Thursday, December 30, 2010

Bereavement Donations

It was very important to us to try to do something positive in Ethan and Tommy's memory for their birthday. We decided that it was most beneficial to "pay forward" the gifts of love and support that we received during the hardest time of this trial (right after the birth and the loss). When I was in the hospital delivering the Boys, I received a huge outpouring of gifts. Most of the gifts came from the hospital. The gifts were a variety of mementos and keepsakes to help us preserve the memory of our sons such as a scrapbook, pictures, picture frames, candles, beanies, blankets, etc. Those precious items have become very special and sacred to me because they remind me of my sweet babies. We decided that we would celebrate the Boys' birthday by making a donation in their honor to help show love and support to other Mothers and families that would have to endure the hardships that we have gone through. I was incredibly blessed to be able to request for donations from our Ward Relief Society, the entire Police Department where I work, and our dear family and friends. We were completely stunned by the outpouring of love and generosity we received on behalf of our sweet babies. Over several months we collected a huge amount of items to donate in loving memory of Ethan and Tommy.

This was a gift basket for the loss of twins

I was also able to make little scrapbooks to give as gifts to the Mother's so that the special moments and information might be able to be preserved in a way that was cute and ready to share.  Each scrapbook contained 5 tags that pulled out to reveal different poems about the loss of a baby.  These poems were my absolute favorites that i have found and helped to share my thoughts and feelings about the loss of my sons.

We are absolutely so grateful to everyone who donated items, money and time to help to make this possible and such a special event in our lives.  I truly hope that the loss of our Sons and our family's sacrifice may be able to bless and benefit others, even if it is in dealing with a tragic loss of their own. Thank you!

Saturday, December 4, 2010

Happy Birthday Ethan and Tommy














It is hard to believe that it has already been a year since we lost our sweet boys.  The days approaching their first birthday were incredibly difficult ones as we prepared to celebrate their memory. Eldon and I decorated their plot.  Because it was December it was important that they have a Christmas tree and gifts, but we also needed the balloons for all to know it was their birthday.  On their big day, we a balloon release in their honor.  "Sending our love to Heaven".  In good Seals' family fashion it became a competition to see whose balloon could reach Heaven first.  It was actually quite sweet and entertaining and definitely lifted the somber mood.

Following the balloon release, family and friends joined us for dinner at our home. It was a very sweet day and I am incredibly grateful for everyone who supported us, both on Ethan and Tommy's birthday and over the past year.  The love and support we received has made all the difference in the world to us, and we know that we are truly blessed with incredibly people in our lives.  Thank you to everyone and Happy Birthday to my sweet darlings!


Sunday, October 24, 2010

We walk to remember you

A Walk to Remember
By: Tim and Julie Smith

We walk to remember the steps you've never taken
and all the memories that might have been.
And we grieve the loss of you, O child of our dreams
and long to heal the ache that's deep within.
We ask the Lord to lead us to trust and gratitude...
and acknowledge that we'll never be apart.
We'll treasure the gift and the grace of your life
For we'll always hold you in our hearts
We'll always hold you in our hearts.
Misti and the Kiddos and my sweet friend Nicole came out to support us and our babies today.
This morning, Banner Desert Hospital (the hospital where we delivered our precious stillborn twin baby boys) hosted a Walk to Remember.  This was a walk to remember the steps these sweet little babies would never take.  It was a very sweet memorial.  There was a fabulous turn out, which made me a bit sad because it meant there were so many other families that were grieving just like us.  We were very grateful for the family and friends that came out to support us, and for the support we were receiving from afar.  
So many balloons! It was an amazing sight!

My sweet friend Chari and her son Weston (who was one of my babies when I worked for Easter Seals) came to walk with us. Thanks!
Getting ready to walk.  So many beautiful white balloons.
We walked a quick mile around the neighborhood, and then came back to the amphitheater for a memorial service.  They allowed any parents that wanted to share a poem, story, or song in remembrance of the children they had lost.  They then presented each family with a small memorial gift.  We then had a balloon release sending our love to our babies in Heaven.  It was an incredibly sweet memorial and I am really glad that we were able to be a part of it

Sending all our love to Heaven.  You will always be in our hearts!

