Just thought you should know...

To all my brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers, little children and best friends in the world, to all of you that I have come to call my family,

I love you <3

"True or False: It's the little things in life." "True"

*Sigh* Sometimes word's just don't explain the joy, the love, and the comfort that you feel inside. Tonight was absolutely amazing. I got to go swimming with one of my favorite families and had an amazing times there. While I was there, I got to relax on a hammock with my sissy and read some of her school notes (believe it or not, this is fun for me). After that, she took me home and I made dinner for the covered-dish dinner at church (Macaroni and Cheese, yumm ^_^). We got to church and I spent almost all of my free time hanging out with some of cutest and most fun kids on the planet. We had a wonderful dinner, which included Caramel Apple Pecan Pie (calling it plain old Apple Pie does not do it justice, Michael!), then headed to the playground for our normal playtime until class started. However, the playground, when we arrived, was swarming with bees and so we weren't allowed to play there. Plan B turned out to be hide and seek in the back lawn of the church.

Now, let me first explain that the back lawn of our church is virtually open aside from 2 or 3 sheds to hide behind. This never stopped the kids. We ran and ran and ran in a game that was half hide-and-seek, half tag, and we kept running until it was finally just a free for all running match! But oh, the fun we had on that little open patch of grass. We had some falls, tumbles, and the occasional bumped head, but we all made it out alive and headed into our classes.

Once everyone had gotten into class and settled down, we played a trivia game and started class. There was something different tonight about the opening prayer. Almost everyone had something to say and they all seemed to be very open, including myself. I learned about people from the way that they prayed, and more importantly, I learned things (or rather, re-learned things) about God. I can't say right yet exactly what happened in that moment, but I know that it was a good experience, and one that I really needed.

When class was over, I picked right back up where I left off with the McCray girls...we went onto the front lawn and really just walked for a little while. At one point, I was standing with Faith and Marissa, the older two girls, and Abby, the youngest at 3, started wandering out into the empty parking lot. I called her name repeatedly, but she didn't even acknowledge that she heard me. She just kept staring off at something in the distance. I finally went after her and asked her why she didn't answer when I called her name. She looked at me, looked back at the sky, pointed up, and said, "Look! The moon's following me!" That was just about the cutest thing ever.

A few minutes later, I delivered all 3 girls back to their parent's van, and Abby says, "Will you come home with us, Rachel?". When I said I couldn't, she gave me this look that just made me want to cry. Little ones can sure be persuasive when they want, can't they? lol I gave her a hug goodbye and waved as I walked back to my truck to head home with the family. I will fall asleep happy tonight and dream wonderful dreams, this I am sure of. ^_^

So, indeed, it is the little things in life...and sometimes even the little people ;)

~Rachel <3

Today is the first day of the rest of my week!

Hey all! Just wanted to write a post saying that I am not going to sit around and waste today. First off, I'm going to start back on my novel that I've been trying to finish since November. Second, I'm going to work in a time today to go jogging around the neighborhood. Third, I'm going to upload pictures on to facebook (this may not sound like a huge accomplishment, but I'm a real procrastinator in this area). Anyway, the point is that I am going to make this day count for something. Maybe it will help in the long run and maybe it won't, but either way, I'm going to go to bed tonight with no regrets about today.

BYL!

~Rachel

Truer words were never spoken...ok, well maybe :P

Love Like Crazy

by Lee Brice

They called them crazy when they started out
Said seventeen's too young to know what love's about

They've been together 58 years now

That's crazy

He brought home 67 bucks a week

Bought a little 2-bedroom house on Maple Street

Where she blessed him with 6 more mouths to feed

Now that's crazy

Just ask him how he did it

He'll say, 'pull up a seat,

It'll only take a minute

To tell you everything..."

Be a best friend, tell the truth,

And overuse 'I love you'

Go to work, do your best,

But don't outsmart your common sense

Never let your prayin' knees get lazy

And love like crazy...

They called him crazy when he quit his job

Said, 'Them home computers, boy, they'll never take off.'

Well he sold his one-man shop to Microsoft

And they paid like crazy

Just ask him how he made it

He'll tell you faith and sweat

And the heart of a faithful woman

Who never let him forget

Be a best friend, tell the truth,

And overuse 'I love you'

Go to work, do your best,

But don't outsmart your common sense

Never let your prayin' knees get lazy

And love like crazy...

