Down

For once that's a good thing! I debated whether I would put this on the blog or not since it would be admitting that I had 25 pounds to lose (honestly more to go), and it's probably more information than you care to know. But, I've worked hard to get here and I'm happy to finally see the scale going in the right direction and I'm hoping it will be another way to keep me accountable =). Between pregnancy weight and my grieving with food in the beginning, I was pretty discouraged. At the beginning of October I'd had enough and decided to go to Weight Watchers. I'm so glad I did! I've given myself a little wiggle room for the holidays and being out of town, so I was really excited when I hit my 25 pounds goal yesterday. It's amazing how excited I can get over silly little charms, but I love tangible things. Hurray for positive things to celebrate! Here's to hoping I can continue to lose!

Remembering at Christmas

Walking With You was created by Kelly of Sufficient Grace Ministries to help support those who have lost a child. Together we share our stories, helpful information, scriptures, encouraging words, prayer requests, and more. To join in on Walking With You please visit Kelly's blog. 

If you are missing someone you love this Christmas, someone of ANY age who is spending Christmas with Jesus this year, I hope you will join us on this very special Walking With You. We are sharing our Christmas memories and the ways that we remember our loved ones who have gone home to heaven at Christmas time.

I have to admit this season has brought back emotions I haven't felt so strongly in awhile. I'll always miss Ethan, but thinking about the holidays and all the things I thought we would be doing together this year is hard. This is a picture from last year, when we were still basking in the joy of finally being pregnant. Baby Long, as we referred to Ethan in the beginning, had presents already and it was fun to display them under the tree and think about him using them.

This year looks different. It's a sobering fact to know he won't be here this Christmas or any others until we get to Heaven. Spending Christmas with the One the holiday is all about (Jesus) is better anyways. I keep trying to remind myself of that fact.

There are a few ways that we are going to remember Ethan this year. I have been on a mission to find the perfect Christmas ornament. I wanted to find one that celebrated his birth but didn't say '1st Christmas' and that acknowledged that he was a gift. I got a little carried away and ended up with three, but I think that's okay. You can probably tell by now that I like 'Snowbabies', and it was so fitting to me that they said what I wanted to say. One has Ethan's name on it, one says 'Gift from God' and another says 'From God 2009'.

 

My hometown church also has a memory tree with ornaments for loved ones who have passed away this year. I don't have a picture of that yet, but I hope to take one before the season is over. Ethan and my great uncle Larry also have ornaments on this tree.


We are also choosing a name off the Christmas Wish tree at church. We are hoping to love on another little boy in need this Christmas and hope to make 'adopting' a boy at Christmas a tradition. Ethan has everything he needs, but there are other little boys out there we can help.