Seek Him

As I dropped Maximus off at daycare this morning I couldn't help myself but cry!  It's been a challenging morning to say the least.  Max does not like to get up early and having to wake him up before the sun us out isn't fun.  He then decided to pee all over his high chair.  Trying to clean that mess, encourage him to eat his breakfast and chase after him all started to take a toll on me.  Mind you I haven't had my coffee yet! Ahhhh!  

At last we were headed out and he was in a good mood to take a selfie - can't miss these moments.   So, as I drove off I just cried and ask God to give me His strength.   I thanked him for a crazy morning but I also asked him to give me more of him and less of me ❤️

As I sit here in Starbucks reading my devotional He gave me this:

"As you reflect on your motherhood experiences, I hope you realize how much God loves you. I pray you will seek him daily. God is always there for you. May he continue to guide you and bless you through the joys and the challenges of motherhood"

Now how fitting is that!  He is guiding me through it all - even with a toddler throwing a tantrum.   It's not always glitz and glamour - I too have my mornings where I just want to crawl back into bed.  But today I am rejoicing, enjoying my latte in peace and appreciating Max's day at daycare.

Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. (1 Chronicles 16:11 NIV)

Hang in there mamas!  YOU ARE DOING A GREAT JOB ❤️🙏

It's OFFICIAL! Diamond Coach

It's OFFICIAL! Diamond Coach

I Am Beautiful

Yesterday I participated in the She is Beautiful 10k in Santa Cruz.  There was PINK power, women of all ages, moms with jogging strollers, mothers walking with their daughters, grandmas and strengths of all levels.  It was a race to HONOR ourselves and our womanhood.    It was such joy to see all my Pink Ladies running in the race, high fiving and encouraging one another.  For some this was their first race, some broke PR's and some challenged their minds.  Sweet memories.


My dear friend Mireya participated in the 10k just 3 weeks after having her son (My godson) Jeshua.  She walked 6.2 miles and crossed the finish line with EMPOWERMENT!    If you don't know her, get to know her. She is full of life, she has a heart of gold and she is one of the fewest honest woman that I know.  We have been blessed to form a relationship that only God knew would be what it is today.  I am thankful that I witnessed her first race and there are many more to come.

This race was extra special to me because I celebrated being a WOMAN!  I was able to be free running along the coast, having peace, not having any worries and knowing I am Strong & Fearless.  It's been a rough few weeks but I felt that those challenges have equipped me to run this race.  As my body ached after mile 4, I knew that I had my faith to help me finish.  Only two miles left and I kept asking myself how do you want to finish this race?   Slow and tired?  OR... STRONG & FEARLESS?    I crossed that finish line feeling FEARLESS!   My heart was full of gratitude.  Seeing Alex and Max waiting for me was pure joy.  

My muscles were tight and they were offering a free yoga class.  I love yoga and has been part of my life since I was pregnant with Max.   Everyone should practice at least twice a week.  It's a good way to stretch, strengthen your muscles and clear your mind.   My favorite part of yoga is letting my mind relax, challenging my body to bend in certain ways and listening to worship music.   Note:  YES!  I believe that Christian woman can practice yoga.  Just as we can run, walk and dance.  

It was enlightening to practice by the ocean.  Hearing the waves crash, hearing the high five from fellow runners, hearing Maximus laugh and hearing my inner voice tell me "You are Beautiful".   I am not talking about the outer part of beauty - I am referring the inner beauty.  Often times we focus so much on our weakness, what others think of us and what the enemy tries to tell us.  I've battled with insecurity most of my life.  BUT!  Yesterday our teacher reminded of us to let it go!  Have peace with yourself.   Know that you are beautiful.  Hearing those words was a sweet reminder.  All I could do is let it go and smile!   Enough is enough!   I know who I am in Christ and I will choose life, blessings and be who God created me to be!  

No matter what I face in life I will always go after my dreams.  I will stumble at times but I will dust myself off.   I am unstoppable!    We have seasons of life that we go through.  We learn, we grow and we pay it forward.   These are all gifts.  If we continue to embrace each season, love one another and continue to grow our faith - even if it's the size of a mustard seed - we will continue to grow into STRONG, BEAUTIFUL, POWERFUL woman.  

Allow TODAY to be the day that you be who God has designed you to be.  Let go of fear, grudges and anger.   Treat others how you would want to be treated.  Love yourself. Love others.  Love God. 

New Season

 As Max continues to grow and becomes more active I felt that putting him in daycare once a week will be good for his social skills, motor skills and allowing him to be independent.   I had shared on my Facebook that many breakthroughs were happening in our home - This was one of them.   I'll never forget the JOY that I felt when I got the text from Yolanda that there were a few drop in openings.  This was an answered prayer.  I was standing in the bathroom frustrated because things were going off in our home and to get this text was a RELIEF.  I ran in the kitchen screaming like a crazy lady HA!  I'll never forget the expression Alex gave me.  We laughed and we prayed because we knew God will provide as He always does.

As much as I LOVE being a stay at home mom and spending every minute with Max I knew in my heart that he needs to be with other children.   I knew that I had to let go of my selfish ways and make this about him.  As he continues to grow I am learning that children need to be around other children.   We are blessed to have our Mommy and Me group but he needed more.

Yesterday, Maximus attended Koala'ty Family Daycare for a full day of fun and learning.  We started our day by waking up late, him crying because I had to wake him up early and get him ready.   I knew that this was the enemy trying to stop me from letting him go.  After an hour of craziness and taking a mommy time out we managed to get out of the house on time and have a joyful drive.  I forgot what driving in traffic felt like HA!   When we arrived I just smothered him with kisses, I Love Yous and hugs.  Told him that he is going to meet new friends and have a fun filled day.   I am sure he didn't quite understand what I was saying but when he reads this blog he'll one day understand.   I have to say I was nervous because I wasn't sure if he was going to cry or simply go with Yolanda.   Yolanda greeted us with a sense of warmth and she immediately grabbed Max.  At first he grunted but he felt her comfort and he was perfectly fine.  Such a relief!   I knew he was in good hands.

I received a few texts with pictures and updates.  He was so happy | He played with blocks which are his favorite | Showed Yolanda his building skills | He napped | He made new friends | He shared | He had a yummy lunch | He didn't want to leave | He made new memories <3 

As I drove home all I could do was THANK GOD for his goodness.  I cried in tears of JOY.  Not only was my baby growing but so was I.   Let's face it motherhood is hard.  It's such a mom war.  Someone always has an opinion and more than likely it is not an encouraging one.   As I was worshipping I was asking Him, how can I share this journey and be an encourager.  I am not perfect.  I reach out to my mom friends and ask for help.   That what us mommies need to do - REACH OUT and be an ENCOURAGER.    Our children are our future.   They are watching our every move.  They will duplicate what we do.  In our home we have a guideline that we like to follow:

-God First
-Self
-Marriage
-Children

In this situation this is where I need to put myself first - And that simply means I need to step aside, have faith and know that placing Max in daycare is for his own good.   Also, remind myself that I am a great mother to Maximus.   I am blessed to be a stay at home mom.   Grateful that I get to raise him in the ways of the Lord.   Looking forward to seeing Max grow as a toddler with Koala'ty Daycare.

Yesterday was a gift and it will be a day that we will always treasure because we were blessed with Yolanda, we were blessed with a day of sunshine and all around HAPPINESS.  

Thank You Lord.