HAPPY 8TH BIRTHDAY, MYA! We love you so very much!!!
Monday, July 21, 2008
7/21/08 also ='s 7+ WEEKS
HAPPY 7+ WEEKS PRECIOUS NEW LIFE!
PRAISING GOD FOR BLESSING US!
WE ALL LOVE YOU SO MUCH ALREADY!
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Coincidence...I think not.
As I drove to a funeral tonight of a friend that I have not seen since high school (besides a brief moment of exchanging a few kind words at the tattoo shop sometime over the past 14 years) I prayed. I prayed that my going to this place (where I did not want to be...since the last time I stood face to face w/ a casket was to say goodbye to my daughter) would some how some way be an inspiration to others, or even just to one person for that matter.
I prayed as I drove along Frankstown road towards the funeral home. Prayed to touch someones life. Prayed that someone would be encouraged by my strength, seeing me come to such place just 16 weeks from the day my baby girl took her last breath. Prayed that someone could see that I am doing well. That only God has carried me thus far. By His power I could face the brother and mother of this old friend of mine who took his last breath this past Tuesday. Satan did this to him, to them. Satan allowed the 29 year old to desire the poison that would take his life. He had been doing well from what I have heard. Pictures from just a week ago revealed such. Maybe he thought "just one more time" not knowing that "one more time" would indeed be his last.
As I hugged his mother I reminded her of who I was and of that last day of ninth grade when she picked a few of us from school on an early dismissal...we squeezed too many of us into that tiny red sports car to go back to their house to drink the night away in their basement...yes, I said drink and ninth grade in the same sentence. Just a reminder of where I was, where I could have been, where I could be now and oh where I am and how proud I am to say such. I am in no way saying anything bad about others but am simply praising God for the life I live now. Those who know me know that drugs were not and will never be a part of my life...but drinking, oh the hard liquor was indeed my best friend more times that I care to mention.
As I hugged that mother I could relate even if just a little. This was her son. This was her child. Gone way too soon. I know how that feels. Even though 29 years is way longer than 5 days it is still the loss of a future. A wedding, grand children, a 30th birthday that should have occurred in just 13 days from today. Siblings that are hurting. In this case, a younger brother who is struggling over that fact that he just got his "clean" big brother back. Oh Lord, please be w/ their family at this most difficult time. Please carry them as you have carried me when I was unable to walk on my own.
So as I hugged the necks of so many in which I haven't seen in years, some that I would have been okay never seeing again...through the crowd I saw a face of an elementary friend. One that would spend the night at my house in second grade when I lived w/ my Mom. A friend that saw times when my Mom was not so herself. One that has had a tough life since we last spoke. As we hugged and carried on what could have been a brief conversation I mentioned how, we too, lost our child this year. She then went on to say that her friend, standing close by, lost her son a short time ago. As her friend moved closer I could tell she didn't really care to meet me nor to speak. But as I showed my friend my tattoo of Eva her friend chimed in and said that she too was scheduled to get a memorial tattoo of her son who just recently passed. She said you must be the girl that Chris Blick from the tattoo shop was talking about whose baby girl lived for just 5 days. She was ready to open up...even if just a little.
He son, passed away on the day I was due w/ Eva...March 31. Just two weeks after Eva's first breath and one week and one day after her last. He just turned 10 months the day before. His cause of death was gastro something disease. Something in which it sounded/seemed like it could have been prevented w/ the help of medical personnel (but they neglected to intervene). I am unsure and I do not want to mess up critical details. Either way, her baby is gone. Her 6 year old and 4 old and hurting. Almost just as much as she is. This girl needed to speak to me. She needed to know that she was and is not alone. She needed hugged by someone who gets it. I get it.
We spoke until 9:45...the funeral ended at 8:00. I told her all about the Highmark Caring Place (which I think I have yet to post on). I went to my van to look for info on it and when I couldn't find it I just wrote the name of the program down on a slip of paper. I included my first and last name (cause even after the length of time we spoke I don't think we ever exchanged names) and my phone number. I told her that she may not be ready yet but when and if she is...I am here. I could see the impact I had on her thru her tears and in the expression on her face and even more when she said how nice it was to talk to someone who can relate.
In ways we are so much the same...but in one way we are different. She is angry. I am not. I never really was. In the beginning, maybe. Now, nope. Don't get me wrong...I still don't understand, I still want my daughter back, and I still ask God why. Someday I will know plain as day why everything is the way it is...but today, I choose not to be mad at my Creator, Eva's Creator.
