Taking my kids into public.

When it comes to taking my kids out into public, I turn into a scared, psycho mom. My two boys are never good in public when they are together. But, if it is only one of them they are perfect little angels.

Today, Travis didn't have school because a young police officer in our town was killed. His funeral was today and with roads being blocked off for the procession they decided to cancel school. Since school was cancelled for this reason I thought that it would be great for us to go stand on the side of the road with the rest of the people paying their respects. Boy was I wrong. They were maybe good for the first 15 minutes but then they went crazy. They were running around, jumping into puddles, hollering, screaming, jumping around, fighting, yeah being typical little boys. I wasn't really mad that they were acting like that, I was more frustrated that when I would ask them to stop, they would stop for 2 seconds and then continue like I never said anything to them.

I'm not sure why I let this get to me but I do. Sometimes I just lose it and then afterwards feel like complete shit. All the other moms around me were looking at me like I was the worst mother. Either because I wasn't yelling at them or because I was. I know I shouldn't care but I do. I don't want to look like a crazy person, or like the mom with the crazy, uncontrollable kids. They were bored and for the most part didn't understand what was going on and I get that. Now that I sit here and write this I feel like I probably went a little overboard a few times. But, they need to understand that they have to listen to their mother. Also they need to understand that what we were doing and where we were at, was not the time or place to be acting like crazy little terrorists. Right?

Anyway, towards the end of the procession they calmed down and we went to the store. Going to the store is always an adventure when my kids go along. Of course they were acting nuts and I tried playing along. Just being funny and not taking things to seriously. I get stared at and other adults give me weird faces like I should be doing better. Or like I must be a teen mom because I can't handle my kids. When I get in the check out line there is a mom in front of me with two boys and she looks about as frazzled as I am. We share a look, and say at the same time "I know how you feel". This one moment completely changed my day.

I forget that I'm not the only mom that goes through days like today. Despite the stares, and my complete mommy meltdown I know that I am a good mom. I might not be a perfect mom but who is. And yah I'm a young mom but I wouldn't change that for anything. My kids are crazy, they don't listen, they fight, they yell, they act like kids and I need to start being ok with that. I bet that if I just stayed calm and laughed with them instead of telling them to shush, our adventures out into public wouldn't be so difficult. And so what if those people stare because I'm the laid back fun mom who let's her kids laugh and be kids. They can just add me to their list of parents who don't know how to parent.

And to the mom's who are just like me. Who are frazzled and irritated and losing it, take a deep breath with me. As I sit here and wonder why I freaked out, I think about the mom who had to lay her 24 year old son to rest today. I can't even imagine putting myself into her shoes. So after our long day of nerve wracking madness I tucked my little monsters into bed and hugged them a little tighter.

We may only have our kids for a little while, so what if they act like kids. Let them and have fun with them before you can't anymore. And starting tomorrow I am going to take my own advice.

Stay quirky,
      Staci

First Controversial Topic

Alright ladies and gents. It's time for my first controversial post. 

I had a conversation today with someone and it got me to thinking. Why do women get so upset when men go to strip clubs? And if you know said man is going to strip club, tell him it's ok with you if he goes, then get pissed when he's honest with you that he got a lap dance, what gives you any right to be upset with him? 

First off, let me begin with, I am married. I have been married to my husband for 9 years. At the beginning, I would get upset if he would go. Pretty much out of my own selfishness and because all my girlfriends made me feel like I should be mad at him. Then, as the years passed he stopped going to the strip club because it's just too far to drive to. He might have gone once a year if that. But eventually as time went on I didn't care about it so much anymore. So what if he has beautiful titties in his face, he comes home to me and then loves on me and that is what matters. 

This topic came up this morning when I was speaking to a male friend of mine. My husband and his buddies went out to a bachelor party last night and I went to the bachelorette party. I knew ahead of time my husband was going to a strip club. I told him to have a good time, simple as that. When we met up later that night I asked him how it went and he seemed unamused but told me he got one dance. Cool, whatever, I felt no jealousy at all. 

