2011 - It's resolution time....

WOW!  I can't believe how quickly this year has gone by.  I've been through so much this year and I'm so grateful to have the friends and family that I have around me.  Having Makenna was a huge milestone for me and I absolutely LOVE being a mother.  I feel like I've grown alot this year but there is still so much I want to improve on.  So I'm making a rather large resolution this year.  My New Year's resolution for 2011 is to improve overall mind, body, & soul.  I know that doesn't sound like a big resolution but here's why I say it will be.  I've created a list of things I want to do, need to do, or know that I want to improve on.  Some might say it seems a little silly but they are definitely things I need to work on.  I plan on reviewing this list from time to time to make sure that I'm sticking with them so that I can keep up with my resolution. 

• Eat healthier.  I'd like to try and eat more organic and less processed foods.  I also need to watch my caloric intake so that I can lose the weight I want to lose this year.
• Meet my WW goal this year of 70lbs.
• Go to the gym on a regular basis.
• Attend church more frequently and find a permanent church for Makenna.
• Avoid using so many curse words.
• Create a better schedule for myself and my daughter.
• Learn to cook.
• Stay well manicured (hair, nails, etc).
• Revamp my wardrobe.
• Read more / Less tv.
• Dedicate more time to my blog.
• Take at least 1 out of state trip.
• Take at least 2 trips within Texas.
• Create a savings for myself and for Makenna.
• De-clutter my house.
• Set up a monthly brunch for the girls so we can have adult time.  =)
• Become more tech savvy with my iPad.
• Stay more on top of everyone's birthdays and special occasions.
• Take Makenna to at least 2 different zoos.
• Visit more dog parks with Asia.
• Work on being more punctual.
• Avoid saying things such as hate, shut up, retard, loser, etc.
• Be a better mom to Makenna and spend more quality time with her.
• Go back to school.
• Learn and practice meditation.
• Find love.....

New Year's Eve 2011

Originally I planned on staying at home with Makenna for a nice quiet night far far away from all the drunks.  I figured I'd put her to bed early, watch a movie ring in the New Year at home alone.  Well...
CHANGE OF PLANS!  =)

We ended up going to dinner at Blue Oak Grill which was super yummy with all of my family that was in town.  They had a live band there and Makenna loved the music.  She had so much fun laughing and dancing around.  Afterwards we went to Chess & Maggie's house for their annual NYE party.  They are our old neighbors and since I've known them they've always thrown the best parties.  Usually its the adults inside and all the "kids" outside playing beer pong.  I was kinda worried since there is so much alcohol involved at their parties but it was a great night.  Makenna fit right in with everyone.  She particularly enjoyed watching the beer pong going on in the garage.  lol  I was going to leave a little early but with her wide awake and having so much fun we went ahead and stayed for the countdown.  At midnight I had my daughter in one arm and carefully held on to my glass of champagne with the other.  And when everyone received their New Year's kiss I got mine from the most important person in my life.  =)  This by far has been the best NYE ever.  I will make sure and post pics soon!  Happy 2011!!!!!

You know you have a good thing, when he inspires you to be a better person and encourages you spiritually!

Soulful Relationship

Soulful Relationship


By Reverend Ronald McFadden



If you're not married yet, share this with a friend. If you are married, share it with your spouse or other married couples and reflect on it.


An African proverb states, 'Before you get married, keep both eyes open, and after you marry, close one eye.'

Before you get involved and make a commitment to someone, don't let lust, desperation, immaturity, ignorance, pressure from others or a low self-esteem make you blind to warning signs. Keep your eyes open, and don't fool yourself that you can change someone or that what you see as faults is not really important.


Once you decide to commit to someone, over time their flaws, vulnerabilities, pet peeves, and differences will become more obvious. If you love your mate and want the relationship to grow and evolve, you've got to learn to close one eye and not let every little thing bother you. You and your mate have many different expectations, emotional needs, values, dreams, weaknesses, and strengths. You are two unique individuals who have decided to share a life together.

Neither of you are perfect, but are you perfect for each other? Do you bring out the best of each other? Do you compliment and compromise with each other, or do you compete, compare, and control? What do you bring to the relationship? Do you bring past relationships, past hurt, past mistrust, past pain?


You can't take someone to the altar to alter him or her. You can't make someone love you or make someone stay. If you develop self-esteem, spiritual discernment, and 'a life', you won't find yourself making someone else responsible for your happiness or responsible for your pain. Manipulation, control, jealousy, deceitfulness, neediness, and selfishness are not the ingredients of a thriving, healthy, loving and lasting relationship.

