Mean Girls

When I was a Senior in High School a movie came out called Mean Girls starring Lindsay Lohan. While I'm sure almost all of you have seen it, maybe a few haven't. To sum it up as quickly as possible, Mean Girls was a satirical look at how girls in high school can and do treat each other. While it was hilarious to see the "popular" girl gaining weight because of being manipulated by those below her, it was also a sad look at how girls treat each other. I graduated that year, and I got married the next, and I kind of thought I'd moved on from the Mean Girl phase in life...



and then I started a career...and I started blogging...and I became a mom...and I realized that it never really ends. When a former co-worker decided she had a problem with me and sought to create a rift between me and all of the other girls at our bank branch...to seeing women all over blog land play this awful game of being sugar sweet to someone's face and bad mouthing her behind her back. I'm guilty too. For me, it stems from being a people pleaser. Even when there is a girl that I don't care for, it still tears me up when she doesn't like me. It's not something I'm proud of...I'm just being honest. For some girls it stems from insecurity. Insecurity in their parenting abilities, so they tear other moms down. Insecurity in their life decisions, so they tear people down who've made different choices.

Here's the thing...it is a vicious cycle. As I saw another insult fly across twitter, I was tempted to start heytelling with one of my friends about how hurt my feelings were, but I realized...the solution begins with me. I know, cheesy cheeseball cheese, but it is so true. I can't control the actions of anyone but myself. But maybe...maybe if we all started to be aware of our actions and put effort into controlling our words and kindess, we could put an end to this Mean Girl epidemic. Maybe it's wishful thinking, but all I know is that it starts with me. Just like in High School I took a girl under my wing at cheerleading tryouts, or I invited someone to sit at my lunch table, or I sat with someone at church that was there alone...I want to seek to do the right thing. In the past, I may have been a part of the problem, but starting right now, I'd like to be a part of the solution.

"Mean Girls...They'll hate you if you're pretty. They'll hate you if you're not. They'll hate you for what you lack baby and they'll hate you for what you got." Lyrics from Mean Girls by Sugarland

Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, excellent, praiseworthy, I will think on these. Philippians 4:8

Project 366 Week 4

I am so excited I've kept up with Project 366, but I haven't done a great job of using my "real" camera. That's my goal for this week!



As always, linking up with Laura (late).

Jan 22: Deacon was HONGRY

Jan. 23: Manning has these specific buddies he sleeps with every night. I have to name each one and hand it to him. "Elephant! Monkey! Boots! Elmo! Blankey!" He holds them all until I leave the room, then he rolls onto his tummy to sleep. :)

Jan 24: A little photoshoot for Deacon's birthday party invitations. Couldn't you just die? I think he is the cutest little almost one year old in the whole wide world. 

Jan. 25: Manning eating his daily vitamins. Some days this is the only food I can get in the boy. I pray his independent and stubborn spirit can be directed toward more healthy directions in the future.

Jan. 26: I had to cheat and do a collage. Deacon is always the HAPPIEST baby when I go get him after a nap. This picture doesn't do his excitement justice. I got home from running a few errands, and the Hy-Vee floral van was waiting out front for me. Just because flowers? Best ever.

Jan. 27: I handed Deacon his food and it immediately blew all over him. He didn't even blink. He couldn't get it into his mouth fast enough.

Jan. 28: Our church had a "Faith Life Weekend" this weekend, so we were at church on Friday night, Saturday morning, Saturday night, and Sunday night. On Saturday night I worked in the nursery. I worked in the baby room that Deacon is in...for a few more weeks anyway. He was so sweet and loved playing with some different toys than we have at home. Oh, and since church started at his normal bedtime, he wore a sleeper. I love a baby in a stretchie. 

Questions, anyone? Bueller?

Hiiiiii.

For a few weeks I've been wanting to make another vlog. Not because I love showing my awkward to everyone, but more because I love watching them on other blogs, so I thought you might like seeing another one here on aby. SO- after finding my new bloggy bestie who just doesn't know it yet, KLaw, and seeing her answer reader questions on her vlog...I thought I'd take a page out of her book.

Also, I have a few new followers, so the timing seems great.

So, what do you want to know? Anything? Everything? Bueller??? I'll answer pretty much any question I'm asked...except maybe my bank account balance...nah. Y'all know we're broke. Anyway, ask away. You can be nosey, but don't be rude. KThanksBye.

Pinspired--- Little Man Picture Edition

Happy Pinspired Thursday!




Deacon's birthday party is coming up in just over three weeks, and it's a "little man" theme. I saw this pin & thought I'd like a similar picture for his birthday invitations.

