A sweet deal from eShakti!!!

Don't forget that today is your last chance to
take advantage of a sweet deal from eShakti
exclusively for my readers!


Have a great weekend and happy shopping!

Freakshow Friday: Lederhosen Edition

It's time for another installment of Freakshow Friday. Where I ask my readers to come up with a caption or story for a photo taken from Awkward Family Photos. My best friend will be the judge and she's one hilarious freakaziod. So, bring it! Here is the week's photo, this kid has got some serious attitude.

This kid says "alvederzane" to the competition.

You got a better one for me?

If so, you may just when this awesome award
and have bragging rights forever.
Oh...do I ever have an award for you!
You will win this brand spankin' new award!!

If you win then I'll linkup to your

Blog and make a big deal
about how funny you are.
Simply leave your funny caption or story
in my comments section.

The winner will be announced on Monday.

You Capture :: Play

The assignment this week over at You Capture was Play.
A favorite cure for boredom over here
is for Griffin to transform the bathroom into a chemistry lab.
We have food coloring, powder, bubble baths, cups and spoons in all sizes.
I simply fill up the sink and let him do "science experiments".
It keeps him busy for at least half an hour at a time.
As I walked past the restroom to put away some laundry
I heard him playing in a sink full of red water.
He laughed manically and cackled...

"I'm a dark scientist."

The Stay at Home Mom Chronicles :: Creating a "yes house"

There are several actions that I can count on my children doing everyday
to slowly drive me insane.

1. Koen will attempt to climb onto the couch,
run across the couch once he pulls himself up,
and then take a running leap off of the couch onto the floor.
(Usually head first)

2. Griffin and Koen will play chase.
Griffin will pass by his brother and lightly brush his
hand against him as he runs by.
This will knock Koen over onto floor.
I watch my baby tumble and hold my breath in hopes
that no tiny body parts get injured.

3. Koen will get up, brush himself off,
and then attatch himself to Griffin's waste as he runs by.
Griffin will then drag his brother across the room
as Koen bites his butt.
Screaming and squealing erupts.

4. They both end up in tears at some point.

5. I end up running around like a chicken with it's head cut off to
catch Koen before he falls off the couch,
stop Griffin from knocking Koen over,
keep Koen's mouth from biting Griffin's butt.

You get the idea...these boys keep me on my toes.
I was hearing myself say "no" over and over and over and over.
I rarely had a chance to even sit down.
Well, mama took control back over my home!
I read in that flippin awesome spirited child book
that you should try to create a "yes house"
by setting up your home to eliminate having to say no all the time.
She suggests to rearrange your home so that it flows
and you can start saying "yes" all day.
It gets exhausting saying no all of the time.

So...after an intricate set up of several baby blockades,
Koen is no longer granted access to the couch.
Although he looks like he is in baby jail,
our day is running much smoother.

This has also cut off the space that they used to play chase.

Now Griffin has his side of the room
and Koen has his.
No more baby being knocked over,
no more butts being bitten.

They will have plenty of time to bond
over making mom crazy
when they are a bit older.
When Koen can defend himself from Griffin
or throw himself off of the couch
and land on his feet
instead of his sweet tiny head.

So now I have a "yes house"
and it feels so much better than saying "no" all day.
Thank God, because I was about
to lose my fragile mind.

P.S. 18 days until school starts...
but who's counting?

The Happiness Project :: Week 21

Best snack ever...

Fresh mozzarella, tomato, basil, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar.

<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://leighvslaundry.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae172/leighbug_photo/2876650690_005fb39e00-4-2.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a></div><br />

If you want to jump on the bandwagon
simply post a photo of something that
makes you wildly happy.
Then, steal my button up there
and include it in your post.
Please let me know if you decide to join in.
Don't forget to link up to Mr. Linky.

Ah...memories of COMPLETE insanity.

So, after my little nervous breakdown last week, I started thinking about the absolute insanity that follows after you have a baby. Upon reflection of my life this time last year, I realized that I've come a long way. Here is a repost from July of last year, on a day that I almost lost my mind. Take note...my mind is still intact. Mothers can survive such amazing levels of craziness.
This gives me hope that I will make it through the rest of summer.

