Friday's Foto Finish Fiesta

Thank God Its Friday!!! This week seemed never ending and it was blah!!! I am so glad I get a fresh start. Anyway, this is my first time doing the Fridays Foto Finish Fiesta and if you would like to do it head over to Candid Carries blog to join!

This week, I decided to put this picture of Alexia up from 2006. She was 10 months old here and we were at the mall to see Santa Claus. She was so amazed at him; she didnt know what to think. Anyway, the whole time that we waited in the line (which seemed like forever), she was pumped and seemed like she had no fears but when it was her turn it was a whole different story. She immedieately starting frantcially screaming and cried the whole time. Finally I gave up but I still wanted a picture so I told the photographer to take it as soon as I throw her up on her lap so I acn have one to show her when she gets older.... and thats exactly waht happened. I am going to have to post the frantic pic another day! What is even funnier I took her last year as well and the same thing happened all over again just a different dress ; ) I hope this year goes by much smoother!!!

A Moment In Time

I have been thinking about my dad a whole lot lately. For those of you who don't know me, he passed away in January of this year. Very few can understand the relationship between Dad and I and to be honest I never understood either. I never had the typical dad and daughter relationship; actually none of my siblings got that. My dad was one that always struggled with drug addiction so he was in and out of our lifes a whole lot. My mom was always the 'goodie 2 shoes' and they never seemed in a million years like a 'match.' They met back in the 70's and got married when my mom was just 17. They had a child (my sister) in 1974 and from then on had a rocky relationship. My mom would leave him when she knew he was getting back into things that he shouldnt have been into and he would come back years later saying he was a 'different man' and she would try again. Anyway, I cant even count on one hand how many times they split up and got back together. All I know is that it seemed like almost everytime they did get back together, another kid popped out making a total of 4. Katrina is 34, Michael is 27, then me, 21, and of course CJ, who is 19. Some people might say my mom was dumb or whatever but she loved him and no matter what, she did all she could do and that was that. Well, the point of my story is even though he was in and out of our lifes soo much, I forgave my dad. Don't let me fool ya, sometimes it got really hard. He would be so mean to us at times when he wasnt in his right mind and it was hard to overlook that side of him but he was my dad and I loved him through it all. I am so glad that although he struggled for so long, he held on till the end and got saved. When he went into the nursing home at only age 50, we got to talk a lot more and every time I would talk to him rather it be in person or over the phone... the last thing I would say to him is "Dad, I love you and I want you to pray." He said he does pray and he started going to church regularly every Sunday. I loved it. I was so happy to see him saved and living life the right way. Some people probably think this is weird but what I tell people when we get to talking about my dad is this... "I would rather have had my dad live a hard life all along as he did and get right with God right before he left this world than to have him live right all along and change for the worse."

Anyway, I love and miss you dad but I know you are much better off now. Alexia and I go and visit your grave regularly and she always tells you to wakeup because she thinks you are just 'sleeping in the ground.' She also loves to water your flowers. I cant wait to see you one day worry free and happier than ever !!! XOXOXO


(This is a poem I wrote after my dad passed away. I stood up at his funeral and read it with my brothers and sisters by my side. ) I love to write poems. Its a hobby!

To look back at your life,

Since I was a little girl.

You've fought such hard battles,

It was an upside down world.

When you tried to do right,

Something seemed to go wrong.

Your life was a challenge,

You had to fight for so long.

Though it seemed so confusing,

You never gave up.

Always one step ahead,

Even when it was tough.

Some decisions that you made,

Was hard on you and I.

Even when you weren't around,

I could feel your strife.

Because no matter what you did,

When you were in this world.

I loved you through it all,

I was still your little girl.

You taught me so much more,

Than you could ever know.

That the simple things in life,

Is what you never let go.

Because the memories that we share,

Is what helps to forget the bad.

Like when we played basketball,

It was Cj and Kara vs. Dad.

Dad I want you to know,

That I do forgive you.

And although it was so hard,

You did what you had to do.

I am so relieved to say,

That I believe you made your mends.

And God had a place for you,

That he held until the end.

When I look at your face,

As you lay here today.

You are finally free,

The worries have gone away.

At the end of this poem,

There is just one more thing.

A new journey has begun,

A new song you will sing.

I love you!

Babies are a Blessing

1. Were you married at the time?
No, actually we were only together about 8 months when I got pregnant! It was scary, really scary! We hadnt even lived together yet, so I found out in June and we got our first apartment in October.

