::Motivational Monday::

I posted earlier on my facebook page, that I know that sometimes no matter what I say, I might not make a difference or change certain situations. While I don't want to focus on the Oscar's and all the controversy that surrounds it. I do want to focus on purpose. Not everyone is created to carry out a message. It takes courage and knowing what your purpose is to follow through with those things that will create or change your future. This morning on the radio a couple of hosts were talking about Chris Rock and his delivery of a message that was difficult but inevitably part of his mission and purpose.  He stood his ground, took the opportunity that he was given and presented or represented a message. Regardless of how many agreed with him. He was there with a purpose. 

It makes me think about myself. My own message and how at times, I don't feel qualified to speak it or even qualified to write it. But, I do. My "message" is not always heard and when it is, many might disagree. It's up to us to just put ourselves out there. To rise above and speak. Be heard, no matter what your message is. It will not always be easy. But, we should do it anyway. 

I have been fortunate for years now to be given the appropriate platforms to speak. To write. To have a purpose. To create my own purpose. As the days go by and the events come to be, I feel more and more empowered by the amazing women who support me. This past weekend was a crazy one. Somehow I made it through. Got the weekend done and feel amazing about all the small accomplishments I have had until now. 

As Monday begins a new week and Tuesday a new month; I think it's time to move forward and take those leaps into that message that has been waiting to explode. Even if you are not sure yet what that might be. No matter what, be present, in your actions and your words. Live the message that you know is filling your heart and brain with ideas and thoughts. Share your message with your friends, your neighbor, your dog, your children, your Husband. Or anyone willing to listen. I always say, even if you only have an audience of ONE and that audience is being impacted then you have achieved your goal.  

You don't feel qualified? Then make yourself an expert in your message. I am sure you have the skills to share it, otherwise, you wouldn't feel that urge or the need to share it. Maybe your message is about faith, working hard or even about getting your kids ready for school and out the door in the morning. It is your message and you will know when and how to express it.  

You will never know the impact you can create if you don't share that message. If you are in constant fear of the what if's, then your message will remain unknown. Your purpose will not be fulfilled. 

Seek your message, master it and share it. 

::Baby Numero Tres:: Warning. I am not pregnant.

:: The Story ::

When Ricardo and I first got married, we knew we wanted children. We didn't have a specific number in mind. We just knew we wanted kids. We also knew we had a certain level of stability we wanted to reach before we had them, we knew the goals we needed to accomplish before becoming pregnant. We didn't count on having fertility issues. And, the same year that we decided to check into those issues was also the year I became pregnant with my little boy. My Santiago is a true blessing and soon after came another beautiful blessing, Camila. Becoming pregnant back to back was a shock both to me as a Momma and to my body for more than obvious reasons. I had several surgeries before I had Santiago to remove tumors and cysts. Then two c-sections back to back, trauma is probably the easiest way to describe it but it was bad. Really bad. Still the thought of a third baby lingers.  

As 2015 ended we had a couple of family members, who had babies. The question to us as parents of {Dos} is usually, are you going to have another baby?

My quick reply would be, "uhm, nope."

My thought out response would be, "I don't really want to but Ricardo does."

:: The Thoughts ::

Deep down inside I think about it and wonder. Could I do it? Would it slow me down? Do we really want to? And, would we still be able to maintain the crazy unstoppable lifestyle we have now?

I know if you ask parents of two or more children they will quickly tell you, that it's doable. But, we are all different. We have different levels of tolerance, different abilities, and different interest. I love my children. We do so much with them, I do so much for my blog and for myself. I feel that at almost 35 I want to be a little more selfish and if I have another baby right now, that would not be possible.

In February, I go see my Ob-Gyn. She will help put a piece of the puzzle into perspective and further help me determine what is best for my aging and always changing Momma body. I am thankful that I was able to have two children when doctors were uncertain if I could even have one. Now, it's all said and done. I have two amazing little beings who drive me INSANE on a daily basis, sometimes minute after minute.

Another one of my thoughts is, I feel that I can't, or maybe don't want to, handle a third. I feel we are done having children. My two are very happily spoiled rotten by SO many, we like it that way. And, as parents, we are able to fully provide and comfortably give them so much and that's not just material things, but time and attention as well. 

:: The Reality ::

The reality is that as "planned" as Camila and Santiago were they didn't come at the most "ideal" moments. We had SO many struggles throughout my pregnancies. In our marriage, in our finances, with our families, with our health, achieving stability and reaching the goals we have now reached. That as "prepared" as we were to have children in our 30's, we still didn't have it all figured out and we totally created the life we have today, one day at a time. So, if I were to become pregnant with a third baby would we be ok? Of course. We have made it through some pretty crazy moments and have made the best of the last 10 years. A third baby would be more than welcome. Are we trying to have a 3rd baby? No, not really. Will things fall into place if we did? Yes, things always fall into place. 

