March of Dimes 2011

Last year was our first year to participate in March for Babies in memory of Aaron. We worked HARD to sell our team t-shirt and get ready for the big event (thank you so much, Christi!). And then it happened.



The rain. Never before had a March for Babies event been rained out in the Tri-County event's history! But it happened in 2010. Needless to say, we were a little let down.

HOWEVER. 2011 is a new year! We are working on our new tshirt and preparing for this year's walk on April 30th. Will you join us?

Birthday Balloons

Friday was a beautiful day for a birthday celebration. Don't you think? :)





Levi was a little disappointed that Mommy forgot birthday hats, but party horns and cupcakes from Gigi's made up for that little transgression. We let Levi send the balloons up to heaven for his brother, and the kids thought that was WAY cool. It was a beautiful celebration and I'm hopeful we can make it a yearly event.

Happy Birthday, Sweet Aaron...

What do we do when we miss you so much?



Tomorrow is such a hard day in our lives. There is so much remembering and longing for you. I would love to have you here to tousle your blond head. To see what you look like as a three year-old boy. To take you to Gigi's for a cupcake, or maybe to your party at Pump It Up. I dream of you sleeping on bunks with your brother and whispering and giggling at bedtime each night. Of hanging three stockings at Christmastime.

I know you're in Heaven and don't miss us at all. There is no sadness or longing there. And I know the pain from your surgeries is a distant memory. It helps to remember that, but my grief is still there.

Just this week while riding to school, Levi blurted out, “Mommy…Aaron can run really fast.” Startled, I turned down the radio and asked, “Who?” “Aaron,” he replied, and kept munching on his pop-tart. Who knows where that came from? Was it from a dream? Was it divinely inspired? Who cares. It was such a wonderful nugget of truth, especially this week.

So, what can we do to ease the grief? We will celebrate with cake and candles. We will visit your grave and take you new flowers and lights. Most importantly, we will speak your name and remember the gift of the short time we had you. We will smile when someone remembers your birthday and speaks your precious name to us. Why? Because our greatest fear is that you will be forgotten. Simply remembering you is such a precious gift that we long for as the years pass. May you never be forgotten, sweet birthday boy…

Happy Valentine's Day!

Every try to dress your kids up really cute to get a great holiday pic?





Yeah, me neither. :)

Okay, really I did. They didn't wind up being what I had in mind, but they were still cute. :)

Time Flies

When I first became a mother, people would tell me frequently, "Cherish these moments...it will fly by." Or, "you will blink and he'll be starting kindergarten." Well, it's not quite time for 5K, but it's really hard to believe this little fellow is almost four and a half.



This picture was taken at the Ronald McDonald House in New Jersey, about this time three years ago. Levi decided he would sit on the floor and "read" the Bible. He only knew a few words back then, but BOY, has that changed today!

Some interesting conversations have transpired lately. For example, last night I was putting some lotion on Levi after his bath while he brushed his teeth. He stopped brushing and asked in disgust, "MOMMY...IS THAT GIRL LOTION?" I laughed and told him NO, it wasn't. The other night, Scott was explaining to him how he has to work later this time of year b/c he's helping people with their taxes. Levi listened intently and asked, "You're helping people drive their TAXIS?" Hilarious. I look forward to years and years of fun chats with this guy!

Three Years Ago

Three years ago today, our family boarded an airplane headed for Pennsylvania. We had no idea the incredibly painful journey we had in store for us. I carried a baby boy in my belly that we never brought home.



I long for him every day.

Inside the Lines

Levi used to scribble everywhere. He wanted to use every color in the box on his artwork. Now he's learned to follow instructions and color inside the lines. He does a great job...most of the time. :)



I guess I'm kind of like him. Most of the time I try to stay inside the lines, but every now and then I disregard instruction and scribble, use the wrong colors and generally am disobedient. Isn't it great that God forgives us when we do that? :)