tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57475236241047952792024-02-21T03:29:19.504-08:00Humble Writes WordsHumblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12658097102335937843noreply@blogger.comBlogger67125truetag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5747523624104795279.post-91757776929878712652013-11-28T15:34:00.001-08:002013-11-28T15:43:24.166-08:00Thanks And Giving: Let's Do This <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nearly 2 years ago I started this blog as an outlet for myself. I have always enjoyed writing and even though I had forgotten most of what I had learned in High School, I decided to give it a try. I had proposed that after 3 months I would decide if I really wanted to keep at it. Being stuck at home with a Preemie who had a delicate immune system, and not adjusting well to having 5 kids was beginning to put me in the danger zone. The danger zone is when my mental illness goes Mach 9 and implodes into my every waking moment and I was slowly getting there. Writing funny statuses was a way to relieve some of that pressure. </span></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I enjoyed the feedback from friends and family, and it made me feel a little less alone. After I started the blog, I started the page, and again told myself maybe I would quit after a few months. I didn't expect to gain anything other than just having an extra spot on the Internet to make people laugh. In the beginning, that's all I wanted. "Your smile is my smile" I say that a lot, and it's true.</span></span> <span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I didn't want to be a mommy blog, a funny blog (because sometimes I didn't feel so funny), or really any particular subject. I didn't want to limit myself from the get go just in case I came up with a crazy idea that didn't fit with the theme.<br /><br />After 3 months something amazing happened. I still didn't really know what the hell I was doing, but people seemed to like it. They were okay with no set theme, no set rules, and they were completely okay with me just being myself. Even bigger than that, they opened up to ME, and I began connecting with people from all over the world. What started as "I'm just going to make some people laugh because I don't even feel like getting out of bed today", turned around on me. You made me get out of bed because YOU were getting out of bed. Does that make sense? You inspire me. You really do. You have helped me, you have been there for not only me, but my family, and you give me so much more than a laugh and a smile. You give me a reason to believe in myself. For that, I am eternally grateful. So fucking thankful. And so gahdamn honored. <br /><br /><br />And now I am here, nearly 2 years later.<br />Almost 50,000 followers on the page. Thousands of reads every month on my blog. And I feel like I am in a place where I feel I can do more.Where I can say more, work harder, and expect that the things I say will have reach, and the things I do will matter.<br /> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And I am so fucking ready.<br /><br />One
of the more awesome benefits of having my page and blog, is connecting
with people. I have loved meeting new friends from all walks of life,
and learning from people. A lot of you have reached out to me, and
although I don't have the time to connect with every single one of you, I
really do try to give most of you individual attention. You are the
reason I am here after all. One of the friends that I have met, is my
dear friend Gretchen or "Gretty".
She reached out to me quite awhile ago and we had a nice email
exchange. We both have Preemie babies so we instantly hit it off in a
"I've seen the same bullshit and miracles that you have" way, and I
began following her on Instagram.
She was starting a clothing line and I promised that I would help
promote it in any way I could, as soon as she was ready. I began
following her business Instagram and showed my support by liking her Facebook page. In between working on her business and being generally awesome, Gretty is a stay at home mom to 2 beautiful children, Zoey and Jax.
Homeschooling and being a Preemie parent are not easy but she had the
love and support of an amazing husband to get her through the hard days
and help with her business. The love Gretty and her husband Eric have, was shown in the lovely faces of their adorabley happy children. <br /><br />But a few nights ago Eric was in a car accident. He didn't make it. Gretty is heartbroken and when I read her status on Facebook,
I cried. "He was my everything" she said. Those words repeated in my
head from the moment I found out, to the following day. Thankfully, I
saw a friend start a <a href="https://www.giveforward.com/fundraiser/zzj3/the-lach-family?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=fb_share_stream.share&utm_campaign=receipt_t1&fb_ref=1609193" target="_blank">Give Forward</a> for her and her kids and there is even a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/thelachfamilty" target="_blank">Facebook page</a> to support it. I hope that you will visit both and do what you can to help Gretty and her family. <br /><br />If you are a small business or a blogger that wants to have a spot on my blog AND help the Lach family, please check out my <a href="http://sliceofhumble.blogspot.com/p/advertise-with-humble.html" target="_blank">*Advertising Page*</a> with details on how to purchase a one month ad or a 3 month ad, ALL proceeds will benefit Gretty (the Lach family)<br /><br />If you are interested in participating in the giveaways planned for next month please click <a href="http://sliceofhumble.blogspot.com/p/advertise-with-humble.html" target="_blank">*here*</a> for details and to purchase. I have 20 slots available and it's going to be MASSIVE. ALL giveaway proceeds will benefit Gretty (the Lach family)<br /><br />Note:
I have 2 scheduled blog posts a week from here on out, so be assured
that your business or brand will be seen by thousands. <br /><br />Also if you are a Humbler who is interested in VTF memberships click <a href="http://sliceofhumble.blogspot.com/p/advertise-with-humble.html" target="_blank">*here*</a> for those details and how to purchase. ALL proceeds will benefit the Lach Family. Plus, I am sending all that purchase a VTF
membership a super cool certificate, a thank you note with a crappy
drawing done by me, and a small gift to say thanks.<br /><br />Thank you Humblers, for giving me a voice and an opportunity to help Gretty and to help others. This is why I am here. Other than, yanno....cats and beards and junk.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">XOXO<br />Humble<br /><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Lach Family</span></span><br />
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<br />Humblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12658097102335937843noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5747523624104795279.post-36919582747348959002013-11-21T12:12:00.001-08:002013-11-21T12:12:25.486-08:00JeweleryUDesign Giveaway!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl_4EpD2JBnBw8nG7pQ-dwc2JgHzi_aSIRK4bGj9WM2qeb1S9IRs_K1M3Z3RjOzU5J2ulEoRjGnIuCzA3ABXa_Hd0qUsQx2Za7HW1Aud05ynbZO_yi0JODeUD8H2CQiKA578snf6gnPDU/s640/jeweheart.jpg" width="640" /><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am always happy to help a family owned business by giving them a little spotlight on my blog and I extra lurve it when they are passing out prizes to Humblers! I mean who doesn't love a prize?! When Adrianna from JewelryUDesign contacted me to promote her bizz I was extra extra excited because I really think her business is unique and many people would love what JewelryUDesign offers. Everything they make is 100% designed by the customer. Medical ID bracelets, footprint key chains, engraving, they can even turn a photo of someone you love or a drawing into an amazing piece of jewelry. The creative options are ENDLESS. The photos you see here are just a drop in the bucket compared to everything JewelryUDesign can do.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiaQh00vYIXVdYA8SHTckjvOjg73rBlAT_1RyJo2uv3IvNShOrtiGckstdM4vZMwKRMhndZLR48egDr8C9sOXesR7xCen7eZsbQLTMqF8P8XRa_-RR6opJzn5LTKtinxeRoDoRiNw8iAM/s1600/jeweleryudesignface.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiaQh00vYIXVdYA8SHTckjvOjg73rBlAT_1RyJo2uv3IvNShOrtiGckstdM4vZMwKRMhndZLR48egDr8C9sOXesR7xCen7eZsbQLTMqF8P8XRa_-RR6opJzn5LTKtinxeRoDoRiNw8iAM/s400/jeweleryudesignface.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3xiBg43Vdjeus3eMubN5-kQo-YpJrltuslyGiL2kpN4-4SwPrtx8vJwtyjMkU22DWx7gS_pEiQ8QVCWJWPI_gyBLF3UvBpgcwgX4qyP2zvzZbiVkKczrsDvcpapHa84HEOYxa3RzVtuc/s1600/jeweldeer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="323" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3xiBg43Vdjeus3eMubN5-kQo-YpJrltuslyGiL2kpN4-4SwPrtx8vJwtyjMkU22DWx7gS_pEiQ8QVCWJWPI_gyBLF3UvBpgcwgX4qyP2zvzZbiVkKczrsDvcpapHa84HEOYxa3RzVtuc/s400/jeweldeer.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">When I asked Adrianna what inspired her to start her business she explained that it started with loss. At 20 weeks pregnant with her first child, her and her husband were devastated to learn at a routine ultrasound that their baby was gone and walked out of the appointment in disbelief. In the weeks that followed she wanted a piece of jewelry that she could wear that would honor her sweet daughter and keep her memory near her always. She was disappointed that the footprint necklaces that she had found were impersonal and generic and the custom options were really overpriced considering the quality. And that is how her and her fiance decided to start their business. Their goal is to help people get creative and give them high quality jewelry that they will cherish forever.</span></span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilhAjrCYQTfo87iEs7eYjt1oj6v_otDlFEjOVjqyhea4wZKLhnxPdKJpi4DCAu9AHzBgfSb3cRrzSoNRmONRAtS4uVmI326eeQ5UJrXQkQPb4aeeFuc__X6-JVz-8zWZh-XSyCvz1GqwQ/s1600/jeweleryudesignfeet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilhAjrCYQTfo87iEs7eYjt1oj6v_otDlFEjOVjqyhea4wZKLhnxPdKJpi4DCAu9AHzBgfSb3cRrzSoNRmONRAtS4uVmI326eeQ5UJrXQkQPb4aeeFuc__X6-JVz-8zWZh-XSyCvz1GqwQ/s400/jeweleryudesignfeet.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Just this past June they started the business and were able to create the
pendant that Adrianna has always wanted to wear to remember their angel. It is a pendant
of the only thing I have left of her- a 3D ultrasound image. Since then, they have grown tremendously from just an idea
to over 31K+ fans. Isn't that amazing? To stay updated about special offers and see lots of designs you can click right <a href="https://www.facebook.com/JEWELRYuDESiGN" target="_blank">HERE </a></span></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">and follow them on Facebook!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">You can also find JewelryUDesign on</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://twitter.com/jewelryudesign" target="_blank">Twitter</a><br /><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/jewelryudesign/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a><br />and <br /><a href="http://instagram.com/jewelryudesign#" target="_blank">Pinterest</a><br /><br />To see ALL THE POSSIBILITIES FOR INFINITE CREATIONS visit their site at <a href="http://www.jewelryudesign.com/" target="_blank">www.jewelryudesign.com</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">WANNA WIN<span style="color: #0000ee;">?</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's your chance!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Winner has a choice of a custom designed necklace, keychain, or charm. <br /><i>Free shipping only available in the lower 48 states and winner must place order within 7 days of receiving prize<br /></i></span></span></div>
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<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/9fa2a518/" id="rc-9fa2a518" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script></div>
Humblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12658097102335937843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5747523624104795279.post-28840854617372978372013-11-08T08:15:00.000-08:002013-11-08T08:33:39.543-08:00Humble Reviews: React Mobile App<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib0IlGSixy7G05JKbcHhnNG9oOn4iAJOrT8A3FKKGG5ouVhVJ1NDoZSHH94TsnbmrvEZCnBYc8kPTP_kpMNMpWJ4P89ueWDgL7b5A7MSvnWdwyURirrr3ly_-6UTKFiVzHzhqEi7j2I0k/s1600/REACTFAMAD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="433" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib0IlGSixy7G05JKbcHhnNG9oOn4iAJOrT8A3FKKGG5ouVhVJ1NDoZSHH94TsnbmrvEZCnBYc8kPTP_kpMNMpWJ4P89ueWDgL7b5A7MSvnWdwyURirrr3ly_-6UTKFiVzHzhqEi7j2I0k/s640/REACTFAMAD.jpg" width="640" /> </a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">When I was contacted to review this app I have to admit my first thought was that I already owned all of the most important apps in existence. I've got photo apps, frames for photo apps, music apps, news apps, 4 different social media apps, game apps and on and on. Unless of course, this one could make me pancakes, I don't see how it's going to earn a place on my home screen. But after further review of the information sent to me, I knew that this was an app that I would not only install immediately but also recommend to my family and friends. No it can't make me pancakes (dang it), edit my pores before posting to Instagram, or even grammar check my Facebook updates, BUT it does turn my phone into a powerful lifeline. Which, let's face it, is more important than pancakes and filtered photos of what I am eating.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The React Mobile app works like this:<br />After creating a self selected contact list you can</span> <span style="font-size: x-large;">utilize the "Follow Me" feature at the touch of a button. This sends a link via SMS, that allows your selected contacts to track your whereabouts in real-time whenever you are concerned with your safety. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">For example:<br /> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"> *When you have an early morning or late night walk/run, meeting a client or someone you have not met face to face with (online dating, meet ups,etc.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"> *When traveling to unfamiliar neighborhoods or when you have a tendency to become lost (that'd be me)<br />*Keeping track of kids that are walking to and from school</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"> *For college students/late night workers</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">*Anyone who wants the extra assurance that trusted friends are "in the know" of where they are in the case of an emergency</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />When the React Mobile user has reached their destination safely, they can press the "I'm Safe" button to let the contacts know that they arrived at their destination and are safe. The selected contacts don't need to download the app in order for this to work though, since a link is sent to the contact through text.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">In the case of an emergency, pressing the "SOS Shield" will send a panic alert through text and email to the selected contacts alerting them of your GPS location. Optionally your alert and location can be posted on Facebook and Twitter. After the "SOS Shield" is pressed the user would then automatically be prompted to dial 911. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">If you are not in North America, the app allows you to select what country you live in or are traveling to, in the settings tab. When the SOS is triggered, you will be prompted to call the appropriate emergency authority. </span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">React Mobile is incredibly easy to use and upon installation it gives step by step instruction on how to input contacts and how to use both the "Follow Me" and "SOS Shield" features. If you download React Mobile on to your child's phone, I highly recommend you have them watch the tutorial video, to further explain how to use the app. Both my 10 year old and 8 year old were able to use it in less then 5 minutes after they watched the video and followed the on screen instructions.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">To watch an overview video about React Mobile you can click here:<a href="http://vimeo.com/61906781" target="_blank">vimeo.com/61906781</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">And to watch a tutorial video on how React Mobile works, you can click here:<a href="http://vimeo.com/61927390" target="_blank">vimeo.com/61927390</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">And for more information on React Mobile you can visit their site at <a href="http://www.reactmobile.com/" target="_blank">www.reactmobile.com</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">This truly invaluable app can be downloaded for FREE on both iPhone and Android<br />Isn't that awesome!?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">You can choose from the following to download immediately:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"> <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/react-standard-edition/id522851588?mt=8" target="_blank">Apple iTunes Download</a> </span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.reactmobile.lite" target="_blank">Google Play Download</a></span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">(available on select Smartphones)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Do you think React Mobile app could be useful to you and your family? After downloading the app, did you find it easy to use?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"> Let me know in the comments!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">xoxo Humble </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post and although I was compensated for my time and effort, my opinions of the product/service are 100 percent honest and I believe that the product/service would be beneficial to Humble Writes Words subscribers</span><br /></span></span></div>
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<br />Humblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12658097102335937843noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5747523624104795279.post-27277310163326786252013-11-04T17:57:00.001-08:002013-11-04T17:59:44.952-08:00Meet Leah<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A
few weeks ago I was browsing Instagram after hashtagging one of Jedi's
pictures with #preemie, I saw many very small babies and some big kids
that were NICU graduates and as I scanned the feed of all the thousands
of photos, one stood out to me. I clicked it to enlarge it, and I
