tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63121459404084092232024-03-14T00:44:38.837-04:00Tristan Asher HostetterDec 3, 2007-Jan 27, 2008Yvettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12470530399873634506noreply@blogger.comBlogger170125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6312145940408409223.post-70872707142856469902009-03-09T10:00:00.003-04:002009-04-18T20:13:43.317-04:00Coming SoonPlease check back soon for an update, I apologize for not updating since the first of January. January, as you can imagine, was extremely hard and we were so ready to flip the calendar to FEBRUARY. February was a month filled with so many sweet family moments and for that we are grateful especially after the 2 months we had just come out of. I can't believe we are already 9 days into March and am just not sure where the month of February went. I promise, coming soon......an update (and pictures of course!!!) of our family during the months of January and February.<br /><br />Thank you to everyone who has continued to follow our blog, even though the posts have certainly been less than they were when Tristan was here.<br /><br />We love you all!Yvettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12470530399873634506noreply@blogger.com291tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6312145940408409223.post-5144854545331038142008-12-30T22:40:00.000-05:002010-01-13T18:29:14.407-05:00Our DecemberEver since I was a little girl, December has always been my FAVORITE time of year. I love the weather, the music, the shopping, the decorations, the Christmas trees, the Christmas parties, the church events and just that feeling of excitement in the air.<br /><br />But this December, well it was a little different and filled with lots of bittersweet moments! We still celebrated, as we have in years past, but our hearts ached in all that we did! We started the month with what would have been Tristan's 1st Birthday and then quickly moved right into the holiday season. We were really not sure what to expect, but realized every event would bring about feelings and emotions because Tristan was here with us last year and it was, by far, the most incredible Christmas we have ever had. The Lord not only blessed our family with 56 days but He allowed our family to celebrate Tristan's 1st Christmas with him. Those are moments that will forever be remembered and cherished.<br /><br />We are so thankful for our 2 sweet boys that forced us to live "in the moment" and kept us laughing on the most difficult of days. And then, there is this precious little girl that we are fostering, what a miracle she is to our family. Obviously I cannot give case details but I do want to share a few things about her: She is now 3 months old, she weighs 10 lbs (she was 4 lbs at birth - 7 wks early), she has a little bit of brown hair, bright blue eyes, long eyelashes, she is smiling, cooing, rolling over, grabbing her feet and giggles when Trayc tickles her. The boys are crazy about her! Tanner has taught Tayden how to say "sister" which is so cute to hear and when she cries Tayden says, "It's okay" and runs to find her pacifier and put it in her mouth. Tanner loves holding her, putting her in the swing, putting her on the playmat and playing the piano for her. She is NOT lacking any love or attention around here! These moments are priceless. For us to relive these kind of "baby moments" again is almost too much to even explain without tears of gratefulness rolling down my checks. We never dreamed we would be able to experience this again. We had decided not to get pregnant again due to my age, which is why after Tristan passed away we began the adoption process and looking for 2 girls over the age of 3......little did we know that 9 months later we would have the awesome privilege to bring home another newborn from the hospital!!!!!! Our God is so good and even in the midst of our sadness it is so evident that He is working in our family.<br /><br />Here are some pictures and a glimpse of how our family celebrated the month of December. And, even though Tristan is not in the pictures this year, he was talked about every day and was remembered at every event:<br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party</span> (12/12-12/13)<br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span></span></span><br />This is a family tradition. We love going to Disney World for this event...the tickets are cheaper, there are only a limited number of tickets sold, the ticket is for 4:00 pm - 12:00 midnight, the weather is cooler and there are no lines so you can walk straight onto the rides. We had a wonderful weekend.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu4ZdT-A-XQQyIEgHTzk9OCa2eLL3P3_JzQDmLYkG9CAVD-8x15mkTKyf7GBKQdV8UwfeY0QEbB4L4cTJflXo5LWpBs7SEPLlk-Ty-rOHpGjYtYokxwq9qgPBLEFktMdPPg2c4OtK2-rA/s1600-h/DSC01656.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu4ZdT-A-XQQyIEgHTzk9OCa2eLL3P3_JzQDmLYkG9CAVD-8x15mkTKyf7GBKQdV8UwfeY0QEbB4L4cTJflXo5LWpBs7SEPLlk-Ty-rOHpGjYtYokxwq9qgPBLEFktMdPPg2c4OtK2-rA/s320/DSC01656.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295279069835807490" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFt_Ur1GqPdkPqDpbTHIZXam_GAwFj2ITxly4bplPdsn2nvNaRypN_s1iiHYif3REKvkiwL2KtkylXoYwZCCHIh67QUhlAxRFMuOCmqng6_-HtbNTNKJpRkxyPlDO6IVUqwW4IshaBVQM/s1600-h/IMG_7753.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFt_Ur1GqPdkPqDpbTHIZXam_GAwFj2ITxly4bplPdsn2nvNaRypN_s1iiHYif3REKvkiwL2KtkylXoYwZCCHIh67QUhlAxRFMuOCmqng6_-HtbNTNKJpRkxyPlDO6IVUqwW4IshaBVQM/s320/IMG_7753.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295816416424580642" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL5Qxf5NJdnAvMH16kgRFP4wO5G9Zl93DG-gG_eiqElAkVNbhGH_4IbCtXoLq_PjpyKhn7ox4DYBG4GI1qsjE4n8BWghX3FjYXISdfT4Rh9a2izLRBgplmxvUSv1EDoa78zXlOjGG_XbE/s1600-h/DSC01660.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL5Qxf5NJdnAvMH16kgRFP4wO5G9Zl93DG-gG_eiqElAkVNbhGH_4IbCtXoLq_PjpyKhn7ox4DYBG4GI1qsjE4n8BWghX3FjYXISdfT4Rh9a2izLRBgplmxvUSv1EDoa78zXlOjGG_XbE/s320/DSC01660.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295279718409111842" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYMmdgltRdN8mcRjrIPO_otUZTuVr7pC3OmOm_PGTzyM8WLP9ljp-LzFQRFok4EVKLYNX0e7CNDw1a_OcUwiXy-7P7oAn9cfHz788e5Z4pwBS4ywx3pmHbsnQSI7OcKfNWCcMIfcxEIzo/s1600-h/DSC01669.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYMmdgltRdN8mcRjrIPO_otUZTuVr7pC3OmOm_PGTzyM8WLP9ljp-LzFQRFok4EVKLYNX0e7CNDw1a_OcUwiXy-7P7oAn9cfHz788e5Z4pwBS4ywx3pmHbsnQSI7OcKfNWCcMIfcxEIzo/s320/DSC01669.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295283911461299362" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFRWN1KBPAT7qtgCV1um1l2Q4J4Z89ONzXTgCTDsn5Py2odAmCWaL4ByWcKSx-gJyI-KwQiuYQ1utdhlfbeDuVmrJ1omQMA7t8wZh04kV6wkX7GgpDzL1goP3qFAtJSJCDSMJmxVS7y5I/s1600-h/DSC01673.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFRWN1KBPAT7qtgCV1um1l2Q4J4Z89ONzXTgCTDsn5Py2odAmCWaL4ByWcKSx-gJyI-KwQiuYQ1utdhlfbeDuVmrJ1omQMA7t8wZh04kV6wkX7GgpDzL1goP3qFAtJSJCDSMJmxVS7y5I/s320/DSC01673.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295284159225296562" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitZx2U9v8mDkXQEbjLHWtkrxZNPC144KaVRVlYjO9rrkAjcv6MzvKRGLhRZ6W8KlQcn6-7sS5OzLc0a_VOkqMgT1dT3tFzJeZ9Pm2nwOFLblxtXtfqAD9BA9iJeo-wtPciT1zfoyr7zWw/s1600-h/DSC01684.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitZx2U9v8mDkXQEbjLHWtkrxZNPC144KaVRVlYjO9rrkAjcv6MzvKRGLhRZ6W8KlQcn6-7sS5OzLc0a_VOkqMgT1dT3tFzJeZ9Pm2nwOFLblxtXtfqAD9BA9iJeo-wtPciT1zfoyr7zWw/s320/DSC01684.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295284801704129730" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkiP2VEvwPKCWDPI-pPxhT-nPXPzQcOcYSs47qkCY7vDXQbHX4mIy0Tfsujb9IP13Sbirv_-B94JBNpXqwFkGaVPTJ5DDklOOudydLdxgJoJu4qKpzYjwD-3SGS5i8WNBwgP-7UG9dAKk/s1600-h/DSC01741.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkiP2VEvwPKCWDPI-pPxhT-nPXPzQcOcYSs47qkCY7vDXQbHX4mIy0Tfsujb9IP13Sbirv_-B94JBNpXqwFkGaVPTJ5DDklOOudydLdxgJoJu4qKpzYjwD-3SGS5i8WNBwgP-7UG9dAKk/s320/DSC01741.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295285596715575778" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI0hEs3F8OWYrhrrXS9csM5uZ25Dawql9_syk5qpyqnS2ZaaHSQ1glB91TJT4CJksk-wROjvoGm9Yfyds1rAbu_sTGijGerOd5qcwDtDoPiLF-ugJNKKhh6U_zdli51HKkZkTF8SpUoqg/s1600-h/DSC01733.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI0hEs3F8OWYrhrrXS9csM5uZ25Dawql9_syk5qpyqnS2ZaaHSQ1glB91TJT4CJksk-wROjvoGm9Yfyds1rAbu_sTGijGerOd5qcwDtDoPiLF-ugJNKKhh6U_zdli51HKkZkTF8SpUoqg/s320/DSC01733.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295285250964561250" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPIfjqRwsbyUUTXUMsB_8YNbBqc2ndG6cex3PaIwKWgWKzZo1n-99_esQLCmxx_hjmFQjG_LO-nWw3WGVp07KBhvNgAIpnDw8xSYEjgLXzp2l3L_qlzEcS6FjkFhTyVGegCSV56t2e_dk/s1600-h/DSC01772.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPIfjqRwsbyUUTXUMsB_8YNbBqc2ndG6cex3PaIwKWgWKzZo1n-99_esQLCmxx_hjmFQjG_LO-nWw3WGVp07KBhvNgAIpnDw8xSYEjgLXzp2l3L_qlzEcS6FjkFhTyVGegCSV56t2e_dk/s320/DSC01772.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295286053742389730" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Visit with Santa Claus (12/22)</span></span><br /><br />We went to see Santa Claus at the St. Johns Town Center, which is the same place we went last year with Tristan. We parked in the same lot, we walked the same path, we stood in the same line and we even had the same Santa. How do I know he was the same Santa? Well, we also had the baby girl with us and Santa said, "You finally have a girl after 2 boys". Okay, let me stop and say that I love for people to make that comment or ask how many children I have because it gives me an open opportunity to talk about Tristan and to witness! So back to Santa's statement. I said, "Well, actually we have 3 boys, our little boy Tristan lived 56 days and passed away in January. We brought him here last year to have a picture made with Santa". Santa said, "You know what, I was the Santa last year and I remember your little boy and your story." I began witnessing and then went on to explain that we began the adoption process after he passed away and have been praying for 2 little girls but then received a call in October about a newborn baby girl and felt as though this was what the Lord wanted us to do, to take in this new baby even though our hearts were not originally prepared for a baby again. He was really sweet and said, "Oh bless you for all you've been through, losing a baby has to be the hardest thing to go through and yet you are here and living life with a smile on your face and you are willingly putting your heart out there to possibly be hurt again with all the uncertainty that this baby girl brings. I pray that this is your Christmas miracle." Little did I know my encouragement that day would come in the form of Santa Claus. But you know what? I needed that, I needed that so bad. I needed that right there, right in that moment so that I could stop and savor the moment we were sharing this year with our 2 boys and the baby girl even though we were missing Tristan.<br /><br />For privacy reason we have blocked the baby girl out. And as you can see, Tayden is attempting to escape Santa's lap.....10 pictures later this one, which was the 1st picture we took, was the best. Gotta love the 2 year old stage!!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGQm5UoGF08UpbZfYP9djBxIgjHw8pnsRQQpGdSZbjATu0Y7okKzzu-u55H63QjWsuSGkDH_94VJLpVdPfVyRSnqSRoGfqu_CIiVE6KNJo-aZNukX9sjtFA6C6ygjkFJ4ROUMKXZZ1blo/s1600-h/christmas001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGQm5UoGF08UpbZfYP9djBxIgjHw8pnsRQQpGdSZbjATu0Y7okKzzu-u55H63QjWsuSGkDH_94VJLpVdPfVyRSnqSRoGfqu_CIiVE6KNJo-aZNukX9sjtFA6C6ygjkFJ4ROUMKXZZ1blo/s320/christmas001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295301840721601346" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Sunday before Christmas (12/21)<br /><br /></span></span>Last year we dedicated Tristan in the Sunday morning service before Christmas, so this Sunday was hard too, but we knew we needed to be at church. We got up really early so that we could take pictures before we left for church - needless to say that was very interesting with 3 kids (mainly the 2 yr old), thank goodness for a camera timer and tripod.<br /><br />As you can see, we all matched. But really, is that a surprise? If you followed our blog last year then you know I always dressed the boys in matching Hartstring clothes, but that changed the moment Tanner began Middle School in August and now he refuses to wear what he calls "baby clothes". So I decided that since Tayden is too young to have a say in his clothes that I could match him and the baby girl. Then I realized I had a matching outfit and Trayc had a matching outfit and then, all of a sudden, Tanner decided that he wanted to match, just not in a Hartstring outfit. So, here's the family picture, and again for privacy reasons we have blocked the baby girl out (she is in my lap).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxBzCG8c0VGbVuLbqAx2loUjvJBFbLckdYj2bIbMWISWtv4zG0TyAJ0A-M-jmq3WYUJbL78GPw0DYQGfM1GOHmYQeZwcPMNwtZvHwvFcjPUMc6E2cH6v-EHLJIspDevBzjql02mpnV5dc/s1600-h/IMG_7422.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxBzCG8c0VGbVuLbqAx2loUjvJBFbLckdYj2bIbMWISWtv4zG0TyAJ0A-M-jmq3WYUJbL78GPw0DYQGfM1GOHmYQeZwcPMNwtZvHwvFcjPUMc6E2cH6v-EHLJIspDevBzjql02mpnV5dc/s320/IMG_7422.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295310936174876770" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Christmas Eve (12/24)</span></span><br /><br />Our church had a candlelight service at 5:00 pm. Another difficult night because we were reminded of the candlelight service we had at home last year with Tristan. But once again we got ready and went to church. It was a sweet time of worship, communion and lighting of candles. Imagine thousands of church members quietly standing and holding their candle - a deacon coming to the end of each row and lighting the first person's candle and then that person turning and lighting the next candle and so on, around the entire church. I stood in awe, in that moment, thanking the Lord for my family, for my wonderful husband, for my 2 sweet boys, for my little boy that I miss so much and for the gift of this beautiful little girl.<br /><br />And, since I can't post a picture of the little girl, I just have to tell you what she had on since I am having so much fun dressing a little girl. Okay, she always, always, always has on PINK but obviously it's December and I know she needs to wear red so we've bought her some beautiful little red fancy dresses. I just love the one she wore to the service, it was red velvet on the top and red satin from the waist down with red lace over the satin, a white fur collar and a red headband - that my talented husband made. She looked absolutely beautiful.<br /><br />After church we went out to dinner and then headed home so the kids could get in early since Santa was coming the next morning.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtFLQPhjewDOvrdpaQCzeRd_df81ACnSfvVYOdk9K2bd1gDEG0VDdJmHmFjYo2YfylsZL7cTHRjp27xz1vtO9jZiKusdty_rRDD-jf8mD9w02jNsc45aDUP5zIR-mTqJpG01tYAq_i_Xk/s1600-h/DSC01821.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtFLQPhjewDOvrdpaQCzeRd_df81ACnSfvVYOdk9K2bd1gDEG0VDdJmHmFjYo2YfylsZL7cTHRjp27xz1vtO9jZiKusdty_rRDD-jf8mD9w02jNsc45aDUP5zIR-mTqJpG01tYAq_i_Xk/s320/DSC01821.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295306079880180354" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibh1Up5KNssayvc6J4yWpQ8Y86wfRUsUjEwWMqh17-loI-cYiSZwfDPTp691wQ7FSX6F5Dwzlu21bewLPv7OxaOQDBWyNG60tpfoeQwGezTef23V8ZM9-W4w0gF4YYfSqE2NoLISz9lOk/s1600-h/DSC01823.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibh1Up5KNssayvc6J4yWpQ8Y86wfRUsUjEwWMqh17-loI-cYiSZwfDPTp691wQ7FSX6F5Dwzlu21bewLPv7OxaOQDBWyNG60tpfoeQwGezTef23V8ZM9-W4w0gF4YYfSqE2NoLISz9lOk/s320/DSC01823.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295305796107124354" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Christmas (12/25)</span></span><br /><br />Christmas was one of those days I just wasn't sure if I had the emotional strength to make it a sweet, fun, memorable day but knew I had to, not only for myself but for the sake of my children. They are here and their little lives still go on and I do not, in any way, ever want to hinder them or take away from the moment because my heart is aching for Tristan.<br /><br />We had a very busy day. Our morning started off with Tanner running up the stairs into our room saying "It's Christmas, everyone needs to get up!" Of course Tayden was still fast asleep and Tanner didn't understand why Tayden wasn't awake and running downstairs to see what Santa had brought. Tanner said, "Why isn't Tayden excited it's Christmas?" I said, "Honey, he doesn't understand exactly what today is, but he will be excited once he's opening presents!" Tanner woke Tayden up and held his hand as they walked down the stairs all the while Tanner saying, "Tayden it's Christmas, let's see what Santa brought you!!!!"<br /><br />We made a big breakfast and opened presents most of the morning. Tayden was excited once he started opening toys that were Pooh, Mickey, Handy Mandy and Thomas the Train. Tanner got FL Gator stuff, Nascar cars, a sports watch, DVD's, CD's, play station games and his big present was a trip to Universal Studios. And finally, after 18 years of marriage, 3 boys and a house full of hot wheel cars, race tracks, legos, trains and balls.......we have a baby doll in the house!!!!<br /><br />My parents came over around 12:00 noon and we opened presents from them and then the boys spent the rest of the day playing together with all of the new toys. Then we went to the cemetery and placed a red stocking with a silver initial "T" on Tristan's grave site and ended the day at my parent's house for dinner with them and my grandparents. It was a busy day!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgTlrvgYSQ402uqw6pS9XDjSK5PMJfFef3Xk2tBUEsyG3D3_6JXIyKGCUIYUKOkfm85wBjR1Grvn2EakY7uniL8gzU68zi13_UTJ4Z9UOtGD6urlk7YGkqy_7naZOPYNalZUQ7bvKobWw/s1600-h/IMG_7445.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgTlrvgYSQ402uqw6pS9XDjSK5PMJfFef3Xk2tBUEsyG3D3_6JXIyKGCUIYUKOkfm85wBjR1Grvn2EakY7uniL8gzU68zi13_UTJ4Z9UOtGD6urlk7YGkqy_7naZOPYNalZUQ7bvKobWw/s320/IMG_7445.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295818053084160946" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaR5vBfLK71v8hoTG_6Tq5LkEUvZuisFyF30zhm6hI_v_ESSUN7rKR7mgBfVBTd4khsM76_SFtVoST2sBA54vGufLY8cXNhfWVE66DoQKS4ZzmIxqMiHwHnXlGR9iZRN-yPmgc5Gg0EkQ/s1600-h/IMG_7442.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; 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display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVd50uDtnd5wvyccgfAjxLn86N-8yH8AJu-jHQgwYmEUx9_Ylmat_4SXJcmEFMqq0z0GjXNqRz6sSHlEE75YyYLIWLpO5hLXEWpxIoTwuFSQ3UbcDB1sIv1lOYY-q7Q609FiQnVBImHMM/s320/IMG_7668.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296010578741193410" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbhZNoIOK1aZ7WRg60vkgSFxrd8qHv181vkk1yRahc7hNihdNrQB3iYh2cfCcjr68KcMCW2HkUkSDuqPEOOVMcbMchTkUeQ5CBTtw1dzsdssvtO0YX_-e1Oi95Ufjs8V2NKjms8OtZlFU/s1600-h/IMG_7669.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbhZNoIOK1aZ7WRg60vkgSFxrd8qHv181vkk1yRahc7hNihdNrQB3iYh2cfCcjr68KcMCW2HkUkSDuqPEOOVMcbMchTkUeQ5CBTtw1dzsdssvtO0YX_-e1Oi95Ufjs8V2NKjms8OtZlFU/s320/IMG_7669.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296010823226471842" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUsv5eePmJzTmfu-Q6cKA5Dq13waKtSZIiirESy0-n7FGe8vgltfpaRsUUEGEJ-g2BCX2y3ZIvRYT9iftCTqcL-5Ue6u6IxIrOYPfoPT6f7SNjYMAwa6sn-cM8tiVuWwwEgSAr92GgnS4/s1600-h/IMG_7674.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUsv5eePmJzTmfu-Q6cKA5Dq13waKtSZIiirESy0-n7FGe8vgltfpaRsUUEGEJ-g2BCX2y3ZIvRYT9iftCTqcL-5Ue6u6IxIrOYPfoPT6f7SNjYMAwa6sn-cM8tiVuWwwEgSAr92GgnS4/s320/IMG_7674.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296012636921840514" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg7wYbnrhk1fsb6XZXOTmMk-T8k05ZJZ4XvvQn8NZyxnTEe5tvgvW0Ne5-6sjee8AKU8Z4BgGfyYMliIUCrKsf_FSDCGOO6umVR8DjWipNMY7bhZo2mKKm2tsw_H6YSz9_fyTqDYZE7Xc/s1600-h/IMG_7673.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg7wYbnrhk1fsb6XZXOTmMk-T8k05ZJZ4XvvQn8NZyxnTEe5tvgvW0Ne5-6sjee8AKU8Z4BgGfyYMliIUCrKsf_FSDCGOO6umVR8DjWipNMY7bhZo2mKKm2tsw_H6YSz9_fyTqDYZE7Xc/s320/IMG_7673.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296012513939529170" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlODczikEvr5rS6aP6Pw9o0aPl8JuBSSXdNmogGVAcuVa4aeF-xgLuBUcs8oif_vJfqY0jCs5oeW6zs9Q6hB8taYdkdKUlAPTWaXClAi6MqLnnjxMGHNBEK645vbZlRKmWm59XdwtUwk4/s1600-h/IMG_7670a.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlODczikEvr5rS6aP6Pw9o0aPl8JuBSSXdNmogGVAcuVa4aeF-xgLuBUcs8oif_vJfqY0jCs5oeW6zs9Q6hB8taYdkdKUlAPTWaXClAi6MqLnnjxMGHNBEK645vbZlRKmWm59XdwtUwk4/s320/IMG_7670a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296176082148575570" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiD4IeoQR1Z2TfsadltyO9j4bdLVC3SjowsgW57EZF6lIfl2s1shw6CtXT1riR08NByCx2BKlH2TIooj5k7lYr103F7kQ29kRFrBlzQU6uCrlDy6i-Z2PWg-Y03vQ-1IDnp6h8AxKsUCg/s1600-h/IMG_7675.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiD4IeoQR1Z2TfsadltyO9j4bdLVC3SjowsgW57EZF6lIfl2s1shw6CtXT1riR08NByCx2BKlH2TIooj5k7lYr103F7kQ29kRFrBlzQU6uCrlDy6i-Z2PWg-Y03vQ-1IDnp6h8AxKsUCg/s320/IMG_7675.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296012943689525602" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />Universal Studios & Islands of Adventure (12/27-12/28)</span></span><br /><br />As I mentioned above, Tanner's big present was a mother/son trip to Universal Studios in Orlando, FL. Tanner was so excited because he's never been to Universal plus this was only the 2nd time we've ever done a mother/son getaway. We went with my best friend, Jami, and her kids, Tyler and Anna. We left early on Saturday morning so we could be one of the first in the park at 8:00 am. The crowds weren't bad and the weather was, well Florida weather, 80 degrees in December. We had so much fun riding roller coasters and movie rides and watching the Macy's Parade. We left the park at 10:00 pm and stayed at a Marriott hotel that was really nice and the best part was that it had a Starbucks on the main level - which was great because Starbucks is my and Tanner's special little place during the week! The next day we slept in because we had NO babies (ha ha!) and and then we went to Downtown Disney all day. Tanner and I had the most incredible weekend getting to spend one-on-one time together.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguALPuTLoUu5Gm3rj5FoURzCy8FUPPoC-kE3QUM1CfbTWZAG5vYEVipywEMuikfjGVekZ3b-9BongcCaFOnAgO0EabkuwSQQEq-fCJaTbHkC68qiBUzY2-Sa8brwF2rdT-xdR-83CpPIc/s1600-h/DSC01892.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguALPuTLoUu5Gm3rj5FoURzCy8FUPPoC-kE3QUM1CfbTWZAG5vYEVipywEMuikfjGVekZ3b-9BongcCaFOnAgO0EabkuwSQQEq-fCJaTbHkC68qiBUzY2-Sa8brwF2rdT-xdR-83CpPIc/s320/DSC01892.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295998095273722834" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9DUxzbzljVQMW6Yau_kFaqLXnZP5fcMmFpxxco7zLIB4llw75EqgfKSa2yao4Yu4DQBq3TMhnIa8vPT1JwL37OZgvKbmfGh_o2RqJLbkLORzEJ1Ra4FUgBiwje7xnZuxiEHN5HYSXCYs/s1600-h/DSC01871.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9DUxzbzljVQMW6Yau_kFaqLXnZP5fcMmFpxxco7zLIB4llw75EqgfKSa2yao4Yu4DQBq3TMhnIa8vPT1JwL37OZgvKbmfGh_o2RqJLbkLORzEJ1Ra4FUgBiwje7xnZuxiEHN5HYSXCYs/s320/DSC01871.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295997717121365330" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl4SUT3tzLBk3pYn6x8k9SyarkxoaOFDsxPhaiq2EQ4NMMFyomoKjpadDNdr20xmLD7rzY-LGgNH_f6nDqIaVOdIcDZnMh9XHvSk6RwAQVRRzIGlw2FeDHOphCsllLZNBm1Jvnz6IdUl0/s1600-h/DSC01976.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl4SUT3tzLBk3pYn6x8k9SyarkxoaOFDsxPhaiq2EQ4NMMFyomoKjpadDNdr20xmLD7rzY-LGgNH_f6nDqIaVOdIcDZnMh9XHvSk6RwAQVRRzIGlw2FeDHOphCsllLZNBm1Jvnz6IdUl0/s320/DSC01976.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295998973912324978" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Y1P2AP2uQNju7vNoFVzbX7CFLoPuuWBJJ-MQR80jnZR90xRw174MYrekY1pRcozH7zdU5Wk-5yMn46NgKSLX4eVkGRxi8ZJwnFUM72ovBRKma0itTIi4PEEJu3yy691SsxFMg_7LfsI/s1600-h/DSC01979.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Y1P2AP2uQNju7vNoFVzbX7CFLoPuuWBJJ-MQR80jnZR90xRw174MYrekY1pRcozH7zdU5Wk-5yMn46NgKSLX4eVkGRxi8ZJwnFUM72ovBRKma0itTIi4PEEJu3yy691SsxFMg_7LfsI/s320/DSC01979.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295997420050113282" border="0" /></a>Yvettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12470530399873634506noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6312145940408409223.post-29116553722610318242008-12-05T17:00:00.015-05:002008-12-10T19:23:03.792-05:00Tristan's 1st Birthday 12/3/08 **UPDATED**As promised, here is an update and pictures of how we celebrated Tristan's <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">1st Birthday</span></span> on Wednesday, December 3rd.<br /><br />We began our day by going back to the hospital where Tristan was born. Trayc had already talked to the head of the Labor & Delivery and asked that she contact all of the nurses that were there last year because we had a special presentation to make. We were blessed to have had 3 of our 6 nurses there along with the rest of the nurses that were working that day, most of which knew us because of Tristan's story/blog.<br /><br />We had asked that the nurses be there around 12:00 noon because Tristan was born at 12:42 and we wanted to do our special presentation at the same time. Our gift to the hospital was 56 knitted baby caps personally made by Trayc's mom and grandma because the little handmade caps the nurses put on Tristan were too big and they started unraveling. Anyone who knows my mom, knows that she is the perfectionist (that's where I get it from) and she didn't like the fact that her grandson was wearing a hat that was falling apart. The nights my mom and Trayc's mom stayed at the hospital together they would have long nightly conversations about how the caps could be made better. Trayc's mom knows how to crochet but didn't know how to knit. She felt as though the Lord was leading her to learn how to knit so that she could make the caps better. When she and grandma returned to Tennessee they signed up for knitting classes and learned how to knit so they could make little caps in memory of Tristan by his 1st birthday.<br /><br />As you can see, she and grandma have been working very hard. They also sewed in a label that says Tristan Asher Foundation and tristanasher.org so that every person who receives a cap and from the nurses will be told about Tristan and they can go to our website to read about him.<br /><br />Aren't the handmade, knitted caps beautiful????<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ZUkFAX1TrFDLYsZmL0VCfJXkEC6bScvNM34IUbPA3St5CKqOjE1tic7AxHiVOZTOeCqLQ5co_b0r5j2knKzXJsIIH_lnC54itlsBxXYHnmwz8Rzk1N0mNEcRfF-nTY69rxHnA2zZL9k/s1600-h/DSC01585.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ZUkFAX1TrFDLYsZmL0VCfJXkEC6bScvNM34IUbPA3St5CKqOjE1tic7AxHiVOZTOeCqLQ5co_b0r5j2knKzXJsIIH_lnC54itlsBxXYHnmwz8Rzk1N0mNEcRfF-nTY69rxHnA2zZL9k/s320/DSC01585.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276383126502225074" border="0" /></a><br />As we got off the elevator at the L&D floor we started talking about how we felt a year ago as we were only hours from holding our new little boy and the days ahead were so uncertain. As the double doors opened to the L&D area, the nurses all started running towards us, hugging us, grabbing Tayden and Tanner to hug them - they couldn't believe how big they were. It was such a sweet moment to be able to go back to where our little boy was born, where he took his first breath, to see the place we left a year ago with our arms full of new life and then to see our precious nurses again - the ones that rejoiced with us, prayed with us and cried with us daily!!!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfH9zFHQMZ7Tbh2hSOm32b6b-pl1noVBN0xsbSQ8G3_DLi_6pFJelPfQ19Pe420i0-V5vr-EJqbXm5ykvQkAQ7TFtnLiVnCV-HTAQfQiLf_b5QRCKk7T25U8Og-m1XuX_kXccwk_JJ03U/s1600-h/598V8540.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfH9zFHQMZ7Tbh2hSOm32b6b-pl1noVBN0xsbSQ8G3_DLi_6pFJelPfQ19Pe420i0-V5vr-EJqbXm5ykvQkAQ7TFtnLiVnCV-HTAQfQiLf_b5QRCKk7T25U8Og-m1XuX_kXccwk_JJ03U/s320/598V8540.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5142908635889793058" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRglZnceH3yrmVgmCBOEW-AsHX6WChy5qUEEVOC8IymSTxQhNXwsoTBb4qQGM7sl3CdS0R-ViBX2es6zqz7BeOvsq6UxbB9vEag1xJp0ZdDxMc9o0_TIBFiveSMFYlBnUa8kR8PnKhXiI/s1600-h/DSC01591.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRglZnceH3yrmVgmCBOEW-AsHX6WChy5qUEEVOC8IymSTxQhNXwsoTBb4qQGM7sl3CdS0R-ViBX2es6zqz7BeOvsq6UxbB9vEag1xJp0ZdDxMc9o0_TIBFiveSMFYlBnUa8kR8PnKhXiI/s320/DSC01591.