tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6557538817771709682024-03-13T06:34:46.057-05:00Team Family LoveOnly by serving others do we become free...Rachaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08246052019301727873noreply@blogger.comBlogger107125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655753881777170968.post-42119917201659174512009-02-03T22:12:00.002-06:002009-02-03T22:21:38.987-06:00BIG newsSince I am catching everyone up on six months of my life, I figure it's pretty important that I fill you in on something HUGE! <br /><br /><div align="center">We are in the process of adopting Chris!!!!!</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="left">It is something that we have been thinking about ever since Chris came to live with us last November. We decided not to even talk about it until he'd been living with us for at least a year. We wanted to make sure that it was going to be in the best interest for everyone if we went through with it. Well of course I couldn't keep quiet for a whole year, so Aaron and I would talk about it every once in a while and then Chris and I would talk about it every once in a while. Well after all that talk and lots of talking to caseworkers, we decided that adopting Chris was what would work out best for all of us.</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">To be honest, nothing is really changing. We are just making it "legal." But, it still is a big decision because it means that we are "real" parents now. When Chris gets in trouble at school teachers are going to look at me like I'm a terrible mother. When Chris beats someone up, its now officially our responsibility. I'm not going to get anymore awesome compliments about what a wonderful person I am because I'm a foster parent (I can't help it...I'm a sucker for compliments!)</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">Thankfully Chris doesn't usually get in trouble at school and I think he's only been in one fight since he came to our house. So, I don't have too much to worry about. </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">Anyways...just wanted to fill ya'll in!</div>Rachaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08246052019301727873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655753881777170968.post-14777511277017913942009-01-28T19:52:00.002-06:002009-01-28T20:03:52.993-06:00Momentum<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wOWvlHWANRo/SYEOafVuJwI/AAAAAAAAAdg/XSxgK3cnpMQ/s1600-h/momentum.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296530485016405762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wOWvlHWANRo/SYEOafVuJwI/AAAAAAAAAdg/XSxgK3cnpMQ/s400/momentum.jpg" border="0" /></a> I led the youth group Bible study at church tonight and we talked about an awesome subject: DISCIPLINE.<br /><div></div><br /><div>We talked about how even though leading a disciplined life can be hard at first and sometimes hurts, it really does get easier after a while and turns us into better people. Our Bible verse come from Hebrews. It talked about how our earthly parents discipline us and how that ultimately shows their love for us. So, how much better is it when our God disciplines us? His discipline is life transforming! </div><br /><div></div><div>It was fun to talk to the youth about this because I know so many of them are at a crucial time of decision making right now (including our little Chris). My favorite part of the whole lesson was when we talked about how every day the choices you make are taking you away or bring you closer to God. And how this creates a momentum in your life. Once you start making choices in one direction, they get easier and easier to make. That's why its so important to make the RIGHT choices. You want your momentum going in that direction.</div><br /><div></div><div>The last time I'd led the youth Bible study they had been pretty much silent the entire time. No one would talk or answer any questions. Tonight they all talked the entire time. Thank goodness because when Aaron asked me to lead the Bible study I almost said no. I didn't feel like sitting up there with a bunch of moping teenagers that refused to talk. It really was a blessing to get to talk to the group tonight! Praise GOD!</div><div></div><br /><div>I'm sitting in Aaron's office at church right now waiting for the adult Bible study to let out. Ryan Richardson, our worship leader is practicing in the other room. I can hear him singing "My Redeemer Lives" in the other room. To sum it up: Its a great night to be at church!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Peace and Love,</div><br /><div>Rachael</div>Rachaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08246052019301727873noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655753881777170968.post-5449132227789962472009-01-27T20:34:00.002-06:002009-01-27T20:50:14.156-06:00Being a CadetOne of the reasons that I had taken such a long hiatus from the blogging world is that my new job was devouring all of my time and energy. For those of you that don't know, I am a 4<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">th</span> grade Reading and Language Arts teacher at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Connally</span> Elementary here in Waco. Its my very first year and although I love it...it's stinking hard sometimes!<br /><br />My school is on the north side of Waco (in between the tiny town of Elm Mott and the big <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">ol</span>' <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Walmart</span> in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Bellmead</span>). <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Connally</span> is a really strange mix of all different types of people. The students who feed into <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Connally</span> are typically low income. We are also EXTREMELY ethnically diverse. It was a huge wake-up call after growing up in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Rockwall</span> where everyone looks the same and has at least a couple dollars in the bank.<br /><br />So much goes on in my classroom every single day that it would be impossible to catch you up on all of it. But here is a list of my top ten loves and hates about teaching:<br /><br />HATES<br />1. Getting up at the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">buttcrack</span> of dawn to be at school by 6:30 am.<br />2. Grading 4<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">th</span> grade writing compositions. They're not so great at writing yet and I can't seem to do anything to fix it.<br />3. The smell of 22 children after recess on a hot day.<br />4. Kids who need to call their moms about every little thing.<br />5. Kids who get mad and still throw crazy temper tantrums.<br />6. Keeping up with all the paperwork - <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">AHHHH</span>!<br />7. Trying to do 40 things at once and still stay sane.<br />8. Rainy days that keep the kids cooped up all day.<br />9. Giving the kids free time. They are just too loud!<br />10. Knowing that one of my students is having a rough time at home and not being able to do much about it.<br /><br />LOVES<br />1. Trying to show kids the love of Christ every day. Its hard, but so worth it!<br />2. All the funny stories that I tell anyone that's even slightly <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">interested</span>.<br />3. Listening to my students read out loud.<br />4. When one of my kids finds a book they just love.<br />5. Monday mornings when the Waco Tribune gets delivered to our class. The kids look like old men and woman with their newspapers open on their desks.<br />6. Free ice cream day at the cafeteria.