2. What were your reactions when you found out you were pregnant?
I had so many mixed emotions; it was crazy. But I was happy blessed over all ; )

3. How old were you? I was 18 when I got pregnant and delivered. I turned 19 about a month after i had her.

4. How did you find out you were pregnant?
My mom kept telling me she had a feeling but I didnt believe her so she said 'come on, ill buy you a test' ... so we went to the store and it was positive. I had been sick for weeks but the hospital and urgent care were saying I had food poisioning from Stauffers Lasagna. It didnt show up in my blod right away. Anyway, after 3 home tests, I believed it!

5. Who did you tell first? Well, my mom was with me at the time... and then I did the worst thing possible. I called Shaun on his cell while he was working. Oops. I still regret that but I was scared and shocked.

6. Did you want to find out the sex?
Oh yea, It took a few times but we finally found out ; )

7. Due date: February 16, 2006

8. Did you deliver early or late?
I was induced about 2 weeks early because I got toxcemia (sp?)

9. Did you have morning sickness?
I had hyperemesis so I got sick anywhere from 25-40 times a day. It was terrible. I had a home nurse and pic line. It was the whole nine. It was the worst case the doc and hospital had ever seen. ouch! Then at 6 months, I had kidney stones. but the baby was healthy and thats all that mattered. I pushed myself and everything was fine.

10. What did you crave?
I love Donatos Breadsticks // Cucumbers w Italian Dressing // and Tootsie Rolls // But soon enough I realized I didnt like them coming back up so I stuck with Fruit Loops a lot. ; ) Gross, I know

11. Who irritated you the most?
The smell of Shaun would gross me out sometimes. One time I was wanting Rallys realyl bad so we drove all the way from Grove City to E Main St (about 25 mins) and when I saw the menu I instantly got sick. So I ordered nothing and Shaun ordered a combo. Well, when I smelled the fries and saw him eating them I was so mean and said 'How can you eat those in front of me and went off' Boy I was rude that day!!!

12. What was your first child’s sex? 'Its a Girl'

13. How many pounds did you gain throughout the pregnancy? 22 lbs

14. Did you have any complications during your pregnancy?
oh yea. see above. I was in the ER at least 3x per week for dehydration because how sick I was but then I got the home nurse and pic line to stop those trips. But the best thing about it is I only missed like 3 days of work my whole pregnancy and that was because I was in the hospital with kidney stones.

15. Where did you give birth? Mount Carmel West in Columbus, Ohio (I loved it there)

16. How many hours were you in labor?
I was in labor for about 15 hours but only pushed for about 15 minutes. I was only dialated at 1/2 when I was induced so that took a while

17. Who drove you to the hospital?
I drove myself. I was always going to the ER for something so I thought I would get hydrated and they would send me home but I was wrong that time!

18. Who watched?
Shaun, my Mom, and Shauns mom. Not to be mean, but his mom will never be in there again. I must have been to drugged because I never wanted her in there to start with!!

19. Was it vaginal or c-section?
Vaginal

20. Did you take medicine to ease the pain?
Yea, I had the epidural and didnt feel a thing. THey kind of pushed it on me but I didnt care. I slept through most of my labor.

21. How much did your child weigh?
7 lbs 6 oz.

22. What did you name him/her?
Alexia Grace

23. How old is your first born today?
2 1/2. She will be 3 on February 3rd. WOW! I cant believe it

I was tagged by The Adams Family to share 7 random or weird facts about my self. So here it goes........

1. I was voted Most Lazy for the Class of 2005

2. I am extremely freaked out by Halloween masks (but only when soemone is wearing one) I cry and run and just freak out

3. I am not much of a pet person. They are cute but too much to take care of!

4. I am self employed and love what I do although insurance would be really nice so I want to go back to school for something ; )

5. Although, I am blunt and outgoing, I am very sensitive and my feelings sometimes get hurt over nothing but I am getting better!

6. I am really good with doing hair. That is one thing that has always came natural and its one of my favorite characteristics about myself

7. I love to arm wrestle. haha. I used to challenge anyone to arm wrestle me (men and women) and I dont think a girl has beaten me yet but some of the guys give me a run for my money

Survey Says...

Does the last person you held hands with mean anything?
--That would be Alexia so of course! After all, she is my babe ; )

When & how did you and your number 1 become friends?
-- We were in the same job field! We didnt work together at the time but we wold see eachother @ State Highway

Who was last on your bed ?
-- Shaun

Do you think your first love affects the way you go on with life?
-- I believe it def affects you as a person regardless if you admit it or not but you can choose to let it help you or hurt you. I chose to learn and move on ; )

Do you like anyone at the moment?
-- I love Shaun!

