She is ALMOST six!!

Rachel and her friends at her 6th Birthday Party!!!Sooooo....who would throw a birthday party at home right in the middle of the chaotic life of packing up one house to move to another house....well me!!! Things are crazy around here these days. Everyday, Rachel begging PLEAAAAASE can we go eat dinner at the new house tonight (not doable since the pots and pans are hidden away in the packing box in the garage still) and then we have JT who asks everyday as he sees more stuff being moved..."Is today the day we are moving mama?"

So right in the middle of our crazy life, we had Rachel's 6th Birthday Party last Saturday night at our sort of house! It was an "almost sleepover" party from 6-9 ...the kids had an absolute awesome time. The five friends Rachel is super close too all were able to come. It would not have been the same without them all!!! They are such amazing kids, from awesome families. We are sooo blessed to have them all in our lives. They all played perfect together all night. Had such an amazing time together, so respectful to each other and the old ones there that night (Gary and me). Really, a true reflection and example of their awesome parents. They had pizza, cake (decorated by me...and you can tell!!!), popcorn, juice and snacks...yes they were nice and sugared up when they were picked up!! They changed into their pjs, jumped in their sleeping bags and watched a movie. Rachel had a great time and it is definately a party I think she will always remember.

Now, in just five days, it will all be for real. She will be six. I cannot believe that it has been six years since she came into our lives and taught her father and I the meaning of complete, unconditional love at first sight! I remember dreaming of the day we would be able to havea baby...we waited sooo long...ten years until we decided it was time to make that dream real. God blessed us more than we could ever imagine.

Who would have thought you could love someone so much before you even met her? I remember holding her for the first time, realizing, she is all ours. We get to keep her!! We don't have to give her back, we are a real family now! Everyday, this ray of sunshine brightens our world. Everyday, with every hug and kiss, I realize that everything in my life led up to having her. If one thing were different I wouldn't have HER! Everyday, is a gift; a gift that we were entrusted to have from God.

The last six years have been full of amazing firsts....smiling, walking, hearing "I love you mama", going to school for the first time....it goes on and on. When I think of the next six years....I can only imagine the blessings that lie ahead of us. She is 1/3 the way to an "adult". I cannot imagine that.

It doesn't matter how many years go by, she is always my baby. Always my little girl....and definately always one of the two (her brother the other of course) best gifts we will EVER receive!!!