Weekend Plans

So I was trying to figure out what to do this weekend with the fam and really wanted to take a trip. I thought about us going to Arizona or San Francisco when it dawned on me that since the baby was born over a month ago I have not had any real ME time. So this weekend I plan to enjoy a day with Me, Myself, and I. I am finally getting over a cold that I had for about a week (felt like a month) and really want to do some shopping and take myself to lunch without worrying about the baby crying or needing to be feed the whole time. As much as I love my guys I know that for me to take great care of them I also have to take great care of ME too. So my plans for the day will be simple and exactly what I want to do. Here is the run down.... 

Heading to Vegas to have Dinner with my Grandmother and then tomorrow I will start my day by

Going to get a much needed Manicure and Pedicure

Im gonna check out Brides Maides which is a movie I know Hubbs does not want to see LOL

 

and do a little shopping 

What are your plans for the weekend?

Oprah's Lessons

Oprah's last show was filled with the lessons that she had learned through out the 25 yrs and 4,561 episodes. I loved them all and plan to have them printed and framed to keep on my desk at work and also to keep at home as a reminder of her and all that her and the show has taught me.

o Nobody but YOU is responsible for YOUR life. (Doesn't matter what ya momma did or what ya daddy didn't do)

o You are responsible for the energy that you create for yourself and you are responsible for the energy that you bring to others

o All the energy that you spend trying to hurt somebody else, that energy will turn around and slap you in the face and the same thing is true of LOVE.

o Everybody has a calling and your job in life is to figure out what that is and get about the business of doing it

o Everyday in every way you are showing people exactly who you are

o You have the power to change some bodies life

o No need to feel superior to anybody the root is all the same, there is a common thread that runs through us and that is un -worthiness. You are worthy and you alone are enough

o Validation-Every single person you ever will meet shares the common desire, do you see me? Do you hear me? Does what I say mean anything to you?

o Be still, wait and listen for the guidance that is bigger than your meager mind

o God is love and God is life and he is always speaking to you (What are the whispers in your life?)

Thank's again Oprah!

Iyanla Vanzant

Here is something I saw on Facebook that Iyanla Vanzant posted and I thought I would share......


"On Saturday my friend Nicole posted, "How do I keep going forward?" I know many of you are asking the same question. This is what I wrote to her... First, look at yourself and the things you want, then make a plan (plan a, b,c and d) then stick to it, and just move forward! And along the way, smile, laugh, play and have a good time in life - period!"'


Couldn't have said it better myself. 

It's so hard to say goodbye

I have watched the Oprah show and loved Oprah for most of my life. Her and the show have been my life coach, financial advisor, counselor, entertainment and fitness experts. Not only does she remind me of my grandmother she also reminded me of all that is possible for a young black woman like myself.

Dear Oprah,
           Because of you I will always dream big, pay myself first, never settle for less, travel to places where I may be the only brown girl, continue to be positive, reach my goals and give back whenever I can but most importantly I will never give up. I watched your show for as long as I can remember growing up and I rarely missed an episode. I was always there with pen and paper waiting to hear what advice was going to be given because I knew it would help me in life. I will miss your lessons and most of all miss you there as a constant reminder of all that is possible in my life.

You inspire me to dream bigger and truly LIVE the next 25 years and beyond to the fullest. Thank You! 

Getting organized

I have been trying to get organized for so long now and I just can't seem to get to the point where I no longer feel the need to de-clutter. I have been searching online and in magazines on the best way to do it and here is what I found. I will post some before and after pics once I get to a point where I can say YES I DID IT!! (praying this day comes soon). My plan is to take my time and be done by June 21st which is the beginning of summer. Any ideas or suggestions on the best way to get organized and stay that way??

I found this website to be helpful: http://zenhabits.net/27-great-tips-to-keep-your-life-organized/

I also found this info online:

GET RID OF IT IF…

1. …you didn’t wear it this past winter, because there’s a pretty good chance you’re not going to wear it next winter either.

2. …you don’t love how it looks/feels on you

3. …you’ve been mistakenly asked if you are pregnant while wearing it

4. …you often try it on, but then change before leaving the house

5. …you look to old or young in it {age appropriate clothing applies to adults too!}

Since my current bedroom is small I found this to be helpful

1. We purged:

We got rid of EVERYTHING we don’t need, use, want, or love. We sold so much before we moved, and gave a lot away too.

2. We utilized every space:

We found storage containers that fit under our bed, inside our closets, on our bookshelves, etc. We tried to use every space without over cluttering {we still have to live here}

3. We put function before beauty:

Our room is not that attractive, but it works for now. It’s clean, it’s organized, and it’s functional. We can do what we need to do without feeling cramped or crowded. And while I know there are plenty of ways to create a beautiful AND organized space, our priorities were simply to create a space we could live in temporarily — and to be perfectly honest, I just don’t care right now!

On your mark get set gooooooo!

So one of my goals for the year is to run the Army 10 miler which is held in Washington DC every year. After much thought and talking it over with Hubbs he said go for it and I thought why not!! So I registered right away and started what I think will be a long but rewarding journey to the finish line. I have been looking at some gear to help me with my training and found some haute items on Nike.Com I went to the Nike outlet and found some as well. Here is what I have so far........Know of anything that might help me??

