World Traveler

Rachel has always had this fascination with England (I blame the likes of Paddington Bear and in more recent years, Downtown Abbey). So when the opportunity arose that a tour to Ireland, Scotland,  and England was announced at school, we jumped on board and signed her up! 

The trip is organized through Education First, Hannah took a similar trip with this company in her Junior Year and had an amazing time. There are some teachers at school who want to instill in kids the love of travel and seeing new things. 

This particular trip, we signed up and committed to in December 2020. Because of COVID, we really weren't sure if the trip would happen, what restrictions there might be, etc. But it happened! And there were no restrictions! And Rachel had an amazing time! 

She was gone June 8-17th. There was one teacher and six girls from our school. Once they arrived in Ireland, they joined a few other groups that would be their travel family for the 10 day tour. 

They started off in Dublin, Ireland, and traveling North to Belfast and Derry. In Ireland she saw such things as Trinity College, St. Patricks Cathedral, visited the Titanic Museum, Giants Causeway. 

On the shores of Northern Ireland

From Northern Ireland, they took a ferry across to Scotland. Rachel was excited to visit the land of her ancestors and look for things with our last name. Unfortunately, due to the popular show Outlander, a lot of "Fraser" merchandise was out of stock. In Scotland, Rachel toured Edinburgh Castle

 

In the land of Scotland

From Edinburgh, Scotland, Rachel boarded a train that took them to London, England! This was the part of the trip she was most excited about! Unfortunately, traffic and delays didn't allow them to see some things they were supposed to (Westminster Abbey, Tower of London, Picadilly Circus), but she splurged with an add on tour and got to go to Windsor Castle! Even more exciting that the Queen was home this particular day! Rachel's always had a fascination with Beefeaters, we were beyond thrilled for her when we received a picture of her standing with one! 

She had an amazing time on this trip. Saw so many great things. Learned so much. Before she was even home, she was talking about all the things she'd like to see someday when she can go back! We're grateful she had this opportunity and that she absolutely loved it! 

Major Life Events

It’s been a while since I’ve posted on Rachel’s blog. Aside from regular appointments with Dr Garcia, our orthodontist, things have been fairly quiet in regards to her Cleft Journey. We have an upcoming appointment with Rachel’s Plastic Surgeon in a few weeks, I’ll update in regards to that after we see him. 

But as far as life goes, Rachel got her Drivers License last November, and has taken possession of our minivan as her way of transportation. We are trying to find her a used car, as she will need a car when she goes off to college the end of August. But the used car market is outrageous these days. 

The biggest life event to happen is that Rachel graduated from High School on June 1st! 

The last couple of years have been weird ones due to COVID. Rachel finished off her Sophomore year in Distance Learning, and did her ENTIRE Junior Year of High School in Distance Learning. Needless to say, she was very happy when in person school resumed in August for her Senior Year. Despite the obstacles of distance learning, she graduated in the Top 20 of her class!! 

The week before Graduation, Rachel got to go back to where it all started, her Elementary School.

June 1, 2022 Graduation of Grand Terrace High School's Class of 2022

A few days after Graduation, we hosted a party in Rachel's honor in our backyard. We had close to 80 family and friends come to help celebrated. My brother and sister in law and nieces who live in Texas came all the way to surprise Rachel!  It was a great party and we are so blessed by the love and support of so many who came. 

Rachel plans to follow in her sisters footsteps and attend Grand Canyon University in the Fall. She has already committed and is very much excited for the new adventure that lays ahead of her. She plans to study early childhood education and become a preschool teacher. 

Needless to say, we as her parents are very proud of her and all her accomplishments and cannot wait to see what the Lord has in store next for Rachel.