GREETINGS!!!! It's 11:00 pm and Most Outrageous Weddings just came on... OMG!!!!! My BLOG!!! Yes, I have totally neglected it and you! So So sorry... What has happened?? We had a wonderful Holiday season and we finished the year of with a family cruise. We had a blast!! I came back from the Holiday ready to make some strategic moves on this year. I'm in full planning mode right now. Not just the wedding but also life in general. We are in a big transition time right now as a family. My husband is contemplating retiring from the police department and going back to school. Our oldest got married, we are trying to prepare our 16 year old Junior for his Senior year and he's about to be off to College, followed by our 15 year old Sophomore who is about to be a Junior and lastly our 13 year old who is transitioning into high school this year. Finally, my career as a Makeup Artist has drastically picked up and I am trying to juggle it all and make sure that nothing hits the ground. With all of this going on, it is soooo important that I stay in my FATHER's face and commune with HIM regularly. So now you know where I have been....let's GO FORWARD!!!
So what's the date? We are thinking about May. I just received a email telling me I can come in and order my dress on February the 10th. EXCITED!!!!!!! I have been in the gym everyday trying to get this extra pudge off. I will be posting pics and detailing my journey about that. I'm ordering my dress 3 sizes smaller. Yep!!! I know I know.... but I'm doing IT. I will be in a size 6 dress!!! I want to be FABULOUS!!! I have also chosen my color!!! Do you wants to know??? Ok, I will tell you next blog. :) But I will tell you it was inspired by some very dear family members and the OPRAH SHOW itself.
Now that I am in full planning mode. Do you guys have any do's and don't you would like to share? I would love to hear about them!!
I know I always try to give a little encouragement to every post, so here is today's nugget.
Time is the only commodity that can't be purchased or traded. You can only spend it. When you go back and look at your vault of time, how have you spent it. Have you spent it being angry, unforgiving, disappointed, mean spirited or complaining? It's never to late to change, let today be the day you decide that your time will be spent wisely. Allow yourself to love and give of yourself. Finally always remember that only what we do for Christ will last. Don't wast your time or your life!
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
IT GROWS
I can't believe we are already in November!!! It's almost been a month since I have posted! I started a post about 2 weeks ago and while I was typing the phone rang and I sat my laptop down and I have been running ever since! Not good! I have so much to fill you in on but it won't all be in this post. So much has happened in the last month and I need to share. However, not in this post. I feel led to go in a different direction even as I write.
It will grow if you feed it but if you starve it, it will die. Yes!! lol....this is a riddle. Now replace the word "IT" with any word you choose and it will be true. I chose to add "MY LOVE" will grow if I feed it but if I starve it, my love will die. I use these words in reference to my marriage and my husband. My husband and I had children early and we did not get to spend alot of "alone" time. It seems the kids have ALWAYS been here. We have often focused so much on their wants and their needs that we had neglected to feed our marriage. At times our marriage has been on life support from pure deprivation and neglect. We had to find ways to pump life back into the heart of our marriage. For you it may not be kids, it could be many other things that require your attention. Life will sure throw you enough curve balls to keep you batting at something. My husband and I have learned something in the past 15 years and we hope that you can take some of these tips to revive your marriage or keep it burning.
Lesson #1 .. No matter what, you and your spouse are the team! No one else can join the team but God. Anybody else is a 3rd party. They can watch you play but they have to sit on the sidelines.
Lesson #2.. We are always evolving and changing. Understanding that we have to keep learning our spouse is important. Thinking we have them pegged makes us get comfortable and can cause us to be negligent.
Lesson #3.. GIVE EACH OTHER SOME SPACE!! A little "me" time is ok.
Lesson #4.. Try your best to be fit and healthy and keep yourself up. This goes both ways. Your husband married a woman and that's what he intends to see everyday. This goes for you men as well. Keep yourselves up.
Lesson #5.. NEVER stop dating each other. This is probably the hardest. We have friends that have a regular date night every week. Lol... we are so not there, but would love to get there at least 2x a month. Dress up and go out and spend quality time with each other. It doesn't have to cost alot. Grab ice cream or a midday movie. Or if money is not a issue, splurge.. plan a romantic evening with your spouse. Make all the plans and tell them to just show up! Check out D$D.. they always have ways to save and you may find ways to get a date night for FREE!!!
