My Mother's Day Wish

By now I am sure that most of us have already received gifts, a few cards and probably tons of texts or social media shoutouts wishing us a Happy Mother's Day.  I've celebrated with my family.  Yes, I'm one of those mommies who loves to be with her kiddies on Mother's Day.  I woke up to a lovely card and some edible treats.  Can I just say that pecan fudge doughnuts covered in rich dark chocolate are sooooooooo yummy!

Like seriously, my husband may have started me on a new addiction.  Earlier this week my Mother's Day came in.  It was a Remmington S5500 Digital Flat Iron.  I was really overdue for a flat iron because I usually use the blow dryer flowed by a straightening comb, but my straightening comb has come to the end of the road.  So, I thought it was time to upgrade.  And the Mr has agreed to go shopping for new hair products with me!  Super excited about that because I've been seeing a boatload of stuff on YouTube that I want to try out at least once.

Anyways, as much as today is a day to be happy and celebrate our children, in Nigeria there are over 200 moms who are in mourning.  Unless you've been living under a rock, I know that we have all seen the #BringBackOurGirls campaigns.  It's on social media, national news and even made my local news yesterday because we have several stores joining in to raise money for it.  On April 14th, a militant group kidnapped over 200 girls from a secondary school.  A few have escaped and returned home, but for those still missing, the leader of the militant group is threatening to sell the remaining girls on the Black Market.

I can't tell you how sick to my stomach this whole issue makes me.  As a mother of a daughter, I can only imagine the pain those moms (and fathers) are going through right now.  I would be beyond distraught if someone kidnapped Moo and her classmates and then threatened to sell them as sex slaves.  It just brings tears to my eyes seeing how ruthless people can be.

And I've heard some news reports talk about this being a result of life in under developed areas in Nigeria, but here's the thing, that's still not a an excuse for this type of criminal behavior.  I'm so glad that the US is getting involved to help.  A message needs to be sent that this will not be tolerated!  No matter where you live, you have the right to feel safe.  Parents should be able to send their children to school without fear.

So, today my Mother's Day wish is that all of those girls will be returned to their families alive in these coming months.  I also hope that the militant group behind this mass kidnapping is brought to justice and made to pay for their crimes.  I pray that God keeps those girls safe until they are returned to their families.  And I hope that you will join me in keeping these moms and their families in our thoughts and prayers. 

Last Minute Mother's Day Gift Ideas

Mother's Day is right around the corner.  If you're anything like me, you've been super busy and running around like a chicken with its head cut off.  Chances are you haven't had time to really shop for gifts for all the special moms in your life like you planned on doing.  Or maybe, you're so overwhelmed that you just don't have a clue where to start.  Here are few gift ideas to get you up and on your way to crossing off names on your gift list.

Books

There's nothing like a good read.  Trust me on this one.  One year I got my mom a book that I knew she would never get for herself because it wasn't written by James Patterson or Bible related.  However, I had read it and thought the main character reminded me of her a little bit.  She ended up loving it!

So, if you have a fashionista on your list maybe a copy of Burgdorf Blondes will be interesting to them.  And if you have a mom who's really into e-reading then don't forget to gift them a copy our book! (Yes, I'm doing a shameless plug.)

Plants

Although, bouquet flowers are nice it's more cost effective to invest in purchasing rooted flowers and plants from a local farm nursery or the garden department.  This is a perfect gift if you have someone who's really into gardening or whose yard is always on point in terms of landscaping.  Your gift recipient will always have something to remember you by, especially if you purchase a plant the re-blooms year after year.

Beauty Treatment

I can't even remember that last time I've been in a nail salon.  Most likely, my other mom friends can't either. So, I'm pretty sure they'd love a a trip to get a manicure, pedicure or even a facial.  And with all these discount sites, it's easy to find a coupon or great deal on spa services.

Gift Card

If all else fails and you absolutely have no clue what get a mom on your list, just pick up a Visa gift card.  This way they can spend the money on whatever they want without being limited to a specific store.  Who knows they might have bill that needs paying or something.

