Every year I like to write a birthday note/blog about where I am in my life.

This year is a BIG one… 4-0!!!

Go BIG or GO HOME, right? Right! That’s why I chose to roll into 40 like a BOSS!!! So, roll with me, my peeps…

What do I mean? I mean I own my life… I am my OWN BOSS! I steer my own ship. I am the author of my own life. NO… ONE… ELSE.

Let’s break that down. It means that self-love and self-worth are not only important, they are the MOST important things! It dictates every other area of your life and how those parts operate. Self-love and self-worth are not to be mistaken as self-ish. Women need to start doing more of both for themselves, because we mistake taking care of ourselves – or doting – over ourselves as considered to be just that. I’m here to tell you… it’s NOT! Not only is it not, but it’s self-less. Because when you take care of yourself and love yourself first, you have enough for ALL those you LOVE around you. Remember… oxygen mask on your face first before your own children. If the matriarch of the family crumbles, everything underneath of her will fall apart as well, just like a domino effect.

I choose to go into forty with a lot of self-love and care. That requires many things, including: not burning the candle at both ends, saying no more often, only doing or spending time on that and with those that are worth it and matter, ridding myself of toxic people (amazingly enough, there are NONE of those around me anymore; all gone; bye bye), doing things that bring me joy, finding adventure, traveling, being in the moment, health, nutrition, working out, spending a lot of time with family and friends, pampering and spoiling myself anytime I need it (because I work damn hard, and I deserve it), etc… the list goes on and on. You get my point, right? This is just “my own” personal list. It may be different for you, and that’s okay. As long as you’re loving and caring for YOU and owning your life the way you want… just like a BOSS!!!

For me, it also means finding what it IS that I do LOVE about myself (not what I don’t). Finding what I appreciate, what I’m grateful for, and what I do have (not what’s lacking). I’m going to acknowledge and appreciate those AMAZING qualities about myself and CELEBRATE those!!! Why wait for the perfect moment? There is never going to be a perfect moment. It’s NOW, because life is happening in this very moment. That is why it’s called the present. So here they are…

  • I know I’m not the same, toned, size 4 I was in my twenties. My hips and booty are bigger… well, everything on my body has gotten bigger, to be honest. But what has my body done for me? I’m proud that it’s gotten me through two bouts of fertility treatments of IUI, two of which failed, and two of which lead me to two pregnancies and my two beautiful children. My body has also been through one surprise pregnancy and miscarriage, and two surgeries. These experiences have molded me into the strong woman I am now. I’m proud that my body grew beautifully for my two children and carried them through. I’m grateful that when I was pregnant with my son during a full-term placenta previa, I still delivered a healthy, baby boy at thirty-seven weeks. I’m proud of it through many sleepless nights and breastfeeding both children.
  • I’m proud that I am a dedicated, giving, self-less wife of thirteen years (twenty together), and that I give everything I have to make a successful, happy marriage. I’m grateful that I’m doing life with a healthy man – inside and out – who’s my soulmate and best friend. However, that doesn’t mean it’s easy. We work on it every day as a team. But I’m proud that I picked a man who gives me the world, wants me to be happy, and allows me to be ME.
  • I’m proud that I am a hard-working, yet loving, caring and dedicated mother who gives my children every ounce of my love and absolute best every single day. Parenthood is the most challenging job in the world, yet the most rewarding. I’m so proud of myself for raising a child on the spectrum of autism with patience and courage, wisdom and knowledge, and I am giving absolutely everything I have within myself to give him the best life possible and doing it every day. Not to say I’m not scared, but I still take the time to educate myself about it. Not only that… I don’t allow his diagnosis to limit him, nor will I allow anyone else to either. If your energy isn’t positive around my son, you’re out! That’s the world I’ve created for him and my daughter – only a world of love and encouragement. I didn’t say I don’t discipline or guide, I just have failed if I ever have made my children feel like they’re not good enough. That’s not an option for me.
  • I’m also proud of the daughter, sister, and friend I am. My mouth and use of words can be my biggest curse if I’m not careful, but it has also been a BIG blessing when I use it as a gift, because I’m constantly telling people how much I love them, how much they mean to me, and how amazing they are; I do it in a way that can make people feel like they’re the most special person in the world too. I’m proud that I point out people’s worth and compliment them, and I don’t criticize or judge. It also helps me be a great communicator! In addition, I follow through with my actions by showing them how much they mean to me. My loyalty and giving of myself to them prove it to be so. I’ve never given up on anyone. If someone is no longer a part of my life, it’s because they proved to me that my life did not matter to them or they gave up on me. I set boundaries because I love myself. However, I don’t give up on my family and true friends… EVER! I am proud of my level of integrity and honesty as a human being, not to mention that I care, have a heart of gold and compassion, and I give back whenever I can possibly help it to a worthy person or cause in need.
  • Lastly, I am so proud of what I’ve accomplished in my career. Years and years of writing, practicing, revising, critiquing, etc… I wrote and finished three children’s books and a screenplay. I’ve managed on my own to get two of the three books published (without an agent). Let’s not forget the years and years of rejections of submitting. I still am getting many rejections on projects, but I’ve never let that get in my way! So, I’m proud of my level of discipline, persistence and tenacity. I have not let the word, “no,” stop me from my dreams. I also haven’t allowed anyone else to dictate my destiny based on their own opinions or perceptions of me or my passion. Nor have I let what other people think of me get in my way from continuing to be me. I don’t care what people think anymore, because I know who I am and what I bring to the table. If they don’t like it, it’s their loss and has no barrier over my life whatsoever. Today and every day, I am celebrating my accomplishment as a human being on this earth for forty years and becoming a published author and that the fact that I’ve never given up on either!!!

