Snow globe

Two cappuccinos in and I am thinking, why haven't I taken more advantage of this little coffee house that is just across the skyway? 

Just in case you haven't gotten enough of the beautiful snow we had last week here in MN here are some shots of it all out at my parents beautiful place in rural MN!

Sun rises in the wide open country can't be beat in my opinion! 

Happy Christmas

Weeks End

This weekend was filled with deep conversation, airplanes and big words like pedestrians.

Hiccups, after ten minutes of hearing about hiccup problems I asked, "can you talk about anything else?" She responded, "Yes I can tell you about my burping problem." Me, like the great Aunt I am "I don't want to hear about it." A few moments later her brother in the most sincere voice "You can tell me about your burps." I couldn't stop laughing, it was just SO darn funny. Life problems of an eight and six year old! Can I be their age again?  

Advent wreaths, cider and sparkling lights

Lobster Boil

The end of summer went out with a bang and some really fun events. One of them being a Lobster Boil at a winery (Four Daughters Vineyard) back home. We still talk about what a fun night it was. I had never been to a lobster boil or even eaten lobster so it was a fun new experience for me!

Around here lately

I have been very absent haven't I! Whoops. Sometimes life get's too fun and I run out of time to write about it. I can definitely feel fall in the air around here, warm sun and cool air. The walks to and from work are wonderfully refreshing.

It's kind of an iPhone dump. I'm really behind on editing my photos!

I had one last quick beach afternoon with some friends and my sister and her kiddos! I had to cut it short because of coaching, I was happy I could make it for the time that I did, though. Because a year ago it would never have even been an option for me to go! I am so glad I moved! 

Coffee Date \\ Positives and negatives of the city {2}

A rolfing session and a massage all in one day! Glorious, I can move with ease again!!!

I love coffee dates in real life. They're my favorite, who wants to go on one?!:) Today let's pretend we are visiting this adorable coffee house in Galway Ireland, okay!:) Swoon.

How is this life of mine going?
I didn't know what it was going to be like to move and start a new job. I just knew that I had to move on from where I was no matter what it took. It's different than starting your very first job right out of school. It is easier because I have experience and at the same time, it's different. The relationships have to be re-established with my new co-workers. I was respected and trusted at my last job, now I feel like I have to gain that respect and trust with my new co-workers and the Cardiologists I work with. It's a humbling experience, and I didn't see that coming. It takes you right back to the bottom of the totem poll. For a short bit.

The beginning of anything new is all fun and exciting, new jobs, new apartment, new city new co-workers and new students. Once I was finally settled in I realized; this is a LOT all at once and it was hard at times. I longed and still long for that comfortable place when you feel like you have been at a job, or around people long enough that they know you and you, them. The relationships have become comfortable and you can joke around and be your crazy self. I feel like I have just started to reach that point with my new coworkers at my echo position and I am grateful for that! They are yet another great group of Echocardiographers that I get to work with. #blessed

 I also think I came into this move with high expectations in regard to certain things. I thought that it would be easier to meet people, it most definitely is and in other ways it's the same. There are so many more opportunities to meet people and I have taken advantage for sure. It all still takes time. I have been really trying to focus on the now and enjoying the ride whatever the day or moment brings. This is what I've wanted for how many years now? Live it up!

I hate it when I allow my focus to get off, when I want to rush through life to get to the next stage and think that I am not happy with my life the way it is. Well if I'm not happy with it this way why would I be when this or that happens? True joy is not circumstantial it is everlasting because God is the only one who can give true joy in our daylie trials.

Coaching has been slow this summer and I admit it's been a bit discouraging. I am trying not to hold on too tight though and let it happen and not let it get me down. I think it will get better this fall, when I will be going to the rink two to three days a week instead of the one day a week it's been this summer. Just yesterday I lost one student in the morning (she was commuting from a ways away) than that afternoon I gained two more! #blessedagain

Even with the ups and downs I love my life here in St. Paul!
Linked up with Jenna for August's coffee date!
Have a beautiful day, and weekend!
Ciao,
Rachel

Weekend recap

It's sad to say, but yesterday and this morning feel like fall already. I love fall but not in the middle of August. I am hoping for at least one more swimming weekend, come on MN!

Wow, this weekend was jam packed, all four days of it:) I actually skipped one thing because I just didn't want to go again. sometimes you can't do it all, if you know me you're shocked and so am I! 

My Mom and I went to the Music Man at the Guthrie, I love music so it was a lot of fun! We haven't been to any plays this summer which is not like us! This fall and winter we have plans for more of them though!:)

Wordless Wednesday / Mill City Museum

Vacation

I know I said I was back. Whoops just kidding I guess. Maybe I'm back now.... We'll see. 

What a gorgeous day! The weather couldn't have been more perfect for my day off! Coaching, reading, kayaking, dancing and music in the park! It was lovely! 

I really just want to re-live my week off it was so much fun, so I am going to do it through my posts!

