-DAY 25:  FORGET-ME-KNOTS

TRUTH:  Tell someone five things you love most about them and then hug them for longer that is comfortable.  I spoke to my husband Dan and told him five things that I love about him.  Kindness – My husband has a heart of gold.  The man does not have a single mean bone in his body.  True – He is true to himself.  He doesn’t try to be something that he isn’t.  He doesn’t need to try to impress people to get them to like him.  Loyal – I can trust Dan with anything.  He is my safe haven.  I can do or say anything to him and know he will not judge me for my faults.  Funny – He knows exactly how to make me laugh and smile.  There is never a dull moment when I am with him.  Caring – He cares deeply about the people close to him.  He is such a wonderful daddy to Adelaide and to our angel baby, Emilia.  I am so incredibly lucky to have such a wonderful man in my life.  I am honored to be his wife and the mother of his children.  I love you, Dan.  06/10/2017

DARE:  Sit down with the oldest person you know and ask for his or her story.  Tell them to start from the beginning.

 -DAY 26:  A DAZZLING UNFOLDING

TRUTH:  Write down three things that you want to become an expert in.  Take an hour today to take the first step.  The things that I would like to become an expert in are blogging, graphic design, and crocheting.  All three of these different subjects would greatly improve how I can contribute to Emilia’s Wings.  Blogging has been a way for me to express my feelings in a healthy way.  I hope that other people who have lost a child can read my writings and feel comforted.  Gaining blogging tips could help me reach people in a more impactful way.  I would like to learn more about graphic design to spice up our website, social media outlets, and promotional materials.  I crochet a bit, but I could use a lot more learning.  I would love to make more items to give to hospitals for miscarriage and stillbirth families.  06/11/2017

DARE:  Go for a walk and somewhere along the path yell, “I am awesome!”

-DAY 27:  THE NORTH STAR

TRUTH:  Describe a reoccurring dream you’ve had.  What do you think it is trying to tell you? 

DARE:  Take a 24-hour break from the internet.  Today, I will post my prompt as tomorrow I am daring myself to take a 24-hour break from the internet.  No facebook, no email, no googling, no logging into Emilia’s Wings to follow and update the site… I am taking a full day off from my computer and phone.  I am actually really looking forward to this prompt.  I spend way too much time on the internet and sometimes forget about the important moments I have right in front of me.  Looking forward to what I can accomplish in 24-hours when my mind isn’t preoccupied with what is going on in the internet world.  06/11/2017 

What does a day with no internet look like? Cleaning… lots of deep cleaning; catching up with dear, high school friends and reminiscing on the past; swimming and hanging out by the pool until our sun-kissed skin turns to burnt-red skin… ouch; power nap for the kiddo; and return to more deep cleaning.  Adelaide and I had such a great day together with old friends.  Pretty great to reflect back on the day and all the great memories we made without social media or the internet interrupting our day.  06/13/2017

-DAY 28:  GOOD THINGS RUN WILD – ONE BIG THING

TRUTH AND DARE:  Your One Big Thing! Choose one thing that you have always wanted to do and get to it.  Make sure to share a photo and include #wearethestarryeyed and post on Emilia’s Wings facebook page! 🙂  My one big thing is to live my life wholly for Emilia.  It’s not something that I have always dreamed of, but it is what I desire now more than anything in this world.  I choose to live this life here on earth fully for the both of us.  I want to honor her memory with every breath I take and remind our world of the beautiful little soul that was taken too soon.

Emilia, I want nothing more than to make you proud.  I want you to know how very loved you are and just how loved you always will be.  Our family will always be incomplete without you here, but we know that you are always near in spirit.  I will continue to search for little signs from you, my sweet little one.  The day I get to see you again, I will hold you in my arms and I will never let you go.

The last 28 days has been quite the journey.  My challenge left me with a blessing that has touched my soul.  I would like to share this blessing to remind the broken-hearted that there are still good things ahead.

“In out-of-the-way moments when darkness has settled in, may you sense a warmth stirring in your deepest depths.  A warmth that convinces weary flesh that healing is on its way.  Because new things, life-bringing things are bubbling up.  Can you feel them?  They are starting to show their brilliance.  Just like glittering stars are a sign of hope, so too are the sparks of light that reveal themselves to you exactly when you need to see them.  They are North Stars, consistent in their presence, reminders to fix your eyes on the fact that you are coming to life in a way you have never felt before.

And so, may your broken heart be mended, knit back together with kindness and courage.  May you enjoy your skin, convinced and confident of its goodness.  May night find you sheltered and safe, and may dawn bring hope to your heart, the promise of a new day potent with potential.  May thrilling horizons unfold when you are uncertain of the next step.  And may you become convinced that God is running toward you.  Loving you wholly without any hesitation.  May this season revive your soul and may you invite others in on it as well.  Because we are the Starry Eyed, people who are choosing audacious hope and that is good.  Because good things run wild.

Indeed and Amen.”  06/13/2017