Hope

Hope--the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn our for the best. (definition from dictionary.com)





Rob's aunt Karla got us this Willow Tree figurine...which we love. The other day, while I was cleaning, I got a little crazy with my Sw*ffer duster and knocked him off of the mantel. He landed on the tile below and his little outstretched hand broke off. I was crushed...but managed to keep composure. I was on the verge of tears, but knew I needed to fix him. I tried using wood glue--because I knew exactly where I could find it--to no avail. (Apparently they aren't wooden...) So I got the super glue out of Rob's Geocaching kit from Tony and Rett and it worked perfect. Our little Willow Tree boy now has his hand back with just a tiny scar.

When I was telling my SIL Rett about this mishap, she--in her wise and wit--explained to me how this could be seen as symbolism. Some people may lose hope when they are knocked down and broken, but we can be put back together with a little TLC. We will never be the same and always have a scar (visible or not), but we shouldn't give up hope. We can continue on with life and everything will turn out for the best.
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On a side note, how has it already been 16 weeks since our angel came to visit?! Time is going so fast! We are continuing to make progress in our healing. We have realized that God never intended for our son to be a take-home baby...he was meant to be an angel. God made his body so that it was obvious to us that he was suppose to visit us for a short time and then go home to Heaven.

We still don't have the full report yet from KateCares, but should within the next month. It takes a long time because they are so thorough, which will be good for us in the long run. We did get the preliminary autopsy results, which stated that his chromosomes were normal (so no down syndrome, trisomy's, or other chromosomal abnormalities). :) He did have a multicystic kidney, which was anticipated from the MRI findings. (If we get pregnant again, the doctors will monitor me and the baby closely--as if they wouldn't already--, but nothing to be worried about.) ...Also, they tested the placenta and umbilical cord to see if there were problems there that could have caused any of Oliver's defects...and everything was normal. :) So now we just wait to hear from the KateCares committee to see what else they have to say.

Please continue to pray for us and our families as we are continuing to grieve. We are starting to really get back to real life routines...I go back to school in a couple of weeks and will be teaching kindergarten this year. I will definitely need those prayers then. ;)