Being Mommy Comes 1st

Hey Mamas,

Spring is here and with everything being new some new opportunities have came in my life. A month ago I had an offer to go back to my career as an esthetician. I was so excited about the opportunity but there was so many things standing in the way. In my mind I thought I could be Super Woman and make it all happen. I continued to call the guy that owned the place making plans to be in there by next month. The entire process I kept seeing warning signs that this would be conflicting to me being a mommy. After being told rules and regulations at this place of business I had to decide will this work out with my family routine. My youngest is only one and my oldest get out of school very late. I deal with a very hectic schedule and I had to weigh out the pros and cons. Is this job worth it? I talked to my family and came to the conclusion that being mommy comes first. Other opportunities will come my way and they will be best for me and my family. Just because jobs are offered don't always mean you should take them. So as I type this blog I hold my youngest son on my lap and share my thoughts with you. I'm a mommy and that is something I do great for right now.I'm not mad nor sad for making sacrifices to be the best mommy I can be.

-Peace Mamas

Where have all the nice girls gone?

Hey Mamas!

We have all used "lol" or put up a smiley face. In a text, IM, an email, or post on some social site we will see them. When we see this acronym or face we know the person is being friendly. I usually go on social sites or IM people and we will laugh it up on the computer. Sometimes I will have friendly conversations on the computer. I leave off the cyber world thinking dag so and so is a nice person. The funny thing that I experience is when I meet them in person they are nothing like I expected them to be. What shocks me the most but shouldn't is their not friendly and even sometimes very rude...smh(yes I'm really shaking my head!) In this day and age being nice can be masked with a smiley face and lol. I'm thinking if you took the time to be kind on the computer do the same in person. Let's be real mamas! I don't think you have to run and jump in someones arms hugging them and screaming hello. I do think you can say hello and seriously mean it without having your face screwed up. Nice girls and women need to make a come back. If you are really mean or don't want to be bother act that way on the computer. Blaque Beauty Mama in this blog that's what your gonna get. Yes at times I may be a little bit shy but if you come and talk to me I will more times than never act like I don't know you. I have a personality like my mother. My mother will talk to strangers like she knew them forever. Yes, the cyber world is different but my question is "Does this change who you are in person?" I don't think it should...

-Peace & Many Blessings

Mama's New Hot Find! :Chocolate Cheerios

Hey Mamas,

Two weeks ago I was in the grocery store with one of my sons. Skye jumps off the cart and grabs down some Chocolate Cheerios. I turn my nose but thinking yuck. I have always hated chocolate cereals. A couple of days later we are having cereal for breakfast and majority of the boys want some. I'm feeding my youngest son his Chocolate Cheerios and decided to have a little bite. The baby starts crying because I'm eating more of his cereal than feeding. I must say this cereal has grown on me and I love it! Most chocolate cereals are full of sugar but this has just the right amount of sweetness. Chocolate Cheerios has grown on me and it gets better with every bowl I eat. I am a chocolate lover so hopefully I will have my Cheerios before I go grab a candy bar. Try Chocolate Cheerios...go get a box today!

BTW...read the ingredients you will be surprised. You can read every word...lol

-Peace & Many Blessings

Black Mama, Brown Mama...We are sisters, Right!

Hey Mamas,

Sometimes I get these emails that show black NFL or NBA players with white women. As I scroll down I see some of these men with Latina women. My first thought is that's not a white woman. Many times I have heard women say Kobe Bryant is with a white girl but he is with a Latina woman. Why are black women calling Latino or Hispanic women white? When we are classified in demographics of poverty, education and much more we are grouped together. I don't see Latino women getting the same benefits as white women. I see them going through the same struggles as black women. We are sisters and I hope one day many understand that. I have

Puerto Rican and Dominican friends that I love dearly that go through the same problems as I do dealing with race and gender. Another fact about Latina women is they all don't have light skin and long silky hair. I have seen many Hispanic mamas with hair like mine and darker than me. We are sisters even if we look different or speak another language. If a black man is with an Latina mama its okay...just know she is a sistah. I don't see them getting mad when we are with Hispanic brothers. Just a thought think about it.

