Thankful Thursday 2012: Week 1

Last year instead of coming up with a resolution, I picked a word to focus on for the year - gratitude.  My goal was to list 5 things each day that I was thankful for...well, I failed miserably at keeping a written list but I did focus quite a bit on gratitude.  I made it a point to express gratitude for even the smallest acts.  This year, I've decided to continue my focus on gratitude and each Thursday will share my gratitude list.

~ friends - old and new; near and far

~ my wonderful (but sometimes overwhelming) family

~ hot chocolate with extra marshmallows on cold evenings

~ moments of solitude and quiet no matter how far and few they are

~ my 10 year old taking on extra chores w/out complaining too much

~ post-holiday clearance sales (especially when I can use coupons for extra savings)

What about you, Divas? What are you thankful for this week? Sometimes it takes focusing on the smaller things to realize the bigger problems/issues just aren't as big/important as we think they are.

Be Blessed Divas and remember to be a blessing to others!

~Michelle

Bucket List

I recently came across a list that I wrote in my early 20s entitled "Things to Do Before I'm 30". It was slightly depressing to read but it reminded me of where I was at that stage in my life and just how far I have come. I'm going to be revamping the list and start working on my 101 in 1001 list and figured this would be the best place to start:


- fall in love (for real!) 
-take a cruise (went on one for my honeymoon in 2007 and again in 2009 with my extended family)
-travel to Europe
-get married  (August 14, 2006 - shocked the heck outta me...LOL)
-have another baby (me being the overachiever that I am did this twice!)
-have $5000 in savings/401k/investments (financial security was very important to me when I wrote this because I was coming out of a relationship that was very controlling...this was a step towards never having to be totally dependent on someone again)
-buy a house (closed this past July!!!)
-repair my credit 
-get my associates degree (slightly depressing that I haven't gone further in completing my degrees but I'm determined to complete them no matter what...life just keeps happening but this is one goal I refuse to give up on)
-get my bachelor's degree
-have peace in my heart (This, also, took longer than I thought it would but it is so refreshing to be able to say that I honestly do. It makes life so much more enjoyable)
-make amends with my oldest son's father (Thankful that we came to a place where we can agree to disagree but always can let bygones be bygones when it comes to our child)
-make the move from Texas
-travel to Hawaii
-travel to Jamaica
-have a sista-friend weekend (So glad for my wonderful group of divalicious friends - we attempt to get together at least once a month to just regroup and relax)
-buy a car (I think I'm on car #3 and really need to upgrade to accommodate the little diva but I'm holding off as long as possible...I detest paying car notes!)
-have real joy (It took me awhile to distinguish between happiness and joy, but once I did...boy oh boy!!! Having a relationship with God helps me to have joy within no matter what my circumstances are.)
-have a career I appreciate and enjoy (while I enjoy my current position, it's not the one that I foresee myself being in forever...my dream job is working for myself and I'm determined to make that happen one day)
-volunteer on a regular basis (I've gotten away from this over the past few years but it is something that I will focus on in 2012)
-be debt free


Amazed at how far I've come in a little over a decade emotionally, spiritually, and financially! I'm so glad that I came across this list to help me reflect on where I've been and where I'm striving to be in the different aspects of my life.


Do any of you have bucket lists? Have you heard of the 101 in 1001 challenge? I'm attempting to find more information on it to help break my list down so any help in that arena would be awesome.


Be Blessed Divas and remember to be a blessing to others!
~Michelle

This year I have committed to blogging every day as a part of The Blog Dare sponsored by BloggyMoms.com

DWP Tuesday: Sealed with A KISS

Happy Tuesday Divas!!! I'm super excited to introduce you to our first Diva With A Purpose for 2012 - Neka Hobbs. Neka is such a fun-loving, purpose-driven and positive person. I'm so glad she's a part of my circle of friends and fellow bloggers!


Family: Neka is a mommy to two wonderful kiddos - 7 year old Chelia and 7 month old Ashton - and in a committed relationship with a great guy.


