The rich young Rachel

It is my personal opinion that Sunday afternoons are best spent in a coffee shop. Decaf soy latte, thankful journal, and my laptop are all I need for a little relaxing "me" time. Nothing like spending a Sunday (which can be a busy, stressful day with laundry, lesson planning, grading, grocery shopping, etc.) by taking some time for myself!

First, some pictures, then the latest snippets from my list:

Lily floating in the water near Deception Pass Bridge

Sabbath morning hike up Turtleback Mountain

Water droplets on leaf

I love the green against the blue!

Water droplets on a blackberry bush branch

This is Orcas Island. It is pretty stinkin' beautiful.

So, here are some things from my list:

big, yellow maple leaves swooping down on a gust of wind

sitting in the sauna with very symmetrical beads of sweat on my arms

new Instructor magazine (so many fun teaching ideas!)

playing Monopoly deal at dinner

Dan in Real Life (best Fall movie AND I've been to the house in Rhode Island!!!)

being all ready for tomorrow right at the end of the school day (no prep needed - WOW)

waving to Day (my sweet, four year old buddy) in the back of the car

being observed and affirmed by a seasoned teacher

hair damp from the rain

love notes for everyday he's gone

having a clean(er) house

sweet family baby pictures

good colleagues to work with

finding 2 tiny acorns on Turtleback

happy, carefree dating pictures

sister talks

God planning the holidays

not being rich

my amazing day of solitude

Just typing that up fills me up! What an overabundance. Maybe I AM rich...

All it takes is five minutes...

I attended a professional development seminar last week that was on fatigue and the brain. The presenter was a psychologist, and at one point was sharing a few strategies that could help a person struggling with anxiety and specifically struggling with getting to sleep at night. One thing he recommended is to take five minutes each evening before bed, and to write a list of things you’re grateful for. Inside of me, I was like, “I DO that!!” And it really helps me to end my day in such a healthy way. Instead of writing in my journal like I used to, and focusing on problems or things I was worried about, I’m focusing on the things that made me happy that day, things that “worked” that day, rather than didn’t “work”, things that I’m excited about and looking forward to, etc. So here are a few highlights from this week:

Bike ride in the cool morning air

Weekly menu for dinner making life so easy and making dinner something I actually look forward to, rather than dread

Working out after school

Lentils and bruschetta

Stopping the Louie Giglio movie I showed my kids at a place that left them hanging!

Racquetball date and lots of laughter

A chill in the air

AMAZING discussion with my class about judging and God seeing Jesus when he looks at us

Being wowed by laminin (again)

Squeaks climbing into my lap

Impersonating George Washington Carver with a lab coat and an accent

Sleeping in on Sabbath mornings

Crocheting my cowl

My husband’s backrubs

Delicious pears from our orchard

Being in love

“And now, dear brothers and sisters, let me say one more thing as I close this letter. Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”

Philippians 4: 8