"Mama Guilt Mondays" Meme

Why talk about "Mama Guilt," you ask? Because I think it is good to share our Mama Guilt so we know we are not alone. We all struggle in this wonderful, chaotic, ever challenging thing called motherhood! See the MckLinky at the bottom of this post to link up.

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Today, I'm doing a reverse Mama Guilt post.

Instead of feeling guilty about something I did as a mom, I feel guilty about BEING a mom! Why? Because...

I said "No."

To my Boss.

My COMMANDER!

Last week, he asked if I (along with my entire unit) could attend a conference in April, away from home.

Overnight.

On my birthday (which is also my DH's birthday.)

And I said, "No."

Well, actually, I said, "Sorry boss, I just can't this time."

Normally, I would have said, "Yes." I've been away from home before for training and conferences. I even had to bring my breast pump with one time. Try explaining why you have to leave the shooting range to go pump!

But this time, I just had to decline. I couldn't do that to my DH on HIS birthday!

I'm not asking for special privileges or missing out on any earth shattering information. This topic is going to be taught again locally in the fall.

But anyone who has ever worked in a similar situation can relate to how hard it was for me to...

Say "No" to my boss!

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Do YOU have any Mama Guilt on your mind today? Blog about it, funny or serious, post a link back to me, then come back here and enter your post link into the MckLinky. Don't forget to leave me a comment too!

Or feel free to write about your Mama Guilt in the comments below.

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This morning

In the dark early hours

I was half awakened by a small, precious voice,

"Mama, can I come in your bed?"

Up and over, I set Sprout in between us.

I curled around him protectively like only a mother can.

As I felt his chest rise and fall,

I thought of a time when I longed for the same...

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Softly, under the covers

I was careful not to cause a stir.

I pressed against my mom's unconscious body.

The stale, sweet familiar odor came in waves with her every breath.

I took her limp arm and put it around my middle.

And for the moment, she was home.

(Author's note: I debated posting this for fear of being too...what? Personal? Emotional? But my mom's drinking is what has made me a better mom today.)

Bees!!!

I was sitting in my squad car eating my Subway sandwich as fast as possible before I got another call, when I heard that unmistakable BUZZZZZZZZ...

I didn't even need to see it. I FLEW out of my squad, swung my arms in the air, and flung open both front doors, all while still holding my 6 inch sub. Once the little bugger flew out and my blood pressure calmed down, I looked around and noticed the friendly bystanders walking in the park had stopped and were staring at me. Nothing to see here folks, keep moving along! Just a crazy female cop freaking out about a BEE!

So why do I tell you this, other than to embarrass myself? Because, it's time for....

Mama M's Five Question Friday!

1. What are you most afraid of? I think you already know the answer to this one! BEES!

2. Do you use a flat iron or curling iron? Flat iron EVERY single morning! Kinky, wavy hair otherwise.

3. Hands-free or phone to the ear? Who talks on the phone anymore? Aren't we all tweeting and texting ;-)

4. Do you have a matching bedroom set? Yes, it was one of our first BIG purchases after getting married. My DH totally freaked about that bill!

5. Do you believe in the paranormal? As a Christian, I believe in angels, good and bad. I also believe Jesus is omnipresent. I also believe Satan is at work in this fallen world and that is why prayer is so important.



T.G.I.F. my friends! What are YOU doing this weekend??? Super Bowl plans?

(Don't forget, "Mama Guilt Mondays" meme every Monday. Stop back here and link up!)

Shout Out for My Blogging Friends!

Link up at Mrs. 4444

Happy Friday, Everyone!

1. Thanks for all the great questions and comments yesterday here and over at the Blog Frog Forum about photo editing. I use Creative Memories (the scrapbook company) software called Memory Manager 3.0 to edit my photos.

2. My friend, The Crayon Wrangler, over at "Coloring Outside the Lines" is hosting a GIVEAWAY! It's for TWO $25 restaurant giftcards. GO check it out!

3. Want to write about your FAMILY? My friend Lori at The Peterson Family is hosting a new blog hop called "Family Fridays." GO check it out!

4. I'm so excited! I've managed to get in a run (unfortunately on the treadmill) everyday for the past 5 days! Sorry about all the twitpics, it helps pass the time away :-) I'm getting ready for my dreaded PT Test in April!

T.G.I.F. my friends! What are YOU doing this weekend???

(Don't forget, "Mama Guilt Mondays" meme every Monday. Stop back here and link up!)

My Attempt at Photo Editing

Ok, Let me just say, I'm an AMATEUR photographer here. I just kind of hit buttons on my DSLR and hope things come out right!

