{Marriage} ♥

I figure June was about Me {and turning the B-I-G 30!}. August will be about my Husband. {Not only is our 5 year Anniversary this month, but so is his 32nd Birthday! {Yes, I know he is OLD! HA. I joke.}

I know that no relationship is perfect....

But, what makes a relationship work?

Not only are relationships not perfect but neither are people ::insert horribly fake surprised face here:: {HA.}

I know this...trust me..I know. 

What I have learned in my  FIVE years of Marriage {and 12 years on this journey with my Husband}is this:

Communication is Key, but Silence is truly is Golden {How do they say...know when to pick your fights...oh.boy. is this true.}

You must be sincere. No room for being selfish. Life is no longer about you. {It's about TWO!}

It's about TWO {becoming ONE}. IT'S ABOUT TWO. {In Marriage NO MATTER what; you leave everyone EVERYONE else behind and become TWO. NO ifs, ands or buts about it. No joke.}

Truth. It ALWAYS comes out. If you lie. You are only, ONLY lying to yourself. There should be NO hiding. 

When it comes time to face a problem. You face it. There is no where to run...{other than to God}

You have to be consistent. In what you DO {actions speak louder than words}, in what you say, and in what you expect.

You can't change HIM. He can't change YOU. You are who are. You are with one another. You've accepted that. 

You must be persistent. In your Love and in your FAITH.

With Truth comes Transparency. You have to humble yourself and be trustworthy....

Respectful. Above all. In this day and age Social Networks consume our everyday.... You show respect to yourself and to your spouse at ALL times, no matter what.... or it could come back to haunt you.

Use kind words. Once more. Respectful towards one another. Especially in front of others...

You work TOGETHER towards a common GOAL. We can't each have a separate agenda. {And, our agenda was set forth 12 YEARS AGO. From the beginning we knew that this point that we are at now is where we wanted to be...TOGETHER.}

Together-ness. In ALL that we do! We don't have different schedules. We don't have TWO different families. We have each others backs and we MOVE FORWARD TOGETHER. {Now with children we realize we have to stay strong as a unit, so that our children have a consistent and persistent upbringing. We realize that we will accomplish more UNITED rather than divided!}

Above all we are friends. We talk. We laugh. We live. We share. We dream. We plan. We worship. We praise. We pray. We sing. We fall in love. We have fun. We love on another. We support one another. We are here for one another. There is NO one, no girlfriend, no Mom, no Sister, no Dad, no friend, no co-worker, no Brother, no classmate, no acquaintance that we ever place before God or before each other. He is all I have, and I am he has...that's how we have made it work! 

We have found that GOD has really brought us here. We Love Him and follow HIM, no matter what path he leads us down...because in the end we KNOW that we are NOT ALONE. Never. Ever.

We have FAITH. We have HOPE. Above all we have LOVE.

{Trust me we are NOT perfect....ever.....}

We work at our marriage EVERYDAY. Every hour, every minute, every second.... We WORK TOGETHER at it!!! Just like anything else in life...it's a true WORK IN PROGRESS!!!!

Our want{Love}, need {FAMILY} and ability {GOD} to work at our relationship is what has kept us together for 12 years....

[ I am sure there are many OTHER lessons I have learned....it's been 12 years...there have been many...these are the ones that I can remember right, right now.... ]

The Adjustment Bureau {Movie Review} Double Post Monday

{I don't think I have done this lately, or really more than a couple of times....BTW, I don't get ANY type of compensation for doing this...It's just for fun!}

SO!

Matt Damon.

NUFF'SAID!

Ha. But no, really!

And with his wife...

I mean...seriously...AH-MAY-ZING!

Ok, done now. 

What movie?

Oh yes, yes. {Ha. Ha.}

This movie was more than amazing. And, not just cause of the above mentioned.

This movie. This movie.

Wow.

Purpose, Fate, Free will.

God, Angels..and did I mention Matt Damon?

My Husband and I sat down after a LONG week...a LONG week...A crazy couple of days and exhausted as an understatement and said....we may just fall asleep. Less than half way through the movie we were hooked and by the end of the movie. We wanted more!

I am not even kidding. Ricardo wanted to know what others thought. If I thought the Catholic church would approve.

This movie just affirmed our FAITH in Christ and HIS PLAN and PURPOSE for us to the HUNDREDTH power!

Without spoiling the movie...

We thought it was a Government/Mystery/Thriller... but OH.BOY. Were we wrong. It's a GOD/Divine Purpose/Faith-seeking/THRILLER! {It does have some politics involved but it just affirms the movie as a whole!}

The movie discusses Angels and God's plan for our lives...and the role that fate and free will plays in it all.

