tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2349842824621246482024-03-13T22:08:36.880-05:00(Re)Writing My Own Narrative: Gbemisoke's JourneyThis blog chronicles the balancing act that is my life, as I juggle my different roles and my strong desire to live optimally.Gbemisokehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14429615134179217426noreply@blogger.comBlogger71125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-234984282462124648.post-48130090601684478972018-04-23T23:03:00.000-05:002018-04-23T23:03:23.442-05:00This Deliberate Parenting Thing!!! Part 2Here's the concluding part, as promised. If you missed part one, you can catch up <a href="http://gbemisoke.blogspot.com/2018/04/this-deliberate-parenting-thing-part-1.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
So, Friday. Target. Restroom. Periods. Bleeding. Eggs. Sperm... Pretty straightforward conversation, until Alexis blew me away with her next words.<br />
<br />
Alexis: "So you don't bleed when you're pregnant? Being pregnant sounds better than having periods. I can't wait to be pregnant!"<br />
In My Mind (IMM): "Wait, what?!! Slow your roll, child!"<br />
In Real Life (IRL): "You can wait. First you get your period. This year, or next year. Nobody knows when exactly. Pregnancy is still far far away."<br />
Alexis: "Yeah. That's true. I have to go to college, get a job, then get married. That's still a long time."<br />
IRL: "Yeah. That's the right order"<br />
<br />
That wasn't so bad...<br />
So, we leave the restroom, ready to explore Target. STOP. Is that a 50% off sticker? On KY Jelly? I' never seen KY Jelly on sale before, nor have I ever seen this particular one before. KY Touch? ooooohhh??? Interesting... I pick it up and I'm liking the description.<br />
<br />
Alexis: "What is KY Jelly?"<br />
IMM: "None of your business, child!"<br />
Wrong answer, Gbemi. Honest, age appropriate answers.<br />
IRL: "Its a personal lubricant."<br />
Alexis: "What's a personal lubricant?"<br />
IRL: Errrmmm<br />
Alexis: "I know you'll tell me to google it. We'll google it later. What's a tampon?"<br />
She grabbed a box that caught her eyes.<br />
IRL: "That's what we use to catch all the blood from periods."<br />
Alexis: "Like a band aid?"<br />
IRL: Sort of...<br />
IMM: HELP!!!!!! I don't know the answers!!!<br />
<br />
We moved on, looked at some clothes, tried on some sandals and ended up looking at dolls. She does this thing where she acts like she's reviewing toys for an audience. She's a natural. She really wants her own YouTube channel, but I'm not ready. I'm not sure I want to let her get caught up with views/subscribers/comments yet. I made a video. Maybe I'll post it on my YouTube channel. Or not. I don't know.<br />
<br />
Next we looked at books. I picked this one out<br />
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Seems like teen/tween level reading. I'll read it first and decide if she's ready.<br />
So we're still looking at books and she squeezes her face.<br />
"What's up?" I ask.<br />
"I just saw something that made me mad."<br />
"Mad? What did you see?"<br />
She points to a book with the picture of the president.<br />
"Why did it make you mad?"<br />
"My friend told me he said nasty things about black people."<br />
IMM: Who sent this friend oooooooo?<br />
IRL: Nasty things?"<br />
I ask her, as I wonder which of the many "nasty things" she had heard and how I to respond.<br />
"It's a bad word. I'm not allowed to say it."<br />
I tell her it's okay and she says "He called us sh*tholes"<br />
<br />
Once again, I am not ready. I'm mad that all my attempts to shield my children from the goings on have been unsuccessful. Now I'm left questioning my ostrich-in-the-sand approach. Ugh!!!<br />
<br />
IMM: Quit centering yourself, Gbemi! Focus!<br />
<br />
I was going to start explaining to her that he was referring to third world countries, and not her personally, but I was not sure how to define a third world country to a seven year old.<br />
So I switched back to active listening mode.<br />
<br />
IRL: "sh*tholes? He said that? How does that make you feel?"<br />
Alexis: Mad. I already told you.<br />
IRL: "How do you think a person who says hurtful things to others feel about themselves"?<br />
Alexis: "They feel good, because they are better than the people they are saying nasty things about."<br />
<br />
That was not the answer I was hoping for. *facepalm*<br />
<br />
IRL: "Do you think that a person who tries to hurt others is really happy? Or are they sad, so they end up spreading the sadness inside?"<br />
Alexis: "The president can't be sad! He has everything!! How can you live in the White House and be sad?"<br />
IMM: If only you knew, child. If only...<br />
IRL: "Well, sometimes people have a lot of things but they are sad inside"<br />
Alexis: "Hmmmmmm..."<br />
IMM: She's not buying it. HELP!!<br />
IRL: "I kind of feel sorry for him. He is rich, but inside, he's hurting"<br />
Alexis: "Me too. I feel sorry for him. He's a sad president."<br />
<br />
That was how Friday went.<br />
This ongoing conversation is nowhere near over. And I am not ready.<br />
I won't always know what to say, and I am learning that that's okay.<br />
I'm committed to listening actively and responding honestly.<br />
It's a lot easier to be dismissive. To pretend that I know everything. To say "because I said so."<br />
But my goal is to do better. I won't always get it right, but by God, I will try.<br />
<br />
I would really like to hear about some of your conversations with children. And if you're thinking about trying this responding honestly thing, let me know how it goes.<br />
xxxGbemisokehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14429615134179217426noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-234984282462124648.post-52173808359316757432018-04-23T00:44:00.000-05:002018-04-23T00:44:39.672-05:00This Deliberate Parenting Thing!!! Part 1Friday.<br />
<br />
I had had a really stressful day. I'm still working on Hurricane Harvey recovery and even though it's been eight months, many survivors are still not back in their homes. In my work as a Disability Integration Advisor, I see to it that survivors with access and functional needs, particularly those with disabilities, do not fall through the cracks. It's more challenging than the work I did as a Disaster Case Manager, which I talked about <a href="http://gbemisoke.blogspot.com/2017/09/harvey-happened-and-now-nothings-same.html" target="_blank">here</a>, and I have had to learn a lot in a short period. It's great that I am a subject matter expert now, and working for a government agency has been interesting. The best thing, though, is that I get to go home everyday. Working away from home was hard, not just on me, but all of us.<br />
<br />
As you can imagine, the kids love having me back home. It's interesting though, how being away changed the vibe at home. They are more independent and don't seem to need me so much, which is both awesome and not so awesome. Daddy developed a more efficient morning routine. Also, they don't come to me first like they used to, which... I was going to talk about Friday, not about how I it feels to know I am not indispensable.<br />
<br />
So, Friday.<br />
<br />
I got home from work at 7:30, and only then did I remember that Alexis had a Girls Scout meeting at 6:30.<br />
In My Mind (IMM) "Ugh! why do I let down this child so much?!"<br />
In Real Life (IRL): "Alexis!! Put your shoes on! Let's go!"<br />
<br />
We raced to the meeting location, but there was no one there.<br />
IMM: "When am I going to get my life?"<br />
IRL: "Sorry Alexis, today wasn't a meeting day."<br />
"It's okay mommy" She hugged me and I felt better.<br />
"Lets go check out this new Target that just opened." I said. Thinking about how to make it a good day in spite of my gaffe. So we went in, holding hands and laughing. Turned out to be a really interesting evening.<br />
<br />
You see, I'm doing this thing where I'm responding to the natural curiosity of my children with honest age appropriate answers. That may sound simple, but it's hard. The honesty part, mostly. It means I have to say "I don't know" instead of pretending. Also, I can't say "because I said so".<br />
<br />
It's hard because it forces me to think about my answers. It forces me to admit that I might be wrong. It's humbling.<br />
<br />
It's also tricky, seeing as "because I said so" is actually an appropriate answer. Who has time to explain everything? But the thing is, they are not toddlers anymore. Nathan just turned ten and he appears to have skipped late childhood and gone straight to early adolescence. Puberty is here. And looming for Alexis. They have questions and I want to be able to answer them honestly. David has soooooo many questions, it's unbelievable. But he has learned how to use google and now, he's showing me up. I was talking about him the other day on Twitter. Look, I have my own personal walking and talking encyclopedia. YAY!!!<br />
<br />
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Yeah, so they're growing and changing and so is how I parent.<br />
<br />
I have realized that "The Talk" is no longer a one time conversation. It's an ongoing one. One that requires a proactive approach. Everything that happens is a learning opportunity and I hope I can max as many as possible.<br />
<br />
It's hard, but I'm doing it. Because I am trying to parent deliberately.<br />
<br />
So, Friday. Target.<br />
First we went to the restroom, which led to a conversation about periods.<br />
Her face when I told her about bleeding for 3 to 5 days was epic 😂😂😂 We talked about eggs and sperm and what happens when eggs don't get fertilized. Pretty simple, yeah? So I thought until she said something that blew me away.<br />
<br />
This post is getting long. And I'm sleepy.<br />
Let's make it 2 parts. I promise to finish it tomorrow.<br />
<br />
PS. Why did I stop blogging??? This is fun.<br />
Well.... Technically, I didn't stop. twitter is a micro-blogging site after all.<br />
That's where all my blog posts are. Follow me @gbemisoke<br />
xxx<br />
Gbemisokehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14429615134179217426noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-234984282462124648.post-56233040468859248352017-12-26T12:36:00.001-06:002017-12-26T12:38:34.468-06:00Christmas Day Joy!We spent Christmas day in our Pajamas, lounging and having a blast. The little humans were literally bouncing off the wall,<br />
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My personal Santa was on standby 😄</div>
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I was probably more excited than the babies 😃</div>
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And of course, there was Jollof rice 😁</div>
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Reading about the real meaning of Christmas before opening presents helps us focus on what's important.</div>
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<iframe allow="encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" gesture="media" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BI9ET1AhalA?controls=0" width="560"></iframe></div>
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My heart is full ❤</div>
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Leave a comment telling me how you spent Christmas. </div>
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Thanks for coming by. May your dreams come true. xoxo</div>
Gbemisokehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14429615134179217426noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-234984282462124648.post-12965204938733853662017-09-29T15:11:00.001-05:002017-09-29T16:09:51.286-05:00Harvey Happened and Now Nothing's The Same <br />
<br />
So, I've been working as a Case Manager helping Hurricane Harvey survivors for the past 2 weeks and I'm having a blast, getting a chance to see all these beautiful cities in Texas I probably won't have been to if Harvey didn't happen.<br />
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<br />
Here's the thing though, I have another job, which I took a leave of absence from so I could recover from the effects of Hurricane Harvey. While I did not suffer any material losses from the hurricane (thank God!!), all the anxiety and worry from seeing the extent of the damage on TV left me a mess emotionally.<br />
<br />
I went through this confusing phase where I would express gratitude for not being affected, then I would feel guilty because it seemed unfair to the people who had lost everything. Like a "thank God I wasn't affected o!!" thought would be closely followed by "Oh?! You're grateful? What about those who were affected? Is it not this same God that is their Father? He had the power to deliver them, but didn't. Did those people have to die? Just like He didn't deliver them, you do know there are no guarantees that you'll be delivered from future disaster too? What are you thankful for, really?"<br />
<br />
I was confused. I couldn't really articulate how I felt, and as these thoughts percolated through my mind, I became a mess emotionally. I was having a hard time sleeping, then I started to have panic and anxiety attacks and I knew I needed to take a break before I completely broke down. So, I requested a two week leave of absence from work, and then asked for a 6 week extension when I realized I needed more time. I was going to lose much needed income, but I needed to prioritize self care and I did.<br />
<br />
Three weeks into my leave of absence, I was feeling better, sleeping well, praying through the mess, feeling all Zen and shizz when I got a call from a job I had applied to last year. Was I available for immediate deployment? The hurricane had left a lot of people vulnerable, and they needed Case Managers. Well... I'm not working right now... so yeah, I guess... Seeing as I wasn't due to return to my regular job for another 4 to 6 weeks, I figured l'd try the gig out for a few weeks, and if I didn't like it, return to my regular job as scheduled.<br />