<br />7. All the wonderful teachers who encourage me and give me great advice.<br />8. When a student sincerely apologizes after doing something wrong.<br />9. Students that are willing to help <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">each other</span> out.<br />10. That I think I'm exactly where God wants me to be. It's so good to know that you are doing what you were meant to do.<br /><br />Go Cadets!<br />RachaelRachaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08246052019301727873noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655753881777170968.post-33072428402645760922009-01-25T21:24:00.003-06:002009-01-25T21:41:02.648-06:00It's been a while<div>Hi friends,</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Sorry for the six month hiatus. I wanna catch ya'll up on everything, but I have a feeling that its gonna take a while. So, I'll just start with what I did tonight. I watched my very favorite tv show ever! Please tell me that you've seen the show 17 Kids and Counting on TLC. Everything about the show blows my mind!</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295442097655037826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wOWvlHWANRo/SX0wiAdgv4I/AAAAAAAAAdY/waO1fpPMJMc/s400/Dugger%2520Family.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div></div><div></div><div>For those of you who are not avid viewers, I'll give you a quick summary: A ultra-conservative man and woman in Arkansas decided to have as many children as God would give them. I think they are up to 18 now and the show is about how their family operates. All of the girls wear long dresses / skirts and don't really wear make-up. They are all home schooled and do all kinds of crazy things to help the family save money (Can you imagine how much it would cost to run a family of 18?). My favorite character is the eldest son Josh. He's 20 years old, has never dated, and has never kissed a girl. He's also just like his dad which might not be such a fabulous thing!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Tonight was a special episode where the oldest son, Josh, gets married. Ummm he asked his future wife, Anna, to marry him on her 19th birthday. I think they'd only met like twice before that. She comes from the same type of background, but her family lives in Florida. Anyways poor Anna gets totally surprised with this engagement and then she says "YES". I mean can you believe it. So anyways, Josh and Anna have all kinds of "Christian" rules that they follow during the engagement. When they are together they always have to have a chaperone, they are saving their first kiss for the wedding, and they are trying to "guard their hearts" from each other until the wedding.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I mean I seriously love this show. It's the only show that I actually plan my schedule around. Tonight I told Aaron that I hope our next church is in Arkansas and that their family goes to our church. I just think it would be awesome to meet them and see if they are for real! Aaron and Chris watch the show with me and both of them are stupefied by the way these people behave and the rules that they set for themselves. We've even threatened Chris that we are going to make him turn into one of these <em>uber</em>Christians.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Seriously...check it out!!!!!!!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Peace,</div><br /><div>Rach E. J.</div>Rachaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08246052019301727873noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655753881777170968.post-27452347422199116832008-07-29T17:24:00.003-05:002008-07-29T17:42:33.845-05:00Back Again<a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_wOWvlHWANRo/SI-cTDPMHtI/AAAAAAAAAVY/NbgMMg5l_6A/s1600-h/bored.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228569543500898002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_wOWvlHWANRo/SI-cTDPMHtI/AAAAAAAAAVY/NbgMMg5l_6A/s400/bored.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>Sorry Everyone - </div><br /><div></div><div>I've been a lamo blogger, so please excuse the past couple weeks that I've been absent. Ever since I stopped working I just haven't been on the computer. Aaron's always taking it up to church and when the laptop is at home I just always find something else to do. But not anymore..I'm back!</div><br /><div></div><div>Church camp was pretty awesome. We only took six kids but we all had a blast and our group really had some tight bonding moments. My favorite things about camp were: the speaker, a sweet new worship song I learned called "Mighty to Save", riding the bananna boat with the whole gang, and hanging out in the tree house. I also really liked getting to spend time with Chris in a group setting - It was a great snead peek into how he socializes and I was pretty impressed. At one point during the week I even saw Chris comforting a much younger camper who was a little scared - how cool is that??!!</div><br /><div></div><div>This past week I haven't really done much of anything... I've just been sleeping in almost everyday, cleaning the house, working out, laying by the pool, and hanging out with Chris and Aaron. Last week my college roomate Lindsey came in town. She lives in California and works for Lionsgate (you know the movie makers). Anyways, we don't get to see eachother much so it was way fun hanging out with her. We layed out, hit up the Ninfa's happy hour, ate snowcones, and went to Baris (yum!). </div><br /><div></div><div>Well TFL is about to head to the gym and then I'm off to the movies to see Momma Mia with some girlfriends.<br /></div><div>TTYL,</div><div>Rach EJ</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228569547955609906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_wOWvlHWANRo/SI-cTT1RoTI/AAAAAAAAAVg/rprpoxTogNY/s400/lindsey.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div>The first pic is me and Kaitlyn at camp pretending to be bored - we really weren't, I promise :)</div><div>Then the last picture is of Lindsey... I didn't actually take the picture, instead I just stole it off her facebook!!</div>Rachaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08246052019301727873noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655753881777170968.post-18900789040785702322008-07-13T23:28:00.002-05:002008-07-13T23:33:24.015-05:00Step on my piece of grass...(the title only works if you were at Lake Pointe church camp circa 1998)<br /><br />Tomorrow morning I leave for church camp... Somehow I thought it would be a great idea to raise my hand when our youth pastor called for a woman volunteer. Hmmm..when will I stop being such a pushover? <br /><br />So I prepared by doing what any high school girl camp counselor should do... I hit up Walmart for all the cool camp stuff and I'm ready to go: purple nail polish, extra-long but still cool shorts for rec time, hair dye, and lots of snacks. I'm all set...talk to ya in a week!<br /><br />Peace Homies,<br />R DawgRachaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08246052019301727873noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655753881777170968.post-60190461580350956612008-07-03T09:51:00.004-05:002008-07-03T10:37:00.862-05:00<a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_wOWvlHWANRo/SGzx887F30I/AAAAAAAAAVQ/Lv3NcT5UaG4/s1600-h/pZALEGORD1-3650801t400.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218812097663983426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_wOWvlHWANRo/SGzx887F30I/AAAAAAAAAVQ/Lv3NcT5UaG4/s400/pZALEGORD1-3650801t400.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>A few of my favorite things these days...