Family and COVID-19 in 2020

 

2020 has not been the easiest year and just as we feel that things will get better, things seem to get worse. The Holidays are among us and to be honest, things seem “off” it’s understandable. I don’t think any of us imagined finishing this year almost in the exact place as we started. We never really had a chance to begin crossing off those goals we planned back in January. I know that it just doesn’t seem right to even start planning for 2021 but let me tell you how we can end the year on a perhaps somewhat promising note.

COVID Safety has been our number one priority this year and the BEST thing we can do as a community is to continue to protect not only our community but more importantly our loved ones, our elderly family members and our children.

 

I know that we are all over our current situation and that we might be tired of hearing the same messages over and over, but the only way we will be able to overcome this pandemic and more importantly make it safely through the end of 2020 and into 2021 as we attempt to create a new norm of celebrations and festivities.

 

Some things you already know but should keep in mind are the following; just some reminders and information for us all to read and share with our family and friends.

Please see below messaging from the Harris County Health Department that we should all keep in mind:

"Do your part and protect your loved ones by wearing a mask, social distancing, washing hands and getting tested simultaneously and consistently. Only when combining the four will we reduce the impact of the virus on you, your family and your community. Doing one or the other will not suffice; these preventive tactics work BETTER TOGETHER." 

As we have all had to start leaving our homes, we should remember the following and more importantly right now during the Holiday break:

• Wear a mask or cloth face covering when in public. Your mask helps protect people around you, and their masks help protect you.

• Social distance by staying at least six feet away from other people. 

• Wash hands often with soap and water. When you cannot wash your hands, use hand sanitizer. 

• Get tested. It’s FREE, safe and confidential and you don’t need insurance or proof of citizenship. 

Visit https://houstonemergency.org/todos-juntos-mejor/ or call 832-393-4220 for information on how to get tested and to schedule an appointment at one of the locations across the city. 

 

Remember that as members of our community we have a responsibility to your own family and friends to keep them safe. The only way we can do this is together…. Because we are…Better Together/Todos Juntos. Mejor!

Testing Information can be found at the following resources:

• The Houston Health Department and agency partners offer free testing sites across the city. 

• Visit HoustonEmergency.org or call 832-393-4220 for information on how to get tested. We have support team members who speak Spanish available.

 • Getting tested at Houston Health Department-affiliated sites is free and does not require proof of residency, citizenship, or insurance.

 • COVID-19 services will not be factored against immigrants in their public charge evaluation.

 • Getting tested empowers you to protect your family, friends and community. 

If you or a loved one tests positive and cannot work, here’s where you can go for help:

o Houston Food Bank offers services for families that have been affected by COVID-19, in addition to the numerous locations in the city that distribute food, produce and prepared meals. The Houston Food Bank employs certified navigators who assist with SNAP applications, utility assistance and rental assistance. 

 o Lone Star Legal Aid can assist with COVID-19-related eviction and foreclosure information, unemployment compensation, public benefits and domestic violence situations.  

o  211 Texas/United Way HELPLINE is a free helpline operated in many languages 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by United Way of Greater Houston.  Trained specialists provide information and referrals from a range of social service organizations.

 

BEST PRACTICES FOR WHEN YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW TEST POSITIVE:

• If you or a family member has tested positive, it is vitally important that you work with the Houston Health Department to contact trace anyone with whom you’ve been in contact.

• Contact tracing is easy to do. Making a choice to work with contact tracers helps protect your family and your community by slowing the spread of COVID-19.

 • If you test positive for COVID-19, a contact tracer from your local health department will contact you by phone, email or text message. There may be resources available to help you during the period of isolation (i.e., help you find a free place to stay and self-isolate).

 • The contact tracer will check in on your health, discuss with whom you’ve been in close contact and ask you to stay at home to self-isolate.

 • The contact tracer then contacts the people with whom you had close contact to ask if they have symptoms and offer guidance about testing and quarantine.

• Unless you give permission, your name will not be given to those you identify as close contacts.

• Information gathered through contact tracing is not used for any other purpose.

