It is what it is!!!!!

Hello all!!!!

So my life is all over the place and things are occurring that I just cannot blog about. I guess I need to keep some things to myself. Especially while my emotions are still raw... If anyone would like to guest post I am more than happy to have you do so this week... Im just Debbie Downer and aint nobody got time for that!!!!

In other news I am less than 100 days away from the wedding and totally feeling the stress. My weight is going up. I promised to always keep it real on here so the truth is my weight is skyrocketing. Im not 100 percent sure why aside from the lack of running and the medical issues. My diet lately is 75/25 with the 75 being the time I am eating clean. Sure it could be better but I am human.

I have found a new church home and it is great and the messages each Sunday that I have been seems to be directed at me and I LOVE IT!!!! So while I'm down a little I am not defeated.

Happy Monday!!!!

Renting text books can save lives and smiles!!!

Hey hey!!! I was contacted by Angela with Campus Book Rentals to do an informative post on their services and that of Operation Smile. I was compensated for this post. All information was received via the sites linked below. All thoughts and opinions are my own. (This is my first sponsored post but I think that covers me)...

Operation Smile is an International children's medical charity. They focus on healing smiles and changing lives. They operate a mobile surgical team that seeks to help children who have been born with such deformities as cleft lip or cleft palate. Operation Smile believes that every child should have access to safe and quality surgical care. It is very unfortunate that many children are born with these conditions and many will not live past their first birthday due to a lack of medical resources.

Operation Smile and its more than 5,000 medical volunteers are working every day around the world to provide safe, effective and free cleft lip and cleft palate reconstructive surgeries for children all over the world. They are an international medical humanitarian organization that works in over 60 countries that is dedicated to raising awareness of this life-threatening issue and providing lasting solutions. For more information you can see there FAQ page here.

I must admit that I have never heard of the charity before. My daughter was blessed enough not to have been born with a cleft lip or palate. If you are like me and need more information on these conditions you can go here. It is very sad that children are dying from these conditions simply because they do not have access to or are unable to afford proper medical care.

So what does Operation Smile have to do with renting text books?... Let me start by showing you How it works...



In case you didn't watch here are a few perks to renting your college text books:
-save 40-90% off of bookstore prices
-free shipping both ways
-can highlight in the textbooks
-flexible renting periods
-THEY DONATE TO OPERATION SMILE WITH EACH TEXT BOOK RENTED!!!! (enter the connection)

Along with the aforementioned they have a new program called Rentback. Rent Back is new initiative that allows students to rent the textbooks they own - to other students... which is awesome because it makes them 2-4x more money compared to what they'd make through buyback options! For example that intro to psyc book that is wasting space in your room you can rent it out to a student each semester instead of just getting the one time payment from selling the book back at the end of the year. 

Where was this when I was in school the first and second time LOL...I missed out but you or the student in your life doesn't have to. Check them out. Plus they donate to operation smile!!! Now by using this program you can say you too have helped give a child a smile and a great chance at life!!

Monday Management

Is it Monday again??!!! Geesh where is the time going... So the weight loss front has been slow and sad. I am working out still but not being able to run is killing my spirit. I know I know that weight can be controlled by nutrition alone but honestly I struggle with that. The exercise while I feel like Im dying when Im doing it is not the hard part for me. It is that darn kitchen that kills me.... UNTIL today... I dusted off those weight watcher books and I CHOSE ME!!!!! I of course know what NOT to eat but I have got to spice up what I can eat. Counting points and or calories works for me. I read some blog post of mine when I was losing weight and I had a food schedule along with a workout schedule. Im getting back to that place. I got on the scale and it told me what I already know. Im not ready to share here because frankly Im mortified to have to type yet again that Im starting over. Woomp woomp aint no body got time for that!!!! Any who Im a work in progress and I appreciate yall for reading along!!! Happy Monday!

MY MATRON OF HONOR ROCKS!!!

Remember when I did that post saying how great my Matron of Honor is? Well she is better than that. Recently we got our two families together to allow the children to play as well as do some wedding stuff. She was also very gracious in reminding me of the MANY things from the list that still need to be done Ha... I will let the pictures tell the story...

