2

Husband and Wife
April 28, 2007






Old Married Couple, very much in love
April 28, 2009

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

Jackson Jett Villaflor was born on 4/23 at 9:05am. Weighing in at 5lb 15oz and 18.5 in long.
I guess you could say that I've done some pretty cool things in my life. I've traveled abroad, bungee jumped, snorkeled in the Red Sea, vacationed in some amazing places, but yesterday....

Yesterday, I experienced something that I will always remember as one of the highlights of my life. I was fortunate to witness my best friend give birth to a beautiful little baby boy.

I had been there all night and left the hospital around 5am to get a little sleep. We all thought the labor had slowed down and we'd have a good amount of hours left. That was not the case, and a little after 7am, I got a text saying "come now". I immediately left the house and when I walked into the hospital room, Emilie was pushing.

I was pretty much in tears off and on from that point until about an hour or so after he was born, full of excitement, and rejoicing over God's design. Switching back and forth between acting as the official face-fanner and vidoegrapher. Quick looks at Renelle and more tears. Little comments from Emilie that would break the intensity with a little laughter, and then result in tears. I cried tears of excitement, tears of compassion for her, tears of thankfulness to God, tears over Renelle's tears, tears at Brice's adoration for his wife, tears at Brice's excellent coaching, and then finally tears to welcome this amazing little life into the world. You'd think I'm teared out, but I can feel them welling up in my eyes as I type.

I didn't go to the hospital expecting to be in the delivery room, so I hadn't anticipated what my reaction would be to. Even now it's hard to describe. I felt thrilled, honored, blessed, and I had an overwhelming sense of love for my dear friend and her new family. Those feeling were only strengthened when she asked Josh and I to be Jackson's Godparents. I consider it a privilege and it gives me great pleasure to know the special role that we will play in his life.

One of my favorite moments of the day was in the post-pardum recovery room. Everyone was pretty much gone. Brice and Emilie were both finally asleep and Renelle had to leave the room for a little while. I sat in a rocker, holding Jackson in my arms, looked down at his peacefully sleeping face, and just prayed over him. I asked the LORD to bless him with the gift of salvation and with an intimate walk with Jesus. I asked the LORD to make him godly, loving, confident, compassionate, independant, tender-hearted, and handsome. That God would give him strong hands to serve Him, and feet to spread the Gospel. And that those around him would be a constant encouragement and example for his own relationship with Jesus Christ. Myself included.

I can't imagine how much love his own mother must feel for him, but my heart is just bursting!


Check out those contractions on the bottom! Emilie did so amazing!



Just minutes old. What a skinny little guy!



The proud Papa!


His first mohawk! Right after his first bath.


Holding on to his Auntie Laina for the first time.

My Emilie

Any day now, my best friend in the world is going to give birth to her first baby. A sweet little boy. If that's not a reason to start blogging again, I don't know what is.


Haha! Our first trip to Carp together for 4th of July. We took off and went wine tasting. Pre-bride, pre-prego, definately pre-mommy. Lets hope your little one has at least half of your awesomeness!


Your two best friends and the soon to be Aunties. What a privilege it is to be part of this dynamic trio. I love the relationship that we've built, especially over the last few years. Together we've had exciting moments where we've felt the LORD's blessings, and real trials where we've felt the LORD's stretching. Devoted many hours of laughter over tea, and discussed important (and not so important) topics over the phone. However many children we have over the next years, I hope and pray (and believe) that we have many more of these times together.


The man. The soon-to-be-father. Wow. What a love he has for you and for your son. He makes you laugh, he gives you joy, he is responsible for much of who you are today and who you are striving to be.


I thank our Savior that He thought to bless me by putting you in my life.