Yesterday we went on a quest because I had a hankering for some bar-b-que. My dad had bragged to me about this amazing dining experience he had while eating at an all you can eat buffet at Fresh Air Bar-b-que. He told a tale of Ribs so tender that the meat just fell off the bone. He painted a picture of home made Mac n cheese, squash casserole, and banana pudding for desert. We packed up the kids and hopped on loop 10 for what would be the most unrelenting journey I've ever taken to get a plate of BBQ.

You see, we are admittedly still adjusting to having 2 children. We just aren't doing it with style at this point. We are like a three ring circus, the four of us, and even a twenty minute ride is a challenge for us.

Let me set the stage...

Our 4 year old Griffin refuses to eat anything but MacDonald's or Subway when eating out. We do exactly as my parents did when I was a child. Which was to simply pick it up at the drive thru on the way to where the grown ups wanted to eat. I ate many Happy Meals at various Chinese food restaurants as a child, so why shouldn't I do it for my spoiled kid?

Well, as we barreled down the road (because we were all starving) Griffin became very concerned that he was going to be forced to eat Bar-b-que even though we had told him a million times already that we were going to get him a Happy Meal. He asked over and over what the plan was, where the restaurant was located, how much longer it would take to get there. Then, Koen started screaming because he was hungry. Roger and I looked at each other like we were about to cave and eat at crappy McDonald's yet again.This is a new theme in our lives, we try so hard to eat an adult meal but don't even make it to the restaurant of choice because of poor time management and rumbling tummies. We need to leave twenty minutes earlier but don't because we are juggling our new routine with two kids.

I digress, we quickly made a new plan. He and Griffin would run into McDonald's and Griffin would eat his lunch while I breastfed Koen in the car. We both agreed that we could wait to eat because we really wanted to dine at the "amazing" all you can eat buffet. Half an hour later, we were back in the car with two fed children and two starving parents. I was proud of us for holding out and could amost taste the delicious meal we were on our way to partake in.

Upon arrival at Fresh Air BBQ, the first thing we saw was about fifteen rednecks having a family reunion on the front porch. I jumped out of the car and very rudely pushed my way through the door to beat this huge family to the buffet. Roger trailed behind with a car seat in one hand and Griffin in the other. I have no shame when it comes to BBQ, I'll take out any redneck that gets in my way.

When I finally made it inside the restaurant I discovered that the buffet was closed. It sat empty and dark in the corner as my heart sank. The buffet is only available for weekday lunch. I quickly ran over to read the menu that had been hand written on a dry erase board. There were no ribs, no mac-n-cheese, and no squash casserole. I had the choice of pulled pork sandwiches with potato chips or chicken tenders. I pathetically ordered the sand which and sat down to a mediocre meal. Roger and I ate in defeated silence as Griffin ran circles around our table. I was so beat down that I just let my kid run amok.

I thought for sure that the entire journey and meal would be worth it for some home made banana pudding. When I went to order it, the lovely elderly lady behind the cash registered uttered "We ain't got none today." I backed away slowly as to not make a scene.

This sent me into an existential crisis. Who am I? Why am I here? What does it take to get a decent plate of BBQ around here?

Winner : Ninja Edition

We have a winner for this week's installment of Freakshow Friday. Please take note that my super hilarious and non biased best friend was the judge. Here are the top three in no particular order.

R Montalban
Whose eyes does he have - if you guess right you live!!!

Jeremy from We Took The Bait
In her haste to grab nunchucks, assassin Hotaru Kiyoshi
accidently grabbed a newborn instead.

Busted Kate
OMG, that kid is magic!! He's floating in thin air!

The winner is...
Busted Kate

OMG, that kid is magic!! He's floating in thin air!

Busted Kate
is the funniest blogger in all the land!
Now head on over to her Blog

and marvel at this fantastic award she just earned
to proudly display forever.

Thanks to all the people who played.

Tune in this Friday for another instalment of Freakshow Friday!

Freakshow Friday: Ninja Edition

It's time for another installment of Freakshow Friday. Where I ask my readers to come up with a caption or story for a photo taken from Awkward Family Photos. My best friend will be the judge and she's one hilarious freakaziod. So, bring it! Here is the week's photo, this little family scares me. Especially the Mom, her eyes are looking right through me.

