3 Reasons to Not Rush Into Dating

It seems like everywhere you look you see another couple in love, while you remain alone. Every day one (or more) of your Facebook friends proudly boasts that they are "in a relationship" while you probably feel like your status will forever be "Single" or ''in a relationship with Netflix."

However, despite how you may feel, and maybe what those around you have been telling you, being single is a blessing! Being in a committed relationship is indescribable, but so is not having a partner! Both experiences can be the ultimate life lesson, designed by God to teach us more about Him and ourselves. 

As a single person you may feel lonely, while you should be feeling empowered, or unloved while you should be feeling unstoppable! Here's why:

You Have Time to Learn About Yourself - While you are single you can take time to explore your interests as an individual. Many people continue to do this while in a relationship, but a single person has the advantage of personal free time. It is completely appropriate to go to the movies alone, or switch hobbies 5 times a month, because you are learning about you. What you like to do, what you like to listen to, who you choose to hang out with; those are all important things to know when you eventually do start a new relationship. If you get to know yourself (and love yourself!) you will feel complete and you will have more of yourself to give.

You Can Move Quickly Towards Your Goal - Once you find out what you are passionate about, you have all the time in the world to pursue that passion! At this point, you can put 100% of your effort into doing whatever it is that motivates you, and into working towards your overall life goal.

You Have the Freedom to Practice Financial Responsibility - By freedom I mean you can make mistakes with few consequences, which only affect you. You are one person! It is easier to practice financial responsibility because you have less expenses. This may sound technical and unimportant, but knowing how to handle your money is vital. You can learn to set a budget for travel and the things you want. You can learn the difference between want you want and what you need. You can also learn that money isn't everything, and that wealth is meant to be shared. No one wants to be with someone who doesn't know the value of a dollar. 

There are many different kinds of love! 

Learn to enjoy the form of love in your life, whether it be towards yours Creator, your friends, your family, and especially yourself.

Don't miss out on a special form of love by constantly craving another.

When Parents Turn to Murder: Alexis

As many of you know, the month of October is Domestic Violence Awareness month. In order to raise awareness, this week I would like to tell the story of Alexis and her mother, Victoria.

Victoria was a victim of regular, brutal domestic dating violence. Her boyfriend, Freddy Mendez, would repeatedly beat her during arguments and force her to do ridiculous things for him. In one video she speaks about one of the instances of abuse where he punched her repeatedly in the face, threw her in the pool, dragged her out, punched her repeatedly again, shoved her into the closet, and then told her to go make him a sandwich.

One day, he began beating Alexis, Victoria's 3 year old daughter, and he did not stop until she was dead.

Victoria said she stood by holding her 7 month old son, yelling at Freddy, trying to get him to stop. When he finally did, she was left to "take care" of the lifeless little girl. 

Freddy was sentenced to life in prison with no possibility of parole, and Victoria was sentenced to 35 years in prison for "allowing" the abuse, which escalated to murder. But after serving only 2 years, the judge decided to release her. Many people were appalled by his decision.

This country has made a habit of turning battered women into criminals for failing to protect their children in situations such as this one. Many of them face between 20 and 40 years of prison time. 

I believe that there is always something you can do to get your child out of danger. I would even go to the extreme of killing anyone who is physically threatening the life of my son.

But every woman is different. 

I don't think that a woman who lives in constant fear can be expected to make rational decisions, and I don't think that they should be considered in their right state of mind. Who knows how much head trauma they themselves have faced, who knows how much emotional and psychological abuse they have endured.  Many of them have been brainwashed in to thinking that they are worthless and powerless by men who are obviously crazy and manipulative. 

Everyone deserves a second chance. The judge's decision only means that Victoria can grieve her daughter, get her life back on track, seek the help she needs and try to focus on regaining custody of her son and providing him with a better life.

This does not mean that I excuse the child abuse.

Like I mentioned before, there are always ways to keep your baby safe. Leave them in the care of a trusted adult, teach them to call 911, encourage them to tell someone who you know will help, find a hiding place for them in the house that only you know about, physically defend them even if it means getting hurt yourself, or my personal favorite, get out and get help! 

Remember, these women are not alone!

 If you see children with multiple bruises, report it; better safe than sorry. If you hear your neighbors arguing a little too violently, report it. If you see a man (or woman) treating their partner or child harshly in public, report it. If you see a woman with multiple bruises, report it. 

In this world, we have to take care of each other. Together, we CAN...

4 Activities While Waiting With Baby

Sometimes the wait at the doctors office can seem endless, especially for little ones who have no sense of time. It can get difficult to find things to keep your toddler occupied in their stroller while you are in line at the bank or the supermarket. These are a few things that Nico and I like to do while we wait that might work for you! 

1. Little Hands, Little Feet - This is a game that Nico loves! When I say to him "little hands!" he places his hands in mine and I give them a squeeze and a wiggle. When I say to him, "little feet!" he brings up his feet and I gave them a squeeze and a tickle. This helps him learn sizes and it helps him to develop and identify his sense of touch.    

2. Where's Baby? - This game requires a small blanket. Flap the blanket up so that it falls on Baby's head and then pull it off quickly or slowly. Once the blanket is gone, give him a quick tickle! Even older kids will love the suspense of not knowing when exactly they will receive a visit from the tickle monster! 

3. Sing a Little Song! Do a Little Dance! - Kids love to sing, especially when the song involves movement. Remember the good old days; The Itsy Bitsy Spider, The Wheels on the Bus, Head and Shoulders, Apples and Bananas, and Bingo. Those are songs that Baby can move along to or that baby will love watching you dance to!
 
4. Make up a Story - If you are not the singing type, get a little creative and make up an exciting story about what is happening around you. Even the youngest of babies will quiet down and listen if he feels that mommy (or daddy) is talking directly to him. If your child is old enough, let them help by offering ideas and making up parts of the story too!

Cory Proves That You're Never Too Young

This little boy is incredible! At only 5 years old Cory Nieves started a company called Mr. Cory's Cookies and he has big plans!

As human beings, we like excuses. We use them all the time in every

situation. We have doctor's notes, and little white lies, and the

classic my dog ate my homework. People even have excuses for why

things are not going the way they want in life. They are too fat, too

ugly, too poor, too stupid, too untalented, etc. So many of us are

unhappy because we are hung up on the things we wish we could do and the reasons why we can not do them. 

Excuses.

The truth is, there is nothing stopping you. There are many limitations
that we set on ourselves based on the ideals of our society and culture.
For example, people tell you that you should have a business degree if
you want to have a business, but you can't afford to go to school, so
you keep your head down and lose yourself in a meaningless job instead
of finding a way to keep your dream alive.

There is always a way to do something, even if it is not the "traditional" way.

THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH DOING IT YOUR WAY! 

Even if you think your plan will take a long time, or other people tell you that it is stupid, or impossible, let nothing hold you back!