Birthday Girl, originally uploaded by Shiny (aka Rachel).

This photo was taken 5 days before my 25th birthday.

We went to a zoo and a lighthouse to celebrate my big 25, and my sister turning 22. Her birthday is 3 days before mine. Even in our twenties we still share parties.

Excuse the whole no chin thing, I took it myself and always over aim. It does give you a good look at the grays though.

I got my first gray hair at 17. Hopefully fate will be kind, and hold off on wrinkles until I’m 60+. At least that would be fair.

Best buds, originally uploaded by Shiny (aka Rachel).

and hold babies… the best medicine. Grandpa Louie loves Liam with a passion, and rarely puts him down if he can get away with it.

Squirrels!, originally uploaded by Shiny (aka Rachel).

These squirrels were a highlight of a recent trip to the Eugene/Springfield area. It’s a family of 4, plus Mom… living in a telephone pole across the street from my inlaws.

My father in law is almost impossible to get a picture of…
but I did.

My husband looks so much like his mother…

We went to Eugene with my Mom & Stepdad, and spent part of the day with them browsing health food stores for teff flour, which we actually ended up finding in a small store in North Bend… and I got my first taste of Trader Joe’s. Part of the day was spent with Chris’ parents, quietly mourning his Grandma and helping pack.

I don’t know why I love this picture of my Mom so much.
Maybe because it’s me in 20 years?

Everything ended on a good note, bellies full of gluten free mexican food from a small hall in the wall before leaving town. We towed home a freezer and some other miscellaneous things… a few bags of gluten free groceries I have quickly run out of.

I have NO idea what I’m doing here. Obviously.

Driving over the bridge meant we were almost home, and it felt good…

Home.

CNA Graduation Flower
Originally uploaded by Shiny (aka Rachel)

I can’t believe the past two months have gone by so fast. One moment we were sleeping on the floor at my Mother’s house after driving the U-Haul 600 some miles, and the next I am hugging my instructor as cameras flash and my Step-Dad cheers from the audience. Mere days after we moved into our new house I started a C.N.A. class. Waking up in time to be at the facility before 6:30am has been a learning experience.

Between starting work, going off my ADHD medication, settling into a new house with roommates, suffering from the most awful case of bronchitis I ever had, hosting family parties, welcoming my nephew into the world, and dealing with things I don’t even what to explain… it has been an incredibly busy, sad, and rewarding two months. Moving back to Oregon has changed our lives. The fact that I finished this class wasn’t the reason I got misty eyed as I accepted flowers and congratulations, it was knowing we’re happier, healthier, and more successful.

Chris is in Washington at the moment, watching the Grandmother who raised him die, so he wasn’t here to share “this” moment with. Had he been here we would have celebrated with a home cooked meal and something off the DVR. Instead, I drove to the health food store and purchased my first ever KIND Bar, some gf mac & cheese, a tomato, tuna, and juice… and am now vegged out in front the computer trying to decide how to spend my evening.

Editing the nearly 500 pictures I’ve taken in the past two months sounds like a good place to start. Keep an eye on Flickr, it’s going to be a long night.