tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-129047352024-03-19T06:25:05.487-04:00Rachelle Chase BlogA blog about living life to the full and being intentional about pleasing Jesus! I also throw in some stuff about my photography business, not for profit organization and parenting. :)rachellechasebloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18279892084527323930noreply@blogger.comBlogger1060125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12904735.post-59937186911693331722014-10-29T10:09:00.001-04:002014-10-29T10:09:02.834-04:00Threads, Kicks and Frosting ~ Modesty is the best policy<div style="color: #555555; font-family: puritan-1, puritan-2, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 22.75px;">
I love fashion. I love checking out new styles, I love shopping and I’m pretty sure there is going to be an enormous TJ Maxx in heaven. But I think a false misconception is that you have to dress like a frumpy, old woman in order to be modest.</div>
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I disagree. Now. I am not trying to open the can of worms that is the modesty issue. There are 2 different soap boxes that come with that.</div>
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1. A girl’s body is a girl’s body. It’s not <strong style="color: black;">her</strong> fault men are pigs and can’t control their thoughts.</div>
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2. A girl needs to wear a turtleneck and long baggy pants every day of every year and it is completely her responsibility to keep men from having dirty thoughts.</div>
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I’m gonna get all up on all ya’ll’s soapboxes for a minute.</div>
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Both of those attitudes are wrong.</div>
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Thinking that <strong style="color: black;"><em>my actions only affect me</em></strong> is the problem with so many aspects of the world today. No one wants to take responsibility for any of their actions or any of their decisions. Your actions <strong style="color: black;">can</strong> affect other people. You can be (partially) responsible for the actions of the people around you.</div>
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Thinking that I am <strong style="color: black;">completely</strong> responsible for other people’s actions is another problem. Regardless of what a girl is wearing, guys still have a choice with what they will do with their eyes, and they still have a choice with what they do with their thoughts.</div>
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When you have an attitude that is thinking of others as better than yourself, or that is wanting to be above board and above reproach, when you have a heart’s desire to please God with what you do? You will have no problem changing your clothing or changing your attitude.</div>
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The reason I hate both sides of this argument is because in both cases, people are putting themselves higher than they should.</div>
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What kind of a person blames every girl out there for every poor decision a man has ever made, attack the girls dressing that way, and any other person in their way? A prideful person. A person who wants what they want regardless of how it affects other people. (sometimes, even convincing themselves that they are attacking for good reason because they are just trying to help their husband or other men!)</div>
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On the other hand, what kind of a person hears someone say that the reason their husband is struggling with lust is because of the way <strong style="color: black;">they</strong> are dressing and instantly start going on a rampage agains men, the person suggesting a change, and any other person in their way? A prideful person. A person who wants what they want regardless of how it affects other people.</div>
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<strong style="color: black;">Only by pride comes contention. Period. </strong></div>
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Try thinking about what the opposite reaction might look like. What if every girl stopped themselves before they left the house, took 2 extra minutes to examine what they were wearing, and maybe even asked their dad or husband if what they were wearing was ok? What if every girl stopped themselves before they started judging every other girl out there and instead prayed that their husbands, or sons would remain pure in their thoughts and actions?</div>
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A little different, huh?</div>
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In light of my love for style, here are a few tips that will show you how you can still dress in style without being inappropriate.</div>
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1. If you wear leggings, always have something covering your butt. There’s really no need for the world to see London and France. If you want to wear a shorter skirt that is hard to stay modest in? Wear leggings underneath.<br />You can still be stylish <strong style="color: black;">and</strong> be modest.</div>
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<a href="https://rachellechaseblog.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/2014-10-28_0001.jpg" style="color: black;"><img alt="2014-10-28_0001" class="aligncenter wp-image-6395 size-full" src="https://rachellechaseblog.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/2014-10-28_0001.jpg?w=580" style="border: 10px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); box-sizing: border-box; clear: both; display: block; height: auto; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></a></div>
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2. Never wear nude colored leggings. <strong style="color: black;">Ever</strong>. I mean for real now. Ain’t nobody got the stomach for that.<br />(don’t worry, there is no picture demonstrating this one!)</div>
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3. Wear a tank top under your shirts.</div>
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<a href="https://rachellechaseblog.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/2014-10-28_0002.jpg" style="color: black;"><img alt="2014-10-28_0002" class="aligncenter wp-image-6394 size-full" src="https://rachellechaseblog.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/2014-10-28_0002.jpg?w=580" style="border: 10px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); box-sizing: border-box; clear: both; display: block; height: auto; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> I wear a tank top under every single shirt I ever wear. It helps when your shirt is low cut, and it also helps when your shirt comes up in the back. We have all had the unfortunate experience of having someone bend over in front of us only to find out…ahem…they weren’t wearing a tank top. And unfortunately, London and France weren’t even around! I think you get my drift. Do everyone around you a favor and wear a tank.</div>
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Don’t forget. You can still be stylish <strong style="color: black;">and</strong> modest.</div>
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I just saw this quote that I liked…Instead of thinking if ya got it, flaunt it. Think: if ya got it, protect it.<br />Word.</div>
rachellechasebloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18279892084527323930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12904735.post-2584331800453565452014-10-20T09:36:00.004-04:002014-10-20T09:36:55.115-04:00Follow me on my new blog!Be sure and follow me at my new blog!<br />
I write about my family, my photography, my thoughts on life in general and all kinds of other stuff.<br />
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<a href="http://www.rachellechaseblog.com/">www.rachellechaseblog.com</a><br />
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<br />rachellechasebloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18279892084527323930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12904735.post-28968568680540160982014-10-08T21:08:00.001-04:002014-10-08T21:08:07.134-04:00That little part that whispers...When you have been hurt by people, there is going to be a little part of you that always wonders. Always questions. Always doubts.<br />
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There is always that little part that whispers... <em>She is probably talking bad about me.</em> or, <em>she will end up stabbing me in the back</em>, Or, <em>She will be one more person who walks out of my life with no remorse, leaving me wondering if we were ever really friends at all.</em> When things like that happen, I find myself trying as hard as I can to remember what I ever opened up about to her and wondering if she will use it against me. Then I find myself shielding myself. Holding back. Not really ever opening up to the next person because of the fear that it will happen again.<br />
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And it's not like it happened once. Not even twice or three times. When it starts happening over and over? You start to think it's <strong>you</strong>. You start to think there is something wrong with <strong>you</strong>.
And then I question. Is it wrong to not trust people? Is it a sin? Am I doing something wrong because I say that I don't need anyone else. Just my family is fine, thank-you-very-much.<br />
<strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></strong>
<strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">But then God.</span></strong> God does things and gives you gifts and allows you to trust a little bit here and a little bit there. He puts people in your life that you are <strong>convinced</strong> you don't need, because you are fine. Just perfectly fine. And you tell yourself you aren't going to let yourself get hurt again. You aren't going to let yourself end up questioning everything your life is all about just because of one person. You can't and you won't. And God just quietly throws people at you. Sometimes it feels like it's literally that way. He throws people into your life that remind you of something.<br />
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Just because <strong>some</strong> people hurt you, doesn't mean <strong>all</strong> people hurt you.<br />
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And this simple little sentence has been constantly brought back to mind time and time again over the past few years.<br />
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Just because <strong>some</strong> people hurt you, doesn't mean <strong>all</strong> people hurt you. I know I just said it, but it bears repeating, because with each new person that comes into my life, with each new opportunity to open up a little bit more, come those doubts. Those fears. That whisper of lies that this girl will be no different than the last...even if she swears she won't be.<br />
And sometimes? The face of the past hurts shows itself on the face of the new potential friend. And that is just ugly. And not in the least bit fair. Being afraid of trusting someone doesn't feel good. I prefer to give people the benefit of the doubt. I prefer to assume the good in people. And in reality? What does it really hurt? My feelings? My emotions?
I choose to let it make me stronger. I choose to find peace in the fact that Jesus directs my steps. He doesn't allow anything into my life that can't be used for good.<br />
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So many times, over and over I have tried to tell God that I don't need anyone else. I am just fine. Perfectly fine.
But then God. God knows me better than I know myself, and He gives me gifts of friends I was convinced I didn't need.<br />
<br />
So thank you. Thank you to those girls in my life who I can't even imagine living without. I would have missed out on so many laughs. So many prayers. So many encouraging, uplifting, incredible people if I had let the past control my future. I can take what happened to me in the past, and use it to make me feel even more strongly about being a loyal friend.<br />
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The way God gives gifts...it kind of blows me away. Being hurt by a person here, and a person there - it stings. But when you just trust God, just let him work...He gives you blessings a million times over.
*Shout out to all my homegirls. You know who you are. You all have made my life better than I thought it ever could be.<br />
And today... I walked around and saw the beautiful reminder of an incredible creator who made this beautiful earth. This God who is my Father, and puts so much thought into the colors of the world, but He puts even more thought into me.
