One YEAR & Counting

So today marks another year here in Dallas Texas. It was Literally 365 days ago when we decided to take a leap of faith and move here to work at Life in Dallas Church in Oak Cliff.
One of the best decisions we have ever made is to move here and I am thankful for all the things that have happened here. My kids love being involved in church multiple times a week and my wife and I are happy with the way things are working out for us.
Just last week my son was obsessing with starting a soccer league with a couple of kids from the church. I have to say that its incredible how much both of my kids have grown. I am very grateful for everything we have.

Thank Goodness

Well there is a good chance you are probably wondering where the heck have we all been? Who am I kidding I know you want to know so here is the update. Natalie is 1 and Elijah is now 3 years old. They are so big and strong know it’s scary, but beautiful nonetheless.

The Family

It doesn’t suffice to say that we are very thankful for everything that has happened thus far here in Dallas. God has blessed us immensely. Our jobs and my schooling is going so well and my children are in the best place they could ever be right now. There is no doubt in my mind that we are in the right place as of today.

            
Thanksgiving was amazing this year. We served in ministry at LIFE in Dallas this year and 35 people accepted Jesus into their lives all because of our hard work and passion to reach people for God. We had Thanksgiving dinner at our beautiful Pastors Home and my Family on Thursday evening and finished the whole event at 6AM Friday morning due to the black Friday craze we were all peer-pressured into. I’m joking it was clearly my idea (and by my idea I mean my wife’s idea.) I have to say that it was a great experience with my wife and sisters to have but probably will not do it again. I find that with children, I just value my sleep too much and I feel like I threw away one day of sleep in my 5 day weekend off work and school which is far too valuable for me. That being said I am very thankful this year for everything that has happened. I am thankful for my wife and my kids. I am also very thankful for my family, my sisters and my parents for always being a great support system for little family. But I am also thankful with God for the air I breathe and for every morning I get to wake up and live to see my children grow, and love my wife another day. It is so beautiful to know that we have a purpose here and that we have been given the gift to enjoy it. I encourage anyone and everyone to do the same. BE THANKFUL!

So Thanksgiving was great. The holidays are around the corner and so are Finals. Christmas is going to be great. Not only because my family is here but because we will be serving at church as well. I cannot wait to see what God has in store for us this Holiday Season.
 

Blessings,

Raul.-

Welcome to Dallas, TX

Welcome to Texas

Good day fellow readers. As most of you know, and for those who don’t know, The Machuca Jr. and the Machuca Sr. have decided to make a fantastic move to the good state of Texas. Most of you are wondering what was it that caused such a huge change and what motivated us to come here. For Christ’s sake its 107 degrees here today who would do such a thing? Well, we did. 

                We moved to this state with a mission. To succeed and expand our careers but most of all, our mission is to devote our hearts and our faith and help the church of LIFE in Dallas grow. We are part of a great team placed in the City of Dallas to revive this church that has been dormant for a long time. We are here to bring life to this community that has not seen a strong Latino Christian church stride for a very long time. We left everything behind us to serve the Lord here and we are happy and excited to be here because we know that this is a calling that has been placed in our hearts to pursue.  

               

 So there you have it. The great explanation as to why we are here. It has been a fantastic experience. Elijah is growing up and he is talking so much. He is a little speaker box. He’s bright and smart; he is potty trained now, and Natalie Grace… Well she’s a charm all in one small nugget of heaven. She started walking at 10months and now you cannot stop her. It’s so hard to believe that she’s going to one year old in just two days. (Gifts and money is accepted as at any time lol). It’s incredible to see your children grow so fast. I have been blessed to have such great kids and a family to love them unconditionally.  They love it here too. My son loves worship and cannot wait to arrive at church every Sunday. He asks constantly when we are going to church throughout the week. It’s a blessing to see him seek the presence of God. His desire to be at church constantly brings joy to my life. There is no doubt that bringing my family here has been the best decision I have made thus far.

                So I leave you here fellow reader. All caught up (well… somewhat), with what is going on with our lives here in Dallas. In all honesty God has been faithful and we are happy to be able to share this story with a whole lot of good news.

Best Wishes,

Raul Jr.

Asia Buffet Night

So Sunday we all went out for dinner and there is this Asian Buffet close to our house that we frequent only because I have this crazy obsession with food. We get there and it is packed. I mean I have not been to a restaurant this filled with people in a long time.

Most of the time we go to this place is in lunch time and mainly because its 3 dollars cheaper than dinner time. Once we get there I can see why, they double the amount of food and they have a Tempanyaki chef on duty, and the sushi is rolled fresh on the spot, it’s just an all around better experience in dinner time.

My favorite part of the whole night is finding out that Elijah eats sushi! I couldn’t be more proud honestly, I mean he was stuffing rolls in his mouth the whole night it was great. I’m glad I’m going to be able to share eating sushi with my son the same way my dad showed me how to eat sushi when i was young. It’s funny how history repeats in some way.
It was a great night out with my +1 and some.

Raul.-

HAPPY New Year 2012



Applebee's Family Night

Ok I know it has been a very long time since we have posted.  Fact of the matter is we have been busy bumble bees, so I’m going to make this post a little more interesting and narrow it down to a timeline as much as possible so that you can all grab an idea to what we have been up to.

November & Thanksgiving

November was a great month; my parents came from California and spent some time with the kids, my wife, myself. We all had a fantastic dinner. Unfortunately everything was so last minute Nancy had to work which really broke my heart. We were all able to talk and really connect, we discussed very important things about Dallas (which I will discuss in a later post) and really consolidate our emotions and feeling about how we feel as a family unit. Overall it was great.

