The Election Season is OVER

You guys.

We did it! We (barely) made it!

I’ll go ahead and admit that this is how I’ve felt for the last year:

It has been nothing short of a circus. A honest to goodness, we should be paying for this, circus.

We’ve gone through 100 potential candidates. Each one dipping out at the appropriate time, except for this guy:

Who was so confident he named his running mate before getting the nomination.

And so we’re down to these two knuckle heads:

Well done America, well done. Can’t blame me. I didn’t vote for either of them in the primary. #imissben

He’s orange, and she’s a liar. He can’t quite figure out how to keep his big mouth shut, and she’s still trying to figure out what C stands for.

But. God willing, we will be done with this tonight.

Just a recommendation though, I’d get a bottle of wine…or five. Tonight might be a long night.

Continue Reading

I am not defined by the number on my jeans.

Processed with VSCO with b1 preset

My sweet baby girl is fourteen months old,
and I still don’t fit into my pre-pregnancy jeans.

Dang, that feels good to say.

I want to start by saying that I’m cheering you moms on that can get back into your jeans. I am. I’m insanely jealous, but I’m cheering you on. Because we’re all in this together.

But I defiantly don’t think we talk about the fact that our bodies are completely different than they used to be enough, which means that it’s ok if we don’t ever fit back into those pre-pregnancy jeans. Because we aren’t defined by a number embroidered on our pants. 

I grew a new organ, which helped me grow and house a HUMAN BEING for nine months. My body is different. My hips got wider, my boobs got bigger, my butt got bigger, I saw cottage cheese on my thighs that I had never seen before…but I grew and birthed a healthy beautiful and perfect baby girl.

I decided to go jeans shopping the other day for the first time since Em’s been born. I had picked up a pair of jeans at Target after she was born because I just couldn’t do maternity clothes anymore. But since she’s been here, I haven’t ventured into a store specifically looking for jeans. To be honest, I’ve been wearing jeans with a rubber band around the buttons this whole time.
So I headed to the mall.

I knew going in that I needed to start with a size up from what I used to be. Which I’m honestly fine with. Because, and lets all say this together: I am not defined by a number on my pants.
I went into Lucky first because years ago I had bought a couple pairs of their jeans and they lasted me…well years. I grabbed the size 8 and headed for the dressing room.

I couldn’t even get the buttons close to each other.
I checked the tag to make sure I hadn’t picked up a size 4 on accident.
Nope. That big 8/29 was staring me in the face.

Tears filled my eyes.

I am not defined by a number,

but it sure did feel crappy not fitting into those jeans.

It’s totally shallow, but I wasn’t about to go up any further in sizes there. It just wasn’t worth it to me. Having been a size 6 my whole life pretty much, I’m not sure I would have handled seeing double digits well.

Can we pause for a moment and just all yell out, “WHY CAN’T ALL SIZES BE THE SAME?!” Why is an 8 at one place a 2 at another?!

I’d also like to add that I felt like I couldn’t fit in any less in that store. There I was, hair up in a bun, Indians shirt on, pushing my stroller through the most cramped store on earth, while all the employees stared at me.

I left the jeans in the changing room and headed out.

We strolled into Gap where I couldn’t find a wash that I loved.
Loft had jeans that made me have a huge crotch bulge when I sat down.
And I honest to God gave Hollister a thought but then if an 8 at Lucky didn’t fit, there wasn’t the slightest glimmer of hope for me there.

I left the mall feeling terrible about myself.

It’s hard being a woman you guys. And even more so a mom. When you’re surrounded by fitness Instagram accounts of moms that do nothing but post shirtless selfies, you can get yourself into a big hole. When you’ve got friends that won’t stop bragging about all the weight they lost breastfeeding, you can get yourself into a big hole. While other moms are posting pictures in full make up and hair done, I’m lucky to have gotten in the shower before 4 pm.

Even as I write this, I have that crap feeling in my gut.
Like I don’t do enough.
Like I didn’t breastfeed for long enough.
Like I’m not enough.

But we have to stop.

Moms that still don’t fit into your pre-pregnancy jeans and you’re kids one, or two, or five…we have to stop comparing ourselves to the moms who can.
Our lives are different.

My brain doesn’t wake up thinking, “I gatta work out”, it’s always thinking, “Oh please go back to bed for 15 more minutes”. I’ll take butter over coconut oil every day.
Wine. It’s just a non-negotiable for me.
On crappy days I want to wallow in self-pity with a big bowl of pasta or fried rice.

