saldana fam cam Archives - Page 2 of 2

saldana fam cam: kauai style

September 1, 2014

For years Jimmy and I have been wanting to plan a family vacation for just the four of us, and after our first year of homeschooling, we knew the idea needed to move up in the priority list of our to do’s, stat. So, we started tucking money away and doing research on where we wanted to go, and finally last December we had enough saved and had confidently chosen our location…Kauai.

11 years ago on our honeymoon we spent a week on Oahu, and a week on the Big Island, and we have always wanted to go back and explore the other islands one day as well. After two years of homeschooling, all I craved was relaxation, so Kauai seemed the perfect choice.

It ended up being the perfect week, and by the time we got home, we were completely content and relaxed. Even the kids seemed more mellowed out, as the plane ride home was much calmer than the plane ride there. (homeschooling was almost easier than dealing with my kids on the way there. oh my word.)

Kauai was unbelievably beautiful, and with every scenic moment we took in, we made an effort to pause for a moment of authentic worship. You cannot deny there is an incredible Creator when you stop and take in all the beauty that surrounds you, especially when you are in a place like Kauai.

I did my best to capture all that I could on the vlog, so that you too could experience a little of the beauty and relaxation the island had to offer as well.

And now that we’re back home, we’re continuing to challenge ourselves to keep up our worshipful heart and mindset, even as we’re surrounded with what feels so simple and familiar…

It’s amazing what you notice when you make the effort.

{To check out all the pictures from our trip and activities, make sure you follow me over on Instagram! I post a lot of things that never end up on my blog or YouTube channel!}

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saldana fam cam: beautycon la 2014, dance party & more

August 19, 2014

We’re coming up on the last weeks of summer and I have this itch more than ever to get outside, be active and soak up each and every moment of free time that we have. It’s crazy to me that in just two more weeks BOTH my kids will officially be in school…no more babies in our house!

This week on the Saldana Fam Cam:

This last week my sweet friend, Becky, offered to take our kids for the day so that Jimmy and I could have our first date in 6 months. I didn’t even realize that we had let that much time pass, but once we had the time together again, it hit me just how much we need to make time for that in our marriage. Having uninterrupted time together when you’re not exhausted at the end of the day really makes a difference. But that’s a whole blog post that I’m thinking I might need to write sometime soon. Anyway, we made the most of our day and went grocery shopping without kids (how easy is that?!?), came home to pay bills (no interruptions!), and then got changed and went to hike a few miles down to Torrey Pines Beach and then back up…finishing the night with dinner out at our favorite restaurant, Tender Greens. It was honestly the perfect day for both of us.
Another big event went down this week, and that was Taylor finally got his braces off. Hallelujah, Praise Jesus. Although, now we get to live this next year keeping a 9 year olds retainer in tact. So ya, that’s been fun.
As usual, there was a Saldana Fam dance party that went down randomly in our house. This actually happens quite often, but I made sure to capture each family members mad skills. You’ll notice I don’t, however, capture my own. One day.
We had a family fun night with some of our bestest friends, and Becky…who is supposed to be like me (allergic to cooking) had quite the surprise for us once we showed up to their house.
I picked up Chloe’s books for her first official year of homeschool! I’ve never taught Kindergarten before, but I have to admit that I am beyond excited for this little adventure we get to have together. I’ll be doing a homeschool video/blog post in the next couple weeks to share more in detail about what we’re using and how it’s going!
I may have also done a little shopping at Forever 21, though I did get out of there for under $15. So that’s kind of newsworthy, I think. ha
And lastly, I went up to L.A. on Saturday to attend BeautyCon LA 2014 with Trisha from A Glittery Life, and shared the makeup look & products I used to get ready. The event was INsane, but I’m definitely glad I went and loved the chance to meet with friends as well as try out some new brands to share with you guys! (more on the goodies I got tomorrow!)

* I’ve been trying to be more selective in the moments I vlog and share, so that I am able maintain some kind of balance with being in the moment vs. capturing the ones I want to be sure I remember… It’s a dance I’m learning slowly but surely. xo

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saldana fam cam: discontentment, jam session and balayage

August 11, 2014

This summer is going way too fast for me, and as I was just telling Jimmy the other night, it’s been far too busy as well.

