Generosity

Wow! We are truly humbled and grateful for the generosity of our friends, family, coworkers and their friends. The response for donations in Parker's name is going to provide many needed items at the NICU units at Children's Hospital and Good Samaritan. Lindsey currently has 15 mirrors in living room waiting for the little memorial plaques to be attached. The plaques are finished but we have not been able to pick them up yet. In addition to the mirrors Lindsey has been purchasing baby clothes to include in the donation.

Those of you that have followed the blog have seen that we are blessed, in big and small ways. Unfortunately, the hectic pace and daily demands in all of our lives sometimes cause us to overlook the small blessings. For a while I have wondered if the url for the blog was still appropriate, lifeslittleblessingz. In the beginning our little blessing weighed in at just over 2 pounds. During the short time that we had with him he changed the lives of many he touched. As his parents Lindsey and I will always be grateful for our little boy, one of our biggest blessings so far. Through this we have gained a better understand and new perspective for things in our lives. Be thankful for everything you have and recognize even the small things. This actually makes lifeslittleblessingz the perfect address for us to continue to share our lives with friends and family.

Back to the donations. We had always planned on getting a few mirrors but we will be able to get so much more. A distributor for the mirrors recently bought out another company and the price of the mirrors was cut in half (a little blessing). Adding this to the remarkable generosity of all of you we are looking to purchase some rocking chairs or recliners. We will let you all know the final tally and what we were able to purchase. We will know the final details early in December.

mirrors project

The mirror project is moving right along. This week, my dad, brother, the girls and I went to the engraver and ordered 25 plaques to be placed on the top of each mirror. The plaques are costing us about $12 a piece, which I did not think was that bad for the size and quality we are getting.

In Loving Memory of

Parker Alexander Maximus Ringhand

July 28, 2009 - October 30, 2009

And Yes...Parker's entire name will be on each of the plaques. If reading his name makes people laugh or smile for a second...our job is done. So far we have collected and spent $450 on ten mirrors. I have a call into the company I am purchasing the mirrors from, because they keep changing the price. I want to wait until the price comes down again before I purchase any more.

I am really excited about this project and the overwhelming generosity of all of the donors. These mirrors will give the NICU parents special memory's with their child/children. I am very thankful to every ones support on this project. The plan still remains to keep the account open at US Bank until the first of December. At that time I will close the account and finish off my purchase. ALL of the money will go to the NICUs. I will make sure I post pictures of all of the loot and specify what WE have donated. Thanks again!

2 weeks ago already!

I can not believe it has already been two weeks since Parker's passing. The first week, you feel a since of numbness and you are just going through the motions of taking care of business. It took several days to get the death certificate. When they finally received the certificate they were able to perform the cremation. My Mother was able to pick up the urn on the way home from school last Friday, November 6th and bring it down to our house.

I always thought that cremation was strange when I heard other people talking about it. What do they do with the urn? It doesn't seem that strange to me any more. In fact after watching someone get buried today...I think cremation is the way to go. Did you know they actually jump on the casket once they put it in the ground to ensure that it is sealed tight?

When the girls saw the urn for the first time they really had a hard time understanding what it was, but then when my Mother-in-law came to pick them up for music class, the first thing they said to her was..."Parker's in a jar". Right now the urn is on the mantel...I know, how cliche. I have a picture of Parker that sits next to it. It will stay there for now, but I am sure it will move around until we find the perfect spot.

Last Saturday was Jared and Megan's wedding reception. It was beautiful and perfect. Jared did a beautiful job singing to Megan during their dance. I cried and cried. It was a wonderful night, but I must admit that night is when I really started to feel sad about Parker. Everyone was really good about keeping the evening about Jared and Megan and not about Parker, which I really appreciate.

Sunday was spent out at the farm in Indiana. It was a gorgeous day out and it was so nice to get to know Megan's family better. This week, I have been running around town taking care of business. I took a load of items to return to the home depot (left overs from finishing the basement). I really need to make a list of what I need to accomplish over the next couple of weeks. The problem is I really do not feel like doing anything, but stair at a wall by myself.

Bereavement

I think I hate the word Bereavement. It's ugly and what does it really mean. Everyone morns the loss of someone differently. The first week, I think I did great...but now the last couple of days I have been really sad. Every Mother can relate to this. I feel like I felt when I had a one month old that never sleeps...I am tired and if someone says the wrong thing...I think I may snap. All and all...yes we are doing okay. We are functioning.

I know a lot of you out there can relate to what we are going through. Morning the loss of anything is hard. The loss of a job, loss of a parent, divorce, health issues and the list goes on. I have been reading several books on the grieving process and I know we have a rough road ahead of us. I spoke to one of my friends yesterday that is also grieving the loss of her little one (Johnny passed away in August). We had a quick chat, but it was what I needed to hear at that moment. I asked her if we will ever get over this and she said...No, but we will get through it.

