About Me

My name is Cari and I am the face behind Cari On Living. My favorite little people call me mommy! They are 10 and 7 and hold my entire heart in their hands. I spend all of my time- homeschooling, working, play, everything- with my kids. I love that even being away from them for 30 minutes, I miss them terribly. 

I have always been the kind of person that has to stay busy. Even on vacation, I'm working on a project, communicating with clients, or writing. Watching television, I'm usually checking email or doing research. I have a hard time slowing down. In fact, I have to schedule "mommy time." Seriously, I'm lost without my planner, even if it is a down day, I feel lost without it- it is my brain!

This is where I will share about keeping sane and organized, why I do it all, being married, and being a mom. 

Chris and I started dating in May of 2006 and married in June of 2010. It has been the best years of my life. He is my knight and shining armor. My hubby is a gamer and creates amazing anime art and is a serious outdoorsman. He gardens, spends time in the woods, and catches crawfish (I have a funny story about that- I will share at some point.) Chris does construction, and we are each other's support system. I couldn't ask for a better person to walk (sometimes crawl, and sometimes skip) through life with.

Our little Prince (Tbomb) was born in September 2010 and is the most amazing little boy any parents could ask for. He is smart, loving, and funny. Tbomb loves being outside, dogs, gardening, and playing video games. He is obsessed with learning. Every morning, he asks "What are we going to learn today, Mommy." His obsessions are Spiderman, Science, survival, and Minecraft. He is also the world's smallest geek. Tbomb has ADHD (we do not medicate) and spd. He has recently been diagnosed with ITP.

Early in the morning on September 2, 2013, I found myself at the hospital in severe pain. I didn't know what was wrong, according to the doctor, I had a kidney stone and hernia, he also informed me that I was 5 weeks pregnant. The nurse later informed me that I was in so much pain because I was having a miscarriage. Turns out, I was actually in labor and our beautiful little girl was born just a few hours later. She is the light of our lives. Kodabug (sometimes referred to as Snapper) is the happiest little girl I have ever known.

Koda was the best gift our family could have received. She has restored our faith in God, family, and each other. She has made us realize what we take for granted, and remember to take time out of each day to simply love each other. 

She loves her brother, Minnie Mouse, giraffes, Daddy, and anything shiny (The Mr says she gets that from me.) She is also a math whiz! Her doll (Allie) is her best friend and an amazing form of therapy- she has a communication disorder, anxiety disorder, OCD, and spd. She has recently been diagnosed with asthma and an immune deficiency. She suffers from chronic stomach and knee pain. It seems like she is always at a doctor, but she takes it in stride and reminds us to pray for her. 

I grew up in a very structured home where we said "yes ma'am," "no sir," and the word "yeah" was not accepted. We would set the table every night and dinner was never in front of the television. My mother taught an etiquette class at church and we were expected to act like it. We sat on the front porch with sweet tea as often as possible and found true gems in the world around us. I hope to carry these traditions along with my own family and will pass along my wealth of etiquette tips and rants along the way. Etiquette is the lost art!

Here are more interesting facts about me:

1. My mother is an author/ artist and I am her press manager. 
2. I am the case manager for a paranormal investigations team. In fact, my mother-in-law has written 3 books about our paranormal life. 
3. I love coffee (for a few years before I became a mom, I managed a bookstore/ coffee shop)
4. I am a branding/ marketing consultant. I also design logos at Cari On Media.
5. I love to read.
6. I am obsessed with technology.
7. I love gold and Tiffany blue. 
8. I have worked on many projects that have let me make contact with some really interesting people. 
9. I spilled wine on myself in front of The Drifters and then they spun me around the dance floor. 
10. I'm clumsy (but not in heels)
11. I was once super-organized, and I am trying to be organized again.
12. I am a bigfoot researcher/ investigator. Yes, I have seen a bigfoot!
13. I will always add to this list
14. We homeschool
15. I will always advocate for special needs children.
16. I was a teachers aid for several different classes- a high school special needs, preschool special needs, 2nd grade advanced learning, and even helped run an after school program for kids that needed a little extra help with their homework. 
17. I am an ordained minister (My brother actually wanted me to officiate his wedding, but the relationship didn't work out)
18. I have co-authored 2 books, and I'm helping with another. I am also working on 2 of my own.
19. When I was 5, my dream was to be President. Now, I'm so glad I do not have that job, but I would love to work with the team!
20. I am terrified of spiders, stingrays, and chickens. Chickens stalk me. I'm also afraid of the possibility of equipment malfunctioning- that's why I will not skydive, bungee jump, or anything like it. 

I really hope you enjoy reading Cari On Living and seeing the journey into my crazy, yet beautiful life of love in the gorgeous South Carolina mountains.

To get you started here are some more posts that will let you get to know me and my front porch.

30 Before 30
Summer Lovin'
I am "Mom Enough"
Southern Charm Sunday
It's All About Me