Confessions from Independentmami - Then and Now

I have been very distant as a lot of things are going on here in our house.  I want to thank all of my dear readers that have been following my story for almost ten years now.  Ten years ago, I was a single mom just looking to share my story with other moms maybe facing the same trials and tribulations as I was. 

Let me bring you up to speed to all that has happened.  My baby boy is not so little any more.  Life has not been so easy as you can imagine there are several issues that come up when you are both mom and dad.  But I feel that what did not kill us only made us stronger.  They say boys are momma's boys, right?

The school years were long and hard for both of us.  Sometimes the finish line seemed impossible. 

But we made it.  My baby boy accomplished something many people take for granted.  Many kids get lost throughout the middle school and high school years.  They get overcome, overwhelmed, and just get over it.  Years later they realize that this accomplishment is one they wish they could go back to.

I am proud to say that baby boy graduated from the first energy high school in the US.  He has decided he would like to become a Mechanical Engineer.  After high school, we had a serious conversation of where he wanted to go from this point and what his next goal would be.  I have always told my son that the one thing I regret is not finishing college.  We both talked about his options and we enrolled him in community college.  He wanted to stay close to home and was not ready to leave far away just yet.

Fast forward to this winter.  My son asked to speak with me.  His tone was very serious.  I did not know what to think.  The conversation went deep.  My son told me he had decided to join the Navy.  Errrrrrrr..... freeze time.  What did he just say?  Don't get me wrong back when we had our conversation about goals and his future, we talked about the military being an option.  (1) one option out of the many options presented.  unfreeze time....

He had gone to the recruiters, taken the ASVAB, and signed on the dotted line.  There were lots of emotions going through my head.  I was so taken back because of the news.  Of course, i was proud.  My eighteen year old son was now taking on adult decisions without mom.  Very proud.  Scary because I mean, you know why.  I feel as time flew by from the time he told me to this past week. 

His ship day.  There are dates the get stitched in your head for some reason or another.  My son's ship date is one of them.  See the picture above, in this room, in this building, many men and women say good bye to family members to take on the commitment to serve our country, protect our freedom, and lay down their lives.  There is a swear in ceremony and shortly after, you say your see you laters.  They are bused over to take their flights and away they go to their boot camps. 

Woosaahhh..... I feel like life punched me in the gut just one good time right before I entered this room.  When we were asked were we ready, I started balling?  All my emotions hit me all at once.  Remember this is my baby boy, it has been me and him against the world for nineteen years now.  He will always be my baby boy no matter how old he gets or how many things he accomplishes.  The weekend before he left I was dying in bed with the flu.  I had a whole memorable weekend planned for us to share.  Because I was quarantined, we did not get to spend the last few precious moments together.  I did get to say my see you later to him, watch his ceremony, and hear his voice one last time once he landed.  This past week flew by and then this weekend came.  It finally caught up with me.  Something is missing.  There is an emptiness.  He has been gone before a week at a time but never for several weeks straight, much less months. 

My only comfort is that I know he will be able to call home, write letters, and this too shall pass.  Time will go by and soon enough we will be at his graduation. 

There you have it.  I have been absent minded trying to stay focused on the things that matter the most to me-FAMILY.

Giveaway-iT'Z Family Food and Fun

Summer is here and the kids are all out of school.  Mom and dad still have to work though.  Boo!!!  Some kids will start summer school, summer programs, or the lucky few, stay at home.  By Friday everyone including mom and dad are ready to break free and have some fun.  I am always looking for places for our entire family to enjoy.  It is a hard job for this mom to do since I have a preschooler and a seventeen year old.  Sometimes finding a happy medium is hard.

Thanks to iT'Z Family Food & Fun for providing my family complimentary buffet, drinks, and $5 game cards for each of us.  All opinions stated are my own based on my personal experience.

iT'Z Family Food & Fun

5950 Fairmont Parkway
Pasadena, TX 77505

Phone: 281-998-2424

It has been raining cats and dogs in Houston and all over Texas.  After being stuck at work, day care, and at home, we all needed a place to let loose.  We wanted a place were we each could unwind and we found the perfect place.  iT'Z is a place where we all have had fun before.  The first time we visited, we were invited to attend a birthday party.  We have been visiting every since. 

Here are my Top 5 reasons why we continue to visit:

1)  Cost-Buffet and drink must be purchased before your fun can begin.  Kids 3 and under are always FREE. 

