Father's Day Gift Ideas

Dads can be the hardest people to shop for, but finding something just right doesn't have to be complicated! Sometimes the one thing holding us back from thinking of the perfect present, is thinking way too much. 

The first step to finding the last minute gift of his dreams is taking a deep breath and remembering to keep it simple! 

Favorites - Things to keep in mind when looking for something for dad are his favorites. Favorite color, band, vintage show, movie, superhero? A gift card to his favorite store in a meaningful card is guaranteed to win you that smile you love so much! 

 
Books - There is no such thing as having too many books, and there is no such thing as a person who doesn't read. The question is what do they read? Comics, magazines, newspapers? Get your hubby a good thrilling read that he will greatly appreciate the next time he finds himself with a chunk of personal time. 

   
Free Time - Speaking of time, it seems like Dads don't ever have enough of it! When my husband isn't working, he is doing a chore around the house or hanging out with Nico; he never really has a moment for himself. If that sounds like your hubby, a nice gift might be a night to himself. The night before his day off, pack up the kids and take them for an over night trip with you to Grandma's house, leaving your husband all alone for 24 hours of man time! 

Nothing - The ultimate last minute gift is absolutely nothing! Make overnight arrangements for the little ones and spend the day doing nothing but watching his favorite movies/ shows, and eating his favorite junk food (don't forget the pizza!). Most importantly, spend the day wearing NOTHING AT ALL ;) 

  

Inspiring Youth: Christian Gould

If you find yourself in need of some inspiration or motivation to kick off this year, allow me to introduce an old friend of mine, Christian Gould.

Christian and I go way back! We met in the 7th grade in middle school through a mutual friend, and let me say, I realized how unique he was right from the start! Christian was fun to be around, and anyone can tell you that his energetic, positive personality is infectious! It is difficult to frown in his presence, as he has the unique ability to make anyone laugh. 


On a trip a few of my friends and I took in the 8th grade to Busch Gardens, he was the only one who did not back down from the big rides! He spent most of his time there encouraging us to be brave, to face the biggest roller-coaster in the park, of course we HAD to ride in the very FRONT row!

After middle school, Christian began high school in North Carolina. As a result of the difficulties he faced in high school, his mother thought a change of scenery would be the best thing for him. With only one and a half months of his junior year to complete, he began a new chapter of his life in Wellington, Florida with his father.

In Florida, Christian made friends with nearly everyone he met! That contagious joyful energy allowed him to make the best out of any situation. After completing high school, he studied briefly at Palm Beach State College, though he soon realized that college was not for him. He had ambitions to work in Foreign Currency Exchange, and he understood that hard work is the key to any kind of success. By the time he was 20 years old, Christian had three part-time jobs; a teller at the Bank of America, sales associate at Nordstrom, and sales associate at Advance Auto Parts. Though he was incredibly busy, he still made time to maintain nurture his friendships, nearby and thousands of miles away. 

Then suddenly, his life was turned upside down. On November 21, 2014 tragedy struck. Christian was on his way home that night when he lost control of his car due to inclement weather. He hit three oak trees before his car finally came to its resting point. Because he was alone, no one knows exactly what time the accident occurred; it was finally called in by a passerby (or guardian angel if you will) at 2am. He was intubated at the scene and rushed to St. Mary's Trauma Medical Center in West Palm Beach, FL. Christian had a badly ruptured spleen, severe head trauma, cracked T1 & T2 vertebrae, 2 cracked ribs, cracked sternum, compound fracture of the left femur that broke through skin, 2 fractures on and above his knee, broken jaw both sides with the left side being displaced by an inch. 

Fortunately, it was not yet his time. Miraculously, Christian's life was spared! He stabilized, and began to fight through his injuries, determined to make a full recovery. On his 16th day in the Trauma Ward, he surprised everyone by opening his eyes!

He started responding to commands almost immediately, showing that the vibrant Christian we know and love was still here! Two days after Christmas, when they took him off the ventilator and plugged the end of the trachea tube he defied all odds when he said "Hi Mom". 

Christian and his mother, Laura Gould-White, before the accident

It was then that we all realized, there was nothing holding him back. Since that day, he began physical therapy. Not only has he sat in a chair, but Christian is now WALKING with the aid of a walker and a physical trainer, and wheeling him self through the hospital halls.