<a href="https://rachellechaseblog.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/2014-10-08_0001.jpg"><img alt="2014-10-08_0001" class="aligncenter wp-image-6207 size-full" height="372" src="https://rachellechaseblog.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/2014-10-08_0001.jpg" width="800" /></a> <a href="https://rachellechaseblog.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/2014-10-08_0002.jpg"><img alt="2014-10-08_0002" class="aligncenter wp-image-6208 size-full" height="537" src="https://rachellechaseblog.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/2014-10-08_0002.jpg" width="800" /></a> <a href="https://rachellechaseblog.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/2014-10-08_0003.jpg"><img alt="2014-10-08_0003" class="aligncenter wp-image-6209 size-full" height="537" src="https://rachellechaseblog.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/2014-10-08_0003.jpg" width="800" /></a> <a href="https://rachellechaseblog.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/2014-10-08_0004.jpg"><img alt="2014-10-08_0004" class="aligncenter wp-image-6210 size-full" height="537" src="https://rachellechaseblog.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/2014-10-08_0004.jpg" width="800" /></a> <a href="https://rachellechaseblog.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/2014-10-08_0005.jpg"><img alt="2014-10-08_0005" class="aligncenter wp-image-6211 size-full" height="537" src="https://rachellechaseblog.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/2014-10-08_0005.jpg" width="800" /></a> <a href="https://rachellechaseblog.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/2014-10-08_0006.jpg"><img alt="2014-10-08_0006" class="aligncenter wp-image-6212 size-full" height="537" src="https://rachellechaseblog.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/2014-10-08_0006.jpg" width="800" /></a> <a href="https://rachellechaseblog.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/2014-10-08_0007.jpg"><img alt="2014-10-08_0007" class="aligncenter wp-image-6213 size-full" height="537" src="https://rachellechaseblog.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/2014-10-08_0007.jpg" width="800" /></a>rachellechasebloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18279892084527323930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12904735.post-29022628950759643662014-10-07T14:17:00.001-04:002014-10-07T14:17:04.346-04:00Threads, Kicks and Frosting ~ And an awesome giveaway!<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">*I am posting here, because my wordpress site is giving my NOTHING but problems! Hopefully they will fix things and I can get back to my usual posting.*</span></i></div>
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I love accessorizing. The more jewelry, the bigger the rings, the brighter the bracelets the better!<br />
Last month when I was at the <a href="http://conference.pursuit31.com/">Pursuit 31 Conference</a>, I had the chance to meet this amazing girl Lizzie. She is the founder and CEO of Market Colors.<br />
Please take a minute to go <a href="http://www.marketcolors.org/">here</a> to their website and check out what they are doing. It is an awesome organization and you are going to be moved when you watch the video on the home page!
I bought the beautiful<a href="http://www.marketcolors.org/store/indigo-quin"> Indigo Quinn bracelet/necklace</a>, and I absolutely love it.
<a href="https://rachellechaseblog.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/threads-kicks-and-frosting-market-colors-nh-lifestyle-blog-3.jpg"><img alt="threads kicks and frosting market colors nh lifestyle blog 3" class="aligncenter wp-image-6195 size-full" height="537" src="https://rachellechaseblog.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/threads-kicks-and-frosting-market-colors-nh-lifestyle-blog-3.jpg" width="800" /></a><a href="https://rachellechaseblog.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/threads-kicks-and-frosting-market-colors-nh-lifestyle-blog-4.jpg"><img alt="threads kicks and frosting market colors nh lifestyle blog 4" class="aligncenter wp-image-6196 size-full" height="372" src="https://rachellechaseblog.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/threads-kicks-and-frosting-market-colors-nh-lifestyle-blog-4.jpg" width="800" /></a>It is awesome to have a bright blue necklace that will add a pop of color to any outfit, but it also makes an adorable wrap bracelet as well. <a href="https://rachellechaseblog.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/threads-kicks-and-frosting-market-colors-nh-lifestyle-blog-1.jpg"><img alt="threads kicks and frosting market colors nh lifestyle blog 1" class="aligncenter wp-image-6193 size-full" height="537" src="https://rachellechaseblog.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/threads-kicks-and-frosting-market-colors-nh-lifestyle-blog-1.jpg" width="800" /></a> <a href="https://rachellechaseblog.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/threads-kicks-and-frosting-market-colors-nh-lifestyle-blog-4.jpg"><img alt="threads kicks and frosting market colors nh lifestyle blog 2" class="aligncenter wp-image-6194 size-full" height="1195" src="https://rachellechaseblog.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/threads-kicks-and-frosting-market-colors-nh-lifestyle-blog-2.jpg" width="800" /></a>
<strong>I love it so much that I decided to give one away! </strong>
All you have to do is enter below!
Also be sure to check out all the other great items Market Colors has for sale! Support a great cause!
<a href="https://rachellechaseblog.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/2014-10-07_0005.jpg"><img alt="2014-10-07_0005" class="aligncenter wp-image-6192 size-full" height="403" src="https://rachellechaseblog.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/2014-10-07_0005.jpg" width="800" /></a>
<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/79e64d031/" id="rc-79e64d031" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>rachellechasebloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18279892084527323930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12904735.post-47587156087402650442014-08-19T09:13:00.001-04:002014-08-19T09:13:16.379-04:003 things to remember when raising teenage boys.<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #87a2a5; font-family: Vollkorn, serif; font-size: 20px; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Here I am. The mother of a teenage boy. You know, that stage in your life that you have heard countless moms talking about with dread and fear?</div>
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If there is one thing I have learned about pretty much every single area of life, it’s this:</div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Stereo-types are bullies. </strong>They come in and get all up in your grill and try to convince you that their way is the right way. They tell you that this is how things are because that is what everyone has always said, and who are we to try to interfere? They don’t care who they affect, and they don’t let up, no matter how much time has gone by.</div>
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I’ve never been a big fan of bullies. And I decided a long time ago that I was not going to sit by and let other people and their opinions boss me around.</div>
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With that being said. I wanted to give you <strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">3 things to remember when raising teenage boys</strong>. And because I like to make things easy to remember when I write and when I speak, I made them all start with the letter “a”. You’re welcome.</div>
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<a href="https://rachellechaseblog.files.wordpress.com/2014/08/ajblog31.jpg" style="-webkit-transition: all 0.18s ease-out; border: 0px; color: #e693a2; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.18s ease-out; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="ajblog3" class="aligncenter wp-image-5980 size-large" height="580" src="https://rachellechaseblog.files.wordpress.com/2014/08/ajblog31.jpg?w=870&h=580" style="border: 0px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 0px 0px 6px; clear: both; display: block; height: auto; margin: 0.4em auto 0.75em; max-width: 98%; padding: 10px;" width="870" /></a></div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">1. Teenage boys need a lot of attention.</strong></div>
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You know how things were when your boys were little. They needed constant attention. They needed their meals made for them and fed to them. They needed to be dressed. They needed you to take them to the bathroom, rock them to sleep and sing to them when they were scared.</div>
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Obviously, things change the older they get. But they <strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">change</strong>. They don’t <strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">stop</strong>. Big difference. Here is where I want to challenge you with:</div>
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They don’t need <strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">less</strong> attention the older they get, they just need a <strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">different kind</strong> of attention the older they get.</div>
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Of course you aren’t doing some of the things that you used to do, but make sure that you are not taking away the attention that they need from you entirely. You may not have to literally put food in their mouths anymore, or sometimes even cook for them. But everyone loves attention. Be sure to make a conscious effort to make their favorite meal every once in a while. Take out a bowl, spoon and cereal and leave it on the counter with a note. Leave messages on the mirror in the bathroom. Do one of their chores, look them in the eyes when they are talking to you, step away from your computer or turn the tv off to make sure you are making it very clear that they are important. Be interested in what they are interested in! When AJ wants to talk about this soccer player, and that soccer stat, I really don’t have a clue who or what he’s talking about. But I still love to listen. I love to hear him talk, hear him laugh, and watch him smile. Don’t take those things for granted. Enjoy being with your teenager. And don’t fake it…they will be able to see right through it.</div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Never stop giving your kids attention. Never.</strong></div>
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Do you know one of the first people I look to when I want attention? My mom! I want my mom’s attention and I am a grown woman, myself! We never stop craving attention from our parents, and that is how it should be.</div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">2. Teenage boys need a lot of affection.</strong></div>
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Don’t forget about the stereo-type bully. I don’t know who ever started making it “embarrassing” for a boy to hug and kiss his mom in public. It’s stereo-typical, and it is not something you have to be pushed around with. Now. If you are not a super affection person naturally, I am not suggesting you start getting all crazy for the first time ever once they hit 13. But if hugging has always been a natural and normal part of your family’s life, why on earth would you stop when your boy hits his teen years? And for crying out loud, don’t ask them if it’s embarrassing! Why even put the thought in their head?! Why <strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">would</strong> it be embarrassing? You should make it so that he would start to wonder what was up if you <strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">didn’t</strong> hug him! Of course, everything has to start with communication.</div>
