Hey Gang!
I've been fighting to write this post but here it is and here we go. So let me tell you what I've been struggling with as of late...my weight. As a matter of fact, I've been down right fighting the air about my weight. I can't even blame it on having 2 babies...I had just stopped, dropped, and roll on the weight loss train. Well, let me back it up just a minute. My weight has always fluctuated but I've had it under control and could lose weight with ease...until I turned 30. When I turned 30, my metabolism chunked the deuces and left the building. It also didn't help that my husband was cooking cream cheese brownies, sticky buns, biscuits from scratch, and the list goes on. AND I was that active either. So when I turned 31, I decided to do something about it. And guess what happened...just guess... I became pregnant. During my pregnancy, I had gained only 20 lbs. After giving birth, the snap back was real thanks to breastfeeding. However, when I returned to work, bad habits crept back and so did the weight. I then told myself that I wasn't going to be fat for my next pregnancy and proceeded to get back to working out and making better food choices. Guess what happened...you guessed it...I become pregnant with baby #2 and I'm sick to my stomach about my weight. Sigh... This pregnancy I only gain 20 lbs and again the snap back was real and again when I returned to work, bad habits. The cycle continues...
Because of my weight, I don't like to take pictures anymore which sucks because I want my kids to have picture memories of me engaging with them when I'm long gone. I want them to be able to show their kids and their grand kids and so on. Around March of this year, I looked in the mirror and became angry. My scrubs were fitting a little too snug, I couldn't fit any of my clothes and I was still wearing my maternity clothes. I called my bestie who was killing it in weight loss and told her I was tired of being fat and asked her to be my accountability partner. So I went hard in the paint and lost 10 lbs in a month, then my grandfather passed away and all that hard work went right out the window. As much as I hate to admit it, I became depressed. My grandfather was my best friend and to not be able to talk to him again hurt. I gained all the weight that I lost weight back and was upset all over again. But this time I really wasn't that motivated to do anything about it. So my bestie allowed me to have my moment but a few weeks ago she got back on me and said that I have my family to live for and to get back on track. So after week 1 one of getting back at it, I'm happy to report that I'm down 2 lbs.
So why am I writing this? Well, losing weight for some is easy and hard for others. I just want to encourage you to stay in the fight. I want to encourage myself and stay in the fight. I have a goal to lose 8-10 lbs a month and to get back to my size 10-12. If the scale is discouraging you, throw it away! Try doing body measurements and track your progress that way. Don't let a number stop you from being your best you. Grab an accountability partner and get it in. Start now! You can do this! I can do this! I want to live a long and healthy life and as long as I have breath it's not too late! Until next time...love you guys!
Love,
Doc J
Friday, August 31, 2018
Saturday, August 4, 2018
I'm BAAACCCKKK...I Have A Confession...
Hey Gang!
Did you miss me?!? How have you guys been. I know, I know, it's been 4 years since my last blog post. Don't beat me up. I'll get more into why it's been so long later in the post, but let me catch you guys up on my life. Hubby and I will be celebrating 5 years of marriage in September. Since my last post, I've had 2 beautiful sons, Jeffery (JP3) and Jacob. JP3 is now 3 and Jacob is 1 and they are our heartbeats and headaches all at the same time. There is nothing that can prepare you for motherhood but I thank God for my 2 little blessings.
I have many journeys that I am embarking on in this season of my life and it is my plan to share the good, the bad, and the ugly with you all in hopes that it will inspire you to greatness and to be able to hold one another accountable to reaching our goals. It's one thing to dream but it's a totally different monster to actually do. Doing is the hard part! It all began when I read "the life changing magic of tidying up" by Marie Kondo. As I began to declutter our home, I quickly began to realize that my whole life needed work. This led to the journey of debt freedom and financial independence. I have been listening to some great podcasts that have inspired me as well as my husband to get our finances in order. And finally, I need to get me together...emotionally, spiritually, and physically. It hit me that my whole life was/is filled with clutter and I was neglecting self in the process.
