A glimpse of our amazing girl

While we were in Michigan, Matt's incredibly talented brother and sister-in-law asked if they could take some pictures of Rachel. Of course we said yes! So we spent about an hour with them and they managed to capture almost every side of Rachel's personality. I'll find a way to post more of them, but I wanted to share a few tonight. We are so in love with these pictures - I'm brainstorming ways to display all of them!

Santa and baby Jesus

There is so much to share about Christmas with Rachel this year, but one of the most special moments happened Christmas Eve. We were at my parents' house in IL and we had just sat out the plate of cookies for Santa and carrots for the reindeer. Rachel got in bed and picked up the baby Jesus from the nativity scene that my mom had placed beside her bed. She put it on the headboard and snuggled down to sleep. I asked her why she wanted baby Jesus to be on her bed while she slept and she said, "Because I want Santa to see Jesus and know Him!". My sweet, sweet girl. I have a picture of her sleeping with the baby Jesus above her, but I don't have it to post yet. I'll try soon.

Decorating the tree

We decorated the tree (finally!) on Sunday afternoon. Rachel LOVED it and did her best to fit all of our ornaments in a 2x2 foot area. I managed to put a few on, so I spread them out as much as I could. I had planned to rearrange the ones she put on to spread them out, but the more I look at the tree, I think it is just perfect as it is. Of course the highlight for Rachel was putting the star on the tree. She always goes on Daddy's shoulders for this! Oh, I'll include a picture of her doing the star last year, too. It is Rachel's favorite picture of herself!

Rachel decided it was her job to arrange the nativity set and she took her job very seriously. I love the Little Peoples set - it is just so cute.

After we decorated, we turned on the TV and found a Christmas episode of Little House on the Prairie. Rachel and I cuddled together and watched the end of the show. It made the afternoon complete for me!

The stomach bug that won't die!

Well, this has not been a good week for Rachel. She threw up Monday night and just felt yucky on Tuesday. We thought we were done with it until tonight. We all went to a Christmas party hosted by the woman who coordinates the 1st and 2nd grade Sunday School classes that Matt and I teach. I had to leave early to get to another party, so I left Matt and Rachel there to continue visiting and eating for a while. Well, right before they left, Rachel threw up ALL over the kitchen floor - the same kitchen where all of the food was set out. Appetizing, huh? We know how to say a very colorful "Thank You" to our hostesses! Thankfully, Matt and Rachel were the only guests there at that time. Rachel felt pretty good after the throwing up was done and asked Matt if they could still go to the gym like they had planned. Matt told her, "No, because you might throw up in childcare". Rachel replied, "It's okay, Daddy, they have bathrooms there!". Of course, they came straight home. Please pray that Rachel can be done with this quick AND that Matt and I don't get it!!!!!