What I was thankful for this Thanksgiving....

It's been aver 2 months since I've written anything and it seems longer then that. Time goes by way to fast! But, on to my post. Yesterday being Thanksgiving I wanted to write about being thankful.

I posted on Facebook yesterday that I was grateful for God and tonight I'd like to elaborate on it. When the holiday season comes around it's a time I consider working to get a little time away from the kids and for some extra income. My husband tells me it's up to me but I never make the step and put in an application. Yesterday shortly after noon it hit me. I could've been getting ready to work since most stores open on Thanksgiving for Black Friday. It brought tears to my eyes to think what God has done for us. He has given me a husband that supports me in the decision to stay home with our babies and be here for them. He works as much as he can to provide for us and even though at times we may struggle God always comes through right on time. We get blessed at the most unexpected times with the exact items we need. I mean wow, how amazing is that? He has blessed me with two amazing, healthy, loving kids. They drive me every day to be the best me I can me. I'm not perfect in anyway and I mess up on a daily basis but my family still loves me! How great is that feeling? He has blessed me with a mother that even though we may not always see eye to eye she is still here doing whatever she can do for my family. Some of you have everything I have and much more so you may not be able tor elate. Then others may not have what I have but only pray/ wish for them, don't give on your prayers! I may not be rich to society but I'm highly blessed from God and that's more important to me. He has given all of us so much and I'm not just speaking about my family. I'm speaking of you and your family too.

Let's not forget what we have on a daily basis as it can be taken from us in a blink of an eye. Don't forget your blessings and lets give thanks to our almighty God! 

The Compassion Experience

Dolls she made out of mud.

If you've never heard of this you should check it out. I was scrolling through Facebook and saw this event was coming to my area so I decided we needed to check it out once I looked over the information. We talk to our oldest about how other kids can live but we all know that explaining something and seeing it are two different things! Here are a few pics. The first pictures are from the story of Yannely. A young girl sharing her story of poverty and her struggles from not having a dad to not being able to graduate school. The sacrifices her mother did to make her dreams come true. But through this sponsorship she found GOD, had a mentor and achieved her dreams!

   



    

Letters she would get from her sponsor. 

Her room

Her diploma. 

Yannely as an adult. 

                              






His mother's Moonshine. 

Here are pics from the second story we saw. It was about a young boy named Jey who's mom sold liquor and illegal substances to make money. Due to an incident she wasn't unable to continue selling  these items which forced them to move with his grandmother. He spoke how 13( I think it was 13) people lived in one house, how the little ones got to sleep on the one mattress they had and the older ones just found a spot on the floor. He went to jail at the age of 9 but when released he found the Compassion program and how his life changed. As an adult he was unemployed and turned to what he knew, music! He spreads GOD word the way he knows how my being a Christian DJ. Here are his pics...     

The one mattress for everyone!

                              

Food for 13 people. 

Jail. 

    

Both stories were truly remarkable and heart wrenching. Both stories were similar yet completely different. Seeing replicas of what they had, where they lived, how they lived, and hearing the story in their voice is what touches your heart. Both our kids went even though the youngest had no clue what was going on. (he's 2) Our oldest (6) was able to understand it a lot it better. *Side note* This is a sponsorship program which allows you to sponsor a child.

**Sorry for the pics, I was having trouble getting them on here correctly**

Goals for the week of Sept. 1st

Long time no posting huh? 

I don't have many goals this week or month but never the less I still have some. 

Week

1) Work out 3x this week. 

2) Cut coupons. 

3) Write down finances. 

4) Sell a few items. (baby items) 

Monthly

1) Make a braclet. 

2) Sew something, anything, everything, lol! 

3) Eat lunch with my daddy 3X this month. 

4) Learn more about nutrition. 

What's on your goal list for this week or month or even your year? 

It's in the genes...

   A few weeks ago on a Wednesday night service the children had an evening of Build with Pastor Paul. They built bird houses and about 2 weeks afterward we were speaking with Pastor Paul and he explained how Mikey was so comfortable with a hammer he shouldn't be building birdhouses he should be building bookcases with him! We just laughed because that really is Mikey. He loves tools and always wants to help and build when ever he can. My grandfather was a builder so I immediately thought of him. I remember being with my grandmother and taking my grandfather lunch while he was working. He was always dirty, his clothes would have cement all over them. At one time my grandfather had his own construction company. So building is in my kids blood and I'd just love for one of them to take up an occupation in that field. My grandfather even built the house they lived in after theirs was destroyed by a hurricane. It always amazing me how the smallest comment or action can trigger new emotions or bring up old memories. I love and miss my grandfather and until I spoke with Pastor Paul, I kinda of just forgot about him. I know this sounds really bad but it's true. We go on with our everyday lives and sometimes just don't stop to relive great memories and share them with our loved ones here.

Here's a pic of my little ones from this morning...

@Lowes Build N Grow event

Getting my peace back...

   Sometimes I let my feelings take over me and even though it's not good, I do. I'm human and I want things just like everyone else. But reality, we are not everyone else! When you scroll through FB or other forms of social media your emotions can get the best of you at times. We can't do everything we may want to do but it's ok. We make a sacrifice now for our children that will pay off later. I was scrolling through FB and came across a post about a little boy that was left at the Cowboy Stadium while on a tour with his daycare and it hit me, that's why you stay home and do what you can for your family because no one will watch your child like you will. God spoke to me and as I'm writing this I feel peace again in my heart. My peace and joy were trying to be taken from me but God has me covered and no one can touch me. Sometimes I need a reminder and this did it for me.

http://www.nbcdfw.com/video/#!/news/local/Day-Care-Leaves-Boy,-5,-Behind-at-AT&T-Stadium-For-Hours/321840561

Goals for week of Aug 10th

   I'm up in the middle of the morning so instead of just laying here in gonna write. (I really rather be sleeping though.) I didn't write last Monday but I hope you guys still had a productive week. This get straight to the point here, GOALS!!! 

