What's Your Priority?!

At the end of this past March, Lady Clara and I attended The Glam Squad LLC's "No Boys Allowed Teen/Tween Conference" in Bethlehem , PA, where Solo Mommy Magazine was a proud sponsor. In addition to the engaging workshops and entertaining performances that the all-girls event offered, there were vendors on hand.

After conducting my "Can You Hear Me Now?!" mom-daughter communications workshop, my daughter and I headed into the main conference room to partake of the sweet shopping experience. I'm BIG on jewelry and accessories, so when my eyes zeroed in on Priority Bracelet I knew I was going to get something. However, after talking with the Debra Walker, owner of the company -- who was a single mom when she started the company -- I realized I had come across more than simply beautiful sterling silver bracelets with cute charms.

Just as the company name indicates, it's about priorities. You start out by selecting a chain bracelet, then you choose charms that represent your those things most important to you in life. I carefully considered what were my priorities and got busy with picking charms. I chose the "I Love God" charm first because God is the head of my life. Without Him, I can't exist. And, I desire a "thisclose" walk with Him. Next, I selected a "daughter" charm because Lady Clara is my first born and it is essential that I nuture, teach, empower, love and raise her up to be a powerhouse person. Then, I got the "son" charm because Sir Isaac -- my little prince -- is the love of my life. When I look at him, I see so much of me. I want the absolute best out of life for him and I'm dedicated to doing whatever I need to do to facilitate a happy childhood for him and help him have a successful adult life.

It was a no-brainer to pick up the three Greek letters that represent my sorority, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. I am a lifetime member of this international sorority which I joined as a junior journalism major at Norfolk State Univerity (Note: shout out to my sisters of the Epsilon Theta chapter!). I love and respect the principles on which my sorority was founded and stands, and I am committed to living a life that embodies them. I love to travel, so the "blue plane" came next. I traveled plenty with the United States, but when I took a plane to get to Australia (while two months pregnant with Sir Isaac) was a monumental experience. I want to take the children back to Sydney, as well as to Japan, Africa, and Italy. The blue plane charm reminds me to never loose sight of that priority. Speaking of Italy, the last charm I purchased was of the Ifel Tower. I plan to visit it in this lifetime (FYI: It's also a charm that Lady Clara selected on her Priority bracelet).

Everytime I rock my Priority Bracelet, I can't help but think about what's important to me. I hold these priorites close to my heart. I smile inside and out because they are very real to me. So, I ask you... what is your priority?

For more information about Priority Bracelet or to get a bracelet for yourself, daughter, niece, co-worker, etc., visit www.prioritybracelet.com. Tell them that I referred you!

Until I write you next... I'm just living the solo mommy life.

Love you!

Feona Sharhran Huff

Get THAT Scholarship!

Dear Parents,

There are SO many scholarships out here for your children to take various classes. Go get those scholarships! I just secured scholarships for Lady Clar and Sir Isaac to take gardening classes in the fall. I'm ONLY paying $20 for two children. Know how much it would have cost me without the scholarship? $300 for six classes! Take action NOW!

Love,

Feona Sharhran Huff
"A mom that knows how to get THAT scholarship!"

Train Up a Child in the Way that She Should Go

In Proverbs 22:6 of the New Living Translation version of the Holy Bible it reads, "Teach your children to choose the right path, and when they are older, they will remain upon it." What a deep and truthful scripture.

I remember growing up, my grandparents, the late Chairman Deacon Clarence Isaac Anderson and President Deaconness Clara Lewis Bond Anderson, introduced me to the teachings of God. They had me involved in the House of the Lord from day one. Everyday -- even up until my grandfather passed nearly six years ago -- we had Bible reading in the afternoon. He'd read a selected scripture and give meaning behind it.

My grandparents, along with my mother, Dorothy A. Huff, raised me to be respectful, honest, a seeker of knowledge and understanding, responsible, etc. While I may have strayed here and there on this journey called life, I have never forgotten their diligent teachings and have always reverted back to my foundation.

Now that I am the mother to Lady Clara and Sir Isaac (who, incidentally turns 8 years old 11 days -- Go Leo!), I am doing my part to train them up so that when they do go off into the world to make their way, they will be able to make smart choices. In our household, we talk. So, we have conversations about what things are good to do and what things they should steer clear of.

Like my upbringing, I am raising them up to learn who God is and to develop a personal relationship with Him for themselves. I teach Lady Clara to always cross her legs at the ankle when she wears a dress or skirt. I teach Sir Isaac to offer his seat to pregnant women and elders. I teach them to have each other's back.

I am confident that they will be just fine when they move out of my house and forward with life because even if they make mistakes, I know they will remember their foundation and quickly get it together.

Solo Mommy Magazine proudly presents "The State of the Solo Mommy Address (Where Does She Go From Here?)". This event will bring together people dedicated to the empowerment of single moms to address pressing issues that affect them on a daily basis such as raising a boy to be a man, the backup plan, child support, the pursuit of entrepreneurship/career and help this parenting group to successfully navigate the solo mommy life with powerful and applicable strategies.

A panel of experts will lead the discussions including Cathleen E. Williams (attorney and author of Single Mother The New Father Vol. 1 Sports), Geneva Farrow (A Young Mothers D.R.E.A.M.), Sally Stewart and Pastor Kenneth Basnight (Norfolk, VA). The floor will be open at the end of the address for audience comments and questions.

Lucinda Cross of Corporate Mom Drop Out will be the moderator for the event.

Sheila Holman of Norfolk, VA, will bless this event with her gift of singing.

You don't want to miss this incredible opportunity to be changed forever. To RSVP today, please email solomommymag@yahoo.com or powerhouse4ever@gmail.com.