Super Mom, and then some!

As I sit on my front porch, listening to the birds chirp, and watching the sun slowly fade away, I cannot help but think about my Mom.  10 years ago today she passed away. And I know what some of you may be thinking, "Oh gosh, not another post about your Mom". But how else do we keep her memory alive, if we stop talking about her, posting about her and remembering her?  The day she died, we didn't just lose her, we lost a decade of  Birthdays, Christmases, Easter Sundays, Mothers Days; we lost a decade of  memories with her. There will always be an empty seat at the table, and it's not something that is easy to get over.  As we were going through old photos the other day, my youngest, who was just a few moths old at the time she passed away, picked up a picture that had Mom in it and looks at me and asks, "Who's this?" And it dawned on me then that even though she's heard about her MawMaw her whole life, and has photos of her, she doesn't ...

So, it's taken me all day to find the words to say. Usually I would be sharing your picture and posting an "I miss you" message on Facebook. But today felt different, today felt like the day that I should say exactly how I feel. People always say that time heals all wounds, and that it gets better. And as much as I appreciate that sentiment, it has not rang true for me. It doesn't get better, it gets easier to manage the pain of the loss that I feel, but it doesn't get better. Today marks another birthday that you should have shared with us. So many emotions go into this day.  It takes me back to the last birthday we shared with you, in 2008, I made you a cake, and we came over, you were so happy, full of life and you had hopes of feeling better. I was pregnant, and you were so excited to be a Maw-Maw again! I had no clue that would be the last birthday we would celebrate with you. And while life does go on, your absence is felt at every Christmas, New Years, Bi...

As a teenager, my Mom would walk in my room, just to ask how I was doing. I would brush it off, tell her to go away, or just say that I didn't want to talk right then. My life revolved around my friends, and that was it. Fast Forward to me now being the Mother of a near teen, I feel that sting when she tells me "not right now" or "I'm fine Mom". This is a right of passage, we all go through this, it is something that is to be expected. However, June 12th, 2018 will mark the 10 year anniversary of my Mothers passing. Oh, how I wish she was here for this, for what I am going through right now, I wish I had her to call, I wish I had her to confide in and I wish she had the opportunity to relish in the whole "I told you so", that she very well deserved.  Me and my sister were no picnic, Lol! I would love to sit on the porch with her and compare notes, I would love to hear her tell me how much my kids are like me at that age, or aren't like me a...

So, I actually debated on whether or not to write a blog on this, but I'll be honest, I had a hard time sleeping last night, and I feel like I need to write this, if for no one else but me. I stayed awake thinking about the recent victims of the Las Vegas shooting, their families, the fact that they were just living their lives, and out of nowhere, someone else decided for them, that they wouldn't be going home that night. Much like how I also felt after what happened in Orlando last year. My heart hurts for them. And it made me sick to my stomach knowing that my kids and grand-kids are growing up in a world full of so much hate. I knew that I would have to talk to my kids about it, but like many parents, I didn't really know how to go about having that conversation with them. I didn't know how much, or how little they had heard about it. We try to shield our kids from the bad things going on around them, we want them to feel safe, and we want them to not have to worr...

I don't know what it is about the end of the week that brings out the lazy in everyone! Lol! Seriously, Thursday has to be the most hectic day. This morning, I heard my alarm and must have hit the snooze so many times, it finally gave up on me. Woke up late, put on some coffee, that I had to take with me in the car, one kid was ready to go, the other was dragging trying to get their stuff done. We finally get in the car and my youngest forgot something and had to run back in. Get her to school in the knick of time, and then get my oldest to school just shy of 5 minutes early. Took a deep breath, because I know that next Thursday will be much of the same! And not only was it hectic, I woke up to find out that we didn't win the 700 million Lotto! Really bummed, because I think I would be really awesome at being a millionaire, but sadly no one has given me the chance to prove that. YET! But in between the hustle and bustle of the craziness that are those rushed mornings, there w...

So, on my ventures this morning of all the running my kids to their individual schools. A song, that I have heard a million times, came on the radio. It's an old song, by Dave Mason, titled, "We just disagree".  And even though I have heard it a million times, one part of the song really hit home, considering what's going on in the world around us. The verse is, "There ain't no good guy, there ain't no bad guy, there's only you and me and we just disagree." And in a world full of, "this is how I feel, and if you don't agree, then you're {this} or you're {that}!" I wish more people would realize this. I wish more people would stop focusing on being right, rather than actually take the time to listen to what the other person is saying. Because without doing that, all of this bickering back and forth just turns into white noise. I typically don't get involved and voice my opinion online about certain things going on rig...

