2015 YUMMommy Year In Review

I can hardly believe that 2016 will be here in just a few hours.  I'm bubbling with excitement and a little anxiety over all the things I want to accomplish next year both in my personal and professional life.  2015 was a year of both great highs and major lows for me ( and my family).  There's so much that was happening behind the scenes.  It was beyond frustrating not being able to find the words to share what I was going through without going into too much detail.

Alas, if I had to sum up 2015 in three words, I would say this year was challenging, eye opening and motivational.  The high point of my year was winning the Food Lion Frugal Cook-off.  Not only did my team win, I got to meet some incredible people and landed my first featured appearance on live television!  I'm forever grateful to the folks at Food Lion, Theory House and the Southern Women's Show for helping to make this dream of mine come true.

There were many low points to this year like battling my depression, my mom's breast cancer scare, almost throwing in the towel on my marriage and losing my blogging mojo.  We're not even going to talk about how I managed to break two cameras, had my laptop break down on me or the hit and run accident the kids and I were in.  When it rained, it poured and it felt like it rained a lot over the course of 2015- figuratively and literally.

My ability to put a positive spin/twist on my negative situations as well as my faith really helped to keep me afloat.  This year taught me that perspective is everything.  Seriously, if I didn't force myself to find the good in all of the bad things or stay focused on the light at the end of the tunnel, I'd be in a mental hospital right now.  There were more than a few times when I felt like I was going to jump off the edge of the cliff, but God wouldn't let me.  He has a greater purpose for my life and I can't accomplish that purpose if I give in to the storms.

With that said, I do feel like I spent 2015 shifting from being super stressed to being overwhelming excited.  There were very few in-between moments.  The most stressful parts of this year were seeing all of the progress JJ has made, but hearing from his OT that he still has a long way to go developmentally and I struggled with not being as financially independent as I wanted to be.  Since JJ's diagnosis, I've cut back a lot in terms of properly monetizing my blog and taking advantage of paid opps.  Being available to my kids will always be my first priority, but there will be serious changes coming in 2016.

Through it all the people I could rely on the most were my family and Tara from The Young Mommy Life.  Tara is a great listener and partner for bouncing around ideas.  As a fellow mom and business woman, she understood the struggle of balancing home and work life better anyone.  She's become a trusted friend and someone that I look up to over these few years.  I'm grateful for having stumbled across her blog.

I'm not proud to say that I was the person who most hindered my own success and efforts this year.  I have this annoying habit of being able to be a cheerleader and motivator for everyone else, but not for myself.  While I took some risks this year, I spent way too much time still second guessing my abilities and talents.  I will definitely be leaving this bad habit behind.

By far the biggest lesson 2015 has taught me is to say yes to things that will make me better, things that will help me grow and things that will put me in the position to leave my mark on those around me.  2016 is going to be much better and more improved.  I'm naming it, claiming it, praying on it and most importantly taking action.  Faith without work is dead!  So get ready to watch me work y'all!

How was your 2015?  What is one thing you want to do differently in 2016?

2015 YUMMommy Reader Survey

Hi YUMMs,

With 2016 being less than two months away, I want to make sure that I'm giving you all content that you want to read and find valuable.  Therefore, I created this reader survey to help me give me an idea of what you all want to see around these parts and how often you want to see it.  My goal for 2016 is for us to get to know each other better and to grow together.  That means that there will be a few changes, but I'd love your input beforehand.

This survey is completely anonymous.  I'm not asking for your name or email address.  So, you can be open and honest with your answers.  I'm looking forward to hearing what you have to say.  This survey will close on November 30th at 11:59 PM EST.

Thanks for your feedback!

My BIG Announcement

Happy Friday YUMMs!  I mentioned last week and yesterday that I had a big announcement I wanted to share with y'all.  To find out what it is, you'll have to check out the video below.

Do you have any big news you want to share?

The Very Berry Smoothie Recipe

I'm not a breakfast person.  At least not seven days a week.  A cup of coffee and off to get on with the rest of my day.  I know, breakfast is the most important meal of the day.  However, eating breakfast makes me hungrier more throughout the day.

Instead of focusing on my tasks at hand, I end up making more trips than I should to raid the frig and/or pantry.  I usually just wait to eat my first meal around brunch time, but with I've been taking on more opportunities in both my personal and professional life that have me away from home during brunch time.  To solve my breakfast/brunch dilemma, I've decided to just start substituting my morning cup of coffee with my very own Very Berry Smoothie.

