What Children Need Most....

Yup, this pretty much sums it up! Give a child guidance but let them lead the way. Children want to explore their world and I am their to support and encourage their journey. I take the time to show them I care and appreciate them. The reward of displaying this type of behavior listed in this quote is glorifying. Helping children is what I live for and making sure I can aid in their growth leaves a soft spot in my heart!

Ashton the Artist

Drawing By Curtis "Ashton" (Age 7)

 

 

My Son loves to draw and he lives to play soccer!

 



He drew me this picture today after their last game of the season. He can not wait for the fall season to start already. They are undefeated! Their game this morning ended early due to the fact that they scored eight goals and the other team did not have any. He eats, sleeps and breaths this sports. When you see my son, he is always carrying or kicking a soccer ball.

(Meet the Pink Panthers and their coach. Ashton is in the front to the right of his coach and his sister is next to him.)

 

 

I love when children draw. It is their opportunity to express themselves in a nonverbal way. They can be creative and tell about their work in a way that makes them feel as ease and more open to communicate with others, especially teachers.

Me When I Was Three

 

 

As I look at this this picture, I see all three of my children in it. My son has my eyes. My middle child makes the same funny expressions like this one. And my baby girl has my lips and nose. AMAZING!

 

This was my third birthday party. I do not remember a thing from this day, so I asked my dad. He informed me that I was a very busy young lady and I demanded all of the attention in the room at all times. My cousins, aunts, uncles, parents and grandparents all gathered on this day to celebrate my birthday. My family is pretty huge, so nothing is ever a small get to gather. He also explained when it was time to sing Happy Birthday and cut the cake, I became shy. Hence this crazy pose and look on my face! 

 

Pictures are a great way to hold on to your memories (even if you don't remember them). They are also great conversation starters. I enjoyed the things my father could recall from the photo.



My Supports

I am so blessed to have supportive people in my life!

  

 

I surround myself with positive people that provide encouragement and emotional help. They are there to pick me up when I fall and embrace me when I  am feeling down. They motivate me to be the best (Mother, Teacher, Friend, and soon to be wife) I can be.

 

Let me introduce some of my great supporters:    

 

My parents are my rock. They have supported me since day one! I have an amazing relationship with my parents. They are my backbone. No matter how big or small my problem is they are right there,  My mother and I work together at the family daycare. She is my biggest cheerleader. She encourages me to face to unknown. Her words of encouragement are so powerful: "If you don't try you will never know" "Be a leader not a follower."  My favorite one is "pray about it, give it to God and watch him work." My dad is my go-to guy. In my eyes, my father has all the answers to life's questions. It is hard to put in words to motivator that he is to me. I try not to let a day go by without talking to him. When I call him or he calls me, we say "that's wired I was just about to call you." It is also eerie that every time I am in a situation or I am feeling down, I get a call from him. It is like he knows I need him at that moment. My parents stills watch over me, protect me and guide me. I would not have it any other way, Because of them I consider myself to be a very supportive friend.

My friends are the best group of girls any female could ask for. We support each other. They are my outlet. I cry, they cry. I laugh, they laugh, I hurt, they hurt. I can pick up the phone at any time and they are there for me. I think they play a vital role in my life. It is nothing like surrounding yourself with good people. The type of people that hold you up not put you down. Friends that love to see you doing well and enjoying what life has to offer. I would be lost without these girls. 

My fiance' is my rib. Together we are raising three beautiful children. He completes me. The support that we display to one another is healthy and unconditional. He is always willing to "go the extra mile" for us. He  protects us and we feel safe and warm. Feeling this ways makes it easier to run a household. I am so blessed he is in my life.
  
My co-workers and I are a TEAM. We listen to one another and share ideas. I believe that you have to have a great support system when you work with children. Our staff is not only colleagues, we are family and friends. We have each others backs and provide help when needed. If we did not have this type of atmosphere at the center, I think we would not  have an effective daycare. Children do what they see and say what they hear. This is why is it important to lead by example!

I would like to thank all of my supporters past and present!

 

My Connections to Play

Play, Play, Play........ Have you played today?

Growing up all I can remember was playing. Being raised in the city, most of my play was in the  home. I would make my mother and aunt play store. I was always the cashier. I would also dress up play dress up and have a fashion show when my cousins would come over. This is a picture of my two girls playing dress up.

 Coloring and drawing were my favorite things to do. Although my parents brought me many toys to play with but I never really liked to play alone unless is was with my Barbies and my dollhouse. This is a picture of my girls dollhouse. Mine was not quite as big. I held on to it until I was far in my teenage years. At my dad's house, him and I would ride bikes, play at the playground and work on cars. Although we were engaging in fun, it was also our bonding time.

