Chaotic Normalcy

So the kids are back in school and life is back to a chaotic normalcy, if that's what you want to call it.   They want to be involved in everything, and I'm not complaining, but geez it can be tiring.  Volleyball games, football games, soccer games...and that's just the fall sports we watch.  I wouldn't change it for the world though.  I love that they keep us busy!! 

This year we have a Freshman, a Sophomore & a Junior. So you can only imagine how are household is.  Yup...Mi Vida Loca!  Plus our Junior is taking duel credit classes so her registration was a tad more expensive.   Oh well the credits are cheaper with her taking them in high school than if she were to take them in college.  

I know I complain about not having any free time because of them....but I also know that once they are all graduated and away from home...Johnny and I will be sad...and bored.  :-(   So this year, instead of complaining about it, I'm really really going to try to savor it and enjoy it.  Because before I know it...they will be gone and graduated. 

Stuebenville NW 2011

I've been so blessed this year.  My husband and I are youth ministers for our church and boy has it been a roller coaster.   We love being around all these young people who have this love to learn about their religion and The Church!!!  It's a lot of hard work but it's really really paid off.  We've become closer as a couple, and shared some experiences together that are beyond words.   This summer we took our youth group to Spokane, WA to a retreat called Steubenville NW.  They hold 18 Steubenvilles around the county during the summer months.  It's a retreat geared towards Catholic Teens and this year was the first year we attended.  We take the kids to ICYC (Idaho Catholic Youth Convention) every year, which is held in Boise.  But this is a regional conference.  A little bit bigger scale than just the state of Idaho.  What an amazing amazing thing for these kids to go to.   To be able to look around as we are worshiping and see these kids with their arms outstretched and some with tears in their eyes is absolutely amazing.  Just to know that they are "getting it."  They feel the Spirit and are not ashamed of letting everyone know!!   It's such an overwhelming feeling.  Especially during adoration.  I can't even put that into words. 

We left on a Wednesday at around 10:30.   We drove by charter bus all through the night and got to Spokane the next morning at around 11am.  On Thursday, we spent all day at Silverwood Theme Park with other parishes that were also attending the retreat.  By the time we checked into our hotel on Thursday evening everyone was exhausted!!!  On Friday the retreat started and we stayed at the Gonzaga Dorms, and then would walk the trail to the Spokane Convention Center.  We literally probably got about 6 hours of sleep each night.   The retreat ended with mass on Sunday and we left Spokane around 1pm, and pulled into Burley at 3am the next day.  WOW....what a ride.  I could have slept for 2 days after that, but I had to work, so I couldn't. :-(   I would do it again in a heart beat...no sleep and riding on a bus for 12 hours straight...all of it!!!  To feel what I felt and to see those kids opening themselves up to Christ is something I will never get tired of.   As long as this is God's calling for me I will continue to volunteer my time and do as much as I can. 

Valentines 2011

So this year was my first Valentines Day as a married woman.  I don't really feel any different.  But it's just nice to know that I will have a Valentine for the rest of my life.   Just wanted to share what I made my husband. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lm1yfzywud8


Last year I made him this one.  Hmmmm....maybe it will become a yearly thing with all the memories we create.  :-)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqZAuijyy4w

Sometimes I feel like I have supernatural powers.

What a busy week for me this week.  I seriously don't know how I juggle things sometimes.   A demanding job, 3 teenagers who all want to be involved in everything, and a husband who likes to be doted on.  LOL!!   I got 5 hours of sleep last night.  I went to bed at midnight, got up at 5am for a conference...then drove an hour to get to that conference.   But now I'm wondering.....if I can get up at 5 for work, how come I can't get up at 6am after going to bed at 10pm or 11pm to work out???   hmmmm...go figure???   That's one to ponder. 

back on the wagon
back on the wagon
back on the wagon
back on the wagon

Maybe if  just keep reminded myself that I'll get up to work out in the AM. 

