Joshy Turns 24 Today!

 

I called my oldest son, Josh this morning to sing Happy Birthday to him. After I finished the song it hit me...24...my son is TWENTY-FOUR! When I was 21 I gave birth to the biggest baby, with a full head of dark, curly, black hair. He weighed almost 9 lbs. and didn't exactly look like a newborn...he looked like a little man. The family all showed up to see my little bundle of joy. While peering through the glass window at the hospital, he lifted his head up to look around...he was a strong, curious boy.

Once I was able to take him home, he was very vocal and had colic. I walked the floor with him for hours upon hours trying to keep him happy. He definitely had a set of lungs on him. I thought, "Uh oh, I think he's going to be a loud mouth like his mommy." He definitely grew out of that phase. Now it's hard to get him to talk~lol!

One of Joshy's favorite toys had a string attached that you pulled and it would land on an animal and make the sound of that particular animal. I was always so proud of my little man and everywhere we went I'd have him "show off," asking, "Joshy, what does the sheep say?" His big brown eyes would get bigger as he'd take air into his chubby cheeks and say, "Baa Baa Baa." We'd all clap for him as he'd beam with excitement. Then it was on to the next animal. 

He was quite the little artist too. While his grandparents were watching him, he snuck upstairs, grabbed some crayons and began drawing a wall mural with huge circles over the areas that he could reach. As they headed upstairs to find him...they saw him drawing, he'd slowly step back to admire his creation before coloring more. He was very proud of himself and his grandparents had a hard time getting mad at him because he was so pleased with his drawing.

Josh started playing soccer and baseball at the age of 5. He was faster, stronger and more co-ordinated than all the other kids...

This continued all the way up through high school. He was naturally gifted and talented in all he did. He never let it go to his head though and always remained quiet and humble about his extraordinary abilities. One day during his freshman football practice, one of his best friends Dom asked Josh to let him beat him just once in a race (Josh was always lengths in front of the other boys...no one ever came close to him.) Well Joshy, being the nice, humble kid that he is didn't even think twice about it, wanting his friend to feel good. As the coach blew the whistle for sprints, Josh slowed up and let Dom win. He didn't think anything of it until one of the coaches started to yell at him, "Don't you EVER hold back again and let anyone win or beat you, friend or not...do you hear me?!" That was the first and last time he ever purposely let someone win. Josh didn't like to get yelled at. At his freshman football banquet Josh won MVP and they dedicated a section of the highlight video to him titled, "Number 9 and the O Line." Needless to say, it's been a classic in this household as all the younger brothers watched it over and over again, so proud of their big brother. As a matter of fact...I think Adam was bragging and looking for it to show his friends at the last family get together.

Josh continued to excel in track and still holds a record at Edison for the fastest 400M for a Frosh/Soph. He made it to the State CIF Finals as a sophomore on the 4x400M relay team.

Josh making his move to pull ahead of Compton

State Qualifying 4x400M Relay Team

Josh continues to excel and overcome anything that is thrown in front of him. He is currently assisting the hairstylist who works on the set of  "True Blood." He recently went on set at Nickelodeon Studios to train under the stylists and eventually hopes to open his own shop. I know he will achieve his dreams because he wont stop until he does...not to mention, he gives the best dang haircuts around! SERIOUSLY!!

Joshy and little brother Jullien

Joshy & His Girlfriend Charmaine w/Little Brother Elijah

I'm so proud of my son and I'm grateful that Heavenly Father blessed my life with him. So on his special day, I want to say...I LOVE YOU JOSHY! HAPPY 24th BIRTHDAY SON!!

Starting Over-Make A U-Turn List

Today I was thinking back on all of my old hopes and dreams. So many things that I thought I would've accomplished by now. It's funny how our dreams as kids often turn into our biggest regrets as adults. I think I can describe most of my life as a U-turn. At first very excited about my new travels...but after a few miles, I stop cold and make my U-turn back to my comfort zone.

Here's my list of U-Turn dream jobs growing up (they would often change with age):

1. Psychologist
2. Professional dancer/dance teacher
3. Author
4. Model
5. Actress
6. Make-up Artist
7. Hairstylist/Beautician
8. Buyer (Fashion Industry)
9. Window Display Artist (Fashion Industry)
10. Invent my own line of skin care.

Now lets see how I thought or talked myself out of each and everyone of my dreams.

Now lets see how I thought or talked myself out of each and everyone of my dreams.

1. Psychologist: That's a lot of schooling, I'm a bad test taker, I'm probably not really smart enough anyway, (never trusted or believed in myself-negative self talk).

2. Professional Dancer/Dance Teacher: I knew I was talented, the Jr. college put me on their traveling dance team without even an audition, but once again...I'm not as good, creative, limber, strong, and dedicated as everyone else, (negative self talk/doubt-fear of failure)

3. Author: I've never taken a formal writing classes. I have a bunch of ideas but it's too hard to sit and write everyday, nobody would publish it anyway, (fear, doubt, insecurity).

4. Model: I received offers to go to Europe, but I never called, fear of rejection. I was afraid I wasn't tall enough, skinny enough, pretty enough, (FEAR).

5. Actress: I was afraid I wouldn't be able to memorize my lines, I thought I would crack and freeze under the pressure, (never the inner self confidence that I portrayed outwardly.)

6. Make-up Artist: I don't have enough time or money now to go to school, (excuses).

7. Hairstylist/Beautician: I went to Cosmetology school, but I had trouble with my pregnancy and had to stop. I only had 2 weeks left. I never went back to finish because I was afraid to take the State exam, (fear of failure.)

8. Buyer (Fashion Industry): I was working for Windsor Fashions and was approached by the Regional Mgr. about an assistant Buyer position that she had available and wanted me to apply for. I told her I couldn't because I wouldn't be able to travel (my son). I really was afraid that I would fail and be sent back to the store, (FEAR).

9. Window Display Artist (Fashion Industry): A year later, while working for Windsor's and doing all of the store wall and floor displays, I was approached by the head of the display department. They had an opening to join the team. I told them, that I would love to, but my car wouldn't make it to all the stores-LA, San Diego, Palm Springs. I didn't trust myself and worried that the managers would complain about my work, (self doubt, fear of failure).

10. Invent my own line of skin care: I never took chemistry and even though I know that the things that I put together and use on my skin works amazing, I wouldn't know where to begin and I would probably get sued anyways, (doubt).

I can't, I can't, I can't...do you see a pattern here? I wonder how many of you go through or have gone through the same things over the years? Maybe not to the extreme that I have, but I'm sure at one time or another you've shied away from a dream due to fear of failure, doubt, insecurity, self pity or a lack of confidence.

I've decided to go after at least one dream on my U-Turn list. My dream of writing a book is finally in the works. I started out by telling myself I would write 30 minutes everyday. This is very difficult for me and I found myself feeling very frustrated when I skipped a day (beginning signs of giving up). I then took the pressure off and said, "As long as I write each week, I'll be on my way."

Positive self talk has also come into play, "Why not you? Several people who have not taken writing classes have published books." This positive self talk takes a lot of work, especially after so many years of negative talk. I CAN and WILL do this.

I want each of you to take time to write a U-Turn list...you can share them with me too if you would like to, I wouldn't feel so alone (LOL). Next, pick just one item off your list, take baby steps and go after a lifelong dream! We can achieve anything we set our minds to, the problem is we defeat ourselves before we even have a chance to fail or succeed. Fulfill your dreams...you're never too old. Don't live with regrets, become who you were meant to be! You can make a U-Turn in the right direction today.