Happy 2nd Birthday, Aiden!

Happy 2nd Birthday, Aiden!

Today there is a great celebration in Heaven - Aiden's 2nd Birthday.  We love you and miss you more than we can explain but know that you are happy and healthy playing in God's playground.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AIDEN

We love you!

Even though you planned evil against me,

GOD planned good to come out of it.

Genesis 50:20

Happy Birthday, Layne Grace Gaston

HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY, LAYNE!!!

A year ago today, I had the pleasure of being at the birth of Layne Grace Gaston.  She lived for a short time but changed so many lives forever.  Today you are celebrating your first birthday in the arms of our Lord and knowing that you are now healthy and happy! 

I lift your parents and brother and sister up today, asking for peace, love and strength until they hold you again in their arms!!

He changes times and seasons...

Daniel 2:21

Last weekend. . .

we went canoeing/kayaking down the mighty Mississippi River (ok only 7 miles of it :) ) with several other families.  I have to tell you I was a little nervous, intimidated, scared, I mean this is the Mississippi River but I was with friends that I trust mine, my sons', and my hubby's life with (that is apparent - right?).  The start of the trip I canoed with my oldest, Hunter, while hubby took the "power" boat with the supplies, my youngest, Mason and a few others.  I quickly learned my oldest is definitely my hubby's child, he is stubborn just like him and we do not work well together or at least not canoeing - I have to keep telling myself "He is 7".   Anyway we went the first leg of the trip (about 3 1/2 miles) and stopped to grill burgers, play in the water, and visit.  The second leg of the trip I kayaked by myself for approx. 3 1/2 miles (first time ever!) and it was so much fun.

Cute even if he is covered in mud!

 I am not zooming in - do you see how close this barge is to us???

                                      

I can't wait until next year and even hubby said he would canoe/kayak this time.  I think he saw how much fun we were having - :) !  

...where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.2 Corinthians 3:17

LSU v. Northwestern State

This past weekend we took the boys to Death Valley, home of the LSU Tigers.  I have loved LSU since I was a little girl and went to games with my dad and would visit family in Baton Rouge.  There is nothing greater than Saturday night in Tiger Stadium, it has never rained in Tiger Stadium during an evening game.  I love walking around and seeing everyone dressed in purple and gold.  I did not graduate from LSU but love it none the less and every year we go to at least one game and more if possible.
This was the first time we have taken the boys and they loved it, even sitting through 3 + hours of game time.  They yelled, they ate, they looked in amazement at all the people, and watched for Mike the Tiger to make his appearance riding in his cage.  I think they are already true LSU fans. 

While we were there we showed the boys the brick that my dad purchased In Memory of Aiden.  They were happy that Aiden was there too!!

My little clown.

Don't they look cool?!

Your ways, O God, are holy.

What god is so great as our God?

Psalm 77:13

Don't tell me. . .

I read this note/poem on a friend's facebook page and had to borrow it.  I have been missing Aiden a lot lately and thinking about him more and more.  A lot has to do with Caleb, a sweet little boy who had Trisomy 18 and earned his wings on Monday, August 29, 2011 after living 29 months.  I never had the please of meeting Caleb or his mother Jeannette but have become friends with her through blogs, facebook, and email.  I was able to watch this little angel grow and thrive when I couldn't watch Aiden any longer but his little body was not able to take all he had to endure any longer.  He is playing today with all the other sweet angels in God's presence and for this I am thankful.  Knowing that they are with God makes it easier (Sometimes) but it doesn't take the feelings away. 

Please don't tell me you know how I feel,
Unless you have lost your child too,
Please don't tell me my broken heart will heal,
Because that is just not true,
Please don't tell me my son is in a better place,
Though it is true, I want him here with me,
Don't tell me someday I'll hear his voice, see his face,
Beyond today I cannot see,
Don't tell me it is time to move on,
Because I cannot,
Don't tell me to face the fact he is gone,
Because denial is something I can't stop,
Don't tell me to be thankful for the time I had,
Because I wanted more,
Don't tell me when I am my old self you will be glad,
I'll never be as I was before,
What you can tell me is you will be here for me,
That you will listen when I talk of my child,
You can share with me my precious memories,
You can even cry with me for a while,
And please don't hesitate to say his name,
Because it is something I long to hear everyday,
Friend please realize that I can never be the same,
But if you stand by me, you may like the new person I become someday.

