Love Deeper & Speak Sweeter.

Y'all there was a freaking snake in a lady's car at work on Friday!

NOPE! NOT IT!

I watched from my floor and snapped these pics.
Apparently someone saw the snake slither it's way inside her car. Ew.
They spent hours trying to coax it out and finally called Animal Control to come take care of it.
I will have nightmares for weeks of a snake coming through my AC vents.

Big T did some swingin'.

I did some some flexin'.

And yes, I realize what a d-bag this makes me for constantly flexing in the mirror. And then taking a picture. Sigh.
But I work hard on those arms and I've seen a vast amount of improvement from the noodle arms I used to sport.
Whatev.

Saturday we got some girls together and ran a 10 mile run around White Rock Lake.

Why am I the only loser making a duck face? hangs head in shame...
Anyway, the run was really pretty good. We averaged a 10:15 pace.
It was humid and I was drenched in sweat, but all in all a good run.

After our run, Megan and I went to try on every bathing suit imaginable at Everything But Water.
I've never been to a store like that where they have someone helping you pick out suits for your body.
They have TONS of different styles and stuff for the larger chested girl.
I gravitated toward a crapload of monokinis and cut out one pieces.
And actually ended up getting the very last suit I tried on.... a bikini.
My stomach is not my best feature. After having two babies and gaining and losing about 80 lbs. things are not pretty in that area.
I have a frowny face belly button, stretch marks, and loose skin.
And I may not look like a million bucks in that bikini, but that's okay.
I'll settle for a c-note.
It was the one that was most flattering, believe it or not.
And I'll rock it in Vegas. Because I work too hard not to.

I recommend going to a store like Everything But Water! They will really help you out and it's a great place for a curvier girl to get a great suit!

Saturday night the fam went out to The Wildflower Festival. I met some sweet readers (Hi Codi & Sonya), ate some deliciously unhealthy nachos, and played with the boys.

Daddy & Big T watching the trampoline tricks.

Big T cheesin' with a mouth full of Goldfish.

That goat hates life.

Yesterday we attended a beautiful memorial service of a friend's dad who lost his fight with cancer.
I love and hate funerals all at the same time.
It is soul cleansing and refreshing to know that he is in a better place and free of pain, but feeling the hurt for their family I hate so much.
It scares me for the day that I have to go through that.
I am ill prepared and dreading it.
My friend actually wrote a letter to her 4 year old daughter (who plays with Big T all the time) explaining to her why her PawPaw went to Heaven.
I lost it.
It was such a beautiful letter, but how we explain the loss of a grandparent (or anyone for that matter) to our children, I am not ready to deal with.
The pastor said something that I loved.
He said his son asked him what it was like when someone dies, and his response was something to the affect of:
"You know how sometimes when we go to Nanny and PawPaws house and you fall asleep? And I'll put you in a bed in a spare room there and then I'll pick you up when it's time to go and carry you to our van. And when we get home I'll pick you up out of your carseat and carry you upstairs and put you in your room in your own bed. And you'll wake up the next morning and be home? All you know is that you fell asleep one place and you woke up at Home. That's what it's like when someone dies. They wake up at Home."
I loved that.

I don't talk much about religion on this blog, I don't talk much about politics, and I don't get too serious.
But this weekend my eyes were kind of re-opened up to this whole other side of life I often forget or don't pay enough attention to.
I hugged my kids extra tight last night and held my husband's hand a little tighter.

I need to love deeper and speak sweeter.

Everyone does.

The Man Registry Giveaway!!!

Hey guys I've got an AWESOME giveaway for y'all today! 

The Man Registry is giving one lucky Mama Laughlin reader a $250 gift card to anything online! This is a great website for all the things your man wants, needs, and desires 

(besides you of course! ;))

You know Father's Day is right around the corner (June 16th) and you could really get your man an AMAZING gift or GIFTS with $250!!

When I asked The Hubs to pick out something he wanted from The Man Registry, he was holed up in our room on his iPad for TWO HOURS making a list of things he wanted.

WHAT!?!?!

