The King Family

My heart has been aching since I heard the news. Just 4 months after saying good bye to their precious son Noah, the King family just  lost their father Aaron to a sudden heart attack.

  There are no words...

Lisa has such a big heart. She has personally touched my family more than she will ever know. My heart aches for her as she grieves for her son and now her best friend. I'm heartbroken to know that her boys who are still mourning their brother are now mourning their Dad.

I know Aaron and Noah are having a joyful reunion.  I know they will closely attend to their family. I know the Lord will not leave them comfortless...

but for today... I'm so sad.

I am so truly sorry sweet King Family. I wish I could be there. I'm thinking of you every minute all the way around the world.  We are praying that you will be filled with love and peace from angels on earth and in heaven.  

If you'd like to make a donation to ease this sweet family's burden, please go here.

Caleb's birthday Part 2

Caleb had a wonderful birthday evening!  We had Grandma and Grandpa over for birthday dinner, and we all took a turn to share what we loved about Caleb.  It was so tender to hear such sweet words about our little  boy. 

Grandma took a moment to read the letters she wrote us from Caleb.  They were such a sweet gift for all us.  After dinner the rest of my family joined us to celebrate and we each took a turn to share what we love about my mom because it was her birthday too!  Caleb loves sharing his birthday with such a special grandma.

I didn't get pictures of everyone who stopped by that night, but we had a wonderful time together as a family!

Grandma and Grandpa Baadsgaard

The best brothers ever!

Pretty proud parents (please excuse my teary eyes :)

Hailey- one of Caleb's night nurses. We love each of our nurses dearly, and we loved that Hailey was able to share the evening with us.  (We think Caleb has a crush on her, can you blame him?)

Joseph Martha and Isabella.  Isabella is my newest niece!  She was recently adopted and sealed to this sweet family!

My brother Joseph loves rocks and he brought Caleb a special Geode to have as a reminder of what a treasure he is inside.

My wonderful little brother and sister-John and Alisa

Since Caleb can't eat food, Alisa crocheted him a hamburger.  She also made him a cute little mouse!

My handsome nephew Bradley

Some of Caleb's other favorite gifts included: fruity chap stick, a cozy blanket, nice warm socks, some new clothes to wear and sweet birthday cards and messages! 

  Thank for you for celebrating with us!

Caleb's Birthday Book

Caleb's friends, Anita and Linda, wrote a special book for his birthday.

In it they wrote some of their favorite things about Caleb, and I just had to share...

 The Most Wonderful Things About Caleb

* He reminds us to appreciate all of Heavenly Father's blessings- big and small.

* His pudgy little feet.

* His magnificent brothers.

* His bright blue eye.

* His smile.

* His shows his thanks at even the smallest gesture.

* His wonderful sticking up hair!

* He reminds us to treasure every day as a gift.

* He loves red.

* He helps us to feel closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus.

* His complete trust in you.

* He's so snuggly.

* His incredible patience.

* He helps us enter a peaceful heavenly world when we're with him.

* His submissiveness to Heavenly Father's plan for him.

* His powerful missionary spirit.

* He gives us all lots to HOPE for.

* His ability to bring peace and harmony wherever he is.

* He lets his brothers put their hilarious costumes and accessories on him.

* Hi cheeks that are perfect for kissing.

* He makes us want to be better.

* He's filled with light.

* He helps us feel Heavenly Father and Jesus' love in a way nothing else does.

* He reminds us what is important.

* His little teeth.

* He never complains.

* His far reaching influence.

* His delight in "tasting" yummy food.

* Those Moody eyebrows!

* He reminds us we can do hard things patiently and gracefully.

* He teaches us things without saying a word.

* He loves us no matter what.

Thank you to each of you who left a sweet birthday comment or sent me a personal note with your favorite things about Caleb.  We treasure each and every one.   

Caleb's birthday Part 1: A Hero Story

Once upon a time, a few years ago, there was a 3 year old little boy who was in the hospital over Christmas. He finally started to feel better and on January 5th he was told he could go home the next day! He was so happy because the next day was his birthday, and he would be able to celebrate with his family! That night a big snow storm rolled into the valley. He couldn't even see out the window because the snow was coming down so heavily. His mom's heart was sad because he had already missed being home for Christmas, and she didn't want him to miss being with his family for his birthday. Caleb wasn't sure how they would ever make it home in such a big storm. His Dad wouldn't be able to come up to the hospital until the evening and by then it would be too late.