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A lot of moms I have talked to have told me that their teenager just won’t talk to them. Well…Two things for ya, momma… <strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">1</strong>. A lot of people just won’t talk to you, it is not just because he’s a teenager. <strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">2.</strong> That doesn’t happen overnight. If your kids are still young? Start making it a family practice<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">now</strong> to be open about everything! I’ve said it many times before, but every once in a while, ask your teenager (or any age child) if you have done anything that day or that week that upset them. Ask at a time that allows for you to apologize and make things right in case the answer is yes! Keeping current is so important in every relationship.</div>
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Hug that boy of yours. Rub his back. Kiss his cheeks. Put your arm around him. Show him that you enjoy being with him and you love being <strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">near</strong> him.</div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">3. Teenage boys need a lot of approval.</strong></div>
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I mean, duh. We all need a lot of approval! I think that you have probably picked up on that main theme here. A teenage boy is no different than any other person. We are all just humans, with basic emotional, spiritual and physical needs!</div>
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During these teen years there are going to be so many people who disapprove of your son. The biggest one I find disapproving of mine is…himself. They are going through so many changes- changes with their friends, their school, their body, their emotions, their moods! Sometimes I see AJ disapproving of himself, and that breaks my heart. Understand the major importance of teaching your teenager that <strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">you</strong> approve of him, and that more importantly <strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">God</strong> approves of him. At the end of the day, the things that you need to be pushing and showing approval in, are his attitude, his service, his acts of love – not only his soccer skills, his academic excellence, or his number of friends. Yes, I think it is very important to show approval in every area of life. You are still building confidence in them! He needs to hear you cheering at his games, complimenting his good test score, and saying good things in his ear shot about how you can tell what a great kid he is because so many people like him. And it is equally as important to be careful not to show disapproval over the temporal, fleeting things. I hear way, way too many parents screaming at their kids when they play poorly at a game. It breaks my heart. I want to scream at them for behaving poorly as a parent! Yes, I see the irony there. Ha!</div>
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You can show your approval by actually speaking it. By bragging about him behind his back so he overhears you. By writing a note. By making a special meal. By taking him out. By hugging him. By buying him something. <strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">When a teenager feels approval by his parents, he is not going to be desperate to find approval elsewhere. </strong></div>
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Be the place he knows he can be himself without fear of being made fun of. Be the place he can laugh his hardest, burp his loudest, and act his craziest!</div>
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Don’t allow the stereo-type bully to push your son around. Don’t let him fall into any trap that make him feel like he has the right to not talk, to not show affection, or to not honor his parents. He is responsible before God, just like the rest of us to be living a life that is pleasing to God. <strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">But he still needs you.</strong> He needs you there to support him. To know when to speak and when to listen. When to hug and when to walk away.</div>
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Enjoy that teenage boy of yours. They make the best friends.</div>
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rachellechasebloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18279892084527323930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12904735.post-6611107273527315122014-08-11T20:29:00.001-04:002014-08-11T20:29:33.824-04:00Follow me on my new blogLast year I decided to change my blog name from ajnrileysmommy.blogspot.com, which it had been since 2005, to Rachellechaseblog.com. I started out just writing as a typical mommy blog and kind of switched to just writing in general. I wanted my name to better represent what I was writing about which is why I changed it.<br />
So even though you could still get to my blog by going to rachellechaseblog.com, it still came up as ajnrileysmommy.blogspot.com and I never really told anyone about the switch.<br />
<br />
So now. I have taken the plunge and decided to switch everything and start using wordpress instead of blogger. It's scary.<br />
I have spent years trying to build a following and have actually made some great friends as a direct result of my blog. I really was a little nervous that I would lose readers and followers if I switched. But there's no turning back now!<br />
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I will continue to write every week day and intersperse some family stuff, my photography and some encouraging and thought provoking writing as well.<br />
I would love it if you would continue to support me and share my posts!<br />
I love new friends and I love followers!!<br />
You can find me at www.<a href="http://www.rachellechaseblog.com/" target="_blank">rachellechaseblog</a>.com.<br />
<br />
See you over there!rachellechasebloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18279892084527323930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12904735.post-61449564784676027122014-08-08T21:16:00.000-04:002014-08-09T08:10:47.384-04:00Senior beach portraits ~ Rye Beach, NHBeing a NH senior photographer on the seacoast is basically the best.<br />
Not much beats the cool breeze, the gorgeous lighting and the calmness that being at the beach brings<br />
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When Kelsee contacted me about doing her senior portraits, I was more than happy to go along with her idea of going to the beach!<br />
Rye beach offers a gorgeous location and also right down the road is an adorable white fence so my seniors can easily have 2 totally different themes in one session.<br />
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Kelsee is absolutely beautiful and is super sweet. We had an awesome time at her shoot.<br />
Here are a few of my favorites from her session.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJgXb5B1vmEA2MowRDgq0QgyIq_zKHtEZrBtU9kdk3MpZ_jWitGq3jpNI7M3_pJbkQaEL00GPxV1ON8pQYcfFW2-1oUrJsh44Wf1EnBzu_tdJPC-SsC2w9jUUhfxrzYSq8ZwVj2g/s1600/nh+new+hampshire+senior+photography+photographer+beach+seacoast+portraits+massachusetts+rye+beach+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJgXb5B1vmEA2MowRDgq0QgyIq_zKHtEZrBtU9kdk3MpZ_jWitGq3jpNI7M3_pJbkQaEL00GPxV1ON8pQYcfFW2-1oUrJsh44Wf1EnBzu_tdJPC-SsC2w9jUUhfxrzYSq8ZwVj2g/s1600/nh+new+hampshire+senior+photography+photographer+beach+seacoast+portraits+massachusetts+rye+beach+4.jpg" /></a></div>
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She even brought along a few friends and family members to join in on the fun!<br />
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Hope you have an awesome senior year, Kelsee!<br />
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If you are looking for a NH senior photographer, be sure to <a href="http://rachellechasephotography.com/#/basic-form/" target="_blank">contact me</a> for pricing and details!<br />
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<br />rachellechasebloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18279892084527323930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12904735.post-57476354761610446342014-08-07T21:30:00.002-04:002014-08-07T21:32:05.749-04:00If only I could ctrl f everything in lifeSomething totally weird happened the other day.<br />
I was skimming through a passage in my Bible trying to find a specific verse.<br />
And. I am not making this up. For a split second, my eyes legit went to the top of the page as if I was going to be able to hit ctrl f and the word I was looking for would pop up.<br />
Um. Too much computer time, much?<br />
<br />
People. You can not push control and f when you are reading real live books. Did you know this?<br />
Ya. I thought you might not know.<br />
<br />
I was thinking of it again today went I went into <a href="http://ajnrileysmommy.blogspot.com/2013/07/what-to-do-with-crazy-boys-when-it-rains.html" target="_blank">my barn</a> to try and find the battery charger for my drill. You do know I am a power tool freak, right? I have got some good stories about all of that.<br />
But that's for another time.<br />
Anyways. I was thinking the same thing...wouldn't it be nice if I could just hit ctrl f and the charger would like light up or something.<br />
<br />
Can we be getting any lazier? Right?! I mean, how about I slow down and take an extra five minutes and just look?! Why do I think everything needs a shortcut.<br />
<br />
How about this one...when people text with "thx" or "R U coming?"<br />
I'm sorry. Was the thumb movement to add in the anks a little bit too much for you to handle today?<br />
Was your day so overwhelming that you couldn't add the a,e,y and u for the sentence?<br />
Seriously now. Maybe we should stop making everything a shortcut!! ha!!<br />
<br />
I have been getting so frustrated with my phone lately because it is so stinking slow. And when I say slow, I mean it takes a solid 12 seconds before a page opens. I mean seriously. Do I really have the time in my day to be waiting 12 seconds for things? Come on now.<br />
I have things to do. And here I am, trying to find shortcuts for studying my Bible.<br />
I don't think it gets any worse than that.<br />
<br />
So, I should have warned you before you wasted the last 3 minutes of your night reading this...this whole entire post has literally no point.<br />
I just wanted to tell you how I was trying to shortcut things. And I thought it was funny.<br />
And since we are all such good friends, I just knew you would find it funny too!<br />
And I wish you could be all...OMG!! I just did the same thing last week! or...<br />
NO WAY! Get a load of what I did!<br />
But since this is non interactive, me rambling on about a totally unimportant, small aspect of my life is where this is going to have to come to an end.<br />
So with that.<br />
I have to go put my boys to bed. Is there a shortcut for that?<br />
