Have you voted for Ella yet?

Only about a week left to vote for Ella in her beautiful babies contest! Get your votes in today! We are currently only 15 votes away from Ella breaking into the top 12, so every vote counts! And we really need your votes! Unfortunately, Ella had a lot of votes that didn't get registered because the contest administrators are having issues with the site. It is currently not registering votes from some mobile devices and tablets. If you have already voted from a mobile device and are not sure if your vote counted, please re-vote from a desktop computer or laptop!  I know this is an inconvenience, but we really appreciate it! If you have not voted yet, please use a desktop or laptop if you can. If you don't have access to one of those, please make sure that when you vote from your phone or tablet that the total number of her votes increases by one to reflect your vote! 

For full instructions and information about the contest, please click the link above to read my previous post. To go straight to the contest to vote, click here! 

Few reminders:

Like the page of the contest (Legacy Credit Union) to be able to vote (you must have a Facebook) 

Search my name (Dani Mosley) to easily find her picture if it doesn't pop up automatically

Enter an email address in the box above the vote button to be able to cast your vote

And most importantly, 

SHARE THIS WITH YOUR FRIENDS!!! To get as many votes as we can, we have to spread the word around! You can share this blog post or just share the contest itself on your Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, blog, etc. SHARE!!! SHARE!!! SHARE!!!

Please and thank you! :) 

Ella is in a beautiful babies contest! Let's help her win!

Click here  to vote in the contest!! 

Please click the link above to vote for Ella in the Legacy Credit Union Beautiful Babies Contest! The 12 babies with the most votes will get to go before a panel of judges to be able to compete to be on the cover of Alabama Baby and Child magazine! We really appreciate the support! When you click the link, look for the picture of Ella in her red, white, and blue 4th of July outfit. My name ( Dani Mosley) and my cousin's name (Christy Mosley Brown) will both be listed beneath the picture. The quickest way to get to the picture is to sort by "latest" and it will pop up. Make sure you "like" Legacy's page to be able to vote!

Thank you so much for taking a few minutes to vote!

You guys are the best. Seriously!

Last day of the countdown!

Happy Birthday!

The countdown is finally ending! Tomorrow is the big day. I am less than one hour away from being 26! I'll admit that this last week has had me panicking a little. I think I hit a bit of a quarter-life crisis. I started freaking out when I thought about where I thought I would be in my life versus where I actually am. It doesn't exactly match up very well. I had a completely different vision for my life actually. So when I thought about being 26 and not having hit all of the milestones I expected to have already passed by now, I went into meltdown mode a few times. But I pulled it together. Mainly because of one little girl I know. Anytime I started thinking about how things were "supposed" to be, I just focused on her. She's better than anything I could have imagined for my life.

And she also happens to be the very last reason of why I am excited to new turning 26 tomorrow. Ella. Because no matter how my birthday turns out or how many meltdowns I have when something doesn't turn out the way I expect during the next year, I know that she makes everything worth it. She brings joy into my life that would never have been possible without her. So why am I happy that tomorrow is my birthday? Because I'll be woken up in the morning (at 7:06AM) by the happiest little girl to wish me a happy birthday. And then all day she will be the one that outs the biggest smile on my face. And I know that every birthday is better because she is with me to celebrate it! 

Happy Early Birthday To Me!! 

Today's reason I am excited to turn 26

Recently, my mom came into town and brought with her my birth certificate for me to keep. I was briefly glancing over it when I noticed something that just went all over me. All of my life my mother has told me that I was born at 7:06pm on July 15, 1988. Well, in actuality, she only got most of that right. She blames it on the fact that she went through 36 hours of dry labor only to end up having to have a C-section. She says she was so delirious by that point that she didn't know which way was up, much less what time of day it was. Yes, I have heard about this birth experience more than once.

So today's reason for why I am looking forward to my birthday is because this year I get to do something for the very first time. I get to celebrate my actual time of birth, 7:06 A.M. It seems like a small detail, but I always believed I was a night baby. And everyone would always joke that that is why I absolutely hate mornings and always stay up way into the wee hours of the morning. Well, I guess we were all wrong. I am actually a morning baby!

The only bad part? I have no idea how I am actually going to make myself get up that early in the morning to be able to celebrate the actual moment of my birth! But I better figure it out since I have been off by 12 hours every other year. This is my first year to get it right!

Have you ever found out something about yourself that surprised you? Share below!

The countdown continues...

I'm back! After a few very busy days and some issues with internet going out so I couldn't post, I am back to play some catch up! Here are all of the past few days' reasons why I am looking forward to July 15!!

Well, I never said I was perfect! 

Day 4:
Presents!!!! No explanation needed because everyone loves gifts! :)

Day 5:
Because 26 means I am finally a true adult! 25 is about the last big birthday one has before getting into the "decade birthdays" like 30 and 50, so 26 means no more messing around. I have to actually be a grown up! That is scary and exciting at the same time!

Day 6:
Because Ella is just as excited about my birthday as I am! Every time I tell her that my birthday is coming she starts to clap and laugh. And then she gets even more excited when I say that birthdays=balloons!!! Honestly, I think she has me beat in the enthusiasm department. Even I'm not jumping up and down with excitement, well at least not in front of people.

Day 7:
Because I am already thinking about the food and cake that comes along with birthdays! That alone is enough reason to be happy it's your birthday. I don't know whether KT will take me out to eat or cook dinner at home, but I know that it will be delicious either way. Although, the Melting Pot does sound pretty yummy right now...


Anyone else's birthday coming up? What are your plans? Looking forward to reading the comments!! Maybe I'll get some great ideas for what I want to do for mine!

Happy 4th of July!!

 

Hooray! It's Independence Day! It's day to remember how fortunate we all are to live in a country where we are free! And it is especially a day to remember all of the brave men and women that have fought for that freedom. And since we live in a country where we are free, we get to celebrate with BBQ and fireworks! Yay! So Happy Birthday America, I'll drink one for you!

