Everything Under the Son

As our family tradition held true, we started today by celebrating Hope's life...all too short, but oh, so powerful! Natalie decorated her own balloon, and as you can see, did a fabulous job of writing her own name and drawing her face (complete with long eyelashes!) so that Hope would "know it was from me!" She also wanted to lead us in a round of "Happy Birthday", knowing Hope could hear us singing to her.


We will always hold Hope close to our hearts! It was truly a special time for our family...here are a couple of pictures of our time together...

In just a couple of days, our family will take time to celebrate a life. A life that was cut too short, and a life we greatly miss. Two years ago, I miscarried our second child. Though we never knew if the baby was a boy or a girl, we chose to name her Hope. We will do our traditional balloon release, and Natalie has already made some special requests. She wants Hope to definitely get another pink balloon, and she wants to include a drawing of herself and her name, so that "Hope will know it is from ME!".



Having begun the season of thankfulness, I will add to my LONG list how thankful I am that God blessed us with little Hope's life. Though we never knew her face, or held her body in our arms, I know she lived inside of me, and now lives in Heaven. God allowed us to be involved in the creation of a new soul who lives with Him forever, and for this I am truly thankful!



Instead of listing some things you should NOT say to someone grieving, I thought I would make a list of some things you should say! Words that do not hurt, but comfort.

Please say I love you. Please speak the baby's name aloud, acknowledging their precious life. Please remember the parents on Mother's Day/Father's Day, for they are forever the parents of that special life. Please give hugs, lots and lots of them. Please say that it is okay to cry...tears can be so healthy. Please know that it is okay to cry with us, and in front of us. It says to us that you loved our little one too, and that you miss them. Just Love, Love, Love, Love!




1 Corinthians 13:7


"Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."

It is hard to believe that it is already Thanksgiving. Besides the fact that it was something like 85 degrees here today, it was a great day. Time with family talking, laughing and of course eating. We decided this year we would have a Fajita Feast for Thanksgiving, and it was great! MUCH less prep time in the kitchen and a relatively easy clean-up allowed for more fun time!



I try to be thankful every day, taking note of the many blessings I have been given. But it is nice to stop on this day, and speak those things aloud with family. Acknowledging those gifts with each other is great. This year I have so many things to be grateful for. Here are just a few in no particular order...



1. A wonderful husband...God definitely knew exactly what I would need!

2. Natalie...she blesses be daily, and teaches me so much!

3. Levi...I am so thankful he is here, living and healthy! He is such a cutie pie!

4. Family and friends...just blessed beyond belief!

5. Church Family

6. Health...I am 4 1/2 years cancer free! Praise God for this wonderful blessing!

7. Menopause...I know it seems weird, but it is really not too bad! I think I am 'normal' now :)

8. Home...a cozy place to serve my family!

9. Jesus...the greatest gift of all! He gives me HOPE!




Give thanks! Blessings...

It is hard to believe that it is already Thanksgiving. Besides the fact that it was something like 85 degrees here today, it was a great day. Time with family talking, laughing and of course eating. We decided this year we would have a Fajita Feast for Thanksgiving, and it was great! MUCH less prep time in the kitchen and a relatively easy clean-up allowed for more fun time!

I try to be thankful every day, taking note of the many blessings I have been given. But it is nice to stop on this day, and speak those things aloud with family. Acknowledging those gifts with each other is great. This year I have so many things to be grateful for. Here are just a few in no particular order...

1. A wonderful husband...God definitely knew exactly what I would need!
2. Natalie...she blesses be daily, and teaches me so much!
3. Levi...I am so thankful he is here, living and healthy! He is such a cutie pie!
4. Family and friends...just blessed beyond belief!
5. Church Family
6. Health...I am 4 1/2 years cancer free! Praise God for this wonderful blessing!
7. Menopause...I know it seems weird, but it is really not too bad! I think I am 'normal' now :)
8. Home...a cozy place to serve my family!
9. Jesus...the greatest gift of all! He gives me HOPE!


Give thanks! Blessings...

Yep...I am officially addicted to Gray's Anatomy. I did not think that I would be so into this show, but I am. If I am not going to be home, I insist that we tape it so I can watch it later. I am guilty of watching it and then watching the recorded version so I can pick up on all the little things I missed the first time.

Tonight's episode was another good one, but VERY hard for me to watch. If you watched it, and you know our story, you know exactly what I am talking about. The precious young couple who had to give birth to their stillborn child. It hit so close to my heart, and brought back so much emotion. My heart hurt for this couple, and for the doctors as they had to tell them the news. Tears flowed as I watched her give birth and grieve such loss...I know the great pain. I can remember so much, so clearly. Hearing the news, laboring, delivery, and oh, the tears that flowed...I will never, ever forget.

Not a day goes by that I do not miss my Carson, I think of him always. Not a day goes by that Natalie does not talk of her brother..."He lives in Heaven with Jesus." I carry him in my heart, and cannot wait to see that face again in Heaven...to hold him and breathe him in. Until then, I will love him from this earth, and dream of Heaven and all that awaits me, and even cry sometimes. It's okay to cry...we still do.

God is good, and He is caring for my sweet one until I am home...home with Him forever!