<br />
So I deployed, 2 weeks ago today. I love, love, love, love it! 😄<br />
<br />
Thing is, I still have my old job lined up, with a promotion and raise guaranteed upon resumption, because I passed my board exams. I'm now a BCaBA 😁😁😁😁😁😁😁<br />
<br />
I really really like my CEO and there's so much I was hoping I could contribute to the growth of her company. She's a nice person who genuinely cares about people. I can't say the same for some of the other people I worked with though 😕<br />
While I do not expect to be best friends with everyone I work with, there was a lot of tension... walking on eggshells, being spoken to with condescension and only getting negative feedback was stressful. I found myself constantly questioning my competence. I liked to think I was good at what I did, I heard that much from my clients parents, co-workers and CEO but my supervisor and manager... let's just say I learned from them the kind of supervisor or manager I never want to be. More than once, I've had to go to the bathroom to cry and more than once, I've had to comfort a crying co-worker. One time, a co-worker got fired, partly because he stood up for me when I was treated badly. I kept telling myself to suck it up. "Girl, you're here to advance your career, and if this is what you have to put up with, it's a small price to pay. Why are you giving them so much power???" I like to think that I'm resilient and staying on this job was a way to prove that I am not a quitter. Also, all I needed to do was pass my boards, get that promotion and move up. I figured things would change then.<br />
<br />
Looking back now, I realize how toxic that environment was. Life is not perfect and people will be people, yeah, but I did not need to have suffered like that. Nope!<br />
<br />
My experience for the last two weeks has been overwhelmingly positive. Working in human services is emotionally exhausting, however, when your work environment is positive, it is 100 times better.<br />
<br />
It's not all perfect. I'm away from home for extended periods and I miss my Lover and my babies. Also, it's a temporary gig and I don't have anything lined up for when it's over.<br />
<br />
It's okay though. I'm learning that I DO NOT have to have everything all figured out. I thoroughly enjoy what I do, my work is appreciated and I go to bed at night knowing that I have made a difference in people's lives. Also, living in a beachfront hotel is awesome 😄 not being able to go chill there because I'm working, not so much 😕<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7k09xiPUVRmtsUpB44lTKjBxMVoWxoJ108NckIUL4YBAqVaDwG3Gwf4s7KmQHqSJH3Ey_IH1Ovx9pj_IGR1-Povs6IcRSHNHYu5XrIKz9XT93XA7DIufBcO9Ua0O3B4XohNjYkX-9wfY/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="825" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7k09xiPUVRmtsUpB44lTKjBxMVoWxoJ108NckIUL4YBAqVaDwG3Gwf4s7KmQHqSJH3Ey_IH1Ovx9pj_IGR1-Povs6IcRSHNHYu5XrIKz9XT93XA7DIufBcO9Ua0O3B4XohNjYkX-9wfY/s320/image.jpg" width="165" /></a></div>
<br />
I'm in a really good place right now. For this, and all the other blessings I my life, especially those that money cannot buy, I am grateful. ❤Gbemisokehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14429615134179217426noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-234984282462124648.post-49139939966950162962015-06-08T21:52:00.001-05:002015-06-08T22:00:34.909-05:00Sewing Again<div dir="ltr">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love sewing. Making. Creating.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I wish sewing wasn't so labor intensive though. That's the main reason I stopped. It's not the most productive use of my time (in my present circumstances). I also wouldn't do it for free. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Being a crisis counselor, on the other hand, is something I would gladly do for free. In fact, I started out as a volunteer at my current job and I'm halfway through six years of school because I really really really want to be a licensed therapist.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If anyone told me I would ever give up sewing, I would have laughed and said NEVER!! I've learned now though. After watching my best laid plans crumble time and again, I know to never say never </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Will Gbemisoke Couture ever come back? Perhaps... I'm learning to trust God, and not my plans for my future.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJgodh5KAxAKLDSG_i-GMRl0ykOpA5Lh_1pa-UsJFLcHxRw0L_u4QN0DZRLA7R4_mOKmAWR3ou9MX5iH5cT2zDXTHoPElczX458VhyJtfiB-zfk5wXmhYWzN7HixiIaIDdn4SfCiudtmE/s1600/Screenshot_2015-06-08-21-18-29-1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJgodh5KAxAKLDSG_i-GMRl0ykOpA5Lh_1pa-UsJFLcHxRw0L_u4QN0DZRLA7R4_mOKmAWR3ou9MX5iH5cT2zDXTHoPElczX458VhyJtfiB-zfk5wXmhYWzN7HixiIaIDdn4SfCiudtmE/s320/Screenshot_2015-06-08-21-18-29-1.png" /> </a></div>
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Gbemisokehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14429615134179217426noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-234984282462124648.post-90774354798850045562014-06-18T03:36:00.003-05:002014-06-18T03:36:53.437-05:00Of Sliding Tackles And Preventing Them<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So, I saw this on Twitter</div>
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And these were my thoughts</div>
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<br />
Which led to some interesting conversations<br />
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<br />
So I thought a post would be a good idea.<br />
<br />
See sliding tackle!<br />
She would have sworn that her husband could never say those things to her. That's probably what hurts the most. Being blindsided.<br />
<br />
We could focus on how evil he is, and how men are so and so, but that's not the point of this post. I'm not interested in him. I am interested in her. And myself. And you, reading this post.<br />
<br />
How can we keep from being blindsided?<br />
<br />
Ever so often, I speak to women (and sometimes men), who like this woman, are pained, disappointed, and shocked by betrayal. They never expected that their spouse would have an affair/be sexting with a colleague/expressing love for their ex/become verbally or emotionally abusive/*insert your own example here*. Even if they had had suspicions, the shock on actually finding evidence can be devastating.<br />
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Hearing of people who have had similar experiences, doesn't suffice as preparation for the shock. You see, these type of things aren't supposed to happen to people like us. They only happen to "those people", you know, the ones that are not as smart/sharp/educated/exposed as us. Those careless people, who didn't really pray before choosing a spouse, those sinners. Or those religious, holier-than-thou hypocrites, who are so out of touch with reality. Whichever applies.<br />
<br />
Why is it so hard to acknowledge that anything can happen to anyone, ourselves inclusive? Like exploring worst case scenarios and doing a little more than saying "God forbid!" somehow puts a hex on our love?<br />
<br />
Life happens.<br />
<br />
But wait!<br />
How can you say I should expect my partner to be evil?<br />
What happened to expecting the best of people? Doesn't that show of a lack of faith in my partner.<br />
Also, aren't we supposed to reject negative things and only expect positive things?<br />
You know, speak in faith, calling things that be not as though they were, Hebrews 11 style.<br />
<br />
Let me explain (before you bind me)<br />
<br />
I am of the opinion that faith does not mean living in denial. Life happens and the many examples around us hold lessons if we care to pay attention.<br />
I am making a case for being proactive. For taking precautions. Every time I put my seat belt on, I am preparing for a crash that might never happen. Yet, I put it on. I'm probably only doing it so I don't get written up by a cop, but still...<br />
<br />
Like Proverbs 22:3 says,<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: center;">
A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.</blockquote>
<b><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;">Acknowledge the possibility of undesirable outcomes, and have honest conversations with your partner about these things. Especially if they haven't happened yet.</span></b><br />
<br />
For example, couples drift apart. That's a fact of life. If you acknowledge that this is a possibility, you can talk about it. What are we doing to keep the fire burning? That seems to me like a better plan than saying "God forbid!" and "It is well", without actively working to keep it from happening.<br />
<br />
You might also want to consider losing the "hmmm...see them! they couldn't make their marriage work!" attitude for a "there goes I, but for the grace of God" one, when you hear of other people's struggles. They, like you, had good intentions.<br />
<br />
What if it has already happened?<br />
What does a person whose partner insists on being with someone else do?<br />
That's a whole different post.<br />
Look out for it.<br />
<br />
Thanks for coming by again and again.<br />
May your dreams come true.<br />
xoxoGbemisokehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14429615134179217426noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-234984282462124648.post-86708799629897377022014-03-03T11:12:00.001-06:002014-03-03T11:12:17.586-06:00Unconditional Love: The worst thing you could give your spouse.<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: center;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></blockquote>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: center;">
<i>"To have and to
hold from this day forward,<br />for better for worse,
for richer for poorer,<br />in sickness and in
health, to love and to cherish,<br />till death us do
part."</i></blockquote>
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<br />
The vows.<br />
The official end of "happily ever after" fairy tales.<br />
The official beginning of your real life journey.<br />
<br />
Now, you've sworn, before God and witnesses, to walk life's journey with this one person. Forever. Death being the only thing that could possibly separate you. You are so ready for the next phase of your life. Yes!!<br />
<br />
Happily ever after? LOL<br />
<br />
Sorry. I meant ROTFLOLOLOLOLOL<br />
<br />
Who made the happily ever after promise to you? Hollywood? Disney? Novels?<br />
<br />
Yes, you're well within your rights to expect happiness. You deserve it. If not you, who? You're special, good looking, educated, all that and a bag of chips. And cookies. And skittles. Yeah. We know.<br />
<br />
I hate to be the one to break it to you. Nobody owes you. You want to be happy? You've got to be willing to put the work in. Nothing is getting handed to you on a platter. If you're old enough to be married, you're old enough for the truth - marriage isn't for entitled people.<br />
<br />
One of my favorite verses of scripture about marriage is Ecclesiastes 4:9 because I think it paints a realistic picture if what marriage really should be like. A mutually beneficial, symbiotic relationship.<br />
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Whether you've been married for two weeks or two decades, the immense power that your partner wields over you will always be a two edged sword. This one person has the capacity to bring you joy and cause you pain. To make you laugh and make you cry. To take you to heights of passion and depths of despair.<br />
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In a perfect world, they'll only use their power for good. Unfortunately... *insert sad face here*.<br />
Intentionally or not, the love of your life will hurt you. And you them. It's only normal that you'll piss each other off. In small ways. And big ways. C'est la vie.<br />
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The tricky part about hurting our partners though, is that what seems like a big deal to them might not be to us. You think nothing of a playful jab and they are deeply offended by it. Are they too sensitive? Or are you the insensitive one here?<br />
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Each of us has a mental ranking system that we use to assign importance to issues. This complex system, which can differ significantly from person to person, is a function of many factors, social conditioning, age, temperament, culture, race... The list is long.<br />
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How does this affect your relationship?<br />
What you consider to be a big deal, say an affair, might not be a deal breaker to someone else who considers being rude to their parents major. It's easy to see why a person who grew up in a polygamous family might not mind sharing their spouse with several others, to you though, it might be unthinkable. However, the same person might not be able to put up with you giving their mum a piece of your mind, which to you, might not be a big deal because your folks let you speak freely.<br />
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The nature of the offence is irrelevant. What matters to each person is where it ranks on a scale of 1 to 10, 1 being "It is what it is" and 10 being "NEVER!!"<br />