Goals

1) Take the kids for a walk 2x this week.

2) Workout 3x this week. (I've struggled with this one all summer.) 

3) Cut & reorganize my coupons.

4) Meal prep (make beans for the week,  cut lettuce & a few tomatoes) 

5) Write down expenses ( trying something new with our finances) 

This week regarding our food we (hubby and I) will be going for a goal of eating salads Monday- Friday. I want us to lay off of meat & poultry this week. 

Breakfast

Cereal

Eggs

Lunch

Cold cuts with chips

Ramen noodles

Sandwiches with fruit

Dinner

Chicken

Taco Salad

Rice w/beans

Salad (twice this week) 

Once again keep it basic!!!!!!  I say this consistently but it's a reminder to you and myself, you'll feel more accomplished at the end of the week if you do. If your single parent, stay at home parent or extremely busy it's the small goals accomplished that will lead to accomplishments of greater goals. 

How I contribute to the household finances

   We all know being a SAHP (stay at home parent) doesn't bring in any money, no big secret there right? Just because you don't have a form that comes in weekly or even every two weeks with your name and s.s. number on it doesn't mean you can't bring some money in or help with your financial situation! Come on your a stay at home parent,  you got this! So I'm going to explain what I do, embrace yourself ok, ready, here I go.......

1) Price match

Pretty basic here. I price match at my Walmart when ever I can. My hubby doesn't do this and the reason I say when ever I can is because it's about a 20 minute drive for me to get this done. Yes I know it's a little out of my way but the savings I get seem worth it for me. Now this option won't work for everybody but since I live in the DFW area it does because of the variety of stores we have. 

2)Coupon

I'm not a extreme couponer but I do coupon. I only buy four papers per week which for me works. We are a family of four and we live in an apartment so our space is limited and if I were to buy more papers depending on the item, I wouldn't have room for the stuff. So if you have a bigger family and or more space then buying more papers may work for you. I have saved hundreds if not thousands by using coupons and working off of sales. If your in the DFW area I can give you the info on the class I took which she has her personal blog on FB where her students post deals and scenarios, extremely helpful. This is how I've scored good deals by looking at what other people have posted. Join FB groups,follow people on Instagram, or look at couponing websites. (I'll make a list of a few websites on the bottom.) 

3) Meal plan

This is fairly easy. You look into the fridge, pantry, under the cabinets, on the floor, where ever you have your food and make a list of what can be eaten for breakfast, lunch and dinner. How many times have you looked into the fridge or freezer and have said, "We have nothing to eat!" What does this normally lead too.... Going out to eat or running to the store to make a meal. Which can lead to spending more money then you expect. 

As you can tell number one, two, and three go together. If you work off of sales and use coupons you save money then you meal plan based off of what is on sale to extend your dollar. So if chicken, tortillas & cheese are on sale then you can have; chicken enchiladas, chicken chalupas, chicken soap, grilled chicken, chicken strips, or arrroz con pollo (chicken and rice). If popcorn is on sale then you buy enough popcorn to get you through for a couple of weeks. Of course if you have the room and money! Never go over your budget just because but try to balance them out. 

Non traditional ways: 

4) Swagbucks

Now this I love because it's simple. You go online to look things up but which search engine do you use? Bing, Google, etc etc. Why not sign up for Swagbucks. I have Swagbucks set up as my home page so when I open the internet it comes straight up and I "search" for whatever I'm looking for. It's the same as using Google or Bing or which ever web search site you use but this one gives you points then in turn you earn gift cards. Last year I only earned $40 which my goal this year is to earn double. If you follow them on FB they give out codes you enter on their site which earns you points. You can do surveys, poll questions , print coupons and watch videos to earn points. The more time you have on your hands they more points you can earn. Please click on the link below... http://www.swagbucks.com/p/register?rb=9181596

5) Shopkicks
Now this is an App you can download which will give you points for entering stores (walk-ins), scanning products (scans) and/ or purchases. This is really easy. When you are about to enter a store you open the app and if you get points for walk ins it will detect your location and viola, points. Once you open the app and it detects our location you are able to see what items you can scan to get more points. Sometimes it doesn't always work the way I want it to but it usually does. Oh and sometimes the store doesn't even have the item your looking for, talk about frustrating. Hey I get frustrated only because I'm really trying to get all the points I can! Overall though, I really enjoying using this app! It's a must try!!!! Here's my referral link.. http://get.shopkick.com/star40055

6) Checkout 51, Ibotta, & Snap by Groupon
These are also apps that can be downloaded but are a little different that Shopkicks. They provide money back on different items that change on a weekly basis. Example; this week on Checkout 51 you can earn .25 for either the purchase of a pineapple, garlic, potatoes, avocados or bananas. On Ibotta you can earn .20 on lettuce. And on Snap you can earn $2.00 for purchasing 2 packs of Pur gum. Once again every week the items will change and these are the items that are currently offered to me. You may think .25 or .20 is nothing but if your buying bananas why not get .25 back?


In my mind set every penny counts! If you collect all your change for one year you really don't know how much you'll have. Every single penny (.20) will add up before you know it.

Once again this is what I do and I've only written about it because I know it works. I would never want to tell you about something that doesn't work. I can't guarantee any financial amount, it can be more or less.  In no way am I being compensated for endorsing theses apps.

