Sweet Summertime!

Evening Table

Aw the smells of summer, hope everyone has been enjoying the summer. I realize I haven’t written for most of it. Our life has been rather hectic. I’m learning the art of organization, adversity, and reflection. I’ve definitely been utilizing my meal plans for the sake of time. We commute and life is so much less stressful when I get home and I know what’s going to be on the table. I value sitting down together as a family, I think its important for our children to learn to eat what is made, not choose what they want for dinner. It’s such a challenge with toddlers because they do learn what they like and dislike. Many meals are left with full plates and it leaves me angry they don’t want or like to eat what I spent time preparing for them. I guess that is all part of it and it’s also that life lesson, to let go of the small stuff. This week made me reflect on how short life is, a sweet coworker of mine sudden passed away. I remember just the day before talking with her scanning items in the workroom and the next day, she was gone. Life can change in a blink of an eye. It made me think all week about life and how it’s so short and just not fair sometimes. That we worry about things we don’t have control of and the things we do we complain about. So my new motto is to make changes in my life that I do have control of! Make a list for yourself; if you didn’t have tomorrow or ask yourself if the person you loved was gone tomorrow what would you have done today??? So what are you waiting for……… get out there and DO IT!!!!! Check out my meal plan to help with your week planning and make life just a bit less stressful, and spend more time with the people who matter most!!

 

Weekly Dinner Plans

Sunday – Grilled Pork & Potatoes   

Monday – Walking Tacos

Tuesday –Rotelle Pasta with sausage Alfredo & fresh green beans   

Wednesday – Jambalaya & Corn Bread w/ honey

Thursday – Left Overs

Friday – Take Out

Saturday – Burgers, Fries, & Malts

Grocery List

Check your cabinets for ingredients you may already have!

·         2 lbs Ground Beef

·         2 packages of Kielbasa cooked Sausage

·         Bag of frozen diced grilled chicken

·         Pork Chops

·         Bag of Potato’s

·         Garlic Clove

·         Onion

·         Frozen Fries

·         Frozen bag of fajita peppers

·         Fresh Green Beans

·         Lettuce

·         Alfredo Sauce

·         Rotelle Noodles

·         Rice

·         Taco Seasoning

·         Dorito Chips

·         Salsa

·         Can of Diced Tomato’s

·         Tomato Juice

·         Chicken Stock or Bullion cubes

·         Jiffy corn bread mix

·         Honey

·         Ranch

·         Shredded Cheddar Cheese

·         Sliced Cheese for Burgers

·         Buns for hamburgers

·         Vanilla Ice Cream

·         Malt Mix

·         Milk

·         Chocolate Syrup

RECIPES

Sunday – Pork & Potato’s      

Marinade your pork chops on Saturday. Dice some potatoes put in foil with butter, salt, pepper, & parmesan cheese. Grill potatoes and pork on grill.

 

Monday – Walking Tacos

             Ground Beef (Brown 1 lbs of the Hamburger)

            Taco Seasoning

            Doritos

            Salsa

            Cheddar Cheese

            Lettuce

            Top with your favorites!

Follow the directions on Taco packet, cook your meat. Chop up your lettuce. Add lettuce, cooked taco meat, salsa, crunched up Doritos, and all your other favorite taco toppers!!

 Tuesday – Sausage Alfredo w/ Green Beans

Cut up sausage

                1 jar Alfredo Sauce

                 Rotelle pasta

                Basil, Salt, Pepper

Dice up the smoked sausage and throw in skillet. Boil Pasta as directed. Add Sauce to sausage. Season Sauce with basil, salt and pepper. Strain noodles when complete and dinner should be ready! Put the green beans in steamer microwave until soft, add butter and salt and pepper. This was so easy and delicious!

 

Wednesday – Jambalaya & Corn Bread

One Bag of Frozen Fajita Veggies (red pepper, onion, yellow & green peppers)

            Use the ½ of the bag of frozen chicken

            Large can of diced tomatoes

            1 Cup Rice

            1 garlic clove

            ½ tomato juice

            2 cups chicken stock

1/2 tsp (or more!) of hot sauce

1 tsp paprika

1 tsp black pepper

1 tsp oregano

½ tsp onion powder

½ tsp dried thyme

¼ tsp garlic salt

1 bay leaf

Box of Jiffy
           

Throw your bag of the frozen fajita veggies in the skillet with a little oil. 5-7 minutes or so. Preheat over for jiffy corn bread. While that is cooking cut up the polish sausage into small pieces, toss the meat into the skillet with the veggies by this time they should be soft. Open your can of diced tomatoes throw in un-drained. Add one garlic clove. (I use a garlic press).  Then add your seasonings & rice and cover and let it simmer for 20-25 minutes. While this is simmering mix up your jiffy and put into muffin tins and bake! Top Muffins with butter and honey!!

