::Wine Styles Houston with Houston Latina Bloggers::

::Momma Disclosure:: This is a sponsored post. All content is my true and honest opinion.

Are you looking for a great place to host your next company event, meeting or just gather with friends? I had never been to a wine tasting so when we were invited to visit Wine Styles for one of our administrative meetings with Houston Latina Bloggers, I was excited!

As a Momma who works outside the home I know that many daily business interactions are conducted over lunch or dinner. Some time those meetings are very high profile, professional meetings and with very important clients, vendors or organization members who like to have a nice dinner and drink wine. One thing I like to be is well educated in dining etiquetes. You just never know when you will need it. Which is why the Wine Styles experience was very unique and relevant for many occasions.

We received a small tour of the location which is very business conducive if needed, and relaxing for entertainment purposes. I loved the learning aspects of it as well. Our hostess, Crystal Ybarra was great, and so knowledgeable. She not only taught us about the different wines and what foods they are paired with she also taught us of the different senses used when drinking wine. I felt very comfortable learning about the wines and what to look for when tasting and smelling them.

And, if wine is not your favorite drink, they also have events with craft and specialty beers, their next event is December 16th!

Visit their page for more:

Wine Styles Houston is located near 249 on Louetta Rd.  in Vintage Park; 

http://www.winestyleshouston.com/

Developing Self-Worth {Faith}

I will always be the first to admit that it's been a challenge to transition from years, and years of working crazy amount of hours, crazy amount of jobs in a crazy work environment outside the home to working crazy amount of hours, crazy amount of jobs in a crazy work environment inside the home. Ha. It's true. As someone who has worked outside the home their entire life, I prayed daily to become a Stay@HomeMomma, now that it has finally happened it's been, well. Yes, Crazy. 

Stressful. Overwhelming. Unexpected. 

I didn't picture the demand, the job itself, and the amount of patience it took to stay home with a 3 year old and a 2 year old. It's been chaos. Every day a little better but definitely a new challenge as the days go by....if that makes sense. Finding a balance has been difficult but slowly I am finding a new pace of life, a new schedule and my niche within my home. 

The balance is found in preparation, growth and learning from your mistakes. I believe being pampered on the outside can be just as important as being pampered within. When we make a change to our exterior being we feel great on the inside; proud and loved. When we make a change on our inner being, it shines through to the outside. I think people notice when you get a haircut but they notice even more when you have peace and happiness on the inside.

I am what I like to call an "open-minded non-traditional Catholic". I understand all the values and morals taught but I don't like to limit myself to one set of strict views because I feel that you can miss out on something so much bigger and so much more amazing. I believe in a true blend of the old traditional views mixed with new forms of worship of praise. A balance. Never one extreme or the other. 

In my almost 32 years of life, I have always "been" a Catholic. It wasn't until I turned 24 that I knew what having faith was. It was then that I not only opened my heart but my mind to new ways of thinking. I knew I loved praying to the Virgen de Guadalupe and that I believed in Jesus and the Saints. But, the traditional way of worship and praise just didn't fulfill this seeking and thirsty little heart of mine. I dove straight into my church and became more involved that is when I started to find new ways of worship and praise that weren't the traditional nights of praying the Rosary. This time I was deep in meditation and peace that only God could bring me.

I would sit in a quiet dark church and ask Jesus to sit with me to show me His light and guide me. And, as crazy as this may sound many, many days His presence was there and I had peace and a new sense of belief.

These days. I attend mass and read my Momma Devotional Bible {Mom's Devotional Bible NIV} and I also pray day in and day out for different reason. I wear medallas de Santos and light candles. I also attend events at different churches that I know my soul will benefit from, not always Catholic churches and I definitely enjoy it. 

Just this weekend I attend the annual Women's Event at New Hope Church in Pearland. It was my 2nd year attending and the message was awesome last year it was about Marriage and Relationships. This year it was about us; as Momma's, Wives, Daughters, Sisters, etc. We are all human and we all make mistakes. We can't please everyone and as Women we need God in our daily lives to guide us and lead us onto the path that He has planned for us. I Loved it. I know I will definitely make it a yearly event. Plus, I  got to spend time with my Beautiful Amiga Yvonne from Spanglish Girl which is always fun! 

