{Where life may lead....}

Our little family will follow. {No doubt....}

God has been very good to us....Very good to us! Life is what it is, never perfect just LIFE. 

"So then, let us rid ourselves of everything that gets in the way, and of the sin which holds on to us so tightly, and let us run with determination the race that lies before us." (Hebrews 12:1b TEV)

Focused. On life. Is where I am.

These days my government job keeps me out of my house and off the computer. Busy. It's good for you, every once in a while. I don't mind it. At all. It's just that with life and work; I have no Blog time. Ha.

But, I wanted to give you all some updates and just pure joy and excitement!

A journey or stage of our lives is soon to come to an end and we will enter a new journey and new life, I pray.

It's been an amazing journey.. yes... the countdown to that day begins. Ricardo will be graduating in 13 DAYS!{GO COOGS!!} I have been speaking of this day for years.... YEARS. Now that it's here, it's bittersweet. What will become of us, where will this lead us {Where will He lead us?}, what new adventures can we embark on.... Only God knows where He wants us to go from here.... Only Him. And, I trust Him. Everyday. All the time.

Another little adventure that I have entered is the weight loss adventure. Don't get me wrong. I am not on a diet, or anything of that fashion. I am simply making changes that will better my chances of number one; staying healthy and number two being fit and energy filled. For one; I have stopped drinking sodas of any kind and cut out bread and sweets; in a weekly time frame. The first week I stopped the sodas and increased the water, the second week I stopped the bread and kept on with the water and this is my third week I have added the no sweets mostly junk food sweets.  Any who we shall see. I have already been close to calling it quits because I haven't seen change..but patience is what I need. 


I have been crafting. Lots. I love it.

I went to an amazing, AMAZING! Life changing conference with one of my Bestie's, Yvonne! I have to tell you all what that's about, IT REALLY WAS...GREAT!

The kids have been a little sick; fever, cough, the I want to bug Momma until she falls asleep of exhaustion bug! Ha.

We are hooked on Despicable Me. I LOVE THAT MOVIE!

We have been going to the park to walk, run and play with the kids almost every day for about 2 weeks now. We LOVE it. THE KIDS LOVE IT.

As you can see, we are moving along in this little place called LIFE. And we are loving it. Lots.

Hope you have a great week...a new month will be here soon and I have lots of fun plans for us, stay tuned!

{When I am M.I.A....}

Not sure if most know this but I work outside the home... sometimes 8, sometimes 10 and on days like today over 12 hours a day...

Yep aside from being a Momma of Dos and a Wifey..I belong to the government for a period of time during my day, it's no biggie only my time here is less... that makes my mind and heart sad.

When I am M.I.A. I usually come home after 8pm or so...

My Hubby will cook dinner...tonight... pasta, a salad and red wine...perfect. Yes. It is.

I have no time for extras...no phone, Internet or meet ups. Tonight, I texted with two people and then forgot what I was doing...

I try to get it all done before midnight and then head to bed.

Bath-time and bedtime are usually pushed from 8 or 9 to 10  or 11. Crazy I know. But, I love every minute of it....

I don't get much done and end up being BLAH all over the house. Ha.

When I am M.I.A I sleep very little, eat less and seek MORE.

When I am M.I.A. I feel like I am missing..from my own life.. weird huh?

My mornings are filled with prayers about strength, wisdom, and joy....my afternoons are filled with thankful-ness and gratitude for several reasons.... 

Goodnight Bloggy readers...until I find the time again... soon I hope...

{Momma of Dos} ♥ ♥

I know I have said this before, but I didn't picture my life here. As a Momma and Wife. I knew maybe, one day God would Bless me with children, but I didn't know He would BLESS me with children. Becoming a Momma has been one of the most amazing, most rewarding, most beautiful Blessings that God has given me in this life. I don't think I have ever felt this way about any other "accomplishment" in my life.

I was an ambitious one. It runs through my veins I guess. I knew I wanted success and I was set out to get there. Until I started gaining "real world" success and I thought, this is nothing. There has to be more. Something better has to come. OH.BOY. Did it ever! The "MORE" was an almost 9 month "ordeal"{really ALMOST 9 months, but technically 8 months and 2 weeks.}. I mean I was creating life, it had to be grand right? I didn't feel grand, I was huge, in pain, swollen, I was on a diet for my Gestational Diabetes, I was, yep, PREGNANT!

