The Gift of Protection

If you had asked me 5 or more years ago my thought on guns, I would've told you I was scared of them. I knew nothing about them and didn't want to touch them. When I lived alone, I had a baseball bat and some knives for defense. A lot has changed since then.

When I started dating my husband, I got to know more and more about guns. Hand guns, rifles, shotguns, accessories, etc. I started to become more comfortable with them and eventually shooting some. I really liked one of his guns and he basically said it was mine. I thought that was cool, but I still needed more education.

I ended up taking a concealed carry course with several members of our family earlier this year and PASSED! My dad now calls me a "pistol packing momma". Since passing the course, I knew I needed a smaller handgun to carry because my favorite one was a little big for me to feel comfortable with. With two small children in tow, I don't need extra baggage when I go somewhere.

So the hunt was on...until one day I found THE GUN. <3 Introducing, the Sig Sauer P238.

It is compact, light and fits great in my hand and pockets. My husband surprised me with it for Christmas this year. (He gave it to me early.) I was shocked and extremely happy. Fast forward a couple weeks to last Friday...

It's a beautiful day outside, my daughter is sleeping so I decide to take my son out to play. We were outside for maybe 10 minutes when a car with 3 men show up in my driveway. One gets out and starts yelling, "Hey!" and probably some other words, but I don't remember because I just knew something wasn't right. I picked up my son and started running into the house, locking all of the doors behind me.

We get inside, my son plays with the truck he managed to bring in with him and I start going to get my gun. In the meantime, the man who got out of the car said, "I can see you". Talk about really freaking a woman out. I was also on my phone trying to get a hold of my husband. Next time (hopefully there isn't one) I will be on the phone with the sheriff instead. I waved to the driver of the car through a window, telling them to leave. The man who was outside started to go around back, but got in the car and left.

I walked around with that gun the rest of the day after my husband gave me instructions over the phone. It was in safe mode of course, since children are around. My husband gave me a hands on course on the gun that evening because before then I didn't really know it well. I feel a lot more comfortable now with it and I'm grateful to have it. But I didn't feel this way completely, until I knew my gun well.

With that being said, I highly suggest all women to think about getting a gun or having some sort of defense plan for when and if situations, like mine, happen. The man could've easily tried to break down my door, bust a window open or worse. At the time I didn't have my gun ready and could've been a victim.

Ladies, do you have someone close to you that you could talk about guns with? Someone you can trust and can take you somewhere to get a feel for them? Have you ever walked into a gun shop? You should! Go feel some. Ask them about concealed carry courses. Think about what you can do to defend yourself and family, if you have one. Ask me any questions you'd like! I'd be happy to help!

My Paleo(ish) Experience

So I'm eating Paleo(ish) now. I'm sure you've heard of the Paleo diet before. If not, it's basically eating like a caveman. I call it Paleo(ish) because I'm not eating a 100% Paleo diet. Unless I lived alone and tracked every single morsel of food that's in my home or surrounding, being basically obsessed with it, could I be. That's okay. I don't really want to be 100%. But here's the scoop on it so far.

My husband and I started this new lifestyle (him being a veteran of it already) a couple of weeks ago. You basically cut out processed food, breads and dairy (which I'm still drinking my milk by the way). It's exactly the type of lifestyle I should be living anyway with PCOS and Pre-diabetes.

I've felt great since a few days after I started. Yes, I've gotten hungry sometimes but that's because I didn't have a prepared snack ready to go. It takes some preparation and a strong will to do this, but I promise it is SO worth it. I would say the hardest thing is when I leave the house. There are a couple days a week that I don't eat that much strictly "paleo" foods which is alright as long as I stick to it in the long run.

I've already loss close to 8 pounds. That's HUGE to me.

A plus side to Paleo - YOU CAN STILL EAT CHOCOLATE AND DRINK WINE. (In limited quantities)

Dark chocolate and red wine. Right up my alley.

So that's all I really have so far. Here's a list of foods I eat regularly:

- Spinach
- Eggs
- Veggies
- Fruits
- Sunflower Seeds (since I'm allergic to tree nuts)
- Coffee/Tea
- Bacon
- Sausage
- Beef
- Chicken
- Fish
- Dark Chocolate

I also take a Prenatal Vitamin, Cinnamon Supplement, Magnesium Supplement and Chromium Supplement to help with my blood sugar and metabolism.

If you're thinking about it or want to talk about it, let me know! I'll be happy to help!

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- Kelley

Surviving The Madness

These two. Love them so much! I'm not going to say it's been easy. A learning experience? Yes. You see, I don't have a lot of patience. I lose my cool way too easily and having two kids under the age of two can be extremely hard, but rewarding!

Thomas - my sweet first born. He's a wild man. He loves to climb and do everything adventurously. The opposite of me. I like to take it carefully. So needless to say, I have some anxiety raising this boy. He has helped me learn to relax and let things go though, so that's not a bad thing.

Clara - my baby girl. She's my mini-me. I am so excited to see the little person she becomes. She is generally happy-go-lucky...unless she's hungry or tired. That apple doesn't fall too far from the tree.

Clara adores her older brother. Every time he's around, she stares and smiles. He adores her too. He randomly goes up to her and "pets" her on the head and gives her sweet kisses. I love those moments.

Then there are times that get rough. Like when both of them are crying because something isn't going their way. That wears on me bad. I want to make everyone happy and resolve everything in an instant. But that's not humanly possible.

I've learned how to prioritize better. Which one needs me the most and go from there. I also consume way more coffee than I ever have (and maybe wine too).

Would I suggest having kids this close together? Probably not. I'd say wait until the older one will be two by the time the second kid arrives, but life's an adventure so go for it if you must. We thought it was a good idea....LOL.

If you see me with less hair, more wrinkles and bigger bags under my eyes, this is why! I wouldn't change it for the world though!

Thanks for reading!

- Kelley

My New(er) Life

It's been a while since I've updated! I've been a little preoccupied...I had my beautiful baby girl on October 15th!

We didn't know the gender and boys run in the family so we were shocked to have a girl! We are so grateful for her. She is usually happy unless she's hungry, but who isn't?

How cute is she? I hope she's a dancer like I was :)

Life was a little tough for just a little while after we brought her home. Big brother wasn't sure what was going on for a few days and then he realized that she's not leaving so it's been fun ever since. 

Sleep deprivation hit me bad for the first two weeks and got slightly better within the next two weeks. I was sort of a zombie mommy during that time!

I've finally started to get sort of a "groove" for how the house works with two under two. I am so thankful that my mom was able to stay for a month to help me. My husband is a huge help too. In the meantime, between October and now, I finished my Healthcare Documentation schooling, applied for several part-time at-home jobs, kept my Scentsy business going, all along with my regular duties. The oilfield continues to go downhill and my husband's job is finally effected by it. His pay has gone down, but he continues to work hard and make it work for us.

Love our family!

He's growing up so fast!

In the upcoming year I turn 30. Woo! I don't feel 30, mentally. Physically, I'm starting to feel old, but I think having babies help with that process! I am anxious to see what else this year unfolds. I'll try my best to keep you updated!

Thanks for reading!