Trick or treat...

Trick or treat
Smell my feet
Look at me
I'm a bumble bee!!!

Unexpected disaster.

I got to see Elias today. He is so cute and has such an adorable personality already. I just can't hold him enough...well except when he starts crying ;) I've held plenty of babies but I always hold them like an egg--fragile and ready to crack with one false move...but Ashley and mom just handle him like a real person...I'm sure I'll warm up to that one day but for now, I'd feel really bad if I ripped an arm off or something. After dinner, we raced home because we were late getting back to feed Corky. The entire time, we were talking about what we were afraid he may have destroyed...he does that when he gets mad or feels lonely. The only thing we could think of that we had left that MIGHT be of interest to him was the tablecloth. We get home, fully expecting to see the aforementioned tablecloth in shreds to not finding Corky at all. Then we hear him barreling down the stairs...and we remember....we forgot to close the bedroom doors. Upstairs, we find clothes that had been in the dirty laundry strewn about, some shredded some looked as though they had simply been carried around for fun...and then over by the bed, the trashcan was tipped over and all the kleenex and random trash was EVERYWHERE. One thing about it, Corky certainly kept himself busy while we were gone.

Stunning in its simplicity

One of my favorite things to do is take pretty pictures with my new camera. So today, I came home a little stressed out about some things at work and trying to keep the faith that everything will work out as it should. Corky trots over greets me just as excited as ever and then I see these beautiful daisies that I bought last week for a project I was doing. This flower is stunning in its simplicity...like many other things in life. However, I often times walk by the simple things focusing on the dramatic, attention-seeking aspects of my days. It gets tiring having to put out so many fires in one day. So it's nice to be able to look at the ordinary things, take a breath of fresh air and smell the daisies. Now I just need to learn to do it more.

Time for a change.

Well it's been over two years since I've cut my hair short short....I feel like I've been "growing it out" forever!!! I look back at the last three anniversary pictures and my hair has not changed much. So, as with many things in my life, it's time for a change. It's a little shorter than I had expected but I really do love it so I'm sure I'll just love it more as it grows out a little.

Guess who...

is cutting their hair....





Yup...




That's right....




it's...




ME....












New pictures will soon follow~

Random Ramblings from Rachel...

I feel like I have so much to say, yet struggle to find the words. I don't often feel that way :) I have been reading the Twilight series and am, unexpectedly, enjoying it. Ironically, it's helping me get perspective on some things in my life that I just can't understand. I'm almost through the second book and have two more to go...so those of you who have read it in it's entirety, don't ruin it for me :) It's almost time for my ten year high school reunion...it feels like not that long ago that I was sitting in class, aching to have it all be over. Many can tell you, though, that my memories of high school are faded but I still remember how I felt, certain people that impacted my life and things I wish I could go back in time for. I'm still debating on whether I will actually attend the reunion-but I'm glad I have the option. There are some people that I've lost touch with that would make it worth going...so we will see. Also, as many of you know, my camera got destroyed on our trip to Ohio in August...So I have having to do without since then. I love taking pictures, even though I'm not as great as some of you (Stephanie, Camille and Christina to name a few celebs). When I brought my camera home yesterday, I started using it right away...However, I looked a hot mess (not quite sporting my sweats, but close) so there was no way I was going to take any self-portraits...Therefore, I used Corky as my model...I mean, he is way too cute not to be in pictures.

My everyday journey with Lupus.

Every 12 weeks I have to see my Rheumatologist for an exam. He asks questions about my symptoms, does a physical exam, bloodwork and a urinalysis. FUUUUN! Every 12 weeks I dread these appointments but today I really really didn't want to go. He always suggests that I take Prednisone...a steroid (ummmmm no)..and everytime I tell him that. So today I was expecting much of the same and for the most part, it was like any other visit. However, I have been falling down a lot lately, not able to keep my balance, feeling dizzy, forgetting simple things, etc. So because of this, he wants me to see a neurologist. I'm sure it's nothing but I'm also sure that it will even less fun! I am grateful, however, that I have such a nice Rheumatologist and one that listens to what I want my treatment plan to look like. Hopefully this next specialist will be just as supportive.

Baby Elias

Well after two days, baby Elias is here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was so great being able to be at the hospital to do what we could to be helpful. Stephanie was wonder woman and John was super daddy. They were both troopers and were there for Ashley every second. Ashley deserves a medal for all of her hard work...and let me tell you, it was VERY hard for her-there were some scary moments but they both made it and are doing very well. Ben and I got to spend a lot of time with Avery and learned exactly how smart and fun he can be!!! He kept us entertained for sure!!! Our camera is out of commission but Stephanie took pictures after Eli was born so I'm sure they will be online when she gets home. All I can say is that he is one good looking boy and I am one proud auntie!