Gracie's Gowns
Follow Gracie's Gowns on Facebook
  • Home
    • Our Story
    • Programs
    • Our Sponsors
    • Contact
    • In the News
  • Request a Gown
    • Sponsorship Opportunities
  • How to Help
    • Donate
    • Sewing Opportunities
    • Shop
    • Events >
      • Crawlin'4 Gracie's Gowns
  • Our Angels
  • Giving Back
    • Gown Donations
    • Hem/Onc Donations
    • Fabric Donations
    • Pampering Kits
  • Our Blog

Pink and Blue in October? 

10/11/2012

0 Comments

 
Picture
October is typically seen as Breast Cancer Awareness Month and don't get me wrong, that is definitely a worthy cause that needs to be funded greatly, but it is also a month that raises awareness for something a little closer to home...

October (particularly the 15th), is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month as well. This was established in 1988 by President Ronald Reagan (which I love...and his wife too!). The former president was quoted to say this:
 
    "When a child loses a parent, they are called an orphan. When a spouse loses his or her partner, they are called a widow or widower. When parents lose their child, there isn't a word to describe them. This month recognizes the loss so many parents experience across the United States and around the world. It is also meant to inform and provide resources for parents who have lost children due to miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, molar pregnancy, stillbirths, birth defects, SIDS and other causes."

How well said is that?? It is even more important when you look at the statistics and see that over 15% of pregnancies over the past several years ended in either miscarriages or stillbirths. My husband and I have lost two babies due to miscarriage, both early in pregnancy, but far enough along, they had a heartbeat, a personality, a soul...a purpose that was better served in Heaven than here on Earth.

Our first miscarriage was in 2007...new year's eve to be exact. And it was a miscarriage that we didn't know we were pregnant until we miscarried. Our oldest was only 5 months old, that last thing we were expecting was another baby. They determined based off hormone levels we were roughly 9wks. We saw Aubrey's heartbeat at 6wks...we heard her's at 10wks using the doppler...this was crushing for us. We named our baby Serenity Grace (now of course we did not know the gender, but it was a fitting name). 

Several years went by, two more complicated pregnancies, but two healthy babies became a part of our family and then last fall, the night of our 5th wedding anniversary, I told my husband we were pregnant again!! We were shocked, I had my tubes tied after my c-section with Madeline, but we were happy! It was truly the hand of God at work...and then about 5wks later, we loss our precious miracle baby. Once again roughly a 9-10wk gestation. We were shattered, especially me. How could I be give something so special...just to have it taken almost immediately away?! We named this baby John Ezekiel, and once again we didn't know the baby's gender, but the name just seemed to fit. 

Now with this, I do not want to down play any other awareness cause that is in October, but I know many of those who read this are impacted deeply by a pregnancy loss, or the loss of an infant. Either you are the mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, father, brother, grandfather, uncle, god-parent, best friend of someone with a loss, etc. It is a reminder that while it may have been years ago...the pain is still there. And sometimes, it is just nice to know that you still think about them and remember their loss.

So, on October 15th, light a candle for your angel babies. Even if you have not had a pregnancy loss, or lost an infant, light a candle in honor and remembrance of those who have. I know there are several precious little ones who have gone to dance in Heaven over the past few weeks and months that I have been working on Gracie's Gowns...my candle will be going in their honor and in remembrance of my own angel babies.

Say a prayer for these families, as they continue to cope with the loss of their child over the days, weeks, months and years to come. No matter how far along, or how old...the loss of a child creates a void that can never be filled in our hearts.

Picture
"Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be."
Psalms 139: 16


The Kidds
Gracie's Gowns
0 Comments

Eye of the Storm

10/10/2012

0 Comments

 
Picture
What a week and it is only Wednesday night!! And I can't say this is a week that I would ever want to relive. And I know that sounds silly to many of you, because you go through much more complex surgeries and treatments and the life of your child is literally in limbo depending on how the procedure/treatment does or doesn't work...but for me, this was probably one of the most terrifying experiences of my life to date.

