School is almost here

Well we are off to a great start so far. School shopping is done supplies for the kids complete. Teachers supplies dropped off today at open house all set and ready to go. Christopher did a fantastic job on helping pick up supplies for his Teacher. I can't believe he is starting preschool in a week. Justin is taller than me. Christopher  wants me to go find dinosaurs for him to train. I'm freaking out about three hours  popsicle will be gone but really I have that time to study without interruption. I can go grocery shopping by myself. I don't know what to do with myself. That's huge a shopping cart with no little hands grabbing everything. I might just have to go done an aisle and throw something down just to feel normal. Go to the gym I'm a gym rat totally. Well that's half of my studies anyway. The picture of school supplies are what we are donating to Jay's school we also picked up all this again plus four more packs of line paper and copy paper. School starts tomorrow I have so much anxiety about Jay going to school not so much with popsicle. I don't know why that is maybe first born. I don't know! Talking to my friend she is the same way with her son not daughter. It just seems like time is going by so fast. Next year Jay will be in high school and driving soon. I want to stop time. Today ten Teachers stop to say hi to him before we made it to his classroom. He is popular in his school for all the good reasons. I'm excited to see what this year will bring. A lot of memories smiles and laughs. I know this blog post is just me carrying on about a lot. Just smile today be thankful and laugh a lot. 

Las Vegas

It has already been a long day taking a day trip to four corners into a long long trip. We hit the streets of Fremont Street about 1 am.

https://twitter.com/TheMexicanMomma/status/621938637920296960

It was a little crazy with a lot of naked people. Some people really should not be naked. I'm not judging I'm just putting it out there. We had a blast just for one night and half a day. My father has never been to Vegas. He was over taken by the lights. We were here last year with my mom for her birthday. We didn't get to see the light show on Fremont this was an experience to see. Walking down all the lights shut off. I wasn't expecting it by far. I was like oh great we have a blackout. Then music starts to play and as you look up the screen changes. It's really neat as the people are on cables flying over your head to the end of the street.

Justin is really into magic tricks and card games. He wants to come back for a show next year. I don't know about that. We plan the trip last year this year it was by accident we came back.  I'm over Vegas unless hubby and I decide to come back without the kids. I would really like that. He loves Vegas. I'm like been there once I have seen it all. 

My dad didn't know what to expect when we stay at the Stratosphere for the night. He lost some money in the slot machines. Not a lot but he was still mad. The food was great. Most of all the family time we spent together means the most. The kids love spending time with grandpa. Jay kept playing card tricks with grandpa. Blowing him away because grandpa couldn't figure out how Jay was doing it. They have a special bond I think because they are both a little weird. 

Hubby still wouldn't go for renewing our vows in the house of Elvis. I tried talking him into it he could be Elvis I could be Priscilla. Walk down to I'm all shook up.Maybe next time. Summer still isn't over let's see what else we can do. 

Grand Canyon

Now. It's maybe noon once we left four corners monument. The Grand Canyon was four hours away. My dad was with us and he has never been to the Grand Canyon before he is not the type to come all this way by his self. My adorable hubby asked if we wanted to go. Of course I said yes I love road trips besides seizing the moment we tend to do that a lot. What's life if you can't do that? My dad didn't know what to say so the trip began. I love the mountain view they are gorgeous. It's breathtaking I could get lost just in the moment. However the curves in the road takes my breath away in a different light one wrong move you are toast. Be safe please now I have that out of the way take a look at these.

Grand Canyon 2015

It's very peaceful looking at the edge in amazement. That this sits in the middle of nowhere. I was a little on edge because as you ride to site to site there are just a few fences from the edge. With two small kids that is just crazy. One of the signs said a man used to take people by horse around the canyon that would take 12 hours one way. That is crazy to even think about. I mean it did take me thirty hours to get to Aztec from Florida. I couldn't do that on a horse.

They do charge per person not sure how much. This trip was well worth the hot weather and headache. Pack water since you are in the desert heat. This is a must see.

Now to complete our road trip off to Las Vegas. We still have four hours to go. Thank God we have three people who can drive. That makes it's a lot easier. 

