thatMom

Mom, wife, tattoo artist. Coffee&nicotine addict with an unfiltered mouth. I allow my kids to do most things that are frowned upon.  I believe in empathy, not judgement.  Getting those hateful stares across the room and smiling.

[thattattoomomsheet]

Not who you think.

You know when people form their opinions about you, and you know those opinions? 

For example, you know someone for a really long time and have grown close with them. You know their political and religious stances, but they hardly know yours?  They don't know a whole lot, because they don’t ask... so they form their opinion of you.  Being oblivious to the fact of what you think and believe.  

They are ignorant to the fact that theirs is completely opposite of yours.

YET you are okay with being their friend, right? 

Because their thoughts and beliefs don’t change your respect, and love for them?

You also know that if they knew your thoughts and opinions that it wouldn’t ever be the same friendship...LOL.

Funny how that works right?

I am capable of being friends/family with those who don’t think the same things I do, but as soon as someone learns that we think opposite... it’s game over. 

[thattattoomomsheet]

Just-a-TattooArtist

I am a tattoo artist.

Sometimes I am “just” a tattoo artist.

But being a tattoo artist **keep count how many times I say tattoo artist** is not just about the tattoos.  There is so much more to it than just tattooing.

I am being trusted to be apart of someones healing process.

To be apart of someones grief.

To be apart of someones recovery.

To be apart of someones self love journey.

To be apart of someones love.

There is so much I get to be apart of.  I am given the the opportunity to create a piece of artwork that they will carry with them for the rest of their lives. I get to bond with someone over the piece of artwork, and hear their story.  I meet so many people with different stories, and I can remember all of them. 

They all have a special place in my heart.

Don’t get me wrong!  It is not all sunshine and rainbows, and I don’t get the special pieces everyday either. I get my fair share of “interesting” tattoos, and “interesting” pieces. I can paint the scene of both scenarios. 

*special piece* (no names will be given)

One of my regulars has a day rate session coming up, and I notice on Facebook that they lost a loved one.  I reach out and make sure they are okay.  They ask for a specific piece to memorialize the one they lost on top of the pieces we were originally suppose to be doing. 

Of course I say yes!  

They wanted the loved ones hands. 

I felt their heavy heart as soon as they walked into he studios doors. 

Placing the stencil and them looking at it they held back a few tears. I was able to get them to talk about the situation, and get things off their chest. 

It was time to see the finished product, and I ended up having to walk away as they looked at the piece.  I had to give them a few minutes to have their emotional moment. I felt what they felt, but I also felt very good that I was able to give them such a meaningful piece <3 

Then there are the “interesting* pieces! 

I had a young man sitting in my chair and I am tattooing away.

He kept looking down at me and making an odd face.  Kinda like head tilted up and glaring down.  Dramatically like you see in the really cheesy horror movies.

I was worried something was wrong so I asked.

“Am I bleeding?” He asked.

“No not really, nothing out of the ordinary”

“Good.. I’m not going to” He said 

I giggled thinking he was kidding, and I looked up at him. 

He said “I’m a vampire”

He was completely serious, and I was flabbergasted. 

How are you supposed to take that information.  I was trying to take him seriously, and wait to laugh until he was gone.

I couldn’t tell all my coworkers soon enough!

It’s never dull in the studio! 

I am constantly meeting new people, and hearing new stories. 

Next to being a tattoo artist, I am also the suicide awareness coordinator for our nonprofit.   

So hearing the stories and being able to help people in a unique way is my favorite part of the job <3 

I am just a tattoo artist. (Surprisingly just 6ish times.. right?) 

[thattattoomomsheet]

Being That Mom

I am a mother of 2 beautiful babies, and I am also a tattoo artist.  

Apparently you can’t be both

Just because I am both doesn’t mean that I am only suppose to be good at one or the other. I am good at both, and work very hard to be the best I can in all aspects of my life. 

Picture this.  A young woman with long dreadlocks, covered in tattoos(including her face and throat) in a small town.  A small town where 50%-70% of the church goers only go to church so they can look like christians, but do zero work for the lord.  Everyone knows everyones business, and nobody goes without some type of judgement.  They see that young woman and think “drug head” “trash” “worthless” “disgusting”.  All the things they are perfectly okay with saying to her face, and go to church that following Sunday without a heavy heart about what they said. 

I am a christian, and I bet they wouldn’t know that because they ASSUME what I am based on how outward my personality is. 

How I look does not define how good of a mother I am.  Just because I am a mother doesn’t mean that I have to lose all my self identity.  

I can guarantee that I am raising my children to be the most openminded, grounded, humble, and loving little humans.  Compared to your snobby, hypocritical, arrogant small minds.  

I can recall standing in line at Walmart, with an elderly lady behind me.  My children are waving at her, and smiling like the little angels they are. The lady is smiling and waving back.  Until she makes eye contact with me, and her face flattens. 

“You don’t deserve those babies”

“Oh, I know aren’t they precious” *me being naive to the fact that she was serious, because I know I am blessed to have my kids*

“No, honey.. you’re TRASH” 

Why did this lady find it necessary to make such a comment?  She doesn’t know me?  She doesn’t know how hard I work for my kids, and that they never go without. That their needs are always met even if it means I go without. She doesn’t know that my kids see me no different than the mom next door.  They see me as the one who will play with them for hours, will feed them, bathe them, make silly faces with them, and will always be there for them.  They don’t see that I am “THAT” mom.  They only see me as “THEIR” mom.  

I am proud to be “THAT” mom, because if being that mom means I can be myself, AND love my children?  I will continue to be “THAT” mom. 

Screw those who think I can only do one of the other.  *middle finger*

My God knows who I am, and that I have a relationship with him. 

My kids love and accept me for me, as I love and accept them. 

I am so sorry that your heart is corrupted.  I will pray for you while you “pray” that I find salvation for my APPEARANCE! 

[thattattoomomsheet]

Hello World

WELL! 

After constantly being bashed&bullied for putting all my thoughts, beliefs, and opinions on Facebook(Imagine that) I figured it was time to try and start a blog.  For those who actually give a crap what goes through my head daily. IF anyone does *nervous laugh*

Or it’s possible that I am sitting at home with 2 sick kiddos(and myself) and I am bored.  That is possible too, but it’s only a small one.  Forget I even said that. 

Before I try to pay to set up a blog, I wanted to see what would happen with Tumblr.  I love Tumblr anyway, so either way I will keep the account.  If it flops.. then it flops. 

Put your non pj PJ’s on, grab a snack, and buckle up... Because most of the time my life (and my thoughts) are pretty interesting.  

Between my home life, my past, my kiddos adventures/milestones, my career(tattoo artist), daily life, and my randoms thoughts/feelings?? I can guarantee it will not be boring!

So before I ramble endlessly on my first post let me leave it at that, while I try really hard to decide where to start on the next post!