It’s been 3 months since we took our family vacation to Washington D.C. Anyone who has talked to me about this trip knows the highlight was being able to go to the brand new Smithsonian National African American History and Culture. The wait list to get tickets is still months long, and we happened to be there when it was still possible to wait in line, early in the morning for tickets. Read More
January 20th, 2017: Good News!
If you’re feeling like most of us are feeling, today, we could all use some good news. I believe this entire week was a slow torturous countdown to this day. The band-aid was finally ripped off and here we are trying to see how long it’ll take this wound to heal…if it heals at all.
I’ll be completely honest though, I was upset for about half an hour this morning, and I’ve since moved on. I’ve decided these next four years (hopefully sooner) I need to start putting more of my money where my mouth is. We can’t expect any President to “save us” from ourselves, but we sure as hell can work our behinds off to make the changes we want to see in this country.
I was too busy, out and about, running errands with my daughter and the dog this morning to take any time to watch the Inauguration. I’m actually happy I decided to do this, because I honestly believe it protected me from feeling so much negativity, today. Not the type of feeling of wanting change because of racism, sexism, etc, but the negativity of watching something that doesn’t make me happy, for no good reason. I hope you all did something to make yourself happy as well. If you didn’t…here go some great things that happened today to brighten your January 20th, 2017!
House Of Cards (season 5) promo:
Not only did House of Cards finally drop a date for season 5, the entire promotion is perfect marketing for this day. It’s an eerie version of the Pledge of Allegiance with a dark, upside down, American flag, outside of the U.S. Capitol. Check out the promo here.
Obama.org (Presidential Center) announcement:
President and First Lady (I’m not ready to say “former” yet) Obama shared a video on their Obama Foundation page talking about their next moves post Presidency. They are asking for people to send them ideas and suggestions for the new Presidential Center in Chicago, IL. If you want to get involved and make a difference…here’s a good start!
Women’s March countdown:
The Women’s March on D.C. will be held tomorrow afternoon. Oh man, what a big deal and show of solidarity this will be. Not only will this march take place tomorrow, but over 250 sister marches all over the world will be taking place in solidarity with everyone in D.C. I’m so excited to march here in Montana tomorrow afternoon with two of my close friends. If you would like more details on the march and how you can get involved, click here.
Black-ish Spinoff:
It has been said there will be a spin-off show around Yara Shahidi’s character, Zoey, while she is in college. The inspiration for the show is my favorite show of all time A Different World. DO YOU KNOW HOW EXCITED I AM FOR THIS? I really hope it all works out and ends up being everything I imagine it can be!
National Cheese Day:
I found this out on Twitter earlier this morning. It may seem trivial to some of you, but to me, it’s awesome, because y’all….I love cheese. Like, ridiculously love cheese. If I could add cheese to everything I eat I would. So…happy National Cheese Day y’all!
What good news what you like to share with all of us, today? It doesn’t have to be anything major just something that makes you happy. I will say this, even if none of these activities and events happened today; I woke up healthy, my loved ones are healthy, and life is good.
Happy Friday folks! Have a fun and safe weekend!
(Wishing my little one and I were in D.C. tomorrow so here’s a photo of us when we were there this past October)
Brie <3
[01.20.17]
Jordyn Denise: 2 Years 7 Months
Today, Jordyn is technically 2 years and 7 months old, but she’s close enough to 6 month mark to round down and tell people she’s 2 and a half, right? Either way, we’re rolling with saying “2 and a half” until a month before her 3rd birthday. Ha!Read More
Ares Chemo Update: 1st Month
Happy thankful Thursday, everyone! It’s been about six weeks since we first found out our beloved German Shepherd, Ares, has lymphoma. Lymphoma is cancer which causes the lymph-nodes all over the body to swell up. Without treatment they eventually swell up until they’re too large for the dog to handle and have to be put down. Read More
#ThankfulNovember!
It may be November 4th, but it’s never too late to say, “Happy November”, right? I didn’t think so. Life has been crazy and hectic since returning from our three-week vacation last week, Saturday. Somehow, no matter how much I do, I still feel like I’m twelve steps behind. I will eventually catch up and be back to my “normal” in the next week or so. My blog post this upcoming Sunday will be an awesome recap of our vacation for those of you who would like details. 🙂
I’ve decided for the month of November, at least 90% of my blog posts, will be around the theme of thankfulness. Sometimes we misunderstand the idea of thankfulness and I want to do my best to fix it within myself and those of you who love to read my posts. We tend to wait for major events to happen to be thankful instead of being thankful for the little everyday things we take for granted. I’m going to do my best to highlight what’s important and to be thankful for all of them.
To all of my Chicago family and friends, I hope those of you who were able to attend the Chicago Cubs victory parade today had an amazing time, and remember this forever. Today’s crowd of 5 million registered as the 7th largest gathering in history. Way to set the bar for everyone else, Chicago! Fly the W and Go Cubs, Go!
I hope everyone has a great weekend, a safe weekend, filled with tons of laughs and love!
Brie <3
[11.04.16]
My 28th Birthday Thank You!
