"Fashion'y" stuff...

Well, I'm back at it. Posting pictures of what I wore and how I styled it because....I have no idea. 

But now that my hair is chopped all off, my style is evolving a bit. 

It is actually super fun to do stuff with this 'do! 

The chop has also upped my "funky factor." (So I'm told)

(I think it is also the fact that every single day that goes by, my children are older.)

I don't really think it has made me that much edgier...its just that the huge mop is no longer hiding stuff.

Like my double ear piercing on my left ear. Yes, I have two on only one side. On purpose. 

(And I have had that piercing since I turned 18!) 

And my nose piercing. 

(Which has actually been pierced since 2004.) 

Maybe piercings are just more expected with short hair? 

I have no idea.

Back to the whole "every single day, my children are getting older" idea.

First - motherhood is totally awesome. I mean, really. Fantastic. But it is also the hardest thing I've ever done. It is exhausting. Draining. Stretching. (In every possible way imaginable) But when you bring that screaming ball of human home with you...everything changes forever. Your title, the way the world views you, your responsibilities, your sleep patterns...everything. While that change is for a great cause and is wonderful; it is also hard. It's hard to remember who you are in all of that spit up, and poop, and feeding schedules, and laundry (OH, the LAUNDRY!). And when there are health complications - or self-induced back-to-back-to-back-to-back pregnancies - it can be extra hard to even catch glimpses of the YOU beyond Mama. 

I can't possibly be the only woman to struggle with all of those things. 

Because I look around at women who shower and get real clothes on and fix their hair everyday prior to having children...who suddenly stop caring as soon as a bean pops. Hear me clearly: For that first while....when you aren't sleeping, when your body is healing, when you are learning a new human....you should totally chill. So, I'm not talking about the early bit. (By early bit, I mean roughly the first year, although it depends on the kid!) What I'm talking about is women who are so completely "mama" when their beans are older, they forget who they were before.

I did.

As I worked like crazy to find my healthy body, as I started to sleep again, as life in general just calmed down...I was able to rediscover who I was. 

And...

Who I am is a wee bit crazy.

And not very good being all grown-up-y. 

I will happily discuss and talk about deep topics - but I also like to enjoy life and be silly.

I found that I was trying to be the "mom" picture that everyone said you should look like; and I'm just no good at that. But my children were specifically made with me to be their mama - so I want to be the Mama I am supposed to be.

And this mama likes to laugh. Heartily.

And wear bright colors.

And doesn't match socks. Ever.

And make everything an adventure.

And doesn't care if you want to dye your hair purple. 

(They do have to wait until they're 6)

And hash out the hard stuff of life with the beans - telling them when I don't know, instead of making up an answer.

And model a mama who loves life - with, because, even in spite of, her kids. 

(Because, some days? They are really total heathens.) 

Have you struggled to find your equilibrium in various phases?

Oh. I guess I'm supposed to say where I got my gear...

Headband - Urban Outfitters

Earrings - Target (clearance)

Shirt - Loft (clearance)

Tank - Old Navy

Jeans - Levi's (on sale)

~Whitney Copyright 2013

I could...

I could show you pictures of my living room and how awesome it looks with curtains.

(For the record - if you want curtains, GO TO IKEA. For real. Their website has nowhere near the selection they have in store. It is a grown up wonderland of deals and beautiful stuff.)

I could post pictures of the girl room (Yes, all three of our girls are sharing a room. They actually begged for it. Please get off my case) and how totally amazing all the organization is working. 

I could probably drum up something sappy to write.

I could complain about the psychotic Hampton Roads weather. (My word. It is absolute craziness.)

But I'm not gonna do any of that tonight. Nope.
I have to write down a bit about my String Bean (7.5) and my Jumping Bean (5.5) and the crazy conversation we had yesterday....

We were all (minus My Love, who is away briefly), eating breakfast before church, when out-of-the-blue String Bean says:

"Mom, how do you know the Bible is true? I mean there is a lot of stuff in it that is, you know, kinda hard to buy."

