Where My Narcissism Runs Wild.

That's what blogging kind of is about right?
Here we are sharing our lives and posting image after image of ourselves or things we love. Sure we do it for ourselves and to immortalize those memories and moments in time but we also do it a little bit for each other too. For a comment here and there congratulating, commiserating, or flattering us.

I'll be the first to admit that it strokes my ego when I get a new follower or a positive comment and in the same hand crushes me a little bit when someone unfollows or says something nasty. It's the circle of blogging life. Do I wish that I was 'blog famous' and had thousands of readers fawning over me....yeah sometimes. But then I reevaluate and remember that some of those bloggers sacrifice alot, including personal time and space to share with their readers. I guess that's where the line draws in putting yourself out there. There will always be a give and take in blogging and it's your choice how much your willing to give to reap the rewards you want.

I think I've finally come to a comfortable place with my blogging and the voice I want to put out there. I'm not the most eloquent writer nor the best photographer but I try to share my life in the way I see and hear it. I curse and take too many pictures of my dog and nature and I'm okay with that. It may not be everyone's cup of  tea but what would be the use in me changing? I wouldn't be the real me and in reality if you don't like those sorts of things than we probably wouldn't be great friends on or offline anyway.

Yeah...this post kind of went off on tangent, so I'm going to try to veer it back to the task at hand...

Day 21 - A list of links to your favorite posts in your archives 

So here's me tooting my horn and sharing some of my posts that I think rock: 

5 Things I Learned At Zumba 

The Post I Didn't Intend To Write (obviously not my fave but a look into real life)

Blog Shizz That Drives My Husband Cray Cray 

Our Christmases (because I freaking love it) 

Our Honeymoon (best ever plus the pictures I adore) 

Our Wedding (just so you can see how this awesome couple tied the knot..hehe)

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linking up with blog everyday in may challenge 

Jameson's First Birthday Party

My little chunk is rounding the corner to the BIG ONE this week, so this past Saturday we gathered around to celebrate his little life. I can't believe it's already been a year since I was waiting for his arrival in the hospital with my sister, witnessing my first birth and now 12 months later he's a bouncing, smiling ball of love.

Seriously, this kid is the happiest baby I know.
Whether he knows you or not, he's always willing to show off that gummy grin of his.

In true baby fashion, we decided to go the Sesame Street route for his theme and for his love of Elmo.

Lots of Elmo and primary colors all around.
When it came time for the smash cake, we were excited to watch Jameson dig in but homeboy was not feeling it. He slapped through it a few times but just kept looking at us like 'WTF AM I SUPPOSE TO DO?' He wasn't really digging the taste either. I guess we can count that as a good thing.

Yep, smashed up but not eaten.
Womp Womp.
But we all still had a blast regardless...chatting it up with each other, passing cute babies around, and enjoying all the family time with our little guy.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAMESON!!!

WE LOVE YOU!!!

The Girls That Tickle My Fancy

Today is Day 19 of the Blog Every Dayy In May challenge and though I haven't been consistent in my posting, I'm still enjoying all the prompts and reading everyone else's entries. Though I'd have to say today is my favorite day.

Our prompt today is to share 5 blogs we love and why we love them. Not only am I happy to share some of my favorite loves but also to browse through everyone else's and find some new fun blogs. I have to admit though this was hard because really out of the 300 some blogs I follow, you expect me to only pick five. Eek.

So, I'm being a rule breaker and categorizing 5 blogs I like from a couple categories. Because really all these girls and many more are awesome in their own right.

Mommy Bloggers:

Life Hand In Hand - Shelley is my momma love. She is the sweetest woman I know and her daughter, absolutely adorable. I swear if we lived closer, we'd be complete bff's.
Cheerful Homemaker - She's a cloth diapering mama with baby #2 on the way. I know if I tweet anything Etta is always first to respond. I feel alone in the Twitter world sometimes but I know I can always count on her for support. Plus her son Gene, kills me cuteness.
Ms.Emily Jane - She is one of my newest blog finds and I am head over heels for her, her blog, and her son. She loves to take pictures and I am amazed by all the awesome shots she gets of her day to day life.
Namaste By Day - We all know Gina. We all love her. Enough said.  /But yes, it is seriously my life mission to meet and to attend her church with her. I puffy heart on all levels.
Sunny With A Chance Of Sprinkles - Chelsea and her blog have blown up over the last year and for good reason. She not only puts time into her adorable daughter Alea, but also her studies and for sure her blog. She posts great pictures, along with diy and recipes. She's great all around.

