This morning, our family walked in the 2020 NILMDTS Virtual Remembrance Walk in honor of Astrid.
I’m incredibly grateful for the retouched images we have of her thanks to Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep.
It was a beautiful (and windy) day to kickoff the start of our new Family Formation year at our parish.
Outside activities were enjoyed by all of the Shecklets – including the pie eating contest, egg breaking contest, scooter racing, and rock painting.
We ordered Astrid’s grave marker today. My list of things I never thought I’d have to do keeps growing.
The granite we selected comes from South Dakota. I have extended family who live there and were a great support to me during my pregnancy and after Astrid’s death. Jake and I like the extra special connection that Astrid’s marker will have because of where the granite is from.
We took the Shecklets mountain biking at a state park near Crosby. We met Jake’s uncle there and split into two groups. Jake and his uncle rode with the three older Shecklets and I rode with Shecklet #4. After about two hours or riding, we headed to the skills park. They had a mini course for younger or newer riders and a more advanced one with different levels of skills, similar to what you’d find when you go skiing.
A short time later, our fun came to a stop and we had to detour to the ER. Shecklet #2 attempted a drop off, and he’ll tell you he “landed wrong.” Thankfully, Jake was with him and helped him get down off the course to where Helena and I were at. It didn’t take long to realize an emergency room visit was necessary – #2 couldn’t move his wrist, it was swelling, and he had a substantial gash on his elbow.
After cleaning out his wound (the area was numbed and he was given IV pain meds) they put his arm in a splint – including his elbow. We were told to have the wound looked at on Monday (Labor Day) and re-splinted until we could see an orthopedic doctor later in the week
My aunt and uncle sent us an electronic DQ gift card while were in the ER, which was a sweet surprise and delicious treat after such an eventful day.
We’ve been fortunate enough to make several trips to Nissedalen this summer. Today is the second Saturday in a row that the kids have spent the majority of the day in their swimsuits being pulled behind a boat. They are at such a great age for having fun in the water and playing independently. (I spent most of the day watching them from the shore – in the shade.)
No photos of the day, just memories I’m keeping in my head. I hope the kids are able to do the same <3
We have been given numerous flower arrangements, orchid plants, and stuffed animals, in addition to meals, prayers, and thoughtful gifts from friends who have walked a similar path as we are currently walking. These things have been visual, tangible ways we have felt loved and supported during this surreal time in our lives.
Our girls prayed with friends, a family from our church lit a candle for us in their home chapel while keeping us in prayer, and another family dropped off snacks, items to bring to the hospital, stuffed animals for the girls and yo-yo’s for the boys after hearing Astrid no longer had a heartbeat.
Aunts, uncles & friends have sent these:
My SD family sent us these:
Jake’s brother & SIL sent us this stuffed swan and a matching print that I hung in the girls’ room. (I love that their purchase of the swan and the print equals 15 meals for children in need.) The Psalm reference in the note is Psalm 91:4. “He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings.”
This print with a quote from St. Zélie Martin is one I absolutely love was given to me by two different people. It sits on the dresser in our bedroom.
Shecklet #4 drew this for me – it’s Astrid in my belly when I was pregnant. I’ve said this before – she was so excited to have a baby sibling come live with us. I wish I could have given her that gift.
A friend of mine gave me this – left on our front porch – after Astrid died. It now sits on my kitchen windowsill next to the “Hope” cross that another friend gave me after our miscarriage back in August 2009. The note in the small box below reads: “A mother’s love is not defined by the number of children she can see, but by the love she holds in her heart.” Franchesca Cox
My SILs, Kari & Stacie, sent this sweet gift in remembrance:
We stayed an extra day so we could see one of Jake’s cousins who we haven’t seen since last fall. It was great to see her and meet the friends she is spending time with this week at Nissedalen.
After lunch, we took Jake’s grandma to visit Jake’s uncle, another cousin and her kids. We went on a pontoon ride, the kids swam and tubed, and we sat on the dock and chatted. It was another amazing day. I don’t think we could have asked for better weather than we have had this week.
Grandma Lois treated all of us to pizza before we loaded up our truck to head home. We are returning with sun-kissed cheeks and a week of fun memories 💕
We had amazing weather all week. More tubing and skiing today. Shecklet #2 and our friend skied together, which was fun to watch!
After our friends headed for home – to recover from the week at the lake – we took the kids for dinner (A&W) and stopped at one of the local go-kart places. I predicted that Shecklet #2 would race the fastest and try to lap his siblings, Shecklet #3 would try to keep up with Shecklet #2, and Shecklet #1 would drive at his own pace, not affected by either #2 or #3. My prediction was correct. Shecklet #4 wasn’t interested in racing, so she gave the climbing wall a try.
Storm after storm rolled through over the night. The sun came out and we enjoyed yet another fantastic day. Kids rode their bikes into town for candy and donuts, the moms did a little shopping (we now have matching sweatshirts :)) and Jake and I had a chance to go visit one of his uncle’s cabins on a different lake. We brought back DQ for everyone and had one last round of s’mores by the fire. (As if we needed MORE sugar. ha!)
Stormy morning meant cool temps for a little while. The midday hours did not disappoint. We had hot and humid temps, so the crew hit the water again for tubing. No skiing today – the waves would have made it a challenge.
More storms rolled in shortly after dinner. Lots of rain, thunder, and lightning. Thankfully, no damage at Nissedalen.
Lake hair, don’t care. Having so much fun with this lady and her family!
