Monday Morning Mantra - 6/29

Hello all,

Last week we witnessed the passing of several celebrities (Michael Jackson, Farrah Fawcett, and Ed McMahon), and in the process we were reminded once again that life is short. I thought this week's Mantra was a good one to encourage us during the difficult times:

"If you enter this world knowing you are loved and you leave this world knowing the same, then everything that happens in between can be dealt with.” -- Michael Jackson

This week, know that you are loved.

If you'd like to receive our Mantras every Monday in your inbox, click here.

Have an awesome week.

Nicole

The Fate of "Jon & Kate Plus 8"

By now, I'm sure you've heard the news that America's most beloved multiples family "Jon & Kate Plus 8" will be going through a divorce. The announcement came this week that Jon and Kate are calling it quits after 10 years of marriage and eight beautiful children. I have always been a fan of the show. Like you, I watched in amazement while this couple seemed to pull off the impossible. So I was saddened when the rumors of discontent in the marriage began surfacing a few months ago, and even more disappointed to hear that Kate has filed for divorce.

I don't know exactly what happened in the Gosselin household. Supposedly infidelity, disrespect, and much more has tormented the marriage. The one thing I do know is that somewhere along the way, other things became more important than the marriage -- and ultimately the family.

Many things come into our lives with the potential to threaten the things we care about most. Sometimes their allure disguises the potential danger that they possess. For instance, a high-paying job might solve your financial problems, but its demands on your time could tear your family apart. Or, a friendship that promises partying and non-stop fun could de-rail you from graduating on time. Is it worth it?

If I take anything away from Jon & Kate's situation it's that we must never let anything become more important than the things we care about most - no matter how "sexy" they might seem. In the end, when all is said and done, I wonder if Jon & Kate will realize that they risked everything for nothing at all.

Monday Morning Mantra - 06/22

Happy Monday all!

This weekend we watched Nerissa play basketball at the Verizon Center after the Mystics game, and it was a good feeling. My parents and I recalled how far she has come since she began playing with an instructional league several years ago. At that point, the kids didn't know which way to run down the court. Now, Nerissa is doing so much better. A lot has changed.

Change is a good thing, and we should all be changing every single day. Like Nerissa, we should be honing our skills, always moving up to the next level, and always learning new things. As adults we often get stuck in a rut. This week's Mantra reminds us to never stay static:

"My new motto is: When you're through changing, you're through."
-- Martha Stewart

This week, think about how you've changed over the past several years, and how you're changing at this very moment.

To receive our Mantras in your email inbox every Monday morning, please click here.

Have a great week!

Nicole

How to Like Difficult People

This week we're focusing on strenght, and it takes a lot of strength to get along with difficult people. Check out this article on tips for liking someone better:

http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/health/user-post-8-tips-for-liking-someone-better-or-disliking-that-person-less-471321/

Let me know if it works! ;)

Nicole

Monday Morning Mantra - 6/15

Good morning all!

So last week wasn't the easiest week. Among other things, I felt attacked by people I have come to respect and care for. And I can tell from Facebook posts and emails that many of you experienced some rough spots last week as well. So I found a Mantra that will guide us through this week and beyond.

"Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength." -- Arnold Schwarzenegger

So this week, let's all remind ourselves that struggles and the hardships make us stronger therefore we can't surrender.

To receive Mantras directly in your inbox each Monday morning, please click here.

Have an amazing week!

Love,

Nicole

MTV's "16 & Pregnant" - What Did You Think?

Last night, MTV premiered their reality show on pregnant and parenting teens called "16 & Pregnant." I watched it, and for the most part, I felt it accurately depicted the struggles that young people face when they experience a pregnancy.

I found similarities in the my story and the story of the first young lady featured, Maci. A prevailing theme in her episode was the struggle to hold on to her relationship with her baby's father. I remember enduring that same struggle even though deep down I knew it wasn't a good situation for me, and it wouldn't last. Any serious relationship is hard to let go of, but one that it involves a child is even more difficult. Maci -- who describes herself as an "over-achiever" -- is also going to college (she graduated early from high school) and is working part-time. She reminded me of myself, and so many of the young women I meet in my travels, who are determined to make a good life for themselves and their children. It was really comforting not to see the stereotype of a lazy, unmotivated teenage mother being perpetuated.

