Patience is Key

By: Jessica Byrd
 
I'm going to openly admit that I don't have the best of patience. It wasn't until I snapped on my son that I realized how important it is to have patience with your little ones. The day started off wrong. My son cried from the time he woke up to the time he was about to go to sleep! LITERALLY!! I was so overwhelmed and stressed at the moment and I allowed my low tolerance to get the best of me. I am now praying for patience and trying to work on having patience every day.

Here are some tips that help me with patience on days when my toddlers are out of hand.

1. Try to figure out what's wrong- Sometimes our children cry for no reason at all, other times it may be a lack of attention. I've noticed that sometimes my children just want a hug or some love. Going about our day trying to get our children in and out can sometimes make them feel unwanted, try to talk to your children and sneak in a hug or two even if you're having a busy day.

2. Find a good hide out place- Yes I said it! If you tried everything and realized your children are just having a bad day, give yourself a breather. I like to take a 5 minute time out in the bathroom to gather my thoughts, pray and re-enter the situation

3. Find some soothing music- It is nothing more irritating, to me, then a stressful car ride. One day my son cried the whole time in the car, I pulled over to soothe him but nothing worked. Then I put on some jazz and he calmed down and fell asleep, which brings me to the next point.

4. Try not to schedule things during your little ones nap time- It sucks but we are truly on their schedule especially the younger ones. I've found that doing things when they are normally napping becomes even more stressful!

5. Find your own inner peace- After a horrible day I like to write in my journal and collect my thoughts! Find something that is a stress reliever for you.

**My weekends seemed booked everyday these days. This weekend was full of more weddings and my children really enjoyed their self at their friends birthday party!

  
Jessica M. Byrd is the parent of a two and one year old. 

She is the founder of Metro Detroit Mom's Club and believes 

every mother should live a life on purpose!

The Perfect Summer Menu

By: Seri Roth (founder of Seri's Blog)

 

Drink- Watermelon Coolers

Ingredients:

4 cups watermelon cut in chunks

1 lime

Mint

Instructions:

Add watermelon, squeezed lime and a little water to vitamix or blender.

Blend well

Serve cold and garnish with fresh lime

Appetizer- Peach and Plum Gazpacho Soup

This colorful summer gazpacho can be served as an appetizer or dessert

Serves 6

Use a Vitamix or heavy-duty blender

Ingredients:

If possible use organic fruit

3 cups spring or filtered water

3 purple plums

3 white peaches

3 Nectarines

Handful fresh mint

Optional 1-2 TBL sugar

1 nectarine and mint for garnish

Instructions:

Cut fruit into chunks

Add water and all ingredients to Vitamix or blender

Start slow and increase to medium speed for 30-45 seconds so there are still some chunks of fruit.

Garnish each bowl with sliced nectarine on rim and sprig of mint in center

Main Dish- Peach Chicken

Serves 4

Ingredients:

4 chicken cutlets

Seasoned Panko

1 Egg

2 ripe apricots pitted and cut in half (can substitute peaches)

Apricot jam

Instructions

Dip each cutlet in beaten egg

Dredge each side in flavored panko

Put half apricot in center

Fold over

Top with teaspoon jam

Bake 350 degrees for 45-50 minutes

Side Dish- Grilled Summer Vegetable Skewers

Grilled summer vegetables are not only delicious but add vibrant color to your summer meals.

Use an assortment of your favorite vegetables.

Tomatoes, onions, zucchini, squash, red and yellow peppers, mushrooms.

Make your own olive oil marinade with your favorite spices and herbs.

Mix together

Olive oil

Fresh rosemary

Fresh basil

Fresh Thyme

Garlic

Pinch of sage

Salt

Pepper

Cut vegetables into bite size pieces

Thread on skewer

Brush with marinade

Grill or roast in 400-degree oven for 10 minutes

Side Dish- Corn on the cob

Corn on the cob can be so much fun. You can brush with any of your favorite spices or marinades on corn to create a multitude of flavors to a summer traditional food.

If you have a sweet tooth you will absolutely love this!

Instructions:

Cook corn

On stovetop Melt 1/4 stick butter 

Add 1 TBL sugar

1tsp cinnamon

Mix together

Brush on hot corn,

Serve immediately

Dessert- No Bake Chocolate Strawberry Delight

Ingredients:

2-3 Packages Lady Fingers

12 Ounces Chocolate Bits

3 Eggs

1 Pint heavy Whipping Cream

Fresh strawberries

Instructions:

Melt chocolate bits in microwave for 3 minutes or on double boiler pot

Separate eggs

Optional add yolks (fork beaten) or just 1 yolk to melted chocolate

Add 1-3 TBL water if needed. Mix well

Beat Egg whites stiff

Fold into chocolate mixture

Whip cream (not too stiff)

Add 1-2 TBL sugar and teaspoon vanilla to taste

Layer the ladyfingers, Chocolate mixture, and Whip cream.

Repeat layers covering the entire top with sliced strawberries

Loving yourself first - My story!!

