Working those (almost) two years at Mother's was an incredible learning experience. One, which my formal education could not have provided. I was trained by some of the best in the industry and this very much sparked my interest more and more each day to go forward with my passions. At the beginning of 2011 I knew I would make my move. I decided to re-open Wellness Within Nutritional Consulting and give it a real go this time. Working with so many clients at Mother's gave me a great sense of confidence. When I saw person after person getting better because of me, I was enlightened. I felt as though I finally realized my gift in this world and I was compelled to use it. Although, when I saw those who ultimately could not get better, not because of me but in spite of me I was humbled and I learned so much. I knew that people were looking for a different course and I wanted to help them where I could.
I guess I could venture to say that I was getting a little cocky but that was a driving force for me. I decided to help spread the world of health and wellness far and wide and I began my Internet radio show. Non-Toxic Mama's World Broadcast was born and it was a slow and steady success. Before I put the show on hiatus back in April I was garnering about 400 listeners a week. I think that was pretty impressive if I do say so myself. I hope when I fully settle into my current position I can open up the air waves once again because I really did love that show, and for it I give thanks.
So I thought the first three months of the year were pretty good. I was skyrocketing on a ride that was making me more and more excited about my future. By this time Mother's was becoming mundane to me, I was losing my challenge and was feeling a bit antsy as I was hitting a ceiling on my capacity to learn more there. Although I'll always have a soft spot in my heart for the company as a whole, the bureaucracy of it all was making me grow tired and the offer to become a representative for the natural products industry was what I had been looking for for some time. I was actually lining up another gig with another broker when PNC came in with an offer I couldn't refuse. I more than doubled my income at Mother's. I even felt better when they looked to try and counter for me to stay at Mother's but I knew they couldn't match it and I was feeling caged, it was time to move. I will always love Mother's for all that they gave me. Without that job I would have never been in a position to land where I have and for Mother's I give thanks.
Working for Pacific Coast Naturals is awesome. As I sat in the car waiting for Ed to finish and get in yesterday at Costco, I then thought to myself how amazing it was to have a job like I currently do where I make my own schedule and handle things in my own time. As long as I meet my goals and continue moving forward no one hassles me and I love it. For those who know me, you understand that punctuality is not my strong suit, that is no longer ever and issue. I make my schedule and manage my time, and it's wonderful. The chronic stress and worry about being on time somewhere is no longer a burden, and for that I give thanks.
Like I mentioned earlier the new job has greatly increased our income. Being a stay-at-home mom in the beginning was great because we could handle the cost and at the end of the year we could pay off bills with our tax returns and things would work themselves out. As the years went on, we had more and more cost of living increases, then Marcelo was born and we went from a family of three to a family of four, the tax returns just didn't cut it anymore. We had accrued an enormousness amount of debt and my original reason for even going to work at Mother's in 2009 was to begin to pay down the debt before it took us under. It was a slow and steady race, we were doing alright until January 2010 when our home was robbed and they took everything we owned while we were at work. This was a HUGE set back. Because things had been so tough I put insurance on the back burner thinking nothing could ever happen to us and boy was I wrong. So we kept on plugging along, doing our best with what we had. But when this new position came along it couldn't have done so at a better time, we were coming back on top and the extra cash certainly made for an easier lifestyle, we can safely say we no longer have to live outside of our means, I even got to buy my dream car BMW this year and for that I give thanks!
Now on to a more serious and phenomenal reason for thanks. As most of you know Marcelo was born with a severe Congenital Heart Defect or CHD. Something none of us expected and something I'd never wish on my worst enemy. It's been a long and frightening road of uncertainty and this was the year that he was poised to be surgically corrected, though I knew it was coming I could not fathom it. A few months ago he had a heart catheterization and it was determined his third and final open heart surgery was eminent. They had a choice between two surgeries and we had to leave it up to those in the know, but just two weeks and one day ago he was in the operating room getting corrected. In spite of the couple of meds he's come home on and will be on for a little while I see my precious baby boy pink for the first time in his life. I walk hand in hand with him when we are out and it's all but faded away in our memory that he, just two short weeks ago, could not walk more than a few feet without getting so tired he'd have to hunch to catch his breath. As much as I balk at conventional medicine I now fully and completely understand that it has it's place and for it I give thanks.
Before his surgery I would tell him over and over again that they were going to fix his heart. It was the best way I knew how to prepare him for what was to come. I'd tell him always that when it was over he could "run and run and jump and jump." I promised him that when he was well he could play with all the kids normally without getting tired. One promise I made to him was fulfilled just last week. There's a hill at Luciano's school that all the kids run up and down after school, and Marcelo as determined as he is would always try to make it up the hill. By the time he'd trek and rest, trek and rest to finally reach the top the other kids would already be back down. I promised him that he'd be able to go up that hill at school. So last week, we had time to waste while we wait for Luciano to come out after school. I told Mar it was time to do the hill. So hand in hand with Daddy, TT and Malena we trekked up that hill, not a huff nor a puff: MY BABY DID IT!! And for that I GIVE THANKS!!
Luciano, I can safely say, has been through way more than any 10 year old should have to emotionally bare and he has shined all the way through. He's doing incredible in school, he's the highest reader in his class and last report card he got all As and a B. He's learning guitar this year and still aspiring to write code for video games. He's witty and sensitive and a very special little boy any mother would love to have, and for him I give thanks!!
Ed and I have spent the better part of the last month together. He's been an amazing help through all that we have been through and over the last year has been great cheering me on as I contemplated many moves. He's my husband, my friend and my tower, for him I give thanks.
My mother, my rock, has always been there for me when I needed her and this year has been no different. She's been a wonderful extension of me when I cannot be there for the kids now that I work. From helping Luciano with his tedious homework to changing endless diapers my mom rocks, and for her I give thank!!
My friend Tiffeny (TT as Mar calls her) has been amazing this past year. Who knew that we'd have our boys just seven days apart in the same hospital and they'd grow to eventually be best friends. I never thought though that she would grow to be mine. I can honestly say that she's been a major part of my successes over the last year because when I ever needed support or to just hear I could do it she was there cheering me on. She also has a special place in her heart for Marcelo, he loves her so much. For her I give thanks.
The Brazitalianos, Heloisa and Gaetano, these are our very special heart family. Their son Luca is just three months younger than Marcelo and has a CHD. Since the inception of our friendship have been a rock for us. Those that can understand what it is we feel to an exact moment with every emotion. Heloisa has always been there for me when I needed her and our late night Facebook chats have gotten me through a lot of low times. For them I give thanks.My sister Angela, having her by my side even though she's thousands of miles away in Mexico makes all the difference. For the better part of 20 years she has been there for me through thick and thin. For her I give thanks!!
For all those who held a good thought, put Marcelo on a prayer list, did a private prayer, held him up and held us up...from what I have heard that number goes into the thousands, I give thanks.
For all that is in my life, the good and the bad, the interesting and the mundane, the complex and the simple...I GIVE THANKS!!!
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