Happy Thanksgiving! ::2015:: #ThankfulMomma

The one thing I am most thankful for is being surrounded by my family, and those who truly love us. I am thankful for being loved by so many. I am thankful for all the love that my children and Husband give me unconditionally. I am thankful for everything I have lived and for all that I still have to experiences. Life is great and we have so much to be thankful for everyday.

Thanksgiving is not about a week, or a few days, it's a lifetime of events and thoughts. I am thankful for all those who I can continue to share with. 

Thank you for being here and for following Momma of DOS! I am SO thankful for all those who read our blog and follow our social media sites. Thank you always!! You have made 2015 possible and a huge success. 

#ThankfulMomma

Today I am Thankful for....

Having the ability to give to others and share the little that we have is something I am very thankful for. When we have been blessed with support many times in our family. We have needed and in times when others have needed help, we try to give. Even if we don't have much or we know that we may not be able to fully give, we try to. We help as many people as possible and give back to all those who have been there for us. For myself I volunteer my time and donate money to many local organizations and charities. This is something I want to teach my children, giving back to our local community or to organizations that truly make a difference is so important to me.  If I am able, I always help! 

For this I am thankful. 

#ThankfulMomma 

::Blessed:: A home to call my own

Having a roof over our heads is something that we might take for granted, having a true home is also important. Creating a place of peace and safety is important to me as a Momma. I am so thankful that my Husband and I have been able to afford a home for our family and that we can maintain it. I am thankful that we have a place we can call our own. I am thankful that we are sheltered from the cold and rain, from the heat and streets. I am thankful for my casa. No matter how crazy, it's ours. No matter how old and untidy, it's where we can come and relax. No matter how loud and chaotic most days get, we are thankful for our home and all the memories being created with it. 

For this I am thankful. 

#ThankfulMomma 

::Give Thanks:: Health and Inner Strength

Health and inner strength I feel go hand in hand. Today, I am thankful for having both, for learning to maintain them. For being able to physically workout and follow an exercise plan. I may ache and be in pain. I may struggle and wobble. But, I can do it. I try to move daily and remain active, many are not able to do this. I am thankful that I have found true balance and am in a good place of peace. My thoughts finally align with where I am. I am thankful for all the strength I have gained over the years both physically and mentally. It's not easy to have these two attributes and I have struggled in the past but today I feel good. 

For this I am thankful. 

#thankfulmomma 

::Remain Thankful:: Having a job

In times when so many have lost their jobs or where people don't have a job. I am thankful for my job. No matter good or bad, I have always had good fortune. I have a job that allows me so many benefits, resources and flexibility that others may not have. I am thankful for being employed.  I am thankful for being able to constantly provide for my family. I am thankful for the paycheck that is delivered to my bank account every two weeks. I know that some may not be in the same situation. 

For my job, I am very thankful. 

#thankfulmomma 

::Thankful:: Friends

Meeting new people in the last 34 years hasn't been hard. I have had several jobs, volunteer opportunities and with blogging my networking scope has widened so much. Along the way a lot of those connections and acquaintances have become true friends. Friends who follow me, encourage me, push me, support me and just genuinely care about me. I am thankful for them and all that they bring to my life.  I am thankful for their honest opinions and happy thoughts. I am thankful for their friendships and for always putting up with me. 

For them I am thankful! 

#thankfulmomma 

::Be Thankful:: Family

It's easy to remind ourselves of the people we should be thankful for I am thankful for my family. My parents, who have sacrificed so much, worked so hard and always loved us. They have always thought about our well-being and wanted the best for us. We all have our shortcomings, we all have our faults. But, that has not stopped them from moving us forward, pushing us on and reminding us what family really is. Thankful for my brothers and my sister, without them I don't think I would know what responsibility is. Without them I wouldn't have had long time companionship, someone to fight with, someone to nag at. Without my family, I would have nothing. 

For them, I am thankful. 

Please follow us for the next 7 days as I tell you what I am most thankful for during this holiday season. 

#thankfulmomma 

::Thankful Thursday:: 7 Days of Thanksgiving

When I started blogging a group of fellow bloggers would post a series called "Thankful Thursday". I loved it and joined in often. This has inspired this mini-series of Thankfulness for this Holiday season. Last week I was sitting in our company Thanksgiving luncheon and I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed. In a good way. One of our co-workers was our host, his words rang loud and clear with me... "we should be thankful for our jobs and that we work for a company that will allow us to celebrate these holidays." It all was so beautiful.