<br />1. The new Olympic Coke cans<br />2. Reeces Peanut Butter Cups<br />3. "Three Cups of Tea" by Greg Mortenson<br />4. My new diamond and aquamarine necklace that Aaron gave me for our two year anniversary<br /><br />Ok so my very favorite item on the list is #4, but I really do like the new Coke cans a whole lot ;) I honestly cannot believe that Aaron and I have been married for two years. Some days it feels like we've been together our whole lives and other days it seems like our wedding and honeymoon was just the other day.<br /><br />Aaron truly is my partner, my love, and the leader of our family. He literally is my best friend and I love spending every second with him. We don't have a lot of friends our age here in Waco, so Aaron and I spend a whole lot of time together - but I wouldn't have it any other way! He is an amazing father, pastor, and husband. He makes me laugh all the time, but he also knows exactly what to say when I need some comforting. Here are just a few things that make me crazy for Aaron.<br /><br />-He is so good at accents and different voices. If you want to hear an Irishman, a cowboy, Spencer Pratt from the Hills, or Stewie from Family Guy, Aaron is your man. I've noticed that most people's favorite is when he talks like me...sometimes this annoys me but for the most part I enjoy it.<br />-He eats and drinks the quirkiest things: pimento cheese and chips, poptarts, vanilla diet coke with a splash of regular on top, any flavor doritos, and he loves snickers protien bars (everytime we go grocery shopping...he searches the entire store for his favorite flavor)<br />-He insists that we watch shows as a family. Currently he's loving Arrested Development on DVD and he'll make me and Chris watch two or three episodes at a time.<br />-He usually draws while he watches TV and/or movies. He's filled up notebook after notebook with his doodles. I love stealing them and looking at all his pretty pictures and cool designs.<br />-He wears the dorkiest but most endearing undershirts ever. He buys small undershirts from Walmat and cuts off the sleeves. They don't quite cover his belly, but he likes how they are tight around his neck. He often walks around the house in just his undershirt. Its so funny and weird, but I love him.<br /><br />I know that I listed mostly silly things that I like about Aaron, but there are so many serious reasons that I love my husband.</div><div> </div><div>PS.. Sorry for the gargantuan picture</div>Rachaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08246052019301727873noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655753881777170968.post-33865811019829544012008-06-27T10:49:00.003-05:002008-06-27T11:03:42.724-05:00End of the Expe<div>On Monday afternoon Aaron's car decided that it could go no <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">further</span>. For over ten years the poor Expedition tirelessly drove nearly 200,000 miles. The past two years that sweet <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">ol</span>' hunk a love groaned and lurched everywhere it went, but it never failed to get us to our destination. But on Monday it decided that enough was enough.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>We've known that the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Expe</span> was on its last legs for a long time now, but we kept hoping that it would make it to September. Now that I think about it, I have no idea why we chose <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">September</span>...it just sounded like a good month for Aaron to find a new car. But, alas July will be new car month for the Johnson family. Now some of you may be thinking, "Wait, didn't Rachael just get a new car back in January?" And the answer is yes...I did. We are leasing my sweet little <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Acura</span> and its wonderful. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>For the last 4 days Aaron and I have been sharing her and it hasn't been working out too well. See our house is way out in the boonies on one end of Waco, our church is out in the boonies on the other end, and my work is in a random church sorta near <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Hillcrest</span> Hospital. For Aaron to drop me off at work and then head out to church it takes him nearly an hour. And with Chris having baseball practice <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">every night</span> things have been way to hectic. So my crazy husband is about to get a new (used) car. And what does he want......</div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216591541617436114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_wOWvlHWANRo/SGUOXlBqJdI/AAAAAAAAAVI/r0UEI_FM_Zs/s400/04_cadillac_ctsv_500.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><p> </p><p>Yeah baby - A 2003 Cadillac <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">CTS</span>. Now I'm still not a huge fan of these cars. I'd really like for my man to drive a truck, but Aaron is <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">dead set</span> on his <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">CTS</span>. He's been driving all over Waco, scouring the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Internet</span>, and checking out car <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">magazines</span> like crazy. He's found a couple within our price range with low miles, so come Monday we might be proud owners of a new caddy!</p><p> </p><p>Rollin wit tha homies...REJ</p>Rachaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08246052019301727873noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655753881777170968.post-15905592886800899612008-06-25T14:02:00.002-05:002008-06-25T14:08:11.974-05:00Vienna TengYeah... check her out. Its all quite <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">phenomenal!</span><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected"></span><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected"><a href="http://viennateng.com/listen/">http://viennateng.com/listen/</a></span><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected"></span><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected">I was listening to my daily dose of Yahoo Music and all the sudden a whimsical little fairy voice filled my computer speakers. I immidiately googled her and now I'm obessed. She's coming to Austin in February, so now all I've gotta do is convince Aaron that we have to go hear her. </span>Rachaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08246052019301727873noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655753881777170968.post-10807747748184467222008-06-20T11:43:00.002-05:002008-06-20T13:08:30.272-05:00MELTINGUghhhhhh Its So Hot!<br /><br /><br /><br />The air conditioner in my office broke yesterday afternoon. I currently have two oscillating fans blowing on me, but even they can't compete with the 100 degree temperature. I can't believe my boss is makeing us stay here...maybe he'll let us go home after lunch (I've got my fingers crossed). I'm tempted to claim that I'm having some sort of medical emergency, so that I can go relax in the cool AC of my wonderous little house.<br /><br /><em>I just found out that we get to go home at 2:00!!!!! Hooray!!!</em><br /><br /><br /><br />In other news...I've only got 6 more days of full time work at my job. Then I move to working only 3 days a week for 3 hours a day - YES!!!! Who's excited about lots of time to lay by the pool, workout, and veg on the couch...I am!<br /><br /><br /><br />We went to dinner last night at Logans Roadhouse with our best Waco friends, Chris and Robin Richardson. They just got back from Denver and it was so fun listening to the stories from their roadtrip.