Meli's world

I find so many of the lessons God teaches me come through parenting. The week before last, I encountered one of those situations as a mom that made me feel like Momma bear ready to protect her cubs at all cost. My son Emmanuel, has been dealing with a difficult kid all year long. I found that it seemed like no matter what, it was difficult for my son to get along with this boy. He told me stories of this boy being rude, calling others names, and making fun of anything my son did including him getting new glasses. Our response as parent, was always for Emmanuel to choose kindness and respond with an encouragement for the kid to remind him he could do better. Emmanuel was slowly losing his patience.  And I couldn't understand why they budded heads so much when they were once friends in 1st grade. I didn't address any of these stories with my son's teacher until the day he came home telling me the other boy kicked him. That same day an email went out to my son's te...

If I am going to be honest, when I started this blog I wanted to name it Meli's Messes, because when it comes to marriage, and motherhood, I feel I have made a lot of messes of it all. I struggle with feeling inadequate and like a complete failure at times. I am not sure what triggers this when I thought of myself as "confident" and the fact my truth is rooted in God's word (for the most part). Perhaps it is the pictures we paint on social media of perfection. Perhaps its our brains are oversaturated with looking at images of other Moms who seem to do it all. Work 60 hours a week, meal prep cooking gourmet healthy meals for the family, working out 5 hours a day even becoming body builders, or running a home based business, all while being able to homeschool or be present at every school event, and looking completely wonderful with their blowdried hair looking like they came out of a salon or stepped out of a Tresemme commercial. Their nails are done...

Tonight we got home from church and Manny, my 7 year old son was a bit hungry. He ate some of the leftovers from dinner and asked me for chocolate milk. Being tired and in the middle of packing lunches I did what any good mom would do, I gave him a bottle of chocolate milk. The ones I pack in his lunchbox instead of making him some. It was most convenient at this moment, not necessarily lazy. Almost immediately he was in the kitchen asking me to open it for him. Kind of bothered he was interrupting my flow again, I said "No, open it like you open it at school". To which he replied: "I don't, I get Sean to do it." Now I wasn't bothered at his interruption at all anymore, I was bothered by his lack of effort and finding out he hasn't been opening his own milk.  The conversation that followed though, thankfully is full of the type of Gold moms dream of. "Manny, how old is Sean?" - 7 "What grade is he in?" -2nd "How many ...

The above picture was taken in 2011 when Emeli was just 1 month old. It was one of our first family pictures as a family of 4 and also our first date night after having her. I found this picture today while looking for a throwback picture to post on facebook.  I remember being so scared having another baby. She was not in our plans... We were still living at my parents house and didn't have things in order. I was scared of another c-section, of not being able to provide, and of not being able to split myself between Manny and her. Silly fears.... Almost 4 years later, I gotta say looking back at what God has done is one way to remain grateful. I can sing of His goodness forever! The C- section was less painful than I imagined and I went home on the second day. We bought our first home just a couple months later. God has made all the numbers and finances work. There is a love that has been multiplied in my heart for both my Em & Ems. And seeing Manny become a big broth...

Emmanuel, Manny, Manolo.... You turned 7 yesterday and I can’t believe how fast the time has gone. It seems like just yesterday we were bringing you home from the hospital in your preemie clothes that we now have on a teddy bear. It seems you were always determined to do things your way, coming into this world 5 weeks before your due date. We were not expecting you so early! Yet instantly you gave me courage and made me brave enough to have the c section I never wanted. None of the fears mattered at the moment. Only having you here safely in my arms. When you were first given to me, and I placed my eyes on you, I discovered love. I was forever changed by seeing your face, feeling your tiny 5 pound body, and being your mother. It has been the biggest blessing and privilege God has given me. Everyday, my thoughts, my actions, involve you and your wellbeing.  I know most people thought we were too young, but dad and I were convinced we wanted children. I prayed everyday I’d ge...

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 ...

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...

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...