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Celebrating our girls

Two weeks ago yesterday at 4:07 pm our second little girl, Madelyn, was born. Her sisters, Mary Grace and Olivia, would follow closely behind at 5:31 and 5:32. Reid and I knew on their birthday, delivering babies at 23w4d, we'd more than likely have some tough decisions to make in the days that would follow. I don't think I grasped at the time just how hard those decisions would be. This morning, we celebrated the lives of Catherine, Madelyn, and Mary Grace with friends and family in a beautiful service. I don't think any element could have been more perfect.


A close family friend made these beautiful dresses for the girls to be buried in. The detail on them is so precious and they mean so much to us. Reid and I went to the grave by ourselves to say a final goodbye to our babies. We sat and watched as they lowered our sleeping angels into the ground and as the earth gently covered them. It was hard, but it was a sweet time with Reid that I'll never forget.


I can't imagine what today would have been like without hope in Jesus Christ. As devastating as it has been to lose three of our girls, we have had a peace that doesn't come from the strength of man. The Lord has always been near.

The LORD is near to the brokenhearted
and saves the crushed in spirit.
        (Psalm 34:18 ESV)
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Comments

  1. UnknownApril 21, 2012 at 11:33 PM

    Oh my goodness My heart is breaking for you. I see the loss of your sweet girls was so recent and also your mom. I said goodbye to my Jonathan 1-24-12, at 20 weeks. I am blessed to read your love and trust in the Lords plan. I will be praying for you Lots and Lots. I know another mommy that lost triples 6 months ago I will give you her blog address if you like. You are not alone many mommies have walked this painful path Hugs sweet mommy you are in my prayers.

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  2. HeatherApril 22, 2012 at 6:51 AM

    Thanking God for His grace and mercy on your family. I can't even begin to imagine... but that Psalm is so precious, to know that He is near to you. I pray for continued peace. *hugs and prayers*

    Heather

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  3. AnonymousApril 22, 2012 at 7:15 AM

    Praying for you, praying for Reid , praying for your sweet babies, Catherine, Madelyn, and Mary Grace whom have met our Heavenly Father, praying for Olivia to have strength, praying for your Momma who has met and is enjoying her beautiful grand babies, and praying that you have the strength and endurance to continue to have faith. May God bless and keep you and your family.

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  4. AnonymousApril 22, 2012 at 8:58 AM

    i have to say that that photo may be one of the saddest things i have seen. i am so sorry for the immense loss of your beautiful daughters.

    may they rest in peace, together, as they grew, surrounded by your love and the comfort of eachother.

    ReplyDelete
  5. MariaApril 22, 2012 at 3:05 PM

    I am so so so sorry for your loss. May Jesus be near you and hold you tightly. Much love to you.

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  6. Stephen, Whitney, Olivia Jane, Marshall Wood, and Stephen BauerApril 22, 2012 at 4:03 PM

    Sounds like such a sweet service! And what precious little dresses!! Thank you for continuing to share your dear heart with the rest of us. For one, it helps us know how to continue to pray but most of all...you spur us on to want to be more like Christ by how you lean on Him for daily hope and strength! He is writing quite a story and HE'S NOT DONE YET!!! We love you!!!

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  7. AllisonApril 22, 2012 at 8:36 PM

    Praying for you! Seeing your faith is a blessing!

    ReplyDelete
  8. AnonymousApril 22, 2012 at 9:16 PM

    I believe that service has changed my life forever. It was truly a celebration of their lives. We are walking along side you and Reid every step of the way. Love you both (and Samson too.) Hugs.

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  9. TraciApril 23, 2012 at 11:07 AM

    Praying for you during this difficult time. Your Faith is awesome to see!!

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  10. sarahApril 23, 2012 at 10:19 PM

    Dear friend. I am so very sorry with all my heart. I know you pain. I know it because I too buried my sweet boys born at 20 weeks 4 days this past october. All I can say with all of my heart is that HIS ways higher than ours.....life has so many unfair things....But HE IS GOOD and EVER FOR you sweet girl. I am still walking my journey but I can tell you this has been the most miraculous year of my life. Prayer for you family.

    ReplyDelete

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Past Posts

Mary Grace

At 2:00 am this morning, our sweet Mary Grace was welcomed to Heaven. We found out this afternoon that she had a large brain hemorrhage. Reid and I spent three precious hours holding our daughter tonight. The nurses wrapped a pink bow around her little head and we swaddled her in a soft pink elephant blanket. During those hours, we told Mary Grace how proud we were of her fight, how she fulfilled our dreams of one day having a daughter to call "Gracie," and we even took a little nap, snuggled together as a family. If we told her we loved her once, we told her a thousand times. We prayed over her and gave her back to the Lord. We miss her more than words can say. I feel like we were punched in the stomach today and left with the wind knocked out of our lungs. Its so hard to understand "why?" in all of this. Tonight when we left the hospital, Reid turned on this song by David Crowder Band and we listened to it on repeat the whole way home. Its the exact state of our...
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