You have a name.  You’ve had one for a long while now.  Your dad and I have kept it close to our hearts until the other night when he just felt like spilling the beans. It was really cute.  This quiet time with it just being me, you and your dad (OK, and mom’s best friends… Aunt Gina, Emily, Natalie and Marissa… and a cancer patient that Ari was trying to comfort one day) knowing your name has been really sweet.  Soon though… in less than 12 short weeks… you’ll be kicking around in your crib instead of my belly. It was time to tell people your beautiful name.    

You and I spent the last few days here in Florida in the home where I grew up.  Your Grandma Celia and Grandpa David (who have yet to choose grandparent nicknames for themselves) had a party here for you yesterday with so many friends that have known me since I was tiny.  It was really special.  Grandma Celia gave you some of my baby clothes and they are just precious!  Today I’ll pack up all of my baby books to bring home for you.  Oh, I can’t wait to read these to you!  Today, I’ll say goodbye to my childhood room and fly back to yours…  which I still have a lot of work to do on.  Today we’re taking our last flight together, sweet baby, before you arrive.  Mom is tired of flying anyway.  Flights are uncomfortable and long gone are the days I could run through an airport to catch a plane.  You and I do a lot of waddling nowadays.  

I have missed your dad so so so much on this trip.  Your dad’s knowing sense brings me peace amidst so many challenges. He trusts. He has full faith that things will work out for the best always and I believe him.  If I look up and have faith, I am never alone and I am always filled.  I’m so lucky to be married to your dad.  He has helped me through some tough transitions lately.  He has brought comfort to our whole family. His heart is so good.  

Our path has been more than challenging. There were years your dad and I struggled. And we struggled hard. Tears and fights and lost hope and despair and all the while… there was an undercurrent of blind faith. Through it all, grace shined through. Grace that got us to today. Now so comforted, held, seen for who we are and loved for all of it. Reassured in each other’s love, no mater what we face. Imperfect and but loved through the imperfection. Grace. Amazing grace. How sweet the sound.

God gave us new life. A pure gift. Grace.

He gave us you.

Grace Austin Isaacson.

I’ve never known love like this or thought it was possible. Imperfect and grounded what matters most.  This verse has been in my heart since your name came to us.  ”My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Cor 12:9 In our weakness, we were broken down so we could be built back up again to love fully and truly. This is just the beginning, sweet Grace (oh, it feels good to finally type your name!) and such a beautiful beginning it has already been!

Your name means everything to us.  It’s our story.  Growing you has made your dad and I closer than we ever thought possible.  Amazing grace.

Your middle name is my heart. Your Grandma Celia and I also share this same middle name.  Austin.  After your Great Grandpa Cecil Austin.  He baptized me in our pool when I was 14. He taught me what humble looks like. Every day I want to live more like him. He loved God with all his heart, soul, mind and strength.  He loved his garden and the simple things in life. Your sweet Aunt Jessie brought us heirloom tomatoes yesterday that reminded me instantly of Grandpa.  Tomato leaves are one of my favorite smells on earth because they remind me of him and his humble life.  He loved Grandma Bunny passionately and brought her wildflowers with her coffee every morning. He led the singing in church and sold flour and sugar to farmers. Every night he would say grace and, in his thick Alabama drawl, tell God he looked forward to meeting Him someday in the “heavenly abode.” He’s there now. Likely planting tomatoes and singing his favorite song… “Amazing Grace.”

Grace Austin Isaacson. Our love. Our baby. God’s gift. Grandpa Cecil used to say my initials, LAC, stood for Loving Always Caring.  He wrote that on the first page of my baby book.  When I am overwhelmed, your dad reminds me to live that. He reminds me to have faith and that I am enough when I am rooted in what matters most.  “I once was lost but now I’m found …I was blind but now I see.”  I am so grateful for grace.  For, you, sweet Gracie.  Gracie Belle, as your dad likes to call you.  And I’m so grateful for your dad. I am so grateful to be his wife and partner in this life. I am so grateful for all the years and the amazing grace that got us to here… to you.  I am so grateful that he is your dad.  We’re so humbled and blessed to be your parents.  We can’t wait to meet you soon!  I love you, Grace Austin.

12 more weeks…