Monday, October 4, 2010

Memorial

It is amazing to me how fast time flies by!  It has almost been a year since we lost our sweet little twin boys, Ethan and Tommy.  Because the first anniversary of thier death is fast approaching, we have been discussing how we planned to celebrate and remember them.  We have decided on 3 small things and would like to invite our family and friends to participate if they so desire.  Please do not feel obligated to assist or attend.  We are very open about the loss of our babies and like to be surrounded by our loved ones during difficult times and would like to allow others to remember with us.
1. While I was in the hospital delivering our precious babies, the bereavement program at the hospital provided us with an abundance of gifts and momentos to take home and remember the boys.  This was done through generous donations to the program in an effort to prevent any woman/family who was not going to be taking their baby home from feeling empty handed.  When women go to the hospital and deliver a heathy baby, not only do they get to take home a beautiful child, but they are generally overwhelmed with the out pouring of love and gifts from family, friends and even the hospital.  When a mother does not give birth to a healthy child, whether because of miscarriage, stillbirth or infant death, this out pouring is not always present and she also has to endure the heartache of leaving the hospital without her baby.  During the next two months, we will be collecting items to make a donation in Ethan and Tommy's name to the bereavement program of the Banner Desert hospital. We realize that times are tough right now for many people, so if you are not able to participate in this, that is just fine. Even if we are only able to help one mother, that is one more that will feel that she is not alone and that someone cared for her, as other's cared for me during our difficult delivery.  Any dontations of items or money to purchase items would be greatly appreciated.  We will be making the donation on Friday, December 3rd.  Items being collected include the following:
  • boxes (such as photo boxes, gift boxes, etc.)
  • journals
  • pens/pencils
  • candles
  • picture frames
  • photo albums
  • disposable cameras
  • small scrapbooks (that pictures and names and details can be added later)
  • small stuffed animals
  • small recieving blankets
  • Beanies/hats
  • booties/socks
  • poems
  • music
  • bath/relaxation products
  • lotions
  • baby lotion
  • kleenex
  • hair bows/headbands (for baby girls)
  • Any other baby memento/trinket
  • baby jewlrey
**Many of the babies may not be full term, so item sizes can vary from new born/infant to premie and even smaller.**
2. On Friday, December 3rd, our boys' birthday, we will be doing a  balloon release at their grave site.  The boys are buried at the City of Mesa Cemetary in Mesa.  If you would like to travel with us, we will be leaving our home between 4:15 and 4:30.  We will be meeting at the cemetary at 5pm and once everyone has arrived we will "send our love to heaven" to the boys by releasing balloons.  Everyone is encouraged to bring a balloon with either a message to the boys or a goal or improvement you will try to work on for the next year in their honor. 
3. Following the balloon release, everyone is invited back to our home for a BBQ to celebrate our eternal family.  Please RSVP for this part so i know how much food to have to feed everyone. 
We hope that everyone is doing well and that you know of our love and gratitude for each of you.  Our friends and family have been a huge part of healing during this difficult trial in our lives and we are grateful for each part you have played.   
Love
Eldon and Stefani

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Stefani Larson has shared a Mixbook with you...




Mixbook.com
Born still and still in our hearts - Baby Photo Book
Currently:
19 pages
0 contributors
153 photos
Stefani Larson has shared a book with you:
We've decided our story was important to tell, so we thought we would share how we are telling it. We hope you enjoy it.

Love Eldon and Stef

P.S. Can't click the link? Try this one: http://www.mixbook.com/photo-books/baby/born-still-and-still-in-our-hearts-4889666?key=a57f193180a28f2cfcb5e554f869067b8ecf2e57&siid=1284295&utm_campaign=share_project&utm_medium=email&utm_source=MixbookMailer
This email contains promotional materials from Mixbook.com. If you do not want to receive future mailings from Mixbook.com, please email us at support@mixbook.com. Mixbook.com's offices are located at 2306 Zanker Road, San Jose, CA 95131.

