Hope Colored Pink

My photo is up at still life 365 today. Click here to view more about this photo.

Heaven IS for real

My friend Kristin sent me the book Heaven is for Real to read after I told her that I had been wanting to read it. I had seen a video about the book and it just intrigued me. I know a lot of people have a fascination with Heaven. Does it exist? What will it be like? I have read 90 Minutes In Heaven and really liked that book so I figured I would like this one too. I was wrong. I loved this one. There's just something about it being from a child's point of view that makes it that much more real.

It's hard for me to put into words overall how I feel about this book because it moved me so much. One of the parts of the book that stood out to me the most was when Colton said, "Yeah, she said she just can't wait for you and Daddy to get to heaven." (Referring to the sister his mom lost through miscarriage.) I have always hoped that my children know about me in Heaven and this has shown me that they do. They know about me and they love me and they can't wait until we are together again. Talk about pulling at my heartstrings!

Ever since Carleigh has been gone I have longed for Heaven in a way I never have before. I have never wondered as much about it as now. This book has given me a small glimpse into Heaven and for that I am thankful. This has definitely secured my belief that Heaven IS for real and that I can't wait to get there.

Happy Birthday April Babies

♥ Happy Birthday to all the loved and missed April babies. ♥

Alex ~ April 2, 2009
Kayden ~ April 6, 2009
Audrey ~ April 7, 2008
Isaac ~ April 8, 2009
Laken ~ April 8, 2010
Kael ~ April 12, 2008
Sophie & Aiden ~ April 13, 2009
Connor ~ April 14, 2009
Camron ~ April 14, 2009
Chase ~ April 14, 2009
Cherry ~ April 14, 2010
Seth ~ April 16, 2009
Thuong ~ April 16, 2009
Lachlan ~ April 17, 2009
Jordan ~ April 17, 2010
AnnaBella ~ April 18, 2010
Rosalynn ~ April 20, 2010
Sophia & Ellie ~ April 25, 2009
Jonah ~ April 26, 2009
Ayden ~ April 27, 2009
Naomi ~ April 27, 2009
Valentina ~ April 27, 2010
Ethan ~ April 28, 2009
River ~ April 30, 2009

Remembering with laughter

I am joining Mattie in remembering her son, Jakin, as his due date would have been April 21st. Jakin means "God will establish laughter" so we are sharing things that make us laugh.

This video was taken over 2 years ago. It was just days after we got Carleigh's fatal diagnosis. We were on our trip to Hawaii and it was Kyndra's first time in the ocean. She was 11 months old and I was 23 weeks along with Carleigh. Watching this video always makes me laugh.

Auction results

Thanks to everyone who took part in the auction for Sufficient Grace Ministries. The auction was a success and through it we raised $2,053.25! We surpassed my original goal of $1,000 and my second goal of $2,000. Everyone seemed to have fun with the auction, including myself. I think that the auction may be an annual thing because it was such a success.

Thank you to the following people for generously donating:

Beth Martin of Beach Glass Shop
Katy Larsen of Somewhere Over the Rainbow
Jane Molle of JemSewSoft
Ivy Welch of Crafty Creations by Ivy
Kelly Frank of Kelly Joy Boutique
Caroline Croley
Emily James
Becki Burner of Floral Art
Kelly Gerken
Teresa Brown of Candy Creations
Kristi Bodey
Tutu Mommies
Shannon Amador of Strength and Courage Cards
Anonymous donor
Mattie Wells
Holly S.
Linda Putnam
Nancy Cummings
Holly Nonnemacher
Rebecca Woods
Sara Wendt
Sarah Robbins of Bouncing Baby Bows
Sue Mosquera of My Forever Child
Leigh Ann of LoveLeigh Again
Franchesca Cox of The Flourish Shop
Elissa Peterson of Elissa Peterson Photography
Lynnette Kraft
Abigail Kraft
Camille Grimshaw of Camillion Creations
Casey Doiron of Treasure Beans
April Yodock
Angela Donaldson of Angela Donaldson Photography
Rachel McConathy of Kenzington Kollections

I'm still in the process of receiving payments for the auction items. I'm also working on packaging up the items and sending them out. It's been a lot of work to put this together but totally worth it. Again, THANK YOU!!

First Butterfly

Yesterday when I came home from work I saw the first butterfly this year. I just had to snap a pic of it. :)

Sufficient Grace Online Auction

In just 2 days from April 6-8th I am hosting an online auction on my Caring for Carleigh FB page that will benefit Sufficient Grace Ministries. My original goal was to raise $1000 for the ministry but I have since bumped that goal up to $2000. I know that God can make anything happen so I have faith it can be done! Thank you to everyone who has generously donated an item and for those planning on participating in the auction. Your support means a lot and is very much appreciated!

I have taken the following from the Sufficient Grace Online Auction event page to give more information about the auction:

Online Auction April 6-8 to benefit Sufficient Grace Ministries.

Sufficient Grace Ministries for Women, a 501 (c ) 3 non-profit, non-denominational Christian organization, was founded in 2004 by Kelly Gerken with the purpose of reaching out to women and families to offer comfort, encouragement and hope. The Dreams of You division of this ministry was created specifically to provide comfort to women and families who have lost a ba...by through miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant death.

Bereaved parents are never asked to pay for materials. The ministry is supported through donations from individuals, hospitals and other organizations.

The online auction will take place on the Caring for Carleigh FB page at the following link:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?id=190276402639&aid=336790

Items are not up for bid until April 6, but items may be viewed in the auction album beforehand. Items may continue to be added to the album up until the day of the auction.

On the day of auction (April 6th), bids can be begin to be placed at midnight and can continue to be placed until April 8 at 11:30 pm EST. You can place a bid by simply leaving a comment under the item you want to bid on. There will be no starting bids so feel free to enter a starting amount to your liking if you are the first bidder. In order to bid on items, the bidder must "like" the Caring for Carleigh FB page.

All winners will be notified in the first several days after the auction has ended. Payment is expected within 48 hours after the winner has been notified through PayPal unless other arrangements have been made. Checks and money orders can be accepted as an alternative if buyer has no PayPal account but items will not be shipped until payment is received and cleared.

We hope that you will join us for the auction and help us toward the goal of raising over $2,000 for Sufficient Grace!