Four Years Ago Today
We just concluded a weekend full of birthday celebrations! Big Daddy (that's him in the picture getting blue hair from Rainey) and Gran came down from Idaho and we partied both Friday night and Saturday.The theme of this birthday was camping. Those of you who know me know that this could not have been my idea. Camping in my world involves motor homes or better yet, Hiltons (the hotels, not the sisters). Nevertheless, we put up tents, unrolled sleeping bags, made s'mores and had a great time.
Rainey loved her new sleeping bag, two tents, three dolls and new bike. The gift list goes on and on but you get the idea.
It all got me thinking about what happened four years ago today (cue dream sequence music).
Four years ago today I planned on working late at the office with some clients. Stephanie had been at the pool doing her water aerobics and decided she wanted chicken for dinner. Then the craving turned toward watermelon. Then she decided maybe instead of dinner, she would just go into labor!
Fortunately, my clients were concerned about my casual attitude when I told them I might need to leave them if Stephanie called. They insisted I leave immediately. Had I not done so, I might not have made it in time. When I arrived home, the contractions were about 6 minutes apart, but Steph did not want to leave yet. When they got to five minutes, I talked her into taking a drive. We arrived at the hospital less than three hours before Rainey arrived.
Four years ago today everything changed for the better. Four years ago today I became a Dad. Four years ago today I met my sweet baby girl, my girlfriend, my secret best buddy. Four years ago today I learned about a kind of love I could never have imagined. And now, Lord willing, we'll get to do it all over again in a few months. Only this time with a big sister. Happy birthday Rainey! Do you know how much I love you?
posted by Stephen Bailey @ 5:00 PM
8 comments
8 Comments:
Your family is just beautiful, Stephen. Bravo!
What led you and Stephanie to name this little darling Stephanie?
Blessings!
I think she meant "Rainey".
Anyhoo--
I remember another day close to Christmas 2000. We had come to Texas to see my mom and to spend a couple of days with the roomies. First, we were at the Fishers and I was video-taping. We messed around incinuating that we had news...you acted weird too. Then we both got to surprise each other with the news of pregnancy! Then the classic trip to north Dallas to have dinner with the Doggetts. All the roommies together. We gathered around the table and held hands to pray. Everyone knew the news except for Chris and Karen. As you prayed, I kep the video rolling. You prayed that God would continue to bless Karen's pregnancy. Then you prayed that he would bless our pregnancy. (on the video you see a grin come acorss Chris's face). THEN you prayed for Stephanie's pregnancy and quickly ended the prayer before we all lost it. We cheered and Chris just looked at us with this "I've been had" look. Priceless on video.
We recently watched this and it reminded me of the YEARS of blessing in friendship that we all have together.
4 years. My goodness. I'm so thrilled that Rainey came into this world. I love that our kids know each other and that we can share in the blessing of fatherhood. God has been so good to us.
WE LOVE RAINEY BAILEY!! Just think--when you met Stephanie Rainey in Dillards all those years ago, would you have EVER dreamed you'd have a daughter named Rainey Bailey?? TOO COOL.
Thanks BST, I'm so thankful for you.
Deb,
I'd like to say we named our daughter Rainey because my wife is an Idaho tree hugger (which she is). However, Rainey was Stephanie's maiden name and our Rainey is the first grandchild on that side of the family. We also just thought it was kind of cool.
My little girl is now almost 7 and it gets better every year! Any guy who thinks he's gonna just casually date my daughter has another thing coming! Can you say, INTERROGATION! She's too precious for less.
I know Rainey will cherish those words penned by her father's hand (well, figuratively).
Ditto on the camping thing...but I've got two boys, and a family of "outdoorsmen" to compete with...for me, it's in the cards....but, here's to all those "indoorsmen"! Lord, give us strength!!
-RV
Thanks, Brandon, for reading my fossil mind over all these airwave miles!!
And Stephen, thanks for letting me know. I think her name is cool, too. Maybe one day, your Rainey and BST's girls can come over here for me to treat them to lots of fun musical venues. (Sam can come another time ... this is just a girls trip!)
What a fab blessing that would be. :)
My little Madeline is 5 and the CEO of her three brothers, Samuel, Tomlyn, and Lee. There is something so special about a little girl. She knows she can get anything she wants from me... I must be strong.. she will be 16 soon...
16??? Nuh-uh.
Brandon and Ty,
It is true...they turn 16. Just the other day Bailey was acting out Sleeping Beauty for us and now she is driving. We are blessed with a wonderful, beautiful Jesus following daughter who continues to teach us everyday. It happens before you know it. May you also be so blessed!
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