Bittersweet

It has been quite some time since I have posted.....but I am today just to help me and get some things off my chest.
This past weekend, on 11/16/13, it was a very emotional, and bittersweet day. I went hunting and shot my first buck. Now some people know why this is so emotional for me and some don't so let me explain.
Ten years ago, on 11/22/2003, I was in a car accident with a deer. It was bad. I was 15 and in the car with my mom and sister. Mom was driving, I was sleeping in the front passenger seat and my sis was in the back behind me. A deer jumped out of the woods, hit my moms side and came through the windshield on my side. The antler managed to lodge in my right temple and eye. It broke off the deer luckily.
I was airlifted to the hospital and had emergency surgery to remove the antler and two weeks later, they had to remove my eye. I now have a prosthetic.
I try not to let it bother me, or at least let others see that it does. I still have dreams about the accident and sometimes anxiety attacks. It seems so have grown harder to deal with the more time that passes. I don't know why. I hate people to look me in the eye so I constantly look away. I also joke about it to make it seem like it doesn't bother me.
When I shot the deer, I was with my Uncle John. That made it even more emotional. He is an amazing man and I don't know what I would do without him or my Aunt Barbara. He came to see me everyday while I was in the hospital even though it was a drive for him. When I couldn't eat before my surgery, he didn't eat because I couldn't. To have my Uncle John beside me at that moment, and to share that excitement with him is a feeling that is hard for me to even describe. Him being there made it 100 times better than I ever could have imagined. It truly was bittersweet.

Crazy, Hectic, Whatever You Wanna Call It!

First, obviously, I have already fallen off the bandwagon. Making time for this is difficult. Even more so than before. Just a pre-warning..this post will be full of updates, info, and of course more than likely a rant...or two. :) And honestly, I am just too damned lazy tonight to bother with posting pictures.....

1st:

Cheyenne started kindergarten! YAYAYAY! She loves it so far and we can already

see improvements and what she is learning. Her teacher is a sweetheart. We have had one

mishap where the school made a BIG mistake and I had to go out there all Mama Bear, but they nipped it in the bud quickly and it has been (cross your fingers) smooth sailing since.

2nd:

I started school! For me that first few weeks of "Yes! I am motivated and a month ahead

on my assignments!", has worn off. Now I'm just ready for December!

3rd:

After much contemplation and making a tough decision, this past Tuesday I put in my

letter of resignation at my current job (AKA- 2 WKS NOTICE!). On Monday

I received a phone call from our local hospital and they offered me a position that I GLADLY accepted! I am ecstatic!!!! I have wanted to work there for so long! I will be switching to 12 hour night shifts, but it will work better with Cheyennes school schedule, and balancing Mikes work+mine+my school as well. (another perk..better pay and benefits!)

Rant:

I have come to the conclusion that I can no longer stomach to read other mama blogs. I just don't understand why women seem to think that as soon as they become mothers they have to give up their hopes and dreams in life. They turn them over for a life of laundry duty and dirty diapers and pretty much being a servant. Another thing is, I know so many people that are so much the opposite of a "Christian", but once they become a "master of domestic servitude", they are all of a sudden bible beating with the ones they hated before hand. It is one thing to be religious....but quite another thing when everyone around you knows that the life you portray on the outside, is only masking the truth. 

I tend to be more of a - I am gonna tell you my honest opinion even if it offends you and you can be mad if you want but if you ask you shall receive kinda woman. I don't hide my past struggles, good or bad, from people because it molded me into who I am today. I may not be proud of who I used to be, but I do NOT regret it. I have lived. Even at my young age of 24. I went crazy and had so much fun and did things I probably don't remember because of stupid choices I made. But I do look back and I laugh and smile and say "Wow, I can't believe that was ever me. But damn...that was fun!!!". And I will tell you one thing...I may have been wild...but I was 18 when I found out I was pregnant and 19 when I had Cheyenne...and that child straightened my ass up!!!

I will never be rid of my red headed fiestyness though! ;)

Told you....Update..info...and random rants....your welcome! jk

Our Parenting...

Since Cheyenne was born, we have never sheltered or censored her. She has seen every one of my tattoos and piercings and her fathers. She has been exposed to people of every race and all walks of life. She has also been exposed to people of different sexual orientations.

It is very important to us that Cheyenne knows everyone is equal no matter what. We are not religious people, but we let her attend church with family if she wants and if she were to ask us to go we would. We want her to make her own decisions and be her own person. We want her to know that whatever path she chooses in life, we support her.

If one day Cheyenne tells us that she is homosexual, we will support her. If she decides to become Buddhist, we will support her. If she wants to be covered in tattoos and piercings, we will support her.

So far, it has worked for us. Cheyenne does love church, but she also loves tattoos, some of her best little girlfriends are African American and Asian. Her Uncle is homosexual. She does see everyone the same. 

