Happy Birthday Shannon!

Dear Shannon,

Is it true that you would be 19 years old today if you were still here with us? I know that you would constantly be calling to remind me that I'm getting old and that I'll be "almost 30" very soon. And how would you be calling me? Would it be from your home phone? Nope. It would be from your cell phone. And Raun would kill me from all the texts that you and your sister would send me combined. But you know what? I wouldn't care! I'd text in secret to you two girls if I needed to.

I miss you so much. I know that we were so blessed to have you for more than 17 years, but for some reason, it doesn't seem like it was enough. I know I'm selfish...I wanted more. I wanted to be there to watch you grab your diploma. I wanted to see your pictures when you got back from your trip to New York. I wanted to watch you meet Blake for the first time and babysit him for the first time. I know that you're in a much better place and all of your pain is gone, but I do miss your laughs and hearing you fight over the remote with your sister by sitting on her. I even miss you running your hands through my hair and your WONDERFUL back rubs. They were the best.

Your sister wrote the most beautiful essay about you and how you influenced her life. I cried because everything she said was true and I know she misses you so much. Thank you, girl, for teaching me how to not be scared around children with special needs. Thank you for teaching me not to be scared of terminally-ill children. Thank you for telling me how you got scared, but how you faced all of your fears. I will never forget one of the times that you had a surgery and you told me how scared you were and that you were afraid that you would die. I remember you hugging me after that and I had tears in my eyes because I was afraid, too, but I didn't want you to see that. Once I let go of you, I grabbed one of my stuffed animals for you to take the hospital with you to help comfort you. I will never forget that memory. I relate to so many people because of all that you talked to me about.

I often walk past my kitchen and stare at your picture. Sometimes it's easier to pretend that you are still at home, watching television or driving your brothers and sisters crazy! Or giving your parents that teenage attitude:) It doesn't seem right that that's not where you are. I can't wait to see you one day. I used to be scared of dying, but after watching you, I know that it'll be okay. If you can do it and not be scared, so can I. Thanks for that last act of courage. I love you and have already started showing Blake pictures of you and telling him stories of you. He's going to grow up knowing you as much as he can. You would have loved him.

Happy 19th Birthday, sweet girl. It will always be your birthday and I will always remember it. Man...I'm getting old. Thanks for reminding me, Shannon!

Love,
Your Sister:)

Blogs

So...here is the blog of the family I have asked prayer for in one of my earlier posts. Their baby's name is Cooper.

http://ezandccox.blogspot.com/


Another blog is of one of the boys that I used to do music therapy with. He was a terminally-ill patient of mine, but so sweet. He had Krabbe's disease and beat all odds. However, I just learned that he passed away about a month ago. They are an incredible family and love the Lord. Both of these people and their situations remind me of Aunt Patricia and Uncle Ray and Shannon. Please pray for both families and for God to continue to work in wonderful and powerful ways.

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/dylanmay

A week of firsts

This week was full of a lot of firsts for Blake. Raun put together his high chair and he has been joining us at the dinner table every time we eat. He is only eating green beans, still...until tomorrow, but when is isn't eating he is playing in his chair. He loves being a big boy at the table. It's kinda weird for Raun and I, though!

Raun also put together his jumperoo one night. Blake LOVES it! I catch him trying to watch the television with it, so I've had to make sure that the television is off. Such a boy! He stays in that thing for 30 minutes at a time. I love it! I took a video of him in his jumper, so enjoy!

6-month appointment

We had Blake's 6-month appointment today and it went well. He got his first finger prick, which he did well with and then only got one shot today. He cried for a second and then I picked him up and nursed him and he was fine. I'm thankful that we haven't had any bad reactions with it, yet. He now weighs 16 pounds 4 ounces and is 27 inches long. The pediatrician said he'll be long and skinny...we'll see if she's right! When the nurse weighed him, I couldn't believe it was 16 pounds. Where did my 6 pound newborn go to and when did he gain all this weight?! He's doing great eating his green beans and is now sitting in his high chair at the dinner table with us. He loves measuring spoons and I have been able to cook a lot easier now that I can keep him occupied with spoons.

My heart has been troubled the past few days because of a girl that I went to school with. Her baby is 2 months old and has down syndrome. However, he is in the hospital and has RSV, is on a vent, and has a heart problem. It just reminds me so much of Shannon. I cry every time I read the blog because I can't help but think of all that she's going through as a mother. It has made me hold Blake even more and love on him tons! I don't know how Aunt Patricia and Uncle Ray do it, but they do. I don't know how they were able to watch their little girl in the hospital, but they did. I just wish that these things never happen, even though I know they happen for a reason and God uses it for good. I miss Shannon so much and I feel like I'm reading a story (with a little differences) that describe a little of what went on when Shannon was a baby on this girl's blog. My heart just breaks knowing that she doesn't know how her baby will do and if he will even be okay. Please pray for this family.

My new recipe blog

I have been asked by several people to share my recipes with them since we rarely eat the same things twice. That's greatly because Raun and I love to try new things and aren't afraid to cook Thai, Japanese, Chinese, Indian, and good old southern....however, all of these things are usually healthy versions from some of my favorite healthy cookbooks and magazines. Anyway, for those of you interested in a website full of recipes, go to our blog at http://ourdinners.wordpress.com. When you cook one of the recipes, feel free to comment on what you thought about it, good or bad. That way people can read for themselves whether to try it or not. I will say that a new one goes up each time we cook, so they are all tried by us. Enjoy and can't wait to hear your thoughts!

Jen's Baby Shower

Last weekend, Nessa and I threw Jen a baby shower in Manchester. I know most people know how close we three are, but for those of you who don't, these two girls are the greatest! We've been through it all together. I met Jen during my Junior year of high school when we roomed together at a music camp at Tech. We knew instantly that we both wanted to go to Tech and be roomies. Our senior year at the same camp, we met Nessa. She was so sweet and we knew right away that we wanted to be friends with her, as well. So that's how our friendship began. Me and Jen have been to each other's high school graduations! Seems like it was only days ago! Jen and I roomed together for four years during college and even through we went through some tough times, we have come out so much closer and have such wonderful memories. Nessa moved in with us during our Junior year when all three of us decided it was cheaper to rent an apartment. Nessa also interned where I did, so I got to spend a little more time with her after college. Since then, miles have been between all of us...with Jen being in Minneapolis, MN and Nessa in Nashville. But we made the most of the time we had. Since Jen's moved back to Nashville, we have been meeting in Manchester a lot. This works out great because my mom can keep Blake for a few hours while the girls go eat or do pottery. We're hoping to begin our girl's trip again; however, it'll be a little bit closer to home than the beach this year. But that's okay. When all three of us are together, it doesn't matter where we are! We end up talking about the same old things and laughing so loudly that we bother our neighbors. These girls are some of the ones that I can be myself with since they know all of my faults (from living together) and my positives! "Hey, girls! I'll do the dishes!" I think we have all sewn together, made jewlery together, and have all played together in an ensemble. And should I mention that we had almost every class together for the first 2 years and then Nessa and I had almost every class together for the entire 4 years due to us majoring in the same thing. I miss you girls!

John and Molly's Shower

Nothing but pictures...

Raun and I painted our bedroom for Valentine's Day!

Eating beans on his 6-month birthday!

upside down after naptime