A Fresh Monday

Welcome back I tell myself as I start blogging for this lovely blog of mine! I can’t figure some of the website out, but still working on it. This week has been amazing, from lots of food (YUM) to family, friends, talking to ones I thought I didn’t like, being able to put some past issues to rest, and really writing out my blogging calendar (still working on that tonight). I am so blessed and glad to be back to writing! I got stuck for a moment, I couldn’t think of what I wanted to say, what I wanted to do, how to get my blog to where I want it to be…shoot to be honest, I also had writers block.

I started looking around blogs that I love to read, blogs that inspire me, blogs that helped me when I was starting out and just blogs I loved when I was at a low point in my life. Business blogs, lifestyle blogs, baby blogs, writing blogs…goodness, all types and I started learning what I wanted to do, blog. To this day, it is still hard to blog about things since I didn’t have a clear view of what I wanted to do. As I took this time off and really sat down, I know I write about a lot of stuff but it is just that “stuff” and I didn’t want my blog to be just stuff; I wanted it to be something different. 

So, I wrote a blog business plan, thanks to the SITS girls, check out their blog post here (http://www.thesitsgirls.com/make-money/create-a-business-plan-for-your-blog/) Thanks ladies!!

Now, I have a clear view of what I want: single mom lifestyle blog and how to go about it: that is my plan, not yours lol and I have a clear view of how to connect with others: start small…not big!

I am creating this blog as a Single mom lifestyle blog, featured and geared towards black single moms with twins…and if you aren’t black or don’t have twins, that is fine too…I love you all! I want to show a way to budget while being a single mom, a way to have a nice lifestyle while on said budget; I want to show a way to create awesomeness in the craziness of being that single mom on a budget. Most of all, I really want women all over to be inspired, to really want to move forward with their singleness, to be a bloggess of mass awesomeness. I want moms and women to feel the empowerment I want to bring, I want to seek out the women who don’t believe in themselves, I want to connect and partner with some amazing women owned businesses and give back to single moms. I want my blog to empower single moms and to really bring forth our ability to be more and go beyond “single moms”. I just want a blog that women (and men, if so) can come to and really connect.

With that being said, I have dedicated some of the next few weeks to work the errors out of each category I have, to really get the site up and running, to finishing connecting with others and really find awesome opportunities for other single moms out there. I have a business plan, a call to action for myself, and to blog like I’ve never blogged before! Super excited!!

Join me on this journey, really connect with me, sing up, join, and stay tuned for some more awesomeness!

Theme it Up

I think everyone should have a theme song. When I was younger we watched this Chinese movie and every time this little boy would appear his song would play and it was cute. Music is such a huge part of our lives, from the moment we hear a song we associate taste, sound, memories with it. For instance, I know where I was, what I was doing and eating when I heard Destiny’s Child Bills, Bills, Bills. I also remember what song was playing when life was interrupted during 9/11. Music is a huge part of our lives and it is sad that music programs in our schools are first to go and gym class…easy A.

Any who, back to theme songs. I think a theme song can dictate your day, just like prayer in the morning (or whenever), just like a good breakfast, a good song can make Zumba everlasting. For me, I think everyone should have that universal theme song, something that gets them through anything and everything, makes them feel undefeated, strong, and powerful. A song that you know is on your iPhone, your iTunes, Google Music, and more….a song that you can relate to on every level, that should be your universal theme song.

I also believe in the daily theme song. Listen to your daily theme song, something you know will be in your head all day besides your universal song, and then listen to it as loudly as possible on the drive to work, waiting in line someone (headphones please) or just jogging. This is a song that isn’t repeated during the week…well maybe, but a song that gets played during that moment of “Oh goodness…today is going to…” BOOM, that song comes on. This is your daily theme song!

Now, to get the full effect of a theme song, listen to each song or just one of them and think about those lyrics, how they will impact your day, how you can be empowered by this song and what it makes you feel. When you are walking into work, picking up kids from daycare, or simply being the awesome mom you are (or dad), let your songs play in your head and rock this day (and everyday) out!

My reasoning behind my theme song today is because I plan on doing big things here in the next few months and this upcoming year. Making some plans and I’m about to be upgraded to the next level of Erika.

