Meghan's Arrival

My parents are so cute! They went to the local high school and asked the Mandarin teacher to write out a welcome home note for Meghan. Even cooler - she could read it!

You don't just miss people when you're gone for 2 years. Sometimes you need to love on your animals - no matter how much they want to get away from you.

She pretty much traveled with just this backpack. I believe it weighed 75 pounds. Haven is 7 and it almost took her out. She walked two steps and then had to tap out.

We're so happy to have our Meghan back!

Tonight!!!

Why do I love the Olympics so much? 

Yes, I love America and sports, so naturally I enjoy the Olympics but it's something more than that. Here's a little secret about me - I cry at the end of every stage play I see. As the audience stands to recognize the actors with our measly applause, I just weep. All I have to offer their amazing effort is cheers and claps when really I want to hug each of them and say THANK YOU. Thank you so much for practicing your talent to the point of greatness and not giving up when the going got tough. I am always grateful when those with special talents are willing to share them.

Hence, I love the Olympics.

I think this commercial helps me explain it a bit better -

The pomp and ceremony starts tonight but greatness begins when you do.

And just because it's the most darling, tear jerking commercial ever produced, here's another for good measure -

a no name post

i was here for a week.

we went on three dates.

he's wonderful.

"if you lived here i would date you like crazy"

sigh. 

The First Reaction......

 

.....and the kid are my favorite 

 Countdown to the Olympics - 3 days!

Peaceful

I'm in San Diego! 

I got here Wednesday night and will be here through Wednesday afternoon. 

There is just something about this place that recharges my batteries better than any other vacation I could take. It must be the familiarity - San Diego is the keeper of my memories.

I loved growing up and spending so many years here as an adult. It's a lovely, lovely place and I am grateful that I can always come back when I need that recharge.

Weekend Happiness

Yeah, it's a baby kangaroo in a diaper. It may have made me squeal a bit. 

Just a bit.

Have a great weekend!

(I know I will, I'm in my hometown - San Diego!)

She's Back!

Fresh off the plane, back from a two year stint in the Peace Corps, we finally have our Meghan back! It's like we haven't missed a beat, did she ever leave us?

I touched down in Salt Lake City at 4pm and Meghan's plane was scheduled to land at 4:22pm....I can't even explain how terrified I was that my flight would be delayed! Wonder of wonder, miracle of miracles - it all worked out.

She's got some culture shock, that's for dang sure, but she's handling it pretty well. The worst part is fielding all the questions from everyone. Poor girl, she can't get away from the question, "So what are your plans?" Homegirl needs time to breathe!

We're so happy to have our girl back! Up next is my brother, Taylor, who will be returning from a two year  mission in Chile. He will be back on July 31st!

Support the Arts

this made my day a bit better

i hope it does the same for you!

Choice

love

this

I'll admit - sometimes I want to act out. 

Sometimes I want to rebel for about 37 minutes. Get it out of my system, and then be back to being boring, straight laced Rachel. 

Then I remember that it won't just be 37 minutes. If life had a remote control that I could pause and do whatever I wanted without any potential repercussion, sure, I would do that. That's only an option in the minds of screen writers in Hollywood. 

Consequences can last a day, a year, or even a lifetime. I'm not willing to take that chance. 

Boring, but content,  Rachel I shall stay. It's not a bad life, that's for sure.

Independence Day

8am at Mount Vernon, how American can you get?!?

This place was a delight to George Washington and I understand why. It is so beautiful and serene. 

Looking out the back porch on the Potomac River. Megan and I are already planning to go back and sit in the rocking chairs they have set out for HOURS. Literally, I can see us rocking away for several hours - this view is breathtaking. 

I like my people

Girl picture!

Mel, Megan, me, Becca

In their natural state

Saddles. Why not?

A worker at Mt Vernon had to shoo her away because Mel wanted to stay with them forever

My crush on George Washington just got SO MUCH bigger

Oh, how about riding bikes around DC in 100+ degree weather looking for fireworks? Sounds good! 

And finish the day on the National Mall? Done and done.

I love my life!

Oh, To Be So Creative....

Insta Fourth

This post is for those of you not on Instagram (hi mom!)

I'll post camera photos tomorrow of our eventful day!

Red, white and blue was the name of the game yesterday!

We started our day bright and early and as American as possible by going to McDonald's

Not our best decision of the day

Good morning, Mount Vernon!

Megan, Becca, Tyler, and Melissa

I love these people

"I haven't ridden a bike since my mission!"

We'll fix that

We snuck away to ride bikes, buy fireworks and eat ice cream

'Twas a good day, indeed!