Some little girls dream about being princesses when they grow up. Some, however, are more realistic. Usually, our ideal job / career is different than what we imagined it to be in our childhood. Personally I've changed my mind several times over the years. I recall reading somewhere that the part of our brains responsible for rational thinking and decision making don't even form until our mid-twenties. That explains a lot - about a lot.
As a youngin', I dreamt of being a veterinarian, oddly enough I don't even really like animals now. I mean don't get me wrong, if I see a turtle crossing a highway I'll stop to help him, or if I see a cute kitten I'll oogle over it for about 70 seconds, but that's about it... After I realized what being a vet entailed, I moved on to bigger and better aspirations. Next up was psychologist. To this day, I'm still quite fascinated by psychology, and if I had the patience and determination to withstand the years of schooling - I don't- I might pursue this field! Another fascination of mine was being a lawyer. This is another one that, through the years, has stuck with me as an interesting and desirable field. My only qualms about this (besides my father telling me I'd have to read a ton of books on law, and I'd never stop reading because there would always be something new to learn) is the concept that most lawyers "lie". I don't like liars. Point blank period exclamation point times infinity. I mean, yeah I understand that you don't "have" to lie, but I've always been under the impression that they twist the truth at the least.
Now, back to reality. My dream "job" would be to own my own bakery. Whether that is from home, or a store-front is up for debate. I am currently working on a business plan to sell baked goods and food from home for now, with the prospect of eventually making it "big". That said, my true dream "job" wouldn't be considered a job in the sense that I wouldn't be getting paid. One day I hope for us to be able to build an addition onto our house (probably not our current house, but who knows) and have boarding available for crisis pregnancies. I would like to work with a local pregnancy center to help young / scared moms facing unplanned pregnancies have a place to stay, learn, and raise their babies until they are stable enough to be on their own. I would want to help them in any way that I could including cooking for them, giving them rides, providing clothing, helping them find work while providing childcare while they work, etc...
Ideally, I could run my bakery along with this boarding house, and the bakery would help fund this (non-profit) project. I want us to be comfortable and happy, rich isn't the goal. I mean, don't get me wrong, the occasional cruise / vacation would be great, and having the latest laptop wouldn't be too bad either (I love my internet), but a dream job should be your passion, not avenue to riches.
Showing posts with label mom. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mom. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
6/30 Things - The Hardest Thing
It's hard to pinpoint the hardest thing that I've ever experienced. Having been a young mom in a unhealthy relationship at the time, that would probably be near the top of my list, except for the fact that I had the immense support of my mother and father to help me. Although I was originally super apprehensive about them finding out about my pregnancy, they were very loving and supportive. I thank God every day that my parents were pro-life and never even suggested abortion, although that would have been the "easy way out" at the time.
I think back to a friend I had, the same age as me, earlier that same year, who found herself with an unplanned pregnancy. Her child would have been mere months older than my son. I still sometimes imagine what it would have been like. Would we still be friends? Would our children be friends? It literally breaks my heart to think about, and I don't think I'll ever completely get over it. Part of me hurts because, although I was 15/16 years old, I can't help but think that maybe there was something that I could have said to change her mind. In the back of my mind, I know that there is nothing I could have done, but it still haunts me.
Anyway, yes being a young mom was hard. But I wouldn't change anything if I could. My son is such an intelligent, funny, and caring kid. He's also a big brother now, and he just loves his sister to pieces. I wouldn't take back any of the difficult moments in my life, because I feel that during those moments is when we are shaped and molded into what we are today. The difficulties we face define us, and how we deal with them empowers us to face what's ahead.
I think back to a friend I had, the same age as me, earlier that same year, who found herself with an unplanned pregnancy. Her child would have been mere months older than my son. I still sometimes imagine what it would have been like. Would we still be friends? Would our children be friends? It literally breaks my heart to think about, and I don't think I'll ever completely get over it. Part of me hurts because, although I was 15/16 years old, I can't help but think that maybe there was something that I could have said to change her mind. In the back of my mind, I know that there is nothing I could have done, but it still haunts me.
Anyway, yes being a young mom was hard. But I wouldn't change anything if I could. My son is such an intelligent, funny, and caring kid. He's also a big brother now, and he just loves his sister to pieces. I wouldn't take back any of the difficult moments in my life, because I feel that during those moments is when we are shaped and molded into what we are today. The difficulties we face define us, and how we deal with them empowers us to face what's ahead.
