Rachael,

It’s hard to believe you have gotten so big right before my very eyes. By this time today we will have celebrated you with our little family last night at Chuck-E-Cheese. Yes, we’re that kind of crazy this year, but we know how much you have talked about it in the past and wanted to go spoil you with sensory overload for a while. hehe. And you will have opened your present from us. [Thank you for that tackle-hug with your thank you… I could feel God’s hug in your warm arms of true gratitude.) You will also have slept your first nap and night-time in your “new” bunked bed.

Congratulations on being SO BIG to get to sleep way up on top in your “tree fort”. Tonight we’ll add your princess poster from your birthday party up there to make the little space more of yours. And may I never forget your heartfelt “… thank you,” that poured from your lips as you stood back and admired your new space of independence. It caught me unexpected and melted my heart, little girl.

Maybe it’s in bunking the beds and you getting to pick out your large-family birthday party theme this year, or maybe it’s in your having your first (surprise) slumber party with your sweet little friend, Josie, tonight, but baby girl… you are getting SO BIG!

I love that little wild smile that takes over your eyes,

your uncoordinated dance moves to every movie’s ending credits, your “watch me” glance when you want to be caught being amazing, your “just like us” moments you share with me when pointing out others’ brown eyes, how you get lost in trying to make our little Hannah smile and making those “just you two moments”,

how you sing at the top of your lungs in the backseat of the van – oblivious to the key and our ability to hear you, how you get lost in bookworm bliss – begging for one more story of snuggling and imagination, how you have a certain little out of control laugh that only you and Abi share together.

Rachael, you make my heart so full. I couldn’t delight in you more.

It has been such an indescribable blessing getting to be your mommy – soaking in your world right beside you.

I am so grateful to God for giving me you, my Rachael.

So as we go about our day today, celebrating you, I just want to say for today and for always…

Rachael, my dearest, I love you so. You are my delight, indeed.

Happy Fourth Birthday, precious girl.

And yes… we will still grow our hair out like Rapunzel together. 😉

– love you, my Rachael.