Seeking status, sex, wealth, and security are the wrong reasons to be in a relationship.

Q. What keeps a relationship strong?

Answer: Communication, intimacy ( not sex ), trust, a sense of humor, sharing household tasks, some getaway time without business or children and daily exchanges (a meal, a shared activity, a hug, a call, a touch, a note), sharing common goals and interests. Leave a nice message on their voice mail or send a nice email.

Growth is important. Grow together, not away from each other, giving each other space to grow without feeling insecure. Allow your mate to have outside interest. You can't always be together. Give each other a sense of belonging and assurances of commitment. Don't try to control one another. Learn each other's family situation. Respect his or her parents regardless. Don't put pressure on each other for material goods. Remember for richer or for poorer. If these qualities are missing, the relationship will erode as resentment, withdrawal, abuse, neglect, dishonesty, and pain will replace the passion. "Nurture your mind with great thoughts, for you will never go any higher than you think.' The grass withers, the flowers fades, but the word of God stands forever. Isaiah 40:8. Shall we make a new rule of life from tonight?

You should always try to be a little more kind to each other than necessary. The difference between 'United' and 'Untied' is where you put the 'I'. Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

Christmas 2010

This has officially been the best Christmas ever and its all due to my wonderful little girl.  Watching her react to the holiday festivities has been such a beautiful thing.  She was so excited about all of her presents and even more so about seeing all our loved ones.  The family definitely spoiled my princess this year.  She got a rocking horse, lots of big Fisher Price toys, Tickle Me Elmo, stuffed animals that light up/talk, clothes, etc.  I bought her My Mommy Hung the Moon by Jamie Lee Curtis.  If you haven't read it before you need to.  It's such a cute book.  We read it last night before bedtime.  Christmas Eve was spent with Uncle Kendall and then dinner and a church service that night.  Christmas Day everyone came over to our house, opened presents including the White Elephant gift exchange, ate, and then went to see Little Fockers.  Christmas night I stayed over at Britts house playing dominoes and drinking all night.  Cornelius ended up coming over and it was nice spending the evening with him.  I never would have thought he'd stay that long playing but I think he was actually having a pretty good time.  What can I say?  My sister and I are quite the duo.  haha!  Needless to say I didn't get to sleep til 5am so I'm a little tired today.  All in all a great holiday weekend.  Now its back to work on Tuesday.  I may try and see Greg's (Lamonte's bestfriend) little boy tomorrow if he's around.  Greg and I recently connected again and we've been talking about getting the kids together for awhile now so I think it would be perfect timing.  I hope everyone had as wonderful of a Christmas as I have had.  Merry Christmas!

Makenna finally met her big brother!!!

Mary Ann came to Austin this weekend and invited Xavier & Vanessa as well.  For those who don't know Xavier is Makenna's big brother.  They live in San Antonio so they decided to stay at the hotel with Mary Ann for the weekend.  Brittany went with Makenna and I to meet them at the Hilton and then to dinner down on 6th street.  Xavier turned out to be a total sweetheart to Makenna.  He was such a proud big brother.  Makenna definitely got lots of love from everyone while there.  Another exciting thing....he brought two Christmas presents with him for her.  One of them was a baby doll.  Which happens to be her first baby doll.  =)  All and all it was a great night and I'm so happy we were all able to get together.  Xavier is Lamonte's TWIN!  So cute!    We will definitely plan on taking a trip to San Antonio to see him again soon.  Oh and now maybe we'll visit Mary Ann and Valynica in DC.  I already told her to look for a good man there for me.  haha!

*Bitch Cakes*: A Neurotic Glamour Girl's Weight Watchers Experience and Fitness Adventures: More Thoughts about the new PointsPlus Program

So as some may know I'm on WeightWatchers and recently they changed to the Points Plus plan. I really like it and I'm glad they're actually considering what you put in your body rather than how many calories everything is. This is from a blog that I enjoying reading.... https://msbitchcakes.blogspot.com/. Figured I'd pass this along for any of you fellow WW members. I find her topics very refreshing compared to the usual boring weightloss blogs out there. *Bitch Cakes*: A Neurotic Glamour Girl's Weight Watchers Experience and Fitness Adventures: More Thoughts about the new PointsPlus Program: "I've been on the new PointsPlus program for 4 days now, and I read the Getting Started booklet. Naturally, I have more to share. Let me sta..."