According to Kris

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Some of the best candids from our every day life are captured by my husband. Sadly, most go unseen! Thanks to Julie and Greta I now have a reason each week to demand that Kris cleans out his iPhone.

A Boy and His Pool: A Bedtime Story

He is fresh out of the bath, the wrinkles on his feet act as proof. But still - his nose is pushed up against the sliding glass door that leads to the porch.

"Mama."

I hear his finger knock against the glass. He is pointing, showing me where his pool and water toys await for another day.

Bedtime is just around the corner but the sunshine is supporting little man's want to revisit his splash pad.

"Mama."

I try and coax him into the nursery so we can start the routine: lotion, pajamas, milk, tooth brush, books. He takes my hand and walks me to the porch. His finger makes a ting on the glass as he points to his pool.

"Mama."

I sigh and push back the blinds, letting Jackson run out to his pool. My toddler could live in the water and at 7:00 p.m. the temperature is still record breaking.

Hot enough that it calls for another round in the pool and a Popsicle - even if it is past bedtime and we have already had a bath.

Family Summer of Fun: Farmer's Market & Splash Park

It was the day of no naps - as is evident from the look on little man's face - but we were determined to start on our Family Summer of Fun list by hitting the farmer's market and the splash park.

Our beverages of choice at the local farmer's market may have not been kid-friendly, but Kris and I enjoyed sampling local brews while Jackson lounged in his stroller, watching all of the booths roll by. Some locals were picking away on various string instruments and the people watching made up for the fact that we had missed the BBQ sampling.

We decided to ignore the fact that what we had just spent on three beers could have bought us a 12 pack of good ole' Bud Light. After all, it was more about the experience, right?

The splash park was the perfect way to make it up to Jackson for the stroller confinement and crowds at the market. He ran for a good hour - smacking each squirt of water before it could spray him. His mind was blown and he even convinced Dada to get in.

An entire day of family fun for the price of three beers. That is a win in my book!

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Make sure to check out the other posts from our family summer of fun!

My Life.

Ever feel like you're being kicked when you're down? Kris and I are decent people I like to think; however, the odds seem stacked against us right now. Nothing alarming or anything I am ready to share at this moment but let us just say that things are stressful over at the Life As Wife household.

Luckily my little family is everything. I make no qualms about it - my son and husband come first without apologies. I'm washing my hands of any hatefulness in our lives.

For now - this little face is pushing me forward.

What pushes you forward when you're having a hard time?

Father's Day Two Days Late

It is appropriate that this Father's Day themed post is now two days later than the designated write about how great of a dad your husband is post. We march to the beat of our own drum around here and quite frankly - I don't want to tell the world how great of a dad my husband is on the same day that everyone else does.

Kris? Deserves his own day. Any day will do. In fact, a random day is better! People should be celebrated on days that they least expect it.

On this day, I poke my head around the bathroom door to witness the giggles erupting over running water. We have recently introduced little man to a tooth brush, a chore in my eyes that Kris quickly turns into a great adventure. So much in fact that I secretly wish that I hadn't volunteered to clean up breakfast.



Jackson's watchful stare mimics everything Dada does with extreme precession. They are both rhythmic in their movements, a true mirror of each other in every sense of the word.

A smile and a ruffle of his hair is all the approval he needs if it comes from his Dada. I turn back toward the kitchen as I hear "Good job son."

The celebration of fatherhood? Deserves acknowledgement in those tiny moments - moments so wrapped in simplicity that they ooze perfection.

So I am wishing Kris happy Father's Day today, two days late. Because he is special every day.

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Life Lately

Jackson got his first not-done-by-mama haircut and he was amazingly angelic. If only he was like that around 4 p.m. every day.

We woke up early to meet friends for breakfast as they drove past our town.

Clearly, Jackson was so excited to meet Bobby and Lacey that we were not driving fast enough for his taste and he tried to take over.

After almost three years - Kris' fraternity brother Bobby got to meet Jackson.

(He normally doesn't look like that - he had just left Bonaroo Music Festival hence the mustache.)

We also apparently now have a teenager not a 15-month-old. Little man's newest thing? Raising hell if he has to sit in his high chair. So, he eats at the table like a big boy. Blows. My. Mind.

Oh - and this happened. Anyone have a vehicle for sale?

Sledding

I hadn't been to see my mom in over a week and I felt terrible. This weekend I made it a point to spend some time with her and I plan to take her to see Rock of Ages when it comes out next weekend. She loves that type of music and we both enjoy musicals.

Why was it so hard to go visit her lately?

My mom recently had a scary fall and since then has lost her confidence. She has slowly become more lost inside herself - her speech, moment and reactions are worse. It is heartbreaking.

