Thanksgiving 2012

Hey y'all!  I hope you guys had a wonderful Thanksgiving!  I must admit, it was very difficult for me to get a lot of work done on Monday and Tuesday of last week because I was so anxious to get to my family, but I managed to plow through, and before I knew it, I was headed north on I-45!

This year we did a little something different for Thanksgiving...we had breakfast at my cousin's new house, and then headed to the Dallas Cowboys stadium to see them take on the Washington Redskins!!!!  (We had Thanksgiving dinner on Friday...)

I'll be honest, I was totally going for the Redskins!  Many of you know that RGIII and I grew up together in the very same church, and such!  He is also a Baylor Bear!  So, there was no way I could NOT root for my homie...regardless of where I was...lol.

During the National Anthem...I LOVE that part of games...

This was during the coin toss!

My entire family came to the game, but we pretty much split once we made it into the gate!  LOL!  I sat by my sweet Granny!!!  This is my cousin Eboni!

Before I left to head to the farm, I put up my Christmas tree.  I wanted it to be up so that I wouldn't have to do it when I got home.  I know that most people wait until after Thanksgiving, and I will do that after I have my family...right now, it's all about convenience.  Every year I have the thought/prayer that it is the LAST tree that I put up as a single gal.  Only God knows right?! LOL..  Here she is in the flesh!

I LOVE my tree.  I love the holidays.  I love Christmas music, and how people just tend to be a little nicer during this time of year.  I DO NOT like the food comas I encounter, but the food is so good! I'll be at the gym tomorrow morning...I can feel the dressing, mac and cheese, and sweet potatoes in my thighs...lol

I came back Saturday and was home for about an hour before heading to Marcus and Malitta's gender reveal party.  I am happy to announce that my little bundle of love NEPHEW will be here in April!  I love him so much already...I can't wait to kiss his little cheeks and feet! 

Danni came down for the party, and IT WAS SO GOOD seeing her.  We hadn't seen each other since M&M's wedding in January, and we had a lot of catching up to do.  I love my sweet friends, and I love my little nephew!  I can't tell you how lucky I feel to have amazing friends in my life.  Not everyone can say that, and I am truly blessed.

I'll leave you with a little video I took during the big reveal moment.  It is so precious and captures just how excited we all are!  I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving!

A paint my nails kind of day...

I don't like when people cry..it breaks my heart.  I hate when people I love have crappy things happen to them.  Life can really give you a kick in the gut sometimes...

Many times I don't know how to separate praying for someone, and not being completely paralyzed by what they have to endure.  I am a fixer.  I like to think that there is a solution to each and every problem, but I'm learning here lately that there isn't, and sometimes you just have to pray...and try not to worry.  I am a worrier.  You often won't even know, but most days I have worried myself sick over everything from the grocery list-to writing grants-to what other people think-to am I pleasing my parents...it's a MESS!  But I'm digressing....

I joked to a friend the other day that I'm in a season where random people will just want to talk to me at the most inconvenient times.  Normally when I'm rushing (which is daily), or preoccupied, (when am I not), or just because I am in my head, and trying to find a solution to some problem, and having an internal battle of paying attention to them or myself!  As you can see, I wear myself OUT!

Anyway, back to what I was saying....I've been trying to be more in the moment, and attentive to what is going on right then and there.  I feel like most of my life is spent in the future....what I have to do, didn't do, need to do, can't wait to do...don't want to do...I think you get the picture.  Sometimes I can have entire conversations with people, walk away, and have no clue what we just said.  Isn't that sad?  I apologize if you've ever had to encounter that.  I am truly trying to get better.

I know I'm not alone in thinking that if I just knew the end, I could quite possibly behave better in the middle...if only it worked liked that!  But alas! I have no clue.  I don't know how it will end when I pray for my people.  I don't know what God has in store, and I can't begin to tell you why sometimes it sucks to be a good guy...oh yes, I said it!  Nope, it doesn't always feel worth it, and NO, rarely will you not go through the fire....but I can tell you one thing...you won't smell like smoke!

I just wish I remembered that all of the time.  Because on a day like today, when I truly feel like I'm being pulled in so many directions, and worrying (yeah I know it's a sin, but I'm a sinner) about the next big whatever, I can't help but be anxious.  And today, I am anxious.  I don't know why...is something coming, will I be tested in something, or maybe it's just that I know of some heavy hearts out there, and there's nothing I can do about it...I don't know.  But I do know that Jesus is higher...and, I will paint my nails today (I do that when I'm nervous/anxious...lol!  (and drink sweet tea)!  AND PRAY!  LOL...just keeping it real peeps!

