Birthday list

{26}
I got this great idea from Becs Little Black Blog to make a bucket list of sorts, of the things that you want to accomplish in the next year! So I decided to get on bored with this great idea! Thanks Bec! I'm behind since my birthday was back in November but oh well! Your supposed make the list on your birthday!

The rules!

a. 12 items only.  In theory, complete one a month for that year.
b. you can replace items with equally good (and attainable) goals through the year but they have to be deemed worthy by the other person.
c. whatever you don’t finish in that year carries over to the next year.
d. dream no small dream.

1) Go downhill skiing

2) Go cross country skiing.

3) Take a trip out of the country

4) Go on a mission trip

5) Get back into coaching figure skating (hence the revision of my resume!)

6) Go to Girl and The Goat when I am in Chicago over new years.

7) Take my niece and nephew ice skating

8) Grow my blog and get 50 GFC followers! Baby steps right?

9) Do a color or mud run!
10) Start taking classes to complete my bachelor's degree.
11) Go water skiing
12) Read all the books on my to read list

Just writing this makes me feel even more accountable for achieving my goals! I can't wait to make them happen! 

What are some of your goals in life?

~Rachel 

Sunday Currently vol. {4}

After seeing Les Miserbles for the first time in an Icon theatre!

Reading: The American Heiress! It's getting to the point where I can't put it down! I was up a bit late last night cough cough or early this morning he he!

Writing: My resume. Well re-writing and revising it!

Listening: Awake My Soul Mumford and Sons. Just came on on my Pandora station=)

Thinking: About all the dreams I have and the goals that I want to achieve in my life! It's pretty exciting!

Smelling: Not much I have a stuffy nose!

Wishing: My curtains would hang themselves! I have had them since last summer. Is that procrastination at it's best or what? Ha ha

Hoping: Les Miserables wins every Oscar it is nominated for tonight! I love that movie, and I am really looking forward to watching the Oscars and oohing over all the pretty dresses! or saying did she look in the mirror before she left? ha ha

Wearing: Adriano Goldschmied the stevie ankle in a beautiful rust red, and a comfy navy blue Pure + Good long sleeve t-shirt! I guess I was feeling a little patriotic when I got dressed this morning=)

Loving: The sunshine and snow! It's heavenly!

Cooking: Last night barbecue seasoned chicken breast tenders, tomato and basal pesto pasta and sweet peas! Tonight, homemade pizza!

Wanting: To be more detached from the material things of this world and more attached to my King and my God!

Needing: To get my music ready for Holy Saturday Mass, and arranging practices with the choir! Eek I'm already a little nervous I have never played for Holy Saturday. If you have never been to a Holy Saturday Mass or are not Catholic, there is a lot of music that is played for that Mass. It's one of my favorite Mass's though so I am feeling pretty honored to be able to play for it!

Feeling: So blessed, and excited for my life! I am, life is such an adventure you never know what is going to happen next!

Clicking: On Pinterest a lot lately and making secret boards=)

Linked up with Lauren!

I better get back to my resume, it has to be done by tomorrow! 

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you are having a lovely Sunday!

Love,

Rachel

Weekday happies

Normally it's weekend happies but the weekdays are pretty great too!

Snapped this on my way out of Church this morning!

~Getting up early and sipping coffee and reading blogs! Up with the sun it was gorgeous!

~Getting some ice (for ice skating) time for Monday night's! YAY happy dance:)

~Bagels at work! One afternoon I said "I really want a bagels and cream cheese!" The next morning my co - worker walks in with a bag from Panera bread with bagels and cream cheese in it! She says "You said you wanted bagels and cream cheese right?" I seriously have the best co - workers!

~Little Women will be here for me to watch this weekend! Finally get to watch it!

~It's snowing! We finally have a decent amount of snow now so that I can go cross country skiing! I'm pumped people pumped!

~All the super adorable and cute picture text from my sister of my new niece! I love them and I am missing her so much!

~And the usual things I do during the week like lots of running and Tae Kwon Do oh and my awesome job=)

~I sneezed five time in a row this morning and one of my co-workers showed me this! 

Ahhahaha!

Have a happy weekend!

~Rachel   

The little things

It's the little things that make me so happy! Don't they make you happy too? The package that I got in the mail made my evening when I got home! Thanks to a good friend=) I am so glad I finally was able to curl up on the couch with a cozy blanket, hot tea and watch Downton Abbey! 

Have a wonderful Wednesday half way there!

~Rachel~

Did I read Kate Spade giveaway?

Oh my goodness it's the best giveaway ever! A Kate Spade giveaway anyone? Ah "Yes please!" Go check it out over at Tina's blog Like Ordinary Life! 

I love this bag! Oh but how does one choose when there are so many cute things to choose from! Go enter and get a chance to win a $110 gift card to Kate Spade and maybe you'll get to pick out something cute! Oh and I almost forgot Julep nail polish too!