<br /><br /><br /><br />Well its time for my lunch, so I'm going to go to Barnes and Noble to escape the unbearable heat. We are heading to Rockwall after Chris' baseball practice tonight, so hopefully I'll have tons of great boating pics when I get back on Monday.<br /><br /><br /><br />Peace,<br /><br />Rach E. J.Rachaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08246052019301727873noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655753881777170968.post-23227818492607472032008-06-18T11:08:00.002-05:002008-06-18T11:41:31.790-05:00One quirky thing about me is that throughout high school and college I would date the most random people...and I mean WAY random. Here are a four that might make you smile:<br /><br /><strong>Braids</strong> - Yes, this is what we called him on my Senior Trip to Cancun. I saw him from the top deck of the booze cruise (don't worry, I didn't drink a drop). He was waiting to get on the boat and he had these glorious braids with little beads at the end...you know the kind that little girls get in their hair when they go on vacation. He and I hung out non-stop that week and he even came to visit me one weekend in Rockwall. My parents were not impressed and I decided that he was not my type when he convinced me and my best friend Amelia to skip the amazing 4th of July Christian Concert and go to some screamo heavy metal one instead. <br /><br /><strong>RESNET</strong> - My senior year of high school some girlfriends and I roadtripped up to Baylor for a Dixie Chicks concert. We stayed with one of my friend's brothers who was a senior Phi Chi. We had a blast at the concert, but the most memorable part of the trip was when us 4 crazy senior girls wore our cutest outfits (I wore red pleather pants and a belly shirt - yikes) and headed over to the Phi Chi house on 9th street. We somehow ended up "modeling" on top of the fireplace. The Phi Chi guys probably laughed at us after we left, but for that one night we thought we were so cool. I ended up meeting a sweetie Phi Chi that came to Rockwall for Valentines Day. We didn't date seriously or anything...but when I got to Baylor I remember being a little embarrassed because he was the Collins Resnet guy and that is not the best title to have at good ol' BU.<br /><br /><strong>Rock Climber</strong> - My freshman year at Baylor I was really into rock climbing. After track practice, I'd head over to the rock and hang out there for hours. I ended up meeting lots of people, but one stood out from the rest. He rarely wore shoes, almost never showered, and had the frizziest curly hair I've ever seen, but he was really nice and a great rock climber. He and I didn't have much in common, but hey...I was a freshman.<br /><br /><strong>The Nose Brother</strong> - Yep...I dated a Nose Brother and I think thats pretty dang cool. Even though Nose Brothers are just regular guys, they do have a zany mystique that I've always found so captivating. My first date with this Nose Brother was to an actual Nose Brother Party. They were all in their masks and I had no idea who my date actually was...he'd just called me up and asked me to meet him at the party - so I did. I asked him tons of questions throughout the night trying to get my date to reveal himself, but nothing worked. Christmas break rolled around and I still had no idea who "my" Nose Bro was. Finally, right at the end of the break, I realized who my date had been. I came back to Baylor triumphant and became really good friends with this guy. He ended up graduating later that year (He was a senior and I was a freshman). We did end up dating later on when I was a junior in college and even though our relationship didn't last...our friendship did and thats what counts!<br /><br />PS...Camille, I've always felt like Adam was a Nose Brother. Am I right?<br /><br />LYLAS,<br />RachaelRachaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08246052019301727873noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655753881777170968.post-22324256200750516012008-06-17T13:20:00.003-05:002008-06-17T13:29:31.395-05:00<div>Hey guess what? </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>CHRIS MADE THE ALL-STAR BASEBALL TEAM!!! </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I love the word "All-Star" because it brings up two great memories...</div><div> </div><div> </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212918620610757538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_wOWvlHWANRo/SFgB3cCGA6I/AAAAAAAAAVA/2_kNi1oLnP4/s400/shoes.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212918619656852482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_wOWvlHWANRo/SFgB3YeqlAI/AAAAAAAAAU4/dLgqxiuzL58/s400/CD.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div>Were Converse All-Stars cool when ya'll were in 6th grade? Cause at Utley Middle School they were the bomb.com. The second picture is the CD cover for the band "Smash Mouth." You remember the song... </div><div> </div><div>Hey Now</div><div>You're an all-star</div><div>Get your game on</div><div>Go play....</div><div> </div>Rachaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08246052019301727873noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655753881777170968.post-51538420076146791662008-06-16T13:19:00.003-05:002008-06-16T13:40:50.918-05:00Just Another MondayHere's a couple things about me that I feel like sharing...<br /><br />1. I really like to drink my soda pop out of 32 oz Styrofoam cups. I know this is terrible for the environment, but it just tastes so good. I'm a big fan of Diet Coke with a splash of regular Coke on top.<br /><br />2. I have a new favorite gas station - Valero (they're all over Waco these days)<br /><br />3. I hate hate hate Coldplay and Radiohead. Ok, I actually like a couple Coldplay songs, but I don't get everyone's fascination with these bands. I'll take some old school OAR, Dave Matthews, or Matchbox 20 any day thank you very much!<br /><br />4. I hate fractions, decimals, and subtracting - yep, pretty much all math. But I do really like multiplying and geometry. Weird huh?<br /><br />5. I just started reading two new books and I really like them both so far: "The Last Summer (of you and me)" and "Three Cups of Tea."<br /><br />6. We found a puppy the other day when we were exploring a creek by our house. He's a gold pitbull mix and he's so sweet. He's probably about a year old and gets along great with all our animals...even our fiesty cat Potter. We've named him River and he needs a home, so let me know if you want him.<br /><br />7. Chris and I got in an argument last night and I was super rude to him...yeah, how uncool of me. But thankfully I have a wonderful husband that talked me through my anger and after some prayer I was able to apologize to my son. And good ol' Chris...he forgave me and even gave me a hug. Just another reason why I love this verse,<br /><br />"He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces finds mercy." <br /> Proverbs 28:13<br /><br />8. We had a Father's Day Extravaganza at our house yesterday. After church we went to Pei Wei because its one of Aaron's favorite restaurants, then we went to Circuit City and bought a video camera, then we went bowling for a couple hours, then we went and saw The HULK. Yep, it was a pretty good 1st Father's Day.<br /><br />9. We are hopefully heading to Rockwall this coming weekend to hangout with my family. I'm super excited and I can't wait to teach Chris to waterski!!!!<br /><br />10. TFL went to the pool in West on Saturday...it was pretty cool, but maybe not worth $25 bucks in admission. It did have some cool stuff like a high dive, low dive, slide, and a zip line that set it apart from other pools around Waco. We probably won't be regulars there, but it was fun just for something new to do.Rachaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08246052019301727873noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655753881777170968.post-40196374377472400462008-06-13T16:12:00.006-05:002008-06-13T16:37:50.652-05:00<a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_wOWvlHWANRo/SFLk0DnQQPI/AAAAAAAAAUo/gyCLn9BpIlc/s1600-h/SexandtheCity.