Began the day by worshipping the Worthy One, Jesus, the One us mothers strive to model in our mothering. Now I’m snuggled up with my family watching Disney movies with my family 💗 #perfectday
My mother.
Who fell in love with Jesus and hasn’t turned back. A woman concerned with the Kingdom in all she does.
Always Gorgeous. She’s sported a pixie cut all my life, always put together, dazzling white smile all my days. Taught me to follow some fashion rules and to break others.
Resilient. She married my dad, and supported his military career. Moved thousands of miles away from everything and everyone she knew and loved. Mothered four daughters, often by herself, while my dad was deployed so many times. Now, mothering my autistic little brother.
Humble. She never wants the spotlight, yet loves to shine it on others.
Craft and homebody extraordinaire. Creator of beautiful crafts and decor — the woman wields a table saw to make some mean wood crafts. Baker of homemade breads. Creator of DIY Christmas decor.
Comedian and pop culture Trivia whiz. The one I get my loud laugh from and sense of humor. The one who showed me Golden Girls, Maude, Designing Women, Gunsmoke, Jeopardy, and more. She gave me Hall & Oates, Whitney Houston, and classical music.
Adventure, creativity, humor, style sense, genuine and authentic love, I owe it all to you.
I love you, Mama. Happy Mother’s Day!
My ninth Mother’s Day, and with each passing year I grow even more and more grateful for the gift, honor, and privilege of mothering my daughters. I’m overcome with love for my children, my mother and step mother, mother in law, and for all the moms, moms to be, spiritual moms, and mothers by faith. Happy Mother’s Day to you all 💗
Loving all of me, not just what I feel is the best part of me. I’ve learned that loving my neighbor as myself better mean that I love myself well. Not in a self-exalting way, but made-in-His-image way. Past my insecurities, past my past decisions, the weight gain, past it all. Showing up for myself and staying away from self-deprecating jokes and remarks. It’s been a tough journey but He’s doing a good work in me. 🌷 Show up for yourself and love you, so you can love others well.
Heading into Mother’s Day weekend. Celebrating motherhood, loving on my daughters and my husband, and loving on me.
Yes, me.
A wise, wonderful woman (@9to5chic ) once told me to remember that there’s more to me than just motherhood — I have so much more of myself to share and give, and my value isn’t just tied to the little ones I’m loving and raising. Being a mother is beautiful, but I’m still me. Melonie — without the role of mommy, or even lawyer, daughter, sister, aunt, friend — is still wonderful Melonie. Under all those roles, there’s still a woman with dreams and passions and a purpose.
Those words refreshed my soul, and I hope they refresh yours too. Let’s bask in the love from our precious babies, confident and comfortable in knowing that motherhood is part of our purpose, not all of our purpose. Don’t forget about you this weekend. ❤️
Ended the month by sitting on a CLE (continuing legal education) panel discussing California’s data breach provisions and the impact on the banking industry. ⚖️✊🏾
My new headshot at my new firm 🙌🏾 I LOVE this photo of me. It represents God’s restoration.
When I went to law school, it was a struggle for me. I was balancing single motherhood, my classes, extracurricular activities, and jobs. When I graduated, it was one of the proudest moments of my life. A few months later, when I passed the bar and began practice as a law firm associate, I felt like I was on top of the world.
Then, it was all gone a year later.
God led me to leave my firm and law practice for almost a year. Then He led me to my clerkship. Then He moved us across the country, where I studied for another bar exam, and didn’t work for over a year again.
I remember praying and asking God to practice again. I remember cheering friends on while their careers progressed, feeling that mine was done. I followed God to where I felt He was leading me further away from practice.
Now I see why the waiting was worth it. When my path wasn’t making sense, now I look back and see He was ordering my footsteps. He used every resume gap, every experience, to lead me and my family into a beautiful new season. And, He restored everything I thought was lost, down to an amazing new headshot.
Follow God. He is faithful and knows what He’s doing. I’m a witness!
J•O•Y!
A couple of weeks ago, my marriage therapist shared that often idealists, like me, have trouble recognizing and celebrating the desert season being passed through on the way to the promised land.
The “almost there” on the way to the dream isn’t worth much celebration when there’s so much work to be done.
But even when there’s work to be done, you can celebrate the progress you’re making.
There’s growth.
There’s progress.
And, there’s ALWAYS joy.
In the push to grow and build, we can celebrate all that God is doing, find joy in the desert while we await the promises to come!
J•O•Y!
JUSTICE!
I’ve overcome a lot and have been very vulnerable and open in sharing my story:
That I was called “gifted” as a kindergartener, even though my parents were told just the year prior that I would need special education assistance for the rest of my life.
That I parented the daughter from a college boyfriend as a single mom, even though he posted photos (that I took of her) to appear that he was involved.
That I left that college boyfriend after he physically abused me and had been threatening my life for months, even though mutual friends questioned if I was telling the truth.
That I graduated college with a 3.97 GPA, with highest honors, and with my daughter by my side, even though I was called stupid just a few weeks prior.
That I went to law school as a single mom, fell more in love with Jesus, graduated, and passed the bar, even though I made plenty of mistakes along the way.
That I started as an attorney at an international law firm, even though I had been on food stamps while in school.
My point is, I know that strength and resilience comes from believing in Someone bigger than people’s doubt. I am powerful, strong, and resilient because I choose not to let people’s words define me. Jesus defined me and ordered my steps through everything I’ve been through.
People are entitled to their opinions. They are even entitled to dislike you. But, they have no right to define you. His Word beats their words, every time.
The day @emorylaw won my heart!