We learned today though, that a lot of the issues we had in the PACU and post-op recovery, were related to David's autism and the fact that "in general" child with autism tend to breathe off the anesthesia quicker than children who do not have it, but also once they are "awake" it is sensory overload to the extreme because everything comes back to them all at the same time. But even more so, we learned for fact after having the physician review the anesthesiologist report, that David was not breathing on his own for a "period of time" when he should have been and that his heart stopped as well...so much for a routine surgery right?

I knew something wasn't right, I knew something happened to my baby...and now it was confirmed. And while they do not think at this time it will or have caused any damage, I realize just how fragile even the life of my own children can be. The picture at the top, is David holding onto my hand the best he could on his chest while watching a movie. It is a moment I will never forget...it was the most calming moment of the time in the hospital. 

This first part of October is always a test for me emotionally and mentally. It is something that nearly ruins my family every year...and this year was no different. I was ready to leave everything behind and go in whatever direction the wind took me. My mother died 22 years ago this past Monday, which was also the day of David's surgery...and I almost lost my son. First and foremost, I am a mother, my children ARE my job and as miserable as I can be sometimes, their needs will always come first. Without them, I would be even more lost than I already am.

While in the hospital with David and everything that he was going through and in turn I was going through, I didn't have time to do ANYTHING I thought I would be able to there. The theory was he would sleep a good bit, and he didn't. My poor kiddo didn't fall asleep until 9:30p Monday night, after being up since 4:30a (minus while he was in surgery)...and by then, I was exhausted! Even in how tired I was, I was able to stay level-headed for his sake, take care of his needs and comfort him in every way possible. He kept me calm in return.

And while there is a storm going on inside my life...the moments my children want to cuddle, love, hug and just be around mommy, are the calm, the center of who I am...and sometimes, the only reason I am still here. I don't remember having that type of bond with my own mother...to be honest, there isn't much that I do remember about her anymore. So, even more of a reason I will NOT deny my children the mother that they deserve to have in their life.

Below is one of my favorite pictures of my mother and I. Looking at myself in the picture compared to others...this would have been very close to the time she committed suicide. Either the summer before or the fall during (and assuming by the pants and all, the fall because it is cooler at the beach this time of year). 
Picture
I will close with this quote ~ it is one that I have loved since the first moment I read it, one that brings me to tears and yet fills me with honor at the same time. A quote I plan to pass down to my daughters and granddaughters and if I am lucky enough, my great-granddaughters. 


"A daughter needs a mom, because without her she will have less in her life than she deserves."




God Bless,
The Kidds
Gracie's Gowns
0 Comments

Precious Lord, Take my Hand

10/2/2012

0 Comments

 
Picture
"Precious Lord, Take my Hand
Lead me on, Help me Stand.

I am tired, I am weak, I am worn.
Through the storm, through the night,
Lead me on, hold me tight.
Take my Hand, precious Lord, Lead me Home."


Have you heard the hymn above before? It is one my my absolute favorites, one that as I sing, the tears form in my eyes, because it is so true.


There are many parts of everyone's lives we worry about, sometimes too much. I will be honest, I am one of those people who just worry...I care about everyone, everything and there hardly is a day I don't shed a tear or two over something, be it good or bad. Tonight has been a night where the concerns of Gracie's Gowns have really taken a toll...and it has only be compounded by concerns for my family, marriage, spiritual health, dreams, my son's upcoming surgery and the holidays.


As I went to read tonight, the chapter is on just that one thing...worry. Worry is like a plague, a wicked curse, an epidemic. Once again, just watch the news and suddenly you're tangled in emotions of the world around us. I don't watch the news anymore (Seriously and honestly I don't), why not? Because I don't need the media inflicting more fear and concern upon my already tortured soul. 


In the Bible, we are told to "fear not" 350 times!! So why do we still worry? Remember the distractions? That is why...if we worry we cannot work towards God's glory. We worry because what WE want isn't happening, our goals aren't being accomplished. When we worry, we can't see what God is doing, what we should be prayerful and thankful for. If you are filled with worry, you have no room for faith (Yes, this was a point in which I cried reading).


