Adopted

"For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost."

Luke 19:10

 

This is the verse that led to a life-changing discussion I had with Maia. We were studying and memorizing this verse for AWANA clubs that week. I asked Maia if she knew what the verse meant by "lost." When she told me no, I explained it meant those who needed to trust in Jesus as their Savior.  Then she said, "I've done that but you and Daddy won't let me get baptized."

 

There have been several times over the past year or so, when she would hint at being interested but then would quickly move on.  We knew when she was ready she'd let us know and so we tried very deliberately not to push her into this decision. 

 

But on the night of October 17, 2012, I knew the time had come.  I walked her through the simple ABC's of salvation, and there on her bed, our precious Maia asked Christ to be her Savior.

There is no greater joy for a believing parent, than to know that your child has made this most important decision and has the assurance of Salvation.

 

As I was  thanking God for this over the next several days that followed, many songs would come to mind. But one in particular kept popping up. Phil Wickham's This is the Day, to me, epitomizes this moment in a person's life. It's so fun and biblically sound.  I encourage you as you're watching the video to turn up the sound, really listen to the words and think about the day of your own salvation. Praise Him for it, because He's worthy!

Thank you, sweet Jesus, for dying on the cross for my sins, for my daughter's sins, for the sins of all mankind.  We don't deserve an ounce of your unmerited favor, which makes it all the more precious.

Thanks for loving us so perfectly. 

Happy 1st Birthday, Kyra!

It's hard to believe it's been an entire year since our little home-birth baby came into our world and forever changed our lives. 

 

 

On September 28, we celebrated Kyra Dean Reed's first year with us!

 

 

 

I'll be the first to admit that becoming a mom of three has been quite an adjustment.  But one that has ultimately brought me so much joy. 

 

 

Some people say that Kyra looks like Maia and some say Josie.  I think she's a perfect blend of both! She definitely has her own unique personality and it seems as though she has her daddy wrapped around her little finger.

Parenting and attempting to guard the hearts of my three daughters is not a task I take lightly and truthfully I probably fail more than I succeed.  I'm just asking the Father for guidance and thanking Him for the undeserved opportunity to give it my best shot.

Happy first birthday, sweet little Kyra.  We love you to pieces and look forward to seeing  you grow and mature in the One who made you wonderfully.

Happy 3rd Birthday Josephine Rose

On July 30th our Josie turned 3. Its so true that time truly flies when you have young children. It seems like such a short time ago that she came into our lives. Then we blinked and now she's 3, going on 13, I might add! I posted a while back about her little personality and the joy the little stinker brings into our lives. A few comments we hear on a regular basis about Jojo are: "I can't believe how light her hair is." (she had very dark hair when she was an infant) or "Look at those big, beautiful, blue eyes!" and one of our favorites, "She is an independent little thing, isn't she?" To which we can only agree.
I love this girl more than I could ever put into words, and secretly love that she prefers me above all others! Thank you, Holy God, for blessing our family with this child, and all the lessons you're teaching us through her. Help us to raise her in a way that glorifies you.


In keeping with the tradition of writing the number of favorites according to ages, I'll share three of Josie's favorite sentences at this stage in her life. I can only assume they are her favorites since she she says them several times a day:
1. "I can do it myself!"
2. "I can't be happy right now."
3. "I'm not little, I'm big."

Party Time!

Everyone came together to help our little lady bug celebrate her 3rd birthday. This poor child was chomping at the bits for months, wondering when her "birfday" was coming. We began telling her in July, so then when she found out it was July but not her birthday yet, she was a little confused as to why she was still having to wait! But I think she'd agree that it was worth the wait. Of course we were so blessed with the generosity of our family and friends, as they gave to our sweet girl. Thank you, to all those who came to celebrate this precious life and especially thank you, to Papa and Grandma for hosting yet another pool party at your house!

Time for Presents

Happy 6th Birthday Maia!

On May 18, we celebrated Maia's 6th birthday. What a blessing it has been to watch her grow and learn and mature. There are days when I think I learn as much from her as she does from me. I'm so proud to be called her momma.

