Our unsung hero

I have thought over and over how the "true hero" of this whole experience has been our sweet Reagan Ashley. All of our lives were effected in some way. We all experienced hardships of different kinds. But....the one that stands out most is little Reagan. She was young enough to easily adapt in every situation, and yet old enough to know something very wrong was happening to her family. I can remember a time it was just she and I driving, and she began asking questions while tears flooded her eyes. My mom recounts a similar instance in which she cried and expressed how much she missed her brother. She has had to go through SO much this year. Not necessarily more than any of the rest of us....just different. She is at a difficult age. Doesn't know everything....but enough. Not only was much attention drawn to a new baby, but also another brother very sick in the hospital. I felt so many times like she was the one getting put on the back burner. Not intentionally. The other 2 just demanded more of us. I had to be away from her way too many weeks. Reagan may not be able to express in words what she has gone through, nor really understand it herself. But our prayer is that the Lord would use this experience to make her stronger. That it will always be in her heart, regardless how old she gets.

For Christmas Reagan asked for an American Girl. Long story.......but we finally were able to go get her doll last night. It was a special time just the two of us. She was so gitty. Poor Reagan has been waiting patiently this whole month. She told my mom a few days ago that she was SO excited about getting her new doll, but didn't want to "bother" either of us with it because she knew we were so busy unpacking. About broke my heart. So, we decided she had waited long enough. We drove into Dallas and went to "the" American Girl store. There are only 5-6 in the US, so this was a big deal. You would have thought we pulled up to Disney World! She searched and searched and finally found just the perfect doll. She wanted to find one that looked just like her! I think she succeeded. After we shopped, we went upstairs to the "Bistro" and had a wonderful dinner and dessert. They even have special chairs for the dolls to sit in. Too cute! Then, we walked through the Galleria and just had a fun Girls' Night Out.

I love this little girl so much. She brings me incredible joy, and I am humbled and honored I get to be her Mommy. Thank you God for this indescribable gift!




finally found the perfect one!


Reagan and "Tory"


Having fun at dinner


The Bobsy Twins