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211479301795365106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_wOWvlHWANRo/SFLk0DnQQPI/AAAAAAAAAUo/gyCLn9BpIlc/s400/SexandtheCity.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>love love love love love love love love love love love love loved it</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div>I saw the movie on Tuesday night with Robin and Natalie and I have been obsessed with it ever since. See, I never saw an episode while it was actually on tv... All I'd ever seen was a handful of re-runs and I'd only been able to see those because I'd fight for the remote in order to keep Aaron from changing the channel. </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div>In fact the first time I ever really even heard about Sex in the City was when I was living in Italy. My crazy roomate Bethy ripped out SITC magazine pages and hung them up on the walls of our apartment for decoration. So I would stare at Carrie, Miranda, Samantha, and Charlotte and I had no idea who they were. In fact...I was even proud of the fact that I didn't watch that kind of "trash."</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div>But now I am a new woman...a new woman who understands the trials and plight of four friends who are just trying to make it in this world. I've decided that Sex in the City is what real life is like if you don't know Jesus. I mean..real life if your are upper middle class / crazily wealthy, beautiful, and live in New York. </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div>If you are a woman and you have not seen this movie yet....Grab your best friend and head over to the nearest movie theatre ASAP. You will laugh, cry, and decide that being best friends is the greatest thing in the world. (Just watch out for the sex scenes - wowsers!)</div>Rachaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08246052019301727873noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655753881777170968.post-5531232122759513692008-06-13T14:29:00.002-05:002008-06-13T14:42:19.130-05:00100th PostCan you believe it - 100 POSTS! Unfortunately I don't have anything monumental to blog about (bummer). I'm just sitting at work waiting for the weekend to start. <br /><br />We are going to dinner tonight with a couple from church. I am super pumped about La Fiesta, but super un-pumped about having to refrain from ordering a margarita. The couple we are going with is not the "we don't care if the pastor's wife drinks alcohol" type...they are super cool and everything, but just not that type. And whats funny is that I really don't drink anything with alcohol in it all that often (maybe one drink every couple months), but of course I am absolutely craving a margarita just because I can't have one. Ahhh such is life.<br /><br />Tomorrow team family love is heading out to the pool in West. I've heard great things about this pool, so we'll see if it lives up to the hype! (It better because admission is $9.00 each)<br /><br />Hmmm..what else? I went to the Spa at Canyon Oaks the other day. It was fabulous...I worked from home all morning and then in the afternoon I had a massage and facial. Now thats the life! In fact...if you ever need a massage make sure you book it with Katie at Canyon Oaks. I think it was the best massage I've ever had!<br /><br />And speaking of best things ever.... We booked our mini vacation to Barton Creek in Austin! Last year Aaron surprised me with two nights at the Barton Creek resort for our 1 year anniversary. I wasn't super excited before hand - In fact, I think I even complained a little about going to a "resort" in Austin. Ummm...lets just say that I was proven wrong - BIG TIME. It was oh so fabulous and now we are going again. This time we are just staying one night because its a tad on the expensive side, but we are going to milk the one day for all its worth. I plan on checking in early and checking out late. July 10th can't get here fast enough!<br /><br />Alright...I'm outtieRachaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08246052019301727873noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655753881777170968.post-1401839921524901792008-06-10T15:48:00.003-05:002008-06-10T15:56:10.170-05:00Covetous<p align="center">cov·et·ous<br />–adjective<br />1.<br />inordinately or wrongly desirous of wealth or possessions; greedy.<br />2.<br />eagerly desirous.<br /></p><p align="left">As you all know, for the past several months I have been "covetous". Yes. Yes...I am talking about the absolutely fabulous William Rast jeans that I have been wanting ever since I went to New York in the fall. Well I am "covetous" no longer. Last night my parents came in town for my birthday and guess what they brought with them........ WILLIAM RAST!!! I am wearing them right now and I feel ever so stylish. Thank you mom and dad - I love em! </p><p align="center"><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_wOWvlHWANRo/SE7qEqFTRiI/AAAAAAAAAUc/TL2idn7pWDk/s1600-h/wrast.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210359184651142690" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_wOWvlHWANRo/SE7qEqFTRiI/AAAAAAAAAUc/TL2idn7pWDk/s400/wrast.jpg" border="0" /></a></p>Rachaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08246052019301727873noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655753881777170968.post-18574993190050770072008-06-10T12:47:00.003-05:002008-06-10T12:55:56.361-05:00Thankfulness<a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_wOWvlHWANRo/SE7ADut9iMI/AAAAAAAAAUU/fNA9m95-G4w/s1600-h/worship.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210312989227190466" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_wOWvlHWANRo/SE7ADut9iMI/AAAAAAAAAUU/fNA9m95-G4w/s400/worship.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>This morning I read my friend Robin's blog... She and her husband are getting ready to go on a road trip up to Colorado. See, they both feel called to start a church in the Denver area and this is kind of a scouting trip to check out locations and such. Anyways, in her blog she mentioned that she got ready for the trip by doing all the usual things (packing, checking the map, and buying a new outfit or two). But, then it hit her that she hadn't been spiritually preparing herself for the journey.<br /><br />After reading her blog I commented about how quick I am to forget to spiritually prepare for things as well. Anyways, I left my comment and then signed off so that I could actually start doing my job at the Network. Well all of the sudden...it hit me. God answered a HUGE prayer that Aaron and I had been praying about for months. Our church has been without a music minister for a very very long time. Aaron and I have been praying and believing that God would bring us just the right person - and he did!<br /><br />On Sunday, Ryan Roberts said that he would be our music minister for the summer. He's a Baylor Football player (quarterback), so he's super busy during the school year but he has plenty of time this summer to lead worship for our little congregation at Hilltop Christian Fellowship. Thank you so much Lord for answering our prayer - we can't wait to see what great things your are going to do next!!</div>Rachaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08246052019301727873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655753881777170968.post-2437180574364086472008-06-10T12:12:00.002-05:002008-06-10T12:26:19.232-05:00Rough StartThis morning got off to a rough start...