Hey ya'll! My name is Katie McMaster

I am that mom whose kids know all the words to “GDFR” by Flo’ Rida. The kind of mom who allows her children to eat waffles for breakfast, lunch AND dinner. I am the mom who encourages her daughter to pick her own outfits, and proudly allows her to wear her pants and underwear backwards, with her shoes on the wrong feet. I have no clue what I am doing 75% of the time as a mom. And you know what?! I have finally decided to own it. 

My husband and I are quasi high school sweethearts. You see, we met in HS, but didn’t actually date or fall in love until well after HS. When we got married I had these great dreams of becoming a choreographer and back up dancer for Ciara. I soon realized that this dream might not be as practical as I had once hoped, and so I swapped my choreographer hat for a teacher hat. (Don’t panic, I didn’t give up on my passion, dancing is still a huge part of my life!) I graduated with a masters degree in teaching in 2012, and the following year my daughter was born. 

Our little family is blessed to call the lovely state of Oregon home, more specifically southern Oregon. My husband is in his first year of working as a Dentist. (He graduated from OHSU Dental School June 2017). And I am a full-time stay at home mama, with dreams of possibly homeschooling our children (with lots of educational vacations :). My husband and I are your stereotypical Spanish/Italian couple - having a loud discussion one moment and loving each other madly the next. We are each (my husband,. daughter, and son included) passionate, head strong, loud, independent, kind, hot headed, happy people. Who love deeply and fiercely.

Becoming a parent was a huge life changing moment for me (as I am sure it is for most). I don’t know why they don’t give all new parents parenting quizzes or manuals or a fat stack of parenting books while on their way out of the hospital… I felt clueless, helpless, and so out of my element. Three years later we decided to add yet ANOTHER child to the mix, and I am still just as clueless now as I was the first time around. After years of feeling inadequate, inept, and just out of sorts, I recently went through and learned a powerful life lesson. These two tiny humans, are mine through and through. I truly believe with my whole heart that these two kiddos chose to come to me. (And whatever you believe in, be it a higher power or genetics it’s all the same.) These tiny humans are tiny pieces OF me! (And my husband too.) The things the say, the attitude they throw, the choices they make, their dance moves, their saucy smart comebacks, and negotiating tactics… Me. Me. Me. And sometimes Daniel :) 

None of us are perfect. We all have faults, and weaknesses, where others may have strengths. And that’s O.K! There is no such thing as a perfect mom - at least not by the standard definition. But we ARE the perfect mom’s for OUR children. No one can parent your kids, better than you!

I started this blog back in 2013 when Ruby was born as a way to keep in touch with family, and to document moments of her life. As the years have gone on, I haven’t always been the best at recording all those moments, but my passion for writing and reliving those moments has grown. My goal this year, 2018, is to take this blog and make it a place where mom’s can come and feel empowered, uplifted, and strengthened in their mom capabilities. I want mom’s to learn to love themselves, faults and all, and to know that the way they mom, is a-OK. 

As women, and moms especially, we talk so often about building each other up, and showing each other love. Which is so important in breaking down this idealism of “perfect”, and putting an end to mom-shaming. But we have to start with ourselves first. If we are constantly picking ourselves apart, then we begin to project our faults on others. Enter - mom-shaming. We can’t give to others what we don’t have for ourselves already. To love others, we have to first love ourselves. (Why do you think they ask you to put your oxygen mask on first in a plane crash before helping others? Because you’ll be of no use to anyone if you’re out of oxygen and dead.)

I promise to uplift, inspire, and love you through this journey, if you promise to do the same with me. There will be a lot of triumphs, some fails, guaranteed laughter, and maybe even some tears along the way. But I am humbled, blessed, and so grateful that you stopped by. I look forward to building this community, and to being surrounded by all of my soul friends. Make sure you subscribe to follow along for mayhem, mischief, chaos, and dance parties laced with delicious foods, the occasional workout, and online shopping spree's. :) 

CHEERS Soul Friends!