Don't feel like cooking during the week, then enjoy even better pricing during the week. 

2)  Food-The low price of the buffet includes pizza, pasta, salad, dessert, and so much more.  Can't find your pizza, ask the cooks to make your favorite.  There is something for everyone, especially those picky eaters.  Some of my kids must haves are the hot dogs, mac and cheese, and rice Krispies treats. 

3)  Games-There is a wide game selection.  They have new games, old games, and classic favorites for each of us to enjoy.

3)  Bowling-There is mini-Bowling which is always fun for all ages, especially the little ones.  Or you can try to beat each other on the full size lanes now open.

5)  Family Friendly-iT'Z has several rooms for your enjoyment.  There is a room for all sports lovers, you can't use the excuse you are missing the big game.  There are tvs everywhere.  You don't just have to play the games.  You can enjoy a movie while you enjoy your food.  The space is so big and open.  Find the perfect spot for your family to sit, grab lunch or dinner, and then go have some fun.

Thanks to iT'z, one of my lucky readers will get to win a Family 4-pack: 4 buffets, 4 drinks, 4-$5 game cards.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good Luck.  One lucky winner will be randomly selected pending all requirements are met.  US only.  Winner will have 24 hours to claim their prize.

iT'Z Family Food and Fun Pasadena

***Disclosure-Thanks to USFG and iT'z Pasadena for providing my family with a 4 pack pass which included buffet and $5 playing cards.  All opinions stated are my own based on my personal experience.

When it is hot outside, you look for some place to keep the kids entertained.  Or when it is time to decide what are we going to do this weekend?  My teen is always asking, this is the first thing that comes out of his mouth on Saturday mornings.  This past weekend was Labor Day weekend and we really did not want to be out in the heat.  Lil Bit is a toddler and we really did not want to have her out midday in the hot sun.  Plus my husband got out of work at 2, so it was not like we could head to the beach at that time.  We needed and indoor place where we could eat and have fun at the same time.  I told you before about iT'Z.

 We had a blast with the boys.  Now we have a toddler and the experience was great.  We started out with everyone getting food at the buffet.  There is plenty to choose from for everyone.  For Lil Bit, we served her mac n cheese, weenie, cheese pizza, spaghetti, and she loves tomatoes!  My husband hooked himself up with nachos with all the fixings.  I grabbed me some gumbo, yes, gumbo.  My teen enjoyed all the BBQ pizza and said keep it coming.  His favorite!  I also couldn't get enough of the meat lovers!

After we indulged on the dessert buffet-jello, cookies, brownies....so good!  We headed to enjoy the games.  Everyone grabbed their card and took off on their own.  My favorite part of the evening was watching Lil Bit enjoy the Jett Rider ride with her daddy.  Did it 3 times-sat there, enjoyed it, and was not scared at all.

There is a kiddie section perfect for the little ones in the back.  The carousel is free to ride, all you have to do is jump on and hit the button.  If you have a smaller infant, there is a seat available with a seat belt that they can ride and you don't have to worry about they falling off.  My daughter rode this and kept coming back.

Another favorite moment I had totally forgotten about was when my daughter decided she wanted to drive a race car.  Watch out Nascar and Danika-Lil Bit is ready to drive!!

 And for your entertainment, check out the video I took of her driving experience...almost pee'd my pants-

Our mission is to create a fun experience for families. We do this by combining affordable family dining with quality entertainment.  Unlimited buffet? Check. The latest and greatest games? Without a doubt.  Guaranteed good times? Absolutely. 

 iT'Z all here! Kids Eat Free at iT'Z every Thursday!

iT'Z the place to PARTY! iT'Z the place for FOOD! iT'Z the place for FUN!

Every Tuesday, they still offer $2.99 buffet and $.99 drinks.  Check out their online specials, here.

Aren't You Suppose to be on Vacation?

So, yesterday my boss walks in and says, "Aren't you suppose to be on vacation?"  See I had a trip that was tentatively planned from May 1-3 that I had put in vacation time for but it got postponed until further notice.  While I was bummed about that, I wasn't going to be able to take my family with me.  I feel so selfish taking trips without them. 

Then a couple of days ago, I was invited to a blogger retreat that I could take my family on.  And right about now, I could really use a vacation-a real one.  My job is very stressful, especially around the end of the month/beginning of the month.  There is so much to do, and take care.  But now I get to pack up my family, forget about work/schedules/etc, and go relax for a weekend getaway.  Guess where we are going?