We don’t need anyone else to point out where we’re wonderful, we’ve got all the power within, and that’s another important lesson I know now going into forty. If you don’t LOVE yourself, then no none else can. It also makes for a longer, healthier, more prosperous and abundant life! Come on, do it with me… let’s join in together to love ourselves more. Point out where you’re great, not where you lack. Then we’ll have so much more to BESTOW upon the world. Let’s all be our very own BOSSES!!!:-))

• To the parent of a child with autism…

“A parent worries about their children, double that for the parent of a child with autism. A parent feels guilty that they’re not making all the best decisions for their children, double that for the parent of a child with autism. A parent gets scared when their child gets sick, double that for the parent of a child with autism. A parent feels that having children costs more money, double that for the parent of a child with autism. A parent feels that their child needs support, guidance or help, double that for the parent of a child with autism. A parent feels that their child needs their time and patience, double that for the parent of a child with autism. A parent is proud when their child walks or talks for the first time, DOUBLE that for the parent of a child with autism. A parent is proud when their child wins an award or an achievement, gets on the honor roll, graduates high school or college, etc…

A parent of a child with autism doesn’t focus on those things. They just focus on the moment — whether their child is saying a word, pointing a finger, making eye contact, taking off their shoes, playing with other children, smiling or crying at the appropriate moment, playing productively with a toy, being integrated, going outside of their schedule or norm, feeding themselves, personal hygiene, etc…. just being happy, healthy, and having as close to a normal life as possible. So when the honor roll comes, graduating high school or college happens, or an award or achievement is ever accomplished, we won’t just be proud, we’ll be over-the-moon, because we know that life is an absolute miracle and so are our children with autism. We will also have proof that with love, care, and faith, anything is possible.

Parents feel their children are special and are a blessing…
DOUBLE that for the parent of a child with autism.”

