Love, Life and Appreciation

Nia wasn't happy on the ride.

Rex's view, he stood by while we were on many of the rides.

View of part of the Fair.

Rex!

May and Rex had a good time on the Fun Slide:

Pigs

Hello, Goat!

Petting a rabbit!

Inside the fire truck.

The children of the corn. Hehe.

Today I decided to take the kiddos to the Rocky Point Beach and Park in Essex, MD. I've been hearing a lot about the beach from our daycare provider and even when I searched Rocky Point online, I did see a what looked to be a beach and people on the beach but I was still a little skeptic. Rocky Point Beach and Park is about 12 minutes from the home and I was bewildered that a beach was so close. The beach we normally go to is Ocean City, MD and I am from New Jersey so I went to Atlantic City and Seaside Heights.

The daycare was actually closed this week for our daycare provider's vacation, which was actually good too, because I was able to watch the kids this week, while Rex was working. I've gotten much of the documents in and my orientation is August 24th. Rex will be starting school the second week of September and summer is really winding down. We hadn't taken the kids to the beach and Rex and I had gone to the beach earlier this month for a get together in New Jersey in Asbury Park, NJ. We were meeting with friends from the Kean University meteorology department and we left the kids with my father, who was more than happy to take them. It was so windy that day and it must have been at least 15 to 20 mile an hour winds. There was no rain though.

There were no winds that strong at Rocky Point today and though rain was in the forecast, I figured I could take the kids earlier and try to avoid the rain. It did rain and it was actually in the evening but during our time there it was more cloudy. It was actually nice being cloudy because as we were leaving the clouds broke and it got sunnier and hotter. The cost for entering Rocky Point was $7, which I believe is per car. Swimming is only allowed when lifeguards are available which is Memorial Day to Labor Day. Labor Day is right around the corner. The park is big and there were many boats both on land and in the water. There were two playgrounds and a long trail which we didn't even follow it to see where it went but perhaps one day. There was plenty of parking, as many people just we're there as well. Some people were barbequing and it seemed very peaceful. We parked the car and walked across the street from the parking lot. We went past the restrooms and there was the beach. It was a smaller beach and it looked small from the pictures online but it was also more intimate and there were other kids playing in the water when we got there. It was not crowded and more started to crowd by the time we left.

The kids really had a blast. May used to be so scared to even step in the water and she was putting her feet in the water. Nia did the same. The water was cold at first, but by staying in the water it got warmer. The scenery was very pleasant. There were many boats but they were further away. The water was dark and there was a plethora of seaweed, rocks, and shells. Nia had a great time collecting them and throwing them back into the water while May wanted to build sandcastles and bury her legs. The sand was a little wet from previous rains, but it really felt like sand. There didn't appear to be a boardwalk or strip of stores for novelties but there were resting areas and places to sit and eat. I found it so relaxing sitting there and hearing the waves and just trying to calm myself from all the hurt of the world. It was nice just to relax. I didn't get to relax for long though because I still was watching the kids and I didn't want Nia to get too close to the water without me present and for May just to be throwing sand and digging like a wild animal. May told me later that she was digging for treasure.

Overall, we really had a nice time and I definitely hope to go back to Rocky Point for the park area and the beach area and just experience the scenery. I believe that the park is free after Labor Day so we might be going back very soon. Even if there is a cost, we can still go back, especially with Rex because I think he would enjoy the tranquility and scenes.  It's so close to our home! Tomorrow, we are planning to go to the Montgomery County Agricultural Fair and Carnival. Rex has been seeing the Farris Wheel and rides they have set up all week during his travel down that way for work. He actually mentioned it and I think it will be a great time for the kids.

Here are a few pictures from our visit to Rocky Point:

May by the water, we brought few toys for the visit too.

Sisters!

Little Miss Nia.

Little Miss May.

She sure did like getting close to the edge. Maybe she was a mermaid?

May making sand castles.

Miss Nia and I. She has a line on her nose from a scratch that healed from a fall she obtained about a week ago.

Rocky Point!

All smiles!

View from the other side.

They had fun!

Here's another installment of the 30 Things series.

This topic is number 6: If you could have three wishes, what would you wish for?*

1. No pain or suffering.

This might be along the lines of world peace but I really do believe the world would be a better place if there was no pain and suffering. So many people are hurt and there are doctors and first responders that help people but there are many people too that have hidden pains that if not dealt with ultimately lead to self-hurt and sometimes death. There's also so many born into conditions that are horrendous and the suffering they have is so upsetting and heartbreaking. Children are suffering, elderly are suffering, animals are suffering, the Earth is suffering. I do wish that there was no pain. Definitely, heal the world.