CALM DOWN!! I am joking :)<br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b>(but seriously. send me a private message. ha!)</b></span>rachellechasebloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18279892084527323930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12904735.post-53604966943784837202014-08-06T15:55:00.003-04:002014-08-06T15:55:40.771-04:00Zach & Ruth ~ NH Seacoast Engagement PhotographerI have known Zach since he was little. I have gotten to know him through being in my youth group, and now in our young adults group. He is an awesome friend and a great addition to our family.<br />
My whole family has been praying for a wife for him for a while, and last year when I went to a soccer game and saw him sitting with this girl Ruth, I just had a feeling.<br />
I told his sister (Ruthie) "she totally likes him." I guess I was right!<br />
They are absolutely perfect together.<br />
<br />
I was so excited to hear about them getting engaged and can not wait for their wedding this November at <a href="http://outlookweddings.com/" target="_blank">The Red Barn at Outlook Farm</a>!<br />
<br />
They wanted to have their engagement session at Swasey Park in Exeter, and the hardest part of the entire session was trying to get them to give me a serious face for a few poses!<br />
It's pretty obvious that they are both incredibly happy, And I could not be more happy for them!<br />
Here are a few of my favorites...<br />
And when I say "few", I mean more than a few. Because there are so, so many that I love.<br />
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Congratulations to one of my favorite couples ever.<br />
<br />
<br />rachellechasebloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18279892084527323930noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12904735.post-58371341486031916502014-08-05T21:17:00.003-04:002014-08-05T21:17:59.518-04:00Why Christians are so mean<div style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 0.825em;">
I came across a pretty interesting passage the other day. One that I have read many times before, because it was in Romans. A book I have highlighted, underlined and written many notes in the margin to. But here I was reading it, and I realized something: This passage in chapter 12 verses 9-16 are written by Paul to other Christians. Now that is not unusual in and of itself, but here is what I never realized. It was written to other Christians, telling them how to treat other Christians.</div>
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The first part starts out with how we need to love without hypocrisy. How we need to be kind, not lazy, patient and diligent. And then this. <em style="line-height: 1.7;">Bless them who persecute you; bless and curse not. </em></div>
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Wait one second here. I am being told to bless people who are persecuting me, and these people who may be persecuting me could be<b> Christians??</b> It was so interesting because just the week before, I was having a conversation with Adam about how the people in my life who have been the most hurtful, have been Christians. And I just didn't get it. I still don't. But the thing is, Paul is saying that there is a problem that has been going on for years and that is persecution towards Christians, <strong style="font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.7;">from</strong> Christians.</div>
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<strong style="font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.7;">This should not be</strong>. The problem is, people who are "Christians" are supposed to be Christ followers. If you are following Christ, that means that you are doing things the way Christ did them. How was that? Well. He tells us to seek peace and pursue it. He tells us to think of others as better than ourselves. He tells us be kind one to another, to speak evil of no man, and on and on it goes. </div>
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So why is it that Christians are so mean?</div>
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I wish I knew. Sorry for the let down, because I just plain don't know the answer. The times I have been hurt the most, the people should have known better. They should have thought before they spoke, they should have thought of someone besides themselves and their own feelings. But they didn't. And so when I think about these people who are choosing self over others, I have to be careful that I don't become that same mean person. </div>
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The way I look at it is: I have a reputation to uphold. And it is not my own. It's Christ's.</div>
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If the way I treat other people is a supposed to be a representation of how Christ treated other people? I better be incredibly careful how I choose to treat people. Makes sense, right?</div>
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If I can't uphold the reputation of what being a Christian really is, then I should not even call myself one. Now, I'm not talking perfection. Clearly, none of us can ever get to the point where we are <b>never</b> mean, and are <b>always</b> thinking of others as better than ourselves. But we should be able to recognize the times we are mean, and make things right. We should be able to get to the point where we are not mean the majority of the time. If we don't, we are not holding up to what the name Christian really means.</div>
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So the next time a Christian is mean to you. Don't be surprised. Just make sure you don't become so cynical that you start lumping all Christians into the same mold. All "Christians" are not the same. Anyone can say they are a Christian. Not everyone acts like one. </div>
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So the reason Christians are so mean? I don't know. But according to Paul, it's been around for quite a while. And when we find ourselves being faced with a mean Christian, we are told to bless them. Bless them and not curse at them. ha! It actually says curse them, not curse <strong style="font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.7;">at</strong> them. But I think Paul knew. Because, come on now. We are only human after all. And Paul liked to keep it real. So I think he meant both. Basically. Keep your mouth shut from yelling out those words that come to your mind when you are being treated by people who are supposed to be treating you kindly. And not only keep your mouth shut, but bless them. </div>
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Come on, Paul. Don't you know how hard that is? I can keep my mouth shut sometimes when I am thinking mean things back. But now you're saying I have to bless them on top of it? Oy. But hey. If Paul says to do it, it means that it's physically possible. Not easy, for sure. But still. Physically possible.</div>
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So if you are a mean Christian? Either <strong style="font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.7;">stop</strong> claiming the name, or <strong style="font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.7;">start</strong> acting like Christ. </div>
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And if you are being treated meanly by other Christians? Don't curse them. Or curse <strong style="font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.7;">at</strong> them. Bless them. You really can do it.</div>
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rachellechasebloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18279892084527323930noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12904735.post-64109757184555700452014-08-04T17:06:00.003-04:002014-08-04T17:06:47.617-04:00Mommy Monday ~ Formula, crying it out and bottles: Whatever works for you.<b>The spit up came out like a volcano. Every single time.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
I was a first time mom, and AJ was my pride and joy.<br />
I have no desire to get into a full out debate on breast feeding vs bottle feeding because honestly?<br />
I don't think it's anyone's business what I feed my child, and I don't think it's my business what you feed yours.<br />
I knew I wanted to bottle feed from the beginning, and I loved my decision.<br />
Adam was working a lot of hours when AJ was an infant, and weekends became his special time with his boy. I would sleep through the night, and Adam would do the night time feedings. Perfect.<br />
Fortunately for me, even though there were raging lunatics crying out that I was a horrible mother for not giving my child breast milk, the computer and social media were not nearly what they are today, so I didn't really see or hear them.<br />
(good thing too, because I don't think Giselle Bundchen would ever hire me to photograph her family if she knew I had bottle fed. ha. Because you know she's going to, right?)<br />
I just had to deal with a few comments here and there, and mostly just passive aggressive ones.<br />
So I ignored them.<br />
<br />
I tried everything. Every brand of formula. Soy formula. I even tried goat's milk.<br />
You wanna know what goat's milk looks and smells like? How about what it looks and smells like when it comes back up? Ya Trying that didn't didn't last long.<br />
We just kind of waited it out and hoped that by the time he was 5 he would be done.<br />
I remember visiting my sister Melanie at her high school the day she was getting her senior pictures done. She held AJ for about 2 minutes...and what do ya know? Puke central. All over her outfit.<br />
She took it well, but I'm sure she could have done without it!<br />
<br />
It's so weird looking back at all these little things that were bigger than big at the time.<br />
They were huge. What was I supposed to do? What did this book say, what did that book say?<br />
It's crazy, really. And even though it was the biggest thing in my life at the time, it's just a funny memory now.<br />
It's the same thing with the sleep deprivation.<br />
At the time? Oh for the love of peter! How was I ever going to survive?<br />
And why, oh WHY are you not just sleeping?!?!?!?!!?!?<br />
Anyone with me on this one?<br />
<br />
I knew that holding AJ every single time he fell asleep was not the easiest choice.<br />
(many people reminded me of that)<br />
But I knew it was the one I loved the most.<br />
Looking at his big blue eyes as they started to get drowsy. Looking at his perfect, chubby cheeks and his sweet little lips. I mean, really. Would you want to put him down?<br />
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<br />
I remember I would lay down with him on my bed and wait for him to fall asleep.<br />
He would lay there. Kind of restless. And I would sing.<br />
Then I would kind of close <b>my</b> eyes slowly in the hopes that he would take the hint!<br />
Then his eyes would start to droop. Then I would move ever so slightly, and they would pop open.<br />
Then he would eventually fall asleep again and I would start to move off the bed and it would shake a tiny bit...just enough to wake him up. And we would start the entire process all over again.<br />
I think it would literally take me over an hour just to get him to sleep every nap time and every night.<br />
<br />
It's funny, because there are very few issues in life where my advice would be -<br />
<b>whatever works for you.</b><br />
But when it comes to formula vs. breast milk. Apple juice vs. water. Bottle vs. sippy cup. Holding vs. laying down. Crying it out vs. picking him up.<br />
