The Gift of Slowing Down 💜

Today, I'm grateful for slowing down, for the people who help me pause, and for the peace that comes with it.

Most of the time, I struggle to manage my stress. My thoughts about time and all the things I have to do often make me feel overwhelmed and create an inner struggle.

But what a wonderful feeling it is to realize that, even though there are so many things to do, I don't have to do them all at once. I just need to focus on what matters most and on what I have time for.

The world keeps telling us that there is so much to do, so many things to accomplish, and so many places to be. But the truth is, only a few things are truly worthwhile, and we have to make room for them in the time we have.

Today, I want to thank my dear husband because he is often the pause I need. Even when I'm caught up in all the busyness and don't realize how overwhelmed I am, listening to him helps me slow down, take a breath, and find my calm again.

I will do what is necessary, give my best to what truly matters, and allow myself to let go of the rest.

Because time is precious, and what we choose to do with it matters. ❤️

The Beauty of Unexpected Encounters ✨

Today, I'm grateful for the people who make my day.

I'm talking about those people we cross paths with in our everyday lives. Someone you meet for the first time, or perhaps someone you've seen before but never really noticed.

Sometimes, a person comes into your day and makes it a little different from all the others. They may do something small, say a few words, share a smile, or simply be there. And somehow, that little interaction becomes a special and extraordinary moment in the middle of your usual routine.

I want to thank Heavenly Father for all the people I've crossed paths with during my journey here on Earth, because so many of them have left beautiful memories in my life.

Some encounters may last only a few minutes, but the feeling they leave in our hearts can last much longer.

Thank you for those little unexpected moments and for the people who make ordinary days extraordinary. ❤️

The Gifts That Make Me Who I Am

Today I'm grateful for every good gift God has given me.

Writing is something I've enjoyed doing for many years. I used to spend hours writing, but at some point, I stopped. Lately, I've felt the desire to start again.

Taking photos is another thing I love because it allows me to be creative. Sometimes, I simply feel that a particular moment is worth capturing, whether it's something I'm seeing or something I'm experiencing.

Teaching a class is another gift I've discovered. About a year ago, I realized how much I truly enjoy it. I also love preparing myself, learning new things, and getting ready to share them with others.

Painting is another passion. The time I spend painting feels like a way to let go, breathe, and express myself.

Reading books is perhaps one of the things I enjoy the most, especially suspense novels, because I completely lose myself in the story.

Sewing is another one. I discovered how much I loved it when my little daughter was still in my belly. She inspired me to learn because I wanted to create so many things for her. It was a beautiful way to express my love for her even before I got to hold her in my arms.

I also enjoy making healthy snacks because I love trying new recipes and experimenting with different ingredients. Sometimes my family thinks I'm a little strange because of the things I like to prepare, but that doesn't stop me from trying new things!

Practicing yoga is another thing I can't leave out! I love it. I love moving my body intentionally, being present in each movement, and challenging myself with new postures. It makes me feel good, not only physically but also mentally. I enjoy discovering what my body is capable of and how much I can improve with practice.

And finally, learning a new hobby is something I really enjoy. I can spend hours working on something, even when it becomes challenging, because once I set my mind to it, I keep going until I figure it out.

Today, I feel grateful for all these gifts, for the things I enjoy doing, and for the opportunity to discover new interests and develop my talents. I believe these are some of the beautiful ways God enriches our lives and helps us become who we are meant to be.

The Beauty of Being a Stay-at-Home Mom

Today, I'm grateful for being a stay-at-home mom.

Being a full-time mom isn't always easy, but it comes with its own comforting, special, and amazing moments. Of course, there are difficult days too, and sometimes it's not easy to simply let life flow as it is.

But being at home has allowed me to be present in my children's lives, help them with their schoolwork, and watch them develop their talents in sports and the arts. I've been able to participate in their activities, drive them to different places, and be there to pick them up.

These may seem like simple everyday things, but they are precious moments that I wouldn't trade for anything.

And I know that none of this would be possible without my husband's help and support.

So today, I want to say: Thank you so much for being my partner in this journey. ❤️

I'm grateful for the opportunity to be present, to witness their growth, and to enjoy these moments while they last.