~Rachel~

Life Lately

I feel like I have been slacking on my blog! Sometimes life happens weather you are ready or not! Literally!

1&2: I got the call that my sister was going to be having her baby a little early! I was so excited:) So I left work early jumped in the car and drove 2 hours. I was in charge of taking care of the kids for them! We spent lots of time out in the snow!

3: She was born! A baby girl, Victoria Marie! Precious Miracle from God:)

4: After working long days the rest of the week to try to make up my time lost, I spent a chill Friday night getting my nails done, and going to Barnes and Noble. Yes I may have been naughty and bought myself a latte at 7:30 at night. You know me and wanting coffee at night!

5: The next morning I woke up to this cute girl telling me stories about hunting bears! The cutest story ever too:)

6: The kids were at Grandma and Grandpa's for the weekend to let Mom Dad and baby settle in!

7: He's a ham what can I say:)

8: So much for my nap ha ha!

9: The dog even made it to get a hair cut! 

10: Played the piano for Saturday night Mass!

11: Some of my loot from B&N for the copious amounts of driving that I have been doing! It's a good thing I like long car rides!

12: Back up at my sister and brother in laws having some delicious tea and holding Victoria! It was wonderful! I need to get some tea from Teavana ASAP too!

I miss her so much!

It really was an awesome week! A little exhausting going on 4 hours of sleep but so worth it! Life is  truly beautiful and precious! Maybe some day I will have my own kids, until then I love being an Auntie! Can you tell ha ha the last few posts have involved nieces and nephews:)

I saw the life lately link up this morning and thought this would be a prefect post to link up with Maggie, Alli and Haley. 

Now link up! 

The rules:

1) Follow your hosts via GFC

2) Follow your co-hosts via GFC

3) Link up a life lately post or any post about your life!

Grab a button:

~Rachel~

Sunday Currently vol. 3

Reading: The American Heiress. I actually didn't have much time to read this week, bummer. I have been so busy! I'll let you know why soon;)

Writing: In my journal about life and the dreams I want to accomplish!

Listening: To the Les Miserables and Downton Abbey soundtracks.

Thinking: About where to start on everything I want to get accomplished this week! Time to start shopping for a piano! I really miss being able to play whenever I want to. I want to get some ice time here in Mankato as well so I have to start making phone calls!

Smelling:  A new born baby:) That just might be a clue;)

Wishing: My sister and her family lived closer!

Hoping: I find a really good deal on a piano!

Wearing: Turquoise scrubs because it's Monday morning and I'm a day late on my Sunday currently.....whoops sorry! Better late then never!

Loving: Life! Life is beautiful! A beautiful gift from God.

Wanting: this adorable dress from Anthropologie! It's adorable for spring with a cute little sweater and super cute alone for the summer!

Needing: To be happy and patient with life! Sometimes I feel like things just happen too slowly, I like to know what to expect and where I am going. Sometimes I guess that is just for God to know and for me to wait for Him to reveal it to me.

Feeling: Like Jo from Little Women ha ha! Seriously though I do. I am blunt, forward, passionate about what I do, a tom boy and I even chopped my hair off once and cried. I have turned down perfectly nice guys never any proposals like her though he he. I am in serious need of watching this movie ever since Christmas!

Clicking: Anthropologie's dress section! So many cute dresses it's dangerous!

Go link of with Lauren! 

I want to live there!

Another first for the winter! Well not for me but for two of my Godchildren anyway! I have been wanting to take them ice skating and I was determined to make it happen this year! I am so glad I did! Here are some fun pics from our time on the ice!

After a few times around with Dad and Auntie

she was cruising around all by herself and loving it!

Adorable!

He wasn't such a big fan of skating himself he just liked the rides I gave him and especially the spinning! He would say "Twirl me Rachel!"

We went to the rink thinking that the kids would maybe last thirty minutes but they were loving it! We ended up staying the whole hour and a half! I couldn't believe it!

  On the way home I asked my niece if she liked ice skating? and she replies with: "I love ice skating I didn't want to leave! I want to live there!" I couldn't have been happier:) she reminded me of myself when I started! I lived to skate and never wanted to get off the ice! Okay I might still be that way;)

Being an Aunt is so much fun! I cannot wait to take them again, and hopefully my other nieces and nephews too!

Sunday Currently, Volume: 2

Reading: the American Heiress! Oh my gosh it's already so good and I have only read the first couple chapters! If you are a Downton Abbey addict watcher you'll love this book!

Writing: Valentine cards! I have never done this in the past, I think I may secretly dislike this holiday??? but I am trying to change my attitude towards it:)

Listening: to the wind howl and my niece and nephew playing and talking oh the things a three and five year old say, hilarious!

Thinking: i wish that my latte was still hot!

Smelling: eggs and toast that we just cooked for breakfast! So delicious!

Wishing: i could sit and read my book all day! Wouldn't that be great?! I actually don't think I could sit still that long though ha ha! Maybe for an hour:)

Hoping: we get all the snow we are supposed to this weekend!!!!

