Scared Sidless 5K

I'm so proud of my friend Ginny for all of her effort and dedication to helping families suffering through the loss of an infant. The organization she started, Scared Sidless, had the first of what will be an annual 5k and 1 mile fun run. The proceeds from the run benefit families struggling with infant loss as well as other non-profits like The WARM Place and the Crowley Lions Club.

We were fearful of rain but thankfully, the only thing that rolled in were runners ready to have fun and a slight cool front.

Here are some of the images Ginny snapped this morning.

Team Cullin T-Shirts

Chalk Therapy for the kids...and adults.

A couple happy finishers.

The shoes that put one foot in front of the other.

Me, Taggart and baby #3 trying to stay warm.

Runners on your mark!

The starting line for the 5k.

The day's agenda.

A beautiful way to remember the first Scared Sidless 5k.

A New October

It's October and I've seen a ton of posts on social media from people who are so excited that this month is finally here! PSL, tall boots, and Halloween gets everyone excited. I love fall as much as the next person but this year the beginning of October brings a sense of sadness and loss. Reality sets in a little deeper today for my sweet friends Scott and Ginny Limer. One year ago today they lost their sweet baby boy, Cullin Darden Limer.

Wherever you are, whatever you're about to do, can you please pause with me and lift Ginny, her husband Scott and their children up in prayer? Today is undoubtably going to be a struggle for them but I pray that they each feel the healing powers and presence of God surrounding them today and each day moving forward. May they find healing, hope and happiness through this immense hurt. Scott and Ginny, I'm thinking of you guys today, as always. Love ya!

All But One Thing is Temporary

The 25th and today, the 19th, are tough days for me. They are the dates Elijah entered and departed this world. Today is a sad reminder of my precious son but as I opened my Bible this morning, I was met with a beautiful reminder that my troubles today (however long "today" is) are temporary and instead of getting caught up and lost in despair because of them, I'm called to fix my eyes on the unseen - on God - on my eternal life that is to come. What I see and feel today is temporary but what awaits me in heaven is forever! Knowing this and receiving this reminder today does not make everything better. Missing Elijah still stings and I know it always will but leaning on, trusting in and being confident in God when challenges come about will help me find peace in this temporary world.

When things get tough we want to rely on our own understanding of the situation but God has told us we are unable to comprehend what He's up to. Our vision and understanding is severely limited compared to His - we see today, He see's and knows each day of our lives - I mean, He PLANNED each of them INTENTIONALLY! We have every reason to confidently trust in Him. He is the Creator and Sustainer of the universe and is fully in charge of every aspect of our lives - good and bad. Our troubles yesterday, today and tomorrow (yes, we will have troubles tomorrow) are all part of His majestic master plan and they are achieving an eternal Glory that far outweighs them all! Embrace them, thank Him and glorify Him by lifting your hands up and surrendering to His plan and living it out joyfully.

Proverbs 3:5, Hebrews 2:10, 2 Corinthians 4:17-18

Sweetness Remembered

We pulled up to Allen Birthing Center and Taggart asked, "Is this where Eli was born?" Yep, and so were you smart guy! He wanted to take pics in front of where he was born...should have let him get in the bathtub!

Necessary Pressure

Bear with me, this is how my mind works The other night Taggart kept asking to "see my diamonds" (my wedding rings). I told him "no, no, no" and then finally after continued asking I agreed and told him "if you sit right beside me". As he was looking at and trying on "my diamonds" the nerd in me came out and I started thinking about how long these former chunks of coal were enduring immense pressure to finally become "my diamonds". Then I thought about all the struggles, pain and pressure we endure in this world. Just like pressure is necessary to transform coal into a diamond, our struggles are necessary and are used for God's glory. He allows heartache so that we, through turning to Him for strength, transform from dull, common lumps of coal to bright, shining diamonds. Shine on!

"Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

God Hears Our Prayers

As Taggart and I left Elijah's graveside he said "Bye baby brother, I love you." like he always does and I cried like I always do. But this time Taggart said something that he never had before. Here's the conversation we had:

T: Mommy, it's ok, you don't have to cry. Eli is in heaven with Jesus.
Me: I know he is, honey. Mommy just misses him a whole bunch.
T: You know you will get to see Eli when you get to heaven. He will come up to you with all the other babies and say "Will you pick me up and hold me, mommy?".
Me: Sweetie, I can't wait to hold him.
T: He can't wait either.

