Mommy Monday...To the Clueless and Kidless...

Hey Y'all!

I hope you've all had a great week.  I'm sorry for the lack of posts lately, but I've been SUPER busy between work, school, and the kids.

Speaking of kids....

Yesterday I read a post on Facebook titled, "19 Things People Swear They'll Never Do Until They Have Kids".  It is hilarious and much appreciated by parents everywhere, I'm sure.  You can read it here.  Anyway, reading this article reminded me of a recent visit to Target...

I'm in Target A LOT...Usually it is my quiet sanctuary without kids, but several days ago, I brought the kids with me.  My kids aren't calm...Sitting in a buggy for more than 2 minutes causes major stress for them, apparently.  My kids aren't quiet....They sing, they giggle, and they fight (with each other and with me).  On this particular outing, they were being pretty good about sitting in the buggy.  We quickly strolled through the baby department without incident.  Then, on the trip from the wipes to the groceries, Karleigh started singing.  Not singing at the top of her lungs, but singing none-the-less.  And what cutesy, children's song was my 4 year old singing, you ask?  Dancing Queen!  Yes, ABBA's Dancing Queen (we can blame this on my mom) !  She knows every word to the chorus and continued to repeat it OVER and OVER again as I tried to grab groceries as quick as possible.  We made it through the groceries with no more than a few strange glances and replies from me like, "Yes, it's Dancing Queen...Don't ask.."

My little Dancing Queen...

Then, I made my mistake...I needed a new mascara.  If you know me, you know that I can't just go straight to the said mascara...I have to browse the make-up for just a couple of minutes.  I turned down the aisle and saw a cute 19ish girl in her sorority shirt standing at the other end.  She heard Karleigh singing and looked over to look at us like we had 3 heads.  I promise, she was barely singing above a whisper.  I understand that people don't go to Target to get a personal concert from a 4 year old.  But if you have kids, you know to choose your battles.  She wasn't loud and she was sitting in the buggy, which was a miracle.  As Karleigh continued to serenade us, this young girl huffed...you could tell she was annoyed...Hey, I know kids can be annoying, especially mine (they are just like their daddy)..I gave birth to them, and they aggravate the heck outta me sometimes.  I told Karleigh to stop singing and be quiet.  She did...as she climbed out of the buggy.  She was standing next to me as I was bent down picking out the right type and shade of mascara.  She swung around and her arm knocked over several lipsticks that were on display.  The noise scared Mason and he started to cry.  Karleigh was profusely apologizing (and covering her bottom)... I NEVER leave a mess that my children have made, so I started picking them up while holding Mason on one hip, fussing at Karleigh to get back in the buggy, and trying to keep the oncoming panic attack at bay...I looked up, and Ms. College looked over at me, rolled her eyes, and shook her head.  I was standing there with a crying baby, one that was alternating between "i'm sorry" and Dancing Queen, and just about the entire collection of Maybelline lipsticks on the floor in front of me.  She didn't offer to help me pick them up, she just gave one more huff and roll of her eyes and walked off.  

Maybelline's collection was returned to the proper spot on the shelf and we paid for our buggy full and walked outside.  I was boiling mad at Ms. College...how dare she be such a witch?!  

And then...
I remembered 19 year old me...The one that would see children in the store throwing temper tantrums.  "My kids will NEVER act like that", I'd say.  "I'll never use a TV as a babysitter!".  The list goes on and on...

We can't blame these kidless people.  They have great intentions; just like we did.  But the reality is, kids aren't perfect.  They will be loud, they won't listen, they'll make messes.  They will embarrass you nearly every time you are in public.  You can do your best to discipline them and teach them right from wrong, but they are human!  They will eventually mess up, and chances are, it will be in public.  

 As for Ms. College, I'm not mad at her.  She'll have her day in Target someday.  Maybe she'll even remember the day she got so aggravated at my kids and she'll have an Aha moment.  

So, when you're in that situation, think back to your 19 year old self.  Think about all those know-it-all parenting remarks your clueless butt made.  I would go back and punch my 19  year old self in the throat!  And young people, remember, don't EVER use the phrase, "My kids won't act like that."  Because they will.  And, they'll probably be worse!!  