• To the parent of a child with autism…

“You’re doing a great job! I see you even if no one else does. You’re good enough, so is your child. You don’t need another person to recommend one more thing for your child. You know exactly what your child needs intuitively. Don’t give up. You’ve got this; you’re not alone. It does get better. Autism does not have to be a life label. Our children are simply incredible, and so are WE!!!
We’re freakin’ superheros, so feel free to tell yourself that on occasion.?❤️
God chose us for the job, so we must be pretty special too!”☺️

• Our children with ASD are not just their disability. They each have a unique soul and gift. They have a way of looking at the world from a different lens. Their minds are exquisite. If anything, they are changing our world for the better, because they are ONLY pure LOVE and compassion. Don’t underestimate their ABILITY.
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** Autism Speaks determines that 1 in 59 children is diagnosed with ASD. Boys are four times more likely.**

LITERACY WEEK was a hit — (1/28/19 — 2/1/19)
BOOK-TALKS, BOOKMARKS, SCHOOL VISITS, OH MY!!!

Cool author interview done on me called:

“Little Bookish Thoughts” book blog…

Thanks so much!<3

Check it out here:

https://littlebookishthoughts.wordpress.com/

Check out the podcast I did with Jed Doherty called:

“Reading With Your Kids — The Start of a Beautiful Conversation”

https://hwcdn.libsyn.com/p/1/1/3/1137c4e8d1c6105a/Samantha_Caprio-Negret.mp3?c_id=31666196&cs_id=31666196&expiration=1548174075&hwt=a60dd1b23ed67ac9ea10adefcad7063a

OJ Simpson, Bill Cosby, Harvey Weinstein, Donald Trump, R. Kelly, directors in Hollywood, Fashion designers, the list goes on and on, etc… different crimes to different degrees, but all men with money in powerful, high-public figure positions = common denominator. Most of them still walking around, not a care in the world, and/or with no accountability. What’s even worse, people protecting them; protecting the monster, even defending them still. Where’s the hashtag for that?

We continue to protect them because it’s all about money and power. By losing them, we’re losing both. Bottom line. By admitting that those we once loved, admired, and adored, we’re admitting they have a dark, shadow side, and by acknowledging the monsters inside of them, we question our own dark side and character. What does that say about us? How could we not see it? How could someone we love, admire, voted into office, listened to their music, watched their movies, worn their clothing line, etc… have such ugly, horrific capabilities? So, we don’t admit it. We turn our heads. How could we “possibly” be wrong? No. No. No. So, we make excuses for behaviors that are so obvious, because it’s easier than admitting we could be wrong or they could’ve fooled us. But, it’s not about us nor should it be. Truth be told, we’d rather be right than fight injustice. The ego wants to stand its ground. Yup! So in the end, righteousness wins. The ego is a very powerful thing! Not to mention, these individuals are or at one point have been contributors to society. By acknowledging their faults, we’re omitting their contributions somehow — many of which were substantial and influential to us growing up and/or milestones in our lives. By this, we feel a loss if we must let it/them go. So does that mean, “Bye, bye, forever?” Do I have to say goodbye to the musician that sang the song I danced to at my wedding or at church on Sundays, or to the movie producer who produced the movie that changed my life? What about the football player who broke athletic records, and made me feel like superheros exist? Or the man/leader that I trusted so much so that I voted him as GOP to rule over all of America and entrust with our lives. So, really we make it about us, not them; we’re just a mirror image. Until we are conscious, aware, and take action against outrageous behaviors (because TRUTH, they’re ‘so’ outrageous), we’re no different than the people committing the crime or abuse. But until something is done, it will be continued. Then, we are just defending and protecting the monsters, not the victims. There’s right and wrong. There’s no middle-ground. It’s simple. What a shame! What about them? Aren’t they important? Don’t they matter? Maybe we would if they had money or power, a different skin color, race, or sex? They should! They are people with feelings and emotions. By not seeing or hearing their cries, we’re just committing another hateful crime…indifference.

Every life matters — every race, color, economical status, religion, gender, age. Every single one.

On Martin Luther King, Jr. day, I honor his teachings…we should have learned a thing or two by now. When is enough enough?