baby quinn

On September 9th, we became an aunt and uncle for the thirteenth time. A niece, Quinn Ruthie, was born early that morning to Kevin's sister Joyce. What should have been a joyful day of celebrating a new life born into our family, turned into a day of tears, sadness and questions as to why God would allow her life to come to an end after a few short hours. We left the next morning for Alabama and the next few days were a mixture of joys and painful sadness. It was a comfort and a joy to all be together as a family, but a painful sadness for the reason we were there. Kevin's brother flew in from Costa Rica with their family. We hadn't seen them all since last year. It was a joy to embrace them once again. It was a joy to see the cousins playing together and loving each other...it was a painful sadness to know that one was missing.

This picture was taken the morning of the funeral. We all had breakfast together at Jason and Joyce's home. My nephew Owen put on some praise music and the grand kids started dancing and praising in the living room. It was sweet to see their innocence and joy on such a sad day...it was comforting and made me smile. Kaiya with Aunt Joyce.
Cousin Karis with Luca BellaSarah, Krista and I after the funeralSaying goodbye - Krista, Joyce, Sarah and I Dear Baby Quinn,

We have twelve nieces and nephews. You were to be our thirteenth. We anticipated your arrival with excitement and love just as we did the other twelve. I talked with your mommy a few weeks before your birth. She was on her way to one of the final doctor appointments before your arrival. I had a doctor appointment that same day. What made your arrival extra special for me was that in a few short months after your birth, I would give birth to your cousin and you would only be a few months apart. What a joy to experience this pregnancy...something I thought would never happen. What a joy to experience it together with you and your mommy! I looked forward to you two growing up together so close in age. I also envisioned our little boy picking on and tormenting you and your girly adventures.

Early on September 9th our phone rang. It was early enough that we were still lying in bed. It was also early enough that I questioned Kevin who would be calling at this time. He immediately mentioned your mommy's name and the possibility of news of your arrival. It was Grandma B. on the other line and I listened in on the conversation. I drew the conclusion that you had arrived and excitement filled me. I also sensed that there may have been a complication. After getting off the phone, Kevin shared about your arrival, your beautiful name and the news that your heart rate was low. We prayed right then, and I felt in my heart that you would be ok.

Later on that morning we got another call from Grandma. You were still struggling, but your heart rate had risen a bit. I praised God and continued praying...asking God to open up your lungs so you could breath easily and continue to gain more strength. Another phone call came and this time the news that you probably wouldn't pull through...with tears streaming down my face, I fell to my knees and begged God to touch your little body...This could not be happening...it just couldn't...it wasn't supposed to be this way...God help us.

God swept you up into His arms and as the song was sung by your uncle, you are now "Safe in the Arms of Jesus". The very next Sunday after returning home from Alabama, we sang "My Hope is Built on Nothing Less" at our church. I knew it wasn't a coincidence that we had just sang that song at your funeral, but a comforting touch from God for us at that moment.

We will forever miss you...our sweet baby niece, Quinn Ruthie. You are forever in our hearts and we will always remember you in the birth order of our nieces and nephews as number thirteen. Our arms ache to hold you and love on you. We look forward even more now to that glorious day when we will all be together in our forever home. We love you.

Psalm 139:13-16

Oh yes baby Quinn, you were shaped from the inside, then out;

you were formed in your mother's womb.

We thank God--He is amazing!

Body and soul, you were marvelously made!

We worship in adoration--what a creation!

God knows you inside and out,

He knows every bone in your body;

He knows exactly how you were made, bit by bit,

How you were sculpted from nothing into something.

Like an open book, He watched you grow from conception to birth;

all the stages of your life were spread out before Him,

The days of your life all prepared

before you'd even lived one day.

With much love and aching arms,

aunt Sherri

Saying Goodbye

We said goodbye to a very special Grandma on March 13th...She went to be with Jesus suddenly on March 7th in Florida at the home of her daughter Wilma. It still is so hard to believe that we will not see her smiling face and feel her warm hugs again until we get to heaven.

I thought Kevin said it well on facebook, the day we found out about her passing....

"Remembering my maternal Grandmother Lydia as she joined Jesus today at age 86. What a blessing she was to many and an instrumental part of my youth. She taught me the importance of a relationship with Christ, a close family and a strong marriage. Most importantly, she modeled all these things on a daily basis, continually serving others."

