tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41860478278438872002024-03-05T01:01:03.684-06:00Georgia's JourneyA blog about family life and remembering our sweet Georgia, who died of SMA.Glen Douglashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14922764387841093323noreply@blogger.comBlogger312125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4186047827843887200.post-27676559776397454792016-04-21T13:32:00.002-05:002016-04-21T13:33:45.574-05:00Mother of 4I woke up feeling well rested this morning. I had three kids to get ready and 19 five year olds that would be waiting for me by 8:30. Ready or not there was no pause to my morning. I was focused on not just getting through but on being present. I wanted to be able to smile and to laugh. I have a great life and a job that I truly love. Not one day goes by that I am not grateful.<br />
<br />
Georgia was on my mind from the second I opened my eyes. This is not a new or strange feeling to me. Most of the time it is comforting. Today however, I had to keep pushing her out. Today is a heavy day and I wanted to be a good teacher and a good mom to all 4 of my girls. Do you know how hard that can be sometimes?...<br />
<br />
I did a really good job this morning. While I avoided the memories, I made breakfast and got ready. I chatted with Calla and brushed Aria's hair. I made sure Maya was organized for this afternoon. I went to work and I had fun with my students. I smiled, ALOT. I am pretty sure I must have laughed too. I was a good teacher despite of what I was carrying in my heart.<br />
<br />
And then with my few precious moments this afternoon came the rush of memories and the flood of tears. The weight of having said good bye on this date is crushing - literally it is a feeling of heaviness in my chest. And for a few moments I let myself be lost in it. I let the pain crush me and the memories overwhelm me.... I wrote years ago about the feeling of being hit by a truck and it still holds true. I can get up much faster now but I'll never get off the road.<br />
<br />
But now, Aria is waiting to play a game and shortly I will pick up Maya to take her to a dance competition. The sun is shining and if I am quiet I can hear the birds chirping. I am excited for Maya. I don't want to just sit and watch her dance. I want to have fun with her and celebrate these moments.<br />
<br />
I want to be present for all my children and celebrate them always. So now, like any other grieving mother with living children I wipe away my tears. I brush my hair and slap a smile on my face. It will take a few minutes but eventually the smile will feel genuine. The feeling of my heart being crushed will ease slightly and I'll go on with my day. I know this to be true because grief and I have become well acquainted. It has been seven years and I will forever be a mother of 4.Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08328560091665447803noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4186047827843887200.post-58646534577903167542015-12-24T09:47:00.001-06:002015-12-24T09:47:02.003-06:00A GiftToday is Christmas eve. I was up early this morning. Alone in the kitchen, I made breakfast and caught the sunrise over the lake. Our world is brilliantly white after all the snow we have had. The light was almost blinding as it reflected off all of it. At one point as I looked out the sun was directly behind one of our trees. In that moment, a lone bird landed on the very top branch. I smiled as I tried to figure out what kind of bird it was. There were no others around and I didn't recognize it. A feeling of peace and happiness came over me when I realized it didn't matter. As I whispered the words, "Good morning Georgia," the bird, having been acknowledged flew away.<br />
<br />
<br />Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08328560091665447803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4186047827843887200.post-83057079105578502832014-10-06T09:47:00.000-05:002014-10-06T09:47:17.123-05:00SixToday I am remembering my angel that never lived to see her first birthday. Georgie would have been six years old - a champagne birthday! While we continue to celebrate her very special life, there will be no champagne. In many ways, today is the saddest day of the year for me. It is the day that reminds me of everything that might have been...<br />
<br />
In a recent family picture Mike immediately noticed that there was a perfect space that should have been filled by another one of our girls. With every milestone that our family or one of our kids mark, we notice her absence. We did not send her off to school in September with her sisters. We did not take her to the zoo or swim with her in the backyard this summer. We will not be buying her Christmas presents or helping her write a letter to Santa. We will not be taking her on holiday with us in January. Yes, even six years later we both still have random moments where we feel like we're missing someone.<br />
<br />
While it would be easy to let darkness and despair overcome me that is not what Georgia was about and certainly not what she would ever have wanted. She lived a very short life but it continues to impact so many others'. My daughter was full of light and brought joy into our family. While I will never hold her hand to cross the street, I can remember the way her little hand felt in mine. While I will never see her smile of hear her laugh again, I have many pictures and videos to remind me. While I will never brush her hair, I am lucky enough to have 3 daughters that let me do just that!<br />
<br />
On days like today Georgia's absence is overwhelming. It's very hard to celebrate a child's birthday without the child being present. I could easily let myself be overcome with the feeling of having lost her but today I am reminding myself of her ever presence. I carry Georgia in my heart every minute, of every hour of every day. It is she who reminds me to be grateful. It is she who reminds me to laugh it off. It is she who reminds me to be kind and to give generously. She was a gift!<br />
<br />
Today we will not be having a party or even lighting birthday candles. I am sure there will be tears but there will also be smiles and laughter. We will be grateful to have one another and grateful to have known her. Truly, it was an honor.<br />
<br />
Happy, happy birthday Sweet Girl! We love you and miss you always!<br />
<br />
Love to you all,<br />
<br />
KristenKristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08328560091665447803noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4186047827843887200.post-65259912289055060572014-08-25T09:09:00.000-05:002014-08-25T09:09:29.115-05:00MomentumFive years ago, Georgia died less than three weeks after her diagnosis. As a family, we had only just begun to understand anything about Spinal Muscular Atrophy and she was already gone! It was devastating and heart wrenching. While I knew, that I it was too late to save my daughter I could not sit idly by as other families continued to lose their babies.<br />
<br />
For the last five years, our family and community has continued to try to raise awareness and funds towards a cure. This has not always been easy. To say that is emotionally exhausting at times is an understatement. The truth of the matter however, is that we really are getting close! <br />
<br />
The SMA community has been getting louder and more powerful by the year, thanks mostly, to some very influential and inspiring people in the states. This past May the first infants with SMA type 1 (just like Georgia) are receiving the first ever trials of gene therapy. There is also something new and fun happening, that while isn't directly related to SMA, can only help!<br />
<br />
