VLOG #6 Getting just a little bit of me back 😬

VLOG #5 Trying out a new product 😁

VLOG #4 So far so good😜

Double Trouble...VLOG #3

Mateo started public school today VLOG #2

VLOG #1

Trying out a VLOG since I can't ever find enough time to sit down and type a blog start to finish. Enjoy!!

Off To A Not So Perfect Day...

Have you ever woken up and from that moment nothing went as planned? Well, that was my day yesterday. I awoke at 5 am to organize and prepare some of Mateo's school stuff and I spilled half of my cup of coffee all over. Thankfully a drop didn't touch the computer but it managed to get on all the papers, the floor, the chair I was sitting in and all of me. Since I just woke up I needed (Moms you understand) that coffee, no big deal I will just make another cup (that I never was able to finish). Moving on...I did get in my morning exercise (Yoga) and was so thankful for those 30 minutes to myself. The kids all woke up about 8am and this is when the day really began. Jacoby was going to start potty training...but he wanted nothing to do with it. Mateo needed to start school but was totally procrastinating, and Nico just wanted extra love all day. I had planned on making more laundry detergent but that didn't happen. I planned on putting dinner in the crock pot so I wouldn't have to cook and everything would be ready before Mateo's soccer practice. That didn't happen. I ended up taking Jacoby to Chick Fila and Mateo ate some eggs after his practice. By the end of the day I had completed (washed, dried, folded, not put away) 3 loads of laundry. In a Mom world I think this is an accomplishment in its self.

Today...I set my alarm for 5am. I apparently turned it off and woke up at 6am. Had my FULL cup of coffee (and all the Moms said "Amen") even though I had to reheat it half way through. In trying to get Mateo's school stuff ready for the day I didn't spill anything on it but I spent an hour looking for some chart that is nonexistent in my books. Moving on...how important is that chart anyway? I guess we will find out. I am now ready to workout. I pull out my Yoga mat, turn on BOD (BeachBody on Demand) have a seat on the mat and Nico wakes up :/ I stand up to go get him, he falls back to sleep, come back to the mat to find out that something is going on with our internet. I guess I will workout later. 

My point in all of this is yesterday those little mishaps controlled my day and my mood and they shouldn't have. I felt like I just couldn't catch a break. Today is a new day. I drank my whole cup of coffee, I get to look out my windows at God's beautiful creation. 

The kids will be awake soon. I am thankful. I am blessed. I have a wonderful, hardworking Husband who loves and supports me. I have 3 beautiful smart boys. We are clothed and fed. Today is a new day, I get to choose my attitude and I choose for it to be a good one. Hope you have a blessed day!

Happy 34th Birthday

As I reflect on today and the last 34 years I feel extremely blessed. 

I am most thankful for my salvation. I go to bed each night and wake up each morning knowing my destination is heaven if I don't see another day. This my friends is so important. We aren't guaranteed time, so don't put off what needs to be done today any longer. If you don't know the Lord and want to know Him, please reach out I would love to talk with you.

I am thankful for (not in order of importance) my health, my Husband, my children, my family and friends, my "job" as a SAHW/SAHM, and my many talents that God has blessed me with.

The Lord has blessed us with one body. Yes, you read that correctly. How are you taking care of your body? I do not take for granted that I can walk, write, eat, drive, play with my children, bathe, see, and the list can go on for miles. I eat healthy (most days) and exercise a few days a week, because I want to respect this body I have been blessed with. I need to be healthy to keep up with my boys. If I am going for the long haul (old age) I need to help those chances and not hurt them.

My Husband means the world to me. God has blessed me with this man in so many ways. He supports me in all that I do from pallet projects, to BeachBody, to any other crazy things I can come up with. He loves and respects me. He is a God fearing man who would do ANYTHING to take care of those close to him and to make sure those around him know the Lord. I don't take him for granted. If it wasn't for him planting those seeds 4 years ago I would not be saved, married, have these beautiful children, or this wonderful life.

