Choose Joy Nation

Happy New Year! Love, The Cortez Family @xojesseannephotography

Happy 11th anniversary my love! Thank you for doing life with me. You're everything to me. 💜

Happy Birthday to my big 8 year old!!! . . . You are such a pistol, and I know you're my payback 🤣 But I love you so much regardless of how willful you are. You keep me on my toes and remind me everyday to fight to be more so that you can be who God called you to be. Your sass and fire frustrate me, but shows me how smart you are and makes me proud that you can stand up for yourself (and I know that sass and fire comes from yours truly). Then that soft side of yours when you say, "Mommy, can I cuddle with you?" That melts all my stress away. I'm so proud that God made you the big brother to Lukas and Gracen, its a lot of responsibility, but you're just the kid for the job. . . Cheers to another year! I hope you had a great day even if it wasn't your normal birthday blowout we throw for you. I'm just so happy we are all healthy and happy and that you're mine. ❤💋❤💋❤💋❤💋❤💋❤💋❤💋❤💋❤

Where should I go for birthday date might tonight??? Does anyone know what's open or what might be a good date night idea??? I'd love to hear!

This is more a story about silliness than anything. But these are things we instill in our boys 100%, daily. . . . We are in the car listening to 95.5, which here in SoCal is classic rock. AC/DC comes on - which is not a favorite of mine per say, but I decided to have a silly moment with the boys in the car. . . . "DIRTY DEEDS AND THEY'RE DONE DIRT CHEAP!" Hubby and I yell in the car while we headbang. Our kids are staring in amazement (at how cool we were? Hopefully. But probably more mortified than anything). . . . It was a 2 minute burst of energy right before pulling into the apartment. I thought, damage wasn't done, they'll never know what that song was about (I'm very particular about what the world gets to put into my children's minds). . . . Flash forward to dinner. All of a sudden my oldest son - in perfect beat of the song they have only heard once and for only the first verse and half the chorus yells, "DIRTY JEANS AND THE THUNDER CHEEKS!!!" 😂😂😂 . . . And now it will NEVER be sung the same. . . . Who here thinks that would be AN EXCELLENT band name though?? 🤷🏻‍♀️😂😂😂 #boymom #mamalovesherboys #3boys #3boys1mom #momofboys #concertjunkie #livemusic #musicislife #musiclover #audiolove #daughterofamusician #musicloverfrombirth #musiclover #loveallmusic #joyfulmamas #justmomlife #letthembelittle #happythoughts #sillyhonestkind #momlifeisthebestlife #thundercheeks #momlifestyle #motherhoodintheraw #mymamahood #ohheymama #our_everyday_moments #choosejoy #ipreview via @preview.app

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY SWEET, GORGEOUS, LOVING, SILLY, SEXY HUSBAND!!!! . . . This man ages like a fine wine. If anything, he's gotten sexier with age! He's the most amazing father and husband. His smile lights up the world and most importantly my heart. I honestly still don't know what he saw in me all those years ago, how he saw my true heart through all the darkness and muck, but he did and my life has never been the same. . . . Thank you Jesus for the precious love we share, thank you for the beautiful man my husband is, I'm so grateful for the life we have. 💜 . . . I love you Jose! You are the most amazing man I've ever known. Happy birthday!!

My dearest godson, Julian. Happy Birthday baby boy! You were my very first baby, even before Prince. You've taught me so much about love and warmth and being a good person. Thank you. . . . I can't believe you're 15!!! Insane. You are such an amazing young man. I've loved every minute of watching you grow. We miss you so much!!! The boys miss you too!!! . . . I truly believe I was blessed with the most handsome, the smartest, kindest and overall biggest go-getter of a godson ever. I cannot wait to see what the future holds for you. . . . I love you! Happy Birthday!!! . . . #godson #birthdayboy #julian #bestgodsonever #loveyou #15yearsofawesome

MY FIRST REFACE!!!! OMG!!! SUCH A FUN APP! HILARIOUS!!! I can now show my husband what I would like like with blonde hair again without having to actually go blonde. Yay!!!

