In 2017 we lost our baby girl at 13 weeks pregnant. Since then at Christmas we use the money we would have spent on her Christmas gifts on random and some not so random acts of love. We also do the same thing around her would maybe have been birthday.
This year I made 6 “Santa” big zip locks of snacks and essentials to leave downtown. I sent a few turtle sea creature masks to people we love, sent a happy mail, left some happies around town and the area.
I hope we were able to spread some love and light. Our girl definitely brought love and light into our life and we are here to ensure her light forever burns. Mommy and Daddy love you sweet baby. You are full of magic and sparkles.
Merry, merry. We hope you had a splendid cozy Christmas with your Covid safe pod.
Happy almost Saturday! Oops, didn’t mean to stay up so late.
This past week we built Em an American Girl doll bed. We used these plans. It turned out better than I hoped! We did add an extra inch in length to the bed.
I made a Grinch and a Frozen version of my Team Spirit Cookie Dough Bites. I love how versatile, fun and happy different sprinkles can make them. I used blue and white chocolate chips I found at Walmart for the Frozen ones.
This week my mama had a heart health scare/event. Please send continued prayers. Thank you to those that reached out. Most thankful to Teddy for dropping his life to be there and to communicate with the doctors and his crazy sisters. My preceptor at work for listening to me stress and agonize for days straight. And most importantly my tribe, the ones that have continued to check in, offer support and the wise, wise woman who reminded me I am not alone in this even though if feels like we are missing a few humans to help deal. We are not alone in this and even though we are all very, very tired we are rockstars who will buckle down and handle the shit storms of life with grace, love, Diet Coke, chocolate, thousands of transcontinental texts, warm baths, and each other.
And doctors of the world be warned we are a force with knowledge (at times too much knowledge it makes us crazier cause we know what is going on or could happen), questions and brains. Your friendly reminder that heart and veins and arteries on that table are attached to a body, a soul, a mama, a sister, a daughter, an aunt, a friend and if it was your family you would have a thousand questions as well. So don’t be an ass about us wanting the details and asking questions. No we aren’t the experts in your field but we do know you are human which makes you capable of mistakes and maybe probably not actually the expert in your field.
On a happier note. I got more fairy hair today and saw Frozen 2. Y’all Disney just stop please don’t go for Frozen 3, you knocked it out of the park with this one. Elsa and Anna slayed, Olaf dropped some wise truths and Christof was a great support to some strong force women. Bravo. If you haven’t seen it, highly recommend.
Working on getting those Christmas cards out so if you want one or your address has changed let me know!
Still gathering some things for the 25 days of #rileykateslovies as always no pressure but if you want to spread some love in her honor I have cards I can send.
Happy Weekend! Still hoping to savor some football tomorrow despite the outcome of my Tides season.
Merry Christmas! I hope your day and season is filled with joy, love and peace. I know the holidays can be an especially hard time for many. I pray you find some pocket of peace and joy today no matter how small.Â
Riley Kate’s Lovies are our little girls legacy and remembrance. I started these act of love as a way to help spread the light and love she brought into our lives in her 13 short weeks. It has become therapy and healing for me and I truly hope the recipients feel loved and cared for. This year I did the 25 days of Riley Kate’s Lovies, doing one or more random or sometimes not so random act of love in her honor. It brings me such joy to share her with the world and to honor her.
This year would have been her second Christmas. I can not imagine what a joy that would have been. It is hard not to get bogged down in the what ifs. I’m striving to see the beauty in the ashes and be a light for the world around me, in order to spread her light and love.
We hope your season continues to be filled with love, light and joy. May 2019 bring you exactly what you need. Merry Christmas! Happy Everything! Wishing you a Joyous New Year! Lovies!
This past weekend I grabbed some goodies at Pepper Place Market. We snuggled in at home watching football and the Iron Bowl.
We took a late night trip to the movies to see The Nutcracker. It was beautiful and good. We tried out the renovated theater in Vestavia. Recliners with heated seats. We wont pay that money for every movie because we are cheap and wait til most movies come to the dollar theater. But any movies we do see brand new we will see there.
I am gearing up for the 25 days of acts of love or #rileykateslovies in celebration of our sweet baby. If you would like to do an act of love in her honor let me know and I can get a card in the mail to you. Last year we asked everyone that would have bought her a Christmas gift to do an act of love no matter how small in her honor and then tell us so we could experience her light and love in the world. It was such a healing blessing and you can expect us to continue this all of our days.
I blogged about our visit to Santorini in October.
I grabbed this OPI Nutcracker nail polish advent calendar! I can’t wait to countdown with nail polish.
The cold weather and hand washing has my skin so dry. I have this Baby Balm (not just for babies) in my purse at all times now.
You know how much I love a good party, celebrations, and traditions. I bought the Cultivate What Matters Celebration Binder during Black Friday and I can not wait to dive in.
I decked what was left if the halls this week. All the pastels and pinks inspired by vintage Christmas and our sweet baby.
09.07.18 Happy “First Birthday” Baby Girl. On this day I lit your candle of love to shine bright and illuminate the world. I grieved and cried, I mourned the loss of you and your entire lifetime. We also spread your love and light to celebrate, honor and remember you throughout the town. I pray these will inspire, brighten and give joy to others. I hope people will pay it forward in your honor and that #rileykateslovies becomes your legacy and light in the darkness.
Thank you again to everyone who helped honor her and love on us this month. Especially Birmingham Candy Company thank you for your continued love and support it means the world to me.
I don’t know what the future holds but I am hoping it burns bright with light and love and that I can use my heart, experiences,words and knowledge to help someone else process and create a life that not only lives with grief and not despite the grief but because of the grief. Because grief is our proof that we have loved well. An baby girl my love burns bright for you.
The Barefoot Mermaid 