Bun in the Oven!

So, it's been a while since I've been on the bloggy blog. 

Thought I might share this teensy little update??

Why yes, that little squish is our baby #2!

This little one came as such a surprise, but yet not haha. 

I remember one day just feeling SUPER nauseated and SUPER exhausted. 

I just knew it. 

C'mon, that kind of sickness is easy to recognize.

I headed out to the grocery store and to run some errands while the boys relaxed at home, and I just couldn't get the thought of that possibility off my mind. 

I passed a Family Dollar, and sure enough, before I knew it I was buying a test and confirming it in no time at all. 

Then I ditched the grocery shopping and errands. 

I raced home with my hands on my cheeks in pure shock and happiness, and went immediantly inside to tell Hank I needed to talk to him.

I told him the big news. 

...and he did not believe me. at all. 

oh, did I was trying to tell him on April Fool's Day?!

yes, the irony made it that much more hilarious to me :)

Needless to say we got more tests and scheduled our first appointment to be in the next few weeks. 

We are so very excited!

So, why don't I tell you some basic baby q and a's ??

how are you feeling?

oh man, so so sick and so so exhausted. With Henry I remember being nauseated but only getting sick a few times throughout. This time however, is a total 180. TMI I know, but I throw up 1-3 times a day. It's so awful. All I want to do is crawl in bed and sleep it off. This first trimester is kicking me lately. 

when are you due?

November 28th, 2015. The day after Black Friday this year. 

(What is it with us and having children around crazy holidays?!)

how did Henry take the news?

well, I'd say...like a toddler. I showed him the ultrasound and he told me it was a "baby doggie" and then asked to watch Elmo haha. I'd say he has no idea what's in store for him. 

how far along are you?

10 weeks. 

any gender guesses?

Hank has a strong feeling it's a girl. When I ask Henry what it is, he says baby sister. 

I was SO wrong guessing with Henry, so I just have no idea. But I'll guess different.

I'm guessing boy! We have no preference though. Healthy has always been whats important to us.

Thank you for all the warm wishes, love, and support!

We are so very overjoyed, grateful, and excited!

XOXO, KESS

A Few of My Favorite Things *Vol 3*

Hello everyone :)

I hope you guys like these kind of posts, it's been a very long time since I did a favorites thing post!

I'm thinking the last one was in...August??

Anywho, I am totally one of those product people. I love trying different things out, as well as hearing the things people are raving and loving. So with that quick intro, here's my favorites as of lately:

#1. Tribal Print Throw Pillow

I have been loving that aztec tribal pattern lately, so when I stumbled across this beauty in Hobby Lobby, I was stoked to say the least! (mind you, yellow is also my favorite color). I had a gift card from Christmas and used their 40% off online coupon, so it was quite a steal! I picked out four similar patterns for my living room, and I must say, they make the statement and dress up the space a little! 

#2. Dr.George Dental White Gel

As most of you know I love makeup, so I couldn't help but notice a YouTuber that I was tutorials on frequently has recieved ALOT of compliments on how white her teeth are. She said she used to use whitening strips like crazy until this stuff. I have noticed a difference in using this myself, and it doesn't leave my gums sensitive like the strips have. It's found online and is only $12!

#3 Mean Girls Graphic Tee

You guys, I CANNOT stop getting graphic tees. Oh, and anything Mean Girls. It's a problem. This is a super stretchy tank that I know will be a go-to staple for any outfit I put together this spring and summer. It's SO FETCH!

#4 Jessica Simpson Fancy Perfume

I tried on this perfume about a month ago, and instantly fell in love with it. It's main scents are pear and apricot, with hints of vanilla and gardenia. It's dainty, and feminine, but not too floral or intense. I bought it yesterday and wore it out today and two people asked me about it in the checkout line. It's a must, and for only $16, it's an absolutely wonderful perfume. 

#5 Maurices Strappy Sandals:

Okay let me start off by saying that I searched all last year for something like these and could not find them anywhere. Then on a whim, my mom and I walked through Maurices in the Boise Mall, and these screamed out to me on the display. I love a sandal that has good coverage over the top of the shoe; I feel as if the top is too open it makes my feet look big! I love that the detailing is silver, most shoes that are black have had gold accents lately and as much as that is a trend right now I'm not too big into that combo. My mama bought these for my birthday and I must say I know they will get alot of wear! 

