Aunt Rachel

I was blessed with the joy of being an only child. God knew I was a enough for my parents to handle. So that has always given me the other "joy" of being considered "spoiled, selfish and stingy". Some of that is partly true. I was spoiled with attention not only from my parents, but from my aunts and uncles and cousins and grandparents. I was the youngest grandchild on my dad's side- so of course I got the royal treatment :). Selfish- sometime I really dont like people usign my stuff because I value my stuff so much and treat it much more gently than my friends. I didnt share clothes or jewelry until I lived with Julie- and she taught me that she would treat my stuff as good as I did and we never had any problems. So I have tried to share with my other bff Faren, God help her, but she broke every pair of earrings I let her borrow. So- she buys me new ones to replace the broken.

Anyyyway- I dont have any official nieces or nephews (when Jeffery marries me- I get 2 real ones) and it is really sad. BUT the good thing is that I have EIGHT count them 8 little cousins who call me Aunt Rachel and it blesses my heart. These kids have been my world since the first one Jackson came into the world 9 years ago. I also have adopted nieces and nephews from my closest friends who let me be a part of their child's life and let them call me Aunt Rachel (Emma Kate Renfroe and Ethan Whatley. It truly is a blessing.

Aunt Rachel loves to spend time with the elite 8 and my other 2 Britney and Bayle. I love them all so much and couldnt think of not having them ALL in my wedding (whenever it comes). I have had more experience changing diapers, feeding, bathing, watching, scolding, loving, and playing with these kids than any other person I know.  

Below you will find a story of each kid how they have changed my life. 

Jackson Lane Smades- aka Action Jackson- who recently just turned 9!! Man where has the time gone!! This is one of the smartest most inquisitive kids you will ever meet. He loves to show his brothers and sister how to do something and loves to be a leader. One time he was reading over my shoulder (and Aunt Rachel didnt know he could read) and I texted some boy I was dating I love you too and Jackson just balled out laughing and said "ohhh I love youuuuu". It was so embarrassing to have a kid read that out- and then proclaim it to the family. Jackson is always funny and always willing to help. I <3 him so much!

Gary Parker Smades- aka Parker Poos, 8
Parker has always been kidded about being so dark skinned. He got alllll the pigment of is siblings and we love to tease him about being a a different color than his family. One time he said "Im not black- Im Mexican". We all died laughing. He is a sweet kid who has eaten the same thing for most of his entire life- until last year. Normally he would just eat cookies and cream pop tarts- beefaroni and apple sauce with no chunks. But with a lot of encouragement and help- he not tries more food! Yay Parker. He ate fruit and chicken last night- I was in shock! Parker has always been the dare devil of the kids. He doesnt cry when he gets hurt and always pushes it to the limit of his boundaries. Like the one time he hung over the side of the stairs (up top) and just kinda hung out on the side of the wall til his dad came in and had to get him to drop off the side. Kinda crazy. Parker is a sweet kid and his lil lisp makes him ever so much more cuter.

Kathryn Grace Henson- Grace, aka Baby Grace 6
This is my sweetheart. Grace asked me a couple of weeks ago- "If you die can I have all your jewelry?". She LOVES jewelry. Loves it just like her Aunt Rachel. Another funny story about Grace is one time- while I wasnt around- she was supposed to go change or something- maybe put on her pjs- and she came out with her undies in her butt crack- like cheeks showing her large wedgie and said "this is how Aunt Rachel wears her underware". GASP!! HAAHHAH- she got it right. So embarrassing though. She is a very smart kid and dances. Im partial but she is really good. Parker and Grace look like they are related because she is really dark skinned as well. She is our little Pocahontas. She is learning to read and I just love it when we have girl time together. She is allllll girl friends. Wants her nails and hair done and her favorite color is purple. She has been called Baby Grace since before she was born- and that name never seems to drop because Jackson and Parker still call her that. She can be whiny- but when it comes down to it- she is a beautiful kid who has a piece of my heart.

