Bringing back one of my fave blog posts to share with my new friends Let me know what you think!

I look around and there are so many moms that seem to have it all together. Their houses are clean, their kids are clean, they never lose their tempers or forget to put on make-up. They make up delicious recipes to serve their families every night of the week. And, of course, they eat at the kitchen table. Wow! They are so very balanced….or is it an act?

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying they are lying. But, do they really have it all together? Or are they just skilled at painting a pretty picture?

I wonder if I look like this from the outside? LOL, probably not! But, I’m sure that the way I seem as a mom and the reality are definitely at odds.

For example, today Aiden and I slept in. On a Tuesday–for no real reason other than we could. I won’t say what time it was when we got out of bed- but lets just say that we didn’t make breakfast, and our first meal probably didn’t even qualify as “brunch”. I’ve run around all morning trying to make it look like I’ve actually been up since 7:30. I’ve cleaned my house, dressed my little toot and even got dressed myself (minus the make-up). If you walked in now to see a clean house with me “working” away on my laptop and my little man riding his motorcycle around the house…you would think we were balanced. And I would let you think that.

Of course I want you to think I’m a great wife and mother, a dedicated housekeeper and that I am making a mental list of ingredients for a new recipe (one that I came up with on my own, of course!) in my head right now. But, that’s not the reality.

The reality is this:

• I stay up too late, and therefore sleep too late.
• I speed-clean more than I deep clean.
• Sometimes we eat Sloppy Joe’s for dinner.
• Sometimes we don’t get dressed until after noon.
• My son watches too much Nick Jr. most days.
• Sometimes I have really bad days and even lose my patience with my precious little man.

I’m not perfect.

The reality is this. I am balanced. It’s not an act. I am a perfect mix of perfection and flaw. To my husband, I am the wife he needs to balance him. He doesn’t mind Hamburger Helper now and then, because we are balanced where it is important. We stand together, face a disease with no answers, protect our son as best we can and love and respect each other no matter what. Our son is happy, silly, smart and beautiful. To him, I am Mommy. Is there any greater honor than that?

I don’t need to win admiration from my fellow moms and I don’t care if you are appalled at my lack of schedule and gourmet menu selection.

This is my life. Beautiful, chaotic, blessed, cursed, balanced or not… this is no act. This is my life.

Hey y’all!

It’s true…I’ve been MIA from Tales of the Toot for a bit, but not to worry!! I’m back on track here and always busy blogging on other fabulous sites around the WWW.

You can find me writing about being the Christian Mom of a Boy over at The M.O.B. Society where I recently wrote about a lot of things I don’t know…and a few things I do.

I’m reviewing tons of fun beauty products and writing about all things southern and sassy in my column “Lone Star State of Mind” at Southern Beauty Magazine.

I’m speaking from the heart about being a special needs mom at 5 Minutes for Special Needs.

And, as always, I’m writing about traveling with your special needs kiddo over at Traveling Mom.

I’ve recently joined the 31 Days to Build a Better Blog challenge with my friends the SITS Girls and BlogFrog and am determined to get back to blogging regularly. Thanks for hangin’ in there with us.

See! Told ya, I’d been busy!! Stay tuned cuz I have great news about my little Toot to tell y’all about and will have all the details from my trip to Lilith Fair in Cleveland, Ohio next week! Wooooot!!

ARGH!

Okay, so I missed Wordless Wednesday yesterday, but couldn’t resist sharing this cute pic with y’all! Hope you are having a blessed week!

Guess what? Rayovac just started a fun summer promotion full of fun and prizes and you could win too! From gift cards to battery gift packs, Rayovac has you covered for summer fun! I personally love Rayovac and recently started buying them in place of more expensive brands because I realized they lasted just as long and were much more affordable!

Visit the Rayovac Powers Your Summer Promotion and get in on the fun by clicking here. Head on over and answer today’s Summer Fun Inspiration question to enter and win!

The first 99 bloggers to promote the Rayovac Powers Your Summer Promotion won a prize package from Rayovac, what a great way to kick off this promotion!