I have so much to be thankful for, not just now but everyday. This time last year while I was in a good place with a good job, I wasn't happy. Today, I am, very much so and my co-workers words just reached my heart. I needed to share all the great things in my life right now. I am thankful for so much but will try to share as much as I can in the next 7 days.

Today and everyday, I am most thankful for my Husband and two children. They provide for me in so many areas and in ways that no one else has been able to. They are a true blessing and I am so thankful that God has given me the opportunity to be a wife and a Momma. Without them my life really would not be complete. Are we a perfect happy family, no not always. But, we love one another deeply, we protect one another and we are always there for each other! 

Follow Momma of Dos for the next 7 days as we share what we are most thankful for! 

What are you thankful for today? 

::Thankful:: #30daysofaffirmation

If you follow us on Instagram then you know that I started a 30 days of affirmation challenge more so for myself but then I started receiving such positive feedback and I hope it will help others as well. 

There are so many times in my life when I have lost sight of the who and the why. 

I lose sight of truth and instead have in the past focused on the wrong people or others' dreams when I should be focused on my family of 4 ::Team Gomez:: and OUR dreams. 

Today, I am thankful. 

For my family. My Hubby, my Dos amazing children who have brought the true meaning of my life to be and have created my passion and dreams. 

Today, I am thankful for my purpose and my focus on who and why I have made it this far. 

Thankful for my family. My Momma, my Dad, my Sister , Nephew and my Brothers. They have all been here for me in huge ways and no matter how bad it has all shaped me to be the person I am today. Driven and ambitious but definitely grounded and realistic. I have not reached all my goals but slowly I will make my dreams come true. 

And, for that I am thankful. 

I am also thankful for my extended family {especially the 3 best Tia's ever; Ale, Erica & 'Nanielle} and of course my friends, not only those people I have met along the way in person but also all of the beautiful online family who support and love me as much as I support and love them. 

For that I am thankful. 

I am thankful for my life, my vision, my home, my job and my future. 

Everyday I am thankful for so many people and so many instances of grace and life..... not just today... 

What about you, what are you thankful for?

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::Non-Traditional Thanksgiving Dinners:: #thankfulthursday

This time next week our little family will be eating a semi-traditional Thanksgiving dinner. My parents are truly Mexican. Not just throwing that out there but it is a fact.  They want salsa and tortillas with their Turkey every year, no matter how non-traditional that may be. Growing up I never had a problem with it, I was used to it. It was later in my years of life that I felt like my parents were just being difficult.  Then I had children. Seems your perspective is clouded before you have kids.

I changed my views, feelings and thoughts on situations like this. I now embrace my parents’ ways. I embrace our roots and accept new traditions. That’s what Thanksgiving was about right? Not just adopting America as our new country but also accepting the coming together of cultures and embracing our life in the American’s and theses differences.

Which is why now, our thanksgiving table is never lacking in tortillas and salsa. Oh yea and our leftovers are always interesting. Either, taquitos dorados or enchiladas, this year I am thinking Turkey Enchilada soup!  I mean come on, is there any other way!?

These days we accept all new foods to our Thanksgiving dinner table, not just because it’s delicious but because I want my children to be open to new ways and foods.  What better time then Thanksgiving to create a melting pot of traditions. I am extremely thankful of my family and our difference, it makes us who we are and stronger as a unit! 

I know we all have very different non-traditional ways of celebrating during the Holiday season and I always love listening and learning from those around me. 

I learned about the awesomeness that happens at my friend Alba’s house of Independent Mami and trust me, I want to be there!!!  She is Salvadorean and her Momma makes an amazing, from what I hear, Pan con Chumpe! She has pictures on her Pinterest board and let me tell you. I almost ate my phone!! Ha.

What are your most favorite non-traditional dishes or family rituals for Thanksgiving? 

{Thankful Thursdays} Link-Up!!

Have not done one of these in a while... definitely need to be reminded these days....




This week I am most thankful for:

{My Age} I will be 32 in June. That means I have lived through a lot with a lot of people who have come and gone. I am thankful for life, my life experiences and always making the best of every situation. I have in my 32 years gained wisdom, faith, and hopefully maturity. I know what I want and where my life is going. Sure nothing is set in stone and I don't have life figured out but I definitely know who I am and where I am going. 

{Sincerity} I have a lot of friends who have the best interest in mind and who are all living their lives on their own terms and following their own paths. I like to think that when it comes to our relationship they are being sincere. I am thankful for their sincerity and honesty. Be who you are and never allow popularity to overcome truth. It's what I have learned..... 