Have you ever kissed someone whose name started with a J?
-- Oh Yeah!!!

What do you do on the weekends?
-- Everything but mainly I go shopping. I am a shop-a-holic

Whose bed did you sleep in last night?
-- I didnt sleep in a bed last night; I fell asleep on the couch

Ever kissed anyone 18 or older?
-- Yea, If not then I would be breaking the law

What are you doing tomorrow?
-- Working // Gymnastics // Church (Wednesdaya are always busy but I love it )

You like to cuddle?
-- yess

How was last night?
-- good! I went walking with Lindsay and went to the grocery store so nothing too exciting but it was good

What are your plans for this weekend?
-- Going to the camper and I can't wait

Did you ever lose a friend?
-- Yea, Well I havent really lost a friend but I dont think they are much of a friend anymore, ya know

What are you doing right now?
-- this survey

Ever go camping?
-- yesss && I love it. I am going again this weekend ; ) Longs Retreat... Here I come

Do you like birds?
-- Not ot have as a pet but they are fine for outside

Biggest annoyance in your life right now?
-- none @ the moment, Thank God

Have you spoken to your mother today?
-- I have! I speak to her everyday! <3

When was the last time you spoke to your siblings?
-- spoke to one yesterday

Where were you an hour ago?
-- siting right here. nothing has changed.

Do you have any tattoos/piercings?
-- tattoo and my ears are pierced

Do you drink water?
-- yess, about 90 oz per day : ) you need it to lose weight

When is the last time you saw number 1 on your top friends?
-- a few weeks now, but usually every week day

Are you too forgiving?
-- i dont think so! It depends who it is

Do you think someone is thinking about you right now?
-- maybe??

Do you care if people hate you for no reason?
-- it does bother me to an extent but ohhh well....

What was the last thing you cried about?
-- Who knows. I think it was Biggest Loser last week

Last person you blocked on MySpace?
-- i dont do that! my profile is open for the world to see!

Do you have a friend you can tell stuff to and your sure they won't tell anyone?
-- yesss

Does someone like you, like you?
-- he loves me!

How many hours did you sleep last night?
-- about 8!

Have you ever cried while in the shower
-- yesss but not in a long time

IT"S BEEN SO LONG ~

Well, I forgot I even had one of these things! I haven't wrote in absolutely forever so I have a lot of catchin' up to do! Shaun and I have planned our wedding date, May 9, 2009. Wow! It is just around the corner so we have a lot to do in very little time but I am pumped. Its so exciting that I am finally going to be Kara Conrad! Our wedding colors are going to be Lime and White! A lot of people dont really get it until I show them pictures of what I want! I am a modern type style girl if that makes sense and because I am getting married in Spring, I want it to be fresh and modern at the same time. My centerpieces will be glass cylinders with lemons and limes in it and some white candles all around! If it sounds weird, I understand. It is hard to visualize so I will have to post pics when it is all said and done! Anyway, enough about that. Alexia is as amazing as ever and although she can be out of control at times; she is still the best. She is already 2 1/2 ! Wow, time flies! She is so smart and acts really mature for her age. Just a few things that I am proud of her for are ...

• She knows her name (First // Middle // && Last )
• She spells her first name A*L*E*X*I*A
• She counts to twenty (but sometimes get 15 and 16 mixed up; no biggie)
• She sleeps in a big girl room
• She is potty trained (but when she is with Mady and Mason she seems to forget ; )
• She knows her A B C's
• She knows what state she lives in and spells it O-H-I-O
• She knows her birthday

Now, that is a long list! I am a proud mom if you can't tell. I know just about every parent says their kid is sooo cute and soo smart but mine really is ; ) So on with other things! Lindsay (my BFF) and I have been doing a Weight Watcher // Biggest Loser health plan for a month now. We are doing so good together and are finally seeing results. I have a ways to go but def. have a good start! I imagine I will be right where I want to be by the beginning of Summer 2009 . I cant wait! I love her to death. She has really helped me help myself ; ) I am so glad I met her and our kids get along great although they all have their days!

I am still working in the legal field and still have a desire to change it up sooner rather than later. I like what I do but I want to go to school soon!!! I know the longer I talk about it; the faster time goes so I need to get in there and get it done! I am aiming to start Fall Quarter 2009!

Well, I have things to do and errands to run so Im outta here for now but will be back much sooner than last time ; )

Live. Laugh. Love. Believe