{Confidence}

I am a firm believer in the statement that "everything happens for a reason"....

For strength...

For faith...

To seek...

For Love...

With Hope...

and Courage!

As a 30-something old Momma I know that the last few months have opened my eyes to many of my weaknesses as well as my strengths. I don't like to dwell on those negatives that bring me down daily...instead I attempt to increase my faith and strength so that I can move forward.

I have realized that the last few months have allowed me to work on one of my greatest weaknesses; patience..... as a wife, as a Momma and in general. 

Another aspect that seems to have grow immensely is confidence. Who I am and where I am going and even what I look like seems to all be falling into place, I am happy with those areas of my life. Trust me I have never been one to settle and being more, doing more and looking good have always been concerns. Not saying I am giving up on anything or that I am not currently trying to achieve any of the mentioned goals but I am saying that I no longer need the same type of validation that I needed before. I now find happiness in being me and I am OK with what I have or don't have. 

My Hubby tells me daily how great I look before I would tell him "BLAH. I hate me!" I have found that the more I grow to love me the more I believe him. These days my kids tell me that I am beautiful and now that is all that matters to me..... life is good and I pray everyday for it to increase... in faith. In grace. In Love. In peace. In joy and in life itself.

I have confidence that those little places in life, that my career, and my roles in this life are slowly going to fall into place, not because I haven't work hard for them but because at this moment I am seeking; peace and acceptance in other areas and from a different type of group. I realize that I am no longer 20-something and simply seeking but now 30-something and digging deeper. It's a quiet place but an amazing one once I open my eyes, my heart and my ears...to the right words at the right time from the right place... deep inside of my soul. 

Life is to be enjoy and to have fun. Not to be so involved that you become un-involved in life itself. The sun is out. My mood is changing and as my Sister stated... "As our lives change, sometimes our friends should too." I believe that my life has made a complete 360, the constant prayer for more Godly/Positive women in my life is now complete I am surrounded not just by women with my similar walk of life but future goals and family plans. I love it and I am very happy with them and their constant love and friendship! 

These ladies have in the last few months not only provided words of encouragement and uplifting friendship but also unconditional support in various forms. I am thankful for their self-confidence and the confidence that they helped build in me. 

Never is life perfect but it is slowly but surely, complete and fulfilling... 

CONFIDENCE:  
Never comes from having         all the answers; it comes          from being open to all the                                                              QUESTIONS. ~Earl Stevens

{February} #BLOGLUV

I know that I say this often. But, it's true. Blogging has not only opened new doors and opportunities for me but also created long lasting and outstanding friendships.

When I first started Blogging my Hubby didn't believe that I had met local Bloggers with extraordinary stories or that I knew a Blogger from Hawaii who I talk to on a daily basis about everyday things.

I think we have always regarded "the internet" as a bad place to meet the wrong people but Blogging has helped me meet some pretty amazing women who not only have the same goals as me but who are also eager and excited to share their stories and open up their hearts! And, some have been ever so great to share their pointers and guide a "new" Blogger like myself!

With Valentine's Day around the corner a group of us got together and organized by our friends Xenia of Raised by Culture  and Ruby of G.U.B., we participated in a Valentine's Day Exchange! #BLOGLUV It helped us learn more about our friends who literally live all over the U.S.. My exchange package came from New Jersey all the way to Texas. I was so excited just to see our mail carrier come to the door with it!

The best surprise was that my Valentine was RUBY from G.U.B.! From the day I met Ruby something just clicked! {I know I sound like a total stalker!} But seriously... if you EVER get the chance to meet Ruby you know...it's an instant cheerful smile with a genuine shine and brightness about it and then it's her welcoming hugs and her ever so graceful ability to speak to the world with her purpose and goals, you can see them happening before your eyes! Her awesome-ness makes you feel like you belong. It was so important to me because I felt so undeserving and out of place at my first ever Bloggers Conference last year here in Houston but Ruby took me and a fellow local Blogger under her wing and didn't hesitate at all to clue us in on the specifics and Blogger Conference 101!

Thank you again Ruby, you have no idea what it has all meant to me! 

Again, my Hubby didn't believe that I knew a Blogger from Jersey much less a well known Blogger! But, it's true my Amiga Ruby has been a great friend to me!

