Wow, what a year it’s been.  As I plan and prepare for the New Year and wait patiently to see how many of my heart’s desires will match up with what 2019 has in store, I wanted to look back at the many challenges, obstacles, accomplishments and successes that I experienced in 2018.

 

JANUARY

January started with my having pneumonia. It was interesting because I battled health issues throughout the whole year.  Nevertheless, I did manage to do some amazing things in January.

I produced the inaugural Course Correction: A Civil Discourse for Urban Specialist on MLK Day.  It featured individuals from the entertainment industry, professional athletes, politicians, and the families of the victims of the senseless violence in Baton Rouge and had nearly 2000 people in attendance.  It was powerful!

 

 

I also attended that Red-Carpet Premiere of Black Panther.  You may remember my recap post of the cast interviews, movie reviews, and other fun activities like interviewing Anthony Gonzales (voice of Miguel) in the movie Coco at the infamous Olvera Street in Los Angeles.  We also painted and celebrated the in-home release of Lady and the Tramp on Blu-ray….I will not be showing a picture of my finished product, trust me you aren’t missing anything. LOL!

 

FEBRUARY

I love the month of February, it’s my birthday month.  I celebrated my birthday on the 10^th with family.  I was invited to attend the DFW Auto Show again for Toyota.  It was a fun-filled day.  I particularly enjoyed learning more about Toyota 4 Good – you know how I love a good give back.

 

 

My family and I got to go to Walt Disney World and sail the seas aboard the Disney Dream while I learned so much about the new releases of Disney and learned tips on how to grow my business at the Disney Social Media Mom Celebration.  As always, it was fun and educational….and we got to hang out with some of our favorite blog families.

 

 

MARCH

Well March started off very interesting.  Chance had a school project that involved baking…yes, baking.  He had to make a very specific recipe of Jonny Cakes for his class, and it was for a grade. OMG! I was nervous, but we made it.  He got an A, and I was proud of him for being so involved and doing such a great job on the presentation.

 

 

I was also invited back to the Disney Dreamer Academy as press.  I LOVE this event, it is one of my highlights of the year.  I was grateful to have the opportunity to attend and interview the amazing Dreamers…these are some bright kiddos.

 

 

To close out the month of March, I hosted a Motivated Mom: Mompreneurs Panel at The Potter’s House of Fort Worth EduFest Conference and Expo.  I had a ball with some of my good friends that happen to be Mompreneurs, Tiffany Fulcher, Sherilyn Smith and Apryl Moore.  It was nice to be back at The Potter’s House, it had been a while.

 

APRIL

April was bitter sweet for me.  It started off great!! I was selected to attend the Incredibles 2 event and tour the Pixar Studios.  We also visited the Walt Disney Family Museum, it was magical.  When I returned, I hosted the Empowerment Book Tour in Dallas for my good friend Dorinda Walker celebrating the release of her new book.  I secured a contract with the DFW Airport to produce their annual Earth Day event for their employees and up to 700 elementary students.  It was so much fun! 

 

 

Towards the end of April, I received some not so good news about my health.  It was scary and defining.  I think I was in a state of shock for about a month as I went from appointment to appointment determining what my next steps were.  It was tough.

 

MAY

I spent the beginning of May at the doctor’s office being tested.  I received an invite to attend the Red-Carpet Premiere of Solo: A Star Wars Story and I could not find a reason not to go.  As a matter of fact, I needed the trip to boost my moral and bring me a little joy. It was an amazing trip.  I hung out with my good friend Choya, tried the famous Voodoo donuts, met Chewbacca, and fell in love with Star Wars.  It was awesome!!!

 

 

We also celebrated my nephew’s high school graduation.  We had a great time as a family and was super proud to support him and prepare him for college.

 

JUNE

June was exciting, scary and defining.  I produced another CourseCon event for Urban Specialist in Oakland. I met the founder of Fam First Foundation, toured their Community Center and learned of the amazing work they do in the inner cite of Oakland. 

 

After a week of exploration in Oakland I returned to Dallas to prep for my surgery.  I was so very nervous, I just wanted to wake up after the surgery.  I was surrounded by my hubby, son, mom, brother and my loving mother-in-love when I opened my eyes, it was such a blessing.  I cried tears of joy.  I recovered well.