Luckily, KT got to get off work early today, so we are about to grill some ribeyes and get ready to head out to watch the fireworks show, Thunde on the Mountain, here in Birmingham. It's our first time to see it and it is supposed to be a pretty spectacular show. Here's hoping!

Earlier today I was trying to think of my favorite Fourth of July memory, and I came up with the time we spent the 4th down in Orlando visiting my uncle, aunt, and cousins. We went to a high school football stadium that evening to watch the Universal Studios fireworks show which was happening across the street. And it was fantastic! Definitely my favorite fireworks show that I have seen. I'm really hoping that tonight's show delivers! I know Ella will be completely entranced. I expect a lot of "MOMMY!!! MOMMY!! MOMMY!!" and finger pointing at the sky while she watches it.

My baby in her runway pose!

 

What are your plans for this evening? Catching any fireworks shows? What are some of your favorite memories from past 4th of Julys? I look forward to reading all about it in the comments!



Also, today is Day 3 of "Why I am grateful to be turning 26! (Okay, so actually it is Day 4 but I was lazy and didn't post yesterday! My bad!)
Today's reason:
When thinking about my age, I don't ever really focus on a number as much. I focus on how I feel. And since having Ella, I feel like I am getting to relive my childhood all over again. I get to see everything from her point of view and that allows me to enjoy things so much more. So I am happy to know that even though I am turning another year older, I feel like every experience is brand new again. Having her also makes me spend the majority of my day laughing, which definitely makes me feel like a child! So bring it on 26 because thanks to Ella, I have no fear of getting OLD!!

What makes you feel young again?? And when you think of age, do you see it as a number or a feeling? Let me know!!

Day 2 of Why I Am Grateful to be turning 26!

Today is the second day in the countdown to my birthday, July 15!
And there are plenty of reasons why birthdays are something that should always be celebrated! A lot of people, mainly women, never want to admit their age so they don't want to make a big deal out of birthdays, but I feel like we earn our age and we should be proud! So embrace your birthday! Just feel all of the wisdom bestowing itself upon you the moment you turn another year older! ;)

Reason #2 of why I am grateful to turn 26:
Birthdays are days that get to be all about you!!! And once you become a Mom you basically forfeit all other days, so you gotta enjoy to couple you have left, which are pretty much just Mother's Day and your birthday. So I am looking forward to getting to sleep in, have meals catered to what I want to eat only, and getting to spend the day any way that I choose (and no one can say anything because it's my birthday!!). This may be a bit of a superficial reason, but I'm just being honest! :) A day where Dani is the Queen sounds perfect! Here's to being selfish on your birthday!

Well, hey there July!

Wow, can you believe it is already July?!? I can't! But I am pretty excited about it since this happens to be one of my favorite months. Why, you ask? Because it's my brithday month!!! That's right, I will be the big ol' 26 on the 15th of this month. And I honestly think this is one of the few years that I haven't given much thought to my birthday, which is definitely unusal for me since I believe birthdays should be big deals. But due to some negative things that come along with this birthday, I haven't been looking forward to it much this year. In fact, I have actually been dreading it. Well, all that changes now! I can't do anything about those negative things (which do not even deserve the space on my blog being talked about!), so no point in being down about it. Instead, I am going to spend the next two weeks until my birthday celebrating by listing all of the reasons I am grateful for turning 26!



Today's reason:

I am grateful for turning 26 because the alternative to being here to turn 26 is...well..you know. And that would be pretty crappy :) Even if this isn't the most exciting birthday it sure beats the heck out of not being here to see it. I'm alive, I'm healthy, and I have a great, loving family. This birthday is looking better and better already!


What are some of the reasons you look forward to birthdays?? Share in the comments below!

Book Review Tuesday: Partials by Dan Wells

This week's book is Partials by Dan Wells. Read on to learn whether or not you should check this dystopian novel out.

Partials by Dan Wells

            The market is saturated with dystopian novels right now. Actually, some would say it is super-saturated. Yet I can’t seem to stop picking them up in the bookstores. Well, that’s not entirely true. I don’t just happen to pick them up and become interested. I actively seek them out. I research ahead of time the best dystopian novels out right now. I think it’s safe to say I have a problem. I recently found out about Partials by Dan Wells, and I am very glad that I did.

            Partials is the story of a teenage girl determined to find out what the government has to hide. It is set in 2076 after almost the entire population has been wiped out by “Partials,” which are essentially human being knock-offs. They look like humans, think like humans, feel emotions like humans, but were manufactured by the government to fight as our soldiers in war. But the Partials brought war upon human beings, and released a virus that reduced the population to only several thousand immune people and caused any baby to die immediately after birth. Kira decides to make it her mission to cure RM and prevent the human population from ending completely; however, she learns that things are not quite what they seem when it comes to the Partials.

            In my opinion, one of the best aspects of this novel is how well it convinces the reader that this fictional reality could actually happen. Everything is very scientific, which really forces the reader to focus on what is happening in the story. I love a story that makes me think about things that I have not thought about before, and Dan Wells really made me question whether our society’s reliance on artificial intelligence could be our downfall. On the flip side, despite the novel’s depth, it does not become tedious to read. I could still follow along with the plotline and the science of it was not so complicated that it became overwhelming to understand what the characters were talking about.

            The character of Kira was another reason I thoroughly enjoyed Partials. She is essentially the character we all hope we would be in this situation. She is caring, intelligent, and not over-confident about her abilities. She fights the system, but still does not always know what choice is the right choice. One of the ways that other novels become too cheesy is that they become too bogged down in the romance side of the story. Kira has a romantic interest, but it never becomes the focal point of the story. I appreciate that, especially in a dystopian novel. This novel also has quite a few twists and turns that really leave the reader wanting more. The sign of a great book is one that you just literally can’t stop reading, even if it is 3am. And Partials definitely delivers that.

            Overall, read Partials. Between the action, science, and foreboding sense of potential reality, you will be salivating for the sequel, Fragments.

What did you think of the review? Have you read Partials? If so, what did you think? If not, are you thinking about reading it now? Any other dystopian novels that you would recommend? I would love to hear your feedback in the comments below!