The third child in this picture is my nephew and that's my Dad trying to be Super GranPa back in 2012, but I am sure this would be us pretty much every day if we did have a third baby. Am I ok with that? Sure. I mean look how much fun it was to watch my Hubby graduate from UH, while he was unemployed with two toddlers and I worked 40 plus hours as an Assistant Manager with Harris County.  Fun times, ya'll...fun times! 

::Monday Morning Love:: #motivationalmonday

Monday's are difficult. No doubt. But, unlike most, I don't like to worry myself right back into my bed about it. I embrace Monday's. And, any day for that matter. As a Working Momma with a busy Hubby and Dos, very unstoppable, Toddlers; I remain positive about it all. I have to. 

Here are ::Three:: things I do to make my Monday transition much easier:

How do you keep positive on Monday's? 

{Picture found on Facebook}

Why I don't rush on Monday's...

via Pinerest

Our lives are filled with "hurry let's get this done" and "hurry let's get out the door". Especially over the weekend. A while back I realized that come Monday morning if I wasn't on time I began to get frustrated and realized how things just didn't go my way. I decided that I would stop. Especially on Mondays. 

Our weekends are filled with fun activities, family visits and new adventures for the most part. Come Monday morning even my Husband and I are completely exhausted. Therefore for the following reasons...I don't rush on Monday's. 

1) I Don't like to Yell- When I rush, I get frustrated and become upset. I find myself mad at everyone and raising my voice. I often feel like an awful person when I yell. So, I don't like yelling. I am sure my kids hate it too. Since I do it every other day, why not take a break on Monday. It makes for a much easier day for everyone. No deep heart feeling on my part and no children staring back at me like I am crazy. It breaks my heart, a lot. Plus it proves my Husband's point, that I yell a lot. 

2) My Kids deserve a Break- My kids are little; 5 years old and almost 4. They have no idea what grown-up responsibilities are and in reality at this point in time, shouldn't have to really worry about it. They understand everything and I am guilty of in the past telling them, "hurry cause I am going be late and I will get fired!" NOT at ALL anything a young child should be worrying about, but it comes out when I rush. So, I stopped. Then my heart breaks when I might mention "can we hurry guys" and my son will say "yes, Camila we need to hurry cause then Mom will get fired." At which point the guilt trip happens. 

3) 5 more Minutes makes a Difference- We all need that extra rest, I have found that when I don't rush and let my kids literally get those extra 5 minutes in of sleep, they do better. They wake up and are more willing to participate in our morning routine. If as an adult we are tired and don't want to wake up on Monday, how do we think that these little bitty people feel about it? Who yes are very strong and healthy kids, but how can I expect something from them that I myself don't want to do! Just a thought that sticks in my head. I usually tell them, "I know it's hard but we can do this." It helps. 

4) "It's not that serious!"- When I was in college I specifically remember a Biology teacher giving us her first day of class lecture and ending it with, "This class will not make a doctor, it might not even matter 4 years from now! So, I am telling you right now, relax, enjoy the class, because honey IT'S NOT THAT SERIOUS. Unless you are dead, it's not that serious!" She told us how stress can kill you and how her class was not one to die for. Or many things in general that we feel are "important" are NOT as important as life itself.  As much as I need my job and to get my bills paid... it's not that serious and if I am 15 or 20 minutes late it will not kill me.  

5) Rushing makes me forget- When I rush I end up forgetting things I need to do or grab before I leave the house. I end up having to come back in the house more than once and making me yes, even more late. Or, I would leave the house all together make it to my kids school and work and realize, I didn't leave them blankets for nap-time or my purse was missing. Does not make for a very good or productive morning. Instead I think about what I need, I gather it by the door and take my time. When I don't rush my mind is more clear and I can think better on what needs to happen before I walk out the front door. It's so wasteful to have left the house and to have to come back. I would rather not rush and get it all done right the first time around. 

To Be Thankful ♥

Hello All.

It's Monday!

And, guess what? I survived Thanksgiving.

We were not ready, the day came too soon, but still we made it out alive! And, with lots of great memories that I am more than Thankful for!

The day started off slow and then friends, family, food and laughter overcame our home! It was an amazing time. My kids had too much fun, we ate too much food and we can't wait for it again NEXT year! Ha.