Despite all of his hardships, he is so very grateful to be alive and to have been given a second chance to make something out of himself. He has mentioned to his mother, Laura Gould-White, that he wants to be an anesthesiologist and now realizes how precious the gift of life and you can lose it at the blink of an eye! This remarkable young man, has not stopped smiling, even as he spent New Year in a hospital bed. 

Very soon, he and his family will be able to kiss St Marys Trauma Center goodbye with an endless amount of love and gratitude! God truly has amazing plans for this remarkable young man! 

Race for the Cure

The process has been costly for him and his family. He has come such a long way, but still has hours of physical therapy ahead of him. He needs financial support now more that ever, and there is really no one who deserves it more. 

Christian has an established active Fund Raiser at http://www.gofundme.com/j62idg 

Please take the time to make a donation of ANY amount, every penny helps! 

The next time you have doubts about your ability to reach your New Year's Resolution, remember Christian Gould. 
He is living proof that ANYTHING is possible. 

Overcoming the Pain

(Picture of Pedro and me after getting baptized)

As I read over my last blog post, I realized that I skimmed over the general situation, but I never really explained how I managed to not be swallowed by the extreme discomfort that I have been feeling for the past several days. 

As many of you know, I am Christian. I attend church regularly and I enjoy volunteering as a Sunday School Teacher Helper every other month. I am only explaining this because my faith in Jesus Christ is what helped me to overcome that terrible situation. 

There were moments when there was nothing else that would get through mind. I would be in agony, wondering when it was going to be over and if the worst part was yet to come.

It all changed one day when I was laying on the couch. The window was open and a delightful breeze filled the apartment, and Nico was playing happily in front of me. The sky was its regular shade of impossible blue, and I remember thinking, "What a beautiful day to be in excruciating pain." In Puerto Rico, weather can vary. Some days can be sticky and hot, while others can be rainy and windy. But on occasion, there is a nearly perfect day. The wind blows just enough, the sun is hot burning too hot, and there is peace and calm in the air. 

Of all the days for me to get sick, it happened to be on a perfect day. As I continued to think about it, I realized that God was doing things and setting things up so that I could recover in the best way possible. In those moments of pain it was extremely difficult to see, but in a moment of clarity, I found that I had so much to be thankful for, and that God would not forsake me. He sent me an amazing husband who cared for me and Nico in every way that we needed and more. He sent me a great baby who was never difficult or mean spirited. 

Most importantly though, I was grateful that I would not have to feel that way forever. I did not know why I was experiencing a miscarriage, but I did know that eventually I would feel better. I was so grateful that the pain was not my everyday reality and I felt like I needed to let Him know that. After I thanked Him, I realized that if he had the power to create the Universe and the compassion to breathe ecosystems into existence, then He certainly loves me enough to help me when I cry out to Him. 

I began to declare in His name that I was healed and I began to thank Him over and over for my wellness. Nothing worked better in healing me than praising the name of Jesus.

Father & Me Friday

Happy Father & Me Friday to all the Kul Dad's out there! 

In honor of FMF here a few of my favorite pictures of my favorite men! 

Married at 18

My husband Pedro and I met in the last semester of our senior year of high school in 2011, in Puerto Rico, in a crowded classroom that I was afraid to walk in to. He invited me to hang out with him and his friends the day we met, and some how I ended up giving him my phone number. He called me that night and we ended up talking for hours. Next thing you know, we are going to prom together. 

He is my best friend. Though he drives me absolutely crazy sometimes, I could not imagine life with out him. I have spent some of the best days of my life so far with him. 

He loves me at my best, and at my worst.

 We spent 3 months in a long distance when he moved in with his friend back in his home town in West Virginia. When I went to visit my best friend in Raleigh, NC, he drove 8 hours to spend 2 days camping with my friends and me. 

When he got back, we were a little too happy to see each other, we ended up making Nico. But he was excited because it meant that we could get married much sooner than I had planned. We went to florida, got married by a Rabbi staying at our hotel, and spent the rest of the week in Disney World. 

We are not rich but we are happy. He is a full time dish washer at Denny's who plans on becoming a professional Rally racer, I fully support his dream. I am a part time bagger, full time student, who plans on writing and producing books and movies, he fully supports my dream. That is what is important.