Today I turn Forty.

I've been dreading this day for the past 364 days. I'm now middle aged. I'm not sure exactly where I fit. But, I do know that I have had a truly amazing 40 years. I am blessed. As I thought about this day I started to jot down some things I wanted to remember about myself and do of my favorite memories. Then, I thought perhaps some of these things might me if interest to my friends and family. Then, I thought eventually my boys might enjoy knowing a bit more about their mom. Enjoy. 

40 Random things about Rachelle. 

I was born on Thanksgiving day 1973. 

I was born on the 10 yr anniversary of the assassination of JFK. Interestingly enough my brother was born on JFK's birthdate, May 29th. 

I decided to pursue a career in Education when I was 17 and teaching swimming lessons. 

I always have been a political junkie. My dad was always good at debating with me and playing devils advocate. He taught me to look at both sides of any given issue. 

I'm not afraid to speak to groups of people in public. 

I was 8th grade class president. I ran for 9th grade class president but lost. The dumb boy that won ended up quitting. 

I had a huge crush on said dumb boy. 

I was the first in my family to graduate from college with a bachelors degree. Then went on to being the first to earn a Masters degree. 

I love to rearrange my furniture. 

When I was in High School I had thing for the firemen in Boulder City. I wanted so bad to date ALL if them. I need up being married to a fireman. 

When I was a senior in HS gas was .99 a gallon. 

I am the oldest grandchild on my moms side. 

I only had 1 babysitter my whole childhood. Linda. Linda made sure I felt like a member of her own family. 

Once I was followed home by the police chief from my home town. Evidently "parking" after curfew was highly frowned upon. 

I had to take Marriage and Family Relations 3 times in college. I hated the instructor. 

I am a control freak. I kinda like things my way. 

My mom is my hero. 

My favorite teacher in elementary school was pegged as the meanest, orneriest teacher in our school. 

My high school principal was my moms High School Government teacher. 

I had a crush in my senior year political science student teacher. 

My car License plate Number was N7GWX. (My dad's Ham Radio call sign)

My first baby was 9 lbs. he was born 2 weeks early. 

I have has 3 miscarriages. I'm fairly sure that all three of those babies were girls. 

I was married on St Patricks Day. One of my "colors" was forest green.  

I went to a ton of hard rock concerts in my HS years KISS, Van Halen, Bon Jovi, Whitesnake, Poison (just to name a few. 

My favorite movie of all time is The American President. 

I never successfully nursed my babies. But I still have dreams about being a successful nursing mom. Once recently, I dreamt I was nursing my cousins baby. 

My first kiss with Steve was HORRIBLE. 

I require more sleep than my children. 

I wanted to be the first female justice of the US Supreme Court. 

I sleep with the bathroom fan on. 

Purple is my favorite color.  

I have NEVER served in the young I Young Women organization before. Now I am the president. I was telling my friend that it "would be so fun to be in YW's" and "I needed to learn how to talk to teenage girls because my boys liked them"

I like to be 15 minutes early to any function. As my French teacher once said "better never than late"

If I had had a daughter I would have named her Kassidy. 

I do not enjoy camping but camping in my "portable condo" makes it oh so tolerable 

I look 4 years of French in high school and one semester in college but I can not speak and French. Well I can say hello, yes, and how are you?

I personally own two handguns. Both are purple. 

I am a homebody. There is no place is rather be than home, in my bed, reading a book. 

I often feel out if place at church. I have some fairly strong political stances. My religious beliefs often contradict my political views. 

I have a feeling that the next 40 years will be better than any wish, dream, prayer, or planning could ever bring. 

 

 

Pine Lake Caming

Aunt Peggy floating in her float tube for the very first time.

Summer came to a close with a family campout in Pine Lake.  Normally we go to Pine Lake with Steve's family but this time we went with my side of the family.  Steve was excited to show Uncle Jeff his secret spot for catching monster sized fish.  Unfortunately the only fish that was caught was by Jersey, our Chocolate Lab.   

Uncle Jeff was the lucky one and caught fish in the Lake.

We had the best time!  I can not wait until next year to do it again.  It was so fabulous having my mom and Grandma with us.  We spent the weekend giggling until our cheeks hurt.  I think I gained 500 lbs during that 4 days because of all the yummy food.  The berry cobbler was to die for.
We got rained on a few times, passed around a pair of womens undergarments that we found in the bushes, made sure Grandma was back at the trailer before it got too dark, and many many more memories.

19 years

Steve and I celebrated our 19th year anniversary in March.  I suprised him with a night away at the Zion mountain ranch in East Zion.  It was wonderfully romantic and rekindled the love.

I will defiantly return to this spot again.  It was so serene and relaxing.  Next time I will stay longer ;)

My new neighbor

We were so sad when our long time, 13 years, neighbors moved away.  The kids had really grown to love Dave and Gwen.  They were like second grandparents to them.  We all got a bit teary when they pulled out of the driveway with their moving van. 

However, the sadness quickly went away when my mom bought the house!  

This is what the house looked like before all of our renovations.

There was wallpaper in EVERY room.  See the pain on my face?  It was horrible.

Luke was excited to paint.  That excitement lasted about 2 minutes.

Uncle Jeff is a painter by trade.  He is also an instructor for the painters union.  Here he is giving directions.  At this point we were all laughing and making jokes.  Not so much later on in the day. 

Aunt Peggy was a good little sister and helped out with all of the dirty work.

We even got Grandma in on the action!

After a LONG day of painting back massages were in order.

The new paint color is a light tan color.  Much better!

Uh mom, I caught you taking a break.

Beadboard in the entry way.  I love the look of beadboard.

New flooring through out the whole house.  

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New cabinets and counter tops

The tile backsplash is my favorite.

Moving in!

Braces

Luke's 11th Birthday

Luke decided to have breakfast at Kneaders for his birthday date.  He is a breakfast food lover.  Especially bacon.  He told me we wanted to go to breakfast instead of lunch because he wanted to start celebrating first thing in the morning.

Steve got him a new camo backpack/water bag.  He was excited to have at least one present to open.  I told him he could have 100.00 to buy whatever he wanted or get presents from us.  He chose to go for the cash.  I was fairly impressed with his shopping skills.  He bought shoes, an outfit, legos, pens, and a treat.

I loved this birthday card from Great Grandma Brown.  It is perfect for my jokester Luke.

He searched long and hard for the perfect lego kit.  I think he ended up with a Sponge Bob set.

No he is not 2.  H is 11!  Im not sure what our family would do without Luke.  He brings much joy and happiness to our lives.  He still is quick witted and says the funniest things.  The majority of time I cant be mad at him too long because he makes me smile by the way he reacts.  He often makes his brothers very angry  Just because he can!  He does well in school and makes friends easily.  We love this boy!