http://www.wcbeez.com

QueenBeez: Last year, how did you celebrate Mother’s day?
Maria B: Last year for Mother’s Day, I spent the day with my grandmother and her son, which is my uncle Guy. We drove up to Julian to get some apple pie. While we sat down for apple pie I got to reveal to my uncle that I was 4 months pregnant. He was surprised but went on to congratulate me and tell me “Happy Mothers day”. It was a bittersweet moment for all of us. We left & drove around through alpine for a scenic view.

QB: How long have you lived with your grandma? What is your relationship like?
MB: I have lived with my grandmother ever since I can remember. She adopted me when I was two weeks old. Our relationship is just like a mother and daughter relationship. Except for the fact that as she raised me she got older in my eyes very fast. She took care of me and now I take care of her! It’s a blessing.

QB: When did you start selling your crochet designs? Where do you sell your hats/booties/blankets?
MB: My grandmother taught me how to crochet and sew. I started selling my crocheted designs, One Apparel, a few years ago. I’ve been selling the crocheted beanies and baby sets at the Ocean Beach Farmer’s Market here in San Diego every Wednesday. I get to take my daughter with me as well, which is very nice but took some getting used to.

QB: What do you like about the Ocean Beach Market?
MB: I love the market because it’s a way I get to use the talent God gave me.

QB: How old were you when you got pregnant with Ayvah? What was your initial reaction?
MB: I was 21 when I got pregnant. I was running from God for about a month and ended up getting pregnant. I knew I had decisions to make. Getting an abortion was not a decision I would make again. I decided I was not going to be irresponsible with what had happened. One wrong doesn’t make the other wrong a right! It was a foolish, irresponsible choice to sleep with someone who wasn’t seeking after the Lord. If he was, boundaries would have been kept and we would have been married. So, I gave everything to the Lord again! Since that decision, He has worked every single thing out for our good. IT IS AMAZING! (Romans 8:28)

QB: How did you tell your grandma?
MB: Telling my grandma/Mom wasn’t easy. She cried, I cried. It was just emotional.

QB: Over the next nine months, did you make any changes to your lifestyle?
MB: YES! Changes in my life were all over the place! There were so many changes and choices I had to make. I stopped seeing her father and I put letters away for Ayvah to read when she gets older. Listening to God made things go so much smoother, the decision was a tough one though. I had to give up my desires and my want of control. Right about this time, my grandmother’s health started going down hill fast, so fast that all of a sudden was doing everything. Let’s just say she can make it to the restroom and back, do exercises in her wheelchair and that’s about it. No regrets- I love her. Also during my pregnancy, a lot of people were telling me about welfare and how much it could help. I decided NO! I could work and use my hands and be creative. I was going to raise my daughter! It’s not easy & I’m not against welfare, I just feel its taken advantage of here in The United States. We don’t know what hard work is anymore. But that’s a whole different story…

QB: When was Ayvah born? How was it giving birth for the first time?
MB: Ayvah was born on Thanksgiving morning at 3 am. She weighed 7.14 lbs. Giving birth was something you can’t explain. I decided to do it natural. Not because I wanted to show that I’m a strong woman, but that every woman was created to give birth and sometimes it doesn’t go as planned and if it didn’t that’s why the doctors and nurses are there. I was in labor 7 hours and moved 3 times during the process to different rooms. Oh my gosh, how painful it was. I remember kneeling in front of the elevators and missing one going up because my contractions were so intense I couldn’t move! Once I got to my final room it was very nice. There was a tub for me to sit in. The water relieved everything. My best friends were in the room with me. It was the best support system. The most painful part for me was pushing. I pushed for two hours!

QB: What’s Ayvah’s personality like so far?
MB: Ayvah’s personality is very very HAPPY. She loves people and talks so much. She’s a sweet baby. I haven’t had any problems with her. She sleeps through the night, she is healthy and growing fast. Lately, she’s a little cranky because of her teeth coming in but overall God has definitely blessed her life from the beginning. I’m so thankful for that especially when I see other little ones who are not as healthy.

QB: What is your favorite part about being a mama?
MB: My favorite part about being a mom is the hard part but it’s my favorite: It’s raising her. I have to be selfless to teach her and to give her what she needs. My life has to reflect what is right. I want to be a mother, so that helps. It’s always exciting as well as tiring.

QB: What kind of activities do you do together?
MB: Well Ayvah loves going for walks. We walk to the store and back often. She loves the water. I can’t wait to take her to the beach for the first time. We go to the farmer’s markets every week. She loves seeing her family at The Shelter Church in La Mesa. We’ve gone to a concert together at the Sports Arena already & she loved it. We do all kinds of things together.

QB: What kind of challenges have you faced as a single parent? What helps you stay positive and strong?
MB: There’s plenty of challenges being a single parent. Simply being able to provide for your son or daughter. Another is handling things in the proper way with the other parent. This is not always easy! I’m not overwhelmed with challenges though because trusting in God makes it easier. I don’t worry about a day more than I have to. I just focus on really loving my daughter and raising her the right way, based on The Bible.

QB: Do you have any hopes or goals for You & Ayvah/ Your Business over the next few years?
MB: I hope she stays healthy as well as myself. I pray that Ayvah continues to walk with the Lord and seek him when she gets older. I pray that if she runs from the truth she will return to it fast! My goals for the future are to continue raising Ayvah, as a single mother or a stay at home mom. I plan on continuing to work the markets with her by my side. I’m excited to be able to have the opportunity to raise her.
Proverbs 22:6 NLT
”Direct your children onto the right path,
and when they are older, they will not leave it.”

QB: Do you have any advise for other young single mothers?
MB: If I were to give other single mothers advice, I would have to tell them to question their every action because your child is watching and imitating you. Trust God because he will have his way no matter what. God loves you and your child is not a mistake, as well as yourself.
Jeremiah 1:5 NLT
”I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb.
Before you were born I set you apart
and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.”

But you have to make a choice to give it all up for Christ who died and bled on the cross for our sins. He’s blessed us to start a different kind of life that will fulfill us as we give it all back to Him.
Job 13:2 NLT
”I know as much as you do.
You are no better than I am.”

It’s not okay to continue in sin when your focus is now your child. (God’s child first!) So my advice is to trust God when life gets tough. Trust him when things don’t go according to plan. Trust Him when the law intervenes and makes things complicated.

QB: How are you celebrating you and Ayvah’s first Mother’s Day?
MB: This mothers day Ayvah and I will be going out for tamales with her great grandma! I’m sure the weather will be very nice so maybe we’ll spend some time near the ocean. One day, I will look forward to “its the thought that counts”, but for now it might just be another simple day.