Intentional Choices

These two words (intentional choices) pack a lot of meaning. Also, I am finding in my own personal life that these two words are very difficult to fulfill. Doing things on purpose isn't always apart of our American culture. You hear so many stories of success based on the fact that they made a mistake, or as a result of a failure.

I can't help but question what results we would get if we were to do things on purpose. If we truly had a plan and executed that plan. I am not saying that great things do not come from mistakes, but what I am saying is that greater things should come from being intentional. Here are some examples of being intentional (when otherwise it would have been a thought):
1. Calling a friend that just lost a loved one
2. Making a financial budget for the day
3. Setting reasonable goals/ tasks to accomplish for the day-- and complete them
4. Not doing more that you are truly capable
5. Intentionally spending time with your family (because you planned it)

The list could go on and on.

Here is an example of me being intentional: last Friday, I got up right when my alarm clock went off, I let Tucker out and fed him, I ate breakfast, and went straight to the gym. After working out, I went to weigh-in, and went straight home. I let Tucker out again and took a shower and got ready for my day. I packed my work/ school bag and went straight to the Mudhouse to do school work. I stayed there for hours and got all my work done for that day (which I had never done this semester) and got to hang out with friends that evening.

I was really proud that I made intentional choices all day, and how well I could really use the 24 hours I had in a day. So, my question to you would be, are you being intentional? If you aren't, I would definitely reconsider!

Willpower and Discipline

These two words have become the death of me. At one point in my life, these words held great value. Today, they are words with little meaning. The sad part about these two words is that, once they are mastered... achieving anything is now an obtainable goal. Without these two words, in my opinion, you won't get very far. So, the next logical question would be to ask, what is my definition of these two words.

Willpower: simply put, it is the driving strength to break past what is natural, convenient, and easy (aka our flesh).

Discipline: training your body, mind and spirit to stay in a constant state of willpower.

You cannot have willpower without discipline and vice versus. If you have one without the other, long term success will not be achieved. It is also my opinion that to be be in full discipline mode, body, mind and spirit have to be in sync.

So, why am I writing this blog? I am extremely weak in both areas; and I am tired of it. I am hitting a stage in my life where if these two simple words don't start to have meaning and value to me, a lot of things will slip through the cracks. In my mind, I can achieve anything, but my heart does not agree.

I put up a ridiculous front to try and appear as though I have it together, because heaven forbid if anyone were to really see my weakness. I tried the "fake it, til I make it" mentality, and to be honest, that got me nowhere!

So it is time to revamp. I am doing an extreme makeover--life edition. I understand that I should probably take baby steps to self improvement, but for me, that does not work. I must make hard choices today, to make tomorrow better. Yes, it will be hard. Yes, I will get mad. Yes, my body will try to refuse. But, I am bigger than all those obstacles, and my will must be broken.

So, as of today, January 31, 2012 at 11:15am... a new LaTisha is in effect! I am ready!!

Best Friends

In my world, I have a truly special person that I ABSOLUTELY love.

I must first state, that my ultimate best friend is my husband. He is truly the one that inspires me to be all I can be and more (but this particular blog is not about him)!

My best friend is Charity Reeb! She is truly someone I look up to and have great admiration for. Everytime we meet, I get inspired by her!

She is very busy, so when we do get to hang out, our time together is super sweet. This past Saturday we ate at our favorite spot (Gailiey's-- downtown Springfield). After breakfast we did a little shopping!

Our goal this year is to take guitar lessons together! We will see if that happens! We are always coming up with some idea!

Something else that is also neat, both of our husbands are best friends as well! I just wanted to take the time to honor my friend... just because.

Love you Charity!

Where am I going, and how do I get there?

I told myself last year that I would use my blog more this year. I have been very inconsistent in my writing, so I am sure that I have no one reading it. Yet and still, I will write.

As my grad studies are starting to come to a conclusion... I have so many questions that still don't have answers. I know that I am doing what the Lord has asked me to do, and I know he will reveal it in due time, but sometimes you just wanna know... just to know!

Just to recap last year: Karnell and I celebrated 6 years of marriage, I celebrated my 32nd birthday, and a very handsome nephew was born. I have alot more to say, but we will let some pictures tell the story! Here's to being intentional about blogging... maybe it would help if I knew people were reading it... (then again, maybe not!) Well, happy Thursday!



