MY KIDS HATE VEGETABLES

 

What's up wonderful, amazing, sweet and lovely people. How are you all doing today? I hope you're all having a great day, today and are not letting anyone steal your joy. Welcome to Maryam's Joyful Life. Today is a beautiful day. Thank you all for joining me.

My kids hate vegetables. Whenever I put some on their plates they start saying  "YUCK!" Or even start acting like they are about to throw up. That used to get me. They know that I don't like seeing them sick. Anytime I notice anything unusual about them, I jump up and start fuzzing over them. I should've said I used to jump up and fuzz. Thank God for grace. The grace of God has helped me overcome fear and anxiety when it comes to my kids.

I understand their tricks and don't fall for them anymore. Instead of trying to convince them to eat their veggies, I have found a better way to do it. Smoothies!! Yes, smoothies. My kids love their juice and smoothies. What they don't know is that I sneak in carrots, spinach, kale and all the different veggies they hate into their smoothies. Lol...

It's so sweet to watch them gulp down their smoothies and express how delicious it is not knowing that they are actually eating their veggies 😆

If you struggle with getting your kids to eat their veggies, you may want to try making smoothies for them.

Another way I get them to eat their veggies is by blending them together and making soups. They love their vegetable noodle soup. It's really delicious the way I make it. I think you'd like it too. I will share my recipe in a later post. 

Thank you for reading my post. I hope you have an amazing evening.

With gratitude,

Maryam

MOMMY CHALLENGES ARE REAL BUT THEY ARE PART OF THE GAME

 

What's up wonderful, amazing, sweet and lovely people. How are you all doing today? I hope you are all having an amazing day today and are not letting anyone steal your joy. Welcome to Maryam's Joyful Life! Today is a beautiful day. Thank you for stopping by.

So, I am a mom of two amazing babies. I understand the struggles of sleepless nights when your little ones are not feeling well. I understand the constant thinking to make sure you remember your little ones' appointments and important events. I understand the constant second-guessing yourself in the hope of giving your best to your children always.

I also understand that all you can do is your best. You will mess up but messing up is part of the experience and  joy of being a mother. Don't beat yourself too hard about not being enough because you've always been more than enough. You have God helping you out every step of the way. Always pray for God's guidance and protection over you and your kids. 

When I am tempted to feel down, I am constantly reminding myself to focus on God's love for me. His love is more than able to carry me through any difficulty. I know that I am limited but combining my limitations to God's Omnipresent Possibilities, creates magic in my life. So, I am going to constantly rely on God's power and presence. I want to encourage you to do the same. Never compare yourself to anyone. Never compare your children to anyone and never ever allow the enemy to make you feel like you are not good enough because Mama you ROCK!!

Thank you for reading my post to the end.

With love and gratitude,

Maryam

MOMS COVID-19 WORRIES ABOUT THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR

 

Hello wonderful, amazing, sweet and lovely people. How are you all doing today? I hope you all are having an amazing day and are not letting anyone steal your joy. Welcome to Maryam's Joyful Life. Today is a beautiful day. Thank you for checking out my blog today.

This new school year is different from any other in recent history. There's fear in the atmosphere and parents are worried. Covid-19 has got most parents on edge trying to make the best decision about how their kids learn. The choice between virtual learning vs. in-class learning is one that parents are most disturbed about. Like most parents, I was concerned about the whole situation with my son starting school. However, I refuse  to let the situation scare me. I realize that God is our protector and my confidence is set on God. Fear is a very negative emotion and I am choosing faith over it.

Le'Veon, during virtual learning.

I enrolled my son to a program called "Hybrid," where he gets to spend three days in class and two days at home, doing  virtual learning. So far, he has adjusted really well and it's only his first week. I am so proud of him. The only struggle is waking up very early to prepare for school. Le'Veon keeps telling me it's night and he wants to go back to bed lol...

His teacher seems really nice and she likes Le'Veon's personality. I also notice that Le'Veon already knows what he's been taught at Pre K. Because he's so advanced, he is learning to accommodate other kids who are a little bit behind him. Seeing him adjust to school and express all that we have learned together at home,makes me so proud of him. 

This school year, I choose to be hopeful and confident in God. I believe that He who blessed me with two amazing babies, will also watch over them and keep them safe. I consciously choose faith over fear always!

Per Covid-19 procedures at Le'Veon's Pre-K, they are required to keep their masks on, all day at school. They are also making sure their hands are washed often. That's something that all the kids, including mine are adjusting to. Evaluating from Le'Veon's first week, I think he likes his new school. I am very excited to see all the progress he makes and how well he adjusts to this new experience.

I want to encourage all moms not to stress about their kids. Have a positive outlook and expectations toward your child/children. Believe all is well and all shall be well. Remember, always pray for your children because God still answers prayers. Psalm 65:2

Until next time...