"Being present is also a gift — both to our children and to ourselves.” 💜

Grateful for Every Chapter of My Life

Today, I am grateful for all the good things that have come into my life.

Sometimes, I tend to see problems, difficulties, and illnesses as bad things that happen to me, as they do to everyone. But I am beginning to understand that even those experiences can be valuable lessons and opportunities for my personal growth and development.

I know that wonderful and marvelous things happen in life, too, but I am learning to trust that everything has a purpose and can contribute to my highest good.

So today, I am grateful for every experience that has come into my life at every stage of my journey: as a child, as a young woman, as a single person, and as a wife and mother.

Some of those experiences are deeply engraved in my memory, while others have simply come and gone. Some have brought joy, others have brought challenges, but each one has been part of the person I am today.

Thank you, Heavenly Father, for every single one of them.

Gratitude is not only about being thankful for what makes us happy. It is also about recognizing that even the experiences we don't understand can teach us, transform us, and help us become who we are meant to be.

When Dreams Become Answers to Prayers

Today, I am so grateful for all the things I have prayed for in the past that have come true, and for the dreams that have become reality.

There was a time when I dreamed of visiting Temple Square, and this year that dream finally came true. It wasn't planned; it happened unexpectedly, reminding me that sometimes things unfold in ways we never imagined.

What made this experience even more special was sharing it with my oldest son. Of course, I missed the rest of my family and wished they could have been by my side, too.

But thank You, Heavenly Father, for giving me this wonderful opportunity. It allowed me to learn, observe, and appreciate so many things I might not have noticed otherwise: the actual color of the temple, the fact that it was built as three separate buildings, and so many other details.

My son and I also had the opportunity to attend three sessions of General Conference. One moment that particularly impressed me was how the entire audience became silent as the President of the Church entered the room. It was a powerful and unforgettable experience.

I never want to forget this beautiful blessing You gave me.

Today, I look back with a heart full of gratitude. I am profoundly grateful, Heavenly Father, not only because You allowed me to fulfill a dream, but also because You gave me the opportunity to experience it with someone I love so much.

Thank You for listening to my prayers, even the ones I whispered long ago.

November: A Month of Gratitude 🍂🎃

If I had to choose a favorite month, it would be November. Why? Because I love fall, the colors, the weather, and pumpkins! But also because, for me, November is a special month to start focusing more on giving thanks.

This November, I want to be especially grateful for my blessings, particularly my spiritual blessings. I mean, I want to focus on all the blessings I receive from God.

There is a scripture in Colossians 3:17 that says, "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him."

So, here I go...

Today, I'm especially grateful for my family.

Right now, my family is apart. My oldest son is in another country, my husband is working out of town, and only my youngest daughter and my middle son are here with me.

I miss them so much! But even when we are not physically together, we are still a family. They are my life and my loved ones, and they always will be.

I'm grateful for them because we have shared so many memorable moments together, both difficult and happy ones.

Thank You, dear Heavenly Father, for the great blessing of being a mom to these three beautiful children. Each one of them is unique and makes my life richer and more exciting.

I'm also grateful to be a daughter, a wife, and a friend because each of these roles makes my experience here on Earth more meaningful and delightful.

Thank You, Heavenly Father, for all these blessings. ❤️

"Gratitude is recognizing God's hand in our lives, even when life doesn't look exactly the way we wish it did.”

Day Four

Today I give thanks for:

The many resources we have to be learned.

Scriptures help us learn about God, His love for us, and the purpose of our life.

The Internet can bring us opportunities to get access to different kinds of information. We can learn from people of old, monuments, lands, languages, and so on.

Books of every kind. I'm so grateful for digital books, I can carry them where ever I am.

Day Three

I'm grateful for:

Living in this part of the world. 

I live in a wonderful continent, in a free land where it is possible to express my ideas, thoughts, and beliefs. Where I can worship God.

In this city, where home is, I have learned that family is always close to me, even though it's far away, and that members of the church can be our family also.

