My Prayer For Junior

-I find the easiest way for me to pray is to be "real" with God.  I don't use big words, or fancy Biblical terms- just me and God, one-on-one like bff's. ;)

-Before Junior was created, I spent a lot of time in prayer.  Praying for a blessing in my belly.  One thing I repeatedly told God was that I promised to return my baby to him immediately.  If He would bless me with a child, I would raise that child in His name. 
-While "TTC" a girlfriend of mine sent me a poem that was dear to her mother's heart.  I can't remember the name of the poem, the author, or any specific quotes- but the idea stuck with me.  The poem talked about how our children are in fact not really OUR children.  They are God's children.  We were blessed to conceive them, to carry them, and to raise them- but we must give them back, as they do not belong to us.  Big stuff.  At first, I thought "Man, that's gotta be hard for a pregnant woman or a new mother, or a mother of young children to read."  The poem touched me and was kinda like a "poetic version" of my prayer that I had said so many times.  "I promise to give this baby back to you." 
-Now that I'm pregnant (AND GONNA BE A MOM IN 5 DAAAAAAAYYYYS, AAAHHH!!!!) I understand that I'm only Junior's Earthly mother- not even his creator, because without God he would never exist.  For the last 9 months I have prayed and prayed and prayed for Junior.  For his health, for him to be a boy (yes, I'm ashamed...), for him to turn, for a speedy/healthy birth, etc., etc.  I haven't prayed much for the time after his birth, and I'm realizing now I need to FALL ON MY KNEES!  (Not really in the literal sense, as it would take me a while to get back up!)
-I'd like to "blog" this prayer, make it public.

Dear Heavenly Father,

I woke up this morning to a strong, healthy, wiggly baby in my belly.  You are great!  I rolled over, put my arm around Reesh and smiled.  You are great!  I thought of my (poor) mom sleeping on the couch who You sent safely to me to be here for me during this huge time in my life.  You are great!  Then I almost broke my back trying to get out of the bed to pee and thought...You are funny! :)  I'm sorry for falling asleep on you again last night- I'm really thinking I should get an earlier start with the whole prayer thing- but I know you understand.  Lord, I am so thankful to have my mother here.  And after my morning yesterday, she couldn't have come at a better time- you planned it like that, didn't you? 
Lord, I want to lift Junior up to you this morning.  I know that Reesh and I (and our families) have been blessed with this little angel, and like I've said before, I promise to do everything I can to raise him in your name.  But I need some help along the way, because I know I'm not perfect and I'm still trying to grow, myself.  Lord, I pray that Junior will know nothing but love from us.  I pray for patience, acceptance, and guidance for each member of our growing family.  I pray that we are kind and caring to each other, and when we're not- because there will be times, God please help to remind us how special and important we all are to each other.  Lord, I pray that you and Reesh together will be a team that will be the manly role-model in Junior's life.  Let him follow you two.   Thank you, God, for giving Junior such an awesome Daddy. I know that Reesh will be kind and loving.  He'll teach to hold doors, pull out chairs, and hang coats. He'll teach to ride a bike, hang a light, and love a woman. But, Lord, help him too as he also needs your guidance to be able to guide his children.  I pray that Junior is a strong boy that will grow into a strong man, but a gentle one.  A feisty little boy with grass stains on his knees who grows up to be a boo-boo kissing daddy.  I pray that he is smart and funny, witty and sociable.  I pray he knows little heartache in his life, but I also know a little bit will only make him stronger and seek you more.  When he is ready and I have done my job right, I know he will dedicate himself to you, God.  I just pray that you light that path for him and hold his hand the whole way.  Lord, I ask you to keep our marriage strong and healthy and may we be good examples to our children.  Help us to hold a strong bond that we'll need to raise a happy family- and let our children be aware of this.  Lord, I pray there is never any doubt from a stranger that we as a family are living and learning through you.  I ask that you wrap your arms around our family and keep us safe and healthy, happy and grateful.  I pray, as a mom, that when things get tough or scary I am reminded not to seek the advice of friends, neighbors, or crazy people on facebook, but to consult you and have comfort in knowing I will be led to do what's right for my family.  Above all else, I pray, God, that you help me do a good enough job that when I send Junior off into the world, he remembers, not necessarily to put the toilet seat down or to separate whites from colors, but how to love and live through you.

Amen.