1, 2, 3, 4, 5!

1.) I think its safe to say that Tristan had fun with his Mimi and Poppy on his weekly sleepover with them! My mom sent me this picture of him knocked out in the car after playing.

2.) Tristan LOVES to learn. His three favorite things to work on are addition equations, spelling, and Bible trivia, so we try to work on all three each day. It amazes me how much he is learning! Mimi bought him a couple posters, math flash cards and some craft supplies...he was one happy boy.

3.) How beautiful are these sunflowers?!? My mom said T picked these out for me and asked to bring them home as a surprise. Seriously, he can't get any sweeter. I'm one blessed mama!

4.) Why does my baby looks 7 years old here?!? Not okay with this! Time needs to s-l-o-w down.

5.) Dwight is a dedicated athlete, way more dedicated than I could EVER be. He is also a dedicated daddy, and I love that about him. He asked for me and T to come shoot with him the other day, so we did. He also let Tristan play defense on him as he shot. I would try to call T over to me so he was out of the way but Dwight would assure me "babe, he's fine!". It means so much to Tristan to have this time with his daddy and it absolutely warms my heart to watch. I played T in a game of bball (first one to 5 won). I was shocked how good he was. I won, but only because I kept picking him up and moving him out of the way. He would say "mommy, that's a foul!!" Ha!

Talk about Tuesday

1.) Yesterday I completed my final day of "in office" training. Next up is "hands on" aka in the hospital training. After 6.5 years of college, two degrees, and two internships, I have learned that I will never be done learning. There is always something new to discover and expand my knowledge on. I loved the training, seriously it was so thorough and good! I got to hear from Fort Worth/Arlington Police, the District Attorney's office, the lead SANE nurse (sexual assault nurse examiner), and more. Truly a humbling experience and I know without a doubt that God has called me to this position. Thankful!

2.) Tristan stayed the night with Mimi last night and is on his way home shortly. I have discovered I can't stand to be away from him more than 24 hours. I miss him way too much!!

3) I am in the final stages of planning my big sis' 30th birthday! I can't wait to honor her and make her day special. Invites are ordered, printed, sealed and addressed in envelopes...now I just have to get to the post office. ;)

4.) I discovered last night that it's best I am working PRN. On a normal week my schedule will be very different than how it was during my 10am-4pm training. I got home around 5pm yesterday and was exhausted. Dwight and I didn't eat dinner until after 9:30pm and I fell asleep on the couch shortly after. Ha! I'm not cut out for the 9-5 work schedule just yet. It's best I'm being eased into it! ;) The way my schedule works is I will be "on call" from 5pm to 9am Monday through Friday. So Monday night starting at 5pm then I'll go off call at 9am Tuesday morning, then again back on call at 5pm that night, and back off at 9am Wednesday morning etc. It's PRN since there is no way to predict when a rape victim will go into the hospital. Once they do go into the hospital, if its during my on call time frame, I will be called by the answering service and go up there. I have an evaluation (emotional/mental) that I do, and serve as a support system for the client. As you can imagine, this is a traumatic experience to not only experience such an awful event but to have to be medically examined and begin the process of healing and finding justice through law enforcement. I'm told I'll be called out 2 to 3 times a week when I'm "first back up" then the weeks I'm second/third...maybe not at all.

5.) On a much lighter note, I am making stuffed bell peppers for dinner tonight. I love finding new/yummy recipes to try on Pinterest. I don't know what I ever did without it. :)

6.) That's it for me! I should probably start the dishwasher, straighten up the bathrooms, and maybe vacuum before T comes home and wants my full attention!

Life is SWEET!

Last night my cousin, Andrew got married! It was such a fun wedding, a night I'll always remember.

Me and my three sisters after the ceremony: Natalie, me, Ashley, Melody

Excuse the blurriness/i-phone quality. Poppy was in charge of taking this one, bless his heart he was having issues. Can you tell?! ;)

Anytime Tristan sees us 4 girls getting ready to take a picture together he insists on doing this pose.

It cracks me up. In a few years we won't be able to lift him up like this...he can just lie across our laps as we sit down. ha!

Amari's turn!

Dwight totally photo-bombed us, meanwhile Poppy was still having difficulties with the camera. Haha!