With gratitude,

Maryam

JURASSIC WORLD DINOSAUR EVENT EXPERIENCE WITH LEVY AND ZOZO

Good morning, wonderful, amazing, sweet and lovely friends. How are you all doing today? I hope you're all having a great day today and are not letting anyone steal your joy. Welcome to Maryam's Joyful Life. Today is a beautiful day. Thank you for being a part of my world.

Last Friday(July 31), I took my kids to a Jurassic World Drive Through Dino event, at Atlanta Motor Speedway and it was amazing. 

My kids love dinosaurs and when I found out about this event, I couldn't resist taking them to experience it. I had never been to a Movie Franchise event like this before. So, when this opportunity came, I couldn't resist it.

During my break hour at work a few days before the event, I purchased the tickets for us and told the kids about it.

Le'Veon loves his Dinos, so he was very excited when I told him about the event. Zo'e was excited as well but I was more interested in seeing Le'Veon's reaction to the Dinos.

When we got there, the arrangement of the Dinos were very well thought out and organized. I liked the display of make-belief Sea World and Land. The sizes of the Dinos and their characters were amazing. 

There was a good number of families there as well. Just like us, they came to experience the show. 

I think the staff and organizers of the show did an awesome job.

So, I pranked Le'Veon and Zo'e at the event. I had one of the workers with a baby Dino in his hand to get it closer to the kids. It was so funny. They thought it was real and started screaming. Their reaction was captured on camera. Make sure to watch the video to experience it with us. Each time we drove closer to a huge Dino, he'd start asking me to take him home lol...

As we came close to the end of our experience, Le'Veon asked if we could stay for a little longer and when I said we couldn't, he was upset.

On the drive home, he said I should take him back so he could experience it again. I told him may be next time but not right at that moment. 

Zo'e was calm and happy with the experience. Although, I was a little worried that her car seat was keeping her from enjoying the experience and seeing the big and small Dinos. It turned out she enjoyed it.

I love giving my kids great experiences and memories. Going to the Dino show, is one I will cherish for a long time. We still have many more adventures to experience and I am excited to think about them.

Watch the video here:

Thank you for reading my blog today. Please enjoy the pictures and try to attend the show if you haven't already. You will enjoy it.

With gratitude,

Maryam

MY KIDS TRIED COLD CEREAL FOR THE FIRST TIME

Hello wonderful, amazing, sweet and lovely people. How are y'all doing today? I hope you're having an amazing day today and are not letting anyone steal your joy. Welcome to Maryam's Joyful Life.
Today is a beautiful day!

So, my sweet babies had not tried cold cereal prior to today. I had the idea to capture their reaction on camera and post on our YouTube channel. My children are so traditional in what they want and do. Let me clarify. We are used to going to the park by a certain route and after the park, we usually walk around the lake and finally, cross a bridge that leads us to the route we take back home. We've been doing this for over 6 months and my kids have gotten a hang of it. Especially, my sweet son; Le'Veon. Le'Veon maps out our trip and activities from home before we get out. Anytime I make an attempt to change our plans in the last minute, Le'Vy instantly tells me that's not right and he doesn't like it.

Anyways, my babies like to go through with our plans and any slight change in plans in the process, aggravates my kids😂😂😂. I'm still trying to figure out where my kids got this habit. However, It is so amazing watching my kids display their personalities and understanding. I am so grateful for them and God for this.
So, I didn't know how my kids would react to the cold cereal. I have tried feeding them some unfamiliar foods before and they were really upset. I asked them if they'd like to try it and Levy said yes. Zozo was just ready to eat and didn't really pay attention to the preparation.

They finally tried it and Le'Veon liked it a little bit but Zozo could only endure the first bite 😂😂😂.
Here's the video:

I hope this made you laugh or entertained you in some way.

Until next time.
Maryam💕

SHARING ITEMS GREAT FOR MOMS AND BABIES FEATURING MOMMEDTECH

Hello wonderful, amazing, sweet and lovely friends. how are y'all doing today? I hope y'all are having a great today and are not letting anyone steal your joy. Welcome to Maryam's Joyful Life! Today is a beautiful day!

I love how unique my intro is and I think I'll keep it 😁.
As a mom, life is not about me anymore and I think that's okay. I know I speak for most moms when I say that my needs come last and my kids come first EVERY TIME! There are downsides to putting yourself last but most times it's what you have to do to keep your home peaceful.

I love buying toys and items that entertain, challenge and teach my little ones how to be interactive and share. For a second there, I was thinking about what toys to get for my kids and then I received an email from mommedtech.com about a collaboration. Which was just what I needed. They have a variety of fun toys for kids and other items that are practical and developmental also. Such as their baby scales, doodle mat, wall growth chart, Dinosaur bubble gun and many more. The coolest thing about mommedtech.com is that mom is not left out. They have ovulation and pregnancy strips and kit for moms to be. I personally think that you should check them out!
My kids don't want to put down the dinosaur bubble gun. I have been having to break fights over that thing. They also love the beach and bathtime play set; which has multiple pieces that they each can play with. I filmed a whole review video that is now live on my channel. In this video, I did the unboxing, the test trial and everything you'd expect to know before buying a product. Please check it out.

