Kennedy's Blessing

My God Daughter

By: Rebecca L. Martell

The day I was asked if I would feel blessed to accept responsibility of a lifetime request

My heart was overwhelmed with a loving sensation, and I accepted this query without hesitation

Of loving you unconditionally and help guide you through life, to show you the direction of spiritual life

To be your strength in hard times and stand proud when you subdue the obstacles that life decides to throw you

And to you my angel I promise this

Because without you, as your godmother, I couldn't exist

A funny thing happened on the way to the port…

I went to Florida a day before I was scheduled to leave for my cruise. I wanted to spend time with one of my favorite cousins Lisa plus, I didn’t want the hustle and bustle of rushing to the port (remember this statement) right after flying in.

Our first plane ride together

On Saturday night we had an awesome dinner at Grand Luxe Café by the Saw Grass Mall and of course I ordered my favorite, the Cedar Planked BBQ Salmon and I even got Lisa’s husband Anthony to try it and he definitely liked it.

Lisa & Anthony

To make our dinner even better my bestie Sheree and god daughter Kennedy were able to join us since they were on vacation in Fort Lauderdale too.

She sucks her thumb!

Finally it’s the morning of our cruise!! I did what I normally do first thing in the morning and checked my phone. I opened an email from Carnival that said if you have flexible travel plans arrive at the port between 2 and 3:30pm. That was perfect since Lisa and Anthony had to go to church that morning anyway. Once they got home, Nelson and Anthony went back on the street to run a few errands then we were off to Ft. Lauderdale port.

As we were driving to the port, Lisa kept pointing out that she has never left for a cruise from the Ft. Lauderdale port. She even ran down a list of people she has taken to meet the ship and not one of them left from there either. I heard her talking the whole time but I wasn’t really paying attention to what she was saying. I was too excited, flirting, and playing googly eyes with Nelson after not seeing him for a while. Not once did I think to check the paperwork in my purse.

We pulled up to port security and the officer asked what ship we were here for. I piped up from the back seat, “Carnival Valor”. He replied, “Carnival Freedom”. Without batting an eye, I repeated,”No Carnival Valor”. I was getting annoyed at this point and basically gave the officer the check your paperwork look when I should have been checking mine. After the officer reviewed his clipboard he confirmed that the Carnival Valor was NOT leaving from Ft. Lauderdale. I finally checked my green folder and I was suppose to be at the Port of Miami!

At this point it’s after 3:10 and I’m in a total panic. I call the emergency Carnival hotline and they said the latest I could get to port and still make it on is 3:45 but here’s the kicker… the port of Miami is 40-45 mins away. I’m freaking out and almost burst in to tears at the thought of ruining Nelson’s vacation not to mention how embarrassed I am. Thank God Lisa married Anthony who must have been a Nascar driver in his former life because he got us there safely and with time to spare. Nelson thought getting there late was the best thing ever since there were no lines and getting through was a cinch. I beg to differ… I never want that type of stress and worry again.

After getting over the shock and fear of almost messing up my vacation I was able to take it all in and look forward to my 7 days of R and R!

The first full day of our ocean voyage was spent on the sea. We spent the day on the adults only Serenity deck soaking up the sun while reading and napping.

Later on that night we got all dolled up for elegant night where we enjoyed a fantastic meal

There's always a lil towel creature waiting for us at the end of the night

Easter Weekend

I was gone for a minute but I'm back... no long explanations but I'm sure you'll forgive me after looking at these adorable pics of my god daughter Kennedy and her mommy Sheree.

This weekend, Sheree and baby spent the weekend in the Bronx. It was an extra special Sabbath because it was Kennedy's first time at church and my daddy was there too! I wish I got a picture with my father but we didn't leave the house or church together and I sat on the balcony while my parents were in the sanctuary.

Kennedy was on her best behavior and I was so proud. She slept for most of the service but I couldn't help snapping a few pics of mother and daughter. Can you believe this is their first picture together since Sheree gave birth?!?! Crazy right...

Later that night it was time to reunite with my crew. We haven't all been together in a long time so we were all extra excited.

I love finding a good bargain and I hit it out the park with this find from Guess?. I actually saw this dress online a month ago but I refused to pay the asking price but I got it on sale for like $25! I really wanted it in white but the unfortunately the zipper didn't work... nevertheless I was pleased with my purchase =-)

Despite all the drama and the debacle that took place later on that night, not to mention Taj not showing up, I still enjoyed the time spent with my girls. I can't wait to do it again but maybe next time we'll 86 the party idea and have dinner or something ;-)

Hump Day...already

Most people get happy when Hump Day approaches but it saddens me because I go back to work on Friday :-'( .

I went to the dermatologist this morning and was diagnosed with eczema. I'm not to sure about this diagnosis but then again I'm not a doctor, I'm not the one who went to Harvard so I'm going to use the cream prescribed and go back in two weeks and see what happens. If she's right and her treatment works, I'm going to share her information with you all because I know how hard it is to find someone who can treat skin of color appropriately.

After my appointment I headed to Brooklyn to spend the day with Miss Kennedy

She was asleep in her swing when I got there. I quickly snatched her up and she continued her nap on my chest

She's beginning to really look like her mother Sheree

After her feeding, she did what she knows how to do best.... poop. I even caught her smiling probably because she knows I have to change her diaper...again!

It was nice spending the day with K. Elyse. I just hate that she lives so far away from me. We have to work on a plan to move her to the Bronx...lol

You're a little early Kennedy Elyse

I didn't go to bed until 4 o'clock this morning and to make it worse I have a 10am hair appointment in Brooklyn...ugh. Instead of waking up to my alarm clock going off at 8am, my phone rings with my bestie Sheree on the other end telling me her water broke. I was in shock because she wasn't due for another 3 weeks. After we hung up, I showered and called her again just to make sure her call wasn't a dream.

When I finally got to the hospital that evening, Sheree was in good spirits. She just received her epidural and had essentially no pain.

Around 2am Sheree at last began to feel pressure. The doctors told her to hold on for another 30 mins and then she was able to start pushing. In record time, I swear Sheree pushed 3 to 4 times in less than 10 mins, Kennedy Elyse Patricia Groves was born at 2:59am, weighing 5lbs 9oz, 19 inches long.

She's such an alert baby, keeping her eyes open all the time, observing her new surroundings

Proud Daddy

Kennedy with her Aunt Kelli

Even though I was up for over 24 hours and have to drive to DC today, I wouldn't have missed the birth of my god daughter for anything. I just met her and I'm already in love.