Little Timmy had the most stealth parents on the block.

You got a better one for me?

If so, you may just when this awesome award
and have bragging rights forever.

If you win then I'll linkup to your

Blog and make a big deal
about how funny you are.
Simply leave your funny caption or story
in my comments section.

The winner will be announced on Monday.

Roadmap to my Youth :: Jane's Addiction

Listen to remember...

I don't remember the first time that I heard Jane's Addiction
and I think think that it's because they
just integrated into my life with such ease.

Something about Perry Farrel's voice
got under my skin and never left.
When I hear the song Summertime Rolls
my head gets dreamy and I almost want to cry.

I can just see myself sitting on the hood of my car
in some deserted parking lot with my high school friends.
Blasting this song out the windows
and howling at the stars.
We would be doing all kinds of things
that our loving mothers warned us not to do.

I can almost feel the humid Texas air sticking to my skin
and feeling like I was unstoppable.
The summer was in full swing.
Perry would moan the lyrics...
"Screaming tag, you are the one"
and my heart would ache to find someone to call "the one".

The night would be brimming with possibility.
What would happen next?
We always found trouble
and when we did
Jane's Addiction was usually playing on the stereo.

The Stay at Home Mom Chronicles: Weaving a Bedtime Story

I'm realizing that my days around here seem to run together.
Ordinary moments unfold around me daily
and I need to stop and relish in them.
One day, my boys will be out living life
and I will miss these everyday experiences.

So, I am taking the time to document
the simple moments that pass between us.
I'm calling this little collection of memories
The Stay At Home Mom Chronicles.

Wednesday 8 pm : Telling Griffin stories until he falls asleep.


Bedtime in our home is over indulgent.
There is snuggling and plenty of stories
being told to lull a little boy to sleep.
Roger and I each take bedtime duties for a kid each night.
I handle Koen and he handles Griffin.

Except on Wednesday nights,
when I crawl into bed with Griffin and we snuggle up.
I was missing our bedtime routine
and so I am the lucky lady laying next to him as he drifts
off into sleepyville.

I tell him stories until he falls alseep.
It is my favorite time of day.
Even though I'm exhausted and would rather
quickly kiss his forhead, turn out the lights,
and retire to the couch,
there is something about that quiet time
that sparks a memory for me.

I remember laying in bed next to my grandpa
(who we lovingly called Pappaw)
and having him weave the most dramatic and amazing bedtime stories.
My little mind would be filled with adventures
and I felt so safe and loved
as the stories filled the room.

Now, I lay beside my son and let my imagination take over.
I adore making up stories and finding new adventures.

We've met a silly mouse in a pirate ship
named Gertrude who leads us to a three story tree house
on an island far away.
Inside, a treasure map is hidden.
The treehouse has a magic spell that makes anyone who enters
want to fall alseep.

We've floated into the sky to a cloud city
where a celebration is unfolding.
The residents of Cloud City
were about to crown a new king but the crown is missing.
Only the bravest boy can find the crown that is floating in a sleepy cloud.
The whole town is counting on Griffin
to go on a perilous adventure to find the crown.
Yet...the clouds make him sleepy as he floats through them.

There are more stories than I can fit into
a neatly wrapped up post.
Every Wednesday night, a new tale unfolds.
I treasure the moments that I spend
laying next to Griffin and creating the same lovely place for him
that my Pappaw created for me as a child.

Although, there are those nights that
I threaten to take away every single toy
that he owns if he doesn't quit wiggling and just fall alseep.
I bet that I will even remember those nights
and smile.

The Happiness Project :: Week 20

Letting the house stay messy and

wearing our pajamas all day long.

<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://leighvslaundry.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae172/leighbug_photo/2876650690_005fb39e00-4-2.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a></div><br />

If you want to jump on the bandwagon
simply post a photo of something that
makes you wildly happy.
Then, steal my button up there
and include it in your post.
Please let me know if you decide to join in.
Don't forget to link up to Mr. Linky.

On day 43 of summer vacation I had a nervous breakdown in front of my children.