Maybe after seeing me, talking to me and hugging me her anger will soon fade away. I told her that the death of our children was and is not of God but of the one who comes to steal, kill and destroy. God allows something wonderful to been seen thru it all. And although her relationship has been taken by the devil too. I promised her, that God has a bigger and better plan. Plans for her future. I promised because He promised.
Coincidence, I think not.
Please pray for their family...
I prayed as I drove along Frankstown road towards the funeral home. Prayed to touch someones life. Prayed that someone would be encouraged by my strength, seeing me come to such place just 16 weeks from the day my baby girl took her last breath. Prayed that someone could see that I am doing well. That only God has carried me thus far. By His power I could face the brother and mother of this old friend of mine who took his last breath this past Tuesday. Satan did this to him, to them. Satan allowed the 29 year old to desire the poison that would take his life. He had been doing well from what I have heard. Pictures from just a week ago revealed such. Maybe he thought "just one more time" not knowing that "one more time" would indeed be his last.
As I hugged his mother I reminded her of who I was and of that last day of ninth grade when she picked a few of us from school on an early dismissal...we squeezed too many of us into that tiny red sports car to go back to their house to drink the night away in their basement...yes, I said drink and ninth grade in the same sentence. Just a reminder of where I was, where I could have been, where I could be now and oh where I am and how proud I am to say such. I am in no way saying anything bad about others but am simply praising God for the life I live now. Those who know me know that drugs were not and will never be a part of my life...but drinking, oh the hard liquor was indeed my best friend more times that I care to mention.
As I hugged that mother I could relate even if just a little. This was her son. This was her child. Gone way too soon. I know how that feels. Even though 29 years is way longer than 5 days it is still the loss of a future. A wedding, grand children, a 30th birthday that should have occurred in just 13 days from today. Siblings that are hurting. In this case, a younger brother who is struggling over that fact that he just got his "clean" big brother back. Oh Lord, please be w/ their family at this most difficult time. Please carry them as you have carried me when I was unable to walk on my own.
So as I hugged the necks of so many in which I haven't seen in years, some that I would have been okay never seeing again...through the crowd I saw a face of an elementary friend. One that would spend the night at my house in second grade when I lived w/ my Mom. A friend that saw times when my Mom was not so herself. One that has had a tough life since we last spoke. As we hugged and carried on what could have been a brief conversation I mentioned how, we too, lost our child this year. She then went on to say that her friend, standing close by, lost her son a short time ago. As her friend moved closer I could tell she didn't really care to meet me nor to speak. But as I showed my friend my tattoo of Eva her friend chimed in and said that she too was scheduled to get a memorial tattoo of her son who just recently passed. She said you must be the girl that Chris Blick from the tattoo shop was talking about whose baby girl lived for just 5 days. She was ready to open up...even if just a little.
He son, passed away on the day I was due w/ Eva...March 31. Just two weeks after Eva's first breath and one week and one day after her last. He just turned 10 months the day before. His cause of death was gastro something disease. Something in which it sounded/seemed like it could have been prevented w/ the help of medical personnel (but they neglected to intervene). I am unsure and I do not want to mess up critical details. Either way, her baby is gone. Her 6 year old and 4 old and hurting. Almost just as much as she is. This girl needed to speak to me. She needed to know that she was and is not alone. She needed hugged by someone who gets it. I get it.
We spoke until 9:45...the funeral ended at 8:00. I told her all about the Highmark Caring Place (which I think I have yet to post on). I went to my van to look for info on it and when I couldn't find it I just wrote the name of the program down on a slip of paper. I included my first and last name (cause even after the length of time we spoke I don't think we ever exchanged names) and my phone number. I told her that she may not be ready yet but when and if she is...I am here. I could see the impact I had on her thru her tears and in the expression on her face and even more when she said how nice it was to talk to someone who can relate.
In ways we are so much the same...but in one way we are different. She is angry. I am not. I never really was. In the beginning, maybe. Now, nope. Don't get me wrong...I still don't understand, I still want my daughter back, and I still ask God why. Someday I will know plain as day why everything is the way it is...but today, I choose not to be mad at my Creator, Eva's Creator.