I could hardly wait for these two to get in! Because we were almost thinking that it wasn't going to happen this year. But as always we made it work out the week before my time off!!!:) and I am thrilled that we did! 

We spent our first afternoon together at the beach. I think it's safe to say that little Evelyn did not care for the sand, at all. I'm pretty sure only one grain had to touch her and it was all over. Luckily the beach also had a swing that kept her safely above the sand.

We closed the day with an amazing burger from a new restaurant within walking distance from my place downtown and after little Evie went down we played around with the manual settings on our cameras. Let's just say it's a work in progress.

Come back to me girl!

Have a beautiful day.

Ciao,

Rachel

Happy Friday

I'm back! Vacation was so relaxing! I felt refreshed and ready to get back into my daily life afterwards. I think it is healthy to take a break sometimes, give your mind a respite so that you can come back to your job or jobs with a fresh clear head. And I can tell you, work has been going really well this week, and I am enjoying it more now that I don't feel exhausted! I can't wait to share all of the fun pictures and adventures that happened during my time off!

This weekend is going to be packed. I am going with my coworkers to the Lakefront Music Festival, my sisters birthday party, and my brother and sister in law are possibly coming for a night too! Oh and I'm on call quite a bit. Ugh, I'm going to need another weekend to recover from my weekend! 

What are your weekend plans?

Ciao,

Rachel  

Weeks end | Fourth of July

My freckles are out and the pool days of summer are here! They can last forever okay. I can't wait to enjoy this week off and soak up the sun! 

~ There was a lot of time spent outside at my parents this Fourth of July weekend enjoying the pool, the FLOWERS galore and spending time with family.

~ The fourth of July party happened this year! Last year's party was missing half the people, but I got a ton more pictures. This year the full gang was there with food, sangria yard games and lots of littles! Though it didn't live up to some of the parties from years past, it was still fun! 

~ Sunday was filled with lots of relaxing swimming and a nice walk on a country road. I miss those peaceful walks or runs out on a gravel road. It's so quiet, wide open and not nearly as hard on my joints! 

~ Flowers for days! I never really appreciated flowers until this year. I must be getting old or something. 

Have a beautiful week all! I'm on vaca so it will be quiet here for a while!

Ciao,

Rachel   

Weekend recap

~ I realized over the weekend that I was totally letting myself down. If any of you know me in real life I exercise twice a day and ALWAYS take the stairs, the elevator is not an option even with groceries in my arms. People, I live on the eleventh floor now, and I have been using the elevator since I moved in. It's a disappointment to my character I know....... I can tell you now that I take the stairs. I will not take the stairs with groceries, well okay not with more than two bags, I draw the line, I am not that crazy. Are not my stairs pretty though?

Mother's Day

Great news! The spiders have been killed! Alleluia!

I need the sun. This Minnesota girl needs some rays! Badly.

Oh I have had so many fun weekends lately! This past Mother's day weekend was one of them.

I love brunch! Don't you? It is my favorite, my Goddaughter and I had a lot of fun getting brunch ready while everyone else was a Church Sunday morning! We made delicious scones, ooh my gosh so buttery and good! And mimosas! YUM! It turned out to be a lovely day dispite the fact that it was cold and cloudy.

I am so so grateful for my Mom and that she is a huge part of my life. I wouldn't be half the person I am today without her strength and wisdom. I love you Mom!

Have a beautiful day!
Ciao,
Rachel

photo Friday/ride ride

Could they be any cuter?!

Have a beautiful weekend!
Ciao,
Rachel

Weekend recap

It's been a while! So long, that I'm not even going to try to catch up! It's already February! WHAT?

 I have been terrible at taking pictures lately too. I didn't even take my camera on my New Years trip to Chicago, well I forgot it but I was okay with it though. Sometimes it's nice to just enjoy the moment and not think about taking pictures. I changed that this weekend though. I spent the weekend with some of my little crazies making Valentine sugar cookies. It was a little intense but so fun!:)

 I think they had fun too!:)

Have a wonderful week!

Ciao,

Rachel

weeked recap

Happy Monday, how was your weekend?

They always go by too quickly don't they? While most of the world is back to reality I am only partially back to reality! No work for me today other than coaching tonight! YAY 

Weekend

This weekend could have lasted forever. The weather was perfect to be outside and my nieces and nephews were having a blast playing outside in the fort! I was finally taking the time to mess around with settings on my camera. It's high time I stop using the intelligent auto setting. These are some of my favorites! 

Boy playing with chalk

vs.

a girl playing with chalk.

 I love this one

These two are practically inseparable. The bib is my sisters, our niece is literally obsessed with it, and will not take it off unless Hannah is going to eat and needs it. Then she is completely okay with giving it up, otherwise don't mess with the bib! She was outside without it on, she had to go back inside and wouldn't come back out, until her Mom figured out that she wanted the bib on! The girl knows what she wants! 

Have a lovely week!

Ciao,

Rachel