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Fancy Friday...Chocolate for Your Face!

Hey Y'all!

Just a quick post today.  I wanted to tell you about the Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Bronzer. There are a few reasons why I love this product...

Find it Here

1.  It's matte.  There is no shimmer or glitter, so you won't look like a hooker.  If you're a mom, you know you don't have time to tan. It warms up my pale face so I don't look like Edward Cullen.  

2.  It's the perfect color.  This bronzer isn't orange at all...no one wants to look like an Oompa Lumpa...it's not cute.

3.  It lasts forever!  I've had the sample size for 6 months.  I've used it nearly every day and I haven't even made a dent.

4.  It makes my face look thinner.  Who doesn't want a thin face?  If I put it all over my body would it take off a few pounds?? 

AND THE BEST PART OF ALL...

It smells like CHOCOLATE!!!  What woman wouldn't want to start their morning off by slathering chocolate on their face?!  Oh my goodness...it just puts me in a good mood every morning!  I haven't gotten brave enough to taste it yet...maybe next week.  Just kiddin!

This is a little pricey, but I suggest buying the sample size.  I found it on the Too Faced website with a kabuki brush for $15.  Pretty good deal!  

Hope you try it!  

Bye Y'all!

Do Mississippi Teachers Deserve a Raise?

I can't scroll through my Facebook news feed, or listen to my local news lately without reading and hearing about possible pay raises for teachers in my state.  It has been seven years since teachers in Mississippi have received a pay raise.  I've been teaching lower elementary for 7 years.  Which means I've never received a raise.

There are two things that this blog WON'T be...

1.  I'm not going to try and convince you that teachers deserve a raise.  Everyone is entitled to their own opinion.  I simply want to give you a glimpse of what a teacher does everyday.  

2.  I'm not complaining about my job.  I LOVE teaching.  There is no other job in the world more rewarding.  I feel blessed to be able to spend my days molding young children.

A Teacher's Job

TEACHER:  It is my responsibility to teach my 22 first graders all standards needed to move to 2nd grade.  I design lesson plans for every subject, everyday.  I write a reading, language, and math lesson plan for every day of the week.  That equals 15 lesson plans a week.  I must assess my students and use those assessments to write the next 15 lesson plans.

COUNSELOR:  I have heard stories from my students about their lives that you would not believe.  These stories make your emotions range from livid to devastated (so much so that it makes you sick to your stomach).  I have to take care of these children emotionally before I can teach them a darn thing.  I listen to their problems and I have to use my judgement to decide if it needs to be reported to the proper authorities.  If I do report it, I have to follow up to make sure that my student's case doesn't fall through the cracks.  

NURSE:  Due to budget cuts, our school doesn't have a nurse on campus full time.  So, I'm also the nurse.  I bandage up cuts, keep track of medication schedules, give breathing treatments, take temperatures, and diagnose various illnesses.  Can't handle vomit, don't be a teacher.  More than likely it will end up on your classroom floor (and you) at least one day a week.

POLICE OFFICER:  I break up disturbances in my classroom all day long.  I teach first grade, so most of these tussles start over a crayon or pencil.  Children can be extremely territorial...don't touch anything that belongs to them.  I have to discern between major behavior issues and ones that might have to be overlooked.  I have to let a child know that what they're doing is unacceptable in a firm yet respectful way.  I'm also a detective. I sometimes have to carry out interrogations to find the truth from master manipulators.  

BANKER:  I know that if for any reason I couldn't teach anymore, I would definitely be qualified to be a bank teller.  On any one day, I'm collecting money for 6 different things from 22 students; I must provide change and keep meticulous records in case a discrepancy ever arose.  

COMEDIAN:  Kids today have such short attention spans.  They are entertained by tv shows, amazing video games, and complicated computer games.  How in the heck can I compete with that?!  I act like a complete fool...I make crazy faces and do things that I would be HUMILIATED to do in front of a group of adults! 

