Meli's world

As 2014 comes to an end, and people.make all types of plans to change for the new year I can't help but just reflect on the wonderful year its been. If anything, its been the year that God has taken me out of my comfort zone. I always thought I was outgoing and daring until God started putting things in my heart, then fear and doubt I didn't know before started to set it. The enemy is always working hard at delaying what God wants to accomplish in your life. This year started out with me turning 25, and feeling like I was finally an adult, a grown woman. I know. Don't ask me why it didn't happen when I got married, or had kids, or bought a house. Something about 25, made me feel like I finally am getting older. I've always loved writing and had a passion for telling people about God and my experiences since he radically changed my heart. But it wasn't until February I felt it was time to start a blog and venture out in faith. I wasn't sure if anyon...

It's funny as I start writing this I'm listening to my favorite Christmas song on the radio.... "Heard the bells on Christmas Day" by Casting Crowns. Yet I tell you I am not Christmas biggest fan. I know you're thinking why not? I am a Christian and for most this is one of the most celebrated holidays recognized as the birth of Jesus. But I'm not really sold on that idea... The older I get the more I learn and no one knows for sure when Jesus was born nor is it bible ordained to celebrate His birth. Its a noble thought but my problem with Christmas is the pressures to buy, the lies of Santa, the excessiveness and the depression it may bring. What to address first? Its a holiday revolving around the thought of giving. Sure we are to be cheerful givers.... But the pressures this holiday brings is more than I can handle. Not everyone can afford to give so much. It seems the only reason Christmas was created was to make people put money into reta...

Last week Emmanuel's basketball season ended with his all-star game. East vs. West in the city we live in. But the season didn't start out the same. It was his 4th season playing basketball, But his first season with the bigger age group. This age group was something he had looked forward to since he started pee-wee basketball at age 4. In this group, he would actually have more than one team practice a week, play full court and have the opportunity to be picked for the all star team. When he was put on a team,, it was a bit frustrating. He had a brand new coach who was struggling coaching them, he had kids on the team who could not focus, and despite being the most experienced on the team, he was the smallest. There was a lot of practice to do. A lot of practice. They scheduled lots of practices during the week and they all seemed to improve. Emmanuel became a pro at dribbling, running more since now they were playing full court., and shooting with more power since now ...

         I know conflict and cheating! Ooohhh controversial title for a post entitled Marriage is Awesome. My marriage is awesome! But I'd be lying to you if I said we are conflict free. Or that we are so perfect cheating is something we are completely exempt from. So to clear up misconceptions if you're a newly wed, engaged or contemplating marriage, don't look forward to a conflict free happily ever after kind of marriage. Instead be prepared and take some pointers from someone who thought each conflict was the end of her marriage. And as for cheating, its a temptation you may have to deal with as a married man or woman but there's so much you can do to prevent it. Broken doors, holes in walls, driving out in the middle of the night. Yup. Anger. Conflict. Disagreements. Marriage is not always awesome. And as two immature teenagers who have basically figured everything out as we went along, things weren't always hearts and cloud...

 This past Thursday we celebrated what is known here in America as Thanksgiving Day. Its a national holiday known for the native Americans sharing food with the pilgrims when they first came over to America in the 1600's. Now its a day known for turkey, football, the Macy's thanksgiving day parade and the kick off to the Christmas shopping season. I love thanksgiving. Not only is it typically a 4 day weekend but its always so good to look forward to having the whole family all together at least for this once a year. You know daily, I give God thanks for all his blessings, his grace, mercy and love but on this day gathered with loved ones and an abundance of yummy food, I can really appreciate how big my family is though i may not see them often, and also the loudness, fun conversations and Hispanic flavor we get to experience! Its always good to open up our eyes and really give God thanks for the things we may take for granted! Pictures above is my family. My ...

I always love posting pictures of my family on facebook. They're the greatest blessings I get to experience day in and day out here on earth. However its funny I was thinking to myself last night at Emmanuel's school trying to get them to pose for a picture how long it takes me to get one where everyone's eyes are open, looking at me and posing nicely. Yet somehow I always manage to find a picture that looks perfect to post. A little lightening here, add a filter, a border and voila! Picture perfect. The picture above was taken last night during Emmanuels school family night . I had to catch Emeli while she was sitting freezing since she refuses to take pictures lately. And the picture of my husband and son was taken right after a little back talk and attitude from Emmanuel after we splurged a little on books he wanted from the book fair. As we left and we got in the car I saw my picture and I loved what it captured. A nice night out being involved, close, and l...

