First Day of First Grade!

Can't believe we have a first grader!  He had a great first day in Ms. Hicks' class

 and mommy was excited to see him run off the bus just like he did last year!  :)

 

50!

This good looking couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on March 16th.  Very glad we got to celebrate with them, along with special family and friends!

5 Balloons

It hardly seems like 5 years since you were born.  I remember everything about that day so vividly.  Scott was up in Philly for my dr. appt after a weekend visit.  We had all gone into the city in our little rented Ford Focus from Camden, NJ where we were staying.  Everyone hung out at CHOP while I had my appt at HUP next door.  Levi was about 15 months old and just loved all the toys downstairs at CHOP and playing in the kids' play area on the Cardiac Unit floor.  We always enjoyed our cafeteria visit where the sights and sounds were so different than what we were used to in MS.  Scott and I always had a sushi roll and Levi shared a yogurt cup with Nanni.  Some things never change.

 

It was so surprising when they told me we should have you that day.  It was only my 38th week.  Seems my fluid was low and they thought it best.  I called your daddy and panic set in as flights were cancelled, Nanni and Levi were taken back to the Ronald McDonald House and phone calls for prayers were solicited.  I waited patiently for my overnight bag to arrive and my iv to be placed. 

 

Hours passed and epidurals were missed until you were all ready to come.  I was scared you would be sick and would need immediate surgery. But you surprised us all.  Daddy made phone calls while jumping in a sterile suit as they wheeled us to the delivery room.  A few short minutes later, you were here.  Screaming and healthy-looking and blissfully beautiful.  You were so perfect.

 

But you're still not here.  And as always, I'm sad.  I could say all the usual things about how I'd much rather you be here, partying with us and going to bed in a room with your older brother.  Doing all those things that new 5 year olds do.  But I won't.  Because I'm glad we had you for a while.  And glad you live where we will one day see you again in perfect, joyful peace.

 

The Train

Almost every year on his birthday, Aaron is really good about making sure a train comes by while we're visiting his grave to bring him flowers and balloons. 

 

 

The kids really love it.  And we do, too.  :)

Let's Do This!

Friends, the paypal button is live for placing your orders for Brick Street 5K shirts for Team Aaron's Heart.  We are so excited to have the opportunity to honor Aaron's memory and raise much-needed funds for Savannah Smiles.  I can't wait to see a sea of beautiful shirts running and walking in memory of Savannah, Magdalena and Aaron on April 20th!  I say all this to say...it's not about the shirts. 

What?

No, it's really not.

If you would love to help out this worthy cause, there are many ways you can do so.  WITHOUT cluttering your closet with another shirt!  First, feel free to make a tax-deductible donation to Savannah Smiles and learn more about the charity here.  http://www.savannah-smiles.org/  Secondly, if you're a runner or walker, simply show up on April 20th in Clinton at the Brick Street 5K.  All profits from the race will be donated to Savannah Smiles!  Finally, if you just love our design (it really IS super cute), go ahead and buy the shirt.  We love it, too.  :)  And all the profits from shirt sales will go to Savannah Smiles as well!

Aaron's Heart in 2013

Almost 5 years ago, Scott and I were thrown into the devastating task of planning a funeral for our son in a matter of hours, a thousand miles from home.  Even though we were stricken by insurmountable grief, we managed to plan a beautiful memorial service to honor our son.

 

Folks, it was really, REALLY hard.  And though it's standard in the industry that parents only pay "cost" for their child's funeral, it was still very costly.  Though I hadn't worked in over two months, through donations of friends/family and our savings, we were able to pay for Aaron's funeral without breaking our family financially.  That isn't always the case.

 

Enter Savannah Smiles.  http://savannah-smiles.org/

 

A few days after Aaron's memorial service, we received a lovely note in the mail from Jennifer Scharfenstein of Savannah Smiles, along with a monetary donation to help cover the cost of the funeral.  She sent us a devotional book and other materials on grief that were such a blessing at the time. She walked beside us in our grief journey and helped support us in ways no one else could--as a sister who was walking the same path...just a few steps ahead.

 

Savannah Smiles continues to reach out to grieving families by helping cover the cost of final expenses of children and by providing materials on grief and healing to sad families.  It's a beautiful ministry borne out of the loss of the Scharfenstein's daughter, Savannah.  Because this ministry is so dear to our heart, we decide to support Savannah Smiles as our 2013 fundraiser in memory of Aaron.

 

There are many ways to help.  First, one may visit the website to learn about Savannah Smiles and make a monetary donation therein.   Secondly, we are teaming up with Magdalena's Feet and the Brick Street 5K this year, as they raise money for Savannah Smiles at the April 20th race in Clinton.  If you are interested in running or walking, all the profits from your registration will go to support Savannah Smiles (search Brick Street-Magdalena's 5K race on FB).  Thirdly, we have decided to sell tshirts for Team Aaron's Heart to wear at the Brick Street race (or any time!).  Below is the proof of the back and front of our shirt...

 

 

 

Shirts will be $16 this year, or $20 if you'd like yours mailed.  I'll be setting up a paypal link soon for those of you who wish to purchase a shirt that way.  Feel free to email me at faith.hill.ms@gmail.com with any questions.  :)  We thank all of you for your support of Team Aaron's Heart and Savannah Smiles!

 

P.S.  We have loved supporting the March of Dimes for the past 3 years and will continue to do so through personal donation, but will not field a team this year.  We just felt led to give back to Savannah Smiles and help support those who may be walking a journey through grief...just a few steps behind us.

3?

It doesn't seem possible that this little person...

 

 

...has turned into THIS little person.  A doll-holding, Hello Kitty and Dora-loving 3 year old little girl!  When did it happen?

 

 

95% sweetheart and 5% insane, tempermental, hormonal GIRL CHILD.

 

 

I guess we'll keep her.  :)  We love you, Shiloh!

A Sad Day

I'm having one today.  Longing for the son I lost.  Sometimes that happens.  Rainy days.  Days in January when I remember being pregnant with him and flying to Philly on Super Sunday to await his birth.  Days when I remember all those little moments with him in the Ronald McDonald House.  When I didn't know those were the only days I would have. 

 

So many memories wrapped up in that little room with the boat beds and seashells painted on the wall.  Three twin beds and a queen, and a crib they moved in for Levi.  A little yellow bassinett when Aaron came along.  Our room was next to the tv room (there were no tvs in the guests rooms) and sometimes it was loud with sounds from spanish language television or cartoons.  There was one computer on a table down the hall and it was often occupied.  There was a laundry room with the first front-load washers and driers I had ever seen.  These are some of my memories.

 

I long for him..my little son.  And I treasure each memory.  Remember to cherish each moment with your family.  You never know how long you may have with them.