WE are settling into our summer right when School's about to start again.
The kids are enjoying outdoor camp at the YMCA - swimming, canoeing, hiking, etc...They have been coming home sweaty and covered in dirt but they love it.
I've not started a full time job as a marketing manager at an architect firm so I'm feeling a little bit better about the economy. When I get my first paycheck my bank account can finally smile again!
Pictures to come!
School starts Aug. 2nd..WOW! so soon!
Fighter lyrics
After all you put me through
You'd think I'd despise you
But in the end I wanna thank you
'Cause you made that much stronger
Well I thought I knew you
Thinking that you were true
Guess I, I couldn't trust called your bluff
Time is up, 'cause I've had enough
You were there by my side
Always down for the ride
But your joy ride just came down in flames
'Cause your greed sold me out in shame, mmm hmm
After all of the stealing and cheating
You probably think that
I hold resentment for you
But uh uh, oh no, you're wrong
'Cause if it wasn't for all
That you tried to do
I wouldn't know just how capable I am to pull through
So I wanna say thank you
'Cause it
Makes me that much stronger
Makes me work a little bit harder
Makes me that much wiser
So thanks for making me a fighter
Made me learn a little bit faster
Made my skin a little bit thicker
Makes me that much smarter
So thanks for making me a fighter
Never saw it coming
All of your backstabbing
Just so, you could cash in on a good thing
Before I'd realized your game
I heard you're going 'round
Playin' the victim now
But don't even begin feelin' I'm the one to blame
'Cause you dug your own grave
After all of the fights and the lies
Guess you're wanting to hurt me
But that won't work anymore
No more, uh uh, it's over
'Cause if it wasn't for all of your torture
I wouldn't know how to be this way now
And never back down
So I wanna say thank you
'Cause it
Makes me that much stronger
Makes me work a little bit harder
Makes me that much wiser
So thanks for making me a fighter
Made me learn a little bit faster
Made my skin a little bit thicker
Makes me that much smarter
So thanks for making me a fighter
How could this man I thought I know
Turn out to be unjust so cruel?
Could only see the good in you
Pretended not to see the truth
You tried to hide your lies
Disguise yourself through
Living in denial
But in the end you'll see
You won't stop me
I am a fighter
(I'm a fighter)
I ain't gonna stop
(I ain't gonna stop)
There is no turning back
I've had enough
Makes me that much stronger
Makes me work a little bit harder
Makes me that much wiser
So thanks for making me a fighter
Made me learn a little bit faster
Made my skin a little bit thicker
Makes me that much smarter
So thanks for making me a fighter
Thought I would forget
But I, I remember
Yes I remember
I'll remember
Thought I would forget
But I remember
Yes I remember
I'll remember
Makes me that much stronger
Makes me work a little bit harder
Makes me that much wiser
So thanks for making me a fighter
Made me learn a little bit faster
Made my skin a little bit thicker
Makes me that much smarter
So thanks for making me a fighter.
When everything in our lives and experience is shaken that can be shaken, and only that which cannot be shaken remains, we are brought to see that God only is our rock and our foundation, and we learn to have our expectation from him alone.
Hannah Whitall Smith
At the Park: 
( Soon to be 5th grader)
(soon to be 6th grader MIDDLE SCHOOL)
(soon to be Kindergardener!!! )
YMCA is official!
We are now members (again)Thanks to POP POP!! The kids went swimming already indoors since they need to retake the swim test to get their bands for all access. Sean is a little nervous about that so we will see.
Ava and I did a Mommy and Me class yesterday, she had a ball!
I may even sign up for a step class or 2. I don't want to be the only fatty in the family!
This may be the perfect time to jump on the FITNESS BANDWAGON!
I won't say I've never been on it but its been a minute..It started in college, I was the tall skinny girl and never worried about working out or what I ate til I signed up for cheerleading. Our coach was a FITNESS FREAK! she made us count every single calorie and made us work hard.
I was basically a size 4 til my wedding day in 1997. My cinderella gown fit perfectly... I looked beautiful on my horse and carriage with my glass slippers...and..okay i'm getting off topic.
back to working out...
so I was a size 4, got married then started having babies (hello allyson and sean) and my tummy and my boobs started to spread..now I don't mind my 38C cup but the tummy has GOT to go...so in 2004 I joined a gym and got back into it..then got pregnant again!!! (Hello Ms. Ava!)
then I lost it again, then fell in love and gained it all back and now today I'm looking 6 months pregnant ...NO JOKE! I can SQUEEZE into a size 8 jean and thats what I want but I want to be a slim and trim size 8 not a "My muffin top runneth over jeans size 8"
(don't laugh)
time for some action!!!
