don't be a drag, just be a queen

"Queen" #1....yours truly.

A few years ago, while touring a local farm, an amazing phenomenon was brought to my attention. The farmer had the guests note the energy level as we passed the area where all the roosters were kept. It seemed to be just like anyone would expect: a bunch of roosters, heads held high, parading around with an occasional "cock a doodle do" and flutter of flightless wings. As we made our way down the dirt road, the farmer then asked the group to observe the difference in the up coming chicken coop, where all the females were kept separate from the roosters but otherwise together. What we found there was both surprising and magnificent. Unlike the rooster coop, the noise level here tripled as the chickens gabbed with a steady buzz of "clucks" and "be-cocks" of what I imagine were stories of egg sizes, jerky rooster encounters, feather styles and how much feed they had consumed that morning. It was enlightening. As women it is our nature to discuss, exchange stories, to learn from and support one another. From chickens to humans (and most likely every mammal in between) we are here for each other through the good, bad and the ugly.

I often think of this story somewhat sheepishly (but mostly fondly) when I am blogging or with friends and have to laugh at how truly I fit into this female propensity to share. And it is in this season of my life that motherhood is one of the most rewarding things to advocate. Before Mothers day draws too near and we all start to gag at the droves of mother appreciation posts (cause lets be real, it's not all rainbows and smiles, nor are we all mothers) Over the next couple weeks I'd like to give a few blogging mothers I admire most the chance here at team boo to dispense their remarkable perspectives in our newest Project Boo: "Don't be a Drag, Just be a Queen". 

But first, since I am in charge around here, I will give you a little piece of my mind (okay it's a pretty big piece)... 

Part 1: Cluck Cluck

One of my main goals for my blog is to show how ridiculously amusing parenthood is and how much, despite its often bad rap, being a mother can rock. A while back this lovely blogger (more on her later) posted this article:

My reaction (besides a zigzagged triple finger snap) was this: The thing I've found since becoming a mother is that my perspective has changed. To be frank, I really don't care if someone thinks I talk about stupid things. Or if they scoff at my everyday attire (that i rock by the way ;) Or if they are sick of me saying "nappy" or "boo boo". Or if they are offended that i don't call them enough or have dried boogers on my walls. And it's not about being insensitive, it's just about really not having the capacity to bother worrying about it. For those of you scared to take the plunge into what seems like a life sentence of mediocrity, I'd love to profess: I still do everything I did before! (just not as often) plus I have found new things that I might have never tried without my life taking the course it has...

Instead of having the ridiculous mind consuming ability to go on a crash 1200 calorie diet, I now run marathons to lose baby weight (this way I feel strong and capable rather than one irritation short of biting the head off a bat). We host backyard bonfires with friends instead of frequenting restaurants. I still get dressed up once a week, and laugh at the three more sets of eyeballs amazed at how well I "clean up". My husband and I still fancy ourselves a good make out...and also have realized that sometimes it's just as satisfying to watch Forensic Files while playing footsies under the covers (my words, not his :) I go shopping, just a lot more online (which is better anyway). Yes, I carpool, but we rock out to Metric, and dance with the breaks at stop lights on our way home. We "sleep in" with the help of pre-poured bowls of cereal and the magic of PBS cartoons. We take more pictures. Instead of a theater, we all watch movies together in a king sized bed. Instead of the eyesore of a nearby power plant my kids believe it to be the "cloud factory" (and we check it almost every day for the "forecast" :)

You just adapt. And that way you aren't missing out, cause you have added SO much dimension to your life. In fact, I find so much joy and fun in being their mother. They are hilarious and interesting and loving and fantastic. I keep lighthearted about as much as I can, that way instead of feeling burdened by so much responsibility...we have fun at how absurd things can get along the way. Don't be scared, just treat it like an adventure. You won't loose yourself if you accept that "yourself" is always changing anyway :)

*if you aren't bored to tears, go check out more of my mothering thoughts over at this cute blog.

team Boo ♥'s you


**Attention team boo enthusiasts**
re-blog this post and tell me about it right here! Through a series 3 (ish) featured posts (this being the second) over the next two weeks you will have a chance to win a very exclusive (but still very secret) custom team boo gift! No it won't be made by me...pshew!! but it will be adorable!