Odi's Wife - Mercy Johnson on her Marriage and Motherhood

Mercy Johnson got married in August 2011 amid a lot of hubbub because her husband had been previously married, and only completed his divorce after they started dating. The wedding did go off without a hitch and in December 2012, she gave birth to her daughter here in the US. In an interview to Bellanaija, and the first of hers that I've read, she talks about the rumors around her wedding, and her journey as a wife and mother, among other things. Below are some excerpts;

It’s great to see you Mercy. Let me start by saying that you have a beautiful home.
Thank you. It was a surprise from my husband, Odi. He didn’t tell me about it while we were in America and when I returned back to Nigeria, I thought we were going to our former house but he drove me straight here. And then he also gave me a new car with the plate number ‘Odi’s Wife’.

Aww, that’s so sweet. There’s been a lot of media attention surrounding the birth of your daughter and her recent dedication. How does this make you feel?
At a point, I actually felt the whole thing was over dramatized. I really appreciate the fact that some people wish me well and are happy for me which is why I share her picture on Twitter once in a while. On my Twitter page, more than 3000 people ask me about Purity every day. Sometimes I get overwhelmed but I’m grateful for the love and goodwill messages and I can only say thank you.

Purity is quite a unique name. What inspired her name?
When I asked my husband, he said “You. She reminds me so much of you.” He said I have a good heart and he’d really want her to have a good heart and clear conscience like me. And he’d wish for everything about her to be pure.

As a first time Mom, how has the experience been so far?
It’s magical, it’s awesome! I just can’t stop staring at her. When I was pregnant, my sister-in-law came to the house and when her son pooped I said “Oh my God, don’t let it touch my chair!” Then I was about six months gone and she just looked at me and said “In three months time, you will understand”. And really, it is true. Now when Purity poops, I begin to dance. Everything is special. I want to clean her up myself, dress her up myself. I just can’t explain, she makes me complete.

A Happy Marriage Is ...

Mo Eazy's Smile - Music Video Romance

Just found out about Mo Eazy recently through the Smile video, and it was easy to see why he's produced by Darey's Soul Muzik.

Fine Nigerian Men in the Mr Universe Contest

Mr Edo

Just some eye candy men from the on-going Mr Universe Nigeria contest to spice up your weekend. Hope it's going great? Have fun, mwah!

Gas Pump Prank Couple on the Jay Leno Show

Happy couples just make me smile.  The two videos below show a couple who got played by the "Tonight Show with Jay Leno" prank, in which a talking head on a gas pump screen interacts with gas buyers for the promise of a free tank of gas. Who doesn't want that?

Will Sims sure does. The guy, pictured above with his wife, Monifa, was already singing and when the presenter asks for a song, he breaks into Bon Jovi's Living on a Prayer. The wife was laughing her head off in the car, but when she finally comes out, she also showcases her own singing in Sweet Dreams by Eurythmics. The husband provided back-up with amazing and hilarious vocals.

This couple must be Karoake masters I think, especially the guy, and they're really good singers too. More than that, the sweet happiness and love they exude - after 12 years together - is an inspiration to take joy in the little things in life. I hope the videos brings a smile to your face as it did mine :)

How to Make Love a Decision

This story below is one of those stories that gets about on the interwebs. I received it in my email recently from a friend and tried to find the original writer. It is written by Michael D. Hargrove and titled "Don't Hope, Friend.... Decide!" for the book "A 5th Portion of Chicken Soup for the Soul".

I also found that in their book, How to Make Love Everyday... Guaranteed, Peter Crook and June Crook used the story to illustrate the benefits of public displays of affection in building and sustaining love and romance in a long term relationship, and even it works in building your relationship with your children. I hope it touches you as it did me.

While waiting to pick up a friend at the airport in Portland, Oregon, I had one of those life-changing experiences that you hear other people talk about — the kind that sneaks up on you unexpectedly. This one occurred a mere two feet away from me.

Straining to locate my friend among the passengers alighting through the jet way, I noticed a man coming toward me carrying two light bags. He stopped right next to me to greet his family.

First he motioned to his youngest son (maybe six years old) as he laid down his bags. They gave each other a long, loving hug. As they separated enough to look in each other’s face, I heard the father say, “It’s so good to see you, son. I missed you so much!” His son smiled somewhat shyly, averted his eyes and replied softly, “Me, too, Dad!”

Pregnant Kate Middleton Glows in Peach

It really seems like height helps a woman carry a pregnancy better. Kate Middleton continues to look great with her bump as she attends official engagement almost 7 months into her pregnancy. And some reports are indicating that it may really be a boy :)

10 Things Every Mom Needs To Know

This is from the president himself, or the Kid President if you will. This little guy is just so cute and hilarious in his deliveries, love him. Happy mother's day in advance to all the moms in the house. This is the time to remember and honor moms, and believe me, mothers rock!

Kid President's 10 Things Every Mom Needs To Know
(on behalf of all kids everywhere)

1. Put down the phone (unless your kid is named "Phone").

2. Don't name your kid "Phone."

3. We love you. Just sometimes, we don't know how to say it.

4. Stop cleaning.

5. Mom upside-down is Wow.

6. Let's cool it on the meatloaf.

7. Thank you for cleaning up all the poop.

8. Have fun!

9. Hug more. Shout less.

10. The secret to changing the world is -- moms.

4 Bedtime Habits That May Be Killing Your Sex Life

by Shelley Emling

Finding a longtime couple who complains about too much hot sex is about as unusual as coming across an ice cube in the Sahara. For many, sex can grow a bit mundane after so many years with the same person. But all is not lost. You, too, can revitalize your sex life just by changing even a few of your everyday habits. Having been married for 22 years, I speak from experience. I also learned a few things by reaching out to Huff/Post50 contributor Ken Solin,who’s also AARP’s dating expert.

“If you’re sex life is on auto-pilot that may mean you’re not being fully present when you’re making love with your partner. The same foreplay, position and orgasms are boring after a while,” he said. “While it does require some amount of thought, it’s helpful to try to make love at least a little differently each time. Change the foreplay menu. Avoid monotony by making love in new positions. The words ‘boring’ and ‘sex’ don’t ever belong in the same sentence.”

For additional help, here are four bedtime habits that may be killing your sex life. Have your own ideas? Let us know in comments.

Michelle Obama Answers - What's Your Ideal Mother's Day?

Michelle Obama, after signing copies of her new book, American Grown, in a Washington D.C. bookstore, revealed  to TODAY that she's blissfully planning a quiet Sunday. “I mean, like any mother, I get to sleep in, or for me, it's wake up when I feel like it.”

She says the rest of the day will consist of a workout, spending time with her mom, and deciding what’s for dinner. “My mom and I pick our meal. So we decide what we want to eat that day. So it's our choice.” Marian Robinson, Michelle Obama's mom lives with them in the White House, and I'm guessing that like most mothers around the world, they rarely get to choose what's on the family menu. So this would surely be a treat :)

Asked to finish the sentence, “My mother taught me…,” Michelle Obama replies. “What my mom taught me and continues to teach me is patience and good humor and common sense and openness. You know, my mom is such a good listener. And she has taught me that one of the best things I can do for my daughters is to listen, not talk or always give advice, but to be there with an open ear and a warm hug and an understanding heart because I still find myself going up to my mom's room and just talking to her for hours about any and everything. And that relationship keeps me whole, not just here as first lady in the White House but it has sustained me throughout my entire life. And if I could be half that mother for my girls, then I will have done a good thing.”

That's a great relationship she has with her mom, and I totally agree with her!