A Post for Rachel From her Mom

OK I know I haven't been on this blog for several months now, and Rachel has done a great job with keeping it updated. I only wish I had turned it over to her earlier, but today I will make a special entry all about her!

Rachel will turn 12 years old on Friday July 23rd. She has been looking forward to this day for nearly a year. Oh to be twelve and get to be in Young Women with all her friends! While I have not exactly dreaded the day, I must say there are times I wish I could stop time from rushing by so quickly. During Sharing Time today Rachel was at the front of the room singing one of my favorite songs- "If the Savior Stood Beside Me." And tears came to my eyes-just because I love her so much. Then during Closing exercises I had all six of my children together in primary for one last time. I remember when Rachel went to Kindergarten, and it was the end of my time as a mother with all my children home with me. Then she went to White Pine, and it was another end of an era of having all the kids in Lewiston Elementary together. Now we end another era of having them all together in Primary. Now I know that this is somewhat minor compared to some steps like her learning to drive, and moving away from home, and getting married. It just seems that those next steps will be hear so quickly. And I often feel overwhelmed with all the things I need to teach my children before they grow up completely. But then I look at how much she has learned and the beautiful young women she is becoming and I feel at peace, and suddenly I am excited to see her grow and change and learn and become the amazing woman I know she will be.

SO- Here's a list of Twelve things about Rachel:

1. She is so supportive of everything I try to do-she prays for me and my success every night.


2. She is so smart- and has a great memory. When she was a Sunbeam she gave a talk about President Hinkley with no help! She can memorize the words and notes to any song with little effort.


3. She loves to take pictures-I am so glad that Rachel takes pictures, because I have been so busy lately, but we still have oodles of pictures of Casen's first year.
4. She is very good help-I probably am too hard on her, but she does do allot of work at the barn and in the house.
   
5. She loves order and schedules, which I am not very good at, but she is patient with me.


6. She is creative and a great writer. She has won most any essay or story contest she has ever entered.


7. She loves to read.


8. She is a blog stocker-she mainly looks at photography blogs, but she has a few other random families that she checks up on regularly.


9. She has a strong testimony and wants to do what is right.


10. She is a great friend, and thinks about other people's feelings.
    
11. She tells me everything! At least I think it must be everything-and I love to hear it!


12. She is beautiful- inside and out!

OK Well I need to hurry because Rachel wants to do some blogging today too. Here are a few pictures I took of her today. Plus a few of my favorites from her younger days!