And editing, well, considering I have all of two spare minutes per day to myself, I do as little tweeking, if any, as possible to my photos.

Today, I'm participating in the photo editing Blog Hop over at Pixel Perfect.

Here's my straight out of the camera shot:

Yes, I know, it looks terrible. I even debated putting it on here. Plastic bottles, hairspray cap, and plenty of random little muchkins in the background.

My editing software? I use Creative Memories. Why? Well, because it's what I have! I bought it way before I even thought about blogging.

Here's my after editing shot:

I obviously made the photo into portrait instead of landscape, used the cloning paintbrush to make everything else disappear, and turned it black and white. And voila, my little Sprout is all you focus on.

Do YOU edit your photos? If so, what do YOU use?

(Don't forget, "Mama Guilt Mondays" meme every Monday. Stop back here and link up!)

Black and White Wednesday

"Mama's Home Now"

Link up at "The Long Road to China."

(Don't forget, "Mama Guilt Mondays" meme every Monday. Stop back here and link up!)

It's Time for "Try and Tell"

My friend Kim over at Mom Tried It has a fun new blog hop called, "Try and Tell." It's like a virtual play date for moms. Think of it as Show and Tell from our school days, but for grown women. Here's my Try and Tell:

This busy boy...

Needs dependable diapers! That is why I am so glad a random mom at Target told me once, while I was buying the way more expensive brand, that Target diapers are just as good. Skeptical? You bet. So I bought a small package, figuring I would give 'em one chance. Well, that was many months ago.

The Target "Up and Up" brand diapers are leak proof, crawl proof, and don't irate Cubbie's skin at all. My one regret is that I didn't try them sooner. I could have saved a lot of money with all the diapers we went through with Sprout!

I was not compensated whatsoever for this review. I just thought, from one mom to another, you might like to know!

What do YOU think of store brands vs. name brands???

"Mama Guilt Mondays" Meme

Why talk about "Mama Guilt," you ask? Because I think it is good to share our Mama Guilt so we know we are not alone. We all struggle in this wonderful, chaotic, ever challenging thing called motherhood! See the MckLinky at the bottom of this post to link up.

* * * * * * *

Pancakes.

All I wanted was pancakes. But instead, as we juggled two kids within the confines of the Perkins booth, I got Sprout's spilled apple juice on my lap and Cubbie's multiple attempts at standing in his high chair.

I looked at the ceiling and prayed for God's patience. I then spotted a nice family of four with two well behaved grade schoolers and thought...

"I can't wait until my boys are older!"

I know, I know. Bad mommy! I feel guilty even admitting it.

But that thought has crossed my mind a lot lately. People tell us that this is just a "Season of Life" or "Little kids, little problems. Big kids, big problems." But in the heat of the moment, I just can't imagine how it could get anymore challenging than this, as Sprout kicks the booth repeatedly, eliciting stares from the couple behind us. Or as Cubbie throws his spoon on the floor for the twentieth time.

Now, don't get me wrong, I am thankful for all we have and I love my children dearly. But...

All I wanted was pancakes!

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Do YOU have any Mama Guilt on your mind today? Blog about it, funny or serious, post a link back to me, then come back here and enter your post link into the MckLinky. Don't forget to leave me a comment too!

Or feel free to write about your Mama Guilt in the comments below.



UPDATE: I linked this post up with my friend, the Crayon Wrangler at Coloring Outside the Lines. She is hosting a Giveaway right now. Go check it out! And VOTE FOR ME, K! :-)

Cruel, Cruel Target!

This is...

just

NOT right!!!

What's the temp in YOUR neighborhood today???

Five Question Friday

Ha! Two posts in ONE DAY! I almost never do that, but why not! I have time to kill on my lunch break, so here goes my answers to Mama M's Five Question Friday:

1. Would you ever vacation alone? I tell ya, I'm tempted some days, but no, I would not. I'd miss my kiddos and DH too much. Plus, I would want them to have fun too!

2. Do you go the speed limit? I plead the fifth!

3. Why did you start blogging/following blogs? I started out by reading other blogs first and thought it looked like fun. I was right! I really enjoy blogging and meeting other bloggers.

4. Where do you shop for yourself? I buy my Jeans at Express because they come in Petite sizes so I don't have to hem them up. Otherwise, tops at Target or Kohls.

5. What was the song that you danced your first dance with your spouse to at your wedding...or...what song would you like your first dance to be to?
Glory of Love by Peter Cetera. It's the song from Karate Kid II. I love it!