"None of us suddenly becomes something overnight. The preparations have been in the making for a lifetime.- Gail Goodwin


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...


And these are the classes I took...

There are definitely some areas I fell short, some things I need to change subtly and some things that need a major overhaul and I'll get to all of those in the next post. For now, I'm patting myself on the back for a year well done.
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...

For Myesha: Think On This
What do you say to honor someone who's left you much too fast
when you took for granted the time you shared because you thought it would always last?
You might get consumed with anger or wallow in your tears
but for now let's take a moment to think about when she was here.
Think about her dimpled smile and how friendly she could be
and remember the rich sound of her laughing happily.
Think about the joy she spread to everyone she knew
and how even when she had little, she'd offer some to you.
Think about her as a mother and how proud she was of Jhai,
how much she truly loved him as the apple of her eye.
Think about all the good times you've spent with her, though they were much too brief
and let those memories bring you comfort in your time of grief.
For we can rejoice in knowing she is with our Lord above,
no longer feeling any pain, but covered in His love.
So when you think about Myesha, in all your pain and strife
go ahead and mourn her death but then celebrate her beautiful life!

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!
 Myesha Latrice Kingsberry, rest in peace.
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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?!?


Jayden was a very big helper. He kept wanting to hold her and make sure she was okay.

Aww she loves her auntie!

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!

And before we got back on the road we stopped at a waffle cafe to eat breakfast with my friend Veniesha and my beautiful goddaughter Shalina. {And if you look closely you'll see our hubby's in the background. Hi guys!}
The boys definitely had a good time.

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.
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