Sunday, September 5, 2010

My Darling boys....
My sweet babies resting place
This is Ethan's Shadow Box
This is Tommy's Shadow Box
It has been a while since my last letter to you.  I am so sorry. I intended to write so much more, but have found even that to be difficult.  I have wanted so desperately to reach out, to hold you and rock you and tell you both how much i love you so, but these letters have only made the burden feel real.  I have been desperately seeking answers to my prayers and ways to strengthen my faith that i might not be overtaken by depression.  I think you would and hope you are proud of me.  I am doing better.  While my arms and my heart still and will forever ache for you, i am beginning to find ways to accept Heavenly Father's will.  While i will never understand at least in this life, why i couldnt keep you, i am trying to understand that my Father in Heaven has a plan, and a plan of happiness for me and for all his children.  I hope so much that i can get that through my thick skull, that i can find a way to be faithful and to be obedient so i can gain the promises of having you once again.  I cannot believe it has been 9 months already since i held you both in my arms. i am both amazed and saddened by how quickly time is passing.  it seams like only yesterday and at the same time, it seems like forever ago.  It has taken me a very long time to be able to do the things i have wanted to do to memorialize your brief little life.  I still have much more that i have not been able to bring myself to do yet, but we have been able to get your beautiful headstone completed.  i went to visit you last week.  The grass has grown in around your headstone.  it is beginning to look beautfiul rather than muddy and dirty.  I am grateful for the landscapers that have taken care of your plot.  I only wish i could take care of you.  I have also been working on your shadow boxes.  I am pleased to say i have completed them, but i think i will always want to make it better.  I just dont think i can do justice to love, and fondness i feel for you both.  I love you boys so much!  I miss you desperately and i hope that you know how much you mean to me.  I look forward to day when i can hold you both in my arms.  What a cherished and happy day that will be!  Please help your momma.  I am doing  better, but i need you!

Monday, March 22, 2010

your due date

My precious ones.  Today was your due date.  It was a hard day without you, but you were never supposed to come on this day.  Even if you had not had all the complications, just by being twins, you would have come early, the doctors had originally said some time in February or before, so i think that gave some consolation today.  But today was very much a reminder again of what I am missing and what I am longing so dearly for.  We have already lost another baby since you two which makes 5 little ones that could have come and blessed our home.  The other 3 were very early miscarriages, so i am not sure if those spirits belong to our family like you sweet boys, (but i bet you do) but they were still opportunities missed and opportunities that i wish would have been positve ones rather than sad ones.  We continue to hope and pray that we will have the blessing of having your sweet brothers and sisters join our family and stay in our home.  We know that you are looking out for them, and hopefully us.  I am trying little ones to find peace some how.  I think it is slowly coming.  Some days i am doing really good (or at least am busy enough to feel that way) and some days i am really sad and lonely, and others i am still very angry at what feels like injustice and an unfair situation.  I know that I am blessed well beyond what I deserve, and i know that my trials have been relatively few compared to that of many others, but seeing how easy children come to others and knowing how desperately I wanted you, its hard not to think its not fair.... but little ones, I am trying.   Please know that even though I have a very long road before I get there, I am trying to take a step at a time and move forward, but i will forever be longing for you.  I love you boys with all my heart!  Please help your poor mama.

Monday, February 8, 2010

February 8 2010

My Precious Little Boys

Please forgive your momma. I am beyond lost and need you to help me find my way. I created this blog to write letters to you and to share my feelings and here I am struggling to do just that. It amazes me how difficult this really is. Not just losing you, i knew that would be beyond the hardest thing I have ever gone through, but how hard it is just to express my feelings outside of my head, even when it is just to the two of you. I talk to you all the time, but its secret and safe inside my head and doesnt make me feel as crazy as I do when it is written out on paper. Everyone says I am allowed to be crazy and justified in my feelings, but I have never felt this lost before and even though I do think it is justified, it is hard to imagine the road back to "normal". Some days I feel ok. I have gone several days without crying and having a "bad day" but then other days it just hits me.

Last week it was 2 months since your birth. I cant believe that you have been gone from my arms and from my world for that long already. Part of me is glad that time is moving quickly, because the quicker eternity comes and I can hold you both in my arms again, the better!!! But part of me is sad at the little progress I have made in two months. I know two months is not a lot of time, but i still feel as lost as the day i lost you both! I am trying though, I promise I am.... I am just not getting very far yet.

Today some news came that let a little glimmer of light shine through the immense clouds that have hung in my heart for the past few months. I definitely have mixed feelings, but the greatest feeling I have is gratitude.... gratitude for a loving Heavenly Father, whom I know despite everything that has happened, does love me and does have a plan for me, even though that plan is not what I had planned. I am hoping that this news will help me to start to be able to take baby steps forward toward healing, but I know will also fill my heart with more anxiety, and confusion as well. Help me little ones. Help me to find the light, and to focus on that rather than the doom and gloom that surrounds me. I know that you are in a much better place. i know that you are free from the evils, pains and heartaches of this world and for that I am grateful. I hope that you will help our family to heal and to move forward. Help me find peace, so I can find you. Until that day, I will always be your mama and will always be dreaming of you. I love you boys so much!

Love
Mom

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Ethan and Tommy's Funeral Talk by their Grandpa Seals

My father spoke at the funeral service of our beautiful little boys and several of our friends requested a copy of his comments. I really appreciated his comments and wanted to share them.

