Sept 17, 2010 - Please VOTE!

(From Mommy's Facebook Page)

Please go vote and help us save these babes!!!! 

Sept 16, 2010 - Jayden's Memorial Tribute Video

(From Grandma's Facebook Page)

For those who missed the link earlier Jayden's memorial tribute video is up. 

Before you view it we suggest you get Kleenex & after please give your kids hugs (if you have them) & tell them you love them. 

We hope it does honor to Jayden's life & why we feel so passionate about helping CHERUBS.

Jayden's CDH Story 2/19/10 - 3/14/10

Sept 15, 2010 - 6 Months in Heaven...

 (From CaringBridge Page)

Tuesday was six months since Jayden grew his wings. We went up to visit & again were blessed with good weather. We were concerned his pinwheel might be down or broken & grandma has been looking for them but apparently they are seasonal & we can't fine one anywhere. Luckily it was still up & in decent shape & he and the wind were just twirling it away!

We were talking about how he'd likely have been an Oregon Duck fan (GO DUCKS!) & had been thinking of ways we could do a photo for the CHERUBS fundraisers & incorporate the Ducks in. What you see in the photos is what we came up with. The original picture is clearer; the CaringBridge upload kind of did a number on it. For those on Facebook it looks a little better there.

We also took a half dozen balloons up, 2 blue, 2 pink & 2 yellow of CHERUBS colors for a balloon release. Alicia wrote a note for Jayden & attached it to one of the blue ones & then released them all. The balloons are to honor Jayden & all the other CDH'ers, both angels & survivors.

Wednesday also would have been Jayden's Grandpa Scott's 46th birthday so we hope they were having a fun party together in Heaven. You might have noticed in the picture there is still no headstone. We are only at the halfway point so now we are thinking it will likely be tax refund next year probably around his birthday before we make our goal. It will get done, its just taking a bit longer than we hoped.

This last month presented a new stress for Alicia as baby Finely was born in the exact same room Jayden was & cared for in the exact same spot in the NICU Jayden was in, but after almost 3 long weeks fighting & avoiding ECMO she made it to surgery & is completely off all breathing support & learning to feed. This is what it is all about. This was the first baby (that we knew of) locally to go down our road & Alicia was very nervous as to how she was going to handle it if things turned bad, thankfully it did not. We hope it is a very long time before another baby has to go there again. We are keeping baby Finley in our prayers & look forward to when we can meet her & her amazing family.

August was the last month of the APX contest trying to win CHERUBS $100,000 for much needed funding. Alicia jumped in full speed trying to help win the grand prize. Although they took second place in the nation & won $30,000 against a very well organized group for a different medical condition it showed how strong this community is & she is proud to be a part of it. We are putting together Made in Oregon gift baskets to send to South Carolina be part of a fundraiser in October and another family here has contacted us about possibly doing a local fundraiser in the next 12-24 months. It will be SO awesome if it comes to pass. Another great way to honor Jayden’s memory.
A few months ago Grandma Shelly put together a video for Jayden of his CDH journey but it took quite a while for Alicia to be ready to let it go public. During the final push for APX she decided it was time. It is now up for all to see. Before you view it we suggest you get Kleenex & after please give your kids hugs & tell them you love them. Life is too short not to let them know.

Here is the link:
Jayden's CDH Story 2/19/10 - 3/14/10
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fKsAsMS_ZA

The CHERUBS group is now in the running to possibly win more then $300,000 in additional grants & this time friends & family don't have to be on Facebook to vote as they can use a simple email address & password to log in & vote or can also text in their votes. Please vote in honor of Jayden & K. It cost you nothing except a few minutes every day & helps so many. Just this week 3 babies died that we know of and a teenager who re-herniated almost died a couple of weeks ago. This can be a lifelong condition that can strike any family. Please support all those who are affected by CDH. Visit www.voteforcdh.org to find out how help raise funds for research & support in the Pepsi Refreshes contest.

To all those who have supported Alicia & continue to encourage her, please know how touched & thankful she is for each & every one of you. We still don’t know why Jayden had to go as Alicia would MUCH rather have him here before anything else, but if she has to wait to see him until it is her time then your love & support have made her time apart from him just a little more bearable. WE LOVE YOU!

Sept 14, 2010 - It's Not Fair!!!

(From Mommy's Facebook Page)

6 months ago today my Son went back to God.
WHY DID HE HAVE TO GO????????
WHY NOT ME??????
HE WAS JUST A BABY.
ITS NOT FAIR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sept 8, 2010 - I feel like my heart is dead...

(From Mommy's Facebook Page)

When will I stop wishing God took ME and not my son? I feel like my heart is dead. When will I know why he had to go?

Sometimes I feel like everywhere I look there are kids and babes just to make me feel worse like I have to be punished for letting him go.

LIFE IS NOT FAIR!!!!!!

Sept 5, 2010 - One of those "bad" days...

(From Mommy's Facebook Page)

 

Having one of those "bad" days today. I can't figure out why but I can't get my Jayden off my mind and I keep thinking of the whole letting him go thing play in my head over and over and just can't seem to let myself feel like I did the right thing! 

 

I MISS MY BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!