"What are you thinking of, exactly?"

"Well, the whole idea about Jesus lives forever but was a human for just a bit of time. And the guys that wrote the Bible - but God is supposed to be the one who wrote the Bible - and what if they heard him wrong?"

Seriously? Isn't that what College level philosophy classes are for? I haven't even had my coffee!

Then Jumping Bean pipes in:
"And what's up with the whole Esau business? I mean, how could a Mommy or Daddy love one kid more than the other? I don't want to believe that a brother could be so mean. Or a Daddy could be so mean. Why is that in there?"

I could tell you my answers and the conversation that followed, but really all I want to say is this...

I never thought I'd see the day where I just wished my kids were asking about sex. 

:)

~Whitney Copyright 2013

skin

This is a strange post for me. 

It is purely to answer questions that many people have asked - which isn't uncomfortable or odd for me normally - but the questions have been about skin care. 

And I just feel extremely stupid/weird talking about my skin care regime.

Thankfully (or unfortunately), feeling stupid has never really been a deterrent for me.  So here goes nothin'! :)

First things first, here are my stats:

My mom, me, and my sis

I was flat-out lucky when I was born into a family with (practically) wrinkle-free skin.

I am 30 years old (and very glad to say so!)

I have 4 children who are a total of 5 years apart.  (7, 5, 3.5, 2)

I don't drink Coke. 

I'm from the South, so all carbonated beverages are coke....in case you are from somewhere else -

 I don't drink soda. :) 

I mean, I will have it if we are out as a treat - and we buy 1 bottle of Sprite a week to go with our pizza night - but I am not a habitual soda drinker. This is why: One Coke = One zit on my face. For real. Since I am vain and don't want to relive high school - I greatly limit my Coke intake.  Lots and lots and lots of water for this girl!

I actually had a coke yesterday....Zit today. 

I attempted to take a picture for proof - but nobody wants to see a picture of a zit. 

Just trust me, it's there. :)

I don't get the amount of sleep I'm supposed to get because I like to stay up late and do stuff after the kids go to bed....and the best time for me to work out is before they all wake up. So, my sleep is often 6-7 hours a night at most. (Probably closer to 5-6)

Please don't tell me I need more.

 I know I need more sleep. 

My husband is a Naval Aviator who used to be the safety officer for his squadron. 

Therefore, I am quite aware that my lack of sleep is detrimental to my health and my mental functions. In fact, after going through a sleep study course and seeing the effects of LACK of sleep - he called and said that with our back-to-back-to-back-to-back babies, I've been a functioning drunk for about 5 straight years. 

:)

So that is the majority of my baseline.

I'm not fancy when it comes to products - although I used to be.  I have rather sensitive skin and am allergic to many scents, and with all the hormonal whack-out that 4 pregnancies can do...only the $$$ stuff would cut it.

Thankfully, as my hormones have leveled off post-baby - my skin has evened out too! So now I can use the $ stuff and spend that other money on food. Because eating out is about 10 million times more fun than face wash.

Hooray!

Here is what I use:

Aveeno Smart Essentials Face wash/Facial scrub.

I alternate the facial scrub in the morning and the face wash at night. 

Every day.

They carry it at the Naval Exchange and Target - so it is easy to find and quite cost effective. :)

(although I can't remember the exact $ amount at the moment)

I have always been prone to eye infections, which means keeping my face clean has been quite important. (Hence, all these blasted steps!) Only since having Lasik in January, have I even been able to wear mascara. Prior to, well, right now....I wore mascara on my wedding day. And that was pretty much it. Whenever I had tried mascara in my teens, I would get an infection. So, while I'm probably safe not scrubbing my lashes and lids every night...I really don't want to take that chance.  I use one cotton ball per eye - no cross-contaminating here! - douse it with L'Oreal Eye Makeup Remover, a quick swipe over each set of lashes, rinse my face, and then I'm done. :) (And I only do this step if I wore mascara that day - the eyeliner comes clean with just the wash.)