The phone rang and it was my older brother calling from Colorado. As soon as I picked up the phone and said "Hello..." Griffin grabbed a pillow and tried to start a pillow fight with Koen. I nipped it in the bud and tossed Griffin into "Time out" so that I might get a moment to actually have a conversation with my brother. It's become more and more challenging for me to talk on the phone. Koen has given up his morning nap and Griffin turns into a desperate court jester in need of attention the second that he hears the phone ringing.

With Griffin sulking in time out, I set out for at least a 5 minute conversation. About 30 seconds into it, I see Koen climbing up the shelves of his pretend refrigerator and attempting to climb to the top of his Little Tykes kitchen. I scream "KOEN...NO!!!" as the entire play kitchen starts to topple on top of him. I run like a bat out of hell across the room and catch it just in time. My bother says "Okay, you have your hands full, call me back." I mumble about my life being way too insane as we hang up.

Something about that particular moment sent me over the edge. It was caused by a nasty case of summer burnout. The daily grind of taking care of two energetic boys finally took it's toll and I was holding on by a thin thread. I mean, I was deeply insulted by the fact that I couldn't even have a flippin' phone conversation without my home being turned upside down by my kids.

I grabbed both of the boys and ventured outside to our yard that is basically a jungle. My husband hasn't mowed since God knows when. There were weeds, mosquitoes, and yellow jackets all around us. Do you think that I cared? I placed a shovel in Griffin's hand and told him to dig a hole as I nudged him toward a pile of mud and rocks. I handed Koen a stick and showed him how to smack the tree with it. I then proceed to plop down into a pile of weeds and cry my eyeballs out. Yellow jackets swarmed and flew about as I sobbed. The boys became concerned and tried to hug me with grubby little fingers. This made me cry harder. Can't a woman even cry in peace?

Mommy needs a trip the spa or at least a trip to the potty by myself. I'm shocked that I made it 43 days into summer until I had a good old fashioned nervous breakdown. Only 34 days until school starts again and I'll regain my sanity.

Winner : Little Stud Edition

We have a winner for this week's installment of Freakshow Friday. Please take note that my super hilarious and non biased best friend was the judge. Here are the top three in no particular order.

Kearsie
Hey baby, you got a dollar? Or a juice box?

Cathy
I'm too sexy for my shirt, too sexy for my shirt,
so sexy it hurts...wait, no that's gas.

R Montalban
Susan, after having picked up the baby faced maitre de,
was shocked to find when she got home
that he also had the baby's body to go with it!

The winner is...
Cathy

I'm too sexy for my shirt, too sexy for my shirt,
so sexy it hurts...wait, no that's gas.

Cathy
is the funniest blogger in all the land!
Now head on over to her Blog

and marvel at this fantastic award she just earned
to proudly display forever.

Thanks to all the people who played.

Tune in this Friday for another instalment of Freakshow Friday!

Freakshow Friday :: Little Stud Edition

It's time for another installment of Freakshow Friday. Where I ask my readers to come up with a caption or story for a photo taken from Awkward Family Photos. My best friend will be the judge and she's one hilarious freakaziod. So, bring it! Here is the week's photo, I love this kid.

He's too young to give you a lap dance,
but he will sit in your lap.

You got a better one for me?

If so, you may just when this awesome award
and have bragging rights forever.

If you win then I'll linkup to your

Blog and make a big deal
about how funny you are.
Simply leave your funny caption or story
in my comments section.

The winner will be announced on Monday.

You Capture :: Vehicles

The assignment over at You Capture was Vehicles.
It's pretty uncanny that this was the topic
because just last week when I climbed out of my husband's Explorer
I noticed something about the luggage rack that made me smile...

It shimmers in the sun just like Edward Cullen.

Style Inspiration : Elizabeth Taylor in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof

My Mom gave me a beautiful vintage slip and
I just love wearing it in the middle of a hot afternoon.
I'll slip it on and mop the kitchen and feel like
Elizabeth Taylor in the classic film Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.
I'll float around the house doing chores in lace
and feel so shiny beneath the pink silk.
I feel like a lady as I load the dishwasher.

I highly recommend getting yourself a delicious slip
and wearing it for no good reason other than
it's fun to imagine that your life is filled with Southern drama.
Why not aspire to look like Elizabeth Taylor?

