2014 here we come!

I can not lie. 2013 has been a tough, tough, TOUGH year. But you know what? I'm still here, I'm still standing and I have learnt so much about myself. It's been incredibly painful at times, but it is in this place of complete brokenness, before the Lord that true healing and growth takes place.

I know 2014 is about to blow my socks off. My God is AWESOME like that. I give thanks for everything He has allowed 2013 to teach me and I press forward to an incredible 2014 filled with His redemption, restoration and wholeness. Thank you Jesus!

To all my wonderful readers, I know my blogging has been woefully lacking lately and I'm unsure as to what 2014 will hold with regards to my posts, but please know that I appreciate you sticking with me and I pray you all have a wonderfully blessed New Year! 2014 here we come!

Six!

My little girl was six today!!! Yes. SIX!!

I can not explain where the years have gone, but I know how supremely blessed I am to have her in my life. Such a wonderful big sister, giggly, gorgeous, clever and a joy to behold. Thank you Jesus.

Happy Birthday to my beautiful Lexi. Mummy and Daddy love you to infinity and beyond. Xxxxx

Me plus three.

Right then. It's been long enough. I can't stop blogging because I've hit on hard times, that would be plain silly (although I realise that's precisely what I've been doing....*sigh*).

Well the fact of the matter, is I'm now very much a single Mum. Sometimes the person you thought you knew, you really didn't know at all and you just have to let go in order to experience God's best for your life. It's beyond sad I can tell you and it wasn't what I'd planned for my life, but I must say that since the decision was finalised, I feel like a new person. Obviously I feel a lot of guilt where my children are concerned, especially as I wasn't raised in a single parent family, but even through the brokenness of the situation, God is showing himself to be more present than ever before.

My children and I will be just fine. Staying prayed up, putting all my trust in my God and looking forward to what lies ahead. Everyday is getting easier and I know amazing times are in store....watch this space.

'God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.'
Psalm 46:1

Origins of the Afro comb exhibition

Welcome.

Last Saturday I had the pleasure of attending the origins of the Afro comb in Cambridge with the lovely Crystal Afro of the United Kinkdom blog and a selection of other fabulous bloggers and vloggers.

It was a fantastic day full of laughs and learning and I discovered so much about the history of African Caribbean hair and heritage. I'd urge anyone who is even vaguely interested to go and check it out. You will not be disappointed, and if there is enough demand the exhibition may well be brought to a London Museum. This of course would be fantastic.

It is so important that African Caribbean history is made readily available in the mainstream. Not only for our generation. But the generations to come. The exhibition is on display at the Fitzwilliam museum Cambridge until 3 November 2013.

Thanks again to Crystal Afro who organised the blogger trip and was an awesome host and guide.

The lovely Natural hair daily ladies.

Under the dryer......Memories.

History.

Laughs aplenty.

Smiiile - the fabulous Akua Wood founder of Sheabutter Cottage.


Stacey aka theNaprika being FIERCE.

The ACE blogger crew.

Afro combs around the world.

Loved the story behind these Afro combs. They were my favourite.
Jamaica's Accompong Maroons.

African Caribbean history is so rich

Gorgeous ladies. Crystal Afro and Elle and Neecie from Natural hair Daily.

It's me in Cambridge.

Baby boy's big chop

My bubba's - so precious.

So whilst Mummy was away on Saturday, Daddy went and big chopped our little man's hair...

We had briefly discussed this a few times, because like his two older sisters; he screams the place down as soon as you put your hand in his hair, it was all different lengths due to him losing a lot of it at the front a year ago due to the reemergence of cradle cap, plus he was often being mistaken for a girl, so I knew it was going to happen soon, especially with the current heat wave, so now was as good a time as any.

I did expect to be there though, so when the pictures got sent to me out of the blue whilst I was at Old Spitalfields Market I didn't know whether to laugh, scream or cry. For a split second I didn't even recognise the little boy with the shorn hair looking back at me. It definitely was a shock.

Daddy did a good job though, because man, Elijah can scream when his hair is getting brushed let alone barbered (don't know if that's a word lol). The shape up is woefully lacking, but when a two year old isn't co-operating this is as good as it going to get.

He's a big boy now!

Mummy's baby is definitely not a baby anymore *sad face*.

Old Spitalfields Market

Ready for business...

On Saturday my online store Naturally Nourishing had a stall at Old Spitalfields Market as part of The African Market, hosted by cultural arts company Open The Gate.

My lovely sister Charlene accompanied me for the day and
I was truly excited about the prospect of selling gorgeous natural goodies there. Spitalfields is such a well known gem of a market and the location is fantastic. It didn't disappoint.

I loved the vibe and the amazing selection of artsy, quirky and eclectic stall holders, not to mention ALL THE FOOD....we ate like queens ALL DAY..(not quite sure that was a good thing lol).

The market was great because not only was I able to connect with and have meaningful conversations with my customer base, but the other stall holders were so lovely and I made some great contacts, who I will most certainly be keeping in touch with. The sense of community after only a few short hours of knowing one another was really special.

Two of our lovely customers. Such stylish sisters.

So will I be doing Spitalfields again? Yes I believe so, business was a little slow, but this was only my first time and the second time the African Market had been there, so it's definitely a case of building a presence and getting established. The African Market will take place at Old Spitalfields on the fourth Saturday of every month, so do come on down. I'm excited about the future, watch this space!!

The African Market at Old Spitalfields -
every fourth Saturday of the month

School's out

My youngest daughter at her end of year nursery concert.
She's the little one in the red sun hat.

I can't believe it, my daughters have completed a school year! Praise God! You can read all about their first days here and here.

It is such a cliche but time has truly, TRULY flown. My children are growing so very quickly and in September 2014 (only 12 months you know) my little boy will be starting pre-school *breaks out in cold sweat*. All of these events which seemed to be a lifetime away are coming to pass.....and it's crazy, inevitable obviously but still CRAZY all the same.

I'm looking forward to taking it easy, and not having to worry about early morning starts....my kids for some strange reason struggle to get up, despite going to bed at a decent hour (I know many Mum's would give their right arms for this 'problem' lol). I'm hoping this habit remains in the 6 weeks.

I'm also looking forward to lazy days and weekends at the coast, the beach, park, visits with family and friends, just spending time with my precious bundles and relishing their company. I know it all sounds a bit rose tinted, but I really want to embrace every moment, because once the moment has gone you don't get it back. Plus I only have a few more years of them actually wanting to be with me all of the time, so I'm going to bask in their dependence on me whilst I can.

My girls and my nephew taking a rest at Hainult country park

Little man - not so little anymore...

Lots of family time in store.
Shame little man wouldn't co-operate for this pic - ahh well lol