Almost 10 months since my last post but not because we have forgotten about our sweet angel, Lizzy Ann... Life has simply moved forward and we are finally to a place of healing and happiness.
I'm not sure how many more posts will be made or if this blog will just remain as a reminder of our baby's precious time with us but whatever happens, we thank each of you for your support, love and prayers.
Continue to pray for us in the coming months as we try to begin our family again. We are hopeful that God will bless us with a family and know that His plans for us are greater than we can imagine.
Much love,
Johnna
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Holidays
Life has slowed down to a brisk jog and I'm feeling like I've rejoined society for at least a brief 2 weeks.
Last Christmas (2009) was hardly jolly and really was just Jeremy and I trying to go through it in survival mode. Gratefully, this holiday has been better and we are both hearing the bells (watch "The Polar Express" if you don't get it).
We have had a busy holiday so far with lots of musical events for me and Jeremy has been in school mode more than usual this semester. In addition to being a professor that teaches 4 courses, he is also a student in the Community Counseling program. This masters will give him more opportunities to help companies in providing employee wellness. He has really enjoyed the courses and is looking forward to the next few semesters.
While going about your holiday season, remember the reason for this blessed time. For those who have asked for and received the precious baby born so long ago, this is truly a magical time of year. I have been forever changed by 2 precious babies... One perfect and holy. One imperfect now whole.
-Thank you sweet Jesus for giving me life eternal with you.
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a very Happy 2011.
Love,
Johnna
Last Christmas (2009) was hardly jolly and really was just Jeremy and I trying to go through it in survival mode. Gratefully, this holiday has been better and we are both hearing the bells (watch "The Polar Express" if you don't get it).
We have had a busy holiday so far with lots of musical events for me and Jeremy has been in school mode more than usual this semester. In addition to being a professor that teaches 4 courses, he is also a student in the Community Counseling program. This masters will give him more opportunities to help companies in providing employee wellness. He has really enjoyed the courses and is looking forward to the next few semesters.
While going about your holiday season, remember the reason for this blessed time. For those who have asked for and received the precious baby born so long ago, this is truly a magical time of year. I have been forever changed by 2 precious babies... One perfect and holy. One imperfect now whole.
-Thank you sweet Jesus for giving me life eternal with you.
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a very Happy 2011.
Love,
Johnna
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Hard Work Pays Off
This year Jeremy and I were honored to serve as our area's March of Dimes Ambassador Family. We worked hard with our area director to not only raise funds for Team Lizzy Ann but to raise awareness about the walk and help other teams get going.
Got a call a few days ago and we are UNOFFICIALLY the highest raising family team in Alabama!! Team Lizzy Ann!! Of course this is unofficial and could change if another area has a ringer team in the curtains but even if we don't get this huge honor then we are so proud of our supporters!
I'm not sure what our final total came to but it was right around $8950 (maybe slightly more or less).
Each of you helped us honor the life of Elizabeth Ann Stafford and show your support for healthy babies everywhere. We are honored that you chose to give to us and our team this year.
I am still kind of struggling with where the blog is headed but please check back every so often and I'll try to be more timely in posting. :) Love you all.
-Johnna
Got a call a few days ago and we are UNOFFICIALLY the highest raising family team in Alabama!! Team Lizzy Ann!! Of course this is unofficial and could change if another area has a ringer team in the curtains but even if we don't get this huge honor then we are so proud of our supporters!
I'm not sure what our final total came to but it was right around $8950 (maybe slightly more or less).
Each of you helped us honor the life of Elizabeth Ann Stafford and show your support for healthy babies everywhere. We are honored that you chose to give to us and our team this year.
I am still kind of struggling with where the blog is headed but please check back every so often and I'll try to be more timely in posting. :) Love you all.
-Johnna
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Lazy Summer Days
"Must be nice being a teacher. You get 3 months off every summer AND all holidays." I just love it when people say that. :) If you are a teacher, please laugh out loud as you read that statement and if you aren't a teacher ask someone who is why that is so funny to us. :)
Today is my first official "lazy" day and I am heading out the door in just a few to pick out tiles for a new backsplash and get things ready for new countertops & stove. Plus I have a little outside work to do today (roundup the encroaching woods, plant a few little things, weed beds, etc.) and have more laundry to wash that humanly possible. So I guess this could be considered a "lazy" day but just typical summer for most teachers. It's called playing CATCH-UP because the prior 40 weeks have been kinda busy! :)
I still have so much in my heart that I desire to share but just haven't found a way to do so yet. Please pray for me as I try to figure out how to best express our full story from beginning to now. So many days I feel like I am protecting Elizabeth Ann by keeping details and events to ourselves but I know that it could help so many families if we do decide to open up. Just keep us in your prayers friends.
I love this verse and it has given me peace over the past few weeks especially.
Psalm 91:4 - "He will cover you with His feathers. He will shelter you with His wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection."
Love you all,
Johnna
Today is my first official "lazy" day and I am heading out the door in just a few to pick out tiles for a new backsplash and get things ready for new countertops & stove. Plus I have a little outside work to do today (roundup the encroaching woods, plant a few little things, weed beds, etc.) and have more laundry to wash that humanly possible. So I guess this could be considered a "lazy" day but just typical summer for most teachers. It's called playing CATCH-UP because the prior 40 weeks have been kinda busy! :)
I still have so much in my heart that I desire to share but just haven't found a way to do so yet. Please pray for me as I try to figure out how to best express our full story from beginning to now. So many days I feel like I am protecting Elizabeth Ann by keeping details and events to ourselves but I know that it could help so many families if we do decide to open up. Just keep us in your prayers friends.