December & Christmas

Boy oh Boy! This Christmas was a real treat. It has been a very long time since I have held a job that will give me days off and pay me for the Holidays. It felt great. We took pictures as a family (will post one later on as well) and we slept over at my In-laws’ house which was great because it was surrounded by tons of food and champagne and family and it was over all a great atmosphere. We bought a ton of gifts for them and for our kids as well. Elijah loved it and like always Elijah gets so used to being a little spoiled brat! It’s ok though, we made an exception and we realize he just loves being there. All in all, 2011 was a great year. Some of the greatest recaps were, July 29^th, my wife and I seeing Kevin Hart Live, Natalie’s Arrival and Elijah’s Birthday. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

NEW YEAR 2012



Earrings!!!

It’s a New Year, working at Red Gear Technologies for a New Year mean a lot of work and long hours. It’s difficult because I work all the time and I have class and it makes it so hard to see the babies. I feel like I never see them. I know that all the hard work will pay off very soon once I graduate. Enough about the sad long days though; here are some of the great things that have happened so far. Nancy and I are doing amazingly great. Natalie is now so big; she’s so strong and so brave. A couple of days ago she got her ears pierced and to my surprise she didn’t even realize what happened. I was almost ready to start crying with her if I realized she was in pain but when I saw her she was happy as can be not ever realizing she has earrings now!!! That’s when I realized that I am a softie for Natalie. I can’t even watch her get shots and I collapse (maybe I’m exaggerating but I feel like it). Elijah is getting brighter and brighter, he knows all the colors of the spectrum, and he knows how to count. I’m so proud of him, he has come a long way and I feel fortunate to have a smarty pants.

LAST NIGHT

Last night I was able to stay home after work and I asked Nancy to plan something so that we can take the kids out for a little. We ended up dressing everyone up (Including ourselves) and we headed out to apple bees and had some dinner together. I feel like these instances are so few and I cherish these times I get spend time with everyone. Elijah was thrilled to know he was going to be up past his bed time. I don’t think he realized how hard it was actually going to be because once 9 or some came around he was delusional. We went to Wal-Mart after we had dinner at Applebee’s and he was yelling random things and talking loud in the store not ever realizing how silly he was being. It was funny. Nancy and I were just laughing the whole time because it was interesting. Needless to say we got home and he was out as soon as he put those PJ’s on. It was a good night overall just spending time together, talking and talking to Elijah and watching him be silly at a restaurant. I have to say every day I realize what I blessing it is to have this family. I’m a fortunate man, Welcome back to The Machuca Jrs.



Silly Monkey Man

Birthday Wishes

Exactly 2 years ago today God blessed me with a handsome bit of heaven by the name of Elijah Raul Machuca.
It’s been so long since I have paused and thought about how brilliant my son really is. Just today while my beautiful wife was at work Elijah began talking about the movie on TV (Monsters INC) and although I couldn't really make up what he was saying, his facial expressions were so convincing and so serious and passionate that I can almost truly "FEEL" what he was trying to let me know. It was then that I though once again, "man Elijah you are so big now, and before I know it you're going to be telling me stories about school and monsters and whatever goes through your colorful little mind"
Its incredible how truly fast time flies when you're busy all the time and you hardly find time to truly dedicate to your kids. So I decided today to really focus on him, it’s his birthday. He turns TWO (2) years of age. What an age right? Most people label this age the "Terrible Two's" but I decided to place that aside and try and focus on the great moments of this coming year.
So it’s time to stay on top of things, focus on spending and dedicating more time with Elijah because on how fast things went I feel like he’s slipping away. I love him dearly and quite frankly he looks up to me and I have to show him that I’m devoted to him. Teach him and love him and grow together because in all honesty, as I teach him, he teaches me as well and that makes our relationship very unique. If you think about it you don’t go to class in college to teach your professor do you? This is where it’s different because although I am Elijah’s "professor" I still learn so much more from him. (Just an observation that's all)
November 06, 2009 it really all changed for the better. Ask my wife, nothing was ever the same that day. We both thank God for the great kids we have and the great life we push forward on living; and today we remember the great day that our boy was born.

Special thanks to my parents and my wife's parents, and for our dear friend Paul S. for always being a wonderful part of this family.

Blessings,

Raul.-

"Fire In The Hole"

"Fire In The Hole"

"Driving Through"

I was thinking the other day, "I wonder what is like to have a son Police officer?” I even commented to my wife, "It would be so cool to have a son in the force" she didn’t seem to be too fond of that, but I guess its guy thing.
Looking for things last week to have my son do, I ran into the city website and I saw that there was an open house at the local fire station and I thought to myself, "Hmm, it’s not a police station but, close enough. So I got out of school a little bit early and I called my wife and I told her to get ready that we were going to have a short family outing.

"Fire Awareness"

I got home, picked up my wife and the kids and we headed off to the fire station.
It was a good time, Elijah loved the fire trucks; they had about four different fire trucks there, a couple of older ones to the most recent ones. Elijah ran around in the trucks, played with the fire truck valves and hoses, he even sat down in the driver’s seat and played with the steering wheel. I could only imagine what was going through his head, him being so small in this massive truck. It was fun, Elijah enjoyed the environment, he’s rarely surrounded by a ton of kids but he seemed to do just fine. One of the firefighters there gave him a nice fireman hat, and it was a battle to have Elijah put the hat on but we made him, I don’t know why but Elijah is not very fond of hats.
It all lasted about an hour and a half, and it was obvious that fall is here because Nancy and I were cold. Natalie was all wrapped up in her "Polar Bear" suit, I was jealous because she looked so warm and cozy.
After the station we arrived home to some delicious ribs and French fries that my wife made. I can't complaint; I have a wife that knows how to cook the good stuff.