Breaking News!

Breaking news, smaking news! For those that continue to spread the local, national, and international news of all of Trump’s salacious moves, gossip, and real deal exposures I must pose the question:

Why?!

His backers, fans, and cult-followers aren’t trying to hear it and just like Trump himself; continue to make excuses for his behaviors AND just when you think there’s NO excuse for his actions, behaviors, or speeches; the cult, who I call Trumpers; decide to drudge up anybody from the past that they can attempt to compare or minimize Trump’s actions against.

I’ve never seen anything like it! From powerful positions to minimal positions; people that back this man do so in such a way that they’d rather bring up the past “tax receipts” of a dead man, whom, mind you they don’t provide the proof for...they just put out the “thought” by saying, “I wonder what everyone would say about ______________ (insert any innocent dead man that has NOT one thing to do with Trump, or 2020, or the life we’re currently living) taxes” 

They say something along those lines rather than to admit Trump is not the President they imagined him to be, or even the human being they imagined him to be! That he has a multitude of indiscretions and an innumerable amount of misconducts on his record. That he’s an American citizen, just like any other celebrity or person that has been placed on a pedestal and doesn’t for the most part, do the best job, but he gets something done. I could respect that MORE than attempting to deflect his actions by comparing someone else.

Why?! 

These people are not logically thinking. 

The only concern for them is to re-elect Trump.

So why?!

Why continue to go back and forth with them?

Why attempt to speak logic to the illogical?

Don’t even argue with them because the moment a dead man’s past doesn’t work they will bring up Obama, or Biden, or George Washington...anyone but keep the focus on Trump. 

Strong eye roll and loud mic drop because I’m sick of the “breaking news” that doesn’t hold the man accountable. The news has turned into a gossip magazine that just spreads information to us (American citizens), we discuss it, possibly get angry, spew the “news” on social media, get our timeline into a frenzy, find out who our “real friends are”, determine many people think differently than us, then we get back to whatever it is we’ve been doing. Trump obviously sleeps well at night and everyone is in a tizzy behind what we watch, read, or hear from the news. 

The real breaking news is when he’s held to the same standard as every other American citizen. Until then...Miss us (well me! I’ll only speak for myself. Some people want to know it) with the Breaking News alerts on Trump

Personal Investments

When a person has no personal investment in something or someone they can and will act an Ass. Jackass that is! It becomes real easy to walk away, give up, renege, not give effort, show no concern, etc. and on and on when a person feels they have nothing to lose. No personal investment.

An investment says, "I take stake in what's about to go down. I take ownership in the decisions I choose. Choices matter for the time being as well as for long-term." 

When an investment is made, a COMMITMENT is made. An investment says, I'm planning for my future. 

 

By all means avoid anyone that doesn’t make a personal investment in a situation or relationship. 

3rd Trimester! 💙

I’m SO grateful to be this far along in my pregnancy! I truly am. Lord knows I am experiencing almost every ache and pain you could be experiencing at 34 weeks! 

My little boy joy is measuring big...at 34 weeks, the average size is around 4lbs, while my Joy is a whooping 6 pounds and 2 ounces! He’s also sitting low, which is no surprise because he’s been lying low the entire pregnancy but there’s is such intense pressure that I experience I sometimes can’t walk. Long distances- they are a strong No! Sitting for too long isn’t always the answer either because then it takes an entire act of Congress to get up! 

Exaggerations...NO! Definitely not!

This morning as I attempted to roll out of bed to go to the restroom I caught the world’s evil force of a Charlie Horse 🐎 Man when I tell you that stallion seemed to travel up and down my calf as if it was on the horse track. It stifled my movements and took my breathe away. I squeezed the muscle SO tight until the only the I could muster from my mouth was the sweetest name I know...JESUS! Perhaps the pain wouldn’t have been so bad if my belly wasn’t in the way of moving to reach my leg easily, or perhaps the carpal tunnel I’m experiencing in my dominant hand, which, at its worst pain brings a tear to my eye. 

