History

Wednesday, December 5, 2007 8:46 AM CST

I won't lie, the holidays are hard. The missing is harder than before. Catie is everywhere which is wonderful and so hard all at the same time. There are so many Christmas things and traditions that make us miss her even more.

One of those traditions, some of you may remember us writing about last year... the elf that comes to visit us at Christmas time and usually ends up getting into all kinds of mischief. Last year he covered our kitchen in flour, pulled the garland down from our entry way, pulled clothes out of Catie's sock drawer and made himself comfortable for a night of slumber, and spent one night in the freezer (b/c he was homesick and it reminded him of the North Pole. On the days that the elf was at our house, the first words out of Catie's mouth each morning were, "Mama, where that silly elf at now?" We had soooooo much fun with that "silly elf."

Here is Catie with "that silly elf" who had played in the flour all night long!

Well, because it is such a fun tradition and because we have so many great memories of it with Catie (and plan on making many more with Izzy), we had decided to pass the tradition on to some friends this Christmas. I have been scouring stores and the internet for cute elves that were at a price I wanted so that we could share the tradition with several families without breaking the bank. Well, the prices I found were reasonable, but I wanted to give out 10 or so... So I tracked down the company that made Catie's and Izzy's elf, Host an Elf, and decided to call to see if they did discounts for bulk orders. I was talking to a friend who knew how hard I had been looking and how much we wanted to do this in the spirit of Christmas and to keep a bit of Catie spreading cheer just before I called. She and her daughter prayed that just the right person would answer the phone when I called.

Well... let me just tell you what happened. I called Host an Elf and the nicest lady answered the phone. I explained about Catie and how much she loved the elf and how we had lost her this year and how we wanted to do this elf thing for some of our friends in the cancer world in honor of her. She immediately said that they could absolutely give us the elves at cost. I was thrilled. It was totally affordable and I could reach the families we wanted to. We talked a little longer and just as I was about to give her the shipping address, she said, "You know what? We're just going to give them to you. We want to donate them." I was astounded! Holy cow!!! I couldn't believe it. I stumbled to thank her and tell her how much it meant to our family... that to honor Catie in this way this first holiday without us meant so much to us. I gave her our address and we hung up, me with a bit of bounce in my step.

Well... it gets better... Four hours later, my phone rang. On the other end was the nice lady from Host an Elf. She told me that she had talked with her partner and they had an idea. "What would you think," she said, "if we started a program in honor of your daughter where people could donate an elf to a child with cancer AND 30 percent of the proceeds go to childhood cancer research?" I was speechless!!!!! Give to kids who are fighting so hard and share such a great tradition... AND, AND give money to fight this wretched disease? I was completely blown away by the generosity of this company.

I can't explain to you how this lifts our hearts a bit. We are definitely missing Catie so much this Season. To have a way to honor her memory by sharing something she loved so much with other families AND giving money to Cure Childhood Cancer all at the same time... that absolutely means the world to us. Words can't even describe it.

So... this is what we need folks to do. Go to Host an Elf , and then click the "Host an Elf" button. If you scroll down on the products section here, you'll see a picture of Catie w/ her elf (covered in flour). You can click "add to cart" to donate an elf (for just $20) to a child with cancer (and in the process you're also making a donation to Cure Childhood Cancer. Even if you don't want to make a donation, I hope you'll support this company b/c of the way they TOTALLY went above and beyond when a mom just called and asked for a discount on a bulk order. I also hope you'll share this info. with folks in your inbox. It is SUCH a fun tradition! One that we will always do in our house. The elves can be quite mischievous and kids wake up each morning eager to see what has gone on while they were sleeping. Without your help, we can't make this successful. But with your help, it could really be a great thing!!

Just one more thing. I called that friend back who had prayed that just the right person would answer the phone. I shared the amazing news of the day with her. She said, "Jenny what you didn't know is that, yes, we prayed for the right person to answer the phone. But we also prayed that somehow this would bring about something that would help you and Tre' through this first ever so tough Christmas without Catie." Once again speechless. WOW!

Thank you God for answering the prayer of my dear friend. Thank you for lifting our hearts yesterday through the generosity of this company... Thank you that even though we miss Catie tremendously each and every day, and even more so this Season, thank you for touching our hearts today and sending us a hug from her and from you through a "silly old elf."

Ok already, go see how cute those elves are!!!

Wednesday, September 26, 2007 5:07 AM CDT

Happy birthday to our sweet, beautiful girl. I wonder what birthdays are like in Heaven and I'm guessing it's better than anything we could ever pull of here. I cannot believe that you would be 5 years old today!! FIVE!! I remember the details of your arrival here so well... how amazing to hold you in our arms for the very first time. Daddy and I are having some "chicknen biscuits with chicknen on it" today in your honor (from Chick-fil-A, of course). I'll have to let Iz have a bite of the biscuit too!! We'll have a party Friday night too... but honestly, that's for us not you. We know you don't need it and that everything is a celebration where you are. Know that we love you so very much... that will never change and we will see you soon.

