February was a full month of crazy! There was some awesome stuff that happened and some not so great stuff. But all in all, it's another month down!

Here are some of my favorite posts from February!

• On Your Birthday...
  
• My 4 Favorite Films About Mental Health
  
• Giggles In-Between the Sheets
  

Be sure to check them out!

March is almost here! We've got the beginning of Spring to look forward to! Woo hoo! The snow is almost gone! I'm totally ready for the warmer weather. Winter is NOT my favorite season. 

Here's a sneak peek at what's coming up on the blog for March!

• 10 Things You Don't Know About Me
  
• Life Is Too Short to Fake It
  
• How Can I Change the World?
  
• Hey Stupid Girl - A Letter to My Teenage Self

Hope you all are excited to be starting a new month and a new season! Have a great weekend Maniacs!

Music is an amazing thing. It has a lot of power. It can make you laugh, make you tear up, make you smile. All in about two and a half to three minutes. That's pretty awesome. 

On days that I just can seem to shake the funk off of myself, I have a few songs that help at least make it a little bit easier to get through the day. You can, on some occasions, find me dancing around my bedroom to these songs as I'm putting away laundry. 

But everyone needs a "Feel Good" playlist!

It's not a huge list, but it definitely helps put a smile on my face and gets me moving. My kids love dancing with me some afternoons. It can really turn around anyones day!

Do you have some favorite songs you like to jam out to when you are feeling down?

It's hot. It's steamy. It's sexy. It's frickin' hilarious. 

Sex is a awesome part of life. It really is. One that I enjoy immensely. (If you think that was too much information, I would stop reading now, BTW)

I do find though, that there is a lot of pressure to have sexy sex all the damn time. I'm sorry. That's not either real or something that could ever be accomplished. Especially when you become a parent. It just gets plain funnier. 

Don't believe me? Read some of this giggle worthy stories of hilarious sexual encounters from parents. Both pre and post chillins.

My son had been asleep or playing quietly by himself. He had to be somewhere around the age of two. My husband and I slipped to the basement for a little fun while he was entertaining himself for a bit. We all know how rare those moments are. We had been fooling around for a little while. In the middle of going at it, I see this little toddler head pop up over my husband's shoulder. My son had slipped downstairs, climbed on the bed, between my husband's legs, flopped on top of my husband's back, and let out a huge cheesy smile. He was so proud of himself, enjoying the ride, until we registered what happened and stopped immediately.  -- Homemade Momy, mom of 3, age 26 

I had just started dating the girl who would soon be my girlfriend. It was our second date, but things were going extremely well. After dinner one summer night, we decided to take a walk in the park. While walking around and talking, the "mood" struck. And it struck hard. We stumbled into a more secluded area of the park, and went at it. At one point, we had to freeze because one of the residents that lived in the park started walking by. Here we are, mid sex, in park, frozen and trying not to laugh. Luckily, they didn't see us. Never one to leave a job half finished, we continued and had a blast. After getting dressed, we started heading back to my car. As we got close to the entrance of the park, we quickly realized why the resident had walked past. It was so they could lock the gate to the park. We panicked for a quick minute, and upon inspection, saw that the padlock hadn't been closed all the way. We were able to slip out and enjoy round 2 at home. -- Father of 1, age 25

I was dating a girl when I was about three years ago. Nothing too serious, but lots of fun. We had been hanging out at her house watching a movie. We all know what those words mean. We started making out and fooling around on her couch. As we were taking off clothes, we had apparently wiggled to the edge of the couch. I did not realize this. She leaned into me, and thinking I had more couch, I leaned backwards. I had misjudged the couch and we ended up falling off the couch. We were both laughing so hard that we never did recover and, for once, ended up watching the end of the movie. -- Father of 2, age 29

When I was pregnant with my son, I lost my interest in sex. Completely. There was not a drop of sex drive to be found for months on end. Thank goodness I have the best husband ever who understood and took it in stride. When I was about 7 months pregnant, for a few weeks, my drive resurfaced. Nothing spectacular (like some women have) but enough to put a smile on my husband's face. On one special night, we were having trouble getting, well, situated into a position that was comfortable for me. We were falling all over, laughing, and I'm sure we looked like an octopus trying to eat itself. One other wonderful thing about being pregnant is the gas. So. Much. Gas. With that being said, I'm sure you can put 2 and 2 together. As my husband squeezed me in a passionate kiss mid rodeo, he pushed out a fart. This was no little fart. This was epicness. It got worse though. The sound was hysterical, which had us laughing to hard we were gasping for air. And that's when the smell hit us. My dog even ran away from it. The only thing I was able to wheeze out? "Whew! That was stinky!" -- Mother of 2, age 26

Sex is an amazing thing. It can do all sorts of amazing things (as parents we are fully aware of just how amazing). But it doesn't always have to be sexy, steamy, hot, and wild. We are human. It can be funny, weird, stinky, and sometimes just down right fun. 

What are some of YOUR funny sex stories?

