A very special day!

Today was such an amazing day! Today my husband and I were baptized and are now official members of the Seventh Day Adventist Church! I am so happy that God is the center of our family and has blessed us so much. I hope he continues to bless us and guide us and I am just so overwhelmed with happiness!! God is amazing my friends, truly amazing!!!

 
 
 

77 lbs lighter

I have been doing really well with insanity. Just after I finished month 1 I got a really bad cramp in my right leg and it affected my workouts for almost a week. I still did the workouts but I just took it slow and started running 2 miles before my workout to get my legs warmed up. Since I started running I have noticed a big difference. I have lost 10 lbs and now wear a size medium shirt. I haven't been able to comfortably wear a size medium since about 9/10th grade! I now weigh 155. That is a total of 77 lbs gone, since I was at my heaviest at 232. Some things that have really worked for me besides the running and insanity are that I drink about 2-3 liters of water a day, stop eating 3 hrs before bed, use smaller plates, and always try to make half of my plate fruits or veggies. I'm now trying to motivate my mom to loose weight because she is very overweight and in the past few months has gained even more. I will post my pictures when I'm done with insanity to show my progress. I am happy with how my body is changing, now I just need to work on my mindset. I still have that fat girl mentality and I need to stop. My husband has been so amazing and supportive this whole time and is also getting pretty buff again! Next week I complete insanity for the first time ever! Wish me luck lol :)

Insanity day 1 month 2

I'm very proud to say that I made it passed the first month of insanity. I've never gotten that far and am very proud of myself. Today was day 1 of month 2 and it makes month 1 look like it's for babies! It's twice as long and a million times harder! I know I can do this I just need to go at my own pace. I pushed myself too hard in the beginning and didn't finish the last circuit but that's okay. Now I know for tomorrows workout.

So far I've lost 7 lbs. I haven't really measured but I know I've lost inches, I can definitely feel the difference in my clothes. I would like to complete the program twice and then join the new gym that's about to open just up the street from my house. I would have to walk with my daughter there and in the summer it gets to about 120 F so I'm hoping by then the nights will start to cool down and I can go after my husband gets home. That's another thing, it stays hot 24/7! Back at home it got hot during the day but at night it was nice and cool so it wasn't that bad. Not here, its 1 am and still over 100.

I also started going to church every Saturday with my daughter and I'm so happy about that. And now we are going to start to go in the afternoons too with my hubby. Life is amazing and I love my family. I pray that immigration reform happens and includes us, but if not that's okay. There are people in this world who are fighting for their lives, and far worse circumstances then us. I know that God never makes mistakes and everything will happen as it should. I'm still advocating and doing everything I can but ultimately it's all in Gods hands. Well, I'm still super tired from todays workout so I'm just gonna sit around and re coup. Maybe even take a nap with my little monster. :)

Amazing weekend

This weekend was just amazing. It was full of laughter and hugs and smiles and just love! Saturday morning I got up with Sofia and we got ready to go to church. We usually only got when my husband has Saturdays off because we only have one car but we found a church much closer where I can take a taxi and it will be affordable. Once we were ready I was about to call the taxi and my phone was acting weird, I couldn't make a call. But I was determined to go so we walked to the entrance of our privada and asked the security guard to call me a taxi. They usually arrive in under 5 minutes but this guy took forever and we were a bit late. But it didn't matter. We made it and it was a beautiful service. Sofia had so much fun in her class and behaved very well except for one bratty moment.

Church ends at 12 noon and that is the same time my husband gets off work. He usually crosses back in about 20 minutes so we waited for him outside. He got off work late and didn't pick us up until almost one but a few sisters waited with me so I was okay. We then went to check out the new plaza they built right next to our privada. It is so nice and they have a gym people, a gym! I can walk to it and get some food, work out, or just shop a little! This is huge for me because now even though I don't have a car, I can get out with Sofia and within walking distance. It's so new a lot of the stores aren't open yet because they are still under construction, even the gym. We took a tour of the gym and they showed us the lay out and invited us back next week to see the progress. The gym will be state of the art and have a wonderful daycare! Not just a daycare where they sit the kids down and tell them don't move, but they have activities for them, teach them about health and it will give Sofia another chance to interact with kids other than at church.

After that we got some delicious tacos and just chilled at home but the feeling was different. Something about going to church just puts my whole family in such a good mood. On Sunday we got up early, did some grocery shopping, had yummy pancakes for breakfast and had a water balloon fight. It was so much fun!

I know we didn't do anything fancy, or spend a lot of money but this weekend just gave me a new look on things. We may not have much but together we have it all. And we don't have to spend a lot of money to have fun and be happy. I just feel almost rejuvenated.

