on our anniversary

Dear Daniel,
Tomorrow I'll slip into my jeans and t-shirt and walk into the retreat center cafeteria for breakfast. It will be exactly three years since I wore something a little dressier and made my way down that church aisle. I'm so glad it was you waiting for me at the altar.

Some could say we're an unlikely duo. You're the most punctual man on the planet and I'm time challenged. You're a baked beans kind of guy and I'm all for potato salad. You're Pauline epistles, I'm Old Testament narrative.

And yet, here we are. Celebrating three years together. They haven't been easy, but no one can claim they were boring. Truth is I'd rather have interesting with you than easy with anyone else.

July 1, 2006 I told you "I do." While I haven't been the wife I should have been every moment (or day) for the past 1,095 days, I'm writing you this little note to tell you, "I still do."

Love you Daniel. Tomorrow we'll serve 80 teenagers. We'll party big time when we get home. (I promise by then you'll have a real present.)

Rach
P.S.- I'll finish off your strawberries at breakfast if you'll eat my vegetable soup at lunch.

bride gone wild

While working on Jenny's wedding video, I couldn't help but get all nostalgic and reflect on our big day. Especially since our anniversary is just around the corner. *Hint, hint.* What I'm about to show you might cause you to reconsider visiting our little blog. Ever again. But we're all about keeping it real at the hinton home. And unfortunately, what you're about to see is all real. Very, very real.

I'd like to thank Debs for sponsoring today's post. Without her I'd have no one's Facebook profile to steal pictures off of. (I'm a little embarrassed about ending a sentence with a preposition. But I'm pretty sure the following pictures are about to put that shame to shame.)

Bride and Bridesmaid. Look how tan we were. I'm so jealous. I'll never be tan again.


And so it begins. In my defense, these were taken in the privacy of the bridal suite. I've been Queen of Dress Up all my life and everyone in the room was looking at me. Plus I'm a middle child. I had to ham it up. It's a sickness really.


Oh dear. Somebody stop me. Mom, you were there. Why didn't you stage an intervention??


No comment.


Have mercy. Making sure I'm all limbered up before that big walk down the aisle. Can't be too cautious. Or something like that.


Off to seal the deal with the groom before he catches wind of the bridal suite escapades and changes his mind.

dum dum da dum...

Hey Bloggers! It's been a little while since I last posted. Part of the reason I haven't written sooner is I'm sad to see Reesie's picture with her Daddy bumped down. There's something about having my squealing, toothy baby atop the most handsome man in the world that makes me want to bust out with an enthusiastic rendition of Sister Sledge's "We are Family." But mostly I've just been too busy to write.

Chica is spending the next week in the Homeland while Danny and I travel to our annual youth beach trip. Reports coming back say she is having a ball. There are some very anxious grandparents with some serious pent up love they're just aching to unleash upon my daughter. I see some spoiling detox in our future. Honestly, I'm so thankful they were willing to take her so Danny and I can go on the youth trip and give completely of ourselves while we're there.

Since my family is M.I.A. I've spent the past two days of free time working on the thing I teased you about a couple of weeks ago. And by free time I mean from 5:00pm Wednesday night until 5:00am Thursday morning. Last night I wrapped up at 1:00am.

For the record I'm no longer cool enough to be staying up that late. But the good news is, it's DONE. Hallelujah, it is done. And I promised you I'd show it to you bloggers. Because I'm a woman of my word, I'd like to present to you my very first wedding video.

That's right. Back when the blushing bride (now wife) was a mere fiancee she asked me to shoot and edit her wedding video. I was nervous to say yes because since graduating from journalism school, my video portfolio consists of youth movies entitled "What Would Wesley Williamson Might Would Do" and "Dr. Funkenstein Strikes Again."

Clearly, I was the obvious choice to capture the most important day of their lives.

The video is about 8 minutes long. Once again, it takes a little while to buffer. My favorite part of the whole thing is when the bride gets her dress tied. Her mother is watching her and if you look carefully, Mother of Bride turns away and then, almost as if she can't help herself or that one look simply isn't enough, she turns back towards her daughter. It was shooting that moment that I made the executive decision Chica is never getting married. She shall live with me forever and when I am old she shall take care of me. The End.

ben & jenny from Rachel Hinton on Vimeo.

