::Blogging 101 Workshop:: at Thinking Girls Boutique

About the blogging journey..... 

When I started blogging in 2008, as my own personal improvement project to simply practice my writing skills, I couldn't imagine what it would become. I have long since left my job at Harris County Elections as part of their communications and outreach department but Momma of Dos has become one of the best personal improvement projects ever. As the year continued, Barack Obama became president and my inspiration grew. 2009 came and I became pregnant with my first son. My pregnancy was not easy. I quickly found myself expressing my pains, feelings, cravings and everything in-between and discovered, "mommy bloggers". 

 {Picture Credit: All pictures taken by Chris Pozo of Lex Photography} 

Soon after I had my son I realized I had become severely depressed during my pregnancy, since the depression "went away" when my son was born, I left it alone. 10 months after my son was born, I found out I would be having a second baby. This time a girl. And, that's how Momma of Dos was born. A new onset of depression began and this time it lingered past the first year after her birth. I continued to share and the sense of community became my free therapy. 

In the Summer of 2012, I could no longer hold it together. I went to therapy and eventually had a panic attack in the fall of the same year. I landed in the hospital and was sent home to rest, I quit my job and decided I would refocus and take some time off. During this time I attended my first ever blogging conference, LATISM here in Houston. My blog would once more grow. In 2013 I returned to work full-time this time more relaxed and with more motivation to keep blogging. I have since been part of various campaigns local and nationwide as well as have been invited to several conferences both local and out of state, even made it to Washington DC last year! 

Blogging has never been my full-time job, as a Momma/Wife with a degree, I have chosen to work outside the home and pursue a career which would match my education efforts. I work in Corrosion and that's pretty much all I share on here about my real job. 

Blogging is a side-gig which has afforded me MANY experiences and at times extra income that is very much welcomed! 

Fast forward to 2016, when I decided to host Blogging 101 classes partnered with Thinking Girls Boutique as the venue. The rewards of sharing  my journey, my work, and how to create your own blog for various reasons have been immense. I have met so many people from all walks of life. Those who just want to share their story of motherhood, of life, or their experiences to those who  are looking to enhance their small business' advertising/promotion strategy and exposure.

I love what I do and growth and change have allowed me to pursue passions I really didn't know I had.... 

 {Picture Credit: All pictures taken by Chris Pozo of Lex Photography} 

::Weekend Snapshots:: Texas Bluebonnets 2016

This weekend was super busy for our little family. Saturday we had to split up, I went to an all day conference with our HLB crew and my Hubby and kids had baseball. This is one of the biggest sacrifices I make as a Momma who wants to grow and develop not only for myself but for my brand. And, a sacrifice my children and Hubby make for me as my children and spouse. I try to rarely cut into our family time and obligations on the weekend but sometimes it's needed. This was also an event that we committed to a while ago and before I knew we would do baseball this season. But, I made no excuses and woke up early and left the house that morning, leaving behind all baseball things prepped for my kids so that their morning could go smooth as well.

I am really glad I did. Because we made new connections at the Business Advancement Conference and our administrative team was able to have an actual face to face meeting, most of our day to day work is done online via, chat and texts, and phone calls. Face to face is becoming more and more important as we begin to get more organized and structured and committed to our group. So, that was awesome! I love seeing Jihane and Ariana in person when needed. I think we are 3 truly different people and our dynamic is interesting but I feel we have and continue to grow every time we meet and talk. 

More on the conference this week. 

Since I had spent all day away from the kids and Hubby we went to dinner at my In-Laws house to eat some crawfish. And, we also planned a small day-trip for the next day to seek out what the bluebonnet craze was all about! Sunday morning we slept in a little and then woke up, got ready and met up with Ricardo's cousin for a short trip further out into the country. We drove, with really no clue of where we would go. Finally, about 30-45 minutes away from Houston we found a spot along the side of the road where everyone was stopping so we stopped, cause when in Rome. Ha. We for the first time ever, yes, ever, got bluebonnet shots! It was fun until we were eaten alive by tiny ants. After which we continued to take more pictures but were definitely done with it. We headed towards the Blue Bell Creameries, we didn't know it would be closed but still looked around and planned to go back on a weekday when it's open to see more.

