I find myself wide awake at 240 in the morning while the rest of my family is peacefully dreaming and I'm thinking...about how my past has shaped who I am today. Whoa, deep for this early in the day...huh...that's what I was thinking too! So, here goes. My mom and dad never married. My mom was 16 years old when she had me, and couldn't really see herself with my dad for the long run for various reasons. When she was 17 in night school she met John (now affectionately referred to as Papa John by Bryce) they were married after a year or so and stayed together for a few years. This really was a great thing for me. John had these incredible parents; they took me in as their own grandchild and have treated me as such EVER since. Never have I gotten the impression that I was not a true member of the family and I have been so blessed by these people because as an only child...I experienced the true chaos and CRAZY love of a Huge family. Not only did I have all of these great times, I learned from them so many things that I have been able to apply to relationships now. My grandfather, who died 2 years ago, was a kind man who bought me my first pocketbook, bike, and a bag full of candy everytime I went to visit. He also taught me how to be kind to homeless people or people down on their "luck". There were numerous times I would visit or be there at holidays, where I'd be asking who's that guy or who are they and the answer was often times, some guy Papa picked up who was homeless or didn't have anywhere else to go...BOY do those kind of things stay with you. It never mattered who you were or where you came from you were ALWAYS welcomed with open arms and tons of food...that is true hospitality. Oma was always so much fun, I remember when I'd spend the night she would make me a pallet in the floor of their bedroom and we'd eat Oreos and milk while watching some funny night soap...Dallas (some of you might recall) She was always there loving me and helping me when I needed it the most. Words can never express how The Houston Clan has changed me, taught me, and loved me like I was theirs (which I totally am). My mom and John seperated and I continued to visit The Houstons despite that...I am so glad that my mom was able to put me first and let me continue my relationship. She looks back now and says how glad she is that I have the kind of relationship with John and The Houstons that I do.
So after several failed relationships, my mom married Dale. He's a good guy, who is a workout feign, loves my mom, and is just a kind man. I am pretty sure after so many relationships they both have figured it out and I see this as her last marriage to see her through the rest of her life. She has such joy and fun now. It has been very different for me to see her with him because life is very different now. She is slowly becoming a "cowgirl"; but you wouldn't catch my mom wearing any western wear OH no....she's wearing hot mama jeans, the cutest button up shirts she can snatch off the manikin at Wet Seal and "fashion" cowboy boots. It's so hilarious, but she is having a great time barely getting dirty. Exactly how does someone clean a horse stall and NEVER get dirty?
My dad and I had our ups and downs as I was growing up, but when I turned 17 we had this very serious discussion and everything changed. My dad has now become someone I talk to or see 3 to 4 times a week. Talking to him now, he says he realizes all he missed with me and for the last 10 years he has been making up for lost times. I know I can call him whenever and he'll help or do whatever I need. He has changed so much over the last 10 years and our relationship has really grown. I now know him as a person and not just my father. He was young when I was born and really loved my mom, but God had a different plan. He used them NOT being together to really teach me what I did want in my life. A good marriage!
Michael and I both come from teen moms who did not marry our fathers and since we grew up with our families split, we have a determination to make our marriage work. Despite what anyone says marriage is work; sometimes it is little to no work, and the next month it is a ton of work. The goal for us has been to talk and always make the other person our number one concern. Someone once told me to view marriage as a marathon and that although one mile might be uphil, the next will be down and that is SO TRUE! So after 14 years together and almost 8 years of marriage I love him more everyday. I still get excited when he calls to tell me he's on his way home from work and love the way he wakes up some mornings "spunky" (as he calls it) and runs through the house waking everyone up just to tickle everyone like a crazy person (which Raya REALLY loves). :)
I feel like I've rambled on and on and on at this early hour of the morning. I'm off to my ultrasound soon...we leave in 4 hours...will keep everyone posted.
PS the times are always wrong on the bottom.
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