-Peace Mamas

Bounce Update!

Hey Mamas,

Last month I purchased the Bounce dryer bar. I wrote about this product in a previous blog. I'm loving this product. It was easy to stick into the dryer. No more worrying did I put in the fabric softener or a dryer sheet in with the clothes. The price is affordable and you cant beat 2 months of use. I think I will purchase the 4 month bar. I am well pleased with the Bounce Dryer bar. Try it mamas you will love it.

Wisdom of Skin Care Game: Will you be the winner?!!

Hey Mamas,

In one of my previous blogs I wrote about natural skin care being a growing trend in the cosmetic industry. One of my favorite natural skin care lines I mentioned in my blog was Wisdom Holistic Skin & Hair. I love their products and today 2 lucky winners will each receive a Sweet Orange Cleanser and a 4oz.Healing Butter. I must say this is a treat because both products work wonders on the skin. Now here comes the fun part....

Are you ready to play?....

You will need to answer these 3 questions by going to www.wisdomholistic.com for the answers.

1. Name 3 ingredients used in Wisdom Holistic Products.

2. If you have a dark line across your nose...What health problem is present in your body?

Hint: Read- Article "Beauty Is Good Health" to find this answer on the site)

3. Name 2 skin care problems Healing Butter cures.

****The 2 Mamas that email me 1st the correct answers will win the 2 Free Skin Care Products!!!****

Email me your answers at blessedwitbeauty@yahoo.com!!!!

-Peace & Many Blessings

Big Texas Nightmare

Hey Mamas,

My problem started last week while shopping at Sam's Club. I stood there pondering do we really need a big box of cinnamon rolls in the house. I went against my better judgement and bought them along with many other things... oh lawd that place makes you spend. My madness started at home after eating one I started having one everyday. So two days ago I decided to read how many calories were in a Big Texas and it said there are 440 calories in just one cinnamon roll. The crazy thing is I keep eating them knowing a dress is coming in the mail soon. I have in my head maybe I'm burning all the calories from running around chasing children or I'm just a cinnamon roll away from a fatter stomach. One thing I do know is I have a sweet tooth and these things have been my guilty pleasure. After this blog I think I will treat my self to a Big Texas...lol. I'm a fiend. I cant help it! I will kick this habit maybe I should just throw them away but then many other sweets will have to go too.

-Peace & Many Blessings

Booty Pop....WTH!!!!

Hey Mamas,

I was up late watching T.V. and this commercial comes on about this underwear called Booty Pop. White girls can now have a black girl's booty with just the right amount of padding in underwear. I remember when white women hated our curvy bodies and called it fat not phat. Jennifer Lopez was talked about so much she went and worked her butt out until it turned into muscle. Now celebrity white chicks want the big booties and spend big bucks to have the curvy assets. In the commercial they say no surgery needed just slip on a big booty...lol. What happens when these guys find out they have flat pancake butts? Sorry white girls our natural beautiful curves are God given. Everyday in the hood an average black girl is walking around with a Kim Karddashian booty. Serena Williams will never need some Booty Pops and neither do I. So the next time your looking in the mirror saying this and that needs to be smaller... just love what God has given you. Some little white girl would die in surgery to have curves like yours.

-Peace My Bootylicious Mamas

We are not crabs!

Hey Mamas!

