Puzzle Me Complete ... Believer, Mother, Teacher, Writer.

Not a Virtue pick... but it touches on a few that I think are important. As a teacher who are constantly dealing with little ones it is important to smile and promote these virtues. I think this is definitely something for the classroom and home.

Her smile means so much to me and her arms are always open to hold me. She is always forgiving and accepts me for who I am. My princess Sydney.

Funny enough when I got this virtue pick it touch a very sensitive area. I am devoted to my kids and my husband and I will try my hardest to keep the family unit together, so this virtue is very fitting. Commitment is a very strong word that most people try to honor but few really understand the meaning of it. To me commitment means being there body, soul and heart for someone. It means facing challenges and working through them to keep the commitment going or even make it stronger. This is what it means... what I feel but sometimes I struggle to do this. For my kids, I sometimes get aggravated easily and though I spend most of my free time with them, do feel my patience running thin. With this virtue I really need to 'discern the purpose to which life call me' and be a more loving, caring and patient mother. For my husband, I tend to let my mind and my insecurities waver my devotion. I know my love for him is true, I know we have come far in this life's journey tog...

It is amazing how life can really take over and sometimes you really lose yourself. It is amazing how sometimes you take a look in the mirror and you wonder, "Who am I?" It is amazing how the demands of life forces you to forget your own dreams and goals and put other things ahead. I love my children but they do demand most of my time. I love my husband but sometimes I find myself feeling very alone. I love my job but sometimes I do wish I had a few days to myself. I know many of you have felt the same way and struggle to keep your head afloat in the Sea of Demands. I sometimes find myself swallowing and sinking into this depression and feeling sorry for myself, but when this happens I turn to one thing prayer. It is amazing how prayer can feed the soul and lift your spirit. Prayer can make things feel lighter and give you hope. Prayer was exactly what I needed to feel better about myself. It was and is prayer that is getting me through tough times. They do no...

With virtues being focused at my school on a weekly basis I have decided to start doing a Virtues pick every week and share how this virtue is impacting on my life... so here goes.. Today's pick was ... If I try applying this to my work, I really need to learn to be less judgmental and allow people to have their own views and opinions. As a teacher there is a fine line between teaching and controlling what others think. We have to be careful not to cross that line. Teaching is a service that should not be taken advantage of and I do consider myself blessed that I help educate others in a subject they will practice for the rest of their lives. If I apply it to my home I have to take the time to truly listen to my loved ones and by supportive of what they want. I have to hear what they are saying and allow them the chance to express themselves without fearing of being judged. I love them and with Humility I can show them how I truly feel by just being there. How would you ...

Beauty in all its natural glory. 

It is amazing how your child personality evolves over time. My son is a friendly and happy child. He loves to make people smile and would act the 'clown' if he knows he could get you to smile. He is in that stage where he thinks everything he says is funny and at times I have to ask him to rethink what he said and consider if it was appropriate. This is a work in progress seeing that his age stops him from really understanding the seriousness of his comments. But just to show how comical he is... when we went to Legoland he put on some expressions that made most people laugh :) I hope you enjoy these pictures.... I enjoyed taking them.                                                  The Tourist                  Fighting the Guard                       ...

Once again I am writing about the importance of listen to that little voice in your head that gives off warning signals that things are not as it should be. Once again I find myself going the extra mile to ease a worrying thought and coming to the conclusion that it was best I acted on it than ignore it. It has been over 1 year since my son have been taking medication for his night seizures. One year of constantly reminding him of taking it in the morning and night... and one year of him groaning... "Mom again!!!" "Mom how long do I have to continue doing this?" "Mom when can I stop?" But recently I have noticed that he was very restless at night (going to the bathroom at least 3 times), over tired (falling asleep on the short drive home) and emotionally strung out (getting angry or frustrated for the simplest of things). To me these were the warning bells. To me this was the signals of something more developing. So on our trip to Ft. Lauderdale,...

Do you ever meet someone for the first time although they have always been there? Have you ever really looked and realize you are seeing someone for less than they are worth? Have you seen through someone although they are right there in front of you? Sometimes it is easy to take people for granted. Sometimes it is easy to categorize someone without even really getting to know them. Have you ever focus so strongly on someone's negative trait and fail to see the positive in them? Have you ever thrown stones when you have glass windows yourself? Sometimes I forget that is a journey of self development and the people who come into it leave marks... memories. Sometimes those people come to mean so much that they become more than a friend... they become a sister. My mother said that people drift into and out of your life like angels. sometimes their stay is momentarily, sometimes they stay a life-time. For us it has and is a lifetime. You are someone who can really drive ...