I loved it.

My Husband loved it.

We needed it.

It just reminded us that we ARE here because of HIM. That the choices we make will affect the outcome of our lives BUT that when we make GOOD choices those that God tugs at our hearts with constantly, then we can change the course of our plan but ultimately HIS plan is working and moving right along!

It's a romantic LOVE story.

Definitely not for children, as it has strong language and some sexual content...

But, for mature, Faith-seeking adults..I think a TOTAL MUST!!!!

I totally. {We totally} Give it an:

A++ For just being truly amazing!

Monday{Fun day?}

Ha. Monday...a FUN DAY?

It could be I guess...

This morning I left my house thinking...

I threw the load in to dry, I set the dishwasher, and rinsed the bottles, took the trash out, turned off all the lights, set the AC to 75 {per Hubby's request}, sent the kids off with my Husband {Did he take the wipes?}, got car seats back in my truck, drop off dry cleaning before work and pray a little morning prayer...

Good Morning Monday! Hello new week!!!! New MONTH!!! My day has begun!

How busy is your Monday?

{Goal list for August 2011}

• I am on a new venture to get a daily routine and schedule going!
• To get more organized!
• And, to start preparing for my sons 2ND Birthday Party!!! {So.MUCH.to.do!!}

For those of you who know...

I NOW HAVE MY CAMILA TICKETS!!!!!!!!!!!!

{Es Viernes!!!} Joy is comin' in the morning!

{My Husband just advised me not to write in Spanish here..to create a whole new Blog?! A fellow Coog Blogger...YES I had to go there..Ha. I am sitting at UH in the computer lab tonight and YES I am a proud COOG HA, it's late, I'm delirious. Anyway a fellow Coog Blogger, also told me to think about it before I actually went through with it....I am stuck! Input please...but in the mean time....}

 
Finalmente! 

Es Viernes!!! 

Gracias A Dios!!!

Ha sido una semana larguísima! Me eh sentido muy mal y los días se me hacen eternos...así que, saber que mañana es Sábado y que no me tengo que despertar temprano me hace sentir feliz!!!

Mi esposo ha estado súper ocupado con la escuela, son las 9:21pm, y todavía estamos en la universidad tratando de terminar su "speech" acerca del DREAM Act para mañana. Le toco estar en contra. Se nos ha hecho un “poco” difícil pero creo que va estar preparado para su presentación. 

Mis hijos están en casa de su Abuela, y los extrañamos tanto que al escribir esto, se me hace un nudo en la garganta! Espero que cuando vayamos por ellos estén dormido...PERO...creo que los vamos a despertar… Solo para verlos un ratito!!! 

In all it's been a hectic week...time disappears and sorrows seem to fade. The pain is still there {we MISS my Aunt beyond belief} please keep my family from Detroit in your prayers. They are experiencing the grief that I can't begin to imagine. 

Buen fin. Hasta mañana! 

{Thankful Thursdays} LINK UP!

This week I am most Thankful for:









Sorrows {Without them I'd have no need to fall to my knees and be reminded of WHY I am here...of WHO my purpose is.}


Smiles {My kids have some of the best ones...see for yourself!}

Speech Courses {Without them, I wouldn't be reminded of how much I am needed and depended on as a Wife.}


Pain {It just brings everything into perspective. Really it does.}


"Like-Minded Women" {I am going through a lot right now and having these ladies in my life makes things all the more enjoyable!}

What are you Thankful for this week?

~Praise and Worship Wednesdays~

Today a man let me in front of him in traffic....

I couldn't help but notice his shiny silver Range Rover....

He was a well dressed man...with nice sunglasses, probably pricey....

He seemed to have a good job; with what his appearance was and the nice SUV he was driving....

But still...I couldn't help but think..."I wonder what problems he has?" {Not in a sarcastic way but in a truthful way....}

Just because he seems to have an awesome life...doesn't mean he does....

No todo es lo que parece.... {Not everything is what it appears}

Many of us hide our deepest sorrows and fears behind expensive shades and fancy cars... but truth is...

We all have sorrows... we all have problems....we all have pain....

Our struggles may not be the same..but they are there none the less....

My devotional today read like this:

New mercies every morning,
Grace for every day,
New hope for every trial,
And courage all the way.~McVeigh

This is true... Courage all the way....

This man...like myself... walked out of his house this morning despite the sorrows, looking very stylish and MOVED forward... he like many of us is going through this journey of life.... WITH COURAGE.

