Bubble Wrap Children

 

With everything going on in our crazy world today, I think any mother out there has contemplated "bubble-wrapping" her children to keep them safe.  I know this is crazy, but I honestly can't turn on the news and not want to look into how much it would cost to "bubble-wrap" my kiddos!  Between, school massacres, terrorist bombings, high crime rates, it's no wonder parents are thinking of all the ways - those that make sense and those that a bit extreme - to protect their kids.  Add to this fear, the fear of your child starting high school or beginning to date and you can turn into a crazy lady! 

 

Anxiety has robbed me of some incredible opportunities and I have decided this year that I would not let that happen.  It seems my "Courageous" declaration has fallen into the hands of the enemy.  But I will let that stop me!  I know I can't "bubble-wrap" my kids or keep them from hearing all the bad stuff out there, but I can love them and protect them as best as humanly possible and realize that they are on "loan" to me from our mighty Creator. 

So, take a moment and say a prayer over your children, constantly praying over them does not bother God, He loves to hear how much we love the blessings He has given us.

This is my constant prayer for my blessings:

"Dear Father God, Please keep a hedge of protection over my children, let no evil come to them, let no harm befall them.  Surround them with your host of mighty warrior angels to protect and guide them.  I ask them in your precious Son's holy name, Amen. 

 

What's your prayer for your children?  Would love to hear it.

 

Pink Mama Out



 

Resolutions vs Goals

You're probably thinking, "oh great, another blog about New Year's resolutions!" It's ok, I'd be thinking it too. But do not fear, my resolutions are a little bit different. I'm not setting any! Instead I'm setting some goals for myself. NOT THE SAME THING and i'll tell you why...Resolutions can be broken, but goals can't. Setting Goals for myself as opposed to making blanket resolutions is the way I'm going this year. I would LOVE to lose 60 pounds, I can make that a resolution, but it just seems so overwhelming when I look at that big number, it's like a losing battle already and I haven't even started to fight! However, if I set goals of acceptable pounds to lose a month or even a week, that number isn't daunting! Same goes for other resolutions, such as, "I'm going to read the whole bible in 2013! WHAT!? have you seen how big that book is! See...daunting! But if I make a "goal" of reading certain books of the bible a month, once again, making it achievable and less overwhelming. You may think I'm "tricking" myself or what is the big difference? But I'm a big believer is doing what works best for you and yours. The overall result will be the same, but I am mostly likely to complete my goal if I made some little victories along the way.
What about you? What GOALS are you making for 2013?



Pink Mama Out

Happy Halloween

I'll just come out and say it...I LOVE Halloween! The time of year, the decorations, the costumes, the pumpkins and of course the CANDY! Lately, I've come across some folks that do not feel the same way I do about Halloween, they hate it, think its evil and don't allow their kids to participate in the festivities. Yes, I know, I get it--the origins of all of it does not come from a good place, but it's not like we are running around worshipping the devil, we are dressing up and asking our friends and neighbors for candy. If you're lucky you are enjoying an evening of fun with said folks.

I grew up having handmade costumes that my "abuela" (grandma to my gringo mamas) would painstakingly make for my sister and I, then as we got older we couldn't wait to go to the store and pick out the "plasticky" costumes or get our face painted. It was always a fun time, I never knew any "evil" about it. 

As a teenager and beyond, we would really go all out with our costumes, it was a great time to hang out with our friends and create lasting memories. "Hey, remember the time we dressed up as "Kiss" or when we won that contest for our Addams family costumes? How about when we went as Hershey's kisses and couldn't get in the car because the costumes were huge?"All these memories bring a smile to my face, I love sharing the pictures with my kids and sharing my kids costumes pictures with all my friends.

Halloween is not for everyone, some folks will never get into the fun of it, but what I do ask is that you don't ruin it for the rest of us, especially for our kids. When you tell my kid that what they are doing is evil (for crying out loud, she's a fairy princess and he's a football player!!) then you are messing with some real "evil" in the form of one really mad Cuban mama!

Let's respect each other's families decisions and "not throw stones in glass houses." That said, have a Happy Halloween pink mamas, whether you celebrate it or not, the weather outside is beautiful go out and enjoy it!

 

Here is one of my favorite Halloween memories with my friends

 (I was Wednesday Addams)!

 

Pink Mama Out!

P.S. Watch out all you Zombies out there on Halloween!  Pink Mama is going to be a "Zombie Slayer" this year & I will take you out!  LOL!

No reason not to accesorize or look cute in order to kill Zombies!

 

A Tale of Two Shopping Trips

This is a tale of two very different shopping trips.  The first one was with my son, Bubba. He was starting middle school this year, so according to his sister, Ms. Fashion, he could not show up to school with regular brand items, he must get "brand-name" shoes, shorts, backpack, etc.  Needless to say, Bubba was not thrilled about this upcoming trip to the mall, he is not into this "stuff" yet, but for once he decided it was best to follow his sister's advice. (I know...miracles do happen!) So, off we went, just Bubba and I to the mall. Wow! What a quick and easy experience with him! We would walk straight into a store, he'd try on shoes or clothes, proclaim, "they are perfect" and off we would go. No dilly-dally, just fast and furious, which gave us time to talk, laugh and over ice cream discuss his upcoming school year-his fear and his excitement.
The second shopping trip was with my daughter, Ms. Fashion. Now, her daddy and brother know when we say we are going shopping, do not expect us home before sundown! I absolutely LOVE shopping with her, we take our time at every store, try on everything we may want and giggle like, well, giggle like two little girls! I cherish this time with her because we talk about everything under the sun and we are relaxed and having fun.
As I look back on these two very different shopping experiences, I realize that they had one very important thing in common, I got to spend quality time with each of my babies individually and we talked, I mean really talked together. It is these times that I feel God's blessing in my life, my kiddos are pretty stinkin' awesome. Yes, we will have our "moments" where we will not see eye to eye, they are entering teenage-hood, so that is expected, but if I make the time to "hang-out" with each of them individually we can also have those precious moments of fun, open communication and the beginning of some really beautiful friendships with our kids.
So, next time you're dreading that upcoming chore or event with your child, take a look at it with the perspective of what an opportunity you will have to get to know your child better.
Would love to hear how you "bond" with your child...share it with other pink mamas.
Pink Mama Out!

