Thank you for your precious words and prayers. You encourage and bless me so much! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and hugged your loved ones a little tighter this year.
A few fun pics of our week...
Zach loved this amazing snow village display. They even let Zach "control" some of the trains. ; )
Complete with an airport
This is my fifth grade teacher Ms. B. Isn't she beautiful!? She has always been one of my favorites, and it was an honor to spend time with her. I can't say enough wonderful things about this woman who loves Jesus fearlessly. She has always challenged me in my walk with the LORD, and GOD has used her in a powerful way to minister to my heart since Reese was born.
Zach with his second cousin Charles at a little family party
Fam pic
A little reading with Pappy
Two of my beautiful nieces and I made a gingerbread house. Everyone seems to disappear when we do this...I have no idea why!
Our masterpiece
Meredith my sis in law and me on Christmas Eve
I don't know what I would do without my sister Mandy and my amazing sis in laws Mere and Shannon.
Us
Shannon my other sis in law and I at another family party
Baby Westin will be here in three months. ; )
Playing the piano with Gran
G-Daddy doing what he does best
I will never forget him saying to me on Christmas day after I'd come out of the bathroom crying, "You're gonna make it, girl." So sweet.
Zach playing on Christmas morning
Pappy with Riley (our dog) & Hannibal (Faber's dog)
Z & Garrett (G is six months younger...poor thing was hungry!)
Z with two of his great grands Gigi and Papa
Papa made this sweet ornament for Reese. He is so talented, and I know she loves it. Gigi told me they hung an angel above her ornament for "our angel."
Silliness
Helping Z open his gifts
"Horsey!"
Z making himself comfortable in Faber's lap
"Ready!"
This is my precious friend Jen. Her son Tyler went to be with Jesus on June 24. He will always be a handsome little guy, and I can't wait to hold him when I get to Heaven. I only wish we lived in the same city. Jen (and so many other sweet mamas who have little ones in Heaven) rushed to my side when Reese passed away. She is amazing, and I am blessed to be in her life.
Sweet Rebekah. We lived together for three years at Baylor, and she is so close to my heart. I don't get to see her often enough. She told me, "Katie, you come back whenever you want to." I love this because I know exactly what she means. She like so many of my close friends are here for me...praying me through, listening, not judging my feelings in any way. Just letting me be.
Bunny with Z and Garrett
Bathtime!
Hil, Laura, Braysen (poor little guy was not happy), & me
I've known Laura since JH and Hil since HS, and we've been through so much together. These girls came straight to our house as soon as they could after Reese was born just to sit with me. Lifelong friends. So beautiful and real!
Cody chillin' with Zach
We missed you Bo, Mandy, and Abba!
We made it.
Through lots of prayers, laughter, tears, and even making sweet memories despite our ache of missing Reese. Like my mom said on Christmas morning, "I want you to know I'm thinking of Precious right now and wishing she was here with us."
Remember Your word to your servant, for You have given me hope. My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.
Psalm 119:49 - 50
Oh, I love it, Katie. Thank you for sharing and keeping us all up to date. I am so thankful for your sweet loving family and friends. We've prayed and prayed and continue to do so. You ARE going to make it, because He IS faithful. Love you lots ~ Kelley
ReplyDeleteWith God's grace Katie, you made it through another first. Pictures were beautiful. Love you!! :)
ReplyDeleteLoved all the pics! I'm so glad you had such great fam and friends to help you "make it" through the day! I was thinking of you and Reese on Christmas and praying you have peace in your heart that day and everyday!
ReplyDeleteZ looked so stinkin cute on that scooter! Kelcee got a pink one like it from her Mi Mi for Christmas!
Summer :0)
I have never commented on your blog, but have been following it since August when Kelly Stamps asked everyone to pray for you. Just wanted to let you know that you crossed my mind several times on Christmas day and I'm so happy to see you made it through :)
ReplyDeleteYou are such a strong mom! I am sitting here bawling my eyes out as I feel just a touch of your pain. You are in my thoughts everyday and I wish that there was something that I could do to help you. Know that you are in the palm of HIS hand and you will MAKE it. I am glad you made it through your first Christmas!
ReplyDeleteYou made it. Thankful to God for that and all His other blessings. Wish I could take some of the pain from you...I am just so sorry that Reese isn't here with you. My heart breaks for you and your boys. I am praying for you.
ReplyDeleteKatie, for some reason, this post had me all teary eyed and sadly happy...does that make sense???
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your blessed life with us.
Some day it would be so fantastic to get to hug you around your neck...maybe when my family takes that cross-country dream road trip!!!
You take care.....and.....
"You're gonna make it, girl".
God is seeing you through the sad, dark times. So thankful that you were able to spend Christmas with the ones who love Reese as much as you do!!!
ReplyDeleteThought of you several times over the holidays. Made me smile to read..."we made it."
ReplyDeleteWonderful pics. Your family is beautiful!
((hugs))
Beautiful pictures, Katie. You did make it with God's unfailing grace! He is so good=)...
ReplyDeleteBlessings, dear one!
wonderful pics!
ReplyDeleteI thought of your sweet Reese on Christmas day...because it was our first christmas without my grandma..and i know your heart was aching for someone dear also.
This was a beautiful post. Life isn't easy, but God's grace is sufficient...even when the pain so great. These past few years have been an emotional (and physical) rollercoaster for me too.