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Let me point out though, that while it is important that issues are resolved and not swept under the carpet, making a big deal out every perceived hurt is not very endearing. 1 Corinthians 13 talks about how love is not easily offended. Nobody wants to be with a fault finding nitpicker. Remember the proverbial quarrelsome woman, whose husband would rather live on the rooftop? Ain't nobody got time for that. You'll have to let things slide from time to time. What you choose will depend on your ranking system and you'll know your partner well enough to figure out what works and what doesn't.<br />
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What about the big things. The deal breakers. The offences that rank 9 or 10 on your scale. The ones that have you plotting and planning how to exact your pound of flesh and make your partner suffer for what they did, even if it means jail time for you.<br />
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What are your options when you're hurt at this level?<br />
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A) Unconditional Love<br />
Forgive.<br />
Of course!<br />
You vowed to love them, didn't you?<br />
You've been known to goof too, and they forgave you.<br />
After all, no one is perfect. Love covers a multitude of sins.<br />
Remember your vows. You swore to love this person unconditionally! That means that no matter what they do, you MUST forgive (and forget). Remember, God hates divorce.<br />
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B) Revenge.<br />
Refuse to forgive.<br />
Why should you forgive?<br />
They knew what they were doing, didn't they?<br />
Yeah, you've been known to goof too, but not this badly.<br />
You didn't really (really really) mean to hurt them when you did. Really.<br />
But this one that they did?! Unforgivable!! They need to know you're not one to be messed with, so you retaliate. Or revenge. Or leave. You find a way hurt them back.<br />
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While "Unconditional Love" might seem like the "good" thing to do, and "Revenge" the "bad", I am of the opinion that they both have the potential to permanently damage your relationship on the long run.<br />
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I can already hear you<br />
"Did you just say that unconditional love can damage relationships?<br />
How? I don't agree! God calls us to forgive!<br />
You must forgive you partner no matter what!<br />
Remember that Jesus said to forgive 70 x 7 times!"<br />
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Allow me to elucidate.<br />
Yes, God loves us unconditionally and we should love like He does. The bible says that anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.<br />
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God's unconditional love does not give us a free pass to do as we should without consequences though. He lets us know that we can count on His love for us, then He gives us options, spells out the possible outcomes for each line of action and leaves it to us to choose.<br />
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Remember Joshua's <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joshua+24%3A14-24&version=NKJV" target="_blank">conversation</a> with the Israelites?<br />
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<i> "choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve"</i></blockquote>
God loves us.<br />
Nothing we do, or don't do, could ever change that.<br />
That doesn't change the fact that He has expectations of us. In fact, it is His love for us that makes Him give us the power to choose. Like,<br />
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"I'll always be here for you. If you want to enjoy a relationship with me however, I have expectations of you, just as you have of Me."</div>
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I do not believe that loving you partner means putting up with everything they do, even when they are hurting you deliberately, while you helplessly endure cruelty, hoping and praying that one day, they'll change and come to their senses. I believe that it not only fosters disrespect, it also sets the stage for resentment and even abuse.<br />
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Think about it.<br />
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<li>If I never have to deal with the consequences of my actions, where is my incentive to behave?</li>
<li>If I know that no matter what I do to you, you'll take me back, why will I not take you for granted?</li>
<li>If all I have to do is say sorry, whether or not I mean it, only to hurt you again and again and again and you'll forgive me, why would I do better?</li>
<li>Does your love for me mean that you should not expect, or demand, to be treated fairly?</li>
<li>Does being a "good" wife or husband mean having no expectations of your partner, even though they have expectations of you?</li>
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<b>If this free pass to be reckless is what unconditional love is, then it's the worst thing that my spouse could ever give me.</b> I honestly believe that we respect people who hold us accountable and who do not allow us to walk all over them. Boundaries are an important part of a relationship, especially if a mutually beneficial, symbiotic relationship is what both parties are working towards.<br />
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This my version of unconditional love:<br />
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<i>"I love you too much to treat you badly. I am deliberate about my choices because I know that the consequences of my actions affect you. I hold you up to the same high standards of love and respect that I hold myself to. I love you too much to let you treat me badly."</i></blockquote>
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What's yours?Gbemisokehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14429615134179217426noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-234984282462124648.post-73768140349610786802013-12-21T13:04:00.000-06:002013-12-21T13:04:02.356-06:00American Sign LanguageTaking ASL was the best part of last semester.<div>
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At first I was scared, especially because Danny, our professor is deaf and I didn't see how learning from him was possible. </div>
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Turns out I was wrong. </div>
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Danny is not only an amazing professor, he's such a really nice person. He went over and above to help me when I was having a hard time. One time, he let me bring Nathan to class because he wasn't feeling well enough to go to school and I didn't want to miss class.</div>
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I made videos of my assignments and exams to keep track of my progress.</div>
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This one where I'm telling The Gum Story is my favorite. :)</div>
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Now that the class is over, I need to make deaf friends who I can sign with so I don't forget everything I learned, which can be caused by a lack of practice.</div>
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Thanks for coming by again and again. </div>
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May your dreams come true :)</div>
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Gbemisokehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14429615134179217426noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-234984282462124648.post-61876148608291465412013-12-06T23:30:00.000-06:002013-12-07T03:00:07.435-06:00Who Needs An Interior Designer When You've Got Kids?<div dir="ltr">
The munchkins love Friday.</div>
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It's movie night and they get to stay up late which is a big deal because there's no TV on school nights.</div>
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"10 more minutes to bed time" I called out to them from downstairs, as wrapped up my post on my online Psych class discussion board and clicked submit.<br />
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"Awww... One more show, mummy. Pleeeaaase. Just one." Nathan grumbled, as usual.<br />
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"No, Nathan. This was your one-more-show", I replied as I made my way up the stairs, stopping in my tracks because I couldn't believe the sight that met my eyes.</div>
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"What is this??!!"</div>
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"Stickers?! On my wall?!"<br />
"What did I tell you about walls?!!" I yelled, my voice raised in anger.</div>
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"But... but.. mummmmyyyyy...."<br />
"We were trying to make the walls pretty for you. I thought you'd like it."</div>
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The look on Nathan's face was... I can't find the words.... All that anger just evaporated.</div>
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If the property management company ever gives me grief for the state of these walls, I'm sending them a link to this post.<br />
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Dear Sir/Ma,<br />
The walls are not defaced.<br />
This team of expert interior designers spent movie night making the walls pretty for mummy.<br />
You should hire us. We will work for cupcakes.<br />
xoxo<br />
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*now logging off blogger to google painters and request quotes*<br />
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Gbemisokehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14429615134179217426noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-234984282462124648.post-91009926741278430372013-11-30T09:33:00.000-06:002013-12-05T09:34:16.036-06:00Not So Fairy TaleFairy tales often begin with interesting love-at-first-sight scenes.<br />
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*cue dramatic storytelling voice*<br />
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<i>He spotted her from across the room and it seemed like time stopped. With one look,they exchanged a thousand conversations and that was the beginning of a lifetime of love...</i></blockquote>
Hahaha. Bear with me. After my Creative Writing class next semester, my writing will get better ;)<br />
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It was our anniversary a few weeks ago and I was thinking about how different from the storybooks our life together is. How we met in the beginning it reads nothing like fiction, and even though I've shared bits and bobs of it here and in some guest posts for my friends, you've not heard the best (and most hilarious) part.<br />
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My husband's version of his First-time-I-saw-her story always has me laughing till there are tears in my eyes. One random day in March,we were goofing around and I recorded a video of him talking about it. I was watching it on the morning of our Anniversary a few weeks ago and I thought I'd put a video together and send it to him, since he was halfway around the world. He loved it.<br />
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It's interesting to see how this not-so-fairy-tale has played out differently from the ideas in my head as a teenager who loved to read romance novels. As I have grown older, I have learned that The One who is writing the script of my life is God. Not Disney. Not romance novelists. Not Hollywood scriptwriters. </div>
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Life doesn't happen like imagine it would, but God's word stays reminding me that I'm not in charge. God is. Thanks for coming by again and again. </div>
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<i>being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; Phil 1:6</i></blockquote>
May your dreams come true.<br />
Gbemisokehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14429615134179217426noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-234984282462124648.post-54505293743300764872013-09-25T12:50:00.000-05:002013-09-25T12:56:22.074-05:00Granny and The Spaghetti TornadoASL has been more challenging than I expected.<br />
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I only got 60% on my first test, which made me feel bad, but the feedback from Danny was hilarious enough to dull the pain. </div>
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First, he wanted to know why I kept flicking him off and I was seriously confused. Of course I didn't do that!!!</div>
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He laughed and laughed, as he explained that I should have used my index finger for some of the signs I should have used my middle finger for.<br />
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You should have seen the whole class laughing! Danny had the funniest comments for everyone.</div>
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He said one other girl signed like a "Russian dictator" and then wrote "Chihuahua" on the board, saying that, even though she's petite, her signing is loud. For another person, he just wrote "zzzzzz". There were those who did really great too. I look forward to being in that group soon.</div>
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He explained that deaf people can "hear" our signing voices from our gestures and his comments for me were "Madonna signs", "Shock/Electric" and "Yell/ Shout". In short, Danny thinks I'm a drama queen, which I'm not, but Danny is the professor, so...</div>
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I'm practicing a lot, watching lots of you tube videos and I started watching Switched at Birth all over again. It's different now that I'm watching the show for the signing, unlike when it was just for entertainment. I love it. I keep pausing and rewinding to practice the signs.</div>
