::Things to consider when making Big Decisions::

A couple of weeks ago I received an email, one that I truly wasn't expecting. I was accepted to participate in the Mujeres de HACE, Women in Leadership program. While it was a huge honor and I felt overwhelmed and excited. There would be a cost for the program. I immediately wrote it off as, "it's not gonna happen" but then I "placed it out in the universe" and the magic began. Through a facebook post, I expressed my feelings and concerns. I received so many comments and so much encouragement that I began to think, this might just happen! 

{Only a few of  the 33 comments, full post here.}

After seeing the awesome facebook feedback, I thought, I need to go home and really talk to my Husband and see what he thinks. I sent him the email I received for him to review, he is the logic and financial person in our relationship. I thought, he won't see the value, he will think it's a waste of my money, he will write it off as "eh do you really want to do this?" and I will be persuaded to move on. That didn't happen at all. I came home, asked my Husband, what do you think? He began to tell me how it would be a relevant program, and that it would be up to me, if I wanted to do it, then go for it. Not what I expected. 

Then I asked HACE for types of payment options I had for the program and the wonderful administrative team suggested I ask my employer and sent me a letter to ask them for possible funding. I was a bit intimidated having only been at my company for about 9 months but moved forward. And, I've received good, positive feedback from my manager. I am still waiting on higher-ups to decide if they can help but still, I had the faith and courage to ask and I feel that's the first step to success. Plus my co-worker and immediate managers' response was so supportive I felt so good about having asked. 

With this experience I know will come great responsibility but as always I want to share this journey with all the Momma's that read my blog and seek to be inspired. 

What have I learned so far? Well, you must... 

::Claim your ticket:: 

Opportunities come to you for a reason, whether expected or not we should claim our tickets and figure out what we need to do to succeed in those opportunities. Sure, you should weigh out the pros and cons but know that this is yours, and you deserve it! Claim it! Speak it into existence and have faith that you will find your way.  Somebody once told  me, "Connie if this is for you, it's already yours." Those words have been with me for years... because it's true. Anything that is truly and genuinely meant for you, is already written into your future, you just have to take it and run! 

::Take Care of You::

The same night that I talked to my Hubby about this program was the same night of the new show 'Strong'. One of the contests said that same old story of mommas everywhere... "I became too invested in caring for others, that I often forget to take care of myself." After I cried my face out, I thought, this program is all about taking care of ME. As a Momma with a career and who wants to be a certain example for her family and most importantly for my daughter, I must take care of me! No more putting ourselves on the back burner... because you will be burned out. 

::Invest in You::

Just like a well-oiled business, your are a brand and a business for your company, you must invest in bettering yourself and learning more for the benefit of everyone. Sure it can seem like a lot of time and money but in the long run, it's so worth it. Spending on yourself isn't only about clothes and shoes, it's also about feeding your mind and motivating your soul. I am sure we can find "better" things to spend our money on but we can also waste it on those things that have no real value, so why not invest in yourself. You must put a little effort into being a better you, even if it costs you. 

::Own It::

Not like "Yay, I did it" but YES, this is mine and I will slay! You know that moment Beyonce walks on stage and you know she is gonna be a badass, well she knew that before taking the first step onto that stage. That natural vibe of certainty is where you want to be. That confidence that yes, THIS IS MINE. I deserve it, I will own it and I will be a badass. It's already yours if you are sitting in the moment and experience, no one can take it from you and don't allow the outside world to take it from you. It's none of their business, it's yours! 

::Fully Commit:: 

There is nothing that hurts me more than people who are like yes, I can and will do this but then a few days later they have more important commitments or other priorities. I know things happen and people's lives change from one second to another, but if you have been accepted into a certain path, why not fully commit? Why not erase self-doubt and stop making excuses? Just like we have made sacrifices, invested money and weighed out the good and the bad to accept the opportunity; those people presenting us with the opportunity have done the same. They have fit you into their schedule so why not commit to doing the same for them? So yes, please fully commit to those things that will be beneficial to your well-being and in the long wrong to your overall quality of life. 

::15 Things I do Daily to be Productive::

Because, well it's true. 

Sure; I don't have a live-in nanny, personal chef, trainer or daily hair and makeup stylist, but I manage. 

While I might not look like Beyonce everyday, cause occasionally...well you already know! HAHA. Flawless. I do though have the same amount of hours as her, as we all do. Those hours count to me and I fulfill them not only with work in Corporate America, but also following my dream, caring for children, nourishing my marriage and watching my Novela. Come on! Don't act like you don't watch, cause I know you do. Oh, and please don't call me on September 23rd at 9 p.m. 

Here are 15 things I do, daily. Yes, DAILY. To be fully productive and allow myself time for just about everything. 

