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Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Happy Thanksgiving...

Thanksgiving is HERE!

Sweet potato pie, apple cider, ham, potato salad, green bean casserole (I don’t like it but I guess it’s part of the tradition) and FAMILY! I can not wait to hang out with my immediate and extended family tomorrow. I have very fond memories of Thanksgiving and hope that we will contribute to my children’s memories this year.

When I was growing up one family member hosts the Thanksgiving fest for the crew. One particular Thanksgiving the family all gathered at my aunt’s house. This was her first year hosting and she was very excited. The table was beautiful and the turkey looked divine roasting in the oven. When the turkey was done and rested we were all ready to get our grub on! My mom is the matriarch of the family so it was her duty to carve the turkey. She examined the bird and congratulated my aunt for a job well done; the turkey was perfectly brown and looked juicy and succulent. My mom asked my aunt what she used as stuffing… she said “it was already stuffed; I didn’t have to make stuffing!”

Well experienced cooks my aunt never took out the turkey neck giblets and all the other leftovers that get stuffed into the cavity of the bird. Needless to say we didn’t consume that perfectly golden turkey!

What are your Holiday Magical Moments?

Until next time…
MUAH!

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Twin Tuesday: Myles J. Brown






Hey Y'all:

Welcome to another addition of Twin Tuesday.

Today I'd like to chat about my bonus baby! Myles Jermaine Brown (aka Pop, Poopie Popie or Mylisie). Myles is twin B and therefore the last child within the Brown Crew or as I like to say, our bonus baby. Myles is very active and looks exactly like his big brother when he was is age.

Myles is the clown of the family and our little Picasso! He is not allowed to have crayons, pens, pencils or anything thing else he can use to write on the wall! He has marked up just about all the walls in the living room and has moved on to his room. When we catch him with a writing implement he looks at us, then the wall, then takes off running. We chase him around the living room into Erick's room to confiscate said item.






Recently my baby boy has learned to make a sad face! If you tell him not to do something (like write on the wall) he'll hold his little head down and say "oh no" or "awwww man" ala Swiper from Dora the Explorer. My Mylisie is a sweet baby boy who truly completes our family. And he's cute as all get out!


When I look at Erick and Myles together I really think it's true what they say about mother's and their sons... there is just something about that relationship! I love Leah to pieces, she's a mini me! But those boys... I don't know what it is.



Well until next time...
MUAH!

Monday, November 23, 2009

My Mommy....


Hey Y'all:


I'm so excited!


My mother is coming into town for Thanksgiving! My mom is my best friend (next to my husband of course) we speak on the phone EVERY day and have so much in common. When she decided to move to NC two years ago I was heart broken. She's getting up in age and wanted a slower pace then NY. I totally understood but it's heard not being able to see her when ever I want.


She'll be here tomorrow! I can't wait to hug her and sit and talk, watch my kids love on her and get my cooking course as she stuffs the turkey. My mother is patient, kind and loving. She is the mother of eight and mastered loving each of her children individually. When I grow up I want to be just like her!


I want to teach my children to be outstanding citizens, and the importance of being honest and loyal. I want to honor God with my life and proclaim His goodness to all that will hear. I want to be like Marian Bennett...


I'm counting down until tomorrow evening! My Mommy will be in town!
Until next time...
MUAH!

Friday, November 20, 2009

If it's Free... It's For ME Friday's


Hey Y'all:


It's FRIDAY!!!! T.G.I.F. is has certainly been one of those weeks.

Monday: Erick got glasses - I got no sleep

Tuesday: Leah messed up my dinner - I got no sleep

Wednesday: The hubby had a gig - I got no sleep

Thursday: Went to a great event to support a co-worker and won a Wii - still got no sleep

And today... is "If it's Free... Friday!"


Since Thanksgiving is coming and we are all going to be sick of cooking here are some kids eat free links that might help.


This site is AWESOME... http://mykidseatfree.com/ it lists by state then city all the places that offer a kids eat free program.


Boston Market Kids Eat Free Sat & Sun...



Denny's Kids Eat Free on Tuesday Night...



Until next time...

MUAH!

For the "If's" in life.

Hey Y'all:

Last night I had the privilege to attend a New York Urban League Young Professionals (http://nyul.org/nyulyp) financial literacy series event. The topic was "Cover Your Assets: Protecting your house, health and future." There was a panel of three finance professionals that participated in the "living room" discussion that really got me thinking about insurance!