 I am not defined by a number on my jeans. 

As far as I know, I’m healthy. I take the kids (dog included here) on a walk every morning. I try to cook at home as often as possible. I also try to get yoga in daily. But I have too many other wonderful things happening in my life right now to worry about what size jeans I bought.

Which are an 8 at Target incase you were wondering.
Target, with the win. Per usual. 

So here’s what needs to happen.
I need to quit rolling my eyes when I see other mama friends say they fit back into those jeans. Because I’ll say it again, I am applauding you over here!
But I also think that we’ve become this super workout driven society that almost border line shames people into thinking that if they don’t do it, they don’t fit in.

Do I think we all need to take care of ourselves? Of course.
Do I think I could be doing more to loose weight and be in better shape? Of course.

But this is where I am. And while not every day I feel great about it, I have to realize that I’m making all the choices in my life, which means there’s no one here to blame, or celebrate but me.

So if you fit into those jeans or not.

It’s fine.

Because the number on them doesn’t define you. 

 

Continue Reading

On The Hard Days

www.mylifewithalittle.com

Oh, girl. There are going to be hard days.
We just got done going through our first Hurricane with our tiny human and I’m here to tell you they were all hard days. Leading up to it, watching the news and hearing the weather man say words like “total devastation”, makes for one stressful mama.

Here’s what I’ve learned so far as a mom though. Tomorrow will be here before you know it, and the hard day will be over. This doesn’t make it easier, no. But it reminds me that these hard days are honestly far and few between, and in ten years I won’t remember them.
Ok, yes. I’ll remember the hurricane.

But those ordinarily hard days, when you’re tired and have the most active tiny human who just wants to go go go, and then the dog tracks poop all through the house and the end just doesn’t seem in site…those days are going to come to an end.

Tomorrow is going to come and we can make it so much better.

On the hard days, give yourself some grace. To mess up, to have a short fuse. Sometimes I just think it’s better to acknowledge the bad day, get through it, and move on. Than it is to dwell on it. Or try and wrestle with yourself all day to make things change.

It’s ok to have super grumpy days. Been there, done that. Not even sorry considering they happen maybe once a month. That’s why God invented Starbucks and Target. Heaven on earth for mothers.

So on the hard days, just let it be that.
But on the next day, wake up knowing it will be a good one.

And listen to me here. Listen really, really well. Just because you have a hard and terrible day does not mean you are a bad mother. These bad days will happen. You’ll loose your ever loving you know what on the most ridiculous things, and your kids will think you’re a complete loony bin. But that one day doesn’t make up for the other 99% of the time when you’re totally on your game. When nothing goes unnoticed, when everyone is every where on time, when no one is left crying at the dinner table still hungry.

You’re doing an amazing job.

So just let the bad days happen.

Continue Reading

10 Things September Taught Me

unnamed{Em, your choices are Cleveland or Miami. It’s a loose loose situation for you, kiddo. Sorry}

1. Being a “single mom” is hard. Sonny was out of town for two weekends in a row, and while I had some help from family, it was pretty much just me and kiddo all weekend. And it’s hard. My hat is off to single moms, and moms (or dads) of loved ones over seas. You rock. Seriously.

2. Just because you make a To-Do list doesn’t mean you have to follow it. I didn’t get any books read, I didn’t find anything fun and new to do. But I found other things in between.

3. Eating healthy is better for you and makes you feel better. I know, so silly I’m even writing this. But lately I’ve been *trying* to eat better and I’ve noticed that my usual 4:00 drag hasn’t come along. Some times I just make a cup of coffee, just to drink it. When before it was just to survive.

4. The Cleveland Browns are a TERRIBLE football team. I have no other words about this.

5. It doesn’t matter how much research you do for a Fantasy Football league, your team can still suck. I’m currently 0-3. #UGH.

6. People are mean. I quit Facebook because I just couldn’t do it anymore and this was a huge reason why.

7. Eating healthy is hard. There’s a reason it’s called “Fast Food”.

8. Endorphins make you happy…and happy people just don’t shoot their husbands. Hashtag if you don’t get that, I’m not sure we can be friends. I started the 21 day fix again. Pray for me.