I love that I can make as much or as little as I want of this smoothie.  I just have a cup while I'm getting ready and pour the rest into one of cold beverage mugs and take it on the go.  I'm giving my body the nutrients it needs and not binge eating or staving off hunger until lunchtime.  Anyways, below is the recipe.  And of course, you always adjust the measurements of the ingredients to your liking.

Ingredients

1/2 cup ice

1 cup frozen mixed berries (or fresh, if you prefer)

1/2-1 cup soy milk (or milk of your choice)

1 teaspoon sugar (optional)

Directions

1. Pour all ingredients into a blender.

2. Mix.

3. Pour smoothie into a cup and enjoy!

I hope you enjoy my recipe.  If you try it let me know.  Also, let me know if you have any smoothie recipes that you really enjoy in the comments below.

Are you a breakfast person?

VEDA/Vlogust Anyone?

Earlier this year, I decided to expand beyond blogging and try my hand at vlogging.  I thought it would be a great way to expand the YUMMommy brand as well as a great way to connect better others.  Another reason, I started vlogging is that it's a great alternative to sponsored post.  Pictures are nice, but for some products like electronics, toys or kitchen appliances, a video works better because viewers can actually see the product in action.

Anyways, I've been connecting with some other vloggers (some mommy vloggers, some lifestyle vloggers) through different Facebook groups.  I saw a few of them talking about VEDA and others talking about Vlogust.  Being the newbie that I am, I totally thought these some kind of conference or meetup.  However, I later found out that VEDA is an acronym for Vlog Every Day in August/April.  Vlogust is a mashup of Vlog and August and the concept is the same.  So, what better way to further immerse myself in the vlogging community than to give VEDA/Vlogust a try?  Can't hurt right?

Now that I've pretty much decided to give this a go, I'm feeling excited and anxious.  What happens if I miss a day vlogging?  Will I feel like a total failure?  Do I even have that much to talk about for 30 days straight?  Does pre-filming and scheduling vlogs still count as vlogging every day?

There are so many questions jumping around in my head now that we're two days out from the start date.  At the end of the day though, I'm going to give VEDA/Vlogust my best shot.  This is going to be a great challenge and an even better way to connect with y'all as well as other vloggers.  Who knows I might even turn this into a BEDA/Blogust challenge as well!  

Do you vlog?  Are you doing VEDA/Vlogust 2014?

Thankful Thursday

Happy Thankful Thursday!  Our day started off with a tornado warning and a storm.  Thankfully, our neighborhood didn't get any damage.  However, there were some downed trees in other parts of the Queen City.  Fingers crossed that we're not in for another summer like the one we had last year because this is almost how it started off.

We've had a few rain storms back to back already.  A rainy summer is not going to allow us to enjoy the community pool or the tennis court at all.  Speaking of the pool and tennis court, I am so thankful that when we took the kids to see our new place, they loved it.  Neither of them wanted to leave.  You would have thought it was Christmas morning the way their eyes lit up at looking at everything.

I'm thankful that we're upgrading from one bathroom to two!  I'm also thankful to once again have a dishwasher, garbage disposal and actually spaces for a pantry and the washer and dryer to go!  The Mr and I have have his and hers closets.  We have a good sized balcony with an outdoor storage closet.  And best of all I have my fireplace feature again!!  Y'all, I seriously love wood-burning fireplaces.  

I know they are not really ecofriendly because they give off smoke, but I enjoy having them.  Plus, when it snows here in the city or we get freezing rain the power has been known to go out.  We did invest in a kerosene heater last year, but it will be nice to also have fireplace because you can find tons of free firewood around these parts.  That beats having to find a way to safely store kerosene until winter any day in my book.  I told Moo that we will have a girls' night and roast marshmallows in it.

Also, I'm thankful that I'll be able to film cooking vlogs because we actually have counter space in this place!  The neighborhood is quiet and it has a gym that I will be hitting hard in preparation for my upcoming trip to New Orleans.  Enough about the new place, tomorrow is a big day.  My little man is turning 3!!  I can't believe it.  

He's grown up so fast.  Three tomorrow and preschool in August.  I'm not ready y'all.  And I don't think the Mr is ready either.  With Moo it's different for him, I think her growing up will hit him once we hit those preteen years and she starts getting into boys, but seeing how big JJ is getting has been making him think about things like him almost being ready to play his first sport and all of that.  I'm excited for them to have more father-son time in that aspect.

