Life in September: Day Two

 

What would you do if you had three months off.

Contrary to popular opinion, teachers do not get a paid vacation. Yes, we get “time off” but there is no way we’re getting paid for that!

So, if I were to plan my ultimate three month vacation, it would need to include some money money money!

First I would complete some of these:

 

Visit some of my friends.

Go back to Europe.

 

Find this guy and make him love me.

You think I’m joking, but I’m 110% serious.

Oh and if we’re being completely honest, a little lipo and a tummy tuck wouldn’t hurt!

What? It would make meeting Mr. Lochte a little easier.

Life in June: Learning from Friends 3

 

Catch up here!

 

I’m almost to my new home in Texas. Seriously this has been the longest trip. I just can’t with the car anymore.

My friend Emmy has taken over the reigns today.

Sometimes - you just need to get your act together.

Or at least pretend that you have it together.

I'm not an organized person. I mean... at all! If you look around my apartment, papers, odds and ends, pieces of mail, my keys, phone chargers, and everything are scattered all over the place. I'm not a slob by any means, but I'm sure there are people with OCD who would walk into my apartment and go insane. My office at work is similar.

A couple of years ago, I was preparing for a big trip with the teenagers I work with. One of the chaperones complimented me by saying "You are so organized! I'm really impressed!'

Um... what? Me? Organized? Nooooooo. Must be another short blond chick you're talking about.

But it's true. Over the years... I've learned how to be organized. I've learned how to get my stuff together, even when it's hard and I feel lazy. I've even learned how to pretend I'm organized and have my s**** done so I can reassure people everything will be okay. Because it will be.

So, no. You might not be organized or know what you're doing. But you learn, and you figure it out, even if it's not part of who you think you are.

Life in June: Just Live Life

Catch up here!

Number 13: Live your life.

Take the time to listen to your friends/family. Be in the moment. Eat the dessert, drink the coffee, laugh at nothing in particular. Because you never know when you’ll get these moments again.

Life in June: Number 28

If you missed yesterday’s announcement, which I can only assume that you did because…Sunday, it was my birthday! I’ve decided to celebrate my 29 years all month long. Because who doesn’t deserve a month long birthday party?

Yesterday, I shared why I think blogging is bonkers, but in a great way!

Number 28: I’ve learned that not everybody is going to love you. And that’s totally ok. This goes for the real world as well as blogging. Growing up, I felt like I never really let people get to me. Words and all that didn’t make much of an impact on me. But I was surrounded by a bubble. A huge freakin’ bubble the size of my town, population 2,500. This created such a false sense of security. Everybody knew me and ,I felt, liked me for me. And I, for the most part, liked everyone I came in contact with. People were just nice. Or maybe I was just Pollyanna and didn’t want to see the bad in others. It wasn’t until I was in college (seriously folks!) that I can remember not liking someone for the first time, and guess what? The feeling was totally mutual. I didn’t die, my life wasn’t over. I just had a person that I didn’t get along with, and it was normal.

Unfortunately, I work in a career that places a high standard for likeability. Deep down inside me I want/need to make people like me. I feel uncomfortable when I have one or two parents who I don’t make a great connection with. It almost feels forced after a few interactions. Such is the word of teaching, some years they love you and some years they don’t. No matter what you do, you will always always have a select group that just don’t understand!

But you know what they say about haters…

Cause really, who wouldn’t want to be friends with this!

Life in May: Day Thirty (crazy!!)

Before I get started, let me make a quick request. My heart is breaking over some news I heard yesterday. My close friends Anna and Wade lost their twin girls at 21 weeks. If you are the praying type, please pray for peace and comfort for the family. They could really use it right now. Thanks!

*Blogging everyday in May*

We’re almost done friends!

React to letting go.

Another picture that has zip to do with my post.

I need a good montage maker. Someone to blend haunting songs with beautiful pictures and video timed to perfection. When I say good, I really mean it. You see, the videos are locked in my brain. Seven years of footage, memories, and life that needs to be remembered and recalled. Not so much with the big memories, but the small ones that at the time really didn’t seem to matter that much. Those little through aways that you think you’ll always remember. But you don’t. The times my friends and I laughed until tears streamed down our faces. The time that a parent of a particularly difficult student said thank you. The time I looked at each apartment for the last time. Those are the moments I want saved and engraved for all eternity. Those are the moments that make up a life.

Sure, the big moments matter. They need to be cherished and preserved. Looking back on seven years hasn’t been easy.  I want to remember laughing and bonding with my friends. I want to remember every students and what made them tick. But how did I make people feel? Will they remember me? When I look back on this chapter in my life I’ll carry a perfectly timed montage set to the most tear inducing music known to man, and I’ll smile. Smile because my life will never be the same nor should it be. The last page has been written, the cover closed.

