Our Family Adventure Hiking Stone Mountain, Georgia

 

Hello wonderful, amazing, sweet, and lovely people!

Today, I’m taking you on a little adventure my family and I recently had — hiking Stone Mountain here in Georgia. Oh, what a day it was!

It all started with my Sweetman suggesting we check out Stone Mountain and hike it together as a family. The idea sounded adventurous and a little daring, so of course I said, “Yes!” I added my own twist to the plan — we’d leave early, bring our breakfast along, and enjoy it right at the top of the mountain.

Then came the baby bet. Sweetman was convinced I wouldn’t be able to carry the baby in her carrier all the way to the top without switching with him. He predicted I’d hand her over halfway through. I laughed and told him, “Watch me!” I was determined to carry our sweet baby girl to the very top — no switch!

The hike itself was no walk in the park (literally). The journey up was steep in some places and my legs felt it! We took a few short breaks along the way, snapping in some fresh air and enjoying the scenery. To our surprise, Levy and Zozo didn’t complain at all — they actually enjoyed it! That alone made my heart so happy.

Step by step, we made it to the top… and guess what? I won the bet! I carried our baby all the way up without needing help. Victory never tasted so sweet — except maybe for the delicious egg McMuffins Sweetman made for our breakfast. We sat down together, enjoying the cool breeze and the breathtaking view. I even breastfed the baby up there, which felt so special — just mama, baby, and the mountains.

We visited the observatory and looked out at how far we had climbed. The total elevation is 1,684 feet — and yes, it was worth every single step. Along the way, we met other families and solo hikers, sharing smiles and “You’ve got this!” encouragements.

The hike down was a bit trickier for me. Baby fell asleep in her carrier and the steeper parts made my knees feel like jelly. My sweetman held my hand and helped me down — I might have been tired, but I felt so loved. By the time we reached the bottom, my legs were wobbly, but my heart was full.

If you’ve never hiked Stone Mountain, I strongly recommend it. The view from the top is absolutely stunning. Even if you’re scared of heights, you might surprise yourself. Plus, it’s a great workout!

Here’s a tip: the daily access fee for motorists is $20, but an annual pass is only $40. If you live in Georgia, get the yearly pass like we did — it pays for itself after just two visits.

Stone Mountain is a wonderful place to explore with family, make memories, and enjoy the beauty of nature. And who knows… maybe we’ll do it again soon.

Don’t let anyone steal your joy!

With love,

Maryam ❤️

A Powerful Start to the Week at Limitless Church

 Hello wonderful, amazing, sweet, and lovely people! 💖

Thanks for stopping by my blog today. It’s a beautiful day and the start of a brand-new week!

Yesterday was nothing short of amazing. Church at Limitless Church, Fayetteville, Georgia was powerful! Pastor Real Talk Kim PREACHED, and the presence of the Holy Spirit was so tangible that I left feeling filled, renewed, and ready for the week ahead.

The weather might have been cloudy with a little rain, but that didn’t stop me and my family from going. And let me tell you—it was worth every moment. Real Talk Kim, empowered by the Holy Spirit, spoke straight to my heart about getting your breakthrough. She shared some powerful points, including:

• Praying and crying out to God for your breakthrough — if you have to cry, cry out to Him!
• Praise and worship — lifting your voice to God even in your challenges.

She shared Psalm 139 and Amos 9:13, and both scriptures were so powerful. The prayer and declaration she spoke over us felt like a direct download from Heaven. I received it with my whole heart and I’m still receiving it now! I know that after yesterday’s service, I’m coming back with a testimony.

One thing she reminded us of was to keep moving no matter what — don’t allow fear to hold you back. That message alone was worth the trip.

The house of God truly is a place that refuels and empowers us for the week ahead, and I’m so thankful for Limitless Church. If you’re ever in Georgia and looking for a church to visit, I highly recommend it. And if you need a preacher whose messages are bold, anointed, and full of truth, check out Real Talk Kim on social media. She’s truly powerful!

Here’s to a week filled with faith, breakthroughs, and the courage to keep moving forward. 🙏✨

With love,

Maryam ❤️

Don’t Let Stress Steal Your Joy

Are you constantly stressing over your life—what you’ll eat, what you’ll wear, and how you’re going to pay your bills? Have you made worry such a normal part of your daily routine that you’ve stopped noticing how far you’ve already come?

If that’s you, I have news for you: you’re losing your life in the process. Not in the physical sense, but in the sense that you’re missing out on the blessing of being fully present in the here and now.

The other day, while my mind was running in circles over a situation I desperately wanted to fix, I completely missed something that usually makes me smile. My Sweetman had made himself some coffee. Now, you need to know this—I love the smell of coffee. Whether I’m drinking it or someone else is, the aroma always brightens my day. But this time? I didn’t even notice it.