<b>Whatever works for you!</b><br />
It's like people need to stop wigging out already!<br />
<br />
AJ does not remember me putting him to sleep that way when he was 6 months old.<br />
But I do.<br />
AJ does not remember that he used to spit up like a mad fool.<br />
But I do.<br />
AJ does not remember that I used to give him sippy cups with juice instead of water.<br />
But I do.<br />
And I love looking back on those things and remembering. I barely remember. Barely.<br />
<br />
So really and truly.<br />
<b>Whatever works for you.</b><br />
Don't let bossy celebrities, or overbearing relatives push you into changing something that does not matter in the long run.<br />
<br />
The days of spit up, bottles, crying and diapers will be over before you know it.<br />
And believe me. You will enjoy the next phase, but you will always have a little piece of you that wishes you could have just one more day of those baby years.<br />
<br />
<b>Whatever works for you.</b>rachellechasebloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18279892084527323930noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12904735.post-27941115199591789362014-08-01T19:58:00.005-04:002014-08-02T18:51:16.152-04:00Rachelle Chase Photography ~ Seacoast Wedding Photographer <div>
Some people plan for a big, fancy wedding and forget all about the marriage part.</div>
<div>
Candice and Don had a simple, fun wedding and were so evidently focused on the marriage part.</div>
<div>
Like. They get it.</div>
<div>
Life is hard, but God is good. And together they are going to be able to face anything.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
Candice didn't want to spend a lot of time with me photographing her getting ready, or a ton of details. She wanted to focus on her special day with all of her friends and family gathered around while she got to marry her best friend.</div>
<div>
What a treat to get the chance to watch them interact with their friends and family as they celebrated a beautiful day together.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Here are a few of my favorites from their day!</div>
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And then, as a first for me as a wedding photographer, they bowled.</div>
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Yes. they put on bowling shoes and had a little fun! So cute!</div>
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Congratulations to both of you!<br />
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rachellechasebloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18279892084527323930noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12904735.post-54142431144838350802014-07-31T22:05:00.003-04:002014-07-31T22:05:26.524-04:00Crazy things happen when I start thinking.If you are friends with me at all, and this includes Facebook friends, you know that my life has been pretty much consumed with all things <a href="http://www.eppinglighthouse.org/surgeconference" target="_blank">Surge</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ7U0kxjOHtHUGLGAFVI9E-kKNtgpcfyQnzvEMA-R6UuASvOU73X2nLZDfQKVUqFEvIvOT0enmAf3mZVmCp0xkKjG8qRDnZiSNEDd5PJBgu57ZwamGD5BecXxkg65VxcwB0B16hA/s1600/2014-07-31_0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ7U0kxjOHtHUGLGAFVI9E-kKNtgpcfyQnzvEMA-R6UuASvOU73X2nLZDfQKVUqFEvIvOT0enmAf3mZVmCp0xkKjG8qRDnZiSNEDd5PJBgu57ZwamGD5BecXxkg65VxcwB0B16hA/s1600/2014-07-31_0001.jpg" height="620" width="640" /></a></div>
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What started out with a random thought that popped into my head (oddly enough, this is how <a href="http://www.eppinglighthouse.org/" target="_blank">The Porch </a>started!), has turned into reality.<br />
And this is thanks to my husband who supports all my crazy dreams and some solid friends (many of which are also my family) who push me along the way.<br />
Adam always says that my mind would be a very scary place to be. Ha!<br />
Crazy things happen when I start thinking!<br />
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So tonight.<br />
My refrigerator looks like this<br />
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(Shout out to Ryan Boccelli and Stonyfield Farm for the yogurt donation!)<br />
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My table looks like this<br />
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(Thank you <a href="http://www.2dancingdanes.com/" target="_blank">2 Dancing Daanes </a>for hooking us up with the stellar stamp!)<br />
And my mind is a crazy mess filled with more thoughts about more topics than I could ever tell you.<br />
<br />
And this morning, as I sat on my bed with my Bible open and my eyes closed, I had to struggle and fight with these thoughts that were threatening to just take over.<br />
Thoughts that had nothing to do with what was in front of me.<br />
And thoughts that involved situations that had happened and were happening that I had absolutely no control over.<br />
<br />
And I was reminded of the incredible truth that God is in control.<br />
Period.<br />
If there are things going on that I have no control over, than what is it even proving to worry?<br />
Nothing.<br />
And I was able to sit there and feel God's peace pour over me in a way that is so hard to explain, but in that same exact way that He is doing it now.<br />
I have listened to this song over and over this week:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/S-hd7roEfqk" width="560"></iframe><br />
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God. The God of the universe is fighting for me. Little, old, unimportant me.<br />
And it doesn't matter what else happens. I am not alone.<br />
<br />
And as I have stressed over the boys schooling, finances, editing, emailing clients, emailing teens about surge, emailing family, forgetting to go grocery shopping this week...it just all stopped.<br />
<br />
I am not alone.<br />
And my God is fighting for me. always.<br />
I don't even care what else happens.<br />
<br />
I am so excited about tomorrow for a lot of reasons, many of the reasons come from thoughts I have had since I was in middle school.<br />
And I can not wait to blog about it next week.<br />
<br />
But for now?<br />
I have to go take the brownies out of the oven, finish writing thank you notes for my speakers, email a couple clients back, make a list for my day tomorrow and finish editing these pictures for my post tomorrow.<br />
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And I am completely satisfied and peaceful.<br />
<br />rachellechasebloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18279892084527323930noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12904735.post-90067790853933155982014-07-30T21:30:00.002-04:002014-07-30T21:30:12.642-04:00Family Photography ~ Cousins Shoot Massabesic LakeI love being able to capture families loving on each other.<br />
I was so excited when I had the chance to do a cousin shoot!<br />
These sweet kids don't get to see each other very often, so it was great watching them interact together.<br />
<br />
It was a beautiful night at Massabesic Lake in Manchester, and you can tell these cousins sure do love each other!<br />
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<br />rachellechasebloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18279892084527323930noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12904735.post-22769404112735603412014-07-29T21:31:00.000-04:002014-07-29T21:31:08.704-04:00Running when no one cheers It's kind of an odd concept, the whole road race thing.<br />
I pay money to run. People cheer me on. I finish and go home.<br />
<br />
But people really get into it!<br />
I have run a lot of races. Some 5k's and then half marathons and marathons with a couple of 5, 6, and 10 miles thrown into the mix.<br />
And they are all the same...people everywhere, decked out in their brand new running gear ready to do their thang.<br />
<br />
Today I ran the <a href="http://www.yankeerace.com/" target="_blank">Newburyport 10 mile </a>road race with my dad.<br />
As I was running it, I was thinking about the difference from just last week when I had also run 10 miles.<br />
I ran by myself, in my town.<br />
No one cheered me on. I didn't get any high fives, or any kind of water breaks along the way, and no one yelled out - you got this! Good job! Keep it up!<br />
<br />
And here tonight as we ran, we had tons of people handing out water, orange slices, playing music, giving high fives, spraying us with water and yelling out constant encouragement.<br />
<br />
What a difference that makes.<br />
Having people supporting you, encouraging you and helping you.<br />
When I ran by myself, it was all I could muster to keep running, fight through the pain and make it home! And tonight, it motivated me to keep moving.<br />
<br />
Races get me all pumped up.<br />
They make me want to run more, but I gotta say that in all of the hours and hours of running I have done, I have sure learned a lot about life.<br />
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And if cheering me one when I am simply run makes such a big difference in my life, imagine how much of a difference it can make if I decide to start cheering someone on when they are going through rough times in life.<br />
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It's huge, people. It's huge.<br />
We need each other. Don't think we don't.<br />
Don't fall in to the whole "I'm all set" way of living.<br />
We were created to be relational. To be there for each other. To encourage and build each other up. Because we need it. And maybe I need it today, but you will need it next week. And maybe you need it next week and someone else will need it the following week.<br />
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<b>It's hard running when no one cheers.</b><br />
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This week, make it a priority to hand out water and give high fives...metaphorically speaking.<br />
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Be the cheerleader for people even if you don't know them.<br />
The people who were cheering me on tonight, didn't know me.<br />
And you what? It didn't even matter.<br />
They gave me what I needed exactly when I needed it and it helped me finish the race.<br />
Let's help each other finish the race.<br />
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<br />
Here's a before and after of the race tonight :)<br />
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<br />rachellechasebloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18279892084527323930noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12904735.post-33151827025705495682014-07-28T20:24:00.002-04:002014-07-28T20:24:34.892-04:00Mommy Monday ~ Vegetables aren't that importantSometimes life can seem like a big, giant list of things that are too hard for me to do.<br />
And I just can't take it.<br />
Not only do I have to be thinking about how much water <b>I</b> have had to drink and how many fruits and veggies <b>I</b> have gotten in, how much exercise <b>I</b> have done and how much time <b>I</b> have spent on electronics, but nowwwww...I also have to figure out how to do all that for these 2 little humans I'm raising?!<br />
Come on now.<br />
Ain't nobody got time for that!<br />
<br />
Add into that mix: how many books they've read, when the last time they've had their nails cut, how much sleep they've gotten, how they test, how they treat other kids their age, how they treat adults, ahhhhhhhh...who has time for all that?!<br />
<br />
So basically, here's what I think about it all.<br />
