The life of DJ and a mother have a lot in common. Both have people that love to scream their name. Both always have places that require their attendance at a successful event. Their schedules would make anyone exhausted. Go is their middle name. Kandi Eastman, Supastar, and Rachelle Renee know this all too well. As some of Houston most well known DJs, they balance being a mother with that of being everyone’s favorite DJ. Allow me to reintroduce DJs who are moms that rock the mic.

Rachelle Renee

Mother of Sammy Jr., 11 and Caleb, 8

Coming to Houston from the Big Apple, Rachelle is proud to call Houston home. She’s passionate about spreading the love of Christ and humbled to share Jesus and His music with you. She loves spending time with her husband (Sammy), their two boys (Sammy and Caleb), their two spoiled Jack Russell terriers (Dodger and Chrissy) and their beta fish (Peter). On air, listeners can catch Rachelle humming a tune, tapping her feet, or reciting a poem - she enjoys giving God the glory through the Arts!

Houston Style Magazine: How has being a DJ affected the mother your children?

Rachelle Renee: As an on-air personality, you look for on-air content that relates to your listener...so where do you glean most of this content? YOUR OWN LIFE!! My kids have always been a part of the shows I've been blessed to be a part of. They give me great ideas and stories to share just by being themselves. I've even recorded them sharing stories--my friends who listen to KSBJ feel that they know them and have even volunteered to pray for them. My oldest son has Asperger's Syndrome (on the Autism Spectrum) and just being real about our life as his parents has opened up some incredible opportunities/conversations to "love on" people where they are with their own families--special needs situations or otherwise. I have been told by my children, lately, to edit more of my story-telling about them. They are getting older and are not as keen on me sharing stories that they perceive as embarrassing. They have also had to learn to put others first, especially if my job calls for me to be out late for a concert or something similar. "I get to share the love of Jesus with people!" This is always a privilege to share the Lord with others-. Sammy and Caleb are being stretched by these occasions and are learning that serving others is the ultimate act of love: "it's not about us." That doesn't mean they don't come along with me, from time to time, to an event and our listening audience is always so loving with them. My job actually encourages their faith--that's hugely impactful to my husband's and my parenting!

HSM: What makes a good mother?

RR: My Mom is the ultimate picture of grace. Grace is a prime quality in a good mother. Grace is a word I've had to look up in Webster's so many times: it's a gift given that is not deserved. We have all broken our share of important vases or keepsakes. My Mom's response was always, "It's just a thing, Rachelle. I love you. All is well." A good mother perseveres. When everyone else has given up on her child--she never will. There is no ceiling to a mother's forgiveness. She blesses but does not enable bad habits. She is honest with her comments but always encouraging. She loves well--always putting others first.

HSM: How do you develop confidence in your children?

RR: My husband and I encourage our kids to do their best at school with their grades, with their friendships, and, most of all, walking out their faith. As Christians, we believe that our confidence is in Christ. This is always a good reminder so that the focus is not on them. Also, we have to be careful not to serve the world up to our children on that "silver platter" because that's not how the world works. For example, Sammy is an incredible pianist--he has been gifted with perfect pitch, and Caleb is a wonderful singer. We compliment their giftings but encourage discipline to hone those giftings. When someone works hard for what they have, they will take better care of it, and (as we all know) nobody is "gifted" with every ability--so this pursuit of discipline also lines up with the hard work they put in towards things that do NOT come naturally to them.

HSM: What do you wish you had known before becoming a mother?

RR: This is a fair question...and a difficult one to answer. You see, I didn't even know that I wanted to be a mother. Right up until it was time to go to the hospital I was still questioning God as to whether He had made the right decision in allowing us to get pregnant...the pregnancy was a surprise. "What if this baby doesn't like me?" I asked my husband as we sped down the highway. I think I would want to go back in time and tell myself to chillax...That's not even a real word, but it seems to be the perfect one to describe what all news mothers need to do. We will make mistakes as parents--and it's okay. The same grace we share with our children we need to remember to receive from ourselves and others. BTW, I instantly fell in love with my son! I did suffer with post-partem depression and anxiety--I would love to tell myself to talk with a therapist waaaaay sooner than I did. There is such healing in finding out more about the way our body works and it takes the pressure off when you realize that your body's chemicals are all imbalanced and that you're not the world's worst person.

HSM: What lessons have you learned from your children?

RR: All around? I am a better person because of them. My husband and my children encourage my faith in Jesus. They refresh my soul with their love and faith in God. It's incredible how the Lord does that--He recycles Love like that...doesn't waste any of it! Sammy helps me try to see life from another perspective, because he sees the world on a different spectrum. Caleb helps me laugh at myself (taking yourself to seriously is never a good idea), he is quite funny!

HSM: What women have inspired you as a mom?

RR: My own mother is AMAZING!! She and my dad have been married for nearly 50 years! She is a hero of mine. She is gentle yet strong, humble but confident! My mother-in-law is also a "wonder!" My in-laws immigrated from Mexico and became citizens years ago. Her strength of character and example as a mother-of-boys is priceless to my life.

HSM: What is the best advice you have been given about motherhood?

RR: Never rob your children of a struggle. As a "momma bear" we want to protect our children, but that doesn't mean my cubs won't have to shimmy up a few trees to retrieve some honey--there are times they will need to get stung in order to learn from mistakes as well. It pains us to see our kids in pain, but we know what true comfort is only when we are allowed uncomfortable moments.

HSM: What's the best Mother's day gift you received and what made it so special? RR: When I first moved to Houston I had to be here without my family for the first few months. Being away from them for this long was excruciatingly painful! Well, my KSBJ family made sure I was given off sometimes so that I could fly back to NY (where my family was still wrapping things up before joining me TX) for Mother's Day. It was an incredible reunion!

HSM: What was the best advice your mom gave you when you became a mom that you use?

RR: It's the advice my mother gave me after my husband and I were first married, "Rachelle, treasure every moment, it goes by so fast." She shared this sentiment with me with tears in her eyes. It wasn't "new" advice...it is the same advice you didn't ask for from complete strangers as they rub your pregnant belly (the rub...something else you didn't ask for). BUT, coming from my mother that day--it was powerful, as if I was hearing it for the first time. She also reminded me that I was stronger than I thought I was. "Greater is He that is in you, than He that is in the world." --1 John 4:4

My message to other moms would be a combination "pizza" of love: Chillax! Your weakness invites God's power to be planted in the midst of any situation!! Cherish your kids by cherishing the "small" moments with them; and, lastly, you are stronger than you think you are--especially when you admit you need help, don't be afraid to ask or share that need with a trusted friend! You are beautiful and the world is a better place with you in it, that's way God planned YOU!

Houston Style Magazine thanks these moms for taking the time to speak to us and wishes them a most joyous and relaxing Mother’s Day.

Happy Mother’s Day to moms everywhere!