How does the arrival of a helpless baby carry such power? How can a little girl who can’t lift her head or utter a word captivate a family so quickly they can’t imagine life without her? Even when she’s only been here a few days? I don’t know, but it speaks to the preciousness and beauty of life to me, and I’m so grateful.

My daughter Carolyn and her husband Jeremy have welcomed their eighth child (Hannah is in heaven), and her name, as you’ve already seen above, is:

Evangeline Virginia

She weighed 8 pounds, 3 ounces and is 20 inches long, which are exactly what Carolyn’s details were when she was born in Germany just a few years ago. I was so touched that they chose Virginia for her middle name, after my mother, whom my children, especially Carolyn, spent a lot of time with before she died in 1993. My mom loved babies like she was the champion baby lover of the world, so we’re commenting a lot about how much Grandma Sooter would have loved Evangeline. And all the grandchildren.

Jeremy and Carolyn aren’t sure yet if Evangeline will have a nickname. I have been calling her Evie to myself, pronounced Evvie; Carolyn mentioned the possibility of pronouncing it Eevie (like her initials spoken aloud), but right now Evangeline is preferred and we’ll see how things evolve. And the last part of her name is like leen rather than line.

Her name means good news, and while it certainly means the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, I like to think her existence itself is just plain good news, and I can’t wait to get to know her better.

Carolyn and Jeremy’s other children are pretty smitten with their new little sister of course, and seven year old Miriam likes to hold Evangeline the most.

These next photos are right after she was born… my eyes fill with tears of love, looking at my lovely daughter.

And four year-old Levi (who looks so much like his mama) is learning how to not be the youngest anymore. He will show Evangeline the ropes once she gets on her feet, and they will be best buddies someday.

So much to hope for. To pray about. To say thank you for.

I hope your weekend is a peaceful one,