Throw A Summer Bash

We are destined 2 have summertime fun this year! I found this link and I thought with the 4th coming up this weekend everyone would be trying to find the perfect party themes to enjoy the holiday weekend with. Don't be blah...be creative and enjoy a safe holiday weekend with a lot of fun, friends, and family. ENJOY THE HOLIDAYS!!!

http://ideas.thenest.com/dinner-recipes/entertaining/slideshows/throw-a-summer-bash.aspx

<3 Audj

Positivity is My Key to Success

We are destined to live a happy and fulfilling life. Recently it has dawned on me that I find myself subconsciously slipping into a negative unhappy life. My current career path is one that I love but my job and work environment has really put a damper on my career path. I love doing what I am doing, but not with the people I am currently doing it with. I will not give in then. I have chosen to take a stand and fight for my happiness. I refuse to live 40 hours a week in a depression. It is an interesting factor because I just realized that daily when I speak to my friends they will ask “How was your day?” or “How are you doing?” and my response will be either “present and accounted for” or “maintaining” and I do not want to just be maintaining. Life is definitely too short to just exist. So today is the day that I am destined 2 take back my life for my enjoyment. I am currently on a hunt for another better opportunity, and I will be exploring my independent endeavors. I have put my happiness on hold for far too long. I am also using my skills for the betterment of my community. I am standing up and using my skills of endurance that brought me this far in life, and that will continue to take me to the next level of success and happiness that God has promised me. I will continue to fight the good fight for ME!

Celeb Couple Craze

What is it about watching certain celebrities that makes you ooh and ahh? Them snuggling up to or holding hands with their significant other, not discounting their immaculate fashion sense of course.  Let’s take a look at some of the oh-so-amazing duos.

POTUS & FLOTUS- First Lady Michelle and President Barack Obama

They are beyond words.



Family Business- Jada & Will

Artists in their own right, they’ve put their kids on the path to celeb status before they were even 10.

Sleek & Sexy- Victoria & David Beckham 

How can you not love looking at them?!? They’re just that damn hot!

Old School Rock- Rev Run & Justine Simmons

Watching their blended family on Run’s House showed us how love can be enduring, fun, and progressive.

Low Key Love- Reagan Gomez-Preston &  DeWayne Turrentine

Following her on Twitter I learned their romance has been fueled since they were 16! She just turned 30 and had their 2^nd baby, a son named Tyger.

Watching the union happen before your eyes – Tia Mowry – Hardrict & Cory Hardrict whom are now expecting their first born son J. Openly showing their support for one another uninhibited pure love.

…or is it the Mysterious Love of Beyonce and Jay Z – whom never go in depth about their love only in one line shout outs at the end of Beyonce’s concerts or in his many rhymes.

 

Or do we watch to see them flop such as…

Celeb Flops

Halle Berry & Gabriel Aubry

Halle Berry & Eric Benet

Kim Kardashian & Reggie Bush

Are we just waiting and wondering is this real or fake?

Khloe Kardashian & Lamar Odom

Nick Cannon & Mariah Carey

Or is it the Drama of it all like …

Alicia Keys & Swizz Beatz

For whatever the reason maybe we are hooked on all the celeb couples and what make them tick! Which is why the ratings for shows such as Lala’s Full Court Wedding and Khloe & Lamar Sky rocket every season.

Romantic, Funny, Sporty, Simple, Free

We are destined 2 keep the fire burning. Talk to any old(er) person and they’ll tell you, the key to keeping the flame going when you’re in a relationship is to keep it interesting and have fun. We’ve found that trying to implement date nights, whether random or scheduled are super fun and give us something to look forward to. What makes hanging out with your girls so great? Because you laugh and act the fool. Don’t hesitate to do this with your significant other too. Granted both our hubbys are clowns, it makes it pretty easy for us. We’ve posted a link below with some creative date night options. Wendy’s fav is the theme night. What are some of your best times with you boo??

http://ideas.thenest.com/love-and-sex-advice/anniversaries-dating-ideas/articles/date-night-on-a-dime.aspx?MsdVisit=1

<3 W.A.D.2

What kind of couple are you?...

