Wordless Wednesday Splish Splashin'

Just Relaxin' with my Sister in the Pool



For more Wordless Wednesday's head over to A Daily Dose of Toni, 5 Mins for Mom, Ordinary and Awesome, and 7 Clown Circus.

BlogHer Conference Nightmare!

I forgot to pack my shoes!

I missed my flight!

I lost my purse!

I dropped my laptop to millions of pieces!

This was the nightmare that never ended last night. Seriously, I'm really NOT that nervous about this conference, but I guess the tiny corner of my brain that houses my worst fears, like my car falling off a bridge and me drowning, is making sure I have all my priorities in line for Chicago.

I'm thrilled to work with an AMAZING company, meet the bloggy friends whom I've come to love in the last year, and meet everyone else who thinks blogging and social networking is more important than the playdate you were invited to by the soccer mom next door. For once, having my laptop open, typing, tweeting, drinking coffee, and having a conversation at the same time will be "The Norm" amoungst 1,200 other women.

For once.

It's really a funny thing because, in real life, most of my friends and family don't blog, don't understand social media marketing, or know the importance of Tweetdeck. So, I feel like the Geeky Weirdo who has a need for a local "Laptop AA Group".

But back to my freak-out regarding the biggest blogging conference of the year. I keep thinking I'm forgetting something, but all in all.... it's done, besides the wardrobe, which I fully intend on taking care of this week. Thanks to a few tips from Motherhood Uncensored.

My favorite tips?

1.) Hoard Food- I'm not one that needs food every second of the day. I mean, I can skip a meal or two and be fine, but I get a little grouchy when hungry. The sweet Momma from, My Sippy Cup Runneth Over will, all of a sudden, turn into the Monster Blogger who backslapped the blogger in the elevator because she was munching on a bag of chips in the elevator and wouldn't share.

2.) It's a Conference, not a Red Carpet. Dress Accordingly- I like dressing up. In fact, being a SAHM to three little ones, I rarely have the chance to dress up. So, yes, I'm going to try and look best with my Spanx and cocktail dress, but I don't have any plans to over do it. My anxiety on whether or not I'll be dressed the part has all of a sudden vanished into smoggy, Exxon infused Baytown thin air.

3.) You don't need to go to everything. In fact, it might not be humanly possible.- I was wondering when someone would say this. I keep getting emails from party hosts, PR companies, and bloggy friends asking me if I'm going to this party or that party. Geez! How many parties can I RSVP to for one night? And do I have to? Why can't I hit a few, grab up some sweet swag, meet blog celebrities, then hit the local food joint for some drinks and convo with other bloggers?

So, BlogHer '09 is, literally, right around the corner.

I'm anxious.

I'm excited.

And I'm DAMN (yes, I just said Damn) ready!

Thankful Thursday Attitude Adjustment

It's Thankful Thursday and as I sit at the kitchen table with my laptop, blackberry, and cup of coffee I'm thankful for:

My husband.



I know that's an easy one, but he seems to balance me when I need it most. This week I was extremely stressed out, tired, and just plain ole' aggravated. I blame it on the heat and my lack of appetite, but he finally told me this:

"Sara, I don't always DO something fun, but I have fun doing whatever it is I'm doing."

It's true! He tries to have fun no matter what's going on.

Got a toddler throwing himself on the floor in the middle of a busy mall? Hubby is having fun while he slowly carries him away.

Working outside in 100+ degree weather with a hardhat, steel-toe boots, and heavy gear? Hubby is having fun climbing each shore tank while he guzzles his Powerade.

Driving miles back and forth with stinky chemicals in the back of your SUV? Hubby is having fun with the windows down, air conditioner blowing full blast (Yes, it's that hot), and old country music blaring.

Getting out of work late? Date Night starts later than expected? Hubby is having fun while he finishes his paper work, winks at his wife (hot wife I might add), and takes her to a first class dinner at the only place that's open.

Denny's.



It's all in the attitude and I'm Thankful for the man that helps me adjust mine when it stinks like sour milk.

Perfect Balance.

Wordless Wednesday Sibling Rivalry

Apparently, we're fighting to see who can smile the BIGGEST. I think I win.



For more Wordless Wednesday's head over to A Daily Dose of Toni, 5 Mins for Mom, Ordinary and Awesome, and Keeper of the Cheerios.