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276383505633652258" border="0" /></a><br />After the hospital we went out to lunch and then drove 45 minutes to the cemetery. This is the first time I have been back since Tristan's service. Trayc is in that area of town often so he stops by frequently to think, pray and remember. I have really put it off this past year knowing how very difficult and extremely emotional I was as we drove away after the service. Never in my life have I felt the deep pain and grief I felt in those last few moments and had no desire to relieve that again, especially in front of my boys. Trayc has been sweetly mentioning for a year now that we needed to look at headstones but it's just that final step I have not wanted to make!<br /><br />As we pulled into the cemetery on Wednesday, Trayc reached over and took my hand without saying a word. I took a deep breath as we made our way through the entrance and then took a turn to the left and approached the "Garden of Innocence" area. I thought back to January and how it looked when we pulled up: a tiny little white casket with a beautiful arrangement of miniature white roses and 5 miniature blue roses on the top, and all of our family members standing quietly as we exited the car. Stepping out of the car and walking up that little hill, that day, to Tristan's casket was by far the hardest walk I have ever made - it was a visual and reality that no mother ever wants to experience. So I have been afraid of going back but knew we would go back on his birthday.<br /><br />Wednesday was a little different than I expected. We pulled up and let the kids sit in the car for a moment. I got out of the car and slowly walked towards Tristan's little marker. It looked so bare, like no one had ever visited, like no one loved him, like he had been forgotten - compared to all the other headstones and markers. I felt so sad and it broke my heart because I knew how much our little boy was loved and what a miracle he was, it's just that his mommy couldn't do this any sooner. I was so thankful I had made a "It's A Boy" bow (it matches the Christmas tree we made for Tristan last year, remember?) with the number 56 and I made a bouquet of 4 white roses and 1 blue rose tied together by a "Baby's 1st Birthday" ribbon to lay in front of the marker. I looked at Trayc and said, "That looks so much better now. Okay, I'm ready to order his headstone, we need to do it, he's our little boy and we love him. No more putting it off." I smiled as I laid the flowers on his grave site knowing it meant we loved our little boy and that he wasn't forgotten. I believe the hardest part of the day was kneeling down to place the flowers on his site and realizing he was within reaching distance from me, that his little body that I held for 56 days laid only inches away. I know he is in Heaven but that little body, the one that I held tightly, kissed on, changed clothes/diapers, changed the leads for the apnea/heart monitor, held the oxygen tube for, that little body is there and my heart longs and my arms ache for my precious little boy. I am so thankful he is being held by our Heavenly Father until I can hold him again. This mommy longs for Heaven more than ever before.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKJzADr9BARcZzZBZ_NwvJEzw5DzGsAvD5c4uIM-yK1zHZwrVLJ7jezNx-jkm7QYDRPH_IEn-5P0WNTyB3qI9HMMxTxLw6ufVAmN8fzTSMLrmoR26QlSTlSZbfMz15nAhqjoovvWjOUiU/s1600-h/DSC01593.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKJzADr9BARcZzZBZ_NwvJEzw5DzGsAvD5c4uIM-yK1zHZwrVLJ7jezNx-jkm7QYDRPH_IEn-5P0WNTyB3qI9HMMxTxLw6ufVAmN8fzTSMLrmoR26QlSTlSZbfMz15nAhqjoovvWjOUiU/s320/DSC01593.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276383911029014514" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVBU-wxPr3co45UnZQ9aI9tohfimiLi_GLPON49ZCbi_qHAwiH_NwNml0Lfuhj-8WBnovkgIqkkka-ZQkFu7_Puddy4qumJ2lrnbfF8td6ORoY_4TIaRakvYthoAhIr3VPu8siBiVTTPE/s1600-h/DSC01614.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVBU-wxPr3co45UnZQ9aI9tohfimiLi_GLPON49ZCbi_qHAwiH_NwNml0Lfuhj-8WBnovkgIqkkka-ZQkFu7_Puddy4qumJ2lrnbfF8td6ORoY_4TIaRakvYthoAhIr3VPu8siBiVTTPE/s320/DSC01614.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276388653298344994" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjweGOrO0TsdhtvMSVRAzkzTM-lvBoVOrikgA5K1LNBMl0I7jMRyvGXho9j7t0U3RFV7-EMPhMH1RTfatimlvj68WAe0fBotbP5TRNrwRhSmsVabfaELWwnLwziZNoot-AwKzeUuiYhgis/s1600-h/DSC01612.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjweGOrO0TsdhtvMSVRAzkzTM-lvBoVOrikgA5K1LNBMl0I7jMRyvGXho9j7t0U3RFV7-EMPhMH1RTfatimlvj68WAe0fBotbP5TRNrwRhSmsVabfaELWwnLwziZNoot-AwKzeUuiYhgis/s320/DSC01612.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276388098857873346" border="0" /></a>After we had our moments, Tanner got out of the car with the balloons. He was so excited about bringing them to Tristan's grave and letting them go. Tayden was asleep when we pulled up, we could have let him stay in the car sleeping but I told Trayc that I wanted him to be in the pictures, not just for today but 10, 15, 20 years from now I want him to know all about Tristan and see that he was a part of it. So, being the photo parents we are, we took him out of the car and then fortunately he woke up, saw the balloons and said, "Balloon!!!!". The boys released the solid balloons only because Tanner wanted to take the Mylar birthday balloon back to the house for the party.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZOhl_v-XSYw0_QeY-6JmVQiFK6DaYvl8TlQfpcEEg3q9YipCw2w7GL3_DYvuiHGE7XOEpN_jB5HDv2wj87w7fSk6Bn72IkOYpzGhp9ZVdGKr-ekNzvFWvFtm-xNKWKNrjhZO8juA4Wog/s1600-h/DSC01599.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZOhl_v-XSYw0_QeY-6JmVQiFK6DaYvl8TlQfpcEEg3q9YipCw2w7GL3_DYvuiHGE7XOEpN_jB5HDv2wj87w7fSk6Bn72IkOYpzGhp9ZVdGKr-ekNzvFWvFtm-xNKWKNrjhZO8juA4Wog/s320/DSC01599.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276387508482464994" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8LqBps7nEyqDPu1CwK9uPxIvlqQOT3vXYUSTGBxdBjgs4NdiuIjnhDeZJd_UoGZOJc0cJrgNuna36Cp4gaBbOnq1gCID0p7junu2rTLyCKY6vQ2jQg8TV_wQuX5k7nfu10azA_0aD6ZM/s1600-h/DSC01604.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8LqBps7nEyqDPu1CwK9uPxIvlqQOT3vXYUSTGBxdBjgs4NdiuIjnhDeZJd_UoGZOJc0cJrgNuna36Cp4gaBbOnq1gCID0p7junu2rTLyCKY6vQ2jQg8TV_wQuX5k7nfu10azA_0aD6ZM/s320/DSC01604.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276387827577161762" border="0" /></a><br />We came home, had Tristan's birthday party and ate cake. We put the cake on his blue blanket and had his little doggy beside the cake. Tayden was excited about eating "caaakkkeee" and Tanner wanted to blow out the candle.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKBVJaU1FTyTZaeECaIts7TAFviZnHudHss_Xnl112LqYQhSNOFntqbpTsggL3pqPfh99zTq8CWN3Vj1P81Hs99xmxUwMTURHf5HMVlhzQORd45G40oRPMW1k2AT3ihlt8xcAozfKjgMU/s1600-h/DSC01618.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKBVJaU1FTyTZaeECaIts7TAFviZnHudHss_Xnl112LqYQhSNOFntqbpTsggL3pqPfh99zTq8CWN3Vj1P81Hs99xmxUwMTURHf5HMVlhzQORd45G40oRPMW1k2AT3ihlt8xcAozfKjgMU/s320/DSC01618.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276385242415236898" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSfb8mfkJ-2SrFYvWHv_GRrjrq08IcRSIyVB4LyVcGEHRTZ13PYaCWx7GKT-reOcoAEDoxr32EL9yISXkap1DbKX5jEAV2ny-K2D0kn_qIbkzjfuOYWBvjKyl7dzlhi8vbzsdwlLnriaE/s1600-h/DSC01619.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSfb8mfkJ-2SrFYvWHv_GRrjrq08IcRSIyVB4LyVcGEHRTZ13PYaCWx7GKT-reOcoAEDoxr32EL9yISXkap1DbKX5jEAV2ny-K2D0kn_qIbkzjfuOYWBvjKyl7dzlhi8vbzsdwlLnriaE/s320/DSC01619.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276384454623971618" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjICqeme5SSk1ohoTfQnesVbZq38YgR-bApzAL6mhRrYGA0eEOl0yKWx6sqAFKwqxj8POeA0fQDnjAhX57HahVbphhfg_1ry8Kd8PQdWFeAIoMZkAJU5X-fqUTrIoy3NiT_UPJL0xd0I38/s1600-h/DSC01620.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjICqeme5SSk1ohoTfQnesVbZq38YgR-bApzAL6mhRrYGA0eEOl0yKWx6sqAFKwqxj8POeA0fQDnjAhX57HahVbphhfg_1ry8Kd8PQdWFeAIoMZkAJU5X-fqUTrIoy3NiT_UPJL0xd0I38/s320/DSC01620.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276384813010826178" border="0" /></a><br />We had a really sweet day as a family remembering Tristan and celebrating his 1st birthday.<br /><br />Thank you so much to every person that left a comment on our blog, Facebook, emailed, texted, called or sent us a card. We greatly appreciate you remembering our family and our little boy on his birthday. We have never taken for granted the love we have received from our family, friends and our blog family.<br /><br />VERY SPECIAL THANK YOU to Trayc's mom and my mom for coming up with the idea and to Trayc's mom and grandma for knitted each cap with lots of love and in memory of their grandson.Yvettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12470530399873634506noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6312145940408409223.post-68788862817839265292008-12-03T08:30:00.007-05:002008-12-08T22:21:45.936-05:00Happy 1st Birthday, Tristan<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />Tristan Asher Hostetter</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">December 3, 2007 at 12:42 pm</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">4 lbs. 4 oz. 16 1/2 inches</span></span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQpwp4uIS3m7PkNCiHbQk_Tp0tZQ71S8f6lrUO9RR6km4T2i5EyTH2-Fd96cK8KXivFe7eJcP2CvcgQLL11s_m0cr8xg4goHgWOADsyg3Oiu4nlG2uqOT7zP4L8Q5peHF7RTGYTj_WXjw/s1600-h/IMG_5767.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQpwp4uIS3m7PkNCiHbQk_Tp0tZQ71S8f6lrUO9RR6km4T2i5EyTH2-Fd96cK8KXivFe7eJcP2CvcgQLL11s_m0cr8xg4goHgWOADsyg3Oiu4nlG2uqOT7zP4L8Q5peHF7RTGYTj_WXjw/s320/IMG_5767.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5141647401563453202" border="0" /></a>Today is our little boy's 1st Birthday. Oh how we wish he was here to celebrate this very special day with us. These are the kind of days that make us thankful we are Christians and know without a doubt that we will see our little boy again, that he has been completely healed of Trisomy 18 and is now in Heaven with our Lord waiting on us. I pray that he knows how much we love and miss him every day. I'm sure he is celebrating with all of his little friends today - Poppy Joy, Maddox, Mary Grace, Asher, Issac, Miller Grace, Eva and Jacob.<br /><br />We have a very special day planned today. Please check back later for an update and pictures.<br /><br />In case you didn't see the slideshow from Tristan's "Celebration of Life" service, this is a sweet little glimpse of the 56 days we shared as a family of 5.<br /><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='377' height='314' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dycY51e0vgnDgv1QfHSqXgVP9kbO5ht8A6U_t-a2CYxx5IzJfMLstikMy7BKNboHIeQB4g316kyidELGbz9hQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br /><br /><br />Tristan's verse: John 11:4 - This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified thereby."<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Happy 1st Birthday Tristan!!!!!!</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> We love you,</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> Mommy, Daddy, Tanner & Tayden </span></span><br /></div>Yvettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12470530399873634506noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6312145940408409223.post-71005678877493671742008-12-01T09:00:00.027-05:002008-12-09T19:37:50.948-05:00Catching UpI am so sorry I haven't posted since September 23rd. It has been very busy in our home the past 3 months. We started back to home school and piano, we finished up the Fall soccer season, we are attending lots of exciting Middle School church events, we have our normal family activities, we have church 3x's a week, we are going out with family and friends, oh and then add in the fact that we are also fostering a newborn baby girl. Now that makes for a busy life!<br /><br />But you know what? I wouldn't trade it for anything. The busyness is exactly what we have needed. The beginning of 2008 seemed to go by soooo slow. It felt as though we would never get through those first few months of deep, dark sadness and grief. But now that we are in the last month of the year, we realize that even during the days/nights that seemed to linger and we felt like we were just stuck in that moment, we really weren't.....we were constantly moving forward each day. We do enjoy the quiet, peaceful, event-free days, however anyone who has lost a baby knows that sometimes those kind of days also bring about thoughts, feelings and emotions that cause your heart to ache, especially here at the holidays!!!<br /><br />Because I am very behind in posts, I decided to make this one BIG post of pictures and brief descriptions to catch everyone:<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">September 27th - My 41st Birthday....leaving 40 behind</span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgB7Sw6LG6yNJaFHhTTt6Ih_3_QJ3MEccnfrhMcK4QR9Ketl-Jcgz1uXzNPxaMeUWIzMhqcHcv-JKLYrnAqhSE8OjfL4-BgFSyLUWg6TBQuaNT53Pi2RBcsCqpSXptZo4JCdbLj0aZfJM/s1600-h/DSC01048.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgB7Sw6LG6yNJaFHhTTt6Ih_3_QJ3MEccnfrhMcK4QR9Ketl-Jcgz1uXzNPxaMeUWIzMhqcHcv-JKLYrnAqhSE8OjfL4-BgFSyLUWg6TBQuaNT53Pi2RBcsCqpSXptZo4JCdbLj0aZfJM/s320/DSC01048.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270373302233792210" border="0" /></a>Wow, it's hard to believe I'm now considered over 40. I've never had a problem with turning another year older or even hiding my age, I think age is a state-of-the-mind so I just try to stay "young at heart". Of course having a 12 yr old, a 2 1/2 yr old and an 8 week old certainly helps keep you young and on your toes!!!!<br /><br />The 27th of each month is the hardest and guess what? My birthday falls on the 27th and I turned 41. Like I said, birthdays don't bother me but this birthday was different. A part of me wanted to remain 40 FOREVER. A year older now means I am moving away from one of the most precious years of my life. During the year of 40 there were moments filled with excitement finding out we were pregnant for the 3rd time, surprised we were actually having a 3rd boy, thrilled at week 16 when we were told our baby boy was healthy, dreaming of blue nursery in our new home, devastated at week 20 when we were told our baby boy wasn't healthy and that he would be born with Trisomy 18 and would not live, thankful our baby boy made it to full-term birth alive on December 3, 2007 at 12:42 pm, in awe as we left the hospital with our baby boy in my arms, blessed beyond measure that we had 56 days and brokenhearted as our little boy quickly passed away in my arms on January 27th, 2008 at 4:40 pm.<br /><br />I will never forget being 40 years old. Not only were memories made during that year but I can also say that I felt the Lord's presence in our life and in our family more than ever before. He never left our side and we are closer to Him today because of this past year. As much as I want to remain 40, I do look forward to the year of being 41 and seeing how the Lord continues to work in our lives and bless our family.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">October 3rd - "My mom's birthday"</span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSY4OV6vWOyMlR99Utz-Z2rLkadhMaeldg_bnuQ6nWIBFQjs8evbdXIGxmVIVEjLV8HyCMl7zbbKuLOdrXIdT0_46SHxNmVaCeWbRfFgHqHaMPCkvjS1bmCjtZ344pdp4kJgrGnwTohg8/s1600-h/DSC01042.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSY4OV6vWOyMlR99Utz-Z2rLkadhMaeldg_bnuQ6nWIBFQjs8evbdXIGxmVIVEjLV8HyCMl7zbbKuLOdrXIdT0_46SHxNmVaCeWbRfFgHqHaMPCkvjS1bmCjtZ344pdp4kJgrGnwTohg8/s320/DSC01042.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264887452541406066" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx7LJ7Zo982wT0QznstYbGfzEMn_fczBiRBHOGZU69OigGaOpOh1uzXhJyBTX6ap-9h48isu5_hrnURD3jUyqvrX8KJ2PReTzc7JOz5pX3udOEZfUQ5VP-KhYvZfAp_12PdiQOEoW_K28/s1600-h/DSC01058.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx7LJ7Zo982wT0QznstYbGfzEMn_fczBiRBHOGZU69OigGaOpOh1uzXhJyBTX6ap-9h48isu5_hrnURD3jUyqvrX8KJ2PReTzc7JOz5pX3udOEZfUQ5VP-KhYvZfAp_12PdiQOEoW_K28/s320/DSC01058.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270373640860380802" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-P3p9Mxp-mPc-Ib7Fcr1a0Otb24NgHKBXN6Gcqa829QW0JwMVkeTWqMuMqEw82Ccs2CDoTznoK5ezKpj_COYLfDXfMFNqwZTgOPOx21tY6aLlBEwbvJqR7L4WgS_Xm33WEX0VHAVl7Bc/s1600-h/DSC01070.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-P3p9Mxp-mPc-Ib7Fcr1a0Otb24NgHKBXN6Gcqa829QW0JwMVkeTWqMuMqEw82Ccs2CDoTznoK5ezKpj_COYLfDXfMFNqwZTgOPOx21tY6aLlBEwbvJqR7L4WgS_Xm33WEX0VHAVl7Bc/s320/DSC01070.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270373897652202018" border="0" /></a>Trayc and I still live in our hometown so getting together for family events is easy because all of my family is still here and live nearby - we used to all live around the corner from each other until we moved (only 30 minutes away) last year. October 3rd is my mom's birthday. My parents, grandparents, sister/brother-in-law, Trayc and I went to dinner at 5-star restaurant called 95 Cordova in the Casa Monica Hotel and had an absolutely wonderful dinner. It was also fun to get dressed up, have adult conversations, not have to hold a bottle, fill up sippy cups and need to cut up food!!!! It's nice to have those kind of evenings. All the time? No, I love being a mommy and all that comes with it.<br /><br />After dinner we went back to my sister's house so the grand kids could have cake and celebrate with Grammy too - this is where the "adult conversations" ended!!! We had a delicious chocolate cake that was topped with chocolate icing and vanilla ice cream and then the kids sat around Grammy as she opened her presents and cards they had made for her. Look closely at the card Tanner made. He put his name, Tayden's and Tristan's name hanging down on the little rectangles. It means so much to me that he never, ever, forgets his little brother.<br /><br />I love you, Mom!<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">October 7th - "Unexpected call"</span></span><br /><br />As most of you know, we received an unexpected call from the Placement Office and are currently fostering a newborn baby girl. Due to privacy issues I cannot say much, but please know that we are doing GREAT!!!! Countless people have said they just can't imagine taking in a new baby knowing the goal is to return them back to their parents especially since we've already lost our own baby. I know it must be hard to understand, but honestly Trayc and I feel as though who better to do it than us? We know first-hand what it's like to take care of a new baby knowing there are no guarantees, knowing we are not promised tomorrow, falling completely in love with them and then have to let go. For us, we are doing what we know best, we are living "in the moment", enjoying every day and taking lots of pictures - just like we did with Tristan.<br /><br />I say all of that to also say that this road of fostering does get emotional sometimes and it's even harder when you are a family that is full of love. We love completely and with 100% of our hearts, not half-hearted and with that there is the risk of getting hurt. However, we truly feel as though this call was the Lord's will for us.<br /><br />The reason this was completely unexpected is because we have been praying since March that the Lord would send 2 little girls, between the ages of 3-8 years old, to our family. And we were specifically praying that the Lord would bring them to our home BEFORE the holidays knowing this year would be difficult without Tristan. We are excited about having new life in our home and at the holidays. We feel like this is His answer to our prayers. Maybe it's not what we had originally prayed for, but is His answer always what we pray for? Is His will always what our desires are? No, we have learned that this past year. We are trusting in the Lord again through this process and just like before, know without a doubt that He will carry us every step of the way and He will be there regardless of the outcome.<br /><br />Thank you to everyone that has been praying for us and checking in on us.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />October 26th - "18 yr Wedding Anniversary" & "Cardboard testimony"</span></span><br /><br />FRONT OF BOARD:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvbU-Q5srG7XWc0YlrCbMwOWBw00c1g3cx7zMfQauI8G4J-ZdHdg_Gh5rYE_l5T0ACehWjCoUAGD8pp5-6bRlh-A5OFoE3_QHPfyODRjU9Ywxa5dTI1LtW4EWdR1cExzMan-Zg-B-oQGw/s1600-h/DSC01160web.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvbU-Q5srG7XWc0YlrCbMwOWBw00c1g3cx7zMfQauI8G4J-ZdHdg_Gh5rYE_l5T0ACehWjCoUAGD8pp5-6bRlh-A5OFoE3_QHPfyODRjU9Ywxa5dTI1LtW4EWdR1cExzMan-Zg-B-oQGw/s320/DSC01160web.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270374447675800066" border="0" /></a>BACK OF BOARD:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX1_yhdNipSbNt9j9l5JSVfQqkkvrNgVOu8T0X2SMcmdar-J12jgI8onpCjP4Sut9_1lnapqF2tAd3RHHlNfKlrpToWwapnzjTboHPGniv9Vb-6ACCu7fz5nF0q1VyTdqnOMBi96m84KQ/s1600-h/DSC01162web.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX1_yhdNipSbNt9j9l5JSVfQqkkvrNgVOu8T0X2SMcmdar-J12jgI8onpCjP4Sut9_1lnapqF2tAd3RHHlNfKlrpToWwapnzjTboHPGniv9Vb-6ACCu7fz5nF0q1VyTdqnOMBi96m84KQ/s320/DSC01162web.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270374504071482466" border="0" /></a>Trayc and I celebrated our 18 yr wedding anniversary. Every year we have gone out-of-town but last year, because I was 7 months pregnant with Tristan, the doctors would not allow me to travel so we just left the kids with family and went to a hotel here locally. Last year Trayc promised that we would celebrate HUGE next year. Guess what? Plans changed because we received the unexpected call about the baby girl, which was certainly well-worth staying home for. Our anniversary fell on a Sunday so we decided that since we were home we would do what we always do on Sunday - go to church.<br /><br />The week before our anniversary we received a call from our church asking us to do a cardboard testimony. I have seen this on YouTube several times, and I cry every time because it is very moving. Our pastor has been in a sermon series called "In the Midst of Suffering", which have been perfect messages for us! He asked several people that have suffered greatly this past year to be part of the service. We had to think of something for the front and the back of our board for the Media Dept. to make.<br /><br />On the morning of the service we had sound check at 8:45 in the church. Trayc and I took the kids over to the pew and left them with my parents and then we walked down in front of the church and one of the guys in the Media Dept. handed us our board. Okay, this is when the "I'm so strong and doing great" moment quickly faded.......I broke down the moment I saw Tristan Asher on the board. I was so embarrassed!!! Not that it was a problem for anyone standing around, they had all suffered and gone through great trials this past year like job losses/cancer/death of spouses, etc. but the emotions caught me off guard and without any warning. Trayc went back to my parents row and got me a Kleenex and I attempted to wipe my eyes without smearing black mascara all over my face! The tears just wouldn't stop. Finally, I was able to pull myself together and walked through sound check. I was fine until the actual service began and then I started crying again. I stopped and pulled myself together once more. I walked on stage (in front of 10,000 people), smiled with that same "I have it together" attitude and as I held my board up and glanced down at the TV screen on the floor in front of us and saw my little boy's name again "Tristan Asher". You are right, started crying again. They weren't tears of sadness, they were tears of remembering this past year and a half. Remembering all we've been through, the good times and the hard times and then realizing we were standing on that stage testifying to over10,000 people that our Lord has been faithful, He never left us and that we are remaining faithful to Him and not turning away just because we do not understand the reason for our loss.<br /><br />This road of loss and grief is a hard one, something I never believed I could walk through. I remember begging Trayc, after we got Tristan's diagnosis, to not let this destroy us and who we were. I did not want to be the kind of person that would grieve the rest of my life, that never gets past it, that never moves on with my life, that wallows in my loss forever. Honestly I had a reason to be concerned, we had faced alot of things up to that point, but never anything of that magnitude and I was scared. Oh sure, there have been times that I wanted to crawl into bed and hide for days but I look at my 2 precious boys that are living and realize I didn't want them to have that kind of mother. I want them to see a sweet mommy, who loves Jesus, who walks the walk and talks the talk. I mean, how can I say, especially to Tanner at 12 yr old, that our prayers were answered, that the Lord had a reason for Tristan's life, that 56 days was his time, that the Lord has been faithful to our family and never left our side and yet not truly believe it or even act like it?<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">October 31st - "Happy Halloween"</span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguPB4aQn8gKvCFqZzcsKuhPucc7ArM4KBerCH004bHruk4-v5VQO4XAf3LWnvaUEpBGE9fYQJB77C-AX9XzE7PbudIpIiHM072JB3uAwnQWH5ma1lPp52XcEWV6y0sClA2wonQJpzSr0Q/s1600-h/DSC01176.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguPB4aQn8gKvCFqZzcsKuhPucc7ArM4KBerCH004bHruk4-v5VQO4XAf3LWnvaUEpBGE9fYQJB77C-AX9XzE7PbudIpIiHM072JB3uAwnQWH5ma1lPp52XcEWV6y0sClA2wonQJpzSr0Q/s320/DSC01176.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270532865167418242" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrX6MkWOSLlgjQ6pdtd3x28iI7UgIFtduYP65w7hzrXjBoBC8WCcIy28PWm_ecCH_keYzZtDIPNDux2CcdOF1zfzNhC6Dv4p8z3fXi16E2io75NtC5eCHW6xyd4zyx-bLnT_YKCxmZCII/s1600-h/DSC01185.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrX6MkWOSLlgjQ6pdtd3x28iI7UgIFtduYP65w7hzrXjBoBC8WCcIy28PWm_ecCH_keYzZtDIPNDux2CcdOF1zfzNhC6Dv4p8z3fXi16E2io75NtC5eCHW6xyd4zyx-bLnT_YKCxmZCII/s320/DSC01185.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270533318294377506" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgafJ9M9ll4GAb2L85CYfSagvgXMMgtpSVrdSpIMYk2Izw2iobxKmgMJe-SofYgIz7DzltJJ2CQkWgc_GDdKQXb1hoPCLx59-PjHqq2mkoALGCbTjclTaVAYvODa8OtGL0ILDw9wtb0gi8/s1600-h/DSC01192.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgafJ9M9ll4GAb2L85CYfSagvgXMMgtpSVrdSpIMYk2Izw2iobxKmgMJe-SofYgIz7DzltJJ2CQkWgc_GDdKQXb1hoPCLx59-PjHqq2mkoALGCbTjclTaVAYvODa8OtGL0ILDw9wtb0gi8/s320/DSC01192.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270533699204197410" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ov65V_WwJscHBgbYFHRNMNcebXds_QOBPz5A72FXzhBW2-_4w5eNETssmTNSUQiZk5mVQoJXlrhiUdrQzOBLYBXktqCFgczsajTt314fA73HJfW4DKLnFCmJ3TkQZXspazZmbZRF4U8/s1600-h/DSC01260.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ov65V_WwJscHBgbYFHRNMNcebXds_QOBPz5A72FXzhBW2-_4w5eNETssmTNSUQiZk5mVQoJXlrhiUdrQzOBLYBXktqCFgczsajTt314fA73HJfW4DKLnFCmJ3TkQZXspazZmbZRF4U8/s320/DSC01260.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270534264397519634" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXkJR6TXQUgbbq9mdpuEFW7tglB_WKT_bFsEA3MdVosVjNHm1xqM-Vkmnm2S8k_4BnKLOSzBtuAgOqyNsWgkP9V67Q1qt2wzWKSJBB8iYC-11P9lyvoYjH37CxLuyB0oU_I-6IAhbw0nk/s1600-h/DSC01230a.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXkJR6TXQUgbbq9mdpuEFW7tglB_WKT_bFsEA3MdVosVjNHm1xqM-Vkmnm2S8k_4BnKLOSzBtuAgOqyNsWgkP9V67Q1qt2wzWKSJBB8iYC-11P9lyvoYjH37CxLuyB0oU_I-6IAhbw0nk/s320/DSC01230a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270371270017455218" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj11tgFTQlDx2tTiz97h5wviTEno0HD3beW8fUs1pUVpL_Q4rmAH9XZEU7Q0nMZw92J8xHs1G84YvM-eguVD2Gjl9jL6ow841NYPOGb0fcUU6UKs_YISrcgm55h5xsQF7z3rJFRNta0RVw/s1600-h/n1349765647_126964_6515.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 318px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj11tgFTQlDx2tTiz97h5wviTEno0HD3beW8fUs1pUVpL_Q4rmAH9XZEU7Q0nMZw92J8xHs1G84YvM-eguVD2Gjl9jL6ow841NYPOGb0fcUU6UKs_YISrcgm55h5xsQF7z3rJFRNta0RVw/s320/n1349765647_126964_6515.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270375486116658162" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5pdw13MhZjb2xJvfXa9DQdyYkuHYovW-_DrQmdlL6R1z5HB2RkrxGA-7ArC0fx53IDXB8navYkxmuZc1Z4U88U_xXYvWuGeGvKOYOlRYuALr2MvXwYs8rkpSJMDzgD4wYqWJhsPNfM4k/s1600-h/DSC01248.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5pdw13MhZjb2xJvfXa9DQdyYkuHYovW-_DrQmdlL6R1z5HB2RkrxGA-7ArC0fx53IDXB8navYkxmuZc1Z4U88U_xXYvWuGeGvKOYOlRYuALr2MvXwYs8rkpSJMDzgD4wYqWJhsPNfM4k/s320/DSC01248.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274819351464073154" border="0" /></a>You know, there are so many times I wished Tanner and Tayden were closer in age so I try to find things that will allow them to bond and make memories together. They are so close, especially for the age difference. We have also found some great advantages to the 10-year age gap, being able to do things all over again - a second time around. This is the first year Tanner has not dressed up for Halloween. His words were, "Mom, I'm in Middle School now so I'll just be myself." It's kinda sad that he had grown up so fast, it seems like just yesterday we were dressing him up in his Winnie the Pooh costume. Fortunately Tayden is 2 1/2, and is just beginning the fun kid things. His favorite character is still Thomas the Train which he calls "Cluck Cluck" but he has started to like Pooh, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Handy Mandy. We let Tanner decide and of course, he picked Pooh because he remembered being Pooh. Tayden looked so cute.