I thought;"this will be good."

Then, September 16th came in 2009 and I was ready. Ready to meet this new little person, that by the grace of God I had grown in my belly. This new little man in my life. What would he look like? Who would he look like? What would he be like? ::and the tears build as I type:: The feelings build up as I think about it. What would he become? How big of a Blessing would he be?

Then he arrived.

His entrance. A memorable one. His first glance. Heart piercing. His first embrace. Like nothing I had ever, EVER felt before. Life. It was complete. It was an awe inspiring one. I didn't know what to do with myself. I knew I wanted to spend every waking moment with him. I knew I didn't want to sleep so I could watch him sleep. I knew. That the "MORE", was being a Momma.

God gave me many failed opportunities at being of this world. At becoming a "supervisor" in my worldly jobs. Every time, I was so disappointed. I was so devastated. I was a failure.

Then, I become a Momma and NOTHING. ELSE. MATTERED. EVER. AGAIN. My success, my accomplishment was living.

Then came 2011. The success was magnified even more. Not only would God have allowed me (had trusted me, had specifically chosen me) to live through one amazing moment, but DOS. Her pregnancy was so much easier. I knew what to except and planned for it. It wasn't so bad. I gained less weight, was not so sick and was used to the meal plan. Her birth. Just like her, dramatic but sweet. {Oh you haven't met Cami? That girl is some drama! Ha. But she is also my sweet little feisty one.}

These days I share giggles and prayers with them. And that Supervisor job..I have it... times TEN. I don't mind it. God knows I can handle it. Is it perfect? Never. Is it awesome? Absolutely. Am I accomplished? I am Blessed beyond my wildest dreams.

Being this Momma of Dos is molding me into the Momma that my Dos will need as they grow through this world and attempt at their own failed accomplishments until they too find their way.....

Just because I am happy doesn't mean I am perfect. God didn't create this life to be easy but to be lived. With peace. Happy and in Love. With Faith and hope. Above all with Jesus as the center of our families. I pray that God is in our home and that He will guide this Momma into the Blessing that my children need as they mature into the people that God has them planned to be.

I didn't plan this path but I chose to follow it with all my heart no matter what or where it leads me for Him and for them....

And, life has NEVER been the same.... or better than where I am now... ever....

{This post is part of my Identity Series with the previous posts ::HERE::. Inspired by one beautiful Momma named Vanessa over at DE SU MAMA. By the way; Huge CONGRATS to her and her beautiful family!!! She just had a handsome little gentleman named, Sebastian Richard!!!!}

On confidence. Or lack thereof....

Ever since I can remember I have been a very confident person with high self-esteem. That area of my life has never been an issue whether I am a size 2 or a size 14. My smile says it all.

I was never the prettiest, or the smartest, or the tallest, or the most talented. But, I didn't care. I walked with my head high and my shoulders straight.

Then life happened. Last year I turned 30. I felt AMAZING. These days. The 30 syndrome is hitting me.I will be 31, 31. No longer 25 and so far from 18. I have felt not so very confident, as I have in the past. Time has settled on me. I have lived a full life, I think. Family, friends, Marriage, Travel, Education and now Children and Future. And well; my mind, soul and body reflect that. I have had DOS amazing little babies! Life just becomes so LIFE filled. The days need more hours and the hours cry for more minutes. Let's just say I have not been doing the Pretty Girl Rock! at all latley. HA.

"My name is Connie, I am so very...." Ha.  

Then this morning it hit me. How am I suppose to raise an amazing daughter with an amazing smile and crazy amounts of self-confidence if her Momma don't have it? Well, I retract. I am thinking back to those days when life was confident and I didn't doubt who I was or who I would become. Those days when I knew the wind would eventually blow in the right direction. To those days when life was about happiness and faith. No need to wear fancy jeans and do my make up, just wake up and go on about my day.

I want my daughter to know that she can be and do whatever she wants and that the way you look and how others see you comes from one place...that place is within us. Our own faith. Our own confidence. Our own glow and light.

God has placed that light in our hearts...it's up to us to keep it lit!

LIGHT IT UP! LIGHT IT UP!

This little light of mine...

SHINE. BRIGHT. SHINE BRIGHT .