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Homework this week is signing the story of Granny and The Spaghetti Tornado. We are in groups of three for this and my teammates, Rima and Krystal have been great to work with. The only day that worked for all of us to practice was Sunday, and they agreed to meet up at my house, so I didn't have to lug the troops around town. We had a good time watching loads of ASL videos and practicing the homework video. The kids got along and Nathan has found a new BFF in Kenyan, Rima's son, who is the same age as him.</div>
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Yesterday's class was for more practice and we made videos to see how we were doing. </div>
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Danny's right about how watching yourself sign helps you improve because you can see your mistakes and improve. Watching myself, I did see the whole electric shock vibe he said he got. I need to remember to sign with my hands and fingers and not my whole body.</div>
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Presentation is tomorrow. I really hope we do great cos I can't afford any more crappy grades. My 4.0 GPA must not reduce, so help me God. Thankfully, Rima and Krystal are not greenhorns like me. They get to sign and copy while I voice, so we should be good. *fingers crossed*</div>
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Thanks for coming by again and again.</div>
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May your dreams come true.</div>
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Gbemisokehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14429615134179217426noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-234984282462124648.post-74704945038505864302013-08-28T23:55:00.000-05:002013-08-29T00:58:37.425-05:00FingerspellingHere's a quick video I made earlier today.<br />
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I'm taking Sign Language and Fingerspelling classes this semester and I just learned the alphabets.<br />
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I've gone from being scared that I would never figure Sign Language out yesterday, to being really excited that I can fingerspell my name today.<br />
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The plan is to document my progress as I go along and I look forward to laughing at all the mistakes I'm making now when I finally become a pro.<br />
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It's all new to me and I still have a looooong way to go, but I'm giving it my best shot!<br />
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I signed a special message at the end of the video. Don't miss it ;)<br />
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Thanks for coming by again and again.<br />
May your dreams come true.<br />
xoxoGbemisokehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14429615134179217426noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-234984282462124648.post-40879107814386101922013-08-28T23:05:00.004-05:002013-09-10T14:52:50.401-05:00First Day of School... Second Year :)Monday was the first day of the new school year.<br>
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It was also one of those days where nothing goes according to plan.</div>
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First I woke up late. An hour and five minutes late.</div>
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I rolled out of bed at the same time that Nathan's school bus was rolling out of the parking lot. Missing the bus meant I had to drive him all the way to his school in rush hour traffic, which was made worse by the rain, and then sign him into the tardy log at the front office. He had started school a week earlier than I did, so he wasn't late on his first day. That's what I told myself to feel better.</div>
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I couldn't afford to be late on my own first day, so I had to head straight to school. Going back home to take a bath wasn't an option. So, I showed up in class, all dressed up, hoping and praying that no one would faint or fall under the anointing of my perfume masked BO.</div>
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Class was okay, nice professor. He told us about how he had a surprise baby even though he had gotten a vasectomy several years ago. Apparently, his tubing somehow reconnected. Talk about life throwing you a curve! The story made me feel better. My less than perfect day paled in comparison.</div>
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As I waited for my next class, I began to write a post about my first day of school and the usual "how do you say your name" questions. I didn't finish before my next class though, so I left it in drafts.</div>
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My next class was NOT okay. I chose the "wrongest" Arts elective. Music Literature had me yawning barely 10 minutes into the class. After listening to a piece of music and hearing the professor analyze the melody, harmony, rhythm and bla di bla bla bla bla of it, I knew I was in the wrong place. Then she said we would have to attend four mandatory classical music concerts and write reports about them. Detailed reports about Renaissance, Baroque and all that. Between my Sign Language, Fingerspelling and Chemistry classes I'm also taking this semester, there's no way I'm getting into all that stuff I really don't care about. No time. I decided to drop the course, choosing to drive to the admissions office at the campus nearer home so I wouldn't be stuck downtown during rush hour.</div>
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I got out of class and into the car, got on the phone and I was so engrossed in gist, I didn't pay attention to my dashboard, until I noticed the car was kinda slow. I was out of gas! Thankfully, I had made my exit off the freeway and I managed to pull into parking lot, so I didn't get towed. A long walk to the nearest gas station and a ride back to the car from a Good Samaritan later, I managed to get some gas in the tank. Not without spilling some on myself, of course. Convincing myself that the smell of gas masked my pre existing BO, I headed for campus to find a way out of the music class that wasn't working.</div>
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The song and dance that I had to got through to drop the course was my next challenge. I had to go to the computer lab, then go see a counselor, who had me go back to the lab to fill out a form, then back to her and then to admissions and enrollment and then back to the computer lab. Three hours and $104 later, I had dropped the class and replaced it with another.</div>
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And then Alexis' teacher called. She was giving them a hard time and not listening. There was no way I was going to her school in the state I was. I was exhausted and I needed a bath. Badly. I asked her to give the phone to Alexis, who promised she was going to be good after a stern warning. Temporary fix. I'm going to have to figure out a way to get Alexis to stop acting out. All this Diva behavior must stop. Nobody got time for that. </div>
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By the time I hit my bed at almost midnight after picking everyone up in, doing homework, feeding them, giving them baths, putting them to bed, laying everyone's clothes out for the next morning and cleaning up the kitchen, I was knackered. And exhausted. Then I tried to find my post in drafts and it was gone. POOF! </div>
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I couldn't even find the energy to be angry.</div>
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Here's what I tweeted<br>
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If the first day of the new school year is a preview of the rest.... e don be!<br>
— Gbemisoke (@Gbemisoke) <a href="https://twitter.com/Gbemisoke/statuses/372214138920919040">August 27, 2013</a></blockquote>
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Greater is He that is in me tho...<br>
— Gbemisoke (@Gbemisoke) <a href="https://twitter.com/Gbemisoke/statuses/372214427476430848">August 27, 2013</a></blockquote>
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Shebi to conquer, you need a battle? I can't be singing "I am more than a conqueror" and be surprised at what life brings.<br>
— Gbemisoke (@Gbemisoke) <a href="https://twitter.com/Gbemisoke/statuses/372214820977639424">August 27, 2013</a></blockquote>
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Bring it on!<br>
— Gbemisoke (@Gbemisoke) <a href="https://twitter.com/Gbemisoke/statuses/372214894143078402">August 27, 2013</a></blockquote>
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Yeah! Bring it on!<br>
I will deal. And win.<br>
I plan to come back to this post whenever I feel like I'm getting overwhelmed. There are days like Monday, and then there are days like today where it was smooth sailing for the most part and I had enough time to (re)write this post.<br>
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Thanks for coming by again and again. May your dreams come true.<br>
xoxo<br>
<br></div>
Gbemisokehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14429615134179217426noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-234984282462124648.post-43337114462653361862013-08-18T23:45:00.000-05:002013-08-19T01:23:33.195-05:00This Time Last YearLast weekend was a tax holiday, perfect time to get everything the munchkins need for the new school year. As I went from store to store, ticking off items from my shopping list, I remembered the events of this time last year.<br />
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What was supposed to be a quick shopping trip for Alexis and I, leaving the boys at home to bond, ended up with The Hubs calling 911 when we hadn't returned at almost midnight.<br />
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I was sure I blogged about it and I came looking for a post I never wrote. I was pained. I couldn't remember the details. I was sure I shared it though, so I checked my Twitter archives and I was super excited to find my tweets from last year.<br />
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I found a picture too.<br />
The Hubs took this picture of Alexis and I as we left for the mall.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZHE_o3UBnvHqDoXTprFNQE84dNlKz42GPXCOc_epHv2QMictqd7aaWxn8UhaFfUwKwdnjobk2OWY6iN_kBUiOtw-YSMfipqxlUFrOsUZmznnJTNkKBXgTqsnoGS7ojiOBtz64awMx80A/s1600/alexis+and+i.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZHE_o3UBnvHqDoXTprFNQE84dNlKz42GPXCOc_epHv2QMictqd7aaWxn8UhaFfUwKwdnjobk2OWY6iN_kBUiOtw-YSMfipqxlUFrOsUZmznnJTNkKBXgTqsnoGS7ojiOBtz64awMx80A/s1600/alexis+and+i.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mini Me and I, off to do what girls like to do...Shop ;)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Thanks to Storify, I can share the story here, one year later, as I tweeted it<br />
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Blogger feels more permanent than Twitter and it's where I should chronicle my stories. I really should post more, I know... There's so much going on in my life that should be documented. Stories that will fade into distant memories soon...<br />
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This girl needs to fix up and quit making excuses.<br />
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*Note to self* Stopeeet Gbemi! Stopeeet!!!<br />
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I'm writing this from a happy place. I'm learning not to let life's external pressure mess with my mind. I've not mastered it yet, but I'm definitely getting better. <span style="color: #4c1130;">God's got me. If I believe it, I should live it.</span> A lot has happened since August 18th 2012 and today, exactly one year later, I am reminded that I have a lot to be thankful for. I take none of my blessings, especially the ones that money cannot buy, for granted.<br />
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I'm grateful for, and to you, Debola.<br />
When I count my blessings, I count you twice.<br />
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This Time Last Year</h1>
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Lemme tell you the story of the missing phone and how my husband called 911 cos he thought I was missing</div>
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I ran into an old friend at the mall and we had such a great time catching up, I lost track of time...</div>
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...I called The Hubs as I rushed to the car and he said I could take my time cos he had put the boys to bed already...</div>
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...I dropped the phone on the hood and bundled sleeping Alexis and all the shopping in the car and drove off, forgetting it there...</div>
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I was about 5 minutes from home when I ran into traffic, so I reached for my phone to let him know. That was when I remembered.</div>
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20mins away from the mall and not sure how soon I would make it home cos of the crash, I thought going back was a better option, so I did.</div>
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Pushed the pedal to the metal and made it back to parking lot. No phone :(. Used the Mall Cop's phone to call, phone was still ringing.</div>
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Made a report, searched some more, nothing. By now, it was past 11 and The Hubs was worried cos he kept getting my voicemail.</div>
