It got a little un-KIKI for a minute there!

Hello dear friends and family! Thanks for coming back to the blog. I was having a little bit of a downer for the past month and a half and it seemed inappropriate to share that here in my little land of happy and care free. How have you been? I've missed you!

Most of you have probably heard that I am not working at Comcast anymore. I loved my time there. I met a lot of really great people and had some really great experiences. That job was something I really needed at that point in my life. It walked me through a divorce, learning to love again(especially loving myself), and building a great environment for our modern family. I am so thankful that I had my time there and while I am sad to be leaving, I am excited for what the future holds!

So with a job loss in the month of December there was potential for mass hysteria. How will I give my kids a good Christmas?!?! How will we pay the bills?!?! How can I stay home all day with the kids and not go insane?!?! Aaaaahhhh!!!! But because I surround myself with amazing people and have learned a few important lessons along the way. . . the world kept turning. A few quick shout outs:

*Frankie and Adam, our sweet sweet friends that have helped us out far more than we have helped them. Adam donated one of his own Christmas trees from his business to our family so that we could have one. I don't think you realize how important that big green bush is until you don't think you will have one. The memories you make decorating it, gathering around it, the fun of watching it glow every evening. . . those things can't be replaced. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

*Rosee. Those of you that don't know Rosee are seriously missing out. We weren't always so close but I have grown to cherish her as one of my closest friends. Thank you for checking on me often, being my mommy support friend, assisting me with getting more organized to save my sanity, and mostly for listening and accepting me and supporting me no matter what!

*Reata. The greatest not quite mom-in-law I have ever had. This woman has given me well over $1000 worth of scrapbooking stuff in the past few weeks. Thanks for supporting my new hobbies! Kisses!

Crystal. My sassy little sister. I thought I was helping you, letting you stay with us in a time of need. It turns out that you are really helping me. I have been so happy to have you here with me and the girls and to get to know you all over again. You bring sparkle to my house and a little bit of sass. I love you.

Dad and Christy. When I said we could use a little food to help us get through while it all gets straightened out I expected a dinner or two. You went above and beyond. I think you guys cut my grocery budget by 60%. Thank you so so much for all your help. We really appreciate it and love you!

Richard. My love. You are amazing. Not only did you support me emotionally and tell me that it would all be ok, you ACTUALLY made it all ok. And then you offered me a different solution for the future, opened my eyes to the possibilities. We are lucky to have a hard working, loving, supportive, but mostly fun man in our lives. I am excited to go into the future with you!

Well I have a new daily time management system and a bunch of new things to work on so it's time for me to go. Happy Holidays to all of you and thank you so much for being a part of my wonderful life!

Part 1. The Journey Begins.

We have all been there, you are making your way through the produce section on a desperate search for the final pieces of some dinner you are throwing together at the last minute. Your hair is a mess, as usual, and make-up was nowhere near the top of your to-do list today. Because this is real life and not a romantic comedy you are wearing the only pair of jeans that don't have something wiped on them by baby hands and a shirt that wasn't as lucky. You reach for the last onion and turn to escape the craziness that is the store and head back to the craziness that is home.

That's when it happens. Like hitting a brick wall you run into "THEM". ("THEM" is a role that can be filled by a few different people. The bitchy cheerleader from highschool who always looked like she had a team of professionals prepping her for her appearance in home-room and now has a successful modeling career. The nerdy kid nobody admitted talking to because your social status would drop miles per minute. He has a REALLY lucrative job with microsoft. Or heaven forbid, the worst of the worst, that jock that ditched you at homecoming.)

The following conversation always follows:
Kayleigh:(Smiling as if she is totally glad to see you) "Hi ______! It's been forever! How are things?"

THEM: "I know! We haven't talked since high school! I am doing REALLY great. I ______ (fill in the amazing life story and experiences.) What about you?"

Kayleigh: "Oh you know, just working and 'living life'."

The conversation ends. You exchange numbers and promise to talk soon. You go home to the craziness and realize you forgot the dang onion!


Living life. That phrase has started to haunt me recently. What does it mean exactly? I know I am living. I have a pulse. I breathe. But other than that it all just sort of blends together doesn't it? The living gets lost in the shuffle. I don't think that will do any longer. I want to wake up every morning glad to be living. I want to feel all the beautiful things this life has to offer me.

And so the journey begins. . . .