To those of you reading this before my children are actually able to read...
Disclaimer: This is in no way meant to be one of those letters where I brag on my children and they are made out to be perfect. I almost deleted this post today after the kids bickered all the way to Costco and back over a kite...it is however, truth about the ways I feel they are marvelous and deserve praise....because after all, that IS one of the most precious gifts I can give them and it IS my responsibility as their Mommy.
Hello dear babies,
I wanted to write to you and tell you how much I love you. I now have the memory of a goldfish and so I think it's important for you to have my words written down so that you know all the ways that I loved you...right here in this moment and the way you were loved and seen through my eyes today...
My dear, dear Jaren...
The words, "It's a GIRL!" were some of the sweetest words of my life. I had prayed for them...I had prayed for specific qualities and physical characteristics, not certain that the God of the universe would see fit to grant me my wishes and yet He did. He is a God like that. A God who wants to bless His children and cares about all the "little" things. I prayed and God literally gave me everything I had hoped for in you. You are the first real tangible gift for me that proved I was forgiven.
You are the child I have the most regrets with. You got all of my mistakes as the first child while I found out the hard way the lessons God was teaching me through motherhood...and yet, you are gracious and loving and forgiving. And you spend your days reassuring me of your love for me and your Daddy and your brothers. Our home is filled with the sounds of piano playing each day thanks to you and your love of music. You are also an important part and Deejay in our family dance-offs. Your heart is one of a servant. You are an old soul who has always been older than your years. This is a blessing and a curse as your parent because you are also prone to thinking you have all the answers...I, ah-hem, know another person in your home you may have inherited this from...I often tell people that you could probably run this house without your parents if we let you. You are a dreamer and a doer. You have a very strong work ethic that will serve you so well in life. You are wise beyond your years and grasp biblical concepts that would have seemed like a foreign language to me when I was your age. You asked to be baptized in the Jordan River for your 8th birthday in June...ah hem...may have to order some water online and pour it into a pool here in Nashville sweetie...
You are gifted. Things come naturally to you which will either serve you well or curse you, depending on whether you are spirit-filled or not. You are extremely successful to God and to us, if you become a wife, mother and lover of the Word and your God...even though this world will try to convince you that you need to do more. Your Daddy and I don't expect perfection from you and never will. I think you are one that has to be reminded of that each day and we always will.
You have a heart for others in need and I pray that is never squelched by the cynicism of this world but only used to glorify God's kingdom.
I have but one mission for you and that is for you to know that you are here on this earth to know Him and make Him known.
My tender, sweet Gentry...
Our family was wrapped into a perfect little package with our girl and our little prince. You screamed the loudest at birth out of all our babies and peed directly in my tummy the second you were born, but that all became ironic as we cuddled and nurtured our sweet boy. You are content. You are gentle and tender and sweet and calm and loving. You are empathetic which I am told is more difficult for boys, especially little ones. I can trust you alone for not minutes but HOURS. You have a sense of right and wrong and concern for upsetting your parents which makes you choose the best option...not ALL of the time, but more often than your siblings. You are the only child at this point who shows extreme gratitude over gifts given to you...stopping to wrap your arms around my legs and thank me repeatedly in the middle of your day, for that special gift you were given one week earlier. You love to stop what you are doing and hug my leg to tell me that you are so thankful God gave you the best mother in the world. You melt my heart. Your smile has always been a beacon of light into my soul, especially on days when I am weary with the tasks of motherhood. Your sister is your lifeline. She is so nurturing to your spirit in so many ways and your brothers are such a blessing to your playtime...not necessarily to your parents at all times, ah hem, but certainly to your fun side. You are stubborn, stubborn, stubborn and take the prize for the most whiny Delk toddler but I am pleased to announce that you have passed that torch. Your laugh and giggle are infectious and once you get going, there is no stopping your giggling fits. I have to draw you out to learn about your thoughts but once you feel safe and heard, you can talk all day long. :) You have a knack for art, especially painting and drawing and Dev says you have a real gift of creativity. I love your voice and I love your heart for the homeless and needy this past month. I love all the ways you brighten our life each day.