Here are a few things I learned last night and thought you should know.
  • There are so many types of insurance besides life, home and health. Do your research about: Long Term Care Insurance (is designed to provide coverage for necessary medical or personal care services provided outside of a hospital setting, such as in a nursing home or in the insured’s home.), Disability Insurance ( is a type of heath insurance that pays a monthly income to the policyholder when he or she is unable to work because of an illness or accident.) and Variable Universal Life Insurance (is a type of life insurance that builds a cash value. In a VUL, the cash value can be invested in a wide variety of separate accounts, similar to mutual funds, and the choice of which of the available separate accounts to use is entirely up to the contract owner)
  • Before buying a policy make sure you are working with a reputable agency that has a long history. Also, shop around. Meet with different insurance agencies before you buy a policy.
  • If you have a policy make sure it's valid for the state you currently reside in. The rules for NY are different then the rules in NJ and the rules on the West Coast are different then the rules on the East Coast.
  • It's great to utilize the insurance that your employer provides but you should also have your own disability insurance, because you can't always take your employers insurance with you if you quit or get fired.
  • Insurance is all about protecting what you own or have and the people you love. Even though you don't own your house you should invest in renters insurance... "for the Ifs in life"
  • It's a hard discussion but a very necessary one. It's very important to know where your loved ones keep their life insurance policies. If they are in a safe deposit box they need to make sure they give someone the key or power of attorney to get into the box. It makes no since to have a policy that no one can get access to!
  • The younger you are and the longer the policy the cheaper it can be.
  • After age 65 most insurance companies will not give you a policy! That sucks right?
  • Life insurance is money that shows up when stuff happens. Stuff doesn't always mean death. It can mean, fire, accidents, illness and injuries.

This seminar was truly eye opening for me. Since the death of Michael Jackson I've really been thinking a lot about how I want my children to be taken care of if something should happen to my husband or I. Not only is life insurance important but you should also have a will, a health care proxy and a power of attorney. Those of us who aren't affluent or don't come from a family with lots of money never think about the need for an insurance policy outside of burial costs, but your income is what keeps your family afloat. Think about what would happen if you weren't here. We shouldn't just think about not leaving bills behind but also not leaving our family broke. I want my three children to be well taken care of if something should happen to me! So tomorrow I have an appointment to set up my policies with them in mind.

Have you taken any steps toward securing your future? It's hard to think about insurance when we are in a financial decline as a country but it's a necessary discussion.

BTW I won a Wii at the event! Put my name in for a drawing and won! Go me!!! and Merry Christmas to Erick LOL..

Well until next time...

MUAH!

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Adoption Wednesday: Foster Care

Hey Y'all:

Welcome to another Adoption Wednesday post. Today I'd like to talk about a path to adoption that can help a child in need.

Here are some steps to take to become a Foster Parent in NYS... I'm sure the steps are similar in most states sometimes even a bit simpler.

The prospective foster home must be evaluated and determined to meet basic physical, health, and safety requirements. Homefinders visit prospective foster parents at home and collect detailed information about the applicants as well as other household members and potential caregivers for the child. In general, prospective foster parents are asked about:

  • Experience with raising children.
  • Experience with issues of child abuse or neglect.
  • Approach to discipline.
  • Awareness of the importance of measures that provide a safe environment for children.
  • Awareness of the potential impact of foster parenting on family members and the family’s current life style.
  • Ability and interest in being a partner in carrying out the permanency plan.
The next Adoption Wednesday will follow up on this topic.

Until next time...
MUAH!

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Twin Tuesday: Leah Simone


Hey Y'all:


Miss Leah Simone (a.k.a. Missy, Mama, Missy Moo or MoonPie) is the oldest of the twins. Our first meeting was beautiful! One of my eyes were closed and so was one of hers. She was the most precious sight I'd every seen. During the pregnancy she was hidden beneath her brother os we didn't get any 3D pictures of her cute little face, like we did for Myles. She was hidding because she wanted me to be amazed at the georgous little girl I would give birth too.


Missy (that's what I call her ) is very sassy but also quite nurturing to her brothers and Daddie. I love to watch it when she rubs their heads or pats Myles and Erick on their back to help them go to sleep.

Yesterday Missy was being her usual sassy self, jumping off and on a chair, running up and down the hall and talking up a storm. I think she might have been effected by all the Kix cereal she consumed! Here is the first Leah Simone story to grace this blog... trust it will be one of MANY.


As I said yesterday she was being super sassy. Myles was asleep and she was having her fill of Kix and playing on her chair. I had to take the Kix away from her so she could eat a proper meal. After they ate it was time for mommy to get her grub on. If you are a mother you know that we NEVER eat alone! I thought for some strange reason they would let me be since they had just finished their meal. Of course that was NOT the case. I made my plate of leftover lasagna, garlic bread and glass of ginger ale. I set myself up at a tv tray and got ready to dig in. Well Missy didn't like how this was going down, so she finds a chair and scoots her little self over to my tv tray climbs up on the chair and tries to help me eat... well the table wasn't very steardy so the soda feel into my plate of food! I was HOT....


