Here is how this post came into being. The Thursday before Elevate, I was laid off from my seasonal job. I kind of knew it was coming, so I took the Hiatus to make sure that I enjoyed myself and rested up, because I wanted to come back after Elevate, refreshed. And it's true that Elevate, totally Elevated me, as you could tell by the three Elevate posts I wrote. I was also waiting for the right inspiration to share all of these photos.
Well last week that inspiration gave me a good bitch slap. I was one of those people whose Instagram accounts was temporary disabled. You can read about it, but just so you know, I've tried every trick to bring my old account back to life. It's dead y'all. Dead, dead, totally dead. I've submitted my user name and email twice. I have tried to reset my password on my PC a million times (seriously, not an exaggeration), I have tried to delete and reinstall the app. Nothing has worked. So the original @absolutemommy Instagram account is dead. I'm now @absolute(underscore)mommy. Find me so I can follow you back. I was following so many of my friends there and I'm so sad I haven't got them all back!!!
I can't believe it's the 28th and I haven't dumped all my Instagrams on you!
I wore this to Elevate. Now when I see pictures I'm not so sure, but let me tell you how comfy it was. Even with the temps soaring. There is something so easy about a maxi skirt. And would you even guess that this is a maternity skirt. I for the record AM NOT PREGNANT, but who could pass up this skirt. Secret: Old Navy has the cutest maternity clothes and if you order them in a size smaller than what you are, no one, and I mean no ONE, will know. Promise!
This is the picture I snapped just to commemorate that I had finally made it to Newport the night before Elevate. Let's see, we left Fresno at 1:30 p.m. and we pulled into the parking lot of the Residence Inn about 7:30 p.m. Yeah, it was a little crazy. The traffic, I could go on for days about the traffic, but it was also a one hour stop in Bakersfield for the worst customer service I have ever experienced, that really took the cake. Let me tell you when you order a salad and the chicken on the said salad is still raw... Yeah. Then the manager fights with you about your order... So there was that.
Here are some last minute cuddles before I left for my trip. On Mother's Day weekend. Let me tell you how I wrestled with the guilt on this one. Would my girls be sad that I wasn't there on Mother's Day morning when they woke up? I decided that they were really too young to know the difference and did something for myself. Which is super rare for me. It was totally worth it as you already know, and they were just as happy to see me when I got to them!
It's pretty safe to say that one of the perks to being a little sister is getting to go to school with big sister on doughnut day. The parents of Caitlin's kindergarten class chipped in for a doughnut and coffee breakfast the Friday of Teacher Appreciation week. So Mac got to tag along for donuts and 15 minutes of free play on the school playground. She was a happy girl. And Caitlin was a proud big sister because everyone wanted to play with Mac!
This has to be one of my favorites from May. This is Caitlin at her school carnival going down the big inflatable slide. If you have been a reader around these parts for awhile then you know that this is a huge step. Caitlin has been terrified of anything up high, any places that are loud or crowded, anything outside her comfort zone. But suddenly, after a year in kindergarten, she is brave and outgoing, and obviously having the time of her life.
Mac got an arm tattoo at said carnival, because tough girls always have forearm tats. For the record I still want a forearm tat.
Caitlin and her 'stache courtesy of Bubbas Basics. These were included with their business cards. Caitlin couldn't resist!
This is the dress that lit up my Instagram feed. I asked the question "Yeah or Nay?", and boy did that leave me wide open, and apparently wide in general. I got some maybes, as in maybe it's not that flattering on you. And I expected that because I don't think it's the most flattering either, but here is why I bought it anyway. First, it's the softest most comfy thing I have ever put on my body. It's like a night gown. Second, it's from the girls department at Target, so it isn't too long. Can't say no to that. So I'll wear it until it falls apart, or if some one asks me how far along I am.
Kristine at Elevate. I love this picture because I almost snapped one of her eating, and if looks could kill... She loves me anyway and like a good blogger, knows how to pull it together for a "look at me I've got a cookie", shot. You wouldn't even know that seconds before she was noshing on a glitter doughnut. Oh you know, just some blogger shenanigans. I love this picture. It's so poised, and 110% Foley attitude!
She wouldn't let me take this pic, so I was a little sneaky and took it anyway. Thank God there were no shots at the check up. I was prepared with lollies and peanut butter cups. You know like a good mom would.
New dance costume. I know, it's out of control pink. But see that look on her face? She loves it! It also means that I have to curl her hair. Last recital day it took half a can of hairspray, continues Rachel Berry Glee videos on Youtube, and an hour and a half I will never get back. I'm not joking!
This isn't all of my May Miscellanea either, and yes, I had to Google how to spell miscellanea. Those pictures will have to wait. I don't want you to feel like they are slides from my family vacation! To say that the last three weeks were a blur is an understatement. But here is the really crazy thing. I was only laid off for a week. Last Tuesday I went back to my job, full time for what they tell me will be about 5 weeks. So much for my grand return to blogging. I'll try to keep up best as I can, but I've to to tell you, there is so much life to live. And thankfully, I'm blessed to have a full one.