Have a fun and safe summer!

-Christy

I told y’all that I joined the MOB, right?

Check out my MOB debut and let me know what you think.

The MOB Society (Mothers of Boys) website has just launched this month and is off to an awesome start! Over at The MOB Society we are encouraging each other to raise our boys in a way that is pleasing to God and prepares our boys to be strong, courageous men of strength, faith and love. Hey, it ain’t easy. But God thought we were qualified and who are we to argue, right? ; )

Come on over and check out my debut post today. Leave some comment love and come back to The MOB Society and Tales of the Toot often!

Have a blessed day!

-Christy

I haven’t posted here in a while. Many of you know that we have had a lot on our mind the past week or so. Aiden has been tentatively diagnosed with a rare bone disorder — to go with the rare kidney disorder. Oh joy! Seriously, can my baby catch a break? If the diagnosis is confirmed, chances are he will need surgery on both legs before he can have his kidney transplant.

To be honest, I wanted to throw my hands in the air and scream at anyone who would listen, God included. But the very same day that we got this “tentative” diagnosis Aiden , once again, taught ME something.

After the long car ride to and from Dallas, he was exhausted and had spent most of the ride there and back crying because his legs hurt after long periods of time in his car seat ( the pain is apparently a side-effect of the bone disorder). He was talking on the phone to my grandmother after we finally made it back home and one of the first things he asked her was, “Is PawPaw doing okay?” Nevermind his pain, nevermind 2 rare diagnoses and surgeries and trials to come…he was concerned about the well-being of those he loves. My heart swelled. Surely God has given me a rare gem of a child. I am blessed.

Later that night, after hooking up to his dialysis machine we said our prayers. “Now I lay me down to sleep…” After the “Amen” at the end, Aiden added “Praise you Jesus.” Again, my heart was full. Full of love for this little blessing that teaches me so much. Instead of dwelling on the difficulties, he opts to Praise You, Jesus. And so….I will too.

I honestly think that my son teaches me more than any adult ever has. I pray that I am teaching him invaluable lessons along the way too.

Pray for Aiden.

I never thought I would hear myself say that (or see my self type it). But yes, I am a proud member of the MOB…the MOB Society, that is.

And you can be too!

The M.O.B. Society (Moms of Boys) is for Moms of boys and by Moms of boys. I am proud to be a member and contributor of this great community of Christian mothers committed to training our boys up in the way they should go. We want to bring up boys who flourish into fearless Christian men and we could all use a little advice or support from time to time!

The site launches tomorrow: June 1st @ www.themobsociety.com and you can follow the MOB Society on Twitter @themobsociety

Hope to see you there!

Happy Memorial Day to all of our veterans and a very special thank you to all of the military and military families who serve so that we can remain free.

There are  few toys that are truly timeless. I remember playing tirelessly with Mr. Potato head as a child and it’s so much fun to watch my little guy do the same and join him when he lets me! For years, Mr. Potato Head has provided countless hours of play for many children.  He encourages use of the imagination, helps toddlers to understand anatomy and is great for helping those developing fine motor skills along.

My little guy has gone from putting ears atop Mr. Potato’s head (in his artistic stage) to now fully assembling and disassembling Mr. Potato Head in various get-ups just for fun. He’s even tried on Mr. Potato Head’s glasses himself!

The Mr. Potato Head Family recently introduced 3 new members: The charming PRINCESS SWEET POTATO figure comes complete with tiara and frog prince for royal adventures, and Firefighter Spud tater is ready to squelch flames with his handy fire extinguisher.  Swashbuckling spud CAPTAIN POTATO CHIPS figurine has a peg leg, eye patch, and hooked hand…ARGH! You will find a Mr. Potato Head that’s perfect for every little imagination in your home!

Mr. Potato Head can be found at most major retailers. And retails for approximately $9.99. Each figurine is sold separately. Mr. Potato Head is and will continue to be a classic!

The opinions in this post are my own. Mr. Potato Head was provided to me by the fun folks at Hasbro in exchange for and honest review. No other compensation was provided!