Rachael

I found out that “What!??” moments are a genetic flaw within my family, one we are passing down to our children and probably leaving as a mark on the world.

I was driving to the middle school where Peyton and I would be involved in honoring a 7th grader named Jordan who raised over 1700$ for the Cure Kids Cancer Challenge last year. I glanced to a sign in front of one of the churches and I SWEAR for a moment I thought it said “Brazilian Wax Church”. I’m sort of reeling from that concept…I mean, that’s a pretty specialized congregation…do they check or go on the honor system….can you attend if it’s winter time and you’re just feeling lazy, but promise to do better come bathing suit season?? A second glance showed that it said “Brazilian Baptist Church”. I o think that the first option was a lot more interesting.

Once we arrived at the school we sat there and watched students come in, loud and too cool to even stand themselves. I had bypassed the front office and found the way to the auditorium and sat down to wait for the awards ceremony to begin. Waiting and waiting. Peyton was over this event before it even started….it was cold in the gym, the kids were too loud, the gym smelled funny (I really do have to agree with her on that one, there was some serious middle school funk going on in there!)…and someone from the school finally came over and spoke to us. We clarified that we were there to be a part of the special award presentations and the woman says to me….for REAL….”Oh! Are you with the Toshiba presentation?”

Toshiba. Yes, I work there part time after I get done at the nail salon. Toshiba! Yes, I’m here straight from the home office.

Really!

Beyond all that, this is my day to just be awed by the fact that my big girl is about to turn 7. She was the cuddliest and sweetest baby girl, I spent hours just looking at her, kissing her soft little head and being thankful for this daughter. It’s a weird thing when you’re adopted, you don’t realize how it’s going to hit you that you now have these people in your life that are yours by blood, a part of your body. When Nathaniel was born I was just blown away by the fact that I was related by blood to anyone. But when Rachael was born I would just stare at her and wonder “Did I look like her when I was born?” “Did my birth mother look at me in the same awe?” “Did she cry just because she was grateful to have a precious baby girl?” I won’t ever know, but I know that I was overwhelmed by how much I could love this child, how she totally possessed my heart.

I cannot possibly explain the joy that Rachael brings with her wherever she goes. She has a sparkle in her eye, her smile is just captivating and you can’t hear her laughing without wanting to join in. She is a blessing to have in our lives and we are privileged to be her parents. There are some days that are better than others, days I seriously wonder which of us will crack first, but I always love waiting to see what she will do next, hear what is going to come out of her mouth, and being blessed to have another day with her.

We love you, Rachael.

f.r.o.G…fully relying on God
–Anissa