It All Starts Here ... THIS MOM CAN (TMC)

Welcome Moms to...THIS MOM CAN (CELEBRATE. INSPIRE. ENCOURAGE.)

The first blog and I have to be honest, I have no idea what I am doing so this should be fun! 
   
    For me, being a mom is the most rewarding job I have ever been blessed with.  Being there to watch each stage of my children's lives is amazing, fun and also challenging but let's be honest, there is no magic wand for being the perfect mom.  We all make mistakes in parenting but what makes us better moms is how we teach our children to not make the same mistakes as they grow up.
    My motto...Life is full of ups and downs; it is how I handle each one that makes me a better person.  It makes me a better mom!

Here is my story... of ups and downs and finding my passion later in life.

    Let's start when I was the age of 20, I lost my younger brother in a tragic automobile accident when he was just 17 years of age. He was on his way to meet me and the last words I ever heard him say, "I have to finish my hair, get dressed and I will see you in twenty minutes."  I never got to see or talk to him again. The grief is something that even after 22 years I continue to deal with.
    I married in 1997, had my son in 2000 and my daughter in 2003 and they truly are my motivation every day. They inspire me to wake up each day and make the world better for them to grow up in.  Being a mother in my own words is, "The day your child is born, you surrender a piece of your heart to them and are changed forever."  The biggest "up" in my life is having a family of my own. I told myself I was going to be the best mother I could be and raise these children to be loving and caring adults, this was my passion in life, or was it?  I am encouraged by moms who tell me she is a full time mom and is extremely satisfied with that role.
    I left a 13 year challenging career due to the downsizing of the company I worked for. It was terrifying to think I was going to have to start something new after doing the same thing for so long.  I had several discussions with my husband and told him I was determined to see what else was out there in the world for me.  Leaving the job was a blessing though, I was able to spend the last year of my father's life with him by his side. 
     After my Dad passed away, I took the time as an opportunity to be a stay-at-home mom for 2 years but there was something missing. Something that I needed to be completely fulfilled. So, what now?  Start a new career?
    I thought I would try and be great at something completely out of my comfort zone. I took and passed one of the hardest test I have ever taken and starting selling life insurance. My sister that I was crazy! But I wanted to help people and thought I found my passion again.  I loved working with families and businesses, helping them protect what mattered most in their lives. Educating people on something they may have known very little about was rewarding but what I will always take away from it was the amazing people I met along the way.  My insurance work ended abruptly when the company I worked for didn't have the things I believe most in ... CORE VALUES and HONESTLY!
     My passion was crushed. I am still a terrific mother but the piece of me that craves a passion along with being a mom was missing. I didn't know where to start to find it, once again.
     After doing some mind, body and soul searching, I realized I am a mom first and foremost but my passion was out there just waiting for me to find! I decided this year was my defining moment to change the way I felt about myself.  In February of this year, I decided I to start a life change; first with getting healthy since I had been overweight from the time I had my children and a good friend of mine had lost over 150 pounds and she INSPIRE me to do something for myself!  I started in February with the 24 Day Challenge with AdvoCare and lost 22 pounds and 18 inches! I felt amazing but more then anything I find I was unstoppable in finding my passion! 
    But what could I do that would bring me the passion I was looking for? I have volunteered for years for several non-profit organizations because of the way I feel when I give back and help others. I thought why can't I do something that could help other people, something simple like encouraging, inspiring and celebrating someone who may need to find their own passion.  
    It was there all along...my PASSION!  Helping others is what makes me passionate! Could it be that simple? For me, it is. I didn't know anything about how to start or what to do first.  I contacted my lifelong best friend and told her of my idea. What she said will remain with me forever, "This is the best idea you have ever come up with (and God knows, you come up with tons of them) and this is your destiny!" 
     She helped me create the logo and I taught myself how to create a website and a blog. My very first blog, my very first accomplishment.
     So, I decided to search the world for other moms who have the same passion as I do to share our amazing stories and achievements.
    This is the exciting new beginning of...THIS MOM CAN!