Category: Live. Laugh. Love

When I was a kid, we switched schools quite often.

Let’s see…… I went to preschool near my home that we shared with both of my parents.

Kindergarten is a blur.

1st grade was spent at The Brenan Elementary School.

2nd Grade was spent at a private school.

Back to Brenan during 3rd and off we moved….All the way to the low end on 29th and King Drive. We would spend a year at Drake Elementary and the next three years at John J. Pershing.

I had a love/hate relationship with school. I had AMAZING teachers, yet I remember begging my mom to home school me. I particularly loved Science. I remember the teacher teaching us all about working in the lab, and I couldn’t wait to get my body in one of those lab coats!! But then there were my peers. My mom just didn’t understand.” She moved us away from the “bad” to what appeared to be the “better.” It was and it wasn’t. Everyday was a choice.

She didn’t see the daily struggles to fit in, to be seen, to BE….

She didn’t see the kids who were mean to me and didn’t accept me. Heck! I didn’t even accept myself back.

She didn’t see the boys I fought as a 1st grader.

She didn’t see that I didn’t have enough “of the right clothes” to fit in with the “popular crew,” yet didn’t quite fit in with the “unpopular crew” either. I was the outcast! So I thought……

She didn’t see the daily choices I had to make.

Fast forward to the birth of my children… I made so many vows to myself about my children.

I would never do this and never do that. Although l was successful in many areas, I forgot that they had to face this world one day.

They make a choice every single day; to be apart, to distance themselves, to accept and pretend, or to be who they were meant to be. I honestly forgot how hard it was to be a kid.

Everyday is a battle for our babies who face this cruel and wicked world….. Those choices aren’t always easy, yet each choice comes with a cost.

As I enter the walls of my school everyday, I remind myself that no child is “bad.” They’re just a combination of choices they make and don’t make. They are also a product of choices their parents and community make everyday.

I urge the youth to chose wisely, for your very choices will determine your path in life….

DISCLAIMER:  This information is not intended to offer any advice, but intended for entertainment and informational purposes only.  These are only our suggestions.  We do not advocate any particular service or site.

The Gurls are on the Road again! Where to? Springfield, Illinois was our stomping grounds this weekend!

Who’s Your Daddy was the title of the sermon given on yesterday that led to a compelling message delivered by our amazing guest Pastor of the evening, Amy McGlamery!

I must say, I shed a few tears, praised my awesome Jesus, and left with my marching papers! Today is a new day! I know who I am!

I must say, it has been one rough year. I have felt discouraged, lost, and downright left behind, but you know what?? I lost sight of who I am and who I belong to?

Several take aways from this weekend…..

My identity determines my DESTINY! When you know who you are, you know exactly where you are going. Jesus knew exactly who He was, and why He was here on earth. His identity determined the very course of His life. We were left with one question on our first evening….Will you compromise your destiny for a moment of pleasure??

Day 2 was all about being Brave!

In order to be brave, we have to turn away from fear, take our thoughts captive, tame our tongue, put our dukes up (get ready for battle), and title our future!

We have to have a “different spirit” like Caleb in Numbers 14:24, because he followed God passionately! Wow.

Bravery does NOT mean that trials will not come. It simply means that WHEN they do,  because they will, BE PREPARED. Be ready by keeping your mind on Him, pushing past fear, taking every evil thought captive as referenced in Philippians 4:8, having mustard seed faith, getting back up again and again, and speaking life over your future.

Oh and let me not forget the amazing worship on this weekend! I felt like I was sitting at the feet of JESUS, as they reminded us that God is greater than the mountains before us, He is the Lion of Judah, the lamb that slain for all of our sins, and He says that I am enough! Which brings me to the theme our our conference, SHE IS ENOUGH!!!!

As our mentor instructed us to “have a blast… get strengthened, refreshed, recharged and renewed,” we did JUST THAT! #gurlsonthemove 

DISCLAIMER:  This information is not intended to offer any advice, but intended for entertainment and informational purposes only.  These are only our suggestions.  We do not advocate any particular service or site.

Grab your coffee and have a seat with me!

Years ago, I was sitting on my bed teaching my stuffed animals! Panda Bear was sent to the office for talking back. Sally the Giraffe, did not do her homework, and I was fed up with Tom the dog! Chile, when I tell you teaching was hard work back then….. it REALLY was.

Over the years, my passion and desire to teach was what led me to go to school and pursue a degree in Elementary Education. Anything to boss little kids around. 🙂

Fast forward, and I am currently in my thirteenth year of teaching. When I tell you I feel Langston Hughes on his famous line, “life for me aint been no crystal stair…,” ALL FACTS and then some.