Click here to check this book out on Amazon.

Not Your Mom's Mom's Group: Why you should be in a Mom's Group!

I have been so busy lately that my blog has been a bit neglected. The reason I have been so busy? Besides all of the normal stuff, of course. I am the head of a mommy group! And it is work! But I recently realized just how much I enjoy it! My group, Making Mommyhood Fun, is based here in Birmingham and currently has 68 members! And we only started at the end of February! My co-founder and I have been blown away by how many people have joined. I have really met some great moms, and Ella has really come to adore some of the kids in the group.

But I know that mom's groups sound like something only stay-at-home-moms that play tennis and vacation in the Mediterranean are interested in. But they are really something completely different nowadays. I always feel like people look at me strange when I say that I am going out with my mommy group for a mom's night out or craft night. They definitely give me a "Aren't you too young to be in a mom's group?" look. But that really couldn't be farther from the truth. Our members are extremely varied in age. We also have moms from all walks of life. Some are single, some married, some divorced, some work, some stay at home, some work from home, some are religious, some are conservative, some are liberal, some have newborns, some have grown children, etc. There is someone that anyone can relate to in the group, which was really important to both Sydni and I. We did not want a group that exluded anyone or made anyone feel uncomfortable. Having such a diverse group of women has been the best part of the group in my opinion. I love learning about other people and cultures, and our group has really allowed that to happen.

Still on the fence about whether you should join or create your own group? Well, read on for a list of reasons to take the plunge into the mommy group world.

Reasons you should join/create a mom's group:

1. You need friends! Not that you may not already have a plethora of girlfriends you can call at a moment's notice, but how many do you have that also have kids, or are also married, or are also dealing with a messy divorce, or also understand that moms are often late so they don't bat an eyelash when you walk into the store 20mins late and wearing mismatched shoes? Other moms offer this! Find some mommy friends! They understand the struggles of a toddler that refuses to sleep in their own bed or throws tantrums for cheese (yes, I am talking about Ella here).

2. You need to get out of the house sometimes! Adult time is necessary to stay sane! I literally can't function properly after a week in the house with no outside interaction. It's a lifesaver. Not to mention being in a mom's group is a great way to get to do things that you want to do, just not alone. Concert or festival coming up that you are dying to go to? Just post it and you will be amazed how many other moms want to go too!

3. Being in a mommy group is one of the best ways to network! You can meet so many different types of women, many of whom can expose you to things (such as job opportunities) that you never even thought about. As you meet more moms, talk about what your talents are or what you are passionate about because you never know what connection that person may be able to offer you (by the way, this is just a good practice in everyday settings as well).

4. Your kids need social interaction. They need to be around other kids. This is especially true if, like Ella, your child is an only child and not in daycare. They crave the interaction just as much as you do!

5. Uh, hello? Mom's night out!!! Duh!! This is one of the best reasons! Time out with the girls WITHOUT the kids?? Yes, please! Whether it is to go see a new movie, eat out, go to a wine tasting, craft night, or anything else, you need to have time to yourself. Taking a break from the kids is okay! Enjoying time with friends is good! And not feeling guilty afterwards is essential!!! Leave the kids with Dad or a babysitter, and go have a good time. And don't feel bad about it!


After all of these great reasons to join or create a group, I hope you are about Google mommy groups in your area! MeetUp is a great way to find all kinds of groups in your area! And if there isn't a group in your area that you feel comfortable joining, then start your own (which you can also do on MeetUp for a small monthly fee)! I promise that it is not hard at all! It's actually really fun and exciting! And if you are in the Birmingham, AL area, check our group out! Here's a sample list of the things we have done or will be doing in our group:
Local festivals
SplashPad
Wine and Painting night (MNO)
Dinner and movie (MNO)
Pool dates
In-home playdates
Picnics
Mom's Sunday Brunch
Book Club
Cooking Club
Cookouts
Trivia Nights
Water parks
IJump
Skating party
And a ton more!!!

So go ahead and join a mom's group! You will be happy you did. No tennis playing and Meditteranean vacations required!

Book Review Tuesday: Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

Okay, so I totally slacked and this post is actually happening on Wednesday...my bad! Regardless, here it is!

Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

Warning—Some Slight Spoilers!!

Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs centers around a teenage boy trying to find out the truth behind his Grandpa’s ‘fairy tale’ past. Jacob Portman quickly discovers that what once seemed like fairy tales are stories quite darker than he ever imagined. His journey halfway across the world introduces him to new people, new worlds, and new terrors.                

            Ransom Riggs did something unique when writing this novel--he included visual aids. The photographs allow the reader to really see what the author had in mind when writing the story of Jacob Portman. Although the photographs can be a bit disturbing, I appreciate the fact that I know exactly what to picture when the author says, “…a pair of freakish twins who were dressed in the weirdest costumes I’d ever seen” (p. 45).

  

           As far as the actual story, I followed the plotline fairly easily. The flow of the story was a bit jumpy, but I did not think I was missing parts. Riggs is very descriptive with his characters, locations, and emotions. This is essential to really feeling like you are a part of the story and not just an outsider looking in. The fact that World War II played a significant part of the novel just added to the positives for this novel for me—I like studying history, especially WWII. Some parts of the novel were a little expected such as the romance between Jacob and Emma, but having said that, I did not mind that what I expected came to fruition. That’s saying something! One thing I did not expect was that this would turn in to a series, which will obviously happen considering the cliffhanger ending. The idea of the story on the whole is pretty unique though. Riggs made himself stand apart by not writing a novel about love stories with vampires like so many other books out there—but don’t get me wrong I love those stories just as much as the next Twi-hard! It was refreshing! And I expect that Riggs’ writing will just get better.

 

 I look forward to reading the next novel to see what happens to Jacob and his peculiar friends!

-Lyndsey Mosley

Book Review Tuesday:

I've been doing a ton of reading lately, but haven't posted any book reviews yet. Therefore, I decided to start a new weekly post for the blog, "Book Review Tuesday", and it begins today! This first review is actually one I did a while back, but I still wanted to post it.