Even if it's 2:30 in the afternoon and
no one is there to see me
but my children and my two cranky cats.

No, I will not be posting a photo
of myself in my delicates...thank you very much!
I will give you a little peek-a-loo
of my simple little slip though.

The Happiness Project :: Week 19

When my husband makes his scrumptious
venison cheeseburgers.

<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://leighvslaundry.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae172/leighbug_photo/2876650690_005fb39e00-4-2.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a></div><br />

If you want to jump on the bandwagon
simply post a photo of something that
makes you wildly happy.
Then, steal my button up there
and include it in your post.
Please let me know if you decide to join in.
Don't forget to link up to Mr. Linky.

Roadmap to my Youth :: The Sugarcubes

I have a guilty pleasure and that is a blog called Style Rookie.
The author is a 14 year old girl named Tavi

who is way cooler than I ever was at the ripe age of 14 years old.
I love her Blog because she conveys her angst so beautifully.
She has style for days and is pretty much
a little badass in granny glasses.

There is a love affair unfolding at Style Rookie
with alternative pop culture of the early nineties.
Guess what?
I was a teenager then.
She is discovering and finding herself
in the same things that I did as a teenager.
It makes for a dreamy read.

She recently wrote a post declaring her love
for Courtney Love and the album
Live Through This.
I can just feel teen angst oozing from my computer screen
and can relate to her complete relief
of finding a voice that speaks her thoughts.

It got me thinking about the huge influence
that music has had over me
throughout my life.
How hearing a certain song can take me back
to a night or a feeling.

I suppose the most influential band that came into my
life at the sweet tender age of 14
was The Sugarcubes.

The first time that I heard Bjork's hauntingly beautiful voice
was a hot night in San Antonio, Texas.
It was 1988 and I was an innocent little lamb.
My friend's older sister gave us a ride somewhere
and The Sugarcubes album It's-it was in her tape player.
With the windows rolled down
and humid Texas air blowing my hair in a halo over my head
the song Birthday filled up the car.

My mind exploded and then settled back in
as the music swirled around me.
I could feel potential blooming within me.
If this type of music was out there
then I wanted to hear more.

An inexplicable hunger took over me in that single moment.
This was just the beginning of my love for music.
It was that little chanteuse's shriek that rattled me
and shook my spirit.
I remember sitting in that car
and being moved to tears as the lights
of the highway were blurred by my tiny crying.
I wiped my cheeks and smiled.

Not long after I heard the song Birthday in my friend's sister's car,
I saw the video for the song on Mtv's 120 Minutes.
I saw Bjork for the first time
with her red dress and button nose.
I would never be the same.

This is the first in a series
of memories I would like to take
now and again.
as I trace back my musical past.
The bands,
the albums,
the concerts,
and the lyrics
that are a roadmap to my youth.

I hope that you'll gladly come on
the journey with me from time to time.
My heart beats a little faster
just thinking about it.
Each song is like an old friend
that I haven't seen in years.

Scroll on down to find out the winner of Freakshow Friday!

Winner : Dustbuster Edition

We have a winner for this week's installment of Freakshow Friday. Please take note that my super hilarious and non biased best friend was the judge. Here are the top three in no particular order.

Jeremy from We Took The Bait
The Thompson family use the most innovative technology
available to remove trace elements of
cocaine from their dining rooom table.

Caroline of Salsa Pie
Hours later when everyone was starving,
the Smith family realized this was not the
best thing to do to Thanksgiving dinner.

Laura
Ghostbusters Training Academy Class of '87

The winner is...
Caroline of Salsa Pie

Hours later when everyone was starving,

the Smith family realized this was not the
best thing to do to Thanksgiving dinner.

Caroline of Salsa Pie
is the funniest blogger in all the land!
Now head on over to her Blog

and marvel at this fantastic award she just earned
to proudly display forever.

Thanks to all the people who played.

Tune in this Friday for another instalment of Freakshow Friday!

Embrace life

Last week there was a horrific crash in our town.
A 2 year old baby boy lost his life in the crash.
It happened 15 cars in front of my husband.
That's a little too close for comfort in my opinion.
This video pulls at my heart even more now.

Be safe
and please pray for the mama
that lost her baby.
Even though I don't know her
or her family,
I can't seem to get her off my mind.