LOVE him. Marriage is hard work (can I get an amen?), but it is so worth it. We are certainly not perfect and we definitely have our moments, but I wouldn't trade this man for the world. =)

My cousin Andrew, waiting for his bride, alongside my other cousin, Christopher who was keeping the ring-bearer (my cousin-once removed) still. :)

Tristan and Prestan have the sweetest little bond. Even though they only see each other a couple times a year, they remember and love one another so much. Prestan is my cousin's son...so I THINK that makes him Tristan's second cousin-once removed?!

My little love bug. I kept bribing him with chocolate covered strawberries for kisses/pictures/dances. 

I've been accused (by T) of being "obsessed" with him...I won't argue that. Ha!

Dancing! 

Dwight is such a good dancer (seriously!). I consider myself a lucky lady because I know many husbands can't/won't dance, but he will! Well after dancing with me, on his own, with the kids, etc...he took my sister, Ashley on the dance floor to dance. It REALLY confused the boys. Amari said "okay, now Ashley's your wife!" Tristan commented "Daddy, I saw you danced with aunt Ashley..." as if he was trying to hide it. Love their little perspectives on life!

My mom and her sister, Pam. 

They look just a little alike. ;)

My Nanny and Papa!! 

Love them so much. It's crazy to think that without them, there would be no "us".

Natalie and Brendan (our cousin's son).

This picture literally brings me to tears. My 3 cousins (on my mom's side) are in almost all of my childhood memories. All seven of us are very close, yet have gone separate ways over the years. This is the first time in years that we have all been together at the same time. We have a picture in front of my grandparents house, in this order (oldest to youngest) of us. I have to go and find it! Anyway, we were laughing because in that picture Andrew, Melody, and I are so short and little. Now, we tower over the older ones. Thankfully the professional photographer got a picture because my i-phone one doesn't capture it the best.

Brittany, Ashley, Natalie, Chris, Andrew, me, Melody

It was so funny after the picture we all formed a circle and just laughed and talked. The rest of the guests may have thought we were crazy. ;)

Love them!

I love technology, seriously so fun to look back on ALL these memories!

Here are some videos of us dancing the night away. They are super short instagram videos, but still fun!

This first video is proof that my man can dance! =)

Dancing with my baby! I am going to be a basket-case when I dance with him at his wedding. 

I seriously can't even think about it. Dwight was laughing at me crying during my cousin's dance with his mom last night. I turned around and everyone of my sisters and grandparents were crying. It was sweet!

Last video, proof that Mimi can get down...Poppy, not so much. Ha!

It's Sunday which means the week is about to start. All three kids are playing in their room, I made them a fort and they love it! Hubs is next to me on the couch watching some basketball, and I am off to get dinner started so we can go to the park before bed. Life is sweet!

Picture Post

Tristan and I enjoyed yet another day out by the water. :)

I think this little boy just might turn into fishy with all his water activities!

T is constantly saying funny things...I seriously need to write a book of all his sayings to remember one day. Anyway, I was buckling him in his carseat today and I called him "T". His little friend, Faith asked "why do you call him 'T' ?" I told her it was because Tristan's name starts with a 'T'. Tristan perked up and said "OH, T is for Tristan...!" So, I guess this whole time (the past 4 years) my child has not put together why he earned the nickname, 'T'. However, thanks to Faith and this light bulb moment, he now gets it. Ha!

Best buds. =)

This is how I find Tristan most days after our outings...passed out. 

I think this is a good indicator of all the fun that has been had this summer.

I leave you with this funny picture of the boys bonding tonight. I looked up from cooking dinner in the kitchen and saw Tristan climbing on his dad's neck while they played basketball on xbox. The funny thing was, Dwight didn't even flinch and acted like this was totally normal...boys! ;)

I think me posting 3 entries in one day will make up for the lack of blogging that I fear is coming my way. Tomorrow I start training for my new position! While I am excited, I am also nervous to begin this journey. If you remember, say a prayer for me this week. Here is to the start of something new!

Black & White

Growing up, and even present day, people would make comments to me like "you're the whitest black girl I know!". These (ignorant) remarks would always frustrate me, but I would let them go. What are they basing my "whiteness" on? The fact that I am biologically HALF white, therefore just as much of my genetic makeup is white as it is black...no, I knew that was not what they meant.

