What I Learned as a Metro Mom

Ok so has anyone ever seen that movie "Trading Spaces?"  Ok I know it is a little rough of a movie with some of the scenes and such, but the idea is the same.. Being a Metro mom taught me that being a mom in a big city can be just as nerve racking as your first day of high school. While in a Big city you are surrounded by stores with various fashion, noise, and light!!  It is like fighting in a huge concrete jungle and you and your child are just a ant on the ground. When I had my first two little ones it was like trying to fit in and be a stranger at the same time..  No one in their right mind if they where someone would be without a Bug-a-Boo stroller or Fluer baby bag ( In which i found used and was very happy with). I did a lot of re-sale shops and a lot of consignment shopping so most times my daughter would be in styles that where eaither from the year before or right before the change.. I would be constantly trying to fit in with the trendy moms and the expensive playdate group only to find I was the last one standing ... I was not by any means cool!!!  I soon figured out I was way too crunchy and natural to live in a world where children looked like little dolls and that spending 30 dollars on one outfit was the norm. I am glad that I am now in a smaller city and people let their kids where what they think is fashionable.. Which to me is all that matters.. this place is so much more relaxed and the moms are not as close minded and snooty.. but still I am going to pass on my experiences with being the Metro mom..


What I learned as the Metro mom:

You always have to go out the door with some sort of makeup, Al Natural is not accepted.. If you want to get away with it, clean up yesterdays face and redo and remake that yesterday look

If you have a digital camera, make sure you bring it because most parents are stuck on taking pictures and Posting them on facebook and insta-crap ( i mean instagram)

Having a photographer is cool , try to find one so you can take those cute family moments ( and take up every inch of your house with canvas moments of joy)

You need the mom wagon.. you know what i'm talking about.. maybe through a little spunk in with a Kia  Soul or maybe be a cross over mom, Vans are out!!

Make sure your kids are enrolled in EVERY possible activity that they can get into.. Make sure it is with the most expensive and best company in town!!

Have a nanny or in some cases the one silly chick that will watch your kids so you can go sip on wine while your hubby is too busy in his career to give a crap about your sanity

Make sure your nails look good , you are a mom, not a maid.. your house is martha stuart clean and you shop at Ikea . your house looks fab and so does your clothes

Make sure you by that cute mommy style and make it sexy enough that even the single guys think you are hot!!

Do you get my point?

If you want to be a Metro mom.. you got to be just as plastic and just as fab as the celebrities...

Shame on You JcPenny?

Has any of you seen the add from the back to school commerical of JcPenny if not ill post the link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=niQSECd1Oag


So after watching the commercial I was surprised to find that the add was not what everyone made it out to be. I was a mom of the Metro area and JcPenny is affordable to most families.. I know If my kids went to school in Dallas it would be a mix of Justice or in most cases for kids Gymboree and or when they where older Abercrombie and Hollister... I know that the term Making it or Breaking it is used too much and in most cases is sooo mis-used in most of daily life. I would like to bring in exhibit A in this case... Me

Mom always had a way to buy me some cute stuff ( or to her it was cute). It was not till I was in 6th grade that my mom let me have control of my outfits and how I dressed.. Most times even when I picked up the popular items I was shot down because it was too expensive, too provocative or too vulgar.  At that time it was sleeveless shirts, extreme tie dyed and swirly patterns and a lot of short mini skirts made popular by Britney spears and Christina A!!!  I tried my best not to be dressed up as the conservative little Bible belt girl as my mom had made me out to be ... It was not flattering for a small chested girl.. it made me look like a boy.. So with new wardrobe ( made to be cool , but conservative) , I went to my first day at 6th grade.. Even with name brand I was the laughing stalk of the group.. I was still too uncool from them and ended up being the bullied kid..

See the thing is no matter what you dress in and no matter the cost, someone somewhere will always have a better outfit, a cooler fashion or something better than you and even if you go and buy it after, someone made it cool before you did and you are a long for the ride.. So the advice for those Kids now days trying to " make it or break it"  ... Let your mind be your guide.. If it looks good to you then dress in it.. Try to have fun and most of all remind you that fashion and clothes don't make who you are, its how you make you!!

