Instaweek [Week in Photos]

Blessed Wednesday, Blessings!!...

and

Boo on My Life.

I know I'm late with posts this week...

just trying to get back in the swing of things 

since being back from our family vacay in Vegas.

So here's what I was into last week and over the weekend:

1. I thought it was gonna be a MAJOR #BooOnMyLife situation when I found out coffee wasn't made for me to take on the ride up to Vegas, but Jaybee [Hubby] had a little something up his sleeve to save the day.  
2. Had to do another Yogurtland trip [that made 2 in 3 days] #nojudging. 
3. First time having Nathan's...pretty darn tasty, too.

1. Oh, how the B-Boys wrecked my last ever-lovin' nerve as we paid CVS a visit to shop for the Beauty Box Swap.
2. Whatever it was...sure was good.
3. Landan...curious, I assume, about WHY we're still in car...
4. First family dinner of the Vegas trip...Jaden gettin' it in on his ice cream.
5. SKEE-Ball, baby!!

1. My Boo-Bear doing one of the things that he does best: driving too fast.
2. Three of my favorite guys: My brother [in the Kemp jersey], Brother from anotha' motha' [middle]...we share the same heavenly daddy...and my BABE!...I was sadly watching THEM shop.

1. Love. LOVE. L.O.V.E. Diary of Wimpy Kid...and Dog Days was my fix for the weekend. 
2. The MJ Slots are the BEEZ= Kneez!!!...I need one of these at home with unlimited credits. 

I want this so badly...

but not the $450 receipt that would come with it...

#nothankyou

So how was everyone else's week and weekend?

Partying with:

lowercase letters - Miscellany Monday

20 Going on 80 - Wonderful Wednesday

Un-Wordless Wednesday Vol. 1

Disclaimer #1:

No judging my whole entire life for long it took for me to get this posted...okay?

Thank You.

Lunch with the B-Boys & the Parental @ CPK

Del Rey Lagoon Park, Marina Del Rey, Cali

Glow Girls Beach Trip, Santa Monica, Cali

Disclaimer #2:
No judging for using WORDS in my WORDLESS Wednesday Posts...
Thanks, again.

*Things I was thankful for on Saturday 

*Hubby going to infinity and beyond as he bought AND prepped breakfast for my sorority meeting at the house

*Glow Girl's Creed

*Thee BEST ever: Mary Kay

*How my BeYouTiFul face looked after using Thee BEST Ever: 

Mary Kay

*ONE of the singing groups my Hubby belongs to: 

Redeemed & Blessed

*My lil' brotha from another motha (same heavenly daddy, though)...lookin' like he 'bout to teach some salsa dancing lessons...but we're at church...LOL!...

Get It, Isaiah!!

Beach, He-man, Hot Dog on a Stick, B-Boys, and More

Happy Monday, Blessings!!!

I hope you all enjoyed your weekend.

Here's the weekly recap:

1.  Half of last week was FREAKIN' gloomy and depressing...and RAIN?!?!...all I have to say is BOO ON THE WEATHER'S LIFE.

2. 2/3 of the B-Boys went to visit some of Jaden's friends from school. They live in Marina Del Rey, just walking distance from Mother's Beach...So I had to get a photo opp of the fellas with the BEST Jedi knight poses on our way to the beach...Get it, BOYS!!

3. Mary Kay ALL DAY!!...#thatisall

4. My mom wants her next dog to be a beagle...we both LOVE Snoopy...who wouldn't want Snoopy as a pet?!?...Although he'd probably be more my HOMIE than anything else...we would do ABSOLUTELY everything together...shop, eat...DANCE...but this beagle right here...is AMAZEballs HUGE...didn't know they could get this big...Not too sure I want my Snoopy to get THIS big. =/

5. Landan's first corn dog.  Yes...he ate the WHOLE corn dog.

6. Jaden GROOVIN' while eating...what??...Don't tell me YOU don't groove when your meal is the bomb...#sideeye

7.  SICK...and as of today...still sounding like General Grievous from Star Wars.

8. Sitting back waiting to see which B-Boy is going to get hurt first...I tell them ONE time to stop playing rough before someone get hurts...and after that if they choose to continue...they need only to expect one thing = CASUALTIES. #sideeye

