I'm a mom.

I'm a mom. Complete with a large car, some bod-frumpy-lumps, top knot go-to hair, active wear on the daily, coffee in hand...

its not a glamorous title. (but I can change a kid and sheets in the dark.)

its not a sexy image. (but I know all the words to Big Block Sing Song.)

As much as it may come naturally to someone who has 5 younger siblings... It was kind of hard to own it as part of my identity. What? trade in my freedom, skinny bod and the agenda of moi to be a mom? Before I had my first I kind of hoped to pull off that "gap model barely look like I sneeze let a lone never sleep" perfect mom look.

(as I type this i'm scarfing down a handful of goldfish and washing them down with the last sip of my now very cold cup of coffee from this morning)

This is not a glam life. As a mom (or dad, but I speak for the moms since I am one, but since I'm married to a dad I can say they're totes in this category too) we give pretty much nonstop. It is a hit the ground running sort of life.

But here's what I've decided... I've accepted that I'm a mom. I'm 32. I love my husband kids and dog. They come first, but that doesn't mean I don't get a turn at all. It means that just as much as I have to push myself sometimes to parent well, I, also, need to carve out time to take care of me. Sometimes even give in and spoil myself, so I can take a deep breath and change yet another dirty diaper. Or wipe up a spill. Or break up a fight. Or remember to thaw out the meat for dinner...

So I've been looking for ways to do that. To look at my mom-face in the mirror and say "hey gorgeous, you're looking rough, how about a shower today?" or "hey lady, why don't you go for a run before you eat that whole bag of chips?" ... or make the hair appointment.
Or read the book you've been wanting to.
Take your vitamins.
Drink that glass of water 5 times a day.

And sure, do it for the kids, but do it for you, too.

I have also been finding little things make all the difference. When I splurge and get the bra I want, it makes me smile throughout the day, knowing I've got this great bra on. And my newest favorite way to take care of myself is with Rodan + Fields. This past fall my friend posted on Facebook, and like all the other gimmicky posts I thought "oh another one bites the dust..." because lets be honest, this Facebook we joined as college students has turned into something completely different. Its like a newspaper and a magazine had a baby and put it on the internet. So there are a lot of advertisements and post from friends with thoughts, products and opinions.

She continued to post about this R+F company...and eventually got me with the eye cream. Part of being a mom is having dark circles under my eyes. I require so much sleep, and I just can't get it all. So I told her "talk to me goose..." and after trying it... I was hooked. This is so not a gimmick. This stuff is legit.

R+F isn't make up. Its not like the ad for something that will make your abs look like you are 18 and on the track team. Its a company, started and backed by doctors (specifically the doctors who started Proactiv), to help people. R+F didn't cover the dark circles under my eyes, and the puffiness, they relieved it. It softened my rough hands (sometimes I think I wash my hands more than medical professional) and tough heels.
I'm probably fairly average in the skin department. I didn't need to see a dermatologist (though they have regimens for that too!) I just had mommed really hard, and my skin needed some TLC.  R+F has been the perfect solution for me feeling great in my skin.

So as I continued to buy items from R+F, I was up for the challenge to join the team as a consultant. (lets be honest, a big part, for the discount) but also in a big way because I want every person to feel like I am. We all have skin. And if I can spread the word so more people can feel great in their skin, look in the mirror and smile, its a win.
I also have four children. We have the best time, but we've got some debt we'd like to remove. School and car loans are part of life, but I'd love to be able to put that money towards my kids and our future.

I'm excited to start posting on facebook, and sharing with people about Rodan+Fields, because this stuff is great! I'm also excited to have a little "me project." I have the best job, as mom. But I'm ready to keep my foot in the door of things outside the home too. R+F is letting me stay at home with my kids AND build community and kick my loans in the face. Best.

If you're intrigued by any of this, "talk to me goose."  I've got a lot to learn but already so much to share. so cheers! to new adventures!