A Mother of Angels

After you passed away a friend of a family member sent us this poem by Julianne Heywood. Although our stories are different, they too lost a son. 

As I was cleaning today I stumbled upon it and wanted to share it with you and your sisters. 

There are all sorts of Mothers all over the earth

All are different and special and of immeasurable worth 

There are mothers of girls and mothers of boys 

Some that are frantic and some filled with poise

There are mothers who give birth and mothers who don't

Mothers who nurse and mothers who won't 

There are mothers of twins and mothers of one 

There are mothers that want more and some that are done 

All mothers are special and have love in their heart 

But you have been chosen for a particular part 

A mother of angels is so strong and good 

That father in heaven knew that you could...

Give him your baby without knowing why Only that God has a plan from on high 

A mother of angels there's a treasure unseen 

Little spirits are waiting perfectly clean 

For their mothers of angels to come home someday 

And hold them close in a mother's sweet way 

But between now and then until your baby you'll see

A Mother of Angels you will be

About a month ago a dear friends' mother saw this and knew it was meant for my wrist! I love it. Especially in light of that beautiful poem. 

I love you, Caleb. 

Xoxo

Mom

Felt for Eternity

There have been a lot of things on my mind and heart lately. From wishing there were more words in the English language to the topics of faith and miracles, I have been deep in thought and want to share some of those with you. 

The reason I have thought so much about the English language is because I believe it is lacking in a significant way. I don't feel like there are words that are adequate enough in expressing the gratitude I feel for so many people that have loved, served and prayed for our family throughout the past year and a half. 

What do i say to people that provided meals for months while I was in the hospital and cleaned my house when I couldn't? What do I say to the medical staff that cared for my baby each and every day in such a loving way? What do I say to friends that watched my children daily while I couldn't care for them and my husband had to be at work? What do I say to my husband for selflessly working day in and day out as mom and dad while providing strength to me on a daily basis? What do I say to family that flies in to be there for me and my family and give me strength and love continually? What do I say to people I have never met that send encouraging messages and care so much about me and my family? What do I say to people that anonymously donated money to help pay for my sweet baby's funeral? What do I say to people that shower us with gifts for our sixth baby? What do I say to people that do such selfless and loving things? Because thank you or thank you so much don't even scratch the surface. Grateful doesn't either. I wish there were words that we could use only when we need to express such deep and loving thanks. When I say thank you I feel like a very small portion of my heart is used. The sincerity and depth of love and gratitude I feel for each and every one of those people spans the widest and deepest of oceans.  It reaches the ends of the earth and touches heaven. The gratitude I have will be felt for eternity. 

I love you sweet boy. All the way to heaven and back. 

Xoxo

Mom 

Rockwall Shower

My sweet friends Jacqueline, Jennifer and Ali threw us a shower for the Rockwall friends.  It was beyond sweet and just as the one in Sunnyvale, everything was above and beyond.

Here is the entrance, I was terrible at the pin game. Audrey tricked me and took my pin pretty quick. Everyone signed in and wrote down their predictions for Lexie's weight and height. 

Jacqueline found these adorable ideas for party thank you's. They were darling and said, "Thank you for celebrating Alexis Grace, we can't wait to kiss her sweet little face."
They had lip balm as the belly!

The decorations were so so darling. I love seeing the colors of the nursery throughout.

Jacqueline had the idea to have people bring a book with a hand written note in it to get a library going for Alexis. By the end of the shower we had a few dozen books and we are so excited to read them to your sister!

We played a game similar to one on the Price is Right where they guess the prices for the items. 

It was super fun and very fitting because something you may not know about me is that when I was little I was pretty much obsessed with the game show. In fact, a few times when I was in first or second grade I spun around in my living room as fast as I could so that I got really dizzy. Because I was dizzy I would inevitably feel sick to my stomach and like I was going to throw up. At the exact moment I felt sick I would tell Gram that I wasn't feeling well and lie on the couch. I'd stay home and do what you ask? Watch the Price is Right. 

Here are all the goodies at the shower. Everything was amazing and yummy and so much went into everything. Miss Ali made all those crepe paper balls that look so darling. And I love the sign, "We love you already Alexis Grace."

I wish I had a better picture of the cakes in the back that Jennifer brought. They were gorgeous and soooo yummy. She also did the invitations that were adorable.

 Since I didn't take pictures of all our friends at the Sunnyvale shower I made sure to snap a few pictures this time. 

 So many people came to celebrate Lexie's arrival.

