Posted on

Supermom Chronicles – 2/2017

Hey Loves,

I’m sending a quick email to let you all know that I’m hoping to catch-up on all my 1,100 remaining posts this weekend. Please bear with me. I’m exhausted because I just returned from Tennessee on Tuesday after visiting my father.

The trip was short and apparently well needed for me. I slept on average 11 hours a night and I needed naps. Never before had I felt the need to sleep. I couldn’t understand why I was so exhausted. I actually get a minimum of 7 hours of a sleep a night so this was definitely my body saying “Rest sweetie. It’s time.”

I listened and obeyed.

I slept.

I went home to check on my dad who had a pacemaker put in about 3 weeks ago. He’s fine. Walking and talking as usual. We were able to spend some time together.

I came back on Tuesday afternoon and picked up Munch after leaving the airport. He was so excited to see me. I grabbed take out and went home to review and work on homework. I had to go to the store and I had an interview with a doctoral student regarding middle class mothers. Yep, I did that. It was a two hour interview and I felt proud to be contributing to her research.

Nope, I haven’t unpacked my suitcase yet. I have to wash Munch’s clothes this weekend and change his bedding while he is with his dad. I’m still reading books that I’m behind on, editing, writing reviews and working on a couple of pieces for submission. I’m drowning in work it seems.

Another obstacle presented itself before I flew home last weekend and I just jumped over it and will see how it plays out. I will update you shortly on that. Munch’s book report is due Tuesday and we finished it last night along with his visual presentation. All he needs to work on this weekend is the oral presentation with his dad.

I had all this done and him fed, showered and in bed before 9 pm. I even signed up to volunteer at his school for the next 3 months. I’m knee deep in paperwork, renewals and RFP’s and the day to day but I can’t forget to be there for Munch. Yep, I was supermom this week.

I wanted to pat myself on the back, but I didn’t get a chance to yet. LOL. I need a drink. Not a big one. Just a nice glass of wine and a good hug. Being able to spend some alone time with Mr. C should allow me the opportunity to have both.

Thank you for your continued support and bear with me as I catch-up on your posts and respond to the comments you’ve left on my blog. You are truly appreciated and valued. I’m just trying to prioritize.

supermom-chronicles

Advertisements
Posted on

Motivational Monday Moment – 9/12/16

Happy Monday Folks!

It’s been a helluva week. From coming home to Tennessee to today it seems that I can’t get a break. But, I wanted to share with you my Motivational Monday Moment for today. Today I’m motivated by genuine kindness.

genuine-kindness-doesnt-have-ulterior-motives-kindness-without-expectation-zero-dean

Let me tell you what’s going on…

Last week was incredibly busy with some unexpected twists and turns which I will share with you in a separate post. However, one thing that touched me is the genuineness that I experienced with my new boss. This genuine kindness has inspired my motivational Monday moment.

As many of you may know, I started a new job on June 20th. I was excited, honored and scared when offered this amazing opportunity. We negotiated some and I think we all ended up at a happy medium. But, one thing that I told them when I sat down for the second round of interviews is that I’m a mother first.

download

I’m a mother before I’m a business woman or employee. I’m a  mother. Munch is the light of my life and the greatest gift God gave me so I need to be present for him always. Now, you know when you interview, people will agree or tell you things that make you think that they are okay with that, but then change their minds later?

Ever had that happen? Think about some of the relationships you’ve had whether romantic or friendships or professional. Promises can be fleeting in corporate America. I even reiterated that when I accepted the job. I explained that I had just moved and that my son is going to a new school. He’s going to be riding a school bus and I needed flexibility for the first month of school. My new boss agreed.

I accepted the job.

That flexibility was tested this month. Let me tell you how. I am entering my busiest season for a benefits manager…Annual Enrollment. I am working on multiple projects, managing my staff and writing. Don’t forget the many meetings and phone calls that I’m receiving daily. You get the picture?

I’m swamped.

I was out of the office 9/1-9/6 when I went home to Tennessee. I returned and went to work on 9/7. I attended Back to School Night that evening (separate post) and went home. Munch was waiting up for me and we talked and he told me some disturbing things. I will also share those in a separate post, but one of those items caused me to email the new principal, new assistant principal, his teacher and guidance counselor.