I've Been Labeled the Milky Minutes Mom

I'm a Young, Hip, Momma.

At least I like to think so.

We were hitting bed time the other night, when I saw my 5 year old daughter with butt loads of candy on the table. She was just smacking away like it was nobody's business, without consideration of even ASKING me if she could have candy late in the evening.

By the time I turned around my two sons grabbed up some sweets and were chopping like cows in a pasture. My Momma X-Ray vision could actually see the cavities popping into each one of their little tiny teeth along with a sugar rush that resembled a shooting star zooming straight to their head.

Without hesitation, I told them with my stern voice that there would NOT be any more snacks for the rest of the night, something that is unheard of to them since moving to TX. And you KNOW what I mean Ganee! They have their very own GINORMOUS snack box that my Mother-In-Law puts together for them with overflowing Kit-Kats, Gummy Worms, Baby Bottle Pops, and anything else a child would want. Seriously. If you're in town, hit Ganee's snack box and you'll be set.

So, it's my job at my Parent's house (where we're staying until we find a house), to keep my children in line, especially in the nutrition department. This particular night, I finished my 15 second lecture on why we can't have any more snacks and pointed at each child making sure they understood.

My job for the night is done.

I'm confident in my finger pointing skills.

Then I hear, "Sara's the minute lady!" This coming from my Mom to my sister, I knew exactly which "Minute Lady" she was talking about. Take a look:



So, as much as I don't want to sound like an AT&T spokesperson (I'm a happy Verizon customer), I actually see how my family would label me as the Milky Minutes Mom.

I've got both the finger pointing and Momma voice down pat.

Yup.

It's an acquired skill.

Dwelling in a Boiling Pot of Water

I recently moved from Memphis back to my hometown of Baytown, TX. I'm overly thrilled to be around my family again and have been inhaling old memories as I drive around the town.

It's been so much fun giving the kids a picture of my childhood, showing them where I used to hang out, the library where I "studied", and my old High School, Robert E. Lee.



My husband recently landed a job here completely off the career path he WAS following. This new company is family oriented, goal minded, and well.. just good ole' Southern guys who want to make a living and have fun doing it. I'm so proud of him and am very confident this is the right step for our young family.

While I'm enjoying my hometown, there is this little factor that makes me day dream of Memphis Winters and it's a little thing I like to call the forecast:



Yup.

The High yesterday in Houston reached 104, which is the hottest temperature ever recorded in the month of June, but get this.... the Heat Index topped 108!!! Hay Chihuahua!

Yuck.

Mix in a little Gulf Coast humidity and you've got, you guessed it:



I think I'll turn down the heat and simmer a bit on the couch.

Wordless Wednesday Sleepy Girl

Abby pretending to be asleep so I won't take her picture



For more Wordless Fun: 5 Mins for Mom, Ordinary and Awesome, WW HeadQuarters, 7 Clown Circus, and
Keeper of the Cheerios

Testosterone Day at Dunkin'

This year Father's Day is a little chaotic.

Instead of enjoying a nice lunch out with my Dad, showering my husband with gifts and kisses from the kids, or playing Ladder Ball with my Father-in-Law, I'm sitting at Dunkin' Donuts.

By Myself.

Yup.

It's all for good reason though. We made a late night trip from TX to Memphis, TN on Friday to pack up our house. We're moving, Hubby found a job, and we get to enjoy our family again (along with the blanket of humidity that TX offers on a daily basis).

Dunkin' Donuts has free Wi-Fi. Since my internet is off at home, I was hungry, and I had to announce Label Daddy Dad Blogger of the Year, I decided to enjoy some Jelly Munchkins, a sweet tea, and a little Laptop Time.

Don't worry, I'll join hubby in about 10 more minutes to finish packing the kids toys, my dishes, and all of what defines the Patterson Household. I wanted to tell all those amazing Dad's out there, Happy Father's Day!

Your job is so difficult, being a provider, wrestler, and ball catcher. You cook, sometimes clean, and mow the grass like a pro. You take on all the hard jobs that us Mommas can't do, such as this:



Nothing says Birds and Bee's like Dunkin' Donuts and a Pre-Teen Son who wishes he could be ANYWHERE, but here.