 • It’s important to be forthcoming with the contact tracer, as the information is vital to stopping the spread of the disease.

 • Contact tracers will never ask for your citizenship status, social security number, bank account information or credit card number. 

• Your Information is Safe o No one from the Houston Health Department will ever ask you about your citizenship or immigration status. 

o COVID-19 testing does not affect Green Card status or application for a permanent residency card. Undocumented individuals will not be deported if they test positive.

 VISIT THE FOLLOWING SITES FOR ALL THE MOST UP TO DATE INFORMATION: 

• https://houstonemergency.org/todos-juntos-mejor/  

• https://houstonemergency.org/covid-19-testing/

• https://www.houstontx.gov/health/ 

 #Coronavirus #TodosJuntosMejor #SaludPublica #BetterTogether  #ad  #sponsored 

 

Tejas y Nopales #JamesAvery

::Momma Disclosure:: This is a sponsored post in collaboration with James Avery, all opinions expressed are my own. 

As Hispanic Heritage Month comes to a close, I am getting the opportunity to write a little about my background and heritage. Thanks to the beautiful sterling silver charms at James Avery I am able to fully express who I am and where I am from.

I'm a little bit Texan and a little nopaluda. In between Tejano music and Banda. I know English but think in Spanish (super true). I love carne asada and I can eat Whataburger and pizza every day. I love Novelas and watch This is Us. It's like the scene from Selena (Yes, I went there.) "Being a Mexican-American is exhausting." You have to live in two very different worlds and somehow merge them very gracefully. 

My parents were born and raised in Mexico. In the 80's they came to Texas, Brenham/Navasota area to be exact. I was born and then we moved to Houston, when I was in the 7th grade we moved down to South Texas, or what is known as the Rio Grande Valley. My identity since I was born has been both Texan and Mexican. Mexican-American. I was taught to speak, think and feel in Spanish before I even learned English. Being Bilingual is also a big part of my identity.

My love for both sides of the border has always existed. Over the years it's grown. I will admit being a young Mexican-American in the US, was not easy in the sense that I was always so embarrassed to bring my non-Mexican friends around. My parents (and whole entire family) were "super Mexican" whatever that means, right? Now in my 30's and with kids of my own, I find myself missing my parents home and all of our food, family, traditions, and way of life. I do everything possible to not only continuously embrace my heritage and culture but also further learn about it and teach it to my children.

Growing up I had the opportunity to visit and travel to Mexico quite often with my parents and sometimes spent months there over the Summer. As an adult, I have also traveled to certain regions of Mexico. The absolute richness of its culture, its food, the heart and passion that Mexico has to survive is something that I hope to one day share with my children. Right now Mexico is a distant place for them but they know exactly where their GrandParents were born and how great being Mexican can be. I have always strived to teach them about both our Texas/American culture and way of life as well as that of being Mexican. I think they understand it well. Of course, they see and know the Texas side a lot more but when they get older I hope to take them to Mexico where they can experience it all first hand.

In the meantime, I love being able to continuously express who I am through the beautiful and customizable accessories that James Avery creates. There are so many pieces that I know I need and am obsessed with. 

Visit their page for more: James Avery 

::Texas Conference for Women:: Prudential #OwnMyFuture

::Momma Disclosure:: This is part of a sponsored collaboration with Prudential and DimeMedia. However, all opinions expressed are my own. 

This year I had the amazing opportunity to attend the Texas Conference for Women which is held in Austin each year. I was in a "dual role" as I was not only a Social Media Roundtable speaker but also as a sponsored Prudential representative. The experience as a whole was very unique for me this year. I have attended the Texas Conference for Women in the past and their a message and what they represent for women not just in Texas but all over the US is I feel very important, powerful and empowering. It empowers especially Momma’s like myself who have a full-time career and who also pursue "side-hustles" or  "side gig", as we call them. 

Of course, partnering with Prudential meant thinking about my finances, which is a good thing trust me. It meant really thinking about the messages that are sent to not just the women in our lives but ourselves and how we can own our future as financially successful women.

