4 years old!

A blog to Ansley:

I can hardly believe you are four now!  I just stare at you sometimes and I am amazed at how incredible you are.  Beautiful, smart, and so loving -- You must get that from your father. ;)  I just wanted to be sentimental sense we only have a few more months of being the Reed family of three.

Your first birthday will never be forgotten because the night before there was a tornado in Clovis.  We were having your party at the youth building and hoping it would still be standing so that we could celebrate your first year of life.  Sometime soon after your first birthday we were inside while your dad was mowing.  He had found a tiny little turtle and brought it in for you to see and placed it in a box.  I don't remember if I knew this information before I walked in a saw you with a turtle in your mouth but none the less I let out a shrill that had your father thinking you were dying or something.  Praise the Lord it was just the turtle but I was extremely freaked out that you had put it in your mouth.

Your second year (07) was so fun because you were learning to communicate back to us.  You also learned to sing songs which is still one of my favorite things to hear from you.  We moved that year and you were such a flexible, happy girl no matter what we were doing.  On the road for hours, making lots of short overnight visits, living with friends for a while, and finally settling into a new home.  I praise God for how well you handled all that transition because kids love routine, but what a blessing you were to your stressed out mom who didn't handle all the change near as well as you did.

Year three (08) was extremely funny and extremely challenging.  You were such a good talker and would say the greatest things that always made us smile.  You were also potty trained during the third year which made this time of my life a huge "chance for growth" and "character development".  I am looking forward to having you around to help me with this task for the next baby girl!  :)

Finally, this past year (09) has been so great because I feel like you will begin to remember things we've done now for the rest of your life.  Because you've grown up and matured we get to do lots of fun things with you.  You also play pretend a lot now, which is such a sweet thing to see your creative mind at work.  You have become very efficient at doing things for yourself.  I'm just so proud that you can dress and undress yourself shoes and all, brush your teeth all by yourself, and you've even started learning to read.

You are such a blessing and I thank God for you everyday.  I love you Ansley Grace! (born March 24, 2006)

Come praise the Lord with me!

The prayers of a righteous man are powerful and effective. James 5:16b

I know I've heard the verse a million times, but God is just showing me the truth of it over and over recently.  Not only am I seeing this personally in my life, but also in the lives of others as men and women join together, sometimes from all over the globe, and pray.  Should I be surprised?  Our God is a good God and He loves the prayers of His children.  I guess, I just feel so blessed to witness his mighty power so much.  There was a time, probably about 6 months ago, when I was talking to God and I just said, I know you are God and if you want to be silent then I am going to keep trusting you, but I feel like I've prayed and seen nothing.  If you see fit, please make me aware of when you answer my prayers.  I tell you what, I never expected that He would answer that prayer so obviously.  I just wanted to publicly give Him thanks for blessing me with answered prayers, and give Him praise for being such an awesome God.  That verse in James would still be as true as ever had God decided not to respond the way He did in my life, but I am so grateful for the glimpse of His glory!  I've got to go get my child from MDO, but to give you a short list of answered prayers...
- The Godwin family and Isaac waking up from a 2 week + coma 
- Providing financially for our family and the fact that we are expecting a new baby in July and were able to get pregnant
- Easing my worry over the babies development and the physical pain I've been struggling with this pregnancy
- Restoring a marriage of people we love that was very near ending
- The spreading of God's glory and fame through the situation Matt Chandler's walking through
Obviously I could keep on listing, but you get the idea.  "The Lord has done great things for us.  And we are filled with joy!"

It's a girl!

So, it's been a month since I've posted.  I guess I just haven't felt inspired lately.  However, we went to the doctor yesterday for our sonogram.  It ended up being a nice day but we had snow the day before which almost caused us to re-schedule the appointment.  It was at 8AM which a little early in the Reed household considering thats usually when I get out of bed.  I made it that early so Ansley wouldn't miss the whole day of MDO because I really wanted her to go with us and see the baby.  Ironically, she didn't have school because it was canceled due to the weather.  It turned out to be a good thing she was home all day.  We got there about 20 minutes early, per doctors request.  I will say we did start 2 minutes before 8:00 though.  This hospital is just extremely thorough in their picture and measurement taking and we didn't leave until 9:45.  Thats right, an hour and 45 minutes.  I was starving by the time we left because we had planned on eating breakfast after the appointment.  I did have a banana and a big glass of OJ before so it's not like I hadn't had anything.  Needless to say we were all three ready to go by the time it was over.  We girls had to have a potty break before we left the hospital and so I took the chance to let Ansley know that it was really special to me that she was there with me to see the baby.  Her response was, well, I didn't like it.  I took a really long time.  Which it did, so in a three year old world I guess I should appreciate the gesture at least. HA :)  We went to Cracker Barrel when we were done and had a good breakfast together.  I did embarrass Jay because I had the hostess take our picture while I held up the sonogram photos (top photo).  It was a special day for me, I wanted a photo.  It turned out really cute by the way!  Enjoy the pics.