Let me know what you think! And share your thoughts on the book if you have read it! Enjoy!

Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers

 I read Redeeming Love based on the recommendation of a friend. I have to say that it is not the type of book that I normally would pick up, but since I am broadening my horizons I gave it a try. I made a good decision.

 It centers around a young woman named Angel brought up in a horrible life of prostitution from a very young age. A man named Micahel Hosea rescues her. Well, he thinks he is rescuing her but she wants nothing to do with him. The story follows the trials and tribulations that face a girl with a dark, shameful past and a God-fearing, Christian man.

The story is a Christian novel, which again is not something I have familiarity with reading, but the Christian themes are played in so well that it does not feel like you are sitting through a sermon. It simply made you realize the affect your faith can have on your life. The idea that everything can be dealt with if you trust in God is central throughout the story. Granted, there are some things in the story that are hard to believe. Such as a man's willingness to forgive as quickly as Michael does. But it is portrayed to be testimony of his faith in God.

Francine Rivers did a wonderful job of making you fall in love with her characters even though you knew of all of their misgivings. Most people cannot relate to a prostitute but people can relate to wishing you had not done something in your past. Everyone has something they regret and there are times that that regret makes you feel unworthy of something or someone. That is Angel in a nutshell.

 

Overall rating: 4.5 stars

 

-Lyndsey Mosley


Click here to purchase a copy from Amazon.

Post of Pictures

Well, we are pretty sure Ella threw our camera into the trash. Yep. That happened. Along with our remote control to the new TV. Yeah, that's our child. At least she throws her own diapers in the trash, too. That's a plus.

But anways, here are some pictures that have been taken lately..mostly taken by other people...hence the having no camera thing.

 These are all from my Uncle and Aunt's vow renewal ceremony. Photos taken by Ashley Norris of AP Photography

 And these are a few from Easter Weekend

Liebster Award!

So a few weeks ago something pretty awesome happened. This little ol' blog of mine was nominated for a Liebster Award! How cool is that! A great blogger by the name of Shauna at Freckles and Curse Words is the fabulous fellow blogger that gave me this really neat nomination. If you aren't already familiar with her blog, then you should definitely go check it out. It's pretty hilarious and very relatable! Luckily, Shauna also explained what a Liebster Award is since I am pretty new to this and was pretty clueless. I also Googled. I seriously can't get through one day without Googling something. There are some rules involved so let's get those out of the way first.

Rules:

1. Thank the person that gave you such an awesome nomination...and be sure to link back to them in your post!
2. Show how proud of your Liebster you are by displaying the badge for it somewhere on your blog!
3. Answer the 11 questions that you provided with by the person that nominated you.
4. Tell 11 random facts about yourself.
5. Pick 5-11 blogs with not a lot of followers yet and nominate them for their first Liebster.
6. Come up with the 11 questions for the bloggers you nominate.
7. Make sure you list the rules in your post!!
8. Comment on the blogs you nominate letting them know you nominated them and give them a link to check out your post to learn all about the Liebster!

My 11 Questions with Answers:

1. What made you decide to start a blog?  I needed somewhere to share all of my happiness and frustrations about being a new mom. I was in awe of my child yet overwhelmed at the same time. I had to get it out....and the blogging world seemed like the place to go. Besides, the world really needed another Mommy Blog, right?!? 

2. Your dream vacation would be.......There are two places that I have always wanted to go for as long as I can remember. Paris and New York City. I am so enticed by city life, yet the biggest city I have ever really been is probably Atlanta. Sad but true. I have this fantasy that I am meant to live in am apartment with a doorman in Manhattan, work at a news station while I also work on my book and save money to start a bookstore, sip Cosmos after work, and attend all of the glamorous parties. Alas, I live in Alabama...but a girl can dream! And Paris is my biggest dream! One day all of these things will come together for me!

3. Your go to comfort food? Would it be strange if I said Deer Jerky? Cuz I just did...and it's true. I live and die for that stuff! It's my crack.

4. Your favourite style era? The roaring '20s. I love the Flapper look.

5. Song you could listen to 400,354, 245 times in a row...3AM by Matchbox Twenty...Definitely my music when I am in one of THOSE moods.

6. Wine, Beer, or Liquor? Wine..Moscato d'Asti to be exact.

7. What is the one book you could read over again? All of the Harry Potters...and I have done it..multiple times.

8. Is there a goal your working on right now? What is it? All of these things! But if I have to choose just one, it is definitely trying to work on myself as a person. Being the best mother to Ella and partner to KT that I can. Trying to let go of things from the past that seem to keep creeping up on me and hindering me even now. There are a lot of things buried deep that I need to just let go of, but I am really struggling. I think I need a shrink. Any recommendations?? Just kidding...kinda..not really.

9. If someone gave you a butt load of cash to go back to school, would you go? What for? ABSOLUTELY!! I am a firm believer in education and that you can never truly get enough of it. The day I stop learning new things is the day you should be worried about me. Seriously. I think a lot about what I would get my Masters in, especially lately since I have been considering it, but I haven't narrowed it down yet. Library Sciences, Journalism, Business, etc..I am a little torn on what will benefit me the most at this point. Any suggestions??

10. Are you for or against plastic surgery? I am for whatever makes you the happiest. Who am I to say what you should or should not do with your body? I may not want any plastic surgery right now, but who knows what the future will hold. Because let's be honest, there are certain parts of your body that just never look the same after having kids....or BREASTFEEDING!!!

11. What TV show are you into right now? We have been watching Resurrection and Mixology onDemand. I like them both, but Resurrection had really better start doing some explaining here soon!


