::Having it all...Or not... :: #Thisis35

So, it happened. 35. It's here. In full effect. I turned 35 yesterday and my co-worker asked if I felt wiser. Truth is. I feel the same but deep down inside, yes I am wiser. My eyes are wide open and my heart is prepared for the world and years to come. I have over the years been extremely blessed to meet, to know and to gain friendships from wonderful and inspirational ladies. My circle changes constantly, not because I don't love all the ladies the same but because life happens. Our situations and circumstances take us in different directions. But, at 35 I know those women have come into my life, made a beautiful impact and moved on to do so much more... it's amazing. I love that feeling. Of having been a part of someone's journey. That's what I have learned in 35 years. Life is a journey. It moves, changes and evolves constantly. Nothing is a given and everything should be appreciated. 

In 35 years I have learned balance. I have learned that some months I will have time to blog and workout and some months I won't want to do either, and that really is okay. You know why? The world keeps going with or without you. I have had times of great productivity when all I do is work, work, work and others when I veg-out on the couch for days at a time. And, you know what, my Husband loves me the same, my kids love me the same and the laundry pile, well, it's still there. Go figure. Balance and the ability to move on knowing that sometimes, dishes don't get washed, posts don't get posted, pictures don't get edited, and tasks never get completed. Life goes on.

Picture Credit: Ari of 3twentysix

Picture Credit: My Sister

Just in the last 2 weeks, I realized how much good I have in my life right now. Stability and being in a "good place" seems to be the thoughts in my head. Knowing that while our lives are not perfect and we might not have "everything" , we are happy. We are good. My career is in such a stable and good place, I love it. I haven't felt this way about a job in years. My kids are healthy and my Hubby is his same ol' sarcastic self that everyone loves to hate, or hates to love. HA. Our home, I always say, isn't an expensive super fancy place, but it's home and we make it work every day. In our own little crowded messy way. My kids love everyone and they are so happy and unique it makes me laugh, smile and cry all at once. We are blessed.

Honestly, "we have it all" without really having it all if that makes any sense. While we don't have big fancy belongings, we have one another and we are happy, we are blessed and we move forward. One of my Aunts, who has been there for me in many ways pointed out how happy we are as a family. How blessed Ricardo and I are to have an education, how great my parents are for being so supportive and loving and how no matter what we are always there for one another. That we do have. A happy family, supportive and unconditional love. Forgiveness. We forgive those who hurt us and move forward. We are real and honest about what we believe in and stand for. 

That we have. Realness. Truth. You will always get that from me. Now at 35 and 10 years from now at 45, I will be real and honest. On to a new year of life and feeling overwhelmingly humbled by all the beautiful messages on Facebook, direct messages, texts and phone calls to wish me a happy birthday. It was an amazing one. My loved ones made it a special day and I am SO thankful. Always. 

In the spirit of celebrating years of life, I teamed up with two amazing women Coppelia Marie who ran a special "Turning 40" series on her YouTube Channel. Coppelia is a former local DJ for a Christian radio station called KSBJ. Meeting her has been amazing. I have been a fan since I heard her on the radio years ago, meeting her and being able to call her my friend, is just mind blowing. Her featuring me on her blog for my Birthday is a true honor! I am such a fan and her message of self-love and embracing your age no matter where you are in life, is awesome! 

Not only did I team up with Coppelia for her series, we both teamed up with Ari of 3twentysix for her awesome giveaway series, The Paper Files! Make sure you enter. Ari also filmed our video! She did an amazing job. Thanks, Ari! You can visit any of our pages to sign-up for the giveaway!

Picture Credit: All picture below by Ari of 3twentysix 

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::This is 35:: House of Alice Rose~Stylist Review & Tender Nest Portraits Photo Shoot

::Momma Disclosure:: { This is a compensated post. All statements are my own and my true and honest opinion. All photographs were taken as part of a brand ambassadorship with Tender Nest Portraits, Momma's outfit styled by House of Alice Rose}

Turning 35 seems like no biggie. Only really it is. 35 is one of those mid to something numbers. Midway to 40, is what 35 is. I am okay with that. When I look back at the last 35 years and more specifically the last 17 years, I have learned, grown and endured so much. Life has not always been pretty, or fair, or good. But, I have pushed through the struggles and today I have a life filled with a great Husband who is constantly supporting all my crazy thoughts, and ideas, one who hates taking family pictures but loves us so much. I have dos amazing little children, who have changed my body, my drive and my heart in so many wonderful ways. 

