We Are Family...

Whenever someone asks me how many siblings I have I hesitate, take a deep breath, and start explaining. I have three brothers and three sisters, but I am my parents only child together. Let me explain.

My parents were married and had me. They divorced when I was seven years old.

They both remarried when I was about 12 years old. My new stepmother had a daughter who was the same age as myself. My new stepfather had three children (one girl who's older than me and two boys who are younger than me).

I spent my childhood growing up with my new sisters and brothers. No one ever made us feel like we weren't real siblings. Of course we had our moments of selfishness and hurting each other with comments like "You aint my real Daddy!", but as we got older we valued our unique relationships, well I know that I did. On Christmas and birthdays, I received double. That made things all the more sweeter. :)

When I was twelve my mother gave birth to a baby boy. Now my step siblings and I had more in common and shared blood through our new baby brother. When I was seventeen my step-mother gave birth to a baby girl, forever connecting me to my step-sister and step-mother.

I have three brothers and three sisters. Period.

Today's blended family can be looked at as a negative thing if not handled properly. I'm not saying that our experience has been 'peaches and cream', but as we got older we cherished our relationships.

I would be devastated if one of my siblings didn't acknowledge me as their sister, because we don't share the same blood. I thank God they never will. We share more than blood. We share experiences. We share memories. We share ups. We share downs. We share love. 

My grandma, mother, myself, Daddy, and Step-daddy

My sister Lanera, brother Brandon, and brother Preston

My sister Lanera, baby sister Jayla, and sister Takara.

A picture of my baby brother Braxton is missing. :(

Do you come from a blended family? Was your family able to make the best of it?

WARNING: Only listen to this if you're ready to be challenged

Sorry I've been away...let me explain.

I hate that I haven't been as consistent with my blog as I would like to. The truth of the matter is life happens and we don't plan accordingly. I'm still working on this whole discipline thing, but to my defense I did recently travel to Los Angeles, so that's why I haven't updated my baby (blog). Also, myself, along with my friend Briana are combining our powers to start a natural hair blog The Mane Source. It launches on Feb, 14, 2011, so we have rightfully called the launch day "A Natural Hair Love Affair". In order to make sure that I have time to pray, study the Bible, prepare for the GRE, read books, write, workout, have time for loved ones, and maintain two blogs, I have decided that I will update this blog once a week with 2-3 posts. I promise that the posts will be worth the wait. 

In the meantime, I recently traveled to Los Angeles for P4CM's Lyricist Lounge. It was awesome. I enjoyed a getaway from cold Chicago and soaked up some of Cali's 75 degree weather. Here are a few shots...Enjoy!

Talk to you guys soon! ;-)

I'll be your Coretta, if you be my King...

On this day not only do I celebrate the life & legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., but I also celebrate the love that was shared between him and Coretta. Enjoy!

Let's commit ourselves to each other before God and our loved ones.

Let's have babies.

And more babies.

Let's march for our freedom together.

Let's display our love for others to see.

And even in your death I will love you...

But we will be together again...

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I had a chance to visit the King center in Atlanta a few years ago. Here are a few pics:



The actual house that Dr. King was BORN in!

I made a wish at the  monument of The Kings...

What did I wish for? To finish the work that Dr. King started.

Happy MLK Day folks!

1968 - Martin Luther King's Prophetic Last speech - Remember

Today we celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. King. It seems like he knew that he would lose his life fighting for the cause.

"I may not get there with you, but I want you to know tonight that we as a people will get to the promised land."

-Dr. King-

The Passion by Lauryn Hill

Joan of AWESOMENESS!

I was watching "Girlfriends" the other day and was reminded of how much I love Tracee Ellis Ross' style. I found a few awesome pics of her. I wonder what she's up to now. Hope to see her on the screen or tube again soon:

Introducing Lauryn King....... She's back!

