Happy Anniversary

Sitting here drinking my coffee and SMILING!   12 years ago I met Alex in a night club - Polly Esthers in San Francisco.   I was in a dark place in my life.  Just got out of an abusive relationship.  I was insecure, super emotional and a WRECK!  But my girlfriends at that time insisted that I get dressed up and head out for girls night.  Even my grandma forced me to go!  LOL!   The last thing I wanted to do is being around BOYS!  I got dressed and off I went.  Never knew that God had a plan for my life.   

When I first laid eyes on Alex I thought he was a weirdo!  The reason being he just keep staring and staring.....Smiled at me but that was it.  I kept telling my girlfriend "Who is this guy!".  He finally said something!  But not to me, to my friend.  And I know oh great here we go!  He has told her that I was cute and he liked the way I danced.  I smiled at him and made my way to him and said "Do you have something you want to tell me?" (I was pretty bold back then!).  We then preceded to flirt back and forth and FINALLY he asked me to dance.   We danced and talked the night away.  It was like a fairy tale - Here's some nice, handsome man whisking me away in La La Land.   Our conversations were very interesting.   We both tried to impress each other knowing it was more funny than anything.  We talked about our past relationships, placed we've traveled - The funny thing is two weeks prior we were both in Vegas AT THE SAME TIME!   We were definitely meant for each other.  And we talked about our future (marriage, kids, you know the basics).   After a few hours we were sitting in this bus in the basement of the club and it hit us:  Where are our friends!  We had ditched them to hang out together!   Sadly all good things must come to an end.  We found our friends and we were all going in different directions.  I did not want to leave.  I just wanted to stay and continue our talks....it was like it was just him and I in the club.  What attracted me was his personality.  He was funny, smart and could carry a conversation.  Mind you I was NOT looking for anything but something kept tugging at me.  We exchanged number, hugs and off we went.  Part of me knew that I would never see him again - That was the fear kicking in.  But my girlfriend kept saying that I would.  Fast forward 12 years and we are still together, in love, still have interesting conversations and we can still dance the night away.  

Our eight years of marriage hasn't always been peachy.  We've hit some rough patches along the way.  We both came from messed up relationships and we carried those issues into our relationship.   We disrespected each other, said ugly words and even got to the point of DIVORCE.  We've had financial issues, communication issues and personal issues.   We went thru counseling, drank to our problems, threw our issues under the rug and what not.   Of course during our rough patches we have many fun memories together.   We know how to have fun.  We know how to make each other laugh.  We know what makes each other happy.  I truly believe that is what has kept us together.  We knew there was more to our life than all the bickering.  But in order to grow together we had to fix things.  That is when we gave our life to the Lord three years ago.  By that time we were tired and it was our last chance at saving our marriage.  Earlier when I said God had a plan - Oh he did and always does.    Now that doesn't mean that day all our issues were swept away.  If anything it was harder.  But we knew that centering God in our marriage it was going to be more peaceful when we argued.   We've worked our butts off these past few years.  Letting go of the past, being able to forgive each other, truly understanding that marriage is NOT just a piece of paper (Can't stand when people say that!) and knowing that God knew exactly what He was doing 12 years ago.   We've been able to re-new our vows, participate in marriage courses, be a testimony to others and the best gift so far is having Maximus.   

Marriage is about Love and Respect.  Without those two it won't work.   You have to be willing to work together as husband and wife - not against each other.  When I told Alex that I would marry him I told him that I'm only getting married once so if we have to go to hell and back I'll do it.   We been thru hell and back and let me tell you it's been worth it.  He's my best friend, my partner, my husband and the father of my son.  I look forward to another eight years of hard work, laughter, tears, memories  and children.  

Maximus, when you read this and you wonder how Mommy and Daddy met you will know that we couldn't keep our eyes off each other.   We knew that someday you would come along and we will tell you the funny story of how we met.  But aside from that we will teach you what marriage is about in Gods eyes.  You will Love and Respect your wife.  Just like we love and respect each other.  

My best friend read this at my wedding and to this day we live by it

We love taking pictures - We love smiling - We enjoy LIFE together.  Thank You Lord <3 

When I become the mother of your child I simply fall in love with you all over again.  My life was complete.  Seeing you as a father now blesses me everyday.  You're more handsome and loving than ever.  I'm PROUD to be your WIFE!  

Love and Joy

Good Morning & Happy Tuesday! 