I got up

Walked toward the back of the house and breathed.

Erick came in front of me.... "mommy want's the matter" he asked. "I'm trying to calm down" I say. My oldest child puts his hand on my belly and says "breath in, and breath out. That's how you calm down mommy" I did as I was told and actually got myself under control and said "thank you Erick you are such a big help"


I cleaned up the mess and ate my hubby's portion of the left overs!


After I finished eating I attacked Leah's hair! She HATES getting her hair done! This time she didn't even cry!


Until next time...
MUAH!

Glasses...`


Hey Y'all:


Yesterday Erick received his first pair of glasses!


-His beautiful amber colored eyes are now magnified!-


About a month ago he had a eye exam at school and failed! We had to find an optomologist of our own to get him officially tested and it was confirmed. He is 20/40 in one eye and 20/30 in the other.


Isn't he the cutest little thing? Missing front teeth and glasses! I can only imagine that he will look like this again when he's 90!


Until next time...

MUAH!

Monday, November 16, 2009

What will you give?


Hey Y'all:
Thanksgiving is right around the corner (post about that to come) and I wanted to share something that is really near and dear to my heart. Volunteerism and community outreach! As a member of my former church my mom was
the head of the Outreach program, she was instrumental in the bi weekly soup kitchen (but they didn't get soup, man those folks were eating fried chicken, mashed potato and corn), the food pantry and clothing drive. One Thanksgiving we all went down to the church cooked and served, it was really a great feeling to give back to the community in that way.

Recently I had the opportunity to get involved again. I participated in a volunteering program through BP Rising to repaint a tennis court in Harlem! I had a blast…. It started out kinda shaky because we didn’t have the correct supplies to get the job done, but it ended great because all the people that volunteered were so excited about giving back to the community! We pitched in and bought the correct supplies and did a wonderful job at restoring a tennis court at the Fred Johnson Park, aka "The Jungle”.


I mention all of this because I think it’s really important that as parents we encourage our children to participate in volunteering projects. It can be something as simple as instituting a food drive where they collect canned food to give to a food pantry or sort through their old (gently used of course) clothes/toys to give away to children less fortunate. My little ones aren’t quite old enough to get the concept but I’ve made a vow to myself that when my oldest is 5 we are going to spend some time at a local soup kitchen so he understands that there are people in the world that are really less fortunate then him. This will teach him that it’s his responsibility as a citizen of the world to give back.



Of course it is during this time of year that we thinking of giving back but there is a need for volunteers all year long, in so many capacities. 2010 is going to be a huge focus for Volunteerism and now is a perfect time to figure out what you will give. I've compiled a list of volunteering opportunities that I think are really interesting and figured I'd share them with you! Disney Starting Jan. 1, 2010, when you sign up to volunteer a day of service with a participating organization Disney will give you one day admission to a Walt Disney World® or Disneyland® theme park, FREE! Check it out here and pass the word on to your friends here

VolunteerMatch strengthens communities by making it easier for good people and good causes to connect. The organization offers a variety of online services to support a community of nonprofit, volunteer and business leaders committed to civic engagement. Our popular service welcomes millions of visitors a year and has become the preferred internet recruiting tool for more than 73,000 nonprofit organizations. www.volunteermatch.org

BlackPlanet Rising will inspire you with ways you can make a positive difference in your community, whether it's through donating your time, money, or expertise to a worthy cause. BlackPlanet Rising exists to provide you with the tools and resources you need to get involved in causes you care about and spread the word www.blackplanetrising.com


Until next time...
MUAH!

Friday, November 13, 2009

Honey I locked the kids....


Hey Y'all:


Yesterday was quite an eventful one for the family.


My Husband locked his keys in the car, no problem we have AAA.

The twins were in the car.

Problem!


Here is the story as it was told to me, wayyyy after the fact.


My beloved and the twins were at the laundromat, the twins are super active at 19 months old so hubby decided to keep them in their car seats. At this point they were eating Burger King and watching a Nick Jr. DVD. The clothes were done washing so Daddie (that's what the twins call him) decided to run in and put the clothes in the dryer. He loaded the twins up with french fries, picked up the fabric softener sheets, put them in his pocket and put the clothes in the dryer. By the time he was done he realized it was time to pick Erick up from school. He runs back out to the car, reaches in his pocket for the keys to disarm the alarm and....


They weren't there

The keys weren't in his pocket

The keys were in Erick's carseat besides Leah who was strapped in her carseat eating french fries.