My sweet children. Each one is uniquely designed and has such wonderful qualities.

Mateo is 7. That means I have been so lucky to spend 7 years with him. This is more than some get with their kids, and he makes me such a proud mom. He is about to lose his 3rd tooth, started 2nd grade this year, is about to start his 2nd season of soccer, and has the kindest heart of anyone I have ever met. He made my year being as brave as he was to ride his first rollercoaster at Disney (even though he may have passed out because he was terrified).

Jacoby will be 3 in just a few short months. He makes me laugh almost all day everyday. He is adventurous, strong willed, and has such a kind heart behind those tough boy curtains. He only lets me kiss him once a day and that is at bed time. He is super smart. This morning I heard him counting to 60 by 10's...not because I taught him but because he picked up on it from Mateo's homeschooling. He is a rough tough all american boy. He thinks he can fly somedays, and runs in to the walls quite often. He melts my heart when he does kiss my cheek, and has taught me so many things about being a Mom of boys.

Nico will be 1 in just a few short weeks. He is still allergic to dairy. He has't started to wean himself yet from the nursing, and I am okay with this for many reasons. He is our serious baby. He saves his laughs for the family and at home. People are always trying to get him to laugh and he just stares at them. So this picture below didn't happen in just one shot. I think I took 30 or so pictures and this is the best one. He has taken 5 steps in a row before falling. Almost mastered the walking without assistance, maybe he will get it before his first birthday. His first word was "Momma." He loves to call his brothers "Bubba", and loves tossing a "ball" back and forth. I soak up that baby smell and kiss him every time I pick him up. Hard not to with how fast he is growing and knowing he is my last baby.

34 years old... That means on this day 34 years ago my mom in her early twenties was headed to the hospital to deliver her second child. I remember what delivery day was like with each of my kids. So many emotions are going through your head. I know that I wouldn't be here today if it weren't for my parents. I just hope that they are as proud of me as I am of my boys. 

I pray God blesses me with at least 34 more years. I would love to see these boys get married and make families of their own. I wouldn't trade anything in the world for this life that I have. I thank the Lord for all that I have, and pray for many more birthdays each one better than the last. 

God Hasn't Forgotten About You...

I am currently reading "Hope Unfolding" by Becky Thompson. This is a book that as a Mom I can read her stories and feel like I am living life with her. I am laughing out loud and at some of these moments because I relate all too well. I know that some of my mom friends would get hope out of reading this as well.

http://www.amazon.com/Hope-Unfolding-Grace-Filled-Truth-Mommas/dp/160142812X?ie=UTF8&keywords=hope%20unfolding&qid=1463218501&ref_=sr_1_1&s=books&sr=1-1

"Does it ever feel as if God has forgotten about you and your dreams? Do you ever wonder why God would place all of these dreams in your heart, only to forget you now? It can be easy to feel as though there is no way for things to change. It can be easy to believe that life will always be just like it is right now, but God isn't done writing your story. What if I reminded you that even the most unspectacular moments are all steps on the path down which God is calling your heart? What would it mean if you truly believed that you haven't missed God's plan? That He hasn't forgotten about you? That He is still working it all out for your good? Think back to what you dreamt of doing when you were younger. How would you live if you believed that anything was still possible?"
Becky Thompson

I read this towards the end of Chapter 1 and just started thinking about my life now and years ago. So many emotions went through me as I was taken back to the beginning of adulthood. I think about the many jobs I have had since I began working my first job at Publix when I was just 16 years old. I was both excited and scared of the path that lied ahead. I was excited to get out on my own but wondered if I could afford to. I was excited to go to college but didn't have a career in mind. I most definitely wasn't saved so I didn't see God in my life at all in those early years.

Think about these questions that Becky is asking. What kind of dreams do you have now? If you could have freedom from that 9-5 M-F job what would you choose to do? If the worry about finances was taken away and really put into the hands of God what would be different about your career path? I know that change can be both exciting and scary. Many of experience these emotions when we have a huge life change like death, marriage, graduation, divorce, having children, or like myself salvation.