And, my Valentine's Day gift was perfect, THANK YOU RUBY! You made my day, once more!!! I know we told each other what we wanted but it was so great to get a little something for myself on such a gloomy day here in Houston...it's been raining all weekend...

Here is what was inside my package:






By the way, I got a new "fancy" camera for Christmas and I am still learning to use it. But, I love it. Hope you enjoyed this gift exchange as much as I did!

Happy Valentine's Day Everyone from Momma of Dos to your loved ones!!!!

Now off to enjoy some tea in my new cup!!!!! FROM NEW JERSEY!!!! Mmmhmmm!

{On relationships....}

A healthy relationship begins with a healthy individual. I think.

There are times when one must seek true alone time and think about who we are, what we want and where we will go...in order to understand where we want to go as an individual. So, I imagine that in order to be in a relationship with the opposite sex or a friendship, far more seeking is required...even as time goes by.

I tend to escape from the real world and into my heart {with God}; often. My friends know. If they don't hear from me for a while, it's cause God is busy. I like to know where I want my friendships to go. As for my Marriage, that's a whole other post, which I attended a conference for recently, I love that relationship and the places that God has taken us.

I am writing about this as a reflection of where the last year and even the last 5 months have taken my relationships. New trust. New faith. New Hope. New friends. New friendships. Old friendships in a new light and in a new form of love and respect. Just perspective being gained and light being shed. Truth being told and upheld.

Friendship is about healthy boundaries being constantly built. New relationships growing in foundation and strengthening in life. You look to these people for support and to build you up. You seek their approval and gain their trust. It's important to be a strong and healthy minded individual, conscious and individually growing in order to form life long lasting friendships that you can learn from.

For years I prayed for Godly women to enter my life. These days I can honestly say that these Women are all a part of my life on a daily basis in different ways. I am Blessed.

Friends are awesome!

{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.

{The Table in the Cornor} ♥

The other night I went to "dinner", more like a friendly meet up with one of my amazing Momma friends. We met at La Madeline, I had never been there and was really just there for the company and the listening ear.

We got a small dinner and found a nice quiet, cozy table in the corner. As we started talking I noticed the room around us was bustling and in full swing. But as the night went on the tears welted in our eyes and the conversation about life, family, marriage and kids began to draw us more and more into that little corner table. Once we got started the laughter and anecdotes about our Husbands and kids began to flow. I realized that the table was engaging in a whole new type of dinning experience; one where happiness, sorrows, goals and faith were being shared.

Life.

Life was being lived at this very table.

No one knew what we were talking about. Maybe some were intrigued by the two 30-something year old  Momma like ladies having a great conversation over pink lemonade and sprite. Maybe no one cared or even saw us and maybe we were at the table that everyone wished they had snagged. Either way. We cared. My friend and I, Momma Yvonne, were there for each other as Momma's, Wives, Sisters, Daughters and friends...

The room around us was also very much alive. I didn't realize it until we got up and our conversation ceased that the restaurant was busy. Very busy. Too busy for my peace of mind. We bought some desserts for the Hubby's who had stayed at home that night. We walked out and into the busy streets.

It's those nights of intriguing conversation and great company that I love so much. Those nights when laughter and tears can be shared.

Those nights when faith and life stories bring out the best in you. Those nights when Love and Peace can overcome the chaos in your brain and soul.

Those nights when we snag corner tables to talk about being women and every day struggles.

Those nights when you know Jesus was sitting next to us at the corner table and walking along side of us as we headed to our cars.

Those nights when Blessings are so clear.

Those nights when friends can be so real.

Those nights when life....doesn't pass you by but instead draws you near...

We all need those nights... the nights when meeting a friend can change your whole perspective on your busy schedule.

Those nights when you realize you are not crazy..just Human.

Those nights...

I love them and I love my friends.

{Baby steps, an Epiphany, & Respect}

Change. It's been ALL over my mind. Funny thing. Sometimes you don't realize how much change your soul and heart need until someone ELSE points it out to you.

