cutest kid

I just wanted to share one of my most favorite pictures from this fall. My “nephew” William is growing up so fast—and is as smart as a whip. Already in preschool this year, I find it hard to believe that it was four years ago that he was a babe who was just learning to crawl. However, his smile still lights up my heart and I treasure every moment with this cutest kid around!

thankfulness

so, Jason & I have great reason to be thankful this thanksgiving. We are no longer the owners of a second home (& mortgage!) in Holland--the house sold! This is a huge praise and thanks to God as it has only been on the market since shortly after our wedding. I almost feel as though a huge weight has been lifted off of our shoulders--one house alone is enough to worry about--much less two! And, now, it almost feels like we can move on and settle into a routine in GR.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

so fun!

So exciting! I’m an “aunt” again! Jordan was born on November 12 and entered the world at a peanut size of 6 pounds and 2 whole ounces. But he is perfect! And such a babe. I was able to meet him yesterday and he was perfectly content to sleep the whole time in my arms. He will definitely be a big boy with his good size feet and long limbs, but for now it’s fun to have them small and manageable—because it won’t be long and he’ll be running around terrorizing the dog I’m sure! ;)

On another note, my weekend in the woods was perfect. Quiet, serene, and relaxing—all good things to recharge the emotional and mental batteries. I didn’t bring any deer home, but dad got two and my other families members also were able to get a few. A good time was had by all. And now I’m ready for the busy holiday months!

one hundred and one things #8

#8 I am a hunter.

I’m looking forward to a break—a hunting break that is! Yes, I hunt—well, at least I sit in a little blind in the woods with my propane heater and have a gun at my side in case I see any deer…I’ve actually only ever gotten one deer in my short hunting career. :)

About six years ago I decided that what my dad has done my entire life on November 15 looked like fun. I enrolled myself in a hunter’s safety course (required by Michigan law) and endured about four weeks of classes with pre-teenage boys and their fathers. It was quite interesting to say the least—I think they thought I was quite interesting as well. ;)

I know much controversy surrounds the concept of hunting…guns in the house, killing innocent animals, yadda, yadda, yadda…but my perspective comes from one of a family who has great respect for the power of firearms (I didn’t even know where my dad kept his guns for most of my life) and a great respect for the life cycle of God’s creation. My personal perspective on hunting? I honestly just enjoy sitting in the quiet woods and the camaraderie of being with my family. Whether I have a gun in my hands or not is beside the point in my book.

sick & tired

ugh. I HATE being sick--and it's been awhile since I've been this sick for this long. I started not feeling well last week Monday, I was feeling pretty good by Wednesday, and then Thursday morning woke up with my "sexy" voice. (which Jason has assured me is not sexy...) ;) On Friday I literally couldn't talk above a whisper, and Saturday wasn't too much better than Friday. All the while I've had this lovely cough too...but I'll spare you the details of that nastiness!

I'm blaming this all on Jason, as he was sick last weekend--and is still battling a nice cough. This is what husbands are for, correct? To take the blame of sharing such lovely germs? ;) So, today, I have my voice back, but I can't breathe out of my nose and am now literally sick of being sick. Oh, and just to squelch any festering rumors: I am NOT pregnant. ;)

newest pastime

Okay—I admit it. I am hooked on Facebook. (or “myface” as my mother calls it…) I went on it simply because some friends of mine at church were talking about it, only to find out that not only are they on it, but so are a lot of other people from my past and present! My brother even welcomed me to the 21st century… ;)

I was a little hesitant at first because my previous experiences with internet—you never post your last name or any other identifying information. Come to find out that on facebook, it’s actually best to put your entire name so people can find you! Go figure. So, not only do I have my full name (including maiden name) posted, but a link to this blog too—so I suppose the whole world can now know what Rachel is thinking…

in other news...

(In an attempt to "catch up" from this summer regarding things I wanted to update on...)

Earlier in the year I reported that I was to have an article published in a nursing journal—well, over the summer, the issue was printed! Interesting to have not only your name in print, but words that you remember writing are also put into print in an actual journal. All I can say is…very cool. :)

I wish I could post a link to the actual article, but it’s not accessible to the general public. And, because I signed off on a copyright—I don’t technically own the rights to the article either—it belongs completely to the publisher. I can post a link to the journal site, and if any of you out there really want to read it…well, maybe you’ll have to purchase the journal…;)