Happy 7th Birthday, JKnight!

Seven years have passed since I laid eyes on a tiny face that would change my world for the better. He has taught me about the depth of a mother's love for her son. He has taught me patience. He has taught me that sometimes, control is not mine to be had. He has taught me that I'm not as tough as I like to think I am. He has taught me how different one child can be from the next, and that that is a part of what makes this life, this family, so beautiful.

Happy birthday to my biggest little guy...the one who can melt me with a smile. Here's to 7 more great ones...and many more after that. Mama loves you, Kid. Live in Love...
}:{ Keda }:{

Prepping for Kinder

This is the year of preparation for Mr. Nikko Amari. It is his final year at home, before he begins Kindergarten. He must know deep down that time is ticking away because my little jokester has found a new thirst for knowledge. He wakes up wondering when he can begin working on his "mumbers," and goes to bed complaining that he didn't get to write all the letters one more time. Well, buddy...I promise you, I will do everything in my power in order to make sure you're ready to rock when next school year rolls around.

Here's to a successful (pre)school year for all of our students. Focus, determination & a positive attitude for all!

Live in Love,
}:{ Keda }:{


Oh, and of course Zion had to get in on the fun. He's learning right along with Nikko (according to him, Nikko's name is spelled K-K-K-K-O...close enough).

A Lightning Symphony Revisited

My creative voice has been knocking, pleading with me to let it out. I've let it lay dormant for sometime...too long. Lately, I've begun writing again and the words are promising, but as with anything left on a shelf for too long, they're a bit dusty. I decided to revisit one of my pieces from '09 to see what my mind was up to before I let it drift off to sleep. This is "A Lightning Symphony." 

If only my eyes could hear...

It was day.

The sun was setting through the clouds behind me,

illuminating my path in shades of pink and orange.

I barely noticed when He began to play for me.

Because it was day.

But as I looked ahead

on the path toward my destination

I began to see the subtle notes He played.

***

Three notes of brilliant light

masked within the clouds on my left.

*   *

Two notes, long and sweet on my right.

*******

A barrage of blasts straight ahead of me.

I almost dismissed it...

thought it was something man made.

It couldn't be Him,

Because it was day.

But as I continued to look ahead,

on the path toward my destination,

I realized.

It was a silent symphony played

for a single soul.

His notes continued to light the sky.

Singular parts played in succession.

But there was no rain.

His notes continued to light the sky.

Weaving themselves into three part harmony.

But there was no rain.

This Masterful Conductor,

Creator of Melody,

Weaver of Harmony,

directed each bolt into a

call and response of clouds...

Until they all crescendo into a luminous,

unified sound to illuminate my way

making my destiny as clear as day...

Only to be followed by the silence of a blue-black sky.

As I look ahead

on the path toward my destination,

I face the symphony.

The road is dark and uncertain,

but the storm does not come.

I must go boldly into the unknown

for I must reach my destination.

Lightening illuminates the contours of the clouds

revealing to me the Conductor's secrets.

And I listen.

I am not afraid.

I am in awe.

I boldly proclaim that my storm is

Over.

It cannot overtake me.

But it does begin to rain.

And then I understand that those drops

are my blessings.

They are the Conductor's secrets.

Some travelers on the road with me

do not hear His secrets.

At the first sight of a storm,

some run for cover.

They do not hear His secrets.

Others leave the treacherous road

and await the storm's passing.

They do not reach their destination

Still others choose to ignore the drops

and find themselves in a ditch.

They must be rescued.

And others sleep when darkness falls.

They do not hear His secrets.

But I...

I am listening.

I stand in awe of the beauty of His wonder.

I slow my pace and follow the light He gives me.

I am not afraid.

If only my eyes could hear.

As day turns to night,
and the night grows darker

and the road more uncertain,

the more His light reveals to me.

I almost missed it when it was day.

But now it is night

and I am in the middle of a storm.

And, though I cannot see it,

My eyes are fixed in the direction of my destination.

And just when the darkness surrounds me the most,

He plays for me just one more time.

And one more time.

And one more time.

The music slows, but

never stops.

Though I am uncertain, my tension eases

and my pace slowly increases.

I am not afraid.

The drops slow.

I can see more clearly.

It is still dark,

but there is more light.

Then the drops cease

And still He plays.

And I know,
He did this just for me.

