Meli Monday - No Justice for Trayvon Martin

Myself, as well as many of you, I assume ~ are heartbroken, sad, disgusted over the Trayvon Martin trial outcome.  It hurts my soul so deeply to see this country in the shape it is in.  The Justice System....is flawed, to say the least. 

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And we now know, it wasn't an alleged murdered....but a murderer, who was aquitted.

So what comes next?

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Because this is NOT gonna work. 

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As AMERICANS we should ALL STAND and see to it that JUSTICE is served and that Trayvon Martin did not die in vain.  With skittles and juice in his pockets.  CIVIL RIGHTS ARE CIVIL RIGHTS!!!

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I, too, am tired.  And this time...I AM NOT GIVING UP!!!!! 

Where did I leave off last time?  Ahhh, yes, NEW BEGINNINGS.   Up next....

Oklahoma, in prayer

It is absolute heart ache to hear and see the images of devestation and the aftermath left in Oklahoma today. 

My prayers remain strong, consistent and plentiful. 

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Tragedies strike often.  This is apart of our world...but when young, innocent children are involved, it makes that sting so much more.  Some of the images I have seen tear me apart. 

Our Oklahoma family is safe.  For now.  More strong storms are expected.  They need our prayers.

We had plans to visit Oklahoma this week.  We have a cousin who is terminally ill with cancer and we wwere hoping we could visit with him before the inevitable.  Right now that visit is on hold.

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Manic Monday - 11.19.12

We should all be thankful for 

{and she does for me}

those people who rekindle the inner spirit. 

~ Albert Schweitzer 

Wishing you and yours a fabulous, beautiful and loving Thanksgiving!  Thank you for sticking by me. Today marks a year of a very trying time for me.  I am thankful for hope.  Thankful for the chance to begin again.  Thankful for a bright new day.  Cheers! 

My Matilda Jane {online} Trunk Show - November 1, 2012

I am hosting a Matilda Jane Trunk Show showcasing the Fall & Winter Collection...Heart- Soul- Pride....this Thursday, November 1, 2012 and I really hope that you will join me. 

If you are interested in snatching up some one of a kind, head turning pieces for your lil' ones and your wardrobe, email me at 

melifaif@yahoo.com

Kindergarten - Picture Day!

I think she will be a cutie in her Kinder Year Book Picture....what say ye!?!

deja vu...checking on Layla's lil ticker again...

In October 2010, this was Layla...

In September 2012, this was Layla...

She has not outgrown what the doctor would have hoped she would have outgrown at this point.  She wore a 24 hour holter monitor yesterday and today.  We are gonna see what that shows.

Love and light and prayers requested.  

This Manic Monday calls for a Meli Monday

Here I am.  Just another Manic Monday.  Ohhhh ohhh....I wish it were Sunday.  'Cause that's my funday.  {had to.}

So anyway....I don't come 'round these here parts very often anymore.  In case you noticed.  In case anyone is still reading.  {hello?  anyone...}

While I still have a whole lot going on...I don't have much free time.  Here's a picture breakdown for you...because pictures speak a thousand words {or so they say} and I just can't find the time.  {This Meli Monday is brought to you via GiGi's suggestion.}

{first there was this.  Layla turned 5!}

So this Five-Year-Old Family celebrated the best way we knew how.  And now are damn near broke because of the extravagance.  Worth it?  You betcha!

{momma and her girl}

{THE five year old!}

{daddy and his girl}

And then came this...

Yes, that is my car.  With a very broken driver side window.  Thank you asshat.  Some people suck.  Real bad-like. 

But not enough to keep us from taking our girl to see The Lion King Off Broadway. 

{She loved it.}

{And so did we.}

She is rocking at gymnastics...and we will soon have to find her a new gym to train and continue learning.  Sad about this one...

And I can't recall...did I mention she is F.I.V.E. now!?!

Oh I did!?!  Isn't she special?

I think so!  And I can't believe she is five freakin' years old already...I wish she would just STOP!  {ha!  get it?}

But I know she won't.  And she also won't stop loving ladybugs and acorns any.time.soon!

Oh so true....we register her for Kindergarten tomorrow!

Momma is soooo not ready for all this!

Manic Monday - 08.06.12

I am mentally preparing myself for the five-year-old mind.