Congratulations Ben and Jenny. May you laugh often, apologize quickly and love unconditionally, being confident that He who began a good work in you will carry it out to completion. Danny and I were honored to be a part of your day.

(And Jenny, you make a much better star than Dr. Funkenstein.)

father's day

Reesie would like to wish a Happy Father's Day (one day late, but nonetheless heartfelt) to the best Daddy in the whole world.

She'd also like to give a shout out to her Grandpa Ken, Grandad and Papa Jim. What she may lack in punctuality, she makes up for in enthusiasm. Happy Father's Day!!

pile of movies

Yesterday I walked out of my (finally and unusually) clean living room. Moments later I returned to this. Apparently one of my family members couldn't decide which movie to watch.

Once again, I'm going to have to remind Dan to put them back where he found them.

:)

squash face

time to sign

Sweet Girl. She's getting so big. She's also expressing herself more. And louder. And more emphatically.

To help her communicate more effectively and to cut down on the whining/frustration for the parents and the baby, we've been teaching her some simple signs. My niece loves to sign so my sister has coached me through it. There was one hitch a few weeks ago when some youth kids unknowingly signed at her incorrectly. It took close to two weeks to re-train her, but we're back in business. Now she's adding signs at a much quicker pace. Right now Chica can sign 9 words:

*Hello/Good-bye
*More
*All Done
*Please
*Thank you
*Food
*Drink
*Help
*Up

I'm not sure what we'll add to her repertoire next. I've heard of babies signing when their diapers are dirty. She doesn't exactly need to tell us when that is because our noses tell us. And that's all I'm going to say about that.

She can also kiss you on your cheek while attempting a kissing noise. When she's done, you're left with some slobber on your face and a heart melted into a puddle on the floor.

as promised...

...some photographic evidence of our trip. I took a measly amount of pictures in the Homeland. I'm sad. And ashamed. But I'll try to get past that and show you what I do have.

The first day of the trip, my merry band of traveling friends dropped the Chica and me off at my big sister's house for some quality cousin time.

Hello Little Cousin. Hello Not-So-Little-Thighs. Sweet Boy is 6 months Reesie's junior, but he's quickly closing in on size. That's the Chica in the background rocking some jammies MC Hammer style.


Binky swap.


Hello Big Cousin. She's Little Cousin's big sister, as stated on her shirt.


She wore this shirt the day the stork dropped Little Cousin off at the hospital. Earlier that morning while she was getting dressed, she explained her Big Sister status. Then she asked me if Reesie was a big sister too.

Nope. Absolutely, positively, unequivocally, no. Nada. Negative ghost rider, the pattern is full.

But if she's going to get the rumor mill going at least she doesn't beat around the bush about it.


We had a delightful lunch. With three babies younger than three we don't exactly fly under the radar. But I wouldn't want to draw attention to myself with anyone else.


Here's a picture of the beautiful, blushing bride (in blue) and several friends from high school. My favorite thing about these girls is when we get together we pick up right where we left off. I had so much fun catching up with them.

Do you think there's a direct causation between being the only mother in the group and sporting the palest skin? If fact, my arms would leave you to believe I just wrapped up a long day on my tractor. These days I've spent a little less time poolside and a little more time heaving a certain Someone to the top of her slide. Note to self; when on slide duty wear tank top from now on.


Chica's first boat ride!! She loved the wind in her hair.


But wasn't too keen on the lifejacket.


Friday we went to Arthur Bryant's, which is without a doubt the greatest barbeque in the universe. To keep from polarizing you bloggers I tend to avoid political posts. But I must say Memphis barbeque doesn't hold a candle to what Kansas City serves up. I'm sorry Memphis. Just keeping it real. If that gets you in a tizzy, it's okay, just make fun of my tan.

I'm pretty sure each of these was the size of my daughter when she was born.


Here's a group shot + Auntie Michelle. Reesie looks a little ticked. I think she needed some sunglasses.

resurfacing

We're baaa-aaaack! Happy to be home, a little tired from the journey. We pulled into town yesterday morning at 3:00. A.M. We drove through the night because in regards to the Chica, it's just better that way.

