Life After I "Dew"

Today I'm saying SO WHAT if...

• I was super excited when KP slept until 10 am yesterday.  I was not excited that she didn't take a nap all day but I was all warm and fuzzy when she fell asleep in my arms at 7:30.
• I'm going ombre today!
• I don't know how to get the ` over the "e" in ombre.
• I made Jimmy's birthday invite and am totally proud of it.  He loves it too.
• I took a bath last night for the first time since I was pregnant.  
• I had a glass of wine in said bath.
• I have a sick obsession with buying Kendall PJs.  I just love them.
• I've slowly been getting Kendall's Christmas gifts but have yet to get Jimmy a birthday gift and his birthday is on the 6th of November.
• I'll probably just have him buy himself something since I'd be using his money anyway.
• Even after Kendall went to sleep I continued watching Finding Nemo.
• I ditched HeyTell last week after one of my lovely readers informed me that Voxer was the way to go.  She was right and I'm never looking back.
• I wish I could enter my own giveaway.
• I tried operation get rid of the "baboo" aka binky aka pacifier last night, by myself.

I want you all to meet Laura.
 You may have noticed her button in my sidebar as she's a new sponsor of Life After I "Dew" and I think you're really going to like her.  Why, you ask?  Well she's offering one lucky L.A.I.D. reader a $20 Amazon gift card!  Just because!  Perfect for getting a head start on some of that holiday shopping, right?

Laura and I have a lot in common, like...

• She hates wearing wet clothes.  I can't think of anything worse than walking around with wet clothes, even when the bottom of my pants get wet and I can feel it on my leg it gives me the heebies.  
• She can belch like a trucker and I have the mouth of one.
• She wants to retire to South Carolina.  She had me at beach.
• She loves to cook and I love to eat cook.
• We both have a love/hate relationship with running.
• One thing I cannot get on board with is this chica wears socks to bed and the thought alone makes my skin crawl.  It's OK, Laura, I still love you.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Big thanks to Laura for offering this to my readers! You rock my socks, girl!

A couple of weeks ago I was involved in a conversation that left me feeling...dirty.  Not in a bow-chicka-wow-wow kind of way but in a wrong kind of way.  Like I needed to take a shower afterward.  I definitely didn't feel good after the conversation and I definitely didn't feel like a better person.

I was a part of the conversation though, meaning I was involved.  I said things that I wished I wouldn't have.  I indulged the ugly.  Afterward I sat and reflected on what had just happened, what was said, what I said and I didn't like it.

This isn't the first time I've found myself in this situation. Let's face it, gossip is my middle name.  I normally can dish it just as quick as Paula Deen on Thanksgiving.  But this time it felt different, it felt wrong.

Maybe it's because we've been going to church and I've been viewing life through different, renewed eyes.  I no longer wish to partake in such behavior that leaves me feeling so convicted afterward.  I on'y want to surround myself with people who are going to bring me up, make me feel better, make me grow as a person, make me learn something, make me better.


Now that Kendall is growing up, repeating after my every word, and learning from me this is especially important.  She sees my actions, the way I dress, the way I interact with her daddy.  She hears the words I say and when I laugh.  She knows things way beyond what I give her credit for.  She is impressionable.

If I would have caught her engaging in the type of behavior that I was a couple weeks ago I would have scolded her.  I would have told her that was wrong, disrespectful and definitely not God-like and encouraged her to surround herself with a different "group".

I found this quote shortly after this conversation and I felt like it was God looking down on me and telling me all those things I would be telling Kendall.  He was sending me a message, one that I needed, loud and clear.  He wants me to be more like Him and in doing so I need to surround myself with people who are aiming for the same goal, to be more like Him.

Instead of agreeing with the crowd I want to share my voice, even if it's different than the majority.  Instead of chiming in with another hateful comment I will think about how that would be perceived if it were to "get out".  Instead I will stand up for what I believe in or what feels right instead of giving into the devil.

Whether you are a fan of Oprah or not, I think we can all agree that this quote is relevant.  It's easy to go with the flow, agree with the crowd, indulge in a little "gossip" but at the end of the day it's the people who lift us higher that make the biggest impact.  I want to be that person.

OK, so I have to admit something, up until about a week ago I've been rocking a hair dryer that rivals a hotel room hair dryer, from the early 1990s.  It's pathetic, it really is.  But, it works and I'm cheap so I keep it around.  Kinda like that boyfriend that you just couldn't find a legit excuse to break up with in college. Sure it was loud and small and had all of ONE setting but it did the job and that was good enough for me.  That was until last week.

Last week I received The HANA Air Premiere Hair Dryer.  Girls, The HANA Salon  knows what they are doing when it comes to designing.  This thing is SLEEK.  It's actually...pretty!   The cord is REALLY long {12' to be exact} which is perfect for me considering The Toddler is usually up and running around while I'm drying my hair so I am usually peeking my head out, stretching the cord to it's max.  Also, this dryer rivals our leaf blower, no joke.  The first time I used this I was blown away {hehe} by the force!  My hair was dry in less than 2 minutes.  And?  It's pretty quiet!  I mean I can now, safely, dry my hair while KP naps!  That hotel-grade dryer would never allow for that.  I would venture to say this is the best blow dryer on the market.