Always treat your woman like a lady...

Never get too old to call her baby...

Never let your prayin' knees get lazy...

And love like crazy

They called them crazy when they started out

They've been together 58 years now

Ain't that crazy?

	lee brice - love like crazy.mp3
	Found at bee mp3 search engine

Tomorrow's It...

I have an English exam tomorrow, and I am not really that nervous about it. I think I'll do well, I just have to study the exam review and I should do fine. I'm hoping I can get a good grade on it, even if it's just to show my teacher that I can. This probably isn't the right mindset, but I have a side of me that wants to prove myself to her, because I came from a regular class into an honor's class. Even so, I'm learning more and more that I never really needed to prove myself. After talking more with my English teacher, I don't think she though less of me because I came from a regular class. Still, I'm hoping to do well on this exam anyway. I'm ready for it!

BYL!

~Rachel

Feels Like Summer!

So...

I was walking from English class to Health class today at school (a walk which requires me to go outside the normal school building and make a short walk, and I do mean short, to the trailer) I went in, dropped off my bag at my desk, and came back outside to enjoy the sunshine for a few minutes before class. I realized as I was walking around in my jeans and flip-flops that the grass felt especially good on my feet today. So, I did the obvious thing for me to do in a situation like this. I took off my shoes, closed my eyes, and walked around on the grass in my bare feet. Y'all all know what this means...

SUMMER IS HERE!!!

Ok, so maybe the actually season hasn't changed yet, but when I walk around school grounds barefoot, summer (at least in my mind) has arrived. I then proceeded to take some random pictures of people and things at my school (ahh, memories) hence, the picture at the top, for your viewing pleasure. Tah-dah!

Anyway, it's late and I've got to get to bed, so I'll write more tomorrow.

BYL!

~Rachel

Song of the Day!!!

Smile: by Uncle Kracker

You're better than the best
I'm lucky just to linger in your light
Cooler than the flip-side of my pillow (that's right)
Completely unaware
Nothing can compare to where you send me
Let's me know that it's okay (yea, it's okay)
And the moments when my good times start to fade

You make me smile like a sun, Fall outta bed
Sing like a bird, Dizzy in my head
Spin like a record, Crazy on a Sunday night
You make me dance like fool, Forget how to breathe
Shine like gold, Buzz like a bee
Just the thought of you can drive me wild
Oh, you make me smile

Even when you're gone
Somehow you come along just like a flower pokin through the sidewalk crack
And just like that
You steal away the rain
And just like that

You make me smile like a sun, Fall outta bed
Sing like a bird, Dizzy in my head
Spin like a record, Crazy on a Sunday night
You make me dance like fool, Forget how to breathe
Shine like gold, Buzz like a bee
Just the thought of you can drive me wild
Oh, you make me smile

Don't know how I lived without you
'Cuz everytime that I get around you
I see the best of me inside your eyes
You make me smile
You make me dance like fool, Forget how to breathe
Shine like gold, Buzz like a bee
Just the thought of you can drive me wild
Oh, you make me smile

You make me smile like a sun, Fall outta bed
Sing like a bird, Dizzy in my head
Spin like a record, Crazy on a Sunday night
You make me dance like fool, Forget how to breathe
Shine like gold, Buzz like a bee
Just the thought of you can drive me wild
Oh, you make me smile

(Oh, you make me smile)
Oh you make me smille
(Oh, you make me smile)
Oh you make me smille

Total Awesomeness!

Ok, last night was officially AMAZING!! Going to Mass was a really great experience, and it was really different, but totally comfortable. Then me and one of my good friends went out for dinner and to a luau at Pointe of Promise dance studio. We danced all night and it was just the most amazing feeling. I got home and I couldn't sleep because I was so happy :) Man, I wish I could say more about it, but there's really nothing to say other than it was just amazing. It was totally comfortable and it was so good to get out and dance again. July 9th cannot come soon enough!

BYL!

~Rachel

Can't wait!

Today, I have a dinner and church with a guy who has become a very close friend and I'm a little nervous, though I'm excited too because I know that no matter what happens, we'll come out closer friends in the end. The church service is going to be interesting, seeing as I've only been to one other Catholic service before. After the dinner and church, we've got a dance and I can't wait for that because I feel like I haven't danced in forever!! Anyway, for now I've gotta get ready, but I'll try to post more tomorrow, if not when I get home.

