Insanity..!

I need to keep myself motivated and accountable on my working out!!
I love the feeling of being tired and sore after a good bit of exercise and how different I am when I eat responsibly, but sometimes that's hard when you have a weird schedule. I'm the type of person that gets into "health moods" where I'm good for several weeks, only to get busy and preoccupied with work or LIFE and I end up falling off the wagon. And it continues as a constant cycle.
I guess that's the magic of things like this- once you post about it you feel compelled to keep going. You don't want to let down your nonexistent audience..! Lol

So here you go! Today I got ahold of my step-mother's Insanity DVDs and did the Fitness Test:

Switch Kicks: 75
Power Jacks: 41
Power Knees: L-50
Power Jumps: 15
Globe Jumps: 5
Suicide Jumps: 5
Push Up Jacks: 17
Low Plank Obliques: 20

This Fitness Test really made me realize how out of shape I am..! I had to keep stopping the video in order to catch my breath and was feeling light-headed near the end. My major goal once I've completed the Program is to FEEL BETTER. If I look different- great- but the fact that I sometimes get winded while going up a short flight of steps is NOT. OK. A few years ago I wasn't like this... Guess with how busy I've been these past few months I've really lost my edge.

So here we go! The first step on my Insanity Health Journey!!

Vlogmas *Christmas*

And after a long night of wrapping, we come to the morning we've all been waiting for! While most of use were still trying to rub the sleep out of our eyes, Cora had hers set on the pile of presents surrounding the tree. She just couldn't wait to tear into it all!
I loved seeing how excited she got over getting a bunch of fox accessories (especially since we share the same favorite animal!) and all her books! I love my little nerd! And Milli's of the age where she understands wrapping presents, but her reactions are always mimicking those around her. "So CUUuuTe!" Lol But besides all of our little ones, what we were all waiting for was Nicky's big gift: a Nintendo Switch! He kept talking to me about how he wanted to save up and buy himself one; little did he know, we all already pitched in for the thing..! Mum and Carlos bought the Switch & Breath of the Wild & I went in for a case and Pokken Tournament. He had the BEST reaction and definitely had a GREAT Christmas!


Per the norm, Mum slaved over the kitchen stove to create our wonderful dinner. A classic hispanic meal to close out the night with the family. But when they suddenly walked out with a cake and started singing me "Happy Birthday" I did all I could to not cry. I'm a sap when it comes to these things. I was leaving for Florida the next day and wouldn't be home for my birthday, so this meant so much to me. I had no idea they had planned it. These people are the most important part of my life and every chance I get to spend with them is the best. I love them.

Happy Christmas from my Familia to Yours this Holiday Season!!

Christmas Eve! |*Vlogmas*|

Here's a pro-tip: Do your Pictures with Santa on Christmas Eve to avoid the crazy lines!!
We learned this a few years ago on accident and since then we only go on the 24th. Most people stay ahead of the game and do their photos weeks in advance, but when you have a large family that's spread all over the place, it makes it hard to schedule such things. And now it's great because when we do, no one's ever there!
I did prepare, however, by buying a super cute Christmas dress! I bought it just for the photos and when I saw how everything came out in the end, I love the photos! Everyone looks so great! Most likely the best we've done in years..! Lol
We have a lot of traditions for the holidays so Christmas Eve is always super busy. We always start with Santa pictures,  playtime, cookies, prep for Christmas DAY, seeing the christmas lights, family exchange, and of course- wrapping the presents! Traditions are always important to me, so I made sure to document all that I could.



I love and appreciate my Cora. She takes after me with her love for the holidays and spending time with the family. I love my Cora with all my heart and miss her everyday when I'm away..! She was such a wonderful Elf this year! She went with me and Mum to grab a couple of extra gifts and to grocery shop for dinner. She was very hands-on and especially eager to make her cookies and to keep everything in order in her kitchen..! Haha
This year my younger brother, Nicky, started working! He was so excited to have his own money to get everyone's gifts! I loved being able to take him shopping and to see his face when everyone opened the gifts he picked out specially for them.
I've finally made it this far! My *Vlogmas* journey has made it to the big day- my favorite day of the year: CHRISTMAS!!

'Tis the Season |*Vlogmas*|

I love my nieces so much. Milli is almost 3 and Cora is 6yrs old which means that they're both such wonderful bundles of joy!! I love spending time with them and playing games and dealing with their crazy. Haha This also means that they're both finally of the age to really get into the Christmas spirit!! They just make the holiday so much more special.

After the wedding the Harkiewiczes came for a visit. The family is too sweet- I was surprised that they brought Mum a gift. A great gift, too! I'm so glad I have such great friends in my life. If only I lived a little closer and could see them more often.

And speaking of friends and family, DATP had our Annual Christmas Party!! This little group of pals are my absolute favorite. I have my sister and I have Kim, Kassie, and the Harkiewiczes, but the DATP Crew holds a very special place in my heart. I'm able to really open up to them. Every year I look forward to seeing them during the holidays. I finally got to meet some of their luvers and to catch up. Things got a little weird after some of the girls had a little too much to drink, but that's normal..! Lol



The ladies dealt with some wedding stuffs and we finally ordered our Bridesmaid Dresses for Mum's wedding! It really looks like everything is starting to come together now! The dresses are so beautiful and unique, I can't wait to see how everything ties in the end.

