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??

::Seeking::

A while back I set out to find my "Dream Job", because despite what my situation is right now, I have faith that, that place is still out there for me. I have since found a job. A good job but not what I would consider ideal. I know, "Connie you are so picky and such a non-conformist!" Trust me, I often question my own credibility. I wonder if maybe it's true, it's not the environment but rather me, who has a problem. I am never happy, so my Hubby says.

Is that such a bad thing? 

I mean really. I have been to so many places and  I have come so far. I went to college. Should be, 'nuff said. But, then there is this long history of paid work and un-paid work or volunteering. I mean. Not to toot my own horn, but I have been told that my background is pretty darn impressive and I am proud of that. As a Woman, as a Mexican-American and now as a Momma; I am very proud of my education and work history. Even my un-successful time as a Stay-at-Home-Momma which I failed at miserably, but that's a whole other post in itself. Trust me when I say..having kids and staying home is NOT for everyone! Yes, it has it's rewards and pro's but still not for everyone.

So, in further seeking I continue on this path of applications and interviews. And, I am once again haunted by that question; where do you see yourself in 5 years? Which to me translates into what is the perfect job for you and what do you want from this current situation? As one person put it; "I want to sit on a beach and drink margarita's all day and get paid for it." Really, come on, who the heck wouldn't but since that may or may not be an option for me I am not only determined but involved in seeking that perfect job, that perfect place. Just the other day I had an interview; when the manager spoke to me, she had LIFE.  When someone has true passion and purpose, you can see it in their face through their determination. You can hear it in their voice through their story and their words. And, they inspire you to do more and motivate you to live beyond what you think is normal.

That is where I see myself in 5 years. I challenge myself to live beyond what I think is normal and fitting not only for my well-being, financial stability and mental growth but what I deem a position that my children can look up to and be proud of. Yes, they should and can be proud of my accomplishments until now but I am not a conformist remember. I don't like to settle. I never have. If I did, I wouldn't have left a small town in 1999, to become a city girl. If I did I would have allowed the stereotypes and what-if's to consume me.  If I settled I wouldn't be a home-owner and drive an SUV. {Not bragging, just sayin'... Si se puede!} And, because I have SO much more to prove not to anyone but myself, I seek.

That passion. That job. And, that determination.

What about you? Are you a constant seeker? I know I am.

Early {New} Year Re-solutions

So, you thought 2013 would be a year full of purpose and direction and it's now October and you can't seem to see your vision. But, why? No worries, re-direct and get it together!

I had many goals for this year. Sure most of them were accomplished and maybe slightly re-directed but honestly sometimes life is life and it just doesn't happen how you envisioned. Well, now is the time to start re-thinking those goals for the rest of this year. And yes, why not for 2014? Trust me, it will be here before we know it. It’s never too early to start thinking about what we want for ourselves.

 

A few ways that I plan on getting back on track are:

Re-Organizing~ I started my year as a Stay@HomeMomma and then converted back to being a WorkingOutsidetheHomeMomma so my every day has been flipped up-side down! It's been almost 5 months and I think I am finally finding a new balance. Schedules are falling into place. Energy and motivation are finally back. My best advice; don't take on too much and when you feel overwhelmed take a break! 

Re-Thinking~ I am going to go over my goals and re-think, re-evaluate and re-prioritize what I feel needs to get done to accomplish some of my personal, home and blogging goals! I think everything in life can be re-written no need to get flustered or upset...just re-think it! 

Take Action~ After I am done re-organizing myself and re-thinking what and how things will be done the rest of the year and in 2014; then I will definitely be set to TAKE ACTION! I want to not only be a person of words but also of actions! 

What about you? Have you thought about way to start over and start planning for next year?!

{A lot of Faith} ♥

Yesterday my Sister said to me...."if it's meant to be then it will be."

So simple.

So true.

Truth.

Something I am SURE I have said to her many times or to others who are seeking. But, why is it so hard to accept that right now? I have faith that whatever is meant to be these days will be. I keep busy and fill my calendar. With my goals and my purpose. Not worrying too much about what everyone else has going on or where everyone else is in their journey of seeking, I have been there....and yes..most times...done that. Right now it's time for this Momma to seek in a different manner. Not only a Dream job but MY dream for the next 30 years and my family's future.