This time of year, there are many gatherings to celebrate the birth of a baby boy. It is because of His birth and His life, that we have hope in the resurrection. For Christ has conquered death, and in Him, all are made alive.

We instead, are gathered to say farewell, for a time, to Ethan and Tommy Larson. We have faith that one day, in the not too distant future, we shall be united as an eternal family and enjoy their company and get to know them better.

When an event, such as the loss of these two sweet babies occurs, for a while, the world seems to get turned upside down and many things don’t seem to make much sense. Here it is, the most joyous time of the year, and I don’t remember ever shedding so many tears. When I mentioned this to Stefani, she remarked that it was because they had not had their chance as apposed to someone living a full and complete life. The poet John Greenleaf Whittier wrote, “For all sad words of tongue and pen, The saddest are these, 'It might have been'.”

I pondered this and decided that this was not the reason for so many tears. The poet’s words would be true, if wrong choices were made, and the glory of the eternities were lost forever. But that was not the case here. These infants had already received their promise of eternal life. It was because as a parent, I saw my child hurting, and there was nothing I could do or say to ease the pain. She had to go through it alone, not unlike the Savior in His final hours as the Father withdrew His Spirit and left the Savior to complete His work alone.

At every funeral I have ever attended, there is usually a speaker who talks about the life of the deceased, or one who talks about spiritual or religious things in an attempt to promote faith and help those who mourn. I would like to attempt to do both today, but in reverse order. First I would like to share some of the things that I have learned about infant deaths and stillborn births and then tell you what I know about Ethan and Tommy.

When our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith, the heavens were once again opened, and many plain and precious truths were restored to the earth. God, once again gives to his children, the information whereby they can return to his presence and have joy in this life. Modern prophets can and have answered our questions and we can have confidence that the answer came from God.

As most of you are aware, Ethan and Tommy were stillborn. Now what does that mean? It means that they had not yet taken a breath on their own. They were nourished and received oxygen through a connection with their mother. In some women the emotional connection is strong while in others it is not strong and in some it seems to be about the same as a miscarriage, each feels the passing differently. That is why the church leaves the decision for funeral services, like this one, up to the parents and to their needs. But the Church suggests that names are given to the babies and the event is recorded on their family group records.

The scriptures do not give much information about children yet in the womb. But one reference I would like to share with you. When Mary discovered that she was with child, she went to visit her cousin Elizabeth, then in the sixth month of pregnancy with John, who would be called the Baptist. Just about the same maturity in the womb as Ethan and Tommy.
In Luke Chapter 1:41 we read; "And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb;"
John recognized and reacted to Mary and the infant Jesus yet growing in her body.

I know that Eldon and Stefani have been trying for some time to get pregnant. They have already had two miscarriages and so they had many concerns about the well being of these children. I was with Stef at the doctor’s office when she approached the 12-week mark, the point where miscarriages become much less likely to occur. I saw amazing 3-D color images of these two little boys. And we rejoiced together as the weeks continued.

And then, some weeks later, something went wrong. The boys weren’t getting the nourishment they needed to continue to grow. Measures were taken to increase what blood and nourishment they did receive in an attempt to give them a chance at survival. During this time of stress and worry, Stefani requested a priesthood blessing from Eldon and me. After the blessing Stef remarked that during the blessing, it was the first time that both Ethan and Tommy were moving at the same time. I believe that they were sensitive to the Spirit and the Priesthood blessing being given.

The Prophet Brigham Young said that he believed that when a mother feels movement, he called it a quickening, that the spirit had already entered the body in preparation for earthly existence and that if children were then stillborn, they would still be resurrected and belong to us. He stated that no work would be required for them because they were right with the Lord.

The prophet Joseph Smith and his wife Emma had eleven children, including those they adopted. Their first child died shortly after birth, they tried again and had twins who also died shortly after birth. They then adopted the Murdock twins whose mother had died giving birth and then later one of the twins died. Of their eleven children, only five lived to adulthood. Joseph and Emma had much cause and much time to ponder, pray and ask the Lord that very important question that I’m sure Stefani and Eldon also ask. Why?