Unfortunately, to many people, if you are black and speak in complete sentences, have an education, dress a certain way, and desire certain things you're "white" or "white-washed". If you are white and speak in slang, wear baggy clothes, or do things that are seen as "black" you're a "wigger". Wow, seriously? Why aren't more people offended by this? That acting civilized is seen as being "white" and acting like you've never owned a book or dictionary is being "black". Which leads me to ask, why are positive social norms reserved for the white community and seen as a commodity for the black community? It's disheartening. 

I recently read THIS article written by a black actor to Trayvon Martin sympathizers and I loved it. Just for the record, I haven't and won't state my full opinions on the case, but I will say that I think it's unfortunate and sad that a child walking home from the store with a drink and skittles is considered a threat. However, could this have been prevented? I think so.  It is easier to blame society for injustices being done than to take responsibility for the part we have played in it. 

The real issue lies within the black community. What are we teaching our children and what are we withholding from them? I for one do not want my son to grow up to be the next Jay-Z, that's just me. I'm not too concerned whether or not he makes it into the NBA (sorry babe), and I for sure don't care what pop culture and the media "expect" of him.

Tristan will see his mama fly off the handle if the "N" word ever comes out of his mouth. *Side note* If you do not want someone calling you a derogatory word, then DO NOT call yourself or others said word. And for heavens sake, he will be wearing clothes that fit his body, not that of a man 5x his size. I will expect him to present himself in a manner that allows for his first impression to be a good one. It is human nature to judge people by the way they appear and how they present themselves. If this was not true, no one would dress up for interviews or court. You would walk in "just as you are". I doubt many people do this, and if they do, they usually are not the ones walking away with the job or positive verdict. It does matter how you look in many regards. You should take care of yourself to the best of your abilities, you should be well groomed and take pride in your appearance. Not dress in a manner that causes people to question whether or not your going to hold them at gun point. 

I think the real issue is why there is a lack of standards within the black community and why one is seen as being "un-black" if they don't fit those so called standards. 

I pray that my son understands his potential and embraces his Gods given talents and uses those to honor and bring glory to his Creator. If that's playing a professional sport-being the humblest player on the court. If that's being a musician-writing and playing music that honors women, the human race, and shows love for others. If its being a business man, lawyer, doctor, etc- allowing humility, integrity, honesty, and hard work to drive him. I pray greed, immorality, racism, perversity, ignorance, and negative things of this world never guide his character or destiny. 

You see, I believe whether your black, white, or any other race, you deserve a chance. I also believe once given that chance, you should strive to do your part in making it count. Parents owe it to their children to  empower them by giving them hope through education, proper social and life skills, and moral standards to rise to. We should equip our children with qualities that are seen as positives not negatives. We should tell our children how priceless they are, that they can be anything they want. Not shame and belittle them, or send them into the real world thinking that they are entitled to things they have not yet earned. It is a disservice and lie to suggest to our children that it does not matter how they presents themselves, because it does. 

I'm not perfect and never will be. My son and future children are not perfect either. However, I will do all that I can as a mother to give them every chance to succeed. I will invest in their character, and do my best to teach them how to conduct themselves in the most effective and positive manner possible. We only get one shot at this parenting thing...I for one want to commit to giving it my all so I can see my little (black) boy grow to be an amazing (black) man, despite what society or statistics say he should be.

This topic may be an uncomfortable, even a taboo one to discuss...but as I watch the news, read status updates, and take everything in; all while watching my little boy run around without a care in the world-completely oblivious to the brokenness he will one day face, I can't stay silent. I want my son to have every opportunity that his white friends will have. I refuse to let the color of his skin, or the ignorance of others decide what he can or cannot achieve. I believe that all the days of his life are already ordained and numbered by God. That the Lord has a special plan for Tristan's life, and I will do my part as a parent to help him discover what exactly it entails. I do not desire to argue or debate, simply speak the words that have been on my heart for several days now.

I dedicate this post to my sweet, precious, intelligent, hilarious, handsome, godly little boy.

You are FEARFULLY and WONDERFULLY made.

Checking in!

How is it already Monday?!?! ;) The weekend goes by too fast, but luckily for me, it continues into the weekdays. I keep thanking God for allowing me to work a part time job a couple times a week, I'm not ready to surrender all 5 days just yet!