The guidance counselor reached out to me immediately and wanted to speak with me in person. I was excited that she took my concerns seriously and I had to leave work early on Thursday after being out for two days already to meet with her about Munch. My boss was very encouraging and told me don’t worry about it. Take care of Munch.

give-kindness-and-do-good-because-you-can-zero-dean

I was so happy and thankful for her spirit. I can’t function if my baby is not good. Number one thing to know about me. If Munch is hurting whether physically, spiritually and/or emotionally. I left work at 2pm to go and meet them.

The next day I had to leave work early to go and pick Munch up because he got a wart on his foot that had been hurting and the Dermatologist had a cancellation. My boss was cool again when I left early and I had to take Munch from school and then to his doctor. Another early day.

Genuine kindness is sometimes the hardest things that people can do. But, look how blessed that kindness has made me. She didn’t have to be cool with my unexpected absences and I’m a new employee, but she was. That allowed me to handle my son’s issues, check emails remotely and still know what is going on. It allowed me to focus on the most important job in the world…being a mommy.

kindness

So, that’s my Motivational Monday Moment. I want us all to practice the habit of being kind. Not just for the sake of it, but because we genuinely are concerned about the welfare of others. That we know by being kind we are doing nothing more than what we would expect from others. I felt like I was falling with the amount of stress that I was carrying with trying to deal with Munch’s new school issues, but my boss’ genuine act of kindness changed that feeling. Let’s make everyone feel this way.

never-underestimate-the-power-of-a-single-act-of-kindness-falling-to-flying-zero-dean

 

 

 

Disclaimer: I own no rights to these photos. I got them from a Google search.

Posted on

MIA Update – June 27th

Hey Everyone!

How ya’ll doing? I’m taking it back to my Southern Roots and giving you a little taste of the South. Lol. I’ve missed you guys so much. I’m sorry I haven’t written. It has been crazy busy these last few days at my new job.

I have to say I love it! I was unsure of how the team would receive me. I was a little apprehensive about what I would encounter, but one thing that I’ve always said is that God ordered my steps.

He totally ordered my steps on this position. This position was something that he thought that I could do so I have embraced it. I’ve accepted it and I’m so excited that He’s given me wonderful wonderful women to mentor and to lead. My team is all women. Lol. Not surprising in Human Resources though.

I’m ready to help develop, motivate and encourage them so that we can be a strong team. A united team. I have so many ideas. I’m loving who they are as women and who are they who they are as individuals.

I’m meeting with each of them individually this week to begin discovering who they are, what they do, what they would like to do and where they think they need help. I let them know that we did get another head count in the department so I’m super excited about that. So were they. I’ve already jumped in and made some recommendations, learned a lot of information and scheduled meetings with the vendors. I’m all about vendor management. I’m extremely excited about what lies ahead.

Mr. C is mad at me because I haven’t written in the past week. But, as I explained to him it’s been a lot on my plate between traveling and getting used to my new job but I’m trying to get back on schedule. So, I’m asking you guys to give me a couple of weeks. Last week was one and this is my second week where I probably will not write as much but I will try to go in and reblog out some pieces that I read.

So, please bear with me. I’m going to try my best to catch up with everyone’s posts as much as I can. July is a busy month. I’m getting ready for my trip to Miami in a couple of weeks, 4th of July is my son’s soccer banquet and my church’s homecoming picnic is the next weekend and my niece’s graduation party two weeks later. I’m trying to make sure that I am not spreading myself too thin and being available for dates with Mr. C, seeing my son obviously, my job and my girlfriends.

I’ve been neglecting my girlfriends because I’ve been so busy you know co-parenting, Munch’s school situation, my move and his birthday party that I’ve sort of neglected that girl time. That girl time is so important when it comes to friendships so I’m trying to get back on track.

Last week was super good because I was able to get in touch with a couple of girlfriends and play catch up. A couple of weeks before that I was able to have a couple of more dinners. This week I have my son and with his busy schedule it’s going to be really interesting. Bear with me. I will be tweeting and reblogging some great reads.

Again I’m sorry that I haven’t been around but I wish all of you much success and I know your writing is phenomenal. I will ask that if you have some great reads that you think I would enjoy that I’ve missed please post them at the end of this post because I really would love to read them and I may go ahead and reblog them out to my readers. Thank you guys for all of your continued support on my posts, talking to me and encouraging me. You guys really do not know how much I really love that it is a sisterhood, a brotherhood and a bloggerhood. It’s family and I thank you for everything.

