Wednesday, December 17, 2008

True *GIFTS* of the Season...

Since I am getting ready for my kiddos class Christmas parties, my son's actual birthday (Thursday!) and trying to get some last minute things done before we travel for the holidays...this will be my last post until I return.

Before I go, I wanted to share a story with you that just touched my heart. A fellow blogger, Andrea, contacted me today to see if I could post a link to some blog candy she is having in honor of her friend who just had a baby who is very sick and needs lots of prayers. I clicked on her post and saw a baby looking very similar to the one below.....needless to say, it struck a cord....

This is not baby Francesca---this is my son a few hours after he was born - getting baptized.

Similar tubes....similar stories. (Although my son Joey's condition was dire from the start and he only lived 9 hours). I had to share this picture so you could understand why this story touched my heart so deeply...

Andrea is asking for prayers for sweet baby Francesca...she is also entering anyone who sends a card to her friends into a drawing to win some great blog candy. You can check it out HERE!

So in this hectic season, if you can take a few minutes to send out a card---I know it will mean so much to them knowing that so many are praying for them.

And I am adding a few things to the blog candy so when Andrea selects a winner, I will be sending the following to him/her as well:
Papertrey Ink - Holiday Treats stamp set
A Signed Whimsical Autumn stamp set
Tinkering Ink- Haberdasher Petite Patterned paper pad

I hope you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year....

(Stamps-Snowflake Serenade (Papertrey); red embossing powder (Ranger); dp-Basic Grey, DCVW)

Woohooo---It's a SALE: All of the holiday stamps, Christmas cuttlebug folders and fall and Christmas Fancy Pants paper at Stamper's Dream are discounted! No coupon needed!

Special Thanks...to Sara for giving me the "Your Blog is Fabulous" award! Thanks girl--you made my day!

Thanks for stopping by!

43 comments:

Christyne said...

Cammie,

Sending you some (((SQUISHY HUGS))). I am SO sorry for your loss. These pictures bring back memories for me too...especially the baptism at only hours old. Thankfully, our youngest son is great now, but he has had three open heart surgeries and too many invasive procedures to count.

I followed the link to Andrea's Blog and will be putting a card in the mail.

Hugs~
Christyne

Andrea said...

Cammie,

I had no idea about your son Joey! I am so very sorry for your loss. Thank you for your amazing additions to the blog candy again and for helping get some prayers and cards for Francesca! Merry Christmas to you and your family!

Andrea

Monica said...

Oh Cammy,
I am terribly sorry for your loss. I much like many other bloggers had no clue. May the cute lil fellow Be RIP.
I am sending out a card to the family and keeping baby Francesca in my prayers in hope that God will give her a wonderful chance to fufill her journey in life!

God Bless,
Monica

Chris Scrappin and Stampin in Texas said...

Carolyn,
I had no idea about your Joey. Thanks for sharing your story, adn hugs to you girl! I will look into baby Francesca too.We never know our stories and blogging is such a way to share stories, to help us heal and know we are not alone. Have a wonderful holidays. Chris

Donna Baker said...

oh {{{hugs}} Carolyn! breaks my heart about little Francesa & Joey - we lost a niece at 4 days old, it's so hard! I will send a card & put them on my prayer list -TFS and have a safe & Merry Christmas!

dpkennedy said...

Thanks for sharing the info Carolyn. I have a little Joey and it always makes me gasp when I hear about your boy. A mother's hardest trial to ever face-great big hug for you!!

You are a very generous soul...have a blessed and wonderful Christmas and a happy new year!!!

Bandon, Oregon said...

My Heart is with you and with Andera's friend.

Faith

Nicole said...

Cammie! I didn't know about baby Joey.
I have tears.
I donated to Francesca's cause also,
with a bottle of Prima flowers I
have coming from my last order.

My last baby, Isaac, almost died
at birth, actually, he was still-born
but they revived him. I was lucky.
He's three now, and know there were
angels with us that day.

Blessings, Nicole
(Everyone can see a picture of the
Prima Flowers on my Blog, if interested)

Anonymous said...

WOW, I am so very sorry for your loss. My heart and prayers go out to you and Andrea!

You're a wonderful person! Have a very blessed Holiday Season friend! :)

Darlene said...

My heart aches for your loss Cammie! Thanks for sharing your story and linking the story of baby Francesca. I will certainly keep her & the family in my prayers! So tiny ...
Hope you & yours have a wonderful holiday my friend!!

Christina Fischer said...

((((Carolyn))))

Thanks for pointing us to her blog -- I'll be sure to put a card in the mail. Your generous addition to her blog candy is so kind and is surely appreciated! :)

Merry Christmas to you and your family -- travel safely!

mimiburroughs said...

Blessings to you all...I'm so sorry about your little one...my granddaughter was born 3 months early...and was in NICU in Dallas for 6 months! She is a HUGE miracle...and we thank God every day for her!!
I will be putting a card in the mail for your friend...and praying also for her precious little baby.

Jackie Burroughs

Marilyn Hitterman said...

Cammie - I couldn't read your blog and then go on to my next e-mail without responding to what you wrote. I'm so sorry for the loss of your little angel, Joey. What a tremendous loss to you and your family. Have a blessed and wonder-filled Christmas with your family and friends and a year of peace and love!

Bethany Paull said...

What a pretty, simple card! Thanks for sharing your and Francesca's stories. I'll get a card in the mail.