Last but not least, I am thankful to be kicking off She Just Writes' "Mom Knows Best" series today.  So, stop on by and check out my feature: Young Urban Modern Mommy on a Mission: Blogger K. Elizabeth

What's on your thankful list this week?

Changes To Come

Cheers to it almost being the weekend!  In case you haven't read my last few blog posts, I'm in the mist of writing my second novel, LBB, because it is up for option with Harlequin.  And speaking of Harlequin, they just got purchased by HarperCollins.  So, as you can imagine this has been both an exciting and nerve wrecking experience thus far.  

I still have mt first novel, Forever Branded in the works as well.  It's kind of on the back burner since it's not up for option yet. I'm waiting to see how LBB turns out and before I make any decisions about whether to keep moving with self publishing Forever Branded or shopping it around to some publishers.  It's not exactly the right fit for any of the Harlequin lines right now.  Although, it's a romance, it has some heavy subject matter in it.  And I'm not one to be edited or have my writing voice changed.  Being true to myself, my characters and the telling of their stories is very important to me.

Also, we're finally in the packing the stages and getting ready to move.  Y'all I'm so excited to be moving a place with a dishwasher, legit maintenance men and closer to Target again!  It's the simple things that make the biggest difference.  We'll have 2 bathrooms!  A fireplace and it's near the church we had started going to and fell in love with as well as our favorite library.  Moo gets to be reunited with her bff and it's in the same neighborhood as their school.

Yes, I said their.  I had a meeting today about JJ's evaluation results.  No autism!  He'll get re-evaluated in 2016 though if we don't see any progress or if we see any regression or behavioral issues consistent with autism.  We decided that he'll be going to preschool for three year olds three days a week starting this August.  As it stands, he and Moo will be going to the same school.  Of course, with all the school changes still not finalized here, they told me that could change.

He's getting a new private therapist to work with him on the two days he'll be home.  I'm requesting a male just because he's starting to hit that aggressive boy stage where all he wants to do is wrestle and rough play.  I feel like a male therapist will be more equipped to handle that as well as provide some advice in what I can do to tone it down.  Who knows boys better than other men who have been boys?

My husband was pretty much left to do as he pleased. So, he's a little lost when it comes to dealing with the how to tone it down aspect.  In fact, he's probably a little at fault for this situation because he wrestles with JJ often and I told him that for now no more wrestling until JJ can understand the difference between a playful hit and a full force hit.  It's all the same to him when he's doing it at the moment and he doesn't know that he's hit too hard until it's too late.

I'm also gearing up for my Chick-fil-A Moms special event tomorrow for Mom's Night Out!  I'm excited to be meeting up with some new and old faces from around my area.  I'm participating in the 21 Days Challenge with Listerine.  I've partnered with Red Robin to help raise awareness about food allergies specifically and look forward sharing my post with you guys on Friday.  There are a few other things in the works.

So, my plate is very full to say the least.  Therefore, I've been thinking that it maybe time to make a change here on YUMMommy and take a small blogging break.  I don't want to stretch myself thin or risk giving myself writer's block before I finish my books.  That would not be a good look.

I'm thinking that maybe, I'll just still do my Thankful Thursday posts and finish out all of my sponsored posts for this month and then for rest of May and June just do that one weekly post.  I'd come back in July for another series of posts related to the trip that we are taking and then probably go back to just doing Thankful Thursday until August.  Nothing is set in stone yet, but it's been quiet on the blog and it's just because I have a lot going on.

Just hang in here and I'll still be around, but not as much.  You'll still be able to find me on all of my social media accounts.  They're in the sidebar to the right.  So, make sure you follow me if you're not.  I'll also be doing more videos on YouTube now that my camera battery, charger and tripod all came in the mail last week.  And of course, I'll be documenting my writing journey, doing book review and author interviews over on my author/writing blog!

So, again the changes that coming will be less of me here, more of me on my other blog and YouTube.  I hope that once the dust settles, I'll have two books to promote, book signing events to attend and meet all my readers and even greater news to share about JJ's progress!  Thank you to everyone who's been so loyal about showing me love and support.  I am eternally grateful and I love you guys!!

Sharing Is Caring

Sharing is caring. This is something I've been thinking a lot.  Y'all know that I'm a firm believer in giving to others.  Couple that with my want to better the utilize my Facebook page in a way that not only benefits me but my followers as well, I came up with the following memes below over the weekend.

