Work Life Balance

I realized today that many of my fellow homeschool moms don’t realize that I actually work too!  I thought for a minute (duh!) that I since I am very passionate about what I do, I should share a little about what I’ve been doing for the past 4 years (whoa! It’s been that long?).

In 2007, I saw an opportunity to serve as an ambassador for a program called the Phoenix Teaching Fellows.  This program recruits, selects, and trains professionals and recent college grads to become teachers in high-need schools. Since then I’ve served in various capacities but my most favorite part of the job is recruitment. Last year, the Phoenix Teaching Fellows changed its name to the Arizona Teaching Fellows to reflect its expansion to other parts of Arizona. Yay!

I mentioned that my biggest dream is to see that my boys will eventually hold a career in something that they are passionate about and love. While I only work seasonally for the AZTF, I truly am grateful for the opportunity. Why? Hundreds of students who because of AZTF will have committed, high-quality teachers who will give them them the best education they deserve. There is no doubt that there is a true disparity in high needs schools and wealthy schools. That’s why AZTF exists.  Because students in high needs schools truly need these dedicated, high achieving college grads and career professionals to pour into their lives. To become that constant that they truly crave and need. Every year I get to personally meet the new Fellows and I beam with such excitement. They have no idea that the commitment they made is going to impact so many children.

When my sweetie taught he carried around this Starfish Story in his wallet.  I love knowing that the work we do will bring just one more teacher that will impact one more student. WOW! Talk about making a difference!

Going back to my dream of our boys doing the kind of work they are passionate about is why I wanted to talk about the work I do.  It doesn’t feel like work. It feels like play. I love what I do. I look forward to the time I set aside to do it. I schedule it in right after our homeschool day and the time FLIES. Isn’t that a blessing?!

So when someone talks about work life balance I think about the fact that when you love what you do, your life is balanced. I’m not saying that there aren’t difficult days or some days in which it’s really hard, I’m just saying that' it’s definitely nice to have that passion and drive.  Have that in whatever you do.  If you are a homeschooling mom, do it with passion and drive. LOVE IT. Look forward to it. If you are a stay-at-home mom, have passion in it. Enjoy homemaking. Read articles and blogs about homemaking and get good at it too. You know?  Homemaking, homeschooling, being CEO of the home is totally work and while that doesn’t really add zeroes to our paycheck, it is an investment into our children.  And that my friend, is work and life balance .

Happy New Year!

I am feeling so great! What a mighty God we serve! A whole new year huh? I know that it has been a while since my last post.. but I am pretty psyched now to continue documenting my thoughts, dreams, wishes, etc.

So today is the second day I actually completed a 30 minute excercise. WHAT?! I actually said excercise! Now most of my fam knows that's a dirty, bad word in my language. It's pretty much something I have never done. I make no commitments here and frankly I don't even know that it is even excersice (See? i am even having trouble spelling the darn word!). I do few things on the wii fit then turn to cox and demand and try one of their 20 minute workouts. Preferably something of a dance routine so I can concentrate on only achieving the moves than even think of the dirty word.

Anyhow, here is what I have noticed... I am feeling more energetic, MORE hungry (what's up with that?) and I down a whole bottle of water before it's even 8am (it used to take me a whole day to even complete one bottle). So I guess that's good. Just taking it day by day. The good thing is that it's done and off my mind now and I can go on to bigger and better things.... Like starting my new year of homeschooling. Off to teach now..

Best wishes,

My kid is a genius!

WOW! I couldn't even do this!

Just had to share :-)

Fun night out!

Awwww I love this picture! This was taken over at the Blazin M Ranch Dinner Show. We went for my brother's birthday and had a blast!

Here are some more pics from the fun night!

More info here: http://www.blazinm.com/


Happy Birthday Bro!

So sad...

I anticipated this week would be terrible. I've been pretty depressed up to this day. I've been trying to focus and stay strong but I can't help it. It's been one year since I learned that my little one has went to heaven. It's been so hard. There hasn't been a time where I don't think about it or what it's been like to feel that loss.

I have faith that God will provide. I have faith that my Lord knows why. I trust that God will see us through this. As much as I say it, I hope I can eventually truly feel it. I know it takes time to heal but... if only.... it's so hard.

On the same day of my surgery, it was also the same day my grandfather passed away 4 years ago. I just keep thinking that he was there to greet my little one and hold her too. My grandfather adored babies and loved children very much. I know he is with her now and they are together in heaven watching over us. One day we will all be together again. Until then... I miss them very, very, very much.

Nani is back from CAMP!

This was the LONGEST week of my entire life. G left for camp on Monday and I was miserable. My sweetie took the week off and stayed with me and I am sooo glad he did. I was in a hole and didn't want to talk to anyone, or do anything at all! I kept praying without ceasing the entire time he was gone. I was so engrossed in the Palm Valley Kids Camp blog because it was my only connection with him!