<br /><br />Halloween was fun!!! We started out trick or treating in the neighborhood across from us because most of the houses were lit up with lights of all colors, the home owners were all standing at the door ready to give out candy and the streets were full of families walking together going door-to-door. Tayden didn't really understand at first but finally he got the hang of it and he would run up to the door and knock. It was sweet watching Tanner hold Tayden's hand as they walked the neighborhood.<br /><br />After that, we attended a Fall Festival at a nearby church. My parents and sister/brother-in-law and kids met us there and the kids played games, rock-climbed, slid down huge slides, ate hot dogs and my and Tanner's favorite part - ate cotton candy!!!!<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">November 1st - "My dad's birthday"</span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimJGLNnJBuKBfcHe-WH3Vb3Ahu00UqAp7plZJmvIWnZRgkOZQhjUZxKyQhlOQjTtfm1lOo13y2HJHob36hkHp0JFwcavAag6nOTAfJ2TQazNJZFoSRsmMLE6IPuiHB7RqrtFKtKbEwmhQ/s1600-h/DSC01278.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimJGLNnJBuKBfcHe-WH3Vb3Ahu00UqAp7plZJmvIWnZRgkOZQhjUZxKyQhlOQjTtfm1lOo13y2HJHob36hkHp0JFwcavAag6nOTAfJ2TQazNJZFoSRsmMLE6IPuiHB7RqrtFKtKbEwmhQ/s320/DSC01278.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270547937389445186" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrTTpo4euwGT_Gho5wRj3CJekMsV03GpboUELt9krnOJIN2SnwAxHqySbdM8HQuB7cEPIXjkUhq-EI_bKNVu6oQCPk9iQ26MsJjpF_QMc6LEw6MbBxhFawCtvP_xKorYjwV6YqL39ALqc/s1600-h/DSC01264.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrTTpo4euwGT_Gho5wRj3CJekMsV03GpboUELt9krnOJIN2SnwAxHqySbdM8HQuB7cEPIXjkUhq-EI_bKNVu6oQCPk9iQ26MsJjpF_QMc6LEw6MbBxhFawCtvP_xKorYjwV6YqL39ALqc/s320/DSC01264.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270537480554721666" border="0" /></a>My dad's birthday is November 4th. As I mentioned earlier, all of our families live here in town and that also includes my dad, step-mom, step-sister/husband and their kids. My step-sister thought it was be sweet to throw my dad a surprise birthday party (FL/GA football style) - something we've never done before. Needless to say he was VERY surprised!!!!! It's not easy buying gifts for your parents, they seem to have everything but I truly believe what they really care the most about is TIME. My dad said his party was the perfect gift.....his 3 girls, their husbands and all his grandchildren together. We had so much fun celebrating with my dad, step-mom, step-sister/husband, their 4 children and my sister/husband and their 2 children.<br /><br />I love you, Dad!!!!<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">November 27th - "Happy Thanksgiving"</span></span><br /><br />We had a great Thanksgiving. We cooked most of the morning, making dishes that have been passed down generation after generation. Tanner loves to help in the kitchen, he snapped green beans, cleaned the potatoes and helped with the stuffing. Tayden, well he helped by sitting quietly with a bag of Sweet Sixteen chocolate donuts!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhftrVLUFjYNpBzBUiY-jJxlIQC-rEG6fc5y87NtAeD9Dg1d_gfS0-A4Ae4AFF9PR2IABL-3zcVwha1cGqj_Dp7-w3HC-EkvXR45rvB5zkoCeRW-6fH8n-UnIlWhhAPMSx0KPuudqjE7ck/s1600-h/DSC01510.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhftrVLUFjYNpBzBUiY-jJxlIQC-rEG6fc5y87NtAeD9Dg1d_gfS0-A4Ae4AFF9PR2IABL-3zcVwha1cGqj_Dp7-w3HC-EkvXR45rvB5zkoCeRW-6fH8n-UnIlWhhAPMSx0KPuudqjE7ck/s320/DSC01510.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274824614536163106" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxL7y4noyPuy6IEmU1ojNyuQ4cnPbiuOrliHPFlzRjQK5kRdDmkFCgEurb0-oRJUCHb9PkGPlJ0o8jTnaSpxXJI7GAxr6l-sfeZaR-Ryy83OAuqggBVm9y_4hAyGl6uSRRWS1b3uhAdso/s1600-h/DSC01511.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxL7y4noyPuy6IEmU1ojNyuQ4cnPbiuOrliHPFlzRjQK5kRdDmkFCgEurb0-oRJUCHb9PkGPlJ0o8jTnaSpxXJI7GAxr6l-sfeZaR-Ryy83OAuqggBVm9y_4hAyGl6uSRRWS1b3uhAdso/s320/DSC01511.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274824813530629986" border="0" /></a><br />We finally sat down to eat about 4:00 pm. We missed having Tristan at the table this year, it would have been his 1st Thanksgiving. We were also reminded that it was, once again, the 27th which means he has been gone 10 months already. We reminisced about last Thanksgiving and how I was days from having Tristan, how we were busy painting our bedroom at 12:00 midnight and preparing our home believing that I would be in the hospital for 3-4 days and then come home and prepare for his memorial service. Oh how blessed we were, we came home on day 5 and had 51 more days.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTOjye7pspb76iBX3x1V754YRJW1m7xyVCi9HX02KuZQewLa1fHWyaf7o9igWt_QNohxpAAvKfKzrnOfP-jmmj0LTBtdaVoWJ7do6A2dSYYGWphtaV_h6qNtE27SJQwJlYR8pZ9wCCZXM/s1600-h/DSC01533.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTOjye7pspb76iBX3x1V754YRJW1m7xyVCi9HX02KuZQewLa1fHWyaf7o9igWt_QNohxpAAvKfKzrnOfP-jmmj0LTBtdaVoWJ7do6A2dSYYGWphtaV_h6qNtE27SJQwJlYR8pZ9wCCZXM/s320/DSC01533.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273919396585532466" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNqn5ovQmzARFrrQ-sMGFDihzk6zm7cEERrpiVdNaermRnTGgYj7aJIe_Br00j94mZMreCQpKpyxXm6oL9bROen5NSEgS3lfI4MDIFgJcJNFeP5Mn7KaXRxl48RhepYaLbp03uV6DNjPk/s1600-h/DSC01539.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNqn5ovQmzARFrrQ-sMGFDihzk6zm7cEERrpiVdNaermRnTGgYj7aJIe_Br00j94mZMreCQpKpyxXm6oL9bROen5NSEgS3lfI4MDIFgJcJNFeP5Mn7KaXRxl48RhepYaLbp03uV6DNjPk/s320/DSC01539.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273919952962073218" border="0" /></a><br />Even though we have suffered a great loss this year, there is so much to be thankful for: my wonderful husband of 18 years who has walked this journey with me, for my 2 precious boys (Tayden and Tanner), for my miracle little boy(Tristan) that shared 56 DAYS with us, for the sweet newborn baby girl that we are fostering, for both of our families, for our wonderful friends and Internet friends, and for the readers that have followed our blog daily.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">November 28th - "Black Friday" shopping</span></span><br /><br />My sister and I have always been the crazy shoppers that hit the stores the day after Thanksgiving, but this year Tanner wanted to go with me. We got up at 4:00 am and left the house at 5:00 am. We were driving down the road and Tanner said, "It's still dark outside. I can't believe we're really going shopping at 5:20 in the morning!" I thought it was a cute moment to take a picture.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqLyBwVbSZ4jpiPvTB3-3Gw5e5kW5A8RM-DyfYi6YiefadAyrNwBd0TLaUzZQXRHEhwMqjKfRNa4AJ1w99H80cGgFFu4KyeT_5YPI3HgKroM7uw9eXrOori1VQSgdd8B51zckHtbyZ_p0/s1600-h/DSC01572.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqLyBwVbSZ4jpiPvTB3-3Gw5e5kW5A8RM-DyfYi6YiefadAyrNwBd0TLaUzZQXRHEhwMqjKfRNa4AJ1w99H80cGgFFu4KyeT_5YPI3HgKroM7uw9eXrOori1VQSgdd8B51zckHtbyZ_p0/s320/DSC01572.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274496913123739442" border="0" /></a><br />We went to Walmart and Target and made our way through the 100's of shoppers looking for the great sales!!! As we walked into Walmart they had big bins of PJ's for ages 12 months-5T and people were grabbing them and then tossing them over to other shoppers as they called out what size they were looking for. Tanner said, "I'm little, let me do it." He got down on the floor and ducked under all the other shoppers and started digging through the PJ's and as he found them he'd say "Here mom" and throw it to me. He laughed so hard and then walked away still laughing. It was a great mother/son moment.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiroqBngfCdbfP5zBiuR2TC3kDQUG0lEvwvUzZ6nitEGopq90qV8DY27i-fmvCTQ8ZGh3lZzVVQutTZsPvg0QXPwk9uEbpA_ltX-242bFtg4RPoBILBe3OjKcgDj4qcCffOQZHLojnKk7s/s1600-h/DSC01573.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiroqBngfCdbfP5zBiuR2TC3kDQUG0lEvwvUzZ6nitEGopq90qV8DY27i-fmvCTQ8ZGh3lZzVVQutTZsPvg0QXPwk9uEbpA_ltX-242bFtg4RPoBILBe3OjKcgDj4qcCffOQZHLojnKk7s/s320/DSC01573.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274497979958290690" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvO7XoFri7SgDnRmuDm3zYLdLv5Ko42Xo17tyBU9BIVPw1SpaN8qdp9hXta1nPzKuayAEF6jKCuR5ucIxGOnKKXc1whAJBr6yYEQbFpryjpkvKw_UMyRfKjqV2F_XiPnKdlfABf_f_81o/s1600-h/DSC01575.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvO7XoFri7SgDnRmuDm3zYLdLv5Ko42Xo17tyBU9BIVPw1SpaN8qdp9hXta1nPzKuayAEF6jKCuR5ucIxGOnKKXc1whAJBr6yYEQbFpryjpkvKw_UMyRfKjqV2F_XiPnKdlfABf_f_81o/s320/DSC01575.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274498287595185138" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAAKIG1IbaxAzsxgjbUyiygYZWuu2mioyikaW49xTXqQxXU7mi6HbdWYN4TPE5i8wXGjH2kLeIsVxQUCpIhNjlTb5-x4mXJfYw3CKaPxFVVQilJ37S8JbgSBO6JIzxjkcPIeLzFpARmcY/s1600-h/DSC01577.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAAKIG1IbaxAzsxgjbUyiygYZWuu2mioyikaW49xTXqQxXU7mi6HbdWYN4TPE5i8wXGjH2kLeIsVxQUCpIhNjlTb5-x4mXJfYw3CKaPxFVVQilJ37S8JbgSBO6JIzxjkcPIeLzFpARmcY/s320/DSC01577.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274498553706438210" border="0" /></a><br />We were hungry by 9:30 so we headed to Cracker Barrel for bacon, eggs, hash browns, biscuits and some much needed coffee (for me!).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNTMa1eXM9g8TWwJ01MkC2VtnSVkbFL2zO3c8a1SgApfW4rgmvAXw73YzyZB_A9MSmvzN1MQUoJ-aA6Z3XoXi1hM8h26NKi9y4LfhmKqzaB5b7hrAm3sFYG0ncsZ9c_4A-w9q4ljzHpTI/s1600-h/DSC01580.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNTMa1eXM9g8TWwJ01MkC2VtnSVkbFL2zO3c8a1SgApfW4rgmvAXw73YzyZB_A9MSmvzN1MQUoJ-aA6Z3XoXi1hM8h26NKi9y4LfhmKqzaB5b7hrAm3sFYG0ncsZ9c_4A-w9q4ljzHpTI/s320/DSC01580.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274498755835425026" border="0" /></a><br />After our bellies were full we were ready to go again. We went to the outlets and shopped until 12:00 noon and then headed home for a nice LONG nap until 4:00 pm.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbpsztqdC4Nbq_eukkvbLsIn5eOeyiQlpJmWCvIkvBfrtTcd9vLGQ3etWY2JRZCSL2nnfOSiOHWOdVtAaOAs3HDSf-z1Om13GndfOyXz2GiUBCLd0SfKwt5pDghQlVz-5r6WmsYXcCdro/s1600-h/DSC01582.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbpsztqdC4Nbq_eukkvbLsIn5eOeyiQlpJmWCvIkvBfrtTcd9vLGQ3etWY2JRZCSL2nnfOSiOHWOdVtAaOAs3HDSf-z1Om13GndfOyXz2GiUBCLd0SfKwt5pDghQlVz-5r6WmsYXcCdro/s320/DSC01582.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274498941869757570" border="0" /></a>This day started out mighty early but we talked, sang and laughed so hard, something I've really needed to do. Tanner has my personality so we always have a great time together. His sweet, sincere and yet funny attitude is what has really kept me going on the difficult days. Again, we made some very special memories, ones that I'm sure we will talk about for years to come.<br /><br /><br /><br />So, that's a little glimpse of our home the past 3 months. We miss our little boy so much. On Thursday (Thanksgiving Day), we already began experiencing the moments which are sure to be bittersweet as we approach this coming week. Tristan's 1st Birthday is Wednesday, December 3rd and the will go right into the 56 DAYS we shared with him which also include Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, New Years Day and the day he passed away, January 27th. So, these 56 DAYS and the holidays will be hitting us just days apart.<br /><br />Please join our family in prayer as we begin the upcoming days/months. We are asking the Lord to hold our family tightly in His hand and to give us sweet reminders of our little boy's precious life. Thank you for your love, support and most especially the prayers for our family while on this journey.<br /><br />We love you all!!!!Yvettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12470530399873634506noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6312145940408409223.post-10172319175836817572008-09-23T21:00:00.023-04:002008-12-08T22:21:50.682-05:00Our road to a full quiver<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM-AdW0Wlg5-n8UDKNozRa0yHRTIudSe4mlGZocokO2uDUHHSdT2pmyA5Tud8eaUEltpx1ns-qYytOPoBePj_6zjQ913xzZSmoDiJtMBci_EubuetzbrN0TusbWjc3nGCv5_wsraPp_L8/s1600-h/long-road.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM-AdW0Wlg5-n8UDKNozRa0yHRTIudSe4mlGZocokO2uDUHHSdT2pmyA5Tud8eaUEltpx1ns-qYytOPoBePj_6zjQ913xzZSmoDiJtMBci_EubuetzbrN0TusbWjc3nGCv5_wsraPp_L8/s320/long-road.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214153010485536898" border="0" /></a>It's been almost 8 months since our little boy passed away. As a mommy, there is a part of my heart that wants to crawl in bed and dwell in those precious 56 DAYS that we shared and yet I know I can't do that. I am wife to Trayc, a mom to Tanner and Tayden, a daughter, a granddaughter, a sister, a Aunt, a friend, a 6th grade girls' Sunday School Outreach leader, a Middle School church choir helper and a mentor to a precious 6th grade girl that came into my life a year ago.<br /><br />As a family we have slowly made our way through this grieving process. Never rushing, never expecting too much from each other, never doing more than we thought we could emotionally handle and basically taking it one day at a time. Don't get me wrong, we are still grieving but in such a different way. We miss our little boy so much, his presence in our home is felt every day but the pain is not what it was 8 months ago. We have had to consciously make a decision, every day, that although we miss our little boy, we have to move forward and that is exactly what we have attempted to do the past few months.<br /><br />I would like to share with you, <span style="font-style: italic;">where we have been</span> and then share the exciting news of <span style="font-style: italic;">where we are</span>:<br /><br />Trayc and I grew up together at church. We attend a large church and there were over 300 in our youth group, we knew of each other but didn't hang around together. It wasn't until we had both graduated from high school and attended Middle School camp as counselors in August 1987 that we actually met. It was love at first sight for both of us. I was taken by his sweet charm and personality but mostly by his love for the Lord as it was so obvious. We hung around together, in a group of friends, at church until our first date on October 19, 1987. We dated for 3 years and 1 week. During those years of dating we both lived at home. On the weekends we would stay on the phone for hours (like 4, 5 and 6 hrs!) talking about being married, having our own home and having a big family. Trayc wanted 4 kids, I wanted 6 kids - 3 boys, 3 girls (can you guess what my favorite TV show was? Yes, the Brady Bunch).<br /><br />I had some female problems in my early 20's. I went to the doctor and ended up having numerous tests which then required a few surgeries. The doctor revealed the results of the surgeries and then said "Unfortunately, you will never be able to have children". I will never forget that day! I left devastated. I was so upset, not only by the results but with the doctor's attitude, he was very matter of fact and gave me no kind of hope. I decided to change doctors hoping for a better response. I knew the results wouldn't change but I was just looking for some kind of direction, some kind of hope, just anything that could possibly allow me to get pregnant and be a mommy.<br /><br />Trayc and I were looking at rings and talking about getting married so I had to be honest with him, I had to tell him that we would never be able to have children, our own flesh and blood. Being the wonderful guy he was, he calmly and confidently said, "Honey, it's okay we'll just adopt". He was so sweet. I appreciated his attitude, he loved me for me not the children I could or could not give him. Inside though, my heart was broken. Every hope, every dream of having a family of our own and being a mommy was gone, gone before I even said "I do".<br /><br />Trayc and I were married on October 26, 1990. We knew the chances were highly unlikely that we'd get pregnant but we still tried month after month, year after year for 4 long years. I changed doctors 8 times. A friend suggested that I go to her doctor because he was a sweet Christian man. I scheduled the appt. but honestly went with no expectations. What a difference that appt. made. The doctor said there was hope as there were several kinds of infertility medications available - none of which were ever offered by the other 8 doctors. I began taking fertility medications immediately. The doctor tried every kind and with every combination possible for 6 months but I still wasn't pregnant. The doctor did not want to waste any more time on medications so he referred us to an infertility specialist.<br /><br />We were excited about an appointment with the top infertility specialist in town. Again Trayc and I went to that appt. with no expectations! We sat there stunned as the doctor began telling us successful stories(most of which were multiple births) and he read statistics with the majority of women getting pregnant within 2-3 months through invitro. For the first time ever, we had a doctor say "Your case is very common, you shouldn't have any problem getting pregnant with invitro." WOW!!!!! Finally we had hope. We heard that there was a chance we could get pregnant, we could actually have a baby and hold our own flesh and blood. After 4 years of trying, 9 doctors, 1 infertility specialist, $25,000 (thanks to Trayc's mom and grandma), 2 invitro procedures, many tears and lots of prayers - we were pregnant. <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Tanner Alexander was born July 19, 1996. Our first miracle baby!</span></span><br /><br />We attempted 9 more years to get pregnant on our own without any success. Trayc and I decided to make an appt. with the same infertility specialist again. We didn't have any more money but we knew the invitro procedure worked for Tanner and we were really hoping it would not cost as much if we went straight to the same process. That would have been great, however, we were now 9 years older (37) and our bodies had changed. They could do the same process but there would be a few more processes, which meant more money! We left the doctor's office that day resolving in our own minds that we were so thankful for the life of our son, Tanner, and we would pursue adoption down the road. Every day Tanner would ask why we didn't have a house full of kids, that he didn't want to be an only child and that he wanted lots of brothers and sisters. A few days later, Trayc woke up in the middle of the night and said, "I just thought of a way we could get the money, we could see how much equity we have in our home". The next day he rushed to the bank and we had enough. We refinanced, we got the money, went to the doctor with a check in hand and began the blood work and paperwork. On July 28th, 4 days before we were supposed to begin invitro process our doctor said that I needed to take a pregnancy test just to make sure we were not pregnant. I laughed and said, "Seriously, I really don't need to take one, I've never been pregnant on my own in 15 years. " Guess what? I was pregnant. <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Tayden Abbott was born March 27, 2006. Our second miracle baby!</span></span><br /><br />Trayc and I decided that since we got pregnant with Tayden on our own, no medication, no invitro procedures and we were 40, we'd try again because we really wanted Tayden to have a brother/sister close in age. So we tried, 1 time on Tayden's 1st birthday and guess what? Again, we were pregnant. <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Tristan Asher was born December 3, 2007. Our third miracle baby!</span></span><br /><br />The Lord has blessed Trayc and I with the greatest desires of our hearts, our own flesh and blood. But, as you know the hopes and dreams for our third 3rd miracle baby were not all we had hoped they would be. Our lives were shattered on August 15th as we sat in the high-risk doctor's office and heard the news that our precious little boy would be born with a very rare (1:6000) genetic disorder called Trisomy 18 which is considered "incompatible with life".<br /><br />After the shock and devastation of the news wore off, Trayc and I started talking about our future, not just with Tristan, but about our desire for more children. Here we were, married for 18 years, both 40 years old, 2 boys which are 10 years apart and a baby that, barred a miracle, would not be with us very long. In September 2007 we began talking about adoption again, just as we had back when we were dating and over the course of our 18 yrs of marriage. Trayc and I talked about adoption quite often until Tristan was born on December 3, 2007. We stopped talking about it because we were still hoping and praying for a miracle. The Lord was still able to place His hand on our little boy and remove this disorder if He chose to. We also did not want to give up the hope that if our little boy was born with Trisomy 18 that he could be the long-time survivor, after all there are still miracle babies out there living with full Trisomy 18. I so desired to spend the rest of my life, 24 hrs a day, 7 days a week taking care of my little boy and would have done it, if given the chance! We now know the Lord's plan was for Tristan to live for 56 DAYS and I have to trust that He knows better than me. Was Tristan still our third miracle baby? Absolutely and in so many ways. He was conceived without medication, we only tried once, he made it to full-term, he was born alive, he made it to our home, we shared Tristan's 1st Christmas and best of all --- we prayed for 1 day and the Lord blessed us with 56 DAYS.<br /><br />Our desire for more children is greater than it's ever been. Our minds are open, our hearts and open and our home is open. We believe the Lord has brought adoption back to both of our hearts. In March, I mentioned to Trayc that I would like to start considering adoption again but that I didn't want to say anything to anyone or make a decision either way until we both felt like the Lord was clearly leading us in that direction and not that we were just trying to fill the void we were feeling from Tristan's loss. So, I made my very first call to a friend in our church that had just adopted 2 little girls, sisters. My friend was so sweet. We talked for 2 hours, she explained their process, how precious their girls were, how they had adjusted, that they were a perfect fit in their family and that their other 3 girls instantly accepted them. It was so good for me to talk to her because honestly, I did not know anyone that has ever been adopted or adopted a baby/child. This was as new to me as Tristan's T-18 diagnosis and again I found myself researching the Internet for answers. However, it was wonderful to actually know someone who had just been through this process. My sweet friend gave me the names/numbers of people within the foster care system that helped them through the process so after we hung up I began making numerous phone calls. We were told it could take 6-9 months to get through the process. We began the process on April 9th, received our Adoption license on June 26th and our Foster-to-Adopt license on July 9th - both processes completed in 3 months.<br /><br />We would like to adopt 2 sisters (between the ages of 3-8 yrs old). As everyone knows, I want little girls soooo bad. I long to go to ballet lessons, have pretend tea parties, play with Barbies, play dress up, have Disney princess' stuff everywhere, buy fancy dresses for church, brush long hair and learn how to put in hair bows. Just typing these words literally brings tears of excitement rolling down my face.<br /><br />Our family is filled with excitement and anticipation as we wait for our little girls! And Tanner, well let's just say that he is ecstatic!!!! Oh how this brings joy to our hearts. The moment Tristan passed away he was crying so hard and begging "Mommy, please please have another baby or let's adopt please! I want a whole house full of brothers and sisters!" As I held Tristan in one arm, I held Tanner's face in the other and said, "Look at me Tanner, mommy promises we will not end on Tristan okay? We will have more children." My heart was not only breaking for the loss of Tristan but for Tanner. Tanner's little heart went through so much this past year and he was in, by far, the most difficult moment he will probably ever face in his life - his baby brother had just taken his last breath. Trayc and I have made him a huge part of this process. It has been sweet hearing him pray every day for our girls and ask every time the phone rings "Mommy, was that a call about some girls?".<br /><br />Would you please join us today in praying for our future children, the ones the Lord will bring home to us? We do not know who they are or when they will come but He does and His timing is always perfect. We are specifically praying that the Lord would protect them, guard their little minds and hearts until they walk through the door of our home. We are praying for them daily just as we did for all 3 of our boys.<br /><br />A very special THANK YOU to the following people that helped us through this process: Tamara B., Sandra S., Linda A., Eileen C., Dennis M., FSS employees, JG, Melissa B., Gidgett G., Michelle Mc., the 10 couples we met at CFC, Jami T., my and Trayc's family members' that have prayed/supported/encouraged us, and my sweet Internet friends that walked the Trisomy 18 road with me and are now walking this road with me.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Psalm 127:3-5</span><br /><br />3 Behold, children are a<br />heritage from the Lord,<br />The fruit of the womb is<br />His reward.<br /><br />4 Like arrows in the hand of<br />a warrior,<br />So are the children of one's<br />youth.<br /><br />5 Happy is the man who has<br />his quiver full of them;<br />They shall not be ashamed,<br />But shall speak with their<br />enemies in the gate.Yvettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12470530399873634506noreply@blogger.com130tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6312145940408409223.post-11859377500955007832008-09-03T23:15:00.005-04:002008-09-05T15:08:15.361-04:009 months ago.....9 months ago today my sweet little boy was born. Knowing all of the "statistics" for Trisomy 18 babies, we assumed we would only have a few minutes or a few hours. We had already begged the doctors to get me from the operating room to my regular room as quick as possible. When we entered the room it was filled with 25 family members, photographer and her assistant from the Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep organization, ready to take pictures, and one of our pastors was there ready to perform the baby dedication service. This service was very important to us because we had dedicated Tanner and Tayden at birth AND because Tristan truly was our miracle gift from the Lord, we felt it appropriate that we dedicate his life to the One who created him.<br /><br />I have been so blessed to have such a sweet and very thoughtful step-mom, she thinks of those little things that mean so much. She surprised us with buying Tristan a beautiful, hand sewn, dedication outfit from a little quaint baby store in Nashville, TN. It was absolutely beautiful! We were going to dress Tristan in it, however because he had to be resuscitated 4 times in the delivery room we thought it would be best to let him save his energy and rest so we laid the outfit over him. Doesn't my little boy look precious here?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5KNtSoePz-RlMNRTFEvT47hAIu7Eb5B9ZQa7nCJBKCOEdqujya3EFlWHOfzKxaWTwMOEv-QwslFV1RWcqeZVwwefOLl83GWVLN0073PmJr2BzzE5BWOKi-IJDHf4bJw693XM4e3TXpsI/s1600-h/598V8387rbw.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5KNtSoePz-RlMNRTFEvT47hAIu7Eb5B9ZQa7nCJBKCOEdqujya3EFlWHOfzKxaWTwMOEv-QwslFV1RWcqeZVwwefOLl83GWVLN0073PmJr2BzzE5BWOKi-IJDHf4bJw693XM4e3TXpsI/s320/598V8387rbw.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5242166016613604370" border="0" /></a><br />This picture has become very special to me because every morning when I turn on the computer Tayden climbs up in the chair, leans over the desktop, points to THIS picture (which is part of a collage of Tristan's pictures on our screen saver) and says "Baby" and "Baby hat". He smiles, laughs, climbs down and runs down the stairs to go eat breakfast.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHz6okm0l3i7miCXttXv5bXlRS0TFHafTciD4pD604OZtc0i7rI0feX7TiwrjtxCeWlPD5XZqYE0c8DQdeKvjAGCK8L24Tmm-_rSmu3cabIMvYb3-UtSzVQF9MwLtp7QFp6_co3GlS_9A/s1600-h/DSC01012.