Could it possibly really be 6 years?

Yesterday was Rachel's REAL birthday. We celebrated it last month before Don left. But since it had been awhile we did something very very small. I put a candle in her biscuit in the morning. We all sang to her and she just lit up. Just for that alone she told me I was THE BEST MOM. WOW. I rarely get told that. :) And then Don called and that really made her happy.

Ethan, Mayah and I went and ate lunch with her and took her a Happy Birthday balloon. All the kids in her class were all in awe over that simple balloon. And then we took brownies, pencils and gum into her class. Those kids were so excited and very grateful. I got Rachel a small gift and then we headed off to family in Springfield.

I am grateful for Rachel and so glad she is in our family. It is tradition for me every year to tell the kids their birth story. They love it and want me to tell it qutie a bit. But I love sharing that with them. I try to remember every detail and it really makes them feel special. They ask all sorts of questions. It is fun.

Rachel is a very determined little girl. I love that she has a desire to learn. As soon as she gets home from school she pulls out her daily homework and works on it until she is done. I don't have to tell her or nag her about it. She just gets it done. I am so thankful for that. She loves books and is learning to read. She will sit there and try very hard to sound out the words. Rachel isn't really into dolls and toys too much. But she loves princesses. She loves to do active things. She has fun riding her scooter and playing down stairs in the basement with her brothers. She really likes crafts. She loves to color and paint. She is really a great blessing to us. She keeps us on our toes. I can remember how excited I was when I knew I was having our first girl. I was ecstatic. I wanted a girl SO BAD and was so excited. I still love it. Happy Birthday Rach. We love you.