gasped. The sweetest little eyes staring at me.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH9xUMTu-I8IbKERkMZjlUkOOTxgsl7nT0lnBSOjZV7Ud8l0FzLwB1EHwowJ9e3irxtmTrXJMBirSIqHvBxw4gtIcbyVwD-yAsSnSGaY0pNCbLk16DNOGfp83n9cRIgyg-WyOGOR-IfNs/s1600/HIleah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH9xUMTu-I8IbKERkMZjlUkOOTxgsl7nT0lnBSOjZV7Ud8l0FzLwB1EHwowJ9e3irxtmTrXJMBirSIqHvBxw4gtIcbyVwD-yAsSnSGaY0pNCbLk16DNOGfp83n9cRIgyg-WyOGOR-IfNs/s640/HIleah.jpg" width="480" /> </a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And after viewing more photos like this:</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTpijlvd7JOJeDNGCP1xaXSPyH3CUYVV4PaqVMBXaKtVSEPdjAU0_PSybOYOrECx5OoFP7HOm4XMl6XN3q1FSvm45GrjcL8jOIMtSOLWfLHhf2cw-cGHYeV0OwuNjvkPokAY2TVOvfuDQ/s1600/LEAHSWEET.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTpijlvd7JOJeDNGCP1xaXSPyH3CUYVV4PaqVMBXaKtVSEPdjAU0_PSybOYOrECx5OoFP7HOm4XMl6XN3q1FSvm45GrjcL8jOIMtSOLWfLHhf2cw-cGHYeV0OwuNjvkPokAY2TVOvfuDQ/s400/LEAHSWEET.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><br />I had to know more about this baby. In all honesty, I have seen LOTS AND LOTS of babies, but none like this baby.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvc6dYGAQRec0ppP_3csL74KKFrLf0H_Xn-iTvOd1890j9ubmWZEOD9G53b2p_PEwTkPZC4CX9L0BGCMfYPR45T1Xau8tCp9MxJ9XZ6weUX3qOnrCuh2E5EP6Mqh8p0usWUoXLyoimsR4/s1600/babyleahhalloween.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvc6dYGAQRec0ppP_3csL74KKFrLf0H_Xn-iTvOd1890j9ubmWZEOD9G53b2p_PEwTkPZC4CX9L0BGCMfYPR45T1Xau8tCp9MxJ9XZ6weUX3qOnrCuh2E5EP6Mqh8p0usWUoXLyoimsR4/s640/babyleahhalloween.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">JUST LOOK AT HER </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Her sweet face and delicate features had me right from the get go. And it wasn't just her insane yummyness that had me in a tizzy....the love that I could feel from the pictures and perhaps from the photographer, made me NEED to know more. I was set on finding out. I commented one of the photos asking for her parent to email me and I was really relieved she got back to me quickly. I had this baby on my brain and I wanted to know exactly what was going on in her life. <br /><br />Here is what I found out from her blogs about section (click <a href="http://leahvalerie.com/about-leah/" target="_blank">HERE</a> to read more)<br /><br /><br />Leah Valerie was </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Due July 4, 2013. Born May 8, 2013. 3.5lbs, 16.14in, 10 fingers, 10 toes, 47 chromosomes. Oh – and she has 2 mommies. SHUT THE FRONT DOOR. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5H0KeHqGgD1VIqBkEaOTJMt1os5W30GZcSWEzeuhICR-k8jbYL8e8PGNKw7tp3nh2ejCx4ITOx41IuouaaTgsGRk6v-5KAiUfUujWr_EIcWM9aRP2HHR-fnOnQKBbtYTWJNyy2ep0u3g/s1600/leahandmommies2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5H0KeHqGgD1VIqBkEaOTJMt1os5W30GZcSWEzeuhICR-k8jbYL8e8PGNKw7tp3nh2ejCx4ITOx41IuouaaTgsGRk6v-5KAiUfUujWr_EIcWM9aRP2HHR-fnOnQKBbtYTWJNyy2ep0u3g/s640/leahandmommies2.jpg" width="640" /> </a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I need a tissue. My heart may explode. Right out of my eyes.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-9cBzI8maT6TwGEqfveFopVT65CFArFIDbeRt571QjDvO8eBx-Jey-1cHhT15dEJsfE9WoDLhmxmBlij08wnr6TaQ3fNkv96SEOnrupWQeostigwYUlyEDQYuPrfFR5ebtroMbaIhkZI/s1600/babyleahandmommies1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-9cBzI8maT6TwGEqfveFopVT65CFArFIDbeRt571QjDvO8eBx-Jey-1cHhT15dEJsfE9WoDLhmxmBlij08wnr6TaQ3fNkv96SEOnrupWQeostigwYUlyEDQYuPrfFR5ebtroMbaIhkZI/s640/babyleahandmommies1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Her mommies, Lisa and Mandy have been together for 11 years and after finishing college and post grad school they decided it was time to start a family. Mandy became pregnant quickly and at 20 weeks they found out their baby had markers for Down Syndrome. Just a couple of weeks later they were given news that it was absolutely certain. Shortly after that, they discovered that there was a blockage in her stomach and plans were made to have Mandy deliver baby Leah at a bigger more distant hospital because she would likely need surgery right after birth. They forged ahead and planned to take Bradley classes and do all the things expecting couples do towards the end of a pregnancy. But on the morning of May 8th, Mandy had found that her water had broken. Just a couple of days before, Lisa had been diagnosed with chronic stomach paralysis and had been incredibly ill. She had hoped she would have her own surgery well before Leah's arrival, but baby Leah had other plans!</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXh4rJn7xQe4eXnyMZhH7jsXvHVBC31T1_eStWei8t46JLuvFMX5avK45JYYfxmpf8HFw8cZJhj3VWAU8E97DJTgIfyHvgW0hWjjxTahCOk6C-kyU7x9wgh7LlToeyjVvFdO5yBCSJdiI/s1600/babyleahbirth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXh4rJn7xQe4eXnyMZhH7jsXvHVBC31T1_eStWei8t46JLuvFMX5avK45JYYfxmpf8HFw8cZJhj3VWAU8E97DJTgIfyHvgW0hWjjxTahCOk6C-kyU7x9wgh7LlToeyjVvFdO5yBCSJdiI/s640/babyleahbirth.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic0JjgSlMbHETT1Tyrya2z2xDP7MPm5n1wSc3M7Lqo55IzSvcTcMKEgWeJNUX2DS9deqh5bmaGE2AOkPbtdcwK_ujaLADUAhBRqZu0acgao8kGyuJE6yDtzID5ImJL-Ohggop3X9sFSRY/s1600/LEAHNEWBABYMAMA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic0JjgSlMbHETT1Tyrya2z2xDP7MPm5n1wSc3M7Lqo55IzSvcTcMKEgWeJNUX2DS9deqh5bmaGE2AOkPbtdcwK_ujaLADUAhBRqZu0acgao8kGyuJE6yDtzID5ImJL-Ohggop3X9sFSRY/s400/LEAHNEWBABYMAMA.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In the days that followed they learned that Leah had esophageal atresia, which means her esophagus and stomach do not connect. Leah's form is especially rare because there is a large part of her esophagus that is missing entirely. This makes for a much more difficult procedure.</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Until the atresia is repaired or she is able to swallow, Leah cannot go
home due to the potentially-fatal risk of aspiration pneumonia and because she has Down Syndrome, her recovery from surgery would take longer than a typical baby. This means that Leah has to work extra hard before and after surgery and will need to stay in the PICU for at least a month after surgery before she can go home to her adoring mothers. And Leah's journey doesn't end there! Leah will need in home care for quite awhile along with many different therapies that will both help her heal, and get her moving on the right track.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiupfpsBFPGfGGiBvJL66lbbgTfssUoMpt6w6cd9BwUm2w88gZdaQWZVhpGfjvg6FoAePRy887RDrBvPUU6pepPu3MdEIS7o4M7Dv2rLQmjdVaHjSw0pHqUfbCUIzAR8zneO8NXxXi_y_g/s1600/babyleahhalloween2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiupfpsBFPGfGGiBvJL66lbbgTfssUoMpt6w6cd9BwUm2w88gZdaQWZVhpGfjvg6FoAePRy887RDrBvPUU6pepPu3MdEIS7o4M7Dv2rLQmjdVaHjSw0pHqUfbCUIzAR8zneO8NXxXi_y_g/s640/babyleahhalloween2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /><br />Why am I sharing Leah with you? Well other than "this is the cutest most hardcore baby in the history of adorable", you can help her Mama's help her heal. Leah had surgery on November 1st and seems to be rocking it out the best she can and I am sure her Mama's are both incredibly relieved that the surgery part is over with, but also a tad anxious about what will happen next. </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">As a state employee Mandy did not receive the state-funded
disability and maternity benefits that keep most California workers
afloat during times of pregnancy, parental bonding time and family
medical leave.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Additionally, two days before Leah was born (as mentioned before) Lisa was in the
emergency room due to a neurological condition that causes stomach
paralysis. She has lost over 45 lbs in just a few months and has been
too ill to work. She is still recovering from an abdominal surgery
meant to help her manage this difficult condition.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> To help the Mama's stay with Leah as she recovers
in the PICU and help them manage costs when they finally go
home (they have been staying at the Ronald McDonald house close to the
hospital) a fundraiser was started for Leah and her Mama's. I have been incredibly blessed by having followers that have been there for me and helped me receive our Rainbow (that thank you post is coming up!) and I would be honored if I could send some of those kindnesses to this family. If you are moved to, please donate to Leah's fundraiser by clicking <a href="http://www.gofundme.com/Leahandhermoms" target="_blank">HERE</a>. They are pretty close to their goal already but could use more! If you can't donate, you can still visit Leah's blog and read about her progress by clicking <a href="http://leahvalerie.com/" target="_blank">HERE</a> (be prepared for a MASS amount of baby cuteness) <br />you can also follow Leah's Facebook page by clicking <a href="https://www.facebook.com/babyleahvalerie" target="_blank">HERE</a><br />and her <a href="http://instagram.com/MsLeahBug#" target="_blank">Instagram</a><br />and her <a href="https://twitter.com/MsLeahBug" target="_blank">Twitter</a><br /><br />And
if you are just over the moon about Leah as I am, could you please
share this post? The world needs a little more sunshine and I think
she's just the girl for the job.</span></span></div>
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Humblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12658097102335937843noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5747523624104795279.post-16328407699239001202013-09-23T16:58:00.000-07:002013-09-23T18:17:14.406-07:00Part 5 of The Jedi Series: Breathing<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">It has been exactly 2 years since we brought our boy home from the NICU. After a tumultuous pregnancy which you can read about <a href="http://sliceofhumble.blogspot.com/p/blog-page.html" target="_blank">HERE</a> in it's entirety, and ultimately a happy enough ending, we finally brought our boy home after a 84 day stay. Our journey to bringing home a preemie and what it all entailed, started well before we came home, but what we learned in our NICU experience didn't prepare us at all for what lied ahead. Since all preemies are different, only a general outline of what to expect could be given and even then, it all depended on him. If I could go back and give myself some advice, I am not even sure I would. The things I know now, they had to be learned by living it. So naive I was, a mom of 4 healthy kids, I can surely navigate this preemie stuff no problem, right? It's not THAT big of a deal, it just means he's a little smaller and might get a cold easier, but hey on the bright side, no more scary pregnancy! He's out and he's alive. So that's that! </span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">I was some kind of adorable in thinking this way. </span></span><span style="font-size: large;">In all reality, I had no idea that our journey from the NICU was just a little back pat and being out of the NICU doesn't really change the game, it just means the game is at a different ball park. I know a lot about babies, and even having had 4 previously, this knowledge and experience didn't really give me any big advantage. For one, I may have baby experience, but I didn't KNOW my son when he came home. I knew his care routine and enough to keep him alive and his apnea monitor from going off. I also didn't know much about preemies, I just knew my preemie. Sure, I knew the general outline "ball park rules" that I had picked up from the Nurses and Staff at the NICU. How to feed and handle reflux was up there on the most important things to learn. Second would be his list of medications that he would take every 2, 4, and 8 hours. Third would be, what to do if his apnea monitor (that was on him 24/7) went off. And FTW, they never did tell me how to recover after his apnea monitor goes off. (pro tip: after the apnea monitor is done screeching and you have the baby alive and settled, feel free to go gangbusters on delicious treats and also CRY your eyes out because that shit was scary. You deserve it.)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Everything else, I had to learn on the fly. And fly I did, straight into walls, straight into my pillow sobbing, and also soaring though the air wearing a super hero cape, holding my sweet boy Simba style and shouting "I WON! BEHOLD, HE IS MINE! MY CREATION!!" But if I really was able to go back in time and tell myself a few things, I think this is what I would say: </span><br /><br /><br />This shit is not your fault.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Not even a little bit. There is nothing you did to cause this. It was not for lack of the Omega 3s and the fish oil that you forgot to take that one week you were alternating dry heaving and the spins, it is not because you dyed your hair, or because you had to bomb your house with Raid the week you found out you were pregnant. No fumes, no food, no not even that cough syrup that you desperately needed at 8 weeks because you thought if you coughed like that ONE more time, little Jr was going to be shake, rattled and rolled right out. Pregnancies are not a delicate condition. They are expected to go normally until proven otherwise. Your pregnancy lasted for as long as it possibly could and it was not because your body failed you or because you didn't try hard enough. So stop thinking you failed in some way. Instead, think of how amazing it is that you created a human that was whole and beautifully formed after just 6 months. Your body and you did that. You created life. Period. You are bad ass.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It's okay to feel sorry for yourself. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Whoa, I didn't say go run and cry flapping your arms like a deranged seal. I meant, it's okay if you just don't feel like faking like you are just exuding gratefulness and positivity. That's right, I said FAKING. I called you out. Being grateful for what you have and being happy are two different things. You can be completely grateful that you and your preemie are alive, but also feel sad about things you didn't get to do. Didn't get to get fat. Didn't get to get a pregnancy massage. No belly cast. No couples birthing class that is all the rage. No normal child birth to make you one with nature and the fucking moon. You never even got to eat chicken and waffles which you had been craving your whole pregnancy. It's okay to say "this shit is for the birds" when you think of all the normal things you missed. You are still grateful for what you have, right? Right. So why are you lying to yourself when you really don't feel all that ding dang happy? Soak in it if you have to. Feel like shit when you think of things that didn't go to plan. And please don't feel like you "got off easy" because your friend's preemie isn't fairing as well as yours. Would your friend feel good knowing that you feel better about your situation or are MORE grateful, because her baby needed 3 blood transfusions and lost her hearing? I don't think she would. Would you like it if someone said they are so incredibly blessed because their baby wasn't as small as yours and only had to stay for 2 weeks in the NICU? No you would not. (FYI: Someone really did tell me that when Jedi was in the NICU...I still feel like screaming at them to stop feeling sorry for my baby..and it's been years) </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And so, it is okay to feel how you feel. If you are happy, let yourself be happy. If you are not, that is okay too. You are not your feelings, your feelings are just a part of you. Keep it real, yo. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Be Patient.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">You don't know much about your baby, but your baby doesn't know much of freaking anything so PHEW. Be patient with yourself. Be patient with your baby. Baby is not going to pack up his shit and head out on the shoe lace express if it doesn't feel properly bonded to you. No, because babies can't even tie shoes, so that would be a silly idea. Relax. You are just itching to show this baby who the Mama is and what the Mama do, LOVE AND SNUGGLES, DUH....but the baby might be happy just kickin it by himself in his baby burrito. Or on the opposite end, this baby might just be half marsupial and want to bury itself deep into your neck and never leave. He might be both (spoiler alert: HE IS) and that's okay. Preemies come with entirely different equipment in their brains. An extra sensitivity to light, touch and sounds can make a preemie either love something fast or cry faster than you can finish closing a door. Thankfully, he will grow out of this. And eventually, he will totally know what the Mama do. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Your kids are going to show you a thing or two.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Your kids weren't there to see him prepping for heart surgery. They only know about it because you explained to them that everything was okay but he would have a scar on the side of his chest and very smart doctors were going to take the best care of him that was scientifically possible. You were there, and you remember when a nurse offered to hold your hand as they delicately inserted a tube in his throat to suction out the fluid that was building. This suction put stress on his already stressed heart, and doctors and staff came flying through the doors to help. Your kids did not see this. But you remember it as one of the more terrifying events of your NICU stay. The feeling of wanting to run down the hall, swinging open the door, and just escape, was incredibly tempting. Yet you couldn't even move an inch. You couldn't even open your hand for the nurse to hold. These flashbacks will come to you for the next few months when you see his scar stretch and grow into his fat rolls. But your kids will only that their brother has a scar. They will only see their brother not the delicate preemie that was carefully wrapped and hidden away under a soft blue light. They will treat him as another one of them. Your daughter will pile her Barbies on top of his legs so he can play. Your son will ask if he can hold him for awhile. Soon they will all be able to carry him from room to room. They will complain about his crying. They will say he smells. And they will show him things you can't. "Mom can we take him outside in his Bumbo seat and show him how to blow bubbles?" "Mom, look! We are having a tea party!" "Mom he can push his toy!" "Mom! Mom! Look! He thinks this is funny!"</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">They don't see that delicate preemie immune system that haunts you while you sweep and sanitize the bathroom.They see their brother. Their little smelly baby brother whom they love so much. When he is hospitalized because he is sick, they will worry like you worry. And when you get home, they will hug him just how you hug him. They are resilient little people. And they are going to teach you their ways. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">You are ready for this.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">No one else took a class on your child but I bet you could teach one if you had to. You have made it this far lady and no ones given you the fail card, so you better believe you are the best woman for the job. If you had a special needs child or a child with a serious medical condition, you would get your bearings just like every Mom and Dad before you, and get with the program. They rocked it, and you will too. Don't believe me? Go look at that kid and tell me you couldn't or wouldn't. Yea. I thought so.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">He will astound you.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In ways I can't even describe. He will test every limit of your heart and he will barrel right through them. He will make you get up every day with a smile on your face. You will cry at every milestone. You will revel in the little things because you know how delicate the line was between life and death. You will get pissy when he's pissy and then you will both be pissy and you will sigh. When he is asleep, you will threaten people with your eyeballs. You will laugh harder than you ever have. He will amaze you with his strength and resolve. You will wonder over and over again, how in the world you got so damn lucky. You will hug all your babies a little tighter and a little longer, knowing in your heart of hearts you would do damn near anything for them. Even a scary as hell pregnancy, a traumatic birth, and a not so great NICU stay. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And he will astound you over and over again.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">You'll never get used to it.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span>Humblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12658097102335937843noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5747523624104795279.post-40215055674948518542013-09-02T16:37:00.000-07:002013-09-03T16:46:50.666-07:00Humble's Big Ass Birthday Giveaway Bangarang!<div align="center">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is my "grateful" face. <br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> My birthday falls on September 5th again this year. More specifically, it is on a Thursday. This will be my 29th birthday, and other than celebrating the day my Mom became a Mom for the first time ever (GO MOM! YOU ROCK!) I also like to celebrate all my favorite things that have made me so happy while I have been moonwalking through this thing called life.
My children are amazing, bright, and generally delightful. How I have materialized such magnificent humans from my most unworthy loins is an internal debate that of "how? just how? why me? how did I get so lucky?" and "WHO CARES CHARGE IT TO MY CARD!" and frankly, I am beyond happy that I get to see these people every day. Also, my family and my friends have made life thus far pretty furkin cool and I am forever in their debt. I am not the easiest person to be living this life with and their advice and invaluable support for me is really quite commendable on their part. In other words, they're probably crazier than I am and deserve unlimited beer stuff for putting up with my: antics, nuances, cry baby moments, bitchy come backs, and lack of care when they post about their dog(s). For keeping calm and not losing their shit when I am: lost, confused, didn't follow their directions, sad, scared of the dark, refusal to not park the car until "it feels right", my irate demands of being the main photog for most outings and also photo editor including but not limited to saying things like "Just take 20 pictures, I am posing, I'll delete the bad ones later" which they are extremely annoyed with. But they still like me enough to call me, check on me, tag me in a funny Star Wars pic, and invite me to be seen in public with them at various events, which is really nice of them.
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This month is also not only a cause for me to celebrate my wins, fails, and the people that make my life a hip happening ride, it is also a time for me to reflect on things that have made me the person I am today. One of those things is the inspiration I have gathered from the great friends I have made on my blogging journey and the motivation to do even small things every day that help someone else. Not only because of the kindness that is shown to me, but because "it is good to do good things." My birth month is also Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month, and because of my dear friend's story of her daughter's Cancer journey, I am passionate about giving as much awareness as possible to the cause.