Motherhood Monday

This will the day that everyone can stop by and share a link to anything post on their blog related to motherhood (or fatherhood because we do have a few men who support YUMMommy).  It can be anything from sharing your breastfeeding experience to talking about successes in potty training.

Tasty Tuesday

Did you try a new recipe from Pinterest?  Well, the link up on Tuesdays will be all about sharing recipes from main dishes to cocktails.

Whatever Wednesday

Think of it as Freestyle Friday, but in the middle of the week.  Any post/vlog goes.  Just no spam.  Whatever post you need some love shown to, just drop by the Facebook page and link it up in the comments.

Thankful Thursday

I've been finding that a lot of bloggers actually do Thankful Thursday posts.  Why not share them all in one place?

Fashionable Friday

I've been feeling the itch to get back into fashion again.  I never stopped loving it and now I'm ready to share more fashion related posts on the blog again.  And I'm also interested in checking out other fashion posts.  You never know where you might find inspiration for that next great outfit.

Social Saturday

We all know the fastest way to network is via social media.  Hence, Social Saturday will be all about sharing the two social media accounts that you want to build/grow the most.  Be it Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Bloglovin or Instagram, you choose whatever two you want to link up and we'll stop by and show you some love.

Shareable Sunday

This all about sharing tips.  When I started blogging, I had no clue what I was doing.  I searched for easy to follow tutorials and tips posted by blogging geniuses.  After all the saying does say "each one, teach one."

I hope that you guys will join me on Facebook next week when I start these up.  Bloggers who support together, grow together is my motto.

Which link share will be your favorite?

500 Strong

Whelp folks, YUMMommy has it another milestone!  We are now 500 Strong on Facebook!!  I couldn't be more excited.  One of my goals for this blog was to grow my social media audience and thanks to the new SITS Girls Facebook group page, I have done that.  If you don't know about the SITS Girls, you should really check them out. 

They are awesome for bloggers.  The community over there is like no other.  I'm convinced that's where all the blogging geniuses hang out because you can truly go over there and find all kinds of resources.  They've covered everything from html codes you need to know to teaching about monetization.  I honestly don't know what took them so long to start a group on Facebook. 

But just the support and helpfulness going on just seconds after people found out the group was open blew me away.  This is what blogging is all about. It's about sharing with others-our resources, our ups, our lows, a helping hand, support...  So to everyone who's stopped by from SITS Girls whether it's here on the blog, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or wherever and even to those of you who have just been rocking with me since the beginning this is for you guys:

2013 Recap

My Week 52 Bible 365 post will up tomorrow.  I didn't want to post it today since it actually doesn't end until tomorrow.  Today, I'm doing a recap of all the adventures, ups and downs that was tossed our way in 2013.  It's been fun revisiting some of these posts and I hope that you will check them out.  Also, I noticed some posts have comments on them that I thought I had replied but didn't.  So, you might get an email notifying you about a comment I'm just now replying to that's a couple months old.

January

We started out 2013 with a everybody in the house getting sick.  What a way to celebrate the New Year huh?  I also started on one of my New Year's resolution with the introduction of the Bible 365 Challenge.  Most importantly, YUMMommy turned three years old this past January!

February

I got busy in the kitchen and made some savory bbq meatballs for the SuperBowl.  I've made them a few times since then and will probably make them again this upcoming SuperBowl.  I opened up about how both of my maternal grandparents died from complications related to heart disease.  I'm still very passionate about supporting charities that work to help raise awareness for this disease.  And Moo morphed into mini mommy mode with her brother. Seriously, it's still the cutest thing ever!

March

I took a big step and purchased the YUMMommy domain for the blog!  I also got a great head start on my Christmas shopping for Moo at an awesome Spring toy sale at Walmart.  Hoping to be able to catch a good sale after the New Year's and this upcoming Spring too!

April

We did something different this year and made our Easter baskets!  It was a big hit with the kids and will be doing it again this upcoming Easter.  I went to Lake Junaluska for the first time and fell in love!  I'm really aching to go back and would love to live there some day.  I can definitely see the Mr and I growing old there.  Moo got her first pets, but sadly they passed away. 

May

My little guy turned two!  Who knew time would fly by so fast.  My entire family (minus the Mr) and I took a road trip to New Orleans for my older sister's wedding.  Hands down the best trip I have taken in my adult life!  The jokes, fun and family bonding was like no other.  We're trying to plan another trip to New Orleans and I know it's going to be even better.

