Dear Baby Hazel,

As your father and I were making a final decision on a name for you, a friend of mine by the name of Amy, spoke on a chapter in the Old Testament that describes a virtuous woman. It was Mother's Day, just 5 days before your birth. She quoted Proverbs chapter 31 by teaching of a the importance of womanhood. She focused mainly on the last verse (31) as it says, "Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates." I was immediately taken by this verse and the great importance to serve. I decided to go home and study the entire chapter later that day.

As I sat and began to read, verse 10 unfolded a message before me and I knew we had the name for you. "Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies." Ruby! Ruby was a middle name we were already considering and I was now sure of it's place in your life. Hazel was chosen to be your first name just for its beauty. The entire rest of the chapter is what I call a perfect guidebook on how you must pattern your life in order to be a woman of great worth.

11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.

14 She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar.

15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.

16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.

18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.

19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.

20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.

23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.

24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

25 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.

31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

My dearest Hazel Ruby, I hope that you will always strive to be this amazing woman who "excellest them all." You have been sent to this family even when I didn't think I had room for one more child to love and such is this; you must be worth something far greater than rubies.

Born Friday, May 18, 2012

5:35am

7 lbs 3oz

20 inches

Maple Valley, WA

(birth story coming soon)