Throwback Thursday: Summer Schoolers Team of 2017

What do you suppose would come of combining 40+ children, long summer days, and 4 marvelous women with very different personalities? I'll tell you what you'd get - a whole lot of madness (mostly because of the 40+  children). Still, we had so much fun together. In addition to the shared experince of working with our students (there's no experience quite like that), we shared some real life experiences and some real talk. I would so happily do it again.

Throwback Thursday: My Black Girl Magic Crew

It is strange to think and stranger to say that up until college, I had never really had black friends. While that was largely a function of the area(s) that I grew up in, it is a pretty crazy part of my reality before meeting these ladies (and our dear Friend Candra, who was not with us when this photo was taken). These girls define black girl magic and they opened my eyes to a wealth of thoughts and experiences that I had not had before.

Throwback Thursday: #Petunia

As Women's Month continues, I want to look back on another community of women that I was a part of for a season. I can't recall who determined the name of our group, but I do recall that we shared the name of one of our pets, a fish called Petunia. Petunia the fish has long since passed away and the relationships I shared with these girls have dissolved in a similar fashion. It breaks my heart to think about it, but some things in life are only for a season.

Throwback Thursday: Pajama Karaoke Girls Night

This was just over a month ago, so I don't know how much of a throwback that really is, but I wanted to share this photo today. I have not been part of a community of women for a long time, and God has brought these women into my life, so on this International Women's Day, I want to express my grattitude for them.

Throwback Thursday: OGs

"I didn't choose the thug life, the thug life chose me." - Swoozie
#NewYorkForever

Throwback Thursday: Rugrats on the Road

So many years ago we took our first trip to Tulsa. I think it was my first ever road trip too. Rest stops were so much fun when we were kids. Of course, when we got older, they seemed a little less enchanting, but there was still something quite magical about road trips. There was a length of years during my childhood when those seemed to be a regular part my family's life. I miss those days.

Throwback Thursday: The Original Roomies

My sisters, Ayana and Kerissa. These two have been on and off roommates since 1996. Sister relationships are simultaneously complex and simple. I know this from personal experience, and also from the semi-objective observation of my sisters' relationship. At the end of any given day, a sister loves the way only a sister can - it is something quite special. I spent last weekend with these present-day roomies and they helped me to forget my troubles for a while. I am so grateful for them and I hope will have many more days and adventures before us.

Throwback Thursday: Sunday Morning at Whitehall Terrace

Remember Sunday morning in fancy dresses and shiny shoes? I do. This was likely taken before we went on our way to Clermont. More memorable than our clothes or the long ride to church is home - my grandparents' house on Whtie Hall Terrace. We lived in the attached apartment next door. So many memories reside at that address. Those memories have become more striking in the recent absence of my grandparents. 

Throwback Thursday: Literally No Idea What Was Going On . . .

I have no idea what was going on in this photo, but I sure would like to know who it is that we were looking at! What I do seem to remember is that we were visiting New York, possibly for the first time since leaving there in 2000. I feel like our faces and our postures here pretty much capture our personality, even to this day. Also, I miss New York. There are parts of New York life that I could do without, but there is something about the place and the people of New York that entices me still.

Throwback Thursday: Morgan on Halloween 2015

This is my favorite photo of Morgan on Halloween to date. My cousin is a pretty girl, and that will never change, but as she gets older and her little features mature, I miss the childish cuteness that she once had about her. On the upside, that little winking charm will likely remain no matter how much she grows. She is our little princess, and I am so glad that one day she came to Texas and stayed a while.

Throwback Thursday: The First Chapter in Texas

This may be the last time that I was the tallest of the crew. This was taken in the backyard of our first Texas home. I remember my dad was visiting Texas for the second time, while we were living in Oklahoma, and he called to tell us he had rented a home there. That's is the way my family's life has moved - with surprising twists and turns, sometimes at the speed of light. Who could have imagined we would stay in Texas for so long?

Throwback Thursday: When Cyril was just a pupppy

I never had the desire to have a pet, but I conceded to having a dog because my roommates (who also happened to be my siblings) both wanted one very much. It has been 6 months since we brought home that 6-month-old puppy. Now he is two to three times the size that he was then and a whopping one-year-old. I can't believe how he has grown on me (figuratively besides literally). My how time flies.

Throwback Thursday: That night I met Basia Bulat

I met Basia Bulat at her Dallas debut and witnessed the amazingness that is her performing live. Her show was everything I had imagined and more. I think most of the audience was there just checking her out since she was playing near them, and maybe about 20-30% of us actually knew who she was. By the end of the night it was clear that everyone loved her.

Throwback Thursday: That One Year That My Sister and I Shared a College

Somehow my sister Kerissa manages to share the most in common with each of my siblings. She has shared jobs and friends with each of us, and even college with two of us (so far). One of my favorite college memories was sharing my college experience with her for a year. It turns out she didn't love the school as much as I did, but I am so glad that she was there for a time. 

Btw, I have no idea who took this picture, but I guess I should thank them. We are not in the habit of taking pictures, so it's nice to have this one.

Throwback Thursday: That Time That I Felt Like Part of A Girls Acoustic Rock Band

One awesome thread of my college memories involved music with friends and with strangers. My friends Shereen (middle), Chelsey (right), and I had a blast performing at a benefit concert on campus.

Throwback Thursday: Those High School Senior Photos That We Didn't Order

I skipped out on a lot of the high school fanfare associated with senior year. The only reason I took these senior photos, is because they were required for the yearbook that year. I like to look back on them, because some people said that I looked like Michelle Obama. I don't know that I look like her, but I do feel like I'm channeling her. We call this look Elegance & Black Girl Magic .

Throwback Thursday: When I Played for Rock the Vote with My Sister

That time when I got to perform at a Rock the Vote show with my sister and encourage fellow students to vote. Whatever your political views, I'm sure we can agree that it was a brighter election season.

Throwback Thursday: When the Aunts Came to Texas

My aunts on my mom's side of the family came to visit Texas for the first time for my high school graduation back in 2010. Pictured above are my Aunt Sarah, myself, my Aunt Sheyla, my sisters, Ayana and Kerissa. Fun times.