Happy Birthday Forrest

Dear Forrest,

            Happy 3^rd Birthday sweetheart.  I know you are having the best birthday party in Heaven.  What an amazing thing to be sitting next to Jesus celebrating your 3^rd birthday.  I am sure there are lots of goodies, toys, cake, ice cream and anything else your heart desires.  I wish I were busy finishing up the last minute details for your birthday party.  Daddy and I always said we would have the first big birthday party for our children when they turned 3.  I am so sad that I am missing out on throwing you that big birthday party. 

You would be proud of your little brothers.  They are both doing great.  Austin is the best big brother.  He loves his little brother and already takes good care of him.  He has the biggest heart, loves to cuddle, give hugs and kisses, and loves reading.  He is also a dare devil and can climb anything and everything.  He is always running, jumping, and laughing.  He is such a joy and I know you two would have been 2 peas in a pod.  Your other little brother, Miller, is also doing well.  He has the sweetest smile and cutest cheeks.  He reminds me a lot of you.  I was looking back at pictures of you the other day and there were a few that made me look twice because I thought I was looking at Miller.  We are having fun seeing Miller’s little personality start to show.  I know he would have looked up to you as the best big brother. 

Your daddy is also doing well.  He is working hard so he can take care of all of us.  He works long hours but I know one day it will all be worth it.  He is a great daddy (even though you already knew that).  He is also a wonderful husband.  All 4 of us are truly blessed to have him in our life. 

I am doing well too.  I miss you so much that I feel like my heart may break but God has given me the strength to make it through each day even though you aren’t in it.  You impacted me in so many ways.  My passions are so different than I thought they would be but in a good way.  You left a huge imprint on my life and forever changed the way I think, act, and feel.  I love being your mommy.  I love telling people about my angel and how amazing you were.  The way you fought.  The way you loved.  The way you changed so many and impacted so many.  I am blessed to be called Forrest’s mommy. 

Happy 3^rd Birthday sweetheart.  Sit in Jesus lap today and tell him to hold you close since your mommy can’t. 

I love you now, forever, and always,

Mommy

my little singer

This is one of the funniest videos of Austin.  He did all of this on his own yesterday.  He pulled the laundry basket over, flipped it over, grabbed the "mic" and started belting out some singing.  It cracks me up everytime.  Austin singing on his little stage. 

 

3rd Annual 5K

Last Saturday was a perfect day for the 3rd Annual Forrest Spence 5K. There were over 800 participants and more than $36,000 was raised. Everything about the day was terrific. The food, music, kid station area, 5K, 1 mile fun run, 100 yard dash, and community of people were the best. We truly couldn't have asked for a more perfect day.

The money raised will go towards the new Forrest Sibling Room at Le Bonheur. This is a room where the healthy siblings of the children admitted in the Intensive Care Units can go and be cared for while their parents are spending time with the child that is sick. This is one more way the Forrest Spence Fund can help meet the nonmedical needs of patients and families in the Midsouth.

David, his mom Diane, and Miller at the race

Love all the strollers!

Kids ready for the 100 yard dash


Runners in front at the Start Line

Participants listening to the stories of families helped by the Fund

I love planning this event but man was it hard this year with a newborn, no sleep, a not quite 2 year old and a husband working crazy hours at the Med. I am thankful that it was such a success because I felt like I was planning it while living in a fog. I kept asking people some of the same questions because the lack of sleep and very little time to work on it had me constantly second guessing myself. There is no way I could have done this without the incredible work of my committee. They are amazing and put in so much time, energy, and love to this event. We are blessed by their commitment to the race and the Fund.

sweet Miller

Some updated pics of Miller. He is doing so much better. He is still not the best eater but doing better sleeping and just being happy. I think the crying at night was from not feeling well with the reflux. He really is a sweet spirited little guy. He loves his big brother and is starting to watch him and smile when he sees him.


And one of Olivia and Austin together. They had a blast together over the weekend. They ran, laughed, chased one another. It was so fun watching the two of them.

So sorry this blog is getting the slack, there are a million things going on right now and the blog just doesn't receive the love it used too.  I hope to post some new things soon.

steal my heart

oh my...the Lord has blessed me with a 3rd son who just steals my heart and takes my breath away.  Look at those eyes and that little smile.





He is 9 weeks and starting to get a little easier.  It has been a LONG 9 weeks.  I realize now what an easy baby Austin was.  Miller has been a little harder.  He is not a very good eater or sleeper so there is not a lot of sleep happening in our home right now.  He started on a new reflux medicine last week and that is helping with the gas and pain (which was causing a lot of crying).  He is still a very slow eater but isn't crying while eating.  In the last few days though I have noticed a difference in his temperment and hoping its because the medicine is helping with his pain.  He is starting to give me lots of smiles which I love.  Those smiles make the long days all worth it.