That's right folks, I spent my anniversary on a Branson Cruise... it was nice!



Me and my man!



My handsome nephew at two months old!



He He! He is too cute!

Too much goin on!

I know, I know... I haven't blogged in forever! Well, when you don't have easy access to the internet, it is easy to not blog so that you can take care of other important matters (like facebooking). At any rate, it is easier for me to possibly blog because I got a new laptop... I still don't have the internet at my house, but I can go to any wifi spot and all's well!

Well, just to recap, I got a job as an pre-k teacher for a private preschool back in January. I enjoy it for the most part, it has it's ups and downs, but what job doesn't!

I also started grad school just this past week! I am very nervous, but also excited. I am getting my master's in counseling and going on to get my doctorate in clinical psychology. So overall, I want to be a Pyschologist with my own private practice.

This summer I went on a vacation to Colorado Springs, CO. That was amazing! I had a great time. I climbed Pikes peak, and I got to see the top! I went white water rafting as well. We camped in tents, it was a great time. The mountains are beautiful and I can't wait to go back next year!

Well, I have to get back to studying, but hopefully this will not be the last of the blogging!

WOW!

Ok, so I haven't updated my blog in FOREVER! Yikes! I really need to take the time and update. We got the internet turned off at our house so I don't get to use the computer as much as I would like to. I am trying to buy a laptop so that I can go to places that have free wifi.. Because I don't get paid as much at this job, we had to cut back on a lot of extra expenses and internet was one that had to go. I will try to update a little more often. Well, my lunch is over... i will try to blog tomorrow... we'll see!

Just venting...

Ok, I just want to vent for a little bit. Nothing more. I just don't understand some things. I have had unique oportunities in life. I can't explain them all, but I've had rare possibilities and chances to meet some amazing, influencial and powerful people. These particular people not to mention have money.

Now, i know that money isn't everything, but it sure helps.

All I've ever wanted to do is open my own private preschool. I was bound and determined to open one once I got enough experience. So right out of college I was an assistant director of a private preschool. I lost that job, and as a result I haven't been able to bounce back and regain my focus.

To be honest, I feel as though I will never reach that goal because I'm married now, and I have to be a wife...which means Karnell has the final say. So my dreams have to be put on hold in order to keep peace in the home.

I guess my question is, to all married women: How do you pursue your dreams and goals and still be submissive to your husband. I am having a ridiculously hard time balancing the two.

I want to open my own school so bad that I'm ALMOST willing to risk things that shouldn't be at risk. I feel smothered. I feel trapped. I feel that success can only come to me as of a result of Karnell experiencing success first.

Don't be misinformed. I love my husband and I love my family, but I want more and I can't because Karnell as other dreams and plans. I know, we've had this discussion before and it always ends up in a huge argument...

I just want balance. I'm losing who I am and I don't like it.

Now I can breathe easy!

Ok, last time I wrote... I was all stressed out over license plate stuff and vacationing. Well, I just want to let you know that I was able to pay everything for my tags and we went to Texas for vacation. It definitely wasn't New York, but I had a great time. It was enjoyable and relaxing. I will try to post pictures if I get a chance!

New York

Ok, so many of you may not know, but Karnell and I are planning a trip to go to New York. We have some friends that live in Jersey that we will be staying with, so we don't have to pay for a hotel. Karnell and I are super pumped. We haven't been on an official vacation since our honeymoon, almost 4 years ago!

I'm just couldn't wait to see Ground Zero, the Statue of Liberty, Times Square, Central Park, Lion King on Broadway, China Town, Little Italy; I could go on and on!

Karnell and I were able to take this wonderful vacation because of some workman's comp money he is getting from a burn on his arm. So this is a "not out of our pocket" vacation! Those are the best kind!

Well, all of our hopes and dreams came to a screeching hault as of yesterday. Yesterday I remembered that I needed to get the tags renewed on my car. No biggie, all I needed were tax receipts from 2007 and 2008, and a current inspection. So I went online to pull up the receipts to find that I DIDN'T PAY THEM FOR BOTH YEARS!!!! Can you believe that?! I definitely had an "I'm not a grown up yet" moment. I thought the taxes that you pay for your car payment was personal property taxes... well, no it's not... it's call SALES TAX... DUH! Not only that, but the taxes were in Kansas City... I didn't know you had to register your car when you move!