#6 Tresemme Dry Shampoo

I love dry shampoo. I used to buy the Rockoholic Dry Shampoo when it first came out at Mastercuts all the time. It was a little high priced to me then too! Then out of nowhere, any and every hair product line started coming out with their own dry shampoos and I had to try it out. Most can leave your hair looking weighed down, flaky, white, or downright greasy sometimes. But this stuff works! I love the volume and quick fix it gives me on those in-between-wash days. 

#7 Andes Mints

An oldie but a goodie! Lately all I want are these as my sweet treat! I remember making brownies with them a couple years ago, and I must say, I stop by and get them at the Dollar Tree for a quick pick me up or chocolate craving!

#8 Ardell Natural False Lashes

My sweet little coworker let me in on these babies. Every once in a while if I do a dramatic or smokey eye look, I want false lashes for an extra oomph. For only 5 or so dollars at Sally's Beauty Supply, these work awesome. I believe the ones I use are the Demi Wispies. 

#9 EOS Mint Lip Balm

This product isn't new to me, but it's something I always replace when it runs out! I have always loved a mint lip product, and this one is no different. Very hydrating, very cute packaging. I have never tried any other EOS balm, but I know people swear by them!

#10 Lorac Unzipped Palette

LAST BUT NOT LEAST!!! Eeeeeeeeeekkkk! I'm so excited about this one. I saw the swatches for this palette on Pinterest not too long ago, and instantly I was sold. Gorgeous neutrals, with hints of rose! When I went into the store to see it in person, I was beyond impressed. Highly pigmented; I swiped my finger one time on the gold color and it seriously looked like a penny. Almost a foiled metal look to some of the shimmer colors. It also has mattes as well. I am SUPER excited and I think this might be my favorite palette I own! 

That's all the things I have to share with you this post, lovelies!

I hope you enjoyed it :)

What are some things you've been loving lately?

I'd love to hear!

XOXO, Kess

24 for 24.

Hi all!

Two days ago I turned the big 2-4! I cannot believe I'm there already! I seriously feel like I should be 21, but mentally I have an old soul of 80 something :)

Today I decided to share 24 facts about myself for 24 years. XOXO!

1. I love good smelly stuff. Candles, scentsy, lotions, perfumes. It's an obsession.
2. I cannot have the volume of something on an odd number. OCD I know, but I CAN'T.
3. I am claustrophobic, just watching tight spaces or being in really closed spaces freaks me out.
4. I hardly ever wear pink. I wore pink EVERYDAY in 7th grade, so it's usually the last color of clothing I buy.
5. People singing worship music brings happy tears to my eyes, especially when it's teenagers or older people, its so touching.
6. My all time favorite bands are Dixie Chicks and Rascal Flatts.
7. I've never watched a single Star Wars or Harry Potter. In fact, I think it makes my nephews shutter that I know NOTHING about it, haha.
8. Being the oldest sibling has been good and bad, but I always wanted an older brother.
9. I get ready for the day by sitting on my bathroom counter with my feet in the sink. Yes, I have a vanity. Yes, I still do it that way.
10. I love waterskiing so much, but I honestly hate winter skiing.
11. I think it would be a dream to open up a small clothing boutique, and really personalize it with self-esteem boosters and self-image love.
12. I HATE Hamburger Helper anything. BARF!
13. I cannot take naps. No matter how tired I am, once I'm up for the day, I'm up.
14. Yellow is my color. It is always what I'm drawn to for decorating.
15. My ideal vacation is the Bahamas. (been once, MUST go again)
16. I cannot stand doing laundry. I would rather deep clean bathrooms or anything other than that chore.
17. My clothing style is extreme. I range from dainty feminine pieces to rocker edgy. I love it.
18. My greatest passion is being a mother. It's a dream came true, and something I always longed to be.
19. When I was born, my parents were planning for a boy. My name was picked out as "cody" and everything.
20. I love Goldfish crackers. Seriously they are my go to snack!
21. I like to have blankets on when sitting. In my bed, watching tv, on the couch, reading. whatever I'm doing sitting, I have a blanket on my lap!
22. I always have secretly thought it would be cool to be in a musical. Grease or Hairspray would be a dream.
23. I'm obsessed with Coffee by morning, and Cherry Pepsi by afternoon. Seriously, it's bad haha.
24. I love graphic tees. Anything with a good quote or a funny pun is my all time favorite to wear!