Spencer Glen & Sydney Grae, aka the twins, almost 5 in a week!! 
If ever there were a set of twins who broke the mold- this would be them. Sydney is all princess and ballerina. Spencer= legos and star wars like his brothers. I cant wait til Sydney gets older and beats the mess out of her brothers (Jackson, Parker, Spencer). They are really different. Spencer is more of a lover and Sydney likes to be the center of attention (a trait I am sure she got from her Aunt). One time when My aunt (my dad's sister and all these kid's grandma) was having their family portrait done- I was there to corral kids. I pulled Sydney out of the hot wheels Barbie car and put her into the family picture. Keep in mind this was professional pics!! She screamed and pitched a HUGE FIT and messed up all the pictures. 
 
Here is her lovely face. The twins are great and have learned so much from their older brothers. They are so dang funny! Sydney takes the lead and doesnt give Spencer a chance. It is a good thing he likes to do things on his own- but he is a daredevil like Parker. When he was 3 he would ride the 4 wheeler standing on 1 leg. Like he was Evil Knievel. They are precious and I love them so very much!




Mason Grant Henson- aka CHUNK, 4

This sweet baby has had my heart since he came into the world. When he was born he had some complications, wimpy white boy syndrome, and was on a ventilator for a while. I was away in Connecticut and didnt get to see him until August when I came home. The 1st time I held him- he had my heart and has never let go. I love this kid so much!! His name chunk comes from when he was a little bit close to one- this boy was HUGE. My dad called him that and it has stuck ever since. He makes the cutest faces and is a riot! I could go on and on about how sweet of a kid he is, but I will just tell stories. He loves Mowgli and calls her a different name every time he sees her. Mow Mow, puffer berry, pup- whatever but he loves her. He loves some Optimus Prime too- and knows all the sounds and if you dont do them right he will let you know. He always loves for Aunt Rachel to hold him- and will pitch a fit until I do. I dont mind. Chunk is a precious kid who is hilarious and he makes me smile every time I talk to him.

Bryson Todd Smith, aka Brycey, 3 freshly turned! 

Bryce is the sweetest kid. He loves Mowgli too and chases her around the house. When he was a baby- you literally could not put him down because he cried. A lot. But he isnt as fussy now and is going to be really good at sports we all hope- and play for the bulldawgs! He is just a cute kid. He is bff with Grant. I cant really think of funny stories of him, Im sure there are. Ohhh wait. Last night Heather told a good one!! She had put Bryce and Aiden down for a nap and Bryce was not going to sleep. She walked in their room and Bryce was standing on his bed PEEING towards Aiden's crib!! The poor baby was getting peed on from his brother! Heather said it was trickling down from the crib and wet enough on the carpet to soak her socks. BAHAHAHAH! Picture this lil mess doing that!  I remember when I first got to hold him. It was the weekend I got my new car and I fell in love again- for the 7th time. He was so little and so irresistibly precious. Bryce always gives good hugs and loves on his Aunt Rachel. He likes to dance and sing and you cant help but laugh. He is going to break some hearts when he gets older, but never his Aunt Rachel's.

Aiden Joseph Smith, aka Aidy baby or Aidy poo- 1

 This is the smallest kid we have ever had in the elite 8. Aiden is SO TINY. He is going to be a climber for sure. He already has lots of bumps and bruises from him climbing on things he shouldnt. Such as the trike and chair last night which fell over on him. He is just so little, but you cant help but love on him because he is so flippin cute!! I was the first in the family to hold Aiden when he was born and out of the hospital. He was the best Christmas present for 2008. He was dressed in some candy cane pants and just so tiny. Again, my heart was melted. he looked like a little elf so tiny with his Christmas stuff on. 

That is the elite 8 friends. 

Here is my other real niece and nephew, Britney Abigail and Bayle Austin English. Bayle is a HANDFUL and wild and Brit is just as sweet as pie.

I love them all. Sometimes I forget that the elite 8 comes with 16 hands pulling and pointing, as well as 8 tiny mouths running all at the same time, but I wouldnt trade it for a thing!