Baby Fullen..... 22 weeks!

I'm Loved... I think it is really catching on!

When I was a kid, I told my mom, "Everyone who knows me loves me, I think." Well guys, this is really spreading. Now, even perfect strangers love me. I was in McDonald's eating (baby Fullen really is craving Quarter Pounders) and I saw a guy with a sweatshirt on that said, "This is my I love Rachel sweatshirt." Amazing!

Hunt 2008

Ultrasound 12 Weeks

Here is the picture of our last ultrasound. Our baby is the black and white one. ;)

Gold Cord by Amy Carmichael

I've been reading this book off and on for 2 years. I pick it up and read a little and then put it aside for months on end. The last time I picked it up, I read this quote by Kahlil Gibran.....yeah, I don't know who he is either. However, I love what this says.

For even as Love crowns you so shall He crucify you.
Even as He is for your growth so is He for your pruning.
Even as He ascends to your height and caresses your tenderest branches that quiver in the sun,
So shall He descend to your roots and shake them in their clinging to the earth.
Like sheaves of corn He gathers you unto Himself.
He threshes you to make you naked.
He sifts you to free you from your husks,
He grinds you to whiteness,
He kneads you until you are pliant;
And then he assigns you to his sacred fire, that you may becom sacred bread for God's sacred feast.

Our Crazy Friend

Here is a video of our friend Chad. He is one crazy dude! Sorry, I couldn't figure out how to embed the video, but here is the link.

Good News

If you haven't already heard......

WE'RE PREGNANT!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm only 7 weeks along, but we were able to go to the doctor today and see the heartbeat. I'm adding a picture of the ultrasound which was taken by Jason's cell phone. It's quite blurry....sorry.

I'm a Football Widow Again!

Well, It's that time of year. Every Sunday after church until late Monday night I don't see my husband. He is glued to the television watching football. I've tried to start watching it and get interested, but unless there is some drama or long standing conflict between the players, I can't focus. Also, I can't really stand all the noise associated with football. Sometimes I wonder if I would like it more if I couldn't hear the fans and if the announcers sounded more like sweet little old ladies instead of soldiers about to head into battle. I think all that noise makes me feel really nervous.

Power Outages

After reading Kristen's blog, I was comforted to know that I'm not the only one who reports power outages. Jason always makes fun of me when I report them. He says that everybody is reporting them. My fear is that everyone is sitting at home thinking that everyone else has reported them and that the electric company is in the breakroom having coffee and donuts thinking all is well.

Summer Reading Recap

My 2008-2009 school year begins tomorrow. I'm actually not dreading this year as much as I have dreaded previous years because I really love the school where I teach and the faculty with whom I teach. (It always sounds really weird not ending a sentence with a preposition. It always sounds so formal.) Anyway....where was I AT? :)

Oh, yeah. I would like to recap my summer reading.

1. The Shack (I totally agree with this guy about this book. I had so many conflicting emotions throughout the book.)
2. Blue Like Jazz (I loved this book...every word)
3. Excerpts from The Gold Chord by Amy Carmichael (I've been reading this book for about a year. It is a great book, with amazing stories about her work in India.
4. Letters by a Modern Mystic... A challenging book about living with a constant, moment-by-moment, awareness of the presence of God.
5. Real Simple Magazine (May, June, and July 2008.....This is my favorite magazine!)
6. Runner's World Magazine (June, 2008... An inspiration to run further and faster)

New York Vacation Highlights

Here is a picture from our vacation to New York. One of the highlights was when Jason, Jodie and her niece, Casey, and I were driving along this little road and we turned and saw this site from the bridge above. We stopped and climbed down to it to get some pics. It is such an amazing feeling to feel the breeze as the water rolls off the rocks into the river below. I think probably one of my favorite things in nature is a waterfall. They absolutely make me feel alive inside.

Right around the corner from here is a wonderful bakery that makes the most amazing wood-fired artisan breads. They also make the most delicious scones and cookies. We bought a lemon-ginger scone, a cranberry-walnut scone, a chocolate chip cookie, and a loaf of sourdough bread. Mmmmmmm! It was all so good.