PREACHER:  I have to ensure that my students have morals.  I need to teach them wrong from right because, believe me, some parents don't.  Notice I said some, not all.  I have to stop many times a day and "preach" to my students.  I want them to be successful academically, but I also want them to be good people.  

PARENT:  I am a parent to 22 children while they're in my care.  I wipe their tears.  I give them hugs when they are sad.  I make sure they eat enough of their food at lunch.  I zip their coats and tie their shoes (85 million a day, I swear). I cheer them on when they succeed.  I encourage them to try again with they don't. 

There are at least a dozen more that I could add.  I'm not trying to toot my own horn.  I can guarantee that no teacher is in the profession for recognition.  There isn't much recognition except for the "bad" teachers (for every ineffective teacher, there are 100 more outstanding ones).  We are definitely not in it for the pay!  My paycheck always runs out before my month does!  Teachers teach because they have a passion for it.  Raise or no raise, teachers will continue to do their job (above and beyond, actually) because it's wired in us.  We know no other way.  

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This is a gift that I received from one of my former students for Christmas this year.  This is all the thanks I'll EVER need.

Keep on Keeping On!

Mommy Monday....The Toddler Bed Conundrum

Hey Y'all!!

I hope everyone had a good Monday.  Well, as good as it could have been being that it was Monday and ridiculously cold!  Right now it's 19 degrees is South Mississippi...That might seem like a slight chill in the air to some of you, but if it gets below 50 down here, we have our Snuggies on and our fireplaces lit up!

Anyway, I'd like to introduce you to this handsome devil....

This, Ladies and Gentlemen, is Mason Dale!

Mason is 2 1/2 years old and full of mischief (like any two year old is, I guess).  This one came out of the womb small, meek, and calm.  He was born 6 six early, weighing a whopping 4 lbs, which might explain his little demeanor.  However, as he has grown, so has his voice, his curiosity, and his MESS!  This kid is like a 24 lb wrecking ball (think Miley without the tongue and drug use and with clothes).  He's at that age where he is hitting lots of little milestones.  The latest one being transitioning to a toddler bed...

And this, y'all, is where the conundrum begins....

Mason's crib transitioned into a toddler bed.  So, it's the same bed, just lowered and without one side.  We decided a few days ago that it was time for him to start sleeping in a "big boy bed", so we took down the crib and introduced him to his "new" bed.  He was excited and proud to be a "big boy".  I was a little nervous about bedtime that night.  I thought for sure he would be freaked out and not stay in his bed now that it was low to the ground and easy to get out of.  I was pleasantly surprised when bedtime went just as smooth as usual.  NO crying and NO climbing out of the bed.  I went to bed feeling pretty accomplished and proud of myself (I was raising a child that deals with transition well). That is, until 8:30 the next morning when I heard "Momma!  I'm up!  Come get me out!" ...It was then I realized, I'm not SuperMom...Mason just hadn't realized that he could get right out of bed on his own.  He was so used to being stuck in the crib until someone got him out.  I walked down the hallway feeling somewhat defeated trying to figure out how to explain to him that he didn't have to wait for me anymore.  Wait a minute...No ma'am!  I decided not to tell him a thing!  The longer he believed he couldn't get out of the bed by himself, the easier bedtime would go and the less likely we'd have a midnight visitor in our room.  You can judge me if you want...chances are if you are judging me, you don't have children, and that just makes me giggle!  

This ignorant bliss went on for a couple of days, until one day at naptime, Matt and I heard Mason's door open and watched him walk down the hallway with a big smile on his face.  Matt and I looked at each other and new our evil plan had run its course. Dangit!  He figured it out!  

Since then, we've given the speech before every naptime or bedtime.  "Mason, don't get out of your bed."  Mason doesn't listen.  The other day during naptime, I heard him in his room rummaging though his toys.  I guess he thinks if the door is closed, I can't hear him.  Anyway, he must not have been able to find the toy he was looking for, because I heard his bedroom door quietly open.  I peeked around the corner and watched him stick his head out to see if anyone was looking.  He thought the coast was clear...he took off running across the hall to his sister's room, dug through her toys, got the one he wanted, checked the hallway again, and ran back to his room.  He shut the door behind him and continued to play what I think was a mix between Buzz Lightyear and Ariel for the next 30 minutes.  

