One Year

one year has passed since that wonderful day,
when you changed our lives in an amazing way.

for years we struggled through pain and strife,
but that all changed when you entered our life.

your smile made us feel immediately warm,
your face quietly calmed our fertility storm.



a long way we traveled to get to you,
our patience was tested, but faith got us through.

for six months pictures were all we could hold,
but each one we received felt like pieces of gold.

your heart is tender and oh so sweet,
We'll never forget the day we did meet.

your laugh makes each day bright and grand,
i cherish each moment i can hold your sweet hand.


I'll never forget that day. I had just been in my friend Debbie's office and work where she had asked me for an update about our adoption process. I was a little down and told her we had still not heard anything, but we anxiously were waiting for our referral. The ring in my phone seemed especially loud as I approached my office. I picked up my phone, only to her an energetic voice saying, "Did you see it?" It was Abbey and I had no clue what she was talking about. She told me to check my email. I did, and saw an email from our caseworker. I opened the email and saw, "Congratulations ..." I didn't bother to read anything else, I simply said, "I'm on my way," and I literally ran out of my door. I never leave my desk messy, but on this day it didn't matter. I came home and Abbey and I hurriedly opened our email. That's when our hearts were hooked and we knew that we were no longer two, but three. We were in love, and he was our son. Some may wonder how it could happen so quickly, and even I can't explain it, but can only credit it to lots of prayers and our Father's amazing grace. We literally LOVED our son from the very first second we laid eyes on him. Nothing could have stopped us for accepting our referral, because he was ours good and bad.


In the year that has passed since that wonderful day, so many things have happened. We have been physically united with our beautiful son, and each day with him creates in us more awe of the wonder of him. We call it a miracle and I know it is, it's a miracle that God made us a family.


Many people read our blog each day, and we would love to know what your first memory of Reed was and what you thought about him the first time you saw him. You may even want to include a special prayer for Reed.


And finally... A Reed Haiku

reed is my sweet son
he loves to sing, laugh, and play
we are very blessed






WE LOVE YOU REED!

Bathtime Fun!

Reed had an excellent day. He was so happy. He had a blast playing and took good naps. He even slept late this morning.

Tonight his teacher at church said, "He is such a joy!" She always lights up when Reed comes in the room and is so excited to see him.



When we got home from church tonight, Reed enjoyed some bathtime fun. He loves his new toys that were in his Easter basket.



For some reason, Reed does not like it when you pour water on his head, but he absolutely loves it when you splash it in his face. He was laughing and playing so hard in the tub.



Reed enjoyed a little duck while taking his bath.



Does this one remind anyone of anything?

Here's a reminder for those of you who have forgotten.

Reed at 6.5 months.




Reed's new reason to clap is when his mommy and daddy sing, "He's Got the Whole World In His Hands". He just loves that song.

Be sure to check tomorrow. I am planning a special tribute for our 1 year Reediversary since the referral.

Froggy Boy

Reed loves his new light/fan/sucker that Aunt Ava gave him. While we're not really encouraging Reed to have sweets, it doesn't really matter, because he is completely uninterested in the sucker on the bottom of the fan. It is definitely the light that he is interested in.



He knows how to turn it on when he presses the button, but what he can't understand is why when he spins it himself, it doesn't light up.



Reed was excited to get to see his old pal the vacuum.



This is scary! It didn't take long for Reed to find my credit cards!



I guess Reed really believes "it pays to discover!"

He was pretty interested in the cards in my wallet. Unfortunately for him, we don't really have many credit cards, so he won't be getting far.



I do have a wallet full of almost empty giftcards though. I have trouble remembering to use them.



"Daddy, your wallet tastes yummy!"



"You are kidding me!"



"I just can't quite reach this itch. Will you scratch my back?"

A Wright Nice Evening!

This morning, Reed slept until 7:30! That was a welcome sleep for Mommy who had stayed up late working on a writing assignment.

After breakfast, Reed thought that he needed to whisk something.



