Our sweet Rachael had a birthday last week but I didn't finish this post until just now. I'm perpetually behind these days. She's 15 now. 15!
3-week-old Rachael with her proud daddy.
Hannah has always been her best bud. 1997
I love that little tummy.I love this picture of her sleeping. It captures who she was as a wee one. She fought sleep and would go and go and go until she'd collapse in the middle of whatever she was doing. Those were sweet reprieves for me as she was quite the little dandy.
Rachael with Beppe', Gordon's mom.
She's a fine big sister. Always has been. Here she is with her sisters, 2000.
Summer of 2009 at Gull Lake Camp.
Summer of 2008 on family holidays to Montana's Glacier National Park.
When I came home from Arkansas last time, this is what greeted me. I was shocked. Thankfully this phase lasted just a couple of days. 2009
Rachael gives me enormous joy. She's funny, a great conversationalist, fiercely independent, a hard worker, fun to be around. 90% of the time I would describe her just like that. All her teachers talk about her being a joy, a crazy independent child, but a joy. She is highly individualistic, just fine doing things her own way whether people approve or not. The other 10% of Rachael is the part I struggle with. Again, we're back to that fiercely independent part. In this place, she likes the tough girl image. Once she gets through this phase, I know we'll have a wonderful young lady. Until then, I'm hanging on with white knuckles. It's only about 10% of the time, but that 10% scares me like crazy.
Happy birthday my 15 year old. I hope you enjoy these years of finding out who you are apart from who your parents are. We will always love you, our beautiful Rachael.
