Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Ezrah Ceal Givens

Dear Ezrah,

I can't believe that in just about 24 hours the time will come to meet you.  It feels like we have waited so long and at the same time it feels like the time has flown by since that first day I knew for sure that I was carrying you.

I knew before the test came back positive that you were growing inside me, and I loved you even then.  I remember taking a test every morning just waiting for the one that would show me some proof so that your father would believe me.  I'll never forget the morning of March 12th when I saw just the faintest of a second pink line.  I was thrilled and could not wait for your Daddy to get home from work.  Of course when he came in he went straight to the turkey and chicken pens to care for the animals.  Just to show you how excited I was, I ventured out there too so that I did not have to wait any longer to show him evidence of your pending arrival.  You will discover soon enough just how big that is for me.  (Your Mom is not a bird person!)  So yes, I announced you to your father while surrounded by chickens and turkeys.

After that, we told your Granny Faye that we were expecting you.  She was staying with us at the time and we knew it would be nearly impossible to keep it from her.  She was so excited to get to know you (even though she was sure you were a girl) but it was not to be.  God had other plans in the making and He took her home to be with Him just a few weeks after learning about you.  I grieved when we lost her, so much so that I was afraid that my grief was going to harm you.  I grieved for myself, but also for you too.  I so wanted you to experience your Great Grandmother, for she was a soul like no other.  It took me a while but I finally realized that you will still know her, just through my memories instead of your own.

As you grew inside me, I had aches and pains, but also moments of pure joy.  As I watched my body change to accommodate you and felt you thriving inside of me, my love for you grew.  Although I could do without you tap dancing on my bladder, I know that I am going to miss those little nudges that remind me that you are growing.  So tomorrow, after nine months of waiting...I get to see your face.  I get to look into your eyes and count your fingers.  I get to breathe in your sweet newborn smell and feel the weight of you in my arms.  I get to check out and see if you have the Godley nose and the Givens toes.  I get to finally meet you, and introduce you to this world that has been waiting for you.

The first person I'll introduce you to is your Daddy.  He may be more subdued with it, but his love for you is just as strong as mine.  You already know his voice from his early morning chats with you.  While I am sure you can't understand the words he uses, I know that you can hear the love in them.  In no time at all, he will have you riding off to work with him just like all of your older brothers.

Speaking of your older brothers, you will get to meet them too.  Your oldest brother Noah is the one who has been watching to make sure that I am eating right, reminding me to take my vitamins, and is constantly amazed at your little kicks and punches.  He sits patiently with his head on my tummy just waiting for a kick from you.

Your second oldest brother is Jonah.  You will know him by his incessant whistling.  He just turned four and is excited to teach you all the tricks he has learned in his extensive four years here on earth.  He plans to have you riding a bike by next week.

Micah is the brother that is closest to your age.  You will be taking his place as the baby, but I think he is ready to move on.  Micah is the one that has been jumping and climbing all over you for these past nine months.  You will have to give him a little time to get used to you because he has no experience being a big brother.  However, with the two great role models he has, I am sure he will catch on in no time.

So that is the family that you will be coming home with.  I sure hope you like us.  There are others as well...amazing grandparents, doting aunts, fun uncles, and playful cousins...but there will be plenty of time to meet them later.  You have a lot of love just waiting on you to get here.

Oh, there is One more that I can't wait to introduce you to; but then again He knows everything about you already.  He is the One who has given me the privilege of carrying you these past nine months and is giving me the extreme honor of raising you.  For I know that you as well as your brothers are just on loan from Him.  Our Heavenly Father has already entrusted me with the raising of three of his precious children and is now entrusting me with the care of another one.  How awesome is that?  I promise to do my best not to fail Him and to show you all the love that He has shown to me.

I'm so excited to meet you my precious little Ezrah.  Tomorrow can't get here soon enough.

Love,
Your Mommy

2 comments:

Peggy said...

I'll try this again. I can't wait to see you as well. We have heard so much about you and watched you grow. You are entering the world into an awesome family, but you also have another family - the Rice Patch Family. We are excited about your arrival. I am praying for a safe, easy delivery for you and Ezrah. I know that Grannie Faye will be watching from heaven and will help to guide the doctor as he helps Ezrah make his presence into the world. He will certainly know her as everyone will be able to tell him all the stories and rememberances of her. Congratulations and let me know when my time for holding and loving comes. Love you all. Peggy

Anonymous said...

Denise, your Mom shared this particular post with me, and oh wow!! What a beautiful story little Ezrah has to read one day. I enjoyed reading it, while tears of joy were filling my eyes. SO many emotions, straight from a mother's heart. Take care! Love you all!
-Lauren Youmans