Life – Page 4

OUR FITNESS/HEALTHY CHALLENGE

Hey all, tonight Xavier and I decided to start our own fitness challenge! We both can honestly tell you all that we have slacked off big time. When Xavier and I were in nursing school, we both were very much dedicated to working out and having a healthy lifestyle. Well, love comes along and… Just kidding! haha. But on a serious note, I think our slacking started off on our last semester in nursing school.

It was such a busy time for us during our last practicum and our time was very limited. We had to work around or preceptor schedules and finally started doing those 12 hour shifts..exhausting! Lucky for Xavier he had day shift, so he had some wiggle time. Unfortunately for me, I had no choice and ended up on night shifts that last semester of nursing school. Lets just say that juggling in a nurses 12 hour shifts 3-4 times a week, plus classes, study time, endless amounts papers and the beginning of our relationship as boyfriend and girlfriend, was exhausting. We were definitely fortunate to share the same struggles and challenges in many ways for sure. Needless to say, Xavier was so good to me helping me juggle night shift while he was in days. So as you can see, time definitely played a role in us lacking efforts to make it to the gym and keeping motivated.

Shortly after graduating and passing our boards we were very blessed to have jobs 2 months after! But in between those months we finally found ‘some’ time to make it to cross fit or the gym. On some of our days we were heading over to mountain bike trails and getting some kayaking in as well. Well our two months were up and life started! We began to work the 12 hour shifts 3-4 days a week and for a new nurse, it was mentally and physically exhausting! we work in a very fast paced hospital, at least I seem to think so.

Well enough is enough! Some weight was gained, and some toning was lost! And now its time to reverse that and loose the gained, and tone the un-toned! We have a trip lined up in October to NYC, and we made that a time frame for our beginning goal.

Our goals from now till then will be simple to get us back into that rhythm of eating better and being more active!

So our goals for now will be:

Eat healthier, cleaner foods.
Cooking at home more often (especially for work)
Choosing healthier options when eating out
Going to the Gym AT LEAST 3 times per week (4-5 preferably)
More outdoor activities

Tonight we started by going to cross fit, something I was a little apprehensive about. Only because I personally feel there’s more of a risk for injuries. Xavier had done cross fit for some years before so I compromised with him. If he agreed to start our challenge the clean way (no chemical filled powders) I would join him in cross fit. So tonight I went to the beginners class, learned proper form and techniques to start our compromise.

Xavier wants to lose around 10 pounds from now till october, and I ultimately just want to help him be motivated, lose just a couple and tone up myself and gain my endurance back! All in all, it was a great night to start ‘our fitness challenge’! If you have any suggestions, tips, ideas or your own fitness challenges, we would love to hear all about them! So go out there and join us in putting on our running shoes more often!

Ready… set… GO!

Here’s a little glimpse into what we want to get back into!

A healthier us

We will keep you all posted! Have a wonderful, healthy day!

-Xavier and Jen

TO OUR MOM: HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

This week we celebrated our moms birthday. Let me just tell you all before I go into details, that I haven’t seen that smile on her face in a long time. It was great to see her so happy. To start off, this year my dad had a great idea to surprise her. And boy was she surprised! The plan was to take her out to dinner to a place that she had never been to, but by the beach. Well, the question was, what restaurant?? There are so many down here in South Florida. We wanted to take her to one where we knew she would enjoy the food! ( she’s a picky eater, haha) The second part of the plan was that she would be under the impression that it was only going to be her and my dad. So the search for a restaurant and to make it seem they were going out to a birthday dinner date began. Part of the plan was for my boyfriend and I to pick up my little sister an hour or two before they left for their date. The next part of the plan was to get all my brothers and us of course, together that day to surprise her.

Well on a more personal level, no family is perfect… mine including. So to make a long story short, getting all of us siblings together with my parents was a big step. But by grace and with forgiving hearts, the arrangements were made and we were all on the same page and ready to surprise our mom!