Leading your days with GRATITUDE is so important. It's simply about beginning your day from a completely different mental space. . . . I began waking up and before I put my feet on the ground I say, "Thank you for another day. Allow me to be a blessing to someone today." Operating from this place has literally changed my life in MAJOR ways. . . . 2020 has taught me the importance of not living in fear of what cannot be controlled. It's a toxic place to live in. . . . What is a daily habit you can begin that will put you in a different mental space? . . . #mindset #dreams #createyourlife #nonegetivity #nottodaysatan #strongmind #strongheart #lifeplan #planb #gratefulness #elevate #success #hardwork #winning #onmywayup #goingtothetop #abundancemindset #freedom #grantcardone #arbonneconsultant #levelup #gratitude

"Mommy! Mommy! Does it look like I'm touching the clouds?!" 😊 Yes my son! Reach for the clouds. Reach for the stars!!! Stand tall and be proud! God loves you and mama loves you! 💜 . . . . . #boymom #mamalovesherboys #3boys #3boys1mom #momofboys #Gracen #hisnamemeansmercyandkindness #thebabyofthefamily #ilovehim #joyful #specialboy #joyfulmamas #justmomlife #letthembelittle #happythoughts #faithtrustandpixiedust #momlifeisthebestlife #momlifestyle #motherhoodintheraw #mymamahood #ohheymama #bedtimestories #our_everyday_moments #choosejoy #ipreview via @preview.app

Certified Tree Hugger here!!! . . . Whenever I need to really getaway, it's never to the beach that I want to go. It's to the forest. Where there are secret places in between the trees. You can sit on a log and dangle your toes in the creek. Stare at the sparkling water while you lay on a lazy river. It's a place my heart truly finds peace and clarity and where I feel the rest of the world fade away. My happy place. . . . #exploreeverything #keepitwild #lifeofadventure #neverstopexploring #adventurespirit #mountainvibes #mountainlove #forestlover #magicalforests #forestgirl #givemelakesorgivemedeath #ilovelakes #LakeArrowhead #getaway #unplug #breatheinbeauty #naturalbeauty #forestfairy #lovegreen #forestlove #ipreview via @preview.app

Sorry to interrupt your scrolling but here's a picture of a boy and his puppy, nose to nose, gazing in to each other's eyes. . . You're welcome. . . . . #boymom #mamalovesherboys #3boys #3boys1mom #momofboys #joyfulmamas #justmomlife #letthembelittle #happythoughts #faithtrustandpixiedust #Apollonia #aussie #weloveaussies #australianshepherd #momlifeisthebestlife #momlifestyle #motherhoodintheraw #mymamahood #ohheymama #bedtimestories #our_everyday_moments #choosejoy #ipreview via @preview.app

My practice every day is to have the first words I speak be, "Thank you for waking me up today." My next words are, "Today, bless me so that I might bless someone else." . . . I have watched beloved people and beloved animals run out of time. I've watched someone take their last breath. Time is short. We have the power to tear each other down or lift each other up. I choose to be the latter. The main thing anyone will remember of you is how you made them feel. Share grace, mercy and kindness with others. Those things CHANGE LIVES. . . . . #californiagirl #abundantlife #godsplan #jungle #dothework #lightwork #turntup #choosejoy #godsgotme #prayerlife #meditation #stayfocused #daughterofaking #powerofprayer #ilovejesus #givegrace #christianmoms #loveroflight #gratefulness #ipreview via @preview.app

At the beach with my best girl 💜🐶 We miss our Prince. But we are sending him love and living our best lives, like he'd want us to. . . . #apolloniapenelope #apples #mybestgirl #aussiesofinstagram #triaussiesofinstagram #dogbeach #godscreation #womansbestfriend🐶 #sandypaws

I have been meditating on Jeremiah 29:11 for weeks now. And this thought right here is beyond true. . . . I'm staying focused on these promises. Focused on the daily love and guidance I receive. And taking those footsteps and those footsteps alone. . . . #godsgotme #jeremiah2911 #jesusfreak #truelove #eyesonhim #morningswithjesus #gratefulness #joyfulliving #warmth #inspiration #godismyrockmyswordandmyshield❤