The Mama Hustle

If you are a supporter of Two Hidden Gems… THANK YOU! Thank you so much for supporting us in the mama hustle. If you are new here… let me explain. Three years ago my team teacher/ best friend and I made up a plan. We are not under a company. We ARE the company. Every decision, creation, product, photograph… OURS. We made the dream from the ground up. It has truly been the BEST!!

What THG means to me is unexplainable. It is truly a creative outlet with ZERO stress. I hear so often: “I don’t know how you do it!” If I am being REAL LIFE….. THG is the easiest thing I do in my life. Tonight’s battle with “you have to eat what I cooked” and “It’s time for your bath!” was the hard part of my day. Testing, planning, differentiated grouping based off of student needs was REAL hard today. Two Hidden Gems, that’s stress relief.

Sure I don’t start working until everyone is in the bed for the night. Sure my living room looks like this weekly while I invoice, sort, and ship. Honestly, I look forward to the quiet night of working all week. Again, it’s the easy part.

So when you support a small business, you support a mama. You support someone who doesn’t start working until the children are in bed. You support mamas who teach all day, then mama, then small business. You support a tiny piece of our field. We are so grateful you are here. If you want to join us, then come see us on Sunday night at 8:30 on Facebook Live. We have all of your statements, staples, and studs.

What Can I Do To Make It Better

Before I was “Mama” I was Mrs. Coach Cain. When we moved to a small town and it was just Coach and me, I had too much time. So, I started a cross country program. (A whole different story for a different day.) Anyway, there were problems that I had to work out. For starters, I had NO clue what I was doing. Luckily, the AD was very very kind. I will never forget him saying, “When you come to me with a problem, come to me with a solution you think will work to fix it. If you just come to me with the problem, that is complaining.”

Read that again.

That has forever changed me.

In a world of complainers (that lovely internet group of complainers makes my stomach hurt) I want to be someone to make it better. If I can. And if I can’t…. then I truly can’t complain.

As a Coach’s wife: I catch myself getting ready to complain about my exhaustion or my work load. Last year I was really feeling a way about how I was NEVER on a mental break…. so rather than complaing to Coach, I went with a solution. “Hey. I am overwhelmed. So every other week I am going to have the sitter come for 2 hours and I am going to take a Mama Moment.” I never complained about Coach’s schedule…. I went with a solution. So I made it better.

As a teacher when I don’t like how something happened or something needs to be fixed, I find myself going to admin with: “Hey. This is happening. I thought about doing this to fix it. What do you think?” (Shoutout to the BEST admin because they have ALWAYS just let me be me.)

BUT…. BUT… BUT…..

When I go to complain about something that I have NO IDEA what I would do to make it better… I have NO CLUE how to change the situation to do it a different way…. THEN I CAN’T COMPLAIN ABOUT IT.

It has truly changed when I complain. Fun fact…. I have found nothing to complain about.

Today when we are faced with something to complain about….. then fix it. Come up with a plan to fix it. And if you can’t think of what you would do to make it better…. don’t complain.

Field Favorites

We are officially on season 16. In 16 years I went from the new coach’s girlfriend…. to the fiancé…. to the wife…. to the wife with children in the stands. We have been to stadiums across this beautiful state and let me tell you…. The HBC (head ball coach) that takes time to have a family pass list and VIP parking… Y’all are the true MVPs.

On year 16 I have decided to share some of my stadium MUST haves. Here is the criteria. I may or may not be carrying in my 40 pound man child on my hip. This depends on his mood at 7pm. I need things to fit in one bag. I need the bag to be light and not rip my arm off. I need things to be able to HELP me during the game.

Here is what I am using this season.

These clear bags. Calla has one. Cart has one. I had them fill them with small toys and a few snacks. They were able to carry them with no problems at all. I went ahead and just did all clear bags this season because I am not risking any unknown stadium policies.

Here is the clear bag I use. It is large enough to hold a blanket and a towel. Never ever forget a towel. You will need it. Even if it hasn’t rained in a month. You need a towel in your bag.