He paused

Didn't panic this time like he did when he locked the keys in the car on our 13th anniversary while we were away in CT earlier this year. This time he didn't call 911 he called AAA. They told him to hang up and dail 911 since the kids were in the car!


The dispatcher sent auxilary police and two female police officers. They checked to make sure the twins weren't in danger but had to wait for the crew to come and unlock the car doors. Once they determined the twins were physically fine (all the french fries were now gone, so they were crying their little heads off) and the hubby wasn't in trouble.


He then tells them he has another problem... he needs to pick Erick up from school! The auxilary police take him to the school, while the two police officers wait with the twins. Hubby picks Erick up in the auxilary police car, when they get back the crew who unlocks the door is there. Hubby takes Leah out of the car and one of the officers take Myles out of the car...

Erick taps his father and say "oooooh Daddy, Myles and Leah are going to jail" hubby says "no they aren't" and chuckles.


The twins are fit to be tired.... The police officers tell hubby that he's ok and to just be careful. The clothes are dry and the twins are now running around the laundrymat!


Fun times for the Browns! What a Journey! This bought to mind the one and only episode of Modern Family i've seen http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wezT5rTaCmQ


I'm thinking we need OnStar! Do they make that for Camary's.


Would love to hear a story from you.


Until next time...

MUAH!

If it's Free... It's For ME Friday's


Hey Y'all:


Found some good links of free items or discount coupons around that net and figured I'd let my folks in on it! Check out this site for Friday deals as well on //www.contestformoms.com/contestandsweepstakes/category/free-stuff/


Kirkland Diaper Sample
Garnier Nutritioniste anti-sun damage spf15 eye cream sample
Pampers Extra Protection Sample
Allure November Freebies - must sign up each day right before noon. First 500 people each day get free stuff.
Get a free rental at Blockbuster Express (similar to redbox) through November 30th. Use code 9PM to get a free night. Via at Freebies4Moms
Free Pet Safety Window Decal
Free Classic Montage from Sears Portrait Studio


Get a free Huggies Little Movers diaper sample by mail in your choice of Size 3, 4, or 5 from Walmart. This is a brand new sample offer, a different one than


Until next time...
MUAH!

Thursday, November 12, 2009



Hey Y'all:

If you happen to be in the NYC area next Wednesday come check my hubby out (the second on the left showing his wedding band) it should be a pretty cool free event.

Rustix 471 DeKalb Ave (between Franklin & Kent Aves) Brooklyn, NY
7:00 P.M. - 11:00 P.M.
For information and reservations: 347-406-9700 or 212-252-3907

In the Movies: "Precious Based on the Novel by Sapphire"


Hey Y’all:

I went to the movies last night! I know I know…. how did I pull that off? My beautiful husband give me the night off (well not really when I got home Erick still hadn’t done his homework; please don’t ask me what time this was). Any who I went to see the movie Precious Based on the Novel by Saphire, It was truly moving and I planned to do a post on it anyway but was promted to go ahead and write it after I ran across this forum post question in BlackPlanet…


Precious and Black Motherhood

I am wondering if anyone here will see this film Precious or not? If you plan to see the film, do you worry about how the themes of race and motherhood are depicted?
Do you believe that films help to shape racial perceptions and attitudes, if so, how? If not, why not?
If Michelle Obama, an ivy educated loving wife and mother, is the most visible black woman in the world, what do you think this film suggests about black women and motherhood, if anything at all?
Is the movie industry responsible for shaping policy?
What expectations do you have for this film?


After reading this I just knew I had to respond especially when I saw this persons comment:

I won't lie, sappy after school movies like Precious isn't a must see for me -- although the movie American Violet pulled on some heart strings I didn't anticipate....But just like you I am concern how any media portrays black outside of the positive....Now, granted, there's various perspective of blacks from the exceptionally talented millionaires to the downtrodden existence of our poor....Yet I'm also concern one aspect of our community gets showcase more so than another....Or, even worst, movies that dramatize an issue effecting black of which only a white person can solve


Here's my response:

I went to see this movie last night, it was incredible and deserves every award and accolade it receives. Mo'Nique played an excellent part and should most certainly be awarded something; if not an Oscar she deserves something! Precious was NOT a 'sappy after school' movie and it wasn't just about black motherhood. It was about the lack of love and belonging, it was about abuse and illiteracy it was about self esteem and the lack there of. It could have been about me!