<br />
<b>Vegetables aren't that important.</b><br />
<br />
Every night, when I go in to pray over my boys after they fall asleep, I am never all:<br />
sigh. I am so thankful AJ had those cucumbers and peppers today.<br />
And I could not be more proud that Riley ate the corn.<br />
<br />
The things that I think about are much, much more important.<br />
The way AJ told me he knows his spiritual gift is service and he just loves to serve.<br />
The way Riley tells me to put the bag down so <b>he</b> can carry it in for me.<br />
<br />
It's the things that have to do with my boys <b>character</b> that I am much more concerned about.<br />
Sure, I think I should still think about what they're eating every once in a while, about how they are improving their education, and all those other things.<br />
<br />
But what I think is the most important is that they are growing in favor with God and with people.<br />
And so if you are having one of those days (or let's be honest here, one of those weeks, or months or YEARS!) <b>just let it go.</b><br />
Spend time cultivating the long lasting things that matter:<br />
How they love God. How they love people.<br />
<br />
And let the veggies go, dude.<br />
Just let the veggies go.<br />
<br />
<br />rachellechasebloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18279892084527323930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12904735.post-36902876656723402642014-07-25T20:47:00.004-04:002014-07-25T21:03:51.698-04:00An entry from the journal of 13-year-old meI write. A lot.<br />
Like, sometimes I just find random notebooks from years ago that I have written all sorts of things in. <br />
I don't necessarily journal, although I like the idea of it, and I wish I did more.<br />
But sometimes it's fun to just find something and think...wow, I was feeling like that then?!? Weird!<br />
<br />
This is from February 2, 1990 (I was 13)<br />
<br />
<i>Dear Heavenly Father,</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Thank you for this day, even though it's snowing.</i><br />
<i>Thank you for the warm place that I have to live in. </i><br />
<i>I saw Andy at the game today, and he LOOKED AT ME! (yes...this was in all caps) </i><br />
<i>I'm so glad I have you to talk to about this. No one else would understand.</i><br />
<i>Please help my face to clear-up...Thanks for listening to me.</i><br />
<i>Please help my Tony to get saved. He needs you so bad.</i><br />
<i>I love you!</i><br />
<i>Rachelle</i><br />
<br />
This makes me smile because <i>Andy</i> was a guy that went to the high school my sister was going to (I was still being home-schooled at this point) and seriously.. he looked at me?!?!?<br />
And "my Tony" was referring to none other than Tony Eason, who was the quaterback for the New England Patriots. I honestly prayed for him every single day. No lie.<br />
And the funny thing is that everything I wrote was never for a show.<br />
It was like my personal journal. I wasn't blogging it. I wasn't instagramming it. I wasn't updating my Facebook status. So I guess I really thought he was "my Tony". And everything I was writing was just pure, straight-up Rachelle.<br />
<br />
Here's why I love looking at things like this.<br />
It helps me to remember a few things.<br />
<br />
<b>1. I had parents who took me seriously.</b><br />
My parents let me paste pictures of <i>my Tony</i> on my wall, write "I love Tony" all over my high top balloon sneakers, and they actually took me seriously. They looked at me with a straight face when I asked if I could please have a jersey with number 11 on the front and number 2 on the back (for Doug Flutie, obvi.) for Christmas.<br />
It reminds me that I need to take my own kids seriously, and the kids from <a href="http://eppinglighthouse.org/" target="_blank">The Porch</a> as well.<br />
Things were a big deal to me. They seemed huge, even though now I can see that they were not.<br />
And having people in your life who take you seriously too? Priceless.<br />
<br />
<b>2. Jesus has been a friend to me since I was little.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
I remember what my face looked like when I was 13. I remember wearing big bangs over my forehead to try and cover up all the pimples. And I remember praying and asking God to please help my face to clear up. It was real. It was a relationship with a Heavenly Father, and I still have it.<br />
It's pretty incredible, and it's why I encourage my boys to pray about everything. Everything.<br />
God wants to have a personal relationship with us. He cares about every single detail in our lives.<br />
If it's a big deal to us, it's a big deal to Him.<br />
<br />
<b>3. It is always a good idea to be thankful.</b><br />
I like looking back and seeing what I was thankful for.<br />
I was thankful that I had a warm place to live. Please understand, that I did not have a <i>nice,</i> warm place to live, as many of you would describe <i>nice. </i>But I grew up in a home that was loving, and that completely met my needs.<br />
I was thankful that a boy, who literally never knew my name, had <b>looked</b> at me.<br />
Wow. That is really digging deep to find something, right? But it was <i>something</i>.<br />
And to a 13-year-old, boy crazy girl, it was huge.<br />
It is always a good idea to be thankful. Because, why not?<br />
Is your house smaller than you wish? Be thankful.<br />
Is your weight more than what you want? Be thankful.<br />
Are your friends fewer than you want? Be thankful.<br />
<b>Just be thankful. </b><br />
Take the seemingly meaningless, little, tiny details of life and make them huge.<br />
Make them all huge.<br />
<br />
<br />
So here you have it. An entry from the journal of 13-year-old Rachelle.<br />
Just keeping it real.<br />
<br />rachellechasebloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18279892084527323930noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12904735.post-14576839427743251002014-07-24T20:09:00.001-04:002014-07-24T20:09:38.428-04:005 big reasons NOT to homeschoolIf you live in the good ole North East, summer vacation has literally only been going on for one full week before Walmart decides to whip out the back-to-school supplies and throw them in the front of the store.<br />
I'm all...say what?! Where the sunscreen at?<br />
<br />
But since people are already literally talking about going <b>back</b> to school, I thought I would jump on the bandwagon. And since people are constantly asking me incredulously how in the world I homeschool, I thought I would give you 5 big reasons <b>not to.</b><br />
<br />
<div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>1. </b><b>You start planning your field trips around your trips to the mall. </b><br />
-Can't I catch a break? I mean, is it <b>my</b> fault that there is a <a href="http://www.see-sciencecenter.org/" target="_blank">science center </a> and opportunity for many other field trips right next to the mall? Rough life, right?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>2. You miss out on all the good gossip going around with all the moms in the public school.</b><br />
-I mean, really. I don't know how I am possibly going to survive if I don't get all the dirt on everyone! Vaguebooking is just not cutting it for me! I need more, people. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>3. You have complete control over what your kids learn. </b><br />
-This can be a little overwhelming. And opening every single ever loving science book in the library only to find out that the world started billions, no wait...millions, no just kidding billions of years ago? It's like...who has time to teach our kids the truth these days! Wouldn't it just be easier to let whatever the teacher happens to believe become your kids <i>truth</i>?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>4. You start eating snacks with your kids at snack time and can accidentally gain a few.</b><br />
-Food was designed for comfort, yes? So your math is a little too hard for you right now? Let's pop a bag of popcorn and look over it. You just aced your geography test? Sweet. Let's celebrate with a giant bowl of ice cream. And that's the whole problem- you're home too much. Around food. And there is just no stopping it. Weight watchers, here we come.<br />
<br />
<b>5. You start to get really attached to your kids.</b><br />
-Seriously. It's pretty much like my kids are my best friends.<br />
In our house? We laugh. A lot. And honestly, who wants that?<br />
<br />
<br />
So there you have it. Five solid reasons not to homeschool. Anyone have any more they want to add? </div>
</div>
rachellechasebloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18279892084527323930noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12904735.post-69737886890412090762014-07-23T18:17:00.004-04:002014-07-23T18:17:58.774-04:00Senior session on the beach ~ Rye Beach, NHI have photographed Kayla and her family a couple of times as well as her <a href="http://ajnrileysmommy.blogspot.com/2012/09/senior-photographer-i-manchester-nh.html" target="_blank">sister's senior pictures.</a><br />
Kayla wanted her senior pictures on the beach, and I always love hearing my clients say that!<br />
The beach is pretty much my favorite place to be and Rye Beach never disappoints!<br />
<br />
We had so much fun during our session and Kayla was absolutely perfect at posing and acting totally natural.<br />
She even brought an assistant along for the fun! ha!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7B_SFoPtcw1lD8YuQiVloH3HBU-wnQhRRHUz2xaIVdjiEDMfjW6Q49pnRKVCTFV1LhL6ZnCgIiemKjAfpbczA4EZ69Wz_WSNg7VMcoHDlPXbJsJoI-3zPJYkiVXjDuVxlo-aoXw/s1600/senior+photography+photographer+new+hampshire+nh+beach+rye+jeness+north+hampton+senior+portraits+pictures+session+exeter+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7B_SFoPtcw1lD8YuQiVloH3HBU-wnQhRRHUz2xaIVdjiEDMfjW6Q49pnRKVCTFV1LhL6ZnCgIiemKjAfpbczA4EZ69Wz_WSNg7VMcoHDlPXbJsJoI-3zPJYkiVXjDuVxlo-aoXw/s1600/senior+photography+photographer+new+hampshire+nh+beach+rye+jeness+north+hampton+senior+portraits+pictures+session+exeter+7.jpg" /></a></div>
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Here are a few of my favorites from her session!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiluO_QWEcftxAEiQXSxc4-fNYOB9ONoqj4OEpvfaGstw7hJFuD-Je0NUZ0JU48zNICLR31qZQLWomgZHEPI6KWlociCqT0YDZ4wHMCyCGFZW8geLraROoPZWH7bvvoWRjS9LKT1Q/s1600/senior+photography+photographer+new+hampshire+nh+beach+rye+jeness+north+hampton+senior+portraits+pictures+session+exeter+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiluO_QWEcftxAEiQXSxc4-fNYOB9ONoqj4OEpvfaGstw7hJFuD-Je0NUZ0JU48zNICLR31qZQLWomgZHEPI6KWlociCqT0YDZ4wHMCyCGFZW8geLraROoPZWH7bvvoWRjS9LKT1Q/s1600/senior+photography+photographer+new+hampshire+nh+beach+rye+jeness+north+hampton+senior+portraits+pictures+session+exeter+4.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbJVKRwL-xmBDIHDiiL_CLSEwirL1F1Jx6oOQJF2X3YFaOESD9MxOjjY1EnkNWwHRQLi7ogK-Eg4YFYizNMYsqYC4hSavTKtMvecwymzvJH7B8lBlGb3q0bN746AJ7x72Oa3tVtQ/s1600/senior+photography+photographer+new+hampshire+nh+beach+rye+jeness+north+hampton+senior+portraits+pictures+session+exeter+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbJVKRwL-xmBDIHDiiL_CLSEwirL1F1Jx6oOQJF2X3YFaOESD9MxOjjY1EnkNWwHRQLi7ogK-Eg4YFYizNMYsqYC4hSavTKtMvecwymzvJH7B8lBlGb3q0bN746AJ7x72Oa3tVtQ/s1600/senior+photography+photographer+new+hampshire+nh+beach+rye+jeness+north+hampton+senior+portraits+pictures+session+exeter+3.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJDlsDUxH562-zYhwMFzCM-QIcXCVaSA0ph9XrDMTGBswGAUJMfCUSZPcDM7-6TIHS5i-2GvY-JKZbLW_RFt04WAXRYIKtx7MYe_Jkj1H31ixgPwt2i9ocgX8Rch-ax_wd6FAaLA/s1600/senior+photography+photographer+new+hampshire+nh+beach+rye+jeness+north+hampton+senior+portraits+pictures+session+exeter+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJDlsDUxH562-zYhwMFzCM-QIcXCVaSA0ph9XrDMTGBswGAUJMfCUSZPcDM7-6TIHS5i-2GvY-JKZbLW_RFt04WAXRYIKtx7MYe_Jkj1H31ixgPwt2i9ocgX8Rch-ax_wd6FAaLA/s1600/senior+photography+photographer+new+hampshire+nh+beach+rye+jeness+north+hampton+senior+portraits+pictures+session+exeter+5.jpg" /></a></div>
