Happy Birthday David!

This year, instead of recieving the usual birthday fare from us - cd's and/or books - we gave Dave something completely different.  I saw this yesterday at the Mall and it reminded me SO MUCH of how it looked, and felt to watch David love his little Rachel.  And it was only a short time ago that he held her on his lap, just like this....

And Dave thought it was the perfect gift too! I love you Dave.  You are a wonderful father to our three children.  Rachel was so blessed to be loved so well by you!!

After we gave Dave his birthday present, we jumped in the van and headed for Strathmore.  Our kids had check-ups with our family doctor - checking their heart beats, their weight, and we talked about a few concerns I have had for awhile - but still just minor ones.  So glad we only have small conerns to think of right now - and so much feels small now in comparison.  It felt so strange to be sitting in the same chair where I first heard the news about Rachel's brain anomaly and at it felt SO GOOD to be able to tell him the rest of Rachel's story.  He was so interested in hearing about her and it was obvious that her story really moved him.  He told us that when he was seven, he had a baby sister (two months old) that died.  I told him how much I appreciated the way he had broken the news about Rachel to us and for his encouragement to see it through, whatever came, because he believed we would not regret it.  I am so glad for doctors like him! And afterwards, the nurse added Rachel's picture to their 'wall of fame'.