Celebrating the Life of Grace

Saturday, my dear friends Anna, Leanne, and Hart helped me with family and friends celebrate the life of our precious Grace Elizabeth.  This celebration replaced a typical baby shower for Grace.  Before we knew of Grace's diagnoses, my friend Anna had wanted to give us a baby shower, but after learning of Grace's diagnoses, I had decided not to have a baby shower for various reasons.  Mostly, I didn't want to ask others to give us lots of things that we may not need, and since Chad and I don't have a big house, I also didn't want to later have a lot of baby things that we didn't need and be unable to store all of it.  So for these and other reasons, we decided to have a "celebration of life" for Grace.  Words are inadequate to thank Anna, Leanne, and Hart for blessing Grace and me in this way.  I am so thankful that so many people who love Grace were in one place!  Anna prayed, and we all spent time together eating brunch, looking at Grace's ultrasound pictures, and making memories.  Many people wrote a prayer, a blessing, or an encouraging word for Grace and me.  I will treasure these always!  Many people also gave gifts, which I opened later, and I am amazed at the amount of love for our baby.  Thank you will never be enough.  I gave everyone purple Christmas ornaments to let them know how thankful I am for their prayers and love for our family and that they forever will be a part of Grace's life.  Here are some pictures:

Anna, me, and Leanne

Hart and me

Grace's wreath

Purple Christmas ornaments

My mom Patricia, me, and my sister Kristen

Chad and I continue to celebrate Grace.  We also continue to pray for a miracle.  A friend of mine recently gave me an encouraging message, and it perfectly described what a miracle means.  She said she is praying for us and for a miracle for Grace "whether that be her healing or for many people to see God's grace and mercy and salvation through a difficult and painful situation".  This is my prayer also.