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Right across the street is a great location with some trees and a perfect place for the sun to go down. It makes it so nice to be able to get a couple different looks in the same session!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQCwlQUNQaN3jDb7qg9jtwhPXCNiIOVBnHiDzv5n91otDmB_UvMk-OgrBk2wgUu946hNlbuIz__pFdFYc59d1-oSKAsqYsNGjRdEc6quiKKrkbjfISt_0v2GPVz-_-7SOWUcr8Ug/s1600/senior+photography+photographer+new+hampshire+nh+beach+rye+jeness+north+hampton+senior+portraits+pictures+session+exeter+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQCwlQUNQaN3jDb7qg9jtwhPXCNiIOVBnHiDzv5n91otDmB_UvMk-OgrBk2wgUu946hNlbuIz__pFdFYc59d1-oSKAsqYsNGjRdEc6quiKKrkbjfISt_0v2GPVz-_-7SOWUcr8Ug/s1600/senior+photography+photographer+new+hampshire+nh+beach+rye+jeness+north+hampton+senior+portraits+pictures+session+exeter+2.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFjh6fV_KzLOz_i3wN-0s0sbAuW2SmFBZyPvJJmaGOQTNroImThkm1CfMOstDY2asDVo0lbUSya0KorJJE2NdLd7TXhllaqAtMngmcST5tAjdSp1fCyxAhDlqmxqzi4xsKcntvlQ/s1600/senior+photography+photographer+new+hampshire+nh+beach+rye+jeness+north+hampton+senior+portraits+pictures+session+exeter+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFjh6fV_KzLOz_i3wN-0s0sbAuW2SmFBZyPvJJmaGOQTNroImThkm1CfMOstDY2asDVo0lbUSya0KorJJE2NdLd7TXhllaqAtMngmcST5tAjdSp1fCyxAhDlqmxqzi4xsKcntvlQ/s1600/senior+photography+photographer+new+hampshire+nh+beach+rye+jeness+north+hampton+senior+portraits+pictures+session+exeter+1.jpg" /></a></div>
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I had so much fun working with you Kayla, I hope you have an amazing senior year!<br />
<br />
<br />rachellechasebloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18279892084527323930noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12904735.post-39012324875558183672014-07-22T20:27:00.000-04:002014-07-22T20:27:18.130-04:00P.S. There's a dead bat on the stairsSometimes life gets a little...hectic.<br />
Please don't ever mistake my talks of busy life to come across as complaining, because I absolutely love my life.<br />
I love my family, my business, my community, my church, my ministries, my whole life.<br />
Except for the animals that sometimes think they own my house.<br />
<br />
I mean seriously. Last year we dealt with <a href="http://ajnrileysmommy.blogspot.com/2013/07/old-houses-are-for-birdsliterally.html" target="_blank">birds</a>, mice, bats and a <a href="http://ajnrileysmommy.blogspot.com/2013/06/welcome-newest-member-of-chase-family_21.html" target="_blank">hamster</a>.<br />
I figured I would throw the hamster in since he is, after all, a rodent.<br />
Yes. We have a pet rodent.<br />
Oy.<br />
<br />
But things have gotten to the point around here where Adam and I really have to make a strong conscious effort to communicate because we are running in a million directions.<br />
<br />
Running a <a href="http://www.rachellechasephotography.com/" target="_blank">business</a>, running a <a href="http://www.eppinglighthouse.org/" target="_blank">not for profit</a>, planning a <a href="http://www.eppinglighthouse.org.surgeconference/" target="_blank">conference</a> training for a 10 mile <a href="http://www.yankeerace.com/" target="_blank">race</a>, raising kids and trying to live a little can start to get in my head.<br />
<br />
But it's like fine. I mean, I'm going crazy a little. But seriously. I'm fine.<br />
So sometimes things happen and I just laugh. Like.<br />
I just can't even.<br />
So the mouse droppings up in the attic?<br />
The 274 moths I kill in my bedroom every stinking ever loving night?<br />
The skunk that continues to get into my trash even though I try to set up booby traps?<br />
The three-legged cat that creeps into my yard?<br />
Ain't no thang, people. Ain't no thang.<br />
We cool.<br />
<br />
So when I went up into the attic to look for more of my shoes, <br />
(There is just not enough space for them all. Don't judge. It's not my fault. I love shoes. I was born that way)<br />
I just stepped over the mice droppings and figured. Whatevs. They can run around up here for now until we eventually finish it off. They're not bothering anyone.<br />
And then I turned around and walked back down the stairs and thought...hmm. Something smells funny. But I'm sure it's just my imagination.<br />
But no. No it was not.<br />
Sure enough. There was a furry, turned upside down, dead bat on the bottom step.<br />
Almost as if he was just about to get into my very own personal living space and didn't quite make it.<br />
<br />
And ya know what?<br />
I didn't even scream. I didn't even flinch really.<br />
I closed the door behind me, and just kept moving.<br />
<br />
And the conversation that I had with Adam as I was leaving went a little something like this.<br />
I have a shoot at 6:30, I should be home by 8.<br />
And p.s. There's a dead bat on the stairs.<br />
Love you! Bye.<br />
<br />
And the bat thing rolled off my tongue just as if I had said...dinner is in the crock pot. Which, funny enough. Dinner <b>was</b> in the crock pot. That crockpot, however, had not even been turned on.<br />
So I really could have said...some raw chicken and barbecue sauce have been sitting in the crock pot for the last 4 hours, so now if you eat it, you shall die.<br />
What is up with that? I am so busy that I can't even remember to hit START on the crock pot?!<br />
It's <b>one</b> button!<br />
<br />
Ok so really. Adam told me he took care of the bat.<br />
And we had to order out for dinner (so now everyone thinks I didn't hit start on purpose! ha!)<br />
And it's all totally fine.<br />
<br />
Just wanted to give you a little sample of what goes on over here.<br />
Good times, peeps. Good times.<br />
<br />
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<br />rachellechasebloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18279892084527323930noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12904735.post-76597883159288518322014-07-21T18:38:00.002-04:002014-07-21T18:38:36.318-04:00Mommy Monday ~ Be the first voiceDo you ever think about how many voices your kids hear in their lives?<br />
<br />
I'm a lay-it-all-on-the-line kind of a person all the way around.<br />
I'm all. Dude. Here's the line. And here's it all.<br />
<br />
So when it comes to the voices my boys are hearing? I ain't no fool!<br />
I know the ones that are competing with the sometimes still and quiet voice of God.<br />
I know them.<br />
I hear them myself!<br />
<br />
They remind us that being committed isn't all <b>that</b> important.<br />
I mean, unless it's something really important like your job. Ya know, making more money? Climbing that corporate ladder?<br />
But I mean, let's not get carried away here.<br />
Church <b>every</b> Sunday? I mean, is that really necessary?<br />
I'm already a Christian so I'm going to heaven. The rest doesn't really matter.<br />
And besides...it's my only day that I can go to the beach! duh! God will understand.<br />
And the same goes for what I do with my time during the rest of the week, how much time I spend with God. And on and on.<br />
<br />
And then the voices love to remind my boys that it truly <b>is</b> all about them.<br />
I mean, parents can be so insensitive and just don't get what their needs are.<br />
Things have changed since those old people were growing up anyways.<br />
<br />
Of course there is the whole, whatever is good for you trick.<br />
You know the one...anyone who dares say that there is an absolute right or wrong is so shallow and bigoted. I mean. I know I can follow my heart (gag) because it is, after all, all about me and my feelings.<br />
I legit just saw this quote:<br />
"Follow your heart regardless of what others tell you to do. It's how you feel at the end of the day that really matters."<br />
Wait. What?<br />
<br />
Moving on before I. go. off.<br />
<br />
Here's my whole entire point.<br />
<br />
Your children were given to you as a gift.<br />
Not a gift to be taken lightly.<br />
But a gift to be worked at. Yep, that's right.<br />
Work.<br />
And it's hard work, no denying that.<br />
And with all of that is the responsibility to the one who gave them to you.<br />
<br />
So at the end of the day.<br />
I stand before God and explain to him what I have done with the gifts he gave me.<br />
<br />
That's why I care so much about what voices my kids are hearing.<br />
Don't misunderstand me.<br />
My kids are free to make their own choices, and as they grow older they get more and more chances to make their own choices.<br />
But it is still my responsibility to be the loudest, first voice they hear.<br />
<br />
And when my heart and my mind have been saturated in the only absolute truth there is?<br />
My loud, first voice is going to be telling them <b>the truth.</b><br />
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<br />
Peeps. It's not always easy!<br />
The truth is, we are told to love our enemies. We are told to treat others as we want to be treated.<br />
There are times when I tell my boys that. And then they watch someone mistreat me and watch how I act out (or totally don't) what I just told them.<br />
So there is the first voice they <b>hear</b> about a situation? And then the first act they <b>see</b> about a situation.<br />
<br />
So I teach my kids what is going down.<br />
I tell them that the majority of boys around them who are their age are looking at totally inappropriate stuff on their iPods, iPads, tv's, phones, whatever.<br />
And then I tell them that it is not good that they do the same.<br />
And <b>then I tell them why.</b><br />
Sure. They still ultimately make the choice for themselves.<br />
And they know that they ultimately answer to God not just me and Adam for their decisions.<br />
<br />
But still. <br />
I will be the first voice.<br />
<br />
What about you?<br />
Are you being the first voice?<br />
<br />
<b>Silence is not a voice.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
So if you choose <b>not</b> to talk about the uncomfortable topics?<br />
Someone else will, and someone else is.<br />
Don't let the other people be the first voice for your children.<br />
<br />
Too much is at stake.<br />
<br />
<b>You</b>. You be the first voice.<br />
You be the loudest voice.<br />
You be the strongest action.<br />
You take responsibility for these incredible gifts you have been given.<br />
You take the time to know what truth is for <b>yourself</b>, so you can accurately give the truth to them.<br />
<br />
Now go be a loud voice.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />rachellechasebloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18279892084527323930noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12904735.post-35440071801448716602014-07-18T17:53:00.001-04:002014-07-18T17:53:17.391-04:00Passing through ~ Time with family<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's been almost 2 years since we've seen Adam's Aunt and Uncle from Virginia, so we were more than happy to have them stay with us for the night when we heard they were going to be passing through on their way to Maine.</div>