June

We beat cabin fever and enjoyed a wonderful day at the ImaginOn.  When I say that place is cool, I mean it's sweet!  Ipads, toys, exhibits, workshops and so much more make this library one of best libraries I've ever been to.  It's definitely the best library here in the Queen City!

July

I've always been a fan of crafting and decided to get the kids in on the action too with an Arts & Crafts Bucket List.  Moo and I wasted no time getting started and made homemade playdough hand imprints.  Life started throwing us lemon after lemon starting with our last landlord terminating our lease because he didn't want to make any repairs.  Check out that story here.

August

The Mr asked me to marry him all over again. Needless to say I said yes of course.  Who would turn down the change to have a wedding after eloping?  Life is more complicated and we've been thinking about putting the vow renewal ceremony on hold for another year, but I'll keep you posted in the New Year.

Septmeber

I had pregnancy scare that had me wondering about if there was a right time for us to have a third child and if we were pregnant would be able to handle it with everything that was already going on.  Well, the results came back negative and honestly I was kind of crushed about it.  While we aren't playing to have another baby for a while, I had allowed myself to get my hopes up anyway.  I also bit the bullet and filmed my first vlog!!  Talk about nerve wrecking.

October

Things went south with our current rental, but again God opened up a window to help things workout in our favor.  Won't He do it?!  Life may get hard but I refuse to just stand still and take it.  After the shenanigans that went down with our last landlord, I have learned to take action from the jump start.  I am about my business when it comes to my family, making sure where we stay is in order, my money and my brands.

November

The Mr's work schedule got crazy busy and to avoid missing out on being able to put the Christmas tree up as a family, we put it up after Halloween!  Too early for some, but just right for our family.  We discovered what it was like to live next door to college students and how sometimes it can bring out the inner mean girl in me.

December

This month Moo turned five and I cried again!  I had the pleasure of writing for Kokoa Magazine!  It was a wonderful experience and I look forward to doing it again in the future.  I celebrated my 28th birthday with my loves.  Christmas came and went leaving me with the reminder of all that I had to be thankful for.

Overall, this year has been a year of ups and downs.  However, everything that happened went down for a reason.  I think our bad times have made me stronger, wiser and smarter.  I'm looking forward to taking everything that I've learned into the New Year.  By applying these lessons in 2014, I know that my family and I will be elevated to higher heights and better able to deal with issues as they come our way.

What was the best highlight from your 2013?

Here's The Thing

Listen y'all.  I'm a very introverted and private person.  Don't laugh.  I know you're probably thinking how can that be?  After all I've been blogging here on this space for three years.  And during these three years I've shared some rather personal and private things about myself and my loved ones.

But here's the thing....  For me writing has always been the easiest way for me to open up and step outside of my introvert comfort zone.  Just something about picking up pen and paper or touching my fingertips to a keyboard that make me want to bare my soul a little bit.  Anyone who truly knows me will tell you that I'm the master of holding things inside for the sake of not having to give up my privacy.  More importantly, I just like to keep things to myself.

And if I do let you in, you'd best believe it's because I've been watching you for a minute out the corner of eyes.  It's 2013.  You've got to listen, watch and observe and then speak or either walk away.  Not everybody is the person they say they are.  I say all to make this point:  I've been struggling with whether or not to get into vlogging.

I've mentioned it a few times here on the blog.  My hesitation is that I've been watching and listening to a lot people on YouTube and other vlogging platforms-both vloggers and commentators.   And honestly, what I've observed is that vlogging can leave you with a bad taste in your mouth.  With this blog I've been able to maintain a certain amount of privacy.

But vlogging is a whole new ball game.  With that comes letting go a little bit more of that privacy because I'm now putting myself on display for thousands of people.  Vlogging requires leaving my comfort zone from behind the camera and stepping front of the camera.  And to be vulnerable for a moment, I have to admit that it scares me.

I can take it when people leave a negative comment on my blog because they've disagreed with something I wrote.  However, as I already said vlogging is different and bullies are way more aggressive there.  People attack more than just your words when it comes to vlogging.  They'll talk about your outfit, your hair, your skin tone and the sound of your voice.  It gets ugly.

However, I'm not about giving in to fear.  As my dear friend and fellow blogger, Alicia from Mommy Delicious said in her recent post (here), "your dreams should scare you a little bit."  And my dream is for the YUMMommy brand to transcend beyond just being a blog.  I've always believed that sharing my journey could be something great and this blog has proven that.  However, I know that it can become greater still.

