Happy Birthday Rachel!!!

(I'm not sure what happened, I had this set to autopost,

but obviously it didn't. Regardless, here it is. Sorry Rachel!)

My sweet firstborn turns EIGHT years old today! Where has the time gone? She is growing into such a sweet, sweet young lady.

This year we did something a bit different for her birthday. We are actually on vacation right now and in Dallas. In lieu of a big birthday party, she chose to spend her day at someplace very special to young girls. Anyone want to guess where were are today? Yep, we are at the American Girl Store! You should have seen her face when we told her we were going!! We will be eating dinner tonight at the Bistro, all six of us: Daddy, Mommy, Rachel, her doll Jessica, Rebekah and her doll, Rebekah. :) I'm sure I'll be posting plenty of pictures in the future after our visit. She is going to have a small sleepover party at home one weekend after we get back from vacation.

Rachel, I hope this day is the best day ever, like you keep telling us it will be. Eight years old - you are growing up! So, just for you, here are eight things I love about you!!


1. I love your energy. Boy, do I wish I had just an ounce of what you have. You never want to stop or sleep. You've never been one who required much sleep and even now, you never want to go to bed.


2. I love your creativity. You love to write poems, stories and now you are working on your first fully scripted play.


3. I love your bravery. You are so much more outgoing and braver than I ever was. You auditioned for your first play and solo for the musical at church!!


4. I love your curiosity. Even though it drives me cRaZy when you ask a bazillion questions and always want to know everything that is going on, I know it just means you are smart!


5. I love that you love to read. I love to read (even though I don't have much time to nowadays) and I always hoped my children would love to read too. And you are a really fast reader too! I've also enjoyed us reading the American Girl books together - sweet memories I will never forget.


6. I love watching you do gymnastics and master a new skill. You get to excited when you get to ring the skill bell and you are doing so good at it. Keep it up!

7. I love watching you teach Rebekah. One night, I listened as you tried to teach Rebekah how to read. It made my heart so happy because you wanted her to read so bad. At times you can be so patient and caring with her. Other times, you fight like sisters. :)

8. I love your sense of humor. You love to laugh and tell jokes and try to make up your own jokes. Some of them are really funny! Your laugh makes me laugh.



Happy Birthday Sweetie and I love you so very much! I can't wait to spend it with you, watching you enjoy your day at the American Girl store!!