Four Corners

It was about 9am two days when we decided to skip storytime to take an hour drive to the four corners monument. From our hotel in Aztec give or take an hour or so. Sure we get there nothing to it. Not worth the $5.00 per person I think it should be $5.00 dollars a car maybe. Since the bathroom where out of order. Hubby stood in line for forty-five minutes to take our own pictures. I walked around the circle where there are a bunch of Navajo gift shops. Half are a little pricy at $95.00 dollars for a necklace that looks like you could have bought it at the dollar store. It's all in the experience I guess of being in four states at once. I wouldn't go back but for the fun of it I can now check it off my bucket list. Justin and I watched the four corners monument on discovery channel. I was hoping for some alien activity like they said. Maybe a spaceship or something instead just plain old nothing. If you are heading that way sure stop but don't go out your way for it. The view is breathtaking. Make sure to take water,sun block a hat. Have fun with it. Please for the love of God don't take your dog with you. They are not allowed on site. We seen too many in hot cars. If it's 100 outside just double that for how it feels on the inside. Just a FYI you can't take anyone's ashes there. I didn't know that was a problem apparently it is. Along with cows that cross the road with drinking and driving. Signs are everywhere on the road be safe.

Lovely night

The night before my son turns twelve. Twelve years ago I held him in my arms at 8:17 pm so many things have changed. He made me a mother over time. I didn't know that holding a tiny little baby would change my whole reason to exist. Life was extremely complicated back then. Looking back he saved me as a person. Jay is a handful at times always on the go. Even now he is older that part hasn't changed. He is excellent at anything he does. If he has a difficult time he stays at it until he gets it. He amazes me with how quickly he catches on to things. My little boy is twelve where did the time go? I'm proud to say I'm his mom. He is a future astronaut who wants to join the military. He says "He wants to have a challenge in his life!" I think he will be. No matter what he does I will support him. In a few short years he will be driving and graduate from High School . I'm not really ready for that yet. He is my baby boy my first born my heart and soul. So many things from his first word that was mommy. To his first steps or run into the kitchen when he was seven months old. I didn't know that was possible at such a young age. He did it then the baby gates and rearranging the furniture came into play. It didn't matter if it was blocking his way he found a way over it under it anyway he could. I admire his heart to want to help and change the way people see the world. He is so full of life. I hope he never changes. These summer vacations we have went on since he was eight has kept that close family bond we all have. I love talking to him because I get to see the world through his eyes. Something rare to do with children. We joke around we share some of the same interests like going on nature hikes playing card games and the interest in learning anything we can. I guess being a parent is like being a kid again. Happy Birthday my darling boy. I hope you have a great day. 

Aztec Ruins

Aztec Ruins National Monument, New Mexico, was established in 1923 and covers 320 acres. Early Euro-American settlers erroneously assumed the people who built these villages were Aztecs, hence the name of the ruins and of the modern town of Aztec.

Later archeological study confirmed that the builders were ancestors of the Puebloan peoples. Archeologists adopted and popularized the Navajo word Anasazi to refer to the people who built and lived here.

The boys had fun going through the ruins asking questions about how people lived. It's astonishing how people built their homes with no modern technology. Just hard work and will was needed. You can walk into most of the ruins.

 

Justin thinks that the aliens took the people that's why we can't find them. I can't say that is true but could be a possibly. I'm not going to discount something I have no idea if it happen or not. He loves history. We could have spent all day there but it was hot. It was 100 without the heat index added. If you are traveling to New Mexico this is a must stop. It's five dollars for adults kids are free. If you have Native American blood you are free in our case we have Cherokee on both our sides and apache on my side. We still donated money to the center to help keep up the ruins. The boys became junior rangers.

 

They had to raise their hand and promise to help take care of the environment among other things. It was a cute little ceremony complete with a sticker and a badge.

Once inside there are artifacts to look at with a short video about how Aztec Ruins was discover. The kids get their own little book to with questions to answer in order to become Junior Rangers. Next on our list is the Salmon Ruins.

 

 

Zombie Games

I hear screaming coming from Justin's bedroom. Christopher comes hauling out of the room runs right into Justin.

"I saw something!" He says His eyes are big and wide.

"What? Jay ask

"It's under the bed." Christopher yells

They both bend down to take a look under the bed. I'm peeking around the corner I hear Christopher say "It's okay Jay It's a dryer sheet."

They both go back pretending to shoot each other and zombies. Children imagination are wonderful even with the age gap between my boys. It's breathtaking to see how close they are. Their brotherly bond is strong. They fight like hell sometimes but never hold a grudge. They do just about everything together. They are growing up just thinking in two weeks Justin will be twelve years old going into six grade in August. Christopher will start preschool as well. My boys will always be my babies. They are my heart and soul. I'm a very proud momma. Even if my nest is slowly emptying.

Storms

Last night was about the most scariest thing we have been in since last summer when my hubby had to pull off the road in North Dakota with a bunch of people at a gas station to avoid the tornado that hit. 

http://www.usatoday.com/story/weather/2014/05/27/north-dakota-tornado/9617183/

It was crazy receiving texts from him that read.

