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5:39 PM

Country Getaway With Chevrolet | 2021 Trailblazer

Last weekend we had the opportunity to take a trip out of town. We have been yearning to go on a trip but due to the current pandemic we have been staying put in our new home. The move kept us busy for a few weeks but now that we are settled in we have been looking for ways to make a trip happen. The news that we were going to be receiving the new 2020 Chevrolet Trailblazer just added fuel to the fire and so we dusted our baggage and duffel bags and packed up to head out to a farmhouse we had access to. It had been weeks, if not months since we last had a vehicle delivered for a test drive. Times have changed so we had to do a contactless delivery and the vehicle was disinfected according to the CDC guidelines. 

 We found the new Trailblazer to be quite comfortable for our small family and all of our bags for a 2-day trip. It would be able to accommodate 4 adults easily and comfortably on short trips, or in our case, 2 adults and 2 car seats. Being able to go on a trip was like a breath of fresh air. Getting out of the house and the city was a much-needed trip. We headed out west on the interstate before making a turn to the lonely country roads. The Trailblazer rides solid but not too stiff. The noise in the cabin was minimal even with larger tire treads. The panoramic roof was great! Even though I don't get to enjoy it much since I am behind the wheel all of the time, I can see the girls in the back enjoy the brighter atmosphere and watching the clouds as we drive into the sunset.

Out of all the places we have traveled to in this world, this lovely country home just has a charm unmatched. It is tucked away from the city and has a lovely view down the field to the pond on the property as well as an open yard with a massive pool to swim all the stress away. Working from home has been great but even then we need to get away to clear the mind. This place was great and the scenery does a great job of making you feel like you are much further away from the city. The girls loved seeing the neighboring cow herd and seeing deer in the morning. Normal country life is not normal for us and we don't take those moments for granted. We met up with my parents and siblings there and it felt great to see them for the first time in a long time. We live across town from them so we don't see them often, even less now that we are in the middle of a worldwide event. 

The Trailblazer was fun to drive, not because of the mechanical properties, but because of the emotions it induced and facilitated for my family and I. In case you are interested in specs, the Trailblazer has a turbocharged 1.3L 155 Horsepower and 174 lb. ft. torque mated to an AWD drivetrain. The cargo was perfect for a few duffel bags and could fit a small kennel as well. It has a decent 25.3 cubic ft of cargo with the second row up and 54.4 cubic ft. with the seats down. I see this vehicle being great for young drivers as well as young small families. We could see us taking this car on a beach camping trip or a road trip around Texas. Maybe even West Texas?

Out of all of our trips with past Chevrolet vehicles, this one was a lot more relaxed since the experience was mostly about the destination than the drive alone. I love to drive and there will be lots more coming up over the months since we are more comfortable going out to places when we plan them out haha. Besides, stay tuned because we may be getting another Chevy vehicle soon! Where do you think we'll be going?

We are looking forward to making more memories in the midst of the current challenges we all face. Take care of your mental, physical and emotional health. We must all strive to balance out our lows by either counting our blessings or thinking of the good things that have happened to us. Driving does wonders for me, and I know everyone has different ways of coping with stress, but wanted to point that out in case you have not taken a drive around town in a while. Gotta give thanks to Chevrolet for going above and beyond in delivering vehicles that bring experiences closer to home! See you soon!

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4:35 PM

Chime | Changing The Way We Bank and Save

 This post is sponsored by Chime, however, these are my thoughts and opinions based on personal experience.

Being financially responsible is something that I am proud of and have had to learn through some trial and error. The best thing I could have done was set myself up with the right tools and accounts that would help keep finances in order. Thanks to Chime, I have been able to keep everything in order and allow me to responsibly manage finances. Banking should be simple, transparent and easy to use on your mobile device, something Chime is great at. I have been using Chime for a couple of years now and just recently upgraded my card to the new one with the EMV chip.

