Lyric, You are 6 Months Old!

"The love of God is evident, in the miracle of you!"

Photo credit: Ruby Peoples Photography, www.rubypeoples.com

Lyric: having the form and musical quality of a song, and especially the character of a songlike 
outpouring of the poet's own thoughts and feelings...


6 months have come and gone so quickly. This time last year I thought that I'd never feel like myself again. I wondered if I'd ever stop throwing up or stop feeling like I was going to throw up every minute, and now here you are, 6 months old, and the most beautiful little girl I've ever seen. It sounds so cliche, but time has been flying by much too quickly since you've been born. 

I have been trying to soak in every minute with you. You see baby girl, I didn't know if I'd ever get the chance to have a baby. I prayed for you for 4 years before you finally arrived. Being pregnant and giving birth to you were the most miraculous things I've ever experienced. It blows my mind to look at the above picture and to know that you grew inside of me for almost 9 months.

Photo credit: Paige Broome Photography, www.paigebroome.com

Photo credit: Paige Broome Photography, www.paigebroome.com

You fit so perfectly into our family. I can already tell that your big brother is one of your favorite people in the world. Sometimes you'll laugh and smile at him when you won't even look at me. He makes your face light up, and he loves you so much. You don't see the difference in skin colors. You just see your big brother and you see love. I love seeing the two of you together, and I can't wait to see what future years hold.

Photo credit: Paige Broome Photography, www.paigebroome.com

Lyric, you and your brother are my dream come true. I hope you stay as sweet as you are right now. Your big sparkling blue eyes melt my heart, and your smile lights up a room. Being your mommy is one of the greatest privileges of my life. One day, I hope we can be best friends like I am with my mother. I pray everyday that as you and your big brother get older that God would use you both in mighty ways for His kingdom. 

Photo credit: Paige Broome Photography, www.paigebroom

Lyric, you are loved deeply! Happy 6 Month Birthday my sweet girl!

Photo credit: Paige Broome Photography, www.paigebroome.com

Shaun, You Are Loved

"Just Like The Morning, Your Smile Brings the Sunshine..."

To my little boy, Shaun, on your 2 year adoption day, June 18th, 2014:

I really don't think you know how loved you are sweet boy. I don't know if I've ever told you personally how much we need you. You see, when you came along, I was still so heartbroken over the loss of our first baby through miscarriage. I so desperately wanted to be a mother and I just wasn't sure that was ever going to happen. But God had big plans for us; those plans were YOU!

From the moment I first met you, I knew you were my son. I knew that God in His plan had made you for our family. I don't know why He designed for you not to come to us until you were 6 years old or why you had to be neglected and abused before you came to us, but I do know His plans are perfect. I do know that God is already using you in mighty ways to bring glory to Himself. Yes it has been hard for all of us to miss the first 6 years of your life. I know it is especially hard for you.

It breaks my heart when you wonder about what you looked like as a baby and wonder about all the other things you see your baby sister doing for the first time. Baby boy, I do wish we knew those things. I so wish I could've seen you as a baby, and snuggled you, and kissed your undoubtably chubby cheeks and kissed your little toes and fingers. Oh I bet you were the most gorgeous baby boy that's ever been seen. I do know for certain now that you are the most handsome little boy I've ever seen. You have beautiful caramel brown eyes that I could get lost in and an award winning smile. One day you are going to have girls falling all over you wanting your attention, but please don't use that to your advantage. Treat those girls like you would want your little sister to be treated.

I know we've had our ups and downs over the last few years. I know I'm hard on you, and I know sometimes I take my exhaustion out on you. For that I am sorry sweet boy. I am hard on you because I want you to grow up to be a responsible and Godly young man, and one day a Godly husband and father. Do know Shaun that I love you more than life itself. You need to know that you are so special, so smart, so funny, and the best and most caring big brother. You have the biggest imagination of anyone I've ever met and you are a walking encyclopedia, full of so much knowledge. You are and always will be my beauty for ashes, my joy for mourning. I know you don't quite understand what that means yet, but one day you will.

Playing outside as Captain America. I love you kid!

Photo credit: Paige Broome Photography, www.paigebroome.com

Your name means God is gracious, and He sure was gracious by giving you to us. You have brought so much light and and joy to our family. So Happy 2 Year Adoption Day baby boy! I can't wait to see how you grow and change over the years to come. I love you to the moon and back!

To My Husband

Photo credit Kristen Booth Photography

 Eric, I've been sitting here trying to put into words everything you mean to me. This coming week we celebrate Father's Day, our 8th wedding anniversary, our son's 2 year adoption day, and our daughter's 6 month birthday. Gosh, I have so much to be thankful for, most especially, you! You have been my best friend for almost 12 years. We have been through wonderful and beautiful times together, like sharing our first kiss on our wedding day, living in a camper in New Orleans, living and working together in Bat Cave, adopting our son, and giving birth to our daughter and so many more. We've also been through absolute hell together, but we've made it through by the grace of God and have come out stronger and more in love with each other on the other side.

You are an incredible husband and the most amazing, tender, and loving daddy. Watching you become a proud daddy to our son, Shaun, was one of my favorite things ever. The man who hardly ever showed his emotions, all of the sudden would get overwhelmed with emotion when talking about his son. I've seen you show so much patience and grace with Shaun and also be hard on him when he needed it. He looks up to you so much. He wants to be just like you. I love watching him at church on Sundays copying everything you do, whether that be directing the choir or him mimicking you playing guitar. That kid adores you! Even though he may not always show it that well. I hope one day Shaun will grow up to be a Godly man just like you.

You are also my hero and a source of strength in my life. I don't know how I could've made it through the last few years without you, and most recently, I don't know how I could have gone through the labor and delivery of our daughter without your love, strength, and support. You encouraged me, held my hand, held me up when I thought I would give out, made sure I stayed hydrated, tried to keep me cool, and prayed for me. I don't think I can ever thank you enough for being such a supportive husband.

You have transitioned into the role of being the daddy to a baby girl flawlessly. You are so precious with our sweet girl, and man does she look like you! Right now you are walking around our house bouncing our girl trying to get her to sleep. :) I know you are exhausted and have been up since 3:30am, yet you are still willing to try and get our girl to sleep for the night. I love seeing how having a daughter has changed you. You are even more sensitive now and just so smitten with her. She adores you and lights up when she sees you. She thinks you are hilarious, and I know she must feel so safe in your arms.You are the most amazing Daddy!

Photo credit: Ruby Peoples Photography

All of this is to say, thank you. Thank you for loving me and our kids so selflessly. You are an amazing man, and I'm proud to say you are my husband and the daddy to my children. 

 I love you much! Happy Father's Day and Happy Anniversary!