This is Us

nbc.com

Have you seen this show?!! I love it!

The older I get, the more I enjoy entertainment that is real, complicated, and tells a good story. I'm alllll about a good story. With that, I have been lovin' the new NBC comedy-drama, "This is Us". It's about a white family who adopts a black son to replace the triplet they lost. They end up with a daughter who struggles with her weight, a son who is a B-list actor, and a son who has a high-paying job that no one really understands in addition to a wife and 3 kids. I won't spoil the show for you, but it is amazingly well-done. It covers themes of love, family, race, and life oh-so-well.

Check it out on Tuesday nights on NBC!

Why I have to study Spanish

blackgirllatinworld.com

"Promise Auntie one thing... That you'll learn another language. It's the way our country is going. Believe now; I'm telling you the truth."

These words from my aunt have been gently nudging me. "Is that You, Lord?"

I've been studying Spanish on and off for the last 14 years...and I'm still not fluent. Shameful, I know. And I'm so afraid.

Afraid of failing. Lazy and afraid to mess up during practice.

But that is coming to an end. I HAVE to study Spanish. Looking at projections, Spanish is/will be the 2nd most spoken language in the United States. It's a beautiful language! Here are my other reasons though:

1. I like when I'm able to communicate with people in their native language.
2. I like the way that it surprises people when a black girl with a clearly Southern accent (proving she's not "Dominican") starts speaking Spanish.
3. I like to show off...so I like the effects of #2.
4. This will open up my travel and employment opportunities.
5. Maybe I'll marry a Latino and have bilingual babies! Speaking the language will help me converse with family members who may not speak English.

My babies!

Click here to order (redbubble.com)

So I've wanted to be "the cool auntie" for a long time. I finally have gotten my opportunity! No, I don't have a sister or sister-in-law who has kids. Over the last two years, I've gotten a chance to be a part of a family that I started out "serving". Now, they might as well be like "blood family".

I never knew you could fall so in love with someone else's kids! We've gone to the movies, shopping, out to eat, to the park, had sleepovers, done crafts, and much more!

One thing that I used to do when I first started to babysit them was to read a children's book entitled, The Jesus Storybook Bible . It's a wonderful book of Bible stories! They loved it! I need to start taking it again if I ever watch them again as a way to teach them about Jesus. I pray that they would come to accept Christ early in life and be powerful witnesses for Him!
Are you a cool auntie? What do you do with your nieces and nephews?

Let it Snow!

merrydotdandy.com

With forecasts of snow all over the Mid-west heading East, I just wanted to get home.  While I LOVE just looking outta the window watching snow fall and cover the Earth...I just wanted to get home for Christmas to be with my family, and the snow was holdin' me up, man!

Snow is so beautiful...

Ssssyyyykkkkkkkkkeeeeeee.  Snow is overrated. Ha-ha-ha. While beautiful, it tends to slow my pace.  Looking at it from another angle...snow helps me realize that I am not in control, that things and events in life are just "things," and reminds me of the majesty of God.  I mean, look at that photo!

Job 37:6 "He says to the snow, 'Fall on the earth,' and to the rain shower, 'Be a mighty downpour.'"

Family as a TV Show

Hello there!  Is your family funny enough to have their own sitcom?  I think mine is.  Simple, everyday events could easily make up episodes of our series.  And ya know what we'd call it...Family.  That simple.  The characters in my family (grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and all!) really are just that - characters.  Picture it (based on real events):


Set the scene. 11:39 pm.  Saturday night.  McDonald's Dollar Menu options end at 12 am and it's a 7 minute drive from the house...
-"I'm hungry. I think I'm gonna go to McDonald's. I got a taste for some fries" says the sister who's broke.
-"Oooo! That would be good. Can you pick me up a sundae?" asks Mom.
-"Sure" says the one who ain' got no money.
(Question: How she gon' buy anything for ANYONE??? She's BROKE!!!!!!!)
Brother enters.
-"Ay! I want somethin', too!" exclaims Brother.
-"You got some money?!" asks the one who ain't GOT NO MONEY.
-"Yeah.I got a lil' bit. Here" (he hands her two-one dollar billls and two quarters).  "Get me two uh' dose dollar chicken sandwiches and a cup uh water."
-"WHAT?!" exclaims the one who ain' got no money.  "WE GOT WATER AT HOME!"
-"Yeah, but the water at McDonald's IS FREE!"
Mom shakes head.
-"Mom, whatdoyou (yes, it's all one word) want?" (to eat that is) asks the broke one. "I'll pay for it."
-"I'll give you the money.  I know you ain' got it. I just want a sundae. Whatareyougonnaget?" (all one word) asks Mom.
The broke one gives Mom the STANK eye.
-"Nuggets and fries" says the broke one and looks at Brother. "You drivin'?" asks the ONE WHO AIN' GOT NO MONEY!!!!!!
-"Naw! Why you think I gave you the money?!" shouts Brother.
The one who ain' got no money goes and grabs her car keys. Then Brother says...
-"Ok, I'll drive. I just gotta pump up my back tire first cuz it's flat. And you know my A/C don't work."
-"I'LL DRIVE" she says.
They all start walking toward the front door when they passed the kitchen and Mom is hit wit a thought and exclaims...
-"I got everything y'all wanna eat in the freezer. We can just eat at home."

HA-HA-HA. At that point it was 11:52.  They probably could have made it to McDonald's JUST in time and ordered before the Dollar Menu options got knocked off the board by the late night menu...well..if there was no line when they got to McDonald's. This family is absolutely jovial!

They had everything they needed RIGHT THERE.  And it was FREE for them.  Their mom had already paid for everything and their dad made sure that all of the arrangements for that were taken care of. Thinking about this reminds me of the Gospel. Jesus is pretty much RIGHT THERE.  Salvation is FREE.  Jesus already PAID the price for our sins and His DAD made sure that all of the arrangements for that were taken care of.  GLORY to the One who paid it all!  And blessed be the Father of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

Til next time,
U.M.