I have to admit I’ve worked my whole entire life since I was in my teens and money has always been something that I knew I would have to work for. Everyday. But, just like I worked hard and I spent hard. Sadly, that’s exactly how I spent a big part of my teenage years and most of my 20's, singlehood and no kids made that easy. But fast-forward 15 plus years and now as a Momma, it's kind of hard to go without a real money plan, because of well; gas, food, daycare, food, diapers, etc. 

Photo credit: @texinmiami

When I met my husband he was very much about his credit score, owning a car, owning his own home, having a savings account, just about anything that I wasn’t he was. He was in his 20's, and already very financially responsible. We were raised completely different and now that we’re married adults with kids we totally see where balance is needed and we realize that we really need to educate our children about finances and being responsible and wise about their money. We, of course, instill in them that an education would be your first and foremost source of income because having an education leads to a career that is stable and brings in a good income. That's not to say that along the way some challenges and/or obstacles might come up. And, that sometimes no matter how much you plan or you think you have your finances in order sometimes life, well, happens! 

In those small but very worrisome moments where you think that maybe you should’ve planned or thought more about my finances is where partners like Prudential come in. They have trained advisors and the right tools or resources to help you plan, prepare and establish financial freedom. We can be part of this process and walk hand-in-hand with an advisor that will allow us to develop a plan that works for us and is tailored to our needs. Which is why I love Prudential and how they can assist with this roadmap... into your financial freedom. 

I've been ready to own my future, now I just need a little-added guidance... Gracias Prudential! 

::Dia de Los Muertos:: Chevrolet Traverse Safety #SPONSORED

::Momma Disclosure:: This is part of a sponsored collaboration with General Motors. All opinions expressed are my own. 

What better way to celebrate our culture and teach children about our traditions than to create a Dia de los Muertos altar or ofrenda. This year I partnered with GM, and Chevrolet for a Trunk or Treat event to teach our children about keeping safe while having fun and enjoying Halloween night!  

We created a truck altar which embodied all of the traditional elements of our customs as well as let the kids get fun treats and enjoy their night safely. 

Some of my favorite elements of the ofrenda are the food, the pictures, the papel picado and of course the traditional calavera, or catrina. We loved putting the altar together and then sharing it with friends and family. 

We fully enjoyed the Chevy Traverse for 7 days, it's features and comfort were so amazing. We really did fall in love with this mid-size SUV. It's a great family car with great space. As you can see the trunk was just the right size! 

See below how we transformed the back of the Chevy Traverse into a Dia de Los Muertos Altar: 

:: Safety Tips for after dark activities this Fall ::

Did you know that on average, children are more than twice as likely to be hit by a car on Halloween than on any other day of the year?

Chevrolet Traverse Safety Expert, Suzanne L. Johansson, Chevy Traverse Safety Engineer, helped put together the following safety tips to ensure all families are safe during the festivities:

1.)          Drive Scary Slow – Kids are excited, full of sugar and potentially walking in shoes that could cause tripping. Slow down and be prepared to stop for the ghosts, goblins and crossing the street or chasing a piece of their costume in the wind.

2.)          Treat Yourself to Car Tech – Chevrolet recommends you never turn off safety alerts, but if you have, turn them back on. Features like rear-view or forward-facing cameras, collision alert sensors and 360 cameras give drivers a better view of what or who is surrounding their vehicles while backing up or just driving down the street.

3.)          Avoid Dreadful Distractions – If you are concerned about being tempted to use your phone while driving, take advantage of vehicle storages cubbies that you cannot access while driving to eliminate the temptation and distraction.

4.)          Motorists and Masks Don’t Mix – While it may be fun to make fellow motorists laugh, it’s a bad idea to drive while wearing anything that could potentially impede vision like masks, goggles or silly glasses. Place them in the trunk or a convenient storage space to avoid sliding while driving until you reach your location.

5.)          Don’t Get Tricked, Always Buckle Up – whether you’re rolling slowly on the street while your kiddos rock the sidewalk or you’re moving a group of superheroes door to door, be a stickler for safety and buckle up every time you’re in motion.