I can't believe you're still reading.

Olay active hydrating beauty fluid - original OR sensitive 

(I get whichever one is on sale)

I use this morning and night as well - whether I'm wearing makeup or not. 

Especially in the winter.

My favorite secret weapon: Garnier Skin Renew Anti-Puff Eye Roller.

This thing is completely wonderful. I put it on right after I wash my face morning and night. AND after the shower. AND right before makeup. It seriously is my go-to item. It has made a HUGE difference for me! (My kids are finally getting older and sleeping through the night...so that might be a factor too!)

So, that is my official "skin-care" gear for every day.

I also have this marvelous eye mask thing (imagine the opposite of super-sexy) that I keep in the fridge and sleep in whenever My Love is away. But that is a once in a while thing, so I didn't think that counted. ;)

Those are my steps for official skin care-y stuff. 

BUT.

(And I'm about to potentially embarrass myself)

I also have to pay attention to obscene amounts of hair. Because, I have found that keeping that upper lip smooth can be pretty helpful in your overall appearance.

AND taking time on your eyebrows - especially if you want them to be 2! - is a big factor in how old you look. In other words, tweezers are pretty big part of my life.

I think I should stop now...now that you know more than you EVER wanted to know about my face!

Perhaps another boring post about my new-found fun with makeup should come soon?!

~Whitney Copyright 2013

Hair

So, 2 (almost 3!) weeks ago I did something I've been planning on doing for over a year.
And I was excited.
I couldn't wait to document it.

Yet tomorrow marks three weeks since the big chop  - and I haven't written a blessed thing.

Because I feel ridiculous.

Yes, I cut my hair.

Almost all of it.

Completely off.

And I donated it to Locks of Love.

(That's 11.5 inches people!)

What I didn't expect was the amount of commentary my dumb hair would garner.

First - a warning:
If EVER you go and chop all your hair off - know that ALL of humanity will have an opinion about it. People you may not remember ever seeing before will come up and comment on if they like it or if they don't, request a reason for such a change, and basically tell you all sorts of interesting things.

Like the MOST awkward compliment (?) I've ever received in my life:

Wow! When your hair was long I had no idea you were so pretty!

Thanks?

My husband teases me that sometimes I look like Justin Bieber, or Pink, or K.D. Lang. Which is fine...to a point. Thankfully, he's dialed it back a bit, so the world is balanced again.  :)

I have gotten many of the same questions regarding "The Big Chop,"  so I thought I could just answer them publicly here:

1. My hubby DOES like it. He was very supportive of the chop - I would have never cut it if he wasn't!
2. 3 of the Beans LOVED it immediately.
3. String Bean was the wild card - she ran away crying and hid from me because she hated it so much.
4. HOWEVER - now both String Bean and Jumping Bean want to grow their hair out to donate!
5. Yes, I will save loads of money on shampoo and conditioner.

The reason this feels ridiculous though, is because I was donating my hair in honor of 2 amazing women I am privileged to know.

One is a woman who always smiles, she encourages others in every way possible. She is a mama of two - and a friend to many. She is a woman I would be happy to be like.  She found out she had cancer Labor Day weekend this past year.

The other is a woman who passed away this afternoon after battling cancer for the last year. She leaves behind a devoted husband, five young children, and countless people who were privileged to know her.

Cutting my hair to honor such great women as Lisa and Julie - that was easy. 

A couple people called the cutting of my hair a brave thing to do. 

I would wholeheartedly disagree.

Being a child seeing your parent fight cancer - being a parent watching your child fight cancer - gripping to hope in the hospital rooms, in the doctor's appointments, through the chemo, the radiation, the tests, the waiting, the unknown -
That is courageous.
THAT is bravery.

All I did was cut my hair.

