Category: personal

personal, travel

Surprise!

by rachelpbaughman1 Comment on Surprise!

The first surprise was that I was being taken on a trip. We would be leaving town for three days and I was told to pack the following:

sunscreen

clothes and shoes for hiking

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camera

The second surprise was revealed on the way to the airport. We would be on this journey with our favorite travel companions and dear friends, the Perrins.

Boarding a flight bound for Salt Lake City, Utah was the third surprise. After landing in Salt Lake, we rented a car and headed south to what would be our final destination – Moab, Utah. For the next  three days, we explored the trails of both Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park, as well as the sites that Moab has to offer. The boys had reserved rooms at the Red Cliffs Lodge which sits on the Colorado River. This was our view.

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Probably the most famous structure in Arches National Park is Delicate Arch. The hike across the dusty and rocky terrain does not prepare you for the moment of awe you experience when you come around the corner to see it.

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The trails are marked by cairns, or small stacks of rocks, to keep hikers from becoming lost in the dusty terrain. And there are a surprising number of plants thriving in the desert heat.

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While I did slightly fear for my life, I do recommend taking a hummer tour with Moab Adventure Center. It’s a great way to see the slickrock in a vehicle that can do things you never thought possible.

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My travel companions indulged me with a stop at the Mormon Tabernacle before we returned to the airport in Salt Lake. Because really – what trip to Utah is complete without a visit to the Temple?

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personal

Dr. Peterson

by rachelpbaughmanLeave a Comment on Dr. Peterson

From an early age, Amanda’s athletic ability set her apart.  Her talents on the basketball court came naturally. She was diligent in pursuing excellence and pushed herself to a record-setting collegiate career.

Amanda’s commitment to Christ sets her apart. In a Bible belt culture where it’s trendy to quote scripture and cast judgement, her faith is deep. She has been given a lens that allows her to see the best in people and to encourage them. She has a strong trust in Jesus and a contagious love for him.

A doctorate degree is the most recent addition to Amanda’s long list of accomplishments. And the Duke University emblem on her diploma sets her apart. She is a member of an elite group of licensed physical therapists and she’s going to change lives –  one cancer patient at a time.

I’m so proud of you sister!

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personal, travel

Telluride

by rachelpbaughmanLeave a Comment on Telluride

Nestled high in the San Juan Mountains, in the southwest corner of Colorado, is a small and lively town. There are no stop lights or chain restaurants. The 2200 people who call Telluride home live in a grid 13 blocks long by 5 blocks wide. It’s an intimate sort of place full of good food and good people.

Michael and I spent a week in Telluride. And when we were not taking advantage of the ski slopes, we were exploring the streets below them. Streets full of history and color and snow.  Let me take you on a brief tour of this enchanting mountaintop town.

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couples, personal

Leah and Mark

by rachelpbaughman2 Comments on Leah and Mark

When I left home to go to college, Leah was ten years old. Oftentimes, it’s hard to remember that she’s not the same child I lived under the same roof with all those years ago. These days, she is the sister with the best sense of style and the driest sense of humor. She’s the one whose red hair is often mistaken for blonde. She is an athlete and an artist. She has a strong competitive spirit and a brilliant mind. She is funny. She is beautiful. And she is in love.

Leah met Mark her first semester at Auburn. I remember being impressed the first time I met him. He looked me in the eye and asked me questions about my life in a way that is rare among college freshmen. He was respectful and friendly and pleasantly confident. In the years since, I have come to learn that he loves Jesus, he is musically talented, and he cares deeply about my baby sister.

Leah’s 22nd birthday was last week. It was a day full of surprises that ended with a diamond ring and a marriage proposal. I was let in on the secret ahead of time so that I could make arrangements to be in town for the big day. We had just enough time the next morning to sneak away and shoot some photos.

I’m pretty excited that these two are getting married. Congratulations Leah and Mark!

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personal

Christmas 2013

by rachelpbaughmanLeave a Comment on Christmas 2013

Michael and I spent the Christmas holiday with his family. It was a time of rest and refreshments, music and movies, gifts and giggles. We ate big meals and drank strong coffee, and enjoyed just being together. This may be our last Christmas for awhile to spend with this little lady, and she was the main attraction for sure…

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A longheld tradition for the Baughmans is singing carols on Christmas Eve.

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And what may need to become a new tradition is eating lots of meat… Brazilian style!

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personal

Baby T

by rachelpbaughmanLeave a Comment on Baby T

At almost seven months into her pregnancy, Eden is absolutely glowing. She is expecting her first child who is due to arrive in January. Baby T, as he is affectionally being called, is the answer to many prayers over many months. This baby is a sweet reminder that the Lord loves to give blessings to his sons and daughters.

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On a beautiful fall day, Eden’s friends and family gathered to celebrate her growing baby as well as her love for reading.

I hope that her son inherits her love for books.

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We love you Eden and can’t wait to meet Baby T!

families, little ones, personal

Talia’s First Birthday

by rachelpbaughman2 Comments on Talia’s First Birthday

One of the many blessings of my marriage is the family I married into. They love well and live life to the fullest.  They show me what it means to live by faith.  And I know Jesus more deeply for knowing this family.

Last weekend we gathered to celebrate Talia’s first birthday. The presents were piled high, but no amount of brightly wrapped packages could ever compare with the gift of family she has been given.

Can I just say that I have one of the cutest nieces anybody could ask for?

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In just one year, she has developed an obvious love for music.

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Birthdays are so much better with cake. Her momma worked into the wee hours of the night to make sure Talia had the perfect one.

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Talia – may you always know the love of your family and the deep love of our heavenly Father.

The Lord your God is with you,
the Mighty Warrior who saves.
He will take great delight in you;
in his love he will no longer rebuke you,
but will rejoice over you with singing.  ~ Zephaniah 3:17

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little ones, personal

Talia

by rachelpbaughmanLeave a Comment on Talia

In August, I became an aunt. Four weeks later, I got to meet my niece. This is the first time I laid eyes upon sweet Talia.

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It wasn’t long before we got to see those pretty blue eyes.

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I just want to nibble on these tiny baby toes.

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This is one proud daddy

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personal

blogging

by rachelpbaughman1 Comment on blogging

I read a lot of blogs – most of which exist for the purpose of sharing photos. I have spent countless hours poring over pictures of weddings and families and life events of people I have never met. Images of a new mother captivated by the sweetness of her tiny baby or of a father seeing his daughter for the first time on her wedding day can move me to tears. Photographs have this wonderful way of capturing moments, of freezing time, of telling a story. And I cannot get enough.

I love to take pictures. I love my husband for buying me a camera and encouraging me to do what I love.

This is my place to share with you the moments I capture with my lens.

*r