At the funeral of an infant, the Prophet Joseph said: “In my leisure moments I have meditated upon the subject, and asked the question, why it is that infants, innocent children, are taken away from us, especially those that seem to be the most intelligent and interesting?” The answer he received was this…
“This world is a very wicked world; and it … grows more wicked and corrupt. … The Lord takes many away, even in infancy, that they may escape the envy of man, and the sorrows and evils of this present world; they were too pure, too lovely, to live on earth; therefore, if rightly considered, instead of mourning we have reason to rejoice as they are delivered from evil, and we shall soon have them again. …”

“He said that the parents should receive those children in the morning of the resurrection just as they laid them down, in purity and innocence.”

After the funeral service of another infant, Joseph also told the mother that she should "have the joy, the pleasure, and the satisfaction of rearing her child, after the resurrection, until it reached the full stature of its spirit; and that it would be a far greater joy than she could possibly have in mortality, because she would be free from the sorrow and fear and disabilities of mortal life, and she would know more than she could know in this life.”

We may rest assured that all things are controlled and governed by Him whose spirit children we are. He knows all things from the beginning to the end and He provides for each of us the testings and trials, which He knows we need.

President Joseph Fielding Smith taught that we must assume that the Lord knows and arranges beforehand who shall die in infancy and who shall remain on earth to undergo whatever tests are needed in their cases. Our problem is to overcome the world and attain that spotless and pure state which little children already possess.

Knowing all of this does not make the pain or hurt go away. During the Sermon on the Mount, the Savior said, “Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.” (Matt. 5:4;)
It is right that we should mourn and feel a loss at being separated from someone we love. The Savior also told us. “I will not leave you comfortless. … Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:18, 27.)

So we have the promise of the Comforter and we have faith in the promise that we shall once again be reunited, not in sorrow, but in joy and happiness on the morning of the first resurrection.

An ancient prophet defined faith as a belief in things unseen which are true.
In the Doctrine and Covenants we get the Lord's definition of truth. "And truth is knowledge of things as they are, and as they were, and as they are to come;" (D&C 93:24)

In order to really know the truth, we must look at things from an eternal perspective. Not just this small piece of time we call mortality, but must consider the existence before our birth and after our death. Before we came to the earth, we lived as spirit children with our Father in Heaven, we knew and worshipped Him and accepted His plan by which we could obtain physical bodies and progress towards eternal life.

Let me tell you now a little about these precious children of our Father in Heaven.
I have a good friend who now serves as a Patriarch. Not long ago he made the comment that as each year passes, the youth coming to him for blessings are better, brighter and more spiritual than those that came before them. “The first shall be last and the last shall be first.”

We know that Ethan and Tommy were saved until this time of the earth’s history. A time when they could be born into a family that had been sealed in a Holy Temple as an eternal family. They did not need to be tested to reach the celestial kingdom. I believe that they had to be among the first of our Father’s spirit children. They were among the most valiant in the war with Lucifer, and were willing to do anything the Father asked of them. Because of their obedience, they proved themselves, in the pre-mortal realm.

The book of John begins like this. 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. …And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.

In the premortal world, the Savior had already reached the status of Godhood, and while yet a spirit He created worlds without number. There were among Father’s spirit children, those like the Savior, who would always be obedient to the Father’s will. They need not be tested. All they lacked to be like the Father was to obtain a physical body.

Ethan and Tommy were always together, that is why they were chosen to come to earth together. Ethan had a quick and ready smile and was loved by all. Tommy was a little more serious and paid more attention to detail. Together they made the perfect team and could accomplish anything.

They loved the Father very much, and He loved them. That is why they were granted their desire to come to earth together and to be gone from his presence for the shortest time possible. When told that they would not have to be tested and away from His presence for long, they rejoiced. But then they felt sorrow for they knew of your pain and mourning for them as their chosen earthly parents. They sought you out, and you rejoiced with them, knowing that their eternal destiny was secured. You agreed to be their parents and assured them that you would not grieve for long, for you knew that they would be with the Father and that He had important things for them to accomplish. You didn’t realize then how much you would miss them, and how much you could come to love them in such a short time. You understood the Father’s plan for them, and you agreed to sacrifice your needs and your wants for their benefit. You agreed that it was worth the sacrifice. They would be a moment in your arms but forever in your hearts.

On the morning of the first resurrection, hand-in-hand, you will be there to lift the resurrected bodies of Ethan and Tommy from their grave. You will take them in your arms that have ached for their embrace, and the promises of the ages shall be fulfilled.

As an eternal family, you will be there to nurture and instruct them. At first their physical bodies limit the things you can do together. You carry them in your arms, as all parents do. You smother them with hugs and kisses as they learn the wonders of touch and of being loved.

