Sami's celebration

First off I want to thank everyone who sent me messages, cards and gifts for Sami's birthday. I am just overwhelmed by all the love and support we have received.

OK so Wednesday I finally received the shipment of all the balloons. I wanted to write the names on the balloons before I had them inflated so I started to do that on Thursday night after work. My family had to attend service for our neighbor so since I had my sister in law there I put her to work and started writing names. Well the markers I had bought were not really working on them too well. It was too late to run to the store for some more because it was already 10pm. Friday morning I had to get the balloons to the store early because there was 100 that needed to get inflated! I figured I would just write the names after they were inflated, I should have just done that from the start but oh well, I still had 50 to go. Thank goodness we have big cars in my family because it only took 4 cars to transport the balloons back to my brother's house. That was a project!!! By this time, I had tried to set up the tables and chairs at the house so that I wouldn't have to worry about it Saturday morning. I am so glad I did that. I was rushing because we had the walk to remember at the hospital at 7pm. Well we all rush there and my luck they messed up on my invite because it's on the 28th!!!!!! Fantastic.... well back to name writing on the balloons. I should have been taking photos of that so that you can see every name but at this point I was so tired I just wanted to finish so that I could go to sleep.
Saturday morning came, mass was early 9am but so worth it. Many people didn't go but there was a lot still there. It was great to turn around and see so many people. Sami's nurses were there and let me tell you, that just made my day. I love Cheryl and Angie with all my heart. They are nurses with the heart of gold and will forever be a part of my life.
I had my camera ready to go and I forgot it in the truck. By the time I noticed it mass had already began and I couldn't get to my camera. I could have kicked my own butt because I really wanted to record her mass. My friend Andrea sand and she has such a beautiful voice. She sang Precious Child by Karen Taylor-Good and I will carry you by Selah. I don't think there was a dry eye in that church, it was simply beautiful. I actually got up and said something, not sure where that courage came from because I hate speaking in public. Through my tears I was able to thank everyone for being there. My husband said a few words too that just made me want to totally break down and cry. How he misses our beautiful baby girl, sigh!

Right after we went to my brother's, it started to drizzle so I really wanted to get to the balloon release before heavier rain came but thank goodness it didn't. During the release my friend Danny was singing Somewhere over the rainbow. Again with so much going on I didn't record it again. My husband explained to everyone there that every balloon had a name of other babies gone much to soon. Every balloon was in dedication to them and their parents who like us have experienced a loss like ours. It was so emotional for me to see all the balloons take off and stick together.

Well one balloon that was Riley's decided to stick around for a bit but we got it going and it soon caught up with the rest. Everyone applauded when that finally happened. So Megan if you are reading this that was a little stubborn one you had there, lol! I really think that was everyone's favorite part was seeing those balloons take off. For me it gave me so much peace, it's been one year of roller coaster emotions that will continue but I am getting used it. It's a familiar ride now not one with unexpected turns and I like it that way.

I am sorry I didn't get pictures of every single balloon but I promise every single one of you were included.

Delicious red velvet cupcakes made by best friend Jomie

Everyone getting ready for the release