He ultimately chose the Personalized iPad Case and he loves it!!

He feels so special because it has his name on it.

This website is the quintessential Man Space on the internet.
You can't go wrong with anything they carry! 

Check out some of their awesome gifts for the man in your life.

Personalized Sit 'N Sip Cooler - $49.95

Gear Shift Wine Bottle Stopper - $52.95

Personalized Hampton Executive Golf Putter Set - $44.99

Wooden Six Pack Beer Holder - $44.95

Custom 3-Initial Steak Branding Iron - $34.95

Personalized Aluminum Home Brewery Bar Sign - $44.95

Personalized Maple Burl Mach3 Razor - $54.95

Custom Beer Flight Sampler - $47.95

I know my husband would love every single one of those!

The Man Registry has everything from electronics gifts, to game room gifts, auto and travel gifts, home bar gifts, grilling gifts and tools and home improvement gifts!

They offer free personalization on all engraved items and free shipping on orders over $149.

I wish I would have known about this site when trying to rustle the boys up groomsmen gifts for our wedding 5 years ago! 

(note to self: your anniversary is in 3 weeks- go to TMR for gift)

This giveaway is all about the Pinning!

It's super easy to enter if you've got a Pinterest account.

If you don't, well what are you waiting for!?!?

All you have to do is follow the directions on Rafflecopter!

Giveaway ends Thursday, May 23rd.

Can't wait until then to grab something awesome for your man?
I don't blame you!
With coupon code 'FathersDay13' you can get 10% off your order now through June 26th.

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

Ready. Set. GO!

How to Get the Most Out of Your Hair Between Washes

I posted this pic on Instagram (@mamalaughlin) this morning

shirt from The Home T

and asked y'all if you believed me that I was rocking 3rd day hair....
Because I so am.
And a lot of you were curious how I get my hair to "hold up" so well in between washes.
So I'm gonna share my secrets with you!

I washed, dried, and styled my hair on Tuesday morning.
Got up, went to the gym Wednesday morning, came home, sprayed my hair with dry shampoo and got in the shower and put my hair up in a bun so I wouldn't get it wet.
Blah blah, washed my body, got out and re-fluffed, re-curled, and re-teased my hair.
Pinned the front pieces back yesterday for work.
Came home, slept, woke up this morning, got in the shower (no gym this morning), re-fluffed, re-teased, re-dry shampooed, and re-styled my hair.

Got all that?
No?
Okay, let's break it down.

This is the dry shampoo I use.

I have used many dry shampoos, and Suave is my favorite. It smells the best and is cheap. Double bonus!
I spray it on my roots and it absorbs the oil and gives my hair texture.
My hair is REALLY thick, so I believe that has a lot do with how I can go 3 days without washing it and it's not matted to my head. (I can not go any longer than 3 days)
I just spray it on my scalp or wherever is "oily" and rub it in with my fingers and re-fluff it.
I work out in the mornings, so if I plan on not washing my hair I will come home from the gym, spray the dry shampoo on, take a shower, let it dry and re-style my hair.
It smells amazing and you can't even tell it's dirty.

Next trick I use is Moroccoan Oil.

I can not tell you what this has done for my hair.
It is AMAZING. My hair is in the BEST SHAPE EVER and I color it A LOT.
That is mainly due to my awesome stylist, but also because I use Moroccon Oil.
It's expensive, but it is WORTH IT!
I only put this on the tips, not on the root or at my scalp.
It leaves my hair smooth, soft and smelling AMAZING!
I put in on before I got to bed at night and as a styling finisher after I've styled my hair.

Another amazing product I've just discovered is Osis Hair Powder.

Ummmm.... how I lived so long without knowing about this I have no idea!
This stuff is so AWESOME!
It adds texture to your hair and gives me the Big Texas Hair that I love so much!
Jack it to Jesus, y'all!
I sprinkle a TINY bit on my scalp, rub it in with my fingers, and tease it for added volume!
It works wonders.
Seriously.

Here are the products I condition with, which are also a big reason why my hair is in such great shape:
Unite 7 Seconds leave in conditioner. I use this on my damp hair after every wash.