9. Getting out of the house is proven to make you happier. By me. Because some days I just have to get out. A stroll through Target, or just to the grocery store for ten minutes. Automatic mood changer for me.

10. FALL WILL COME TO FLORIDA AT SOME POINT. And it might only be here for a day or two, but it’s coming. We have had 72 degree mornings and I’ve literally jumped for joy and praised the Lord.

What did September teach you?

Continue Reading

I broke up with Facebook

megan-elizabeth-photography-1-5

One of the first things anyone can learn about me if they go on one of my social media accounts is that I’m a Republican. Although, to be honest, I don’t love using that term now. How about Conservative? Lover of Ronald Reagan?

Anyways, I’ve always been super open and honest about my political (and religious) view points. One of my favorite things on the planet is talking to people with opinions that are completely different than mine. Yes, I’ll admit that younger Megan just liked to try and prove people wrong (who didn’t at 18), but I’ve learned that the only way we’re ever going to make things better is by being open and honest with each other.

So going forward, just know that I’m a Bible thumping, Pro-Life, Police Supporting, 2nd Amendment loving Elephant.

Please be laughing. 

But recently I realized that there was a part of me being sucked out,
there was this pit in my stomach.
maybe an ache for humanity.

Every time I got onto Facebook.

I think we can all agree that lately, things are getting super heated in our country. And there’s a big line and division being drawn. It…well it sucks.

When things happen anymore, it’s either you’re pro this or pro that. You either side with these people, or those. You either stand, or kneel.

And we all (including myself here) forget that we’re all just Americans…we’re all just humans.
Who are allowed to have different opinions. Everyone is so damn defensive anymore.
Still including myself here.

But it’s because we’re passionate about things. I’m super passionate about the Pro-Life movement and find myself irate at people who are pro-choice. And that’s not right, I know this. I know that there are people who don’t have the same views as I do.

And so last week after the shooting in Charlotte I just couldn’t take it anymore. I was astounded by the amount of people, and let me be even more specific, Christian women who have a giant platform, who were pointing their fingers. Placing blame before we even knew the whole story.

And that’s wrong.

I am so sad to see where social media has gone. In a time that should be for searching for answers, or trying to understand, we point fingers. Instead of being a place to go to gather information, it’s the most biased place out there.

And while yes, we’re all entitled to our opinions, and have the beautiful privilege of sharing them…it’s how we’re doing that. It’s the language we use. The words we say.

Please know that there have been plenty of times in the last six months that I have gone a-wall on Facebook with my opinions on things. Begging people to stop supporting movements that are killing the police. Being super vocal about a certain candidate running for President who should be in jail…there I go again. See how easy it is? So maybe I’m taking this break to shut myself up.

A couple months ago I went through and deleted 324 people off my friends list. I had realized that I A) didn’t know some of them B) hadn’t spoken to them in 4+ years or C) I couldn’t keep seeing their posts about hating the police. Now yes, I know you can “Hide” things from your timeline, tried it but they kept coming back. And with the removing of friends, I went in and Unfollowed a lot of pages.

But it wasn’t enough.

I couldn’t take it anymore. So I broke up with Facebook.

Now some of you might thing I’m just being small minded, and can’t handle things.
Maybe you’re right.

But I’m deciding that instead of continually seeing things that piss me off, or make me so sad…I just got rid of it. I’m making the choice to get rid of something that isn’t making my life any better, or pointing me in the right direction.

Yes. Let’s be clear here I had this “But wait! Delete your Facebook, Megan?! How will you survive???”
Look at me, surviving and stuff without it.

I still have Instagram and Snapchat. I’m not a monster.

But I’m taking this giant breath of fresh air, and running with it.

With the election coming, it’s only going to get worse. I know that, and so do you. If you can take it all, friend I am applauding you down here. But I can’t.

I have no idea when, or if I’ll go back. Turns out you can “Deactivate” your Facebook in case you ever want to go back.

Right now, I’m ok with just saying, “It’s not you, it’s me.”

 

 

 

Continue Reading

Give yourself some grace

_dsc3308

On the days when you don’t even know what day of the week it is, give yourself some grace.

When your child won’t eat the same thing for lunch they had the day before (and devoured it), give yourself some grace.

If you’re left wearing a pair of socks two days in a row, give yourself some grace.

When your floors look like the floors of a barn, give yourself some grace.

If a schedule change comes, unexpectedly from your child, give your self some grace.