Haters. A word commonly used in music, pop culture and amongst people of all ages. We all got them. People who don't like us to succeed. People who may wish you wouldn't do better than them or feel a sense of envy if you're doing good. I remember it was my 4th grade teacher Ms.Brown who first taught me the concept : "misery loves company". Its true. People in general may not truly feel happy for those that are better off than them. Hence the reason for the 1% vs. 99% argument in politics and our economy in this country. But the other day when Emmanuel, my 6 year old came home to tell me he was picked "Most Trustworthy" in his class, what was that proud mom congratulatory speech turned into a lesson on "Haters". He told me since "Trustworthiness" was the character trait for the month of October at his school, the class was to vote or nominate whom they felt displayed this trait the most. He told me it was close amongst him a...

Two days ago we celebrated our tenth wedding anniversary. Yes, we celebrate two anniversaries a year; the one when we became girlfriend and boyfriend and when we got married. For our tenth anniversary, we had envisioned having the wedding we always wanted and renewing our vows. However a couple of months ago we decided to postpone that since we would not be able to plan it how we wanted. Since then we were thinking of something great to do and due to circumstances and commitments beyond our control, we didn't plan much at all. Instead we decided to have a simple dinner together. Funny the older we get, the more it seems simplicity is key. When we were younger I envisioned him being this hopeless romantic who would plan great getaways or elaborate surprises but as I get older, not only has he become more creative, but the things I used to expect have changed. I find that at one point in our relationship I was living day to day trying to get by...make it to the next date, th...

Mi amor, 10 years ago today we got ready in our black and white attire and headed to court with our dads.... to get married! I  remember walking together in that court room, bashful, nervous, and without really comprehending the commitment we were making. I remember thinking if we could make it for the next ten years, we could make it for life. I knew then the road would be hard, unknown, doubtful, and full of obstacles, but I didn't know then it was possible to love you more now. I loved you then. I was crazy head over heels, no logical thinking-in love with you. You made me smile, laugh, study, work, not wear make up, laugh at everything, not worry about what anybody had to say. We grew up together...from school, studying, skipping, graduating, learning how to drive, getting jobs, and becoming adults. We had plans, we made mistakes, we overcame, we set goals, we made two beautiful Em & Ems and have grown closer together than I could...

For the past 6 and half years, I have worked at an endoscopy center. I work for a group of gastroenterologists who perform their procedures here. Colonoscopies, a scope that looks into the colon and intestines, and Endoscopies, a scope that looks into the esophagus and stomach. Since then, I have learned first hand the effects of what we eat on the body. Indigestion, heart burn, diverticulitis, ulcers, polyps and even cancerous tumors. I rarely think of it since I work up front. I check them in, get them registered and rarely see them as they leave. Most of them are cranky from not eating the day prior or weak from the prep they take to clean their body. Some are scared. Some are nervous. People come for many reasons from constipation to diarrhea, abdominal pain, or bleeding. I have become so used to working here, I rarely think of the people that leave her with bad news. Until yesterday. Yesterday I was reminded the importance of getting your body checked out whenever you fe...

This afternoon as I checked Emmanuel's agenda and his graded work, I came across his spelling test. I was so proud to see 100% and a sticker across the top that read perfect, but my attention was also drawn to the bottom of the paper where the teacher made a smiley face and a heart. Emmanuel had written his teacher a note on the bottom of the paper that read "you're a great teacher"! -- and my heart smiled. Emmanuel up until now has been the type of kid who has no problem reading or writing. He excels in spelling and almost always gets 100% on his spelling test. He didn't need to write this for the teacher to give him a better grade, nor did he tell her this in front of the class to be teacher's pet or get recognition. When I questioned him about it, he told me how his class of 18 boys was being rowdy that day and barely listening to his teacher. He thought she was having a rough day and could use something to cheer her up. And that's where the less...

A few weeks ago, I was fortunate enough to win through the radio, registration for a marriage retreat about 1 hour away from us. It was being held at the Marriot in Delray Beach. This was the perfect getaway for my husband and  I to spend time with each other and learn more about marriage. Marriage after all is one of the most important missions we have as we create and raise our family. I was so ecstatic when I received the call, that we had won! It was an amazing privilege because one: its hosted by Focus on the Family, one of the ministries that helped us get our marriage back on track a couple years ago, and two because this year is our tenth anniversary and I always envisioned having a wedding and renewing our vows. Though that isn't possible just yet , the conference did end with us renewing our vows! It was an amazing experience to be able to have this romantic getaway, but also to see over 300 couples from 23 states gathered to improve their marriage. Some couples ...