Man, getting to that day was a lot of work. By everyone pictured and some not.

Today has been quite the day. I had to run to 3 different professional beauty stores to get color and product for my clients tomorrow. Now I have 2 hours before I need to get to YW's for our "Back to School" activity, where I will teach the girls some fast hairstyles and beauty tips. Then 8:30-11 I'll be working at Gap. Once in a while I get overwhelmed but most of the time I love being busy and productive. I think it's because I've had it the other way.

I am so thankful for my parents for helping me through hair school. It has changed my life. I am thankful for the freedom and opportunity to stretch myself. I am so grateful for a husband who supports our family financially. I remember talking to someone about having their daughter in law work at Gap at nights, to get out of the house and to have some spending money. They replied " I don't think her husband would let her work that late." I am pretty sure my jaw had to be lifted off the ground. 

I remember getting in the car being so grateful to my husband who supports me in all I do. Also to my mom and dad who are the epitome of teamwork. 

I've watched too many people fill their life with "busy" activities. 

Today, I hope the short time I spend away from my family makes a difference in my workplace and in someones life. I never expected to gain such great friendships with my clients and that makes it all the better.

Mom Fail

Mom fail? 

Is it?

I've been thinking a lot about parenting lately and the judgement that comes a long with it.

I remember being pregnant with Isaac and how much pressure there was on me to be the perfect carrier of this un born child. Well...If anyone was keeping score, I failed. 

60+ pounds gained, didn't exercise, my diet consisted of Oreo's and IBC root beer (the root beer burn helped with the heartburn) and Taco Bell at least 4 times a week. But somehow this perfect little human being had a beautiful and perfectly healthy entrance into this world. I stopped reading parenting books and listening to the daily advice I got from people I knew and people I didn't know. I received a breast pump at my baby shower. It wasn't until recently I realized that the choice to breast feed was made for me by those around me. The first two weeks of Isaac's life were beautiful at times but for the most part a living hell. The little bugger just had the hardest time nursing. Now that I am on round two I wish I would have just given Isaac a bottle. I didn't know that I had that option. I was too worried about what others would say. 

But who are these others? These others are mothers themselves. 

When did mom's start being so judgemental of each other?
Aren't we all on the same team?

My second baby was so much easier. I decided I was going to take care of myself so I could take care of my new born baby and my family at home. I had a full support team on my side. According to any parenting "expert" I am a complete fail.

McKay has slept on his tummy since coming home from the hospital. He started on cereal at 5 months. I cut him off of nursing because I was ready to have a little more freedom. I went back to work when he was 3 weeks because I missed seeing the people I love working with. 

I couldn't be happier.

Happy mom = happy family.

Well I survived. I survived my first night away from McKay. 

Barely.

I remember the first night away from Isaac. I needed to be medicated so I could sleep. 

Remember how I blew my anniversary?

Well my sweet husband arranged for McKay to sleep over at Grandma's so 

we could go to Deer Valley in Park City for the Utah Symphony.

Mom and Dad missed both their kids but it felt good to have some romance.

Grandma sent me this picture of McKay 1/2 way through our date. 

Melt my heart. 

A couple more days and we are at the 1/2 way point of Isaac's trip. 

Wild Child Wednesday

Wild Child Wednesday. 

Every Wednesday I'll take the time to dedicate a post to myself.

The younger self could probably teach me a lot if 

I could go back in time and meet her.

To my younger self,

You're kinda adorable. Don't forget that. Because in about 20+ years you'll have days where you look in the mirror and think to yourself "ugh, this will have to do for today."

Pay attention in Young Women's because at 28 you'll be called to serve the Young Women in your ward after 10+ years being somewhat inactive. 

Soak up the time you'd get to spend with mom watching Oprah while

 eating cookie dough because life will get really busy.

Don't be embarrassed by dad, you'll realize he's actually really really cool.

Don't waste your time with lemon juice, it doesn't lighten your hair or freckles. 

Someday you'll have $ for amazing hair color and good makeup ;)

Friday afternoon was spent in bed. Lame I know. It was beautiful outside but I just couldn't get myself up and moving. We arrived home from St. George Friday around 2:30 am and took Isaac to the airport around 8:30 in the morning. So the rest of the day was spent catching up on shows while McKay took a few naps. Isaac loves going to Orlando to see his dad, but I hate how quiet it is. But I do love coming home from getaways to a DVR full of my shows. 

