This is the story of our precious baby boy, who was diagnosed prenatally at
17 weeks with a fatal chromosome disorder called Trisomy 13. Although
Jonathan's condition is considered "not compatible with life", we desired to give
him every chance at life. Our prayer is that those who are touched by our story
are drawn to God, who is Life Himself. John 14:6

To start at the beginning of our story, click here.

11.04.2009

keepsakes

well, i don't really have any deep thoughts to share this time. i do have several unfinished blog posts just sitting there waiting to take on some sort of meaning, yet the words aren't coming as easily these days. this past week or so we've been busy with "normal" things, both by choice and not: i'm trying to get back into my sewing/embroidery business, kate and i have been outside quite a bit enjoying this beautiful weather, and we have also had the unfortunate experience of a car in the shop and an emergency with one of our pets. on the same day. you know...normal stuff.

we are doing great though. i really feel like we did most of our grieving for jonathan while he was still alive. i feel a bit guilty about that, like maybe we should be grieving for him more now, but we just feel so much peace that it's hard to feel anything else. i know we'll have a few bad days here and there for many months and years to come, so i don't want to take these good days for granted. having lots of good days doesn't make me miss him any less...just makes it more bearable that he's not here. thank you for continuing to pray for us.

one thing i am starting to do is to look for things i can do to "remember" jonathan (not like i really need any help with that.) but you know, keepsake-type stuff. right now, all of his blankets, clothes and hospital belongings are put away in decorative boxes. i have an idea to make a "memory wall" with some of his things, such as a shadow box or two, but i'm not sure if i'm ready to go through those boxes.

i am also on the lookout for some personalized jewelry ideas. my mother has an opal stone and eight tiny diamonds just waiting to be used for something. she offered them to me a couple of months ago. coincidentally, jonathan's birthstone happens to be an opal and he was born on the 8th. i am probably going to get an engraved pendant of some sort as well.

so...if any of you know of some great personalized jewelry websites or keepsake ideas, please let me know!

in the meantime, i have some blogs to finish :)

11 comments:

  1. for some personalized jewelry, check out lisaleonardonline.com...she has some neat stuff, not sure if it is exactly what you are talking about, but you can get names, initials, etc on necklaces and bracelets. i won a giveaway on a blog and got her teeny tiny initials necklace with the girls initials on it. very cute.
    lauren, i am continuing to pray for you! you are truly an inspiration and God is using you and your family in huge ways!
    carrie

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  2. I got a beautiful necklace with a photo of my baby from "the pink deigns.com"

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  3. I've been following your blog but this is my first comment. Just want you to know that your Jonathan has changed my life, my perspective on life. He will be remembered by more than those close to him. I think of him daily and don't take a minute for granted with my infant sons, because of you, because of Jonathan.

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  4. My mother and father have had several pieces made by a local jeweler and he is really good. It is at "Aurum Jewelry"...They have a MySpace "www.myspace.com/aurumjewelrystudio"
    They are located on Eglin Parkway by Cinco Bridge in the shopping center where JoAnn's Fabric is. I hope this helps. May God continue to bless you and your beautiful family.

    Shannon

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  5. My mother and father have had several pieces made by a local jeweler. The name is "Aurum Jewelry Studio". They have a MySpace @ "www.myspace.com/aurumjewelrystudio" They are located on Eglin Pkwy by the Cinco Bridge in the same shopping center as JoAnn's Fabric. I hope this helps you. May God continue to bless you and your beautiful family.

    Shannon Howard-Garcia

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  6. A friend had tatooed a small elephant on her ankle to memorize her angel daughter. The elephant was the theme of the nursery.

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  7. http://www.shannonsartroom.com/ This is a website that has some wall art that would touch your heart. You do not know me, but my sister led me to your blog page- she knows you thru a friend of hers. We have been praying for you and your family, ever since the day we learned that you went into labor. When I miscarried 5 years ago, my sister purchased wall art made especially for our little Heavenly Angel. The photo that she purchased for me is the one of Jesus looking down at the new baby in His arms- with the Jeremiah 1:5 passage- it is called "I Knew You". It comes personalized with your baby's name, if you wish. I framed mine and see it every morning to remind me of the sweet little one that we lost. Praying for your precious family- your sister in Christ, Angie

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  8. A friend of mine that lost her baby wears a locket with pictures of him inside. I saw a beautiful one at JC Penney a couple of weeks ago.

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  9. We made prsonalized silicone bracelets and gave them to friends and family as a memorial for Gabi. Here is the company's website, http://www.theawristocrat.com/ , they're good.

    I also saw this adverisement on the SIDS website, this company donates to SIDS research. http://www.babyfeetjewelry.com/ Hope this is useful.

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  10. Have you seen the new Rememberance Rings from James Avery? They are birthstone rings that are thin and engraveable. They are thin so several can be worn at a time if you wanted to get one for all your kiddos. They come in gold and silver.

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  11. Our son, Elijah Glenn, went to be with Jesus 2 1/2 years ago. I went into labor, went to the hospital for delivery, and discovered that his heart was no longer beating. Out of this experience, God developed a very neat thing. A dear friend and prayer partner of mine began a ministry called Cherish Soles. She does personalized pillows, with the babies footprints on them. This keepsake has been very special to me and especially to our other two children who had just turned 3 and 5 at the time. At night, when they would cry, and still do sometimes, we get out the pillow, and they sleep with it and squeeze the pillow tight. The web address is www.cherishedsoles.com.

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