I ran across this book one day while browsing for a good read at the library. After reading the back cover I was shocked to discover this book was supposed to be a young adult title. Once I began reading it I was so jarred by all the topics that were discussed and angered by the abuse that all of the girls endured. It pulled at every single heart string I have as a Mother and woman. The story of Precious is the story of so many little girls regardless of their ethnic background! It reminds me very much of the book Bastard Out of Carolina which depicted a very similar circumstance involving a little white girl. Her sigma wasn’t that she was obese or ugly but that she was "ILLEGITIMATE", born to a 15 year old mother living with extended family in a poor part of town. This little girl was sexually abused by her step father repeatedly. Her mother didn’t leave him… even after catching him raping her daughter. Precious is also reminiscent of The Color Purple, especially the illustration of incest, abandonment, poverty, addiction and illiteracy. These all the things that we as African Americans or Blacks (which ever you prefer) want to keep in the laundry bag for fear of being exposed.


Why is it that when a topic we all know is going on in our community comes up we clam up? Why can’t we raise our hands and say yes I suffered incest, or my mother can’t read and even I was addicted etc. Instead of applauding those who publicize these topics we brow beat them. We say they are doing it just for the money, and they are airing our ‘dirty laundry’. I applaud Lee Daniels and his team for getting this story on the big screen.


Did I go in y’all? Have you seen the movie yet?


Well until next time…

MUAH!

Ode to my bed...


Hey Y'all:

At one time you were all mine. The hubby and I could lay across you with plenty room to spare.
Now my dear bed you are over crowded.
There isn't room to move around from side to side
No room to stretch my arms wide
No room my dear bed for the rightful owners to occupy!

Listen folks I don't know if anyone else has experienced this but I'm not a fan of co-sleeping or the family bed! For the past four years my husband and I haven't had a full nights sleep in or own bed (except for the RARE occasions the kids are gone all at one time, which is almost NEVER) We have been officially kicked out of or own bed.


Most children only sleep in their parents bed if the parent is actually present, not the three Brown children. They could care less if we are in the bed or not. Erick, Leah and Myles believe the queen sized bed in our room belongs to them. We moved out of a two bedroom dwelling into a three bedroom to give everyone enough space but it feels like we live in a studio apt between the hours of 9p.m. and 6a.m.! The twins absolutely REFUSE to sleep in their cribs. I've tried everything, we went through the "let them cry stage" tried to get them to sleep together, I even went to the extreme measures of leaving a tee shirt I'd previously worn, in the crib to see if it was my scent they needed. NOTHING has worked!

On a good night (which again is rare) we all start off in our respective spaces. The twins fall asleep in my arms and I carry them to their crib. Erick is tucked into his comfy Thomas themed bed and mommy and daddy both head off to the confines of the 'master suite'. Then around 3 a.m. all hell breaks loose. Erick makes his way into our bed, we send him back to his, he comes back, we take him back, he returns... after the fourth back and forth I'm to tired to fight so he remains in the bed with us. Then around 3:30 a.m. Leah starts crying we go check on her, give her back the pacificer, she's not consolded so we end up picking her up and bringing her to the bed. It's 4:00 a.m. and Myles is now awake and wants out of his baby jail as well. By this time all five of us are in the bed.


My back is killing me because Erick feels the need to put his foot in it. Leah is laying on her dads chest and Myles is somewhere in the middle (I have to put him in the middle to make sure he doesn't fall out of the bed!) I decide I can't take it anymore so I head to Erick's bed. One of the twins might cry again for something to drink so the hubby gets a drink for them and decides he can't take the crowd either so he pulls out the couch beds and calls it a 'night'. By the time we all wake up in the morning, no one is where they started off.


What do I do?


Until next time...

MUAH!

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Parent Teacher Confrence 2009


Hey Y'all:

Yesterday was Erick's first kindergarten Parent Teacher conference. Getting there was a struggle as I had to leave work to run home to then run around the corner with all three children and the hubby in tow!

So we get to the school and Erick is elated to show us his classroom K002! We reach the outside of the classroom and a very cute little girl was super excited to see him! He was a perfect gentlemen and introduced her to his family. "Jasmine meet my Mommy, Mommy this is Jasmine." too cute and of course he did this to all of us... Leah and Myles included. His art work and class work were displayed which made me very happy. Hubby had to leave us there so he could go to work and he left me with these parting words "Babe please be nice to her." He had to tell me this because I'm honestly not a fan of hers.

Not that she has done anything to Erick but she's just not that good of a teacher from what I can see. In our minds she has a very high bench mark to meet. Erick's PreK teacher was PERFECT! Mrs Robin and her Para Teacher Mrs Regina were Godsends last year. They were consistent and SEASONED.... Little Ms H (don't want to use her full name) IS NOT. She is inconsistent with just about everything she sends out to us. I don't feel a connection with the person my child spends most of his time with and I don't like it.