The ALS ice bucket challenge has already raised over $70 million and it's everywhere! People all over the world are learning about this brutal and devastating disease! What many people do not know is that SMA is considered Baby ALS in that it is a strikingly similar disease that it affects much younger individuals. The momentum created by this challenge is opening up a conversation and creating a new understanding.<br />
<br />
Make know mistake, momentum is a powerful force! It is a strength that allows something to grow stronger and or faster as it continues! The families that are waiting for cures to ALS and SMA, need this momentum.<br />
It allows parents even like me to feel a new sense of optimism and support. As we approach this year's Georgia's Journey of Hope and what would have been her 6th birthday, I can honestly say that I am feeling... HOPEFUL. <br />
<br />
Please continue to support these worthwhile causes. You can do so by choosing to participate in events, volunteering or donating. The momentum is growing faster and we are all moving towards something miraculous that will change lives forever. Won't it feel good to say that you were part of it?<br />
<br />
Love to you all,<br />
<br />
KristenKristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08328560091665447803noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4186047827843887200.post-86466301134578701042014-04-21T13:50:00.000-05:002014-04-21T13:50:01.111-05:00Missing YouFive years ago, on this day, when the veil between this world and the next was opened, I knew that you had chosen your time. In those brief moments, even as I held you in my arms I saw you before me: a smile on your face, a skip in your step as you lifted your hand ever so slightly to wave. There was joy on your face even as my heart was breaking, and I knew that you were finally free from the bonds that held you so still here on earth. Knowing that you were free and had known only love allowed me to say good bye.<br />
<br />
While over the years I have made peace with much of it, the world since losing you has become that much more confusing and sometimes painful. 'Let go of the things you cannot change.' 'Forgive yourself.' 'Be grateful.' These are the catch phrases of the day and truly words to live by but I still have days where I want to rage at the world! You taught us all so much about love but not how to let go. How do I let go of a part of myself, of my heart? Could I have fought harder for you? What do I do with all the 'missing'?<br />
<br />
I miss your smile and your giggle. I miss holding your hand and giving you a bath. I miss watching your sisters play with you. I miss watching your daddy hold you. I miss holding you. You would be 5 today. Would you have gone to kindergarten or would we have home schooled you? Would you have loved music as much as you did? Would it have been Mozart or Katy Perry? Would your hair be long like Rapunzel's? What would your favorite color be? Your favorite tv show? Who would your friends be? Would you be shy or outgoing? I miss knowing all of this.<br />
<br />
I hope that I am right. I hope that you left feeling loved and that I had not given up on you. I would be happy to be fighting alongside of you right now. I let you go because I knew I had to but that doesn't mean that I wanted to. I let you go to fly free but know that I will spend every day of the rest of my life missing you.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08328560091665447803noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4186047827843887200.post-31657532382738299242013-10-02T19:51:00.000-05:002013-10-02T19:51:14.383-05:00Free to be MeGeorgia's birthday is just a few days away and as it approaches I find myself seeking quiet and solitude more and more. Since her death, I have been continually humbled and grateful to all of the support we have received but I have also been continually surprised by people's lack of true empathy. Empathy is described as the ability to share and understand the feelings of another. And while I know that the people in my life always have the best of intentions I often feel quite misunderstood. <br />
<br />
I have always been and continue to be a very social person. In April and in October I find myself pulling away from others and wanting to spend more quiet time with my family. This is nothing personal. This is called survival! I have three living children that have many expectations of me every day. I also have a husband that while super understanding and supportive also deserves some of my attention. I still manage to get my children to all of their activities, help them with their homework and work part time usually while smiling. To be quite honest I think I hold it together really well.<br />
<br />
What drives me a bit bonkers this time of year is that some of the people closest to me seem to have certain expectations. If I don't immediately accept an offer to go out or sit down with a huge smile on my face ready to chat they look hurt. If I don't want to do exactly what they want to do or haven't called them back within a few minutes they are offended. Even after I have explained to people how I feel about this time of year they still want more from me.<br />
<br />
So let me be clear. I don't have any more to give you. My lack of a smile or my silence has nothing to do with you. Please understand that it is not my job to make you feel happy or better about yourself. Nor, is it your job to try and fix me. There is nothing wrong with me! My child died and I have every right to take time to myself without feeling guilty that I am hurting somebody's feelings. It is also my right to grieve for her as I choose. Nobody else gets to set limitations on my feelings.<br />
<br />
There is an old saying, "If you love something set it free. If it comes back to you it's yours. If it doesn't, it never was". After four and a half years those people that have remained dearest and closest to me are those that have allowed me to be free. They don't make my grief about them. They accept me for who I am now,...today. They let me go (twice a year) and they wait patiently for me to return. <br />
<br />
If my post sounds angry or ungrateful, it's not meant to. It is a vent for frustration and also a hope for understanding. I consider myself a kind and generous person most of the time. I feel like I am supportive of others and a good friend. For a few days in October and a few days in April I get to be selfish and take care of me. It is the only way that I have anything left to give the rest of the time.<br />
<br />
Love to you all,<br />
<br />
KristenKristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08328560091665447803noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4186047827843887200.post-3234944138271817382013-09-05T22:34:00.002-05:002013-09-05T22:34:29.560-05:00KindergartenSeptember 2013 has been in the back of my mind for a long time. Today you would have started kindergarten! Or, with SMA perhaps you would have stayed home. The truth is I don't know but today was bitter sweet. How lucky I am to send two girls off to school - both smiling and a little nervous. I even have the comfort of having a little one at home to keep me company. And yet, the hole, the void today is monstrously huge. <br />
<br />
Tomorrow, when I wake up I will have survived one more milestone you missed. Today was HARD! Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08328560091665447803noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4186047827843887200.post-75103218712814445482013-05-22T12:35:00.000-05:002013-05-22T12:35:02.372-05:00For AriaDearest Aria,<br />
<br />
The first time I saw your heart beat on the monitor I was reminded to have faith. With your first breath, you reminded me to just breathe. When you smiled and then laughed I was reminded that it was okay for me to do that too. The first time you stood up I was reminded to have strength and when you took your first steps I was finally reminded to<b> believe.</b><br />