Taggart didn't know that moments before he tried to make me feel better I had said a silent prayer asking God to lift me up and hold me in His arms - I miss my baby boy and I needed to feel God's love. Today, God showed me His love through the innocent words of a precious almost 3 year old little boy. My prayer was answered immediately.

Friends, I learned a lesson from Taggart today. Our words can be blessings to others! When your spiritual gut tells you to say something - say it! When it tells you to do something - do it! God may be trying to use you to deliver an answer to someone's prayer.

As for "all the other babies" that I get to meet when I get to heaven. Mommas, if I get there before you, know that I'll pick them all up and let them know how much they are loved!

Throwing Caution to the Wind

The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you." Psalm 32:8

Are you listening or just hearing? For a long time I heard what God was trying to say but I didn't want to listen because what I was hearing didn't match up with my plans or the goals I had for myself. I was trying to control my life by carefully weighing all options and in most cases, not doing a thing because I couldn't decide which option was best. Last Sunday I finally allowed myself to listen to how God was advising me and decided to obey and walk by faith. Pastor David Daniels said that if there is not an element of risk in the way we are living our lives, we are not walking by faith. That moment I decided to loosen my grip on the things of this world and all I was trying to control and calculate, and simply walk by faith through the door that God had opened for me. You can here the whole pep talk, I mean sermon here. Today was my last day as a LivingSocial employee and I'm going to miss my job, my team and all my co-workers dearly and although I do not know what's going to happen in this next chapter of my life, I do know that I'm receiving the reward of knowing what it feels like to depend on God and God alone. I'm letting go of my fear, letting go of my pride, letting go of the grip I had so tightly around what was comfortable, and I'm stepping out and saying, "God, what's next? Use me. Guide me."

God opened a door and I walked through it. I have no idea how this story ends but God does, and He's smiling, so I will too! Now, let me ask you what was asked to me on Sunday: What would you do today if you knew God was in it and there was a great chance for success?

Thank you to all who have encouraged me this past week and spoke truth into my life. I love you all! Thank you, Joey for all of your love and support. I can't wait to simply be your wife and the mother of your children. I love you, I love us! Thank you LivingSocial for a tremendous two and a half years!

The Whole World in His Hands

Nine months. The amount of time a mother carries her baby in her womb. Those nine (ten) months seem to take so long...especially the last couple weeks.

Nine months. The amount of time since we last heard the sweet voice of our little Elijah. The past nine months have flown by, yet there are days, weeks, when time seems to stand still and I'm frozen in the past. Stuck in the nightmare of that Friday afternoon nine months ago. It's in those moments, those impossible days, that I call to the Lord and surrender all, admitting He's in control. By trusting in the Lord and His good and perfect plan for my life, for Elijah's life, I'm able to fully enjoy the beauty of this short life we have on earth, all the blessings we have been given and the many more we are yet to receive.

I love this picture of Elijah and Joey. It was taken at a park near our house the Sunday before the Lord called Elijah home. Elijah, fully trusting that the hands of his father would hold him tight and Joey so proud to be the comforter of his son. Reminds me a lot of how our Heavenly Father hold us up and how we should trust His hands are sufficient enough to hold us.

Today, as always, I am missing my Elijah but loving my God for lending him to me for the precious time He allotted. On one hand I deeply wish things were different, that I could change the past and make it better. On the other I'm intrigued to see how my reality plays out. To see what's behind door number three. To see all the pieces come together to create a masterpiece - God's masterpiece of my life.

Friends, do not live life stuck in the past, dreaming of the possibility of a better past and a brighter tomorrow. I promise, God's plan will put your plans to shame once you allow Him to freely work in and through you and your life! I love you all.

Remembering Elijah on His 1st Birthday

Taggart's first birthday was a pirate theme and his second was a construction site theme - I absolutely went overboard on both and I loved every minute of it. I wanted to get Elijah in the celebration right away so he had a onesie that said "I'm new and he's 2!" Adorbs.

