Scarlet16

It has been a really long time since I have blogged we'll blame it on living TheXLAntLIFE. A lot has changed since my last blog 2 and a half years ago. I am writing this one in the hospital because on 12/30/2015 my family welcomed their one and only daughter Scarlet Michelle! My last blog was a dedication to my Father, who passed away from lung cancer. Since my last blog my #mostxlant , handsome, and loving twins were born. The Boys just turned two on 12/16. Tayler Ray is nine and a half now. Since my last blog we moved our family back to Texas in order to help my father in law who had a quintuple bypass. We helped him get back to health so he could return to work. We found out that my wife's grandma has stage four cancer. As sad as this news is for our family we are filled with blithe that we are in Texas, and are able to help. Finally with the birth of Scarlet closing out 2015, and looking to 2016 our hearts are overjoyed and ecstatic to see what 2016 will hold. We have been blessed over the past few years with the most amazing family and friend, some that are old friends, and we welcomed some new friends and family into out already blessed lives! Here is to 2016 may it be blessed and filled with love. ❤️🎉

A dedication

So it has been a while since the last blog. Of course a lot has happened. Over the last two years or so my Dad has been dealing with lung cancer. For most of the time he has managed well with chemo, radiation, and various treatments. About a month ago the doctors discovered that the cancer had spread to his brain and spine. As I write this blog I am sitting in the hospital room with my Dad and family spending our last few day with him. Today I have been thinking about a lot of things memories, and things to come. One of the things that I have been thinking about is dedicating TheXLAntLIFE to my father. My father may not have been around for every birthday or celebration in my life since my mom and dad separated when I was 6. I have memories playing WAR ( the card game ) video games, and just manly talks. 5 years ago we moved to Washington State to be closer to my Dad and my family here, as well as to enjoy a new pace of life, and build new memories. 

Of the past 5 years going to various sporting events, shooting gun, the most amazing Christmas' as well as other holidays, and have adult manly talks. My dad spent spent over twenty years in our US Army. Time was spent overseas, in desert shield/desert storm, and various military bases in the country. After retiring from the Army my dad worked as a computer programmer another one of his passions. I am sure I could ramble on forever needless to say my Dad definitely lived an XLAntLIFE, and his legacy will live on for years through our family. I having figure out exactly what I want to do I am thinking about donating to various cancer societies, or maybe establish one of my own. I am definitely going donate a portion of proceeds from the sales of TheXLAntLIFE  merch! Dad I love You thanks for the memories! Your legacy will live on forever.

For those who have Questions

This is for the people who want to know what TheXLAntLIFE is, or want to better understand! What started out as an idea in my head to better myself ,and a daily reminder that I am better than my temper, and that I am XLAnt and not allow the minute things bother me. It started when I worked at a gas station 2 blocks from my house about a year ago. I was just had a bad day. The crows decided that it would be funny to have trash waiting for me all over the parking lot for me when I got to work at 6 am. I was frustrated. I picked all the trash not laughing. Did it cause it was my job. Shortly after I had done my early duties: pickup the trash, empty the trash cans, wipe down the gas pumps, stock the shelves, and fill the coolers. Shortly after that a car pulled up into the parking lot quickly. One of the guys in the car decided he would throw his half eaten chicken bones on the ground. Just as I was going to go outside and confront him, I stopped myself, and said, "you are going to have an excellent day!" Over the next few days I reminded myself that. I started thinking about the word excellent. I thought it sounded like XLAnt then I got this image of an Ant head popped in my head with a XL on its forehead. Thus the design began. I thought it would look cool on a shirt. Shortly after my bad day I was let go from the job. Instead of getting mad about my job, or lack there of, I decided that I would market an idea that would be a message, a state of mind, a way to live life, TheXLAntLIFE . I decided that I was going to take everyday, and do my best to live XLAnt! Yes I have had my bumps in the road, yes I have days where I have bad days, days were I yell lose my temper for no reason, but then I remind myself that I live TheXLAntLIFE, and life is far too XLAnt to sweat the things that don't matter. So over the past year I have done some PR. In closing TheXLAntLIFE is a state of mind, a daily reminder that we are XLAnt, A message to be a better person. One of goals is to be able to get to a point where I can be able to give a shirt, hoodie or whatever it is to a homeless person, or someone who less fortunate than we to have clothes. I would like to donate my product with my design to them as a reminder that they are worth something ,and that no matter what they live TheXLAntLIFE. Thanks to all who support my idea, my graphic, and embrace the pursuit of happiness. May we push on, may we prevail, and live TheXLAntLIFE!