Most nights are low impact. I use pillows to prop up, include my water or...errr Dr. Pepper (give me a break, I can’t drink what I really want so I settle for the burn and sizzling sensation of soda...sue me) and attempt to sleep on my side...which NEVER works! I toss and turn attempting to find a comfortable, suitable position to no avail. I finally dose off somewhere between one and two only to be awaken by the sudden, sometimes painful, kicks, flips, punches (let’s just call it movement) of my precious growing baby boy! 

3am. 3am. 3am! Without fail he wakes me up, because he is WIDE awake moving and shaking at 3am! I’m up, on any given day at 3am I am up from the uncomfortable movement of this active little boy. I say ouch, I shift, I hurl over, then I cower, and lastly I say, “Thank you Jesus for his movement and excitement to meet me.” Then I ask my baby, “What are you doing in there?!” I then, attempt to calm him by rubbing the elbow, knee, arm, head, little bottom that I may be feeling as he seemingly flips around in my belly. 

I then get a slight urge of fear and panic come over me thinking what if the umbilical cord is wrapped around him and he’s trying to get loose! Then I feel no movement for a clear 6 minutes! My heart skips a beat, I close my eyes and say, “Jesus keep my baby secure! I can’t wait to meet him.” And like a switch flip of a light, he moves again. This time calmly...just enough that I know he’s there. He heard me. He relaxes. His small but mighty movements continue until about 4ish am then I fall asleep only to be woken again at about 5ish by my bladder and some slight kicks to it that make me move as fast as I can waddle to the restroom!

Just within the last few days I have a numbing neck pain massaging is the only thing that gives way. When it first begin I couldn’t move my neck from the left, right, up or down, but since then I’ve pushed through and it’s a more manageable pain.

The good news is! Besides my son being healthy is that I’m healthy as well! No signs of preeclampsia like I experienced with Khloé, no swelling of any extremities especially my feet. I do however take precautions by drinking water, taking low grade aspirin, for 20 weeks I’ve had to get progesterone shots in the muscles of my arms (let me tell you! It’s a fighting pain! I wouldn’t wish on my worse enemy...well maybe my enemy...God ain’t through with me yet. In Jesus’ name!) 

I say all this above to say: God bless us Mama’s! We go through a lot to keep our babies safe, some of us to even conceive I’ve been learning through friends and pregnancy groups, to carry our babies a full term, to have a safe and healthy labor and delivery...being a mother, is such a blessing and a natural phenomenon I’m in awe of our strength! 

God bless those trying, those during your pregnancy, and delivering, those contemplating life changing decisions, and those that want but can’t bear! 

Nah. Let’s not do this...

This is a photo taken and below is the link to the article: (RETURNING TO SCHOOL: Thrall ISD, a Central Texas school district in Williamson County, reopened its classrooms Aug. 10, one of the first in this area. Here's a look at what the school day looked like for these kiddos (📸: Thrall ISD): https://www.kvue.com/article/news/education/schools/thrall-isd-reopens-school-buildings-august-10-one-of-first-central-texas-school-districts/269-78065b94-54cd-4af3-96c0-db74177c33ef )

So in my mind thinking consciously, and with a pandemic mindset at the forefront, social distancing in school does not have to seem/look/feel lonely. Lunch time could include something engaging like playing music or a show/video on the screen, Bingo, one of those put a finger down if or some other game combination. You could incorporate reading days or book reviews. Classroom teachers usually know how to be inventive with activities for learning during the instructional setting and although group work seems as if it’s the end all be all and ideal at all times, there are instances in...dare I say it; this life where we don’t get to rely on someone else’s opinion or thoughts to formulate an answer to a question or critically think.  Read alouds, silent solos, writing prompts, Gallery walks, show and tell, call and respond, sharing circles were kids are spread apart in groups and have topics to learn and discuss, I could go in and on...but these are all ways to learn in an educational setting and still remain socially distant....AND they are good instructional practices!

I repeat social distancing doesn’t have to look/feel/seem depressing or sad or even mundane. We, the adults, just have to be more inventive and creative. I’m thinking of this pandemic as the resurgence of educational practices. Perhaps we’ve become stagnant in our ways of teaching and stopped thinking outside of the box to inform and entertain kids.