In my teaching career, I have had to grow up, mature, surrender, and sometimes, just downright give a good cry. I don’t think I know any teacher who has never felt sad about not being able to save that “one child.” The child who pulls on your heart strings, the child who you know can accomplish anything if he/she just believed, the child who wanted to quit but didn’t because of the words you spoke into his/her life, the comfort he/she feels in knowing that someone cares, the short and long talks in between lessons, the lightbulbs that go off because they finally had their “AHA” moment. These are moments I crave for. The moments when all else seems to be going wrong, but that one challenging child wants to go to the board and show you he understood the lesson that no one else could grasp.

I get to look into the eyes of all the kids who walk into my room everyday with a frown, smile, or neither on his/her face, and I have the ability to turn that frown upside down.

You see, teaching isn’t for the weak or weary at HEART. It’s an everyday battle to change the very world we live in….It’s the attitudes, crying spells, and downright laughter from deep within. It’s the good, the bad, and the ugly.

So if anyone is mad, it’s me! Why???…….Because I want them all to succeed.

Signed, DEDICATED TEACHER…..

#NOteacherleftbehind #weCareyesWedo

So I love music! Music has always been apart of who I am. I can go wayyyyyyy back to early Saturday mornings, scarf on, gloves in hand, as we clean while my auntie blasts her black stereo to the latest songs, as we patiently await the Soullllllll Train!

Pretty much all of my family can sang! From mom, aunts, cousins, siblings, and I’m not too shabby my self :). I even performed in a couple solo concerts as a kids with the wall being my audience!

So I wanted to share a few of my current music favs. These are the songs I wake up to, walk around the house singing, and just plain ole enjoy!

1. This is a brand new song out now! The first time I heard one of the young ladies sing was at a recent youth concert, and I was blown away! I absolutely love seeing youth singing for the glory of God.

You can find them right on sound cloud and iTunes!

https://soundcloud.com/a4lmusic/joy

2. I was at a friend’s house enjoying the fam bam. While talking about our favorites scriptures, she played this song for me, and I’ve been hooked ever since. Reckless Love is constantly on repeat!

https://youtu.be/6xx0d3R2LoU

And Blanca! Where have you been?! I simply conducted a search one day looking for inspirational music that my girls would love, and who do I find?!! Blanca! Her vocals are amazing, and so is her message. This is one my my favs on repeat right now.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/best-part-of-me/1413398879?i=1413399347

What are your current favs??

DISCLAIMER:  This information is not intended to offer any advice, but intended for entertainment and informational purposes only.  These are only our suggestions.  We do not advocate any particular service or site

Today’s vlog was about the In-laws!!! How do you maintain balance with your children and their spouses?? Check out our vlog below!!!!

If you would like to follow Karen’s social media pages, she can be found on our GurlsTalk’n page as well her business page titled A Touch of Class Gift Baskets.

DISCLAIMER:  This information is not intended to offer any advice, but intended for entertainment and informational purposes only.  These are only our suggestions.  We do not advocate any particular service or site

We had a ball on today’s VLOG with Jackie focusing on peace and joy!

Check out the video below, and you can also follow her on her business page titled Grandma Neldas Sweets and Racism is Stupid!

DISCLAIMER:  This information is not intended to offer any advice, but intended for entertainment and informational purposes only.  These are only our suggestions.  We do not advocate any particular service or site

Today’s vlog was near and dear to us Many times we feel like it’s too late for us, but it isn’t! If you’re still breathing, there’s still time to do what you have been called to do! Let’s get it cracking!

Check out today’s vlog with Eunice, and keep up with the page she manages on Instagram!

https://m.facebook.com/groups/1636356596613433?view=permalink&id=2198499900399097

https://instagram.com/onusda?utm_source=ig_profile_share&igshid=o4nh3vjjjneq

DISCLAIMER:  This information is not intended to offer any advice, but intended for entertainment and informational purposes only.  These are only our suggestions.  We do not advocate any particular service or site

Today’s Vlog was amazing on so many levels! We often get distracted and discouraged by our pain, but if you would just keep pushing and pressing towards the mark, there’s purpose on the other side! Check out today’s vlog with Author, Writing Coach, and CEO of November Media Publishing Company, Tiheasha Beasley!

https://www.facebook.com/candice.jackson.505/videos/10161293813615201/

Stay connected with a Tiheasha on social media! novembermediapublishing.com

DISCLAIMER:  This information is not intended to offer any advice, but intended for entertainment and informational purposes only.  These are only our suggestions.  We do not advocate any particular service or site

Grab your coffee and chat with us for the month of January!