My 11 Random Facts:
1. As mentioned before, I Google a lot. Like a lot a lot.
2. As a matter of fact, I think my ideal job would be a fact checker (one that actually made good money) because I love to check and see if someone is actually correct when they spew random facts, especially if they are trying to challenge me on something I said.
3. I have a degree in Political Science, don't ask me why...
4. I really love to read. I even have my own Book Club and yeah, it IS pretty awesome.
5. Ella literally changed my entire life, but she made it better than I ever thought another human being could.
6. I don't drink soda..except the occasional Root Beer...
7. I have an entire kit to do Yoga, but I have actually only ever used it twice..but if you hear me talk about "doing my yoga" you would think I did it everyday.
8. I have wanted to move out of Alabama for as long as I can remember, yet at 25, I'm still here. Go figure.
9. I love to go shopping even if I don't buy anything. I am also more prone to buy one very expensive item of very good quality versus buying a ton of cheap things that will break or tear in a month.
10. I really enjoy volunteering and interacting with other people of different backgrounds to learn about them and their life.
11. I was very serious earlier about always wanting to learn new things. I strongly believe that to keep our minds sharp and to also keep them open, we must always go out of our way to learn new things. This includes learning about different types of people, so that we can constantly learn to be more compassionate for others. This is the way I try to live my life, and it is also one of the most important things that I hope to teach to Ella.

Blogs I choose:
1. Solitary Spark--A Creative Writing Blog
2. Chasing Dragons
3. Skinny Latte Mommy
4. CurviMamiPetite
5. Letters to Sophia
6. Eva Marie Taylor

Your 11 Questions:
1. What has been the hardest part of blogging so far?
2. What has been the easiest part of blogging so far?
3. You have one day completely to yourself to do with as you please, what are you doing?
4. What is the last book you read?
5. If you had an open airline ticket to anywhere, where would you end up?
6. What's the best piece of advice you could give your children or future children?
7. What song is on your playlist that you are embarrassed to admit that you secretly rock out to when no one is around?
8. You are headed to a child's birthday party, do you wrap the gift or put it in a bag?
9. Your favorite place to go when you need some time to yourself?
10. You are given $10,000, but you only have one hour to spend it. What do you buy?
11. What is the biggest difference between the life you saw for yourself ten years ago and the life you actually have now?

Yay for my Liebster! Thanks so much Shauna! Looking forward to reading everyone's posts!

An Army Against Bullying

Today I was watching an episode of 'Katie', and the episode was about sexual cyber-bullying. It featured Sheila Pott, a woman that lost her daughter, Audrie, due to suicide after having revealing pictures go viral. We have all heard about bullying and the newest form of it, cyber-bullying. I know I have seen the commercials and ads and read the testimonies, and it always made me very sad to think of other people having to go through that. However, today was different. I wasn't just sad, I was scared. Scared because I now have a daughter that may one day experience this torment. Ella was sitting in my lap while I watched this mother share the story of her daughter hanging herself in their bathroom after having pictures of her passed out, naked body defiled by a marker all over sent to her classmates. I realized if this behavior continues it could one day be my child that is publicly humiliated like this...and it horrified me.

I immediately knew I had to do something, so I did what I do best. I researched. Click here for some facts you may not know about cyber-bullying.



Reading all of these facts and statistics satisfied my immediate need for knowledge, but I realized I also needed to DO something. Educating and raising Ella to be a strong, compassionate person is a big chunk of it, but the rest of the world has to change in order to eradicate this problem. Actually, "problem" isn't the right word for it. It's not severe enough to describe a situation where children are taking their own lives. It's an epidemic really. So I began to write. I do strongly believe that education and knowledge about the facts are key to ending this type of bullying that everyone keeps saying is really just kids being kids and pulling pranks. But education can only go so far. Bullies need to see the emotional and mental affects they cause. For those that are bullied, education and empathy won't do much to alleviate the pain they feel. They need to have their confidence, strength, and self-worth re-built. I deeply believe all of these things can be done, and I sincerely hope it can be done before another generation goes through the emotional damage of bullying.

How to stop bullying:
---For boys that are bullying:

1. Think about how you would feel if it was your mom or your little sister that was being violated. photographed, and made fun of by her peers? What would you do? Would you laugh right along with your buddies or would you punch the guy in the throat for even thinking about lifting her shirt up? What if it was your future wife that had naked pictures taken of her and put on the internet? Would you be okay with those pictures being available for anyone to look at or would you be enraged that someone dared to do that kind of thing to her? Because all of these things are what you are causing if you participate or even if you are just a witness.
2. Think about the consequences. It's not a prank, it's sexual assault. Your life could be destroyed. You could end up in jail and even be labeled as a sex offender for the rest of your life. You could lose out on getting into the college you want, being offered your dream job, you may never marry because you can't find a woman willing to accept your past, and you may never have the life you are envisioning right now. Touching and violating a girl that is unconscious or intoxicated is illegal. She cannot legally offer consent. Your "prank" is actually rape. Is it really worth getting a laugh out of your friends?

---For parents of girls that are bullied:

1. "Constant Vigilance"-Yes, that is a Harry Potter reference, but I believe it fits here perfectly. No one knows your child better than you, which means your child will do their best to hide it from you! Check their Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and blog to see what they are up to when you aren't around. You don't have to cross the invasion of privacy line to know what is going on in their lives. Pay attention to their sleeping and eating habits and their mood swings. Stress affects a person physically. Are they losing or gaining weight? Is their hair falling out? Are they withdrawing more and more into themselves? All of these could be signs that something is going on and you need to know about it.
2. Don't be the parent that your child is scared to talk to about things! Don't make your child fear you. Offer them support and let them know you are in their corner no matter what. Your daughter could have been passed out drunk when she was assaulted. Be sure she knows she can still tell you about it without you freaking out about the drinking.
3. Don't overreact. Your initial reaction is to be outraged (and rightly so!) and want someone to pay for this horrible torture your child has been going through, but don't do anything just yet. Talk to your child and see how they want you to respond. Factor their wants in to your decision about what to do. A lot of times you can inadvertently make things worse for your child. Form a gameplan and always put your child first. Spend time reassuring them they did nothing wrong, helping them cope with their feelings and emotions, and helping them re-build their self-confidence and self-image. Your child is more important than your anger! (This doesn't mean don't seek punishment for the offenders though!)