<br /><br />After walking the dogs and talking to my best friend Amelia, I came inside to get Aaron and Chris up because today is our day to pick up food for the local food pantry. We were a little bit behind schedule, but we made it out the door just in time. All the sudden Aaron's car started lurching and we noticed that the huge trailer we were pulling was bouncing all over the road. My hero of a husband kept the car under control and made it over to the side of the highway. It turns out that Chris had forgotten to fasten the trailer to the hitch (oops). It could have been a really dangerous situation, but thankfully nobody was hurt. Aaron was a little shaken up and pretty upset with Chris. But, we all moved on and got to the pick up site without any further trouble.<br /><br />Once there, we noticed all of our volunteers just standing around and there was no food in sight. My stomach just dropped and I started shaking with frustration. See...I'm the volunteer coordinator and I had called, begged, and pleaded to get all of the volunteers out there in the first place. And now there was NO FOOD to pick up. This is the 3rd time this has happened in the last three months and all of my volunteers were beginning to get a little fed up. So I got on the phone with the director of the CRISIS Center and asked what was going on. Turns out that he decided that he wanted to have food pick up on a different day and had neglected to let anyone know. Well, I couldn't hold my feelings in any longer...so I let him know just how I was feeling (and how all of the volunteers were feeling by this point). Needless to say, it was not a very pleasant conversation.<br /><br />Aaron and I invited everyone to come have breakfast with us at a local mexican food place and everything ended up being okay...but I have a feeling that most of these volunteers won't be coming back to help anymore. Bummer!Rachaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08246052019301727873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655753881777170968.post-37466771701494148122008-06-06T15:51:00.002-05:002008-06-09T15:15:54.624-05:00The Rule of FourFOUR THINGS ABOUT ME<br /><br />Rachael Johnson<br /><br /><br />A) FOUR PLACES I GO OVER AND OVER:<br />To my luxuriously fabulous bed because I love sleeping, to Chris’ baseball games, on long walks with my two pups (sometimes the cat, or Chris, or Aaron come along), and to work at the Waco Regional Baptist Network.<br /><br /><br />B) FOUR PEOPLE WHO E-MAIL ME (during the day)Waco Church People, Chris’ Caseworkers, My roomies from Italia, and if I’m lucky…my sweet husband.<br /><br /><br />C) FOUR OF MY FAVORITE FOODS:Yummm.. Hummus and Pita Bread, Chipotle Burritos, Frosted Flakes and Chocolate Milk, and Spinach Salad with Olive Oil.<br /><br /><br />D) FOUR PLACES I WOULD RATHER BE RIGHT NOW:The beach (sipping a margarita and getting a tan), getting a massage, playing outside with the family, or hanging out on the lake.<br /><br /><br />E) FOUR PEOPLE I THINK WILL RESPOND:Amelia, Andrea, Sarah, and EJ<br /><br /><br />F) FOUR THINGS I DON'T LIKE:Gas prices (youch!), being at work, complainers, and people who aren’t friendly – Texas Style!<br /><br /><br />G) FOUR MOVIES/TV Series I WATCH OVER AND OVER: Aaron’s football highlight videos (he was so cute as a little kid), The Office, Lord of the Rings, The Holiday<br /><br /><br />H) FOUR FAVORITE SOUNDS:Praise songs from the heart, Moving Water (oceans, rivers, streams), Wind, The Baylor Bells<br /><br /><br />I) FOUR FAVORITE SMELLS: Summer Rain, New Shoes/Tennis Balls/New Cars, Chanel Chance Perfume, and Fresh Flowers. (I also like the way Aaron smells when he’s sleeping…its so good!)Rachaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08246052019301727873noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655753881777170968.post-42993608343920253732008-06-06T13:29:00.006-05:002008-06-06T14:17:17.343-05:00A few pictures for your viewing pleasure<a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_wOWvlHWANRo/SEmKu_j144I/AAAAAAAAAT8/nGg_STa9Ypk/s1600-h/001.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208846983971070850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_wOWvlHWANRo/SEmKu_j144I/AAAAAAAAAT8/nGg_STa9Ypk/s400/001.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_wOWvlHWANRo/SEmKvvj145I/AAAAAAAAAUE/Vx0qyRM4wuw/s1600-h/104.JPG"></a><div><div><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_wOWvlHWANRo/SEmDbfj14qI/AAAAAAAAASM/27AcSw7WL6k/s1600-h/005.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208838952382227106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_wOWvlHWANRo/SEmDbfj14qI/AAAAAAAAASM/27AcSw7WL6k/s400/005.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_wOWvlHWANRo/SEmDb_j14rI/AAAAAAAAASU/Rexes0Msk7E/s1600-h/027.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208838960972161714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_wOWvlHWANRo/SEmDb_j14rI/AAAAAAAAASU/Rexes0Msk7E/s400/027.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_wOWvlHWANRo/SEmDcPj14sI/AAAAAAAAASc/kbFvMgXiqOg/s1600-h/037.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208838965267129026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_wOWvlHWANRo/SEmDcPj14sI/AAAAAAAAASc/kbFvMgXiqOg/s400/037.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><div><br /><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_wOWvlHWANRo/SEmDcvj14tI/AAAAAAAAASk/9AgM_7kTYLU/s1600-h/044.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208838973857063634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_wOWvlHWANRo/SEmDcvj14tI/AAAAAAAAASk/9AgM_7kTYLU/s400/044.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208845377653302082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_wOWvlHWANRo/SEmJRfj140I/AAAAAAAAATc/TVSxNQl51EU/s400/046.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208841778470707954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_wOWvlHWANRo/SEmF__j14vI/AAAAAAAAAS0/XA6acjBKKRE/s400/050.JPG" border="0" /></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208845369063367474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_wOWvlHWANRo/SEmJQ_j14zI/AAAAAAAAATU/91l9j4gUYl8/s400/047.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208841782765675266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_wOWvlHWANRo/SEmGAPj14wI/AAAAAAAAAS8/2tPOmlCMNI8/s400/086.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208841791355609874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_wOWvlHWANRo/SEmGAvj14xI/AAAAAAAAATE/JLcxgyrgXiw/s400/098.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208841799945544482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_wOWvlHWANRo/SEmGBPj14yI/AAAAAAAAATM/5eF6Q_jdd50/s400/100.JPG" border="0" /> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208845381948269394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_wOWvlHWANRo/SEmJRvj141I/AAAAAAAAATk/dk-1hK9zy50/s400/099.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208845386243236706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_wOWvlHWANRo/SEmJR_j142I/AAAAAAAAATs/_UlWPzbk7dg/s400/101.JPG" border="0" /><br /></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208845394833171314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_wOWvlHWANRo/SEmJSfj143I/AAAAAAAAAT0/zl4lBjfi82o/s400/102.JPG" border="0" /> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208847074165384098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_wOWvlHWANRo/SEmK0Pj146I/AAAAAAAAAUM/1Hpks43DCFI/s400/104.