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHz6okm0l3i7miCXttXv5bXlRS0TFHafTciD4pD604OZtc0i7rI0feX7TiwrjtxCeWlPD5XZqYE0c8DQdeKvjAGCK8L24Tmm-_rSmu3cabIMvYb3-UtSzVQF9MwLtp7QFp6_co3GlS_9A/s320/DSC01012.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5242540547671927746" border="0" /></a>It is so sweet to watch him do this and yet it brings bittersweet tears EVERY morning. I have seen Tayden grow up so much in the last 9 months. He is communicating and talking more and seems to be identifying with who Tristan is, alot more than when he was here in December and January. Oh how I wish Tayden was able to have his little brother here to love him, kiss him, talk to him and eventually play. Whenever I look in Tayden's room and see him sitting in the floor playing with Tanner, my mind envisions what it would have been like having all 3 of them playing. Although I will forever miss having my 3 boys grow-up together, I did have 56 DAYS with all 3 of my boys together. We were able to make so many memories during that time. One of my favorite pictures of my 3 boys together is this one from Christmas morning, our 1st Christmas with Tristan.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPFuxW6YZCyvukuMhVAsjJNQ_Q1FgNPiJotu0S-8Tq1Drqfj0XE6TxKUx6uvmN-_aJqD4pwa1AEjXAzK32qbdu26u1j9R2_Un-63d_9RKwkZHSsueh_xgU5z_odZSDu4iZIPgyaLMScZQ/s1600-h/IMG_6393.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPFuxW6YZCyvukuMhVAsjJNQ_Q1FgNPiJotu0S-8Tq1Drqfj0XE6TxKUx6uvmN-_aJqD4pwa1AEjXAzK32qbdu26u1j9R2_Un-63d_9RKwkZHSsueh_xgU5z_odZSDu4iZIPgyaLMScZQ/s320/IMG_6393.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5242543642665219842" border="0" /></a><br />Days like today are hard. I have come to realize that there will always be days like the 3rd (the day he was born) and the 27th (the day that he passed away) that will forever be etched in my mind. I'm really missing my little boy today!!!!Yvettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12470530399873634506noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6312145940408409223.post-75566493574699346062008-09-03T21:05:00.006-04:002008-09-04T19:48:35.504-04:00Special prayer request: Kenzie & baby FaithOn the way home from church tonight I received a text from Kenzie. After a doctor's appt. today, she was admitted into the hospital because she was dilated and in preterm labor at 26 weeks. Kenzie and Dusty are expecting their precious little girl, <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Faith Clare Stanfield</span></span>, in December. Right now they are attempting to stop the contractions with magnesium sulfate for at least the next 48 hours and then Kenzie will be on bedrest.<br /><br />I am sure Kenzie is scared, as any mother would be, and yet I also know that Kenzie's faith and trust in our Lord has never wavered. What a testimony she has been through Maddox's sweet life and through this pregnancy with Faith Clare. Kenzie has become one of my dearest friends this past year. We've laughed together, cried together and prayed together while on this Trisomy 18 journey so it's really hard to be here in Florida when I want to be there in Texas beside her, holding her hand and praying with her. But what I can do is pray for her from a distance. I come here tonight with a heavy heart for my precious friend.<br /><br />Please pray for Kenzie, baby Faith, her husband Dusty and their son Deacon tonight and in the days ahead. Kenzie's blog is located on the side of my lists under Trisomy 18 journeys, Maddox Donald Stanfield. Please visit their blog and let them know you are praying for them.<br /><br />Kenzie used this verse for Faith Clare on June 7th: "I have prayed for this child and the Lord has granted me what I asked of Him."<em></em> 1 Samuel 1:27Yvettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12470530399873634506noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6312145940408409223.post-4261711348853144502008-08-27T19:00:00.034-04:002008-09-04T19:52:06.897-04:00August 15th...our journey began 1 yr agoI am so sorry it's been a while since I've posted, it has been a busy month. Thank you to everyone that has either called or emailed to make sure we were okay. How comforting it is to know that we have sweet friends that remember we are still on this journey.<br /><br />After Tanner's birthday weekend, we spent the following week shopping for clothes and getting him ready for the upcoming year of home school, piano, soccer and middle school (at church).<br /><br />On July 28<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">th</span>, we took Tanner to church for his first year of Middle School camp. He was both excited and nervous because he had never been away from home for more than one night, so 5 days/4 nights seemed like a very long time.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC56bNHeorfJKJnT5YrnQXHVf3qWu24WN5eH3IiDyDYIjmng-aB8Q2CJQYSGdrnOM1RTv2uYSRMM0_L_qVOyBkMCKQ4YqiGmR5XJnxzsD_4W1QsVrtNF4UoNnKYd_h1CEQa8kLUkQohN8/s1600-h/DSC00786.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC56bNHeorfJKJnT5YrnQXHVf3qWu24WN5eH3IiDyDYIjmng-aB8Q2CJQYSGdrnOM1RTv2uYSRMM0_L_qVOyBkMCKQ4YqiGmR5XJnxzsD_4W1QsVrtNF4UoNnKYd_h1CEQa8kLUkQohN8/s320/DSC00786.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239323398396240498" border="0" /></a><br />As soon as we pulled up to church there were buses, luggage trucks and hundreds of kids running around talking and laughing - you could feel the excitement in the air! He found his cousin, Avery, and quickly forgot about being scared. Avery is in 7th grade so this was his 2nd year at camp, he is really excited Tanner's in Middle School now. They have talked all Summer about the Middle School dept. and how much fun they are going to have together going to camp, church, retreats, mission trips, etc. How blessed Tanner is to have christian cousins.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYMfkFFT1u0oys67fVW1mmgJbaEKovuWy2L6cJCaupY_4USIvEbFE6zpIAuq9FM0MA8Vt5PKq8LPtrU3jsSLXS3tQFC-YUzOwGdZYt6aH87OBHRNkeYDXQTtISsE2-HbijWnXZ4d8qsug/s1600-h/DSC00787.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYMfkFFT1u0oys67fVW1mmgJbaEKovuWy2L6cJCaupY_4USIvEbFE6zpIAuq9FM0MA8Vt5PKq8LPtrU3jsSLXS3tQFC-YUzOwGdZYt6aH87OBHRNkeYDXQTtISsE2-HbijWnXZ4d8qsug/s320/DSC00787.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239326255406681874" border="0" /></a><br />There were 8 buses - 4 boys and 4 girls, that lined the streets beside the church. That morning brought back so many memories for Trayc and I, we grew up at FBC and attended the same camp every year. But this time it was different, we weren't the ones going to camp, we were the ones standing on the street waving goodbye and that is hard! I did everything possible to fight back the tears, although there were many 6th grade parents crying. My first born is growing up way too fast.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgauND1P-efwXFanJ4_MnBfYYaqNvPtDFr0_DEK-z0u4vVm4IRJPm8-M3_MHEvjThU7dLRjehzHpkAaNDwNuvm4R0gbzl-z9speM5nJUZl3eWoOJlX-5xT9t_M6Af0iIrgd9ZP-I4zbtmI/s1600-h/DSC00793.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgauND1P-efwXFanJ4_MnBfYYaqNvPtDFr0_DEK-z0u4vVm4IRJPm8-M3_MHEvjThU7dLRjehzHpkAaNDwNuvm4R0gbzl-z9speM5nJUZl3eWoOJlX-5xT9t_M6Af0iIrgd9ZP-I4zbtmI/s320/DSC00793.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239324284106594290" border="0" /></a><br />After the buses were completely out of sight we left. I sat quietly in the front wondering how I would go all week without hugging or talking to Tanner. Tayden and Tanner play together most days so Tayden definitely missed his brother. It was an emotionally hard and quiet week. For 10 years all we knew was Tanner and then along came Tayden and we experienced the joy of having 2 children and then on December 3, 2007 we had 3 boys. Not only was it a blessing but a miracle, as we were told we'd never have children. I cannot explain the fulfillment I felt holding Tristan, having Tanner on one side and Tayden on the other. Once you know the feeling of 3 children in your home, if only for Tristan's 56 days, how do you ever go back to 2 children and NOT feel like something is missing?????? I am so thankful for Tanner and Tayden but our family is not complete without Tristan here. He was a part of us, he was a part of our family and I miss the noise and the busyness his sweet little life brought to our home. It seemed as though the loss of Tristan was magnified even more with Tanner not being home because I was back to one child.<br /><br />Needless to say, we literally counted down the days until Tanner came home on Friday. We were the first car in the parking lot, an hour early! As the buses starting pulling up I was running down the sidewalk. The buses couldn't unload fast enough. I was standing at the door, of the 6th grade bus, as Tanner walked off. With tear-filled eyes, I grabbed him and said, "Hey baby, I missed you!" I probably embarrassed him (because you know, he's a big middle schooler now) but it's okay, he will always be my baby. This is the face of a very, very happy mommy!!!!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYeYrn-n5UKwwBtyXjSdW_rpf2aOCB8NJeodZSOh7SV6PBPsLpwbAlm4HEnRLm4CCPuHSc4_cbOqykRfy9ovpHW8HjKMWv-8gAymFXFALtAXZRMjUVmoS7LjWvZtxab3hfzeS14YrkYms/s1600-h/DSC00796.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYeYrn-n5UKwwBtyXjSdW_rpf2aOCB8NJeodZSOh7SV6PBPsLpwbAlm4HEnRLm4CCPuHSc4_cbOqykRfy9ovpHW8HjKMWv-8gAymFXFALtAXZRMjUVmoS7LjWvZtxab3hfzeS14YrkYms/s320/DSC00796.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239324874303456642" border="0" /></a><br />We went out to dinner and Tanner shared about his exciting week at camp. It was packed full of activities: morning devotions, meeting at the flag pole for the pledge, 3 meals, swimming, softball, Bible classes, choir and chapel. Up at 6:00 am and in bed at 10:00 pm. There were 300 middle schoolers and lots of decisions for Christ were made. Tanner made a commitment to live 100% for the Lord and we are so proud of him. We know that Middle School is going to be an exciting time for him and cannot wait to see all that the Lord does in his life this year. We are grateful for a church that loves it's young people and knows the importance of teaching them about Jesus and how to live a godly and pure life.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHearUu-Q8HeRQkjLtYfP8DCyPGqxfvArvByWmAKxrBVFmqFdTqBZ8DzFHnw6w6lzMx84S_r-u6yB_x0K-gfr3eoeQpu5z6f64BjblfjMpbkhsSKrOSk64UB9Nabh7dyrANw60IcTEG0U/s1600-h/tanner004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHearUu-Q8HeRQkjLtYfP8DCyPGqxfvArvByWmAKxrBVFmqFdTqBZ8DzFHnw6w6lzMx84S_r-u6yB_x0K-gfr3eoeQpu5z6f64BjblfjMpbkhsSKrOSk64UB9Nabh7dyrANw60IcTEG0U/s320/tanner004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239334838589650050" border="0" /></a><br />On August 3rd, Tanner began his first week in the Middle School dept. He couldn't wait to get to Sunday School to receive his "Take The Light" journal - it's a big deal in Middle School, just as it was when Trayc and I were in there, infact I still have my journals from Middle School and High School. There is a section for their morning devotions, a section for prayer requests and a section for taking sermons notes. What a blessing it has been to see Tanner sit on his bed every morning having his quiet time, praying and writing prayer requests. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Trayc</span> and I are also really excited about this new school year because we are both working in the Middle School dept. as outreach leaders in the 6<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">th</span> grade Sunday School and helpers in Choir.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2YaTia7Ba5M3II8sVnghB4Xvx8TxLqGzwu_GmHDMUOKAC5aophZv6A7dUZlstmxcbidmC8dXq16pR3Teo6d_H5gc-Y2zWswwslRtIxfWKknKyYtmPs93o_DjZNXhRr7hiJEkuzOF50Q0/s1600-h/DSC00798.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2YaTia7Ba5M3II8sVnghB4Xvx8TxLqGzwu_GmHDMUOKAC5aophZv6A7dUZlstmxcbidmC8dXq16pR3Teo6d_H5gc-Y2zWswwslRtIxfWKknKyYtmPs93o_DjZNXhRr7hiJEkuzOF50Q0/s320/DSC00798.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239324595823518530" border="0" /></a><br />On August 7<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">th</span> and 8th, we took a mini-vacation to Orlando. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">After Tristan passed away a sweet friend had given us free tickets to Wet N' Wild so we decided to use them before we got too busy with the new school year. Trayc</span> and I haven't been since high school and Tanner and Tayden have never been to a water park so we thought it would be fun. Trayc and I took turns going on the big slides with Tanner, I can't remember laughing that hard and that much. And Tayden, well his favorite thing to do was lay back on his tube and go around the lazy river over and over and over! We had a great weekend.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2poLlqFcGHf9JtyGu7wz17hBEPHJRDyq-xefCKYx7GtVTcmeWTSaYRpjvEEyl9MLiD0ApwoZBrfiMUi8uvcXdvor_XeVC_80hRChSkyqIWIqqOtAz1noMKiK_P_LJfANN3_p3G-TwPf8/s1600-h/DSC00803.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2poLlqFcGHf9JtyGu7wz17hBEPHJRDyq-xefCKYx7GtVTcmeWTSaYRpjvEEyl9MLiD0ApwoZBrfiMUi8uvcXdvor_XeVC_80hRChSkyqIWIqqOtAz1noMKiK_P_LJfANN3_p3G-TwPf8/s320/DSC00803.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239333016088913362" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhupNPhLCZiLEuE9sqI5Wvtikjkhw55g80VE-c7KqD2GH64bNexanawTyPK9YrVUxDVQPu3Ys-0bX71vzdHG26ShK9UF5vVv_we-kPx3WtqufW84I7FiiTf5ctPNUBuyP2GK9nGr42hUB0/s1600-h/DSC00816.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhupNPhLCZiLEuE9sqI5Wvtikjkhw55g80VE-c7KqD2GH64bNexanawTyPK9YrVUxDVQPu3Ys-0bX71vzdHG26ShK9UF5vVv_we-kPx3WtqufW84I7FiiTf5ctPNUBuyP2GK9nGr42hUB0/s320/DSC00816.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239333234163999026" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhli0CWlcGMysY03By5NcCGwu6t_E0dQUgd_Pz3646RWx3iU10JPZKL1o5mdj9EpWuD4tFYUpBIoFiBOH6W0aAV_C8zwfWyYKSQcFXLJcKE4vTq_1SFLCkTAv_3Ss8_R_VPEFvdvHiW4R0/s1600-h/DSC00830.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhli0CWlcGMysY03By5NcCGwu6t_E0dQUgd_Pz3646RWx3iU10JPZKL1o5mdj9EpWuD4tFYUpBIoFiBOH6W0aAV_C8zwfWyYKSQcFXLJcKE4vTq_1SFLCkTAv_3Ss8_R_VPEFvdvHiW4R0/s320/DSC00830.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239333487408074290" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoC6sxY6H1a8hHLU2Tgj15x5_KhmLeP9xdHRIPlP9jnusTJt3dHNo8EmEbzhyB34HVNPlhb2tQFPabpt0mCRfPW_n57Vy-TB3SFO5UPeAjwC7oCJt_Qm-PViDiV6QOH0B9RYg74ZOx2mk/s1600-h/DSC00824.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoC6sxY6H1a8hHLU2Tgj15x5_KhmLeP9xdHRIPlP9jnusTJt3dHNo8EmEbzhyB34HVNPlhb2tQFPabpt0mCRfPW_n57Vy-TB3SFO5UPeAjwC7oCJt_Qm-PViDiV6QOH0B9RYg74ZOx2mk/s320/DSC00824.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239342331352257234" border="0" /></a><br />On August 15<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">th</span>, it was a day I would have preferred to stay in bed all day remembering that 1 yr ago our Trisomy 18 journey began. Thankfully, my sweet husband dragged me out of bed at 7:30 am and said that we were going to remember our little boy today and be thankful for all that we had with him. I got ready and we went to breakfast and talked about our precious little boy and all that the Lord had brought us through and what He is doing in our lives now.<br /><br />Our life forever changed on<span style="font-weight: bold;"> August 15, 2007</span>. Until that day life was great. We had been married 17 years, we had remained out of debt and cash only for 5 years, we were 8 days from moving into our new home with new furniture, we were prepared to paint blue walls and decorate a sports theme, we had sweet 11 yr old, a silly 1 yr old and we were pregnant with our 3rd little boy!!!!<br /><br />Little did we realize in a matter of minutes our lives were about to change and that day would quickly became the worst day of our lives. We heard the most devastating and life shattering news that no parent should ever had to hear - our precious little boy, Tristan Asher, would be born with a very rare genetic disorder known as <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Trisomy</span> 18 which, by medical science, is considered "incompatible with life". We were then told the statistics, 50% of babies do not survive to full-term birth alive and the 50% that do usually only live a few hours or days.<br /><br />Our doctor's appointment that day was ONLY supposed to be a follow-up sonogram to see Tristan's heart. You see, just 4 weeks prior we were there to find out the most important question of any pregnancy, "Is it a boy or girl????" because we needed to buy paint before we moved into our new house the following week. We found out that it was another boy and just stood at the check out laughing saying, "Great, another boy which means more blue and we have to think of a name". I really thought this was going to be our girl so it was just such a joke that again we were having another boy and figured that we'd have to adopt if we were ever going to have a girl.<br /><br />When we approached the check-out desk the nurse said the doctor wanted to see us back in 4 weeks for a routine sonogram to see Tristan's heart. The nurse tossed around several dates and then said "How is 8/15 at 8:15, hey <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">that will</span> be easy to remember?" and then laughed. I said, "That's fine" and as she was writing the little reminder card that said "8/15 at 8:15" I looked at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Trayc</span> and said, "That will be an easy day to remember!" Not only because of the similar numbers but because August 15<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">th</span> had 2 very special memories attached to that day, 1) Tanner's due date was August 15<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">th</span> and, 2) Tanner started his very first day of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">kindergarten</span> on August 15<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">th</span>. Oh little did I know, standing at that desk that day, what other memory would now became attached to August 15<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">th. That was the day </span>every hope and every dream we had for our precious little boy was shattered in an instant!<br /><br />When I read my own words written in my entry that day I feel the hurt, the pain, the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">sadness</span> and the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">disappointment</span>. We were so devastated!!!! But now, one year later as I look back, although the sadness of the news is still felt, I so vividly see how the Lord has carried us every step of the way. He was so faithful to our family. We did not know that we would have 56 days with our little boy. We were so scared we wouldn't make it to December. After we got over the initial shock and devastation, we committed to each other and to our Lord that we would not allow Satan to win. We would not allow him to steal the joy of the new life inside of me and that our little boy was our 3rd miracle regardless of his diagnosis. We prayed that the Lord would bless our family with the time He wanted us to have and that we would forever be thankful for that amount, whether it was a day, a month or a year. Tristan's time was 56 days.........that is his little life, his story and what the Lord allowed and we are eternally grateful for that time. You know, sometimes in this life we feel as though we do not make it very far but as I read my words written exactly one year ago I know that we have come through this.<br /><br />On August 19th (of this year), and the following 4 days we were trapped inside. Yes, we're in Florida and you know what that means......hurricanes! Fay slowly made her way here. It began as a storm and then became a hurricane. The TV News was reporting it to "come right in at St. Augustine", well that's us, and this had not happened since 1964!!!! We began preparing for what we thought would be a very serious hurricane. Fortunately the hurricane became a storm, again, overnight. We had the winds of up to 75 mph and definitely rain and flooding but no serious damage was done. Here are some pictures:<br /><br />Trayc was in the backyard attempting to take pictures without being blown over:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_A62_y-uhAxSKBV9Y44zA3pC9TBoi2U__5JYRKGLqqBNLZg3occZXKtyx7Mb1EEjI__bjMIeTJD-S0X4XFFXGUd7z4XbYvQJ34wuMrNzkkgR0Ge35rLZwDNPo17OvMeWxXMlmpUz8Jkc/s1600-h/DSC00876.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_A62_y-uhAxSKBV9Y44zA3pC9TBoi2U__5JYRKGLqqBNLZg3occZXKtyx7Mb1EEjI__bjMIeTJD-S0X4XFFXGUd7z4XbYvQJ34wuMrNzkkgR0Ge35rLZwDNPo17OvMeWxXMlmpUz8Jkc/s320/DSC00876.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239587253044774290" border="0" /></a><br />We had trees down in our subdivision:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizEoM7uzzQwF9Ai4wNCQ_ydhcAUBYJSMpgtdTlUnDGKBWDEe29joI0uemZyRKVGC2fsLXX54Z6qZG6gIjz0kLcjgl-bn2-qWmpUd3cZ5cI-ZHIGdTdqXcw5729jdxKKXE280-FuCPy4EY/s1600-h/DSC00872.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizEoM7uzzQwF9Ai4wNCQ_ydhcAUBYJSMpgtdTlUnDGKBWDEe29joI0uemZyRKVGC2fsLXX54Z6qZG6gIjz0kLcjgl-bn2-qWmpUd3cZ5cI-ZHIGdTdqXcw5729jdxKKXE280-FuCPy4EY/s320/DSC00872.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239587133201728722" border="0" /></a><br />We had so much flooding that the yard was full of water and the trees around the lake were IN the lake:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-K-jFnbD2jMyaODHBKSNCKMpKv5rRy-s40rWouUokrRtGbdNj-c_x-gH8IQm337mROuUV45rc3Qo1MrmWpoZ-QEKASelcNNXZz2tXXrW5U1Frlpktkj0fAJ8M2ov6hQWimJzorZ9y0n0/s1600-h/DSC00870.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-K-jFnbD2jMyaODHBKSNCKMpKv5rRy-s40rWouUokrRtGbdNj-c_x-gH8IQm337mROuUV45rc3Qo1MrmWpoZ-QEKASelcNNXZz2tXXrW5U1Frlpktkj0fAJ8M2ov6hQWimJzorZ9y0n0/s320/DSC00870.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239586986037163042" border="0" /></a><br />In 4 days of bad weather, we only lost electricity for about an hour on the last day. The boys got out the glow sticks left over from July 4th and we played:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6oCI7LYXwSP6ek5QnuctlPG4jXSs0bkCgFlC64rnjQRhsuW1FL-IGxQfD42Xq4pnbcfwbW_ZsxE0742tPEWwyDU_7-KOz4h8ViP73DMX6CuAZmbCYypIQOKvbHk8vV0tgGUSY6mwFR90/s1600-h/DSC00885.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6oCI7LYXwSP6ek5QnuctlPG4jXSs0bkCgFlC64rnjQRhsuW1FL-IGxQfD42Xq4pnbcfwbW_ZsxE0742tPEWwyDU_7-KOz4h8ViP73DMX6CuAZmbCYypIQOKvbHk8vV0tgGUSY6mwFR90/s320/DSC00885.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239587587195958962" border="0" /></a><br />And then tonight, August 27th, as I sit here and type this entry, I am reminded that it has been 7 months since I held my little boy. Oh my heart still aches for Tristan. I am reminded of him in everything we do, whether big or small, the daily routine or the fun planned trips and events. We are changed because of Tristan and we will honor our little boy's life by continuing to move forward, by using his story...56 days...to encourage other moms that receive the same diagnosis, to support others through their loss, to continue living for Jesus, taking one day at a time and above all ---- seeking to do the Lord's will in all that we do.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">THANK YOU:</span><br /><br />To everyone we personally know, or only know through the blog: for following our story this past year, for your love, support, encouragement, cards, emails, comments on our blog and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">Facebook</span>. It means more than you can imagine. This has been a journey filled with many ups and downs but your friendships have carried us through the most difficult days of our lives.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><br />To both of our families: for being there every day to love us, encourage us, support us and for understanding our emotions as we walk this road of grief this first year. We love you!!!<br /><br />To my sweet internet friends: for your love, prayers and encouraging me on the hard days and for "carrying my mat" every day on this journey. I miss you all so much and cannot wait to be together again. I love you!!!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9TQAYzBlT3HyjsiD1v1mdzOJrEPImDTtpsGyhuShcU_VtvMeJTZGW4JDhgrtA4eBDb0eG8fKuezQJOZtGyAep-6qZupXmPixlvuN8UA0PYEeBSyk6pQtjq64DGKszLW1JIQlGQZtN5X0/s1600-h/24176922615_0_BG.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9TQAYzBlT3HyjsiD1v1mdzOJrEPImDTtpsGyhuShcU_VtvMeJTZGW4JDhgrtA4eBDb0eG8fKuezQJOZtGyAep-6qZupXmPixlvuN8UA0PYEeBSyk6pQtjq64DGKszLW1JIQlGQZtN5X0/s320/24176922615_0_BG.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239384371794370898" border="0" /></a>Yvettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12470530399873634506noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6312145940408409223.post-4520796541814285272008-07-19T23:30:00.059-04:002008-12-08T22:21:54.372-05:00Happy Birthday, Tanner!12 years ago today Trayc and I were holding our first little boy, Tanner Alexander. He was definitely our miracle baby! We were told by 8 different doctors that we would never be able to have children. After 4 years of attempting to get pregnant, infertility medications and 2 invitro procedures we were pregnant! I am so thankful the Lord allowed us to get pregnant with Tanner, he was the answer to many prayers. Tanner was born 4 weeks early, weighed 5 lbs. 11 oz. and had no hair. We look so young don't we? We were so happy.......we NEVER thought that day was even possible!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl04TdUluC0kU30J683BiYbrTLygBbvRxT6wzQrjhdflhw9S3w-6TbIsYuHz2hxjgc-03jgqPYTdXA2DG12z0eYyMiySgLNMsV8Jqo0Zx_U3SbzmIyvsjuALKtzZqnDaTAH7rAG8mmMNs/s1600-h/tanner003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl04TdUluC0kU30J683BiYbrTLygBbvRxT6wzQrjhdflhw9S3w-6TbIsYuHz2hxjgc-03jgqPYTdXA2DG12z0eYyMiySgLNMsV8Jqo0Zx_U3SbzmIyvsjuALKtzZqnDaTAH7rAG8mmMNs/s320/tanner003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227425648105900946" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi83mRIg0R_-NPz7Jb9UbRfEPUiF5ckN-6LwK0OQzXYfDs4FQPJApRuK6MqrLiLfTiP3gc8xzEerMSeXjxTUgxt69mamh98BmdF5IMJDhzRvXPiqyp_obSAGnUDL-sYNcQJnojOpvVUn4g/s1600-h/tanner002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi83mRIg0R_-NPz7Jb9UbRfEPUiF5ckN-6LwK0OQzXYfDs4FQPJApRuK6MqrLiLfTiP3gc8xzEerMSeXjxTUgxt69mamh98BmdF5IMJDhzRvXPiqyp_obSAGnUDL-sYNcQJnojOpvVUn4g/s320/tanner002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227425553522391362" border="0" /></a>If asked how I would describe Tanner this is what I would say: innocent, loving, happy, funny, sweet, polite, thoughtful, helpful, loves celebrating events and is a true perfectionist. Tanner says when he grows up he wants to play soccer in college, work for his dad's company (tile/stone), play the piano like Michael W. Smith and he wants to go on mission trips with his dad so they can tell the world about Jesus. What more could a mother ask for?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi-Hemo8SkDdQShI2mPlniCj1jLHPiWP6Ue3-aU_wqGFBd8z-XAAIi-Hd2fpbUCSKUBOJS8MC1d8hiBRkSBhpSbKEIVdCNrWANAq3zCUcCeDBik_sIXyZKR2Ba1tQP_wneK-7bIBUV82Y/s1600-h/DSC00754forweb.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi-Hemo8SkDdQShI2mPlniCj1jLHPiWP6Ue3-aU_wqGFBd8z-XAAIi-Hd2fpbUCSKUBOJS8MC1d8hiBRkSBhpSbKEIVdCNrWANAq3zCUcCeDBik_sIXyZKR2Ba1tQP_wneK-7bIBUV82Y/s320/DSC00754forweb.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226028751352829570" border="0" /></a>We have home schooled since 1st grade. It has been a decision we will never regret. In the beginning we only pulled Tanner from private school because we were having financial difficulties and the plan was to keep him out for 1 year. Well, 2 months into home schooling my heart quickly changed because I loved spending that time with him and because he was the only child at the time, we had a lot of one-on-one time together. And then it was fun while I was pregnant with Tayden because Tanner got to feel him kick, watch him grow for 9 months and be a part of our pregnancy. When Tayden was born Tanner stayed all 4 nights at the hospital and slept in his sleeping bag - the hospital doctors/nurses thought he was so cute sleeping on the floor beside me and they would just laugh when he'd walk up and down the hospital halls in his PJ's and big doggie slippers to go to the kitchen to get snacks! After Tanner finishes with school he will sit and play with Tayden whether it's trucks, trains, cars or sitting to watch Tayden's "baby" movies. And then being pregnant with Tristan, I could not have imagined Tanner not being there every day. With a Trisomy 18 baby you are only promised THAT day and not knowing whether we'd even make it to December it was so important to us that Tanner have as much time as possible being a big brother to Tristan even before he was born. And then to be able to bring Tristan home for 56 DAYS? What sweet memories Tanner will always have of being at his baby brother's bassinet all day, every day. So homeschooling has allowed so much more for us than if Tanner was at school all day. Home schooling has so many advantages and along with educating him I also get to teach him how to act like a godly christian young man.