Soul Sunday

After spending a week without Alex and what not I wanted to start the new week by being Unplugged.  Started by going back to the basics: Soul Sunday.  No Facebook, IG, emails and limited texting. Gives me a time to also focus and be in the moment without my face in my phone or telling my family "Hold on, let me finish posting!"  

We all slept in, Max slept solid in his bed and it was nice to just wake up and not have a TO DO list.  Enjoyed coffee with no interruptions, tackled Alex's gym so he can start his regime today.  Back to the FIX he goes!  It was a nice moment when we were done to look back and give Thanks to God for blessing him with a gym.  For years he's wanted his own space and now he has it.   

We enjoyed a nice, healthy lunch at Black Bear diner.  It has become our spot.  We both had a salad (YES YOU CAN EAT HEALTHY while dining out), he got a turkey club and we just sat, talked and enjoyed the face to face conversations.  It's so funny how simple that is we can easily take for granted.  On vacation I learned my family deserves all of me even through the hustle and bustle. If it wasn't for them I wouldn't be who I am today.  

Family First. 

Afterwards we headed to Target to get our Christmas tree. This year we decided to go artificial - Big & Fake HA!  Plus they were 50% off.  Alex wanted the "pine smell" so I got a candle to give it that twist. We even stuck to our budget!  While Max took a nap we were able to watch our shows, set the tree up and enjoy some quality time together. 

 I LOVE our tree!  We will be decorating on Thanksgiving. 

I even got in the baking mood.  I whipped up my Shakeo and got to it!   I made pumpkin bars - 21 Day Fix approved via Pinterest.  

Here's the Recipe:

Serves 12

Ingredients:

1 Cup of pumpkin

4 Tbsp. of almond butter (or peanut butter)

1/4 cup of honey

1 tsp.of vanilla extract

2 tsp. of pumpkin spice

1/2 tsp. of baking soda

1/4 tsp. of sea salt

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350

2. Coat 8×8 baking dish with spray (coconut oil)

3. Mix all ingredients in bowl

4. pour into baking dish

5. Bake for 25 minutes or until firm; take knife and make sure it comes out clean

6. cut into 12 bars

optional toppings; whip cream, honey and pecans or whatever your heart desires

21 Day fix calculations for one bar

.08 of a green container {not worth counting}

2 oil tsp.

1 honey tsp. (pg15)

 

Although they didn't look like the picture on Pinterest they were still good.  We enjoyed a piece with a glass of milk...YUMMY!!!!

Overall it was was a perfect day!  Filled with Joy, Happiness and Health.  The start of our holiday season.  Just remember wherever you are in your life be sure to slow down, unplug and enjoy the simple things in life.  Quality time doesn't have to be grand.  It can be as simple as being together outside, picking out a Christmas tree or enjoying a cup of coffee.  Our goal is to raise our boys in a home where there is always love, laughter and memories.  We want them to always remember and know the simple things in life. 

As I enjoy my coffee and knowing I have a TO DO list I'm energized, motivated and refreshed to continue the journey!  I'm thankful God has allowed me to share my heart with hopes it inspires someone today. 

We have to slow the rhythm of rush in our lives so the best of who we are can emerge - The Best Yes

God Bless

Coffee and JESUS

I'm really seeing things differently and how God is using me in many ways.  This trip has been opening my eyes to motherhood, my career and LIFE!   As you may have read I left cards for Alex to open everyday and getting a THANK YOU text from him has blessed me.  I did it because I want to honor him and let him know that I'm always going to show gratitude towards him.  I usually don't like to travel without him but he gave me his blessing.  He knew this trip would not only benefit me but for our home.  For that I'm grateful. 

I'm also having great conversations with my friend on motherhood.  She has been inspiring to me.  It's a beautiful gift when you can learn from another mother.  Get to share tips, challenges and align it with our faith.  Not only have we been encouraging eah other in motherhood but also being Fit Mamas.  Giving our best to ourselves - eating, working out, shopping and sticking to budget and more.  It's true when they say WOMEN EMPOWER WOMEN!  

