Grace Finds Beauty In Everything

Our beautiful Tessa Grace Marie was born on 01/23/08 at 8:39 PM weighing 8 pounds, 4 ounces and 19 1/4 inches long. We knew via ultrasound at 18 weeks that Tessa would have a unilateral cleft lip and palate. Some people ask how we handled seeing her for the first time as the doctor delivered her. They imagine it was difficult for us, but it was not. God’s grace allowed us to see her big, beautiful, wide smile as a blessing. My Grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. (2 Corinthians 12:9, NIV) Mothers and fathers and anyone who has witnessed the miracle of a new little soul being born into the word knows that words cannot describe that moment – the moment when you feel her breathing and crying and moving on you. The moment when as you glance up at your husband you know he knows that you have both seen God in that moment. Tessa in that moment was a soft, warm light and she is still in every moment I hold her, feed her, sing to her, and watch that beautiful smile form on those imperfect little lips. Every one of those moments with her is a sort of holiday all its own.