The Wave

March 8, 2011

Dear Lilly:

As I was working Sunday at the dining room table, you appeared across the living room in the hallway, looked at me, cocked your head, waved, and smiled. I decided we should take a fun picture with the webcam.

You make your daddy very happy!

I love you.

Daddy

Smiles for Daddy

November 3, 2008

Dear Lilly:

You don't smile much yet, but you almost always smile when I put my face close to yours. I really, really like that!

The next few months should be enlightening. Today, we go see a geneticist who will tell us how God designed you, along with giving us some specifics about Williams Syndrome. Next week, we'll be back at the heart doctor to see if your arteries are getting more narrow, remaining the same, or opening up (we are hoping for this one!). In the meantime, we will have specialists in our house to see how you are developing physically. I'm sure there are other events to look forward to, but we'll have to rely on Mommy to know where and when things are happening.

Katie and Luke think you are especially great. Katie acts like she's your mother as she often wants to hold you and carry you around. Nearly every time we are in the van going somewhere, Luke holds your hand the whole time. We even went to the Olson's house in Cameron this past weekend, and Luke held your hand the entire trip up there (50 minutes).

We love you, sweet Lilly!

Keep Smiling (especially for me),
Daddy

Welcome, Lillian "Lilly" Marie

August 19, 2008

Dear Lilly:

I’ve been a little slow writing to you, I suppose (you were born June 29!). Our lives have been quite full since your arrival—you have much to do with that, and we are thankful to the Lord for it.

Your sister and brother have adjusted quite well to your presence. Katie is like a little mother to you, and Luke sometimes gets too rough with your fragile frame, but he thinks you are quite special.

Here’s a little bit of information about your great-grandmother, from whom we got your first name (Lillian... Your middle name is from your great-grandmother on Mommy's side, so you'll have to be sure and ask her about Great-grandma Dorothy Marie): Lillian McGuire was a jewel—humble, humorous and she normally didn’t even know it, a devoted mother and deeply committed wife, the best cook I’ve ever known, and most importantly a follower of Jesus Christ. I consider it one of the great privileges the Lord has ever granted to me to have spent some time living across the hallway from her in Granddad and Grandma Burchett’s home. She lived with them toward the end of her life, after your great-granddad went to be with the Lord. Why did I enjoy getting to live across the hall from her? She was a joy to be around. She was so selfless, and always ready to listen. Oh, and did I mention her cooking? We have such fond memories of her, and wanted to honor her memory by making her first name yours.

I love you, Lilly. I am determined to be a father to you, to care for you, to exhort you with God’s Word, to discipline you when appropriate, to repent and ask for your forgiveness when I fail you, to preach the gospel to you and show you that Christ is my all, to demonstrate before you a sacrificial love for your mother, and to pray for you very often.

Welcome to our home, Lillian Marie Burchett. You are a gift from the Lord.

And thank you, Lord, for another arrow in my quiver. Give us grace and strength to sharpen her well before this arrow leaves the bow (Psalm 127:4-5).

With Joy and Prayers,

Daddy