McKinley Noel

McKinley Noel,

Where to start? It's hard to put into words how grateful I am for the most precious gift I've ever been given. It was just a short year ago your dad and I were debating whether or not to drive over to the state tournament, out of fear I would give birth to you in Yakima (I'll explain Yakima when you're older). And here I am, sitting on the couch on your birthday eve (unfortunately we didnt make it to state this year, I'll explain losing when you're older also), and my heart is a pile of mush.

I've spent a lot of the past year trying to figure out why Jesus would pick me to be your mom. I've come to the conclusion that, like most things in my life, you are an undeserved outpouring of grace. Grace in its truest form. You have brought so much indescribable joy to our life, and its hard to imagine life before you.

Thank you for showing me who Jesus is. I am far from a perfect mom, yet every morning you have a beautiful smile for me and you are ALWAYS excited to see me. This is the type of unconditional love Jesus has for us. You have it too.

I am your mom so I am allowed to be biased...You are the most beautiful little girl that has ever walked this earth. Inside and out. I can tell you are already so sweet and kind. Please never forget how beautiful you are to Jesus and secondly, to us. 

You are so funny! I can tell you already have the best sense of humor (you get this from your mom ;)). You love to make people laugh and you have THE BEST giggle ever. Daddy can make you giggle the hardest. Everyone who has met you falls in love with you. You have had a very kind and engaging smile since you were first born...never lose that.

You have spent a large chunk of your first year in the gym...going from sitting, to crawling, to walking, to RUNNING all on the gym floor. You are quite the spectacle at games. I realized everyone was watching you at the halftime of a playoff game, when you ran out onto the court and fell and the whole gym went "ohhhhh" in unison. You arch your back and throw a tantrum if we stop you from running out on the court during the game. If I catch your eye behind the bench during a timeout you will give a huge smile and when I turn away you will start to cry, daddy said I was no longer allowed to look at you unless I came and got you...woops. You love to come into the locker room after the game, and Mr. Bryan (coach) taught you how to do your tongue like Michael Jordan.

Sometimes I worry about raising you in this crazy world. But then I remember there is someone who loves you even more than me or daddy, and He will protect you from all harm all the days of your life. His name is Jesus. As I put you to bed every night I pray that you would have a deep, sincere, friendship with Him. That you would really know Him. You are so fearless. (You get that from your dad). Never lose your fearlessness, dream big, and don't be scared of the future.

I adore you my sweet girl. You are my world, my joy, my BFF, my partner in crime. And even though you may not always like me, I pray you will always know I love you.

And even though my heart aches knowing you will wake up a 1 year old, I remind myself that Jesus loves us enough to not let us stay where we're at. And if I truly love you, I can't have you stay little even if it was possible. I have to let you grow up...grow up and experience the fullness of all God has waiting.

"And the child continued to grow and become strong, increasing in wisdom; and the grace of God was upon her" Luke 2:40