CHIEFS!!!

I think it's safe to say they're being raised correctly. 😊🏈

Evangeline ❤️❤️❤️

 

Anyone who knows me knows I loathe the movie The Princess and the Frog, mainly because I don't know who forces us to watch it the most: 14 year old Mila, her 2 year old sister Nia, or their 30 year old mother.  As much as I can't stand this movie, this absolutely stole my heart and I couldn't resist.  Get back in there tear! 🥲💕

Finger Lickin' Good

If you've been around, you know that Kansas City is famous for its BBQ among other things.  So it was only right that the Shamimi got to experience one of Kansas City's finest BBQ joints - Gates Bar-B-Q.

Let's just say every time she comes to visit, it's the first stop on her itinerary.  You know it's good when teenagers crave it!

New Year, New Mila ✌🏾

I'm really shocked and excited to report we now have a highschooler! I don't know where time went, but here's to a safe, happy, prosperous and FUN freshman year, Mila Jade! 😘❤️

#FirstDay

#FirstDayPics

#BackToSchool

Flick of the Wrist

When I tell you my babies were in this kitchen hooking Aunt TeTe up...I needed a wheel barrel to wheel me away from the table! 🤤

When the Lord Speaks, We MUST Listen and Obey

I don't normally make posts like this on the baby's bogs, but there is a message and a lesson in every situation we experience in life.  I'm sharing this because we are very grateful, but also so that our experience may teach and help others.  

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV) 11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

For those who don't know, the Shamimi's great grandfather has been living with her grandparents (my parents) for the past two years.  They are his caregivers.  I know that has to be very taxing on them mentally, physically, emotionally, and financially.  I'm sure it's very tiring because it's a 24/7/365 job that comes with very little to no "thanks" and/or appreciation, especially when the loved one is navigating diseases such as Dementia and/or Alzheimer's.

This past weekend, our grandfather (Mila's great grandfather) gave us all a pretty big scare.  He had recently taken and injured himself, and we were concerned, of course.  We noticed he didn't seem quite like himself, seemed to be quite winded and low on energy, and his skintone seemed a little ashen.  Trusting our guts, we had him taken to the local ER for evaluation.  The doctors quickly found that his heart rate was extremely low, 44 BPM at the lowest to be exact, and was experiencing Bradycardia and Tachycardia.  The cardiologist was called in to assess him and it was determined that it was very good that we had him brought in and evaluated because he needs a pacemaker.  

We are so relieved to know what's going on and that it can be corrected medically.   We are also so very thankful to the wonderful medical staff of Northwest Medical Center in Springdale for taking such good care of him.  After an overnight observation and medication, he was 135% better the next morning than he was when we saw him the night he was admitted to the hospital.

We thank Yahweh for speaking to our hearts to take him in to be assessed, and for Him surrounding him with such attentive, pleasant, and knowledgeable staff, and most importantly for sparing his life and showing the doctors what needs to be done to help him get better and back to Big PaPa we know and love.

We don't always understand why Yahweh speaks, what His will is, or see or understand the entire picture.  But one thing is for sure, and two for certain: when Yahweh steaks, we must listen and obey immediately.  Our very lives or the lives of our loved ones may depend on it.  

YAHWEH is so faithful!  HalleluYAH 🙌🏾!!

A Rite of Passage...14 Years in the Making

Well you guys, is official: Mila is 14.  But also equally as momentous: I passed down my world famous banana pudding recipe to the Shamimi.  That's right folks; there's another Gaston creating the creamy crack now!

Here are videos and pictures from Mila's birthday weekend.

Sigh.  14.  Lord help us all! 😣

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           The whole gang for Mila's party

          Another view of the whole crew.

   CiCi's Pizza, you've been rocking with us

           for a decade now.  #Props

Nia Renae was trying to steal the spotlight! 🤣. Side note: this is the face of impending shenanigans.

       Mila and Nia rubbed Big Pa Pa's head

             until he went to sleep. 🥰😍

Click here 👉🏾 for The making of the banana pudding.

               Finished product. 🤤🍌 🍮

Krispy Kreme

I could hardly believe my ears when the Shamimi told me she had never tried Krispy Kreme donuts.  So of course, we had to go ahead and check that off the bucket list.  🍩

MiMi Tried Krispy Kreme for First Time

Mila's Christmas Choir Concert

Tonight, Mila had her Christmas choir concert.   Mila is a part of the prestigious Accents, the top ladies choir at her junior high school and we could not be more proud.   Straight A student, choir member and big sister extraordinaire!   Here are clips from the performance; can you find MiMi? 😁👏🏾

Post concert shenanigans 🤪 

Watch Snippet of Concert Here

To all our friends and family, Merry Christmas and happy new year! ❤

The Birthday Princess

And now, we have a 13 year old.