Happy 1st day of school to my baby and yours!

And I pray.......

Lord I bless you this morning... I thank you for being so awesome! As our babies start school today, I ask that you cover them. Send your angels of protection to be with them. I ask for your grace, mercy and favor to surround them. Let their light shine and let them stand out and be a peculiar ppl b/c they are a royal priesthood a choose generation. Let our children start and finish this school year on a high note. Even now I pray for top grades when they take all of their state exams.  God we pray for every teacher, administration and staff that will come in contact with our children, anoint them afresh. I pray for every parent that will read this prayer and that you rest, rule and abide in every house hold. Your will be done this year in Jesus name. 

Amen

Guess who's back!!

My oh my have I been busy!!! Here's a bit of what's been going on with my family and I. My oldest has had a birthday, she turned the big 12.... She reminds me on a regular basis that she's a preteen and will be in 7th grade this year. Where has the time gone!? It seems like just yesterday I was excited when she learned to pronounce mommy (and second thinking my excitement when her "mommy mommy mommy" became a song.???)  Now all I hear is "ma", apparently she's to old to say mommy now and the songs that's she's singing typically have nothing to do with me. She's growing up, in case you were wondering I definitely just dropped a tear. 

Princess Amia is now 6 months going on 6years old. She coos more then I talk, sits up, puts anything she can get her hands on in her mouth especially her toes. If you hold her hand she walks, when she went to the dr the other day they just couldn't believe it. "Sarah, Michelle come look at this baby!" Everyone gathered to see how big she's getting.  I think she loves the attention! She's eating cereal and fruit that I purée in her baby bullet. Sleeping through the night is still a complication, seems like I get maybe a night a week. At this point I will take what I can get. 

My hubby, he's up to his same old seemingly impossible task. He's loving me so perfectly, making it his daily mission to keep my heart smiling. His love is that kinda love that makes you, wait NOT YOU, but me fall for him over and over again. Our anniversary just passed and he started the celebration on a Thursday, sending roses to my office with a note confirming what I already knew. "Being with me is like being in heaven"!!! That Friday he surprised me with a trip to the spa, shopping and dinner. Saturday we hung out with friends and Sunday on our actual anniversary we shared a big dinner with family. He's A keeper!! Anyway, as always he's working hard in and out of the house and running things, at least I let him think he is. 

Now let's talk about me... I'm back in the office since maternity leave,oh how I miss working in my PJs at the house. Other than the fact that I have to get completely dressed and drive to and from in traffic, work is great! Besides work and my family, I have many other endeavors that I've embarked upon. Blogging has afforded me so many new opportunities. I don't want to share just yet, but I promise I will soon enough. 

What's next you ask?.....  I will continue to do interviews and share the journey of others. And of course I will give you more of my personal life stories the good the bad and the ugly. As you know, my blog is dedicated to inspiring women and people all over the world. I've been in very dark places both physically and emotionally but by the grace of God I've overcome many obstacles and everyday I continue my stride to becoming a better me. Also to come, blogs about breastfeeding, I will share my journey and tips for both mom and baby. I will talk about postpartum depression, hair shedding and everything (postpartum)/post baby.

Father's Day Treat

I thought this was super cute. I'm so use to seeing a negative portrayal of fathers on social media. It was a breath of fresh air coming across this sweet video that went viral.

Artist most commonly known as Rico DA Ruler, has been writing freestyles for 10 years. His dearest freestyle was posted recently for his daughter naming her his #WCW (Women Crush Wednesday). Little Ms. Destiny was so overwhelmed, she covered her face to hide her tears from the video.  Grab your tissue and hit play.