{Becoming a Stay@HomeMomma} My children will only be 3 { and 7 months} and 2 yrs old once. I will never be able to come back to this stage of their lives again, it's been so critical, our bonding, my patience being tested, and our lives being rocked to their very core. We have had to experience the best and worse of each other to know that, this is it, our little family of 4, we have each other and I pray that we will be here for one another for years, and years to come. My 6 months at home have made me thankful for my life, my children who are an amazing Blessing and for my Husband who has become an even more amazing Provider. It's been difficult. But, I am thankful. 

{Social Media/Networking} This has made me feel relevant. I usually shy away from joining big groups of super important and accomplished Bloggers/Writer/Activist/ Social Media Gurus because I am intimidated by their expertise. But, I have been so Blessed to have been added to some pretty awesome groups of  Bloggers/Writer/Activist/ Social Media Gurus not just from Texas but from all over the U.S. They have made me feel as if what I sit and enjoy doing is well worth it. I am thankful for those group of  Bloggers/Writer/Activist/ Social Media Gurus  who have made me feel as if I belong. It's so important as a Stay@HomeMomma to have a sense of self and community. Thank you everyone. 

What are you most thankful for this week??

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!!!

No. Really. Thanksgiving is next week!

No, REALLY. Thanksgiving is next week....

I am NO where.near.being.ready.for.a.holiday!

Seriously. I have no clue what I will make. I have NO decorations up...Not sure why but I am not too bummed about that.

We have a very BIG family. My Hubby's family lives minutes away from us, while my family lives about an hour or so away in Downtown Houston. Before we had kids there was never a discussion, we could go to one house and then the next.... then came the grand-kids. The "discussion" was, where will we go first...well last year I decided to end that discussion and have the first ever Gomez/Leon Family Thanksgiving here in our home. It was awesome we had a lot of fun, too much food and lots to be Thankful for...this will be the second year!

Only this year..I am not sure why but my focus and brain are elsewhere...I want my children to have this family sense of Thanksgiving and realize that we are thankful and should be thankful that we have two amazing families that  want to spend the Holiday's with us, together! But, I don't know why I am also thinking that less is more this year...in part because I don't have a full-time outside the home job right now,  for the first time in the last 6 years.....

I want my children to value being humble and poor in spirit as well as family and feasting. Tomorrow we will celebrate Thanksgiving with Santi at his school, our FIRST time ever and for some reason...I have a feeling that, that moment will count for many Thanksgiving to come...

The creation and Blessing of our own little family...Team Gomez ::party of FOUR:: has been more than enough for me and any added Blessings are well...just that....added Blessings. 

I don't want my children to think that Thanksgiving is only about the super yummy food you get to eat ::just sayin':: but also about being Thankful that we have the food... and that we are able to share our table with loved ones.

I pray that God can help me portray this and convey it in a manner that my children can understand not just this year but years to come....

We have SO much to be Thankful for this year... and I just hope everyone who has helped us get here to this place, realizes how much we appreciate them! And, yes...how very Thankful we are to have them in our lives.... {Ignore my funny smile face in the picture below... the day was super sunny!} Ha.

{Thankful Thursday} SAHM Edition #latism #latism12

Good Morning! 

Today my list will consist of the 5 reasons I am Thankful for being a S@HMomma:

1} Spending more time at home with my kids... I love it! It's a true Blessing! 

2} Having my own schedule! I try really hard to stick to one and it seems to be working....for me. :) 

3} Not having to deal with HOUSTON traffic! 

4} Not spending as much on GAS! Now that it's cheaper....haha. 

5} Oh yes....and being able to attend BLOGGER CONFERENCES! I will be there tonight!

{Thankful Thursday} #latism

This week I am most Thankful for:

{Support} Especially from my Husband.The last month or so have not been easy. He has been there. I have cried more than usual. My Husband has calmed me down, a few times over the phone because he wasn't here physically. I love him. I give him a hard time. I shouldn't. He is my rock. Through it all.

{Non-Momma friends} Being  a Momma I tend to gravitate towards Momma friends and forget that I have SO many amazing friends who are hardworking Wives and FRIENDS! The past few weeks have been filled with many great conversations of motivation and life. I love it. I thank God for them very much and appreciate EVERY woman in my life, past and present!

{Kids Birthday Parties} It reminds me I am not the only person with children who like to loudly express themselves as this is a free world right! Ha. Some of you may not know but last week my family and I were at a FAMILY restaurant {Chili's} and a lady MOVED because apparently my children didn't know "how to use their inside voice"... well Sunday we went to a birthday party at a bowling alley...seeing SO many kids of all ages run around, speak loudly WHILE INDOORS, and just BE themselves as we ALL have the right to BE, made me feel welcomed and as if I belonged better yet my CHILDREN were accepted! I loved that!