Back to the grind I go but before so I'm just sitting here looking at pics from our weekend - Fathers Day.  We had such a FUN day and Maximus was such a good boy.  We headed to Monterey and the weather was BEAUTIFUL!  Sun was shinning, crisp breeze and the sun rays beaming on our face.  We had a picnic at the park, went to Monterey Bay Aquarium, wine tasting and enjoyed a nice dinner at Outback. 

Not sure how much Max picked up at the Aquarium  but it was fun to show him the beauty of Mother Nature, let him see the colorful fish and hold a starfish (fake of course).  To us we planted a learning seed in him. 

But throughout the day I just kept glancing over at my boys and was so proud of them.  Alex is a wonderful father,  Max is such a happy baby and seeing the joy of The Lord on their faces just melted my heart.  We sat on the beach and just looked into the ocean and in amazement of how happy we really are. Not happy because of the material things but happy because we have God centered in our lives. We see the joy in almost everything and we are willing to give our best to Maximus. 

We went on our trip on a budget - what's that! LOL!  We've been working really hard to be debt free in the next year and a half and I'm not just talking about credit card debt but our car loan and lastly working on our mortgage.  We set aside in a white envelope - Dave Ramsey tool - and I was so PROUD of us that we stuck to it. There was plenty of things I wanted to buy but the key word is "things".  I didn't need to bring home more things - Instead I wanted to come home with memories.  They last alot longer than something from a gift shop.   So I sit here in pure happiness because I have my memories, I have my little family and I have the Joy of The Lord.

At dinner time we embraced each other without our phones in our faces (Unplug for Love) and simply engaged.  A family sat next to us and kept looking over but I didn't know why until they were finished.  The wife came over and told us: We have a beautiful family and whatever we are doing to keep doing it. We were a nice family with a happy baby.  We were shocked and all we could do is smile and thanked her. But as she walked away we both looked at each other and just starting crying!  Tears of JOY!!  We knew we were doing a great job! Despite our challenges.  To me when some stranger compliments you and your family you know you're doing something right. 

I'm a work in progress. I'm not perfect. I stumble at times. I'm still learning to give my boys the best. But through all that I'm always smiling and blessed!  

Strong & Fearless

Yogalosophy

A group of Pink Ladies and myself are doing the 28 Day Mind-Body Makeover with Mandy Ingber, who created the book:  Yogalosophy.   It has been so refreshing!  Today I am on Day 3 - My challenge for today is to slow down, embrace mother nature and go on a walk.  My kind of challenge.  It's always nice to go back to the basics of simple living.  As I try to do everyday.  Life can get busy, crazy and FAST!  But this challenge has really taken me to a new place.  A place of calmness, not sweating the small stuff and appreciating what I have.  

I went to my local book store about a month ago and came across her book.  I thought Hmmm this looks fun and interesting but just wasn't in my budget at the time to purchase.  But as I was driving home I kept thinking I should have bought the book.  A few days went by and still wanted the book.  I keep thinking this would be perfect for me since my schedule has changed and I haven't been able to attend my yoga class.  I prayed about it and of course God gave me the wisdom I needed.  My challenge group with the Pink Ladies was coming to an end and I wanted to make sure that they would stay on track.  What better way then to invite them to do it with me!  Here we are today - Day 3 and group of us are working together to become stronger and more flexible.  I'm no yoga pro but just being able to share this journey with them is a blessing.  It's all about Paying It Forward.  I would not be where I am today if it wasn't for that visit to my local book sore.  Very Appreciative.  

Yesterday was National Running Day and I shared the day with my Pink Ladies!  I was able to log in 5.77 miles.  Thank You Ladies for making the day special.   We even practiced yoga in the park.  Now that was fun.  We were surrounded by a lake, trees, humming birds and our cute babies.  That's the beauty of mother nature.  Taking your passion and putting it out there.  

Surround yourself with people who really encourage you, lift you up when you are weak and simply have FUN together!   Fitness is meant to be FUN, rewarding and experienced.  What fun is it if you are always serious??  I know for me I like to have fun, get creative and sweat with the Pink Ladies.  We are all in this together - I'm no better than them.  When we run, we run as a team.  When we yoga, we yoga together.  Both body and mind.  That's being STRONG & FEARLESS!  

When I started my Yoga challenge I set an intention to continue to be an example to my family, community and Pink Ladies.  Be the example of a FIT MAMA - STRONG & FEARLESS.   I've named it and I will claim in.  All by the Grace of God.  

Namaste <3