 

      

Thursday – Left Over’s Night

You should have plenty of left overs to feast and eat up what you have in your fridge or freeze what you don’t eat.

 

Friday – TAKE OUT

Saturday – Burgers, Fries, & Malts

Make hamburger patties with salt and pepper. Preheat the oven as directions for fries. Blend up your ice cream, malt mix, chocolate, and milk in blender.

 

 

Live with Less

   

So my family is learning these days to live with less. We sold our home, that was brand new when we moved in, we lived there for almost 8 years. We sold it very quickly and are living in a 1920's bungalow family rental with one bathroom, no dishwasher, no garage, I have to use keys to unlock my door, this will be home until we find our place. Its a temporary situation, but I have to say I'm enjoying the peace of small town living and simplicity. The things I thought and cried about not having are nothing to me anymore. For example; my new hobby is putting cloths on my cloths line. I love the smell of my sheets fresh off the line. The plant from my grandma who passed away in October now sits by the sink in the kitchen so when I want to stress about all the dishes to wash, I think of her. I think of her simple life and all the dishes she once washed for her 8 children. I look at my home we are living, with beautiful 1920's trim, windows that run the course of the house. Literally I've counted 26 windows that surround the main floor of the house. Its amazing the beauty of sunlight, and how that makes you feel when you open up the windows and wake up to the mornings light. Simplicity has caused us to look at life differently. I went through a house mourning time where I thought I would miss all the glories of "new" but what is new? Its just materials. Ultimately a home is where your people are. Its the time you spend with them in a place and space in time. I'm learning to enjoy the little things and let go of the things that didn't matter. I feel its given me a new appreciation for life and focus energy on the things that do. Not to say once we find our home, I might want a dishwasher, for now I am taking this time to live with less.

Menu: 

Monday: Ham, Cheese, and Lettuce Wraps with fruit

Tuesday: Jambalaya with cornbread muffins

Wednesday: Enchilada's & Black Beans

Thursday: Pizza and Salad

Friday; Burgers & Potato

Saturday: EAT OUT

Sunday: Pork Chops on Grill with Asparagus


Grocery List: 

2 lbs Ground Beef
Pork Chops 
Deli Ham
Ring of Smoked Sausage (already cooked kind) 
Package of Pepperoni 
Mozzarella Cheese (Shredded) 
Mexican Cheese (Shredded)
Head of Lettuce 
Asparagus 
Bag of Potato 
Favorite Fruit of Choice 
Soft Tortillas (Large Burrito size) 
Hamburger Buns 
Can of Enchilida Sauce (Old Elpaso)
Can of Pizza Sauce 
Italian Dressing & Ranch Dressing
Box Spanish Rice 
Corn Bread Jiffy Mix
2 packages of Pillbury pizza mix 
Large Can of diced tomato 
Corn (I use up my frozen farm sweet corn) Canned will work though
Can of Black beans 
Bag of favorite Chips 

Monday: Ham, Cheese, and Lettuce Wraps with side of Fruit 
     This is super easy and a go to quick meal especially come the summer months when its hot and you don't want to turn on your oven. Put tortilla on plate, layer with Mozzarella Cheese, deli ham, lettuce, and dressing (ranch or italian "let the family member pick") heat in microwave for 30-1 minute depending on your microwave. Serve with fresh fruit!

Tuesday: Jambalaya with Corn Muffins 
 This is my favorite meal and I alter the recipe every time I make it. I made it less spicy and used Spanish box rice to be quick. Cut up your Ring of smoked sausage (remember this is already cooked). Throw in your skillet pan. Next put your large can of diced tomatoes in with sausage, add Spanish rice with the mix then I added drained corn to this as well, along with one cup of water. For seasoning: Add a couple chicken bouillon cubes; paprika, basil, salt, pepper, (if you want some spice: hot sauce & pepper flakes). While it simmers covered on medium or low about 20 - 30 minutes (you will know as the rice will be done.) Bake up your corn muffins; follow directions on the jiffy box. I like to put in the small muffin tin, just grease up with pan and bake for like 10-12 minutes (if you bake the mini's you will want to do less time). Top with honey, my kids love those mini corn muffins!!