I had such high hopes that summertime would bring us all rest and relaxation, and instead I feel busier than ever before. And while some of that is all me and some of the projects I’m taking on, it still feels too…rushed. I am desperately needing a second to gather my thoughts, center myself, and reflect on all thats truly important.

| This week on the Saldana Fam Cam |

~ We had an insane heat wave hit our area with what felt like a deathly level of humidity accompanying it, and given that we don’t have air conditioning in our house, we were all a bit on the lethargic GRUMPY side. And so, of course, we ended up doing what any normal family without air conditioning does…we got in the car with dinner and a movie…and went for a long drive to look at dream houses. Wait till you see these crazy modern styled homes we discovered!

~ One thing this week that seemed to be a common theme for both Jimmy & me, was in the area of discontentment. Always striving for more but continually feeling as though it’s not enough… And so, one night after we got the kids to bed, we had a little heart to heart that really put things into perspective for the both us, I think. I have this feeling that we’re not the only ones living this struggle, especially in this generation of Facebook & Instagram where the grass is always greener and more manicured on the other side, and so I pulled out my camera and tried to capture the tail end of our discussion. Praying it speaks to you the way it did to me.

~ A bright side to my week was my beloved hair appt where we freshened up my balayage and actually went a little lighter in the front. I’m absolutely obsessed with this style of coloring hair now, that I’m pretty sure I can never go back to any other method. Unfortunately, the girl I’ve been going to is raising her prices and with our budget these days, I just can’t justify paying the increase. So now I’m on a mad (and desperate) sleepless hunt for a new Balayage Hair Master here in San Diego, and praying that someone around these parts can duplicate what’s already been done.

Yes, I realize this is all sorts of #firstworldproblems.

~ We also had the opportunity to attend the Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus for the third year now, and absolutely loved it. I tried to capture my most favorite acts (that don’t involve animals, because I understand that’s a sensitive situation), that truly took our breath away. We all agreed that this particular show was our favorite so far!

~ And then of course there’s the beauty stuff, where I test out a new City Cosmetics Lip Plumper and show what makeup I’m wearing on the days I actually take the time to put some on. You also have got to watch the part where Chloe styled not only herself and Girafee for church, but then picked out my jewelry as well. She is just too adorable for words.

I hope you guys enjoy!!!

{PS – I really am longing to get back to my writing posts as well, but am finding that it is incredibly difficult to form complete thoughts while the kids are home all summer. Babysitters or Grandparents would just be so lovely to have in my life, ya know? Anyway, so my prayer is that in the next couple weeks once we’re back on a schedule and school has started for Taylor, that my writing and thinking groove will get back on track. Bear with me!!! xo}

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saldana fam cam: shespeaks conference 2014 & more

August 3, 2014

Last weekend I had the incredible opportunity to attend the SheSpeaks conference 2014 and meet up with a few of my most beloved friends, Ruth, Mandy and Karen.

We all first got to know each other way back in the day when we wrote for our other friend, Candace Cameron Bure‘s website, RooMag (which is gone now. sadness!). But actually getting to spend one on one time with them that many days in a row was absolutely refreshing to my soul. They’re the kind of girls that are just…comfort, if you know what I mean. Just truly genuine, comfortable and easy going.

And while I had every intention of vlogging throughout the entire conference, once I got there I was so completely immersed in soaking up all the wisdom being shared, that vlogging was the last thing on my mind. Thankfully I was, however, able to capture parts of incredibly beautiful worship, along with a little bit of when Karen Ehman & Renee Swope shared…both of whom I absolutely adore. {Look them up, you will too.}

If you’re a writer or a speaker or you have dreams to ever be one day, let me just tell you, this conference is for you and absolutely worth every single penny.

It’s just amazing what spending time with creative and like minded friends will do for you.
We should all be doing more of that, conferences or not.

Also included in this weeks vlog…
~ Taylor’s tips for me on how to write a book (who needs a conference after this wisdom?)
~ Makeup I’m wearing
~ Young Living, Butter London & Cover FX unboxings
~ Jimmys Facebook dilemma
~ My tips on how to pack jewelry so it doesn’t tangle
~ One of my most delicious Vitacost food finds
~ and you definitely can’t miss Taylor’s magic tricks….

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It means so much that you are here! I know life gets busy though, so if you don't want to miss a thing, I invite you to subscribe to my blog through email!