Lesson #6.. Laugh as much as you can!! Laugh Laugh laugh!! Life has enough serious moments that we need to inject as much laughter as possible.
Lesson #7...... THERE IS NO "B" Plan. Our marriage has no other option but to work because their is no other alternative. People leave the option for the "D" word on the table. Take it off! Make a commitment to talk and talk and talk and talk and talk..... you get the point.
Your spouse is your witness in this life. They are observing your growth and development all the way. They can verify that you were here and you lived this life. They should be your greatest cheerleader and be a place of comfort. If you are struggling in your marriage, I swear you can make it! It can and will get better if you guys commit to make it work. There are sweet rewards along the way if you hang in there. If all is well.. Keep up the good work! Remember in this life there are few do overs. Live purposefully and intentionally.
It will grow if you feed it but if you starve it, it will die. Yes!! lol....this is a riddle. Now replace the word "IT" with any word you choose and it will be true. I chose to add "MY LOVE" will grow if I feed it but if I starve it, my love will die. I use these words in reference to my marriage and my husband. My husband and I had children early and we did not get to spend alot of "alone" time. It seems the kids have ALWAYS been here. We have often focused so much on their wants and their needs that we had neglected to feed our marriage. At times our marriage has been on life support from pure deprivation and neglect. We had to find ways to pump life back into the heart of our marriage. For you it may not be kids, it could be many other things that require your attention. Life will sure throw you enough curve balls to keep you batting at something. My husband and I have learned something in the past 15 years and we hope that you can take some of these tips to revive your marriage or keep it burning.
Lesson #1 .. No matter what, you and your spouse are the team! No one else can join the team but God. Anybody else is a 3rd party. They can watch you play but they have to sit on the sidelines.
Lesson #2.. We are always evolving and changing. Understanding that we have to keep learning our spouse is important. Thinking we have them pegged makes us get comfortable and can cause us to be negligent.
Lesson #3.. GIVE EACH OTHER SOME SPACE!! A little "me" time is ok.
Lesson #4.. Try your best to be fit and healthy and keep yourself up. This goes both ways. Your husband married a woman and that's what he intends to see everyday. This goes for you men as well. Keep yourselves up.
Lesson #5.. NEVER stop dating each other. This is probably the hardest. We have friends that have a regular date night every week. Lol... we are so not there, but would love to get there at least 2x a month. Dress up and go out and spend quality time with each other. It doesn't have to cost alot. Grab ice cream or a midday movie. Or if money is not a issue, splurge.. plan a romantic evening with your spouse. Make all the plans and tell them to just show up! Check out D$D.. they always have ways to save and you may find ways to get a date night for FREE!!!
Lesson #6.. Laugh as much as you can!! Laugh Laugh laugh!! Life has enough serious moments that we need to inject as much laughter as possible.
Lesson #7...... THERE IS NO "B" Plan. Our marriage has no other option but to work because their is no other alternative. People leave the option for the "D" word on the table. Take it off! Make a commitment to talk and talk and talk and talk and talk..... you get the point.
Your spouse is your witness in this life. They are observing your growth and development all the way. They can verify that you were here and you lived this life. They should be your greatest cheerleader and be a place of comfort. If you are struggling in your marriage, I swear you can make it! It can and will get better if you guys commit to make it work. There are sweet rewards along the way if you hang in there. If all is well.. Keep up the good work! Remember in this life there are few do overs. Live purposefully and intentionally.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
NOW WHAT??
It has now been about a month since I have been on the "Oprah Show" and received my gifts. I have a million thoughts running through my head that needs to be put into action. I have all the Who? What? When? Where? and must of all How? questions to answer. Well, I do know the who and the what..lol.. I still have to answer the others. We have decided to have our siblings stand up in our wedding with us. EVERYONE is married and I can't think of no greater testament to marriage then to have them stand there with us on that day. Nowadays, people prefer to live together and never fully commit to each other. It's so much easier and cheaper to walk away if you don't have that "little piece of paper" binding you together.
My goal is to have the exact date nailed down in the next couple of weeks. I am also in the process of trying to get all my ducks in a row for my Not for profit foundation. I am planning to have a Christmas Ball in December as a fundraiser and to also collect toys for kids. I am looking at a location on tomorrow and I am excited about that! ( I will tell you more about that soon!) So busy busy busy!!