My Dearest Skylar,

My how the time has flown. A year ago, you were placed in my arms, so tiny, so sweet, so precious. I was instantly in love with you, as was your daddy. You were the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen in my entire life. And I had waited a lifetime to meet you.

A year as gone by, darling girl. So much has happened. So much has changed. You've wrapped everyone you know around that sweet little finger and runaway with all of our hearts. You can keep them though. 

I look at you, a year later and can't help but smile as tears fill my eyes. I never thought I would have something so amazing in my life. You are the reason I keep pushing through all the shit. You and your brother keep me going... even when you are BOTH driving me crazy. 

You are walking all over the place and attempting to run. You love to give kisses and snuggles. You are a total foodie like me and are obsessed with your daddy. You can wave bye, but hate saying goodbye to anyone. You love making people smile and laugh. You have the cutest little sassy attitude that just makes me so proud to be your mommy. 

As I sit here and think about all that has happened in the past year, part of me smiles and part of me is saddened. I'm so happy that you came into my life. You just jumped right into it like you knew it's where you needed to be. I can never thank you enough for being the light in my life when everything else has gone dark. You will never know how much I love you for being in my life. You have kept me alive, baby girl. 

I tear up though, thinking of the things that have happened that you will (thank god) never remember. My trip to the mental hospital, the days I can't seem to get out of bed, the days where all I seem to do is yell and scream at you, the days where I feel I'm the last person in the world that deserves you or your brother. I wish things were better for you. I wish we had our own house, with your own room. I wish we could buy you anything and everything. I wish I could give you all the things I imagined I would give you and Chase too. 

But my precious Skylar, I see you smile and I forget all of that. I forget how we struggle some days to keep it together. I forget that we don't have a fancy house, fancy car, or piles of money to send you to college. I forget that the world is sometimes a shitty place. I see you smile and my world is perfect. 

We have a long road ahead of us, Sky. Things will not always be easy and may even get worse. But I promise you this. 

You and your brother will always hold my heart in the palm of your hands. I will do anything and everything to make sure your light never goes out. I will make sure that you always stay the amazing little girl you already are and the woman you will one day become. 

I'm the lucky one, sweet girl. I will always be the lucky one, because I was lucky enough to have you in my life. 

So, as you celebrate a year of life, I wish you more happiness than you can handle, more love than you thought imaginable, and the knowledge that you will forever be the light of my life. I love you my precious Skylar. And that will never change...

Love Always,
Mommy

I love movies. I really do. It's quite an addiction. I enjoy a wide genre as well. I like classicals, musicals, Disney, animated, drama, romantic, comedies, and even some cult classics.

So in honor of my love for the motion pictures, I decided to do a post on some of my favorites about mental health. 

There is an abundance of them out. Some are better than others. We all know that there is going to be some Hollywood hype surrounding the actual affliction, and I try to stay away from those. I enjoy the movies about mental health that are closer to what really happens. What people really go through. The movies I can relate to on some sort of level. 

I hope you get a chance to watch some of these awesome movies!

In the beginning there are flowers, movie nights, fancy restaurants, long talks, steamy sex, and crazy amounts of effort and romance put into a relationship. It's excited, it's new, you get butterflies in your stomach, and just thinking of him puts a perma-smile on your face. 

Enter 10 years of marriage. Sweatpants come on at 6pm, you pee with the door open, a night out means staring at each other in silence because you've already told each other every story you have to tell, flowers only show up on Valentine's Day and your anniversary, and sex is hard to find because you're so busy with everything else. Just thinking of him reminds you that you need to do his laundry and shave his back hair. 

There are a whole bunch of reasons that relationships lose their spark. But all of them can fall under bigger umbrellas. Here are the 6 big reasons relationships start losing their momentum. 

1. Loss of Physical Attraction - When we look at the same person year after year, the lose some of the original attractiveness that first drew you to them. It's not that they became ugly or anything. But after you've seen someone scratch their butt 1,000 times or seen them covered in baby puke for the fourth time that day, some of the sexy disappears. 
2. Merged Identity - When you get married, you become joined. You are one couple. But, that's not always an awesome thing. When everything becomes "we" and "our", you can lose yourself and what makes you you. Having separate parts and things in your life is a good thing. It reminds you that you are choosing to be with your significant other.
3. "Letting Go" of Yourself - We are all guilty of this one. We spent so much time getting that other person hooked, and now that they are, you start slacking. You were make-up less often, you pee with the door open, you fart in front of your wife because it makes you laugh, the small little gestures that meant so much before have disappeared. 
4. Failing to Share Activities - Along with with having your own independent life, you do have to make sure you are still spending time together. And not just watching Netflix for two hours after the kids fall asleep. You need to keep trying new things and share new adventures. 
5. Less Personal Relating - Have your conversations with your significant other changed over time? Of course they have. Conversations become less personal and more practical or informative. You talk to each other just to exchange information. Those personal conversations start to dwindle if not disappear altogether. And those "heart-to-hearts" are still very important. 
6. Hidden Anger - When we are with someone for a long time, we tend to notice and hold onto their negative traits. We subconsciously build up a case against based on "bad" things they've done (or felt they've done). Harboring that can lead to feeling cynical and angry towards our significant other. You have to talk about those feelings you have on a regular basis or all that build-up can lead to a regrettable outcome. 

