Grant Is A Big Brother!!!!

It's a GIRL!!!! Amelia Kathryn Bybee is set to arrive August 25, 2013. We are so very excited to welcome this new little one into our family!!! This pregnancy brings strong emotions of missing Grant and being incredibly happy to have a baby sister for him. Here are some pictures announcing the gender!!! She is perfect in every way according to the doctor. All we wanted was a healthy baby!

Happy 1st Birthday Grant

Today is Grant's first birthday. I can't believe it's been an entire year since I held him and kissed his sweet face. I still miss my boy tremendously but it doesn't hurt as much as those first few days, weeks and months. I know that his birthday party in Heaven today is much more than I could have ever given him here on this Earth.

Grant,
You made me a Mommy and have made me such a better person. You have touched so many lives and hearts. I prayed that your little life would never be forgotten and that you had a purpose and God answered my prayers. You have allowed us to help other hurting families. You have allowed others to do the same, all because you were here and so so special. I love you my little monkey. Always have and always will. Your Daddy and I know pain that is more than we ever imagined but we know joy that much more now too.

We have some wonderful friends and family. We have received a few gifts and a few pictures/videos of people honoring Grant's birthday. To those of you who have sent those, a huge thank you. It is such  a blessing to know that you are remembering him with us on his special day.

I am so very thankful for the promise of Heaven and spending eternity with my son. A day on this earth is so small in comparison to eternity in Heaven.

Happy Birthday Grant! We Love You!

Just Over A Year Ago

It's been just over a year since our big ultrasound with Grant. The day that we learned of his diagnosis and that we would never be bringing him home with us. That day, March 8 of 2012, is burned in my mind. I can still see the doctor's face. I can still feel my heart being ripped in two. It rained that day. It just so happened that it rained on this March 8th as well. It seemed so fitting that it was raining and cold once again, just like that day last year. We have come so far in a year. I think of him every day but I don't cry for him every day anymore. His first birthday is rapidly approaching and thinking of it sometimes makes me smile and sometimes makes me wince.

Grant's life has changed so many people, including us, for the better. He has impacted so many families. I am so thankful that his short life has such an amazing purpose and that God is continuing to show His plan for my son and us. We donated diapers, hats, blankets and some sleepers to a local hospital in September. It was supposed to be enough supplies to meet their needs for a year. However, I received a very touching email from the bereavement director there yesterday that says they are almost out of our gifts. She included how touched families have been to receive these gifts that we made especially for them. We will be delivering more supplies to them soon. I am also trying to make a donation to my hospital here by Grant's first birthday but finding time to sew lately has been interesting. Hopefully I will be able to complete everything I want before March 23rd.

Dissapointment Again

J and K are no longer coming to our home. We had been officially chosen for them, however it was not a guarantee. It doesn't mean we didn't get our hopes up that they would be our forever children. Some things came up after we were selected that I can't share but it was decided that our home isn't what is best for them. I pray that they find their forever family and are able to live a life knowing that they are loved and cherished.

Foster to Adopt.....J and K

We have been chosen as the likely foster to adopt parents of J and K. 2 little girls ages 9 and 10. We were one in four families initially and we found out today that our family was picked :) We are super excited about this but still unsure about the process and what is happening next. We will likely drive to where the girls are currently living sometime next week to meet with their CPS caseworker to discuss the girls case as well as possibly meet the girls. Then we will decide when they should come to live with us. Once they are living in our home it will take at least 6 months to be able to adopt them. We are super excited and nervous. Having new children come into your home is always a stressful time. This time feels even a little more stressful because these girls will be our forever children. Please be in prayer for them as they are prepared by their current family to move to a new family, new school, new friends and new city. Please pray for us as we prepare to welcome new children home and prepare ourselves for the very real possibility that by Christmas we will be a forever family.