Austin still loves him and is very sweet to him. He helps mommy whenever he is asked and is doing so well with independent play.  I am very proud of Austin and the great big brother he has become.

The Lord has done great things for us and we are filled with joy.

                          Psalm  126:3

3rd Annual Forrest Spence 5K

Next Saturday, August 28th, is the 3rd Annual Forrest Spence 5K at Overton Park in Memphis, TN.  Here is a little excerpt about the Fund.

What is the Forrest Spence Fund?

The story of the Forrest Spence Fund begins with the birth of a baby boy in Memphis, Tennessee.  Robert Forrest Spence was born to parents David and Brittany in 2007, after a normal pregnancy full of joy and anticipation.  Shortly after birth, however, he developed complications from an infection and was rushed to Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, where he fought for his life for 55 days before passing away.  While Forrest was in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Le Bonheur his story spread throughout the city of Memphis and beyond.  Scores of people were touched by his story and by the faith and courage of his parents.  A community of people across the mid-south rallied behind this baby boy and provided the Spence family the love and support they needed to survive…. the love and support that helped them through each excruciating decision and each exhausting day in the hospital.  The outpouring of love they received forever changed the Spences, and upon Forrest’s death they founded the Forrest Spence Fund in order to give back to their community and the hospital that fought so valiantly for their son.  The Forrest Spence Fund – a 501c3 non-profit organization - now exists to assist with the non-medical needs of families and children dealing with critical or chronic illness across the mid-south. 

The Fund is currently in its third year of operation and to date has helped hundreds of families in the mid-south region by providing for their physical and emotional needs as they face pediatric illness.  Each family has a unique journey, and their needs are treated individually by the Fund’s staff of volunteers.  Families in the care of the Fund receive physical comforts to make their hospital time more bearable, emotional support and guidance, and professional Christian counseling when necessary.  The Fund also seeks to support the hospitals and medical staff caring for ill children by providing medical-grade equipment and supplies for their Intensive Care Units.  The Spences and the volunteers of the Forrest Spence Fund are actively involved at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital in Memphis and have moved into several other regional hospitals over the course of the past three years.  The new “Forrest” sibling room is currently under construction and will be a special part of LeBonheur Hospital’s current expansion.

The 5K is our main fundraiser for the Fund.  If you live in Memphis, we would love to see you the day of the race.  If you live out of town, you can sign up as a ghost runner and receive a t-shirt in the mail.  Click here to learn more about the Fund and to sign up for the race.  

sweet boys

Austin is loving his little brother more each day.  He asks for him when he wakes up and runs to him if he hears Miller crying.  The other day I had Miller in the carseat ready to go but I walked out to the car to cool it down without him and Austin started hollering at me and stood next to his carseat, scared I was leaving Miller.  It was the most precious thing.  I love the fact that Austin will never remember a day that he wasn't a big brother.  Even though this phase is hard, I wouldn't trade it for the world.  I heard a great quote the other day about motherhood, "the days are long but the years are short".  I pray that I would make the most out of each day knowing they will soon be gone.




The boys are wearing matching shirts that say Lil Bro and Big Bro that a good friend made for me.

dare devil

Austin LOVES to swim and decided he was ready to jump off the diving board all by himself. When my dad was in town he would drop Austin in the water to me but this weekend, Austin jumped without any help (we were in the water). He loves doing it and wants to do it again and again.

quick trip to Nashville

Miller and I made a quick trip to Nashville 2 Sundays ago for my future sister in law's bridal shower. We drove over Sunday morning and came back Monday afternoon. We saw a lot of friends in a short amount of time. On Sunday we helped host the shower for Christin. It was a sweet shower full of friends and family.

After the shower we went and visited with my best friend from college, Kacee, and her little girl Mary. Mary was intrigued by Miller and would just watch him and smile. It was really sweet. She will be a wonderful big sister one day.


After visiting with Kacee and Mary, we had dinner with 3 of my closest friends from high school and a close friend from college. (I didn't take any pictures). It was so fun to catch up and introduce them to Miller. That night we spent the night with Anne and the kids. Olivia LOVED Miller and wanted to help with everything. She was so good with him. She loved to tickle and kiss him.



We loved spending the morning with them.  We then had lunch with Kacee and Mary again before heading back to Memphis.  I wish I could see all those friends and family more often.

finally

Finally a picture of my 2 boys together.  They were definitely not dressed for a photo but Austin showed interest in holding his baby brother for the first time (it only took 7 weeks =) so I jumped on it.  Austin is becoming more loving and accepting of Miller.  He asks for him, gives him hugs and kisses, and gives him his blanket and paci when he needs it. He really is so sweet.

I love how Austin is looking at Miller in this picture.

Look at that grin...love it!

And a sweet picture of Miller by himself.