Happy Mother's Day 2013

There was a time in my life where I gave up the idea of ever becoming a mother.

I tried desperately to conceive with no success. The only results I got were eyes full of tears. My gynecologist referred me a fertility specialist who did everything he could to make my dream a reality.

I received a voicemail from my doctor one day stating he wanted to go over one of my test results. I didn't pay much attention to it, telling myself I would call him back later. After all, I was used to being let down by the many negative reports I received before.

I finally called the doctor, and he said, "Sara, we received your blood test results and I want to tell you (by this time I was sweating) that your pregnant." I said, "huh?" He said, "you are pregnant, no mistake here, congratulations." I said thank you and hung up. I was in shock and sat there for a few minutes, waiting to wake up from my dream.

From that day, my life changed. I'm blessed that I have been entrusted with the life of another human being. He motivates me to the be better everyday. There are times when I feel like giving up but when I look at him, my vision is cleared and I press on.

Happy Mother's Day to all of you. Whether you birthed a child, adopted or just have been a spiritual mother to someone, you are honored.

I got a Juice of a Deal

Earlier this week as I was getting ready to take my son to his grandma's house and head to work, I discovered we were out of diapers. I searched the house in hopes I would find a secret stash but nothing.

With 30 minutes to spare, I decided to head to the nearest Publix. As soon as I got in the store, my list went from diapers to 'we need eggs, mushrooms, bread and milk'; don't you hate when this happens?

Anyhow, I kept walking and before I got to the bread aisle, I saw a sign that made me do a double take. My heart jumped for joy. See, my son loves juice but not just any juice; he's very picky. He has to have V8 Fusion. I try rationing it when we buy it but it still doesn't last in my house. I have to hide a bottle or two just so my husband doesn't drink it all and I could have enough for the week. Why go through all of this trouble, you say? That juice cost $3.99 a bottle and I normally buy 4 for the week and that doesn't even last most times. So all year I was praying for a sale or coupons of some sort to relieve this burden on my grocery bill.

Now back to the sign that took me aback. It read 'Buy One Get One Free'. This almost never happens! I grabbed 12 bottles and placed them in my shopping cart. I finished getting the rest of the things I needed and went to check out.

As the cashier rang up my items, she stopped and told me that the store's policy changed and I could only get up to five deals. Before I could say anything, someone next to me, who happened to be the manager said, "Give it to her". I couldn't say thank you enough. I paid for my items and when I checked my receipt I saw that I had saved $25 on the juice!

So now, I vow to look for deals and ways to save on my grocery bill. We love to eat but there must be a way to still have my husband's favorite t-bone and still be able to laugh to the bank.

What are some ways you save on your grocery bill?

Overcoming Depression

Nathan at 6 weeks

I went through a period of time where nothing made my heart content; not my husband, not the fact of having food to eat, not the clothes and shoes spilling over in my closets, not the friends constantly inviting me to go out. I was so depressed. I guess I hid it well because few people who know me knew of my feelings and thoughts. I would cry daily in hopes of not seeing another day. I was unhappy, I felt unaccomplished.

During that time, I became pregnant with my son. I was not mentally stable enough to bask in the joy of becoming a mother. I faked it as much as I could for my family but when the day was over, I was back in my closet, crying my heart out.

Don't get me wrong, I wanted to be a mother. I was happy that I got pregnant especially after trying for a year without success. My happiness was suffocated under thoughts of failure, feeling of worthlessness, and constant disappointment.

I was disappointed that I hadn't bought a house yet and I had to put my dream of returning to school aside. I thought to myself that I wasn't making enough money and to top things off I was out of a job for the first three months of my pregnancy.

I would sit at home all day, crying and waiting for my husband to come home from work. I only ate because I would become lightheaded and I didn't want to starve my baby; after all, he didn't ask to be born.

I finally got a job and put all my energy into work. I had no time to think about my depression.

Still, I shared this with no one.

The day that changed things is when I heard that heart beat. It became real; I was carrying life. Someone else depended on me. I thought to myself, 'I have to be stronger for this little person'. I didn't want my baby coming into a world full of darkness and sadness. I had to be better.

I began to focus on the good things I had going on in my life. I had awesome support from my husband who would cook and rub my feet every night. My parents and in-laws catered to my every cravings.

The more I focused on what I had, that less I thought about what I didn't. It was no longer important that I wasn't making millions. I came home to a peaceful house.

I may not have been wearing red bottoms but I was not bare bottomed. I may not have been rocking the latest name brand bag but I was packing the baby bag I thought I would never be able to due to infertility.

I finally realized that I was indeed blessed. I was too busy looking at my neighbor's yard rather than looking in my own front lawn.

There are times now, when those thoughts try to resurface but I am able to kick them to the curb with the tools I gained throughout that experience.


Was there ever time you were depressed? How did you overcome it? Share your thoughts with us below.

In My Kitchen: January 7-January 13

My schedule is a bit flexible but not quite; I'm in control of it or so I think but cannot control what my clients will do one minute to thenext. There are times when I get home in time for the 5:00 news but there aretimes (frequently) where I get home in time to kiss my son goodnight. With thatbeing said, I have struggled with being able to provide a healthy meal for myfamily from day to day.

Towards the end of last year, I decided to lose some of mybaby weight.  I had to track every bite Iate and create a daily menu. It worked so well that I’ve decided to incorporateit in my kitchen for the entire family.

I will be sharing my weekly menu with you every week. I alsoplan breakfast and lunch but this week will just share our dinner menu withyou. 

Monday

Vegetable Lasagna (my husband’s recipe; made from scratch.)

