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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 hearts. We are weary and tired. Oh great God, give us rest.


Oh great God give us rest
We're all worn thin from all of this
At the end of our hope with nothing left
Oh great God give us rest

Oh great God do your best
Have you seen this place it's all a mess
And I've done my part to well i guess
Oh great God do your best

Could you take a song and make it thine
From a crooked heart twisted up like mine
Would you open up Heaven's glory light
Shine on in and give these dead bones life
Oh shine on in and give these dead bones life

Let it shine, let it shineOn and on, on and on, come to life


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Comments

  1. Erin and RyanApril 12, 2012 at 6:52 AM

    Continuing to pray for you and your family. So sorry to hear about your loss.

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  2. Christina ProbeyahnApril 12, 2012 at 7:06 AM

    As a mom of preemie triplets, my heart breaks for you. I know no words can bring relief to your pain, but I so admire your steadfast faith through such a difficult time. I will be praying for you and the health of your sweet Olivia.

    Psalm 62:5 Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him.

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  3. kateApril 12, 2012 at 7:15 AM

    Oh, Mary Virginia, I am so sorry. I don't know what else to say, but I am pleading with God for Him to give you rest. We love you and are praying constantly.

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  4. oh little leahApril 12, 2012 at 7:43 AM

    Mare I am so sorry! Those two words seem so inadequate, but it's all I know. Pleading with the Lord to give you rest and for sweet Olivia to continue to get stronger. - Leah Martin

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  5. KatieApril 12, 2012 at 8:00 AM

    Continuing to pray for you.

    "We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure."
    Hebrews 6:19a

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  6. Katie (From Passys to Parties)April 12, 2012 at 8:37 AM

    So hard to understand all of this Mare. I can not even imagine the pain you are feeling but know that so many people are praying for you fervently. I am so sorry sweet friend.

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  7. momof3miraclesApril 12, 2012 at 9:35 AM

    I am heartbroken for you. There are tears being shed all over the world for you and your angels. May God place strength in your heart, and watch over your girls. May he also provide the strength to Olivia to hang on. There are no words....

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  8. laurenApril 12, 2012 at 9:42 AM

    My heart breaks for you and Reid and all that you are experiencing. I wish I could give you a good long squeeze, but know that even from far away I am sending you many and praying for you even more. love and hugs. hads.

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  9. MoApril 12, 2012 at 10:00 AM

    oh mare, this is beyond what any family should have to endure. i am so so sorry.

    mo

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  10. LindseyApril 12, 2012 at 11:04 AM

    Oh Mare...there are no words!!!! I cannot even begin to fathom the heartbreak you and Reid have been through in the last few weeks...I can't even comprehend how you are standing. I'm so proud of you...you are such an unbelievable momma. I'm praying friend...and I'm grieving with you from TN. Love you so much.

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  11. LauraApril 12, 2012 at 11:11 AM

    There are no words. I'm so sorry. Praying for you.

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  12. AnonymousApril 12, 2012 at 11:30 AM

    I'm so sorry for you and your family. God be with you.

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  13. JennieApril 12, 2012 at 11:36 AM

    My heart dropped when I heard of your loss of Mary Grace. There are no words and I'm sure tons of questions, but your steadfast faith is so admirable! God gave these girls incredible parents and your faith has spoke so much to all of us! Praying for strength, comfort and peace!

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  14. MindyApril 12, 2012 at 11:58 AM

    shedding tears as I read this. Your faith is SO inspiring and is bringing glory to God.

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  15. AllisonApril 12, 2012 at 11:59 AM

    God bless and hold you. I cannot imagine your pain. Lots of folks praying for you all over the country.

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  16. AllisonApril 12, 2012 at 1:48 PM

    I am SO sorry for you both. I have been praying for all of you and will continue.

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  17. AnonymousApril 12, 2012 at 1:50 PM

    I am continuing to pray for you and your sweet family. Hold on...one hour at a time.

    Kristin

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  18. AnonymousApril 12, 2012 at 1:57 PM

    I am praying so very much for your precious family right now. I am giving you to the Lord asking for supernatural grace and strength.

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  19. KamiApril 12, 2012 at 2:06 PM

    My heart is breaking for your family right now- Lifting you up in prayer and your life is such a testimony to so many. Kami

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  20. CharlotteApril 12, 2012 at 2:44 PM

    I am sorry beyond all words to read this news. I am praying for you and your family.

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  21. jodiApril 12, 2012 at 3:37 PM

    Heart felt prayers for all of you. I am sure that grief overwhelms you at the same time as hope is pouring out for olivia to continue her fight. May God wrap you tightly in His arms and carry you thru it all.

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  22. kellyoApril 12, 2012 at 5:16 PM

    I read your blog because of a dear friend of mine, and as I sit here with tears rolling down my face my heart breaks for you and understands some of the emotions of this painful roller coaster you are in. I delivered my triplet sons ten years ago at 23 weeks. I said goodbye to each precious angel at different times, remembering each personality for the rest of my life. I want you to know that God stood with me and helped me through every step, even when I thought I couldn't make one step. I have comfort that my little angels have taken your angels with them into the gates of heaven!!!! I pray for Olivia and each day of her journey getting stronger!!! May you both have strength through her growth!!!!!

