Viking Fest
May 18th, 2012 | 
Author: We had fun at the annual Viking fest today! We watched some people perform, we had some yummy food and the kids got to go on some rides. They had a lot of fun with their friends!
Jordan and Lindey
Shanna and Nicci
Nicci loved this ride
Cute girls
This picture makes my heart ache for Oliver. Our stroller is the one in the middle and it was empty while the boys rode on one of the rides…but I wish Ollie could have been sitting there watching us.
Here are some videos I took! It was a fun night!
Posted in 
Sunny days
Here are some pictures from the last two days. The weather has continued to be nice!
Our lilac bush smells so good!
The kids had fun throwing rocks
We got a big umbrella and the kids love it!
I watched some kids today and here they are walking home from preschool with Nicci
Gorgeous Day!
Today we had 80 degrees outside (25 C)! I love this!!!
Kids playing in the sprinkler at my friend Melanie’s house.
Playing in the pool at home
11 Months…
I can’t believe Oliver’s 1st birthday will be in a month from today. It’s hard to think that we should have a little boy crawling, almost walking. It’s also hard to think that it’s been almost one year since the last time I held him. I am so proud of Oliver. I feel so blessed I was chosen to be a mother to such a special spirit.
This song often reminds me of my journey of carrying Oliver.
Heart beats fast
Colors and promises
How to be brave
How can I love when I’m afraid
To fall
But watching you stand alone
All of my doubt
Suddenly goes away somehow
One step closer
I have died everyday
waiting for you
Darlin’ don’t be afraid
I have loved you for a
Thousand years
I’ll love you for a
Thousand more
Time stands still
beauty in all she is
I will be brave
I will not let anything
Take away
What’s standing in front of me
Every breath,
Every hour has come to this
One step closer
I have died everyday
Waiting for you
Darlin’ don’t be afraid
I have loved you for a
Thousand years
I’ll love you for a
Thousand more
And all along I believed
I would find you
Time has brought
Your heart to me
I have loved you for a
Thousand years
I’ll love you for a
Thousand more
Happy Mother’s Day!
I love being a mom to my wonderful kids. They bring me such joy. I wish Oliver could be with us in this picture. It’s hard for me to take family pictures because I always feel like someone is missing. I’m sure it will get easier with time… I wish I could hold him in my lap like my other kids and give him my love. For now I hold three kids in my arms and Oliver is always in my heart. I am grateful for everything my children teach me. I feel blessed and honored to have been chosen to be their mom. Motherhood is full with ups and downs but I really cherish the time I have with my kids. I am so grateful for my own mother and both my mother in laws. They are such awesome people and I love them.
We feel so blessed to be pregnant with our sweet baby girl. Here is my belly at almost 24 weeks
A big thank you to Heidi at butterfly kisses who embroided Oliver’s hand and foot prints on this blanket. We love it!
This morning Eric let me sleep in and we had yummy cinnamon rolls for breakfast! Eric got me some great gifts! I got some nice jewelry. Also, I have been wanting to put family stickers on the back window of our minivan and we ordered some! We even got one for Savannah that we will put on when she comes. Thanks babe!! I’m sure today will be a great day!
Rhubarbs
Here are some rhubarbs that I got from out garden yesterday!
And we made a delicious strawberry and rhubarb pie.
Funny Kids
Nicci and Jordan had a lot of fun last week when they did a sack race in their pillow cases.
Grief
My grief is like a river,
I have to let it flow,
but I myself determine
just where the banks will go.
Some days the current takes me
in waves of guilt and pain,
but there are always quiet pools
where I can rest again.
I crash on rocks of anger;
my faith seems faint indeed,
but there are other swimmers
who know that what I need
Are loving hands to hold me
when the waters are too swift,
and someone kind to listen
when I just seem to drift.
Grief’s river is a process
of relinquishing the past.
By swimming in hope’s channels,
I’ll reach the shore at last
By Cinthia G. Kelley
Beatrice and Eric
Nicolina
Lionel
Jordan
Oliver
Oliver was diagnosed with Potter’s Syndrome or bilateral renal agenesis on March 31st, 2011 at our 20 week ultrasound. He was born on June 14th, 2011 and lived for a little over an hour before he passed away in my arms. He was surrounded by so much love. We miss him more than words can say, but rejoice in knowing that he is safe and happy in heaven. We know we will see him again. Families are forever.
Read posts about Oliver here
Watch Oliver's Slideshow here
"If you know someone who has lost a child or anybody who's important to them, and you're afraid to mention them because you think you might make them sad by reminding them that they died, they didn't forget they died. You're not reminding them. What you're reminding them of is that you remembered that they lived, and that's a great, great gift" - Elizabeth Edwards
"The deep hurt is the mirror image of the deep joy that still awaits you." - Bruce C. Hafen
“When suffering, we may in fact be nearer to God than we’ve ever been in our entire lives. That knowledge can turn every such situation into a would-be temple. Regarding our earthly journey, the Lord has promised: “I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up” That is an everlasting declaration of God’s love and care for us, including—and perhaps especially—in times of trouble." Jeffrey R Holland