I am so thankful to my Father in Heaven who loves me and knows me. He has sent me all of the right people to help me through this chapter of my life. I really appreciate every ones outpouring of support, love and prayers. I am so thankful to my husband. I would not want to go through this with anyone else. I know I chose the right person to spend my life with. Big hugs-Lindsey

Halloween

My Mother in law, Sandy takes the kids every Friday evening to singing class. The girls learned a cute Halloween song and where able to sing it as we went Trick or Treating on Saturday.

That's Halloween

Come with me this Hal-low-een. We'll see things we've nev-er seen.

Ghosts and Gob-lins too, They will fright-en you.

If you've nev-er been outside When the witch-es start their ride,

Broom-sticks ev-'ry-where, Long, black, string-y hair.

Would you like to Trick or Treat? Ring-ing door-bells down each street?

It's a spook-y scene But that's Hal-low-een.

Ee-rie sounds are soft and loud Com-ing from the shuf-fling crowd.

Masks are made to shock Kids on ev-'ry block.

...and off with his...beard!!! Lance had been growing his beard since Parker was born and was planning on shaving it off when Parker came home. Well since Parker went home on Friday, Lance shaved before church on Sunday. I am sure he will grow back his original goatee. It is kind of strange to see him all naked faced.

Mirrors

I have been doing a little research on the net at the best price for the mirrors and I believe this is the best. They range any where from $40 - $113 + the plaque. So here is what I am thinking...Parker has an account set up for this purpose. The account # is 230104849735 and it is at US Bank. I spoke with the bank today and they said that anyone can deposit into this account. If you would like me to know that you deposited on Parker's behalf please send me a note or card in the mail, otherwise all deposits will be anonymous. If you are more comfortable with buying the mirrors directly, here is a website. Then I will place the plaques on them. The account will be open until the first of December. At that time I will close the account and buy the mirrors and add the plaques.

http://appleschoolsupply.com/plexiglassmirror.aspx

Another Beautiful Sabbath Day

In our church the first Sunday of the month is called fast and testimony meeting. All of the members fast for a purpose and meet together to share their testimonies about gospel principles. I thank everyone who shared their testimonies with us yesterday. The main theme of yesterday was that we are never alone. Lance and I have felt so loved by our Father in Heaven and by all of you that we never felt alone. We greatly appreciate everyone fasting and praying for our family.

I have felt so close to my Heavenly Father over the past couple of days. Parker was the second person I have watched pass through the veil. The first was my grandfather, Patriarch Laney. I know that Parker is now with my Grandfather and know that he will keep a close eye on him until it is my turn.

I am very grateful for this trial in my life. I am grateful that I was able to meet my son and spend time with him. When I was on bed rest I never thought we would make it as far as we did. I love my family very much and am thankful for their sacrifice. This has been such a long journey for our family...first with being on bed rest for 10 weeks and then over the past couple months. My husband is an amazing man that impresses me with his strength and understanding.

I thank the Ringhand's for watching Samantha every day so I could spend part of the day with Parker. I love and appreciate everyone that has brought us dinners and the priesthood members that brought me the sacrament while I was on bed rest. I am thankful and love my cleaning angels that have kept up with our home. Love Love Love you!!!

I will forever be grateful of the medical staff at Good Sam and Children's. I know that they did everything they could with the information they had at the time. ALL of the doctors ended up being absolutely fine and we appreciate all they did for our family. Lance and I are also very thankful to all of our nurses. We had The Best nurses! Keep doing what you do. We love you Crystal and Holly. Thank you both for calling us. We will have to have lunch some time soon.

Friday was a good day. We were able to be surrounded by our loved ones and share the day with the family. I spent the whole morning kangarooing with Parker while family members took their turn saying their good byes. Parker received his blessing around 1:30pm. Ben did such a beautiful job. Thank you! After Parker's blessing everyone but Lance, Laney, Samantha, Parker and I. We had some quite moments as a family. We took hundreds of pictures during this time. After we were finished, my parents took the girls home with them.

Lance was able to hold him while they removed the breathing tube. Of course there were many tears, but instant relief for Parker. I am so glad Lance and I were able to stay afterwords to bathe Parker's body and show respect to him in this way. It wasn't as hard to leave as I thought it was going to be. When the timing was right we were both ready.

Lance and I decided that we did not want to do a formal funeral. Parker's body was cremated and we will be picking up his remains later this week. I still want some hugs from a few people, so I may be calling to have lunch with some of you.

Life moves on. My brother Jared and his now wife Megan is having their reception next weekend. We will be able to see most of my family at that time. Please keep their reception about them. We love them and will be joining them as we celebrate this wonderful addition to our family.

Again, Thank you for reading this blog and joining us on this emotional roller coaster. We love and appreciate you. This blog will continue as our family blog during the next chapters of our lives. Please feel free to continue to read as you wish. God bless you all!