Misha, the first life I held. Not in my hands, but none the less held. The first to open my minds door of motherhood dreams. The first to be loved and lost. The first to see Jesus before me.
Lydia Grace, the first to stay. To be. To smile and giggle and give baby kisses. The one whose life daily attests to God’s grace and teaches me to let joy shimmer through every sorrow and wonder fill every everyday moment.
Jesse, my Jesse. My gift from God. Another one held, not in my hands, but in me. In my heart and one day in Glory.
Charlie, my sweet baby boy, your name means “free man,” and you are, free from death and free in the arms of Jesus.
Bethany Joy, a sweet, smiley soul who lives up to your name by bringing joy to your family. Another daily reminder of the miracle of life; to remember to hold each day as the gift that it is, resting in God’s arms while you rest in mine.
These are my children. I thank God for each of them. He gives, He takes away and I will bless His name. Nothing has taught me like they have (or rather like He has through them) that every life is a breath but that I can trust the One who breathes life into every living thing. He will breathe life again. Bodies and souls will reunite and He will make all things right. He will.
~MJ
Updated: October 11th, 2025
Reforming Joy 