Bye 2012!

Yup...today is the last day of the year. I've actually been attempting to compose this post for more than a week now, but 2012's final days have been so jam packed with life, action, and inspiration that I've been reduced to squeezing time to blog about the year's events between oranzing my apartment and Nico's 11:30am playdate.

Without further ado...I give you: 2012 Report; A year in retrospect.

2012 had more changes in store than I ever expected...but just as shocking, life-altering, and heart-wrenching as some moments were, there were others just as surprising, fulfilling, and inspiring that have brought me to the close of this unforgettable year giving thanks.

Personally, physically, and professionally this year was one for the books. The emotional roller coaster that results from a change in Marital status is one that I definitely don't wish upon anyone to have to endure-especially with a young child. When you bring your baby into the world, the last thing on your mind is imaging that one day you will have to flip a quarter for odd and even years to celebrate certain holidays and other even more painful decisions.Though I had my anxieties about moving back home, it turned out to be one the the best decisions I've ever made. The landing was a big rough but shortly after I found a place Nico and I could call HOME and lovingly filled it with things we made with our own hands and the help of ABUELO LUIS. For the first time in my 27 years of life I signed as HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD, paid all my bills on my own, and was COMPLETELY independent  About time right...lol. Tears of deep saddness, have slowly been ( replaced) counteracted with tears of joy. Life has blessed me this year with so many extraordinary moments that I feel almost spoiled.

Financial Stability:

If you know me, even a tiny bit, you know that I don't like thinking that money makes the world go round. In fact I would  go as far as saying that to a certain extent, it bothers me when money is used with those intentions....but I do have to admit that have NO FINANCIAL stability, no source of income, and having to make monumental life decisions can be the most crippling feeling in the world-especially when you have an offspring that your know you need to fend for. To think that YOU HAVE NO CHOICES, NO OPTIONS....is the most frightening feeling. If nothing else, 2012 has proven beyond any doubt that choices are always present....so matter how faint they may seem. 

Upon moving to Miami I began substituting at my Elementary School which opened the door to 2 TEACHING JOB OFFERS at great schools. I accepted the Job offer from Belen and haven't looked back since. I am beyond grateful for this amazing opportunity that has allowed me the financial stability I needed, the academic challenges that I longed for, and the emotional impact that I yearned to have on the world around me!

It was the WORST of TIMES, it was the BEST OF TIMES:

A dream that once was just a new years resolution hope...became a tangible reality THIS YEAR. The release of this book could not have come at a more crucial point. Here's the noteworthy list of moments of joy that this year held for me as an AUTHOR:

• I published my first bilingual children's book 
• had my book Release Party in LA surrounded by remarkably supportive friends
• became a vendor in the south miami Farmer's Market
• came out in the Miami Herald and El Nuevo Herald
• got to see my books on a STORE SHELF
• had a book signing event here in Miami
• shared my book  at a couple schools' storytimes
•  My book became available in well known 3rd party distributors such as AMAZON.COM and Barnes&Noble.com.

ON THE RUN:

Another new years resolution that has been in the top 5 slots for the past 15+ years brought some motivation and renewed self confidence: RUN MORE and FASTER. This year by far, my times have dropped the most drastically and I owe it in part to being back in Miami, reunited with my running roots, and running friends who have helped to remind me that though almost everything in my life may be different, to them and to my sport...

 RUN MARATHON

Improve running times

loose weight 

Nico on the GO:

Lastly, watch Nico grow one more year old as he's started RUNNING like a big boy, talking his mind, making friends and socializing like his momma, investigating everything, and adjusting quickly to changes. I continue to fall in love with him even more deeply that I even thought possible. This year Nico learned to go Pipi in the potty, ride a bike (with training wheels), trace- in the loosest sense of the word, strengthen those vocal cords, tell us when he needs to go potty and SO MUCH MORE!!!

2013 Eve:

Friends come and go,

Love knocks on your door and slams it shut in your face,

Families grow apart and become more united,

Places evolve, and yet vaguely resemble their former selves,

Memories grow faint and others re-surface with vengeance,

Time speeds up and RARELY slows down,

Life isn't perfect...Then again-nothing is.

As 2012 comes to a close, I'm grateful for the perfectly UNPERFECT life I've been luckly enough to call my own. Now I only hope 2013 doesn't take me ON SUCH A CRAZY ride as the one I just got off. But if it does, i'll be ready for it.

It's Beginning...

...to LOOK and SMELL a lot like Christmas!

This is my favorite time of year. Besides the general joyfulness that seems to fill the air, and the fact that MY BIRTHDAY is in this MONTH...this month marks the END of another YEAR.
This is our first Christmas in Miami as FLORIDA RESIDENTS! Today my little man dressed up as an ELF and sat on the float with Santa and Mrs. Claus (who was actually his grandmother, Vivi).

 I almost forgot I was sweating in December when I saw my little boogerhead waving at the crowds yelling as loud as he could, "Merry Christmas"! His cousin's AIDEN and JULES were also dressed up as ELVES on the float.

After the South Miami Santa Parade, we came home to finish decorating our Christmas tree with Nico's Primitos!

After they left, Nico helped mama make some yummy pumpkin breads! Now this apartment has an aroma of fresh warm pumpkin bread with a slight smell of fresh PINE, and a little cinnamon mixed in(not sure if it's from the pumpkin bread or the candles I have burning all around).

Rest assured though...that once I finish posting this...the new addition to my couch( a super cozy new throw blanket), the hot chocolate that's heating up, and some type of SAPPY Holiday Movie (in which happily ever after ends with a kiss under a mistletoe as the first snowflakes of Christmas fall)  will be played.



ONE LAST THING....I hope that Santa will help me get my Book into the homes of all around the WORLD! If there are any ELVES out there that want to spread the word to mothers and father, abuelos and abuelos, uncles and tias of good little Boys and Girls...PLEASE DO! I'm always available: valeriabooks.com

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!

Remember....18 days til my BIRTHDAY!!