Day Two

I give thanks for:

Gifs and Talents

Even when some days seem to be cloudy, we can change it from a more delighted one, or we can change someone else's by putting them into practice.

Each one in our family has different kind of gifts and talents that makes our life very rich and pleasant. Someone makes us laugh because of his good humor. Someone else creates things and makes us see the simple things that matter. There's one who helps us to get in touch with music and one more who pleases us with yummy food. Another one who always teaches us about compassion with his many actions showed unto us.

Love my family!

Day One

Today I give thanks for:

1. My handsome husband!! 

He makes me happy, and he helps me to improve because he challenges me to be a better person. He enlightens my life, and he makes me laugh. He is my best friend, and no one likes him!

2. My sons and daughter.

 They fill my heart with joy and love. They turn my cloudy days into sunny ones. They make me be a better mom each day of my life.

My life couldn't be the same without you! Love you

I am

I am a teachable person, quick to learn and dedicated. 

I am a person who enjoy serve others. 

I am a faithful person.

I am a daughter of Heavenly Father, with great potential inside me.

I am loved by my Saivior and Havenly Father.

I am not a patient person.

I am a wife, mother, sister, daughter, and friend.

I am a stay-in-home mom.

I am a biomedical engineer.

I am a person who want to learn more things.

I am egomatic and stubborn, but I am not proud of it.

I am a person who have talents.

Me

Dear Sandra: 

I recently have seen you learning much vocabulary, making preorities and spending less time at media networks. I'm so glad for you. Now that things have worked out for you, you feel less irritable and a little bit easygoing. I so greatful for your acknowledgement on that. 

You have to spend more time in nuture and care for your love ones, time pass by so quickly, get advantage of it. 

Remember, you can do everything, but only with God's help. Never forget to pray in the morning and ask God to open your mind so you can see every learning He puts before you. Also, pray every time you are learning something new.

 You can do it! God's will is that you can be instructed and serve Him with all your heart and mind. He loves you

Ternura

Sin duda, un momento hermoso que uno puede tener como madre o padre, es poder levantarse en la mañana al lado de sus pequeños y poder contemplar su faz. 

El día de hoy, mientras estaba despertando, llego mi cocodrilo grande (así quiso que le dijera un día en lugar de su nombre) y se acostó al lado mío. Con su tierna voz me dijo "pon tu cabeza aquí" y señalando su pequeño pecho con una de sus bellas manos. Lo hice tal como me lo pidió. Entonces lo mágico surgió. Con su brazo rodeó mi cabeza y colocó   su tierna mano sobre mi cara. 

Pero que maravilloso momento!! Y buen  inició de día, diaria yo. 

La inocencia

Quiero empezar a enumerar algunos de los bellos momentos que puedo disfrutar como mama, hoy en especial, los que una mama de tiempo completo puede disfrutar. 

Deseo enriquecer mis recuerdos y demostrarme a mi misma, que ha válido la pena, haber decidido dejar de trabajar por estar con mis hijos (cuado ellos más lo necesitan). 

Aún cuando no he dado todo, cuando he sido tan imperfecta y no la clase de mama que había soñado ser. 

No por casualidad, pero el día de hoy aprendí, que no debo de aferrarme a encontrar mi "boleto dorado" (el que me convertirá  instantáneamente en la mama que nunca grita, nunca regaña, que siempre esta feliz, que siempre juega con sus hijos y los escucha a todo momento...).  

Más bien, en mi búsqueda por lograr mis sueños, debo encontrar la felicidad en mi diario vivir, es decir, en los momentos que vivo cada día. Por tal motivo, me estoy retando a mi misma, a abrir mis ojos y descubrir esos momento que me llenan de alegría todo mi ser.

Así que, empecemos.

El día de hoy, mientras lavaba los trastes, volví la mirada hacia un lado y vi una escena maravillosa y de gran admiración para mi. Vi de espaldas a un niño, que lo único que llevaba puesto eran sus calsetitas blancas y sus zapatos negros. 

Fue grande mi dicha al ver como este pequeño (tan inofensivo y con tanta confianza), camino, subió las escaleras y de pronto, desapareció de mi vista.