<br />
At three you are spoiled and you are bossy!! I take full responsibility for these two traits but make no apologies. You are also amazingly sweet and charming. At three you love to dance and sing and run and climb. You are very good at puzzles and have an amazing memory. You can recite all the verses to 'Colors of the Wind' and 'Baby Beluga'. When I hear you singing these songs I am reminded to be joyful. <br />
<br />
In the last year you have become much more independent and have discovered imaginative play. I love having tea parties with you and watching you eat your pretend sandwich with a fork! LOL You are learning to play with friends instead of just alongside of them. You have no trouble telling people NO and no qualms about giving poor unsuspecting people dirty looks!<br />
<br />
Your daddy is your hero and Cocoa your best play mate. You love having your sisters around and miss them while they are at school. You love being helpful, especially when daddy is making pancakes! You are his taster!<br />
<br />
You are my daily reminder to be grateful and my light on the dark days.<br />
<br />
Happy 3rd birthday beautiful girl!! You are loved more than you will ever know!<br />
<br />
Love MommyKristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08328560091665447803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4186047827843887200.post-11906641995235532842013-04-21T08:43:00.002-05:002013-04-21T08:43:53.177-05:00Four Years Gone'In the green of the grass... in the smell of the sea... in the clouds floating by... at the top of a tree...in the sound crickets make at the end of the day...<br />
<br />
"You are loved. You are loved. You are loved," they all say.<br />
<br />
....................<br />
<br />
You are my angel, my darling, my star...and my love with find you, wherever you are.<br />
<br />
You are loved.'<br />
<br />
Remembering you today and everyday Love Bug.Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08328560091665447803noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4186047827843887200.post-56081639282734258482013-03-18T10:54:00.002-05:002013-03-18T10:54:49.353-05:00KindergartenToday marks the first day of kindergarten registration for Fall 2013. I can list off at least ten little ones I know that will be registering. It's an exciting and emotional time for them as well as their parents. Four years ago I had a friend register Calla for kindergarten as I was in the PICU with Georgia. I didn't even have time to choose which school, never mind sit back and consider what a huge step my daughter was about to take. My little girl barely spoke the first half of kindergarten, only starting to share after Christmas that year. : (<br />
<br />
I registered Maya two years ago and was excited for her as I knew that it was going to be a great experience for her. Her teacher was amazing and understanding and I knew that she would help to build up Maya's confidence. She did! Maya made some fantastic friends and is a little social butterfly. <br />
<br />
Had Georgia lived, I would have been registering her this week. I am having a hard time listening to people feeling sad about having to register their 'babies'. I feel awful but I don't have a lot of sympathy. I know that it can be hard for some of them but I don't even have a child to register.<br />
<br />
Love to you all,<br />
<br />
KristenKristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08328560091665447803noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4186047827843887200.post-43384925911631240332013-03-14T20:42:00.000-05:002013-03-14T20:42:26.473-05:00Calla at 9Dear Calla,<br />
<br />
At 9 years old you are wise beyond your years. You are calm and practical, and seem to know yourself better than a lot of 29 year olds. You are sweet and you are kind. You are an amazing big sister! I love to watch the way you stand with your arms outstretched in front of Maya when you go to cross the street. I love the way you get right down on your knees to talk or play with Aria. <br />
<br />
At 9 years old you are bright and happy. You love to sing and dance and play. You love animals especially your dog Cocoa. Cocoa is always the first person/being you greet when you come in. You never complain when asked to do something for Cocoa and you love to take her outside to play. Your love for animals just seems to be a part of who you are and you still want to be a vet when you grow up.<br />
<br />
At 9 years old your favorite color is purple. You prefer to wear jeans to dresses and don't really care how you have your hair. Your strawberry blonde hair falls down your back in a mane of beautiful waves. People are always commenting on it.<br />
<br />
This past year you have started going on sleep overs and you love to spend time with your friends. You have started talking more at school and singing all the time. You have clear opinions of your own and accept those of others without hesitation or judgement. <br />
<br />
You are growing up before my eyes and much faster than I could have ever imagined! Sometimes I'd love to hit a switch and stop time for just a few moments - to truly have a good look at you. You are changing so fast and I want to know you always. You are still a little girl and yet I see that you already know so much about the world. A tween you are now called!<br />
<br />
At 9 years old you are a light in my life - as you have been from the moment I knew I was carrying you. As you continue to grow and change I need you to know that my love for you never does. I am so very grateful that you call me 'Mom'.<br />
<br />
Love MomKristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08328560091665447803noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4186047827843887200.post-47587183314330193032013-03-08T11:27:00.000-06:002013-03-08T11:27:38.212-06:00Always LovedAria is now the same age that Maya was when Georgia was sick. I look at Aria and can't imagine leaving her and yet that is exactly what I did to Maya and Calla. The memory is clear in my mind. I had loaded Georgia into her carseat and was about to place her in the car to take to the hospital. My mom had literally just walked up. There on the driveway, I hugged Calla and Maya and told them I'd be back later that day. I left on March 16th and except for a few trips home to shower I didn't return for almost three weeks. <br />
<br />
Looking at Aria today I wonder how I could have walked out on my then two and just turned five year old. I wonder what it has done to them emotionally and how it will affect them in the future. It's funny how I know that one decision I made will impact them for the rest of their our lives. The sad part is that I know, if placed in the same position again I would do the exact same thing. <br />
<br />
Taking care of a very sick child changed me. It made me prioritize things and people in my life - even my children. As parents we all know that when one of our children isn't well, they get more of our attention. When children are hospitalized and possibly dying the case becomes even more extreme. I realized in those first few days that my time with Georgia might not be very long and so I poured all of my love and attention onto her. I was desperate for her to understand that no matter how short a life she had with me I LOVED her and would always do so. <br />
<br />
In the end, that meant almost ignoring my other two beautiful girls that I loved equally. I left them for others to care for. I regret not being able to care for them during that time and yet I know that I would never have forgiven myself if Georgia had died anywhere except in my arms. Now I just have to hope and pray that Calla and Maya will grow up knowing that I have given them all that I could - that I continue to pour all of my love and attention on them every day. I need them to understand that I have always loved them just as much and have given them all that I am. <br />