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><div>I couldn't seem to get my labels to fit in below the pictures, so here are some basic descriptions:</div><div> </div><div> - Corvette Museum</div><div> - Aaron and little cousin Elijah</div><div> - Me, Mom, and Elijah at the covered bridge by my grandparents house</div><div> - Fishing at my Aunt and Uncle's house</div><div> - Birthday Gifts.... Juicy Sweatsuit, New Necklace, and Fabulous Book</div><div> - Flowers (this doesn't even begin to do justice...Aaron filled the entire house!)</div></div>Rachaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08246052019301727873noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655753881777170968.post-73379655613859366832008-06-06T10:13:00.004-05:002008-06-06T10:44:20.848-05:00Oops I Did It Again(gotta love old school Britney!)<br /><br />Sorry for being MIA for over a week...things have been moving fast and furious around these parts. Here's an overview of what's been going on with the Johnson Family:<br /><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>ROADTRIP USA</strong></span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">We left last Wednesday night for my cousin's wedding up in Indiana. It was our first family roadtrip and I thought it was great! We stopped in Bowling Green, Kentucky the first night because Bowling Green is the home of the National Corvette Museum. I'd never been a huge corvette fan, but I wanted to keep the guys happy so of course we had to stop. Ummm...let me just say that I now LOVE corvettes! I don't think I'll be driving one anytime soon (I'm still happy with my little Acura), but they are SOOO COOL! The best part about the museum was the parking out front. They had a "Corvette Parking Only" area and the cars that were out there were even better than some of the ones inside the building.</span><br /><br />We also had to make a pit stop in Bowling Green so that I could go to the doctor....yep I had a horrible case of bug bites / poison ivy. Can you believe it....I literally had both bug bites and poison ivy covering my legs, booty, and stomach!!! How does this always happen to me??? But thankfully the doc gave me some medicine (that I'm still taking) and it made life so much easier.<br /><br />After Bowling Green, we drove the rest of the way up to Indy and had a great time with family. Wedding stuff took up the most of our short time there (0nly three days), but we made sure to get in some fishing, football playing, and strawberry-rhubarb pie eating.<br /><br />Here's a funny little story from the trip - Sweet ol' 8th grade Chris saw a cute little girl at the wedding who had also just finished the 8th grade. At one point in the night he come up to me and my dad and asked us if he should go talk to her. We of course told him yes and then said that he should even ask her to dance because she'd probably think he was really cool and brave for asking her. So, he worked up his nerve and headed over to her and proceeded to ask her to dance. Now I don't know exactly what was said, but she turned him down....CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT!!!!??? I felt horrible for Chris...8th grade is a rough time for guys and any girl that turns someone down for just a dance is terrible - What a little hussy!!!! In her defense she did seem really shy, but still...I'm on Chris' side!<br /><br />Anyways..we made it back safe and sound by Tuesday afternoon because I had to be back at work by Wednesday - boo!!!<br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#6600cc;">25th Birthday CELEBRATION!!!</span></strong><br />Yep I turned the big 2-5 yesterday. I had to work, but my sweet co-workers took me out to lunch at Panera (yum!) so that made the day a little better. Because Chris had his last regular season baseball game last night, we decided to put off really celebrating until Saturday So after work, we all went to the game where our team unfortunately lost horribly, but Chris hit a triple so at least he had a little something to smile about.<br /><br />Aaron and I drove separate, so I stopped at Sonic on the way home to pick up food for everyone. Well when I walked in the door...was I in for a surprise. My sweet husband and son had super deep cleaned the house (usually they just sorta pick things up and move them around), there were beautiful vases of flowers everywhere, and presents for me on the table!!! It was so wonderful to walk in the door and be surrounded by so much love...especially when I wasn't expecting anything until Saturday. Aaron and Chris both got me really special cards and some great gifts.<br /><br />All in all it was a great night...family, flowers, presents, SONIC, and a little Lord Of The Rings (wer are in the middle of watching the trilogy because Chris hadn't ever seen it).<br /><br />Anyways that about wraps it up...<br /><br />Cheers!Rachaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08246052019301727873noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655753881777170968.post-23537654440377924142008-05-28T13:33:00.004-05:002008-05-28T13:38:53.588-05:00<div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:180%;">"He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces finds mercy." </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:180%;">Proverbs 28:13</div></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:180%;"><p align="center"><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_wOWvlHWANRo/SD2mStgfZuI/AAAAAAAAAR8/xLYM7L-ANVg/s1600-h/Countryside%25207-420.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205499584693888738" style="WIDTH: 594px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 254px" height="279" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_wOWvlHWANRo/SD2mStgfZuI/AAAAAAAAAR8/xLYM7L-ANVg/s400/Countryside%25207-420.jpg" width="668" border="0" /></a></span></p>Rachaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08246052019301727873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655753881777170968.post-69459985773765913542008-05-21T10:18:00.003-05:002008-05-21T10:39:32.549-05:00Aaron's Projects<div align="center"> <a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_wOWvlHWANRo/SDRAloU8a7I/AAAAAAAAARU/GyglvWvmETM/s1600-h/009.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202854484744367026" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_wOWvlHWANRo/SDRAloU8a7I/AAAAAAAAARU/GyglvWvmETM/s400/009.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Here are a few pictures of things that Aaron has been working on up at church. He and Randy (one of our trusty church members) put in a sand volleyball court and a new playground. I know that some of you may thinking, "Why in the world would they put in a sand volleyball court at church?" Well here's the answer:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">1. Its Aaron Johnson we are talking about</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">2. Sand volleyball is really fun to play</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Yep, and that's about it. We think that it will be a good outreach tool for our youth group, but we've noticed that the adults really like playing too. My only complaint is that we didn't build a pool to accompany our court. I hate being sweaty and sandy and not able to jump in some cool refreshing water. Which reminds me...I miss the days of just running around in my bathing suit and/or shorts and sports bra. Now that I'm a pastor's wife, I have to remain fully clothed. For those of you that know me well...my summertime <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">attire</span> used to be wearing as little as possible. Oh how things change!<br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><p align="center"><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_wOWvlHWANRo/SDRAmIU8a8I/AAAAAAAAARc/wHd6d44clyI/s1600-h/034.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202854493334301634" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_wOWvlHWANRo/SDRAmIU8a8I/AAAAAAAAARc/wHd6d44clyI/s400/034.