Dear Johrdon and Carsyn,

 

 

I pray that you always stay focused and pursue whatever dreams come to your beautiful mind.

With High Hopes for you,

Mommy

Noah... Abraham ... Joseph...Moses

Faith... Leadership... Responsibility ... God

We as parents can't physically save our children's soul. We can try to control them as much as we want,but ultimately the choice is theirs to serve God and be a faithful servant. A parents job is to create a foundation within them that will remain with them to always look to Jesus when things are good and bad. Lets admit it times are definitely not the same as they were when we were kids. Children just don't go outside anymore, simple games like "Simon Says" and "Red Light, Green Light" hardly exist. Sabbath school and Sunday school isn't like it was back in the day when we were young. I remember Vacation Bible School being the highlight of the summer.. But not nowadays with our children . So parents it's up to us to put the foundation within our kids . Lately the "lifetime " channel has been running the series "The Bible" on TV.. Go figure that's how are kids are somewhat learning of the bible, off TV ... So anyways me and the kids sat down and watched it .. My son Christian the 12 year old and my daughter Johrdon the 8 year old were very interested in watching it and paid attention throughout the whole 2 hours ... Well as for my 5 year old it just scared the mess out of her and she had to sleep with her lights on. I was super excited that my children had so much interest in "The Bible" series and the stories that were shown. They asked question after question and they even googled a couple of things that I myself couldn't answer for them. I went to bed that night praying "Lord as a parent how can I keep my kids interested in you outside of church". I pondered all week and came up with this:

Meet Noah, Abraham , Joseph and Moses !!!!

Yes people you are looking at goldfish... 4 of them to be exact but this is how I used them with my children to teach them about God and responsibility. I lined the goldfish up in a row and called the children in the room. I introduced the fish as Noah , Abraham , Joseph and Moses. Of course the kids wanted to name them something else but I had to explain to them why their names were such and the responsibility that each of them would have with their new pets. The depth of character within the people of the Biblical stories is astounding. They faced great challenges and overcame them with faith and endurance. For kids today, there is much to learn from these ordinary people who made decisions that transformed them into extraordinary legends. Our children are in dire need of that level of conviction and determination. The characters of the Bible can teach them and us parents a great deal.
I started with the first fish Noah:
I told the kids how In Genesis 6, God is despairing over the wickedness that has overtaken humanity. Reluctantly, he decides to wipe out the human race and start from scratch. Noah, however, is the only one who has not been corrupted. You know the story. God tells him to build an ark that will save him, his family, and a whole host of animal life. As he is boarding the ark, God says to him, “for you alone I have seen to be righteous before Me in this time.” Literally the whole world was doing what was wrong. But did that deter Noah from doing what was right? Not a chance!
So Noah was given to my son Christian; he has been following the crowd at school lately and not being his own leader so I told him "Leaders do what’s right even if they are alone, pay attention to Noah's blueprint and u can't go wrong".

The second fish Moses was given to Johrdon I told them how God has to be very convincing in order to get Moses to take action in Exodus 3. Moses at first gives excuse after excuse as to why he isn’t the right guy for the job. When he finally does answer his calling, Moses, approaches Pharaoh and boldly passes on the iconic message: “Let my people go.” The Israelites, Moses’ native people, had been enslaved by Egypt and Moses was the one enlisted to lead them to freedom. When the time came, Moses was willing to step up have faith and lead. So JoJo (Johrdon) got Moses because her and her baby sister are always fighting . I tell her "look you are suppose to take care of her and look out for her, your baby sister looks up to you." Leaders stick up for their people don't hurt your little sister love her and have her back.

The baby girl Carsyn gets Joseph the third fish. Every time she loses a game while playing with anyone she cries and gets very upset...in other words she's a sore loser.. So I tell them the story of Joseph. The story of Joseph beginning in Genesis 37 is powerful. The guy had a pretty tough life. He was sold into slavery by his jealous brothers. His father was told that he was killed by a wild animal. In the end, though, Joseph became the leader of all Egypt–second only to the Pharaoh himself. When there is a famine, he is then able to save his family from starvation. He tells his brothers when he sees them again that, though they meant harm, God orchestrated the events to put Joseph in a position to save them. I explain to Carsyn that leaders have a vision that sustains them through difficult times. Although you may lose at something it only makes you stronger and God has something better for you.