Photo Courtesy: Weatherpix Stock Images

Perfectly Imperfect

I often have a picture in my head of how I want my kids to look, how I want them to behave, how I want them to be. And as I'm sure you guessed, that picture hardly ever matches my reality. Truth is, the same is true for me. But I'm learning that sometimes "good enough" is just that...good enough. They may not sit still for a photo, may not eat how, what and when I want them to. They may not keep their shirts tucked in or pants hole-free. But they're mine. They shine in other ways, and that's good enough for me.

A Mama & Daughter Moment

I woke my baby doll up this morning and, as usual, she groaned quietly, refusing to open her eyes. So I rolled her over and got her dressed in her half-asleep state. When she finally sat up, eyes still closed, she quickly nestled herself into my lap and snuggled her face into that crook in my neck that always seems to fit just right.

"She's so big," I thought to my self. "But I already know that I'll let her do this for as long as she wants to."

I let my mind roam to the not-so-distant future, to boys & shopping, car keys & braces. And there's something that tells me that, no matter how grown my baby gets, we'll still share brief moments like this one. And they'll remain buried in my heart forever. So here's to beautiful Mama & Daughter moments. Cherish them, always.

With Mother's Day quickly approaching, we've reached that time of year when our kids pick us dandelions, give us homemade cards made from construction paper & markers, and shower us with more hugs than we thought our arms could hold. It's the perfect time to reflect on girlhood dreams, wondering what it would be like to have a baby, wanting to experience that rite of passage. It's a time to rekindle the passion that was birthed in our hearts the first time we laid eyes on our tiny treasures. It's a time to inhale the sweet fragrance of motherhood.


Live in Love,
}:{ Keda }:{

Nessaja Camille Presents: THE PAPARAZZI PARTY

I love my girl. She's a beautiful person from the inside out. Selfless, giving, sweet & full of hugs just for me. In celebration of the wonderful young lady she's becoming, we decided to go all out for her birthday this year. Not the usual Incredible Pizza/Flip 'N Out/Mini-Sleepover affair, but something that just could be the talk of the playground. After much brainstorming, phone calls to my sister, and discussions with the birthday girl, we decided on:

Nessaja Camille Presents: THE PAPARAZZI PARTY

I decided to work with a wonderful event coordinator, Oneika J., Principal Event Designer at Stylëvënts. Now let me tell you, the timeliness, professionalism & creativity of this lady were out of SIGHT. I knew I was asking for a lot when I told her about the concept, but Oneika made everything breezy. Oneika, may I just say that you are phenomenal! If you are ever planning an event in the Houston area and are looking for some quality event coordination, look no further.

Now that the concept was solidified, it was time to get to work. First order of business: invitations, created by Papillon & hand delivered to 10 superstars.

Once the RSVPs began to roll in, we knew we were in for a great time. When the big day arrived, I took the little lady of the hour to the salon for a mani/pedi. (Sidenote: the nail technician was looking at me like "Why aren't you getting one for yourself?!?" lol! I know I could use it, but it wasn't about me that day.)

Once we got back home, we had about an hour or so before the superstars began to arrive. And when they did, they entered in grand fashion. The first stop was the Superstar Salon, where the ladies received manicures & mini make-overs. Next stop, the Red Carpet. Paparazzi were eagerly waiting with cameras/camcorders in hand, and a reporter was there to speak with the superstars as they made their grand entrances (Angie, you were AWESOME! You made the day so much fun!).










Check out the pose below on the right!!! Baby girl is only 2, but she's already working it!



Looks like the birthday girl & one of her guests are having an intense conversation about lip gloss...

What a gorgeous group of superstars!


Next on the itinerary: Break for Cake. Cotton Candy Cupcakes & a Star Cake created by Jennifer of Sweetopia Desserts was the perfect addition to this Superstar celebration.


After the superstars enjoyed their refreshments, they had a bit of time to brainstorm about their upcoming "performances."


Some chose to dance as a group, some chose to dance separately, and others decided to act. All of the performances were worthy of standing ovations!

Once the superstar performances wrapped, it was time for the premier of "The Paparazzi Party." All the little ladies enjoyed being able to watch each other on television (from their Red Carpet entrances, to their talent showcase). After that came a bit of dancing, presents, the distribution of "Swag Bags", then it was time for the superstars to make their Grand Exit. It was a beautiful, (tiring), fun day. I call it a success because my Baby Doll had a smile on her face as big as Texas. Usually in our family it's all about the little things, but on this day, it was okay to do it big.