We hope you had a great Halloween and Dia de los Muertos celebration with your loved ones.

::Latina Home Party:: Open to TEXAS & COLORADO #ad #LatinaHomeParty

::Momma Disclosure:: This is part of a sponsored collaboration with Latina Home Party and DiMe Media. All opinions expressed are my own.

After a long week at work sometimes this Momma needs a good relaxing drink! How fun would it be to host your own event where all Momma's could just sit back relax and enjoy a refreshing Summer drink? Latina Home Party is offering just that! Learn more about this fun opportunity and sign-up today. It's open to all Latinas in Texas and Colorado but it ends SOON so sign up today!

We’re excited to share the first event of Latina Home Party and tell you how you too can be a part of the party! The launch of Latina Home Party will feature Palm Breeze. Palm Breeze is a sparkling alcoholic spritz, all hosts that apply must be 21+. The best thing about this opportunity is that it’s FREE!

Latina Home Party is looking to sign up hosts living in Texas and Colorado, if you fit this demographic, sign up to host a Palm Breeze party HERE. Confirmed hosts will receive the follow home party products to share with friends and family at their own home party:

• $25 Gift Card
• 15 Palm Breeze Lip Balm
• 20 Drink Umbrellas
• 2 Flower Garland (for party decorations)
• 15 Leis
• 1 Info Card for Host
• 2 Framed table card (for party decorations)
• 15 Palm Breeze sunglasses
• 3 Palm Breeze Beach Balls (for party decorations)

What an awesome party pack! Host a movie night with your friends, share with your book club, or just a casual get together will turn into a great night with the Latina Home Party, Palm Breeze party box.

Make sure to sign up soon as registration closes at 11:59pm EST on Thursday, June 29th.

SIGN UP HERE: http://www.latinahomeparty.com/host-a-party/?projectid=90

What is Latina Home Party? Latina Home Party provides you exclusive access to new products and services to try at home with your friends and family. We provide you with the fun, you provide the location and the atmosphere! Latina Home Party is a community of collaborative marketing by Hispanic women. Here you have the opportunity to participate in marketing activities from your favorite products and be able to collaborate with your favorite brands. You learn about new products just to be launched to market at the convenience of your own home (try them for free) and influence with your opinion some of the best known companies in the world.

::Keeping your Child's Skin Healthy:: H-E-B #BabyDoveArrival #sponsored

:: Momma Disclosure:: This is a sponsored post in collaboration with Mirum Shopper, but all opinions are true and my own. 

H-E-B has a great new product that will be both pleasing to you as a parent and to your baby's skin, Baby Dove! My children are no longer babies but I love taking care of them just like I did on day one. Their skin is sometimes overly sensitive and exposed to the sun more than it should be. Some soaps can be harsh and don't moisturize as much as Dove does. I love the soft, hydrated skin that results from using Dove products. Now that they are available at my local H-E-B, they are very accessible. Good skin is very important to me and for our well being. 

I want my kids to always feel comfortable and healthy. I love that my daughter was able to use the products without worrying about it getting in her eyes and stinging. She loved being able to use the Tip to Toe wash for her hair and body. She's slowly learning to be very independent at bath-time and knowing that she can be with the Baby Dove products is reassuring to me as a Momma. Baby Dove smells great and leaves your skin so soft and moisturized. I've used Dove products due to my very sensitive skin and am glad that there are now products available for my little ones. 

The products I was able to purchase at my local H-E-B in the baby section were: 

• Baby Dove Rich Moisture Tip to Toe (20oz)
• Baby Dove Rich Moisture Lotion (20oz)
• Baby Dove Rich Moisture Bar

The easy to use pump makes it great for when your little ones are learning to shower on their own and they cannot spill it nor does the bottle leak which prevents it from being wasted. And, I like knowing that there are options to use when your child has sensitive skin. In addition to the bathing with the Tip to Toe wash, I used the Baby Dove lotion to help add extra moisture to Camila's skin. She has very dry knees and elbows but the Baby Dove lotion helps replenish the moisture she needs! 

