A New Adventure

A lot has changed in the Rainsbarger household.  There are no longer 4 of us…there are six. My sister Katie and her girlfriend Jamie have moved in.

This happened after much thought, consideration, and convincing, on my part, of Charles. I love my sister and her girlfriend is really sweet. They’ve had some struggles in life and I’m trying to give them a safe place to sort it all out while they find a way to stand on their own four feet. It is a little hard to get used to other people being around the house, but I feel mostly comfortable. I think I really have to do this in order to feel like I have contributed to their situation. I am trying to help them and I think I’m giving them a very big opportunity to do things right this time around. I’m proud of them for getting up to try again every time they fall down.

I know how hard it can be when you’re trying to start life on your own, with no help. When Charles and I started dating I was still in high school and he worked at Burger King and the KC Airport. He got laid off and had to file bankruptcy. We spent a long time searching for change in the couch, so that we could buy cheeseburgers on the dollar menu at McDonalds. He was on unemployment for 9 months while I went to school and worked odd jobs. Then he landed a great job at the railroad…but got laid off again right after I found out I was pregnant with Briana. We spent one very long year in his parent’s basement. That was the longest year of my life. But I worked hard at taking care of my baby belly, driving to KS to go to college, and working at SST…while he spent long hours working on the train tracks. And the rest is history. Today we are still paying for financial mistakes but are blessed to have jobs that are mostly secure.

So far things are well with the girls. They both found a job at the same place in Platte City, they help around the house, and they play with the kids. It’s nice that Briana and Hudson can have their Aunt Katie around for awhile. I hope that everything works out the way it is planned-or better. I hope we all learn something through this process, and mostly I hope to get closer to my sister. I don’t know how she feels about the whole situation, but I’m glad to have them and I’m rooting for them all the way.

Family Addition...Part 2

Here are actual pictures. Names people...I need names! How do you feel about Chumley? hehe.

A New Family Addition

I am not pregnant if that's what you're thinking. No more human babies for me. Now lets get to the story...

I haven't had the best luck with dogs. Cats are quiet and easy and simple, but dogs are more like humans. They are emotional, fun and high-maintenance. In most ways, they need the same care as babies. After two failed attempts at owning a dog (and always making sure they go back to a responsible owner) Charles and I decided we didn't spend enough time deciding on what breed was right for our family. We really think a dog is a rewarding addition to the family but we have to be willing to give it the time and patience they need. With that said, we also need a dog that will compliment our family and grow as we grow. We want a dog that will give to our family, not take away from it.

So there you have it. On Sunday July 24th, we will be the new and PERMINANT owners of an 8 week old Golden Retriever. I don't have pictures of our little guy yet, but this is pretty much what he looks like. And there will be no flip flopping this time. I plan on raising this little guy as my own...and you don't give back your children.  It makes me feel guilty really...for letting go of the other two...but I know for a fact that they are much better off and happier where they are right now (because I've asked for updates).

Here are a few reasons I love Golden Retrievers:

"These are lovable, well-mannered, intelligent dogs with a great charm. They are easily trained, and always patient and gentle with children. Charming, devoted and self-assured, they are a popular family dog. Energetic and loving, Golden Retrievers enjoy pleasing their masters, so obedience training can be very rewarding. They excel in competitions. Friendly with everyone, including other dogs, the Golden Retriever has very little, if any, guarding instincts. While unlikely to attack, Goldens make good watchdogs, loudly signaling a stranger's approach. This breed needs to be around people who display leadership to be happy." http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/goldenretriever.htm 

Don't be fooled by his adorable little face. Under all that fur is a whining, pooping, shoe chewing machine. And he's all ours.

P.S. I need a little help with names please. I like my dog names like my kids names: cute, not weird...and mostly un-common.

My Sissy

Friday, after a possible career move failed and turned into a road trip, I ended up in St. Louis. I did not wake up that morning thinking I would be in St. Louis but my sister lives there and we (Alisha, Mike and myself) decided to visit her. I am stupid and forgot to take a picture of us together...duh...but here is my sister and her girlfriend.

My sister and I have had a difficult time understanding eachother in the past but there is no doubt how much we love eachother. Visiting her gave me a better perspective on her life and how hard she has actually been working on making it better. My hope for her is that she is strong enough to hold a vision and walk towards it until she can hold it in her hands. It doesn't matter how long it takes, if she just keeps walking forward. That's what we all have to do, right?


When it comes to her, I like to play the role of Mother more than she likes. But I'm getting better at just letting her live and make her own mistakes. I wouldn't listen to me either, so why should she? As much as I want to be...I have to tell myself...I am not her life coach. Over time we are bound to fail less and less.

I love you Katie, and I'm so proud of you for holding it together for a year now in a big city. Hard roads lead to great destinations if you follow through.

Flood Flood Go Away

Flooding is always very strange to me. I can't quite grasp how so much water leaks out of the river and floods surrounding areas for miles and miles. I don't think we have reached the flood of 93 levels yet, but I believe we are headed in that direction. Flooding has never affected me directly. Right now I live on a big hill in north Platte City, and in the past I've always been too far in town.

Right now, at this very minute, my poor hardworking husband is outside in the heat dumping rock underneath the railroad tracks in order to raise them in Atchison (who is experiencing severe flooding) so that the trains can still pass. He has to walk uphill on the rock in order to dump it for miles and miles so his ankles are really sore from walking sideways on an unstable surface for hours. Sunday he worked a 17 hour day and he's worked late every night this week. Every night he comes home late, puts Icy-Hot on his ankles, helps with baths and then goes to sleep.

I'm angry at the railroad for being less prepared and for working their employees to the bone, but I am so thankful that I have a husband who goes out every day to do that kind of work and provide for his family. He really is the best example of hard work that I've ever seen. My hero.

Father's Day

This is a late father’s day blog… but what they hey, you’re used to waiting for me. If you know me you know that I can not say happy Father’s day to my own father. Quite honestly he’s taught me what a man not ought to be. I do, however, love him and miss the good parts of him but every Fathers Day since we stopped communicating I hold my head a little lower and wish I could have been a real daddy’s girl. But…if anything… I think he did a little better job at raising my sister and I then his parents did and I’m going to do a lot better then they did.

On a happy note there is a man in my life who is a responsible, loving, fun-having dad. His name is Charles and he’s wonderful.  Briana will always be daddy’s little girl and Hudson will always have a strong male figure to look up to. He teaches them by example to be tough and wise, how to respect yourself , and how to respect women. If my kids turn out to be anything like their dad they will be clean, on time, baseball playing, hard working machines. Of course they will also be smart, creative, and patient like their mother. J

Parenting is the hardest job in the world. I can’t imagine doing it without him.

 

 

Happy May

Happy May 4th. Tomorrow is my birthday and I'm thankful to be alive and healthy for another year. I'm mostly thankful for my beautiful family that makes it all worth living for. Aren't we the cutest bunch of nerds you've ever seen?