Family retreat

We seriously needed to get away! We needed to get away as a family. There is no way I can explain how amazing and beneficial this family retreat was for us; Especially with dad's deployment around the corner. We really want to spend as much time together as possible, defenetly trying to make this last weeks count! Making the most of every minute. 

I believe it's important to know who we are as individuals, but also as a family! 

Celebrating each other's differences is so important for us. 

Everyone's opinion counts here. 

Struggles are always ongoing, we have decided to grow from them, and accept them.. but always sticking together to get through them.

Life is about sacrificesing, for those you love. And most importantly putting them first. Everything els should come second. 

We have a plan, and that's to make memories and traditions. 

Having each other's backs is so important. Teaching the kids the value of life and one another.

Teaching our kids by example. 

Forgive one another 

Communicate 

And listen! 

 And putting God right in the center of it all. 

Maya is five months

This past five months have been full of smiles and singing and just an enormous amount of joy. 

Maya has a peaceful  vibe to her. She always wakes up with a huge smile. 

She's a big fan of music! Not kidding she even tries to dance. She moves her little hand from side to side.

She loves her crib, she can be in there all day. Her least favorite place to be is in her car sit. 

Belly time is getting better......

Starting to sit up on her own. 

She found her feet not too long ago and she loves playing with them.

She brings those little toes to her mouth and tries to suck on them. 

The girl is flexible, even as a chunky baby. 

She loves picking up brother and sister from school. 

I defenetly see the difference in her mood when their home. She's much louder when their home, kinda like she's calling for their attention.

I recently stared teaching her the sign for milk. I'm gonna start sign language with her.

We'll see how that goes.. 

I did it with my two older ones but I stared alot later with them.

And it was alot of fun and VERY beneficial!  

I totally recommend it. 

Time is defenetly going by FAST !!

I'm kinda sad! I really wish Maya can stay a baby for a bit longer. 

I'm trying to really enjoy every part of it and I'm on a mission to capture all the details. 

 

Our Friday

It was a beautiful day

The skies were gray and the smell of rain was in the air. 

We did absolutely nothing productive around the house!!! We played outside while the baby napped. We made a trip to sprouts to buy some fruit and veggies. Found the perfect pumpkins! 

I think I'm gonna have to hide this skirt from Rebeka. I keep telling her it doesn't fit her.. feels like ever since I told her that she refuses to take it off! 

It's a constant change.

Life is constantly changing. Your up your down. Your plans fall apart. New emotions arise. Love can let you down. Life has a tendency of scaring you here and there. Very few people will truly understand you. Be brave and take it all in. Remember nothing is certain and everything is ment to change. New opportunities will find you, as long as you keep your head up. Never apologize for following your heart. When your soul pushes you in a certain direction follow it! It's usually mostly likely always right!! Have a clear vision of what's important and what matters the the most to you and protect it at all coast. Never lose your dignity and your character when times get tough, that's when you need them the most. Guard your dreams from anything and anyone who will try to spoil them. Run as far away as possible from any negative vibes. And Remember always try to make others happy but never pretend to be happy for the sake of others.

Sometimes your on such a high on life that you forget things can fall apart. And the toughest part is realizing it... and having to act on it. Over all I'm graful for this moments. Moments of frustration and fear, maybe even anger. Im grateful because they bring me back to whats important to me. Never lose or change who you are to please others. Stand up for what you beleive and fight for what you deserve. I have a lot to learn, and a lot to change. But one thing forsure is I intend to live my life with dignity and curage. 

At the end of each day it's always the same for me. I do what feels right in my heart. I live, and breath for my kids. My priority is finding ways to make them happy. My goal is to be a good mom.

Keep it real

Fall in love with every part of your life. Dream and make plans for yourself. Invision an idea and make it happen. See someone in need and help them. Beleive it and stick with it. Make new friends and be kind. Eat healthy and do some yoga. Do what you love and forget what people think. Thank God everyday and pray for others. Kiss the people you love and hug those around you frequently. And keep it real at all times.

Choices

   My kids make alot of their own choices. I have gotten a lot of different reactions from people. A lot of parents control pretty much every aspect of their kids life, so when they hear me say "I let them choose" they freak out!! "Oh my gosh she's crazy! Those kids are gonna grow up and she will not have any control over them" and that's okay.. everyone is entitled to their own opinion.
Now let me explain there is no choosing when it comes to going to school, cleaning their room and being respectful. But I do let them choose what they wear. I'm not the typ of parent who tried to impress others by how clean and well dressed my kids are. If anything I would want to impress with how happy my kids look and feel. So yes!!go crazy with your style kids. Its all about expressing your individuality around here. AND COME ON THEY'RE KIDS! They look cute with whatever they wear. I also let them choose what's on our grocery list for the week, meaning what we eat. Its usually pizza, pasta, and chicken. On my days off I let the kids plan out our day. They get to choose what we eat, where we go and pretty much anything along the way. They also make up some rules and exceptions for the day. Alonso will usually ask to fix some dinner for us, it's the cutest thing. He usually makes spinach with cereal and sausages, and he makes us eat it all! He will also make it an exception for him to use the word butt cheeks at the end of every sentence!! It was pretty hilarious the first couple of times. Rebeka will usually ask to change her name..and it's always somthing super hard to say! On days like this we end up at the park, eating lots of ice cream and staying up past our bed time.
  I never force the kids to anything, if they need to do somthing and their not going for it I always try to encourage them, never force them. I explain the benefits of things and why they should reconsider. I encourage them to do the right thing. I explaine why it's important to have a good heart, and a good attitude.  Bottom line is I let them choose, I let them mess up. We've had alot of bad hair days and unmatching outfits around here. But that's what life's about!! Making mistakes and finding who you are. But most importantly having fun!!