Wordless Wednesday: He Loves Me Even When I Don't Deserve It.

So yeah, this...

I'm still alive just simply buried under boxes, clutter and that rain I was talking about. (Although literal rain has now decided to join the fun!)

Once I deal with all this, I'll be back in full force to explain myself.

Wordless Wednesday: iPhone Photo Dump (Road Trip Edition)

iPhone Photo Dump photos are taken on the Instagram app and dropped into a 12x12 collage using Photobucket. Follow "samkanatzar" to catch my feed!

I Need An Umbrella

I need to build an Ark.

Why?

Lately when it rains it freaking pours. I mean full-out monsoon, cover-the-earth, flooding. It sinks in the "I want to stomp my foot and pout" kind of way.

If you follow me on Twitter than you know that I am currently out of town for the holiday. Between that and the elementary school temper tantrum I am throwing, I might be a little absent. I'm desperately trying to keep dry, figuratively speaking, and I know I need to look on the bright side. Especially because I have so much to be thankful for.

But for now? Throwing myself down on the bed feels better.

So I leave you with this (and promise to share as soon as I can get out of the ice cream.)

Because it has always been us against the world.

Kid Leashes and Other Stigmas

I used to be one of those people.

You know, the person who cringes whenever a family with a baby (or any children for that matter) sits next to you on an airplane, in a restaurant or anywhere really.

One of those people who rolled their eyes when a baby started to cry in public and the mom didn't get up and leave immediately. I actually uttered words like "I'll never take my newborn out to dinner" or "I won't take my children anywhere until they are old enough to understand how to behave." Ya, I was an asshat.

Well, I am eating me words again.

We enjoy continuing our life like it was before Jackson came along. Of course, it is a modified version but why shouldn't we enjoy dinner together as a family at a restaurant or travel?

I like to think that we are respectful of others' personal space but we always were even pre-baby. We clean up after our messy eater and tip nicely but we always did even pre-baby.

So anytime I see someone rolling their eyes at our family when we sit down next to them, I cut them some slack. Not everyone lets their kids run wild without boundaries and not every child is misbehaving if they cry. I'm eager to show people that just because we have a baby doesn't mean we have to live under a rock.

I'll respect your family if you respect mine.

---
Do you get "looks" when you bring your kids out in public?

No kids? How do you deal with encountering families in public?

Wordless Wednesday: Arkansas Sunrise

Hitting the Road

Just as soon as I figure out this contraption for going in and out of the house, we are out of here.

Where are we going?

Mama said we are going to visit the place where I was born all while celebrating some holiday about a bird and being thankful. I don't know anything about a bird but I'm excited to eat all the food she keeps talking about.

Mama also keeps mentioning some guy name PaPaw. What the heck kind of name is PaPaw? He sounds funny and kind of familiar; I think he is the goofy old guy we talk to on the computer sometimes.

She promises to keep in touch with all of our bloggy friends. Don't worry, I won't let her forget! After all, my cuteness can not be contained.

Now, anyone want to get the door for me? Anyone?

Wordless Wednesday: Show Me How

Those Eyes Can't See

My face burns hotter with each thump the toy makes as it rolls across the floor. Most would laugh it off, he is only a baby after all. But those eyes were already staring long before little man decided to play toss.

I pick up the toy, gently reminding Jackson that we don't throw things or they get taken away and continue pushing the cart of groceries. The beady eyes follow me through the store, sometimes pitying but mostly criticizing.

I know to most I look like another sad statistic but in reality I find myself blessed with my ability to make my own choices. Even if my choices are different from most of those my age.

Those eyes conveniently miss my wedding band and overlook the loving way I play peek-a-boo in between aisles. All they see is young, both me and my son.

No one questions out loud but they don't have too; I grit my teeth when I hear the whispers as I pass. How can something so petty and incorrect weigh so heavy on my mind?

Because I see too.

I see how to doctor reacts when I attend an appointment for contraceptives. (I must not want another mistake, huh?)

I see how employees go out of their way to lend me a hand. (I must be all alone and sad, huh?)

I see how people give advice. (I must not have a clue on what I am doing, huh?)

Those eyes? They miss the giggles, games and genuine love that passes between us.

Those eyes? They miss our family dinners, daily walks and bedtime stories.

Those eyes? See only what they want too.

Those eyes? Shame me into being embarrassed for nothing. I don't regret my choice to have a family. I don't regret my greatest pride.

Those eyes? Can stare at me every day of my life.

**
Linking up with Just.Be.Enough. Today's topic is "What do you NOT regret?" Check out the other stories. (I promise you won't regret it!)

Begin and End With Love

"We love you, little man!"

"Did you have sweet dreams? Tell me about your dreams!"

"Say good morning to your puppies!"

"Mojo, don't lick him in the mouth."

"Jackson don't feed the dogs."

"Hold still."

"Maya quit eating Mojo's food."

"Jackson, we don't eat dog food."

"Jackson, stay away from the outlet."

"Jackson, don't pull that cord!"

"Would you like a ba-ba?"

"Dogs, let's go outside."

"It's time for a nap, a nappy-nappy-nap."

"Maya! Mojo! No wrestling."

"Did you have a good nap little man?"

"Are those grapes good?"

"This little piggy went to market."

"Jackson we don't eat dog food."

"Jackson stay away from the outlet"

"Rubber ducky, you're the one!"

"Mojo, get out of the bathroom."

"Mojo, no licking him!"

"Clean-up, clean-up, everybody do your share!"

"Time to go to sleep, sleepy-sleepy sleep."

"Sweet dreams!"

"We love you, little man!"

Wordless Wednesday: Standing On My Own Two Feet