Aiden Mathew Bray

Please pray for Caleb's family that they find peace and strength today and in the days ahead.

 

For You, O GOD, are my place of safety.

Psalm 59:9

Southern Child Magazine

Several weeks back, I was notified by Melissa, a dear blogger friend that I have never met but have become good friends, that I was named as "Amazing Southern Mom" for the Aug/Sept 2011 issue of Southern Child Magazine, she worked with 2 other dear friends, Carey & Jessica.  I had no idea this was going on behind my back but it was/is such an honor and one that I feel I do not deserve. 

Southern Child Magazine is a online magazine that to copy their mission statement - to inform and educate parents and care givers, to provide attractive affordable advertising to family based businesses and to help the hundreds of thousands of children in foster care find forever, loving families

The article that was written focuses on my family and our time with our angel baby - Aiden Mathew - who lived on earth for 32 glorious days but celebrates everyday in heaven.  I truly cannot wait to hold him in my arms again. 

Thanks girls for a great article and tribute to my sweet family!!!  Love ya'll.

For You, O GOD, are my place of safety.

Psalm 59:9

Aiden's T-Shirts

I absolutely love this t-shirt design - Thanks so much Deborah at M'Prints!!  Ya'll are the greatest!  The feet that are used are Aiden's footprints, for such a little guy he had quite a footprint measuring almost 2 inches.

T-shirt is $15 and I would love to be able to deliver everyone but since that is not possible if you live outside of the Lake Providence area please add $2.50 for shipping. 

All proceeds will go to March of Dimes in preparation for the March for Babies walk on May 7.  Our team is Aiden's T18 Crusaders, in memory of Aiden Mathew Bray

Available sizes - Kids XSmall - Large and Adults XSmall - 2XLarge.

Please comment to this post or e-mail me at hullae@yahoo.com if you would live to order one. 

I will taking Pre Orders through Sunday, April 17.

You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace...

Isaiah 55:12

March for Babies 2011

YEAH - We have a team and would love more participants!!!  What am I talking about?  On May 7, 2011, Aiden's T18 Crusaders will be participating in the March of Dimes March for Babies 2011 in West Monroe, LA.  The team was created to honor our sweet angel - Aiden Mathew Bray, who was born with Trisomy 18 and lived a miraculous 32 days.  There is not a day goes by I don't think about him and how different life would be with him on earth with us. 
The money raised in March for Babies funds important research and programs that help babies begin healthy lives. 

How can you help - Join our team - Aiden's T18 Crusaders , Create your own team, or sponsor a team.  You can sponsor our team at http://www.marchforbabies.org/s_team_page.asp?seid=1533706

I am creating t-shirts for our team members as well as anyone else that would like one.  I will show the design this week, all proceeds will go to March of Dimes. 

Quack Quack - I'm not a Hunter but I see Ducks

I see Just Ducks - Just Ducky Originals, that is!  This is my 2nd season as Area Consultant for Just Ducky children's clothes, they have some of the cutest clothes and it is customizable.  The only limits are your imagination, you change everything from the button & threads to ribbons to fabric. 

 

If you are interested in purchasing anything you can go online Just Ducky Originals or contact me. 

Heaven has a new Angel

Baby Layne Grace Gaston earned her angel wings this morning.  Please pray for Kris, Hamp, & their family in the next days, months, years.  Childen are a gift from God and He has called her home to be with Him, she longer feels pain and suffering - SHE IS HEALED! 
Praise you Heavenly Father for Your love and grace.

By day the LORD directs His love,at night His song is with me - a prayer to the God of my life.

Psalm 42:8

Happy Birthday, Aiden!

Dear Aiden,

Today 1 year ago you were born into this world and it was the happiest day of our lives.  I remember laying in the operating room scared not because of the c-section but of not meeting and holding you.  They whisked you away before I was able to see you and you never made a sound.  I've heard stories of when they showed you to your big brothers that Hunter tried to follow when they took you to NICU.  Both Hunter and Mason love you dearly and pray for you to be happy and healthy in Heaven, which I know you are. 