So about why I haven't written in 4 years... part lazy, part exhaustion, mostly a cluttered life, and a whole lot of fear. During my first marriage, it placed on my heart to write a book. At that time, I began writing about my journey of being a stepmother. A few months after that, I was going through a divorce and life took a turn. During that time, I was talking to my minister and out of the blue, he says that my marriage is what my book is suppose to be about. I looked at him with much confusion because I never told anyone that I was writing a book. He helped me during that time to find my voice and I began writing. It was also during that time I started blogging to help keep me on task with writing. I'm old fashion, so I was writing in a journal and then I began typing the things I had written. As I started reading what I had written, a huge cloud of doubt, fear, embarrassment, etc. came over me and I brushed it to the side. So for 4 years, I've made no progress. For 4 years, I've had friends ask me about how the writing was going and with embarrassment, I would say nonexistent.
A few days ago I was listening to the His and Her Money Show Podcast (click to take a listen) and they were talking about past hurts and how those hurts can keep you paralyzed unknowingly. We often have just swept those hurts under the file folders of I'm OK, I've moved on, I've forgiven him/her, etc. That realization hit me like a ton of bricks and I became angry. I haven't been able to write the book because many of those past events were painful and for the past 6 years, I've been just filing those hurts away in the file folders. I discussed the podcast episode with my husband and he applauded my discovery. I fussed a little at him about not telling me that he saw me filing these hurts away but he felt that I had to come to the realization by myself and you know what...he was right. *I Love he!* He then said the most profound thing me: I told him that I needed to write this book to help others and he looked and said that I needed to write the book for me. *Again I love he* He told me to remove all the expectations behind writing and just write and that if I want to publish, publish. I truly love how supportive he is and when the man is right, the man is right. So to answer your question, I am writing and it's been very therapeutic.
So in my future posts, I will share my ups, my downs, the good, the bad, the down right ugly. I will be sharing my experiences with a C- section, VBAC, breastfeeding, and much more. If you would like to join me in any of my journeys, feel free to comment below and we'll walk through this thing called life together. Thank you all for your love and support and I look forward to sharing with you!
Love,
Doc J
Did you miss me?!? How have you guys been. I know, I know, it's been 4 years since my last blog post. Don't beat me up. I'll get more into why it's been so long later in the post, but let me catch you guys up on my life. Hubby and I will be celebrating 5 years of marriage in September. Since my last post, I've had 2 beautiful sons, Jeffery (JP3) and Jacob. JP3 is now 3 and Jacob is 1 and they are our heartbeats and headaches all at the same time. There is nothing that can prepare you for motherhood but I thank God for my 2 little blessings.
I have many journeys that I am embarking on in this season of my life and it is my plan to share the good, the bad, and the ugly with you all in hopes that it will inspire you to greatness and to be able to hold one another accountable to reaching our goals. It's one thing to dream but it's a totally different monster to actually do. Doing is the hard part! It all began when I read "the life changing magic of tidying up" by Marie Kondo. As I began to declutter our home, I quickly began to realize that my whole life needed work. This led to the journey of debt freedom and financial independence. I have been listening to some great podcasts that have inspired me as well as my husband to get our finances in order. And finally, I need to get me together...emotionally, spiritually, and physically. It hit me that my whole life was/is filled with clutter and I was neglecting self in the process.
So about why I haven't written in 4 years... part lazy, part exhaustion, mostly a cluttered life, and a whole lot of fear. During my first marriage, it placed on my heart to write a book. At that time, I began writing about my journey of being a stepmother. A few months after that, I was going through a divorce and life took a turn. During that time, I was talking to my minister and out of the blue, he says that my marriage is what my book is suppose to be about. I looked at him with much confusion because I never told anyone that I was writing a book. He helped me during that time to find my voice and I began writing. It was also during that time I started blogging to help keep me on task with writing. I'm old fashion, so I was writing in a journal and then I began typing the things I had written. As I started reading what I had written, a huge cloud of doubt, fear, embarrassment, etc. came over me and I brushed it to the side. So for 4 years, I've made no progress. For 4 years, I've had friends ask me about how the writing was going and with embarrassment, I would say nonexistent.