The courage it takes to move ON....to MOVE forward!

I hope you too will move forward today filled with courage.....

Psalm 30:5

    For his anger lasts only a moment,

but his favor lasts a lifetime!


Weeping may last through the night,


but joy comes with the morning.

{Time Capsule} Part Dos

I was literally in the shower when I thought about what I would include in our Time Capsule {TMI? Ha. Sorry!} But, I was and I thought of the following items and I may or may not add or include some things depending on how I decide to store them.

So, if you watch the video yesterday you will note that they suggest a waterproof metal container.

I am thinking a coffee can? Or a lunch box? Not sure. Have to really research that part....

Anyway. That's the first challenge.

The second one is, when we will open it?

I was thinking when the kids enter Kindergarten...BUT that's such a long time from now. I guess that's the point! {Ha.} So, about 5 years or so. Santi would be 7 and Camila would be 5. I think that they would be at a good age to understand what we did and why. {What do you think?}

Those things are debatable, I guess. {Ha.}

My Time Capsule Items will possibly include:

• Pictures{Of the kids and our family in 2011}
• Music {A CD or Two; Momma's Christian Music and Daddy's Salsa hits}
• Current Menus from restaurants that we go to and love
• An old cellphone; we have several that we are not using
• Newspaper clippings of the front page stories for August 2011 cause it will be then that we make it
• I want to include a list of our physical appearances {Age, Weight, Height, etc.} 
• I want to include a picture of our house and cars {in case we've become BILLIONAIRES in the next 5 years...we can look back at our humble beginnings...HAHAHA. Just sayin'.... I am totally joking. Hehehe.} 
• I want to include copies of this Blog and the previous one...as proof that I BLOGGED about it {Ha.}
• Maybe some baby items; blankie, toys, favorite movie list?
• And...then I got stuck... what else do you think would be an important or sentimental item that we could include?... totally open to suggestions here... considering I have never created a time capsule and all... {Ha.}

 To be continued......

**Note to Readers: Part Tres will come when we make our Time Capsule, which will probably be in the next month or so.... Thank You!!! Can't wait to see our finished product!!!

{Time Capsule} Part Uno

Ok, so I MUST BLOG ABOUT THIS....

Before my ears fall off!

Connie, why will your ears fall off?

Well for about 2 weeks now my Husband has been asking me..."Did you Blog about my idea?"

Now, if you know my Hubby you know his social status..is well... not so social! {Ha.} Don't get me wrong he is a super fun loving guy with TONS of personality..many people who get his sarcastic but real view of the world, LOVE him and see him for who he really is...a GREAT big hug-able, softy bear! With that said.

My Husband used to not be so fond of my idea of sharing...our life and now our children's lives and I must admit to a certain extent I agree with him. But, it's been almost 3 years since my Bloggy journey began and I have nothing but great stories and awesome feedback from my readers....{OH.MY.WORD. "MY" readers. Ha!}

Anywho. TIME TRAVEL. I mean...a TIME CAPSULE.

Another tidbit about my Husband; He is currently a Senior at the University of Houston {GO COOGS!}, his major is Construction Management. He has been employed as an Intern for a little over a year now. His first internship was last Summer. It took us on many great adventures! This year his Internship was in the city...Houston that is. They have small projects in different locations and he is learning as much as he can. One of his recent projects JUST SO HAPPENED to be right across the street from my office building! I know, pretty cool, considering I saw the building being fully restored from start to finish from my office window!!! And, come to find out, my Husband would join their team just as the project was finishing.

He came to downtown and did a walk through of the building. During this walk through the talk of a time capsule came up. Yes. Time capsules. He found out that many builders install time capsules in random places of the buildings and don't tell anyone where it is or that it's even there. My Husband being a History lover, thought this was above and beyond fascinating.

So, you guessed it. On our ride home that day...He sounded like a 5 year old coming home from show and tell. "And guess what little Jose brought to school today...A TIME CAPSULE! CAN YOU BELIEVE IT!" {Ha, I love love love my Husband!}

His next words were A HUGE SURPRISE but music to my ears.... "YOU SHOULD BLOG ABOUT THIS! And see what others have to say!" {After my mouth dried out from having hit the floor, I said...SURE!}

So here I am. Writing about TIME CAPSULES.