Also big props to Misikko who sent the most BEAUTIFUL package.  As if sending a nearly $200 hair dryer wasn't enough they sent loads of extras {and they do this on all orders}.  I mean I got hand sanitizers, nail files, an eyelash curler, a sleeve to put my hot curling/flat iron and some smelly rose sachets.  They even included a teddy bear for KP!  How sweet is that!?  Needless to say I'm in love with this company and will do business with them for any future hair necessities.  Flat iron anyone?

*I did not receive compensation for this post but I did receive the above mentioned product.  All opinions are my own.

So today I wanted to share with you a fun little "treat" I made for Jimmy last night.  You know, because trick-or-treat is right around the corner and all {I'm clever like that ;-)}.

My husband loves beer, it's no secret.  He's a beer connoisseur, if you will. Funny thing is before I met him I hated it, all of it.  He was appalled on our first date when I drank 5 grape martinis.  So after 4 years of togetherness I am a beer drinking girl and Blue Moon wins best all around in my book. Not that any of that really has anything to do with this post except that it's about making my husbands beer "cute".

Last night he asked me if I'd pick him up a 6-pack, "surprise me" is what he said.  I know what that means, he doesn't want just the run of the mill Coors Light or Miller High Life {vom!}, he wants a "good" 6-pack.  So I swung through the drive-thru, toddler in the back seat, Choo-Choo Soul blaring over the speakers, epitome of good parenting-right here.

As I popped those brewskies in the fridge it popped into my head that I wanted to make them a little special for him when he opened them.  I quickly grabbed a pen and some packing tape and wrote down 6 things that I love about him and plastered them on the frosty colds.


Some of them were a bit more serious like "I love how you always sacrifice for our family" and then others were a lot more light-hearted like "I love that you play guitar" {I really love that he is musical and hope that Kendall gets that from him}.  I could have come up with hundreds more but 6 was all I had room for.  There's always next time, I suppose.




I can't take total credit for this project though.  The night before I sat down to read my book, The Resolution for Women, and I have been keeping a notepad with it because there have been so many points I want to make sure I remember.  Anyway...I took out my notepad and began to flip to the current page when I noticed that he had written little love notes across the top of each page.

I nearly melted into a puddle right then and there which would not have been good seeing as I was the only parent home at the time and we have a micro-fiber couch.
 
I am so thankful that I am taking the time to do this "challenge" because it's really forcing me to get creative with the ways I tell and show Jimmy that I love him.  And it seems it's forcing him to do the same.  It's fun!

But seriously, it's the little things like this that make a marriage work.  It's taking a little bit of time out of your day to do something nice, unexpected, but totally appreciated for your significant other.  Heck, I think little things like leaving love notes laying around is much sweeter than a dozen roses on Valentine's Day {or Sweetest Day}.

This week I'm saying SO WHAT! if...

• I fell asleep on the couch with Kendall at 8 o'clock last night.
• I'm a bit annoyed at this sudden heat wave we are having right now.
• Last week I stayed up till midnight most nights and this week I have vowed to not do that.  Mama needs her 10 o'clock bed time.
• I went to church by myself this week and LOVED it.  Like I was able to jot down notes during parts that I found inspiring and it felt good.
• I can't wait for the election to be over.  I'm sure the rest of America could agree with me.
• I can't wait till November 15th.  Not only is it my BBFF's birthday but it's also the day I get my Big Fat Check from Ebates and this one is gonna be HUGE.  I'm telling you, if you haven't signed up yet you are missing out.
• I kinda want to take Kendall to the movies.  Like in a theater.  I know she wouldn't sit the whole time but I just think it will be so fun, when the day comes.
• I don't get why people like the show Parks and Recreation.
• I missed the SWW 2 year anniversary.
• I got 4 new necklaces this week.  Don't worry, they're all being reviewed and there may or may not be a giveaway or discount for a couple.  Stay tuned.
• I love Breaking Amish.  Love.
• I'm starting to get excited for Kendall's big girl bed even though it won't happen till after Christmas.  I just can't wait to snuggle up in bed with her!
• I still don't know who I'm voting for.
• I'm not posting my "taking sponsors" posts anymore, I am still accepting.
• I love to get the mail.  Except when it's bills.

Want to talk about a kick in the pants?

Wow, I'm really getting to be quite the slacker with updating on my 31 Days progress but I figured that would happen. I mean it's not like I daily do things like organize a closet, switch bathrooms, and, well, I do make lunches every day.  But every day is a work in progress and every day I do have to remind myself to bite my tongue, let things slide and {sometimes} be nice!