Aussie 3 Minute Miracle conditioner. I use this conditioner (and only this) every time I wash.


For a full list of the products I love, check out the Product Love tab at the top of the page.

Today's outfit:

Necklace & Piko top from Kiki La'Rue. These are seriously the most comfy shirts EVER!
Size down in them! I'm in a small here!
Shoes are Nine West brand from DSW and jeans are from Express.

And if you feel like laughing today, you must watch this video of Mushy in the bathtub last night.
I die at his cuteness.
Also, I'm an idiot. I am fully aware of this.
But you moms know we do ANYTHING to hear those belly laughs from our kids.... even make a complete fool out of ourselves!
Enjoy!

Check back tomorrow for a HUGE giveaway!

Until then, check out these awesome sponsors!

Picture Me Canvas can take any of your artwork or photos and have them enlarged on a beautiful canvas print. This shop offers a variety of sizes. Check out the ETSY shop HERE.

Stella & Dot has the cutest jewelry pieces. I love it all! Check out Shannon's page HERE to browse and order!

The Brobe is awesome! I love mine! It's a robe designed for an expecting or new mother. There is a built in bra that opens in the front, which is great for a nursing mother, a breast augmentation or surgery patient, or someone in the hospital needing an IV. This would be a great gift for a new mom. Check out the shop HERE.

NeriumAD is a night cream with age defying ingredients. They offer a 30 day money back guarantee  Please see Angela's page HERE for more information about this product.

Brittany from Classy n Sassy Creations has a shop full of stuff. Everything from clothes to accessories to home decor and more. Let her know I sent you when you visit her page HERE.

Buttoned Up Boot Camp offers a free fitness tracker for your day to day workouts. This is a great service to see your progress over time. Check out the free service HERE.

Workout Wednesday: Driveway Fat Blaster

I'm linking up with my BFF, Megan, today for Workout Wednesday!

I have had a lot of y'all ask me what my workout routine is. 
I've shown you my arm workout, which is my favorite muscle to work, but today I thought I'd share how you can get a great workout in your own driveway (or basement, or whatever) with no equipment needed.

I go to the gym 5 days a week at 5am. I will add in a run or two a week usually as well.
But did you know I lost all my weight both times with NO gym membership?
I did it by running, doing workout DVD's at home, and watching what I ate.
You don't need a gym membership to get in a good workout. You just need some dedication!

Mama Laughlin's 

Driveway Fat Blaster 

Here's a demonstration on drills:


A demonstration of high knees:


And a demonstration of burpees:

Now go get your sweat on!!

But before you do that, check out these ladies that already HAVE!

Kim is a mom of two and blogs over at A Happier Girl. She has lost over 40 lbs. and talks about her weight loss, running and her family. Go check her out HERE.

Katie from KTJ Weighing In has lost over 35 pounds with diet and exercise  She also hosts a weekly linkup called Non-Scale Victories. Check out her progress HERE.

Terri from Diet Drama is a mom working on losing the baby weight. She posts amazing and healthy recipes. Go check her out for yourself HERE.

Jennifer from A Little Bit Sassy is a Texas mom (shoutout) to three kids who has made amazing weight loss progress. Check out her blog HERE to read more about her transformation. 

Beth from Hang On Honey is a newer blogger from Texas (shoutout) who loves to craft and drink wine (shoutout). She is in the middle of planning her wedding. Stop by her blog HERE.

Morgan from Fat to Fit Confessions is a mom to three kids under the age of 5. She has lost over 70 pounds with diet and exercise. Check out her amazing progress HERE.
 

Size 6 & Playlist Updates

I'm in such a great mood today y'all!
While searching through my pants this morning to try and find some that go with my adorable Anchor's Away top from Kiki La'Rue, I remembered a pair of white skinnies I bought back after I had Big T that were shoved in the back of my closet.
I bought them as "goal jeans" and I was never able to fit into them.
Not even at my thinnest of 135 lbs. Back before I was lifting weights.
They are a size 6 from Express.
And today I thought "meh, I'll just try them on to see how they fit now."
And when I got them up and zipped I did a little happy dance right there in my closet.
I have other size 6's that I can wear, but this particular style from Express (Zelda) runs small and I haven't been able to squeeze into them until now!

