Ready for 2 0 1 6

Now that we're counting down the hours left in 2015 it's stereotypical of me to look back at this year and figure out what I can do better . There's not a lot that I would change about this year because I was blessed with so much more than I could have asked for . However, I've come to the conclusion that resolutions don't work and instead I should be setting goals for myself (realistic and not generic goals) 

2016 GOALS

love myself more 

I tend to forgot that I still have to love myself more . I've been neglecting loving myself because I feel like I need to love others before myself, but I've realized how can I love more if I don't love myself? I want to do the things that I love to do again. I've adjusted to believe that I'm "just a wife and mother" role and though that is a huge part of me it's not all of me. 

love my husband more

Every year, we struggle to find the balance between being friends and husband and wife . This year was especially hard because we had to shift our focus to our active toddler and I forgot to work on us.    I want to be able to go on more date nights with just us , confide more in him ( I tend to keep things to myself) and focus on him being my absolute best friend. 

love my child more

Haidyn is the center of our world, but there's so much more that I would love to do with her  and show her. I don't spend a lot of time already with her since I work and she goes to school, but I'd like to cherish the moments that I have with her, even more than I currently do. 

be present 

I want to take more time to be there for the people that need me the most and that have been there for me. I want to focus on what matters in life, which is the people I love and giving them my undivided attention and love. Money can't buy happiness. 

slow down 

I tend to believe that the faster I work the faster I will be done and that's never the case. I want to slow down this upcoming year and smell the roses if you will. I never enjoy the small things because I'm too busy focusing on the bigger picture.

worry less 

I'm a worry wart at it's finest. I can't help but worry about everything and anything that MIGHT happen. Those things usually never happen and I miss out on a great chance. 

seek more adventures /try new things

I like my safe zone and if something is out of the ordinary for me , I would rather just sit it out instead of trying something new. My husband is a thrill seeker that married a safe girl. Most times I feel awful because I won't even try it. Not anymore.

I'm ready 2016! 

Happy New Year Everyone!

Here is to 25

I don’t know what it is about turning 25 that has me terrified. I never imagined that at 25 I would be married to a wonderful man and have a beautiful baby girl. I always thought this day would come and I’d have everything figured out in life as if life would give be a box having all of the things I needed to become successful/happy in one little box. Life has handed me life lessons left and right throughout my life and thrown curve balls at me when I least expected it. I’ve learned that I will overcome everything if I just breathe. My life is nowhere near what I envisioned it to be, it’s even better that I could’ve ever imagined. I love my life and everything it took to get me here. I don’t have it all figured it out and I don’t think I ever will , but I’m ready to learn everyday to make myself a better mother , wife and person that I can be. Anyhow, here’s my list of 25 things I’ve learned at 25.

1.     Stop stressing, it will all be okay.
2.   Don’t lie or cheat.
3.  With that being said, be honest in every aspect of your life.
4.  Choose happiness, even if it doesn’t seem like the winning choice.
5.     Love conquers all.
6.    Work hard and be humble.  
7.   Things really do happen for a reason and in time.
8.    Always count your blessings they will outweigh the bad in your life.
9.    Relationships will evolve just as much as you will, remembering that will help when friends come and go throughout the years.
10.   Make yourself a priority and be a little selfish at times.
11.   Take a break.
12.  Tell it like it is (within reason). Don’t hold back your feelings for someone good or bad.
13.  Trust your gut.
14.   Don’t be a perfectionist.  
15.    At the end of the day, Family is all that matters.
16.    Learn to say “No”.
17.   Save money – as much as you can.
18. Smile often 
19. Waking up with a "I can I will " attitude will make you feel unstoppable. 
20.   I don’t have to have it all figured out just yet. I will learn to be a better mother, sister, daughter and wife throughout my life.
21.  Learn from your mistakes and grow with them.
22.   If you feel good, you’ll look good.
23. Just because I don’t have the highest position in a company, doesn’t mean I’m not successful.
24.  Don’t give up on your dreams. 
25. Love yourself. Truly love everything about you. Every imperfection is perfect. 

DIY| Christimas Ugly Sweater

I don’t know why I can’t just buy a normal sweater like everyone else. Maybe it’s because I have to put my little twist to it, but nonetheless my sweater came out pretty cool. I didn’t want to spend a ton of money on a sweater and I wanted it to be comfortable. In total to recreate this sweater I spent $7.62! Most sweaters that you’ll find are upwards $14-$25. Holidays means budget to spend on baking goodies, food and presents so this fit right in!

MATERIALS

• Hanes black crew neck sweater
• Gold glitter puffy paint
• Red, white and green felt
• Scissors
• Gold puffy paint/fabric paint
• No Sew fabric glue

DIRECTIONS

1. Draw up your “chain” at the neck of your sweater with your gold fabric paint. I had to use a paint brush to darken the “chain”. (Two coats should work here.)
2. Cut out your letters on your different colored felt.
3. Glue on your letters to your sweater.
4. Add all the glitter you want !

Persimmon Bread

Persimmons are by far my favorite fruit. Since I don’t live in California, I only get to eat them when they’re in season which is right around fall time. If you don’t know what this amazing fruit is the easiest way to describe is that it tastes like a pumpkin and an apple hybrid. It’s so good! This bread recipe makes the holidays actually feel like the holidays. It’s easy to make to give out to friends and family.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 eggs
• 1 ½ cups flour
• ¾ cup sugar
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 cup persimmon pulp
• ½ cup walnuts
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ cup raisin
• 1/2 cup chocolate chip chunks

 

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F
2. Grease a 9 x 4 inch pan.
3. In a small bowl, combine flour, cinnamon, salt, nuts, chocolate chunks and raisins.
4. In a large bowl, blend eggs, sugar, and oil.
5. Mix baking soda into pulp, and add to sugar mixture.
6.  Fold in flour mixture.
   
7.  Pour entire batter into prepared pan.
   
8. Bake for 60-75 minutes, or until tooth pick comes out clean.