The fourth fish Abraham goes to me. I tell the kids about Abraham. God approaches Abraham in Genesis 12 and tells him to “Go forth from your country, and from your relatives and from your father’s house, to the land which I will show you.” In other words, Abraham is instructed to leave his comfort zone and march onward into uncertainty. God even told Abraham to sacrifice his own son. Although it hurt his heart to be instructed by God to sacrifice his son, Abraham had to trust God and his promises .As a parent and an adult, managing risk and uncertainty is a daily task. I tell them mommy doesn't know everything and my faith is what gets me thru the bad times and to embrace uncertainty because God will never leave us. I tell them I know the truth: the promised land awaits me on the other side if I do the things that God asks of me even when I don't want to and that I will be rewarded for my faith and sacrifices.
The kids took their fish and ran off to their rooms excited. I took my fish Abraham down to my room sat him on my nightstand and watched him swim around for a while. Although I don't understand the path that God is leading me on right now I pray for a stronger faith. My job, wealth, love and health are all up in the air without a permanent direction, but I know what God promised me. He says "I'll fight your battles, if you will only trust me." So me and Abraham are going to stick it out.. He is my reminder that God said I could have it.

 

Nobody Cares When I'm Sick...

I'm sick... but I'm not sick... No really I'm sick!!!... But I can't be sick ... Because when I'm sick the kids can't wake up for school, or know to wash your face and brush your teeth... put your clothes on... hurry ... hurry we are going to be late... don't forget your belt... brush your hair... Where is your bookbag?...Did you grab your homework?... hurry...hurry we are going to be late to the bus... grab some breakfast...grab your coats...we make it to the bus... we kiss and say goodbyes... Whew I few minutes to be sick... because I am sick... but I'm not sick because my life does not stop because I am sick....

Thank You to my wonderful kids that let me be sick when I got back home tonight... they let me lay in the bed and eat my soup and drink my tea ... I didn't have to say ...shower... do your homework... eat your food...stop running...get your school clothes ready... go to bed... didn't I say stop running.... go to bed... they did it all without me nagging... I'm sick... but I'm not sick... No really I'm sick... But I can't be sick... Goodnight SWAKlife....

It's okay to ask for help at any age...

 

One of my greatest fears is not being the mother, spiritual example, supporter, counselor, teacher and friend that my children can be proud of... I still have a lot to teach and show them... I haven't accomplished it all, but I have done a few things. As parents sometimes we have to show our kids to actually show them. We have to show them that mommy isn't perfect either, sometimes grownups need help to. One evening I had got the oldest kids in the bed and my baby girl who likes to stay up later than everybody else came down to my room. At the time I was doing my homework for my Financial Accounting class so I had my textbook out, scratching numbers here and there on a sheet of paper. Baby girl looked at me and said, “Are you learning your numbers just like me mommy?"... I said, "Yes baby girl"... She looked at my paper and said, “Humph looks like you need help from your teacher just like me mommy,"... I looked at my child, laughed and said, “Yes baby, mommy needs a lot of help with this class," ... She made a funny face and said, "You know it's ok to raise your hand and ask questions right?"... I said, "Yes baby, I know that. Thank you for your advice,"... Baby girl then asks me, “Why do grownups have to go to school still?", ...I said, " Well, sometimes grownups go back to school to learn more things so that they can move to higher positions at work,"... She looked at me with a mad face, slapped her hand on her forehead and said, "Oh my goodness, I am never going to get out of school,"... I laughed tapped her on the bottom and told her to go to bed...LOL... The more I thought about it, the more I said I can make this situation a small lesson for the kids.