Years ago when I first met my Hubby I don't think I imagined my life to become, so full of LIFE. Our kids are a Blessing. Such an awesome Blessing, that at one point I didn't know if it would ever be possible to have children. At 32, I can honestly say that I have lived my life and accomplished almost everything that I have set my mind to do, small or big. Sometimes walking away from God, so far ahead that I have to stop myself and be reminded that He has been my strength. But, in the midst of it all I have never lost sight of His Love, His Wisdom and His words; which live deep inside my heart. Deep inside my soul. I knew of God as a kid, I didn't know God until I was 24. 24. I am  now 31, 32 in June. Those things, situations or circumstances that I thought were a priority then, now sit on the back burner.

I have found myself, in many dark corners and through many heartfelt and horribly shed tears. But, through it all I have remained. In faith. In light. And, open to the possibilities ahead. So, why is it so hard to accept where I am right now? In this quiet place. Still. Married to a great and supportive Man who yes...puts up with all my crazy antics and blog posts, Ha. Ha. A Momma of DOS very active, very hyper, somewhat spoiled {ok, very SPOILED}, tantrum throwing and demanding children who never use their inside voice and who consume my every being in the best way possible; who are teaching me patience and about using my inside voice. {True story; my son asked me not to SPEAK SO LOUDLY,or yell, at him and to instead speak to him in a calm inside voice....convinced that he would listen to me, I tried it and he still doesn't listen to me, boys... Oyi.}

Be still.

Waiting.

It's hard for me.

But, I have faith.

I remain.

God knows when and how. 

And, no matter how difficult it is to be still...I pray for His peace and patience while He works on my prayers which I know He has heard very loud, dramatically and clear. {I am an active pray-er!} Ha. God sees my heart. He knows my heart. And, I pray that He can hear my heart.... shouting out to Him. In every way possible.

Psalm 46:10

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” 

Struggling.....

First off, I still don't have my computer and fear for the worse.... my computer had everything on it. Ugh. HUGE, FAT, UGLY, UGH! But, it seems that those huge, fat, ugly, UGH's are following me these days....

My Husband is a firm believer in the fact that less is more, don't share too much, or say too much. I am used to sharing. My fears, my dreams, and everything in between...and while I share, trust me...I don't really share everything and I know that God is the keeper of all things awesome in all those corners of untold dreams, goals and future plans....

And, just like any other human, because I am human, and I am in NO way, shape or form perfect but growing...I struggle, with God's plan, with trusting that I am where HE wants me to be. I struggle. I move along and forward but it's difficult for me.

I am not one to stay still. I move. For years God has told me. Be still. I am God and I know what I have in store for you. But, I struggle. The movement within just bursts out and those deep down desires of my heart are aching. Struggling.

I take a deep breath and relax. As, I walked through the grocery store last night and in weeks past I think, my kids are only going to be this little once. Enjoy them Connie. They won't want you carrying them, hugging and kissing them all the time or telling them how amazing they are when they are teenagers. So, I embrace them and our current situation  Trust me, my everyday has so many up's and down's and twists and turns, I struggle but I embrace, I enjoy and I reflect.

In those reflections comes the thought  of my dream job! I feel that I am really on that journey. To seek that perfect job; I know that NOTHING is perfect but something great has got to be out there for me... that job that a lot of other women have; where the hours are good, the pay is better and there is this great balance of work and outside life or at least a good blend of  both. Trust me. It's out there. Women have these jobs. I have seen them. And, I know that comparison is not an option. I don't think it's a matter of comparing what I don't have to what they do have, I think it's a sincere way of seeking a better place for myself and my family.

Because part of me wants to just RUN out and get the first job possible to help grow our pockets... God keeps telling me...Slow down cowboy, that's NOT it.

For years I thought, "Wow! I have a pretty good job!!" Then, I had kids and my struggles became new ones. Now that I have been home and after almost 3 years of working outside the home and having children I think, "ugh, my jobs were NOT kid friendly!" And, I am seeking..... and so I struggle.

Trust me. It's so painstaking these days to "find a job" much less MY DREAM JOB! The task is daunting and my brain is weary. I am a thinker. Then I share. Then I think, some more. Pondering on the what-if's and then wishing for the right-now's! I know. I am a little impatient. Trust me. It's a struggle. The brain is always on the move... and not my friend on most days.