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9KO0eT-UcDZlr1CxJC6Ben6p8rBw_urZtMBap-uBC5uQGC3wtU-qAY5T4Ydcr1gFYYvfVgJ5WPguZ2_Uae3jjnvqte6pNiSmBNulmsxLbdabCmaw4Dt4i0CMTUu38sPNYqE7Kjog6kYk/s1600-h/tanner004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9KO0eT-UcDZlr1CxJC6Ben6p8rBw_urZtMBap-uBC5uQGC3wtU-qAY5T4Ydcr1gFYYvfVgJ5WPguZ2_Uae3jjnvqte6pNiSmBNulmsxLbdabCmaw4Dt4i0CMTUu38sPNYqE7Kjog6kYk/s320/tanner004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227425756905779058" border="0" /></a>Tanner has only played one sport, SOCCER!!!! He has played the Spring and Fall season since he was 4 years old. He had the same coach and team until we moved last August, it was neat watching all of the kids grow up together. Trayc was Asst. Coach and I was Soccer Mom for his team up until last year. We love going to games on Saturdays to watch Tanner play and it's so cute hearing Tayden clap and yell "YEAH, BRO BRO".<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfDtXCVAnKdrOvENl5LjL1bl4cHohCVs8-K9VCXZOL_uK1R-oY15t_p7tap4vifX2zLI8WJ21WGtV9GXhbq0RK9a1gY0sP12tWMmCV4kvaHXYF3SidXKr29DD_wVmbzUtclZQPbB0EVLo/s1600-h/IMG_6814.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfDtXCVAnKdrOvENl5LjL1bl4cHohCVs8-K9VCXZOL_uK1R-oY15t_p7tap4vifX2zLI8WJ21WGtV9GXhbq0RK9a1gY0sP12tWMmCV4kvaHXYF3SidXKr29DD_wVmbzUtclZQPbB0EVLo/s320/IMG_6814.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226279225969021218" border="0" /></a>Tanner has taken piano lessons since he was 8 years old, and he has received trophies the past 3 years. Trayc and I both played the piano growing up but Tanner is so much more dedicated than we ever were. He will sit and play an hour or two a day. It is relaxing to hear him play throughout the day. We hope he will continue to use his talent in the years to come.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3JRR21ltAMZK50rXWXEzlVg6TKYmXYqr35g_XZi4DTusoPE1MUEj3rLOk1-4kmGDGLV3ePiWZYbTb5vToYuGNt3VqUwIfdaNnWBgqcfazA9o1YwdCMUCKkTcNc37AGjOMuNHiHmr67n0/s1600-h/IMG_7137.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3JRR21ltAMZK50rXWXEzlVg6TKYmXYqr35g_XZi4DTusoPE1MUEj3rLOk1-4kmGDGLV3ePiWZYbTb5vToYuGNt3VqUwIfdaNnWBgqcfazA9o1YwdCMUCKkTcNc37AGjOMuNHiHmr67n0/s320/IMG_7137.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226226726138150050" border="0" /></a>Tanner has 4 very close friends (left to right) Ben, Tanner, Drew, Harrison and Avery (cousin). All 4 of these are boys from sweet christian families, we are grateful for their friendships and the christian influence Tanner is surrounded by.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTogwS_TFNQ7rC-wh58H4kmBUXsEylwGCa0wIGFx70zr0htueTW0PlTfOo8gyr8tKjMhNNqSlSQ7eMyFIxT5xnm1BGVC-grThvqq1OYSMPJNSdSzp8dTIcYpRUdcgRpBolHqeeEDdCI2Y/s1600-h/IMG_7222.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTogwS_TFNQ7rC-wh58H4kmBUXsEylwGCa0wIGFx70zr0htueTW0PlTfOo8gyr8tKjMhNNqSlSQ7eMyFIxT5xnm1BGVC-grThvqq1OYSMPJNSdSzp8dTIcYpRUdcgRpBolHqeeEDdCI2Y/s320/IMG_7222.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226226275475302210" border="0" /></a>Tanner loves going to church and has been very involved. His favorite part is being in the musicals twice a year. All 4 years he had received a part, whether it's speaking or dancing. His last Elementary musical was in May, he was Lazarus in the boys' dance routine, which he dedicated to Tristan because his part centered around Tristan's life verse - John 11:4.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0BY0Br7YfSgrEHmPwNzF-c_NCmADEsj66Iu62W_EZY7cCLzF_cbf9bY9CXuce-lDvX1zkVNKjpSw1zoWe5Z_AAaIajnebNB7DNikm_OSf9k8mzFoLmDhNA1YARwssiPOh00wkSxvgrGs/s1600-h/IMG_7115.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0BY0Br7YfSgrEHmPwNzF-c_NCmADEsj66Iu62W_EZY7cCLzF_cbf9bY9CXuce-lDvX1zkVNKjpSw1zoWe5Z_AAaIajnebNB7DNikm_OSf9k8mzFoLmDhNA1YARwssiPOh00wkSxvgrGs/s400/IMG_7115.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5201899521501522610" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwmeekTJEzq0i33vN2_Fso2yS1MoKedhRDga3qhtj_dA61VnMhweyOYBa1dzwMectxLkA1fzDqNMU6zmZTKN_aHTxOMJJtmFXyUZsfkf9Wqgp3wYEB8_q-f98OU4TVnrqxqybugjQYPm8/s1600-h/IMG_7146.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwmeekTJEzq0i33vN2_Fso2yS1MoKedhRDga3qhtj_dA61VnMhweyOYBa1dzwMectxLkA1fzDqNMU6zmZTKN_aHTxOMJJtmFXyUZsfkf9Wqgp3wYEB8_q-f98OU4TVnrqxqybugjQYPm8/s320/IMG_7146.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5201908029831736002" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWSaoLDWrnunaxwOx6qbbMUPBXejOMlF7ZK5UbVDuTNFq-dK3ziyUSywqpzHb1R5Ko4Jl1Y8F9kyEQ0etbhPB8wHY-37sU6hARue-e1mv1ZXfqfImN-fC-lAZQyKsXD1LpACJjRnwFoTc/s1600-h/IMG_7083.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWSaoLDWrnunaxwOx6qbbMUPBXejOMlF7ZK5UbVDuTNFq-dK3ziyUSywqpzHb1R5Ko4Jl1Y8F9kyEQ0etbhPB8wHY-37sU6hARue-e1mv1ZXfqfImN-fC-lAZQyKsXD1LpACJjRnwFoTc/s320/IMG_7083.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5201908510868073234" border="0" /></a>Tanner and Trayc have their own sport they enjoy doing together, kayaking. They began about 2 years ago and we surprised Tanner last year with his own kayak on his 11th birthday. Now that we live so close to the water it's very easy to drive down the street and put the kayaks in. This also give them father-son time together.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN1oxOepr9_gn5VpvGL2dHJ17lAoOoUtruoVrTCGauEOBTzB4bCQ3obWRgOP__PqNwUejr2CHy6RiXBIZ-qz-jEFk7mpOG3IfgEKlcergYBHrwm-ZgmRkimukPj8AwHRjXxDrsTUDdWnA/s1600-h/IMG_5122.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN1oxOepr9_gn5VpvGL2dHJ17lAoOoUtruoVrTCGauEOBTzB4bCQ3obWRgOP__PqNwUejr2CHy6RiXBIZ-qz-jEFk7mpOG3IfgEKlcergYBHrwm-ZgmRkimukPj8AwHRjXxDrsTUDdWnA/s320/IMG_5122.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226584240518442274" border="0" /></a>Children grow up so fast don't they? I can't believe Tanner actually leaves for Middle School Church Camp on the 28th. He is really excited about moving up to Middle School, at church, because they go on Mission trips, Retreats, Camp and have Friday night Bible studies. He is so excited that we are going to be working in the department too. Camp is going to be the beginning of a very exciting time for him and the beginning of some great opportunities for him to learn more about Jesus and how to have a deeper and more personal relationship with Him in the upcoming year.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMsKoAWBvhQ6SY71yZjfpApSX-VAGN4ye69xzi3x2STQAuGYpekKW9D25v_Kv9hqVc5hXhCiCnfQFE02olU2he-zaaEyvV29EBv6KaAy0z0XZnEmeMay2jS677O-G-K-0uqT5NI6n5-ow/s1600-h/tanner001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMsKoAWBvhQ6SY71yZjfpApSX-VAGN4ye69xzi3x2STQAuGYpekKW9D25v_Kv9hqVc5hXhCiCnfQFE02olU2he-zaaEyvV29EBv6KaAy0z0XZnEmeMay2jS677O-G-K-0uqT5NI6n5-ow/s320/tanner001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227425445842650418" border="0" /></a>Tanner was an only child for 10 years, all he ever wanted was a house full of brothers/sisters, so you can imagine how excited he was when we told him on his 10th birthday that he would be a BIG brother! Although there is an age difference you'd never know it, they play like they are best friends.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1NnoJ6zM7Z4kvrXBa-V8PVJJrmQoAoNj14ggOm4IYxfqpEhf_vCCpfFkIkvkD0VOQT2DQoV-750ovAXuNbb_0zMMkkCWiwF8gTicTcxIu07m735YrXcEdVsIgRQNoaLzS2HK39URcQSo/s1600-h/DSC00758forweb.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1NnoJ6zM7Z4kvrXBa-V8PVJJrmQoAoNj14ggOm4IYxfqpEhf_vCCpfFkIkvkD0VOQT2DQoV-750ovAXuNbb_0zMMkkCWiwF8gTicTcxIu07m735YrXcEdVsIgRQNoaLzS2HK39URcQSo/s320/DSC00758forweb.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226028815191873426" border="0" /></a>And Tanner was really excited when we told him, last Easter, that we were pregnant again. Tanner handled Tristan's diagnosis, his birth and his death far better than we ever expected. He has experienced more than most by the age of 12 in losing his brother. It's been a long road but he has no anger or bitterness and never questions why the Lord only allowed Tristan 56 DAYS with our family. I have heard him on many occasions explain how much of a miracle Tristan was, it's so sweet to hear him share his testimony about him. Tanner has been a big encourager for me, during the day, when I'm sad or missing Tristan.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyGUCAByIx5NcrD6lCiu5Gv0U5oVxs8U1GrWcnvcwOpl-6kEQYppQLE5DYd815MsCCTivreELagrRu9QtMMo1WfHtd38B3HVswUJiW-HKLMSFolhrfUpiZJR5zCzZorMGcEN2VgEVK9D0/s1600-h/598V9097r.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyGUCAByIx5NcrD6lCiu5Gv0U5oVxs8U1GrWcnvcwOpl-6kEQYppQLE5DYd815MsCCTivreELagrRu9QtMMo1WfHtd38B3HVswUJiW-HKLMSFolhrfUpiZJR5zCzZorMGcEN2VgEVK9D0/s320/598V9097r.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227432585285022114" border="0" /></a><br />We are so proud of Tanner, he is such a blessing to our family. Our prayer is that Tanner will continue to be a young man who loves Jesus with all of his heart, that will never turn away from the Lord, that he will never comprise his standards and personal convictions for this sinful world.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Happy 12th Birthday, Tanner!!!!</span></span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">We love you,<br />Mommy, Daddy and Tayden<br /><br /><br /></span></span> </div><em></em>1 Samuel 1:27 says: "I have prayed for this child and the Lord has granted me what I asked of Him."<br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span>Yvettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12470530399873634506noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6312145940408409223.post-31974143730455165682008-07-18T23:57:00.016-04:002008-12-08T22:21:54.615-05:00my LARGE shirt<span style=";font-family:Arial Narrow;font-size:100%;" ><b></b></span><span style=";font-family:Arial Narrow;font-size:100%;" ><b></b></span><span style=";font-family:Arial Narrow;font-size:100%;" ><b></b></span><span style=";font-family:Arial Narrow;font-size:100%;" ><b> </b></span><span style=";font-family:Arial Narrow;font-size:100%;" ><b><span style="color: rgb(8, 97, 153);font-family:Brush Script MT;font-size:180%;" ></span> </b></span><p> <span style=";font-family:Arial Narrow;font-size:100%;" ><b><img src="http://kingdomservants.org/out/outriggerlogo.jpg" alt="LifeWay's Outrigger Island logo" align="left" height="200" hspace="35" width="331" /> </b></span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />This has been a very busy and exciting week, our church had Vacation Bible School for the 3 yr old through 5th graders. We had a lot of kids, the average was about 1,200 per day and the 1st-5th graders collected a daily offering, for a local children's mission field within our church, which exceeded $2,000. I worked in the 5th grade department so I could be with Tanner all week - we had so much fun! We started off every morning with a main assembly for 1st-5th graders, where the kids would say all 3 pledges, sing songs, listen to a missions story, pray and then we divided into grade levels and had Bible class, Craft class and Recreation. I just love working with kids this age and teaching them about the Lord, this world has not really gotten a hold of them yet so they listen with open hearts and open minds.<br /><br />This year the VBS theme was "Outriggers Island". The kids learned how to know, speak and live God's truth-aloha style. Based on Psalm 86:11, Outrigger Island is more than a tropical paradise. It's the place where kids develop the stability they need to face a world of shifting sands and wavering opinions.<br /><br />The teachers were given lime green shirts to wear all week. On Monday, as I was getting dressed for VBS and pulled my medium shirt over my head, I instantly recalled getting ready last year ........<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi516_VgCRk6pXwP0Xj0nVO3u60QBKZrqoZCOEPsumSMpSp7dK8Bj57MjxI8azwuDpaJzauqTr1ITH6QWSO-8rk6bfBvt0hIzZCKlCP2JbWSaenv-uWzZ4hy8Hb2668gBn7cih27t2tb7Y/s1600-h/DSC00709.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi516_VgCRk6pXwP0Xj0nVO3u60QBKZrqoZCOEPsumSMpSp7dK8Bj57MjxI8azwuDpaJzauqTr1ITH6QWSO-8rk6bfBvt0hIzZCKlCP2JbWSaenv-uWzZ4hy8Hb2668gBn7cih27t2tb7Y/s320/DSC00709.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225634298263973522" border="0" /></a><br />........... my shirt was a LARGE!!!! I was 4 months pregnant with Tristan and we did not know he had Trisomy 18. I was so excited, so happy, full of laughter and proudly wore my large shirt that covered my big belly. I took my niece and nephew every morning to VBS, as soon as my sister would drop them off my niece would say, "Aunt Yvette is Tristan kicking?". They loved rubbing my belly, feeling him kick and couldn't wait to have another cousin to play with. I miss those days.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2FhBW0VEAQXWMsyPXuL-5crW8z50FChtRtyutb0Nb0RKYgeGqgM-QN9PymEjeYxtPVs_QB3RrqVKxEieEhvakvfPxwk1kwZaWgz-XdzoYKNNbwT0_IZmRmh0aydyqvAN7XEa8jboxvRM/s1600-h/DSC00179for-web.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2FhBW0VEAQXWMsyPXuL-5crW8z50FChtRtyutb0Nb0RKYgeGqgM-QN9PymEjeYxtPVs_QB3RrqVKxEieEhvakvfPxwk1kwZaWgz-XdzoYKNNbwT0_IZmRmh0aydyqvAN7XEa8jboxvRM/s320/DSC00179for-web.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225637808780725938" border="0" /></a><br />This week has brought a lot of memories of being pregnant with Tristan. I miss the days I wore LARGE shirts, my big belly and feeling him kick, but even more so I miss the 56 DAYS we had, just loving and holding my precious little boy!<br /><br />Oh Tristan, mommy misses you so much!<br /><br /><br />(VBS verse) Psalm 86:11 says: "Teach me Your way, O Lord; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name."Yvettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12470530399873634506noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6312145940408409223.post-74080439629744190172008-07-15T23:25:00.002-04:002008-12-08T22:21:54.716-05:00Deeper Still: A Divine Appointment IndeedThank you so much to everyone who left a comment on my entry titled "Face-to-Face". I still cannot find the words to express how much the Atlanta trip meant to me. It was just so comforting and healing being with 7 other girls who completely understand everything I am feeling. We share a bond that cannot be broken by time nor distance. The only thing that's different now is that we all really miss each other and can't wait to be together again!<br /><br />Since posting about our trip I have received numerous emails from people simply saying thank you for sharing our story and our journey. Oh, my hope has always been that other girls who are facing a diagnosis like Trisomy 18 or any other prenatal diagnosis will reach out to others that are going through the same thing or that have already walked this road. This journey has been lightened since I reached out to these sweet girls last Fall and I cannot imagine this journey without them.<br /><br />After returning from our trip, one of the girls, Emily (Miller Grace's mom), was given an <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">amazing</span> opportunity by LifeWay to share her story of our Atlanta/Deeper Still trip which was posted today on the Deeper Still Blog (Beth Moore).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOyJEawTi94Gy8WBFV9eHLuCCcjkWKVYdTDJdU8ljEtPBAtm0u-OuBizVYANl2Q-8-7prO6ZCJuBHPws2dnZjhu5iMS5kX5H-uUWHM4Cv4h8tKDLr0y4gpZnNeW4YzZKz9BL_ePbrH4UY/s1600-h/DSC00628.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOyJEawTi94Gy8WBFV9eHLuCCcjkWKVYdTDJdU8ljEtPBAtm0u-OuBizVYANl2Q-8-7prO6ZCJuBHPws2dnZjhu5iMS5kX5H-uUWHM4Cv4h8tKDLr0y4gpZnNeW4YzZKz9BL_ePbrH4UY/s320/DSC00628.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225960996901558866" border="0" /></a>A very special THANK YOU to Michelle Hicks, LifeWay Rep., for praying for us over these past few months, for praying with us at DS, for giving us the incredible opportunity to meet Beth Moore backstage and for allowing the story of our babies to be shared through the DS blog!<br /><br />Please click on the link below to read Emily's story:<br /><a href="http://blogs.lifeway.com/blog/deeperstill/2008/07/deeper_still_a_divine_appointm.html">http://blogs.lifeway.com/blog/deeperstill/2008/07/deeper_still_a_divine_</a>Yvettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12470530399873634506noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6312145940408409223.post-45373561981491793272008-07-02T23:40:00.024-04:002008-12-10T19:23:17.017-05:00Face-to-FaceOn Sunday night I returned from the most incredible trip of my life. I was finally able to meet FACE-TO-FACE with 8 my closest "Internet" friends that have walked this Trisomy 18 road with me.<br /><br />It's really hard to put into words what this weekend meant but I will try because I want you to understand through my words and pictures, how the Lord blessed me by placing each one of these girls in my life, through the loss of my precious little boy, Tristan. It is such a beautiful picture of how the Lord went before us and prepared every step we would take, while on this journey, so that we could carry each other on the most difficult days of our lives.<br /><br />In March, Emily emailed several of the girls she has met along her journey and asked if we would like to meet at the Deeper Still Conference. We all love Beth Moore and knowing she would be in Atlanta, which is centrally located for all of us, just seemed to make sense that it would be the backdrop for our first meeting. Eight of us confirmed, we bought our conference tickets, we booked our hotel room and we booked our flights. The excitement has been building for months as we've had so much fun emailing, calling and planning for this long awaited moment.<br /><br /><p align="center"><img alt="events deeperstill" src="http://blogs.lifeway.com/blog/deeperstill/images/events_deeperstill-2-20080601175650.jpg" height="167" width="248" /></p>On Thursday, I arrived at the Marriott Airport hotel at 12:00 noon and checked everyone in, we had 3 rooms together! The first girl I met was Kenzie (Maddox's mom). As Kenzie, her mother-in-law and Deacon pulled up I ran out the door and gave Kenzie a big hug with tear-filled eyes because this day was finally here! It felt like we were old friends at a reunion, not meeting for the first time - I wasn't scared or nervous, I just knew her so it was real and it was comfortable. We went to our room and relaxed while we talked, laughed and shed a few tears. Around 2:30 pm we boarded the hotel shuttle and headed to the airport to meet the other girls that were flying in.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFGSao-9jzf7q2Gt5zb53hpQENDCqArQHwVDSg4wsF-FlVifpjIHl50LfMhsYPctcTbBFcCTO-fI__WsPUOCCU1vk4B75FEbYlyGLpczDFMYILKrLLzmnfh1tj18i8RrThyphenhyphenvcnwC4dZm4/s1600-h/DSC00615.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFGSao-9jzf7q2Gt5zb53hpQENDCqArQHwVDSg4wsF-FlVifpjIHl50LfMhsYPctcTbBFcCTO-fI__WsPUOCCU1vk4B75FEbYlyGLpczDFMYILKrLLzmnfh1tj18i8RrThyphenhyphenvcnwC4dZm4/s320/DSC00615.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218222179571440898" border="0" /></a>Kenzie and I anxiously awaited for Kristy, Chrissy, Kim and Angie to fly in. Every time another girl would fly in it got even more exciting, needless to say it was extremely hard for the security guard to keep us "behind" the yellow security tape - we crossed the line every time and ran up with open arms as each girl stepped off the escalator.<br /><br />First we met Chrissy(Eva's mom) and Kristy(Asher and Issac's mom).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeg_OxzS1QDbS3Hl-QUGIIGwkdWW8r4_6Z7nsUh_0Zi-QRwHmCHEoBV7xjc-94Ukm6ho7kF718PLJD4ASVMd-YZOYtsnin2a0FAbL2a9eSYhri7UE99DaSQFyKE0BSC2eMuQ_J57zM4Mg/s1600-h/37611602615_0_BG.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeg_OxzS1QDbS3Hl-QUGIIGwkdWW8r4_6Z7nsUh_0Zi-QRwHmCHEoBV7xjc-94Ukm6ho7kF718PLJD4ASVMd-YZOYtsnin2a0FAbL2a9eSYhri7UE99DaSQFyKE0BSC2eMuQ_J57zM4Mg/s320/37611602615_0_BG.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219657283872327458" border="0" /></a><br />Then Angie(Poppy Joy's mom).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3LTWF9zKg0BdryF5Kce7ZQ8pO6ttrIYzcLHVk1vxs2l60gXFh-ekiViXr4PLDDMViYXq6lrbZ4RCihqrey5l7-TKkWzzjXKzQ0kvFuMvSiYxP9255jQhHSPLx270-ppvtZwAmnj4wOd0/s1600-h/53643602615_0_BG.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3LTWF9zKg0BdryF5Kce7ZQ8pO6ttrIYzcLHVk1vxs2l60gXFh-ekiViXr4PLDDMViYXq6lrbZ4RCihqrey5l7-TKkWzzjXKzQ0kvFuMvSiYxP9255jQhHSPLx270-ppvtZwAmnj4wOd0/s320/53643602615_0_BG.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219657480079316594" border="0" /></a><br />And then Kim(Mary Grace's mom).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioyv_vNzPwxU9EBguYjxpLdSvc6PkFglgwbm8zDRNr5BhUd6xPSZwxz-YwhunxO8bUm_aWXEpMnnk1zwr2mUBlSjQnK-UL8oD-mHXucHy1n2QGjBte99f4IzV9WtC_kJOfEzHfFyZVlYE/s1600-h/24281602615_0_BG.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioyv_vNzPwxU9EBguYjxpLdSvc6PkFglgwbm8zDRNr5BhUd6xPSZwxz-YwhunxO8bUm_aWXEpMnnk1zwr2mUBlSjQnK-UL8oD-mHXucHy1n2QGjBte99f4IzV9WtC_kJOfEzHfFyZVlYE/s320/24281602615_0_BG.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218222433837271426" border="0" /></a><br />The 6 of us left the airport and went to dinner at Ruby Tuesdays. We had a sweet time of sharing as we went around the table explaining how we each met our husbands.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLIQLgeg5YohhT7zhAUMf6AS3nhHsTlP6RiA50jk86jL8IMK6zKqRj3XhSwRhPW3YmQsSsgpsYBADHSR-ce0_zTw5fhN2pqw2sbnL3L4grbc7NiYW4K4a2J94c9k6_fsplWm6s9f4wJcg/s1600-h/DSC00617.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLIQLgeg5YohhT7zhAUMf6AS3nhHsTlP6RiA50jk86jL8IMK6zKqRj3XhSwRhPW3YmQsSsgpsYBADHSR-ce0_zTw5fhN2pqw2sbnL3L4grbc7NiYW4K4a2J94c9k6_fsplWm6s9f4wJcg/s320/DSC00617.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218222872475638114" border="0" /></a>After dinner we went back to our hotel, got in our PJ's and sat in 1 room on 2 beds and talked while we waited for Emily to drive in. Once Emily(Miller Grace's mom) got there we stayed up talking until 3:00 am.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUoVbD56oGvwjwSFIjJbUhAajPia5bIuw8lNyiL9-FLZKuJKyfwxl3SFmX72ci4rtVJQlFjuYy0tRQoHhPEcpzO0ajKW-ZXbs5XnO5fhzU1q-l9BoJPoO-GdCt-gAouoLUgi9oyEm3BXM/s1600-h/53637922615_0_BG.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUoVbD56oGvwjwSFIjJbUhAajPia5bIuw8lNyiL9-FLZKuJKyfwxl3SFmX72ci4rtVJQlFjuYy0tRQoHhPEcpzO0ajKW-ZXbs5XnO5fhzU1q-l9BoJPoO-GdCt-gAouoLUgi9oyEm3BXM/s320/53637922615_0_BG.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218223012704532466" border="0" /></a>On Friday morning we slept in until 10:00 am. We went downstairs for breakfast at Starbucks and then headed back to the airport because Karen was flying in(Jacob's mom). We ate lunch at the airport, Houlihans, and we were able to meet up with another mommy, Kirsten (Chloe's mom), who just happen to be in the Atlanta area on a business trip so we were able to spend some time talking to her at lunch.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha5AW3Hg7NWYDy0eAJAvTiKEvuU5354-Bnn2g7XStwVXg8FjEWPgGjjhNZA-uATxS5wAt0EzaqtMvCcq7spGbOHlgSwxV0u9u8VC8e3RGmpPGo3yRjHyK4btEeNI_z7n6doipBx88bw0E/s1600-h/72119012615_0_BG.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha5AW3Hg7NWYDy0eAJAvTiKEvuU5354-Bnn2g7XStwVXg8FjEWPgGjjhNZA-uATxS5wAt0EzaqtMvCcq7spGbOHlgSwxV0u9u8VC8e3RGmpPGo3yRjHyK4btEeNI_z7n6doipBx88bw0E/s320/72119012615_0_BG.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218223185104891554" border="0" /></a>After lunch we hugged Kirsten bye and we were off to the conference. Now, I had Mapquested all of our directions for the trip and the one from our hotel to the arena said 21 minutes, however we assumed Chrissy's GPS system would be better - wrong! But, we made it in record time, even though we literally crossed over 3 lanes of traffic to get off at our exit - there were definitely some serious traffic violations occurring! Once we arrived Downtown we had to park and walk several blocks, we were in a pack of 8 and very visible as we all matched from our t-shirts that Emily made, our necklaces that had our baby's name on it, our matching tote bags that Chrissy made, our matching bracelets that Kenzie gave us, our matching bracelets that Kristy gave us, our capris, our flip-flops and all the way down to our cute little pedicured toes. I cannot even count the number of people that literally stopped us along the way asking what our t-shirts meant. It gave us the opportunity to share about our babies, how we all met, and all that the Lord has done in our lives. We proudly wore them as it represented who we are and how we were brought together!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB24tkbwZ-ORQip9yII8yodB_FA0-FV8SGUpfBJNhqKpmrgrMOPXK3gmlf0kIQJlD7ASPbgepyKUHeh4Ah96LfvRhh5tHnZGIIlyEmaAcB4R8rdSO3IQBQbT-A5EsIAw7sZ2m_xtxQ2iI/s1600-h/96829012615_0_BG.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB24tkbwZ-ORQip9yII8yodB_FA0-FV8SGUpfBJNhqKpmrgrMOPXK3gmlf0kIQJlD7ASPbgepyKUHeh4Ah96LfvRhh5tHnZGIIlyEmaAcB4R8rdSO3IQBQbT-A5EsIAw7sZ2m_xtxQ2iI/s320/96829012615_0_BG.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218223613578095234" border="0" /></a>We only had to wait 15 minutes on the steps outside the arena before the doors opened. Look at the date this photo was taken, it says 06-27-2008, if you've followed my story long enough you realize that the 27th, by far, is the most difficult day for me - Tristan passed away on January 27th at 4:40 pm. Do I look like I am sad in this picture? NO. It was so comforting being surrounded by all of my friends on this 5-month anniversary instead of being at home. This was the first 27th that has been happy, fun, exciting and filled with lots of laughter......... thank you girls.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCO2KaxQXEq_CJI6FmT0W-KOOdCwo7C0LHZVKGGKac8Al5ovT9QSgxOVZNSTf03EqLDAZSlYbudAFbOyAHCKPBl8Yg6Jon4LEIsvWyW1s3iRx2fk-lJIqVRXcTO9AnrO4d2iFwrkdywuU/s1600-h/65589012615_0_BG.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCO2KaxQXEq_CJI6FmT0W-KOOdCwo7C0LHZVKGGKac8Al5ovT9QSgxOVZNSTf03EqLDAZSlYbudAFbOyAHCKPBl8Yg6Jon4LEIsvWyW1s3iRx2fk-lJIqVRXcTO9AnrO4d2iFwrkdywuU/s320/65589012615_0_BG.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218224498542366578" border="0" /></a>There were 19,000 women in attendance so imagine that many people attempting to get in the doors, all at once, running in to get the best seats. Thanks to Emily, she ran straight down front to the floor and we all sat on 1 row together, on the 10th row.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXCJgFQGbe7gizsb0A1uViKOb7LoTDbNT3JziyeVelT8NmAt87bitcbXUdpsR6JPIix3uJTRXJPLear1sOqwD1SYY0EtaoGZdmMvEWpYMFpoDFPR_PZxAXf9ftUFvYRhxW4qJlBJHaMF0/s1600-h/76348012615_0_BG.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXCJgFQGbe7gizsb0A1uViKOb7LoTDbNT3JziyeVelT8NmAt87bitcbXUdpsR6JPIix3uJTRXJPLear1sOqwD1SYY0EtaoGZdmMvEWpYMFpoDFPR_PZxAXf9ftUFvYRhxW4qJlBJHaMF0/s320/76348012615_0_BG.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219657642594747890" border="0" /></a><br />On Friday night the conference began at 7:00 pm. The music by Travis and the Praise Team and the Special Guest, Mandisa was wonderful and the message by Prisicilla Shirer was unbelievable. I felt like she was talking directly to the 8 of us as she spoke of being "in the wilderness". In Exodus 19, it talks about how God invited the Israelites into the Wilderness of Sinai, and how He takes us through the wilderness to hear Him. Verse 2 says, "and camped in the wilderness". This was a temporary place, as in we are to pitch our tent NOT dwell there permanently. God took them there so that they could be brought face to face with Him and even though they didn't want to be in the wilderness, they were there to hear Him in a way they never would have heard Him before. Oh this message spoke to my heart, I have never heard God speak like He did while we were in our wilderness with Tristan. His voice was so vividly clear and I honestly don't believe we would have heard it had we not been in the wilderness. Our lives are so different now and we are different now. Trayc and I do not believe we would be who we are right now had we not been in the wilderness because our hearts and minds were open to our God, for what He had to say not what man had to say.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGzsAXe0KDoi7kUD-78ZxYBEGOGIfKDudSIF-g2fYgRQ7NecmGkXebRjQTSf-ZaDqcEGXCLyRzlVcYmLjiSfT7NO6jILoghjZR9grY9-SVo7LrQ1sl7hCGVLEe1J0m-iU9wyXLEiyZSKg/s1600-h/92899012615_0_BG.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGzsAXe0KDoi7kUD-78ZxYBEGOGIfKDudSIF-g2fYgRQ7NecmGkXebRjQTSf-ZaDqcEGXCLyRzlVcYmLjiSfT7NO6jILoghjZR9grY9-SVo7LrQ1sl7hCGVLEe1J0m-iU9wyXLEiyZSKg/s320/92899012615_0_BG.