{Vulnerability} ♥

As a Woman {and now more so as a Momma} I tend to guard my heart, my thoughts, my feelings. Sometimes pretending they don't exist. That's how Super Momma's are suppose to be right? As the oldest child I've learn to be strong, to move on and to carry on. That's how Super Daughter's/Sisters are suppose to be right? As a wife, I've learned to endure and overcome, to forgive and to love no matter what. That's how Super Wives are suppose to be right? As an everyday person I've learned to ignore and conceal. That's how a Super Everyday Person is suppose to be right?

Right?

There comes a moment when you look back and think; "Wow, I am so glad I didn't tell that person exactly what I was feeling or what I went through." I think that because we are women and we have so much riding on one person revealing our thoughts, feelings, and past we guard it all, we keep it all to ourselves... until...you find that person. Or maybe a couple of people {aside from your Hubby or Significant other..}that you can trust. That you can be REAL with. I have that. I am Blessed.

It's helps. On those days when your super powers cease to exist and it feel like the world is made of Kryptonite. {Yes. I Love Me some Superman!} Release. Without censorship to a female friend without worrying about judgement, or future gossip is an amazing feeling. That conversation that you didn't think you could share because it was well, too much... but then you shared it and realized...I am not alone. Being a Super Momma is difficult and hey even Superman had backup to help through the really tough situations. God has give me not only a group of amazing Super Hero's in my life but also some pretty awesome sidekicks who help me pull through when I am running out of energy, motivation or faith.

As a Women I think we get so wrapped up in the "drama" that we forget; we are human and have our own personal drama raging within. As my favorite song goes...."there's a battle between good and evil..." I repeat, why is it that as Women who are suppose to be friends, we turn our backs on each other and destroy instead of build-up.

I've learned that drama will come and go. If it lingers it's cause you've got something to handle or confront. When it's gone. It's not missed. At all.

Every relationship a lesson learned. Every situation conquered with God.

Hope your week is going well. Me. I am fighting my own battle and moving on....

Moving on.

{But, I have prayed enough....}

Yesterday I expressed how prayer was all I had.

Then I thought..

last night while I was praying

my son came looking for me

and it was bath time then bedtime..

did I ever finish praying?

So, then my thought was...

I say I have been praying about it a LOT,

but have I really or have I just been really thinking about it

and like my usual self ASSUMING that God knows what I am asking for

or what I am praying for without giving Him a clear thought!

Today I will pray.

With my whole heart.

An entire prayer.

About....

My Husband

My Marriage

My Children

Motherhood

My family

My finances

My life

My Girlfriends

My relationships

My health

Being healthy

Motivation

Happiness

Love

Faith

Faithfulness

Loyalty

Peace

Understanding

Hope

Joy

Contentment

Safety

and above all for God's will to be done in every single area of my prayers.

Prayer.

{When all you have is prayer....} ♥

My hearts been a little heavy lately. For many personal reasons right now. The enemy is trying to chip away at my desperate little heart. The enemy doesn't know though that God is fighting this inner battle for me and nothing stands a chance against Him!  

For a while I did really well.

That feeling of belonging was coming back to life. Change happened and everything was well; short of amazing.

Then for weeks..months...that feeling came back...you know the ONE...irrelevance. Silence. Sadness. The sense that you just don't belong. That place where you can no longer sit still and life just begs you for change.

Because there is a better place out there for you. Maybe. Maybe?

I look around and everything is in place. Smiles. Happiness. Belonging. Then my heart yells but WHY? And in the words of the ever so famous and  horribly spoken, Dane Cook, WHY NOT ME?

And, the whisper tells me..."why not YOU? You are here for a reason with a purpose on a mission. I never told you I would make this easy, that life would be easy, that your life would be set and perfect. Never. Following Me is NOT meant to be easy, and spelled out for you. Following Me means trusting without seeing what I have in store for you. "

But it's difficult. To wait. To hold my breath. To sit in this irrelevance. To wait. To hold my breath. It's been a while. When I think back..it's been a long while. The irrelevance sits, in every corner of my heart and marinates until I can't hold it in any longer.

"Do you hear yourself Connie?"

Every time things get bad you want to bail.