Wearing: my red heart sweater and some comfy Madewell jeans! Perfect for this cold windy day!

Loving: my parents fireplace! There is nothing like cozying up by the fireplace with a good book in the winter!

Wanting: to go cross country skiing! Hopefully we get snow and not rain so I can! I have been wanting to do it for the past couple years and I really want to make it happen this year!

Needing: a new face moisturizer. Does anyone know of a good natural one? I would love some recommendations!!

Feeling: happy, and trusting that God knows exactly what He is doing with my life! Isn't it reassuring to know that He knows what is to come? He has the master plan and I am His instrument.

Clicking: On Kayla's blog My Kind of Yellow she was just chosen for blogger of the week! I haven't been following her for very long but her posts are always up beat and happy! I always enjoy reading them! You should definitely check out her fun blog!

I am linked up with Lauren's Sunday Currently!

Have a blessed Sunday everyone!

Grateful Friday

I haven't done a grateful Friday post in a while! I thought it was time to bust it out again:) Because it's Friday and I am ever so grateful that it is! What a week it has been. It's been crazy I feel like I have hardly been home this week!

I am grateful for the fact that I like to be busy! That it was a busy week to keep my mind occupied!

For the fact that we have the possibility of getting snow this weekend:) I do believe I wished for that in my Sunday currently post:) Happy day!!

So grateful for the time I was able to spend with two of my Godchildren last weekend! What a blast! So so grateful that I was able to take them ice skating for the first time! A post coming on this soon;)

For my job and my amazing coworkers who make me laugh even when we are busy and stressed out!

For the fact that I finally finished Madame Tussaud and got to start The American Heiress! It's already super good:)

Happy Friday everyone!!! I hope the weekend treats you wonderfully!

A first for "two"!

One of my goals for the winter was to go downhill skiing! I was able to make it happen while I was visiting Maggie over new years!

It was a very first for the two both of us!

It was sooo much fun I can't wait to do it again!

Someone stole my boots.....? Wonder who=)

What a fun afternoon! I am so glad we made it happen!

Then... 

This happened:) 

 Her goofy sweet Dad took us out to the Pub for a two couple drinks and appetizers! 

Oh dear.....It's a good thing we sat upstairs:)  

What a fun filled day and it ended with a Downton Abbey episode!

Sunday Currently, Volume 1.

I have seen a few posts of Sunday Currently and thought they looked like fun! So here is my first one!

Reading Madame Tussaud by Michelle Moran.....still! It's a novel of the French Revolution. I don't have much left I just need to sit down and finish it!  

Writing lot's of blog posts! It's so good to be back into it!

Listening to Puccini Turandot instrumental, Matt Kearney and Kelly Clarkson, Catch My Breath!

Thinking too much. I do it all the time, I wish I could shut my brain off sometimes! ha

Smelling  Lucky In Love it's in my Scentsy right now! Smells so good!

Wishing  that we would get a blizzard here in MN!!!!!

Hoping i get to ice skate soon!

Wearing super comfy yoga pants and my favorite Nike polka dot sweatshirt:)

Loving  the fact that I was able to spend time with my niece and nephew this weekend! Wow they are full of energy and so darn cute:)

Wanting a six pack. I know it sounds vain and silly but I do! I think I like food too much though, especially bread! ha ha! I think you have to eat low carb and lots of protein. Oh well I'll take the bread instead!  

Needing a massage! Seriously this job of mine is way too hard on my body!!!

Feeling so blessed that I have such wonderful family and friends that are always there whenever I need them:)

Clicking nothing today! it's my Sunday challenge to unplug myself! I cheated and wrote this Friday night;)

Linking up with Lauren's Sunday Currently!

Challenges

On new years I was asked the question "What are you most grateful for from the past year?" I responded with All of life's challenges." I was a little surprised at myself, it is true though I am. I have always loved a challenge mental or physical! There is so much to be learned from a challenge. Big and small. The small ones like not hitting snooze just one more time, forcing myself to get up and get on the treadmill! Because I know it's going to feel so good when I'm done! Life's big challenges show you what you are made of. Just when you think you can take no more God throws something else at you. Asking you to trust Him and rely on His strength that much more! My Mother has always told me that your challenges are God's way of preparing you for a bigger challenge that He has in store for you. I'm thinking oh CRAP! With great challenges come great rewards though.

This weekend I have a couple small challenges in store for myself!

First: I have my color belt test in Tae Kwon Do on Saturday! That's always more of a mental challenge then physical. The physical work has been done, it's being able to shut your mind off and trust your training!

Second: I am going to start unplugging myself on Sunday's! Only picking up my phone if someone calls or text me! And I am not even going to open my computer! So many little distractions and I feel like they take up more time then I realize!

Wish me luck!
I am so glad it's Friday:)

Have a wonderful weekend! Oh and where did January go?!?!?!?! Seriously that month went way too fast!