On another note today I start week 4 of insanity! I have been doing very well with the workouts but eating not so much. Cravings are my worst enemy but I have been making progress, slowly, but still progress. I am just so thankful that everything is coming together and feels like home. Ill be going to church regularly with my daughter, will join the gym once it opens and just those two things alone will allow me to interact with other people again and get out of the house. I'm excited for what's to come. Life is good, very very good. And is amazing! :)

 
 
 

Game changer!

Okay so on the news back home, I check almost everyday online, there was a story about a couple that paid off like $25,000 in debt in one year! And they credited Dave Ramsey. First thought was the chef on tv but that's another person. This guy is a financial wiz and has so many great tips! If you know me, you know I budget everything, I mean everything! I got on mytotalmoneymakeover.com and did the free trial. It breaks it down to what percentage of your income should go towards housing, food, transportation, savings, and so on. It also talks about 7 baby steps you should take to become debt free. It makes so much sense and since I'm the one who budgets everything I plan on following this to a tee! It helps you set realistic goals! We are able to pay off some debt now but after all of this new info, we will be so much better off, and with the exact same income! Seriously, do yourself a favor and check this out! I am so thankful I did! With immigration we have gotten into a ton of debt and we now have just half our normal income. But even with that I think by next year we will be debt free! Here are a few notes I took from the website, which doesn't do it justice!

          Money Goals 

1. $1000 to start an Emergency Fund

An emergency fund is for those unexpected events in life that you can’t plan for: the loss of a job, an unexpected pregnancy, a faulty car transmission, and the list goes on and on. It’s not a matter of if these events will happen; it’s simply a matter of when they will happen.

This beginning emergency fund will keep life’s little Murphys from turning into new debt while you work off the old debt. If a real emergency happens, you can handle it with your emergency fund. No more borrowing. It’s time to break the cycle of debt!

2. Pay off all debt using the Debt Snowball

List your debts, excluding the house, in order, smallest to largest. The smallest balance should be your number one priority. Don’t worry about interest rates unless two debts have similar payoffs. If that’s the case, then list the higher interest rate debt first.

The point of the Debt Snowball is simply this: You need some quick wins in order to stay pumped up about getting out of debt! Paying off debt is not always about math. It’s about motivation. Personal finance is 20% head knowledge and 80% behavior. When you start knocking off the smaller debts, you will see results and you will stay motivated to dump your debt.

3. 3 to 6 months of expenses in savings

Once you complete the first two Baby Steps, you will have built serious momentum. But don’t start throwing all your “extra” money into investments quite yet. It’s time to build your full emergency fund. Ask yourself, “What would it take for me to live for three to six months if I lost my income?” Your answer to that question is how much you should save.

Use this money for emergencies only: incidents that would have a major impact on you and your family. Keep it in a money market account. Remember, this stash of money is not an investment; it is insurance you’re paying to yourself, a buffer between you and life.

4. Invest 15% for retirement

When you reach this step, you’ll have no payments—except the house—and a fully funded emergency fund. Now it’s time to get serious about building wealth.

Dave suggests investing 15% of your household income into Roth IRAs and pre-tax retirement plans. Don’t invest more than that because the extra money will help you complete the next two steps: college savings and paying off your home early.

Why shouldn’t you invest less than 15%? Some people choose to invest a small amount, if anything, because they want to get a child through school or pay off the home in a hurry. But the kids’ degrees won’t feed you at retirement, and if you throw all your money into your mortgage at this point, you’ll end up having to sell the house and buy the book 72 Ways to Prepare Alpo and Love It. Bad plan.

5. College funding

By this point, you should have already started Baby Step 4—investing 15% of your income—before saving for college. Whether you are saving for you or your child to go to college, you need to start now.

In order to have enough money saved for college, you need to have a goal. Determine how much per month you should be saving at 12% interest in order to have enough for college. If you save at 12% and inflation is at 4%, then you are moving ahead of inflation at a net of 8% per year!

6. Pay off home early

Now it’s time to begin chunking all of your extra money toward the mortgage. You are getting closer to realizing the dream of a life with no house payments.

As you attack this last debt, you will gain momentum much like you did back in the second step of the debt snowball. Remember, having absolutely no payments is totally within your reach!

7. Build wealth and GIVE!

It’s time to build wealth and give like never before. Leave an inheritance for future generations, and bless others now with your excess. It's really the only way to live!

Golda Meir says, “You can’t shake hands with a clenched fist.” Vow to never hold your money so tightly that you never give any away. Hoarding money is not the way to wealth. Save for yourself, save for your family’s future, and be gracious enough to bless others. You can do all three at the same time.

                 Budget guidelines 

1. Charity

Church

Dave recommends 10-15% of your income go toward giving

This includes places such as your church, non-profit organizations and education foundations. It does not include gifts for birthdays, Christmas, or other similar occasions.

