Sweeping Through Life

As I grow another year older, I am thankful for seeing another year. This year I would like to continue to explore new experiences by myself and with my husband, continue with my healthy lifestyle changes so that I can see my next birthday, continue to make changes to become more financially secure,  to be the mom and wife that my family needs, explore some of those beauty videos on YouTube for some tips as I explore makeup a little more and as I go in to the this birthday I want to continue to work on the person that I am happy with. Soooo, happy birthday to ME, may it be a great one!

That lady's name is Kelly and today is her birthday. I have been blessed to know her since my freshman year in high school when she sat behind me and we made of names of each others last name ( that I will not go into).  We grew closer as she began to hang out with the band, which I actually played an instrument in and she was just there for the guys ( at least she been married to one of them for over 20 years). I must say our lives have taken many different path,but Kelly has always had a heart for me and I for her. We just have that connection when someone is down or share when we have some good news. I have watch all of her children grow up and she is one of the godmother of my Gabrielle. She was the matron of honor in wedding and she truly made my day special.  I love her so (even though I am not sure so knows it all the time) and a girl could not ask for a better best friend, even when I have not been the best to her. Happy birthday Kelly!!!! May we have many more yea...

Gabrielle turned 4 a few weeks ago. She chose to have a Minion party. I found lots of items at the Target dollar spot such as water bottles, minion lipgloss, pencils and hand sanitizer. I also found Minion slipper socks.  I found other items at   Oriental Trading Company.  All  the guest came in their Minion outfits and even some of the adults participated as well.  I tried my hand at cake making once again. I made some Minion food items, such as blueberries and pineapples, Minion bananas and lemonade that looked like a Minion.  We played pin the goggles on the Minion, which you can find here and Minion  bingo . The kids loved it.  It was a great simple party that Gabrielle enjoyed and is still talking about. When planning your Minion party check out Pintrest! I found lots of ideas there. 

" Am I 4 yet?" she continues to ask. I know you excited about your birthday but your breaking my heart by growing up. I want you to stay little.  Each birthday comes with the realization that my little one is not so little any more. I need to embrace each day and  continue to enjoy each day watching her grow, learn and find new ways to test the limits. No matter how big she get she will always be my baby even though she says she not. 

When I turned 40 two years ago, I really thought that I was going to die. I was not looking forward to it or even wanted to talk about it. Maybe that is why my husband gave me a surprise party to help me ease into it. The other day I had an Aha Moment, like Oprah says, the 40's have not been that bad so far. They have actually been pretty good. Here are my thought about my 40's so far; I am really feeling myself. I decided to transition to natural hair and am really loving it.  I really have come into my own. I have taken on a more healthier lifestyle so that I can live a long life. I must get more sleep to keep up with my 3 year old. My friendships that I have are the one that I will have for life.  My relationship with God is more important and I continue to nurture it and mature it daily.  I love to relax. Watching my  money is more important since I realize the older I get the closer I get to retirement.  Sometimes I need to wear a wedge instead ...

My little ones first birthday was a sock monkey theme. I wanted to do something special for the front door that was reasonable to make . I took a straw wreath which was $2.99 then I used my 40% off coupon at Joann Fabric. Then wrapped red and brown yarn around the wreath. I make the wreath monkeylishous by tying a sock monkey that I had purchased at Target at their after Christmas sale, when all items were 50% off. The longest part of creating the wreath was the wrapping process. Wholla, a cheap, quick and easy wreath.

