We Have Moved!!

I'm back 

and

WE'VE MOVED!!

 You can now find me over here once again www.weedstowishes.com!!

    

besitos,

Taking a short pause...

Summer is flying by and I have been busy soaking it up. I have thought a lot about this blog...what I want to do with it...why do I want to do it...do I continue with this same format...do I make changes? Should I really get serious about implementing all the ideas I have? 

so...

I am in the process of creating...creating possibly something amazing. Be patient as I work that out...There are good things coming. I may not be around here for a bit as I am working on creating and dreaming up the next step.

Email me if you or anyone you know know how to design websites in wordpress...I am heading in that direction.

besitos, xo

One year.

One year ago this week, this little guy came to our family.
What a gift.
His happiness is contagious. You can't help but smile when he shows you his HUGE toothy grin.

I am proud to be his mamma.

I don't take these little miracles for granted. I wish I could pause time...but instead, I try to stop and memorize the way his squishy legs feel, the sound of his belly laugh, the smell of his hair when he comes out of the bath, and the way his little fingers still curl and wrap around mine.

This stage won't last forever...
But for now...I will enjoy it.

Now, let's continue celebrating this birthday week with eating frosting and cake.

besitos, xo

Perfect gift for a dad...

I am over here today talking about a little gift that Little Man and I put together for Father's Day.

 I have some great photos from what that photo shoot was really like and a tutorial on making something in this gift coming up real soon.

besitos, 

xo

Red Balloons for Ryan: Tribute to Mother's Who have Lost

Being a mother is vulnerable. You feel so much indescribable love for your children that at times your heart feels as if it will burst with this love. But you know how vulnerable love can be for your heart... because that same heart could experience great heart ache and pain in the next second if anything were to ever happen to the person you love. It is the risk we have as mothers. It is the fear we have stored in the back of our minds as mothers. When we hear about losses of young people...we feel a little heaviness in our hearts. I have been feeling this for the past week since I heard about this little boy loosing his life and the pain his mother must be feeling.

One week ago today, Jacqui Saldana author of Baby Boy Bakery lost her sweet little boy in a freak accident where he was playing at a family member's home when he ran to catch a Frisbee and was hit by a car. 

He seemed to be a little boy full of spunk and life and his parents just seemed to adore and enjoy every moment with him. I have been amazed on how the online community has supported and rallied behind this family. Because as mothers, we all know and don't know at the same time the pain they must feel with this loss.

Her best friend Alissa Circle, wrote on her blog about the tragedy and encouraged her readers to not only pray for the family, but to also share Ryan's story as a way to remember the boy. 

 The hashtag is:

 #redballoonsforryan 

Keep these families along with other families who have lost a loved one in your prayers.

Last Thursday night, I got to listen to the mother of this sweet little girl. This is Emily who died in the Sandy Hook shooting a few years ago. Her mother said, "Everyone would come up to me and say they were sorry and how it was their nightmare- but I didn't want to be defined by a nightmare."

I was inspired by her words and her strength. 

This video is just absolutely amazing. Grab a tissue.

besitos, xo

Giving myself permission to feel.

Today I was deleting old messages on my phone and came across several that my grandma had left. Many of them just calling to say hello and going on and on how cute my kids are and how proud of me she was.
She was my cheerleader and someone who could only see the good qualities in me. Tears streamed down my face as I heard her cute little voice and her genuine love for me and my family.

I could never ever delete these messages. ever.

But truthfully it still hurts.
 I keep wondering if it is normal to be so sad still many months after a grandparent passes away? To constantly have a lump in my throat when I talk about her? To open the floodgates of tears anytime I come across a birthday card she wrote? To stay up late and replay in my mind that dramatic and heart-wrenching final goodbye at the hospital over and over again.
Is this normal?
The funny thing is that as my counselor hat comes on- I would tell anyone who is grieving (no matter the circumstances) to take all the time they need to reflect, ponder, and grieve. That grief comes in waves and different magnitudes and to just ride the waves as they come without pushing them away.
Ha but do I take my own advice?

