These Children :)

To the mamas, dadas, teachers, nannies, grandparents, uncles, aunts, and just around caretakers and influencers. Do you ever just sit back and think how amazing it is to be raising children? There was a time in my life where I said I wouldn't have kids. I'm totally serious... I had decided kids maybe were not for me. But, life happened and I had 2 young kids come into my life, and later on came Brayden.

Children are the most influenced. It's a challenge to influence adults, you have to come with credentials most of the time for adults to really take advice from other adults. We as adults are stuck in our ways let's just face it. Now children they listen, learn, and watch. 

This morning Brayden didn't like the type of egg his dad made him. It was over medium, and Eddie wanted him to try something new. Let's just say he was not feeling it. I don't blame him, eggs are something that are easy to be picky with. I asked him if he wanted scrambled eggs, and he said yes. I asked him would you like to actually make it yourself, and he said YES! So I took a negative experience where he was upset over his egg into an experience he can learn from and become influenced in a better positive way. He loved making his eggs, and he felt proud, I felt proud, and even his dad joined the experience. 

It was such a little glimpse of time, and it just made me think.. These children that we are raising are so influenced and so fragile. It's up to us to make them the people we want them to be. I make so many mistakes as a parent. Brayden is a challenge every day. I want to be better for Brayden, Eddie, and Arielle. Influence them in ways that will help them in life. So maybe it's really the children that influence the adults?  Our childhood is a small part of our lives, and it's such a huge part at the same time. 

I've contemplated putting Brayden in Cub Scouts because of the commitment. When I looked at that calendar of events and the requirements of fundraising I almost fell over, along with another parent couple behind me... lol. It's a shocker looking at it. I'm going to do it. I might seriously feel sick thinking about it, but if having him in a program that he likes and a program that will teach and influence him in ways I might not be capable of, I'll take it. 

So to answer my question earlier. I really think that children influence us, just as much as we influence them. What an amazing trade off! 

Enjoy the rest of the weekend!

Just Another Monday?

Its Monday! As we all get to wake up on this Monday, some of us may have woken up refreshed, exhausted, tired, hungover, or just as any other day. The weekends are a beautiful thing. We get to spend time with family, friends, and just plain make the most of it.

This weekend we had all the kids with us. My personal friends know about the changes recently in our lives, but not everyone knows. In March of this year we only have Eddie and Arielle every other weekend. Compared to 50% of the time. This is an abrupt change in everyones lives. The details of the arrangement are heart wrenching and as my writing continues on I will speak more to those details as they become appropiate. To sum things up, teenagers are confused little humans, and that's ok. The ability to stay strong through this transition has been rough, but I can say almost 6 months down the road the relationship with the kids and our family has not been tainted. We have been able to put the heartache aside and keep our love for each other strong. Brayden becomes sad at times, but he has both myself and his dad to support him and get through it.

I know many families deal with the heartache of a blended family. It's not easy and it becomes confusing to all parties involved. If you are dealing with the constant battle of custody I know we can all relate. What I'm saying is you are not alone. It also may distract you from your goals, but it won't stop those goals. Remember love always wins! At least thats what I want to think.

Our weekend was filled with love with family and friends. A birthday party that brought people together that are dear to me, but don't always have the ability to see or share time with. I also was able to see my brother, nephew and niece who I wish I could see more of. Along with a day at our local pool with friends that are newer in my life, but something about it feels so right.

I'm ready for this week, and willing to take all the bullshit that comes with it. Work keeps us balanced. No matter what type of work it is. If you stay at home and take care of your family, if you hustle out in the work world, if you work in the comfort of your home and blind off the distractions, or if you volunteer all your time away. We are all in it together!

Enjoy!

I'm Back!!!!

            Not sure what came over me today, but it was like something sparked. I want to start doing this again. I want to write about my journey in life and share it with my social media world. I know some of this stuff can be so controversial. Should we share our private life with others? Do we open ourselves up for vulnerability and judgement by sharing our challenges and obstacles? I know it's a risk. I also believe that sharing experiences helps other not feel so much anxiety over their own obstacles and challenges, and of course the good stuff too. Whats wrong for feeling proud of what we have accomplished, and for feeling shameful for what we have not?
         
            I didn't make the best choices in my life, but through those mistakes I have still pushed forward. I hope that my stories and experiences can help others realize that this thing we call life is such a blessing.