To make a long story short I hated Financial Accounting in undergrad and I for sure hate it at the graduate level. So I called my teacher to let her know that I was struggling and what could I do? She advised me that the best thing to do was to attend study hall for the class on Tuesday evenings... I'm like great one more thing to add to the Tuesday schedule outside of gymnastics and drumline... But I had to do it or I am not going to pass this class. So Tuesday rolled around everyone got out of their practices around 7:00pm... study hall for this class is from 6:30pm to 9:30pm... I'm tired but of course the party doesn’t stop, plus my kids just don't believe that their mom is in school... I get them to my school tell them to bring their homework in and we were all going to study hall. My son makes a crazy face like "yeah right lady"... the girls grab their book bags excited... We get inside I show them my classrooms, the computer lab, the small library... the teacher even let them come in during my study hall session to see what their mom actually does during that one day a week away from them when I get home super late. They loved every bit of it! They had an understanding of what mommy means when she says she has class tonight. They grasps the concept of asking their teacher for help when they don't understand.

There is not a lot of spare time in mine and the kid’s schedule, so sometimes I have to make life examples out of the little things and use it as a learning tool. I got help with my homework at my study hall, and the kids were able to finish their homework and learn a small life lesson... It’s ok to ask for help at any age...I have promised my kids a lot within my dreams. I haven't fulfilled all of it yet, but it’s coming...

 

Support...Empowerment ...

This morning I didn't even have to tell the kids to get up and get dressed. My typical Sunday morning is a lot of rushing and fussing just to get everyone ready and together to make it on time. Today was different though... It was different because the kids were excited to go and support their friend Kennedy sing her first solo in her choir. Support and Empowerment for others has to begin and taught early . I told the kids the night before what we were going to do and I explained the importance of supporting each other and believing in each other . Kennedy was so excited to see her friends. Their smiles gave me hope ... Their empowerment made me smile. Parents lets teach our kids to inspire each other . They are the next generation to lead this world. Just think if we had a world full of inspirers believers & empowered leaders... It's up to us!!!

The Point Of It All....

 Let me tell you about a LOVE story…

On December 27, 2000 my life completely changed forever … My son was born … I was 22 at the time… Young, dumb, naïve… I had no clue of who I was …For 9months I was terrified out of my mind… I was making a baby inside my body… Lord what does that mean? What am I supposed to do now? At the time I had a husband in my life, but the truth remains that a man has the choice to walk away at any time …As for me …this little life belong to me… thru God I made him, my blood, my skin, my eyes… I am solely responsible… So many thoughts ran thru my mind… What if I didn’t make him proud? What if I failed him as a mother?... It was all moving too fast… I wasn’t ready… I watched my belly grow, I felt him move… I knew I had been given a job that was more important than anything else I could have ever imagined… Christian came into this world … I looked at his face… Our eyes met… from there my son saw right thru me…every fault, every error I had ever made, every untruth, every fear… He saw it all… From that very moment I transformed, my heart changed… I had a job to do, God trusted me enough to put this healthy soul in my arms so I must provide... Honestly I have made many more mistakes since then but I’ve never stopped trying to do better, learn more and live fuller. Even in my darkest hours of life when I wanted to just give up… I had to dust off my feelings and keep it moving… Christian's life gave my life so much meaning…It gave me purpose.

 Lately I have been stressing out so much about my purpose in this life… I mean like literally crying, praying and misunderstanding why I wake up, walk around and go to work everyday to a job that makes me feel so numb. Here I am thinking I should be the next Beyonce, Oprah, and Michelle Obama… Like where is my door? Where is my chance?  I was talking to a close friend about my feelings and that friend told me that it takes a lifetime to discover one’s purpose.  My friend said that God uses your life and its experiences to show you that he is in control of your purpose and when you are ready to handle what his purpose is for your life than you will know… This good friend said Nikee look at your life… You have three beautiful children… No you are not the next Beyonce, Oprah, Barack or Michelle… But your children have the chance to be… Your purpose is your children… You do what you are supposed to do by them and your purpose has been fulfilled…

The light bulb flashed on PEOPLE… Here I am searching for something that has been right in front of me the whole time… My purpose… Christian, Johrdon and Carsyn….