Lyrics:
March 3rd of 2007
Was the day an angel came down from heaven
Into my arms in the ER, felt as if I was holding a mirror ‘cause I could only see me y’all
A little girl with her father’s features
Was employed at the time, but swore to make it my job to teach you
Everything I knew and more, though we ain’t rich
I promise this, you’ll have the finest food for thought, it’s truly yours
See you’re a blessing ‘cause you came at this time in my life
When it was dark and I was having trouble finding the light
And here you are, my little star
All shiny and bright
Wish I could pick you up and place you in the sky when it’s night
So the whole world could see you like I do.
No matter what happens your dad will always stand by you
From pampers to crawling, talking to walking
I never missed a moment, I made sure I saw all of it
Those the ones I cherish, ‘cause they don’t happen that often
I used to be hard, but girl you made my heart soften.
I remember the day that brought you home
It was me you and your mom, everybody else was gone
You had a little cold, but I had everyone on the phone
Talking crazy and crying ‘cause I ain’t know what was going on
What I’m trying to say, is daddy is going to protect you
Give you the best life that I can, I try my best to
Everybody make mistakes, and daddy’s gonna lecture
But when I see you doing wrong, I’ve got to give you some lectures
So don’t think I’m being mean when I fuss at you
I just want to be comfortable any time that you hit the scene
So people a well-mannered little lady
And I could sit back like, ‘That’s my little baby’
And I know sometimes your dad gets a little crazy
But that’s what eight years of raising a kid made me
Nah I’m playing yo, I’m proud of you…

Great hearing this young man proclaim his love and deication for his little angel. God bless them both!

It's just some t-shirts, or is it?!

My daughter returned home this past Sunday with 4 new t-shirts. She modeled one with the saying "Girls just want to have funds $," and as soon as she took a seat she excitedly pulled the remaining t-shirts from her bag. The second shirt had the phrase “ # OnFleek” written across the chest, the 3rd t-shirt was adorned with the number 100 all over it and finally the 4th was a peplum styled t-shirt. Am I the only one that's a little taken aback?!....  I promise that isn't a rhetorical question; am I the only one that finds a major problem with these t-shirts?

Aiyanna is a pretty average preteen in the sense that she's not thinking about where she's going to be 10 years from now and I would like to think I'm a pretty average mom in the sense that one of my major jobs is to prepare her for where she will be in 10 years. Almost daily we're going over the lesson that people often judge books by their covers and will judge you by your appearance. If you were a fly on the wall in my home you would hear me repeatedly tell her to cut out the slang talk. With that being said, why would I allow her to walk around advertising that she only wants to have “Funds” or have the words “OnFleek” splattered across her chest? I'm teaching her morals and values, like putting God 1st, and making family/friends and education her priorities. I would much prefer a t-shirt that reads #CollegeBound or #GodsChild.

Please share your feedback. Do you understand my point of view? Do you agree with my no compromise way of handling this situation? Or do you feel, "It's just a t-shirt."  I look forward to reading your feedback.

Danelle

Dear Aiyanna

So my baby, the big one, graduates this year. I'm soooooo not ready for this. Next year she will be in 7th grade, that's Jr. High school. Ahhh! As the end of the school year is approaching and she's begins her senior activities the more I realize just how real this is. Her class trip was a success and up next is her little prom, then not to long after that will be her big day, graduation!

Aiyanna,

It's such a joy to be your mom. I'm loving the experience of all of your first moments. I appreciate our deep moments and our silly ones as well. Plan on a life time of "Mommy please stop, we're in public." You will forever be my baby. I will continue to kiss you often and love you more and more each day. Mommy's looking forward to your graduation and the many special events of your life that will follow.

Mommy 

Dear Mama

I write this today both with tears and a smile. Today May 5th is my Mommy's birthday. I woke up wondering where my emotions would take me and if I could consciously keep them in check. Thoughts of our last experiences together some clear and some cloudy swirl around in my mind. So much time has passed since our last hug or since I've heard your voice yet I'm still so in love with you. I appreciate everything you were and are to me with the time we had.

In honor of Mother’s Day I wanted to introduce mommy shout outs

To my Mommy who I know loves me from heaven, I love you forever.

To my Auntie (she's my other mom) who has loved me through my foolish teenage years, you mean the world to me. Thank you for teaching me to fall in love with myself before trying to love anyone else. You taught me my worth and made it clear that I deserved the best. You gave me LOTS of lessons on cooking and cleaning……maybe a little too many…lol. You've had an everlasting impact on my life, thank you just isn't enough. I love you forever!