In my search to get my blog more exposure I looked for other mom blogs like mine. I came across another mommy blog that I really enjoyed. When I wrote the sister an email she wrote me back with the same kindness and added me to her blog list. I don't think she knows how much that meant to me. So many times I have experience negativity from other sisters that are in the same field as me. I have dealt with jealousy and hate in many other fields like beauty and fashion. I sometimes ask my self when did it become a competition. Why are we as black women quick to see our fellow sister as an enemy? They say we are like crabs in a barrel ...quick to pull each other down. When will we start to support one another and want to see each other go far? I remember it being rumoured that Jennifer Hudson and Beyonce were fighting on the set of Dream Girls but all of this was lies. I saw not too long ago the media saying Oprah is messing with Obama and Michelle hates Oprah. The media wants to put this madness in our hearts and show other people that the black woman hates herself. A lack of confidence is going around like an ugly virus infecting the masses. When you hate another sister and her success it's like hating your self. I wont stand on my soap box and point the finger at everyone else. When I say this to my mamas I also say this to my self. I can't say I have never been negative towards another sister. I will say I have enough sense to know it's wrong and try my best to maintain being positive. Love your sister and support her when she is doing positive things. We are paving a way for our younger sisters to be positive women in the future.

Check out The Young Mommy Life! www.theyoungmommylife.com

I'm loving her blogs...

-Peace & Many Blessings

Waiting to be a Mama...

Hey Mamas,

My sister Qee is having a baby boy soon. When I think of her it brings me back to having my first son. While the baby grows bigger in your womb and the due date is nearing your wondering will you be a good mother. What will the baby look like? How painful will it be to have him? So much would go through my head. Then the time had came for me to have my baby and I was so scared but ready to have him. When it was time to push I was so tired. I told everyone around me I don't want to push no more. The one thing that made me keep pushing is when my sister Courtney said "Don't you want to see your baby?" I thought to my self this is what you been waiting for... push so you can see this baby that kept you up all night, kicked you repeatedly and now has you in the greatest pain ever in life! Holding my son in my arms was the best feeling. All my worries and doubts went away while holding him in my arms. The road ahead of me in finding my way as a mommy was a rough one but I learned many valuable lessons. Now I have 5 boys and each one of them I have learned something new about being a mommy. A true woman just has that God given instinct in her to be a great mother. All I can say to my sister Qee is you will be a good mommy. I know you will...

Peace & Many Blessings

Having his say...

Hey Mamas,

My son was coming home from school with left over sandwiches in his bag each day. Then I decided to start asking him did he want me to make his sandwich...he would reply no. I got to the point I didn't feel like there was a reason to make his lunches so I let him eat lunch at school. Last night he asked me could he bring a lunch to school. Then he kept asking me could he make his own lunch. As I watched my son make his own sandwich I realized he is growing up. I found out he doesn't like cheese on his sandwich and loves tons of pickles on it. Letting your child have some choices as they get older makes them feel like a big kid. I know Jasiyah was so happy to feel like he can do adult things on his own. I remember driving my grandmother crazy because I wanted to eat mayonnaise sandwiches. She would get mad every time I picked the meat off. As children get older they start to know exactly the things they like and don't like. A child having their say on small things makes them less indecisive in the future to make big decisions.

-Peace & Many Blessing

Mama's Book Pick of the Week: Please, Baby, Please

Hey Mamas,

I decided to keep updating the book of the week. Most of the books will be books you can read to your children. My son has to read 15minutes every night for homework so we read many books in our house. Please, Baby, Please by Spike Lee and his wife Tonya Lewis Lee is one of the boys' favorite books. The illustration by Kadir Nelson is amazing and fun to the little ones eyes. The repetitive sentences will have your children reading along with you. The story is about a child that wont go to sleep and the parents are tired and trying to make the baby go to bed. I know many parents can relate to this story. They also have another book that is absolutely adorable called Please, Puppy, Please. Check it out and keep up the reading with the little ones in your lives.

-Peace & Many Blessings

Mama's New Hot Find!

Hey Mamas,

I don't know if you saw this commercial about Bounce's Dryer Bar. If you haven't I must tell you about this amazing new creation. You stick this bar on the wall of your dryer and it works like the fabric softener sheets. The great thing is you can get the dryer bar that works for 2 months or 4 months. Also the bar melts down after uses and then you can replace it with a new bar. No more worrying did I pour the fabric softener in or did I put the sheet in. I haven't tried it yet but I will let you know if it's worth it. If you have already used it let me know if it's any good.

