High Five for {Wishlist} Friday!

Have you ever been in a bit of a holding pattern as you wait for "the next big thing" to happen in life? That's where we're at.

I have tons of things to do, and tons of things I want to do, but all is on hold... Until after we move. Why clean that closet when we're just going to pack it up? Why start to plan a garden when I don't know where my yard will have light? For heavens sakes, don't buy anything, we'll just have to pack it and move it!

You probably know how it goes.

Anyway, this Friday Five post is brought to you by my inner wishlist. Of all the things I want or want to do ASAP, after we move.

1) I'm donating TONS of clothes and shoes I no longer wear. You know, to potentially make room for something like:

I adore these worn boots! Too bad it's only boot weather in Texas for another four days or so.

2) The door to my new pantry is painted with chalkboard paint, and I'm excited to use the top part to work some artsy magic! Are there such things as chalk-art lessons? I should get on that...

3) My almost nine month old is... Not a slight child. In fact, he's massive. So, it's time to switch him to a convertible car seat (because swinging that infant seat into the old SUV is nearly backbreaking at this point). I found this gem and am in looooooove! Can't wait to transition him. After we move.

Clek Foonf car seat with Paul Frank design. Seriously?! Yes!

4) I was completely un-serious about starting a garden. I don't garden. At all. I hate digging in dirt, and kill just about every plant. That's why professional gardeners, landscapers, and lawn men exist. And I'll be calling one. After we move.

5) I can't WAIT to start decorating! I want to start now... But we'd just have to move it. Soon, my inner-interior-decorator can make an appearance again. Soon.

Love One Kings Lane for quirky home items at up to 70% off retail! They do send emails at obnoxious levels, so watch out.

Have a wonderful weekend! I pray the packing gnomes come out and play at our house, and stay until the job is done.

Linking up with Amanda and Karli!

 

February Instagram Link Up + GIVEAWAY!

Remember when Jaelan and I did our Instagram link up party, BigPicture InstaLink? We took the holiday season off, but we're baaaaaaaaack!

And we have three beautiful co-hosts, Meghan, Tiffany and Amanda.

Oh, and did I mention we're giving away $120 Kate Spade gift card and two prints from Meghan's Etsy shop, Maybe Meghan? SCORE.

Linking up is easy-peasy - you don't need to be a blogger to enter, just have an Instagram account! Link up your Instagram account URL below. Use the hashtag #LoveLifeBPIL on pics you post where you're "Living the Life You Love" all February long. Then enter the giveaway with the rafflecopter tool below.

Winning is simple. Just link up to the linky tool and follow the hosts and co-hosts via the rafflecopter! We can't wait to see what kind of love February brings you. #LoveLifeBPIL

This amazing giveaway is brought to you by:

Making Mrs. M || An Uncomplicated Life Blog

A Touch of Grace || Maybe Meghan || Meet at the Barre

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Fighting Mommy Wars

I wrote this post before this video went viral... By now, you've probably seen it, or have seen 47 of your friends re-post it.

It's hilarious and eye-roll inducing, then finishes with a strong message. Even if you aren't a parent, you might enjoy it. Especially if you have, oh I dunno, a soul.


Anyway, it got me thinking. I've seen some RIDICULOUS "mommy war" type articles with insane comments circulating Facebook in the past few months. Articles that pit moms against each other by saying things like, "If you live in these states, ____________ (fill in the blank: you pay more for childcare, you have the worst public schools, your child is more likely to have autism. And on and on.) Basically, they're promoting a culture of complaint or superiority.

Both of which are particularly obnoxious, especially on Facebook.

Those aren't even as bad as the stupid circulating articles/blog posts on topics like breastfeeding, discipline, or the ever-obnoxious debate of "cry it out." Usually, the article takes a strong stance on why that way is the ONLY way, and how parents who do it differently than the article suggests are ruining their kids. And society. And probably the planet too, based on their logic.

I'll confess: I had strong ideas of "the right way to parent" before I had a baby, and even while I was pregnant. I couldn't understand why some women chose to formula feed their babies. Didn't they know breast was best? There's corn syrup in formula for the love of God! The horror!

Then I had the baby, and s**t got real.

I made it three months breastfeeding. My son wanted to nurse every two hours, around the clock. I was loosing my mind. Our whole day revolved around feedings, pumping, eating and drinking, then feeding and pumping again. Nearing my breaking point, I gave in and introduced formula. It was the best decision I ever made, and saved my sanity.

The point is, why are some women so righteous in her parenting that she would actually condemn another mama? Hasn't she ever struggled, and then knows that the other mama is struggling, and should cut her some slack? Can't she see that every baby and every mama-baby relationship and every family is different, therefore there is no one "right" way to do anything?

I've vowed to stop reading all these insane, pitting-women-against-each other articles. Enough already. We're all here doing the best we can with the information we have at the time we make the decision. How about we judge less and support more, alright? Cool.

 *This is not a sponsored post from Similac. I just thought that message was worth sharing.