real moms, real information, real life
Depression. It’s such an ugly and nasty word to me, dark and dirty and not something I truly understood even though I’d battled fear and anxiety to some level for most of my life. Time flies by, circumstances and situations in day to day life change, life moves forward at lightning speed, and it’s all we can do to keep up sometimes… what some know and many don’t, is that for several years I didn’t keep up at all, I was fighting a losing battle.
I never in a million years would have thought it was possible for me to sink as low as I did. Nor could I have imagined what depression can truly do to your mind, body and soul – it’s literally like poison. It’s devastating beyond imagination, and the worst part is, I had no idea how bad it was, or how deep, until it was too late.
There are many different things that contributed to the depression and darkness I went through. My husband and I have spent a fair amount of time talking about it in depth recently. I am deeply analytical, and there have slowly been many pieces to the puzzle made clear to me during the healing process.
The old house was a huge factor, there was a lot more to it than that, but I believe it was one of the main triggers to set everything in motion. My husband and I refer to it as the “perfect storm”, where everything aligned in just the right way to send me spiraling into the abyss. I still cry when I think of what we were living in compared to now. I wish I could have bloomed in the old house, but in many ways I died there instead.
My usual response as I say that, would be to cringe and say that I must just not have been as good as everyone else… those who can make it work, and live, and grow, and be truly totally happy in a situation like that. But the truth is, I’m not entirely sure anyone really could have, and it’s simply just time I stop beating myself up over it.
At the time, I wasn’t aware of how very physically depleted I was, the battle that was raging within my body left my mind vulnerable. My emotions were constantly on edge, life was stressful, and I felt that I was failing in every important area of my life, especially as a parent.
I can’t fully explain the deep and destructive effects depression has on the heart, mind and soul; the absolute and utter uselessness one feels when going through it, and how unbelievably disillusioned one can be when living in that level of darkness. [Read More...]
I haven’t shared nearly as much as I would like here about my recent health journeys, but living gluten free has become a part of everyday life for me. I will be the first to admit it was (and still is) the biggest adjustment I think I have had to make my entire life. It [...]
Like many moms of little girls, one of my favorite things to shop for are hair accessories for my daughter. The more sparkles, colors & patterns, the better! She has enough clips, bows and headbands to wear a different one every day of the year, but I still love buying them! I was recently introduced [...]
We know it’s important to take pictures and record our children’s youth and there’s never been a time in history where it’s easier, more convenient or more beautiful than it is now. And guess what… you don’t even need a top of the line camera! Today I want to offer all of you a challenge.. [...]
Recently I learned about an amazing young lady that I want to introduce all of you to. In my opinion, what Carly offers is quite possibly the most phenomenal breakthrough for autism to date! Carly gives us all an amazing opportunity to see what few have ever been able to see before… into the mind [...]
If you’re anything like me, you likely had a pretty good idea what you wanted out of life as an adult before you really were all the way there. As many of you have probably figured out by now, I was an uber planner, though I am far less so now than I ever thought [...]
Have you ever found yourself unexpectedly in a moment (or conversation, etc) where you suddenly realize just how much you’re blessed? It can be an amazing, humbling and eye opening experience. To realize that yet again, your life isn’t all that bad comparatively. It’s all about perspective. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not trying to [...]
As I learned about the devastating events in Japan in the aftermath of the 8.9 magnitude quake I was horrified and saddened for all the people there. Not only is the devastation from the earthquake alone terrifying, but the resulting tsunamis and nuclear threats make it even worse. I absolutely cannot imagine what it is [...]
I love love love this song, the message, the meaning, the life, the truth, the forgiveness, the lifting of shame! This song is so absolutely the message I want each and every dear person I love, to know… to accept… and to simply breathe in the amazing scent of absolute, complete and totally unconditional love!! [...]
Possibly the simplest three words in existence “I love you”, are also quite possibly the most powerful. The act of loving another human being can so fully complete us and fill us and heal us. But all too often we let it just slip by unnoticed from day to day without acknowledging it’s vast benefits. [...]
Our boys love to talk to us, some of them more (ok, MUCH more) than others. Today as I was checking email my little Bug came up and stood right next to me. Bug: “Mommy look.” Me: “uh huh sweetie” (not really paying attention) Bug: “Watch me Mommy, watch me” (in his happy little voice) [...]
The heart… The heart begins beating less than a month after conception and continues (of course) until the day of our death. It is one of the most incredible muscles of the body and was perfectly designed. It is what we refer to not only for it’s technical life giving aspect, but also in regards [...]
One day at a time. One adventure at a time. One child at a time (ok two in the case of the twins). One moment at a time. Breathe. Sometimes being a mom feels like a balancing act. Ok, a lot of the time. There are little lives in our care and we are totally [...]
So here’s the bottom line: Living the Truth is not at all about being religious…it is so much simpler than that. Christ didn’t walk around beating everyone over the head…it’s so important to remember the genuine, human nature of his life. His love and acceptance of the people that so many saw as unclean and [...]
Welcome to A Frog In My Soup! My name is Shera and I am the mom behind the "Soup" or the "Frogs" whichever you happen to be reading about. My hubby and I have been married for 19 years. We have 6 sons that frequent these pages: CJ (17), Salesman (14), Tater (13), J-Man (9) & The TwinkyDinks (or Tweebs depending on their mood) - Bugs & Monkey (6 & 6). This blog is a little piece of my life, a large piece of my sanity with a lot of my heart thrown in. There are days I laugh and … Read more
