::38 Birthday Wishes::

Every year I try to do something on social media or my blog for my birthday month.... this month, this year, this life have been hectic... but I wrote out a list of 38 birthday wishes.....

For my 38th year of life, I wish the following...

1. "Blessings for the best, most in alignment year of life to date." (SO MUCH YES!)
2. I wish to pick up my Bible more times this year than ever before. 
3. I wish for my children to be safe, protected, and healthy. 
4. I wish to be more organized and present as a human being. 
5. I wish to be a more attentive and responsive as a woman to myself. 
6. To continue to surround myself with women, and people who are in similar seasons and have similar goals.  
7. To be a blessing to others. 
8.  I wish to grow more this new year of life- Emotionally, Spiritually, Mentally and in Strength.
9. I am wishing for a new renewed sense of self and self-awareness so that I can continuously admit to my mistakes and correct my actions. 
10. To learn a new skill that will allow me to grow professionally. 
11. To receive and accept all the new blessings coming in my life. 
12. To live abundantly in all the things that I need to survive, especially in love. 
13. I want to wish for further peace; inner and around me. 
14. I wish to pick-up new mediation habits. 
15. I wish to be ever present for those people who truly need me. 
16. To be happy and smile no matter what comes my way. 
17. To bring peace and joy to others. 
18. I wish to be strong and uplifting in the hard times. 
19. I wish to stop complaining about the things, I know I can't change, and take more action. 
20. I wish for a very healthy year. 
21. I wish to bring out the best in others and allow them to fulfill their fullest potential! 
22. To travel more. 
23. To truly and purposefully rest. 
24. To finish reading all the books I've started. 
25. I wish to start doing yoga again and try hot yoga. 
26. I wish to further recognize the people who have truly made a difference in my life. 
27. To continue to eat better and take care of ME. 
28. To take more times out of my day to breathe and reflect and truly be thankful for where I am. 
29. To advance in my career and be at peace with my career choices and path. 
30. I want to set bigger goals and new action items for myself. (Can you say America Ninja Warrior, MAYBE.) 
31. I wish to continue to reach my goals and dream BIGGER every day. 
32. I wish to build a strong community around me who are growing and successful so that I can grow and succeed with them. 
33. I wish to do more volunteer work this year. 
34. I wish to spend more time with friends. Especially friends who I have not seen in a while. 
35. I wish to be better at managing my money. 
36. I wish to turn my passion into my biggest asset. 
37. I wish to find myself and happiness at the same intersection. 
38. I wish to re-create who I am and thrive..... 
    

This is 38 ya'll! 

{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!}

{On getting Motivated & Inspired} ♥

When I worked in an office outside my home and had a desk to go to every morning; I had little sticky notes around my desk and computer that gave me constant reassurance, motivation and sometimes inspiration on what, how, when and where. At home I have a lot of different areas where my motivation is present but it seems that the place where I spend most my time is lacking it. My at home work station. Or this computer! Ha. Funny, huh?


So, I am working on building my space...not to be confused with "MySpace" does anyone use that anymore...I digress. My personal space and it's inspiration. I want to be happy and motivated while I write as well as inspired to create new items and work in peace on what makes me happy.....

My house is definitely a part of who I am, how I see life and where I want to go. Every room is and will be filled with the things that are unique to my family. The colors, the furniture, the pictures! Everything represents who my family has become and how much we have grown in the last 7 years since the Hubby and I got married!

I plan on building on it everyday and create a place where my family eats, sleeps, creates and dreams! For now here is some progress ::insert mini-house tour here:: Welcome to our home... I don't have a big fancy house with a lot of expensive things or furniture but everything I have put into this house comes from a special place in my heart to make it a home and from a lot of hand-me-down kind of people {especially my Hubby's Dad and my Momma}.

Tour of what makes my little life turn....

This is the space I am currently working to enhance. Ha.

Here is what that space looks like now...still working on a better desk!

 This is my living room:

 View from my hallway...

Glimpse into an unfinished room... my kids room.

Trust me there is  much work to be done in my house..one day we will finish it all..One day.

What makes you remain motivated? What are special places that you wish to enhance for added inspiration?

{Plans & Schedules) #latism

Funny story.