Sunday, September 1, 2013
4/30 Things - Letter to my 16 year old self
I am switching this up a bit from 10 things you would tell your 16 year old self if you could to just writing a letter to my 16 year old self. Reason being, I don't know if I can genuinely come up with 10 things. Heck, there might be more or there might be less, I won't know until I start. I think that a letter format would be much easier and more heartfelt anyhow, so feel free to improvise too if you are following along with your very own blog challenge. This is about having fun, we're not being graded for following directions =)
Dear 16 year old me,
You are probably so thrilled right now, you're finally starting to blossom. Most of your school years, you have felt like an outcast, or if I may be so blunt, an ugly duckling. You finally learned how to correctly apply eyeliner, and your bra actually fits now too! You still aren't happy with your body, because thanks to the music videos, magazines, and TV you've been exposed to, you believe that there's only one version of the "perfect girl/woman" and you aren't it. You see, your generation is the start of a big change. Yeah, Madonna liberated lots of women some 18ish years ago, but her ideas are nothing compared to what's coming. I hope you're ready. Actually, I know you're not. But there's good news, you won't ever fit that mold of the "perfect girl/woman" that the media portrays - and that's a GOOD thing!!!! You'll learn (in about 10 years, give or take) that the woman the media and society expect you to be, is far from God's idea for you. She's NOTHING like the Proverbs 31 woman. She doesn't have class, or values, she cares more for her appearance than her character. She seeks to attract men from her physical attributes and assets rather than her heart and reverence for the Lord. She thinks that showcasing her flat stomach and long legs are the secret to getting the hottest guy in town. She believes her breasts are for men to oogle at, rather then to feed future children. And no I am not saying that breasts cannot be enjoyed visually (BY YOUR FUTURE HUSBAND, not random men), but that is not their main purpose. And last of all, she is a fictitious and unattainable character. Chasing after her image will only lead to heartache, heartbreak, and wasting countless hours of your life trying to achieve something that won't ever serve you in the "real world". Sure, you might get some stares, or some whistles, but that's nothing compared to what you'll feel when you meet the love of your life and marry him on a beautiful February day in 2011. Most of all though, don't change anything about yourself after reading this letter, because the storm you're going to pass though is necessary to mold you into the person you're going to be. You are going to think your heart is breaking sometimes, but it's really not. You are going to lose some friends, but they weren't really friends to begin with. You're going to make some mistakes, but you will learn from them and be a better person from it. You're going to have to deal with some really tough stuff in the next few years, but things are working together for the best. You're going to be strong and happy, and you're going to make a difference in the world! Hang in there kid =)
Dear 16 year old me,
You are probably so thrilled right now, you're finally starting to blossom. Most of your school years, you have felt like an outcast, or if I may be so blunt, an ugly duckling. You finally learned how to correctly apply eyeliner, and your bra actually fits now too! You still aren't happy with your body, because thanks to the music videos, magazines, and TV you've been exposed to, you believe that there's only one version of the "perfect girl/woman" and you aren't it. You see, your generation is the start of a big change. Yeah, Madonna liberated lots of women some 18ish years ago, but her ideas are nothing compared to what's coming. I hope you're ready. Actually, I know you're not. But there's good news, you won't ever fit that mold of the "perfect girl/woman" that the media portrays - and that's a GOOD thing!!!! You'll learn (in about 10 years, give or take) that the woman the media and society expect you to be, is far from God's idea for you. She's NOTHING like the Proverbs 31 woman. She doesn't have class, or values, she cares more for her appearance than her character. She seeks to attract men from her physical attributes and assets rather than her heart and reverence for the Lord. She thinks that showcasing her flat stomach and long legs are the secret to getting the hottest guy in town. She believes her breasts are for men to oogle at, rather then to feed future children. And no I am not saying that breasts cannot be enjoyed visually (BY YOUR FUTURE HUSBAND, not random men), but that is not their main purpose. And last of all, she is a fictitious and unattainable character. Chasing after her image will only lead to heartache, heartbreak, and wasting countless hours of your life trying to achieve something that won't ever serve you in the "real world". Sure, you might get some stares, or some whistles, but that's nothing compared to what you'll feel when you meet the love of your life and marry him on a beautiful February day in 2011. Most of all though, don't change anything about yourself after reading this letter, because the storm you're going to pass though is necessary to mold you into the person you're going to be. You are going to think your heart is breaking sometimes, but it's really not. You are going to lose some friends, but they weren't really friends to begin with. You're going to make some mistakes, but you will learn from them and be a better person from it. You're going to have to deal with some really tough stuff in the next few years, but things are working together for the best. You're going to be strong and happy, and you're going to make a difference in the world! Hang in there kid =)
Saturday, August 31, 2013
3/30 Things - Parents
Words cannot express how thankful I am to have been raised by my parents. There are too many adults my age dealing with various issues because of their childhood upbringing. Now, I'm not saying that my parents were perfect, because they were far from it, but they tried so hard to give me a wonderful childhood. They had their fair share of "issues" when I was younger (mostly stuff I don't remember) but they stayed together, and worked things out. Sadly, my father passed away in 2005, leaving my mom widowed and alone (I was living in an apartment at the time, with my ex and my son (who was around 3 at the time).