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220747200310879426" border="0" /></a>The conference was over about 10:00 pm. We were so hungry, we drove around attempting to find a restaurant open that late but of course all we ended up doing was getting lost so we gave up, found our way back to the hotel and ordered 2 pizzas at midnight! And for a second night in a row, we all sat in 1 room on 2 beds talking, eating pizza and snacks until 2:30 am. Sleep was obviously not a priority to any of us on this trip because we'd waited so long to be together.<br /><br /><div>Saturday morning came way too fast, in that we had no sleep! We had to get up at 6:00 am because we needed to leave our hotel by 7:15 am. We wore our matching t-shirts again, thanks to a little Febreeze. We were some of the first to get in the doors again and had good intentions of sitting on the floor just like Friday night however as we entered the arena we were stopped by several LifeWay representatives who knew our story, as it was posted on the Deeper Still blog several weeks ago. We were able to meet some precious ladies who hugged us, talked to us, said they had been praying for us and then they cried with us - yes, we were crying before the conference even began. We finally met our main source of contact, LifeWay representative Michelle Hicks. She, too, hugged us and talked to us and said she wanted to pray with us but she said, "I'll let you go get your seats first". Guess what, we didn't have seats because we had been stopped by so many people that wanted to talk to us about our babies we never got them. It may not seem like a big deal that we didn't have our seats, but you have to remember there were 19,000 women rushing in, we needed 8 seats together, and when we looked up it was already filling up to the top. Michelle Hicks said, "We'll get you some seats!". Well, we weren't sure how it would happen but she worked it out and we had 4 and 4, exactly how we wanted them, on the 6th and 7th row. Perfect seats!!!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-j3lePoCVWzxaf8_fMgYT8Erl0cdN_8Kvle96lg3PPBxUjPIQDup2yrb8lF2YEKuPKUAy_0cXQ5TjwZnXhmmm21wez7rXc1gbXXpX3SjF954es-yGSCD7IwqBmw5GCBI0kgxIkDIgnB8/s1600-h/39024602615_0_BG.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-j3lePoCVWzxaf8_fMgYT8Erl0cdN_8Kvle96lg3PPBxUjPIQDup2yrb8lF2YEKuPKUAy_0cXQ5TjwZnXhmmm21wez7rXc1gbXXpX3SjF954es-yGSCD7IwqBmw5GCBI0kgxIkDIgnB8/s320/39024602615_0_BG.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218224622913182114" border="0" /></a>Kay Arthur and Beth Moore spoke and it was just as applicable to our lives as Priscilla's message was on Friday night. And the music, well once again the Lord was present in that place. Have you ever had moments that you wished you had a camera taking pictures, although it would not be the "appropriate" time? Oh I wish I could have taken pictures of the 8 of us on Saturday. We were singing praises to our Lord, we were reaching our hands up to Him, we were crying out in worship, we were sitting in our sits with our heads bowed crying sweet tears and we were standing with our arms interlocked singing "My Chains Are Gone" (which we all call Poppy Joy's song), what moments those were! And then my favorite moment was at the end of the conference, we were all standing, singing with our hands raised up in the air and connected. These were the hands of 8 mommies, whose hands are aching to touch their precious babies again and yet we know our Lord has a plan, we know His ways are perfect, we know He will take care of us so we are lifting up our hands to our Lord in praise and worship thanking Him for everything He has done for us. Those are some priceless moments, those are the ones that were captured in my mind and I will never forget them.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW6q59qCcVWaWuk8s7hoapcI86orQZD5rWR87vyOfo921Z1_lAft73tojAQtjhqRTmroOygbdQf38CJfvIjxyIl7HPyxxQrrgxvEXtBZNj4NDwXkEXzBj6XSixST-z2qlOfEu6ie8ve14/s1600-h/DSC00633.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW6q59qCcVWaWuk8s7hoapcI86orQZD5rWR87vyOfo921Z1_lAft73tojAQtjhqRTmroOygbdQf38CJfvIjxyIl7HPyxxQrrgxvEXtBZNj4NDwXkEXzBj6XSixST-z2qlOfEu6ie8ve14/s320/DSC00633.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218233201228539554" border="0" /></a>After the conference we had the most unique opportunity, we were able to meet Beth Moore. As soon as the conference was over LifeWay representative, Michelle Hicks, took the first person by the hand, and in a single file line, we mingled in and out of thousands of women as we were escorted to the back of the arena. As we approached the security guards, Michelle gave each one of us a backstage pass to put around our neck. As we were walking down the hallway Beth Moore and her daughter, Amanda, were right behind us. Beth walked in the room, shut the door and then went around the room hugging each one of us and then she talked to us as a group. At the end she asked us all to kneel down on the floor (with all of our knees touching) and she, her daughter Amanda and Michelle Hicks walked around us, touching our shoulders and praying and then as Beth got to each one of us she placed her hands on our heads and specifically prayed for us. The emotions were so overwhelming in that room, we were crying out loud. Beth's prayer was so real and said with such power and boldness as she thanked the Lord for us and for our babies, as she asked the Lord to comfort us during this time of grieving, and to guide us in our steps, to heal our broken hearts and to strengthen us as we move forward. There was NOT a dry eye in that room.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVE8JvTW7Q5ObLkQCqdZi2f1SFQcX4ZUMoytJwqRkGMAPxHkuwADoiMJkz5bngDRpRFeVr2saGWawHx7S4FwDEDn3SbxcXJGW_0WpwehdEGSHTE7G3a7wSM_EN8eyhi33fGyJHpFrTArQ/s1600-h/37194922615_0_BG.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVE8JvTW7Q5ObLkQCqdZi2f1SFQcX4ZUMoytJwqRkGMAPxHkuwADoiMJkz5bngDRpRFeVr2saGWawHx7S4FwDEDn3SbxcXJGW_0WpwehdEGSHTE7G3a7wSM_EN8eyhi33fGyJHpFrTArQ/s320/37194922615_0_BG.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218223988319771154" border="0" /></a>After meeting Beth, we went next door to a quaint little Mexican restaurant for dinner and then we were back on the roads of Atlanta heading to Target. We each bought a piece of pottery and lots of snacks! We went back to the hotel and got our bathing suits on went to the pool for an hour. Then we were ready to smash some pottery! There are books on grieving that reference breaking a piece of pottery because of your anger, saddness or brokeness but I am assuming this would not take place when you are hiliariously laughing, however what do you expect with a room full of 8 mommies? We had each bought a different color of pottery so we stepped outside the hotel room door and smashed it on the concrete floor (YES, it was extremely loud and it was 12:00 midnight). We were all laughing so hard because not only was it loud but some of us had to smash our pottery 2 and 3 times to get enough pieces to share! After everyone smashed their pottery, we placed the broken pieces on the bed, took a picture, and then we each kept our main piece of our pottery and took a piece of each others. A few of the girls are going to glue the pieces together, others are framing the pieces and others are placing them on a cross. Whatever we do with them, it will be our symbol that we were broken together and the Lord placed each one of us together along this journey.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzqWdj8pP2EWlYOoBfMf0B8Dpu8UfN_pjf5dzPgzT5RoWw5gkNn2jQLF92nf7wkEoBVmtOH_mGlC-uNVMq6n3u3q8wKGmvFmQAWv5-fgY6u3lFYZIBnI1wZCZPsr_0hS56kbDIxOwSheY/s1600-h/53809922615_0_ALB.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzqWdj8pP2EWlYOoBfMf0B8Dpu8UfN_pjf5dzPgzT5RoWw5gkNn2jQLF92nf7wkEoBVmtOH_mGlC-uNVMq6n3u3q8wKGmvFmQAWv5-fgY6u3lFYZIBnI1wZCZPsr_0hS56kbDIxOwSheY/s320/53809922615_0_ALB.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218537686041691522" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBxvP7djoqsXrtbjqk_-JvLi_vhWuu0qSF-I12UWxURG-33FrHA3RyQVOyoiEmFU7yLsPz1kEDXQwvkB4wi7fETlnQ1CJLR9NOMZt5iLrXTDvN6e6Ib-HklFH1NS32FCBdkLhXeqRywkc/s1600-h/DSC00648.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBxvP7djoqsXrtbjqk_-JvLi_vhWuu0qSF-I12UWxURG-33FrHA3RyQVOyoiEmFU7yLsPz1kEDXQwvkB4wi7fETlnQ1CJLR9NOMZt5iLrXTDvN6e6Ib-HklFH1NS32FCBdkLhXeqRywkc/s320/DSC00648.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218658563497488450" border="0" /></a>And, our second project (which was much quieter) was making a mat. Kristy did a post a few weeks ago and it so touched my heart. I had emailed the girls after reading the post and told them that this is how I felt, that THEY had carried my mat for me during this journey. So I had bought some placemats and markers and we each wrote our baby's name, days they lived and their birthdate in the middle and then at the top we wrote "Carrying your mat Luke 5:17-20". We passed them around and each girl signed the mats. We've all talked about framing the mats. Every time I look at my mat I will remember that these are the names of the girls that carried me to Jesus in prayer, that loved me, supported me and encouraged me.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCCdq8YV3qwNX8w-kNnTH-8Hw6D5TimazTGWYvWZuhPaSYDcUG7UkeWwBZfGSPI5duGHzrMm5qo4XSb-fDVUXM8fXoY2QHXXq9RgTrjvjuPo01TV6psE2EKmRQ4TjOmYrA_nT4kgDP6-Y/s1600-h/DSC00649.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCCdq8YV3qwNX8w-kNnTH-8Hw6D5TimazTGWYvWZuhPaSYDcUG7UkeWwBZfGSPI5duGHzrMm5qo4XSb-fDVUXM8fXoY2QHXXq9RgTrjvjuPo01TV6psE2EKmRQ4TjOmYrA_nT4kgDP6-Y/s320/DSC00649.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218224971746659122" border="0" /></a>Sunday morning came far too soon. We went downstairs to Allie's for the breakfast buffet and then the hardest part of the trip came, we had to begin saying goodbye. Angie left right after breakfast and then Kim left an hour later.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLlmEdkdQypz3M90g-GnFUudngQWEQufgOF5mtqBC5h_l9YewbIMfNkmN2456MmS14miUhIHz32Wznuv3YbDyPzMkeAvZbXRqIb1Fzgkc56yaSfPB-kC6BfidnnOysqHalpPBfJVD1sB0/s1600-h/80269722615_0_ALB.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLlmEdkdQypz3M90g-GnFUudngQWEQufgOF5mtqBC5h_l9YewbIMfNkmN2456MmS14miUhIHz32Wznuv3YbDyPzMkeAvZbXRqIb1Fzgkc56yaSfPB-kC6BfidnnOysqHalpPBfJVD1sB0/s320/80269722615_0_ALB.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218233360308205474" border="0" /></a>We had a few hours left before the last 6 of us had to begin saying goodbye, unfortunately I was the next one to leave. I hugged each girl as I fought back the tears and then the tears started flowing quickly as I said goodbye to the last girl, Kenzie, she was the first girl I hugged on Thursday and the last one on Sunday! Pulling away from the hotel was hard, it's not like we can get together again next weekend. We are already planning on a trip next year but that seems like a long time away. It's so hard to find friends that just completely understand you and yet I found them but they are in different states.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmaBgyS56N27yrtrOrcia_3JBH9FlBapF0fuJABZVzGoiFRqv7YWuKl3Z7onw3duDJM_PMkMNdDi9xaEFaRdK9bM4HvKBciT6LWzEn2t5iIUF_BIpCCA2efalxUNHjZFHDfxd3RKcEyeQ/s1600-h/17430112615_0_BG.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmaBgyS56N27yrtrOrcia_3JBH9FlBapF0fuJABZVzGoiFRqv7YWuKl3Z7onw3duDJM_PMkMNdDi9xaEFaRdK9bM4HvKBciT6LWzEn2t5iIUF_BIpCCA2efalxUNHjZFHDfxd3RKcEyeQ/s320/17430112615_0_BG.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218224865917531026" border="0" /></a>This weekend was more than I ever imagined it would be. We have laughed, cried, shared, hoped, dreamed, worshiped, praised the Lord, prayed and made altar call committments. This was also a weekend of refreshing and renewing of our minds and our hearts as we move forward in our journeys no matter where that might take us.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><br />These are the faces of<br />8 mommies,<br />from 8 different cities,<br />from 8 different backgrounds,<br />with 9 babies in Heaven,<br />who met on the Internet,<br />who love their Lord.....<br /><br />Kim, Emily, Karen, Yvette,</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Kristy, Angie, Kenzie & Chrissy</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3qHhFoBu9C6GLqUuoInvhkhh41YbdJFCyUfBdh5PFol1nfgLNlOQd4pPtFfynzmvjKs8VhV8tzTMj933WUKky_Ht27TEybdSKh8-3Q3Y9NCVu5jk8gESbPJDff1Gm0OhqarIhpPjT1Ag/s1600-h/83741112615_0_BG.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3qHhFoBu9C6GLqUuoInvhkhh41YbdJFCyUfBdh5PFol1nfgLNlOQd4pPtFfynzmvjKs8VhV8tzTMj933WUKky_Ht27TEybdSKh8-3Q3Y9NCVu5jk8gESbPJDff1Gm0OhqarIhpPjT1Ag/s320/83741112615_0_BG.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218231412677172626" border="0" /></a></div></div>Yvettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12470530399873634506noreply@blogger.com67tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6312145940408409223.post-76404122278674478652008-06-15T22:45:00.015-04:002008-12-10T19:23:19.190-05:00Happy Father's DayI was very fortunate to grow-up in a sweet christian home, one that loved Jesus and and placed a great deal of value on family. Having never left my hometown, I am still surrounded by all of my family. We have so many family traditions, ones that were established many years ago and have been passed down generation after generation, so there's never a question as to where we'll be on the BIG holidays, we'll always be together with family. We don't have to plan where we'll be, what food we're taking and even whose going to be there - it's just tradition! We love our families dearly and always enjoy celebrating with them.<br /><br />Since losing Tristan in January, we've had to change the way we are celebrating events right now. It's really been hard not having him here with us to celebrate so it causes me to be emotional on those particular days. I seem to be sheltering myself and my heart from all of these 1st events because of the fear I will breakdown and ruin it for everyone. I know my family loves me and it would be okay if I cried or was sad but really, who wants to be around that? I do want to be that same fun "event girl" that I've always been but I know it's just going to take some time and space. Events are hard because although I'm with all of my family that loves me, inside it's still sad because ALL of my family really isn't here - my little boy is missing. We are simply trying the best we can to get through all of these 1st events, without Tristan, in a way that is best for us or should I say best for me! We chose to celebrate Easter and Mother's Day by ourselves, just the 4 of us, which was a very wise choice - they were extremely hard. And, Father's Day, any other year, would have consisted of us going to church, sitting on the row with my family, going to lunch with my family and then ending up at my Dad/Step-mom's house. Because Mother's Day was so hard, and it literally took me 2 weeks to get back emotionally to were I had been prior to that weekend, we decided to go against everything we normally do. We slept in, got up and made a big breakfast, the boys gave their gifts/cards to Trayc and we headed to the beach.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7vtzxlref6Uc85esWBoah8APcj1MZL2FlD_omkmHxPUlDtbQglH8uZMO7i6XXF9AZrOczm0v8iLU46AURk3QNnxvjcjkNwZUfEF0erp9bgy2Rl7FNoB7MQgY8TUMou03PTrtT0Q9nJ1A/s1600-h/DSC00510.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7vtzxlref6Uc85esWBoah8APcj1MZL2FlD_omkmHxPUlDtbQglH8uZMO7i6XXF9AZrOczm0v8iLU46AURk3QNnxvjcjkNwZUfEF0erp9bgy2Rl7FNoB7MQgY8TUMou03PTrtT0Q9nJ1A/s320/DSC00510.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213612266304289026" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWyvEl2ToC1mp7rDQCDT8bcYwkc4A5NP9zg-joZalU_J7ssToWq2HacTvdQdNMZvor6APSFm7sN1KTYPf5O1Y5HCYg01l8dV49qnm_Y_a-ojcWLY1o340LGtbIM0b-CGaEczorg9C3Cys/s1600-h/DSC00504.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWyvEl2ToC1mp7rDQCDT8bcYwkc4A5NP9zg-joZalU_J7ssToWq2HacTvdQdNMZvor6APSFm7sN1KTYPf5O1Y5HCYg01l8dV49qnm_Y_a-ojcWLY1o340LGtbIM0b-CGaEczorg9C3Cys/s320/DSC00504.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213612076046995650" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibIkqKUxAp7BZlBanR1pAmnNx80A0GhqJgJBjRDnW6FpRMcDT6laZTshMM8pg_mZ92kgGEmUCoixQ3RB97Ats5rDLe2XFb0ICup7EHwEQ9uWF-QVqC131wbtDLzws_itu3VZfz9dg1u6g/s1600-h/DSC00529.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibIkqKUxAp7BZlBanR1pAmnNx80A0GhqJgJBjRDnW6FpRMcDT6laZTshMM8pg_mZ92kgGEmUCoixQ3RB97Ats5rDLe2XFb0ICup7EHwEQ9uWF-QVqC131wbtDLzws_itu3VZfz9dg1u6g/s320/DSC00529.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213613920852124546" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_gev_z_6W3GLGR_XyXGh2s9h1Ve2kxlB5G0Yl4mxles6_G6p5reY0eSbMfnOazwU6tCFxrnCAmfmedqYe4MokI-nkPEqV_3Erz77qAxc3ns6L5WFPtwCaG3v4BcbrBO8PhPoW6ZPHDxs/s1600-h/DSC00538.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_gev_z_6W3GLGR_XyXGh2s9h1Ve2kxlB5G0Yl4mxles6_G6p5reY0eSbMfnOazwU6tCFxrnCAmfmedqYe4MokI-nkPEqV_3Erz77qAxc3ns6L5WFPtwCaG3v4BcbrBO8PhPoW6ZPHDxs/s320/DSC00538.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213614138488766098" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi768DtJjjexjWjvVB8mfdlFCyO3dT5hkRuEqdEvTPqeLIfAicrMSU2Q1nHYX8_YwuwPyQEwZeJRO9G7vmSiWMCQfATboUDuvAmkjrfA3CRj0Jq333uTds4r4vn_eepQsy8tOJM014F93s/s1600-h/DSC00534.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi768DtJjjexjWjvVB8mfdlFCyO3dT5hkRuEqdEvTPqeLIfAicrMSU2Q1nHYX8_YwuwPyQEwZeJRO9G7vmSiWMCQfATboUDuvAmkjrfA3CRj0Jq333uTds4r4vn_eepQsy8tOJM014F93s/s320/DSC00534.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213614039889092434" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrroMx-qPctfET3tpvPSgkiuHoOpb2BMxpAEG7IFRGSYsZyBE4bXR00CmDr2XX422oKCIKU-3JtO7rwRBeHtAEt_jJXwkIr-oe0WZqxjVeRHbvGrXvK3X_p0T2nlyDaFa9qOmRiioxy2A/s1600-h/DSC00513.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrroMx-qPctfET3tpvPSgkiuHoOpb2BMxpAEG7IFRGSYsZyBE4bXR00CmDr2XX422oKCIKU-3JtO7rwRBeHtAEt_jJXwkIr-oe0WZqxjVeRHbvGrXvK3X_p0T2nlyDaFa9qOmRiioxy2A/s320/DSC00513.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213613623144474594" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhoIIa-HLWrT7FPqBmGDepescst8IvzMDzhenO4mtugqpmI-76pz_zLflFEk3NrUetGbBm24-vrny1AViDapgmA9O0xRA3ZFv8NKv3CtwPcaWJsCL2a5Ey1auWwJmaad6QPgV1gh-s6zM/s1600-h/DSC00512.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhoIIa-HLWrT7FPqBmGDepescst8IvzMDzhenO4mtugqpmI-76pz_zLflFEk3NrUetGbBm24-vrny1AViDapgmA9O0xRA3ZFv8NKv3CtwPcaWJsCL2a5Ey1auWwJmaad6QPgV1gh-s6zM/s320/DSC00512.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213613466732800194" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKRxWY_zNsZX9WtfKnMCBIQq4JOLXthWG-EvVH_JqwAYgOWzwrV63qv8vEweKow1ivsGGjtWoqYm8KP0reRZ_lMYCEIz_HV4jwK-0mMnS44ML82ExG1zotYTWnCjBKuJ0N_sSJ6u8sRWA/s1600-h/DSC00548.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKRxWY_zNsZX9WtfKnMCBIQq4JOLXthWG-EvVH_JqwAYgOWzwrV63qv8vEweKow1ivsGGjtWoqYm8KP0reRZ_lMYCEIz_HV4jwK-0mMnS44ML82ExG1zotYTWnCjBKuJ0N_sSJ6u8sRWA/s320/DSC00548.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213614321254278946" border="0" /></a><br />We had so much fun! Tanner loves the beach but this was only Tayden's 2nd time (I know crazy isn't it? We live in Florida and we're only 10 min from the beach, go figure!). Tanner tried to teach Tayden how to build a sandcastle but all he wanted to do was smash the castles with his shovel. Tanner dug a big hole in the sand for Tayden to slide down into and play with his toys. Tayden loved running down to the edge of the water, letting his little toes get wet and then quickly turn around and run back laughing. Trayc and the boys spent a lot of time in the water together, jumping over the waves and swimming. It was a beautiful day. The sun was out, their was an ocean breeze, Trayc and I laughed, the boys played and we made some very special memories, ones filled with laughter and excitement. It was the perfect day, except that our precious little boy was greatly missed.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9YO6xPOzr8FnNC9FVJD3mvmbz_VEvhtfm_0rRSzwSbbM_3yXxm62tizS93rPpk4HWKVI-oKAhrDF1bYAfz7cPdSqBjwn7To4bv7Ut4dfXSz8uNjNHdnvzTigq8hg8JsQtmk8dbDJAMvM/s1600-h/IMG_6107.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9YO6xPOzr8FnNC9FVJD3mvmbz_VEvhtfm_0rRSzwSbbM_3yXxm62tizS93rPpk4HWKVI-oKAhrDF1bYAfz7cPdSqBjwn7To4bv7Ut4dfXSz8uNjNHdnvzTigq8hg8JsQtmk8dbDJAMvM/s320/IMG_6107.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213430757389030546" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:180%;" >Happy Father's Day, Trayc<br /><br /></span></div>Trayc,<br /><br />Thank you for being a wonderful husband of 18 years, for always believing in us, for never giving up, for leading our family spiritually, for teaching our boys about Jesus and for all of your love and support this past year through our journey with Tristan. Thank you for promising me, back in August, that we would not allow Satan to destroy us or our family because of this diagnosis and that we would use Tristan's story to honor and glorify the Lord no matter what. I also appreciate your patience during these past 6 months of grieving, your diligence in working on our foundation, working hard to consistently provide for our family and for keeping us faithful to our Lord. I look forward to all that the Lord has in store for our family in the upcoming year. I love you so much.<br /><br />Your wife, Yvette<br /><br /><br />Daddy,<br /><br />Happy Father's Day. You are the greatest dad.<br /><br />Thank you for playing soccer with me, going up to the field to shoot my rockets, throwing the football in the yard and all the other things we do together. I really like spending alone time with you too like when we go kayaking for the day. I hope you have a great day. I love you so much!<br /><br />I know Tayden can't talk yet, but I am sure he would tell you he loves you too and he would really thank you for keeping his "Thomas the Train" movies playing at all times of the day and night.<br /><br />And, even though Tristan is not here I know he loved you so much and that he could see the love in your eyes and feel it when you talked to him and held him.<br /><br />We love you,<br />Your 3 sons - Tanner, Tayden & Tristan<br /><br /><br /><br /><span>Psalm 128:1-6:</span><br /><br /><span>1 Blessed are all who fear the Lord,</span><br /><span>who walk in his ways.<br /></span><span><br />2 You will eat the fruit of your labor;</span><br /><span>blessings and prosperity will be yours.</span><br /><span><br />3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine</span><br /><span>within your house;</span><br /><span>your sons will be like olive shoots</span><br /><span>around your table.</span><br /><span><br />4 Thus is the man blessed</span><br /><span>who fears the Lord.</span><br /><span><br />5 May the Lord bless you from Zion</span><br /><span>all the days of your life;</span><br /><span>may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem,</span><br /><span><br />6 and may you live to see your children's children.</span><br /><br /><span>Peace be upon Israel!</span>Yvettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12470530399873634506noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6312145940408409223.post-74755994335428233882008-06-03T12:42:00.031-04:002008-12-10T19:23:19.352-05:006 months ago at 12:42As I sit here writing this post it is 12:42 pm on June 3rd, exactly 6 months ago today my precious little boy, Tristan Asher <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Hostetter</span>, was born. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Trayc</span> immediately placed his sweet little face against mine so that I could feel him, kiss him and tell him how much I loved him. This was the most incredible moment of my life, my little boy was here and he was ALIVE!!!! He even started crying, which is a sound I will never forget. Knowing the diagnosis of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Trisomy</span> 18, we were very unsure as to how long we would have with him, we literally lived in the moment. I am so thankful the Lord gave us time, 56 DAYS is more than we ever dreamed was possible.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcAZEGzfVW_EVM3b4IH8X66W_URdUg0KiQ5IlDeERFLy2XaYm3YG0KdkzMRXjw1wR1gm5H4ZJl4hQ3ZYfpKftTVUpkVya6s4Dv51kXJ24PVb77-J9WEoH5worA9KrhGPbz-649n_tw2pU/s1600-h/IMG_5765.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcAZEGzfVW_EVM3b4IH8X66W_URdUg0KiQ5IlDeERFLy2XaYm3YG0KdkzMRXjw1wR1gm5H4ZJl4hQ3ZYfpKftTVUpkVya6s4Dv51kXJ24PVb77-J9WEoH5worA9KrhGPbz-649n_tw2pU/s320/IMG_5765.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207671822209935202" border="0" /></a>It is hard to believe it's already been 6 months since that day. My mind has wandered <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">alittle</span>, thinking of all that Tristan would have been doing at 6 months old. It is in those moments that I have to make myself stop or I will be caught up in the "what <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">if's</span>" and that can become a very sad place to dwell. I try to turn those "what <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">if's</span>" into what we had - WE HAD 56 DAYS and we made so many memories in those 56 DAYS. We gave all we had to our precious little boy and held nothing back!<br /><br />I have not really posted much recently, except for Tristan's award, Tanner's musical and a special prayer request for another T-18 family, but nothing real personal because ......... honestly, because I have struggled. I have really struggled since Mother's Day and I just didn't know what to write. Mother's Day really hit me harder than I expected because I was really good up until then. I felt like I was in the valley, I could see the mountain top but I just didn't seem to have enough strength to get out. Don't get me wrong, I have not been in the bed depressed nor have I withdrawn from life. It's a different kind of struggle, it's a quiet struggle within my heart as I am really missing my little boy and longing to hold him again. We are a very active family, constantly on the go and the only time we've ever truly slowed down was the 2 months Tristan was here. We're either doing home school, at soccer, at piano, at church, at church activities or family events and even if I wanted to stay in bed I can't - I have a 2 year old, which should explain itself. But now as the activities have finished until August, it has allowed for some down time which is not always good for the mind of a grieving mommy. So again, Tristan has become forefront in my mind. I want to be that same carefree, fun, loving, happy, on-the-go kind of girl but it seems so distant. Right now I am guarded. My heart is guarded. I am afraid of getting hurt, from anything or anyone, so I have withdrawn and quietly struggled. It's not just Tristan though, I've also recently found out about an extended family member that has received a diagnosis which is almost too hard for me to even bear therefore my emotions are a wreck, this is <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">alot</span> to comprehend just 4 1/2 months after losing Tristan. I've been better this past week though, I am on my way out of the valley and I can see the sun shining again!<br /><br />I have been hesitant to share that I have been struggling because there is the pride part of me that wants everyone to think I'm still doing great and that I am strong. But, the more I have thought about it the more I realize I wouldn't be honest if I came across like that. I want my entries to be real, to portray the real me, the real pain, the real struggles of this journey. Why? Because whether tomorrow or 5 years from now, if a new mommy finds my blog I do not want her to feel like she is alone in grieving, I want her to know it's okay to struggle on the journey and that there are other mommies out there feeling the same way and those mommies are just an email away.<br /><br />There are times I have felt so alone with these thoughts and feelings but then I go to the computer and check on my "Internet" friends and realize I am not, they are feeling the same way. I am so thankful for these friendships, little did I realize back in October when I met my first friend, Angie, how much I would need her and all the other girls who have come along. Although I did not post, I did email my sweet "Internet" friends weeks ago telling them of my struggle and asked that they pray for me. I greatly appreciate their emails, their love and their prayers for me the past few weeks. This is what true friendship is, this is what makes this journey easier.