There are some great benefits with this banking card that I want to share with you. Having transparent features in your banking app, especially during these times, are highly important.  Chime does not have monthly or overdraft fees. This is essential when you are trying to sort out your finances and building a savings or emergency fund. You can also benefit from no balance minimums and  no international fees which are great for those who travel abroad. As a dad, I am convinced that learning about, and managing your finances, is essential in building generational wealth, and passing it on to your children. Chime has a great platform and being able to have these tools and features in one easy to use app is great.

I also enjoy getting daily account balances and notifications on transactions and having the safety features makes me feel at ease and know that my money is safe. You can also use your card for mobile payments like Apple Pay and Samsung Pay. For iPhone users, simply add your Chime card to your Apple Wallet and carry it with you digitally without actually carrying the card on you. 

For eligible members, you may be able to get your direct deposit up to 2 days early, great for when you need access to your money right away. Chime has a lot of features that adapt to your needs and spending habits. You can also automate your savings in the form of round-ups to save money as you spend. You could also automatically set aside 10% of every paycheck to your Savings Account. . These are the features that make banking easy and great for a world where connectivity makes our lives a little easier.  I invite you to learn more about Chime here and consider how Chime can be great for you > https://ooh.li/b22633d

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3:08 PM

The Best Thing You Can Do For Your Kids | Fatherhood

These times are trying and testing some of our limits as parents. The last thing we need to do is take our frustration on our kids. I have always said that we must be ready and prepared when things don't go our way. For example, we have this ongoing pandemic that has shown us that we need to be ready in every area of our lives. That is physically, mentally, financially, and well supplied with food supplies. It is a scary time, at least for us it was in the beginning, mostly because of the uncertainty and how food started to go off the shelves faster than the restocking rate. With that being said, our kids see and experience this worldwide event in a different way. We haven't been able to go to the playground, go out with friends, or go on a trip. That is why taking some time out of your day to sit down and talk with your kids is crucial. Not only is it something we should have been doing but it is something we as parents must do now more than ever. 

The best thing you can do with your kids is talking to them. I have made it my priority to spend some one on one time with them and don't go to sleep without doing so. Not only is this great for our relationship but also helps them communicate their frustrations and feelings. There are a lot of things to worry about and take care of as adults, but kids don't have the same worries, or any at all, which makes it crucial for us as parents to disconnect from work and problems to really be there for our kids. 

Bella will be 2 years old soon and she's in that phase where we need to be around her and can be very needy. I take time out of my day, even when I have a busy day, 5 minutes at least. But this is my priority. Making time for my kids, to talk, make crafts, draw, read a book, look at the sky, play outside, go for a drive, anything where I can give each one of them my undivided attention. They deserve the best of me and that's why I would like to urge all parents out there to dedicate some time out of the day to talk and be with your kids without interruptions. No phones, no tv, no distractions. A father's relationship with their kids has a great impact on our kids' personalities and confidence. 

I want my kids to be able to come to me with any questions, thoughts, worries, at any given time without fearing me lashing out or dismissing any doubts they may have. In order for them to become great, they need to learn and see by example what that looks like. It is a basic notion that often goes overlooked. Parenting. It's not only what makes out families better and stronger, but also a better society. I've taken everything my parents and their ancestors have taught them and want to carry all the great things and translate them on to my children in order to raise the next generation in the best possible way. So today, take 5 minutes out of you day to dedicate to your kids. Get to know them and allow them to know you as well. This is the beauty of fatherhood, but also what makes it challenging. Time. Get to know your kids and they will see you as the dad they can always go and look up to.

 

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12:36 PM

Working From Home In Comfort And Athleisure | Mack Weldon

With many people working from home due to the pandemic and trying to find a new normal, there are many changes that we have gone through in an effort to be safe, continue working, and staying comfortable since going out isn't much of an option for some. We just finished moving 3 weeks ago today and have been trying to stay busy unpacking and decorating our new home. Since my wife and I get to work from home, as of now, at least until January 2021, we have been staying in comfortable clothes without looking like we just rolled out of bed. So I opted to stay comfortable and stylish with Mack Weldon pieces, they are premium quality basics great for lounging around, running errands, and of course, working from home.