So anyway when it's my turn she gets straight to the point about his test scores. When she gave me the numbers I was a little upset because I know Erick knows the stuff he was tested on. I know this because he practices everything he learns on us! So when she said he scored low on his fundations (for those who don't know Wilson Fundations for K-3 is a phonological/phonemic awareness, phonics and spelling program for the general education classroom. Fundations is based upon the Wilson Reading System® principles and serves as a prevention program to help reduce reading and spelling failure.) I was a little upset. So being the mother that I am... I called my beautiful and bright child over and had him recite all the letters and their corresponding words and sounds. She was dumb founded

Well I said "so what do you think the problem is" She didn't have an answer so I said, "I think he doesn't test well, as you can see he knows all his letters and all the fundations" dummy. I didn't say dummy but I wanted to ... any who I go on to ask her additional questions about how I can get him to test better so forth and so on. Then then asks me if I want to see his folder of work (which by the way only had like three items in it, aren't we in November shouldn't they have more then three items in their folders?) I'm wondering if any parent would say "nope don't wanna see the folder thanks" ugh... Then she said something else dumb and I said "hey Erick come recite your address and phone number for Ms. H." When he did with perfect precision she was yet again dumb founded. I think this whole ordeal upset me because I was in the classroom when she told a parent before me that her child was one of the brightest in the class and she didn't say that to me. All said I think I was nice to her...

So as we left I didn't bother to pick up all the toys that Leah and Myles scattered around the room (bad right?) or even say thank you for your time...

Getting home was crazy, having to go down steps with 19 month old 20something pound twins is no joke. They then wanted to run around the corner... I lost Myles pacifier and didn't pay attention to Leah when her sneaker fell off her foot. Didn't eat dinner until after 10 but was in bed by 11:15. what an evening!

Well... until next time
MUAH!

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Adoption Wednesday: Adopt Us Kids

Hey Y'all:

Welcome to another adoption Wednesday.

I recently read an article in the NY Times that spoke about children aging out of the foster care system. It made me really sad to know that Devin a 13 year old has been in foster care his ENTIRE life. This means he has been passed around from foster home to foster home without finally being released for adoption. It saddens me because this young person will never feel a mother's love. It saddens me because a child like him would have loved to be adopted by an Angelina Jolie or Madonna, but instead he went from foster home to foster home without help in sight, while Mrs Jolie and Mrs Madonna went outside of the country to find a baby.

Don't get me wrong I know that it's easier to go outside of the country to adopt but still...

Foster care agencies are keeping children in care for more then four years. After the rights of their parents have been terminated, after it's been confirmed that they CAN be adopted by a loving family. In NYC alone, according to The Children's Rights report; 2,600 of the city's 15,800 foster children no longer had a goal of returning to their homes or getting adopted. These children will most likely stay in foster care until they are 21! 21 year old people who have never felt the love of a mother!

Please check out this link and if you are interested in adoption or foster care to adoption. PLEASE click it and find out more information for your state, there is a child out there who needs your love. Adopt Us Kids

Monday, November 9, 2009

Twin Tuesday: The Beginning



Hey Y'all:

October 1, 2007 was the day that changed my life. It was the day when my hubby, son and I would get to see our new baby on the sonogram! We were really anxious about this doctors appointment because this pregnancy was nothing like the first. Yeah, with Erick I had morning (or all day) sickness and weird aversions to the smell of regular items like plastic (I have a funny WalMart story I'll share on day) but I was only 8 weeks along in this pregnancy and I was ALWAYS sick. I couldn't take the smell of perfume or cologne, would gag at the thought of fried food and God forbid I walk by McDonald's; I would throw up on sight.

Of course in my mind I was rejoicing (after I flushed the toilet and brushed my teeth, that is) because I knew all of these different physical reactions could mean only one thing, we were having a girl!!!!

When we walked into the office we were the only people there and figured this would be a super quick uneventful visit. The Hubby used his better judgment and stayed in the waiting room with then 3 yr old Erick, while I went into the office for the exam. All was going well, the tech and I were making small talk about her children when all of a sudden she stops talking, gets real serious and says; "Mrs. Brown I think we should call your husband in." At this point I wasn't even looking at the sonogram machine. I was looking at the ceiling trying to figure out what I could eat for breakfast that would stay down! I turn my head toward the tech and say
"is everything OK?" I then look at the screen and see two little masses; one was bouncing around the other was floating back and forth. I look at the tech and say, "please don't tell me those are twins" she said; "OK" then leaves the room to get my boys. When they come back in the room she looks at my husband and I and says, "congratulations you are having twins." The first words my beautiful husband says is "that's cool" he then goes on to say to me, "babe that explains why you have been so sick." I put my head in my hands and said "cool? Is that all you can say is cool?" Then I went on to mumble "twins, what are we going to do with twins?"

