Long Hair Don't Care... or maybe not?

I have always worn my hair short.

I am one of those women who cannot stand to have hair laying on my shoulders- it must be above or below shoulder length.

When I lived in MS I always knew which stylist to see.  I was never a guinea pig- meaning I never tried a stylist first.  My mom always did that for me.  She would go and try someone- be the guinea pig- and if it turned out dazzling, I would then go. Perfect set up, right?

Well, I moved away from MS. It took me an extremely long time to find someone to cut my hair once I moved to Utah.  So long in fact that my hair grew past my shoulders! I pushed through the annoying period of growth because:

A. we had just moved and I was short on time and babysitters
B. It was up to ME to find a new stylist

I finally did research and after a year (I know, crazy...) I found a girl to cut my hair. I braved the guinea pig moment and got my hair cut! It wasn't so bad, she did a great job! Success!!

Then... I moved again. Except this time I only moved an hour away. But, that was still an hour away, so I found myself needing to find another stylist. Yes, it took another year for me to research and find another. I had success again and enjoyed my experience at this darling place in Provo, Utah.

And as the story goes, you guessed it.... I moved again shortly after. Now, we live in Missouri and it has been nearly 2 years since I have gotten a hair cut! ("holy moly!" ...I know that's what you are thinking!)  My hair is the longest it has ever been.

Let me take a moment and say that within these past 2 years I have gotten it trimmed! I went back home almost 6 months ago, and during my time there I saw my awesome long-time high school friend who gave me a TRIM.

Now- I have never been to a stylist for a TRIM. Ever. I am brave and bold. I get my hair CUT- usually chopped off because I do not like my hair to rest on shoulders.

What has happened?

I have long-hair-loss anxiety.  You know those girls who refuse and even balk at the very thought of getting their long locks cut off? You know those girls who are just plain scared to take the short hair plunge? They are so annoying...

I have never understood those crazies.
Those crazy girls.... to them I used to say, "I don't get it.  Just do it!"

Now, I know.
Now, I understand.
I have long hair now....

I have discovered how fun it is to have long hair! I can have those long curls, I can throw it up in a pony tail, I can check our weird braid tutorials and experiment, etc.

 There is this tiny part of me that says, "but Heather, remember your short hair? Remember how much you loved it? Be brave! Be Bold!"

Those thoughts lead me to searching for a stylist who knows her stuff--- I need one that can chop my hair off and dazzle me with her skills! Then BAM! long-hair-loss anxiety sets in!

I can't cut it off. Look how long it is? Will I miss it? Will I ever grow it out again? It took so much work to get it this way. I can't do it. AH! I'm having a near panic attack!

Hello crazies, I am now one of you now. Help?

I finally found my "thing"!

Welcome to my new blog! 

A Magnolia Mom!

Many people have "things" such as lady bugs, lipstick, shoes, animal print, frogs, owls, or bees (just to name a few) that they identify with or tattoo upon themselves. I've never had that. My email has always been "Heatherm" or "hmm". I've never bought a cutesy keychain or whatever items people buy to show off their unique "thing" which is totally fine, right? I've always thought so, but I still longed for a "thing". 

I've even tried some "things"... When I was younger I thought seashells might be fun. We went to the beach every summer and I figured that qualified as a good reason to make seashells my "thing". I bought decorative shells and put them in my room. I had a shell wind chime and one of those huge shells you put your ear against so as to hear the sound of the ocean. It didn't stick. I never felt attached to sea shells and after a few months I wanted them out of my room.

It has taken nearly 26 years, but I am happy to announce that I finally figured out my "thing"! 

Magnolias. 

The ironic part is magnolias have always been my "thing", I just never realized.  I even have an awesome supporting story as well as true love for the southern magnolia flower. 

When I was about 6 (I'm assuming bc I was young but old enough to ride a bike) we lived in a blue house in Jackson, MS. Across the street lived our neighbors who I remember as younger odd men who played drums- I was quite frankly scared of them but I absolutely loved the giant tree in their front yard. It had big beautiful flowers that smelled divine. One smell, and I was hooked. You guessed it, it was a magnolia tree. 

I would sneak over and climb that tree often. The best flower blooms were always at the top! Id climb as high as needed to snag the biggest, best smellin' flower. 

Years have passed, and I no longer live where beautiful southern magnolia trees are found every few miles or so. I never knew until I moved away how much those trees were apart of me. 

Every time we go home, the welcoming site of magnolias appear like bright beacons. They are what I unkowingly overlooked all my life and something I sorely missed once I left MS.

I will even fess up... I may still snag magnolias when I go home. In fact, that is how I came to my realization and decided to finally claim my "thing".  This past trip, I couldn't help myself from tip-toeing like a stealth ninja up to one of those trees.  I grabbed a magnolia in full bloom and high tailed it back to the car like I was robbing a bank! The car filled with the sweet distinct smell of a southern magnolia! I looked at that flower with such excitement and wonder realizing at that moment magnolias were my "thing".

Now, why the blog? There are so many times that I want to vent or talk about something I don't necessarily want on our family blog. I also love crafting, sewing, and cake decorating. I figure I can use this blog for those reasons and see what comes of it. This season of my life is built around 4 young kiddos whom I love and cherish, and they take up most of my extra time.  This blog might be used as my outlet or possibly a portfolio of daily stress rants and monthly crafts. The sky is the limit- at least for now I have my "thing".

It took a long time to figure it out, but better late than never!

Do YOU have a "thing"?