Even before this pandemic started, I was already working from home and found that dressing up made it a lot easier to get into work mode. I would also be ready at all times to get up and go do errands at a moments notice. Coming across Mack Weldon was a great thing for me because I was in the process of building up my basic pieces with high-quality pieces, which I found on their website. A good quality white T-shirt was on my list for a while and came across their Silver collection White T-shirt which is made of 85% Supima® cotton, 10% XT2® Polyester, and 5% Lycra. It fits just right, not tight and not loose, and the sleeves are fitted without feeling tight. The grey shirt is also of high quality, made of 100% Pima Cotton. They both fit great. For reference, I am 5'11" and wearing a size Large.

For the bottoms, I really liked their sweatpants and opted for these beige ones which have a tapered fit and also have a zipper pocket on the side which  I have found very useful. The tapered fit adds to the premium feels since it doesn't look baggy and looks more sophisticated. This could also be great for going to the gym or running errands, I actually ran some errands a few days ago. Athleisure it great, since it allows you to be comfortable and sport an athletic look. The great thing is that these are functional pieces. Instead of having an elastic tab around the ankle, Mack Weldon used an elastic tab on the heel which keeps it in place while keeping a clean streamlined look. My other option were the blue sweatshorts in the video below.  At the time of writing these were not available but they have them in black. I wanted something to lounge around and in a color other than neutral or the usual black or grey that I had. They are very comfortable and soft. Just like the sweatpants, these sweatshorts also have a zipper pocket which is easy to get to and use. Both of these bottom pieces are mad with micro sanded french terry for a premium feel and comfort.

How are you staying comfortable during this pandemic and what are some of your favorite athleisure pieces? Having your basics made of higher quality materials is a great way to build a wardrobe since they are the base for layering and getting dress for everyday life!

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6:38 PM

Trying To Stay Busy At Home During The Pandemic

After having to pack up and move in the middle of a pandemic, we can say that we have settled in quite nicely. Boxes have made their way out of the rooms and the garage also has enough space now where we have considered building a workout area. I saw this cool workout frame that folds away that is space-saving and functional. Project pending. Our office is coming along and we are adding the last finishing pieces to our home. It has kept us busy and somewhat distracted from what is going on. Our family is great as well as extended family, but given the growing number of cases here in Houston we are avoiding going anywhere inside and are opting for curbside pick up or home deliveries as much as possible.

I am tired of this pandemic and would like to go away on a month-long trip to west Texas or the mountains somewhere. Simply going away won't fix the problem or make it go away, but it would definitely give us some peace of mind knowing that we can be outdoors and away from other people. The girls are starting to get pretty antsy and luckily we now have a backyard so we can do some activities out there, at least when it is not over 100 degrees or raining, as it has for the last few days. I am doing my best to stay calm and collected while trying to find new things to do at home. Fortunately, unpacking and settling in, as mentioned above,  is pretty much done and did keep us busy. 

The one thing that will keep us busy for the next day or two will be repotting our plants. It is time for some of our plants to get new soil and new pots to continue growing. The plants are still alive ever since we got started our green thumb project 2 years ago. For those that remember, we started buying plants as a way to deal with stress during Ashley's pregnancy with  Isabella. It is funny how it is coming in handy during this time as well! Since then, our plants have multiplied and we've also added a few others. I have also taken the time to learn some new things, mostly pertaining to finances and a few things about off-roading. 

With all this being said, I wanted to share a little about what's been going on and how I feel about this worldwide event. Thankfully, I am glad to say that we have been great at home and staying as safe as possible. We hope you are well too and find something to balance out the lows. Also, if you have any ideas for passing time and keeping the kids busy, that would be great! Don't forget to follow us on Instagram where we share what we are up to! 

