I recently read an article titled To Mom's Who Waste Coffee expecting to have someone tell me how I need to take more time for myself, sit down and read a book, blah blah blah. All of these things are good in theory but the problem is when you are done reading that book the dishes are twice as high and your son is digging a pair of dirty soccer socks out of the hamper to wear because you didn't do the laundry yet. I was expecting to read another article written by someone who doesn’t understand how putting ourselves before our family is simply not in our DNA.

Instead, I was enlightened and felt appreciated by man I have never met.

Every morning I drink cold coffee. At 6:15 this morning I made my coffee and around an hour later I finally sat down to drink it. My morning was spent making sure the camp bag was ready to go with sunscreen, water, and all the things my son needs to go swimming and because I needed room on the counter I also loaded the dishwasher, fed the dog, and got my lunch ready for work. My morning ended with kissing both of my boys goodbye and while heading out the door I fed the cats, picked up the shoes that were in the way and ate my breakfast on the road.

This is my life and I love every minute of it.

Taking care of my family is not a job or task I check off at the end of the day, it's my lifestyle. I try to be kind, thoughtful, and make sure the people around me know I love and appreciate them. When my husband comes home I make sure the house is cold because working in a warehouse when it's 90 degrees outside is exhausting and managing 80 people on top of that makes the day even longer. I make sure my son understands responsibility and each week have him help me with a different task around the house. After a week of being sprayed with the hose he is no longer allowed to water the plants but the concept of hard work is starting to set in.

I'm a mother and a wife, a sister and an aunt. Each important in their own way. Each filing a place in my heart making me whole.

To my friends, thank you for being apart of my life and helping me raise my son and for allowing me to apart of your children's lives They bring an overwhelming amount of love into my life that can never be replaced.

“Moms, thanks for all you do, have done, and will do. You make this world a better place. May you see your sacrifices as an investment. May you find all the energy, wisdom, patience, and courage you need to navigate this immense responsibility. And may you soon find the time to enjoy a warm, un-reheated, cup of coffee. ”

— Chris Gilmore

Read the entire article here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/chris-gilmore/to-moms-who-waste-coffee_b_9859534.html

Growing up, we are told to follow life by the rules. We’re told how to dress, how to act, to make life goals and get an education. Guidelines can be walls - “stay on the correct path, young lady! Don’t stay too far from the correct way!”

On Sunday my pastor was speaking on the walls of Jericho and it really hit home for me. I realized how differently my life would have turned out if I didn’t venture over life’s walls.

I’ve worked hard on my reputation. I’m the accountant, the crafter, the mug lady, the soccer mom, the wife. But to some, I’m still just that girl that got pregnant in high school. I’m a statistic. I had a baby when I was 17 years old, therefore I’ll never graduate >wall< I’ll never amount to anything >wall< No one will ever want me >wall< I’m white trash >wall<.

I don’t consider this to be an obstacle in my life, but rather the point at where my life began.

I am one of the 38% of teen moms that graduate high school and I am one of the 2% of teen moms to earn a college education before age 30.

Just because someone decided for me that I needed to be a statistic, doesn’t mean I had to listen. And neither do you. Anyone can tear down walls that have been put up and shout in victory that you are still capable of achieving your goals.

I know God has a plan for me, I just have to be patient enough to see it. I’ve tried to make my own plans many times and have had them crumble at my feet. I’ve even taken it a step further and blamed God for them not working out (it usually turns out awesome when I do this)

>Wall + 40 feet of mud to walk thru<

My advice for breaking down your own walls is to pray and pray some more. A lot of times I feel like I’m having a conversation with myself but then sometimes you get clarity and you know what you need to do. You understand what had to happen in your life to see what He was doing. Talking to God isn’t like reciting the same lines you’ve been saying at the dinner table for 15 years, it’s being truthful with yourself and admitting that you don’t really understand life and need guidance. It’s deciding, for yourself, that there is a Higher Power. The second you decide to believe is the second your life becomes blessed, and loved, and a life that you have never imagined for yourself begins to come alive.

All you have to do is ask and He will be there, even in your darkest moments. Breakdown your walls. Break down what people think of you and walk into the land that God promised you. It’s waiting, you just have to have faith to get there.

Be strong and have courage, do not be afraid. Joshua 1:9

>God’s love conquers all<