Today is back to school for our district, which leaves me sad and happy all at the same time! You see, my oldest started her first day of middle school. I honestly think I was more nervous than she was considering she insisted she walk to class on her own and just have me drop her off, which makes the first school year ever that I didn't walk her to class and make sure she was settled in. Yes, I was teary eyed and emotional. So, I sit here now wondering how she is doing, and if she is settling in to her new school okay. And the Mom in me is going over every single scenario in my head about what is going on in her day. I remember middle school, sometimes the kids can be a little meaner if you don't fit into their crowd, and they can be very critical at times also. One thing about my oldest is that she sees the best in everyone, she is friends with most kids she comes across, this has sometimes not been in her best interest, because even though some of those kids were not so nice...

So, I was sitting here thinking the other day, after having a new acquaintance ask me what I do and I really wasn't sure which answer to give, because typically when I answer with all of my accomplishments, eyes glaze over. Lol! So I will usually just answer with one of my many ventures and leave it at that. But I don't think that tactic is working, because I feel like I am selling myself short. I think we are conditioned at an early age to just pick something and stick with it. The whole, "what do you want to be when you grow up?" sort of mentality. I never really fit that mold though, because I like to let creativity take over.  Beginning at the age of 18, I was sure that I wanted to be a model, so I joined groups and went on shoots and had a really amazing time, even being chosen to have my photos appear in a publication. But along that journey, I realize I had a knack and passion for photography, which I also pursued, trained, and learned from some of the best in...

This past weekend, I chaperoned my daughters choir field trip. I'll admit, I was coming off of a very long week, and Girl Scout cookie season, which, lets be honest, is a full time job in itself! But I was very exited to spend this time with her and her friends, despite my busy schedule.  As we are walking through Islands of Adventure, my daughter says to me, "Thank you!", I said, "Oh honey, you're welcome!" Then she says, "And not just about today, about everything you do for me." Very teary eyed, I respond with, "You're welcome sweetheart, anything for my babies!" And give her a huge hug! At that moment I felt a huge sense of pride, in myself and in her! Here I am, l ike many parents, just doing my best to raise my babies the best way I know how, and doing for them what I can, thinking on some level that I'm screwing it all up at times. Hearing her sincerely thank me was the absolute best thing anyone has ever sai...

Good Morning!   I love Wednesdays. It is my day to relax a bit, because I know that it is an early release day for my kids, so I don't make big plans. I drop them at school, come home, make some coffee, change back into my PJ's and just chill out for a little while. I will sometimes work on editing photos, or brainstorm new book ideas, and just be creative. It's great to have a day like this, to focus solely on my projects.  One super exciting thing to mention before getting to work is that my ebook, Marie and Reilly, is currently FREE on Amazon until March 11th! Go get you a copy! Marie and Reilly Happy Hump Day everyone!

So, let me get this straight . A person can stop paying child support for how ever long they want to, yet when child support enforces action against them to collect, the receiving parent is deemed "Money Hungry" and is made out to look like the big bad wolf? Because, how dare they hold you accountable for your financial obligation to your child/ren? Believe it or not, this is the sad reality of way too many parents. The most selfish thing is when the paying parent threatens to take the receiving parent back to court for custody because they are tired of the bullsh i t. (Bullsh i t meaning having to pay child support) . B ecause that's a legitimate reason to go back to court, right? In that situation, it amazes me that they would rather chance their child/ren's happiness by dragging them through a legal fight and spend thousands of dollars in court costs instead of simply paying their child support on time. Those parents obviously do not have the child/ren...

What happens when your child comes home and tells you that they need a chipmunk costume for their school play dress rehearsal TOMORROW??! Well...it's nothing this Supermom can't handle. With a little hot glue, cardboard, headband, cotton balls, duct tape and an old Brownie Girl Scout dress! One chipmunk costume ready for tomorrow. Let's just hope that my kiddos don't make a habit out of waiting until the last minute for things like this. I'm tired now... ~Supermom

So, I keep hearing the mainstream media use the term, "Uneducated White Women", as one of the many terms they are using to describe those who voted in the Presidential Election. Apparently, I have been lumped into this category of individuals , simply because I do not yet have a college degree.   I'd like to clear things up a bit. Here are a few of the more important titles that I hold. You won't see the word, "uneducated", in this list. -A Mother -A Grandmother -A Wife -A Business Owner  -A Photographer -A Student -An Author -A Property Owner -A Girl Scout Troop Leader -A Volunteer  -A Good Human Being Feel free to describe me by using any of the titles I have listed above . P lease, stop us ing my lack of a college degree as a reason to assume that I am uneducated. I am very well educated in many areas of  life. Thank you, Supermom

Something that has been on my mind lately, the negativity of others.  It seems like everywhere you look, there's this conflict or that conflict. People just seem to want to be hateful,  for no real good reason. This past week, I have been on the receiving end of someones hatefulness. There was no reason for it, they assumed I'd wronged them without actually looking at the facts of the situation. Even after I told them that I did not do what they claimed I'd done. I was called a liar for standing up for myself.  And when the facts were brought to light, that I actually didn't wrong them, that the situation they were facing had nothing to do with me at all really, they still continue to carry around hateful feelings towards me.  What I have learned from this situation is that when someone hates or says they hate you, they don't actually hate you, they hate who they think you are. In the midst of this new accusation, I've also had things that they thought I d...