-Peace & Many Blessings

Wedgie Free!

Hey Mamas!

We are usually very quiet about wedgies. No one wants to tell someone their panties are riding up their butt. A wedgie can bother you so much you just might not rush to the bathroom or some where of privacy to get it out. Try sitting with a wedgie because you are too cute to get up and get it out...the feeling can be torture. The fact is it happens to the best of us. I have never heard a woman not to have one. When I saw the commercial for Hanes Wedgie Free Underwear I didn't believe it. I thought to my self yeah right how could that be possible. Last month I bought me some wedgie free underwear and I must say they are my favorite underwear to wear. Hanes stays true to their promise in their ads. I have comfort, style, and everything I want my underwear to be without the wedgies. I'm telling you mamas buy some you will love them.

-Peace & Many Blessings

Against the Odds: We are good parents

My family went to my son's kindergarten science fair last week. When we entered the cafeteria I saw so many black families. I saw both parents standing together watching their child win awards and the children telling the audience the college they wanted to attend in the future. The science fair projects looked like the parents put a lot of time and effort into their children's projects. In today's society black parents are stereotyped as being uninvolved in their child's education. It is said black families usually consists of single parent households or the grandmother is raising the kids. People will say we don't care about our children in the inner city. They will say no one attends the PTA meetings or school programs. At my son's school I saw black parents that cared about their child's education. I saw young mothers and fathers clapping and cheering for their children. Don't believe all the statics society sets for us. Against the odds of our surroundings we will still strive to be good parents.

SHHHHH...be quiet,

Hey Mamas,

When you have boys they will always try you. My oldest to youngest can give me an headache. The funny thing that I'm experiencing is the hush game. The boys will act up or one will do his dirt and I find out and nobody wants me to tell daddy. In their minds I want them to be in trouble but the truth is I want them to be better. The trouble or bad habits they keep will have them paying for it in the future. When I was younger I remember my mother saying I had puppy love and don't get caught up with certain guys I dated. I would be mad and cry looking at her like you don't know nothing. Then telling her I loved so and so but never looking at the bigger picture and only wishing she would leave me alone. Now I find my self in a similar situation. My oldest son thinks he knows best and I've never been his age before. The truth is even if I tell their dad these things and we talk to them, punish them, or show them the error of their ways... the boys will still make their own choices. Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. So I can only hope and pray the wisdom Christ has given my husband I stays within our sons' hearts and before they make the wrong choice they think real hard to do the right.

-Peace& Many Blessings

Mama's Book Pick of the Week: Nappy Hair

Hey Mama's

It's a must to read to the little ones as much as you possibly can. I remember when I was pregnant with my first son and I wanted to get books for him that he would love. I also wanted to get books for him that he was able to see images of people that related to him. Nappy Hair was one of the books I purchased that day. I read the book to him while he was in my womb and just read the book to him today. He loves this book and still asks many questions about the characters and the story. I love this book because it has a message about why God gave the little girl in the book nappy hair. If you don't have this in your child's library I suggest you get it. Nappy Hair by Carolivia Herron.

-Peace & Blessings

Going Back 2 Your Roots:Going Natural

Hey Mamas!

If you haven't seen Good Hair you must watch it. For all
the creamy crack lovers of the relaxer it might scare you back to nappy and not straight. I have many women come up to me and ask how did I go natural. When I went natural I decided being natural was the best thing for my hair to grow. I had dyed my hair every color you could imagine. I had the weave, the short hair, the braids, and so much more.It was time for a change to wear my own naturally beautiful hair and love the hair God gave me. So you may be reading this and scared to go natural. I find it amazing we are scared of something that's ours since birth. Natural hair is different but you still can achieve many styles. Ladies considering going natural here are somethings you should consider and know before going natural.

• You don't have to cut off all your hair to go natural . Natural stylists offer many transitional hair styles so you will have length after you cut off the relaxed hair.
  