Here is the thing {and I am simply sharing, no need to feel bad for me, that time is over..this here is menial}..for 10 years I stood in the storm. Faced it head on. I was 14 the first time I heard my Mother sob. The abuse. The knowledge. The pain. The tears. The struggles. I lived it. My Husband has been my Knight in shinning armor. He came "swooped" me up and shook me to wake up and to grow up! God gave me strength, motivation and hope. To move forward, to protect, to love, to forgive. I did. I have. I am in new place.

James 1:12 {Amplified Bible}

¹²Blessed (happy, ^[a]to be envied) is the man who is patient under trial and stands up under temptation, for when he has stood the test and been approved, he will receive [the victor's] crown of life which God has promised to those who love Him.

I thought that was hell, everything else should, would and could be easier. Right? Then the enemy settles in my mind and heart that lie. The lie of irrelevance.

The place where hope fails and I feel like a failure.

All those years, of building and growth. For what? For who?

Why not ME?  And I sit. In prayer.

Alone. Thinking. Tears.

Heart open and Bible in place.

God is here. He has ALREADY won this battle.

And prayer is all I have....

Prayer.

{Year ONE, CamNoodles!} ♥

{Oh my. I don't know if I will get through this one with a dry eye. Just thinking of the words to type I start to get emotional. But, I guess that's a girl for you....

In 1999 I met Ricardo...had anyone told me that by 2012 we'd be married and with not one but DOS amazing little Blessings..I wouldn't believe you. As an 18 year old waiting to conquer the world, I didn't see myself as a House Wife or Momma, AT ALL. Ever. Go figure, huh? I wanted to be a doctor, God knew where my true accomplishments and talents would lay...

God, you ROCK!

Ha.}


Mi Morenaza {Mi Amor y la mitad de mi ser....} Camila Isabel,

You came into our lives as one of the biggest surprises that we never expected but one of the most amazing Blessings that we prayed for day and night for years and years. Your mysterious and exploring eyes. That amazing smile that will melt hearts for years to come, to much of your Father's dismay. With your pearly white piranha teeth, "dientona" is what Daddy calls you. Those long legs, that little potbelly and stick straight black hair. It's leaves me in awe every.single. time that I think of how such a  wonderful little human being came to be.

You are the light of our lives, the way of our days and the breath of sweet fresh air that Team Gomez needed. We are complete {or are we?}; God will know.

Yes, you were a surprise but trust me, you were MORE than welcomed. The day I figured out I may be pregnant was a day that we will never forget. Could it be that inside this Momma grew another little seed of love and faith.

My pregnancy with you was amazing! So sweet and such a glow of new light. I knew you'd be a little Momma... and the day I found out, Hot Pink and Purple flashed before my eyes! Butterflies grew in my heart as it awaited your arrival into this world.

The day you arrived. I knew you'd be my littlest princess. You are that and so much more.  La Nena.

God knew what He was doing when He sent this little bright eye, busy body into our lives...to bring us new and happiness and joy, to help us explore parenthood to a different extent! You are such a peaceful and calm baby. You go about discovering new things on your own always cautious that Momma, Dad or Big Brother Santi are right behind you to help if you get stuck. Trust me. We are always there. You are such a little babbler, "talking" and wide eyed since you were 3 months old! You started holding your bottle and sitting up at around 4 months. And, you are definitely your Momma's child. You have ants in your pants and do NOT sit still EVER! You are feisty little Mexican Momma. morena and strong! You put up a BIG fight and your brother will soon get away with nothing, if you have anything to say about it! You LOVE, love, LOVE to dance...you get it from yo'Momma. You hear music and you look for your Daddy {your more than willing dance partner} and if you can't find him, you shake your booty right where you are! Trust me, your Dad will be sleeping with one eye open when the time comes!

You are definitely your Daddy's little girl, I think you will be inseparable soon. You learn everything your brother teaches you, and quickly! And, even though Santi seems very jealous of you, he never EVER forgets you and is very protective of you. I dress you up in pink and frill but I think soon you will be sporting sneakers and dirt, like your brother and cousin {Olin}. I pray you are a good mix of tomboy and girly, cause we have enough testosterone in this house. You are very lovable and cautious. Perfect combination for a Woman's heart.

Don't be scared. The world is not a nice place but with God by your side NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE. He will be the light and guidance you need as your years grow. He will be the LOVE and strength that you should seek when those years get weary. I will be here for you every step of the way but if I am not, then God will be your ONLY way.