I would love to hear from you guys, your most memorable wedding day moment!! Also, if you could change any one thing about your day, what would it be? I look forward to hearing and sharing!
P.S. Don't forget to savor the "all is well" moments. Those moments when everyone is home, fed, the house is warm, no drama and no one is ill. You may not have all that you want but you sure do have all that you need. Draw strength in those moments because those are the moments we fight for when we are in the midst of a trial. Let peace overtake you on today!
Have a GREAT day!
My goal is to have the exact date nailed down in the next couple of weeks. I am also in the process of trying to get all my ducks in a row for my Not for profit foundation. I am planning to have a Christmas Ball in December as a fundraiser and to also collect toys for kids. I am looking at a location on tomorrow and I am excited about that! ( I will tell you more about that soon!) So busy busy busy!!
I would love to hear from you guys, your most memorable wedding day moment!! Also, if you could change any one thing about your day, what would it be? I look forward to hearing and sharing!
P.S. Don't forget to savor the "all is well" moments. Those moments when everyone is home, fed, the house is warm, no drama and no one is ill. You may not have all that you want but you sure do have all that you need. Draw strength in those moments because those are the moments we fight for when we are in the midst of a trial. Let peace overtake you on today!
Have a GREAT day!
Thursday, October 14, 2010
A Dream Come True!
Greetings Blogees! I hope this blog finds everyone in good health and in good spirit! If not, Snap out of it! This is the day the Lord has made, be glad and rejoice in it! So, let me tell you about the "O" experience. I had spent the last couple of weeks prior to the show trying to figure out what I was going to wear. I didn't want to look like I had went out a purchased a dress just for the Oprah Winfrey Show and I didn't want to look like I didn't know that I was going to the Oprah Winfrey Show. (lol..it had to be perfect) I went through a slew of outfits and settled on a Jade green dress that I bought for $5.00!! D$D you would be proud! I matched it with a nude belt and a pair of peep toe patent nude pumps. ( I thought I was cute ya'll..lol). My hair is red so it made the green dress just pop! I am a Makeup Artist, so I did a striking eye and left everything else nude. ( So nude, come camera time, my lips had dried out and begin to chap! lol..) I honestly thought VERY hard about asking my neighbor next to me if she could put some lip gloss on my finger..lol..I had left my gloss in the car!! To make a long story short, I ended up with chapped lips on my closeup! ughhh... Oh well.
So that morning I was absolutely excited!! I had no idea what the show was about. The email I received from the Oprah show was just telling me I had two tickets reserved for me if I wanted them. I really had no idea what I was walking into. I was just excited to be going. I was telling everyone " I don't care if I win a year's worth of twinkies". I was going to be happy with whatever. Inside I kept telling myself, "It's premiere week and it's the last season, it has to be something". My mother n law went with me and she was sooo cute as well! She had been diagnosed with Cancer a few weeks prior, so it was a little bittersweet. At the writing of this blog, she has a excellent prognosis and our faith in God and in HIS faithfulness has been a great comfort and has given us GREAT PEACE.
S0 we pull into the parking lot and one of the car attendants said "You guys are going to have a great time, SHE IS GIVING AWAY STUFF IN THERE!!!" Omgoodness!! We were like two giddy little girls! We were waiting in line and there was like electricity in the atmosphere. Out of nowhere, one of us would say "I'm so excited"!! lol... We waited about 45 minutes and they started calling people by name. (P=Perry..almost always at the end of the line and today was no different..lol). We were sitting there getting a bit anxious and they were calling every name but ours. People were getting escorted in and had the biggest smiles on their faces and then... FINALLY..AT LAST... we hear "PERRY PARTY"....yayyyyy. We hopped in line and then all of a sudden they split us apart. They told us we would reunite later. :( (What in Tarnashions?) They put me in the 1st seat on the 4th row from the front in the middle of the studio. My mother n law (whom I call NA) was seated across from me in the balcony seating in the first row of seating. The other guest's excitement was contagious. We were all talking and sharing. Turns out there were some other brides to be in the audience. I kept glancing at Na, and hoping she was enjoying the show as much as I was. I wanted her to forget all about Doctors, Cancer and all that surrounds it for that moment.
