Can you guess the occasion of this little celebration today?
Every year on this day we set out this little picture of St. Faustina, and we dig out the horse-who-looks-like-a-giraffe, and we make heart shaped cookies.
And we celebrate this very special little lively girl.
And we remember and relive so many moments of that incredible time.
And we marvel in wonder and we laugh and we cry.
Five years ago today Eliza had her open heart surgery. St. Faustina's picture was in the hospital bed with her. The nurse's liked to use the horse, which arrived in the mail as a gift the night before surgery, to help position her respirator tubes.
Someday soon I hope to write more about that amazing time in our lives.
But today is just for rejoicing and thanking God. All day.
Oh, I hope you are able to write that story down someday! What a beautiful celebration for a beautiful little miracle!
Posted by: Charlotte (Matilda) | May 20, 2009 at 06:50 AM
What a beautiful smile. God bless.
Posted by: Ellen | May 20, 2009 at 08:02 AM
Oh I just love her!
God bless you and your family!
Posted by: AnneMarie | May 20, 2009 at 10:06 AM
Love the pictures of your two youngest girls - they look to be the best of friends.
Posted by: Jennifer | May 20, 2009 at 11:32 AM
May God bless you richly on this special day. Oh, what lovely pictures of your girls; they have such gorgeous smiles.
Nikki
Posted by: Nikki | May 20, 2009 at 12:24 PM
She is such a beautiful, beautiful girl. What a blessing!
Posted by: Barbara | May 20, 2009 at 04:27 PM
Oh, isn't your little girl beautiful! Our daughter is having surgery tomorrow...please pray for healing. God bless you and your lovely family.
Posted by: Kelly | May 20, 2009 at 09:19 PM
Hello! I don't know if I've ever commented before, but today I just had to jump over here from Google reader to comment. I started reading your blog a while back, before we found out that our baby in utero had Down syndrome. I remember anxiously waiting for a new post to show up so I could see more pictures of that smiling little girl with DS. I'm Catholic, but that's not what drew me to your blog. I'm a homeschooler, but that's not what drew me to your blog. I love birding, but that's not what drew me to your blog. It was Eliza Faustina! She brightened my day every time I saw her. Then to my amazement last May it was confirmed that our baby had DS. I had to wait until August to meet him, but I started loving him in a very special way immediately. Thank you Eliza for preparing my heart. Thank you Eliza's cardiology team for repairing her heart. Thank you Kimberlee for sharing her with the blog world.
Posted by: Jennifer | May 20, 2009 at 10:55 PM
Oh my gosh, what a little witness your daughter is! Just seeing her sweet smile brings tears to my eyes. Even though I have never met either of you, I am so grateful for her life. She is an invaluable blessing!!! :)
Posted by: Heather | May 20, 2009 at 11:15 PM
Kimberlee--That little face beings me such incredible joy every time you post a photo of her. I rejoice today too at the miracle that she is!
Posted by: Colleen Mitchell | May 21, 2009 at 12:09 AM
what a beautiful celebration, kimberlee! those two hugging and squeezing are just precious!
Posted by: Shelly | May 21, 2009 at 10:13 AM
This post and the beautiful pictures left me quite tearful. I'm admittedly awash in postpartum hormones. But. Still.
Your family is so beautiful.
Blessings,
Kate
Posted by: Kate Wicker @ Momopoly | May 21, 2009 at 11:01 AM
Amen!
Thanks be to God
Beautiful post about a beautiful family.
Posted by: Helen (MaryVitamin) | May 23, 2009 at 09:49 AM
Our newest grandson had DS. He is adorable.
Taken from his mother's womb at 30 weeks but as sound as a bell. He is now six months old and already speaks two languages as his mother speaks to him in her native French !
Looking at little Eliza gives us so much to look forward to !
Who says Nana's don't have favorites !!
Posted by: Mary Lou | May 24, 2009 at 09:02 AM