February 2004 - Great Grandma & Grandpa G. with Caedmon - one month

March 2009 - snuggle time with Great-Grandma G. & Kaiya - age three

October 2009 - Great-Grandma G. with Luca Bella - two months old

During a break at the viewing when not many people were in the room with the casket, some of the great-grandchildren were running around the room in front of great-grandma's casket. Two of them were mine :)...I quickly quieted them down and reprimanded their running inside...especially at an occasion such as this! My cousin Greg was there also and said it well... that he thought it was fitting to see and hear the little ones being themselves right next to Great-Grandma and how that's just how she would have loved it. She so adored her grandchildren and great-grandchildren!

~I loved seeing her love and hold my children.

~I loved her patience with my children...here she is with Kaiya. Kaiya was fascinated with all the sewing stuff that day. Great-grandma gave Kaiya her own fabric, scissors and thread/needle. Kaiya loved it!

~I loved how she made us each feel like we were her favorite grandchild or great-grandchild.

~I loved how she helped me with applesauce, quilting baby quilts and sewing project advice.

~I loved how she encouraged me as a mom each time I saw her.

~I loved her gentle honesty and convictions.

~I loved her commitment and love of her family.

~I loved her cookies.

~I loved spending time with her and grandpa in Florida.

~I loved her hugs and the excitement she always showed when we would see her.

This was in March 2009 in Florida when we stayed with them. This was our last morning in Sarasota when we were getting ready to leave to spend a few days in Orlando. Grandma packed little surprises for the kids (in Kaiya's hand) and even for Kevin and I. She put two reader's digest magazines in a bag along with some chocolates. She always put so much thought into things like that. I will miss that.

A sad rainy day.

Grandma's funeral brought family home from far and wide. What a blessing to get to see our niece and nephews from Alabama again. We all stayed at Kevin's parents house for the weekend...what joy!Aunt Joyce and Luca Bella.
Kevin's brother was able to come home from Costa Rica as well. We were overjoyed to soak up time with him, but missed the rest of his family terribly.

What a guy! He was such a blessing to us over the weekend. He rode with us to and from family events throughout the weekend and helped so much with the kids, carrying the car seat countless times. Thanks, Krista, for loaning him to us.
A true joy in the midst of the sorrow was to have family come together.
Great-Grandchildren Grandchildren
Siblings with spouses
Quotes of the day:
Great-Grandma's death and funeral became a teachable moment for our two oldest children. It really got them thinking about life and death...and it sparked alot of questions and cute comments.

Caedmon: "When I die and go to heaven, will my hair go with me?"

Kaiya: "Luca is thinking about you, mom. That's why she has tears, because she's thinking about you when you get old and die."

a couple weeks later...

Kaiya: "I'm going to cry, mom, when you're a grandma and die."

The Legacy

This picture was taken at my Grandfather's funeral a week and a half ago. This is the whole family except for four people...I think. There are twenty-four grandchildren and 46 great-grandchildren. The Grandchildren

Siblings

Everything went well with the funeral. Many members of the family participated in the majority of the funeral which made it seem very personal. My cousin Wes had the message and I really appreciated all he had to share. His overall theme was a challenge as to how we use our days while we are here. Grandpa lived a lot of days and thankfully loved the Lord for all his days. I was also reminded today as my sister shared in our ABF class at church about something else that Wes shared...what really matters in our lives is how we live out the dash...referring to our tombstone where there are two numbers and a dash in between. When it's all been said and done, what will God have to say about my dash. Did I live a life pleasing to Him?...that's my desire.August 20, 1916 - May 18, 2008

On Wednesday before the funeral, Kevin and I took the kids to the house where my grandparents lived. It was such a special time to be there by ourselves...so peaceful and full of wonderful memories. It was certainly a different feeling driving up the hill this time. but as I walked around the property shooting pictures of the kids, all the memories came flooding back.I have played many hours on this swing set as a little girl. I have ran, skipped, rolled down, mowed, picked raspberries, eaten watermelon, laid in the sun, played kickball and caught lightning bugs on this beautiful grassy hill.I have driven up this driveway many times with extreme excitement after a long trip in the car. Stepping inside the house was probably the hardest part. I washed and dried lots of dishes in this sink right next to my grandma. She taught me to wash the glasses first.

Caedmon wearing Great-Grandpa's hat and thinking to himself "You been farmin' long?" One last picture before going to Grandpa's funeral.

We were so very lucky to get to stay with my cousin Dan, his wife Ashley and their sweet little boy Sam while we were there. They have another son waiting for them in Guatemala while his adoption is being completed...baby Joe is a cutie. Ashley and I are blog sisters and I love keeping up with what's going on with their family. They just bought a new home and it was such a treat to finally see it in person.

Kaiya and Sam with a prompting from their mommies :)

The kids enjoyed playing with Sam and we loved catching up with Ashley and Dan. Thanks again for such an awesome time and wonderful hospitality! It's your turn to come see us now. :)