*The vision behind Mamafitmiss is to encourage and empower Moms like you through the challenges you may face while raising young children.
Mamafitmiss begins with fitness as a foundation for physical strength, confidence, resilience, and connection. Can we normalize taking steps that may be tough, steps which when taken can help our kids thrive!
For example have you experienced workout-dread, like you already are exsausted, so why would you put an additional strain on your body? Well as I see things…on the other side of tough, there can be a cozy tempered space which you enjoy well deserved peace and relaxation!
Dear reader, be encouraged, you will get through whatever season of tough you are trying to make it through.
I write the following experience with tears of Gratitude on my heart…
This trip of a lifetime started Tough! While evacuating from conflict in the Middle East, with my three great little guys, I had picked up three lego car sets along the way.
You know when an experience, or being in a certain location with the right set of circumstances creates a flashblulb memory in your mind?
Well I took a flight earlier this week, As I pushed my carry on while deplaning behind a row of other passengers, I was right there in Greece, escaping the Iranian bombing…
While carrying our littlest who was sleeping, and all of the carryons that I could physically manage, (Mama’s strength is built with a purpose, with the goal to be the very best Mom that I may be for my family!)
This week, as I approached the front of a plane, at a completely different time, in a completely different country I teared up at the memory…
Crash, our middle child’s wail touched my heart, and I did not even look back. I did not even pause for a moment. Instead I just kept walking with a Vision of getting our feet on the ground! Getting on the ground of a “safe haven.” However of course I tried to save his cool lego car, one of the only toys he and his brothers had with them.
While raising resilient kids, remember that being present for you kids helps this process. A process which in my humble opinion is one of the most important parts of parenting.
I asked someone from the U.S. embassy tables to pick up his scattered lego car from the plane, anything for our kids right?! As the boys colored at the embassy tables while I tried to find a shuttle and a place for us to sleep, the kind embassy personnel came back from the plane and broke the news to us…the lego car was a loss.
Chills course through my body at the significance of such a statement.
The team who had flown in from other countries to assist evacuees from the Middle East, where there to support us, and the only loss with my crew, thank the Lord Jesus Christ, was a toy lego car!
Now, seven months later I still tear up at the memory, because the gift of what really matters in life, is so evident to me.
Because he matters most to me! Our kids matter most! Our loved ones matter most!
I took the time to be present in the midst of chaos…The car mattered to my little guy, so the car mattered to me!
Do you think this is trivial of me to mention a toy car while such concerning circumstances are at play?
(Speaking of play, a few toys and activities that my kids enjoy, and you can find on Amazon; which I’d happily add to the family travel tips category: 1. Guolely Busy Board Montessori for 3-6 Year old. 2. Gokeey Transformable Fidget Spinners kids age 8-13. 3. Airplane Activity Book for kids ages 8-12. 4. Synarry Magnetic Dinosaur Puzzle for Children 3-5, Travel Toys for Kids.)
Ultimately I am eternally grateful for the Lord G-D’s protection, as well as the U.S. military service members who saw us to safety!
You all, these pictures do not match the in between worlds we were living in!
With war-like events ever on our minds.
We did the very best that we could, took note of the little blessings in life, when in retrospect are also the big and valuable and very precious things!
Faith in Jesus is the number one factor that I attribute to my ability to function at a calm and level headed state for my children while under this ungodly amount of pressure and abnormal amounts of stress.
The boys and my first stop in Europe was Greece…
Yamas! (Γεια μας!) – “To good health health!” Amen.
The Acropolis of Athens in Athens, Greece was built between 421 and 447 BC This stunning landmark, has honey golden marble which glows beneath the Greek sun.
One of the most famous archaeological sites in the world! Our boys stared with eyes full of wonder, reflecting the ancient sandstone columns of the Parthenon and the Erechtheion. They took it all in, picking up little treasures along the way…
Treasures of stones and flowers, and natural bits of keepsakes they tucked into their pockets to remember such a beautiful memory.
This speaks to the value of being fully present for your children.
Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.
Pablo Picasso
Children’s minds are so cool, they have this innate ability to be resilient through hard times.
When kids are loved and cared for, they can play during the best of times and the worst of times.
In this blog post to you, Dear Reader, I hope to hightlight the fact that Mamafitmiss is an authentic, handwritten account written from a Mom, for Moms!
“The best of times and the worst of times,” such as seen the events in this post, can be experienced better while being prepared (as possible), making the best of a situation, and remembering to stay present for our kids, which is the real WIN!
And as Always,
Take Care!
~Ray
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