I have these super awesome plans and great schedules dreamed up in my mind and I am sure that after only a week of following them I could, may or should fail but guess what.....I don't plan on giving up!

I want to be that Momma! ::insert sky opening heavens shinning thru and God smiling down at me:: or not. 

Only He knows the truth... my plans and schedules....if they are not surrounded by God's will, they just will not happen, at least not how I would want them to. Therefore...I am not only planning what life "should" be like in my home but also what I want it to grow into in my heart and soul.....and I will pray that if it is God's will today, tomorrow or next week then it will be done.

For now; we {Cami and I} are cleaning, cooking, napping, grocery shopping and paying bills. Camila doesn't mind that my schedules are not working out....and she is doing just fine as long as her breakfast, lunch and dinner come in that order!

I  can't get hung up on what is or will come.... I can only do my best and move forward....

My Momma friends have told me their tips and their schedules and trust me they are some pretty busy gals... as for me... I am not sure what I will ultimately be but in the mean time... we shall see? Ha.

I have a week and a half left before I attend the Latism Conference. I am already learning a lot and trying to make new Bloggy friends so that I am not so lonely, either way I am so Blessed to have been given this opportunity and can't wait to take full advantage of it! Really excited. I made some temporary business cards and can't wait for my real ones to get approved, trying to design them myself and create a Momma of Dos logo! It's a lot of work... I am thinking of consulting a professional. We shall see... God is in control...

Happy Schedules!

Source: Pintrest <3 br="br">

What's to come? {30 Recap and Goals}

I have plans!

Lots of them!!!

I have been busy with work and well life but hopefully you haven't missed too much.

Here is a recap:

-I reached 75 FB readers, working on my 100! Thennnnnn....you guessed it....GIVEAWAY time!
[ FIND ME ON TWITTER: http://twitter.com/#!/MommaofDosTX AND FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Momma-of-Dos/167499493284586?ref=ts]
-My Hubby got a new Summer Internship~ With Vaugh Construction~
-I was on Maternity Leave for 2 months.
-I have been crafting {making and selling-But really it's a Hobby}
-I had my second Baby {CamBam}-Officially making me the Momma of Dos! {Yaay!} ~Hence the Maternity Leave~
-I finally had my first ever GIVEAWAYS! {Congrats again to the Winners!}MANY MORE TO COME I HOPE!
-I am currently seeking a new job in a Faith based community with Hispanic and Community involvement as a plus!
-I am planning my Son's second Birthday in September and my daughters FIRST in March!
-I am still and more so than ever in LOVE with my LIFE, MY FAMILY and GOD!

How? Where and Who?

My Blog originated as a "ME" blog on Wordpress; a hard-working, church-going, quirky Faith-filled Wife! It didn't really have structure.....

Then it became a Mommy Blog {still and more so Faithfilled but with some structure}....

Then it went on to become an all around honest Family and Faith Blog! {Still with structure and bigger plans in mind!}

Now, a NEW Me, Family, FAITH, Crafty Blog has emerged and I still have even BIGger plans...as the months go by {as God's will is done} and another year finishes I plan to execute those plans and move forward!  {I have never lost sight of HIM, I have as an imperfect Human Being that I am wandered away, doubted who He has brought me to be, and thought that He may not have been who guided me here to execute this specific purpose! BUT now, NOW more than ever, I KNOW, that I was SO VERY WRONG. That HE is MY ONE AND ONLY PURPOSE. That HE is my one and ONLY guide. THAT HE IS THE REASON I am HERE. In this place. In this moment. I will embrace HIM! Move forward and never again doubt what I believe IN, Who I believe in!}

With this in {with His purpose in} mind I plan to add and  return some features to my Blog! They went missing, I was caught off guard and thrown off course! But order must be re-gained. And life will once more be GREAT!