That handsome guy is my nephew Jack, of course you recognize mini me and the other two ladies are new addition to our family from Erin's marriage.

My nephew again

She is telling me that we have a practice shirt because we were not sure how things would work out.

I let her do the shirts because I am not crafty... The shirts are from Wal-mart and then she used some type of paint

Glasses!!!! we got small cups for the junior bridesmaids... cant really give an 8 year old and a 10 year old a wine glass. DOLLAR TREE ROCKS!!!!! (nope I wasn't paid to say that!)

Hunter helped with designing the glasses

We used Sharpie glass pens... HINT: if you make a mistake use nail polish remover and start over LOL 

Some of the end results.... So my writing is not the best but eh they know its from the heart... and it was very economical!!!!

Filing insurance Claims- Wellness Wednesday

Hello all for this edition of Wellness Wednesday I have a guest post from Ms. Hannah Taylor. She contacted me and wanted to inform my lovely readers of her services. The information in this post is hers I hope that you find it helpful......

Filing an insurance claim, be it health, car, home insurance, or workers comp, is exhausting and no doubt a daunting task especially for those who have never done it before. Most people are intimidated to do so not only because of utter lack of information, but just the amount of work - tons of paperwork, a lot of going back and forth with different people, long frustrating hours on the phone - will just about send anyone running for the hills. Well, it shouldn't be like that. If you have all the necessary information to back you up and if you know the correct person to talk to, then it wouldn’t be as complicated as it needs to be. Myclaimsource.com is an open resource for consumers looking for information on how to file a claim. You will find insurance providers’ contact information - phone, email address, mailing address, and website address listed on the site, tips and tricks, even discounts certain providers offer. The site also aims to be an open forum to connect those looking to file claims with people who already have, and who may be able to offer tips and advice on claim filing with a given provider. Drop by anytime and find the information you need on filing a claim. Hopefully, http://www.myclaimsource.com will be able to help individuals make an informed decision and make the no-fun task of filing insurance claims a little easier.

Cake Cake Cake!!!!!!

Another task from the never ending list is DONE!!!!! We went to two different tastings. They were very different. One guy really made me want to give him my money. He was personable, animated, and just fun! Sorry I didn't get pics of that #badblogger.... The second lady was late, and seemed very disinterested. Her tasting set up was nice though.

This is water LOL

Yall know he hates pics

The first guy actually gave us two cakes to take home and "taste and enjoy with yur family" Again his customer service was SUPERB!!!! We decided to go with little Ms Disinterested. We did this because her cakes were cheaper and tasted better. Lord help me if she doesn't perk up when we give her this deposit LOL....

In other news I received my first piece of mail with my soon to be last name and wanted to share. It was from a friend of mine who is also in the midst if wedding planning. She said that she had recently gotten mail with her future name and felt a certain way and wanted to share the feeling I'm so glad she did!!!!

A Lovely Blog Hop... Im co-hosting!!!!!!

Guess who is co hosting a link up!!!!! Its my very first one and I am extremely excited!!! So please please link up. Since I'm sure this link party will bring about some new readers please click here and read the letter to my readers. Also be sure to check out the about me section. One of my most popular post is my DIY wedding binder  post, and I am #teamfollowback just leave a comment telling me how you are following and I will do the same #shamelessplug. (I know for sure my home girl/blogger mentor will be very proud of all these links to previous post). Ok here it goes:

Welcome to A Lovely Blog Hop, where each Thursday we have the grand opportunity to meet and connect with lovely new bloggers, such as myself! Now you have something to do and somewhere to go on Thursdays!

 Enjoy!

Rules (Not really rules but a guide):

1. Follow your host and any co-hosts (if it applies). Co-hosts will be the first 3 to 5 entries.

I am your host,  Rekita @ Her&Nicole and I am the first linky. 

Feel free to leave a comment and introduce yourself!