Websites: www.krogercrazy.com
                 www.krazycouponlady.com
               

If you are using any other money making apps let us know. Sharing is caring!!! :)

Getting back to my goals... wk of July 27th

I need accountability! There really is no way around it, I wish there was but I need that push. 

Here we go:

Weekly:

Workout 3X this week.

Clip my coupons. 

Meal plan (which I'm hoping to do right after this if my little stays asleep!) 

Sell/ Pack items to donate. 

That's all folks... I'm keeping it short since I'm going to try to get back on this game. Next month (ooh, that's this weekend, yikes) I will get back on my monthly goals. I know there are a few things I'd like to accomplish like sewing! Yeah, I still haven't sewn anything since I've got my machine. There is something just wrong about that! I appreciate it greatly but just haven't done anything, I'm a little embarrassed.  

Ok, so I decided to stop doing this and look to see what we have for food for the week. 

Here's my list:

Breakfast: 

Cereal (Almighty faithful) 

Grits

Toaster strudel

Lunch:

Mac N Cheese

Salad

Sandwiches

Soap

Snacks:

Apple Sauce

Fresh Fruit

Popcorn

PB & J sandwich

Dinner:

Roast (this was last nights supper) 

Pork Chops (tonight's supper) 

Taco Salad

Steak

Chicken (Grilled or baked chicken strips, that's what I 'm thinking) 

Chalupas

Ground beef  (not to sure what to make with this yet, maybe enchiladas, mmm) 

Sides:

Veggies 

This isn't set in the daily stone but it's something, lol. I took pork chops out but soup and salad sounds good, so I may change it..... Having a food plan ready helps save money by not getting a headache trying to figure out what your having for the day. When I make a list I tend to use whatever I have in the kitchen. :) Have a great week and set your goals! Happy planning... 

Through sickness and health....

  Sitting here on our 12yr anniversary watching a movie made me think back of a low point in my life.  

   I was in the hospital from just having birth when we realized I wasn't able to move part of my leg. I went through physical therapy, prayed like I had never prayed before, cried, embarrassment, sadness, anger, frustration; just a roller coaster of emotions! I even told me husband to leave me. It wasn't something I wanted but it was something I felt I needed to let him know. When you marry someone it's for better or worse through sickness and health but when your in the situation it's a different story. You don't want you spouse to have to do everything. Being an adult but feeling like a child is the worst. My husband did it all by himself for two months before I was able to get back to me. I'll say those two months were the hardest times of my life. At the same time those two months were the hardest I ever fought for something! I fought to get back to me. I fought to be able to walk with my kids at the park. To run with them. To walk with my husband & be able to hold his hand. To drive myself. To go to the grocery store and not be in a wheelchair and have people stare at me like I'm contagious. To be what we have grown up to know as normal! It took everything in me to not lose faith and keep working daily towards my goal. 

   Being disabled in any form for a short period time or permanently you'll never understand the feelings a person goes through unless you've been there. In this movie the main character has ALS which in no way am I comparing my self to but a few things she went through made me reflect on some of those feeling. No matter what happened my husband never walked out or left me and on this anniversary I couldn't help but just reminisce on our past. To my hubby I luv you and thank you for everything you do for not only me but our family, we luv you baby!

Those pesky things are children do...

   Now this may be only my children but I doubt it. Okay, I really don't know but I'm hoping you can relate! My children seem to have the habits I dislike the most from my hubby! I mean seriously, they do. At first I was like, "Oh wow they do ____ just like you!" Or it was "Oh my goodness ____ just ____ like you!" Some of those "things" annoy me like no other but others I think it's just adorable. The mixed feelings are crazy though. Some stuff my children see their dad do or hear their dad say but others they don't. So this had me thinking," Where do they get this from?" Right. Have you ever asked yourself the same thing?

But..... No matter what we still love them! The things that will drive you crazy, to argue, or just get under your skin from your spouse you don't take that serious from your children.

Then just a while ago it hit me like lighting... God designed marriage a certain way. Marriage is suppose to last forever, no divorce. (There are only a few exceptions.) So if we can get over what our children do that they inherited, why can't we get over the same things when our spouse does them? Love has no record of wrong, now it may only be me but boy do I remember.... (one of my flaws)

Just a thought....

Judgement of others...

  Last week I went to my first Women's Bible study. Actually more like my first Bible study ever! Wow, reality just hit me.Can you believe it, I'm 33 and this was my first Bible study. Church and me haven't always gotten along but we have a better relationship now. On to what we studied........

We know God has laid out a few do's and don't (sin) but there are also a few things that can cause confusion. I know I'm not the only one that gets confused or have been in a few open discussions regarding some edgy topics. The do's and don't that have been given to us are black and white but there are so many gray area. What are gray areas? Basically everything else. We studied Romans Chapter 14 to have a better understanding of this gray area. 

   Romans 14 discusses judgement on people and peoples downfalls (sin). It's extremely easy to put our two sense in and sometimes it crosses the line to judgement. As Christians this is something we have to be leery of.  Christians get a bad wrap a lot because we say or do something that is contradicting to what are beliefs are suppose to be. Let me explain a little. Let's use social media since it's the biggest thing right now. We may post on Facebook (FB); "Oh God has blessed me so much, Thank God but F you for hating on me! You get the picture. What is a person suppose to think? Are you not contradicting? Who are you? Are you a God fearing person or the person that lives their life as they please? Then you get upset when a person doesn't respect your beliefs. Can you blame them? With all that to think about lets move to another side of things. We shouldn't judge others. That's pretty simple, right? What about judging their lifestyle? Now this is a different story! Here is a gray area. Your friend likes to go out and drink but intakes a few too many and becomes a different person. Or maybe your friend sleeps around. When you are trying to live on God's path would it be in your best interest to hang out with these type of friends? This is when judging their lifestyle comes into place. This is where its ok to judge. You have to look into your surroundings and find out what is best for you and your walk with God. 