Saturday, I attended the sprinkle of one of my best friends, Paige (the one in the middle). She is expecting a precious little baby girl named Willow, in just a few weeks! I am SO blessed by the friendships of all the women in this picture, we are all in a bible study group together. Love them!

The Sprinkle was at Wildwood Grill in Southlake and the food was fab. So was socializing and laughing with all the sweet ladies there. Blessed!

Tristan and I went on a sno cone date last night. I love my one-on-one time with my little guy.

Mama got white coconut with cream and T got orange. Yum!

Friday, we met up with Krystle and Ty for some swimming and much needed catch up time. 

Mr. Ty will be ONE year old next month, I can't believe it...feels like he was just born. :)

Tristan is going to be such a good big brother one day. He loves to hold babies, tries to feed them (stuff they probably shouldn't have... but its the thought that counts), and just has that sweet, loving nature you want in an older sibling. I can't wait to see him fulfill that role one day soon!

Taking a ride on sisters scooter one evening this weekend. The kids all stayed the night at Dwight's mom's house so we had our weekly date night, I love those! 

I start training for my new job this week so I may be MIA, but I'll be back! As for now, we are off to enjoy the movies and some water park fun afterwards. Soaking up every ounce of summer we can!

The next chapter

Dwight and I have been talking about our family's future a lot lately. It's one of my favorite things to do, dream BIG with my husband! I love talking about where we hope to be in 3, 5, 10 years...How many more kids we want, where we want to buy/build our next home, should we do public or private school for Tristan, will we leave the country if the opportunity arises for a good contract, the list goes on and on!

Recently, Dwight and I decided it was time for me to start looking for a job. After graduating in May with my Master's degree, it was important for both of us that I take some time off. The past 2.5 months I have spent at home have been amazing, I wouldn't trade them for anything! However, I have a strong desire in my heart to counsel others, it's what I feel called by God to do. So, I updated my resume, started looking for positions, making contact with individuals that could point me in the right direction or give advice, and just praying that God would lead me to the perfect place.

One morning last week, Tristan and I were taking a morning walk and I began to pray. I prayed for our family as a unit, for my marriage, my husband, myself, and I asked something specific of the Lord. I prayed that he would present the perfect job opportunity for me, that day.  It felt like a bold request...a far fetched one. That on the day I prayed for something, God would answer it. Even still I prayed for the right position. One that would allow me to still be involved as a mother and wife, but that would also fulfill my hearts to desire and allow me to use my education to do what I love.

The walk came to an end and we were approaching our front door when my cell phone rang. It was from an organization that I had submitted my resume to about a week prior. The lady asked that I resend the resume (it had gotten lost in the midst of some office confusion). I told her I would send it over again. As soon as I got in the house, I fixed Tristan a snack and got him settled, then re-sent the email. Almost immediately the lady asked if I could do an over the phone interview. I instructed Tristan to stay VERY quiet (ha!) and went in the dining room to talk on the phone. The lady started the conversation off by saying they had several applicants and they were basically doing phone interviews first to weed people out (comforting.). The phone interview went great and she requested that I come in. It just so happened that there was a spot open at 2:30pm that day (it was around 11am) , that I could come in to interview. I had my interview at 2:30pm and at 3:20pm was offered the job on the spot.

I was so humbled and surprised since they made it clear there were other contenders, but the supervisor felt strongly that I would be an asset to the organization and said they would be happy to have me. How humbled, excited, and thankful I am! I immediately thanked God for his provision and blessings. I find myself hesitating to ask things of God because I wonder "will he do it...can he do it?" Of course he can do ANYTHING, but whether or not he does what we want is up to his discretion. The verse that has been on my heart regarding this situation is,  "Now (glory) to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us..." Ephesians 3:20

This particular position is part time which was what I wanted starting off (blessing!). There is room for promotion and full time status (blessing) but for now, this is perfect! Now, for the position...I will be a Crisis Interventionist (try saying that 5 times fast) for an awesome organization located in Fort Worth. I will be working with victims of rape and trauma. While I know such a task may seem daunting to others, its what I know I am called to do. I have a heart for helping women in need and I know that this is the perfect avenue to do this. My time working overnight at the women's shelter after undergraduate was perfect preparation for this job. I love to look back on times in life and see God was preparing me for something bigger.

