When almost a year goes by...

hmmmm....I'm not sure what happened Internet. I think it was a combo of too much and not enough... you know?

too much homework...not enough time

too much stress...not enough Ativan

too much Dutch Brothers...not enough exercise

too much food...not enough sweatpants

too much crying...not enough laughter

too much anxiety...not enough test free weekends

too much Martha...not enough Mary

My school journey (at least the stressful part for me) is nearing an end and for this I am thankful. I couldn't have done it without my family and my loved ones.

You bless me...truly

~Encourage~

Raine

Here we are

Internet,

It has been a long few weeks and you have been left by the wayside.
Due to my emotional liability, you may be left again for an undisclosed amount of time.
(exactly how long does it take for antidepressants to kick in anyway?)....just kidding (I think)

I've seen birth and death in just a few short weeks (literally). I've laughed with friends and family, I've cried in the darkness of the night and prayed. I've watched my young son bloom under the direction of his dad. I've watched my daughter reap the rewards of working hard, leaving her beaming. I've cleaned my house in a manic fashion and I've given birth to four nursing exams and this Monday I will add my fifth (trust me...each one is like a mini pregnancy complete with weight gain and cravings and insomnia).

I have so much to share with you and some AMAZING pictures to go with it, but time is a rare commodity in my life right now and so you must patiently wait.

Six more weeks and I'm yours. (just try and hide your excitement!).

Until then,

xoxo, ~Raine

silly

Dear Internet,

Friends are important
especially the ones you can be silly with
they are the best.




We.heart.you
Gibson Family



For real and for true!

Encourage
~Raine~
xoxo

rusty

rusty, originally uploaded by parker_6_pack.

I'm in love

with rust

My hunk o'burning love

took this photo

in an old barn

I "heart" barns

especially old

rusty

crusty

barns

Yeah, I know

I'm weird

but my family

(dear sweet family)

has learned to

embrace it

The singing in

the house

with the hairbrush

as a microphone...

not so much.

Encourage

~Raine~

xoxo

defriended.

Last Good Friday,I posted a picture like this on facebook

I was "defriended" by some of my "friends"

Surprisingly, I'm o.k. with it.

Because even though I love people
and even though my heart hurt over being defriended

The cross
is.worth.it

and even if in the end
I stand alone

I know
that I never will be
alone

and if you choose
to stand there too

at the foot of the cross

you will never be
alone

Instead you will be
filled

With a feeling that I can not describe
No words would do it justice

and perhaps....
this is how it should be


Be blessed Internet and Encourage
~Raine~
xoxo

butter butt

butter, originally uploaded by parker_6_pack.

Dearest Butter Butt,
I love this picture
and I love this memory

I love that you indulge me
and that I can talk you into trying anything
(well... almost anything)

I love that for eleven days
we are the same age

I love that when we were younger
we didn't get along

and now...
we do

Happy Birthday bro.
I love you!

~Rose Petal Butt~

raining...

Sometimes in life we are given sunshine

sometimes we are given a storm

with wind.

cold wind

and rain.

stinging rain

and I feel lost in the storm.

Occasionally I see

a ray of

sun

and a peak of blue sky

lures me closer.

But the storm is strong

and it laughs at me.

it pushes me back

and holds me captive

the wind drowns out

my cry

and once again

I feel

lost.

So I cry

and I color my hair

and I cry some more.

Then I pray

and He holds me

closer

And I look up and I see

a rainbow.

and I breathe

and I find rest

Encourage

~Raine~

xoxo

Term three

Tomorrow

begins the third term

of the first year

of nursing school

I'm ready

I'm rested

and

I want it to be

over

Here's a toast

to the term

may it be swift

and easier

than the last one.

Cheers

~Raine~

spring break...

Sweet Internet,

I had every intention of blogging each day during our spring break.
So many wonderful pictures,
funny things to mention
and to share

Instead...
I've slept in
I've eaten out
I've snuggled my sweet
and my lovelies


I've cried a little
I've laughed a lot


I've prayed with thankfulness
for my family
for my friends
and even for my enemies


when you get to the bottom of it...


remember to love...

love deep


Encourage
~Raine~
xoxo

ruffles & roses...

I'm in love...

with ruffles

and roses

and sweet

dreams.

this last pillow

practical?

no.

beautiful?

oui.

I'll take two

Encourage

~Raine~

xoxo