Laundry for days...the Momma Struggle with Tide® PODS™ + Downy® #sponsored

::Momma Disclosure:: This is a sponsored post, but all statements are my true and honest opinion.

I love doing laundry. Said NO Momma ever. But, as a busy Momma of Dos who works outside the home, I do have to embrace my chores and find effective and fast ways to complete them.  I know my loads of laundry are not going to disappear, we wash at least 1-2 loads a day for our little family of 4. With Tide® PODS™ + Downy®, it makes everything so much easier and convenient. The single packets are great! Small but powerful. And, being a single dose makes it a no-fuss, less-mess situation!

Using the pods was so easy and I could tell in one wash how strong they were, leaving our clothes fresh and clean!

Another factor that makes these pods so wonderful is their containers when closed properly and sealed helps your little ones protect protected from the harms of household items. An important reminder is to keep them closed and in a high place where they are out of reach of children.

My kids are my first and most important priority. I love being able to give them a safe environment in my home without having to worry about the items I’m cleaning my clothes with.

Finally, I love the final product after washing several, hundred, loads throughout the week, my clothes were soft, clean and smelled fresh! My children loved the feel of all of their pajamas and blankies! I loved that I could wash some of our daily favorite times like my black slacks for work which have to look presentable and clean every day! With Tide® PODS™ + Downy®, I did not have to worry about them fading or stretching after a couple of washes.

I love being able to count on detergent to not have to worry about my clothes not washing completely or being damaged in the wash. We are constantly on the go and having one less thing to worry about daily, is definitely a plus for us. Our days get hectic and can be a little crazy and having clothes drama is never fun in our home, but being able to eliminate that worry with reliable detergent makes this Momma happy!

::Being a Chingona has no age:: What I am teaching my daughter about being a badass + Sew Bonita review!

::Momma of Dos:: All opinions and statements are my own, items in posts have been provided by www.sewbonita.com in order to provide a review. 

Growing up my Momma instilled in us; hard work, a good education and oh yeah being a complete and total bad-ass or Chingona. I grew up knowing that this word was something to be reckoned with. And, it was used often in our home as a sarcastic view on something we had done that we thought we could get away with, like "ah, que chingona me saliste!" HA. HA. HA. My Momma was not one to hide her feelings, she has always been outspoken, strong and independent. We were not taught to be meek or hold back, we were taught to be ourselves, and others had to take it or leave it. Flash forward to 35 years of life, marriage, a college degree, a career and Dos littles. Chingona? 

For sure. 

I had a recent conversation with Elena of Sew Bonita, and it inspired today's post. Completely. We both had very similar views on being a Chingona and where we get our inspiration from...our Momma's. 

What and how am I teaching my 5-year-old to be a Chingona?!  Let's begin. 

1) ::She is Encouraged to be Herself:: I tell Camila that it's ok to be herself. She is a spunky, bright, and very happy child. She loves everyone and isn't scared to be herself. She talks. A lot. Like me. She has always been unique and specific in the way she dresses. She isn't scared to stand out. I encourage this. Because she should be allowed to be herself in a world filled with so many people trying to be like everyone else. She steps outside everyone's comfort zone, especially mine and I have learned to embrace it and let her be. 

2) ::She speaks her mind::  Camila, like many children, is outspoken and truthful. And, although those truths are sometimes embarrassing and painfully true, we encourage it. I want her to always tell others how she feels and what she thinks is right for her. To be bold and speak her mind the way everyone should! Sin pelos en la lengua, and oh trust me this little girl will speak her mind. No matter who you are or where she is. It's scary but freeing as a parent to know that she will one day be able to stand up for herself. 

3) ::No Fear:: I am teaching Camila, that although as a parent, there are many things that frighten me she shouldn't be scared. She should try new things, be adventurous and never give up!  I know there are fears in many aspects of life and sometimes you just have to follow those gut feelings and do those things that scare us. At the end of the day once we have conquered our fears we realize that the only thing standing in the way was our own self-doubt and not really fear.  