What to look for in the coming MONTHS:

*Guest Bloggers [Monday] {EMAIL ME TO: faithandloveintexas@gmail.com}
*"New Addition to the Family" Feature {If you have special talents you want to share!!!{EMAIL ME TO: faithandloveintexas@gmail.com}
*En la Cocina con Ricardo {TOTALLY NEW!!!} The Head Chef will be my Hubby! YUP! He can cook too!
*La Sonrisa de un Niño {Also totally NEW! It will be weekly stories about my Children and how they make me smile!}
*Craft of the Month {A Tutorial Series-Monthly}
*I want to do "Praise & Worship Wednesday" again, I miss it!
*I want to start "Thankful Thursdays" with Family of Four Blogger {link-up}!
*I want to add "Finding Friday {& Suggestions Saturday}" - My cool "finds" of the week and what you think I should be looking at!
* El Domingo en Casa {Family Activities to do after Church~Local Feature~}
*As you may have guessed, I want to add more Spanish {With a Tex-Mex twist and Spanglish lingo} posts!!! Yes, Yo soy muyyyy Mexi-Mexi!
* I want to add more PICTURES to my everyday POST! For your viewing pleasure... Ha.
* I want to have a MONEY MATTERS post every Month {Where Finances and Organization and Spousal Communication about the issue is discussed!}
*I want to have a possibly weekly Health and Fitness Post {Where a Health Expert can tell us how and what to do to keep in shape but more importantly how to stay Healthy!}
*I also want a possible weekly Fashion and Makeup post {Where my Fashion and Makeup Guru's can discuss beauty and dressing cute! I have TWO people in mind already!}

Ambitious much!? HA. I think so. God will find a way!!! I know He will.

I hope you like it all!

Please stick around, FUN WILL BEGIN SHORTLY!



{Part of my 30's lists} Mommy Wish List. ♥

I know this is a bit selfish... but I have a few items {for myself} on my wish list especially this year....

{30 things on my Mommy Wish list or to-do list}

1. New clothes.
2. New shoes.
3. New makeup.
4. More time for my kids.
5. More time for me.
6. More time with my Hubby.
7. More date nights with my Hubby.
8. To find a new Church. 
9. To loose about 10 more lbs and not gain the almost 30 that I have already lost....
10. New haircut {if I have the guts}
11. More time to craft and blog. 
12. To go to the Beach. 
13. To see my Aunt in Detroit, soon. 
14. To get Camila's baptism plans complete {I've already thought of the God-Parents; we just need to ask them}
15. Find a new job. {HUGE sigh}
16. Get  pictures done with my Hubby and kids.
17. Have Thanksgiving dinner at my house.
18. Plan Santi's 2nd Birthday
19. Plan Cami's 1st Birthday
20. Spend more time with my Girlfriends.
21. Attend Bible Study
22. Sign up for a Church Group
23. Visit my Grandmother.
24. Buy myself a James Avery Bracelet.
25. I want to give more money at Church.
26. I want to see about opening an Etsy account.
27. I want to take a Business class {Accounting and Business Organization}
28. I want to take my GRE
29. I want to have a Business meeting...
30. I want to fly away... sometimes...

Eeeeek I think that makes me...caught up...on 30's lists until tomorrow that is!

My Head {Mind} Spinz!

LIKE CRAZY SPINZ RIGHT OFF MY SHOULDERS!

When I think, envision, imagine and dream....

I want to sprint, burst, leap and collapse. ALL. AT. ONCE. 

I just think of the infinite possibilities. The what-if's, the ideas, the creativity, the life of___, and I wonder. 

What? How? When? Really? No??? Maybe? Hmmmm?

And then I search.... I can't find anyone quite like me...I mean..I am not so super special and unique...or am I? Where are all the others like me? How do they make it work?

I want to know. 


I am a full-time, work outside the home Momma and Wife. Unlike most Bloggers, I am not a professional writer, photographer, web designer {or techy person that way, I try my best} or crafter {suppper jealous!} but I do consider myself a Blogger!  

So, I wonder... are there other Momma's {Wife} like me out there...who have a full-time corporate job and  BLOG!

If you know one...tell me...if you are one...contact me..I want to know you!  

Reflections and in days to come....

I think back to when I started my Blogging journey. {2008, Wordpress, during Presidential Election, while starting a new job}

My life was "simple". 

I wrote with "passion", for lack of a better word. 

I was sarcastic and funny, honest and real...so I was told. 

I had a great teacher.{Heather Armstrong}

I wrote about life in general and everyday happenings...with a passion.

Then I wrote about my Faith and my journey and purpose through life....with a passion. 

Soon after Motherhood entered my life and I took that on and wrote about my son and being a first time Momma...with  a passion. 