I'm a climber!

I went rock climbing today for the first time. It was a lot of fun. If you haven't tried it, you should.

Rosemary Chicken Skewers with Berry Sauce

Here is a recipe I found on the Simply Recipes site that I haven't had the time to try, but intend on making soon. One change I think I'll make is to use lime juice instead of white wine. I'm not too much a fan of white wine on grilled chicken.

Rosemary Chicken Skewers with Berry Sauce Recipe

Ingredients
For the chicken:

4-6 boneless chicken thighs or breasts (about 1 1/2 pounds), skin on or off
2 tablespoons of chopped, fresh rosemary
1/4 cup of dry white wine or vermouth
1 teaspoon of pepper
2 tablespoons of olive oil
For the sauce:

1 3/4 cup of fresh or frozen blackberries or boysenberries
1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons of red currant jelly (or berry jam or jelly)
1/4 teaspoon of ground nutmeg
Method
1 Cut the chicken into 1 1/2 inch pieces and place in a bowl. Mix with the wine, oil, rosemary, and pepper. Cover and set aside to marinate in the refrigerator for one hour.

2 Remove the chicken pieces from the marinade, reserving the marinade. Thread the chicken onto skewers and season generously with salt.

3 Grilling Preheat the grill for direct high heat. Brush the grill grates with olive oil. Place chicken skewers on grill and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, 4 to 5 minutes per side. Place on a platter and cover with foil to allow the chicken to rest.

4To make the sauce, place the marinade and the berries in a sauce pan and simmer gently until the berries are soft. Press through a strainer and discard the pulp.

5 Return the juice and marinade mixture to the pan. Add the vinegar, jelly, and nutmeg and bring to a boil. Simmer, uncovered until it has reduced by about 1/3 to a light syrup-like consistency.

Plate the skewers and spoon the sauce over the chicken. Serve immediately.

Back Scratchers

What is it about a seeing a back scratcher that makes your back start itching?

Work Camp

This week, Jason and I have take 7 jr. high students to a work camp in PA. We spent the last 3 nights on the floor of a church in sleeping bags. The first night was a little rough trying to sleep, but each night has gotten better.

We've spent our days helping out at a retirement community. On Monday, we worked with the most disabled residents. Most of them have demmentia and are unable to walk or hold conversation. We took about a dozen of them outside and sat with them for most of the morning. In the afternoon, the girls and helped out with "Glamour Day" by painting the ladies' fingernails. For those that managed to stay awake during the whole manicure, they were very appreciative. Tuesday, we worked at the assisted living facility by helping out with gardening in the morning and we played games with the residents in the afternoon. Today, we worked at the independent living residents' homes pulling weeds. It has been so nice to see the empty faces light up as they see us walk down the hallway. They are so delighted to have visitors that are young and full of life.

One thing that has been in my mind this whole week has been what Jesus said to Peter in John 21. Jesus said, "Feed my sheep. I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go." I pray that I don't waste my life on things that don't matter. I want the years that I get to live to count for eternity.

Update on the Summer of the 400-page Manual

Well, the first trip of Summer is over and I'm now gearing up for camp. The last two weeks I've been in Texas visiting family and friends. Here are a few pictures of me in TX with my nephew. While I was helping them take down some old fencing, this colt kept following us.

Manual Update: I'm a 1/4 of the way through and feeling quite overwhelmed.

Stomach Virus vs. Head Cold Survey

If you had to choose between a 24hr. stomach virus or a head cold, which would you choose?

The Animal Kingdom is Going Amuck

Well, I don't know what all is going on in the animal kingdom, but things must be really bad. This morning on my way to work there was a suicide bunny and a suicide mocking bird that tried to sacrifice themselves in front of my car this morning. Also, during dinner, a kamikaze bee flew directly into my face. Not sure what's happening, but you guys might want to watch out. Things must be really bad out there for our furry friends.

I've been tagged!!!

I've been tagged in this questionnaire game by Mrs. Amy!
Here it goes:

What were you doing 5 years ago?