Thank you weight training.

Because I weigh more than I did then, yet I'm smaller. Proof that the number on the scale ain't no thang but a chicken wang!
And lifting isn't just for the boys.

A lot of you have asked me for an updated playlist.
I've posted it before HERE and HERE but I'm always adding new songs, so I thought I'd share my current new favorites!

Elevator - Flo Rida (feat. Timbaland)
Come & Get it - Selena Gomez
People Like Us - Kelly Clarkson
Can't Hold Us - Macklemore & Ryan Lewis (feat. Ray Dalton)
Mirrors - Justin Timberlake
The Show Goes On - Lupe Fiasco
Rock the Boat - Bob Sinclair (feat. Pitbull, Dragonfly & Fatman Scoop)
Troublemaker - Olly Murs (feat. Flo Rida)
C'Mon - Kesha
Louder (Put Your Hands Up) - Chris Willis
Easy Kill - Stella Project
My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark (Light 'Em Up) - Fall Out Boy
Sweet Nothing - Calvin Harris (feat. Florence Welch)
U Make Me Wanna (Rock-It! Scientists Remix) - Eddie Amador & Kimberly Cole
Obsessed (Remix) - Mariah Carey (feat. Gucci Mane)
Hall of Fame - The Script (feat. Will.I.Am)
I Knew You Were Trouble - Taylor Swift
'Till I Collapse - Eminem
Tornado - Little Big Town
Whatz Up Whatz Up - LA Adelina So So Def Bass All-Stars

You can't go wrong adding any of those to your playlist!

What are some of your "go hard" songs?

Mothers Day Weekend

I hope you all had a fabulous Mothers Day weekend!

Yesterday my mom, sister, and I went to brunch and a movie. This is our second year doing this and it works out perfectly because we can spend half the day with our mom and the rest of the day with our kiddos.
This is also, typically, the 1 movie a year I get to see in the theater.
Ain't nobody got time 'fo 'dat!

my mom is in the middle. Yes, she looks my sister. :)

We saw The Big Wedding and it was hilarious. I highly recommend it!
Does anyone else love Topher Grace as much as I do? 
Holy hotness! And his sense of humor I freaking die over. He is so funny!

mmmmm swoon

After brunch I came home and took a nap and then the Hubs, boys and I all played outside.

Mushy and Mama

Big T and Mama

Seriously, they are so ridiculously adorable I can't even stand it. Even if Big T refused to take a single nap all weekend and I wanted to pull my hair out, he can smile his sweet little smile at me and I forget all about it.
When did your kid stop napping?
I am SOOO not ready for that...

Saturday I took the boys to get haircuts.
Together.
Kill me.
Big T, of course, did perfectly.
Mushy, however, snot-face cried, screamed bloody murder and clinged to me like a monkey the entire time.
That kid. I swear.
They do look super grown up with their big boy haircuts, though.

Saturday night a friend of ours was graduating from North Texas so we went out for a bit to celebrate. I was home and in bed by 11pm.

top, shorts & necklace- Kiki La'Rue headband- Ruffles and Fringe

Now you've got to watch this video of Big T last night.
He was spinning around in circles and experienced some vertigo afterward.
So funny!


And just for a little Monday morning motivation, here is a comparison picture for ya.

Left was a few weeks after I had Big T and right is a few days ago.
Down to 139 lbs.
I only weigh myself about once a month now, just to stay on track, but I'd been eating really clean lately so I hopped on the scale a few days ago and that's what I saw.
I don't really have a goal weight anymore. It used to be 135.
Now days I have a goal size. It's a 4.
And who knows if I'll ever get there of not, but I've come from a size 18 to a size 6, so I'm a believer that ANYTHING is possible with some hard work!

Happy Monday!

