Collen's First Thanksgiving

We have much to be thankful for today. Namely...a little boy named Collen who has brought so much {back} into our lives. We were able to visit with my family for a bit today before heading over to Jeremy's grandma's house for Thanksgiving. Collen traveled well. He slept the whole way there and back, ate well despite not being in familiar surroundings, and wasn't too fussy. He was definitely the hit of the day and was loved on by everyone. Some people met him for the first time! It was a great Thanksgiving spent with family and friends. Check out pictures of Collen's first turkey day!

With Great Aunt Tricia - a little disoriented and fussy...

With big cousin Corben and Great Uncle Gene

Sitting on Great-Grand-daddy's knee

There is a story behind this picture. Every year, after the Thanksgiving meal, the women in Jeremy's family gather around this table with the Black Friday sales papers. Their mission - mapping out a shopping plan/route for the next morning. They look through the sale papers, hunting for the best deals and getting gift ideas. This is a tradition I have yet to become a part of....can't afford it, plus I don't have the patience for large crowds.

Sitting with big cousin Taylor

With his Great Aunt Mollie. He seems to love his Aunt Mollie :)

(I do, too)

And she loves him too....so much!

Poppa playing with cousin Wesley (our nephew - Jeremy's sister's son)

Collen with his Great Grandmother - she calls herself Great Mattie

(It's hard to see, but his shirt says, "I'm stuffed!")

So sweet...

Nana getting him dressed for the ride home

Smiling at his Nana

Peace, Love, Joy

As I mentioned earlier, Shutterfly is offering 50 cards to bloggers who blog about their Christmas cards.

Last yeat at this time, the thought of Christmas cards, a tree, decorations, and presents all made me so incredibly sad. I was so looking forward to sending out Christmas cards from the Jones family with Ayden's sweet face on them. All the joy of the holidays was gone. I had no desire to celebrate or take part in any traditions. It was just too hard. This year, it's still hard to face the holidays without Ayden, but now that Collen is with us, it's important that we put ourselves back into the spirit of the holidays, traditions, and celebrating because he is definitely worth celebrating! In this season of remembering the reason for the season, I'm excited about glorifying Christ with our family and taking in every second of Collen's first holiday season.

Over at Shutterfly, there are tons of Christmas cards to choose from. I thought this one was fitting for what we've been through over the past year and what we have regained by having Collen become a part of our family.

We have learned what it means to be at Peace...despite the circumstances. We have added so much more Love. And Joy has been restored to our lives.

I am looking forward to using this card design for our Christmas cards. It's perfect for us and where we are right now. So, friends and family...be on the lookout for this card and some adorable pictures of Mr. Collen. Oh, and Jeremy and I may make a cameo....we'll see.

If you're looking for gifts ideas, head over to Shutterfly and check out their options. They have customizable calendars that are sure to be a hit with family.

· Christmas photo cards to http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/christmas-photo-cards
· calendars to http://www.shutterfly.com/calendars
· holiday photo cards to http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/holiday-cards


The holidays can be tough for a lot of people. The holidays, although a bit happier this year, will still be a struggle for us. Last year was especially hard, but we had such wonderful people in our lives who reached out and helped us remember that we weren't alone. There are families who are facing the holidays without a child, a parent, a loved one....and it's going to hurt to face the coming weeks without that special person. If you know someone who is facing a particularly tough time this holiday season, reach out. Tell them you're thinking of them and that you love them. Tell them that they aren't alone. Acknowledge the loss and how difficult it must be and just give them a hug...send a card...anything. It helps.

Where do you order your Christmas cards?

I recently used Shutterfly for Collen's birth announcements. I've been meaning to scan that in so you can all see it! I wasn't able to order as many as I would have liked because they were kind of pricey, so they didn't go out to many people....just immediate family and close friends...who might as well be family.

I loved the birth announcement so much, I decided I would get our Christmas cards through Shutterfly as well. Then, I found out that they are giving 50 cards to those of us who blog about them! Awesome!!

If you've never used Shutterfly, it's super easy, and they have some great layouts for cards, announcements, pretty much anything you want. Check them out! And if you'd like to get in on the free card action....click here.

We are doing our Christmas card pictures this weekend, and I'm SUPER excited!! Can't wait for you all to see them!!

28 days

Yesterday, Collen turned 3 months old. Every single day with him is an absolute blessing. I love watching him grow, develop, and hit new milestones. Just yesterday, I watched him discover that he could bring his hands together at his chest. I watched him do it for the first time! I was amazed that I was witnessing that. I know...it's not that big of a deal...but to me every part of him is a big deal. Before I became a mother, I never understood what the big deal was about a baby laughing, or clapping his hands, or cooing. Then, I had my own child, and when Ayden laughed for the first time, I was in tears. Every time he smiled at me, my eyes would well up, and I couldn't help but become a little emotional because he was smiling....at me. Now, to watch Collen hit those same milestones....the fun ones...the ones where they begin to interact with you and you can witness them learning so much so fast....it's amazing.

Then, I get sad.

Yesterday, as I rejoiced at 3 months with Collen, "28 days" flashed through my head.

We always tell people that Ayden was 4 months old when he passed away. That's not entirely true, but rounding up is easier than saying he was 3 months and 28 days old.

So, I look at Collen at 3 months old and can't help but wonder...."What if I only have 28 days left?" or..."What if today is my last day with him?" These are normal, natural fears that every mother has. Our life's ambition is to protect our children and keep them safe. But I couldn't protect Ayden from SIDS, and I can't protect Collen from it, either. So, fear creeps in. I'm getting better at rebuking fear, though....he doesn't have as strong a hold on me as he used to.

I was reminded yesterday, though, as "28 days" flashed through my mind that it's important that we never take a single second for granted.

Those 3 months and 28 days with Ayden were so wonderful. I will never, ever forget a moment of it. I will forever cherish those days with him.

The next 28 days will be momentous around here. When Collen reaches 3 months and 29 days, we're in new territory. We'll move forward with him as he grows (Lord willing...), and Ayden will still be there....3 months and 28 days. Yes, it's sad. Yes, it's tragic. But sometimes, when we are most saddened by our loss, we find a sweet comfort in knowing that we will always remember Ayden as a baby. Although that wasn't our plan at all; we wanted to see him grow and raise him and be with him for a long, long time - we find a bit of solace in remembering him as the beautiful, sweet, cuddly, chubby little baby that he was. I don't know what he looks like now. I like to think that when we're reunited, I'll get my 2nd chance with my 3 month and 28 day old baby boy, so until we're together again, I'll imagine it that way.


Although I'll do my best to fight it, the next 28 days will be very anxious ones around here. If you think about it, say a little prayer for us....for peace and assurance and that we remain faithful in trusting God.