  Everybody has their own weakness and we have to be aware of this. If someone has a drinking problem should we drink in front of them or offer them a drink? No, you shouldn't. This will go for any issue that is a weakness for someone or for yourself. Defining what is right or wrong can be different in each persons eyes. Personally I drink, not a lot but one every 2-3 months or even as long as every 6 months. is drinking bad for me? No! One drink is all I need and I don't get drunk. For someone that can't control themselves while drinking it would be wrong for this person ( a sin) because it causes them to fall in something that God has defined as a sin. Black and white is easy, well it should be but now a days people are still trying to make those grey. Guess what, they're not gray and we need to keep those black and white and focus on the gray area. Remember what your beliefs are, live them to the best you can and stand for what you believe in!! 

  

                      

Step out...

   Today I stepped out of my comfort zone in a big way and I'm glad I did. Our oldest didn't start going to the movies until he was about fours yr old,  I wanted to take him prior to that but never took the chance. Our BudBud usually doesn't stay still for more then a few minutes if we're lucky 30 minutes only if it's his favorite movie, Rio! Our oldest goes to the movies with dad but baby and me get the privilege of staying home, boooo.
   Trying to keep my oldest occupied for the summer I decided to take them to the movies by myself!!!! I was full of worry and fear, no lie. Our little one is wanting to be so much like this brother that we've had to change the way we do things with him. He's so different then our oldest that sometimes I'm completely confused on what to do. We walked in with no stroller and headed to the restroom. We had to get the restroom break out of the way so we wouldn't have to leave in the middle of the movie, that's no fun. After that was taken care of , off to the concession stand it was. The line was taking a bit longer then the boys wanted to wait so the oldest took the little one to a nearby coin machine, then on to the game area. Without my better judgement I said they could go. They started coming back by the time I was done getting our Icee and popcorn. This frugal mommy also packed water and candy in our bag, hehe, shh don't tell no one. Hey, I'm not about to pay $3/$4 for water or candy, no I'm not!
   We walk into the theater and I'm thinking it would be slightly empty but boy was I wrong. The theater got about half full, at that point I got really nervous as I know how BudBud can behave. When he wants to he will be loud, he'll throw things, start yelling, or crying for not getting his way. My son!   BudBud is on the short side so he was having a hard time seeing over the front chair so off to find a booster seat. We got him a seat and now for his snacks. This momma took a small bowl so they wouldn't fight over the popcorn tub so a little popcorn in his bowl and the drink in between them, so far off to a great start. One thing about movies is there are way too many commercials, they need to cut those down in children's movies. Just a thought, kids don't have a long attention span just in case they didn't know! The commercials seemed to last forever then finally the movie....
  We watched Home which was great for our oldest but not very entertaining for the little one. About an hour into it he started being a wiggle worm, oh no. He sat with me, walked in the aisle, sat with me, sat in his seat, sat with me, you can tell how it went :0 I knew he was tired so I tried rocking him while he was with me but he didn't fall asleep :( Finally the movie was over and my anxiety level dropped, yeah for me. Once the dim lights were turned on the search was on for BudBud's cup, yep in the middle of the movie he threw it! By the time we left the popcorn, ICEE and half the candy was gone.
   I was so proud I took the chance taking them out and doing something I wouldn't normally do. I was also proud of my BudBud for lasting as long as he did. Lately it's really been hitting me that my baby/ baby boy is not really a baby :( I don't like this, he is growing so fast and even though I'm with him on a daily basis I still feel as I'm missing out. Do you ever feel the same? I know I'm doing what I can and doing it to the best of my ability but realty is, kids grow right in front of our eyes and there is nothing we can do but love, remember and live in the moments and memories we create.

