The Wonky Toe

Rachel was born with what we called a "Wonky Toe". The doctor thinks that the second toe on her left foot had some amniotic banding, and caused it not to develop the last bone in the joint.

You can see how the nail and that toe isn't quite formed right.

We were always afraid that she would be self-conscious about it - and that she wouldn't want to wear sandals, for example, as she grew older. Sadly, we don't have to worry about that now.

That toe was one of the things that made her "Rachel". I'm a bit disappointed that she won't have it the next time we see her - as she will be perfect in form and stature.

I love her and miss her so much!

Zoo Day

Rebecca really liked to go to the zoo. I really like the wonder and amazement in her eyes in this picture as she looks at the animals.

I love her - and I am especially missing her this spring time. I would love to have the opportunity to take her to the zoo again. I miss my girls.

Easter Party

Tomorrow, we are going to my mom's house for our annual family Easter Egg Hunt party. She does this every year, and invites my cousins (who are about the same ages as Preston - just a couple of years older than Cassidy) and all of my siblings and their children.

It's a wonderful party and tradition, and we really enjoy it.

This picture was taken at the party last year. Rachel was so cute to sit with my uncle Randy and his wife Milissa - I love her smiles. We had many wonderful pictures of her that day, and I'm glad that we do.

We are a bit wary of tomorrow. We don't quite know how it will be to go to the party with two of our children so obviously missing. However, it will be a fun time, and a time that we can spend with our loved ones...and to remember the girls that have so deeply touched and improved our lives.

¿Quieres una naranja, mamá?

This past Christmas, Cassidy asked Santa for an American Girl doll. Santa decided to get one for Rebecca too. Becca picked the Josefina doll - it was always her favorite one in the catalog.

We have recently noticed that Becca kind of had an affinity with hispanic culture. She loved to watch Dora the Explorer (her favorite show), learn spanish ("¿Quieres una naranja, mamá?" - literally "Mom, do you want an orange?", but what she meant was "Mom, can I have an orange?"), eat "real" mexican foods (recipes that I brought home - sopa, tinga, and calabazas were among her favorites), and she picked the hispanic American Girl doll.

I have no doubt that she is interacting people of hispanic descent right now in the next life. I can just imagine her listening with great interest to her Great-Grandpa Sharp recount the stories of his missions to Mexico and South America.

I am also really glad that Santa brought her the doll. It wasn't his original plan - and Mrs. Santa wasn't too terribly happy about it at first...it took quite a bit of convincing. However, seeing her face on Christmas morning, and watching her play with the doll for the short month afterward, before her death, I am VERY glad that she was able to have happy memories, and that I could see the magic of Christmas through a child's eyes.

I love her so much! I can't wait to hear about all her stories, and what she is doing while we are separated!

Good Hair Day

When Rachel was born, she had SOOOOO MUCH HAIR! The nurses in the hospital really got a kick out of her.

Apparently, Brenda had hair about like this as well. Proof that Rachel looked a lot like Brenda - and, since we all know that Becca looked like Rachel, it follows that Becca looked like Brenda too.

I like this picture - you can really see how much hair she had. This picture was taken just hours after she was born. She was such a beautiful baby. She was so fun to hold, and of all our children, she was one of the more snuggly babies. Not terribly snuggly...but by far better than Cassie was.

I miss holding her, especially at church. Rachel never did like church much - so I would take her out into the hall and hold her on my shoulder until she fell asleep. I have always had a kind of skill for holding our kids and having them fall asleep. I miss those times - but I have comfort in knowing that one day, once again, I will be able to hold my little "Cho".

Sisters!

Cassidy is such a wonderful big sister. I am so grateful that we had her first - she is always willing to help out with the other kids.

She especially was good at taking care of Rebecca. They would always play together, and Cassie was conscientious and would invite Becca to play with her - even if she had her own friends over.

Cassie has some really good qualities that will make her a good mother. She is caring, compassionate, empathetic, and patient. She gets those qualities from her mom (except the patience... ;) )

I'm so grateful for wonderful children! I love them so much!

Big Brother

Yesterday, it was the girls, today, it's Braden's turn.

I really like this picture. When Becca was born, Braden pushed her down the hall and into the room. He was such a good older brother.

He was an amazing older brother in many ways. I know that he loves those girls - and that he was willing to take care of and protect them. They were very lucky to have older siblings like Braden and Cassidy.

Braden is such a wonderful son. I couldn't ask for better children! I love them all!