Friday, April 24, 2015

Wrestling with Trust

A friend gave me a devotional called "The One Year Book of Hope" By Nancy Guthrie shortly after Kellen had passed. This book has daily one-page devotionals that have helped me tremendously. If you are experiencing any kind of loss in your life I recommend this book. It has helped me to keep the lines of communication open with God. In my human-ness I sometimes feel upset and angry because He didn't save Kellen.
Nancy writes in her book "Is it realistic to think that you and I can worship God, not after we've figured it all out, but as our initial reaction to loss in our lives? Job shows us it is. Worshiping God does not require that we understand or approve of what God has allowed into our lives; it simply requires a heart that desires to trust God and a will that is bent toward obedience to God regardless of our feelings."
Let that sink in. I did. For a couple days actually. I can still praise God because He has it all together. Even if I didn't like the outcome, He is still good. He still has a plan. I can still trust God in my brokenness, even if I don't understand.

Saturday, April 11, 2015

Headstone

Kellen's headstone has arrived. I know it may seem strange but this was very exciting for me. Giving Kellen a beautiful headstone was one thing I could still do for him. Wes and I put a lot of thought into the stone and it turned out better than we could of imagined. It is perfect. 

Last week my sister, niece and I happened to be driving past the cemetery and my niece (who is four years old) pointed out the window and said to my sister "That's where Kellen's statue is, right Mom?" I'm not exactly sure why but this meant a lot to me. Maybe hearing her mention Kellen in our day to day conversation struck a chord in my heart. Even though he is gone he is still in our hearts.

Monday, April 6, 2015

Easter

People had told me that holidays (especially the first year of holidays) are really tough. For some reason I didn't really think this applied to Easter. Maybe because everyday is hard without Kellen and I constantly feel the emptiness inside of me.What I didn't think about was the commercialized part of Easter-- it's all about little kids in cute clothes hunting for eggs. It was difficult to see my niece and my friends' kids. I had to stay off of Facebook so I could make it through the day. I honestly love seeing all my friends' and families' kids but yesterday it was just too much. It's not that I'm jealous or upset that you are enjoying your family, it's just that I miss Kellen. I wonder what our lives would be like and what we would be doing if he was still here.
Easter is a celebration and even though I am walking on this path of grief I am still so overwhelmed by Jesus' saving grace. I am humbled that He would come to save me. Thank you Lord for sending your Son! Happy Resurrection Day everyone!

Saturday, April 4, 2015

Patterns of Life


A couple days ago Wes and I received a special gift from the Saint Alphonsus Hospital staff. 
Below is a picture of the Patterns of Life Honorarium and Memorial which hangs in the Maternity Center. It is there to honor babies born at Saint Alphonsus.





















They added a square to this beautiful memorial honoring Kellen's life. It was so amazing and emotional to see Kellen's name up there. Wes and I want to thank the hospital staff who were involved-- it really meant a lot to us.




Wednesday, April 1, 2015

One Foot in Front of the Other

How can I keep going knowing I will never see my dear son again this side of heaven? While other mothers are holding their babies close I visit mine at the cemetery. It's not fair. I keep replaying his life in my mind, wishing I could hold him one more time. Will this ache ever go away? Will there always be a part of my heart that feels empty?  


God, you have to be my strength. I can't do it. 
Please tell Kellen I love him.



Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Birth Story

Sunday night I could hardly sleep knowing that we would be meeting Kellen the next day. As Wes and I were talking about the conflicting emotions Wes came up with the word ‘scare-cited’. We were scared and excited. Monday morning I laid in bed for quite a while feeling my sweet boy move and kick. It was our morning routine. I finally got up and showered. I remember looking down at my belly knowing this was the last day and the last shower Kellen would spend inside of me. I cried. I actually cried most of the morning while getting ready. Wes made eggs and toast for breakfast. We prayed for Kellen to live and be healed. And we prayed for God’s will.

The drive over was good. I remember looking out the window at the dark sky and feeling apprehensive but I had a strange peace.

When we arrived at the hospital we got shown to the delivery room and I changed into a gown. Nicole was our nurse and she explained what was going to happen. I got hooked up to the monitors and Kellen’s heart rate was 160 at that time. Dr. Z came in and gave me a pill to start contractions. I never really felt any really strong contractions. At about 9am Kellen’s heart rate dipped down to 80. This scared us quite a bit. Dr. Z said she did not feel he would survive labor and recommended a C-section if we wanted going to see Kellen alive. We had originally planned to do a C-section if this circumstance arose but I just didn't think it would be so soon. Wes and I felt very indecisive. On one hand we felt that God would pull Kellen through the delivery so we should leave it in his hands. But, on the other hand we wanted to give Kellen every chance possible and maybe God's will was surgery. We prayed and felt so lost. I was scared. I was scared for my baby and I was scared for surgery. 

In the end we chose C-section and I know we made the right choice. 
The surgery was scheduled for 2pm. The anesthesiologist came in talked to us about what was going to happen and get some general information from me. I would have a spinal which would numb me from my torso and down.

Things happened pretty quickly after that. Nicole got me prepped for surgery and Wes put on a ‘bunny suit’. Bonnie and Kelly (my other delivery nurses) came in and put me in a wheel chair to go to the OR. For the first 10-15 minutes Wes couldn't be with me and I was very scared. First, the anesthesiologist started the tap. The table I was to lay on was high and I had to use a stepstool to get up. I sat down on the edge and Nicole held both of my hands to get ready for the spinal. At first it was prick, then a pinch. But really not too bad. Then they laid me down on the table and I could feel myself starting to numb. At this point it seemed like there were quite a few people in the room. I remember looking up at the ceiling wondering if I could do this and then thinking 'well it’s too late to back out now'. I must of looked like a wreck. I started crying and praying and Nicole and the anesthesiologist held my hand. I was so grateful for them. Soon Wes came in and held my hand. I was SO glad to have him back with me. 

Then they put up a blue sheet right under my chest so it blocked off what was going on. Having Wes with me and the sheet being put up really helped me to calm down. Then Dr. Z started the procedure. I remember praying and looking into Wes’ eyes. Pretty soon someone said to Wes, 'look over if you want to see your son being born' and he did. I wondered what he was he seeing. He looked back down at me and said he has a lot of hair. I just smiled. Then he said he has big feet. All of the sudden Kellen was placed on my chest and I saw his cute little face for the first time. I held his head and stroked his cheek. I examined his perfect little hands. 
I was so overwhelmed with love. 
He was so perfect! 



  
After that I didn't care about the rest of the surgery and pretty soon they said they were done. 
I didn't realize I could love someone so much so fast. 
They took Kellen over to the warmer and weighed him and clean him up a bit.



I was taken to the recovery room and they placed Kellen back on my chest. I was so proud. I just held him and looked at him. I could barely take my eyes off of him.
Kellen was a true fighter with real strength. I was told that his apgar score was 1 when he was born, then 2, then 3, then up to a 6. What a miracle!



Our precious Kellen was born on 01/26/2015 at 2:26pm. 
He weighed 4lbs 9oz and was 17in long.

Tuesday, March 17, 2015

Missing You

I Thought Of You With Love Today

I thought of you with love today, but that is nothing new
I thought about you yesterday and days before that too,
I think of you in silence, I often speak your name
All I have are memories and your picture in a frame
Your memory is my keepsake with which I’ll never part
God has you in his keeping, I have you in my heart.
-Unknown