Happy 2014

Source: Studio 404

Happy 2014 Y'all!!  How cute is the graphic above from my fellow BLM Girl, Angel, at Studio 404?  Be sure to check out her blog and show her some love.  She has some incredible freebies and an Etsy shop.  Anyways, I mentioned yesterday that I would be sharing the progress I made with my 2013 resolutions and goals.  Last year was a bit bumpy and rough, but I still managed to accomplish a few things.

In 2013, my resolutions were to:

-Get stronger in my faith and read my Bible daily: I'm happy to say that I accomplished this goal with my Bible 365 Challenge.  I also became a member of the Bible Gateway Blogger Grid!

-Workout 3 times a week minimum:  I started off good on this until the end of May.  I was working out almost everyday.

-Cook healthier (sorry fried foods): I did really good on this one. I think fried maybe 20 times last year.  That's really considering I was usually frying something once to three times a week in 2012.

-Travel more and experience new places with the kiddies and Mr:  Sadly, due to the Mr's work schedule, he wasn't able to travel with us.  However, the kiddies and I enjoyed trips to New Orleans, Lake Junaluska and Myrtle Beach last year!

-Secure my dream blog sponsors:  Dealing with JJ's speech issues and the whole move crisis, I dropped the ball on this.  However, I still had some lovely sponsors.

-Attend at least 2 blog conferences: This was a no go too.  The blog conference I was going to attend here in the QC was the same weekend as my sister's wedding and I didn't get a major sponsor to help cover the cost of BlogHer.

-Build up my savings account and family emergency fund:  I was say that this was a little bit of a success.  I definitely started off 2014 with more money in my savings than last year.  But it's hardly enough to be considered an emergency fund.

-Become more present and here in the time I spend with my kids and husband: Again, I think I was present with the kids, but not the Mr.  1 out of 2 isn't bad.

-Publish this novel I've been talking about and do a mini book tour/signing: Still working on the novel.  If wasn't self editing the process would run a lot smoother and faster.  Pretty much I needed to get out of my own head and just write.  I have met some pretty cool independent writers and they have been a wealth of knowledge and help.

-Find an illustrator for my kids book series:  I researched and found that I just didn't have the funds to afford any of the illustrators I wanted.  And I didn't want to just settle anything crappy.  I'm toying with the idea of launching a Kickstarter or GoFundMe campaign to help.

-Buy a new car (I'm not about this one car life anymore):  We got a new car, but sadly we're still living the one car life thanks to those pesky deer.

-Move to a bigger place (We've been cramped long enough):  Sadly, we ended up moving to a smaller place. :(  No worries, another move is coming up.

-Increase my giving back and community service:  I definitely did this.  I volunteered at a charity in my hometown and we gave away a lot to charity when we moved in addition to me giving away JJ's baby furniture to moms from our playgroup.

-Grow YUMMommy:  I've seen growth in the pageviews and seen new faces in the comments.  I've also grown on Twitter, Facebook and Google+.

-Start an online magazine:  Sketched a layout, found a platform and decided on themes, but again with everything this just seemed like it would be a bit much to handle at that moment.

-Revamp my wardrobe: I added a new pieces and gave away some pieces. 

-Stay Team Natural:  Definitely accomplished this.  There were times I wanted to throw in the towel, but I didn't. 

-Do more for myself: Not a complete fail.  I treated myself to nail polish and a new camera this year.

-Build and nourish new friendships:  I can check this off the list with certainty.  Thanks to my new Facebook groups I joined last year, I've met some awesome ladies and am  looking forward to continuing to build a relationship with each of them.

So, there you have it folks.  I didn't do too shabby.  I know it was pretty ambitious trying to accomplish a list this size, but I'm an ambitious person.  And honestly speaking, if we hadn't had all the issues with the move and then the emotional trauma of JJ's delayed speech, I probably would have accomplished more.  But what didn't kill me has made me stronger.

Lessons have been learned.  Connections have been made and I'm ready to make 2014 a knockout year.  I'll be back tomorrow with  my goals, resolution and vision board for this year.  Hope you all a great time ringing in the New Year!

Happy New Year

Source: Microsoft Clipart

Happy 2013 YUMMs!!  We made it.  Another year is upon us and I couldn't be more excited.  I've gotten started on my resolutions.   I've started off this year so much more focused than I was last year.  Instead of just making resolutions and setting goals, I'm detailing plans on the steps I need to take to reach them.