9. Sippin' on some sizzurp!!...Limeaid...yuuuuuuuuummmmmmm.

10. Monday's lunch at the mall with the B-Boys and 1/2 of the parentals (my mom).

11. Handy Landy. You couldn't tell him NUTHIN'...he just knew that HE KNEW what HE was doing.

12. My babe getting his preachin' on...so proud of him. He did so well...well, he always does...and his analogies and applications are ALWAYS the best!...He made a reference of how the Power of the Holy Spirit is like the Power of Grey Skull (He-Man fans out there??...She-Ra??...) in how it can transform you and renew your mind just how it was only by the power of Grey Skull that Prince Adam could change into He-Man...then he had the nerve to show a clip...smh...#comedy

13. My FAVE pic of the week...my KaiBee missing his daddy.

I would love to know how everyone's week panned out...if you posted anything similar like your instagram pics of the week or your week/life in photos...linked them here so I can see and comment back.

Here's to a blessed week...

Linked to:

Monday Meet Up

Miscellany Monday

Photo Fun Monday

I'm Gonna Write a Letter...

Dear Kai,


As much as I love you and want to give you the world and a bag of chips, I CANNOT give you a new Jaden.  I know you've asked twice this week for a new one and I totally understand why.  I can't relate firsthand since I've never been a middle child, but I do know how it feels to be left out of all the fun or not wanting to be played with...Sometimes, since Jaden is older than you, he'e gonna want to play by himself...he's almost 10 years old and he wants some time to himself...and that's not a bad thing...


So as much as I like to give you all your hearts desires, another JADEN is just not physically possible.  I would HATE to go through the trouble of trying to produce one for you and be a complete and total failure in your eyes when Mommy comes home with a newborn baby...not a brand shiny new 10 year old Jaden...and a GIRL at that!


I hope you understand what Mommy is trying to explain to you and pray that you will consider keeping the Jaden we already have and making the best of things.


Love always,


Mommy


P.S. Wait 5 years from now and you see for yourself what Jaden is going through...'Cause you'll be on that side of the fence then with Landan informing me that he's ready for a new Kai.

My Life in Pics

The past two weeks have been CA-RAAAAAZY!  I feel like I've been running non-stop.  Two weeks ago was vacation bible school (VBS) so the B-Boys and I were at the church all week from 7pm to 9pm.  What was totally unexpected for us was that My Babe (Jarrett/JayBee, my hubby) surprised us by showing up there every night. Since he normally works long days it was such a treat for all of us to have him there with us...**BROWNIE POINTS for JayBee**...WHOOT WHOOT!!

This past week was even more hectic...This week was also our youth ministry's Annual Youth Lectureship..the theme was STAND - Stay True and Never Deviate. The lectureship ran from Wednesday to Saturday, with a last minute lock-in thrown together for our in-house youth...

Handbills

Light Of Life Drama Group

Cross Worship Activity - Cast All Your Cares

Youth silhouettes...I'm the one kicking my foot back...no judging,

On top of VBS and the lectureship, I had to fit time and activities in for the B-Boys.

So we went to library and the park on the day I had my very own personal nanny to help me along the day.

We also managed to make it to the HOT zoo...Man, it was HOT like a freakin' mug!!...

But still uber fun for the B-Boys.

Yesterday I realized that I wasn't the only one totally pooped...

When I pulled up into the church parking lot and parked this is what I found to my surprise...

So....
How To Get a TKO (Total Knock Out) Out of Your Kids:

1.  No Naps during the day.
2.  Only since its the summer, let them stay up a little past their normal bed time (not too much cause you still mos-def need your time to yourself).
3. Get lots of outdoor playtime...that sun gets them good!
4.  Allow them to wake up at the crack of dawn.
5. DO NOT...I repeat...I DO NOT play their favorite songs, radio or Pandora station in the car...totally listen to what you want to hear.
6.  Throw them in car for a nice car ride.

And TAAA-DAAA!!!....TKO!!!!