Honestly, to this day I believe that everything happens for a reason. While my parents brought me up to respect myself enough to wait for marriage, I strayed a bit in my teenage years, and wound up pregnant at 17. Now, am I saying that God planned for me to be a 17 year old mother in an unhealthy relationship? No, but I believe that things happened so that my dad could have a grandchild before he passed. He got to spend 3 years with my son, and strangely enough (or miraculously?) at 10 years old, my son remembers his grandpop from his babyhood/toddler-hood and I believe that it has helped form him into the awesome kid he is today.
Towards the end, I wasn't very close with my parents due to my depression. I can honestly say that I don't even remember the last year or so of my father's life, and that's been difficult for me to write or talk about... I blocked a lot out from the first few years of my son's life, and that hurts too. I think the depression was both from the fact that I was in an unhappy relationship and also that my father passed away so suddenly, and I never really had a chance to say goodbye.
Over the years though, I have forgiven myself and realize that time can't be rewound. I can only move forward and make the most of life now. Family is precious and we should cherish and love them. My mom now lives with my husband, children, and I. Lots of people think that "living with in-laws" doesn't work out, but this setup is great for us. My mom isn't lonely, she gets to spend lots of time with her grandchildren, and in turn we get the joy of her company as well. She is a wonderful and selfless person who loves the Lord and has much wisdom about life to offer.
I can't make a post about parents though without including my mother-in-law. She has truly been like a second mother to me over the past 6 years. Ever since I met her, she has been nothing but wonderful to my son and I. She is a great Noña to him and is thrilled that she now has a beautiful granddaughter to enjoy also! She raised my husband into the wonderful man that he is today, and continues to be a strong, inspirational role model in his life.
In closing, I believe that we are given the parents (or parental-figures) that we have for a reason. The impact they make on us, whether positive, negative, or whatever it may be, helps to shape us into who we are today and what kind of parents/spouses we will become. This can teach us a valuable lesson too though, because as parents, our children are watching us and learning from us, we are shaping them for the future, just as our parents did with us!
Honestly, to this day I believe that everything happens for a reason. While my parents brought me up to respect myself enough to wait for marriage, I strayed a bit in my teenage years, and wound up pregnant at 17. Now, am I saying that God planned for me to be a 17 year old mother in an unhealthy relationship? No, but I believe that things happened so that my dad could have a grandchild before he passed. He got to spend 3 years with my son, and strangely enough (or miraculously?) at 10 years old, my son remembers his grandpop from his babyhood/toddler-hood and I believe that it has helped form him into the awesome kid he is today.
Towards the end, I wasn't very close with my parents due to my depression. I can honestly say that I don't even remember the last year or so of my father's life, and that's been difficult for me to write or talk about... I blocked a lot out from the first few years of my son's life, and that hurts too. I think the depression was both from the fact that I was in an unhappy relationship and also that my father passed away so suddenly, and I never really had a chance to say goodbye.
Over the years though, I have forgiven myself and realize that time can't be rewound. I can only move forward and make the most of life now. Family is precious and we should cherish and love them. My mom now lives with my husband, children, and I. Lots of people think that "living with in-laws" doesn't work out, but this setup is great for us. My mom isn't lonely, she gets to spend lots of time with her grandchildren, and in turn we get the joy of her company as well. She is a wonderful and selfless person who loves the Lord and has much wisdom about life to offer.
I can't make a post about parents though without including my mother-in-law. She has truly been like a second mother to me over the past 6 years. Ever since I met her, she has been nothing but wonderful to my son and I. She is a great Noña to him and is thrilled that she now has a beautiful granddaughter to enjoy also! She raised my husband into the wonderful man that he is today, and continues to be a strong, inspirational role model in his life.
In closing, I believe that we are given the parents (or parental-figures) that we have for a reason. The impact they make on us, whether positive, negative, or whatever it may be, helps to shape us into who we are today and what kind of parents/spouses we will become. This can teach us a valuable lesson too though, because as parents, our children are watching us and learning from us, we are shaping them for the future, just as our parents did with us!
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