SIX

Dear Katelyn,

Six years ago today we welcomed you into our family. I had been having contractions for almost a week and you had almost come on June 8th, but my intense contractions stopped, much to our disappointment. When they picked back up again a week later, we decided to stay at your Papa and Gigi’s house so that we would be closer to the hospital in case you wanted to make your entrance to the world on Father’s Day.

I had some trouble sleeping and I remember laying in bed a little longer than normal before getting up and showering to get ready for the day. By 11am my contractions were coming 3-4 minutes apart. We called the doctor and he said to make our way to the hospital if they began feeling more uncomfortable. We were so excited at the possibility of meeting you, baby girl, that we grabbed our bags and decided to head to the hospital.

Once checked in and hooked up to all the monitors, we settled in for what we knew would be a long ride. Your daddy even made sure to make mommy a playlist with our favorite songs, including “I’m bringing Sexy Back,” by Justin Timberlake. Your daddy sure knew how to make mommy laugh even when in labor. While laboring with you felt smooth and natural, you were having trouble wanting to come out and after hours of trying and your heart rate dropping, you came into the world via c-section.

You’re cry was beautiful and loud all at the same time. I remember hearing your daddy’s voice sooth you as he cut the umbilical cord, waited for them to clean you up and bring you to me. Our first family photo was taken right there in the OR and, as you know, it was only the first of thousands of pictures we would take as a family. You’ve given us so many incredible moments, that we couldn’t help but make sure we captured them all on video and camera. From your love to dance since you could stand at 8 months old, to your first steps at 10 and a half months old, to your brother’s entrance to our family, to your first day of school, we’ve caught it all on camera.

Katelyn, you have been filled with joy since the day you were born. Your love for life, meeting new people and caring for other’s, especially your family, is obvious to everyone who knows you. There isn’t anyone in your life that hasn’t been touched by who you are. As you turn 6 today, I hope you remember to live life to the fullest, be wiling to take risks, work hard, love hard, take care of your brother, look out for him, help teach him right from wrong and most importantly, continue to love Jesus with your whole heart. We remember on September 12, 2012 when you accepted Jesus into your heart. You did it at preschool, without prompt and couldn’t wait to come home and tell us!

Your Daddy and I know that God has a big calling on your life and we pray daily that He will to move through you. Don’t ever lose site of your compassion for others. Always be willing to hug and help those who are hurting, pray for those who need it and stand strong on what you know is right. There will come times when others will make choices that, at the time, will seem like more fun, but our prayer is that you will do what you know is right. God will bless you for seeking Him first and always in your life.

Don’t be in a hurry to grow up. This week you told us you wanted to be called Kate. So grown up! You have so much time to be a grown up, enjoy being little and not having the responsibility of being a big girl yet. Let’s talk about being Katy for a while. Can we? Don’t be in a hurry to have a boyfriend, boys don’t solve all your problems and life isn’t meant to look like the movies. Enjoy being 6 and having friends who are boys, but nothing more serious than that. Our hope for you is that God will bring your perfect man into your life when He’s ready, and we hope it won’t be for a long time and we will have a shot gun waiting by then. *wink*

Be ready to take on the world.
Be ready to ask questions and be inquisitive, it’s ok to ask why.
Be ready to love always.
Be ready to laugh and to make others laugh.
Be ready to pray, for your life and for others.
Be ready to help those in need.
Be ready to seek Him always.

But most importantly be ready to Be YOU always. God created you in His image and He doesn’t make mistakes. Remember that, keep that close to your heart and don’t let other’s let you believe otherwise.

Katy, we love you! You are one of the greatest gifts Daddy and I have ever receive and we are so thankful that God chose you for us.

Happy 6th Birthday sweet girl.

xo, Mommy and Daddy