Turned out he did awesome. This is my favorite picture of him while he was at camp. This is one where he is playing human foosball!

There were many lessons learned this week...

1. Never underestimate your children
2. Never overestimate yourself
3. Trust God... he hears your prayers!

My 30th Birthday!

So my mom and sweetie put together a 30th birthday party for me today. I still can't believe I've made it to the BIG "Three O" but you know, it's where i wanna be. I remember when I talked to my girlfriend Rachele last December and she told me when she was turning 30 that she LOVED where she was at 30. I thought about that and it stuck with me. I have two beautiful boys, an amazing husband who loves me very much, a loving mom and family... fantastic girlfriends who are always there... I just thank God for my blessings.

My mom made Puerto Rican food and we had a DJ and a WaterSlide! My goal was for the babies to have fun... and it seems like they did!

Field Trip to Phoenix Children's Museum

We got to go to the Phoenix Children's Museum yesterday. I took my nephews Andy and Alex too! Julie met me there with Hannah and it was so great! The boys had a blast and I know Hannah did too! Here are some pics from the field trip...

Happy 9th Anniversary!

Today my sweetie and I celebrated our 9th Anniversary (from our actual formal wedding ceremony). We went out to eat at Claim Jumpers without our babies. While it was so nice to sit and chat without the babies interrupting, believe it or not, we kept talking about them! Nani's leaving for camp soon so I am getting super anxious and nervous about it. This week, my sweetie and mom will be throwing me a birthday party so that's helping me keep my mind off things for awhile.

I love that after 9 years of marriage I still am still head over heels in love with my man! He is so wonderful and I am so thankful that God put us together. Sometimes it is work... and I really mean WORK, but it is sooo worth it! He makes me laugh, he is my partner and best friend, and most of all, he is an amazing father! I love you Papi Chulo!

Ira's Birthday Party

Ira's Birthday party was such a BLAST! We pulled it together well. Here are some pics from the BIG Day!

I cannot BELIEVE my baby is now 4! I am so proud of him. Thank you Jesus for my cutie pie!

Amazing Journey Begins

I am so thrilled. I know I haven't posted much..it's been an amazing couple weeks with ups and downs all around. Let's start with the downs:

1) I haven't menu planned in two weeks. Yup, after 2 weeks of perfection, I slipped. I ran dry of ideas and just couldn't come up with any more within me so we gave in to eating out a total of 5 nights in the past couple weeks. Maybe more.. I don't know I just don't wanna count! After Ira's birthday party tomorrow, I hope I will come back around again. I sure miss home cooked meals now!

2) My mama went to the ER last night and was admitted :-( I cried my eyes out and then went to visit her. I seem strong around my sisters and brothers but really, I am a mess. I just don't know how to be. I know I have faith but the thought of my mama suffering or even getting close to a heart attack freaks me out. I LOVE MY MOM. She is the world to me. I know I am who I am because of her and I NEED her. I so look forward to our Wednesday and Friday morning conversations where we talk about anything. I can't wait for her to get out of the hospital and be home. I am going to plan a girls' day out soon. I'll talk to my sisters and see what we can come up with. Mama needs her pampering, she works sooo hard.

Now the ups:

1) My honey and I decided after 10 years of a promise that it's time to move forward with the adoption process. I am so excited! 10 years ago before we got married, we stared in each other's eyes and made a pact with our Lord that we would do everything possible to adopt a child. As child advocates and working with children I can't tell you enough how many children are so hurting and longing for a family to belong to. So here begins our journey for a princess to join our home. We are hoping for a girl that we can spoil and the boys can protect. Lil Geovanni and Ira understand and are believing that we will bring home a new baby soon. I know there is a chica out there who will be our new addition. Lord, I pray that you protect her and send our precious angel Gianna to comfort her right now and let her know that she will be joining us soon.
In Jesus mighty mighty name, Amen!

2) Ira's birthday! Well if you know us, you know we do these birthday parties up BIG. We have a saying in our household... "We asked for our babies, they didn't ask for us." And therefore, we look at birthday parties as a way to show our babies how special they are to us. They love being part of the planning. We plan for months ahead... while nothing gets down on paper because I am just not THAT organized, we plan things like where we are thinking of having it and the theme. Then we start dreaming up the games and envisioning the whole thing. I will post pictures up after tomorrow's BIG day.

Well that's all for now... I've gotta run and get the last items for the party tomorrow.

In Jesus,

Happy 9th Anniversary!

Amazing. 9 Years TODAY! As I reflect on these nine years of marriage, I think of how true it is that a Marriage takes Work, Patience, and a whole lotta Prayer! I can honestly say that what always kept me on check was that I always knew that my sweetie is the one I want to be with forever. Therefore, why in the world would I want us to be miserable? We do silly things like make fun of each other (in a nice way of course), crack jokes, squeeze each other's butt when no one else is looking... and so much more. Always making sure that it's the little things that count, like making sure to greet him at the door when he walks in (the boys and I run and hug him like he's been gone for weeks every single day he comes home) , he calls me daily for a lunch date to see how my day is going (even though sometimes my day is so hectic it seems like a chore), I always wake up early to prepare his clothes and make him coffee, breakfast and lunch before he leaves for work too (except when I am sick or the babies are sick of course, he always insists I stay in bed and sleep in)! This may all seem cheesy but I know it's what keeps our fire burning.

