3.9

{spring forward}

2.2

{don't worry momma. be happy}

{Putting the Happy in our Holidays}

12.12

{best buddies}

Happy Halloween

{my little pumpkins with a giant pumpkin}

___{fill in the blank}____ Awareness Month

You need not look too far to notice troubling situations and physical suffering.  

destruction

inequality

homelessness

poverty

orphans

widows

sickness

…

I always thought I was aware,

until

one January when I became aware…

…Kevin and I would welcome our 4^th little love in October.  

one May when I became aware…

…an ultrasound is about far more than finding out the baby’s gender.

…how ridiculous it sounds to say, "I just want a healthy baby" (so, what will you think if you don't have a healthy baby?).

…every one of us is fearfully. exquisitely. wonderfully. Made.

…in our personal heart break it may take some time before we are willing to let others in to help hold the pieces.

 

one September when I became aware…

… behind every diagnosis is a face, a name, and a beautiful soul.

… the NICU is full of families who are hurting - families whose pregnancies didn’t end the way they played out in their ideal plans and human dreams.

…it’s not just the NICU, there are floors and floors of full rooms in the same hospital.

…of patience necessary in affliction, joy in trial, and hope.

one October when I became aware…

…even after our lives returned home, together, a piece of our hearts would remain with all of the babies, and their families, who still long for healing.

the 2 years since then, when I continue to be aware…

…every person carries their own unique needs both physical and emotional.

… turning the calendar will always remind me of the experiences that sparked my fire.  This month - devoted to awareness of bullying, breast cancer, domestic violence, earthquake victims, down syndrome, __{fill in your blank}__, and Spina Bifida - will always fuel my desire to do something; to encourage other families who may just be starting out on a journey similar to our own.

It is now I feel as if I understand what it means to be aware and why it is so critical.

Awareness motivates us to help others, 

starts a conversation,

encourages community,

breaks down boundaries,

builds determination,

changes attitudes and misconceptions,

teaches us to look into the eyes of all the broken hearted, 

calls us to do more than recognize and sympathize.

Awareness inspires empathy and action. 

Birthday Book

It is a tradition in our family for each child to receive a book of special pictures from the previous year on their birthday.  Typically the book makes a surprise appearance on the celebration shelf sometime before the big day and the birthday boy or girl takes note, sneaks a peek, and sets it back on display.  Last year Gabe was too little to care much about flipping through the pages of his baby year book.  However, this year we wrapped his book to give to him and after he opened it there wasn't a single other present that grabbed his attention.  As he first flipped through the pages he looked quite concerned about how familiar the main character looked.   

"That Gabika?"

"That Gabika!"

Once he figured it out he carefully looked through each page with a giant smile and animatedly pointed out what he was doing in every picture. 

He sat by each of us while we read the book together.

The pictures in this year's book were arranged around a slightly revised version of the lyrics in the Will.I. Am Sesame Street Song.

 It was so fun to see him enjoy it!  Seriously, it makes the book worth every tedious hour I spent working on the lay out.