I want to come down to their physical limitations

and up to their sense of wonder and awe.

~ Shinichi Suzuki

have I mentioned the crazy!?!

My world is absolute insanity right now!  And I am longing for these "boring" and quiet Oklahoma days again...

Did you know many {mainly Hispanic} 15 year old girls celebrate what is know as a Quinceanera?  They are celebrating becoming a young woman.  This stuff is like a mini wedding, as far as expense goes.  And dresses, and standing parties....

{typical quinceanera dress}

I've stood in many a quinceanera in my days.  I am from San Antonio, Texas, afterall. 

Well, my friends....I am currently planning my soon-to-be FIVE year old daughter a mini CINCO year-agh party!!!!  Get it?  Yeah, it is over the top and completely breaking me.

But, you should all know at this point....I'd do just about anything for my baby girl!  I mean, just look at that face!!!! 

6 months then.  Almost FIVE years old now.  **sniff sniff*

Pray for me.  It is on Saturday.  I will post all details next week.  It should be a rootin' tootin' good ole time ya'll!!!! 

let's take a goooooood look!

I have a lot to post on.  I took a blogging break because I was in one of those too-busy-no-time-not-much-to-post-about-lows! 

You all know {or maybe not} that baby girl, indeed, needed SPECS!  She kept telling me.  I kept seeing the squints.  And I finally took her to a doctor to have her eyes examined.  And I sure am glad!  I know she will see clearly now when kindergarten starts in LESS THAN SIX WEEKS!!!!  {holy mother...I may faint}

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She rocks em out well!!! 

Manic Monday - 07.16.12

Sometimes,

{1st set of braids}

you like to let the hair do the talking!

{after taking out said braids}

~ James Brown

p.s. No, I did not, nor could I braid her hair.  And yes, I love the curls more!!!

slacking and lacking....but now it's time for super DOOPER sunshine!!!

Yes, yes I know....if anyone is still reading here, I am honestly amazed.  To say that I have been slacking in the blogging arena, is a pretty gross understatement.  And lacking in visting my favorite blogs and leaving comments like I usually do.  No good excuse there.  I, myself, am just lacking. 

But, Super Sunshine Summer has kicked me in the arse and got me back to writing.  Even if it isn't anything that interests you much....I am back!

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Me!?!  I feel okay.  I still struggle daily with physical pain.  But, I push through and try to enjoy life as much as I can.  No one is promised tomorrow.  And Summer helps me remember, we are in charge of our own attitude in life.  We can sulk.  Or we can SHINE!  I CHOOSE TO SHINE!!!!

Summer shines in an unbelievable way.  The disease she is fighting would bring most to their knees.  Make most stop a lot of things they do.  Not her, she pushes through.  And through it all, she comes up with the SUNSHINE PROJECT, which I am taking part in for the first time.  Summer....this one is for you! 

Join in and link up!  Basically, you post a picture, a story, anything that brings SUNSHINE to your world.  I can do that. 

And I will start with a silly little word and phrase that my almost FIVE year old said to me the other night right before bed.  Ya'll will most definitely not thinking it is as funny as we did...but it is something I never want to forget and since my Lindsay said, "you need to blog that, for real!" I will!!! 

Layla:  "Mommy?"

Mommy:  "Yes, baby girl...."

Layla:  "WHEN I WAS TWO, I POOPED IN MY DOOPER!"

Us:  *Bust.Out.Laughing!!!!!*

{we giggle alot!}

{Naturally Beautiful shirt via Cotton Laundry which also brings the sunshine!}

Girlfriend, meant to say diaper, but got tongue tied and DOOPER came out!  One of our favorite sayings now.  SUNSHINE!!!

We recently returned from a week long trip to Oklahoma for Layla to visit her SEVEN cousins and for Richard to see his brother and sister.  SUNSHINE!!!

I will post in more detail about that later, because BOY! there is alot to say...and lots of kids, so I will space that one out.  But I did snag a few heart warming pictures that scream SUNSHINE!!

On our way back to Houston I needed to stop and visit with my Honey in San Antonio.  Life is precious, and this sweet soul is slowly withering away.  It breaks my heart. I wish life wasn't cruel like that, but I can always count on her to....bring the SUNSHINE!!!!!

Have a sunshine-y weekend.  Hope to see you 'round these here parts a lil more often.  Cheers!