Today's post is brought to you by Sweetest Day.  You know, that Hallmark holiday that is basically Valentine's Day in October and yet another day for one of two things to happen.  1.  Women get all bitchy, annoying, "my husband/boyfriend didn't even x, y, z! IT'S SWEETEST DAY!!!".  Or 2. Your Instagram feed gets clogged with flowers, cards and other nonsense to celebrate this "holiday".  Either way, it annoys me.  Oh, I should have mentioned that this post may ruffle some feathers.

How's this for Sweetest Day, my husband was at a strip club for Sweetest Day.  Boom.  Who had the happy lovey, dovey day now?  Yeah.  And guess what?  I didn't care.  Nope, not one bit.  You know why? Because I am awesome Because it was for his good friend's bachelor party, he doesn't go normally, he hasn't been since his own bachelor party 3 years ago and he doesn't like them.

I trust my husband with 100% certainty to know that he would NEVER willingly want to go see another naked woman.  When he got home he couldn't wait to tell me how ridiculous it all was, how gross {most of} the girls were, how he spent more money on gyros at the street meat stand than he did on anything else that night.  And?  I believe him.

I know some people reading are probably appalled right now.  I know some are sitting behind their computers thinking my husband is a pig.  That's OK.  Different strokes for different folks.  The way I see it, he's a man and if once every 3 years he goes to a strip club to celebrate his friends nuptials, so be it.  Now, if he were going on a random Tuesday just because, well yeah I'd have a problem too.  

The next day, yesterday, we went to his friends house warming/birthday party and some of the guys were there from the night before and Jimmy thought it was so cool that he could talk about the happenings in front of me and he had nothing to hide.  There was no side-eye from his friends no, "OMG should we talk about the lap dance the groom got?!" because I'm OK with it.

I'm the cool wife.  Yep, that's me!

This post is going to be about TTC.  Dad, you may exit now.

I know, you're probably thinking I threw in the towel.  Like maybe Jimmy did something to royally piss me off and I said to hell with this challenge?  Nope, not the case, at all.  In fact, it's quite the opposite.

I mentioned that Jimmy started on a new shift at work and that it means more and less time together, it's just different.  It seems like it's for the better, for the most part, which is awesome.  Which is why I've been a little MIA on the '31 Days' challenge.  Since our time together has been shifted it's forced me to re-prioritize.

I've been really loving the time we are together and I want to make the most of it.  I don't want to be on the computer, blogging, checking Facebook, heck I haven't even been Instagramming much lately! Shocking, I know! It's funny because at 4 o'clock today I checked Instagram for the first time since like 11 this morning and thought "WHOA!  It's been like 5 hours since I was on this last!".  I'm pretty sure that's a record, except for when I'm asleep, obviously.

Pretty sad, huh?  I mean I'm glad that I realized that the world won't end, I won't miss something awesome, if I don't check my phone once every 15 minutes.

I also did Jimmy a big favor, I moved back into Kendall's bathroom.  When we first moved into this house I "shared" a bathroom with Kendall but since that bathroom is closer to her room {and I thought that was why she was waking up so early in the beginning} I ended up moving into our master bath with Jimmy.  His once product-free bathroom quickly became bombarded with hair spray, make up bags, curling irons, flat irons, brushes, moisturizer, tampons, you name it.  He's made comments here and there about all my stuff taking over.  I know he doesn't really mind but I could imagine how I'd feel if roles were reversed.  So, this week I packed up all my girly stuff and moved back into Kendall's bathroom.  I did this for that and because now I'm usually the first one up, and in the shower, so I figured it'd be easier for him to sleep if I got ready in the other bathroom.

He was all, "What?!  You didn't have to do this!?" and I know I didn't but I wanted to because I wanted him to be able to sleep, restfully.  Plus, if we're being honest, Kendall's bathroom has more room and more storage anyway.

So, yeah, I'm just soaking up our time together the best I can.  Good news is this new schedule of him gives him 3 days off every week which means I'm looking very forward to this weekend.  This will be our first weekend together since we've been back from vacation, in August!  Isn't that crazy?  So, yeah, I might be a MIA a little while longer.

Today we have our first male Sponsor Spotlight!  I am happy to introduce you guys to Andy, my brother-in-law.  Andy's shown up on this blog before, strutting his fashionable stuff, but today he's here to tell you all about a new gig he's got going.  It's pretty genius and if you are looking for a way to work at home, or from anywhere, this might be the answer.  It just might be a stay-at-home mom's dream job.  I'll be trying it out myself and will report back.  For now, check out Andy!

1.  Tell me about you!
I am 23 years old, eloped to Greece 4 months ago with the love of my life, am addicted to traveling, and can never go back to working a regular job. 

This week I am saying SO WHAT if...

