This time of year can be incredibly difficult for those grieving a loss. A painful reminder of who they are not celebrating with at Christmas. Perhaps it is the baby longing to be conceived, the little one who was miscarried, the child delivered stillborn or the one who lived for only a short few weeks. Our first miscarriage happened at 12 weeks, the day before Christmas Eve. As the choir sang Joy to the World my heart was gripped with pain. A time of good tidings and cheer and I was overcome with sorrow. As the world celebrated the birth of a baby, I grieved the loss of ours. One year later, the following ... view the post
Adoption: Being Family
This may be my all time favorite picture. While there could be a little bias present, because it is my family. Still it is a picture that if I look at it with my heart, immediately fills my eyes with tears! Just a short five years ago this picture would have been only my husband and I with empty arms and heavy hearts. Wondering God's plan for us and if we would ever be blessed with children. Fast forward, five children later and this is our family. What draws me to this picture are the smiles and the joy in each of my children's faces. Yes, we said cheese and smiled, but I know that the joy and love expressed ... view the post
Monday News
1. Exciting news!! EWTN will be featuring Nursery of Heaven the beginning of December! I am doing two episodes on At Home with Jim and Joy airing December 2 and 3 at 1:30pm ET/12:30pm CT. I am incredibly humbled, honored and a tiny bit nervous to say the least!! If you think of it, please say a prayer for me. (And a prayer for Aaron as he takes care of all five kiddos for three days, while I am away taping.) 2. During the shows I will be talking about the book I co-authored, Nursery of Heaven and the topic of miscarriage, stillbirth and infant loss. How can we find healing, what role does our faith play, how can we ... view the post
A Loss Never Forgotten
Here we are already into Fall, starting the month of October. The leaves are turning, the air is crisp and there is a certain joy this time of year can bring, despite the beautiful summer days behind us. While October is certainly filled with a newness it is also a time of remembering, for some remembering the newness that never came. October marks Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Month, a time to remember and honor the babies whose hearts stopped beating too soon, the ones we never gave birth to, the ones we never held and the ones whose lives were all too short. In addition to remembering the precious souls who ... view the post
Autumn Has Fallen
Fall is in full affect here in the Midwest. We have gone from shorts to hats and mittens in 2 days flat. This is one of my favorite seasons, the colors, smells and the crisp air. The apples, pumpkins, campfires and hot cider. I love walking the trails and the crunch of the leaves beneath my feet as my children hand me piles of the leaves they have found. I like to add a little of the season to my home decor as well. It is nothing extravagant or complicated, just a pumpkin here and there. This year I committed to shopping my home for Fall decor verse buying something new. Last year I purchased a container of small ... view the post