Spring Break is about half over, so I thought I should share a few pics. Having a great time with all the children except Emily and her husband Tanner....and of course our littlest angel Maria. This year for some reason has been a bit harder than last.. Maybe because the numb is gone.

Comments

[H in Asia]

Wow, it's great to see family together. :) I'm still thinking^ about you all!

H in Asia

[Mirandadagood1]

Hugs,blessings and love my friends.I am here okay?

Stephg

[Peggy]

Julie in CA please come back and tell us all about the post you made "I am praying for Grace and her family during this time."
Rumors are starting to spread around here.

[michelle]

HUGS...love you guys...praying without ceasing.

[brandy]

whats wrong with grace????

[Amy Dinello]

My heart is with you today--and I have been praying for Maria this morning--I bought your hubby's CD yesterday and listened over and over to the first song. It made me cry every time. I know that you still take it one day at a time--and I pray for peace and healing every day for you. I also pray that Maria is dancing with Jesus, laughing with her brown eyes shut, and making beautiful pictures to share with you when you are reunited one day....

Much love and many blessings...
Amy Dinello
www.lotsokidz.blogspot.com

[Jane]

What is going on with Grace???

[Julie in CA]

I tried to read your newest blog on Caleb and it won't work. I am praying for Grace and her family during this time.

[Sue]

Amazing how Will and Caleb and everyone else gets the same week off from school for Spring Break!

[livingLoud]

my sweet sister in Christ, God's Beloved, i don't like seeing a member of the body of Christ hurting. it makes my heart hurt too. i pray for your family often. as a songwriter myself, i have written several things as a result of your family's recent season. Oh how I wish i could sit at yall's feet and play you songs of comfort the way your husband has for me through the radio.

I am just glad that even though that opportunity may never come on this earth, that you are indeed being comforted with the same comfort I have recieved from Him. That makes my heart glad.

[katherine stine]

Mary Beth, you are AMAZING! i love you and your family and i love how much strength in God! You are such an inspiration! Many blessings to your whole family!
<3 Katherine
p.s. stevie joy looks so adorable standing in the middle there :)

[erin@materdeitours.com]

Praying for you often, too!!! We all have been so touched by you and your family and your love for God Almighty!!! To begin is one thing to persevere is everything - keep persevering, Mary Beth!!!
BTW, you look gorgeous on your book cover - really looking forward to reading it!!!

[Tanya Robinson]

Always praying when you come to mind, and it's so often! Little things remind me....4 leaf clovers, bread crumbs, the songs that play constantly on my IPod and the radio, and latest....walking through the store and seeing Reese Easter eggs and thinking of Emily. Today, as I drove through Franklin, I saw a Toyota SUV and thought of you! So many reminders to hold your family up in prayer! God bless you! Enjoy your time together and know that hurting is also healing.

[Tamara]

I have heard that the second year is the worst because you then have to figure out what a new normal looks like. My heart continues to break for you in this loss, and I still ask God "why?" sometimes.

[Michele]

Mary Beth,

What a good-looking family! Where's the mom and Dad of this bunch? I guess a volunteer didn't come along to give a whole family picture. Still, what a beautiful family!

I know it pains you to see another picture without Maria in it. As a mother, you stay on my heart, because even though I haven't gone through this kind of loss of a child, I know your pain is seemingly neverending. You and yours are lifted up in prayer on a very regular basis. It is my joy to lift you all up, because I know that's all I can do. Please accept this as the offering from my heart that will never cease.

Prayers of precious moments and lasting memories for you and yours,

Michele

[Lorisa]

Thinking of you today MaryBeth. For me, grief that is healing over years pops up at times when I am not expecting it and bites me. Then for me there is pain and some surprise and anger too that it didn't stay quiet...
Praying for you too today.
love,
Lorisa in CO

[Sandy Barnard]

Mary Beth, I get the feeling you love the ocean. There is something about it that seems healing. Sometimes I feel it is like the sound of God's voice. May sound silly. I bet Emily and Tanner wish they were there too but as God would have it, they are duty bound and I sm so excited to see what He will do with their future. Enjoy the rest of your time at the beach.

[Julie in CA]

PRaying for you, what a great picture to have of your family.

[Southern Gal]

Stevey Joy looks cold! You have a beautiful family. Praying for you as you write the book the Lord has given you. You'll be great and He'll be greater!

[Lanelle]

You have a beautiful family;inside and out! I pray the Lord will embrace you with his peace & love so that you will be able to enjoy the rest of your vacation with that beautiful family! We continue to lift you all up in prayer!

[Carol~Arkansas]

Still praying daily for you and your precious family. We haven't stopped since that awful day, nor will we. We love you and hope your vacation time is restful, fun and all that you need. Can't wait to read your book, knowing it will be amazing how God continues to speak through you on a journey you would never have chosen.

[Dawn Windle]

WOW! I will continue to pray for you and your family! I have to agree with someone's earlier comment, it does get better! I haven't seen my nephews in a little over a year, but God has given me so much peace that I will eventually see them again! He has helped me to keep moving forward in Him. He has sent people along the way to help and to bless me with words of encouragment, but most of all God has blessed me with Himself!

love you and your family!
-Dawn-

[Vanessa Schaecher (from Nebraska)]

What a beautiful family! Even the ones who aren't there are represented well by the smiles & love showing through.

[Alexis Jacobs]

The first year after our daughter died was the worst. As you said, the numbness has left and reality sunk in that no matter what, she was never coming back. But I can tell you, it does it get better. There will be less tears and more smiles. God will get you through. You are an amazing woman and Maria is shining down on you and your family.

Enjoy the rest of your holiday. God bless.

[Deb]

Aw... you have a WONDErFUL family ... I can see little Maria there... she's IN all those eyes!!! xoxoox.... much love to you MaryBeth!