{Grandaughters wearing her dresses and pearls}

 Just as I think I am ready to adjust to life without my grandmother in it...I find myself struck with a memory that sends tears streaming down my face. I then begin to rationalize why I shouldn't really be that sad. She is in a better place, she is happier, she is not in pain, she is with grandpa, blah blah blah.

But the truth is. I am still sad. I am not allowing myself time to just be silent. She was the heart of our family... and I am not only grieving not seeing her anymore but grieving the way her home smelled and always felt warm. I am grieving the way she would take my hand in hers when we talked. I am grieving her orange rolls and peach cobbler. I am grieving her funny jokes and sense of humor. I am grieving the stories she told us over and over again. I am grieving her Sunday dinners. I am still grieving.

Her home with her in it, is all I had left from my childhood family before my parents divorced. And now it is suddenly gone without warning. Wounds have been reopened as I feel some of the feelings resurface from the loss of my parent's divorce. Grief is so complicated.

Since her unexpected death in early February, I feel like I have had this creative block... actually not even just a creative block but a block in many areas of my life. Like, almost as time is standing still...or at least for me while the world continues on without me. I sometimes just feel like curling into a warm blanket with my kids and my husband and never letting go...especially with this week of rain- I just want to snuggle.

I so badly have been wanting to write more in here and to do more art-journaling and to teach and to really grow this blog...and...everything else... but I feel paralyzed. Ideas are constantly swirling in my mind...but I can't seem to get my heart and mind to align. My mind wants to do all those things...but my heart is... somewhere else... silently grieving. There doesn't seem to be room for anything else at the moment but to be silent. To shut off the crazy world and give myself permission to feel sad. 

So, bare with me as I write out loud some of the impressions in my heart as I make room for more creativity and light and move forward with all the things I have in store for you. I have some great ideas...now just need the space in my heart to begin.

Hug and squeeze those people you love this weekend!

besitos, xo

Meet Heather. A mother who beat the odds of cancer.

One thing I love about the internet is getting to meet really inspiring people and hear about their story. Meet

 Heather Von St. James.

As a young little girl, she was exposed to asbestos through her fathers work jacket. Then 30 years later she was diagnosed with mesothelioma just 3 ½ months after having her first and only child, Lily.She was given just 15 months to live!! Can you imagine what it would be like to be taking care of a new little life and then find out that you are fighting for your own?!  She shared with me that once diagnosed, most patients die within 2 years. Miraculously, she beat the odds and is telling her story eight years later!! 

 Below is our interview:

C: Bring us back to when you got the diagnosis as a new mom. What was that like?
H: Terrifying, but at the same time, I made up my mind to fight like hell to beat it, all I kept thinking about was this little girl and who she would be come without a mommy… so many things rush through your mind at a time like that, especially when you hear you may only live 15 months to live.. I knew though, in my heart of hearts, that it was not my time and I would live to see my daughter grow up.

{photo taken during her recover with baby Lily}

C:What kept you motivated to fight and beat the odds?
H: All I had to do was look at Lily.. here was this little baby… innocent and oblivious to the chaos surrounding her...I just had to look at her serious little face, with her lower lip sucked in and that was all the motivation I needed.  My husband reminded me of her every single day while we were away from her. He would get the emails my mom would send with pictures of Lily and print them off so I could see them.  This was before the days of Facebook and wifi in hospital rooms. and before texting pictures.. so this was the only way I could watch her grow, through grainy black and white pictures… but it was enough to get stronger and get home to her. 

C: How has your perspective on life changed now that you have gone through this?
H: Oh wow… I've changed so much.  I worked in the salon industry, and one can becomes quite shallow and self absorbed doing that sort of work for so long, and I was no exception.  I loved what I did, but was a bit on the selfish side, and used to let small things drive me crazy… now? I don't sweat the small stuff… I don't think so much of myself first.. it's for others. 

