Just Because

I come home to this beautiful orchid and handwritten note. He's so thoughtful. I was having the worst day and I walk into the bedroom to find this.  

One of my orchids recently died and this beauty lifted my spirits. I love he. ❤️

Happy Holidays!!!

🎅🏾🎄🎁 

What an amazing Christmas!! This year I received amazing gifts, not just ones under the tree, but ones that poured into our family. My significant other is a beautiful human being and the way he handles the little is nothing short of amazing. 

I'm so excited for things to come in the new year and look forward to sharing some of it with you. 

More love, education, surprises, growth and dreams realized. Wish I could stay longer but I've got to pack for a romantic getaway with my guy. 

If I don't talk to you before the new year please be safe, drink responsibly, and continue to dream big! 😘🎉🎊

Love Is...

When they help you heal, changes the bandages, covers the gaping hole that is left behind and doesn't flinch not even once, that's love. It's gross but they think it's cool all at the same time because it's a part of you... and they love you anyway, even at your not so fabulous state. Love is when the gently tell you to toughen up, a little discomfort won't kill you..I believe it's their way of saying "you got this, I believe in you, and you can do it."

One day the hole will be a just a memory and you'll look back and know that someone you love or loved was there during your healing process. #health #Love #Partnership 

Thanks Babe ❤️ 

Pain, Hospital and lots of Tears

Talk about THE worst pain that I've ever experienced in my life!! The push to get healthy is real, not just for myself but for my King and Prince. 

The first couple of pictures represent the calm before the storm.

I don't think I've cried this much and so hard from pain. I don't wish this on my worst enemy, I don't have enemies. 

You know you're in pain when you want to throw up and pass out at the same time. 

As you can see I'm feeling a lot better, still in some pain though.

Brace yourself of the last picture, it's pretty gross and cool at the same time.

Next up surgery!! I don't know when it will be scheduled but I can say that I'm ready to move forward with a healthier life. 

Foodie Heaven

So my honey took my out for a wonderful foodie treat. Beignets and fried cheesecake, oh my! We split everything which worked out great. It would have been a sin to try and eat this alone. 

Sometimes

Sometimes the damage and the hurt can't be undone............but sometimes it can. ❤️

Loving men

1. Loving fathers… love their children’s mother
Love your wife without reservation – you can’t do much more for your kids than that. If you are divorced, treat your children’s mother with respect, even if it is not reciprocated. Never return disgrace with disgrace.

I never knew this kindness, but I am thankful to the man who covers our family. In fact I've never knew anything close to this and I returned his ugliness and hatred right back to him. It was hard to keep that up because by nature that's not who I am. I lost my hair, threw up and my hands would shake when I had to interact with him or those he encouraged to degrade me. My being was not cut out for meanness, but I could never allow him to treat me less than human.


Everyday my significant other is a wonderful example of manhood. My son adores him and he is guiding him in the ways of being loving, responsible, considerate and hardworking. My son sees how he adores me and teaches him how to further respect us , himself and the path in which we are trying to raise him. 

May God continue to bless our union, and our family. I pray that we continue to set the example of what true, passionate love is.

There can only be one.

I'm the best to ever do it, there can only be one and you know it. This gave me a good chuckle because I know you're bored af over there. I'm irreplaceable. 😂

Everyone Deserves a Vacation

NOLA you were awesome!

I barely ate the whole time....too salty.

Gotta take a selfie and send it to the Mister back at home. I'll be home soon baby! 

Ear Candy

My Ride and Fly Homegirl! 

Just because I'm cute and I know it! 😜

The beautiful oaks of Oak alley.

in the slave quarters.

stay away from the hurricanes but definitely try the grenade.

dancing in the street. There's an alligator behind me.

there's an alligator behind me.

See👇🏾

I have the most beautiful friends like serious. 

Faith

Remember when I said all things will work together for my good if I kept the faith? Well today I was showered with support from so many angles. People turned the key to unlock the doors I'd been knocking on for so long. 

Now I just have to continue being good to people, the world, loving, giving. And sharing and my doors will be opened. 

Be kind and the world will open up to you. 

Feeling extra thankful and grateful. ❤️

How do you choose to forgive.

I usually choose to forgive and completely detach especially if my offereder shows no remorse or resolution. I'm not mad, I'm just done. Done with children disguised as adults. 

