15 weeks and counting!!!!

Just wanted to share a quick pregnancy update. Today marks our 15th week of pregnancy, YAHOO!!!! Thank you to everyone who has and continues to lift us in prayer. I am thankful for each day of this journey and even more thankful when I feel Baby Dillard practicing aerobics inside my stomach. We had an OB visit today and the heart beat was 160 and the cervix was great. This was my 1st visit in 4 months that I didn't have an ultrasound. :0( I think I really got spoiled with those...sigh~~~~ I will see my high risk doctor on Monday and there WILL be a U/s and pics so I suppose I will be okay until then. We should know in the next 2-3 weeks the gender of our baby. We have names picked out for each gender but I'd love to hear your name suggestions..anyone feeling creative?
I hope that you all are well. I'm sending up a special prayer for my friends who are TTC after loss and for those who are pregnant after loss. May God breathe into your womb and give you peace. You are in for an incredible journey...your best days are ahead of you. Do not be in fear of the past or what tomorrow may bring...enjoy the beauty of today and expect an even greater tomorrow.

Share Upstate: Grief & loss support group

For the 1st time ever, I attend a grief & loss support group meeting on Tuesday night. Although we are expecting now, I still think about and grieve my sweet girls-Destiny and Briauna. I often think about how our lives would be so different and how much in love Chris would be with them, how spoiled they would be. I realized that I am not alone in my thoughts. I spent 2 hours with other grieving parents who had lost a child or children in the past. No matter when the loss happened, its something that you NEVER "get over". Lives are never replaced ( contrary to what some may think). In the journey of life we sometimes experience loss and hurt but that is a part of the journey. For any of you that have been touched by the pain of fetal demise and infant loss, know that you are not alone. If you are in the upstate SC area, please consider visiting our support group meetings. We meet every 3rd Tuesday at St. Micheal's Lutheran Church on Augusta Road from 7-830pm. This group is a joint effort of St. Francis and Greenville Memorial Hospitals. Look forward to seeing you there!

To all the angels in heaven....

Litany of Remembrance
At the beginning of the year and when it ends, we remember them.At the rising of the sun and in its setting, we remember them.At the bustling start of day and in the calm of night, we remember them.At the coming of a newborn and the passing of a loved one we remember them.
In the crystal white of winter, we remember them.In the green miracle of spring, we remember them.In the summer’s golden heat, we remember them..In the rainbow hues of autumn, we remember them.In every passing season of nature and of heart, we remember them.
When we are weary and in need of strength, we remember them.When we feel lost and discouraged, we remember them..When we have decisions that are difficult to make, we remember them.When we have a joy we crave to share, we remember them.When we have achievements based on theirs, we remember them.
For all the family tales told and events celebrated, we remember them.For all the wisdom they imparted and encouragement given, we remember them.For all the good they have done and forgiveness they extended, we remember them.For all the love they poured out and faith and hope they shared, we remember them.
Adapted from a work by Joyce Rupp

Happy Birthday

There are 3 people who are dear to my heart who will celebrate a birthday tomorrow ( June 24)

My nephew Dezmond will be 11!!! He has grown so much and so fast. Hard to believe this lil fella only weighed four pounds when he was born. You could NEVER tell that now. Happy Birthday Dez! He is such a great kids and we love him so much.

My sweet friend Nicole is turning a year older as well as my college roommate, Nikki. Happy birthday ladies!

LOVE YA & have a wonderful birthday.

2nd trimester update ( 14 weeks)

Hey! Just a quick update. I had my post op appointment today and had my cervical measurement taken. Everything was great..cervix is firm & closed & measuring 3cm. THANK GOD! I had quite a bit of back pain and abdominal pressure so it was very reassuring to know that everything was great with Baby Dillard. For the first time our kids was not acting like his/her Daddy during the u/s. During the previous U/s the baby would be totally KNOCKED out sleep with the left hand over the forehead. We had a very active baby today which made me feel really good. I have two pics but I am too lazy to get up right now and get the CD. I'll update tomorrow. Thanks to everyone for your prayers & encouragement! This is a great journey of love & new life!

DATE NIGHT!

I always look forward to Fridays! Not ONLY because its the start of the weekend but also because its date night with my sweet husband. We usually go out to dinner but Chris decided on Thursday that we should grill out on Friday...What a wonderful idea as long as he would be the one outside. ( I DON'T do OUTSIDE, especially as hot as it was yesterday). Anyway, I am thankful for quiet evenings at home and for a husband that doesn't mind cooking. Love is such a wonderful thang! When you think about it, love really doesn't cost a thing. Simple gestures of love speak volumes...like saying " I love you" just because.... an unexpected hug...just because... a card to say, I appreciate you...just because.... When was the last time you showed love....just because???? Love deeply...love completely...it makes for a happy life!

Happily in love!!!


Husband Comments And Graphics

For unto us.....

A child will be born...in the city of Greenville...and love shall be upon his/her shoulders..and his/her name shall be determined! Chris and I are excited to announce that as of June 16th, we are into our 2nd trimester of pregnancy. Please PAUSE and thank God with us! Many of you know our story of experiencing 2 miscarriages in the last 2 years. However, All things are new and we are moving forward. God has blessed us and we stand on the power of HIS word. I recently had surgery( cerclage) to reinforce my cervix, which will help in preventing miscarriage or preterm delivery. Bed rest may be in my future should the cervix begin to soften or shorten in any way.... It doesn't sound like a BIT of fun to me but I will do it If I have to. Please keep us in your prayers! This will be an exciting journey of love and NEW life!

REFLECTING.....Sweet memories

Reflecting...

Have you ever had someone that you loved beyond words pass away? Most of us have been touched by the great feelings of death & grief. Amazingly, i can reflect about my Grandma and feel such peace and at times, her presence. Earlier this week, I began to dream. I have no memory of the "meat" of the dream...all I know is that my favorite girl of all times was in the dream and loving on me and I felt her sooo near to me it was unreal!!! I actually woke with with a huge smile on my face and I didn't want to forget THAT moment of my dream. I had to be reminded that I've had many moments that I can replay that were not dreams but reality. I think it's such a blessing to remember! Thank God for memories. Sometimes we move so swiftly thru each day that we negate the power of the stillness and our memories. Enjoy each day and don't be in such a hurry that you forsake the time to remember the good ole days!

New here

So finally...I have created a blog. My good friend Misty and I always share our latest news via e-mail. The stuff that we share is usually REALLY funny stuff ( mainly because of her son who is a 4 yr old comedian) . Misty encouraged me to start a blog to document life moments and share my life with the world...So here I am! Wish me luck!