In the mean time, I will continue my quest and pray for the best.....{totally didn't mean for that to rhyme. Ha.}

Everyday.

Psalm 37:4
New International Version (NIV) 

Take delight in the Lord,   and he will give you the desires of your heart.

{Side tracked on LIFE...} & Giveaway Winners!

{Post was written last night around 2:30am}

My brain is on fire! RIGHT NOW. I have a million and ONE posts on my mind and I can't get through one....Ahii no! Creative overload....

Ok. Deep breath.

Here is how this is going to go down. It's late. I want my bed  but everyone is asleep and I must write, type or talk to myself because the silence....well it totally kills me. Any-who. Life. 2013. ORGANIZATION.

Everyone was doing these post about goals, and inspirations boards and I was like "Hola 2013" and now I feel like a total nut job...I am an over-thinker. An over achiever. I guess. I love to do. I love to write. I love to say that I will write about it and then do write.about.it.

So, I took pen to paper...yes Ari, Pen to paper... Ariana is this super awesome techie {or is it techy} friend of mine who laughs when I say pen and paper... but any who. I wrote them down, my initial goals for 2013 from Faith to my Casa, they all got a page... I am happy now. My mind is kinda sorta at rest but ready to tackle something on the list! We shall see what gets done first, but for now writing it all down..is done.

Thank you.





And! Pay close attention here!
Liz from E Creations {yes check her out if you have not already} and myself set out to get her 250 fans, we have now reached and gone beyond that goal! It was awesome! We virtually high-fived and then picked some GIVEAWAY WINNERS!!!! Yay!!!!!!
THE WINNERS ARE:

E Creations Fan: Crystal Briones  

&

 Momma of Dos Reader: Adrienne Elizondo 

{Ladies: In order to claim your prize you should contact myself and Liz through our Facebook Fan page messaging at your earliest convenience!}

{Ode to July} ♥

July, you're here!?

Welcome! Bienvenido!

Every month I think, this month will be the month....and truthfully....my days fall short, life happens and here I am... with only some things marked off my monthly "to-do" list...

June List:

My Birthday

Santi will start daycare/school
We want to make-over a couple of rooms in the house
We want to go to San Antonio with the kids
I want to take a cute set of picture of Cami in an outfit I intend to make {HA!}
One of my good friends Casey Love will have her baby shower and then her baby Bella
Father's DAY
And just so much more....

July List:
Start getting things ready for Cami's Baptism
We want to make-over a couple of rooms in the house {REALLY, finish Cami's no longer nursery but now her toddler bedroom!}
We want to go to San Antonio with the kids {I want to take them...the Hubby will have to jump on board!}
Some late "Spring" Cleaning will have to take place...
Complete Tu-tu, Headband and Custom Onesie orders for the month! {No longer accepting July orders, sorry everyone, my month is booked!} 
Find a GOOD fabric store/website/wholesaler!

Don't forget to check out some  

Momma Blogs who have been ever so nice as to post 

my Blog Ad on their pages... 

I am officially a Sponsor!!!

First Momma is Maria-Isabel over at MOMMY MADE! Not only is she ever so crafty at making people {Three Beautiful kids to be exact!} but she is also so very creative and makes the CUTEST ever accessories...and oh yes; she is a photographer too! Not only that but she is such a lovely looking lady! I hope you hop on over and visit her.... she is MOMMA APPROVED!

The second July Momma is Mandy from a sorta fairytale she is a sweet Momma Blogger with two also VERY sweet boys! Mandy is also a photographer and she is most definitely a Momma of Faith. I love it. I love her Blog and I hope you head on over and check her out too! Also, very much so MOMMA APPROVED!

What my kids thought of July....WORD!

 {4th of July Outfit made by Lila's Creations by Erica R.; 

Don't forget to check out her FB page, 

she has very cute Tu-tu's and Hair bows!}

So, lets get started ya'll, July is waiting!!!

{Accountability} ♥

On Monday I wrote about my Momma/Wifey feelings which would then translates into Woman feelings.
My Woman/Momma/Wifey heart has been weighing a little heavy on my chest these days. It's so easy to get caught up in helping and doing for everyone else that you quickly forget that if Momma don't feel good then no one will feel good. How you feel and how you show those emotions rubs off on your spouse and your children. That's a whole lot of icky in one household. Trust me. I know.