1. Laundry-Not full on loads of laundry. I do most my laundry Friday night, that's right while most are out partying it up, I do laundry. It's very helpful. Daily; I collect clothes, sort and throw in a load to wash and a load to dry. The empty baskets don't last but loads literally get lighter. 

2. Lists- I make lists of things I want to do, things I have to do and things that need to get done. It helps me remember and keep things in order. I still end up forgetting most days but they are helpful to sort my thoughts and things I have to do. My Husband is the same way. 

3. Prepare for Tomorrow- I try to do as much as possible the night before; get my lunch ready, write a blog post, lay out our clothes for the next morning. I iron in the morning but I at least know what the kids will wear and what I will wear. I make sure my Hubby has the clothes he needs... shirts, socks, pants, etc. He selects his outfits in the morning. One less person to plan for. 

4. Meal Plan- For a while now we have been planning our meals out on Sunday night when we do groceries. Some Sunday's we can prepare for Monday but it's hard. We don't like to eat the same meal more than a couple of days, so meal planning is thought of at the beginning of the week but we prep and cook almost every night. Or every couple of nights at least. 

5. Tidy- I usually clean on Sunday mornings, but everyday I like to pick up toys and put shoes away. It helps keep things in order and trust me some days are easier than others. Most days, I don't really care. The mess is a mess but we are ok with that now. Having {2} small kids calls for constant toys and stuff all over the house. {I have learned to live past the judgment, especially from child-less people.}

6. Relax- People are always asking me; when do you sleep or if I sleep at all?  I do. And, I also have a ton of lazy relax time. I really do! Trust me most days I am relaxing. Plus I have said this several times, I am a home-body. My son is just like me. Give us a good reason to lay on the couch all day, or no reason at all, and we are there. Rest is essential in getting things done. 

7. Write- Even if I don't post it, I write almost daily. If I don't, I will forget it. It's part of getting old. Haha. If I don't write I record voice notes on my phone. Or a short video to help me remember what I want to write about. Writing is what my therapist recommended. She really did. It has helped with so many sleepless, restless nights of constant thought. Just write it down, get it off your spinning wheels. 

8. Take pictures- If you follow me on Instagram or FB then you know, we love pictures in our house. I take them daily and post throughout the week. It makes for easy sharing and I don't overload the social media stratosphere all at once. So, rarely do I post things the moment or day of. 

9. Wake up Early- Yes, I start my day around 5:45-6 a.m. depending on what my goals are for the morning and day. It's hard but I pull myself out of bed and get going early in the morning. I get myself and Camila ready everyday for work and school. My Husband gets Santi and himself ready. 

10. Go to bed last- To make sure that I have some quiet time and get it all done. I do go to bed last around midnight or 1 a.m. But, no I am not always tired. I do the following {2 points} to maintain my 34 year old self healthy and strong. Plus it's true the older you get the less sleep you need. I used to hate getting up so early and on the weekend I do like to sleep in. 

11. Exercise- I exercise, if not daily at least every other day. 30 minute walks, 1 hour walk/run or 1 hour Zumba. Or, just about any workout I can get in. Even if it's 15 minutes, I do it. It's  must. It's also my alone/relax time. And, the older you get the harder it also is to lose weight. I don't necessarily exercise to lose weight but I do like to maintain myself. It's a daily battle. 

12. Take my Vitamins- I take a ton of vitamins- Vitamin B, Iron and Omega 3 with Fish Oil are the most important. 

13. Talk to friends- I have a few friends I talk to daily. Just to say Hi, or to vent or to bounce ideas off of. It helps ease the stress and tension. I like to share with them because I always get positive and honest feedback. Most of them are Momma's as well, as most of them have full-time 8-5 jobs, so they are very relate-able. But, I do have friends who are single or don't have children. 

14. Read positive notes/Bible- Right now I am doing a 30 days of affirmation challenge on Instagram. So, I try to not only read positive happy notes but also write them for other women and Momma's like myself. It helps. I try to make time and actually sit and read my Bible. I need to do it more often. But, I have several with great devotionals that come to my email and I read those daily. My faith has pulled me through the toughest of spots. It's only fair I dedicate some time to praise and pray for all the good in my life.  

15. Listen to music- I listen to all kinds of music throughout the day. Keeps me motivated and in a good mood. Helps fill the quiet space and even gets my creativity going. I love music. 

I know. It seems like a lot and I do have 2 {dos} kids. We do have dinner around the dinner table every night. I cook almost every night. We also have a semi-strict bed time routine that we follow. My Husband and I usually talk about important things right after work, we vent, let it all out and then enjoy our family time.

So, you see. If Queen Bey can do it, SO CAN YOU!!

B + J ::On the Run::

Where to begin. I won tickets to go see Beyonce and Jay-Z, yes I know still totally in shock!!! I signed up by participating in the Woman to Woman Conference Luncheon, you can join us at the conference  ::click here:: for more information! 

