alex's senior pics

One of the girls from our youth group asked me to do her senior pics. 

We had to keep re-scheduling because of rain, 

but when we were finally able to take them - man, I was so excited with how they turned out!

Thanks, Alex! 

Hope you like them!

a year later

Last October, I had the opportunity to take photos of my dear friends, Patti and Zac,

for their adoption profile.

Since this picture, there have been many mountains and valleys in their lives.

Ecstatic joy and unimaginable heartache. 

It has been incredible to watch their marriage thrive and their faith in God grow.

Seeing in action what it means to trust God in all circumstances.

So this fall - a year later - I am elated to share their most recent family photo.

My heart is so happy for this beautiful family of three.

Z&P - Congratulations! 

We love you guys.

dear mom,

I grew some little bites of sunshine.

And since I don't eat them, I need some help.

Please come over.

Love,

Rachel

feb. photo-a-day 3,5

Well, I hadn't anticipated falling off the bandwagon as quickly as I did!
I did take a picture of "hands", but I can't remember if it was on the correct day.
I did not take a picture of a stranger.
I did end up taking a picture approximately around 10am today.

3. hands

 5. 10am

somebody is sad that she's not allowed in the bedroom.

p.s. check out the new, girly collar!

(check in at fat mum slim!)

Happy Super Bowl!

Who are you rooting for?

I guess I don't really care... 

Doug is telling me to root for the Pats because Tom Brady went to U of M. 

I suppose that can be my excuse to adore Tom Brady, right? Wink!

february photo-a-day

(read more at fat mum slim)

Guys. I can't promise this will last beyond today, but here's to trying.

Aaaaand, since I'm already behind, here's day 1 and day 2.

1. view today
(i took this picture today, but it's a truer picture of yesterday.
stupid cold.)

2. words

(this hangs on my wall next to my desk. always need a reminder.)

Join in, friends!

newborn photography: isabelle

One of my friends & co-workers, Elise, just had a beautiful baby girl - Isabelle Marie.

Today I got to take newborn pics of her little bundle of joy!

10 on 10.10

GUYS! I remembered to do 10 on 10. Um, but right now I'm at school and I don't have the cord to my camera, so you're going to have to wait to see all my glorious pictures. Ah, suspense...

**Edit** Okay, the much-anticipated photos. I present you with my fake instagram photos, because I'm not cool enough for an iPhone. Yet.

[1]

 [2] 

[3] 

 [4] 

[5] 

 [6] 

[7] 

 [8] 

[9] 

 [10]

[1] Unlike the rest of the country, PCA doesn't celebrate the subjugation of entire races of people. In other words, we had school today. I left the house early and got myself a little treat to start my Monday.

[2] Finally finished grading my freshman kiddos' Great Expectations projects.

[3] Whee! A co-worker surprised me with a treat!

[4] My prep hour - browsing through my crockpot cookbook from Aunt Jan, looking for a soup to make for "October birthday treats" luncheon tomorrow...

[5] Sneak preview of our class pumpkin that's due tomorrow! So excited...

[6] Okay, here's a funny story. I'm the worst sister ever, and haven't sent Emily any packages yet (I know - seriously?! What's wrong with me?!) So, last night I made cookies and went to the post office today... and forgot that postal workers are white supremacists (just kidding, anyone who doesn't know my sense of humor...) and therefore lovers of Christopher Columbus and therefore NOT OPEN. So now the cookies will definitely be stale. Sorry, Em.

[7] Convenient roadwork right outside our garage...

[8] Someone was really excited to see me get home.

[9] School clothes. FALL FASHION! Shirt: Calvin Klein, thrifted (and I found out today why - some of the buttons don't like to stay buttoned... yikes. Good thing I had an undershirt on, or class today might have been really interesting.) Pants: Express, like 3 years ago. Shoes: Aeropostale like 4 years ago - for TWO DOLLARS. Boom, baby.

[10] Leaves outside our house. Pretty. I love fall. 

Hooray! My first successful 10-on-10! (Even though I maybe cheated and did 10 pictures in 9 hours. Shh.)

I joined in on the fun here - you should too!

6 on 10?

I've been wanting to do the 10-on-10 photo thingy for months. MONTHS. And every time I forget! So I just saw Manda's post and realized, yet again, I'd forgotten to take a picture each hour! Thankfully, I took a few pictures throughout the day anyway, though! Even though 3 of these are technically the same thing... I present you with my 6-on-10. Dang it.

[1] [2]

[3] [4]

[5] [6]

[1] Newborn onesie for Jeanette's shower today.

[2] Ruffle butt of the same onesie.

[3] All wrapped up & ready to go.

[4] On the way home from the shower - gorgeous drive!

[5] Stopped by the side of the road to pick a little bouquet.

[6] Dinner time.

Maybe I'll remember on October 10th... someone should probably remind me.

p.s. check out my most recent senior session here.

fall walk

These are pictures from about 2 weeks ago when Doug & I took Zooey on a walk. It was a glorious fall day & I had several moments walking through the woods where I caught my breathe and wondered momentarily if I had died. I mean that in the least morbid way.

Tomorrow night we're hosting "Secret Church" for the youth group at our house... which means I'm off to bake - you guessed it! CUPCAKES!

thursday thoughts

...Lord am I thine? art thou, Lord, mine? So rich!

How doth thy Wealthy bliss branch out thy sweets

Through all things Present? These the Vent-holes which

Let out those Ravishing Joys our Souls to greet?

Impower my Powers sweet Lord till up they raise

My 'Fections that thy glory on them blaze...

-Edward Taylor, Things Present

crawling out of the hole

I just Skyped with my folks a couple days ago & my dad mentioned that I "must be busy" because I haven't "blogged or Facebooked" - true. There is a lot going on these days. Also, the inevitable has finally occurred & some of my students discovered my blog. So I hoped that if I didn't update for a while they'd get bored and forget about it. That also means I have to stop writing bad things about my students, I suppose...

Carrying on...

I took fall family pics for my friend Marisa again last week. I borrowed my friend Sara's Canon since my lens is still broken. :( Yes, an emoticon. That's how upset I am. Anyway - some favorites:

Kallie, Brenden, Riley

In other news, we had our first phone conference with the Africa team this afternoon! As Scott (team leader from W.O.) was discussing a medical clinic we'll be helping with, I grabbed Doug's arm and excitedly mouthed "WE ARE GOING TO AFRICA!!" We leave in 25 days.