So, as worried, nervous and slightly scared as I am, I decided yesterday to just film my first vlog.  It's like ripping off a bandage.  I wanted it done and uploaded.  And I have to say that I'm pretty darn proud of the outcome.  It's not super fancy and the Mr's computer mic makes sound monotone and nasally as hell, but I did it!! 

I officially jumped into the vlogger pool folks.  And now that I have, I only see myself going up from here.  So, I give to you, my dear YUMMommy supporters, my very vlog simply entitled "Who Is YUMMommy?"

Vloggers, how did you overcome your fear or worry of vlogging?  And YUMMommy readers, what would you like to see on the future vlogs?

Thankful Thursday

"Some people are always grumbling because roses have thorns; but I thankful that thorns have roses."

~Alphonse Karr 

 

I think Karr has a point.  Just like with the roses, many of us grumble about the real life thorns we battle and remove to get to our goals and dreams.  I found myself grumbling about how trying to set up the new domain for the blog was proving to be a thorn in my side.  The Internet is constantly changing.  Companies are always updating their websites and changing layouts.

So, when I purchased my domain I thought it would be a piece of cake installing it on the blog.  I'm not going to say I'm a html or website building wiz but I definitely have a lot computer skills.  I know how to Google things that I don't how to do and follow along with a tutorial.  And that's just what I thought I'd do with the domain.

I soon found out that it wasn't going to be some quick five minute task.  Most of the tutorials I found were either outdated or missing critical information.  Frustration was definitely about to set in and I was about to feel defeated and break down and just pay someone to install the domain for me.

I decided to take a breather and step back from the computer.  Sometimes, when you relax, you can look at things with fresh eyes again.  Maybe there was something I was reading wrong or just plain missing.  Well, I came back and googled again.  And wouldn't you know it I hit the jackpot!

I found a step by step written tutorial and video tutorial to help me set up my domain.  And it was up to date.  Now I'm officially www.YUMMommy.com!  This rose was so worth the thorns.  My own slice of the online gold.  I'm thankful that I didn't throw in the towel.  I would have missed out on a great learning opportunity.  

One of my goals from last year was to get better and improve my skills with html and the whole technical aspect of the blog.  This experience helped me to do just that.  I'm also thankful that this past weekend I got to enjoy the lovely warm weather with my family and go out of town with them.  I'm thankful for the new addition to our family.  

My younger cousin gave birth to first child, a son, this past Friday.  And he's so handsome!  Let me tell y'all  my cousin was handling those contractions like a pro!  I'm talking we were in that hospital room laughing and having a good time.  I loved how she was very firm on what she wanted in terms her birthing experience and wasn't shy about being vocal with the staff.

I'm also thankful that Moo is falling back in love with the idea of starting school this fall.  Recently, she started being anti-school saying that she didn't want to go.  She's really worried about not fitting in and what the other kids will be like.  Being down here visiting with family and her cousins around her age that are already in school has kind of given her peace of mind.

I guess it helps when you have reassurance from someone your age and that you know goes to school.  Moo is under the impression that schools weren't around when I was born. Yes, to her adults are ancient like dinos. LOL. What until she's in her twenties.  I wonder if she'll feel the same?

What are you giving thanks for today?

Almost Wordless Wednesday

After some trial and error, I'm hoping that in a few hours yummommy.blogspot.com will be yummommy.com.  Yes, I finally took the big step and purchased my own domain for the blog!!  It's a beyond exciting feeling to officially have a piece of Internet real estate.

I told you all earlier this year that I really wanted to take YUMMommy to higher heights this year.  This just one of the many steps to do so.  Thank you to everyone who continues to show support, post comments and  share my posts with their followers.  It's all greatly appreciated!

3 Years And Growing

Source: Microsoft Clipart

On this very day three years ago, I hit the publish button on my first blog post.  Just looking back at the post and my first year of blogging, I can truly say that I've grown.  I was so nervous and afraid to put my personal life and experiences out there.  I was single mom.  I was trying to figure out in which direction to take my life.

I also wanted to be a voice for moms of color like those who had inspired to me to blog.  I wanted to share my passions, meet new people, form new friendships...  Most importantly, I wanted a place where I felt like I belonged and I was free to be myself, good or bad.  And YUMMommy has definitely given me that and so much more.

In these last three years, I've met some wonderful people, gotten to travel and have had the opportunity to work with some amazing companies!  I've learned how to become a better communicator.  I've cried and laughed.  There have been ups and downs.  Negatives and positives.

I'm still standing, still persevering and still GROWING!