Getting ready to Let Go...

" Ugh I knew this day would come.. I'm pacing the floor at the Store and watching her get ready.. First the perfect outfit.. then the perfect shoes and then.. WAIT!!!!!! She isn't that old yet!!!! I cant be looking at a big girl... it isn't possible.. She is still a BABY!!!!"

6 years ago I was holding 4 month old baby girl... I was cooing at her, staying up all night because she had GERD and having to fix countless bottles ( since my milk dried up) and dreaming about this day.  I am thinking about the day she walks to a big yellow school bus waving at me as she goes off into the world.. the one thing I am trying to protect her from..  I dream about nights of homework and nights of staying up her when her heart is broke from a little boy who she likes.. It seems like its too soon in my head.. This little girl is growing up... She no longer wants mommy to play baby dolls.. she would rather get dressed on her own and walk across the street.. We used to read goodnight moon and now we read about history and places far from home.  I am heartbroken because it is one more step to her going to college and then leaving me forever. I have already took her shopping and got that perfect set of shoes and the perfect little backpack with the princesses. She is all ready to take off to the bus and go meet her teacher.. I am blessed that I can share this moment with her!! I am glad that I can work with her on the numbers and letters. I am glad i can teach her how to tie her shoes.. I am blessed to be her mother becuase , honestly I am just blessed to be given such a gift from God...

Now when I lay my head on my pillow tonight I will dream about my daughters first prom and going to get that perfect dress on her wedding day.. I know.. I know.. to soon.. But if 6 years went this fast how fast will the next? Will  I be looking at a woman instead of a girl soon? Will I be just as exited about the next first as all the others... Will she still love me like she loves me now? I guess in the next 12 years ill know.. Because then she is her own person!!

 Until that Day , to the yellow bus we will go!!!


A mom's goodnight poem:

Now I lay me down to sleep
Kids are asleep and havent made a peep
lunches are made and ready to eat

 And if my alarm goes off after I wake
I may have time to pack their cake

I watching my clock and listen to the
husband snore , I cant stand the noisy dog
next door

So in the night , I wake and turn off the lights
and dream of the day
that they grow up and move
away

I go in and kiss thier head and
pray that they will learn their
way 

That they will achieve and dream
and become what they want and
do wonderful things

Now I lay me down to sleep
I close my eyes and try to dream
and hope to sleep before the alarm
again screams...

Summer Fun Part 2

I am looking out a window at a very rainy July, which in itself is weird!!! We have had a fun few weeks. We started off having the water park and park visits. Lately it has been going out and sampling a few things inside and a few outside. We have had plans that we would go to the zoo. But as usual the weather makes it hard for us to leave. Kason doesn't do well with heat and well I am going to make sure that when we go it is late evening so Kason can enjoy it too!  We went to the farmers market two weekends ago and enjoyed it. I ended up buying 17 dollars worth of squash, zucchini, corn, cantaloupe , tomatoes, and local honey!  We went home and well promptly ate the wonderful and delicious food made from the local grown veggies and fruit!! We have been blessed with good health thus far and we have been able to enjoy time away from the doctors office. The 4th of July came and was filled with fun. The hubs and his dad both met with us up at the field near the 7-11 and watched several wonderful little shows and then watched the City's fireworks. I got to spend time with my family amongst the busy work schedule and the madness.. It felt great to be able to celebrate the freedom we have. I feel sadly that the freedom we had before is slowly fading with mans selfishness.. The next day we grilled hamburgers and spent time listening to the radio and let the kids run around.. Then the rains came.. and that they did!!! It has been raining non stop for the last few days ..

Well that might have been the most boring post I made.. I know that as soon as school starts there will be more posts... Kalli's first day and plays and stuff!!

until then..