The moment I committed to happiness was the moment my world opened up. 

"Candle flame and volcano. The second kind of forgiveness is a rare occurrence that becomes rarer as the crime grows more severe. In this case the offender gives nothing. He never comes to you. And when you go to him, he turns you away. This leaves you alone with your open wound and a solitary choice. No one will blame you either way. But the wound is yours to keep, or let go, and that choice may plot the course for the rest of your life."

Pregnancy after 40

Thanking God for the covering of my family current and expanding.?

So while we're on the topic of babies and progression. I'm over 40, one degree down and heading for the next, and loving my career. 

Ladies how has your pregnancy/childbirth  journey effected your studies and career 40 and over? 

Our goal is to be pregnant by the end of the year, wish us luck! 👶🏽🍼

Yeah this...

https://www.facebook.com/chandrika.williams/videos/781186751946866/

Perfect Date Night

When you are victorious in whipping your man's tail in video games. 

Pretty much

Love on both sides of the sun

My big man and little man are cooking dinner for me tonight. I feel like the Queen of everything tonight!! It's nice to come home after a long day to people who truly love you. #TeamUs #Family #Winning 

Makin Love

Sometimes you just have to stay home and make love ALL day to your soulmate. That's what we did, no kids at home, no food, TV or phone calls,and the only sounds that filled the house are the moans of passion....just a straight lovemaking marathone❤️. 

#InLove #MyKindaDay 

Lightbulb Moments

Somewhere between last night and today the idea of not wanting to get married crossed my mind. While I'm/we're very much in love, some of the hard decisions like child rearing and financial decisions are tough when you have to include someone else. 

I'm so accustomed to doing things on my own at this level of sharing is uncomfortable and unfamiliar. I'm nervous, I don't want to get it wrong. 

I guess this is the part where I say we probably would need a marriage counselor if we/I decide to get married. 👦🏾❤️👩🏾 

Family

Excited about my first family photo shoot with my parents. I've never had a picture of my mom, dad and I together and today will be the first. 

Though they haven't been together in 40 years, they love me in solidarity and are making my wishes come true. 

I get to have a makeover with my Mom, while my dad bonds with my son. My parents have not been perfect, nor have I, but they've always tried to come together for me and I love them for it. I remember my dad even trying to court and win my mom back 10 years ago. He always longed for his family, but age and distance were in the way at that point. So many things we're looking forward to, marriage, more kids, graduations, promotions...could today be any more magical? 

Special thanks in advance my photographer for capturing this moment for me at such short notice, see ya tonight!! 

Recovery Road

Nothing says here's to your recovery like a great steak dinner. I stole all their good napkins by the way lol. 

Oh and my precious little one called to check on me, made my night. Maybe getting sick isn't so bad if I get fed like this lol. 

Morning Lovers!!

Saturday morning, breakfast in bed, working from home and yes there is Kahlúa in my cup. 

Reality.

You'll never know us in love, only out. 

Find your stride!!

I haven't been this happy in years. I truly believe it's because I'm finding my stride. I've taken steps to reclaim certain things stolen and I'm feeling love in the most beautiful way. I thank God for patients and promises because look at where I am now. I never dreamed half of all that has happened but my Father did. 

To think, months ago I was in LA longing to stay to now actually applying to schools and jobs out there. I love my city but the kid and I are ready to spread our wings and fly. 

Oh Happy Day!

https://www.facebook.com/jacqueline.ellison1/videos/10205867406537681/

Undefeated

We Made The News!!

Check us out in the "Informer!"

My friends and I are all proud UDC Honors grads. Talk about a proud moment. I got ridiculed by my stalker for doing Work Study over the age of 35. I did what I had to do to support my child and supplement my income to provide wholeness while still persuing my education. Look at God! He knew it would all pay off. Dream Big and never give up!!!

Dear Single Mothers, A letter of thanks,

Dear Single Mothers,

Being a single mother, or any single parent for that matter, means you encompass the roles of both parental figures. You are not only the breadwinner, but in charge of the domestic duties, too.

You make sure your children are fed, arrive to practices on time and are bathed before bed. You have to work twice as hard, usually without compensation or reward.

I commend you, single parents, for making ends meet, for still cooking dinner after long days and for still loving your kids just as much, if not more.

Mom, thank you for showing me what it means to have courage.

You abandoned your dream house and your cookie-cutter neighborhood for a smaller home and more responsibility.