• I went out to get milk sans make up, greasy hair, no bra and without brushing my teeth first.  Yeah, I was that girl.
• I laid down to take a nap yesterday, yes after professing my hatred for napping, and it failed big time.  This is why I don't nap.
• I don't know a thing about the presidential election.
• I'm pretty much obsessed with my new Starbucks concoction thanks to this girl. Soy, no water, Chai latte with 2 pumps of pumpkin spice.  You're welcome.
• I'm obsessed with Kiki La'Rue and want at least 3 sweaters from their site, right now.    
• I'm obsessed with Hey Tell.  Obsessed.  Ask this girl, or this one, or this one.  My HT BFFs.
• I am over the moon excited that KP is in the princess loving stage.  Every night we watch either Beauty & the Beast, Cinderella or The Little Mermaid and it makes my girl mom heart happy.
• We skipped church this week.  We had an overnight Saturday and woke up late and enjoyed a nice, slow, kid-free morning instead.  We needed and deserved that.
• I my lounge clothes don't look cute like Reagan's from Up All Night.  Do you ever notice that?
• I drink way more coffee now that we have a Keurig.  Afternoon coffee anyone?
• Kendall hasn't used her highchair in about a month yet it's still sitting in the kitchen.  I just can't bring myself to put it away just yet.

I've been doing a lot of soul searching, self-discovery, finding my place in this crazy world kind of stuff lately. You may have noticed that the posts around here have been a little more serious, less fluff and that's why.  I'm trying to find a happy medium but right now, right now this is where I am.

Welcome to week 5 of CYC.  I took last week off and I almost took this week off {due to no cute outfit wearing} but thanks to a fabulous anniversary/date night I got dressed up and tried on one too many outfits trying to pick the perfect one.  Of course I couldn't decide on what to wear so I turned it over to my favorite app, Instagram.  I swear, without that program I would have no photos, like ever.

This week it's all about the red jeans.  I bought these before I started this challenge, in my attempt to be trendy and step out of my comfort zone, and I  knew that our anniversary was the perfect opportunity to rock wear them.  I mean nothing says sexy and sassy like some deep red jeans.  And red is the color of love, after all.  Jimmy told me my butt looked great in them too so I was sold.  Side note:  I need a new full-length mirror in a bad, bad way.

Outfit 1 

Feather top- Target
Tank- Old Navy
Jeans- Macy's
Wedges- Go Jane

This was definitely a more casual look.  I love this feather top that I got last year and I have yet to wear it because I just can't find the perfect pair of pants {for some reason I don't think it looks good with plain jeans}, I think it's safe to say I love the red jeans with it.  Like I can't wait to wear this outfit somewhere, really soon.  This outfit was very comfy, minus those damn wedges.  They are cute but dang they aren't walking shoes, that's for sure.  If I was going to wear this for an every day outfit I'd definitely pair it with some black flats. This look didn't get many votes on the ole Instagram machine so it was on to outfit #2.

Outfit 2

Top- Express
Jacket- Gap
Jeans- Macy's
Heels- Target

This was my favorite look.  You know I am a sucker for a jean jacket any day.  Love them.  I always have such a hard time wearing them in the fall because I wear jeans 99.9% off the time and I risk looking like Britney Spears circa the 2001 American Music Awards.  No bueno. But, with colored denim, it's a total 'do', in my book anyway.  I loved the girly, lace details of the top and patent heels mixed with the rougher mix of denim.  This outfit was a close 2nd {but was #1 in my eyes} but still didn't take the cake like outfit #3.

Outfit 3

Top- Old Navy
Belt- Macy's
Jeans- Macy's
Heels- Target

This outfit hit it out of the ball park.  You all loved the mix of the leopard and red and and patent and said it was every thing from sexy to hot to baby- making material.  You loved this look.  I was indifferent, I mean I loved the look but I wasn't sure it was right for date night.  The top seemed a little mom-ish for date night but I trusted my Instagram lovers and went with it even though I was definitely leaning towards outfit #2.  What can I say, I'm a sucker.  I thought with some arm candy I could make it work and not look like a mom outfit.  I mean mom's don't wear 3 inch patent heels {normally}, right?







I must say I was pretty comfortable all night but that damn top is so slinky against the patent belt that I was adjusting it all night long, annoying.  I did feel pretty sassy and stylish though, I must say.  If you've been contemplating buying a pair of colored jeans I highly recommend it.  These, from Macy's, have a bit of stretch in them but they don't stretch out.  They're basically perfect and if I could I'd buy a pair in every color they offer.

I wished I would have worn outfit #2 but that's OK because it just gives me an excuse to wear it again, hopefully soon.  It was just more "me" and I think I would have been more comfortable.

I think Jimmy would have liked outfit 1 or 2 better because when I put on the leopard top he was like, "oh...you're wearing that one?".  I get it though, it's a blousey top and, let's face it, guys don't like blousey.  But, all night he kept telling me how good I looked and I believed him.

The best part about doing this challenge, for me, is that I get to try on all of these outfit combos but since I don't get dressed up as many days as there are outfits I have cute outfits stock piled for any future events or outings.