My purpose is to provide, nurture and guide them… I need a better world for them… Honestly children teach you more about life than anything else… They wake up every day with a light in their eyes that shows no fear, patience and no judgment… to try this world one more time… Just give it a chance MOM is what their smiles say… indescribable LOVE…There is just something about it, you can’t break it, find words to describe it, or alter it.  It told me I was here for a reason… a purpose… I promised my kids a lot, and I haven’t fulfilled all of it yet, but it’s coming.

 Use everything that happens to you, for you. If you don’t like it, change it, if it’s not working, fix it.  If anything that you have been through in your life up to this point was meant to stop you, it would have… it’s all been for your good whether you understood it or not… I know it’s not about me… this world…this life … these kids… on any level. That’s why I thank God for grace and mercy because I’m blessed to be able to serve, inspire and motivate.  This good friend looked at my life and said " to do what you do every day you have to be a believer". That I am… It’s hard sometimes…actually 95% of the time I am praying to the Lord to help me get up out this bed… but Love won’t let me wait… I have a purpose… Good Love is for teachers, forgivers and builders…It’s reserved for people who are willing to put in the work. .. I am proud to be a mother, and I am thankful… God knew exactly what he was doing… When I think about what I WOULD have been doing right now instead… believe me I wouldn’t trade it… Thank You God for this LOVE….

Tuesday Humor SWAKparents ;0D!!!

A mother passing by her daughters bedroom was astonished 2 see the bed was nicely made & everything was picked up. Then she saw an envelope propped up on the center of the bed. It was addressed, "Mom". With the worst premonition, she opened the envelope with trembling hands: "Dear Mum, it is with great regret & sorrow ...that im writing 2 u, i had 2 elope with my new boyfriend because i wanted 2 avoid a scene with u & Dad. Ive been finding real passion with him & he is so nice, even with all his piercings, tattoos, beard & motorcycle clothes. But its not just the passion Mum, im pregnant & he said that we will b very happy. He already owns a trailor in the woods & has a stack of firewood 4 the whole winter. He wants 2 have many more children with me & that is now one of my dreams 2. He taught me that marijuana doesn't really hurt anyone & we'll b growing it 4 us & trading it with his friends 4 all the cocaine & ecstasy we want. In the meantime we'll pray that science finds a cure 4 AIDS so he can get better, he sure deserves it! Don't worry Mum, im 15yrs old now & i know how 2 take care of myself. Someday im sure we'll b back 2 visit so u can get 2 know yr grandchildren. Yr daughter, Sophie... P.S. Mum, none of the above is true. I'm over at the neighbors house. I just wanted 2 remind u that there r worse things in life than my report card thats in my desk top drawer. I love u! Call me when it is safe 2 come home.."

Walk With Me for a Second... I want more of all these beautiful things...more more more please!!



Early Works Museum - Knowledge for the Kiddies...



Birthday parties

www.swaklife.org

Single With Amazing Kids!!

God

The reasons I Live...

 



My granny's hands



Exercise

Family

Granny...

Above the clouds

Air Miles



Anguilla ...<---- Im going 2013





Friends



Beaches

Good Times



Understanding why God is an Awesome God..



Food!!!

Hydrangeas

Life

 

My Thinking spot in full Autumn Bloom



Fireworks

I Love You too God!!

"the sweetest thing Ive ever known"...

The Homie Talks...

This is how no Drama Looks... (InsideJoke)

Friends & Good Times

Bookstores!!!

Wishes

GoodByes just to say Welcome Home

Back to Bizness

Wine



Happy 2013... My Son is Important

30 Things A Mom Should Teach Her Son ...

1. You must pray every day...don’t go a day without it

2. It’s harder to take a punch than to throw one.

3. Find the people who make you laugh and follow them around like a golden retriever. Laughing is like a vitamin. You can never get enough of it.