Sharing this time with Max has been a joy.  I have to admit I was nervous at first but it's seriously been a Joy!  Max has been adjusting, playing well with his buddy and we just been soaking all the one on one time.   He's growing into a little man and I know when Baby Noah comes he's going to such a good BIG brother. I want to continue to grow as a mother.  Have more patience, create memories, have a bond that he'll forever cherish and in hopes one day he'll marry a Godly woman.   

When we were shopping I wanted to find something that symbolizes our trip together.   I found this bracelet:

Lastly I'm been learning more about my purpose in life. I have many visions and I'm going to continue to align them with God.  He leads the path to my life.  He is my leader, provider and teacher!    I have one BIG goal that I want to accomplish as a Coach before 2014 ends.  I have work to do when I get back.  Seeing my team work hard only pushes me me to do better.  I'm blessed to be their Coach and Mentor.  I even purchased a new personal develoment book: A new Bible!   

So as much as this trip has been a blessing it's really showing me things.  There is ALWAYS room for improvement, my family is my WHY and I want to continue to inspire others.  GIVE HOPE!   

FAITH ~ HOPE ~ LOVE

Stronng & Fearless 

Is It Possible?

Is It Possible?



A article I wrote back in 2013 for Modern Latina.  Never Give Up mamas!

Home Sweet Home

As we embark on our new chapter together I couldn't be more blessed to be doing LIFE with Alex!  Last night over dinner we had a great conversation about our faith, marriage and where God has us.  As much as I loved having him home we both knew going back to work today would be hard yet rewarding at the same time.  Why?  Because he loves his job, he's able to provide for us, I'm able to stay home and we know our move to Los Banos was to better our future for Max and Noah.   

We been together for 14 years, endured many challenges, seen Gods goodness and been able to grow together has husband and wife.   We have also been in debt many times, been debt free once before but through it all we knew ONE DAY we wanted to move out to the country and have a slower pace life.   When we started our home buying process we were already embedded in Dave Ramsey teachings.  Alex just got a new promotion and my Beachbody business was taking off.  So we knew the time was right.  Of course we wanted to stay closer to San Jose but once we realized Morgan Hill/Gilroy was out of budget we had our hearts on Los Banos.  Like I mentioned before we were living the DaveRamsey way. We paid off many credit cards, had our emergency savings and started to get better at spending AKA BUDGET!   We were in a good place.  

We searched and searched until we found our home!  The minute I walked in I knew!  I was already visioning our family sitting around the family place, our sons playing in the back yard but most importantly I felt the peace.  Peace knowing we will be able to have the life we been working towards.  Of course the million dollar question was: What about the commute!   Sure we knew it would change things but just like anything else in life you make choices.   Choices that work best for your family.  We had naysayers, we got negative feedback but in return we got many blessings, support and prayers from friends and family.   We also had discernment from God - He's the ultimate decision maker in our home.   

The day we signed the final paperwork was a moment I'll never forget.  We smiled, giggled and just embraced the moment that all our hard work as TEAM ZAPIEN has paid off!   I know personally Alex was beyond excited.  He was and is living out his dreams: A father, provider, has a stay at home wife and sons.  Trust me when I say this is a dream come true. When we were dating he always talked about this and here he is.  He never stopped praying and never gave up hope.

So, the reason I share this with you is because I want to give HOPE to others.  Always follow your dreams. Do what is best for your family. Now a team player with your spouse.  Be willing to grow together.  Leave a legacy for your children.  Compromise.  Never give up faith.  TRUST IN GOD!   

That is our formula and it has gotten us to many places especially since we have centered God in our marriage.  It's POSSIBLE!

Now that Alex has left for work and I sit here in silence I'm thankful for the decisions we have made. I know my boys are set financially, my marriage has become stronger from this process and I can rest assure that Alex will do what he needs to do to provide and be the man of the house.  Sure I'll have moments where I'm sad or feel lonely but that the beauty of this.  Gives me an opportunity to make new friends, explore and allow God to use me.  My arms are wide open and ready for God to use TEAM ZAPIEN in Los Banos. 

Thank You JESUS ❤️

Sfrong & Fearless