         By: Jessica Byrd

          So for those who have been following the Mommy Minute for quite some time will know all of my post have been about motherhood, parenting, and our children. This week I decided to focus on us as mothers!!!! One thing I have truly learned is to be the best parent you can be, you have to truly learn how to be the best you!! So here’s my story, before I got married I had extremely low-self esteem, I am not sure where it stemmed from but it really did some damage on myself, my relationships, and my friendships.

         I always needed validation, and became very concerned about what others thought about me. Secret is once I got married, this low self-esteem still lingered on. I had to really teach myself how to love myself first!! I know alot of mothers may struggle with this, especially when we have to always put people before us. I taught myself to speak affirmations to myself as often as I could, I taught myself to not compare myself to anyone else, because we all have our own story. I am still learning how to have quality time with myself. I am learning that I am truly just as important as anyone else. I am learning myself more and more everyday, and it is so liberating. Finally I am at a point where I’m growing, developing from the bad, and appreciating the good!! Key thing is I am doing this all while I’m a mother, and married. Lastly, one big misconception that I don’t find to be true, “you have to have yourself together first” I hear this way too often, you must have yourself together before you become a mother, or before you become a wife. Honestly, no one is truly “all together” we all have flaws, and learning to do.  My children have taught me so much about myself, I’m not sure I would of knew otherwise, same goes for my marriage!!

           Maybe you’re not struggling with low self-esteem, maybe it’s something else. I challenge mothers for this month to focus on yourself, becoming a better you. Change is good, so start now!!

**This weekend we spent our Father’s Day at River Days in downtown Detroit. The children had a great time in the bounce house, getting their arm painted, and doing arts and crafts. My husband also took my daughter on the giant slide, and I nearly fainted.

 

  



Jessica M. Byrd is the parent of a two and one year old. 

She is the founder of Metro Detroit Mom's Club and believes 
every mother should live a life on purpose!

  

The Imitation of Life

By: Ayana Bryant-Weekes 

I look for God in nature, that's just one of the ways I remind myself that God is the ultimate artist. From the color changes of the leaves in the fall to the individual granules of sand on the beach, the artistry of our Creator is everywhere.

 There was a trend on Tumblr a while back called the Body Comparitive. It took attributes of the human body and compared them to elements of nature. For example, the comparison of a pregnant woman's stretch marks to Stratocumulus clouds or the design of a bruise to the design of a galaxy. You can tell from the images below that God's creativity in nature doesn't exclude our own brilliant designs.

For this post,  I took the Body Comparitive theory a step further. If God's creativity manifests through the creation of nature and echoes his creation of humanity, then what does that say about the things that we create? There has always been a question of whether art imitates life or life imitates art, and I'd like to propose that the two have a corresponding relationship. We receive inspiration through nature's effect on our 5 senses and then create (in whatever way we are blessed to create) a work of art that subsequently echos the artistry of God.

Below are some pictures I came across that exemplify this relationship between life and art. 

Hope you enjoy!

Chanel Runways 2008-2015

  The Colorful Cemeteries of Guatemala 

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Fashion inspired by nature 

5 Life lessons I am learning from being a parent

By: Jessica Byrd

There is no better joy than being a parent. You have some great days, you have some exhausting days, you have joyful days, and you have some stressful days. Being a parent is a forever learning job, but most importantly being a parent can teach you some life lessons. Here are five lessons that I’ve learned so far from being a parent.

1. Patience is something we may not all have but something we all need. I can admit I don’t have the most patience. When I want things to happen, I want it to happen on my terms. (God is working with me) But there are many times when i’m trying to teach patience to my children. Patience to sit at the table and wait for dinner to be served without having to be entertained by the phone. Patience when learning something new. My daughter will sometimes say, “Mommy I can’t do it by myself” I am teaching her to remove can’t from her vocabulary and to have patience with herself when she is learning something.

  Other times, I catch myself losing patience, especially with potty training. Many times I

have to ask God for patience because waiting will teach you so much. It will also help

you make the best decisions. Another thing we need patience with is enjoying life, and

enjoying the moment, without rushing through life like it’s a race.

2.       Love is the single one thing that is free but worth so much. My children need so  

         much love it is crazy, yet I can tell between the days when I am giving my children my

         undivided attention, and the days where I am trying to multitask. Love is free, and yet we

         as people lack love so much. People are hurting from lack of love, and while society tries

         to filter this with quick fixes, it all boils down to love. Take the time out to truly show and

         appreciate those you love.

3.       It's true, what you feed yourself really does affect your life. Recently I decided to go

         on a one week fast. I didn’t listen to secular music, drink pop (I loveeee pop), and I tried to

         listen to a sermon a day, as well as read my daily devotionals. The day after my fast, my

         attitude quickly changed. I was negative, and upset, I finally put it into perspective that

         what you expose yourself to has a direct effect to your outlook. Same with our children, as

         parents it is our job to expose our children to positive environments, but it all starts with  

         us and our perspective at home.