Mission Destination Wedding

After going to my first wedding I have been thinking about what my own wedding would be like. I have also been thinking of what we would like to do for our 10th Anniversary (2 yrs away) my cousin and sister suggested that we finally have a wedding!. Since we don't have any pictures of the day were married and our families were not there with us I think it would be great to renew our vows and celebrate the big 10!! I signed up on The Knot.com so that I can see all that we need to do in advance so that we can start saving for the big day now since we don't to go in debt from this. We loved Hawaii and I love destination weddings so I have been searching online for some ideas and here is what I found.  What do you think? Any suggestions?

Must be the Money

When I was young money management was not talked about much if even at all at home. So growing up I had no idea what to do with money even the smallest amounts.  Now that I have my own money and his (lol) we want to build wealth for our family.  I have been reading books and magazines all about money and picking what has worked for us. The first book I picked up was The Automatic Millionaire by David Bach.

I must say that although I do read many books about money I still believe that you should do what works best for you. This book taught me the basics and probably the most important of them all is to pay yourself first!!! I am still a work in progress when it comes to our family finances (I'm the book keeper) but what I do know is that money mistakes will ruin your day, health, relationships, and even job but we all have made them but it's never too late to get it right. I am currently following the 7 Baby Steps from Dave Ramsey and that has been working for me. Here is the link if you would like to try it out. http://www.daveramsey.com/new/baby-steps/ . Any advice you have about money I would love to hear so leave a comment!

America's Hottest Husband

After reading RedBook Mag and being reminded by my mom that it is that time of year again I decided to do an interview with Hubbs to get his answers to some of the questions asked this year. Here is what he had to say.

How do you make it work? (It really takes work)
Compromise, communication, love and affection but most of all forgiveness.

We hear you love sports? ( I wake up to ESPN everyday) 
Sports would be my third love after God and  my family.


What do you like to do as a family? ( He really is family oriented) 
Weekend getaways and going to sporting events is my favorite thing to do.

What is the best part of being married? (He will say something nice because I am sitting here lol) 
There are so many things but if I have to choose one then it would be when i come through the door and seeing my wife who is also happy to see me. A lot of people don't have that genuine happiness.

Fun Fact: (I have a list) 
We like to tease each other about different things .

How do you stay connected while your wife is away? (Plenty of phone calls)
Always communication on webcam or chat and sending I love you packages.

How do you stay connected in your marriage? 
Communication, affection, and having a good sex life. Also we like to celebrate the little things like me getting the job that I want or my wife getting an A in her classes.

Here is a pic of my Hot Husband ;-)

Another reason to shop

Since I just had a baby and plan to lose all the weight I gained plus a pound or 10 extra I have been seeing some really nice pieces that I want to add to my wardrobe. Since summer is here (In Cali anyway) I want to add color and accessories. Tell me what you think!

Class of 2011/2012!!

I have been working on my Degree for way more years than I care to share but I am finally one class away from my Associates and six classes away from my Bachelors in Homeland Security from Thomas Edison State College. Not only am I proud that I have made it this far I am also proud that I didn't give up! Long nights studying, dropping classes due to my military schedule, having children, moving across the country, my other job as a Mom and wife, and last but not least deploying to Iraq didn't stop me from achieving this goal. So in 2011 when I finally earn (I mean I earned this badboy) my degree I will think of those who inspire me to never give up on my goal/dreams. Who inspires you?

I Do or Do I ?!

I attended my very first wedding this weekend! Just like I thought it was one big party and who doesn't love a party?. Since me and Chris were not able to have the wedding of our dreams we were left to dream of the wedding we would love to have one day. I have always loved watching weddings on television and hearing all about them from others but to actually be there and see it all happen was much different for me.

As I sat in the Chapel and danced away at the reception I couldn't help but think do they really know what they just said, "I DO" to? If they were anything like us on that day they didn't. I have spent the last eight years  understanding what "I Do" really means and it is so much more than a one day celebration. As a matter of fact the celebration should really come once you have made it through the honeymoon stage and the challenges that are inevitable in any relationship. All though we were not fortunate enough to have a wedding we have chosen to celebrate the small accomplishments that we have shared together through out the years. One day when the time comes we will celebrate with our families and have the destination wedding that I have always dreamed of. Tonight when I go to sleep I will pray that the couple has a marriage that is equal in the love given and received and that they enjoy a life together that is filled with love and joy. Marriage is a team sport and to win at it you must first know your position and play it well knowing that in the end you will always win when you work together. What are your hopes and dreams for your wedding and marriage??

Girls other best friend

I love a nice handbag and here a few I have been eyeing. Hubbs says I can have ONE! lmao

Georgia On My Mind

I have always wanted to buy a home and settle down in Atlanta Georgia and lately we have been looking into buying a home there. Georgia also happens to be where we first met almost 9 years ago. It would be nice to finish our life together there as well. Here are a few Homes that I loved....

This one I actually am really in love with!!

 I love this Kitchen!!!