2. Access To Quality Education for Everyone and Affordable.

I think this is becoming closer each and every day. Like people helping the sick and suffering, quality education is being brought to more parts of the world daily. Education is key for development and having sources that are open for people around the world like MOOCs which stands for Massive Open Online Classes are only going to get better for the growing world population. Our children are being introduced to teach products at early ages and even coding is taught in some schools as a foreign language. Though that is more of a tech aspect to education, just having more topics of reading and writing and finance and science, accessible to even the remote parts of the world, might help the global population make smarter decisions, perhaps even safer. These decisions would pertain to certain aspects of the person's environment but I know that having an overall sense of education, that they might not normally get in their place of living, could actually be affordable and certainly accessible to them. I myself never want to stop learning and I am so thankful for the libraries and online sources available and those sources are constantly growing.

3.  A Stable Career and Job I Love.

Having a job in today's times is a challenge in itself for some people. I spent 8+ months unemployed after being laid off and even some of the people that have jobs aren't happy where they are. I would love to have a career and a career that I can wake up each and every day, happy and rejuvenated. I know this can be found in doing something I love and I am learning each day more of what I like. I can't get everything I want, I know that, but certainly, a career that is stable. I have had many temp jobs in the past and having a career that is more stable can help to build a more solid foundation for family life and life pretty much in general. I know many of the roles out there are not even at a level that could support one person, let alone two and having this position, I would likely be stressed. I've done positions like this in the past and I wish that moving forward on this journey, I can hold a career, that can help support the family and be of which I truly enjoy.


*The graphic was made using the Photofy app. 

Disclaimer: I received these products complimentary from Hey, Bullseye, for Testing purposes.

It's been some time since I last blogged and I am getting back into it. Here is number 5: What are the 5 things that make you most happy right now? of the 30 Things series. 


1. God's love. 

I have stated it before but I am so happy about God's love and the blessing of waking up each and every day. Just viewing the world that has been created and nature and breathing in the air, it's all God and praise is to Him. I smile just knowing that I have been put on this Earth for a purpose and that God knows my path and He leads me, getting me through hard times.

2. My caring husband and growing children.

My husband has been there through all the ups and downs that we have experienced and we know that there's going to be more obstacles to follow, but we also know we will be there together. If we get into an argument we work together to find a solution. He makes me laugh and even though it's been a bit difficult losing the weight from the second pregnancy, he has truly loved me through every which way I have looked and he will continue to love me. We have such a strong trust too. Our children are growing so fast and they are healthy and talents are already showing. Yes, at times motherhood can be a struggle but thinking about how small they were as babies and how tall they are getting now, just brings a tear to my eye. I am so thankful and happy to have such a committed husband and how he works so hard to provide for the family and children growing talents shine every day.

3. My supportive family, friends, and acquaintances. 

The past couple of months haven't been the easiest but my family, friends and even acquaintances have been so supportive and comforting and insightful. I realized over time to surround myself with positive people and my family and friends and acquaintances offer more than they even can imagine. The long talks are so helpful and to still have their friendship even though we might not live in the same state, gives me so much joy. My best friend and many of my family members live in New Jersey, and we still keep in contact and are on good terms. The understanding of our situation with friends and acquaintances makes me happy too. Understanding is so beneficial and for the advice and guidance, I will be forever grateful.

4. My clear mind and ability to learn new things.

I've been in about 8 months of unemployment at the time of this writing after being laid off from my role at AOL, last year. If I didn't have the support of family and friends and acquaintances and the love of God, I probably would have lost my mind by now. I am currently on unemployment and I have interviewed at about 7 different companies and had about 10 interviews but no offers. I might be getting closer though at the time of this writing. I am happy because, during these many months, I have been learning new skills and improving on my current skills. I have been viewing more online material and books on coding, like with Python and SQL and I realized that this is more of what I wish to pursue. With my Masters in Atmospheric Science, I have gotten interviews for Data Analyst positions but I have not secured a role...yet. I am so thankful for the resources to learn new things and improve upon skills. There is a plethora of material out there which is so exciting as well but at times it can be overwhelming. 

5. Being myself.

I have learned that being yourself is truly the best. Though you can change to adapt and be flexible to some things, you still need to be yourself and not go off the path. I am happy with who I am. I am analytical and logical. I am silly and fun. I am an educated black female who is a mother to two amazing children and wife to a loving man. I am cautious and resourceful, and I do take risks, at times. I LOVE to learn and I never want to stop learning. I enjoy helping others and giving back to the community. I am not perfect and I admit mistakes and imperfections. I strive to be the best mother I can be for my children and bestow knowledge upon them. I also strive to be the best wife I can be and friend and daughter. I am happy to be me because there is only one me. No one else this world has my same fingerprints and I am unique and glowing.

My rock, Rex!

Our beautiful, growing girls!