A Mother's Perspective

In honor of Mothers Day on Sunday, I asked my mom to guest post today.

If you know me personally then you probably know how sweet and caring my mom is.

Growing up I always wanted to be a wife and mother just like her. She was always so nurturing and giving to everyone. (Maybe my younger brother most, because let's face it, he's the favorite. ;)

She would give you the shirt off her back if you needed it. And she is still that way.

She has a giving heart and listens when you need an ear, is a rock when you need to cry, and as much as I hate to admit it sometimes, she gives the best advice. 

I am truly thankful to call her my mother.

Here is what she had to say...

*********************************************

Brandi asked me to write a post this week, so here I go…..

A few weeks back, I thought about sharing my first impression of meeting Sean, Brandi’s husband. This was when Brandi was sharing her Love Story about how she met Sean.  Then after I thought long and hard, I decided that I don’t want to do that.  

Here is what I want to say:  

As I watched them fall in love, and witnessed the ups and downs of the relationship, I saw Sean growing and changing.  I also saw Brandi growing, too. The night Sean came to our house to ask permission to marry Brandi, I was not there, but Brandi’s dad was. He gave him our blessing and asked Sean to love and take care of her.  I know with all my heart that Sean has done just that.  

He LOVES Brandi and those precious boys.  He would do anything for his family.  

Isn’t that what we, as parents, want for our children? To be loved by someone and know that they are cared for each day? 

Sean has grown into that man that Brandi saw so long ago. We love him and are so proud of him!

Us women have a wonderful gift.  That gift is a “woman's intuition”.  Brandi saw in Sean something that was great and wonderful, call it Brandi’s intuition.

I am a journal and a letter writer. I used to write Brandi’s dad letters over the course of our going on 33 years of marriage. When we were young and raising three children, our arguing was mostly about money and how to raise our kids.  I could not think fast on my feet when we got into disagreements, so I would wait a day and then pour it all out in a letter.  I would patiently wait for him to read the letter and then he would be silent for a while, he is that way.  Then, we would discuss the issue again or agree to disagree.  

We NEVER berated each other, called each other nasty names, and we tried not to argue in front of our kids. 

Being a “Nana”, I can see things a little clearer and with a different perspective now.  For instance, when you argue in front of your kids, they absorb a lot of what is being said.  When you call each other names, or continually swear, it will come out in your children’s actions or their words when you least expect it, promise! Your kids, and I mean all ages, see it when you are on your ipad, iphone, or on any social network…….instead of spending time with them. Take time to sit down and eat meals with your children without any interruptions.

I want to remind  you of a quote from Brandi:  “If it is important to you, you will make time for it”.  That also applies to spending quality time with your kids. I promise you that your kids would much prefer an hour of your time instead of a new toy.  Be active in your kid’s lives, be a part of their daily lives, know their friends, spend quality time with them, and be the PARENT, not their friend.

As I was preparing for this post, I found this in one of my journals, and I think this will touch all of Brandi’s readers, it is something we all want for our kids:

I wrote this in 1995. Brandi was 11:

“All I want is for our kids to grow up in a happy home knowing the love we have for each other and them and them knowing all along that God is the most important in our lives.  If that is all we can give them, then we have truly accomplished our task.  As far as being good parents, it just takes trial after trial.”

Call your mom this mother’s day, call your mother-in-law, call your grandmother, call your great-grandmother, call your sister, call your neighbor/friend who no longer has a mother just to say, “I am thinking of you today and I am a better person for having you in my life,"  

And ALWAYS tell your loved ones that you love them every day.

Happy Mothers Day!!

 

Giving my mom her 5th grandchild- November 10, 2011.

Finish The Sentence Linkup

So Holly & Jake are hosting a link up today! I never get to participate in them because I always have some other post planned. So I'm excited to be linking up today! I love reading the responses that everyone has!

My best friend says... she was made to wear chevron.

People call me... Everything under the sun. 26% of them are true. 

I most often dream... about people I don't even talk to.

The best part of my day... is right when I get home from the gym at 6am and get to sit in my bathroom and drink the rest of my Spark while my body recoups from the beating I just gave it.