• Natural hair can be very manageable with the right conditioners and combing techniques.
• If you want your hair to be straight while natural there are many ways you can do this without perming the hair with chemicals.
• Different hair styles are unlimited with natural hair. Twists, cornrows, braids, weaves, curls, locks, and so much more you can achieve with natural hair.
• Find the right Natural Hair stylist that has knowledge on natural hair care.
• Natural hair needs maintenance. You will still need to get your ends clipped and proper care received to make it grow.
• If you choose to bleach your natural hair make sure you keep it hydrated and conditioned. Natural hair bleached easily becomes brittle, dry, and will break off if not treated properly.

If your local in Baltimore here are some all natural hair salons to check out:

Na'Klectic: Natural Hair Gallery-www.naklecticnaturalhair.com 410-889-0287

Daniele Johnson (Salon Itarah)- www.itarah.org 443-447-4685

Mesha Bazemore (Ebony's Braidery) She also specializes in natural hair care for little ones

www.ebonysbraidery.webs.com 313-407-6348( she is local in baltimore!)

Happy to be Nappy, Kinky, Free of chemicals and naturally beautiful!

-Peace & Many Blessings

The Small Details of Spring!

Hey Mamas!

Spring will be here soon. Now that I'm looking forward to spring I began to think of the small fun details of spring fashion. The buds will soon be on the trees and much detail should be in your wardrobe. Glitz, sparkle, prints, texture, and color are all the little things to make your wardrobe complete. Look forward to the new freshness of Spring Fashion!

In a Spring State of Mind...Floral, Suede, Jersey, & Silk

Not Always Pretty...

In front of the mirror we stand looking at all of our imperfections. The mirror holds no lies to our belief. At times the image you see in the mirror you are well pleased with the results of a hairstyle, makeup, or skin care product you just used. What about those days when you just don't feel pretty? In your skin you are the ugliest thing standing in front of the mirror. I guess you start from the root of what is making you feel ugly. Is it the extra pounds you gained over the years, pain from verbal abuse, your hair is not done, your spirit is low, low self esteem...the list could go on. Right now in this meantime of the ugly blues you just don't feel like you. All I can say Mamas is I've been there many times before. My advice is to try not to dwell there and do things that make you feel better. Reading your favorite scriptures from the bible can help up lift your spirit . Giving your self some much needed pampering always helps the ugly blues. Buying a little something from the store can make you feel special. Take out time to take care for yourself. When being a mother you truly are the one taking care of everyone else and before you know it your the one looking a mess. Take care of your self Mamas and sometimes put yourself first.

-Peace

Mama of the Month: Daniele Johnson

Hey Mamas!

Some people may think I'm being bias on choosing Daniele but her works in life will put many to shame. A woman that lives in the now always trying to never look too deep in the past or go beyond the future. This lady is stable, consistent, and comfortable in her own skin. Daniele and her husband have started a natural hair and skin care company from the ground up with their knowledge and talent combined. While having teamwork in her home to take care of her daughter Daniele is always on the move. She is a business woman skilled in her crafts of jewelry, hair, and skin care. I watched this woman work her hardest while she is sick and standing by her word to keep promises to others. A virtuous woman indeed. She shows many other mothers you can live out your dreams with pure determination and drive towards your goals. Daniele is an example of doing it all while being a mother and wife. Striving towards perfection she makes Christ her center. Daniele Johnson you are Blaque Beauty Mama of the Month.

Get tips, tricks, & advice from Beauty Expert

Hey Mama's

You have questions and I got the answers. Do you need help with skin care problems? Cant' find the right foundation to match up with your complexion? Need some tips on how to revamp your style? Ask beauty expert Hev Green... I have all the tips, tricks, and style advice that will have you looking like the Fabulous Mama you should be.

Email your questions to blessedwitbeauty@yahoo.com

or inbox me if you are on Facebook

-Peace Mamas

Cure for "The Mundane Mommy Blues"

Hey Mamas,
If your a stay at home mom like me I know you understand the life of a routine. It mainly consists of taking care of the house, kids, cleaning, shopping, doctor appointments, and so much more. The schedule seems jammed packed with things to do but the activity of the mommy schedule is repetitive. You go in circles hoping for something exciting to be added to your day. Well ladies I have some simple solutions to spice up your mommy routine. Check them out...