To ALL the mommies out there, you rock!

Share the impact your mom has had on you. I look forward to reading your feedback.

Danelle

The Stand Off

Hey everyone,

I was thinking about the other day when my husband and I had a slight disagreement and decided that our resolution to the disagreement would be to stop talking to each other all together. What’s ironic is, during our standoff I had an opportunity to realize how blessed I am that he is in my life. Crazy?! I know!

Let me explain.... Oddly enough we were preparing for church when this disagreement began.  As you know, if you had a chance to read my previous journal, we have a brand new baby. As any ultra-concerned mom would know, washing and sterilizing your new baby’s bottles is super important.  My husband, on this particular morning, washed the bottles and placed them where the sterilized bottles go as if he had sterilized them. I was pissed!!!!……and had a few smart remarks for him like "What are you trying to do to my baby" mind you he is her daddy... "You do this all the time" so not true cause’ I've witnessed him sterilizing bottles in the past. Stop looking at the screen like that my hormones are still out of whack….lol. My husband just decided to ignore me as I went on my mini rant. I responded to him ignoring me by ignoring him. I know it's kind of childish, but we were in a standoff.

Getting back to how our standoff showed me how blessed I am. All though I was clearly wrong and my last vow to him before my silent treatment was that I would be silent for a week, he treated me ever so perfectly. He was a perfect quite gentleman. As always he held every door and closed everyone behind me. He helped me out of the car and guided me in the church while carrying our baby and her bags. He pressed the elevator button and stood back so I could walk through it first. I know this doesn't seem like much but I just love the way he loves me, I'm so blessed.

For the record the standoff, or should I say my standoff, is officially over.... I gave it up in service….I couldn't have a better husband.

Danelle

Just bragging on my baby

So today Princess Amia is officially two months and guess what?! She turned over today. Yup you read it correctly….. my baby turned completely over. I laid her to sleep on her stomach and when I was called via her crying, she was laying on her back looking up at me. My hubby and I noticed about two weeks ago her trying, but today was the day!  After a little research it's my understanding that the earliest babies usually turnover is 4 months. I'm such a proud Mama!!!

I want to hear from you, when did your little darling turn over? Share stories below or via email... Can't wait for your feedback.

Danelle

Introducing

Hi everyone!! 

So, family is a major topic I will cover in my blog so I thought it would be a great idea to introduce you to mine.  I'm newly married to my best friend Euing and we have two amazing little princesses. Our oldest Princess Aiyanna is 11; she's mine and now my husbands by marriage. On February 20th 2015 God blessed us with our second, Princess Amia.

Aiyanna is an all-around amazing little girl. She's a star dancer, stellar violinist, outstanding cook, Jr hair and nail stylist and most importantly an honor roll student. Currently she performs at an 8^th and 10^th grade level in Math and Reading respectively; and she is only in the 6^th grade.  Needless to say I am a proud Momma.

Princess Amia has already brought so much more joy to our home. Her smile has the whole house on a high. We're enjoying the experience of all of her 1st and often day dream about her future. Wondering how outgoing she'll be and if the volume and pitch of her cry is any indication of her future musical career, lol.

Remember Euing from a couple of paragraphs ago, my husband and best friend, he is truly my life partner. He's my homie lover friend, lol. Truly I'm blessed to have such a man that cares for me and our children like our happiness is all that matters. He's present with his family at church and helps make our home a house of prayer. He encourages me when I'm down and thinks about me when I'm focused on everyone else. He's who I tag in when I'm extra sleepy and our Princess Amia just isn't. I thank God for him and I'm looking forward to our forever together.

With all the amazingness (yup I made that word up….or at least I think I did) that is my family we still have our challenges like any other. Princess Aiyanna is a preteen, Princess Amia is a newborn and my husband and I are newlyweds…..the Kardashians ain't got nothing on us; wait….on second thought maybe they do. From my family, marriage and children blogs you can expect to read some of our current realities along with popular topics that are part of families all over.

Danelle

P.S. I will post a picture of Princess Amia soon, and in the next one she will be out of my belly.. lol