And then we hear......"Que Oprah". Oprah comes up on video and then walks out. She looked stunning! This is my third time to one of her shows, but this time she looked more FABULOUS than before. Her hair is beautiful! She had on this sparkly chocolate skirt that I would not look twice at if I saw it on a rack, but it looked really nice on her. She was very personable and connected with the audience. The show starts and the first guest get a house. YES A HOUSE!!! Shut the front door! (All puns intended). Then the next guest basically were made INSTANT MILLIONARES because Oprah tasted a chicken pie, loved it, referred it and now they are with the Catalog giants Harry and David's. (By the way, I got a coupon for one of those chicken pies and I will be ordering it for Thanksgiving and blogging about it). Then, someone opens a Mic in the back and I hear this familiar voice. It was VERA WANG!!!!!! Now, I am a little excited! They change the set and it is beautiful. They put up a beautiful chandelier and flowing draping fabric. They also have Vera Wang's name displayed on a backdrop. When the show comes back on ar, Oprah introduces Vera and she comes out and I am about to tip over. Vera talks about her new wedding dress line being unveiled in February. The dress that I want is a dress that I had not seen but I could see it in my mind. 1234567891011... Out walks girl number 7 in the dress that I imagined!!! I looked for Na's face to say"THAT'S IT!
A screen pops up and they are doing a story on a girl whose fiance is in Iraq and she was trying to plan her wedding without him being here. She talks of vera wang being the Bently of wedding dresses and she only has Ford money. By now you know what happened. The girl comes out and she is in shock when she sees Vera. So Oprah talk to her a bit and tells her she heard that she was was having a hard time finding a dress and that Vera had come and was showcasing her new wedding dress collection. She asked the girl if she liked any of the dresses on stage. Still in shock, the girl nods yes and then she says"Well, Vera is going to allow you to pick one of the dresses from her collection"! The audience went crazy!! Then Oprah says........."I heard we have more brides to be in the audience, will you guys please stand up". At that moment the room, got small and my cheeks got hot! Oprah says" Brides.. do you like any of these dresses?" Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh..... YES!!!! WE EACH GOT TO CHOOSE A DRESS! Then Oprah says,"That's not all". "Vera is also releasing her clothing line, each of you will receive 3 outfits from her new collection". We were outdone at this moment. We finally calm down and Oprah says "Ok, sit down". Then she says "Naw, stand back up!". "Courtesy of our friends a Marriot Resort and Spa, they are giving you a $40000.00 gift card to stay at ANY MARRIOT RESORT A SPA IN THE WORLD!!!! By now the tears are streaming and I'm looking at Na and communicating with tears and the look of bewilderment. She in turn has tears and is also astonished. Then Oprah says, "Well, I know you are asking, how am I going to get there?" "Courtesy of United Airlines, they are providing you with 2 round trip tickets to anywhere that United Airlines flies!" I am SO DONE at that moment. All, I could say was "Lord, you must really love me". I was so overwhelmed with gratitude. The Word of God tells us "To try HIM and see if HE want open up the windows of heaven and pour us out a blessing that we would not have room enough to receive. That day heaven opened up it's windows and started pouring!!!
I know this entry was lengthy but I wanted to share with you the blessing. I will leave you with this final thought. My wedding day was "forgettable". It wasn't fairy tale but I am thankful for the man who found me. There have been weddings in our family since that have been like GREAT GALA's. God has favored each one. Not once did I feel spightful but pure joy at each one. Maybe a tinge envious but I never said to the Lord, "You forgot me". I never expected this and never put alot of effort or thought in how if I could do it again, what would it be. The greatest lesson thus far in this whole deal is "GOD NEVER FORGETS". HE remembers when we forget. HE delights in blessing us and giving us the desire of our hearts when we love HIM!
Good day All!
So that morning I was absolutely excited!! I had no idea what the show was about. The email I received from the Oprah show was just telling me I had two tickets reserved for me if I wanted them. I really had no idea what I was walking into. I was just excited to be going. I was telling everyone " I don't care if I win a year's worth of twinkies". I was going to be happy with whatever. Inside I kept telling myself, "It's premiere week and it's the last season, it has to be something". My mother n law went with me and she was sooo cute as well! She had been diagnosed with Cancer a few weeks prior, so it was a little bittersweet. At the writing of this blog, she has a excellent prognosis and our faith in God and in HIS faithfulness has been a great comfort and has given us GREAT PEACE.