• Make play dates with other friends with children.
• Have Date Nite with your husband once or twice a month.
• Create a "Mommy Circle" with mothers you know and keep it once a week.
• Start a book club with friends and meet up every month to discuss the book.
• Exercise at home or have an exercising buddy to workout with during the week.
• Join a Dance Class...choose a type of dance you would love to learn.
• Join a Cooking Class...find new ways to cook food. You can get together with friends once a month and cook together.
• Art and Crafts are always fun. You can do these activities with your kids or alone.

Have fun ...

-Peace Mamas

The Hand Cure

Hey Mamas,
It's winter and my hands are in need of some TLC.
I constantly have my hands in water. The combination of water, soap, and cold air equal rough reptile hands. I'm sure right now you might have the same problem. Follow this cure for hydrated and smooth hands.

• First scrub your hands with some type of scrub. Sugar scrubs work great on the hands.
• Then soak your hand for 5-10 minutes in warm olive oil. You can use grape seed or apricot oil as well.
• Rinse your hand of with warm water and pat them off with a towel.
• Hydrate your hands with a thick cream or butter like Shea butter, Coco butter, or my favorite Healing Butter(www.wisdomholistic.com)

Some other extra things you can do to prevent dry hands are...

Always keep a small container of cream or butter next to the sink or in your purse.

Wear gloves while cleaning around the house. My sister told me Playtex Living Gloves fit close to the hands and have a no drip cuff.

Use a sugar scrub on your hands twice a week.

Treat your self to a professional manicure.

Use hand soaps that contain moisturizers in them. Bath and Body Works has hand soaps that have hydrating oils in them that don't strip your skin of its natural oils.

Get a paraffin bath for the hands to give your self treatments or go to a nail tech that can give you the paraffin treatments.

Hope your hands will be cured today!

-Peace

The Cure Week

Hey Mamas,

When a loved one is sick or hurt in the physical or spiritual all you want to do is help them. I find my self now facing a person in my life very ill but unable to truly help. Sometimes telling and worrying someone about their condition only makes matters worse. If only a cure for diseases came in a magic bottle to take away all the pain. We all know a cure for the mind, body, and soul takes patience, long suffering, hope, and faith. Although I have no remedies for disease I have a week long of cures to simple things in life. Stay tuned ...the cures are on their way!

-Peace & Health

Tough Love makes A Strong Woman

As I pass out the plates of spaghetti the boys wasted yesterday I watched their faces look shocked. I laugh in my head remembering my grandmother making my sisters and I sit at the table to eat our food. You would have to sit there all night until you ate all the food on your plate. We used to watch the Cosby show and my eyes would get heavy but I would try my hardest to pop them back open. My grandma would say if you tired go to bed because if you fall asleep I'm gonna beat you...lol. I thought she was so mean. Not too long ago the boys were watching a movie in the living room and Siyah was falling asleep. I told him you better not fall asleep down here. I can now understand that carrying a heavy sleeping child to bed isn't great fun. My grandma didn't feel like carrying a heavy child to bed but at the time I couldn't see it. She told me not to go across the street and play with a little strange boy but I did exactly what she told me not to do. It never crossed my mind I could get hit by a car, his parents could be bad people, or the little boy could hurt me. I was the cry baby out my sisters and many punishments and tough love came my way from my grandma. Never would I think her tough love would pay off and I would be the most like her. She had common sense that alot of black women don't use too much any more. Her hard love built strong women. My Grandma White wanted us to be the best and I believe she brought the best out of us. Right now she doesn't remember to much because she has Alzheimer's but she left me with so many memories and great life lessons. My grandmother's voice, her laugh, her hands, her scent, her smile, the way she would talk to my grandfather when she thought no one knew...these memories and love transcend through my mother, Keha, Courtney, Kristin, and me. Her legacy will never die because she built it in us through tough love she gave us priceless gifts. At one time I resented my grandmother but when the smoke clears things all make sense. Juanita White...I love you and I know you know this.

