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Monday, February 3, 2014

Everything is AWESOME!

Hey Y'all,

My self induced hiatus is over!! I'm back and so ready to share.

It has been snowing here in NYC on and off for the past month. 2014 has had a weather system like never before, from the super duper cold to the crazy snow it's been quite interesting.

But ...
EVERYTHING IS AWESOME!

This past weekend the family and I attended a NYC screening of The Lego Movie hosted by MommyNoire.com the film was absolutely a must see. We all left the theater singing this song, over and over again.


The Lego Movie story line was excellent, casting was perfect and the 2D wasn't hard on the eyes (sometimes I walk out of those movies with a major headache). The folks at Warner Brothers did a fabulous job not only getting the kids involved but many of the jokes were amazing for the adults that were in the audience.

My favorite character was Lord Business played by Will Ferrell. Lord Business was also known as President Business. He was the evil businessman and tyrant who wanted everything to remain the same in Lego Universe.  I won't giveaway much information but I will say that it was a great movie and a ton of fun for the little Brown's. When you have a free moment please check out the trailer.

Until next time...
MUAH!

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Happy 39th Birthday To Me!!!! -- My 30's

Hey Y'all,

I love birthday's especially mine!!!!

On November 2nd I welcomed the last year of my 30's. This decade of my life has been utterly amazing. At 30 I become a whole new person, my name was changed and my heart grew by leaps and bounds. At 30 I became a mommy the most awe inspiring role any woman can ever hold. At 35 my life became even sweeter when I welcomed my special babies into the world. Shock and awe at the fact that I could produce twins is an understatement. To this day I still look at them in amazement. My children have helped me craft a life of purpose. They have allowed me too see the best and worst of who I am as a woman, wife, daughter and Friend. In 2008 I left a job that I thought I would have for years to come. But staying stagnant is not the way of the 21st century. I endeavored to be a champion and started a new career path that I wasn't sure I was cut out to do; but alas God had an awesome plan. It was at this new job that I made post college life long friends. It is at this job that I added a new title to my name. I became a blogger. My love for writing was rekindled and an opportunity to be an influencer in my community was born. In my 30s I was treated  to first class celebrity filled trips that I didnt pay a dime for. At 37 the unthinkable happened I was laid off of my job. I was shocked, sad and confused but something positive can often result from a negative situation. While out of work I learned, patience. Something that only come with time and experience.

I had the opportunity to spend quantity time with my babies which is something I never had the chance to do. And through this experience I learned how to be patient. Patient with myself the children and the process of finding a new job. It was not easy and many things Reade stopped from us including our home. It was through that process however that the bond between my children and I became stronger than super glue. I discovered how smart and unique each of them are. Today I can honestly say I would take nothing in place of my journey. While unemployed I started a crochet business! I named it after my beautiful daughter and have been experiencing an wonderful amount of success. In my 30s I learned to love everything about me. My highs my lows and everything in between that makes me an awesome Me. In my 30s I feel in love with my husband all over again. I feel in love with his zeal for life, desire to succeed and his adaptation to the ever changing facets of fatherhood. In my 30s my love for God and his word have developed ten fold. I hunger and thirst after righteousness like never before. I attribute my spiritual growth to the Bible lead and spirit filled teachings of my bishop and Pastor, who were also added to my life in my 30s.
This final year in this decade is shaping up to be one for the record books. In the past three months I have traveled to four different states three of which I haven't been to since I was in my 20/early teens and one I've never been to. I'm super excited about the coming year and continuing to leave my mark on this world. It is My desire to leave this earth empty. As my bishop says. I want to use every gift God has given me. I refuse to hold onto anything that I'm supposed to pour out into this earth.

Until next time...
MUAH

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Werther's Original® Baking Bash MommyParties

Hey y'all,

A few months ago I was picked to host a Werther's Original® Baking Bash MommyParty!!!! I was super excited especially when I received my box of yummy Werther's Caramel in the mail! My mother in law was watching them like a hawk because she didn't know what I was planning to do with them. I allowed her to sample a few of the smooth caramels and she was hooked.

This past weekend the kids and I had a sugary bash on our play date. We made the most delicious caremel apples and fun filled caramel topped sundaes.

Here are a few pictures from our play date!








The caramels are great and will be included in a few snacks during this holiday season. I wasn't paid for this program but I'm so glad that I was able to contribute. It was a fun play date and we'll do it again. Please check out their site and enjoy the yummy recipes they share. http://werthers.werthersecloud.us.

Until next time...
MUAH!

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Say, NO MORE! to Domestic Violence

Hey y'all,

October is full of awareness! Yesterday I posted about Breast Cancer and today I post about Domestic Violence Awareness!


Did you know...
One in three women (30%) report being a victim of domestic violence; one in five women (20%) report being a victim of sexual assault.