Now I do realize that she is only 5, and her perceptions may change, but we have done everything to raise her to see everyone for what they are. PEOPLE NO MATTER WHAT!

I know that some people will criticize our parenting, but that is their issue not ours.

We just want her to grow up to be the best she can be and to find something that she is passionate about.

I will leave you tonight with this video. It is one of my favorite songs and the message is amazing. And yes, Cheyenne loves it too! :)

Balancing Act!

Here we go! If you have read any of my previous posts, you all know that I am Jessica. I am a young mommy to a beautiful little girl, Cheyenne. I also work full time at a local nursing facility, and my babygirl starts kindergarten THIS MONTH!!! Whew….it’s about to get busy!

Adding more to all of this craziness, today I got my official acceptance letter to a community college about 30-45 minutes away. Yep...that’s right! This mommy is going back to school full time as well! I am finishing all of my prerequisite classes so that I can apply for Nursing school. Yay! 

I know it is going to be difficult, hence the title “Balancing Act”. That is truly what it is going to be! I am going to be working during the day, attending 2 classes 2 nights per week, and taking 2 online classes. Add all of that together, plus juggling my homework, Cheyenne’s school, her homework, and household duties! I think I may be crazy!

Luckily, Michael is fully supportive which I am super grateful of! I love school, always have, and attending nursing school is what I have always wanted to do. I am very excited and maybe a little bit nervous at the same time! Now would be a great time for me to go ahead and start working on my time management skills! Wish me luck!

A little something!

That may brighten your day and make you laugh!

This is Michael. We had a weekend alone since Cheyenne was at Tique and Tunks.

And this is what goes on....lol.

Enjoy!

(BTW..he had no clue I was recording!)

It has begun!!!!

The home improvements that is....

Cheyenne went to stay with her Tique and Tunk (my Aunt Barbara and Uncle John) this weekend.

Although I had to work, after I got off we got started on the home improvements.

Michael cleaned the porch and hung some trim around the house while I was at work. When I got off each day, we started on the painting. 

So far we have started painting the kitchen. We are painting it a color called Halogen Green. I LOVE IT!

It is still a work in progress but here are some pics!

I also painted the wood portion of our fireplace to match it. It is definitely not finished...I am painting the brick black.

The rest of the living room and sitting areas are going to be Canvas Tan, but we haven't started that yet!

More updates coming soon! :)

Back to School!!!

Next month, my baby girl will start kindergarten. I am both happy and sad about this. I am happy to have her around more children and learning more. She did attend pre-school and daycare so she has been used to that, but since summer started she hasn't been. She seems to be both excited and a little bit hesitant at the same time. A plus is that she LOVES homework (so far). Now lets just hope that continues. :)

 

On another school note, I am hoping to get back in school...again. I am trying to get into the LPN

Program at James Sprunt! :) I REALLY REALLY HOPE I GET IN!!!! I have known that I wanted to go into nursing ever since I can remember, and since I already work in a nursing facility it's another step up! I will keep everyone updated on my progress!

 

BTW...we are painting the house this weekend. :) I will post pics as soon as I can.

Lately....

It has been a busy and hectic past week or so.....

Michael and I have both been busy with work and trying to get the house up to par. (<-- mainly michael). We just moved back into the house that I grew up in a few weeks ago and we are still trying to get settled. My mother lived here previously, but she got a job a few hours away so now we are renting the house. It is good and bad. It is good because Cheyenne loves this house, it is bad because it has a lot of work that needs to be done. We are mainly just going to use the supplies that are already here, but there are a few things I would like to do just because.

As of yesterday, I had to drop down from working 10 days a pay period (which is bi-weekly), to 8 days. I am NOT happy about this, but we have been having child care issues...ugh. My work was very understanding thank goodness. It is only temporary until school starts at the end of next month.

 

Pretty much that's it....oh yeah...Since we moved, I get really crappy cell signal out here (NOT FUN). I feel slightly out of touch with the world. So I have had to use Facebook to keep contact (at least we have WIFI) and have started using Skype...Cheyenne loves using Skype. Is it sad that I have just now really started using it?....oh well.

Making Photo Tile Coasters

I bought some small square tiles a few months ago from my local Habitat for Humanity Re-store. I had the intentions of making these coasters but never got around to it. Luckily at this store they are only like 10 cents per tile. :)

NEEDED ITEMS:

Tile squares

Mod Podge

Photos

Scissors

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. I went online to the walgreens photo center and ordered 6 4x4 prints and picked them up.

2. Next depending on what size tiles you chose, you need to trim the photos so that the edges of the tiles show under the photos.

3. Cover the front of the tile with mod podge to adhere the photo. Once you have the mod podge place the photo to your liking and let dry.

