I know that it has been quite some time since these ten digits have pressed the keyboard, but I am grateful to be writing again, and even more excited to share with you what has been keeping my hands busy and my heart filled over the last few months…
It was about this time last year that I stood in the mirror jaw dropped and teary eyed. It would take two more weeks, five more pregnancy tests, and a trip to the doctor before I believed that I was actually pregnant. However, toes I could no longer see, covered by ankles as wide as my knees, would soon replace any doubt! Finally, after nine months of anticipation, October 4th 2012 little Noah Valley placed his precious tiny hand in mine for the very first time. A dark eyed, brown haired babe filled my arms, and instantly, love unexplainable filled my heart…
The first night home he cried until 9 am the following morning. I thought for sure that I had signed up for something much bigger than I was capable of handling. After losing the endless battle of ‘get the diaper on before I pee/poo on you game’ and surrendering to the ‘you-will- never-sleep-again bandit,’ I more than welcomed his beautifully dimpled and intentional first smile at 7 weeks. At 9 weeks we laughed at ourselves as the landlord came and unlocked the spare room that we accidentally locked our newborn in. He was ok, but I again was questioning my parenting skills! 
Lately, I think I’m finally starting to get the hang of this. I often catch myself just staring at him most days, and then, while he’s sleeping at night, I look at pictures of him. He is simply amazing. His curious gaze has become more of an intentional stare. I tell myself these days, that when he looks at me now and smiles, that he knows I am Mommy and loves me back. It is that tender little smile that makes all the poopy diapers and near sleepless nights worthwhile! We recorded him rolling for the first time at 3 ½ months and I can’t help but wish we could just freeze time; I blink and he changes.
In Noah’s short four months of life, he’s done more for me than I could probably ever do for him in his lifetime. Nothing could prepare me for the change motherhood would have on my heart. Only the Lord could design something so wonderful, so supernatural. A love words will never explain, yet I could not wait to write words and share with you the blessing he has been to us thus far. If you don’t mind, I wanted to share with you my prayer for our sweet Noah.
Noah’s Prayer
I pray that you will know-
That God is real… loving, good, accessible, and intentional.
He thought of you Noah and His plan for your life at the beginning of time and He loves you relentlessly.
I pray that you will be confident in whom it is God made you to be and that you will believe-
That being an individual may mean a loss of popularity- but a gain in self-respect.
That what you do when no one is looking will say far more about your character than anything done that can be visible to others.
That having a compassionate heart for and investing in the homeless, abandoned, widowed, and poor- will indefinitely make you richer than any Wall Street tycoon.
That your thoughts truly do reveal what it is you most closely treasure; guard and take inventory of your thoughts my son.
That simple joys; laughter, fall leaves, a family of deer, the ocean breeze, the smell of raindrops, a good book, a good friend, and the taste of warm chocolate chip cookies- are things that should not be taken for granted but recognized as intentional gifts from God reminding you that He loves and sees you- This is where you find JOY.
Know my son that success is measured not by what you have gathered but what you have given- there is ALWAYS joy in giving.
I pray Noah that you will be a man who is quick to forgive, both yourself and others. And that you will be a man motivated by thanksgiving because you understand that true joy comes in being thankful for everything, good and bad, because even our next breath is a gift from God and an example of His grace.
Finally, your name means peaceful, comforter, and long-lived. My sweet Noah, I pray that you always have the Peace of our Lord in abundance. May His comfort accompany you all of your long-lived days and may you share all you have with all who know you- for that is a life well lived.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