What a whirlwind weekend it was! We made the trip to be part of a good friend's wedding. Our summer interns came along for the ride. Not only do they know the bride, but we wanted to show them around our old stomping grounds.

Man, did we ever show them around. I had to be at a couple of bridal events, so Reesie made the Tour de Grandparents. On Thursday we dropped off Big Girl with some of her aunties and hit up the local theme park. It's the first time I've been on a roller coaster sans youth kids in 8 years. And I/we meant business.

Meghan and I rode all the spinning rides. I'm so grateful she was there as we were the only ones in the group who were fans of spinning. One ride had you stand against the wall of this little circular room. As the ride picked up speed your body adhered to the wall and the floor dropped. Meghan and I were the only two in there at the time. We laughed so hard I almost cried. (I did cry earlier in the day when I saw one of my action pictures on a roller coaster. It was by far the worst picture I've ever seen of me. It even topped my kindergarten snap shot when I sported white washed jeans and hair above my ears. Seriously, if Reesie had seen that picture she would have requested a new mom. All of us hurt from how funny it was!)

We saw two of the live shows. Thank goodness Andrew was there otherwise I would have been attending them alone. Together we convinced the rest of the group to come with us. The performers sang and danced various numbers from Hairspray and Jersey Boys. I sang at the top of my lungs through the entire thing. I wonder if they have a part for a 24 year old mother who gets winded after bopping along from the audience? In the meantime I'll be trying out my audition material on my one year old. She's always thoroughly entertained.

Sarah P. started out the day anti-roller coasters. We pretty much dragged her onto every ride and by the end of the day she was requesting another go around on the biggest roller coaster in the park. ("Hold on tight, the Mamba is about to strike, hiss!") :) That- a- girl Sarah P!

And Daniel? Well, I still have more fun with that guy than anyone else in the whole world. In the midst of this diaper changing, bill paying, late night working, seminary studying, home managing, new parenting life we have, it's nice to have a day to remember what drew us together in the first place.

Tomorrow I'll be back with some pictures. Because a post without pictures is like my six- year- old self with quarter of an inch bangs; it's just not right!! See ya later!

pre-wedding jitters

Hey Bloggers! I'm writing to you from our Homeland. We're back in town for a friend's wedding. I'm a tad nervous because she's asked me to do something a little outside of my comfort zone. I'll let you know how it goes. (And maybe even show it to you later if it turns out.)

Happy weekend bloggers, wish me luck!!

summer night

You know what's even better than watching a sunset on a summer night while wrapped in a blanket on your back porch?


Sharing it with him.


Coming in a close second would be your baby sleeping soundly in her room early enough for you to catch said sunset. :)

no pictures please

Saturday afternoon, after all that pool fun, the Chica was plum tuckered out. Why don't people say plum tuckered out more often? I love it. I'm going to start the trend. When it comes to the plum tuckered out saying, I'm going to be the change I hope to see, people.

Sorry. Point. Get to it.

After all that sliding, swimming, splashing and squealing, the plum tuckered outness really got to the Chica. I put her in her swing for a nap. While I was strapping her in, she snatched my sunglasses off the top of my head. Being plum tuckered out myself, I let her have them. I turned on her music and closed her bedroom door behind me. A little while later, I peeked in her room to see if she was asleep. She was.

She put on those sunglasses in the privacy of her own room as if to warn her picture taking possessed mama to back up off her already. Like I don't have anything better to do than to take pictures of her while she's sleeping? I think my poor little over-exposed child might be onto me. :)

In other news, what kind of self-professed, garage sale obsessed blogger would I be if I didn't share my weekend plunder with you??? Check out my new mirror! It is big and it is heavy. The Kirkland's price tag on the back said it retailed at $49.99. The sweet lady sold it to me for ten bucks.


So what do you think? All the better to see a burned out light on my chandelier? :) Emily gave me a hot lead on some spray paint she loves. I might have to try it out. But for now, I think I'll keep it like this.

monday google fun

Good morning bloggers. Happy Monday!

I just googled myself.

