Amazing Blogging Friend: Mom2MemphisAndRuby + GIVEAWAY!

Hello lovelies!!

My name is Lena and I blog over at Mom2MemphisAndRuby!

I am super stoked to be here today... Laura is.the.best.  For reals!

I co-host the Hellocotton Hop with her, and I LOVE taking part in her weekly photo challenge.

She is an amazing woman and a great friend!

For those who don't know me yet... I'm a mom of 2 really cool kids!  I work a "boring" day job and love photography.  I'm a natural born shopper, but I also love to be thrifty!  I'm a huge admirer of tattoos, and I love nail polish, Diet Dr. Pepper, Etsy, scary movies and Instagram! {I think I actually "squealed" when I found out it was available to Android users finally!!}

Of all the things I am and do, being a mom is my proudest "title."

Nothing compares to that moment when you hold your baby for the very first time and realize your life is theirs. Everything from that moment on is for them.

I'm far from being a perfect parent...

I've been known to lose my cool, or skip the "time out" because I just didn't feel like putting up a fight.  I've let them have ice cream for supper.... and this for breakfast {I know 'fluorescent' isn't a food group!!}

BUT

I think I am the perfect mommy for them.

I am patient and fair.

My hugs & kisses never run out.

I tell them how special they are.

If they need extra cuddles at bedtime, I'm totally down for that!

I like to surprise them with little treats.

I talk to them about everything, and answers their questions honestly & truthfully.

{and at 4 & 6 they have a TON of questions!}

For all the other mommies out there, we know that parenting isn't always easy.

Just the other day, my son {who has been diagnosed with ADHD & is currently being evaluated by a psychologist & psychiatrist} was having a particularly bad moment, and my husband & I looked at each other and thought the very same thing.

"Thank God, he's ours."

I know it probably seems funny to have that thought during a particularly bad meltdown... but what would have happened if he had been born into another family?  One less understanding, patient and loving?  It makes me sick just to think of it.

No matter how many grey hairs they give me... I would choose them a hundred times over!

On a good day, I wish to have a dozen more just like them!  ;)

How many of you feel the same way?  I think most of us do.

No matter what else in the world we do... our hardest & most rewarding job is being there for them.

We don't always get a "thank you" at the end of the day... but nothing is better than watching them sleep peacefully knowing we all got through another day.  Together.

I hope you'll visit me over at Mom2MemphisAndRuby!

I share a lot of mommy moments there along with lots of fun & quirky fashion & photography thrown into the mix too!

Because I think reading to {with} your kids is such an important and special part of your day, I'm giving away a copy of one of our favorite books...

Shel Silverstein's "Where the Sidewalk Ends"

Enjoy!

A big thank you again to Laura for having me here today!

Giveaway ends May 2nd at midnight.

a Rafflecopter giveaway