Day 8 "Jewelry"

My friend and neighbor at the time Shelley and her mom Patti had Grant's footprint shrunk down and imprinted on the oval pendant you see. On the back you will see his name and date of birth. I have worn this necklace every day since she gave it to me in 2008. If I want to wear a different necklace I wear two b/c I refuse to take this one off. Another friend of mine (Lori) made the other necklace for me- it includes a heart with his birth info, his birthstone, and sparkly stones- each stone represents each member of our family. These two necklaces are very special to me. ♥

Day 7 "What to Say"

A close friend of mine sent me this card after my miscarriage a few months ago. Inside the card reads "But I want you to know that I will walk beside you at your own pace, as far as you need me too". This card and the other comments you see helped me get through my darkest days. I am forever grateful to the people who said them. ♥

Day 6 "What Not to Say"

Day 6...What Not to Say I lost two babies- one to stillbirth four yrs ago; the other a miscarriage this past June. These were comments made to me over the course of BOTH losses. Sadly, these are only a HANDFUL of the comments said to me. It really hurts seeing it in writing, but healing all at the same time to get it out.

Day 5, Memorial

This is where I make the albums and boxes we put in our boxes for Granting Hope. This is more than just a memorial --- this is a place where I can think about all three of my children. I have a photo of my living child, Jacob, on the right hand side. He helps me assemble the baskets that we give to grieving families so this is a part of him too.

Day 3 After the Loss, Self Portrait

So I have gotten a little behind on my Capture Your Grief Postings- I've been sharing them on two Facebook pages and then I never get around to coming back to the blog. So here they are- Day 3 "After Loss, Self Portrait" This photo is very painful to share; however, dealing with your pain is what this is all about so here it is. This was taken two days after a very long hard labor and a last minute Csection. I was medicated so that I could attend my son's funeral. I remember wondering how a person should look in a photo like this. Do I try to smile? But that hardly seems appropriate so here is the result-

Day 2: BEFORE Loss, Self Portrait.

This is me with my son Jake. I was eight weeks pregnant with Grant. I remember how happy I was this day. Little did I know that my whole world was about to change in a matter of weeks. The week I would find out that my little baby boy was going to die from a chromosomal disorder.

Capture Your Grief Day One, SUNRISE

Sunrise this morning in Arizona...

Thirty One Days in October

It has been a long time since I have posted. Part of the reason is just the fact that I work part time now,and the other part is that I went through a pregnancy this spring which resulted in another loss the beginning of the summer. Plain and simple, I've just not been in the mood to write. I know that in spite of the roller coaster ride I feel I am riding at this time in my life, I have to keep helping and encouraging others. That being said, I wanted to let you know about something new and beautiful our sweet friend Carly has come up with for those of us dealing with the grief of infant loss. There are thirty one days in the month of October. So beginning on Monday, October 1, mothers around the world are joining together to capture their grief in photos. Personally, I find it typical- ok, maybe a little humorous too- that I would lose my camera right before this wonderful event. However, I plan to alternate use between my phone camera and a friend of mine who has one of those fancy schmancy cameras. :) If you should find yourself in the same predicament, feel free to do likewise. So Day 1 is Sunrise. Photograph the sunrise in your area. I will be sharing my photos here, our Facebook page, and maybe Carly's Facebook page. If you are leery of sharing your thirty-one day journey, you may share your photos here, or on Carly's Facebook event page. For all the details and the other thirty days of sharing, please visit this page--

 https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=428956307160964&set=a.428956263827635.101515.125499444173320&type=1&theater

Wishing you peace, love, and a beautiful October...

Granting Hope's First Raffle Begins

Well, I haven't posted in several months so I think hosting a raffle is a good way to get myself back on track in the blogging world!

As many of you know, we rely on donations and our own paychecks to keep these hospital deliveries going. We are so thankful for all of those who have donated their time, their finances, and/or blankets, booties, and other items to help us keep up with the deliveries.

At this time, we would like to give something back; so we have partnered with our college friend Lori at www.ellenaydesigns.com to help us hold a raffle for one of Lori's beautiful Memorial Glass Pendants.

For your donation of just $1.00 you will be entered in our raffle drawing to win one of these beautiful pendants. You can do this by clicking on the Paypal button on this blog. For every dollar you donate, you will receive an extra entry in the raffle. We do ask that you leave a comment either on this blogpost or on our Facebook page so that we know right away that you have donated. Please feel free to copy and share this post or our Facebook posting to all your Facebook friends.


Our glass pendants are fully customized to you and your baby- or you can purchase as a gift for someone you know who has lost a baby. For details on the customization and to see the pendants, please click here. Once you get to the site, click on "Specialty Custom" on the lefthand side. This will take you to the Granting Hope Glass Pendants page.

Thank you so much for your love, prayers, and support for this ministry. We can't do it without YOU!

For our angels,