S0 we pull into the parking lot and one of the car attendants said "You guys are going to have a great time, SHE IS GIVING AWAY STUFF IN THERE!!!" Omgoodness!! We were like two giddy little girls! We were waiting in line and there was like electricity in the atmosphere. Out of nowhere, one of us would say "I'm so excited"!! lol... We waited about 45 minutes and they started calling people by name. (P=Perry..almost always at the end of the line and today was no different..lol). We were sitting there getting a bit anxious and they were calling every name but ours. People were getting escorted in and had the biggest smiles on their faces and then... FINALLY..AT LAST... we hear "PERRY PARTY"....yayyyyy. We hopped in line and then all of a sudden they split us apart. They told us we would reunite later. :( (What in Tarnashions?) They put me in the 1st seat on the 4th row from the front in the middle of the studio. My mother n law (whom I call NA) was seated across from me in the balcony seating in the first row of seating. The other guest's excitement was contagious. We were all talking and sharing. Turns out there were some other brides to be in the audience. I kept glancing at Na, and hoping she was enjoying the show as much as I was. I wanted her to forget all about Doctors, Cancer and all that surrounds it for that moment.
And then we hear......"Que Oprah". Oprah comes up on video and then walks out. She looked stunning! This is my third time to one of her shows, but this time she looked more FABULOUS than before. Her hair is beautiful! She had on this sparkly chocolate skirt that I would not look twice at if I saw it on a rack, but it looked really nice on her. She was very personable and connected with the audience. The show starts and the first guest get a house. YES A HOUSE!!! Shut the front door! (All puns intended). Then the next guest basically were made INSTANT MILLIONARES because Oprah tasted a chicken pie, loved it, referred it and now they are with the Catalog giants Harry and David's. (By the way, I got a coupon for one of those chicken pies and I will be ordering it for Thanksgiving and blogging about it). Then, someone opens a Mic in the back and I hear this familiar voice. It was VERA WANG!!!!!! Now, I am a little excited! They change the set and it is beautiful. They put up a beautiful chandelier and flowing draping fabric. They also have Vera Wang's name displayed on a backdrop. When the show comes back on ar, Oprah introduces Vera and she comes out and I am about to tip over. Vera talks about her new wedding dress line being unveiled in February. The dress that I want is a dress that I had not seen but I could see it in my mind. 1234567891011... Out walks girl number 7 in the dress that I imagined!!! I looked for Na's face to say"THAT'S IT!
A screen pops up and they are doing a story on a girl whose fiance is in Iraq and she was trying to plan her wedding without him being here. She talks of vera wang being the Bently of wedding dresses and she only has Ford money. By now you know what happened. The girl comes out and she is in shock when she sees Vera. So Oprah talk to her a bit and tells her she heard that she was was having a hard time finding a dress and that Vera had come and was showcasing her new wedding dress collection. She asked the girl if she liked any of the dresses on stage. Still in shock, the girl nods yes and then she says"Well, Vera is going to allow you to pick one of the dresses from her collection"! The audience went crazy!! Then Oprah says........."I heard we have more brides to be in the audience, will you guys please stand up". At that moment the room, got small and my cheeks got hot! Oprah says" Brides.. do you like any of these dresses?" Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh..... YES!!!! WE EACH GOT TO CHOOSE A DRESS! Then Oprah says,"That's not all". "Vera is also releasing her clothing line, each of you will receive 3 outfits from her new collection". We were outdone at this moment. We finally calm down and Oprah says "Ok, sit down". Then she says "Naw, stand back up!". "Courtesy of our friends a Marriot Resort and Spa, they are giving you a $40000.00 gift card to stay at ANY MARRIOT RESORT A SPA IN THE WORLD!!!! By now the tears are streaming and I'm looking at Na and communicating with tears and the look of bewilderment. She in turn has tears and is also astonished. Then Oprah says, "Well, I know you are asking, how am I going to get there?" "Courtesy of United Airlines, they are providing you with 2 round trip tickets to anywhere that United Airlines flies!" I am SO DONE at that moment. All, I could say was "Lord, you must really love me". I was so overwhelmed with gratitude. The Word of God tells us "To try HIM and see if HE want open up the windows of heaven and pour us out a blessing that we would not have room enough to receive. That day heaven opened up it's windows and started pouring!!!