When that to-to list looks the exact same for three weeks in a row because you haven’t done a single thing on it, give yourself some grace.

If you wrote something down and still forgot it, give yourself some grace.

When your child wakes up at 545 am, give yourself some grace. And coffee.

If you’ve hit the end of your rope, and you just don’t think you can do it anymore, give yourself some grace.

When you look at other peoples lives and wonder “How in the world is she doing all that?”, give yourself some grace.

On the days that you’re counting down to bedtime from the time your tiny human wakes up, give yourself some grace.

Whether you’re up or your down, I think it’s a really good idea to just give yourself some grace today.

Continue Reading

Joanna Gaines for a day

(That title totally rhymes)

If you’re a blogger you’ve seen the Blog-tember challenge going around. I’ve loved keeping up with everyones new posts and thought it would be fun to join in today.
Also having a bit of writers block this morning.

The question for today is: If you could switch lives with someone for a day, who would it be and why?

So here I sat thinking about all the famous people I’d want to switch lives with for a day. Because let’s cut the crap, no one says they want to switch lives with someone who isn’t just a tiny bit famous. So I started thinking. Can’t lie and say a Kardashian didn’t enter my mind. Judge me. Then I thought about someone like Donald Trump, then I got tired. Kate Middleton popped into my head, hello princess, but then I thought it was too much.

And then. Joanna Gaines popped up.

1479449_512566855517186_241372928_nYep. Sign me up.

Here’s the thing about Mrs. Gaines. I love her. Everything about her. Her love for Jesus, her love for her family, and can we please talk about her wardrobe for a minute? Every time I watch Fixer Upper I want to know exactly where she got her clothes so I can go find the same outfit. It’s always simple but so well put together. And she’s cool enough to pull off dangly earrings. And obviously her children are old enough and don’t grab them.

I don’t have a really big decorating bone in my body so it would be cool to switch lives with someone who’s DNA is composed of nothing but that. I’d pick up tips, and some shiplap. And then obviously would come back and make my home beautiful.
I’ve never seen or read a bad thing about her online, and that speaks volumes about her character.

A working mama with style? AND she loves the Lord? Yes and yes.

Who would you be for a day?

 

 

Continue Reading

A Fall To-Do List

unnamed

I’m not sure why, but this year I’m totally into fall. I busted out the decorations September 1st, which is really out of the norm. I’m usually a “October is fall”, kind of girl. But not this year.

I’m learning as well that decorating a house with a tiny human is hard. The very little decorations that I have out have already been messed up and eaten. Seriously. I have a pumpkin with bite marks in it. #teethingmonster

So I decided to come up with a Fall To Do list because every one loves lists. And fall.

#1. Get to a Fall Festival.
I haven’t decided which one, because there are about a million around us. But I’ll decided soon. Google your towns name and Fall Festival if you need some help!

#2. Get all the pumpkin candles.
Because it’s clearly the best smell of the season. No thanks, apple cider. Pumpkin spice for me. So far this year Glade has my favorite.

#3. Go on a hay ride.
Em is aware of what’s going on now, so I think this will be so fun!

#4. Decorate pumpkins.
The reality is…I’m not sure this will get done but we will certainly have pumpkins. She’s 1, she won’t know if it’s decorated or not. Maybe stickers this year?

#5. Make caramel apples.
Because they’re the best. For less of a mess, just cut the apple up and dip it in caramel sauce.

#6. More family walks.
Because the weather is about to get amazing down here.

#7. Host a football party.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year: football season. Our biggest game happens the day after Thanksgiving (Go Buckeyes) so maybe we’ll do a party for it this year!

#8. Bake all the pies.
Make a goal to bake a new one this year!

#9. Try a spiced cider recipe.
Because we’re adults and we can do that.

#10. Have a least one pumpkin spiced latte every two weeks.
Easy, peasy.

Continue Reading

Friday, I’m in love

_dsc4192

Happy Friyay. Here are somethings that have made me very happy this week.

This video of a football team giving a cheerleader battling leukemia, roses.

This book on Steve Jobs. I just started and I’m totally fascinated by him already.

The fact that FOOTBALL is in full swing. And fantasy.

THIS POST ABOUT BEING A MOM AND SUCKING AT BEING A FRIEND.

This picture. Ok fine, it’s my kid. But seriously. And Go Tribe.

 

Continue Reading