Tough love isn't meant to break a spirit but to build character.

-Peace Mamas

Indirect Talk infects the Masses

Hey Mamas,

I was out last week with my sister and while we
were eating I noticed a couple at a table both texting on their phones. OK this is normal for today's society but I saw this with 3 different tables. While eating their dinner they have the phone sitting there like a little computer waiting for messages. Whatever happen to talking to each other? The third wheel now in a date is Mr. Text. I have friends that tell me I talked to you twice this week and I'm like no you didn't you texted me. Don't get me wrong texting is helpful to get the word out and let someone know something while their not in your presence. The infection of this indirect talk is causing the younger generation to not have any type of social skills. When I was dating all you did was talk on the phone all day and all night and then hook up later. Now people breakup with you through a text. Some of us at times hide behind a screen betraying a certain life. Couples say they are wonderful but cussing each other out once they get home. A girl sits at home saying she is bored and logs on to talk to her boyfriend...a man that is 50yrs old but puts up pictures of a young man he copied and pasted from another boys page. In this little crazy cyber world I do say be careful. We can say words that my seem cold or things we can never take back. We use this indirect talk and no one can see your face so we go off assuming is so and so okay...? Lets go back to the basics sometime. Go have a nice long talk with a friend, love one, child, etc. Let's talk face to face...something seems so much more personal and sweet to look a person in the eye and say So how was your day girl? I've been infected by the indirect talk bug but that doesn't stop me from having face to face gatherings and talking on the phone to hear another's voice say hello.
Try it... you just might like it.

-Peace Mamas

Mama's Tip:Trick Your Little Ones into Drinking Water

Lets face it little kids don't like to drink water. It doesn't matter how healthy you brought them up from a baby. Once they get a taste of juice they hate to go back to the bland taste of water. I currently found out that Deer Park has water called Aqua Pods. My sons love these little waters. I think the shape of them and the size make them very appealing to small people. If you don't believe it just try it for a week. I believe it comes in a pack of eight. Your children will become "Super Drinking Aqua Kids" within the blink of an eye. You can find them in your local stores every where Deer Park is available. Here are some other ways to get the little ones drinking more water...

• I sometimes cut up lemons in their water. The boys like to watch the fruit float around the bottle.
• Tinted water in a cool color will please the kiddies. Add a drop of food dye in the water and shake.
• Let them only have juice at night for dinner and the rest of the day drink water. I tried it but the boys went crazy ...lol
• They now have these individual flavoring packets to put in water. Try sprinkling a few drops in the water but not the entire packet.

Hope this helps your Aqua Babies to be healthy and happy!

-Peace Mamas

Tragedy 2 Triumph: Melody Gardot

Good Morning Mamas!

Its "Good Music Tuesday" but I must tell you first the story behind this sultry songstress Melody Gardot. In a tragic accident Melody was riding her bike and was hit by a SUV. She suffered great injuries to her spine, bones were shattered in other parts of her body, and neurological damage to her brain. She had to learn how to walk, talk, and remember again. The doctors felt there was no help for her and she wouldn't recover completely from all the damages. Melody went back to her first love music and started playing the piano as part of music therapy. Doctors discovered the music therapy helped Melody to heal. She still deals everyday with great pain at times. When performing and everyday life Melody wears tinted glasses to block out light that causes pain. She is also sensitive to noise that can cause painful headaches. In all this tribulation Melody found her voice and is making the charts with a smooth jazzy voice that will have you relaxing in no time. My first time I ever heard her music was last Sunday. I have already became a fan of this songbird's music. Check out her new album called "My One and Only Thrill" www.myspace.com/melody. At times we think that the worse thing in our lives could never be a blessing. You never know how your life is meant to go so we pray and hope for good even in tribulation.

-Peace Mamas