Later, I saw him enjoying his cup and asked what he was drinking. He said, “Coffee.” And it hit me—how in the world did I miss the strong, delicious smell of freshly brewed coffee right under my nose? The answer was simple: stress had stolen that moment from me.

That’s the thing about stress. If we let it, it will quietly rob us of the small, beautiful moments in life—moments that are meant to remind us of God’s goodness.

The Bible tells us to remember the good things God has already done. Why? Because when we remember His past faithfulness, we anchor our hearts in truth instead of letting fear run the show. We remember how far we’ve come and who has been carrying us all along.

God is still able. He is still willing. And as we center our hearts on Him, surrendering every stressful situation, we make room for His help to show up in our time of need.

So today, I challenge us—yes, me included—to lay every stress at God’s feet. Then, ask Him for the grace to notice the blessings of the present moment… even if it’s as simple as the smell of coffee brewing.

May the Lord show us mercy today, in Jesus’ Name. Amen!

Don’t let anything steal your joy!

With love,

Maryam

Coffee picture is from:Etsy.com

Palmers Cocoa Butter Pregnancy Kit Review – 10+ Years of Stretch Mark Prevention

 If you’ve followed my journey, you know I’ve had four pregnancies — all with gigantic bellies and big, healthy babies except for my firstborn baby. I lost my first baby to a heart condition, but today I’m blessed with three healthy children — ages 9, 7, and 6 months — and I’m forever grateful to God for them.

Through every pregnancy, my belly grew big and fast — and I knew I had to take care of my skin to avoid pregnancy stretch marks. That’s why the Palmers Cocoa Butter Pregnancy Kit has been my absolute go-to for over a decade. I’ve used it faithfully during each pregnancy, and I can honestly say it works.

Why Pregnant Women Get Stretch Marks

Most pregnant women experience stretch marks because the skin stretches quickly to accommodate the growing baby. This rapid stretching can cause dryness and itchiness. And while it’s tempting to scratch (trust me, I know!), scratching often makes stretch marks worse.

That’s where the Palmers Cocoa Butter Pregnancy Kit comes in. It deeply moisturizes the belly, helps reduce itchiness, and keeps the skin supple and elastic — which in my case, meant no stretch marks through all four pregnancies.

My Personal Results

I’ve been using Palmers for over 10 years, and every time, it’s kept my belly hydrated, soft, and smooth from the first trimester all the way to postpartum. I love that it’s:

• Rich and creamy but not greasy
• Affordable compared to many “luxury” stretch mark creams
• Lightly scented with that comforting cocoa butter smell
• Dermatologist-tested and safe for pregnancy

Why I Recommend Palmers Cocoa Butter Pregnancy Kit

If you’re pregnant and want a budget-friendly stretch mark prevention cream that truly delivers, Palmers is the one I recommend. It works for:

• Preventing pregnancy stretch marks
• Reducing belly itchiness
• Moisturizing growing bellies, hips, and thighs
• Postpartum skin recovery

You can order it here: Palmers Cocoa Butter Pregnancy Kit on Amazon

This is not a paid review — just an honest recommendation from a mama who’s been there and has used Palmers for over a decade.

Don’t let anyone steal your joy,

Maryam 💛

When Your Breakthrough Is Wrapped in a Challenge

 Sometimes, our breakthroughs come wrapped in what looks like a challenge. And if we’re not discerning, we could completely miss them. It often takes perseverance—and most importantly, the grace of God—to recognize when an opportunity is disguised as a problem.

I’ve had a few situations in my life that looked like problems at first but, in the big picture, turned out to be the answers to my prayers. One recent example happened in my travel business, MaryamsJoyfulLifeLuxuryVacation.com, where I offer great deals for both individual and group travels.

This particular situation involved a challenging customer—one of those who sends you what feels like an entire textbook of messages, filled with endless details, requests, and sometimes complaints… all about a simple booking. I did my best to keep her happy, but truthfully, there were moments it was hard. To protect my peace, I decided to delay responding to her right away and instead reply at my own time.

Then one day, she sent me yet another long message—this one almost four pages long—filled with complaints and notes. Somewhere buried deep inside, she had made a request for a room upgrade. I missed it.

A little while later, I received an email from the other person staying in the room—her husband. He politely mentioned that his wife had reached out but hadn’t gotten a response. I checked my messages, found her request, and quickly sent him the upgrade price. He approved it, and I made the change… which ended up earning me additional commission on the booking.

In that moment, it hit me—if I hadn’t taken the time to re-check the messages because of her husband’s follow-up, I would have missed the opportunity completely.

You may be reading this and wondering, “How does this relate to me?” Well, let me ask you: could it be that your opportunity is currently wrapped in what seems like an annoying client, a frustrating delay, or a challenging situation?

I pray that you won’t miss your big break—that God gives you eyes to see beyond the frustration and the discernment to recognize where your opportunities lie.

Wishing you all the best, and remember…

Don’t let anyone steal your joy!

With love,

Maryam