Giving You Thanks

I wanted to make a post specifically for those who offered wonderful support during this difficult process. It has been extremely exhausting both mentally and physically dealing with my recent injuries.I'm just so amazed and appreciative to those who stepped in and offered a helping hand, love, and much needed support!

Thank you all so much. This was something that I know I wont bounce back from quickly, and it's just great to know how many people are here for me

To My Amazing Readers 

Not only do I appreciate your e-mails, prayers, messages of encouragement, but you all really do bring a smile to my face. I need all the smiles I can get right about now. Thank you all for supporting my blog, and me. You're the reason I even write on here in the first place. 

Thank You Donors 

It was you all who made the impossible, possible. This has been a very tough period in my life, and I'm so thankful for your help. With your support I'm reaching the goals to cover my medical expenses on my Go fund me page, so that I can continue to get the treatment I need for a healthy recovery.


Special Thanks To Supporters

Atlanta Mission located in Marietta, Ga is a wonderful organization, that provides emergency shelter, temporary shelter, recovery programming, job attainment and transitional housing for needy men, women, and children. After hearing about my recent setback they provided the school uniforms, and a majority of school supplies for my daughter.Thanks to a wonderful advocate and their amazing team,she has everything she needed for school.

Moving On...

Warning contains burn pic!!!

The month of July was one of the most hardest months of my life, with going through surgery, losing complete mobility of my legs, and facing a long recovery... Everything I was working for just seemed to be put on hold.

A week into my bed rest, I found myself so depressed about my burns, never in my life before had I felt so limited. The pain was so extreme I didn't want to move, then not being able to recognize my left leg was scary. I felt like I was in a race and had already lost. In the midst of getting my business started,getting back in school, and packing up to move. My to do list was racking up daily, and I was in no condition to get anything done, I needed help just to get out of bed. My second week into recovery didn't seem any better.It was so frustrating to hear all the good reports from my doctor, and not see any of the results. My leg felt like a swollen baseball bat with a bowling ball attached to it. It was impossible to stand, walk, etc. The whole process was traumatic and still is difficult to process. I desperately wanted to be on my feet again just to cook a decent meal, and spend some time with my kids. I made up my mind, despite how I felt, I was going to walk. I wanted life to go back to being normal.

In life it's normal to experience accidents or face devastating events, but the way you look at events in your life can determine the whole process of getting through them. 
It was clear to me that I had to change my view of things, and stop focusing on the problem. I was ready to move on and get back to my life,there is only so much time in life that should be used on weeping, and the pain was enough to leave me out of tears. So I made a goal to walk daily by cleaning my room everyday as a small workout for my swollen leg. Three days into walking, hopping, and crawling around to clean my room - _- (SO SERIOUS) My swelling began to go down, and I began to notice some major improvements. This is literally one of the most difficult situations, I've had to face in my life. 

Looking back I'm astounded at how things changed so quickly. I would've stayed in the bed defeated, confused, and frustrated. I'm just so grateful that I made up my mind to walk. 

Never in life I will be fooled again. When we face obstacles, how we handle them determines if our outcome is a positive or negative one. I honestly believe had I stayed in bed upset about being there, I would still be there. 
I wasn't supposed to be on my feet this quickly. It's when you set your mind, and focus on getting through your problems rather than meditating on the problem you make way for a much more successful outcome. 


We all have our own difficulties but how you see them and handle them is absolutely everything!!

One of the first things I did when I was back on my feet!!

This is just a stepping stone for a breakthrough, what I'm going through won't defeat me. To those that are dealing with life issues, setbacks ... know that the same rule applies for you !!! 

Plants Need Love Too

We all start as a seed—singular, tiny and beautiful—with hopes that we'll eventually grow into that accomplished flower.

As a seed plummets into Earth's soil, we are left with three decisions:

Do we let our dream, their dream, grow? Do we give them the tools to do something that no other plant has dared to even venture? Do we, inspire?

If we nurture, water and feed abundantly, the seed will then grow into that prosperous plant.

But as we hesitate like turtles to find an answer, the problem metastasizes and the seed is then drowning because of too much water.

Mal-nourished, forgotten and abandoned, the seed won't grow, won't transition into that unique color it so desperately wanted to flaunt.

You must decide whether or not a seed will grow. You must decide whether or not you want your child to blossom.

It all begins once your child enters his/her home for the first time.

What if I told you, you've only got 18 years to mold this now tiny seed into a well-rounded adult? Why 18 years? Well, within this time frame your child will be developing their own persona, their personality. Your job is to guide them in the right direction, so that by their 18^th birthday they know the right way to act, that manners come second-hand, and that your opinion does matter, especially to them.