We are headed to South Padre Island on a weekend getaway sponsored by Schlitterbahn Beach Resort.  Our weekend getaway includes a 2 night stay and 2 provided meals.  I visited Schlitterbahn New Braunfels for a Senior Day trip many years ago and my family has visited Schlitterbahn Galveston several times.  This weekend we get to learn about Schlitterbahn South Padre Island Beach Resort.  So I know, you are asking yourself isn't too cold to visit a waterpark?  Well lucky for us, Schlitterbahn is an indoor waterpark.

So I am packing our swimsuits and trunks and we are headed to South Padre Island.  I along with other Texas bloggers will be sharing our experience.  If you would like to follow along on twitter, follow #bloggerretreat.

***Disclosure-As stated above, we will be guests of the resort for 2 nights and 2 meals will be provided complimentary to our family.  All opinions expressed by myself or my family will be based on my personal experience and as always will be our HONEST opinions.  If you would like more information on Schlitterbahn and their parks, please visit http://www.schlitterbahn.com/.  All pictures were provided for us by Schlitterbahn Waterpark and Resorts.

Holiday Traditions

Whether or not you celebrate Christmas, Kwanzaa, or Hanukkah everyone has some traditions they do at this time of year.  I remember growing up, visiting my mom's bestfriends family.  Going to their house was amazing.  Lots of family, food, and festivities!  Growing up, we kind of started doing our own thing.  Our family has now grown and we have started new traditions.  New traditions to our Latino family which we did not grow up doing, just seeing on tv.  Some traditions we have revamped.

1)  Build a Ginger Bread House.  We had never-ever done this.  It was so much fun!  We got creative.  We worked together.  And it is still standing!!  We bought a kit that already had everything we needed, so it was not that hard.  (Kit under $10)  We also baked cookies, made a cake, and even our very own homemade icing.

2)  Visit Santa.  My mom's job has a breakfast with Santa for all the employees' kids.  It is so much fun.  They have breakfast, cookie decorating, and best of all, everyone can sit on Santa's lap.  Well everyone who wants to?  This is as close as we got to Santa without my daughter becoming the exorcist.  They have Santa's almost at every mall now, and it is not too expensive.  We did it for FREE, so even better.

3)  Trim a Tree.  I have seen over the years of how stressful Christmas has become.  But it doesn't have to be.  Let's take it back to the basics.  Make it a family event.  Make ornaments.  Decorate the tree together.

4)  Attend a Holiday Party.  Don't sit at home alone.  Get out an enjoy yourself.  Everyone is having parties.  Invite yourself.  I was my mom's date to her company Christmas party.  It was fun.  Free dinner, drinks, and entertainment.  Mother-Daughter night, just the two of us!!  Check out my mommy rock this dress.

5)    Family Time!!  Enjoy your time together.  There is a reason for this season.  Use this time to see family you have not seen in awhile, family you see everyday but don't have time to spend with them on a regular basis, and friends that come and go, just pop in on them just to say hello.  Go ice skating.  Have a snowball fight, build a snowman, or wish for snow like us in Texas.  Wear tacky Christmas sweaters, funny Christmas socks, or silly Christmas pajamas. 

This has been the best Christmas ever with our family, especially with all the new addtions to our family.  We want to wish you Happy Holidays from our family to yours!  To new Traditions!

***Disclosure-This is a sponsored post as a Britax Latina Advisory Board Member and Blogger. As always, all opinions, ideas, and stories stated here are clearly my own.

iT'Z Family Food and Fun review

Have you heard of iT'Z?

iT’Z has an all-you-can-eat buffet, arcade games, bowling, rides, and much, much more! Buffet and drink purchase is required to enter.

Check out some of their specials...

Check out all the fun we had on our recent visit...

Our thoughts-As a parent, I loved the open buffet. Do you have kids who never want to eat when it's time to eat, or as soon as they see games, they are no longer hungry? At iT'Z, they can eat when ever they want. Play, and then eat, or eat, and then play. They have a great buffet. We enjoyed all the games. The kids really like the bowling. It was just their size balls, and lanes with bumpers! The laser tag was lots of fun for the boys too. We have an awesome time, there was so much to do. I don't think we were able to get to everything so we will be making a trip back.

***Disclosure-My family was invited to this location. No monetary compensation was received. All opinions are our own.