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He called my friend I was gisting with at the mall. Found her number on my BB. She said I had left. He was worried and called 911.</div>
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Then I showed up. The way he held me when he saw me. I must confess, I felt special. :P</div>
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He called 911 to report my return and as I sat on the stairs watching this man say "my wife is back", my heart swelled.</div>
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I cant describe the feeling. I'm grateful that I have someone to worry about me.</div>
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I don't have parents to worry about me, but he more than makes up for it. I do not take it for granted.</div>
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911 dispatcher: describe your wife. Is she small, medium or large? Debola: Err.. none of the above. She's chubby.</div>
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I'm not going to wait for the people I love to die before they know how I feel about them. Are you?</div>
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Memories... That's all we'll be left with... It's totally up to us to decide if they'll be good or bad.</div>
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<span style="color: purple;">Of course, I got teased for tweeting my "cool story". I lovvveeet, lemme not lie, or as we say on Twitter, TBQHAF!</span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;">This one from my dear "Komole Bot" was one of the ones I liked the most.</span></div>
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-_- <a href="http://twitter.com/Abyurla" rel="external" target="_blank" title="Abyurla on Twitter.com">@Abyurla</a>: Cool story sista Gbemi. Missing 3week old Android turned love story</div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;">She's right... I'm a love lover... grateful for every day I get to experience the awesomeness that love is. Living, loving and laughing, making the best of today, because tomorrow is not promised. </span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #741b47;">Thanks for coming by again and again.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;">May your dreams come true</span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;">:* :* :*</span></div>
<img height="1" src="//stats.storify.com/record/view.gif?sid=520692d63ca7f5997e047271&referer=http%3A%2F%2Fstorify.com%2FGbemisoke%2Fthis-time-last-year" style="display: none;" width="1" /><script src="/public/js/templates.embed.js?git=ecbb2697"></script><script src="//pubnub.a.ssl.fastly.net/pubnub-3.3.1.min.js"></script><script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>Gbemisokehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14429615134179217426noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-234984282462124648.post-83074572824244544122013-07-02T07:27:00.001-05:002013-07-02T07:27:44.697-05:00Five months later...<p dir=ltr>Here's the conversation I had with myself as I attempted to compose a tweet this morning.</p>
<p dir=ltr>Voice in my head:<br>
This story you're writing should be a blogpost o, you this girl.</p>
<p dir=ltr>Me:<br>
I don't have the energy to open my lappy and start composing a post joor. Twitter is easy, I post from my phone.</p>
<p dir=ltr>Voice in my head:<br>
But Gbemi!!! Blog from your phone and quit making excuses joor. Shebi there's a Blogger app.</p>
<p dir=ltr>Me:<br>
It's true o. I even wrote a post about it before. Okay. I'll give it a shot.</p>
<p dir=ltr>Voice in my head:<br>
Yay!!!</p>
<p dir=ltr>So here I am, dusting the cobwebs off this blog (yet again).</p>
<p dir=ltr>It's been five looooong months since my last post and there's been so much going on. Things I  really should be chronicling if I wasn't so lazy.</p>
<p dir=ltr>Trying to tell the stories in chronological order would mean they never get told, so I'm just going to go with what's in my head/on my mind per time.</p>
<p dir=ltr>Short. Random. Kinda like a series of tweets... All posted from my phone.<br>
Maybe I'll go back to edit/format them on a computer. Maybe not.</p>
<p dir=ltr>Let's goooo!</p>
Gbemisokehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14429615134179217426noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-234984282462124648.post-27493042974942084852013-02-04T14:01:00.000-06:002013-02-04T14:03:25.389-06:00Ready to talk to your kids about sex now?I woke up to this shocking <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2272605/Lutheran-school-closes-stunned-parents-learn-sexual-activity-5-year-old-children.html#axzz2JvrlMBn7" target="_blank">Daily Mail</a> headline about four and five year olds having sex at preschool.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPnp020vPjr1MFyukLtAmn1i09kzxMHz35pUwmkzCKtjoXfMCDqNuzn8l7_pSxkKaVtpeQsQHoOfp7p0vbDsmATo3li_yg74bJZ2r5Szrm6H_ujdwRSSlVsEZLySfCL8a9-e2LcG4PBqU/s1600/2013-02-04+11.00.23.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPnp020vPjr1MFyukLtAmn1i09kzxMHz35pUwmkzCKtjoXfMCDqNuzn8l7_pSxkKaVtpeQsQHoOfp7p0vbDsmATo3li_yg74bJZ2r5Szrm6H_ujdwRSSlVsEZLySfCL8a9-e2LcG4PBqU/s400/2013-02-04+11.00.23.png" width="311" /></a></div>
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Like me, many parents send their children to faith based preschools because we believe that they are safer than regular ones. How wrong this assumption can be.<br />
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It's urgent!! We need to step up and be proactive about educating our children and equipping them with the tools they need to survive in a world where sexual perversion has become so pervasive.<br />
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Educating our children about sex is primarily the responsibility of parents. Not school, not church, not their peers. It's on us. We need to step up and act NOW!!<br />
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Just this Friday, we were talking about it on Twitter. I saw a tweet about 9 and 10 year olds having sex and after I retweeted it, we started talking about the importance of sex education. The discussion soon moved to the appropriate age to talk to kids about sex and when my friend Zinnie said we should let kids be kids, I pointed out that our kids go to school with other kids who already know about sex.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5fIKY9sZ2ilCEc-6KH5_eKvxXDEdAu83cYgwAEp0b8voVJLG3wW4WllhQ_oE30CALhmHqhZ_VQWBJbsjqJffONDXUBtsgQCjOpxyBRwttObRG18J8fPoZiuTWYHxNCCYpZIKfGRg2HFg/s1600/2013-02-04+12.46.17.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5fIKY9sZ2ilCEc-6KH5_eKvxXDEdAu83cYgwAEp0b8voVJLG3wW4WllhQ_oE30CALhmHqhZ_VQWBJbsjqJffONDXUBtsgQCjOpxyBRwttObRG18J8fPoZiuTWYHxNCCYpZIKfGRg2HFg/s400/2013-02-04+12.46.17.png" width="252" /></a></div>
I see what mums like me are concerned about. Why are we telling children in diapers about sex? We should let them grow up, right? Maybe not. It's not just adults molesting kids these days, kids are molesting other kids. Some of these children are victims turned perpetrators and are only passing on what they have learned. I won't be surprised to find out that the five year old who was performing oral sex on other kids was molested herself.<br />
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The challenge many parents face is that we do not know where to begin. Our parents may not have talked to us about sex, so we are clueless. Talking to our children about sex can be awkward if we think about it as as having "The Talk" when our children "come of age".<br />
<br />
What if we looked at it from another perspective?<br />
Sex and sexuality is just one part of the big picture that life is. We don't set aside one day to teach our children about right and wrong, or about our faith and values. Children are inquisitive and they will ask questions. Every time we answer (or refuse to answer) these questions, we are teaching them.<br />
<br />
I think that teaching children about sex should not be an isolated event. We need to listen to them. Let's encourage open conversation and watch them for silent cues.<br />
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Now, over to you. How do we protect our children? Please share any helpful tips or suggestions.<br />
Let's learn from you.Gbemisokehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14429615134179217426noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-234984282462124648.post-14281197205886087472013-01-21T11:13:00.001-06:002013-01-21T11:39:43.484-06:00What Manner Of Dream Is This?I had a dream.<br />
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Feels kinda weird, waking up on Martin Luther King Day, celebrating a guy whose dreams came to pass, while praying fervently that the dream I had does not come to pass. What manner of confusion is this???!! Sometimes I remember my dreams, sometimes I don't. This particular one, I remember very vividly and it scares me.</div>
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In the dream, I was pregnant and I went for an ultrasound that showed I was expecting twins. A boy and a girl. I wasn't upset, like I would be in real life if I found out that I was pregnant now. I was smiling and rubbing my huge round tummy, excited about it all and making a joke about how I said I didn't want any more kids and God laughed at me and gave me two.</div>
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I'm not smiling at all right now!!</div>
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This is not a joking matter and I need to put it out there, so the universe hears me! </div>
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<b><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">I DON"T WANT ANY MORE BABIES! PLEASE!!</span></b></div>
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If you like, laugh at me. God is watching you in 3D. </div>
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I want all those babies for everyone who is believing God for children, just not for me. I'm done!</div>
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Babies are great. I consider my children to be my biggest blessings and I wouldn't trade them for the world. I often think about how different my life would be without the responsibility of caring for Nathan, Alexis and David, and every single time, the organized chaos that my life has become wins. Everything I have had to give up pales in comparison to these blessings, especially because money cannot buy them. They are gifts and I consider myself privileged to be a co-creator with God, birthing not just one or two, but three amazing and beautiful children.</div>
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It gets overwhelming <strike>sometimes</strike> a lot of the time. I often think about renting them out, or donating them to charity, just so I can catch a break. They are my greatest stressors, simultaneously delighting and bugging my life. Just when I think they are settled in for the night and we can finally get some Daddy and Mummy time, one of them cries/ wants a drink of water/ has a tummy ache/ can't sleep/ wants a hug/ comes up with some other random reason to remind us that they run things in our home. One time, we had put them to bed and were watching a movie downstairs. Imagine my surprise, finding Alexis fast asleep on the stairs on my way to bed at midnight. I quickly took a picture before I carried her back to her bed. I have proof if she attempts to deny in future and you all are my witnesses :)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfcYSfpZtIUHSk2FiZVzDM06VhC9aIQy0zm7sGeqzlXVKTfG2bs2oe9osTXeaFwk_UqXnDYBtjuIWtio437nQwIO6BE7H-Oeiq_ielQc8Id2LQuSsjIOxVt-zvdM-OJLMxHspl5JpCKko/s1600/2012-10-28+23.38.07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfcYSfpZtIUHSk2FiZVzDM06VhC9aIQy0zm7sGeqzlXVKTfG2bs2oe9osTXeaFwk_UqXnDYBtjuIWtio437nQwIO6BE7H-Oeiq_ielQc8Id2LQuSsjIOxVt-zvdM-OJLMxHspl5JpCKko/s320/2012-10-28+23.38.07.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinooVLdj7Xe2cspWZd4OWHUo9Aft92epCb8NIc_mbQFygwyzWLDDOAI6CZNXatC9Zyw2Xo_26Wm3McHd7RBDgqoZbjtt7wznQw7wMQQbgwn7oqWZO0Kr_47RuC518GyOoPDY4dn61-Paw/s1600/2012-10-29+00.04.22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinooVLdj7Xe2cspWZd4OWHUo9Aft92epCb8NIc_mbQFygwyzWLDDOAI6CZNXatC9Zyw2Xo_26Wm3McHd7RBDgqoZbjtt7wznQw7wMQQbgwn7oqWZO0Kr_47RuC518GyOoPDY4dn61-Paw/s320/2012-10-29+00.04.22.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
I am convinced that they work for some top secret government agency as "Anti-Intimacy Agents"! Their sensors are CIA grade and I have nicknamed them Fire Extinguishers cos they stay trying to put out the fire of my love life. Try as they may, I shangree! God is on my side and I shall overcome! Did I hear you say AMEN?! Thank you jare! God bless you! ;)<br />
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<br /></div>
<div>
There may be some Superhero mums who never get exhausted, are always smiling as they change diapers and are perfectly satisfied with their non-existent sex lives, but I am not one of them. I used to feel guilty about the negative emotions that I felt and I would never even admit them. I'm so over that. I've learned to acknowledge that those emotions are legitimate and they do not make me a bad mum. They make me human.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I've done my part of that "Be fruitful and multiply" scripture. I'm on the "Have dominion" part right now. Tonight, I'm dreaming another dream. There ain't no pregnancy making it into that one for sure! Amen!</div>
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Thanks for coming by again and again.</div>
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May your dreams come true!</div>
<div>
xxx</div>
Gbemisokehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14429615134179217426noreply@blogger.com40tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-234984282462124648.post-53055224608047111692013-01-16T06:48:00.001-06:002013-01-16T06:56:11.269-06:00Juggling Two Lovers: Steady Main Chick Vs Fleeting Side Chick.It's a cold rainy morning and I don't feel like getting out of bed.<br />
No, it's not the weather, I'm just moody.<br />
<br />
I was going to grab my phone and get on Twitter, but then I thought, why not blog? It's been more than two months since my last post. Why?! Warrapened?!! How did my love for Blogger, my Steady Main Chick wax cold? How did Twitter the Fleeting Side Chick win?<br />
<br />
Twitter is a safe place for me to vent. The feed back is instant, kind of like a sugar rush and there are loads of interesting/ funny/ crazy people on there, I've made some valuable connections, and I love it!<br />
<br />
But it's fleeting.<br />
There's often so much going on, and as I LOL and RT away, I find myself thinking about the need to document my thoughts. Sometimes, when I'm overwhelmed by the many thoughts in my head, I think about my mum and wish I could talk to her. Today, I struggled to remember some of the things she used to say and I thought, what if she wrote things down? What if she had a blog? What a treasure that would be!!<br />
<br />
That's what this blog, My Place In Space is for. Chronicling my journey and documenting my life so I can map my trajectory. Someday, my children will wonder about me and if I'm not here, they'll read this. This is where I should be. So what's keeping me away?<br />
<br />
Well, the thing about putting my thoughts here is that it feels somewhat permanent. Like, I'm sorta kinda blue right now, but it's only a matter of time before I put things in perspective and get over it. Spilling my guts might be therapeutic, but then, do I want the permanence writing brings?<br />
<br />
Also, I want to be about love and light and "all things bright and beautiful". The news already has more than enough mood dampening material. There's no need to add to that and really, who cares?<br />
<br />
Truth is, real life is not all sunny skies. There are up rainy days and cloudy days and while recording only the positive might help me to look back and stay thankful, it doesn't paint an accurate picture.<br />
<br />
Do I want to be telling half truths, projecting a false image?<br />
How do I balance my need to be authentic and real with the need to keep my business private?<br />
I don't have the answers, but I'm sure I'll figure them out as I go along.<br />
<br />
In one of my Psych courses, I learned about Memory Reconstruction. Simply put, our memories change over time and are affected by subsequent events. The human mind mixes events and fills in the gap, so when we try to recollect a memory, we often end up with a version that is different from actual events.<br />
<br />
Writing things down helps keep memories intact and I'll keep that in mind when I make excuses not to document my thoughts and experiences.<br />
<br />
The plan is to spend more time here this year, writing my stories and chronicling my journey. Looking back at how much I've evolved since I started blogging, and how you all who come here have enriched my life, I'm excited and I look forward to spending more time here, with my Steady Main Chick and all my family on this side.<br />
<br />
Twitter, being the relentless Side Chick stays competing with Blogger for my attention but I have no plans of dumping her. I love my family on that side too, so I'll be juggling two lovers.<br />
<br />
Can I successfully Juggle Twitter and Blogger without abandoning either?<br />
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<br />
Challenge Accepted!<br />
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<br />
It will be interesting to see how both families blend. I'm going to invite all of my Twitfam here and if you're part of this happy Blogfam already, you can join my Twitfam by following <a href="https://twitter.com/Gbemisoke" target="_blank">@Gbemisoke</a>.<br />
I look forward to sharing my journey with you and learning from you.<br />
<br />
Thanks for coming by again and again.<br />
May your dreams come true!<br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">xxx</span>Gbemisokehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14429615134179217426noreply@blogger.com37tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-234984282462124648.post-33554392761542169612012-11-11T10:15:00.001-06:002012-11-11T10:36:48.738-06:00It's been 6 years!<b>Saturday, November 11, 2006.</b><br />
There was a flurry of activity in the room that morning as my bridesmaids helped me get ready. We heard a knock and were all surprised to see my groom poke his head around the door. "Shuggy!!!", I squealed with excitement, dropping everything and making a beeline for the door. The girls tried to shoo him away, insisting that he was not supposed to see the bride before the ceremony. Paying them no mind, I ran into his arms and as he held me, I closed my eyes and said a quick thank you to God. My heart was filled with joy and gratitude. They teased us and we laughed. That was the beginning.<br />
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I knew my life would change when I said my vows that day. What I didn't know, was how significant that change would be.<br />
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<b><br /></b>
<b>Sunday, November 11, 2012.</b><br />
It's been six years.<br />
<br />
We started this journey in a tiny apartment, our mattress on the floor, watching bootleg copies of Lost and Grey's Anatomy, because we couldn't afford a bed or cable TV. The AC we inherited from the previous tenants helped keep things cozy, perfect weather for getting to "know" each other. Good times!<br />
<br />
We've had good days. Lots of them. We've seen our dreams become reality. Our goals and projections have not only been met, they've been exceeded. We've seen God come through for us time and again. God has been kind to us. We couldn't have done it without Him.<br />
<br />
We've had bad days. Times when giving up seemed like a better option. Days when love became a choice, a tough one, because the feeling was just not there.<br />
<br />
We have made it through the storms, surviving love's ebb and flow. We have laughed and cried together. We've evolved and grown together. We have made memories together. As I look back on the past six years, my heart is filled with gratitude to God.<br />
<br />
I'm grateful for all His blessings, especially the ones that money cannot buy.<br />
<br />
I am grateful for the opportunity to walk this journey with you Adebola, the love of my life and the life that I love. My booboookins. All round great guy, steady proving to me that there is a God. Putting up with my <strike>skoin skoin</strike> issues. Keeping my heart tender. Letting me thrive. When I count my blessings, I count you twice. Olowo ori mi. Nwoke e ji eje mba. I celebrate you.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
I'm grateful for Nathan Ademide, Alexis Ademidun and David Ademidara, the children God gave us. If God's blessings were earned, I would not qualify.<br />
<br />
Moshopef'OluwanitoriwipeOsh'orenlafunmi. If I had a thousand tongues they would not be enough.<br />
<br />
I have no idea what the future holds. Truth be told, I am afraid sometimes. What if...? To keep fear at bay, I keep reminding myself of the scripture God gave me in the beginning<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #660000; font-size: large;">"There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear..." </span><span style="color: #660000;">1 John 4:18</span> </blockquote>
The truth is that in life, there are no guarantees.<br />
Life happens and there will always be things that are beyond my control. I have the option of refusing to maximize my life by living in fear, or choosing to make the best of what God has given me, trusting Him to perfect what He has started.<br />
<br />
I look forward to the future holding firmly unto this promise:<br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-size: large;">"Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ" </span><span style="color: #660000;">Philippians 1:6 </span><br />
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Thanks for coming by again and again.<br />
May your dreams come true.<br />
xxxGbemisokehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14429615134179217426noreply@blogger.com54tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-234984282462124648.post-46310903072503790152012-10-24T16:44:00.004-05:002012-10-24T21:39:08.234-05:00365 days since my Lil' Miracle arrived :)"Hello, is that Geebeemislowah" The voice on the phone asked. Hearing my name distorted like that is something I've gotten used to, so I replied, "You mean Gbemisola? Yeah, that's me."<br />
<br />
"I'm calling from the lab with your test results" she explained. "Congratulations, you're pregnant!"<br />
<br />
WHAT??!!<br />
<br />
"What?!" I shouted, "that is sooooo not possible! There's no way I can be pregnant"<br />
"Well you are, congratulations again" she said, as she got off the phone.<br />
<br />
That, my friends, was how I found out I was expecting a baby on my birthday last year.<br />
<br />
To say that I was shocked is an understatement. I couldn't believe it. It took a while for me to wrap my mind around the fact that I was pregnant. I was sad :(<br />
<br />
Yes. Sad. Very Sad.<br />
<br />
*insert long story here*<br />
<br />
I know I've promised to share this story before, but let me confess, I've been unable to bring myself to write it because it requires dredging up memories of a really dark period in my life. This girl is a coward. I'll give it a shot soon. Today? Tomorrow? The honest to goodness truth is that I don't know.<br />
<br />
Suffice it to say, that the time between March, when I found out I was pregnant, and October, when I gave birth, was the most trying period of my entire life.Thankfully, God brought me through.<br />
<br />
This scripture is my testimony:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: purple; font-size: x-large;">"...Weeping may endure for a night,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: purple; font-size: x-large;">But joy comes in the morning."</span></div>
</blockquote>
I went through all of that for a reason and even though I don't fully get it yet, I know that I wouldn't have experienced God the way I did if I didn't go through all I did. <b><span style="color: red;">GOD IS FAITHFUL.</span></b><br />
<br />
It's hard to remember all those dark days right now, because Joy has indeed come.When I hear David laugh, I wonder how I could ever have told God I didn't want to be pregnant. David is such a delightful child. There is NO way I could have earned such an AMAZING blessing from God. As he turns one today, my heart is filled with gratitude to God that He gave me David Ademidara MomoreOluwa, My Lil' Miracle.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEVi7Ra2F4o1KM5DEo__lj1oVA9c-vlbzIo8BhY9RitsnGA_1MMWdGfh5iLn5_om88nutCePB_Yeot51Ld-Ri_b1YKKjrgBqJgmi8MYcD-X5PKSciaP7JL8d0k8-NiAUv9eLbWa9gSj6k/s1600/2012-10-24+07.36.06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEVi7Ra2F4o1KM5DEo__lj1oVA9c-vlbzIo8BhY9RitsnGA_1MMWdGfh5iLn5_om88nutCePB_Yeot51Ld-Ri_b1YKKjrgBqJgmi8MYcD-X5PKSciaP7JL8d0k8-NiAUv9eLbWa9gSj6k/s320/2012-10-24+07.36.06.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Gbemisokehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14429615134179217426noreply@blogger.com53tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-234984282462124648.post-66170657165519629902012-10-18T03:38:00.000-05:002012-10-24T21:44:58.401-05:00What life lessons could Humpty Dumpty possibly teach me?!<br />
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The frenzied rush to get everyone ready and off to school
has become our new normal these days. We had one of the not-so-crazy days last
week. Everyone was in a good mood and we were all singing, Nathan using the
chance to show off some of the rhymes he's learned in his new school. I didn't
know a lot of them, so I would <strike>chop mouth</strike> ad lib, and then sing really loud
when he sang one I knew. When we got to Humpty Dumpty, I was like, yeah, I know
that one and we sang the version I knew:</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall,<br />
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.<br />
All the king's horses and all the king's men<br />
Couldn't put Humpty Dumpty together again.</blockquote>
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Then Nathan sang this version that I had never heard before
and I was blown away! Not because I didn't know the words, but because of the
lesson in it for me. Nathan was preaching to me!! </div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
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Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Humpty Dumpty knew what to do,<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>He fixed himself with tape and glue.</b></div>
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I was like, <span style="color: #660000; font-size: large;">"What did you say?!"</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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It was a light-bulb moment for me. Humpty Dumpty did what?!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;">Humpty Dumpty rewrote his story.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;">He accepted responsibility for his own life.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;">He didn't accept the verdict of the
kings men as final.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;">He fixed himself. He did something about his life. He may