So, we've got all this stuff going on. One, two, or all of them can be in play at any given moment. It's overwhelming, frustrating, and can make life pretty miserable. So what's to be done?

There are lots of ways to try and rekindle that old flame (or bonfire depending on who you are). I've narrowed it down to ten though. 

1. Make time for each other - Make sure you are leaving time to spend together, just the two of you. Mark time out in your calendar if you need to. But you need to be spending at least a few hours together every week.
2. Communication - Communication is key to any and every relationship. Once communication breaks down, so does everything else. Make sure you are telling your partner how you feel, what you're thinking about, and plans you want to make. Talk about things that annoy you about each other and the things you adore about each other. It can be hard and uncomfortable at times, but this will bring you back together.
3. Pillow Talk - Stop bring your phones, your laptops, and TV into your bedroom. Your bedroom should be a gadget free zone. This is the time you just spend together everyday. Snuggle, talk, have some awesome sex. But no gadgets!
4. Get fit - Just because you are in a long term relationship and your partner had promised to love you forever and ever, until the end of time, doesn't mean you should let yourself go. You need to keep taking care of yourself. It's easy to become a bit lazy or concerned with 100 other things, but keep yourself a priority. Your partner will appreciate it and you will feel better about yourself as well.
5. Surprise each other - Those little surprises that you did for each other in the beginning of your relationship if a big deal. Just because you've been together forever doesn't mean those gestures don't matter. Bring back the "just because" flowers, spending the whole day watching football with your man (even though you might miss Once Upon a Time or some other show you love), send a sexy little picture or text in the middle of the day, etc. 
6. Go on a vacation or long weekend together - If you are able to do this, DO IT! It's amazing what a long weekend away from any and all distractions can do for your relationship!
7. Get naughty - Yup. I said it. Get naughty, dirty, and sexy. Sex is a big part of any relationship. Don't be afraid to try new things, buy new lingerie, and turn up your inner stripper. Make a list of random places to get down and dirty in your house, buy a new toy or outfit, or dust of those sex kitten heels for a night out. Your hubby will appreciate it!!
8. Don't take each other for granted - After doing all that hard work to get your relationship a bit closer to where it was, you have to remember not to let it slip again. The best way to do that is to not take each other for granted. Remember that you chose each other. You wanted to be together. The second you take your partner for granted is when things will start going down hill again. Remember why you fell in love with each other, and keep doing those amazing things for each other. 

Now, this list isn't a cure all by any means. But it's definitely a good place to start. Just remember that it takes time and effort from both sides to make a relationship work. But if you are both willing to put in that time and effort needed, you've already gotten past the hardest part. 

Valentine's Day is rapidly approaching. On Saturday proclamations of love will pour out in the forms of cards, candy, flowers, and shiny things. It will be impossible to find a table at a restaurant without reservations, movie theaters will be at max capacity, and guys will be laying out all their best lines on the ladies. 

But is that the stuff that really speaks to you? 

Most people are familiar with the Five Languages of Love.

• Words of Affirmation
  
• Acts of Service
• Receiving Gifts
• Quality Time
• Physical Touch

We all need aspects from all five languages. But we all have one (sometimes two) that really hit home with us. Take me for example. My main love language is Acts of Service. Quality time and receiving gifts are tied for second place. So what does my love language mean?

The way I feel loved is when my husband (or anyone who cares for me) is when they do stuff for me. Do a load of laundry, put away the dishes, clean up after themselves (for once!). Laziness, broken commitments, and adding more to my work load makes you fall on my "You Suck" list. Help me when you can, and you will forever remain on my "You Don't Suck" list.

What about the other languages though? 

Words of Affirmation. You are the exception to "actions speak louder than words." You love hearing that you are loved. But what really sends you soaring is hearing why you are loved. You thrive on being encouraged, complimented, and having positive words sent your way. Any sort of insult or put down can leave you hurt and broken.

Receiving gifts. No, this love language doesn't mean that you are a greedy and/or a gold digger. It's not even so much the gift itself but the thought that went into the gift. Knowing that someone was thinking of you and thinking about what would make you smile sends you into school girl in love. 

Quality Time. To feel loved, you need uninterrupted time alone with your significant other. No TV, no phones, no kids, just you two alone in a room. Deep conversation is what really gets your heart racing. Distractions and postponed dates make you feel unappreciated and sad. 

Physical Touch. This doesn't mean you are some crazed sex addict (though I personally wouldn't blame you). You love hugs, holding hands, kisses on the cheek, and a hand on your shoulder. Long distance relationships don't work for you since a physical presence is needed on a constant basis. If you start feeling neglected or abused, you are out the door. 

Understanding your own love language is only half the battle though. Knowing and respecting your significant others love language is a key to making love really speak volumes. 

If you want to learn more about the love languages and begin to understand your own, be sure to check out the 5 Love Languages website.