60% of Americans, 15 years of age or older, know a victim of domestic violence or sexual assault. Among the 70% of women who have experienced domestic violence and told someone about it, more than half (58%) said that no one helped them.

Three out of four (73%) parents with children under the age of 18 said that they have not had a conversation about violence in the home.

Three quarters of Americans (75%) say they would step in and help if they saw even a stranger being abused, but almost two thirds (64%) of Americans age 15 or older say if we talk more about domestic violence and sexual assault, it would make it easier to help someone.

The Avon Foundation for Women commissioned and funded the NO MORE Study, conducted by GfK Public Affairs and Corporate Communications, to research domestic violence and sexual abuse among teens, ages 15-17,and adults 18 and older, in an effort to further support the Foundation’s mission of educating people to reduce sexual assault and domestic violence. Click here to download a PDF of the full study.

NO MORE is a new unifying symbol designed to galvanize greater awareness and action to end domestic violence and sexual assault.  Supported by major organizations working to address these urgent issues, NO MORE is gaining support with Americans nationwide, sparking new conversations about these problems and moving this cause higher on the public agenda. I fully support this campaign and hope that you would as well. Please learn more here.

Until next time...
MUAH

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Ladies... Don't Be Afraid to Touch Yourself!

Hey y'all,

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. A time set aside for education, engagement and early detection of this deadly disease.

According to The American Cancer Society in 2013, an estimated 232,340 new cases of invasive breast cancer were expected to be diagnosed among US women, as well as an estimated 64,640 additional cases of in situ (abnormal cells inside a milk duct in the breast) breast cancer.

That year, approximately 39,620 US women were expected to die from breast cancer. Only lung cancer accounts for more cancer deaths in women.

Breast Cancer is real. It effects so many families, it goes beyond color lines, social economics, religion etc. It is a destroyer of families and is not to be ignored or discounted. As I do every year I write about Breast Cancer and the effect it had on my family. The loss of two of my aunts and most recently the disease has reared it's ugly head into my generation and touched my beautiful sister in law. Thankfully with knowledge and aggressive medial and spiritual measures my Sister is on the mend. God is certainly good and His mercy endures forever!

Please self test and be aware of the changes your body may be going through.
According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. The best way to fight breast cancer is to have a plan that helps you detect the disease in its early stages. Create your Early Detection Plan to receive reminders to do breast self-exams, and schedule your clinical breast exams and mammograms based on your age and health history. Everything has gone digital so please download this app with reminders etc.

Self Exam Directions...
1) IN THE SHOWER
Using the pads of your fingers, move around your entire breast in a circular pattern moving from the outside to the center, checking the entire breast and armpit area. Check both breasts each month feeling for any lump, thickening, or hardened knot. Notice any changes and get lumps evaluated by your healthcare provider.

2) IN FRONT OF A MIRROR
Visually inspect your breasts with your arms at your sides. Next, raise your arms high overhead.

Look for any changes in the contour, any swelling, or dimpling of the skin, or changes in the nipples. Next, rest your palms on your hips and press firmly to flex your chest muscles. Left and right breasts will not exactly match—few women's breasts do, so look for any dimpling, puckering, or changes, particularly on one side.

3) LYING DOWN
When lying down, the breast tissue spreads out evenly along the chest wall. Place a pillow under your right shoulder and your right arm behind your head. Using your left hand, move the pads of your fingers around your right breast gently in small circular motions covering the entire breast area and armpit.

Use light, medium, and firm pressure. Squeeze the nipple; check for discharge and lumps. Repeat these steps for your left breast.

This year I am making these cute Breast Cancer Awareness earrings and will donate a potion of the funds to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. Inc.  in honor of my Aunt's Ruby and Betty. Please show your support at Leah Simone Designs.

Until next time.... be safe.
MUAH!

Friday, September 20, 2013

We Did It! Hooray!!!!

Hey y'all,

As of 2:50 pm this afternoon 9/20 we have completed 2 full weeks of school!!!! We survived back to school night, Myles is his class Mayor, Leah has a boyfriend (a boy that's a friend) and Erick has been wearing his glasses consistently and got an 85% on his first test AND he signed up to play the trumpet!!!!

To say it's been a whirlwind of activity in our house is an understatement. I am a lunch/snack packing pro now and have the cookie cutter sandwiches down to a science. I'm tired however of them eating salami sandwiches everyday so next week I think I'm going to shake their lunch bags up. Wondering how they'll do with some friend chicken, baby carrots etc. Not sure but the sandwiches can't continue into next week.

So grateful that we are in a great school system with small class sizes we are blessed. Hoping that your first couple weeks of school have been successful.

Until next time...
MUAH

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Wordless Wednesday: Back to School 2013

Hey Y'all,

We did it. Our children started school today! I shed a few tears but I made it through! Cannot believe all three of my little ones are in school!



Until next time...
MUAH!