The Magic 8 Ball

The Magic 8 Ball!  What girl didn't have this contraption growing up!  It would reveal the answers for anything you would ask; "yes", "outlook not good", "don't count on it", etc.  If only real life answers could be so easily attained just by shaking a toy!  This got me thinking, have you ever prayed and asked God for something and focused on the answer He has given you?  If you are like me, I normally need an answer quickly, "instant gratification" should be my middle name!  However, we know that our awesome God doesn't work that way.  He knows everything about us, what is good for us and what plans He has for us.  Check out Jeremiah 1:5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you.”  Just as He had plans for Jeremiah, He has plans for us.  However, He will reveal His plans in His perfect timing.  I know that I personally can become like a petulant child if "I don't get my way".  I can almost picture our Heavenly Father standing up in Heaven shaking His head at my behavior.  I'm sure He has a few grey hairs from me alone! (Hey, I'm a work in progress!)

God's answers are not like a Magic 8 Ball, it's not some hocus-pocus, His answers have been set before we were even born.  We need to trust that He knows what is best for us.  Whether the answer is "yes", "no", "never", or "be patient, not yet" in the long-run you will see why He answered your prayer the way He did.  We may also never find out why He answered a certain way, but I bet you we will get the full low-down when we are sitting at His feet in Heaven.

Did you ever pray so hard for something and you felt God wasn't listening but later you realized it was the best thing that ever happened in your life.  At the time you were devasted but as you look back you realize God's answer at the time was correct because His plans for your future did not include that or He needed you to be ready for what He had in store for you.  Sometimes we need to thank God for what we thought were UNANSWERED PRAYERS.

Have faith my friends that God knows exactly what is right for us and we have to trust that He will see us through everything!  I would love to hear how God answered a prayer need in your life.  Please share with all of us how God worked in your life.

Pink Mama Out!

Best Friends

A good friend will help you move...a best friend will help you move the body! 

*DISCLAIMER:  Just for the record, I have not killed anyone* :-)

Friendship is so important to everyone, but I believe it is especially important to women.  I have been so blessed with many great and wonderful friends, but God has found it in His infinite wisdom to grant me the "bestest" friend a girl could have.  She is the Lucy to my Ethel, the Thelma to my Louise, the Laurel to my Hardy...well, you get the picture.  We met at a time in my life when I was without a "bestie".  Our relationship started as boss/employee, when she interviewed me we ended up talking for over 3 hours, I felt like I'd known her all my life.  Slowly, but surely, our relationship blossomed to a true blue, drop everything when you need me, friendship.  Our kids, husbands, even our pets know each other very well.  We celebrate every milestone together and pretty much every holiday.  Though we no longer work together, we still have that same bond that was cultivated so nicely over the years. 
We  just came back from a girls' weekend getaway to a great concert in Tampa where we were able to relax, unwind and catch up.  I had so much fun just being silly girls again without any responsibilities for 2 1/2 days.  It has truly refreshed my mind and soul. 
Friendships are not always perfect, ours is far from it, but we understand each others positives and negatives and aren't afraid to be "truth-tellers" to each other.  I know that she will call me to the mat if I try to do something that is "not right" or a little shady and vice versa.  I love her for that because I know she does that because she loves me.  I realize not all friendships can be like this, we have all been hurt before by folks we had called our friends, but please, don't let that stop you from meeting new people and sharing your life with those folks.  You never know if that person sitting across from you is your future "bestie".  Take a chance and let people in, life is so much sweeter with friends.  Sometimes, those friends become like family.  I don't consider my best friend as just a friend, she is my SISTER!
Now, it's your turn!  I would love to hear about you and your "bestie", drop me a note and tell me the funniest thing you all have done together or about one of your crazy adventures!  For those of you without a "bestie" I challenge you today to go out and meet folks you never know who God will put in your path!  Take a cue from Naomi and Ruth, theirs was a true best friend relationship:

Ruth 1:16-17 But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the LORD do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you.”

Me and my "bestie"



Pink Mama Out!

What makes you happy?

My beautiful fashionista daughter just bought this print for her bedroom.  It's a gorgeous picture of Audrey Hepburn with a quote...

"I believe in manicures.

I believe in overdressing

I believe in primping at leisure and wearing lipstick.

I believe in PINK.

I believe the happy girls are the prettiest girls.

I believe that tomorrow is another day and...

I believe in miracles."

Being "Pink Mama", well the "I believe in Pink" caught my attention but while perusing the rest of the quote, I absolutely loved what she says.  It's definitely a "girly-girl" statement, but the bottom line is those were the things that made her happy and to be totally honest, those things make me very happy as well.  (I would just add, "I believe in RETAIL THERAPY")

This got me to thinking about what makes people happy.  Do you ever take a moment and just ponder what makes you happy?  We are constantly in motion in this crazy world that we sometimes forget to take the time to be happy.  Believe it or not, God wants us to be happy.  In Jeremiah 29:11 God tells us, "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

He doesn't want us to be unhappy, He wants us to have hope and prosper.  What an awesome God we serve!  So, take a moment today and think about what makes YOU happy and go out and do it! (of course, nothing illegal!  LOL)

Pink Mama Out!

PS.  Would love to hear what makes you happy!