{ Please note we did not climb on the truck, we gently sat for pictures. } 

You would think our Sunday would have ended there, but oh yeah we have a 5 and 6-year old who never stop. We had a late lunch at MOD Pizza and then headed out to Meyer park to walk it off. We had fun and for sure, a FAMILY filled day. Exploring is always good, we went home exhausted, us, not the kids, and then tried to relax and get ready for the week.

How was your weekend?? 

DON'T FORGET: Link up with Jessica and me on our #WeekendSnapshots

link up below by entering this weeks post link!

http://www.3twentysix.com/2016/04/weekend-snapshots-15.html#more

Priorities + Goals ~ 2016 Edition #OneWord

As all the New Year resolution posts roll out, I resolved a couple of years ago to be different. And, just as life happens, every time I vow to slowly creep away from Momma of Dos and venture into a new area of life, well, LIFE happens. I am always brought back to this space. Where, yes, all the magic happens, kind of. All I know is that no matter what, I will be here. But, as the new year rolls on I also want you to follow us over at Houston Latina Bloggers. Where I feel the magic is slowly starting to rise. As we continue to grow our social media communities we want you to join us and share with us, and tell us what you think. We have an amazing group of talented writers and we love to share.

2016 promises to be different for me. In so many ways already. The New year  has definitely kicked in with a bang. Changes are already appearing in my life. Good, I hope.

A couple of years ago I decided on selecting ONE word, that would define and guide my year. Because I feel that we can make resolutions daily, to make the necessary changes. We can create goals and flip them in a matter of moments. I decided that this one word would help guide those resolutions and goals and OH boy. When I look back at the words, and the goals I set out to reach  for previous years, I feel good about my selections. I have accomplished my goals in SO many ways with simply providing that ONE word that would help me get through it all. Keeping that word in mind with all my actions. Carrying it in my mind and heart, referring to it and guarding it.

With all that in mind, this year my word is "Priority". My priorities have names- Ricardo, Camila and Santiago. As years have gone by I have done so much for them, for us and for myself. That's a given. Today, I feel my focus should be further on them as my priority. Sure I love attending events and being involved in so many areas of life. But, when I think about it more and more, my priorities shift as the year goes by and I don't ever want to lose that connection with my Husband and my kids. I feel 2016 will be one for us to further grow as a family. We are planning a couple of strategic moves, and fun trips for this year already. I want to keep them in mind when making my choices. 

And, thanks to the universe and me simply putting things out there so much has already happened in 2016 that has helped further  guide my  word selection.  

With all that is going on... the voices in my head keep repeating; "Quit while you're ahead Connie." But, for some reason, my heart and actions keep pushing me forward. I don't like to give up and I definitely don't like to quit. No matter what, or who, I can't give up now.

Some goals this month:

• For myself- seek my priorities and keep them throughout 2016. 
• For my family- seek their well-being and be there for them. 
• For my sanity-relax and let go of "doing" so much. 
• For my career- focus, be productive and find the balance needed. 
• For my blog- un-blog, write when needed and seek my priorities. 

2016 will be a good year!

What is your word for 2016??

My Year of Yes #ShondaRhimes

It's been 6 years since I completely read a book, cover to cover. Shame? Nope. Been busy having kids, raising kids, exploring my career options, trying out the stay-at-home-momma thing (not for me), growing as a writer, blogger, now speaker, and being involved in my community. Trust me, I do read. Don't get me wrong. I just haven't been able to finish a book in years. I read different articles, blogs of course and I have started several books now by Jon Acuff. So as part of my year of yes, I decided to say yes, to more reading in 2016. The first challenge accepted was, you got it, read Year of Yes by the amazingly talented and smart Shonda Rhimes.

