That's So Handy

July 17. I decided to take a pregnancy test. Lo and behold, it was positive. Every time I'm ready to jumpstart my healthy eating journey, I get pregnant (lol). Shelton was at work so I marco polo'd him crying and excited. Of course when we got home, just like last time, I took another test to make sure. We were officially going to become a family of 4. We couldn't believed it happened so soon, but it happened. Avery wouldn't even be 2 yet and we'd have another baby. Wow! I was scared but way more excited than anything else. I couldn't wait to tell everyone, literally the whole world! We didn't wait, we told our parents and we were going to wait until around October to announce our little pumpkin to social media. August 9. Finally our first sonogram, which ended up changing our due date from March 6 to March 31. The baby was measuring around 6 weeks, which means when we found out, Baby Handy 2 was only about 2-3 weeks. I couldn't believe we found...

My first message almost 3 years ago was kind of to "unchurched" people and to people who stopped going to church. If you haven't had a chance to check it out here's the link:  Church People are Tired Anywho, this post is to us .  What do you  think of when you hear the word church?  Ok, so how many of those thoughts you just had were negative, and why? The church's flaws have be stereotyped and capitalized on for years, (the pastor is stealing the money, they hypocrites, deacon so and so is sleeping with sister such and such and she's 14, they hate everyone who's not cisgendered and straight). It's in movies, it's in jokes. Okay, bad stuff happens because people are flawed and it leaves a bad taste in people's mouths. I don't know how long it will take for unchurched people to see that all "churches" aren't the same, but why do "church people" have the same reactions, about THEMSELVES? How long is it going to ta...

I was sitting this morning and this thought came to me, "Why are you hiding? What are you afraid of?" Seriously, sometimes I have so much in me it's ridiculous. Then year after year goes by with me still sitting on the ideas that never manifested due to a number of reasons. Excuses really! Surely, I'm not the only one like this. We have to get to a point where we stop thinking about it, stop planning to get to it, stop talking about it, and actually DO it! What can possibly be so scary that we stay stifled for so long? What if no one likes it?   So what! Put it out there anyway. Just do it. What if my voice isn't as good as so and so 's?  So what! Put it out there anyway. Just do it. What if no one reads or understands my book?   So what! Put it out there anyway. Just do it. What if people judge me for making mistakes in my product?  So what! Put it out there anyway. Do it. God doesn't give out gifts and instructions with th...

my students drew this as a joke after I had a Dunkin Donuts iced coffee. hopefully nobody's offended. THE STRUGGLE IS REAL!! Anybody have a start-over on their health journey over and over again. I'm probably on my 100th Day 1. I'll start and then get to the point where I want what I want. Period. You'll get red flags from the doctor and decide "ok I'm really gonna make changes". But then realize that between your strenuous job and taking care of the baby, nobody cooked so your options are Chinese or Fast Food. Ugh!! Why is losing weight and being healthy so hard? One thing I know is that I can't do it alone. My students and coworkers have been pretty involved with trying to keep me accountable with my food choices. Literally from checking in daily to see what I brought for lunch, to making sure I avoid the sugar treats people bring in (even if that means prying the plate out of my hand). Trust me, I appreciate it. The problem of course, like wi...

My Black is versatile Compiled of intelligence- street and smart. I mastered the art of greeting the wiles of the ignorant ones with a painted smile From a mouth that has a voice The eyes that cast Vision Some see, some don't Some won't even listen Meanwhile I glisten And never let on that it's just nervous sweat on my brow. But even if you catch on I'm still worthwhile My Black is unashamed Appearance "wild" or "tamed" Straight hair, permed, curls, or coils Mousse, gel or coconut oil HE made me well And I don't have to tell you that my back is strong My Black is strong Whether my mouth be big or my patience be long I belong! I matter just how I am My life deserves to be lived Free from racism, free from the hate you give I'm forgiven Goal driven, surpassing the expectation striven Masking to make it in the body I'm in Big or thin, winter dark or summer light skin My Black is beautiful It's unusual t...

12 Ridiculous Things I Thought Without Realizing It... 1. While I was pregnant, one of the things I would do is make sure if I was going to the store by myself, that I had my wedding ring showing intently to counteract anyone's prejudgment that I'm just another young Black girl out here having sex, got knocked up and the father's not in the picture. 2. Where I live, when I have a day off from work and I go to the store, I wonder if people will assume that I don't have a job. 3. One time a none-Black person mentioned that they didn't have a television growing up. I asked why and she said they were poor. My initial thought was, you still are privileged. You don't know the struggle. 4. I remember when I first saw the ethnic hair section in Walmart. I mean, we want representation, but why does it have to be labeled the  HERE IS YOUR REPRESENTATION section. Why can't it all be together instead of separated from the "normal hair" section.  5. G...