To TheXLAntLIFE crew

Just wanted to say Thank You to all my friends and family who have supported TheXLAntLIFE over the past year keep up the support and look for XLAnt things to come in the future. What started out as an idea in my head has blossomed into a way of life. TheXLAntLIFE reached 100 likes today. What a milestone keep up the hard work. Until next blog TheXLAntLIFE bid y'all A Fond Adieu!

Failure is not an option!

So here it is the long awaited final blog to my 21 day challenge. How did I do? Well XLAnt of course. I admit it was not easy as making a lifestyle change never is. I prevailed I feel as though I can breath a breathe of fresh air, my mind is clear collected, and calm. Did I get mad yes if course, but there is a difference between being mad and losing ones temper, and not having control. The difference between me being mad or upset now is that I can control it. Yeah I may be upset I may get mad but I will not lose control. If there is anything in life that a person wants bad enough nothing should stand in their way. When I came up with TheXLAntLIFE a year ago, crazy it has been that long, little did I know the affect it would have on my life. Yeah I said then I was going to change but it did not happen. I still lost my temper various things would get thrown around the room. For what to show that I was "The Man" to make people intimidated. It has done none those, it only made me look like a fool. I realized something over the past 3 weeks. I am truly XLAnt I can do anything, If I want to fly I can fly. So I will end on this every 21 days challenge yourself "Defy Gravity" change your mind, take a risk, be a better person, give to the less fortunate, join a gym, do something to change your life, prove the naysayers wrong. Whatever it may be do if for 21 days I Challenge you. Next challenge for me is Communication. If there is an issue I am gonna to express it. Things will be broken down as before in multiples of 7. Until next time have and XLAnt day and a even better one tomorrow.

Leavin' on a jet plane

Well all XLAnt things must come to an end, but the good news is every end starts with an even more XLAnt beginning. Texas was XLAnt if course humid and hot, but still had an XLAnt time. Got into Austin early afternoon met up with my Mom ate off SoCo (south congress) at at Güero's a XLant Mexican food restaurant. Did a lil shopping pickup Tay some XLAnt alligator skin cowboy boots! Met up with a friend played some laser tag, I got 1st place. The ate at Hill's Cafe had some chicken fried steak with "Yella" gravy, and some fried okra. The next day Friday we left for Corpus Christi fit some XLAnt beach fun! Played in the beach are some XLAnt seafood, drank some brew and called it a day. The next day was filled with shopping and more beach fun. We left the coast headed back home. Monday we Toobed down the Comal river, was very relaxing. Ate dinner with my brother and family. Tuesday was shopping at the Mercado and The Alamo. Tater got a sweet coon skin hat. Met up with some cousins of the wife's. Today dropped Tay off at his Aunt Holly's was one of those happy sad moments. Tay will be away from us for 21 days, huh look at that a multiple of seven. It will be good though causeTay will be getting the Texas experience. Till next time keep your head up, and have an XLAnt day!

Sittin' on the dock of the bay!

So I have not posted a blog for a day not holdin' up to my end if the deal. I figured no one wanted to read me ramble on about nothing and everything all at once. Of course I had an XLAnt day for the past few days. Got some sales early which helped me relax for the rest if the day to get some XLAnt follow up. In my job follow up is key. Hard to believe it has been 12 days since I have really knuckled down and started The21DayCHALLENGE. I would be lying if I said I was easy. There have been some tests and some bumps along the way, but I have prevailed and will stop at nothing less than XLAnts. Sung to "Sittin on the dock of the Bay" by Otis Redding "just sittin' in the terminal, watching the planes roll away... Just Sittin' in the terminal wastin' time. ( whistling) I am super stoked to see my family. Going to meet up with my Mom at Hill's Cafe in south Austin. Gonna have some sweet potatoe fries, and some mashed taters with yella gravy! Until next blog keep yah head held high and have an XLAnt day, and an even better tomorrow.