#have not bern this anxious in forever but I also never go out and now I do everyday

[maliceofminds]

i‘m sad i‘m not on here so much rn, but i‘m also doing real life but i miss u guys little icon faces

[ofaphrcditearchive]

( emilia clarke, 26, she/her ) silence! can you not see her majesty, megaira calisto constantinou, has arrived? It seems the princess of the greek empire is willing to compromise for peace, which is surprising when everyone calls them the broken bird. have you tried approaching them? i heard they can be rather distant + ruthless, but their staff say that they’re determined + analytical. - ( luna / gmt / she/her )

guess WHAT i have another?? and i love her sm so i hope you all do because i finally have a greek character!! like as a greek i am astounded it has taken me this long tbh but i diGRESS. this is megaira (ofc named for anotHER disney character lmao don’t look at me) and is a tough lil lady. literally homegirl gets locked away for the best part of her life rip. but anyway LIKE this if you want to plot and i’ll come hit your inbox up!!

for the BASICS please click here !!

megaira comes from a long line of rulers that have fought, tooth and nail to keep their empire, to make it the greatest the world has seen since the ancient kingdoms of greece. born on a stormy night in the ancient and great city of pella, birthplace of alexander the great. she will be the first to break the wheel. she will be the first woman to inherit the greek throne. her father had long since given up on a son, and with three daughters to follow him, he named megaira his sole heir when he eventually passed on. much to the disgust and disdain of her older half brother. a bastard, an illegitimate son born out of affair at war. he believed that the throne was his, owed to him. that it should never be wasted on a woman so much weaker in his eyes. but their father did not relent, and so megaira, at the age of just ten, begun to train for her eventual rise to the throne.

it was her brother who convinced their father that she ought to be sent away when the war begun. that a weak princess, now the heir to the throne, would surely be an easy target to their many enemies. so the princess was sent away at aged fifteen to live on the island of crete, just five years into the war, with only her handmaidens and a handful of guards to keep her company. here she heard news from notes passed to her, from her father ( though, those grew more infrequent every passing year ), from her sisters, cousins and from old friends. it was here she heard that she was to be married before she ever took the throne. another plan concocted by her scheming brother to keep her from what he saw as his crown. her father passed law that if she did not marry before his death, that her brother would rule in her place as regent. now convinced that their empire would not follow her lead without a man by her side. megaira was not stupid, she knew that if her brother gained before she did, then she would be dead long before she could walk down the aisle. there would be no getting it back.

so she spent her years of isolation plotting, and learning. every language she could, every book, battle strategies, how to fight, the arts of court. she even survived many an attempt on her life, assassins sent from enemy countries. some secretly paid for by her brother, more than likely. as the war finally came to a close, megaira was allowed to return to court at aged twenty five, nine years in captivity. now a woman, she had returned vindictive and determined to see herself rise and her brother fall. unwittingly, her brother had created his own worst enemy. now truly worthy competition, and in her eyes, he no longer stood a chance.

megaira pleaded with her father for the chance to go to bern, to prove that she would be a worthy leader and could garner the support she would need. there were many who tried daily to invade their country, to test their borders. and this was a chance for them to end these border squabbles for good. although, she had spent most of her life away from court so now she feels on uneven ground as she tries to get used to it all over again as well as dealing with the fact that soon she will have to marry whether she wants to or not. despite her father siding with the coalition ( he didn’t want to upset their relationship with the ottoman’s, so to keep his people safe he sided with them due to their presence they have over them ) megaira strongly believes in independence for greece, and wants to restore it to the great empire they used to be. 

megaira is a very quiet and reserved person, but by no means shy. although she is anxious about being surrounded by so many royals, some she knows from years ago and others strangers, she still isn’t afraid to ensure her voice is heard. this is a chance to prove herself, and she will grasp at every opportunity she can. however she is very stubborn and sets out to do things her way, sometimes it’s impossible to make her budge on that. she thinks she’s more than capable of ruling along, so resents anyone who looks down on her for her gender, or who thinks she’ll be easy to play just because she’s a young woman. meg is obsessed with stars and knows every story behind all of them. if you want to get her talking, ask about myths and stars and she’ll never shut up. often stays up to look at the night sky from her balcony, or the roof of her tower in crete. also has a really big dog that was given to her when she was sent away to keep her company and keep her safe. she named her artemis after the greek goddess of the hunt, forests and hills, the moon, and archery. hardly goes anywhere without her, even now at bern where people aren’t as used to the princess’ giant dog.

