Registering for school......

Its starting to feel official.  Today I registered the kids for school (which went very smoothly because of the family binder I created) and Sidney had her assessment test. Prior to her assessment I told her to make sure she lets the teachers know everything she knew (if they ask you to count to ten let them know you can also count to 130+) and I would treat her to a snow cone. She did awesome and she was greatly rewarded.

My kids attended private school in Georgia but once we decided to move to Maryland we were happy to find out that Howard County Public schools had some of the top rankings.  According to (US News)  eleven Howard County high schools were ranked among the 2013 "Best High Schools in the Nation."  With that being said, the countdown to school has begun.  Next week I will post some tips for organizing your kids and yourself before school start so that the first day goes smoothly.

How do you decide where you want to live?  What is it based on?

Welcome to my world!!

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Take Time Tuesday.....Mrs. Crosley

This post is dedicated to a person that I met 5 years ago but yet it seems as though I've known her forever.  We both moved here to Maryland with our family (we both have three children) because of our husbands job relocating to Baltimore.  Upon my arrival to Maryland she has been nothing but a great help to me.

• On July 14th I needed internet access so I went to her house (my 3 kids in tote) to get online.  While I was doing work she took all of the kids (my 3 and her 3) outside to play.
• On July 15th when the truck pulled in she was here to help in anyway she could (she ended up keeping and eye on the kids while I instructed the movers with her kids in tote)
• On July 16th she came over and helped me unpack my entire kitchen and also cooked my family dinner (kids in tote).  Her husband later came over and helped my husband move our sectional into the family room.
• On July 24th we went to IKEA together and upon meeting up she gave me a cast iron griddle because she remember me saying that I didn't know how to make a good steak.
• On July 25th we met up at the park and afterwards went to Target so that I could pick up a few items.  She stayed in the car so that I didn't have to bring the kids in with me (anyone who has kids knows how invaluable shopping is without children)

Although this may not seem like much to some it is PRICELESS to me and I just wanted to take the time out this Tuesday to acknowledge her...THANKS!!!!!!

This is NOT a picture of my friend as she was a little camera shy

Who would you take time out to acknowledge this Tuesday for their selflessness and helpfulness?

Welcome to my world!

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A love letter

When we decided to move to Maryland I was so happy to be closer to home (New York) I never thought that I would would be missing anything.  I now realize how special you were to me and I apologize for taking you for granted.  It was selfish of me to thank I could only be happy closer to home as I realize now I was just as happy with you as I am now.

We were together for the last 7 years.  I would wake up with you and go to bed with you.  You watched over my children and all of my belongings.  You kept me warm in the winter and cool and comfortable in the hot summer days.  I never told you how much appreciate you but I want to make sure I do now.

There are so many other things I miss about you.  You made sure there was always food on my table and you were oh so kind to me and my children.  Anytime we came to visit you made sure they had a cookie in their hand and I had a plate of food to sample.  You will also be missed.

Ove the last seven years you introduced me to so many different people that are now an important part of my life both young and old and of different ethnicities.    For this, I say thank you

You afforded my children an education at institutions that looked over them and kept them safe while in their care.  I never looked back when I left them as I knew they were in good hands.

This love letter is dedicate to my home for the last seven years......Lawrencevile, GA
You will forever be in my heart and forever cherished.

What have you taken for granted only to look back and realize how good was after the fact?

Welcome to my world!!!!

***please forgive all grammatical errors***

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Take Time Tuesday.....My Daddy

On July 9, 2013 my Dad flew from New York to help me out a few days before my move and to help me drive to Maryland.  I am grateful for my Dad and I love him very much.  He has always been there for me over the last 78 years (he doesn't look a day over 50) and today I want to make sure I take the time to recognize him.  As the saying goes, "we are not promised tomorrow so give me my roses while I can still smell them."  During the 10 hour ride from Georgia to Maryland I was able to spend some quality time with my father and hear a little about his interesting past...some facts I already knew and others were new to me.  I am nowhere close to being a writer able to compose grammatically correct sentences. Therefore I will list a few of the things I can remember in no particular order.