And we close the night with a few traditions of building a Gingerbread House! Cora loved the decorating and Milli loved snatching up the candies... Lol And although I didn't want to do it, I ended up being the one in charge of most of the assembly. Hah. Isn't that how it always works..?

I really looks forward to spending the last few days with my babies and my poopers. It really is the little things that keep my heart warm.

Home Tastes Like... |Vlogmas|

Sweet Grilled Texas BBQ!!
Went with my mom to taste-test some food for her wedding next year. You know the saying "everything's bigger in Texas" is certainly true about our portion sizes! So yummy!

We drove out to Midland, Texas (only about an hour away from home) for some real home-made bbq! And it was so worth it. We found the perfect little place, a family run restaurant and within the first couple bites and sips of sweet tea, we were sold! There was a happy rumbly in my tumbly the whole drive home.

The next day I joined my mom & brother at their Boy Scouts Christmas party. We played games, I helped as DJ, and enjoyed the free food. One of the games included was "Name that Tune- Christmas Edition!" And whichever Troupe lost had to get up in front of everyone and sing. They weren't too happy about that.



The next couple days flew by. While my mother was at work and my brother at school I got to relax. I stayed with the puppies and watched TV (Criminal Minds marathons, of course!) and read a lot. I finally had the time to sit down and read The Christmas Shoes. It's always been one of my favorite songs during the season and I couldn't put down the book. It was absolutely beautiful. I can't remember the last time I cried so much while reading a story.

After finally getting to chill during my Holiday Vacation, the circus arrives! Haha, and by that I mean my sister. The next couple of videos will be much more exciting with my wonderful family and nieces running rampant as we prepare for Christmas Day.

I'm leaving out of town to visit my father for the weekend, so while I hope I will be able to get the next couple videos up, I make no promises!

#KeelingIt2017

As the unofficial videographer of the Keeling Wedding... Here's my next Vlogmas video!!

I never imagined I would be so emotional during the wedding. I ran around with my mother making sure each of the girls were taken care of and that they were all looking stunning. I ended up being the last one finished, but I didn't mind. We had food, drinks, and music- and that was just the prep!

As all the guests wiped their feet and warmed themselves from the rain outside, we in the wedding court prepared for our big entrance. Some were more nervous than others, speeding down the short aisle. I had to remind myself to walk slowly. My feet cooperated in my new heels and the girls all smiled and giggled at the little nuances throughout the process, remembering all the jokes from the night before. But when Sarah started to get choked up, reciting her vows to James, it hit me. I didn't expect to start crying seeing my friend get married off, but it did. Sam, in front of me started sniffling, but we both held our composure. And Sam never cries! Sarah was all in tears and I couldn't stop smiling. I was so happy to see the two of them getting married. And if Sarah was crying like this, she must really love this guy. Finally, after a wonderful 30minutes, we sauntered out of the hall.

Photos were taken and soon after a short break we entered the reception. It was a small wedding. Nice and sweet. Family and close friends of both the Bride and Groom. It was crazy to see people I'd gone to school with and hadn't seen in years! My mom joined us on the dance floor for every song. We kept going up and making requests to the DJ and pulling Sarah out with us. Even if our small group were making fools of ourselves, it was just nice to hang out with my friends.

I just laugh at how nerdy the two of them are. Each little table had Chocolate Harry Potter Snitches and colorful mini Bubble Lightsabers. The Wedding Court sat up front, our seats claimed by a different POP Figure representing the person (Mine was Princess Ariel, of course!). The court entered in on Star Wars music and the couple left under a mist of bubbles. Overall, a magic night. I love my friends and I can't express how honored I was to be apart of this Harkiewicz-Keeling Wedding.

*December Bride*

I can't believe it's almost the Big Day!! One of my best friends is getting married!!! I was so honored when she asked me -less than a year ago, now- to be apart of her Bridal Court. I love the two of them & I am so proud! 

And thank goodness the reception was indoors! It had been rainy and cold for several days leading up to the big day. I bought my heels the day before the rehearsal and chose to break them in on this day. Although I love the new shoes, my feet begged to sit every chance I had.

It was nice to finally meet the other Groomsmen. The hard part about being the only one living out of state is that I never see any of them. So sad. But dinner was nice! We ate at a chill Italian Restaurant and got to hang out all together. The Harkiewicz Clan, the Bridesmaids, and the Groomsmen. I certainly had a lot of fun talking Sarah and James through their Honeymoon plans. They'll be flying out to Florida to visit my old stomping grounds: Hogwarts! I didn't know until that night that Sarah had never been on a plane before! It was so much fun giving her travel tips from airports, hotels, the theme parks, and Universal Studios. I was sure to tell them all I could as an insider myself! 

Here's to our *December* Briii~de!