I saw this picture and thought how well I can relate to this. Everyone judges from outer appearances, but cannot see the real person just under the surface....
Many tears have been shed these past few weeks. Most people don't know this as I don't share much on social media or tell many people, only my family. My family has seen my weaknesses and felt my tears.
My dad had a stroke last week...He only spent a few days in the hospital and is recovering...... I found all of this out an hour after the biggest school test that I've ever taken. I was not able to fly to Michigan to visit since my mom had surgery this week here in Arizona. I hate to see her hurting. Nick and Nolan went to the Grand Canyon last week with Ty. They hiked the most difficult trail in the Canyon that requires special permits recommended for experts only.It has been an absolute whirlwind.
The 3 year road to my a master of science degree in Speech-language pathology has finally concluded. I took my Final Comprehensive exam and the National Praxis exam last week. I can honestly say that I gave up most of myself to accomplish this. This probably sounds like NO BIG DEAL, and in the big scheme of life, it probably isn't. But this was our RETIREMENT plan for our family. Through all of this, I made sure that I did NOT give up being a MOM at all. The one thing I sacrificed was spending a lot of time with all of my girlfriends, and doing fun things like watching TV, movies, browsing Facebook, reading mindless, fun books, painting my nails.....
Of course, by 4 boys are my best accomplishment in life, and this degree had eluded me for 20 years. I actually started it 20 years ago and had to end it so I could run the family business while my mom moved to Mexico. It was hard to give up my dreams at the time, but I promised myself that I would someday.... I cried the minute I finished my last test.....like a baby. Emotions from struggles that I had from 20 years came back to me all at once. I felt like I overcame some obstacles by doing this. We had decided back in 2008, when the economy hit us hard, that it was necessary for me to go back to work so that we could pay our bills. Work is all I've ever known, so it came natural. It has brought be happiness to help Ty over these years to support our family. He is an honest, hard-working man. At the time, I had my real estate license, but the market was bad. So I began working full-time as a speech language technician, while raising 4 boys, and pursing a 3 year Master's degree. It has all finally come to a head. To make a long story short, it was a difficult road, but to be blessed enough to have healthy kids and Heavenly Father who watched over me, I can't ask for more than that.
My boys have grown from all of this. They have become self-reliant, hard-working, courageous, and independent, all qualities of great men. I am so proud of who they are! I think they realize through all of this that life can be difficult, the answer is often "NO". They are not spoiled and do not get everything they want, and that has made them strong. They have gained a strong work ethic just like I was taught, and I believe this is so extremely valuable to succeed in this world.
I have so many things I want to tell my boys that I verbally tell them everyday, but want it to be in writing. They are awesome, they inspire me to be better, try harder, and to be the person I was meant to be.