A birthday book

In memory and honor of Wylder James Laffoon's 4th birthday today, his mom Shannon published a second book titled Little Wish. This is a hard back 30 page book that teaches children that "everyday holds a possibility of a miracle …. just do a little wishful thinking."

She is selling these for $12.95 at her website http://shoptogive.wylderjames.com/

Please take a minute and stop by her website and read about her little warrior and the good he has helped her do. Wylder's blog can be reached here: http://wylderjames.com/archives/category/uncategorized


Here are some photos I took last year when we released balloons in honor of Wylder's 3rd birthday.

5 for Five - Week 19

It's a new week! That means a new installment of 5 for Five with Jenn and Jessica!  See the blogs participating by clicking on the button below or see my blog hop page.

Last week's goals:

1. Read 10 newspapers.

        Done! I'm into December 2012 now in my consecutive reading.

2. Write 4 blog posts.

       Wrote 4!  Enjoying being outside, Dandelions, In Memory, Angel Moms

3. Get caught up on 2 blogs.

      Read All My Love and Asperger Mom and Wife

4. Do some decluttering around the house.

     Nope - just didn't get the motivation.

5. Get outside and enjoy the nice weather!

       Done! See the blog post in #2 above.

4 of 5 isn't too bad

This week's goals:

1. Read 10 more newspapers.  Hopefully I will be in mid-December by the time this week is done.

2. Write 4 blog posts.

3. Get caught up on 3 blogs.  I want to use Google Reader before I am forced to find a new reader.  Does anyone have any ideas for another reader?

4. Finish decluttering (although it is a never-ending process!)

5. Do some ironing.  One of my dreaded tasks.

For the Mothers of Angels

This week The Compassionate Friends posted images on their Facebook page in tribute of all those mothers who have lost a child.  I have copied these images here:

18 months and 7 years

About 7 years ago I found out I was pregnant.  We were in the middle of renovating the house we had just purchased and had a bunch of things we wanted to do.  So we quickly shifted plans and decided what projects became a priority (the nursery!) and which ones could wait (the kitchen!)

Little did any of us know that a short 5 1/2 years later we would have to unexpectedly say goodbye.


This is my second Mother's Day without my baby and I think I feel this one more.  That first year you just kind of live and get through...the second year you actually realize what you are feeling.

There are so many events for mother's - from free food at restaurants to free activities to you name it.  But many times in order to take advantage of these things you need to have your child with you.  How do you explain that "yes, I am a mom", and "yes, my son is with me", but "no, you can't see him" and "no, he isn't in the military" (which seems to be the exception to having your child with you).  How do you explain that your child is dead but you will always be his mother? 

Many people just don't understand, although that is slowly changing.  The death of a child shouldn't be a taboo subject, a "skeleton in the closet".  I'm not saying it should be celebrated, but an acknowledgment and maybe some events specifically for moms of angels would be nice.

Yellow flowers

Are these flowers or weeds?  I guess it depends upon your point of view.

From ehow.com: "The dandelion is considered a weed, a flower, or a vegetable depending on your point of view. Dandelions are capable of growing in great numbers and they are a sure sign of Spring throughout their locations. Dandelions go by other names such as lion's tooth and priest's crown and although homeowners desire to rid their lawn of them they have many benefits and are edible."

Dan used to love playing with the yellow flowers every spring.  Although this picture doesn't show him playing with the flowers, he is playing near them.