Baby Dedication

Two Sundays ago, Andy & I did something we have been meaning to do for over a year now: get the babies dedicated!  A child dedication is actually more about the parent than the child: it's for parents to commit to dedicating their children in the way of Jesus.  We dedicated Jenna five years ago, and were so honored to dedicate not one, but four children this time!

Look at all the babies getting dedicated that day!  So much cuteness in one room!

Even though it looks like a crazy baby circus, every family was only up front to introduced themselves.  We then all left the stage and returned to our families for an intimate blessing over the children. There was a lot going on, but I snuck a peek around the room during this time and it was so neat how every family was clustered together around their loved ones having their own intimate prayers over their babies.

Knowing children are a gift from God is all the more apparent when you struggle with infertility.  We firmly believe God chose us to be the parents to our children & He has entrusted us to raise them, but they do not "belong" to us: they are His.  We believe God desires us to raise adults who are responsible, loving, and know Jesus.  Thankfully, He also gives us the grace & gifts needed every single day to do this and we believe He will continue.

The babies surrounded by family as we say our blessings over them.

I love how we all are praying and there is Jenna, posing!
It doesn't feel that long ago when we all surrounded her as a baby and prayed over her...

~The kids before the dedication~

We are so in love with our five.

When we all got together, Andy & I quickly said a blessing over them and thanked our family for all their support and help over the years.  Mimi then said a prayer, and we all finished by saying the Lord's Prayer together.  It was so intimate and special.

This is our blessing for our four:

Lauren Faith, Tyler Allen, Tanner Andrew & Hannah Grace,

It’s not, “God doesn’t give us more than we can handle”, but rather “God helps us handle what He has given.”  From the very moment we learned we were pregnant with quadruplets, we were absolutely amazed, shocked, and definitely scared, but still utterly certain that God knew what He was doing, even if we didn’t! 

Your very existence is evidence of God’s Blessings in our family. Just like your amazing big sister Jenna, we know God saw it good to create you and He has a purpose for your lives.  You are all such miracles!  We love each of you so individually and so fully.  

Hannah, you are our intense child.  When happy, you exude JOY!  When you are upset, you let everyone know!  You have a passionate personality, and we love that about you.

Lauren, you have a sweet soul and are very gentle natured.  You are kind, loving, and joyful, and we just love that about you.

Tyler, you are our jokester!  You are silly, playful, tough, and all boy.  We love you so much.

Tanner, you have the most good-natured personality and definitely go with the flow.  You are sweet, loving, and playful.  We love you so much!

Just like Jenna, we believe God has placed you in our family and entrusted us to raise you, but you are on loan from Him.  Today we dedicate you, Lauren, Tyler, Tanner & Hannah to Christ.  We vow to raise you in His love.  We pray God gives us the guidance, wisdom, energy, patience & perseverance needed to raise you the best way we can.  We desire Christ to be a visible, daily presence in our family.  We pray He helps us raise you all to be strong men and women who choose to joyfully obey & boldly loves Jesus, that you love God with all your heart, soul, minds, and strength.  We are so very honored God chose us to be parents to you all. 

Love,

Mom & dad