Needless to say the rest of the day was a blur!

Can you guess which of these characters was the bouncer?














Any other twin Mommy's out there?

Until next time...
MUAH!

National Diabetes: Month My Favorite Aunt


Hey Y'all:


I was watching the news this morning and discovered that November is National Diabetes Awareness Month! Basketball great Earl "The Pearl" Monroe was on the show talking about his battle with Type 2 Diabetes and what he does to combat the disease. This topic got me to thinking about my favorite aunt.


Auntie Ruby was the first person in my life that I ever knew with Diabetes (not sure what type she had.) I remember her eating butter toast and a cup of coffee for breakfast and then pinching her tummy fat to give herself her insulin shot, every morning.


Auntie Ruby was my favorite aunt. She was funny, fair and fearless and she suffered with diabetes. I never quite understood why she would add sweet and low to her Sanka and give herself an insulin shot in the morning but in the evening drink Bacardi Rum and Coke.


Auntie Ruby was my favorite aunt, and although she didn't die due to the effects of diabetes (but from breast cancer) she didn't take seriously, the effects that her lifestyle had on her illness. She did enough not to go into diabetic shock and knew what to do to keep her 'sugar' under control but she didn't make the necessary lifestyle changes regarding diabetes. If I knew the following tips from MayoClinic.com , when I was a little girl I would have shared them with her.


So today in honor of Auntie Ruby and National Diabetes Month 2009 I'd like to share these tips on diabetes prevention.


1. Exercise... You gotta get moving to be healthy... get off the couch with those chips and get to playing that Wii Fit!
2. Eat plenty of fiber... You know fruits, veggies, beans, whole grains, nuts and seeds
3. Go for whole grains... skip the processed foods and go for items that have all the vitamins you need
4. Lose extra weight... go back to tip 1
5. Skip the fad diets and just make healthier choices

I'll be following these tips as well.

Until next time...
MUAH!

Top 10 Reason Why...


Hey Y'all:

I know it's not Thursday but during my commute into the city this morning I was inspired.

Here are the Top 10 Reasons Why you should NOT eat in public -
Especially on public transportation!!!

10. It's nasty

9. There are signs posted that say you shouldn't

8. It's messy

7. I don't want to hear you smacking your lips or sucking the juice from your orange

6. You didn't bring enough on the train for everyone to eat. Isn't there a rule out there about sharing?

5. I don't want to hear you trying to get the pulp out of your teeth after eating said orange.

4. I am allergic to nuts. If you come on the confided bus (that has zero ventilation because the darn windows don't open) cracking your red pistachio nuts and then have a conversation (over my head) with the driver I am going to have an allergic reaction and pass out!

3. It's rude

2. Just because you enjoy Chinese chicken and broccoli doesn't mean the entire train does. Don't you know broccoli stinks? When you leave the train folks who come on after you think that those of us who remained had a bowel movement right there on the A train.

#1 reason why you shouldn't eat in public is because your mother taught you better. Come on now, what would Big Mama say if she knew you were eating her prized potato salad on the B25 bus? She would not be happy with you! I mean yeah there are exceptions for Amtrak (dining car) and Trailways/Greyhound (the bus has rest stops where you can eat that cold fried chicken and corn bread.

Don't you hate when folks do things they know should be reserved for in doors???? What say you?

Until next time...
MUAH!

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Top 5 Reasons Why...


Hey Y'all:


Top 5 Reasons Why...


Mommy should check her purse, briefcase and pockets before she heads out the door.



  1. You might find the pacifier you were looking for all night long.

  2. Kids love to leave you presents, however mistaking your huge purse for the garbage is no fun - it won't look good pulling out a dirty diaper instead of your makeup case!

  3. When reaching in your pocket to pull out some change to pay for your newspaper; it's not a good look to hand the man two quarters and a handful of Cheerios.

  4. Thomas and Friends (you know the tank engine) should not cause you to be searched because the medal detector went off when you were reporting to jury duty.

  5. When asked for a piece of tissue or napkin by a co-worker it's never cool to pull out the snotty tissue you used to wipe Erick's nose; tear off the corner where you think the snot is, and then pass it on... saying "this side is clean go ahead use it"

Today I found one of the twins pacifiers in my pocket and a bottle of children's cough medicine that I purchased last night and apparently forgot to take out of my bag.


Hey Mommy, what's in your purse????


Until next time...


MUAH!

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Adoption Wednesday - The Bennett Family



Hey Y'all:




Welcome to another Adoption Wednesday post. In this post you'll find out why this topic is so important to me and the reason why I've dedicated a weekly blog post to it.




My mom is the adoptive parent of eight children, five of which are biological siblings. My family consists of nieces, nephews and cousins all who have been legally adopted into our family.