XOXO kess

Truths.

I don't know how to write this post other than in the random sentences of feelings that have jumbled my brain lately. So much has been going on for me, and I haven't found the words to say.

So here's my effort to jot down these thoughts.

I am 23, almost 24.

Wow, that scares me.

The older I got, the more confident and sure of myself I thought I'd become.

That is far from how I feel.

In fact, it terrifies me.

I feel as if life is racing, in fact, whirling by me, and there's nothing I can do about it.

I've never felt this unsure or attached from myself.

I've never felt this scared or anxious.

I've grown weary and hopeless in the thought of finding a "career" and actually "loving it" and being "successful" at it.

I've grown depressed in the fact that I do not love myself, and there are very little things I like about myself.

I'm scared that I am slowly losing myself.

I'm secretly scared I will not ever have the opportunity of more children.

I'm just....living....scared.

xoxo, kess

My little secret.

Can I share something raw and honest with you friends?

I have a not so nice friend that has been a secret of mine. 

...for YEARS.

Her name?

Anxiety.

The truth is, Miss Anxiety has been a long-time companion of mine.

She leaves me with hopelessness, inexplicable stress, and quite frankly, depression somedays.

Sometimes being alone and quiet makes it better. Somedays I ache for busyness to come about to distract me. 

Those who know me personally would probably be surprised to hear me saying all this. 

I sometimes get told, "You seem so calm and positive; you've got it all together!"

That always makes me want to burst out in laughter (or tears) and never ceases to shock me.

Throughout the years, my anxiety has had its extreme downs, but it's getting a lot better. Recently, I have begun to see it as an essential part of who I am. 

My anxiety may make social situations hard sometimes, but it has also enlightened me to tune in people well. I've got an emotional thermometer inside me that detects even the slightest change in mood. 

That makes me sensitive, it helps me to write and encourage. 

I'm starting to see that my strengths are often tied to what I might label as my "weaknesses".

But I wouldn't have one without having the other. 

Perhaps it's just really about focusing on the parts that are helpful and letting the other stuff go. 

There's a verse that resonates in my heart so well when I feel this way. 

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” {Php. 4:6}.

To me that means that I'm not supposed to let my anxiety win. 

I'm supposed to hand it over to God and say, "Please take care of this, and turn it into something useful."

Redeem this part of me I wish were different.

Do you have a little secret friend by the name of Anxiety?

"Redemption doesn't mean getting rid of who we are, it means transforming everything about us to be like Jesus." -Holley Gerth

So let me close by saying this, both for me and for you, friend.

Do not be anxious about anything! 

XOXO, Kess

Time Flies! [Henry turns 2!]

I cannot believe my little Henry is 2!

I knew I wanted an airplane themed birthday party, but it just seemed extra fitting for a theme, because time truly has flown by. I cannot believe this sweet little wonder has grown up so fast. I feel as if I can't remember life before Henry, but yet it doesn't feel like he should have a second birthday already. I love this new stage and adventure we are at, but I wish I could freeze and hold on to this sweet short time. I decided to rent the party room at the new Kiddie Cove Pool in Lava Hot Springs for the big day. Having NEVER been there or seen it, I kind of took a leap of faith, but from the pictures and everything I was super pleased with how it turned out. The party room had big windows that overlooked the pool so guests could watch and so we could be close to all the action! Lots of people showed up, had cake and presents, and the littles enjoyed the pool. I really enjoyed decorating and setting up for it. After the grand party, Hank and I took Henry out to pizza in Lava. Before we left, I noticed a little neon sign that said "family arcade", so we went across the street to check it out. Sure enough, it was a small pool and arcade hall, and honestly half the games were out of order haha, but it was one of the highlights of the day. Henry played the crocodile bonk game, basketball, and others, and then we headed back to Inkom to my family's house. I am so lucky to have this ray of sunshine, there is nothing like him, and I cherish him so. He really lights up a room, and his smile and personality is contagious to all around him. Happy Birthday Henry bug! Mommy loves you so!

Xoxo, Kess 

HELLO 2015

Happy new dreams.
Happy new days.
Happy new desires.
Happy new ways.
Happy new year.
Happy new YOU.

Welcome 2015.