Kisses!

Posted on

Mother’s Day – 2016

Today is the day where we honor all Mother’s for their strength, grace and unconditional love. The kind of love that invokes a smile when you think about how you tried to get away with things when you were a kid. Yep, that kind of love.

I’m spending today with my Munch of course and my mom. We’re taking her out to dinner. By we, I mean me. LOL. But, I’m truly happy that I have a mom and that I am a mom. I’m by no means perfect, but there was no greater joy for me than to feel my son growing in my womb and knowing that I was blessed.

So, I wish all of you Mother’s out there a wonderful day filled with lots of love, hugs and kisses from children that are happy you’re there. Whether you gave birth, adopted, became a guardian of a child know that you are truly blessed. There’s no other, like a mother.

Happ-Mothers-Day-Images1

Posted on

Little Wins

Monday I walked into aftercare to pick up Munch to take him to soccer practice. He runs, gives me a hug and I lean down to kiss him and smile. He grabs his stuff and I’m listening to my girlfriend talk and he interrupts…”Mommy, who are you talking to? Mr. C? My daddy? Auntie Nikki?” he questioned. “None of your business Munch. Stop checking my call log and remember you’re 7 and I’m 41” I told him.

I laughed and realized that my son is now starting to pay attention to me and everything I do. I don’t know when this happened, but me noticing it now puts me in a different position to make sure that everyone knows that my child is in the car when having conversations and that I stop talking when he walks into a room. He’s now interested in my life. When did that happen?

After soccer practice, I headed to McDonald’s to grab him dinner and he asked, “Wow, you’re going to get me McDonald’s?” “Yes, Munch. I don’t feel like cooking. I’m cooking tomorrow and Wednesday so this is the only meal you will eat out” I replied. “Okay, Mommy” he said. He then said something that made me smile. He said “Mommy, I just can’t tell you how much I love. I love you so very much. You’re the best mommy in the world and I’m so lucky to have you.”

I love that. Little things. Little wins.

Posted on

Blizzard and Munch

So in my continuing crisis of living with all this dang snow I have to tell you that I’m dying. I’m ready for munch to go back to school, but schools are closed again today.  Probably because some neighborhoods still hadn’t been plowed. Really? It ended on Sunday. However, my munch is enjoying all this time off and being able to spend it with me.

Me. Not so much. It’s been an interesting week of too much time with my kid and not a lot of alcohol. Why? Because mommy juice is off limits with no other adult supervision. We’ve been talking, tickling, laughing and playing and I’m all played out. Mommy is tired. Today we’re venturing out to the movies and McDonald’s for some much needed time out. I’ve been dug out (for a price) and they finally plowed the secondary roads and my parking lot. I feel like a runaway slave! LOL!

Munch is enjoying the snow so much. Here are some photos.

image

image

image

image

image
My car behind 5 feet of snow.
Posted on

Random: Munch Eats Too Much

So, the kid that I gave birth to must be experiencing a growth spurt. He’s eating me out of house and home lately and I’m starting to wonder does he have a tapeworm. Where is he packing all these calories? Just this morning, I fixed him his normal breakfast of waffles, bacon and a bowl of fruit only to be told that he is still hungry. WTH? He asked could he buy some cereal at school for breakfast since we were walking out the door. Really?

I said, “Munch, we don’t qualify for free or reduced lunch and it is expensive to purchase food at school.” With his beautiful brown eyes he said, “Mommy, I have money in my piggy bank. I can pay for my food.” I paused and said, “No baby it is mommy’s responsibility to make sure that you eat. I will add money to your school account.”

I did. I’m confused. He is constantly telling me that he is hungry and asking me for more food during dinner (only vegetables though). Ugh! I need a part-time job to support his food issues.

will work for food

 

Dometicated Momster

 

Disclaimer: I don’t own the rights to this photo. I performed a simple Goggle search and found it.

Posted on

Bye Bye 2015

It’s the last day of the year and I’m sitting here thinking what Munch and I will have for dinner. Thinking about parking at this big church event that we are attending later on tonight. Why? Because it’s New Years’ Eve and I’m a mom who has her son. So, we are going to ring in the New Year giving praise and thanks for another day.  Another year. Bye-Bye 2015!