I remember visiting Emory Law as an admitted student with Raegan. I sat in on Professor Alexander’s property class and of course Raegan, my four month old at the time, began to fuss. Professor Alexander walked up to me, peered down, and said, “Is that your baby?” I thought I would die of embarrassment. He then said, “Well, give her here!” He scooped Raegan up in his arms and resumed lecturing. Raegan stopped fussing and relaxed like she had always gone to law school.
Rather than shaming me, Professor Alexander, those 1Ls in property class, and the whole Emory Law community welcomed me, a young single mom at that time. I committed right then to enrolling and it was one of the best decisions of my life.
I am proud to be an Emory Lawyer. #Classof2016 #16L
Some good news this Monday morning! ⚖️
I’ve been a licensed attorney for almost 5(!) years! It took some time to settle in to my own style, develop my practice based on my passion and interests, and to find my voice as an advocate not only for the client but for myself. After stepping away from my first firm, taking two breaks from practice, and pivoting my career after clerking, I finally hit my stride. I am practicing in the area of law I love and perfecting my craft.
I took a step in perfecting my craft last week — I obtained my Certified Information Privacy Professional/United States (CIPP/US) credential! This means I possess a strong foundation in U.S. privacy laws and regulations— basically, I help companies protect your privacy online and in the workplace 🤓
In this season of my law practice, I’m taking ground. I’m developing in the area of law I love. It’s been a long time coming. #AttorneyAtLaw #LawyerLife
Family bike rides + hiking at Top of the World = Perfect weekend with my family.
It’s Friday and I feel fabulous today ☀️ That’s it, that’s the post.
A good Good Friday with the youngest 🌷
Our only family photo from Honor’s virtual party. I love my family. Thanks for wishing our baby girl a happy birthday. #WrightforJordanForever
Celebrated our spring baby Honor’s first birthday with a virtual party! We mailed flower crowns and boutonnières as party favors, showed a special video with our favorite memories over this year, and did an informal baby dedication! Most importantly, Honor had fun opening gifts and eating cake. Shoutout to @tabletopsandprops for her balloon garland @caseys_cupcakes for her vegan cake!
One year of this little lady 🌷 hon·or - /ˈänər/ 🌷 High respect, great esteem 🌷
We spent Honor’s birthday (earlier this week) looping Honor into our family traditions: we usually do birthday donuts for breakfast and rooms filled with balloons since Rae turned 4, so Honor received birthday breakfast waffles and balloons in her crib. Honor even wore a crown I made for Raegan’s first birthday. Such a sentimental sweet day. We can’t wait to throw her virtual birthday party this weekend!
Even though we are no longer a blended family in a legal sense (since Joshua adopted Raegan, erasing his role as stepdad), we are still building our sense of unity as one family. I’m intentional in creating oneness and family identity, like by building traditions and passing down Raegan’s treasured baby items to Honor. They’re small but impactful steps to include everyone.
Happy birthday to our youngest baby girl, 🌷Honor Grace Jordan , who turned ONE this week! Our warrior, a fighter in the womb and now a fierce little girl. She’s truly a beautiful gift to our family.
She has grown up into a toddler — walking, talking, running, clapping, jumping on her crib, brushing her hair, walking backwards, and has taken to removing her diaper!
I believe the Lord gave me my girls at strategic times in my life. Honor’s birth ushered me into a “spring season,” which is fitting given that she’s our spring baby. I moved into a season full of new life, fresh growth, and vivid beautiful moments. Having Honor birthed a new strength in me.
We love Honie-mommy. She brings such beautiful boldness to our lives. Happy birthday, baby girl.
Began the day by worshipping the Worthy One, Jesus, the One us mothers strive to model in our mothering. Now I’m snuggled up with my family watching Disney movies with my family 💗 #perfectday
My mother.
Who fell in love with Jesus and hasn’t turned back. A woman concerned with the Kingdom in all she does.
Always Gorgeous. She’s sported a pixie cut all my life, always put together, dazzling white smile all my days. Taught me to follow some fashion rules and to break others.
Resilient. She married my dad, and supported his military career. Moved thousands of miles away from everything and everyone she knew and loved. Mothered four daughters, often by herself, while my dad was deployed so many times. Now, mothering my autistic little brother.
Humble. She never wants the spotlight, yet loves to shine it on others.
Craft and homebody extraordinaire. Creator of beautiful crafts and decor — the woman wields a table saw to make some mean wood crafts. Baker of homemade breads. Creator of DIY Christmas decor.
Comedian and pop culture Trivia whiz. The one I get my loud laugh from and sense of humor. The one who showed me Golden Girls, Maude, Designing Women, Gunsmoke, Jeopardy, and more. She gave me Hall & Oates, Whitney Houston, and classical music.
Adventure, creativity, humor, style sense, genuine and authentic love, I owe it all to you.
I love you, Mama. Happy Mother’s Day!
My ninth Mother’s Day, and with each passing year I grow even more and more grateful for the gift, honor, and privilege of mothering my daughters. I’m overcome with love for my children, my mother and step mother, mother in law, and for all the moms, moms to be, spiritual moms, and mothers by faith. Happy Mother’s Day to you all 💗
Loving all of me, not just what I feel is the best part of me. I’ve learned that loving my neighbor as myself better mean that I love myself well. Not in a self-exalting way, but made-in-His-image way. Past my insecurities, past my past decisions, the weight gain, past it all. Showing up for myself and staying away from self-deprecating jokes and remarks. It’s been a tough journey but He’s doing a good work in me. 🌷 Show up for yourself and love you, so you can love others well.