What ministry is most dear to your heart? For me since I have many hobbies and passions (thank you God for these) I try to find ways to bless those around me using these gifts. It makes my heart so happy to use my gifts for Gods glory. He gave me the gift of wanting to help people. I may not be able to help you if you are stranded on the side of the road, but I can make you a meal when you have had a long week or just had a baby. I may not be able to come sit in the hospital with you and my 3 children when you are ready to have a baby, but I can stop by to love on you, give you support, and pray with you.

When I was younger I never had a passion to love on people and serve others. I dreamt of being a Detective. Yes, you read that correctly. But, I didn't go to school or the Police Academy for this. Instead I got my Associate of Arts in Business Management from a local Community College in Florida. A very broad degree, I obviously didn't have anything in mind about my future careers. Funny how different my plans were in relation to the plans that God had for me. I have always worked to live up until the moment of my salvation. What did this look like? Well, I would work, save, spend, repeat. If I had extra money I wasn't investing it or donating it, I was blowing it on earthly possessions or immediate desires that weren't going last. Now I live to serve. I am taking my gifts and talents and trying to find ways to help others and glorify God.

My most recent passion is for my health and the health of others. I have always been athletic, but never talked about clean eating, food prepping, burpees, or gorilla crawls with anyone before. I am educating myself on these things and starting a business so I can help others fulfill their dreams and live a God honoring life.

If someone would have told me 14 years ago I was going to be a "Stay At Home Mom/Wife" I would have laughed out loud. But God has taught me life lessons and educated me on the way to get me to this point in my life. God has been shaping and molding me into the person I am today to bring glory to His kingdom. He has laid passions on my heart and given me gifts to bring others to His kingdom.

I will be using my knowledge for exercise, my passion for people, and my recent beginnings of becoming a BeachBody coach to start a ministry with others that may not have the same gifts. Stay tuned to this chapter of my life.

Please comment below on one thing you would change in your life if you took past failures or current fears out of that thought. I would love to hear from you. Have a blessed day my friends!!

Decluttering my house continued...

I have made it through almost one room. What?!? I know. After it took me an hour to go through just the one drawer on my nightstand I had to revisit my process a bit. So now I look at each item before touching it, decide what to do with it, and then either keep it, trash it, donate it, sell it, put it in its actual home, or repair it. I also have these papers temporarily pinned on the walls to help me.

         

As I am going through this one drawer I am realizing that over the last 8 -12 years I have moved several times and I held on to so much in there because of who gave it to me or because of the amount of money I spent on it. I look at the birthday cards in this particular drawer and it takes me back to that friendship on that day and makes my heart so happy. I look at things like my am/fm radio with an armband and wonder why have I kept this? See picture, and don't laugh too hard. 

Everything I need while I run is on my phone, and the stations on my phone come in way clearer. But because I know where and when I got this I held onto it. Crazy to think about how much in our lives we hold onto for this same reason. How can we ever declutter our lives enough to move forward if we are holding on to so much from the past? Want to lighten your load and get rid of some "stuff" in your life? If you need any tips on decluttering I will do my best to help. 

Understanding Your Shape

Good Morning! Today I want to talk about how we are shaped to serve God. Rick Warren says, "God formed every creature on this planet with a special area of expertise." What is your area of expertise? I wouldn't claim to be an expert in anything, but I do have several hobbies or talents that I love to share with others any chance I get.

Baking has got to be my number one favorite thing to do for myself and for others. Anyone that knows me knows I bake any chance I get. I put my heart and soul into baking, I love watching people take that first bite. Of course now that I am eating healthy I make one dessert a week to eat with my cheat meal. Woodworking is extremely enjoyable to me. I have such passion for making one of a kind pieces from pallets. I especially love being able to add my own creative touch to each piece. I enjoy crocheting even though this was not a natural talent for me. I purchased Crocheting for Dummies many years ago. My first few "items" that should have been a scarf or blanket were more like knotted up lines. I enjoy working out. I have always been athletic. I grew up playing soccer, and later into adulthood I became a runner. Along with running I soon picked up weight lifting at the gym (just to tone of course, not to get buff).