---For girls that are being bullied:

1. You are beautiful. You are worthy. You are intelligent. You are strong. You are important. You matter. And you will be okay! These are the most important things for you to know. Bullying hurts you but you are stronger than it...even if you don't feel very strong. You have support and help available to you. Take advantage of it. Talk to someone, a parent, teacher, friend, counselor, or even call a hotline. Whomever you feel most comfortable with. Hold your head up high and know that no one can break you unless you let them. Please know that you aren't alone. Besides just your friends and family supporting you, you have an army of strangers standing beside you, myself included.

As I was thinking about all of this today, I wondered who would really care what I had to say about sexual cyber-bullying. I've never been cyber-bullied and by most standards, I got off pretty easy in school as far as bullying goes. (Although I do distinctly remember a period of time in 8th grade that I asked my mom to check me out for every lunch period to avoid being the target of bullying) But I was never sexually assaulted in any way...if anything it was the opposite for me. I was made fun of for being the girl that never did anything with any boys. I was a "goody goody" and I remember how much I resented that term. Even if it was true. After thinking about all of this I realized that you don't have to be a victim of bullying to be against it. In fact, if more people that usually just watch from the sidelines decided to step forward and voice their outrage about the topic, then change could really begin to happen. Bullies have to be shown that they are not just facing their victims anymore, they are facing a nation full of people that will not accept their actions. Today I join the army against bullies, and I really hope everyone that reads this joins with me.

Please share your pledge to join the army against bullying below in the comments. Feel free to share your story of bullying if you'd like! And please share this with your friends because the more we talk about bullying the bigger of a difference we are making!

The Emotions of Being a Mother

I was fiddling around on Facebook tonight out of boredom while Ella was sleeping next to me, and I made the mistake of clicking on one of those pages about a child that has passed away. I usually know better than to click on those anymore because of how incredibly emotional I get now that I am a mom. I did it anyway though, and it was only minutes before I was in tears for this child and her mother that I had never even heard of 10 minutes earlier. I read through this mother's posts about losing her child to an accident in which she almost drowned and was then in a coma for 14 months and I just couldn't stop the tears from rolling down my cheeks. I looked at the smiling pictures of this 2 year old little girl and felt that I personally had suffered a loss.

This is when the full scope of what being a mother means really hit me. The moment you weep and mourn for a child that you've never met before but immediately empathize with the grief her mother is going through. Everyone talks about how being a mom means being a maid, chauffeur, chef, booboo-kisser, etc. and all of those things are things a mom does but being a mother really means knowing a love so deep and unconditional that you know words will never describe the way you feel about your child but that that will never stop you from trying to explain it to them. Being a mother is crying tears of sadness and pain at the thought of a woman losing the most important thing she has ever accomplished. Being a mother means not having to speak words of comfort to a mom that has lost her child but simply knowing to offer her a shoulder to cry on because no words will ease the pain. Being a mother is finding joy in laying beside your sleeping child at night watching her chest rise and fall with each breath she takes and smiling at the pool of drool she is making. Being a mother is not being able to resist saying "I love you" to your child 100 times a day. Being a mother is knowing to never take for granted the time you have with your child. Being a mother is being willing to openly embrace all of the emotions that come with motherhood and never being ashamed to weep for the pain and loss that comes with living in this world nor being embarrassed to jump for joy everytime your child smiles at you.

Some people would say that I've only been a mother for 16 months so who I am to speak on what other women have done for years, but I believe that every woman that has a child (through any means) knows about all of the emotions that come with parenting. The love, joy, fear, guilt, happiness, sadness, and every other emotion you could possibly imagine are all there from the moment you set eyes on your child.

Before having Ella, I would have read that story on Facebook and been sad for the family that had to experience losing a child. Then I would have moved on. Not out of coldness, but simply because what else was I supposed to do? I didn't understand the true pain that came with losing a child. Now that I have Ella, I feel such a deep hurt for anyone that loses a child that it scares me. How can someone that has never even met this family feel such pain for them?

By being a mother.

Guest article featuring Kendra Thornton: Favorite places to travel!

Hey guys! I'm so excited to be posting this "favorite places to travel" themed article! If you read my last post, then you know that I teamed up to guest write with an expert in the travel industry. Kendra Thornton and I have both written articles about our favorite places to travel. Both of the articles are below. I hope you enjoy them, and be sure to check out Kendra's website for some great travel advice! 

Happy Reading!!
 

Chattanooga, TN: Fun-filled Family Getaway

Last May, my family and I were considering different places to vacation to for a quick, weekend getaway. After researching our options, we finally settled on Chattanooga, TN. Chattanooga offered some of the best indoor attractions coupled with exciting and scenic outdoor adventures. Chattanooga also has a rich history that makes downtown the place to be! Below is a list of just a few of the things that make Chattanooga the best choice for your next family vacation!

1.

Chattanooga Aquarium- This was definitely one of the best highlights from our trip to Chattanooga. The aquarium showcases all kinds of aquatic animals from sharks to alligators to penguins. It even features an IMAX theater along with a riverboat available for tours. There is sure to be something that will thrill every person in your family. The aquarium is a very popular tourist and local hotspot, so definitely be conscious of allowing enough time to explore every part of the aquarium when you plan your visit!

2.

Chattanooga Choo Choo Hotel- This hotel has been one my favorite hotels that I have ever stayed. It is a hotel that used to be a real, working train terminal. There are so many great aspects to this hotel that you could take a good chunk of your day just to explore the grounds. It has everything from pools to gardens to shops and restaurants all on-site. One of the best parts is that you can actually reserve a renovated train car as your hotel room! The location of this hotel is hard to beat as well. It is in downtown and has a shuttle bus stop right outside of the hotel. (TheFREE shuttle bus gives you access to all of downtown including museums and the aquarium. And you can bring your stroller aboard!)

3.

