Formal Introduction

My birth name was Marli Jo. Marli was a name of an evil twin on Young and the Restless- though I'm sure it was spelled differently. I'm not sure exactly why my mom picked just to end it with an I, but I like the uniqueness of it. My middle name Jo was named after my grandma and aunt who have the middle name Josephine.

Here's some random information about yours truly:

• I live by music. No, seriously. It's on all the time. I love all types- as long as I can sing along and dance. 
• I randomly break into dance, especially in my kitchen. It's got a calming effect on me and can instantly bring me out of a bad mood so I do it to lighten my soul.
• I live on caffeine and goals. 



My family

• My parents were high school sweethearts who broke up and got back together 10-years later and then had me. They got married a year after I was born and have been together ever since. They set an amazing example of how love conquers all.
• I have a transgender brother who I fully support. He's my half-brother and I don't get to see him often but I do believe that what he's gone through is exactly what he needed, for him. 
• I LOVE to travel and will every chance I get. Thankfully due to my job and Wes's, I've been all over. I didn't get to travel out of the state when I was a kid but I'm making up for that now! I've been to California MANY times, Washington, Texas, Florida, Hawaii, South Carolina, and Virginia among a few others. Within the next year I can add Alabama to that list!

  

  Venice Beach, Florida 2012

  

  Honolulu, Hawaii 2015

• I'm a girly-girl and love changing my hair up, putting on make-up, and getting my nails done. I have a bajillion different nail polishes 
• I love to read. I don't have time to read any actual books anymore, so I read anything and everything that crosses my path. I miss reading books though- a LOT. It's just too hard for me to get the time to sit down and concentrate as I'm always getting pulled in a million different ways. Someday...
• I have a hard time sitting down for a whole movie. Heck, I can barely sit through a whole tv episode. I'm not a big fan of tv and even though I have Netflix, I haven't been on it since OITNB's last season came out last summer. 



September 2005
Four generations



My timehop photo of  Jul. 12th, 2011. The day we became homeowners!

• I'm a teen mom. I become a mother when I was 17. I'm also a college graduate- which I achieved at 23, along with becoming a homeowner. Just because I had a rough start into adulthood didn't mean I let it stand in my way. 
• In high school I had every intention on joining the Air Force. I still wish I had.. I live vicariously through Wesley and really do enjoy the military life (for the most part)
• I've never ridden a horse. They intimidate me. Maybe someday... maybe not. Probably not.
• I have good luck. Not great good luck, but good luck none the less. My mom says I have the sun shining on me all the time. I'm not the type that'll win the lottery, but I'll win a few rounds of BINGO at a kids school function or #5 on a random drawing. I get it from my paternal grandpa. 
• I love the human body. Completely fascinated with it. Blood amazes me. It's so cool! You can tell so much about someone just by their blood! I love reading anything and everything medical related.



My first successful hand blood draw 2014

• I'm currently a certified medical coder. I originally went to college to be a nurse but it was too taxing at the time as I had a 1 year old and 2 year old. I will eventually go back once we are done with Wes's flight school. In 2014 I got my Medical Assistant and Phlebotomy certificates and those will hold me over until nursing school. 
• I'm addicted to Amazon. I get a package or two every day. Don't worry, I don't pay full price- I've joined a bunch of review sites and can't stop purchasing cheap things.... I also like to do reviews (on amazon and on my blog) so you'll be seeing those also :)
• I have an addiction to Wild Cherry Pepsi and Wint-o-green LifeSavers. I seriously can't even have them in my house- I have no self control 
• I'm somewhat religious yet not. I don't read the bible, I don't attend church regularly (but I like it when I do go), but I do have strong religious values. I was raised Catholic and I do practice (Like I currently gave up all pop for Lent) but my parents both had a "falling out" of sorts with the church before I was born (though they both still have the values). I also believe in Karma- what you put out will come back to you. 
• I'm an eternal optimist.

My and my 4 babes 2014

So that's me in a nutshell. Randomly boring, I know ;). Thankfully I'm learning to accept all of me and I have someone who accepts me exactly how I am (which I'm forever thankful for). If you have any questions, feel free to post a comment!