Thankful Thursday

Whew!  The weekend is almost here yall!  I'm thankful for that because I'm hoping to get out and hit up the park with the kiddies.  We've been a little cooped up in the house.  We'll also be showing for fall and Halloween decorations to put up outside.  Let's hope pumpkins aren't super expensive this year.

I'm thankful to all over you who have taken the YUMMommy Reader Survey.  Your feedback is very important to me.  I want to make sure that what I'm putting out on this blog is useful and meaningful still.  If you haven't taken the survey please do! Click here.

I'm thankful that Moo is still doing good in her Big Girl bed.  I'm thinking that by Christmas, she might be ready to move into her own room.  We'll see though.  I'm not really in a rush.  I've been thinking about whether or not to work on getting JJ started with sleeping in his own bed.  Since I'm still breastfeeding, I might hold off on that until after the New Year.

With just two days left to vote YUMMommy as one of the Top 25 Southern Blogs on Circle of Moms, I'm thankful for everyone who has been voting on a daily basis.  Click here to vote if you haven't already.  I would be beyond thrilled if I made the list.

Last but not least I'm thankful for my family because they're always supportive of me and my endeavors.  They're constantly supporting the blog and offering up words of encouragement.  They support my writing career and aspirations to become a bestselling author.  I love how we've been all making effort to get closer and stay in touch more.

What are you thankful for today?

Striving For Improvement

YUMMommy is almost three years old!  Can you all  believe that?  Yes, my third blogiversary will be here in a little over three months folks.  So, I'm striving to make a few improvements around these parts.  Yes, this started off as a personal blog, but I've come to realize that I write just as much for all as I do for myself.

Therefore, I'm enlisting your help to make sure things stay interesting.  Below is a survey I've created to kind of get a picture of what my readership looks like, what you all love, what you want to see more of and that sort of stuff.  I hope that you will take a moment to fill it out.  And don't worry it's completely anonymous.

Create your free online surveys with SurveyMonkey, the world's leading questionnaire tool.

Do you think reader surveys are important?

My City Unwrapped Blogger Interview

A few months ago, I had the pleasure of connecting with the wonderfully Katie from Katie Talks Carolina.  We're both Queen City bloggers and family oriented.  You can often catch us frequently commenting on each other's blogs or giving each other shout outs on Twitter from time to time.  So, when she asked to interview me for an article she was writing on bloggers for City Unwrapped, I immediately said yes.

City Unwrapped is local Charlotte publication (online and in print) that stays true to its slogan and has features "Real views, real people and real city" happenings and news.  Essentially, it's written for the people by the people. And that just makes this publication even more amazing.  I am both honored and humbled to have my blogger interview featured both online and in their August print issue!

This yet another great accomplishment that is pushing me closer to obtaining my goals and helping me build the YUMMommy brand.  Be sure to stop by and check out my interview and leave a comment here!  Who would have know I'd have my second magazine feature in less than four months?  I am definitely feeling blessed and thankful right now!

Making Progress

This weekend I made some really good progress on my goals list for this month.  One of the main projects I worked on was redesigning stuff for the YUMMommy Shop and researching different vendors.  Here are a few of the designs I like thus far.  Let me know what you all think.

My favorite!

And if it's not too much to ask Vote for the Discovery Place in the Social Madness Competition.  They're listed under the Medium Company tab.  They do so much in terms of educating kids here in the Queen City and being involved in the community.  They are an official nonprofit.  So be sure to help them out with your vote please!

The Halfway Mark

It's really June already?!  Wow, it's hard to believe that the halfway mark for 2012 has arrived.  I know I say this often but time is flying by.  It's almost a little bit scary to think about it.  I had to do a double take at the calendars on my computer and phone before I flipped the page on my wall calendars.

With only six more months left in this year, I feel like I need to crack the whip harder to make sure I accomplish all my goals.  Not going to lie this year has been good to me so far.  I've been featured in a magazine that is sold all around the world and the YUMMommy community has grown.  I've found a new church that I love.  The list goes on.  

However, I still have a ways to go.  So, since you all have always been so supportive of YUMMommy and just me as a person, I've decided to start sharing more about journey towards reaching my goals.  There are times when I feel defeated and times where I want to throw in the towel.  And I think that having this platform at my disposable to talk about what I'm feeling, the progress I'm making and to ask for help is truly a godsend!  I realize that I'm still young and I'm still new to this whole blogging/writing game.