Reed has appointed himself the chairman of the neighborhood watch. He keeps an eye on our neighborhood from his window in the bonus room. Although most of our windows are taller than Reed, the window in the front of the bonus room is lower and is the perfect height for him to look out.

Today, the eagle-eyed watcher spotted an elderly couple looking at the house across the street which is on the market. Reed waved at them in order to make them feel safe and secure in our neighborhood.



Abbey made cupcakes for Reed's school tomorrow. They are having a belated Easter party.



Is there anything sweeter?



Tonight, we went to eat supper at the Wright's house. It was the first time that we have been able to go to their new house so we were excited. Reed was glad because he loves Hanna, Ashlyn, and Raleigh. He was also pretty happy to see Mr. Jeff and Mrs. Holly. An extra bonus was that Miss Jennifer was there too!



Raleigh had lots of toys like Reed, so Reed was thrilled to help her play with them.



Reed gave Raleigh a kiss. I don't think that Raleigh was prepared!



"Reed, I don't think that I am ready for a kiss just yet!"



Hanna is always so nice to Reed. Reed loves to get ot spend time with the Wright sisters.



Mr. Jeff let Reed play airplane and fly all over the room. Reed had a blast zooming all over the place.



Mr. Jeff did a double airplane with Reed and Raleigh.



After supper, and yes, before you ask, I wore my Easter outfit again today, I tried on Hanna's toe socks. They are pretty weird feeling.

Easter Celebration!

Here's the big surprise! Reed, Mommy, and I all dressed to match for church today. Reed and I had on identical outfits. We went to Gymboree on our date night a month or so ago and we saw this outfit. We looked up and saw a sign, "Dad Can Dress Like Son for Easter!" We had to go online to buy the matching shirt and vest, but it was well worth it.



Reed really loved getting to dress like his Daddy! Can't you tell?



One night, Reed, Abbey and I went to the mall to look for Abbey's outfit. We found this brown polka-dot dress and green jacket at JC Penny and it was the perfect complement to our attire.



I love the way that Abbey looks at Reed. There is so much love in that look.



Here's Reed and his buddy Lake with their Sunday School teacher, Mr. Robert.



The family picture. Don't worry, we have LOTS of pictures coming, but they were taken by Jodi (our photographer) and we haven't gotten them back yet.



When we got home, it was time for Reed to get look at his Easter Basket from Mommy and Daddy. We didn't get him too many toys, because he has plenty, but we did get him a couple of bathtime toys.

Reed wasn't really impressed by them, but he was impressed by fruit puffs.



After church, we had our new friends Danny and Meghan come over for a delicious lunch. Abbey really outdid herself with this meal. She fixed green beans, corn, twice baked potatoes, sweet potatoes, strawberry salad, and coconut cake. I contributed by buying a Honey Baked Ham.



Reed also got Easter Baskets from Lola and Pop Rox and Aunt Ava. He liked everything that he got for Easter, but we took today to start teaching him the real reason while we celebrate Easter! Christ is Risen!



Abbey fixed a little Easter happy for Danny and Meghan. I fixed up a little fresh flower arrangement for our centerpiece.



Abbey's coconut cake was beautiful and delicious.



We had an excellent Easter from Sunday School, to services, to lunch, and then resting.



Reed's outfit didn't fair so well through lunch, so we had to use some Shout action on it.



Tonight as I was getting ready to put Reed down for the night, Abbey had just given me his bottle and I asked her to pass me his blanket, however, I said "Will you give me my blankie?" We pretty much cracked up, because the funny thing is, I am pretty attached to blankets, but I don't usually refer to them as blankies, especially when they are my son's.

Happy Easter everyone! Teach your children the REAL reason why we celebrate! If you are not sure, email and we'd love to tell you about it!

Just in case you forgot, find out what we were doing last Easter, here.

Remember, we actually have a picture of Reed in his first Easter outfit, it came in our update that came on my birthday last July.