30 Days, 30 Ways: Day 4

As most of you know, Ella donated her hair two years ago, and she is set to donate again next October. As it stands now, her hair is pretty long, and we're in a hair rut.

Thankfully, I found a great bunch of tutorials over here, and we're determined to make our way through them!

Day 4: Twisted bangs.

We used: a comb, some bobby pins and a big flower clip (that came from Family Dollar in case anybody wants to buy one).

Ella's verdict: "I love it!" (and as you can see, she's totally getting into the posing for the pictures, ha)

30 Days, 30 Ways: Day 3

As most of you know, Ella donated her hair two years ago. She's set to donate again next October. As it stands right now, her hair is really long (and wild), and quite frankly, we're bored with the same old hair routine.

I found a spiffy group of tutorials called 30 Days, 30 Ways and we are determined to make it all the way through the 30 days, no matter what!!!

Day 3: Teasing for the Bump

We used: A comb, some bobby pins,  some hairspray, an elastic (it called for a clear elastic, but Ella's hair snaps those in half on the regular) and a headband.

Ella's verdict: "I love it! Even the creepy little bump!"

30 days, 30 ways: Day 2

As most of you know, Ella donated her hair two years ago. She's set to donate again next October. As it stands right now, her hair is pretty long.

To deal with hair boredom, we found an awesome tutorial group on a blog. The group is called 30 Days, 30 Ways and we're determined to follow it all the way through. Wish us luck! 

Day 2: Center part, side twists, criss-crossed bobby pins. 

Ella's verdict: "It's pretty, but I don't usually part my hair like that. Also, hair gel is weird!" (Amen, honey, Amen!) 

30 days, 30 ways

As most of you know, my daughter Ella donated her hair two years ago. She's set to donate again next October...right now, her hair is pretty long.

It's also hard to know what the heck we're going to do with it on any given day. Right now, it's: down, up, ponytail, bun, braid.
Yawn.
We found a lovely bunch of tutorials on a blog called 30 Days, 30 Ways  and we are all in! We may give some of these a creative twist, but we are in!

I'm not going to write out the tutorials, just take a picture of the hairstyle and give Ella's verdict on it. (After all, this has to be done somewhere between school and work, and neither of us has time for more than a quick snap)



So...day 1: Loose curls

We used: a curling iron, and a hairbow

Ella's verdict: "I like it! A lot!"

An Open Letter to my Fellow Mamas...

Dear Mama:

You're weary. You're tired. Your clothes are probably rumpled and the laundry is probably piling up. If you're like me, you're avoiding said laundry like the plague. The dust bunnies are running rampant, and you just want a cup of tea, a book, and an early bedtime.

It's hard, this Mom Life. You're constantly running around behind the scenes, making sure everybody is loved, and fed, and cared for. Meanwhile, you're living on Cheerios and coffee and sometimes, you're running on empty.

It's so easy to fall into the trap of "nobody appreciates what I do, nobody loves me." I know. I've been down that road many, many times. I have an amazing husband who's put up with me for nearly 12 (12!!!!) years, who I know for a fact DOES appreciate what I do (because he tells me all.the.time), but I have moments where the self-pity takes over and all of a sudden, NOBODY loves me and NOBODY understands.

Last week, I was having one of those weeks. I'm constantly overworked, both at home and at work. One morning, I sat down to devotions and thought, "Nobody loves me." Not surprisingly, nearly every verse I read reinforced the love of God.

God loves me. He loves you. We are precious to Him. The love He has for us is incredible. Immeasurable. Nothing else compares.

You know what else, Mama?

God created US to love, despite our grouchy days and less than perfect attitudes. Us Moms are wonderful, and nurturing, even though we don't always feel like it. And we pass that love unto our kids. And they love us in return. They show that with every dandelion picked, every little pebble they pick up on a walk and hand to us.

So, Mama...
when you are down and weary...
when it seems like absolutely nothing is going your way...
when you feel like nobody loves you...

You are precious.
You are loved.

36/52

36/52: Front porch sittin' :)

36/52, Sunday. You probably can't see it, but I trimmed her hair yesterday. It's gettin' wild!

35/52

35/52: On an evening walk

35/52, Sunday: Her prairie girl dress :)