She was the most beautiful creation. I cannot believe that she came from me. If you knew her, you loved her. Just watching her...you will love her.
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Grammy's Letter
Saturday, 9/8/12, 6am
VN, it’s me, Grammy.
Can I tell you of your beauty?
I woke this morning with memories of your beauty…
…You and I, in the car last week after we went to the water park and played. Mommy had to run into the store to get a card for your Daddy – it was last Tuesday, Sept. 4th, their 7th anniversary that day, you know. I was in the passenger seat and you were in your car seat…Ivy was sleeping in her car seat…remember? And you and I had to whisper and be so quiet – you were so good at being quiet when you had to – and so respectful of Ivy’s needs.
I turned and mouthed to you “I love you” and you looked at me quizzically, head tilted.
So I said it real slow and signed it – finger to eye, hand to heart, I pointed at YOU – you, in all your beauty. And then you did it back to me – mouthed “I love you”, finger to eye, hand to heart, and you pointed at me.
And you wanted to keep doing it, back and forth, again and again – just like you always wanted to do things again and again that you found joyful and fun.
“Again, Grammy, lets do it again”
And we did.
And then we drove back to Grammy’s house to spend the day – us 4 girls. We put Ivy upstairs sleeping, and you and I set up the little red table with 3 chairs so you and mommy and I could eat lunch together.
And we did.
Then you and I walked down to my neighbor, Sue’s house. She was having one of her big garage sales and she invited us to come down early and look at the princess costumes.
And we did.
First you tried on an Ariel costume, complete with a mermaid tail. But it was just a little big. Then you went over and you put your delicate little hand on a light blue sparkly one and said: “I like this one…it’s blue, my favorite.”
So Grammy got it down and looked and it was your size! 4T and in perfect condition, no rips, no stains. We put it over your head and you went and looked in the mirror at yourself, this way and that. Then you came back and asked about shoes. And Sue found you the perfect little Cinderella shoes with click clack little heels for your perfect blue Cinderella dress. And Sue let you pick out a blue boa – sparkly and long. You didn’t want that as a “shawl” – you made it your princess pet, pulling it behind you. You named it “Blue”. You always named things, toys, imaginations – you always gave them such crazy fantastic names. Then we walked back to Grammy’s house - you - click clacking all the way, Sue - standing back on the sidewalk waving and watching us. And you were SOOOOOO beautiful. Truly a princess, inside & out, a daughter of the KING. I stared at you and caught my breath – you stole my breath away - just like you always do when I behold your beauty. You take my breath away every time.
My enchanting Vienne …I love you so incredibly. Thank you for breathing your spirit into your sister, Ivy. When we look at her, we get to see glimpses of you. I am so grateful for that. I know you are in Jesus’ arms. I trust that – & we will be together again soon. I will write to you of your beauty & our memories & the promise of our pending reunion all of my days.
Love, Grammy
{Memories} ~ From Erin Hofseth
Jenny ~
I love you so much and have been spending so much time these last few days just thinking about sweet Vienne. We came to see you guys just a couple days after she was born, and seriously, I have never, ever seen a more perfect newborn! She was all swaddled up and sleeping peacefully in your candle lit home. It was such a joy to watch her grow up and Asher was so lucky to have her as his first friend. For awhile she was his ONLY friend, because her sweetness to him set such a standard that we didn't like being around other children! She would take his hand and lead him around, "come on Ashy, let's go!" Such a tender heart.
Of course our last time with her was 4th of July weekend. She went hiking in the woods with us on the evening of the 3rd. She wanted to hold Kyle's hand almost the whole way there and through the woods. I looked at him at one point and he smiled with a twinkle in his eye and I thought, "if I were ever to have a daughter, I would wish for one just like Vienne."
She wanted to swing on the rope swing in the woods, Asher was too scared, but not Vienne! She charged down the muddy hill with little sandals on, never looking back and with Adam's help, got up onto that swing and with hair blowing in the breeze swung high into the air with a perfect, exhilarated smile on her face.
On our way home, she picked you wild flowers and kept saying in her soft little voice, "whoa, this is fun!" Asher wanted to show her the view of the ocean from where we were walking and she kept saying, "I don't see the ocean." Asher would say, "right there!" and point in that direction. She finally decided that she saw it, but I think it was only because she sensed how passionate Asher was about her seeing it. "oh, I see it now," she said.
There is so much more...like how she peed in the river on the beach when we were playing with her before you guys left on the 5th. That was the only option, and she didn't care a bit! I told her that I peed in the ocean all the time when I'm surfing.
