Category Archives: Rachel

Friendship, Project 365, Rachel

Girl’s Night Out

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Hello, it’s Rachel again. Wait, don’t go, my mom asked me to blog, okay? Today my mother has been extremely busy organizing, cleaning, and rearranging our home. Sarah has been kindly helping her all day. What a blessing it is to have a mother who works so hard to make our house a home. She strives to create a welcoming atmosphere where fellowship and hospitality is not only encouraged, but demonstrated. I hope to someday be as gracious of a wife and mother as she has shown herself to be.

My dearest friend from WA, Jenny, graced our home with her presence this weekend. (This is literally the second time I’ve seen her & I’ve been home for a month so she’s lucky I still love her.) But, bitterness aside, any time spent with her is wonderful. We spent the day together – running errands, cleaning, playing cards, laughing, and enjoying each other. Unexpectedly, we both had the evening free and decided to have a “date night.” We dressed up (heels, dresses, hair, the works,) and headed out on an adventure.

Our outfits may clash, but we don't. ;)

Our outfits may clash, but we don’t. ;)

Sarah was kind enough to take a few photos of the “finished product.” (I don’t normally dress up, ok? It has to be duly documented when it happens.)

We love to laugh almost as much as we love each other.

We love to laugh almost as much as we love each other.

We ended up in Steilacoom right as the sun was setting. We ate at a little bar & grill located near the water. Sitting at a little corner booth near the window, we simultaneously joked and discussed life. (What best friends are supposed to do, right?)

bffs

bffs

We ordered a delicious slice of cheesecake and two cups of coffee. (Also delicious.) What a fun treat for both of us.

Isn't she so pretty? (The cheesecake is pretty too though.)

Isn’t she so pretty? (The cheesecake is pretty too though.)

What a joy it is to have this wonderful woman in my life. Jenny, today was an absolute dream, and it wasn’t because of the cheesecake. It was because of your sense of humor, your compassionate heart, your positive attitude, your brilliant mind, and your beautiful soul. You have been my best friend for 10+ years and I never want to give you up.

xoxo

xoxo


xoxo

Project 365 – Day 170
Rach

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A Tacoma Adventure

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Rachel has come home from college determined to really ENJOY the summer. She wants to try new things, travel, explore interesting areas, and, most of all, not waste the precious time she has off from school.

All of which to say, she does NOT think sitting around on a GORGEOUS Sunday afternoon is a good idea. Nor does she think I should stay inside cleaning when there are adventures to be had.

Look at that mountain!

Look at that mountain!

The only slight wrinkle in our adventuring plans was the fact that Daniel and the other CIT teens had my van, and we were home with Daniel’s car. Hmmmm, needs new tires and has a possible oil leak?

“Rachel,” I said, “I’m not willing to take off for the coast or Seattle in Daniel’s car.”

No offense, Danny Boy!

“Well, what can we do then?” she and Sarah asked. Looking to me for answers and something more interesting than the nearby parks and local dives.

“Clean the garage?”

“Um, Mom.”

“Sorry, I mean, declutter the upstairs?”

Rachel and Sarah looked at each other, “I don’t think she’s really understanding things,” they said with concern. Ha.

“Okay, I have a plan!” Thankfully they aren’t at all particular and trust me, so off we set for the wilds of Tacoma.

How can I resist time with my beautiful girls?

How can I resist time with my beautiful girls?

How did they grow up so fast?

How did they grow up so fast?

First stop – Stadium High School. What a beautiful school! And the location of teen movie from ’99. Which makes this a film field trip.

Stadium High School

Stadium High School

How's this for the setting of a football game?

How’s this for the setting of a football game?

We contemplated climbing over some locked gates to explore further – but decided to be law abiding citizens. We did, however, watch as a man disappeared through/over the fence to go down and train on the stadium stairs, and later observed a woman (obviously finished with her workout) climb back over the gate to leave the area. Interesting. Of course, it never SAID anything about trespassing. Still, a padlocked gate does send a certain message.

Even the fire escapes are picturesque!

Even the fire escapes are picturesque!

From there we went to Ruston Way to walk along the dock and enjoy some of Old Town.

