The Mississippi Momma

The last few days I have seen several news stories that have really been heavy on my heart. First, the baby found in a garbage bag in New York that had been there for THREE DAYS!! And then the baby that was just hours old found covered in ants in Texas. To me, as a mother, it sounds like something that is just unfathomable. Did these women not know of any resources available to help them? Did they not know of any churches they could go to for help? No co-workers or friends they could talk to? 

Where have we (I, as a woman) gone wrong? It breaks my heart that these women had no lifeline they could turn to for help. 

I recently heard a song by Cam, a country artist, that I have thought about almost every day since I heard. The words of the song said “no one gets to Heaven if anyone else is left behind”. Wow. What if that were true? No one else will get to Heaven if any one else gets left behind. Do you think we would treat others differently?

I am making a pledge this week to start volunteering more. Specifically for a cause that ministers to women and children. I pray that I can step up as a woman and leave no one behind and I challenge you to do the same. 

I will be praying for those women and the sweet babies they left behind. 

Take a listen here: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-lWzFHydzX8

Southern Women like to have their shit together, or at least have it appear that way. But how do they do it? Most of my Mississippi Momma friends manage to have a few kids, a full time job (other than the kids), and a husband to take care of (again, a full time job). On top of all of that, these Momma’s like to participate in numerous adult activities such as the Junior League, Junior Auxiliary, PTA functions, and the list goes on and on and on……

Here are just a few secrets I thought I would share to help you keep your sanity in our ever evolving worlds. 

1.  Get a hobby. It can be something small or big, but every momma needs something they enjoy doing that they can pour into. It can be jewelry making, sewing, coffee, shopping, or even blogging! Having an outlet will help you keep your sense of YOU. This is something I see way to many momma’s put on the back burner. I struggle with this a lot my first year as a mom. I had to figure out how to mesh the person I was before becoming a mom with the person I was after and having a few small hobbies helped me do just that. 

2. Relax. This is another simple one but sometimes hard to do. My priorities shifted so quickly after becoming a mom and the stuff I would stress about before seemed like small dots on the bigger picture. I find myself taking deep breaths throughout the day and asking myself “does this really matter”? Recently something happened that normally I would have lost my cool about but when it happened I just took a breath and went about my day. Even my husband noticed that I did not react the way he would have expected. So take a breath, count to 10 (or 20, or 30….) and don’t sweat the small stuff. 

3. Develop relationships. The great news is – we are all in this together!! I would not have made it through the first few months of motherhood without the love and support from all my friends!! From serious topics to silly questions, I relied on my close circle of friends to help me out. We ate lunch, we laughed, we cried and I don’t know what I would have done without each and every one of them! 

5. Carpe Diem (Seize the Day)!! This is my life’s mantra. I try to remind myself every single day to live like it was your last. Now, if today was my last day – would I really go in to work? Probably not but I do make sure to kiss my husband and baby and tell them how much I love them. I try not worry about the laundry when I get home but more about spending time outside swinging and enjoying all the blessings that God has given me. 

Happy Friday Y’all! 

First off – I LOVE GARDEN & GUN magazine. It’s one of the few magazines I actually subscribe to. It just “gets” life in the south. 

I recently came across this article and I wanted to share. It’s not anything we didn’t already know but it was as if they took the words right out of my mouth!

Southern Women

Anyone that has grown up in Mississippi and moved, or traveled, away will realize very quickly that “it ain’t the same”. It doesn’t feel like home. There’s no place like it anywhere in the world. Mississippi has its flaws (who doesn’t) but if it has one thing going for it, it’s the people! Mamma an’ them are some of the most generous and caring people you will ever meet…..that is as long as you don’t cross them (or their children). 

So take a moment today to be thankful for roots! Embrace them and BLESS YOUR HEART!

Well we’ve made it half way through the year and that can only mean one thing – time to start shopping for holiday outfits!

I don’t know about you all, but I have to carry around this handy list so that I can reference my child’s size that corresponds with the appropriate holiday. Cause Lord knows I can’t remember!! Especially now, with all the resale groups – sometimes you only have half a second to claim your outfit. You have to type your PayPal email like the holiday depends on it! I’ve even considered getting a shorter email for a quicker reaction time. I’m talking about split second decisions that could affect your child for months. 

Will all joking aside, if you have kids and are from central Mississippi or surrounding areas you know about the Little Feet Consignent Sale put on by First Baptist Jackson!! I live for this sale twice a year – constantly checking their Facebook page to see when the next sale is going to be. And then I start saving! This sale is prime for cute holiday outfits at amazing prices all while supporting missions. It’s a win-win! Check them out on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/littlefeetchildrensconsignment/

Smocking, monograms, and appliqués are the stuff this Mississippi Momma dreams of! 

So whether or not you will start buying now – or wait a few months – Happy Shopping! I can’t waist to see all your holiday post with your sweet babies! 

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