We are destined 2 Maintain Balance.
Can you think of a friend whose relationship you absolutely adore? Or that makes you want to puke? Or bang your head against the wall? What is it about those couples that make you feel that way? Are you one of THOSE couples?
Some couples become recluses. They only hang out with other married couples
(if that). They only go on trips with one another and/or other couples. People always ask us how are you guys able to maintain healthy relationships with both your single and married friends, and still have a healthy marriage. This is the answer: We Are Friends First!!
...and we are friends with each others friends. Some couples need to go everywhere with one another, and you maybe one of those couples, but what works for us is keeping some sense of independence as well as romance.

Here is a quiz for fun: http://ideas.thenest.com/love-and-sex-advice/dealing-with-relationship-issues/articles/which-tv-couple-are-you-quiz.aspx

Tell us how you did!

<3 W.A.D.2

Tips on Money & Marriage

We are destined 2 be financially sound and successful! I try to do my best at keeping in touch with most of my friends and now that I am married I have been very blessed to have a lot of friends whom have entered that journey at the same time. There is one thing that has been apparent across the board "money changes things". Going into marriage a lot of stories were out in the media about how big of an affect money has on marriages and I can be a witness to that. Even though Tae and I had lived together and paid bills together we always had our financial independence, but after marriage that changes. We joined accounts and now consult with one another for all purchases which I think was an adjustment for both of us. The difference in backgrounds can positively and negatively affect your marriage and you have to be strong and open to new ideas and possiblities within your marriage. So I found this article at http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/09/15/7-tips-for-money-and-marriage/ which highlight 7 tips to being successful in money and marriage when each person has different money management philosophies. I have included an exert from the article with the tips: If your partner doesn’t share your financial philosophy, don’t give up hope. Bernard shares seven ways couples can work together to increase their financial compatibility. These suggestions are based on conversations with “the successfully married and from experts on psychology, divorce and finance”:

• Talk and share goals. Communication is key. Kris and will take a brief vacation next month. Besides unwinding, we plan to discuss our goals for the future. It’s important for both partners to work together for the same purpose.
  


• Run a home like a business. In the forthcoming How to Be the Family CFO, Kim Snider writes that there are many similarities between managing a successful business and managing your personal finances. Your goal should be to run a profitable firm!



• Be supportive of careers. Help your partner pursue her dreams. When Kris quit teaching to become a scientist, I was ready to do whatever she needed to help her succeed. And when I decided to quit my job to blog full-time, Kris was my biggest supporter.



• Enjoy, but within reason. It’s okay to spend money to enjoy life (that’s what it’s for!), but don’t get caught up in the rat-race, and be sure to save for the future.
  


• Use a mediator. When you and your partner can’t agree on a financial decision, bring in third-party help. If you disagree about how to invest, for example, then see a financial planner.



• Maintain some independence. “Pooling resources is important,” writes Bernard, “but so is maintaining a degree of financial independence.” Many couples with joint finances also maintain separate allowances for each partner.



• Invest in your marriage. Spend time and money on your relationship. Bernard says to consider this “dollar-cost averaging your marriage”, which is a clever. When Kris and I get grumpy with each other, it’s almost always because we haven’t been doing things together as a couple.
  

My favorite tip is MAINTAIN A DEGREE OF INDEPENDENCE, This has been the best tip for The Herron's because it keeps us both on track with our family goals and we do great with it!

Hope you enjoy.

<3 Audj

Fight the Power

We are destined 2 keep fighting the good fight. Being amongst other young couples and families, you begin to make a lot of speculations and comparisons about your family (future family)... at least I do. Recently, I tried to teach a young cousin how to give dap. I told his father I tried, but it didn't work out. At which point the father said, "well when's he ever going to use it?" I said I don't know, maybe on a trip into the hood (they live in the burbs), while visiting family, who knows?! He responded by saying well, "I don't think that's going to happen too often, not a skill he'll need to become president of a company."


The more I thought about this, the more it bothered me. Does this mean your [black] son won't ever be in a predominately black group, or that he shouldn't identify with black culture in order to "make it to the top"? I told Mr. D about this, to which he replied, "Guess our kids will be the ghetto cousins". Glad we're on the same page. Not to say I plan to raise any hoodrats, but you better believe my kids will be able to code switch at the drop of a dime. No need to sacrifice your "blackness" no matter where you live or where your concept of success may take you.







<3 Wendy