1. Teaching at Hudson High School
2. Working with students in Inside Out Student Ministries
3. Having the Wrights, Conns, and Burches over for homemade pizza and chocolate chip cookies.
4. Saving money to buy our first house.
5. ??? Can't remember much else.

What are 5 things on your to-do list today (not in any particular order)?


1. Run with my husband. We ran 10 miles. Whoo! Whoo!
2. Go to church.
3. Serve in the nursery.
4. Serve in Elevate.
5. Do laundry. However, I chose to hang out with friends instead.

What are 5 snacks you enjoy?

1. Triscuits and Cheese.
2. Nilla Wafers and Peanut Butter
3. Peanuts
4. Graham Crackers and Peanut Butter with Fresh Strawberries
5. Chips and Queso or Guacamole

What 5 things would you do if you were a billionaire?


1. Pay off my student loans
2. Go on more mission trips and pay for others to go as well.
3. Drill water wells in Africa.
4. Travel
5. Buy land and build a house on it. The land would need a river or stream which runs through it.



What are 5 of your bad habits?

1. Interrupting others.
2. Feeling like my life is in shambles if I have more than 1 loads of clothes waiting to be washed.
3. Procrastinating
4. Textin while driving....I know, I know. I shouldn't do it. Sometimes I can't resist.
5. Saying too much.

What are 5 jobs you have had?

1. Department Store Sales Associate
2. Bank Teller
3. Youth Intern
4. Snow ball maker
5. Teacher


What are 5 places you have lived?


1. Nacogdoches, TX
2. Lufkin, TX
3. Westminster, MD (with the Burches)
4. Reisterstown, MD

What 5 people do you want to tag?

1. Jason
2. Jodie Zorbaugh
3. Jessica Sallstrom
4. Jen V.
5. Danielle Jones

Anybody Out There?

Just wondering if anyone still reads this. Sorry it's been so long since I've posted. Things have been really crazy. I'm trying to wrap up the end of the year at school and I've been staying late at school each evening. Once I get home, cook dinner, and do some housework, there's not much time left to blog. :(

I guess the latest news in my life is that this next year I'm going to try to become a Nationally Certified Teacher. It is going to be quite a rigorous process, but the benefits at the end of 2009 will be worth it...that is, if I succeed. This afternoon, I sat down and downloaded the 400 page manual which explains the process. I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed.

So far, here are my summer plans.

Last day of school: June 11th
First week: Write curriculum for the World Languages Department
June 16-29th or 30th I'll be in Texas...reading the 400 page manual.
July 7-11th: I'll be at Youth Camp ...reading the 400 page manual.
July 27th -July 31st(ish): Going with Jodie to her family's cabin in New York. and...reading the 400 page manual.

I think I might name this summer, "The Summer of the 400 Page Manual".

Retraction

Well, I must confess that I have not yet learned how to play Texas Hold'em. Our friends canceled on us at the last minute, but we have a rain check. I felt like I should go ahead and confess this. I would hate to be lying to the whole World Wide Web. It would be too much for me to bear.

Road Names

Since moving to MD, I've seen some road names that have made me giggle inside.

1. Portia's Delight
2. Tracey's Store Rd.
3. Yeoho Rd.
4. Pretty Boy Dam Road (Sounds like someone tried to cuss and got it all out of order.)

IT'S FRIDAY!!!!!!!!!

Last year Jason and I bought half of a cow and put in in the freezer (after processing, of course). The meat tastes really good. The only downfall is that the ground beef isn't really that lean. I always drain it and rinse it to get as much fat off of it as possible.

Tonight we are firing up the grill and cooking steaks and ribs. Mmmmmm! It's going to be so good.

Later tonight, Adam and Nicole Hunsicker are going to come over and teach us how to play Texas Hold'em. They couldn't believe we were from Texas and didn't know how to play.

Hiking

I've been hiking twice for the last couple of days. The weather here has been absolutely beautiful. It has been so nice to get outside. Here are a few pictures from our outing.

Antshillvania

Did any of you ever listen to this record as a kid? I used to love it. The story is the story of the Prodigal Son. However, it takes place in Antshillvania (an ant hill). One of the ants named ANTony decides he is going to leave and become famous. Here is the song he sings before he leaves town.

