Yikes! The Year is Over!!!

 

Yikes! The Year is Over!!!

I won't sit here and recap the last 12 months of my life, but I must say, 2012 has definately brought new friendships, ended others, lots and lots of new babies, new families, a new love, a few heartbreaks, new plans, new dreams, and a whole lot of changes. As I sit here and catch up with many of your blogs, it brings so much happiness to my heart to see how much your little babies have grown, how many of you have married, and how many of you are going to be new Mommies! I'm sooo excited for you all and look forward to seeing your little families continue to grow.

What I've been up to the last month or so...

Let's see...Work has definately kept me a bit busy, I guess I can't complain, there are many who aren't fortunate to have a job. And I've been lucky enough to have been given the opportunity to take a career change. There have been some bumps here and there, but I think I've just about mastered it! :)

Then there are my little rugrats...Lydia turned 6 in October, she's definately my mini me...Layla turned 4 this month and that little terror is full of surprises. They're growing up so fast, sometimes I'm afraid I'm going to miss out on something. 

 

And of course, there's my HoneyBee...the past 10 months have been amazing! I can't thank god enough for making our paths cross.
He truly completes me.

Traveling...I just got back from a trip to New York...I definately LOVE that place. I had gotten a sneak peek of the city a few years ago, and always wanted to go back. I got that opportunity 2 weeks ago. It was cold, wet, and crowded! But no matter how sick, cold, tired, or miserable I was, Seeing my honey's face when we hit TimeSquare was priceless! That one moment I looked over to him and saw his excitement was more than enough to make it the best trip ever!
(I'll be adding a post on the NY trip to "My Travels" tab this coming week; so be sure to come back & check it out.)

 

 

Of course, how could I end 2012 without visiting my favorite place in the world. I'm off to end 2012 and ring in the new year with 2 of my loves, My HoneyBee and Mickey Mouse.
Maybe I'll get Lucky and get a kiss from Mickey!

 

 

 

So Bring it on 2013 THIS year is DEFINATELY going to be MINE!
I promise if you stick around long enough, I'll share with you alot of  the exciting changes in my life this coming year.

 

 

Sweet November...

Hi Guys! I want to apologize for going missing this past month...feels like I've been doing that alot lately. Good thing you all understand what it's like to get lost in the mix of life, family, and work. Alot has been going on in my life lately, leaving me with enough time and energy to crawl into bed and manage to get a few hours of sleep. Grrr

Although I haven't blogged all month, I ocassionally lurk on your posts when I can spare some free time, like when I'm stuck in traffic, or just right before I go to bed. These days, I've found myself wanting to spend lots of time with my family and my honey. I can't figure out what the heck is wrong with me, I often think that my hormones are getting the best of me...NO I'm NOT pregnant...but I've been extremely emotional and my stress tolerance has now hit the floor. Luckily, my Honey has been very understanding, and no matter how many times those evil hormones may get to me, he's always there to tell me to grab those hormones by the balls and show them who's BOSS! (Love ya babes) Perhaps all I need is SLEEP or a nice glass of wine. :)
 
I can't believe how fast this year has gone by. Feels like just yesterday I was working on my 2012 list of goals and here we are at year's end. So much has happened this year, lots of new babies in my family, and my nieces are growing up so fast! So here's a little recap of the exciting happenings in 2012.
 

January-
My Bestie got engaged... then a few weeks later discovered she was going to be a Mommy!  

 

February-
I met the man who has brought endless smiles to my life. & I went back to school.

March-My Cousin Sarai had a precious little girl, named Catalina.

April-
Visited one of my besties in VA, and managed not to get lost, thank you Siri. & got to see some Cherry Blossoms and SURVIVED all the roller coaster at Busch Gardens, VA 

 

 

May-
Took the Huns on a family trip with my gang! What better place than Disney.

June-
Can't believe how fast she's growing up... Lydia at her Pre-K graduation & My Daddy turned the BIG 60 this year! & I finally got something under my hat!

  

July-
My 32 years of life! Spent it with my 2 loves :) and my cousin Odeviz and his wife Erica have welcomed a new little boy into the family, Baby Felix.

 

August-Lydia's first day of Kindergarten. New School, New Friends...
I think I was more nervous than she was. 

 

September-Baby Ethan is FINALLY here!!!! He's so precious...made me want to have one
until he turned on his pipes! Yikes!

October-My cousin Lianis is going to POP soon and we'll get to meet Baby Maximus

 

November-
As for November, I don't really have anything exciting planned, other than our trip to Lion Country Safari this weekend, A local Carnival Fair the weekend after, A Twilight Movie Marathon the next, and finishing up details for our NYC trip in December.