Dear Baby J, Well, you just turned one on Sunday. Wow, how a year has flown by. I remember the day that we brought you home from the hospital and I thought, now what? I watched you learn how to sit up, roll over, crawl and now beginning to walk. I enjoyed exploring new foods with you as well as watching you learn how to feed yourself. Your smile always lights up your face and makes me feel better. Your laugh is contagious. I still enjoy dressing you up on Sundays, in your pretty dresses. I look forward to our time together every night right before you go to sleep. To be honest, it made me a little sad when you became one. It made me feel like my little baby is growing up, which you are. We have many more years to explore the world together and I look forward to seeing the world in your through your eyes. If the way that you explore the house is any indication, it is going to be fun. Baby J, I love you so much that I do not think that I can truly express how I feel. I will tell I ...

party I have been thinking about Miss G. first birthday party. Yes , it is in February and it only September. I have a few ideas swirling, but nothing is finalized yet. Heck I have several months to plan, so gathering ideas this far in advanced gives me a little lead way. I have seen some cute kids parties from some fellow bloggers, such as Hello Patti ,  From Marriage and Motherhood and Heather Drive .  I am looking forward to planning my little ones first b-day. I am probably more excited than her. Have you had a great kids party? If so share.

Happy Birthday to me. Happy Birthday to me. Happy Birthday dear meee....eeeee. Happy Birthday to me!! With many more!!!!

Nana Happy birthday to my mom and Ms. G. nana. Hope you are blessed beyond measure today and every day.

"Grow old along with me the best is yet to come." -Robert Browning (quote) I wish Mr. J a happy birthday with many more to come.

Today is my cousin Nikki's b-day. Here I am with her new son Jisaiah in his adorable little suit at church last week. I am really attached to his cuteness, his little feet and his cute little smile.  Hope you have a great b-day Nikki.

This weekend I had my annual sorority regional conference.It started Thursday evening and last until Sunday. I spent the weekend going to meeting that updated me on the sorority's business, enjoyed learning new strolls, supporting our undergrads and had time to bond with my sorority sisters. I look forward to this weekend every year, especially seeing sorority sisters that I do not see all year and picking up some new sorority gear. Click here to see more. On Sunday it was my birthday and on the way home from the conference we went to Ikea and a local outlet mall and I picked up a few new items at Coach and Perfumania. We stopped at my mom's house to have some cake. It was nice having everyone sing happy birthday to me. Once I got home, the hubby took me out to dinner for my birthday. After dinner we came home and watched CSI Miami. What a relaxing day. I had a great weekend and I hope that you did too.

Count your life by smiles, not tears. Count your age by friends, not years. --Uknown I will keep this is quote in mind as I celebrate getting a year older. I am truly blessed to have to another year to celebrate. quote found

image found Wishing the BEST mom in the whole world a GREAT birthday, with many more to come. I love you sooo much. Enjoy your day and remember tomorrow we eat CAKE!  PS: My mom collects hippos so I thought the picture was fitting.

  I would like to wish my husband a very happy birthday with many more to come.

I think quote was appropriate since my birthday was yesterday!! Yeah......me. image found and quote found here

Happy Birthday MOM!!!! I hope that you have a great day with many more to come, because you are the best mom in the whole wide world (because I said so). One more month until we have officially made it a year. It is hard to believe that it has gone by so fast. This time last year I was getting ready for my final dress fitting, my bridal shower and getting all of the last minute tasks in order. It was a beautiful wedding and it has been a beautiful year with many more to come.

Today is Oprah's birthday. What do you give the woman that seems to have everything? Shoes, jewerly, money? I know another dog. I wish you a happy birthday Oprah, with many more to come. It is to bad that next year will be last birthday that you spend with us since your show will be ending a few months after your birthday . We will celebrate with you while we can. I hope you have a great weekend!!

With all the holiday stuff going on, I was not able to finish the recap of my husbands birthday. I have already talked about the suprise party, but not the rest of the weekend. Well, thanks to a good friend I was able to rent a hotel room for the entire weekend for a great rate. It was nice to have a little get-a-way. While we were on our get-a-way, I had a few activities planned. On Saturday, we had a couple massage done a local spa. It was nice that we were in the same room, it made it more relaxing. He had a couple of other services done such as a manicure and pedicure. I treated myself as well and got a pedicure. I think that he was nervous at first about the manicure and pedicure since he had never had a professional do it before, but he really liked the end result. I think that some of the nervousness went away once he realized I was going to be in the room. After the massage we went back to the hotel, had dinner and just relaxed. My husband loves jazz, so on Sunday  I to...