What vacation taught me :0

   So the day after school ended we planned our vacation to begin so early Friday morning we were up loading the car, getting us feed and packing last minutes items and off to San Antonio (S.A.) we headed... This was our first vacation & I couldn't have been more excited! When we didn't have kids ever year we'd drive up to the DFW metroplex and be here for a year. This was our vacation and we enjoyed it. We wouldn't do anything for a week; we wouldn't answer calls, no shopping, eat out (uhh huh, yummy) and enjoying Christmas & New Years. After we had our first we moved to DFW so vacation really was never on our mind since we love being here. But, my hubby's family is still in Corpus and we hadn't visited in 3 yrs so vacation was planned. Our first stop was in S. A. and we stayed with family there. Everything went pretty well as we didn't have much time to spend there. We got there Friday afternoon/ early evening. We went grocery shopping (to help save on money), cooked supper then it was off to bed. Bed was already about 11pm and I fell asleep quickly. Saturday it was up and cooking again then off we went. We visited with a friend, saw the Alamo and saw the Riverwalk. Just because it's summer doesn't mean we don't to have walk a bit and get some form of History in us, right?  Lol.  
   Sunday came around and off to Corpus Christi (CC) we went. Our first stop was to Family Life Church, our home church when we lived there. Awesome Pastor and First Lady there, highly suggested church if your visiting or looking for a home church. Once we left it was visiting time for us! We loved visiting with our family and meeting a few new family members. We took our babies to the beach and showed them some of your favorite restaurants, where we lived and few other things. While we were there my BudBud also had his birthday come up. It was last minute but this momma made it happen! On out last day which was his birthday we enjoyed a little birthday party at Chuck E Cheese, woo hoo! We had such a great time hanging with family playing games. It was really cute how the kids wanted to play the same games or how they'd fight over what ever they were playing. We had such a ball with the few things we did.
   On the flip side of all these things there were also a few downs.  First as stated above it's been three years since we've been to C.C. so I was looking for growth. Unfortunately, I didn't see it. The park that was known as Cole Park was redone which was nice but the restrooms need to be updated and a splash pad would've been nice. There is a splash pad further down the street which we didn't make it to but here there are splash parks in more then just one area in the same town! Corpus needs to grow in a way that is also beneficial to the people. Opening new restaurants, stores and theme parks is beneficial to the city!  They are making money but what about people that want a cheaper option? Having splash pads are a great option for parents that don't want to always go to a water park or for parents that can't financial afford it. What about having a few different parks? Not just a park but some nice parks that your kids will actually enjoy. The biggest thing I learned though is to not expect anything different then what you know! Some things/ people never change. I saw a lot on this trip and not all of it was all peachy. Our flesh wants to talk about people but we shouldn't but sometimes our flesh takes over. Okay, maybe it's just mine!
   First; be a person of your word. Second; get out your comfort zone. Third; think about others. I'm not perfect in any way and I mess up on a daily basis , no joke but everyday is a new day! You can't give up or not try just because. If you say something try to hold your end of the deal, it's not fair to any party involved to not do so. Like always you have to watch who you count on. God will always be there and he should be the one you go to first. But being imperfect as we are, sometimes we let our emotions take over and it gets the best of us. Once your emotions take over it effects you in more ways then one.....

Goals week of June 1st

Hello once again!!!

It's Goal Monday, how exciting.

This weeks goals

Workout everyday, cardio :(

Clean our entire home

Pack by Wenesday night

Monthly goals

Plan a few summer to do things/projects.

See anything!! Lol (that goal has been on here way to long :( 

Summer goals

Get into local library reading summer clubs. 

Work on Math and Writing with my oldest.

Not too much this week but these goals are keeping me busy. I made it to the gym today so I'm getting it! Ok, I'm trying to get it, lol. I will say today was pretty productive, even with my little one in his terrible two's! Let's go ya'll get your goals posted!



 

Thank you for making who I am on this Mothers Day....

   On this Mother's Day I want to do something different, I want to write a letter to God and my husband. On this day that is intended for women I'm looking at a different aspect.

   Dear GOD our heavenly Father,
I come to you to Thank you for the two blessings you gave me: one 6 yrs ago and the other about 2 yrs ago. Some women have the ability to have children and others are not. Both blessed in their personal situations even though they may not always see in that manner. Only you have the power to breath life and I was a given the blessing of a title called Mom! I Thank you for this blessing each and every single day. They are amazing in their differences even though hand fulls at the same time. Thank you for the blessings that have been poured over their lives. Our children have been dedicated to you and pray for your hand of protection to always be with them.

In Jesus name I pray, Amen.



   To my husband;
I Thank you for the children we have and for trusting me in the decisions I have to make every single day with them. Thank you for allowing me to always strive to be the best mom I can and reassure me when I have "those days" that I'm a great mom. Thank you for trusting I will always do whats' best for our family and backing me 100%.

Luv Ya
Your Wife ;)

My daddy is 6!!!!

  Yesterday my daddy turned 6 and we went all out! OK, not really but as much as we could.

Saturday came and left, needless to say I'm glad! Party planning was done in about a 2 week time frame due to my son changing his mind. He wanted Sonic the Hedgehog but when we explained he may not get Sonic toys he decided to change it to Lego Spiderman.  That left me with about 2 weeks before the party which was ok but finding decorations, invitation and games is what got me.

Here are a few pics;

Cake I made. A few boo boo's but the birthday boy loved it!!

1st game, Guess how many Legos are in the jar.

  

Spiderman Dart game

 



Ring Toss



 

Spiderman catching bad guys. He had to turn them good.

 

 

PINATA!! What's a party with no piñata? The chairs in the background were part of another game. I have no pic of that one though :( Only a video but its 2 min and shows all the kids.

 

Most of the ideas came from Pintrest which I'm addicted too! (Guilty pleasure, lol) We also took him out the Rainforest Café yesterday and give him his gift. He had a blast so it was worth it. He's such a great kid that we had to do what we could. We use to buy him toys just for the fun of it but that has stopped and either child gets things unless its a birthday or Christmas. My son is in dual language and Aspire classes so why not reward him? He doesn't have chores that he gets an allowance from doing them and besides telling him we're proud of him and taking him out to Mc'D's or buying a Dollar Store toy he gets nothing. It's his "Job" to do well in school but just as an adult wants to feel appreciated for what they do I'm doing it for my son! Your Birthday only comes around once a year and it's nothing but a Blessing from God to have survived.  There are many parents that lose children at an early age so every year you have is a time to give praise to God and rejoice! We were blessed to have family and friends to help celebrate and truly grateful for the sacrifices they made.  

Daddy's birthday week... racing aginst the clock

   This weeks goals are strictly based on my son's birthday party... 

