six years ago, today

january 18th, our first daughter was born. she was over a week late! that little booger was snuggled up in there. i tried lots of different things to get her here earlier but Gods timing was perfect. we did not know ahead of time if she was a boy or girl. i remember the midwife saying as she walked out of the room that the heart rate was good and strong and a little on the fast side. i tried to think back on all i read, and thought i remember faster meaning girl. dave said all along that it was a girl. i didn't really have a feeling one way or another. i delivered her naturally and with no pain meds. the nurse said, "dad, you were right, it's a girl!", but soon after she was born i had a problem with my bleeding. i had lost a lot of blood. so while they took care of me, they took raelyn to the nursery. once i was feeling better i wanted her back in my arms so badly. she was a beautiful chubby baby with lots of dark hair. it is so hard to believe that was 6 years ago....

and now, six years later, she is anything but chubby and has thin straight hair just like her momma. but she sure still loves to curl up in our laps, almost as small as when she was born :) she promises her daddy that she will still sit in his lap all balled up even when she is 30 :) she is out with her daddy right now eating a special breakfast of donuts and chocolate milk to celebrate this great day.

this morning, i re-read the post i wrote for her birthday last year and it brings back so many memories and she is still just as precious to us.

raelyn you are just thriving in kindergarten and learning is a breeze for you. i pray this will continue and that you will grow not only in academic wisdom but of the wisdom of your heavenly father that loves you so much, that he gave his life for you. we are so proud of the young lady you are becoming and are honored to have you be part of our family. love you lots rae rae!