{Blessings} As some of you may know I quit my job to become a Full-time Stay at Home Momma...a Blessing in itself and dream come true...On my last day of work my brother graduated from the Culinary Institute and I was contacted about attending a BLOGGER CONFERENCE! My first!!!! Ever. I am so very excited, nervous and anxious. It's been a huge Blessing and I can't wait!

As you can tell, this Momma has been well... a bit busy! Thank You to everyone who has been there and Thank You to all of our new readers! I have been promising change for a while now and now...it will come!

Hope you stick around or join us!

{THANKFUL THURSDAY} ♥ Link Up!

I have not done one of these in a while...not that I am not thankful...just that...I have been off track with my Blogging schedule....

But, here we go....

This week I am most Thankful for:


{A listening ear} I know that you must get tired of hearing me talk about my girlfriends and how awesome they are...well they totally are! I have been ever so Blessed to find good long-lasting Momma friendships in many-a-places one very important place is work! To have a helpful, non-judgmental listening ear at work is SUCH a huge stress reliever in so many ways! So, today I am thankful for the listening ears over the years....

{Faith} As Cardinal DiNardo mentioned tonight that we are set free to become disciples of God's word and reach people in EVERY area of our lives; tonight I am thankful that in some way I have reached my Hubby's family...this week Ricardo's not so little cousin Erica completed her first 3 sacraments and her next one will be marriage..sure that's special no matter what but I am most Thankful because she not only asked me to help her in the process but allowed me to be her Sponsor... I feel such pride to be a Christian today but  more so to be sharing my faith with others...

{Birthdays} Last month I turned 31. ::insert mid-life crisis meltdown here:: I am just Thankful that I have made it to this year with so many wonderful situations lived & such beautiful people {especially my Hubby and lil'babies!} in my life and happy moments despite all the bad and ugly; God has filled me with hope and joy to live a life of faith and growth....for that I am thankful. Lots.

{Ch-Cha-Change} It seems like every other month I announce change..but isn't that what life is about....constant evolution for the better and glory of the purpose that God has given us. My Husband graduated in May, landed a new job in June, and will be leaving to UTAH for about a month...in August... YIKES. Yup. LOTS more change for Team Gomez... we will be gearing up in the next 4 weeks or so for him to leave... stay tuned. 

What are you Thankful for today??

{Thankful March Days 3 & 4}

{Day 3}

3 gifts wore

my wedding band {it's a constant reminder of my commitment and consistency, my accountability and my stability, even when days become difficult and nights are weary... we are united with Jesus in Love, I pray.}  
a child on my hip { my constant reminder of the Blessing of being a Mother and of having DOS beautiful children whom I love and are healthy and happy...} a heavy heart {it reminds me that I MUST pray. that I MUST be thankful. that I MUST LOVE and not doubt... love and not worry... love and not cry... }

{Day 4}

3 gifts hard to give thanks for

work, people who hate and are jealous of truth, & pain

{ Picture taken from Ann Voskamp's Blog : http://www.aholyexperience.com/2012/03/how-to-make-your-march-amazing/}

{Thankful March} ♥

As part of a way to improve in March and make it a GREAT month. I decided to start this March challenge from one of the most beautiful Blogs on my daily Blog list, A Holy Experience. Often Ann's posts require me to be fully aware and in the presence of God because her writing is so profound and inspiring. It's a challenge in this busy noisy world. I enjoy the challenge though it helps bring me closer to God in that noisy silence and busy stillness.

I am behind one day so here is my March from yesterday and then my March from today... my March around the circle of Christ. I love it.

{Day 1}

3 at 3pm:

by 3pm, I was thankful for a Husband who works late {because he is conscious about  providing for our little family} , a Momma who goes along for the ride {because no matter where I ask her to accompany me to,she does and is such a riot about it}, and for a sister who is understanding {because when my Momma and I are on mission she doesn't think twice about it and helps my Momma with her afternoon errands}.

And, I MARCH on...

{Day 2}

3 green:

today I was thankful for these 3 green gifts from God; Post-It's{neon green that is, I opened a new pack of them for my desk at work...I love Post-It's they are the best thing known to man-kind and God gift to me today, on them I write His word, I write His love notes to my soul and they linger as constant reminders of the Blessings in my life, always.}, dried leaf once green {this morning as we walked out the front door my Santi asked me, "mom what’s that?", it was a dried leaf once green dragged in from the outside, nature, God's most amazing gifts to me my Husband takes us to the park often and nature is of a God a true gift}, salad {for lunch a good friend and his girlfriend, an equally amazing friend took me to lunch... the company and my all veggie salad from Chipotle on this Lenten Friday were a great combination, just what my soul needed... good friends and good food!}

{ Picture taken from Ann Voskamp's Blog : http://www.aholyexperience.com/2012/03/how-to-make-your-march-amazing/}

{Thankful Thursday} ♥ Link Up!

