Truth Tuesday

Here's an amateur sketch, by yours truly . . .

•  Does anyone else have such issues at work? I was freezing today in my studio. I'm seriously considering packing my snuggie for tomorrow. Opposite problem in the winter. Logan is typically a frozen tundra during the winter months. You put on all the layers you can to protect yourself. You wear the thickest socks you own. And sweaters. You must wear warm sweaters. So in the winter, I go to work dressed to protect myself against a blizzard, only to get in the VFX studio and have it feel much like an Easy Bake Oven. Pretty soon, I'm mopping up a pile of my sweat with the sweater on my back. And yes, my very impressive art is also very dramatic. I feel I must clarify that I actually do not sit in the studio naked. The walls are glass and my coworkers can see inside, so that would be mighty awkward. Also, that was supposed to be a fan in my hand but it very much resembles a tulip . . . or something. 

• I full-fledged bawled for myself a total of three times last week. That's a lot. I do cry pretty easily but usually not for myself. I guess I'm afraid of being a wuss (oh, the irony!). I was so sick with allergies on top of my sinus infection and I had just HAD it. I was sick of being sick! Typically when I get sick, it only lasts a few days before my body fights it off and bounces back. This time, however, I was a pathetic sick person. I kept trying to do all the things I regularly do as well, and I think it set me back even more. So yeah, I felt like I was wandering through a dark abyss all last week. I took naps every day (I'm not a napper), my exercise was at a bare minimum (I need exercise every day to stay sane), and I wanted to act out violently to just about anyone who crossed my path. So yeah, not a happy week. I went back to the doctor and got some new antibiotics, and this week is off to a much better start. You don't have to worry about me killing you in a fit of rage after all.

• I absolutely love to create! I've found it's even more of a joy to create things with my husband. One day maybe we will create a baby, but for now we will stick to things like patio furniture. Brian built a sectional for our deck! I showed him a picture of something I liked and he just got out the tools and whipped it up! I even helped sand and stain. I also made the cushions for said furniture. It ended up being a really rewarding and fun project to work on together. Also, we saved tons of cash! Outdoor furniture is so expensive. It was much cheaper just to do everything ourselves, and it really didn't take up too much of our time. Since finishing the furniture, we've eaten dinner out on the deck almost every night. I'm also constantly camped on the new furniture, writing and reading. I'm out here right now typing up this silly blog post! 

• A few weeks ago, I had a dream that I forgot to celebrate the Fourth of July. I woke up in a serious panic. If you know me, you know I'm a holiday freak. Also, July Fourth is one of my favorites. I most definitely went out and bought an American flag shirt the day after my nightmare. 

• Father's Day came and went! My dad is the most difficult person to buy gifts for, mainly because he doesn't ever want anything. So like a six year old, this year I made him a candy poster. I knew he would get a kick out of it and I also knew he would for sure eat the candy bars. 

Well, I'm off to see Jurassic World. I haven't seen it yet because, I'll be honest, by the previews I thought it was going to be totally stupid. But according to ticket sales and the reviews people are giving it, I was totally wrong. My bad! I'm glad I was wrong though. I mean, the original Jurassic Park is such a classic.

Peace XO

A Mom Who Plays

Last week, my mom and sisters came to town and went swimming with me after I was finished with my work day. I love hanging out with them. My sisters and I still fight sometimes, but they are becoming some of my very best friends. 

After getting to the pool, we found a grassy area to camp out and chow down on some melted Chick-fil-a cookies. After the cookies were devoured and our hands were somewhat smeared with chocolate, we all hopped in the cool, refreshing water of the pool.

I've seen so many articles floating around the internet lately about how moms should get in the water and play with their kids and stop worrying about what they look like in their bathing suit. It's such a weird concept to me that some women are so self-conscious that they stop themselves from having fun. My heart breaks for women who deal with these body issues or insecurities. I mean, we're all human. We all have insecurities with our bodies time and time again (at least I know I do). I mean, swimsuits sort of fit my body weird. Let's be honest. Swimsuit tops don't always fit so well when you have broad football-player shoulders paired with the world's flattest chest. But you know what? It's fine. I've come to realize the only person who notices that is me. People have other things, more important things, to be concerned with than what I look like in my swimsuit. And so I swim.  

I think the biggest reason the whole "Moms Get in the Pool" phenomenon is foreign to me is because of the mom who raised me.

My mom. Oh my gosh. She is so much fun. She's the first one in the pool. She's the first one to try anything that seems the least bit intimidating. Growing up, my dad worked a lot and wouldn't always be able to go on vacations. That didn't stop my fearless mom though. She would plan the vacations and take her four kids on adventures by herself. She will take her ranger on joy rides through the mountains, zooming up rocky terrain or speeding through mud puddles. 

I'm sure my mom has insecurities, or has had moments where she feels she's not good enough or not pretty enough (we all do), but those are not the moments I've been exposed to. I believe I grew up not thinking about what I looked like in my swimsuit because I grew up with a mom who never spoke aloud of what she thought about herself in a swimsuit. Rather, I grew up with a mom who swam and played in a swimsuit. 

One day, when I become a mother myself, I hope that I can teach my children to play and explore and learn and laugh, like my own mother taught me. I hope I can teach them to have confidence in themselves. I hope I can teach them that they are capable of doing anything they set their minds to. I hope I can teach them to be kind (oh, how I hope they will always be kind). I hope I can teach them to contribute good to the world, making it a better place for those around them.

And I know the only way I can teach my own children any of this is by showing them. I need to be a mom who plays, a mom who explores, a mom who never wants to stop learning, a mom who believes in myself, a mom who believes in others. The best way to teach them will be by example, just as my mom taught me. 

I'm so thankful to have a mom who plays (and a mother-in-law too, you should see that woman on the slopes).

And I'm so glad I snapped these photos on my waterproof camera. We look pretty happy with wet hair and makeup-free faces. I'm looking forward to more summer days filled with playing. 

Sunday Best: Summer Vibes

dress: Ross, hat: Roolee Boutique, sandals: Head Over Heels

About a month ago, I went to Ross looking for some cheap and cute flower pots. But alas, whenever one walks through the doors of Ross, they often exit with items they had no intent of purchasing. This is the story of how I got this dress. It was just hanging there on the end of a rack, begging me to take it home. I imagined myself wearing it to the farmers' market as I ran my hands across the light and cool fabric. I reached for the price tag and turned it over. Seven dollars, you say? Sold. 

I didn't even try it on before leaving the place. I do wish it came floor-length rather than ankle-length (slightly awkward), but you get what you pay for I suppose. I can't complain. I plan on wearing this hippie dress quite a lot this summer, paired with a hat and some comfortable sandals. For this outfit post, I accessorized with what Brian calls my "adventure hat". Everyone needs to go on an adventure every now and again, am I right? 

Just a random sidenote: Brian took these photos of me in the heat of the day, so pay no attention to the brightness and the glistening of my sweaty face. Summer is here to stay for a while, folks!