One of the many that I watched was Miss Advised. But what isn't there to love on Bravo? I usually cover my eyes or just cringe watching shows like the Bachelor or Bachelorette because everyone on these shows seems just too desperate. It got me thinking about dating. How much fun it was, but also how frustrating it could be at times. George always makes jokes about how many men I dated before we got married. On a road trip to CA while dating we started talking about our #'s. Ya know, how many people we dated, how many we kissed and so forth. I for sure thought George would have staggering numbers, considering his age. But come to find out I had dated double the amount of people in my 3 years of being single after my divorce than he had in his 20+ years of dating. This is because in those years I just wanted to have fun. I wanted to make up for lost time. I got married too young. With no expectation of what I would need in a man. Those years before I got married (the first time) I always had a boyfriend or was always dating someone. Some of them, I'd like to forget. Oh man, as I write this I cringe thinking about some of them and am having a "what was I thinking" moment. Those were fun times too. My older sister Kacey  and I starting hanging out. Before then I was just her annoying little sister that wore her clothes and stole her cd's. How else would I know that I loved Sade too? We would spend our weekends shopping, eating and meeting "boys." I think I learned a lot about men watching her. She was confident. I learned that confidence is key to most of the things you would do in life but it would soon play a HUGE role in my dating and social life. 

After seperating from my first husband I was living in a new city, with a new job, new friends and a little 1 year old in tow. I took a trip back home to Utah and met a guy while visiting. We had a long distance relationship. Soon a relationship that I would regret and would waste a lot of my time. During that relationship I saw myself slipping into old habbits of having low self esteem, being passive, being the caretaker etc. I'm not sure what happened but something in me changed. I think being a single mom made me realize I was kind of a big deal. Ok, not really but it gave me the chance to have a "do over" and this time I played the game by my rules, not his. 

So with that being said, I decided I would come up with a few rules that I deemed appropriate for the single girls in my life. One in particular because I love her so much...

1. Being single is kinda fabulous. 

Really. Trust me on this one. I love being a wife and mother, but I wouldn't be telling the truth if I didn't admit that I miss being by myself at times. I go to bed about the same time I used to be getting ready for the night when I was single. So take the opportunity while your single to fulfill dreams that may not be quite within your reach later on in life. Travel the world. Splurge on amazing finds for your closet and home. Eat amazing food because you'll soon be eating the last of your babies Cheerios that have been 1/2 sucked on.

2. Say yes. 

Men don't ask women out the way they used to. It takes a lot of balls for a man to ask a girl out, so give him the courtesy and say yes. Why? Because you NEVER know what will happen. AND.....he may have friends that could be a better fit. It's all about networking! Plus a date (good or bad) is a great excuse to get dressed up, stay out late and enjoy a good meal. 

3. Step outside your comfort zone.

I met my husband in a bar. 3 months later we went on a really awkward date to a movie where he tried to hold my hand. I thought it was the weirdest thing, but I wasn't used to someone doing everything the old fashioned way :)

Back to the bar.... Notice I didn't say get drunk and go home with a guy. But change it up! You don't have to drink to go dancing with girlfriends. Go to concerts, maybe try a cocktail for the first time in your life. Go skiing. Take a lesson and hit the slopes. There is a lot of men on the mountains.

 Ladies: you aren't going to meet a guy at Cold Stone or Yogurtland. 

If you do, I raise my spoon to you!  

4. Don't care tooooooo much.

When you start dating someone don't throw all your eggs in one basket. I like to have 2 or 3 baskets brewing at one time. Until you and your guy have declared you are only dating each other, date around.    But also be courtesous enough to not text or talk to Harry while on a date with Larry. Which brings me to my next rule.

5. He's gotta know how to use a phone.

Texting is too easy. If a guy hasn't called and asked you out after texting for days and days, he's lame. Texting is for kids.

6. If he's not that into you, it's okay.

Don't play games. Don't text him to see how he's doing, because he's doing just fine... with somebody else. Don't erase his phone #. Because we all know you've already got it memorized and you'll crack one day and text or call him. Keep his phone # so one day when you're with someone better it will feel THAT much better to delete his phone #. 

7. Don't be jealous of other women.

We're all on the same team. There is always going to prettier girls, girls with better personalities but there is only one of you. And if he's with you, it's because he's figured out the same thing that you have, you're a good catch. 

8. Don't give up too much for him.

I moved clear across the country for a man without any commitment from him. I started all over and when it didn't work out I was left with nothing, while his life continued on as though nothing had changed. My first relationship after that was long distance. I wanted to move home so bad to be with him not realizing that I lived in one of the most amazing cities. After that I made up my mind that if a guy wanted me bad enough he'd move mountains to be with me. He'd come to me and fit into my life instead of me changing my world to be with him. When I dated George I asked him if he'd ever move to be with me and he said "well, I'd make it work" I knew I had met my match. 

