Making a connection

I wanted to introduce you to some of my new friends I met at Blissdom.  I decided I would do this in sections because I really wanted to introduce you to them and share a little bit about each one.  When you have a moment, check out their blogs.  You will be glad you did.   

If you've been a reader for some time, you know I don't shy away from talking about our infertility journey or the loss of our daughter Zoe and son Jonathan.  This little blog has become a place of healing for me and maybe, just maybe, it will help a few out there that are going through the same journey.

It all started at breakfast.  There was a sea of about 25 round tables in a large ballroom.  I picked a table at random and starting eating.  I sat quietly as I ate and couldn't help but over hear the conversation going on across the table.  All it takes are words like "infertility" or "I lost a baby" for my ears to perk up.  Combine that with talk of natural and whole food eating and I could barely sit any longer in my chair.  As soon as their conversation ended I made my way over and introduced myself to Donielle who writes at Naturally Knocked Up. 

Seriously, how cool is that name?  I love it.  We talked and talked and were eventually late to our morning session, but I don't think either of us cared.  Our journey through infertility started the connection and then she shared with me that she had lost a baby recently.  I could so relate.  I remember being at Blissdom last year on my due date with Jonathan.  It was not easy.  You see a place like Blissdom brings out all the pregnant women and those with babes on their hips.  It's awesome to see, but can be painful if you've lost a baby.  During our conversation Donielle, told me about someone I just had to meet. 

Her name was Stephanie from at Beyond Words Designs.  I made it my mission to track her down.  This is not easily done with over 700 bloggers in a hotel that is the size of a small country.  I couldn't have done it without Donielle's help.  She was able to find Stephanie so I could sit down and talk with her.  Thanks Donielle.

If you could only picture the surroundings in which our face to face meeting took place.  Large ballroom, incredibly loud music and a dance floor with about 100 women all dancing.  We sat on the floor Indian style like two little 5 year old girls and we talked and talked.  We cried. I am sure there were a few women who were sitting and staring and wondering just how someone could be crying with "Baby's Got Back" playing in the background.  You see I really didn't care about what was going on around me.  I had made a connection to someone so deep I could feel her pain.  It was my pain.

I learned she is an amazing artist.  Just take a look.  This is just one of her painting.  Simply beautiful.

This one spoke to me.  I remember leaving the hospital after losing Zoe and then Jonathan and still physically looking like I was still pregnant with no babe inside.  I love how she is reaching towards the heavens and holding her belly.  It's as if she's saying, "Oh sweet babe, how I miss you.  I long to be with you, but I know you are in the arms of Jesus until I can see you again.

Stephanie has used her pain to bring meaning to her daughter's death.  You can read about Amelia's story here and see how you can get involved to help bring healing to others.

Sitting next to Stephanie was Adrienne from Another Ordinary Miracle.  I have followed Adrienne's blog for about 2 years and really connected with her because she had gone through infertility just like I had.  I was familiar with her incredible story, but had never met her in real life, even though we both live in the same town.  I cannot tell you how many times I prayed for her sweet baby boy to live and thrive and he's doing just that, as you can see.

It was an honor to meet her and as we talked we realized we shared the same doctor.  Such a small world.  If you have never been to her blog, you must go check it out.  You will be amazed at how God took their family from 1 to 4 in 1 year.  To God be the Glory!

These are just a few of the women I had the chance to hang out with at Blissdom.  Tomorrow I will introduce to some more.  I can't wait for you to meet them. 

My Blissdom Friends

I had a wonderful time at Blissdom meeting new friends and old. I was thrilled that my dear friends, Chrissie and Lisa, would be coming into town from California. I hadn't seen them in over 10 years since I moved to the south. I grew up with them in youth group in high school and college back in Southern California. It was so great to catch up with them on Friday night at dinner. It felt like it was old times and that 10 years hadn't really passed. They are both wives, mothers and very talented and creative business women. Chrissie makes handmade costumes and banners, basically anything you need to throw a great party. You can visit her site at Handmade Play. Lisa has her own jewelry line that is just beautiful. Thank you Lisa for my angel wings necklace. I haven't taken it off since you gave it to me. I love it. You can see her designs at LisaLeonardOnline. With Mother's Day coming up it would be a perfect gift for mom. I can't wait for next year's Blissdom just so I can see them again.

