Dear Liberty,

This is part two of your birth week story, the part that I wish I’d written for each of your siblings but I haven’t so I figure I can just start now.  It’s such a big responsibility, bestowing a name on a child.  We’ve given so much thought to each one and truly felt like we knew what each of our children were meant to be called once we saw their faces.  We had several baby girl names we loved but as we stared at you late into the night the evening you were born and woke up to your sweet face, there was one name that we knew was meant for you.

Liberty Grace

You have a rich heritage of brave ones who deeply valued freedom.  Both of your grandfathers served in the United States Marine Corps.  Your uncle served for many years in the United States Army.  Your Nana has stood for the right to life in many ways over the past couple of decades.  Your great-grandfather founded an organization that stands for freedom from compulsory unionism.  Many of your relatives served in various wars and defended the freedom we now enjoy.  Generations ago, your ancestors fled their European homeland to America in search of the freedom to worship God as their hearts desired.  The country you were born into was founded on many things but especially three unalienable rights:  Life, Liberty and Happiness.  In your lifetime, you will likely watch while some of those freedoms are taken away.

But there is a freedom that no one can take away.  Our hope for you is that you would know the freedom God gives, freedom from the bondage of sin and the legalism of law.  Liberty made possible through grace.  Galatians 5:1 says “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free”.  And in the same way, we pray that you would live a life marked by grace.  There are countless ways we’ve watched grace poured out over our life, we’ll share it all with you in the years to come.  The beautiful thing about grace is, the more you receive it the more you are able to give it if you choose.

I’ve spent hours just looking at you, willing my eyes open for one more minute because I know you will grow so fast and these days are but a blink.  I’ve ignored dirty floors and dirty dishes, slacked on providing fruit and veggies with every lunch, let your siblings watch more TV than normal and held you in my arms all night, every night just because I can.  Your sister Rylee has probably said “oh I just love her so much” at least a hundred times in the past week and a half and I can’t be annoyed at the repetition I can only smile and agree, for the umpteenth time.

Our life is better because you are here.

Love forever,

Mama

there’s nothing like waking up to a warm, snugly little babe next to you

This is exactly how old Rylee was when Audrey was born 5 years ago – so fun to have another girl!

her smile says it all!

Kyler loves to hold you – takes you every chance he can get

It took some time, but Caleb loved holding you

oh how I love this one…Kyler’s dirty-fingernail-boy-hand holding his 2 hours old sisters’ sweet pink hand!