A few days ago I was listening to the His and Her Money Show Podcast (click to take a listen) and they were talking about past hurts and how those hurts can keep you paralyzed unknowingly. We often have just swept those hurts under the file folders of I'm OK, I've moved on, I've forgiven him/her, etc. That realization hit me like a ton of bricks and I became angry. I haven't been able to write the book because many of those past events were painful and for the past 6 years, I've been just filing those hurts away in the file folders. I discussed the podcast episode with my husband and he applauded my discovery. I fussed a little at him about not telling me that he saw me filing these hurts away but he felt that I had to come to the realization by myself and you know what...he was right. *I Love he!* He then said the most profound thing me: I told him that I needed to write this book to help others and he looked and said that I needed to write the book for me. *Again I love he* He told me to remove all the expectations behind writing and just write and that if I want to publish, publish. I truly love how supportive he is and when the man is right, the man is right. So to answer your question, I am writing and it's been very therapeutic.
So in my future posts, I will share my ups, my downs, the good, the bad, the down right ugly. I will be sharing my experiences with a C- section, VBAC, breastfeeding, and much more. If you would like to join me in any of my journeys, feel free to comment below and we'll walk through this thing called life together. Thank you all for your love and support and I look forward to sharing with you!
Love,
Doc J
Saturday, January 11, 2014
A Lesson from a 9 year old
Hey Gang!
I pray that everyone's 2014 is blessed thus far. I am a person who likes to reflect on my past and try to take those life experiences to strengthen my future. 2013 started out great. I brought in my 30th birthday in beautiful Jamaica, I became engaged to the man of my dreams and was married to him. On September 15 however, my life changed. Not just my life, but my entire family. My niece and baby sister were involved in a car accident. My sister sustained minor injuries, bruises, small puncture in her lung and a hematoma on her liver. My niece sustained traumatic brain injury, respiratory failure, tear in her intestine and bruised ligaments in her neck. When I saw both of them in the ER, I broke down. My hubby literally had to pick me up. I was a mess. Then I saw a pic of the car and I began to praise.
She was in PICU for 2 weeks and on the ventilator for 10 days. She remained in the hospital for an additional 2 weeks. Those 2 weeks were tough. She fought fevers, was placed on a feeding tube, and on so many different medications. But then I saw something amazing happen. She began miraculously getting better. She began speaking slightly, she began moving more, etc. She was discharged to come home for a few weeks in hopes that familiar surroundings would speed up her recovery and boy did it. The little things that we take for granted on a daily basis, she began to perform such as eating, sipping from a straw, etc.
Her feeding tube was removed and on December 30, she began inpatient rehab and has been doing great.
On yesterday, I attended a few of her therapy sessions and I was overjoyed.
To see my baby doing so well just brought tears to my eyes. When I returned home, I begin to reflect on some things and this is what I came up with.
1. God will put more on you than you can bare.
I read the post I posted when the accident occurred. I stated that I knew that God wouldn't put more on me than I could bear. I was fooling myself however. How can someone bear almost losing 2 loved ones the week of their wedding? Or that family member who is suffering from a debilitating disease? Or a child suffering, etc? I was really losing my mind during that time. I searched the scripture to see what was said on the topic. I was first taken to Job. Job went through some unbearable hardships. Then I thought about the hardships of the Israelites in bondage. Then to Christ's bearing the cross. Christ didn't want to face the cross but had to. Then the persecution of early Christians and began to realize that God will put more on you than you could bare. And as a matter of fact this statement isn't found anywhere in the bible. So I have made a vow to never say it again but accept every storm that I endure. He promises peace during your storm. I can truly admit that throughout it all, I had and continue to have peace. I didn't really understand why but I understood who. I trust God's will and His way in it all.