I also had the privilege of meeting someone whose blog I have followed for over a year and a half now. She was actually one of the very first blogs I started reading. Jennifer McKinney, aka, Mckmama, was at Blissdom to give the closing keynote speech. On Friday I got to sit down and talk with her for a bit. I didn't really know what to expect, but I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. She is genuine and incredibly sweet. She was truly interested in hearing my story and asking me questions about my journey through infertility. I was also able to give her the bib I had made for her new little one coming in the summer. She loved it. Her closing speech on Saturday was great. I don't think there was a dry eye in the house as she shared her testimony and showed a video of the name banners people had done for Stellan when he was sick. Thank you Jennifer for your heart and for being authentic and real.

I roomed with my friend Calie from BroccoliCupcake. How great is that name? Her slogan is "Where Healthy, Meets Happy". I love it. If you have read my blog for sometime, you know I am very much in to health, so it was great to be able to talk with someone who really has lived it. It was fun to be able to swap things that we've learned and put into practice for our families. Calie also has a Women's Wellness Weekend coming up at the end of the month here in town. If you are local you need to check out her website for more details. It's going to be great.

I have many more new friends I made that I will be telling you about on another post. It was truly a wonderful weekend for me. One I will soon not forget.

Labor Day Fun!

We had a busy Labor Day today. Brian ran in the Franklin Classic early this morning. He did his best ever time for a 10K. I am so proud of him. I met him there later with the girls so that Brooklyn could run in the 1K they were having for kids. She was pretty tired because I had to wake her up at 8:30 to go. We met up with our good friends the Gagliano's. Daniel ran the 10K with Brian and he and his daughter Grace were gonna run with Brian and Brooklyn. I took Sydney and we waited at the finish line for them to cross. It was so cute to see them cross hands raised high. I asked Brian how Brooklyn did and Daniel said, "What happens on the backside, stays on the backside. For the sake of remembering years later I will fill ya in on what happened. Brian said she ran the first straight away and then when they turned the corner she said, "daddy my feet hurt". So Brian put her on his shoulders. Then she got some steam and decided to run some more.

Brooklyn and Grace with their ribbons. Brooklyn is looking ultra cool in daddy's sunglasses.

Then we headed to Chick-fil-a where they were handing out free chicken sandwiches if you had on a team logo. We all dressed up in Titans uniforms. I am mad I didn't get a picture of all 4 of us together in our jersey's, but I did get one of Brian and one of Brooklyn and her cousin Maiya.

We have enjoyed our 3 day weekend. We got a lot done around the house. We finished up today by cleaning and reorganizing the garage. Yeah I finally know where everything is and it's neat and clean. I love throwing stuff away. It's so liberating. While I cleaned the garage the girls helped daddy do yard work. They love to play in the dirt. After bath time, Brian put Sydney to bed and I put Brooklyn to bed. As we were laying there, out of the blue, she said, "Mommy Jesus healed my broken heart". Taken back, I said, "Oh yeah honey". "Yeah, He healed the pieces of my broken heart". "Did you learn that at church", I said. "No" she said. "Well then where?" "Nowhere", she said. I have to admit I had tears in my eyes. It was such a sweet reminder to me that the Lord does speak to little children in His own way. He spoke to Brooklyn, that I am sure of. Thank you Lord. Father, please continue to speak into her life. May she grow to love and serve you.

I love the blogging community

It's amazing the stories out in the blog world that have a similar story to mine. Most of these I find through links from sites I visit on a regular basis. I happened upon one last night that broke my heart. As I read their story I felt like I was reliving mine all over again. With her permission, here is the link to their site. http://robandnataliecallfamily.blogspot.com/ I know they would appreciate prayers for their sweet baby girl coming in November. Here is what I learned from a video that was on her site. 40,000 stillborn babies every year. 8,000 die because of cord related death. That hit me. In 2004, Zoe was 1 of those 8,000 babies. Why was I one of those 8,000? I will never understand this until the day I go home to be with the Lord and see my sweet baby girl again, but I do know that I am a different person and a better mom for carrying my sweet daughter. There is a doctor in Louisiana who helps moms who have experienced a loss due to cord related issues, give them a sense of hope and peace. My pregnancies with Brooklyn and Sydney were filled with fear. I prayed that the Lord would give me peace and most of the times he did, but in the back of my mind there was always that what if. I've learned now that my fear was pretty legit. According to this doctor, women who have had a cord death are more likely to have another. Wow, that hit home. I am so thankful for my miracle girls. Watch this video to see how he is helping moms out there and if you know someone who is pregnant now who has had a prior experience with this I hope you pass this video on. It could possibly save another baby.