17 year old marriages are few and far between these days, and for mine I am extremely grateful and lucky. Our courtship of nine months and first three months of marriage were heaven on Earth. But then Uncle Sam decided that they wanted my "cooperation" and could not take "no thank you" for an answer. That is when the "for better or worse" clause kicked in, and my innocent wife began enduring a life of hell on Earth. A law abiding Canadian girl who never even got a parking ticket before was now seeing and feeling the ugly fear and intimidation of a corrupt government. Where and how we met was very special but that story is a book or movie material. We both knew we were meant to meet on that fateful day abroad.
It started with nasty calls that threatened to kill our family when she was...
Family
My sweet Kiera,
Now that I've brought you back to school after lunchtime, it's finally sinking in, your actually in school!! There's are so many emotions today.. I'm so happy, proud and excited for you. But, not too long ago there was a time when I didn't know if I would get to do this special thing with you, and I'm so thankful that I am.
As nervous as I am, I know you're ready, I know you'll jump into school with the same excitement, curiosity and energy that you approach life with.
School is going to teach you so much, you're going to make so many friends, how could you not? You're funny, out-going, compassionate and kind. You amaze me every single day.
I hope you learn to love books like me and your Aunt Kassandra, books can be your best friends at times.
I hope you learn...
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Mom to Brooklyn, Cruz, Harper and Romeo
Being a mother is simply the greatest achievement of my life. It has taken me on an unexpected journey that can constantly surprise, educate and confuse me! The emotional connection I feel towards my children brings boundless elation and joy as well as the inevitable worry and concern.
They are a wonder to me every day. From a teenage son through to a toddler daughter, each moment of every day is filled with different energies, activities, feelings and a lot of comedy. From playing sport to lounging on the sofa, each of my children fill every second with laughter, music and discussion. They are kind hearted and well-mannered and have incredibly enquiring minds, and I feel incredibly blessed to be surrounded by these phenomenal human beings...
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I remember when I decided it was time to have a baby, yes that's right....I. I say that because it was more of a decision for me than him. I have an older daughter and was scared of starting over with different obstacles. I think the most exciting part throughout the process was thinking I am totally having a girl, end of story. My husband said "oh no, it will be a boy", and we joked with one another a lot over what the sex would be. The reason I am writing this is to beg parents to not focus on the sex of their baby and get their hopes up which can lead to a lot of negative emotions. I was so persuaded that he (yes I had a boy) would be a girl that we already had a girl name picked out, although it was mainly because we agreed on the name. I don't recall focusing too much on boy names....
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Good Day Everyone,
I know that life is hard for a majority of people today. I am no exception to that category. And by no means am I slamming anyone else's hardship or unfortunate circumstances. For we all are hurting and I truly wish I could alleviate other peoples worries and fears about making ends meet. Because I know how that feeling sits in the pit of your stomach making life unbearable at times.
My letter is just to bring attention to all the companies out there that have no heart, or soul for that matter, that push their customers to the breaking point. Yes there is a choice to procure service with you Verizon, AT...
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Dear Tig,
Here’s a list of things for which I want to apologize:
1. I’m sorry for every time I loop your leash around the doorknob and hurriedly say, “Two minutes! I’m going to take you outside in two minutes!” Because I am not going to do that. You know, as you watch me struggling to get the baby into the carrier, realizing that he’s not wearing socks and also that he’s just wet himself, that it is going to be closer to fifteen minutes. Possibly 20 minutes. Once in a while, forty minutes goes by and you sit, patiently waiting, attached to the door. And I walk back into the living room to see you sitting there and yell, “Oh my god Tig, I completely forgot about you!” And you very politely turn yourself so you’re facing the door, which is the dog way of saying, “I know you...
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My dear best friend,
Thank you for the last seven years of friendship. Thank you for not (entirely) judging me throughout my awkward preteen years. Thank you for getting in to all sorts of trouble with me. Thank you for not letting me go through my family problems alone. Thank you for trusting the wrong people with me. I guess, overall, thank you for never turning your back on me.
I've always been told not to trust everybody I meet, yet I always do so anyways ... and it always bites me in the back. However, when we became friends in sixth grade, I put all my faith in you. For whatever reason, we were bound to be there for each other. I will never regret being in the position I was in personally at the time, because if I wasn't there, I wouldn't have met you.
Thank you for being...
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Dear Rap Music,
I've been known to "throw my hands in the air and wave 'em like I just don't care." I used to hit up your shows and you could often "find me in the club, bottle full of bub," where, if your beat thumped enough and your hook looped just right, I could be enticed to "jump motherf*cker, jump motherf*cker jump." And while I've never really been "down with O.P.P.," I do "like big butts and I cannot lie..." And man, those days were the days.
But now that I have two daughters, two centers of the Universe, these are not those days.
I am breaking up with you, Rap Music, and it's not you, it's me. And it's also, kind of, you.
It's your rampant misogyny, homie. It is an epidemic. Your unapologetic sexism is a scourge on an otherwise exceptional cultural phenomenon. A...
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Dear Son,
When you came into this world, you brought a love into my heart that I had never before experienced. When you spoke your first word, when you walked your first steps, I was your biggest supporter and fan. With every developmental milestone you reached, I reveled in joy and celebration. You taught me the meaning of love -- true, unconditional love.
Now you are older, and what an amazing person you've become! You have your own personality, your own thoughts and opinions, and your own sense of humor. You have your own interests, your own talents, and your own way of doing things. I celebrate your individuality and uniqueness and am so honored to be part of your life.
As you continue to grow and become an adult, you will live your own life. You will have times of happiness...
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To My Very Best Friend,
Saturday is your wedding day and I couldn't be happier for you as you embark on the next stage of your life with the man you love. As I sit and reminisce on our journey of friendship and all we have been through together, I am reminded of just how important you are to me; how much I love, respect and admire you. However, this friendship we share will inevitably change after this weekend; how could it not? But this does not sadden me, and I am thrilled to be standing next to you for the moment your future begins. Here are a few things I want you to remember Saturday, the day of your wedding:
It is going to be a whirlwind of pictures, flowers, dresses, emotions, and most importantly, joy. Remember to take in it all in slowly, and breathe. Don't get lost in the...
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