Bye-Bye-GIF

What did I learn in 2015? I shared the gifts I got in a prior post. A lot of lessons, some pain, lots of joy, some heartache and some not so pleasant things. But, in the end I learned more about me this year. I learned that I am strong and capable of surviving any storm. Ya’ll know that my struggle was real and my story had more bumps that caused crashes, but I’m grateful. I survived. So did you.

What do I wish for 2016? What do I want? Here are the top 5 things that I want in 2016.

  • Love
  • Debt Reduction
  • Healthier Lifestyle
  • Romance
  • Many more mommy moments

To be more specific and put it out in the universe…

  • Love – I want to find someone who I can be myself with and experience all the good and bad things that life has to offer. I want a slow and steady and dependable kind of love. I told my friend that I want an easy like Sunday morning kind of love. The love that you don’t have to work for. The love that endures. The love that just exists and in that moment we are so blissfully happy we don’t know how we got here. No, it doesn’t mean that it’s perfect, it just works. It works for us. We can have fights and disagreements, but we do it fairly. No below the line fighting or name calling. No rage. We are grown so we know how to make up. This year, I want to find someone who loves me and my son as though we were flesh of his flesh. I vow to do the same.

love-07

  • Debt Reduction – Yes, this is a big one for me too. I want to reduce my debt and curb my spending. I have some goals that I’m trying to achieve and I need to get cracking. I’m looking at budgets, tracking my spending and creating emergency cash reserves. I have a lot of stuff I need to do and I’m trying to read, research, react and reduce my debt. I’m getting accountability partners and plotting my plan. Trust me…I will keep you posted by guest blogging with a couple of fellow bloggers so you get the real nitty gritty. LOL!

Erasing Debt

  • Healthier Lifestyle – I’ve shared with you the slow progress of getting my health on track with working out, practicing mindful eating and trying to reduce my stress. It’s part of honoring my temple to be a healthier version of me. The pound loss has been slow but I’m definitely losing inches and my clothes fit differently. I want to continue working out and making healthier choices to prevent the need for medications. My goal is to lose a total of 40 pounds for 2016. That’s about 3.33 pounds a month. It starts with me.

10092014061606_healthy-living-tips2232

  • Romance – I was never one who believed in romance, but I have to admit that I’m sort of romantic by default. I love to do little things and to have someone special do little things for me. I like to surprise you with a romantic dinner or gift just because. I like those things in return. I like little notes or emails to let me know what I mean to you or what you’re feeling about me at any given moment. It is when someone listens to my heart and tries to make me happy that I feel special. I want a romance where we speak each other’s love language and we like it. We put forth an effort to romance each other. You like physical touch? I like quality time. Let’s romance each other in 2016.

romantic kiss-saidaonline

  • Many more mommy moments – Yes. This is a definite. My munch and I have so many moments that we’ve shared this year and I can’t wait to share so many more. I bought a new DSLR camera (my first one) and I’m so excited. I want to capture all the moments we share whether on this new camera or with my cell phone. For example, he got his first check from his grandma for Christmas and I had him take it to the bank and deposit it in his account. He was scared, but he loved the experience. That’s my wish for him. More moments where I can teach, engage, love or just nurture his spirit. I love being a mom and he’s growing so quickly.

View More: http://magnoliastreetphoto.pass.us/tikeetha--brendan

That’s all folks.  It’s time to say bye-bye to 2015.  What are your 2016 goals? Do you write them down?

 

 

Disclaimer: I don’t own the rights to any of the photos except those of my son and I. I did a Google search on the above photos.

Posted on

Fall Photo Shoot

Hey Everyone,

I’m back from Tennessee and I’m still catching my bearings. So, today’s post is a bunch of photos that I’m sharing with you. It is these moments that I realize my purpose in life…to be his mother. So here goes…

Munch and I took some photos with our favorite photographer, Erin, at Magnolia Street Photography last month and I wanted to share some of the flicks with you. I love taking photos with my son because it means that if something should ever happen, he will remember what I look like. He will remember these moments. They are some of the happiest times of my life.

Enjoy!

View More: http://magnoliastreetphoto.pass.us/tikeetha--brendan

View More: http://magnoliastreetphoto.pass.us/tikeetha--brendan

View More: http://magnoliastreetphoto.pass.us/tikeetha--brendan

View More: http://magnoliastreetphoto.pass.us/tikeetha--brendan