Welcome!!!!

I am P-Rae aka Paula Rae!

I will be blogging/vlogging my way through 2018 and THIS is your invitation to join me on my journey. Allow me to inroduce myself to those of you who don't know me well:

1. I'm a "Non Traditional" Christian. This means that I am a Christian by definition...

and NOT by the "traditional" sterotype. I may have an opinon on a situation but my opinion is just that: MY OPINION. I DON'T JUDGE ANYONE!  Next week as I go through my personal unpacking, you'll understand my reasoning. So if this rubs you the wrong way, hang in there through Week 1: Unpacking Into Transparency.

2. I'm a wife. Yes...this is my 2nd time around... but I'm feeling like it'll be for-eva-eva.

I've been married to my for-eva husband for 8 years. My 1st marriage lasted just about a month short of where we stand right now, so I'm gonna say we're winning so far. We will further discuss how long we've been together during next weeks unpacking.

3. I'm a mom. I am a mom to SEVEN living, breathing children. Yes, SEVEN. I have two biological children, 4 bonus children that came into my life with my husband, and our BONUS-bonus baby that my younger sister entrusted us with in her will. Add two small dogs and there's ALWAYS something shaking around here.

4. I'm a daughter. Surprising that I didn't hatch, I know. Both of my parents are from the South but they met and raised me in the North. My mother's oldest and my father's youngest, I'm a well rounded, responsible brat who always wants her way but feels guilty when she gets it. We'll work on undoing that in 2018. I deserve my way, sometimes most times.

5. I'm a sister. I have a younger sister who passed away in 2017 (reference #3, BONUS-bonus child), I have a wiser sister that I adore who ages like fine wine, and a brother that I've met a few times... most recently at Walmart in 2016 while searching for last minute sage before Thanksgiving. It's weird.

6. I'm a friend. I know A LOT of people but not everybody you know is your friend. Due to the walls that I have built, very few ever experience me in the friendship realm. I'm sure we will deal with friendship matters soon because I have some questions and concerns fresh in my mind on this topic.

7. I'm ME! There's really no box to fit me in. I'm a Christian who loves God, believes in Jesus, and spends time working on being filled with the Holy Ghost. I love trap music, ratchet television, and I'm working on censoring my mouth in high tension situations. God has delivered me from A LOT but there is still so much more to conquer like "these hands" being the first responders to disrespect. I'm learning as I go but please note: I AM FLAWED.

It is my hope that my attempt at transparency will lead us into some real, honest, humorous/heartfelt conversations that can help not only me but you as well. Always feel free to ask questions in the comments or via email (Paula@P-Rae.com). Those questions will be addressed directly AND on my weekly vlog wrapping up the weeks post and conversations.

See you all next Monday! 1/1/2018!