Diggin' in the Dirt

Hello-

Not much going on here, just lots of planting and playing in the dirt. I'm staying busy and enjoying the sun.

This last weekend I helped a friend take team photos at a golf tournament that she and her husband put on with support from our community. They do the event in memory of their boy Matthew David Long who died after 7 weeks of life. He was born with Down Syndrome and had a weak heart that required intensive surgery. It was beautiful to be apart of their day that they spend every year raising support for other families that find themselves in similar shoes, but it was beautiful to be in the sun, with 30 golfing teams playing in memory of my friends son. Of course we would never ask, or want the course to have gone this way, but there are days when all seems right.

Thank you Jen and Mike for your beautiful lives, and for opening your hearts to those around you. May God bless you richly.

Mothers Day and Other Things

Once again I've slacked off with my blogging...When the weather is nice you have to take advantage of it and be outside! I haven't gone far, just to my yard, but I've been spending hours outside working and I'm loving it! Here a few things we've been up to...

A chicken coop for our lovely ladies...




Some gardening and flower beds...




Of course some playing... in the yard


...and at my brothers baseball game.


Have I ever said how much I love dogs?



-Mothers Day-
Sunday we spent the whole day working outside. It was really a therapeutic way to end a hectic week. I think digging in the dirt was also the perfect way to spend my first Mothers Day without our boys. I had lots of time to think to myself and to use up some energy. I will admit that throughout the day some tears did fill my eyes. I'm sure there will always be days throughout the rest of my years that a few tears will find their way to my cheeks. At first I was thinking about how I am a mother without children to nurture; but then I started to think of all the children, local and abroad that have no mother to nurture them. Then a few more tears slipped out. It is overwhelming to think of the orphan in his lonely state. For I know what it is like to be a mother without a child, but never have I been a child without a mother.


One night last week we needed to get out of the neighborhood for some fresh scenery. So we took a drive out to Philips lake and watch the light leave the sky. It was a perect end to the day.

Dear Friends

My Friends, what a beautiful day. The sun has shown her beauty! At times I can't help but think what a long winter it was, not only for our circumstances, but the weather was also less than lovely.

Today I wanted to post in gratitude to you. I (and we) would not be where we are today if it were not for the gracious love you have showered down upon us. Again and again, over and over you have loved us. Your prayers whispered for us and your hugs given to us, thank you. There is great healing in knowing you have been here with us. I know there are many of you who I haven't had the chance to meet, but thank you for the moments you spent with us in mind. Thank you.

May we learn from you how to comfort one another in need.

A Tale of Two Tiny Twins

Today an article came out in the Baker City Herald about our journey through the loss of our boys. (Here's the article if you'd like to read it. http://www.bakercityherald.com/Local-News/A-Tale-of-Two-Tiny-Twins.) At 23 weeks in my pregnancy they were born prematurely because of the development of Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome. (For more about this disease of the placenta visit tttsfoundation.org) The article was done to correspond with this weekends March for Babies here in Baker City. March for Dimes Foundation works towards research and education to further healthy pregnancies.

Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep

A photo done by Allen Ansel a NILMDTS photographer
My hands with both boys

"Pregnancy: The state of being with child. [British Medical Dictionary] The beginning of a parent's hopes and dreams. The anticipation of the pitter patter of tiny little feet. A family being born unto each other. No parent ever expects their dream to shatter. But sadly, sometimes this dream can turn into a nightmare.

Each year nearly 3.3 million babies are stillborn, and more than 4 million others die within 28 days of coming into the world. [World Health Organization] With advanced medical technology, it is a parents expectation that those born unto us will out live us. When a baby dies, it is outside the natural order of life and families are left devastated and forever changed.

Every living being instinctually knows how to grieve. It is learning how to heal, that some need help with. Offering gentle and beautiful photography services in a compassionate and sensitive manner is the heart of the Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Foundation.

Remembrance Photography is a very important step in this healing process. Photographs are one of the most precious and tangible mementos that a parent can have, showing the love and bond that was given and shared with their baby. These portraits will last for generations, and will honor and remember a tiny life that is forever loved and cherished."

I wanted to share this with all of you. I took this off of NILMDTS website. A wonderful photographer, Allen Ansel, came late on call that Saturday night back in December to be an angel to our family as we now have pictures to cherish forever. Be sure and have tissue handy if you check out their website www.nilmdts.com . What a beautiful tribute to all the short precious lives that have touched many.