March 3, 2010

Hazel's memorial has been confirmed for this Wednesday, March 3, 2010. The service will take place at the LDS chapel located at 584 West Street in Ludlow. The family will be receiving condolences from 3:30-5pm followed by a memorial from 5-6pm. We would love to have you join us in celebrating Hazel's brief but powerful life.

Kirstin has come home and is resting. Everyone can breathe a sigh of relief. There are still appointments to be kept and tests to be done but she is home. Gidget, Kirstin and Travis' puppy, is so happy to have her parents home and is being a very sweet girl.

Again, your outpouring of love has been so appreciated we can't thank you enough.

Hazel's Memorial

Tentatively Hazel's memorial is set for this Wednesday. The family will receive condolences from 3:30 to 5pm followed by a 5 o'clock memorial. The memorial will be held at the LDS Chapel on West Street in Ludlow. Again, this is all tentative so please check back tomorrow for the official date and time.

Sweet Goodbye

Hazel has said goodbye to her parents. She is now in the loving hands of Sampson's Funeral Home. We are thankful for them and the hands that will prepare our sweet Hazel. Last night after a long day my mom was greeted by a friend of Kirstin and Travis who had a gift for them. She brought over a perfect little dress for Hazel to wear. Her mother made it and it arrived yesterday. What a blessing for it to arrive yesterday! Our 3lbs angel will now look even more heavenly. Thank you Laura!

Kirstin's kidney's are still giving her trouble. Tests are being done and blood drawn. We are hoping things will soon return to normal. In the meantime...does anyone have the number for Dr. House? We could really use him right now...or maybe his real life counterpart. Keep Kirstin and Travis in your prayers.

On a personal note, thank you-thank you-thank you! to all those who have been taking care of me and my family at this time. It is truly unnecessary but so appreciated. Being able to focus on the kids, my parents, my sister and our extended family and have a real dinner on the table is such a blessing. Every time I opened the door yesterday there was something/someone standing there offering help and love. My heart is full. Thank you.

Our Little Hazel

Angel wings are appropriate for this beautiful girl this morning. Around 6:20am Hazel passed on in the arms of her daddy. She is now comfortably resting with our Heavenly Father. As her auntie, my heart is breaking. As a sister, my soul cries for my sister and brother-in-law. As a daughter, my love for my parents has grown a hundred fold. As a mother, I have held my children tighter. As a women of faith my heart is so grateful for the MIRACLE and BLESSING and MISSIONARY our little Hazel has been. Some people need a lifetime to touch many lives. Hazel needed 7 days.

I don't know about you but my new favorite color is Hazel.

***I know it goes without having to be said but Kirstin and Travis will be spending some time reflecting on the past week and will be unable to return calls, e-mails and texts. Thank you for giving them this time.***

L*o*v*e*

Celebrate

Hazel has some experiences to celebrate. Today she has officially lived every day of the week, saw snow and again snuggled her mommy. She and Kirstin are resting peacefully today. Kirstin, Travis and Hazel are surrounded with love.

Absolute Perfection

Dear Kirs-

Sorry the plasma exchange sucked today. I hope it worked. Good luck with dialysis tonight. Hope you loose some more water weight...that would be cool. Ma says Hazel is soooo in love with you. Well, who isn't right now? You are my hero. Keep up the good work and get better.

I love you,

Dana

p.s. If you get better sooner (rather than later) I will buy you 10,000 Reeses Pieces Easter eggs. Now there's incentive!

Day 5

Can you believe we are on Day 5 of this crazy/amazing/emotional adventure? Me either.

Kirstin:

The plasma exchange didn't work yesterday. Half way through she got a hive in her eye and they had to stop so as I type she is again having a plasma exchange with extra meds to help keep the hives away. Cross your fingers, or whatever you do for good luck, and here's to hoping this plasma exchange goes well.

After we deal with her plasma we are back to dealing with her kidneys. Back to dialysis. This process with most likely continue for quite a while. As long as its helping we are all for it. Besides, last time she had it she took off 10 lbs! Where do I sign up??? Okay, not funny but there's gotta be an up side right?

Hazel:

She has everyone wrapped around her teeny tiny little fingers. But most of all her parents. She got some more mommy and me time this morning and I honestly think that this little girl would live to be 100 if she could just be held by Kirstin forever.