Is that terribly narcissistic? If it makes it any better I googled my name to look at pictures of other people with the same name. That's weird isn't it? It's official, I'm a narcissistic weirdo. See, this is what happens when healthy curiosity merges with the world wide web.

Would you like to see what I found?

This is Rachel Hinton. She's cute. Sweet smile and good hair. Why can't all Rachel Hinton hair look like this?


Scrap that! I want this Rachel Hinton's hair. Doesn't she look fun? How great would it be to go to a convention where only people with your name were invited? There would be no need to introduce yourself, and you'd never forget anyone's name! I think I may be on to something.


In this picture Rachel Hinton is on the far left. She helped her squash team win a bronze medal. Way to squash, Rachel!


This Rachel Hinton has a Master's degree in music performance. She plays the piano (and brilliantly well I'm sure.) I can play a mean chopsticks.


Look, I wrote a book! Well, ok, I didn't really write it. But some Rachel Hinton did!


Hello Dr. Hinton. I'm not sure which one of these ladies you happen to be. But I am loving the robe.


To summarize, we have some piano playing, cute hair styling, squash dominating, fab robe wearing, book writing Rachel Hintons among us. Bravo Rachels. I'm proud to be one of you.

What do I add to the group? Well, I'm just the crazy girl who rounded them all up. Now go forth and google bloggers. (Aren't you just the least bit curious?)

poolside

Despite the sad state of America's economy, Danny and I impulsively (and uncharacteristically) splurged and put a pool in our backyard. This was the Chica's face when she saw the newest addition for the first time, completely in awe of our self -indulgence.


Did I happen to mention our new pool is inflatable? Danny blew up all twelve sections with his own two lungs.


We'd planned on buying something small. Something basic. But when we arrived at the swimming pool aisle of Target, you could say we were sucked in by all the options. Or just suckered. For three dollars more you could get a fountain. For five dollars more than that you could get an attachable slip 'n slide. And so on and so forth. Thus explaining why we have a tandem of water spraying elephants, shaded by an inflatable palm tree living in our backyard. Believe it or not, this was the middle of the road choice. I really didn't want to have to resuscitate Daniel.


Reesie couldn't wait to try out her new pool. After last weekend's pool party she knew of the fun that was in store.


If she had the capacity to jump, she would have hurdled the side right then and there.


"Please, Daddy, please, please, please, please, please. Can we please get in yet?"


The temptation was so strong, she decided to sneak her hands in. Just for a second. Just for a harmless, little splash.


Oh yeah. It was as delightfully refreshing as she had suspected it to be.


Eventually we ended our toddler's torture. We slipped her into her swimming suit, called up a friend and had our inaugural hinton home pool party. We traded off picking up the Chica and perching her at the top of the slide. Very quickly she learned how to thrust her legs to propel herself down the slick slope. She could have played all afternoon and have thrown out all our backs in the process.


But you know what works wonders on sore muscles?

This face.

jingle reese

So we're six months ahead of the Christmas ball game. We're also several weeks out of school with a bad case of cabin fever. Can you blame us for being a little loopy?

The Chica has this toy she carries around. It has bells on the end and every time she shakes it, it sounds like Christmas. This afternoon she provided the bell accompanment to a rousing round of "Jingle Reese". I think it's her new favorite song.



P.S.- We're looking for a new lead singer. Preferabley one who can actually sing Jingle Bells correctly.

I'd have a third degree black belt...

If I could spray paint one.

Ok, confession time. My latest obsession? Black spray paint. It turns cheap ugly garage sale treasures,


into stuff I'd actually put in my house. Dan said it best, "If it's for sale at your garage sale, we'll spray paint it black and put it on our walls." And while my pointer finger may be in a permanent cramp, to me this stuff looks better black.

Cheap and easy. (When you're talking about home decor, those are positive adjectives.)

Now, should this $2.00 lamp cross over to the dark side? I just can't decide. I'm kind of digging the gold. But a black lamp is easier to pair with a shade. What's a girl to do?


All I know is I'm not asking Daniel. He'd stage a spray paint intervention.

wild woman

She likes tall heights,


fast cars,


and sudden,


steep


drop offs.


As long as her Daddy is with her every step of the way.