Try to be positive and reassuring…it's contagious.

You don't have to be a botanist to know whether or not your child, the seed, is growing in a proficient manner.

There is a time period where children will garner the tools to someday build a country( and that time period is within those 18 years). Those tools are being bestowed from your callused fingers. The fingers that are full of soil, the chipped nails that no manicure could fix, and even the sweaty palms that are carrying the future to the pot where your seed will then grow.

It takes work growing the once tiny.

But then again, what doesn't?

Mitch Galloway’s Bio

Mitch Galloway cannot ride a bike without handlebars. He can’t swim… well, fly like birds or sing like fergie. Mitch, even hates roller coasters (he’s, believe or not, afraid of heights).  But there is one thing he can do, and that it pertains to writing.

Mitch has written for local newspapers, online websites and is currently the editor of his college paper (The Echo). Mitch loves writing and he believes writing loves him, too. So please critique him, enjoy him and read him—he hopes you enjoy his one talent.  

Contact me:

Email: mgalloway@olivetcollege.edu

Phone: (517) 677- 3998

You know your kid did it when.....

      When it has paint on it

                                                            When it's on your bill

 When it has fingerprints on it 

 When it's cute but inconvenient

 When it's a mess

 

When she's in hiding

 

When it's stepped all over

When it has teeth marks on it 

 

When they never make it back to the room.

When it involves a toy car.

Surviving A Kid Free Weekend

The last thing I ever expected would be a weekend to myself, but when my mom asked to get the kids, I knew I needed to do something. To be honest, I wasn't excited! This would be my kids first weekend without my kids in a very long time, so this was going to be a big change for all of us.

You would think after all the diapers I've changed that they would've shown some type of sign of missing me, but they couldn't wait to leave. As soon as grandma walked through the door they completely forgot about me. My daughter even got angry with me for not putting her shoes on fast enough.

Now at first I must admit I was a little hurt but...

After they left I started to realize how peaceful and quiet the apartment was.
I love my babies, but I greatly appreciated that alone time.

My Biggest goal for the weekend was to make the most of it.

Get Out 
Do something you love doing, and make the most of it.

Exercising is so much fun for me, and it's a great stress reliever. I don't make it to the gym as much as I would like, so exercising was the first thing on my list..
I love going out, especially with my children, but with them gone, I got to see the neighborhood without having to maintain focus on them as well.
They're both so quick to run off to get into something.
It was nice just simply going for a walk.

Have Fun 

The minute they walk out that door, you immediately start losing time to invest in you, and what you want to do.
Of course we love our kids, but we need to always remember is to take time for us.

I got dolled up and went out!

Save The Mess For Later

There were a million things I've could've done this weekend, besides enjoying it!
I have loads and loads of laundry, dishes never can seem to stay out of the sink, and the kids seem to do everything but clean their room.
Not to mention it seems like when you pay one bill, another pops up in the mail.
There are a million reasons to stay busy and to try to knock a few things off the list, but how often do you really take time for you when your kids are gone?

Treat Yourself

We all have our own ways of treating ourselves, but it's not often I get to do it.


I treated myself with my favorite foods! After a long walk I created a sandwich platter for lunch, and indulged in ice cream for dessert.

Remember!

Everything went great, and of course the kids were off having their fun!
Honestly I had such a good weekend, that it flew by.
I had to remind myself that they were coming back, and they mean business. THEY DID!

Eight Tips For Work At Home Parents

1. Create A Routine

A schedule that doesn't fit your family's needs will never meet your needs. This is something I neglected and wish I would've done it sooner. Not only do children respond better to routine, but you can get a lot done when your kids are on a schedule. As much as a kid may hate it they need it, and so do we. 

• This will ensure that you can tend to other responsibilities outside your work
• A great way to shift your focus on chores, spending time with the kids, and maintaining time for yourself.

2. Don't Let Work Consume Your Life

It's so easy to find yourself spending a lot of time in your work, especially if you've just started working from home. When I began working from home, I was excited about building my business that I began to overwhelm myself. Soon after I stayed up late trying to make everything perfect, and learn everything I could. Doing this led to me losing communication and experiencing a social life. 

We're not made to sit at a desk all day. 

• Take your kids to the park
• Schedule lunch with a friend
• Have a girl/guy night out
• Catch a movie 

3. Constantly Analyze Your Progress

"Are you being productive," is a question I constantly ask myself during work hours. I have to catch myself wasting time organizing e-mails, playing with the kids, or on Facebook.