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> My friend Sheila Quirke shared the story of her sweet girl Donna for the first time, 2 years ago. Last year the series was reposted again by the Huffington Post. Because of Donna's story, a light was sparked not only in my heart but in the hearts of thousands of people all around the world. Sheila started a charity, "Donna's Good Things", as a way for her to continue to parent Donna by doing good things for others as well as sharing the good things others do, all in Donna's memory. Donna's Good Things has raised over 170K for St. Baldrick's, and continues to shine a light for Cancer Parents and Cancer Children by giving back to the local hospitals and organizations that helped Donna in her short life. This year, a new series has started with a new post being made every day, that shares the stories of Children who have been affected. I am inviting you to read these stories and also Donna's story this month because learning the stories of Children who have been affected, leaves a stronger impression than statistics.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><em><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">"The hope is that by learning about children with cancer, readers will be more invested in turning their awareness into action" Mary Tyler Mom</span></em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">You can like Mary Tyler Mom <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mary-Tyler-Mom/159776680754263" target="_blank">HERE</a><br />You can read the September Series on Childhood Cancer Stories <a href="http://www.chicagonow.com/mary-tyler-mom" target="_blank">HERE</a><br />You can like Donna's Good Things <a href="https://www.facebook.com/donnasgoodthings" target="_blank">HERE</a><br />For more information on Donna's Good Things, <a href="http://www.donnasgoodthings.org/" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a><br />And for more info on St. Baldrick's and to find an upcoming event near you, <a href="http://www.stbaldricks.org/" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: orange;"><u>AND NOW FOR HUMBLE'S BIG ASS BIRTHDAY GIVEAWAY BANGARANG!</u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">The first giveaway is from yours truly of course, because I like you for being here.</span><br />
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<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/9fa2a517/" id="rc-9fa2a517" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The next Giveaway is from:<br /> <span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><u>Emily's Embellishments</u></span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and is a Gift Card for 25.00 that is good for the purchase of any custom or in stock items that can be found at Emily's Embellishments on Facebook by clicking <a href="https://www.facebook.com/EmilysEmbellishments1" target="_blank">HERE </a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The next giveaway is from:<br /><span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><u>Passions By Dev & Cyn</u></span></span><script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNcaDkSvy123GzCytHfjyuGXMZj9OkWMLMFIjzRtLtAMfEzdCHlnKr2Bwgd5Qpuu5D6HfDqgu33R6egBGM_Gfx9UY8Fc4ehU7Ql-kd9byOZUoPPgZivItlx6tKLoEhBjcuQe9hEyErc0w/s1600/passions.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNcaDkSvy123GzCytHfjyuGXMZj9OkWMLMFIjzRtLtAMfEzdCHlnKr2Bwgd5Qpuu5D6HfDqgu33R6egBGM_Gfx9UY8Fc4ehU7Ql-kd9byOZUoPPgZivItlx6tKLoEhBjcuQe9hEyErc0w/s320/passions.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This prize includes the winners choice of a Sexy Skin for Him Set which includes:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A cooling and refreshing grooming set that features 1 Soft and Silky Shave Cream and 1 Liquid Body Silk</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sexy Skin for Her Set which includes:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 Liquid Body Silk in a choice of 3 fresh and flirty scents: Coconut Lemongrass, Plumeria, or Pomegranate Ginger</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 Body Mist in Pomegranate Ginger Fragrance</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 Gold Dust Shimmering Body Powder</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">a 15.00 Gift Certificate to be used at Passions By Dev & Cyn</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Passion Parties By Dev & Cyn can be found on Facebook by clicking <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Passions-By-Dev-Cyn/106626206044654" target="_blank">HERE</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Passion Parties At Passion Parties we offer in-home parties for primarily women(but they are great for co-ed & couples nights as well)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Carrying everything from bubble bath & body lotion to bedroom toys & romance enhancers!</span> <span style="font-family: Arial;"><br />For Online Shopping click <a href="http://yourpassionconsultant.com/consultants/devandcyn/catalog.html" target="_blank">HERE</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Phone consult is also offered to help place an order.</span></span></div>
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<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/9fa2a514/" id="rc-9fa2a514" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">One lucky winner will score an Ultimate Applicator Skinny Wrap from<br /> <span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><u>Meredith Seifert Skinny Wraps by It Works</u></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Tighten, Tone, Firm, and Detoxify in as little as 45 minutes"<br />More info and to place an order can be done at Meredith's site by clicking <a href="http://meredithseifert.myitworks.com/" target="_blank">HERE</a><br />and also on her Facebook Page by clicking <a href="https://www.facebook.com/meredithseifertskinnywraps" target="_blank">HERE</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Can be shipped anywhere in the US.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Denise Lang is giving away a 25.00 Gift Card to Disney! It can be used at any Disney Theme Park, The Disney Store, and Online at Disneyshopping.com</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><u>Ears To You Travel</u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;">is a Disney Vacation Planning service that is 100 percent free to use to help clients book their perfect Disney vacation, monitor for potential discounts and deals, assist with dining reservations, tours, and more!<br />For more info please check out Ears To You Travel by clicking </span><a href="http://www.earstoyoutravel.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: small;">HERE</span></a></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;">Denise is also available on her Facebook Page </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Denise-Lang-Ears-To-You-Travel/235420013200839" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: small;">HERE</span></a></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here's your chance to win!</span></span></span></span></div>
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<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/9fa2a59/" id="rc-9fa2a59" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"><u>Jenna Rose-Jamberry Nails</u><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-size: small;">is giving away a set of Mummy and Me It's More! Nail Wraps featuring a really fun Halloween print!<br />
To see more prints and order you can check out Jenna's site by clicking <a href="http://jennarose.jamberrynails.net/home/products.aspx" target="_blank">HERE</a><br />
And by checking out her Facebook Page <a href="https://www.facebook.com/JennaJamberry" target="_blank">HERE</a></span></span><script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUFz_zJ752ujPJk0_4uyVKhnsaDPOqA7zyiAoZxftIDX6lt-PQwCQUMEl1uhxbqF2fb-BThzI95rN0SAUxvkUC-pOMED1wHcIeg6mQVwp3aUFGGJ37SQxM6EpD7APnM6m-aePAMO0fK7k/s1600/mummy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUFz_zJ752ujPJk0_4uyVKhnsaDPOqA7zyiAoZxftIDX6lt-PQwCQUMEl1uhxbqF2fb-BThzI95rN0SAUxvkUC-pOMED1wHcIeg6mQVwp3aUFGGJ37SQxM6EpD7APnM6m-aePAMO0fK7k/s200/mummy.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adult Print<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Good for 3-4 applications and valued at 15.00</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPLiBaxGLHZYDrjl8-iDf2sHbhLiM10-wrjxtZffSduReJlgXznp5349Wgofi3F0dUDKcxiUwhp0VqQh26TQ4yGYawO8l1-KNXjCTA_dJMUHiYWLs_WA1d3_MPR-Gl_-kOWr1lJ41VWP4/s1600/mummykids.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPLiBaxGLHZYDrjl8-iDf2sHbhLiM10-wrjxtZffSduReJlgXznp5349Wgofi3F0dUDKcxiUwhp0VqQh26TQ4yGYawO8l1-KNXjCTA_dJMUHiYWLs_WA1d3_MPR-Gl_-kOWr1lJ41VWP4/s200/mummykids.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kids Print (other monsters are in the set!)<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">Good for 5-6 applications and valued at 15.00</span><br />
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<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/9fa2a56/" id="rc-9fa2a56" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
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<u><span style="color: orange; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Suny Island Blu Soap Co.</span></u></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKK4Bd1bnYTPkxGTkjnfCXd2VXKI9ymqvqV23AF-Ye-egt00-f3TRAftiI-YYs7kFQ9sw9HzIXa1YJcW_E9VTbTsFODJS-6In0pyeq1JqCGZapc3ggNkU7bJ8i5Ai5Seb_vhXAj4WQ3wU/s1600/sUNY.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKK4Bd1bnYTPkxGTkjnfCXd2VXKI9ymqvqV23AF-Ye-egt00-f3TRAftiI-YYs7kFQ9sw9HzIXa1YJcW_E9VTbTsFODJS-6In0pyeq1JqCGZapc3ggNkU7bJ8i5Ai5Seb_vhXAj4WQ3wU/s320/sUNY.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: small;">Put a little sun in your day with handcrafted soaps, lotions, body sprays and lip balms made with an island flair!<br />
Many different scents are available such as, Island Rose, Pearberry, Dreamsicle, and Salty Mariner, just to name a few!<br />
All are handmade in small batches, and crafted with natural ingredients. <br />
Check out Suny Blu Island's shop <a href="http://www.sunyislandblu.com/store" target="_blank">HERE</a><br />
and for an even BIGGER selection that ships internationally, click <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/SunyIslandBlu" target="_blank">HERE</a><br /><br />To like Suny Blu Island Soap Co. on Facebook, click <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SunyIslandBlu" target="_blank">HERE</a><br />
Suny Blu Island is giving away a 15.00 Gift Certificate that can be used on any Instock purchase. (Disclaimer: Expires 30 days after winner receives GC)<br />
</span></span><a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/9fa2a54/" id="rc-9fa2a54" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
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<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script><u><span style="color: orange; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It's On The Walls</span></u></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpbVwVGpwNcoJdUtykkVkbzXZcuNE6EJXIozzbBYhmN5-g15rO8Y-nXDv4xduTr2dwd0uSf2ksiCyV76AHhtF4k8AqKSI2CTNpVh1psOkVC9KVSeUOcOrKOLEyZg5SiJ06FECEX2ZD1Bk/s1600/writing3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpbVwVGpwNcoJdUtykkVkbzXZcuNE6EJXIozzbBYhmN5-g15rO8Y-nXDv4xduTr2dwd0uSf2ksiCyV76AHhtF4k8AqKSI2CTNpVh1psOkVC9KVSeUOcOrKOLEyZg5SiJ06FECEX2ZD1Bk/s320/writing3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTjp4emNEdFpqLoQ8pCuaVNtFbdo-F1P2MhS3M-c_tykXYtKgHc2Kyuiu737cKsmffL1eT4V_JAERW9lnmn7F9cp3CB2ZwugJgLRWau8se_3-Tmv8M-1PRV3r9hYmib_iBu9l4l-bHq-0/s1600/panwriting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTjp4emNEdFpqLoQ8pCuaVNtFbdo-F1P2MhS3M-c_tykXYtKgHc2Kyuiu737cKsmffL1eT4V_JAERW9lnmn7F9cp3CB2ZwugJgLRWau8se_3-Tmv8M-1PRV3r9hYmib_iBu9l4l-bHq-0/s200/panwriting.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHV4n8zl9-1OfKuBlZ1LYKnJ9_HZNPMsfDdMgkHNC-AmbY92Xqnb7Bb3IkzExqFr6V_PKelsbXnTYJ-LSZaFfCcn5Ra3VK8PhQCkf4t1_g3pmjys7udAxNCOnKlcSOB5OeJ28CPOKkk7E/s1600/writings2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHV4n8zl9-1OfKuBlZ1LYKnJ9_HZNPMsfDdMgkHNC-AmbY92Xqnb7Bb3IkzExqFr6V_PKelsbXnTYJ-LSZaFfCcn5Ra3VK8PhQCkf4t1_g3pmjys7udAxNCOnKlcSOB5OeJ28CPOKkk7E/s200/writings2.jpg" width="141" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's On The Walls Decals creates custom high quality vinyl decals that can be used to decorate any room in your home or office!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You can shop at their Etsy store It's On The Walls <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/ItsOnTheWallsDecals" target="_blank">HERE</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">and you can like their Facebook page by clicking <a href="https://www.facebook.com/thewritingsonthewallvinyl" target="_blank">HERE</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">It's On The Walls is giving away 1 30x30 high quality vinyl wall decal (winners choice: In stock OR custom)</span></div>
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<u><span style="color: orange; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Red Marionette</span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Red Marionette handcrafts fun home and holiday décor that is sure to add a touch of whimsy. From fabric wall art, holiday stockings, party favors and holiday ornaments, you are sure to fall in love with something in their shop!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">To check out Red Marionette on Etsy click <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/RedMarionette?page=2" target="_blank">HERE</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">and at their main site <a href="http://www.redmarionette.com/" target="_blank">HERE</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Their Facebook page can be found <a href="https://www.facebook.com/redmarionette" target="_blank">HERE</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Halloween is coming! And to prepare for the season, Red Marionette is giving away this adorable ornament "Casey the Candy Corn" he is 3" tall and made from felt and puffed with polyfil.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuxr3Ok9FwDbrKA7bzYK1DgtRXT7StZaP5Ve1vbiWm9vrBoWCn4agCRj94vyoxvPe-4aa4mcGJBs6ikS8wj27LeRT6awsFQiOH81BM21bHTtKHF8qOMZbmizHOZvkTD1Tz8MMc8enycP8/s1600/casey3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuxr3Ok9FwDbrKA7bzYK1DgtRXT7StZaP5Ve1vbiWm9vrBoWCn4agCRj94vyoxvPe-4aa4mcGJBs6ikS8wj27LeRT6awsFQiOH81BM21bHTtKHF8qOMZbmizHOZvkTD1Tz8MMc8enycP8/s320/casey3.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And as a special gift to Humblers you can use the code HUMBLE for 10% off your purchase during the month of September!</span></div>
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<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/9fa2a53/" id="rc-9fa2a53" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
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<u><span style="color: orange; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Youthful Love Designs</span></u></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCM3qTZy9-7df2w0SVpmr3ndyfqlhnL_vdwnYjT2q2Q2bAe09dMnq1WAGRihVJ1Fxp1kvsNLWV4zSl3VtV78atTquAemKB0BwyAIdtM1dgfjtrXGZqoI7yxa9DPXFoOztrk-hRzaSUnek/s1600/clip2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCM3qTZy9-7df2w0SVpmr3ndyfqlhnL_vdwnYjT2q2Q2bAe09dMnq1WAGRihVJ1Fxp1kvsNLWV4zSl3VtV78atTquAemKB0BwyAIdtM1dgfjtrXGZqoI7yxa9DPXFoOztrk-hRzaSUnek/s1600/clip2.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Custom made clipboards and custom wood frames (clip frames) can be made to reflect your taste and style. A variety of patterns and text to choose from and makes a great Back to School gift! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi35vFDiAeCUJQ7r1t3rtRRBk9_M13s2flJ8vxADmNkh6ZPr5kvAGvHZqPCZeUjFUD1jurCnDqfGQVEXJsbhTkrsvLdidAmItln48jshUkZ2dlQsnI7CrE7QNmiuPUQlhI4Zl4U4v5lQG0/s1600/clip.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi35vFDiAeCUJQ7r1t3rtRRBk9_M13s2flJ8vxADmNkh6ZPr5kvAGvHZqPCZeUjFUD1jurCnDqfGQVEXJsbhTkrsvLdidAmItln48jshUkZ2dlQsnI7CrE7QNmiuPUQlhI4Zl4U4v5lQG0/s1600/clip.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To make your own custom clipboard or frame, you can contact Youthful Love Designs on Etsy by clicking <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/youthfullovedesigns" target="_blank">HERE</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To follow Youthful Love Designs on Facebook, click <a href="https://www.facebook.com/YouthfulLoveDesigns" target="_blank">HERE</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Youthful Love Designs is giving away 1 9x12 custom clipboard and 1 6x12 custom wood frame! FREE shipping in the US only </span></div>
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<u><span style="color: orange; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Michele's Usborne Books</span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Usborne and Kane Miller books are the most exciting, engaging, and educational books on the market today. They are high quality, colorful, engaging, and kids LOVE reading them. There are almost 2000 fun titles covering a wide variety of subjects. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixTjSF1D29dAJ1Z4QRJnQyG9JRkQ0TymjbMoquFqP7Mby7yMgT4PlsyEEPVimGtATjWZYt3sg_oLnXDyuJQKYAIgMtlI-gglkoTneK88P5J-nBorsDbuh6B000C_pvBvqXB9Cw4mgCJew/s1600/usborne.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixTjSF1D29dAJ1Z4QRJnQyG9JRkQ0TymjbMoquFqP7Mby7yMgT4PlsyEEPVimGtATjWZYt3sg_oLnXDyuJQKYAIgMtlI-gglkoTneK88P5J-nBorsDbuh6B000C_pvBvqXB9Cw4mgCJew/s320/usborne.jpg" width="248" /></a></span></div>
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Michele is a sales rep for Usborne and is offering a fun paper doll style sticker book, "Popstars and Movie Stars" The stickers are removable from furniture and can be repositioned. </div>
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To find more great Usborne titles you can check out Michele's site <a href="http://z2390.myubam.com/EventPicker" target="_blank">HERE</a></div>
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and follow her Facebook page <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MichelesUsborneBooks" target="_blank">HERE</a></div>
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<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/9fa2a55/" id="rc-9fa2a55" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Stitches, Witches & Bows</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">Stitches, Witches & Bows designs cute and colorful bows, headbands, pony holders and clips. From big flower headbands to bright spiky bows, Stitches And Witches has just what you are looking for and is open for custom orders!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">To visit Stitches, Witches & Bows on Store Envy, Click <a href="http://stitcheswitchesbows.storenvy.com/products" target="_blank">HERE</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">To follow Stitches, Witches & Bows on Facebook, Click <a href="https://www.facebook.com/stitcheswitchesandbows" target="_blank">HERE</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Stitches, Witches & Bows is giving away this adorable alligator clip Trick or Treat Bow!<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE2FRKfC1DuyqI-_wYaWLwdPPXlxAfJqMOEinux3_WO_9wJHvUNk6FH0KZOlKWVcxehCEbc3wh3MV0rRb3OKCZnxmqYD-bwRYCci8umjngodFCLnxVSalNzwTZEzzdOsvAr0ZEkPyVGkw/s1600/stitchesandwitches.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE2FRKfC1DuyqI-_wYaWLwdPPXlxAfJqMOEinux3_WO_9wJHvUNk6FH0KZOlKWVcxehCEbc3wh3MV0rRb3OKCZnxmqYD-bwRYCci8umjngodFCLnxVSalNzwTZEzzdOsvAr0ZEkPyVGkw/s320/stitchesandwitches.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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</span><a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/9fa2a515/" id="rc-9fa2a515" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
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<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script><u><span style="color: orange; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Mother Freakin Princess Giveaway</span></u><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">My sweet friend and fellow blogger</span><span style="font-family: Arial;">, The Mother Freakin Princess, is giving away a Team Beachbody DVD "Hip Hop Abs"</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6qu9IUZYGXgUt1xRr0isu8kRfl2wHvAJhw7lBEKD-_4iR3Jsuci7EahsQ-HQ00D7oWu12qYIh8e_mhsoZABhuFB78Q9uQq1wuwGjqM42M4kRN5xbbMqJW2Xud83DsPyNXV4BV_73ufqY/s1600/hiphopabs.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6qu9IUZYGXgUt1xRr0isu8kRfl2wHvAJhw7lBEKD-_4iR3Jsuci7EahsQ-HQ00D7oWu12qYIh8e_mhsoZABhuFB78Q9uQq1wuwGjqM42M4kRN5xbbMqJW2Xud83DsPyNXV4BV_73ufqY/s200/hiphopabs.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To watch a demo of the DVD and learn about Team Beachbody click <a href="http://www.beachbodycoach.com/esuite/home/InizioFitness?bctid=10103956001" target="_blank">HERE</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">and to follow my amazing friend, The Mother Freakin Princess, click <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheMotherFreakinPrincess.TheMFP?ref=hl" target="_blank">HERE</a></span></div>
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<u><span style="color: orange; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Lotus Candy</span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lotus Candy specializes in bath products in an assortment of varieties and scents like jasmine + vanilla, candy cane, citrus sucker punch, and eucalyptus + lavender, just to name a few!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPdY9153EVzvnE7FZ3zS1ONWMB3515nroScEz0JvXXA4C6DLHZeYGkjD3J1B2iO2LuYfU1fGTgIulndgmyq4yPLIq2ZGfL8l8MyMLquNYsGJ1tbXPTWOT3vJwm_UK0h0-p9flcYK9lkyE/s1600/lotuscandy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPdY9153EVzvnE7FZ3zS1ONWMB3515nroScEz0JvXXA4C6DLHZeYGkjD3J1B2iO2LuYfU1fGTgIulndgmyq4yPLIq2ZGfL8l8MyMLquNYsGJ1tbXPTWOT3vJwm_UK0h0-p9flcYK9lkyE/s200/lotuscandy.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lotus Candy Bath Candy</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoWwaLqruQxu2tYwIM3h49oeF0md7sHWn791ZXxj4to6guS-ui5WADBYg8ILnYl6KfuGJ1phT0JjGk9Br6Vcqx1YZwNWiDQ78esc9J7BGciCrmQxDSrHmY4GARxxm4q_x7q_ce5m_9ZOY/s1600/lotuscandy2bathfizzie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoWwaLqruQxu2tYwIM3h49oeF0md7sHWn791ZXxj4to6guS-ui5WADBYg8ILnYl6KfuGJ1phT0JjGk9Br6Vcqx1YZwNWiDQ78esc9J7BGciCrmQxDSrHmY4GARxxm4q_x7q_ce5m_9ZOY/s320/lotuscandy2bathfizzie.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lotus Candy Bath Fizzie</td></tr>
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To find Lotus Candy on Etsy click <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/lotuscandy" target="_blank">HERE</a></div>
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To follow Lotus Candy on Facebook click <a href="https://www.facebook.com/experiencelotuscandy" target="_blank">HERE</a></div>
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The Winner of this giveaway will receive their choice of 1 set of 6 bath fizzies OR 1 set of 12 bath candies, in a scent of their choosing!</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But WAIT there's EVEN MORE!<br /><span style="font-size: small;">I will be posting even MORE giveaways tomorrow! (9/04)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">THANK YOU to all the businesses that have participated!</span><script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script></div>
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Humblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12658097102335937843noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5747523624104795279.post-75881051962413345862013-08-30T15:57:00.001-07:002013-08-30T16:47:12.520-07:00What Humble Did: Got Eye Boned At The Gas Station<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What Humble Did<br /><br /><br />The part of the show where I tell you about something strange/exciting/nonimportant/noteworthy/and/or/sexual<br /><br /><br />Remember that one time I told you that I went to my kids school with period pants? No not last week... <a href="http://sliceofhumble.blogspot.com/2012/10/what-humble-did-episode-3.html" target="_blank">that other time.</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />Well something really similar happened today with the similar part being I was a tore back shade of Humble that has been sweating through the million degree (okay a little exaggeration) and 90 percent humidity (totally not an exag...I fact checked this with the pit sweat on my towels that I wear fresh out of the shower) wearing pants and 2 days worth of grime because showers seem to be rather pointless when you're sweating out the last of your breastmilk while YOU ARE DRYING OFF. Oh and why have I been wearing pants? Because bear legs. I have just been lazy and have not shaved in awhile. Usually this bothers me in no way, but because of this sweaty crotch weather, the hairs on my legs make me feel even sweatier and hotter than normal. Wearing pants seems reasonable to at least mask the friction between fur and legs but it's obviously not a very well thought out plan. There is a reason no one has ever said I have street smarts, ya know.<br /><br />So there I was at the gas station today, bear legs under wraps and sweating to the point that I might actually be burning cellulite from baby #3 circa 2005, hair is a wreck, doing that half ass pony tail that I kind of brushed but not really, because lifting my arms is exercise and there is no exercise in Africa. I am not a fucking gazelle being chased. I am a human who is stank ass hot. My peeps are white and from the North. We eat butter and feast on potatoes which go directly to our thighs cuz our DNA might be scared of another Great Depression. Which could also explain my body hair problem. You never know when shit is gonna hit the fan and Pa could lose his job at the factory, in the middle of the snow, uphill both ways, leaving us to have to sell our blankets.<br /><br />Also, I am going to mention how totally sexy I was feeling through all of this. Sweat, grime, hairy as nature/nurture intended, and in period denial. Kind of gotta period....but wishing it away....paper toweling it up over here. Buying pads is acceptance and IT AIN'T YOUR WEEK...so fuck off V zone...you get Brawny as punishment, because fuck you. Nothing makes sense in this Tom Cruise forsaken heat. The reason I was even at the gas station was to buy those .99 cent tall cans of sugar water because I am pretty sure I have sweated out the last of my carbohydrates and whathaveyou as I was buckling Jedi into his car seat. I had to dig around for a bit to find change to pay for the drink because I was totally unprepared for a desert throat situation and as I was digging around I happened to look up and I saw him.........<br /><br />You know hiiiiiiiiiim. The guy who is always a little too happy to be watching you pump gas, gazing at you, caressing your hair with his lips from 17 feet away, watching you as if you were a prize to behold. He is the creeper guy "Guy" who has been offering his services either by laying on a cool line like "what's that taste like?" (and you aren't even eating anything) and "mmmmmmmmMMMMMMMMM girl" since you looked like you might possibly be 17 and a half. Dream Weaver is what I like to call him. <br /><br />So I notice Dream Weaver starting to pump his gas in the car ahead of me while I am searching for change. I am trying to make this as quick as possible because I must drink something NOW, and I can't help noticing him, noticing me. It always takes me a little while to figure out what intentions someone has for looking at me for longer than 1.5 seconds. Nice? Friendly? Weird? On ecstasy and looking for a dance partner? But at this point, I have glanced at least 5 times to double triple check and this motherfucker is NOT looking anywhere but at me, which is awesomely confusing because I am sporting kitten pits which is mostly frowned upon in modern society. After I notice him noticing me and wipe the froth that has formed at my forehead I go inside and quickly come back to the car with my already cracked open and half guzzled drink. I get my purse and drink situated and I look up and he is holding the gas nozzle like a dick. Pushing his junk into it and everything. I am immediately amused as I am already starting my car and will avoid any and all verbal contact with this person knowing that I am safely on my way out of there, making this all the more hilarious. I back up and pull out to the side of his car to make my way for the exit. As I do, he is yelling what I made out to be "bbbhdbscjdc sweetheart djsddkjdl number?" and as he's yelling he is walking towards my van. Except he forgot he was holding the gas nozzle and it rips out of his hand and gas just goes EVERYWHERE. All over his shoes, all over the back of his car, it was a wreck. <br /><br /><br />And then I had an insane thought. <br />He might actually be my soul mate from another parallel universe. Gas nozzle humping, spray painting flammable fluids.....that's actually quite impressive if you think about it. <br /><br /><br />End Scene.<br /><br />xoxo Humble<br /></span></div>
Humblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12658097102335937843noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5747523624104795279.post-36719863954603310052013-08-28T15:41:00.004-07:002013-08-28T15:49:34.031-07:00A Few Words Wednesday: August 28<div align="center">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I looked to see what he was looking at and I couldn't see anything interesting enough to hold his attention that long.<br />Chances are, even if he told me, I wouldn't understand.<br /><br /><br />xo Humble<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Like this post?<br />SUBSCRIBE OVER THERE------> so you won't miss anything<br /><br />You can also find me on:<br /><a href="http://instagram.com/humblevader#" target="_blank">Instagram</a><br /><br /><a href="http://pinterest.com/humblevader/boards/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a><br /><br />and sometimes<br /><a href="https://twitter.com/SliceHumble" target="_blank">Twitter</a> </span></td></tr>
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Humblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12658097102335937843noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5747523624104795279.post-15667019366000476252013-08-26T19:17:00.001-07:002013-08-26T19:17:20.037-07:00Thank You, Miley<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Rant Face.<br />Not to be confused with my Sex Face but it's pretty close.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Unless you have been living under a rock, you have probably seen Miley Cyrus <a href="http://www.mtv.com/videos/misc/942064/we-cant-stop-blurred-lines-give-it-2-u-medley.jhtml#id=1712039" target="_blank">performance</a> at the MTV Video Music Awards that aired last night. If you haven't, you have most likely read countless discussions on all social media, with Twitter alone circulating over <a href="http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1713119/vma-ratings-record.jhtml" target="_blank">360,000 Tweets per minute</a> that were attributed to Miley's gyrating performance. I have to admit, due to mom life and being exhausted from the weekend, I missed the event in real time but caught up first thing in the morning. After reading several friends statuses and discussions about what an actual disgrace Miley is and how she needs to seek mental health help, I expected something a little bit more shocking than a grown woman dancing with teddy bears and bending over to half twerk half air hump a foam finger. I mean, I was a baby cakes when the whole Like a Virgin Madonna exploded on the scene but I remember like it was yesterday when Britney <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9veBQ2V70o" target="_blank">sexed up the dance floor</a> during her VMA performance that was actually THIRTEEN years ago. But really was Miley's performance a surprise? Um, not if you saw her <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrUvu1mlWco" target="_blank">music video</a> that was uploaded 2 months ago and before that, heard "We Can't Stop" single and all the controversy surrounding her now confirmed drug reference. This would also be not very surprising to say the least if you knew anything about what Miley has been up to for the past few years. Gone are the days where her parents can make a public apology for anything being <a href="http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20195876,00.html" target="_blank">misinterpreted </a>as other than wholesome and perfect. Gone are the days that Miley is Hannah Montana, y'all.<br /><br />And good fucking riddance.<br /><br />You know why people are so angry over this whole Miley ass shaking tongue licking bonanza? Because she has a vagina. And she knows what she wants to do. And she just don't give a fuck about you or your applause. While Rihanna is supporting her abusive boyfriend and rap singing about money, booze, strippers, money, and sometimes singing about being a diamond in the sky which what the fuck does that even mean? Miley is laughing her ass off. This whole Video Music Awards? STUPID. MTV doesn't even PLAY music videos people. They glorify teen pregnancy, binge drinking on the shores of Jersey, and document the parts of life that most people are lucky not to have air on television. People hate people like Miley because they are almost famous for absolutely nothing. Kardashian's ring a bell? Except Miley is becoming famous for something, and that something is just not giving a fuck. And man alive, it is working. She has been out and about promoting this album like a stripper picking up the last damn dollar, and it's working. <br /><br />With Robin Thicke's <a href="http://rapgenius.com/1644751" target="_blank">kind of rapey lyrics</a> , and rappers like Juicy J whose top hit is about strippers popping their pussy, it's always a good time when a woman comes along and serves what is already on the menu. It is just not okay for women to do the things men talk about in their songs and it's not okay to take center stage when there are perfectly good cages to dance in during a male performance. No it's not okay to take off your clothes if you weren't promised <a href="http://rapgenius.com/Juicy-j-bandz-a-make-her-dance-lyrics" target="_blank">bandz</a> or <a href="http://rapgenius.com/Tyga-rack-city-lyrics" target="_blank">racks</a>. And it's definitely not okay to act like you have nipples. It's not okay now, and it won't be next year either. It's not okay, but it is awesome. It's awesomely awesome that she is sticking it up the very machine that built her, and making enough dough to throw a bone to her pathetic parents who are still riding on the house that Hannah built. I for one, am in full support of any woman who plays the game and gives it her all. They might not be well received, but there is just something about a girl who takes it off physically and/or metaphorically, and doesn't give a shit. I am not scared for my daughter who grew up watching Miley, because my daughter recognizes the difference between a performance and real life. I am not going to be worried that young girls are going to idolize the new Cyrus and her half twerking half masturbating air guitar. I am only going to be worried about what message is being sent to our young girls when they realize that no matter what they want to do in life, whether it be gyrating on a stage singing a top 10 hit or maybe want to earn as <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/09/women-earn-less-than-men_n_3046461.html" target="_blank">much as men do</a> someone is going to try and stop them. Not because they don't have ambition or because they aren't educated enough, but simply because they are girls. <br /><br />I don't know about you but that fact alone makes me cringe. Which is why I say Thank You, Miley. You did something only a few women are 5150 enough to do. <br />You foam fingered the man.<br /><br /><br />xoxo Humble<br /><br />LIKE WHAT YOU READ?<br />Subscribe to my blog over there------><br />You can also find me on <a href="http://pinterest.com/humblevader/boards/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a>, <a href="http://instagram.com/humblevader#" target="_blank">Instagram</a> and sometimes <a href="https://twitter.com/SliceHumble" target="_blank">Twitter</a><br /><br /></span>Humblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12658097102335937843noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5747523624104795279.post-21848593097690531642013-08-14T15:39:00.002-07:002013-08-14T15:40:25.887-07:00A Few Words Wednesday: August 14<div align="center">
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">This is the first post in "A Few Words Wednesday" and simply put, it's my favorite recent snapshot, and a few words. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Sprite's Summer dog walking business.<br />Jedi approves.<br /><br /></em><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Like my words? Follow my blog!<br />Subscribe by looking over to the right, there are many different ways to follow me!<br />Also, I am on <a href="http://pinterest.com/humblevader" target="_blank">Pinterest,</a> <a href="http://instagram.com/humblevader" target="_blank">Instagram,</a> and sometimes <a href="https://twitter.com/SliceHumble" target="_blank">Twitter</a> </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">xoHumble</span><br />
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Humblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12658097102335937843noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5747523624104795279.post-50658336178455671742013-08-13T17:16:00.001-07:002013-08-13T18:17:25.486-07:00Thank You, Dear: A Word About Trolls, From A Whore<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /><br />Yesterday before I posted <a href="http://sliceofhumble.blogspot.com/2013/08/on-and-on.html" target="_blank">THIS</a>, I received a love letter. Not just a note of sweet adoration, mind you, a REAL kind of love letter. My heart skipped a beat when I read the subject: Hey, Fat Ass. Ohhhhhh could this be for me? Please say it is so! I hope this wasn't sent by mistake, I thought. I adore love letters like this so much that I thought I would share a few of the more affectionate little tid bits. The rest I will keep for myself, for when I am alone in my room with my thoughts......wink wink.<br /><br />As I scanned the message in excitement, I immediately was drawn to a few choice words. I wanted to gauge the level of adoration that my secret admirer had for me, after all.<br /><br /><em>TRIGGER WARNING: LANGUAGE USED IS EXTREMELY DISTURBING AND BY TYPING WHAT WAS DIRECTED TOWARDS ME AND MY FAMILY IN NO WAY INDICATES MY PERSONAL ETHICS </em><br /><br /><br /><br />"pathetic"<br />"worthless piece of flesh"<br />"pathetic"<br />"nasty"<br />"vagina" <br />"white trash"<br />"fat, pale ass"<br />"down syndrome fucking reject"<br />"disgusting"<br />"smelly vagina"<br />"abortion"<br />"your last one should have died"<br />"disgusting pig"<br /><br />and my personal favorite....... "WHORE"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /><br /><br />Okay, now that I had all the keywords in mind, I could thoroughly enjoy the fullness, and richness of my sweet love letter. I am not a gal that likes to be surprised and my anticipation gets the best of me, ya know.<br /><br />As I read the letter and re read the letter and analyzed every word to make sure my secret lover was not anticipating a meet and greet of some sort (dude, I haven't shaved my legs in days) I became immediately bored. Yes, yes, I know my sweetie was expecting a direct response of some sort, but to put it quite frankly, my well had run dry. IfyaknowwhatImean<br /><br />I mean, aside from the fascination with my vagina and the endless questions that I have clearly addressed on several social media platforms, oh, and the whole "dead baby" thing, I was just not impressed. <br /><br />I have heard this all before. At least 3 times a month I am sent a sweet comment from an admirer. Now, you may be upset, saying to yourself "HOW CAN THIS BE WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE" and my response is, "The Internet". See, the Internet is full of Keyboard Warriors. Some just want to razzle dazzle your day with a song and dance, but some, take the time out of their lives, to truly focus on matters of their heart, because they see you as important, and very worth their time. They crave the attention you have, and they want that same attention, coming directly from you. This is some real world shit I am talking about and can easily be related to other areas of your life, not just the Internet, so you might want to go back and start taking notes. LOOK ALIVE BITCHES I AM ONLY SAYING THIS ONCE.<br /><br />Now, before I give any more attention to my disappointing lover of yesterday, I want to talk more about the prior experiences. I have been called a whore, an endless amount of times. It is always a foreplay of sorts, being called a whore. And the word "whore" itself is without a doubt the most endearing compliment. Most people hear it and assume it means that it implies sexual promiscuity. But that can't possibly be true, because the people that have called me whore, I have never had sex with, and if I haven't had sex with you, how would you know I am sexually promiscuous? I mean, we are all adults here, and assumptions are at the high school level, am I right? Okay, so it is true that I have 5 kids and that indicates that I have had sex at least 5 times. If that is the reason for assuming I am "sexually promiscuous" then I am going ascertain that you are 12. And you shouldn't be reading my blog, didn't you read the little consent box when you opened this? Being called a whore most often leads to an anti climactic "you have too many kids" and leaves me with a case of blue balls and cotton mouth. I am a mouth breather, don't judge me. I GET IT I HAVE A LOT OF KIDS AND I HAVE HAD SEX. ALL THE LUCKY PEOPLE DO. Also I have been called an attention whore. Now, I don't understand quite yet, the reasons for ever calling someone an attention whore, when what you really mean is "getting more attention than you." In fact, it is kind of confusing to think about. Example: "Hey, I do not like this person getting attention so everyone listen to me and what I am saying because THEY are an attention whore, LOOK AT WHAT I AM TYPING WHEN I AM TALKING TO YOU"<br />I believe if I were a real writer I would know the word for this, so for right now, I will call it an oxymoronomaly. <br /><br />I have also been called fat before. 100 percent of the time it is online. Not that you should give a shit, but I am 5'1 and a size 8. My child like size comes in real handy when I am installing a car seat because I don't risk injuring my back when I can crouch over the seat quite easily while standing in the car. I am also the token person who has to sit middle bitch in between the driver and passenger seats. I do have a round face and am not a "thin" person, so most lovers and admirers just don't know. Because they have never met me. Weird, right. Being called "fat" isn't insulting to me at all, just an incorrect assumption. If I actually was fat, I would be even less amused. It's like saying "you have brown eyes" or "you have pale ass skin" ... Uh, thanks Captain Obvious for taking note of my physical appearance. Want to mention that I have elbows that bend?<br /><br />As for being called other colorful, delightful things, and having a fascination with the state of my vagina, it all gets quite mundane. Redundant. Whatever, you guys you know what I mean.<br /><br />What I do know, is that when I am sent these letters and comments of affection (or threads, ENTIRE THREADS, written by people I don't know and read my blog that they think is terrible LOOKING FOR SHIT TO SAY.. :::bows on one knee::: sweet Tom Cruise in Top Gun don't let me go back to that place in my mind where I wanna be mean, EVER again. I forgave, I forgave, I forgave.)<br />Where was I? Oh, yes. What I do know is that I have an effect on people. A REAL LIFE EFFECT. Sometimes it is truly outrageous, like when I am given notes of love, but most of the time, it is what fuels me to keep going. I am not trying to be famous. I started this because I just felt like writing. I wanted to share it with people who wanted to read it.<br />I found the people. Not The End, but kind of. I don't earn money from this. I might some day, but for right now I do this mostly for myself. And I decided a long time ago, that I was going to choose to be happy every day and this is a way for me to be happy. <br /><br /><em>"Make your anger so expensive, that no one could afford it and make your happiness so cheap that people can almost get it for free" - Unknown</em><br /><br />Thank you, for allowing me to share my happiness and parts of my life with you. And Thank you sweet lovers, for noticing me and allowing me to have a place in your life as well. You lil sexy beasts.<br /><br /><br />For My Lovers xoxo</span></div>
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Humblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12658097102335937843noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5747523624104795279.post-50379325488774785612013-08-12T14:20:00.000-07:002013-08-12T14:21:24.859-07:00On and On <br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My third child, my first son, was born August 1st 2005. Weighing 9 lbs even and delivered by C Section (he had a transverse lie during labor) he was completely healthy. It was a little scary having him through a surgery, but I healed quickly and was soon home nursing my new baby and resting through the chaos of two little girls who were VERY excited about their new brother, but also demanded an adequate amount of attention. <br /><br />My then husband worked through the days and came home to eat dinner and play video games. I asked him to hold the baby so I could take a shower and came out to find him dozing off with the baby. Dinner needed to be made and it was 10 at night. I drove to the store with tears in my eyes. Everything was done with tears in my eyes so this was nothing new. But this time I pulled over to sob, and I couldn't. It was ridiculous but I tried. Gave it my all, trying to cry. Not even one tear. If someone had seen me they would have thought I was screaming my head off, but inside the car no sounds were escaping my mouth. I wanted there to be a release to this frustration, an exit hatch that I could open and poke my head through to breathe. Crying has always been my release and when I was young I would often kick open the bathroom door at school, sit with my feet on the toilet lid and sob silently with my dirty hands covering my face. If someone came in I would wipe my tears and walk out as if nothing had happened. It's all I needed to get through my days of being a child who was slow to learn to read, had a hard time with math and wanted nothing more than to be a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle and live in a sewer and SCREW YOU I AM NOT BEING APRIL AGAIN. I just wanted to do Ninja tricks and maybe not get the tether ball smacked in my face on purpose. So there I was, in my car, violently not sobbing. This was the start of the things that were a little strange and not like me.<br /><br />The next strange occurrence was I realized I hated nursing. No, scratch that, I hated sitting down, or being forced to sit down to do anything. I ate standing up in the kitchen and was constantly on the move, cleaning, picking up after someone, and doing way more than a woman who just had a c section a couple of weeks before, should be doing. Soon I hated being touched. My daughter would sit on my lap and I would pick her up and put her beside me. It seemed natural to me, but it wasn't. It wasn't until my new baby, my precious son was crying and I picked him up, that I felt something strange. I will never forget looking at his face and speaking without thinking. "I don't want to hold you, stop crying." I gasped. It came out so quickly that it's like I heard it coming from someone else. But it was me. I put him down, ashamed with myself and sick to my stomach. He stopped crying and I thought about what I said for days. This wasn't like me, I love him! I love him and I love him. Over and over I played this "I love him" game. I would never not want to hold him because I love him. I nurse him even when I don't want to, because I love him. I watch him sleep every night for hours and hours because I am making sure he's alive, because I love him. Yes, this was spinning into a creepy as fuck Hand That Rocks The Cradle, situation. I didn't see it. Instead it progressed. And then I started seeing things. <br /><br />I was giving him a bath, and I saw him under the water. Except in reality, he was never under the water. But, I saw it. In my head. I still to this day remember exactly what he looked like. The vision flashed through my head, and was gone. I took him out of the bath and I dried him off avoiding his eyes searching for mine. I turned my head in fear that he somehow could know what I had thought. I didn't speak a word of this to anyone, for fear that they would think I WANTED him to drown. It was my biggest fear that someone would say I didn't love him and that I wanted him gone. I didn't give him a bath for weeks and instead showered with him, or wiped him down. The baby bath tub stayed outside and when I did glance at it, I would have a vision of my sweet son with his beautiful eyes under water. It wasn't until months later that I learned this is called an intrusive thought and it is not in any indication of what you desire. I would have other intrusive thoughts, like a fear of him being taken from me so much that I would leave the store with a cart full of things because I felt like someone was watching and was going to take him. Other fears were even smaller than that and started to relate to every day things. <br /><br />I saw a psychiatrist soon after the thoughts began. I never told this person what I was seeing or hearing in my head. I didn't trust anyone with that information and was certain I would have my children taken away. I didn't want anyone to think I was Andrea freakin Yates if I was doing everything in my power to be the polar opposite of Andrea Yates.<br />Instead, I told him I was horribly sad, and tried to cry. He never looked up at me, so he didn't realize I had zero tears.<br /><br />I spoke with a few friends about my feelings but never my thoughts. I told them I was having a hard adjustment and they all agreed that it would get better. Only one friend admitted that she never got better on her own and had to see someone for medication. As the months passed quickly, I never got better. I just got better at hiding it. Suicidal thoughts would come and leave as quickly as they arrived. I was terribly frightened that one day I would just suddenly die. Or I would kill myself on accident. I created lists of instructions at 3 a.m. for whomever was raising my children if/when I should die. I scrubbed the floor on my hands and knees at 5 in the morning, so my family would have a nice clean place to live in. They would remember me as the most hard working, loving mother ever. This was all I could think about. I was obsessed with showing everyone outside my home that I was capable of raising 3 children, and that I without a doubt, was the best mom for the job. On the inside, I hated myself and I wanted my mind to shut up.<br /><br />The medication I had been put on did nothing for me and I soon started feeling like I had a ringing or a buzzing in my head. I stopped taking it and the noise stopped. I didn't tell anyone and assumed my new way of thinking was just something I would have to get used to. Everyone else thought since I was on meds and seemed to be coping just fine, going out for play dates, having a clean home, all kids dressed, clean and fed at all times, that things were just fine. I continued with my obsessions and fears, right through Christmas. It was around then that I would wake up on the couch and not remembering how I got there. I clearly recalled going to bed, yet I would be on the couch. With all the lights on, staring at nothing. Even scarier is finding myself in a chair at 6 a.m. and the baby on the floor in front of me. I couldn't recall how I got there, how the baby got there, why the fuck was I not in bed? In my exhaustion, I didn't even realize that I may have been sleep walking. I just figured it was weird and oh well, it happened.<br /><br />In February, I decided it might lift my mood to get Valentine's pictures of the baby. I had made an appointment and planned on going to the mall after I dropped off my oldest daughter at school. My younger daughter, Sprite, wasn't easily roused that morning. Despite calling for her several times, she slept right through breakfast. She had a rough night, and wound up in my bed the night before, so I assumed she was extra tired. When it was time to go, I figured she might be in her room playing. She was still asleep. I tried shaking her, pulling her up, near yelling at her, before I brought her to the couch. I called my mom and told her something strange about <span style="background-color: yellow;">Sprite</span> was happening. I figured she was just playing around and maybe if my mom came over she would be so excited she would rouse easily. My mom arrived quickly, took one look at <span style="background-color: yellow;">Sprite</span>, and ordered me to call 911. Wait what? I did as I was told and thought the whole thing was pretty ridiculous. I mean, she could just have a sudden sleep disorder, or maybe just not feel good, right? The 911 operator ordered me to have her legs put above her heart. My stomach dropped as I stayed on the line. My mind raced and I began to sweat. The paramedics arrived quickly, looked her over, and then my mind goes hazy. "Un responsive" "Extremely low glucose" "coma" "helicopter"<br /><br />I went to the sink and threw up while people talked over my daughter.<br /><br />When we arrived at the hospital, they stripped off her clothes. The doctors were shouting questions at me. An intern walked away with tears. I answered the best I could, and told myself to not pay attention to the needles searching for her veins. To refrain from walking over to her and grabbing her and scream her name in her face. She was so still. And so horribly beautiful. This is it, I thought. This might be the last time I see her alive.<br />Even now, writing this, many years later, I will never forget wiping my tears out of my eyes quickly, so her perfectly formed face would not be a blurred memory.<br />A huge needle entered her foot, and a syringe of glucose was pushed into her.<br />She opened her eyes immediately. "Mama?" she said. Then she threw up and went to sleep. Everyone relaxed. A sudden calm washed over the doctor's face. He touched my hand and said "That was close. We will give her another dose in an hour."<br />The day before these events took place, we had been at a friends house and sweet <span style="background-color: yellow;">Sprite</span> had spilled some popcorn on the floor. I told her to put it in the trash, but she impulsively shoved a handful in her mouth before she listened. My friend's husband was diabetic. The pills are small, almost tasteless. There must have been a pill on the floor, because <span style="background-color: yellow;">Sprite's</span> near death reaction to an accidental overdose, was textbook. <br />She was admitted to a near by hospital for observation and although she had a hard time with the affects of the glucose, she recovered quickly. We were back home in a few days.<br /><br />Everything after is a haze. I can't tell you exactly what happened or how, but I know I went to another therapist. I am guessing there are 3 months that I absolutely do not remember after Sprite's accident. I do know I was diagnosed with PTS and started counseling and medication immediately. And I remember that because I remember the psychiatrist telling me this wasn't my fault. I had told her everything. My thoughts, my visions, my obsessions, my fears that I was actually a horrible piece of shit mother and everyone is going to find out and take my babies away. "Just take them if I am crazy" I told her. She responded with "this is not your fault." Then the tears, the real ones I had been sucking up and the tears that had been lost and were instead hiding in my head and in my throat, all came out. <br /><br />The medication she prescribed took a few different tries, a change up in doses here and there, but soon I started feeling better. I went to counseling religiously and learned all about my mental illness. Not the text book stuff you can read anywhere, I learned about ME, and how MY mind works and how mental illness works in my life. For a long time, I was ashamed to tell people that I had something more than just post partum depression. Post partum depression and depression is becoming more "socially acceptable" to admit, actually it has become so acceptable that some people misuse the term "depressed" instead of "I had a shit afternoon and got a case of the sads." But no one ever talks about ya know....being actually psychotic. I was diagnosed properly with post partum psychosis, bi polar, and post partum OCD. Yes, it happened to me. <br />And it wasn't my fault.<br /><br />After Note: I continued treatment during my 4th pregnancy and stopped shortly after having her. I felt like I was okay and had learned enough from counseling and could use tools that I had learned, to gauge my symptoms. I also built a huge support system of friends and family, that kept tabs on me. I was very well for 4 years. And then <a href="http://sliceofhumble.blogspot.com/2012/05/now-this-is-story-all-about-how-my-life.html?zx=6546f15edab51f34" target="_blank">this happened.</a><br />