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center"><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_wOWvlHWANRo/SDRAmYU8a9I/AAAAAAAAARk/8Fjej2n1md4/s1600-h/035.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202854497629268946" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_wOWvlHWANRo/SDRAmYU8a9I/AAAAAAAAARk/8Fjej2n1md4/s400/035.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center"><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_wOWvlHWANRo/SDRAnIU8a_I/AAAAAAAAAR0/COw-Aceikiw/s1600-h/042.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202854510514170866" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_wOWvlHWANRo/SDRAnIU8a_I/AAAAAAAAAR0/COw-Aceikiw/s400/042.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center"><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_wOWvlHWANRo/SDRAmoU8a-I/AAAAAAAAARs/ekcvc2a4aus/s1600-h/039.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202854501924236258" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_wOWvlHWANRo/SDRAmoU8a-I/AAAAAAAAARs/ekcvc2a4aus/s400/039.JPG" border="0" /></a></p></span>Rachaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08246052019301727873noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655753881777170968.post-57174823761991060452008-05-19T14:29:00.000-05:002008-05-19T14:30:12.582-05:00My Parents New BabyWelcome Hilton Bella Harbour<br /><br />This past weekend was the grand opening of a new resort hotel in Rockwall, Texas. My parents built the hotel and have been slaving over this little project for the past 4 years. So it goes without saying that this weekend was something they had been looking forward to for a long time. Check out the resort at <a href="http://www.hotel-online.com/News/PR2008_2nd/May08_HiltonBella.html">http://www.hotel-online.com/News/PR2008_2nd/May08_HiltonBella.html</a>Rachaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08246052019301727873noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655753881777170968.post-5104564060774184732008-05-07T15:21:00.004-05:002008-05-07T16:08:33.557-05:00City of Love - part III<div align="center"><br /><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_wOWvlHWANRo/SCIZqQFdQQI/AAAAAAAAARE/pMhRdMCYuGQ/s1600-h/Versailles.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197745133602029826" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_wOWvlHWANRo/SCIZqQFdQQI/AAAAAAAAARE/pMhRdMCYuGQ/s400/Versailles.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_wOWvlHWANRo/SCIZqwFdQRI/AAAAAAAAARM/_eXeU6VhC_4/s1600-h/thug.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197745142191964434" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_wOWvlHWANRo/SCIZqwFdQRI/AAAAAAAAARM/_eXeU6VhC_4/s400/thug.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><span style="font-size:130%;">I know you are all thinking "wrap it up already!" So here is the end to the story...<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Aaron and I spent the next day seeing the sights of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Firenze</span>. Even though he was exhausted, he didn't give in to the jet lag and he let me drag him all over the city. I won't outline every detail of our day, but it was great to show him where I'd been living. The next day we took a train to Rome and had a blast stumbling upon the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Trevi</span> Fountain. Aaron loved the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">coliseum</span> and I loved introducing him to the sights of Rome. After we explored Rome, we caught a flight to the true city of love - Paris!!!!<br /><br />Paris was more amazing than I can possibly explain... we stayed in a rural area of the city in a quaint little hotel. Our room (don't worry - we had double beds :) had a perfect balcony that we would hang out on every morning when we woke up. It was so much fun exploring the city together - I loved showing him around Florence, but it was oh so much better to discover Paris together. And Aaron was the best traveling partner ever! I would get out the guide book and detail all of the places that we should see and Aaron would figure out how to get us there. Now I'm a pretty good world traveler and I've never had trouble finding my way around a new city, but Paris was a whole different story. I'm pretty sure that God was loving the fact that I had to actually rely on Aaron to help me...and it felt so good to know that Aaron was great at it! He figured out the Parisian subway system in no time and we explored to our hearts content.<br /><br />My favorite memory of our time in Paris would have to be the night we went to the top of the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Eiffel</span> Tower. It was absolutely freezing and so we bundled up and headed out to the Tower around 9:00 pm. On the way we grabbed two bottles of wine and a chocolate crepe. We ignored the sign that said "No Food or Drink" and hid everything under my jacket. When we got to the top we cracked open the bottles and drank to Paris, Love, and Adventure. Neither one of us drink now (well, okay I still have a margarita with the girls every once in a while), but the memory still makes me deliciously tipsy just thinking about it. It was the best night of my life and I'll never forget it.<br /><br />Another funny memory of Paris was the day we got kicked out of the Palace of Versailles. We were just finishing up the tour and the final room we came to was the grand ballroom. I had the sudden urge to dance, so I convinced Aaron to waltz me around the room. We laughed and waltzed and waltzed and laughed. I thought we were pretty talented at it, but obviously the guard didn't have the same opinion of our dancing. When he asked us to step outside, we both cracked up laughing and headed outside to the gardens.<br /><br />I tell Aaron that I fell in love with him in Paris. It was then and there that I realized that our relationship was something for me to cherish. Aaron was and still is the most amazing man I've ever met. Sure, he has his share of faults, but overall no one can compare with my husband. He traveled half way around the globe, toasted our love on top of the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Eiffel</span> Tower, and waltzed with me in the Palace of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Versailles</span>.... does it get any better than that?</span><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_wOWvlHWANRo/SCIZpwFdQNI/AAAAAAAAAQs/Xd5m1xPWb0Q/s1600-h/Champs.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197745125012095186" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_wOWvlHWANRo/SCIZpwFdQNI/AAAAAAAAAQs/Xd5m1xPWb0Q/s400/Champs.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_wOWvlHWANRo/SCIZqAFdQOI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/niuLuI4TS-8/s1600-h/Collesium.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197745129307062498" style="WIDTH: 309px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 374px" height="335" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_wOWvlHWANRo/SCIZqAFdQOI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/niuLuI4TS-8/s400/Collesium.jpg" width="287" border="0" /></a><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_wOWvlHWANRo/SCIZqAFdQPI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/sGgghKGhmH4/s1600-h/eiffle2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197745129307062514" style="CURSOR: hand" height="300" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_wOWvlHWANRo/SCIZqAFdQPI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/sGgghKGhmH4/s400/eiffle2.jpg" width="368" border="0" /></a>Rachaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08246052019301727873noreply@blogger.com4