2012

Its been so long since I have written in my blog. I felt it was necessary to express some happiness lately. I finally got a wonderful location to expand on my fitness passion--right in the heart of downtown Fullerton. Everything is going so wonderful with it and I cant say enough, how grateful I am for the love and support and family and friends have shown me. I have the BEST business partner in the world, my lil Pittsburg baby! :) and the support my dad and mom have shown me is unmatchable. Cant forget Jesus, he has been there every step of the way shooting me advice and being my number 1 critic. And of course Brooklyn, I strive to be great each and every day for her.

Ill post pics of the new location soon, however I encourage you to stop by :)

I know that 2012 is going to be a wonderful year for me, as it has already been. Cant wait to share more of my experiences.

Update.

finally I have found time to blog.

Lately, I have just been so busy being a stay at home mommy and doing other activities I just have not made time to blog. But I will be getting back into the routine of blogging.

I taught myself how to knit and crochet... Went to Michaels one day and stocked up on yarn! Purchased a "How to knit book", and a "How to crochet" book but they lacked quality pictures and basically were a waste of money! Youtube taught me perfectly well. I have found that I do not like to follow patterns at all and end up doing things my own way and they never turn out bad!! I have made, headbands, 2 scarves, 3 beanies, and ear warmers! Super excited to save some money this fall/winter by making my own accessories! And being able to make Christmas presents for my loved ones... I do not plan on selling anything, I will leave that for my very creative friend! :)

Brooklyn has been learning so much, she is like a learning sponge! She just soaks everything right up... I can't believe she will be 3 in 8 weeks! Time surely does fly when you are enjoying life.

Jesus and I are in a funk about the wedding! We are trying to decide whether to avoid the headache of wedding planning and just elope! We keep bouncing back and forth on the decision! However, we bought our wedding bands and oh man was that an exciting day! Reality of marriage shocked us (in a good way) and honestly purchasing our wedding bands have brought us even closer!!! We have been so in love, the make you wanna vomit, type of love!! Hahaha. I find it amazing that each day my loves grows stronger for him, the bond between us becomes stronger to break!

I have been having baby fever! OMG Brooklyn needs a lil sister or brother so we are planning when we are going to start trying for another one! This is another reason why we may just elope and have a reception sometime next year! Well see though, Pinterest has still got me planning my big wedding! ;)

I had lunch with my best friend Christina Friday, it's always good catching up with her and hearing all the latest gossip! hahhaha (Christina I am still shaking my damn head in shock) Christina is that friend who has NEVER disappointed me, she truly is one of a kind. She has a genuine heart and honestly cares for others and the world. I'm working on a super emotional Tear Jerkin' post about my two best friends Steena and Yvonnie.

This was a random visit from Christina :) Brooklyn is silly just like her!

Football Sunday our eagles played Freakin Amazing!!!! We held my sister Katrina hostage and she made us a super delicious Sunday dinner!!!

and yesterday was HALLOWEENIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Brooklyn was so excited to go trick or treating all day and she fell asleep right before we were about to head out! It was almost impossible to wake her up! But daddy did the trick and she was ready to go!!! Jesus didn't work so it was a very special Halloween! Our neighborhood was dead so we headed to the big homes off Valley View and we were not disappointed! There was sooooo many people! and Lots of candy :) we decided next year we are going to dress up too to get triple the amount of candy! Call us greedy!

my little smurfette! She was the only one!

Carrot Cake Cupcakes

I just made the most moist, mouthwatering cupcakes ever. I am super impressed with myself. This was my second time making Carrot Cake Cupcakes and I must say this time was a hit. I kept seeing different recipes with coconut, pineapple, apple sauce, but I just wanted a pure carrot cake! I could do without all the other stuff...

Here's my recipe
2 cups Flour (whole or regular)
1 cup pure cane sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1 1/4 cup canola oil
4 eggs
1 teaspoon ginger
1 teaspoon nutmeg
2 teaspoons cinnamon
pinch of cloves
1 lb grated carrots
1 cup coarsley chopped walnuts (optional)
1 cup raisins (optional)

I mixed all dry ingredients, and oil together and then added in carrots and whisked in one egg at a time. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Fold in walnuts and raisins. 

Bake 15-18 min.

I always eye everything... didn't measure.

For Maple Cream Cheese Frosting

1 stick unsalted butter
2 cups confectioners sugar
2 cream cheese packages (8 ounce)
1/3 cup pure maple syrup

whisk together

ENJOY!

TOYs

OHHH blog how I have missed you!!! Brooklyn is with the grandparents and Jesus is at work, and I am finally finding time to get a little blogging in!

Yesterday was a bittersweet day... It was cleaning time of Brooklyn's playroom and by cleaning I mean getting rid of basically all of her toys!! Since the Holidays are around the corner and Brooklyn's birthday is less than 2 months away I decided it was necessary to get rid of the toys we had been hanging on too since she was just a baby. Brooklyn was being really good about it, she kissed each of her toys bye bye and watched me set them on the side of the road. They were gone in less than 30 min. I kept a few of the good ones to give to a charity.

Here are her favorite toys that I decided to give to charity...

The rest of her toys were gone before I could even remember to get my camera and take a picture

After we were done getting rid of all the toys Brooklyn is way too big to be playing with I realized that Brooklyn had nothing left or at least it seemed that way! So am way beyond excited for her Birthday to spoil her with more things she can enjoy for another 3 years until I decide to get rid of them... we like to hold on to things!!