Ok, so maybe there are some exciting stuff planned for this month. 

 

I'll keep you posted!

 

 

 

 

THINK PINK + GIVEAWAY

Did you know that Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer in the world today due to its high incidence and relatively good prognosis?

An estimated 4.4 million women are alive today in whom breast cancer was diagnosed within the last five years. However, breast cancer is the most common cause of cancer-related deaths among women worldwide.

More than 1.1 million women worldwide are newly diagnosed with breast cancer annually. This represents about 10% of all new cancer cases and 23% of all female cancers.

With more than 410,000 deaths each year, breast cancer accounts for about 14% of all female cancer deaths and 1.6% of all female deaths worldwide.

 

 This is my Mom...

My Mother, "Gisell Soto" is a breast cancer survivor and on October 20th,  2012 I will run in her honor.

 

I'll never forget the day that my mom came home and told us that they had diagnosed her with breast cancer. I remember feeling like my whole world was getting ready to fall apart. My aunt had just gone through breast cancer a few years prior but I never thought my mom would ever have to go through that.

As I watched my mom go through 33 radiation treatments and 12 chemo treatments, she became weaker and weaker after every treatment. Sometimes she'd just lay in bed for days, had no energy to get up or walk, and at times she wouldn't even talk to anyone. It's now been 9 years, although she continues taking chemo-medication daily, she continues to get screened regularly and she's now doing okay.

A Mom, a Grandmother, a Sister, an Aunt, a Friend, or even yourself have known of someone who was/has been diagnosed with cancer, that is a disease that truly changes their lives. But with your support it will help us get another step closer to a world without breast cancer. Won't you help me make a difference in someone's life?

  

 

In honor of October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month,

for every $10 donation you make, you will be entered to win $100.00 Visa Gift Card.

 

 

Giveaway will begin October 1st and run through October 31st!

 

 

To Enter:

Step 1: Make Donation by clicking here.

Step 2: Then come back Here and be sure to enter by going on the Rafflecopter below.

Step 3: Leave me a comment below stating you've donated with your First and Last name. 

 

Each entry will be VERIFIED.

 

Have you gotten your boobies screened lately?

 

 

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

Coffee Talk- Week Three

1. What is your daily routine?
Her- I wake up, check my email, brush my teeth, wake up the girls, shower, get dressed, have breakfast, prepare my lunch, check homework, and go to work, come home, shower, have dinner, do housework, hangout with the girls, check emails, read blogs, talk to the huns, sleep.
Him- wake up, shower, make breakfast 30 grams of protein baby!, call my baby, and go to work.

2. Are you a morning or night person?
Her- I'd say a little of both. 
Him- I'm an ALL day everyday person.

3. What do you eat for breakfast? Or do you skip it and go for brunch?
Her- I love breakfast at any time! I have eggs, toast, and OJ , or oatmeal, or a bowl of cereal and some type of fruit.
Him- Breakfast, eggs, oatmeal, protein shake, or sometimes a sandwich.

4. How do you wind down at night?
Her- Curl up in bed with the girls, later talk to the Huns about our day, or catch up on some of my favorite blogs until it's time for lights out.
Him- After work it's easy to wind down. Watch tv until I fall asleep.

5. What time do you go to bed or what is your normal bedtime?
Her- I'm usually ready for bed by 10:30, but lately I've been going to bed around midnight. :/ 
Him- Anytime between 10:30pm and 12:00am


If you have not yet joined in with Natalie for some Coffee Talk, go grab your cup o' joe and let's go!

I CAN & I WILL.... week one

 

Week one Recap:

Since my appointment with the Dr. last week, I've decided to change my Lifestyle as soon as I walked out the door. When it comes to dieting  eating healthy it's not as hard for me as long as I can keep motivated. I don't mind eating the healthy food and can definately eat salads and vegetables everyday without getting bored, and once someone KICKS my butt into gear after the first week I can keep my routine to the gym. My weakness are SWEETS!!!! I'd give up my plate of food for a piece of cake anyday and it's probably why I'm hear today. Good thing my Honey is a health freak and gave me a game plan.

 

 As many people, I always skipped breakfast and tried to survive on a cup o' joe, and never thought of the importance of breakfast and snacking. So I tried it this week and I have to say, I'm no longer in starvation mode come lunch time which helps me not overeat. I feel full all day and my portions have become smaller. So in order to keep me accountable, I purchased snacks that I can leave at work and I've also set ongoing alerts on my phone to remind me that it's time for a snack or a meal.

 

This is what I've eaten this week. 