<br /><br />The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Internet</span> has also become such a reality to all that is going on with other families around the world. My heart breaks every time I read of another family experiencing the loss of a baby/child. A part of me thinks that I should just stop reading about all these families but then I realize that had my friends felt the same way many months ago they would not have reached out to me, and I cannot imagine how I would feel without them in my life. I feel as though the Lord has given us Tristan's story to help others and I want to use that, not walk away because it would be the easy thing to do. I, along with many of my "Internet" friends, have been affected along this journey by friends who have walked away because they did not want to get involved or they did not know how to deal with the death of a baby, unfortunately life and death, no matter how long or how short, are a reality and what we need are our friends to be there! I never want to be the friend who walks away, I want to be the one who is there all the way to the end! The reward of being there every step of the way is seeing how the Lord turns your tragedy/loss into something beautiful. I have already seen this happen with my sweet "Internet" friend, Angie, 6 months from the day she lost Poppy Joy she was holding another precious little girl, Adrienne Christine, oh what a miracle! And there are so many other things that are happening among me and my "Internet" friends that have yet to be shared.<br /><br />Even though I have struggled the past few weeks, I have such a peace about the life of our precious little boy. Although I do not understand why the Lord chose this for our family I am so thankful He entrusted us with Tristan knowing we would love him with all that we have and that we would never question why or turn from our Lord. We love our Lord more than ever before and we know He is in control. This has been a hard journey, but we would do it all over again even if it was for a brief moment like the picture above.<br /><br />I would ask that you please pray for our family as we continue to move through the grieving process, as we are still working on the foundation and as we are making some very exciting plans for the future......check back soon to find out what they are.<br /><br />This is the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">slideshow</span> we showed at Tristan's "Celebration of Life" service on January 30, 2008. I am sure many of you have already seen it, but I know there are some who have come along our journey since then, so I thought I'd <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">repost</span> it. Today was the first time I have actually watched it since the service. These are 112 pictures of the 1600 we took that shows God's faithfulness to our family.<br /><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='377' height='314' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyVHqhrbETIhYX5TMc-1i_dbpvg-rTXHf6fJaoOyFnt-pvoe9CBdGbNW3o9LynX--UTKLOltuqCks18y3cd5w' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Isaiah 65:20</span> says: "<span style="font-style: italic;">Never again will there be in it an infant who lives but a few days</span>, or an old man who does not live out his years; he who dies at a hundred will be thought a mere youth; he who fails to reach a hundred will be considered accursed."<br /><em></em>Yvettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12470530399873634506noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6312145940408409223.post-48921036100842929132008-05-22T08:00:00.004-04:002008-06-03T23:16:22.743-04:00Special prayer request: The Webb familyAs I have mentioned before, when Trayc and I first started out on this Trisomy 18 road in August we felt so alone because we did not know anything about T-18 nor did we know anyone going through this. Since that time the Lord has brought so many sweet Christian girls into my life, via the Internet. A few months ago I met a girl named Ashley, who is pregnant with a precious little girl named <span style="font-weight: bold;">Faith Ann</span>, who was also diagnosed with Trisomy 18. I would ask that you please join me in prayer for Ashley, her husband Adam, and their two daughters Brooke and Hannah as they go to the hospital today. Please specifically pray that <span style="font-weight: bold;">Faith Ann</span> will be born alive, that her heart rate will remain strong, that she will not be in distress and that Ashley and her family will be able to share some very precious moments with <span style="font-weight: bold;">Faith Ann</span>.<br /><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> ******UPDATE*******</span><br /></div><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Faith Ann</span> was born at 12:12 pm. She weighed 4 lb. 10 oz and is 18 inches long. She is alive and bright-eyed. Please pray for this family as they enjoy precious time with their new little girl.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> ******UPDATE*******</span><br /></div> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Faith Ann</span> passed away at 5:32 pm, she is now in the arms of Jesus!!!!! Oh my heart just breaks for this family this evening as I know what they are feeling. Please continue to pray for the Webb family in the days and weeks again. For further information please check their blog "<span style="font-weight: bold;">Faith Ann Webb</span>" (their link is located under our family picture: Trisomy 18: Journeys of Love)<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">James 5:16</span> says: "Confess your faults to one another and pray for one another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man (friend) availeth much."Yvettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12470530399873634506noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6312145940408409223.post-739032232488583302008-05-18T22:35:00.005-04:002008-12-10T19:23:20.546-05:00Lazarus, come out!We have an awesome church and an incredible children's program. Every year, approximately 400, 2nd-5th graders, perform in the Christmas and Summer musical. Tanner tried out and received a main part in 2nd, 3rd and 4th grade. However, he was not able to try out in September for the Christmas musical because the performance was on December 2nd (Tristan's birthday was the next day). Tanner knew he would have to wait until the Summer musical to try out, this is one of the many things he willingly, and with a sweet spirit, gave up for Tristan.<br /><br />Tryouts for the Summer musical were in March. Tanner has constantly said he REALLY hoped he got a main part, especially because this was his last year - yes, Middle School in August!!!!! I tried to sweetly remind him day-after-day that he may not get a main part and that it would be okay if he didn't. He anxiously awaited for the parts to be passed out and even counted down the days on his calendar.<br /><br />After church, on March 26th, Tanner ran up and said, "Guess what, I got a part, I'm Lazarus" I said, "That's great Tanner. Is that a main part?" He said, "No, it's the boy's dance routine but it's okay, the song is Lazarus, Come out!, look what the part is, isn't that neat? I'm going to dedicate my part to Tristan!" The scene surrounding his dance routine is from John 11 (Tristan's verse is John 11:4).<br /><br />The name of the musical was Simon Says - The Rockin' Trial of Simon Peter. The musical began with Simon Peter in the courtroom charged with fraud for preaching that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God and Messiah. He must prove what he says is true or stop preaching. Then, we heard eyewitness testimonies from people who knew Jesus because they were there(Mary, Martha, Samaratian Woman, James and John), and they gave evidence that Jesus is exactly who "Simon Says".<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0BY0Br7YfSgrEHmPwNzF-c_NCmADEsj66Iu62W_EZY7cCLzF_cbf9bY9CXuce-lDvX1zkVNKjpSw1zoWe5Z_AAaIajnebNB7DNikm_OSf9k8mzFoLmDhNA1YARwssiPOh00wkSxvgrGs/s1600-h/IMG_7115.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0BY0Br7YfSgrEHmPwNzF-c_NCmADEsj66Iu62W_EZY7cCLzF_cbf9bY9CXuce-lDvX1zkVNKjpSw1zoWe5Z_AAaIajnebNB7DNikm_OSf9k8mzFoLmDhNA1YARwssiPOh00wkSxvgrGs/s400/IMG_7115.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5201899521501522610" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwmeekTJEzq0i33vN2_Fso2yS1MoKedhRDga3qhtj_dA61VnMhweyOYBa1dzwMectxLkA1fzDqNMU6zmZTKN_aHTxOMJJtmFXyUZsfkf9Wqgp3wYEB8_q-f98OU4TVnrqxqybugjQYPm8/s1600-h/IMG_7146.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwmeekTJEzq0i33vN2_Fso2yS1MoKedhRDga3qhtj_dA61VnMhweyOYBa1dzwMectxLkA1fzDqNMU6zmZTKN_aHTxOMJJtmFXyUZsfkf9Wqgp3wYEB8_q-f98OU4TVnrqxqybugjQYPm8/s320/IMG_7146.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5201908029831736002" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEickuzhd73sAji_aSGP_s0yj-kDKO5HRP1uNjlymimqF-J3StDsgni89TEXJEfebBMlPYFv5IhF-aOxTNqYcaStuIVYO1ZpPAH_f_pknjyCSKdUz93uIlMhdh2QE7EqH6foRX-iEif_810/s1600-h/IMG_7149.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEickuzhd73sAji_aSGP_s0yj-kDKO5HRP1uNjlymimqF-J3StDsgni89TEXJEfebBMlPYFv5IhF-aOxTNqYcaStuIVYO1ZpPAH_f_pknjyCSKdUz93uIlMhdh2QE7EqH6foRX-iEif_810/s320/IMG_7149.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5201908266054937314" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhGT0QKV1LMtzMaMRe67rD3vDIltjvUii5oToyxjrczBxPu-oF_wrDrnDKcmeKWyb7i71qItxlcJ34wy6yjkUkB8Wjb9rAM3F7XHd8mLGiJBpQIROS_eQ7B4DJWEvXzya7FjY4LUuurYM/s1600-h/IMG_7100.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhGT0QKV1LMtzMaMRe67rD3vDIltjvUii5oToyxjrczBxPu-oF_wrDrnDKcmeKWyb7i71qItxlcJ34wy6yjkUkB8Wjb9rAM3F7XHd8mLGiJBpQIROS_eQ7B4DJWEvXzya7FjY4LUuurYM/s320/IMG_7100.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5201908111436114642" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS2eGtc4HRqtiftFnGGovrX2-MMzfHGz73SKubpLTzcg1hRFOLJPclGqmKFdo-PIlihYpewWQSSY-CpN0wQEOOMELfRkB1YdTLTG2WjiFDhn2LqmRVD6QnNzjrvJUBXVgTFT2ptWr8Qfo/s1600-h/IMG_7151.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS2eGtc4HRqtiftFnGGovrX2-MMzfHGz73SKubpLTzcg1hRFOLJPclGqmKFdo-PIlihYpewWQSSY-CpN0wQEOOMELfRkB1YdTLTG2WjiFDhn2LqmRVD6QnNzjrvJUBXVgTFT2ptWr8Qfo/s320/IMG_7151.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5201908356249250546" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjArFnKKhouHsDG1LXDUVHldvUnkBMzBC-qqQ_UgaNuhA_6KHmbU5za2I2WnvTyYj5VH2d4zSVYRG0Uv6qi8wiC0NM66DqY-rlB95eqdc7gFgC-9NMZOhNdhw8-o9phCNUxDRAoeIaxTSs/s1600-h/IMG_7152.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjArFnKKhouHsDG1LXDUVHldvUnkBMzBC-qqQ_UgaNuhA_6KHmbU5za2I2WnvTyYj5VH2d4zSVYRG0Uv6qi8wiC0NM66DqY-rlB95eqdc7gFgC-9NMZOhNdhw8-o9phCNUxDRAoeIaxTSs/s320/IMG_7152.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5201908442148596482" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWSaoLDWrnunaxwOx6qbbMUPBXejOMlF7ZK5UbVDuTNFq-dK3ziyUSywqpzHb1R5Ko4Jl1Y8F9kyEQ0etbhPB8wHY-37sU6hARue-e1mv1ZXfqfImN-fC-lAZQyKsXD1LpACJjRnwFoTc/s1600-h/IMG_7083.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWSaoLDWrnunaxwOx6qbbMUPBXejOMlF7ZK5UbVDuTNFq-dK3ziyUSywqpzHb1R5Ko4Jl1Y8F9kyEQ0etbhPB8wHY-37sU6hARue-e1mv1ZXfqfImN-fC-lAZQyKsXD1LpACJjRnwFoTc/s320/IMG_7083.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5201908510868073234" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0RM42uJo_LhcxzLd8vVP5EAhjVfdj7hqXxIFmmvIQxDcIvlihcrgAQCWJpVA2Sa2b4nCnWflf-AtWSZO7FfzyizMYgIfQH_u17cWEstd2_heXZVqK68XjEZ6hyphenhyphenRDu1YXlGF1gCj2eDtg/s1600-h/IMG_7158.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0RM42uJo_LhcxzLd8vVP5EAhjVfdj7hqXxIFmmvIQxDcIvlihcrgAQCWJpVA2Sa2b4nCnWflf-AtWSZO7FfzyizMYgIfQH_u17cWEstd2_heXZVqK68XjEZ6hyphenhyphenRDu1YXlGF1gCj2eDtg/s320/IMG_7158.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5201909447170943794" border="0" /></a>Every musical the kids are given a Devo book, which contains a devotion for each week leading up to the musical. Each devotion title is the name of a song from the musical, once the devotion page is completed the parent's sign their name at the bottom. I was reading over Tanner's answers and wanted to share a portion of what he wrote under Week 1, Day 4: "We're Gonna Prove It!" (his answers are in bold):<br /><blockquote>Did the men in the Sanhedrin know what Peter and John said was true? <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Yes</span>. In Acts 4:16-20, what did they order them not to do? <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Speak or teach at all in His name</span>. How did Peter and John reply? "For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard." They were eyewitness - they saw and heard what Jesus did. It made such a big impact on them, they had to share it! Can you give a testimony about Jesus because you have actually experienced His life changing love? <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Yes</span>. The testimony in a trial that has the most impact is from someone who experienced it. The same is true for spiritual matters. When God has done something real in your life and you share it, it makes a difference to the people you share it with. Write one thing God has done for you. <span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">God gave "56" days to my baby brother Tristan, who the doctors said would not live, they were wrong.<br /></span></span></blockquote>I was wiping tears away as I read the precious words of our 12 yr old - he gets it! He is not angry, he is not bitter, he does not question why, he just loves Jesus enough to trust and believe in His perfect plan! We are so excited Tanner got a part, but more importantly that he loves Jesus, he loves his church and that he loves his little brother, Tristan, so much that he dedicated his part to him.<br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Tanner (aka Lazarus),</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />You were great tonight! We are so proud of you - for doing your best, for loving Jesus with all your heart and for loving your brother so much that you dedicated your part to him.<br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">We love you, Mom, Dad & Tayden</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />John 11:4 says</span>: This sickness is not unto death but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby."Yvettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12470530399873634506noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6312145940408409223.post-58901615398678342552008-05-15T21:55:00.006-04:002008-12-10T19:23:20.649-05:00Tristan's award<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpjUuwHVTUVYiGetaAlXeTVayuxR-Kg3jQkV3aYhJnDuRzeoFDBz4DDAvQyVd7v4TsO9hmE-vCE4I4GmpwlEreO8XU2EOLIDjb3SV31nNj9yCXNOjvhNg7G5tbrhnWoQgRXhOxCVw3vLM/s1600-h/3.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpjUuwHVTUVYiGetaAlXeTVayuxR-Kg3jQkV3aYhJnDuRzeoFDBz4DDAvQyVd7v4TsO9hmE-vCE4I4GmpwlEreO8XU2EOLIDjb3SV31nNj9yCXNOjvhNg7G5tbrhnWoQgRXhOxCVw3vLM/s320/3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197437029673817810" border="0" /></a><br />This is Natalie Emmons, a 17 year old Christian girl from Oregon. On January 29th, just 2 days after Tristan passed away, we received an email from her stating that she found our blog through another Trisomy 18 blog. She had been following Tristan's story and said that our family's testimony had touched her life and that Tristan's life was a miracle as he was in God's perfect plan. Natalie went on to explain that she was writing a speech for the National Right to Life Oratory Contest and was focusing on why abortion was wrong. She wanted to use Tristan's life as an example as to why abortion isn't an option, even if the doctors believe it would save heartache in the end.<br /><br />Trayc and I talked about it, we prayed about it and then we responded a few days later. We told Natalie that, even in the midst of our present loss and grief, we would feel honored that she use our little boy's life and name to explain why abortion is wrong. Natalie wrote her speech and forwarded it to us for approval - it was incredible!<br /><br />We received an email in February stating that her essay received 1st place in her local county contest and that she would be promoted to the state contest. We received an email in April stating that her essay received 1st place in the Oregon State contest which promoted her to the National Right to Life contest to be held on July 5th in Arlington, VA.<br /><br />We are thankful for young people, like Natalie, who believe in life regardless of the diagnosis and we feel so honored that she chose our little boy's 56 DAYS to be used as an example.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Congratulations Natalie, we are so proud of you!<br /></span></span><br />***Natalie and her 3 sisters have a Bluegrass Gospel band, check out their website at www.TheEmmonsSisters.com<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span><br /></span></span>Yvettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12470530399873634506noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6312145940408409223.post-81940047319307057762008-05-11T19:50:00.027-04:002008-12-10T19:23:21.043-05:00Mother's DayToday is my 12th "Mother's Day" as Tanner's mommy, my 3rd "Mother's Day" as Tayden's mommy,<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhk-iBsIG4D71nVWn0w-odqusXjMsAJQWSEZ8Iri01wesA7BP9Fid-1CpwXPddngmp71kVrvDJQNjWibb-Zh33Rs8GI1JjBacqsMiyfsrpPMqI3xTJhEVxFQH2JG8_oJVC-HJSfWVFkF8/s1600-h/DSC00463.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhk-iBsIG4D71nVWn0w-odqusXjMsAJQWSEZ8Iri01wesA7BP9Fid-1CpwXPddngmp71kVrvDJQNjWibb-Zh33Rs8GI1JjBacqsMiyfsrpPMqI3xTJhEVxFQH2JG8_oJVC-HJSfWVFkF8/s320/DSC00463.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199254740770187922" border="0" /></a><br />and today would have been my 1st "Mother's day" as Tristan's mommy. Even though he is not here, I will ALWAYS be his mommy.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeK4OIBs4K-OdnEXvmh-a6hGKPHEENtGuhRNQnDSfzadx6fw5xOWmu45gaxEoPiAGbUDMbYgN9M6wKb0wNxStipfDcisJ2K03PExHZLr1qPW04-bk5ZRGIwhlETlC-La0m7fgzYrw-aJw/s1600-h/IMG_6386.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeK4OIBs4K-OdnEXvmh-a6hGKPHEENtGuhRNQnDSfzadx6fw5xOWmu45gaxEoPiAGbUDMbYgN9M6wKb0wNxStipfDcisJ2K03PExHZLr1qPW04-bk5ZRGIwhlETlC-La0m7fgzYrw-aJw/s320/IMG_6386.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199254526021823106" border="0" /></a><br />I'll be honest, I really did not expect this weekend to be as hard as it has been. Trayc was off work on Friday so we were able to spend 3 days together as a family. We were all really excited and had lots of things planned. Friday was great and Saturday started out that way. We went to Tanner's soccer game and then spent the afternoon shopping - this is where it all changed. As we pulled into the same parking lot and walked through the same store, where we had our Santa pictures taken with Tristan, I was doing my best to fight back the tears as we went to several stores. I was ready to get back in the car and get to the next mall just because of all the memories I was recalling, having just been there 4 1/2 months ago. We went to another mall and it only got worse. I think everyone who could have possibly had a "new" baby was out! They were everywhere - in strollers, in carriers, in body slings, happy mommies with new babies! I can handle anything BUT the newborn cry, that's just too much! We were in one store and a baby started crying. Tanner looked at me and said, "Do you hear that baby?" How could I not, it was one of those new baby cries, so I just squeezed his hand and said, "It's okay honey" and smiled. Then he said, "That makes me think of Tristan" and he looked so sad. I said, "You know what, let's get out of here", he looked up at me and smiled. I was secretly holding it together ALL DAY (for Tanner's sake), and did so until we sat down at Ruby Tuesday's to eat dinner. We were talking about what we were going to eat and then all of a sudden - a newborn baby cries out. I literally swallowed, looked away and then held the menu up in front of my face. The baby kept crying and Trayc said "Are you okay?" As I slowly pulled the menu down I said, "I'm fine" Obviously I wasn't, tears were flowing so fast. He said, "Let's go!" I said, "No, I'm fine", He said, "You're not and I'm not, I can't do this either!" So we got up and Trayc quietly told the hostess at the front that we needed to leave. I was so embarrassed but at the same time I had to get out of there, I did not feel like I could even breathe as we sat there hearing that baby cry. We left the restaurant, got in the car and went to the drive-thru at Chick-Fil-A. All the way home from the mall I kept debating back and forth, with myself, as to whether I should even attempt to make it to church this morning but I knew I needed to.<br /><br />This morning was emotional again! I laid in bed, while Trayc took a shower, and just cried! I so much wanted to walk into a nursery painted with soft blue walls, reach down and pick up my precious little boy out of the same Cherry crib that once held Tanner and Tayden. Tristan would have be 5 months old as we celebrated our 1st Mother's Day together, today. It was even harder only dressing 2 boys in matching outfits instead of 3 and opening 2 cards and gifts instead of 3. We didn't make it to Sunday School but we did make it to church. This weekend was hard but it was soooo comforting to stand beside Tanner, at church, with my arm around him singing and worshiping the Lord. Having children has not come easy for us, so I have never take my boys for granted but today I was especially thankful for Tanner and Tayden. After church we went to lunch and then back home so the boys could give me their cards and presents. We love to celebrate holidays and events and although the past few days have been hard, today was no exception in their little minds, they had been waiting all week just for today!<br /><br />Grieving is strange sometimes. I had just mentioned to Trayc, the other night, that I was concerned that maybe I am in denial because I'm really doing better than I thought I would only 3 1/2 months after losing Tristan - we're moving forward in our family life, we are starting the foundation, we are helping other couples and the tears don't seem to come anymore. Well, if I ever questioned it before, I don't now - I AM NOT in denial about losing our little boy! I am still grieving, but I just have such a peace about our time with Tristan that I been fortunate enough to have experienced a lot of really good days, even though this was not one of them. I don't ever spend my days looking back because we were so blessed, we were given <span style="font-weight: bold;">56 DAYS</span>, but on days like today it brings a lot of "what if's" or "what would've been" to mind which makes me really miss my little boy!<br /><br />This past month I have read several articles on the Internet and in magazines that say Mother's Day is a very hard day for moms who have lost babies, I can certainly relate this year. Here is a quote from the Trisomy 18 Foundation:<br /><span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span></span></span></span><h1 style="font-style: italic; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">A web-based survey asking grieving mothers, "What can others say, do or give that would bring you comfort on Mother's Day?". Over 80 percent of the nearly 100 respondents answered, "Recognize that I am a mother" to the question. In addition, nearly every mother surveyed wanted their loss to be remembered with a card, a phone call, a gift or a hug. Over half of the mothers surveyed considered Mother's Day to be their most difficult holiday.</span></span></h1><br />I think, too often, family and friends believe that if you have other children it fills the void of your precious baby not being here - it does not!!!! Yes, it does help to have other children to love and celebrate with, but it in no way takes away the pain/loss you feel. If you know someone that has lost a baby, please let them know you are thinking about them and their precious baby today. How sweet it would be to be remembered on this day!<br /><br />Thank you so much to everyone who has already emailed, commented or texted me today - it means so much on this very difficult day!<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:180%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to</span></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Angie, Kenzie, Kim, Emily, Kristy and Chrissy<br /><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Proverbs 31:28-31</span><br /><br />28 Her children rise up and call her blessed;<br />Her husband also, and he praises her;<br /><br />29 Many daughters have done well,<br />But you excel them all.<br /><br />30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain,<br />But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.<br /><br />31 Give her of the fruit of her hands,<br />And let her own works praise here in the gates.<br /><br /></div></div>Yvettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12470530399873634506noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6312145940408409223.post-79427730101224583062008-05-08T21:00:00.008-04:002008-12-10T19:23:21.830-05:00Gift for me?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb1IJtO7LmA4u57fBQwDgdANoFEghBtdIU2K_cIKwu3smyUnOYrB1iCSudCNjhHC8sE806jQFSCKdnewgrAm7i2C2b3HQhOH8m6aMxejI6SKkURy93XPJ307Sqa7hgjHJQhPovsC3J-bM/s1600-h/DSC00460.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb1IJtO7LmA4u57fBQwDgdANoFEghBtdIU2K_cIKwu3smyUnOYrB1iCSudCNjhHC8sE806jQFSCKdnewgrAm7i2C2b3HQhOH8m6aMxejI6SKkURy93XPJ307Sqa7hgjHJQhPovsC3J-bM/s320/DSC00460.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5198175774874172242" border="0" /></a><br />Going to the mailbox is not the same as it used to be. For months we have been abundantly blessed by the amount of "Congratulations", "Thinking of You" or "Sympathy" cards received on behalf of our little boy. However, now that Tristan has been gone for almost 4 months, the cards have slowly stopped and now our box is filled with the normal stuff like bills, junk mail, letters with Tristan's name on the front from doctor's offices, lab companies and insurance companies and the worst of all, the letter from the funeral home that contained Tristan's death certificate (this was the hard one!). Obviously this is going to happen over time, people go on with their lives as they are supposed to, but as grieving mommies we tend to feel forgotten after having been showered with so much love and encouragement - as I have read from so many girls on their own blogs.<br /><br />But last week, oh last week was different. Trayc walked in the door with several cards and an envelope, one of those that had bubbles inside, which meant it was more than just a card. It was something special - a gift for me? Maybe, just maybe someone hasn't forgotten that I am here, that I am a mommy who is still grieving the loss of her little boy and that although I smile and laugh, there are days that can be harder than others and that is when I need to be lifted up, and this was certainly one of those days! I was right, it was for me and I was so excited. As I quickly opened the envelope and reached inside I pulled out a soft little green bag. Inside the bag was a handwritten note from Kenzie along with this beautiful silver bracelet that has Jeremiah 29:11 etched around it: <span style="font-weight: bold;">"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." </span>I literally had tears streaming down my face. This is so special to me. Not only is it from one of my best friends but this verse has also become our family verse as we continue to move forward after the loss of our precious little boy.<br /><br />Thank you so much Kenzie, you made my day! Every time I wear it I will think of you, of our sweet friendship and this journey we have traveled together. I love you sweet friend!Yvettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12470530399873634506noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6312145940408409223.post-30894318352209275632008-05-05T22:00:00.000-04:002008-12-10T19:23:22.016-05:00200,000<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDYm6jDzbJ7TY0ozwF9ATpfsS4wHOWxHulYlOfyuvN2A4hlJSrP3uVCOkqSoG_Lpc7KqBw-57vYeDavdzvlp0iWzswDFcmskvkk7aoCf7n4-sVC32KofqTyY1XnNtlQvGTU2etCzFT6vE/s1600-h/200000.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDYm6jDzbJ7TY0ozwF9ATpfsS4wHOWxHulYlOfyuvN2A4hlJSrP3uVCOkqSoG_Lpc7KqBw-57vYeDavdzvlp0iWzswDFcmskvkk7aoCf7n4-sVC32KofqTyY1XnNtlQvGTU2etCzFT6vE/s320/200000.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197409095206524610" border="0" /></a><br />Last night at 9:30 pm our blog received the 200,000th hit.<br /><br />Last Fall, after much prayer, we took my personal journal and created this blog. What started out as a way to simply keep our family and church friends updated on our pregnancy, after receiving a Trisomy 18 diagnosis, turned into much more than we ever imagined. We are absolutely amazed and humbled at how the Lord has used the precious life of our little boy to touch the lives of thousands of people around the world.