Anonymous said...

Although I didn't lose my daughter, I can relate to pictures such as this.
I am saying prayers for the family of your friend and their precious baby.
I wanted to say I am sorry that you had to endure this pain, God bless you for sharing this with us.
Jamie H

Jessie/knightrone said...

I am so sorry for your loss Carolyn..what a wonderful and thoughtful thing you are doing for this family. You are truly a wonderful person.

Carolina said...

Thanks for sharing the link and I'll make sure to send Andrea and her family a card.

Hope you have a wonderful Christmas and an amazing New Year!

carole (TruCarMa) said...

Such a gorgeous little angel you have in Joey. {{{{Carolyn}}}} Seeing his picture definitely brings back lots of memories of time spent in the NICU with both Truman & Carter. I will definitely be getting a card out for Baby Francesca and keeping her and her family in my prayers. Thanks for giving us a heads-up.

Debbie said...

I am so sorry for the loss of your beautiful baby. My prayers are with you and Francesca and her family.

Dawn Easton said...

Carolyn, I'm so sorry for what this family is going through and for what you and your family had to as well. Thanks for sharing the story and the link, I'll pop over there so I can send a card as well.

Hope that the next few days run smoothly and you get all finished that you want to. I know how hectic it is with parties and birthdays(mine is next week) and Christmas all in one week. ACK! Have a safe trip and a WONDERFUL holiday!

See you when you return!
Happy Holidays!

Lynette said...

Cammie - you are so sweet to add to the blog candy. Such a caring and giving person you are. Thanks for sharing the picture of your angel, Joey. It breaks my heart to hear the stories of little ones lost. I am so thankful for our healthy new grandson!

Good luck with all of your last minute preparations and I wish you safe travels and a very Merry Christmas.

Lynette said...

Dang - I wanted to be sure and compliment you on your card, too, and I still forgot! VERY beautiful card!!

Judy Rozema said...

I hope you have a blessed holiday - you have blessed so many with your caring spirit! Thank you for what you do and for sharing your story. I am sorry for your loss!!

Elena said...

Sorry for your loss Cammie... I didn't know this...
My heart is with you and Andrea's friend...

Theresa Momber said...

Hugs, Cammie. I had no idea about Joey. So kind of you to donate to the candy.

Love this card. Absolutely gorgeous! Hope you son has a fun birthday!

Carla said...

Oh, Cammie, my heart breaks for you, and I am truly in awe of your bravery! You are such a bright spot in the blogging/stamping world, I am so very grateful to know you. I'll add this to my blog as well.

Sharri said...

I am so sorry for your loss. Many hugs to you.
I will heart is with you and I will add your friends family and especially Francesca to my prayer.

Beautiful card!

Have a wonderful holiday season!

liannallama said...

oh, my heart breaks for you to hear your story! (((HUGS))) to you and prayers for your friend's new baby too!

Christi Flores said...

That picture made me tear up. I cannot imagine girl...huge {{{HUGS}}} to you. I will definitely send a card to your friend's friend. I really cannot imagine...

Barbara Schram said...

You are such a true inspiration, Cammie. To share your story in a way to help others is such a blessing! Merry Christmas to you!

Lee said...

Cammie....how very special to add to that blog candy!! I will make sure to put a card in the mail if just to help bring a tiny bit of a smile to the family!! And how very beautiful your card is!!

Wishing you and your family a VERY happy and special holiday time!!!

specialcraftmom4 said...

Cammie thank you for sharing your picture of your sweet little angel. I know he is safe with God. I will send out a card, and thank you for doing so many wonderful things through your Blog (: May God bless you and your family, Julie

Cat said...

blog candy or not, i am touched by the story of your Joey and that of Francesca. i can only imagine the heartbreak. one of my nieces was born quite early and our family experienced the ups and downs that the joy of a newborn can take. we are so thankful that she survived and today is in her fifth year of veterinary school. big hugs to you, and i'll send a prayer along for little Francesca as well.

Vicki G said...

Cammie, my heart goes out to you. Your sweet angel baby Joey watches over you now. He was a beautiful baby and I can relate to your heartbreak, as you relate to mine. I hope that you have a wonderful Holiday with your family

Hugs,

Vicki

Judi said...

That just breaks my heart. I'll send them a card tomorrow. I'm so sorry for your loss as well.

specialcraftmom4 said...

Cammie I donated a stamp set from my store and shipped it out today (:

Debby said...

So sorry to read about this baby and your own loss.
I wish I knew before ,but there is no way the card would get there in time now.
Wishing you a Merry Christmas,and a Happy New Year ,safe travels.
hugs,
Debby

Jami said...

Oh Cammie...my heart breaks as I read this. Thank you for sharing such a private memory with us, and for pointing us to Andrea's blog. I am so sorry for your loss. You are all in my prayers!!
hugs, Jami

Laurie in MN said...

I am sorry you lost your dear son, Joey.

A Year Of Quotes said...

Happy Holidays! :)

Anonymous said...

May the LORD bless and keeo you and yours...

Delia W said...

I'm sorry for your loss of your beautiful baby boy. It must be one of the hardest things to deal with. Our prayers are with your and Francesca's families.

Deb Wood said...

Oh Bammie, that must have been so hard for you!! My prayer's are with Fransesca and her fanily and God Bless you and yours!!

The card is fabulous!!