Kason : Looking back at the last 4 years (7.17.09- 7.17.13)

I am sitting here and looking back over baby pictures and the 4 years that I have been blessed with my sweet boy!! I remember the day that I took the test for him and it came positive..  I was scared out of my mind on how I was going to love another child. I was very happy despite a few people in my life telling me I was messing up ( I was 20 at the time) . My hubs ( at the time fiance) and I where going through a rough time during the time so the pregnancy was already going rough because of the emotions...  I fought through weeks of bleeding, being admitted into the hospital and the constant pang of contractions managed to make it to 36 weeks.. Our son was born right before the shift change and all was wonderful... Breastfeeding was hard and I was not able to nurse on one breast.. I was left again alone with a newborn while the hubs went to work out of city..  Alone I went on .. One day his face broke out in a rash and thus began the path we have been on for the past three and a half years. I have been in a constant tizzy of doctors appointments and constant stress load that would make anyone else loose their marbles.. I would wake up to bloody sheet and a screaming baby most nights.. I feel sick to my stomach just thinking of his screams.. After months of begging we finally got specialists.. But again it was creams and steroids and plenty of heartbreak when that didn't work and his face would again turn to a bloody and raw nightmare.. As we neared his first birthday it seemed to get better... then one big flare knocked him back down .. Again his skin inflamed and bleeding.. My prayer however came true when his eczema went away just enough to take his birthday pictures!! We tried to feed him cake.. and as usual he didnt eat much.. Weeks later I am holding him and rocking him.. He starts to cry and then turns blue... seizing on my lap.. I scream out for him to come back as his lips get darker and darker... I finally get him to breath... We rush him to the hospital.. I know i have told this story a million times.. each time I can feel my heart do the same thing it did when he first had the attack... his body was giving up.. my son was dying.. my heart.. my soul was sick for him.. Looking back i should have knew.. I should have taken him to a different doctor.. Maybe he would not have suffered soo much..  We get past this phase and move into a year of bliss.. Nothing and I mean nothing happens... Infections slowed down and life was normal.... I got my wish on his second birthday.. just for one day of perfect skin... I was able to hug him without him crying and kiss his sweet cheeks without the fear of infection or making him hurt...  We went through that year like nothing had happened.. UNTIL..... His third birthday brought more breakouts and Hives , confused we entered through another phase of complete Hell... It wasn't until this year ( 2013) that what was happening and what had been happening came to light... We finally got him tested for food allergies... and have a new battle since he was diagnosed.. Lots of happy moments clouded by sadness.. hard work and sleepless nights...


Although not everything was Bad... there is moments ( and pictures ) of good times and moments of bliss... Moments that can make the darkest ones seem like nothing.. The videos of him laughing even though his face must have hurt badly... The feeling of being alone and another mother with a child with the same condition writes you and tells you how strong you are and how strong he is and that this too shall pass..  The moments that you watch him blow out his candles , more each year and know that you are going to do everything to protect them.. I know one day ill be looking at a man instead of a little boy... Ill hold a hand bigger than my own....

Most times I wish I would have wrote a letter on the day of their birthdays and present them to them when they become parents.. But ill start now..



My dearest Kason,

My sweet boy know that I love you so very much.. As I am sitting here I think of how precious you are to me.. You know how strong you are? I am amazed by you little boy.. I am amazed by the big boy you are becoming.. I am so blessed to be your mommy!! God put you right where you belong.. Your father and I are so thankful for every precious moment we have had with you.. As you turn 4 I am going to cry a little.. Because you are not going to be little anymore.. You have left the baby stage and moved into boyhood.  You will be able to go to school next year.. and well that is really scary because it seems like not so long ago they handed me a bread loaf sized bundle with a tiny baby in it.. Now my wish for you is that you will grow big and strong.. That you love with no price and that you Know that not just me and daddy love you , but your sister and little brother as well as the Great I Am.. your heavenly Father above!!! He loves you more than you know!!! I pray that you will know his love in the darkest hours... Keep your head up and know that I am always a step behind you... Now while you nap ill watch more videos of you and feel even more blessed becuase when you wake up I know ill have a dozen more to add soon!!!