This weekend has been our first full weekend together since our vacation, 2 months ago. It has been nothing short of amazing, truly. I forgot what it's like to have a husband home all weekend.  It's nice.  Those of you that always have a husband home at least two full days a week should be thankful.

I have taken for granted how much we need Jimmy around. I've just gotten so used to him working 6 days a week and me pretty much running the show around here that it's been kind of an adjustment to have him around more.  A good, welcome adjustment.

Jimmy is being moved to a different schedule at work leaving our time together a little bit different but in the end we'll have more time together and that's going to be so nice.  It's nice to have my partner around to help pick up the parenting slack when I just can't say "no, please" one more time, to talk to in the morning about the crazy dream I had the  night before and to attend the birthday parties with on the weekends.

We've been talking about getting Kendall a goldfish for weeks now but sadly haven't been able to squeeze it in.  I had contemplated taking her a few days throughout the weeks, alone, but I didn't want Jimmy to miss out on that experience.  I'm so glad I waited for him.  She was so excited to pick out "Nemo" {of course, she named him Nemo, toddlers aren't very creative} and his "home" and I am so happy that Jimmy got to see that too.  It was nice to share that experience because I feel like he already misses out on so much that we do through the week.  I know that he appreciated me waiting for him and when we left Kendall said, "thank you, Daddy" and that was it.  Hearts were melted.

Waiting for him to share that experience was the best decision, for all of us.  I already share so much with her, from story time to our create and play group and all the little things in between, and Jimmy misses out on so many of them.  It made me realize how selfish I can be at times.  I rarely think, "wow I wonder if Jimmy is bummed out because he isn't here" or "I bet Jimmy would like this, maybe we should wait".  Normally through the week I am so anxious to get out of the house and do something to entertain The Toddler outside the walls of our home that I don't think much past get in the car and GO.

This moment was an eye-opener for sure.  It is going to make me think before I just react and take Kendall to her first x,y,z and maybe wait for her daddy to enjoy it, whatever it is, with us.  I'm hoping this new schedule is going to allow for a lot more weekends like this.  It's been really, really nice.

Today's post is going to be in a little bit of a different format than the previous days of this challenge. Today I am pissed but not at my husband, he's still wonderful.

Today I got a comment on my earlier post regarding the handbag I just purchased.  It went something like this, "did you ask your husband's permission before you bought a $130 purse?".  I'm assuming that what this person was getting at {anonymous, of course} is when I wrote my post where Jimmy told me to treat myself and I "asked" him if I could buy myself some new leggings.

Newsflash:  I don't need his permission, I chose to ask out of respect.  He does the same for me when he buys himself something that's not a "necessity".  Of course he wouldn't care that I buy a pair of $8 leggings just as he wouldn't care that I bought myself this purse.  I know my limits and I know our bank account.  I'm sure the same person is thinking to themselves, "but didn't you complain about how tight money is?" to which I'll say, yes I did.  It's no secret that we have our financial ups and downs, as I'm sure everyone does.  Truth is, I have a little extra pocket money right now and I wanted to treat myself.  Period.  End of story.  Mind ya biznas.

If you think that bashing my marriage by assuming that I'm this "kept woman" who has to ask her husband's permission to do anything, you are sadly mistaken.  I do what I do out of pure respect, admiration, and love. I am taking this journey to be a better wife because he deserves it, our marriage deserves it.  I encourage others to do the same because I have seen what great things it has done for my relationship in such a short period of time, it's remarkable.

So for you, no-reply email, to make that comment, seemingly harmless but a dig underneath the "it's just a question" demeanor, is rude.  You are rude.  My husband works hard for his money and for me to spend it frivolously,  without "asking" is rude. I have far too much appreciation for all that he does for our family to disrespect him by treating myself to such a "lavish" item {seeing as my last, probably, 3 purses have been from Target}.

So thanks for your question.  Next time leave an email and I'll reply directly.

Happy Friday!  TGIF!  It's Friday, Friday, gotta get down on Friday!  OK I'm done now.  

Today I am linking up with Laura for a little FAB Friday action.  Basically share things that make this day/week fabulous!  Easy enough!  She used to do this link-up a while back and then quit so I'm really glad she started again because it's nice to reflect and share fabulous things every once in a while!

I have a few things I want to share this week, in the form of some recent fab finds!  Who doesn't like hearing about new, great products and stores?  Plus, once I find something that I love, I love to share it and promote it!  So, without further ado, this is what I'm finding fabulous on this fine Friday.

Up first, my number one go to store for all hair clippies for Miss KP.  One Little Monkey is hands-down my favorite place to get all of Kendall's hair accessories.  The quality is awesome but the uniqueness is what has me sold!  Every time KP wears one of her clips she gets tons of compliments and I cannot tell you how many business cards I have handed out.  LOVE, love, LOVE.  Even Jimmy is obsessed with her owl clippies {good thing because I just ordered more!}.  She also has super cute headbands, if only Kendall would tolerate a headband...I'd be all over that like white on rice!


