Oh My God!

Firstborn has never been a party-goer, but last night he and a couple of his basketball teammates went to a party thrown by another teammate. Firstborn and I prayed before he was picked up; we didn’t allow him to drive. I also reminded him about his “no” to drugs and alcohol. He left, and I was at peace. I was the designated after-party, pick up parent and was led to leave the house an hour early. I found a great parking spot right on the corner in eye’s view of the building. Not even two minutes later, I heard what I thought to be gunshots and people were running away from the party and in the streets, but shortly they began to return.  Okay, maybe those weren’t real gunshots. I then heard more gunshots – I know what I heard. 

Before I knew it, the entire block was covered with young people running with fear on their faces, cars screeching off, cell phones lighting up, and soon the police showed up with lights flashing. All I could think about was my child and before I knew it, I yelled, “What the f…!” I looked around in disbelief that I was in the middle of gunfire. I sat in my car paralyzed with confusion. Is this really happening? With my heart beating fast, I selfishly prayed that my son and his teammates would find the car in the midst of the confusion and uncontrolled crowd. It seemed like forever, but the three of them were finally walking towards the car – thank you, Jesus! 

When they got in the car, I exhaled with great relief, and got the heck out of the area. It was silent for a few seconds and then we all began to talk. Never in my life have I experienced anything like that. I asked if anyone prayed and one young man said he did. Firstborn said, “All I could say was, oh my God.” Firstborn’s first response was much better than mine! 

Mothers, if you don’t already cover your children in prayer, please start, and more importantly, teach them to cover themselves. We don’t always know where they are or who they are surrounded by, but God’s merciful hands of protection will always surround them – it’s their covering! Last night, Firstborn met the Protector up close and personal; things could have been a lot worse. Life lesson? Pray, mothers…pray.

I Hate to Cook!

 I will be the first to admit - I hate to cook. I don't dislike it, I hate it, but having three men in the house doesn't cut me any slack, so I cook a full meal (by the grace of God) Monday through Thursday and sometimes on Friday. I take weekends off because everyone else in the house is off on weekends. I don't want my family to feel guilty about seeing me in the kitchen while they chill all weekend, so I joined them and gave myself a few days off also. You should try it!


The boys don't have a problem eating sandwiches or leftovers and I don't have a problem watching them eat sandwiches either. Hubby will open and close cabinets thinking I'll eventually come in the kitchen and cook him something, but after he's opened every cabinet in the kitchen with no signs of my face in the place, he amazingly puts together a plate of food!

Well, today is Valentine's Day and I believe I've been bit by the love bug or something because I'M COOKING A SPECIAL MEAL! I can hardly believe it myself and I'm actually excited about it! Cupid must be real because this is not normal for me; I've been shot by the arrow of amour.  What? Oh, you want to know what I'm cooking? Oh, okay. (smile)

 Lemon Sweet Tea

Spinach Salad with raisins and diced apples, drizzled with warm Vinaigrette Dressing

Spicy Ziti Pasta with Turkey Kielbasa Sausage topped with Parmesan and Mozzarella cheese.

Garlic and Cheese Bread Bites

Ice Cream Brownie Sundae with warm strawberry sauce (made from fresh strawberries)

Sounds fancy, doesn't it?  It's really just pasta, garlic bread, and brownies and ice cream for dessert, but I learned from the cooking channel that it's all about the presentation!

I believe my family will be pleased and I pray I recover from this love bug real soon! I'm supposed to be allergic to the kitchen!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Say THAT!

Home Inauguration

 Any man or woman has got to really love the job of president to look forward to a second term. Hard work, long hours, and little appreciation aren’t things the average bear would look forward to. As I thought about the inauguration, I wondered if the president is as full of drive, passion, and determination as he was four years ago. I then thought about my position in my home. Am I full of the same drive, passion, and determination that I had when I first said “I do” and when my little bundles of joy were first placed in my arms? Do I have the same zeal or have I become weary? Women may not get the pomp and circumstance or the big celebrations as the presidential inauguration does, but our role definitely deserves celebration and recognition. Oftentimes, I get so busy fulfilling my roles that I forget how fulfilling my roles are to me. I’ve let circumstances steal my joy instead of counting it all joy. I’ve focused on what was wrong instead of finding the good. A home inauguration can serve as a renewal of the passion I may have lost in the roles I have in my home and a reminder of the most providential and influential job ever – that of being a mother.  Whether we work inside or outside the home, we are all homemakers and we may not have been appointed, but we’re definitely anointed for our positions. Today is a good day to step back and take a look at what we’ve done in the past and what we can improve on as wives, and mothers. Instead of concentrating on the white house, let’s reflect on the dynamics of our own house! I’m having a home inauguration today. Congratulations, President Obama. You’ve got some hard work ahead, yet so do I. 

Letter of Appreciation

Our children want to appreciate us, but they really don't know how. As they grow older the appreciation begins to settle, but when they have their own children, the appreciation goes through the roof!

Don't Mess With Mama Bear!

It's difficult to explain what a mother feels when her child has been mistreated, abused, or even ignored. A fighting instinct surfaces that is sometimes hard to control. I often use the term, Mama Bear, because it perfectly describes how mothers protect their cubs; they will KILL before they allow their cub to be harmed.

For the past few months, anger has stirred within me and I knew I needed to channel that negative energy into something positive in order to move on with my life and bury the bitterness. Firstborn was wrongly accused and kicked off his football team, and finding the good in that was more than difficult, but I was eventually led to speak up and out for not only Firstborn for all youth in athletics.

I now have more peace of mind regarding this situation, which is a sign that I'm doing the right thing. I had to take a stand before I fell into a pit of pity, revenge, and hate. Yes, I was that angry! Don't mess with my children!

Please visit the site I created to share awareness of mistreatment in sports. It's titled, Your Loss

Invasion

 

The Pneumonia, the flu, and a few other nasty viruses seem to be lingering around this season looking for weak immune systems to invade. With the exception of Secondborn, the rest of the family has escaped the contagious bug; however, this weekend I began to feel a little achy.  I rarely catch a virus, so I immediately increased my prevention measures by consuming more of my mixture of beet, tomato, and kale drink, my vitamin shake, and a few other powerful nutrients. I refused to give the nasty bug access to my body. Plenty of rest was also a part of my prevention, so I retreated back to bed as often as I could. Rest is a powerful weapon! While fighting the persistent bug, I realized prevention measures are necessary for my physical body as well as my spiritual body; they both require protection from outside elements. 

My spiritual body is capable of submitting to bugs also, but when I boost my spiritual warfare defenses, I’m not knocked off my feet in defeat and frustration. Praying without ceasing and putting my armor on early instead of waiting until I’m in the midst of battle prepares me for warfare. This morning, I am achy free; yet I can’t afford to stop pouring the extra nutrients into my body. The bug is lingering and waiting to catch me off guard. The adversary, aka Miss Flesh, is also waiting to invade my body through any avenue possible; there is always a trap set. The adversary stays on the lookout for unprepared bodies to dwell in just as those nasty virus bugs do.  How we prepare for the day reflects on the outcome of our day. Do you have your defenses up? Have you made preparations for possible invasion of the bugs? If not, boost up for battle and have a marvelous day!

reNEW YOU!

It's a new day and a new year...

don't forget to renew YOU!