<br />
Love to you all,<br />
<br />
KristenKristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08328560091665447803noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4186047827843887200.post-51041157222344453662013-03-06T20:37:00.000-06:002013-03-06T20:37:14.096-06:00HeavyIt's hard to believe it's March already...again. I love the fact that March brings with it warmer weather even if it brings lots of snow. It brings back the geese, the birds and the sunshine. It means we get outside to play more and chat with people in the neighborhood. Calla celebrates a birthday in March and so does my dad. March should be such a happy month...<br />
<br />
The girls are all doing great. Calla's teacher told me last night how excited she is to see Calla so happy and willing to share in class. Maya's teacher recently told me that if I hadn't told her she suffers from anxiety, she'd have no idea. Aria is approaching three and is starting to become a lot more social and independent. My girls sing and dance and laugh. They love to play in the snow and get together with friends. It has been almost four years but I can truly say that my children are thriving! I should feel so happy...<br />
<br />
The arrival of March has brought with it a heavy feeling. I look around at my life and think about how blessed I am and yet I feel the heaviness of grief. I have moments where I feel angry and don't understand why. I have moments where I just want to to curl up and hide. Some days I feel so overwhelmed I'll find myself looking at the clock counting the hours until the day ends, tomorrow should surely be better.<br />
<br />
Grief is such a funny thing. One minute laughing with joy and the next sobbing with sadness. Over the last several months I have caught glimpses of the person I once was, 'confident and happy go lucky'. That is actually how people used to describe me! The weight of grief takes away those glimpses. Sometimes leaving me to wonder if I ever really was that person never mind if I'll ever find her again. <br />
<br />
I had thought that at four years I could face the memories with confidence and grace and instead find myself crumbling - wondering how I will get through. Oh, I know I will. That is one thing that I have learned. You just keep going because you have no choice. Maybe, that is why I came back to the blog. When life has been overwhelming it has always been a safe place to express myself. <br />
<br />
Love to you all,<br />
<br />
KristenKristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08328560091665447803noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4186047827843887200.post-80567942156885817582013-01-01T20:20:00.003-06:002013-01-01T20:20:40.652-06:00Looking Back<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
January</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgak4XVCQYnbPJpCiOE-IWxrYQBLlGVLwhsphyCXEwdQacC9XsmxFYl_aodFhHoOGDu7XA4IxklCKhXPPhM9QRzOa_Kl9cQDe32t6Wkq2tuUhngI0D-mqtULisnNwpevE9EezSMonqS0MmN/s1600/IMG_0015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgak4XVCQYnbPJpCiOE-IWxrYQBLlGVLwhsphyCXEwdQacC9XsmxFYl_aodFhHoOGDu7XA4IxklCKhXPPhM9QRzOa_Kl9cQDe32t6Wkq2tuUhngI0D-mqtULisnNwpevE9EezSMonqS0MmN/s320/IMG_0015.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
February - Mexico<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaS8k8jLLTdRERkcXSh6XPVNfew_ZrYv174N1_pJi3qzYkd-9LmsuMZ38vLYGkAaFhu4h50RIh1Qr8JkrfSORqfi5sFIfZiYvHTAUpwU0vXu8kgnXMMII3p4BoiBg8hY8h9FkW8ldFEsiW/s1600/IMG_0208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaS8k8jLLTdRERkcXSh6XPVNfew_ZrYv174N1_pJi3qzYkd-9LmsuMZ38vLYGkAaFhu4h50RIh1Qr8JkrfSORqfi5sFIfZiYvHTAUpwU0vXu8kgnXMMII3p4BoiBg8hY8h9FkW8ldFEsiW/s320/IMG_0208.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
March <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8JlriJeT6VINKsTkyZzovzbDCdEM-OZwiZBiOY6RtoMI_PSlly_6UMl4MAMCbJ1aWA7uBUuTL6VxnA4sZC-1AyOz7jvJy1RrucBqBQDaKVxz6cCvesntRt4y1ZIIl8iH_ILh9E2PabA1T/s1600/IMG_0312.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8JlriJeT6VINKsTkyZzovzbDCdEM-OZwiZBiOY6RtoMI_PSlly_6UMl4MAMCbJ1aWA7uBUuTL6VxnA4sZC-1AyOz7jvJy1RrucBqBQDaKVxz6cCvesntRt4y1ZIIl8iH_ILh9E2PabA1T/s320/IMG_0312.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
April<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCkdB_5mt9om896EI-eKb64bisxluV2dariCVde3ba4N-xQkG2z5niRx_0aNO6pnro0OguclzcHldBUYlxtxDJ8IlzytV43hc9IMevG_i7oTjfoH9bQrkqXfBPSuTb1na6R0LtVlHYRoBm/s1600/IMG_0347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCkdB_5mt9om896EI-eKb64bisxluV2dariCVde3ba4N-xQkG2z5niRx_0aNO6pnro0OguclzcHldBUYlxtxDJ8IlzytV43hc9IMevG_i7oTjfoH9bQrkqXfBPSuTb1na6R0LtVlHYRoBm/s320/IMG_0347.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
May<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj04iq1RwMyKBj_PVAszhcPXGOQ9auPLHIm9B6PmJ_TiZKHfq1qiX-re25y5da4CNXHr8PEC4CQ4Wkof2AX9DnMlArKes4hKm5vHqBrMcimM2bu6zV2H5OpYIUh1GjCK2hQ5Bwejev3qBPm/s1600/IMG_0434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj04iq1RwMyKBj_PVAszhcPXGOQ9auPLHIm9B6PmJ_TiZKHfq1qiX-re25y5da4CNXHr8PEC4CQ4Wkof2AX9DnMlArKes4hKm5vHqBrMcimM2bu6zV2H5OpYIUh1GjCK2hQ5Bwejev3qBPm/s320/IMG_0434.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6di8_zowg7udGqiiJM9GrAb0aAlWWokZqDlNEIJMF0elt0uVMUJ1IRaYhJXq5deLAxyBjHN2by5i9QSVAh46CueIbN1B39mmmNIwn8UZdZVHBPWe4SpQ11NBnKtUVAhFkR42hi_Ymp5K7/s1600/IMG_0431.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6di8_zowg7udGqiiJM9GrAb0aAlWWokZqDlNEIJMF0elt0uVMUJ1IRaYhJXq5deLAxyBjHN2by5i9QSVAh46CueIbN1B39mmmNIwn8UZdZVHBPWe4SpQ11NBnKtUVAhFkR42hi_Ymp5K7/s320/IMG_0431.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
June<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJxVFjSQr_XP8N5lkNtxNEXtdMkcjSmJUCEgRKc2szQz5KfE75pqaneatEYrbjnYQuiIQj9CuWU3brPHvqItg1k8mqOO8H0KUxO5SepROeqeWWiACARiokiKuK4-dAXOFdg1nc6uguF9u6/s1600/IMG_0574.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJxVFjSQr_XP8N5lkNtxNEXtdMkcjSmJUCEgRKc2szQz5KfE75pqaneatEYrbjnYQuiIQj9CuWU3brPHvqItg1k8mqOO8H0KUxO5SepROeqeWWiACARiokiKuK4-dAXOFdg1nc6uguF9u6/s320/IMG_0574.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
July<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1w6lVz8v9NTKWkBa8R11qI4jrPHNc7NzdaAjPfDrUeTmsnNFxtkhB7KYLYOiUuW6GP1J6LCbqYR3WPtRlOpXoFByOp65RG0cSUnv_HSilC3w1QY-ZbFbOvobIghCw5u_5Sdc201l0b_45/s1600/IMG_0657.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1w6lVz8v9NTKWkBa8R11qI4jrPHNc7NzdaAjPfDrUeTmsnNFxtkhB7KYLYOiUuW6GP1J6LCbqYR3WPtRlOpXoFByOp65RG0cSUnv_HSilC3w1QY-ZbFbOvobIghCw5u_5Sdc201l0b_45/s320/IMG_0657.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
August<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9gz14ifWIm7UmeO-8FCPbDNXmpGNZIgbBNpP9YV5d4bInOLjEX93WC6fbdqvQHtJXBqb-DYK788afw6xbHdGORINeGAKXfGsRdH27fBIixacUxGOldP6ptdwwVOnTv4QzW51QNPrrttFg/s1600/IMG_0827.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9gz14ifWIm7UmeO-8FCPbDNXmpGNZIgbBNpP9YV5d4bInOLjEX93WC6fbdqvQHtJXBqb-DYK788afw6xbHdGORINeGAKXfGsRdH27fBIixacUxGOldP6ptdwwVOnTv4QzW51QNPrrttFg/s320/IMG_0827.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjc7zIPKgitugaXUWPysyfPf5WFgZY3Chg2MKNwBNo9-2p092mIWx1LKSdsKQrq7cF9kM5udxCAlKHb1D8HU__08_lLG-ne8rPFJsLPXNwRWvKsM-Q3nB5R9k9KU9GYaek9Fc3qFbUjggQ/s1600/IMG_0886.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjc7zIPKgitugaXUWPysyfPf5WFgZY3Chg2MKNwBNo9-2p092mIWx1LKSdsKQrq7cF9kM5udxCAlKHb1D8HU__08_lLG-ne8rPFJsLPXNwRWvKsM-Q3nB5R9k9KU9GYaek9Fc3qFbUjggQ/s320/IMG_0886.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