 

Wednesday:

No breakfast {Lab work done} :(

Lunch- 1pm: Publix Chicken salad, with Balsamic Vinegar

 Snack- 3:30pm: Banana

Snack- 5pm: Apple slices

Dinner- 6:30pm: Lime Grilled Chicken Fiesta Salad

 

Thursday:

Breakfast- 7am: Original oatmeal with blueberries, banana

Snack-10:30am: Sugar free strawberry Jello

Lunch- 1pm: Salad Creations, Sophie's Strawberry Salad

Snack- 4pm: 1 cup of strawberries & 1/2 of a banana

Dinner- 8pm: Chicken breast with steamed greenbeans

 

Friday:

Breakfast-7:30am: Bowl of Special K cereal

Snack- 9:30am Cup of Organic Trail mix

Snack- 11:30am: apple and cranberries

Lunch- 1:30pm: Pollo Tropical Chicken Salad

Snack- 3:45pm: 1 cup of organic trail mix

Snack- 5pm- Fruit Salad

Dinner- 8pm: Chili's Chicken and Bean Salad 

 

Saturday:

Breakfast- 8:30am: 2 eggs (boiled), 1 slice of wheat toast, 1 orange

Lunch- 1pm: Paradise Cafe's Chicken Salad

4pm: BBQ Chicken and 2 spoons of macaroni salad

Dinner-8:30pm: Sirloin Steak and Steamed Brocolli

 

Sunday:

Breakfast- 8am: bowl of raisin bran cereal, 2 eggs (boiled), 1 slice of wheat toast, 1 orange

Lunch- 1pm: 1/2 of a Publix Ham & Cheese Spinach Wrap

4pm: 1/2 of a Publix Ham & Cheese Spinach Wrap

Dinner- 8:30pm- Steak & Steamed Veggies

 

Monday:

Breakfast- 8:30am: Bowl of raisin bran cereal, 1 egg, 1/2 slice of wheat toast, 1 orange

Snack- 11am: Banana

Lunch- 1:30pm: The Daily's Washington Avenue Salad

Snack- 4pm: Apple slices

6pm: 1 cup or organic trail mix, 1 cup of grapes

Dinner-8pm: 2 baked chicken pieces, 1/2 can of green beans

 

Tuesday:

Breakfast- 7:30am: Original oatmeal 1 tspoon of cinnamon and sliced apples

Snack-10:30am: Apple & Watermelon slices

Lunch- 2pm: The Daily's Greek Salad with Chicken

Snack-4pm: Banana

5:30pm: Sugar Free Chocolate pudding

Dinner-7:35pm: Chicken and Veggies 

While researching how to change my lifestyle, I came across this article. Thought I'd share it you!

 

Lose Weight by Eating Breakfast

 

It's been only one week and when I weighed in this morning,

I'm down 6 lbs. Yay Me!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What do you guys have for breakfast? Any healthy breakfast recipes?

Coffee Talk- Week Two

It's time for Coffee Talk with Natalie!

1. What is your favorite kind of coffee? Iced? Hot? Frappe? Or are you a tea kind of person?
Her- I'm not a coffee drinker anymore, but my favorite has to be Starbuck's Peppermint Mocha, can't wait till christmas time.
Him- Hot Citrus tea

2. What is your dream computer/laptop? And what kind are you using now?
Her- I don't know much about all this techy stuff, for me any laptop or computer is the same. I have a Compaq
Him- Everything Apple Baby! An Ipad.

3. Have you ever regretted a blog post? What did you say?
Her- I've never reqretted any of my posts.
Him- I don't blog...I never regret what I do. NO REGRETS


4. What is your favorite book?
Her- I have so many. My all time favorite is "PERFECT" by Judith McNaught, but I'm currently loving Love the One You're With by Emily Giffin
Him- I'm more of a magazine person. My Favorite magazine is Entrepreneur

 

  

5. What's in your bag? (pictures too please!!)
Her- Make-up remover wipes, hand sanitizer, keys, inhaler, pocket planner, body spray, lipgloss, make-up bag, wallet, id case.
Him- I don't have a bag.

There is nothing permanent except change

Happy Humpday my Beautiful Friends!

The weekend is right around the corner! Can you smell it?!

I sure can, I'm super excited about spending some QT with the Huns, watching Nemo in 3D with my little princesses, and watching some FOOTBALL. Hopefully my Boys won't break my heart again this weekend! And it'll be 7 days closer till I see the other love of my life,

ºoº Mickey Mouse ºoº!!!

