::2015:: One Word + Goals

It's been days since 2015 began. It has had a gloomy start but nothing will hold us back. Starting the year off by giving myself a "break" from last year. A little break from writing to help me focus on life. I say that lightly. I really don't know how to take breaks. But, I have been, thinking. Reflecting on what's to come and oh yes, focusing. 

Focusing on a life once forgotten. And, the future of what will be. 

::Focus::

It's my word for this year. In an effort to focus I created a new blog. Yes, I know. Hectic. But, we will see how far it goes. It's a focused blog on Women's careers', their passions and community. Latina Momma in Houston.

I also started a Vision Board on Pinterest to help me organize my thoughts. I am de-cluttering my home along the way and creating a better space for my writing and imagination to be more inspired and in tune with what really matters.

Focus, such a simple word. 

¹fo·cus

: a subject that is being discussed or studied : the subject on which people's attention is focused

: a main purpose or interest

: a point at which rays of light, heat, or sound meet or from which they move apart or appear to move apart;especially : the point at which an image is formed by a mirror, a lens, etc.

::Goals::

2015 for me will be one of focus, on not just my blogging topics but my career as well. As many of you may know, this is not what I do full-time and honestly, I like that I have  a full-time job outside of Blogging. Helps me keep a good balance. I discovered long ago that staying at home was not going to be an option for me, personally just can't do it. I prefer the chaos of work/life balance, the nonexistent down time and the network I have created through my jobs. 

Focus this year will be on:

- Obtaining a better full-time job, currently the situation is toxic. Not fun. And very much un-motivating. It just never seems to be enough. I have fallen into this place of complacency that isn't healthy. I am afraid to fall into a normal everyday routine, not because I want to but because I have to. It basically sucks the life and passion right out of me. Finding the best place for me has been a journey worth traveling. I have so far learned what I am truly worth, and I can't accept anything less. I have also discovered that I don't want the kind of job that everyone else has because I know that something better is our there. I truly crave a different kind of life. 

-Attending local and very specific events for my blog. Only taking those jobs I really want and find purpose in. Writing only about the things that motivate me and push my blog to a higher place not just what everyone else is doing because it's good for the business. I don't want to be a part of just anything. My blogging will probably be less and more purposeful and informative {due to prior conversations with other blogging and like-minded Momma's } as well as a journal type style about our everyday life. 

-Working with truly like minded people. That's all. 

-Writing at least twice a week on both blogs, January will be tricky but I think I can do it. 

-Finding a school for my children. My kids will start school this fall. Pre-K and Kinder. We will see how this goes. Lots of research in the works. 

-Attend Mixers and Networking events at least twice a month for personal, de-stressing purposes as well as to grow my network. {This is usually easier said than done.}

-De-clutter my home, very much needed. 

-De-clutter my brain and re-gain focus. Which will help in relieving my everyday life from thoughts and ideas that are not serving much purpose. 

I often find myself sighing at work, feeding off of the negative and frustrated air around me. I don't want that. It's not a good way to feel on a daily basis. I am usually a happy, positive person who wants to love their 8 to 5 job and feel good energy around them. These days , not so much. 

2015 must be one of change towards a more focused life.

Last year I craved peace. I now have peace. I have peace in so many areas of my life that once lingered. Those places that are so difficult you feel like you are the only one dealing with them. Thoughts of what others may think, no longer. I am at peace with myself and the universe around me. Discovered that when people are not at peace with themselves they like to make others think they are the problem. Truth is all they need is peace in order to find peace around them.

In all, I have some work to do and slowly by surely it will get done and 2015 will be amazing. We had a minor set back this week, but nothing our little family can't handle.

What about you, what is your focus this year? Do you have a word that you have chosen to make your focus for this new year?