In the last 8 years, I have slowly walked the blogging journey and started meeting some of the most amazing women. Women with whom I have long distance, over the internet relationships and some of whom live in Houston and I have the great honor of meeting in person. For my 35th, I decided to accept an invitation to do some shopping with a personal stylist. I know and follow the wonderful ladies of House of Alice Rose, but had never met them in person. A couple of weeks ago that all changed. I met Isabel one of the creators and stylists of HoAR, she is without a doubt a strong Houston Latina Momma, stylist, blogger, creative, and sweet soul. 

I wasn't sure what would happen, first off I am NOT one to shop for myself. Secondly, I suck at shopping and making things go together and fit me and yeah. All that kind of pretty, girly stuff, I truly didn't inherit when it was handed out at birth. BUT, be still my heart, Isabel. She has become my fashion hero. She not only put a perfect outfit together for me in a matter of minutes but she herself walks the walk. The day we met she wore the cutest printed shorts with a striped shirt and wedges, y'all she looked amazing. She made me feel comfortable and definitely helped me step out of my comfort zone. Though I am highly outspoken and outgoing there is still something very conservative about me and how I dress, I have always been that way. 

Isabel and I spoke about marriage, our children, our careers, and how we joined the blogging world. The connection was instant. I love people, I love women who are constantly seeking to better themselves, who push and create lives that are exemplary and true. She is a U.S. Coast Guard and crossfitter so not only is she a strong, determined and fit Momma, she is also one of those badasses I truly admire, for their courage and bravery. Isabel reminded me of how being feminine and looking pretty comes from deep within especially as we age. She made me feel my age and I loved it. 

Thank you again for the amazing 35th birthday present Isabel, I will forever appreciate it. 

There is so much more to my life than the number 35, you might look at me and not know what my heart truly holds. But, another great person that I have met in the last year and thanks to my blog is Anel of Tender Nest Portraits, a fellow Momma, a professional photographer, and new Houston Latina Blogger member. She has managed to capture the inside of my heart in this world, my children's smiles and love, they are everything that my heart always holds true. They show me how beautiful life can turn out despite all the ugly, bad and disappointment. They have managed to erase the bad memories, the heartache and the pain that once ate at my heart.  

Please don't confuse our happy smiles for perfection. Our lives are not perfect and may never be but we make it all work-out.  

Turning 35 ::Oh Hello June:: #BirthdayMonth #Thisis35

::Solo Girl Chronicles is a series created by #Femmeboss, a mobile app and membership app for women only who are seeking like-minded and compassionate friends to connect with or meet locally. This blog post is part of the series. You can learn more on their website and find new friends.::

Age is nothing but a number. I know now how true these words are. I will be 35 in 19 days. And, I feel amazing. No joke. I stay busy, that's my secret. Some days are hard only because I take too much on. At 35 I have two children, a Hubby, a full-time job outside the home, a college degree which has allowed me to gain a career and a full life. I help run a group of local latina bloggers, called Houston Latina Bloggers and then I run this little ol'blog. 8 years and counting. I also do boot camp twice a week with am amazing group of ladies who have inspired me so much in my weight loss journey. And, currently, I am attending a class for local Latina's in Leadership, every other Wednesday. With the Summer in full effective we have gotten somewhat of a travel bug, nothing big just small road trips to explore new places in Texas and the U.S. for ourselves and mostly for our kids!

How do I do it all and how does 35 feel? Well, it feels like a whirlwind of emotions and really I sleep a lot (but not really) and my house is a mess. That's truly how I get things done. Half asleep and in a daze, not good, I know. But, I do what I can, I work hard and passionately and move forward. It's not how life has always been for me. I used to have a real life with friends and family that I helped and bent over backward for, over the years, that's diminishing. I now do things I love, things that benefit me and those things that will further create who I am and where I want to go. I feel that at 35, I can say these type of selfish things because for years I have not been selfish. 

As I thought about what to write in this reflective post weeks before my 35th, I heard the song "Wake me Up" by Avicii. As I am a lover of words, I take the lyrics in and think about how turning 35 will change me, and how I have changed over the last 35 years. Evolved if you will. It's pretty dang amazing. I love learning and living my life to the fullest. Doing as much as possible because tomorrow is not guaranteed. 

