Aimee & Cami

I had an outdoor photo shoot scheduled with sisters, Aimee and Cami. So of course it rained! Despite the dreary rain and chilly temperature, we braved down town SLC. Aimee and Cami were so upbeat and fun even though the inclement weather meant ruined hair and constant shivers. Above are just some of the pictures I got from the shoot. Thanks for letting me be your photographer, girls!

I Could Be

Today is my day off. I could be:

-Harassing the insurance company of the guy with the truck who backed into my car to solidify the claim. I'm not.
-Taking pictures to submit to stock photo agencies. I'm not.
-Folding the last load of laundry. I'm not.
-Listing new recipes to try. I'm not.
-Editing some of the billions of pictures I want to edit. I'm not.
-I could even be sleeping in an effort to rid myself of the (yet another) cold I've contracted. I'm not.

Adele

I like to make it a point of sharing genius when I am lucky enough to stumble across it. I don't have a youtube account so you're just going to have to click on this link to hear a new favorite song of mine. Adele is a recent musical discovery I've made. It makes my soul happy to hear that there are still extremely talented musicians out there. Listen to her.

P.S. (This represents my (Rachel) musical taste. I don't actually know if Rory likes this song or not. )

P.S.S. (Adele and I sound identical when we sing. Ok, that's a lie...)

Where are you, Christmas?

Typically, the holiday season truly is "the most wonderful time of the year" for me. I love the lights, the gift giving/receiving, the stories, that "gingerbread feeling," the focus on Christ, etc etc. Not to mention, Rory and I fell in love during Christmas time.

This year, however, my enthusiasm for the holiday season has been sub-par. I'm not quite a Grinch or an Ebenezer, I don't think... more like Cindy Lou Who from the 2000 version of The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, who asked, "Where are you, Christmas? Why can't I find you?" Unlike Cindy, I have a pretty clear idea as to why there is very little "jingle all the way" for me.

Work has been INSANE. We've been booked out for photo sessions for over a month and will continue to be booked out clear up until the last week of December. I catch myself saying all the time, "I can't wait until Christmas is over!" Bah-humbug, indeed! Last week, my attitude started to bother me.

Luckily, I have a wonderful husband who recognized my "Bah-humbug" attitude, and suggested that we get a Christmas tree. Decorating our first Christmas tree together as a married couple did wonders for my spirits. Yesterday, we decided to participate in our ward's "Angel Tree" and give a gift to a child in need. I also watched the First Presidency Christmas Devotional last night. I'm happy to report that my holiday spirit barometer is creeping towards full!

What brings the Christmas spirit into your life?

We Went to San Diego...

and I wanted to cry the day we came back. (Be advised: the following contains images of a highly enjoyable vacation. If you do not wish to see others warm and happy, do not continue reading.)

A really bad picture of the really darling beach house Rory's parents rented for Thanksgiving.

The McHardy family. I think my favorite thing about this picture is that Rory looks like he's wearing a headdress. And for that reason, I shall never be able to take this picture seriously.

I like this picture- motion blur and all.

These are Rory's legs- not mine. Just wanted to get that out there. Also, this was only Rory's second trip to the beach in his entire life. ENTIRE LIFE, people!!!

One (of the many) highlights for me was when Rory and I took the beach cruisers out. I want one. Though somehow I don't think riding along the icy potholes of Orem will have the same therapeutic effect as riding along the beach...

Action shot!

This is Carson. Carson is two and I love him.

Carson (pointing to a treat): "I want one."

Paul: "You'll have to ask your mom."

Carson (persistently): "Please, can I have one?"

Paul: "Sorry, bud- you have to ask your mom."

Carson: "... I want to ask Rachel."

So nice to get out and play!

6o degrees in NOVEMBER!!!

And that is why I wanted to cry the day we came back.

25 Reasons Why I Love Rory

In no particular order:

25. He listens to my stories and always acts interested... even when my stories bore myself.

24. When he plays the piano and I play the flute, I don't shake in front of an audience.

23. This one time, he gave me a really pretty ring.

22. He's smart.

21. He's athletic.

20. Have you seen his smile??? It makes me melt every time.

19. Sometimes he makes me laugh until my stomach hurts.

18. Sometimes I make him laugh until his stomach hurts.

17. He doesn't ever complain if my tears soak his shirt.

16. I hate to sound vain, but he is so good lookin'!

15. He's insightful.

14. He has done every single favor I've EVER asked him to do.

13. He plays with my hair.

12. He's musical- the guitar, piano, vocals, and bass - makes the rest of us look like talentless fools!

11. He gives me compliments like he's getting paid to give them. (But he's not... just wanted to clarify that.)

10. He is my best friend.

9. He knows what he wants in life and doesn't just sit around waiting for shooting stars.

8. I don't have enough fingers and toes to count all the little things he does for me on a daily basis.

7. He notices and appreciates the little things I do for him.

6. He eats- a lot. I'm not sure why it is that I like that about him, but I do.

5. He enjoys being around my side of the family.

4. Because of him, I have fabulous in-laws.

3. I love just being around him.

2. I'm a better person because of him.

1. He wants to be with me FORRRREEEEVVVERRRRR!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, *HUBSAND!!! I love you.

*Yes, I meant to type hubsand as opposed to husband.

Myoclonus

Have you ever heard of myoclonus? It is a neurological condition characterized by rapid contraction and relaxation of muscle. It's much more common than you probably think. Hiccups? They're myoclonic spasms of the diaphragm. How about that night when you were just about to fall asleep, and you suddenly jerked awake, simultaneously elbowing your spouse or the wall? That's also a form of myoclonus called "hypnic jerks."

A couple years ago, I (Rory) noticed that my eyelid would shift over the top of my eyeball when I would get tired or stressed. It's happened periodically since then, but about 2 weeks ago it started up, and has been happening almost constantly since then. So, I decided to figure out exactly what it was. My particular condition is called Blepharospasm. It can be caused by a lot of things, including corneal irritation, stress, lack of sleep or eye strain.

Bad news? It gets worse if you think about it frequently (I can't help it... it's my freaking eyelid!) It has been connected to Alzheimer's (but I'm only 24!!), and it may also be a symptom of lesions of the cortex, subcortex, or spinal cord.

Good news? I'm pretty sure it's from a combination of sun exposure to my eyes, wearing my disposable contacts for twice as long as I'm supposed to, and stress from life. I'm going to bed now.