I cut my hair to honor TRUE bravery. 

To honor life-changing courage.

It isn't much to do - but it is what I've got.

I wish I had more to give - I wish I could ease the fear and the ache and the lonely places that cancer leaves behind. But I can't.

All I can do is keep answering people with the truth of where all my hair went -

To hopefully give brave children comfort in their battle.
Battle on.

~Whitney
 Copyright 2013

Cocoa Bean Moment

Our sweet moment happened recently on the way home from church....

Jumping Bean was talking about Bean Bags (I've been requested to make a bunch for them to practice throwing) and everyone was pretty wound up.

Jumping Bean and I made a rice bag together (her first sewing project!) last year and kept it in the freezer. Then, whenever she had a boo boo....she could grab her special "boo boo bag" and magically feel better.

The amazing thing was that it actually worked to stop her crying!

Anyway, back to last night...

String Bean was on the giddy side of silly, and said "You made a boob bag?"

And, since we are ALL very mature...the entire car erupted into raucous laughter. We started to calm down, and then String Bean repeated (clearly confused), "You made a BOOB bag???"

We lost it.
Completely.
In fact, I barely stopped laughing enough to hand the gate guard my ID card!

Eventually, we were able to explain to String Bean that we were talking about injuries. But not until all 5 of us had laughed until we cried.

Was it a mature moment?
Nope.

But it was completely sweet.

~Whitney
 Copyright 2013

Zone 2 - The Living Room (post 3)

*** I apologize in advance for the obscene amount of pictures in this post. Since this is already my 4th post regarding one room in my house (you can find the other 3, here, here, and here, if you bored out of your head), I decided to make it very long instead of adding yet another post. The jury is out on if I made the right call. ***

So, I'm allergic to not changing.
We have lived in the SAME house for THREE STRAIGHT YEARS!  And, while this has been a really amazing experience...I have realized I've become accustomed to change.
I'm unnerved by things staying the same for such a long time.
Which means I needed to re-arrange furniture.

Naturally.

 This is what my Living Room looked like when I was starting February:

Not bad. Not great.

This is a long room with a gazillion windows. 

And has been the hardest room I've ever had to decorate and configure furniture. 

I love the windows! 

I love the fireplace! 

But holyheckamama it is super difficult to lay out.

The white kid-size table was a FANTASTIC Craig's list find - and didn't normally sit in that spot. 2 chairs (that were as comfortable as they were ugly), occupied that particular zone. But the chairs were out of the house for a little bit while Molly from The Industrial Cottage worked her custom-slip-cover magic.

Then one night after we put the kids to bed, My Love said something in response to one off-hand remark I'd made a couple days earlier. He said,

"Honey, you want to re-arrange the living room furniture?" 

File that under "Top 10 sexiest phrases ever."

Within an hour and a half, every single piece of furniture had been moved. 
Yes, he loves me. 

Biggest life-altering furniture move?
Taking the piano off the wall...and backing it up to the couch. LOVE it there!

But it wasn't complete.....not by a long shot. 

Poor man.

One week later, he came home to an obscene amount of picture frames (and other stuff) laid on the floor in a specific pattern...and a wife with a I-have-a-project-going-and-won't-be-able-to-sleep-until-it-is-done-face.

I told you he loves me!

A LOT.

Now, every time I walk in the living room I smile - because that wall says he loves me.

Really, he had a LONG day and came home and hung all those pictures, even though he wanted to just sit on the couch and do nothing.

Without a ladder.

Yep.

He just stood on the back of the couch and leaned back on me.

I'm a helper. :)

The bare spot under the long shelf is supposed to have a picture under it (see it hiding on the couch??)....but the command strip didn't work. I'm impatient, and wanted to post pictures anyway. Please use your imagination.

Also imagine there are actual pictures that mean something to OUR family in all of those frames...because the pictures they came with are hanging on my wall. Eventually, 8 of the small frames will have a picture of the front door from every house we've lived. 

