The Calm Before The...

Blizzard...

On the local news they said it would be the worst winter storm in years...

17.5 inches...

The town is shutting down...

Stores are filled with people stocking their shelves...

The Missouri National Guard has been activated...

Schools are already closed...

Do I dare try to make it to work tomorrow?

Will I make it home?

Visibility will be less than a quarter of a mile with whiteout conditions...

I have a feeling tomorrow will be a snow day...

January Weather In The Midwest...

Two Weeks Ago...

Yesterday...

This week... 

Tuesday, February 1st...

High 26...

Low 8...

Celebrity Looks for the Non-Celebrity...

Kim's Style...

Kardashian by amandastreight featuring bead necklaces

Women: Women's The Dreamer Boot-Cut Jeans - Chrissie
$35 - oldnavy.gap.com
Bootcut jeans »

Crinkled Handle Handbag
$40 - canada.forever21.com
Shoulder strap bag »

Forever21.com - Accessories - Jewelry - 1062337067
$4.80 - forever21.com
Bead necklaces »

Amazon.com: Kenneth Cole Reaction KC1069 Aviator Sunglasses: Clothing
$30 - amazon.com

New York & Company - View All - Tiered Chiffon Tank
$27 - nyandcompany.com

FashionPosh.com, Womens Jackets and Coats, Womens Sweaters and...
fashionposh.com

Dear Anonymous...

I apologize for responding publically but unfortunately you did not provide an alternative form of contact...

You commented on my Tug of War post saying...

"You have kids, you make sacrifices. Whining just makes you look unprofessional. Have you ever considered this very blog could put that very job in jeopardy? It's possible. Not every reader is a mom and/or friend."

I want to begin by thanking you for taking the time to read my modest blog...

With that being said...

 This blog is MINE and part of it being mine means I write about MY life...

This constant struggle between work and children is a part of MY life and I will not apologize for using MY blog to visit this issue...

I do not use details of my job and am comfortable with the content of my post...

I am fully aware that becoming a mother means I make sacrifices {Hence, returning to my hometown} but I will NOT sacrifice at my family's expense...

I am sorry you are not a Mom/Friend...

If you were you would have a better understanding of this post...

It is easier to judge when you have NOT walked in someone else's shoes...

Though I do appreciate your interest in my blog...

This might not be the blog for you...

Sincerely...

Oh Kam...

You are our baby...

All of your clumsy...

Blue-eyed...

Fit throwing ways...

Are ours...

Your NEED to brush your teeth no fewer than 5 times a day...

Your curiosity and innocence...

Your love of food...

Your snuggles...

You...

Daddy's baby...

Mommy's baby...

Aidan's baby...

Thank you for making our family complete...

Tug Of War...

As a working Mom I can honestly say...

My life is in a constant tug of war...

Prior to having children...

I was on the fast track...

Promoted after a few short years of being employed...

Once I got pregnant with Aidan Kale I chose to return to a job {within the agency} that would put me closer to family...

And though the job is something I have outgrown...

It is the best decision for my little family...

However...

That doesn't mean my work and personal life always mesh...

Example #1...

When I had Aidan Kale I had my leave planned perfectly...

6 weeks of sick leave...

2 weeks of annual leave...
Until...

 We found out he had Hirschsprung's Disease...

We were in and out of the hospital from the time he was 2 weeks old...

We have had numerous trips to Children's Mercy...

Trips to the Emergency Room...

Plus all the other routine sickness...

Ear infections...

Flu...

So when I became pregnant with Kamden...

I had to take 6 weeks advanced sick leave for maternity leave...

And one week of vacation...

Leaving very little leave when I returned...

With that being said...

I am still incredibly blessed to have a husband and in-laws who share in caring for sick kiddos...

Example #2...

I always feel incredibly guilty when I ask off because I have such a small amount of leave...

But I am adamant that family comes first...

So when Aidan has pre-school parties and programs...

I am there...

When Papa calls because Kam is running a fever and Keegan is in class...

I am there...

And when my 23 month old is screaming, crying at the back door as I try to leave at 7:25 am...

My husband is in the shower...

I have training at 8 am {can normally be at work as late as 8:45 am}...

And I have a 30 minute commute...

I will probably arrive at work a few minutes after 8:00 am...

Though I can make up the training...

I am required to take 15 minutes annual leave for arriving 3 minutes after 8:00 am...

I am NOT kidding...

So honestly it is a lose - lose situation...

Kam is crying...

My manager is upset...

And I have 15 minutes less leave {as you remember I don't have a lot anyway}...

You tell me...

Does this seem fair?

When I can actually make up the training...

When I probably only missed two minutes...

Yes I am venting...

Yes, technically I could file bankruptcy and stay at home...

But you would think a work place would be a little more flexible with someone who has worked for the agency for TEN years...

Ok...

I'm done...

Thanks for listening...

Read the Signs...

AM

Going

Yeah!

The clerk chuckled...

Said they would put me back in the pool of jurors...

They don't normally issue warrants for missing jury duty...

So I am assuming the Sheriff I talked to on Sunday was probably laughing like crazy when he told me I might have a warrant out for my arrest...

Sigh...

Thank you for all your concern and well wishes...

I am FREE!

P.S. My husband is grounded from listening to the answering machine messages...

Fun in the Snow...

What To Wear On Date Night...

Sequin shorts ~ Charlotte Russe ~ $10.00

Shiny black tights ~ JCPenney ~ $5.60

Peep Toe Ankle Boots ~ Charlotte Russe ~ $10.00

Puffed Sleeve Black Turtleneck ~ JCPenney ~ $8.00

Necklace ~ Premier Designs Silver Moon ~ $59.00

Watch ~ Geneva ~ Ebay $11.00

{Daddy dressed Aidan Kale:)}

Jury Duty...

So before Christmas I received information in the mail that I had been chosen for Jury Duty...

I had to fill out the enclosed form and mail it back...

The letter specifically stated I was NOT supposed to report for duty unless I was called...

So here it is January 22nd...

And I have not been summoned...

{NOT that I would mind missing a day or so of work}...

Instead I finally got the last of my Christmas {yes, you heard correctly} decorations put away...

And found homes for all the new toys...

I also cleared the answering machine of all the messages my husband listens to but deems NOT important enough to tell me...

And I heard this...

This is Deputy Sheriff, blah blah, you have been chosen for Jury duty...

You should report on January 4th, blah blah...

My heart stopped...

I broke out in a cold sweat...

After a few phone calls...

{one not so nice one to my husband}...

I was told there MIGHT be a warrant out for my arrest...

If there was and I came down to find out...

I would go to JAIL...

I would probably need an attorney...

 And would probably have a fine...

So much for which to look forward...
Cute clothes...
Good food...
Comfy bed...
A roommate who might or might not be a murderer...

I can hardly wait...