Happy Mother's Day Shopping!

A Mother's Day Reflection

It's hard to believe that this time last year I was 36 weeks pregnant with a 2 year old and a husband.  This Mother's Day, I have a healthy baby boy added to the mix.  I would like to say that since last year motherhood has been a bed of roses.  That would be a lie and very misleading.

However, as I sit here and think about journey as a mom the things that stick out for me the most are the days I gave birth, my children's first words, their first holidays, trips to Grandma's house, etc.  Don't get me wrong, I still have memories of days when I was overwhelmed, trips to the ER and all that other less than stellar stuff.  It just doesn't outweigh the rewarding parts of being a mom and that for me is the greatest part of motherhood.

The truth about being a mom is that having children will change your life forever.  But at the end of the day, you're shaping a life, creating memories that will melt your heart and leaving a living legacy for the world!  The gamble of becoming a mom has been worth more than any worldly possession.  I'm awed, humbled and grateful everyday for Moo and Bud.

The greatest magic trick on Earth is producing life.  And God blessed me to able to perform not once but twice.  After losing my niece a few months ago, I don't need a reminder as to how precious life and being a mom is.

So, to all you moms, mommies-to-be and those considering motherhood, know that the risk is worth it!

Happy Mother's Day

Today, I celebrate my fourth Mother's Day and all I think about is how blessed I am to be a mom.  I have been reading several blogs of ladies who are trying to have kids and haven't had any success or found out that they couldn't.  It makes me appreciative of motherhood that much more.  Also, knowing my husband's story and his foster care situation makes me appreciate my mom so much more as well.

So, Mother's Day is certainly about more than the gifts and the cards for me.  And hopefully this Mother's Day has served as a reminder of what we have to be thankful for.

Happy Mother's Day! 

Wishful Wednesday

This week is flying by fast. Hard to believe that we are almost halfway to the weekend.  Well, I hope that everyone had an enjoyable Mother's Day. I know that I did. It was lovely having all my family together and watching my mom try to do the Stanky Leg. LOL.

Anyways, it's Wishful Wednesday again.  My addition that I would like to add to my wish list this week is healing.  Yes, somehow I wish that I could heal the problems of the world and those around us. Seriously, this week I have taken to boycotting watching the news.  It just seems like there is always some young child who has lost their life either at the hands of a deranged adult or enraged peer.  Then there was that plain crash  that killed 96 people overseas.

And we're still trying to deal with how to clean up that huge oil spill. I don't know about your area, but gas prices here have already gone up. And although the economy is getting better it seems like education is taking the worst hit.  Many of our beloved teachers and administrators are being forced into retirement because the school can no longer afford to pay them a higher salary.  I do agree that some teachers should be retired but I can't help but wonder what will become of kids next school year?

To have so many inexperienced first year teachers coming in to critical positions is a gamble. I mean we have department head and administrative positions going to students with no teaching experience and fresh out of college. I think that they should at least keep the current department heads and principals  to allow them to train the new ones for a year.  I'm a twenty something year old mom with a college education but even I know there are some positions I'm not wise or experienced enough to take without training or guidance.

Lastly, I would like to heal this country of complaining. There seems to be a lot of people out there pointing the finger at our President about the state of things.  I just want to point out that President Obama is not a magician. He does not have a magic wand that he waves.  If you want to point the finger start with yourself, then your district leaders, then your state representatives and so forth.

If some of you out there feel like you could do a better job at running a country run for president then!!!  We need to start supporting our leader and being patient. This country was already jacked up when he came into office. It took years backwards politics to get this way and it'll take years of great politics to straighten it out. Let's unite like our name (United States of America) claims we should be and get on one page. I truly believe this world could be great again if we just all did our part.

Oh the Winner of my Blinged Out Headbands Giveway was FutureMama.  Send me your info: Yummommy@gmail.com.