 

 

  I am a only child but I have hundreds of cousins. We would gather at my grandparents house on many occasions. They lived on a farm with more than 50 Acers of land and it was near the water. We would go outside and play for hours. Some of the things I remember doing was playing hide and seek, red light green light, tag, rely racing, catch, dodge ball, monkey in the middle, and baseball. We would climb trees, go fishing, catch insects, and make something out of anything.

 

 

 

This is my daughter playing with butterflies that we watched grow and set free. I too love to catch butterflies.

 

My cousins and I didn't let the weather stop us. We would play in the rain and jump in mud puddles as long as it was not lightening. When it was snowing we would build snowmen, make snow angels, go sliding with anything we could find around the yard and have snowball fights. When nightfall came we would catch lightening bugs, make campfires and sit around them with marshmallows  and tell stories. In my grandparents house, we would play board and card games. Believe it or not we still do many of the things listed above today. My grandparents are no longer living but we still meet at their house regularly for great food, entertainment and most of all playing.

 

 

I think my family as a whole played a vital role in how I played. Because I come a extremely large family and even tough I am an only child, I can not pin-point one person in particular. My mother and father always supported play. They separated when I was two but remained friends and raised me accordingly. At the age of three, I was placed in a learning center. This was not the norm for children my age and background but my parents felt that this was the best place for me to grow, learn and play. Other friends and family my age were either at home or at the babysitters until they were old enough to attend school.  I felt my mom and dad were always in tune when it came to how and what I did whether it was sports, music, or just hanging with friends. Being around so many cousins who were older and younger than me also was important in how I played. We got into fights, took turns sharing, expressed our feelings and opinions, listened to each other, cried together, and laughed often. These things were all imperative ways that supported my playing and developed  me into the playful teacher and mother that I am today!

Always remember................

 



 

 

 

 

 

Relationship Reflection

Ever since I can remember, I have been building strong and positive relationships. I owe all the credit to my family. Meet my mother, she  is one of sixteen.

Yes sixteen!!! (four are deceased)

They all get along and love one another unconditionally. On occasion they may argue or disagree but always make up.My grandparents were amazing people. They instilled in their children that it is vital to stay connected and have each others backs.  My mother is one of my best friends. Ruth and I do everything together! We currently work together. Her and her sister (Pat) own and operate a day care center. I love my job because surrounded by family and co-workers whom have become family. We all want to best for the children and work hard as a team to ensure that this happens.

This photo of my coworkers/family was taken last Halloween!

 

 My father (photo'd above with my children) is the oldest out of his siblings. His name is Leonard but everyone calls him "Lenny." My dad is AWESOME!! (My friends will get that!)  My parents separated when I was two years old. Although I lived  with my mother. My dad was very active in my life. I am truly a "daddy's girl" and would not have it any other way. My father is my biggest cheerleader! His motto is "Life is good."  He is my outlet. I can call or go and visit him and we can talk for hours. Lenny has a sister and two brothers. His father passed away when is ten but I remember the times he would pick me up and we would just hangout. My grandfather always worked but he found the time to bond with me and build a relationship that I will never forget. My dad's mother is the only grandparent I have left and boy is she an amazing women! After church today, my children and I gave her a visit. She greeted us at the door with big hugs and kisses. She is probably one of the first people I developed a relationship with.

Taken today at Grandma's

Last but my least, my friends! They are the true definition of friendship. We have grown together, supported each other, cried on shoulders, laughed uncontrollably, and vaction frequently together. Many people say that a true friend is hard to come by, well I'm blessed to call several people mine. The friendships that I have with them are all different but we all trust and loved each other unconditionally.

This picture was taken last year at my birthday weekend celebration!

As I look forward, I want to set a good example for my children of what it is to be a true friend. I want them to know that everybody that they might think is their friend may not be. I also want them to  able to tell the difference.

Meet my trio: Ashton/7, Cailah/6, & Courtney/2

 

Their father and I meet in High School but didn't date. I ran back into him about ten years ago and we have been together ever since. Next year we are getting married and I cant wait. Our friendship is very genuine. Him and I know that we are role models for our children so we act and communicate accordingly.

 

Through the years I have come across some people that called themselves my friend but instead they tried to use me or hold me back for their own personal advantages. These type of people only made me stronger and if I didn't have them in my life at some point to show me how to not be that type of friend, I would not be the women I am today!