So about 2 weeks ago, I chopped my hair off. And look what happened next:
Look at that gorgeous long hair! Hair with amazing highlights and just a bit of curl to it. Hair that was so incredibly beautiful, that she has been getting her compliments from strangers her whole life. Hair that we put in ponytails, pigtails and braids…
Gone.
My daughter just aged about 3 years in one afternoon. Hold me.
This post over on Lisa TerKeurst's blog was – without a doubt – the most challenging and inspiring thing I read all week. An excerpt:
"I have preached one sermon about the words spoken in our home. It
is a simple sermon. Before you part your little sweetheart lips to
speak, you must ask yourself this question: Are my words kind,
necessary, and true?
If the answer to all three parts of that question is yes… proceed ahead.
If the answer to any part of that question is no… stop the words from coming out."
Go read it. Please. We are adopting this is our house. I love it.
W5NU7BFG64SR
With Eat Pray Love coming out (Who else cannot wait! ME!!), looks inspired by the movie are popping up everywhere! I love it!!
World Market has some AMAZING jewelry in their Eat Pray Love shop and its all really affordable! I am loving those Beaded Stretch Bracelets. What a fabulous way to add some fun and color to just about anything from a little dress to a tshirt and jeans. And how cute is this Bucket Hat with Grosgrain Ribbon?? I'd feel like such a world traveler in that! There's just too much jewelry to choose. Go look – its worth it! I promise.
The Shifting buttons skirt from Anthropologie with this Unveiled Tank (and of course some adorable shoes!) is so precious. Don't this just scream strolling through Italy? Or for a more conservative boho look, just pair your favorite casual skirt (like this Organic Cotton Skirt from Athleta) with a sleeveless top and add some sparkly sandals and a scarf.
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Love this Lucy Loves Charlie tunic and white skinny jeans! SO cute! I love the soft colors and the shape of the top.
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Or this ADORABLE tunic! Little bolder, little more boho chic. LOVING the belt. Its a little short for a dress, but it would be super cute with jeggings!
Are you as excited about the movie as I am? Planning on seeing it?
For more Fashion Friday, check out Musings of a Housewife who is talking summer favorites (and she's giving away of Miraclebody Jeans!), Water Water Everywhere, who is talking shoes (shoes!) and don't forget Big Mama, who is spending her birthday money!
disclosure: some of these links are affiliate links. so if you click, i will make a few pennies to feed my fashion addiction. mama needs some boots for fall!
This week we've been talking about our schedule for the fall. The girls just want to do everything – soccer, ballet, gymnastics, tae kwon do, piano, Girl Scouts… and I have a question:
HOW DO PEOPLE DO ALL OF THIS STUFF?
Is it just me?
Normally kids barely do anything and we barely have time for that. Last spring for one month, we did soccer, piano, gymnastics AND Girl Scouts and I just about died. It was ridiculous – we were out of the house every single weekday with soccer games on the weekend. (Not to mention the money? Holy cow, this stuff is expensive!)
As it is, they don't get off the bus until after 4:00 in the afternoon. Between homework and dinner and 8:00 bedtime… there's just not enough hours in the day. When will they play? When will they spend time with their poor little brother who misses them all day long? When will the go outside and just be kids?
I'm totally stressing about this. Does anyone have any tips for balancing all of this? How do you decide what activities your kids do?
"Mom, I just don't understand this game!" Gracie said while playing on her DS.
"That's because you set it to Spanish, Gracie."
"Well, THAT explains it."
******
"Mom! Mom! My skirt matches my new booster seat! I'm so stylish! Aren't I soooo stylish, Mom?"
******
"Oh, my knees! I'm so old!" says my 5-year-old.
******
And, finally, you know they're the kid of a mom blogger when they say:
"Mom, I'm so excited for this playdate. I brought little surprises to hand out to eveyone!"
Even our playdates have swag now, apparently.
*giveaway is now closed. congratulations to comment #34 – stephanie!*
Having two girls that are rapidly growing up, I've been confronted lately with how I can raise them to look beyond outward appearances. Even at the young age of seven, my daughter is becoming aware of her looks: becoming opinionated about her clothes and worrying about her hair, asking me if the outfit she picked out looks cool. It worries me. She wants to cut her hair because "no one has very long hair like me" and worries "Does this match? Is this shirt okay, Mom?" I want to tell her everyday how beautiful she is… but I don't want to have her thinking that is what is most important.
