Happenings with the Rath Pack: Breaking the Chain!

Friday, March 30, 2012

Breaking the Chain!

Wes quit one of his biggest habits/addictions, over two weeks ago. He just up and decided he wasn't going to be forced to function with coffee as his gas. He stopped cold turkey, had a major migraine for two days but suffered through it, and decided after that pain to stop caffeine completely! Even with a 24 hour shift, he survived. Our quit date for cigarette's is still April 1st, and we choose not to let cig's tell us what to do anymore. No more spending money when we could use it for something fun instead. No more leaving the house when we don't want to just because we are out. No more rushing to work just so we have time to buy a pack. No more yucky dizzy feeling, no more yucky tasting mouth in the morning...no more stinky skin and clothes. He has an inner strength that I don't have, a determined spirit. He makes a decision and does it, no matter what. That's what I love about him. I hope I can do this with him, find that strength, and lose the chains that bind me. We really, truly, want to be done with smoking. Please pray for us.

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The History

The History

Wes and I met in highschool, but went our seperate ways. He into the Army and I married to someone else. He promised he would come back for me in two years, but ye of little faith, I went on without him. He DID come back, but I was already taken. I stayed married for 9 years and had three sons before realizing that I did not have to be unhappy every day. I struck out on my own and enjoyed my life with my boys in peace. Wes and I met again, on a fluke, the day he came back to Alaska for duty. (At a department store in June 2004). We married in December 2004, he adopted the boys as his own in September 2005 and we had our son together in October 2005. Even though we have only been married for 6 years it does not seem like it. Being married to the right guy sure makes the years go by a lot easier, and a whole lot happier. Thank goodness he came back for me, for US.

Matthew-My Oldest

Matthew-My Oldest

My oldest is taller than me now, but still a cuddler. He is the shy one, the one that has a hard time saying what he means. For me, he is easy to read and easy to communicate with although he thinks my advice is outdated! lol. Matt has a great imagination, loves to write, read and draw, and seems to be the most creative of my bunch. He doesn't like to admit it, but he is the most sensitive of the bunch in both extremes. He can be impulsive, and not think things through at times, but he has never had a problem accepting responsibility for his actions and corredting them if needed. He has a big heart.

Josh-The Professor

Josh-The Professor

Joshua is our thinker, the one that sees beginning to end on everything he does. He is very book smart and worldly at the same time, which seems rare for children now a days. He competes in everything he does, whether it be his music, sports, or studies. He likes to be the top, but gracefully accepts second place when he knows he has been beat. He is a comedian, getting lots of smiles and plenty of laughs, but he sometimes forgets his audience. Not many people have patience for him after a while! He is the one we can count on to get things done with very little comment. He is the one that thinks on the spot and usually makes the best decisions for the problem. He can get touchy, and he has a grown mans temper, but he is pretty good at recognizing his own faults without having to be told.

Luke-Ball of Energy

Luke-Ball of Energy

Luke might be small but he packs a good punch. He has energy stored as if it is coiled in him and usually springs without cause. He is game for anything especially the things you tell him he is too small to do. He can play any sport with any size players and always seems to keep up with them despite the knocks and bruises. I have a hard time stopping him when it comes to daring stunts on the dirt bike, skateboard, or snowboard. He is going to do it because he has seen it can be done. Health wise, Luke has some odds stacked against him, but don't waste your breath reminding him. It won't do you any good. He can be told a hundred reasons why he won't succeed, and he will find the one reason he can, and he WILL. He is determined, resourseful, not always obedient of course, and he has a heart that gives to others before himself. He does volunteer work, most times without even telling us, because it is his nature to do what he can for others when asked. I can't always count on him getting things I want him to do done, mostly because his mind has drifted of to another adventure!

Cameron-The Princess

Cameron-The Princess

She is our only girl, and girly girl she is! She enjoys dressing up, putting together her own outfits down to the jacket, shoes and hair bows. When she is with us in the summers, I get to practice doing her hair in all sorts of ways. She has a golden mane that falls just below her waist, and has only been trimmed a few times. She is very dainty and petite, and even being 2 1/2 years older than Joey, they are pretty close in size. She has to be tough in her attitude and language to show the big brothers she means business and can not be pushed around. By the end of the summer she usually has her little brother as a partner in crime and her big brothers eating out of her hand. Yes, they get frustrated at her temper tantrums and what they call "drama queen" or "diva" behavior, but they protect her like she is a precious gift to the family. She loves adventure and would rather be in a car on a trip than to be stuck at home. She looks and acts a lot like her Daddy.

Nathan-Our Puzzle Piece

Nathan-Our Puzzle Piece

Nathan is the one child we long to have closer that we just can't manage to make things right for him. Nathan is one that we have struggled for a relationship with and have just begun to find out more about him. He is shy, quiet for the most part, and always watching. He has a hard life, so things are a little rough around the edges and he does not put much stock into what people say to him. Nathan loves crafts, he is very technical, and can go at a project for hours if he is given time and solitude. He likes to watch people, but rarely gets into their business. Now, if you get into HIS business he will give you a role to play but will NOT let you take over. If you do, he can cast a mean cold shoulder. He bonded quickly with a few of his brothers, and that bond was strong. He holds on tight to the people he knows will protect him and meet his needs. Our hearts break when we have to send him back after his summer visit. God looks out for him for us, and we keep him in our constant prayers.

Joey-Our Bonus Package!

Joey-Our Bonus Package!

He is far apart in age from his brothers at home, but he thinks he is the same age. Sort of like the little dog / big dog syndrome. He started talking early, first words at eight months, full sentenses at a little over a year, and has not shut up since. He thinks what he has to say is the most important and that everyone should stop and listen. Joey has a short temper, short attention span, and like life to go his way at all times. We found at about three years old that we had become his slaves without knowing it! lol Since he has turned four, he has mellowed, is more inclined to listen and accept consequences, and actually goes into big protective mode with his baby cousin. He can be pretty heavy handed, unknowingly, and with his size much larger than kids his age, the results are not pretty. We nick named him Bam Bam from the Flintstones. He loves to cuddle, crys at soft or sad music for no reason, and always knows which person he loves is missing from the room.