Wave Of Light to Remember Our Babies

I am actually very excited about today. Even though I am having transmission issues with my truck and I may have injured my rotator cuff it is still a good day. But that is a whole other post. From my point of view the worst thing that could happen is Ryan being forgotten. He was born, he lived, he breathed, he IS a part of our family. I hope days like this help people understand that for the most part people want to talk about their angels. Prenatal and Neonatal loss is nothing less than tragic. Parents shouldn't bury their child. It is just not the natural flow of things. But you pick yourself up by the boot straps and you carry on. I am very lucky that I have the support that I do in my life. I have Doug, my family and my "sisters". I am especially grateful for Teri Lyn. Of my "sisters" she is unfortunately the only one that completely understands how I feel. I say unfortunately because who wants to be a member of this club. Who would have thought all those years ago when we met we would be here. I pray for peace for those dealing with their losses and I ask those that are not to pray for those of us that are dealing with those loses.

I invite everyone to light a candle tonight at 7 pm not matter your time zone. If everyone lights a candle and burns it for at least an hour there will be a continuous WAVE OF LIGHT.

Peace to everyone,
Raye

March for Babies - 2009 Awards Lunch

Oh my. Has it really been over two months since I last posted. What a slacker. I promise to be better. On Monday we attended the Fort Worth March for Babies Luncheon. We weren't in the top 5 but that is ok. We missed it by that much. I am still floored over the amount of support we had this year. Especially in shaky financial times like we are experiencing. Dr. Grubbs was the emcee so that was really cool. You know I love me some Dr. Grubbs. I have learned not to rush up to him if I see him in public. We do see him at least once a year at the Warm Place fundraiser. I let him talk to us which he did. I got my usual big hug from him. He is such a wonderful and gentle man. Cook's is lucky to have him and the parents of the children he cares for are also lucky. Mom & Doug went with us this year so that was fun. We sat next to Amber Augustin and her team. They are the Extreme Makeover family. It was nice to meet her and she seemed nice. All in all it was a great lunch once again. Can't wait for 2010. I will get on with creating the Miracle Munchkins store so everyone can get their Munchkin items. Yeah for us!
Take care,
Raye


Our name badges with program

Me & Teri Lyn

Dr. Grubbs

Mom, Teri Lyn & I

Capturing a Short Life

Capturing A Short Life is a beautiful and life-affirming documentary about families dealing with infant loss.

I came across this linking from one of my groups on Facebook. Sheona McDonald did this documentary about infant loss. I have not seen the movie just the trailer. The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation is going to air it tomorrow night on it The Lens program. From what I have seen she really brings across what it is like to lose a child. To lose the future. The ideal. The hope you have for that child. Some people lose that before birth and some after. The pain is the same no matter when it happens. If you get the CBC where you live or on your satellite I ask you watch. This is not an easy subject anyway you look at it. My hope, my goal is to help people understand it is okay to talk about this subject. It is usually okay to talk to people about their lost child. Silence Helps No One! That is why I talk about Ryan. That is why he is included in albums on my Facebook. He is my son just as much as William and Jake are my sons. Just because he is no longer with us does not diminish that role. Ok off my soapbox. You know me. Gotta run my big mouth.

http://www.capturingashortlife.com/home/
http://www.cbc.ca/documentaries/thelens/2008/ashortlife/index.html

PS. If you know someone that has a copy let me know. I would love to see it.

((hugs)),
Raye

Silly Stuff

Borrowed from my friend Emily's Blog.

Me:

Hair Color: Dark Reddish Brown - Gotta cover the gray.

Eye color: Green - or pondwater as it was called in the past. Notice I did not marry that guy.

Profession: Mom, Taxi, Wife, Friend. Oh yeah. Sr Analyst BNSF Railway.

Relationship status: Married to the most wonderful man in the world. Not the pondwater guy.


My Favorites:

Favorite color: Purple. Green is making up the list though

Favorite movie: I have to say it. The Harry Potter Series. Actually usurp Pride & Prejudice (A&E Version)

Favorite animal: Ferret

Favorite store: Target. I can get groceries, car parts, lawn furniture and underwear all in the same place

Favorite childhood memory: Christmas in St Joe. Those were fun times.

Favorite hobby: Relaxing

Favorite song/singer: Sting, Sting and did I say Sting?