In honor of Maia turning 6, here are six of her favorite things right now:

1. She LOVES anything "fancy" and would wear a dress every moment of every day if I let her.
2. She loves doing crafts, painting and drawing. She keeps asking me when we're going to have an art show to show all her work.
3. As girly as she is, she will get dirty with the best of them. She loves to plant things and tries to grow just about anything.
4. Swimming. Enough said.
5. Singing. This girl truly has a song in her heart. She sings about everything and everyone, making up words as she goes along.
6. She loves talking to her baby sister in my belly and is always wanting to feel her move.

Maia's 6th birthday

Because of weird timing and a very full month of May, Maia had two parties this year for her birthday. We did a small friend one and then a couple weeks later, had a family one.

All the fun began with her very first slumber party. We let Maia invite two friends over and she chose her sweet friends, Corinne Berry and Bethany Brock. The girls played and did crafts and laughed a lot. Somewhere in there we opened presents, had cake and slept a very small amount. Overall, we felt the first slumber milestone went very smoothly and was a huge success.
The girls must have thought so too, because the next day when I saw Bethany, she was excitedly already making plans for her own slumber party.

Our family party was hosted by Papa and Grandma. We ate cake, opened presents and best of all - swam until our hearts were content.





Maia at the end of the day, with all her loot. Thanks to everyone who gave so generously to our sweet 6 year old. We appreciate you!

At Maia's school, before each day starts, all the students and teachers meet in the gym for announcements, pledges and they also recognize those who are having a birthday. So Maia got to go up and tell her name and how old she was. Needless to say, she spoke so clearly and loudly, that she didn't really need that mic.


I made cupcakes and took them to her class that afternoon.

Big 2 Year Old

I may be unintentionally starting a tradition here, but I thought in likeness of what I wrote about Maia turning 5, I would share two of my favorite things about Josie right now. Again, this will be difficult since there are so many things I love about that little toot.
But here are two that happen to immediately come to mind:

1. I love that every morning and every nap, the first thing she says every time she gets up is, "Where's Maia?"
2. I love that any time she hears anything that even resembles a beat, she is shaking her hips and bopping her head.


Holy Father, I'm ever thankful to You for giving me little Josie. She is a joy to me and a precious gift that could only come from You. I praise You, that You knew her before I did and still chose me as her mother. Help me to raise her in a way that brings You alone glory and that she would grow to be a woman that is completely surrendered to Your will for her life.

Happy 2nd Birthday Josephine!

Time flies when you're super-cute! Hard to believe, but our little Josie turned 2 on July 30th. Grammie and Granddaddy graciously offered their home for us to party in. Josie didn't really know everyone was there in her honor, but we knew and we are so grateful to all our family for coming and celebrating this precious life with us.
And thanks again to Grammie and Granddaddy for letting us use their casa!


Cake time!



Getting ready to blow out those candles.


She did it all on her own, with a little boost from mom. :)

Happy 5th Birthday Maia

On May 18th, Maia celebrated her 5th birthday. It's incredibly hard to believe that it's been 5 years since this child came into our lives and changed it in ways we never thought possible. We have our moments, like every mother and daughter for sure. But there isn't a day that goes by that she doesn't bring a smile to my face and make me laugh. Or that she doesn't teach me so much about my relationship with my Heavenly Father.
It would take days to list all the many things that I love about her. But in honor of her 5th birthday, I thought about five of my favorite things right now.
I do love you sweet Maia and feel so blessed that Almighty God chose me to be your momma. Thank you for bringing so much joy into my life.


1. I love that she tapes together a rock and a piece of sidewalk chalk and calls it a sculpture.
2. I love that if I randomly begin singing a song from Air 1, she chimes in and sings every word right along with me.
3. I love that she refers to her little sister as "my baby."
4. I love that she is so inquisitive and is constantly asking me questions about why I'm doing what I'm doing. Yes it can get tiresome, but I still love it!
5. I love that she sings her prayers.

Garden Party

This year, Maia decided she wanted a garden party. So we decided to let the kids do some gardening with colorful flowering plants. They all had fun and really liked getting to get their hands dirty!