And now.... all of the sudden. 

I'm lost. 

Lost, confused. 

Awe stricken and in shock! 

Ha.

Dramatic a bit?

I mean. Surely, I have plenty of topics to discuss, many "great" thoughts to jot down, "creative" ideas and "fascinating" stories to share. 

Surely! {Ha.}

I mean. 

I just spent 8 weeks at home..."finding myself", recouping and adjusting to life as a Momma of Dos. Voy a creer que no tengo nada de que habldar? No puede ser. {Whoa. What just happened?}

Se me salio lo Mexicana. No entiendo. {Ha.}

I am searching for "me". 

As cliche and played out as that may sound....but I am. I think we have many great opportunities to seek, ourselves, to dig deep inside and figure out who we are...as many times as needed, to recreate who we are and what we want to become, many great opportunities to change and connect.  

I know who I am, I know what and who I love....I just need to start creating it, writing it, Blogging about it all, and making sense of it. 

Life goes on. 

Life is life. 

I am a "normal", "average" and an everyday Momma, Wife and Employee. I know though that God has created me to be EXTRAORDINARY and Purpose filled...and that is what I am after. Now as a Momma of Dos...I feel more encouraged, motivated and inclined to seek that Super Mom within me and allow her to grow and shine!

I know I can connect with some or most or a lot of Mom's out there.... even to single Mom's at times {with my Hubby being a student and employed full-time/part-time}.  And, that is what I am after. I was to inspire and aspire! We are more than just Mommas, Wives, Students and Employees.... we are Great Women created in an Image of God. With Faith, Love, Hope and Strength.

In the days to come; I will go back to work, create a new routine, find better ways to be more organized, find new strength to get it ALL done, renew my Faith, seek Him, and work on Me.

On my Momma con Fe Blog I wrote about seasons...and this is a new one for me... a good one, I hope. 

Welcome to my world as a Momma of Dos..the journey will get a little bumpy {with ups and downs, good and bad times, obstacles and difficulties} so fasten your seat belt..and know that it should be an enjoyable loving and faith-filled journey none the less....and that even though I may fail..because I am human....I will never loose hope... hope in God, myself, my family, or my friends...

Life goes on...and in the end...IT'S NOT THAT SERIOUS PEOPLE! 






 

~Mommy Wish List~

Some things that have recently made my heart skip a beat:

I want...{yes like a little spoiled girl, hehehe}..and NO..I don't have one yet...a James Avery charm bracelet and I want...these two charms...
http://secure.jamesavery.com/jewelry/search/product/CM-502/Lil-Girl-Baby-Shoes-Charm/
http://secure.jamesavery.com/jewelry/search/product/CM-534/Boys-Baby-Shoes/

I need...yes I really do... mani/pedi, waxing, and a haircut....no really ask Ricardo and his little cousins and his sister..who have all seen me in shorts and barefoot recently...HA.

I dream of having...a Canon!

I have Faith that my Husband will graduate this year! Go Coogs!

I can't wait to hold my daughter in my arms and to see Santi's reaction to it all...should be interesting..to say the least!

I long to be so filled with His peace and everlasting Love that no one can shake me from my place....

I pray that Ricardo and I can be the parents that Santi and Cami need, that I can be an organized and realistic Momma of Dos, and that God gives me patience in all situations. 

I have been Blessed with many amazing people in my life...

I give Thanks for all those amazing people in my life!

Finally, I know that no matter what, God will provide and that God is with my family as we grow, learn, make mistakes, and move forward....


{A little different kind of wish list today...but a "wish list" nonetheless....and you....what's your wish list looking like these days?}

A picture of my little man on one of his Lil'Man Missions:

♥ Mommy Wish List ♥

****Please keep in mind these are all very random thoughts that come into my mind as I walk in my everyday life... most will NEVER come true and some if they do...I will forget to update on them.... Ha. I know. It's a lot of work being a Mom, Wife, and Full-Time Employee to the Government. I forget things!