So this past Wednesday, a couple of days before her actual birthday (we have a wedding to attend on her birthday) we all had the night off from our busy everyday duties..so we used that opportunity to surprise her! I got up that day and picked up some delicious Misha’s cupcakes instead of a traditional birthday cake. ( I highly recommend to try these cupcakes, they are soo yummy!) After that, my boyfriend and I headed over to my parents and picked up Sofia two hours before dinner. We tricked her into thinking Sofia was going to join us for dinner with x and I and his parents, and she fell for it! Shortly after, we got ourselves dolled up and we were of to a restaurant by the beach here in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Sea Watch on the Ocean. All us siblings headed to the restaurant first, to wait for her big arrival! We held up our menus so that she wouldn’t see us as she walked in. But when she walked in, she followed my dads instructions to close her eyes.. and long behold, a big “SURPRISE” was definitely heard in the restaurant!

Her excitement and reaction was beautiful and heart warming. I think deep down we all secretly shed a tear or two with her. She was so overwhelmed with appreciation that we were all there and TOGETHER. Something that had not happened in a long time. I still remember seeing her face and how happy and moved she was. I think as we get older, we seem to appreciate our parents happiness a lot more.. and becomes something you only wish you can fill their hearts with. I think we all did just that this night. And the best part of it was that we all came together for HER and did that and brought her happiness.

After our delicious meals, we headed over to the beach. It was literally right behind the restaurant so we continued the celebration! She blew out the candles on her cupcakes and made a wish that I bet was already complete! Cheers to our mom, friend, and the reason for many of our cries, laughter and love! We wish you so many more by our side!

So dear, Mami..

Happy Birthday from all of us.

We love you oh so much and enjoy seeing you happy!

Isn't she beautiful? — Isn’t she beautiful?

Happy Day my beautiful mother.. You are loved so dearly. May God Bless with you many more.. May he fill your heart with more love, more forgiveness, more happiness and more dreams in your heart.

Love, Jen and the family.

HALF WAY TO 50

Half way to fifty.. That’s what’s coming up right around the corner my fellow friends! I haven’t blogged in a bit, but looking through the calendar and it quickly reminded me that in just about 2 months, I will be turning 25. HALF way to 50! It’s crazy to think that this number is so significant, it will probably be an unforgettable birthday just like many other’s have been but in another sort of way. My first thought of this was just a “quick thought.” The kind that we all have once we realize something is coming up. The kind that you know you have to acknowledge what you quickly remembered, yet that quick thought will fade away just as quick and we will be on to the next thought in a second. This was the case at first, until it really hit me.. that getting to 25 IS in deed half way to 50! But hey.. no other way to embrace the fact that I am blessed and I will soon hit the big 25 and I will be 25 years YOUNG. 24 was a great year and one to remember, as always it consisted of some bad and a lot of good! So for now, it is time to enjoy these last two months at 24 and get ready for the big twenty-five. I am so incredibly privileged and have such a blessed life, even when I seem to think things are going downhill. But I truly have wonderful people around me that whether it’s by actions or words, remind me the many other reasons I have to smile. I have learned a lot at 24, and God has truly guided me throughout the years. I am humbled at the thought of it really.. So.. Dear 25, I will see you in August with arms and heart wide open. I am ready for you and all that you will have to offer, because I know that it will be truly great! Till August. Meanwhile, those old photographs came out and so did the memories. Here’s a couple of my favorites of me at a younger age. enjoy! How did You all feel when you realized the big 25 was coming up? When that day comes, I will make sure to share my feelings of that day with you all.

Let the CountDown Begin! T-minus 67 days! ❤

FEELING THANKFUL..