Area museums- I love getting to visit a museum in a new city, and Chattanooga has plenty to choose from. There is a Creative Discovery Museum that is a great place to let the kids get some energy out. There are also multiple museums that offer the adults a little time to appreciate an impressive array of art and history. And there is even a whole museum dedicated to vehicle towing and recovery! All you have to do is decide if you are in a fun, silly mood or a more serious, contemplative one. Either way, there is a museum for you!

4.

Outdoors adventures- One of the absolute best parts of Chattanooga are the amazing outdoors activities that you can participate in. Rock City Gardens offers an exciting  and beautiful nature walk that leads you to Lookout Mountain, which is where you will truly be in awe of the 7-state view it gives you. Don’t worry if you aren’t in excellent shape, though because the walk is easy enough for anyone to be able to conquer. But do wear tennis shoes! Those paths can get slippery with all of the natural waterfalls. Once you have had your fill of climbing up the mountains, it’s time to go way down below. Ruby Falls was my daughter’s absolute favorite part of the whole trip. Ruby Falls is a natural waterfall that is 1,120 ft. below the surface. You get to take an elevator ride that lasts about 30seconds down to the beginning of the trail that leads through the mountain and ends at the waterfall. Along with the colorful lightshow that shines on the waterfall, it is a breathtaking sight. Your tour guide will also give you a brief history lesson about the waterfall, which only serves to make the fact that you are viewing it that much more incredible.

I hope that this list of our favorite parts of Chattanooga has made you consider it for your next vacation. This list is in no way totally comprehensive of all there is to do in Chattanooga because there is just so much. So get on out there and make some new lifelong memories with your family in Chattanooga, TN!

--By Dani Mosley

Why Las Vegas is Still My Favorite Vacation Spot

I enjoy traveling to many different places, but Las Vegas is one of the few places I make it a point to visit at least once a year. It's a perfect getaway if you're looking for some fun and excitement, and the surrounding area offers lots of natural beauty. If you haven't been to Las Vegas lately, I invite you to check out my list of recommendations.

1. Interesting Museums in Las Vegas

One aspect of Las Vegas that I've always found charming is all of the oddball museums and exhibits you can find all over the place. For example, the Atomic Testing Museum on Flamingo Road has all kinds of collections and exhibits on the topic of nuclear weapons and testing. They even have lectures dedicated to the mysterious Area 51, the possible site of an alien spacecraft landing! If you have a fascination with old signs and advertising you shouldn't miss the Neon Museum, which is full of remnants from the city's fascinating past. You can take a photographic tour of the museum's "bone yard" and add to your collection of interesting photos.

2. A Unique Mini Golf Experience

My whole family loves mini golf, and one of our very favorite places to play is KISS By Monster Mini Golf. This unusual mini golf course pays tribute to the unique American rock band that became famous in the 1970s. There is nothing quite like this course, which has 18 holes of bizarre but thoroughly entertaining features, including animated replicas of the band members. It's a challenge to focus on your golf swing as you try to putt the ball into Gene Simmons' head! This is the perfect place to come if you're looking for a fun activity in between meals or before you hit a show or the casino.

3. Eat For Free -If You Can Finish It All

Man vs. Food on The Travel Channel is one of my family's favorite shows, and in Las Vegas there are several places that have created similar challenges for the public. The Texas 3-Pound Challenge at Bally's Tequila Bar gives you 30 minutes to put away a BBQ Bacon Cheese Burger with 12 strips of bacon. If you succeed, you eat for free but if you fail the effort will cost you $35! If you prefer a steak challenge, you can pit your appetite against the 120-ounce Ultimate Steak at the Monte Carlo's Brand Steakhouse. Don't forget your wallet for this one, for it will cost you $250 if you don't clean your plate!

4. Take a Mixology Class

Las Vegas is famous for its bars and clubs, and you can be sure that the city has some of the world's best bartenders. One fun activity I signed up for last time I was in town was a Mixology class at the Monte Carlo, so I could pick up a few drink mixing tricks of my own. This two-hour class is taught by the hotel's very knowledgeable Director of Beverages and includes a tasting. This is a popular class that is limited to four participants, so you should book in advance if you want to sign up for it. Now when I entertain at home, I can mix a few drinks just like the pros!

Las Vegas is one of those cities where it's almost impossible to get bored. There are so many things to see do and even places to stay. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, sites like Gogobot make it easy to plan your trip and read user reviews so you can be prepared to take on the city.

By Kendra Thornton

Excited about new ventures!

Do you ever feel like you have so many amazing ideas but no clue how to execute any of them? Go on, you know you want to raise your hand. I have both of my hands waving wildly in the air right now. Well figuratively since I am typing--and also since I am in the middle of Barnes and Noble and would prefer not to get kicked out for being THAT person. But anyway, I digress. Hmmm...maybe my attention span is why my ideas seem to only stay in my head...Oh well, that's a problem for another day. ;)

I have been having the issue for quite a while now of making what I am passionate about into an actual profitable career. For those of you that don't know, my passion--aside from being Ella's mommy--is definitely my writing (and reading). This blog is currently my only release of this passion that anyone actually gets to read. I have two books that I am working on but haven't made as much progress as I would like. So right now the blog is definitely my main focus. Obviously, Ella is my entire world and that is why I love that I have been able to pair being her mommy with being a writer through this blog. This is all why I am so excited that I just got done writing my first guest-writer article! I can't post the article yet, but it is has been sent off for approval! Yay!! I was so surprised that a woman actually saw my blog and approached me to collaborate on an article about travel that she is doing. Not only is she just a travel expert, but she is extremely well-known in and out of her field. She has done multiple T.V. spots (including the morning shows and "Tyra Banks Show") and has her own travel agency. As soon as I know more about where the article will be posted I will definitely update you guys on where you can go to see it!

Another thing I am really excited about has come about recently from a new friend I have made through my mommies group. Sydni and I have a ton in common and have decided to start coordinating our own mommies group activities (although I still love the group I am currently in), and we are also looking into coordinating some fundraisers to raise awareness and money for excema. Her son suffers from a pretty severe case that landed him in the hospital dealing with some really painful and difficult things. Therefore, she is very passionate about it. And I am passionate about anything that helps out others, especially kids! A 3rd thing we are looking into is also doing some professional organizing on the side. She has an interior design degree so that is right up her ally. Now granted, my poli sci degree has nothing to do with that, but I'm going to make it work. LOL.

