Hi. I'm Katie.

Between my Fall Bucket List printable and my Erin Condren Giveaway, some new people (hi!) have found my blog. Because most of my readers have always been pretty organic, as in, they come by, read something, make the decision they want to stay, or whatever, I always get a little worried (if I'm being honest) about a sudden influx because of something like a giveaway, for example.

Yesterday, while on the phone with my Sister, I said, "Well, I hope the new people actually like my stuff and wanna stay," And she was all, "Um, Katie...they will. People get know you, and love you, they aren't going anywhere." But I was definitely feeling a little....self conscious about it. I guess you could say.

So I decided to tell you about myself a little bit. I had this blog post in the works even prior to this last big week around here, because I noticed more people stopping by. But, then I didn't do it. So now it's the perfect time. 

Hi. My name is Katie. I'm a 26 year old wife and momma to a 16 month old little girl. And this is, so far, the most boring introduction ever.

Starting over.

My real name is Katherine, but my parents called me Katie from day 1. I'm not gonna lie, that type of thing confuses a kid. I often wonder why they didn't just name me Katie straight from the womb. I go by Kate, Katie, and Kater (to close family, so don't try it, tehehe). I'm married to the guy (Declan) who told me at age 15 he was madly in love with me. I was newly 17 at the time. Call me a cougar. Go ahead. I dare you.

He stole my heart. Okay, I totally stole his, too. Thinking about our young love story gives me goosebumps. Declan proposed to me when he 19 years old (go ahead, GASP! shock! the horror!), and I was 21. We were married by the time we were 20 and 22, freshly graduated from college, and broke. [For the record, the age difference is 1 year and 8 months. I think.] 

We just celebrated four awesome years in August. I'm not lying when I say that marriage has pretty much been awesome to us. And that we've made a pretty great life for ourselves. Got ourselves great jobs, bought the house. He is a manager of an Embroidery (for uniforms, gear, etc) department and I was an Elementary Art Teacher in the public schools for three years where I got squirted with paint daily, and asked the silliest but most annoying questions. I'm kidding. About the paint-squirting part. I managed to stay pretty clean most days.

We started trying for a baby in 2009. I had a heartbreaking miscarriage, and blogged my entire way through it. Thankfully, my story reached out to many women, and everyday made me stronger. In August of 2009 we got pregnant with our baby girl. On May 10, 2010 we welcomed the sweetest, most darling, squishy newborn into our lives: Miss Emeline Kay.

I ended up taking the school year off on one-year leave to stay home with her. I couldn't have imagined it any other way, truly. Mainly because I had to function all on coffee because God knows my kid did NOT sleep for 11 months. And during that year I started my headband making business (which has now come to an end). However, in it's short little life, was a success and I have most of my blog-friends to thank for that. I kept busy taking care of my new!little!baby!, crafting, making fabric flowers, blogging, writing over at The Poop Whisperer, discovering my love for photography, starting my weight loss journey, and enjoying my new family. 

I joyfully turned in my resignation letter at the end of the past school year, as my principal's all wished me the best, took one look at my daughter, and said, "How could you leave that face anyway?" And with only a little sadness (mainly missing co-workers, and well, that affiliation with being a teacher. I was always so proud of that.) left that day as a real stay-at-home-mom.  Although, I'm actually a WAHM. I work from home, blogging corporately for a business (and no you cannot read it, it's not the same, trust me), and spending my days doing that and wiping snot. I love it. Although it's a juggling act. But then again, what isn't, anyway?

I'm a christian and my faith is very important to me, but I'm not into broadcasting that or tattoo'ing it on my forehead--because I'm working on just living it rather than just saying it. My husband and I are part of a start-up Church in our local city, where we're very passionate about seeing the racial divide come down, bringing different cultures together, and acknowledging that we have a lot to learn from each other. All of us. And I love that. I love that my daughter has a love for all people, all of our friends, and Church Family, regardless of race. It's a beautiful thing. We keep very busy with our commitments there. 

Other random things. I dislike showering. So, I'm dirty. Just kidding. I just hate the after-shower-routine. We are family people. We love them, and see them often. All (pretty much) of our immediate family lives within 10 minutes. We have a spunky, yorkie named Mac. We call him Mac-a-Boy. We are suckers for shows like Big Brother, Parks and Recreation, The Office, and I typically always watch the Bachelor/Bachelorette even though I tell myself every season that I.will.not.watch. Lies. all Lies. I like to be alone more than I like to admit. I can be pretty funny in real life, too. I start out pretty nervous-like with new people, though. I lost 44lbs this year and I actually love my new body. I hate to exercise. I love taking a good family-walk. Oh, and my camera, pretty much always in my hands if I can help it. 

Shockingly, this post has no pictures. But I figured I'd spare you. I blog almost daily here. About anything and everything. Just remember one thing, this blog is just a glimpse of my life. It may seem like I share a lot, but like everyone else, I have personal boundaries (although I'm not one to spare you about pregnancy realities, or poop, vomit, etc. Yea. Gross stuff.) No, really I do. I've written in some form of an online journey for about 11 years. It is a habit and a deep-rooted part of my life. 

I don't care about materialistic things. Name brands? What are those? I mean, yea--I like the occasional cute things. My girl has Tiny Toms, for example. But I don't give a crap about Tory-whatever her name is shoes, or Missoni (don't shoot me), or cars with a fancy label that cost you more than my mortgage a month. That's just not my thing. We are target, kohls, sometimes Old Navy, and Gap-outlet shoppers. Straight to the clearance rack, mainly-shoppers. And we look pretty good most of the time, if I do say so myself. 

Hopefully you'll like it around here. I've found blogging to bring me some amazing friendships. Girls I chat with on the phone, text, email with often. Real, true friends have come out of this community, and I'm so grateful for that. 

So, this is me.

Now that I wrote The Longest Post ever. 

Happy Friday :)

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If you're pretty new around here, care to tell me about yourself?? I'd love to learn.