It’s hard to believe but my mom has been gone for almost 8 years. Last week she would have celebrated her 64th birthday…in celebration of her, here’s a few life lesson I learned, more so caught, from my Mother, Sylvia Diane Branch…. 

 
-Work hard, take care of your responsibilities. Being a single parent, there was never a time when my mom didn’t work. The last twenty years of her life she worked in a nursing home as a nursing/respiratory assistant. Most days she went in at 630am and didn’t get off until 1030pm. She didn’t ask anyone for anything, including our dad, she wasn’t on any public assistance. She said we were her children and it was her job to take care of us and that she did. 

-Complaining Doesn’t Change People or Circumstances. My mom wasn’t   a complainer. She just did what needed to be done. She never spoke bad about my dad. She just picked up the slack without hesitation. Even when she was diagnosed with cancer, she kept her game face on.

-Don’t Allow People’s Emotions Affect Your Perspective. I remember going to see my mom in the hospital after she was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer, I started crying when I seen her…she looked so frail in her hospital gown. She looked me square in the eyes and said “Don’t come in here with all that crying, I’m alright. I’m going to be just fine.”

-Love Acts. Four years before my mom died her younger sister and best friend was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer that had spread to her lymph nodes and organs. My Aunt Virginia (my oldest daughters namesake) was given 2 weeks to live. My Mom took an immediate leave of absence and took care of her sister. She bathed her, fed her, changed her, combed her hair…everything. When my Aunt passed I watched my mother bathe and dress her sister for the last time while she wept uncontrollably…in that moment I seen how strong love was.

-Do What’s Right Even When Doing The Opposite is Justified. When my dad died he didn’t have life insurance. My husband and I were going to take out a small loan to pay for his funeral. My Mom said no and paid for his funeral herself. She didn’t have to do this and it was completely unexpected bc my Dad and her had a horrible history and he wasn’t the best father either. She said she did  it bc that was still my Dad and I loved him. 

Although I wish my Mom was here to see my family and be MawMaw, as my oldest daughter called her, I’m glad that I can now see her life through the eyes of grace and appreciate the lessons that I learned from simply watching her live…thanks Mama❤️❤️❤️

Last week a beautiful couple we know lost their baby. Baby Enoch’s funeral service was yesterday. It was so beautiful and heartbreaking all at one time.

Here’s what I learned from Baby Enoch’s life and death:

•It’s all a gift//Life. Experiences. New challenges. Abilities…they’re all gifts even if the ending is unexpected.

•Worship God in the Good times, Worship Him in the Bad times// The same God that we thank for the gifts in life, is the same God that we cry too to sustain us when life changes dramatically

•Our Most Vulnerable Moments can Inspire Others in Ways Unimaginable// Seeing this couple share their hearts, tears, joys and disappointments is something that I’ll never forget. Their faith, trust and complete reliance on God ushered many people closer into the arms of our God, including me.

•We Can Trust God with our Emotions// God created us and our emotions are no surprise to Him. We can tell Him we love Him. We can tell Him when we’re upset. We can even tell Him that we hate the outcome of a specific situation…His love for us won’t change. Our emotions won’t catch Him off guard. God will never leave us.

•Community is Everything// Being surrounded by people who authentically celebrate you at your best and support and love you at your worst is a game changer. To have Jesus’ love poured out through those who love Him gives strength to the wearist of souls.

To The Becks…my heart breaks for what your going through but my faith is strengthened by seeing you love God through it all❤️

Baby Enoch…rest peacefully knowing that your life means so much to so many, thank you❤️

Please consider helping The Beck Family with medical expenses by visiting http://www.noelleandtim.com

The last couple of weeks have taught me that as people we go through so much…sometimes it’s hard to know how to help someone that’s in the midst of life th roughing it’s infamous curveball. It can be easier just to either avoid them or fumble over your words and end up saying something completely wrong.

I so wish that I was one of those people who always knew the right thing to say. Even though I love to write and express myself in written form, I’m a introvert. I’m a thinker. And I’m an observer. So rather than stutter and be in complete silence…I’m learning that sometimes it’s just best to be there. To be completely present. Ready to serve. Share a cup of coffee. Give a warm hug. Watch a movie together. Laugh together over great memories and old times. Take care of the small things that can get lost in the middle of hard situations. Cry  together. 

I don’t know if you’re going through something or someone close to you is…I just pray that you have someone to just be there and that you’re able to do the same…

“Just Start”…a simple phrase that means so much. Starting something new can be hard, scary and even intimidating. What if it’s not good? What if no one likes/understands it? What if I mess up? What if it’s not like theirs?

  
(Via SHELAUGHS_ Instagram page)

Any of this sound familiar? For me it definitely does…all of these thoughts were going through my mind as I decided to start something new today…Yes I’m feeling all of the above. Yes I’m still going start. 

So as I encourage myself, I strive to encourage you too: Just Start. Whatever it is that’s burning in your heart and lingering in your daydreams. That thing you’ve journaled about and written on your vision board…

Just Start. Start now. Start Today. 

I was reading an article recently about the 1950s housewife…and to my surprise we have a lot in common!!! 

