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3.02.2015

Happy Birthday Rachel! (By Dan)

Your blog has been hijacked, my love, but for a good reason!

You are always the one documenting our family milestones, writing about our kids lives and describing what is going on in our home, yet you are the one who drives this place and makes it hum so beautifully.

So on your birthday, it is only fitting to say thank you, to say I love you and to say how amazing you are.  The true reflection of who you are can so easily be seen in our children.  Their gentleness and kindness to one another is amazing, like yesterday when Indigo was playing 'Search for Atlantis' all around the house with Iris because we needed her to keep her little sister occupied for awhile.  Or watching Jude's tenderness with Hazel, holding her gently and cooing to make her smile. 

You have brought those qualities out in the kids with your incredible patience, the hard work you put into home schooling and simply how positive you are with them all the time.  You don't yell, you are always loving, yet firm when needed.  I am in awe of how you parent.  You are such an amazing momma to our kids and I love you for that!

And the way you love and support me is nothing short of mind blowing.  I can't tell you how incredible you are, the way I can feel your love for me, each and every day.  I can't tell you how blessed I feel to be married to you.  This year has been a grind in so many ways, but you have brought so much grace to it and I could not have gotten through it without you.

I could go on and on about your talents - all self-taught - sewing, photography, cooking, homeschooling and theology...all acquired in the scattered spare moments you have when not parenting, doing laundry (man do these kids create laundry!), homeschooling or cooking.  

Your life is spent loving others, pouring yourself out to your children, to me and those God brings into your life and so today, on your birthday, I just want to say thank you, and I love you...now and always. 

Your husband - Dan

"We learn by practice.  Whether it means to learn to dance by practicing dancing or to learn to live by practicing living, the principles are the same.  One becomes in some area, an athlete of God."  Martha Graham


22 comments:

  1. Happy birthday Rachel! What a lovely post Dan!

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  2. Happy Birthday Rachel! I am so happy, that I found your little corner of the internet! And what a wonderful husband you have! What a wonderful family! Best wishes Barbara

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  3. Ah, Dan. Soo sweet!
    Happy Birthday, Rachel!! I hope you have an especially lovely day, filled with beauty
    ~ Tracy

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  4. Happy Birthday to a lady who inspires greatness in others!

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  5. This is such a wonderful birthday gift ! Happy Birthday, Rachel !

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  6. Daaaaaaan, you made me tear up! What a beautiful tribute to the love of your life. Happiest birthday Rachel, you are amazing and I hope for all good things for you today and and always. :)

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  7. Dan, I am in tears. Oh Rachel, happy birthday. I say "amen" to everything Dan wrote. You inspire me daily to be a better person. So much love. xox

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  8. So beautiful, you sure are a blessed family!! Happy Birthday!

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  9. I don't normally read blog post without pictures, but that was beautiful and I read the whole lot. Happy Birthday Rachel. x

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  10. Dan, I know you are a very lucky man! And I must say, Rachel, looks like you're pretty lucky too. ;-) What a sweet and wonderful tribute to a lovely and kind and generous spirit.

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  11. Happy Birthday Rachel :) Hope you are having the most beautiful day with your gorgeous family. And the best blogger husband award goes to... ;) Beautiful post Dan :)

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  12. Happy Birthday Rachel! You've got a winner of a husband! Hope you get to enjoy all the appreciation!

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  13. What a wonderful post! Sniff. So lovely Dan. She is a treasure--but you already know that : )

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  14. happy birthday, rachel!! such a beautiful family you have! xoxo

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  15. Such a lovey post - thank you for hijacking the blog Dan - and a very happy birthday Rachel!

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  16. Ok Dan, I was impressed with the burlap ribbon familiarity and the hot glue gun wielding, but now?... Gee. Either you're imaginary (life like cut out in photos etc), or you're an unbelievably awesome man! That was beautifully said (although highlights the dangers of letting a husband know the blog passwords :) ). Just amazing.

    Which of course is exactly what Rachel is. So, Happy Birthday Rachel!!!! Hope you have a wonderful day and everyone is kind to you such that you don't feel a minute older the whole day long!
    Shelley xx

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  17. Happy belated birthday sweet Rachel! Your Ottobre post reminded me that I still wanted to comment on this post here. I actually had commented on it already, but somehow the comment didn't show up. That sometimes happen when I comment from the cellphone - and then I mostly don't want to try again...
    Anyways: This is such a beautiful post. I love that it agrees 100% with the picture that I have from you. Your writing, sewing and photography always shows so much love for your children, your man, your life. Plus your pics always show how loving your children are together. I'm glad to read that obviously your family is well aware how special and wonderful you are. Wishing you all the best, Annika

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  18. Happy Birthday Rachel! What a beautiful note of appreciation.

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  19. Happy, happy birthday! Such wonderful words of your Hubbie, and he's totally right :-)

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  20. So sorry I missed you bday earlier this week! Read this post just now, and am hoping belated bday wishes are better than none at all:) My husband's bday is the day after yours, so hopefully I'll be able to remember next year! And speaking of hubbies, Dan pretty much rocked the coolest heartfelt letter ever! What a treasure, and he so clearly adores all that you are to him and the kids. What a rich blessing!
    Hope you had a wonderful day and best wishes for many more years of happiness:)

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  21. Happy, happy birthday my dear friend Rachel! Dan, your words are so heartfelt and beautiful - what an awe-inspiring family you are! I hope you all celebrated with abandon! :-)

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