Raising Kings and Queens

Two Strand Twists - Unravelled

2008-01-05T22:17:00.001-08:00

I finally unravelled those two strand twists.

Cute, huh!

Two Strand Twists

2008-01-05T22:00:00.000-08:00

Here's how I normally wear my hair:

This is a two strand twist done on hair that was blow dryed first.

It hangs a bit longer than a twist done on wet hair.

Detangling and Blow Drying Tips

2008-01-02T22:00:00.000-08:00

My stylist gave me the following tips for caring for Jazzy's hair:

1. After shampooing and conditioning, divide the hair into small sections and detangle each section rather than attempting to comb through the entire head of hair. Detangle the hair while it is still wet.

2. When detangling a section, hold the hair very tightly in the middle (between scalp and ends) and comb out the ends. This keeps it from pulling at the scalp and prevents many tears. Once the ends are detangled, work your way up to the scalp. Twist that section and hold in place with a clip before moving on to the next session.

3. Blow dry one section of hair at a time, starting at the ends and working your way to the scalp.

4. Change hairstyles frequently to avoid breakage. Try not to do cornrows more than twice in a row. Here's what I use on Jazzy's hair: I use Organic Root Stimulater Olive Oil. The black rat tail comb is for making straight parts. The big brown comb is for detangling. The brush is for smoothing the hair into ponytails.

We use Pantene Relaxed & Natural shampoo and conditioner. And we're having fun trying out the beads and clips from snapaholics. The owner is a mom who adopted from Haiti and she has lots of neat products and hairstyle photos.

Black on Black Crime

2007-12-06T10:39:00.000-08:00

Whitlock was right, unfortunately. We lost 5 black men the night of Taylor's murder.

4 Charged with Unpremeditated Murder

The Black KKK

2007-11-28T18:57:00.000-08:00

Here's a sad, but true commentary on black on black crime in light of NFL player Sean Taylor's murder.

To quote Jason Whitlock, "The 'keepin' it real' mantra of hip hop is in direct defiance to evolution. There's always someone ready to tell you you're selling out if you move away from the immature and dangerous activities you used to do, you're selling out if you speak proper English, embrace education, dress like a grown man, do anything mainstream."

We need to stop pointing the finger at others, and admit that we are our own worst enemies. And we need to truly "keep it real" by confronting those in our community who are contributing to the massacre of our boys and men.

Two Strand Twists

2007-11-25T18:00:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite styles for Jazzy is the two strand twist. The style lasts up to 3 weeks, and is great to wear when swimming. Just rinse the twists in water and let them air dry.

To style - shampoo, condition and detangle the hair, then part off a section of hair at the nape of the neck. (Just pretend that part is straight!)

Take a piece of hair in that section and twist it down to the ends. Then take another section and twist it to the ends. Continue until you've completed the entire row.

Then begin a new row, and start twisting. When you reach the front, part and twist the hair according to which direction you want it to hang.

Once you've completed the entire head of hair, you're finished.

It took about three hours to complete this style. Jazzy does not have a relaxer and we did not add extra hair.

The twists can be worn down or in ponytails. Jazzy's are styled in a ponytail at the front with the back hanging loose. We also like to style them with the front in two ponytails on either side, and the back loose. - Isn't she lovely?

The Freedom Writers

2007-11-21T16:45:00.000-08:00

When my aunt recommended the movie, The Freedom Writers, I thought, "Not another 'great white hope' movie." This topic has been covered thoroughly (Dangerous Minds, The Ron Clark Story), and I would love to see a movie featuring one of the many black teachers who help black children everyday.

I saw the kids cursing, speaking ebonics and dressed like gangstas. And I thought, "No wonder my husband's clients are surprised that he's so 'articulate'. Thank heaven I'm homeschooling. If those kids don't want to learn, leave them to the streets."

Then I listened to the excerpts from the children's journals. Real journals written by real students, that detail neglect, physical abuse, police brutality and crime. It would break my heart to have my children spend in single day in that environment, yet that's where these children have spent their entire lives.

I began to think about the how God sees these children - certainly not through my lens of pride.

Paul said, "Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death - even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him..." Phillipians 2:5-9

Jesus said, "They will also answer, 'Lord when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison and did not help you.' He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for the least of these, you did not do for me.'" Matthew 25:42-45

I was wrong to look down on these children, to wish they would be silent or left to themselves. I am humbled. And I am grateful for teachers, of whatever color, who have made themselves servants and are obedient to God's call to care for the least of these.

For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother." 1 John 4:20-21

The Royal Family

2007-10-15T08:00:00.000-07:00

Introducing...

Andrew (6), prince and self-appointed advisor.

Jasmine (3), princess and wannabe queen.

Isaiah (9 months), our knight-in-training.

James (33), our handsome King.

And I'm Carletta (31) Queen, cook, maid, juggler and lover of all of the above.

Here is a peek into our loving, joyful, mostly peaceful, sometimes chaotic kingdom. Hope you enjoy!