Freakshow Friday: Dustbuster Edition

It's time for another installment of Freakshow Friday. Where I ask my readers to come up with a caption or story for a photo taken from Awkward Family Photos. My best friend will be the judge and she's one hilarious freakaziod. So, bring it! Here is the week's photo, this family seems like a wild and crazy bunch.

Proof that the Smith family really sucks.

You got a better one for me?

If so, you may just when this awesome award
and have bragging rights forever.

If you win then I'll linkup to your

Blog and make a big deal
about how funny you are.
Simply leave your funny caption or story
in my comments section.

The winner will be announced on Monday.

Please check out the exclusive deal from eShakti
for Leigh vs Laundry readers.
It's over there, in my sidebar!

You Capture :: All American Dessert

The assignment for You capture was America.
What's more American than a yummy dessert
to eat as you celebrate Independence Day with friends and family?
I found a recipe in a 1958 issue of Ladie's Home Journal.

Peach Casserole with Marble Cake Mix.

I just love the recipes of the 1950's.
Those ladies loved to toss just about anything into a casserole dish
and then stick it in the oven.
I decided to strap on my apron
and give the recipe a try that I spied
in a Betty Crocker ad.
If it involves making a cake from a box
then I am willing to grab my mixer and mix it up.

I'm not too proud.

I made this for two different 4th of July celebrations
and both times it was a smashing success.

Here is the oh-so-easy recipe.

Peach Casserole with Marble Cake Mix

Spread 1 Package prepared vanilla pudding in ungreased
13x9 pan or shallow 3 qt casserole dish.

Arrange canned, drained, sliced peaches over pudding.

Pour cake batter over peaches.

Bake for 60 minutes at 350 degrees.

Serve warm or cold with whipped cream.

Makes 15 to 18 servings.

Blogging outside of the box.

I am declaring my Manifesto.

I blog because I love to write.
I'm not here to make money
or find fortune and glory.

I refuse to Twitter to promote my Blog.
I need to spend time with my family,
instead of updating y'all about the fact that
I am spending time with my family.

I have no sponsors on this Blog
and have declined sponsorship
that has been offered recently.
I doubt if any of y'all really
are looking for a pay day loan.

If I ever sale ads on this page
it will be for something or someone
that I can stand behind.

I love my readers and celebrate when
people show up to read my posts.
Yet, I don't check my stats.
I am not a slave to the numbers.

I am here
because I love to write.
I love to take photographs.
I love to have a creative space.
I love to have a place
to remind me to not forget
the little moments in life
that pass too quickly.

I write for me and
I write for you
if you choose to show up.

I have a Blog
because there are moments
in life that are too beautiful to not document.

I have this Blog
because life is full of humor
and joy
and I need a place
to let it simmer in my life.

I show up here
day after day
and type away
because there is something
unobtainable driving me
to document
my life
my thoughts
my spirit
my fears
my celebrations
my inspirations
in hopes that maybe
you feel these things too.

This is my manifesto
and I'm sticking to it.
Unless, of course,
you are Oprah or one of Oprah's people
and you love my blog so much
that you want to make
me a household name
because you think that I am fabulous.

Maybe I'd Twitter about that.

The Happiness Project :: Week 18

The excitement of those first fireworks
bursting into the sky at dusk.

<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://leighvslaundry.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae172/leighbug_photo/2876650690_005fb39e00-4-2.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a></div><br />

If you want to jump on the bandwagon
simply post a photo of something that
makes you wildly happy.
Then, steal my button up there
and include it in your post.
Please let me know if you decide to join in.
Don't forget to link up to Mr. Linky.

Winner : Proud to be an American Edition

We have a winner for this week's installment of Freakshow Friday. Please take note that my super hilarious and non biased best friend was the judge. Here are the top three in no particular order.

VandyJ
Randy and his tool were seldom parted.

Karen Mortensen
Looks like more than just the flag went up the flag pole.

Jeremy from We Took The Bait
Billy Joe shows how much he loves his country... and Def Leppard.

The winner is...
VandyJ

Randy and his tool were seldom parted.

VandyJ
is the funniest blogger in all the land!
Now head on over to her Blog

and marvel at this fantastic award she just earned
to proudly display forever.

