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Father's Day without your dad

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Written by my mother, Belinda Cross, for Fathers’ Day 2020: This is my first Father’s Day without my dad. It’s bittersweet…in a weird kind of way. At one moment, grief comes out of nowhere that creates a well of tears in my eyes. The next moment, a memory engulfs my heart that stretches into a big smile. It’s just plain odd how that happens. There is no warning and no explanation. Just boom! It happens. And I never know which emotion it will be. I simply cannot explain it. I do want to explain something that I do know, but first, let me tell you about my dad. My dad was the wisest man I have ever known, and I didn’t hesitate telling him that. He loved me and I loved him in a way that is impossible to explain. He made sacrifices for me that I understand more and more as I grow older. Now, he is gone. I miss talking to him…daily. I miss riding to Louisville with him…and talking all the way. I miss eating lunch with him. I miss my dad’s comfort when I’m worried or
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Rays of sunshine

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Colossians 3:14 Image credit: @picsome.ca Disclaimer : This is not a political post. I cannot possibly relate to every situation in this world nor does anyone have all the answers. Therefore, the only way I can see rays of light through the darkness is trusting my Savior. I cannot fathom the agony, the pain, the persecution of the innocent. I can’t even watch the news. It hurts, it drives fear. Now that I’m a mother, witnessing and hearing these evil acts drives deep into my emotions and hurts 10x more. We lose innocent lives daily and because of that (as well as a plethora of other ongoing challenges in our world)…I want to shed light on the truth. The truth that sets our chains free…for eternity.  “Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.” – 1 Corinthians 13:6
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Riding the waves of motherhood

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As I journey through this new, added life adventure called motherhood, I’m literally riding the waves. Losing my balance and crashing down some days and getting back up to ride out the big monstrous wave with confidence another day. Sometimes it’s all in one day. This adventure requires perseverance (NEVER give up!), strength, FAITH (believe in yourself!), unconditional love, a competition with yourself and a mentality of trusting your gut (and God) and sometimes a punch in the gut! All the things I face as an athlete and now…as a mom. All in one day...would not allow me to step away to plant a few flowers. Motherhood + Quarantine Life Note, I cannot relate to all moms but this is my experience of new mommy life under “stay at home” orders. Being home with an infant who is not quite mobile yet and relies 100% on a caregiver FULL time (24/7)…is HARD! But then, I think about all the other moms. Those who have multiples (whether the same age or various ages) and additiona
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Postpartum [Part III]: Exercising for lady manners + back to "me"

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NOTE :  Postpartum is a topic that seems silent much like the topic of infertility. So, I'm going to be real, raw, and hold  nothing  back. This journey is not all glamorous nor is it easy. But, the real beauty is  the gift from God. Reader’s discretion advised. Everyone’s recovery is different and therefore, what I share is my experience; however, I would hope that I can help some new mom-to-bes feel a little more prepared or at least have some tools on hand to trial. No matter how many moms we talk to or watch through the process, postpartum and motherhood is something that can’t be understood until you face it and live it.  As always, check with your doctor before starting any exercise or postpartum program even if you have exercised all through pregnancy (like me) or even if you feel you know your body. Your body parts have endured various levels of trauma (not in a negative connotation) but even if you feel good, more harm can be done than good. My exercises were guided by
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Postpartum [Part II]: A balancing act

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Raw + real moment captured by my mom. New parent life at its finest. Postpartum, breastfeeding, mother/fatherhood all require more teamwork than we anticipated.  NOTE Postpartum is a topic that seems silent much like the topic of infertility. So, I'm going to be real, raw, and hold  nothing  back. This journey is not all glamorous nor is it easy. But, the real beauty is  the gift from God. Reader’s discretion advised. Everyone’s recovery is different and therefore, what I share is my experience; however, I would hope that I can help some new mom-to-bes feel a little more prepared or at least have some tools on hand to trial. No matter how many moms we talk to or watch through the process, postpartum and motherhood is something that can’t be understood until you face it and live it.  Postpartum Mess The weather was so nice our first weekend home that I was ready to go for a walk. We attempted a walk and I couldn’t make it past a few minutes of walking. Now, I understa
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Postpartum [Part I]: Recovery Revealed

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NOTE: I’m going to be real, raw, and hold nothing back on these next series of posts, for postpartum is a topic that seems silent much like the topic of infertility. Reader’s discretion advised. Everyone’s recovery is different and therefore, what I share is my experience; however, I would hope that I can help some new mom-to-bes feel a little more prepared or at least have some tools on hand to trial. No matter how many moms we talk to or watch through the process, postpartum and motherhood is something that can’t be understood until you face it and live it  J From the delivery ward to the postpartum unit : I could EAT!!! And boy, did I eat! Aside from all the discomfort down below, I have never been so happy to eat normal food and proportions more than what a bird would eat! I ordered a spread each morning for breakfast and my husband and I had dinner delivered from outside the hospital. You would think my eyes were bigger than my stomach, but my eyes were spot on for what my
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