Chicago Trip – Part 2

November 17th started out with waking up to this beautiful smile. :)

After breakfast we got ready and left to visit The Haven Network, which was the purpose of our trip to Chicago. The meeting with them was absolutely wonderful. We actually went over on how long we were supposed to be there and we honestly could have stayed there all day if they didn’t have to leave because of prior commitments.

We were able to gather a lot of helpful information from the ladies we met with (Kathy and Jean). It was so great to see a place just how Kelly & I envision SGM being. And we  are getting there!!

Outside the building where The Haven Network is located there is an Angel of Hope statue.

After our meeting we met up with my cousin Kate to eat lunch. She brought her girls, Molly and Lucy along. It was so great to see them all since it had been a year since I had seen them last and even longer than that before.

In the evening we went to a shopping center called Crimson Ridge. It was like a bunch of little stores all in one big store. It was pretty neat. I got the toy below for Evanee and we were given it for free by the owner since it didn’t have a price tag on it. How nice! I also got some really yummy cheese and a warm hat.

After shopping we went back and packed up to catch our train back to Ohio. It left late at night so we got in really late in Ohio. And it was super foggy when we got back so we had to drive careful. Anthony was waiting for me when we got back to Deshler to drive me and Evanee the rest of the way home.

Overall, we had a really great trip!!!

Chicago Trip – Part 1

On November 16th, Kelly and I left in the early morning to Bryan, OH to a small Amtrak station to catch our train to Chicago. The purpose of our trip was to meet with a perinatal hospice in the area called The Haven Network. Kelly had met with them once before but it was my first time to visit.

Our train was scheduled to leave at 7:05 am and we got there a little bit before thanks to Kelly’s fast driving! We thought we weren’t going to make it. Turns out, the train ended up being like 15 minutes late so we would have been ok! Of course, Evanee came with me and it would be her first train ride!

The train ride was great! The seats were comfortable and there was plenty of space. It was good traveling!! I know for sure if I ever need to travel a long distance I am going by train as it’s much better than taking a car IMO. We did take a little nap during the ride. Evanee enjoyed it since she didn’t have to be strapped in her car seat.

We ate breakfast in the dining car and we had french toast and it was SO GOOD. Some of the best french toast I’ve ever had.

After we arrived in Chicago we took a taxi to the shopping area. It was both mine and Evanee’s first taxi ride!

In the shopping area we went to the Hershey’s store (where we ate supper yummy chocolate PB cupcakes), the Ghirardelli, store, and then the Disney store. I ordered some princess dresses for Kyndra and Lainey. We also stopped by a Walgreens and I picked up an umbrella stroller to help tote Evanee and all our stuff around. It did help!

We then strolled over to Gino’s to eat lunch and where we were going to meet up with my BLM friend Mary (Lukas’ mom). I had never met Mary before IRL so I was excited to meet her. Lainey slept through about half of the lunch, which was good! She was tired! It was my first time eating Chicago style pizza and it was interesting and yummy!

After lunch we took the Metra train to Geneva where Kelly’s dad picked us up and took us back to his house. We ate this really yummy local BBQ place. Very good!!! I definitely was ready to crash once it came time for bed. I was so tired!

Need You Now

You know those songs you just can’t get out of your head? Plumb’s new song is one that really speaks to what I have felt and still feel on this road of loss. I’ve been listening to it a lot lately.

Well, everybody's got a story to tell
And everybody's got a wound to be healed
I want to believe there's beauty here
Cause oh, I get so tired of holding on
I can't let go, I can't move on
I want to believe there's meaning here

How many times have you heard me cry out
"God please take this"?
How many times have you given me strength to
Just keep breathing?
Oh I need you
God, I need you now.

Standing on a road I didn't plan
Wondering how I got to where I am
I'm trying to hear that still small voice
I'm trying to hear above the noise

How many times have you heard me cry out
"God please take this"?
How many times have you given me strength to
Just keep breathing?
Oh I need you
God, I need you now.

Though I walk, though I walk through the shadows
And I, I am so afraid
Please stay, please stay right beside me
With every single step I take
How many times have you heard me cry out?
And how many times have you given me strength?

How many times have you heard me cry out
"God please take this"?
How many times have you given me strength to
Just keep breathing?
Oh I need you
God, I need you now.

I need you now
I need you now

November Babies

♥ Remembering November Babies ♥

Ella ~ November 1, 2010
Aiden ~ November 2, 2010
Brenna ~ November 2, 2009
Faith & Grace ~ November 3, 1996
Aiden ~ November 6, 2009
Chaya ~ November 6, 2008
Nicholas ~ November 7, 2008
Hannah ~ November 7, 2008
Zach ~ November 7, 2009
Jack ~ November 7, 2009
Calvin ~ November 10, 2008
Madeline ~ November 11, 2009
Baby Boy A & Baby Girl B ~ November 12, 2008
Lillian ~ November 13, 2009
Madeline ~ November 13, 2009
Kenner ~ November 13, 2008
TanaLee ~ November 13, 2009
Faith ~ November 14, 2009
Carly ~ November 15, 2007
Kasey ~ November 16, 2008
Alexandra ~ November 16, 2009
Cara ~ November 17, 2009
Hope ~ November 19, 2010
Eve ~ November 20, 2011

Olivia ~ November 20, 2009
Carley ~ November 20, 2010
Trevor ~ November 22, 2004

Alexander ~ November 23, 2008
Kolton ~ November 23, 2010
Jakin ~ November 24, 2010
Xavien ~ November 26, 2009
Abigaile ~ November 26, 2012
Matthew ~ November 28, 2009
Logan ~ November 28, 2005
Alyssa-Joy ~ November 29, 2008
Cora ~ November 30, 2009

If your baby is not on this list I am sorry. Please leave a comment to have them added.