Wow what an honor! 🤩 Thank you to whom ever anonymously submitted my name! Scroll down on the article to see some photos of some of our volunteers and members of our community whom we have helped this past year! http://voyagetampa.com/interview/rising-stars-meet-mary-nastukov-of-tampa/
Category: The Mother HOOD
Secret Struggles
I’ve been thinking a lot about secret struggles. Secrets that social media knows nothing about. As I reminisce through photos of when I first became a mom, I don’t just see the joy and the laughter. I see the pain, confusion and hopelessness. I remember the anger, the resentment and the struggle to trust God … Continue reading Secret Struggles
Living with Diastasis Recti
I’m not sure why today, but today is as good a day as any. Today I’ve chosen to draw you in a little closer and reveal an embarrassing secret that I’ve been TRYING to hide for the last 3 years. (Social gatherings aren’t my favorite. I feel awful for the strangers who have asked when … Continue reading Living with Diastasis Recti
Grandparent’s Day Disaster
Grandparent’s Day this morning was an epic fail... Ethan struggling through his adenoid-removal recovery with sleepless nights and I-don’t-feel-good tantrums... Elias just having an overall bad morning watching his brother crying and not in the mood to sing on stage. We got ZERO decent photos of the boys with grandma and grandpa and Elias decided to … Continue reading Grandparent’s Day Disaster
Let’s Go To Jesus’ House
Prepare to tear up... (Conversation as we head home from the grocery store) Elias: Mommy where is Grandpa Tim? Is Grandpa Tim sick? Mommy: No, baby. Grandpa Tim isn’t sick anymore! He’s with Jesus. Elias: Ohh grandpa Tim got up? Grandpa Tim is not sick anymore. Mommy: No, grandpa Tim isn’t sick anymore. .... short … Continue reading Let’s Go To Jesus’ House
Real World: Motherhood Edition
This is what happens when we go to the Bucs Stadium to buy Monster Jam tickets in the middle of a harsh Florida winter. (Side conversation with the lady taking forever at the ticket window... ) HER: “Oh my goodness I think he’s got sand in his mouth!” ME: (with two Russian-Colombian toddlers) Yeah, I know. … Continue reading Real World: Motherhood Edition
Waiting to Exhale
This year has been a hard one.  👬The boys entering year 2 and year 4 of their little lives has required much more patience, understanding and energy. I tried going back to work only to realize that I wasn’t ready. I needed to be home with my babies. BUT, we kept the boys in … Continue reading Waiting to Exhale
Into the Wild
The boys are MOVING OUT! Just kidding... looks like it with all that luggage they’re taking. They look so little next to those backpacks. It’s hard to believe that as each year passes, they will grow into those backpacks. Until then, I’ll capture as many photos as it takes for this momma heart to force time to … Continue reading Into the Wild
Heavenly Peace
It was a beautiful candlelight service with our awesome church family tonight at Grace Family Church. Then we were off to grandma’s house for a party! Our family celebrates Jesus’ birthday on Christmas Eve. It’s a big, beautiful, loud, coming together of traditions, prayers, singing, yummy food, and presents. It was quite the feat staying … Continue reading Heavenly Peace
Finding Hope With A Shattered Spirit
Hope. A feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen. But how do we keep hoping after decades of failure, loss and disappointment? When does it end? When is hope fulfilled? I spent most of my day yesterday in tears. What I had been planning to announce completely fell apart. The dreams … Continue reading Finding Hope With A Shattered Spirit
Dear Miss Mary 