• Born 1935 to John & Dorothy. He was the son of sharecroppers on Charles Hardy (this is the name he remembers) farm in Edgecomb County, North Carolina.
• He had a white dog named Snowball that followed him everywhere he went.
• Although North Carolina was segregated it wasn't as bad as the deep south. He swam in the same creek as his white counterparts
• There was a young boy that would go into my grandmothers house everyday and raid her refrigerator.
• My father would race my grandfathers car and he once broke the axle on his car doing so
• He move to New York City when he was 21 years old and lived with his Aunt.  
• When he got older he got his own apartment with his younger siblings
• He learned how to drive out in the field in his Uncle's car
• He also perfected his skills riding a tractor
• When he was old enough to get a job he no longer did sharecropping with his father but worked at a plant making cement blocks
• He had a friend who wrecked his grandfathers brand new car racing
• Everyone loved his mother's biscuits

These are just a few things we spoke about on our 10 hour journey to Maryland.  It was definitely a pleasant ride.  If you want to learn more about a person I recommend a road trip.  It will either make or break you.  What have you learned about someone during a long road trip?  Was it fun or pure torture?

Welcome to my world!!

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Organizing your move: Unpacking

Happy Monday everyone.  So far I am loving my new home although there is still so much to do.  The walls needs new paint, the bathrooms need updating, the rooms need to be decorated, the kids room and playroom need a theme, and all of the rooms are in need of organizing.  But before I can start any of those projects I need to unpack my belongings.  My items were delivered last Monday, July 15, 2013 and I've discarded a few boxes but there is still so much to do.

When unpacking, there has to be a method to the madness (you should have packed your old home with you new home in mind.  If you did this you should have a general idea of where you want everything to go).  My method is as follows:

1.  Have a box marked "Unpack first" with all of the items needed to survive the first night.  In this box you should have cleaning supplies, sheets for all beds, towels, soap, sleepwear and clothing for the next day.
2.  Start unpacking the kitchen first.  As they say....."the kitchen is the heart of the home".  Make sure you've clearly marked all boxes so that you know their contents.  I unpacked my kitchen in two days and was able to have a home cooked meal on my 2nd day in the house.
Here is an after picture....Sorry I didn't take a before picture but I was in fast forward mode ripping through boxes.

3.  If you have children you should unpack the toys next with their help. This is very important as you want the kids to have something to do while you unpack the rest of the house besides running around aimlessly.  As you can see there are toys everywhere but hopefully by the end of the week I will be able to make some progress.  I plan on making  a trip to IKEA.

4.  Next you should start unpacking the bedrooms.  If you or your spouse have to go to work start with the master bedroom so that you can still pay the bills and then move on to the kids room (if you have children.)  If you have enough time off start with the kids room so that they (and you) can have some normalcy (bedtime routines etc.).

Master closet (work in progress)

Master bedroom (boxes left to unpack)

Master bedroom (of course another TV)

If you are anything like my family you need a little television in your life.  The day we closed I was on the phone with the cable company setting up an appointment.
5.  The family room and/or media room should be fairly easy as it is a matter of getting your television put up and making sure the furniture is as you want it.  Decorating comes later.

Family Room

Family Room (of course the Tv is ip)

Media Room (of course the TV is already up)

6.  At this point, you can unpack whatever room you want next...formal living room, dinning room, garage, storage area etc. as these rooms are not essential in our everyday life.

And the finale of the day....My son is officially a snagger tooth and proud of it.....I guess I have to find that $5 as it is the fifth tooth he has lost so far.

I hope these tips will be of some help to you.  What is your method to unpack?  Do you have any pointers for me? Enjoy!

Welcome to my world!!

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Organizing a family reunion

It was a great family reunion weekend.   Food was great, family was fun and the history was educating.              I learned so much about my forefathers and descendants.  I know that my family name is Doku and they were from Accra Ghana.  My great great grandfather was a chief and my great great grandmother was of Dutch Irish and African descent with very fair skin, reddish-blondde hair and blue eyes.  I met family that I never knew existed and learned some amazing facts thanks to my cousin Ada.  I will share the information with you in another post.

Cousin Ada

Although I didn't plan the reunion.  Here are some great tips on having a successful Family Reunion. Simple and easy.  Of course organization is key.

1.  Solicite help from family members and form committees/sub committees so that all of the responsibility doesn't fall on one person.  You should start planning at least one year in advance so that family members can request time off and prepare for the event financially.

2. Meet with your committess/sub committees in person or on a conference call to agree on a date,location, activities, timelines and venues.  In addition, make sure everyone is clear on their responsibilities.