I hope you enjoy the video. Comment below to share what your favorite item on my package was. I am very excited to know.
Until next time.
Maryam💖

MY SWEET GANG AND I WENT SWIMMING AND IT WAS AMAZING!!

Hello wonderful, amazing, sweet and lovely people. how are y'all doing today? I hope y'all are having a blessed day.
It is always such a blessing whenever I get to make a post on my blog😊. There's just something about writing, that keeps me so happy, every single time; I get to do it. Is there a particular hobby you have that makes you very happy? Please share in the comment section.

So my sweet gang and I went swimming, a few days ago and it was ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! The kid had a blast and mama and dada did too😬😬😬.

Summer time is pool time for us. I know that sounds like i'm fish when it comes to swimming... lol. I'm not! I can't swim but my husband is a very good swimmer while my sweet babies were born ready to swim. I keep asking myself how they are so fearless of the water and the ONLY answer is"they got it from daddy".

I am Nigerian and from the North. Where I come from, there weren't many pools I could access and I grew up scared of the water. I have overcome my fears for the most part, but I'm still very cautious around the water. In spite of my cautiousness, I still enjoy a great dip in the water. There's something about that dip that just takes away the stress from my bones and leaves me feeling relieved and happy. Do you ever get that feeling?

I love how this particular swimming pool is set up in Lovejoy, Georgia. The kid's section is so easy and amazing, to the extent that I'm not scared to let the kids runaround in it. I mean, the deepest part 

is only 1-ft deep and my sweet Zozo stands tall in it😬.  You know, that keeps this mama happy and stress-free and less fussy over them sweet babies.

I can't remember the last time I felt very relaxed around a pool until now. I love pools that are set up like this one, at the Gerald Matthews Complex in Lovejoy, Georgia. It costs $3 for adults and $2 for kids to get in and it's an outdoor pool. For y'all sweet folks who would love to get a sun tan while swimming.  I think it's a great deal for the fun and excitement, if you ask me😜.

If you live in the area and are looking for a fun exciting place to take your kids, I highly recommend this center.

We had a little photography session as the kids would allow us. They didn't want to be bothered y'all, but I still had to make it work for the memories and my blog😉.

I hope you and your family keep having a very pleasant and joyful summer time/holiday.

With much love and appreciation,
Maryam😍

THE KIDS EXPERIENCE AT THEIR FIRST VACATION BIBLE STUDY

Hello wonderful, amazing, sweet and lovely people. Hope this post meets you well.
 Today is a beautiful day and I'm coming to your screens a little late. Although it's been a very hot day in Hampton, Georgia, we are so thankful we get to experience another beautiful day😊.

So, the kids participated in Vacation Bible School this year and I was one big proud mama. Le'Veon was so well-behaved, that he was commended as the most well-behaved kid at VBS😊. Zoe on the other hand, was the most interested in joining the choir😅.

One very notable experience during the kid's VBS is when Le'Veon refused to say this particular line the pastor taught them. After every "God is good," they were asked to say "Yee Haw." Le'Veon said "no," that he it's wrong to say  "Yee Haw," because that's what a Donkey says and he didn't see a Donkey but a pig and a cow behind the pastor. That was his reasoning for refusing to say it. I tried to convince him that it's a different sound but that didn't work. My kid was over there correcting me and refusing to follow everyone else. It was so funny and amazing at the same time. My kid is very smart and won't follow what the crowd is doing, if he believes what's been said or done is wrong. I LOVE THAT! It makes me so happy that I am doing something right.

I participated in all of the activities with them and it was so much fun.  You know, I kind of think that I had more fun than the kids did 😬😬.
They learned about Jesus,  and what He suffered to bring us salvation. They also learned a few new songs and did some crafts.

It was such a blessing watching my kids learn about God in a Cowboy themed VBS, alongside other kids. My heart was so full of joy and gratitude to watch my son; Le'Veon, act in such a well-mannered way. It was so awesome that I almost shed a tear of joy😇. Zoe was so into the music, so much so that she was dancing and choreographing along with the choir and everyone else. It was such a beautiful sight to see.

I can't thank the church crew at Lovejoy Family Church enough, for organizing such an amazing event that my kids got to be a part of. It was truly a blessing to experience with my kids.

I filmed a little bit during the weekend. Here's the video:

Thank you for reading this to the end. I hope you made some fun memories with your kids also.
I have added a few more pictures from the event below.
Thank you for being a part of my world,

Sincerely,
Maryam