Jeff and Alyssa
A friend told me the other day that the best gift you can give a mother-to-be is a jar full of pennies, one penny for every week of their child’s life until they are 18. Each week you take a penny out of the jar, so you can see how fast time goes by. It makes me teary to think about (maybe because I’m PMSing, but really because I’m a mother, and the fact is when you become a mom you just tear up a lot because you’re heart is so full) because sweet Kinsley it’s so true. I can’t believe how quickly this first year has flown by, and I’m not ready for life to go so quickly. Can you just stay this little forever? I want to be able to snuggle you, and sing to you, and come into your room in the morning while you’re standing in your crib, smiling with complete delight that it’s time for another day.
Don’t grow up love bug. And yet, I know that is the very thing you are meant to do. To learn and grow and become exactly who God has created you to be. To live life to the fullest, soaking up every joy and walking through every pain, knowing that your Heavenly Father is right there with you, using those moments to mold and shape you into a strong, wise, and beautiful woman.
I still feel like it was yesterday that we found out we were pregnant with you. I had known for a couple of weeks that my body was doing something new. Your dad didn’t believe me though and couldn’t believe it since we’d only been married for 10 months. He went late at night to get a pregnancy test, choosing the “rapid” one. Of course! Your dad is all about speed. We waited that excruciatingly long minute and there it was- a plus. We were going to be parents!
9 months went by, each month causing my stomach and heart to grow just a little bit bigger. We dreamed about who you were going to be, what you would look like and what you would love doing. We prayed for you and over you a million times. Friends and family that we told early on stopped everything and prayed over you- Beth, Derwin, Bianca, the Pryors, Steve and Taffy, and of course the support and love from Grammy & Grandpa K, Grammy Khristine, and Oma & Opa. A couple of them prophesied over you, saying you’ll be strong & fearless, and that you’ll break down walls and build bridges in His kingdom. Your dad and I can already see you growing into those truths spoken over you. You my sweet girl are fearless and so very strong.
I would go for walks praying over you, that you’d have a HUGE heart that loves Jesus and loves people well. And boy has God answered that prayer! You are full of joy and your smile lights up any room. You make any one around you smile and feel loved.
Then the day came to deliver you. It was a long two days, but our family and friends stuck around the whole time cheering us on. Everyone couldn’t wait to meet you. Your dad was in the room with me, coaching me the whole time. The last push came, and you shot out. The doctor immediately laid you on my chest, and I can’t even express how my heart quadrupled with overwhelming love and joy in that moment. Here you were. The one I had prayed for since I was a little girl, and dreamed of since I can remember. The one your dad and I had waited for with such delight all those months. You were here.
Healthy. Strong. Beautiful. Oh so beautiful.
And the Lord has entrusted you to us? Grace upon grace.
You are truly a joy and treasure Kinsley. You make our lives so much richer. We laugh all the time with you and cannot wait to see how you continue to grow in this coming year.
You have taught us to soak up all the little moments, to laugh at all the messy moments, and live in the rhythm of grace. You have taught us what true sacrificial love looks like, and have made us parents who know more fully how deep and true and constant is the Father’s love for us.
Happy 1st Birthday Kinsley Joy! We love you to the moon and back.
Love,
Mommy
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