                                         

                                                         {Pictures from Google search}

In case you are wondering how the reading went. Well, I fractured my foot the first weekend in December and had to stop going to my 3 night a week boot camp, and rest. So, I started the book and no matter what, I didn't put it down until this past weekend when I finished it. If you think you don't know who Shonda Rhimes is, like me until I started reading the book and then realized how much I did know her. She is the creator and writer of amazing TV shows like- Grey's Anatomy, Scandal and How to get away with Murder. If you read her book you will discover that it goes so much deeper than just being the creator and writer, these shows are her. They embody her and who she is deep down inside. Just REAL life. 

If I am being really honest with you, the book started off slow for me. Sorry Shonda! {As if she will ever read this, ha.} It wasn't until her commencement speech at Dartmouth on page 79 that she really hit a cord. The first part of the book I couldn't help but think, she is so full of herself. But, trust me as the book continues you will fall in love with her and realize how much it took for her to take on the Year of Yes. And, how courageous she is. How much talent she has and how incredible her thoughts are. As someone who has suffered from anxiety due to stress, and had a full on panic attack, I commend Shonda for all that she has done. So, if you just started reading the book and can't get into it. WAIT for it. Cause trust me it gets really good.

I loved following her journey every step of the way, every new self-revelation, every new YES being accomplished. Shonda, I can call her by her first name, cause she said we were personal friends somewhere in the book, maybe. Shonda she is incredibly smart and so funny. Her twisted deep thoughts, I identify with her words and personality. A lot. I love that she adopted her daughters because she knew she wanted children. I love that she decided marriage wasn't for her. Her strength and courage as a Momma and a minority are truly inspiring. She makes me want to get in my Wonder Woman power pose and take over the world. If you are reading the book, you will know.

As a recap, Shonda started her Year of Yes because her sister made the comment that she never said YES to anything. As a woman who is as creative and hardworking as Shonda, I can imagine that hit hard. I would be shocked that people thought I wasn't living to my fullest potential. And, honestly, sometimes we aren't. She needed that push to make her further grow and develop into the absolute Wonder Woman that she is, and more importantly, it made her own it. All of it. Her mistakes, her shortcomings, her talents, and inner beauty. She even lost weight as part of her YES year. Without any gimmicks or tricks, just a simple yes to health and exercise.

The truth is we sometimes need that one person who will push us to our limits so that we can discover what we are really made of and how much MORE we can accomplish. If you have not read the book, I highly recommend it. If you are looking to overcome your fears and conquer your purpose in 2016, this book is a must read to kick off your year. Shonda will make you cry, laugh and realize who you are really meant to be. She will also help you realize that no matter how old you are, it is never too late to start saying yes. The journey will not be easy but will be well worth it. You will need to pull up your big girl panties and push forward. You will discover who is truly there for you and who is out to get you. 

As part of my Year of Yes, I am taking on bigger tasks as a writer, employee, Wife, Momma, Sister, Friend, Daughter, etc, etc, etc. I want to say yes to opportunities that bring me life and purpose. I want to say YES to being myself and not worrying about what others may think. I want to say yes to helping others who are willing to help me. I want to say yes to being present and alive for my Husband and children. I want to say yes to life and the sun. I want to say yes to inspiring, motivating and teaching others. I want to be able to say NO to those things that hinder me from saying YES to greatness. I want to be more whole. And, happier. If at all possible.

Are you ready to say YES to 2016?

And, as I am saying yes to many new opportunities in 2016 one of them is Public Speaking engagements, therefore, my upcoming presentations are as follows:

::2015:: My year in Pictures #wordlesswednesday

So 2015, has been amazing... 

These pictures are SOME of the good that happened at Momma of Dos! 

Good-bye 2015...Hello 2016!!