We are the way we are because we were made for a specific ministry. Are you using your area of expertise to better someone else's life? If you are a great public speaker, do you help give tips to those around you that aren't so comfortable with it? Do you know how to cook healthy meals but never talk about it with your girlfriend that struggles and makes all frozen meals? Do you see someone working out wrong at the gym and politely correct them so they don't get injured or do you joke to the person next to you how ridiculous they look? God shaped and formed each one of us to serve him in a way that makes our ministry unique. I have heard and read multiple times that if you are doing what you love to do, then you will never work a day in your life. If you are doing what you love you won't need motivation or someone checking up with you. Passion drives perfection.

When your heart isn't in what your doing you are easily discouraged. For example, you sign up for a gym membership because your buddy did. When you both arrive he hits the weights hard, while you are walking on the elliptical because you aren't sure what weights work what muscles. You both are always there for the same length of time but he is showing results, and you aren't. It's because he either researched how to workout or it is just natural to him. That would be extremely un-motivating for me. Say you start selling XYZ because your best friend is selling it and she looks so happy and you want to be that happy. If your heart isn't in it you will not have the same passion to sell XYZ and most likely won't succeed. How about all of you that see a few DIY projects on Pinterest and try to start replicating them or even start a DIY business. But yours are always Pinterest Fails...haha we have all been there but don't get discouraged this just isn't your natural talent.

"God never wastes anything. He would not give you abilities, interests, talents, gifts, personality, and life experiences unless he intended to use them for his glory."Rick Warren

We are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works. Ephesians 2:10

I became a BeachBody Coach recently to help others change to a better way of life. I have had such amazing results it is hard not sharing and wanting to help others. I am using some of my natural talents to better other people lives. I became a coach to show you that you can have the level of energy you need to get through an entire day. I am here to show you that working out isn't as intimidating as you may think. I am here to give you meal ideas that are easy and healthy. I am here to show support and lift you up on those days you may be discouraged. I have a passion to serve God and help those around me, so I will do just that.

How can you make the best use of your God given shape?

If you are following my decluttering project I am only tackling a little each day. By a little I mean I have purchased and labeled the boxes. David went through one shelf in his closet. A little a day is how this will slowly get done. Stay tuned.

Have a great day!

Accepting my Assignment

As I sip my coffee and read my daily devotion at 5.a.m. this morning I think about my life. 

Am I fighting the changes in my life to hold on to pieces of who I am? Or have I accepted that I am new in Christ and I am here to serve Him, which means giving up who I was? Probably a little of both. I hold on to what makes me feel comfortable and push away what makes me feel vulnerable. Today I move forward and accept a new assignment in my life that is going to make me feel uncomfortable at times but is going to better my life and the lives of others.

It is God himself who has made us what we are and given us new lives from Christ Jesus; and long ages ago he planned that we should spend these lives in helping others. Ephesians 2:10 (LB)

"You were put on earth to make a contribution." Rick Warren

I am so excited to announce that I have become a BeachBody Coach. I didn't accept this challenge to make it a full time job and replace David's employment (although I could have it as a Full-Time career working from home). I have accepted it to help better my life and the lives of the people around me. Who doesn't need improvement in their life? Who doesn't need to eat better, sleep and exercise more, drink and smoke less? I accepted this assignment to serve God and share my journey of a healthier lifestyle with anyone that feels their life can use some improvement as well.