I know I am on a shopping ban, I know it, but good God if these last few weeks haven't made me desperate for some retail therapy.  Yesterday was the day I cracked.  I have been in need of a new purse for weeks.  I no longer carry a diaper bag {for now} and the purse I've been carrying just isn't enough for all of my stuff plus Kendall's diapers, wipe case, snacks, princess toys {why did I stop carrying a diaper bag again?}.  I found this beauty and instantly fell in love, I mean what's not to love?  The size, the color, the fact that it can be a shoulder bag OR a cross body.  What I did not love was the price-tag but leave it to my BBFF to convince me that I needed it and I was sold.  It's everything I was looking for in a bag and the reviews were amazing. I'm pretty sure this will be a bag I carry for a long time.  How's that for justification? I could basically convince myself that I needed this just as much as I need my right arm.


And, a little self-promotion {hey!  it's been a while, admit it!}, but I got this new eye shadow quad from Avon this week and I'm lovin' it.  So much I had to HeyTell my BBFF the minute I used it to tell her how wonderful it was/is.  It's the perfect color palette for me.  I wear it a bit softer during the day, like, you know, one day a week that I actually wear makeup.  And I can slather it on a bit darker, you know, if I want to go out on the town with my main squeeze {who says that these days?}.  The colors are great, it lasts forever and the price is unbeatable {$5.99 right now!}.  I have a couple of other eye shadow quads but none compare to this one {smokey eyes}.  I love it.  And, yes, I'd say that even if I weren't selling it.  


So that's what I'm finding fah-bu-lous on this Friday.  Head on over to Laura's neck of the woods and share your fabulous Friday!

Today I learned how to bite my tongue.  Not literally {ouch!} but figuratively.

I woke up and it was freezing in the house.  OK it was like 69 but still when you get out of your warm bed that feels cold.  I came out to check our wood burner {our main heat source for the house} and noticed it hadn't been filled.  "Damn him!", I thought, "why didn't he load that before he left?".  And then I proceeded to the kitchen and noticed the Keurig was out of water.  "Oh, of course it is.  Why am I the only one that ever fills this thing?".  PMS anyone?  Yeah Aunt Flow is here and she's a raging bitch this month.  I digress.

I had my phone in my hands and I was ready to send a bitchy text when I stopped myself dead in my tracks.  What was this going to solve?  What if he was in a hurry and couldn't do those things?  What if he just took his morning slow and it just slipped his mind?  The point is, I wasn't there when he was and all I was going to accomplish by sending a nasty-gram was an unnecessary fight.

Sure I was annoyed and wish that he would done those things to make my morning easier but really it was no big deal for me to do those things.  Especially when I'm home all day.  I have no rush, no place to be by a certain time, no one to answer to {well...kinda} so I have the time to take care of these things around the house.  That is my job now.

I should add that normally he is very good about these things.  Always makes sure we have wood for the fire, most of the time he leaves my coffee mug out and ready for me to brew my first cup o' delicious, so for him to not do those things today lets me know he must have been in a hurry and he definitely didn't need 'ish from me.

It's definitely not easy, biting one's tongue, especially in the heat of the moment.  In that moment I just wanted to rip him a new one.  I mean, how could he forget to do these things?  But once I stepped back, thought before I spoke {for once} I realized that in doing so I would just make the morning worse, for everyone.

I know what you're thinking, "umm...Shannon Halloween isn't for a few more weeks", and you're right, it's not. But I'm not wishing you a Happy Halloween {so there!} but rather sharing how we will have a happy Halloween.
I had hopes of Kendall wearing some super adorable, totally unique, costume. Pinterest lead me to this site and my mind went crazy.  I mean I do you see that adorable Snow White tutu costume?  Gah, I die!  I wanted that for Kendall. But, much like my Easter basket realization, I knew that Halloween wasn't about me anymore and I no longer get to chose what she dresses up as {already}.

I saw an a-dora-ble owl costume at Target a couple weeks ago and I thought for sure that was IT and then I went to have her try it on and she outright refused.  "No mommy!  I no like that!" were the words she said, to be exact.  Oh I fear her teenage years.  The only costumes she was interested in were princesses.  She had her little green eyes focused on a "Ci-er-ella" {Cinderella} gown but sadly the smallest size available was a 4T.  Why?  Costume makers out there, WHY is a 4T the smallest in the Disney princess gowns?  Answer me that.

I knew a princess had to be her costume this year.  It had to be.  It was the only thing that I knew would make her so happy.  So, thanks to the Internet and some great Ebates deals I scored a very generic princess gown for less than $10.  Yep.  It didn't come with a crown, or shoes, or a wand, or even a princess emblem sewn on it but hot damn if she doesn't love it.  Her reaction when I showed her, imagine the middle picture with her saying "OH GOSH!!".  Yeah, she was that happy.  I mean I had to let her try it on, obviously, and she didn't want to take it off.  I consider that a win.

