Happy Sunday, Happy Birthday

Good morning good people!

Happy Sunday!!

I encourage you all to be blessed to be a blessing today. When you awoke today you woke with power, even if your back hurts. Use your words, action, time, smile, and/or dollars to bless someone today. Be blessed. 🫶🏾🙌🏾🙏🏾✨

I woke up feeling grateful for my life, the people in it, my health, and the opportunities I have been afforded to take advantage of because of my family and my community and their belief in me. Count your blessings. The good times outweigh the bad. We always overcome.

As I prepare my heart and mind for the upcoming week, I look at the calendar and see I have multiple book readings, some substitute teaching, my first-born’s 6th birthday, a community event and other business work. (Takes deep breath.) ☺️

I feel grateful that yesterday we were able to celebrate EJ’s birthday and everyone had an AMAZING TIME!! 🧱🏎️🎂🍦EJ loves Legos so there was no question that his party would have a Lego theme. We chose to hold his party at Bricks N Minifigs. The kiddos got to build minifigs by putting together a head, torso, legs, some type of head cover, helmet, hair, hat, etc. and then add an accessory to their figure. It was pretty cool! I built one too. It was the right choice for us. I will be sure to leave a great review. Our party hostess was so sweet. Thankful for a such a great experience!

There was a little mishap with the distribution of the invitations, there was misinformation about the time and lack of information on how to RSVP. We are so thankful for each and every child and grown-up who showed up for EJ yesterday! He absolutely felt celebrated and important! 💙💙💙💙💙💙

EJ received numerous Lego sets as gifts, including two Creator sets from his classmates. One Creator set allows him to build a peacock, then use those same pieces to make two other figures. With the other Creator he can make a parrot and two other figures. It’s pretty awesome, and I know he will get it done. EJ loves Legos. He also got Tails (from Sonic), spaceship, racecar, and even a Nascar model car Lego set! We are going to have so much fun!

EJ loves Legos, lol! He also loves Tesla and Cybertruck. He used to really love Transformers. There was a time in our lives whenever we would see yellow cars, we would chorally shout, “Bumblebeeeee!!” Not at yellow trucks, just yellow cars. During the Transformer era of our lives, we also yelled out, “Optimus Priiiiime,” when a red and blue semitruck drove past. It was definitely a good time. So now EJ likes Tesla and for a while he’d yell out, “Tessslaaa!” I did not approve. It just didn’t sit right with me. EJ told me he really likes Tesla and wants to buy me a Cybertruck one day. Cool, but we are not out here just shouting brands. Instead, I told him when I was a child, and I really liked a car, I would “claim” it by calling out call out, “Bingo Lockdown!” So now he says that when he sees Tesla vehicles. For now, he still shouts, “Cybertruck,” and sometimes says, “Bingo Lockdown.” But hey, speak what you want.

That brings me right back to yesterday when EJ getting ready to blow out his candles. We told him to make a wish to keep in his heart and his head. EJ took a moment to think and then boldly stated, “I wish to be the owner of Bricks N Minifigs when I turn eighteen.” What?! Okay! That’s what’s up! Yes, baby! The party hostess jokingly said to call her when he turns eighteen. Pause, because what does my baby know about being EIGHTEEN? Boy, you are barely six. Slow down. But also, I love that he says things like this. He baffles my mind and pushes me to better and go harder. I’m here for it! ❤️🙋‍♀️

I say all that to tell you that EJ asked for an RC car and Legos for his birthday. He recently made a specific request that I did not get him any clothes for his birthday. So, I got him books because all children need books, even if they have two hundred in their home library. EJ is becoming a more independent reader and truly has a love for books, writing and drawing his own stories. The first item he removed from the gift bag, was a “Star Reader” Crown. He read the words and immediately put it on. It made my heart smile so. Inside the gift bag, EJ received an intriguing facts book, a joke book and a kid’s drawing guidebook.

As we were gathering our things and preparing to leave the event space to have lunch, I made a comment that I considered putting a copy of We Are The Community in EJ’s gift bag, stating that I decided against it because there are enough copies around the house and it may not seem like a real gift. Our hostess’ perked up as she inquired if I write books, or as I asked if she liked to read. I shared that I have written two children’s books of affirmations that are ready-made kind statements that children can read to one another. I also shared that I manage an international blog. She instinctively took out her phone and asked for the name. I was so giddy with joy! This is how the magic happens. How Recycled Flowers is becoming more of a community. How we grow as a people. When we see (people) women doing their best, being bold, brilliant, brave, beautiful, and blossoming into their best selves, we let them know. We encourage them, our hostess was gentle and kind, she offered many “Way to go, Mom’s!” and “Great job, Moms!” throughout the party and genuinely kept my spirits lifted.

Our hostess inquired about a devotional sweatshirt EJ’s dad was wearing and wanted to know where he attends church. She said that our party was great, and it was awesome to see the adults get involved and share the excitement with the children! We were all so happy to celebrate EJ. He makes it easy. My first-born son is turning 6 on Thursday and I cannot believe how fast the time has gone.

It’s also pretty cool to think that all his life, I’ve been writing, this blog and then my books. I truly believe that has grown his love for books and reading. I thank God for the life He has given me and what I am making of it. It’s not perfect, but I’m getting better every day and I am truly grateful for that. As I wrap up this blog because I have to get ready for church, I want to say thank you the readers, sharers and supporters of the work I do, in text and in life.

I have been sharing my books with children for three years now with the goal of putting smiles in the hearts of children and helping to know they are special, important and love. I try to ask after reading if the book(s) met the goal. They always say, “Yesssss!,” with big smiles. I explain that their smile, joy and confidence are their gifts to the world and they agree that they are tools to change the world around them. Read more about how in We Are The Community and We Are The People.

Each day I awake grateful and blessed to be a blessing. Remember everyone has a part in making the world a better place. Peace and amen.