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To find help for you or a friend please check out the following sites. If there is something I missed or something that helped you, please comment your info and links! Also, feel free to share your stories. You have no idea the power of your own story, it may be just the thing someone needed to read today to feel a little less alone, and more like things can get better, and that things can be beautiful again.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.postpartum.net/" target="_blank">http://www.postpartum.net/</a> local to you resources, support groups, provider contacts, facts on PPD and other mental illnesses<br /><br /><a href="http://www.postpartumhealing.com/" target="_blank">http://www.postpartumhealing.com/</a> more support groups, personal stories, HOTLINES , and facts on PPD and other mental illnesses<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mothering.com/community/f/28/postpartum-depression" target="_blank">Mothering.com</a> a group forum for parents with PPD <br /><br /><a href="http://www.breastfeedingonline.com/meds.shtml#sthash.NLzBhm43.dpbs" target="_blank">Breastmilk & Meds</a> a good resource for nursing moms, look up any med and see if it's safe for nursing babies. <br /><br />xoxo Humble</span>Humblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12658097102335937843noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5747523624104795279.post-36147354661843578542013-05-23T15:17:00.001-07:002013-05-23T15:23:18.249-07:00What Humble Did: SUMMATIME Part One<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">GUESS WHO IS EXCITED ABOUT SUMMER?</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ME, YA SILLY NILLY</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In
case you didn't know, Summer is THE BEST season of all because I don't
have to wake up at the butt crack of dawn and do things before I really
feel like doing em.<br /><br />In short, the kids are out of school and I don't have to wear pants EVER.<br /><br />The downside to Summer is that it's hot as furk and The Walking Dead is still not on. <br />Side Note: Sundays just haven't been the same.<br /><br />So while I rub my hands with giddiness and excitement for No Pants Season, let me tell ya what else I am excited for!<br /><br />I
am going to see this band in June:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Camera Obscura is a band I discovered, no lie, at Barnes N Noble.<br /> I heard a few songs being played over the speaker system and was immediately hooked.<br />They are very "indie" and "hipster" so I have waited years for them to come to the U.S. for me to enjoy them live. Me and maybe 200 people. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />I am drinking all of this:<br /><br />SUMMER BEER </span><b><br /></b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />12 pack of Beer <br /><br />19oz can of Country Time Lemonade (try the pink variety for an especially fruity flavor)<br /><br />and a 5th of Vodka (try Watermelon, get crazy with it)<br />The original recipe and post can be found <a href="http://writer-interrupted.blogspot.com/2012/07/dearest-dears-i-have-been-gone-too-long.html" target="_blank">HERE</a><br /><br />for another variation click <a href="http://www.acupofmai.com/2012/02/raspberry-beer-cocktail.html" target="_blank">HERE</a> for Raspberry Beer Cocktails!<br /><br />Another great booze recipe is <a href="http://peaceloveguacamole.blogspot.com/2010/07/simply-glorious.html" target="_blank">Hippie Juice</a> which was served last year at Jedi's First Birthday party. Not to the kids and yes it was completely illegal. <br />And. What.<br /><br />If you wanna get especially crazy because maybe the kids are spending a day at grandmas or finally learned to make friends so they are sleeping over at someones house, you can do this:</span><b><br /></b><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUeWEcKJMJBYWvuWL40V_ZwYMjnVnzjT5ukeKOsn_sunV8whH04PHJYeb4SRxev4hK1dcpCzbklTDffObC0durnhnAp45fdB1AAF3lniLyHJg_R499cRg8n2_GJlVtoxlGozt67VdMNTE/s1600/orangevodka.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Word on the street is it takes 6-8 hours for it to be fully vodka'd.<br /><br />Okay
now that I have outed myself as a lush, you can also check out the non
alcoholic beverages that I want to try, and of course food, on my <a href="http://pinterest.com/humblevader/i-want-to-eat-that/" target="_blank">Pinterest Board</a><br /><br />Celebrating NO PANTS SEASON means I will be wearing a lot of dresses. <br />A
LOT. Because why bother with shorts creeping up my thighs and creating a
bulgina fashion show? Seriously, I am done with shorts. Besides, these
new styles that Target has is completely fitting for my "I could stand
to lose a few but I don't really feel like it right now" frame. They
compliment my boobs and downplay my thick waist is what I am trying to
say. The result is that I can twirly whirly if I wanna and not have to
worry about surprise bottom butt explosion.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">TA DA!<br /> What I will be listening to whilst celebrating No Pants No Early Wakey Season?<br /><br /><a href="http://open.spotify.com/user/1226588788/playlist/2zhSykJI3rIAxqAfBPBlAR" target="_blank">Humble Summer Mix!</a></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />OF COURSE!<br />Consider
this my mix tape to you, because I am pretty in love with all of this,
and love to feel as though we are jammin to life together and whatnots.<br /><br />What am I SUPER excited for???<br /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/380381852066887/" target="_blank">The Second Annual Summer is for ME!! Event </a>Click the link for more info and to join!<br /><br />Last year, Summer is for ME!! was a huge success! SO many people joined in and it was great fun. JOIN US AND TELL YOUR FRAAANDS.<br /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/328278573932837/" target="_blank">HERE</a> is the link of last years majorly fun event<br /><br />Oh and one last thing before I go!!<br />I AM HAVING A GIVE AWAY!!<br />Completely free! NO STRINGS ATTACHED!<br />Erica,
a fellow Humbler gave me some stuff to try out from her home based
business and I was more than happy to see what the product was all
about.<br />I received one simmer pot like this one:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And 2 fragrances. I chose Anjou Pear and Stress Relief. Not only did they smell amazing but as soon as I turned on the warmer, it made my whole kitchen smell awesome within a minute or two. WAY FASTER than those Glade candle piece of craps that I usually buy. And the wax fragrance is made out of soy which is better than that synthetic crapola.<br />I am so in love with this stuff that I am giving away a FREE warmer (like the one pictured if the one pictured is not available) and ONE TOTALLY FREE fragrance to fill it with. A little bit of the stuff goes a long way, and I really think you are going to like it! <br />To see what all I am talking about you can check out Erica's site HERE: <a href="http://www.sprinkleswithlove.com/" target="_blank">www.sprinkleswithlove.com</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />To enter the giveaway please comment what fragrance YOU would choose! <br /><br />pssst: If you would like me to check out your business or product, please email me at Humblecpie@gmail.com <br /><br /><br />Hey so what are the Humble kids going to be doing this Summer?<br />Find out in my next post and to make sure you don't miss it, please subscribe!<br /><br />xoxo Humble</span></div>
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Humblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12658097102335937843noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5747523624104795279.post-42294476315404791772013-05-12T11:20:00.000-07:002013-05-12T11:22:04.050-07:00Mom is the New Black...It Looks Good on You<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Recently I picked<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-size: large;">up a copy of a popular wom<span style="font-size: large;">en<span style="font-size: large;">'s magazine <span style="font-size: large;">to read while<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-size: large;">passing the time during a long bus ride. I don<span style="font-size: large;">'t usually <span style="font-size: large;">read <span style="font-size: large;">womens magazines on account of not wanting to buy into the whole "buy this, look like this, wear this" cra<span style="font-size: large;">p. It was the swimsuit edition and I was <span style="font-size: large;">ready to just scan over the flu<span style="font-size: large;">ff and remind myself that most images were airbrushed and meant to make me buy some<span style="font-size: large;">thing. I also reminded myself to toss it when I was done<span style="font-size: large;"> beca<span style="font-size: large;">use <span style="font-size: large;">you know, anorexia happens when little girls look at covers of such magazines or some shit.<span style="font-size: large;"> Whi<span style="font-size: large;">le I was scanning through<span style="font-size: large;"> the <span style="font-size: large;">hundreds pages of I don't even know what, I saw a picture of Kate Hudson in a bikini, looking fit and happy. The caption read<span style="font-size: large;">, "Kate Hudson, mom of 2, BU<span style="font-size: large;">T WE<span style="font-size: large;"> CAN'T TELL!"</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">This made my stomach turn. <span style="font-size: large;">The way it was worded, they made it seem as though looking like a mom of 2 was the opposite <span style="font-size: large;">of a bikini wearing <span style="font-size: large;">celebrity, sporting a lovely smile and 6 pack abs. The implication <span style="font-size: large;">in</span> <span style="font-size: large;">saying she doesn't look like a mom, is a compl</span></span></span></span></span></span></span>iment.<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">S<span style="font-size: large;">erio<span style="font-size: large;">usly, this <span style="font-size: large;">bothered me for da<span style="font-size: large;">ys.<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Ever since I have been someones mom, I have been told I look to<span style="font-size: large;">o young<span style="font-size: large;"> to be a mom. <span style="font-size: large;">Since I was 16 w<span style="font-size: large;">hen I had my first<span style="font-size: large;">, it <span style="font-size: large;">seemed like a general observat<span style="font-size: large;">ion people were making. It really didn't bother me, al<span style="font-size: large;">though i<span style="font-size: large;">t's annoying when it's being told to me within earshot of my daughter who is now inches taller than <span style="font-size: large;">I am. </span>Her <span style="font-size: large;">patience <span style="font-size: large;">with strangers has been wearing thi<span style="font-size: large;">n since she was born,<span style="font-size: large;"> I presume<span style="font-size: large;">.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">But when people tell me I don't look like a mo<span style="font-size: large;">m?</span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Well<span style="font-size: large;"> </span>I get pretty offended <span style="font-size: large;">even if I don't call them out on it.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">What<span style="font-size: large;"> the hell <span style="font-size: large;">are <span style="font-size: large;">moms supposed to look li<span style="font-size: large;">ke? And where d<span style="font-size: large;">o I not fit that image? Kate Hudson is a mom. To her kids, that's what moms look like. I do not look like Kate Hudson. I also don<span style="font-size: large;">'t look like your mom. I look like my kids mom<span style="font-size: large;">.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">I know a foster mom who love<span style="font-size: large;">s her kids as much as I love mine.<span style="font-size: large;"> She stays up past their bedtime reading them stories, or <span style="font-size: large;">getting them a snac<span style="font-size: large;">k, or telling them to please go back to sleep. She worries about <span style="font-size: large;">their educat<span style="font-size: large;">ion, their health, <span style="font-size: large;">if she<span style="font-size: large;">'s do<span style="font-size: large;">ing all the <span style="font-size: large;">right things. She <span style="font-size: large;">has never birthed her own children, yet, she looks like a mom.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">A single dad I know, w<span style="font-size: large;">as told recently that he wasn<span style="font-size: large;">'t in fact <span style="font-size: large;">his son<span style="font-size: large;">s father<span style="font-size: large;">. He soldiers on<span style="font-size: large;">, loving <span style="font-size: large;">his son as much as he ever did, wh<span style="font-size: large;">ile his ex is mostly out of the picture. He looks like a dad<span style="font-size: large;"> and he looks like a mom.<br />I know of a beautiful lesbian couple who have the most gorgeous baby girl<span style="font-size: large;">. The love these mother's <span style="font-size: large;">have in their eyes<span style="font-size: large;">, brings t<span style="font-size: large;">ea<span style="font-size: large;">rs to mine. They both look like moms to me.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">I would be ho<span style="font-size: large;">nored to be told I had any <span style="font-size: large;">similarities</span> to the<span style="font-size: large;">m.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">This <span style="font-size: large;">Mother<span style="font-size: large;">'s D<span style="font-size: large;">ay, I want you to realize just how awesome <span style="font-size: large;">it is to not just fulfill the role of a mother, but to look like it too.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">I<span style="font-size: large;">t's not just <span style="font-size: large;">birthing some kids that makes any one person a mom, after all. There are adoptive moms,<span style="font-size: large;"> single hardworking dads<span style="font-size: large;"> fulfilling at time<span style="font-size: large;">s both roles, there are teachers, nann<span style="font-size: large;">ys, caretakers<span style="font-size: large;"> who love a child <span style="font-size: large;">or children with every breath of their body. They watch and worry, <span style="font-size: large;">and love with a fiery passion, just like a mom who waits and waits and waits for a pos<span style="font-size: large;">itive pregnancy test<span style="font-size: large;"> or <span style="font-size: large;">word<span style="font-size: large;"> of a<span style="font-size: large;"> child who needs her<span style="font-size: large;"> to be <span style="font-size: large;">his/her mom.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> There are <span style="font-size: large;">grandmothers, aunts, even uncles, who love a child and <span style="font-size: large;">remind that child every day<span style="font-size: large;"> how awesome and wonderful they are.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">There are mother<span style="font-size: large;">s who had their babies ta<span style="font-size: large;">ken too soon. Sometimes before they are <span style="font-size: large;">born<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">, w</span>ho</span> are still<span style="font-size: large;"> have an</span> <span style="font-size: large;">adoring mother<span style="font-size: large;"> and number 1 fan.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">There are moms who <span style="font-size: large;">struggle every day with a disability<span style="font-size: large;"> or a mental illness<span style="font-size: large;"> or love a chi<span style="font-size: large;">ld with special needs.</span></span>The strength they possess is something we w<span style="font-size: large;">ould all want for oursel<span style="font-size: large;">ve<span style="font-size: large;">s, to carry us t<span style="font-size: large;">hrough tomorrow when our normal aches and pains of carrying small children<span style="font-size: large;"> and the endless exhaustion, doesn't seem to quit.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Mo<span style="font-size: large;">ms are fucking amazing<span style="font-size: large;">, aren't they? And we ar<span style="font-size: large;">e all amazingly unique, with differe<span style="font-size: large;">nt stories, and different shape<span style="font-size: large;">d bodies. And every bod<span style="font-size: large;">y and ever<span style="font-size: large;">y story we have, is just right! </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">So can we all just s<span style="font-size: large;">top fee<span style="font-size: large;">ling uncool<span style="font-size: large;"> because o<span style="font-size: large;">f the sticker decorated mini<span style="font-size: large;">vans we drive,</span></span></span> unattractive<span style="font-size: large;"> because ALRIGHT I ONLY SHOP AT OLD NAV<span style="font-size: large;">Y FROM 3 YEARS AGO </span></span>and start feeling a little more like the badass<span style="font-size: large;">es</span> we really are? </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Because one thing we <span style="font-size: large;">do have in common, is that <span style="font-size: large;">our hearts giv<span style="font-size: large;">e more than we get, love harder when <span style="font-size: large;">it seems like there is nothing left, and hope for more <span style="font-size: large;">happiness in the life of a child<span style="font-size: large;"> we love, than we <span style="font-size: large;">cou<span style="font-size: large;">l<span style="font-size: large;">d ever even imagine.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here's to you mom<span style="font-size: large;">s, dads, fu<span style="font-size: large;">ture moms, grieving moms, waiting moms<span style="font-size: large;">, offbeat moms, <span style="font-size: large;">young moms, <span style="font-size: large;">every mom. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigM1VNa15_SyD6cQ45KK3TpDmv2D9Jv2GMNLEXt4-DVhvfqu6RuSa97lt02Gov0hi78GbznfCRYfwaYP7-Bw5jgD3zBfCI_5_cPLGRwWk9yFCV_tZvl8g2tqgeLVW9yfDFnve4mFmwgw0/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigM1VNa15_SyD6cQ45KK3TpDmv2D9Jv2GMNLEXt4-DVhvfqu6RuSa97lt02Gov0hi78GbznfCRYfwaYP7-Bw5jgD3zBfCI_5_cPLGRwWk9yFCV_tZvl8g2tqgeLVW9yfDFnve4mFmwgw0/s400/PicMonkey+Collage4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">It is a<span style="font-size: large;">n h<span style="font-size: large;">onor</span></span> to <span style="font-size: large;">celebrate</span> this day with you.<br />Love, Humble<br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiupiqkRG0CSFcDWekBQNT_ayxVRzs5AzTLkisV7f0954SWSNsXkoHgMk1kUfhKrNhbr-3Q4DD5wIKSMO0xzJhhxjtmFb6AiZsA_3m0JKuF0woUjUMGwUFyuqpX7KcGT3pg0JqxMXaK6ek/s1600/Humblecollage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiupiqkRG0CSFcDWekBQNT_ayxVRzs5AzTLkisV7f0954SWSNsXkoHgMk1kUfhKrNhbr-3Q4DD5wIKSMO0xzJhhxjtmFb6AiZsA_3m0JKuF0woUjUMGwUFyuqpX7KcGT3pg0JqxMXaK6ek/s640/Humblecollage.jpg" width="576" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNMu1X5saBp5RBugZtlIxkZh5ciH97OhOCGlIHBGnVnKhzK0_jhLhCNe7e-D0Us4wHYMFAR_V2tHd4VOmNjwUfAaTYnJKkKyb3cSSnj27wj2qSnAzdydoDBh6bOX1pM1unUDmr2R7CFMA/s1600/Humblecollage2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNMu1X5saBp5RBugZtlIxkZh5ciH97OhOCGlIHBGnVnKhzK0_jhLhCNe7e-D0Us4wHYMFAR_V2tHd4VOmNjwUfAaTYnJKkKyb3cSSnj27wj2qSnAzdydoDBh6bOX1pM1unUDmr2R7CFMA/s640/Humblecollage2.jpg" width="598" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAc9Hlh4kzeQmUjdlDnyXcSsN_OQpZ0l096ypGz0cawWzsaEDbGKtc1iOfCYKXHcpM5bufdBnEyaDoUKpL26Cgi8lA4qpt4cqU-63l-pgnLQYYA0h3rbxeG1UHDbYAr4N_cHEyMTQtW-U/s1600/Humblecollage3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAc9Hlh4kzeQmUjdlDnyXcSsN_OQpZ0l096ypGz0cawWzsaEDbGKtc1iOfCYKXHcpM5bufdBnEyaDoUKpL26Cgi8lA4qpt4cqU-63l-pgnLQYYA0h3rbxeG1UHDbYAr4N_cHEyMTQtW-U/s640/Humblecollage3.jpg" width="576" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: 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large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Love to all your bea<span style="font-size: large;">utiful hearts. Happ<span style="font-size: large;">y Mother<span style="font-size: large;">'s Day!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <br />
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<br />Humblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12658097102335937843noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5747523624104795279.post-18789802550221734072013-03-22T09:56:00.000-07:002013-03-22T09:56:45.955-07:00Feels Like Yesterday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It w<span style="font-size: large;">as 4 yea<span style="font-size: large;">rs ago on this day, that we lost her.<br /><br /><br />Feels like yesterday. <br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Anger<span style="font-size: large;"> and sadness. <span style="font-size: large;">That's what this day means to so many. Tears<span style="font-size: large;"> for a little girl who should be turning 8 soon<span style="font-size: large;">.<br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Tears for a f<span style="font-size: large;">ather who is holding on. <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Stay strong. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><span style="font-size: large;">A year ago, <span style="font-size: large;">I wrote about Natal<span style="font-size: large;">ynn, you can read it <a href="http://sliceofhumble.blogspot.com/2012/03/bunnies-and-butterflies.html" target="_blank">HERE</a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Y<span style="font-size: large;">ou can read current updates on her trial by joining her page <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Justice-For-Natalynn/120382834718672?ref=ts&fref=ts" target="_blank">Justice For Natalynn<br /><br /><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<br />Humblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12658097102335937843noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5747523624104795279.post-39588143127162595192013-03-20T12:24:00.001-07:002013-03-20T12:38:28.278-07:00What I Will Tell My Sons and Daughters <div style="text-align: left;">
