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About Me
 

My name is Tawnya Denise Anderson. My family and the people who grew up with me call me “Tawnya” (pronounced like “Tanya” or “Tonya). Those who met me after college (when I finally got sick of people mispronouncing my name) call me “Denise.” Sometimes people call me “Pastor.” One little girl calls me “Mommy.” One man calls me his wife.

I’m married to him:

carter-denise

We were hitched in 2007 and these have been the most beautiful, challenging, and growth-filled years of my life. He’s probably the only man on earth who can put up with me, and not only does he put up with me, but he seems to enjoy it. Whatever turns him on – as long as that’s me, of course!

Together, we made her:

The Andersons

She came along the year after we got married. Having her is like living with a short and very cute comedian. She’s a budding vocalist and songwriter (usually her songs involve food or her parents) and she kicks gluteus in Kung Fu classes a few times a week. She has a betta fish named “Joshua,” and no one is allowed to talk to him but her. I won’t argue with a Kung Fu master, especially not about a fish.

We live in suburban Maryland, right outside Washington, DC. In addition to being a full-time wife, mom, and professional, I’m also working toward ordination in my denomination. Currently, I serve “part-time” as a pastoral assistant at a local church. The goal is to eventually trade in my cubicle for a communion table and do ministry full-time. After years of school, papers, exams, interviews, write-ups, internships, praying, fasting, and pulling out my hair, I’m finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel in this process.

Welcome to my site! I hope you enjoy yourself and that something said here entertains or inspires you.

23 Comments
  • http://www.thepoweroftwo.typepad.com Alycia

    Hey Denise,
    I just discovered your blog thru your facebook. I am so loving the title as it’s every mommy’s wish- to regain their swag after babies :) Don’t be a stranger and it looks like you’re doing a great job being achieving your swag goals. The weight loss alone is amazing!

    Blessings-
    Alycia

    (Artina’s line sister)

  • http://www.curvaciouslyfierce.com Sandra

    Hi Denise,

    I stumbled on your website today and I must say I love it :)
    I don’t have any children but that’s not going to stop me for love your site :)
    Good job and you’ve found a fan in me!!!!

  • http://www.lipglossandbinky.blogspot.com Mimi

    Hi, just found your blog and I am looking forward to reading more. I have struggled to regain my swagger as well after having children! It’s not as easy as it looks but it must be done!

  • http://princesszaria.blogspot.com Cheryl Pope

    Glad I read this. Have a plan to start getting my swag back next month. Thanks for inspiring :)

  • Marietta

    So, I just stumbled here through a post of your “Marriage is Not Designed to Make You Happy” blog. I am a new mother as of 3 months ago, and I have been talking to my husband about “getting back to me”…and this is going to help motivate me to FULLY accept the challenge. I have the last 20 lbs of baby weight along with just something for MOMMY to accomplish…Keep it coming ^_^

  • http://sha-boogie.blogspot.com Sha Boogie

    I LIKE that your ‘about me’. I’ve been slowly trying to get my ‘swag’ back after having my son in 2009. I’ve come a long way.. and I’ve still got some ways to go! I look forward to reading your blog…

  • http://www.comfortableinpain.wordpress.com Comfort in Pain

    You have an interesting view of how your life should be and making it reality. So few have it right and understand what it is to walk and stand on your beliefs. Continue to share what people need truth and hope. W.O.W. Wonder Of Words.
    Comfort in Pain.

  • Una

    Very interesting view on how us mothers lose ourselves raising our kids. I am very excited in reading your blog.

  • J. Nicole

    YOU GO GIRL

  • Mimi

    Wow. This is exactly what I’ve been dealing with. I feel like if I spend time or money on myself it is time and money taken from my kids. I used to have hair done, nails done, everything big. Now I’m no longer fancy. Things like getting my nails done and a pedicure used to be regular maintenance. Now they’re a treat when I can get it done. I feel guilty when I buy myself things, because it is money I could be spending on my babies. You stopped me dead in my tracks when you mentioned needing to set an example for your daughter. I see that I need to reevaluate my thinking. Thanks for the swift kick in the pants Denise. (Zion!)

  • http://www.joneseskeeper.com Angela @ Keeping Up with the Joneses

    Just discovered your blog and I really like what you are standing for. As a brand new mommy I’m trying to reclaim some of my swagger too!

  • http://www.bossygirl1980.com BossyGirl1980

    I love this!!! I feel like we are living the same life… I have been a mom for 10 years but sometimes it takes a while to get your swagger back!
    xoxo
    BossyGirl1980!

  • Daheia

    I’m glad I found your blog! I just gave birth to my second daughter (who is a mere 13 months younger than my first born) and have been saying for the last half of my pregnancy that once I give birth, it will be time for me to turn my “swig” back into a “swag”!! Looking forward to future postings!

  • http://andthepointofitallis.blogspot.com/ Regena Brown

    I just found your blog through BMWK and look forward to reading! I just had a little girl 3 months ago and had a similar aha! moment as you. Funny, I didn’t have this with my son but I also want him to look to me as an example so he will know what to look for in his future wife.

  • Kesha D.

    WOW! I’m a wife and mom to (almost) two year old b/g twins… I totally get trying to be everything to everybody and worrying about my house being clean and the laundry being done… working on this! I love your thought about “healthy” vanity showing the outside world about how I feel about the inner you! Can’t wait to read your blog as I work on getting MY swag back :)

  • Cutecouple1117

    I can totally relate…Being a wife and mother is an awesome job and responsibility. Yet sometimes we lose ourselves. I too am wokring on getting my swag back. God Bless!

  • Stevieballard

    I’m thoroughly enjoying your page. After reading your bio, as a born & raised S.E. Washington, D.C. girl myself, it was all I could do but roll pictures in my head of my mom, who passed away in December, 2004. Like you, my Mom to me was the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen, & she NEVER took a bad picture; she always looked classy, even when running around the house tending to the six of us as a single mom (I’m the baby). She always seemed to put it all together; after my first, I realized how hard that truly had to be. I just put MY baby (the last of 3) on a plane last week to study in Germany for her first year of college; wow, I’m still scratching my head. Where did the time go? Just be sure you cherish & adore EVERY moment, ’cause if you blink too slowly, it’ll be gone.

  • Penny Miller

    Hello, stopped by today & sooo enjoyed your blog. I posted your button on my blog site (thmcovenant.blogspot.com). Stop by & check us out sometime. Blessings in your day! Penny

  • Janet

    Hi Denise, I once emailed you but without a response so I am trying again. Saw your wedding photos on Chocolate bride – abosolutely beautiful. I have a wedding coming up and will be using the Adinkra symbols. Wanted to know where you got your cake topper from, and also where you printed your wedding invitations, if you don’t mind sharing? Please email me if you would, at jandoh@maine.rr.com. Many thanks!

    • Swag Mama

      I’m so sorry, sis! Stuff in my inbox gets lost in the sauce a lot. We actually made our own invitations, and we got the pockets from Envelopments. We had the cake topper made at weddingcuts.com. You give them a design and they can create a topper t your specifications. I hope that helps!

  • Donna

    Hello – you’re a wonderful writer, I really connect with you. Keep up the excellent work and I look forward to reading more.

  • Khareen

    Loving your blog. It’s refreshing to find substance that I can relate to in a blog. Thank you for representing that “swagger” and “mommy” are not antithetical. Keep it up.

  • Pastord

    It was such a sincere pleasure to find your article! Often times you feel like no one understands or get you! You are right my family never ask but I gave because I thought it was what I was suppose to do! God Bless you on your journey……forever The Real Queen Maker “Pastor D”

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