Our idea is to actually make one, for our family! You know I Youtubed it ASAP! I am the Youtube How to Queen! I found a great video and in the next couple of months we will be making, yes...a Time Capsule... ::insert galaxy like Star Wars music here:: {Ha. I am sooo not making fun! My Hubby and I are total nerds and LOVE this kind of idea!!! No offense to nerds... seriously!}


I will be supplying a list of what we will include in our project tomorrow... keep in mind.....I thought this post out as I got ready for work this morning..so all the details are not quite ironed out....{HA.}


To be Continued.....

A Vast Sea of Emotions?

One thing that I am is EMOTION. I feel. I feel a lot. In a most sincere and loving way.

That said...

This weekend I was ill. Very ill. So ill. By Saturday morning I was sitting in the ER with a nurse and doctor at my side. I needed pain medication. Pain medication so strong that the doctor's first question was, "Is there any possibility you could be pregnant?" My answer left the nurse in limbo and a pregnancy test was in order.

For an hour. A whole 60 minutes. My Husband's heart.... and mine, swam, in a VAST sea of emotions.

We know that we want to have ONE more child. But, we also know that Santi and Cami came so quickly that we now want to enjoy each, individually for at least 2 or 3 more years. Therefore we sat there; worried wondering and praying. We are not ready for a 3rd child but Dear Lord, let be it be your will not mine, I repeated in my head. Ricardo started thinking finances and school and calculating when the baby would be born {breath everyone...breath}; to which I told him, calm down, there is no YES, just yet! 

An hour had passed and my pain increased. I needed a confirmation and some medication. Ricardo was just anxious to hear an answer. At this time, an x-ray technician came into the room to take me away to x-rays, Ricardo asked so the pregnancy test was negative? The tech said. "Oh they haven't told you?"...."Yes..it was negative." After we both started breathing again...my pain medication was administered and I was taken to x-rays. I am better now.

But, for that brief moment ....we had no idea what God would do with us. It just places A LOT into perspective! A Blessed moment? I think so.

SO, How was your weekend?! {Ha.}

As you can tell, mine did NOT go according to plan... {Ha.} The is no Vlog today.... {Ugh.}

What is it about Monday's that makes you want to sink your face deeper into your pillow and say...UGH...MONDAY! As opposed to jumping out of bed and saying...YEAYUH!!! MONDAY! {Ha.Ha.} 

{Thankful Thursdays} LINK UP!

It's a little late but here I go....

This week I am most Thankful for:

My Momma's of Faith {They are 3 GREAT friends that I have made and met ONLINE. Yes. ONLINE. But, we are great friends together and to each other. We had dinner this week and it was AMAZING. We ate, we talked, we laughed and have that one great FRIEND day for the week! It totally rocked my socks!}

Pizza {Without it, I wouldn't have been sitting on the couch, gazing into my ALMOST TWO YEAR OLD'S most Beautiful, Big Dark Brown eyes as I wiped tomato sauce off his mouth and chin and cheeks.... He is perfect....}

Mornings { I am in deed a MORNING person. I love it. I love the sun. When it's up and out so am I! I love it. Did I say that already? My favorite time these days is saying Good Morning to my new little ray of light, MY CAMBAM. She is ALSO a morning person! She SMILES from ear to ear as I say "Good Mornin'Mama!" That more than makes my day!!}

Finally....

Dress shoes and Socks on the living room floor { It reminds me that I have a soul mate in my home, that the Lord has given my home a provider. It reminds me that my Husband has a stable job that he went to that day. It reminds me that I am a Wife and that I fell in love with THAT man....}

That's all.

{Great Thursday to Everyone!}

Do you ever wonder...

Why people are in your life?

Everyday people cross paths with everyday stories.

Some of sorrow others of joy.

We are all on this journey together. {Technically} To help and encourage, to love and to hold....

Life has brought many great people into path. These days I think about how Blessed I am to have these people in my life.

I learn from their mistakes. I heal with their wounds. I pray for them.

We pray for each other.... We love our families..... We go to Church.....

We craft. We Blog. We take pictures....and have fun!

I've seen them grow. I've seen them hurt. I love them just the same.

We cry together. We laugh at one another. We live life.....

That's life.

A journey.

We don't take it too serious and always tell the truth...even if it hurts...

We are all on the same bus with different stops. {The big yellow bus that is... }

No matter where this ride may take me.....I am holding on tight and enjoying it...every minute of it...

Life is too short to be worried about tomorrow...and what or who it may or may not bring...


Only God knows when it will stop..and when I will get off the bus.... {I hope it's at Disney World....Wha'? I hear it's fun...I'm just sayin'....}

I hope you are all sitting next to your Besties on this ride...I know I am.