She is sucking her thumb...aww

Isn't she sweet

Up close and personal

       Today the Reed family drove about an hour to visit a drive through zoo.  It's just NW of Copperas Cove.  We left the house and it was a nice 63 degrees outside with sun peaking through the clouds every now and then.  We stopped to eat lunch in Killeen at Fuddruckers, which was right next door to Chuck E Cheese. Ansley thought we drove all that way to eat at Chuck E Cheese and was a little sad that we weren't.  However, to be honest, I was expecting a huge fuss about not eating there and she pretty much got over it right away.  I think it helped that up on the roof there was a fake owl so scare other birds away, but she thought it was real.  We had to choose a table that allowed her to look out the window and watch the owl.  Anyway, by the time we got to the zoo thing it was cool, windy, and sprinkling.  We didn't let that spoil our fun though.

       When we first got there we walked around to see the animals that were out in front of the drive through path.  We saw a couple monkeys, cougars, goats, kangaroos, and a black bear.  Then we got in the car with our paper bag of animal food and headed down the drive through.  Of course I brought my camera, and of course the battery was dead.  Towards the end of the trail I took some pics with Jay's cell phone that came out ok.  Well see how well they post here.  There were lots of emus and all kinds of goats and deer.  Ansley's favorites were the ponies.  Anyone who knows my child would have guessed that.  The zebra were really pretty and it was cool to see them up close and personal.  At the end of the trail were the really big animals.

A camel (left) decided to stick it's huge head (and half its neck) through my window and try to steal the whole bag of food.  Apparently he thought the couple of pieces in my hand that was stuck out the window was insufficient.  Jay really liked the yak looking things (above right and very top).  But the show stopper were these cow kind of animals that had really HUGE horns.  I mean they were so big the poor animal couldn't even hold it's head up.  In the pic we took it looks like he is charging our car. (bottom right)  It wasn't quite that dramatic but its horn did run into my window while the camels were trying to shoo the cows away.

       I have been told that I went to a similar place called Arbuckle Wilderness (also lovingly known as Buckle Willis's at the Selman house) when I was a kid, but I do not remember that experience.  This made today all the more exciting for me.  I thought the animals would be scared to come to the car unless you showed them the food.  I guess of few of them were but for the most part these animals were relentless and persistent in their quest for food.  It was a good day for my animal loving daughter.  I hope that she remembers more from her trip than I do from the trip I had back in the day.   If you want to see this place check out www.topseyexoticranch.com 

6 years

       I have been married to my love and best friend for 6 years on Jan. 3rd.  I could not consider myself more blessed to journey through life with him.  I admire his patience, I am amazed at his knowledge, and am comforted by his love.  He gives so much for me and Ansley and I hope he knows that none of it is taken for granted.  I love you so much, Jay and thank you for being my partner in everything.  Here is a picture montage of our years together.
                       Sigma Alpha Formal March 02 The start of something good

Our parents meet I think this was HSU homecoming Oct 02

Date to the fair 02

The night we got engaged Feb. 12 2003

Engagement Pic in May maybe or Aug? :)  03

The wedding Jan 3 2004

Honeymoon Jan 2003

Winter Park Ski Trip Nov 03

Mexico Mission Trip June 04

Cruise Sept 05

Christmas 05 (about 6 mnths pregnant)

Ansley's 1 month photos April 2006

During Ansley's 6 month photos Sept 06

Valentine's banquet Feb 2007

Christmas card pic Nov 2007

Carrie Underwood concert Oct 2008

Photo taken by Ansley Thanksgiving 2009

I'm looking forward to many more years and photos!  Happy 6th Anniversary Jay, I love you.