I loved/love her so much Jenny. A rare and beautiful soul. I will always keep talking about her.
Love Erin
Of course our last time with her was 4th of July weekend. She went hiking in the woods with us on the evening of the 3rd. She wanted to hold Kyle's hand almost the whole way there and through the woods. I looked at him at one point and he smiled with a twinkle in his eye and I thought, "if I were ever to have a daughter, I would wish for one just like Vienne."
She wanted to swing on the rope swing in the woods, Asher was too scared, but not Vienne! She charged down the muddy hill with little sandals on, never looking back and with Adam's help, got up onto that swing and with hair blowing in the breeze swung high into the air with a perfect, exhilarated smile on her face.
On our way home, she picked you wild flowers and kept saying in her soft little voice, "whoa, this is fun!" Asher wanted to show her the view of the ocean from where we were walking and she kept saying, "I don't see the ocean." Asher would say, "right there!" and point in that direction. She finally decided that she saw it, but I think it was only because she sensed how passionate Asher was about her seeing it. "oh, I see it now," she said.
There is so much more...like how she peed in the river on the beach when we were playing with her before you guys left on the 5th. That was the only option, and she didn't care a bit! I told her that I peed in the ocean all the time when I'm surfing.
I loved/love her so much Jenny. A rare and beautiful soul. I will always keep talking about her.
Love Erin
{Memories} ~ From Dave and Marcy Weagraff
A few weeks ago, Dave and I had the privilege of spending a little bit of time with Vienne at Brynn's wedding. It was our first time to meet Vienne and how we enjoyed watching her! She melted my heart (Marcy) when she presented me with a flower she picked at the wedding. Such a pure and innocent gesture of thoughtfulness. Vienne made me smile; I felt so special by her sweet gift!
At the reception Vienne danced and danced and danced! A picture of pure delight and unreserved joy! She seemed to enjoy every minute of the wedding celebration. And Vienne's gentle nature was evident in her interactions with Elliott. She exhibited an unusual degree of patience and kindness toward her little cousin.
On our last day in Seattle - a Sunday afternoon - we went to David and Kinsey's for a cookout. When we arrived at their home, Mark was walking with Vienne; it was her first time riding a "big girl" two-wheeled bike with training wheels. Dave, Lynn, and I walked with Vienne and Mark as she pedaled with such sweet determination - What a precious picture! [Dave: This scene was my most memorable of Vienne - While on the bicycle, pedaling so happily yet in such determined fashion, her adorable little face had all the confident look of, "I'm a BIG girl now!". Priceless! What a treasure to experience such a special moment with her!
You are in our thoughts throughout the day and we continue to lift you up to the Lord.
With much love,
Dave and Marcy
At the reception Vienne danced and danced and danced! A picture of pure delight and unreserved joy! She seemed to enjoy every minute of the wedding celebration. And Vienne's gentle nature was evident in her interactions with Elliott. She exhibited an unusual degree of patience and kindness toward her little cousin.
On our last day in Seattle - a Sunday afternoon - we went to David and Kinsey's for a cookout. When we arrived at their home, Mark was walking with Vienne; it was her first time riding a "big girl" two-wheeled bike with training wheels. Dave, Lynn, and I walked with Vienne and Mark as she pedaled with such sweet determination - What a precious picture! [Dave: This scene was my most memorable of Vienne - While on the bicycle, pedaling so happily yet in such determined fashion, her adorable little face had all the confident look of, "I'm a BIG girl now!". Priceless! What a treasure to experience such a special moment with her!
You are in our thoughts throughout the day and we continue to lift you up to the Lord.
With much love,
Dave and Marcy
Monday, September 10, 2012
Dearest Vienne, Love Mommy ~ {September 6, 2012}
My precious, darling, magical Girl ~
Do you know how much Mommy loves you???? ...to this, you used to answer "SOOOOOOOOO MUCH" with your arms spread as wide as you could. "Who is my most favorite big girl in the whole world?" - you always always knew the answer to that. These things I am sure of.
Oh honey, I love you so much it hurts. From the moment you were born, I have loved you with such fierce intensity that I could swear I thought my heart might literally burst. You have been my obsession - healthy or not, I was completely and utterly obsessed with you. How am I supposed to carry on now?
