Vitoria de Christo

Vitoria de Christo was born in Brazil in January of 2010 with the diagnosis of acrania.  The same diagnosis Karinne was given.  And - she survived!  Doctors were able to close the opening on her scalp and she has grown and thrived for the past  2 1/2 years!!  I have followed her journey since I was about 7 months pregnant with Karinne and Vitoria was about 2 months old.  Her amazing "victories" and her faithful mom and dad gave me such hope and such encouragement to face the unknowns in our journey with Karinne.  It has been such a joy to watch her grow, change, and progress these past 2 1/2 years and her photos and videos have always brought a smile to my face.  Some of you may have followed her story as well and I have posted about her once or twice here.

It was with such a heavy heart and with many, many tears that I read the news this week that Vitoria went home to Christ.  My heart aches for her beautiful mama - Joanna - who I have emailed back and forth with over these many months.  And for her sweet and affectionate daddy - Marcelo.  They have fought along side Vitoria and have cherished every sweet moment they were blessed to have her here on earth.  Please join me in praying for their hearts to be filled with joyful memories and for God's peace to surround them in the coming days, weeks and months as they begin what I call the "afterwards part of the journey."  Til they are joined again in heaven with their beautiful Vitoria - One Sweet Day............

I'm so glad to have been able to witness this amazing and precious girl's beautiful impact on this world.  I will miss so dearly seeing new photos of those precious eyes, long lashes, sweet smiles, and chubby little hands.  Bless you sweet Vitoria de Christo - you have the "Victory in Christ!"

Here is a link to Joana's blog where she shared Vitoria's life with the world and a touching video with some of the sweet photos and videos they captured while she was here with them.

Vitoria de Christo - Beautiful Memories

Karinne's Garden 2012

I took these photos out in Karinne's Garden just a few days ago.  It has grown to be so beautiful this summer!!  I have been watering it like CRAZY in this 100 degree plus weather to keep it going.  But this morning I am praising God as I enjoy the BEAUTIFUL sound of steady rain falling outside. We have over 2 1/2 inches so far!!  I have every manner of container around the yard trying to catch the rain to water the garden with later.  =)  It looks so funny!  We have plans for rain barrels but they aren't quite hooked up yet so I am making due.

Anyway - I have been meaning to post photos of the garden so everyone can see how lovely it has become.  It is such a special place to remember our sweet Karinne.  Oh how thankful I am that God led us to start this garden in her honor!  It has been such a healing blessing for me to have something to tend to and care for in her stead.  

I LOVE the gentle tones and haunting melody of the windchime.

This sweet baby wrapped in angel's wings came from a great online store - Heaven's Gain.  I got it for our first Christmas after we lost Karinne.

I made these pillows in June to brighten up the seats and add some cushy softness.

This angel was a memorial gift from Grampa's coworkers.  I LOVE it!  She has watched over Karinne's Garden from this vantage point since the very beginning.

I made this metal sign at a school workshop where we got to try out the school's new plasma cutter.  It is a tracing from Karinne's grave stone and the footprints are the size of her actual prints.

This metal angel plant stand was a gift from Karinne's Mamma & Pappa for Christmas 2011.

This is the stepping stone I made for Karinne's first birthday.  The kids also made stones that are throughout the garden.

Mamma found this "Angels Welcome" garden shovel at a garage sale and thought it would go great here.

Had to have a few tomato plants. =)

And this is the clay tile sign I created for Karinne's 1st Birthday but didn't finish until later.  We plan to make a wood frame for it and post it above and behind the seats.  I love how it turned out and thank another local baby loss momma Stacy for sharing the "Budded on Earth..." quote with me.  It is perfect for Karinne's garden!