Nov 22, 2013

TWO YEARS OF GRACE

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It’s a strange thing to read things I wrote just a couple years ago. Even a year ago. I feel like I’m reading someone else’s writing. Perhaps because… I truly am. That’s what grace has done to me. It has changed every fiber of my being a thousand times over in the last two years of being a mama. Reading through my pregnancy announcement, my chronicle of 9 months of pregnancy (which ended up being 10 months!), Grace’s birth announcement

This video still makes me cry every single time I watch it. Right around 3:33 I can’t help but feel completely overwhelmed with emotion. Thank you to my friends at Inkspot Crow for creating this for us.

…her birth story, weathering postpartum depression and then her first birthday post… well… friends, I’m speechless. So much has changed. Even with all this change though, I know He is just getting started with me. God is real and His amazing grace and this little Grace change my heart so fast every day that I sometimes don’t see the change until days like today when I stop to take a look back.

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Photo of Grace at 3 weeks old by Nancy Ray

Today, Grace is two.

Oh my heart.

Hello, tears.

I’m welling up with an ocean of tears because I just can’t believe I am here — the mom of a two-year-old. How did this happen!?!? I can’t believe the time flew this fast. And I am in awe of how wonderful she is. This little human He formed in me. God is good. And so, today, we celebrate her life and His grace that has made all of this possible!

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Gracie in her doctor’s outfit on Halloween!

‘But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus. God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.’ (Ephesians 2:4-10)

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Just having a sweet conversation together the other day : ) I cherish these moments.

Truth: I don’t deserve her. Her sweet auburn curls and her funny dance moves. I don’t deserve her hugs or this life at all. But, God’s love is that big. His love is so big that, no matter what we have done — no matter what — when we give our lives to Him, He takes the burden of our sins away and makes us new like a sweet new baby. He blesses us with “good” things and trials and challenges all to refine our hearts and make us more like Him. I am so grateful. I am at a loss for words large enough to describe my gratitude today, so I will just act them out instead.

Today, I will rejoice and give thanks through dozens of hugs and kisses. I’ll sing happy birthday to her probably three dozen times, if not more. This weekend we’ll celebrate at a local dairy farm with friends and family. And I will look to the Heavens and smile, knowing that all of this is from above. Not by my own merit or power. Just Him. His grace is a gift and it has changed everything.

Oh there’s so much more I could say, but I must go get those hugs and kisses now!

Happiest birthday, sweet girl. I love you with all my heart!

13 Comments

  1. Jasmine on November 22, 2013 at 1:15 pm

    Happy Birthday Gracie! Have fun with the cows and chickens and goats and everything else that lights you up 🙂

  2. Stacey Woods on November 22, 2013 at 2:00 pm

    Oh Lara, how beautiful. I teared up right along with you at 3:33, remembering the first breaths of my own babies. He is SO good. Enjoy this day, and many many more, with your sweet girl. (And I love your analogy that God makes us like sweet new babies so we can carry out the plans He made for us long ago. It was so encouraging to soak that in this morning!) xox

  3. Nancy on November 22, 2013 at 3:22 pm

    Happy 2nd Birthday sweet Gracie girl!!!! I just know your are going to do great things in this world!
    Oh Lara, what a beautiful post. Enjoy this special day with that sweet little girl.
    Love
    Nancy

  4. Jasmine on November 22, 2013 at 4:08 pm

    Happy Birthday Gracie!!! You are so loved!
    Lara, enjoy today and every day! Motherhood is truly a God-given journey. Blessings to the whole family!

  5. Ashley Flores on November 22, 2013 at 4:30 pm

    Happy Birthday Grace!
    xoxo

  6. Megan C. on November 22, 2013 at 4:59 pm

    Lara, I could just cry reading this post b/c I understand the joy you are describing. My little girl will be 2 years old on Thanksgiving & I can’t begin to praise God for this little blessing. I bet our sweet girl’s would be the best of friends if they knew one another. My daughter LIly is just full of life just like Grace! Happy Birthday sweet girl!

  7. Ashley Dale on November 22, 2013 at 5:07 pm

    Happiest Birthday Gracie!!!!! Two’s aren’t terrible they are teeerrrrific!!! {In my best Tigger voice}

  8. Kristen Ostow on November 22, 2013 at 7:47 pm

    I’m at work… yes sneaking on to take my usual peak at Lara Casey’s blog for the day… and this video just brought me to happy tears!! Such a special video. Happy birthday beautiful Grace!!

  9. Meri Sue Ramsey on November 22, 2013 at 7:51 pm

    What a beautiful post, Lara. And such a touching video. It is so neat to see the love you have for her but I can hear it just as much in your writing – that makes me so joyful and elated to be a mother myself one day! You are an inspiration in many many ways!! Happy Birthday, Grace!!

  10. Stephanie on November 22, 2013 at 10:25 pm

    Such a beautiful and moving video! As a momma to my own 2.5 year old little girl I could relate to every moment. Happy Birthday to your sweet Grace! May God continue to bless you all.

  11. Tiffany on November 24, 2013 at 12:10 am

    Precious…

  12. chris on November 25, 2013 at 12:31 am

    Love your video!

  13. pamela on November 26, 2013 at 2:57 am

    Wow. Such a beautiful way to capture those last moments of pregnancy and first moments of life. As a mom to four, three of those daughters I am so happy to see that you are taking in every minute . It goes by so fast. You have so much fun and blessings ahead of you!

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