Tuesday

Stew Chicken; Corn on the Cob; Veggie Stir Fry; Mac n Cheesew/Bechamel Sauce (the mac-n-cheese is a recipe of a dear friend of mine: Reggie,we’ll just call it, “Reggie’s Smack Yo Mamma Mac N Cheese)

Wednesday

Salisbury Steak; Steamed Cabbage

Thursday

Parmesan Crusted Snapper (Source: Pinterest); Green Beans

Friday

“Mexican Night”  Tacos

Saturday

Chicken Noodle Soup

Sunday

Honey, Lemon, Garlic BBQ Chicken; Tossed Salad; White Rice

Pictures to follow each night

Day 2: His Perfect Plan

"Every Experience God gives us, every person He puts in our lives, is the perfect preparation for the future that only He can see." (Corrie Ten Boom)

I have a bad habit of worrying about everything. I stress myself to the point of being unable to get out of bed at times. What I fail to remember is that I am not in control. God has a perfect plan for me. That plan includes love, peace and prosperity.

Worrying is not going to make things happen faster, it's actually going to make me sick and even cause me to lose sight of what's ahead. As I write this, I say to myself, 'although you cannot see the road ahead, your future is full of promises. Sit back, strap your seatbelt and enjoy the ride. Your stop is right around the corner'.

Day 1: Look Forward

"Instead of feeling sorry for ourselves as we advance in years, or toting up the days and months that are already past, let's praise God for all the benefits He's already given and look forward to all those that may lie ahead" (taken from Daily Encouragement for Woman-Whispers of Blessing)

I'm grateful for friends and family. I thank God that I have someone I can call when in need.

Today, instead of complaining, I will just be thankful to be able to spend another day with loved ones.

I took a walk today {re-learning to enjoy life}

I had a migraine throughout the course of my day and forced my way through it.

On the way to pick up my son from "Nana's", all I could think of was popping some pain killers and going to sleep.

As soon as I got in the door, my son opened up his arms for me to grab him. He forgot that he was naked from the bath he'd just taken and just wanted to stay on his mommy. My head was pounding by this time, but I couldn't resist the love he was showing. That moment made me remember why I strive for so much and work so hard.

Although hard work pays off, one must rest. The body can only take so much.

My son fell asleep the car ride home so when we got home, I placed him in his bed. Now it was "ME TIME".

I took a long shower, laid on my bed, watching my favorite Seinfeld episodes. For that moment I forgot about my phones (work and personal), I forgot about the meat defrosting, I forgot about deadlines at work. It was just me and my thoughts. It felt good!

Later on, I dragged my husband to take a walk around the neighborhood. I put on my Victoria Secret jogging outfit (gotta look fab), placed my son in his stroller and we were out!

It felt so good to walk. My husband and I got a chance to talk and my son enjoyed pointing at the trees and the sky.

When we got back, we stayed outside for a few more minutes, so my son got the chance to play in the grass and run around with his father. As I sat there on the porch listening to them laughing, I realized I haven't had a moment like this in a very long time. I need to do this more often; enjoy life.

I'm giving back to my family

We started a new tradition within our household.  Monday is "Food Truck Day".  I usually get home late in the evening and never have make time for my family. It became a pattern of me putting my husband  last on my priority list. I had no problem in the past saying yes to the demands of others but am quick to tell my husband I'm too busy to go out on a date or too busy to "just talk".

While trying to please everyone we can easily forget those dearest to us. I made the decision to spend more time with my family (by family, I mean my husband and son). I don't want my son growing up feeling neglected while everyone else can say, "your mom is ALWAYS there when we need her".

I don't cook that day because it's reserved, therefore giving me a break from the kitchen (although I love to cook). It may not seem much to some but "Food Truck Mondays" have made a difference in my household.

What's one tradition your family have that keeps you "together"?

My 5-year plan

Throughout my childhood, I was always planning for my future. I would write down my goals on a sheet of paper and seal it in an envelope to open up later (in 1 year, 5 and even 10 years).

This year marks 10 years since I graduated from high school (wow, time flies).
As I open up that envelope and read the goals I scribbled 10 years ago, I began to review my progress...

Goal #1: Become a psychologist
I am not a psychologist but love my career as a mental health therapist. 10 years ago, I was young without much responsibilities and did not know the demands life would bring. I am satisfied knowing that with my license, I have the choice of opening my own practice. Although, I would love to have the Ph.D behind my signature, I don't want the debt that comes along with it. I may change my  mind in the future but as of right now, I am content with what I do.

Goal# 2: Be married with 3 children
I'm don't have three children but am married with one. With the demands of my job and being a wife, one child is what I can handle right now. I would love to have one more child but am enjoying newfound motherhood and building my career.

Goal# 3: Own my own house
As I write this post, my husband and I are waiting to close on our first home. When I was younger, I wanted a huge house with many rooms, huge back yard garages full of cars. Back to my reality, as  I got older, those things meant less and less to me (I also don't want to that much house to clean and manage). My happiness is not based on what I own but who is in my life. I get  to share this life with a loving husband and our precious baby boy.

What's next? My goals for the next 5 years are as follows:

1. Be completely debt free
2. Go into private practice
3. Take a two-week trip to Europe.

What are some goals you had when you were a teenager? Have they been accomplished? What are your current goals?

Happy 6 Months!

Today marks a milestone in my little man's life. As I watch him crawl around the house, I can't help but think, 'he is no longer an infant'. He's still my baby but is growing up. I remember the first time I laid eyes on him; I was in awe. I didn't know I could be part of creating something so beautiful.
I stayed up one night at the hospital, looking at his sweet face, watching his tiny chest move up and down as he breathe. Now my tiny baby is sliding down my leg to stand on his own when I hold him. He's reaching for my plate when I eat and trying to hold a conversation with me (thinking I understand what he's saying). I'm looking forward to experiencing more milestones and seeing my baby become a successful man one day. Happy born day my baby. Mommy loves you!