Happy New Year 2022

{Photo credit: Angle formerly Shoot My Travel}

It's been a minute, hasn't it? I've been in a reflective mood and wanted to return to this space for a "where I've been post." 

Let's start with my Word of the Year:

July Feature: I'm on Work Like a Mother Podcast!

Today I look a look at my schedule and realized the summer is basically over! One stop in Staples and seeing all the school supplies perfectly lined up seemed to solidify that. 

It's been quite the hiatus here in this space! I'm most active on Instagram - specifically my stories - but am excited to share that I was recently featured on Work Like a Mother Podcast produced by Neighborhood Schools. 

Check it out (you can also search "Work Like a Mother on Spotify or Apple too!):

Here's a link to the summary transcript here! 

I'm excited to be doing a lot of cool projects offline, but please check out my personal website Quiana for all things brand me. 

For now I'm settling into 2 more weeks of camp for my kids then a few fun family adventures as things continue to re-open and we safely reunite with family and friends across the US. 

Safe travels to those of you traveling this summer as well!

Kicking Off 2021 with MEFA's U.Fund 529 College Investing Plan

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by MEFA's U.Fund College Investing Plan; all opinions expressed are my own. 

A New Year feels like a fresh start and 2021 feels like it is even more so than years past. In place of traditional resolutions, I like to create a list of 10 things I’m looking forward to each year and this year it definitely looks different. 2020 reinforced how important our family connections are as well as the importance of forward thinking. In sponsorship with MEFA's U.Fund 529 College Investing Plan, I’m sharing three things I’m looking forward to this year that center around our family’s plans for the future.  

A Holiday Update with Comcast

Disclosure: This post is in partnership with Comcast; all opinions expressed are my own.

{Image via Comcast}

As the year ends my family and I have been putting Comcast to the test with our remote learning and working from home! We have so many devices running at any given time and as longtime Comcast customers it’s been really great to see all they’ve been up to with improvements to service and beyond. 

I’m excited to share a few updates with you so check them out…

The Gift of Education with the U.Fund College Investing Plan and MEFA

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by MEFA and the U.Fund College Investing Plan; all opinions expressed are my own.

In 1999 my husband and I met as 18-year-old college students and 20 years later when we became first-time parents, we knew saving for our children’s college education was crucial. During the current situation we are giving more thought to our future, and a college savings plan is a great way to help friends and family contribute to your children’s future this holiday season.

 

Black Girl Joy Indeed

Nia had been baking and the TV was off when we got the big news in the family text. We turned on the TV and she lept for joy! 

My daughter's tears of despair 4 years ago have now turned to tears of joy.

This is when I really got choked up...

Our Family's Boston Globe Feature

This past Friday, October 23 my family was included in the Boston Globe's "In the Family Way" feature showcasing how 3 local families are currently coping given all that's going on. In it I shared a day-in-the-life including what it's like balancing remote and hybrid learning for Grayson and Nia, respectively, as well as managing with Uka recovering from surgery. 

Planning Ahead with World Sports Camp

Disclosure: This post is a paid partnership in collaboration with World Sports Camp. All opinions expressed are my own.   

As the end of the year approaches, I’m starting to think about my kids’ plans for next summer, especially because we're a big sports family. My husband’s former professional basketball career has definitely inspired the kids to lean towards basketball, and this school my 5th grader has successfully taken up intramural tennis, Covid-19 precautions and all. When I recently learned about World Sports Camp right here in Massachusetts and their plans for Summer 2021 I was excited to learn more!

OK 40

For the past few years, rather than make New Years resolutions, I've curated a list of 10 things I'm looking forward to. As 2019 ended I had trepidation about creating my list and as the first quarter ended I realized it was good that I didn't. Most things I would've put on that list ended up canceling. Now, a few days into 40 years old, I'm recommitted to continuing to be thankful for my family and my health.

Growing Up Strong with Hood Milk

This post was sponsored by Hood as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.