So when I first called the Kansas City people (that's the technical term) they told me I owed a GRAND!!! But I wasn't living in KC at the time, so I then got on the phone with the Springfield people (another technical term) and found out how much I really owed. Not quite a grand, it's a couple hundred less, but still... New York is in jeapordy!

So, the first thing I did, I cried! Then I pulled myself together and called Karnell. I knew he would be upset; but to be honest, he handled the intial shock quite well! When I went home I tried to think of things I could sell in order to get extra money... So far, I've sold a mirror. After work today, I'm gonna see if I can get some good money for some antique earrings.

I know that this seems a little crazy, but my life for the past 2 years has been crazy and very unstable, so I really need this vacation. Please pray that I find a way to get to New York! If nothing else at least pray that I do a little better at being an adult!

It's official!

My mommy and me!

The family!

The family again!


So I've been getting into "trouble" by not updating my blog. So here it is! These pictures were taken while my mom and brother Brian were here for a huge banquet for my job. Obviously, we took these pictures at Lamberts! Ok, so it's a short post, but it beats nothing!

Have a great day!

Way too much...

So... I've decided that I'm officially way too busy. My life picked up and ran... quick, fast and in a hurry! I don't even have time to blog. I love blogging so the mere fact that I don't get the chance saddens me. Well enough about being busy... I do have some thoughts on my mind.

Ok, so I've have been totally submerged around pregnant people. Whether it be my friends (which I have quite a few) that are pregnant, recently had babies, or starting their 2nd or 5th child; or at my job, where I'm faced with pregnancies all day long; I can't deny that it appears that everyone is having "baby fever".

So for the longest time I have convinced myself that I was TOTALLY not ready for children. But as time progresses, I start to see my dear close friends start to have children and I am starting to get more and more motivated.

I guess my question for the day is: am I one of those people that "won't" be able to get pregnant? Now, I'm sure you are curious as to why I'm asking that question. Here's why: Karnell and I have been married 3 1/2 years today, and we have in no way, shape, form, or fashion stopped a child from entering the world from the moment that we said "I do". So, in my head, I feel as though it's safe to at least question that as a possibility.

Also, I know that being pregnant and actually having the child is expensive... and Karnell and I are not ready to handle that type of responsibility. (If you want to know more about that... facebook me!) On the flip side of things, I do want a family and I don't want to be 35 years old when I do... so I guess, how do I get over this hump that I'm in... Any advice from those out there?

Marley and Me

I must say that this movie is the cutest movie I've seen in a long time. Of course, most of you guys know that I'm a huge pet lover and so it should come to no surprise that I would be interested in such a movie.

I loved it from beginning to end. I definitely could relate to Marley, be cause we too had a lab... named Jett! I laughed and I cried... it was too cute! If you want to see a cute movie, you need to watch Marley and Me, I'm tellin' ya, it's good stuff!

Holiday fun!

Ok, so now that I'm back into the swing of things at work, I have a little bit of time to actually do some blogging! So as you could see from the past blog I got creative and made my first truffles ever... and man were they tasty!

Now, you will get the opportunity to see what we did over the week of Christmas. Karnell and I spent Christmas with my family and it was fun times! We ate more than we should have, and did a whole bunch of nothing... Just the way it should be! The first set of pictures that you will see are how I spent my 29th birthday. Some family and friends went to Jack Stack BBQ on the plaza, boy it was just like I remembered... delicious!


My sister petting the beautiful horse... Monty in the background!


Jodi, Matt and Danny, and Me... baby John wasn't looking at the camera, so I held up is binky so that he would look up! Classic!!!


This is an example of what baby John did before the binky raise!


My beautiful sister Ashley!


My family: Monty, Ashley, Me and Brian... boy we look good!

Now here are my favorites of the many pictures taken over Christmas break! Enjoy!


Brian, Me and my mom... the 3 Musketeers


Taye and her kids Corey, Tyalor and Craig... cuties!


Getting ready for Christmas dinner... couldn't wait!


Monty and Me


Karnell and Me

Happy New Year!!!