C: What do you want people to know about you or about Asbestos causing cancer?
H: Asbestos disease can happen to anyone..  I was a new mom, and it struck me down at a time in my life when I should have been celebrating the new life of my child… no one is immune to it.  Education, awareness, and prevention are the only way to protect yourself from asbestos. Early detection with any illness increases your chances, and that is where the awareness comes in. Many people think asbestos is no longer a problem because they thought it was banned, well, it isn't. Its still being used today, despite the devastation it causes.. and until more people know, nothing will change. That is why I do what I do. 

In honor of Asbestos Awareness during the month of April, Heather has created a webpage dedicated to raising awareness:  mesothelioma.com/heather/awareness. Check it out and show her some love! This is a preventable disease and you can learn more about it here and here!

Heather has inspired me to stay strong and stay positive with whatever life throws at you. Such an inspiration of strength and courage!

Have a great weekend!

Besitos, xo

Motherhood: World's Toughest Job

Do you sometimes feel like you are expected to wear a million different hats as a mother? Doctor, cook, plumber, taxi driver, waitress, maid, teacher,cheerleader, entertainment, etc.

A few days ago the mister and I were chatting about some things I was trying to sort out with our insurance...then I found myself sobbing. At that moment, I felt like I was supposed to know how to manage a million different things in my spare time... things that I didn't have any previous knowledge in. I think it is difficult for a person who is not home all day to understand how a busy a day can really be without all the extra tasks and errands. Add those things in the daytime, and it is feels impossible.

 The next day he texted me this.

 I am sure you have seen it already...it gets me every time. I just love it..

Moms are amazing huh? 

Check out the entire article here.

besitos,

xo

Giveaway winner!!!

What is your story? 

GIVEAWAY WINNERS:

YAY!! I want to announce the official winner: Rhiannon Beausoliel! Check your inbox!

Also, I want you to know that I love reading comments and love it when you share something with me! So, to show my appreciation-I want to also give additional books away to the ladies who shared with me. Thank goodness for those cheerleaders who cheer us on when things get tough- I appreciate your comments!

So, if you left a comment check your email shortly for further information on how to get your book!! If you didn't win this time around...there will be another chance in a few short weeks to get a signed hard copy of this book to celebrate Mother's Day!!! Stay tuned!

Thanks to all of you who continue to read this blog despite the eb and flow of writing that happens around here. I have some great things in the works...

 Love you all!
besitos, xo

Naptime Confession:Mommy is a PERSON.

"Mommy is a person."

This phrase was an Ah Ha moment I had while reading "Motherhood Realized,"  when April Perry was asked by her husband what she needed that week. I first love that question, but I particularly loved what happened next. She responded with, " Well, to survive, I need...." And then he looked at her and said, "April, I don't want you to only survive, I want you to THRIVE." 

Wow...that hit me...why do we as mothers forget that we also have things in our life that make us thrive... things that make us feel alive?

 These things have become a far distant memory as I find myself immersing completely in the trenches with my children day after day. I think that is why I am so spotty in writing on this blog. I love doing it- it makes me feel alive...but sometimes, I don't expect or make room for anything else in my life. Even the simplest things such as painted nails, bubble baths, hobbies, yoga, uninterrupted phone calls, uninterrupted bathroom breaks, solo shopping trips, reading, writing in this blog, and moments of sitting in pure silence all get placed on the back burner...until one day we crack and all our frustrations comes pouring out.

We all have been there.

Seriously... why do we do that to ourselves? We ARE people too you know! 

This phrase, "Mommy is a person," was explained by April to her children at the dinner table one evening. She asked to make sure that before they began that they had all they needed to make it through dinner so she could enjoy eating without having to get up and down... because..."Mommy is a person."

Haha- I laughed when I read that because..

That is so true. 

I am always up and down throughout dinner getting napkins, ice, ketchup- whatever. 

But no way not anymore...

My job description as a mother doesn't need to include: having absolutely zero free time,  dropping whatever I am in the middle of to retrieve something for a child, taking 2 minute showers or frankly no showers at all, skipping going to the gym because it is inconvenient, having children wait outside the door while I go to the bathroom, be the constant entertainment and the constant planner for everyone's schedule but my own, and ignoring those parts of myself that make me thrive as a mother and as a person.  

