Life Lessons: Lessons Learned in 30 Years of Life

Happy Birthday Darling! Today, I celebrate THIRTY years of being alive... what a blessing. So, I didn't celebrate turning thirty with the all white party, I loosely envision, partly because my friends and family don't live in my town and I felt a bit nostalgic. Instead, I went on a gratefulness walk with my son at one of my favorite local parks, and we had a nice family dinner at Old Mill. 

I wanted to commemorate turning thirty by sharing some important life lessons I have learned along the way. 

- One -

 Family is everything. 

- Two -

 Things do happen for a reason and life makes sense backwards. God + The Universe have your back. Trust the journey.

- Three -

 Things do not bring you lasting happiness + contentment;  inner peace does. 

- Four -

Gratitude will change your life. Your heart will feel so full when you truly appreciate what you have. 

- Five -

Trust your heart. It is your compass.

- Six -

Be open to change. Resistance to change creates a while to of pain. 

- Seven -

Be a student of life. 

- Eight -

 Not knowing is perfectly okay. The answers will come to you when the moment is right. 

- Nine -

Accept what is and let go of the rest ... it’s so easy to get down when our present is not playing out how we wanted or expected. Just let go. Surrender. 

- Ten -

Tell people what is in your heart without fearing how they will react. It's liberating.

- Eleven -

 Don't take things personally. When someone treats you poorly, it's all a reflection of their life and the struggles they are facing.

- Twelve -

Be kind to everyone. Be warm and welcoming... just like my great-grand-ma "mama".

- Thirteen -

 Time heals.

- Fourteen -

 Nothing lasts forever. Embrace each season of life. Take all the good and all the lessons with you. 

- Fifteen -

 Ask why and listen. Really listen. Asking why is the first step to creating common ground/understanding. 

- Sixteen -

 The blissful innocence of childhood is everything. Recapture the bliss...

- Seventeen -

 Write things down. 

- Eighteen -

Embrace the now. Nothing is ever the same and nothing will ever be the same. Today will never be again. 

- Nineteen -

 Don't take EVERYTHING so seriously. 

 - Twenty -

Don't hide your bliss. 

- Twenty-One -

 Process your emotions. Take the time to feel what you're feeling and than release.

- Twenty-Two -

 Learn from your children. They come into your life to teach you more than you could ever teach them. They are pure and their inner compass has not yet been recked by parental or societal expectations. 

- Twenty-Three -

Your example speaks for itself. It's louder than words.

- Twenty-Four -

 Take care of yourself first. An empty vessel can't care for or nourish others.  

 - Twenty-Five -

Start now. 

- Twenty-Six -

Get out of your head. 

-Twenty-Seven-

 The work we do within is the most important work we can ever do. 

- Twenty-Eight -

Take ownership of your life. Take ownership of your contentment. Don't grant anyone, but yourself the responsibility of your happiness. 

- Twenty-Nine -

Take the time to get to know yourself.

- Thirty -

  Be you. You are enough Darling! 

--

Cheers to my thirties! May I continue to love, learn and grow.

Xx, Rocio 

Alexander is Two

Alexander turned two a week ago.  I can't even believe two years have gone by since I held him in my arms for the first time. The last two years have been such a gift + joy. I am truly so grateful and thank the universe each and every day for blessing me with his life.  

My baby is now a boy! Alexander is so full of joy and life. His energy is soo contagious. He is a chatter box, he has a huge personality, he is so playful, and loves to laugh + have fun. He is also the sweetest, most loving and kind little human I know. He is curious, smart, and determined. He is constantly repeating new words and phases, asking questions like "what's that", "is that a plane ... school bus??".

I love that he loves to cuddle with his Mama. He even gets a little feisty when Daddy hugs me and doesn't include him for a family hug. Did I mention family hugs are the best these days? Yup. They are --specially when Alexander says "hugs". He is a great hugger and his besos (kisses) are extra sweet. 

Alexander loves trains, planes, cars, school buses and sports (typical boy!?), but he seems to favor hockey... I always knew he was a wild one at heart. He loves pizza, pasta, fruits, and broccoli. He loves to run around, ride the Tonka truck down the drive way, he loves walks with Mami, being tickled, and going to the park. He also loves loves books, instruments, and music. 

Letter to Alexander

"Alexander, your birthday was extra special this year.  Lola + Papa came up to visit, we went to the zoo and you had pasta for lunch. You were the life of the restaurant, you celebrated, sang happy birthday and toasted "cheers" over and over. You ran around in an open field... wild and free. You had ice cream cake for the first time and you really enjoyed it. We laughed and hugged  and kissed. We sang and danced and played. You really enjoyed yourself and so did we.

We celebrated your birthday times two. Abuy, Nona, Beba, Tita, Yandel and Elena also came to celebrate you turning twoo twoo.  Tita baked a choo choo train just for you and you loved spending time with everyone."

Happy Birthday, Sunshine. Love always, Mami. 

Xx,  Rocio

Alexander Turns One

Happy first birthday my love!!  

Alexander turned one on May 6th! It's hard to believe its been a year. Time sure does fly.

The past year has been truly amazing. Our lives have been filled with nothing but true joy, excitement, gratitude, smiles + lots of belly laughs, and appreciation for the big moments, the small things, and everything in between. I have been so blissfuly happy and extremely grateful to have our baby boy in our lives and for the life we are building together as a family.

Its been wonderful to watch Alexander grow + learn, develop his own personality and become a more independent little guy.  I am also proud of myself for surviving my first year as a mommy. Yay! There have been no shortage of challenges and self-doubt, but I have chosen to embrace everything + I wouldn't change a thing.  I have learnt so much about myself (and life in general) in this pass year and for that I thank my son.   

 As Xander's Birthday month approached, I was extremely excited to celebrate this huge milestone, but I was also feeling a bit nostalgic because my bebe is growing way too fast. Time please slow down!

Gabby Young Photography

Birthday Letter to Mateo | May, 6th 2016

Today we celebrated your first birthday. You woke to snuggles, hugs + lots of kisses. You spent your day with people who love you dearly, you laughed, you played, you hugged, you cried, you partied, and you danced. You loved eating the raspberry cake and raspberry ice cream Mami made for you. You pretty much had a blast and so did we. Tonight Mami snuggled you extra long and extra tight. Baby boy take advantage of each and everyday because time really does fly!

                                                                                                                                                       Gabby Young Photography

Love,

Mami