Dear sweet Jayci,
I was afraid that one day you would figure out this internet thing and read this blog and think that Caden was all we thought about these days . . .And I want you to know, beyond every shadow of a doubt, that you are so so loved and cherished by your daddy and me. Every time you stayed with grandparents because Caden was in the hospital and we were visiting him, we told each other that we missed having you with us. Some of the sweetest times I've had in the past few weeks, times that have sustained my heart, have been times I spent with you. Snuggling together in bed, praying for brother, hiding in your tent, reading stories under the covers, making pancakes, drawing pictures . . .You are a continual source of joy and life for us, and we could not be prouder of the little girl that you are.
I can only imagine that some feelings of uncertainty and jealously come along with being a new sister. My mom (your oma) told me that after a few weeks of having auntie Sarah home from the hospital, I insisted that they bring her back. And because your brother has a very special heart, he needs even more loving care and gets even more attention, so I am sure you can feel that and I hope you know that you are every bit as special and important to us as Caden is.
Your heart is special too. I know because I see it every day. I see it in the way you hug me when I'm sad about Caden, and when you dance with your daddy in the living room. I see it when you hold "brother's" finger, and when you gently kiss the top of his head. I need you to know, sweet Jayci, that your daddy and I see your heart and we think it is beautiful.
When I see how grown-up you are, how much you've become a little girl and less of a baby, I feel a little sad at how fast things life moves. I can remember holding you for the first time like it was yesterday, and I have treasured every moment with you since then.
You are a bundle of energy and quite a mess sometimes, but I suppose that comes with the territory of being almost 3 years old. You are shy at first around new people, and I can see a lot of myself in your quieter side. It's a little disconcerting, really, to see pieces of yourself in someone else. And I'm praying every day that those parts of me that are in you will be parts that you can love and accept, even when you're a teenager and really, really, really don't want to be anything like your mom.
My biggest prayer for you is that you would be secure in Christ. That you would know who you are, how loved you are, how special you are. That you would see how carefully God crafted you, and our whole family, according to a perfect plan.
Speaking of plans, I'm pretty sure that God has some big plans for you my sweet little girl. I hope and pray that your beautiful heart will fall more and more in love with a God who can be trusted every single day. And I pray that these days, when life was hard because your brother was sick, will be a time that molds you and shapes you into something even more beautiful because it teaches you about Him.
Know that you are loved and cherished deeply by daddy and me. And that Caden is absolutely blessed to have you as his big sister. But more than any of that, we pray you will know that you have a heavenly Father who loves you and cherishes you and cares for you every single minute of every single day.
We love you beautiful girl,
Mommy (and Daddy)
I was afraid that one day you would figure out this internet thing and read this blog and think that Caden was all we thought about these days . . .And I want you to know, beyond every shadow of a doubt, that you are so so loved and cherished by your daddy and me. Every time you stayed with grandparents because Caden was in the hospital and we were visiting him, we told each other that we missed having you with us. Some of the sweetest times I've had in the past few weeks, times that have sustained my heart, have been times I spent with you. Snuggling together in bed, praying for brother, hiding in your tent, reading stories under the covers, making pancakes, drawing pictures . . .You are a continual source of joy and life for us, and we could not be prouder of the little girl that you are.
Your heart is special too. I know because I see it every day. I see it in the way you hug me when I'm sad about Caden, and when you dance with your daddy in the living room. I see it when you hold "brother's" finger, and when you gently kiss the top of his head. I need you to know, sweet Jayci, that your daddy and I see your heart and we think it is beautiful.
You are a bundle of energy and quite a mess sometimes, but I suppose that comes with the territory of being almost 3 years old. You are shy at first around new people, and I can see a lot of myself in your quieter side. It's a little disconcerting, really, to see pieces of yourself in someone else. And I'm praying every day that those parts of me that are in you will be parts that you can love and accept, even when you're a teenager and really, really, really don't want to be anything like your mom.
My biggest prayer for you is that you would be secure in Christ. That you would know who you are, how loved you are, how special you are. That you would see how carefully God crafted you, and our whole family, according to a perfect plan.
Mommy (and Daddy)