Purple Strides Tidewater 2019

Pancreatic Cancer is a real beast. You'd be amazed at how many people have told me in the last year and a half that a loved one of theirs fought and lost the battle with it. And yet... it's one of the least publicized cancers. Why? Is it because people don't survive, so there aren't survivor walks and basketball games and celebrations? Is it because people die so quickly that their friends don't have time to rally? Is it because it comes painfully, swiftly, and seemingly overnight, and then the people are gone without much warning?

The Purple Strides Tidewater group is looking to change that. Since we have gotten involved, our team, Team Hurwitz has raised over $40,000.00 to help better understand this poorly understood and rarely survived disease. We have done yard sales, zumbathons, book sales, mermaid hunts, purple outs, bake sales, and anything else we could think of to raise this money.When my dad passed away, it literally was life changing for me. I could go on and on about what a great dad he was or how unfair it is that RT has no grandfathers left. I could talk about how much I miss his being around, or the times that I wish he was here... but putting the focus on a way to fight helps it hurt a little less.  My family, my friends, my coworkers, even strangers have worked so hard to raise this money and I can't be more thankful that they did.

The Purple Strides Tidewater is the annual 5k which is the culminating activity for the year. Every year they have DJs, activities for kids, a warm up, and then we hit the pavement and get a little exercise. I had hoped to run it this year, but somehow with the third trimester pregnancy and the sciatica pain, I just don't see it happening. Next year though- I'll try.... to run... at least some of it. (I say this because I already know a certain mama and daughter running team that will hold me to this.)

If you'd like to donate to our team this year, it's easy to do at our site. If you know someone with Pancreatic Cancer or whose loved one has it, reach out to me and let's see what help we can get them. If you'd like to join our team or volunteer at our events, we would love to have you! And if you want to walk with us tomorrow... please join us! You can sign up at the event and we will have a tent with Team Hurwitz on it!

To see my posts about our own struggle with Pancreatic Cancer and all of the emotions that went with it, you can click here, here, or here.

She Works Hard For The Mommy v.7

Hi! My name is Boo Alejandro and I am an entrepreneur, illustrator, calligrapher, reading tutor,  military-wife and most recently, MOM! I love color, Mexican food, warm and breezy days, good music, lattes, Instagram stories and laughter.

Originally from Raleigh, North Carolina, I studied Special Education and Reading Instruction at East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina. I met my husband, Hector, on Tinder (swipe right) in September 2013 and I adored him from date number one.

I was a Special Education teacher in North Carolina and loved it. I hold the memories of the classroom close to my heart but upon getting married and moving to Norfolk, Virginia in June 2016, I knew that new adventures were on the horizon.

In December 2016, I founded Boo Alejandro Designs where I am the creative director. I specialize in watercolor illustrations and calligraphy/hand-lettering and I LOVE it.

My custom artwork includes house portraits, family portraits, military portraits, invitations, calligraphy signage and beyond. One customer favorite is my Norfolk map that can be customized to include your most favorite local landmarks.

I also teach calligraphy classes to help people of any skill level learn how to bring their own style to lettering. I have one coming up April 17 at the Annex in Virginia Beach. I have been a lover of design and art for as long as I can remember and launching my business has been such an incredible outlet for my creativity. To remain connected to my love for education and kids, I also work as a reading tutor for early-elementary aged students. My hustle is a little all over the place and I would not have it any other way.

Hector and I had plans to wait a little bit before having kids but the universe had other plans. I found out I was 9-weeks pregnant a week after our 2-year wedding anniversary – surprise! Despite it being a little earlier than we originally planned, we were thrilled. On January 13 of this year, we welcomed our son Éver and life has bloomed with a sweetness that we didn't know possible.

Time management has become a whole new beast now that I have a little one who soaks up all of my attention. It is hard to not get distracted by that freakin’ cute little mug! Mama business life has been a new challenge but oh so worth it. I love to bring art to life for my clients. Becoming a mother has multiplied my creativity in ways I could have never imagined.  Running a business and being a mom is all types of beauty and all types of crazy. I am so forever grateful that I am able to experience the beauty and crazy of both.

Thanks Boo! Boo and I actually met when I took one of her classes! I hope you'll check one out. I've ordered THREE of her Norfolk prints as gifts for people, and I'm thinking of getting a family portrait done once baby brother comes! If you're interested in her class, check it out here! 

IKEA Sneak Peak

Warning! This post has a ton of pictures AND it might make you want to throw away everything you own and buy everything from IKEA.

IKEA Norfolk opens on Wednesday, April 10th at 9 a.m., but guests may begin lining up at 5. The first 200 children 12 and younger will receive a free heart shaped soft toy, and the first 1,000 adults 18 and older will receive a special surprise welcome gift. Everyone in line before 8 a.m. will be entered for a chance to win a $500, a $1,500, or a $2,000 gift card. If you join the IKEA Family that day, or scan their card in the store you will automatically be entered to win a $250 gift  card. On top of that, if you use that card anytime from the opening until Sunday, April 21st and spend at least $125.00 you'll get a coupon for $20 off of your next purchase of $100. Through April 14th the store will also have face painting, music, and other family entertainment! You don't want ot miss out.

Here's some must know info:

• Smaland is the child drop off area. There are height restrictions and children must be toilet trained. Employees are screened and CPR trained. Children must wear a bracelet that must match that of the adult's. Adults receive a pager that allows your child an hour in the area. Children must be between 37-54 inches and have on socks. For those waiting to come in, there is a waiting area outside for parents to wait with their kids with a movie and some toys. 

• Sign up for the IKEA Family. You'll get special offers and if your item goes on sale after you buy, they will give you the difference. You'll also get some extra time in Smaland! 
• Upstairs in the cafe head to the right for stacks of high chairs and a little area for kids to play while you eat. Kids eat free on Tuesdays! Downstairs is a bistro that sells veggie hot dogs for $.75. So cheap! 

• Upstairs you'll only need to grab a bag. Most of the things up stairs are big items which you will pick up in the warehouse. Downstairs you can grab a cart and stock it with all of the little items that your heart desires. Need tape measures, pencils, anything else? They are around the store. 
• Heavy items (like dressers or chest of drawers) come with restraints that must be secured to the wall. Every two weeks a child in the United States dies from an accident with tipping furniture. These straps are provided! 
• IKEA employees 415 people locally at our store. They have both maternity and paternity leave for all employees, part time and salaried.  They have also raised their minimum pay rate twice in recent years. 

Mama Must Haves: 

• Ikea paint is all non-toxic, to the point that they claim a kid could drink it and be fine. Love it. I love this white dresser which I'm going to use as a changing table by adding a pad on top. 

• These book shelves let you see the fronts of books in a neat, organized way. 

• I love how cool these beds are. 

• These racks will likely be in my house once we move. I love them for kids as they grow and have backpacks, making the morning rush so much easier! 

• How cute are these photo hangers? 

• I'm loving this peg board for keeping things organized! 

• This doll house hangs on the wall and would be perfect for a playroom. 

• This chalkboard paint could be in a kid's room, a playroom, or a kitchen for all of the to do lists that I've got! 

• These rolls allow you to keep rolling out new paper to draw on.

• I love their price on rugs and comforters for kids. 

It's a dangerous time for us to be in the middle of packing up to move. I can totally see myself buying all new things! I'll leave yo with some totally random pictures of things that caught my eye! 

Hi mom!