BIG news

Since 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!

We are in the process of adopting Chris!!!!!

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.

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!)

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.

Anyways...just wanted to fill ya'll in!

Momentum

I led the youth group Bible study at church tonight and we talked about an awesome subject: DISCIPLINE.

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!

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.

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!

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!

Peace and Love,

Rachael

Being a Cadet

One 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 4th grade Reading and Language Arts teacher at Connally Elementary here in Waco. Its my very first year and although I love it...it's stinking hard sometimes!

My school is on the north side of Waco (in between the tiny town of Elm Mott and the big ol' Walmart in Bellmead). Connally is a really strange mix of all different types of people. The students who feed into Connally are typically low income. We are also EXTREMELY ethnically diverse. It was a huge wake-up call after growing up in Rockwall where everyone looks the same and has at least a couple dollars in the bank.

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:

HATES
1. Getting up at the buttcrack of dawn to be at school by 6:30 am.
2. Grading 4th grade writing compositions. They're not so great at writing yet and I can't seem to do anything to fix it.
3. The smell of 22 children after recess on a hot day.
4. Kids who need to call their moms about every little thing.
5. Kids who get mad and still throw crazy temper tantrums.
6. Keeping up with all the paperwork - AHHHH!
7. Trying to do 40 things at once and still stay sane.
8. Rainy days that keep the kids cooped up all day.
9. Giving the kids free time. They are just too loud!
10. Knowing that one of my students is having a rough time at home and not being able to do much about it.

LOVES
1. Trying to show kids the love of Christ every day. Its hard, but so worth it!
2. All the funny stories that I tell anyone that's even slightly interested.
3. Listening to my students read out loud.
4. When one of my kids finds a book they just love.
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.
6. Free ice cream day at the cafeteria.
7. All the wonderful teachers who encourage me and give me great advice.
8. When a student sincerely apologizes after doing something wrong.
9. Students that are willing to help each other out.
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.

Go Cadets!
Rachael

It's been a while

Hi friends,

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!

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!

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.

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 uberChristians.

Seriously...check it out!!!!!!!

Peace,

Rach E. J.

Back Again

Sorry Everyone -

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!

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??!!

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!).

Well TFL is about to head to the gym and then I'm off to the movies to see Momma Mia with some girlfriends.

TTYL,

Rach EJ

The first pic is me and Kaitlyn at camp pretending to be bored - we really weren't, I promise :)

Then the last picture is of Lindsey... I didn't actually take the picture, instead I just stole it off her facebook!!

Step on my piece of grass...

(the title only works if you were at Lake Pointe church camp circa 1998)

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?

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!

Peace Homies,
R Dawg

A few of my favorite things these days...
1. The new Olympic Coke cans
2. Reeces Peanut Butter Cups
3. "Three Cups of Tea" by Greg Mortenson
4. My new diamond and aquamarine necklace that Aaron gave me for our two year anniversary

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.

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.

-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.
-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)
-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.
-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.
-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.

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.

PS.. Sorry for the gargantuan picture