NOTE: Before you go to bed put out your freeze hamburger, if you didn't buy it store bought. We have a quarter of beef so I always think about tomorrows meal so you don't have to defrost when you get home.


Wednesday: Enchilada's with Black beans 
Brown hamburger, but save about 1-2 cups for your pizza tomorrow and put in fridge. Then honestly I just follow the recipe on the Old Elpaso can. Drain black beans, and heat in the microwave and put a little cheese on top!!

Thursday: Pizza with Salad 
Follow the directions on the pillsbury dough mix. Roll on pizza pan. Add your sauce. Next grab your left over meat you cooked yesterday in fridge, layer on top of sauce, then add cheese and pepperonis. Bake as directed on pillsbury package!! Serve with side salad

Friday: Hamburgers on grill with potatoes 
Make supper easy and grill some burgers on the grill. Have a couple beers. If you are tired just have some potato chips or dice some fresh potatoes with Parmesan cheese and butter on the grill in some foil.

Saturday: TAKE OUT!!! Or eat out at favorite restaurant. You deserve to take the night off. 

Sunday: Pork Chops with Asparagus 
Make supper easy again and grill some chops on the grill. Season them up, even with butter and salt and pepper. Put your asparagus in foil with olive oil and salt/pepper on the grill. Supper easy but Delicious meal!!!

Be Mine

Happy Valentine's Day friends. Do you have romantic plans with your loved one? I think most importantly on Valentine's Day is that we let each other know we love them and appreciate their presence in our lives. And with Lent here, maybe its a time to have God be present in our lives as well and acknowledge him through daily prayer, maybe even practice it together as a family.

What was Valentine's day derived from anyway?

Story of St. Valentine

"The story of Valentine's Day begins in the third century with an oppressive Roman emperor and a humble Christian Martyr.   The emperor was Claudius II.   The Christian was Valentinus.

Claudius had ordered all Romans to worship twelve gods, and had made it a crime punishable by death to associate with Christians.   But Valentinus was dedicated to the ideals of Christ; not even the threat of death could keep him from practicing his beliefs.   He was arrested and imprisoned.

During the last weeks of Valentinus's life a remarkable thing happened.   Seeing that he was a man of learning, the jailer asked whether his daughter, Julia, might be brought to Valentinus for lessons.   She had been blind since birth.   Julia was a pretty young girl with a quick mind.   Valentinus read stories of Rome's history to her.   He described the world of nature to her.   He taught her arithmetic and told her about God.  She saw the world through his eyes, trusted his wisdom, and found comfort in his quiet strength.

"Valentinus, does God really hear our prayers?" Julia asked one day.

"Yes, my child, He hears each one."

"Do you know what I pray for every morning and every night?  I pray that I might see.   I want so much to see everything you've told me about!"

"God does what is best for us if we will only believe in Him," Valentinus said.

"Oh, Valentinus, I do believe! I do!"  She knelt and grasped his hand.

They sat quietly together, each praying.   Suddenly there was a brilliant light in the prison cell.   Radiant, Julia screamed, "Valentinus, I can see!  I can see!"

"Praise be to God!"  Valentinus exclaimed, and he knelt in prayer.

On the eve of his death Valentinus wrote a last note to Julia, urging her to stay close to God.   He signed it, "From your Valentine."  His sentence was carried out the next day, February 14, 270 A.D., near a gate that was later named Porta Valentini in his memory.   He was buried at what is now the Church of Praxedes in Rome.   It is said that Julia planted a pink-blossomed almond tree near his grave.   Today, the almond tree remains a symbol of abiding love and friendship.   On each February 14, Saint Valentine's Day, messages of affection, love, and devotion are exchanged around the world."

 

 

Weekly Dinner Plans

Sunday – Meatballs & Cheesy Potato’s

Monday – Philly’s & Ramon Slaw Salad

Tuesday – Polish Sausage, Sauerkraut, & Dumplings

Wednesday –   Tacos & Black Beans

Thursday – Spaghetti & Corn

Friday – Favorite Take Out

Saturday – Pork Chops & Green Beans

Grocery List

·         3 lbs of Hamburger

·          Pork Chops

·         1 Frozen section pepper jacks philly meat

·         Smoked Sausage

·         Hash Browns

·         Cheddar Cheese

·         Provolone Slices of cheese

·         Sour Cream

·         Evaporated Milk

·         Hoagie Buns

·         Tortilla’s

·         Taco Mix

·         French onion soup

·         Cream of Chix Soup

·         Salsa

·         Sauerkraut

·         Asparagus

·         Corn

·         Black Beans

·         Spaghetti Sauce

·         Spaghetti Noodles

·         Hoagie Buns

 

RECIPES

Sunday –Meatballs & Cheesy Tators

            Meat Mixture: 1 lb hamburger

                1 Cup Oatmeal

                1 egg

                ½ t. pepper, ½ t. garlic powder, ½ t. salt, ½ t. chili powder

                Chopped Onion

                ½ Cup evaporated milk or milk if you don’t have any!