Thanks to all the people who played.

Tune in this Friday for another instalment of Freakshow Friday!

Be inspired!!

I discovered this amazing little lecture over at a beautiful life
(she always finds the best stuff)

Enjoy!!

I'm a true Theta Mom-again.

Theta Mom has invited us all to write up a true Theta Post in celebration of her one year blogoversary. A while back I posted this little diddy and I love it so much that I decided to repost it today in honor of her. I hope that this isn't cheating since I had already written it but I did put my heart and soul into it when I originally wrote it.

I was tagged by Heather over at Theta Mom and Erin from The Mother Load to participate in the Theta Mom challenge. According to the lovely Heather, "Theta Moms, The True, Authentic Moms. [The-T-A] are authentic because we live authentic lives. Life isn’t perfect and neither are our kids."

I present to you five reasons why I am worthy of this title.

I suppose that my Theta Mom status started when I was pregnant with my first child. In my naivete I had always romanticized pregnancy. If I saw a woman with a big round belly, I thought that it was beautiful. To me it seemed like such a enviable state of being, to house life and feel a deep connection to womanhood. In reality, I had the worst morning sickness ever, heartburn, acid reflux, and an angry sciatica. With both of my pregnancies I gained a ton of weight. When I was pregnant with my second son the only thing that kept me from throwing up was eating a Chic-fil-a chicken biscuit every morning. I would drag my fat ass out of bed and order this delicious yet fattening breakfast come rain or shine. As I stuffed chicken into my face I realized that I did not feel beautiful. I felt fat and tired and a little bit scared of giving birth. This would be the first of many realizations about the reality of motherhood.

My oldest son Griffin gave me a run for my money when he reached toddler hood. He was one of those exuberant children that had a true lust for life. If he saw another child that he wanted to play with he would pounce on them. Literally, he would dive bomb into them, knock them over, sit on them, and then suck on their head. It was not spiteful or mean spirited but terrifying just the same. I became the mother that was in the sandbox, redirecting my sweet son to not sit on the nearest child. It was humbling and shaking sand out of my panties would be the first of many sacrifices that I would make for my scamp of a kid.

For a while, I fought with all my might to be a true western minded mama. I'm just not ever going to be. I am a co-sleeping, breastfeeding on demand, child wearing, rock em' to sleep, stay up all night snuggling, kind of mama. I am indulgent with hugs and use love and logic to discipline. I give my kid choices and get down on my knees when we communicate so that I am on his level. I don't spank or use fear tactics to parent my kids.

That being said, I will throw a kid in time out if he needs it. I'm not raising a brat over here. I use video games and Yo Gabba Gabba to entertain my kiddo if I need a break. I've been known to bribe my kid with candy. I've even let him have Skittles for breakfast. I let my kid watch Spongebob a bit too much. We stumble over toys and laundry because sometimes I just don't feel like cleaning. My first reaction when frustrated is to shout. I have to work hard everyday not to yell at my 4 year old. I get tired of hearing begging at Walmart and buy my son yet another Hot Wheels for no good reason other than I want to shop in peace. I am not perfect and sometimes I just take the easy route. I'm okay with this fact.

I could ramble on with example after example of my Theta Mom ways but instead I'll let you read them in past posts. Like how my house is covered in my son's artwork, my shaky adjustment to mothering two kids, how crazy my days can get, that I let my son run amok, and enable his addiction to video games.

Is this thing on?

Are you sill there?

This was a long post.
Thanks for sticking around.

Scroll on down to play Freakshow Friday!

Freakshow Friday :: Proud to be an American Edition

It's time for another installment of Freakshow Friday. Where I ask my readers to come up with a caption or story for a photo taken from Awkward Family Photos. My best friend will be the judge and she's one hilarious freakaziod. So, bring it! Here is the week's photo, in honor of the 4th of July weekend, I thought that this dude displayed true patriotism.

Nothing says "Freedom" like a mullet.

You got a better one for me?

If so, you may just when this awesome award
and have bragging rights forever.

If you win then I'll linkup to your

Blog and make a big deal
about how funny you are.
Simply leave your funny caption or story
in my comments section.

The winner will be announced on Monday.