   I still have many things to do it and a short period to do it in. Normally we don't go all out for his party but this year turning 6 and being in school we decided to try to do what we can. We are having it at a park but this year I have games planned and I hoping to be able to make his cake and cupcakes. He's had a cough since last week but this weekend it came back a little strong. He's thrown up Sunday and yesterday and has had a fever yesterday and today. This isn't what I expected especially this week! I was hoping to get a few things done this weekend but Saturday was a pure run around. Sunday we took the kids to see Thomas; Day out with Thomas! And, there went my weekend.
Now it's rush against the clock; why do I do this with everything I do? Can anyone answer that? Lol. It's ok, you don't have too. My daddy went to the doctor yesterday and he has an upper respiratory      infection so he stayed home yesterday and today. This needs to get out of his system now! We have a field trip to attend on Friday and his party on Saturday, really this is just not the week for any of this.
  I've been trying to do my 'Spring cleaning' since people are coming.  You know I'm not the only one that does this, lol. You know you do the same thing. Sometimes you need that push to make you do the things that you put off. Wait I just openly said I'm a procrastinator, ahhhh! I can't believe I just did that. Oh well, I'm imperfect and this blog is about me being me so there you have it. Back tpo my goals though.....

1) Get goody bags done by tomorrow (Wednesday)
2) Fill piñata (Wednesday)
3) Start Baking(Thursday)
4) Go shopping for paper products (Thursday)
5) Go shopping for food (Thursday)
6) Buy a gift for birthday party on Sunday. (ok, this is going to have to wait until Sunday)

Goal Time wk of April 13th...

Getting back on this goal things, so here we go...

This week
1) Go to the gym 4x this week. ( I made it out today even in the rain)
2) Make goodie bags for daddy's birthday
3) Walk to get son 2X this week ( if weather permits)
4) Look up ways to work on my little ones discipline!! (this is a must)

Yearly
1) Add 3 people to our Herbalife Team!

Last week I only made it to the gym twice, boooo. I did make it to the park and got a few ideas going for set up, woo hoo. I got invitations completed on Friday and they were sent out with the kids today so now wait on RSVP's. I washed, folded and put a few loads since Friday. Now that one was amazing, lol!

Getting back to my goals....

   Goal setting was put on the back burning for a while all I was trying to do was getting ready to run my first 5k! Which I accomplished, very proud of myself by the way. I'll write about it and post a few pics :)  I usually have weekly, monthly, & yearly goals but I'm not always going to do them this way anymore. Everyday is a new day and we have the same 24 hours to accomplish what ever it is we need to do.  That's really what are goals are, our personal to do list that sometimes we complete and other times we don't!

So here we go:

April goals:
1) Get through the month, lol.
2) Push myself when I don't want to give it anymore

Weekly
Make it to the gym 2 more times this week
Finish planning my daddy's 6th Birthday. ( I'd like to skip this one!)
Go to the park to figure out set up ( part of the top one)
Make it back to the grocery store
Get a new cell phone

Today's
Get invitations done so they can be sent to school with daddy on Friday.
Make it to the library
Wash a load of clothes

Next month is my birthday and I've already set my eye on a gift, it's a personal health goal. This is part of my month goals that will roll into next month as well. I have about a month in half so if I want it I can get it but it won't be easy!

Any special goal/ goals you have right now?

    I watched this video on Facebook regarding teachers and I just had to give my two sense.
So now on to the video:

 

 

 

 

 

 

   The punishment for this is unreal. I agree with them should they be let go, yes I agree. We can judge them all we want but we have no idea what was going on. Here are a few things I thought of that can effect them. Now this is strictly based on my opinion.

   I'm not an expert in the education system but from what I see I think a few changes can be done. Example, my son is in the duel language program which we wanted him to get in but we've been to the meetings regarding the program and I still question a few things. From the beginning we were explained understanding Spanish wasn't the priority but for them to read and they would catch on. Well needless to say my son hasn't really " caught on"! To me this is a problem since it does reflect his report card. They advised to not worry about the grade because a second language is not easy to learn, I agree. He has reached the level required for the class so I don't necessarily stress about it but I've taken it into my own hands.

   Now our school isn't in a poverty area and it's a good district but there are problems. Every school does! All the kids have their own IPads in class, huh, I don't even remember seeing a computer in any of my elementary classes. He knows how to download apps and he has Skyped with other elementary kids in another state. Now a days we have to have some tech knowledge so him learning it in Kinder I like. I'd enjoying more paper & pencil time instead of using IPads. He did make and edit a video on his IPad which I thought was the coolest thing. That's right up his ally so I loved he has able to experience that at such an early age. Honestly even though it's nice for him to experience these things, are the necessary? I've spoken with other moms and their kids don't have IPad's in class and they are doing just fine! If I remember correctly one of the moms that's in the same district her child doesn't have a IPad to use. So could IPad time be time used to learn something in a different way. Like teaching kids in a different manner? Not all the kids learn the same and what if this was a situation these teachers were going through? I don't know what grade level these teachers are at but Pre- K and Kinder set the level for a child. I know a teacher at the high school level that has to go down to junior high level because kids are being pushed through.

    On to Social Media! Teachers are keeping up with their social media accounts and of course I want to see everything I can since I can't be in class with him but..... This can be a bit much for teachers to do. Do we even want to talk about their schedule? I joined the PTA so I've seen first hand the hours some teachers put in and I don't see how they do it sometimes. Don't have a weather day cause then you have to make it up. Really, why? Why can't teachers and students just have an extra day off? If the students fail because the had a couple of snow days then we need to evaluate the circular! Not all the teachers are the same,some will give more then others. These teachers could have felt overwhelmed for a number of reason! What about issues with parents, misbehaved kids and their own personal training they are required to do. Are these not topics to consider?

   Let's not even talk about the race issue with this video either, that's a whole other topic that I don't want to get on!