Just what I needed

       Well, the holiday season is coming to a close and secretly I am relieved. :)  This past week was a crazy one, but that will make it a Christmas I am not soon to forget.  First of all we left all our presents at the house so no one has received a gift from us yet.  But I'm trying to move on past that frustration so next, it almost never snows in Wichita Falls.  If it does it rarely sticks and accumulates but this Christmas Eve was a SNOWY one.  I think they got 8-10 inches of snow.  Therefore, traveling was a huge hazard and even impossible at some points.  They closed the highway between my parents house and my Nanny's house so I didn't get to see the family like I have done for the past 27 Christmas Eve's.  Driving to Clovis took a really long time too, but what can you do but just try to be patient and pray for safety.  Which God obviously graced us with since I am here to tell the story. :)  Despite all that it was a nice Christmas week, exhausting YES but all things considered it was good.
     To change the subject totally, last night I was thinking a lot about how much this new baby is going to cost.  I got the first bill in the mail for the blood work they do on the very first appointment.  Our insurance was better when we had Ansley, not to mention we didn't pay for insurance because our church did.  Anyway, I started feeling very overwhelmed and I said to the Lord.  I know you are God in Heaven and own the cattle on a thousand hills, but I am here in Taylor Texas wondering how this is all gonna work out.  Guess what He did today!  In my time with him it was all about God's providence, which was defined as God's provision for people's needs.  I mean what kind of timing was that?!  One of the verses from the lesson that I decided to claim during this time of change in our lives is  Phil. 4:19.  It says, "And my God is able to meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus."  AMEN!
       Now, for a cute Ansley story.  Yesterday we were watching one of the Hermie videos that Jay's parents got her for Christmas.  The catepillars were praying to God and God spoke back.  Ansley said, "I didn't know God could talk.  I can't hear him....see."  I told her about how we can't actually hear God, but he speaks to us.  He speaks to us through the bible, and in our hearts.  I told her you know the feeling in your heart when you know right from wrong, that is God speaking to you, and that God could also speak to us through things other people say to us sometimes.  Then she somehow starting talking about Jesus.  She said that one time she went to her grandpa's house (the stories about "grandpa" is a whole other story) and Jesus was there.  I said, "REALLY!" She said, "Yes, he was REALLY there."  I told her if Jesus came back he better take me with him as I kinda laughed.  She said. "You were there too, Mom."  HA!  Oh good, I wouldn't have wanted to miss that.  :)    She is so silly.  Right now she is taking a nap and she got her bible out and put it in bed with her.  She said, "I need my bible so I can read about Jesus."  I said, "good idea!"  :)  That little three year old mind sure is entertaining.

       This one and the one up top is from the WF Blizzard of 09 :)

That CVS card from a couple weeks ago

       Back when Ansley had pink eye I took her prescription to CVS, remember, to get the free $25 gift card.  So now I should tell the world, because I promised, the story about that.  When I got the card I used it immediately on toothpaste, crest Pro Health to be specific, and a pregnancy test.  Jay and I had been trying for a while to have another kid, but we really were happy with just the one we had.  It had been a year but we said we would give it until the end of 09 to make any further decisions on the subject.  I was late, but for some reason I always feel like there is no way I'm pregnant.  I remember feeling that way the first time too.  But sure enough I got home and took the test to find a positive result.  I was excited but still felt like, well, ok, what do I do now? HA! That was right before Thanksgiving and we weren't going to tell anyone until Christmas, but obviously that didn't work out.  :)  It is hard to keep good news to yourself.
       We wanted to tell Ansley first so she would know what everyone was talking about.  She is also the one who told my parents and Jay's parents.  I think she is ok with the idea, but sometimes I think she is not so sure about all this new baby stuff.  She is pretty funny though.  She asked if we could call the baby coconut the other day.  We told her that could be her nickname for the baby.  I was feeling kinda sick one day and she asked why.  I told her when mommies have babies in their bellies it makes them feel a little sick sometimes.  She said, "Then take it out".  HA!  Just this morning she asked me if the baby was still in there.  When I said yes she said the baby must not be done growing yet.  :)  RIGHT!
       I am about 9 weeks now so I still have a long way to go.  To Ansley the end of July is like an eternity away.  This pregnancy so far has been very different from the first one.  With Ansley I didn't feel sick at all, expect for one day I took my vitamin without eating first.  But this past week I have had a lot of sickness.  Mostly, just the feeling not actually getting sick, thank goodness.  Jay, Ansley, and I are very excited about the new member of the family and would love to be remembered in your prayers during this transition time in our lives.  I'm sure there will be lots more baby Reed news in the future.