I'll leave you with some detail shots 'cause, hey, a LOT of time went into them! I hope you enjoyed our little adventure. Stay tuned for a video & Saja's "Thank You Mini-Magazine" from her Paparazzi Party.


The "Swag Bags" included a bracelet, lip gloss, nail polish, notebook & pen in a customized canvas tote.

Talk about detail oriented, Oneika even had Superstar Punch to match the party theme! That punch went QUICK!!!



Live in Love!
Keda

April 18, 2003...

...was one of the most momentous occasions of my life. It was the day I became "Mama." It was the day I met the most beautiful girl in all the world. It was the day I realized that my heart could exist outside of my body.

That day was 8 years ago. EIGHT YEARS! Where did the time go? When  I look at my beautiful work in progress, I marvel at her character, her selflessness, her creativity, her heart...and I'm certain that I know what love looks like.











Live in Love,
Keda


*Stay tuned to see how we celebrated her big day!

Wordless Wednesday - Dandelion Wishes

Live in Love,
}:{

Lessons Learned at the Park

It was an unusually warm February morning, so I decided to take my two littles to the park. As one was swinging and the other sliding, I took a moment to breathe in my environment. The sweetest bird song rang in my ear, and I followed the melody to the top of a nearby tree. He was a pretty nondescript little thing - grey with hints of blue and white around his neck...nothing that would have ordinarily caught my eye. As the breeze caressed my cheek and fluffy clouds rolled above me, I paused to study each melodious note uttered by the feathered creature. He sang loudly with his head tilted to the sky, each note crisp, sharp & beautiful. Then he stopped and turned his head as if to listen. Curious, I followed suit. It was then that I noticed that the song never stopped. The melody was carried on by another bird, not 50 feet away, at the top of a different tree. After a short while, my bird began to sing again. This time, though, it was different. Just as beautiful, but there was a change in the melody. And again, he stopped and listened. When he continued his song this time, my awareness had expanded - my mind had opened to this avian symphony. And the beautiful truth was laid bare. There never was a singular bird song. All along, it was a complex symphony of many different birds singing their very own songs. But they intertwined so beautifully, so seamlessly, it was as if they were all working together - each adding their own personal touch - to create something incredible that none of them could have accomplished on their own. Each song had it's own rhythm, it's own melody, it's own complex riffs and varying pauses. But each beautiful, melodious thread combined with the others to create a beautiful tapestry of sound that blanketed the air around me. Some birds were in trees with no leaves, others were in evergreens. Some were on lamp posts, others were on power lines. But one thing was sure...I never saw a bird singing from the ground. No matter their immediate location, they found the highest point that they could reach and sang their song proudly.

So, I challenge you, as I challenge myself. Find your song and sing it proudly. Go to the highest peak that you can manage and let the world hear your beautiful gift. Your surroundings may not be ideal, but do the very best you can with what you've got. And once you've begun to share your song, take a moment to pause and appreciate the songs of those around you. Listen intently, learn from them. Then sing again. And the big picture will show that you were indeed a vital part of this beautiful tapestry called life.

"Dawn has not yet broken,

Yet the sparrow gifts us with a song.

Light & sweet, whispering a melody of hope.

The sun will rise.

You may not believe it, but...

The sun will rise.

And,
Until your eyes can see

What my heart can feel,

I'll sing my sparrow's melody for you."

~Keda

Live in Love,
}:{

Supergirl

We were running late for school today, so we drove instead of walked. We said our morning prayers, exchanged "I love you's" and she hopped out of the van. The teacher hurried her on since it was already 8:04. But she hesitated. 

"What is she doing? Doesn't she know she's late?"

I could see the wheels turning in her mind. She shook her head and began to walk again. But then she stopped.

"What in the world?"

She took three steps back, bent over,  picked up a piece of garbage that someone else had carelessly tossed on the ground, threw it in the trash...then proceeded to enter the building.

It may seem like nothing to you, but that little thing...the fact that she cared enough to be responsible when she didn't have to...when reason told her not to...that makes her a Supergirl in my book. I LOVE my sweet, tender-hearted, loving, caring Baby Doll. And there's nothing anyone can do about it.


Live in Love,
}:{ Keda }:{

Wordless Wednesday