Monday, June 22, 2009

Getting back on track...

Wow - It's been a long time since I've written. Since my last post, my friend died. Her funeral was on St. Patrick's Day and was heartwrenching. Her mom continues to write on her blog and those daily posts are a blessing.
Michael, Jason, and Steven all had birthdays and mine's next! With school out, the boys are spending a lot of time with their grandparents.
Today is a big day - Steven and Nate begin their swim lessons and Mike starts driving school! Beware of the Sears Driving School car if your on the Northwest side of Houston!!
In general, life is good. Personally, I had a few roadbumps that kept me from writing, but I feel like I'm back on track now. Next step, figuring out how to post pics!

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Flowers!

Today, my hubby earned some bonus points. He sent me flowers - for no reason! He is such a great husband and I am truly blessed to have him in my life. I was so surprised when they arrived.
It feels so great to have a partner with which to share my life with. Things weren't so great not too long ago, but we have made changes that have really made a difference. After 11 years, we are back to that 'in-love' stage. Its so nice to flirt with my husband and be actively in love again - I can't really explain it. I feel like I'm smiling all the time now - how great is that?
On top of that, my boys are really growing up. My Michael is turning into such a great young man. He's taller than me now! It's so bittersweet watching him grow up. I'm so proud of him but I will miss him greatly when he starts college and begins his own life. I find myself holding back tears just thinking about it. Lately, when my 2 younger ones are at grandpa's, it's just me and Mike. I try to cherish every minute with him. I notice that I hug him more and compliment him, and tell him thank you. He'll be 16 next month. I only have 2 years left before college!!!
Steven and Nate are both growing taller. It's amazing to see them turning into boys - they're no longer my babies! Steven will be in Middle School next fall - when did that happen?! I swear he was just in 3rd grade! And I have to remind myself constantly that Nate isn't a baby anymore. He's in 2nd grade and able to do everything on his own now. It's so hard to let him be and not baby him. I love them so much. My life is so full. How did I make all the mistakes I did and end up so blessed? How did dorky RaChele end up happily married with 3 great kids? This is exactly the life I dreamed of as a little girl. Wow.

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Tuesday

Today is Tuesday. Just a regular old boring Tuesday. But I guess it's not regular. I started this blog because I tend to be a pretty private person, but I don't want to be anymore. I'm 33 and finally starting to get what life is about. It's not about how MY life turns out, but about how my life affects others. It's about my imprint, what's left when I've moved on. Not the space I'm currently taking up. Does that make sense?
You see, my friend is sick. I don't know that she would call me her friend, since we haven't spoken in years. As a matter of fact, I only found out she was sick by chance. But she (and her family) are a sweet memory from my childhood. I remember all the animals they had and the noise! I remember swimming in this round metal 'pool' in her back yard. I remember that there was always a sense of freedom, of being a kid and running around outside, free. Whenever I think of her and her family, I smile and I'm instantly reminded of playing outside their house. Her being sick has me re-thinking my role in people's lives.
Do the people I've met in my life, that I consider friends, know that I think so fondly of them? Have I thanked all of the people that have helped me along the way? How many people have I "lost" because I stopped calling or visiting? How many people that I care about, are gone from my life for good? Can I get them back? Do I even deserve them?
Right now, all I know is that I love my friend. I've been putting all of my spiritual energy into praying for her and sending good energy her way. I don't want her to die. It breaks my heart to think of her in pain. It hurts me to know that her family, her mom, has to go through this. How can I honor my love for her?
This blog is my start. No more closed off RaChele. No more sitting on the sidelines of my own life. No more thinking about doing and more DOING. --r

Saturday, March 7, 2009

Pictures are coming!

I know that this blog is still pretty plain, but I'm new at this. I'll upload some pictures soon!

A Day Off!!!!

I had a day off today - hallelujah!! I scheduled this for myself and I'm making sure I enjoy every minute. I treated myself to an hour massage and a facial at the spa, had lunch at the restaurant (with my hubby!) and then got my hair did. Nothing makes me feel better than remembering that I'm a girl. Sometimes I forget because I'm surrounded by so many boys! As much as I love them, I need my girl time. And the best part is that Jason will be getting off of work soon and we'll go on a date.
Right now, I'm waiting for him to come home. Michael is in our front room playing his Xbox and I can tell he's playing online because I hear him talking to the other players. Nate and Steven are down the street at Grandpa's and probably won't be home until tomorrow afternoon. What a great day!

Friday, March 6, 2009

Welcome!

Welcome to my blog! For those of you that don't know us, let me give a little bio on everyone. I'm RaChele, and the mom of 3 boys. I work for a freight logistics company during the day, with a cool group of people that keep me laughing all day. In the evenings, I'm 'Mom' - finder of lost DS games, homework helper, and referee.
Dad, otherwise known as Jason, is a restaurant man. He runs a Carrabba's restaurant that keeps him busy. He loves his football and is one of only 4 Texans fans left in Houston! Since he's gone in the evenings, he gets up every morning to get our boys ready for school. Sometimes, that's the only time he'll see them that day, so it's important to him. With his hectic work schedule, I am always amazed at how much time he finds for his family. As a husband, let me just say that I'm a lucky woman. He always remembers birthdays and anniversaries and he always brings me flowers.
Our oldest son, Michael, is a teenager. Let me just say that everything you've heard about them is true! He's handsome, smart, compassionate, and witty. He's also sarcastic, moody, and always hungry! He likes to wear all black clothing but hasn't progressed to makeup, black nail polish or any other extremes. He's lazy at school, but a great help to me at home. Our biggest gripe about him is that he doesn't do his homework. How lucky are we?!
Steven is our wonderful middle child. He's 10 and will be starting middle school this fall. He's such a serious guy. He makes good grades, and is very close with his grandparents. He just became an official Boy Scout and I won't be surprised when he earns his "Eagle". Steven is my constant. I always know how he'll react and what he'll do. I love the 'thinker' that he is.
On the opposite end of Steven is my wild-child Nathan. Nathan is my silly, loving jokester. He is always laughing and loving. He's been 'engaged' to the girl across the street since he was 5 and is always taking her flowers and trinkets. She's 13! The boy was born a flirt! He's that charmer we all knew in school. That guy that was really smart, but always crackin the class up - always in trouble, but all the teachers loved him. He loves to make us laugh!
We also have 2 dogs and a cat. Any questions?