Men are complicated, when the time comes, I will be giving you the full lesson. Your Daddy is an amazing hardworking, loyal and God seeking man; find one like him and you will be okay. {Your Daddy will tell you otherwise..but life is about learning and growing... } GET AN EDUCATION FIRST...Love will always be there...TRUST ME. Trust in yourself. You will be stronger and more knowing than you will probably think you are. It's in your blood. Faith and Family come first, friends if they are true...will always be there... Don't try to grow up too fast... that doesn't lead anywhere good and when you are 30 you will wish you were 1 again... Life is difficult, but well worth living. It will NOT be easy. Be safe and learn quickly. {I will be here for you... maybe not always your favorite person but always the most truthful.}

You are very tall for your age. You wear a size 18 to 24 months and are only 12 months. You have chunky hobbit feet. Your hair is so dark and so straight. You only have 8 teeth and you have been sick once really bad, with a fever and all. You get into just about anything and everything. You have been crawling for about 3 months now and sitting up for about 4 months. You are trying to walk as you prop yourself up on just about everything. You love to laugh and have fun. You eat  just about anything and LOVE your binkie.

You have always been little Miss. Independent and slept in your own room in your own crib, until recently when you have been waking up at 4 am and you don't stop until we bring you into our bed....you know exactly what you are doing! Daddy calls you MommaLongLegs and you are your brothers Nena.

You and your brother are our life! Don't ever forget that, everything we do...we do it for you!!!!

Love Always,

Momma, Daddy and Big Brother Santi

Camila's First Birthday Party {Pictures by Erica R.}

As you all know, last weekend was Cami's first birthday party. Her actual birthday is this Sunday! The Big ONE. My beautiful little LadyBug is just a TRUE Blessing to our little family!

As you all know, Cami's party was a  FIESTA! themed party!!! AND. OMG. We had SO much fun planning it and getting everything together. Yes, there was stress but when it was all said and done, it was AWESOME. I have no regrets. My debit card growls at me when I try to use it but oh well!

Ha.

Let's start here:

This is Ricardo's younger cousin the oh so Bee-u-ti-FUL Erica. Ms. Erica is an amazing Aunt and was ever so sweet to let us use these pictures.

Enjoy.

As you can see.

WE HAD TOO MUCH FUN!!

Oh yes!

Thank You Cards go out next week!!!

{Aftermath!} ♥

Hola! I still exist! Ha. 

Just been a little M.I.A.

It's been about oh, 4 days since Cami's first birthday party!

And, the word is still....

EXHAUSTED. MUCHO.

I am so very beyond tired! But, guess what, I did it, we made it! Other than my cake being a decorative disaster, EVERTHING else went well and according to plan! I am happy with my end result and I don't think I want to do it again... until maybe September for Santi's 3rd Birthday BUT we will see!

We also have Ricardo's Graduation in May, I pray it will be low-key, cause this whole party thing is difficult, overwhelming, stressful and a bit draining.

We have also asked my Cousin and her Husband to baptize Cami for us this Summer. I called our church yesterday morning and I think the date is going to be July 29th. It takes months to get a Spanish mass so I am glad they got us in that quick. Plus my cousin will be coming from Mexico so I need to do everything with time...

I guess it looks like parties plague us this year..HA!

So, that whole, I will never have a party again may just be a total FAIL.

I didn't personally take any pictures, I hired a very talented friend to take them for me, so I don't have but a couple that I took at the end of the night. But, my Husband's cousin took some and I may just post hers while we wait!
Other than that I am back at work this week. Things are gonna get busy and this here Bloggy may suffer some negelect but I will do my best to post some updates..BIG months ahead of us! BIG months. I pray. God knows where he is taking this little family of CUATRO. I pray that His will be done in our lives and I know that He has a plan for us. I know that everything happens for a reason and God is present no matter what.

I can't believe we are more than half way done with March. April should be just lovely.

I know I have dropped the ball on several projects...haven't kept up with Thankful Thursday or my 365 project from way back when..soon I hope I will be back on track.

DAY BEFORE ♥

Nervous. Lots. For things to turn out ok. For everything to be enough. And, then I hear God, have faith everything will be ok! :: sigh of relief ::

Remember those invites{created them on Mixbook!}...here is what they look like:

And, a sneak peek at our centerpieces:

Ahhh the BIG DAY...mañana...una Fiesta Mexicana para mi Cami!