Now our friends night went a bit differently. So he gets home and his girlfriend asks him if he had a dance. He answers honestly that yes, he had a dance. What does the girl proceed to do? She smacks him in the face and continues to fight with him because she is mad he actually went to the strip club. She knew ahead of time he was going. What did she expect him to do? Sit there while his buddies had a good time? 

Now, I might be out of line but, I see things differently then some women. I understand that some women view strip clubs as disgusting places that are full of whores. I have no idea, because I have never been to one. But, I will not judge another women because of her place of employment. If she is happy, I am happy. 

I really like to pick and choose my battles with my husband. I get that these two are only dating but in my opinion, she had no right to be pissed off at him because he went to the strip club. She knew ahead of time, like me, that he was going. It is her own fault that he went. If she didn't want him to go, or if she felt uncomfortable with the idea, then she should have sat down with him and talked to him about it like a grown up. Men cannot read our minds ladies. Yes, I know we expect them to but come on now. 

If you are one of the ladies out there that gets upset then here is my advice to you. Instead of bitching to your friends about it, actually talk to your man. And I'm not saying be a total bitch. I'm saying sit down, like the classy, grown woman you are and tell him how you feel. If he gets upset, then obviously he doesn't care that much about you. If he did then your opinion would matter. My husband would get defensive at first too. But then we learned to compromise and this topic is no longer an issue in our home. Neither are sex toys and porn but I will save that for another day. 

I'm not usually a fan of talking about controversial topics. Sometimes though they are good to talk about. I'm sure as I continue my blog I'm going to irritate people. And I know there are going to be women out there that thoroughly disagree with me. That is ok if you don't agree with me. That is part of the beauty in this world is we get the chance to have our own independent thoughts and beliefs. 

If you would like, go ahead and voice your opinion in the comments. All I ask is you keep it classy and respectful of other women and men. 

Thanks for reading and keep it quirky <3 

Staci 

My Very First Post.....this is weird

So this is new. My very first post as a blogger. I've wanted to be a blogger for sometime now. I would try something out and it just never seemed to work out the way I wanted it to. I don't necessarily have a specific theme or topic in mind yet. I really wanted to use this blog as a tool to get all the jumbled up mess out of my head. I'm usually a very positive person, because I like to see the positives in the negatives so I figured why not give my positiveness back to the world. I love to laugh, and make people laugh and I love that I'm a weirdo. Hence, how I came up with the name "Quirky Mom Life". If I asked a few people to describe me, the first thing they usually say is quirky. Yah...that's me. 

Let me start off by introducing myself. I'm Staci. I am a 27 year old momma of two amazing, psychotic sons named Travis and Owen. Travis is 8 (OMG!!) and Owen is 4 (OMGx2!!!!). I am happily and crazily married to my pain in the rear end husband, Zach. We have been together for 10 years and married for 9 years. We live in the quaint town of Shelby, Indiana. We recently just moved out into the country and we love it! 

I am a birth and postpartum doula. So you will probably see me post a lot about birth and pregnancy. Between the years of 2007 and 2009 I had 3 miscarriages and one in 2004. Needless to say, this hard time in my life has made me very passionate about my job. I am currently enrolled at Purdue Calumet in Hammond, Indiana, as well. My major course of study is Elementary/Special Education with a minor in psychology. Also, I have a certificate in therapeutic massage and bodywork. I suppose you could say I wear many hats...mom, wife, daughter, sister, friend, granddaughter, aunt, niece, doula, teacher, counselor, massage therapist, fan girl, and now blogger. 

One of my favorite hobbies is reading. I can read just about anything and not get bored with it. Currently I am reading "If I Stay" and it is AMAZEBALLS! After having children I became obsessed with movies. I am a TwiHard to the fullest and a PotterHead. I love love love The Hunger Games series, Divergent, anything by John Green, The Mortal Instruments etc. There are just too many for me to name. I am a tv series junkie, as well. My current tv loves are American Horror Story and New Girl. But, I am fond of The Walking Dead, Shameless, True Blood and House. 

I think that is enough about me for right now. As, I create and mold my blog you will get to know more about me and I hope that I will have followers who are just like me. A little fun, a little loud and a little quirky. 

Staci