 

Before I get to my thoughts, what the heck is up with this new blogger design? Or is that I haven't upgraded my blogger and still living in the stone age? Ugh! Dear Mr. or Mrs. Blogger Person, Robot, why must you change stuff and mess with my brain? Really if the old blogger wasn't broke why would you go and change it? Grrr.

Anywho, this is probably my first post ever that I sit and share with the world some of my inner personal thoughts and feelings. Although I won't get into too much detail, today I've FINALLY learned that when you talk about your worries, stress, and some of your problems it helps and ALOT.

 

  This morning I went to see the doctor as promised, the past few weeks I've noticed that my hands and feet are swelling alot and it hurts to walk. I've also noticed some weight change, and some other things in my body that didn't feel right. Yes, I'm hardheaded and sometimes think that things will magically get better and disappear; but doctors and clinics just creep me out. After sitting in the waiting room for what felt like forever, I finally meet with the nurse, she asks me a million questions...checks my temperature, blood pressure, my heart, my height, and my weight; just like any other visit...only that this time, when she tells me the number on the scale I literally had tears in my eyes.  I couldn't believe it, never in my life had I pictured that number, or what it would look or feel like, yet alone see it before my eyes. I shortly met with the doctor and told her why I came to see her, she listened, and then... she pointed over to a weight chart and showed where I stand, for a second I felt disappointed in myself, and she continued and said, "You're a very beautiful woman, and You're young, and I know that if you put your mind to it, you can achieve anything and more, BUT if you don't change your lifestyle IMMEDIATELY, and by that I don't mean tomorrow, next week, or next month, I mean TODAY! You're going to die at a young age!" & That was my wake-up call!

I know everyone has struggled with weight loss at some point in their life. I've tried just about every diet out there, purchased all these workout videos, and workout machines, and some have worked but unless you continue to eat right and excercise, the weight comes back and sometimes it even doubles as in my case.

 

2 hours and $131 later, I've realized that NOW is the time to kick @ss!!!
So sad that I had to wait this long and hear it from a stranger to realize it.

 

So I invite you on this new chapter of my life as

I learn to eat and live healthy!

I will post my weekly menus, workouts, tips, pictures, challenges, achievements, etc so be sure to check in with my "I CAN & I WILL" posts. I'd love to hear what has worked for you all.

"There is nothing permanent except change"

 

I must add, my Huns has been the greatest today, he's listened, he's worried, he's cared, he's felt my pain, and held me close as I cried my sad news away... Thank you Baby for being the Greatest! I love you!

 

P.S. Dear Besties' I know you girls are always there for me, and that you're only a phone call away, but I know you too have your day to day issues, and one of  you is running on a low battery backup. :)
I love you girls and just knowing that you're there for me, makes it all better! xo

 

 

 

 

Introducing....

 

My bestie finally popped over the weekend. Ha! 

We were texting back and forth early morning , finalizing out plans for our brunch date with our bestie G who just got into town from VA and a few moments later, G and I get a text that her water just broke!

 

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

 

....And the excitement began!

 

I'd like to introduce the most handsome little guy I've met over the weekend, Prince Ethan.

Isn't he the cutest?!

 

8 lbs 9 oz, 20 3/4 inches

 

1 day old

 

Both Mommy & Baby are doing well. :)

 

P.S. Baby Ethan, Auntie Libby can't wait to spoil you!

 

 

 

Spread the Polish...

I can't think of anyone who doesn't love nail polish, or one who minds receiving a nice little package in the mail with 2 brand new polishes either. This is why I joined Rachel and Carly for a polish swap.

I was partnered with Nicole my Fashion go to girl! Nicole is the sweetest and I love her Friday Fancies; I have yet to join her and her fellow bloggers. Be sure to visit her world of fashion and probably polka dots. :)

 The packaging was super cute!
My nieces took over my package and helped unwrap them.

Pink Glitter: A Cut Above
Neutral: Chinchilly

Even my honey approved of the color. :)

 

My nieces LOVED getting glittered mani's. :)

Thank you so much Nicole I ABSOLUTELY loved it!
 

July Swap Continued...

Back in July Alyx hosted a swap and I was originally partnered with Kara, but she was going to be out of town the week of the swap so was unable to participate, however we did keep in touch and when she returned we swapped.

Kara is the sweetest. She loves photography and has taken beautiful pictures of nature and her siblings. Be sure to stop by her space and say hello.

Here are the goodies she sent me.

She did GREAT! Loved the daisy stickers, notecards, and the Mickey and Minnie garden flag.

The girls snatched the coin purse from me :)

 

She even hand-made hello kitty bows and handbags for my nieces.

The girls loved receiving goodies for them too.

 

 

 

Thanks again Kara!