September<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKbsYflt61uEeZRBO02uotoZI_1VpLF3P2ZAuV4EIqqEFK9XOHoGoMm62eTv3HRol9j59SmQ-QDQwWV3pvxgg8yptveih7clm2LNYdLaxDfsdXRdd4eoO_GicbcnHkdaeTzZBfjKyOCDza/s1600/IMG_0924.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKbsYflt61uEeZRBO02uotoZI_1VpLF3P2ZAuV4EIqqEFK9XOHoGoMm62eTv3HRol9j59SmQ-QDQwWV3pvxgg8yptveih7clm2LNYdLaxDfsdXRdd4eoO_GicbcnHkdaeTzZBfjKyOCDza/s320/IMG_0924.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCEOfuNaTx5oTRjzSsXz59iwwjg2304g8u9IfsvraGilaT5wc7DF15KJDxi8lZSijK1TXAXQaOb3PEvglfTTSk8ekqooeljauByPcTc9espI-NVJQQaHlHQQzRJqkkAHmTIO3QQwg1CHbF/s1600/IMG_0928.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCEOfuNaTx5oTRjzSsXz59iwwjg2304g8u9IfsvraGilaT5wc7DF15KJDxi8lZSijK1TXAXQaOb3PEvglfTTSk8ekqooeljauByPcTc9espI-NVJQQaHlHQQzRJqkkAHmTIO3QQwg1CHbF/s320/IMG_0928.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
October<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEA6YJ9aMGfFctKPy1yWwJOdH0WvR-o0ReeoVYAZQevT8Sow0G81SnrbhUf7QrWkyIAuf08ldwqqmmUiC5AncLkZe6yCQzKd41r1Bk9HU4UpdccYRXpmZLTgDpGGv_uHhLfJZI-80X0ZZq/s1600/IMG_0996.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEA6YJ9aMGfFctKPy1yWwJOdH0WvR-o0ReeoVYAZQevT8Sow0G81SnrbhUf7QrWkyIAuf08ldwqqmmUiC5AncLkZe6yCQzKd41r1Bk9HU4UpdccYRXpmZLTgDpGGv_uHhLfJZI-80X0ZZq/s320/IMG_0996.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
November - Disney World<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxBE5CsdvepGcbzgCooSG1iqs4xNzKbKyBRG1BioJIep9NSbbr9N6nw8bu-fZP8Y494GbgAfBSq2FRQ0QXReqMNMEbaa042lbvgx01XL7CtlQriMB7NwWXG8YJdZSEqb4VMFrkFJMJjSfg/s1600/IMG_1040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxBE5CsdvepGcbzgCooSG1iqs4xNzKbKyBRG1BioJIep9NSbbr9N6nw8bu-fZP8Y494GbgAfBSq2FRQ0QXReqMNMEbaa042lbvgx01XL7CtlQriMB7NwWXG8YJdZSEqb4VMFrkFJMJjSfg/s320/IMG_1040.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
December - Christmas Day<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwp5QizFkD1VnVuJb3lzSPKbkmaVor8jVAoHWP7eJb8M92apj0R7PqKrUb0zjS3TiXFw1keLv7HY6aM9UMr5xVjK1SzNPO4DUFGrQ9nXBIn0eNjFWJLcEteE5Fj5fXOQKe6Z7Xe3kIU5lI/s1600/IMG_1355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwp5QizFkD1VnVuJb3lzSPKbkmaVor8jVAoHWP7eJb8M92apj0R7PqKrUb0zjS3TiXFw1keLv7HY6aM9UMr5xVjK1SzNPO4DUFGrQ9nXBIn0eNjFWJLcEteE5Fj5fXOQKe6Z7Xe3kIU5lI/s320/IMG_1355.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08328560091665447803noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4186047827843887200.post-6288889983884796872012-12-26T18:39:00.001-06:002012-12-26T18:39:37.573-06:00Christmas 2012Sometimes I find it's easiest to just let the pictures do the talking.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd8rI1PjmMeRhV8bgmaSfpbkTV_qSDG-w_dUkV6ykCROj6FCwY_bZb9oVZQECSwVPbGGezkbbin9N1L_d3Svsueh49ipjwIE8GuHy0RNhHEOonk6teiaOOl46IHJ1hezZDfxTUCA28WSFi/s1600/IMG_1307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd8rI1PjmMeRhV8bgmaSfpbkTV_qSDG-w_dUkV6ykCROj6FCwY_bZb9oVZQECSwVPbGGezkbbin9N1L_d3Svsueh49ipjwIE8GuHy0RNhHEOonk6teiaOOl46IHJ1hezZDfxTUCA28WSFi/s320/IMG_1307.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaC8zLIqNv8lm4fw2xnKNpuxwvnweJ2eEzt3uimi8InitKNzlAtoAQFmx36HLDsVdp-t158dYJln9MONZGF8WGWP-VTsQmgHrqV7kwgO2mP-fC-Tm13wzi4tVxDR04kyrBiXTYcbUAwPaV/s1600/IMG_1311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaC8zLIqNv8lm4fw2xnKNpuxwvnweJ2eEzt3uimi8InitKNzlAtoAQFmx36HLDsVdp-t158dYJln9MONZGF8WGWP-VTsQmgHrqV7kwgO2mP-fC-Tm13wzi4tVxDR04kyrBiXTYcbUAwPaV/s320/IMG_1311.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPWF22Cs_tP8BVGQMy2bLu_WtvNkmud8Yv9i4IvPrXGqtwXRkaUhw6F27a431zOk6Kp12SlIAkz41U00yfXjefLQyHzJfNR7NcHYh_VCjGxG1vzljkjfFSNEWP_cDK0HNVWS-UAfyE-XWj/s1600/IMG_1322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPWF22Cs_tP8BVGQMy2bLu_WtvNkmud8Yv9i4IvPrXGqtwXRkaUhw6F27a431zOk6Kp12SlIAkz41U00yfXjefLQyHzJfNR7NcHYh_VCjGxG1vzljkjfFSNEWP_cDK0HNVWS-UAfyE-XWj/s320/IMG_1322.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidpePbq6yRDdyIB2uWV1IntBGvgEHsS8Ti5XvA_RN93pJUbXr4U44dn1BX5A4K2HoycAh0ie9WnDfcO6KAtfbO6wmsCN4Y-Tv-v713TBqx9p7a4SDSaVbobRT6QBhrKqePPL7L_I-CDlFD/s1600/IMG_1329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidpePbq6yRDdyIB2uWV1IntBGvgEHsS8Ti5XvA_RN93pJUbXr4U44dn1BX5A4K2HoycAh0ie9WnDfcO6KAtfbO6wmsCN4Y-Tv-v713TBqx9p7a4SDSaVbobRT6QBhrKqePPL7L_I-CDlFD/s320/IMG_1329.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8me7voRTSlIej88J8GjlwEnGIS-1-xjmFp79vqqoNEdkGLkNJfW1PqHEyqssjq2vT8sVpRcpFdyqG-aARqxJXnQkeI16WTPXs3ltWhdV4FQxBpeqw1Syxmv6Wil3Gnhw91dmv7ShBQYsI/s1600/IMG_1359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8me7voRTSlIej88J8GjlwEnGIS-1-xjmFp79vqqoNEdkGLkNJfW1PqHEyqssjq2vT8sVpRcpFdyqG-aARqxJXnQkeI16WTPXs3ltWhdV4FQxBpeqw1Syxmv6Wil3Gnhw91dmv7ShBQYsI/s320/IMG_1359.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKZafULqHrTXIOQ4iNwc2TIqtBn0OAAECdVTZqVKi0yV04KVwCNeU40r6IWYOXNJJQ101emm1F-QfVY6B0uXPcJKSH0iWUnnlLqIUyJ8SPFU2CPa4WKbjaLKDQ1UtOUoZ9Q-joAUE3hPJ6/s1600/IMG_1363.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKZafULqHrTXIOQ4iNwc2TIqtBn0OAAECdVTZqVKi0yV04KVwCNeU40r6IWYOXNJJQ101emm1F-QfVY6B0uXPcJKSH0iWUnnlLqIUyJ8SPFU2CPa4WKbjaLKDQ1UtOUoZ9Q-joAUE3hPJ6/s320/IMG_1363.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijYpCsdtkrzMmrYSErPHrwjXPeXLjccJluSHYbNtaxR3jFdk0gF6bdOfD9XNGTfqUx1qqxnF3r4axmyJM3jEFibK2CTjgZ3dLQ-3m8gypXzq50ekCL2cztreWcxE62MGyphvE1N4EjKfRn/s1600/IMG_1332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijYpCsdtkrzMmrYSErPHrwjXPeXLjccJluSHYbNtaxR3jFdk0gF6bdOfD9XNGTfqUx1qqxnF3r4axmyJM3jEFibK2CTjgZ3dLQ-3m8gypXzq50ekCL2cztreWcxE62MGyphvE1N4EjKfRn/s320/IMG_1332.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
As you can hopefully tell Christmas was a joyous occasion in the Lucas House. <br />
<br />
Love to you all,<br />
<br />
Kristen<br />
Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08328560091665447803noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4186047827843887200.post-6622863869873884672012-11-27T15:56:00.000-06:002012-11-27T15:56:15.384-06:00Maya's BookRecently, a bored Maya took a few pieces of paper, folded them in half and announced that she was going to make a book. She spent ages drawing pictures and writing but I had no idea what she was actually working on. The next day she came up and proudly presented me with 'My Family Book - by Maya'.<br />
<br />
Page 1 - This is me. (picture of herself in a yellow dress)<br />
<br />
Page 2 - This is my sister Calla. (picture of Calla in a blue dress)<br />
<br />
Page 3 - This is my sister Aria. (picture of Aria on the swings in a purple dress)<br />
<br />
Page 4 - This is my mom and Cocoa. (picture of me in blue and green with Cocoa)<br />
<br />
Page 5 - This is my dad. (for some reason Mike is drawn among the flowers)<br />
<br />
Page 6 - This is my Angel. (baby Georgia with wings)<br />
<br />
Page 7 - This is my family. (All of us including Georgia)<br />
<br />
Maya's book is full of colors and details. When I read it the first time I teared up because I realized that despite suffering from anxiety since Georgia's death she has a strong idea about family. If you look at the book it appears brightly colored and detailed - a happy story. <br />
<br />
Maya's teacher told me the other day that she has shown no signs of anxiety at school. In fact, Maya is a social butterfly who loves to dance and sing. She is still nervous about new situations and me leaving her but for the most part she is thriving. The book that she made is my little treasure. It reminds me that she is going to be okay. That is the best gift that she could have ever given me. : )<br />
<br />
Love to you all,<br />
<br />
Kristen<br />
<br />
<br />Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08328560091665447803noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4186047827843887200.post-12221086354063979572012-10-06T08:14:00.002-05:002012-10-06T08:15:52.662-05:00FourAhhh Georgia. Four years ago today you joined our family and we couldn't have been happier, so beautiful and perfect... We had no idea how short your stay would be with us or that we would never even celebrate your first birthday with you. In your short lifetime you taught so many about the power of generosity, faith and love. You still do.