Love,
Momma, Daddy, and Izzy

P.S. Did you send the two frogs we've already encountered this week our way? If you did, I'm betting you were laughing hysterically at me trying to get that one out of the van!!! You would have loved that!

Hi guys-- for more frequent updates, come check us out at
Midgets and Moonpies. (Some folks have had trouble with the comments section, so if you need info. on that just let us konw. You do have to create a google account, but it only takes a minute and they don't use it for anything.) Thanks for checking in!

Tuesday, August 7, 2007 1:25 PM CDT

Well... after much thought, I've decided to start a blog. I'm going to keep Catie's site up, but it just seemed like the time to move... I feel like it will be a more appropriate venue to share Izzy stories and more about life as we learn to move on. I will still come here to write occasionally, particularly on special days. I hope that those of you who have followed us for so very long will come with us. My writing won't change... still the same old, same old, just in a different spot.

Caringbridge has been so good to us. It has allowed God to use so many people to support us and love us through the most difficult time in our lives. We're still learning -- every single day -- to live with the loss of Catie. It's still getting harder, not easier... but one day the tide will change... Thank you for being such an encouragement to us... thank you for reading, for signing, for praying.... we sure hope you'll continue to do the same at:
Midgets and Moonpies.

Love,
Jenny

I'm a big girl!!!!

Izzy and Catie's buddy Bailee

Izzy is sound asleep in this picture. Holding tight to those feet!

Have a great weekend!

Wednesday, August 1, 2007 9:59 PM CDT

A letter to Izzy....

Our dear sweet Izzy Claire,
You have been here for 6 months and we can hardly believe it. You've grown and changed and learned so much that I stand amazed, filled with wonder and joy and pride each time I look at you. Your contagious smile and your shining eyes have brightened our lives more than you will ever, ever know.

I have to admit that when we learned that Catie was going to leave us I was worried that we would be so paralyzed with grief that I wouldn't be able to give you all you needed and deserved. I wondered why God had planned things the way that He had. I so wanted you to meet and know your sister. I had waited so long to see the two of you together. I couldn't wait to referee your sibling arguments.

But... God had other plans. It was time for Catie's suffering to end and for her to bounce her way into Heaven. God's timing was perfect. He allowed us to say goodbye to Catie.... and then we got to welcome you into our arms. He filled us up with YOU!!!! When they placed you in my arms on the day you were born I was overcome with love for you and with gratitude that you were here and healthy. You had these beautiful eyes that you're daddy and I got lost in immediately... this little tuft of hair on top of your head (that would lie down for nothing!!)... the softest skin and the most wonderful smell. We held you and studied you and we loved you more than you will ever know. You filled our hearts (and our arms) up again and we were grateful.

Those first few weeks, you were a snuggle bunny... I think God knew that we needed some snuggling. Since then, you've been such a curious girl... you like to be up, looking around, checking it all out. The moments spent snuggled up on our chest are rare now, but it is so fun to watch you work to figure this old world out. Your first smile came around 2 and 1/2 months... your first giggle 6 weeks after that.... you rolled over several times before you were a month old, but then took a break and didn't do it again until you were 3 or 4 months. Now you're sitting on your own, reaching for toys, and trying to figure out how to move to something that is out of your reach. What will I ever do when you start crawling? Your daddy and I laugh that we won't be able to keep up with you once you take off! I, for one, can't wait!!!!

Your personality is quite fun as well. We often say that your are a little spitfire. You're not fussy, but you have this funny way of making your wants known. It often involves this funny grunting sound that cracks us up. If we don't respond quickly enough, you do it a little louder, and a little louder, and a little louder. If I'm still not moving fast enough, you might start to cry, but you are quickly consoled (once you get your way!!). I've already had to tell you, "No." Somehow you found your way underneath one of our plants and started sucking on a leaf (thank goodness it's not poisonous)! I had to tell you, "no ma'am, we don't eat plants." You just looked up at me still reaching for the leaf as I picked you up. You're starting to like Peek-A-Boo and you get tickled when we play. We love to watch you grow and learn and you definitely keep us entertained!

Izzy, we love you so very, very much... We loved Catie just the same... I hope that we find a way to help you know your sister without ever, ever feeling overshadowed by her. You are both special in your own rite and we are so thankful that God gave us the special honor and privilege of being your parents. One day... many years from now, when you hold your own children in your arms, you will understand a bit of what you read here. You will know what it is to feel completely head over heels in love with a little being less than 2 feet long (though now you're already almost 28 inches!)... You will understand the wonder of watching this little person grow and learn and will be amazed, as we are, that God has blessed you so... And I will be right there... spoiling the mess out of your little ones!!! Now won't that be fun?

Thank you God for Izzy. Thank you for sending her when we needed her most. Thank you for blessing our family.

With love,
Momma

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