2. Saving

Emergency fund/ retirement fund

Dave recommends 10-15% of your income go toward savings

This includes items like your retirement, mutual funds, college savings and even your emergency fund.

3. Housing

 Mortgage, Rent, Repairs/Maintenance 

Dave recommends 25-35% of your income go toward housing

Depending on whether you rent or own your home, this category consists of items such as rent/mortgage, repairs, property taxes, homeowner's insurance and even furniture.

4. Utilities

Cable/ Electricity/Gas/Phone/Trash/Water

Dave recommends 5-10% of your income go toward utilities

You'll want to keep services like your phone, electricity, water, Internet, gas, and trash pick-up running smoothly each month.

Utilities

5. Food

Grocery/restaurants 

Dave recommends 5-15% of your income go toward food

Whether it's just you or a house full of teenage boys, everybody has to eat. Make sure you include grocery stores, restaurants, and even that cup of coffee you bought this morning.

6. Transportation 

Car insurance/ gas and oil/ repair and tires

Dave recommends 10-15% of your income go toward transportation

If you have good public transportation, or you walk or ride a bike to work, then you're in good shape. Otherwise, you need to account for auto insurance, repairs, license, registration, taxes, gas and oil. If you are making car payments – include that in the DEBTS category.

7. Clothing

Adult, child

Dave recommends 2-7% of your income go toward clothing

Even though you might think this is more of a personal item, it really is a necessity; especially if you have small kids. Make sure they don't wake up one morning with clothes that no longer fit!

8. Medical/ Health

Disability insurance/ health insurance 

Dave recommends 5-10% of your income go toward medical and health expenses

This is a tough and frustrating category for most people, but it includes things like health insurance, disability insurance, doctor bills and medicines.

9. Personal

Child care/ life insurance / miscellaneous 

Dave recommends 5-10% of your income go toward personal expenses

This category contains a lot of variety. Examples include hair care, school supplies, life insurance, alimony, child care, subscriptions, pet supplies, toiletries, gifts and other miscellaneous items.

10. Recreation

Entertainment

Dave recommends 5-10% of your income go toward recreation

Don't let life go by without having some fun. Live a little, but make a plan first. Set aside some money for entertainment and vacation. Doing your budget shouldn't count as entertainment!

11. Debts

Car payment/ credit card/ student loans

We hope you don't have to put any of your money to this category

Dave wants you to be debt free more than anybody, but while you work on that he recommends that 5-10% of your income go toward consumer debt. Most Americans don't like to look at this category, so get it paid off quickly. Add up things like car payments, credit cards and student loans. Include everything you owe money on EXCEPT the house you live in.

Insanity Day 1

Today I started Insanity again. I've owned it for about 3 years now and have never completed it! I know, pretty sad right? Well now that I have been working out I wanted to switch up my workout routine so I decided to start it and complete it this time! Last week I didn't work out at all. No excuse, just me being lazy. But today I did the fit test and holy workout! The workouts I've been doing were pretty hard for me and this kicked my butt. I forgot how good of a workout this is. Also note to self, NEVER drink pre workout without eating a full meal first. I ate just one slice of toast with peanut butter, honey and banana and drank some water. My plan was to have my big meal after which I still did. But after my workout I threw up and felt sick. Took a few deep breaths, had my oatmeal and an orange and felt much better. I would normally drink my protein now but not today, my stomach has had enough. I'm gonna go take a nap now and then get up and do all the house work that's waiting for me. Insanity day 1 done, 59 to go...

Golfo de Santa Clara, Sonora

Yesterday was an amazing day! We took our very first road trip to the beach. It was about 2.5 hours away from the house and we had so much fun. We went with my husbands co worker and his family. It was Sofia's first time at the beach and she had so much fun. Moments like that, I am so thankful to have my family back together and it made me feel like things are feeling normal again. I have been living in Mexicali for 6 months now and finally have a routine going feel very comfortable. When I first got here every time I left the house I felt like I needed to get all ready and about a week ago I went with my husband to the store and we were both in sweats. We were bumping our music the whole way there and back and when we got home I realized we were finally comfortable. We never really listened to the music loud to avoid drawing attention to ourselves. It felt like we were back at home just going for a ride. I can also say that we have learned the main streets pretty well. We can drive around now and not get lost. We also finally went to the mall that's just down the street and it was small but it was nice to just walk around and explore. I have just been in such a great mood lately. I feel like this is home now, and I'm happy. Some days are still hard and I still do hope that immigration reform happens soon and we get to go home. But if not, if God has other things planned for us, I'm okay with that. I have really come to fully accept things now and I feel happy. Just to think a few months ago I was in a really bad place emotionally, and now with my family together and all of these blessing I just can't help but smile. I'll post some pictures from our trip and hopefully soon I can write about another fun outing. Life is good and God is great my friends! :)