Needless to say, sleep has been a precious commodity around here lately.  I've been stressed trying to figure out how to keep him in his bed at night.  Do I ignore him when he cries?  Do I just bring him straight back to bed?

Last night, though, I think I got my answer.  He had been in bed about an hour.  I was in a bubble bath (one that I had waited all day for) when I heard my bathroom door open and saw my little wrecking ball walk in.  He was trying to be a big boy...I could see his bottom lip quiver as he looked at me and said, "I wanna rock"..I don't know what it is about your little boy trying not to cry, but I couldn't handle it!  I hopped right out of that bath (who needs to shave their legs in the winter anyway?), put on my jammies, and brought that baby to his room and rocked him for at least 45 minutes.  Did he play me?  He sure did!  Did he manipulate me?  For sure!  Did I let him win?  Absolutely!  Will he probably be walking in here any minute to do it to me again?  You betcha!  

But GUESS WHAT!!  I don't care!  That is my baby, and if he wants to rock with his momma, then that's what we'll do!  One day too soon, he'll be embarrassed of me.  He'll be too big and bad for his momma to love on him....So, I've decided I'm gonna take all the lovin' I can now!  I might be tired and have a strong addiction to coffee and Diet Coke, but my son will know that WHENEVER he needs his momma, I'll be there...

I hope we can all find the balance between disciplining our children, but also knowing when to give them that extra bit of love.  After all, it won't be like this for long...

With Love, 

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Weekly Hoorays and No Ways!!!

Hey y'all!!  
I hope everyone had a great week!  This was my last week of Christmas vacation (boo), but I really have enjoyed myself.  I've got a few things that I've been loving (and something that I have NOT been loving) this week that I'd like to share with you!

HOORAYS...

Beauty

I have been LOVING the Paul Mitchell Hot Off the Press Thermal Protection Spray.  This product works as a heat protectant, but also acts like a hairspray.  It holds my curl ALL day without making my hair feel like it has a crunchy layer of hairspray in it.

Real Techniques Blending Sponge, $5.99
Purchase Here

Paul Mitchell Hot of the Press,  $15
Purchase Here

Next is the Real Techniques Blending Sponge.  This is by far the easiest and quickest way to apply foundation.  I have read a lot about the Beauty Blender...a $20 make-up sponge???  I think not...This sponge gives the same effect for about a fourth of the price (and who doesn't need to save money?).  You just wet the sponge, squeeze out the excess water, and "bounce" the sponge to blend in your foundation.

Mommy Favorites

If you have a little girl, you need a Tangle Teezer!  My Karleigh has hair that tangles SO bad...she gives a whole new meaning to rat's nest.  It usually takes me about 15 minutes to comb out her hair after bath time...it involves screaming and crying (from both of us), and eventually daddy has to hold her down while I comb...Well, NOT ANYMORE!  It literally takes me 2 minutes, at most, to comb through her hair.  It is completely safe to use on wet hair and works just as well on my hair.  I picked mine up at Target (my favorite place in the world).  

Tangle Teezer, $9.99
Purchase Here

These Disney desks have been such a great babysitter!  My mom gave Karleigh and Mason these desks for Christmas.  They think they are so neat and they really are!  They have a basket under the desks to put items in; we use it for coloring books.  There is also a built in cup.  My little ones keep their crayons here.  It's nice for me because I don't have crayons and coloring books scattered throughout every square inch of my home!  If you have little ones that like to play school, this would be so fun for them!

Disney Desk, $39.88
Purchase Here

Random Favorites

My favorite app has been the Charades app for my iPhone.  OH MY GOODNESS!  This is so much fun!  It's like charades on steroids!  You hold your phone or tablet to your forehead while your friends act out the word or phrase on the screen.  I played this with my coworkers yesterday (during lunch of course) and we laughed like crazy (if you've had multiple children, cross your legs before you play!).  It's worth checking out.

