Once upon a time, on October 18th at 2:11pm to be exact, a princess named Jalyn Jo was born. For those of you who didn’t know her, let me tell you about our precious baby girl.

On February 21, 2006 we found out we were going to be parents. We were so excited and scared all at the same time. Then on March 2, 2006, I saw you for the first time. This little “peanut” inside with a heartbeat. I will never forget the sense of relief, knowing you were there and healthy.

Then on May 13th, we found out you were a girl. The precious little girl I had waited for my entire life. The little girl that would wear pink and a bow in her hair everyday. The little girl who would go shopping with me and tell me all about her first kiss. The whole time we were watching the ultrasound, Jalyn’s entire life flashed in my eyes with everything we would do. From her first day of school to her wedding day. I knew exactly how I wanted our life to go. We were going to be shopping partners for life.

Jalyn came into this world with a light in her eyes I will never forget. From day one, she had the biggest, bluest eyes we had ever seen. We always wondered where she had gotten such big eyes, now I know. God gave Jalyn big eyes so that she could see everything possible since her stay here was so very short. He wanted to make sure she was aware of everyone that knew her and loved her.

Morning time was Jalyn’s favorite time, and mine too. I would wait in bed everyday at 6:00 waiting for that little moan and groan she would do. As if to say, “mom, I’m awake.” For some unknown reason, Jalyn LOVED her changing table. When we would get her up in the morning, she would stretch her little arms and then look at you with the biggest smile. Almost saying, Gosh, I missed you last night.

Jalyn also had this incredibily cute little snort. For anyone who knows Brenda, Jalyn was just like her. We use to call her “Little Brenda” when she snorted. Jalyn was just a lot cuter when she did it.

Jalyn made us so proud, right until her final breathe. I have never seen a daddy more proud that Phil. He would show her off to anyone who would listen. She was daddy’s little girl from the day we knew we were having her.

Jalyn was special from the day she was born, and we could never figure out exactly what it was. She was perfect in everyway and we treasured every moment we had. She was alive for 82 days and those 82 days were magical in everyway. She has touched more lives, than we could ever imagine in those 82 precious days.

She was a daughter, sister, granddaughter, cousin, niece, Carter’s little “princess soccer player” and mostly importantly, my little princess. We use to sing this little song to her about being a princess, and she would just look at you and as if saying, “yeah I know I’m a princess, tell me again”.

Our princess has went to her kingdom and has met her maker, has met her great grandparents that have passed and is getting the royal treatment she deserves. Please remember Jalyn as we will, a precious child who was handpicked by God to bless our lives for 82 days. A rosebud, never fully opened, but still beautiful in everyway.

And there Our princess, Jalyn lived happily ever after.