::August:: #morethanamonth

::August::

It's  not only the month I met my Husband in 1999, even then he wasn't just some guy who wanted to date me and called me every other day from a payphone, he was different. Could I tell you that he would now be the same man who I married and had dos children with? No. Probably not. At 18 life for me was uncertain. My immediate family wasn't as stable as a family would want, to think that one day my dad could walk me down the aisle and that he would later be around to see me give birth to his grandchildren. It was complicated.

It's also the month that 6 years later in 2005, my Hubby would  propose to me on the same day we met August 13th...only after I was being nosy, as usual and found my engagement ring in the glove compartment of his 2000-something Jetta. It was still a special moment 6 years in the making. 

A year later in 2006, on a rainy Houston day we got married. August 19th.

3 years after that, in August of 2009, we were a month a away from having our first child. A son born September 16th. We thought then we were complete... 

Imagine our surprise when almost a year later, once more in August, while we were away on an Internship trip with my Hubby I would find  out I was pregnant again, this time  with my daughter, Camila. She was born in March of 2011. Now we feel complete but we have no idea what more the universe has in store for us. 

And, we are waiting and ready for whatever that may be.....

Oh yeah, did I mention that it is also my Hubby's Birthday month, this year the big 3-5!! 

 

Without even thinking about it, August has so much significance in our lives. It continues to bring blessings and positive outcomes for our little family of 4.  

What  month, is more than just a month for you? 

::Balance::

For the longest time balance has been on my mind.

The word just makes me cringe.

Between trying to be a career Momma, a house-wifey/home-making Momma, a blogger Momma and an everything else Momma; balance just never seems to be the right fit for me. I mean really when do I have time to balance when I am always on the go.

Thankfully, I came across this article and I am not the only who doesn't agree with the word; Balance. I have always thought, I will do what works for me...semi-somewhat-organized, spur of the moment, let's see how today goes kinda Momma. One day at a time a new plan and new way almost every day.

Crazy? Sure. Chaos? Definitely but it works for me.

Trying to find balance is more like "blurred lines" for me as the article states. I do go through stages where I am either focused on my family, my health, my friends, my writing, myself or any other particular item that comes my way that day, that week, that month and yes...that year...

Here is a little of what my somewhat daily "schedule" looks like:

5:45/6:15ish-6:30 am Wake up time; jump in the shower and get self ready.
6:30-7:25/30ish Wake up kids, get them ready {sometimes with help or alone}, pack lunches {sometimes}, get out the door..don't forget pack backpacks and nap-time blankets on Monday's; we pray in the car.
7:30-7:45/50ish depending on how the moods are I sit and eat breakfast at school with my kids... then walk them to class.
7:50-8:00 am get to work, our daycare is close by...thank goodness.
8am-5/6/or 6:30 pm or so...depending on the day..Work work work....work....
5pm-6:00 pm When I don't work late I workout right after work, then go get my kids...
5pm-6:30 pm right now due to Rodeo season this is my travel time from my kids daycare to my Momma's house so she can watch them and then I head to Reliant; Tuesday nights only. {Meeting usually runs from 6:30 or so until 9 pm or so.}
7 pm Bible Study- when I can Thursday nights... I was doing really good for months and then stopped...gotta get back to it.
6:30-9 pm Travel time home, talk to my kids about their day, get home on a regular day; start dinner, clean up, Dinner {talk time with my Hubby}, kid bath time...every other night...yes every other night....laundry and clean up some more... put clothes away..clean up some more. Get lunches ready {sometimes}.
9pm-11pm If I didn't exercise then it goes here. If not then I start Blogging, checking emails, scheduling posts on Blogger or FB. Check deadlines and plan Blog posts. Upload pictures to FB, review stats and number of followers...sometimes...
11-12:30 am On a good night, this is bed time... then get up all over again and do it all over again...

This varies depending on what we have going on.... I am sure I am missing something... I am now fitting in Date Nights with my Hubby at least once a month...and GNO or Selfie time once a month as well. Soon we will have to add kids extra curricular activities.

How do you keep balanced or not? What are your best tips for staying on track?