Rachael Grace Photography

Girl Rising

Rachael Grace Photography — Wed, 15 May 2013 21:12:50 +0000

As we sat in a oddly warm movie theater waiting for the movie to start, I couldn’t help but notice that we were surrounded by more tweens and teens then I think I’ve been around since I was that age. I’m sure Cody was wondering why we were there.
By the end of the movie I couldn’t help but feel pride in those young girls that surrounded us. Whether they were there because they wanted to be or because mom thought it would be good. Seeing the stories of Girl Rising is so inspiring and humbling. If a young girl in poverty can stand up and say I will go to school, then a young girl here can to. She can stand up with the less fortunate and fight right along side of her. Create a better world for both of them.
We’ve been trying to do a date night once a month since D was born. ( All thanks to my dear friend Meg) And this month I wanted nothing more then to see this documentary. Girls and education has been a heart throb ever since my trip to Nepal. There is just something about empowering a young girl, whether here in the US or in the poorest corners of the world, that just makes me leap for joy and cry the happiest tears.
Watching the movie made me feel even more privileged to live where I do and to know I can give Delilah every tool she needs to succeed in this world. I want that for ever girl. I want every girl to know she’s loved and she matters. That she is strong and to fight.
Go see Girl Rising. It will inspire and move you. I promise.

xoxo – Rachael

I happy to say I’m booking families again! If you’d like to book a story telling session go here!

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A Journey to Motherhood

Rachael Grace Photography — Sun, 12 May 2013 13:10:20 +0000

“Teach me well, my little one…
To cherish the moments I have with you,
for all too soon
they will swiftly pass away.

Remind me to pause and touch
your soft, small cheek,
to marvel at the innocence in your eyes
and the perfect beauty of your face.

Show me how to treasure more the miracle
that life has given me in you,
to complain less about and praise more
the boundless things you’re sure to do.

In the stillness of the night,
when you wake me from my slumber,
help me to realize how truly blessed I am
to be able to hold you next to my breast
to comfort and cradle you close to my heart.

And as the seasons pass away,
may I never look back in regret
at what may have been.
May I instead leave a legacy
for you to follow
as you in turn will one day welcome
a little one of your very own.”

Author: Linda E. Knight

Today is Mother’s Day Delilah. My first as a mother. Your Mother. It still feels strange to say that. I’m a mother, WOW I still can’t believe it! Here you are almost three months old baby girl. There have been many moments that I thought we would never see this beautiful day.
I love being your number 1, your little face just lights up!
I love that you love to snuggle just as much as I do.
I love your big open mouth smile.
I love that you smile at me at 3am while I change your diaper, I try so hard not to smile back because I don’t want to wake you up even more…I fail every time.
I love that you look so much like your daddy.
I love that you have opened my heart more then I thought was possible.
I love that you were born on your Great Grandma Grace’s Birthday.
You taught me life is best lived wide open, even if that leaves you vulnerable.
You taught me to be patient and count my blessings.
You taught me I can love your Daddy even more then I already do.
You taught me dreams really do come true.
You have filled a space in our home that I didn’t even know existed.

Giving birth to you was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do baby girl. Someday I hope you’ll be able to experience the intense joy, love and raw emotion that comes with giving birth. There truly is no other experience like it and I’m so grateful to have experienced it. Giving birth strips everything away and I found myself relying on those around me like never before. Without their support I don’t think I could have made it thru the longest night of my life. But just as the light of a new day was dawning, so was my light at the end of the tunnel. I could finally push just as the sun was coming up. Bliss.
It was our hearts desire to bring you into this world without drugs. And thankfully we did it. You took your first breathes of air perfect, healthy and full of life.
I look back at the photos and brings all those raw emotions back. Feeling every contraction grow stronger and stronger then the last. Just when I thought I couldn’t go on, your Daddy would take my hand or kiss me. He was a rock baby girl. You have such a strong daddy to lean on.
This Mother’s Day I feel filled with hope, more love then I could ever image and joy that I have you to call my daughter.
Mother’s Day has a whole new meaning now. I love you baby girl!

I have a whole new appreciation and adoration for mothers around the world, and especially for my own mother.
Happy Mother’s Day to all the Rock Star Mamas out there.
You are so amazing and beautiful!!

xoxo – Rachael

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A Place

Rachael Grace Photography — Tue, 07 May 2013 16:44:37 +0000

‘Any day is a good day,
when there’s family around.’
-Grandpa Mitchell

There’s a place down a long dusty dirt road that we go to at least once a year. My husband’s grandparent’s ranch. A place where families gather in the barn to celebrate 85th birthdays. A place with a big sky bright with the spring newness. A place where children run free to get dirty and play in the sun shine. A place where family gatherings mean enough food and cake to feed an army. A place where the dogs are loyal and always at your feet. A place where bum lambs still keep warm in the house. A place you always leave feeling full with good food, good family and a feeling of a life much different from the city life.
This was Delilah’s first trip to meet her Great Grandparents. A place that holds a very special place in my husband’s heart. Taking D there was something all together special and cup filling.

I know she won’t remember this trip. My hope is that she will remember her great grandparents..God willing. But somehow telling the story of her first trip makes it a little easier. She won’t have her memory of the trip, but she’ll have ours.
My cup is over flowing today.
xoxo – Rachael

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A day in the fresh air

Rachael Grace Photography — Fri, 03 May 2013 20:39:04 +0000

I must have asked him a dozen times…what do want to do for your birthday?
no response.
Alright my laid back apprently easy to please husband, I vote a hike in the mountains on a 70 degree day that mother nature decided to tease us with. It’ll be Delilah’s first real hike.
So we packed up the dog and the kid and shocked ourselves with how much stuff we required for a short day trip…how is that possible?
Our adventure was actually pretty quiet. D was awake and content in the pack and we didn’t even have a blow out and only a minor amount of spit up during the whole thing. Bonus points.
A crude self-timer family portrait sans the dog that doesn’t cooperateA big Happy Birthday to the love of my life.xoxo – Rachael

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Seek and Find…

Rachael Grace Photography — Wed, 01 May 2013 20:35:06 +0000

…Your Adventure

There are times and opportunities that make you just up and scream YES! That’s exactly what I felt when I first heard about Edge of Seven and the change their bringing to children in Nepal.
You could watch documentaries (which I would recommend this one) you could give money, or you could say YES to an adventure. An adventure that will leave you feeling empowered and humbled to your core. An adventure where you come home a different person, a better person.
If your heart is saying YES and calling you to Nepal, Edge of 7 is offering an adventure of a life time. An adventure of epic proportions and I only wish I could go. (babies don’t make third world travel easy) But you can go and then come back and tell more all about it and I can live vicariously thru you! I’ll even help you fund raise! Serious.
What’s your idea of an adventure? What makes your heart stand up and scream YES! Tell me, I want to hear!

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