Gettin' Jiggy Wit It (Na na na na na nana)

May 24, 2018

Will Smith posted a video on Instagram the other day of him in the studio for the first time in 13 years. Granted, the video was to clear up divorce rumors, but the 90s tween inside me was already jumping up and down.

I love the 90s. They were THE BEST! You could understand rap songs, FRIENDS was fresh and not in reruns yet, Umbro shorts and tall tube socks were all the rage, and Dunkaroos still existed. I have no idea on the "important" stuff like political climate or the economy (I was 10 years old in 1994), but I do know Bill Clinton played the saxophone with Fleetwood Mac, and I pretended to know every single word to the Macarena...even the Spanish ones.

So, let's reminisce about how awesome the 90s were together. Grab a Surge and "hold onto your butts!"

Speaking of Surge...
This sugary concoction could turn up any 6th grade Christmas party in a matter of minutes. It was my favorite for about a month because that's seriously all your digestive system could take.

Hanson. Ok, I'm super biased because I was going to marry Taylor, but they were awesome. And news flash, they're still awesome.

Plaid skirts. Baby doll dresses. Platform tennis shoes. Butterfly clips. OMG. Take me back! Thankfully, the current generation of teens think this stuff is all new, so places like Forever 21 and H&M are starting to carry them again! This article sums up everything that was truly wonderful, and this collage of Rachel Green sums it pretty nicely.

Will Smith. Come on...the Fresh Prince! Big Willie Style was the only rap album I've ever (and will ever) owned.

Tamagotchis and Giga Pets. Mine was a Little Mermaid Giga Pet! I have no idea what happened to it, and I'm pretty sure I killed Ariel. 😑

I could seriously write a thousand blogs about my favorite things as a 90s kid. I haven't even gotten to Barbie yet, and I could probably write a small book about Ms. Barbara Millicent Roberts.

What are some of your 90s favorites?

No Gifts Necessary

April 24, 2018

While perusing Facebook last week, I came across a mom blog titled "5 Things You Should Know About a 'Please, No Gifts' Birthday Party". The blog (originally posted here) immediately caught my attention. My youngest turns two on Saturday, and I had just put "Gifts are not necessary! Just come and have fun!" on the invites, and I genuinely meant it. 

As I read the post, a sense of validation came over me. So, other moms are over birthday presents too? I'm not mean and horrible for asking people not to bring my child presents? It's like I was getting a virtual high five. Don't get me wrong. I am super grateful we have friends and family that adore our children enough to buy them gifts, but our house is out of control. We have more toys than we have room, and I'm worried our children are going to turn into that Ryan kid from YouTube, if we aren't more careful. 

When I tell you not to bring any toys, I truly mean it. Trust me. Our children are not deprived. They'll get gifts from us and grandparents. But from friends and extended family, they don't need things. They just need fun! Come and play the games. Come and stuff yourself with food (because our parties always have killer spreads). Come and eat a plate full of cupcakes. One of my favorite birthday memories is watching my friends stuff french fries up their noses while my mom took pictures of them and everyone laughed until they cried. I can't remember a single gift I got that day, but I can remember how ridiculously awesome that party was. (Did I mention my mom took pictures?)

If you just absolutely can't stand coming without something, take the original blogger's advice and bring something like one of the following:

• A card your child has colored, glued, cut and made just for the birthday kiddo
• A card that sings or lights up
• One (1) balloon – could even be new, uninflated balloon taped to a homemade card!
• A printed photo or hand drawing of your child and the birthday boy/girl
• A “coupon” for a playdate

I guarantee you my children will love any of these, and I'm pretty sure any other child will too. Let's show our kids how to enjoy the moments because I promise they'll thank us for it later. 

Parent Fail 101

April 5, 2018

This morning, as I'm wrestling my nearly two year old during a diaper change, my four year old comes running in the room. He's naked as a jaybird and waving his tiny underpants in the air while yelling, "Look! They've got Buzz Lightyear on them!" After declaring how amazing they were, he sat down and immediately started pulling them up his little legs. For most kids, putting on your underwear is a pretty normal ritual. Around ages 2-3, children have developed the basic gross motor skills needed to dress themselves. By ages 4-5, they usually put on their own shoes and socks. For my kiddo, it's just not happening, and we (his parents) are totally the reason why.

He was our first. We were very naive and very busy. We both worked and were usually scrambling to get from one place to the next. In the process, we ended up doing everything for this child. We fed him. We dressed him. We cleaned up for him. And now, we're kicking ourselves a little bit. Dressing a 43 pound, 3 and 1/2 foot toddler is a major workout and can be extremely frustrating. So, when he put his underwear on right side out and not backwards this morning, I saw it as an opportunity. "Alright man! Good job! You did that so well. Do you think you could go find some pants and put those on too?" He was in his room sifting through drawers before I had finished the question.

