A little late...

While we were on vacay last week, I (Jennie) didn't do my usual blog reading so I have been catching up this weekend. I saw on some that last Wed, Oct 15 was National Pregnancy and Infant Loss day- a day to honor the children lost through miscarriage, stillbirth, SIDS, etc. The website I read asked those who have experienced this to post about it to share their stories so that women (and men) who may be in the same situation know they are not alone. It is definitely a lonely place to be and we know that.
We lost our first pregnancy in November 2005 at 8 weeks. Exactly a year later, God blessed us with Jack- who as you know is the light of our lives! This February, we lost another baby at 13 weeks. I do not believe it is a coincindence that we are due with this sweet baby inside of me in Feb 2009. After our first miscarriage, we did not tell many people, nor talk about it much to those we did. I worried that that was my only chance and that we would never be able to have children. After our second, I worried that Jack would never have a sibling. Clay and I would love to have a large family but we know very well now that is not in our control. After our second miscarriage, we had already told people we were pregnant so we had to go back and tell them about the loss. Sharing the story led to many others telling me of their experiences with miscarriage. It is not something you wish upon anyone but it is always nice to hear that there have been those before you that have gone on to have healthy children.
We relish every day we have with Jack and know what a true miracle it is when a healthy child is brought into this world. I do not know how anyone, especially someone who has carried a child, could think that life does not begin at conception. There is definitely a tiny life up under my rib cage at the moment and I am very aware of it! We are thankful for the challenges we have faced, are sure there will be more and know that God is teaching us something in all of them.