This season we are spending time in the stands. Cart Cain likes to sit and watch. I am too old to sit on those bleachers. I got this seat. It is SO light. I am excited to use it this Friday. I did research and wanted one that was adjustable, light, and came in other colors. This was the best price I found. If you sit on the grass…. THIS. This will be in my car for games that we sit on the field.

You need a blanket. It will be 200* and you still need a blanket for children to sit on, or to lay on in the grass while they eat their Chick-fil-A dinner.

Some fans. My bestie has this for recess. I grabbed three. They really are powerful. And again… it is 200*.

Don’t ask. Just buy this.. You need it. We all need it. Everyone in my family has their own. Just trust me. It is 200*.

I hope your season is FULL of wins. Unless you play the Warhawks. :)

Rules of Our Field

When the idea of this corner of the field was just on the practice schedule….. I promised myself that I would stay as real life as possible. The internet is a highlight reel and I don’t want anyone to think this fieldhouse is perfect. It is FAR from that. We deal with terrible attitudes from our 8 year old. We all snap and yell and roll our eyes. I pitch fits worse than the two year old from time to time. It is a good thing we all have grace for each other around here because WHEW…. we need it. I say all of that to say that in the “REAL LIFE'“ part of this… I need to share something that will NOT be liked by many…. but it may help out one mama. It may help one house. One team may need to hear this.

Here is a rule in our house: Football doesn’t get your best. WE do.

Teacher Life doesn’t get my best. Team Cain does.

Coach and I had a talk a few years ago and I feel like it was truly a game changer. See there are two types of coaches in this game: The ones that have been fired, and the ones that will be.

Ouch. That hurts to say. But it is the truth. Guess what, that team will one day let you go. That school might bring in a new coaching staff. Your family NEVER will. You will ALWAYS be Coach of the Year in this house. Every year. Every month. Every day. Always. Your family needs your #1.

I need this reminder for myself too when I start thinking about my career goals. I find myself wanting to do all the things. I want to be at all of the trainings and meetings. Then I remember what I expect from Coach and football, and remember he expects the same from me and the classroom. Family first. Always. (another reason I have the world’s greatest admin. She taught me this.)

Somehow Coach is the legit GOAT at keeping all of the games going at once…. but everyyyyyyy now and then he gets tired. It hits him. Then we have to take a timeout and remind each other…. your family doesn’t get the “I’m exhausted from football season.” Football IS VERY important to us. I get that. I married a Coach. I knew this life…. but that will NEVER be an excuse to miss out on our family. If you are a football coach…. that is EXTRA. You are a father. God gave you these babies to raise for HIM.

Sometimes you have to have that hard discussion. “Hey, that doesn’t align with our family goals.” I have had to say, “Sorry, make it happen.” when Coach double books. If you are in a hard season, I will pray with you. Sometimes, we need to have hard talks. Sometimes people will have hurtful things to say when you put family first. It’s fine.

This will probably get me Real Life Coach’s Wife Life Fired. I will now have the husband with the most unpopular wife. It is fine. This is my heart. Being a coach is a balancing act… and sadly you have to be really good at the balance. You wanna be a good coach? Great. I support that. I’ll do everything I can to support you and make that happen…. but you are adding to your plate, not being excused from other responsibilities already on it.

CCTM Back to School

We made it. We had a successful week of 3rd grade, I have THE ABSOLUTE sweetest class of 5th graders in the world, and Coach Cain was asked a million and two times if he was “Mrs. Cain’s husband.” Not to mention we survived volleyball practice, late football nights, and an upset two year old because he can’t leave school and go directly to Daddy’s field. We are truly thriving in the Cain House. Thriving.

I also somehow managed to cook dinner every night, make it to the 5am club, and wear something CCTM each day.