He ran back with a pair of shorts in hand and pulled them on all by himself. He was super proud of himself, so I directed him to his shirts. He picked one out and brought it too me. He also picked out shoes and socks. He needed help with all three, but I didn't care. He fought half the battle without putting up a fuss, and I was ecstatic! What made it even better was seeing what pieces he had picked out for himself. His shorts were navy, and he had picked a black, Lightning McQueen shirt. His socks were gray and covered in Pokemon, and he requested to wear his favorite navy boots. The final touch was a straw fedora with a blue and white ribbon covered in stars.


It's really tough to admit a parenting fail. In doing so, we have to own up to making a mistake, and people just love doing that don't they? I know this is my fault, but I'm not going to beat myself up over it. Instead, we're going to learn from it. We're gonna work on it one small step at a time!

What's something you wish you had done differently? Share it and help other parents in their journey!

#boylife

March 16, 2018

I was raised as an only child in a single parent home. Growing up with my mom was glorious! We lived in a split level home (that she bought - #girlpower) on a quiet street in a typical Southern town. Out of three bedrooms, my toys and I occupied two. My playroom was filled with Barbies, Barbie houses, and Barbie accessories. My bedroom was wall to wall Disney princesses. It was the perfect girl room. Shades of pink covered everything from my walls to my clothes. My mom's room was equally amazing. Her bed was adorned with fluffy, decorative pillows. Her dresser displayed a beautiful, wooden jewelry box and delicate picture frames. Our kitchen and bathroom had the towels you can use and the towels you're not supposed to use. The fridge was consistently stocked with Diet Coke. We even had a Little Debbie drawer - because cold Fudge Rounds are the bomb. Our haven of femininity was practically perfect in every way, and I couldn't wait to have a home of my own one day to mimic this perfection.

In 2005, I married my Prince Charming, and I was so excited to set up house. My plans were extensive and included an embarrassing amount of picture frames. We registered for beautiful towels and the cutest plate set. We painted the walls and picked out the most awesome wallpaper I had ever seen for the kitchen. Everything was going smoothly...until we actually moved in together.

Y'all...boys are gross. Like, really gross, and I had no idea. They leave stuff everywhere. They USE the towels you're not supposed to touch. They don't like to sleep under fluffy comforters and decorative throw pillows. They constantly question your sanity when you put all the chocolate in the fridge. My new, co-ed life was a shock! My plans weren't going well at all! For my own sanity, I immediately put away the breakable knick-knacks and fancy towels. There's only so many times you can find dirty finger smudges on a decorative towel before you lose your mind. "I'll use these another day," I would tell myself. Well, another day continually got postponed, and the majority of the girly things I had grown up with were either packed up or given away. Not because my husband made me (because believe me...that would be another story for another day), but because an apartment filled with game consoles and Star Wars books just didn't jive with Gone With the Wind posters and floral duvet covers.

After several years and two moves, we became pregnant with our first child, and I just knew it was going to be a girl. I quietly began planning a female rebellion. If this kid is a girl, we've got this. The husband will be outnumbered. We will have throw pillows! There will be wall to wall picture frames! We'll buy all the pink things! But at 16 weeks, the ultrasound tech sided with the other team and told us we were having a boy. While overjoyed at having a healthy baby boy, my dreams of restoring some femininity to the house were lost. Over the next four and half years (and with the addition of a second baby boy), our house became a toddler bachelor pad. My living room is filled with diecast cars, building blocks, trains, and plastic animals. My bathroom is covered in pee. Seriously, COVERED. My dining room table is adorned with Lightning McQueen place mats, and my all of my extra closet space is filled with tiny Polo shirts and novelty tees.

But you know what? I wouldn't change a thing. Sure, I see the bedding section at Target and yearn for pinker days, but my cheese puff-eating toddler sitting in the buggy screaming for more snacks always brings me around. Isn't it funny how we think we know what we want, but God knows better? We make frilly, pink plans and He laughs. He knew exactly what I needed and how to get me there. My boys - husband included - have changed me for the better. Our home may not be full of fancy pillows and towels, but it is full of equal parts love and happiness. One day, when my sweet boys leave the nest, I'll have my chance. I've watched enough Fixer Upper to think I'm the Joanna Gaines of the Southeast, and it also helps that all of my husband's things have already been pushed into one room because...toys. (Am I right? So. Many. Toys.) But for now, I'm happy as clam, and I'll take my home just as it is.

#NeverAgain: Our Children Deserve More Than This

February 16, 2018

I'm not an overly political person. In fact, I do my best to steer clear of most political conversations - both online and in person. It makes me extremely uncomfortable to discuss my personal political beliefs. The drama associated with these conversations is wildly unsettling.

Over these past days, I've watched in horror as a community mourns 17 children and teachers who mercilessly lost their lives at the hands of one of their own. In the midst of the greatest heartache, a community is pleading for change. I sit and listen to the stories of their last moments with their children, and I'm heartbroken with them. I sit and look at my babies completely scared that I'm going to lose them in a senseless act of violence. They're so little. They're so innocent. They should be safe at school, but they're not.

My fear turns into frustration. Frustration is a catalyst for noise. I can feel myself wanting to post - wanting to scream through social media about what I think should happen next. But I don't, because I already know what to expect.