I had already started thinking about the possible themes for Elijah's first birthday and he was only 3 months old. Outer space theme with aliens and rocket ships, a farm theme with a petting zoo, circus theme with a real live elephant? The possibilities were endless! Until a couple short weeks later when I realized there wouldn't be a first birthday with Elijah.

As we got closer and closer to June 25 I knew that we just couldn't let the day go uncelebrated and unnoticed. I knew it was going to be a tough day but I also knew I didn't want to be alone in sadness. I wanted to celebrate the beautiful baby boy that God blessed me with on this day. But how?

I decided to keep it simple (for once) and just have people over for barbecue and fellowship. I knew close friends and family would make the invitation list but that somehow seemed too limiting given the amount of love and support that we have received over the past eight months. I invited those that knew Elijah and those that met us after he had already gone to be with the Lord. We have been extremely blessed with old friends and new ones alike that have been by our side through our struggles and this celebration was as much about thanking them as it was about celebrating and remembering Elijah's life.

The response was overwhelming, in the best of ways. Our house was overflowing with friends and family that were ready to love on and support us. Our guests made a day that was sure to be full of tears and sorrow, one that was full of love, joy, laughter and blessings. I can't explain how thankful I am for each and every person that came out.

Here are a few of my favorite pictures from Elijah's party taken by the fabulous Ginny Limer.

E is for Elijah

Walked away from my chalk therapy too early.  The address should be Ecc. 3:11

Ginny and I.

Taggart added his own design to the fence. 

Taggart checking out the chalk therapy.

Joey and I next to our "E"

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:
a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.
What does the worker gain from his toil? I have seen the burden God has laid on men. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil—this is the gift of God. I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere him.

-Ecclesiastes 3:1 -14

Happy 1st Birthday, Elijah!

So I've been thinking of what to say and how to say it for a few weeks now. I finally figured it out, thanks to a sweet momma that messaged me this afternoon. Today on Elijah's first birthday, I'm asking you to do more than simply read this post and watch the video. As a birthday gift to Elijah, I'm asking you to do more with your kids. Do more with your family. Do more with your time. Do more with the gifts God has given you. Do more with your life. Even if it's only for the rest of the week, only for this evening, only for an hour, DO MORE of what matters and LESS of what doesn't. Shut down your computer and every "i" thing you own, turn off your television - I promise e-mails can wait until tomorrow morning. Candy Crush, Pinterest, Instagram and every social media site will still be functioning even if you don't check on it. You will be able to see your favorite show at a later date. In the big picture of life these things don't mean much at all. If you were to leave this earth tomorrow, those activities and tasks wouldn't miss you. Your family would. Those time wastes wouldn't help you build a case at the gates of Heaven.

Today as a gift to my sweet Elijah and to all of your precious children, no matter how young or old, GIVE THEM YOUR TIME. It's what they will want when you're gone and what you would pray for more of if they ever came face to face with Jesus before you did. Please take the time to not only hear but to listen to your children, talk to them, teach them, to hug them, to kiss them, to make them laugh, to read one more story, play pretend and act like a total fool. This is how cherished memories are made!
Love your children when they are sweet and love them just the same when they are rotten. Love playing with them and love cleaning up their messes. Love that you were blessed with the task, no matter how difficult, tiring or heartbreaking it may be, of being their parent. Each child, each day, each blessing and each heartbreak is a gift from the Lord and is to be cherished.

Words can't express how thankful I am that God picked Joey and I to be Elijah's mommy and daddy. I'm beyond thankful for the time we were given with him. We lack God's eternal wisdom so it is difficult to wrap our heads around why that time was so short, but that short amount of time sure was beautiful. It's all our reality that our family and our children do not belong to us - they are God's. He has been generous enough to loan them to us for a short time with the understanding that one day we will have to let them fly home, for they were never ours. Love them wildly while they are here.

Happy Birthday, my sweet Elijah. I can't possibly imagine the celebration that has been going on in Heaven for you today! What joy! One day soon we will be together on your birthday and for all of eternity and I can't wait to see your beautiful smile. I love you to Heaven and back, little boy!
Thank you to Ryan Coffey for putting together this precious video.

Elijah Thomas Colopy - Remembered from Michelle Colopy on Vimeo.