But this is our society. Our daughters are bombarded by artificial beauty – airbrushed, surgically enhanced, dangerously thin people dominate television, movies and magazines. Rather than celebrating differences, we accept a standard of beautiful (that is unrealistic) and mercilessly compare ourselves to it. Does anyone feel they are beautiful enough? Or thin enough?
I'm not judging – Heaven knows I struggle with this myself and I should be old enough to know better. What can I possibly do for my daughters? The only way I can think to combat this in my daughters is to fill them with Truth.
So this is why I loved the newest VeggieTales movie called Sweetpea Beauty
Honestly, I was practically in tears during this one – it was just such a fabulous message that I want to instill in my little girls. Every little girl should watch this!
Check out the trailer here. Trust me, you will not be disappointed. I cannot recommend this one enough!
VeggieTales is giving one lucky Girlymama reader a copy of Sweetpea Beauty!
Here’s how to enter:
Mandatory Entry: Leave a comment sharing how you encourage the children in your life to see their inner beauty.
Extra Entry #1: Leave a SEPARATE comment telling me you subscribed to Girlymama's feed by email or in a reader.
Extra Entry #2: Leave another comment telling me in what way you promoted this contest (i.e., posting about it on your blog or Facebook, or Tweeting about it.
Contest ends Friday, August 13th. Entries such as "Enter me" or "I want to win" will NOT be counted. Winners will be selected by Random.org, announced back here on this post, and notified via email with further instructions. If I don't hear from the winner in 48 hours, I will be choosing a new winner.
Disclosure: I was provided with a copy of Sweetpea Beauty for review purposes. I was not compensated financially for this post. As always all opinions are mine.
On Thursday I headed out to the largest women's blogging conference, BlogHer, which was held in NYC.
"You'll be overwhelmed," they said.
"Wear comfortable shoes," they said.
"Its insane," they said.
"Wear comfortable shoes," they said.
"You'll be totally, completely exhausted," they said.
"Wear comfortable shoes," they said.
But did I listen? No.
Were they right? Heck yeah.
It was a terrific, whirlwind of a weekend. With lots of walking around in heels, making conversation and getting very little sleep. And I feel like I have been hit by a truck. Or at least a Chevy Tahoe Hybrid, which I am proud to say I DROVE in Manhattan! THROUGH TIMES SQUARE! (Thank you. Why, yes, I am quite proud of myself.) And my feet hurt. Because of course I didn't wear comfortable shoes.
I met some amazing people that I can't wait to tell you about. Made some new friends, reconnected with old ones. Had some "Ohmygoodness, I can't believe it!" moments. Reflected on what I want my blog to be. Gotten inspired with some new ideas. And – above all – been thankful that I have this opportunity, that I have this community, that I have this space to share with you.
More to come soon. After sleep, laundry, cuddles with my babies and lots more coffee.
"Mama? Mama? Mama! MAMA! MAMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"
(stumbling into the room, half asleep) "What, Colin?"
"I done."
"Done what?"
"I done sleep."
That's what you think, Buster.
Ten years ago today, my dad died.
Words can't describe how I feel. I've been struggling with a post all week. I just can't write it.
I can't put all of this into words. Of everything that we've been through in the ten years since my husband handed me the phone with a strange look on his face, because he knew the news I was about to hear. So much has happened. So much has changed…
I wish he was here. I wish this wasn't how it had to be. I know that God's will is perfect, but nothing has made me question that like this. I still can't understand why.
I would give anything to see him again. Just for a few minutes. To show him my kids, to see his joy with them, to see him holding them. To hear his voice again. To ask him for advice.
I dream about that sometimes – that he's still here. And when I wake up, I can hardly breathe. The pain is suddenly so fresh, so real. Its like he's died all over again.
I wish this could be more eloquent. But I'm just a mess. Its just too hard this year. I can't write anymore.
If I look out of it today, that's why.