not have looked pretty, all taped up, but he was fixed. He was no longer the
victim. He...</span></b><o:p></o:p></div>
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I could go on and on, but you get it.</div>
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I made a recording of him singing it that morning. You can view it on
my <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9PGfGgeJok&feature=plcp" target="_blank">youtube channel</a>. I couldn't stop thinking about it and on our way to church on Sunday, they kept singing it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiagBI7EClgliiVJtUtXkIvrwW4BNpi9IVuFc8vrhYgARhpdbjpBSwWgvmivzKB8G9KqbCLzAbHrf89CFJmj44eINe_b651vQLhiUonoDu3NJzLO5tyiLl6tfuxmMI-iR9lX0l4ooZhUgk/s1600/2012-10-14+11.25.33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiagBI7EClgliiVJtUtXkIvrwW4BNpi9IVuFc8vrhYgARhpdbjpBSwWgvmivzKB8G9KqbCLzAbHrf89CFJmj44eINe_b651vQLhiUonoDu3NJzLO5tyiLl6tfuxmMI-iR9lX0l4ooZhUgk/s320/2012-10-14+11.25.33.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
When we got home, I got a chance to make a better video. They wouldn't stand still, but of course,
after I promised to <strike>bribe them with</strike> give them ice cream, they co-operated :)</div>
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Here's the video.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Like the bible says... "Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings..."<br />
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<object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://i.ytimg.com/vi/RVFWNu_h0iI/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/RVFWNu_h0iI?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/RVFWNu_h0iI?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
Thanks for coming by again and again.<br />
May your dreams come true<br />
xxx</div>
Gbemisokehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14429615134179217426noreply@blogger.com35tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-234984282462124648.post-81947636075072082292012-10-07T01:00:00.003-05:002012-10-12T02:14:46.793-05:00Friends and fun at The Rub :)<div>
It was a few days to my wedding when I got a call from my friend, Deji. He wanted to find out how things were going and if I needed anything. I thanked him and said everything was fine and then he asked what car I was going to ride in to church. Shocked that I was seriously considering riding in "Funmileyi", my faithful rugged Nissan Sunny, he offered me the use of his car he had just bought. He wasn't going to let me get away with another of my crazy schemes... Bride driving her self to church? Maybe in the movies, but not in Lagos.</div>
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I was pleasantly surprised by his thoughtfulness. Preparing for my wedding without my parents had taught me that the only One I could really count on was God. Life had shocked me into growing up. Taking care of myself without asking for help quickly become a lifestyle. Deji's kind gesture meant a lot to me particularly because it was his idea, not mine. I have been told that I give off a vibe that suggests I don't need help, perhaps that's why I don't get people offering to help me often. That's fine, I don't have a sense of entitlement. I also don't like waiting around hoping to be rescued. If I want something done, I do it. On the rare occasion that someone not only anticipates my need, but also attempts to help me meet it, I really really appreciate it and I do not take it for granted. It's the little things make my heart smile. I don't forget.</div>
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He's in town for a course and we got a chance to hang out last week Friday. We had fun, reminiscing about old times as we laughed and talked over dinner. His wife, Yinka, and I are best of friends. She was one of my bridesmaids and she's extra special because we were born on the exact same day :). We've all come a long way since our Daystar singles fellowship days and God has been kind to us.<br />
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We found this really cool restaurant, Jonathan's The Rub, tucked in a cozy little corner and we had a good time. The food was really good, catching up and spending time together was even better. Fun times :)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqSAv2VwLj9smPJAaA4LSlOiib-tWkCalpTnSjdwpihUmw18nCbmX7Yc2Ystp3RF28SaJIZ7mHvFD8NtVP7FC9J5C2yZPUbOOT5ctiKLIjCBNflGCfRnLjDMnk3uJBtWeUgVUiLtpXYl8/s1600/2012-09-28+21.44.36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqSAv2VwLj9smPJAaA4LSlOiib-tWkCalpTnSjdwpihUmw18nCbmX7Yc2Ystp3RF28SaJIZ7mHvFD8NtVP7FC9J5C2yZPUbOOT5ctiKLIjCBNflGCfRnLjDMnk3uJBtWeUgVUiLtpXYl8/s320/2012-09-28+21.44.36.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji6RhMIB0TwwZtL84V1ifaMQWKwieT-viypM7FS7Z6aNU9NMQjjRatwqQWyJNiwFq-jH5LFbMR5LOBNL9Gt9C7b9O5RjsvjDThvBngKggW5FbaYjVB91rCGccNY_37qMx9jBL_o06YNPs/s1600/2012-09-28+20.37.35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji6RhMIB0TwwZtL84V1ifaMQWKwieT-viypM7FS7Z6aNU9NMQjjRatwqQWyJNiwFq-jH5LFbMR5LOBNL9Gt9C7b9O5RjsvjDThvBngKggW5FbaYjVB91rCGccNY_37qMx9jBL_o06YNPs/s320/2012-09-28+20.37.35.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">The Lobster Taco was really good! By far the bestest Taco I have ever had.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiElyMCKaZxB3ySOrGWy4Hx9-1JsVG50PtSP-7FankyfstG0xUA_gUcXigrtbShmOJN5yyhKn524WjgzG_d1-zYmIDWK9IbIx5e_yqn2Tl_mMjdtQbSn0F_UyR0xt7uaozwutn1F0E9CqY/s1600/2012-09-28+20.40.44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiElyMCKaZxB3ySOrGWy4Hx9-1JsVG50PtSP-7FankyfstG0xUA_gUcXigrtbShmOJN5yyhKn524WjgzG_d1-zYmIDWK9IbIx5e_yqn2Tl_mMjdtQbSn0F_UyR0xt7uaozwutn1F0E9CqY/s320/2012-09-28+20.40.44.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlGjyWPoNtBEO-svs3jL6_HeQ-hDW5nOpuAXgE6aHm2lK2QyGgergcY_7Eu-gB4JLNxL5Z_yL1LlDd_4w1g1SY_GkJDTxwd4-PoYA8sYjjcBj0SD4i0FA8nyBjoHqPpYQkBneUTA8e2Js/s1600/2012-09-28+20.53.27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlGjyWPoNtBEO-svs3jL6_HeQ-hDW5nOpuAXgE6aHm2lK2QyGgergcY_7Eu-gB4JLNxL5Z_yL1LlDd_4w1g1SY_GkJDTxwd4-PoYA8sYjjcBj0SD4i0FA8nyBjoHqPpYQkBneUTA8e2Js/s320/2012-09-28+20.53.27.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">I had the Red Snapper Santa Cruz served with a side of Mac and 5 cheeses. Words . Cannot. Describe.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ593LpvchYRwZlfaTbXZmHqsARX0O0sVTBVYdl7fLCH2cuLJxifx9Jm6mxezi8WNqBju-vQzxcUK2RDv3DSNK8I_2s400i1O2jWlbWk5b5a9CpevMoRch3d5zuBnJ6O5ZPjdQcnk6CbA/s1600/2012-09-28+21.10.30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ593LpvchYRwZlfaTbXZmHqsARX0O0sVTBVYdl7fLCH2cuLJxifx9Jm6mxezi8WNqBju-vQzxcUK2RDv3DSNK8I_2s400i1O2jWlbWk5b5a9CpevMoRch3d5zuBnJ6O5ZPjdQcnk6CbA/s320/2012-09-28+21.10.30.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfNTjI_vASlw4u7gdRzDW5vBZzQZUStnheSduJgGsh1uQSWBfCGzZvSW5SMMTe6TOEH2IJ8pYBBcNIgx3x6bt4ii-FEBXQD79q8gHo3UDd8wzlZxUjU_ayba1PFOXYa1HwBaLBuV413jA/s1600/2012-09-28+21.34.44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfNTjI_vASlw4u7gdRzDW5vBZzQZUStnheSduJgGsh1uQSWBfCGzZvSW5SMMTe6TOEH2IJ8pYBBcNIgx3x6bt4ii-FEBXQD79q8gHo3UDd8wzlZxUjU_ayba1PFOXYa1HwBaLBuV413jA/s320/2012-09-28+21.34.44.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Jonathan's The Rub gets 10/10. We're definitely going back.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghScnkaOVNzv_HAkfRTqHskM0mschlTNFjCw2Nc4-g2RZXCA48BQeRz70CmgC8dnhESX0hmH-KgRFZEWnNjXu3ptoAtn0FKZHYFPpPOcP0-C1Tp8QAaCxWNcfqLdT0l_GXGg6Z8PmlOXE/s1600/2012-09-28+21.38.07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghScnkaOVNzv_HAkfRTqHskM0mschlTNFjCw2Nc4-g2RZXCA48BQeRz70CmgC8dnhESX0hmH-KgRFZEWnNjXu3ptoAtn0FKZHYFPpPOcP0-C1Tp8QAaCxWNcfqLdT0l_GXGg6Z8PmlOXE/s320/2012-09-28+21.38.07.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0eO7CIJ__JlJfqRNwwo5yabTngvGtnlqITP_J5y5vUtwZM1aTw-qRADeuj9dOWVkm71ih77Pbggqvzoh_dBNaOO096RfXABA0aFjO6l81JiP4f3W8zcuUM7u3mk4x5u9nFsRj5t36Y-A/s1600/2012-09-28+21.51.49.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0eO7CIJ__JlJfqRNwwo5yabTngvGtnlqITP_J5y5vUtwZM1aTw-qRADeuj9dOWVkm71ih77Pbggqvzoh_dBNaOO096RfXABA0aFjO6l81JiP4f3W8zcuUM7u3mk4x5u9nFsRj5t36Y-A/s320/2012-09-28+21.51.49.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRjd2DGujxYq6iFRB3kEEGYoLGz-NjC8G3-QLP2geEEDOxSrc63OMv7s7wigD5C2xFknSwlmpDu4_x8NxrCGtH762kufJOhwLlFtYkbkFX2cW7tgeKMhVBixiMLctgoJk-j3tDn1knfeI/s1600/2012-09-28+21.52.39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRjd2DGujxYq6iFRB3kEEGYoLGz-NjC8G3-QLP2geEEDOxSrc63OMv7s7wigD5C2xFknSwlmpDu4_x8NxrCGtH762kufJOhwLlFtYkbkFX2cW7tgeKMhVBixiMLctgoJk-j3tDn1knfeI/s320/2012-09-28+21.52.39.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
I'm going to keep being nice by bringing you more pictures of food ;) If your tummy rumbles, that's a signal for you to say a prayer for me. Hehehe. Pray! Pray for your sister... lolzzz<br />
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Thanks for coming by again and again.<br />
May your dreams come true.<br />
xxx<br />
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Gbemisokehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14429615134179217426noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-234984282462124648.post-20383117319753625652012-09-29T23:11:00.001-05:002012-09-29T23:11:15.882-05:00Of forgiveness, Chicken Lollipops and Bacon Wrapped Chicken.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Once in a while, you come across a blog that inspires you.</div>
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That's the effect <a href="http://www.labellaimperfezione.com/" target="_blank">Sabirah's blog</a> has on me. Her post about <a href="http://www.labellaimperfezione.com/2012/08/forgiveness.htm" target="_blank">forgiveness</a> made me think deeply. It's hard to believe that she's so young. I admire her.</div>
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I found this picture of Chicken Lollipops she put up. Yummy. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ0BBgXyr_8-VT4uC-sz5fkXAtWAZiFhrm3ji4o5Lqtx78rExBDBsU84j_7zIMzCviLJemJalSwzo0rgiwMH6IQgwxPSPNDEw4ENsnK0PHtOhyOvOYJ0sEurkBcBlNXT7plb3gxNUgNHg/s1600/Sabirah's+Chicken+Lolipops.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ0BBgXyr_8-VT4uC-sz5fkXAtWAZiFhrm3ji4o5Lqtx78rExBDBsU84j_7zIMzCviLJemJalSwzo0rgiwMH6IQgwxPSPNDEw4ENsnK0PHtOhyOvOYJ0sEurkBcBlNXT7plb3gxNUgNHg/s320/Sabirah's+Chicken+Lolipops.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.labellaimperfezione.com/2012/08/simi-x-sab-starring-mimosas-of-life.html" target="_blank">source</a></td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Reminds me of one of my new discoveries,</span><span style="text-align: left;"> Bacon wrapped Chicken. Yum Yum Yum, Delicioso! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ7dzECVUo02Wna6S5gOZ_mZsv1MMIdYJHWCOTxVyPV7ndhn_8IaIxsgFV4MR7U2ThNHZjfTOyDMQZQchYfARiCmq2QzP4JZl6oDp2lV-a8IKf_h0Ndn55wGARcPwXZ6jNvh_fuDGxGLI/s1600/2012-08-27+19.42.06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ7dzECVUo02Wna6S5gOZ_mZsv1MMIdYJHWCOTxVyPV7ndhn_8IaIxsgFV4MR7U2ThNHZjfTOyDMQZQchYfARiCmq2QzP4JZl6oDp2lV-a8IKf_h0Ndn55wGARcPwXZ6jNvh_fuDGxGLI/s320/2012-08-27+19.42.06.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Home made appetizers for the win!</div>
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So what if it came in a box from the store?</div>
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I had to carefully unwrap the box, arrange the pieces in a pan and bake it in my oven. It doesn't get anymore "home made" than that joor. Scratch "made from scratch". *adjusts chef hat*</div>
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One of my friends thinks I'm crazy because when I'm hungry, I like to look at pictures of food. It gives me pleasure, especially if it's food I already ate. I feel like I'm breaking the "you can't eat your cake and have it" rule. *cheeky grin*<br />
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I like breaking rules. Tell me I can't do something and I immediately find myself trying to figure out just how I can get away with doing it. Explains why I got into a lot of trouble as a child... Yeah, that and my big mouth... My aunty used to call me "Radio Lagos". If only talking was an Olympic sport... </div>
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Do you like to look at pictures of food too, or do you, like my friend, think I'm only punishing myself? </div>
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I would like to know what you think.</div>
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Thanks for coming by again and again.</div>
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May your dreams come true</div>
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xxx</div>
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<br />Gbemisokehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14429615134179217426noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-234984282462124648.post-37736322567831447182012-09-11T23:59:00.002-05:002012-09-12T00:30:17.046-05:00Labor Day Weekend :)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Labor day weekend was fabulous. We had a proper dinner date for the first time since we moved here. </div>
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Not having anyone to babysit, we've had to make do with lunch dates and movies while the munchkins are at daycare. Going out to eat with them is fun, but I don't need to be a mind reader to know that the other diners (who are gracious enough to smile after having had pieces of food thrown at them) and the people who have to clean up after us don't like us very much.</div>
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You can imagine how excited I was when <a href="http://doshix.blogspot.com/2012/09/getting-people.html" target="_blank">Dooshima</a> offered to babysit when she was around. I'm so grateful to her. She's really great with them, and knowing they were in good hands, we were able to relax and have a great time.</div>