Back On The Wagon

Geez it's been a long time...and there are plenty of things that I need to get "back on the wagon". One being this blog.  :-)  Second  would be everyone's New Years Resolution - Losing weight!!!!  Yes I gained 15 pounds since marital bliss.   BTW...I got married in September....so I guess I can't be Chronicles of a Single Mom anymore???  I'll have to think of something new,but give me time.  Ok...I seem to have gotten off track.  So 15 pounds....yeah!!!!  And my husband has probably gained the same if not more.  LOL!!   But everyone just tells us it's ok because we're happy.   Whatever your face...no it's not ok.   So I've started working out again and watching what I eat. I've lost 6 pounds so far.  Yay me!!!! 

Here is my Back on The Wagon list
1. Start blogging again.
2. Start working out again
3. Start watching what I eat again. 

Hopefully I can stay on the wagon for all three!!!  :-)  

Dear Tia Masie,

Dear Tia Masie,


I just want you to know that I miss you so much & think of you often!! Every now and then I feel like you are RIGHT THERE, and I can talk to you. It’s such a strong feeling. I know I’m not the only one who misses you. I know your girls miss you tons. I sometimes wonder how their lives would be right now if you were still alive. You left them & us at such an early age. It still seems surreal. I don’t think Beatrice & Alsara would have the addictions they do now if you were still here. You would have kicked their asses!! I think Mandy would still be Mandy….your baby is the only one that really listened to you I guess. LOL!! She’s doing fantabulous!! I’m so proud of her.

I want you to know that I talked to Alsara yesterday and she sounds really really good. Please give her the strength to follow through with this program. Come on Tia…I know you can pull some strings up there.  I’m so happy that she’s helping herself get better, not just for her but for her kids. She did tell me though that she wishes she would have listened to you, and everyone else. You know how Sara is…she really has your spirit, she’s funny, she allows herself to laugh, even in the worst of times. She was laughing and was like, “geesh, I should have listened to my mom, huh? Those drugs killed my brain cells, and I wasn’t even that smart to begin with.” She still has her crazy sense of humor. But I thought you would get a kick out of the whole, “I should have listened to my mom” thing. I thought that was funny. I remember when Kiki first rolled her eyes at me and I wanted to smack them out of her head, I called my mom and told her I was sorry. LOL!!! We live & learn I guess??

I miss you Tia Masie, and I wish you could be there on Saturday for Adrian’s birthday party. Alsara says that they are doing a little birthday party for her. I can’t believe she’s already gonna be 4!!! I think we have to meet her counselor before we go, but I don’t think it will be an issue. I hope not, anyways.

Until we meet again,
Your favorite niece (you all know I was her fave right?) LOL!!
~Rachel

Lent is over, give me my wine!

I gave up wine for Lent, not just wine but all alcohol. I think it's my way of making sure I'm not an alcoholic. Just kidding, just kidding. I know I'm not an alcoholic, but I really enjoy my wine. I love having a glass of wine at the end of the day, after working all day, and running the kids around, and making dinner, and working out. It's like my "me" time. It’s my time to unwind and just relax before I go to bed. I know some of you feel me on this, come on, admit it!! On one particular day during Lent, I was having a VERY ROUGH day. Stress at work, stress at home. I get home, and open my fridge & see a Riesling, just staring back at me.  Beckoning me. I pop the cork and smell the wine. Ahhhhh!!! I wanted to just stick my tongue in the top, just for a little savory taste on my tongue. But I was good….and I stopped myself. I grabbed the keys and yelled for the kids…”come on guys, let’s go get a Blizzard!!” Ice cream truly saved me from sinning that day!!

Maybe next year I’ll give up coffee? Oh wait….I did that one year and my kids made me PROMISE to never do it again.  I guess I was kinda grouchy.

Hope everyone had a great Easter….and yes, I had a glass of wine that night, and last night too.

Cheers!