When I tell y’all, it was a rough week, I mean it was a rough week! It started out where I ended up working 12+ hour day, on a Monday—of all days—which meant that I got a grand total of about 30 minutes with my kids. That beats me up inside so much because it is so little time in their giant day that I get to love on and play with them. I know there are some mamas out there who do that every day and honestly, I am so sorry that you must do that. I am accustomed to at least a couple hours each day, a little in the morning before I head off and then I usually get a little more after work between making dinner and before they go to bed. So, already in a grumpy mood, from a long hot day at work walking some property, knowing I only am going to get a short amount of time with the boys and when I get home, I found my dog was accidentally locked in my room for a bit and she DESTROYED the carpet, like need to replace the whole room destroyed, picture below… not only this but she also destroyed a set of blinds above my bed. I lost it y’all, broke down crying, screaming at her, just mad at the world type of situation. The boys, so confused on why I was crying as I try not to let them see me cry or break down just kept saying “Why you sad mama?” through my sobs I explained to them about my hard day and how I didn’t get any time with them and mama works really hard and always feels behind. Of course, my oldest jumps in with a “we’re sad too because you work a lot”. Great, rip my heart out some more kid! Sometimes it feels like the world is out to get you and I know everyone has felt that one time or another.

The week continues and I felt like I was in a slump the whole time, very irritable, and felt like I was killing myself for nothing. Then, a friend sent me a book and let me tell you, I listened to the whole audio book in one day. Granted it wasn’t long and it was an easy read, but one day and I felt a new uprising in me. I listened to “The Energy Bus” by Jon Gordon. I knew I was having a rough week and all I was doing was let it get me down. My week didn’t really perk up either. All week little things kept happening, ending the week in an argument with a friend, that made me feel like a bad mom. I didn’t hide my emotions well from the boys and they knew all week it was rough. I felt bad and confided in a relative and close friend and mentioned that I was upset I let my emotions get away from me and I poured them all out in front of the boys and she reminded me of something. Kids are just tiny little adults who have a ton of emotion, tantrums, crying, not listening, or just being turds basically is how they relieve their emotion. Where in the world does it say that a mother or father must always have their emotions under control or out of sight from their kids? She reminded me it was okay that I showed emotion in front of them because it’s good for them to see. Eventually, I started to feel better after the book and after spending some time with the boys, and I’ve decided that even when life throws rocks at me, I’m going to use them to build an empire. As should each and every one of you!

Life is hard, being an adult is really freaking hard, and when things don’t work out as you expected try to find the lesson in it all. I know that sounds cliché and like a million other people have said it but there is a certain truth behind things. 

Everyone is going to have a rough day or a rough week or even a year (like my little Friends reference there?). I understand completely, and I feel like I have been on this constant roller coaster my entire life but after realizing it’s okay to have emotions and it’s okay to have bad days but to stand up taller the next day and use that emotion and energy towards something greater. So, here is my piece of advice, if you’re having a rough day and feel like it’s all falling apart, take a minute and do two things. 1. Take a minute to reflect on an accomplishment you have made, it doesn’t have to be a big one or it can be, just something you truly feel proud of yourself for, write it down if it helps. 2. Now think of a goal you want to achieve and let it fuel you! I promise it helps and that’s what I did this weekend. My life has changed so much in the past couple of years, and I am so proud of how far I have come. My goal, to build a better life for myself and the boys. I know that sounds like a giant goal, but I make a small step every single day and so can you. Feel blessed my friends, we all deserve it!