Sweet Madeline

Today marks the one year anniversary since the world and,more importantly, the Spohrs lost their sweet Madeline.

No: I don't know them in-real-life. I had begun to read their blog approximately 2-3 months before Maddie passed away. I remember clicking on to their blog a year ago to be hit by a 2x4 with the news. You see, Maddie's mommy, Heather, wrote so beautifully that I (along with many others) truly felt as though I knew them in-real-life, not just through cyber-space. Heather's postings were full of stories, pictures, & videos of Maddie that captivated me & a large blogging audience. When Maddie passed, it was touching to see how this "audience" rose up to support the Spohrs. And we still do.

Maddie's smile & bright blue eyes lit up any room she was in. While the color purple has always been associated with Maddie, I think of her in yellow too, because her presence was like bright sunshine.


I still cannot imagine the Spohrs' grief...


Please join me in holding this family up in prayer today  as they deal with this difficult memorial date.
 
If you would like to hear the sweetest song, written by Maddie's daddy, click here. He also wrote a very tender song about grief that you can listen to here. To read more about sweet Madeline, written beautifully by her mom, please visit, The Spohrs Are Multiplying. You can also leave a message for them there.

If you would like to support the Spohrs in another way, please feel free to give to the March of Dimes in Maddie's name.


To see a few pictures of Maddie, captured by her mama, simply scroll down..........

Cora's Story

Please, please, please: if you think of her & her husband, send loving thoughts, and tender prayers to my new friend, Kristine.

Their precious daughter, Cora, passed away after 5 brief, but love-filled, days on earth.

Cora's parents are grieving deeply but also fighting a good fight on behalf of Cora.

Please visit Cora's Story to learn more about the impact of Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) and how you can pass the word along to expectant friends & family about a simple test that should be done after every birth that can literally save a child's life.

Keep this family in your prayers, please. They need all the support they can get. And as you do, please remember my brother & sister-in-law too. Grief is a long and weary process.

Isn't Cora a pretty baby???

With much love going out to Kristine & Ben,
~Mary

Poor Lil TeaRose

Our lil TeaRose is sick...she has a stuffy nose & those blow outs (see yesterday's post Hanging w the Girls) have continued. Tea, however, remains in good spirits so it's hard to even tell she is sick...she's just sleeping more. So, if you are the praying type, please pray our little girl gets well soon. Thanks!!!

And for those of you who have been praying for my sister-in-law (Dani) and her pregnancy, thank you! Dani & the baby are doing well. She has entered her 2nd trimester & is feeling so much better! Active babies must run in this family, because ultrasounds show a little gymnast in there! Tea was so active all the time that nursing staff would gather round to see the little Olympic swimmer during her ultrasounds. So it looks like her cousin is going to give her a run for her money!

Prayer Request~Kayleigh's Family

Oh, what a sad day for the Freeman family, yet a glorious day in Heaven. Little Kayleigh went home to be with Jesus last night. Please wrap this family in prayer as the mourn the loss of their precious little one. I can't imagine what they are going through, the pain in their hearts, but am so thankful that they know that Kayleigh is now wrapped in the arms of our Heavenly Father.

Hot Mama

Have I mentioned that my sister, in my totally unbiased opinion, is one hot mama? Who would guess that this babe just recently gave birth to a babe of her own? She is now sporting a new haircut that I am just a wee bit jealous of!

Love that her hair works both straight & curly...Actually, mine does too~I'm just to lazy to take the time to straighten it!

Our little TeaRose's hair has been growning too...though she is sporting more of that just-rolled-outta-bed/mohak look. ;-)

While I miss living so close to my brother & his wife, J&D, I do love living so close to my sis & her family. I realized today that my sister & I haven't lived this close to one another for about 16 years!!!

~ ~ ~ ~

Speaking of J&D, if you would, please join me in praying for D & the little one in her womb... All pregnancies are a miracle of life & gift from God, but (of course) this one is special to me because that little one is going to be my neice or nephew! And it's all about me...right?! ;-)

Psalm 139 reminds us:

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!

So while I know the Lord is creating his latest masterpiece within D, I also know that the Lord hears our prayers & petitions that this pregnancy go smoothly and that this baby will be healthy. J&D had another ultrasound this week & were able to hear the baby's strong heart beat & see him (or her) actively swimming around in there...all this at only 10 weeks gestational. Truly amazing! While we are waiting for the latest pix, here's one from a couple weeks ago:

Don't you just love modern technology? Baby's 1st picture has taken on a whole new meaning.

~ ~ ~ ~

Guess I'm out of musings for now...so au revoir mon chéris