Melting Pot of Emotions

How can my heart be at peace, completely devastated and hopeful all at the same time? At peace knowing that Elijah is in heaven, basking in God's glory, and devastated when I find myself wondering what he would have been like today, his 11 month birthday. What would his favorite foods be? What would be my go-to move in an effort to make him laugh? How big would he be? What would his beautiful face look like? The sound of his voice?

My heart so badly wants to know the answers to these questions and so many more. I will never know if Elijah preferred blueberries or raspberries or if he would have looked more like me or Joey. However, I am hopeful in knowing that one day I will stand in heaven and be shown a replay of my life and at that time, all the unanswered "whys?" that were not answered in this life will be revealed. I imagine that when I finally understand God's crafty, master plan, it will be one of those goosebumps all over type of moments! Until then I'll keep lifting my eyes to the Lord and asking Him to guide my next steps.

Sharing a Sunset

I loved watching the sunset with Taggart tonight and teaching him who is responsible for such beauty. God is good!

God is Full of Surprises

I arrived in San Diego, for a business conference, this afternoon and by early evening I uncovered something interesting. Watch the video I recorded for my family.



I know I told the story of my day in the video but I wanted to give you some more visuals of my travels through San Diego.

Hanging out with Bob Hope...kind of.

Yep, these feet are lost.

The city really rolled out the red carpet for LivingSocial.

Mother's Day 2013

Today, my plan was supposed to have me celebrating my first Mother's Day holding both Taggart and Elijah. Instead, God's plan was for me to have strong, encouraging, women of God holding me and being the love and support of God Himself. I have been so blessed by the new friends I've met and shared life with over the past six months and the lifelong friends that have been beside me each step of this journey. Thank you all for making this joyful, yet tough day a reminder of God's unending love for me and His good and perfect plan for my life. I'm extremely thankful for you all! And THANK YOU Pastor Daniels for recognizing all the moms today and not only sharing in the joys but also sharing in the grief that pierces the hearts of so many women on Mother's Day. Today has been beautiful and although God didn't give me what I wanted, He gave me exactly what I needed.

We Are Never Alone

I loved this song when we danced for the first time as husband and wife and as I listened to it again today I realized we could not have picked a better song for our marriage and for our life. Year three brought great joy and immense sorrow but we have been one heck of a team through it all. We have each other and God has us. With that, we are never alone! I love you to the moon and back, to the stars and back and to my house and back, Daddy Dinosaur/Rhino/Penguin/Lion. :-) Here's to looking forward to year 4, 5, 10, and 50+ with the expectation of many more blessings to come.

Escape, Rest, Refuse, Capitalize

We have all had disappointments, setbacks and unforeseen changes of plans for our life. It is not our job or in our ability to control and plan the details of our life. We are to trust in the Lord and rest in the reality we are in. The message Pastor Daniels delivered to Pantego Bible Church this morning was on singleness but the key points he made apply to many other life topics we all encounter. I wanted to pass along those points and an essay that was shared this morning to help put some things into perspective. Although your life may not be following the plan YOU have laid out, it is following a plain that GOD has laid out before you.

Just One More Time

10 months ago, I was cherishing Elijah's first night in my arms. Tonight I'm missing him and longing for just another moment with him in my arms. To all my friends with littles, please slow down and cherish each second you have with your children. Read one more book. Snuggle for 5 more minutes. Whatever they ask, do it again. Turn the tv off. Act silly with them. Say "I love you". Get down on their level. Pick them up when they ask. Slow down and give them your attention. How would you spend your time with your children if you knew it was your last chance? Make it count. Make it last.

This is Not Our Home

This week has been tough for our country. Senseless acts of violence in Boston and a tragic accident in West, have forced family members of the victims to be where I was 6 months ago today - making funeral arrangements. I do not know the pain of losing a parent, sibling, spouse or friend, but I do know the unbearable pain of losing a child. Nothing can describe it in its entirety and it's exhausting to even try to put words to the thoughts and feelings that run through you simultaneously. The anger, the guilt, the sadness, the fear, the sickness, the grief, the shock, the reality, the helplessness, the tears, the emptiness, the love, the longing, the questions, the joy, the rage, the what ifs, the only ifs, the heartache, the sorrow, the void, the brokenness, the shame, the memories, the loss, on and on it goes. For me, today has been a joy and a devastating reality balled into one. A joy because I was able to spend time with good friends, my husband and son on a beautiful day. A devastating reality because I wasn't able to just say "my sons".