Maybe after seeing me, talking to me and hugging me her anger will soon fade away. I told her that the death of our children was and is not of God but of the one who comes to steal, kill and destroy. God allows something wonderful to been seen thru it all. And although her relationship has been taken by the devil too. I promised her, that God has a bigger and better plan. Plans for her future. I promised because He promised.
Coincidence, I think not.
Please pray for their family...
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
On 6/23/2008 you've been gone 3 months...
Oh How I Miss You Baby Girl!
5th member of our family...5 days you shared w/ us...my 5th tattoo...
I had this tattoo done on 6/24; the day after the 3 month mark of Eva entering the Gates of Heaven. Chris Blick of American Tattoos gets the credit...I'll take the credit for enduring the pain for almost 2 hours! His work is amazing! Thank you Chris! Although it is still going thru the healing process it looks great and receives a TON of compliments. Chris is highly recommend around here. He is so booked that I scheduled the appointment about 2 weeks (on April 5th) after Eva passed away...his first opening was June 24th.
5th member of our family...5 days you shared w/ us...my 5th tattoo...
I had this tattoo done on 6/24; the day after the 3 month mark of Eva entering the Gates of Heaven. Chris Blick of American Tattoos gets the credit...I'll take the credit for enduring the pain for almost 2 hours! His work is amazing! Thank you Chris! Although it is still going thru the healing process it looks great and receives a TON of compliments. Chris is highly recommend around here. He is so booked that I scheduled the appointment about 2 weeks (on April 5th) after Eva passed away...his first opening was June 24th.
On 6/17/2008 you would have been 3 months...
Happy Birthday To You Baby Girl!
I had this done on 6/17. When I called the man to ask about pricing and such he was taken back because his daughters name is Ava...they had considered the name Eva first. He did this for me out of the goodness of his heart. And I know that my story...as well as the stories of all of my "blog" friends...touched his heart for many years to come. Thank you D's Signs for the wonderful work you do and the fantastic job you did for us.
I had this done on 6/17. When I called the man to ask about pricing and such he was taken back because his daughters name is Ava...they had considered the name Eva first. He did this for me out of the goodness of his heart. And I know that my story...as well as the stories of all of my "blog" friends...touched his heart for many years to come. Thank you D's Signs for the wonderful work you do and the fantastic job you did for us.
Monday, July 7, 2008
How awesome HE is...(a lil piece of Deeper Still in Atlanta)
In Genesis, He's the breath of life
In Exodus, He is the Passover Lamb
In Leviticus, He's our high priest
In Numbers, the fire by night
Deuteronomy, He's Israel's Guide
Joshua, He's salvation's choice
Judges, He's Israel's Guard
In Ruth, the kinsmen's redeemer
1st and 2nd Samuel, our trusted prophet
In Kings and Chronicles He is Sovereign
In Ezra, He's the true and faithful scribe
In Nehemiah, the re-builder of broken walls and lives
In Esther, He's Mordecai's courage
In Job, the timeless redeemer
In Psalms He is our morning song
In Proverbs, He is our wisdom
Ecclesiastes, He's the time and season
In Song of Solomon, He is the lover's dream
In Isaiah He is Prince of Peace
In Jeremiah, the weeping prophet
Lamentations, the cry for Israel
Ezekiel, the call from sin
Daniel, the stranger in the fire
Hosea, the forever faithful
Joel, the spirit's power
Amos, the strong-arms that carry
Obadiah, the Lord our Savior
Jonah, the great missionary
Micah, the promise of peace
Nahum, our strength and shield
In Habakkuk and Zephaniah, He's brings revival
In Haggai He restores that which was lost
IN Zachariah, He's our fountain
And in Malachi, He's the son of righteousness rising with healing in His wings
AND THAT'S JUST THE OLD TESTAMENT
In Matthew Mark Luke and John, He is God and Messiah
In the spirit filled book of Acts, He is the reigning fire from Heaven
In Romans, He is the grace of God
Corinthians, the power of love
Galatians, freedom from the curse of sin
Ephesians, our glorious treasure
Philippians, the servant's heart
Colossians, He's God and the trinity
Thessalonians, our calling King
In Timothy, Titus and Philemon, He's our mediator and our faithful pastor
In Hebrews, the everlasting courage
In James, the one who heals the sick
In 1st and 2nd Peter, our faithful shepherd
In John and Jude, He's the lover coming for His bride
AND in the Revelation, in the very end, when it's all over, said and done, when time is NO MORE. He is and will always be the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Prince of Peace, son of Man, Lamb of God, The Great I am, Alpha and Omega, God and Savior He is Jesus Christ the Lord HE IS EVERYTHING THAT YOU NEED!