2. God will turn a tragedy to triumph.
Looking back on that day, there were so many uncertainties. But there was always one thing that was certain, God was in control. I have seen God work in my nieces life in such a miraculous way. I have seen here go from a ventilator, to talking, and soon walking. It is my prayer that she understands the testimony that has and that she will use that testimony to bring people to Christ. I learned that the devil is a punk for attempting to go after a child BUT God...*waves fan*
3. Life is short. Live every moment as if it's your last.
The craziness of the whole situation is that I had just spoken to my sister moments before the accident happened. This is a picture taken of my niece the day before the accident:
I pray that everyone's 2014 is blessed thus far. I am a person who likes to reflect on my past and try to take those life experiences to strengthen my future. 2013 started out great. I brought in my 30th birthday in beautiful Jamaica, I became engaged to the man of my dreams and was married to him. On September 15 however, my life changed. Not just my life, but my entire family. My niece and baby sister were involved in a car accident. My sister sustained minor injuries, bruises, small puncture in her lung and a hematoma on her liver. My niece sustained traumatic brain injury, respiratory failure, tear in her intestine and bruised ligaments in her neck. When I saw both of them in the ER, I broke down. My hubby literally had to pick me up. I was a mess. Then I saw a pic of the car and I began to praise.
She was in PICU for 2 weeks and on the ventilator for 10 days. She remained in the hospital for an additional 2 weeks. Those 2 weeks were tough. She fought fevers, was placed on a feeding tube, and on so many different medications. But then I saw something amazing happen. She began miraculously getting better. She began speaking slightly, she began moving more, etc. She was discharged to come home for a few weeks in hopes that familiar surroundings would speed up her recovery and boy did it. The little things that we take for granted on a daily basis, she began to perform such as eating, sipping from a straw, etc.
Her feeding tube was removed and on December 30, she began inpatient rehab and has been doing great.
On yesterday, I attended a few of her therapy sessions and I was overjoyed.
To see my baby doing so well just brought tears to my eyes. When I returned home, I begin to reflect on some things and this is what I came up with.
1. God will put more on you than you can bare.
I read the post I posted when the accident occurred. I stated that I knew that God wouldn't put more on me than I could bear. I was fooling myself however. How can someone bear almost losing 2 loved ones the week of their wedding? Or that family member who is suffering from a debilitating disease? Or a child suffering, etc? I was really losing my mind during that time. I searched the scripture to see what was said on the topic. I was first taken to Job. Job went through some unbearable hardships. Then I thought about the hardships of the Israelites in bondage. Then to Christ's bearing the cross. Christ didn't want to face the cross but had to. Then the persecution of early Christians and began to realize that God will put more on you than you could bare. And as a matter of fact this statement isn't found anywhere in the bible. So I have made a vow to never say it again but accept every storm that I endure. He promises peace during your storm. I can truly admit that throughout it all, I had and continue to have peace. I didn't really understand why but I understood who. I trust God's will and His way in it all.
2. God will turn a tragedy to triumph.
Looking back on that day, there were so many uncertainties. But there was always one thing that was certain, God was in control. I have seen God work in my nieces life in such a miraculous way. I have seen here go from a ventilator, to talking, and soon walking. It is my prayer that she understands the testimony that has and that she will use that testimony to bring people to Christ. I learned that the devil is a punk for attempting to go after a child BUT God...*waves fan*
3. Life is short. Live every moment as if it's your last.
The craziness of the whole situation is that I had just spoken to my sister moments before the accident happened. This is a picture taken of my niece the day before the accident:
Who would've guessed that my niecey poo would be fighting for her life on the very next day. Because of all of this, I have learned to live each moment as if it was my last. I've learned to tell people how I feel about them. I've mended some relationships and let go of unhealthy ones. I let people know how much they mean to me. I hold my friendships and relationships dear to my heart because you really never know. Life is precious and we must cherish every moment and live life to the fullest. Go after your dreams and stop making excuses!
4. My niece is the strongest person ever!
Again, to see where my niece was and to see where she is now....only God. She is so strong and is truly an inspiration not only to me but to many. She goes through each milestone in her life with the biggest smile. Her smile just lights up the room. I remember the first day she mouthed I love you to me. My heart melted. I foresee her being stronger than ever! She will always be my hero!
I can't wait to see how God will continue to use my niecey poo for his glory. I hope that through her recovery, people will see God's grace, mercy and goodness and flock to Him. Please continue to pray for my niecy poo, A'myia, and our family as we continue on the road to recovery and restoration.