I admit, I've allowed situations and people to make my crystal clear blue waters into murky and bitter ones... Horrible, I know! Not in anyway shape or form blaming anyone for anything; other than myself for allowing the bitterness and blah-ness to linger and stick like glue to my happy {pretty} thoughts; if you know what I mean. This year is all about change. I am also not saying that everyone else is right about me, but I am saying "HEY I AM HUMAN RIGHT?" It happens. Better late than never...and change is MORE than welcome in the new year, just sayin'. I for one am starting with ME. My attitude, my life, my perspective and forgetting about the past. I think I am an ok person and deserve a clean slate in 2012... I hope... Ha.

Thankfully, I have some pretty amazing women of God in my life. My Sister for one has showed me to live life and move forward. I also have a growing group of Women of Faith; who share scripture and uplifting words with me no matter what!
Don't get me wrong, they are not always like, "OH CONNIE YOU ARE SO RIGHT AND SO GREAT {so pretty and so perfect and your BLOG Oh-M-Geeee, ahhh-mazing!}!"

Uhm no, they wouldn't be real friends if that's how they thought, some days they are like;
"Connie get over it!", "Connie it's your pride, read your Bible", "Connie DON'T BE STUBBORN and listen to God"; and in those moments I realize how amazing they are and how God has slowly by surly placed them in my life to be my most BESTEST friends EVER! I have lots of great women in my life who listen to me, respect me and love me...for me. I have been Blessed but trust me..it's taken time and lots of prayer... these ladies didn't come over night and I have grown to know them and they have grown to know me..and I think that together we have grown. I love them lots they know who they are...

So, let's get to changing! Ha. Ok, we take a break on day 6 of the New Year we can start over on the 9th....even change deserves a weekend!

From 2010 to 2011

The past year has brought many, many things; good and bad...I embrace them all and look forward to another amazing year....

In this last year I have experienced:

  Jesus in my Life and Heart

A Husband who provides and supports 

A Blessed, Happy and Healthy Son

 A Blessed and Healthy Daughter on the way

  A Beautiful, Happy and Healthy Nephew

 Love

Peace

Happiness

 Accomplishments

 Affirmed Faith

 Long lasting Godly Friendships with Great Women

An Enduring Family

 A stable job

 Warmth

 Celebrations

 Praise

 Prayer

Strength

 Wisdom

Patience

Appreciation

 Acceptance

 Further Understanding

  A Caring heart

  Compassion

  Un-Answered Prayers {But for Good Reason}

  Life

Joy

Smiles

New Life

New Girlfriends

New Blog Readers {Ha.}

Confidence

Trust
Pain
Heartache
Growth
Responsibility
Sadness
Anger
Comfort
Survival
Foundation
Loss
Hugs by tiny arms
Kisses from Blessed lips
A listening ear

I am seeking a new year filled with...

Reconciliation
Confession
Repentance
Structure
Reality
Grace
Further Growth
Hope
Love
Security
Future
Humility
Respect for myself and others
Tenderness
Obedience
An Open heart
New experiences over all
Lasting Faith
New Friendships
A renewed Heart
A brighter smile
TO SHINE like God wants me to!

May the new year bring you and your family MANY Blessings!

Thank You for an amazing year and welcome 2011!!! We are ready for you!!!!

With Faith and God ANYTHING is possible!!!!!!

How can I not?

How can I not be Thankful?

I have lived a long 29 years going on 30. I am Thankful for my LIFE. For LIFE in general. In those 29 years, yes I have had trials and obstacles but I have never fallen so deep that I couldn't get back up. Every time I have fallen, every mistake, every season has made me who I am. Stronger. With greater Faith.

I graduated from college in 2005 and in 2006 I married my Prince Charming. I am Thankful for him. For what he has allowed me to become; a strong working Mom. I am Thankful for his shoulder on which I have cried many a times. I am Thankful for his strong work ethic with which he supports our family day in and day out. I am Thankful for his loyalty and respect, he loves me and cares for me. I am Thankful for his personality, it's always so hard to stay mad at him. I am Thankful for his arms which hold me when I don't feel well. I am Thankful for his lips which always speak me up and Praise God when I am down. I am Thankful that the Lord gave me such a strong, wise and loving partner to be by my side!