The mere fact that we have a passion for the same thing. Children. We have an strong desire to help children, to minister to them and to provide them the best education possible. We have lengthy conversations about our ministry, the who, the how, the when, and the why. There are so many hurting children out there. And we have that burning desire to make a difference together...

I love seeing "my man" grow. He is hotter, cuter, and so much wiser now... Toast to our Anniversary and the many, many years to come!

Happy Mother's Day, I am Mother of the Year!

Totally pampered today! I got a full body Swedish massage over at BluSol in Avondale, and it was a fantastic experience! The boys really outdid themselves and it was awesome!

I learned about this cool video and I made sure to send it to all my sisters and girlfriends... Make sure to send it to your mom! It's so cute!

What it is...
A fake webcaster announces you as "mother of the year" and it's complete with the President saying a few words about you, Angelina Jolie envious of you being awarded, Beyonce... and so much more...

Check it out!

http://news.cnnbcvideo.com/?nid=TLS1BsL30Bwp93agq1DRuTM5ODI3Njk-&referred_by=16800763-Shg3Z8x&p=moveon

Easter

This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it!

What a blessing! Other than the Ira being sick, this day was fantastic. Daddy went to teach the class for us at Palm Valley because Ira was sick...

The boys looked awesome in their new Tony Hawk outfits! We invited all the family over to enjoy the day with us. I started a chocolate fondue pot with all the dippers (bananas, strawberries, and even homemade rice krispie treats), ordered a 6 foot sub and waited for everyone to come over. I am sooo glad the Brody's got to join us too. I loved seeing Hannah in her Easter dress. I am truly blessed to have them as a part of our lives...

When everyone arrived, we ate and then headed for the green grassy area to hide the eggs. I bought over 100 eggs and filled them so the kiddos had a lot of eggs to find! We then played kickball, tball and chased Papi around the grass...

What an awesome day!

Thank you Jesus for dying on the cross for me and my sins. I am so thankful for my family and friends. You have blessed me tremendously and I can't wait to honor you by being the best daughter for you, the best wife, and best mom that I can be.

In Jesus mighty name,

Amen

Cute

Today's first day at home... isn't he adorable?

Introducing Papi Orozco!

We finally got our doggy. Ira has been begging for Papi from the Beverly Hills Chihuahua movie since we watched a few months ago. I, of course am such a sucker for my babies' wishes so when finally found THE dog, we took him home. We couldn't bring ourselves to buy a brand new puppy made just for breeding when there are puppies in shelters waiting for lots of love. We had the love to give, and when we found him, it was a perfect match! He is sooo mellow, at least so far, and Ira and Nani just adore him. He slept with his two masters last night, guarding them and protecting them. I know that i am in for a lot of work today with a brand new dog in the house... but I am so thankful and blessed to have our newest addition to the Orozco Family.

Jammed pack day!

We started off with two games, Ira's Tball and Nani's Soccer. Nani's team spanked the other team as always, thanks to the Italian players (more on that later) ;-P

Afterwards we went to Mesa to eat Vietnamese food that was absolutely delicioso. Then we went to the RV rental location. We got to check them out, learn about pricing and finally get serious about a field trip in an RV around AZ. We are still planning the details, though it looks like a total perfect Birthday PResent for my Papi Chulo! I can't wait to get on that RV and cruise with my 3 boys.

Afterwards, we took Nani and Ira to the new RideMakerz place. It's like a build a bear for cars. They had a blast making them!

Lastly we went to church! I can't believe how many things we actually fit in today!

Previously on Lost

So this is my 5th Season watching this show. I am so amazed how much a fan I am of this show. It has sooo many twists and turns that Wednesdays do not come fast enough for me. The boys all know that Wednesday nights are my special nights.

April Fools!

We played a funny April Fools joke on daddy today! Here is the email we sent him:

Hi daddy,

We received a call today for you at home today. They didn't
give us much information though they want you to call them back. The name they
gave was G. Raffe. Here is the number: 602.**** (the number we gave was to the
Phoenix Zoo).

So daddy called the number and found out it was for the Phoenix Zoo. He called us back and Nani said, "April Fools Daddy! The Giraffe was who called you! Get it?!"

It was sooo cool!

I loved laughing with my Papi Chulo. We were cracking up sooo hard!

first games!

today was awesome! baby geo and baby ira had their first games of the season today. we celebrated by eating lunch at johnny rockets and watching monsters vs aliens 3D. it was an extremely special day.