Baby, I want you to know that I never missed a detail with you. And, I want the entire world to know who you were...to know with the certainty that we now know, that we had been entrusted with one of God's angels, in you. You were always soooo extraordinary and beautifully unusual and it never made sense to me until now. You were unearthly. Aside from the typical motherly bias, you were unlike ANY child we had ever known. And, anyone who knew you, knew that was the truth. Your Aunt Katy said that you set the standard...a standard that was ridiculous and most likely unattainable. I would look at you and just wonder "where did you come from?? how did she come from me???" Grammy always said you were enchanting...and that is so appropriate. You romanced us with your enchantment...always.
It sounds impossible but your innocence was unworldly pure and without blemish. You never had a mean bone in your body. I do not exaggerate. Not once, not ever were you unkind or disrespectful to anyone (aside from your mommy and daddy from time to time...which was a relief and confirmed that you were human!). Not once did you hit, push, shove, grab a toy away, or say an unkind word. You found joy in sharing and encouragement. What child does that??!! When someone was unkind to you, your response was always sadness and then a resolve to pray for them with the certainty that Jesus would make them nice. You loved, my Dear One. You loved like no other. And, forever, you will be my example of how to love.
And, how to trust in Jesus. Your faith was unwavering. You just knew that Jesus was your friend and that He was always with you and would always be with you when you needed Him. You would say to me "mama, don't worry, be happy, Jesus will make it better". You taught me about faith.
And, you taught me how to be a friend. That was all you ever wanted....friends. Each and every time we went to the park, that was your mission...to make a new friend. If there weren't kids at the playground, we would leave in search of another where there were children playing. You would set your eyes on someone (older or younger than you - you didn't care) and you would tell me that you wanted to go say "hi" to them. And, you would walk right up, ask their names and if they would play with you. You taught me how to be uninhibited and to set aside my pride.
Sweetheart, have I mentioned the kind of big sister that you were? It was unreal. You were every parent's dream. You loved Ivy with such a selfless and precious love. Not once, no not ever, were you annoyed, frustrated by, or jealous of her. When she pulled your hair you would patiently move your head along in the direction of her pulling. When she grabbed you, you would exclaim "Mama, Ivy is touching me!!" And, that was all you wanted from Ivy - to touch her and to be touched by her. When she cried loudly, you would NEVER complain. When I had to steal away with her to put her to sleep 4 times a day, you were ALWAYS understanding and patient. When I was holding you, and Ivy would begin to fuss, not once did you protest when I ultimately had to put you down for her. You broke my heart with your love for her and your patience. You were a better sister than I have ever been. You taught me selflessness.
Oh, and your imagination was like no other! Oh how you would take us on the most magical rides into your world of imagination. You were so beautiful to watch when you played. Your imagination knew no bounds. You had make-believe friends and even toys. If a real toy was missing from the pile, you could create it in your head and then play with it, never missing the real thing. And the names that you came up with were genius and fantastical...Thorthura! And Cortica, and Thixa, Asstag, Cortea, a restaurant named Narballs! And, when we'd ask you the name of this or that, you would immediately answer with these wild names, right off the top of your head, as if that's just exactly how it always was. When we walked down the sidewalk, you would rarely just "walk"...but most often, you would gallop and hold pretend reigns. You taught me how to open my eyes.
You amazed me. Always. ....Vienne, I miss you so much. There is not one moment I regret with you, and for that I am so happy and proud. You literally touched every person that you came in contact with. You were my everything. And, I know you've left a part of your spirit here, in your sister for us. When I look at her, I see you. She will be her own, but she will carry you on. And, I promise to love her just the same.
Sunday, September 9, 2012
favorite words...
as of may 2012, this is my list of favorite words you say:
"fligilator" - refrigerator
"burrrrtiful" - beautiful
"bugger" - booger
"nuddle" - noodle
"donut" - adult
"prefect" - perfect
"slippily" - slippery
each and every morning, you ask "what are we doing today, mama??"
"play with me, play with me" ... which always means, play with T-Rex, Alice, and Tornado. Play their voices and make adventures.
"throw out a party" - you always wanted to throw your toy friends a bday party or wedding party but you said "throw it out". oh, you are too much.
"fligilator" - refrigerator
"burrrrtiful" - beautiful
"bugger" - booger
"nuddle" - noodle
"donut" - adult
"prefect" - perfect
"slippily" - slippery
each and every morning, you ask "what are we doing today, mama??"
"play with me, play with me" ... which always means, play with T-Rex, Alice, and Tornado. Play their voices and make adventures.
"throw out a party" - you always wanted to throw your toy friends a bday party or wedding party but you said "throw it out". oh, you are too much.
Monday, November 21, 2011
when i'm a donut
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)