I have but one mission for you and that is for you to know that you are here on this earth to know Him and to make Him known.
My precious Easton...
God knows each of us so well and he knew EXACTLY what I needed and when it would be best, even when I didn't. You are my precious saving grace. You are my constant reminder that joy and light and life live on, even when you think your world is ending. You my dear one, came during the hardest year of my life. Just when I lost my beloved brother, God made you known to me, the very next day in fact. You saved me. You made me eat and pray and hope and take care of myself when I would have otherwise refused to do so. God knew I needed you. And from the second you were born, you have been keeping us on our toes ever since. You were a compliment to me...that the God of the universe believed I had the strength in that year to raise three babies, grieve and have a resident husband. And the even more beautiful gift is that I am constantly seeing your Uncle in your spirit. You are like him in so many ways which is an amazing blessing to you and oftentimes a stressor to your mother. :)
Even from birth you stood out. You were the only Delk baby with dark brown hair! We were so excited! And it stuck straight up which was a sign for things to come in your little personality. You are simply hilarious and our home delights in all the ways you make us laugh. You are magnetic, exuberant, passionate, silly, comedic, brilliant and fun. You have mad tumbling skills. Your contract work is amazing and you are responsible for a large percentage of my blog ideas. Just when I thought you were going to wear pull-ups until you were ten, you pulled through buddy and you are rockin' it! I cannot TELL you how many times I shake my head at you...dumbfounded...wondering where you get it...only to realize that you are exactly like me. :)
You are my snuggle bug which I love, because I wasn't sure if we would ever get you there since you were always on the go. You are curious, adventurous, fearless and your imagination is sensational. I have no doubt that your winning personality will be used to engage people and to hopefully foster in you and those you meet, a love for the Lord. Thank you for bearing with me as we struggled MIGHTILY to get to your fourth birthday buddy. We are doing good since then aren't we? :)
I have but one mission and that is for you to know that you are on this earth to know Him and to make Him known.
Our delicious Ransom....
You came to us in a season of respite and joy. You were the last missing piece to making this family feel so complete. I have gotten to enjoy and delight in each day with you, so much more than my other babies. I wasn't new to the experience, realized how fast it goes and knew you could be my last. Our life circumstances no longer contained all of the incredible weariness and stress and strain as the previous years did and for that you were blessed with parents who could enjoy you. You were expected to be Easton's little best friend and you have not disappointed. Though I am not fond on the ways you punch and kick him to defend yourself, I delight in all the other ways you make our home so joyful. I have called you "Delicious" for many reasons my sweet baby. Your spirit has always been one of contentment and joy and laughter and sweetness. You have always been an amazing sleeper and until the last month, have not asked for anything except food and water. I often have to search for you to find you because you wander the house, quietly playing until you get hungry and come seeking me out. :) You are starting to talk so much now which is so fun to hear what you have to say and it gives me a small glimpse into who you are becoming and who you will be. You still amaze me at all the things you understand and do, even though you cannot communicate verbally. You wake with a smile on your special little dimply face and you end your day with a hug and kiss. Your Daddy is your hero and you light up whenever you see him. You really do bring so much delight to each member of your family. Sissy, Gentry and Easton love to take responsibility for loving on you and helping you have what you need. They love to make you giggle and laugh and learn. I am so thankful for your precious spirit and the ways that God will use you to nurture and love others in your life.
I have but one mission and that is for you to know that you are on this earth to know Him and to make Him known.
I thank God for the gift of each of you individually, and for the gift of experiencing motherhood. I always thought that I would be responsible for teaching and training you...and I think I do, but I cannot TELL you all the ways God had a master plan in using it to teach and train me. I am still a piece of work and I am thankful that the God of the universe sees fit to mold me and use me and each one of us. Thank you so much for healing my soul.
Gotta go, one of you is banging on the back door...
No comments:
Post a Comment