Happy 10th Birthday to our PAIT!!!

Dedicated to Paiton...half of the slide show is grainy due to scanning old photos and poor quality, 10 years ago we didn't own a digital camera!!  I have decided to share the letter I wrote to Pait for those of you who do not know our story of how we all started out.  In celebrating her 10th Birthday I am flooded with so many emotions and memories.  We have come so far as a family since then...thanking GOD for every day we are blessed with!

To Our Precious Pait....

When we found out you were in my tummy 10 years ago your daddy was still playing college baseball at UNM and I was living in Tempe attending ASU. We had been together for over 2 years but this news was unexpected for us and for our families.

We had no idea what our lives were to become. I did not want to hinder your dad who was “my boyfriend” at the time and his future baseball career. He was a very talented athlete and I was his supportive “cheer leader” girlfriend in the stands.  I loved watching your dad play baseball and do what he loved.

The day we found out we were going to become your parents I ran to a park next to your daddy's house in New Mexico to be alone for a while and spend some time talking with God. I asked God to guide us through this rough, uncertain time in our lives. In that next instant your dad came riding up on his bike to meet me under the tree I was sitting beneath. He hugged me as we sobbed and told me that we were going to be okay and that he was not going to leave our side Pait. Daddy kept his promise and got down on one knee a few weeks later asking mommy to marry him.

Your father and I did not have a fairy tale beginning BUT your dad was unbelievably supportive through everything and we were very much in LOVE. He was there for me every step of the way. He was in his last semester of College when we found out we were expecting you in May...just in time for him to earn his BA degree. As for baseball, he placed our family first and ended up walking away form his “baseball dreams” in the last year of his career. He literally sent his last final exam through e-mail as we were in the hospital taking care of you...our sweet little newborn angel. Immediately after graduation he applied for the Phx. Police Dept. and went through the police academy.  His graduation from the academy stands out in my memory, you wore a beautiful little blue dress and everyone wanted to hold you, it was the beginning of a new chapter in our lives together.

You came into our lives unplanned but not unwanted Paiton. The first time your dad and I felt you kick inside me was on our wedding night. It was so amazing to know that God blessed us with you.  You changed our lives, rocked our world, and made our family so strong! The love you brought into our little home and our extended family was and is immeasurable.  As the first grandchild to enter both sides of the family you brought great joy.  

As for mommy, you know I had to put my education on hold for a while but it was all worth it. If we had to do it all over again we would with no hesitation. I am not condoning or saying that it is smart to have a baby before you are married but God took a very hard situation and blessed it because we turned to HIM for strength to get us through. Thank you for all of your help last year while I was finishing my degree. I missed a lot of your games but you were so supportive and understood...I thank you for that. I am so glad you were there to watch me graduate, it was a very emotional day for mom.

Pait~ thank you for being you, our sweet spirited little girl who is growing and maturing into a beautiful young lady right before our eyes. Our relationship means the world to both your father and I. We are so glad you are able to share your feelings with us. I pray that nothing comes between that and we continue to maintain a healthy, loving, open relationship.

God has gifted you with many talents and you are using them. I see you pitch and it almost brings tears to my eyes. The fact that you and your dad work so hard together to feed that gift and make you stronger is touching. Your ability to lead others and be your crazy spunky self during worship is awesome and I hope you get to continue to use that gift. Your sensitive spirit is important, you have genuine concern for others and animals (especially horses) and we couldn't be more proud of you. You are a brilliant writer and I hope you continue this. You manage your studies well and we are so happy with your grades. Keep it up Pait! Your mom and dad LOVE you more than you know or can even comprehend! Happy 10th Birthday darling! : )

Love~ Mom & Dad

xoxoxoxoxo...