With that said, my goals for this month are:

~Revamp YUMMommy Store:  I really want to take YUMMommy beyond just being on the web.  Having merchandise is a way to make that possible.  So, I'm going to be working hard to find a different company to partner with because the overhead prices of the current company I'm with is just out of this world.  I'd love to use the money from those sales to help go towards doing more charitable projects, giving the blog a complete redo and more.

~Interact More With The YUMMommy Community:  I really want to make a conscious effort to get to know more about the ladies (and men) who are helping to hold it down for YUMMommy.  Like I've already said, your support means the world to me.  Therefore, I don't ever want to come off as one of those bloggers who's to good to mingle because I'm not.  So, feel free it hit me up on Facebook and Twitter!

~Post Everyday:  No more going long periods of time without posting.  Trust me, I know that in order to attract and keep an audience that I have to give them something fresh to read and discuss.  Not to mention I feel bad when I go long periods without posting because this blog is very much like a diary for me also.  And with life being so busy and going by in the blink of an eye, I enjoy having this to look back on and being able to relive certain memories in my mind.

~Get Sponsors:  I can't stress enough how important it is and how easier life is when you have blog sponsors.  These people have a wealth of resources at their disposable that aren't available to the average person.  And if you work hard enough at maintaining a great blogger-sponsor relationship, you might even find your future mentor.

~Tone Up:  While I've well with shedding pounds, I now need to focus on toning up.  I'm all for accepting your body and loving it as it is.  However, I know what my body was before I had kids and what it can be after kids.  I'm realistic in the fact that I'm probably never going to see a size 2 again but whatever size I end up at, I don't want to have to be weighed down with girdles and shapewear.

It's very important that I feel comfortable and confident in my appearance when I'm out and about.  I can not be representing YUMMommy looking "busted and disgusted" as my younger sister would say.  I'm thankful that I've been able to go from a size 12/14 to a size 7/8 and even a size 6 depending on the brand and cut.   That in and of itself is a huge accomplishment.  Shout to Healthy Latina who's always tweeting me back good fitness vibes!

What are your goals for June?

P.S.-If you see posts with blacked out boxes where pictures used to be it's because I accidentally deleted them with Google+.  I'm working getting around to re-uploading them all.

I Wanna Thank You

First, I have to give honor and thanks to God for allowing me to receive this great honor.  Without Him none of this would be possible.  My JET Magazine feature is just proof of how awesome He is!  Thank You for such a wonderful blessing.

My JET Magazine Debut

Thank you to my mommy for always being there.  You were the first person to show support and encourage me to write from childhood up to now.  When I came to you and told you I wanted to start a blog you were 100% behind me.  I just to say your love, wisdom and support over the years means more to me than I can ever put into words.  Thank you for shaping me into the woman I am today!

To my wonderful and darling husband, I love you much!  Thank you for taking this ride with me.  Thank you for being supportive, understanding, caring and patient.  You went half on two beautiful children with me.  I cherish you today, tomorrow and forever!

Thank you to my loving angels!  Mommy wouldn't have gotten this honor if it wasn't for you.  Thank you both for loving me unconditionally!  You two are my world and my life.  You saved me when I thought I wasn't worth saving!

You give me so much hope, motivation and inspiration.  Because of you two I feel like I can conquer the world.  Thank you for making me a better person!  I love you two unconditionally and beyond reason.

Thank you to my siblings.  I want to especially thank my baby sister.  Thank you for all the times you watch the kids to give me a moment to focus on YUMMommy and respond to emails.  Thank you for being encouraging and even giving me ideas to write about.  Thanks for all the retweets, Facebook shares, phone calls, etc.  May we all continue to live out dreams and be successful in our rights!

Now to the ladies- Alexandra Elizabeth, Baby Making Machine, Mommy Delicious and The Young Mommy Life- whose blogs I read and inspired me to share my story, thank you for being so helpful!  Thank you for always visiting and commenting on YUMMommy.  Thanks for giving me advice when I ask or just being a sounding board.  To have such wonderful and successful women in my corner means a lot.

Thank you to all my readers.  Truly, you all are the best!  I love it when I get emails, Facebook messages, tweets and blog comments from you guys.  It has been very rewarding to sharing my journey, resources and more with you.  You all are a huge part of my success as well.  I hope that you all will continue to tag along for the ride!

And last but not least thank you to Darralynn and everyone over at JET Magazine! To be featured in such a renown publication and to be named a "Must-Read" is a great and huge honor.   I will be forever grateful!