We just love, love, love this baby.

Travis:

Travis is feeling yucky (yes, that is the medical term). A sore throat has cropped up so we ask for prayers on his behalf. He has been through the ringer this week. Lets pray for a quick recovery!

Happy Day 5 everyone! Go hug someone you love!

Mother And Daughter

Our prayers have been answered! Kirstin and Hazel were able to snuggle today! When I say snuggle I mean really, really snuggle. This was a first for them.

Hugs were given.

Kisses were shared.

"I love you's" were exchanged.

Hazel LOVED every second of it.

Kirstin LOVED every second of it.

They were mother and daughter just hanging out and loving one another.

*sigh* This just makes me happy.

Thank You

Again, we just wanted to say that we are so thankful for all the messages of love. The phone calls, e-mails, texts, and flowers are extremely thoughtful. We wish we could get back to you all. We soon will; please just bear with us. Know that we have felt every ounce of love and concern coming from you. We love you!

Love, The Jim Forsberg's and Tom Reed's

Isn't She Lovely?

That's the song that keeps running through my head. Kirstin and Hazel continue to amaze and we are so proud of the both of them. These past few days have been such a blessing. Enjoy these family photos. Mother and daughter
Hazel Lynnette Reed

3 generations

3 lbs. 11 ozs!The previously mentioned lovely locks. Look at that beautiful hair!

Grandma and Grandpa Forsberg with grand baby #5

Grandma and Grandpa Reed and Auntie Robin.

Happy little family.

My mom wanted to make sure that everyone knows how grateful she and my dad are for all your thoughts, prayers and help. The food deliveries have been heaven sent and they are grateful you are making it possible for them to stay and help Kirstin and Travis in whatever way they can. Everything is so appreciated. Everything! According to mom Hazel is a perfect little missionary. No surprise there. Keep them in your thoughts and prayers. Love to you all!

And Baby Makes Three

Just enjoy.

Families are forever!

Dialysis

Dialysis is done for today. Kirstin did well. She is a real trooper. It took about 3 hours and she had 40+ liters of blood run their course. The doctors are happy and we will find out tomorrow if she needs to repeat the process. She has some mac and cheese tonight and was glad to eat (first real time since c-section). Hazel is still hanging in. This child is tough as nails. Thank you to everyone for all you are doing. More later!

We Need Your Prayers

Kirstin is going in for dialyses at 1 pm eastern standard time today. While this is not totally unexpected we were hoping she wouldn't have to go through this. Her kidneys are not working properly and we need your thoughts and prayers. She will be okay but we just need you right now. Kirstin,

Travis and Hazel need you. Please.

Hazel is doing well but she is getting weaker. This little girl is such a miracle and are so blessed to have her with us. Hazel got to talk to her Uncle Anders yesterday via satellite phone from his cutter somewhere in the Atlantic. She cooed and squawked at him. That's how she says "I love you." She loves her Uncle Anders and he loves her.

This little family needs us right now. Thanks you for your help.

Say Hello To Hazel

Here she is everyone. This is our newest Forsberg and isn't she just the most precious little girl you have ever seen?

Hazel was born on Tuesday February 16th at 4 am. This little girl is 3lbs. 11oz of toughness and 16 inches of pure determination. This lucky little girl has a head full of curly dark hair just like her Grandpa Tom. FYI, any hair on a Forsberg baby is amazing. To pull off this much hair AND be two months early is very, very impressive. According to Grandma Robin she has very dainty hands and long slim legs just like her daddy. Hazel has the cutest ears and sings just little a little bird to whomever will listen. This little girl is a great snuggler and has caused every single person around her to fall instantly in love.

When Hazel gets fussy there is one sure fire option to clam her. You just take her to her mommy and lay her down and let her listen to Kirstin's heartbeat. When she is with Kirstin she is home, she is content and she is happy.

Hazel is such a strong little girl and truly a miracle. She is close to being 48 hours old and we are so proud of her strength and so grateful for her little spirit.

She has wonderful parents. Travis and Kirstin love her more than words can express. We all do. Right now Kirstin is very sick and the doctors are having a difficult time helping her. She is struggling with HELLP syndrome. We need your prayers for Kirstin, Travis and Hazel right now. These next few days are crucial and we ask you to please keep them in your thoughts.