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Dinner. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB0LiBnrV9LDzkOpaHBjik9IjYQ5QwsxZY_jPht08fhIopcI0vUxuAjEMIYOkbau32ig0Vf4BYCVqjB6LmE53QED0wSX6e3CfcVPJ3jhqzd0YePEQ4P-ewRYy2IGnesuRWCMrSm7zi5uU/s1600/2012-09-02+20.58.24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB0LiBnrV9LDzkOpaHBjik9IjYQ5QwsxZY_jPht08fhIopcI0vUxuAjEMIYOkbau32ig0Vf4BYCVqjB6LmE53QED0wSX6e3CfcVPJ3jhqzd0YePEQ4P-ewRYy2IGnesuRWCMrSm7zi5uU/s320/2012-09-02+20.58.24.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7E6zfs9BxPDROHzNp0wZ4BB9d8xdqoVmYYQyk3rZYmjHtZS4XVXCINRiSA0sAkGtCwB1UiGB2zCckQ2pRu-HfjR8vBWd5bGWdgNIe6lREW6QR_cxo0aKmAyfNa2cDN6LidgfOcXjW1fo/s1600/2012-09-02+21.10.59.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7E6zfs9BxPDROHzNp0wZ4BB9d8xdqoVmYYQyk3rZYmjHtZS4XVXCINRiSA0sAkGtCwB1UiGB2zCckQ2pRu-HfjR8vBWd5bGWdgNIe6lREW6QR_cxo0aKmAyfNa2cDN6LidgfOcXjW1fo/s320/2012-09-02+21.10.59.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk44_ACmZ0w3pGAfJyl0f7BBSpEaCNM5DXASeQo-_AQkvdty4y5t32SkArQsE8T2MWb1ivNUx0fq574ZDRRup9gEbmUm80PVBKSgezmPYmwEFu7M8C0YRbOfp_O5XmNZDdc43GkDNnna8/s1600/2012-09-02+21.11.34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk44_ACmZ0w3pGAfJyl0f7BBSpEaCNM5DXASeQo-_AQkvdty4y5t32SkArQsE8T2MWb1ivNUx0fq574ZDRRup9gEbmUm80PVBKSgezmPYmwEFu7M8C0YRbOfp_O5XmNZDdc43GkDNnna8/s320/2012-09-02+21.11.34.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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At the movies :D <span style="text-align: center;">We saw Sparkle. Whitney Houston is/was such an amazing actress. I doubt that there was a dry eye when she sang "His Eye Is On The Sparrow". </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2JQNGsuWtj_Rk5tuwDXcevC3q3dIAaq4RHGkm5XweSdflJJrQjKUEXaM-x8c9LejKxeovwMtZ7kQxBUvpr60vW8yKmFb_QPYZYtX75Zo-4DG_wXzaL2fsNWGvqkFThujFzIknGHi7eV8/s1600/2012-09-02+22.19.24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2JQNGsuWtj_Rk5tuwDXcevC3q3dIAaq4RHGkm5XweSdflJJrQjKUEXaM-x8c9LejKxeovwMtZ7kQxBUvpr60vW8yKmFb_QPYZYtX75Zo-4DG_wXzaL2fsNWGvqkFThujFzIknGHi7eV8/s320/2012-09-02+22.19.24.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">It was a fun weekend, we enjoyed having Dooshima around. We had a Crawfish feast. </span><span style="text-align: justify;">Fun times!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9nwxM5opy_gn8Soptaqx4vwdqo8tDPrzqPJfNdjIBKs4-Dk0R3LxwnRqFFIDBLo-RVZPXz9f3Xh5WUzjlQOtZIAj4jd5pxrSLi7PUcV5byjYOE6rh0OoawCoEDq02ZFyOuOq_YXsI6bY/s1600/2012-09-03+10.41.30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9nwxM5opy_gn8Soptaqx4vwdqo8tDPrzqPJfNdjIBKs4-Dk0R3LxwnRqFFIDBLo-RVZPXz9f3Xh5WUzjlQOtZIAj4jd5pxrSLi7PUcV5byjYOE6rh0OoawCoEDq02ZFyOuOq_YXsI6bY/s320/2012-09-03+10.41.30.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alexis loves Aunty :D</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiobFgrfOdQLS8mkDCP2kh8E7yHyrNs4-qdRciHWyCd_mS0gampwkJhvXhk6iCmWOK4pSg5lDaVcwdM3R62cA6UPKx-VWxqLbTdzTZ03whNbJqblBLNP8lw5zB0fOmwoU32pNNEuk_JgcY/s1600/2012-09-01+20.30.34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiobFgrfOdQLS8mkDCP2kh8E7yHyrNs4-qdRciHWyCd_mS0gampwkJhvXhk6iCmWOK4pSg5lDaVcwdM3R62cA6UPKx-VWxqLbTdzTZ03whNbJqblBLNP8lw5zB0fOmwoU32pNNEuk_JgcY/s320/2012-09-01+20.30.34.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Debola and Dooshima doing justice to the Crawfish </td></tr>
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See the serious looks on their faces? Figuring out how to eat Crawfish is not a joke at all o. Just yesterday, I was tweeting about how I need to learn how to eat Crawfish in public without looking like a village girl. I ended up spending a good chunk of what was supposed to be Study Time watching YouTube videos of how to eat Crawfish. I had a good laugh. You should look them up. Jokes for days...</div>
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Thankfully, I didn't laugh and forget why I turned on my laptop in the first place. I was feeling like a good girl, taking my online English Composition quiz which I thought was due on Thursday on Monday night. Imagine my relief when I found out it was closing at 8am on Tuesday. I would've been so pained, especially because it was really easy. We had 45 minutes for three attempts and I only needed one attempt and 5 minutes to get a 10/10 score. Yeah, I'm showing off *dusts shoulders off* Lol... School's cool ;)</div>
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Thanks for coming by again and again<br />
May your dreams come true<br />
xxxGbemisokehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14429615134179217426noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-234984282462124648.post-38112959238736103422012-09-04T21:41:00.001-05:002012-09-05T01:03:26.726-05:00First day of school :)It's been crazy these past couple of weeks. Crazy good.<br />
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Nathan got into the Head Start program this year and we're really glad because it's perfect for his transition from a faith based pre-school to Elementary school when he turns 5 next year. He wasn't picked last year and even though there was a long waiting list, he made it. God keeps showing up for us and we are so grateful.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilJusghzVEEe2xL0bbSzo5SWcGsvNq75Y7aBUk316R06VXYnSlPicJCqiBDWT8O1jaKNR7fyRjXo7No_PWEjyRpzX4-_rGg4aUgAeZPz2PjJtKNaK76tfuUKVnU08utY1GpxjwvYqee_8/s1600/First+day+of+school.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilJusghzVEEe2xL0bbSzo5SWcGsvNq75Y7aBUk316R06VXYnSlPicJCqiBDWT8O1jaKNR7fyRjXo7No_PWEjyRpzX4-_rGg4aUgAeZPz2PjJtKNaK76tfuUKVnU08utY1GpxjwvYqee_8/s1600/First+day+of+school.png" /></a></div>
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See how excited my baby is?</div>
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He's been looking forward to "real school" all summer. I tried explaining to him that Kindergarten doesn't start until next year, but as far as he's concerned, not going to his regular daycare for pre-k 4 is "real school". Why rain on his parade? </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY5DWY5BSkVNAcU7CCY-IvyyLJ6YCBbzXKhVXumGmlYOCxIErXE9n_Qltep8cuGPE9aOGoPHO_6NzL99KrWuxzBe-_BSp3HVdHUOIIQQC1i27LYjRI4enffs-XgdSH3ju4cwZBebpo0ms/s1600/First+day.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY5DWY5BSkVNAcU7CCY-IvyyLJ6YCBbzXKhVXumGmlYOCxIErXE9n_Qltep8cuGPE9aOGoPHO_6NzL99KrWuxzBe-_BSp3HVdHUOIIQQC1i27LYjRI4enffs-XgdSH3ju4cwZBebpo0ms/s1600/First+day.png" /></a></div>
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He's wearing his "I will make history" shirt :) </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijHWSm2HiBKZBBdXQ3r2v6I1C-E8IKcA23wLFQIuwBvaZL0MDRR7Z_LStf8nbockjbL0vUr90dXqI8Y6fRW9M1MSouWDYoiQCirfjTe660Gwv3O1w4t02RQJSwCLPPvOnU7Xmaoe5h6Ww/s1600/20120827_074957.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijHWSm2HiBKZBBdXQ3r2v6I1C-E8IKcA23wLFQIuwBvaZL0MDRR7Z_LStf8nbockjbL0vUr90dXqI8Y6fRW9M1MSouWDYoiQCirfjTe660Gwv3O1w4t02RQJSwCLPPvOnU7Xmaoe5h6Ww/s320/20120827_074957.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">As other kids cried and clung to their moms, </span>I was pretty chuffed to see him so <span style="text-align: center;">independent. </span><span style="text-align: center;">The tears we had to wipe were those of Alexis'. She didn't see why she couldn't stay.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLkon3S1gYOVavxE7t2LvhYgAHsssK5aFebADo595a7kJFEfEFKbn98Z40BIn6498-h5fh-qqWJxLoSLj0gLNu63sNqFck1wz27ZntmDkDIbFPvoa-JxBMqqLJ_2WCyTJz3757gsjiKMk/s1600/20120827_075348.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLkon3S1gYOVavxE7t2LvhYgAHsssK5aFebADo595a7kJFEfEFKbn98Z40BIn6498-h5fh-qqWJxLoSLj0gLNu63sNqFck1wz27ZntmDkDIbFPvoa-JxBMqqLJ_2WCyTJz3757gsjiKMk/s320/20120827_075348.jpg" width="224" /></a></div>
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She had already claimed her own seat in his class :')</div>
As I watched them, I was reminded of how blessed I am. I do not take God's blessings for granted. This verse of scripture expresses my heart's desire. I don't ever want to lose sight of how important my job as a mom is as I pursue my dreams.<br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Charis SIL, charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. </span><span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: Charis SIL, charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">3 John 1:4</span></span></span><span style="text-align: right;"> </span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large; text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large; text-align: justify;"><b>My first day of school</b></span><br />
<span style="text-align: justify;">Unlike Nathan, </span><span style="text-align: justify;">my first day day of school started off pensive. Thankfully, it didn't stay that way and I tweeted this picture in the middle of my first class. Teacher was teaching, Gbemi was tweeting. See my life? :P</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmupWVOVhltugoT3Aa8jI6YRRej0MOlbS35TEy2DYSuAfJ6fBXRIzkT7raaNwqoFwyeHglLli18GzuE39khvH1vC4Ip7tMkKLQHA4-fKOyQ39Elod5aX4OlAnZxX2OBOWiQghuu_PkH_g/s1600/20120828_104146-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmupWVOVhltugoT3Aa8jI6YRRej0MOlbS35TEy2DYSuAfJ6fBXRIzkT7raaNwqoFwyeHglLli18GzuE39khvH1vC4Ip7tMkKLQHA4-fKOyQ39Elod5aX4OlAnZxX2OBOWiQghuu_PkH_g/s320/20120828_104146-1.jpg" width="286" /></a></div>
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By the time classes were over, I was sure that going back to school was the right choice. I wasn't afraid anymore. Errr.. that is not entirely true... I'm still afraid of Algebra. So afraid, I didn't register for any math courses this semester at all. The fear is reeeeaaaallll!!!!<br />
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In the weeks leading up to resumption, I was afraid. Thankfully, all that fear served a good purpose. My fear drove me to my knees and as I took time to reflect and ask God for direction, I closely examined my career choices and realized that while Fashion Merchandising was a good career option, I wasn't passionate about it. It was familiar and wouldn't be hard to study, but as I tried to answer the question:<br />
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"what would you be doing if financial reward wasn't an issue?" </blockquote>
I knew I wouldn't pick fashion. I would not do it for free.<br />
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What I would do, which I am already doing for free and which I absolutely love, is being there to listen and offer encouragement when people share their cares and concerns about love and marriage. It gives me a lot of pleasure to see people find love and to see marriages thrive, especially if the couple had given up before. Watching God restore marriages, praying along with those who need it and just sowing seeds of love. I love researching possible solutions to issues, so that I can do more than pray or say "it is well". If you follow me on twitter, you already know I can go on and on and on, talking about love, God's way. I have since been named "Aunty Ifesowapo" by Atoke. <a href="https://twitter.com/Gbemisoke" target="_blank">@gbemisoke</a> is a Love Ambassador. No shame. I often get DMs and Emails with requests for prayers, questions or advice and I find myself carrying burdens of people I barely know because I have come to realize that beneath the strong facades we try to put up, we are all the same, we want to love and be loved. The reason a lot of people suffer in silence is that we think our problems are exclusive to us, so we plaster on our practiced smiles and say "it is well". Jesus did not die for us to endure such pain. I am not ashamed to say that I struggle too. I have issues, questions, imperfections and it bothers me when I cannot do more than pray. I like searching for answers and I love to share them.<br />
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I have since changed my major and I'm studying to become a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. A Psychology degree is a requirement for a Masters in MFT, which I need to be licensed to practice. I studied Business Administration back home, so I'm doing Psychology first. It's going to take me so much longer to finish school, but I don't mind at all. I'm so passionate about love and how to make it work, I don't mind putting in all the years of study, just so that I can move beyond empathy to helping people find solutions. One part of me thinks I'm crazy. Debola is convinced I am on the right path and he has been very supportive, patiently listening as I went on and on (and on and on and on), trying to clarify the random thoughts in my head, praying with me as I asked God what He really wants me to do with my life, and just being there... I do not take all of that for granted. Having a supportive partner is such a great blessing.</div>
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When the day comes that I am weary, I will come back to this post and hopefully, I will be reminded of this joy and immense sense of gratitude that I feel and I will find the strength to keep going, to keep smiling as I did on the first day of school :)</div>
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I've stopped taking on sewing projects so that I can focus on my family and school for now and I'm hoping that as soon as I settle properly into this "adult education" thing, I'll be able to blog more.<br />
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Thanks for coming by again and again,<br />
May your dreams come true<br />
xxx<br />
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<br />Gbemisokehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14429615134179217426noreply@blogger.com35