As I unapologetically poured out my heartache to the Lord today, for Boston, for the suspects, for West, for the victims, for Elijah, for my family, for my friends, for me, I was comforted by a gentle thought - this pain is being used to remind me that this is not my home. This is not as good as it gets. Thank goodness because if I'm being honest - this sucks! I do not know what tomorrow holds for me, but God does, and He promises that He will make beauty from my heartache. All I have to do is believe in Him and surrender my heart and mind to His will for my life. I have no trouble believing but today, laying down and accepting His will is easier said than done. When days, weeks and months are as painful as mine have been since October, and as the lives of those impacted by the recent events will be for a great time to come, it's easy to question God and demand an answer that even if told, would never be understood this side of heaven. But wait, even in this horribly, earthly reality there is a silver lining, there is a perk, there is pocket full of sunshine and a hope for us ALL. No matter how bad we slip up, no matter how many momentary losses of hope we go through a day, no matter what we do, no matter what we say, no matter whom we hurt, no matter who we are, Jesus loves us ALL. No. Matter. What. And His love is all anyone needs. Thank goodness!

I miss you and I love you, Elijah. High five the Big Guy for mommy! I'll see you soon my sweet son.

Cullin Darden Limer

Today is bittersweet. Joyful to celebrate the 1st birthday of Cullin Limer, and saddened that he's not here with us. His parents, Ginny and Scott, have hope they will see him again when they are welcomed to heaven and I can't wait to meet the little guy that surely knows my sweet Elijah.

Happy, happy birthday Cullin!

Cullin's mommy, Ginny, is the founder of Scared Sidless. Scared Sidless is a non~profit organization that provides love, support, and resources to families who have endured the loss of a child. They offer help with lantern releases, chalk therapy for surviving siblings, meals, support and much more. Please share their web site and Facebook page so Scared Sidless can continue to be a blessing to families struggling with the loss of an infant.

This Battle is Not Our Own

On Elijah's 9 month birthday I'm reminded of many things but the most important is that the battle I'm facing after the loss of Eli and the battle that you're currently facing is not ours, but God's. We can't do this alone and the great news is that we don't have to! God promises awesome things to his children but He also promises something that we (well, I) would be just fine without Him giving me. He promises that all who have a heart for Jesus and desire to cling to Him will face trials. Satan will attack us - and he likes to kick while we're down. We will be persecuted. We will be given a load too heavy to bear alone. This is a fact. God didn't promise that life as a Christian would be easy - quite the opposite - but He did promise it would be worth it.

You know my current battle. What is yours? Your finances? Your health? Your relationships? Your children? All of these are not your battles to fight! However, being a follower of Christ doesn't get us off the hook. We still have a duty in our struggles and I'll be the first to say that this duty can at times seem more difficult that just trying to fight the battle ourselves. Knowing that I can't win this battle alone I'm throwing out the white flag in surrender and obeying the one task I'm charged with.

That task is to TRUST in the Lord and BELIEVE His promises are true - even when things seem impossible and unthinkable. Even when you feel hopeless and defeated.
Whatever your battle is today, I challenge you to surrender and stop trying to fight this war alone. Fully trust in the Lord and His will for your life, and furthermore EXPECT Him to answer your prayers in ways that are more powerful than you could have ever imagined. Elevate your vision on God - pray for BIG things - be still and allow HIM to work in your life - THANK Him for all you are given - depend on his mercy and grace - shine for Him.

Your battles can end quickly or can absolutely outstay their welcome. The choice is ours. Through my struggles and pain I have chosen to throw my hands up and praise the Lord for His faithfulness and trust the plan that He has made and the path on which He is guiding me.

Thank you all for encouraging me to stay strong and turn my eyes toward the Lord. Every time I hear from one of you my focus is sharpened and my faith renewed. I love you all.

I love you Elijah.

A Repurposed Reminder

I often open to this place in my Bible to run my hand across the page where I once placed Elijah. Jeremiah 1:5 says “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” My intention was to have this image serve as a reminder to Elijah as he grew up and faced the curve balls life would throw his way. A reminder of a promise that God has a plan for him through every blessing, every failure, every heartbreak and every joy.

