Tuesday, August 28, 2007

a love letter


Dear Huntleigh,

I was looking through old pictures of you and was allowing myself the time to reminisce about those first few months when you entered our lives. A large portion of those months are a blur to me, but there are so many sweet moments that I will never forget. I treasure them in my heart. Now you are 22 months old and I am watching you become such an amazing little girl. Sometimes there is nothing more difficult than being able to be at home with you, but I am convinced that there is nothing more rewarding than it, either. I would not choose to be anywhere else than with you. Today, I picked you up from our friends' house and as I was saying good-bye to her, you sang the entire alphabet to yourself. I could hardly believe what I was hearing. I was so proud of you. Since then, you have sung it for me several more times. And this is only the beginning. I cannot wait to teach you letter recognition, and then how to read, and then how to use language to create beautifully written words.

You have been trying to jump for quite some time now, and then, this past Saturday, when you were wearing your camo boots, both your feet came off the ground at exactly the same time. Daddy and I were so proud of you and were clapping and shouting when it happened. It is incredible that seemingly simple milestones like these make our hearts feel as though they could explode.

We have been working on your children's catechism and you have mastered the first three questions. Your answer for "Why did God make you and all things?" is a hearty "Gory!" (without the "L") because it is a little much for you to say "For His own glory" right now. (Your sentence usage is still at its simplest form.) You get ahead of us, sometimes, and give us different answers for the questions. But we are so proud of you and can imagine nothing more beautiful than for these words to become truths that you claim with your whole heart.

Today we found out that you are going to have a little sister. I am so excited that you will have a sister (because I never had one), and I cannot wait to watch you two grow in love for one another. I know that you are going to be a remarkable big sister to her. You point to my belly and know that there is a baby in there, but I know you really don't have a clue as to what that means. I pray that you will not feel "put out" when this new little life enters our family in January, but I know that you will quickly fall in love with her. She will be your lifetime playmate, your comrade, your biggest fan, and hopefully, your best friend. My prayer is that you will be strong women of the Lord, who love Jesus with all your hearts and love others so powerfully that there is little room for them to not see Him through the both of you. And that you both will be the biggest fans and advocates for your littlest sister, Gracie, who may still just be a pipe dream somewhere in the heart of China.

I love you so much. I never knew how much you would change me and make me more of the woman who God wants me to become. It's not easy, but it is worth it every single moment of every single day.

Love, Mommy

sweet baby girl h #2

7 comments:

lisa said...

Yay for baby girl number 2! i can't wait to meet her. thanks for the kick in the pants to post something. we'll be in touch soon.
l.l.

Kelli said...

Yeah Josh and Sarah on another girl! What an amazing blessing. My heart definatly echos much of what your wrot in your letter to Huntleigh. By the way, Matt and I are going to the India Palace tonight. . .thanks for the recommendation!
Kelli

Anonymous said...

Sarah,
What a beautiful note to Hunts. She is SO fortunate to have you as a mom..even if you feed her weird food in the a.m. :) My #2 granddaughter looks perfectly formed(PTL) and as beautiful as Hunts & her mom!
We are excited about out new g.baby and thank God for her already.

Love Mom & Dad B.

Missy said...

Congratulations! My sister is my very best friend in the world (well, other than my wonderful husband)! There is nothing like having a sister. Hope your feeling well. -Missy

Julianne said...

How exciting, Sarah and Josh! and Huntleigh, you're going to have a baby sister!!! How fun!

Sarah, I got the book and chart in the mail. Thank you so much. I've already started reading it...it's been great. You're so sweet. THanks. J

Anonymous said...

Congratulations Hager family as you await the arrival of baby girl Hager. What a great adventure. Joanie Harris

Anonymous said...

Sarah, Josh & Hunts,
hooray for baby girl #2.
praise the Lord for His blessings on you.
the letter to Huntleigh is wonderful Sarah. When she is my age she will be thrilled to read these wonderful notes of love from her Mom, see the pictures and think of you and Josh. And in a few months have memories of her little sister there also.
I look at Hunts-read your notes and think back to when you were 2
years old. What a joy both then and now.
Love linn

p.s
Please congratulate Scott on his new business and tell him i will be praying.