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br />I was raped. <br /><br /><br />Twice. Two separate occasions. The first time involved 3 people. The second time, just one. I say just one, as if I were luckier the second time around. But the feelings of violation, disgust, and suffocating moments of depression afterwards, were not lessened. </span></span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">The first time, I was asleep. I told one person afterwards, and their response was, "Well you should have been more aware of what was going on." In my mind, for a split second, I believed what they said made total sense. For a day or two, I had actually convinced myself that I may have been in the wrong and refused to believe that the men who did this to me, weren't in fact rapists. I know of friends who tried to convict their rapists and failed. One friend dropped all charges because she was so stressed she couldn't function. She knew she would never "win" if she couldn't state her case clearly. With 4 kids, I knew I wouldn't be able to handle going to a hospital, making a police report, hell, even calling 911 seemed like it might invoke a nervous breakdown. Instead, I didn't do anything. I chalked it up to an error in judgement. That they made a mistake. This doesn't make sense typing it out now, but at the time it did. Terror and trauma do a number on your sense of reason.<br /><br /><br />The second time, I was not asleep. It was in his truck, with a gun resting on the center console. He was an old friend and a cop. When he first showed me his gun, I felt a trickle of fear, my stomache lurched. Something was wrong, this was wrong, cops don't take out their guns when they are off duty. Or do they? My mind raced. He asked if he could take pictures of me holding his gun because he thought it would be hot. I refused. He drove me to a secluded park, where he pushed the gun into my back as I was ordered to bend over. I had never had anal sex before, and in that moment I wanted him to just shoot me and get it over with. When he took me back home, he asked if he could pay me a visit in 2 days to talk about what had happened. I told him I would be out of town so no. He just shrugged and said "Alright, well just call me if you want me to come pay you a visit again."He drove away before he could see what the backside of my pants looked like. I cried for 5 seconds, changed my clothes, and picked up my children. The last thing I wanted to do was admit that I was in another man's truck. The last thing I wanted to do was ask my baby sitter if they could watch my kids longer so I could go to the hospital. I didn't want to tell anyone anything. I wanted my kids and I wanted my bed. I had just lost control of my life completely for what seemed like hours. I wanted it back, and I wanted it NOW.<br /><br /><br />Until yesterday. Yesterday I read a blog by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/debie.hive?ref=ts&fref=ts" target="_blank">DeBie Hive</a> and just the title "<a href="http://debiehive.blogspot.com/2013/03/what-we-should-teach-our-daughters-and.html" target="_blank">What we should teach our daughters and sons about Steubenville</a>" lit a spark from under me. She wrote that we need to teach our kids to respect one another, stop blaming victims and pointing fingers anywhere but in the direction of the 2 rapists who were convicted yesterday. <a href="http://henryrollins.com/dispatch/detail/dispatch_03-17-12_los_angeles/" target="_blank">Henry Rollins posted</a> similar sentiments which I suggest you read and both mentioned that rape isn't about sex, it is about control. I know it is about control because I felt a total loss of it on the two occasions that I was raped. <br /><br />One day, I will tell my children I was raped. It is my job as a parent to protect but also instill in my children my own values, whether or not they follow my lead is up to them. But it would be irresponsible of me to not tell them. They need to know because they need to trust that should they find themselves in a situation where they need help, where a friend needs help, or when they just need advice, that they can trust me and that I trust that them knowing as much about me as possible will not harm them, but rather prove to them that I think they are capable of making the right choices. <br /><br /><br />What will I tell my my beautiful sons? What will I tell my precious daughters?<br /><br /><br /><b>Respect all people. </b>ALL people. See that girl with a short skirt and low cut blouse? She's your sister until she tells you otherwise. See that grown man who is homeless? You will not disrespect him. Ever.<br /><br /><br /><b>Don't be useless. </b>Help someone in need of help. If you can't help them, find someone who can. Do not fear helping someone. If you see a girl at party who is unconsious, put her in your car and bring her home. Call someone to help if you have to. When someone is being hurt, do something. Whether it be a bully at school, a kid who is hurt on the playground, a car accident, any person who needs help, help them. <b>DO NOT WATCH AND WAIT. ACT.<br /><br /><br />How a person treats themselves, does not define how you treat them.</b>A woman who is under the influence, is not to be taken advantage of.<br /> A woman who has sex with you, is not an invitation to have sex with again.<br />A woman who is dressed suggestively is not to be disrespected, whistled at, yelled at, grabbed, etc. She is your sister until she says otherwise. If you like her, smile.<br /><br /> No ones actions are your invitation to treat them badly. No one is ever "asking for it" without actually saying it.<br /><br />How you are dressed or act does not determine your worth. You determine your worth. <br /><br /><br /><b>If someone hurts you. TELL SOMEONE.<br /><br /><br />If someone tells you not to tell anyone. TELL SOMEONE. <br /><br /><br />If you know someone who was hurt, but didn't do anything about it. ASK.</b>Ask them if they are okay. Ask them if they need help. If you suspect or know, and they are afraid to say anything, tell me, tell a police officer, someone, ANYONE. If you don't, more people will be hurt. Don't forward that information on social media, do not text about it, ask them in person, any information given to you is private until you find someone who can help.<br /><br /><br /><b>If it feels wrong, it is.</b> You have an incredible sense of human survival. Your body tells you when it's sick, hungry, tired, etc. Your brain and your body work together to protect itself. That feeling of fear? Use it. Your survival skills are innate. Don't second guess it. If you "have a bad feeling" it is because your body is telling you to listen to your brain.<br /><br /> If you realize that something you are doing is wrong. <b>STOP.</b>If you realize you are in a dangerous situation, too dangerous to fight. Hold on. Fight when you know you can. Your instincts will tell you. Trust them. And use everything you can to fight. <br /><b>Rape is cannibalism. </b>You would never eat a dead human being, would you? Well that's how atrocious it is. <br /><br /><b>If she/he can't say "no", it doesn't mean "yes".<br /><br />If she/he is scared. It's rape.<br /><br />If she/he says "yes" but then changes their mind. STOP.<br /><br />If she is your date, your girlfriend, your best friend, your partner, your wife, if she says "No" or is scared to say "No", it means RAPE.<br /><br /><br />If he is your date, your boyfriend, your best friend, your partner, your husband, if he says "No" or is scared to say "No", it means RAPE.</b>Son, some men choose to be boys and not act. Some men choose to be monsters. You have a choice to be a man, a boy, or a monster. Make the right choice. The one you can live with and tell your son about. Son, some men and women were not taught these things.Son, some men and women were not taught these things. And because other boys were not instilled in them the values and trust I have in you, or they have disregarded what they know to be right, is why you must look after women. Like you would your sisters. Like you would protect me. <br /><br /><br />Daughter, some men and women were not taught these things. Some men choose to be boys and not act. Some men choose to be monsters. That is why you must look after yourself as well as other women, like your sisters. Like you would expect from me.<br /><br /><br />Now I challenge YOU, dear Humbler.<br /><br />What are you going to tell your children?<br /><br /><br /><br />xoxo Humble </span> </span> </span></span><br />
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Humblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12658097102335937843noreply@blogger.com34tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5747523624104795279.post-29286691570365705652013-03-04T17:59:00.004-08:002013-03-04T17:59:31.324-08:00I say "Who am I?" like how Zoolander says it.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPszIm4GuPWyBfaF2do88m4MOc34pRrn2kiRcDabtthMEYLZzJbU3dAX7zPuEx4cv8eqsOomCaY7G_UygEM_i3ie_Z8YkysVZ4IlEWWb90dijkTyyZcHzQW62Kcdl0Kb1jid-xxkrIvnI/s1600/who-are-you.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPszIm4GuPWyBfaF2do88m4MOc34pRrn2kiRcDabtthMEYLZzJbU3dAX7zPuEx4cv8eqsOomCaY7G_UygEM_i3ie_Z8YkysVZ4IlEWWb90dijkTyyZcHzQW62Kcdl0Kb1jid-xxkrIvnI/s1600/who-are-you.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Heather over at <a href="http://www.myhusbandateallmyicecream.com/" target="_blank">My Husband Ate All My Ice Cream</a> tagged me in this and I thought it would be the perfect opportunity for you to learn some mundane facts about me.<br />If you haven't read her blog, I encourage you to visit it if you have a few hours to kill.<br /><br /><br />1. Where were you born?</b> <a href="http://www.city-data.com/city/Klamath-Falls-Oregon.html" target="_blank">Klamath Falls, OR </a><a href="http://www.minocqua.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> </a></span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><br />2. Were you named after someone?</b> My name is both a Stephen King movie and a top 5 most popular stripper name. Take your pick.</span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><br />3. How many children do you have?</b> Five.</span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><br />4. How many pets do you have?</b> 2 frogs, Sith and Jedi. And many fish with names like Oranjello, Peaches, Spike, Violet and Vader.<br /> </span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>5. Your worst injury?</b> I have had broken arms, stitches, and I used to have chronic pain in my arms and wrists. It was soul crushing. But nothing compares to my daughter trying to come out my ass. I was convinced that she was. 2nd worst would be the after math of that birth. Placenta came out in pieces and the Dr. had to manually remove it. We are talking up to the elbows in the vagina. <br />Behold the fact I survived and still have sex.<br />Behold.</span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><br />6. Do you have a special talent?</b> Other than having the Ferrari of vajayjays as mentioned in #5? I am the Nell of crafts. I can't sing. I am pretty good at public speaking even though I have a lisp and develop a weird stress rash on my neck. No seriously, I am bad at most things. Oh, you know what I can do? Eat a burrito in under 5 minutes and hey have I told you about my vagina?<br /></span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>7. Favorite thing to bake?</b> This is a trick question. You are expecting me to say some type of dessert but little do you know, I like key lime pie, which can be no bake. SO HA! Although I will cut a bitch for some enchiladas fresh out of the oven.<br /></span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>8. Favorite Fast Food?</b> Don't really have a favorite but I do like tacos.<br /></span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>9. Would you bungee jump?</b> Nope. I have come to the conclusion that it's not because I am scared, it's just that I don't need to. I scare the shit out of myself enough in one afternoon spent alone in a house that I don't need to go fling myself through a Final Destination scenario to get my kicks. </span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>10. What is the first thing you notice about people?</b> Dudes: Facial hair, nose, and eyes.<br />Girls: smile, eyes, hair. Let's try not to get deep with it. I am only noticing these things because it's what I am looking at when people are talking to me. Next things I focus on are hands and what you are eating.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>11. When was the last time you cried?</b>
I can't really cry unless it has been built up for a long time. Sorry, I
am a hard ass. On the opposite end I cry over cute cat videos and
things like this:</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b> She waited nearly 3 months to get to do this.<br /><br /> </b></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>12. Any current worries? </b>You are asking someone with OCD....trust me you don't got time for dat.<br /><br /> </span>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>13. Name 3 drinks you drink regularly.</b> Coffee, Canada Dry, and smoothies.<br /></span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>14. What’s your favorite book?</b> I haven't read enough or lived long enough to have a favorite, but the most recent faves are Hunger Games and Bossy Pants by Tina Fey. And I read Bust magazine religiously.<br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>15. Would you like to be a pirate?</b> What makes you think that I am not a pirate? That's the real question.</span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><br />16. Favorite Smells?</b> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_15?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=library+candles+paddywax&sprefix=library+candles%2Caps%2C324" target="_blank">ALL DEEZ </a></span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><br />17. Why do you blog?</b> I have always loved writing and honestly, I write like how I talk. So I imagine when I am writing, I am just talking but in my head. It gives everyone in my real life a fuckin break plus I love the people I connect with. </span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><br />18. What song do you want played at your funeral?</b> I request everyone be sad chic and/or cosplay, and so far on my "I got dead" playlist, there is a lot of Kimya Dawson, "oh me so horny", and New Order.</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><br />19. What is your least favorite thing about yourself?</b> Everything that is a fault of mine is an advantage sometimes. So something I truly do not like about myself is that I am still not the best listener. But hey, I get points for trying.<br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>20. Favorite hobby?</b> Finding new music, writing, loving, dancing, and generally life living.<br /></span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>21. Name Something you’ve done, you never thought you would do?</b> Fall in love. <br /></span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>22. What do you look for in a friend?</b> How fun they are and if they have good hearts.<br /></span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>23. Favorite fun things to do?</b> go to L.A. for concerts and browsing shops. Also, I like going to antique shops and art shows. <br /></span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>24. Pet peeves?</b> Mean people. Racism. The words "retard" "gay" and "slut" when being used to describe something bad. Just knock it off. If it slips out of your mouth it's one thing, because we all say things we don't mean before we think it all the way through. But to type it? C'mon. There are more words than that to write. Choose something else or don't be so angry on the fucking internet.<br /></span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>25. What’s the last thing that made you laugh?</b> I caught Jedi dancing a few minutes ago, and he gave me the "you didn't see anything" look. I chuckled.<br /><br />Now to tag some bloggers that I want to pass along this quiz to!!<br /><a href="http://averybloggetyblog.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Hey Freddie!</a><br /><a href="http://thecrumbdiaries-curveballs.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Crumb Diaries</a><br /><a href="http://www.joshsmomfirst.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Me and "My" Professor</a><br /><a href="http://www.modernmamadramas.com/" target="_blank">Modern Mama Dramas</a><br /><a href="http://raisingwildthings.com/" target="_blank">Raising Wild Things</a><br /><br />Want more Humble?<br />SUBSCRIBE via Google Connections (look in the bar to your right)<br />and also via Email!<br /><br />Join my shenanigans on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sliceofhumble?ref=hl" target="_blank">Facebook</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/intent/follow?screen_name=SliceHumble" target="_blank">Twitter</a> <a href="http://instagram.com/humblevader/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> and <a href="http://pinterest.com/humblevader/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a><br /><br />xoxo Humble<br /><br /><br /><br /></span>Humblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12658097102335937843noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5747523624104795279.post-34509301548076087692013-03-01T07:45:00.002-08:002013-03-01T13:45:32.708-08:00It's Donna Day!!!<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I first read Mary Tyler Mom's story of Donna two years ago when I had just been a fan and follower of her page. There was something about the way Sheila wrote about her daughter that drew me to her and I looked forward every day to another post. In fact, I remember getting up early and pacing the floor, waiting to read another installment. <br />Sometimes Sheila wouldn't post right away, and that was how me and my close friend who was also following the story, knew that it was going to be a heavy post that day. <br />Over the course of 32 days I read about Donna's 31 month Cancer journey. <br />In 32 days, I was changed.<br /><br />You can read Donna's story <a href="http://www.chicagonow.com/mary-tyler-mom/donnas-cancer-story-2/" target="_blank">HERE</a><br />Because of Donna I have been inspired to be a better person, to do more good things, even small things and to choose hope. <br /><br />Since knowing Sheila I have gained a better understanding of what Cancer does to a family, to a mother, to a heart.</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">When Sheila asked me
to write about Donna Day and what it means, I was both honored and
excited to share with you the lovely Donna. In case you didn't know,
she is absolutely wonderful.</span> </span></div>
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<img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSm2cmaUlv4A6h4gtM4gp6TI4lI23xEwd0z29pTo66l_BATf154BmoPS4KmyJ41-MwQ2WIf7LPLWfsOpjMTs5Ljq0bmzmw4rtRRnHGb8A_wZmcQv5sCsDOkN3Hw8AFfTjryzSbzB4Njxw/s400/Donnaday1.jpeg" width="400" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">After sweet Donna passed away a charity was made by her family, <a href="http://www.donnasgoodthings.org/" target="_blank">Donna's Good Things</a><br />and every year they hold a head shaving event in Chicago that raises money for <a href="http://www.stbaldricks.org/about-childhood-cancer" target="_blank">St. Baldricks</a> and this year their event will be on March 30th. <br /><br />Did you know?</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">More US children will die from cancer than any other disease, or many other diseases combined. <br />This is staggering and unacceptable.<br /><br />Want to do something to help? Well first you can watch <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/officialstbaldricks" target="_blank">THIS VIDEO</a> that explains more of what St. Baldricks does, and why there is a need for better funding towards Pediatric Cancer research. <br /><br />You can also DONATE DONATE DONATE by clicking <a href="http://www.stbaldricks.org/events/mypage/6969/2013" target="_blank">HERE</a> <br />any amount helps!! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> Last
year's started with a goal of $20K and they raised $79K! This year
there are fewer heads to shave and the goal is set at $30K. The
oldest shavee is 89 years old and she is doing it with her daughter, a
returning shavee. Isn't that so rad? </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> If you want to shave your head, that is so cool too, and there is still time! </span><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> Folks can raise a lot of $ in 30 days! </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And
if you have it in your heart to give but are not able to at this time,
please share this post. Facebook, Twitter (#conquerkidscancer #donnaday)
and anywhere else that you are able to. Let's do good things!!</span><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1D_bX1ms7skwqitxbQxlc5-lCUnTTAymSCfDyfwWCsk9zdUMe3UQfv1kwM9WrMEO8a1cqDP5RefZ8cbYyueVSsDaOcXUTOhMWxBfQ5hzE_Eq-JFs4xfF0cQ-hfoaijPDkzdiTExIMdAg/s1600/donnaday3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1D_bX1ms7skwqitxbQxlc5-lCUnTTAymSCfDyfwWCsk9zdUMe3UQfv1kwM9WrMEO8a1cqDP5RefZ8cbYyueVSsDaOcXUTOhMWxBfQ5hzE_Eq-JFs4xfF0cQ-hfoaijPDkzdiTExIMdAg/s400/donnaday3.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />xoxo Humble<br /><br /><br /><br /></span><br />
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Humblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12658097102335937843noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5747523624104795279.post-17682823922343751302013-02-28T23:24:00.001-08:002013-02-28T23:37:50.920-08:00What Humble Did Episode maybe 5? But who is really keeping track.<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b> </b><span style="font-size: large;">Interesting Humble fact: Humble tells strangers on the Internet facts about herself in the 3rd person.<br /><br /> 2nd interesting Humble fact: Humble got new shoes.<br /><br />I admit this is not really interesting, until I explain that over the course of 7 years, this is my 6th pair of shoes I have owned. In fact last year I only owned 2 pairs of shoes. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: large;">And then I realized that at 27 years old I was still living by the rule of "You have 1 pair of shoes and that's more than I had when I was growing up and why would you want another pair? People are starving.You hate polar bears!" that I was told, possibly 1,058 times while I was a little H. <br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: large;">I also came to the realization that starving people and polar bears probably don't give a rats ass what I wear as long as I appreciate it fully, and donate my change and dollars every time I check out at the grocery store, and every time anyone, ANYONE, asks me for a buck. I don't expect a thank you from the universe or anything but sometimes when I am running out of gas, I call upon the Universe and remind it about that 3.00 that I gave to some renegade homeless man wearing a Flash shirt and pulling up 2 shopping carts full of what looked like baby dolls, empty beer cans, and a box of puppies so please <span style="font-size: large;">U</span>niverse insert some Tom Cruise magic into that gas tank because singing "Livin on a Prayer" full blast is only going to get me to the next block! I always get there. I say always, but I mean mostly. Universe has a box of puppies to look out for and I understand.<br /><br /><br />The first pair of shoes that I got (outside of flip flops and fashions I wore in high school) was when I was 21 and they were Gray Converse. In my mind at 21, anything nicer was just more than what my daily life required and because PUNK ROCK. This was 7 years ago and up until 1 year ago, it is all I have worn aside from the occasional pair of flats that I would ruin in a weekend. I wore those Converse EVERYWHERE. I was pregnant in them 3 times, went into labor wearing them, stained them at more concerts than I can count, met new friends while wearing them, got in fights, had nervous breakdowns, went to rehab wearing them, left rehab wearing them...minus laces, played with my kids at parks, walked miles in them when I had no car and basically lived the best and worst of my life while wearing these shoes. They mean so much to me. I am seriously thinking of bronzing them and showing my grandkids, "Behold, Grand Humans (I will call them that) at how fucking cool I was. Everything I had to learn to be Grandma Vader, was learned while wearing these." Their joke parents will chime in with something embarrassing like how one time a Praying Mantis landed on me and I screamed, stripped naked, peeing myself while wearing them and OH WASN'T IT SO FUNNY LET'S TALK ABOUT IT. <br /><br />See the thing is, I don't really care about all the stuff I have acquired over the years. But I do appreciate what I have. Sure, it's nice to have nice things, but things get ruined, broken, lost forever...more so if you have lots of children running around. I learned this the hard way when during a move, ALL of the little porcelain figurines my mom had given to me since I was a little Humble, shattered into bits and pieces. I was devastated. I had childhood memories of them always being in my room, and they were gone. Since then, things have been damaged beyond repair, the last being a Cinderella snow globe that was given to me on my wedding day. It was a year ago and I made the grave mistake of showing it to one of my daughters. I put it down on the floor and turned it on for her. I hoped that she would love it as much as I did. Cinderella was "my princess", the one I obsessed over when I was 4, the one who I dreamed of becoming. She had a bunch of animals that cared about her and she pulled a big fuck you to those bitches that locked her up. And in my mind at that age, I wanted what she had. A big puffy white dress and a prince to marry. I loved the fuck out of that snow globe, especially because my mom had given it to me. When I showed it to her, it was my way of showing her all the things I dreamed of having, and thought that I had, many moons ago. Cinderella makes me deep. And then in a blink of an eye, she picked it up to turn it over, and CRASH. <br /><br />Thinking about it now, it kind of makes me teary eyed. It was all I had left of my wedding day. My dress was gone, my wedding rings had been pawned, and the prince? Well you get it. I yelled, I screamed, I cried. I probably traumatized her for life. Every one that was there watched me sob and bleed everywhere while I picked up shattered glittery glass.<br /><br /><br />And then I saw her face. My daughter was horrified. I grabbed her and hugged her close and realized that should my house catch on fire, SHE would be the first one I searched for. Because she is small, and young enough to not know that smoke means run away. NOT the Cinderella snow globe. When I die, it will be my children that flash through my mind. The people that I love will be there too, but mostly it will be my kids. I doubt I will even remember or give a shit about anything that wasn't a person that I loved. Can you imagine? "Oh, it looks like this is it, the absolute end of my life...do I have time to reflect? Crap just think of the first thing and focus on that...AWWW I REMEMBER MY CINDERELLA SNOWGLOBE!" <br /><br /><br />Yea, I didn't think so.<br /><br />A few days later I read this quote:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: large;">“You see this goblet?” asks Achaan Chaa, the Thai meditation master.