We will be discussing topics that are near and dear to our heart! Check out the video below for more details.

DISCLAIMER:  This information is not intended to offer any advice, but intended for entertainment and informational purposes only.  These are only our suggestions.  We do not advocate any particular service or site

Years ago, I received a call that shook the very essence of my faith. It made me question God in ways I had never questioned HIM before. Why wasn’t my prayer answered when I wanted it to be? There were hundreds of people on one accord praying the same thing; for my Pastor’s healing.

Thinking back……The congregation stood still as our Pastor stood in front of the entire church an announced he had received news a while back that he had cancer. The tears flowed down my eyes as I called my hubby to be and shared the devastating news with him. We couldn’t believe it, BUT after getting over the initial shock, we began to pray and believe. My husband gave the most “powerful” pray at our wedding for our Pastor. I believed with all my heart that he would be healed.

Fast forward, an emergency prayer was called and we prayed, prayed, and prayed……Around 9:00 that evening as we were still in prayer, Pastor Dean came walking up to the front podium and announced that our Pastor had made his transition into heaven.

I was 21 years old, and I remember having so many questions…. so many whys…. so many tears. We were taught to pray, to speak life, to speak things into existence, and I DID! GOD, why wasn’t my prayer answered!!!!?????

Have you ever been in a place where you’ve questioned God? Well, you’re not alone. Over the years I’ve learned that my ways are not God’s ways, neither are my thoughts his thoughts. We may experience life altering events that will cause us to question God, but one thing is for sure….. God has a plan for our lives and He knows what’s best, even though we may not always understand….

I have to trust Him in EVERY area of my life, even when I don’t understand my current circumstances. What about you?? Will you trust HIM?

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.” Proverbs 3:5 ESV

DISCLAIMER:  This information is not intended to offer any advice, but intended for entertainment and informational purposes only.  These are only our suggestions.  We do not advocate any particular service or site

As I reflect on this year, I could mention all the things I could’ve done differently, but I’ll leave with this note….I’ve brightened someone’s day. What an honor and privilege it is to be a teacher, mother, wife, sister, granddaughter, friend, and daughter.

With the subject that I teach, I have the opportunity of having these kiddos for two years!!!!!!!!! We share so many memories together; death of family members, frustrations with schoolwork, victories on the court and field, cries, laughs, and so much more! I’m ending the year feeling so grateful.

Being a mom can be a challenge, but I get to raise four of the most creative, caring, adventurous, and god fearing young ladies!

I’m grateful for amazing children, awesome students, the best fam and friends a girl could ask for, and THE most amazing husband for me! Love you all!

Take some time to reflect on the good as you close out your year.

I often find myself looking at my past and comparing it to my daughters and their current life.

For instance, when I was kid, we had to wash our own clothes, dress ourselves, cook our infamous pot pies most evenings when mom had to work late, and clean up before mom returned home in the evening.

We were allowed to go outside when she was home, and we dare not let the street lights “hit us,” as she would say!

When it was cold outside, we couldn’t let the “Hawk” get us! Lol. In other words, don’t go outside without a full coat of vaseline, your extra long coat to cover your knees, a hat, and some gloves!!!! Oh, and don’t forget those long johns!!!!

If my mother ever had to come up to the school, I feared for my whole LIFE.

I left my mom notes on her bed so that she wouldn’t forget to sign them when she returned home late at night.

I look at the past, and wonder where did I go wrong with my children??

Anddddddd that’s where the TRAP begins!

I’m not saying that responsibility isn’t important to teach your children, but we can not, I REPEAT……. we cannot compare the two. Don’t spend your entire parenting life comparing your childhood to that of your child’s life!  JUST DON’T DO IT!

Let’s face it….. Our children are a different breed. 😂😂

My children don’t have to do nearly as much as we had to do growing up, BUT it doesn’t mean they aren’t responsible. It doesn’t mean they aren’t good kids, and that they won’t grow up to be amazing women!

Because your/my children will grow to be amazing women, and you know why??? They have an amazing mother in YOU. Chin up, relax, and continue to let your light shine in front of your children.

Don’t give up momma….

DISCLAIMER:  This information is not intended to offer any advice, but intended for entertainment and informational purposes only.  These are only our suggestions.  We do not advocate any particular service or site.