Anyway...I've got to head out...I've got a Pink meeting at the crib today, so that means I'm cooking and folding the laundry that I've ignored on the love seat for a week...later gators!

This is what happens...

...When you get two best friends together for a day of shopping!
Today, Malitta and I headed to The Galleria to spend her birthday money. I ended up getting a few things that I needed for work, and no, it was NOT from my birthday money. We had such a great time. I love spending time with her. I always laugh until my sides hurt from the things she says. If you know Malitta...then you know what I'm talking about. Here's some of today's top convo nuggets:

Urban Outfitters:
Me: Malitta, is that a unitard...(referring to uni on hanger)
Mal: YES! Isn't it great?!
Me: Crickets chirping.....'Not exactly the word I was looking for..., I mean, it's an adult onesie...' (insert obnoxious laughing)
--------------------------------------------
Me: Do you think this headband looks cute?
Mal: Oh! Yes! I'm surprised at how cute that looks on you...!
Me: What does that mean?
Mal: That flower is kind of big...but, your head can pull it off....(as she tries to fix previous comment)
Me: Yeah, kind of as big as the whole you're digging!
Me and Mal: Again...Cracking UP!

(What do y'all think...sorry the top of the flower is cut off...I was trying to hide the fact that I have mask on a huge pimple....lol! Just keeping it real!)

Convo at Lunch:
Me: Yesterday, I got my nails and toes done, and while the girl was giving me my manicure...she looked at my brows, (which were NOT that bad), and was like 'oh girl...you getting your brows done too...?'
Malitta: chuckles
Me: And then, she was like, 'and what about that mustache...'
Malitta: almosts chokes on her bread...as she looks for my missing mustache... "Did you get it done?"
Me: Heck no! You remember in college when they talked us into that...we had discolorations above our top lips for weeks.....
Me and Malitta: Cracking up...(y'all, it was horrible....we both said we'd never get it done again!)

Y'all, I could literally go on all day, but I won't! I had a great time today! Don't forget to enter the giveaway! You have until Wednesday to rack up those entries!

They Get Me!

I stumbled across these thoughts on friendship by George Elliott. Has anyone ever heard of George Elliott? Married to Elisabeth Elliott, author of Passion and Purity. BTW, if you haven't read this book, I suggest you read it...it'll totally change your outlook on 'waiting' for the right one.

I would say that I am lucky, but really...I'm blessed. I have great friends. Just yesterday, on my way home from church, I was thinking about my friends...people I could call when I needed something, and let me tell you...my cup runneth over! I'm not a very open person unless you're 'in the circle.' In fact, this blog is very hard for me. There's always an element of hold backedness....I know that's not a word, but hey, it's my blog...so I can make up words! However, I think this is partly because in my circle of friends, I'm spoiled. I don't have to say much. They catch my looks, scowls, connotations, actions, and know exactly what I am trying to say, many times, when the words won't come. They put up with my sometimes unsolicited advice, erratic thoughts and behaviors, goofiness, silly jokes, quoting lines from every movie I've ever seen, and if they're still around...my insecurities. They put up with a lot people...believe me!!!

On Friendship by George Elliott
Oh the comfort, the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person:
Having neither to weigh thought nor measure words;
But to pour them out just as they are, chaff and grain together,
Knowing that a faithful hand will take and sift them,
Keep what is worth keeping and then
With a breath of kindness, blow the rest away.

I hope you peeps out there in bloggy land have people who make your life that much sweeter! I don't know what I would do without mine!

Leaving on a Jet Plane!

Happy Monday friends! It's 2:30 in the morning, and I'm wide awake! I'm getting the last of my packing and laundry finished before I leave for the holidays.

I'm really sleepy, but I figure I can sleep on the plane.

I probably won't be able to blog often while I'm out of town, but if I get a chance, I'll hop on here. Don't worry though, I'll take plenty of pictures and post them when I return. I can't believe that we are less than 10 days until 2010. That is so strange to me. 2010...I'll turn 30 this year, and who knows what the year will bring. I'm very excited about it though!

Here are some pics from this weekend. One of my really good friends Danni moved to DC three months ago, and she's home for a visit. We met up at Lucky Strikes downtown. I was so excited to hang out with her Saturday.

This is a pic from my sorority meeting. I took this picture for my grandmother because the lady I am pictured with, Soror Mattelia Grays, is my sorority's 18th International President, and was also my grandmother's college suitemate at Dillard University. She told me I was a smart woman for not following my grandmother...who's a Delta!


Tav and I


This is all of us!

Weekend Recap!

This has been a whirlwind of a weekend! On Friday, Danni, Malitta, and I hit the road headed to Waco, TX for Baylor's graduation...