This trend began a long time ago in the Black community and continues on. It happened during slavery time when parents were sold off to other plantations and left their children behind, when parents went off to find better employment opportunities in bigger cites and left there children behind and in very rare cases (like my children's great grandmother) children were given away to family members who didn't have there own offspring.




In our case it began when my mother raised her five younger siblings. My grandparents were getting up in age and my mom decided to take on the responsibility of caring for her younger siblings, offering them the education and lifestyle they may not have had if they remained with their parents. Although she was working full time she needed financial assistance so she placed her siblings in kinship care.


After my aunts and uncles grew up and moved out, both Mommy and I knew that we had enough love in our hearts to give to children who truly needed it so she continued in foster care, her first foster child was Ebony.

Ebony was a sweet little girl who I fell in love with immediately, I was overjoyed to have a baby sister. Because it was foster care we knew the odds of keeping Ebony were slim. Her family got themselves together and took her home. It was really emotional for both my mother and I but we didn't give up on foster care.

In November of 1980 my mom and I welcomed Lawrance into our home, then came Royal, Vanessa, Katrina, Randy, Nicole, Tawana and the final addition to the Bennett crew was Edquan added in December of 1991! We have had many challenges, countless ups and downs, bumps and bruises but we've also experienced so much laughter and combined memories that I could never imagine my life as an only child. My brothers and sisters are just that... they aren't my adopted brother's and sister's they are my siblings who I'll love forever regardless of what we go through.

So this is the reason for my dedication to adoption. It's needed and since it's National Adoption Month it's really important to me that you, my readers know the importance of domestic adoption, especially foster to adopted familes!

Until next time...


MUAH!

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Today's "AH HA" moment!


Hey y'all:

Ok so after all my little pity party having self last night I realized that I was being a really self centered somebody!

My "AH HA" Moment -
Here I am married to a man who is working on building an entertainment empire while being a 'stay at home' Dad and I'm moaning about not receiving a birthday card! What is my problem? This man is the most attentive, patient and loving individual I know, he takes care of his handicapped mom's business affairs (every 3rd of the month he has to put his business on hold so he can take care of her), listens to my complaints but never complains, takes care of our children during the day while trying to work on the computer and then goes out to work at night, yet he still has time to make me smile.

Needless to say we had a bit of a communication issue yesterday (I didn't tell him that I was taking the day off and he didn't tell me that he had to work last night) so I had a bad attitude and didn't enjoy my birthday because I didn't feel celebrated! I didn't consider what he was going through and how he did try to make plans (he wanted to take me out to lunch but I didn't share that I would be home) and the day just turned to mush. Thankfully we have a WONDERFUL relationship and were able to have a really good conversation (and more hehe) when he did get home last night. I realized that my beloved is overwhelmed being self employed and I need to step up my game and not be so self absorbed.

My birthday present to myself this year was a true smack in the face... "girl you aren't 15 you are a 35 year old woman with three children, a husband and more responsibilities then just being celebrated ON my birthday" that man celebrates me everyday with simple gestures (washing the dishes after I cook, allowing me a few extra hours of sleep on Saturday, making sure there is always milk in the fridge for the babies and most importantly taking care of ALL our finances so we aren't out in the cold, sitting in the dark or car less). My husband is truly a superstar and today I'm so grateful that my gift includes his smile, caress and unconditional love!

Ok, I know i'm not the only one! Hit me up and let me know if you've ever had as seriouslly self centered moment!

Until next time...
MUAH!

Monday, November 2, 2009

Not so Happy Birthday to me


Hey Y'all:

So today is my 35th birthday! Have you ever built your self up for something but didn't prepare for the let down? I was really excited to celebrate my big day all week long... I'm really blessed and grateful to be in the land of the living

But have you ever just felt uncelebrated? Well that's how I feel today. Now don't get me wrong all my friends sent me awesome shout outs via Face Book and text message, my mom made her customary 7:00 a.m. call (minus the song though) and I received a couple cards in the mail; but I think I was expecting more. More from the ones who count. I was looking forward to the hand made card from my son, the over sized birthday card my husband used to provide, maybe some flowers or something to unwrap; I mean I wasn't looking for anything earth shattering, just a little something to show that I'm important to this world and without me something would be messing, but alas I didn't receive any of those things.

So needless to say y'all it's been a pretty uneventful birthday and I'm just not feeling the love the way I thought I would. It's only 8:20 p.m. so maybe there is still hope for a little surprise something something. If not I'll just have to enjoy the dinner I cooked for myself and the birthday cake my Uncle baked yesterday and call it just another day.

Have any of you experienced an uncelebrated birthday?

well... until next time
MUAH!