Although they have the intelligence of the ages, they cannot yet talk. The physical body is still developing. Stef teaches them sign language, and they communicate well with her. The rest of the family tries to learn too, but we are very slow and sometimes we stutter with our hands.

Finally, they have matured enough to communicate verbally, and they express their love and appreciation for your love and service to them. They learn to walk and to jump and run. Together you begin exploring the marvels and intricacies of Father’s marvelous creation. The earth by then, will be like the Garden of Eden, and will have received it paradisiacal glory. You start by walking in gardens of beautiful flowers. Hand-in hand, you learn together how things are connected and what a marvelous world the Lord has created for us. You learn that there is no such thing as bad mud, that all mud is good and fun to jump in and make mud cakes from, even while wearing white clothing. You visited the temple often, for that is where the Savior dwells and you love to be near Him.

As the boys grow still larger, you teach them to swim, but without fear of them drowning or even fear for them swimming with sharks. Even Grandma Larson doesn’t fear for them, well, maybe still a little. It doesn’t take long until they are taller than both Stef and Eldon. They are growing until they match the stature of their spirits. They were mighty as spirits, and could grow to be 6’6’’ or more. Soon they tower over both of you. And just for fun they cradle you both in their arms like you have done for them so many times before.

Now don’t think that this time is all fun and joy. There will be sorrow too. There will come a time when as the scriptures say. “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh” (Genesis 2:24).

You will find joy and happiness as they start their own families, but there will be a little sorrow too. Sorrow that they no longer need you, as they once did. And not only on this day, but as they grow you will recognize that they need you less and less each day and you begin to dread the day when they will soon find someone whose love they seek more than your own.

I have heard many women while holding their small babies say, “I wish they could stay small for just a little while longer. They grow up so fast, and then they don’t need me any more. While yet small, they hold the promise of the future. They can be anything and their possibilities are unlimited.

Well, Ethan and Tommy have granted that wish. They shall remain small for a little while longer. Then you shall have them again, and the promises of eternity shall all be fulfilled. And you have laid up for yourself treasures in Heaven.
In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

12 December 2009
Funeral service for: Ethan Dere Larson and Tommy Mons Larson

To my Precious Baby Boys

To my precious little boys,

My heart is so heavy and full of broken dreams. There is so much I wish I could have said to you, so much I wish we could have done. I just dont know where to start, and dont know if I have the strength. Many people have said that we are so brave for going through this trial, I am not brave... I am beyond weak. I have never had to go through something so devastating and gut wrenching as saying goodbye to you beautiful boys. we had fasted and prayed and dreamed for you to join our family. We were very intimidated when we found out you both were coming at the same time, but were overjoyed to think of the joy and happiness you both would bring to our home. For the short 6 months we knew of you, you did bring so much joy. But the lost hopes and dreams and empty arms brought many many tears as well. i was trying to prepare for the challenges of raising two little trouble maker boys, but could never have prepared for the crushing blow of losing that opportunity. I am trying to heal, and I am trying to dream of the future but honestly little ones, my heart just breaks every time of think of how things should have been. I see every little baby and every pregnant women and my heart just breaks all over again missing you and wishing i could just hold you in my arms and tell you how much I love you, how much I need you, and how much I wish you were here. I keep hoping that I am going to open my eyes and this all will have been a terrible nightmare, and I will still be pregnant and still be awaiting your arrival. That is one of the hideous parts of this whole experience, you are not even supposed to be here yet. I should still be pregnant with you and be finishing up all the plans for your upcoming arrival, instead of visiting a cemetery plot and trying to find the strength to try to get pregnant again.

This blog is my attempt to still parent you. You let you know how much I absolutely love you and terribly miss you. I hoping that by writing you letters, I can somehow find some semblance of peace. I was sent this quote in an effort to bring comfort to me...."The Lord compensates the faithful for every loss. That which is taken away from those who love the Lord will be added unto them in His own way. While it may not come at the time we desire, the faithful will know that every tear today will eventually be returned a hundredfold with tears of rejoicing and gratitude."
~Joseph B. Wirthlin

I believe the words of our prophets and apostles. I have to believe them. It is the only thing that gives me any type of hope. I have to dream of the day when I will be able to scoop you both up into my arms and smother you with all the love that I am dying to give you now. I am very grateful for the blessings of the gospel and for the gift of a family that is sealed for eternity, but eternity feels so very far away. I will keep dreaming of that day and hope I can find the strength to be strong enough and good enough to be worthy to join with you precious boys in the eternities. Until that beautiful and glorious day... I will be loving you and missing you always.