And then finally Vacation

I would say 4 long years but, actually it has been much longer since I've been on an actual vacation. Growing up my family never really went on vacation together. My mother was always working, so I would go to Maryland for part of the summer to live with my aunt and uncle. I grew up watching Full House and Family Matters on fridays (I lived for TGIF) and in my mind that's the way family was supposed to be. However, it wasn't anything like how my family actually was. I always told myself, when I got older I would have the perfect family. I would put in place all sorts of family traditions. Unfortunately Evander is not big on holidays or traditions, but Ems and I force him into participating anyway.

 In efforts to spark up traditions, we planned a 2k16 Reid's Family Vacation. I've always wanted to do a cruise, I've had a few friends to do cruises and they loved it. I didn't really know where to start with trying to find the best "deal" on a cruise. The only thing I knew for certain was that I didn't want to only vacation for 3 days. I visited  several different cruise lines and the prices seemed relatively reasonable, however by the time I got to checkout the total was nearly 3 or 4 grand. I was overwhelmed and disencouraged, while Evander was saying we really weren't going to be able to do a vacation this year. Something, that we had talked about doing for over 4 years, was really about not to happen. We argued a lot about this.

 What ended up happening though was actually pretty cool. Reid's Vacation 2K16 ended up being 12 days on 2 different cruises with a pit stop in Palm Beach, Florida. How? Groupon. But the highlight of our trip,was the Escape. We spent 7 days on the Norwegian Escape and it was absolutely wonderful: the room, the staff, the food selection and entertainment. I don't think we could have planned a better time. The only complaint is related to the excursions, they were really poorly put together and the prices are ridiculous. Being as cautious as we are, we decided to book our excursions through Norwegian if only because we knew the ship wouldn't leave us. The excursions were really unorganized and cost us nearly $700.00. We could have done the same things for half the cost. We drove to Florida, which I like driving because it gives us a chance to talk, sing, and bond.


We've been back home for 2 weeks and we are ready to plan our next adventure. Its back to reality for now. I have to study for the Naplex, which has me just beside myself.

The goal that I have set for this blog is to always post something meaningful. So, if I don't have anything meaning to write, I don't post. Simple. So in an attempt to be meaningful: Life goes by so fast. I look at my baby Emsley and it feels like just yesterday that she was 6 months old. We get so caught up in the future, that we forget to live for the now. We don't cherish the learning experiences and opportunities (especially if they aren't glamorous) we face right now. We want the glory and fame but not the glow up (the process of getting to the glow). Trust the process. Trust life. Trust Destiny. Spending time with our families is so important. I encourage everyone to take a vacation. Be it one day or one month. It's so simple to do, planning and saving are essential. We choose to afford what we want to afford. Take the time to see the world and if you have children then take the time to show them the world. We get so complacent with seeing life, the same way each and every day. Go somewhere, anywhere and offer your mind some expansion and different perspectives.

XOXO,

Charity

I'm a Doctor Now!

After 4 long and hard years my degree has been conferred. That means you can now call me Doctor.

First, where has time gone? 

Second, I'm so emotional I can hardly stand it. 

Today has been chaotic, you know with it being Mother's Day, Graduation Day, AND Evander's birthday! I am really struggling to write this post, but I want to be sure to write it because I want to capture this very moment. I can't pick a starting point, my mind has been racing all week. I've been having trouble sleeping for the last 2 weeks. Only today during graduation did my mind stop racing for one single question: Now What? What's next for Charity? For that moment my mind was blank. I have been longing for a blank mind for over 2 weeks.Then finally I have a blank mind and I felt stunned. Shocked. As if in that moment I was in a dream- Surreal. I dreaded going to graduation, I didn't want to sit for hours, in the hot sun, dressed in all black, practically on top of the person beside me. But none of that happened. However, it was a bit hot. But today, if never before in my life, today- I took pride in myself. 

In my regalia.

In my school.

 My profession.

 My culture.

 I took pride in every:

 heartache,

heartbreak, 

set back, 

no, 

rejection, 

detour, 

and failure.

Every mistake, 

each uncertainty.

All of the hurt I've ever experienced in my life allowed me to earn this doctorate. Those things molded me into the person I have become.Sometimes, we gravely underestimate God's destiny for our lives. We become scared and uncertain, doubtful, and even unenthusiastic. But, there is no error in God. In short, to sum up graduation- it was perfect.

Evander's Birthday

As I mentioned earlier, Evander had to share his Birthday glory with my graduation. He completely catered to my every need, as he does most days. I wanted to do something very special for him. But being that we are going on vacation, money is limited. We went back and forth about what our post graduation plans would be. Both of us really wanted to go out to eat, but the massive crowds are not our style. And as if you haven't figured out already, I am a big foodie and love trying out new places. So, we set out to find a restaurant that was accepting reservations and to our luck we found Freemason Abbey and it was absolutely delish. In short, to sum up Evander's birthday-it was perfect.

Mother's Day

4 years ago, I became a mother my greatest accomplishment to date. Yes, even above my doctorate. But today I was able to show my daughter what hard work and faith will allow you to accomplish. I hear that she brags to her classmates that "My mommy is a doctor" "My mommy is in the newspaper" So, I know that she is proud of me. I want to raise a woman, who is first proud of who she is and second proud of being a woman. To follow every single one of her dreams and never settle for a "No." So, mother's day for me today was extra special. I was with my Mother, her mother, my aunts, and my Nana. All strong, beautiful, bold- women. When I get discouraged about life, I look around and I know that, I can feel that I'm meant to be great. Don't EVER let someone tell you, that you can't be great. And don't not be great because someone is intimidated by your greatness. Just throw glitter, twirl, and smile. I said all this to really just say: In short, to sum up Mother's Day-it was perfect.

Perfect

Maybe we don't have too many perfect days or maybe everyday is perfect and we just don't acknowledge it. We focus so much on the rain, that we forget to appreciate the sunshine.I'm not sure. Really, who am I? Well, I'm glad you inquired. I'm the perfect person, for the perfect occasion, for which I have been perfectly assigned to be perfect for.- this all is now. So, again I ask, who am I? I'm a doctor now.

With love,

Doctor Mommy 

XOXO