In 2009 I became pregnant with my son and in 2010 I have conceived a daughter. I am Thankful to the Lord that after so many years of doubt and speculation He has allowed me to become a Mother. The most beautiful Blessing in my life. The breath that gives me life as I grow life within me. Being a Mother has changed my path, my goals and my life! I am Thankful for those tiny feet which pitter-patter all over the cold ceramic floors in my house. I am Thankful for those little hands with little sticky finger that grab for my face at 5am. I am Thankful for that little Man that call me "mama" and then "papa" and then "caca" all at once! I am Thankful for his laugh, his cry and his shouts! I am Thankful for the little feet and arms that pushing and pulling within me. She will soon join our crazy little BLESSED home!

I am Thankful for the "things" in my life as well. A home I can call my own, with 3 rooms not with 10 but perfect for  what each one of our family members needs; a warm room to sleep in each night. I am Thankful for my car which takes me places even if it clutter-clatters and puffs some smoke every once in a while, because it keeps me from riding the bus or walking the streets of Houston which are all too often cold, wet and dangerous. I am Thankful for my job which allows me to feed my family and pay my bills on a month to month basis. 

I am Thankful for all the other people in my life as well. My family; Ma', Pa', Sissy, Pelon and Max. I am Thankful for my nephew, Olin and his crooked smile. It's exactly how we should be crazy, out of place and order but in Love. My extended family from Mexico, the Valley, Houston and Michigan! Mis primas; Yoli and Fabs and Moni. Mis primos; Eric and Fred! ALL of my husbands family; his Parents, his siblings-Ale and David, his cousins-all the girls and all the guys! (Erica, Danielle, Eric, Mike, Nana, 'Quel, 'Fia, Yaya, Chuy, Mr. Edward, Gloria, etc etc etc.) I am Thankful for all of my Aunts and Uncles and all of Ricardo's Aunts and Uncles. Family is Love. Family is support. Family is chaos! But in the end, we are all family! I love you all. 

I am Thankful for all my friends; Casey, Yvonne, Alma, Clarissa, Twanda, Delana, Lola, Maria, Ruth, Edith, Teneshia, Du-Ha,Gabby and Kathy...and many many more! I may not see you or talk to you everyday but I love you and appreciate all of your support, your kind words, your slaps over the head and everything that your friendship has done in my life over the years!   

I have so many people and things to be Thankful for. I am Blessed. I am HAPPY. I am Loved.

Thank God.

I hope you have MANY many many things and people to be Thankful for.

Many Blessing to you and your family!

1 Corinthians 13: ¹ If I speak in the tongues^[a] of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. ² If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. ³ If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,^[b] but do not have love, I gain nothing.
 ⁴ Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵ It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
 ⁸ Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. ⁹ For we know in part and we prophesy in part, ¹⁰ but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. ¹¹ When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. ¹² For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
 ¹³ And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Don't eat toooo much Turkey!!!!

What A difference a year makes....

I have always said that EVERYTHING happens for a reason. And in the same way I feel like PEOPLE happen to us for a reason....and for every season..there is a reason...or a person. 

I have met MANY wonderful women in my life, some already gone and some that have just begun. Friendship amongst women goes further than a "Hi, how are you?", it's all about the "What did you wear to the concert?" And "Did you WATCH IDOL last night?!" Women are rare and specific creatures, but we rarely pick who we will befriend, usually it just happens and as I have been witness to MANY a times, when it happens wonderfully it's more than just a friendly reminder that there are other people out there like you, it's like finding a diamond amongst all the coals.

I have been VERY Blessed to have a sister, or as my much younger counterpart, Yaya, would say a "Sista' "! Said this way it gives the word; heart, soul and depth and I love it. But, I have ALSO been VERY Blessed to have friends, who I can and would call, my "Sista' ". One of these women happens to be my husband's aunt, Yolanda, and another one, her Sista' Raquel. I often seek words of advice, encouragement and peace from both of these great ladies. And looking back it's been a very purposeful journey, I have learned as a "young" wife and mother, that you can be bold, determined, ambitious, and a dreamer. Why am I going on and on about friends and how great they can be...because today I saw a friend who I don't see often as a matter of fact the last time I saw this woman, I was 5 months pregnant and as I was ready to embark on a very remarkable journey, she too set sail into a new life! Raquel I don't see you often and you are not my sista' (that way at least) but girl I love you and am glad to call you my "sista' " from another mother! 

Thank You for your smile and your heart. You and Yolanda have been awesome to me. 

Raquel and I; June 2009

Raquel and I; March 2010