Over the past two days Miss Hazel has been described as an angel, a gift, a fighter, and trooper, a beauty, our hero and a miracle. Each and every word could not be more accurate.

She is a miracle and that is a fact.

Little Hero

My niece, Hazel Lynette Reed, was born today at 4am.

She was only supposed to live for a few minutes.

Guess what?

She is still here 18 hours later and fighting to spend a little more time with her mommy and her daddy.

She is a daughter.

She is a cousin.

She is a granddaughter.

She is a niece.

She is a beauty.

She is a fighter.

She is a blessing.

She is a hero.

She is MIRACLE!!!

We are so thankful she is here breathing, making noises, and bringing joy to our family and friends.

Sometimes I forget that miracles happen. Not today. Today is a miracle.

Hazel is a miracle.

This morning I woke the kids up to tell them that they had a new cousin and that she was doing well. In between the whoops of excitement and shouts of joy Braley came running up to me, wrapped her arms around me and said "Mama I am so glad Jesus would do this for Kirsy!"

I am too, I am too.

More news to come on our newest teeny-tiny baby later.

Don't forget:

Today is a wonderful day.

Untraditional love..

How was your Valentine's Day?

Ours was good, thanks for asking.

We aren't really Valentine-y people. We typically buy new sneakers for Valentine's day because that's our usual time to commit to a more fit and healthy lifestyle. January is just too early in the year to commit to eating right and exercising.

There are still too many holiday leftovers to be eaten.

This year we threw our "traditional" gifts out the window and actually ended up with flowers on our table. They are pretty and I do love fresh flowers I just don't like feeling like I have to get them for February 14th, just feels like an expectation instead of a symbol of affection.

We selected our own gifts this year and here's mine! A sofa table. I have been looking for one for what seems like an eternity and we found one just last week that matches our kitchen table and computer desk. I'll be honest, it was a Valentines miracle! Praise Saint Valentine!

Jason got a truck liner put in our (my) truck. Practical yet sexy, no? Nothing beats having a truck bed that won't rust. Living in the Northwest this liner is going to be so stinking useful.

Last week Jason was traveling in a little mess I like to call the Southern United States. While touring the local shopping in the South which consists of Nascar memorabilia and every fried food imaginable he did find these gems. I am big into chunky jewelry right now and these lovelies came with bracelet's and earrings. Love them!

What were the kiddos graced with? Defiantly not chocolates and sweet cards telling them how much we love them. No sir. Micheal Jackson's Number ONES was ideal for my three. Tell me what about Bad and Smooth Criminal doesn't say "you complete me?"

You wish you had thought of it huh?

Meet the enemy. This ginormous bear was gifted to our home and Ramses thinks its the devil. He is scared to death of it and for good reason. It's as tall as our couch and out weights him by 10 lbs. Annnddddd....Jamie chases him around the livingroom with it. Poor guy.

Usually I'm not into showing off gifts but I think ditching the running shoes this year was well worth it!

Next year I'm thinking a carpet cleaner.

2 Birds, 1 Stone

Ansen and Ramses both needed a shower, so I stuck them in the tub together. A little unorthodox? Absolutely! But, it was a gem of a time-saving technique.

They both smell great and their fur is nice and shiny.

Ramses: "Why does she always have the camera out?"

Ansen: "Just smile and she'll go away."

"Cheese!!!!"
Please notice the family resemblance.....i.e. THE EARS! "To the bat cave!"

I Heart...

Since it's February I thought I would share with you a few things that I am currently heart-ing.

First, tulips.

They happen to be my favorite along with Stargazer lilies.

These pretty ones came from the hubbs and I love them.

Second, shoes.

In particular these baby's.

I think every girl should have jewel purple shoes in her closet.

Don't you?

And checkout these heals.

I love that these mamas make me over 6 feet tall.

Third, dogs on leashes.

Not much more to say.

Love that he wants to go out for a walk.
Fourth, ring-tones.
Just a few days ago I finally changed out my Christmas ring-tones.
I know, its about time.
So now when Lady GaGa sings "Just Dance!" and Bob Marley sings "Every little thing is going to be alright" the whole family shimmy's and shakes.
I love family dance parties.
Fifth, LOST.
Currently we have 27 minutes until the season premier.
I love me some LOST. So do Jason and Jamie.
What do you love?