You took a risk with your career, your home and your friends, all for a new life of purpose and freedom. You knew it would be challenging, and you knew you would not receive immediate gratification, yet you left anyway.

Thank you for leaving, Mom — and for taking me with you.

You showed me no one deserves to be bullied in his or her own home; thank you for standing up for yourself. Thank you for breaking the patriarchal family stereotype.

Thank you for not taking any sh*t from anyone. Thank you for choosing a better life for yourself and for your children. Thank you for choosing a life free from verbal abuse, resentment and inferiority.

Thank you for disciplining me, Mom.

Thank you for being the good cop and the bad cop. Thank you for grounding me when my rambunctious stage crossed the line.

Thank you for teaching me how to have manners, how to act appropriately and how to exhibit decorum.

Thank you for teaching me how to be a lady, but one who is not inferior to a man. Thank you for teaching me how to tackle everything I pursue with confidence, grace and poise.

Thank you for teaching me my worth, Mom.

When you left Dad, you taught me that when someone loves you, he or she should love you for all your positive qualities and all of your flaws.

You taught me that a significant other should make you a better person. He or she should not try to change you or sculpt you into his or her idea of the unattainable, perfect human being.

To your significant other, you should already be perfect. Perfect because of your quirks, your mistakes, your past, your present and your ambitions for the future.

Thank you for working overtime, Mom.

Thank you for working two jobs. Thank you for making sure I had a roof over my head, food on the table and clothes on my back.

Thank you for teaching me how to live within my means, how to be fiscally responsible and how to work for the things I want.

Thank you for being my friend, Mom.

Thank you for the late-night talks in the kitchen, the “Law and Order” marathons, the trips to the gym that ended with a date to Starbucks, the adventures to the sunflower field and the numerous Garth Brooks jam seshes in Roshanda the Honda.

You have taught me what it means to have a best friend to whom you can tell all your secrets. You have taught me how to enjoy the little things in life because those are the things that matter the most.

Thank you for loving me, Mom.

Thank you for never going a day without a phone call, a text or a hug. Thank you for holding me when I cry, for taking care of me when I am sick and for celebrating with me after all of my successes.

Most importantly, thank you for loving yourself enough to be able to love me that much more.

Single moms, thank you for proving to women everywhere that some of the strongest women are the ones who are independent.

Thanks for proving that some of the sweetest, most selfless individuals are the ones who must escape the realm of normalcy, the social stigma of the nuclear family and live life outside of the socially constructed boundaries we have accepted for so long.

Single moms, we may not say it, but we are so thankful for you.

We love you, and we would not be the same without you.

Love,

Your Children

The West Coast is callin my name.

The more and more I think about it, I am more inclined to move to LA. I was supposed to move there 8 years ago, but God had other plans and so I stayed in the area. My next trip out there might be permanent for my son and I. I think he's really going to like it. Looking for flights as we speak.

We are all flawed

I'm by no means perfect, but I own my mess, do you honestly own yours? http://youtu.be/wJ5UqwEmoXU

The Blessing of Love and Patience

I tried crawfish tonight and of course I didn't peel it, he did it for me (spoiled.)Too  messy and too creepy, first time for everything right? I felt weird all day, but he gets my weirdness and he's super patient with me which was not what I had in a traumatic relationship before. I no longer have to talk too much to fill in the gaps with answers, he's will and ready to always exchange and help us find solutions.He communicates with me on every issue, even when it's hard he still makes the effort and I love and need that. I am so lucky and thankful, from the delicious breakfast/brunch he braved the cold to come over and make, the movies, to the down and dirty seafood dinner to close our night. It was an all day affair and he still likes me at the end of the night, I'm shocked cause I had my guard way up. He's my first real Valentine's Day can you believe it? Thank you for making it memorable baby and treating me like a queen as well as being so sweet to me. #HesAKeeper ❤️ ☺️

Little Boys

Boys need to be surrounded consistently with as much love and guidance as possible, especially from strong male figures. There is nothing worse than seeing a little boy lost in this world. I am asking more men to step up and step in, even if the child is not your own. My son has an amazing man and men in his life who is invested in our family and how we grow in love. I'm so thankful he's got an exceptional father figure in his life because some don't. My heart is full and thankful that he's stepped in to declare love for a child that is not his own, but also to love, cover and protect us all.