Feelin' Alive at 35!

I turned the big 3-5 on December 16. I look forward to milestone birthdays such as this because I view them as defining moments in life. I have the opportunity to create new goals, change parts of me that I'd like to change, and experience new adventures.

I will admit my birthday didn't exactly turn out exactly as I'd hope, but I've also learned to be content in whatever life brings me. I was just super grateful for another year to serve God and to live an abundant life.

Here are some highlights from my b-day weekend....which I plan to extend through Christmas :).

Wednesday, I went out with my staff to celebrate my b-day and my student worker Javance graduating from ECU.

Javance (student assistant) and Chelsea (coordinator)

Charisse (student assistant) and I

 Javance, Chelsea and I

On my birthday, I woke up to a beautiful "dusting" of snow (I was too sleepy to take a picture). I ended up changing my plans to drive my mom to a funeral because of the road conditions. Yes, I went to a funeral on my birthday LOL Kind of a morbid way to start my born-on day. But that's what I do for fam...


Afterwards, my parents took me to dinner at Outback. I love Outback's Ribeye. That is one of my favorite meals ever!


This is the yummy dessert the staff bought out for me and they sang to me!

We have fallen in love with one of the Outback servers, Sharisse (yes another one in my life). She is the most awesome server ever (she and I are pictured below)! She remembers our orders and everything. I must admit we "table stalk" her. We ask to sit in her section whenever we dine there. We had a bad experience at Outback not long ago. The next time we reluctantly went, Sharisse was our server. Now we love Outback again...all because of her! We completed a survey and sent it to Outback telling them what a great server they had. She was almost embarrassed about how much we gushed over her.

Ah, notice anything different?!?!?!?! LOL Yes, I straightened my hair for my b-day. I was amazed at the growth. I last straightened my hair in February, 2010. Here is a comparison...

On Friday, my cousin Omar graduated with a Master's from Southeastern Theological Seminary. On Saturday there was a celebration at my Uncle's home. Omar's mom (my aunt), passed away unexpectedly this past May. It's been very hard on all of us (that was my mom's only sister--they are pictured left below). But we know she was looking down on us and is extremely proud of her son.

Love and miss you Auntie!!!!!

It was a great meal catered by my cousin Day's godmother.

The face of our family has come full circle again. It was a house of kids (when we were kids). Then a house of adults. And now that the "kids" (my peers and family) are having kids, we're back to a house of kids again.

My godson (the infant) is teething (we think) and was sucking on his mom's (my cousin) arm. She kept saying, "Ouch RJ!" Good thing she is bottle feeding. LOL

There used to be purses and heels by the door.

They have been replaced by car seats and diaper bags LOL

This is my cousin Omar....isn't he delicious looking?!?!?! We call him Taye Diggs LOL The best part is that he is as beautiful on the inside as he is on the outside. He is an awesome individual!

Sorry ladies, Omar is happily married to my beautiful cousin, LaToya (pictured below). I prayed long and hard for her, so I am not giving her up! LOL She is an amazing example of a wife, helpmeet, motivator, nurturer, friend, sister, aunt, etc. I look up to her in so many ways!

She said something that has always stuck with me (and something I hope to practice in my own relationship). While dating Omar (not even married yet), she determined that she would love Omar better than anyone else. And I can honestly say that she does!

Omar's family (wife, dad, sister, mother-in-law) chipped in to buy Omar commentaries on all 66 books of the Bible. He was excited!

Omar gave an awesome "thank you" speech about God's grace and mercy in his life.

I rushed back on Saturday night to hang out with some friends at an all black party. I was determined to have a little more fun to celebrate my b-day. I did have major dilemma on what to wear. So I just decided to keep on what I had on but to change shoes. I wore my infamous Paris Hilton pumps (I love those shoes!).

The party didn't have my type of crowd, so my friends and I ended up going to Denny's and dishing on men and relationships...:) Taking the picture below was the highlight of the party!

The DJ was slamming though...played Biggie, Jay-Z, Foxxy, etc. All tracks from my era...

My sister-friend, Kendra (l) and my LS (my front) Catrice I HATE these hideous yellar bracelets we are wearing

Sunday was church and then the first family's (my parents and I) Christmas Dessert Social at our home. It was a lot of fun.

I made the punch....:)

Red Velvet Cake from GK's Cafe...yum!

O' Christmas Tree!

I love our slimline Christmas tree. And despite the slimness of the tree, I feel you can actually see the ornaments better. There aren't all these branches and greenery getting in the way. My mom is the MASTER DECORATOR when it comes to stuff like this. I've already told her that I'm just sitting my stuff out and she can put it where she wants LOL

Here I am in one of my b-day gifts from my friend Sabrina. I LOVE this top!

In case you didn't know, I collect shoes (not just the kind you wear)...so of course Mommy had to add a little taste of the Trendy Socialite to the Christmas tree!

My mom collects angels. This is probably my favorite part of the Christmas decor in our home.

When we (my dad and I) are not home, my mom "does her some stuff." She always watches HGTV and gets great ideas. I love the way she decorated the top of the bookcase. I called her one day and she said she was outside cutting down tree limbs for the display pictured below...lol

Our dining room table

Singing "Joy to the World"

Some of the women from my church including our Pastor (my mom)

Enjoy your holiday season!