A Mom's Haven

Over the last few days, I felt like I was able to bond more with my husband and our two kids in a way that felt different from our usual routine. Life can get so busy with responsibilities, schedules, and daily stress, but these past few days gave us the chance to slow down and truly enjoy each other’s company. Recently we took Mateo to the beach for the first time. I’m not a spontaneous person. I generally plan everything. But on Friday my husband suggested going to the beach and I was all for it. It was really fun to watch Mateo experience the ocean for the first time. At first he hated it. My husband and I would take him to the edge of the water and as soon as the water would touch his feet he would flinch and cry. We would pull him back up and a few minutes later we would go again. Each time he would calm down a little more and eventually he was enjoying himself. It brings me a lot of joy to see experiences like that happen with Mateo. Another special moment from the weekend was ce...

Before I go to sleep tonight I want to take a moment for myself.  It’s not easy to be a parent. I never imagined the challenges I would have to endure with my two children. With my first, he is emerging to kindergarten this upcoming school year and yet he still has to improve on how to self-regulate. He is a bright kid but he has a difficult time with his big feelings. And my second child, it seems like I forgot a lot of things when I became a mom again, just like starting solid foods. It seems silly but it’s real, I forgot.  At times can be overwhelming, exhausting and it can test your patience but being a parent is the best job of the world.  As I prepare myself for this week, I want to mention that this weekend has taught me something: there will be easy days, and there will be harder days, but it's important to not give up on those hard days.

  "A mother’s love never ends, even when her child is no longer in her arms." When you first hold your child, you believe you’ll always be able to keep them safe. You think your arms, your love, your presence will be enough to shield them from the dangers of the world. But the truth is, sometimes life takes a cruel turn, and no amount of love can stop it. This weekend, in Long Beach, tragedy struck. A little boy—three-year-old Noah—lost his life in an accident that never should have happened. He was just chasing after his mother. That’s it. He just wanted to be near her. And now he’s gone. As a mother, it guts me. My own son is around the same age. I watched him play today and thought: What would I do if he wasn’t here tomorrow? And the thought alone is unbearable. Noah’s story broke something in me. And I know I’m not alone. When one mother cries, we all cry. We all feel that loss, that helplessness, that gut-wrenching fear. My son is cautious, careful. And I’m grateful. Bu...

August will always hold a special place in my heart—it’s my birthday month, after all! But honestly, September has always been my favorite. It’s a month of change, just like the slow shift into autumn. Even though the heat might still be hanging around and it can still feel like summer, there’s something about the whole vibe—the warm browns, golden yellows, deep reds, and forest greens—that just feels cozy and fresh. It used to be all about the back-to-school buzz after Labor Day, but those days are behind me now. These days, September means pumpkin spice everything, and honestly, I’m here for it. I’m trying something new, and I really hope it sticks. Over the past few weeks, I’ve been making an effort to stay productive—whatever that looks like in this season. I truly love being home with my little one, and I’m so grateful for these moments we get to share. But if I’m being honest, there’s a part of me that needs a break from “mom mode” every now and then, even if it’s just for a few ...

  Mornings as a mom are powered by love, patience—and a strong cup of coffee. Mornings used to be rushed- breakfast on the go, coffee in hand and a preschooler who never moved fast enough, no matter how many times I asked. However, ever since I became a mom of  two and I stopped working, mornings are different now. Everything moves a little slower now.  My mornings usually start the same way. One of my boys wakes me—either the soft cry of my baby from the bassinet or the gentle sound of the bedroom door opening, followed by tiny footsteps padding across the floor. Then comes the familiar whisper from my 4-year-old: “I need to poop, Mama.” That’s when I know the day has truly begun. There’s no alarm clock, no snooze button—just the quiet call of motherhood pulling me into the morning. I love the quiet that settles in after my oldest heads off to school with his aunt. The house finally feels still—peaceful enough that I can actually hear myself think. It’s one of those rare...

  First days used to mean holding hands. Now they mean letting go Growing up, one of my favorite memories was the excitement of going back to school—the thrill of shopping for new clothes and school supplies, and the anticipation of waking up on the first day, getting ready, and starting fresh. As the first day of school approaches for many, I find myself thinking about all the little ones heading off to school for the very first time. Over the past few days, I’ve been watching videos of moms dropping off their children—those tearful hugs, brave smiles, and emotional goodbyes. Every time I watch, I feel a lump in my throat, knowing that next year, I’ll be in their shoes when my own son starts kindergarten. It’s a bittersweet feeling—so much pride, mixed with the ache of letting go just a little. Letting go is never easy. As mothers, our instinct is to hold on tight—to protect our little ones from anything that might hurt them. We want to keep them close, safe, and small for just a ...