• I wish my hair was growing out faster.
• I wish I hadn't just chopped my bangs off at Christmas thinking, it's just hair, it will grow back...soon enough...I hope....HA.
• I wish I could work only PART-TIME.
• I wish I was a Stay-at-Home Mom...You may have heard this already....
• I wish I had more time to nap before my son wakes from his naps!
• I wish I was a little bit taller..no joke! Ha.
• I wish it was April already {Camila will be here and I will be on Maternity leave}
• I wish I had more energy in the morning to look a bit spunkier at work...yes spunkier!
• I wish I had more energy {period}.
• I wish I had a live in maid...
• I wish I wish I wish I wish.....

One day....

One day.....

Don't we all have the right to dream? {Ha.}

~Praise and Worship Wednesday's~

I haven't done a P&W post in a while....a long while..I think God was working and then all of the sudden said...."Ok, now"....

But, not as in..now you are ready, or now you are done, or now you can go on and tell em' how it is....more like...

"Ok, now....we start over and re-think everything, re-learn everything, re-arrange everything in that bitter little heart of yours back to what and where it should be.... Now....you can breath....Now...you can have, at last, that much needed peace that you haven't had in a long time!"

God is always in the mood for change. Realistic and sincere change. Not like, today I feel good and tomorrow..eh not so much.... I mean..change like....today I feel peace and tomorrow my goal is to feel it again!

Just last week I was having a tough day..which I expressed to my GF who later that night texted me..she said she was praying for me and then shared a Bible verse with me. Well part of my Non-New Years Resolution was to pick my Bible back up on a daily basis..until that night, I had not started, SHAME on me, I know! Well, because I told her how I felt, she inspired good Faith in me and God gave me good will. That night regardless of what my son was ripping apart, breaking or tossing across the bed; I grabbed my Bible read her verse and then on to ALL those notes and verses I had previously tabbed....

I realized:

Number one, WOW, I haven't done this kind of deep soul searching or "questioning" of myself in a VERY long time! 
Number Two, WOW, I used to be in SO much pain for the same reason and now that reason is better {My parents}, PRAISE GOD!
Number Three, I want. I want this again. I want to read and be in awe, have an answer and NOT be swayed! I JUST WANT IT ALL AGAIN...AND YOU KNOW WHAT..."HE WANTS IT ALL" as well!!! 

If the video doesn't appear below, click HERE!

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~Mommy Wish List~ ♥

{ My first Mommy Wish List of 2011 }

I am making this my Non-New Year Resolutions List as well:

• I reallllllllllyyyyyy pray that my Husband can finish school this year.... ::sigh::
• I reallllllllyyyyyy pray for some good and productive changes at work...
• I want to be more organized this year, I think I will need it when Camila arrives.
• To be more organized, I think I realllllllly need to establish a very practical daily, weekly, monthly schedule! { Suggestions Accepted here! }

 [ STRUCTURE is needed...MORE structure in our everyday lives]

• I want to wake up early and read my Bible; I used to do sooooo good at reading it every night with Ricardo and we would pray and talk...A LOT about God, Faith and our own personal beliefs....we've lost that in the last 16 months. Makes me sad. Life is busy and weighs you down.... I guess....
• We need to make it a HUGE priority to attend mass EVERY Sunday again.... it's been really hard since Santi's stopped napping at noon and became mobile. I know EXCUSES! We just need to go...we have not been regularly in MONTHS.... 3 to be exact! (So embarrassing....)

[Accountability is what I am after. ]

• I want to make some ME time and spend more times with my Girlfriends; Maybe set up some play dates and take Santi to some new places before his sister arrives! 

And uhmmmm that's it.

Ha.

 A short one.

 I want to be practical in the goals I set as well...

I can't make a super huge list full of too many over the top commitments...

Just those that really matter to me....

My Faith, my Marriage, my Family and my life.

My life, LIKE EVERY OTHER MOM & WIFE out there trying to juggle; Faith, Husband, Children, Work, Home and extras, gets very hectic and chaotic.

It's difficult to Be, Do, Create, Teach and Move {But we manage!}

...it's a lot of work to be a Mom and Wife, Sister and Daughter, Friend and Co-Worker...our roles as women are sooooo diverse it's amazing we look as good as do doing it all!

Ha.

I just hope that my goals this year are attainable and manageable...and I also pray for His will to be done...and not MINE!

{ Matthew 26:39 (New Living Translation) }

^{39 He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”}