Valentine's Dedication-

A couple weeks after my 18th birthday and 4 weeks after I lost my virginity, I found out I was pregnant. It was the most shocking day of my life. I was as naive as they got and really wasn't too sure on how the whole thing really worked. I had told my hairdresser I lost my virginity and she asked me if I took a pregnancy test yet? I was like.....why would I do that? Anyways, that afternoon she bought me one and to my complete surprise it was positive.

At this point in my life I was already looking into building my first home....I had 4 top 5 singles in the CCM market and a #1. I was on a tour that had 15-25k people a night. Life was looking amazing for me. I was working on my next album and was set to open up a Christmas tour with Cece Winans (my inspiration) for Christmas that year. When I saw the test all I could think about was letting everybody down. My mangers, booking agents, record label, producers, road manager, business managers...My family! You automatically go to the easy way out. How can I hide this? Where can I run?? Who's going to save me???

After a week of processing this I decided the best thing to do would be to go through with the pregnancy, tell the people on tour and resign from my career. As a Christian artist at the time, this sort of thing was a big ol' bomb shell. I was pretty much alone immediately after. I was very ill throughout the pregnancy and at home in bed, left to my thoughts.

You automatically think your life will be OVER. Well little Jaslyn Taylee made her way into the world. She has been with me Since the day I became an adult. She put up with an 18 year old Mama who wanted to sleep in sometimes and be young. She put up with me chasing a dream and touring on the road. She put up with a few bad men choices.

I realize she is the Valentine I've been looking for. A few weeks ago I sat next to her in the hospital and held her little hand while she teared up from her pain. I would give anything up for her. It is the most heart wrenching moment when you are helpless to not be able to fix something for the one you love.

She brought me a little box of chocolates to my bed this morning and a card that she wrote inside "you are my life, I live for you". Through a lot of painful years and bad blows I know that she is my life, and she has kind of kept this crazy singers life on track as well.

She is my wing girl....She is my strength....She has watched me grow up and I have watched her grow up. She has the most beautiful singing voice coupled with a beautiful heart. I dedicate this day of love to the Little girl I love the most. I hope to grow old with her and share in the beautiful moments of life.

Sometimes the plans we make for ourselves don't happen.....It's the little surprises that we don't plan on that can become life's most beautiful treasures. I've made a lot of mistakes in my life. In spite of those mistakes, God decided to bless me with the most beautiful little girl a Mom could ask for. I'm still trying to figure it all out. Life is still a struggle but who couldn't atleast get through it with a smile when you have Jazz.

Happy Valentine's to my Baby Girl-

Love Teen Mom....the lost footage

Little Jazzy is my Love today.

Valentine's stalker

When I was 17 I was on the road full time. While on the road I met a young gentlemen who was the lighting director for all the events. Every night after my set I would sneak to the back up in the rafters and watch the rest of the show with him while he did all this crazy lighting stuff. It was completely innocent and we talked about staying virgins and not kissing anyone till our wedding. Ummmmm, let's keep it movin. So, Valentine's rolled around and I had zero experience in this department. He called me at home the day before Vday and I was sooooooo excited. The tour had just went on break for a couple days and he was already calling. I was a giddy girl when he called me. He asked me " Nik, I need to know if you are going to be home tomorrow......I have something very special coming to you". I was like.......ummmmm, yeah I happen to be sitting at home all day! We hung up and I started to panic!!!!!! I asked my Mom what I should do. I was like "oh no, V-day is tomorrow and I didn't get him anything"! So I called a florist in his home town of like Indiana or something. I sent him a balloon bouquet and a Teddy bear.....maybe even chocolates. I was quite the little spender when I was a kid. The afternoon of Valentine's rolled around and FINALLY my Mom came into my room and said "a card came in the mail for you". I opened the card and there was like an elephant or puppy on the front. Inside it said something like "so nice having a pal like you.Your friend, Justin". I was mortified. I received a picture from him the next day of what looked like an assorted funeral arrangement of flowers and bears from myself. His Mom was happy to have the decorations. When the tour went back out he didn't talk to me much anymore. I guess it was a little overkill. That stands as one of my most embarrassing moments. Hope you all enjoy Valentine's day and show lot's of love to the people who really matter.