As we mark your fourth birthday without you I realize that there is no anger or confusion anymore. The sadness remains, a huge ache in my chest that feels so much larger on a day like today. Besides happy birthday there is only one thing left to say: Thank you Baby! Thank you for joining us and helping us all to become better people. We will mark your birthday with gratitude and do our best to celebrate your very beautiful life.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR7xJJ4bCtd-q1UVhug5dGTxLslbuCPJ5u2X8hG4sVL2tyCSMB-qp6iEJcdEknkou2zrEjkrppL4PI85tLIz8M3Cbq2x3stqXRuckH7TxKn1WGljNz9pQLgcriYUakPgGHp-bHWAnEM9qc/s1600/IMG_0451.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR7xJJ4bCtd-q1UVhug5dGTxLslbuCPJ5u2X8hG4sVL2tyCSMB-qp6iEJcdEknkou2zrEjkrppL4PI85tLIz8M3Cbq2x3stqXRuckH7TxKn1WGljNz9pQLgcriYUakPgGHp-bHWAnEM9qc/s400/IMG_0451.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT8fa0CjsTw_lWeBkSHkr3sqiEbMo9KhhlkOoejRMpKv6kfhC6Rg6gdCOCP-pUGXF4FasGlWYAGiyRCZCtnjlvk3HICbWKmhSkj8ZNRPDF9-1Daa1fglohMEtOgKDrTVbVQKP8L4mRVtRF/s1600/IMG_0457.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT8fa0CjsTw_lWeBkSHkr3sqiEbMo9KhhlkOoejRMpKv6kfhC6Rg6gdCOCP-pUGXF4FasGlWYAGiyRCZCtnjlvk3HICbWKmhSkj8ZNRPDF9-1Daa1fglohMEtOgKDrTVbVQKP8L4mRVtRF/s400/IMG_0457.JPG" /></a></div>
Love to you all,
KristenMike Lucashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14909340252314100715noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4186047827843887200.post-48108755168504953532012-09-28T13:31:00.001-05:002012-09-28T13:35:34.841-05:00Mike Lucashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14909340252314100715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4186047827843887200.post-64760862373613690932012-09-16T16:18:00.000-05:002012-09-16T16:18:37.428-05:00PicturesWe took the girls to have their pictures taken at Sears yesterday. It was quite funny because we had a very uncooperative two year old. In fact, she wanted to wear her Backyardigans pyjamas! In the end we got a few cute group shots but my favorites are the individuals. At the last minutes I grabbed a couple of the scarves my mom and aunts have been knitting and wrapped them around Calla and Maya. Here are the results.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqZYhO_m87zlc5VEPQdGgMIF3oZ4KIMhTFx5o2wbm1j0nFJirnfrFkV8cZuyX2Zp3drQllUWqotzsYP_YzihgO1lwXqFq3X5WuqLcnkovmWE4-Me8c7tukQWZU3oq_PI1v7ZazcXIWYM9g/s1600/s51436cb116525_32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqZYhO_m87zlc5VEPQdGgMIF3oZ4KIMhTFx5o2wbm1j0nFJirnfrFkV8cZuyX2Zp3drQllUWqotzsYP_YzihgO1lwXqFq3X5WuqLcnkovmWE4-Me8c7tukQWZU3oq_PI1v7ZazcXIWYM9g/s400/s51436cb116525_32.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpUcANMRfh6l9svGgvOVJGrenVl5x5OLfmaAis3XEAcyMIhVTUCMAE9Zo6utZ8NcdO_Y8swG_nJxvt6hu-no3u3nS7gZKyM04tZuHlKrEipM1S6YnO_XeeUS6pSX04gJjseFB7QmbINP9y/s1600/s51436cb116525_25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="267" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpUcANMRfh6l9svGgvOVJGrenVl5x5OLfmaAis3XEAcyMIhVTUCMAE9Zo6utZ8NcdO_Y8swG_nJxvt6hu-no3u3nS7gZKyM04tZuHlKrEipM1S6YnO_XeeUS6pSX04gJjseFB7QmbINP9y/s400/s51436cb116525_25.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjniw9Qzy7a5oFSOhaHD4Gl1GroFxLDlpfq_X8YCyRpta7GpVFEMHNYQYwZ2QBNdotu2addkJ42XKzWm7QFb6pxQEUCrKZhJC-V31qBdAEh-_HRaLyWDJlLEkqyQdzf8EySebM2XYXn4NEm/s1600/s51436cb116525_33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjniw9Qzy7a5oFSOhaHD4Gl1GroFxLDlpfq_X8YCyRpta7GpVFEMHNYQYwZ2QBNdotu2addkJ42XKzWm7QFb6pxQEUCrKZhJC-V31qBdAEh-_HRaLyWDJlLEkqyQdzf8EySebM2XYXn4NEm/s400/s51436cb116525_33.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCSi6lG3fJlyaxnJDEQMyp6lxnF33iLJCs3lNJss5NrU6CzBm9GUH__L0W_A_aRhEhyoCtp1pm8hPYrYvuWY08MCmnyqi_ZGx4I-QQdnTK-vCJQhsLGSu7-NYEZd1gxTyTTTsFVNya2wKA/s1600/s51436cb116525_48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="267" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCSi6lG3fJlyaxnJDEQMyp6lxnF33iLJCs3lNJss5NrU6CzBm9GUH__L0W_A_aRhEhyoCtp1pm8hPYrYvuWY08MCmnyqi_ZGx4I-QQdnTK-vCJQhsLGSu7-NYEZd1gxTyTTTsFVNya2wKA/s400/s51436cb116525_48.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhml3WUjTgp0wUzUIL6NgUSVlF83LnpvSYRLyfGYOX9nFUTAimwwvcz6SGWeISL8xy6eqBtzJ8y08xu4cNc82DJ4gVVL3gfbUmakxLGcWD9F-77oDQ-T49NIhxyZFrvptEz4FUX_-8e1dva/s1600/s51436cb116525_11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="267" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhml3WUjTgp0wUzUIL6NgUSVlF83LnpvSYRLyfGYOX9nFUTAimwwvcz6SGWeISL8xy6eqBtzJ8y08xu4cNc82DJ4gVVL3gfbUmakxLGcWD9F-77oDQ-T49NIhxyZFrvptEz4FUX_-8e1dva/s400/s51436cb116525_11.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpiu2Tz_eTI39JnG_ziy92unZjTUINuvdTiKOfnn_YBVS5Ywml-eTPWnHGZbXIHm5fE5ndTY83HR3BE2D-P7qLRps9eOnXCZsoodNQ7ssJM4NYY0NEY9hoXtWcnen3lPnmoC2dgG1yvpl-/s1600/s51436cb116525_31_0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpiu2Tz_eTI39JnG_ziy92unZjTUINuvdTiKOfnn_YBVS5Ywml-eTPWnHGZbXIHm5fE5ndTY83HR3BE2D-P7qLRps9eOnXCZsoodNQ7ssJM4NYY0NEY9hoXtWcnen3lPnmoC2dgG1yvpl-/s400/s51436cb116525_31_0.jpg" /></a></div>
Hope all the family and friends enjoy! I am sorry I haven't updated more. I know that you enjoy the pictures! : )
Love to you all,
KristenMike Lucashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14909340252314100715noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4186047827843887200.post-41727473813034086452012-09-12T13:19:00.000-05:002012-09-12T13:24:17.134-05:00HopefulSomehow summer has flown by and we are already back into the fall routine. With that routine comes preparations for <i>Georgia's Journey of Hope</i> and a flooding of memories. How naive and hopeful I was hugely pregnant with my third child. It seems odd that it was 4 years ago when sometimes it feels like yesterday. In the last few months I have found myself almost back in that same place. Not pregnant and no longer so naive but hopeful. <br />
<br />
I am excited watching my girls grow and change. Calla is now in grade 3 and Maya in grade 1. We're only in the second week but they are both happy and adjusting well. I love to watch Maya, my once anxious and fearful child, running around on the playground with her little buddies. She has discovered a real love of dancing and has chosen to take a couple of extra classes on her own without a teacher or friends that she knows. I admire her courage and desire to do something that she loves.<br />
<br />
Calla has lots of friends at school too and although she remains quiet she does really well academically. She continues to dance as well. She doesn't always like to try new things but has opted to join her friends in a hip hop class this year. She tells me that it's hard but fun and she wants to continue. Calla also swims like a fish and she will start swimming with the swim club in October.<br />
<br />
Aria is in dance and gymnastics. She is in the terrible twos stage but somehow makes me laugh on a regular basis. She still loves music and says the funniest of things. Today when I went to take her out of the van she said, "Mommy, My legs don't work anymore! Carry me!"<br />
<br />
As many of you know, Mike has been doing really well with his running. He ran the half marathon in June placing 30th among 3000. Then last month he ran a 10k and came in first. A few days ago he again placed first in his age group running a ten miler. He always runs in his Never Give Up shirt available through the Gwendolyn Strong Foundation. He considers it good luck!<br />
