Wednesday, December 3, 2014

My Favorite Ornaments - Moriah

Moriah; the daughter I prayed and hoped for, the preemie who scared us all, the fighter, our angel.

She was born at 33 weeks, not the normal 40 (or 42 in Malachi's case). 

She weighed all of 4lb 6oz and was 17in long.

You could put her head in your hand and her feet wouldn't touch the bend in your arm and you could see all your fingers around her little tiny head.
She was in the NICU for two weeks, which now seems so short, but in the moment felt like eternity. Her feisty determination is still evident today. ;D


When I walked into Hallmark and saw this ornament, I knew instantly that it was for Moriah. On our couch we had some big throw pillows that we would lay her entire body across when she took naps while we could stay close by and watch like the paranoid parents of a preemie that we were. We called them the "princess pillows" and this ornament perfectly displayed what our tiny little angel looked like on her "princess pillow."

She always looked so tiny and fragile, but don't let that fool you because inside she held a resilient strength that to this day astounds me.

Her beauty is not skin deep, but runs deep like the love and passion I see in her for her Savior. Her love of books has led her to read and search out the scriptures, oftentimes coming to us, her parents, with theology questions and revelations that we would like to take credit for. ;D


When I look at this picture and see the little smiling, one-dimpled princess and now the still smiling, one-dimpled young lady, I am so very thankful that God chose me to be her mother. As she loves to call herself my mini-me, that definitely puts the pressure on me to watch the example I set before her in the way I live my life.

This baby girl is now a freshman in high school! The time has flown by and I don't want to miss a single minute with her. 

This little girl who was once all Daddy's girl is now becoming my fun-loving shopping companion and conversational joy. I enjoy her laughter, her sarcasm and her wit and she constantly keeps me on my toes. But she also brings encouragement and hugs when she sees me sad.

That little 4lb 6oz fighter in the NICU has become a beautiful, loving, creative, Jesus-loving missionary kid, (oops, young lady) and I look forward to seeing the dreams and visions that God has given her fulfilled in her life!




1 comment:

  1. What special posts these are, Charity. Thank you for sharing your family memories with us. And that last Baby's 1st Christmas ornament? I have that very same one for Tyler : )

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