Elijah was a quick study and fulfilled God's purpose for his life faster that I would have liked! However, this picture still serves its original purpose. God has used my good intentions for my sweet baby boy as a reminder for myself, for you and for all you share this with, that our entire life is already a memory to Him. He knows our tomorrows and He is ready, willing and able to aide in our mental, physical and spiritual rebuilding after storms (small or large) throw us off course or completely wreck the life we were so happily living.

Today we have been without Elijah for 5 months. That seems so wrong to type, even worse to say aloud. As I reflect on the time God gave me with Elijah and the time He has given me without him, I'm overwhelmed with conflicting thoughts and feelings. So blessed and so thankful, so joyous and so peaceful, yet so hurt and so sad, so depressed and so broken. It has been such a roller coaster and I'm certain I will continue to have highs and lows. Not only surrounding the loss of my amazingly perfect, Elijah, but highs and lows regarding storms that will surely hit in the future.

Through this there is a good part - the best part. God has already seen me walk through all the upsets of my life and He promises that there will be a day when I know no hurt, no pain, no sorrow; shed no tears and have no worries. There will be a day when I meet Him face to face and the events of my life on Earth will make sense. A day when I will be reunited with Elijah. Finally, all the jagged puzzle pieces of my life that have cut me so deeply will fit together to make a beautiful picture that can only be seen from Heaven above. Clarity will be revealed.

Until that day I will put one foot in front of the other, praising Him for each puzzle piece that is creating me and completing my life.

I love you Eli.

A pretty end to a pretty tough day

The view of the sunset from Elijah's grave at Emerald Hills.

Feeling Thankful for Blessings and Struggles

Be thankful not only for the blessings in our life but also for the struggles we endure. The biggest/best growth often emerges from the situations that take us to the deepest depths. With our faith, hope and trust in God all things will work together for our good because His love never fails...and He said so!

The Most Loving Valentine

Happy first Valentine's Day, Elijah. Sending my love, hugs and kisses up to you in heaven, sweet boy.

You've been with our Father in heaven longer than you were here on earth with us and we miss you so much. We long to be reunited and spend eternity with you in the perfect presence of The Lord. You've got the best, most loving Valentine I could have ever imagined for you!

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

Time

Yesterday I picked up this necklace with Elijah's hand print engraved on it. Today as I wear it and his tiny hand rests on my chest, many thoughts come to mind but they all have a common theme. Time. How much time has passed since I held my son? How many times did I not just sit and hold him or watch him sleep because I didn't have the time? How much time will pass before I'm with him again? Will I always hurt this deeply or will time heal my broken heart? I didn't have enough time with Elijah in this life. Why didn't God give him time to grow up, time for me to teach him new things, time for all of us to watch his personality develop?

All of these thoughts guided me in one direction - to God. "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace." Ecclesiastes 3:1-8.

I'm reminded that only my relationship with God will last forever and if I continually seek Him and crown Him the King of my schedule, my priorities will naturally align with His will. Time on this earth spent serving God can never be too long - I mean, it's great practice for our eternity in heaven! Take the time to know God and his plan for your life. Take time to hold your children. Take time to love your spouse. Take time to call a friend. Take time to make a home-cooked meal. Take time off. Take time to realize the blessings God has given you. Take time to thank Him. Take time to think. Take time to help others. Take time for your life. Take time to pray. Take time to be still and wait for the answer.

The Unused Stickers

Missing Elijah so much today. We would have used the "7 Months" sticker today and if Elijah would have been like his big brother, I would have had to put it on his back because he would have been moving all over the place! I'm sad because of the experiences I don't get to have with Elijah, but overjoyed that my baby boy is experiencing a new, perfect life that only God can offer to each of us.

It's so hard seeing the remaining monthly stickers that have gone unused. 4 Months, 5 Months, 6 Months and now 7 Months. Four months of unused stickers...I only had the opportunity to use 3. A friend of mine told me to use the stickers. He's right, I've got to find something to do with them because seeing the months go unused is a slap in the face. A reminder (as if I need another) that Elijah is no longer physically here. Hopefully I'll have an idea on how to put these to use before February 25th comes along.

I love you sweet baby. I miss you my angel.