When Beyonce introduced us to Sasha Fierce I was ashamed to admit that I knew EXACTLY where she was coming from. A few years ago I began to write under the name of Lauryn King. My explanation: I will always admire, respect, and love Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for the work that he has done for us as a people. Lauryn Hill has always been an inspiration for me. She's beautiful and extremely talented. 

One day I was thinking "What would it look like if Dr. King and Lauryn Hill had a spiritual child together?" Her name would be Lauryn King. She would be conscious of the state of her people and why we can't wait. She would finish the work that Dr. King started. I tried to retire her, but she's back and I'm ready. 

That Girl.

Yesterday I Cried...

Yesterday I Cried

---

I came home, went straight to my room, 
sat on the edge of my bed,
kicked off my shoes, 
unhooked my bra,
and I had myself a good cry.

I'm telling you,
I cried until my nose was running all over 
the silk blouse I got on sale.
I cried until my ears were hot.
I cried until my head was hurting so bad
that I could hardly see the pile of 
soiled tissues lying on the floor at my feet.

I want you to understand,
I had myself a really good cry yesterday.

Yesterday, I cried,
for all the days that I was too busy, 
or too tired, 
or too mad to cry.

I cried for all the days, and all the ways,
and all the times I had dishonored, 
disrespected, and 
disconnected my Self from myself,
only to have it reflected back to me 
in the ways others did to me
the same things I had already done to myself.

I cried for all the things I had given, 
only to have them stolen;
for all the things I had asked for that 
had yet to show up;
for all the things I had accomplished, 
only to give them away, 
to people in circumstances,
which left me feeling empty, 
and battered and plain old used.

I cried because there really does 
come a time when the only thing left 
for you to do is cry.

Yesterday, I cried.
I cried because little boys get 
left by their daddies;
and little girls get forgotten by their mommies;
and daddies don't know what to do, so they leave;
and mommies get left, so they get mad.

I cried because I had a little boy, 
and because I was a little girl,
and because I was a mommy 
who didn't know what to do,
and because I wanted my daddy to be there 
for me so badly until I ached.

Yesterday, I cried.
I cried because I hurt. 
I cried because I was hurt.
I cried because hurt has no place to go
except deeper into the pain that 
caused it in the first place,
and when it gets there, 
the hurt wakes you up.

I cried because it was too late. 
I cried because it was time.

I cried because my soul knew that I didn't know
that my soul knew everything I needed to know.

I cried a soulful cry yesterday, 
and it felt so good.

It felt so very, very bad.

In the midst of my crying,  I felt my freedom coming,  Because Yesterday,  I cried with an agenda.  Iyanla Vanzant

One of my favorite poems of all time. 

I remember when...

I remember when I was sharing with my older sister how a guy had hurt me and that I was having a hard time getting over him. 

She asked me "Did he ever give you money or help pay any of your bills?" I answered, "No." She then replied, "Then I don't see what the problem is. Move on."

In the midst of my so called heartbreak she found a way to make me smile.

Being fully engaged for 2010!

What's good everyone?!?! First I would like to wish all of you guys a Happy New Year! I'm excited about 2011. Aren't you?

I didn't write any New Year's resolutions, but there are a few things that I plan to work on. 

Last week I attended IMPACT 10 in Atlanta. This is a Christian conference for young adults. I dreaded going at first due to the fact that I wanted to stay at home and rest, but I am so happy that I went. 

I had a chance to hear a lady by the name of Priscilla Shirer speak:

                                                  

EVERYTHING that she said was extremely profound, but one thing stands out the most. She recently went through some of her old journals and noticed a pattern. When she was in high school she couldn't wait to be in college. When she was in college she couldn't wait to graduate. When she completed college she couldn't wait to get married. When she got married, she couldn't wait to have babies. She said that the Lord informed her that she has been sleepwalking through the majority of her life and if she doesn't break this habit she'll miss out. 

POWERFUL!

I most definitely can relate. At times I am so anxious to move on to the next season of my life, that I fail to be present or live in the now. 

The present is a blessing. There are lessons to learn. People to enjoy. 

I vow to try my best to be fully engaged at where I'm at in my life today.