Source: Uploaded by user via Lauren on Pinterest

And, this is what I got from my little angel

Yeah, you win some, you lose some. Luckily, I was able to get a darling picture a little later in the afternoon with a different ensemble. You'll see it soon! :)

*If you link up, PLEASE don't forget my Pinspired button in your post. I'm back to doing Pinspired EVERY Thursday, so remember it when you're planning your blog posts out for the week! :)

Project 366 Week 3

January 15- Hanging out at my parents' house. He really does like me, I promise.

January 16- Manning eating a sucker before all hell broke loose getting his stitches removed. HOLY COW. It was awful.

January 17- No picture. I'm not sure what happened.

January 18- Manning snuggled with me and ate his "Nemo snack" aka Nemo vitamins while we watched Finding Nemo. This boy rarely sits still so I soak up these moments. 

January 19- My sweetie in the car seat.

January 20- Deacon playing on my bed.

January 21- Sweet Deacon eating breakfast at Nana & Pa's house. 

So, not the most interesting pictures of all time...I'll try to do better! :) Oh, and maybe next week this will be posted on time! Still linking up with Laura even though I'm late! 

Today in Numbers

5- dirty diapers Deacon had

0- baths/showers taken (I'm hoping to at least remedy this for myself later this evening)

1-  Mandarin Orange container that spilled all over the floor behind the trash can without my knowledge

3- Number of times Manning told me to "Get back in the kitchen!" after I did what he asked. WHERE did he learn that?!

1- time I read Green Eggs and Ham to Manning

4- episodes of "Jake and the Neverland Pirates" that my children watched

0- naps my children took simultaneously

3- diaper boxes full of dirty diapers I put beside the curb tonight

1- Number of times we left the house

2- children that wore pajamas all day

3- Bowls of Cap'n Crunch consumed

0- Meals that were cooked

1- Green Monster smoothie consumed by toddler

1- thirty-one party I will submit tonight

I'm still trying to figure out how I can feel so busy all day, and have all these numbers added up, but when I look around my house it's as though I laid on the couch and ate bon bons all day. Guys. I don't even like bon bons. Girl Scout cookies? That, I might be guilty of. :)

Window Shopping

I've found that the times I'm the most quiet on my blog are the times that things inside my head are the loudest, and unlike my typical over-sharing self, I just can't share everything that's going on in my head right now.

So, since it's no-spend January, which is well on the way to becoming no-spend February, I thought I'd do a little window shopping. You know...share what I think all of you should buy since I have champagne taste on a beer water budget.

Gabrielle Tunic from The Blue Door Boutique

$36

Women's Pointelle Boatneck Sweater from Old Navy

$29.94

Vanitiya by Jessica Simpson

$74.97

Ziggy Chair from Urban Outfitters

$279

Toms Silver Glitters

$54

and...the sofa I've been dreaming about for two years...fancy, no?

Ektorp by Ikea

$399

Anything you have been dreaming of? What would you buy if someone handed you $500? 

Project 366 Weeks 1 & 2

I decided about mid-way through 2011 that I wanted to participate in Project 365 for 2012. My goal is to try and mostly use my dSLR and to even try to learn how to use it out of automatic, but I've already had to snap some phone photos. Sometimes my phone is just more handy to not miss a moment, or I can't find my dSLR. Last week I didn't get my post up, so here are the first two weeks of 2012! Oh, and this year it's Project 366 because it's a leap year! :)

January 1st- Right before we took Nathan to the airport to return to active duty in Arizona after his Christmas break. That's his fake smile. He haz a sadz. Deacon was a little windblown. :)

January 2- Manning cheesing for me in the morning. That sweet smile got me through a hard day. 

January 3rd- Sweet boy after his bath. 

January 4th- Manning is fond of "hats" and since he wears a lot of hoodies he always wants the  hoods up. Now when I put a shirt on him with a collar he yanks it and says, "HAT!" 

January 5th- Kind of a silly picture, but these things are the bomb for realz. 

January 6th- I love how Jessica always mixes patterns. This is me trying to step outside the box. Plaid & stripes. Also, I got this sweater and scarf when I went to visit Nathan in the hospital. It was a rough day and I spent $25 combined on these two items. Sometimes a little retail therapy goes a long way. Oh, and for my twitter friends #teamleggingsaspants.

January 7th- Today was the thirty-one spring premiere. Thirty-One did something really cool and rented out movie theatres across the nation so that consultants could go watch the premiere on a big screen. I had so much fun, and I LOVE the new products. This is a sneak peek from the new catalog of what new consultants get for only $99 when they sign up. (If anyone is interested or has any questions please email me kodibevelle (at) gmail (dot) com)

January 8th- This might be cheating, but I love both of these pics. Deacon started standing independently for long periods of time and he was excited to show his Nana that new trick/ Manning doing his best Donald Trump impersonation in the bathtub.

January 9th- Manning had a procedure today to remove a cyst on his left ear that was causing him some pain. He was very well-behaved waiting his turn and watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. 