“For me this glass is already broken. I enjoy it; I drink out of it. It
holds my water admirably, sometimes even reflecting the sun in beautiful
patterns. If I should tap it, it has a lovely ring to it. But when I
put this glass on the shelf and the wind knocks it over or my elbow
brushes it off the table and it falls to the ground and shatters, I say,
‘Of course.’ When I understand that the glass is already broken, every
moment with it is precious.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: large;">- Mark Epstein <br />
Thoughts Without a Thinker<br /><br />Thanks Universe.<br /><br /><br />So here are my shoes. The ones I love so much and will show my Grand Humans and the ones I will probably still be wearing when I meet my Grand Humans. Because PUNK ROCK.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvrhK5V33nvdDLlbHDYSxFKWCkdU6HJzrPQEMgwCbCFuCdzVlR3jd3G4wpRNfllRDl5_z_JW8Hh_kzAULdK0AGO5duScUt_3ywa5wPlGY9UQo32cTYO4XKbxr6Pl2MTybUQ3Nyvyq1UZA/s1600/chucks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvrhK5V33nvdDLlbHDYSxFKWCkdU6HJzrPQEMgwCbCFuCdzVlR3jd3G4wpRNfllRDl5_z_JW8Hh_kzAULdK0AGO5duScUt_3ywa5wPlGY9UQo32cTYO4XKbxr6Pl2MTybUQ3Nyvyq1UZA/s320/chucks.jpg" width="320" /></a><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK12FTgUDb5R2KQGXNTuwWaTAh_E5W-LLPrCguWitbPrOLKRpgKiOLNr_E9YtrsHSriVhI640g3Z6HMTKdmF6XT9VS24q_ybLWwt8ZPXlptEU5FufutT6bUoJcKyDdECWmokrZrJZ35Ng/s320/crapdigan.jpg" width="186" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I can also be found dicking around at these places...</span></span><br />
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<br />Humblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12658097102335937843noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5747523624104795279.post-2948174343021061722013-02-15T00:10:00.002-08:002013-02-15T00:10:23.060-08:00I was going to write something super amazing, but instead I did this.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This is me right now. Whining and facial time. <br />You like it. Don't deny!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">One year ago, okay, over a year ago, when I set out to jot my ideas down for all of cyber space to see, I never thought I would be where I am now. I am not tootin my own horn, and no, I don't think "I'm the fliest bitch on the net!", but I do know I am awesomely grateful for the people I have met, the friends I have made, and for the people who do in fact think I am pretty fly. A month ago, A WHOLE MONTH AGO, is when I posted that I would be pulling back from my Facebook page, and concentrate more on what you are reading right now. And somewhere between then and now, I panicked. Sometimes I just want to be heard, RIGHT NOW, and so it goes that I post a status and I receive instant gratification. My need for being heard is sometimes more or less equal to my need to just say something. Whether it be funny, insightful, or completely obscene. It's like an itch that begs to be scratched. Or picked. Or chewed. You get it. <br /><br /><br />But something even worse happened in the last 4 weeks since my last post. Something I didn't plan for and thought I was strong enough to handle. I started caring about what people thought. Sure, some people have told me I am an idiot for not knowing 1,001 grammar rules, some people have said that I am actually not funny, or even very humble. But those are not promises I ever made, so I just brushed it off. If you go to my about section, I never call myself any of those things, and it's not really my problem what people assume when they first get to know me vs. how I really am. <br /><br /><br />The truth is, you don't know me. You know things I have told you about me. You see how I interact with people, read the words I write, and make a judgement. And since what I write is truthful, and no different than how I would talk to my friends, you can bet I am in reality a lot of those things I have led you to believe.</span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">There is a reason my page is called "Slice of Humble"</span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">though. It is impossible for anyone on the Internet or even in my real life to know me 100 percent. And the folks that are pretty damn close (and they know who they are) know exactly what I am talking about. <br /><br /><br />So about that panicking over something that happened? What happened? Well, I kind of started noticing that I am getting over 500 likes a month (maybe more, I just got 500 in the past 4 days) and I have started being considerate about the things I am saying and sharing. Every once in awhile someones comment will sting. Not because I believe it to be true, but because I just stopped to check my phone for 5 minutes right after I yelled at my kids to please clean up the fucking living room so help me Tom Cruise I did not make this mess!! And the comment catches me off guard and I for just a second I want to just say "Oh fuck you" and throw my phone right out the window. But instead, I keep my cool, I respond as nicely as I possibly can (I don't want no bitch face hand slap over some random fool on the Internet, thankyouverymuch) and then go back to picking up my scratched CD's the baby has boomeranged across the kitchen. And then someone will say "Maybe if you are going to have a page or a blog, you shouldn't be so sensitive" Oh I am sorry, was I supposed to turn into a robot devoid of all emotions so I can entertain you? Wait just a second, I never did this to entertain ANYONE. I did it to entertain myself, and I happen to love it, maybe not all of it, but for the most part everyone is AMAZING and I am a lucky lady to even have been given the opportunity to connect with people and speak my mind. <br /><br /><br />So about the panicky part? I didn't know what to write, I want to make you laugh, I want to make myself laugh, and I want to learn and grow through all of this. That's all. For a whole month, I lost sight of that. I got scared. I do that sometimes too, ya know? I feel it when people say tongue in cheek things about how I am getting so popular, and when people tell me they admire me, or that they want to know more and more and more about me. Well, that's all really sweet, but I sometimes just don't know what to give. I overthink shit, I get social anxiety and then I get in over my head. But I am learning. Hell, this whole post is pretty damn therapeutic. I just want you to know, I am over my panicky frozen state. I have thought long and hard about it, and even if this isn't where I imagined I would be, this is where I want to be. What can I say? I am a humble little whiny bitch.(sometimes)<br /><br />And I am happy, so happy, that you are here. Hang out with me for awhile if you please.<br /><br />Xoxo Humble<br /><br /><br /><br /></span>Humblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12658097102335937843noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5747523624104795279.post-75739776297316788942013-01-11T14:04:00.002-08:002013-01-11T14:04:22.491-08:00Celebrating one year of this...whatever this is...I am doing it.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I started this a year ago, I was just looking for a place to put my long Facebook statuses. I also was stuck in the house with a preemie trying to keep him as germ free as possible, so I thought it would be fun, and help pass the time until he was old enough to not require sanitized conditions. I gave myself 3 months. 3 months is about long enough my attention span will hold anything. And here I am, one year later. <br /><br /><br />Turns out 3 months is plenty long enough to start feeling passionate about something. I guess I just didn't expect that I would meet so many incredible people, writers, and make so many new friends. Friends that I want to be friends with forever. Thank you so much, for being here, for encouraging me, for relating to me, for laughing with me, or at me, for inspiring me to make 2013 a year of more. More change, more growth, more shenanigans. I will never know what the hell I am doing, but thanks for being with me while I try.<br /><br /><br />And now for my year's highlights!! If you are completely new to Humble Writes Words, this is where you want to start, to decide if you want to subscribe. Which I highly suggest everyone do, and I will tell you why in a quick minute, but first....<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://sliceofhumble.blogspot.com/2012/03/bunnies-and-butterflies.html" target="_blank">I wrote about Natalynn </a>which was healing and heartbreaking but also helped gather more people to support my Uncle, and gain more attention for the trial that starts very soon. I miss my cousin so very much. Click <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Justice-For-Natalynn/120382834718672?ref=ts&fref=ts" target="_blank">here </a>to join her page on Facebook.<br /><br /><br />I started Ask Humble Anything, where folks can email me questions and I will totally answer all of them. Parenting questions, friend questions, relationshit questions, even <a href="http://sliceofhumble.blogspot.com/2012/08/ask-humble-anything-questions-about.html" target="_blank">personal questions.</a> <br />I intend on doing holding Ask Humble Anythings throughout the year, but due to the increase in questions I have decided to answer a few through replying directing, and saving a few to put on my blog. This way, I can answer everyone in a timely manner.<br /><br /><br />I started the series <a href="http://sliceofhumble.blogspot.com/2012/10/what-humble-did-episode-3.html" target="_blank">What Humble Did</a></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">in order to keep you up to speed on my insanely interesting life, and to also laugh at me. Expect more of these this year, they are my favorite kind of posts.<br /><br />I started the series <a href="http://sliceofhumble.blogspot.com/2012/10/part-2-humble-and-compassionate-love.html" target="_blank">Humble And Compassionate</a> which was inspired by all the slut shaming, bullying, racist, fat hating, and homophobic comments I see on the Internet EVERY SINGLE FUCKING DAY. It needs to stop. And it needs to start with me, you, and our kids. I am learning new things every day, and I am doing my best to share that with anyone and everyone. <br /><br />I <a href="http://www.insanemombrain.com/2012/08/pay-it-forward-i-see-dead-people-share.html" target="_blank">guest posted</a> for Insane in the Mom Brain. Which is and always be a big fucking deal in my world because I love her and admire her so much. It is a pretty good read if you want to get to know me, and I am excited to do more guest blogs for anyone who is willing to have a girl with a mission and a penchant for cats and beards steal their throne for a quick minute. Hopefully I won't lose you any fans. If you are brave enough, you can email me at humblecpie@gmail.com<br /><br />I was the <a href="http://thecoolgirl.com/our-cool-girl-of-the-month-for-november-is-a-slice-of-humble-with-a-side-of-jedi/" target="_blank">Cool Girl of the Month</a> and I was recognized during Prematurity Awareness Month, which is boss because it is something I am really passionate about. They even linked the entire series of my son Jedi's birth, so if you are interested in reading it, it is all right there! <br /><br />Expect more of me in this new 2nd year of blogging, because I have some news for you. <br />I am pulling back from my page.<br /><br />Yes, you read that right. Now before you start getting huffy, let me splain.<br /><br />I started my page, so that I could gain a wider audience of people who would be interested in reading it. Now, I have over 10,000 likes, but the way Facebook is set up, only 15 percent of you are reading my posts. It is not worth the extra effort to keep up with moderating my page, responding to comments, and making sure everything is in tip top condition, so that only 15 percent of you are able to participate. So here is my solution: SUBSCRIBE TO MY BLOG<br />SUBSCRIBE SUBSCRIBE SUBSCRIBE<br /><br />It is the one sure fire way, to make sure you are reading everything you want to read. If your email box has 2,999 unread emails and you just know you are not going to check your email, never fear, I will still be on my page. The frequency is going to go down, but the quality will not, I assure you. I am blogging more, paging less. Got that? I will post here and there (probably daily) but MOST of my crap will be on my blog. <br /><br />I want to have more time to respond to comments on my blog, read my friend's blogs, write more blogs, and actually you know, WRITE A BOOK...some day. And I just can't do that if I am busy Facebookin it. You understand right? <br /><br />Here are the other ways you can stalker me! <br /><br /><a href="http://pinterest.com/humblevader/" target="_blank">Pinterest, yo!</a><br /><br /><a href="https://twitter.com/intent/follow?screen_name=SliceHumble" target="_blank">I be up in the Twitter</a><br /><br /><a href="http://instagram.com/humblevader/" target="_blank">Instagram</a><br /><br />and coming soon!! <a href="https://jux.com/" target="_blank">Jux</a><br /><br />Got that? Now let me roll up my sleeves and kick 2013's ass.<br /><br />xoxo Humble<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span>Humblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12658097102335937843noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5747523624104795279.post-75199944431531242212013-01-04T11:32:00.000-08:002013-01-04T11:32:04.807-08:00Ask Humble Anything: Parenting Advice on Potty Problems and New Siblings<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Dear Humble,</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I really need some help!! I am the mother of 2. One girl, 2 1/2, and one son, almost 5. My problem is with my son. Like I said, he is almost 5 and still has trouble with going to the bathroom. Most of the time, he does really well with peeing (although, lately, he's been slacking there), but absolutely won't go to the bathroom on his own if he has to poop! Usually, he starts pooping in his pants, I smell him and then have to tell him to go. Sometimes he goes without a fuss, but most of the time he throws a major fit and fights me on it. I'm at my wits end and I just don't know what to do with the boy! It's rather embarrassing ( cause I know that you know how judgmental some parents can be). I don't feel comfortable letting him stay overnight with anyone, because I don't want anyone to have to clean him up. It's getting rather ridiculous. Do you have any advice for me? I'm open to any helpful suggestions!<br />Sincerely,<br />Tired of Shit</span><br /><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Dear Tired of Shit,<br />I have potty learned (learned is the new nicer way of saying potty trained, since kids aren't dogs, dogs don't shit where they eat...but that's where the differences stop) four kids. In my hard won experience I have learned that starting AFTER age 3 is most kids best bet. I am not really answering your question, but this is my one time potty learning advice, I will get to your specific question very soon. My reasoning is this, kids aren't going to do anything you want them to do. Nope. Not at all. THEY have to want to do it. I have seen and heard people giving rewards stickers, toys, candy and such and sometimes that works. Hell it works with 2 year olds. SOMETIMES. Some kids don't give a shit. Literally. They are like "oh you'll give me stickers if I pee in there? NOPE, I'll wait until you give me stickers for other reasons, and you will give me candy for other reasons too...or I'll just find it and eat the entire bag before you wake up tomorrow."<br />Also another reason why I start after 3 is because I don't want to be potty training for months. The older they are, the quicker they pick up on things. I have started potty learning once, when my daughter was 2. MONTHS OF ACCIDENTS. I started my son when he was 3 and he was done in 4 days. So basically my 2 rules of potty learning is:<br />1. They have to be ready. Physically ready. You can tell when kids are physically ready because they can tell you they went, or they start changing themselves. jk.<br />I always put my babies on the toilet starting at about 9 months when I would run their bath water. You know how they pee right when you put them in the bath? Well I would put them on the toilet. So that way, after they turned 1, they would automatically pee whenever they sat on the toilet. So peeing in the potty was never really an issue for us. That's another tip for any parents out there with babies.<br />2. They have to WANT to do it. They have to want to do it because of stickers or candy. They have to want to do it because they want to be like Caillou (that's how I did it with my now 7 year old...but now he will tell you he does it like a Ninja Turtle...for mostly disgusting reasons) They have to WANT TO DO IT. Most kids don't WANT to do anything they HAVE to do clear up until they are 18. Possibly older.<br />I had one of these kids that didn't want to poop in the potty. No stickers, charts, candy, toys, etc. would make her want to poop in that damn potty. I still don't understand it. I even talked with friends, cried onto my moms shoulder, cursed the sky, asked my 4 almost 5 year old "WHY ARE YOU POOPING ON YOURSELF?!" I felt like an idiot parent, and that every single one of my kids were doomed, because I couldn't even teach a perfectly healthy child to not poop her panties when she was eating a bowl of cereal she poured herself. You know what her response was? "I don't know why." Well then. That helps NOT AT ALL. She eventually did. We promised a Unicorn Pillow pet if she kept her panties poop free for a week. She accomplished this feat, in ohhh....six months. But she did it.<br />So first things first, I think your son is doing a great job. He most likely doesn't like stopping in the middle of what he's doing, to use the toilet. Show him that cleaning up his pull up or whatever he's wearing, takes a lot longer. If he poops at a regular time, have him wear underwear after he poops. That way he can see how nice they feel, even if it's just for a little bit every day. Keep track of his accomplishments. If he is already wearing underwear for example, keep a chart out where everyone can see it, that you can put a little star or something for staying dry at the store, telling you he had to go, and actually going. There doesn't have to be a prize at the end of the road or anything, but it's nice to have a little pat on the back. Also, if he is still wearing pull ups or can only poop in a pull up, have him do it in the bathroom. Have him help you clean it up. Make it as inconvenient as possible. Soon he will see that crapping in the pot is just way better.<br />And in closing, HE WILL DO IT. I promise you this. If he doesn't and he ends up in high school taking time outs from football practice to go shit in a pull up, I will personally come to your residence and you can kick my ass.<br />Love, Humble<br /><br />P.S. How I potty learned my kid in less than a week.<br />I marked the calendar and told them on such and such day, they would not be using diapers anymore. I marked it a month in advance (they were already physically able to) and I made it a month after they turned 3. Some days I would remind them of the date, some days I wouldn't. When the date got closer they picked out some cool new underwear and tried them on. When the date was a week away I reminded them daily and said things like "4 more sleeps until no diapers!" The night before, I read them their book about going potty and we set out the underwear. We had been practicing using the toilet for weeks now, even if nothing came out. The day of, they got to be naked, basically they had learned to pee in the potty and we went every hour to every half hour to try and go. It took a day to get this down to perfect. They were ready, so it didn't take long. As for poop, my son pooped on the floor. He was not pleased. He held it in for 3 days. He wore the underwear for a bit in between peeing. On the 4th day, I could tell he was about to go, so I rushed him to the potty, where he did it. And that was that.<br />This was the second or third attempt and after the first few tries, I just set the underwear to the side and didn't bring it up again for awhile.<br /><br />Dear Humble,</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I am struggling with my daughter who is almost 2 and temper tantrums. Any suggestions on how to respond/react to them? I am a first time single mom who works 45 hours a week. I am on maternity leave now because I am a week away from giving birth to my son. I am spending lots of bonding time with her. But that comes to my second question, how do I bring another baby home without serious jealousy? I am just stressing my waddling self out and would love some insight from a great mom like you. Thank you so much.<br />Sincerely,<br />Knocked Up and Tired</span><br /><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Dear Knocked Up,<br />First off, CONGRATULATIONS! Such an exciting time in your life!! I remember I was in your very shoes. A....uh, few times. I am not an expert on anything (see my potty training advice that I just gave, as an example) but if there is one thing I really feel I have racked up some parenting points, it's toddlers and new sibling experiences. As a reference I have brought home a sibling 4 times, and the age gaps are 2 years, 3 years, 2 years, and 4 years. I have also dealt with some very deranged toddlers. In fact, my second daughter is still infamous for her biting phase, and her ability to spin her head around and spit teeth and fire out of her nose. In fact, ever since her, toddler tantrums don't scare me. At all. "Oh how cute, he threw something across the room....I remember when his sister slammed her face into the concrete at Wal Mart and got a self inflicted bloody nose...BEAT THAT BABY."<br />Being a somewhat new mom (2nd kid aside....you are still new until the first kid is 6...at least) you may be expecting a little bit more from your not quite 2 year old. Tantrums happen. For awhile. A long while. The best way to go about these, considering your daughters age, is redirection and choices. Depending on your daughter's vocabulary, and understanding of course. The following is a list of things I tell my toddlers when they are having a "hard time"<br />Make another choice i.e. "This is looks really fun, but it's not okay to play with...make another choice" (and then lead them to a place where choices can be made...like blocks and books...even if they are crying just calmly say it and lead them)<br />How can I help you? i.e. "You are sad, how can I help you?" If you know why they are sad, then skip this one. But if they are not able to say, and you don't know, then this is perfect.<br />It's okay to be mad, but it's not okay to hit (or..throw your toys, kick, bite. etc) and then remove them from the situation entirely. Another room, leave the store, etc.<br />The point is, to stay calm. If they don't hear you because they are freaking out, that's okay. Just let them freak out. There's no use in trying to stop it. Just make sure she can't hurt herself, or anyone else. You being calm is the best thing for a child throwing a fit. Imagine if you were upset about something and were crying, and went to someone for comfort and they started freaking out....you would probably freak out more and never go back to them for advice or comfort.