Sunday, May 4, 2008
Friday, May 2, 2008
Tomorrow
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Oh my sweet angel baby... how I wish those little feet could walk with us tomorrow.
I know you will be watching over us. I never imagined that your little life would have such an impact on us all. People say things happen for a reason...I know losing you was all part of the grand plan, but...I hesitate to say I know 'the reason'. What I can say for certain though is- I know I was meant to help others because of what happened to us...we have raised over $8000 in YOUR memory, Caroline. I know that I would never have been involved in this effort if it wasn't for you. Tomorrow we will 'kick off' the walk as the highest fundraising family team at the walk... all for you baby girl, all for you.
This is an excerpt from the scrapbook page I made for the Memory Wall tomorrow.
Our Story:
We were married in November 2006. A little over 6 months later, we found out I was pregnant! We were surprised that it happened so quickly, but also very thrilled about God’s plan for us to become a family! I had a very easy and “normal” pregnancy. I never suffered from morning sickness and followed all of the doctor’s orders. At our 20 week sonogram, we found out we were having a baby girl. She was quite active during the sonogram. In fact, it was even difficult for the technician to snap her picture for us because of her wiggles. Her aunt, Meghan, and both of her grandmothers were there and even swore she waved to them. We never imagined that these overactive movements would later harm her. At our 23 week appointment, the doctor listened to the heartbeat and everything seemed to be fine. I am so thankful that Meghan was with me at that appointment and she was able to hear Caroline’s heartbeat, as this was the last time we would be able to. Prior to our 25 week checkup, I recognized a decrease in her movement. I called the doctor with my concerns, but I was assured that it was still too early in my pregnancy to be able to ‘kick count’ and it was likely that everything was just fine. Deep in my heart, I knew there was something wrong. At our 25 week appointment, my fears were confirmed. Our doctor was unable to detect our baby girl’s heartbeat. After a sonogram, which was also unable to detect it, we were sent on to the hospital to confirm that she indeed had died in the womb.
Caroline McKenzie Klug was still born on October 23, 2007. The doctor found that Caroline died of a cord accident. Her cord was twisted many times very close to where it was attached to her tiny body. When I first saw Caroline, I was amazed at how much she looked like her daddy. She was a beautiful, little angel baby. During the time we spent with her, we had her baptized. All four of her grandparents, her aunts and uncle got to hold her and say goodbye to her. Caroline really was so perfect, and although we would have never chosen this outcome, losing her made us love her even more than we ever imagined possible. There is no doubt in my mind that it is God who surrounded us with the many gifts of love and support we were blessed with during this loss. I am so very thankful to be able to honor the memory of our daughter today at this March for Babies.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Plan A vs. Plan B
This is a must see, really... you must watch this.
It speaks to my heart and I am sure it will to yours.
No matter what, even if you haven't lost a child.., we have all felt disappointed before and this video really speaks to the fact that God always knows the plan even when we feel like we don't get it......
Smith Family Story from Matthew Singleton on Vimeo.
It speaks to my heart and I am sure it will to yours.
No matter what, even if you haven't lost a child.., we have all felt disappointed before and this video really speaks to the fact that God always knows the plan even when we feel like we don't get it......
Smith Family Story from Matthew Singleton on Vimeo.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
3 months
Dear Caroline,
If you were born on your due date, you would be 3 months old today!
How different our lives would be! Oh, you will never know how much I love you and wish you were here.
Love,
Your Mommy
If you were born on your due date, you would be 3 months old today!
How different our lives would be! Oh, you will never know how much I love you and wish you were here.
Love,
Your Mommy
Saturday, April 26, 2008
March for Babies
We are almost there; our March for Babies is next Saturday, May 3rd.
We currently have raised more money than any other family team!
Facts from The March of Dimes:
Every 8 seconds a baby is born
About every 2 minutes a low birth weight (less than 5.5 lbs) baby is born
About every 4.5 minutes a baby is born with a birth defect
Every hour about 3 babies die
In an average week in Maryland 191 babies are born preterm…
What can you do in the next week to help?
In 8 seconds you can visit www.marchforbabies.org/carolineklug
In 2 minutes you can call a friend or neighbor and ask them to join our team
In 4.5 minutes you can send an e-mail encouraging someone to join us on May 3rd or sponsor our team on-line
In 1 hour you can help the March of Dimes raise awareness about this epidemic and help Maryland’s next generation be born healthy
Thank you to everyone who has supported us with this fundraiser honoring Caroline, and all babies!!!
Saturday, April 19, 2008
WHEN YOU THOUGHT I WASN'T LOOKING
Written by a former child...
A message every adult should read, because children are watching you and doing as you do, not as you say.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately wanted to paint another one.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you feed a stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind to animals.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make my favorite cake for me and I learned that the little things can be the special things in life.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I heard you say a prayer, and I knew there is a God I could always talk to and I learned to trust in God.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make a meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I learned that we all have to help take care of each other.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you give of your time and money to help people who had nothing and I learned that those who have something should give to those who don't.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you take care of our house and everyone in it and I learned we have to take care of what we are given.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw how you handled your responsibilities, even when you didn't feel good and I learned that I would have to be responsible when I grow up.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw tears come from your eyes and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it's all right to cry.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw that you cared and I wanted to be everything that I could be.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I learned most of life's lessons that I need to know to be a good and productive person when I grow up.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I looked at you and wanted to say, 'Thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn't looking.'
Each of us (parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, teacher or friend)influences the life of a child. How will you touch the life of someone today?