Today I turned 28 years old, and I’m feeling so many emotions. The one emotion that best describes all of them put together is: joy. I’m so happy and thankful the Lord has blessed me with another year. I know and read too many stories about people younger than me not seeing this age, so I know to always be thankful for every day God blesses me to see.
Read More
Happy Mother’s Day 2016!
Happy Mother’s Day to all of the wonderful mothers both near and far. Today, is easily one of my favorite holidays, because we learn each year, on this day, how mothers keep the world going. It’s the simple actions, gestures, and words of our mothers and mother figures, that help keep us on track and progress through everyday life. I have an even bigger appreciation for this day since becoming a mother in June 2014. There is an indescribable unconditional love that comes with motherhood and I couldn’t imagine my life without Jordyn and this love. I wish I could spend this day with my own mother and grandmother, but unfortunately, being a military family comes with some sacrifices, and living far away from family is one of them. I hope they enjoyed their day and they know how much we love them, and how thankful we are to have them in our lives.
Today, my husband got up with Jordyn this morning, and they both brought me beautiful and hilarious Mother’s Day cards. He also marinated some chicken breasts and grilled them along with some potato veggie packets for dinner. I must say…it was DELICIOUS. As he grilled, he played reggae music and Jordyn had a mini jamming session in between playing “fetch” with Ares in the backyard. He gave Jordyn her bath (although he does this most of the time anyway because he’s that awesome) and washed her hair, after she so graciously blew out her diaper for him. We started a Harry Potter marathon on Friday night, because we both LOVE Harry Potter, and we’ve continued it on throughout the day and evening, today.
In all of my happiness today I can’t help but think of all of the people I know who are celebrating their first Mother’s Day without their mothers, mother figures, and even children. I have kept all of you in my prayers and I pray it brought you some sense of comfort and peace. There is nobody on earth who can replace our loved ones, especially our mothers, and I hope you all know my heart is with you.
I have thoroughly enjoyed my Mother’s Day and I hope you all did too. I’m so thankful God chose me to be a mother but more importantly Jordyn Denise’s mother. Although Mother’s Day is amazing, remember to be thankful for your mothers every day, because there are many people out there who wish they had the opportunity. If nothing else be sure to tell your mother you love her. One day you will be beyond grateful you took the time to do so.
Happy Mother’s Day!
Brie <3
[05.08.16]
R.I.P. Doug Banks
It’s interesting how as we get older, and major life changes such as death occur, we’re reminded how influential many people have been in our lives. Some of these people we’ve never even met before, but we can remember certain points in our lives when their presence, however they presented themselves, changed our emotions and maybe even our lives.
I say this because reading the news about Doug Banks passing away this morning truly broke my heart. Growing up in the surrounding Chicago suburbs I remember listening to the Doug Banks Radio Show daily, on v103, in middle and high school. As if his voice and laugh weren’t memorable on their own, his sense of humor and ability to connect with his audience are what made him one of the legends of radio personalities. I remember going through the typical teenage drama back in the day and feeling like his jokes and music selections were specifically picked for me and my issues at the time. I’ve also always been raised listening to and appreciating old school music. His show allowed me to hear the best old school music on a daily basis without having to search and listen to it myself.
Since reading about his passing this morning, I’ve been reading the captions and comments on the photo memories of Doug Banks, and I’ve learned that he made A LOT of people feel like the friend they never met, but always knew what to do and say to make life better. A lot of people are already missing hearing him on their after work commute.
I will pray for Doug’s family and their healing throughout the process. Thanks for the great memories, quality personality and radio, and more importantly the laughs.
R.I.P. Doug Banks.
Brie <3
[04.11.16]
Happy Birthday, Billie!
Today, Billie Holiday a.k.a. Lady Day, would have been 101 years old. I have always liked Jazz music, but my love for Jazz music really bloomed about 5 years ago. Naturally, Billie became one of my favorite jazz singers, ever. There is something about her music where you can feel the passion and/or pain in her voice, but she makes it sound like the most beautiful sultry voiced passion and/or pain you have ever heard. I am only 27 years young so Lady Day was well before “my time” as the older folks like to say lol, but quality music knows no age. I wish I could say I got to see a legendary musician such as Billie perform live, but I thankfully have her collection of beautiful music to listen to until the end of time. I will share my favorite Billie Holiday song with you called, Good Morning Heartache, below. I’m sure I’ve probably shared this song before at some point in time of my blogging history, but you can never have too much Billie in your life, especially this song. 😉
Happy birthday, Lady Day! I hope you’re resting easy.
Brie <3
[04.07.16]
Happy Birthday, Ash!
Today is not only #ThankfulThursday, but it is my cousin’s (who is more like my sister) 26th birthday! She’s clearly getting old and I’m clearly getting better LOL. I won’t bore everyone to death, but I wanted to take the time to wish her a very blessed and happy birthday. I’m so happy I get to call someone as crazy, and complicated (-_-) as you are, my cousin. I hope you recovered from your birthday celebrations LMAO. We love you so much and can’t wait to see you next month!
Happy birthday again Ash/Adeebo/Tunia! 🙂
Brie <3
[03.03.16]