Ok, so I have quite a bit that I wanted to post, so just bare with me and enjoy the pictures! This first set of pictures were of my wonderful attempt to make truffles (which were a HUGE success I might add). I made these truffles as Christmas gifts to my family. These truffles along with chocolate chip cookies and chocolate covered pretzels were in this cute little Christmas tin... If you have ever attempted to make truffles it can be a messy experience, but with the help of YouTube, my success rate went through the roof! I made two types of truffles: peanut butter truffles rolled in cocoa powder and/or graham cracker crumbs, and I also made a cookies and cream truffle rolled in oreo cookie crumbs. So the pictures that you are backwards as far as the order that it happened, but I'm too lazy to fix it! Besides, I have a lot more pictures to post, so here is Round 1.


Cookies and Cream truffles


The peanut butter truffles and some cookies and cream


Karnell getting the measurements right... such a helpful guy!


The peanut butter ganache that needed to harden in the fridge


The beginning stages of the peanut butter truffles

Way too long...

Ok, so it has been way too long for me... I can't believe I've stopped blogging. It has almost been two months! I have had so much going on that I didn't blog... no excuse, I know,but it's the only one I've got! So, since my great- grandmother's birthday, we've had Thanksgiving, and soon we will have Christmas.

Now keeping with tradition (well my tradition anyway), Christmas can't officially get here until after my birthday passes, which will be this Saturday! I won't disclose how old I am, for sadly, I'm in denial! I've always loved birthdays, even if that means I was born during a sucky time of year. This year is so different, I just dread turning a year older. I know that I'm still quite young, but the number itself just seems so old. Ok, I'm starting to get depressed... moving on!

On a brighter note, I will be heading home on Friday (19th) and I won't be back in Springfield until the 28th! Now that is something I'm very excited about!

Ok, so Karnell and I haven't taken many pictures together because he typically isn't around me a lot...( he works a lot). So, here in the past week, I've taken a few. The one's of us sitting together were taken on our date night to Old Chicago... man, if you haven't been there, you should make a serious effort to try and go, their Sicilian Pepperoni Rolls are to DIE for! The other pictures are of Karnell trying to clean his windshield, without much success... Stay tuned for birthday and Christmas pics!

105... and still counting!

This is my great grandmother... her name is Rodell Walker and she just turned 105!

My great grandmother is a huge inspiration to my family and I thought how appropriate to blog about her. If you ever get the chance to meet her, you will leave a completely changed person. I don't see how anyone that is as old as her can't have any wisdom. It is like she know's the "key" to life or something!

My grandmother has pretty much seen it all! She walks 3 miles a day and has seen all 50 states... 3 times! I haven't seen all 50 states once yet! She doesn't eat anything that we eat... she calls it "death on a plate". I am starting to believe her!

I know that this will probably sound very weird, but when she doesn't pass away, it will be a huge shock to us. We really aren't expecting her to pass away anytime soon. The last time she went to the hospital she was in her early 80's... for gall stones. She truly is the healthiest person I know.

She says that the key to life is to love the Lord, do what's right, and don't worry about anything else. I'm starting to really believe her! She also says to have a glass of wine... it relaxes you!! I love my great grandmother very much. She amazes me and makes me strive to be a better person.

She is in 100% great health. She takes no medicine, and remembers everyone... she even remembers my husband Karnell who she's seen only once... at my wedding (she was 102)! If 105 looks like my grandmother... than bring it on, because I want to live just like her! I love you grandma!

Karnell's Drumming

So for those of you that may not know a lot about me, my husband, Karnell is an amazing drummer. He has been playing for 29 years!!! He's been playing longer than I've been alive! Well, since he is such an amazing drummer he decided to try competitive drumming. Every year there is a HUGE drum off held at Guitar Centers all around the US. It's the biggest drum competition in the world!

Karnell has been in the competition 3 times now. He first played in KC... he didn't even place. Then last year he competed here in Springfield and WON!!! He won the store finals, got some really cool prizes and off to Districts he went...or should I say we went (to Denver, CO). Well that's as far as he got, he didn't win Districts.

Well, this year he decided to compete again. We were very hopeful that he would make it to Districts again this year, and even on to Regionals. Karnell had been practicing for months on this really awesome and totally unique routine. I would sit there and time him... because he only had 3 minutes, and I would also critique him. You know, let him know how it truly sounded, and what he should do to make it better.

So the rules are you have to make it past store prelims, and then compete again in the store finals. Well, Karnell was off to a great start because he won the store prelims. That meant that he would have to come back on October 14 and compete again. This time it would be with all the winners and runner ups from all 3 weeks (6 people total). Well, when October 14 came, he was at a slight advantage because one of the drummers injured themselves and couldn't compete. So, next thing I knew they were drawing numbers to see which order they would play. Karnell was #4. He hates going towards the end, because he hears how everyone else is playing... and it puts him on edge.