Ask yourself this question from time to time. It's a great reminder to stay on track, and maintain good productivity.

• Set your own goals
• Think of any problems you may be having and come up with a solution 
• Create quotas for yourself

4. Network, communicate, and befriend other work from home parents.

This is a great way to meet other parents, as well as share and grow your business. You can also learn about the many other available work at home opportunities and business.

• Join work at home & parenting groups 
• Reach out to others 
• Join online communities for parents & work at home parents
• Join hangouts & conference calls with people who share common interests.

5. Reserve time for your Family 

Don't just reserve time when you have time, always make time. It's so important to spend personal time with our family time goes by so quickly, take time for your family. It's easy to get caught up with work, and our everyday lives, but it's a necessity to invest time the people that make up our homes.

6. Supermom & Superdad is just a myth! Accept it.

Parenting is a lot in itself, when you add in work, and all our other responsibilities. It's no wonder we try to do it all. 

When I first started working from home I tried to everything.  I had to discover that it's never going to be all done. If you take one thing off your to-do list tow more things come.

A friend came to me, and told me that I wasn't much fun to be around. I stayed irritable from having so much to do, tired from not getting enough sleep, and moody from never feeling like I was accomplishing anything. Who would've guessed that I get more done now than ever!   The best part about it is I don't overwork myself when I'm tired, I rest.

Let your batteries recharge, your work will be there tomorrow.

7. Create a.............. night

• Movie 
• Taco 
• Party 
• Sleep Over 
• Game
• Family 
• Theme

Fill in the blank, whatever is suitable for you and your family. Creating something for you and your family to do together will bring a lot of fun into your home. 

I love to have movie nights!

I'll get all kinds of snacks and foods for the kids and I to have that night. (I definitely avoid sugary snacks, I don't want our movie night to last all night!) Once the snacks are out, I'll grab their toy box so they can pick out whatever toys they want to play with. Once the movie starts we're all snacking on some of our favorite foods, while they play with their toys. If we make it to a second movie, I'll put the toys up and we'll snuggle up and talk about the movie until we doze off. 

8. Keep your health a top priority

A healthy body is truly relaxing to the mind, making it easier to go back and conquer that project you've been working on all day. If you're feeling a little sluggish, mind clouded, or having difficulty working a trip to the gym can do you some justice. Besides, we have to be in top shape to maintain our homes, families, etc.

This M.I.A. Momma Is Back!!

A couple of weeks ago, I became seriously ill.

With my business growing, and taking care of my kids full-time, I've been very neglectful with going to the gym! This led to me having the bright idea of changing up my workout routine so I could get back on track.
The next day after doing this new workout I never felt so weak in my life. My body ached with what seemed to be a traveling pain. Luckily, I've officially gained all my strength back, but I'm still just as behind with my exercises, and even more behind with work.

With this irritating thought, I decided the first thing I wanted to do was make up the time I didn't spend with my kids.
So I took them to a community book parade! I know what you're thinking! Really? A book parade.
(SO WORTH IT)

 I only spent five dollars, and got a huge amount of books that are in excellent condition. 

My mom came over early, and we got the kids dressed. We got there just in time to watch the band set up, and perform. It was such a beautiful day, the weather was great, and I was finally back to my healthy self.

Local school band performing!

The step team was fantastic!

Kids with Talent

There were so many parents out cheering on their children, and I was just as loud. You would have thought my kids were out there performing, it felt so great to be back on my feet!

The parade lasted about thirty minutes, once it ended, they began the book sale!
All the books were five or ten cents a piece. This was my first year attending this event, so I wasn't sure what to expect with the kinds of books offered.

When they did allow us to see all the books available, I was far from disappointed. I don't think anyone was, people hogged counters, and stuffed their bags with books. There was also an even greater amount of little kids but after fifteen minutes, they were off enjoying the moon bounce and face painting.

My daughter spent a majority of her time hiding from a lion character that was there. I saw her at the beginning of the parade, she was latched onto my mom like a cat. It was a sight to see! I asked her what was wrong, but then she latched to my face.  My mom then explained to me that they had a Lion, and I explained to her my daughters fear of masks.
She was so terrified, she held on to my face so tight, I began to sweat. I had to practically peel her off of me. Once she ran off with my mom I didn't see her until it was time to go.

My son had hot dogs and walked around with a friend of mine's sister.  She picked out books with him, then ended the parade with them taking a picture with the Lion.  Of course my daughter was no where to be found.








Once we went home they went through their growing book collection, and I even added a few to mine.