YES, I AM FEELING THANKFUL. Lately, I can’t help but to stop and think how at times the daily hustle and bustle of life leads us to be such Debby downers. How quick we are to complain about not just big things but also silly things, things with no importance, and most importantly.. things that we should be so grateful to even have or get a chance to be part of. I’m not in the clear on this one either guys..I am also quite guilty of this. I think that we are so focused on the BIG picture sometimes, that we forget to cherish and be grateful for the little things in our lives. Many days, time is of the essence. And we tend to be in such a rush to get things done, to be somewhere “now,” to hurry up and do things to just simply get them done, that we forget to slow down and remember that time is precious. I don’t mean precious, because we have more to do… But precious because in every thing you do, every place you find yourself standing, everyone you’re sharing a moment with.. is precious. Precious because time won’t give us those moments back. And no matter how good or bad the situation you are in at that time, we all have something to learn from those moments. So today, as I sat on my couch by myself at home, I had some time to reflect on life lately. I thought about the last couple of weeks and thought of all the silly things I had been complaining of. While some are legit, some have no excuses, they are simply just ~~complains.~~ So while I like to think of myself as a pretty optimistic person, the past 2 weeks of an overwhelming work schedule, I found myself complaining more than usual. So today some reflection was most definitely needed. It was time to sit back and remember how immensely blessed I am and how many things I should be thankful for in my life. Today brought some perspective back into just plain out being THANKFUL and how powerful GRACE is.. I’m overwhelmed by the thought of it and how many things we should be grateful for.

Psalms 100, I Corinthians 15:10

Here are a couple of things that I had time to reflect on today and that I am immensely thankful for..Big things and even the smallest of things.

♥BIG THINGS

WORK: Being a Nurse, is not the simplest of careers. And some days our faith, and patience is definitely tested on numerous occasions… and while I love what I do, this happens to be one that I complain of on a regular. Usually its my ethic vs the politics of it being a “business” after all. BUT despite of it all, I would choose to be a nurse again, and I am truly blessed to have a job, and to have a job in something I truly enjoy, while helping those who are open to receiving my help.

HOME: God has really blessed Xavier and I, in being able to find a place to call home.

RAINY DAYS: I complain about my hair getting wet sometimes, but today as I sat and stared out my window, I couldn’t help to think how beautiful a rainy day can be.

DAYS OFF: Time away from work, a time to recharge and enjoy in our home or with those whom we love and don’t get to see on a regular.

FAMILY: Far from perfect, but its OURS. For always being there for me. For teaching me about life through out the years. For raising me to be who I am today and for their love.

XAVIER: My Boyfriend, my best friend, the love of my life and my future. I am so thankful for him. For the patience he has for me and all that comes along with me. For his unconditional love for me. For sharing a love with each other that is one of a kind. For his goofiness, his support and his way of always reminding me to be still and that everything will be ok. Simply for loving me for me and loving me back.

♥Small things

COFFEE: This truly could be a BIG thing for me, but it’s not. It’s a small thing, that I’m oh so thankful of its power. The power to wake me up, taste good, and put a smile on my face. yum.

SMILES: From my sisters little smile to random strangers. Genuine smiles make you feel and instant warmth of welcoming and happiness. How lovely they are.

MY HANDS: These two little body parts, not only provide help for myself on a daily basis. But they help me embrace those around me, touch the face and hold the hands of those I love.

MORNINGS: For they allow our day to start for whats ahead and provide our bellies with breakfast food! yum.

HAIR CLIPS AND MY HAIR: Gosh it can be a mess, and hair clips become a gracious life saver. And my hair whom many wish they had. Hair that makes me, ME and my honey happens to love no matter how MUFASA like it can get.

EYES: Eyes that get to see the mornings, the smiles, the coffee, my hair, the rainy days, my home and work, and enjoy my days off. But most importantly those whom I love and are important to me my friends, my family, the love of my life (Xavier) and Gods wonderful creations.

What are you all thankful for? Because really, there is so much don’t you think?..

