If you haven't ridden a bike lately, may I please recommend that you right that wrong? 

There truly is something magical about going for a little cruise. For me it makes me feel like everything is going to be all right, that my burdens are lighter and I have the clarity I so need in that moment.

Have a great weekend and do something worth blogging about!

A Little Lovely

When you search "it gets better" on Google, the rainbow banner shows up at the bottom of the text box. 

And that is a lovely thing.

I Love Here

I know I blather on and on about DC all the time but heres a secret.....I don't actually live in DC! Is your mind blown? I thought so. 

Living in DC would take way more money than I care to spend on housing at this point in my life, but I'm always tempted. I live right outside the city in Virginia. It's so close I can actually see it from parts of my neighborhood. 

I commute into the city almost every day for work and I LOVE the hustle and bustle that takes place there. Then to come home to my suburbia at night is tremendously lovely. Northern Virginia is gorgeous! I have never been so enchanted with trees as I am now that I live in a forest.

Come visit!

We Are Different

And some come in as lessons disguised as blessings. 

I thought I would have more about life figured out by now but it's really forcing me to take this 'life lessons' business a test at a time. Boo. I want to know what to do in all situations and have a better filter as to who to allow in my life but I guess that's also the beauty of life -

We get to change. We don't stay the same person that started preschool all those years ago. Although I'm pretty sure pre-K Rachel was probably a pretty cool kid, but I'll have to get confirmation on that. 

Kids Are Funny

Gary

The man who taught me how to throw and catch a softball, slide into home, all the hard maths that mom couldn't do, how to serve, how to love, and how to laugh. 

I love that man.

Sunday Sounds

This is one of my favorite hymns and I often find myself singing it in my head when I'm out and about. Definitely not the worst thing to get stuck in your head, I had Katy Perry for three days straight last week and got sick of her REAL quick. I really love this version by David Archuleta, he has quite a beautiful gift and I was delighted to come across this a few months ago. 

While I appreciate all different voices and how they choose to sing it, it's the lyrics that really get me. 

"Be still, my soul; the Lord is on thy side; 

With patience bear the cross of grief or pain; 

Leave to thy God to order and provide;

In every change He faithful will remain. 

Be still, my soul; thy best, thy heavenly, Friend 

Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end."

Have a lovely Sabbath!

Happiness on Pinterest

Y'all know that I like to do this from time to time. Show other peoples crafts, powerful words, funny stuff, etc. When one is as unoriginal as me, I really appreciate things like Pinterest for allowing me to enjoy the fruits of others' labors.

Here goes!

via

A cookies and milk bar! I would pull up a chair next to the chocolate milk dispenser and never leave

via

I know this but sometimes I need it shoved in my face

via

What a great idea!!! 

via

Budapest, Hungary - why am I not there right now? I really despise being an adult and having to work.

via

Strawberry freezer jam! I need to get some girls together and make a bunch of this. Now is the perfect time, strawberries are crazy cheap!

via

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I love this so much because I need this so much

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This sweet spirit makes me unnaturally happy

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My life since joining Pinterest

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Looking at this makes me so happy

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Right?!?

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Oh, the beautiful pain that comes with extending love to another

Have a wonderful weekend.

xoxo

And Then There Were Two

Who got a giant bear for her birthday? This girl right here!

My amazing friend, Melissa, bought me this guy and surprised me at my party on Sunday. He's huge and cuddly and perfect and mine and soft and my best friend and happiness!

Another friend just bought a similar bear and is stoked for the bear dates we're going to have. Um, YES, that is definitely on the horizon. 

She got my this guy because he was the only tall, dark and handsome one. She knows me well! Now what shall I name him? I'm open to suggestions!

(Notice the title? I'm basically in a relationship with him. Seriously. He takes up most of my bed. It's perfect)

29 years, 364 Days

Today is my 30th birthday. Mixed feelings, for sure, however I had a fabulous last day of my 20's! Let's take a look, shall we?

upper left: card from my cool mom

upper right: frozen yogurt after some shopping and lunch with megan and mel

bottom left: at my friend's birthday party and they surprised me with a cake!

bottom right: i turned 30 on the steps of mr. lincoln

top left: megan, spencer and i biked to lincoln (love!)

top right: sparklers at erin's birthday party

bottom left: lincoln memorial

bottom right: mel and megan eating frozen yogurt the only  way one should

and check it out! new TOMS for my birthday! mel and i bought the same ones.....i always knew she had good taste.

my last day of my 20's was really, really fabulous. i spent most of it with megan and mel (they are my backbone out here), went to a birthday party for one of my most favorite ladies, and ended the day/began my 30's exactly how i wanted to. we biked to the lincoln memorial, chilled on the steps, had ice cream at thomas sweet and had breakfast at a 24hour diner.

i couldn't have planned a more perfect beginning.

A Beautiful Way to Start the Weekend....

Came across this today and it made me very, very happy. There are plenty of you out there in InternetLand who have been awesome to me. Thank you, you make a difference.

Have a wonderful weekend!

The 'lympics

photo from wikipedia

The Olympics are almost here! I love the Olympics more than I love Christmas. I stay glued to the television the whole time they're on and I normally end up learning a lot about sports that I was previously unfamiliar with, like rhythmic gymnastic. (PS - how is it that softball was cut yet they still have rhythmic gymnastics?!? I don't get it)

It's pretty well documented on this 'ole blog that I really love America so when you combine that love and competition - oh dang. My patriotism reaches all sorts of new heights. Whenever one of our athletes wins a gold medal and is standing on top of the podium with our anthem playing, I may shed a tear or two. Or 324. I am like a proud mama, the emotion spills out through my tear ducts and I turn into a big, slobbery mess. 

My favorite events are: swimming, volleyball, track and field, gymnastics, basketball, and diving. I have so many wonderful memories of watching with my family and rooting together for our teams. Ahhhh, the 'lympics (I have no idea why we sometimes drop the O, but we do) they bring the family and the nation together.

Go Team USA!

think on this

Forecast: Sunny

Let's face it - no matter what the calendar says, it is officially summer! Love. Just absolutely love. I feel like I really come alive during the summer, so after a long winter I am especially looking forward to the next few months.

There are plenty of free outdoor activities here in DC and I am going to try to make it to as many of them as possible, while still working to pay the bills. Oh, to be independently wealthy and to just play 24/7....how would that be?

The only set summer plans I have are to go home and welcome back Meghan and Taylor. Meghan gets in on July 14th and Taylor around the 31st, I have to figure out what to do in between those dates. Any suggestions? I'm thinking of flying to San Francisco, renting a car, driving down the coast and visiting friends throughout the state. Yeah? Any better ideas?

Find Me!

I am currently addicted to Instagram and Words With Friends! If you are too, find me at:

Instagram - rjohnson8

WWF - rjohnson8

To Quote Rachel Zoe, "I DIE"

(sorry for the 2 videos in a row, but COME ON)

truly the cutest thing i have ever seen, 

and i use the word cute A LOT

(i may have cried while watching this)

(may have)