I have lost 5 pound in 2 1/2 weeks!

The "Good for ya" Diet

I guess we all at one point or another have been on the prowl for a diet that actually works. I gotta tell ya....I am completely over it!! I decided to create my OWN diet. It is actually working for me. I am sure to not be the first to invent this. I call it the "Good for ya" diet. So the "Good for ya" diet is all about taking in ONLY what is good for ya. HA!

It's actually extremely enjoyable. Everything I have eaten has some form of nutritional value that does something good for your body. I incorporate super foods such as: Nuts, Quinoa, Berries, Cacao, beans, greens....an on and on and on.

This week I have enjoyed the following food:

Lemon & Rosemary Chicken, Zucchini, Kale, Fresh Almond butter, Banana chips (naturally sweetened), Apples, Strawberries,blueberries, Green Tea, Coconut water, Cacao flavored granola, Oatmeal, Stir Fry, Super Food cookies, Turkey Meatballs & Tomato sauce with Whole grain pasta, Ezekiel Bread for my morning toast with a little Apricot Jam, Walnut & Vinaigrette salad w/homemade dressing, Avocados, salsa, black beans and blue corn chip nachos & I can go on.

If you look up all these foods on the Internet you will find extreme nutritional value. You will also find that many of these super foods lower your risk of cancer by large percentages. What I am learning is that I can modify the meals I normally stuff my face with, and make them healthier. Example:

I am in LOVE with Mexican food. Like....obsessed....dream about....fight armies for, you get it. With a whole wheat/multi grain tortilla from Whole foods I created an AMAZING burrito. I filled it with Organic chicken, black beans, avocado, brown rice, pineapple salsa....etc. It was amazing!

I wanted Italian food food really bad this week! I made a fresh tomato sauce from local farmers market tomatoes, used fresh Organic no hormone ground turkey for my meatballs. I put it over a whole wheat/Grain rotini pasta noodle and It was a healthier option while foregoing the normal starchy pasta noodles. It's a proven fact that people who incorporate fiber full/whole grain/multi wheat options into their diet are naturally thinner.

I am a dessert fanatic! Beyond and above everything. I also found that cacao and carob chips are such wonderful substitutions for milk chocolate. I do splurge on some dark chocolate because it's "Good for Ya'! It's so high in antioxidants and it really works to fight off the sugar urges.

I will leave you alone, for now. I am off to experiment with more food options & enjoy my smaller waistline. Dieting is NOT easy. Coming from someone who used to struggle with the ups and downs of weight loss I can totally relate to that hopeless feeling. Sometimes when you think of committing to a diet, you naturally think it's going to take forever! You just want to know how fast will you see results. Stop thinking diet! Start thinking about what is Good for Ya! If you just eat foods and meals with healthy alternatives and enjoy eating instead of fearing it, you can actually see days pass where you don't obsess with the scale and change will come.

It's a life style change! I am very passionate about this subject. I think my next blog will be about children and healthy eating. Don't get me started on that one!

Happy Friday! Happy Eating!



*Excuse grammatical errors, I'm a recovering Home Schooler

Life Changes-

I'm sure to not be the only one with a New Year's resolution. My goal was to take my fitness and health to new heights. I'm not overweight by any means, but I have been slacking in the food department. I was introduced to this class called "The Bar method". I have attended 12 classes Since the beginning of January. I really wish I was brave enough to show you my weekly bikini pics. Every Monday I take a picture against the wall in the same bikini. I can't believe the difference already! I may be persuaded at some point to show these....It would have to be a very special situation. I used to be an avid Pilates gal and the classes I took, even the reformer classes, never worked me to such levels as this does.

I have incorporated daily juicing for breakfast and lunch. I do have a sensible dinner of mixed veggies and a protein of some sort. I will let you know how this all unfolds. A very demanding man in my life has told me frequent amounts of time, that it's not a quick fix. I have wanted to drop 8 pounds in 2 weeks....or tone and have visible abdominal muscles in 60 days. I have realized that it just doesn't work like that. I am taking this all in as a life change. The scale may not move for a week but I know I am doing something positive, and if I continue, I will reap the benefits.