I can't trust my God to get me through the storm, if I worry about the wind, the rain and everything else. I have to trust His plan for my life and for Gracie's Gowns. Jesus warned each of us saying "In this world you WILL have trouble," not might, but WILL. There are struggles...but He hasn't left us alone. Should we have concerns? Yes, but they have to be legitimate threats that involve one thing...you know the problem, there is a solution and then we look to God for an answer. Worries spiral out of control until you are so shaken with fear, you forget what originally was the problem.


Today (and the past couple of weeks), I have been going back and forth with UVA Health System, in multiple departments and have spoke with several different people I can barely keep them all straight, on how we can donate our hospital gowns IN PERSON to the children admitted to the floor. First I got an absolute, no way, not going to happen...and then I got a glimpse of hope and reassurance this would be something they'd want to do, only a few hours later to essentially be given the initial response. I know their concerns, I've stated my mission...and now we wait. I do not know the process at other hospitals, and if this is the same issue throughout, we may have to reconsider doing hospital donations all together, but we shall see.


In the meantime, instead of worrying, because that is already taking a toll on me mentally and physically, I've decided to pray about the matter and turn it over to God. Here is what we are praying for, and what you can help us pray for.


1. UVA's acceptance of the gowns, and our in person donation to the floor to meet and surprise the children admitted at the time of visit.
2. An alternative donation site with UVA that services the pediatric hematology/oncology patients.
3. God's direction on the donations to the hospitals themselves
4. If UVA holds fast to their stance, may God open the door to another hospital that will accept.
5. God's direction on the ministry of Gracie's Gowns and our ultimate purpose at this time.


These are what I am praying for, depending on the response I receive tomorrow, I have a few alternative sources to try and reach out too, but once again, it is where God leads me. So many months of planning, preparing, time, money and labor and love have been poured into this event...I don't want to lose it all, but I want to be the servant of this ministry the way God wants it to be.


So over the next several days, please keep us in your prayers for God's guidance in this event.


"Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."
           Psalm 139: 23-24


God Bless,

The Kidds
Gracie's Gowns

0 Comments

    Archives

    October 2020
    January 2020
    May 2019
    March 2019
    August 2018
    July 2018
    April 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    February 2016
    December 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    September 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    June 2013
    March 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012

    Categories

    All
    Angel Love Boxes
    Autism
    Awareness
    Bake Sale
    Bead
    Beads Of Courage
    Bee Brave
    Big Latch On
    Blanket
    Brain
    Brayden
    Breastfeeding
    Build A Bear
    Build-a-Bear
    Busy Buddy
    Butterfly
    Caringbridge
    Cathedral
    Chartres
    Chd
    Christmas Box Project
    Cope
    Cure
    Daysforgirlsinternational
    Donations
    Dreams
    Drug Dependent
    Drug-Dependent
    Event
    Fabric
    Facebook
    Faith
    Family
    Fear
    Feeding Tube
    Fingers
    France
    Fundraiser
    Goals
    God
    Gracie's Gowns
    Gracie's Gowns
    Handful Of Hope
    Harley
    Healing Helpers
    Healing Helpers
    Heart
    Hope
    Inspire
    Invisible
    Juvenile Dermatomyositis
    Kamsnaps
    Karingforkyler
    Lia Sophia
    Lilahroo's
    Loss
    Love Monster
    Madelyn's Hats
    Maggie's Sticker Box
    Mothers
    Mps
    Mucopolysaccharidosis
    Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome
    Neuroblastoma
    Neuropathy
    NICU Smock
    Nursing
    Nursing Cover
    Nursing Pad
    Pampered Chef
    Payitforward
    Pediatric Cancer
    Pink Cocoon
    Prayer
    Pregnancy
    Promise
    Quilt
    Raffle
    Record
    Remembrance
    Scentsy
    Selvage
    Sensory
    Siblings
    Socks4Surgery
    Special Needs
    Special Needs
    Sponsor
    St. Jude
    Sugarbooger
    Surgery
    The Gocf
    Timbuk2
    Toes
    TPN/Tube Feed
    Travel
    Treatment
    Tubies
    Weighted Blanket
    World
    Worry
    Yard Sale
    Yowell Meadow Park

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly