Things come & go... Family is forever!

I finally made it to my spot. My soft, supportive, comfy, yummy, chocolate brown reclining chair. I love it here....

It's so quiet. I can hear the sirens go by. I have one candle lit, these are the moments that keep me sane. =)

Soooo.... Our Direct TV stopped working yesterday morning. Having no TV is weird but I actually really love it. It is unbelievably quiet.  The dryer isn't on either & that's usually ALWAYS on, but oh, that broke too! Yes, Friday morning he decided to stop working. How can you blame him, he was 19 years old. Just in time for the holidays.... perfect timing. Ugh!

Everyone is in bed & I should be too but I had to write even if it's just short & sweet tonight. 

I received an email from someone I don't speak to. Well, it's been a very long time since the last time we did. The email was basically saying....

• Remember to always say what you mean.
• Don't be afraid to express yourself.
• Seize the day! Never have regrets.
• Stay close to your friends & family, for they have helped you make you the person you are today! 

I loved the email & wanted to share....I believe there is hope for the future! I believe anything is possible! I also believe that people should practice what they preach. I'm an example & I'm doin' the best I can.


This weekend was full of love, laughter, family & fun! Here are some photos! Love yall =) God Bless!

 

The playroom at Aunt Danielle's! Awesomeness!

We roll deep & that's a whole lotta love!

Hail to the Redskins!

Jordan & Dominic with all of their cousins! LOVE

Uncle Dennis singing with kiddos!

Jadyn, Amya, Dominic, Alanna & Simone

"God don't make no junk!"

As I stood at the top of the hill watching Jordan at the bus stop, I couldn't help but tear up. He was so excited to go to school today. He was ready 20 minutes before we usually head down. He stood at the window singing and telling me that he loved his new teacher. That was music to my ears. Let's go back a little bit...

Jordan was born on September 13th. He has always been one of, if not the youngest in his preschool, kindergarten & first grade classes. I've been concerned about his age from the beginning but always listened to his teachers. "Jordan is smart, it's ok that he is young, send him on." "Jordan will get it, it will click, just be patient." "He's silly, but most kids are, he's definitely all boy!"

I listened to all of this but knew in my heart that he wasn't where he was suppose to be. I ignored the feeling, I ignored what I knew was the truth. Why? I have no idea... I just wanted to dig my heals deep & push through.

Jordan started first grade in August. I liked his teacher & never heard from her for the first quarter of school concerning his learning & behavior. I assumed we were all good! I will NEVER do that again! I volunteered, sent food, sent supplies, emailed back & fourth and everything seemed great. Until, the report card came a couple of weeks ago.....

Jordan had been struggling with everything. She said it was all based on his behavior. He was silly. He was acting out & always trying to make his friends laugh. I was pissed! Not because of what he was doing but because I hadn't heard one word from the teacher. How could this be? Why wouldn't you keep me in the loop? We talk on a regular basis. I help out with whatever you need. Blah! 

The ball was dropped & at this point there was nothing I could do. I knew that it was time to listen to MY HEART. I called the teacher immediately & set up a conference with her & the principal. 

Days passed & I couldn't stop thinking about it. I knew what had to be done. I was in such a bad mood. Demond kept asking me what was wrong. I wasn't pleasant. I was stressed & felt like I had failed my child. 

We had the meeting and I of course decided that Jordan needed to go back to Kindergarten. I cried, his first grade teacher cried and apologized for not keeping in touch about the things that were important. I chose the new teacher I wanted for him & knew in my heart that I finally was making the right decision. It wasn't easy & I was dreading telling Jordan. 

We told Jordan when we got home & he cried but we assured him that this was the best thing for him & that it was going to help him in years to come. This was last Thursday. He started in his new class on Monday. 

He loves it! He has already made new friends & the teacher has written notes home expressing what good days he has had & that this is exactly where he needs to be. I met with his new teacher yesterday and she was EVERYTHING I hoped she would be & more! What a huge stress that was immediately lifted from my body. Thank you Lord! She hugged me & told me that Jordan was blessed to have me as his mom. Something I really needed to hear at that moment.

Back to this morning.... While Jordan was singing at the window, I told him how special he was and how proud I am of him. He turned around, with all of his spunk & attitude and said, "Of course I'm special!" I just smiled and said, "Oh, really?" He said, "Yeah Mom, I'm special because God don't make no junk!" "Is it time to go to the bus stop yet?" "Yes, Jordan..... lets go." =)

Christmas Cards, Check!

The holidays are fast approaching... I can't believe it's that time of year again. Man, time flies when you're having fun! Every year I send out Christmas cards.  I always have the place where we get our holiday photos taken, make them for me.  

This year we aren't doing holiday photos because we recently had our pictures taken by Leah Yochim Blaise  She is amazing & I recommend her to everyone we know! Send her an email & tell her I sent ya! =) 

Where to design my Christmas cards was the question? I have heard so many great things about a lot of different sites. After checking many sites I decided to go with Shutterfly Christmas Photos . I have used Shutterfly for many years but only to store my pictures. What an awesome site to design! I designed 4 different cards & then hubby & I made the final decision. I had so much fun & they had sooooo many great choices. I also made my Mom & brother a card! Fun! Fun! 

Have fun and play with it! I'm now working on different photo books and Christmas presents, Shutterfly is definitely my choice for photography fun!

"Cookies for lunch, I think so!"

So as of today I'm a blogger. I never really thought I would be doing something like this but the more I thought about it the more it made sense.  I have a crazy, fast, awesome life! There is never a dull moment being a mom of 3 and a bartender part time.  I have many roles I play & I love each and every one of them! 

My kids are hysterical & I'm so excited to share with you the stories of our life. My job is great and I meet the greatest, to well..... not so great people.  Either way, they leave a stamp on my life and some way or another, I learn something.  

Now back to what I was saying... my kids are hysterical....

Jordan came home from school today with a HUGE smile on his face. I immediately knew that something silly was about to come out of his mouth but I had no idea what. He begins to tell me that Anna, a little girl in his class has put him on her 'boyfriend' list. I was very surprised and asked him what that meant. He said that there were 6 boys on her list and he was #6. He said #6 was the best because #6 is the fastest.   At that moment I didn't know what to say. I wanted to tell him that if you are on a list of 6 you should probably run the other way.  I of course didn't say anything, except, Jordan you don't need a girlfriend right now you need to be practicing being a good boy & completing all of your work. He was very mad that I said that and proceeded to tell me that if he didn't have a girlfriend then how was he suppose to get cookies at lunch everyday?? Ha! Sounds exactly like his father!  I now will be packing cookies everyday for lunch! =)