These next few months won’t be a slow walk in the park for anyone because it’s new territory and with new territory you could feel stifled or stuck or lost or discombobulated or even frustrated when you have an idea in your head and the experience doesn’t match the expectation but I’m here to tell you to think positively about the opportunities to shift culture and the entire educational experience!

Use some of the suggestions I gave above or research others. Those few were the ones I came up with while typing out this blog so I’m quite sure if I went back into my mental Rolodex, catalogue of activities, or chose any of the tons of books I have on instruction off my library shelf I could come up with more or adjust and refine something else to fit my needs. You can and should do the same! 

Good luck and reach out to me if needed to assist you! I’m open to help!

Prayers 🙏🏾

I’m praying today for all my family, friends, and readers that are going through struggles physically or spiritually, mind, or body during this time. So many of us suffer in silence or go through things without anyone even noticing because often times a smile will overshadow and mask any issues we’re facing. 

We’ve been in a state of pandemonium for over four months now. Isolation is not the answer but living and breathing in fear is worse, especially during this time of hurt, sickness, death, life, birth, etc.

My prayer today is whatever stress, worry, or sin you have is cast into the Sea of Forgetfulness, never to be brought up again! 

My prayer is that pain, anger, hurt, or sadness you feel is removed and pleasant rewards and joy that only our Father, which is in heaven, can heal and provide! 

As you may mourn or suffer a loss, allow the good and faithful memories that you hold deep in your heart to carry you over the bridge into a city of extreme PEACE!

When entering a new destination either professionally or personally, I pray the Lord continues to guide your steps, keep a lamp lit to order your steps and keep your enemies under your heel the entire route! 

I pray only goodness departs your mind and blessings impart your life with a take over so abundant you won’t have room enough to receive it all; you’ll have to give some away...and when you give it away; I pray those blessings are given to a receiving hand and cheerful heart! 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen and good day!

Pregnant Appointments Amidst Covid-19

There’s most definitely a new normal when it comes to pregnancy amidst Covid-19. Here’s my doctor appointment look

Masked up. No visitors. No make up. All natural. Taking in all the information they give me. Patiently waiting for my cutie patootie little Prince. No worries. Smiling.

Protect Your Peace ⚠️

Some people operate in ignorance and it shows in their conversation, their skill set, their manners, their delivery, their behavior, lifestyle, etc. You could blame it on being half-raised, lack of education, a deterrence of life experiences, or purely choice in decision-making but whatever the reason...you must by any means necessary protect your peace. 

Protection of your peace could mean various forms of disengagement or abandonment. If you continue to remain in the presence of ignorance, you, yourself begin to feel void of logical thinking and reasoning. You could begin to question your own sanity.

A warning ⚠️ Don’t be fooled. Ignorance will mask itself behind jokes, questionable banter, or flat out wrong statements. Ignorance can be rude, crude, and cocky. Ignorance has no age limit! Don’t think for a moment that life experiences or years of experience reshapes ignorance believing that only adds to a greater shock value. 

You could attempt to “fight” ignorance at all costs, but just be mindful that even the Bible speaks multiple times of ignorance; one that I pulled is Ephesians 18 “They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts.” 

I include scripture because it’s important to know ignorance has been around and will continue to be around; the honest truth is to just protect your peace from ignorant thinking, actions, intolerance, speech, plans, etc.

Remember disengage or abandon. To disengage it MUST be a conscious effort. Actually focus and turn your energy into something else. Disengagement is primarily used in the moment for a quick resolution, actually the better word would be dissolution. You ordinarily won’t get resolution from the mind or mouth of an ignorant person so don’t hold your breathe! However, an ignorant person can’t continue a conversation with themselves (actually they can and will but as long as you consciously disengage they’ll only talk to themselves for so long before they shut up.) 

Abandonment is another conscious effort but it has specific fidelity and finality that gives you sustained peace! It’s lasting...because once you abandon ignorance you are truly free! It takes me back to the idea that unlocking the door to bondage is education, reading a book. Even another scripture being, “people perish for lack of knowledge” Your peace is protected! 

I could go on and on, but I won’t. 

One thing I know but these three things fo sho’ (for sure) 

1. Ignorance is NOT bliss! 

2. Either disengage or abandon ignorance!

3. Protect your peace!