I recently took my children to their annual wellness visits and thankfully they received healthy reports, and our doctor also confirmed something we see every time we visit: their heights are nearly off the charts! Staying on top of their health is something that's important now so more than ever and continuing to focus on nutrition is top priority for my family. Thankfully, Hood Milk has been a staple in our home and I'm confident in knowing that each serving provides my kids with 8g of protein and 9 essential nutrients. 

#TBT Decade Edition: Happy 10th Birthday Nia!

Left by my BFF Julie McGee; Right by Sweet Escape Photography

 

Yesterday, my Nia turned 10 years old! I originally shared this caption on this Instagram post and wanted to capture it here on the blog too:

Celebrating in the Midst of Covid

*This post contains affiliate links; thank you for your support!*

A couple weeks ago when Grayson declared he was going to have a "dumb birthday" due to Covid-19, I set out to make sure that wouldn't be the case. I get that we're all having to make adjustments, but especially for the kids I'm saddened at how things have turned upside down for them.

2019 - 10 year vow renewal in Puerto Rico
{Photographer: 1982 Creative Studios}

 

Those of you who have been following me for years know how big of a celebration the month of June is for me and my family. Of course there's Father's Day and the end of school here in Boston - we ended on the 22nd (it was supposed to be the 19th, but they just *had* to tack on a Monday as a make-up snow day), and the complications of distance learning made it even more celebratory.

We ended the week with our 11th anniversary followed by Grayson's 6th birthday.

Here's how we made it a good week...

2020: A Kevin McCallister Moment

Grayson meeting his Great Grandma Mary for the first time

A while back I was speaking with my Grandma Mary in Columbus, Ohio - my last living grandparent. I was lamenting over the fact that while there were a lot of positive things happening, I really would like for everything to pause for about 2 weeks so I could just breathe for a moment and catch up.

Yesterday, I called my Grandma Mary to check on her, and explained that it seems that I got what I wished for but in a twisted kind of way.

My Kevin McCallister Moment.

Wordless Wednesday: Our 10th New Year's Card

{Photo Credit: Terrence Adderly Photography}

Ready for Paris with Whistlefritz

Disclosure: Whistlefritz provided complimentary language products to facilitate this review; all opinions expressed are my own. 

When Nia was a toddler we traveled to Nigeria with a brief layover in Paris. Basically the closest we got to experiencing any part of the city was grabbing a sleeve of macarons before hopping on our connecting flight! Since then we've discussed returning for a dedicated trip and in a few short weeks we'll finally have that chance as a family. 

While we've been careful not to over plan our trip and allow plenty of time for just wandering around the city, one thing we've been doing to prepare is learning a bit of French and doing it in a fun way thanks to Whistlefritz, an award-winning, immersion-based language program.

A Decade of Harlem Lovebirds: Where Am I?

Thank you Terrence Adderley for our fall photos!

October 1 marked 10 years of our family starting in Harlem. 

Ten. Years. 

Now more than ever I continue to see how this online space translates into incredible offline opportunities. 

A bit of what I've been up to...

Happy 9th Birthday, Nia!

As I type this, Nia is just a couple hours shy of officially turning 9. She is quite serious lately and has specifically requested no birthday party this year. I knew there was a shift when for the first time last year she decided to have a birthday party at the house. It turned out that it rained for the first time ever on her party day, so it was perfect!  

How to Stay Married for 40 Plus Years

{Image via 1982 Creative Studios; bag by my mom: Designs by Lady Bee}

Today my parents celebrate 41 years of marriage. 

Without saying anything directly, they've taught me a lot about what it takes to be successful in marriage just by their actions...

10 Years and 5 Years

It's good to be back in Puerto Rico...

10 years married for me and Mr. Lovebird

5 years on Earth for the Littlest Lovebird.

Back to airplane mode...

Hey June: Thoughts on Fun, Guilt, and Sponsored Posts

June is a celebratory month for my family, and I'll admit it's been hard in the wake of everything happening lately in the world to balance festivities while being concerned and informed. There's some level of guilt there, and I'm thankful to have finally started therapy earlier this spring to help manage it (amongst other things).