Yes, Christians have a good sense of humour too...

I stumbled upon this song and couldn’t stop laughing… So I had to share it with you…

I hope none of you have ever had or ever will need to say these words, but I think it's a song that will make you smile, and for me, laugh uncontrollably...

Everything will be fine...

When you lose something, it's all that you want back.

But you gotta watch it fly, standing on the sidelines.

Enough said... But no worries, I’m getting better…

You will be Missed Florencio Albano...

Father God, Thank You for always being there for me no matter what I face. I know You will never fail me, even in my most intense trials.  I have not always understood why I was going through certain things; however, I do not have to understand, because You are God and You are in control, in spite of my lack of understanding. I know that all You require of me is to trust You, and look to You in faith and You will come and save me, and bring me an answer. You always have, and You always will, because you are faithful. You never fail any of us who look to You. I have failed You, Lord, by my doubt and unbelief at times, but You have never failed me. Lord, please remove all the sorrow and grief I feel. Heal this pain I feel in my heart and help me to trust You more.  Fill this empty place in my heart with more of Your Spirit. I ask this in the name of the Lord, Jesus Christ.

Amen

You are beautiful (update)...

Hereunder is an update on the news I had posted 2 days ago regarding this little girl who was getting Botox injections from her mom.

I’m glad that this family is being investigated. Apparently, the little girl is doing alright.

This might come as a surprise but I do feel for this mother. Don’t get me wrong, as a mom myself, I really do not approve of her actions. We need teach our children to love themselves and not to seek anybody else’s beauty standards. But I want to believe that this woman does love her child, but is simply lacking good judgment. There is certainly a transfer issue here, let’s just hope that she gets the help she needs and realizes the harm she has inflicted to her child…

You are beautiful…

"Mom, I don’t want to wear this pants because I look ugly in it, no one wears that kind of pants in my class" … so said my 3 and a half years old daughter this morning. Did I mention she's only 3 and had only started school this year?!  Geez... how was I supposed to react to that kind of innocent statement from a  3 years old? I was shell shocked for about 2 seconds and then went all nuts and shouted out the first words that I could muster at that instant. "Who told you you're ugly...there is nothing wrong with you, you’re perfect honey!".

On our way to school I asked her again who told her she’s ugly, she replied "no one Mummy". So we just left it at that because I didn’t want to make a big deal out of it. But I really did wanted to make a big deal out of it and explain to her things that I would have liked my mom to explain to me when I thought "being different" meant being "being ugly".

So now I'm in my office and still wondering how does a mom like me teaches her daughter the value of positive self image when I myself, am coping with my own issues. How do I truthfully and honestly tell her that there's nothing wrong with being different when I myself would absolutely do anything just to get back to my old self without my muffin top.

The simple answer is "I don't know"... but one thing I do know is that I will still try. Try to be a bit ore gentle and kinder to myself. The jelly on my belly won't disappear overnight but heck I’ve been exercising a lot and I do think twice now before shoving down those bloody chocolates and chips down my throat.

I stumbled upon this video this morning and was horrified:

When I’m struggling to teach my daughter about loving herself, this woman is telling her daughter that in order to be accepted, she needs to accept the suffering her mom is inflicting on her… As a mom, it was hard to watch this video and not feel angry and sad... I just hope that someone out there will take charge stop the torture.

I know it’s not too late for me and my daughter. I am working hard on becoming a positive role model for her and Arthur. It is not always an easy task and often I fail... But all I can do is just try and do my best and hopefully she’ll see what her dad and I see in her, a little girl who is not only beautiful in the inside but also on the outside…

And so he left...

"Making the decision to have a child is momentous.

It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body."

Elizabeth Stone

The moment I had been dreading has finally arrived. Arthur left this morning for a week with his class to the seaside. I thought I would be able to keep the tears until he was gone but I couldn’t… Arthur was sweet and said: don’t worry mommy, I’ll think of you all the time, I love you always… Him and I are very close but I know that this is important to him. He has been looking forward to this trip for weeks now… I am very proud of him, and I know he’ll be just fine. Me? Not so sure…

Counting the days, the hours, the minutes until he returns…  A glimpse of the future where he will leave for good… I hate how I feel…

Do you know her?

I know this woman. I wish you could know her too. This woman is amazing.

This woman grew up in a very poor household with 7 kids. She was exactly the middle child.

This woman is working harder and is doing more chores in her life than her daughter would probably EVER do in her lifetime.

This woman and her husband moved away from the only country they had ever really known to Belgium. They made it work for the sake of their daughter.

This woman demanded respect and responsibility and consequences from her daughter. This daughter had chores. She was to help. She frequently reminded her daughter of how good she had it and despite her constant eye rolls and condescending looks, she was listening. She would remember and one day appreciate what she was doing in her. The thankless job she was performing would pay off. I like to think it did anyway.

This woman and her husband lived and are still leaving on an concierge’s salary. With this, and the help of her meager supplement from her part time employment, this woman and her husband put their daughter in the best schools for all 12 years with their hard earned money.

This woman struggled a bit with her identity as her child grew. Having to watch her primary responsibility for the last 19 years slowly leave her proved to be one of the most difficult tasks of her life.

This woman found her peace. She took joy in her new role as friend to her now-grown child ans as a grandmother to 2 children. She is there constantly for support .

In the present day, this woman would amaze you. She has a gift – it’s called hospitality.

She can whip up a meal for 15 people in minutes and I do not exaggerate.

She makes fantastic food.

She has hosts many gatherings and parties in the most organized fashion preparing days in advance and making all guests feel welcome and pampered.

She has always worked very hard. She can stand on her feet for hours on end working non-stop only for short water breaks doing very difficult and very dirty physical labor. Hard, dirty work is not beneath her and she has never shied away from it.

She STILL works hard at her age of SIXTY-SEVEN.

I know this woman intimately.

I am honored to call her my BEST FRIEND. I am privileged to call her MOM.

Every day, I become a little bit more like  my mother… I could not be more prouder!

I LOVE YOU MOM!

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!