Dear Gracie Girl -- The Beginnings

Dear Gracie,
I have never been able to keep baby books.  Don't know why. I just never write in them. But I really want you to know your story, how much you are loved and wanted.  So I thought it would be nice to address some special posts, just to you, here on the blog.  Someday I hope you will read them and know you are God's precious gift to us, and that God has a specific plan for your life.

The beginning of your story starts many years ago, when I was a young mom.  We had Danny and Cara, and at first we thought that those two kids were enough.  Popular wisdom is that 2 kids is the perfect number, preferably a boy and a girl, which we had.  We certainly didn't set out to have 8 babies.  But slowly God was changing our hearts in many ways and we had Nick.   Then, after Nick was born, I really began studying what God has to say about babies and children.  And I learned that the Bible says children are blessings and gifts from God.  God says in His word: 

 Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

 As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.

 Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.

Psalm 127: 3-5

  Blessed is every one that feareth the Lord; that walketh in his ways.

For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.

 Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table.

Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the Lord.

The Lord shall bless thee out of Zion: and thou shalt see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life. Yea, thou shalt see thy children's children, and peace upon Israel.

Psalm 128: 1-6

And I came to believe that if God says children are rewards, blessings, and gifts, then why wouldn't I want more blessings, if God sent them?  Why shouldn't God decide when and if He would give those gifts?   

Well, to make a really long story short, as the years went by God added Samantha, Joey, Rebecca, and eventually Jackson.  Each of them was a cherished gift from God and each has taught me new lessons to be learned.  Patience, perseverance, faith, trust, unconditional love--these are some of the lessons that God is teaching me through my children (and I'm a slow learner, but God keeps working with me).  After Jackson, I didn't know if God would send any more.  I prayed for you for a long time, Gracie.   I was happy to let God be in control, but I told Him that if it was His will, then I would be thrilled to get to be a mother again.  Your mother.  And one day, we found out you were on the way.  Daddy and I kept our special secret for quite a while.  I would think of you, my sweet hidden treasure, and smile.

Finally, on Christmas morning, we told your brothers and sisters that you were on the way.  They were very excited.  Your sisters, especially, were jumping with joy. 
To be continued...