I know this entry was lengthy but I wanted to share with you the blessing. I will leave you with this final thought. My wedding day was "forgettable". It wasn't fairy tale but I am thankful for the man who found me. There have been weddings in our family since that have been like GREAT GALA's. God has favored each one. Not once did I feel spightful but pure joy at each one. Maybe a tinge envious but I never said to the Lord, "You forgot me". I never expected this and never put alot of effort or thought in how if I could do it again, what would it be. The greatest lesson thus far in this whole deal is "GOD NEVER FORGETS". HE remembers when we forget. HE delights in blessing us and giving us the desire of our hearts when we love HIM!
Good day All!
Monday, October 11, 2010
WHAT DID YOU SAY??!!!
Greetings Blogee's! Thanks so much for subscribing to my blog! So let's get right to it! Everyone has been asking, "What did you say in your essay to the Oprah Winfrey Show"? Well here's the story.
When I got married I was 19 and my husband was 22. We had already had my son and I WAS PREGNANT with my daughter. We had about 50 cents between us and was living off of LOVE!! Lol.... So we wanted to get married but couldn't afford it...still laughing..(Like shouldn't we have thought about that before the kids) lol... So our church family and family helped us put things into action. My wedding dress was a dress that a lady at our church had made for another bride and she let me wear it!! (in hindsight...I owe that bride a apology). My husband wore a Navy blue suit that was borrowed. ( Like, where do they do that at?) My bridesmaids Re purposed their dresses from a wedding they were in previous. ( THANKS D$D) My cake came from Jewels which the good people of Illinois so kindly provided via food stamps..(For the record it was only about 6 months that we were on the FS and have more than paid it back). Just wanted to pointed that out! :)
So to continue the story.. My mother n law had did my makeup and my father n law WALKED ME DOWN THE AISLE!! lol... still laughing...No one from my family was able to make it and honestly after the I do.. everything else is a blur! I really don't remember much about that day. After that story and God's abundant grace and favor. I ended up on the show! I know you want to know "So what did you get"? We will get to that later.
Now lets fast forward 18 years. I share some of my most life changing moments only to show God's infinite wisdom and ability. I remember literally my husband and I sitting in front of the TV after we were married and we were SOOOO BROKE!! A McDonalds commercial came on and we said to each other, "Babe, one day we will be able to afford a Big Mac". No joke! Now we are able to experience some of the best restaurants Chicago has to offer and a BIG MAC meal is standard after we have had a long day and basketball games. It was none of our doing. The Word tell us to not despise the day of small beginnings. Never look at your current situation and think this is all that there is and things will not get better. That is a lie! Nothing ever stays the same. Break your life down into seasons. You may be in the Winter season of your life. It may be a little cold and blustery, but do know that Spring will come... It always does.
Again, thanks for visiting my blog and have a GREAT DAY!!!
When I got married I was 19 and my husband was 22. We had already had my son and I WAS PREGNANT with my daughter. We had about 50 cents between us and was living off of LOVE!! Lol.... So we wanted to get married but couldn't afford it...still laughing..(Like shouldn't we have thought about that before the kids) lol... So our church family and family helped us put things into action. My wedding dress was a dress that a lady at our church had made for another bride and she let me wear it!! (in hindsight...I owe that bride a apology). My husband wore a Navy blue suit that was borrowed. ( Like, where do they do that at?) My bridesmaids Re purposed their dresses from a wedding they were in previous. ( THANKS D$D) My cake came from Jewels which the good people of Illinois so kindly provided via food stamps..(For the record it was only about 6 months that we were on the FS and have more than paid it back). Just wanted to pointed that out! :)
So to continue the story.. My mother n law had did my makeup and my father n law WALKED ME DOWN THE AISLE!! lol... still laughing...No one from my family was able to make it and honestly after the I do.. everything else is a blur! I really don't remember much about that day. After that story and God's abundant grace and favor. I ended up on the show! I know you want to know "So what did you get"? We will get to that later.
