What I want to say first is that ALL OF US are teachers. In fact, everything can provide a lesson if you’re searching.
Without thinking we teach people what to do and what not to do. All of us are highly influential and teaching others around us in every interaction. Whether we are conscious about it or taking the “lessons” in subconsciously. You are a teacher.
In one sentence though I’ll say what I believe is a great teacher. Not that I don’t want to elaborate on my response, I just don’t have much time in this moment.
A great teacher is one that listens. And a great student is one that listens.
I have had a few surgeries. I don’t like surgeries at all. I don’t know that anyone really enjoys surgery but I’m just making it known that I’m not a fan. However I am extremely grateful that we have people that can perform them and that we can have them!
I’ve had surgeries into relations to my mouth and I’ve had two caesarean sections.
My first surgery was dental. I was somewhere between 11 and 13. My teeth were extremely crooked and I had a small mouth. I had like 6 teeth pulled from my mouth and when I lost my canine teeth the new ones never came through. The Dentist had to drill into my gums and then drill a tiny hole into each of my canine teeth, he then had to hook a small chain to it that came out through my gums and hooked to my top braces. I was super embarrassed. I had only 4 front teeth for a long time. I would go back every few months to have those chains tightened and pulled and eventually my canine teeth came out. Crazy right lol. I love my teeth though! I’m so grateful for braces and those chains! My husband always tells me I have pretty teeth and I’ve been told I have a nice smile. But this smile was very expensive! Ask my mom!
My 2nd surgery was having my wisdom teeth pulled. I was in my early twenties. I was terrified to be put under. Technically I wasn’t fully put under I was put into “the twilight zone” you’re like half awake, half asleep. But still…. I was scared. I almost canceled too. I might of even cried a little haha. I’m an emotional Human. Anyways I went through with it and it wasn’t that bad. I recovered fairly quickly.
My 3rd and 4th surgery was my Caesarian Sections. Giving birth. I don’t ever want to go through those surgeries again. Which also means I’m done having kids. My first one was absolutely horrific. It was an emergency c-section and I really thought I was going to die. You are awake the whole time as a baby is being pulled out of you! You can feel the tugging and it’s just insane. To this day I’ve never watched a c-section on YouTube or anything and I probably never will because I rather not fully know what went down behind that curtain.
My 4th one was planned. Which was a little better but as they were pulling my daughter out they kept pushing on my ribs and I swear I thought they were going to break my ribs.
I am so grateful for children though! And I am thankful that these surgeries are possible. If I was alive during a different time who knows if we would have made it. However sometimes I wonder if I really needed the first c-section. It wasn’t even my doctor that did it. And doctors make a ton of money doing those kinds of births vs a natural one. If we all could have been more patient I wonder…. But knows. My mom had 4 c-sections and I now know what she went through. And I pray my daughters don’t have to go through this if they choose to have kids one day.
I challenge you to google a c-section. They are no joke. Maybe not watch a video but google the procedure. Many people don’t know all that the surgery entails. But it’s a major surgery! They cut though layers of me!
Anyways, thank you doctors for all that you can do! I could never, but I’m so grateful for those who had this calling in life! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!!!!!!!
P.s. I’m writing in this in the car while we are driving to a friends so there may be a few grammar errors. My husband has had surgeries too. Oral and he recently had lasik eye surgery! He says it’s life changing!
How funny. I’m literally reading a book about habits. It’s called ‘Atomic Habits’ , I highly recommend it! It’s a life changing type of book. Full of insight and encouragement to bettering yourself. Can’t say enough good things about it! Add it to your reading list!
Back to the habit question, well, currently I stay at home with 4 kids. So my daily habits mostly have to consist with kid stuff and home stuff. Picking up toys, changing diapers, brushing teeth, feeding, cooking, washing dishes, wiping counters, crafts, regulating. That stuff is EVERY DAY. And once school starts we’re going to have to really become a little bit more disciplined with our schedule.
But for me personally, as in what I do for myself daily is I drink coffee or tea every morning. While I’m drinking my tea I read something encouraging or inspiring and I write it down. It’s a small moment of me time that I look forward to every morning. I also read every day. 15 mins here and there, whenever I get a little chance. I love reading personal growth books and memoirs.
As well as I try to get some writing in, either writing down a recipe, or writing something to share with others, or answering these fun questions!
I was searching through the writing prompts and this one made me smile. Don’t we all remember our first real crush.
It was in the 6th grade. I was living in Alaska at the time. My ex stepdad for the moment in time was in the Air Force which is why we were living in Alaska to begin with.
Anyways, it was 6th grade and we sat next to each other. His last name began with an L and mine began with an M so it made sense that we were sitting next to each other.
His name was Andrew. He was a tall skinny boy. Wore adidas shoes, jeans most days, and a t-shirt. His hair was parted down the middle, but it didn’t look bad. He had dirty blonde hair and greenish eyes. My 11 year old self thought he was so cute.
I had braces at that time. I was wearing “training bras” because I barely even had anything. My hair was long and I looked very kidish. Unlike some preteens these days.
I liked whatever he liked pretty much. He introduced me alternative music like Green Day, Nine Days, I think Green Day was his favorite though. I wonder if he had known how much I liked him… he had to have known. He made me laugh so much too. He made all the girls laugh. I’m fairly certain I was not the only one who liked this boy.
Although he didn’t like me like that, he had a crush on one of my friends. I could just tell he liked her. It was just obvious. But I don’t think she liked him like that because her friend liked him. And GIRL CODE.
I had an advantage. His brother was friends with my brother. I think one time he even said to me, “how is he your brother he’s so cool!” Basically saying that I was not cool. Whatever.
