Remembering our Sweet Boys and Making it Count

It is amazing to me how fast time flies by! It has almost been 2 years since we lost our sweet little twin boys, Ethan and Tommy. Because the anniversary of thier death is fast approaching, we will once again celebrate the love their brought to our life and remember them. We have decided on 3 small things and would like to invite our family and friends to participate if they so desire. We are very open about the loss of our babies and like to be surrounded by our loved ones during difficult times and would like to allow others to remember with us. It means so much to us to have the support of our loved ones during a difficult time!

1. While I was in the hospital delivering our precious babies, the bereavement program at the hospital provided us with an abundance of gifts and momentos to take home and remember the boys. This was done through generous donations to the program in an effort to prevent any woman/family who was not going to be taking their baby home from feeling empty handed. When women go to the hospital and deliver a heathy baby, not only do they get to take home a beautiful child, but they are generally overwhelmed with the out pouring of love and gifts from family, friends and even the hospital. When a mother does not give birth to a healthy child, whether because of miscarriage, stillbirth or infant death, this out pouring is not always present and she also has to endure the heartache of leaving the hospital without her baby. During the next two weeks, we will be collecting items to make a donation in Ethan and Tommy's name to the bereavement program of the Banner Desert hospital. We realize that times are tough right now for many people, so if you are not able to participate in this, we understand. Even if we are only able to help one mother, that is one more that will feel that she is not alone and that someone cared for her, as other's cared for me during our difficult delivery. Any dontations of items or money to purchase items would be greatly appreciated. We will be making the donation on during the weekend following December 3rd. Items being collected include the following:

• boxes (such as photo boxes, gift boxes, etc.) 
• journals 
• pens/pencils 
• candles 
• picture frames 
• photo albums 
• disposable cameras 
• small scrapbooks (that pictures and names and details can be added later) 
• small stuffed animals 
• small recieving blankets 
• Beanies/hats 
• booties/socks 
• poems 
• music 
• bath/relaxation products 
• lotions 
• baby lotion 
• kleenex 
• hair bows/headbands (for baby girls) 
• Any other baby memento/trinket 
• baby jewlrey

**Many of the babies may not be full term, so item sizes can vary from new born/infant to premie and even smaller.**

2. On Saturday, December 3rd, our boys' birthday, we will be doing a balloon release at their grave site. The boys are buried at the City of Mesa Cemetary in Mesa. We will be meeting at the cemetery at 3:30pm and once everyone has arrived we will "send our love to heaven" to the boys by releasing balloons. Everyone is encouraged to bring a balloon with either a message to the boys or a goal or improvement you will try to work on for the next year in their honor.

3. Following the balloon release, everyone is invited back to our home for dinner to celebrate our eternal family. Please RSVP for this part so i know how much food to have to feed everyone.

We hope that everyone is doing well and that you know of our love and gratitude for each of you. Our friends and family have been a huge part of healing during this difficult trial in our lives and we are grateful for each part you have played.

Love
Eldon and Stefani