Dance Like No One is Watching

Braylen never ceases to amaze us. Even in some of the best and worse situations her little light shines and we begin to realize even more that she truly is a gift from God. If you know Braylen, you know she is extremely shy when she's around people she's not quite comfortable with. Once she has warmed up... well there's no stopping her from asking questions or entertaining you with her 'knock knock' jokes that aren't quite funny yet because she is learning how to tell jokes then it's funny it's own way.

These past few weeks my husband and I witness Braylen's socialization growth. She is now introducing herself to others and telling funny stories or recounting what happened in her world "yesterday."

Last week we witnessed in "awe" as Braylen stood in her uncle's wedding as a flower girl. Hubby and I were a little nervous because we weren't sure what to expect. Would she cry and say that she didn't want to walk down the aisle? Would she see us and make a bee line to where we were sitting? Would there be a meltdown and cry fest? All these things ran circles in our heads over and over again as we anticipated the start of the wedding. As "Brown Skin Girl"  played in the background, our sweet 3 year old made her way down the aisle with other beautiful flower girl waving at the guests in between tossing rose petals down the aisle. We were so proud. Hours later this same "shy" girl took to the dance floor and danced like no one was watching. Such a free spirit, caring less about who was watching her and who was dancing with her.

I don't know if we will ever get that moment back. I don't even know if that spontaneity can even be replicated. What I do know is this little girl has taught me to enjoy life. Enjoy time with the ones we love. Enjoy music and the peace it brings as well as simply ceasing the day.

In the words of my dear friend Willie Nelson, III "Celebrate Life! You only get one of them!"


Thank you Mr and Mrs. Damien and Kearsen Seabrook for creating this moment for us to celebrate!


        

First Day of Pre-K

Jarrett and I have been on the count down for the last month or so anticipating today. Not sure what today had in store for us. Today is the first day of school. I am beyond grateful to the teachers and administration at her school who have been beyond amazing from the application process, interviews, home visits and everything they have done to ensure a successful first day.

So beyond the congratulatory and well wish messages we have received, the common question has been "How are the parents holding up?" or "Did you all cry?" I was so proud of our big girl and all that we have taught her including, being kind, strong and just a good human really showed today. She consoled a crying toddler and was in a place of happiness. The tears fell as I walked in the hall not that I would be leaving her but I began feeling the joy and gratefulness of knowing We Did THIS! We prayed for this!!! We anticipated this!! I left knowing that my daughter is not only covered by God but she would be a caring shining light.

EVERYTHING we taught her shined through this morning and it left no room for me to doubt all that God has in store for her today.

Happy First Day to you Baby Girl!
Mom and Daddy Love you to life!

Keeping Us on Our Toes

This little girl.. the one we prayed for, cried for and believed for... has kept us on our toes for three years! Whew what a ride!! This last 365 days we've noticed growth in so many areas of her life from her speech and holding full conversations, her reasoning skills and how she takes instruction and is learning in all areas of her life. What was a mumble during prayers have become a distinct "Thank you Lord for food in Jesus Name AMEN" or an audible, "Thank you Lord for Mommy, Daddy, Jaxson and everybody we love."

This year we saw a crying little girl who didn't want to leave her parents' side to go into dance class to a poised girl teaching us ballet terms like, arabesque, coupe', demi plie', or tendu. We are so grateful for the milestones she has reached and the fact that she is more social with others and knows how to take constructive criticism well. 

As we prepared for her recital we enjoyed not only the process of seeing her blossom but also realizing our baby wasn't a baby anymore but growing and coming into her own. This sassy then 2 year old shocked us when we interviewed for schools and was the most polite soul introducing herself to teachers and other students. On our toes we found ourselves again. Inviting everyone she loved to her dance recital with the correct date. Yep on our toes!  So we excitedly celebrate her and all she's doing. We are grateful!!

Here are videos as we prep and attend the Kelly's Dance 2019 dance recital.

Click here: Braylen's Dance Recital

Enjoy

I Never Thought It Would Be Me

It's been awhile since I wrote. In all transparency, I have had writer's block and was contemplating what to write about that would leave a lasting impact like the other blogs did. It appeared that my job and the schedules of my husband and daughter were honestly my first ministry and priority. I felt that my “blog” ministry these last six or so months were now being converted to prayer calls, mentoring women doing through the process and keeping some of the “faith to fertility” stories private and not really use the hashtag on social media as much as I had been. This came partially after two ladies who I had just celebrated because they were pregnant abruptly had failed pregnancies. I later realized it was the devil trying to silence the blessings that God had over our lives and how people were being delivered by our testimony.

So I write! I write knowing that God will continuously get the glory in all I do. Ironically during this time of having writer’s block, God sent one of his vessels to encourage me to write. I was totally honored yet I was more concerned about the quality of work that I would produce. So I wrote!

I am grateful that so many women are being blessed by this blog. I never thought it would be that God used to be a mouth piece sharing our fertility story. I never thought it would be me who was once ashamed believing that my womb was barren and now speaking life to many who are facing what my husband I faced seven years ago.

Since he has decided to use me as his conduit I am committed to continuing this journey with my sisters and brothers who are trying to get to “The Other Side of the Blessing.”