{peace}

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I came across this quote and I find it so fitting. In life I try to be at a place of peace but sometimes situations and circumstances get in the way. I find it so necessary to get back in a place of PEACE. I usually whisper prayers to internally center myself. I also use cooking as a way to meditate and get away from it all. My mom always teases me and says, that she will come in my house and the boys will be running all over, Scott's watching TV and I am in a cool, dim kitchen chopping onions, pots boiling and I will be in my happy place.

One of the things I love so much about my husband is that he has a quiet peaceful personality. He is always able to talk me through some of the things that get me all stirred up and bring me back to a place of PEACE. I always jokingly refer to him as my own dose of NICOTINE. 

PEACE is so important to me whether at home or work and I am consistently seeking it. I know that life will happen around me, chaos and hardship...but I thrive to be at a place of internal PEACE.

How do you center yourself and get to a place of PEACE?

xoxo,

Ronita

Parenting: Mommy what color am I?

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The time has come where my little Tre' (6 years old) realizes and verbalizes that he sees a difference between the color of his skin compared to that of his classmates. He even recognizes that he is a different shade of color compared to me and my mom. I love his innocence when choosing a crayon to use to color in his face versus a classmate he has drawn or even mine for that matter.

 I am so excitined for him to discover the differences that are in people, not only in the color of their skin but their traditions, their heritage and even for him to understand that although people are different we are all equal and loved by God.

I thought maybe if I get some really beautifully illustrated books that might help with our discussion.

Here are some I found and ordered off Amazon.

Shout out to one of my really good friends, Emily, who gifted Roman with this book for his 2nd birthday!! We are going to crack this one open tonight.

Do you have any books, songs, strategies or words of wisdom when it comes to talking about race and ethnicity with your children?

Looking forward to hearing them!

xoxo,

Ronita



Cabin Fever Busters: Kid Tested Mommy Approved

Winter Family Activity by mrsrjdean on polyvore.com

As this cold, rainy weather continues we are trying to find fun things to do at home. We have been watching movies, reading books and of course playing games! I am going to start journaling with the boys soon so we can improve their writing skills. Right now, they are particularly fond of Connect 4 and UNO.

Challenge: getting past the "I won" "you lost" phase and explaining to them that it's just a game for fun. We are working on it. It's a work in progress, as everything in life.

What are some of your fun ways to cope with cabin fever?

xoxo,
Ronita

BEHIND EVERY GREAT MAN is a great WOMAN

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I love looking at these old family pictures of the great Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

I can't imagine what it must have been like to be the wife of such a brave hero!

She, herself must have been brave.

"I submit to you that if a man hasn't discovered something he will die for, he isn't fit to live."

Martin Luther King Jr., Speech in Detroit, June 23, 1963

US black civil rights leader & clergyman (1929 - 1968)

What are you doing to celebrate, honor and commemorate this weekend?

xoxo,

Ronita



For all the moments in your life....

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Reflection during my blog break....

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I have taken a little over a week off from the blog and gave myself time to just be. Recent events have me reflecting about how precious life truly is. We are all only here for a brief moment and all those moments whether high or low need to mean something. This past weekend, I was reminded that God didn’t put us here to judge others or to compare our lives to the lives of others. You never know their story or what they are truly going through. Focus on your life and how you can be a blessing to others. Your life is your own and no matter where you are in that life be thankful. There is always something to be thankful for and if you just look there is always something to be upset about, the key is how you respond to both.

I have been thinking about my purpose in life. Staying prayerful and quiet so I can hear what God may be trying to whisper. Until I hear him I will continue to work on being a present wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend.

Tomorrow is never promised so be present for today.

Keep pressing on...

xoxo,
Ronita

30 before 30...

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My good sister friend, Barbie, and I were having a great conversation a couple weeks ago. We started taking about how life is so amazing and how things have changed for her since she and her husband have had their little darling diva, Lillian! She and I talked about all the things we wish we could accomplish soon that would just be the icing on our cakes! Our conversation got me thinking and before it was over we decided to both write a list of activities/goals we wanted to accomplish before we both turned 30.


I want to share with you my list and I will keep everyone posted on what I accomplish throughout the months. I will also place the list on the right bar of my blog and mark off the goals as they get accomplished. I have until September 26, 2013 to reach all of my goals.

Wish me luck!!!

My 30 before 30

1. Perfect making omelets

2. Howard Homecoming with Barbie

3. Travel to Italy and Greece

4. Visit vineyards in California- rent a convertible
5. Buy a house with a BIG kitchen, 4 beds, at least two baths, a man cave, big yard to share with all our family and friends
6. Host a major holiday in my new house- where I do all the cooking
7. Have 1 more healthy Dean baby
8. Make a really great gumbo without my mom’s help
9. Write a memoir of my family’s account/story of surviving Hurricane Katrina- even if not published something to keep in the family
10. Take French and Italian cooking classes
11. Organize a successfully romantic and super fun couples retreat for our close friends
12. Sew a dress from scratch
13. Master my sewing machine
14. Reunite with Zeta- become a financial active member
15. Skinny dip in the ocean
16. Get more involved at my church through a community group
17. Go on a mission trip with my church
18. Get on schedule to save $1,000/yr for each boy to give to them when they are 18 (set up accounts)
19. Volunteer with the boys at a soup kitchen
20. Organize a massive yard sale/purge all my stuff and donate the money to a battered women’s shelter
21. Pay off at least 3 major bills: car note, student loan, credit card- become debt free
22. Start a small business: I am too creative not to!!! - even if just on etsy (tooting my own horn)
23. Travel to visit all my girlfriends- by myself, no kids or hubby for some quality girl time (Texas; 2 parts, DC, Columbus, Cleveland, Cali, Arizona, etc)
24. Take a long train ride somewhere fun!
25. Master basic photography
26. Take better care of my health and encourage my family to do better
27. Communicate more with my grandmother and Scott’s grandmother- pick their brains for family history and stories from “back in the day”
28. Visit my dad at least twice a year
29. Continue to be the best wife and mommy I can be
30. Pray more and worry less- continue to grow in my walk with God and understand that God is in control.

xoxo,
Ronita

My old soul...

Flipping through this fun new book somehow brings into my mind images of ...

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The famous 1920's Harlem Night Club..

Listening to the sounds of Duke Ellington and Billie Holiday on stage with their bands...

Dressed to impress...

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Enjoying one of these...

xoxo,

Ronita



I Heart TO

The hubby and I had a fantastic time exploring Toronto, ON for our first year anniversary. It had the best of all worlds, big diverse city, quaint beachy towns, and fabulous suburbs!! We hope to return soon...maybe even with the boys...

The CN Tower

Bubble Tea...a new experience, we are still trying to figure out what the black things are...

Dundas Square at Night

Of course I found a vintage shop...with the sweetest sales clerk. It was filled with all sorts of retro items from clothes to toys and household items. too much fun!!

Lunch on the beach....

This great little store where you could buy "hemp" pari in the front and the back had a patio where you could smoke your "own" weed. We agreed that smoking weed must be legal in Canada?

Much needed happy hour after exploring the city by foot in 90 degree weather...

Our yummy anniversary dinner

The Art Gallery of Ontario

Breakfast time!!!!

Bloor for shopping whores  :)

Truly Canadian

Side note: their gas was EXPENSIVE. For about a half tank it cost $50. I was out done.

Where will the wind take us next time... I am dreaming Italy!!!

We shall see..

xoxo,

ronita