If you wake up and see the news. I love you. 

The next one reads

I'm  okay I was able to get off the road.

Then he sent a picture 

and the last text reads 

I love you and the boys. This above picture was from a guy he worked with that sent it to him. There is no place to go the houses are all mobile homes. We stayed in an RV for the summer. The land is flat where it looks like the sky could swallow you whole. Traveling is by far the most exciting thing to do. Our drive there to North  Dakota was storms all the way. As we left one state or town a tornado hit. This year driving to New Mexico was the same. We hit a storm in Louisiana. Thank God we were driving  away from it. Last night I made my decision not to make our home in Carlsbad permanent. It will stay a summer home to visit our family. 

The road was flooded on both sides. I was for sure we we're going to get stuck in the water. The hail was so big and thick look like snow on the streets. The city has no draining system at all. I took a video mind you it's a two lane road with no where else to go. www.facebook.com/aquarium maintenance 

The kids thought it was really neat. Us not so much as hubby drove and I took pictures to keep my mind clear. Tree branches were down everywhere. I think I will stick to the Florida weather instead. Bright side we were in the same car with hail dents from last year storm. A few more doesn't matter. 

Mommy travel moments

I don't know how it can be sunny and raining with hail at the sametime.  I thought it was going to break my windshield. It's a beautiful scenic route driving through Louisiana,Texas and now we're in New Mexico still 5 hours to go. We're taking a family trip to four corners. Justin and I seen on TV that a lot of alien activity happens there so we decided to take a trip. I really hope we don't see any green aliens I can go for illegal aliens long as they mind their own business. Last year we just drove through Roswell. We are meeting up with my hubby and Father. They went ahead to bond and gamble a pre Father's Day gift. 

My mommy travel moment with Christopher. 

We stopped to get gas in Louisiana.

Christopher asked "Mommy why do those guy's look so rough? Did they just come back from Naked and Afraid? " 

I couldn't help but laugh as I didn't answer him till we got back in the car. 

"No, Christopher I don't think so." 

He looked confused and didn't say anything so I left it as that. By the way if you don't know Naked and Afraid is a TV show. There are two people who have to survive in the wilderness for 21 days.

Yes, There is a cat under there. The seat is on the sun is shining and Godzilla is in cat heaven.  He is warm and sleeping.  Until the storm rolled in he just had to look out the window.  This is his first trip with us. Everything is new to him. I do have to say he is a lot more active than Mickey the cat. She just hides.  Godzilla tried to steal my grapes incognito with the blanket over him. Like I wouldn't see him. 

We are still working on the whole meowing in the middle of the night as he trys to get the squirrel that's in the window.  Not to mention trying to escape from the hotel room. He is still learning. 

Traveling with my kids & cats

It's never a dull moment traveling in this family.  We seen a battleship coming through Alabama that the boys were absolutely amazed by. The cats were fine hiding in the back until the last two hours when they roamed the car. They had the boys laughing on top of meowing.  It was time to stop. Justin and I had a wonderful conversation about what he wants to do when he grows up.  I enjoyed our talk very much. He wants to join the military and become a scientist /astronaut. He would like to go to outer space.  He has a set of goals with a backup plan in sports or vice versa. We ended up stopping in Mississippi. I was having a hard time parking because the cars were not in the right spot I actually had a guy come out and fix his car. That was really nice there are still nice people in the world. We get inside our hotel room Christopher sets his backpack down throws his hands up in the air like he's going to lay back on the bed. Which is way too tall for him by the way. He falls flat on the ground at the same time
Justin turns around and says "What are you doing?"

Christopher's laying on the floor I'm waiting for a cry instead he answered Justin.
"I was trying to lay on the bed."

Justin says "It's too big!"

Christopher "Well it works at home!"

Justin helps him up off the floor. We all start laughing.  I love these mommy moment's. It's been a long day driving all I want to do is go to sleep.  Godzilla and Mickey think it's time to talk. I mean they were having a pretty heavy conversation until like 3 a.m. Thank God I brought my BCAAS from Shredz to give me that little extra boost today while driving I'm going to need it. I see many rest stops along the way to New Mexico.  First day down wish me luck on our trip. Summer has just started.

Beast Within



July 2013

My fitness journey to getting fit not skinny has been a hard struggle that is still not over.
Here is when I started out three years ago.
I have had more problems then I can count working out. I have always been fit my whole life. I have no problems working out at home. As you know my P90X journey went well after I had tore my rotator cuff and re injured my left wrist. Which by the way was a walking crab injury when my son and I had a race. He won because I slipped and fell.