(Link to article: http://www.littlethings.com/1950s-good-housewife-guide-v6/?utm_source=bam&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=shocking )

For instance, I get dressed first thing in the morning. For the day. Eye liner, mascara, hair–I’m a minimalist💁🏾. It’s just easier for me to be dressed before I get my kids up and ready. I like to be dressed and cute when I’m at the bus stop or the drop off line. And I’m more productive when I’m up and ready.

I do all the housework, cooking, laundry, grocery shopping and cleaning. When we decided to stay at home, we sat down and talked about our individual responsibilities, mine were defined as being “The Home Manager”. I’ve accepted, perfected it and it’s what works for our family.

I do like the fact that my husband comes home to a clean house and a hot meal. So by the time he’s walking through the door candles are lit, our home is picked up, the food is cooking and more than likely our home smells like apple cinnamon. It’s my goal to have a warm, welcoming home😊

Once my children love on their daddy as soon as he walks through the door I do ask them to give him a few uninterrupted minutes so that he can change clothes and unwind.

I’m giving my Love Biscuit hugs and kisses as soon he’s in my sight😘 I appreciate him and most days I miss him because of long work hours.

As much of a shock as it is for me to be a stay at home wife and mom, I love it and I see the value in it. My family and home are well taken care of and that’s my goal…so with that being said ‘big ups’to my fellow Throw Back wives who are making it look good and embracing this season of life!!!

So being a wife and mother of four leaves very little time in the morning for glamour…but I do believe that the better I look, the better I feel. 

So with fall weather upon us (my most favorite time of year), scarves and boots are a staple in my wardrobe. As far as makeup goes-I’m simple: eyeliner, mascara and lipgloss. 

And I’m an inexpensive shopper for the most part. All three of my looks below have something from either Target or Sams Club…and they were all on sale!!! 

So here’s to us Momma’s looking and feeling good as we conquer our day!!!!

  
So this just happened…

My husband called me and asked me what I was doing??

I responded by telling him exactly what I was doing…folding clothes, just finished putting clothes in the washer and mopping the floor.

He responded by saying “Oh…the last couple of days I’ve called and you’ve been caught up in housework. I Want to hear that you’re working on your blog or writing your book. That’s what I want to hear…”

Can I be honest??? My response was less than loving. I went on a mini rant about how I was always doing housework bc I wanted the house to look nice for Him and His children…if I didn’t do it who would??😡😡😡

He ended our conversation by stating that of course he appreciates all that I do to maintain our home but more importantly he doesn’t want me to put my gifts on the back burner forever.

After stewing over the ever flowing tons of laundry, I realized that he was right. I don’t take enough time to do what I love to do. It’s easy for me to get caught up being a home manager, the most supportive wife, number one room mom, the best volunteer ever and the go to person instead of focusing on pouring out into my blog or into the pages of a soon to be finished and published book☺️☺️☺️🖊📝

So here’s to us Mommas’ (and Daddy’s too😉) taking the time to pursue what we love on a regular basis…our family’s will be so much richer because of it❤️❤️❤️

  
Can you believe that we are nearing the end of another year????

Time has went by so quick! I’ve accomplished a few things but I still have more on my to-do list. So for me to be more effective m, I’ve started this month of with “my daily five”. Five things that I do daily. 

And they are:

•Prayer/Affirmations

Just what it says…I start my day out in prayer and with my list of affirmations that I say out loud.

•Workout 

Today I took a mile walk around our neighborhood. Whatever the day, I’ll plan a workout activity the night before.

•Read

15-20 minutes daily I take the time to read. Right now I’m reading a book about blogging😉

•Listen to Motivational Message

I listen to podcasts as I walk (checkout Terri Savelle Foy) and I keep a CD on in my car. Anything encouraging and that can help me become better.

•Write

I love words and sometimes due to my schedule and all that our family has going on, I don’t take the time to journal. Journaling clears my head and just taking the time daily to put pen to paper will help me accomplish my goal of finishing my first book.

Our habits lead to our success and I’m determined to end this year with a bang!!! 

What are your daily five?????

Dear Unnamed Young Lady in South Carolina,

Before I say anything, I want you to know that you have been in my thoughts and prayers since I read about your story. 

My heart breaks knowing that you’ve recently lost your mother and grandmother and now you’re in foster care. Being in a new place, new school with unfamilar people, with such life changing events happening have to be taking a toll on you emotionally and mentally. 

I am so sorry for the incident that happened to you at school. I’m sorry that you had to endure such physical pain, embarrassment and demeaning treatment.

I know that there were events that led up to this incident but in no way did your behavior warrant such abuse.

I wish someone would have taken a moment to talk to you. To pray with you and for you. To hug you…to show empathy to someone whose life has drastically changed.

I wish someone would have looked past outward appearances and tried to forge a relationship with someone who probably feels as if she has no one. I wish someone would have respected you even if you didn’t know how to return the favor at that very moment.

Above all, I hope that this incident doesn’t harden your heart. I know that this will probably be etched into your memory forever but I hope that this tragedy doesn’t color your life negatively forever. 

I’ve always heard and believed that “our misery is our ministry”. I pray that the things that have happened to you in your first 17 years of life help you to relate to and make a positive impact in the lives of others. 

I pray that this horrible act doesn’t cause you to view everyone through the eyes of hurt and hate….and that you grow into a successful, loving, hope and faith filled, vision driven Woman. 

All of God’s Best,  

Stacy Boyd