So today ask yourself...WHAT DO YOU NEED TO THRIVE? 

This story among many others is in the book Motherhood Realized! It is a must read! Don't forget that I am giving away one of these books right now... and it ends tonight- so hurry!

Go to this post to enter!

besitos, xo

GIVEAWAY: Motherhood Realized Book

Isn't this so true? 

This book was exactly that for me.

A cheering section.

It is a collaboration of stories told through the perspective of different mothers. I have laughed out loud, cried, and pondered over the messages that I read in this book. It continues to gain momentum as it is #1 in motherhood and parenting on Amazon right now! 

As I have mentioned, I am on the launching team for The Power of Moms and love what they stand for and this book is no exception!

Who wants to read this righ now!??
 I love it so much that I am going to giveaway a digital download of this book to one of my readers!!

Enter here.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Who is your cheering section in your life?

besitos, xo

It's Monday. Clean the mind.

Monday is here and my mind is starting to feel a bit cluttered once again...those "to dos" and task list are haunting me. I can't ignore them forever so during my baby's nap time I decide to tackle a few small tasks to get them out of the way.

 I called the insurance company to ask a question and get a man on the phone who either hated his job or was drunk. Most likely both. At one point he mumbled something and I said, "I am so sorry but I am not sure what you just said." And then he loudly and bluntly repeats his sentence into the phone with a two second pause between each word, "I... SAID... BLAH... BLAH... BLAH!"  It took all my energy to not want to respond back with, "WELL...THANK...YOU...NOW...CAN...I...SPEAK...TO...YOUR...MANAGER!"

But honestly, not worth my energy. Task is completed and I can now enjoy the rest of my day outside in the grass with my little one. 

 If you missed it- I was over at How Does She last week talking about Cleaning out the Mind. I am needing to follow my own advice this morning!!

 Go and check it out!!

Happy Monday.

besitos, xo

Motherhood: Through Small and Simple Things

Isn't this so true?

Sometimes, all the PB&J making, laundry folding, bug catching, children book reading, and nightly bed tucks seem so small in comparison to what the rest of the world is doing. 

Am I really making a difference in the world?

But this quote from the book Mother Realized reminds me that those small things really do have an effect on our future generations and are really making a difference in the world!

I am honored to be joining other deliberate mothers through The Power of Moms  and have had a chance to pre-read this book before it came out! I love it and am now am telling the world about it! We are on track to get it to a New York Best Sellers!

 So, hurry and help us spread the word and order now (here)!!  I am grabbing several for Mother's Day gifts!

 Here is a little video to tell you more about what this little gem is about:

besitos, xo

Peace is Available in Each Moment

Have a great weekend.

besitos, xo

Naptime confession: I fight a bully.

A few years ago, I was walking down the street in New York City and came upon this...one of my favorite all time images.

"We can do it." 

I constantly remind myself of this. 

Like the time I ran a marathon with little to no training. I had never ran more than 5 miles prior to running that day. I told myself...I can do it.

Like the time I pulled all-nighters after all-nighters studying for my licenser exam... and passed!  I can do it.

 Like the time I gave birth. Twice. Enough said. I can do it.

Like the time I pulled myself out of bed to feed my newborn with 104 degree temperature and the flu. I can do it. 

Like the time I carried both kids and a bag of groceries through the front door while I was consoling a friend on the phone. I can do it.

Like the time I managed to complete all the laundry in one day- folded and put away. I can do it.

Like the time I spoke at a seminar in front of hundreds of people. I can do it.

Like the times I got out of bed even when I wanted to pull the covers over my head and go back to sleep. I can do it.

I am not going to say I don't have moments where that bully voice in my head gets the best of me and I wonder what in the world am I thinking... why even bother... might as well give up.  

Oh yah bully... 

I push up my sleeves, put my game face on, and flex my muscles. 

Oh. Yes. I. Can. Do. It.

Watch me.

I refuse to listen to that inner bully.

And so should you.

Besitos, xo