Today’s daily theme song: Upgrade Ya by Beyoncé and Jay-Z (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nr8hPnZfMU) 

Blogtember

I love to blog…I think we all know that, at least the ones that follow and read The Life of Three. I think it helps people with all aspects of their lives and it makes you have insight to other factors of your life, you wouldn't have thought of. Any who, I joined a fantastic September challenge. I follow Phebe with Making MeEvents and I enjoy her pictures and her blog. I was reading a post and it was her September goals and I noticed she was doing a blogging challenge called Blogtember over at Story of My Life. I love this unique perspective and blog, it’s beautifully done. Challenged accepted! I missed Monday because of my miscount of days…hey, no judging I’m a single mom.

Today, I am writing about when my life took turn, a moment I will never forget, but I think there are many of those in life, like when my kids were born, when I started my event planning business, but the best one happened recently. I have always doubted myself, always trying out new things but the moment I hit the wall, I think the world is going to end…yes, I’m a drama queen. My mom was a fighter her whole life and then something happened and then she stopped fighting, just accepting everything. I learned that you needed to continue from her doing that, her giving up always made me doubt myself and my talents, so I never grew in my business. When I got older, I still had doubts but I had a sense of determination to succeed, to make it in this big bad world, to really be able to beat the odds that were set against me. My expectations of myself, my business, my kids are set really high and I needed them to be more realistic, however, I didn’t know how to do that. Recently, I took a lot of lows and never had any high moments, I was struggling with my personal life and professional being. I beat myself up over not being someone, but then I took stock in my life.

I have two healthy, vibrant kids, who made everything in life so bright and amazing, I survived being screwed over by someone I trusted, I was growing my business (slowly but surely), finding renewed strength in myself, becoming powerful in my own mind and rights, I had a business that placed 4^th ~Top 5~ in Denver’s A List Best Wedding Planner, which took me over the moon. I had so much blessings, that I told myself it’s time to work. A few months ago, I believed everything everyone had told me: from being worthless to being stupid in my feelings and thoughts, to growing up in a house where if you failed, it was what it was, to the self-doubts I had even told myself.

A few months ago, I believe all those lies, but then a month later, I took stock of everything I had and even the things I didn’t have, but wanted, not materialistically but just to help me and my kids to live easier. I told myself it was time to stop believing the past, to stop thinking those thoughts, to move forward and upward, to claim a spot in this world, to fight back, to be me and love the “me” I am. I finally put my foot down and it’s helped me have a solid point in my life, a turn that allows me to see where I am going, where I want to be, and how I plan (key word there) on being there. To really push forward, know I am worth everything I am, everything I want to be, and know that being me is simply ok with me. 

Hello Again!!

Its been such a while since my last post. Lots of things have happened!!!

First, my twins have grown. We went to AZ after their yearly checkup and they were above average on their growth and weight! Super awesome! I love being their mom, they amaze me everyday and continue to make me smile no matter what. I do stress out over things and make little things huge but my kids always seem to make things better and oh so...ok.

Second, I have fallen in love with Joel Carpenter and he has my heart. Who would've thought that I would be in love with a man I never thought of as my future mate?! He is simply wonderful and the kids love him so much and yes, he treats them as his own, like he is their dad. I am falling in love with him and its so nice! Ive never been this happy and its amazing!

Third, I joined My Media Savings which pays me to post their coupons or samples on my blog (check out the next page)! I just post pictures and reviews of the samples, however, I would LOVE LOVE LOVE for you all (my lovely followers) to click on the link and help me get a little (yes, little) paycheck and support my sample and coupon habit!

Fourth, I have decided to work from home. Its been really nice being at home and I tried going to work today..it sucked! From clocking in to clockin out. I need to motivate myself a bit more for my Party Lite and start getting some people to host parties, either online or in their home.

I am sorry I havent posted a while and I promise to do better!! Blogging and having followers and being online and blogging and reading other mom blogs and just being a bloggy mom as been so AWESOME and a great relief. So, I leave you this midnight and will post my first sample for you all tomorrow morning..John F. and the next one is Teleflora!!