           Today I went to a body works plus abs class. Now I work out about 4-5 days a week, and I would consider myself in decent shape, not crazy or anything, just a basic healthy lifestyle. But when I took this class I realized how weak I really am. I had this thought to just walk out half way through. I wanted to quit. I think a lot of times I want to quit. I want to quit my job, I want to quit being a mom, I want to let the house go to shit, I want to not get my ass to gym 5 days a week. The one thought that got me through this class is that I can not believe how blessed I am to be able to even walk into this class. So many people are getting sick each day and can't even walk into a class like this let alone actually attempt to do it. Here I am bitching because it's hard...... So I got through it. I made it and I did OK. Now this class is something I will keep doing, because damn my core is weak!

           As I continue to write my blogs and go through these days I will share more of the challenges and blessings that I come across. A lot has changed this past year. Some have been amazing and others have been what we want to call bumps in the road. I hope that my experiences bring you positive empowerment and realizing that we are all on the same page. Just trying to make it and figure it all out.

Happy Friday!

Great News!!

Now I know what most of you are thinking..... But what the great news is that Eddie proposed!! Yes we are engaged!! He asked me in the sweetest way, and i couldn't ask for more :) I know your thinking oh wow just in time, but before this baby business being together forever was in our cards! Eddie is a great well rounded man, and makes me so happy every day, even when I'm frustrated by life and everything that gets thrown at us, he still finds a way to make me laugh and smile. I know I should call everyone individually and let them know the great news, and I will but this way everyone can know at once :)

I do have one more week until this baby I'd due and I can't wait to finally meet this little man.

Getting Really Excited

Its getting closer, and I'm becoming more and more excited about what my future will hold. Last weekend was my baby shower, and it was so good to see familiar faces that I have not seen in while. We were blessed with so many gifts, and love that I know our baby boy will be one loved little guy. I have only two more days of work, and I will be gone for 10-12 weeks. Oh the joys of having a baby, now I can see why there is always someone pregnant at my job, the maternity leave is pretty generous.

My official due date is September 18th, so that  means that in one month (give or take) I will be holding my baby boy... I wonder what he will look like... Will he be blond, bald, have blue, green or brown eyes? Will he look like Eddie or me more? Will I be in labor for hours on end? Who knows....... All I know is that I want a healthy baby, who is ready to be loved.

Since I will be at home more, and not consumed with work or school I will be able to keep up on my blog more.

32 weeks Down 8 more to go.......

I know I have mentioned before that I just love love love the weekends!! I'm counting down the hours until I'm off work, and getting my hair done. I have a much needed hair apt, and I know I will feel fabulous when I'm done. Something about someone else washing your hair is just amazing.

So I have 8 more weeks to go on this adventure of mine, and I'm More than ready. Even though I'm technically 8 months pregnant, it really takes about 10 months to fully cook this baby :) He moves a lot and likes to give me jab in my ribs more than I really would like him too. Oh well...... I have about one month of work left, and I really cant keep my mind in one place. Between almost finishing this crazy summer class, and just being excited about this baby I cant seem to stay focused. It seems the weather has been nice to me, and I appreciate the fact that it has not been too hot. I know all you east coasters are reading this in your crazy heat wave thinking how nice it could be on the coast of CA.


Have an awesome Friday and beautiful weekend :)

It has Been a While

It has been some time, since I have had time to actually post on my blog. I have been so busy with work, school, and getting ready for the baby.

Work is good, and things are always moving forward. Its exhausting, and I honestly can not wait to take a couple months off. Even though I know I will be busy with a newborn, its going to be great to get some sense of freedom for some times.

School is hard, summer classes move so fast, and I feel like I'm constantly on the computer, spending hours doing my assignments and taking tests. Its financial accounting, and I do not understand how some people do this for a living or would even want to do that for a living. Too many numbers, and charts. I have to get through these classes to get to the good ones though. I just read an article today that the best and most diverse degree to have is a business degree, so it gave me some encouragement to just suck it up, and keep moving forward.

Now for the baby news :) I'm getting more excited about the arrival of my baby boy. I think I have picked a name, and its a great name.  I'm going to keep it to myself until the the baby is born, but this has been a hard task, and I have found one that I love, and Eddie can work with :) He is moving around like crazy, and has some strong kicks at times, but its a reminder that he is getting stronger, and developing into a beautiful little baby. I really hope he has green eyes, and dark hair. We will see though..... The baby room is coming along, but its still a lot of work ahead of me. My baby shower is about a month away and I cant wait to see some friends, and family.