Keeping Up With The Joneses

So, the time had finally come for Carrie to push. We were all so excited. It's funny, I knew that in a few minutes i would be seeing my niece, i knew she was a girl, i knew about how big she was going to be, and yet when she came out i was so surprised. I immediately started crying. Now, it is no surprise that i cried, but this time it was different from when the other kids were born. Lillie's birth was different for me. As i stared at the beautiful little girl with ten perfect fingers and ten perfect toes i was reminded of all the perfect gifts and blessings the Lord has given me in my life.

I looked at my older sister and was overwhelmed with love and amazement. I was amazed at the strength of my sister. She had once again birthed a perfect beautiful child. I look at her and was overwhelmed with how much I admire and look up to her. She is one of the best mothers i have ever seen. She was born to be a mom. I thought about one day having my own kids and praying in that moment that one day i would be half as good of a mom as her. I am so glad that she is my best friend in life. I am so glad that one day when i do have kids of my own that she will be there beside me helping me not screw up :) I am so grateful that i have been able to see her be a mom up close and personally. I am so blessed to have her as such an incredible example of what a wife and mom should be. I Love her big as the sky.

I looked at my own mom and was reminded that my mom is awesome. She was standing there with tears in her eyes looking at the newest addition to our family and i prayed right then that Lille would inherit the strength that my mom had passed to each of us girls. I was grateful that my mom is a woman who loves her children and has taught us how to love others. I love that she is a mom that will drop everything in her own life to be there to experience moments- big and little- with her kids.

I then looked at Matt, my brother in law. I thought about how grateful i am that my sister has a husband that loves her so well. I watched Matt kiss his new daughter and was grateful that Lillie would grow up with a dad that will tell her everyday that she is loved and beautiful. I thought that at that moment that little girl has no idea how great of a dad she as and how much fun and laughter he will bring to her life. Watching Matt with Will and Sophie is one of the funniest things in life. He can make them laugh like no one else and i know it will be the same with Lille.

Finally i looked at Lille. I was reminded how much i love little girls. Now don't get me wrong, i love little boys and especially Will, but there is just something about girls in our family. I have a relationship with Soph that most aunts would covet. She is my best girl. We have a bond that

is like none other. So i started thinking about how much fun it was going to be to let Lillie into our girls club. I looked at her perfect little hands, feet, eyes, head full of hair, mouth- and could not believe how in an instant i could fall so in love with this little girl. I cant wait to see her grow both physically and in personality. Will she be silly or serious? Will she have blue eyes like Soph or brown like Will? Will she be a good sleeper like Will or stay up till all hours of the night like Soph? I am so excited that this new chapter in life has begun with Lille. I cant wait for our relationship to grow. I know that there are great adventures ahead.