ELLIOTT IS ONE

The baby is one and mama is a mess. There’s nothing better than your child’s birthday to make you fully understand the term “bittersweet”. One minute my girl was being born and then I blinked. ONE. I know there are so many special days ahead, but goodness I loved this year with our Elliott. I love the baby days and the baby days with this girl were a DREAM. It has been a magical year and my heart could truly burst if I think on it too long!

This morning I spent some time reflecting on the last year before the rest of the house was awake. I reread my journal entries from the day I found I was pregnant and the day before Elliott was born. I was reminded of the Lord’s goodness and kindness as I reminisced and wanted to record that in my journal today so I wouldn’t forget. It’s a letter to the Father, but I thought I might share it with you too. Sometimes we don’t understand the timing and we don’t see the gifts in the moment, but when we look back, we have clearer vision to see the Lord’s hand in our lives. If you’re like me, then you’ll find yourself overwhelmed with gladness that He went with His plans over our own. ;)

Enjoy this letter and maybe take some time to reflect and write one of your own.

Father,

Today my precious baby girl is ONE. Our sweet girl that was conceived from a promise You spoke to me is already ONE. Looking back on this year I see just how much you have already fulfilled that promise through her life in our family!

“You are capable because I am capable.” - Promised on 3/19/18

Positive Pregnancy Test on 4/16/18

Elliott Grace Fidell born on 12/16/18

I was scared and didn’t think I was ready to handle two. I was enjoying my time with Anniston and didn’t know what it would look like to add to our family just yet.

And then you gave me Elliott. Our little dream girl.

Her calmness makes me slow down. Her joy teaches me to savor the moment. Her love fills me up and teaches me about Your love. I never want to forget the way she will stop what she is doing to crawl over and put her head in my lap. It doesn’t matter how busy or distracted I am, she knows I will respond to this act of my child falling into me. Through this act I can understand on the smallest scale just how eager you are to scoop Your children up as well.

You have used my precious baby girl to teach me how to live. To walk peacefully because I know who guides myself steps. To live joyfully because I have nothing to fear in the name of Jesus. To run to the Father’s arms for every ounce of comfort I could ever need.

I didn’t think I was ready for another baby, but you showed me how much I needed her by how much I need You. You showed me I am capable when I depend on You because You are ALWAYS capable. (You also gave me the easiest baby so that didn’t hurt either. :))

Thank You, Jesus, for this gift of life. Thank You for this season. I pray You give me eyes to always see Your blessings in the now and in time gone by. You are a good, good Father and Your love is overwhelming.

Yours,

Courtney

It’s been a special year, but I know the best truly is yet to come! I know this because I have seen it time and time again. Year one was a beautiful one. It was full of promises fulfilled and more snuggles and smiles than I dreamed possible. But He is not done yet and I can’t wait to live and enjoy all that is to come in year TWO!

(Read our pregnancy announcement here and Elliott’s birth story here to read more about how the Lord has been all over her life from the start!)