First off, I don’t listen to a whole lot of new music only what my Pandora stations at work feed me and what I can catch on the radio on my short commute to and from daycare and work everyday. With that said. I knew 1, yes 1 Jay-Z song, here is where all the true fans will probably start to hate me, sorry. And, I know Beyonce and a lot of her old stuff but since she had her baby I don’t think I had real listened to any of her music. I was stuck on Single Ladies and Halo! Yes, I am lame I know. But, going to see her was the refresher I needed.

::What I thought::

I totally get what she is doing her show is edgy, current and very sexy and sensual. She is a grown married woman, free to express herself in ways that many may not be able to! As a Momma the feeling of not only real world relevance and knowing that we can still be sexy, is important to me. I struggle with it every day! 

Should I be the everyday Suburban Soccer Momma that people expect me to be with 2 toddlers or can I show people that I too can be a hottie and that my Husband loves me just the same?! I related on so many levels with a lot of her “new” songs. Trying to be Mrs. Perfect but being reminded that we are human we have flaws, we make mistakes. The show was at times retro catching the heart and soul of who Beyonce is and very burlesque catching the essence of her style and who she wants to be! I loved it, as a Woman, a Momma and from a marketing perspective; being yourself and true to who you are sells. 

Beyonce= Be yourself!

With that said I think that while her marriage is a perfect Hollywood, super star marriage and that maybe they are making millions off of being the power couple that they are and they may or may not be happy and “real”. To me they seemed genuine and in love, despite the mistakes, flaws and fights in elevators…Just sayin!

They inspire me to want to create that power couple image and make it work not just because it sells but because it can happen and it can be real! The impact I am sure is huge on those around you and the inspiration and motivation to do and be more is infinite! Sure it can just be really good marketing for their business but at the same time, there has to be some love for one another and a true desire to be with eachtoher, if not I feel it would shine through in their performances. You can only hide so long. 

::The Message::

Feminist. Feminism. Equality. Teaching our children to be versatile and ever changing.  

As a young girl I had the same dream that most girls had, finding my Prince Charming and getting married, have children and live happily ever after. Kind of. Not really. I knew it could maybe be real but I never expected it to happen to me.  

What I knew was that I had to go to school, get a good job and help my family financially. Getting married and having kids was on the back burner. I had always been independent and had never relied on others to do for me or help me, not because I was disrespectful but because I am me. I like to take care of myself.

Then I met my Husband. It didn’t stop me from getting an education, being independent and working hard for everything that I want and really everything that was needed to survive. These days I am married, and my Prince Charming is a real man that eats, works, sleeps and yes, even burps and farts! Let's be real. #realtalk

He is my Hubby and he is an amazing provider for our family and a great support and hard worker! Together we make it work. Are we perfect? Nope. But, we work hard together. He allows me to be me. Not because he “owns” me but because he really wants me to be my own person and even though it’s frustrating he likes that I argue about it all, that I have my own voice and speak up and that I don’t take any bull--- from him or anyone else! 

I am sure that he loves the fact that I want to get up every day and help him provide for our family and that although he could do it on his own, I try not to place all the burden on him. In the same way he tries to help me around the house, he cooks more than I do and has changed diapers and help feed the kids when they were babies, he bathes them and starts story time without me asking him to. Yes a lot of the household duties fall on me but he gets the bills paid on time something that I suck at and we’d probably have no light or water if I took care of it. In all we do have traditional roles but sometimes they flip! It’s all about mutual support and really wanting the other person to succeed not just for the better of your family but for that person as an individual!

::The Hiccups::

The Parking; parking was $50++, thankfully my Momma lives 5 minutes away, she dropped us off and picked us up! People still paid, would I have paid, not more than $20, maybe..... Would it have been worth it, absolutely for someone like me who doesn’t do this kind of event often it’s ok every once in a while.

The Entrance; not sure what the wait was about but my Hubby doesn’t wait for anyone…..he found a fast moving VIP line got us in it and in the venue within 20 minutes or so of having arrived. We searched, we asked, we got in and we conquered! 

The Audio; I don’t know about sound but I am sure that at the beginning of the show the audio was off. The music was too loud, I couldn’t hear what Beyonce was saying and it just didn’t sound good,  not sure if it was fixed or I just got used to it but it got better!  I still sang and fell further in love with Beyonce!

::My Favorite Moment::

Their show was like watching a short movie and it followed a script and every scene went on without a  glitch. But, when they switched over to real life…they started a home video reel and their reality is a baby…a family and a love that right now, no one can touch. Family comes first and for Beyonce and Jay-Z that amazingly beautiful little girl is all that matters and the reason why they work so hard. Can I relate? Abso-freaking-lutley!

Did you go see Beyonce? What did you think of it?