Anyways, we rung in the New Year at home.  Last year we ventured out to see the firework show only to be disappointed when it didn't happen.  So, this year I didn't want to waste the gas.  No worries MTV, BET and just about every other major network were airing specials. We flipped from one channel to next until it was time for the ball to drop.

I got New Year's kisses from Moo, JJ and the Mr!  My sister had sent me some adult beverages that I was hoping to enjoy with the Mr, but everybody passed out on me as soon as the fireworks on tv finished.  Of course, I stayed up wishing my extended family members a Happy New Year and then I eventually got tired and called it an early morning.

I did get to catch both of Brandy's performances though before I hit the pillow!  I'm such a huge fan of hers.  Couldn't be happier that she's back putting out good music and she recently got in engaged over the Christmas holiday.  Although, I don't know her personally, just knowing what she's been through on her search for love makes me over the moon excited that she finally has it with her super cute new fiance.

Nothing uber exciting went down when we got up later on this morning.  The kids and I slept in and almost missed the Rose Parade.  Moo was going nuts when she heard that Coco "Roxy" Jones was going to be performing.  She's totally obsessed with Let It Shine.  In fact, we just finished watching that movie for like the  90th time.

I did a little laundry, cleaned up, blogged and cooked dinner followed by a "little baby snack" as my brother would call it.  Hope that you all have had a great start to your 2013!

Dreams, Visions And Resolutions 2013

"It's only when you make the process your goal that the big dream can follow."

~Oprah Winfrey

Miss Winfrey couldn't have hit the nail more on the head if she tried.  Year after year many of us set resolutions, write down our dreams and entertain visions of how we would like for our lives to play out in the next year.  And while I have to admit that I did pretty good on accomplishing a few of my resolutions, I can admit that I could have done a whole lot better.  This year I was a mom of two, battled several issues in my personal life and almost sunk back into depression.  But still I should have made the process of achieving my dreams and resolutions my main goal.

So, with 2012 about to kick the bucket and the kids down for bed, I have completed my 2013 Vision Board to serve as a guide and constant reminder of my dreams, visions and resolutions for the new year.  I'm staying committed to making the process my goal.   It's not just enough to speak these things out into the universe YUMMs.  Words and faith without actions and follow up might as well be nonexistent. 

I'm telling you these last two months have been eye openers and game changers for me.  Like in all seriousness, shit got really real!  This always second guessing myself and over thinking every step before I even make it got me nowhere.  And as much as I want to say that I let other people talk me out of taking certain leaps, at the end of the day the truth was whatever I didn't accomplish or take a stab at was because of my own fears.

I'm taking back the wheel and control of my life.  My destiny. My legacy.  There's so much riding on me reaching fuller potential that it's not even funny.  It's go big or stay home in 2013. I'm either putting up or shutting up this shop and sitting my butt down somewhere.  And I'm choosing to shine and go for the gold.

In 2013, my resolutions are to:

• Get stronger in my faith and read my Bible daily
• Workout 3 times a week minimum
• Cook healthier (sorry fried foods)
• Travel more and experience new places with the kiddies and Mr
• Secure my dream blog sponsors
• Attend at least 2 blog conferences
• Build up my savings account and family emergency fund
• Become more present and here in the time I spend with my kids and husband
• Publish this novel I've been talking about and do a mini book tour/signing
• Find an illustrator for my kids book series
• Buy a new car (I'm not about this one car life anymore)
• Move to a bigger place (We've been cramped long enough)
• Increase my giving back and community service
• Grow YUMMommy
• Start an online magazine
• Revamp my wardrobe (I lost a lot of weight and inches since Jan 2012 but I've barely gotten new clothes for my new shape)
• Stay Team Natural (Relaxers I rebuke you)
• Do more for myself (No more talking myself out of new shoes or cute nail polishes)
• Build and nourish new friendships

There you have it. By end of the 365 days of 2013, I aim to have every last one of these marked off my list.  And yes, that's being realistic. I don't think I've made any resolutions that I would take more than a year to achieve.  For a few of these, I've already set wheels into motion and at this point it's about following through and checking up on things.

As New Year's Eve approaches, I hope that each of you are taking stock of your life from 2012.  What didn't you like?  What didn't you accomplish that you wanted to?  And why didn't you accomplish it?  Don't be your biggest enemy in 2013.  Make your list of goals and resolve first to commit to taking the steps to making your dreams reality. 

Anything is possible if you're willing to work for it.  Get an accountability partner if you need to.  Just don't settle for another year of throwing in the towel and complaining from the sidelines. Get out their on the court and play to win it YUMMs!

What's your biggest dream or accomplishment you want or need to achieve in 2013?