I know it's late in the day......but....







This week I am most Thankful for:

{Communication} Various sorts and modes of communication; verbal, written, phone calls, text messages, emails, Facebook wall post, blogs, events, presentations, meetings, etc. etc. It's so important to be able to keep in touch, to speak to others {even if it's not in person}, to convey your thoughts, feelings and emotions. Hablando se entiende la gente...or so they say... I am a COMMUNICATOR. Hence the Blog. I share. It all. Sometimes too much. Oh well. Life goes on and I am happy with my accumulated communications skills. These words, these expressions have gotten me through a lot, have taught me a lot and have allowed me to move about the Blog world and meet new people, specifically Momma Bloggers who are just such a great and learning impact in my life.

{Deliveries} Like my Bloggy friend; Julia over at Black Tag Diaries, who by the way hosts this here LINK UP, stated in her post about V~day. It's different for married people. I couldn't think of what to give Ricardo for Valentine's day as I mentioned he's not into gifts, at least not out loud! So, I finally thought of a gift. He has a job fair next week where he can meet potential life long employers and so aside from prayer I think he need a little good luck so I "created" a good luck charm for him. I will get it all together and post a picture next week. Part of it was delivered today. I love deliveries. They are so exciting. It's like, you know what you are expecting but still the anticipation of actually receiving is so...well... exciting! {I am also waiting on a book from his favorite Pastor; Dr.Tony Evans}

{Birthday's} Today was my Mother-in-Law's Birthday! {Feliz Cumpleaños to her!}It just made me think about life. What a great way to remember that we are here for a reason and a purpose. That God created us for that reason and purpose. And, every year we celebrate our lives for a reason and a purpose. I love that! God is so great. Amazing how He knew that days of the year wear you down and can make you forget those reasons and that purpose, so once a year you are reminded...you are here..alive, .purposely created for His reason! {I think...}

{Forgetfulness ::as I forget what I was about to write::} Today I went to Target; as I do most days {Ha.} and I was looking for a sweater for Camila, well I couldn't find one. That prompted me to look for one at home. I had forgotten that I had a bin of clothes that I set aside months ago as clothes that fit Camila too big. I went to the closet and what do you know? A WHOLE NEW WARDROBE for my little growing baby. That was a nice little surprise. Everything in the bin fit her PERFECTLY. I love it when I forget but then again I hate it... all this time looking for a good sweater for her and I had plenty! Maybe I forgot about a few extra bucks somewhere...let me go look... {HA.}

{Thankful Thursday} LINK UP!!!!

{It's  been a LONG, LONG week to say the least. I am worried, the worse is just to come... work is going to get crazy busy REALLY soon here. Ahii. I will make the absolute best of it though. God has amazing things in store for our little family, I can only pray. }

This week I am most Thankful for:

{Different Types of Girlfriends} Every one of my friends is special and different. Just this week I thought, I am glad I have Yvonne in my life she is a 30 something Momma of Dos with a great Hubby. But, then I thought, I also have so many other friends who contribute to my everyday in such great ways...single girlfriends, single Momma girlfriends {and Sis}, engaged or ready to be engaged friends, Momma/Wife friends, co-worker Momma friends, co-worker single friends, etc etc. It's so awesome how much God Blesses me with so many type of women who can help me in so many different areas of my life that need improvement or up-keep! Thank You Amigas!!

{Morning and Afternoon Commutes} I usually complain about  my 45 minute plus commute in the mornings on my way to work or in the afternoons on my way home. But, just last night I thought, when I've had a LONG stressful day at work..the extra alone time in the car is a great way to unwinde and plan for the evening as well as the extra ride home giggling with my kids afte I pick them up. In the mornings it's a great time to pray and think about the day ahead. Either way I get amazing alone time with God and myself... I guess if my car could speak... I wonder about the stories it would tell...lots of amazing Blessed moments.

{KSBJ on the Radio} I started listening to Christian Radio a little over 5 years ago. Most days are just great, then there are those days when I am totally Blessed. The Dj's are just SO relateable. I can't imagine a day without KSBJ and I don't know how I ever got through my days without it. Just Blessed and I love all their music!