Hello world, my name is Kasha Ramae Parrish. I am a happily married, 32 year old Mother of three and follower of Christ. I was born and raised in Syracuse, NY, where I grew up beside my two older sisters, and a huge extended family that continues to multiply every day it seems. My mom was the second youngest of eleven siblings. Back in those days everyone was close, holidays were chaotic and summers were a blast.
My parents divorced at around age 5, but my mother did a heck of a job mastering both roles in the years that were to come. My schooling included a vocational cosmetology program while in high school, thinking I’d enjoy preparing for that type of career. Turned out it wasn’t a fit and I had to drop out in order to graduate my normal classes. I walked across the stage at 17, and then enrolled in Onondaga Community College to study Arts & Graphics Design. After two years I decided school wasn’t it for me, and dropped out just a few courses shy of an Associate’s. Of course at age 19 I knew exactly what was best for me, and solely focused on my retail position at Michael’s Arts & Crafts. After all, I had made it to a Front End Supervisor position… that had to be official right? Ha!
During the later teen years I did my share of exploring, experimenting and acting out. So it’s no wonder when my oldest sister asked for my assistance down in good ‘ol Oklahoma, my Mother did not hesitate to allow it. My sister’s husband was deployed and she was alone with her three children trying to start her own business, and I was up for an adventure! It was May, the summer of 2006, and this twenty year old hopped in her Pontiac and hit the road. The plan was to come back home that August, our plan that is. The Lord had something else up his sleeve.
Now, I grew up in a Roman Catholic Church, and unfortunately strayed away over the years. It wasn’t until just a few years ago that I found myself in Christ again. On that note, I found my second love that summer of 2006 (I say second, because I left my first, high school sweetheart, back in New York). By the time August came and went, and procrastination kept preventing my return, I found out I was pregnant. And I was Ecstatic! I was young, and he even younger. I know that I had no idea what I was in for, but I knew I was strong enough for whatever would come. That was it, I was staying. And nine months later Allexady Ana Mecara Clark was born.
Photo Credit: Kriea Arie Photography
Photo Credit: Kriea Arie Photography
Unfortunately our maturity levels, lack of knowledge, wisdom, and experience forced us apart before we ever really got started on life. The next few years were pretty tough on everyone. Foolish mistakes were made, regrettable arguments were had and the rollercoaster ride of co-parenting began.
The journey was long, to get to where we are today, but it’s an inspirational story worth telling. One that I will touch upon in later posts.
By the grace of God, both Chris (Lexi’s dad) and I were lead to our now significant others. We both married in 2011/2012 when Lexi was around 4/5 years old. These two blessed souls stepped into our lives and shared an oath to love our daughter as their own.
Photo Credit: Kriea Arie Photography
Photo Credit: Laske Images
The first couple years were scattered with many ups and downs, arguments, disagreements and battles lost and won. I didn’t see this type of stressful life for myself, our spouses, or our children, so I gave it to God and let him lead the way for me. We started to find trust in each other and new relationships began to blossom.
In February and July 2013 we welcomed Lexi’s baby sisters Isla Blake Clark and Brialana Maelie Ella Parrish. Two beautiful souls who we’ve provided the privilege of growing up alongside each other allowing them to form a sisterly bond of their own.
Photo Credit: Susan Dohmen Riddles
Photo Credit: Kriea Arie Photography
Photo Credit: Christen Foster Photography
Photo Credit: Kriea Arie Photography
Photo By: Kasha Parrish
We continued to find more ways to do life together and our hearts began to soften as our relationships continued to develop. More of which I will discuss in later posts as well.
Come October and December 2015 we welcomed Lexi’s new baby brothers Shephard Lee Clark and Shiloh Ray Parrish. Two precious boys we hope will form a bond as special as their sisters in the years to come.
Photo Credit: Kriea Arie Photography
Photo Credit: Kriea Arie Photography
Photo Credit: Christen Foster Photography
Photo Credit: Kriea Arie Photography
Outside of my 3 F’s, Faith, Family, and Friends, I hold a full time day job, as well as a small side business full of a wide variety of creative talents. I will be celebrating 10 years of hard work at Chesapeake Energy Corporation next June. Still a bit odd to me that I ended up in the oil & gas industry, but hey it works! And I’m pretty cute in a blazer, ha!
As for my side business, it has morphed into a crazy conglomeration of everything I love. From crafts and clothing to furniture and food, and many things in between. I think I could probably describe it as being a self-taught, extreme DIY-er…. Or Super Mom whichever way you want to look at it, ha!
So why am I putting this all out there? Well, as I am kicking off my 30s, I am looking back over my journey of how I got here, who I was vs. who I am, where I am going, and what I am learning along the way in church, family, work and life. And my dear Lord has put it on my heart to share. I haven’t quite figured out why yet, but I’m sure that will be revealed to me along the way. Whether it be to teach, enlighten, love or be loved whomever is in need, or just to throw me out there in complete uncomfortable, ‘out of my element’ nowhere land pushing me to grow.
The Okie Lotus Boutique will be a complete collection of everything that is my life. It will house a store full of custom products and services, classes, tutorials and blog posts. My goal is to be completely transparent and share with you my journey as a follower of Christ, wife, mother, friend and creator of things. And not only the fun, happy creative moments, but the everyday struggles and obstacles as well. To hopefully inspire, advise and connect with you all on the most personal level possible. Any feedback, questions, concerns, requests are not only welcomed, but strongly encouraged!
I have only just begun, so please be patient as I work to get more and more added into my site. Feel free to have a look around. If you are interested in following me along this journey you can go to the sign in page here, and create an account. This will allow you to receive emails with newsletters, updates, sales and special events that I will be offering! Like, Share, Comment, there is so much more to come!