 I was in awe at how many came.

Here is a picture of Jacqueline and Jennifer. Poor Ali had sick kids and was coming down with something herself and had to stay home. She was so sweet to take so much time preparing for things with these other 2 sweet ladies. We are blessed with so many wonderful people in our lives. Love these women, so very much.

Unfortunately I didn't have someone snap pictures on my camera of the girls opening gifts, I'll have to get copies of those. The girls were so excited and they ate it up.

 After opening the gifts, here was everything we were showered with. 

Talk about love and kindness.

 And here are a bunch of the clothes we will hopefully get to dress Alexis in. Things are looking great, she is healthy and strong and I'm early term now. But I know how quickly things can change and get anxious at times. I am grateful for a loving Savior that still provides me with strength on a daily basis. His love is never ending and so unconditional. 

I told Daddy I feel guilty and spoiled. I feel guilty about having showers and being given so many gifts. There are so many people that love our family that wanted to do them for us. So many people ready to come party with us and show more love and support. My cup runneth over.

Thank you to every single person that threw us the 2 showers. Thank you to every person that came to a shower. Thank you to every person that dropped by or met up with me to tell me they missed coming. Thank you to every person that continue to love and support us throughout everything. Thank you to every person I have never met that reads our blog and follows our story. Thank you to every person that prayed and still prays for our family.  

We love and appreciate every one of you so deeply.

Well, Caleb. I had 2 rockin showers and spent 2 awesome Saturday's with incredible friends that feel like family. Goodness we are lucky and blessed to have so many in our lives (that were at the showers or not) that provide us with continued love and support. People are simply amazing. As are you, my son. We are so blessed to have you as part of our family. 

I thank our Heavenly Father for you every day.

Love you, mister mister.

xoxo

Mom

Valentine

Happy Valentine's Day, sweet angel. 

We love you more than words can express. 

Lots and lots and lots of hugs and kisses,

Mom

Sunnyvale Shower

The girls were so excited to come to the shower with me to celebrate your sweet baby sister. They love things like this and were screaming when I told them they could come.

The decorations Cindy made were amazing. Seriously, she out did herself. Everyone did such a fabulous job. The decor, food, and dessert were so fabulous!

Such a cute display with little take home bags. Love the colors and all the little touches.

The three hostesses. Love these girls so very much. There are no words.

Here is a pic of me with your sissies.

The girls loved holding all the babies at the shower. This is Tate...he is your NICU friend. So happy I could see so many of your friends from the NICU and their amazing mammas! I'm just bummed I only snapped a couple pictures. I didn't get any of the friends that came. :( 

There were friends from undergrad, law school, NICU, church and more. One sweet friend drove three hours from Longview!!! Boy did we feel the love.

Here is Julia holding baby Isabella who is five weeks old. Julia was just eating it up!

Your sisters were so fun to watch and hear opening gifts. Most people said the best part about the shower was watching them scream and ooh and aah.

There were so many gifts. Such love and thought went into them and I was surprised my emotions stayed in check.

Love these three.

Honestly I felt and still feel so incredibly spoiled. The second Auntie Cindy found out I was pregnant she was calling dibs on throwing a shower. After Julia we got rid of everything because we thought she was our last. But then you came to our family and made such an impact on each of our lives. Then we just got the biggest surprise ever with your baby sister. So we were pretty much starting from square one. Oh how grateful we are to have so many friends and people on this journey with us. After the shower I came home and my emotions caught up with me. I had a good cry. We were waiting until you got closer to coming home to have a shower for you. At times it seemed it was just around the corner and at others I wondered if we would ever have one for you. Oh how I wish things could have been different. That you were home with us laughing at your sisters, running away from them with their american girl doll toys and being picked up everytime you started even wimpering. But God had a different plan for you. I know you're with Him fulfilling that plan. I sure love you, Caleb. I'm so tremendously proud of you and honored to be chosen as your mother. 

I miss you every day. My heart will never be the same. But I wouldn't have it any other way because you are ours forever. 

We are oh so blessed. 

Xoxo

Mom 

So so spoiled!

Well mister, not only did I have friends throw one amazing shower for your baby sister, but two! Cindy, nurse Adrianne, and Emily threw one two weeks ago and this week Jacqueline, Jennifer and Ali threw me another one! Oh my goodness were we spoiled!!!! I am still shell shocked from all the love and kindness from sooooo many people. Honestly, it's so touching. Can't wait to post pictures. Sure love you, son.

Xoxo

Mom