So wake me up when it's all over
When I'm wiser and I'm older
All this time I was finding myself
And I didn't know I was lost

I have been through so much in my life that sometimes it does feel like a dream. I am older and wiser now and in the process, though at times I didn't know, I was lost. I have found myself. The last 35 years have not been perfect. I have had lots of sorrow, sadness, depression and made tons of mistakes, hurt so many people and been rude and offensive. I apologize to those who have suffered because of me. In return, many have hurt, used and offended me. I forgive them. None of this is necessary. But, I do it anyway, because of who I am, an apologetic person. My good friend Ari always tells me to stop apologizing and it's hard to change after 35 years. I have discovered that some will love me for that and others will straight up hate. And, that's okay. 

At 35 I no longer care for others opinions and need to refrain from giving mine out. And, refrain from wasting words on those who don't care for them. It's part of my 35-year-old resolution. Stop giving advice when not asked. Most people will do what they want anyway, and that's okay. It's their life, not mine. It's something hard for me to comprehend sometimes, I always feel I should help or change the world. It's not really my job. I have children who need me and that's where the change and help will begin and end.

I tried carrying the weight of the world
But I only have two hands
I hope I get the chance to travel the world
And I don't have any plans

So, I am turning 35. How does it feel? Pretty good. To know that I have survived on this earth this long, with minimal trauma and so much more to look forward to! At times, I do wish life would stop for a moment in time, but I have learned to live in the moment, to appreciate the time and to slow myself down to enjoy it all. 

I wish that I could stay forever this young
Not afraid to close my eyes
Life's a game made for everyone
And love is a prize

::Transformation:: 2016

I have discovered that times of transformation come as do the seasons of life. 

I feel that in order for overall transformation to take place you must be willing to go through it and you must want to do something that will help you transform your life. Transformation comes in so many forms; mental, physical, emotional, maturity, etc. We create our own periods of transformation and equally we can ruin our best moments of transformation by allowing our weaknesses or past failures to bring us down.

Lately, I have felt a great surge of transformation back to a place of true balance and peace. I decided months ago that in 2016 I would slow down. Start focusing more on life and my career. It's slowly coming together. The current season is one of taking it all in and learning from my past. I have so much to give thanks for. My children are both happy and healthy kids who love life and are so unique. My career is finally in a good place with a good company, I want to make a life where I am.


My Hubby and I have created a constant energy of evolution, we take in all the bad and good and move forward with it. No matter how bad things get we always manage to move forward, together. We are not perfect and do have many battles to overcome, sometimes daily. Arguments and attitudes flare, mostly on my part ::insert evil laughs here:: but it's fun. We have learned to live a life filled with daily arguments that make sense to us and a ton of humor. We are happy in our own little-twisted way and that's what matters.

As for my mind and body. I want to be strong and healthy. I know it will take time, I am taking it one day at a time. Some days are harder than others, as I hate movement after 5pm. But, I kicked off my boot-camp again, and it makes me feel great so I keep going back, week after week. Seeing other ladies progress and kick-ass is very important.  I seek them in so many areas of my life.

Spiritually and mentally, my transformation is constantly changing and my brain is always thinking as to, what's next. I try and fill my mind daily with words and thoughts that will bring me new peace and happiness. I also listen to anything that will inspire me to have an open mind and creative new energy. Recently, the biggest area of transformation has been taking a class that will help further empower me as a Latina in Leadership with Mujeres de HACE. The connections I have already made have been amazing. The learning and thought process on a week to week basis has been even better!

Taking this time to myself and improving who I am as a Momma, as a career-driven woman, and as a person, helps me transform daily into who I want to be. I turn 35 next month and the word transformation has just stuck in my head and on my tongue for the last week or so. I know that the experiences in the next few weeks will help me reach that next level that I want my life to be at.

I want to always take the actions needed to transform my life, not just for myself but for my children, husband and family's well-being. It's so important to evolve and grow, far out of your comfort zone and into that next season of your life... 

“Real transformation requires real honesty. If you want to move forward — get real with yourself.”― Bryant McGill, Simple Reminders: Inspiration for Living Your Best Life

What about you, what are you doing today that will transform your tomorrow?