Again, like with the Easter basket, why bother with something that I know I'll have to fight her to wear when I can make her perfectly happy with a cheap, store-bought number that she will willingly put on.  Then I can just fight with her to take it off.

So, this year here you see little kids dressed up as Superman, Wonder Woman or Harry Potter that were made from scratch, their mom probably broke a nail sewing and that they probably stressed over for far too long, my little princess will be happily skipping down the street in her no-frills "a really long pink dress" having the time of her life.  She will probably end up sleeping in the damn thing and that is a-OK with me. You know what is also going to be OK?  If she gets chocolate on it, rips it, or gets a sucker stuck in the tulle.  You know why?  Because it cost $10 and I didn't shed blood, sweat, and tears obsessing over it.  Take that Pinterest, bet you can't say that about your hand-sewn sushi roll.

And that is how we will have a happy Halloween.

No, I haven't abandoned the 31 day challenge, I just was too busy being a good wife to update yesterday.  I kid, kinda.  Actually yesterday, even though I had a kid-free day, I dropped the ball on dinner.  I had nothing planned, at all.  So when Jimmy texted me mid-day to see if I wanted to go out to dinner I was more than happy to oblige and omit the fact that I didn't plan anything anyway.

Going out to dinner is such a treat these days, something we don't indulge in very often, thanks to The Terrible Twos, but last night was different.  Sure Kendall acted up a bit but nothing to get embarrassed over and we actually enjoyed a pretty decent meal for the first time in a while.

Last night I was pretty exhausted {no I'm not pregnant} and so instead of staying up to update my progress I went to bed, with my husband, and it was nice.  Normally Jimmy and I always go to bed at the same time but lately I've been staying up a little past him and it was nice to just shut down the computer and my mind and snuggle in.

I think that's the point I needed to learn.  Sometimes what's most important is just shutting down.  Turning off the TV, computers, and just being present.  In the current times technology is consuming our lives, iPhones, iPads, social media, we are always connected.  If the phone rings we feel like we have to answer it, when an email comes in we have to reply immediately.  But why?  At what expense?  Sad to say but often times I have put my family on hold because, "I need to finish this blog post" or refresh Instagram for the one millionth time today.

So that's what I'm learning and practicing today.  To turn it off and turn my wife-mom brain on, more. That's not to say I'm jumping ship and abandoning this blog, because I can assure you I'm not.  I just need to refocus, prioritize and make sure that my family isn't missing out because of my "hobby".  I need to start waking up before The Toddler again, doing my "hobby" during nap only, engaging in more hands-on, toddler friendly chores during the day.  It's a juggling act for sure.

I know that I am a work in progress but I feel like I've already made such great strides in being a better wife and this will only make me, our relationship, better.  It will be worth it.

This week I'm saying SO WHAT if...

• I had a kid-free day yesterday {thank to my most amazing mother-in-law} and I spent it online shopping.  No not out shopping {well I did that too} but online shopping.  I had a gift card burning a hole in my pocket.
• I think online is more fun than real shopping.  I like to find the best deal possible so I get the most bang for my buck {thank you Ebates} and so that's way easier online than driving from store, to store, to store.
• I'm thinking of going to the dark side again.  As in my hair.
• I dropped the ball on taking Chanel to get her stitches removed and didn't do it for a whole week and a half after I was supposed to.
• We put plastic up around our windows this year.  Ghetto?  Probably but I REFUSE to have another $400 electric bill this winter.
• I've stopped picking up Kendall's toys until the end of the day.  I used to do it during nap time too but now I learned, what's the point?
• I have ads on my blog.  I know some people find it annoying but it earns me a little tiny bit of extra money each month and that money busy us groceries, puts gas in my car, or maybe gets Kendall a pack or 5 of stickers.
• Instead of wearing yoga pants the past few days I classed it up and threw on leggings.  
• After declaring my hatred for naps last week I contemplated taking on yesterday but figured that was a waste of kid-free time
• Kendall has been sporting a temporary tattoo since Sunday.  She will not let me wash it off.
• My husband's underwear cost more than his jeans.
• Kendall's Halloween costume is store bought and only cost $10.  She loves it.
• We've started a new Friday night tradition that involves making the Chef Boyardee pizza kit.  I look forward to it all week.
• I'm pretty sure I missed the 2 year SWW anniversary.  Can you believe we've been linking up for 2 years now!?

The number one question I get when I tell people that we are TTC Baby Dew #2 is "why"?  As in, "I thought you were SO one-and-done, what made you change your mind?".  All the time.

I try to explain the change of heart the best way I can but the truth is there was not one defining moment where we were like, BOOM we want another!  It was more a combination of things and getting on the same page at the same time.

I don't mind the question, at all, because I know it's hard for me to believe that my once very only child mind is even thinking about adding another baby into the mix too.  But I'm ready and excited for our family to grow.  Like, really.