I love this verse and it has given me peace over the past few weeks especially.
Psalm 91:4 - "He will cover you with His feathers. He will shelter you with His wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection."
Love you all,
Johnna
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Happy Birthday
Happy Birthday, Elizabeth Ann! Today you celebrated this special day by playing with angel baby friends, dancing with Angels and listening to Jesus sing "Happy Birthday" to you. What a glorious party you had in the most beautiful place anyone could ever be!
Daddy and I spent the day thinking of nothing but you and the way you changed our lives forever. We talked about you and your specialness all day long. Your thin fingers, your dark pretty hair, your sweet nose and lips, how small you seemed that day in our arms.... Every moment we had with you is burned into our memory and always with us.
Love to you sweet angel,
Daddy and I spent the day thinking of nothing but you and the way you changed our lives forever. We talked about you and your specialness all day long. Your thin fingers, your dark pretty hair, your sweet nose and lips, how small you seemed that day in our arms.... Every moment we had with you is burned into our memory and always with us.
We miss you so very much but wanted to share a few things we did down here for your special 1st birthday.
Love to you sweet angel,-Mommy and Daddy
Friday, April 2, 2010
Thank you
Thank you to each of you who have donated to our March of Dimes goal (Team Lizzy Ann)!! We are not quite half-way to our individual goal and only have 3 weeks left so please consider giving a small monetary gift. www.marchforbabies.org/teamlizzyann
Just imagine....
- No babies born with cleft palates
- No babies diagnosed with Trisomy abnormalities
- No babies born before 37 weeks
- No babies born with sickle-cell anemia
- No babies born with heart murmurs or degenerative heart conditions
- No babies born with markers for childhood cancers
- No families told that their precious baby has a "terminal abnormality"
The March of Dimes is currently doing research for all of the above and MORE!
Go Team Lizzy Ann!!
Love you all,
Johnna
Just imagine....
- No babies born with cleft palates
- No babies diagnosed with Trisomy abnormalities
- No babies born before 37 weeks
- No babies born with sickle-cell anemia
- No babies born with heart murmurs or degenerative heart conditions
- No babies born with markers for childhood cancers
- No families told that their precious baby has a "terminal abnormality"
The March of Dimes is currently doing research for all of the above and MORE!
Go Team Lizzy Ann!!
Love you all,
Johnna
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
March of Dimes 2010
CHALLENGE TO ALL STAFFORD JOURNEY FOLLOWERS:
If every follower (75 total) would make a small donation to the March of Dimes (75 x $5) then our blog would have been responsible for raising 20% of our total goal!!
Jeremy and I are honored to serve as the Northwest Alabama March of Dimes Ambassador Family. We have spoken at several events and will lead the Walk for Babies in Florence on April 24th! Join our team (Team Lizzy Ann) or make a 1 time donation to our team and help us reach our goal!!
March of Dimes works to....
1. Prevent premature birth
2. Prevent birth defects
3. End infant mortality
We experienced....
1. Lizzy Ann's birth at 33 weeks and 5 days (6 weeks too early and would be dangerous even for a very healthy pregnancy)
2. a rare diagnosis of a major birth defect that was labeled a "terminal abnormality"
3. the stillbirth of our first born child
If these above reasons do not move you to support the March of Dimes, then I do not know what else I could say or do to convince you that the MOD is a worthwhile organization. Jeremy and I NEVER want another family to experience what we went through (even 1 of the 3 devastating effects listed above is too much to consider).
Please open your hearts (and your wallets) and give what you feel is appropriate but please give.
In honor of a child that was born too early but is now healthy......
In memory of a baby gone too soon.......
In hopes that no family experiences the crippling loss of a child.
Thank you all for loving us and supporting our efforts with the March of Dimes!!
-Jeremy & Johnna (& Lizzy Ann)
If every follower (75 total) would make a small donation to the March of Dimes (75 x $5) then our blog would have been responsible for raising 20% of our total goal!!
Jeremy and I are honored to serve as the Northwest Alabama March of Dimes Ambassador Family. We have spoken at several events and will lead the Walk for Babies in Florence on April 24th! Join our team (Team Lizzy Ann) or make a 1 time donation to our team and help us reach our goal!!
March of Dimes works to....
1. Prevent premature birth
2. Prevent birth defects
3. End infant mortality
We experienced....
1. Lizzy Ann's birth at 33 weeks and 5 days (6 weeks too early and would be dangerous even for a very healthy pregnancy)
2. a rare diagnosis of a major birth defect that was labeled a "terminal abnormality"
3. the stillbirth of our first born child
If these above reasons do not move you to support the March of Dimes, then I do not know what else I could say or do to convince you that the MOD is a worthwhile organization. Jeremy and I NEVER want another family to experience what we went through (even 1 of the 3 devastating effects listed above is too much to consider).
Please open your hearts (and your wallets) and give what you feel is appropriate but please give.
In honor of a child that was born too early but is now healthy......
In memory of a baby gone too soon.......
In hopes that no family experiences the crippling loss of a child.
Thank you all for loving us and supporting our efforts with the March of Dimes!!
-Jeremy & Johnna (& Lizzy Ann)
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