I am eager and hopeful for the experience I will receive and where it will take me in my professional journey.  Thank you all so much for the kind words and congratulations you have offered. It means so much! :)

Soaking up these summer days!

I cannot believe we are approaching the end of summer. How is it already mid-July?!!

It's crazy to me that this time next year I'll be preparing to send my boy off to Kindergarten (thank goodness his birthday caused him to (barely) miss the school enrollment. Ha)!

Monday morning Tristan and I had a mother/son date to the movies!

He sat on my lap the entire movie and was so sweet to his mama. I love hearing him laugh so hard during funny scenes or when he whispers a comment in my ear. Stay little forever! ;)

I just LOVE this little face!!

T loves helping me cook dinner, even if it takes me 5x longer when he helps, we're making memories!

I'm proud of myself for maintaining my workout regiment that Dwight put me on last week. I think my body has finally recovered from the initial shock it experienced. Ha! I've never been so sore in my life. Anyway, Tristan has joined me the last couple times and cracks me up. He begs to do the treadmill and acts as my personal motivator. When he counts my reps he gets upset if I don't go to zero...he told me "that doesn't count, you have to start over." I think he has been hanging out with his daddy too much. ;) So hardcore! 

Yesterday, we joined Mimi and some friends on a little outing in Southlake town square. We went to two of T's favorite places: The Owl's Nest toy store and Pure Health Lounge for lunch.  Tristan scored a new conductor hat and has been wearing it ever since!

Hmmm which train do I want?!! 

I can't keep up with which ones we have/don't have, but Tristan knows EXACTLY what he "needs". =)

This morning we played with Legos....

Went on a walk.....

And met Mimi for the grand opening of Sprouts in Keller, then headed to Sonic for happy hour!

Tristan goes to bed between 7:30pm and 8:00pm without a hitch...the problem comes around 1 am when he wakes up screaming for me or Dwight. If Brianna and/or Amari are over, he is fine and sleeps through the night, if not...he wakes up. I talked to his doctor because this momma NEEDS sleep (hence why I needed a dr pepper at Sonic happy hour) and it was suggested we try melatonin. Last night hubs and I BOTH ended up in T's bunkbed with him. Uncomfortable... never again!! Before bed tonight, I made a pallet on our bedroom floor, showed it to Tristan and told him if he wakes up, he can walk in our room and lie down there to sleep. If he stays in bed he gets a sticker on his chart. Praying this works!!

Five on Friday!

1. Dwight and I scored another child-free Friday! Tristan is with his Mimi, and Brianna and Amari went home. We decided to grab dinner at La Hacienda Ranch-it was great! It never gets old "dating" my husband. :)

2.) Here was our dinner for the night. Yum! I could literally eat Mexican food every.single.day. 

3.) Tristan turns FIVE years old on September 18th. I CANNOT believe it, I just had him!! ;) He has changed the theme for his party 50 times (Chugginton, Thomas, Ninja turtles, etc)...I was on Pinterest and saw some cute Candyland themed party ideas and thought it would be perfect for my sweet-toothed boy. I told T about it and showed him the pics and his face LIT UP. I do not know a person who loves sugar more than Tristan. Ha! I am having so much fun planning his party.

4.) I have worked out 4 times since last Saturday. I can barely walk, no joke. Dwight has been so sweet and tells me how proud he is of me. He does get a good laugh at my inability to move about freely. Not funny!! The kids thought I had lost my mind when I told them "I'm going running, be back in a little bit!" Tristan said "You're working out?!? I thought girls didn't work out..." We had to have a little "girls can do everything boys can do (and I even threw in we can actually do more: child birth) speech. I either scarred him or got my point across really well; he was speechless. Ha!

5.) I dressed the kids in their BLUE and sent it to the STAND 4 LIFE organization to show our support in the abortion bill passing in Texas. From a young mother who had an unexpected pregnancy, I know how HARD it can be to choose life when everything in your own life seems like it is falling apart...but I can NOT imagine my life without my son. He is the BEST decision I ever made. I thank God for giving my 19 year old self the strength to choose life for him. I can't even fathom what life would be like without Tristan. I believe that EVERY life has a purpose regardless of how it was conceived. (Psalm 139)

That's my 5 on Friday! TGIF!