God has definitely Blessed our little family this year in many ways! I know that we should be thankful everyday of the year but I like Thanksgiving in particular and I see it as a day to reflect on the past 11 months and await the next month to end and a NEW year to begin! 2013 will be here before we know it. And, this year I am not only thankful for life itself but for everything good and bad that 2012 brought me. The good always outweighing the bad.

We are ready for a new beginning for a fresh start and Thanksgiving is that link between those two locations...the now and the future. I thank God everyday for the health and safety of my family and the strength and faith that He has rooted in our hearts! We are transformed and Blessed because of Him. This year has proven to be a challenge and only because of Him and His grace have we made it through it all. 

I hope that your Thanksgiving was filled with Blessings, reflections and new beginnings. Here is a little picture re-cap of ours!

Pictures are in no particular order and include our Thanksgiving feast at Santi's school! Enjoy!!

As you can see it was just the right amount of heart, food and holiday cheer! Counting down to Christmas and New Years!

Happy Thanksgiving from Team Gomez!!!

{Money Matters Monday}

This is a follow up to my "Finances and Such" post from last week...

Here are some tips and things that we  have "downsized" on. Over time, you don't realize they are gone but it makes a difference.

PLEASE KNOW THAT WE ARE IN NO WAY BITTER ABOUT OUR CUT BACKS AND THIS IS NOT A COMPLAINT POST...We realize that right now...we are in a time of downsizing, for the good of our little family. Plus we realize that it's a little more "do-able" since the kids are little and will not remember that we didn't have extras as they grew up.

Let's begin.... 

We no longer have:

1. Cable {Only Internet for Ric's school}
2. A home telephone {Does anyone?}
3. Someone who cleans our house {Shame on me..I know...}
4. A Yard guy {We limit the amount of times the yard guys come}
5. A Car note {and we don't plan on having one until next year when Ric' God willing finishes school!}

Things we no longer do:

1. Go to the movies {we Red Box baby!}
2. Go out to eat {Rarely}
3. Have people over constantly {We used to host pretty large crowds at our house but we don't anymore}
4. Have long vacations {We do shorts trips here and there, when we can, only}
5. Go out with friends {Not that we don't love you guys, just that we can't afford it right now..that's all}
6. Go shopping {We don't buy clothes or shoes often or on a whim anymore...}

We only shop:

1. For needs not wants {house and kids; food and school}
2. If it's on sale {we stock up!}
3. With coupons {We are DEFINITELY Coupons clippers, and I will be that person holding up the lane, so move on please...}
4. With lists and meal plans in minds {My Husband is the King of list making....more than me!}

We just don't:

1. We don't have Internet on our phones or expensive data plans. {My only splurge is $10.00 a month for unlimited texting...}
2. We don't have fancy phones or gadgets {We did spend on an electric can opener...::shrugs shoulders:: HA.}
3. I don't go to the hair salon and have not gone in years...except for a trim, I don't get my nails done {rarely I get a pedicure}, I don't get my eyebrows done {I do my own}, and I don't shop for clothes or shoes unless it's for work.

Don't get me wrong, we are NOT totally deprived of these extras and there are times when we do try to gets things that we want, and as much as we try not to eat out for dinner, we do spend on lunch. We definitely try our best to live within our means and according to our budget. Also, we are so very Blessed to have amazing Mom's who can help us. Ricardo's Mom watches our kids...FOR FREE. Nuff said! My Mom serves as my car pool, she lives close to my job so I drive to her house park there and she brings me into downtown, that saves me about $6 to $12 a day on parking.

{PLEASE NOTE: Ricardo and I are NOT financial experts and what we do may NOT work for everyone. I am simply sharing our system in hopes that what we do does help someone out there.}

Next week.... Coupon Clippers!

Monday{Fun day?}

Ha. Monday...a FUN DAY?

It could be I guess...

This morning I left my house thinking...

I threw the load in to dry, I set the dishwasher, and rinsed the bottles, took the trash out, turned off all the lights, set the AC to 75 {per Hubby's request}, sent the kids off with my Husband {Did he take the wipes?}, got car seats back in my truck, drop off dry cleaning before work and pray a little morning prayer...

Good Morning Monday! Hello new week!!!! New MONTH!!! My day has begun!

How busy is your Monday?

{Goal list for August 2011}

• I am on a new venture to get a daily routine and schedule going!
• To get more organized!
• And, to start preparing for my sons 2ND Birthday Party!!! {So.MUCH.to.do!!}

For those of you who know...

I NOW HAVE MY CAMILA TICKETS!!!!!!!!!!!!