Love you with all of my heart
Mommy

( Cure For Kason Blog Special) Rants about shopping for safe food

Ask me anything about weather and ill be able to tell you.. if you have been following my blog or my pages you will know that I do storm spotting.. I could tell you anything about changing a cars oil, I was raised by the best car care guy on this earth. But ask me to tell you how to shop for food allergies starts me to a nervous fit...

Since April we have been through the ups and downs of getting Kason used to his new diet.. Where there would be PB sandwiches in the afternoon , there is now special made chicken and noodles or a quick baked potato..  We have been through the biggest change of lifestyle since my hubs left the military..  Changing your diet however has made most of the people ( mostly myself) a little more grumpy and a little less thrilled with food.. What used to be filled with cream of crap ( cream of mushroom ETC) is now filled with white rice and herbs and dairy free butter. Shopping for the newly diagnosed is like a marathon.. You get so far into a label thinking YES we can eat that and the the epic letdown when it says soy letchin or other wonderful dairy, soy or peanut products!! I have had to make my shopping trips easier by leaving the kids with the hubs so that I can get something that will not cause Kason any harm..  What used to take me AN hour now makes me think I need to just move in.. My last visit caused me to come home and raise my hands up in retreat..

I started by cutting the processed stuff out of our diet , that would include my favorite frozen pizza fix.. I have start cooking more fresh foods.. Instead of more junk there is fruit and veggies.. Instead of tons of trips to the store it now is visits to the farmers market for fresh meat and fresh veggies.. I am not worried about what I am feeding him , its all labeled clearly.  I choose not to be worried anymore. I am giving my child the best thing .. We are super exited about the non GMO foods and meats ( yes you can have GMO meat because they eat GMO grains)

Lists have become my best friend, there is so many additives that are on the no no lists for Kason, The companies have to label for the main 8 allergens.. but guess what they can hide milk with whey and soy in lecthin . I am sickened that these companies don't want to label.. what are they afraid of? Loosing business? I am concerned about what is to come in the future.. Will my son ever be safe?

Summer Adventures Part 1

Normally I have found myself wondering when I will find the time to write this post out.. Here we are in mid June and summer has had the ability to sneak by and make my post more daunting to write. Please forgive any typos.. I am writing with Kaleb in my lap ( he likes to help)..

So we started off summer with a Bang ( more like a rumble) . It rained the majority of the last few weeks of May... My birthday came and so did a storm that blew us away ( quite literally). I went out for my third storm chase in all the years of storm spotting.. I got to sit and look at the sky as a beautiful super-cell came barreling down on me.. I also got to experience the feeling of 90 mph winds again.. Again I am mystified by the beauty of the weather God blesses this earth with.. We finally got Kason's results and now are dealing with the difference in Diet.. Lord knows we are going to loose weigh or loose our sanity trying to find something that tastes good!A week before May ended I received a call from a local reporter asking to do a surprise for Kason! May came and went and left back memories that will last a LIFETIME!!!!

June started off like May was, rainy and windy.. Finally the heat came on and we where left with a dusty, windy, and hot week of hell ( it would have made u only wish we had snow and ice again) . June 10th we where surprised with the Abilene police Department, Abilene Fire Department and the Metro care EMT giving us the coolest show of love and support of my sweet boy! They turned on their sirens and came out to see Kason and give him several gifts.. I was thankful for them coming out and the Local news station did the story to raise awareness on such a serious health condition.. I am blessed to have my communities support!! We also have been frequenting the Splash Park and the Parks as of late.. I have forgotten something as simple as a tree or a swing can wear the kids out.. Last week had tested my ability to figure out what was an allergic reaction.. Kason was bit by fire ants and had to be taken to the hospital with a swollen arm and hives... We are now fighting off a viral whatever .. while we will get better .. it has alerady made life interesting!!

I guess tune in later for part 2!!!