God paid a great price for you. So use your body to honor God. 1 Corinthians 6:20 (CEV)

"Anytime you use your God-given abilities to help others, you are fulfilling your calling." Rick Warren

I am currently reading: What On Earth Am I Here For? Rick Warren says, "The mature follower of Jesus stops asking, 'Who's going to meet my needs?' and starts asking, 'Whose needs can I meet?' "

So I am asking this today as I step out of my comfort zone. Who needs help eating better? Who needs help with a good exercise program? Who has never worked out before but really wants to? Who walks past mirrors in a hurry just so they don't have see the person staring back at them? Who hangs on to those pre-pregnancy clothes in hopes to wear them again one day instead of accepting that with each child we birth our bodies will change? Who would like to step out of their comfort zone and go on this journey with me? I am here to serve God and be the best me that I can. I love the changes I have seen in my life over the last 7 weeks, and believe helping others experience this as well is what I am supposed to be doing.

Have a Blessed day. 

What's happening today in my life...

Today started off like any other weekday (keyword is started). Nurse Nico, shower, read my devotion, sip 3/4 cup of my coffee, nurse again, prepare Mateo's school, eat breakfast, two older kids wake up, make them breakfast, Mateo sits down to start school and gets an attitude, send Mateo to go clean until the attitude is gone. I receive an email for the second time this week about decluttering my life and home. I took this as a sign to get serious and declutter our house, this starts today. "Kids get dressed we are headed to Lowe's for boxes." I got some great decluttering ideas from Pinterest, purchased my boxes, and brought the boxes, packing tape, and a permanent marker in for labeling. That is as far as I got before it was time to nurse Nico, fold a load of laundry, make lunch for the boys, and play phone tag with a very important lady friend. Everyone was taken care of, the two older boys are eating lunch, Nico has a full belly and is army crawling all over the house, and I got on the phone for maybe ten minutes. The phone call gets disconnected, I pick up Nico to return him to his toys in the living room and discover Jacoby has found the permanent marker that is supposed to be used by me for labeling my boxes and he has managed to get the lid off and scribble on our dining room table. EEEEEEEKKKKKKK that is really what I sounded like. After alternating between scrubbing and soaking with different cleaners I got if all off. Praise God! I might have taken some of the stain off the table with the green marker but thats okay, our guests won't notice. Now back to my day and this phone call. This phone call was about some big changes that have been happening in both my family and my life for the last 6 weeks. About 8 weeks ago someone asked me if I was interested in working out at home. I said "no" and listed all the reasons I just couldn't (or won't) workout at home. Haha jokes on me. For the last 6 weeks I have been doing just that. My life has been forever changed. I have always been active in either running or working out at the gym. I have felt like going to the gym was my "me" time. But since having our third child it has been quite hard to get everyone ready and out the door and make it through an hour long workout uninterrupted. So, I talked things over with David and explained that I felt if I was going to get in any exercise it would need to be at home. With this challenge to workout at home came a healthier way of eating as well. The day before the challenge began I wrote out some meal plans for the next week, went grocery shopping, and came home to meal prep for the week. I have been clean eating with one cheat meal (including a sweet treat) a week for the last 6 weeks and I feel great. As of last week I was down 7 lbs and 6 1/2 inches!! Yay! I have had three kids and gained almost 50 lbs with each pregnancy. For the most part the weight has dropped off pretty quick, but it takes a lot to be comfortable in your skin after even one pregnancy. I have to say I am so excited on where I stand today. I may not have abs (yet), but my family and I are eating extremely healthy (with the exception of my Husbands weekly chicken wing addiction), this is such a wonderful lifestyle change for us all. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says, " Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body." I want to take care of the one body that I have, and not with any temporary diet, a miracle pill, or a daily wrap. I want David and I to teach the good habits of both diet and exercise to the children so they can live long healthy lives. To all the moms out there, just because we birthed children that is no longer an excuse to not be in shape and love the skin we are in. To my family and friends who don't have time to go to a gym or are intimidated by the gym equipment this is for you. To those that want to eat clean and don't know where to start call me, email me, message me on Facebook and I would love to further share my journey with you. Now back to the regular scheduled program called life. Naps are over, dishes are screaming to be done, children want to be loved on, and I still need to get my daily workout in. Have a blessed day!