Long Weekend...

Memorial Day was this weekend so I had a 3 day weekend. It was so much fun! I got to spend all three days with Casey and friends and family! Greg spent all day yesterday putting together the play set for Casey. It was a lot of hard work but turned out great! Casey was so excited when he woke up this morning and FINALLY got to go play on it! We grilled out a lot this weekend and did things around the house that needed to be done. Greg also put together Connor's crib so I feel like his room is finally going to start getting put together. I will be 32 weeks on Tuesday and cannot wait to meet Baby Connor. Casey is really starting to grasp the idea of Baby Connor and he even hugged my belly tonight and then sang a song to him. After that he told Baby Connor about his new swing set and the ice cream he had tonight. He melts my heart and I can't wait to see both of my boys together! Here are a few pics from the weekend.....

Learning from those we don't know.....

This post is about the impact that people we don't even know can have on us.....

A few months ago I saw a status update from someone on facebook who was asking for prayers for a friend of theirs. They posted the website of the couple's blog for anyone that wanted to see what had happened.

Being the curious person I am, I went to the website. I learned that the blog had been started by a husband who was excited to share his journey into parenthood with his wife, to those following their blog. They had begun postings when they first learned of their pregnancy and continued to update it with pictures and events surrounding their soon to be baby girl.

The most recent post that had caused their blog to even be posted on facebook that evening was not joyous. The couple was traveling to visit family on a wintery night. They were in a horrific car crash and the wife was instantly killed. She was ready to have her baby at anytime. They ended up delivering the baby almost immediately. The father survived the crash, and the baby was delivered but had significant damage to her brain. She only lived a few days and suddenly the husband was left in a world with out his wife and daughter.

The husband continued to update his blog with information about his daughter, her passing, and then his thoughts and feelings about his new reality.

Several months later he continues to update the blog. He has turned it into a series of letters he writes his wife and daughter and shares his feelings, thoughts and prayers to the rest of those reading.

Everytime I read one of his posts I am overcome with emotion. My husband usually asks me what I'm doing and I tell him I'm reading that particular blog. I think he believes I'm a bit odd for reading a blog of someone I have never even met. But the more of the postings I read, I feel a sense of connectedness to this man and family I've never met.

By reading these posts, I feel so many things. I am reminded of the preciousness of life. I am reminded that life can change in the blink of an eye. I am reminded that we are promised nothing and everything all at the same time. And reading this man's journey makes me think about so many things on so many levels. I imagine what I would do in a tragic situation. I wonder how I'd handle life. I wonder if my faith would remain as strong as this man's has in recent months.

I am touched by this family's strength and willingness to share their story of grief and healing in such a touching manner.

And it always help me be reminded that I can never be too busy for one more kiss from my son, one more hug from my husband or just thanking God for the things I DO have in this world.

Plugging Along

Life in the Madison house continues to be blissful, chaotic, busy, interesting and delightful all at the same time.

Casey is talking a ton these days and really putting together thoughts and ideas. It is so much fun to watch and witness. He has also been working on learning his letters. We work with him at home but Ms. Liz has been working with him a lot it appears. He can now look at a sentence and read you each letter from start to finish. I take the same delight in it as if he had just found a cure for an incurable disease.

Baby Connor continues to grow and kick. I will be 30 weeks in less than 2 days. I am getting really anxious to meet him and can't believe its getting so close already. We are going to start on his room this week and I think once we actually start it, it'll come together quite quickly.

Greg took the entire week off work this past week and was able to sod the backyard with the assistance and hard work of my dad. The yard looks great. Greg's mom bought a play set to go out back so I cannot wait for some pretty weather and the swing set to be put together! We are so lucky that Casey has such wonderful and caring grandparents.