In Exodus, He is the Passover Lamb
In Leviticus, He's our high priest
In Numbers, the fire by night
Deuteronomy, He's Israel's Guide
Joshua, He's salvation's choice
Judges, He's Israel's Guard
In Ruth, the kinsmen's redeemer
1st and 2nd Samuel, our trusted prophet
In Kings and Chronicles He is Sovereign
In Ezra, He's the true and faithful scribe
In Nehemiah, the re-builder of broken walls and lives
In Esther, He's Mordecai's courage
In Job, the timeless redeemer
In Psalms He is our morning song
In Proverbs, He is our wisdom
Ecclesiastes, He's the time and season
In Song of Solomon, He is the lover's dream
In Isaiah He is Prince of Peace
In Jeremiah, the weeping prophet
Lamentations, the cry for Israel
Ezekiel, the call from sin
Daniel, the stranger in the fire
Hosea, the forever faithful
Joel, the spirit's power
Amos, the strong-arms that carry
Obadiah, the Lord our Savior
Jonah, the great missionary
Micah, the promise of peace
Nahum, our strength and shield
In Habakkuk and Zephaniah, He's brings revival
In Haggai He restores that which was lost
IN Zachariah, He's our fountain
And in Malachi, He's the son of righteousness rising with healing in His wings
AND THAT'S JUST THE OLD TESTAMENT
In Matthew Mark Luke and John, He is God and Messiah
In the spirit filled book of Acts, He is the reigning fire from Heaven
In Romans, He is the grace of God
Corinthians, the power of love
Galatians, freedom from the curse of sin
Ephesians, our glorious treasure
Philippians, the servant's heart
Colossians, He's God and the trinity
Thessalonians, our calling King
In Timothy, Titus and Philemon, He's our mediator and our faithful pastor
In Hebrews, the everlasting courage
In James, the one who heals the sick
In 1st and 2nd Peter, our faithful shepherd
In John and Jude, He's the lover coming for His bride
AND in the Revelation, in the very end, when it's all over, said and done, when time is NO MORE. He is and will always be the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Prince of Peace, son of Man, Lamb of God, The Great I am, Alpha and Omega, God and Savior He is Jesus Christ the Lord HE IS EVERYTHING THAT YOU NEED!
I'm still here...
I know, it's been almost a month since my last post. And all I can say is that we've been so busy. I mean super busy.
We went to the Jersey Shore June 11th thru the 15th. I went to Atlanta (you all knew that though) the 26th thru the 29th. I then returned back to work Tuesday, July 1st...what a joke...that could be an entire post of its own...but I won't...needless to say while I was off for the 6 months (bed rest, delivery, burial and grieving) my company came to realize that my position could be eliminated. Without going into great detail...I'll just say that this could only be a blessing in and of itself. An answered prayer (please pray for us as we try to keep our finances in check). We had the ginormous picnic on the 4th then went camping the 5th and 6th. We arrived home after dinner yesterday and slept the entire night and this morning away.
With all that said and done I will say that I have attempted to draft a post in regards to Atlanta. I am no where near finished, as it is so hard to put such an experience into words, but I promise it is soon to come...as well as the other events that have taken place. I'll be sure to post pictures, as I know you all just love to see them.
Thank you to those who continue to check-in and to those that continue to pray for us. Please don't stop!
We went to the Jersey Shore June 11th thru the 15th. I went to Atlanta (you all knew that though) the 26th thru the 29th. I then returned back to work Tuesday, July 1st...what a joke...that could be an entire post of its own...but I won't...needless to say while I was off for the 6 months (bed rest, delivery, burial and grieving) my company came to realize that my position could be eliminated. Without going into great detail...I'll just say that this could only be a blessing in and of itself. An answered prayer (please pray for us as we try to keep our finances in check). We had the ginormous picnic on the 4th then went camping the 5th and 6th. We arrived home after dinner yesterday and slept the entire night and this morning away.
With all that said and done I will say that I have attempted to draft a post in regards to Atlanta. I am no where near finished, as it is so hard to put such an experience into words, but I promise it is soon to come...as well as the other events that have taken place. I'll be sure to post pictures, as I know you all just love to see them.
Thank you to those who continue to check-in and to those that continue to pray for us. Please don't stop!
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