There are so many things I want to tell you and so many things I know we should be doing.  I held a little boy that was born the day before you and Hunter & Mason were standing beside me and all I could think was this is how it should be. . .
                           my 3 little boys in my arms.

If you were here, you would be walking everywhere, you would be sitting on the floor rolling the ball back and forth with your brothers, you would be trying to get in the kitchen cabinets and would find the one unlocked cabinet that you can play in, you would try coloring with your brothers but would realized eating it is more fun, you would love cuddling at night while Hunter reads his books for school, you would be eating "real" food and loving Cheetos and orange fingers, and you would have worn your first of many Halloween costumes and gone on our neighborhood hayride, you would be getting ready for your 2nd Christmas, YOU WOULD BE HERE.

The days of crying have slowed but have not stopped and never will.  I'm not sure of who I am but I'm sure of who I need to be - a child of Christ.  God's love keeps me going and knowing that there are no goodbye's but I will hold you again.  Heaven became a better place the day you arrived.

We miss you so much but are so happy that you are not suffering and you are healed by God's Grace and Neverending Love.  Thank you Dear Lord for giving us the time we had and giving us the Faith to know we will be together again. 

HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY, AIDEN! 

The LORD will work out His plans for my life--for Your faithful love, O LORD, endures forever. Don't abandon me, for You made me.

Psalm 138:8

Pumpkin Patch

Last weekend, Shane, the boys, and I loaded up after church and went to Brandon, MS to the pumpkin patch.  Yes there are pumpkin patches that are closer but I had an ulterior motive, I wanted to see Layne, and get to hold that sweet little angel, which I did!!

The boys add more fun playing once they picked out pumpkins.  I will add more pictures of the pumpkin carving and Halloween. 

Layne Grace Gaston - Caring Bridge

I have several that have e-mailed asking how Baby Layne is doing as well as her family.  They have created a page on Caring Bridge to keep everyone updated, please click on the link below.

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/laynegracegaston

I'm so excited, we are going to the hospital tonight to see Kris & Hamp and Baby Layne.  Please continue to keep this special family in your prayers - that God gives them wisdom and peace in the decisions they make for Layne.

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

Hebrews 11:1

Baby Layne Grace Gaston

Yesterday, Thursday October 14, I had the joy of meeting Kristina face to face and sharing in the joy of meeting Baby Layne Grace Gaston

Until yesterday, Kris and I have only talked by email, text, and FB, so I was so excited that I could be there to share this special day with her.  Layne Grace was born at 1:00 pm yesterday and is doing good and breathing on her own.  She weighed 4 lbs 1 oz and 16 1/2 inches long compared to Aiden she looked big to me.  It was such a blessing and a testement of God's love to us. 

I received a text earlier today that Kris was able to hold Layne Grace last night and I know she had tears of joy.  It was such a great day of love, faith, family and friends. 

I also met Julie another Trisomy 18 mom, her daughter Magdalina lived a miraculous 167 days and went to Heaven January 13, 2009.  I feel such a connection with these ladies and even though I would love to have Aiden with me and not have this connection, God has brought us together to help each other.  He does have a plan in our lives and I am so Thankful! 

Please continue to pray for Kris, Hamp, and their other children that God gives them strength, love, and healing.  Pray for Layne Grace that God continues to hold her in His arms and keeps her from pain. 

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

John 14:27

Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day

I really was unsure about posting this after the wonderful and miraculous day I had yesterday (will post later today).  But I could not let this day go without remembering. 

Today - October 15th - is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day.

For those that have experienced this loss, it's not just today but everyday.  Our little angel babies are always on our minds, in our hearts, and not in our arms. 

But this is a day to celebrate all babies that are in Heaven - some that were only "known" as a heartbeat on the ultrasound, some that were felt in the womb, some that took a breath and all that touched our lives. 

Please pray for the parents that have lost babies and those that will.  God knows you before you are conceived and His plans for you are great and wonderful. 

Father, I have experienced deep emotional wounds.  But I ask You to deliver me out of all of these.  Heal me and cause me to grow from these wounds

Psalm 34:19