I am not going to weigh myself for a while. I will take my weekly bikini pics and let the toning do the talking.

If you have a moment make sure to check out "The Bar Method"....I promise you will love it.

www.thebarmethod.com

Nostalgia Part 1

I have been feeling extremely Nostalgic lately...

I receive letters weekly from up and

coming singer/songwriters needing advice on how to break into the industry. I guess they think I've made a little dent. Ha. Most people have no clue who I am. And the people who do know me, remember me from my Christian Music days or touring with Carrie Underwood as her backing vocalist for 2 years. Yes, it has been such a LONG journey. It began when I was only

13 and signed my first record deal.

<------ This pic is funny. This was the welcome banner for Gospel Music week one year. The Renaissance was the host hotel for the event.

One piece of advice I can give people...is to truly enjoy your journey. Most times were looking so far ahead to what can be, we miss out on such amazing moments that are happening right now.

My Mom, Dad and I 5 days after my 17th birthday.

I had the record release party in my

hometown.

------>

One of the saddest moments was my last day on the road with

Carrie. This truly became one of the greatest highlights of my life. She gave me

the opportunity to travel all over...be on Oprah, SNL, the Grammys...and too

many etc's. 2 years of amazing fun and amazing people. They became family to me

and I miss them all dearly. I always wanted to be my own artist and never thought

I wanted to be a back up singer. However, in reaching the bigger picture of our lives and goals

you have to embrace different path's. Now I could not imagine not having that memory in

my

life. I honed in on my harmony/arranging skills and that has come in

handy when doing my recording.

<-----Last day for me on the Carrie tour :(

One of the highlights of my touring was when I was able to do show's in

Hawaii. During one of my trips I met some amazing people that I still keep in contact with. We ALL decided we had to get a tattoo or piercing. I opted for the tattoo.

I regret that Hawaiian tramp stamp to this day. But...what a great

memory. I love all these guys. And the moments we had performing and running around Hawaii will be always cherished.

I loved the honeymoon suite I shared with my girlfriend. haha

Jordan, Jason, Nathan, Bethany & Sumer ---------------------->

My Carrie tour fam. Late night in front of the tour bus.

I met my favorite man on this tour. My Pa........Carl Carter.... ------>

Saying Goodbye to Nashville at my

Goodbye party....Matt, Van, Kelly and Brennin.

The greatest friendships I've ever had have been in Nashville.

I miss it terribly. --------->

City Lights shoot w/Fab --------->

Jaslyn & I blowing out the candles on my 21st Bday

---------->

I have so many more pics and highlights....which is why I labeled this part 1. I will get into the Nikki & Rich files soon and post a few shots. It's exhausting to look back on my music journey. I do not recommend parents encouraging the music business on their kids! It takes a lot of patience and some thick skin. My words of advice that I generally respond to inquiring emails are: Simply take the opportunities that lay in front of you. Do NOT wait for some big magical moment and HUGE deal to make you embrace what is available. You will truly miss out on the journey and the growth that come from living in the NOW. While your accepting your future Grammy inside your mind....accept the reality of what life is. Always dream BIG, But don't dream SO big that you never wake up and love the PEOPLE around you. One day the people who helped you in the smaller things will mean a lot more than anyone else.

Its a HAIRY situation

Are you bored? Are you sitting at work/home on your computer looking for something mindless to read? Well....here you go! I have spent the last 3 weeks fixing my hair color. Hair color is very tricky for extremely dark brunettes like myself. I LOVED my hair for soooooo long. I now have a weird shade of coppery brass that reminds me of a burned horses tail. It's just not right. I will update with a final FIXED picture. Something is just NOT right...Maybe I am just meant to be a Brunette...

1st COPPER shot:

2nd attempt:

3rd Attempt:

4th:

The Daily Plate

I must say...I have found a new friend in this amazing website. It has done an amazing job at tracking my progress with my calorie counting. There are so many fun options as well. Bmi calculator...Weight loss tracker...recipes and suggestions to reach your goal. You also get all of these perks without paying anything. The extra options that are included with the additional membership fee are not extremely necessary for what I need.

www.Thedailyplate.com