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  23. AnonymousApril 12, 2012 at 6:12 PM

    To say I am sorry about the loss of your three beautiful daughters Cate, Mary Grace, and Madelyn seems inadequate. I will continue to lift your sweet family in prayer each day. I pray and hope that Olivia will thrive and grow stronger with each day. I know that while this journey God is leading you on may not have been what you envisioned, you find some comfort in knowing that while your three sweet angel daughters may not be nestled in your arms any longer, they get to be side by side with the king of kings, who makes all things beautiful and wonderful and has a path carefully laid out for each child of his.

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  24. Stephen, Whitney, Olivia Jane, Marshall Wood, and Stephen BauerApril 12, 2012 at 6:17 PM

    Psalm 71:20-21
    Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up. You will increase my honor and comfort me once again.

    Psalm 73:26
    My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

    Praying fervently for your precious family. Our hearts are bearing this with you....so heavy and grieving but not as those without hope! We love you and are just covering you with prayer and our love. Wish we could squeeze your necks until they break. I'm so so sorry!

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  25. Katie HarrisonApril 12, 2012 at 6:23 PM

    MV, I have no words other than I'm praying for you and Reid and especially for Olivia to fight and live and to tell her story and keep her sisters alive through her. I pray that she will grow stronger and stronger with each passing day until she is big and healthy enough to come home with you and Reid. God sure must think a lot of you two to put this journey on your shoulders. I admire you so.

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  26. Shannon PateApril 12, 2012 at 6:46 PM

    Oh Sweet Mare! I am just heartsick for you and Reid!! I am so sorry!! I am praying for you lots and you are on my mind frequently. I love you, Shannon Pate

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  27. BeckyApril 12, 2012 at 6:59 PM

    Praying for you and little Olivia... our hearts hurt for you.

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  28. Michelle@ourwonderfilledlife.comApril 12, 2012 at 7:26 PM

    Praying hard for you all, for sweet little Olivia, your faith is so incredibly beautiful and my heart is breaking for you. I will continue to pray and have asked others to as well. Sending you lots of love.

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  29. Rebecca @ A Beautiful RuckusApril 12, 2012 at 7:26 PM

    I am so sorry...we are continually praying.

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  30. AnonymousApril 12, 2012 at 7:53 PM

    My heart aches for you. I am so sorry.

    Shaylea McKay

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  31. The Winebrenner QuadsApril 12, 2012 at 8:07 PM

    I can't imagine what you are feeling. I so admire your strength and your faith. All I can say is I hope God wraps His loving arms around you as He has for your sweet precious girls and comforts you in knowing they are with Him. We continue to pray for sweet Olivia and I hope you don't mind that I've asked our church family and friends to pray for you all as well. God bless you and those perfect little girls. Love to all of you, the Winebrenners

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  32. Jac TubreApril 12, 2012 at 8:46 PM

    There are no words that i can say to comfort you. I pray that Olivia continues to get stronger every day. I am so sorry for your losses. From one quad momma to another, hang in there. And thank you for displaying your steadfast faith in God through this dark time. You are an inspiration.

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  33. Cali Quad SquadApril 12, 2012 at 8:51 PM

    My heart just broke reading your beautiful tribute. I can not imagine the pain you are walking in. Please know you are being surrounded in prayer and love right now. We are sending all of our hopes, thoughts and prayers to Little Olivia. Take care of your hearts, Stephanie

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  34. quadmomApril 12, 2012 at 8:54 PM

    Keeping your family in my prayers right now as your mourn your sweet, precious daughters. I am so, so sorry. I will also be praying hard for little Olivia. Your incredible faith is admirable and humbling. Thinking of you all.

    -another preemie quad mom

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  35. CaraApril 12, 2012 at 8:55 PM

    Mare,

    I am weeping, my heart aches so deeply for you and Reid. I pray God does give you rest. Continuing to pray for sweet Olivia.


    "My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."
    Psalm 73:26

    I know He is the strength of your heart!

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  36. The CarlsonsApril 12, 2012 at 11:26 PM

    There are no words I can say right now for what you all are going through! My heart breaks for you! I pray for you as you go through this valley. May God give you peace and rest yet a time to remember and grieve. Sending you lots of hugs!!
    -Maria C

    "The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." - Psalm 34:17-18)

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  37. JennApril 12, 2012 at 11:37 PM

    My heart is shattered for you and Reid right now. I don't know what to say other than I am so sorry. You and your family are in my prayers, and I hope and pray that God gives you peace in this time of your life. Many thoughts and prayers coming your way.

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  38. MalloryApril 13, 2012 at 8:57 AM

    There are no words right now, but that my heart is completely broken for you and Reid. I'm praying diligently for you, Reid, and the rest of your family as you cope with your loss of babies and your Mom.

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  39. Susan MartinApril 13, 2012 at 11:24 AM

    I am so sorry. Still praying for you and your family.

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  40. LindaApril 13, 2012 at 11:28 AM

    I add my tears and prayers to all the others. Only God can give the strength you need and the grace to survive the unimaginable. My heart breaks for you. Continued prayers.

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  41. waiting and wishingApril 13, 2012 at 11:29 AM

    Praying that you may find rest in Him as you travel this difficult road. Thinking of you.

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  42. ToryApril 13, 2012 at 11:59 AM

    Just want you to know that Mark & I and our families, and coworkers, are praying hard for you, Reid, and Olivia. We are heartbroken by what you are facing, but so blessed to hear you praising God through the storm.

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