Until next time.....
Love,
Doc J
Monday, December 30, 2013
One Moment In Time: Wedding Day Memories
Hey Gang!
I have been writing this for a while now and now that I have my pics now I can finish! Woot Woot! So I want to first shout out all of my vendors for our day. You guys were amaze balls. The other amazing this was the majority of my vendors were Jackson State University Alums. It was pretty cool. Any who, let's get to it....
On September 21, 5:30 am, I awakened to hurry to my hair appointment. It was pouring raining at this time. My hairstyle was inspired by YouTube tutorial by MahoganyKnots. My aunt Shannon hooked me up chile. My hair piece was the hair piece my step-mom wore her wedding day to my dad. Next was make-up by my boo Shari Wilson. Those who know me, know that I don't wear make up and I really don't like it. *shrugs* But my girl hooked me up. I wanted a natural look and then she asked if I wanted lashes. I laughingly declined but her and my mom talked me into it. Soooo...for the the first time in my life I wore lashes. It felt so weird at first but as time went by I got used to it. We were all having a blast, laughing and joking getting dolled up. Next was to get the dress on. Lord, who knew that a wedding dress was so freaking heavy! I don't think I want to ever wear another one ever again in life. For serious! Then enters Carlyn Photography and the magic begins. These guys went above and beyond the call of duty and I am forever grateful. So here was the end result:
So it is time for me to walk over to the venue and I was hidden in the bathroom. My paw and I were stashed in the ladies bathroom and we talked and laughed. He told me how proud of me he was and that I did good. I got teary eyed but my inner thug stopped it. *giggles*
So the big moment begins. I didn't have any jitters. I was more nervous about tripping and falling in that heavy dress. I walked in to Brian McKnight's Still in Love. When I walked in, I was in awe. It was beautiful! I couldn't imagine that it would be that beautiful. Shout out to Gooch Services for the planning and decor.
I look around I remember everyone that was there and who wasn't -_-. I then look at my boo and Lord does that man look good in a suit! Amen and hallelujah! I see him getting teary eyed and I'm all awwww but of course I hold on to my thug.
As my dad gives me away, boo whispers in my ear that I looked beautiful. *swoon*
The ceremony proceeds and all goes great.
THEN, my sis, Ms. Kiana Day, sangs like the angels in heaven and even made our minister go hmph. Chile she sang the Lord's Prayer like no other and had everyone looking for the collection plate and the alter to lay their burdens on. Woo Chile!
We are finally pronounced husband and wife and we march out to Earth, Wind and Fire's September. The party begins and our DJ, DJ Phingaprint, is jamming to the fullest.
As I've written before, earlier that week, my baby sis and niece were in a really bad accident. The day of the wedding my niece was still in a coma in PICU. As the wedding party was being reintroduced to every one, I saw my dad rushing to where we were in the foyer. He tells me that my niece had just awakened. I told him to eat something and then go. It was such a joy to know that my niecey poo was awake. We are then introduced as Mr. and Mrs. Jeffery Parker II and shimmy in to Beyonce's Love on Top. We then have our first dance to Brian McKnight's Love of My Life.
The food was amaze balls and the cakes....YAAAASSS!
Like the cake testing didn't do these cakes any justice. Thanks to Dream Cakes for an amazing job!
We then started having a blast dancing and taking pics in the photo booth. Let me stop here and thank Mojo Photo Booth for being so sweet. They actually called after the wedding to check on my niece and offer encouraging words and prayers. They really don't know how much all of that meant to me.
Next was the sorority song! Shout out to my sorors of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. *Skee-Wee* We had a blast.
Next were the toasts. If my sis Stephanie Berry, my matron of honor, didn't have me losing all my thug. And the party kept going!
As I reflect on that day through pictures and videos, I must say it was the most beautiful day ever! I plan to have a small "redo" of the ceremony once my niece begins to walk again and I imagine it to be just as emotional. I want to thank everyone who helped our day to be so special. I thank those friends and family who ran last minute errands, who flew in early to help out, keep me calm, relax, etc.I love you guys dearly. Thanks to all my great vendors. Thanks to the best and funnest bridal party ever! Thanks to everyone who made our day special and memorable. Please enjoy a few pics from our day! Until next time....