Well, needless to say, Karnell didn't win this year. We were both shocked! We were not planning on him losing! I still think that Karnell did an amazing job! So you tell me what you think... Have a great day!

MY ANNIVERSARY!!!!

Well I would like to announce that today, October 1, is my wedding anniversary! Karnell and I have been married for 3 years today! I must say that this 3rd year around, came by rather slowly. Not saying that is a bad thing, it just seems like this particular year went by slow. In this fast paced world, nothing goes slowly, so it's a shock!

Karnell and I have seen a lot together in our 3 years of marriage. More than I would have seen all by myself. Not only have we seen a lot, we have gone through a lot. We've had to be there for each other more that I thought we would have to be.

Also in our 3 years of marriage, we have lost several friends and family. The more I think about it, the sadder I get. When you actually take the time to reflect, you realize that time really has flown by, and moves on.

I love Karnell very much. He is by far my very best friend. Karnell and I just yesterday was reflecting on our anniversaries in the past. Neither one of us can remember what we did last year for our anniversary! Which we find to be very hilarious... sad, but hilarious!

I don't regret the decision that I made to marry Karnell. He is definitely my "one in a million"! I love you babe. Happy Anniversary!

Friends...

This post is a contribution to a very dear and close friend of mine. Her name is Sarah. I went to school with Sarah way back in 3rd grade. Ever since then, we have been really good friends. We have been through a lot and have seen a lot together.

The reason that I am blogging about her is because I want to let everyone know that staying connected as friends is a two way street. Everyone has that "friend" that doesn't ever call them, or email... for all you know, they might not even live in the same city anymore. I would just like to say that Sarah and I have remained good friends for over 20 years!

Now with that being said, I just would like to add a side note. Sarah and I don't talk to each other every single day, and for that matter, we don't talk to each other every week. We are both very busy... she is a wife and has four children and lives in Blue Springs ( KC area), I am also a wife, and I have a very demanding full time job. I live in Springfield, MO.

Even though Sarah and I may not talk to each other for awhile, I know that at any moment, I can call her up, and she will make time to listen. The same applies to me. We also find ways of communicating other than phones... myspace, facebook, emails, blogs, etc. It is in moments like these that I can tell that we are meant to be friends. Nothing gets in our way of staying friends, and when we do talk to each other it's nothing but a good time.

Sarah, I would just like to say thank you for being there for me for over 20 years. You are such an amazing person and a great inspiration to me. Nobody makes me want to have children and be a great wife more than you do. I know that if you can do it, so can I... some day with the kid part at least! Even though we don't talk every single day, I feel very connected to you and your family. My prayer is that we have 20 more years of a truly great friendship. You aren't just a friend to me, you are like a sister. I want you to know that if you need anything, I want you to let me know. I love you and my prayer is that the Lord truly blesses you and your family for being such a dear, sweet friend to me. I love you, Sarah!

My new toy!

Ok, so if you know me at all, you would probably confirm that I am nothing but one big kid! I have my whole life to be "grown up". Well, let me rephrase that... I'm "grown up" when I have to be... Anyway, since I am a 6th Grade Abstinence Education Coordinator, I feel it very important to be able to reach and relate to them. I love entertainment systems... I've had one since the dawn of time. I fell in love with my Game Boy advance, then I upgraded to the Nintendo DS (which I had for over a year). I thought I would never sell it, oh, but I did... Guess what I got in its place... that's right, a PSP!!!! I absolutely love it! I can use it to store pictures, music, video's and games. It can go online, be used as a phone, transfer games from a PS3 to my PSP... it is WAY better than an ipod. I should know, I own one. I would go as far to say it's better than the itouch! Reason being, you can download apple software to my PSP and have the same functionality of an itouch on my PSP... for a fraction of the cost! You should totally get you one! If you do, get the bundle pack: it comes with the PSP, 1gig memory card, charger, battery, a game, and a video all for about 250 bucks brand new! I'm telling you, you won't regret it! So, everyone go get a PSP... you will love it, even if you don't play games, if you have an ipod or a mp3 player of some sort, you will love this! Now that's news you can use!