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12:50 PM

Gym Gear For Everyday Life | Elite Sports Gym Bag

This post is sponsored by Elite Sports, this is my honest review based on my experiences.

Working out has been a way to relieve some stress and staying healthy for me. I had been working out in the garage but wanted a change of scenery so I pack up my Elite Sports Gym Bag and head to the neighborhood park for some outdoor workouts. In this bag that also doubles up as a backpack, I carry water, two extra change of clothes, and an extra pair of shoes to change into in case of water or mud on the ground. This is my everyday pack for any random activities that may come up throughout the summer.

As an example, we are going out of town this weekend and I can easily just pick up this bag and pack the car. What I really like about this bag is the design and functionality. It all works great. I can carry this to the gym, park, or trip and wear it as a backpack. The straps are very comfortable and there is a mesh pocket to store damp or dirty gear. The gear from Elite Sports is focused on BJJ and contact sports but are also great gym gear. In fact, Mila and I are planning on joining a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gym once the pandemic settles down. 

When it comes to working out, you want to make the most of the time you do have. You may be getting a workout in before going to work or after finishing work. When time is tight, the last thing you want is to be scrambling trying to find that one pair of socks, shorts or shirt. Being organized not only helps keep things in one place but it could save you time that we often find ourselves short on. Once I started doing this ( because I used to scramble for things last minute) I became a lot more organized and all I had to do was pick up my gym bag and go! 

When you have a proper gym bag like this one you realize that a normal backpack is just not the best way to carry your gear. As I mentioned earlier, I keep an extra change of clothes in my bag and mixing damp and sweaty clothes with them defeats the purpose of carrying a clan change of clothes. the compartments have plenty of space to accommodate an outfit. I could even fit my shoes (size 11)

 in the mesh compartment. This isn't another duffle bag. It is a gym bag designed to serve a function to those that need flexibility and options. The fact it is comfortable is a plus and just makes it all that better. 

Elite Sports makes some other great items you can check out as well and you can check them out here!

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11:33 AM

We Are Moving! Moving As Quickly And Easily As Possible

We are moving! Yes, it is unfortunate as well as an inconvenient time to be doing that but it's on to bigger and better things. We were planning to renew our lease but my wife and I got curious and started to look around for different options and we came across a house with more space, a backyard, more windows (natural light), and an extra room for a dedicated office. This was a no-brainer, especially since we are going to be paying less. We are all excited for this move and looking forward to lots of great new memories. The only thing I will miss once we move is the gym but we are already looking at some cool workout equipment options for our garage. 

Currently, packing all non-essential items has been a chore since we have a lot of decor and items the girls don't need for the next few weeks. The last time we moved, I didn't help much since I was working at the plants 7 days a week. Ashley packed our last home in 2 weeks and I admire her for going through the whole moving process without me being around. Moving, in general, is not a fun thing to do, but in my case, I am glad to be home to be able to pack and move. We are packing away things by room and not by category or type of items. For example, all of our restroom items go into one box while the girls' restroom items go into another box. This will help a lot when the time comes to unpack in our new home.  Everything besides large items ( couch, table, bed frames, mattress, etc.) will go into boxes making everything easy to organize, transport, and unpack. We got these medium size boxes from the Home Depot for 89 cents each!

This weekend I packed away all our plates, bowls, and some kitchen appliances, only leaving behind one pot and pan. All decorations, shelves, and picture frames have come down too. We are now less than 3 weeks away from the moving date and I am trying to stay ahead in order to not rush and go into panic mode. Our goal is to simply have everything packed away in our garage beside the mattress we'll sleep on the night before. That way, everything that needs to get loaded for moving is in one place. So far, so good. With everything going on in the world, I want to make this move the least stressful as possible.  Do you have any moving tips?