 

 

2. Link it!

Link up your blog or anything else you find lovely. Share your family, fashion, food, crafts, or anything that you love this week. Please, please, please, share the love and include a link back to this blog hop.

3. Spread it!

This is a blog hop after all, so hop around! Visit other blogs and say Hi!

4. Grab it! 

<div align="center">

<a href="http://www.herandnicole.com/" title="Her & Nicole"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsFpJevbFmEyiP9AraEeypVu4f6CLAGNQUyMHbX90nma507W-qNeAjdmDSU7jjtHHjGr9HWumh-bsOZXlehGMsNuO3YwNtU1QLECQxJkGeFetTtAfOfiNhxlqYALj8E_nragj-bHLD94E/s1600/new+blog+hop+button.png" alt="Her & Nicole" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Grab the button and place it somewhere in your blog or add just the link. Preferably in your blog post. 

This will help us promote this blog hop, believe me, the more the merrier! Or post the link somewhere in your blog. 

5. Tweet it!

Tweet

Please help me to promote this blog hop by sharing it to others. 

So tweet it to show everyone where you link up on Thursdays!

6. The most important rule of them all, HAVE FUN BLOG HOPPING!

I have a third grader!!!!!

Time really flies... it seems like yesterday I was telling my mom I was preggers and she was less than pleased HA! In her defense I was 19, scared, unemployed, in college, and had NO PLAN!!! However I truly believe that God never makes a mistake and I had my angel right when I was supposed to. If you know me than you know I refer to my mini me as the hip-hop that saved my life. (This is a reference to a song by Lupe Fiasco ... you should check it out I LOVE IT!!! )

People give us young moms (am I still a young mom? LOL) or us who started our parenting journey early a bad rep but we are not all bad or dumb. We are all not triflin and living off the government, and allowing grandma to raise our kids, we just started young! It is really sad that some older people look down and judge our age when really they should be asking if we need a baby sitter to go to class, and finish our education. Anyway that is not the focus of this post...*climbs off soap box*

If you read my blog you know that I am now engaged and have been a single parent all her life. I cannot count the fears or tears but God is real and He has kept us thus far. It has not always been easy and I question my parenting daily, suffer from  mommy guilt, and the whole 9. Still my child is happy, healthy and in the THIRD grade!!!!

That's my girl!!!

Monday Musings!!!!

Hey Hey today I am making Monday my B@#$%. I wont be sad because the work week has started way too soon. I will be happy that I am gainfully employed and alive to try again. I am linking up with my bloggy bestie and some other lovely ladies and you should too. Tell us what keeps you motivated!!!

I'm motivated for several reasons lately. One being the fabulous wedding dress I have picked out, and the other being I can workout and not worry about my hair!!! Shout out to my stylist!!!!

I recently learned that my hip is NOT ok and that there should be NO running until November. My wedding is in November. I also have other health issues that have flared up and caused some weight gain. I will be honest I was feeling very defeated. Its like the condition causes weight gain and to help it you need to lose weight but I CANT run, or take birth control which causes weight gain. I was really feeling like WTF lets just eat the pain away. I actually feel silly admitting that. After I got through that dramatic and devastating moment I realized something. This running thing is not the only form of cardio. I just have to amp it up. I'm like ok Toya you gonna let a hip and some hormones defeat you? You have survived this that blah blah (my motivating self speech) you CAN do this. So that's what I'm doing. I'm going to work out harder and smarter. I'm going to let my boo put me on the diet that that works best for my hormones and get this weight off!!!!.... Thanks babe for loving ALL of me.... Since no workout/motivating post is complete without sweaty pics enjoy!!!

Random at work pic... I was feeling myself LOL

Zahiyah's Pageant!!!!!

I have no real words for this post sooooo enjoy the pics of my baby in her third pageant... 

There were two other trophies in the car #proudmom

Accepting and award for "Spirit of America" meaning she entered 5 or more optional categories

Personal introduction

Now this is everything!!!! My dad escorted me in the same pageant once!!!!!

My two favorite people

My mommy (her TWA) and my neice!!!!

My dad looks like a giant LOL