Walk to Remember 2011

Saturday Oct. 1 was one of the first "cool" days we have had in months and it was a beautiful day to have the M.E.N.D. Walk to Remember. 

 It was at a different church this year, so it felt like our first time again.  This year, we decided to invite some family and friends to join us in remembering Michael and Jake.  My parents, Jon's mom, and my super dear friend; Allison and her oldest daughter joined us.

 Each balloon represents a baby that is in heaven.  Everyone who came was able to release a balloon or balloons to remember them by.

 They have a"rememberance table" so you can put whatever you have/want to remember them by.  I used the wonderful card that Heather designed for the boys' birthday and their picture.

 The only downside to the day was that I was having a severe migraine that had started teh day before and I had just gotten some medicine  that morning to help it and it didn't go away until the next morning! So needless to say, if I look like I am in pain in the pictures- it's because I was!

 Lindsey and Allie

 Hanging up the ornaments as they called out their names.

 Allie is the only one who looks happy here...

 Our three sweet babies.

 They have all the children come up to the front to sing "Jesus Loves Me"- Allie was not so sure!

 My mom getting a balloon

 Allie was writing her message to her brothers!

 Mommy's turn

 Walking...

 My dad and us.

 Jon explaining  to her that we are sending the balloons to Michael and Jake in heaven.

 Here they go...

 Bye Bye

 One more time...

 She was happy this year becasue she understood that she was giving them to her brothers

 I love this look she has!

 So thankful for such a great organization and support group to help us celebrate our babies' lives and to remember that they are a part of our family!  We are also so thankful that we have something like this that we can have family and friends go to to help us celebrate their life.
A couple days later, Allie woke up from her nap saying "Mommy, Michael and Jake got their balloons in heaven- I saw them!!!"  She was so happy.  I am glad that we can have memories of them and incorporate their short lives into ours!  And I did have a profound thought about them...  We actually have something a lot of families don't have- a whole another family in Heaven that we will get to meet!  What Joy to know that I have 3 kiddos waiting for me and although I won't know them here on earth- I get a BONUS in heaven!

My dear friend, Allison- Thank you SO much for wanting to come and share in this with me and for taking great pictures!  You have cried when I couldn't, you have loved them without even meeting them, and you have held my hand through one of my darkest, hardest times. I am honored to call you friend!  And thank you also for honoring our boys with your donation to MEND!  "May you be blessed as you have blessed me!"