Now just pray you don't have to immediately get out of the car (like I had to for church...LOL!!) and pack some things for you to get into: books, magazines, snacks, water, laptop, work...and park somewhere nice and quiet, with a beautiful scenery...and notice how at peace and accomplished you'll feel.

Linked up to:
Phone Photo Fun Mondays
Meet Up Mondays
Miscellany Monday
Make My Morning Blog Hop

My Personal Nanny

MAN!!!...I really don't know what to do with my life right now...I'm at the park as I'm blogging with ALL THREE B-BOYS...and NOT watching them...(kind of).  The paranoid (Mary's Kids instinct = worried about every little thing) part of me is still looking up every five seconds to secretly keep eye on them.

I have my friend's 12 year old daughter with me for the day and its been HEAVEN...I now know how all the celebs with personal assistants, house keepers, and nannies feel like.  Its a little bit of peace throughout the hectic, chaotic day.


Who knows WHAT I could actually get done in a day with her by my side everyday this summer?!?!?


Well, instead of getting depressed about what my life without Yasmine will look like tomorrow...lemme hurry up and get off this thing to enjoy what I have today.

Trip to the Redondo Beach Farmers Market

Days like this remind me of WHY I CAN NOT go back to a 40hr a week gig...

I Think I Can Get Used To This...

- Weekday Dodger Games...

- Having Hubby around more...

- Sunbathing in the backyard, reading, blogging or booking parties as the kids play...

- Beach days to walk and watch the waves...

Nope...I CAN get used this...this lifestyle. It has me contemplating as to whether or not I should go back to the normal 9-5 j.o.b. (just over broke) or work for myself...
Being an entrepreneur was NEVER an option for me, but NOW its beginning to sound better and better the more I consider it.

We are called to live a life full of faith...but what does that look like for us as mothers and wives as it relates to us working...Of course, there's always the never-ending debate "To Work or Not To Work". The other side of the spectrum: working a job, is often seen as such a routine: doing the same thing that someone higher than you demands for you to do over and over, day in and day out as you wait for them to decide when is the right time to promote you for your job well done...I believe neither is better than the other, but that you must choose which option will be best for your family...a personal preference.

I've finally had my taste as a full-time working woman and I admit I didn't quite like it...well, it actually wasn't that bad...I liked feeling productive and needed on a grander scale.  Working as team and people relying on me to help achieve a common goal felt great and to top it all off...having grown folk conversations!...Now on the other hand, I had a HORRIBLE boss and I NEVER saw my family or had personal me time (although that's STILL hard to come by as a stay-at-home mom)...

[photo source]

So, I wanna know what you think?...Let's spark some discussion on that historic debate.  What's your preference if you had the chance to choose...would you be a Corporate Wonder Working Woman, a Mompreneur (work from home), or a Super Stay-at-Home Sassy Mama?

Mom & Pop Shops vs. Major Businesses

This is what happens when you support small business:

Thank you for your continued and future support in me and my Mary Kay Business!

It's Hard Out Here For A ...

...4th Grader.
Convo in car on the ride home from school:
Me: So J, how'd it go today at school?...(silence)...J? ?
Jaden: ...

And I'm Off. . . .

Was up all hours of last night and came across this blog where these awesome and inspiring women, who are uber eager to become even MORE awesome are participating in The 30 Day Challenge!!!!!  I was kinda disappointed because I stumbled upon this brilliant idea on Day 9...But knew inside that I HAD to start NOW...this was too good of an exercise to pass up or put on the back burner for another 20 days or so...

The Challenge is pretty much, helping women get in a routine of becoming the women God created us to be...we've been instilled with all these amazing characteristics, attributes, and talents yet don't have the time, the will, energy or drive to manifest them...we've grown tired and weary as we go through the motions of caring for kids and husbands or busting our butts to climb the corporate ladder to prove ourselves just as worthy as our male counterparts, being Supermom as the college degree hangs and collects dust on the bedroom wall or working double shifts (figuratively and literally speaking) to make ends meet...both types of women ending her day exhausted, catching her breath thinking, "When do I get to get myself together?"