Passion:  Neka's passions are women and children.  She has worked as a youth worker - assisting families in low income housing developments.  She tutored youth after school, introduced them to things outside of their communities, assisted with resume' writing, school and family support.  Her mother was a single parent for many years after her first marriage ended.  Neka watched her go through the ups and downs of raising her and her three brothers.  Her mom instilled in her children that they were capable of doing anything they put their minds to.  While they aren't perfect (and who is???) they're all still surviving and thriving!


Neka's passion for kids and families has led her to her position as a Work-at-Home Mom and business owner.  KISS - Kid Inspired Sitter Services - based in Georgia is her baby and they're growing.  While working everyday, helping other people's children, she realized that her family was somewhat on the back burner.  KISS allows her to give to her kids and others kids, as well.  The majority of her services are provided to single mothers and Neka networks with them and helps them out in any way she can.  When Neka first moved to Georgia with her daughter, she did not have any family or friends close by.  She's able to relate and assist the single mother with no support system.  Her home has become a second home to many of her clients and their children.  She's seeing the words that a pastor from her home town come to fruition daily as he home becomes a shelter for women and children.

Motivation:  Neka does what she because she's her children's first and primary teacher.  She needs to be available to them (and her other KISS babies).  It can be a tiresome position but it is one that she's dedicated her time, home and, most importantly, her heart to.  Losing, quitting, giving up has never been an option, so she keeps pressing forward.  She wants her children to always feel if nothing or no one else, they have Mommy.  A mommy who is not afraid to discipline, take things away or give time outs because she LOVES them just that much.


She, also, does it for the many moms she works with.  She's been where they are and wanted to give up many days but she didn't.  She makes herself available to them because she survived her wilderness (stepping out on faith and relocating) and am now walking in her destiny and purpose.  She had to be removed from what was comfortable to a place where she could learn more about and find herself.


Inspiration:  Hands down, no hesitation, her mother - Mrs. Innetter Hobbs-White. Barely 18 and out of high school, she gave birth to Neka.  Her mom could have opted for an abortion or adoption but she didn't.  She loved and cared for Neka and her brothers.  There were times when they didn't know where there next meal was coming from, but she worked two jobs so her children could have nice things when possible - every Friday was Family Night.  Because of her love for and relationship with God, it has taught Neka to love and honor Him the same way.  Her mom is Neka's biggest cheerleader and for that she's forever grateful!!! Much love to her Netta Girl :)


Neka in 3 Words:  Dedicated, Smart, Caring


Current Projects / Future Plans:  Currently, Neka is working on editing and publishing her first motivational book for women and girls.  It's a journal of her journey.  Inspirational words, encouragement, poems and short stores all written by Neka over a two year transitional period.  During the holidays, KISS and her local hair salon (In The Now Hair Studios) collected non-perishable items and made Christmas cards to distribute to a local Senior Living Facilities and The Mary Hall Freedom House (a local women's shelter that helps women who are in drug recovery obtain jobs, get back legal custody of their children, re-enter the workforce and obtain independent living.  Taking KISS to the next level his biggest goal - by the grace of God she's determined to make KISS a household name.


Connect With Neka:
Her Blog - Neka T. Speaks
Twitter - @Nekat_lovelymom
Facebook - Kid Inspired Sitter Services


I'd like to thank Neka for all her support to Divas With A Purpose. She is truly an awesome woman to be around - her positivity and passion for her work is very contagious! I truly believe she will be a success because she has the drive, motivation and faith!


If you know of someone that should be spotlighted on DWP Tuesday, please email their information to divaswithpurpose@gmail.com


Be Blessed Divas and remember to be a blessing to others!
Happy Tuesday :-)

From There to Here

I must say that I have very high expectations for this new year...not just because it is a new year, fresh start, etc. etc. etc.  But because of the personal and professional goals that I have set for myself and the way things have begun coming together in the past few months.