Lifestyle Blogs: 

In Good Faith - Me anf Mrs. Type A go way back and though I'm not a runner or future lawyer, I still love keeping up with her life.
Frugalista Married - Cece!! She's the best and she is another that if she lived closer we'd be good girlfriends. Also both our husbands like to cook more than we do. Always a plus.
All American Jess - I've spent a weekend with her during a blog girls getaway and if I could share some of our stories you'd understand why she made this list. Love ya Jess.
ABCDE - Eryka is one of my new favorite reads this year. She shares so much of herself and she and I are in the same boat of waiting for the time when we'll become mommies ourselves.
I Wore Yoga Pants To Work - Whitney. Whitney. Whitney. One day I will make my way back down to the Sunshine State to booze it up with this beauty. She touches on the funny almost always but also knows how to pull the heartstrings, especially when she's talking about her furbabies.

And really I needed to add just a couple more because they are a million beautiful blogs out there but a couple of these lifestyle blogs just stop me in my tracks with there photography as well.

Him & Her
So Shay
Story Of My Life
Secondhand Sundays
Let Birds Fly

Thank you to all you ladies who brighten my days by sharing your lives!!!

A Parenting Post From A Non-Parent.

It may seem ridiculous to some people that here I am, a non parent, commenting on parenting issues when I obviously don't have any kids of my own. I've saw it on many mommy bloggers sites, and from some popular bloggers who have said 'You don't have kids....you don't understand...your opinion doesn't really matter.' Okay you got me there. I don't have kids and I probably don't understand the in and outs of everyday life with children but I do know a few things.

Like the reality of shit.
I'm sorry if this comes off hostile or with an angry undertone, but I'm so sick of the judgey comments and opinions of mothers against other mothers. You may try to put a blind eye to it, but you know the mommy wars that are out there and the almighty 'my way is the right way' mentality. This mentality seems especially prevalent in the blogging world.

'Oh you're not breastfeeding? Letting your kid cry it out? Is that a cloth diaper? What do you mean your not giving little Timmy organic kale? Is she really giving her kid soda? Why is she dressing her kids in character clothes? Is your baby hitting his monthly milestones? Oh, Suzy isn't walking yet....yeah little Johnny just turned 2 and he goes on physics playdates.'

I, from a non-mama standpoint find this completely ridiculous.
All this competing and trying to one up each other and kid and mom shaming.

Let me clear up, that I don't care how you raise your child whether it's more crunchy or modern than the next mom, but don't be a dick about it.

Some parents don't have the option to stay at home with children and make homemade baby food or can't afford to buy the latest smock dress for their little girl. We all know that healthy foods are much more expensive than processed foods, but did you ever think when you were judging that mom at Walmart (the horror...gasp) that she could only afford that the knock off frozen lasagna in the freezer section than buying whole wheat noodles, homemade pasta sauce and whatever other 'better' alternatives there are.

And to her, she is giving her kids the healthy and better meal than say fast food or worse starving.
Some families have it harder than others, and for whatever circumstances may have to skimp on the more healthy options for the option to be able to feed their kids for the rest of the week.

The world is not all rainbows and sunshine and instagrammed goat cheese, my friends.
Most parents have to work now a days and with some sacrifice. They work so there kids can go to college in the future or can buy a new pair of shoes for the school year. Don't judge Molly's mom for missing her recital because she's working another double and missed another event. You don't know Molly's mom or their circumstance and it may be drastically different from your own. Or if you see a kid sipping a soda from their parents cup. Maybe that's a treat that the child gets once in a blue moon. Or if you see an overweight child and automatically see their parents as being neglectful. How do you know that isn't a health condition or hereditary? Or hey, maybe they're no safe places in their community for children to play and get exercise.

Are you going to build their community a new playground? Give her money for her groceries? Babysit her kids while she works so she can give her kids the best she can?

No?...I didn't think so.

I'm not saying that people deserve handouts and yes, they are some people out there that work the system and take advantage and those people disgust me but for the regular good hearted folks just trying to do what they can to keep their head above water....cut them a break.

Do the best that you can do for your children and make sure they know they are loved and taken care of. Money will never buy their happiness but time and caring will. Do what you can and don't be ashamed if you don't stack up to the 'better' moms. Because I assure you, they're faults in every home and that perfect parent might not be as perfect as you think.