He also gave me a nickname that everyone began to call me, “Mariabug” . It was cute but also mean in a way. I had really big brown eyes . I had “bug eyes” …aka Maria bug.
But it’s weird, I know it sounds cruel. But some of my friends thought it was actually cute. And no one was ever mean to me. I would say I was actually a “cool kid.”
I feel like I’m 11 again writing this. But yeah…… him and I would flirt but it never went anywhere. At 6th grade graduation though my mom did me a solid and got me a picture with him. It was me, him, and another girl that he knew since he was a baby. But still…..
aren’t moms the best.
Middle school came around and we hung out with different crowds and then I moved to the lower states in the 9th grade and that was that.
In this season of my life my kids are who I am spending most of my time with, if not almost all of it. Two seven years olds, an almost 4 year old, and a 1 year old.
Yes, it can be overwhelming at times but it’s also always a party as my toddler says. “Mom it’s like a party here!” We have a lot of fun and so many priceless moments. They are my teachers.
I knew before I even had kids that when I had kids I was going to become a stay at home mom. I wanted to marry someone who really understood that this is what I wanted. I had my own personal reasons for wanting motherhood so badly but I also knew being a mother was a very important role. When I actually had kids I realized how truly IMPORTANT this role was.
I am shaping my children everyday. I influence them, and then they influence others, and then in a way I am responsible for the others that they influence. It can feel like a lot of pressure at times. Being conscious that you are shaping the world. You really want to make sure you’re doing it in a positive way.
Our time on earth is not promised. And my children already have this awareness about death. I remind them how precious every day of life is, that it is a gift to be here. And to not be afraid, to trust our Great Creator. When they get upset about something they are quick to brush it off and not allow something so insignificant to steal their time.
I’m so proud of my children. I love watching them grow and learn and be silly. I pray for them. Awhile back I watched something or saw something about a mother who lost her child. It just crushed me. And the mother said, “Pray for your children, just pray for them.” So I pray for them and I always think of that mother and the many other mothers who have experienced such a tragedy.
This cherished time that I get to spend with my children is not just for me. It’s for others too.
I love strawberries. They are fresh and delightful. Can make any dessert delicate and beautiful.
Mango. Yum. Especially a mango that has been shaped into a rose, jabbed with a wooden stick, and enjoyed on a sandy beach in Mexico.
Bananas. But only because I love cream cheese banana bread topped with brown sugar. Taste so good with my coffee.
You know what else I love, gold Kiwis. If you’ve never tried these you have to. My stepmom introduced them to me. I love the green ones as well, they have more of a tart flavor while the gold ones are sweet.
Cherries. A perfect summer snack.
Now these are the fruits that I enjoy eating. When it comes to candles and lotions and creams I actually prefer different fruity scent/flavors like coconut or passionfruit guava.
Well, currently I am a stay at home mom. Which by the way is more work than one may think or know. If you know a stay at home mom or dad ask them, they’ll tell you.
I do envision myself going back to “work” one day. My priority for the moment is being as present as possible for my children.
But what I would like to do is teach yoga. More than just teach yoga, I want to teach women and young women how to love themselves. I want to help others heal and develop a stronger sense of spirituality.
As a women and as once a young women, I know how hard we are on ourselves. Insecurities can get the best of us. I want to reveal the magic that is in us all. I want the women who I teach to recognize how beautiful they are.
I want liberate and direct them to the guidance that is within themselves.
I would also love to have my own personal growth books out there one day. Reading and writing is incredibly powerful and life changing.
I want to change others in such a positive, impactful way the way others have unknowingly changed me with their words and messages.
This is a funny question to me. I can’t help but smirk. A flood of camping memories come to mind.
Have you ever been camping is like asking me do you drink water? What kind of question is this!
Camping has always been apart of my life. Since I was a kid! Camping with family in Alaska, girls camp in cabins, and does sleeping in your backyard count? Sure it does, why not!
But the love for camping especially grew when my husband and I began datingand through our early twenties. Not everyone has the camping streak in them but with us, we loved it. And we still do.
Him and I would camp in tents and sometimes in his Dads little beat up Van. One of our favorite places to camp is at a place called ‘Eagle Creek’ in Arizona. It’s like a hole in the wall, only a few know of this hidden oasis. Lush trees, beautiful rivers. No RVS, no bathrooms, no service, it’s strait camping over there. Incredibly peaceful and serene and just so much fun every time. My husband has been camping there since he was a kid and I feel so incredibly special that he shared this special place with me and now we share it with our children.
However we have amped our camping lifestyle since then. I guess we are kinda like “glampers” now. We have an RV that we love and it’s much easier to camp RV style when you have kids. We enjoy the luxury and comfort that comes with this home on wheels. It really has become a second home.
With the camper we camp at the lake, the beaches in Mexico, the sand dunes, and sometimes just in the Mountains behind our home.
So yes, I’ve been camping.And I love it.
RV Camping Mexico. Beach Front. RV Camping At The DunesEagle CreekLol younger days when we slept in tents
When I was younger, maybe around 11 or 12 years old we had ferrets. We had a total of 3. Buddy was the name of one of them, he was the favorite child. And the other two I can’t recall. One was albino with red eyes, and the other one I remember was just bully like behavior.
How ferrets came to be in our family, I have no idea. It was like growing up in a pet shop. And what I remember most about these little creatures that were indeed very cute by the way was their stench and their poop. It was horrific.
I am in my thirties and I can still see the images of ferret poop in my head! Pure mush. They were so smelly too! Why ferrets reek like, like, I don’t even know what to pin to their scent but it’s not pleasant.
Scattered newspaper in their cage and lots of poop scattered with it.
The Wild Gems 