Barber Bustlings

These are pics from Elliot Day. We went to the park with our balloons: my red heart, Scott's blue star, Bailey's truck, Myles' Sponge Bob one and Landon's Spiderman one. Each of us wrote a message to Elliot and attached it, let the balloons go, taking our messages to him in heaven. We had a great time at the park together. We talked about how much we missed him and what he might be doing if he were here with us. Then the kids played at the park and Scott and I sat together. It was a wonderful day for our family and I know Elliot was with us, buoying us up, being our angel. Big breath - we made it through the first year, which I do hope will be the hardest.

My mom always said the days leading up to the anniversary of my father's death were actually worse than the actual day itself. I have seen that this week as we prepared for today, the one year mark after losing Elliot. Two days ago was the hardest, since it was the date we found out Elliot had died. Today we celebrate Elliot Day, the son/brother who belongs to us, just not on this earth, not at this time. This image was what the nurses put on the hospital door while delivering my stillborn son. Our room was set back from the other delivery rooms. At first I thought they were banishing us in case I wailed or mourned too loudly. Of course I soon realized it was so thoughtful of them, to remove us from the soft cries of the other newborns, of what we would not hear in our room. I will be forever grateful to them for the kindness, compassion and tenderness they showed us through that difficult process. (My doctor is a different story, not for this post.) I have many thoughts fo...

Bailey's first day of school  Myles' first day (Bailey's 2nd day) 1st graders take a tour on the other grades' first day  We went camping!!! This is the first time our family  went camping together. We stayed in my cousin's camp  trailer. It was so much fun; we want to get one next summer  Family hike (minus B, who was at the lake)  Lola at her last class of puppy training Lola graduated The kids love school. (Myles is bored but I have already talked to his teacher and will just have to work with him at home.) They both have friends and don't complain about going so I am thrilled. Landon started his neighborhood preschool this past week and asks every day if he gets to go to preschool. On Wednesday I started the weekly babysitting of my niece and nephew. Lacee will turn 3 in January; Mason is 5 weeks old. They were so cute and Landon enjoyed playing with Lacee now that she doesn't wear diap...