Seriously.

I left work at 6:20 tonight, and I made the decision then not to go to the bathroom even though I had just finished a diet coke, and knew I had a 30 minute drive.
What's my reasoning you ask?
Given the choice between my clean bathroom at home, and a public staff bathroom at work I choose CLEAN.
Given the choice between 5 more minutes at work and arriving home to Brad 5 minutes earlier -I choose home to Brad.

So, I left work, and then I came home and Tom had ordered us all pizza! (What up awesome roommate!) So I grabbed a spot on the couch next to Tom and Brad and ate my pizza, and then decided that sitting with Brad was more important than going into my nice clean bathroom. So here it is- 9:19 pm, and I'm still sitting here thinking about getting up and heading into the ladies room.

But more importantly, I'm thinking of all the things I'd rather do..such as grabbing some time with my Bible, showering, and blogging. So here I am, marking blogging off my list...there's something wrong with my priorities.

Christmas...who's a month behind?

So Christmas was fantastic! We were able to spend time with both our families, and to get some rest over a couple days off! We needed it and we loved it! I somehow managed to only have pictures on my computer from my side, I believe all the pictures we took with Brad's parents we took on their camera..so none to post. So here's the pictures Luke, just for you!

Watch the progression here, Anna was in the basket first by the way.
Emily kept saying..Anna wants out..and pushing (gently) at AnnaAnna, however, was completely unaware of Emily's frustration.
And out she went...
Stole a pillow from GrammyAnd plopped it back on Emily's lap. I love watching these two interact! They're adorable! We miss them so much!Christmas with the whole family! I love our family...it's so nice to be together at the holidays! Haven't had a picture with both of these two since high school...whoa.
He hasn't been home for Christmas in forever!
Brother..this is the only one I have of you..where were you?!
Kyle and Erika

Anna loved Kevin
One step closer to smiling with Aunt Rach


Precious little girl!

I think she's my bff...
Anna and sweet Auntie Margaret
Love the girls in my family


Emily loves Bradley



Anno and Nano
I asked Em if she would smile for the camera and she struck a pose. We love our nieces!
That's all the update for today..hope you all have a great week! We had a fantastic weekend with Brad's parents in town and a surprise party for my awesome husband! It was so great celebrating with our friends...so I'll post pictures soon!

He's 27!!

This man here...

is 27 today!! YAY! I have a whole blog planned but too much to do now to write it...it's coming and it'll probably be sappy. Why? Because I love him. Heck yes.

Have a great day!

Look what I found!!!

Today I left to go to the gym (that's right still going strong...) and I found this little man outside digging out our poor neighbors' yard! I was so excited I called Brad to tell him and he promptly told me to get back in the house and get the camera. I'm glad he did. I haven't seen ONE of these since we've lived here, except for the little guy under the porch at the ranch...so I was so glad to see him! So I went..took some pictures, and then scared him away so he would leave their yard alone. He gave me the heebie jeebies..but I think they are some of the strangest animals I've ever seen!
Here he's going to town on the yard..oblivious to my existence... And then I scared him..
and then he waddled away. Hopefully he didn't stay under that car.

In other news...Brad and I have been working out pretty regularly. He's lost 10 pounds...I've lost 0.1 pounds..maybe - on a good day. It's a little unfair. It's worth it though...I'm kinda loving it.

And finally, and most seriously...please pray for those in Haiti and around the world who have been experiencing this tragedy first hand. If you're in Austin...please attend the Hope for Haiti benefit concert Monday night...here's some info.

http://aaronivey.com/?p=9498
and Aaron's wife's blog..with some other ideas...
http://dreamingbigdreams.net/?p=3532
or..
http://www.aaronivey.portmerch.com/stores/product.php?productid=17149&cat=0&page=1&featured

My heart is broken for those in Haiti. I am struggling with watching the news and not knowing where/how we can help as a family, so for now I'm just passing on the info I have from others.

And that's all I have....take care!

Sad Day

Ok, so moving here from Purdue country, we haven't exactly experienced a football national title game that really MATTERED like last night's did for Texas. I'm always going to be a Boiler girl at heart, but I've fallen for the Longhorns..and since we don't have to worry about them playing each other, that works out just fine. So I cheered hard last night!