                SAUCE: 2 Cup ketchup, 1 ½ Brown Sugar, 2 Tbsp. liquid smoke, chopped onion, garlic powder

Mix the meat ingredients. Shape into balls, place in dish. Pour sauce on top. Bake 350 for 45 minutes. Find your favorite Cheesy potato recipe and throw in the oven with the meatballs.

 

 

 

 

 

Monday – Philly’s &  French Onion Soup

            Philly Meat

            Hoagie buns

            French onion soup

            Provolone Cheese

Heat up your philly meat on stove top as direct on package, once completed. Place hoagie buns on baking sheet, butter the bread, scoop meat on bun along with cheese. Heat oven to boil. Put in oven but watch closely shouldn’t take but a few minutes. As bread is heating, put your French onion soup in cups (I like to use little tea cups) with a little mozzarella cheese and microwave for a couple minutes. Cut your sandwiches and place French onion soup on plate. Garnish with pickles. Don’t forget to dip your sandwich in soup!! So yummy!!

 Tuesday – Polish Sausage, Sauerkraut, and dumplings

Polish Sausage

Sauerkraut

Simmer the roll of sausage and sauerkraut on stovetop to heat.

Dumplings are super easy this is my Aunt Rita’s recipe. 2 C flour. 2/3 C milk. 1 egg. ¼ t. salt. 2 t. baking powder. Add all the dry ingredients. Add egg, milk, and stir. Knead the dough and start forming nice balls. Boil 2 inches of water, and put the dumplings in cook for 10 minutes but DO NOT LIFT THE LID. After 10 minutes take out and put in with your sauerkraut and meat dish! Who doesn’t love a little ketchup and mustard to go with!

 

Wednesday – Taco’s & Black Beans

                Ground Beef (Brown 2 lbs of the Hamburger, you’ll use the 1 lb for tomorrow spaghetti)

            Taco Seasoning

            Tortillas

            Salsa

            Cheddar Cheese

            Top with your favorites!

Follow the directions on Taco packet, its super easy! Throw black beans in microwave while cooking. After dinner is finished save the remaining taco meat for tomorrow’s meal!!

 

 Thursday – Spaghetti & Corn

                Spaghetti Sauce

                Spaghetti noodles

                Meat

                Corn

Throw your meat and sauce to simmer. Boil noodles. Microwave the corn!

Friday – TAKE OUT

 

Saturday – Pork Chops & Asparagus   

Grill Pork chops & Asparagus

 

Don't get caught with an Empty Fridge!!!

This was my menu from last week. We started swim lessons up again; so I needed to start up my menu plans because the weeks are getting busy. On those busy nights plan ahead so you have left overs to quickly eat before or after activities. It was great and stress free. We got home and had left overs in the fridge so it was quick and easy supper. Make your life easier by planning ahead or following this menu guide to help!!!! Enjoy your weekly menu friends!!!!

 

Weekly Dinner Plans

Monday – Polish Dogs with Kraut & Dumplings

Tuesday – Chili & Cinnamon Rolls      

Wednesday – Stromboli & Corn       

Thursday – Left Overs; Chili Dogs

Friday – Take Out

Saturday – Eat out or YOU PICK and add the ingredients to your meal plan.  

Sunday – Roast with Veggies (make sure your read to the bottom for TIP!!!)

Grocery List

Check your List before you go to the store, you may already have some of these items!!!