Favorite book/author: Gotta go with the Potter series again. I know. I may be 37 but I do act like a 12 year old.
Favorite school subject: Government. Fascinated by the mechanics of how the thing should run.

Favorite vacation destination: Some place cooler than Texas

Favorite food: Mexican

Favorite restaurant: Taco Bueno. I am a Bueno Head and proud of it!


This or That:

Coke or pepsi : Diet Coke

Beer or wine: Wine

Coffee or tea: Tea - I really like Luzianne Decaf

Apple Juice or O.J.: I gotta go with Emily on this one. OJ with ice

Summer or Winter: Winter

Cats or dogs: Dogs. Cats are too uppity

Salty or sweet: Both together are heaven. Peanut Butter and Ruffles are a dream!

Plane or boat: Plane. I have an unnatural fear of water where I can't see the bottom.

Morning or night: Morning

Money or love: I'd love to have money - Good one Emily

Breakfast or dinner: Breakfast

Forgiveness or revenge: Unfortunately as a teenager revenge probably would have won out. But not anymore

House or apartment: House

Like to cook: I prefer to cook so Doug cleans


Have You Ever:

Got a speeding ticket: Of course

Wished you were someone else: Not someone else but somewhere else. My life as bad as it has been at times is pretty dang wonderful.

Cried during a movie: Who truly hasn't?

Describe yourself in one word: Calm

Biggest fear: Losing another one of my children

Biggest mistake: Not telling those I love how much I do enough

Your proudest accomplishment: Bringing three crazy boys into this world safely.

Dream job: Not sure about this one. How bad is that?

Special talents: Probably my ability to stay calm in almost any situation.

Where would you rather be at the moment: Cuddled in bed with all my boys watching a movie. Which is hard to accomplish with the Jakester.

Famous person you want to meet: Kat Von D. The one I wanted the most I got to meet. I was not disappointed when I got to meet him.

Song to be played at your funeral: I Am A Child Of God. The same hymn my beautiful nieces sang to me at Ryan's service.

Father's Day '09

Man I have neglected this lately. This was a great weekend. Until I got married and then had a child this was a hard day for me. I miss my Dad terribly. 16 was way too young to have him ripped from my life. I am comforted to know he and Opa are taking care of Ryan until I am able to do that myself someday. Once I got married and then had children of my own the sting lessened. I have a wonderful Father-In-Law who I love dearly and the most amazing husband. This makes this day wonderful again. On Saturday we went to Jake's Loft for their Father's Day celebration. The kids made cards for Doug and got tattoos on their arms. After that we went to Central Market, shocker I know, for dessert. The kids ate a dessert while Doug and I bravely stayed away from the sweets. We were saving our cheat for lunch on Sunday. Which was awesome. We met Doug's parents and sisters at Mi Cocina in Plano and man was it good. I did not eat horrible but I did have me some brisket Tacos. Yummy. It was a little warm but not too bad under the shade and there was a good breeze. I hope we cheered David up. He and Randy have been going through alot so it was great to see them. Randy looked great! You would never have known she had her TIA issues. Much better time then the last time we were all together. I hope everyone Dad at there is having a great day! Kiss your Dad and your husband and let them know how much they mean to you.

Much love,
Raye


At Central Market

The Harrison Family

Pops and his grandkids minus Collin & Madison

Field Day Fun

Last Friday William had his field day. Boy has it changed since I was a kid. Gone are the days of tether ball, tug of war and three legged races. Now they do Amazing Race style field day with a chicken toss, ball bounce, hoop toss and putt putt. Good news is the sack race remained!! Each class made their own shirts. He was very happy that both Mom and Dad were at his field day. Being there did give me some insight into William and how he interacts with his friends. We need to work on him with his friendship skills. If he is not careful he may not have any friends left. He tends to be a little over bearing. Maybe that is telling to me that I am that hard on him so he acts that way to his friends. That is something I need to watch. Anyway. Here is some pics from Field Day. The chicken toss was too funny for words.

Take care,
Rachel

Sack Race

Ready

Aim

Fire

Goin' to the Chapel

Saturday was Rachel's Bachelorette night. What fun we had. I am so happy for her. She waited a long time to find the right guy. I wish for her nothing but joy, happiness, love and strength in her marriage. Whomever said marriage is 50/50 they are crazy. Each person has to give 100%. Lots of love to Rachel in her new chapter of life.
((Raye))


Rachel's "Gown"

My decorated truck