A Mom’s Unscripted Life

Tag: #newbeginnings

  • Facing Fear

    It’s crazy how fear can be the biggest roadblock in your life. Whether it’s the fear of speaking up, of standing your ground, of hurting others, of meeting new people, or just the fear of change—it can all hold you back. But here’s the thing: if you can just rip off that proverbial band-aid and face your fears, you might end up surprising yourself with what you can achieve.

    People often ask me what keeps me going. Truthfully, it’s the determination not to let fear dictate my life. I want to teach my kids not to back down just because they feel afraid, just as I wanted my nieces to know there are no excuses for staying in your comfort zone only to end up miserable later on. Believe me, it hasn’t always been smooth sailing; my journey has had more bumps than a country road. Each challenge was a lesson I had to confront and learn from.

    Perfection isn’t the goal here. It’s about striving for improvement and giving yourself grace when things don’t go perfectly. For me, prayer plays a crucial role. Though I’m not always in church on Sundays—life happens—prayer is a constant. I make it a point to pray during my morning drives, thanking God for the amazing things in my life. A lot of folks might not know this, but I was once in a very dark place and even attempted to take my own life. Being able to thank God for this second chance and for my beautiful, healthy family is something I’ll forever be grateful for.

    Whenever uncertainty creeps in, I pray for guidance to stay on His path and for the courage not to sweat the small stuff. I’m not naïve—I know decisions must be made to get results. I just believe those results often come with a nudge in the right direction from above. Plus, if nothing else, figuring life out one prayer at a time offers fewer calories than stress-eating an entire cheesecake, right?

    So what I’m trying to get to is this: my hope for you and for everyone is to have faith that you’ll conquer your biggest fears, as long as you keep putting one foot in front of the other. Just think of it as an epic journey—like Frodo’s, but with less jewelry and hopefully fewer orcs!

  • Being a Military Spouse

    I’m not sure how many of you know this, but I am now a military spouse, and while I was formally in the Air Force, it’s a whole different experience being on this side of things! I used to think military spouses had it easy—we lovingly called them “Dependa-potamuses”—but now that I’m on this side, wow, it’s like I’ve discovered a whole new world! There’s so much work that goes into being part of a military family: taking care of the kids, supporting your spouse, and maintaining a semblance of a job. Building a career feels like chasing a balloon in the wind—just when you think you’ve got it, poof, it’s time to move again!

    My husband is set to move soon, and it’s challenging to manage the anxiety about what will happen to my career. After my divorce from my first husband, I really focused on building myself up—chasing my goals, furthering my education, and enhancing my career. Now, as a military spouse, my priorities are shifting. I need to focus on what’s best for my family, my sons, my husband, and—let’s not forget—myself. I know not everyone will agree with my perspective, and that’s fine; we’re all entitled to our own opinions.

    Yet, it’s incredibly hard to balance my identity as a professional with my roles as a mother and military spouse. Remote work options seem to be as rare as a unicorn basking in a double rainbow, given the current political climate. It often feels like I’ve got to choose: follow my career dreams or follow my husband wherever his duty calls. Fortunately, I might have a shot at transitioning into a remote role, though it’s as guaranteed as finding a pot of gold.

    While I’m excited for our next adventure—wherever that might be—I’m also a bundle of nerves and anxiety. There are moments I wish I were still in the Air Force, but unfortunately, my medical issues had other plans. And you know what? That’s okay. I firmly believe that God is guiding me on the path I’m meant to follow. So long as I keep praying and trusting in His plan, I know my family and I can navigate through any hardships that might come our way.

    I remind myself that my words are my sharpest tools, so for now, it’s all about focusing on my degrees, supporting my family, pondering my career when the dust settles, and just rolling with the punches. I’m on God’s path, not mine, and it’s all part of the journey—even the parts that feel like a never-ending game of Whac-A-Mole. Let me know if any of you have thoughts or advice on this wild ride!

  • Fateful Encounter

    I’m not sure if many people know the charming tale of how I met my husband, but it’s a story of faith and serendipity. Back in 2019, I had a bit of a “party girl” phase—yes, those who knew me back then might remember the social whirlwind. I loved my weekday outings, and at the time, I was seeing someone else. It was during a weeknight escapade at a Tampa bar on SoHo Street that things took a divine, albeit slightly tipsy, turn.

    That night, my phone decided to pursue a solo adventure, much to my dismay. I kept insisting to my then-boyfriend that it was “God’s will” for my phone to disappear, which, in hindsight, ties in perfectly with my husband’s current ribbing about my penchant for divine intervention.

    Fast forward to the next day—hello, Friday! Sans phone, I asked my friend, A, via iPad (thank you, technology!) if we could hit up St. Pete. He was game, but as the universe would have it, plans took a detour. Amidst the jiving and imbibing, I bumped into an old work acquaintance at the bar. As I inquired about his new job, he introduced me to a charming savior, T.

    T and I bonded over a bathroom break—the sacred ground where many lifelong female friendships are forged. Upon returning, I realized my friends had pulled a disappearing act, stranding me. My work acquaintance kindly offered a ride, albeit with an itinerary that was less than appealing. Luckily, T overheard and, during our second bathroom interlude, offered salvation with a ride home. Bless her, because I promptly passed out in her car.

    Little did I know, my future husband was in the back seat that night. However, I was far too inebriated to notice. Fast forward 6-7 months to Oktoberfest, where T reintroduced us. She was his supervisor, and when we met again, it was like that magical moment when the puzzle pieces click into place. We chatted and laughed the night away, and from that moment, we were inseparable.

    Oh, and remember my AWOL phone? The day after that fateful night, my parents tracked it down via Life360. T, being the gem she is, left her contact on a napkin on my fridge after escorting me safely into my apartment. Life has a funny way of unfolding, and I genuinely believe that none of it would’ve happened without a little divine choreography.