Oh yeah....

I decided to start a blog for a couple of reasons: 1. I have always wanted to write a book. I don't know how many stories I wrote when I was a teenager that just ended up in the trash (that's the fear of criticism I talked about). So this is my way of expressing myself, "writing something", and venting ('cuz we all need to do it!); and 2. I watched "Julie & Julia", and I thought it was one of the most awesome movies ever. Call me cliche', but that movie inspired me! Okay, you're probably wondering about the title "Barefoot, Pregnant, and Proud". So, let me elaborate.

I am barefoot most of the time. I only wear shoes when I have to. Don't get me wrong, I love shoes. I have enough shoes to rival Imelda Marcos. I just don't like to wear them- it's like my feet are claustrophobic. I break into a sweat and start to hyperventilate if I don't get the dang shoes off now!! (I'm only joking a little bit.) Even at my wedding, I wore these beautiful clear shoes that looked like Cinderella's; but you better believe I got those babies off my feet as soon as I could! Our photographer even took a picture of my bare feet, and I'm so very glad he did because that is so "me".

Although I am not currently pregnant, I have been pregnant for 42% of my married life. I just had my third baby in November. I sometimes get depressed because I am 23 years old, and my body is all out of whack from having babies. When I got married, I had a 34-23-32 svelte figure. I know it's my own fault that I am where I am, since I ate like a pig while I was pregnant, but you know- eating for two and all that. (Actually, I recently learned that pregnant women only need about 300-400 more calories a day- who knew?) I am determined to get my body back before I have another baby (my goal is to have a Wonder Woman- worthy body by Halloween). I may have to Wii Fit, Total Gym, and starve my way back, but you know, even though my body will never be the same, I can take comfort in the fact that I have three beautiful children, and they make all the extra fat and stretch marks worthwhile. (take that, Mr. Run-On Sentence!!)

Even though some people ridicule me for my lifestyle (FYI: stay-at-home mom who never did anything "exciting" before I got married), I am proud of the person I have become. I sometimes wonder myself if I should have done this, that or the other, or if I should have even gotten married at all. I believe I have the kind of grit that I could have been whatever I wanted- an actress, a fashion designer, whatever. Instead of "being something" or "being someone", however, I chose to be everything to three (or four... or five... or twelve) very important, and for now, very small, someones. To my kids, I am the sun, moon, and stars. They look to me for guidance, acceptance, and love. I could have done anything I wanted- and I do what I do, day in and day out, because I believe with all my heart that I am doing what I was meant to do. And that is a very comforting thought.