4. Once they are dry, cover the photos with mod modge as well.

5. Let dry. After drying, I like to put a second coat just to make sure it is sealed well. Then you are done!!

If you would like, you can go to your local craft store and get small stick on felt circles to protect furniture from being scraped by the rough bottom surface of the tile. Another neat thing you can do is buy some little metal hanging hooks and hot glue them on so you can hang them! They look awesome that way too!

Enjoy!

Crafty

Since today was a rain day, I decided to do some crafts.

I found this idea at http://www.boredpanda.com/creative-diy-project-ideas/

Toilet Paper Roll Wall Art:

For this craft all you need is:

Empty TP rolls

Mod Podge

Spray Paint

First I cut the toilet paper rolls...lots of them.

Then I started to mod podge them to make flowers.

After I made a few flowers, I started connecting them using the mod podge the same way as I did flowers.

You can do as much or as little as you like.

Here is mine before spray painting:

After I finished connecting them and letting it dry, I took it outside for some black spray paint.

Now...for the complete project.

Hope you enjoyed! Have a great day!

About Us

In my very first post, I gave a brief "about me" This is a little more in depth.

Jessica

As I said before, I am 24 years old. I am a CNA and CDM, CFPP (dietary manager) at a local nursing facility. I received my CDM through the University of North Dakota and I am nationally credentialed through ANFP. My job can be challenging and stressful, but I love it! I am pro working moms. I love my daughter, but as I said before, being a mother doesn't define me. I tried the stay at home mom thing for 2 years but I just love having a job and knowing I have my own income and contributions to our family.

Michael

Michael is 10 years older than I am. He is an amazing father!! He is really a jack of all trades, but works as a painter. He has overcame so  many trials in his life that I could never imagine having to go through, yet he made it. I am so proud of the man he is and has become over the last 7 years. Our daughter is his world and she has him wrapped around her finger!! :)

Cheyenne

My babygirl. She is 5 and will be starting kindergarten soon. She is very sassy and girly. If its not pink, a dress, or a skirt, she is not wearing it. She has more shoes than her daddy and I combined.  She is a MAJOR daddy's girl and I think a spitting image of him. Cheyenne has a very big personality once she gets to know you. She loves her puppies!

Tank & Casper

Casper is a white 3 year old pomeranian and loves to snuggle. He is the "alpha dog", even though he is the smallest. He is normally pretty calm and he is great with Cheyenne (even when she carries him around like a babydoll)

Tank is our 5 month old pitbull. He is so sweet and will lick you to death. He is a big lapdog and loves to sleep with you. He will not sleep in a room without Casper. He is very energetic and plays with Cheyenne very well. She loves to give him treats and make him sit, lay down, and stay.

It just wont stop!!!

I'm talking about the rain. It was raining when I went to sleep and raining when I got up. Of course it has to be on my weekend off work too! I feel like I should be doing something slightly more productive...but I am working on this blog. :) I do believe that Cheyenne is starting to go a little bit crazy being cramped inside though. The pups too.

Oh.. and did I mention that my yard is staring to resemble a small pond...yeah it is.

 

Until it stops, I will be on here figuring things out...and on pinterest looking for ideas for our upcoming DIY home improvements! YAY! Don't worry...I will post all about it (and pics).

Have a great day!!

Work in progress.....

As you can tell, I have been working on the layout of my blog. I am kind of starting to catch on...I think. This will continue to be a work in progress as I learn the ropes of blogging so hang on tight and check back soon! :)

(PS: I found this blog that has tutorials that has seriously helped me so far!http://www.somethingswanky.com/)

The picture below is of my dog sons Tank(pit) and Casper(pom).

My name is Jessica. I have tried this blogging thing before and it didn't work out well, but I have decided to give it another go. I'm not going to write about anything specifically, just whatever I feel like posting that day.

Now....a little about me and my family. I am 24 years old and have a beautiful 5 year old daughter named Cheyenne. Her father Michael and I have been together for 7 years through many ups and downs. We also have our "sons", a 3 year old pomeranian named Casper, and an almost 5 month old pitbull named Tank. I am  a CNA and CDM,CFPP. I love my job. Although my daughter is my life, being a mother does not define me. I love being a working mom and hope to continue to climb the ladder at my job. I have many hopes and goals for the future. Life is not always easy, but we continue to work hard and make it through and our daughter is happy and healthy.

If you noticed, the link to get to my blog is SteelGardenias. I chose this for two reasons. I chose steel because I feel that Michael and I have made it past so many downfalls in both of our lives before eachother, and together and it makes us stronger for it. I chose gardenias because they were my step-father's favorite flower (he passed in 2007) and it reminds me of him.

Now that you know a little about me and my family, I will sign off for tonight. I don't know when or what I might post about next but hopefully it will be soon if I can get the hang of this! :)

  Cheyenne and Daddy