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The kids all get along great, and the adults? We put up with each other.</div>
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Ha. Just kidding...we love them, and we hated to see them go. </div>
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Thanks for coming to see our new house and for the deep conversations and lots of laughs.</div>
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Can't wait to do it again. </div>
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<br />rachellechasebloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18279892084527323930noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12904735.post-56364444798330318812014-07-17T21:40:00.003-04:002014-07-17T21:40:48.843-04:00I don't agree..There are certain things in life that people believe because a lot of loud people keep saying them.<br />
<br />
That does NOT mean that they are true!<br />
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I don't agree that you should follow your heart. Your heart is deceitful.<br />
<br />
I don't agree that money makes you happy. The love of money can cause a lot of sorrow.<br />
<br />
I don't agree that there is no absolute truth. God's Word is truth.<br />
<br />
I don't agree with everything the loud people are screaming at me.<br />
I'm just sayin'.<br />
Don't let yourself fall into the trap of believing everything you hear...<br />
Even if a celebrity is saying it.<br />
<br />
So here's my simple challenge for you all this week:<br />
Do the research yourself and then stand on your beliefs based on truth.<br />
Word.<br />
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rachellechasebloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18279892084527323930noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12904735.post-87758178168054303242014-07-16T20:50:00.002-04:002014-07-16T20:50:54.192-04:00Sometimes you just need someone to seeHave you ever been in a situation where you just wanted someone to <b>see</b> what you were going through?<br />
You just wanted someone to see. That's all.<br />
Then you feel like it would all be ok.<br />
If someone saw the pain. If someone <b>saw</b> the injustice. If someone <b>saw</b> the struggles.<br />
<b>If someone could just see.</b><br />
<br />
I recently felt like this.<br />
There was an injustice. Something that wasn't fair, something that I just wanted someone to <b>see</b>.<br />
Somehow, I felt like it would make it all better if someone just saw it.<br />
<br />
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A particular name for God came to my mind... <b>El Roi.</b></div>
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It means this: The God who sees.</div>
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Do you get that? </div>
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<b>God sees!</b> He sees.</div>
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And He is just. </div>
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He is fair. </div>
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He is good. </div>
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And in those times when it seems like no one sees...it is simply not true.</div>
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He is looking for people who are obedient to Him to show himself strong on your behalf.</div>
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Why? Because he cares about you.</div>
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Amazing and just unreal. </div>
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When there are times it feels like nobody cares. Nobody knows. Nobody sees.</div>
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God sees.</div>
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And in those times when I just need someone to see? Who better to see than the very God who created me. </div>
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The God who is love. The God who has all power. </div>
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<br /></div>
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So tonight. If you just need someone to see.</div>
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God sees.</div>
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He does. Don't let yourself believe otherwise.</div>
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He sees. He cares. He knows. And He is in complete control.</div>
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El Roi. The God who sees.</div>
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rachellechasebloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18279892084527323930noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12904735.post-40926576840439226142014-07-15T10:31:00.003-04:002014-07-15T10:31:48.990-04:00Everyone deserves to feel beautiful ~ My Grandmother's story<i>"Hi dahlin'. How's my girl today?"</i><div>
My grandmother's sweet voice with a thick New England accent still makes me smile every time I hear it. I grew up hearing it a lot and I think every time I am with her, I hear "<i>Love you, dahlin'</i>" before I leave!</div>
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<div>
My grandparents raised 5 kids in a tiny house in Brentwood, NH.</div>
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The middle child was my dad. </div>
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We grew up pretty close to them until they moved South when I was in High School.</div>
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Their salvation story is pretty amazing. </div>
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They were fighting a lot, my grandfather was drinking a lot and there was no peace in their home.</div>
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Until.</div>
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Until that one day when a local pastor visited my grampy and told him about a God who loved him enough to die for him. Told him that God wanted a relationship with him and could turn his life around.</div>
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He accepted Christ as his Savior, and their marriage was saved, their family turned around and everything changed.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
I am so grateful for the fact that my family has given me such an amazing legacy to follow.</div>
<div>
My grandfather passed away a week after Riley was born, but his legacy lives on. </div>
<div>
I still have emails from him and cherish the times we had together. I still remember many times sitting at my kitchen table listening to stories he would tell.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
My grandmother is visiting us for a while this summer and we could not be more excited.</div>
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She is an amazing woman.</div>
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She is incredibly positive. </div>
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She is loving and caring and never thinks of herself.</div>
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She is so giving and she loves God.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>I believe that everyone is incredibly valuable to God, regardless of age or physical condition.</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
My sister, Melanie, came to visit from New Jersey last weekend and we decided to give gram a makeover. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
<b>I believe that everyone deserves to feel beautiful - because they are beautiful.</b></div>
</div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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I told my gram about it a couple weeks ago, and she didn't stop talking about it up until the day it happened!</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>I believe that everyone needs something to look forward to.</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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She came to my house and we started out with a manicure. Melanie gave her hands a treatment, and then painted her nails. Her hands have always been so soft. I remember that from when I was little. She would sit next to me and rub my hands.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I wish you could have seen her. I should have taken video. She lit up. She talked and talked and talked some more. She told us about the times she was dating my grandfather and they would go dancing together. She told us about the time she and her BFF cleared out a restaurant because they had gone out to eat right after working at the egg factory. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
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<b>I believe that everyone needs someone to talk to.</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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Then I curled her hair. Did her makeup. Put a necklace on her. And brought out false eyelashes...to which she responded "<i>oh my lawwwwd!</i>" I wasn't really going to put them on, but her reaction was so funny!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>I believe that everyone needs to laugh more.</b></div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
And then I gave her a photo shoot.</div>
<div>
She. loved. it.</div>
<div>
She has said that she feels like a burden, and it breaks my heart to hear it.</div>
<div>
The circle of life is a funny thing. I can't imagine the countless hours she selflessly put into her 5 children, grandchildren and great grandchildren over the years. </div>
<div>
And here she is, needing time put into <b>her</b>, and she feels bad.</div>
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Because that's how she is. She wants to give, not take.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>I believe the fact that God has a perfect plan for us that does not stop when we age.</b></div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
Just recently, my mom was walking by the room my grandmother was sitting in, and heard her praying. She is a woman who loves God and is still being used by Him, even though it is not in an obvious way.</div>
<div>
The fact that people can't see how she is serving God does not change the fact that she is making a difference for eternity by her prayers. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>I believe that God will use anyone.</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
I proudly introduce you to my beautiful grandmother, Annie.</div>
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(I forgot to take a before picture..my mom reminded me after I had done her makeup! So I had to go to my sister's blog and get this picture from the first week she had come to stay with us.)</div>
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<b>I believe everyone deserves to feel beautiful. </b></div>
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And I have no doubt that my gram felt so beautiful after a day of pampering. </div>
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Of life being spoken into her.</div>
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Of hugs, kisses and laughter.</div>
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I feel so blessed to have her in my life.</div>
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rachellechasebloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18279892084527323930noreply@blogger.com1