·         Polish Dogs (get enough for two meals)

·         3 lbs hamburger

·         Beef Roast

·         Pepperoni   

·         Onion

·         Baby Carrots

·         Garlic

·         Potato’s

·         Green Beans

·         Corn

·         Sauerkraut

·         Bean for Chili (we use Black beans)

·         Lg Can of Tomato Sauce

·         Lg Can of Diced Tomato’s

·         Chili Packet

·         Spaghetti Noodles

·         2 Cans Spaghetti Sauce

·         Hot Dog Buns

·         Shredded Cheddar Cheese

·         Shredded Mozzarella Cheese

·         Hot Roll Mix Dough (This is in the Cake mix section)

·         Beer to cook polish dogs in! (I’m sure you already have some in your fridge though)

·         Celery Seeds

·         Caraway Seeds

·         Brown Sugar

·         Onion Powder

·         Dill Weed

·         Cinnamon Rolls

RECIPES

Monday – Polish Dogs with Kraut & Dumplings

            Polish Dogs thawed (I love to get the made ones behind the meat counter at Hyvee)

            2 cans of Beer

Seasonings: 1/8 tsp celery salt, 1 TBSP Brown Sugar, 1/8 tsp onion powder, 1/8 tsp black pepper

            1 Can Sauerkraut

Put brats in skillet over medium heat. Mix beer and all seasonings stiring in brown sugar to dissolve. Pour over brats. Bring to boil and reduce heat for 10 min with lid on top. Take lid off, simmer 20 minutes. While the brats are simmering. Start to boil water for dumplings.

Dumplings; 2 Cup flour; 2/3 cup milk, 1 egg, ¼ tsp salt, 2 tsp baking powder.

Add all dry ingredients, then add milk and egg. Knead dough. Form into balls, and drop in water. Once all dough is in the water. Put the lid on the pot and do NOT open for 10 minutes. Make sure heat is medium-low so it doesn’t boil over.

Heat Sauerkraut.

Boil the extra brats so they are done for Thurs. Chili dog meal and put in fridge for later.

 

 Tuesday – Chili & Cinnamon Rolls   

                Hamburger (make 2 lbs put half in fridge for tomorrows meal)

                Onion/Garlic

                Chili Packet

                Tomato Sauce/Diced Tom.

                Beans

Pre-heat oven for cinnamon rolls. Super easy just follow directions on back of chili packet. I also Sautee the onions and garlic first then throw everything in to simmer as long as you can wait. Remember to rinse the beans. Serve with Carrots on the side and cinnamon rolls from oven.

 

Wednesday – Stromboli & Corn       

            Hot Roll Mix

            Left Over Hamburger

            Spaghetti Sauce

            Moz Cheese

            Pepperoni

Preheat Oven. Take out the leftover hamburger meat from the fridge you saved from Tuesday night! Make the Hot Roll Mix follow directions for pizza dough. After dough has rested, roll out the dough long and flat. Spread Sauce, add meat, pepperoni, & Cheese. Fold the dough over the top like a runza; brush with oil or butter sprinkle with garlic powder; then bake for 375 for 35-40  minutes or until golden brown. Pop in oven. Serve with Corn on the side!

 

Thursday – Left Overs Chili Dogs

You already have the cooked brauts & cooked Chili. Heat away in our wonderful microwave. You can broil the buns with hot dogs and chili with cheese in the oven for a couple minutes to heat the cheese.

 

Friday – TAKE OUT

Saturday – EAT OUT

Sunday – Roast in the Crock with Veggies

Throw the roast, veggies with seasoning water and if I have some red wine I will toss a bit of that in and cook for 8 hrs on low.

TIP: …..Remember to save the juices after you eat and shred up the leftover meat. Pour juice in a container and put in the fridge. Once you are ready to use it; you can peel the fat off the top (it will be solid) throw away the fat and keep the good beef stock liquid at the bottom. Then you will use this for next Monday night’s meal, for Beef soup.

Kindness

I wanted to sincerely thank everyone for their kind words to us from my last blog post. Its amazing the out pour of support. Truly its been a blessing to receive the messages & to see the reach of over 5,300 people. But most of all the stories I heard from other women who experienced the same situation and how they felt they were not alone. Some of those women had miscarriages, stillbirth, SIDS or premature births that resulted in infant death; some that were 20 + years ago or even within the last few months, one mother shared the same due date, so we plan to stay in touch as we know that day in our futures will be tough. They told me how they dealt with their loss and still think of their baby today. That is truly why I wanted to write, I didn't want to shock the world of our news for those we didn't share, or have others feel sorry for us or think I wanted attention from the world. I wanted to bring awareness to the fact that it is ok to speak of this, it shouldn't be made to feel like a private matter, its still a celebration of life. We created a life and God called him or her forth. It is just as much a being as others who take their first steps, its still a child of God. I have enjoyed hearing all of your stories and have built relationships with other women throughout the world. Each who are going through a time they needed someone to say, "I understand, that is exactly how I feel; I'm so sorry for your loss" the sharing of stories, blogs, articles, & songs to help one another through a time to bring us each peace and hope have been truly an inspiration.