Rachel was SO happy with our outing!

Rachel was SO happy with our outing!

Picture time!

Picture time!

The sunshine, warm weather and relaxed afternoon were perfect for our time together. The boys were all off, otherwise engaged, and we had several hours for mother/daughter time. Plus, I was able to impress the girls with my stick shift driving skills. Ahhhh, such a blessing to be together, live in a beautiful corner of the United States, and have the freedom and ability to go off exploring.

Organizing a messy garage or decluttering bedrooms does NOT compare to the sweet time we had together. Thank you, Rachel, for encouraging us to get OUT of the house. I love you girls!

Project 365 – Day 165
Kathy

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Home for the Summer

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One of the nice things about sending your kids off to college is that they sometimes come home.

And when they do, they often value their families a lot more than before they left. When you’re ready to get out on your own, ready to make something of yourself, you tend to take your family for granted. But when you’ve been away from them, you start to miss it (or at least you miss the good things).

Snuggled down, watching Merlin with David and Sarah (and several cats).

Snuggled down, watching Merlin with David and Sarah (and several cats).

It has been delightful to have Rachel home this summer. She brings a fun intentionality to our family gatherings — she seeks the kids out and pursues time with them. It was the same when Joshua was here, except he was here so briefly, we had to make do with a lot less of him.

Thank you, Rachel, for making us feel that we are important to you. Thank you for helping us to appreciate each other. We miss you when you are away at school!

Project 365, Day 163
Tim

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Buildin’ a Gate with My Girls

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Today Rachel and Sarah helped me build a double door gate as a new entrance to our back yard. Rachel and Sarah both used the drill with obvious dexterity. In fact, I think they caught on a little too quickly…

"Are you talking to me? Yes I do build gates."

“Are you talking to me? Yes I do build gates.”

I was afraid to lean in too closely

I was afraid to lean in too closely

Project 365 – Day 151

Tim

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Haircut Time

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I feel I should apologize for writing so many blog posts about Rachel, but really, when she and Joshua are off at college, we write almost exclusively about David, Sarah, and Daniel. Therefore, some would say I have to double up on Rachel to give her fair representation.

"I leave for a few months, and you forget me. Sigh."

“I leave for a few months, and you forget me. Sigh.”

Poor Joshua, he comes home tomorrow for a week. I guess every Project 365 will be centered on his TOO SHORT visit.

So excited to have him home!!!!

Things are coming to a close for the year. We celebrated the final AWANA ceremony this week. Our homeschool co-op ended several weeks ago. David and Sarah’s TPS (online) classes finished up this week. Their only remaining assignment is a final math test. Sarah completed her spelling today, and both kids did their last lessons of health. Wow! Love it when the end of a fabulous, but long, year is in sight. Ahhhh.

I slipped out of the house early this morning for coffee and a quick visit with two friends. The kids did school, then Rachel and I went to the salon for a summer haircut. A friend from church gave me a referral to her hair salon which came with an incredible discount on a cut.

This is as close to a before as I remembered to take.

Forgot to take a “before” picture. This is “in the middle.”

The stylist was so helpful – she pulled up a little footstool so I could sit with Rachel while she got her hair cut and styled, gave helpful advice about style and length, and did a GREAT job on Rachel’s cut.

Love the clip!

Love the clip!

Always enjoy outings with my oldest girl!

Always enjoy outings with my oldest girl!

Rachel celebrated her gorgeous new look with two handsome young men. Okay, they were 3 and 6, but still, I’m sure they really appreciated Rachel getting a makeover before babysitting. :)

David is jealous of Rachel’s new look. He wants a haircut himself and has been asking me for several days now (in his very respectful, typical David manner). Somehow the days keep zipping to an end with NO hair cut. Sorry, buddy. Tomorrow?

Does the hair add to his height?

Twins?

Twins?

Rachel isn’t ready for her younger siblings to get taller than her.

Um, I don't think that works, Rach.

Um, I don’t think that works, Rach.

Tomorrow we will get the house cleaned up for Joshua’s arrival. Always a good excuse to make everyone clean. Ooops, did I say that out loud?

Project 365 – Day 142
Kathy

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