Friday: I turned 30-something. Charley spoiled me with a new camera.
Saturday: Tuesday and Piper turned 2. TWO! I can’t believe it. A very bittersweet day.
Sunday: Benefit dinner and fundraiser for Miss Tuesday.
I didn’t even know it was possible to cry this much. Joyful tears. Thankful tears. The kind of crying where you are overwhelmed with love and gratitude. Where it’s all just too big for words and so all you can do is cry and hope that those who have touched you in such profound ways can even begin to understand your heart. Thank you could never be enough, but still, thank you.
Hence, the writer’s block.
Before I type another word, I wish to wish my beautiful daughters a Happy Birthday and a year of abiding hope and abiding love. The miracle of you two is ever present and those of you blessed with twins will get this the most. The fact that there were even two of you to begin with was quite a feat. Full term, healthy, perfect babies. Not a small accomplishment for twins. No NICU stay. No medical interventions, good nursers…time and time again,
you beat the odds. So there is no doubt in my mind that Tuesday, with the soulful help of her sister, can once again beat the odds. 2 for these two is going to be a year to celebrate. And here they are at just a few weeks old. (Insert “Aaawwwww!” here) It was a pretty mellow birthday since we didn’t know what Tuesday’s counts were but knew they were really low. It’s our birthday tradition to go out for donuts, but since we didn’t want to expose Tuesday to anything we stayed in our jammies and went through the drive thru at Lamar’s and let the kids watch an Elmo dvd. (much to their brother’s chagrin.) We came home and opened presents and watched the girls play in their new play house and, well, what more could you ask for.
Sunday
This is where I’m at a total loss for words. There is no good way for me to tell you about the amazing Benefit dinner that some amazing friends held for us because it sounds anything but amazing when I start to write. I think that the pictures are the only way to do it justice. Grab a drink, because there are a lot to look at and you shouldn’t miss a single one. A special shout out to
Jane for capturing everything.
Highlights from the night:
* Friends. So Many Friends. Dear friends from out of town, friends we hadn’t seen in much too long, new friends, old friends, best friends. Our wonderful families.
* A slideshow put together by our photographer friend,
Autumn. I don’t think there was a dry eye in the house. I personally went thru 4 kleenex.
* A love filled speech from a dear friend who recently lost his sweet mom to cancer.
* So many donated items from the community that they filled every spare inch of room.
* Beautiful building, delish food and drink, a GIANT table of dessert. mmmmm……
* Enough money raised to buy a 2001 Hummer, I mean pay for Tuesday’s medical expenses.
* Hope. It was so comforting being in a room with over 100 people telling you that they are praying for and rooting for Tuesday. We know it, but it’s so good to hear. Every time.
And can I just add, what a good looking bunch of people!
So to those of you responsible for any part of this, Thank You. To those of you who were able to join us, Thank You. To those of you that flew in from far away, just to support us, Thank You. We love you all so very much.
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I hope the girls had a super birthday & I'm so glad the benefit was such a success! It's wonderful that you had so many supporters there & they raised so much money!
I sure hope you had a Happy Birthday as well!
Hey Charlie and Jess! Happy Anniversary! Sounds like a great weekend! After reading your post, I thought about something that happened last night between our twins. They were being little devils and not staying in bed after it was lights out. After getting in trouble numerous times, we finally took away their special blankies (the so-called “nuclear option” in our home) so they would finally stay in bed. As I closed the door, I heard one of them (Sophie) say to the other, “Emma, you want to come sleep with me?” Emma responded with a tearful yes and when I went back in a few minutes later they were cuddled together sleeping soundly.
I thought of this when I read your beautiful words about Tuesday coming through this with the “soulful help of her sister” Piper. I think you are probably right in more ways than you know. There is a bond there that goes much deeper than words. May you continue to be encouraged and strengthened by the glimpses of grace you see in their relationship!
Oh Jess! I am sitting here crying. I cried when I first looked at Jane's fabulous pictures and I'm crying again.
I so so so wish I could've been there, but know that I am always there with you in spirit and NOTHINg can keep me from coming out when Tuesday is celebrating her full recovery.
I KNOW that God has great things in store for her and your family. Just look at all the people He has brouht together in faith & love. Tuesday is a miracle.
Happy Birthday to the girls & to you. (ps I know how old you are! LOL)
Much love always!
Debi
What an outpouring of love. Tuesday is so dear to so many people.
Happiness, love, hope, and prayers to you all.
Leah
Happy Birthday Piper, Tuesday, and Mommy!! You are so strong and Tuesday is even stronger!! The boys and I still pray for Tuesday every night when we say our night time prayers.
XOXO
Melissa
I am sitting here bawling, even after seeing pictures before, still bawling this time 🙂 Glad you guys still got donuts, even if it was through the drive-thru, traditions are a wonderful thing! Happy Birthday again beautiful girlies and I hope someday to be close enough to have some wonderful playdates with all 4 of our twins together! You’re all in my thoughts and prayers each and everyday, more than you could know. Love you all!
Happy Anniversary, Happy 2nd Birthday and Happy 30-something Birthday – thought about you all a lot this past week/weekend. Sorry we couldn’t be at the dinner on Sunday- the photos were great to see. I’m so happy it was such a successful event!
Happy birthday girls! And you guys too! We will keep your family in our prayers.
I am so glad everything went so fantastically and so sad I wasn’t there to see it. Happy 30 something my dear!
That was an wonderful recap of the weekend, I love the way you write. Love the pictures too…I am so glad to have been able to be there, to be a part of such an amazing event for your amazing family!