I wanted to share one song primarily which has touched me so much. So, thank you to those of you who lead me to this song. Please listen to the link below. His name is Craig Aven, his wife's name is Tess. They lost 2 babies to miscarriage and he wrote a song about it. Its touched my heart and soul so much I want to share if you haven't already heard this. I have been following this amazing family and they recently announced on his page..........; "We are humbled and EXCITED to take this big step of faith, and announce that we are going on tour! Tess and I have been inspired by your stories of healing and hope that have been pouring in after the release of some of our latest songs. Please help us spread the word."

It is amazing how sharing our stories of hardships can help others so much and how kindness is received and spread throughout our world, can really change our world. Craig and his wife Tess are interested in touring in Lincoln, Nebraska please message me on facebook if you know of how we can help them get here.

Thanks for coming to read. I will be posting a menu and back to evening table today!!! More to read on this snowy Groundhog day!!

https://www.facebook.com/craig.aven.3/videos/vb.622867619/10153464588462620/?type=2&theater

Write. When. It. hurts.

I’ve been MIA from Evening table. This week was a revelation of why I have distanced myself from writing. I actually have been journaling independently instead of publicly writing as it’s been a tough few months. I’ve been in silence with my own words and feelings. I’ve been locked in solitude and closure through counsel in my white pages and black pen. Have you tried to Journal before? Its a great release, please try this if you find the time. I wanted to forget about evening table for a while to heal. This week I ran into my friend who helped design my blogger business cards and logo. She asked how evening table was going. I said, “Forgive me I haven’t been writing. I haven’t logged into my account for 3 months. I’m just too busy.” That was a lie. Because every week I try to find the courage to write and I can not bring myself to it. Part of my blog vision is to always write about something my readers can relate to. That they can connect to and take away to make their life better or easier. Well the last months; I've gotten more views to my page, random likes to my Facebook, people are still reading my blog and visiting frequently. It’s been a constant reminder that evening table was still something worth reading. But I haven’t written because I have been locked in a place of silence. Because the one thing that has been constant on my mind, I haven't been ready to write about.  Then last Friday driving to work I listened to the radio and a blogger was talking about her books, her blog, and that the most inspiring written documents are those that touch others. The ones that dig in deep, that link people to experiences and touch their soul. The stories that connect people in a way that brings them peace; where in times of sorrow they can gravitate to a happier place, and find faith and hope. The writer on the radio said, “Write when it hurts.” It pierced me; and that was it; "my revelation". The moment that brought tears to my eyes, the moment God told me, I needed to write, because people still think its worth the read, and if it touches one person then I accomplished my goal here.

So today I will get out my pen, and write my story..................and hopefully touch one person or many.......

We found out this fall we were pregnant with our 3^rd child, we were overjoyed with excitement to add to our family another baby. It was such a blessing as it was right after my grandmother Ludy Birkel passed away. It was a joy in a sadden time of loss and grief. It gave me comfort to think my grandmother was the first to learn of my baby, even before I knew my child existed. The due date was July 9^th; our 5^th wedding anniversary. What an amazing blessing, we were so happy. On November 22^nd I started to miscarry. We lost our precious angel baby on November 25^th. It was truly devastating and heart wrenching pain, I have never felt. I didn’t know such love or pain existed. The loss of a child no matter how long you carry that baby; you have a piece of your heart removed forever. And I truly mean that, its been a journey. Grief is a journey, I'm doing ok, I tell you I am doing good. But I will never get over this; it remains constant in my mind.  I will never forget my sweet baby angel; we named her; Millie Faith Wilson. She will always have a place in our heart forever and I look forward to our reunion someday. My faith has carried me through this struggle and I trust in God's plan.

Here is a beautiful prayer by Mother M Angelica; it has given me profound comfort.

In Loving Memory of Millie Faith and All the Other Babies taken too Soon!!

"You see, the child lives. Instead of the wind she hears the sound of angels singing before My throne. Instead of the beauty that passes she sees everlasting Beauty. She sees My face. She was created and lived a short time so the image of her parents imprinted on her face may stand before Me as their personal intercessor. She knows secrets of heaven unknown to men on earth. She laughs with a special joy that only the innocent possess. My ways are not the ways of man. I create for My Kingdom and each creature fills a place in that Kingdom that could not be filled by another. She was created for My joy and her parents’ merits. She has never seen pain or sin. She has never felt hunger or pain. I breathed a soul into a seed, made it grow and called it forth.”