4. The Kitchen? Not just for girls. I will teach you to use the stove.

5. A man who hugs a lot is comfortable in his own skin.

4. Read poetry... Love Jones is a great romantic movie.. women love poetry ;0D!!!

5. If a girl tries to change you she doesn't really love you no matter how much you love her.

6. When you feel like crying, for joy or out of pain, DO IT!!! If you don’t get those tears out, they will calcify in your chest and make it harder to love as fully and deeply as you would like to.

7. Play old school music when you have to clean the house..I've taught you all the old school music "The Mayor of Soul" has taught me ;0>!!

8. Look deeply into the eyes of the one you are falling for to get a glimpse of her soul.

9. Spend a chunk of time every year with people who are much less fortunate than you are. It will fill your heart with gratitude.

10. Never lie about anything really important. The first lie will cause you to have to lie again and again to cover up the truth. And each time you’ll chip away an important piece of yourself.

11. Find work that makes you happy. If you can change the world in the process all the better.

12. If you get the chance to travel across the country or across the globe, take it. You will learn way more from people who are different from you than the ones who are the same.

13. Doing nothing is better than doing the wrong thing. But you are going to make mistakes. Tons of them. The real question is what you will learn from them.

14. Don’t be in any rush to get married. Divorce really sucks. A good marriage can start when you’re 21 or 61.

15. Condoms will save your life.

16. Money and power look good, but they won’t fill your being with joy the way your family will.

17.Real girls do not look like Victoria Secret's models... No lie

18. Find a way to move your body that gives you pleasure. You don’t have to be an athlete to be a man, but your body is a temple and you need to care for it, enjoy it, and use it to express yourself.. Exercise!!

19. Drinking can be fun in moderation. Just make sure to ask for help if you find yourself blacking out or doing things you regret.

20. Plain honesty will get you very far in this world. Most people don’t have the guts to speak their mind, regardless of the consequences.

21. Always give your spouse birthday presents in bed.... Trust me I am a women recieving gifts in bed will be gladly thanked... ;0>!!

22. You will never know a stronger pull than that of your friends trying to get you to participate in their wrong doing.  Resisting makes you a man... succumbing makes you a coward.

23. Sex is great but holding the person that you care deeply about in the middle of the night is one of the best feelings anyone can have.

24. Live passionately. Dream big. Don’t back down.

25. Shower daily, keep your nails clean and trimmed and use deodorant... women love a nice smelling man.. I promise :oD!!!

26. When you ask a girl, " Is something wrong?" and she says, "No." She's lying

27. Never use your fist to solve anything...One wrong punch can take a life...it could be yours 

28.It is NEVER acceptable to break up with a girl over the phone or thru a text ... be a man speak how you feel... Honesty is better!!29. Never forget God is Love...Where there is LOVE.. God has shown up...

30.. Always remember I love you, no matter what happens, You cannot lose me. I will always be there.

Happy Tuesday!!!