Today is bittersweet for me, however, but I'm still going to embrace today and all it has to offer.  I was extremely blessed to be able to spend the past 3 months at home with my daughter and my 3 year old son.  In today's economy, many people are facing cutbacks and layoffs, but I have to say that my employer truly believes in work-life balance and I'm appreciative for a corporate policy that allowed for me to be home this long after giving birth.


Also, a year ago today, my youngest uncle passed away unexpectedly from a heart attack.  It still seems surreal at times and I can't believe that it's been a year.  His death has helped my family to truly appreciate how precious life is and how important and strong our family bonds are.  I still reflect on the words spoken at my uncle's homegoing celebration and attempt to apply them to my life to be a "living demonstration of the character of God".


You would think that starting the year off on such a low would make for a terrible outlook, but it didn't because I refused to allow it.  When I was tempted to get into a funk, I was surrounded by wonderful family and friends who boost me up - sometimes without realizing that they were.


January started with the loss of a loved one but ended with the creation of a new one.  Being pregnant for the majority of 2012 made for a year that seemed endless, but there was so much that was accomplished when I reflect back on it.


2011 Highlights


- spending Valentine's Day with my husband and a group of friends. The men made an awesome dinner for us all and it was a night filled with lots of laughter and love. I, also, did my very first Internet radio show interview for Divas With A Purpose, Incorporated.


- celebrating my youngest son's 3rd birthday with my parents and extended family.  My parents had just recently moved back home and we were excited that they were now close enough to share family celebrations. 


- our family camping trip over Father's Day weekend...6 months pregnant and camping...what was I thinking??? It was one of those experiences that I can now look back on and laugh but, believe me, I was far from the happy camper that weekend


- July started out on a high, but stressful, note as my husband and I closed on our first home.


- my family cookout in July is always a blast and this year we had a moment of silence for my uncle and grandmother.  We, also, planted a tree in his honor and 12 lily flowers in remembrance of my grandmother (who's name is Lillie and she had 12 children).


- In July, we, also, attended my paternal grandfather's 81st birthday celebration.  I don't spend as much time with my dad's side of the family, but it was great to come together to celebrate my grandfather and shower him with love.  A few months later we gathered to celebrate his life and legacy when he passed away, but his birthday celebration was a highlight of the year.


- My oldest son entered the double digits in August and started 5th grade.


- In September, we celebrated my dad's 60th birthday with a party to beat all parties.  We had a false-delivery scare during the weekend which, of course, makes for a great family story to be re-told.


- In October we welcomed the final addition to our household.  Bringing home my daughter and adjusting to life with a newborn again pretty much dominated October and November.


2011 was definitely a great year overall and I can't wait to make even more memories in 2012 with my family and friends.


Be Blessed Divas and remember to be a blessing to others!!!
~Michelle

This year I have committed to blogging everyday as part of The Blog Dare sponsored by BloggyMoms.Com

Welcome 2012 :)

I'm very excited about 2012 and the changes that it's bringing for Divas With A Purpose - my blog and the organization.  Besides blogging, I was hesitant to fully embrace social media 100% but there are so many benefits to networking through the different sites (which can be overwhelming at times) that I'm jumping in feet first.

My social media goals for this year are pretty simple but I feel they will have long-term impacts on what I want to accomplish:

- to blog on a more consistent basis

- to network with other bloggers and support their blogs more with comments

- to build the Diva Blogging Circle

- to focus on Divas With A Purpose, Incorporated's Networking Circle and Helping Hands aspects

As always, I'm quite thankful for the support and bond that I've formed with fellow bloggers. I look forward to continuing to support them and expanding my circle.

Be Blessed Divas and remember to be a blessing to others! Here's to a prosperous, joyous, and blessed 2012!!!

This post is for Day 1 of the 366 Blog Dare sponsored by BloggyMoms.com - looking forward to a year of bonding and learning from a group of wonderful fellow bloggers :)