This and That

I know I know ... it's been forever. Well the summer is finally winding down and I can write.

Honey what a summer it has been. The children were gone for just about two months so the hubby and I have had the best quality time together. We truly enjoyed ourselves while the children where gone and had an opportunity to rediscover some thangs :-)

Now the three little ones are back and we are dealing with two fully potty trained two year olds and a five year old with his OWN mind.

When my babies left me they were talking but now they are TALKING holding full on conversations and being sassy! On our drive back to NY from NC my mom was repeating something Leah said in the car and this little girl said 'shut up Nana' just as clear as day! I thought for sure my mother was going to pull the car over on I-95 and give baby girl what for but she didn't (phew)! The boys are both super heroes running around the house with home made capes on! It's full on activity right now and I'm trying to get my mind right for back to school! I can't believe that Erick is heading to the first grade. Time truly flies when you are living life.

Well stop by this week I'll be posting ...

Until next time...
MUAH!

It's So Hard to Say Goodbye...

Today I will attend my second funeral of the week.

Last week two dear friends of mine bid their mother's goodbye.
As I sat in the first funeral service my heart was so grateful because my mom is still with me and yet so heavy as I watched the tears flow from the eyes of my friend. I didn't have a personal relationship with Mrs. Knight so I couldn't mourn for her but I mourn for my friend Patrick and his family.

I was listed on the program to read Mrs. Knight's obituary; to a church full of her family and friends. It was my goal to read her life story with as much enthusiasm and emotion that I could. After the service, burial and tears shed I was taken aback by the response I received regarding the reading. Most of the family members (even the eulogist) thanked me for making them feel their mom/aunt/grandma/sister's presence in the room. I guess my job was well done.

Alicia Keys vs. Fantasia Barrino

Hey Y'all:

I know I haven't posted in a minute but this issue has bought me out of my slump and I need to get it off my chest!

This post isn't a vs. regarding their singing ability but their personal lives; specifically their husband 'stealing' ways. Now let me first say that I don't think anyone can be 'stolen' unless you are taken from your home by force! One woman cannot steal another woman's man; homeboy just left! The other woman may have encouraged his straying but a big old man can't be stolen by a woman. That aside let me ask a question.

Am I the only one that thinks there is a double standard happening here in the case of Alicia Keys/Swiss Beatz and Fantasia Barrino/Antwaun Cook? I mean both of these men were married when dealing with these famous songstress but Fantasia is being made out to be a "Husband Stealing Hoe" while Alicia is seen as having a "secret romance" in my mind this is a double standard in tone and attitude!

Rediscovery is a good thing...

Hey Y'all:

My husband and I have been married for 13 years; without children for the first 8 so we had plenty of time to learn one another and to develop our relationship without distraction. Now that we are the proud parents of three beautiful children; with very limited time together. My beautiful mother was gracious enough to take the children for a good part of this summer giving us the opportunity to rediscover one another. Since my children have been gone I've realized yet again that I truly love this man.


I learned that he still makes my heart beat faster when I know he's coming into my presence
I learned that I am excited to sit and have conversations with him about things big and small.
I learned that he is patient, kind and really rather smart.

Over the past six weeks I was reeducated on why I said "I do" in the first place. He still makes me smile and weak in the knees. His drive is intoxicating and his talent is invigorating I learned that I have a life long friend in this man that I've known well over 15 years.



I wrote this as an exercise a few months back and decided that I want to post it again.



My husband is a God fearing man who loves his family unconditionally; he shows us by his deeds and actions on a daily bases. He is taller then me, strong and well built, his arms are strong enough to lift a heavy load but gentle enough to hug his children's pain away. My husbands voice can be comforting and stern all in the same breath. He is patient and understanding, he is a gentle lover and a passionate father. He is mine and I'm so blessed to have him in my life.

Until next time...
MUAH!

I miss....

my children! I never knew that I could miss them as much as I do right now. My babies have been in NC with my mother for the bulk of the summer, which was a well deserved break for my husband and I but Lord knows that I didn't realize how much I would miss their little faces.

I miss their voices and foot steps running down the hall

I miss their greetings when I walk in the door

I miss their smell after a long day in the sun, ready to be bathed and refreshed ... oh my little ones.

I miss preparing their meals and reading them bed time stories

I miss breaking up 'fights' between the boys over Thomas the tank engine toys I miss hearing Mommy, mommy over and over again.

I miss my babies more then I could imagine and don't understand how any true parent would abuse the lives they bring into the world. Mistreat them and give them away. I don't understand how a woman could allow a child to develop in her womb close to her heart and then let the cares of this world treat that precious gift with little to no regard. With my children away I have a new resolve to be a better mother.

I vow to be more patient and understanding, gentle and caring. I promise to take out time to read that story two times if they ask me to. I miss my children and because of their absence I think I'm going to be a better mother. In their absence I've learned a lot about myself and being the mother of those three is who God made me! I'm counting down the day until my flight out to retrieve my reason for being...

My three little Brown babies... they'll be home soon.

Until next time...

MUAH

Unlikely Jobs...

Hey Folks:

When I came into the office this morning there were two gentlemen washing our windows both inside and out. I am on the 6th floor of a building in NYC. Being me I of course started a conversation with the guys and learned something new.

Did you know that window washers have to take classes and earn a certificate to become window washers especially those who work on scaffolds? Well they do! Window washing is no easy task but it's a job that somebody has to do it!

This education of course opened a can of worms for me because when I learn something new I have to expand on that education. I got to thinking about all the jobs that are done in NYC alone that we never really think about. That's when I cam across the movie "Up There" this movie is about the men who paint advertisements on buildings. It was really thought provoking so I figured I'd share it with you!

Hope you enjoy the movie.

Until next time...

MUAH!

Adoption Wednesday - Vanessa Bennett

Hey Y'all:

Welcome to the latest edition of Adoption Wednesday. Over the next few weeks I'll be featuring a question and answer series with my siblings.

Today you'll be hearing from Vanessa the third child my mother adopted and my first baby sister. Vanessa is the mother of two little boys and is a fabulous dancer. As a young girl she was a member of a Praise Dance group with the rest of my little sisters called "Divine Purpose" she was truly a cut above the rest. When I went to see Alvin Alley perform earlier this year I wished she would have continued dances, she was just that good!

When did you realize that you were adopted and how did it feel knowing that you were?

I realized I was adopted about the age of 7 or 8 yrs old.Truthfully I didn't know how to feel about it.I had a big family & was taken care of & that's all that mattered.

As a mother what is your description of a mother’s love?

In my opinion a mothers love is true devotion,much sacrifice,unselfishness,patience & endless forgiveness.

If you could ask your biological parents one thing what would it be?

I would ask them "Why were they so selfish?". In my case I was left in a hospital with no identification(just abandoned),with strangers to determine my fate/future.Its mind_bottling to me.

Would you ever adopt a child? Why/Why Not?

Of course I would adopt.I feel every child needs love and someone to count on and love them.Just to give someone the opportunity I was granted would be awesome!

If you could grant one wish in the world who would it be to and what would it be?

If I could grant a wish it would be to my MOTHER Marian Bennett,and it would be that for once in her life she didn't have to worry or take care of anyone but herself.Her whole life has been dedicated to her loved ones.I would just make sure she travels and sees everything life really has to offer and what she has to offer the world.I just want to see her satisfy all those personal desires/goals! That would be my ultimate wish!

Thanks Sis for sharing.

Until next time...

MUAH!