We might even have to take a trip to Toys-R-Us tomorrow! :) we have to buy presents for a cute kid who is turning 3, named Jase! anyways :)

SAHM

I've noticed lately that the quote "when one door closes another door opens" is absolutely true. I lost my job a few months ago... Losing my job has probably been one of the best "worst" things that has happened to me! I have been able to enjoy Brooklyn each and everyday... I have been able to fall completely in love with the mommy role that I had been missing so much while I was working. I have been able to get crafty again, and find time for myself! And last but not least I have been able to make Jesus utterly happy... while falling in love with the "housewife" role. Being a stay home mom, and just teaching a few Zumba classes a week has really changed my life for the better. I am still going to school online... to have a back up career in case anything changes but honestly being a SAHM is a full time job. For anyone who thinks that its not I dare you to try it, and please let me know how easy peasy it is :)

Another door has opened since losing my job, and that's being able to completely focus on my Zumba career I have met some of the greatest people through Zumba. I have been able to put together some of the best Master Classes... And I have a bunch more surprises up my sleeve for my wonderfully committed students! I have even been invited to more than a few Zumba auditions including, a music video, commercial, DVD, ACCESS Hollywood and then more! :) 

And as some of you know I have been able to focus on making myself fully content. You will find this in my blog happycassaundra.blogspot.com

So basically, I just want to say to anyone who is down because they have lost something lately whether it be a boyfriend, job, friend etc there are always more opportunities to come so STAY POSITIVE :) --

"There's no telling how many miles you may have to run, while chasing your dream"

Simple days to remember

I love the weekends that are spent with my little family, enjoying being out of the house and SHOPPING! Spending money is way too easy for me... I instantly fall in love with everything I set my eyes on.

We first went to Todai. Which is the most amazing place if you love SUSHI and can't get enough of it! We stuffed our bellies and then tried to think of what else we wanted to do! (Mind you we are supposed to be saving for our wedding) Jesus got a brilliant idea to stop by Active brilliant because I love to spend money haha. I found these cute little red TOMS and tried to sqeeze Brooklyn's feet into them. Unfortunately they were too small but fortunately the Active in Brea had them! So after Jesus and I were done buying a couple of new things for our closets... We headed to Brea. 

We hopped in our car so excited to go and our car wouldn't start. At this point I got really sad because I thought our spontaneous day had been ruined! Thankfully Jesus tried one last time to turn our car on before he flipped (lmao) and it turned on! The gates of heaven opened! Phew! 

So we arrived at Active and Brooklyn was so excited because she new her new Toms were waiting for her. As soon as we got there Jesus headed to the dressing room to try on a few things and I headed to the cashier to get Brooklyn's Toms... They FIT! 

After Active we went home, we did not want to go to the Brea mall because we knew we would be tempted to buy stuff... On our way home we stopped at Oahu! For some yummy shave ice!

So Delicious!

 

 

Then we decided that since the day was kinda chilly and not super enjoyably hot that we would go to the Block and walk around... As we got freeway the Sun came out! Total Bummer. Jesus made a quick decision and we headed to the very tempting Brea Mall. Here me and Jesus bought some super cute matching Tshirts to cheer on Our Eagles in!! 

 

After a long day of shopping Jesus and I rested before we headed out for a mini date night!! We went to Heroes and had a drink (we never go to DTF, so super strange) and then headed to the movies to see Drive. Drive was a great movie kinda weird, kinda gory, kinda amazing. 

Zumba love.

It's been a while since I have last blogged... So I thought I would give a quick lil recap on whats been going on over here before I get to the point of this blog...Officially last Wednesday my fiance got his promotion, we are so excited for him! He did his training on Monday and is all ready to move up in the game. 

On Saturday September 17th I held a Zumbathon to raise money for Susan G Komen for the cure. We were extremely successful!!! What's a Zumbathon? It an extremely long special Zumba class! :) My students enjoy when I have Zumbathon's or Master classes. This Zumbathon was absolutely amazing, and life changing. My dear Zumba friend Carmen helped me with this, and was so excited! We made this event all about her best friend Tiffany, and others who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. Tiffany used to teach Zumba but the doctor gave her orders that she could no longer teach. On the 27th of this month Tiffany will undergo surgery to have both breasts removed. 

Nonie, Tiffany, Carmen, and Me

Tiffany shared her heart-warming story with everyone who was in attendance at the Zumbathon and let me tell you... if you looked around the room there was not a dry eye around! :) Her story really enlightened me, and if I ever have any concerns or worries about a lump or any weird feelings on my breasts I will not be afraid to tell my doctor.

We also had the honor of having Nonie teach at our event! And let me tell you he is absolutely awesome! He is kind spirited and a total Diva when he gets on stage!!!

here's a up close picture of my amazing zumba friend Carmen and her best friend Tiffany!

This all leads me to why I teach Zumba. Something about it just makes me so happy. Zumba is more than just a fitness class its a Movement. A movement to make a difference in your life and those around you. When I am teaching nothing else matters, I'm happy! I am in the moment and I feel as though I am unstoppable. I look at my students each day walking in and you can tell some have had a horrific day, or stressful week. However when they leave my class to return home they are smiling and glowing and it feels so good to know I have made the difference. At this moment in my life Zumba is my "career" and if this Zumba craze ever fades I will continue my journey in the dance/fitness industry. I feel I have met my calling :) Each day I am growing as an instructor, and each day I see a difference in my students. Whether that difference is weight loss, or increased stamina, or more positive post on their facebooks I see a difference and I am proud.

Everyone groovin' for the cure of breast cancer! Over 50 people were in attendance! :)