First Day of School

Well, we have reached that time of year again – Back to School!

I woke Slade up at 6:30a, he reached over to hug me and then popped out of bed. He was instantly excited to wake up. He brushed his teeth and came to ask for Cocoa Puffs.

When we were getting dressed he said, “We need to hurry because I don’t want to miss the bus!” Silly goose.

On the way out the door he grabbed a banana and then we were off. Before we got out of the car he told me, “I’m going to miss you, Mom.” I had to swallow a huge lump in my throat after hearing that.

Anyway – we walked him to class, got him settled in and we left.

Tears literally streamed down my face the whole way to my car and all the way home. Memories of him as a baby keep replaying in my mind.

I can’t believe I have a Kindergartner.

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I’m sure you all know by now my summer was one big emotional roller coaster and I am glad it’s coming to an end. Glad summer is coming to an end, that is.

Someone told me, “life sometimes gives you these obstacles and we each handle them differently.”

-BS

I am growing to accept that. You have it mapped out how you would handle a situation and hope that they would handle it in the same way as you would. But that’s not always the case. I’ve learned that the hard way and will continue to.

You can’t make someone be where they don’t want to be. You can’t make someone do what they don’t want to do.

And with that said, I must move forward. With or without you.

Timing may be in your favor at this very moment and I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t think it’s fair, but you know what – it’s in our favor, too {Slade’s and myself}.

We are starting new chapters in our lives; with school, it being just us, a new place to live, etc. We must begin this school year off the right way. Which is with a positive mind frame, a smile and confidence.

We’ll be going on one big hiatus. I must keep us focused on the now and this new life God has presented to us.

I wish everyone the best of luck this school year!

Before I go: remember, be thankful every morning that you wake up, live each day to your fullest even though you feel like your world is crumbling down, and lastly - tell the ones you love that you love them every chance you get because you never know.

And that’s the truth.

And I also want to thank each and every one of you that has lent me an ear, given me a hug, let me cry to you and genuinely be there for me. I appreciate more than you may know. So thank you to; my Mommie, Shaun, Mo, Gina, Ash, Steph, Mireya, Jesika, Clayton, P, Dante and Brooke.

XO, B

35 years and counting...

Today is dedicated to my wonderful parents; Gilbert & Terri Rangel.

They are celebrating their 35^th Wedding Anniversary! Not only have they given me hope, but they have set this mold in my heart for what I want in the future. They have shown me and my brother the true definition to marriage and love.

Nowadays marriage isn’t of high importance {in my opinion} and that’s okay. Everyone is different and chooses their life happiness in various ways. But marriage to me, has always been extremely significant for this very reason – my parents.

Nothing seems worthier than having someone you love and adore by your side FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE. That right there makes life worth it. Makes your days that much better. Makes your bad days that much better.

Who wouldn’t want that?

With that said – thank you Mommie and Daddy for showing me what love is and what love can be. I hope to one day be able to say I am celebrating my 35^th Wedding Anniversary, too.

Happy Anniversary. I love you.

XO, B

Wise. Words.

I read an article this morning after I wrote my ‘Fight’ blog and came across this insert. All I can say is, WOW.

Enjoy:

This does not mean be with the person that you most easily get along with. Sometimes, extraordinary love isn’t easy {it usually never is} but in one way or another, it is always worth it. So don’t mistake the extraordinary for what you’re settling for. I know this is an extremely difficult thing to do most times, because when there’s nothing really wrong with your relationship there’s no reason to wreak havoc and go… except, there is. And that’s because the extraordinary is waiting for you somewhere else. In the words of Cheryl Strayed, have the courage to break your own heart. That’s awesome if you really like each other, and even if everything is swell but yet, somewhere you know, this person doesn’t absolutely rock your world, you need to go.

Because you need {and deserve} love that is something of an other-worldly connection, that you can’t really make sense of in your mind. Mind-blowing-life-changing-heart-stopping-blood-rushing-miraculous love. Don’t settle until you have it, if that’s what you want.

There is no time for love that isn’t miraculous. Get up and leave. Move. Go. Don’t hold on because you think you’ll never find someone else. If you’re even a little bit unsure, leave. Your uncertainty should tell you that at the very least, you need to explore other avenues. And if those roads lead you back, great. If they don’t, great. Wanting to leave is enough reason to go. And believe me, one way or another, you will eventually wind up where you’re supposed to. Whether it’s with some cool new person or back into the arms of the person you left, you won’t ever have to question whether or not you should be with them.

XO, B

Fight

Lately I have seen the same quote on social media. It reads:

“Fight for what you Love” or “Put up a fight for what you Love”

I couldn’t agree more. This doesn’t have to just be a love with another human being, it can be your job, your hobbies, your goals, your family or friends.

When you solely care about something; genuinely give a shit {excuse my French, but it’s true}, you will fight for it. You will fight until there is nothing left in you because you love this thing so much. It’s only logical that you do.

Am I wrong?

When you don’t fight, you’re basically giving up. And who likes a quitter?! If you aren’t quitting and only putting forth half of your capable effort, then that right there, is pure laziness. No, not the laziness where you don’t want to clean your room. The selfish, laziness where you don’t care.

Think of it this way – it is better to have nobody than someone who is half there or doesn’t want to be there at all.

Put that theory in a sports game: you don’t want to have a team player who is HALF there, while all the other players do the grind to win. It doesn’t work that way. It takes action from each and every player to succeed.

Nothing changes until you change it. Nothing is better until you make it that way. There’s nothing you’re not responsible for. Just waiting around for something to happen, lamenting that it isn’t, wishing, hoping, praying for it to change, doesn’t always ensure that it will. Go, move, act, fight.

At the end of the day, fight for what you Love. Give your all every day in everything that you do. Knowing you sincerely gave it your all, there will be no regret in your story.

You have to fight for it.

XO, B