I think it is a really funny song to sing when you find yourself in a conversation about making money or getting rich. Right when everyone in the conversation is convinced they are going to become "rich", I like to sing this song. I'm really weird, I know.

Chase vs. Tag

So the other day in my Spanish 3 class, I was totally made fun of for calling "tag", "chase". My students thought that was the craziest thing. One of the kids in the back of the room said, "So what do you call hide-n-seek?-- "go and find"? I thought this was really funny.

What do you call it? Chase or Tag?

Easter Dinner

I've decided to make Easter dinner for a few people and I'm still trying to figure out what to cook. Any of you have any good ideas? I'm taking suggestions.

Vantage Point

Going to see Vantage Point tonight. I'm so excited!!!!

What I Love About Jason

1. The way he can "belly-laugh" at a t.v. show or a video even when no one is in the room with him
2. His way of making me realize that things are never as bad as I think they are.
3. His smile
4. The way he cheers for football
5. The way he can move me from my selfishness to gratitude
6. His spontaneity.
7. The way he can actually lie down while sitting in a chair.
8. The way he goes from ride to ride at amusement parks. He practically runs from ride to ride so he can get the most out of his money.
9. His new found love for coupons and getting good deals.
10. The way he loves me and others around him.

Rachel's Schedule

Wake up
Go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go,
go some more,
a little more,
Go home,
Go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go,
Watch Lost or American Idol for 40 minutes, (no commercials!)
Go to bed.

What happened to Rachel?

Anyone wonder what happened to Rachel Ray? She used to be really cool and hip. Now when I watch her show she just gets on my nerves. She is so cheesy now and she does wierd things with her words. She always says things like "yummo", "delish", and "e.v.o.o." I used to like to watch her show but now I can't get past the crazy talk. She is beginning to remind me of Bob Sagett.

I know I'm being critical and I know that Jesus loves her.

Surprises

Well, Jason and I are going to get out of town this weekend. I have off Monday and Tuesday so we're going to leave after church on Sunday and come back on Tuesday. I'm not sure where we're going.....it's a surprise. I'm about to go crazy trying to figure out where we're going.

I have sort of a love/hate relationship with surprises. When I know there is a surprise coming to me, I want to know what it is immediately. It drives me crazy and I can't stop thinking about it. However, if I do figure out the surprise early, I'm disappointed that I found out.

"Rainy Days and Mondays Always Get Me Down"

I've always loved that song. I'm a huge fan of The Carpenters. The Lyrics of that song flooded my mind this morning as I entered the school this rainy, Monday morning. Luckily, the later part of the title didn't come to fruition or as my husband likes to say, "truition".

Today was a good day. Everything at school went rather smoothly. After work, I went to dinner with some coworkers to Ledo's pizza. Ledo's has now become my favorite kind of pizza. It has a super, thin, crispy crust with a sweet, tangy sauce, and is made in a square pan, thus---corner pieces!

After dinner, I planned on coming home and washing the sheets on my bed, but my wonderful husband had made the bed. Thanks to him, I get to go one more day without washing them. So, instead of worrying about housework, I'm going to curl up on the couch with a good book until bedtime. I just can't possibly think about doing any other housework if the sheets on my bed are dirty.

Music

Who is a music artist that you think is famous, but in your opinion lacks talent?

SNOW!!!!!!

It's snowing! I truly think snow is God's gift to me so I don't go crazy with the cold, dreary, wintry days. I really don't like cold weather, but when it snows I don't mind the low temperatures so much.

On snowdays I don't ever really get much accomplished. I find myself just sitting beside the window watching it. Sometimes I get up and think to myself, "I've got to get busy". However, if I do get up and go do something, I find that I just end up sitting in a different room staring out a different window.

Snowflakes are so amazing. When examined closely, they really do look like those paper cut-outs we used to make in school. And, no two are alike...so they say. Not really sure how that is proven, I'm sure glad that's not my job.

Why is it that I can be completely exhausted, but can't make myself go to bed? Anyone else put themself through this same misery?