Rachel

1, 2, 3 … Happy birthday, Rachel!

September 19, 2018 by Kristin 18 Comments

Dear Rachel,

I want to bottle your joy and hold it close forever. You’re the friendliest kid I know, although a few weeks ago I did wish I was close enough to stop you from hugging the stranger who was smoking at the park. You’re a lover — of people, of animals, of whatever Benny and Cate are doing, and of life in general.

While we were in Guatemala in June, Grandmom took you to YaYa’s Island to play and you still talk about how it was really fun and you want to do it again. When I pick you up from school, you usually say, “I not go home yet!” and then ask, “I do it again?” Lately, when we’ve driven by the movie theater you say, “Movies really fun. I like it popcorn.”

I adore how you love life and make everything more fun.

You like to run up to Daddy when he gets home from work and say, “Tag!” and then run off so he will chase you. You’ve gotten to be a good hide-and-seek player. You swim like a fish and jump like a frog. You love the trampoline, watching “Paw Patrol” and anything with Mickey Mouse, and chewing gum.

You’ve been using new adjectives appropriately, which makes your word-lovin’ momma happy. Plus hearing you describe all the things you encounter as silly, cool, and beautiful is really sweet. You call the colors of a sunset a rainbow, which also sounds like hair bow. You use “cute” in place of “small.” And you think a declaration of liking something is reason enough to make more dessert, another piece of gum, or a drink of my Diet Dr Pepper permissible.

As cliche as it is, I can’t believe you’re three.

Your birth mom will forever be on the sweet surprises God gave me. Your life is a testament to God’s faithfulness. Your joy is balm to my soul that can too easily become jaded by this world. You, my girl, are exactly who our family didn’t know we needed.

You, my girl, are worth celebrating. In only three years, God has already used you. I have no doubt there is so much more joy, surprises, and adventures to come for you.

I love you,
Momma

*****

Feel free to look back on Rachel’s little life: One month. Two months. Three months. Four months. Five months. Six months. Seven months. Eight months. Nine months. Ten months. Eleven months. One year. Fifteen months. Eighteen months. Two years. Of course, I share more of her story, which is part of my story, in my book, “Peace in the Process: How Adoption Built My Faith & My Family.”

*****

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This is Rachel right now

March 19, 2018 by Kristin 4 Comments

Rachel is officially right between two and three, so I wanted to document her right now. I’m grateful for our days together while the big kids go to school. I’m thankful God gave her to us because every single day she brings joy to us.

At 2 ½ years old, Rachel …

LOVES puppies, swimming, music, Murray State’s mascot Dunker, and milk.

WATCHES “Paw Patrol,” “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse,” “Toy Story” and its sequels, “Moana,” “Trolls,” “Frozen,” and “Sing.”

IS potty trained, learning to swim, adventurous, fearless, and funny. (I wrote about that adventurous, fearless part last week.)

EATS popcorn, bips (aka chips), cole slaw, sucks (aka suckers). (I mean, she eats other things, but those are her favorite things.)

SINGS songs from those movies I listed, Murray State fight song, “Happy Birthday,” and “You Are My Sunshine.”

SLEEPS in a toddler bed, usually for about 11 hours at night. Naps sometimes happen in bed and other times in the car.

SAYS many words, “No, I am” for “No, I’m not,” and “‘Cause I said” when anyone asks her why.

ASKS where we’re going when we get in the car, lots of questions, and why often.

WANTS to do whatever Ben and Cate are doing, to go outside, and be part of whatever is going on.

*****

Meanwhile, feel free to look back on Rachel’s little life: One month. Two months. Three months. Four months. Five months. Six months. Seven months. Eight months. Nine months. Ten months. Eleven months. One year. Fifteen months. Eighteen months. Two years.

Today she’s 2!

September 19, 2017 by Kristin Leave a Comment

I’ve probably told you before, I have a thing for third-born girls. They’re feisty and funny. I can name several third-born girls – my sister, nieces, and friends’ daughters quickly come to mind – who are so much fun to be around. They’re the kind of people who have confidence that keeps them from being wallflowers, a joy that lights up a room, and a sense of humor that makes even adults chuckle.

Honestly, I always wanted a third-born girl, and I’m so grateful God gave me one. She’s proven my theory true in the best ways.

AND TODAY SHE’S TWO!

*****

Dear Rachel girl,

God taught me about joy in everyday life and then gave me you. Since the day you were born, you’ve embodied joy with your expressions and the way you fit in our family.

You’re into everything, especially the food pantry, and like to climb … on the kitchen counter, on the table, and out of the crib. You talk a lot – and more often than not I know what you’re saying. I started a list of your words many months ago, but I’ve lost track because every day there are new ones. You love puppies, so much so we had a “paw-ty” with a dog as a guest on Sunday afternoon. You’ve got expressions for everything possible situation, say “love lou” with the sweetest hugs, and adore your “Benny” and “Dat.”

About a month ago, we moved you from your crib into a toddler bed because it seemed safer after you climbed out with ease. Each naptime and bedtime still is a toss-up whether you’ll just lay down and sleep or quietly pull clothes from the drawers, wipes from the container, and books from the shelf.

Life is more fun with you. Of course, I’m a little tired these days because you’re constant – with your words, your discoveries, and your adventures. But, Rachel, we waited quite for God to grow our family through a third adoption, and I’m so glad He gave us you.

I love your story so much. God surprised us with you and I still want to tell the world about it. Yes, your birth story is the tale of how you came into this world and our family, but it’s also a testimony to God’s faithfulness to never leave us the same.

So, let’s celebrate, dear one. Let’s have cookies and more milk because they’re your favorites.

Let’s be willing to share what we know to be true.

{Tweet that.}

And let’s do it all again tomorrow.

But will you please just go to sleep in your bed?

I love you, sweet girl.
Momma

*****

I really do love the story God has written through Rachel’s life – so much so I updated my ebook from 2014 and made it into a brand-new version of “Peace in the Process: How Adoption Built My Faith & My Family.” And, y’all, it’s available in paperback and Kindle version on Amazon.

I’m obviously going to share more about this tomorrow and in the days to come, but for now you should now I really did write a hold-it-in-your-hands book … and I’ve got a fun giveaway happening!

Meanwhile, feel free to look back on Rachel’s little life: One month. Two months. Three months. Four months. Five months. Six months. Seven months. Eight months. Nine months. Ten months. Eleven months. One year. Fifteen months. Eighteen months.