As if it's not hard enough to plan a funeral, today I will be planning one for my unborn child who is still so full of life. It just doesn't seem possible does it? There's the church, the florist, the funeral home, but despite all that I feel a calm sense of peace. It's like God has shielded me from the confusion, devastation, hurt, grief, sorrow and pain. I feel like He has held my hand this past week. He has never left my side, and my faith tells me that He's not going to. I know He will be with me today, just like He will be with me the day He takes our little girl home.
On a lighter note, I am excited (about as excited as one can be I guess) to also meet with photographer, Amy Knollmeyer, who will be taking pictures of our family both before and after Hailey is born. During my heartache, I was happily surprised to stumble across Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep (see side panel for information and video). This organization consists of volunteer photographers around the country, Amy being one of them, that help parents capture the limited moments they have with their child on film, and I feel so relieved to know that the memoires we have with Hailey will never be forgotten. "They allow families to honor and cherish their babies, and share the spirits of their lives."
Looks like we have a sunny day in store with a high of 63! Have a good day!
Rachelle
God's Gift...Our Angel Baby
Twenty weeks into life, Hailey was diagnosed with alobar holoprosencephaly (HPE). Further testing showed that she had full Trisomy 13, also called Patau syndrome. Trisomy 13 affects about 1 in 16,000 babies. HPE affects about 1 in 10,000 babies and of those only 3% survive to delivery. With the severity of Hailey's condition, she is given little chance of surviving to term. But our family was dedicated to giving her that chance, no matter how small, and she gave us every hope for the future.
On June 12, 2009, our angel baby was born and delivered into our loving arms. There is where she spent her life and gave us the best 42 minutes of ours. Our journey led us to this moment in time, the moment we met our little girl face to face, and the precious time we shared with her. Now Hailey is safe in the hands of God until we meet again.
God has blessed our family in ways we didn't understand at first. But through our faith and trust in Him, we came to realize just how much purpose Hailey's life serves on this earth. Hailey has unlocked the deeper meaning of faith, hope and love, and has forever changed the lives of many. We are blessed to be part of such an incredible life and incredible journey.
On June 12, 2009, our angel baby was born and delivered into our loving arms. There is where she spent her life and gave us the best 42 minutes of ours. Our journey led us to this moment in time, the moment we met our little girl face to face, and the precious time we shared with her. Now Hailey is safe in the hands of God until we meet again.
God has blessed our family in ways we didn't understand at first. But through our faith and trust in Him, we came to realize just how much purpose Hailey's life serves on this earth. Hailey has unlocked the deeper meaning of faith, hope and love, and has forever changed the lives of many. We are blessed to be part of such an incredible life and incredible journey.
Psalm 139:13-16
For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
you knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
But Jesus said, "Let the little ones come to me, and do not keep them away; for such is the kingdom of heaven." - Matthew 19:14