<br /><br />This blog is about the life and miracles that our Heavenly Father bestowed upon our family from the moment our little boy was conceived in March 2007 through all <span style="font-weight: bold;">56 DAYS</span> of his life. The blog has been a way for Trayc and I to share our thoughts, our fears, our hopes and our dreams. In return, it became one of our greatest sources of strength and encouragement as you, the blogging world, have reached out to us through comments and emails. This blog also allowed me to form many friendships, 4 of which have become my very best friends, that have carried me through some of the hardest days of my life. How does all of this happen over the Internet? Simply, the Lord. He knew we would need this kind of support while on this Trisomy 18 road, therefore He went before us and prepared our way so that every step would be filled with love, support, encouragement and newfound friendships. Now, we want to use our blog (and foundation, when finished) as a way to reach other couples that are or will be traveling the same Trisomy 18 road and give them the same kind of support we have received.<br /><br />Thank you to each person that has been a part of our story, whether you were the 1st or the 200,000th hit - we are truly humbled. We hope that our blog has reflected the love we have for each other, the love and trust we have in the Lord and that our little boy's <span style="font-weight: bold;">56 DAYS</span> of life gives hope and encouragement to those who have received a Trisomy 18 diagnosis. Our little boy, Tristan Asher Hostetter, has forever changed us.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Psalms 40:1-5</span></span><br /><br />1 I waited patiently for the Lord;<br />And He inclined to me,<br />And heard my cry.<br /><br />2 He also brought me up out<br />of a horrible pit,<br />Out of the miry clay,<br />And set my feet upon a rock,<br />And established my steps.<br /><br />3 He has put a new song in<br />my mouth -<br />Praise to our God;<br />Many will see it and fear,<br />And will trust in the Lord.<br /><br />4 Blessed is that man who<br />makes the Lord his trust,<br />And does not respect the<br />proud, nor such as turn<br />aside to lies.<br /><br />5 Many, O Lord my God, are<br />Your wonderful works<br />Which You have done;<br />And Your thoughts which<br />are toward us<br />Cannot be recounted to<br />You in order;<br />If I would declare and<br />speak of them,<br />They are more than can be<br />numbered.Yvettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12470530399873634506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6312145940408409223.post-89164468996234926352008-05-04T21:50:00.017-04:002008-12-10T19:23:23.988-05:00God is there: In the storms of life<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG1LMFXIWCnsd7N_C6mFcpqXkR3leS5mYcSEnSXwuAzUIvINdTeKqG3XU8nrNFNl65BNbirBlRANQO_fzM3EXJkziAeuDIv_d3nM8DrvSSV2RiH_hP79B1EnBxyy7cgcxteHw8A6zUiWE/s1600-h/stormy-waters.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG1LMFXIWCnsd7N_C6mFcpqXkR3leS5mYcSEnSXwuAzUIvINdTeKqG3XU8nrNFNl65BNbirBlRANQO_fzM3EXJkziAeuDIv_d3nM8DrvSSV2RiH_hP79B1EnBxyy7cgcxteHw8A6zUiWE/s320/stormy-waters.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197408266277836466" border="0" /></a><br />This is the fifth Sunday our pastor preached in his series entitled "Shipwrecked: What do you do when life's toughest storms threaten to destroy you?" This morning his sermon was in Acts 28:11-15 and this evening he continued with verses 16-23. The messages over the last 5 weeks have been so incredible, they have truly motivated Trayc and I each week as we attempt to move through this storm in our lives and minister to others.<br /><br />Paul's storms were not your ordinary problems, he suffered through real problems. He had been arrested and thrown in prison, he had been snake bitten and shipwrecked. The Apostle Paul had been in the storm and was casted away for 3 months. If someone would have asked Paul "Where is your God now?" do you know what he would have said? Paul would've said "He's right here next to me". Paul knew through the storms of life that God would show his <span style="font-weight: bold;">presence</span>, that He had a <span style="font-weight: bold;">plan</span> and that He had a <span style="font-weight: bold;">purpose</span>. In Acts 27:23 Paul said "For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and who I serve". Why did he say that? Because he knew God was present, he was right beside him. Paul also knew God had a plan because his heart and life belonged to Him. Why did God allow these unusual storms to come Paul's way? Because He had a plan, he wanted to use Paul to reach others through the storms of his own life and to use it for ministry. And although Paul did not know, nor do we, what the purpose is, we can trust that because the Lord has allowed the storm, He will be right there beside us carrying us through.<br /><br />Dr. Brunson was saying that like Paul, we need to reach out and minister to others. He was saying that with a church our size, there are so many opportunities to reach out so we should find a place and minister. So many times we as Christians have the tendency to just sit back and let everyone else do the ministering and yet we are the first to get jealous when we are not asked to be used. Our pastor responded by saying that specific people are being used because they want to be used, they want to minister, they are not just sitting on the couch whining about not being used! He said we have to make a step toward ministry instead of waiting for someone to ask us and that we need to do this even in the midst of our own storms.<br /><br />Each week these messages give us a desire to be more like the Apostle Paul. It's like the pastor was saying, these were no ordinary storms, these were serious! I am sure Paul must have been frightened, scared, discouraged and stressed out at times but regardless of the storm he thanked God and took courage. We felt the presence of God in our pregnancy - it was very real and we know God had a plan and purpose for our little boy's life. Although we do not know the plan or the purpose right now, we cannot just sit back, we cannot just be quiet. We must thank the Lord, we must take courage, we must step out and we must minister because we KNOW THAT WE ARE BEING CALLED to minister to other hurting families even in the midst of our storm. So, how could we walk away from the calling of the Lord? We cannot. We have had several people ask if we felt like we could reach out to others this soon after our loss, afraid that we have not grieved long enough. I often think to myself, is there really a timeline for grief? I really don't think so. Some days are great and some days are simply filled with sadness but we cannot wait until the pain and grief of our storm is gone. Honestly it's never going to be gone, not this side of Heaven. But oh the moment we step over into glory and see not only the face of our Savior, but the precious face of our little boy that I held for <span style="font-weight: bold;">56 DAYS</span>, then and only then will the true pain and grief we are feeling be gone! (I am sure there are lots of sweet mommies agreeing with me here!) So until then, we can either choose to quietly live day-by-day remembering our little boy or we can step up, reach out and minister to other hurting families through our little boy's story. WE CHOOSE TO MINISTER!<br /><br />I would ask that you please pray for our family as we continue to heal from our loss and I would ask that you please pray for Trayc and I as we are being led to several local families that have either just delivered a Trisomy 18 baby or who are pregnant. Pray that the Lord will give us an incredible amount of strength to help these families with the right words of encouragement. We cannot take their pain away but we can be an emotional support for them, we can listen, we can tell our story and we can give them ways to make the most of their time by "living in the moment".<br /><br />Acts 28:15 says: "And from there, when the brethren heard about us, they came to meet us as far as Appii Forum and Three Inns. <span style="font-weight: bold;">When Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage</span>."<br /><br />Philippians 1:12-13 says: "But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, so that it has become evident to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ;"Yvettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12470530399873634506noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6312145940408409223.post-31400420964507562382008-04-27T23:35:00.006-04:002008-12-10T19:23:24.105-05:00Peace: In the storms of life<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQLIaEplAI_jRuXK7H60WpXc5XypEak8OOZd2gaoPWaaX6SJZWhbYcaj7Sc9Awp19ysKSAMJqiiU-B1ujS4tEI1kegCZtzg-HBm1TLitg3Jc1jntDBcw9nPFui5cl_Q-drcxC7tU6GxUc/s1600-h/2497.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQLIaEplAI_jRuXK7H60WpXc5XypEak8OOZd2gaoPWaaX6SJZWhbYcaj7Sc9Awp19ysKSAMJqiiU-B1ujS4tEI1kegCZtzg-HBm1TLitg3Jc1jntDBcw9nPFui5cl_Q-drcxC7tU6GxUc/s320/2497.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195941625140565618" border="0" /></a><br />Today is not only a Sunday but it is also the 27th. Sundays are always hard as it is a reminder each week that this is the day Tristan passed away and the 27th, well <span style="font-weight: bold;">Sunday, January 27th</span> is a day that will forever be etched in my mind. It's hard to believe that our precious little boy passed away 3 months ago. After Tristan passed away, we sat on the couch and I held him up against my chest for 6 hours. I tried to memorize every one of his little features, his touch, his smell and the feel of his little face against mine. Every part of my heart cries out for my little boy and I am longing for all of those moments again!!!! I just simply long to be "Tristan's mommy". I know there will always be a part of me that grieves for my little boy, one that is empty and one that no one can fill, however I am so grateful for Tanner and Tayden. They have truly been a healing for me. Although they will never replace Tristan, they are what gets me up every day to LIVE LIFE and they definitely keep me laughing, having fun and making memories which is great because there are days like today that I could have easily stayed home from church, pulled the covers up over my head and drowned in my sorrow as I thought about this day, exactly 3 months ago.<br /><br />The days are so busy with finishing up the last few weeks of home school (even with Tanner not doing school Dec/Jan we're going to finish in record time!), soccer, piano, church activities and family functions - it's all back to normal. And the nights, which I have struggled with since the night Tristan passed away, they are 100% better. As we sat at the dinner table the other night with only one light on and just a quiet family conversation, I thought of how drastically I tried to fill the silence and void of Tristan's presence over the last 3 months and yet now have made our way back to the normal. I no longer sleep with the light on, I no longer cry myself to sleep, I no longer make Trayc wait until the sun comes up to go to work, I no longer insist on the TV being on during dinner - just so there's a lot of noise, I no longer keep every light on in the house so that when we return home it is bright and I no longer cry as we pass the hospital on Sundays. The darkness and quietness of our house was by far the hardest to overcome and at times I honestly did not know if I would ever feel the same way about our house. In fact, numerous times I told Trayc that we might have to move because I just didn't think I could live in the house with all of the memories of Tristan just constantly hitting me all day, every day. Obviously we cannot move, we moved into this new house a mere 7 months ago, but emotionally that is how I was feeling. I have come to see how this thing called "grieving" can be so different for everyone and it can be on so many different levels. But now, as time has slowly passed by, the pain of his absence has lessened a little which has allowed be to now be SO thankful for the memories we made with Tristan here in our home, every room was touched by his physical presence so now I want pictures everywhere I look. The refrigerator, the picture frames, the car dashboard, the dresser mirror, my Daytimer and we have just about finished the Tristan Asher wall, pictures of that will be coming soon! I am so grateful for the days we shared with Tristan. I have never taken for granted that the Lord blessed us with so much more than we ever prayed for. I still spend so much of my prayer time just thanking the Lord over and over for the <span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >56 DAYS</span> He blessed us with. Those days we were given will be used to encourage other girls along this Trisomy 18 road.<br /><br />Even though Sundays are hard, it does help that we go to church in the morning and at night. It's great to worship in the house of the Lord being surrounded by our family and friends. This is the fourth Sunday our pastor preached in his series entitled "Shipwrecked: What do you do when life's toughest storms threaten to destroy you?" Today he continued in Acts 28 with verses 1-9. I just love these messages, they are exactly what we need right now because they are such an encouragement during this storm in our life. Dr. Brunson reminded us that everyone goes through storms regardless of who they are, no one is exempt because we live in a fallen world. The Apostle Paul was in a storm for 2 weeks. Paul faced the storm with peace, a peace that only comes from the Lord. Our pastor was saying as Christians we can act in faith in three ways: 1) Our lives should reflect an inner peace rather than one of turmoil, 2) Our lives should exhibit a consistent witness rather than that of constant confusion and 3) Our lives should express a heart for ministry rather than an apathetic resignation.<br /><br />We can reflect that inner peace because of WHO our Father is. He is the one who gives a peace that is not of this world. If we do not have this peace then we have the tendency to focus on the storm which causes us to display the chaos around us therefore others will keep their distance because they do not need any additional stress which in turn causes us to become ineffective in ministry and certainly unable the encourage others. We need to use the storm we are in as a platform to rescue the lives of others instead of sitting back expecting others to rescue and comfort us.<br /><br />Trayc and I have attended the same church our entire lives. Our church is considered one of those "mega-Baptist churches", therefore we not only have a large congregation but we also have many incredible ministries and forms of outreach. As most long time church members do, we got used to going to church 3x's a week and just sitting, sitting and expecting to be ministered to instead of stepping up and being the ones who actually minister. We were a part of the choir for 18 years but other than that we have never mentally and physically reached out to help someone in need. Our precious little boy changed us! The <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">56 DAYS</span></span> we shared with him had a huge impact on us individually and it gave us a desire to reach out and minister to others. Without us even being aware we have been recalibrated, compelled to reach out to other families that have and will suffer the same heartache of losing a child. We want others to know we are here - we are here to walk this road with them every day. The Lord is using Tristan's story in some of the most incredible ways and we are so grateful! We did not chose this storm but we feel so honored that the Lord trusted us to be Tristan's parents knowing we would honor and glorify His name and that we would reach out to others in the midst of the most difficult storm of our lives.<br /><br />We ask that you please continue to pray for us as we heal as a family, some moments like today are harder than others. Pray for us to patiently wait for the Lord to open the right doors regarding "The Tristan Asher Foundation" and the development of the website. Pray that we will have the right words to comfort and encourage the hurting families that the Lord will place in front of us through Tristan's life.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">John 14:27 says</span>: "Peace I give you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Philipians 4:7 says</span>: "And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."Yvettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12470530399873634506noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6312145940408409223.post-5347658588607623302008-04-20T20:30:00.025-04:002008-12-10T19:23:24.693-05:00Encouraging others: In the storms of life<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvmE7Gphoyt6cMiQBbqORGFx0b9BzQTGDIiOwefA2jXb0mPPRJ-NaxSLm2nzMdpkxM1SybM9CKArSrm52Y_KydmRgmMbocEjEmPVefKrto73umVWMgUysWg3zLIed94gX3NZmTI0SSh9M/s1600-h/Image4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvmE7Gphoyt6cMiQBbqORGFx0b9BzQTGDIiOwefA2jXb0mPPRJ-NaxSLm2nzMdpkxM1SybM9CKArSrm52Y_KydmRgmMbocEjEmPVefKrto73umVWMgUysWg3zLIed94gX3NZmTI0SSh9M/s320/Image4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195941835593963138" border="0" /></a><br />This is the third Sunday our pastor preached in his series entitled "Shipwrecked: What do you do when life's toughest storms threaten to destroy you?" And, as I have mentioned the last few weeks, all of these messages apply to where we are in our lives. Today he continued in Acts 27 with verses 27-44. The Apostle Paul was caught up in this particular storm for 2 weeks. His boat kept being pulled around and around and around, he could not get out of the cycle of the storm. Paul did not create the storm he was caught up in nor did he fear the storm because he was a man of faith NOT fear. Our pastor was saying that everyone has storms in life - you're either in one now, you're heading out of one or you're headed into one! So, he asked "What happens to your faith when you're in a storm and your life is on the rocks?". That certainly is a powerful question to ask because you truly find out what your faith is when you're in a storm don't you? So many people try to run away from their problems therefore we are creating a generation of children who run away instead of facing them with faith believing that God holds everything in His hand. Our pastor was also saying that the storms of life can also cause us fear which in turn causes us to become focused on the negative instead of the positive, what we need to do when we're in a storm of our own is encourage others. We should encourage others with a positive word and lead by our example. Wow, can you imagine how great it would be if we encouraged others while we were in the midst of a storm? Paul decided that he was going to encourage others even in the midst of his own storm and by doing so the people on the boat were encouraged!<br /><br />We have been encouraged by so many people, locally and Internet, since August. This journey started out full of emotions and scared about the uncertainty that lied ahead. But oh, that didn't last long. As I've said before, what was simply a blog to inform our family and friends of our journey quickly became the greatest (daily) source of encouragement. Little did we know all of the love, the support and the encouragement we would receive during the most difficult months of our lives. And, as I received encouragement from other moms facing the same storm I became stronger and was able to return the same encouragement to them and then I just kept reaching out to more and more girls to encourage them. These same moms, who walked this journey together, are still encouraging each other day-after-day as we face the very difficult days of grieving. Trayc and I desire to be like Paul and encourage others while we are in this storm of life. I am trying to do this by emailing all of my Internet friends who are grieving, Trayc and I are creating "The Tristan Asher Foundation" which will be an online support center to reach out to other families who have received a Trisomy 18 diagnosis and give them hope and encouragement and we have told our pastor and other staff members that we would like to help encourage and support other families, that come into our church, who receive a Trisomy 18 diagnosis or any other kind of genetic disorder. Our pastor already gave our name to one girl in our church and I was able to talk to her about our baby and hopefully was an encouragement to her.<br /><br />I was thinking about the first Trisomy 18 family I found on the Internet, The Mooneys (I did a post on Sept 4th). They created a very touching video called "99 Balloons" (which can be seen by clicking on their link under our family picture). As most of you know, it is the story of Eliot Mooney. Until I found Eliot's video I just thought of our little boy as dying and never thought about the possibility of him living, as doctors give you NO hope of them even being born alive per statistics. And yet, here was this precious little boy, Eliot, who amazed everyone and lived 99 DAYS. To us that seemed like a long time. We watched as his parents celebrated every day of his life to the fullest and with great excitement. I was so encouraged and wanted to be like that! It gave me hope that our precious little boy could live that long too - Tristan didn't make it to 99 but he certainly made it to <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">56 DAYS</span></span>. I know Eliot's story has touch thousands of lives around the world and brought hope and encouragement to many girls who were given a Trisomy 18 diagnosis. Can you imagine had Eliot's parents not lived his life to the fullest? If they had not videoed his life every day for 99 DAYS? If they had not shared his story, via the Internet, with the world? I am so glad they ministered/encouraged others, through their blog/video, in the midst of their storm.<br /><br />Who can you encourage this week? Is there a mommy who is pregnant with a baby that has a genetic disorder that needs a word of encouragement left on her blog? Is there a mommy who is fortunately still counting the days their precious little baby is alive that needs a word of encouragement left on her blog? Is there a mommy who is approaching "the date" their baby was born or passed away that could use a word of encouragement left on their blog? Is there an email you could send to a friend that is going through a storm in their life? Is there a meal you could take to a family in need? Is there someone that could use a hug today? Or is there someone you could pray for today followed up by a card letting them know you were thinking of them? Try to think of something you could do to help encourage someone this week because one day you, too, will be in the midst of a storm and the encouragement will be returned tenfold.<br /><br />We greatly appreciate every person who took the time to encourage us these past few months. Our encouragement was felt through comments on our blog, cards, emails, phone calls, meals and just the simple hug.<br /><br />We ask that you continue to pray for our family this week as we approach the 3 month mark of Tristan passing away. We would specifically ask that you pray for us next Sunday as it is not only a Sunday, which is extremely hard, but it is also the 27th therefore it is a reminder that our little boy is no longer here. Although we are doing good, we still miss our little boy so much.<br /><br /><br />Acts 27:33-36 says: "And as day was about to dawn, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Paul imploded(urged) them all</span> to take food saying, Today is the fourteenth day you have waited and continued without food, and eaten nothing. Therefore <span style="font-weight: bold;">I urge you</span> to take nourishment, for this is for your survival, since not a hair will fall from the head of any of you. And when he had said these things, he took bread and gave thanks to God in the presence of them all; and when he had broken it he began to eat. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Then they were all encouraged</span>, and also took food themselves."Yvettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12470530399873634506noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6312145940408409223.post-65520622683070799522008-04-13T22:45:00.015-04:002008-12-10T19:23:24.837-05:00Ministering to others: In the storms of life<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1UJRpfiPfA14Acj7xiDBHWgYwCI-RC18Wz27iYyR06LV8hkaYk4K1vxb2iYOY5Bj8Fs42GjErK6en_H89EiySogMp8WVIcaKLsLyZJI28Qv2xCGr7Xu9sSl2S9ZSA8ETh0r22iayBsgE/s1600-h/storm_fog.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1UJRpfiPfA14Acj7xiDBHWgYwCI-RC18Wz27iYyR06LV8hkaYk4K1vxb2iYOY5Bj8Fs42GjErK6en_H89EiySogMp8WVIcaKLsLyZJI28Qv2xCGr7Xu9sSl2S9ZSA8ETh0r22iayBsgE/s320/storm_fog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195944511358588578" border="0" /></a><br />This is the second Sunday our pastor preached in his series entitled "Shipwrecked: What do you do when life's toughest storms threaten to destroy you?" As I mentioned last Sunday, all of the messages seem to apply to where we are in our lives. Today he continued in Acts 27 with verses 9-15 this morning and verses 16-25 this evening. The Apostle Paul did not create the storm he was caught in but what he did do was use the storm in his life to minister to others. Our pastor was saying that so many people run from God, run from the church and run from God's people when they are in the midst of a storm. When what we should be doing is running to God, to the church and to God's people where we can be ministered to. He was also saying that God does not waste any experience He allows us to go through. We are to take our storms and use them to minister to others. Have you been through a storm in life and used it to help others? If not, I urge you to think about how you could reach out and help someone today. There are so many hurting people all around us but we have to be willing to reach out.<br /><br />The day we found out about the Trisomy 18 diagnosis we turned to the Internet to find resources and support because of the rareness of this disorder. What we found on the other end was a sweet Christian girl, in Memphis Tennessee, going through the same storm. She could have turned away, she could have ignored my email, she could have simply responded by saying she'd pray for me and that be it. Thankfully she did not. What she did was return my email immediately, pray for me daily and email me daily. She encouraged me, she loved me, she supported me all at the same time she was in the midst of her own Trisomy 18 storm. Because she reached out a sweet friendship was formed and we were able to travel the storm together, all the way to the end. And although the storm might be over, the journey is not. Now, we are traveling a journey together by encouraging each other, praying for each other and watching the Lord use our precious babies to reach others. That is truly what ministering is all about. (Thank you sweet Angie!)<br /><br />Because the Internet has been such a great source of support and encouragement through this storm, as I continued to develop many new friendships (Kenzie, Kim, Emily, Kristy & Chrissy), our desire since August has been to use our storm to minister to others through the Internet. As mentioned a few months ago, we have earnestly prayed for months and feel the Lord calling us to create a foundation on behalf of our precious little boy, Tristan. The foundation will be called <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">"The Tristan Asher Foundation"</span></span>. It's main purpose will be an online support center for girls to come to when they are awaiting possible Trisomy 18 results or if they have received a Trisomy 18 diagnosis and we walk this road with them. We want to reach out to couples locally and around the world. We want to use the 56 days the Lord blessed our family with to bring hope, encouragement and support to girls who receive NO HOPE when given a diagnosis of Trisomy 18 as it is labeled by doctors as "incompatible with life".<br /><br />We have just about finished the foundation paperwork and are currently working with a designer regarding the website and logo. The foundation is slowly coming together and we have set a goal for July 1st and are hoping to meet that deadline. In the meantime, if you are reading this blog and know of a family who has received a Trisomy 18 diagnosis or is currently caring for a new Trisomy 18 baby and needs emotional support, please give them our blog address and let them know they can contact us directly through our blog until our foundation website is set-up.<br /><br />We would also ask that you please pray for us daily as we are establishing this foundation. It is our ministry that was developed through the greatest storm of our life and yet it was the sweetest of all - 56 days with our little boy, Tristan Asher Hostetter!Yvettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12470530399873634506noreply@blogger.com14