As his mom worried about what to do, two ladies in shining armor walked into his hospital room! "We're here to get you home for your birthday!" they said. They had braved the blazing storm in their trusty minivan so they could guide him home in safety. One drove her van and led the way, and the other drove Caleb's van so his mom could sit with him, suction him and monitor his oxygen levels. Through the wind and snow, and one missed exit, the little caravan made it safely home. There was dinner waiting complete with birthday plates and napkins, a cake and even a party game to play provided by other sweet neighbors in the kingdom. Caleb's family was so happy and there was great celebrating in the land!

Caleb's heroes, Anita and Linda have been a special part of Caleb's birthdays from the very beginning. And even though we don't live in the same neighborhood anymore, they still come over to celebrate with us.

When we lived closer, Anita and Linda had me train them in Caleb's cares so I could run to the grocery store or attend school programs for my other boys. 

They would sing to him, rub his feet and rock him in his rocking chair.

And now when they come to visit, they still snuggle him, sing him songs, and rub his little feet. 

They are his true and trusted friends.

For his birthday this year, they arrived with balloons to tie on his wheel chair, and a Winnie the Pooh pillow case that says, 

 "Are we going to be friends forever?" asked Piglet. 

 "Even longer." Pooh answered.

The also put together a book of the things they love about Caleb.  The first page says:

The most wonderful thing about Caleb

Is that Caleb's a wonderful thing.

He makes every body feel happy.

He makes us all want to sing.

He's

Winky

Lovely

Happy

Snuggly

Fun- Fun- Fun-Fun- Fun!

But the most wonderful thing about Caleb

is he's the only one~

Yes, Heeeeeee's

the only one!

Thank you my dear friends, for being Caleb's hereos.

Thank you for always being there to celebrate in snowy or fair weather.

Piglet, "How do you spell Love?"

Pooh, "You don't spell it, you feel it."

Letters from Caleb

As you know my mom has a special birthday tradition for all of her Grandchildren.  On their birthday she writes a special story or poem just for them!  For Caleb's birthday this year, she felt prompted to write each of us a letter from Caleb.  These letters will be a keepsake for our little family.    If you'd like to read them you can see them here.

Thank you, mom for touching our hearts more than you will ever know.

Seven

As many of you know, after Caleb was born we were given very little hope. After spending 8 days in the NICU we were sent home on Hospice care and told to purchase a burial plot. Those first few days at home were so tender. I remember browsing a website that told the stories of children with conditions similar to Caleb. Sadly, I noticed many passed away before their first birthday. However,as I read story after story including those who did outlive their prognosis, the thought came to me if Caleb can make it to his first birthday- I bet he could make it to his seventh.

Seven. That number gave me hope and permission to breathe. Seven years seemed like such a long time when compared to what we'd been told to expect.  

We began by celebrating Caleb with a birthday party every week. We had a big birthday party with our whole family to celebrate the miracle of 6 whole months! When Caleb's first birthday arrived we celebrated with a service party where over 100 people gathered with us to create sensory kits for other children with special needs.

And now suddenly seven is here.

Caleb turns seven years old this week.  It turns out seven years isn't such a long time at all. Oh my heart is full as I reflect on that little number that put a glimmer of hope into my heart.    I am overflowing with gratitude for the gift of seven whole years, and I hope we will continue to celebrate birthdays for many years to come!

I come from a family where birthdays were always special.  When I was growing up my mom would often tell us we shouldn't wait until someone is gone to share the things we love about them. As a result, she started a special birthday tradition.  For each birthday we gather together and family members each share what they love about the birthday person.  We laugh as funny memories are shared, cry when we reflect on tender things, and our family is strengthened as we share our love for each other. We've learned to celebrate the gift of the present.  

As so this year on this special seventh birthday, I want to invite each of you to join us in this special tradition because Caleb's family extends far beyond the walls of our home.   You might know Caleb personally, and you might know him through others or this blog. Each of you who have taken time to care about  Caleb are a special part of our family. 

We would love you to share something you love about Caleb, a memory you might have, or something he's taught you and join with us as we celebrate the miracle of seven. You can leave it in a comment or message me privately if you'd like at aprilmoody1@gmail.com. It doesn't have to be lengthy or profound to be meaningful to us. 

As you celebrate with us, I also invite you to do the same for someone else in your life. Tell someone you love them. Share a special memory, or tell them what they've taught you because there is strength to be found as we share our love for one another- and there's no time like the present.

"wink!"