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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? 

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3:48 PM

The Workout Apparel I Needed | Born Tough

Working out has been completely different for me lately, more than likely, for most of us. At the start of the year, I committed to being consistent with my workouts and taking care of my health. After not being physically active for months and only working out 2-3 times a month at most, it was going to take some real effort to kickstart my resolution. To this day I've been consistent with my workouts even after the gyms in my area closed down and working out at the park isn't advisable. I realized that I was low on workout gear and came across Born Tough. I had seen them on Instagram and liked the products they have available. A few days later I had one of their shirts in my home and I was ready to wear it for my garage workout!

Born Tough has a great selection of workout clothing which can be used as workout clothing and athleisure. Given the current circumstances, most of us are working from home and don't have to get dressed up to go out. Safe to say, staying comfy is our new go-to, and athleisure is the way to go. I got the Men Core Fit Shirt in lunar rock , one of the many neutral colors (best for working out IMO) they have for this shirt. For size reference, this is a size Large and I am 5'11" and 198lbs. So what are my thoughts of this shirt after doing a couple of workouts and wearing it around the house? Well, it is my favorite shirt, and here's why.

The shirt fits like a glove, without looking like one. That alone is a win for me but there are some other cool features that you may overlook. The fabric is lightweight and is made of Born Togh's Signature Swift blend that consists of 93% viscose and 7% spandex. A great combination of fabrics with comfort and stretchability. The Core Fit short also has flatlock seams which not only make the seams stronger, they also lay flat against the skin for added comfort. 

Feeling uncomfortable when working out is one thing you don't want to feel when you're pushing your body's limits. With other shirts I've worn, the shirt would ride up as I'm doing exercises and Born Tough has added an ergonomic extended scallop hem to avoid that from happening. It's lightweight, comfortable, and stylish. I could also wear this short casually, as mentioned above, athleisure is gaining a lot of traction. 

The Core Fit Shirt is my favorite and if you started to look into ways of staying fit or starting to workout check out their wide selection of training apparel. Working out is also a great way to clear your head, have some time for yourself, or relieve some stress. This is very important in a time where our mobility is limited and staying healthy requires some additional effort from our part. You got this!  Check out their workout apparel here!

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4:57 PM

A Dad's Mental State During COVID-19 | #DadTalk

Dad life has been a little rough lately but also filled with many memorable memories. As much as we used to go out and travel, taking time to be with each other is great for our relationship and bonding as a family. We get to spend time valuable time with each other as well as talking more with each other. One of my favorite things has been coming up with creative things to do around the house. Mila is more into doing crafts like watercolors, painting, drawing and building pillow forts( I think that is considered a craft) , and collectively brainstorming. 

My kids keep me thinking positive and help me keep my mind active. It is an awkward time, mostly because staying home is not something new to my wife or I. We usually spend most of our days with our kids and do activities that revolve around them but I can't help but think of those who aren't prepared or don't have any kind of flexibility in their lives. I can relate to an extent because I can recall some times early in my childhood where I lived through some difficulties, wether financially or low on resources such as food. Keep in mind this was back in the early 90's and life is much different today. That, however, does not change the fact that some people are struggling today. Remembering where I came from keeps me grounded and allows me to help those around me without question. 

This may sound a little, debbie-downer there, but it is only  reflection of the great things I have learned in life and shaped me in the person I am today. I've been checking on my grandmas constantly, at least a lot more than before, and help them out with what they need. Anything to avoid them having to go out to the stores or crowds. It makes me happy, honestly, to be in a position to help my family because of financial responsibility learned from my dad and the generosity from my mom. I am eternally grateful because these are the things that help each generation get ahead. It is the actions that we take that moves us forward. Our family is doing great and we are stable in all areas of life, to the point that I want to feel comfortable, but knowing that there are people that need help is messing with me internally. I would love to help, but, the uncertainty and prolongation of this pandemic tells me to take care of my family until we start seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.

That's a condensed version of what goes through my mind on the daily. And there are positive things here to take away, in being responsible and always planning for rainy days ( financially)  my family can have some peace of mind and have one less thing to worry about. My daughters are doing great, and in creating a calm environment, we can have more harmony here and keep the anxiety levels low. Being a dad at this time can be tough, especially when work is slow and many people are getting laid off. Having worked in fabrication, oil, and chemical plants, I have been through many lay offs, and it sucks. Being an online dad doesn't mean I am disconnected or unrelatable. I have been in the positions of many dads that probably don't even use social media, which is typical when you are working 12-14 hour shifts 6-7 days a week. These times are tough and I know how it can have a negative impact on our mental state. If anyone needs someone to talk to feel free to reach out anytime, anywhere! Stay positive and remember that even in these times, our kids are always watching.