ReplyDeleteI'm thankful for friends and family because we get through it together.
When you said,"we made it" it reminded me of a post comparing life to a mountain. It's hard work getting to the top, but when you've weathered the storms and cried some tears, you can say with utter satisfaction that you've made it.
So beautiful! I am so thankful there is only one 1st Christmas without a baby who is in heaven. This was our 3rd Christmas without and the ache was still there but i didn't run away crying.
ReplyDeleteYou are brave and are walking each step with so much grace. Praying for a year full of hope. You will make it sweet mama.
Thinking of you tonight...
Katie,
ReplyDeleteWe would have understood had you pulled the shades, turned off the phone, and hid under the covers until the holidays are over.
Instead, you have initiated relationships and stayed engaged with those God has given you to love.
You remind me of Jesus, who came to where we are, who was manifest in these last times FOR US, who doesn't relate at a distance but rather face to face.
Cam is right.
I love you!
Ms. B.
I hope you were able to relax and enjoy art of the day.
ReplyDeleteCheri
I love all the pictures and descriptions. Your family sounds amazing...just like you!
ReplyDeleteZ is too cute!
I have never commented on your site but I started praying for your family when you were sick in the hospital and pregnant with Reese. I have always admired your strength and faith and now I know why I like you so much.....I went to Baylor too! Baylor girls are amazing!! Still praying for you.
ReplyDeleteKatie, you DID have a beautiful holiday-- and I'm so glad for you! Precious pictures and thoughts. Your family is never far from my mind!
ReplyDeleteCrystal
You made it. And, you are beautiful in every way. I am proud of you. It looks like your little Z had a very merry Christmas! Much love, Becca
ReplyDeleteKatie, I loved your pictures, but just cried reading your post. My heart has broken for you time and time again. I just can't imagine what you are going through. Your faith is so strong and it amazes and encourages me (along with countless others, I'm sure!)
ReplyDeleteI'm so very thankful for everyone who prayed you through this past Christmas. I know it couldn't have been easy for you. You were definately on my heart and mind on Christmas morning.
Thank you so much for sharing your holidays and your heart with your readers.
Still praying for you....
Shelly
It is so good you were surrounded by family and friends!!! What a blessing!! Always know too, that your surrounded by our Great God, Immanuel, God with us!!!
ReplyDeleteYour little fellow is so sweet, I know him being here brings a sort of cushion, yet I know we long for our little ones, Reese and Joel to be here too.....longing for the "one day!!"
Praying for you still....
Cindy
Thanks for sharing....I love how encouraging you are to others!! You always have sweet friends to say about your friends, your teacher, sisters, parents....you would be a great friend becuase of your encouragement. I'm so glad that during this season you have so many people who care about you. Zack is SO cute!! I love his cheeks. I'm praying for you!
ReplyDeleteKatie, lots of us were thinking of Reese this Christmas. I prayed you would have peace this season. Your family is so wonderful, and friends so special!
ReplyDeleteYou are going to make it, girl!
ReplyDeleteI thought of you all day. I'm so glad you have such wonderful friends and family who are clearly a tremendous support for you. Oh, and Z looks BIG in those pictures.
ReplyDeleteKatie - what great pictures. Loved the one of you and Ms. B. When I first started reading your blog I would often skim through the comments and hers always stood out to me. She is a beautiful woman - inside and out! It's amazing to me how God orchestrates all things in our lives - who knew when you were in 5th grade (but Him!) that you would need Ms. B and her encouragement during this time - many years later!
ReplyDeleteLara
Sweet! You are surrounded by such loving family & friends...and "You are gonna make it!"
ReplyDeleteKeep on Keepin' On...
Blessings!
hi-d
Hey sis! I love all the pics. They are great!! Keep smiling. You ARE going to make it. Love you so!
ReplyDeleteI hope you and your family had a merry Christmas even though I know it was difficult. I thought of you and of sweet Reese and I still pray for comfort to surround you.
ReplyDeleteKatie,
ReplyDeleteThrough your ache, your beauty still shines. I love the Ps. 119 verses - promise, hope, life, comfort. Keep turning to those wonderful words.
We have all prayed for you over the past week. Sorry I missed seeing you in LR. I'm so thankful you've been surrounded by family!
Love in Christ,
wendy
I can just imagine your heavenly father saying to you from heaven "You're going to make it, girl because my grace is sufficient for you, I have loved you with an everlasting love, I am a strong tower and the righteous run into it, I make beauty from ashes." Oh the promises of the Lord are an awesome thing to cling to!
ReplyDeletePraying for you and knowing that with God as your strength, you will make it!!
Elizabeth in Indy
Katie, I've been following your blog for many months and want you to know that I am praying for you. I've written a post about your precious family (and a couple of others that have shared your road of grief this year). I hope that you will be blessed by those who visit via my post. Hugs and prayers, sweet girlie.
ReplyDeleteKatie, I know the holidays were hard for you and bittersweet but it's so wonderful to know one day you'll spend every Christmas with Reese. I thought of you and your family on Christmas Day and said a prayer that you'd have peace. I love the ornament papa made. Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteKatie, praying for you , thanks for sharing the pictures of your beautiful daughter.
ReplyDeleteI had a son that went to be with Jesus in 1962, sadly to say, I have no pictures, just memories that I have close to my heart.
You will make it, just remember that Jesus is always with you.