January 10th- Manning's new favorite book is "The Pout-Pout Fish" that Aunt Jenn gave him for Christmas. He requests it by name and he cracks up every time I say "Blub, Bluuub, Bluuuuuub." I'd recommend this book for every 2 year old's library. 

January 11th- We got some snow. This is the most snow we've had in months. I've been SO grateful for an easy winter since Nathan is gone and I have to take both boys any time I go somewhere. 

January 12th- It was close to bedtime and Deacon was tired. He hardly ever cries, but Manning hugged him a few times and he was tired of it. Poor buddy. Just wanted to chew on his hammer in peace. 

January 13th- This long, straight, boring highway separates us from our hometown from our house by about 65 miles.

January 14th- This is my Miss America treat tonight- Gringo dip from 54th Street Grill & Bar. SO good. 

Pinspired--- Baby It's Cold Outside

I think Baby It's Cold Outside is technically a Christmas song, but Manning has been walking around singing "Coh Ouh-siiigh" since Christmas. I guess we listened to my She & Him Christmas album plenty. ;) Anyway, it is COLD OUTSIDE & I'm loving wearing scarves as part of my outfit & to stave off the heat.

I pinned this months ago, but I'm constantly referencing it for how to tie my scarves! 

Source: 9gag.com via Kodi on Pinterest

Here's my current favorite way to tie a scarf: 

This is style 5 if you can't tell. So, what are you Pinspired by this week? Link up! 

{PS I don't mean to sound grouchy, but starting today if you link up your post and your post doesn't link back to mine I will delete it. Please use the handy little Pinspired banner on the top right of my page. You just copy and paste the text into your blog body of text. Couldn't be any easier. If you need help with how to do this, please let me know. Thanks in advance!}

Missing

I've been a little bit missing around here, but not because I don't have a lot to write about. Here's the truth: until recently I thought of this blog as my "safe place" to be honest...a place to write about anything and everything that was on my heart. Then, without a whole lot of consideration, one day I linked a blog post to my facebook. My personal facebook page. The one where pretty much every person I have ever met IRL is my "friend". And so it began...my IRL friends, acquaintances, friends' parents, former teachers etc started to read my blog. Some of them started telling me they loved my blog. Some of them said they don't get blogging...and some of them just lurked. :) One person even found the "courage" to start sending me hateful e-mails about how fake I am. Nope, not fake. They just don't know the real me.

I really have nothing to hide, and I really am pretty bold in person so it's not like I hide behind my laptop screen and write things I'd be way too chicken to say in public. That's not it at all. It's just a little expository to write your heart and soul for everyone to read without getting even a glimpse into what many of them think about it, or getting a glimpse into their lives. I've had people tell me that they do not understand why women read blogs of women they've never met, let alone consider them friends. First, I'd say that it isn't really for anyone to understand. Second, I'd venture to say that I know most of my "blog friends" better than I know most of my IRL friends, and vice versa.

So, that is where I'm at. Struggling to find balance about how much I can and want to share knowing that my cousins and friends and my parents' co-workers are reading. I think I'll probably still share most of what I would share before because I just am who I am. I am passionate about many things, and I am open about most things.

What about you? Have any of you other bloggers ever felt this vulnerability?

If you're reading this and you know me IRL (in real life) please, don't be shy! Leave a comment to let me know!

Tuxedo T-Shirts

Aren't my little guys cute in their tuxedo tees? Aunt Kiki got them for Christmas and we love them. Let me tell you, it's a good thing the blondie is cute, because he was testing my patience today! He is such a two-year-old right now. He has the highest highs and the lowest lows. Wears me out! I did figure out today that instead of saying "peek-a-boo!" Manning says "Deacon boo!" and I think that is just the most adorable thing! Deacon has started waving, and he is so sweet. He waves with his entire arm and just gets so darn excited when people wave back. He claps when he's excited now. Tonight he was fussing before bed and when I walked into the room with his bedtime bottle ready he clapped through his tears when he saw it. Such a sweetheart. Our family has a lot of uncertainty to face in the coming months, but I know that with these two sweet babies around we'll always be smiling. I hope you all have a great weekend! Happy Friday!

Pinspired--- Break

Well, that was a nice little un-planned Pinspired break. My apologies. I'm back today & I made something!




I saw several pins like this:

Source: etsy.com via ashley on Pinterest

So I wore this:

What have you been Pin-spired by lately?! Link up!

Passion

So many things to blog about, but they can wait. Most of today I've been glued to my laptop listening to and watching the Passion conference live. It's happening this week in the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, and you can view the sessions online. Beth Moore spoke this morning & Francis Chan spoke tonight. You'll be so blessed if you go listen! Session 2 (Beth) & Session 3 (Francis) are only available through tomorrow, so don't put it off! Be blessed!