Now lets fast forward 18 years. I share some of my most life changing moments only to show God's infinite wisdom and ability. I remember literally my husband and I sitting in front of the TV after we were married and we were SOOOO BROKE!! A McDonalds commercial came on and we said to each other, "Babe, one day we will be able to afford a Big Mac". No joke! Now we are able to experience some of the best restaurants Chicago has to offer and a BIG MAC meal is standard after we have had a long day and basketball games. It was none of our doing. The Word tell us to not despise the day of small beginnings. Never look at your current situation and think this is all that there is and things will not get better. That is a lie! Nothing ever stays the same. Break your life down into seasons. You may be in the Winter season of your life. It may be a little cold and blustery, but do know that Spring will come... It always does.
Again, thanks for visiting my blog and have a GREAT DAY!!!
Thursday, October 7, 2010
About us!
Omg.... so where do I start? I know that you are asking "What is this sweet sixteen"? Well, I am going to get to that. First let me introduce myself and the reason for the blog. My name is LaToya Perry and I am a mother of four and a wife of 1. (No polygamy going on here :) My husband and I have been married for 15 years (hint) and have been together for almost 18 years. I was 19 when we married and he was 22. (yea 19...lol.. whoulda thunk it?). I am from Kentucky, so many times you will hear some of the country come out in me. My husband is the city boy (Chicago) he claims he found me on top of a hill and rescued me. Lol... That's a whole nutha' story. Anywho, the beautiful thing is that we "ARE" and it would have been a tragedy if we would have never been. We have had devastating lows and climatic highs. We have been each other's friend, lover, enemy, husband, wife, confidant, wounder, betrayer, madly in love, quiet strength and a host of other things, but the thing that has always been consistent is our commitment to each other and our family. Through it all, my husband has been my greatest love on earth. He has witnessed "ME" and the evolution of me changing from a 19 year old girl and has watched me transition into "womanhood". (Which is still happening).
So now that I have given a glimpse into 'us", let me feel you in on "THE SWEET SIXTEEN". March 4th we will be celebrating our 16th wedding anniversary. We are taking a family cruise at the end of the year and decided that we would renew our vows once we got to the Cayman Islands. However, God sought to intervene. One day last month I was going through my email and came across a newsletter I received from the Oprah Show. Here's the thing, I almost NEVER opened them. So on this day, I open it and read it. In it they were seeking brides who were having a wedding dress dilemma. You could have a problem finding the right dress or if you could have a wedding dress do over, would you? You had to write in and submit your story. In that instant I did, I had nothing to lose. I submitted my story that day and received a phone call from a producer that day!!!! Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww... I'm still screaming when I think about it. I hear you asking"So what did you say?!!!!". We will talk about that next blog! :) I am doing this blog for those of you who are married or contemplating marriage. I hope to encourage you to continue, to fight , to love hard and to rejoice and enjoy your life and your spouse. I want you to go on this journey with me up until the big day!! I plan to impart some of the treasures I have learned as a woman,wife, and mother along the way. Please enjoy and thanks for reading.. we are gonna have a ball!
So now that I have given a glimpse into 'us", let me feel you in on "THE SWEET SIXTEEN". March 4th we will be celebrating our 16th wedding anniversary. We are taking a family cruise at the end of the year and decided that we would renew our vows once we got to the Cayman Islands. However, God sought to intervene. One day last month I was going through my email and came across a newsletter I received from the Oprah Show. Here's the thing, I almost NEVER opened them. So on this day, I open it and read it. In it they were seeking brides who were having a wedding dress dilemma. You could have a problem finding the right dress or if you could have a wedding dress do over, would you? You had to write in and submit your story. In that instant I did, I had nothing to lose. I submitted my story that day and received a phone call from a producer that day!!!! Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww... I'm still screaming when I think about it. I hear you asking"So what did you say?!!!!". We will talk about that next blog! :) I am doing this blog for those of you who are married or contemplating marriage. I hope to encourage you to continue, to fight , to love hard and to rejoice and enjoy your life and your spouse. I want you to go on this journey with me up until the big day!! I plan to impart some of the treasures I have learned as a woman,wife, and mother along the way. Please enjoy and thanks for reading.. we are gonna have a ball!
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