Ruth Nieves

I just can't believe that the holidays are here. Next week is Thanksgiving...OMG! My oldest shared that scary truth with me last night. I broke out in a cold sweat with heart palpitations and all. I have gotten stressed just thinking about it all in the past. And I still do especially when the in-laws come to stay. I adore them but you know how it is, you dust in areas that you haven't dusted in since last Thanksgiving, the pillows have to be just right, the fridge needs to be stocked with their favorite things to eat and drink. Now, I know they don't come to give me the eye, but at least until they've settled down for a few minutes, I want them to see the house neat and orderly. Then after that, "Who cares?!" LOL, break out the Egg Nog (non-alcoholic version, of course). My parents will be here and my sister and her family, my brothers and their children, aunts, cousins, nieces and nephews, friends and Speedy, our Beta Fish. It's going to be a great wee

Who wants to go to the beach? Who wants to just lay there with the sun on their skin (with sunscreen of course) listening to the waves hit the shore? Me, Me, Me.... It's a whopping 37 degrees here in New York and there's a little man in my head chiseling away at it. My son has a cold with a bad cough and there are tons of things to be done at the office and at home. I can handle it. After all, "I am woman, hear me roar.", right? I tell my kids that I am actually a ninja by night and that I do great exploits when they're asleep. Like fold laundry and put it away so when they wake up their socks and pants are all in their rightful place or do the dishes without the clink of a glass. Except that they don't believe me. I got this when my littlest guy tells me that, "Mom, I can't wait to be an adult." I of course, super curious, said, "Really, why?" He says, "So I can sit around and do nothing like you." I was like, "Whaaaaat

This week has been a crazy, stressful, emotional one. I am glad for grace and strength and breath to be able to make it through. If not for the grace of God I don't know what I would've done. It's been one thing after another; fevers, headaches, fasting, praying, all kinds of attacks, workouts, cramps, phone calls, emails, and the list goes on. Boy am I thankful for another day. A day to start over, to begin again. I am thankful that as a Christ follower I have hope in tomorrow. I have Hope, He is Hope, my Hope. I can face anything with Him. My family had a scary moment this past Sunday. Had it not been for God's grace and strength I probably would've lost it. I read a scripture of encouragement to our church and this is the one I selected. Looking back now I believe God had selected it for me. I lifted my eyes toward heaven and in an inaudible voice, I cried out to God. I lifted my eyes and heart toward heaven and He heard my cry and answered it. Sunday will prov

Today has been one of those days. A feeling-fat-and-lazy kind of day.  Thursdays are my Fridays and I love to spend my Thursday nights planning my Fridays. Joe has his Fridays off too and we usually hang out together. But tomorrow is a little different. He is will be away just for the morning. And I am home with the boys. The boys are in their beds dreaming of schoolbooks and friends, cousins they will see over the weekend and birthday cake (my nieces birthday party). I, on the other hand, am sitting on my very comfy couch writing yet again. Sometimes I just have so much to say....LOL. And later on, going to watch my recorded episodes of Duck Dynasty and Ree Drummond, Pioneer Woman. Love these two shows so much. Reminds me of family and food and warmth, America, and days gone by long ago. It inspires me to love more and cook and enjoy my life. Believe me, not that I need any help with that. Sometimes I do sit back in a stupor not quite believing that this is my life. Not saying that my

Nothing in life is quite easy and clear cut. I mean just when you think things are going to be easy in comes a hiccup, a bump, a wall. At the risk of being too transparent, we are experiencing a few hiccups along the way. Boy, it can be discouraging. Now I know that my source and joy is Jesus. I know that. But I am human and I experience discouragement and times when I am wondering, "If yes, then why this?" I am so thankful for my amazing husband who is such an encourager. He is truly my knight in shining armor. He is so sweet and speaks truth to my heart and spirit. But I still pout. God is so good and faithful. And even though I go through seasons of doubt and discouragement, I choose to remember what He has done for me and not doubt His love and goodness for me and mine. So I would love if you would all join me in prayer and help me defeat the blues with your love. Help me bombard heaven on our behalf. The Bible says that where two or three are gathered there he'll be