<br />As for the new baby coming, I have done lots of things to help the kids feel connected to a new baby. But first, I want to tell you that no matter what you do, it's completely normal for a child to feel jealous. Since this is your first time bringing home a new baby I will let you in on a secret, it will suck for you a lot more than it will her. My first new sibling I brought home went off without a hitch. My 2 year old was SO EXCITED. She helped name the baby, the baby got her a gift, she raced to a chair in the hospital so she could hold her, it was damn near magical how my daughter responded. But days later, we were sitting at home, and I was holding the baby and she walked over and told me "Put it down" and grabbed my hand. I JUST ABOUT DIED FROM GUILT. I couldn't "put it down" because I was feeding her. I told her to go bring me a book and I would read to her. "No put it down, I wanna play." STAB IN THE HEART. It was the first time, that the baby came first, and it killed me. I swore that having the baby was the stupidest idea ever and I cried. Okay I sobbed. I swore in my heart I would have NO MORE KIDS. But guess what? She turned on the TV and watched The Wiggles. She was perfectly fine and I got over it. I even had more kids. True story.<br />So here is all the things I have done to prepare a sibling:<br />Books about babies and bringing a new sibling home. Warn them that they cry. A LOT. And when the new baby does cry, try not to lose your shit in front of the kid. Just say things like "I have to help the baby, he's so hungry!" or "I don't know why the baby is crying, but I am going to hug him" let the child know that the baby is just being a baby and that his crying will end.<br />I had the kids pick out a gift to give to the baby in the hospital, and SURPRISE! The baby got them something too.<br />When your child goes to meet them for the first time, make sure you aren't holding the baby. Have someone else do the meet and greet while you watch. Your job is to sit there and look totally inviting to your kid in case they don't give a crap about the baby just yet.<br />If you know the baby is a boy or a girl, and their name, refer to them by their name, always. Especially when you are just about due. Kids, especially little ones, will have a hard time with the abstract idea of a whole human inside of you. Saying "It's almost time for me to have Jacob!" is a lot easier to understand than "The baby is going to come soon!"<br /><br />Have them help however much or however little they want. Don't force it. My 9 year old was in charge of setting up my pump station, making sure all the parts were put together and such. Because she wanted to. My 7 year old son just supervised and would tell me which boob was winning the race. My 4 year old would get me a diaper, sometimes. And my 11 year old didn't like feeding the baby. The point was, what they were helping with, is what they wanted to help with. And now that the baby is older, and we are past the newness phase, they help a lot more, because they know it makes their lives easier and they get fed dinner in a more timely manner.<br /><br />When visitors come knocking, remind them before they come, to please take some time to talk to the big kid first. Maybe they could be in charge of pointing out where the baby is snoozing.<br /><br />There is lots of different ways to curb sibling jealousy, but if you accept that it's going to happen, things will be a lot easier on you. The other stuff will make for great memories and stories. Like the time my oldest pulled the baby by her long hair across the bed, in order to sit on my lap. It was horrifying when it happened, but now we can laugh about it.<br />Best Wishes!!<br />Love,<br />Humble</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /></span>Humblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12658097102335937843noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5747523624104795279.post-85967503468347606842012-12-23T12:00:00.001-08:002012-12-23T12:03:20.513-08:00Best. Christmas. Ever.<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I was 3 or 4 years old there was one present that I wanted to see under the tree more than any other. My need for this magical item was pretty intense starting when I would watch the commercials that popped up during the beginning of the season and the intensity would grow each time I witnessed the magic....<br /><br />.</span><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/K0dyH8ZqYVU?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I remember I would drag my mom to the living room every time the commercial played.<br />Sometimes I would just shout<br />"I WANT A CHIA PET!"<br />and my mom would say, "That's nice, sweetie."<br />Because I pretty much wanted everything I saw on the TV.<br />Christmas would come, and I would be overwhelmed with many presents.<br />Hula hoops, dolls, board games, more dolls, clothes, movies, bikes, books, hell I even got my own TV when I was 7.<br />While I was busy opening tea sets and dressing to the nines in my new bridal wear, I would forget that one present that I really wanted, was missing.<br />There were LOTS of things missing, because I asked for everything.<br />But I truly appreciated everything that Santa and my parents got me, so I would forget about it.<br />At the end of the following year, those commercials would start up again, and again, I would beg my mom for a Chia pet.<br /><br />PLEEEASE I WANT A CHIA PET.<br />And again, I would be blessed with an insane amount of presents, and soon forget it.<br />Except every year my need for a Chia Pet, grew stronger.<br /><br />I have asked for one, every.single.year.<br />Why didn't I just buy one?<br />I don't know.<br />Maybe because I dropped enough hints every year that I figured someone would surely know to get me it. And by hints I mean, <strike>yelling</strike> <strike>at</strike> telling anyone who might be wondering what I want for Christmas, that I want a Chia Pet.<br /><br />A few years ago (and by a few, I mean 3, so I was 25) my mom got me a Chia Pet.<br />I was excited beyond words.<br />"OMYGOD IT'S A CHIA PET!!!"<br />I hugged the box....I thanked my mom over and over...I ripped off the plastic and opened the box.<br />I dutifully followed the directions.<br />I spread those goddamn seeds with such precision and love.<br />You have no idea the psychotic thrill I got from it.<br />"yes...spread the seeds....you like it....mwahahaha"<br />The kids looked at me like I was a maniac, especially so when my ogre voice turned on full volume, when they asked if they could help.<br />"NO IT'S MINE!"...."I mean, yeah, just in this one centimeter wide spot...okay okay, that's enough for you...this is an adult job"<br />Per Chia instructions, I placed my Cat (of course it was a cat) into a grocery bag, tied the bag in a knot, and placed it verrrry carefully in the sun, outside.<br />I may have glared at the children and mumbled something about never making anyone pancakes ever again, if they knock it over and break it.<br />I can't remember because what happened after is a blur.<br />I noticed when I pulled up in my driveway the following day, that the bag was gone.<br />I searched, I yelled at the kids "WHERE IS IT!?" and I looked everywhere.<br />Then I remembered that the gardeners had been there that day.<br /><br />They must have thought it was trash.<br />Or there was a criminal on the streets who wanted to ruin my fucking life.<br />I thought about putting up "Lost Chia Pet" posters for a split second. But the kids were all looking at me funny while I sat on the floor where my Chia Cat was supposed to be basking in the sun, hugging my arms around myself as if I had already been committed.<br />When I am upset, no matter if some real tragedy has occurred, or if it's just a minor incident of my childhood dreams being shattered, I cry.<br />Hard.<br />With snot.<br />And the whole hiccuping so hard I might throw up, thing.<br />I am also the ugliest crier you have ever seen.<br />The kids reactions changed from "Crap, mom is upset" to "Oh my, I think her face is melting off, is she going to be able to see with no face? Are we ever going to have pancakes, ever again?!"<br /><br />Sprite put her arm around my shoulder. She let me wipe my face on her shirt, as I sat in the driveway. She told me she was really sorry. Han said he would ninja kick the robber and get it back.<br /><br />It was gone.<br /><br />Every year since, I have still asked for a Chia pet, but with less enthusiasm.<br /><br />Until I saw this one.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A GNOME CHIA PET?! Holy crap, this is the greatest thing ever. BEARD. BEARD. BEARD.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I posted this gnomie goodness on </span><a href="http://instagram.com/p/TBoT8LDLH7/" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Instagram</a><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. And I posted it on </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/ItsCoolToBeOcd?fref=ts" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">It's Cool To Be OCD</a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">when he asked on his page what was a present you have always wanted?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is the part of the story where I just cut to the fucking chase.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's Cool To Be OCD and Patti from </span><a href="http://www.insanemombrain.com/" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Insane In The Mom Brain</a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(who are both my really real life friends, although we have never met in person, I assure you that if they called and said their house burned down and they needed beer money, I would personally deliver a keg of whatever they wanted, and I would wipe the soot from their faces and tell them that they are not ugly criers and I would still tap that)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">GOT ME A GNOME CHIA PET.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Look!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> HOLY SHIT<br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Behold! CHIA SEEDS!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> SQUEEE...LOOK AT HIM...isn't he amazing!?<br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have already told him all my secrets and introduced him to my robot collection.</span></div>
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I love him so so so much.</div>
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We are the happiest couple ever, and you might find me on that show where the one guy was making out with his car. Things might get a little weird when his beard comes in, but I think I can handle the winds of change. I am considering hiring his own personal security for when we have to be a part, and the kids might be mad that we can't afford pancakes any more, but that is a small price to pay for Homie the Gnomie's comfort and happiness.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Humblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12658097102335937843noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5747523624104795279.post-31902382673818044042012-12-12T13:38:00.000-08:002012-12-12T13:38:28.360-08:00A Stocking for Donna<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is highly likely that my five children will be with me on Christmas morning. I imagine they will wake up a full hour before their normal wake up time, and they will be energized, excited, and exude happiness. Christmas is the one morning during the year where I do not have to beg, plead, and bargain for them to PLEASE get up. It happens every year. I usually stay awake after Santa leaves his gifts, and I make sure the stockings are filled and everything is displayed in a nice arrangement. It's silly, but I always make sure everything looks "even stevens" so no child feels less special than the other, not that I really think that they would assume that. But it matters for some reason, in my exhausted mind, on Christmas morning. Everything is arranged into a little area for each of them under the tree, and their stocking, personalized with their name, is filled with little toys, stickers, candy, etc. and set just at the right angle in front of their area. I assure you this year will be the same as the years before. The kids will come running from their room, searching for their stocking. The children who know the truth about Santa will play along for the younger ones. But they will look at me as they open their gifts, and hold my gaze, as if to say a silent thank you. It is very easy for me to feel so grateful, so thankful, and so damn lucky, on Christmas morning.<br /><br />Other parents, especially on Christmas morning, don't find it as easy. As I read the beautifully written post by a woman who had lost her son Theo, to a brain tumor, I got a glimpse into just how difficult something like a stocking, which is generally a simple tradition in many households, can be after a child has passed away. In <a href="http://stockingfortheo.blogspot.com/2012/12/first-post-of-this-season-holding-space.html" target="_blank">Theo's Christmas Stocking</a>, Karla paints a devastating, but clear portrait of her grief. She realized, after decorating her home for the holidays, that come Christmas morning, Theo's stocking would be empty. She requested that her friends and family, to please commit to one random act of kindness and email it to her. She then filled Theo's stocking with the messages, and read them aloud on Christmas morning. In this way, Theo's stocking is filled with things that money can't buy, but the feeling of comfort and hope given to his family, will stay with them forever.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I learned about Theo and his mother's request, through my friend Shiela, a.k.a. <a href="http://www.chicagonow.com/mary-tyler-mom" target="_blank">Mary Tyler Mom</a></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sweet Donna<br /><i>photo courtesy of </i></span><em style="background-color: white; border: none; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; line-height: 20px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> Anne L. Geissinger<br /> <a href="http://storytellingthroughphotos.com/" target="_blank">Storytelling Through Photos</a></em></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">on her Facebook <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mary-Tyler-Mom/159776680754263?fref=ts" target="_blank">page</a>, and also saw her post it on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/donnasgoodthings?fref=ts" target="_blank">Donna's Good Things</a>. DGT was started in 2009 after Shiela's daughter <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/news/donnas-cancer-story" target="_blank">Donna</a> passed away, from the same savage beast that took Theo.<br />The mission of Donna's Good Things, is to spread the message that doing good things, in the name of a child, is the best way to honor their life. She continues to parent Donna by sharing Donna's story, raising awareness and money for researching Pediatric Cancers, and passing along good news, stories of hope, and also giving her followers ways to contribute to the cause in any way that they are inclined. Which is why she shared Theo's story, and his mother's request.<br /><br />Both Sheila and Karla have gone through something I haven't. No matter what images flash through my mind, when I read their words, I truly do not know the heartache of losing a child. Both women are inspiring, choosing to spread hope, even when they have every reason to break down. Both women are raising awareness for pediatric cancer, which let's face it, my children, and your children, are not immune to.<br /><br />This season, I will be committing to 2 random acts of kindness for both Theo and Donna. I invite you to do the same. They do not have to cost money, they can be something big or small. Whatever it is, do it in their names. The recipient of your kindness will benefit by having a piece of the true spirit of the season, and it is a beautiful thing to share with these families on Christmas morning.<br /><br />For more info on how to send an email for Theo, you can read the original post <a href="http://stockingfortheo.blogspot.com/2012/12/first-post-of-this-season-holding-space.html" target="_blank">here</a><br /><br />And if you have been inspired by Donna, and want to fill her stocking with a random act of kindness, you can email me at humblecpie@gmail.com<br />and I will personally mail them all to the Quirke family.<br /><br />May your hearts be full this season and always.<br /><br /><br />xoxo Humble<br /><br /><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span>Humblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12658097102335937843noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5747523624104795279.post-42296652513553227382012-12-06T09:07:00.001-08:002013-02-18T15:50:25.815-08:00Humble and Compassionate: Part 3: Keep the Light On<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is the third part in the Humble and Compassionate Series<br />The first part can be found <a href="http://sliceofhumble.blogspot.com/2012/10/humble-and-compassionate-part-1-amanda.html?zx=ee66d04009387b3c" target="_blank">HERE</a><br />The second part can be found <a href="http://sliceofhumble.blogspot.com/2012/10/part-2-humble-and-compassionate-love.html" target="_blank">HERE</a><br /><br />I live my life with passion.<br />I hope this doesn't come as a shock to you.<br />I hope even more, that it is obvious.<br />But in case it's not, I assure you, I do.<br />I do, I do, dammit.<br /><br />Okay maybe not all the time.<br />Not in the times when life throws me over an unexpected bump in the road.<br />And most certainly, not when life throws me on to a new course.<br />I mean, I am the type of person who re evaluates their life 47 times a day, so when I am suddenly on uncharted territory, I just sit there in shock, absorbing it all.<br />Have I mentioned lately that my 17 month old son has yet to sleep through the night, for 2 nights in a row?<br />He wakes up around 3...4...and again at 6 a.m. screaming bloody murder for no apparent reason.<br />They say Preemie babies have a hard time shifting in between sleep cycles because they were born when their nervous systems were immature.<br />So basically that means he screams like his limbs are being hacked off when his brain switches between relaxed sleep, and deep sleep.<br />The cure is that he sleeps with me. I like to think my presence comforts him back to sleep when he is suddenly on Elm Street.<br />This also means that I get throat punched and titty kicked an awful lot.<br />He also snores. The kind of snore that can be heard from two rooms over.<br />But directly in my face.<br />What I am getting at here, is I am really exhausted.<br /><br />My days are filled with hiccups, bumps, surprise hurdles, and recently I was thrown off the track.<br />After speaking with friends, family, and even damn near strangers about it, I Googled the situation. I love how I always think I am going to stump Google, and it turns out 8,048 people have also had the same exact situation.<br />I guess my life isn't that unique.<br />After talking, Googling, and staring into space in the shampoo aisle for 25 minutes, I then decided it was a good time to avoid it entirely. What is the rush with this whole parenting thing anyways? Oh, it's a parenting situation, FYI. I am perfectly content to just sit on my ass and wait for a good solution to pop up.<br /><br />Sadly Oprah cancelled her show years ago.<br />So I have still been sitting on my ass waiting for a solution to appear.<br />It's been over 2 weeks since this situation started and although I have plenty absorbed the shock of being on a different track, I still feel like I don't know what the fuck I am supposed to do.<br /><br />So back to that passion I was talking about.<br />In between the time it took for me to have a holy shit this is happening moment, and like, now, I have lost my passion.<br /><br />I have been on robot mode, complete with the saddest attempts I have ever made, to play with a 5 year old.<br />"Mama I said, let's walk around town" she has her pony and I am the mama pony, except I don't have a pony, I have a dinosaur.<br />I fake trot my dinosaur around the coffee table.<br />"Mama, no like this.." she gallops her pony ahead of my Dino, and I stare off into space.<br />"Mama can I watch cartoons now?"<br />She's bored of me, so I turn on the TV.<br /><br />"I was talking to the mama dinosaur, not you mom."<br />End Scene.<br /><br />Giving my children the best part of me, is a part of my passion. And I missed the mark. I won't beat myself up over it, because I have been in the parent game long enough, I know that it really isn't that big of a deal that I couldn't withstand playing with my daughter for more than 10 minutes. In fact the next time she asks to play, I will make sure I play with her an extra 10 minutes longer than I feel like. Then, and only then, will I feel like that memory can be erased.<br /><br />So what do I do now?<br />I go back to the track I was on.<br />I continue to pump myself up in the morning, tell myself it's going to be a beautiful day, brainstorm reasonable ways to make it so, and then make it so.<br />People often ask me what it is that keeps me going, the thing that motivates me.<br />It's more than a one word answer.<br />The secret, or not so secret, I hope, is that I only do things that I actually want to do.<br />Don't feel like doing dishes...but I want clean dishes, which feeling is stronger?<br />Okay I really really want clean dishes so that particular outcome is what I really want, therefore I do the dishes.<br />That's a simple example, yet a complex thought.<br />I don't really feel like running around doing a million and two errands.<br />But if I do everything I set out to do, it will make me happy. I will feel relaxed knowing there is not as much on my plate tomorrow.<br />So I do as much as I can, and I do so happily.<br />Even if I don't complete whatever it is I think will make me happy, I know I am one step closer to where I want to be, and farther away from where I started from.<br />It's a choice I make, every day. Go where I want to go, or choose to stay right here.<br />Sometimes taking a break is much needed. Unanswered e mails. A voicemail icon. Leaving the dishes in the damn sink. If that's what I want to do, that's what I do.<br />I've been doing it for weeks now. And now I want to go back to where I was.<br />So what does living with passion have to do with compassion?<br />Well when you live in such a way that your head isn't constantly stuck up your ass (hey I do that sometimes too) you are more aware. You are interested in being a listening ear, because you have specifically chosen the people in your life that you want to listen to. Surrounding yourself with only people whom you admire, enjoy, and add to your life, instead of bringing you down, makes it rather enjoyable to be a listening ear. You feel needed, but not drained.<br />My Internets mother Klonnie from <a href="http://theklonopinchronicles.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Klonopin Chronicles</a><br />often says "Namaste" at the end of most posts. "Namaste" means "the light in me, recognizes the light in you"<br />That, to me, is compassion and passion all wrapped up in one word.<br />If you are not keeping ablaze the light that is inside of you, then you are not going to be caring so much about anyone else. Which is a big deal because we were made to stick together. That's why cities have so many damn people in them. That's why people who live in the country tend to have big ass families.<br />This is elementary, you guys.<br /><br />I am not perfect. Sometimes I slip. Sometimes I zone out because I feel the crutch of exhaustion. But today, I am here. You are here. And that to me, keeps the light on."<br /><br /><br /><br />So tell me, what are your thoughts?<br />How do you live with passion?<br />How are you not?<br /><br />Oprah ended you guys, we have to stick together.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span></div>
Humblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12658097102335937843noreply@blogger.com8