RMH Update!

I am finally getting around to updating about our recent trip to the RMH.

January 2, 2010 we traveled to the RMH in Delaware, to prepare a meal for about 30 families, that were staying at the house. I have prepared meals for large groups before, but to be honest 70 or more guests just sounded a bit overwhelming. Dustin & I decided to recruit some help for the evening. Once we were there cooking, we were definitely glad we did! THANK YOU to our helpers...you all are amazing!

We prepared 7 "baked spaghetti" caseroles with garlic bread, green beans, fruit salad, and cookies. We also took another box of items (food and house supplies) that were donated by our friends and family.

When we arrived at the RMH, the volunteer allowed us to use the staff entrance to the kitchen. One of the first things that caught my eye was this:

10 tubs FULL (and over-flowing) of soda can tabs!

Ever since we stayed at the RMH the first time, we have been saving our soda tabs. It doesn't seem like much, but the tabs obviously add up!

Click HERE to learn more about the RMH soda tab donations!

I can't begin to describe how much of a blessing it was to be able to prepare food and share our time with the families at the RMH. Thanks so much to everyone who helped make this experience possible!!

Donations!!

Some people have already asked how they can help with our upcoming trip to the Ronald McDonald House. I thought sharing here on the blog would be the easiest way.

As most of you know, we will be traveling to the Ronald McDonald House of Delaware on Saturday January 2. We will be preparing dinner for approximately 60-80 guests. Our plan is to prepare a spaghetti/lasagna type meal, complete with the garlic bread, salad and desserts.

We have also been collecting non-parishable food items and cleaning supplies to help stock the RMH food pantry. Click here for a complete "wish list" of items that the RMH is requesting. If you would like to make a donation of food or supplies, please feel free to contact me. You can email me here through the blog, or just leave a comment.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions. Thanks!!

Snow!

As of right now, we are averaging 14 inches of snow in our area, and there is more to come!

This is the view looking out my kitchen window.

Happy Birthday!!

Today we celebrated Baby Todd's first birthday!

(Baby Todd on his "birth day" - December 5, 2008)

This morning, before heading to the Ronald McDonald House, we released balloons in memory of Baby Todd. We attached a tag to each balloon that said:

This balloon was released in memory of:

TODD HESTON MARTIN

born: December 5, 2008

died: December 29, 2008

Read Baby Todd's complete story at http://babysjourneyhome.blogspot.com

**Please leave a note on the blog telling us where you found this balloon!

We released 24 balloons in memory of Baby Todd. One balloon to represent every day we were blessed to spend with him.

Thanks to the wind, the balloons got a bit tangled. So the release was a bit tricky...

After we released the balloons, we headed for Delaware. The closer we got to Wilmington, the more painful it was. However, something changed when we stepped into the RMH. That peace we experienced a year ago, came back. It was such a HUGE blessing and joy to be able to give back, and potentially impact the life of another child.

We were able to deliver over 100 toys and games to the Ronald McDonald House!! Thanks to those who helped make that possible!

**The girls outside the Ronald McDonald House, after delivering the toys!

During our visit, the girls were able to see the RMH "Santa's Workshop". They were very excited to be giving Christmas to another sick child! How better to show them the true meaning of Christmas!

As we were pulling out of the parking lot to head home, the girls thanked us for giving them "the best Christmas EVER!".

Again, thank you so very much for all your prayers and support over the past year & a half.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!

Going back...

...to the Ronald McDonald House!

For the last several months we have been collecting toys take to the children that would be staying at the RMH over the Christmas holiday. As of now, we have collected well over 100 toys to be donated. We have also collected other supplies to be donated as well...such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap and cleaning supplies.

We will be visiting the RMH of Delaware on the following dates:

Saturday December 5, 2009 - we will be delivering the toys and supplies.

This day is also Baby Todd's birthday...so we will be celebrating his birthday in Wilmington. I have a few ideas planned to help make the day special for the girls as well.

Saturday January 2, 2010 - we will be spending the evening preparing dinner and visiting with the families at the RMH. We will be preparing a meal for approximately 60-80 guests this evening.

Both of these dates hold significant meaning to us, which will cause our visits to be very bittersweet. We are asking for your prayers once again, as we prepare for the next step in this "journey".

Cunningham Falls

This past sunday, we went with our bible study group to Cunningham Falls State Park, in Maryland. We had a great time grilling, hiking, and just relaxing and enjoying the beautiful scenery.

After lunch the group of us, hiked up the trail to the falls. Some of the more brave members of our group actually climbed to the top of the falls.

As I stood and just listened to the water fall down the rocks, and looked around at what God has created, I quickly realized that He was there.

Psalm 46:10-11

"Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth."

The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Time flies...

...when you're having fun. So they say. Unfortunately, time flies by us, whether we are having fun or not. It is so hard to believe that we are quickly passing and approaching the 'one year' mark of so many significant events in our lives.

When I sat down at the computer this evening, I had no intentions of blogging. Actually, I am currently working on putting together a scrapbook of my pregnancy & our time with Baby Todd. For the past half hour I have been printing our blog entries and comments to put in the scrapbook. I figured I may as well take a break and update you on where we've been and what we have been doing over the last few weeks & months. Plus, my printer would probably appreciate a rest as well...

It is still a little hard for me to believe that it was a year ago this past weekend, that we made our very first trip to DuPont Children's Hospital in Wilmington. Dustin & I had the opportunity to sit and talk with Dr. Pizarro for the very first time. Not knowing exactly where our journey was taking us, we left that meeting with an amazing peace and sense of comfort, knowing that we were at the right medical facility with the right medical team. There was no doubt in our mind that God was taking us to Wilmington...for whatever reason!

We are currently making preparations to visit the Wilmington Ronald McDonald House this Christmas. We have collected stacks of toys and are prepared to 'celebrate the Holiday with strangers' once again!

Dustin and I made our trip to the Granite Shop about a month ago. I would like to say it was to pick out countertops for our kitchen remodel, but it wasn't. We placed our custom order for Baby Todd's headstone. Because we went custom, it will take 2-3 months for the granite to be "mined" and shipped to us.

In other aspects of our life, we are managing to stay pretty busy. I baby-sit my Great-niece, Peyton, usually just one day a week. But I absolutely cherish my time with her. She would be 2 months older than Baby Todd, and I can only imagine them being best friends.

Dustin is staying busy running our business, and preparing for the inevitable slowness of the winter season. On a good note, the girls have returned to school! Kylei started third grade, and Kadenn is in first. They both have great teachers and are anticipating a great school year!

Check back, I am intending to start updating more frequently.

Blessings!
Jerri