WANTED PLOTS

a best friend: someone she has known most of her life and was a playmate when she was younger, this would  be someone she trusts all her secrets with and who she has now reunited with at bern.

her brother: her half brother who schemes to take the throne from her, would likely rather see her head on a pike than beneath a crown.

her two sisters: although she lived apart from them for a good part of her life, she wants to keep them safe and protected despite still only being young herself.

cousins: people she grew up with and missed when she was sent away. they would have kept her up to date in her years of captivity and she used to be quite close to them in her youth. her parents have likely told them to keep her safe during her stay and to guide her in the ways of court life, teaching her how to be a proper lady. offer her counsel. before she was sent away she was offered a place to stay with them during the war but her brother soon whispered in her fathers ear and that idea was cut off. it would be too risky for the princess to forge alliances of her own afterall.

gifted her artemis: they gave her artemis as a gift ten years ago when she was sent away to live on the island, and she has become her closest companion. megaira is forever grateful for her, could tie into another plot easily. maybe they both have one from the same litter. yes i am ripping off the starks completely because i love them.

mentor/adviser: might be playing her for their own needs or working for her brother, or it could be a genuine relationship. they might wish for her to succeed because having her on the throne would be very beneficial to them. doesn’t necessarily have to be an official adviser, or from her country, just someone that has been mentoring her all these years, maybe writing and visiting her.

a failed betrothal: he was the first choice for marriage, but for one reason the engagement fell apart. a problem when they had already begun to develop feelings more than friendship. likely visited her when she was kept in her tower and was one of the reasons she remained sane and determined all these years. the betrothal was ended just before she turned twenty, and megaira was quietly devastated.

a betrothal: they are due to be married and megaira despises this. she feels she is more than fit to rule over an empire without a man by her side, and so they get all the animosity for it. there might be feelings there, but they are mostly buried in bitterness, and the fact that megaira would clearly rather be without them.

an enemy: someone who threatens her future reign. they want the land their empire stands on for themselves, and see her as an easy way to get it. not just rule it, but to make it disappear. to put an end to the greek empire. maybe someone from their country has attempted to kill her, or sent assassins to finish the job.

family friends: whilst she was locked away in a tower for years, this was the person that continuously visited her. brought her favourite foods and entertained her. not many knew of the princess’ location but she trusted them enough to reveal it. before her entrapment, they would be sat together at family events, forced to pair off for dances simply because they were the same age but eventually it grew into friendship.

[cleftmomph]