It's a gun problem.
It's a heart problem.
It's a Trump problem.
It's a devil problem.
Enough with your thoughts and prayers.
Send up all your thoughts and prayers.

Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are literally exploding with opinions. People, friends, family - they're firing back at one another with the nastiest memes and comments. Everyone is talking, but it feels like no one is listening. It feels like everyone is shouting, but no one is coming up with solutions. So, going against my usual stance on political postings, I want to start a conversation. I want all of my friends and anyone else who reads this to put emotion and political affiliation aside and discuss some real, hardcore solutions.

Here are the facts.

The 2nd amendment is real. Whether you agree or disagree with the right to bear arms, it is one of our rights as an American citizen. Is it outdated? Most definitely. It's one of the originals, and our fore fathers weren't exactly thinking ahead to the kind of turmoil our society has created. In order to get rid of it, 2/3 of states have to agree to give it the boot. (Trust me, that's the easy way of saying it. The full description of how to ratify the Constitution is here.) Do you remember the last presidential election? (Of course you do.) Do you really think America would vote in favor of giving up their right to bear arms?

Any gun laws put into place will have to pass all branches of the government. This includes the Supreme Court. Which means, these laws cannot - in any way - infringe on the 2nd amendment. Again, whether you agree or disagree with it, it is a right. Like any other right, the courts are sworn to uphold it.

While the 2nd amendment does give the right to bear arms, it does not specify the types of arms we are allowed. There are already laws in place that strictly outlaw and monitor ownership of automated weapons. There are also laws that outlaw certain magazines and accessories that can make a semi-automated weapon more like an automated weapon. Personally, this is where I think we can make some major progress. Without abolishing or changing the 2nd amendment, we'll have to work around it by further limiting magazine sizes and terms of use for semi-automated weapons. By limiting where and when these guns can be used, we have a better chance at keeping tabs on them. Guns that are used for protection, like in the home, would have extremely limited bullet/magazine limits. Guns that are used for hunting would be registered for hunting and would be heavily monitored by law enforcement during the different hunting seasons. Guns used as a hobby at ranges would be kept at the ranges - locked and only available while at the range. You would still own your gun and would be required to maintain it, but you wouldn't be allowed to keep it at home.

I'm not an expert, and I don't even want to talk about this. Some of the example solutions I have above may already be in place or may not work at all. But, we have to talk about this. As a society, we have to get better.  Our kids deserve more than what we're giving them. They deserve safety. They deserve a chance. I plan to send these suggestions and more to our state representatives. If they don't make headway in making the changes we need, I'll vote for someone who will. I encourage you to do the same. If enough of us speak up, there's no way they can't listen. But while you're speaking up, remember what the purpose really is here. If we spend all of our time throwing punches and trying to prove how our opinion is the right and only opinion, then we leave no time for actual change.

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
Ephesians 4:29

New Year, Still Grateful

January 11, 2018

Yesterday, I was on the phone with a marketing vendor we're attempting to use for my family's restaurant. Since my background is in media buying, it only makes sense that I'm working to help set up a demo with this vendor to see if they're a good match for us. Unlike my buying days, I've been extremely unorganized on calls and emails. After a few interactions yesterday, my stomach was in knots. The anxiety of one little media buy had my anxiety through the roof.

"That vendor was so annoyed with me."
"Were those terms right?"
"Oh no, I need more time on that demo."
"Is this really a good fit?"

My head was going nuts and was consumed with the most ridiculous thought processing. I was surely on the verge of having some sort of anxiety attack. I remembered, this is how it always used to be. I always felt like this before I left the advertising agency I had worked for right after college. My stomach was always upset. My mood was always anxious. My temperament was always short. My main goal was always to get the best deal and to be impressive. Advertising isn't the most humbling  business. You're skills are always on display, so it makes sense that you always work hard to look good - to your boss, to your co-workers, and to your vendors.

As I reminisced, I became so grateful. This one vendor had me on edge because of how different my life is now. I'm nowhere near the girl I was 3 years ago. She was self-absorbed. She was haughty. She was more concerned about herself than others, and she was awful. Sure, she was more organized and could've wrapped that deal up in a handful of emails and calls, but I definitely don't miss her. In the last 3 years, my whole heart has changed. I barely recognize my old life, and I'm so thankful for this new one. 

God has changed me for the better. He's taken my soul and made it into something beautiful. I come back to this transformation again and again because instances like this constantly remind me of how much better my life is with Him in it. My current self is all because of His love, mercy, and boundless grace. I will write an infinite number of blogs, journals, Facebook posts, etc about His transformation because I will forever be thanking Him for the evolution my heart has experienced.

Today, I had another vendor call, but my stress has diminished. I was reminded of who I really have to impress, and I no longer want to vomit because of anxiety induced knots in my stomach. This time I was confident in the One who has made me whole.

***Disclaimer***
I would like to make it abundantly clear that not everyone in advertising is a self-absorbed mess. Like any profession, there are people who cover the whole spectrum.