If you’re new here…. CCTM is the “brand” of Mrs. Cain. See, I am HERE for the “Coastal Grandma” trend. But I live far from the coast, and I am not a grandma. My students said I am very Comfy Cozy Teacher Mom. So last year the brand was named. CCTM. I am going to wear it to school then I need it to feel like pjs…. be loose fitting, and comfortable. When I jump from chair to chair I need to have full body movement capability. (Only students will understand.) If you are VERY new here I am the co-owner of Two Hidden Gems. Part of my job with that little business is to promote our gems. This brings us to the daily classroom mirror selfies. This brought us to the emails and messages asking for links so you too can be CCTM all day. It is the life I tell you. THE LIFE.

Here we go.

I could LIVE in this blue skort . It is long enough for school, has shorts, and never needs an iron. Highly suggest. I wear it weekly.

This ruffle top is for sure a new favorite. I love anything ruffles. Always need the ruffles.

Dream Shoes. Don’t hate me. They are an investment. I am 35, and golly man my feet hurt. I am to the age that I can’t wear flat shoes. I need support. These are for sure teacher approved. They are a great quality brand, and I feel like I will wear them for years. A splurge for sure… but your feet are worth it.

I literally cannot provide a single link. I got the top this summer from a boutique in Atlanta. The pants are from a local boutique: Houndstooth and Pearls if you are local. The shoes were a fun summer purchase from Sole. Again, if you are local…. Sole in Perry is the BEST! And man oh man… those gems though. Yellow perfection. We call this a staple statement. Those are the ones Brandi sells as a staple, but they are valued as a statement. She loves to stress me like that.

More Sole shoes, and more Houndstooth. Pants were from last year. They are wide leg and pull on. Can anything get any better?! BUT THE GEMS! They are statements and make a statement for sure!

We are starting a new thing: Teacher Tee Thursday. Tell your teachers. Chair jumping and desk standing is done best in outfits that could literally pass for pjs… but really aren’t. (Most of the time, ok?!)

I was sent these PANTS to review. The company said: “We feel these fit your style.” They are smocked waist, pull on, wide leg, and purple. Yes. That is my style. I am 5’7 and the length is perfect. PLUS THEY HAVE POCKETS.

The most teacher shoe of teacher shoes. If you know a teacher, buy her these. This is THE best teacher shoe in the whole wide world. If you are not a teacher, you still need them.



I also think I saved my favorite outfit for last. My favorite pants that I ask Coach to wash twice a week because I wear them SO much. They are 2 years old and I swear I will wear them to my own retirement

This sweater shirt. Y’all. It is the BEST top. It is super soft, I feel it is VERY flattering, and it will go with about 58987 gems I have. If you buy one thing to transition into fall… this may be it. I just went and bought two more colors because I loved it that much.

Classroom Treats

We are back to school… and although I love the perfect balance of hustle and rest that our summer schedule allows…. Teacher Life has my heart. I am 100% READY to go back to school. I am excited. The first day back was emotionally BIG for me personally. It was truly like living a dream. More to come about this… because there is a story.

The reason for this post is because I want to share an idea I have. Classroom treats are HUGE and children love a small prize. Now don’t get me wrong: Jolly Rancher Wars is LIFE…. but for something different: I don’t LOVE giving candy out daily. I was on the research website and I found this idea. CHARM BRACELETS

This idea is for elementary education for sure, but I teach 5th and I truly think they will LOVE this. They love a little toy treat. Ok here is the plan: Students can first earn this bracelet. (You can set up whatever system you use to earn something. I am using the PUNCH CARDS that I found here.) So after they have the bracelet… here is the BEST part….. NOW THEY CAN EARN THESE CHARMS! They actually fit shoes as well. How stinkin’ fun?! This is SO much better than a candy treat, fairly inexpensive, and just something exciting for the little babies before they officially turn too cool for elementary school.

Here are some other fun items that I have used in the past that are not candy or food. (But we all know candy and food are GREAT classroom rewards.)

REALLY COOL STICKERS

SLAP BRACELETS

FIDGETS

As always, thank you for using the links you see here in this little corner of the field. I do earn a small commission when you shop my links. That keeps this little place going! You are truly the BEST!