 

 

JULY

I passed on attending Essence to plan a 40^th birthday party for my little brother.  It was so much fun and a super surprise for him.  My mom flew in my aunt Debra, her oldest sister and she hung out with us for a few days.  It reminded me of the days when she and I would talk for hours and hang out all the time.  She enjoyed her trip to Texas and a week after she returned home, she passed away.  It was devastating. I can hardly see this post with the tears flowing down my face even now. 

 

 

I hosted a planned MomBOSS event in Miami with Cameka Smith where we highlighted a few Mom Bosses and shared a meal.  It was a great time and I got a little sun and relaxation….which was needed.  I knew that I would be attending my aunt’s funeral upon my return.

 

 

AUGUST

August is of course back to school for Chance.  If you’re a mom then you know exactly the kind of month we had. ALL THINGS BACK TO SCHOOL!

 

 

SEPTEMBER

Boy was September a busy month.  While we were only a few weeks away from The Motivated Mom Retreat, there was so much to do.  In the end, I thoroughly enjoyed everything about the Retreat.  It was a struggle, but well worth it.  The moms had an amazing time relaxing, learning from our phenomenal speakers, and engaging with our super special partners.

 

 

I also produced my very first in-season event for the Dallas Cowboy Season Ticket Holders in partnership with Lightning Rod Events sponsored by Lincoln.  Rolling with Lincoln was a great start to a wonderful season!

 

 

OCTOBER

I kicked off October as a speaker for The BOSS Network’s Ladies That Lead Conference.  It was a great event, and a very informative panel.  I then went to Los Angeles to attend Hispanicize LA as an Influencer for Prudential.  I got invited to a luncheon with Nielsen, a private session with Dove, a breakfast with Amazon, and several activities for Prudential. And I got to see my work wife and very good friend Yvonne!

 

I was selected to attend Social Media on the Sand with Beaches, and my family and I was able to spend five days in Turks and Caicos at an all-inclusive Beaches Resort with an amazing group of bloggers.  The property is gorgeous, you must schedule your family vacation soon.

 

I ended the month with 24 amazing bloggers at the Red-Carpet Premiere of Disney’s The Nutcracker and the Four Realms.  It was such a fun trip and a great movie.

 

 

NOVEMBER

I had one of best surprises in November….I still can’t talk about it…but I will soon.  I produced two more events for the Dallas Cowboys Season Ticket Holders and struggled to get over bronchitis.

 

 

DECEMBER

My December was busier that I initially anticipated it to be.  I made a trip to New York to visit a few brand partners, attended a concert produced by Yvonne with Dorinda and Monique, and ate at the infamous Sylvia’s.  I then took a trip to Illinois celebrate my sister’s graduation.  I got to hang out with my sisters, meet my nephew and great nephew for the first time, and enjoyed a great breakfast with my “other” dad.  It was a really good time.

I returned and took my mom to see Michelle Obama at the Becoming Tour! SO AMAZING!  We then enjoyed a dual Christmas celebration in Arkansas and in Texas with family. 

 

 

As I closed the year with my hubby and son, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude and appreciation. I couldn’t help but to think about all of the obstacles and triumphs that I was able to overcome by the grace of God.  As you all may remember, I gave up on resolutions about five years ago…instead, I’ve been choosing one word to guide me through the year.  A word that sums up the essence of the next 365 days of my life.  My one word does not replace personal and professional goals but it aides me in seeing a bigger picture.  2014 was Hatch, 2015 was Leap, 2016 was Soar, 2017 was Fearless, 2018 was Expectation…..and 2019 is Passion!  The definition of Passion is “a strong liking or desire for or devotion to some activity, object, or concept.”  

 

PASSION

 

I am excited because I had not been intentional about passion.  I truly believe passion makes complacency uncomfortable and I have not been applying this belief to everything that I do.    I am glad to change that this year. 

What one word will you choose to help define your 2019?  This year I am living, thinking, and praying to live a life of passion.  My hope is that your word (if you choose to pick one) will be just as impactful in your life this year.  Happy 2019 again!

 

[latoyia]