She seems to be sledding. She was on a plateau - balancing on her sled nicely. Suddenly, it is like she leaned forward and shot off down the hill. The scary part is we don't know how steep the hill is or how fast the sled is going or will go.

But progression? It is happening.

I love the snow but I hope her sled ride is a long one.

If I Could Turn Back Time

It hasn't been that long since I was 18.

Six years. That is it.

So much has happened in that six years though and every road I have traveled loops back to that time one way or another.

Will you come read my letter to my 18-year-old self over at Chosen Chaos? 

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Have you entered the giveaways for my #BlogBash yet? Three different prizes, three winners!

Blog Bash, Part III

Oh highs and lows - I have had both since starting this journey with my blog. I have shared my lows with you all but I also have experienced many, many positive things.

Like being the featured blogger for a community of over 40,000 women. That feature eventually led to my being a forum lead and blog contributor for the SITS Girls. Connections are an amazing thing.

But not everything goes as planned. I recently entered my writing into a blogging contest to win an amazing conference sponsorship. I was not selected and was pretty upset. However everything happens for a reason and I created an amazing contact (and met a great friend!) by entering that contest.

The final item in my Blog Bash celebration is a prize pack from Brica. The amazing company that I have had the pleasure of getting to know thanks to something I thought was a failure. This Parent on the Go prize pack is to remind you all to keep going after your dreams - and always pick yourself back up.

Brica | Facebook | Twitter

To enter to win the Brica Phone Pod and Fold and Go Travel Booster simply use the Rafflecopter form below to like Brica on Twitter. For extra entries you can tweet this giveaway.

a'>http://www.rafflecopter.com">a Rafflecopter giveaway

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This giveaway is a part of my #BlogBash celebration for my two year blog anniversary. Thank you for sharing in our adventures, cheers!

Special thanks to Brica for parterning with me and supplying this amazing prize!

Make sure to check out Blog Bash Part I and Part II for the chance to win other great prizes!

Blog Bash, Part II

A common theme that I have noticed throughout the blogging community is that most of us (especially moms) don't take enough time to do nice things for ourselves. We are so busy taking care of our children, homes and husbands that we spend way too much time in yoga pants. (Wait, is that just me?) I know I always tend to look forward to my birthday and special occasions because they can quickly become the best days ever!

While there is nothing wrong with choosing to be a stay-at-home-mom, I love seeing other women branch out, start their own businesses, keep working and still cultivate those important relationships. So, for Part II of Blog Bash I am teaming up with Brittany and her amazing shop Peas and Carrots for an accessory themed prize.

Peas and Carrots Shop | Twitter | Facebook | Blog

One lucky reader will win a one month membership to The 'N' List - a membership based, monthly gift box of goodies from Peas and Carrots shop. (Think Birch box but necklaces, bows, wreaths, and the like!) The winner will have the option to customize their membership for boys, ladies, girls or a combination of any for their items.

All you have to do is tell me what Life As Wife post is your favorite (feel free to leave a link!) For an additional entry you can share the news on Twitter. Fill out the Rafflecopter form below!
a'>http://www.rafflecopter.com">a Rafflecopter giveaway

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This giveaway is a part of my #BlogBash celebration for my two year blog anniversary. Thank you for sharing in our adventures, cheers!

Special thanks to Naturally Estes' Shop Peas and Carrots for partnering with me and supplying this amazing prize!

Make sure to check out Blog Bash, Part I for another chance to win.

Blog Bash, Part I

When I first started blogging it was strictly for me, about me.

My family.

My place to vent.

My creative outlet.

My writing.

Mine. Me.

Then I discovered the support that is the blogging community and realized it is about way more than me. Yes Life As Wife is still my space but some of my favorite post have been inspired by other great bloggers and this community. It really is about US.

Like this post where I struggled with the perception others had of me as a mother. Or when I talked about being both the new me and old me. I have learned a lot of things along the way too.

So on my two year blogging anniversary, I am giving back. To you, the readers and other bloggers, who have supported me on this crazy adventure. Starting with a custom blog design from Kimberly Muro Design so you can join this amazing community too!

Kimberly Muro Design | Twitter | Facebook

One lucky reader will win: a custom header, custom coordinating background, custom blog button with grab code box, social media icons (RSS, Twitter, Facebook, Email, Pinterest, and up to 3 additional), post signature, favicon, sidebar titles, branded Twitter background and Facebook branded cover photo. That is a $245 value!

All you have to do is tell me what Life As Wife post is your favorite (feel free to leave a link!) For an additional entry you can share the news on Twitter. Fill out the Rafflecopter form below!
a'>http://www.rafflecopter.com">a Rafflecopter giveaway

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This giveaway is a part of my #BlogBash celebration for my two year blog anniversary. Thank you for sharing in our adventures, cheers!

Special thanks to Kimberly Muro Design for partnering with me and supplying this amazing prize!