A message every adult should read, because children are watching you and doing as you do, not as you say.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately wanted to paint another one.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you feed a stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind to animals.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make my favorite cake for me and I learned that the little things can be the special things in life.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I heard you say a prayer, and I knew there is a God I could always talk to and I learned to trust in God.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make a meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I learned that we all have to help take care of each other.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you give of your time and money to help people who had nothing and I learned that those who have something should give to those who don't.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you take care of our house and everyone in it and I learned we have to take care of what we are given.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw how you handled your responsibilities, even when you didn't feel good and I learned that I would have to be responsible when I grow up.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw tears come from your eyes and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it's all right to cry.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw that you cared and I wanted to be everything that I could be.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I learned most of life's lessons that I need to know to be a good and productive person when I grow up.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I looked at you and wanted to say, 'Thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn't looking.'
Each of us (parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, teacher or friend)influences the life of a child. How will you touch the life of someone today?
Thursday, April 17, 2008
March for Babies
Just an update:
I just checked out our page and I am totally humbled, shocked, and thrilled all at the same time!
Our total amount raised as a team is $4,771!!!! The original goal I set was $2000 and we have doubled it and then some! WOW! A HUGE thanks to everyone who has donated and decided to walk with us!!!We are going to have a great team! The walk is just 2 weeks away and I cannot wait!
There is still time to join our team and/or donate!
GO to: http://www.marchforbabies.org/495052
Remember that the money we raise helps save premature and sick babies. Before having Caroline, I was completely clueless to the fact that babies really do die everyday. Through March for Babies, the March of Dimes is funding important research to find out why premature birth happens and what can be done to prevent it.
I just checked out our page and I am totally humbled, shocked, and thrilled all at the same time!
Our total amount raised as a team is $4,771!!!! The original goal I set was $2000 and we have doubled it and then some! WOW! A HUGE thanks to everyone who has donated and decided to walk with us!!!We are going to have a great team! The walk is just 2 weeks away and I cannot wait!
There is still time to join our team and/or donate!
GO to: http://www.marchforbabies.org/495052
Remember that the money we raise helps save premature and sick babies. Before having Caroline, I was completely clueless to the fact that babies really do die everyday. Through March for Babies, the March of Dimes is funding important research to find out why premature birth happens and what can be done to prevent it.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Lessons from the boat
Mark 6:45-56
45Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. 46After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray. 47When evening came, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land. 48He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. About the fourth watch of the night he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them, 49but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, 50because they all saw him and were terrified. Immediately he spoke to them and said, "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid." 51Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed, 52for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened.53When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret and anchored there. 54As soon as they got out of the boat, people recognized Jesus. 55They ran throughout that whole region and carried the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. 56And wherever he went—into villages, towns or countryside—they placed the sick in the marketplaces. They begged him to let them touch even the edge of his cloak, and all who touched him were healed.
Lessons from the boat
1. You must be willing to pray
2. There will be times you have to row the boat against the wind
3. Even in our storms, Jesus is near
4. There are times when you must be willing to leave the safety of your boat
5. After the storm, there will be blessing
This was the message at my friend Amy's church yesterday. So powerful and SO true.
45Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. 46After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray. 47When evening came, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land. 48He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. About the fourth watch of the night he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them, 49but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, 50because they all saw him and were terrified. Immediately he spoke to them and said, "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid." 51Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed, 52for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened.53When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret and anchored there. 54As soon as they got out of the boat, people recognized Jesus. 55They ran throughout that whole region and carried the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. 56And wherever he went—into villages, towns or countryside—they placed the sick in the marketplaces. They begged him to let them touch even the edge of his cloak, and all who touched him were healed.
Lessons from the boat
1. You must be willing to pray
2. There will be times you have to row the boat against the wind
3. Even in our storms, Jesus is near
4. There are times when you must be willing to leave the safety of your boat
5. After the storm, there will be blessing
This was the message at my friend Amy's church yesterday. So powerful and SO true.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Always with me
Would you believe me if I told you all of this happened yesterday? It did!
~ I was shopping in TJ Maxx and a woman was browsing through the racks next to me. Her daugher was playing with her by hiding in the clothes. (She was really quite funny.) The mom played along and before I knew it I heard her saying,"Caroline, where are you? Uh oh, I cannot find Caroline." She then popped out of the clothes giggling at us both.
~ Then while I was at a baby shower they were playing music and ...you guessed it Sweet Caroline came on.
~ Last night I took a wrong turn and realized the street name was indeed Caroline St. I guess it wasn't really a wrong turn but instead another reminder. I have driven this road millions of times before and never even noticed the sign.
~ Finally, when I came home I watched The Memory Keeper's Daughter. I read that book last summer when I was pregnant and completely forgot until watching the movie last night-one of the main characters name is Caroline.
After all of those 'signs' I was once again reminded that she really is still right here with me.
Always.
~ I was shopping in TJ Maxx and a woman was browsing through the racks next to me. Her daugher was playing with her by hiding in the clothes. (She was really quite funny.) The mom played along and before I knew it I heard her saying,"Caroline, where are you? Uh oh, I cannot find Caroline." She then popped out of the clothes giggling at us both.
~ Then while I was at a baby shower they were playing music and ...you guessed it Sweet Caroline came on.
~ Last night I took a wrong turn and realized the street name was indeed Caroline St. I guess it wasn't really a wrong turn but instead another reminder. I have driven this road millions of times before and never even noticed the sign.
~ Finally, when I came home I watched The Memory Keeper's Daughter. I read that book last summer when I was pregnant and completely forgot until watching the movie last night-one of the main characters name is Caroline.
After all of those 'signs' I was once again reminded that she really is still right here with me.
Always.
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