Ruth Nieves

Can I say that I am so happy that today is Wednesday? This means that the weekend is near and I get to chill and spend some time with my husband and kids, uninterrupted. I can also spend some quality time with my pillow. Don't you just feel like that sometimes? Just act like being a lump on a log? I am also so sore. Doing the Crossfit regiment 5 days a week takes a toll on this 40+ body of mine. Love the way I look and feel, but man does it tire out this middle-aged woman (I can't believe I just said that!! Did I really just say that?!). Am I considered "middle-aged?" I'll jump on the band wagon and say that 40 is the new 30. Hey, it works. Denial isn't so bad sometimes...muahahahaha... I've been enjoying the fall thus far. Loving the brisk mornings and nights. The spicy scents of pumpkin candles and pumpkin lattes. I think I posted this before but here goes, "If you can't beat the Fall then you gotta join it." So I've decorated the hou...

Yes, folks. I have it. I've had it all my life. Struggled with it all my life and I think I will struggle with it all my life. I've had and still have a love affair with food. I love it when I'm happy. And I love it when I'm down. I love it when I'm celebrating. And I love it when I'm not. Dr. Phil has no cure for me. I just love it. And now since I've been eating better and lighter I have diagnosed this problem that I have mentioned. I think I know how to overcome it since I am an overcomer. But man, it's hard. This syndrome, this thing is called...the Forbidden Fruit Syndrome...FFS. If only it was fruit that was forbidden, but no. See, back in the garden when the serpent, who was really satan, tempted Eve, he told her that God really didn't want her to have the "benefits" that came from eating that fruit. She tried to shut his mouth by saying that God told her she could eat from the thousands of trees and the fruit they grew just not that...

Dear Boys,    I know you think that I was put on this earth to say "no" to a lot of things. Believe it or not I am not here to make your lives miserable. I am really not a party-pooper. Like the day I had to pick you up early from the tailgating party even though the game had not officially started because you had school the following day. Or the time I took your bike away after telling you not to go too far up the driveway. I so hate doing those things, because believe it or not I was young once too and I remember wanting to stay up late and ride my bike further up the sidewalk. And it hurts my heart to see you so upset. One day you'll be a responsible parent too and understand why daddy and I do the things we do.    The day that you were born I thought my heart would burst with the love I had and have for you. I never imagined just how much love one little person could exude from me. That at the slightest cry, I would drop anything and everything to be by your s...

So today has already been "one of those days." Got up late; later than my littlest guy. Made a quick breakfast of cereal and toaster waffles. Ran around rushing them and me, trying to get out of the house before 8 so they wouldn't be late for school. Made lunches. Begged my husband to pack my lunch while I got dressed. Couldn't shower. Forgot to brush my teeth...don't judge me! Put on two different shades of purple or pink (does it matter? They are both hideous). And what I'm wearing is way too tight. Yes, muffin top exposed to the fullest. Thank God that my jeans were in my car and have been for two days since coming out of the gym. I couldn't kiss my kids because they were running late so when I dropped them off at the school they had to run in. Didn't pray with them either. It's been one of those days already and it's only 9:24 in the morning. I pray that your day has started out so much better than mine. And I pray that my kids take all t...

Father, today in our corner of the world, our kids go back to school.  You know all of the things that have happened in our countries schools. How sad. And how scary. You know my fears and though I may not speak them I do feel them.  Please protect my children, their friends and their teachers.  Please protect the administrators and the school. Keep my children alert and focused. May they have a successful year.  May they find favor with You and with their peers and teachers.  May they develop a love of learning.  May they grow BFF's and relationships that will last a lifetime.  Father, may they stop a bully and may they not be bullied or be the bully.  May they value life and people no matter who they are or what their views are.  May my kids be examples to others about faith, love, hope, and clean fun.  May gossip, and negative trends not be part of their lives and if they are then show them how to address them a...

The boys are finally back at school and boy were they excited. I, on the other hand was sad and happy all at the same time. Bittersweet. I celebrate with them because they are on an adventure. How exciting and exhilarating to be starting out in life. New beginnings. Bittersweet for those of us, watching. Mommy's and daddy's, cheering their babies on but with their hearts and stomaches in knots because as much as they want them to fly they wish that they could stay little forever. Life is full of these moments... Moments that will take your breath away...in a good way. Moments that will bring tears and cause sleepless nights. Moments that you are glad you're alive. And moments when you wonder, "what the heck am I doing here?!" Moments that will make you want to dance and celebrate. And moments that you will mourn. There is a scripture in the Bible in Ecclesiastes that reads that "there is a season for everything under the sun...a time to weep and a tim...