At the same time, I think the first episode also shows the tremendous difficulties of raising a baby at a young age. Maci -- and everyone involved in her life -- is feeling the challenges and stress that it can cause. It really speaks to the importance of preventing teenage pregnancy. The best time to raise a child is when you're emotionally, developmentally, and financially ready.

We'll have to see what the rest of the season has in store, but I think it's worth watching. For more information on the series, click here.

Nicole

A Few of My Favorite Things This Summer...

Here's what I'm loving thus far this summer...

1. Italian Ices - I think having an Italian Ice instantly puts you in a good mood. Just finished a Pina Colada flavored one, and it was awesome. Try it. Find a Rita's near you.

2. Sunroofs - There is something refreshing about putting your sunroof down and feeling the breeze throughout your car. I always feel relaxed when I drive around this way.

3. Grilling - This is somewhat selfish of me - in addition to the flavor I also love grilling because it takes me off the hook from cooking. Now that I'm in my third trimester, I love this. :)

4. Red Box - If you haven't jumped on the bandwagon of this phenomenon, please do. You can rent movies for $1 a day. Donte, my friend, and I just watched "He's Just Not That Into You" the other night for next to nothing. (By the way, I thought this was a pretty good movie) We also used Red Box for Nerissa's birthday sleepover last month. Gone are the days of going broke over renting movies!

5. Evening Thunderstorms - Okay, so yesterday's thunderstorm was a bit scary, but there is something about a thunderstorm after a hot summer day that calms me. Nerissa says it makes the world smell like a rain forest. :)

Nicole

Monday Morning Mantra - 6/8

Good morning dears!

Happy Monday to you! Looking forward to an awesome week. This past weekend Donte and I prepared for the baby by painting the nursery, picking up the crib, and purchasing some odds and ends. It felt good to be getting ready for our new arrival, and this act of preparation reminded me of how important it is for us to get things in order when a challenge is on the horizon. In our case, the challenge is a newborn baby who will throw us for a loop, but in your case it might be a summer internship, a trip to China, starting your freshman year of college, etc.

Preparation is so important to our success. So this week's Mantra reminds us to prepare for what lies ahead...

"The best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today." -- H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

So focus on preparing yourself this week for the challenges that lie ahead.

Have an awesome week!

To receive our Mantras in your email inbox every Monday morning, please click here!

Nicole

Did You Know It Was Black Father's Week?

This week is Black Father's Week, which I didn't even know existed, but I'm glad it does. This week is about thanking the black fathers who are doing an excellent job raising their children. My guess is they don't hear thanks enough.

We focus a lot on what African American males aren't doing for their children, but what about what they are doing. I can say that my husband, Donte, has not only been parenting my daughter Nerissa for the past few years, but he is also going to be the proud daddy of another little girl in August. And he jumped into this role of "father" in his mid-twenties - an age when many guys have plenty of other things on their minds!

So I'm thankful for Donte this week, and I want to let him - as well as my father - know that I appreciate all they do for their families!


Do the same for the men in your life.

Nicole

My Baby Shower

Sunday, my friends, Kendria, Meron, and Wura, and my mom threw me a beautiful baby shower. It was such a special afternoon filled with lots of love and support for this new addition to our family. I felt very blessed to have so many people anticipating the arrival of our little Naya.

...And it reminded me that we need to get our butts in gear and GET ORGANIZED! Lol!

Here are some pictures of the event.

Enjoy!

Love,

Nicole


PS: My friend Kendria is a professional event planner. If you like what you see, visit her website at www.weddingsbyk.com!

Monday Morning Mantra - 6/1

Happy Monday!

I thought this week's Mantra should focus on fun because I had a lot of fun this weekend, and it was good for the soul. Yesterday, my mom and friends threw me a fabulous baby shower, and the day before that I assisted my friend Kendria with a wedding. Both days were non-stop laughs, and it reminded me that things are so much better when you have a good time.

"People rarely succeed unless they have fun in what they are doing."
--Dale Carnegie

So this week, make sure to have fun while making your dreams come true!

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Nicole