4) ::Be Fierce:: I am teaching Camila that it's OK to be girly and strong, and smart and hard working. Being these things come without an age requirement. She can be fierce and stand her ground even at 5 years old. Her presence is known and she makes it known. Like a true Chingona, she lets people know she has arrived, SO MOVE. I love that about her. She sometimes claims to be shy but I quickly encourage her to be herself to stand out from the crowd and lead.

5) ::To be a Leader, even if that means you stand alone:: One thing that always bothers Camila is not having "friends", early on I taught her that she can do anything she wants, even if that means doing it alone. She won't always have friends and with growth and doing great things comes a certain level of "loner status", and that's OK. Camila knows that even although some days its a hard concept for her to grasp. I have had her come home from school and say, "Mom, today I played on the swings all my self and it was fun!" or "Mom, -so&so- said they didn't want to be my friend and I said, good, I don't care." Because in this world she will have to learn that some times no company is better than bad company. 

And, still, Camila is only 5 years old, although she has a long way to go she is still a fun love-able little girl who is slowly forming her own attitude and perception of being a Chingona. I hope to constantly influence her in the right direction! 

About our "Frida is my Homegirl" t-shirt: Special thanks to Elena of Sew Bonita for providing this t-shirt and inspiring this post and mini-photo shoot! You can see all of her latest creations and collections HERE. Also, the t-shirt has very soft and comfortable material, it's in a small and the print is just uber inspiring. We love Frida Khalo in our house, she is the official Mexican Chingona and we are so proud to wear items with her on them and love what she stands for and represents. All of Elena's collections are very telling of being a Chingona in 2016 and I am proud to have collaborated with her.

Come back later in the week to get to know Elena and an exclusive on her connection to the late Selena! 

VISIT SEW BONITA, PURCHASE AND RECEIVE A 10% DISCOUNT WHEN YOU ENTER MOMMAOF2 AT CHECK OUT! 

::Sponsored:: JORD Watch & Giveaway #SummerAccessories

Momma Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. All opinions are my own.

Time. 

It's said that, "time is of the essence", such a true statement. Time also always seems to be lacking. We never have enough of it. But, this Summer even though it has already gone by too fast, it was one where, my family and I purposely took the time to slow down and take it all in. To enjoy one another and seek time to relax. I feel we did just that. I am proud of us and our ability to relax this Summer because we never really seem to have the time!  

Enter JORD and their creative watches into my time piece. When I am in the middle of the hustle and bustle I rarely look at a clock. And, with all the technology these days, I often forget how beautiful watches can be. When I first discovered wood watches, I thought, they are beautiful. So unique yet classic. 

Jord watches has some of the most unique wood watches I have seen. The colors, the styles and very cool pairing of something so classic and sleek with the modern styles. I love their women's watches of course, but their selection is endless. For me it's important to have something that is functional for a working Momma who is constantly on the go as well as something that will look pretty and fit my style. When I picked my watch for this post I thought about all things girly. I am not usually a very fashionable person but I love nice accessories and items to wear when I get a chance to dress up! 

Now! Get your very own wrist watch with JORD! Their styles are very versatile and they carry more than just watches for women. Their unique watches for men are also very nice and would be very cool gifts for any upcoming birthday's or anniversaries! 

Picture credit to my 5 year old daughter, Camila. 

Follow JORD watches on their various social networks!

Instagram: @woodwatches_com

Pinterest: @jordwoodwatches

Facebook: JordWoodWatches

Twitter: @woodwatches_com

Snapchat: @jordwatches

Click this link in order to be entered to win a $75 voucher towards your very own JORD wooden watch or you can use to buy a timeless & unique gift for a friend or loved one! 

**There will be one winner chosen at random who will win a $75 e-voucher. Everyone who enters *(excluding the winner) will get a $20.00 e-gift card that can be applied to any watch on our website! The winning e-voucher will be expire after 1 month after the ending date. The ending date for this giveaway is 09/04.

To shop for your very own watch, click here. 

Womens Wood Watches