  So, with Mother's Day a few days away, I cannot help but wonder what it would be like to have my Mom here, to be able to write her a nice card and to send her a bouquet of flowers and find the perfect gift that I know she would love . S he would open it, her eyes would tear up and she would thank me at least a dozen times. But I can't, and won't ever be able to do that again.....   You see, my Mom passed away 8 years ago, June.  It was sudden, we were not prepared, and even now, it's difficult to think about. I am still not ready to let go and it still hurts. It has changed me as a person to lose my Mom when I need her the most. My kids were just babies, and not having your Mom there to guide you through that is difficult. There are many times when I need advice or guidance and I w ill reach for the phone to call her, but there is no number to Heaven.   This Sunday, my kids and Husband will spend the day making me feel special, and I absolutely love every se...

Hello! I know it's been quite awhile since I have written a blog, when school starts for my kids, I also start my online classes, plus it takes awhile to get back into the swing of things. So I will start off by tying up some things I have left you hanging on with my last few posts. Hysterectomy recovery: Well, it's been 8 months since my surgery, and I have been able to start getting back to my old self, plus about 20ish pounds that I put on during my 3 month, light activity recovery. I am hoping to start taking some of that off soon...but let's be honest, next month is Thanksgiving and I really do not have the self control to say no to all of that yummy food! Haha.  I did try a few diets along my journey these past few months, but nothing that really seemed to stick with me. One of which was the 21 day fix, I did like the workouts and the shakes were good, they were entirely too overpriced for someone in debt due to medical bills though, and the diet itself I found ve...

So, a few weekends ago my sister invited me to come with her to the Country Superfest in Jacksonville. Since she lives in Georgia and I live in South Florida we decided to rent a motel and meet there the first day of the concert, check in and then head to the concert together....sounds simple right? So it took me quite awhile to find a motel available, and the only one that wasn't $300 a night and was fairly close to where we needed to go, I booked. We even joked about it being a roach motel, but the photos on the website of the motel were nice, and the ratings weren't too terrible, seemed to be a really nice place. We met up in Jacksonville, had some lunch and then headed over to the motel to check in and change after our long drives.  I pull into the parking lot and immediately turned around, called her and said, NOPE! This motel was awful, there were people hanging out on the balconies, not very nice looking people either, it looked run down, there seemed to be a lot ...

Hi everyone! I just wanted to write a little about my recovery since my 2 week post-op entry. Let's see, I am able to move around a lot better now and I tend to forget that there are still restrictions I have to follow. Boy is it difficult to look around the house and see so many things that need to be done and being unable to do them!  I am back to driving again, thank goodness! My kids are super excited to have Mommy able to drive them back and forth to school again, I definitely missed that also.  I have started to test my limits a little, doctors orders, and am able to do a few things around the house. I still have a little belly, I look like I am few months pregnant, ironic, I know, but I am told that will gradually go away throughout the recovery process. My incisions look pretty good, they are starting to not look as noticeable, so that is good. I am really happy so far with how my recovery is going. I do still get frustrated at times, with myself. I hear other wome...

Hello everyone! I am happy to be on the other side of this surgery!  My surgery was on February 25th, 2015, so I am now 2 weeks + Post-op, and for the most part I feel pretty good! I will take you through my surgery and recovery so far. The morning of my surgery was interesting, I really thought that I would be a nervous wreck, but I wasn't.  I am not sure if it was due to lack of sleep the night before, or that I had finally made peace with my decision, but I felt pretty confident that morning. My husband and I woke up at 4 a.m. and I had to scrub with Antibacterial soap before heading to the hospital.  Once there, I was signed in, given 3 arm bands and assigned a nurse who did my prep. She was very nice and informative about how the morning would go and what I could expect. I get some really fancy compression stockings and they also put some other things on my legs that simulates movement to keep my blood flowing and avoid clots. She started my IV and gave me s...

Tomorrow at 5am I go into the hospital for my Total Hysterectomy. I am currently freaking out!  I cannot help but think of all the bad things that can happen.  It all started 2 days ago when I went in for pre-op and pretty much had to initial next to each and every complication that could happen during the surgery saying that I understand the risks.  I know there is like a 1% chance any of these things could happen, but I am so scared I am that 1%.  Not to mention the whole finality of never having a baby again.  Which seems really ridiculous since 5 years ago we decided we were finished having kids and my Husband got a vasectomy.  But for some reason I am starting to get emotional about the whole thing.  Once it's out, you cannot put it back. What if in 5 more years we decide we do want more kids??  Ugh. Like that will happen, but what-if?  I know that most, if not all, Women have these feelings right before this operation, and I have be...