Once we got there, we headed straight to Liz and Cherry's house! We were trying to figure out what to do with ourselves for the rest of the night, and we ended up playing Guitar Hero, which I WRECKED!! It was SO much fun! I played the guitar, Danni the drums, and Liz sang solo. She also kick booty on the drums...she's pretty much amazing!!!! It was so much fun!

Afterwards, we headed to Tasha's house for her graduation party! The laughs we shared that night will NEVER be forgotten...I can honestly say that I have not laughed that hard in a LONG time!!! Seriously guys, if I could even form the words to tell the story, I would, but you just had to be there!!!

The next day, Saturday, I got to sleep in a little bit, but I spent time with Tracy since I spent the night at her house. Then, we all headed to the 2:30 graduation. I never really realized how boring graduations are, but we always try to sit away from the crowd so we can chat and take pics...today was no different.

After the graduation, we took a ton more pics, and sang the AKA hymn, which is one of my favorite parts of graduation! Then Malitta and I headed to BUSH'S CHICKEN before coming back to Houston. What can I say? Tenders and sweet tea...it doesn't get any better than that! Oh how I miss Bush's.

One last little nugget of the trip happened on 290 heading back into town when we realized we were right behind Caryn and Lisa. What are the odds? So we pulled over at Friday's and had dinner, and caught up with them since I didn't get a chance to talk to them much this weekend.

Today, I went to church...which needless to say I love, and headed home to cook dinner before the Lakers beat down the Rockets..YAY for victory!

It was an awesome awesome weekend, and I'm glad to be home! I'll post pics later, but I've got to pack my lunch, and get ready for tomorrow! Goodnight, and if I didn't say it, I'm thankful for my friends, and the flexibility of my life!

Roadtrip!

Tomorrow I go to Waco for Baylor's graduation, and I couldn't be happier! I'm going to see some friends, that I haven't seen since November! YAY!!!

I'll have fun pics and video to share with you because it'll be just that fun!!!

So, I'm thankful for that. A time to get away, and be with friends....and take pictures, and laugh until I cry, or pee myself...

So, I got my placement for Junior League for next year, and I'm estatic. I will be the Assistant Holiday Market Ticket Chair, as well as the North Harris County Chamber of Commerce rep...I'm pumped! It's going to be a great year!

JL has really turned out to be a blessing in my life!

Well, the Lakers are getting BEAT right now, so I'm not too happy, but, it's not over yet!!! Goodnight, and I'll post from WACO!!!!

TGIF!!!

Today was a great day! It's FRIDAY, the weekend is here, and I had dinner with an old friend. It was so much fun sitting and talking with Kim...

Kim and I met in college, and since we both live in Houston now, we try to get together regularly. Gotta thank God for old friends...She also has a book club that I attend, and we just got our new book...Speak to my Heart. I'm very excited to start reading it. I love to read, and I love to fellowship with others...great outlet!

So tonight, when I got home, I sprayed the apartment with flying bug spray. The misquitoes here are BRUTAL, and they are eating us alive! So, I'm doing what my Mom and Grandmother do...Oh NO! and spraying down the house every night before bed. It really works...try it for yourself!

I'll be back later this weekend with pics from whatever my adventures bring...until next time!

Thank YOU!

Today marks the first day of my Christmas vacation! I am so thankful and grateful that I made it to this point! It was an AWESOME semester. Really, I have the BEST job...besides working for myself that is! My kids are so great, but this could be because I won't see them for 2 weeks...HA!

You know, nothing warms my heart more than when I solicit prayers, and get responses from you...my friends. I'm humbled and blessed beyond belief. It has been so blatantly obvious to me that God is really up to something. I can't wait to see this through. Thanks for sticking around to see this through with me.

Tonight, I'm thankful for you...my own prayer warriors, for without you, where would I be. Thank you for always filling in the gap! I appreciate it more than you know!
Until tomorrow..~J

P.S. Here is a song that I listened to a lot in college, and it has again become the theme song for my life in this season...it seems to say all that I can't for I too, am not that eloquent...remember, pause the music to the right!

Friends!

WOW! I know it is really late, later than I normally post but today was a full day! I don't know if I mentioned this earlier but I am a Co-Chair for our Provisional Project, and we had to do some housekeeping this morning.

THEN...this evening, I had a Christmas party at my house, so needless to say, things have been hectic today.

Today I am thankful for friends. I had a great time sharing Christmas memories with my friends today. Authentic friendships are things that every person needs in their lives. My friends are there for the good, the bad, and the ugly...and they still love me! So today, I am thankful for the circle of friends that God has given me...until tomorrow..~J