As we get closer and closer to the end of 2010 {already, really?} I figured it was time for me to take a moment and congratulate myself on the goals I've achieved this year. To kick things off, let's start with a really cute compilation of my facebook status updates in 2010...


My favorite status of the year has to be when we played the question and answer game. For those of you who aren't familiar, your facebook friends would ask you a question in your inbox. You'd then answer that question in your status without mentioning who it was who asked you the question in the first place. The question I loved answering the most was as follows:

Q: If you were single and without children how hard and long would you pursue acting as a career?

A: As long as it takes... which is the same answer that I have now even with the husband and kids. There's no set time. While I'd love to be a series regular on a hit TV show right now, that may not happen for 10 or 15 years. But guess what? I'll still be here trying to make it happen because I have to.

And I really believe that. Having a family doesn't change my goals, it just altars the way I go about attaining them.

Speaking of goals, here's what I accomplished this year...

• Produced my first project: Diary of a Wedding Planner. Though we are far from done, we have gotten 2 episodes shot and online for the world to see.
• Helped produce the pilot episode of the webseries Millie's 101 Things.
• Became SAG-eligible thanks to DWP.
• Booked a regular gig doing interstitials for Santa Monica's City TV.
• Got my first two listings on IMDb.
• Ate much more healthy than I ever have before.

And these are the classes I took...

• Killian's Commercial Workshop (4 weeks) LOVE and will be taking a refresher next year.
• Private Coaching with Amy Lyndon (1 60 min. session) She knows her stuff.
• Self-Management for Actors Seminar aka Class Rules! (5 weeks) Every actor should take this class.

On Friday we celebrated Myesha's homegoing. I use the word celebrate because though we were all grieving we used that time to remember the good times we had with her. It was nice to see family and friends who I haven't seen in over a decade. There was a lovely photo montage that played throughout the service and I read a poem that I wrote for her. Here it is...

Well this is a birthday I won't ever forget.

Today I celebrate the blessing of being able to see another year. The many blessings of having good health, a family who loves me, shelter, food, clothes, a car, all of my basic necessities met and all of which I'm thankful for.

Last year I didn't do anything for my birthday except bake a cake and listen to my sons and my hubby sing to me. Last year I was kinda bummed that that was all I did so this year I decided to do it up. I made plans at this awesome Cuban restaurant that offers salsa dancing lessons along with a live salsa band and even planned an afterparty at a hookah lounge. You'd think I was turning 30 by all the festivities {I'm not there yet, don't rush me} but I was just very excited to celebrate!

Until yesterday.

Yesterday my mom called me and said she was going to pray and fast for the rest of the day because my cousin Myesha, who had been in the ICU for the last 3 or 4 days, had taken a turn for the worse. Myesha had gotten an infection after being pregnant, but was an otherwise healthy girl so when she first went to the hospital I hadn't thought much of it. Sure I prayed but I still just knew she would be fine because she'd never really been sick before. After getting the call from my mom, however, I got a little nervous and prayed much harder this time. 20 minutes later I missed a call from my mom and I immediately knew why she was calling me back.

Myesha was young and vibrant and a mom to a 7 year old boy and we didn't expect this. I just saw her on Thanksgiving {so very glad I went out there now} and now I wish I would have spent some real time with her before coming back here. The toughest part is that her little brother's birthday is today too and I know he's hurting really bad right now.

So needless to say, I don't really feel like dancing anymore. I'd rather eat dinner and enjoy the cupcakes that I  woke up to this morning {thanks Stephen!} and just be with my husband and my boys. Same as last year but it's funny how different your perspective can be when you remember how short life is and what's really important. So yes, I'm still gonna celebrate, just in a much more intimate way. I'm sure my boys will still sing to me and right now that's all I want.

To any of you who are inclined to wish me happy birthday, thank you in advance! I appreciate the love and I am truly truly grateful to see another year.

And to those of you who believe in prayer, please lift up the Kingsberry family right now, that's the best gift you can give.

I love you cousin!

Over Thanksgiving I went back home to Vegas to spend time with my family and meet my new niece, Ava Christine. She was just over 2 weeks old when these pictures were taken. Isn't she beautiful?!?



I spent one of the nights with Kaymen, one of my best friends from high school, watching the film "Burlesque" {totally mad at myself for not taking one single dance class this year!} and drinking yummy Oatmeal Cookie Martinis at Friday's. Delish!


It was nice to get away from everything industry related and just spend some time with family and friends... but now it's back to work. Only 21 days left before this year is over, gotta make them count.