But...my heart hurt for that team. Watching them lose their quarterback, and then the struggle through the first half...to come back so very close in the 4th quarter. It was heart wrenching. I felt for Colt McCoy and the fact that he had no choice but to watch his team struggle, and I felt for that poor freshman who was clearly trying so hard. I think he's going to be a really good quarterback too, I'm no football guru, but I think he'll be good. Anyways, so I was sad for them...and we left our friends' after that fumble near the goal line when the score was 24-21, and I turned the radio station off of the game because I didn't want to hear the end. But I missed this...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVsSvx3UQOY

and then I read this (Thanks Marisol)
http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/news?slug=jn-texasreligion010610&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

..and anyways, I think that's pretty awesome.

2009 In Review

Yes, I realize that it is the 5th of January...but I've been inspired, so here's our 2009 in review.

January: I celebrated the new year working, while Brad played Rock Band all night. The next day we bought Rock Band from the Moore's and have been addicted ever since. Sweet Anna joined our family, Brad turned 26, and I learned sushi didn't have to be horrible.

February: Brad was laid off from Samsung, but we celebrated my favorite Valentine's ever! How could it not when it included chocolate covered strawberries and steak with friends?!

March: El came to visit! We love when friends come down and it was so nice to have time to see Ellen that was longer than an hour. Mom and Aunt Vic came to visit! We had an AWESOME time shopping and decorating our house...we also made a hole in our bathroom wall, and unfortunately we're slackers and haven't fixed it yet. Hahaha. It's on our list of resolutions for the year.

April: Brad became a rancher, and posted his first blog post. We went home for Easter and met our new niece.

May: Aunt Jo, Uncle Bob, Bradley, Lauri, and Chase came to visit. We had SO MUCH fun with them! We saw the bats for the first time which was cool. Brad's parents came to visit for their birthdays which was great to be able to celebrate together.

June: My first visit to Washington D.C. for Will and Erinn's wedding! The wedding was beautiful and it was great to catch up the Gibson's and the now Sauer's! Sweet Emily turned 2, can't believe she's so big! J.D. was able to visit a day and he and I were able to play some Peter Pan Putt Putt and if I remember correctly..I won! :)

July: Rox and Jake came to visit! It was awesome to have them here, and we discovered again the goodness of County Line BBQ! Oh delicious mac and cheese and bread pudding!

August: We saw Wicked and I LOVED it! Also we realized we're addicted to Fro Yo. It's been entirely too long since we've had any. We also went to Indiana to celebrate El and Ryan's beautiful wedding!

September: A huge month! Celebrated our 2nd wedding anniversary! Year 2 was fantastic! Headed to Springfield for Jonathan and Andrea's wedding and were able to see Preston and Courtney for the first time in 2 years! Then headed on a Disney Cruise with Brad's parents...it was AMAZING!!!

October: Almost moved to Utah, but instead Brad took a job with Apple Energy Group here in Austin! Fell in love with Austin all over again! We also went to our first Texas A&M game.

November: Headed to Indiana to celebrate Thanksgiving with both our families. Arrived back in Austin and I started my new job as a CCU nurse.

December: I turned 25...YAY!! We joined a gym...whoa! Went to Indiana for Christmas, and brought in the New Year in an awesome way spending lots of time with friends.

Overall, 2009 was crazy and unexpected but perfect. I think that God taught us this year that He is ALWAYS in control, and that we need to trust in His perfect plan. We're learning to have servants' hearts, and to be more purposeful in our life. We want to be more intentional in our everyday life so those around us can see Jesus! We're excited to see Him move this year.

Exciting things are ahead in 2010...stick around...I'll fill you in!

While I'm writing letters...

Dear Luke,

I am sorry my posts are boring. I will have a picture post very soon, just for you. But, if we're going to get technical here, at least I'm posting. I'm pretty sure brother, that your last update was when Joe Tiller still coached at Purdue. Let's get on it. I'd like to read a little about your life. We miss you. Come visit us.
Love,
Rach

P.S. For real though, I do promise pictures soon.

Dear Rox.

Dear Rox,
I looked at your blog, and then I looked at Jackie's blog, and then I was jealous.

Please make me an awesome new blog header to match my sweet purple background. Your creativity rocks my socks.

Thanks friend. Miss you lots.

Rach