Love,
Doc J Parker :)
I have been writing this for a while now and now that I have my pics now I can finish! Woot Woot! So I want to first shout out all of my vendors for our day. You guys were amaze balls. The other amazing this was the majority of my vendors were Jackson State University Alums. It was pretty cool. Any who, let's get to it....
On September 21, 5:30 am, I awakened to hurry to my hair appointment. It was pouring raining at this time. My hairstyle was inspired by YouTube tutorial by MahoganyKnots. My aunt Shannon hooked me up chile. My hair piece was the hair piece my step-mom wore her wedding day to my dad. Next was make-up by my boo Shari Wilson. Those who know me, know that I don't wear make up and I really don't like it. *shrugs* But my girl hooked me up. I wanted a natural look and then she asked if I wanted lashes. I laughingly declined but her and my mom talked me into it. Soooo...for the the first time in my life I wore lashes. It felt so weird at first but as time went by I got used to it. We were all having a blast, laughing and joking getting dolled up. Next was to get the dress on. Lord, who knew that a wedding dress was so freaking heavy! I don't think I want to ever wear another one ever again in life. For serious! Then enters Carlyn Photography and the magic begins. These guys went above and beyond the call of duty and I am forever grateful. So here was the end result:
So it is time for me to walk over to the venue and I was hidden in the bathroom. My paw and I were stashed in the ladies bathroom and we talked and laughed. He told me how proud of me he was and that I did good. I got teary eyed but my inner thug stopped it. *giggles*
I look around I remember everyone that was there and who wasn't -_-. I then look at my boo and Lord does that man look good in a suit! Amen and hallelujah! I see him getting teary eyed and I'm all awwww but of course I hold on to my thug.
As my dad gives me away, boo whispers in my ear that I looked beautiful. *swoon*
The ceremony proceeds and all goes great.
THEN, my sis, Ms. Kiana Day, sangs like the angels in heaven and even made our minister go hmph. Chile she sang the Lord's Prayer like no other and had everyone looking for the collection plate and the alter to lay their burdens on. Woo Chile!
We are finally pronounced husband and wife and we march out to Earth, Wind and Fire's September. The party begins and our DJ, DJ Phingaprint, is jamming to the fullest.
As I've written before, earlier that week, my baby sis and niece were in a really bad accident. The day of the wedding my niece was still in a coma in PICU. As the wedding party was being reintroduced to every one, I saw my dad rushing to where we were in the foyer. He tells me that my niece had just awakened. I told him to eat something and then go. It was such a joy to know that my niecey poo was awake. We are then introduced as Mr. and Mrs. Jeffery Parker II and shimmy in to Beyonce's Love on Top. We then have our first dance to Brian McKnight's Love of My Life.
The food was amaze balls and the cakes....YAAAASSS!
Like the cake testing didn't do these cakes any justice. Thanks to Dream Cakes for an amazing job!
We then started having a blast dancing and taking pics in the photo booth. Let me stop here and thank Mojo Photo Booth for being so sweet. They actually called after the wedding to check on my niece and offer encouraging words and prayers. They really don't know how much all of that meant to me.
Next was the sorority song! Shout out to my sorors of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. *Skee-Wee* We had a blast.
Next were the toasts. If my sis Stephanie Berry, my matron of honor, didn't have me losing all my thug. And the party kept going!
As I reflect on that day through pictures and videos, I must say it was the most beautiful day ever! I plan to have a small "redo" of the ceremony once my niece begins to walk again and I imagine it to be just as emotional. I want to thank everyone who helped our day to be so special. I thank those friends and family who ran last minute errands, who flew in early to help out, keep me calm, relax, etc.I love you guys dearly. Thanks to all my great vendors. Thanks to the best and funnest bridal party ever! Thanks to everyone who made our day special and memorable. Please enjoy a few pics from our day! Until next time....
Love,
Doc J Parker :)
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