I really don't understand... how to fold those cardboard storage boxes. It literally takes me about 30 minutes trying to figure out the diagram before I finally say eff it and find other means of storage.

I get really annoyed...  when Big T asks the same question OVER AND OVER in a matter of 10 seconds. ONE TIME IS ENOUGH SON!

There's nothing like a... perfect bikini. I'm pretty sure they don't exist.

Lately, I can't get enough... almonds.

One thing I am NOT is... a size 2.

I spent too much money on... Amazon For all the things.

I want to learn.... how to get rid of stretch marks.

If I ever met Jake in real life , I would... pinch his sweet little baby cheeks.

I can't stop... won't stop Rocafella Records 'cause we, we get down baby, we get down.

Never have I ever... just had one serving of mashed potatoes.

Reese Witherspoon... knows who she is.

Head over to Holly's blog to link up!
And make sure you come back tomorrow.... My mom is guest posting!
 

Just.Keep.Going

I have been a little MIA since Friday. It was a much needed break for me.
And truth be told, I had this whole post written up about why I shut down for a bit.... and then, while on my run last night it hit me....

Nope. Not gonna do it.

So as much as I want to spill the beans here and stir the pot of hate even more (sarcasm), I refuse.
My post was all "wah wah wah, poor poor pitiful me..."
Wise up Laughlin. It's not about YOU.

I want to definitely say thank you to everyone who has emailed, messaged, and sent your well wishes and concerns for me over the past few days.
They have really meant a lot to me.
One thing stood out in those emails. From a woman who I, as a blogger and runner, have looked up to for a very long time. Skinny Runner emailed me to check on me. I've emailed with her before several times, and I'm still a little star struck when I talk to her. I started reading her blog long before anyone even cared to read mine.
But she said something that resonated with me.
She said "Hurt people hurt people."

I had to re-read that a few times before it clicked. My redneck ass actually thought it was a typo at first.

But you know what, it's so true.
That being said, we are now back to our regular scheduled program.
Hate has no place in my life. And it shouldn't have a place in yours.
ML the BLOG as well as ML the PERSON will not stand for it.
Period.

Moving on.

I wanted to tell you about my eye-opening run.

I needed a run yesterday.
I needed a run like I needed to squeeze into that size 12 wedding dress that I was stuffed into like a Thanksgiving turkey in June of '08.

So I laced up and went. At 6pm. In the 85 degree heat. My iPod immediately started playing Watch My Shoes by 3 Deep and my adrenaline started racing. (Turn that volume down if you're at work, there's some cursing.... okay, a lot of it.)
I took off and struggled through the first mile.
Then the second.
And third.
Thoughts racing through my head. Doubting myself. Thinking what if it WASN'T good enough. Reflecting on all the bad.
And then my iPod read my mind like it freaking always does, and started playing
'Till I Collapse by Eminem:

"Cause sometimes you just feel tired,
Feel weak, and when you feel weak, you feel like you wanna just give up.
But you gotta search within you, you gotta find that inner strength
And just pull that shit out of you and get that motivation to not give up
And not be a quitter, no matter how bad you wanna just fall flat on your face and collapse."

Wow. Chills.

And as that song began to play and my legs took over and sweat was pouring down my forehead, I couldn't help but start to push those negative thoughts out of my head.
They no longer had a place there. And they never will.
Tears began to fill my eyes and goosebumps ran over my skin.
And that Runner's High I search for on EVERY run, but rarely get, came to me.
My pace picked up and I was in a happy place.
For the first time in several days.

THAT is why I run. Because no matter how broken or battered you are, the road never judges you.
Running never says "you can't".
It quietly whispers "yes, you CAN! Come here and let me prove it."

During that run I remembered something that I try and stand for.
Not only here on this blog, but in life.

Just.Keep.Going

And I promise, I will.

I stand here today weighing in at 140 lbs. and my size 8 Express jeans are falling off of me.
In all that "Kirstie Alley" glory, I am proud.

anyone hungry for vienna sausages?