Authentically Nita

Today was the second event that I did face painting for. I hadn't done this in years, but this summer a lot of people have asked me to paint faces at their parties. It's actually pretty fun. So today my daughter and I did some faces at our little cousin's 5th Birthday Party. This is me painting a princess crown on arm. The first steps to painting a tiger face. My daughter painting a clown face. Everyone wanted a butterfly. My Glorious wanted a Rainbow. The only thing I forgot was my mirror.

"Discussion is an exchange of knowledge; an argument an exchange of ignorance ." ~ Robert Quillen It's July 2nd and my family still can't decide on the location of our annual 4th of July Family Barbeque. This happens every year, but this year it seems to be taking longer for everyone to just pull together. I don't think I need to say how frustrating that is. If they keep this up I may just take my children downtown and say forget it.

I guess there comes a time when every mother has to come face to face with their teenager and let them know who's boss. Mother/daughter relationships can be difficult during these years. This Thursday's Thought: "Mother Nature is providential. She gives us twelve years to develop a love for our children before turning them into teenagers." ~William Galvin The reason behind the thought: My daughter crossed a line last night. This line crossing showed blatant disrespect and has changed our relationship forever. My daughter turned 13 in March. It's only been a few months and one of my worst fears has already come true. The fear that she would one day forget how much I love her and how much I've been here for her through the years. I've never had a teenager before and this is all new to me, but one thing I am not going to do is play friends with her and allow her to disrespect me.

Check out our Walk Team Video for the JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes. We're getting an early start this year and I am hoping to get more people involved. I chose the song "Some Say Love," sung by LeAnne Rhimes. I think this song is so beautiful. It's like she is singing a poem. Here are the lyrics: Some say love, it is a river, That drowns, the tender reed. Some say love, it is a razor, that leaves, your soul to bleed. Some say love, it is a hunger, An endless aching need. I say love, it is a flower, And you it's only seed. It's the heart, afraid of breaking, That never, learns to dance. It's the dream, afraid of waking, That never, takes the chance. It's the one, who won't be taken, Who cannot, seem to give. And the soul, afraid of dying, That never, learns to live. When the night, has been too lonely, And the road, has been too long. And you feel, that love is only, for the lucky, and the strong. Just remember, in the winter, Far beneath, the bitter

Does anyone know what a 3 year old drunk acts like? Loopy and unable to walk straight. Won't sit still. They say stuff that would normally get them tapped in their little mouth, or at least scolded. Once you get them to sleep, they will sleep for long periods of time. They wake up in the middle of the night muttering about events that happened the day before, then quickly fall back to sleep. She will wake up the next morning acting very hyper. My youngest daughter was given medication at the hospital, so that she could have all her dental work done in one shot. This is what happens when your child is under the influence (of legal narcotics). Thank goodness this is all over and I have my little girl back.

For Tabi's 13th b-day I took her out shopping, and to get her pictures taken. Then she had a sleep-over later that evening. Early that morning. Photos taken at the Gallery: Children at the party singing Happy Birthday. (I don't know why she's looking down at her phone) A bunch of girls in the kitchen. My house was so crowded. Tabi & Puff dipping ice cream. Naeemah & Salimah eating yummy cake. The little girlies. Gifts were pretty much just gift certificates and cards. This one is a gift cert. for Borders, I thought that was a good one :)

Glorious had her first picture day on 3/11/2009. These are her first professional pictures since her newborn photo. The outfit Waiting for mommy... Getting her hair done. Getting ready to leave. "Bye-bye daddy, gotta go!" The Finished Photos:

Back in the day my mom used to use Snuggle Fabric Softener. I used to think I had picked it out for her because I would always say, "get the one with the bear on it," and she would. Now that I'm older I know she bought it because it's a good product and it made our clothes smell good. If you're a fan of Snuggle brand fabric softers (like I am), you have to check out the new Snuggle Creme! Sweet Almond Essence If you have not heard of Snuggle Creme yet, see the video: Right now you can get $2.00 off. (So, take advantage of it while it lasts, it sure beats paying full price for Downy)

Over the past few days I've been reading some stories, blogs and comments bashing families that have a large number of children. This is all due to the controversy over Nadya Suleman and the Octuplets. My how we judge. It's crazy and a little disappointing that people are so angry. We are raising eight kids together now. 8 It takes a village, and we have a strong support system of family and friends. The children are 12, 8, 7, 7, 5, 4 , 4 & 1. One child has juvenile diabeties, one child was born premature and one child has Biliary Atresia. Somedays we want to pull our hair out and we yell at each other because we are frustrated. Those days don't over shadow the good ones. We are a step-family and it's very challenging. The Jeub family posted on their website that they received this message recently: "You guys who say we want to have as many as GOD gives us sicken me. This is not the medieval times, this is an advanced age [where] everyone has access to b

I tried my hardest to catch these dollies on sale this year. I planned to buy four. One for each of the girls. But they were selling out like crazy. My daughters just love Brat dolls. I don't know why. They have big heads, they break much easier than Barbie and they seriously overdue it on make-up. I was happy when MGA came up with the Bratz Kidz Dolls. These dolls don't where as much make-up. What I liked most about these Big Kidz, is that they are NOT dressed in slutty clothes. Although Yasmin's outfit still shows a little tummy, it is much more appropriate than others I have seen on this brand of doll. So anyway, as I searched the net for the new Bratz Big Kidz Music Stars, I could not find Sasha anywhere. I found the Bratz Big Kidz Snap-On Doll Sasha (who's skirt is way too short), but I could not find the Music Stars doll. I checked everywhere I could think of, (in the US) and found nothing. However, while searching the net I found that many stores in the UK ha

This is my last post until after the Holiday. I will still be reading blogs, and I will check in and comment anyone who leaves me a comment. This is a simple, but delicious Cranberry Relish that I've been making with my children for a few years. The recipe is for Relish, and traditionally, it wasn't supposed to be cooked, but it tastes better that way. I call it Cranberry Jam now. Here is what you need: Fresh Cranberries, Walnuts & 2 Oranges Chop up the Cranberries and Oranges, measure one cup of Walnuts. Pour it all into a pot. Add two cups of Sugar and 1 & 1/2 cups of water. Stir Boil, then simmer. Until it looks like this: Tastes great! Thumbs up mommy! We put some in jars to give to their Grandmas and keep the rest for us. Tastes delicious with Turkey! This is a traditional Cranberry Sauce. If you have made this before, what do you do to jazz up your recipe?

The scene this morning at the Walk to cure Diabetes: Teams bustin' a move on the Art Museum steps. The D.J. was really good and took songs by request. St. Joseph's Cheer Leaders Dancing Londa and me. The five of us. Distant shot of the Art Museum. We had a lot of fun & we give the JDRF a big thumbs up for making this charity event such a great atmosphere to bring the whole family to! Can't wait 'til next year!

This was a family event to celebrate three of my cousins' birthdays. Their mom rented a rec. center for a few hours to throw this little shindig. Princesses Snow White & Belle are my two daughters. Davida as Cinderella. Glorious, Fareed & me. Grandma. Makayla & Darryl. Dr. & Nurse Pirate The girls in our family, outside the center. Bat-Woman & Bat-Girl Snow White, Belle, A Ghost & Iron Man