Now, you may be thinking, "What's so BIG and BAD about this challenge?"...not much, to be honest.  It's very little basic things like drinking these morning and night "elixirs," going to bed at a decent hour and walking up earlier than you normally would, writing in your prayer and gratitude journal and praying, breathing and stretching exercises...calling a buddy who's doing it with you and encouraging and holding each other accountable...little things you do daily until its routine and habitual which will lead to MAJOR results in the long run...(low key its the Compound Effect.)

Soooo...Crystal OFFICIALLY gave me the okay to jump on in!!...YAY!!!!...I did the warm milk last night (although I didn't get to bed until like 1am...Booooo!) but I was so excited to jump start this challenge. AND...the warm milk bit was quite tasty...Just picked up my lemon juice to start the "morning elixir" tomorrow.  I'm at the point where I am ready for a new me...A me that I love being and that others love being around and would love to know. I'm ready to be self-disciplined and decisive in all my thoughts, actions, and decision making. I LOVE the affirmations...all that's missing is that "I am fearfully and wonderfully made!!"...(my 2012 motto).

So...who's down to start getting their lives together with me?

Feelin' Good...

 It's 1:18am and I'm still up...BOOOO! I should be knocked out but my mind keeps ticking about EVERYTHING...but long story short, about my 2012.  What I want it to look like, my goals I yearn to accomplish, my dreams I wish to shoot for, the new, improved, and better me I long to become. I know I need to get things together...my career, my aspirations, my family, my marriage...MY LIFE. And I KNOW it can't be done without God as my foundation for everything that I choose to do, first and foremost. I'm also coming to terms about my "weakest links" that keep slowing me down and keeping me great distance from being my best: procrastination, indecisiveness, fear, and ME (whomp whomp).

So...later today I'll be making my short term and long term goals for 2012 and posting them (accountability is needed and is a must for a sista).  Then I will be back with a plan of action to commit myself and to ensure I am on track to meeting my goals. 

Feeling Good is my 2012 song dedication to myself. I wasn't a fan of this song until Melanie tore down the house with it on X-Factor, especially since it had so much meaning behind it for her because of her upbringing and where she had physically and mentally came from...I connected to her and to the lyrics...

It's a new dawn

 a new day

a new life for me
And I'm feelin' good...

...about 2012.

Wonderfully Made

He tells me that I am "Fearfully and Wonderfully Made"...but how much of that do I truly believe?...I've been going through a lot of tomfoolery (you'll see that I use this word way too much) this past year and it's led to stress and worrying; not leaning and relying on God to see me through and it's been taking a physical, mental, and emotional toll on me...no bueno. 

But God is a GREAT God and he knows EXACTLY what he's doing in our lives...we just have to trust and believe that he knows what's best...

'Christine, even if that means going through it right now in my marriage?'

...Yes, even if it means troubling times in my marriage, Christine, God still knows this is what I need to go through right now...(whomp whomp =/ )

Through these ever-much-so trying times, I've been reading two particular blogs: The Daily Love (whoot whoot!!) and Proverbs 31 Ministries, along with a few new Twitter Accounts that I'm following now, and I've been noticing a re-occurring theme from the content of each of their postings: Self Love and Acceptance.

I began thinking, 'Do I really care for and love myself the way I thought I did?'

I've been so into my family and my husband and my mess, that I may be neglecting myself and not even knowing it...You know, we as women, invest and sacrifice all that we are and have for our families that we tend to forget ourselves...and any thought of taking care "me" would be just darn right selfish, right?!?...but I'm beginning to realize that I have to take care of me, and know and believe that its not being selfish...but its the self love and acceptance for myself that I've been lacking.

Now, through my trials, I'm learning not to be worrisome and stressed (have I mastered it, GREAT SCOTT, NO!...but I'm learning), and to rely on God, for he knows I need to learn something from these circumstances and he's building me up into the DORK (Daughter Of The Righteous King) he has created me to be (which is one of my requests I've been recently praying for anywhoo...). 

I'm also learning not focus on the problems before me and to focus on the results or the outcome...focus on the lesson to be learned...on the person that I will have grown into due to my endurance, patience, and faith during my tomfoolery...

...and that is what I am CHOOSING to do.

*Pink Hugs & Blessings*