4.     Criticism, as well as Discipline, helps you grow. I really don’t like discipling my children,

       afterwards I feel awful, however I know it is something my children need. I am here to

       teach them right from wrong, I am here to help them steer through life, I am here to help

       them make good decisions and to do so, Discipline is needed! No matter what your disciplinary strategy

       is, it is our roles as parents to enforce values and rules.  Same with being an adult,

       criticism from our friends, our job, our spouses, and our parents helps us grow to be

       individuals. We need constructive criticism to develop and succeed. Make sure there are

       people around you who will talk to you and not AT you - there is a huge difference.

A person that genuinely wants to help you grow will be able to openly tell you about your weaknesses and strengths, without trying to belittle you as a person.

5. Trust. Yes my children have taught me how to trust. This has been a huge struggle for me. One thing a pastor said that resonated so closely to me was, “ When you have been let down so much you develop trust issues and you don’t trust anyone” WOW!! I have a bad trust problem, but my children are teaching me this. I am not able to be around my children 24/7. When my daughter started school, I would visit her on my lunch break, and call the school for a daily update. My children are teaching me how to truly trust God, and trust my instincts when they are not in my care. Even better, my children are helping me learn that importance of letting your guard down and not thinking it’s you against the world.

** This weekend, we spent a Saturday at home, playing outside and enjoying the simplicity of life. While I made plans to go to the zoo Saturday, we stayed at home instead, took a walk, ate ice cream and my son played with his new bike. I truly enjoyed a day of no plans!!

In other news, The Moms Club will be having our summer play date July 25th. Think outside, water, picnic, and lots of fun! If interested in attending please send me an email!!



Jessica M. Byrd is the parent of a two and one year old. 

She is the founder of Metro Detroit Mom's Club and believes 
every mother should live a life on purpose!



A Prom Affair Give Away Meet Our Winner: Mariah Wright!!

By: Ayana Bryant-Weekes

This weekend The A Team had the opportunity to give a very special young lady the prom of her dreams with the very first A Prom Affair Give Away sponsored by The A Team Talk Show! The contest rules required contestants with a 3.0 GPA or higher to write a one page plan of Advancement for after high school. The winner received free hair and makeup provided by a leading Detroit Hair Stylist and Make Up Artist.
Mariah Wright, a high school senior at Denby High School, sent us her plan of Advancement and immediately we  knew she was the winner.

Mariah wrote, "Have you ever been undecided about what you wanted to do in the future? Have you ever wondered what your life will be like in the real world?  Have you ever been scared to step out into the real world or something was holding you back?  I have...." Mariah shared in her plan of Advancement that she lost her mother when she was 15 years old and since then has been scared and apprehensive about stepping out into life after high school. With out much consistency in her life Mariah learned to depend on her Lord and Savior to encourage her.
 "In my future I see myself going to Macomb Community College and getting an associates degree and hopefully finding a good job opportunity. I plan on having children but not any time soon - I still have to explore the world first. I have been accepted to a lot of Universities and community college but I don't have a lot of money and Macomb Community College can provide me the help for less money."
Here at The A Team Talk Show we are "All About Advancement", becoming a better person day by day to achieve your goals and dreams. While we were proud of Mariah for having a plan of Advancement, we could see that she had bigger dreams that were held back by fear, worry and financial stress. This presented us with the perfect opportunity to not only give Mariah the prom of her dreams, but to also give her extra encouragement and a little push to go after her dreams no matter what.

Take a look at some exclusive pics from Mariah's prom day and see what surprise The A Team Talk Show brough along with us!

Mariah's Prom hair was sponsored by Raven Walton aka Timeless Beauty ((IG: HairbyTLB) She recieved a sew in with soft curls using Timeless Tresses by TLB.

Our host Ambrea C. snaps a quick pic with Mariah.

Special Thanks to Foil Salon in Lathrup Village, Mi.

The A Team Talk Show arrives at MAriah's home for Make-Up and the big reveal!

Our host was so excited! Can you tell??

S/O to our videographer Bri (IG: BriRCollection)

Congratulations Mariah

"The Future is YOURS" Mariah Denby c/o 2015

Our host holding a very special surprise for our winner!!

To see the full interview with Mariah make sure to subscribe to The A Team Talk Show YouTube Channel!!

Mariah's Prom Make Up was sponsored by Dominique Rickett of Who's Beating Your Face LLC.

Who's Beating Your Face LLC.

Who's Beating Your Face LLC.

Who's Beating Your Face LLC.

Who's Beating Your Face LLC.

Quick pic with our Make-Up Sponsor

Just one more!!

Timeless Beauty stopped by to make sure Mariah's hair was perfect!

She's almost ready!!!!

Here she is! The winner of A Prom Affair Give Away!

Mariah is presented to her friends and family! Absolutely stunning!

The A Team Talk Show presented Mariah with a FREE session with vision coach Latoya Early!

Mariah poses with her Aunt. Check out those smiles!!!

We had such a good time with Mariah and her family on such a special day. Thank you so much for allowing us this opportunity! To the full interview with Mariah and even more exclusive pics, Subscribe to The A Team Talk Show You Tube Channel!