Como reaccione? Con una sonrisa enorme en mi cara. Mi ser lleno de agradecimiento por este bello momento que pude disfrutar como madre, porque es uno mis hijos, uno muy amado y por quien daría mi vida. 

Aprendiendo a nadar!!

Dan ha progresado en natación. Recuerdo sus primeras clases entrando sólo (anteriormente yo entraba con el a la  clase), llorando, pataleando y escuchándolo decir que no quería ir. Ya pasamos esos días!!! 

Ahora entra feliz y anda súper feliz por la alberca, moviendo sus pies y sus brazos a más no poder. Trayendo su gloria y su salchicha.

Pero hoy, pude verlo nadando, con cara de asustado, nadando para alcanzar su salchica solamente con su flotis... Wou!!! Un gran avance!!! 

Yo me preocupaba que no avanzara tanto, debido a que el tiempo que toma su clase es tan poco, 30 o menos minutos por clase, pero han sido suficientes para seguir progresando...

Agradezco por una nueva tradición

Yo no creo en la tradición mexicana del día de los muertos, no se sí los espíritus de los fallecidos puedan venir a este mundo a ver las ofrendas que se ponen en sus nombres... Pero aún cuando no creo en esta tradición, me uno a ellos para recordar a mis familiares fallecidos.

Hoy, y a partir de este año, quiero empezar con una nueva tradición en mi familia, recordar a nuestros familiares fallecidos, hablar de ellos y poder recordar aquellos momentos que han quedado grabados en la mente y en el corazón de quienes los conocimos. Quiero que mis hijos puedan conocer, aunque sea por relatos y experiencias, a sus antepasados.

Hoy, recordamos y aprendimos de mi papa, nos unimos a el y fue tan especial, que aún cuando no conocí mucho de el cuando estaba vivo, ahora lo estoy haciendo y lo valoro, 

Si yo no pude crecer con la figura paterna, no puedo permitir que pase lo mismo con mis hijos, es decir , que crezcan sin la figura de su abuelo paterno. Ellos lo tienen y quiero que puedan amarlo y extrañarlo así como yo.

No le pude expresar mi amor como padre cuando estuvo vivo, porque no sabía quien era realmente, pero ahora que lo se puedo amarlo. 

No le reclamo nada, su falta ni sus decisiones, tuvo sus razones junto con mi mama; al contrario, puedo sentir su dolor como padre de no poder expresar quien era y su afecto como tal. 

Algún día espero poder decírselo personalmente, y poder dejar que me abraze como su hija y ancio ese día, como también, el poder presentarle a sus nietos.

No hace falta tener su apellido, pues se que tengo rasgos y parentescos como el,  tal como mis dedos de las manos largos y los meñiques chuecos y la cara cuadrada como toda una Arellano.

Agradezco por este día tan particular, especial y allegado a quienes amo y forman parte importante en mi vida, pero sobre todo por esta nueva tradición.

Day 13

BAD MOMENTS

That's true!! Sometimes we face bad moments, but them help us be better persons. Not all is sweet and beautiful there is bitterness so we could enjoy life and of course,  to be greatful. 

I really don't like these bad moments because they make me cry and feel sorrowful and is hard for me to lift me up.

Thank thee Heavenly Father for those moments, for having bad moments, moments when I feel sad, frustrated, disappointed and so on... And because these moments help me to remember you, your kindness and I'm not alone in this world.

Day 11

PLAY TIME

I'm greatful for those moments we spend  together like family because they strength  our relationship. Play time give us the opportunity to laught together, feel love and take care of each of us. At that time there are some tickles, pillow's battles, we could sing and dance and so much fun. 

Thank thee Heavenly Father for all members of my family, for having time together to play and enjoy this moments now that my sons are young. 

Introduction

This month is going to be a great one!! My goal is to open my eyes and my heart to see and be greatful for all blessings the Lord give to me.

Day 1: My sons

Day 2: Stay at home

Day 3: That sweet voice

Day 4: General Conference

Day 5: A living prophet

Day 6: Little moments

Day 7: Sister missionaries

Day 8:

Day 9: Get out of the routine