9. Get off Pinterest and join Match.com

Our world is moving faster than it used to. We are all busy people. Use your lunch break for a blind date with someone online. Meet in a public place. Drive your own car (always) and offer to buy your own lunch. 

10. Enjoy the ride.

You're only young, hot & single once. In my case twice because I was granted a re-do, thank goodness.   Go on trips with your girlfriends. Hit up some bars and get your flirt on. Get ready with music on. Don't play games. Be open for anything. If a guy suggests sky diving on a date, do it. If he buys you a plane ticket from Orlando to Napa, don't do it..he only wants one thing. Fulfill your dreams.  Because one day you'll find yourself in bed at 10:30 knowing you'll be up in a couple of hours to your husbands snoring and bed hogging. Up at 2 am for a feeding instead of dancing in a club. You won't want to regret not having an adventure. I don't. I am thankful for my single years but there is nothing better than waking up to the giggle of a baby. It beats any hangover I've ever had.
Give the nice guy a chance. He'll change your life and make you believe in love again.  

I know, right?

I've been married to this guy for 2 years. But you wouldn't know it because there isn't any self portraits of us at a fancy eatery, nor a picture of us at a swanky hotel dressed to the nines and me with more than mascara and chapstick. No lingerie. No chocolate. No monkey business (yeah that's what I call it, hot huh?) All of this because I was working. 

Yep, working on my anniversary. By choice.

Which I chose to do because I knew it was going to be busy at work and I didn't want to miss all the action. Wife of the year award right? I mentioned to George a couple of weeks before our anniversary that I was going to work on our anniversary and wanted to know if we could celebrate before or after. He didn't seem to mind at all. But the morning of our anniversary he was really sad. Not only because we weren't celebrating, but because I slept though our "anniversary breakfast." I know, I know I am polishing my wife award as I write this. We had talked about going to breakfast at 8 a.m. before he had to be to the office. Well the baby was up every 2-3 hours (teething blows) and I finally fell asleep at 6:20 and slept until I heard McKay talking. So I went to get him out of bed and he wasn't in there. There he was with Daddy & Isaac eating his messy breakfast in his highchair. Romantic huh? My husband gave me a pat on the bum and rushed into the shower so he could be to work on time. Don't worry I walked myself into the dog house. 

My day went on as usual as any other Monday. I met George at Isaac's baseball game and raced off to work to find a letter on the seat of my car. I cried on my way to work. After getting home around midnight I crawled into bed and told him how sad our anniversary was. But that's kinda how we roll. We are the couple that decided to get married in 3 weeks because we had dated 2.5 years and it was either get married or break up. Well we chose the later. I'm glad I did. Until 3 weeks into be married.... We decided to paint our place. Lesson learned. Want a divorce? Remodel or paint with me.

 We hired someone to re-paint and carpet last fall.

I cannot wait for our "do over" weekend in 2 weeks. No kids (pray I can pry myself from the baby), no work, no reality tv (which may be just as hard to give up as my baby) and lots of food to make myself feel even sexier about being 20 lbs overweight.......sigh

Last night I couldn't sleep. What's new. Normally I would blame it on the baby, but I was wide awake thinking about what a brat I was to my husband when he kissed me on the forehead to apologize. I told him he had no reason to apologize, really, he didn't. He was just trying to keep the peace.........Then after about 20 minutes of pretending I was asleep I grabbed the iPad and began my usual blog browsing, or as my girlfriends put it "blog stalking." Some of my favorite blogs consist of fashion, food, travel, decorating, NYC life (I'm a jealous hater to the Mormon bloggers living in the big apple.)

I'll give you an example of some of the blogs I stalk. This girl has got a KILLER closet (clink for links), This girl has the most adorable baby and husband. For real, does this girl ever wear sweat pants?  And what I wouldn't give to live her city life. When reading these blogs I forget these people have real lives with real problems. So as I sat in bed I decided to start blogging about what I really think and feel, instead of what I want people to see.

 Disclaimer: I am NOT a writter. It takes me 45 minutes to write George a hand written message in Hallmark cards with a few mistakes that get scribbled out. Every scribble can be covered in heart drawings. I don't journal. Okay that's a lie. I journal but I usually throw them away because I don't like to hold onto a lot of old stuff. I am not someone you want to take "vintage" shopping because in my opinion it's used and old. Eww and smelly. That's neither hear nor there.

So my blog has gotten a facelift (I'll learn how to use blogger better) and I'm making it a personal goal to blog more. Now excuse me, I have some Pinterest, Instagram, Gmail and Facebooking to do. Oh...and makeup sex to be had. ;)