i can’t wait to get started! to best understand this blog let’s go back to the dark days of mid 2012, july 31st was the day my neighbor downstairs called 911. my husband, my kids’ dad was arrested after beating me with a folding metal chair. i regained consciousness that same night, and after having my injuries photographed and documented, and after the police and CPS finally left, i was alone in my silent unfurnished apartment, without a dime to my name, next to a stack of legal papers, pamphlets and signatures. as an official victim of domestic violence, i was suddenly responsible for demonstrating to the legal system that despite having my life turned upside down overnight, i would be fully capable of properly caring for my kids. i started work within a week, enrolled them in pre-K, signed up for the required hours of counseling, both individual and group, created personal safety plans for different situations, provided official testimony at the court hearings, and raised no red flags to CPS at any of the unannounced home visits during which they checked for anything that could potentially compromise the safety of my kids and sometimes interview each of them separately. the first few months were difficult. it was stressful keeping up with my work schedule, completing the legal obligations according to the schedule, as well as providing a stable and nourishing home for my kids.

but like it or not, this became my life changing moment, my two little toddlers looking up at me with innocence and an unconditional love that somehow gave me the strength to put the darkness of that night behind me and the three of us began our new life.