I started out with spin class which led to fluid in my needs and lots of time off almost two months. Then getting back into it to my disappointment I'm not able to take spin class. Maybe in the future when I build muscles around my knees. I also have sica nerve in my back which I have had all my life. I have my good days and my bad. I have noticed that the stronger my back gets sometimes the pain is manageable now. Everyone has struggles in anything they do. You can either cry about it or push through the hard times and get back to the grind. Every time I had to stop it was twice as hard to get back to where I was before I had to stop. I have a very good support team starting with my hubby who refuses to let me fall. He is my rock when I physically can not walk. He is by my side every step of the way. He  is  nothing but inspirational and confident. Most of all he makes me laugh at the times I want to give in. I can't give up I'm not that type of person even when I see no light at the end of the tunnel. I think about how far I have came in life to get where I'm at now. My kids need a strong mom. My body is my temple I take care of it. I'm even thinking about competing in bodybuilding. I have a long way to go still. I'm on the right track posing in a bikini flexing just makes me laugh when I think about it. If I do go ahead with this I'm not getting one of those spray tans. They just look silly when their head doesn't match.


Not sure about the face I'm making I'm sure holding the camera and flexing is hard. I have to also thank all the great instructors at the gym who kick my ass everyday. I have made wonderful friends in this journey. It's important to know it's a lifestyle that I have taken on. There is no end insight. I'm thankful I have the opportunity to take this step. It's hard as hell when you are sore from your workout the day before to get up and do it all over again. Even if it's ten minutes a day that I have I'm still improving my body and mind. Today is a rest day for me but I'm sure I will fit in a workout. It's  contagious when I see my lonely weights on the floor. I swear they talk to me. Just do five reps and walk away. That really never happens. I end up sweating my ass off. Love your body ladies and it won't do you wrong.

June 2015

Justin and Rain

He started his bucket list. Only a week out of school and he's bored. It started raining cats and dogs today its Florida it's going to every day now. Justin thought it would be a good idea to go wash the car in the pouring rain. The mom in me started to say no. Then I realize I have to take advantage of the situation he's wanting to watch the car and it's one less thing I have to do before our trip. I let him took pictures and videos. He was laughing the whole time. He was a little bummed out because he still had to go get the hose to rinse off the car because it stopped raining so hard. Christopher opt out of it he didn't find it to be funny or exciting. The things we do to stay entertained in the time of boredom. After Justin wash the car and rinsed it. I pulled into the garage dried it then did the interior. I even vacuumed it I just have to keep it that way over the weekend.

I love these moments because we might not have them again. I love being a mommy!  

School year comes to an end

 I'm so proud of Justin. His music concert went very well. All three elementary schools sounded great. He made the Honor Roll received an award for respect and perfect attendance. He was one day away from getting perfect attendance for the whole year. He set a goal for next year. I love that about my son he is always setting goals to meet big or small. He kept his dedication to playing the violin all year. At first he thought he would be great then he was a little discourage that he wasn't.  For some reason he thought he would sound like the people on the radio. After we took time day after day to sit with him to read the music. Most important hubby and I gave our time to listen to him. In the beginning he gave us a fight. After a while he came to us to tell us he really enjoyed it. Justin sounds awesome. I hope he will take it up next year. He has music in his soul. He has taken a huge interest in classical music one of the things we all share in common as a family. That's now where his piano lessons come in at. He likes it so far and now understands to be better he has to keep at it.  With Justin once he sets his mind to something he will be great!

 

Soccer season is over. Justin absolutely loves this sport above anything else. His team Blue Thunder won a handful of games. Christopher liked his second season a little better now that he likes the sport. We went out everyday for the last eight weeks to play in the backyard. No matter how hot it was we where outside. Big brother started showing him how to pass the ball, stop it and run for it. Christopher thought he was being mean if he took the ball. Then he would get upset during the game because the other kids took the ball. They weren't sharing. However his last game he was off in his own little world with a teammate. I had to tell her mom "That's it we can't be friends anymore!" We both laugh but really this is where True love starts at four!

 

Now you see why. Oh no this is way too early for anything like this. The rule in our house is that both boys have to have a job before they can even start to think about dating. They have to be able to support her. Have both parents permission to date. Funny thing is I think I might have to worry about Christopher with the ladies more then my oldest. Looks like extra sports are needed to keep him occupied. Both boys will not have time for girls until after college. I did ask Christopher what they were talking about. He said" Mom we were just chit chatting about our day!" I know the picture is adorable. I give it that but no more.  Overall I can't wait to see what the next school year brings. My boys are my world. Growing up way to fast but I couldn't be more proud to see them grow.