100 Things I Want To Teach My Daughters...

1. Pray Often (Always)
2. Find your identity in Christ
3. Beauty is a state of mind, not a state of body.
4. Show the same grace to others that God showed you.
5. The benefit of the doubt is sometimes the best gift we can give our friends.
6. Staying up late to read a good book is never time wasted espcially if its the BIBLE.
7. There will always be people that dislike you that doesn’t mean we find a tower and Rapunzel ourselves away from the world.
8. Your daddy has loved you better and longer than any boy ever will.
9. Your brother will teach you how boys should treat you.
10. Encourage others. Love Others
11. The world needs your point of view.
12. Food is a joy.
13. At the end of the day LOVE makes everything worth it
14. Your body is strong and capable of more than you can imagine right now.
15. When you grow up fill the house with music. Worship
16. Be Thankful (Always)
17. Chocolate Doughnuts is a love language.
18. Cook, decorate, clean, organize because you love to, not because someone tells you you’re meant to.
19. Be first to say Im sorry
20. Dance – especially when you’re feeling down.
21. Always be looking for ways to serve others.
22. Nothing you tell me will ever make me want to stop hearing from you.
23. We need your story.
24. No prayer request is ever too small, too silly or too embarrassing to share.
25. Washing your face every night is the best kind of beauty routine.
26. Consider it pure Joy when you face trials...
27. Grandmas give the best hugs...
28. You are Smart...
29. A good movie can change how you understand someone else.
30. Words can build bridges between people.
31. Home is not where we live but who we love.
32. Your name holds a special meaning for us.
33. Inevitably I will splinter your heart and make you mad.. But we will tweeze it out together.
34. You taught me how to feel beautiful.
35. Good girls aren’t boring.
36. You are important..
37. A great mascara is always worth the purchase
38. The best way never to worry about anyone gossiping about you is never to gossip about anybody.
39. Saying sorry first is a sign of strength not a weakness.
40. I’m on your side; especially on the days when it doesn’t feel like it.
41. Your body is not just yours. It’s a gift for your husband. I promise it’s worth waiting to unwrap together.
42. Sex for the first time will require a beautiful sense of humor and a partner who’s in it for life.
43. Laugh and Laugh Hard!!!
44. The movies lie. Passion isn’t a contorted exercise on a marble staircase, it’s doing the dishes together and lying with your feet touching in bed at the end of a long day.
45. Marriage is an act of courage, commitment and sacrifice. It should be the most fun you’ll ever have with your best friend..
46. Dont make a good heart regret trusting you
47. Always fight fair. But don’t be afraid to fight.
48. Long hair requires a really good conditioner.
49. God says --He has made all things beautiful – that includes you, my love – no matter how you feel about your body
50. I love the curves you and your brother added to my body.
51. A good cry is great therapy.
52. Christian women are not immune from cliques...Love on regardless.
53. Bad hair days are inevitable.
54. A strong man is never threatened by a strong woman.
55. Go big even if it means failing big. Especially then.
56. Be the friend you wish you had.
57. Travel.
58. Every Man wearing a crown is not a King..
59. You can’t control what others think about you. Let it go.
60. A first kiss should be toasted, treasured, savored.
61. I will be your best friend. But I will be your mother more.
62. Stop for sunsets.
63. Prince Charming isn’t a fairytale, he’s a myth
    
64. Daughters teach us about our mothers. Yougave me back my mom.
65. Jesus loves you for you. Not for your ability to bear children.
66. Husbands need a wife. Not another mom.
67. It’s true what they say about childbirth and then some.
68. Love waits.
69. Patience is never wasted.
70. Don’t just Instagram your life. Live it.
71. Don’t be afraid of a broken heart.
72. The only thing holding you back from making a difference in the world will be yourself.
73. Girlfriends are the best kind of free therapy there is.
74. Don’t be afraid to be foolish.
75. Real life is always better than online.
76. A good friend loves at all times. Period.
77. Eating too much candy will be something your teeth make you regret in your thirties.
78. I’m more interested in your growth than your happiness.
79. I will earthquake wide open when you hurt.
80. If it makes you feel uncomfortable, don’t do it, wear it or say it.
81. Challenge yourself.
82. Learn at least one other language.
83. Homesickness never gets easier.
84. But Dramamine is the perfect cure for motion sickness on 18 hour flights.
85. We need each other.
86. Bad haircuts grow out eventually.
87. You will love again.
88. The painful truth is always easier than a messy lie.
89. Jesus loves you, this I know. In my heart, my bones, my soul.
90. Faith, Intelligence, Confidence and Passion are the most attractive traits a woman can possess
91. There’s no such thing as perfect.
92. You can always come home.
93. Try not to speak out of anger... it willbe the greatest speech you'll ever regret..
94. Nothing will make me love you less.
95. Nothing will make me love you more.
96. The mirror is not the boss of you.
97. You’re the most brave when you’re the most scared and keep going anyway.
98. Womanhood is a gift.
99. I’m never tired of being your mother.
100. You will always be my baby girls.

To our SWAKlife Dads you are appreciated...