Baby D

Yesterday we had Amelia Jayne's Baby Dedication at church. We call it Baby D. Each family invites people to join them on this day to support and encourage us in our walk as parents while we raise up our sweet babies in a Christian household. This whole thing was really more about David and I than Amelia Jayne. We had homework to complete where we listened to three talks. Each one specified the importance of a Godly marriage. For our children, that's where it starts. If David and I aren't praying together, growing spiritually on our own, and talking to each other about God, how are we going to do that with our children? So we sat down with our family and friends last night and committed to God that we will do just that.

The setting is very personal. Each family gets a table (with overflow seating if you needed it) and after a not-so-brief :) talk from our pastor, David and I shared what we had learned. We talked to our friends and family about our commitment, had them pray over us, and read to them a letter that David and I wrote for Amelia Jayne. There was a picture slideshow of our precious babies and a photographer took each family's pictures afterward. It was a beautiful day and I was so happy to dedicate my life and my child to our God. I have to get everyone's pictures, so I'll post those later on.

Here's the letter we wrote to our precious girl.

Dear Amelia Jayne,

We love you so very much and were so happy to welcome you to our family just a few months ago. Adjusting to having two kids has been easier than we thought it would be, and we owe so much of that to you. You’re such a good baby! We are truly blessed to have you in our lives. Best. Baby. Ever.

There are so many things we already love about you. Your sweet smile and little laugh. Your ticklish spots. Your bright eyes. The way your face lights up when you see your brother. How you never want to miss a thing that’s happening around you.

There are so many things we don’t want to forget about this time in your life either. How soft your hair is. How you lay your head on our shoulders like you’re trying to give hugs. The sloppy wet kisses you dole out. The way you nuzzle your face in the blankets when you’re sleepy.

We wrote one of these letters to your brother, too, you know. This one’s easier to write and harder at the same time. With him we had no idea what to expect. Now we’re wiser and we have a better understanding of what this parenting thing is all about. But now you’ve come along and you’re going to teach us just how little we really know. What we can tell you is that we will strive to be the best parents we can be for you.

We have so many hopes and dreams for you and we want to help make your own dreams come true. Among the many things that we hope to teach you are patience, respect, compassion, generosity, hard work, and the love of Jesus Christ. Through our marriage and our lives we hope to instill in you the value of a relationship with Christ. We pray that one day you will know Him in a personal way.

You’re named after two of the most amazing women we know – your grandmothers. They have blessed us in so many ways, which is why you, my dear, were named after them. They live up to the meanings of their names and we know you will, too. Amelia means “industrious.” Jayne means “God is gracious.”  We want you to be a hard-worker and do the best that you can do. We want you to know that God is abundantly gracious. Your grandmothers have influenced us in incredible ways, have been a source of guidance and support, and helped shape us into the parents that we are. We hope that you’ll remember, through your own name, what incredible, godly women they are and be inspired by them.

God is so very gracious because He gave us you.

We love you, little girl.

Daddy & Mommy