Happy Sweet Sixteen Birthday To My Brother JOSHUA!

IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY!!!!

I want to take time out to wish the youngest member of my family a HAPPY SWEET SIXTEEN! Happy Birthday Oluwadara Anuoluwapo Joshua Coker! Yes, I blasted your Yoruba names! 

I am SO PROUD to call myself the big sister of this wonderful, hardworking, and dedicated young man. He is destined for greatness and so shall he be! I don't know a teenager who works as hard as this young man. 

Don't get me wrong, he is stubborn, sometimes ruuuuuude, and always thinks he is right. However, all of that doesn't even matter because: he also has a giving heart/personality, he is intelligent, he is a true friend, he is kind, he is funny, he will brighten your day, and so much more. It is because of all these things and much more that I am so proud to say he is MY LITTLE BROTHER!

So, in honor of his 16th birthday, I would like to share a 16 facts about DJ!

1) In our family we call him "Mr. Fun Facts" because he is the KING of random knowledge. This is something he has been doing ever since he was a young kid.

2) The kid can dance! Don't let him fool you. He likes to play shy, but his moves are SICK!

Joshua's old jersey number was 52 in honor of his favorite football player Ray Lewis

3) The love he has for the sport of Football is incomparable. From his pop warner football days as a little boy till today, football has kept a special place in his heart. What can I say, he loves the sport!

4) Ever since he got older and got bigger than me, he likes to bully me and chest bump me randomly around the house...sigh...lol

5) He...loves...food!

6) He is one of the most giving people you will ever meet!

7) Don't ask him to draw ANYTHING for you; he is absolutely, positively not artistic haha

8) His favorite show is the office. If you ever hear him screaming laughing and you don't know why, then he is probably watching the office!

9) Cheesecake factory is the way to his heart!

Right by my side since he was a little boy! He still annoyed me though

Look how young he was in this picture

10) When he was a toddler, he used to hide cookies around the house in random places like behind the couch. We were never quite sure if he was saving them to eat them later or what??

11) He is a really funny young man. He will make you laugh!

12) His favorite color is red

13) If you want to piss him off very fast, say something negative about Apple, the iPhone, or Greater Atlanta Christian School!

14) Every year he gets older, he also graduates to a shoe size that corresponds with his age. Hopefully he stops this year because that would make him a size 16 shoe!

15) It could be below zero in the house and he will STILL be hot and will STILL need to take off his shirt! He is ALWAYS hot

16) He is my adorable little brother that I love so much, who will always be my little baby no matter how old he gets!

**BONUS FACT: CHICAGO BEARS! THAT IS ALL!

Always up to something. What was he doing back there? lol

I'm pretty sure he is 13 in this picture

HAPPY 16TH BIRTHDAY JOSHUA! I LOVE YOU!!

You Better Recognize

This past week my little brother -- who is hardly little anymore -- got inducted into the National Honor Society during a ceremony held at his school, Greater Atlanta Christian School. I am so proud of him because he works so hard and definitely deserves the recognition. 

Not only does he excel in his academics, but he is also a dedicated athlete who passionately juggles two different sports: football and wrestling. As I say in the sassiest voice ever "You better recognize!" This guy will come home at night after a long day of practice and get right to his homework. He makes me very proud as he reminds me so much of myself in high school.

Every time I go to his high school for events -- or even just to pick him up -- being surrounded by high school students brings back fond memories of my own. Isn't it crazy how time flies? I observe the behaviors and listen in on the conversations around me; girls mad at other girls, guys plotting pranks, best friends hugging in the hallways, and so much running. Why do high school students like to run so much? They never walk ANYWHERE LOL! Anyway, high school was an interesting time in my life. Although I loved it, I definitely wouldn't go back. As much as growing up and being an adult has its difficulties, I must say I prefer it to high school.

So back to my brother's induction!

Congratulations on your induction Joshua and keep up the good work and it only goes UP from here! Love you!

Me with my sister ... I mean mother!

Throwback Thursday - Photoshoot For Ann Taylor Loft

In honor of Instagram's #ThrowbackThursday, I thought I would share one of my favorite memories with you. Early this year, I was asked to participate as a model in a photoshoot for Ann Taylor Loft's Summer 2013 collection. When the phone call came in, I had a lot of mixed emotions -- because I didn't think I was model material - I wasn't sure what to think. Needless to say, I knew it was a great opportunity and I certainly wasn't about to turn it down.

The day of the shoot, I arrived bright and early to the studio -- as nervous as possible -- but ready to work. From the moment I walked in, I was given the full out model treatment: hair, make-up, stylist, and even a full breakfast. I felt like I was in the twilight zone. I immediately decided to put aside all my reservations and inhibitions, be myself, and give it my all. I realized that I wasn't called to do this by accident; they saw something in me that they liked and that is why I was called.

Two other girls went before me for their individual shoots and then IT WAS TIME! "Okay Joanna, its your turn for your first outfit." I walked up without a care in the world and did what I felt was right to do -- and they loved it. They loved me. The photographer, Adam Wissing, loved me so much he asked me if I had ever considered modeling full time. Between Adam and Amanda (Ann Taylor Loft's Stylist) I almost considered looking into modeling as a full time career. Well, it's not something I would do full time, but it is something I enjoy and I would most definitely do it again.

The photoshoot lasted all day and it didn't even feel like it. Like I always say, when you are doing something you love, it won't feel like work, you won't be bored out of your mind, and you won't be watching the clock. If I learned anything from this experience it is that I want to spend my life doing things that won't make me watch the clock in hopes for the end. I live for those moments that I wish could last forever! Thank you Ann Taylor for including me in this day and giving me something to always remember!