Check it Out

NO WAYS...

My only No Way for this week is the cold weather!  Yuck!  I don't want to go anywhere but my living room.  Thank goodness for fireplaces and fuzzy socks!

I hope you have a great week!  New post will be up on Monday.  Remember to follow the blog.  It really helps!

Bye y'all!

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FANCY FRIDAY...Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara

Hey y'all!  I want to share a product with you that I think is worth a try.  Like many people, I suffer with dark circles under my eyes.  I have no idea why.  Oh wait, nevermind...I know EXACTLY why I have these bags under my eyes...Two children under the age of 5, full-time job, and full-time graduate school.  I have yet to find an under eye concealer that does the job.  If y'all have any suggestions, let me know below.  However, I find that my mascara only adds to the darkness under my eyes, as it smears through the day.  I've tried it all...regular formula, waterproof,  high-end, drug store...it all smears, leaving me looking like the joker.   That is, until I found this little beauty...

Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara, $10
Purchase Here

That's right, ladies...a mascara JUST for your bottom lashes.   The ONLY mascara I'll use on my bottom lashes from this point on (until they discontinue it...it seems like this happens to everything I love).  Let me tell you why:

Length and Volume

This mascara gives your bottom lashes both length and volume, but doesn't look fake or scary.  The small wand (it's crazy small) makes it soooo easy to apply to your bottom lashes, especially for make-up challenged people like myself.

Long Wearing

This mascara lasts all day and DOES NOT smudge and smear under my eyes!  I swear they put unicorn tears in this stuff (there is NO other explanation)!  

This is after 4 hours.  

Price

I'll admit, $10 seems a little pricey for a mascara that you can only use on your bottom lashes.  However, I've spent at least 10 times that trying to find a mascara that does the job like this one.  

All in all, I think this is a GREAT buy.  Especially if you have a problem with mascara smudging under your eyes.  

I hope this was helpful to you!  Thanks for stopping by!  Don't forget to leave some love and follow my blog so you'll get emails whenever I publish a new post :)!

With Love, 

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Whatever I Want Wednesday...Bring it on 2014!

2014 already?!  Where does the time go?  It seems like each year flies by faster and faster...and I get more boring every year.  What did I do to ring in the New Year??  Go to an awesome concert?  No.  Dance the night away with my friends?  Ha!  No.  I sat on my couch surfing the internet, cuddled next to this sweet thing. 

 Yep, Sadie and I lounged around in our sweat pants (well, I wore sweat pants...if Sadie wore sweat pants, we'd have some issues).  Sadie spent most of the night shaking in fear from the fireworks being shot off in our neighborhood, and I spent most of the night fighting my urge to go out on the front porch and yell at all of the amateur pyrotechnic technicians.  With every pop, I expected to see Karleigh and Mason walk sleepily down the hallway; their slumber (and my peace) being interrupted by the noise.  But lucky for me, and my neighbors, they slept through it all. 

 In the silence, I started thinking about the most obvious New Year's topic: my resolution.  I'm not really one to make resolutions, as I usually break them after a few days.  This year, though, something is different.  I'm not sure what it is.  Maybe it's getting older ( I'm closing in on 30), maybe it's having children, I'm not sure.  I REALLY believe that I won't break this resolution.  What is this almighty resolution, you ask?  It's simple....I'm going to stop second guessing myself.  There have been so many things that I've wanted to do or try in my life, but I've always over-analyzed EVERYTHING.  I've stopped myself from trying a lot of things.  This blog, for example.  I've wanted to do this for a long time, but always stopped myself.  What will people think?  Will they think that I think I know it all??  Well, Shannon, who cares?!  If it makes me happy, why give a flip about what people think?  Starting in 2014, if there is something I want to do or try, I'm gonna (sorry, I'm southern) do it.  And if people don't like it, then they won't read it.  That's the worst that can happen.  I feel empowered and ready to take on 2014.  What are your resolutions (if you make them)?

With Love,





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