What an end to the week!

So in my head, I thought we would get up this morning, head on over to church, whip through the video, and be out in time to go have a meeting about a benefit for Seth that was in the works and still make our 1:30 signing class.

But you all know me better than that by now, right?

If it had just been me, maybe it would have happened that way. But you take me, John (who only has one speed- slow), our three lovely children who are also slow as molasses, and then add in our beloved neighbors and best friends who also have a penchant for running behind...you get the picture.

But by 10:30 (Yes, and hour and a half later than planned), we were rolling. John and I ran into a little road block last night when I returned home from my happening party and we realized neither one of us had really looked at the script my mom put together in weeks. Luckily for me, much of it was taken from my previous blog posts, but John was in trouble. See, he doesn't read my blog. I can say whatever I want about him on here! Except that recently this blog was outed to people we actually know in real life,  so it could get back to him. Hi, Honey!!! Love Ya!

John went first. For a long time. He kept laughing and forgetting what he was supposed to be talking about. He wanted to the video to be Seth talking like the baby on that commercial. I'm pretty sure he has ADD.

I went next, and my mouth wasn't really cooperating with my brain. It was frustrating, and I was stressed about the fact that I had to make a last minute wardrobe change due to the fact that it is FREEZING in Florida right now.

Lunch came and went. Seth and the kids went hungry, all for the sake of the shoot. Finally, around two, we were done. By the end, I was just so happy to be finishing I stopped being so self conscious. I did feel very led and very secure in what I was saying, and I want to thank you so much for your prayers for me today!

I can't wait to see the finished product.

_________________

Speaking of products, you all rock! Our first week of sales for Seth's fundraiser were amazing, especially considering this blog was the only place the bracelets have been promoted. I can't wait to see what happens in the coming weeks! I have loved all the stories I have heard about what led people to donate. One of the best so far was a family whose daughters (who are young...like 6 and 8 or so?) insisted on giving their own money for Seth's surgery! They inspired their parents so much that they decided to donate, too. What amazing kids those are!

Even more than the donations themselves, the emails and comments have made my days completely. If you didn't know, I LOVE email and comments! They are my favorite! Opening my inbox to see new comments or emails makes me smile really wide (although when you ask me a question and don't leave contact info, it makes me sad). It is amazing how many families are out there just like us. I know when Eli first died or Seth was first diagnosed, we felt so alone. It is so cool to see that there is a support system out there for all of us!

To illustrate the amazing people you can meet online, I'll tell you a story.

I have this friend (I call her a friend even though I haven't met her, because I feel like we're tight. lol) Her name is Mandy, and she has this beautiful little boy, Connor. Connor was born on Eli's first birthday, March 28th, 2008. He lived for 71 minutes before he died of a completely preventable condition called Vasa Previa. So, first off, it's weird because she is my age-ish, has a baby who both shares Eli's birthday and died at birth...and...wait for it...she's pregnant again and due two days after Seth's 1st Birthday. Plus, we grew up in the same state! We have been emailing for a while now, and it is SUCH a God thing and a comfort to me. She is exactly, literally in the place I was this time last year.

I love being able to talk to her and share where I was at last year and hear about what she's feeling as she goes through her first pregnancy after losing her son. I don't know if it helps her, but it helps me to put the past few years in perspective. When you're going through a huge loss, it's almost like you have tunnel vision, and sometimes when she writes me about something she's going through, I'll suddenly remember that it happened to me, too, and I had forgotten about it...and I love remembering it. That sounds weird, that I would want to remember a painful thing, like the flashbacks I used to have to the day he died, or the panic attacks I had for almost a year, but I don't want to forget Eli, and Mandy and Connor help me keep his memory close to my heart. And I never would have met her if it hadn't been for Seth's blog.

She's just one of many people that I couldn't imagine my life without now, and I want to thank you all! For supporting me in prayer and love and supporting Seth by your donations...it has meant the world to us! Please keep praying and sending people our way! We want to reach lives for Christ and for Seth. We have 3 months until his surgery date! I know it is going to fly by and that God will make sure we have the money we need by his surgery.