BYL!

~Rachel

Update

I went to the doctor's office today and I figured out that I'm not sick, just stuffy from an infection that I had recently. I'm not on antibiotics, just allergy meds for decongestion. I won't be on until sometime Thursday, but until then, I'll be posting short updates from my phone :) Gotta head to bed, but I'll post some more tomorrow!

BYL!
~Rachel

Leaving So Soon???

Dear Weekend,

You know I love you, but this whole week-long anticipation for your arrival and then the sudden moment when you decide to pack up and give way to another Monday is starting to aggravate me. I cannot tell you how many times your sudden departure has left me wondering if it was really time for you t leave already. I mean, just once, couldn't you just put your feet up, drop off your things, and stay awhile with me? I think I speak for most of us when I say that we all enjoy your company and wish to see more of you. But alas, I know you have a busy schedule and so I'll ask no more from you. I only wish you farewell and hope that your next visit is as pleasant as this one was.

Sincerely, Rachel

So this weekend, was pretty uneventful. Friday and Saturday, I did almost nothing, and Sunday, I went to church and then out with Jess and Ashley to the mall to get some shopping and eating done. The American Heritage Series at church was after that and now I'm home and about to get to bed. I'll probably get some reading done and maybe watch the rest of my movie, but other than that, nothing has really happened this weekend. I'll enjoy it while I can. ;) I know weekends won't be this restful all the time lol. Anyway, my dad is probably waiting for me to get in bed, so I guess I'll blog more tomorrow!

BYL!

~Rachel

Turning Pages...

So it's a peaceful Saturday afternoon at my house, not really much going on. My weekend has been great so far (though I have to admit that I slept most of it) Part of what has made this weekend so awesome is that I got a great new book to read. Yeah, go ahead and laugh at me. What can I say, I'm a bookworm. And this particular book is really amazing.

Titled, "Valkyries: Some Through the Fire", it's about a young Catholic girl named Tracey who is abused by her father and pretty much invisible to her mother. After becoming a Christian and claiming to be saved, her parents send her away to a strict Catholic boarding school. Finding the new school to be less than welcoming, Tracey quickly finds that she has been labled as one of the freshman outcasts. The book keeps up with Tracey as she struggles to find not only her place in this new school, but also her place in God's plan.

Pretty good, huh? Yeah, I just started it last night and I'm already up to chapter 27 :) It's one of those books that holds you and won't let you go. Speaking of, I think I'm going to get back to that really soon. :)

BYL!

~Rachel

Hurry Up, Weekend!

I am so excited for the weekend, though I'm not sure I could tell you why. It's not like I have anything really good planned. In fact, I'm kind of just going with the flow for this weekend. Maybe that's what I'm so excited about. Normally, I have something planned by the time Friday comes around, but this weekend is different. I will probably go to the beach with some of my friends on Sunday, but I've got to clear that with the rents first. They should go for it. This probably sounds stupid, but I'm a little worried about missing church. I mean, even though I wouldn't actually mind that much, it would just feel weird to have a weekend without going to Sunday service.

Though I will say that doesn't scare me nearly as much as the prospect of being seen in a bathing suit. Ugh...yeah, that's not really something that I look forward to hardly ever. Though I will have the opportunity for a great tan and I know that it will just be girls, it still bothers me. I hope I can somewhat get over that by Sunday and have a good time. Until then, I'm just going to relax, enjoy the weekend, and let it happen.

In other news, I just realized that I have not e-mailed one of my best friends in almost a year. He moved to Texas last year and we've found some ways to keep in touch, but never e-mail apparently. I just sent him a short message, and now I'm looking forward to his response :) Anyway, I think I am gonna go and read some more on my book before dinner.

BYL!

~Rachel

Almost There...

So today I finally finished my SOLs and now I feel so much closer to Summer! Tonight I've got a family dinner with my grandparents, Dustin, Mary Beth, and Mackenzie, and Uncle Dale and Abby. We're meeting at Great China Buffet and I can't wait! It's going to be so much fun. Until then, I think I'm going to read for a little bit. :)

BYL!

~Rachel