Lord, what do you have next?

Life in May: Day Twenty Eight

*Blogging everyday in May*

Just pictures

 

Life in May: Day Twenty Seven

*Blogging everyday in May*

Share a letter with your readers.

Dear Reader Friends,

Thank you. Thank you for reading and commenting. Thank you for caring.

If you enjoyed this month, stick around for June. I’m turning 29 and I’m planning a huge party!

You are the best!

Love, Rachel

PS…if you want to be part of a giveaway or write a guest post, let me know.

Life in May: Day Fourteen

*Blogging everyday in May.*

Quick Note: After yesterday’s post, I feel like I shouldn’t need to apologize for all the times I’ve clogged my social media with swimmer babies. #sorrynotsorry

Ten things that make you happy.

And in no particular order.

 

-Arizona loves-

-breakfast-

-swimmers-

-pictures like this from my family-

-green juice-

-my savior’s love-

-this dog-

-coffee-

-a little red-

 

-friends are supposed to text-

Life in May: Day Five

Blogging everyday in May

Profess your love to a blogging friend.

This one is super hard. I have a hard time keeping real life friends, yet alone cultivating blogging friends! However, two sweet girls stand out.

 

Meet Casey from Everyday Adventures!

We were actually paired together for a nail polish swap and bonded over our mutual teaching careers! She’s been inspiring me with her 13 in ‘13 goal challenge. Whenever I have a funny teacher story, she’s sure to leave a comment that only another teacher could understand. Thanks Casey for being a inspiration to me, even if you really didn’t know it!

Meet Melissa from Little Mrs. Married!

I don’t remember how I stumbled on Melissa blog, but I’m so glad I did. Her love story made me cry, ugly cry. After leaving her a creepy twitter message  about said tears, love was born! We shared our common love of Karen Kingsbury books (I promise I’ll mail them to you before I move, Melissa!) weight struggles/victories, and our love for the Lord. She’s got the most positive outlook on life! Thanks Melissa!

Life in May: Day One

Linking up with Jenni for

Gah, I’m so stinking excited for this month! Want to join along?

Today’s prompt is:

Give the Story of Your Life in 250 words.

I grew up in a small Wisconsin town. Your “small” town has got nothing on my small town. Roughly 2,500 people call Wisconsin Dells home. Waterpark capital of the world, anyone!? I’m the youngest of four children. The only girl. And the baby. Talk about challenges. My home was smack dab in the middle of a dairy/beef farm. Hardworking farm blood flows through my veins, along with a hardy dose of Packers, Cheese, and Beer. Hey, it’s Wisconsin!

I’m the biggest girly girl you will ever meet. My mom says that she didn’t need to buy my first dress until I was 3 years old because everyone in our family bought them for me. After my growing up years, I moved to Chicago for college, meet the best people of my life, and got a teaching degree. From there I moved to Arizona for seven years. I’ve taught second grade, kindergarten, and preschool. This summer I’m starting a new journey in TEXAS!!

My family, friends, and Jesus are my life.

I love this picture!

Life on the Weekend

Linking up for This Weekend I…

After last weekend’s general suckiness, I was looking forward to spending time with my sister friends chilling on our yoga mats. We were able to attend the Jesus at the Core wellness event hosted by Holy Yoga and Revelation Wellness.

On Friday night we flowed through the hardest yoga practice I’ve ever been through. Then on Saturday we sweated through a Revelation workout and did another 30 minutes of yoga. I’m still in pain today! If you are interested in Christ based fitness, these two organizations are the real deal.

I seriously can’t handle this picture, I have no idea why I’m sharing it. But there it is!

And the only thing to do after an hour of yoga is to eat at 8:45, right?

Post Yoga High, it’s a thing guys.

We were off the charts by this time.

Yum.

Have a great week!

Life on the Weekend

Linking up for This Weekend I…

Hi Friends! Did you have a fabulous weekend? I’m enjoying my extra day off by cooking and catching up on tons of stuff around the house.

This weekend was filled with shopping! One of my school families gifted me with $150 (WHOO!) to buy whatever I want/need for our classroom. Spending other people’s money makes me so happy!

I found this sweatshirt on super clearance from Forever 21. Fits my personality to a T!

 

An Apple TV has been on my wish list since Christmas. I finally picked one up this weekend. I know I’ve blogged before about not having cable and not being able to get channels on my antenna, so I stream everything. Well, except Fox and NBC because I get those. In my opinion, it will be $100 well spent.

Making these yummies for dinner this week.

(Click pictures for recipes)

Have a great week!

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