So since I'm home now read: UNEMPLOYED..I'm cooking more!!
I've never done homemade spaghetti and meatballs and wanted to try it. I surfed the net and found a super easy recipe on Food Network's site.
They came out yummy and the kids are begging for me to make it again!
Bon Appetit!
I've been in a BIG FAT funk this past week and its time to let it all go and move forward (again).
Sometimes it takes a series of getting up and falling down and getting back up again to really get you to the next level.
How are you gonna Spring Forward in your life?
Think about it and maybe try some of these things..I know I will!
1. Purge tired and toxic relationships and find Positive and ENCOURAGING ones that you can learn from, that will uplift you and that will keep you growing.
2. Get back into what makes you happy...Find your passion.
In my case I'm revisiting it. I know lately its been all about the MONEY, "I need money, I need to make more money" but what about doing something you love and letting the money find you.
Stop chasing money and chase your dreams and accomplish your goals.
3. Spring CLEANSE..yep clean the inside too! You can do any of the master cleanse diets or just go to your doctor or spa and have it done the healthy way. Eat better and drinks lots of water. Take note of what you are putting in your body. Make sure its fuel and not wasted calories.
4. Go back to school. I know a lot of folks are being laid off (including myself) so this is the best time to go back to school to finish your degree or continue and get a masters...Change your career direction (jump out the box and grow)
5.Put Family first (you know the people you know in real life) I'm guilty of giving all my time to my puter/net friends but what about the ones in your face on a daily basis.
Turn the TV off and just read with them or play games, go to a park and get off the computer and sit down at the table and have dinner with them! I'm so guilty of this myself.
Catch up with old friends, actually call them (not a text), write them a handwritten note (not email), have lunch with them in a public place (not skype)!
When I was working it was all about work, work, work, and I rushed thru my family life..getting kids to school, WORK, then home, COMPUTER, then dinner LAUNDRY, then bed CHECK EMAILS, PAY BILLS, and repeat the next day.
I barely even took time for myself on the weekends. Well this is changing!
I'm making myself just sit in the present and really look at the things around me and appreciate and not take it all for granted.
6. De-clutter. Get your house in order! Clean your home office -organize and file important papers, make copies of pertinent docs like birthcertificates and social security cards. Clean your closets - donate old clothes and shoes to good will, give old blankets and sheets to salvation army...
7. Renew your spirit. Whether its with a church or with a spiritual group. Heck join a book club. Do something with right minded people and get inspired, renew and connect to the universe. Reach out to that higher power and seek guidance and wisdom and protection. Speak your actions to him or her and aim for greatness.
8. Make a difference. Be of service to someone or something. Be the change you want to see (you know all the cliches) Volunteer, mentor, feed the hungry. Give back and you will be blessed 10-fold!
9. Take a long trip or just a weekend getaway. Recharge your batteries, relax, meditate and find your peace. You will come home to a house in order, a family that loves you and a new beginning.
10.Be wild and carefree..Don't forget to live and have fun! Party with the girls (or guys) and just hang out! Let loose! Turn the music all the way up and dance and sing and rejoice. Get a new haircut, a new color, some new panties and feel sexy...YOU CAN DO IT!
Be the best YOU YOU can be!
The 2 year hiatus is now officially over!
I'm scrapbooking again, I joined a sistah scrapbooking group Scraps Of Color, I'm connecting with old friends again and I'm making some new ones.
I started a new business called Sacred Scrapbook, I'm teaching classes again and I'm gonna be hosting a few crops soon!
Que Jay-Z "look for me, I'll be, cruising down the westside HIGHWAYYYYY"
YAY! I feel like the creative bird is singing again!
Here's a card for one of my classes...
Layouts to come!
Friday Night we met up with Tiffany and her family at Joe's Crab Shack...It was so fun to meet her after 3 years of being online buddies!
So the knee is gradually getting better...I have to do physical therapy once a week UGH!
This is really busting my groove literally!!
thanks goodness I have my babies to help with dinner, do their own baths, bring me ice, hugs, kisses, lots loving and meds. (thank god for meds)
the concrete sidewalk right on my left knee..
