Thoughts at Christmas...

This time of year always has me thinking about "What If...".  This season was different I will admit, but still thoughts of my babies lost bombarded me as I decorated the Christmas tree.  I'm very blessed to  have family that remembers my babies and chooses to acknowledge them.

Two things happened this year that really made my heart smile and choke up at the same time.  The first one was as I was decorating the tree, Foxy (my husband) was staring intently and I defensively asked what he was staring at!!  He commented, "Layla and Michael".  I had put the ornaments that I had done for them myself.  Foxy doesn't speak about the babies much, and I don't expect him to, I know he thinks of them often and is sad about them too.  Sometimes the acknowledgement is very fulfilling for me and makes me feel not alone!

Then later as my sister was helping me decorate the tree she said, "Layla and Michael sure do have a lot of ornaments!".  Yes, they do!  They are special and loved and taught me so much throughout the past 4 years.  I appreciate that they are remembered, honored, and spoken of by name.

The next ones are from the annual walk to remember held here in Tyler to honor lost babies at our Children's park!  I've actually not been able to make it to one, but got these ornaments last year!

These are from my sweet Kindred Spirit, Andrea, and I cherish her remembering my babies!!!

This season is hard.  Remembering the losses is hard.  Thinking about having a 2.5 year old this year, or an almost 2 year old is hard, but I don't want to forget.  I want to hold them in a cherished place in my heart and family, and I'm glad they have names to use in reference to them!  Merry Christmas to my angel babies, Layla and Michael, may you spend it dancing with the angels in heaven and snuggling the one whom we celebrate!

Awesome Opportunity for TNT--Please check it out!

So, if you've followed me long you know that I like to run.  Really, I love to run.  It's the only athletic thing I've ever done actually, so finishing multiple half marathons has been a HUGE accomplishment for me.

In April of 2009 I ran the Country Music half marathon (my second) with Team in Training (TNT) to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma society.  I did it because some of my runner friends, who had encouraged me a lot, had just lost a friend to Leukemia after only a month.  I thought it was the least I could do.  It was AWESOME!!!!  If you like to fund-raise, run, and have a great time, you should totally do a race with TNT, the support and encouragement you get is unmatched and the money goes to help people who are affected by blood cancers, for research, monetary help, etc.  I personally loath fund-raising and so probably won't ever do that again (never say never).  Since then I just like to donate money to TNT for my friends running their races.

Anyhow, here's a cool opportunity to support TNT...

Virtual 5K for TNT

I'm all over this as the money goes to a great cause, it's not too much and gives a sense of unity without anyone having to travel!  I encourage anyone who likes to run to participate in this event, just go to the link, read about it and sign up--easy peasy!