3.  Once you set a date, location and activities send out letters to all family members with all necessary information (including the host hotel) as well as a registration fee covering all necessary expenses (food, venue, t-shirts, prizes, etc)

A few extra tips:
**Make sure you have fun activities for all ages
**Make sure you have a meet and greet and try to review your family tree if you have the data. (after all it is a family reunion)
**Either hire a photographer or solicit a friend that is good with a digital camera to capture the event for great memories.  Offer family members the opportunity to order the pictures and/or create a scrapbook for sale. (create a share site on one of the popular picture shares sites such as shutterfly)
**Create a directory for everyone to have for future use.
***HAVE FUN!!!!


Here are a few pictures from the 2013 Merritt Family Reunion

My mother Josephine with Cousin Sam

Cousin with Sidney

Sidney and Randy playing with their cousin

More family

Brooke with her Granddaddy's hat

More family

More family

Cousin Virginia

Welcome to my world!!

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Superwoman needs some time off too

The process of moving physically and mentally is tiring.  From the anxiety of the move to packing/unpacking boxes, rearranging furniture, searching for necessary items, cleaning and trying to maintain some sort of normalcy I think I slept less than 5 hours each night the last few weeks.  Throw in 3 small children and I am starting to hang on by a thin thread.  But.....every morning when I wake up I am rejuvenated after I reading my daily inspiration.  Today.........

As I reflect over the weeks happening I instantly feel stressed then I step back and look at it in another way and I realize that I am a truly blessed SUPERWOMAN (which includes being super mom, super wife and super tired).  Yes I said it...I am SUPERWOMAN!!!!!  If I don't believe it who will?  Not many men or women could do what I've done.  I've....

1. Moved from GA to MD
2. Drove 10 hours n a car with three children under 7
3. Managed the unloading of the moving truck while having wooden floors laid and setting up my security system (simutaneously)
4. Unpacked my entire kitchen with the help of a very special individual and organized to the nest of my abaility (until I purchased all of the bins and baskets I need to organize to my liking)
5. Filled the house with groceries (yes I went food shopping with all 3 children)
6. Stayed at home to ensure all utilites were cut on properly (especially cable for the hubby who breathes video games and sports)
7. Started unpacking the master suit

So YES I am TOOTING my own horn!  After all is said and done I think I deserve to enjoy my weekend.  My mother and father will be here for the weekend and we will all attend the Merritt Family reunion Friday and Saturday.... I can't wait.

The best part of any Family reunion....BBQ!!!!!!

Welcome to my world!

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 I am a little behind on my post because of my move from Georgia to Maryland.  Please forgive me...blame it on the head and not the heart...the heart love bloggin....

Monday was a new day and the start of a new week for me.  It was also the start of a new journey as I am no longer a resident of Georgia but I am officially residing in Maryland.  On Wed 7/10/2013 we closed on our new (built in 1998) home and I drove up from Georgia on Saturday 7/13/2013.  So much has happened since my last post (please forgive me as I have been unplugged and am posting this entry from McDonalds…gotta love free internet and fries).

The moving company loaded all of our belongings on a truck.

The kiddios wanted to see the inside of the truck and al of their stuff

Team Benjamin ATL of Hilldrup United Van Lines

Thanks Guys!

We also had a very special visitor from our babysitter who has been a part of our family since 2007 (my son was 1 years old then and he was the only child).

My kids will definitely miss her as will I and my husband.

2.     I ventured to one of Lawrenceville’s landfills to get rid of all unwanted items left behind.  This was not a fun task.

3.     Roughed it out with my Dad and kids on air mattresses and take out for two nights.  I thank God for my Dad coming to Georgia to help with my move.  Just having him there made it so much easier.

4.     Said my last goodbyes to friends and neighbors

5.     Packed up my Honda Pilot and drove 10 hours to Maryland

In writing it may not seem like a lot but my mind and body would totally disagree.  Add this up with the anxiety and lack of sleep and you have a mom, wife and woman a little on edge.

Now back to the present.  On Monday 7/15 I not only had the truck with all of our household belongings coming at 11am but I also had a rug pulled up and replaced with wooden floors in the family room and the alarm company came by to activate the system. 

This is only the beginning of this very exciting journey the Taylor Family has decided to embark on.  Please join me on this adventure as I organize and decorate our new home, meet new friends/neighbors,     and make new memories.

Welcome to my world!

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