<br />
We are planning a trip to Disney in November. I don't know if I have ever been so excited for a trip in my life. For those of you that know me, you know that I have traveled quite a bit. I am also looking forward to subbing this year yet again.<br />
<br />
So life is good and full of joy. I am hopeful and yet always surprised how grief can suck the life out of me. Yesterday after handing out brochures all evening for GJOH and chatting to people about the event I was physically and emotionally exhausted. Then of course, I couldn't sleep. Insomnia! I had almost forgotten about you! Now I am trying to shake off the fatigue and the heaviness but know that it will probably stick with me until October 6th, the day my little girl would have been 4.<br />
<br />
September 30th we will be celebrating that beautiful little girl. Join us!<br />
<br />
Love to you all,<br />
<br />
KristenKristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08328560091665447803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4186047827843887200.post-57184146708252457632012-05-22T20:17:00.003-05:002012-05-22T20:17:54.800-05:00Look Who's 2!It's hard to believe but our Little Miss Aria turned two years old today. I don't think that she fully understands it yet but she picked out her birthday cake and even sang happy birthday to herself! LOL <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf6pBlL708Z6QhDjrWziUCkF131SwuQsGA0cOkAAkUFubGcyUx3OvLMMsvDavYNeRRVjowgXmC4PZa7fWid9OqdkpoyCq3gC_BWeZH84pdr5BufHuufHUoh4cjr7Yzhc2nnS1GPHBgM4nY/s1600/IMG_0398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf6pBlL708Z6QhDjrWziUCkF131SwuQsGA0cOkAAkUFubGcyUx3OvLMMsvDavYNeRRVjowgXmC4PZa7fWid9OqdkpoyCq3gC_BWeZH84pdr5BufHuufHUoh4cjr7Yzhc2nnS1GPHBgM4nY/s320/IMG_0398.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here's our little dolly!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSUxR4u3Hjo1xgy9T8blDPoJbuf414MDowu7R72Smlj1JlWxrlpjf03006_-n1y9EekfokhdWPJ9Fx09cY-laoB_oDZQKQgI7poaAISCY4BzhgvgtIr1pMrc_F2Ax_59MbrW7ecRUkxMik/s1600/IMG_0422.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSUxR4u3Hjo1xgy9T8blDPoJbuf414MDowu7R72Smlj1JlWxrlpjf03006_-n1y9EekfokhdWPJ9Fx09cY-laoB_oDZQKQgI7poaAISCY4BzhgvgtIr1pMrc_F2Ax_59MbrW7ecRUkxMik/s320/IMG_0422.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
She insisted on having the 'back and yewow bumble bee.' It turned out pretty cute. Not sure why blogger turned it.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDXjqXWH8j6w5AbNMvyqc23JQo2h1gxGwmbTM8WZSrxXCVgTuBfNbgUMtJJQF9iOucZN2zmkh1UxIYK4qaDCLoiBKsjhVEYMffQ1cGrHQVorsI40E_saaF67_NMTC90jbTKnKf0cJwuPT1/s1600/IMG_0396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDXjqXWH8j6w5AbNMvyqc23JQo2h1gxGwmbTM8WZSrxXCVgTuBfNbgUMtJJQF9iOucZN2zmkh1UxIYK4qaDCLoiBKsjhVEYMffQ1cGrHQVorsI40E_saaF67_NMTC90jbTKnKf0cJwuPT1/s320/IMG_0396.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Nothing like cake on your birthday!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-8Nk4irqGgNpTahkfKjrkUioTkBw4rFcJ26rn05JcHDNxeYsywVMZtPZCxpn5wwqXXTDz5NaylZ0ySkwMxZY8Qyu3I6d8BTephG5MPvEcpMJseBGMYUflQ1MJXrlB4Scen0MUZxo06TK3/s1600/IMG_0423.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-8Nk4irqGgNpTahkfKjrkUioTkBw4rFcJ26rn05JcHDNxeYsywVMZtPZCxpn5wwqXXTDz5NaylZ0ySkwMxZY8Qyu3I6d8BTephG5MPvEcpMJseBGMYUflQ1MJXrlB4Scen0MUZxo06TK3/s320/IMG_0423.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
Love to you all,<br />
<br />
KristenKristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08328560091665447803noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4186047827843887200.post-20772889838757364172012-04-29T20:17:00.004-05:002012-04-29T20:17:52.976-05:00Adults too!While I used the girls as my models the scarves are definitely designed for adults. Little girls can wear them too but I just want to make sure that everybody understands. My mom can make shorter ones for little girls as well.<br />
<br />
Love to you all,<br />
<br />
KristenKristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08328560091665447803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4186047827843887200.post-81541979498727452012012-04-29T13:36:00.002-05:002012-04-29T13:36:27.362-05:00Warming Things Up<br />
With only 5 months to go before <em>Georgia's Journey of Hope 2012</em>, things have started to warm up around here. My mom and my Auntie Maggie have been knitting up a storm! They have been creating these beautiful scarves ready for sale with all proceeds to Families of Spinal Muscular Atrophy Canada. While I know that it may be the wrong season for scarves I wanted to show them off before Mother's Day. Hint, hint! They will be available from now until Fall. The cost is $22 and they come in a variety of different colors. I have taken a few pictures with my very beautiful models to show you what they are like.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQuGQdTRrSdo3oU0hNj9bfV975hSwkLJr5N4cQ6uzluENa7onShvsn1p0pMlrR3HQrPEjlDDsXPAZXqyYDDSU3ZUkbdCcc8HbsQFlf27I4A3x7u5M-pyq_adjwlBar4e7zydwoW2UzJXLB/s1600/IMG_0364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQuGQdTRrSdo3oU0hNj9bfV975hSwkLJr5N4cQ6uzluENa7onShvsn1p0pMlrR3HQrPEjlDDsXPAZXqyYDDSU3ZUkbdCcc8HbsQFlf27I4A3x7u5M-pyq_adjwlBar4e7zydwoW2UzJXLB/s320/IMG_0364.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkpp6S-anTM4BQpeMgnu6Wt72SZKRrCu7krJKtQ5WHm1P9sbywXwkAOBxJwxkamUp2BenGVwLoRdglQER5I4IbVBnOF6R23GPpjebUqGtDfimd6f4tL-iTie1-IsenRumErfIK73nuJA_7/s1600/IMG_0365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkpp6S-anTM4BQpeMgnu6Wt72SZKRrCu7krJKtQ5WHm1P9sbywXwkAOBxJwxkamUp2BenGVwLoRdglQER5I4IbVBnOF6R23GPpjebUqGtDfimd6f4tL-iTie1-IsenRumErfIK73nuJA_7/s320/IMG_0365.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoYgxY9TPTWgf0j3UPFdkAdDlvN4Cw-fUgNcZ1NtPZYgvxBoQY9lxLDafOrqhtg5lVd4bhzUTQZlO-vJcgdZ5nL90oZToy5e7Yn1chWUp3AXWhwWReFpUYXRQNO1fsNR2ZT6C02ymU_apP/s1600/IMG_0366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoYgxY9TPTWgf0j3UPFdkAdDlvN4Cw-fUgNcZ1NtPZYgvxBoQY9lxLDafOrqhtg5lVd4bhzUTQZlO-vJcgdZ5nL90oZToy5e7Yn1chWUp3AXWhwWReFpUYXRQNO1fsNR2ZT6C02ymU_apP/s320/IMG_0366.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWKwzmU7BxyRAVGm7sEChShOUobETGIGT7MGY4BM5iiEFbrhmhyRB4I9twY4n1nOEmfcJsEE_MB-sFG4LWY_D0ALu-KjCZHkxY568pdyp-RzcMCQYb_yR4saWDLFEzwxXe6Qrx7ea9bfYg/s1600/IMG_0367.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWKwzmU7BxyRAVGm7sEChShOUobETGIGT7MGY4BM5iiEFbrhmhyRB4I9twY4n1nOEmfcJsEE_MB-sFG4LWY_D0ALu-KjCZHkxY568pdyp-RzcMCQYb_yR4saWDLFEzwxXe6Qrx7ea9bfYg/s320/IMG_0367.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
If you are interested in seeing or ordering a scarf please contact me directly. <em>Georgia's Journey of Hope</em> has been booked for September 30th. Please mark your calendars.<br />
<br />
Love to you all,<br />
<br />
KristenKristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08328560091665447803noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4186047827843887200.post-29382634343161304942012-04-19T13:20:00.004-05:002012-04-19T20:54:17.949-05:00Never Far AwayDear Georgia,<div><br /></div><div>It's been almost 3 years since I held you in my arms. I find this idea staggering! How is it that I have survived 3 years without you? We miss you and love you so much. While our lives are continuously busy and always changing the void that you have left is permanent and unmoving. </div><div><br /></div><div>I think that you would be proud of all of us. <span style="font-size: 100%; ">Calla remains quiet but she loves school and has lots of friends. She is happy. Maya is growing into a self confident learner and a social butterfly. She too is happy. Both of them remember you.</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Aria, the little girl that I know you had a hand in sending us, loves to sing...just like you. What you lacked in physical strength, she has in spades. She loves to climb and jump and one of her favorite tricks is to walk her legs up the back of the couch to show us her handstand!</div><div><br /></div><div>Your daddy works hard at taking care of all of us. Sometimes when he comes home and your three sisters go running to him I see him glance around for just a second. Despite being loved by three gorgeous little girls his arms sometimes ache to hold another - you. He continues on his quest for health and is in better shape than ever. He too is happy.</div><div><br /></div><div>It has taken me three years but I feel like I have finally achieved a sense of normalcy. I stay busy with your sisters and have even returned to working. The anxiety that I have struggled with has dissipated. In a couple of weeks I will be speaking at The Children's Hospital Memorial. I consider it an honor. I too am happy.</div><div><br /></div><div>We will escape tomorrow as we always do. On Saturday we will take a few moments to remember and celebrate you. The best way that I can think of celebrating you is to simply love each other. That is part of the reason that I like getting away. It is our family time without any interruptions. </div><div><br /></div><div>So, while I find it staggering that is has been almost three years, I feel your presence as much today as I did then. As time marches on we will continue to move forward. The joy that you brought into our lives remains because you are never away from us. You have taught us that love transcends death and we know that you remain forever near. We carry you with us each and every day. We miss seeing your smile and hearing your laugh. We miss your big blue eyes and your amazing singing voice. We miss everything that you were and everything that you could have been but... we know that you are never far away.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">"A breath away's not far</div><div style="text-align: center;">to where you are."</div><div><br /></div><div>Love Mommy</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08328560091665447803noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4186047827843887200.post-63410147712728356782012-03-16T14:21:00.008-05:002012-03-16T14:36:11.310-05:00Puerto VallartaToday, March 16th, of course marks the 3rd anniversary of the day that I brought Georgie into the hospital. Instead of dwelling on that sad moment I thought instead, that I would share some pictures from our latest family adventure. Three weeks ago we took off for the sun and sand in Puerto Vallarta. We stayed in an all inclusive family resort, relaxed and had LOTS of fun!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH0jI_vm65W_ZU86h3H04Wlfctqp5uIRjWeIdkIvDt9T4dB5hcTChB1J-A39HXAu7IiuFkzD8xGrXb2GXIQqEkNRexNIpkbRyYOgsicooe-hvoEsCWLq-59trLr0u2y8VS116J3pPJuFoC/s1600/IMG_0216.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720578992820643074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH0jI_vm65W_ZU86h3H04Wlfctqp5uIRjWeIdkIvDt9T4dB5hcTChB1J-A39HXAu7IiuFkzD8xGrXb2GXIQqEkNRexNIpkbRyYOgsicooe-hvoEsCWLq-59trLr0u2y8VS116J3pPJuFoC/s400/IMG_0216.JPG" /></a> Calla and Maya ready for the Pirate Party. They made their swords and eye patches at the Kids Club.<br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1VV1ZibDlbhkhcPmtQEiLpU15d5NsyC4gZj7iLW9C7RwLdXGfYgX8aTQdmhdbnjY6SlPHKYe0ZTcrPfKGrbH1dge_LpzwhNqGyxgPZ76Vi_o_faIPZYSjC6ZItslFCiAQlXnF4_64MSYi/s1600/IMG_0208.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720578682618894226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1VV1ZibDlbhkhcPmtQEiLpU15d5NsyC4gZj7iLW9C7RwLdXGfYgX8aTQdmhdbnjY6SlPHKYe0ZTcrPfKGrbH1dge_LpzwhNqGyxgPZ76Vi_o_faIPZYSjC6ZItslFCiAQlXnF4_64MSYi/s400/IMG_0208.JPG" /></a> A family shot taken in town.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix_2E6UHtXMEHEWoezjehdti0tyGqMqIs7DX0WNhYHj54MZCrHc4HYCOKPQpfeMnz4kdpsxERC8o60OVUDsAK5lv4Ol0eVC4k5pHHcTFa6UOw0jlfocw7Hu_GHnyPlrh0dbaxPFg9G_Ggk/s1600/IMG_0184.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720578506925151906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix_2E6UHtXMEHEWoezjehdti0tyGqMqIs7DX0WNhYHj54MZCrHc4HYCOKPQpfeMnz4kdpsxERC8o60OVUDsAK5lv4Ol0eVC4k5pHHcTFa6UOw0jlfocw7Hu_GHnyPlrh0dbaxPFg9G_Ggk/s400/IMG_0184.JPG" /></a> Our bathing beauty. Note - she still has her pyjamas on! LOL<br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaAmDUA7UFlXSMRXZ269pY0KTd8KnenFpv3VjT2g2fVjsv4SxN43jcYgE5rxgT19RpqggbxJFkhWEa4TaN9HX8jHzYEcaHCjv8OItpjBMLlgg_E024s4KGIA4edP0U2lM_jaLqO-wdijQW/s1600/IMG_0135.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720578224643850146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaAmDUA7UFlXSMRXZ269pY0KTd8KnenFpv3VjT2g2fVjsv4SxN43jcYgE5rxgT19RpqggbxJFkhWEa4TaN9HX8jHzYEcaHCjv8OItpjBMLlgg_E024s4KGIA4edP0U2lM_jaLqO-wdijQW/s400/IMG_0135.JPG" /></a> Building sand castles.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720577983286408114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdNd8DYpvre3ZiO2xFKoq3IbkcuqngASyAzM6hTmdy5jpQGcSKKAbNGN86xV-5F7DltJKtmhN1AxLFwRzEFHB7HV1Qk03-4sK_-Fv5fMoovlJ7uQVx05_EjBqOzOBQVOEtJMKAVHGe03hw/s400/IMG_0106.JPG" /> Look out Maya!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9hv3f8wANdNEuThY7spDn5-IUa-RTTNLtJAcO1oxsCPU1V89Onesv4kdHy89mOQcdtp7ShrhWlZopdOwTcwKWJfwdQ-29fTGKfWcY-AW_nZbCId9b5nhdTZvBVWSLvx1EQyYzPcCd3qTd/s1600/IMG_0089.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720577648178253698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9hv3f8wANdNEuThY7spDn5-IUa-RTTNLtJAcO1oxsCPU1V89Onesv4kdHy89mOQcdtp7ShrhWlZopdOwTcwKWJfwdQ-29fTGKfWcY-AW_nZbCId9b5nhdTZvBVWSLvx1EQyYzPcCd3qTd/s400/IMG_0089.JPG" /></a> Playing Mini Golf on the resort.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd4v9vBYWf7WBW3iNNX9zd5WFmViZ2qowNwKrA3f-AUymDagDY8qR3j7tzVl2WlEhbABYDRckUxZRUv-L_PV3CgQ3OlaKEIZX4B9kKIsI-DbDzv6FjF0IhLt6YIdpevnk2cBSywP87dgmn/s1600/IMG_0094.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720577427401228914" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd4v9vBYWf7WBW3iNNX9zd5WFmViZ2qowNwKrA3f-AUymDagDY8qR3j7tzVl2WlEhbABYDRckUxZRUv-L_PV3CgQ3OlaKEIZX4B9kKIsI-DbDzv6FjF0IhLt6YIdpevnk2cBSywP87dgmn/s400/IMG_0094.JPG" /></a> Daddy and Aria hanging out.</div><br />It was a fabulous seven days and we are already planning for next year. It's so nice to know true happiness again!<br /><br />Love to you all,<br /><br />Kristen<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div>Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08328560091665447803noreply@blogger.com3