Cleftmom confessions: Things ive learned that I wish I knew before. A list from a mom of special kids❤️ I actually dont know how to address this list, I think I've realized these because I have 2 kids with "special" needs. But it may also apply to moms in general, Im sure all of us will have one or two of these thoughts or circumstances in our crazzzy momma life☺️ 📌I am not INVINCIBLE I need God. I am nothing - this is not because Im bring myself down, but because I am humbling myself. Im surrendering. I am nothing in this world compared to His greatness. Given how well nourished, well educated, or how powerful, how big your house is, you are nothing without God. YOU NEED HIM. Crazy as it may sound but with all the fear I felt, the next thing I realized/felt was this. I was HUMBLED. I know He's caliing me. I was reminded of how great he is and who am I in this world. This is why 2 COR 12:9 is one of my fave verses: But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me 📌Take one day at a time I know you have so much to give, but I also know theres only so much you can take. We have limits, we are mortals, remember? If you will look past your now, sometimes it gives you serenity. Skipping the harder days, the surgeries etc. The power of hope. But in your darker days, when its just hard to find aomething to make you move forward, remember you have now, and what you do today, now, is what matters. Enjoy it, days goes by faster than you think. With all the hustle and bustle of this generation, sometimes its hard to remember this. But until your child hits another milestone, you wont stop to enjoy life and savor that moment with your kid. You will realize that they're growing too fast and there's that pinch making you ask "why so fast?". And then there's this joy, the assurance that they are doing well coz they're hitting those milestones just in time, sometimes a lil early, sometimes a lil late, but what the heck, they DID and that's what matters. Savor the moment🙂 📌Cliché as it may sounds: things will get better This!!! This cliche was pressed on me numerous times already. This is proven. I want to say by me, but well... i'd be lying, and you know it coz you've been there, done that😂 When reassuring new cleft parents I always say this line, which maybe doesn't help much hehe (but I know they'll realize one day that it's true😎). It's just hard to look beyond the firsts, beyond the uncertainty specially if the mom has not yet delivered. I totally understand that (i've bern there, didn't believed this line as well😂😂😂). But the most recent encounter with this lesson was because of our Jacob. I still get hotheaded while on our review sessions (di po ako ipokrita 😂), but he makes me more proud because of that. Because as I always say, he tries, he tries his best! Before, during his exams week, review sessions would be after school till bedtime and it wasn't even enough parin --- That's with prior review sessions pa. Before he cant even read a story book, it would take us an hour or two to finish those short stories. Before during exams He wont have time to do his kumon booklets anymore. But he did improved. He did better in reading books, he's good in math, he gets perfect scores in exams. Recently was his summative exam, he was able to finish reviewing all his subject before exam week started. so it was just a quick review for him during exam week. I felt how positive he is, how confident he is now specially in math and reading. I felt how happy he was that he could still do other things after reviewing. Things got better for me, but more for Jacob.❤️ 📌Downing moments are vital You wont have glorious days without your gloomy days. They make your success more sweet. If you let them eat you whole, you'll lose. Don't let trials win, empower your will to get back on your feet. Some days are harder, but that's what make you tougher. 📌You have to be worry sometimes ...So you wont put your guard down. 📌You need Two words:CLEFT TEAM If it would be possible go to them. NCF / PBM. Period! Google will help you with what a legit cleft team consists of💪🏼 📌This prayer help me calm myself❤️ I want to share it with you because in times my heart is in trouble, And I would say this prayer I would instantly feel calm. So much betteeeer❤️ The serenity prayer God grant me the serenity To accept the things I cannot change; Courage to change the things I can; And wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time; Enjoying one moment at a time; Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace; Taking, as He did, this sinful world As it is, not as I would have it; Trusting that He will make all things right If I surrender to His Will; So that I may be reasonably happy in this life And supremely happy with Him Forever and ever in the next. Amen. 📌God's plans for you is bigger Learning about Gabbie's cleft hit me hard. I comfort myself knowing that God has His plans and He definitely know better. It's really hard to know what it is, its hard to foresee but He asked me to have faith, Even as small as the mustard seed. I know my faith is far bigger than a mustard seed, because you know what, never as in NEVER He has forsaken me! JER 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Prov 3:5-6 "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. 📌Go with your instinct Mother knows best. Also, this means you are the one responsible for your parenting style. Don't let others pressure you into a parenting style that is not YOU. You be the kind of mother YOU want to be, not the society, your doctor, your priests, you family ask you to be. You are the only person who knows what's best for your child😉 listen to their opinion or advice, pick what suits you, junk what's not and move on. Don't let them and their side comments affect you inside. 😉 📌Google will bring you horror, dont let it. Use it to your advantage. I will be honest, researching made me anxious. By the time we discovered Gabbie's a cleftie we only have around 8weeks to prepare for her special needs. I havent joined any support group, i tried searching but didnt found one (till gabbie was 2months old ata) so I have no clue what's the best kind of surgeon to go to, what will she need etc. google would redirect me to cases from across the globe, Mostly US, many patients in the US had over 10 surgeries, so yes, that scared me. Ear tubes, yup they did scare me - alot!!! Repeated palatoplasty? Complications per age, complications during surgery.... hell yes!! Speech problems?! Heart problems and syndromes!????! Like whaaaaatttt!!! I want to give birth already just to find out if she has any of it!!! But the internet provided me a vital information for our cleft journey - name of our surgeon. Dr. Glenda De Villa ❤️ learned what bottles we need, what to look out for, that yessss, I could breastfeed!!!🙂 the internet also provided the criteria of a CLEFT TEAM/CLEFT CENTER, and Dr. De Villa's team is a SURE WIN!💪🏼 📌You have to love your doctor. Trusting your surgeon is vital. After meeting her, my worries just fluffed their way out of my chest. She's an inspiration. She's also the one who told us about NCF. If not for her and our trust to her, our family won't have the privilege of knowing those who are behind NCF and their patients ☺️ 📌You are not alone I repeat. YOU.ARE.NOT.ALONE I treat my co-cleft moms and dads as my family. No one could understand me than someone who's going Through a journey like us. Yes, our families and friends are backing us up, they're always there. Always. But the STRUGGLE IS REAL! Haha there are certain things no one could relate to unless they have a "special" child. Noordhoff Craniofacial Foundation patients have a support grp - https://www.facebook.com/groups/IbahagiAngNgiti/ And https://www.facebook.com/groups/CleftSupportGroupPH/ is open to all clefties and their families 🙂 📌Be thankful. You are blessed. I always say God gives the hardest battles to His bravest soldiers. Wonder where our cleftstrong babies got their strength and spirit? Its from US, their parents. I was also in doubt at first😁 God chose us for a purpose. Be proud of the privilege and responsibility that God entrusted us🙂 1 thess 5:18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Stop self blaming. Dont be too hard on yourself. Stop asking yourself if you did something wrong during your pregnancy. Accept that you too have shortcomings, and that's ok. Your kids still love you just the same because you are morethan ENOUGH!❤️ *list to be updated, usually in the wee hours of the morning I cant sleep.😂