   With all this being said we don't know why this is going on but like in everything else there is always room for improvement! School districts need to consider what parents, teachers & school staff say about the everyday process. We also need to not always point to the teacher or school district but also look at the parents. We are a vital role in kids life and we must also stand up and take responsibility! My son is going to be 6 in about 2 weeks and he is in dual language class, gifted and talented and can read at almost a 2nd grade year in half grade level! Please don't take it as me gloating, I say it because before we had kids we knew our goal was for me to stay home with our kids. I have put in time with my son and this is why he is excelling in school. In Spanish it was, " Mom I need you to come to Spanish class because I don't understand." To " Mom that means ____." This is just from a few days making that second effort with him and trusting in God that he will begin to understand and absorb all he is learning. If these teachers get jail time for changing answers then they must speak out for the why's on their reasons and changes need to be made.

 



   

I've been gone but I'm back

    Wooo! It's been a while since I've been on here but everything should get better from here. I've had internet problems then computer problems and we just got everything resolved yesterday so I need to get back to blogging, I've missed it. We all blog for our own personal reasons but this has helped me more then anything. I gives me a voice in it's own way. I'm ready to get start motivating and inspiring in my way! Please email with any questions or topics, can't wait for those emails to begin pouring in....

March Monthly Goals...

It's March 1st and I really want to tighten up on my eating! March 28th we are doing the Color Run and I'm excited. I'm going to make my goal happen. We paid for the run today so I guess I have to make it happen now, right? 

This months goal is to focus strictly on my workouts! 

1) Cardio, cardio & cardio

2) Weights

I will also need to focus on my eating. I'll be meal planning tomorrow for the week.....  

Valentines Day

Valentines Day, ugh no Valentines weekend! Greedy right?! Lol. We've had an amazing weekend & I don't like that it's over, it saddens me. We are going to be married for 12yrs so this year we didn't "go all out". I was scheduled to go in for a massage but I cancelled it. Yes, I know crazy. I just wanted to be with my family though. Friday we did are typical family movie night. We ordered pizza & got dessert. Saturday I got a pedi, took the kids to the park, watched a kids basketball game & got supper. Today, we watched a movie before church, then church, hubby bar-b-qued and I played with the boys while he did that. The kids absolutely loved being outside playing and watching dad que. By far this was the best Valentines! Last year I was so sick I had Pneumonia and Bronchiolitis! Thank God this year didn't play out the same. This year was simply perfect! It's not all about the flowers, chocolate or the big ole' stuff animals it's about showing love. Sometimes we get wrapped up and forget so show even tell the special people in your life you love them and Valentines is the best time to do it. Doing something special goes a long way vs buying them something expensive. 

Goals for week of 2/9

   Last week I didn't make it to the gym since my baby boy wasn't feeling well then my oldest got Pink Eye. I workout in the mornings after I drop of the oldest and the hubby because this is the only time that would be convenient for us. I should workout at home but when the little one is awake it just won't be possible and once he's down for a nap I need to mentally rest to be able to continue on with my day!

Goals this week
Workout 3X
Cut coupons


Monthly
To pray more
Make me time
Try sewing

The sewing machine has been a little intimidating to me but today I found something that needed to be sewn. Now it didn't turn out great but it also wasn't bad for my first time. The line wasn't straight but hey I sewed something, I'm proud!
 

My child, my patients....

   I have been really having a hard time with our little one that I was at the point that I had no clue what to do! I was in tears Saturday because all I wanted to do was pull my hair out. He is completely different then our first that everything I currently do doesn't work. If you spank him he doesn't cry. You talk about time out, he puts himself in it. You talk to him and nothing. He takes his clothes off, takes off his diapers and throws them even if he has poop in them, he climbs out of his play pen, he hits his brother, the list can continue but I think you get the point. No matter what we say or what we do nothing! I'm with him all day every day so you can imagine how I can get to a breaking point. I woke up today with a whole other mind set though. God won't put more on us then we can bare. this helped have a better day today. I was talking to the hubby about how parents abuse their children (various ways), kill them or abdomen them because they just can't handle what a child gives out. Some of these parents have great children that do typical children things but some people want robots or something. God gave us Bud Bud because through it all we will make it. We've been through some hard times and one way or another we make it through. So God choose us to be this little boys parents because he knew we could handle it. Sometimes yes I want to pull my hair out, go get a drink or need time for myself but I will never leave my kids and will always be there for them.

I tell you this not for judgement but for encouragement. We all enjoying knowing that we are not the only ones going through a problem with our children. I know I do! When I talk to my girls and we exchange stories we have a sigh of relief and I want you to take your now. Our children are imperfect just as we are.

Goals for week of Feb 2nd...

Weekly
Workout 3X this week
Clip coupons


Monthly
Learn about essential oils
Keep focused on 5K


Last month I didn't look into oils but I I'd like to start learning slowing. Living healthy is a lifestyle and a choice. I don't eat organic as it's a little too pricey for me but I try to buy natural and make healthy choices as much as I can. There is a lot to learn about oils and eating healthy and that's why it's a lifestyle!If you don't make it a lifestyle then you'll stop and be ok with it. If you have any tips, suggestions, or ideas please share. Sharing is Caring :)            

Meal planning for this week Feb 2nd

Another week same thing...

This weeks meal will be

Rice & Beans w/ cornbread (we ate this tonight)

Pizza w/ salad

Spaghetti

Pork Lion

Breakfast

Eating out

Breakfast 

Cereal (we eat this everyday, absolutely love it) 

Lunch 

Left overs

Ramen noodles

Mac N Chesse

I'll be grocery shopping this Sunday so next week should have more of a variety. Besides breakfast, what can I say we love cereal! Let me know your meals. 

