kind of kept to myself and focused on my school work and I stayed this way until high school when I started opening up to people. I cheered in tenth grade and my senior year. And I was a member of several clubs during my entire high school career. 

I started dating my now husband when I was 16 and a sophomore in high school. I was head over heels in love and I still am to this very day. I'm working on our love story to share with you all because that is a whole other story all its own. We had a long distance relationship (I would see him on weekends) until the day I graduated, then I moved in with him that night. We spent the next year discovering each other and making memories and he proposed to me in the most beautiful and simple way. Ever since I was a little girl I had always imagined a huge frilly, fancy wedding with pink on everything. I knew as soon as I said yes, that I had to start planning, and I did. What started out as huge plans slowly changed to a smaller ceremony, yet gorgeous all it's own. Even though my husband would have been okay with just getting married at the courthouse, I knew that if I didn't get walked down the aisle by my daddy, that would be a decision that I would always regret. So, exactly a year to the day that we were engaged, we became husband and wife. 

 I always knew that I wanted to get married, and more importantly, have children. And the fact that my husband is seven years older than me kind of pushed the decision to have kids much faster than normally expected for newlyweds. We started trying right away and a month after our honeymoon, we found out we were pregnant! We were extremely excited that it happened so quickly, so we shared the news with our family and friends right away. After three at-home pregnancy tests to prove to myself that I was indeed pregnant, I called my doctor immediately! It was probably the longest weekend of my life waiting to see my doctor the next week, but probably the most tragic as well. The day after I found out we were expecting, I started cramping and spotting. I turned to the trusty Google and read that a lot of moms experience this in the beginning and it can be very normal. With every day that passed my pains got worse and the bleeding got heavier. Monday morning I made an attempt to go to work, but left soon after I got there and met my husband at the Emergency Room. I had an ultrasound done and they couldn't see anything - nothing at all. But they assured me that it just might be too early and that some women have their cycles through their whole pregnancy and I might be included in that group. I had my blood taken so they could read my HCG levels to see if they matched up with how far along I was. I met with the doctor and he went over every possible scenario and then he gave me orders to see my OB/GYN the following day so I could get my HCG levels checked again. I was told that if the numbers dropped, it was bad news. So, on the way home I prayed to God over and over again that my numbers doubled like they should. I didn't even make it half way home when I got the most devastating news ever - I was having a miscarriage. Yes, I was only 5 weeks at the most, but that was 5 weeks of LIFE inside of me that I cherished more than anything, LIFE that I loved, and now LIFE that I miss. 

A miscarriage is not something you can ever get over or even forget for that matter. So, we stopped trying for a few months and decided to stop "trying on purpose." We decided that whatever happens, happens. And in enters Aiden! Six months after losing something very special, I gained something amazing! I found out I was pregnant again and I didn't take a single second for granted! My pregnancy was not the easiest by any means, but it's true what they say about forgetting it all. It was all worth it that very second I got to hold my baby boy for the first time. I can't wait to give him some brothers or sisters! Children are a gift from God.

Speaking of brothers and sisters, I have one brother and two half-sisters. My mom and dad split when I was nine. My dad and I were not really close until about five or so years ago. My family means the world to me and I would do anything for them. I don't see them as much as I should, but it's really hard to see everyone as often as I'd like when I live a few hours away and I'm raising a family of my own. Being a grown up is tough!

I started college the fall after graduation and went in with the intention of being an elementary teacher focusing on mainly Kindergarten. You know I love kiddos! I got a job the next spring and after the third semester, we moved to Texas! Adam's company relocated him, working in a different division. I took a break from school and started last fall deciding it was smarter for me to go to nursing school. A lot of my family is in the medical field, so I'm not surprised that I am following along. I had to take a break this past spring because I was due to deliver Aiden in March. I didn't feel it was a smart idea to go to school and have a newborn. And hindsight, I am so glad I didn't! Who knew babies took so much work? But, I'm back at the school grind and I'm really hoping to start clinicals next fall!

Life from day to day doesn't change much. I stay at home taking care of Aiden and feel so completely blessed to have that opportunity. My story isn't the most exciting by any means, but it's mine. I've made so many memories in my short life and I can't wait for the ones to come. Share your story with us!