I purposely don’t do this very often.  Not because I don’t want to, but because I don’t want to take any credit for it.  I don’t want it to come across as bragging. In fact, the opposite is true. What I’m about to say comes from a very humbled and grateful heart.  A heart that knows it’s not worthy of such a gift.  A heart that’s spilling over in tears as I write this.

There are five people that came into this world, each at their own special time, in small 6-8 pound packages.  None of them came with instructions and each seemed to have their own set of rules.  Four distinct little personalities.  Four different love languages.  Four different looks, each with their own eye color.  Every pregnancy and delivery was different.  And God said to Mark and me, “These precious little people are mine.  But I’m putting them in your care for a time.  You were made for each other.  There will be tough times mixed in with the glorious times.  There will be pain and joy, sickness and health.  Life and death.  You will make mistakes.  All I ask is that you love them with all of your hearts and share with them MY love for them.  And I promise, I will be right there with you every step of the way.”

We did face it all.  Sickness, pain, heartache and even death.  But all of those were wrapped in the enormity of the love, laughter and life that each of those little people brought us.  One had to leave us to take his place in heaven.  His time here was short but profound.  He left behind four that would make him proud.

Janay, Brittany, Abby and Blake.  They grew up loving and fighting.  Playing and bickering.  Pretending and protecting.  Raised by two imperfect, yet fiercely loving parents.  Those growing up years bring back smiles and tears of joy when we reminisce about the  fun we had as a family. Life wasn’t always perfect. We faced our share of pain. But the sound of any tears that we had seem nearly drowned out by the loud echo of laughter in our memory’s ears.

And somehow, in spite of our mistakes, these precious babies turned into the incredible adults that we so enjoy today.  They are no longer just our children, but our great friends.  Their faith has become their own and each of them in their still distinct and unique ways is living it out in their own flavor.  Each of them has a different ratio of Mark and I in them, some more practical, some more dreamy.  But all of them have these hearts that just warm me to my core.  Hearts that love God and family and people so much.  People of character that have learned to own their mistakes and learn from them and use that new wisdom to help others.  People that are empathetic and kind.  Encouragers that look for ways to impact the people in their worlds.

And now I also have the privilege of being a mom-in-law to an incredible man, Brendan.  He has taken the hand of my little girl and whisked her away to new adventures.  A new chapter of her life where new memories will be made.  New challenges will be faced.  A whole new family embarking on life.  They laugh continually and love well.  And our hearts couldn’t be more pleased with this match truly made in heaven.

Today I pray for those who are yet to join this crazy Jarvis family.  And I thank God for the privilege of being mom to my wonderful adult kids.  They are more than I ever hoped for and beyond anything I could ever deserve.  Today I am just plain thankful…

Psalm 127:3 – Children are a gift from the LORD; they are a reward from him.