Time always changes. No matter how hard we try to put a routine to it and sometimes control it ... we are all fools to think we can. It slips out of our fingers... it disappears with the blink of an eye .... and before you even know it .... seconds turns to minutes, turns to hours, turns to days, turns to nights, turns to months, turns to years. When do you find time for life... for yourself... for your children... for your love? A moment in time also has the ability to capture an emotion.. a feeling that .... when you recall a time past you can also remember the tears shed, the laughter among friends, the passion enflamed.... Time lets you appreciate life... it lets you hope for a better tomorrow ... it lets you think that tomorrow is a new day ... a Better Day. Be engulfed by time. Know that it can be your enemy or your friend. Know that you must make the best of what time you have. Know that you only have a little time to love, and not waste time on hate. Spend time on t...

Being a teacher I really look forward to the weekends. I get to stay in bad later (I wish) , read a book (which did not happen till Sunday night between 9 and 11) and just get a break from kids (this too was impossible.. even with one gone I still had one to deal with).  So when I say I needed a break from the weekend its because I spent the 2 days taking care of the kids, cooking on demand and cleaning and washing clothes. The 2 days flew by so fast and I hardly got a chance to myself. I basically played housewife and maid and mother. There was no ME time... no time with the HUBBY and no time to feel as if my presence was worth more.  The funniest thing was ... in-between my daughter sleeping and me trying to wash and fold clothes I tried watching Lord of the Ring (too ambitious... only saw the first hour before getting distracted with other things) .  I really should not complain but because the week before was tough and I found myself having to do everything for ...

"Look mommy ... I found a pet coconut... Can we keep him??!!!"

I took the kids to the golf course this weekend for a little change in scenery and to get some fresh air. The kids just loved walking along the path and watching everything around them. What they were most aware of was how quiet the place was. I liked the silence. Being a teacher and mother and always living in constant noise it is great when you find yourself in a place where the silence is ever-present. It also gives you a chance to look around and appreciate nature. This was when certain things struck me. There were images that I thought sent a message or captured an emotion ... once you looked at it in a different perspective. (or for me ... I just put more thought than necessary... but I liked thinking it). This one made me think of LOVE. Two kissing trees that stand the test of time. No matter what they will always be there for each other. This one made me think of personal loss. I recently lost one of my aunt to Cancer and I lost my father 13 years ago to Cancer as we...

I have been considering redecorating my daughter's room but the problem is .... it is a really small space. Right now it just has a queen size bed that takes most of the room (but we snuggle in it every night). So the size of the bed is important. It has to allow snuggle time!!! Thus begun my research. I was looking for ideas and saw a page on Facebook showing photos of unique and beautiful rooms. The problem is... I have to make a choice... let's see... inne mini minee mo.... which one to choose. This one is going to be harder than I thought.  But on another note these are some things that really inspired me.  Have a great weekend everyone!!

It is not often I get the kids to sit still for a picture.... maybe it is the lolls... still they have the ability to melt my heart. Have a great day everyone!

So to celebrate Sydney's 3rd Birthday I had a Dora party for her. Firstly I would like to say ... since my first child was a boy... I did not realize how much Dora themed party things there were out there ... my bad!!!! So I did it ... I did the Dora thing and she loved everything. Sydney did have a fantastic time she enjoyed jumping in the bouncy castle, getting treats from the piñata, and blowing out the candle. She was a good sport and the only thing I had to stop her from doing was asking people .... "Where my present?" (after she has taken it a few minutes before.) In the end she really just loved seeing all the Dora things in our home and the helium Dora balloon is her newest best friend. She even took the Dora balloon in the tent and has a little tea party. It was the cutest thing. Kids really do know how to melt your heart. Hope you enjoy the pictures. Sydney's captured memories I will always treasure.

My husband and I experience the "Baby Trap" every night before putting Sydney to sleep in her own bed. Which one do you experience??

Here is a little something to feed the senses and encourage the soul... Have a great day everyone!!!!