I don't like feeling blah. You know those days when the pity parties just don't stop and you are the guest of honor and the ONLY guest...the self-drama is all up in your face. In Spanish we say.. "haces una tormenta en un vaso de agua.." {I drown myself in shallow waters...}

Those days when what I look like, who I am, where I have come from, what I have "achieved" or not achieved, and where I think I am going just doesn't add up or seem at all right.

Then, I realized... "I am having a mid-life crisis". It didn't hit me right at 30 but I've had a few months to wallow..in my 30's... and uhm, oh.M.gee. I AM SO 30! I definitely feel it today. Not like today, today but these days... HA!

I discovered in these little self-pity parties that I am my own Debbie Downer. Ouch. I don't want to be that person for myself! I should love myself. I should appreciate myself. I should be happy with myself. Yet. I wasn't. {I am not.} Then I thought. How? How did I get to this place of self-yucky? I slowly allowed myself to be defined by situations and circumstances. I had that downward spiral into being the person I know I am not.

Well, there is no sense what.so.ever in remaining in THAT place. {It's not healthy, for one.} NO WAY. That's just not me. It's never been me. I move. I create. I am who I am and I move forward!

I will. I have. I can. Those are the words filling my heart today. Over and over. I will. I have. I can. Most of my current blah I know has come from my physical appearance. I looked in the mirror the other day and thought...this is me? Surely it can't be? But, yep it was! Wow. I am so 30! Ha.

 Change. How?

ONE. DAY. AT. A. TIME.

One small new change is accountability. I have a couple of again, ah-MA-zing, women who are trying every day to help me achieve these SELF-LOVING goals, in return, I will more than willingly help them achieve SELF-LOVE. I did say this was a year of change.

So, let the SELF-LOVING begin!

{Perfect day to start....it's Ash Wednesday! Let the next 40 days begin....}

Dreaming A Little Dream ♥ {I'd a done a lot of things different...}

It's one of my favorite country songs.

Point is. I am currently not a Stay@HomeMomma, but if I were I realize that...I'd have to do a lot of things different... A LOT!

For one. My schedule. I realized that when I know I am staying home, I wake up a little later than usual. Just because I want to catch up on rest and sleep that I don't get much of when I have to wake up and go to work everyday. But, then I wake up late and that results in lots of frustration later in the day...for my whole family. Not just me.

Another thing is plans. I'd have to plan my days a little better. These days when I stay home during the week. I wing it. See what does...or most days DOESN'T happen. I'd plan work days {for me to get crafty and work on  my future business}, I'd plan lunch with Daddy or someone else who is just as interesting, I'd plan days of outings like to the Houston Zoo or Children's Museum, I'd plan days of learning {the kids are I think on track but I know could use a boost!}, I'd plan days of nothing actual days when we sat and watched movies. I'd also plan dinners and Momma time. Much needed I am sure!

A big one would be help. Even if I did stay home I would still need some help. As of now, my Aunt comes by every once in a while and cleans my house, she hasn't been in over 2 months and I have managed just fine but it's the little extra help that makes for a huge difference. We also currently pay someone to do our yard and clean up outside, which is VERY helpful as my Hubby and I are so busy during the week! I would also need a Personal Assistant/Nanny, yes, trust me I have thought this out pretty well. I would need help with bills, my schedule and the kids on my "work" days. We would also need someone who we can pay and rely on to watch the kids on Date Night, also much needed. {Granted that all this is financially attainable, I like to dream big, I would so totally do and the Hubby agrees that we would need extra help!}

Me time. As I mentioned before would definitely be planned; I have though started this year off fairly well and had a least 3 girls nights already; Church, Movies and Dinner! Very important. I love crafting and writing and reading so I'd definitely have to find time to do that as well as get all my Momma/Wife duties done. Especially if I plan on making a job out of my ideas and Blog. I am really thinking big in 2012.

As of last night I started a new weekend routine. I usually wait until Sunday night to do laundry and weekly organizing but I don't want to have that anymore, it's so tiring. So, I started doing clean up and laundry last night and now we have Sunday open. For church and family time. {Confession time.} I have not been to church in about 2 months, NO BUENO. Ricardo and I want to get back on track though!

Like I said at the beginning of the year...CHANGE. Now it's all about the doing not just the saying!

Happy Saturday All.