Goals or week of Jan 19th

   I'm gonna start off my being honest. I haven't been completing my goals and I'm a bit bummed. Working out just hasn't happened for me but I'm going to try my hardest to make a difference this week! 

So as for as my goals 
1) I switched my electric company
2) Switched my internet provider

Those are the only goals I completed, smh. 

This weeks goals
1) I'd enjoy working out 2x
2) Try a sewing project
3) Clip my coupons

Small this week but effective :) 

Meal planning for week of 1/12

   I tend to stay up late on the weekends which is my time. So this past Friday I decided to reorganize ( more like clean out)  the pantry/ kitchen. I looked in cabinets and got rid of stuff that didn't belong here (meaning gave mom her stuff back),  threw stuff away, and got a few items to give away. While doing that I found items I forgot about, lol, who else has done that?  

All of these meals are based on what we have at home right now

Breakfast
Pancakes/ Waffles
Eggs
Cereal
Oatmeal

Lunch
Left overs
Tuna
PB&J sandwiches


Dinner
Chicken Tortilla soup ( I actually made this Saturday with beans, it was supper for Sat & Sun)  
Grilled Chicken w/ mashed potatoes
Wolf Brand Chili
Tostada
Rice and Beans w/ corn bread
Steak
Pork lion
Chicken w/ cream of mushroom

Good morning... Goal time

Okay so it's not really morning, more like afternoon. (it's 1:37 pm) Whew,  writing to me is a way to let it go and I'm enjoying it. It's Goal Monday so lets go. 

Weekly  
Cut coupons
Workout 2x this week
Switch electric companies


Monthly
Focus on 5K training
Learn about essential oils 


Yearly
Continue with meal planning
Work on Credit Report



Not too much this week as you can see. I'm trying to have fewer goals as I'm trying to learn to not overwhelm myself which then turns into disappointment. 

Post yours so we can support each other.... 

   How's it going this 2015? It being Wednesday I'm disappointed in myself that I didn't post goals this week. My goal was to start working out 3-5x's a week from now on since I'm going to jog/run  a 5K this year. When I was doing therapy and having to dig deep I set this out as one of my goals. I wanted to do a 5K. About a month after I was able to fully walk hubby signed us up for one and even though I wasn't ready (fitness wise) I wasn't going to let that stop me. We took both kids and went for it. It took us a little over an hour but it was okay, I was just proud we did it. I was proud of me. Through everything I was going through all I could think of was my children. It was my driving force through my emotional roller coaster. 

   We've walked 2 5K's and I did a mile walk. (I was going to do the 5K but my son fell and didn't want to walk anymore.) This year I will complete my almost 2 yr goal. When visiting with my nephews during Thanksgiving we started speaking about 5K's and we decided to do one together. I was excited because it means I'd get to spend time with my nephews but also get to complete my goal with people that understand the feeling of doing these races. You always want support but a lot of times people just don't get it and kind of give that crooked eye, lol. 

   We've done the Heart Association & March of Dimes walks but I want something FUN. These races are for great causes but are emotional. My father and grandmother had heart issues and my 2nd cousin was born prematurely. The MoD walk was hard to complete when you see so many teams with personalized t-shirts of babies that didn't make it and the ones on the other side that did. With all that being said The Color Run is something I'm looking forward to. I'm ready to get Colorful!! I looked at their website and they explained you can spray it with vinegar and iron for the color to stay, yes I will be doing this : )

   For the down side of all of this, I can't run a mile! Yes, you read that right, I can't run a mile! So I looked up how to train for a 5K and I was ready. I've had a little bump in the road this week (like usual) but I'm looking forward to next week to get this training started. Hopefully I can get one workout this week, do you think if I sneak out they'll notice? Lol, yeah they will. I can't wait for it to warm up just a bit, it will be slightly easier to get out and keep a workout schedule. The 20's and 30's are kicking me in the rear.....    

  

The difference in me

   I've always had an issue with confidence in myself but that is starting to change. My self esteem umm lets just say what self esteem?  I've never felt like the pretty one, the funny one, the smart one, the anything! So it's been a hard road but losing weight has really helped me. I'm not as small as I once was 10 yrs ago but I feel better now then when I was smaller. It may sound weird but it's true. I can see a person and admire their physic, beauty , etc but I've never been able to see it in me. For once in my lifetime I'm starting to not care what people think about me or what I do. Not being mean or rude but I can't sit around and let other peoples opinion bother me. It has done nothing for me but cause heartache. I wish society could go back to having more respect for people instead of having this freedom of speech and I'm keeping it real attitude! There are people that mentally are not strong and you "keeping it real" can cause more harm to a person then you think. Everyone reacts different but when a person does something wrong the first thing we do is blame them but what about understanding their background. No excuse for their wrongs but you can only take so much before you burst. I'm at that point! That's why I'm not allowing peoples comments bother me and starting to believe in me (with God on my side).
   I know this year is going to be bigger then ever and I have so much excitement I have butterflies. I haven't had this feeling in such a long time that I know it's GOD. I woke up on Sunday with a feeling of savings. Saving on groceries, on utilities on everything. Being smart about your finances and having faith in God makes for a win win. I know God is going to take us somewhere only he can and he's talking to us now. My weight lost has triggered many positives and it's only the tip of the iceberg. I never knew or would I have every imagined any of this.


On to my 2015 goals.....


As you may see I love goals and it's becoming something I have to do. I don't always make it to post them but they are always there! For 2015 my objectives are a little different but I'm ready.

2015 Yearly goals
Continue a healthy lifestyle
Believe in me
Have more confidence in myself (embrace all of me)
Love me
Take my blog to another level
Improve my writing
Be a blessing to others