Sydney you are one of my greatest joys.  You can make me smile with a simple smile.  You can brighten my day from just the sight of you.  You complete our family and amaze me with your boldness.  You are daddy's little girl and my big girl. You are a dream come true. Its my Beautiful Baby Girl's Third Birthday today and boy is she really growing up. She can talk plain, choose her clothes and strap herself into her car seat... but underneath it all ... she is still my loving, big brown eye, sweet girl!!!   This is her brand new. This is her at 1 year. This is her at 2 years. This is present day. I enjoyed every minute with you and look forward to many many many more!!! Happy Birthday Sydney!!!

It is amazing how quite the world gets once Carnival is over. It is almost as if it has stopped spinning at a fast pace and is now just revolving at the pace it was meant to. This always happens when something big is about to happen. Weather it is good (like Christmas, Birthdays or Carnival) or bad (like getting sick or loosing your job) you still feel anxiety building up until the ultimate finally happens. So it is back to reality... to work... to being a mother :) So this is want I would like to achieve... This is how I would like to feel.... But somehow I feel like this.... Have a Great Weekend Everyone.

The air is tight with longing.... The time has started counting down... Everybody in Trinidad is waiting..... Carnival is coming to town!!!! The streets are lined with bars... The stands are going up, The last minute shopping is happening.... Carnival is coming to town!!!! For this is a time to fete and be free... This is a time to jump up and just be... Dance and prance and laugh and play.... We can't wait for Carnival Monday and Tuesday!!! Taste the music... Dis is wat Carnival is bout!!!!

We just went out to get the kids to enjoy the cool breeze and warm sunshine. A great combination for great fun!!!

As a mother I am constantly struggling with anxiety attacks from worrying about my kids. Not only do I get worked up when my kids are doing things for the first time... like swimming or exams during the school term... my mind is always freaking me out of things that could happen. Things I would have absolutely no control over.  As a mother I get nervous when they are running around. Especially my 2 year old who is wearing a dress and racing like there is no tomorrow :) Or when it is their first day of school and worrying about if they would make any friends.  The problem is... too much worrying brings about STRESS. So I really have to take it down a notch.  How do I do that??? I do what everyone else is doing. I play Carnival!!! Around this time of year I relieve months and months of pent up stress by jumping in the streets with my hubby and close friends.  I just let the music flow and have a fantastic time dancing the entire day away!!!  Grante...

It is amazing how your little one in the blink of an eye can turn into a screaming, hitting, raging demanding ... MONSTER!!!  It all started when I told Sydney to come upstairs to take a bath. Lets just say she was not ready to do it. Then began the battle of the bosses.  Who was in charge? Who was the first one to give in? Who was going to end up on top? (The answer was ME ... but my daughter did not know it... I think she thought she was the boss !!!) :) So began the hitting... the stomping and the crying because Lord knows she was definitely going to put up a fight.  She screamed when I put her in the shower... She screamed when I was dressing her... She screamed when I combed her hair... Then all she wanted was hugs .... it was all worth it in the end :) What came last was important. I did take the time to explain to her that her behavior was not acceptable. I did tell her that she needed to listen to her...

This year I am playing in Fantasy Band for Carnival. I will be wearing this.... I will have to act like this.... But I completely believe in this....

Being a Trinidadian you must have gotten some exposure to our national instrument the Steel Pan. It is an instrument that is Caribbean based and the background music for most of our local calypso music. Just like piano it has its specific keys to hit to get different tones, but it is played like if you are beating a drum set. It really is an instrument of it own kind and in my country, around Carnival, we listen to an orchestra of steel band players create the melody of one of our calypsos. I personally enjoy pan only 'live and direct'. It is not something I will listen to on the radio, but as a teacher I am constantly hearing in being practiced from the Music room. The kids really enjoy learning it, and as I said before, it being our national instrument, the Ministry of Education is implementing it into the music curriculum so that every child learns to appreciate the instrument. This is a good thing. Yesterday was our Pan Semi Finals, where Steel Pan Bands of all si...

Have you ever wish you could get a better closet and set off with the intentions of finding the perfect picture... but get sidetrack along the way. Well courtesy of "California Closets" on Facebook, I went from looking at these... To wanting a library like this.... To wanting a back yard like this.... And a Bedroom like this.... Now to get back to reality and just look at closet pictures :( Have a great weekend everyone!