Truth is I have always been drawn to big families.  I love the hustle and bustle, the always having someone around, the love, the support, the chaos, I love it.  I've always loved going to Jimmy's families holiday parties because it's SO different from my family.  My immediate family consists of 9 people, 9, that is it.  So it's quite different but I love it.  I kept thinking how much I love all that comes with a big family, how could I not want that for my own family?

I also think about Kendall.  I can't say growing up an only child is terrible, it's not, I quite liked it, if I'm being honest.  I don't ever remember thinking or asking for a sibling and I like to think I turned out pretty good, not spoiled, not bratty {most days}.  But when I think about Kendall I want something different for her.  I see the love that Jimmy has for his brothers. My best friend has two girls, ages {almost} 4 and 6, and their relationship is so sweet.  I want that for Kendall.  I want her to have a built in friend.  Don't get me wrong, I'm fully aware that it's not all rainbows and puppy dogs between siblings {even though I'm an only child I know that there will be rough times}.

And, if I'm really being selfish honest, I miss a baby in the house.  I do.  I see all of my blog friends who have just recently had babies and I get jealous.  Not of the sleepless nights but of the squishy, new babyness of it all.  The new skin, the first grins, the love, oh the love, and I can't wait to have that, all of it, back in our house again.  Lately Jimmy's been sharing his desire for all that newness too and it totally makes my ovaries ache even more.

I read back through some of my old posts, where I talked about being an only child mom, and I just laugh because I never thought I'd be here, so ready to add another baby into the mix.  But in reading those posts I can read between the lines.  I was saying things like, "I was an only child and it's FINE" or "Kendall is enough" but there were also subtleties like the word "if" thrown in there a lot.  It was almost like I knew I wanted another baby but I was trying to convince myself out of it.  I think I was just scared.  Scared that I wouldn't be able to handle it, scared for Kendall, scared to deal with the hormones again {I'm a total B-word pregnant, ask Jimmy}, scared of what it would do to me and Jimmy, I was scared.

Now?  I'm ready.  We're ready. With each month that passes I am more certain of that.  Jimmy and I are stronger than ever and I know that adding a new member to our family will only strengthen it.  Each month {you know, all two of them since we've been TTC} we get excited that this may be our month and then disappointed when it's not.  We've been trying to get Kendall used to the idea of a baby.  She used to say, "no mommy!  no baby!" any time I'd hold a baby and now {thanks to her new baby cousin, Reese, and friend, Norah} she's slowly coming around and will even give them kisses on the forehead only.

While I'm not looking forward to being fat, uncomfortable, emotional, fat, tired, ugly, fat, I am looking forward to the familiar feelings like the first kicks, seeing the heartbeat and some unfamiliar excitement like preparing Kendall for her big sister role.  In this case, I think the good outweighs the bad.

So yeah, we're ready.  Baby Dew #2, don't make us wait much longer, mmkay?

Today I started seeing the rewards of my behavior come back to me, full circle.  Just as I had hoped it would, just as I knew it could.

I already mentioned that I had been seeing changes in my family since this challenge started.  Nothing major just better behavior, more cooperation, more help, less yelling, less frustration, all good things.  I'd like to take a second to toot my own horn here, "toot toot!".

Today Jimmy was taking an unusually long time to get home from work. I was cooking dinner and everything was set except the garlic bread because it takes only 8 minutes and I wanted it to be piping hot when we ate it.  So as I tried to resist taste testing dinner, Kendall played dinner music {banged on empty coffee cans and pots and pans} and I wondered what he was up to.

I had my back to the door when he came in but I heard Kendall say, "herrya {here ya} go mommy!" and handed me a single rose.  Behind her was my husband with a card in hand and inside was the sweetest message, "I love you so much, I'm sorry I am working so much but I know you understand and I love you for it!  You have been so amazing to me lately and it does not go unnoticed."  And there it was, in black and white.  He has taken notice in the change within me and he appreciates it.

It's just been over a week, that's not that long.  I haven't even made major changes, just simple things like packing lunches and taking on a few extra chores.  Some days, ahem...Sunday, are harder than others but when I really think about it these things don't take a whole lot of effort or time yet the reward for doing them is so great.

I remember when we first got married my mom had gotten me Dr. Laura Schlessinger's book, The Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands.  I remembered thinking this was a bunch of mumbo jumbo and totally slanted in the husbands favor.  Well, in a way it was, but it was so much more than that.  It was simple instructions on how to be a good wife and maintain a happy, healthy, long marriage.  She says that men are simple creatures, and they are, and require simple needs.  It's that easy.  She always says that you should be your husbands girlfriend and kids' mom and for a while I would hear that but I wasn't really getting it.

Being a wife and mother have got to be the two most important roles in any woman's life.  Sure we are daughters, sisters, friends, coworkers, volunteers, etc but our first, main priority has to be our families.  I've learned that putting my family, most recently my husband, first gives me such a better feeling than trying to be the best at anything else.  Never before have I felt so rewarded for doing so little {yet so much} for my family.