All of these things may not all happen immediately or some may have to get pushed to the side if it becomes too much of a task to take on, but I am just so happy to have things to focus my energy on outside of parenthood. And I am really thankful that Syndi is just as motivated as I am. Being lonely here in Birmingham has definitely been an issue lately, so I am glad that I am starting to meet people and make friends. I still wish I could have brought all of my friends to Birmingham with me, but sometimes even I can't get my way. :-D Don't tell KT I said that, though. He might try to use it against me the next time I convince him to bring me Starbucks home. ;)



Okay, seriously, please tell me that I am not the only one that has a mind full of ideas and a calendar that is completely empty of plans!!

Hormones are a B***h

Seriously. Crazy hormones=crazy crying sessions convinced you are the worst mom ever. Well, they do for me at least. I suppose I should give a bit of the backstory here. First of all, I have the Nexplanon, which means my hormones haven't been right in over a year. Most days I can just control it better. Some days, like tonight, they send me over the edge.

It all started because Ella has a diaper rash. And KT believes that I left a potty diaper on her for too long and that caused the rash. He says that two days in a row, he woke up, and she had pottied and I had not yet changed it. Yes, this happened. I apparently didn't realize that I needed to check her diaper every 5 minutes to ensure that she didn't potty right before he woke up. Now keep in mind, he has been working overnights for a few days so he has actually been sleeping during the day and only has a couple hours a day to be able to spend with us. So this means that I take care of her pretty much all day everyday, which is usually no big deal. Not until tonight. I said she has a diaper rash and he responds that it is because I left two diapers on her too long (even though he has no idea how long either diaper was actually on her). Because I'm on crazy hormone schedule right now, I basically take this as him telling me I'm a terrible mother. Is this rational? No, not at all. Does he think I'm a bad mother? No. Am I bad mother? No. Is Ella well taken care of by both of her parents? Yes. Does all of this call me down?

NO!!!

Thus, I am crying while I lay in bed beside Ella as she sleeps because I'm convinced KT called me a bad mom. Thanks to my irrational, crazy, overly-dramatic hormones!

****I am not responsible for anything I post during this current state. Blame it on the hormones.****

Need a break!!

Today was the day where I reached the breaking point. I have been stuck in the house for days---thanks polar vortex, KT has been working up to 18 hours a day, Ella is going through a whiny phase, and I had to get out!!!

I am literally sitting in the Starbucks inside of Barnes & Noble writing this, applying for jobs, and working on my book. And it is exactly what I needed. I was going stir-crazy in the house. KT and Ella were definitely bearing the brunt of my frustration. I was snapping at both of them constantly. And KT is in just as bad of a mood from being so tired from working so much, so we were just feeding off of each other's negativity. It was a vicious cycle. Not to mention that Ella is going through the worst whiny phase right now, so she is constantly just whining for attention, juice, snacks, anything really. I'm pretty sure that she doesn't even know why she is whining half the time. So I definitely had a bad day for following through with my no yelling resolution. I knew this point was coming soon and today I just had to do nothing except get out of the house.

I also think I am having some issues with the fact that I got a taste of going back to work and getting to have adult interaction, and now I am back to only talking to a one year old for hours upon hours. I love being home with Ella, but I gotta find some friends up here that are available to get together. I know a couple people, but it is so hard to coordinate schedules. What I really need is time with girlfriends away from the kids for a while!! I think I need a vacation too. Man, I need a lot right now. Maybe Ella gets this whiny thing honestly....

Crunchy or Silky??

Recently, I was checking out some posts on my mommies group website and I came across a post about being a "crunchy parent". Frankly, I had no clue what this meant. Obviously, I have been living under a rock because most everyone else did. So I had to get to Googling to find what this very strange-sounding style of parenting is. I found quite a few websites that detail not only what a "crunchy" parent is but also what being a "silky" parent means.

Basically, a crunchy parent is one that believes in all things natural and organic. Such things like cloth diapers, baby-wearing, breastfeeding, extended-breastfeeding, delayed or selective vaccinations, homemade organic baby food, natural and homemade cleaning products, co-sleeping, no circumcision, no cry-it-out, no spanking or yelling, etc. A silky parent is essentially the opposite of this. And a "scrunchy" parent is one that falls in the middle somewhere. I've decided that I am pretty much a scrunchy parent. KT and I try to do as many of the crunchy style parenting techniques that we can, but there are several things that we are much more silky on. For example, we knew we would breastfeed as long as we can (which we did for 6 months), we have and still are co-sleeping (although we are trying to get her back in her crib currently), we try to buy organic when we can, we are dabbling in making our own cleaning products (first batch of homemade laundry detergent was a success), we do not believe in cry-it-out, and we did practice baby-wearing at times. However, things like vaccinations and circumcision (if Ella had been a boy) are things we are very set on. I used to believe that I was set against cloth diapers and extended-breastfeeding, but I have become much more lax in that area lately. I would like to attempt cloth diapers for the next baby, and I believe I would be able to handle breastfeeding past one year. Although, I still do not think I would go past two years at the max. I am trying to practice the no yelling or spanking, but I do raise my voice sometimes and pop a hand. I am trying to put a lid on that though. Maybe I should add that to my list of resolutions!

I found a couple quizzes that are fun to take to see where you fall on the crunchy or silky scale.

•  How crunchy are you?
• How sillky are you?

I found out that I am "sprinkled with granola" for my crunchy level, and I am 70% silky. I think that I am slowly becoming more and more crunchy though. And I am pretty happy about that. So how crunchy, silky, or scrunchy are you? Take the quizzes and find out, and share below what your results are and what you are crunchy/silky about. By the way, please tell me I am not the only person that really didn't know what these terms meant!
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