REMINISCING ON SISTERLY LOVE

Meet Sofia. She is one of the loves in my life, and life without her would not be the same. She was an unexpected little human being, that I believe has only brought us joy and laughs. And most importantly, she has brought me a love that I never knew of. She is my SISTER. While we may be 18 years apart, she is my best friend. She is the light to many of our days, and I know that I not only speak for myself, but for many in our family. While at times, we still have your typical sister relationship, the kind that bothers each other and plays pranks on each other, she is my sister and she is a big joy of mine. Lately, I have been really missing her. I’ve been working so much that I haven’t been able to spend some quality time with her. I’ve found myself looking through some pictures of her on my phone and some saved videos on my laptop. She really just brings a smile to my face. Sometimes, she is your typical little 6-year-old, developing some sort of individual character with this little diva personality and frankly, sometimes I want to just tell her to PUT IT AWAY! lol. But then I think about it, and I find it so remarkably incredible that the little girl who was born 6 years ago, is now this strong, sweet, goofy, brave and straight forward little person. She is the opposite of what I was when I was her age, I was shy and not brave and definitely did not speak my mind. And now that I am 24 and the opposite of what I was when I was younger, I seem to think her and I have more in common now, even being 18 years apart. What I find most incredible, is that 18 years ago, I did not want another sibling, I thought it would be too strange to have such a young sibling and I thought it would take away time from our family. Selfish, I know. But now, 18 years later I take back all those thoughts, because, she has done the opposite. It is not strange to have such a young sibling, if anything it has taught me so much about life, to enjoy and cherish all the little moments and to see the good in the bad. And she most definitely did not take away from our family, she added a love and happiness that we all need in our lives, even when life seems to be too tough. The more I reminisce, about her and our relationship the more I cannot wait till the next time I see her. Our bond is inseparable, and a bond that I hold so dear to my heart. I wouldn’t have it any other way, even when she throws her little 6-year-old tantrums! lol. If it wasn’t for her, I would have not known what it feels like to have a sister. I only hope that I will be an example for her through out her life, a support system, a friend to laugh with and a best friend to share her heart with. I hope this for both my siblings. I know that I’m not perfect, but we also get to learn from imperfect people.. So lets hope she’ll still want me around when she’s on a date or going to prom! (wishful thinking I know lol). For now, I will sit back and share my sister and a BLESSING with you all! Meet SOFIA.

DOESNT SHE JUST BRING A SMILE TO YOUR FACE??

An older sister is a friend and defender — a listener, conspirator, a counsellor and a sharer of delights. And sorrows too. ~Pam Brown

LOVE YOU SOFI ❤

THE SLEEPY STRUGGLE

THE SLEEPY ~~STRUGGLE..~~ Not much of a struggle honestly.. Life lately for us has consisted of much work, late hours, and lots of sleep on our days off.. Struggle in the sense that we can’t get out if this bed! Our mornings are consisting of waking up around one o’clock in the afternoon.. Yes! I said it, ONE OCLOCK in the AFTERNOON! So can I still call it our morning?? I mean we still wake up and get our cup of coffee and eat our yummy pancakes!? So yes, I’ll call it our mornings. This bed has consumed our mornings. We’ve thought about it and have thought of all we could be doing if we just woke up at a decent time. Things that our up there on our to do list of life.. Like being more active, doing things earlier if we can, and doing more of our errands all in one shot instead of waiting till our next day off.. But the bed wins. And while we like to call it a struggle, in the sense that we feel we could be doing so much in that time.. The struggle of getting up and out of bed is good. We definitely can’t say we take our sleep for granted.. Because we appreciate it to the fullest as you can see! It’s a mixed emotion really. On our days off, after working our 3, 12 hour shifts, sleep is certainly needed and we’ve become so thankful for sleep. We’ve been told to take advantage of it now while we can, since we don’t have kids or little four legged friends to take care of yet… But at the same time I also think.. Shouldn’t we also take advantage of that and do more things we want to do too then? The answers is probably yes.. But the best answer is probably, finding a BALANCE. We will work on it fellow friends.. I’m sure I’m not alone on this right? Please tell me were not.. Lol. But for now this bed will continue to consume us some days more than others and we will work on the balance of sleep and our daily life. So for now we will cherish the sleep and be thankful we can get sleep when needed.

So my fellow bed, while you look so tempting.. Until tonight.. We will see you later. And we will welcome you with open arms and heavy eyes. Isn’t sleep so great my friends?! Sigh…. Zzz

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