Here is the final tour....

The view from the back of the room -

Chair #1with a custom slipcover in bleachable white denim. :) It makes me very, very, happy. We turned the bookcase on it's side and now it is an easily accessed kid zone. It holds some toys and children's books. (See earlier post detailing how we contain the beast known as kid stuff.) 

Courtesy of Craig's list, the neighborhood can now watch tv from the alley behind our house.

You're welcome, neighborhood.

View from the middle of the room (above) and the front of the room (below).

Please note beautiful chair #2. Also known as the-most-comfortable-chair-you-will-ever-sit-in. Which is what has saved its life all these years. Your butt is just super happy in that chair. Now my eyes are happy to look at it, too!

(Imagine the TV cabinet and giant TV on the right of the above picture.)

(And my floating shelves with the owls on them above the white chair in the back of the room)

There you have it! Our living room - Zone 2 - as of this second.

There is no guarantee that I will not change something in the future....but it will definitely NOT be the picture wall. 

Or the furniture layout.

But a nice round, wood, coffee table?

(something like this one I saw at Haynes)

Maybe an accent table?

(Like this super funky one from Target)

And a beautiful lamp?

(not that we would EVER buy this - but I love the look of it!)

Oh Pottery Barn, why do you have such lovely things?

I could see stuff like that migrating in. 

Window something or other should probably happen too....but my brain is hurting from all this decorating already. 

Now my poor second floor is naked. 

But hey, my kitchen is organized, my living room is beautiful, and I finally figured out a system that keeps the toy mess at bay!

I'm calling it a win. 

Thanks for reading!

~Whitney Copyright 2013

Movie/Book Review

First - the blog has been super quiet the past week (or so) because my house has been rather extra loud.

Full to the brim with hollering children.

My Love is being tackled by our 4 kids (7 1/2, 5 1/2, 3 1/2, and 2) and 2 nieces (3 1/2, and 2)...3rd niece is only 1 month, so she's not in on the wrestling just yet!

I had the treat of bringing my sister-in-law and her 3 daughters to our home for 10 days.

We played and snuggled and wrestled and mediated about half-a-million skirmishes.

We had 7 children - 7 and under - and plenty of crazy.

Good times were had by all. :)

On to my movie and book review....

I am a white woman who grew up in the American South.
A place I love.
A beautiful place, brimming with delicious food, gorgeous landscapes, and wonderful people.
People full of stories.

The Help, by Kathryn Stockett, sought to tell some of those stories.

Stories of people in 1960's Jackson, Mississippi.

Black people.

White people.

I was struck by how recent these fictional lives were lived.
Segregation.
Separate but equal.
Those things have always seemed like long ago issues - things from history books, not as recent as yesterday. This book helped me register - for the first time ever - how close the social disparities in the South were.

The characters were beautifully created with depth, struggles, and imperfections. One of my favorite things about the book - aside from excellent writing - was that each of the characters had aspects of who I am, or who I've been.  It was a story full of ordinary people given choices every day to choose right or wrong.  Ordinary people -people who chose kindness; people who chose evil; people who knew they were choosing wrong, but lacked the courage to choose right - people just like me.

The movie was the best adaptation of a book I have ever seen. They changed some things to allow the story to flow smoothly in a different medium - but they were carefully chosen and enhanced the story. There were not wasted moments. The casting was superb. The script was flawless.  I have never been pleased with a movie based on a book I love - but this was truly excellent.

The Help challenged me to inspect my own life.
What accepted atrocities am I party to? 
Am I in a boat that needs rocking?  

The point of the book was this:

We are just two people. Not that much separates us. Not nearly as much as I thought. 

AND 

Maybe I ain't too old to start over...I laugh and cry...Cause just last night I thought I was finished with everthing new.

The book and the movie are completely worth your time - it will grip your heart, and hopefully inspire you to not accept the status quo.

~Whitney Copyright 2013