Microplasia

Our sweet Macy on her last birthday. March 15, 2008

Goodbye Beautiful Baby Girl

Kevin and I picked up Macy's ashes this evening. I fought back the tears on the whole drive there and once the receptionist showed me the little red tin, I couldn't fight them anymore. She lovingly showed me the paw impression and the certificate of cremation. This whole post may gross some of you out. Please know that is not my intention. I am just explaining what happened. The staff members shared hugs and condolences, which meant a lot. They are such a caring group of people with a passion for helping precious animals. Dr. Lahmon (by the way, I had misspelled her name in all the previous posts) had just left so I wasn't able to thank her personally. I did get to talk to Dr. Lynn who had treated Macy twice before she was admitted. I asked her what the medical term was for Macy's condition and if she had ever had a case like this before. She said it was called microplasia (stunted growth). She figures it was a congential birth defect and had never seen anything like it before. I told her if Macy's case helps another dog, this was all worth it. Once we came home, I put Macy's collar around the red tin. I knew this last step would be painful, but amazingly God helps dry the tears after I break down and whispers to me that it will all be ok. I asked Kevin now that this last step was done was he still happy with our decision to cremate her little body. We both agreed...yes. I have a peace about her passing and I know that peace is yet another gift from God, as was her short six year life. She certainly filled our hearts to the brim and so will her precious memories.

It might be better to click for a closer look as the lighting on this one is a bit dark. I inked the tree image with More Mustard, then used various "fall" colored markers to dab on more color. I huffed on the stamp (breathed on it with my moist breath) then stamped the image onto Kraft cardstock. It's just a simple layout, but I like that marker technique for some color variation. I added the paper piercing to the corners since it was so plain, and inked the edges with my trusty dark brown chalk ink (love that stuff!).

Thanks for stopping by! I'm off Wednesdays at noon, so I've managed to get things cleaned up here at home and started my laundry. I love that Magic Eraser...it's a gem for cleaning the tub lickety-split! Now....what to make for supper? LOL! Hmmm...

Blessed Beyond Measure

While in Columbus on Saturday, my sweet sister took me to Archivers. I found the neatest stamps that say "Blessed Beyond Measure" and "Happy Thanksgiving". I knew I wanted them for the "blessed" one, but had to get an extra one for my friend Lisa. You see....her blog name is Blessed Beyond Measure. Check it out. Leave her a comment and show her some love! :) I was just too tickled to find that stamp for her! She got it in the mail today and now I can post it. Below is the card I made for her. Ah....I know I love happy mail and I sure hope she enjoys using her new goody. :) Thanks for stopping by!

Cardstock by SU!, Patterned paper by Basic Grey, Scallop Strip by Doodlebug, Stamps and ink by SU!, pink bling stones from Archivers *click pic for a closer look* I also inked the edges with my dark brown chalk ink.

OH and yeah...we had SNOW here today. Nothing stuck, but I was pacing by the window at work. Ooh....not sure if I'm ready for the freezing temps just yet. Brrr... LOL!!!!!

Vickie

This page is about my co-worker Vickie. She is always bringing the most beautiful bouquets of home-grown flowers to the office. It truly blesses so many people! I had these pictures of her and decided to make a special page about her loving act of kindness. *click any pic for a closer look*

I started with a pink polka-dot piece of 12x12 for the base. I then cut out the detailed flower part from another sheet of printed paper and added subtle glittery accents with Stickles. The individual glittered flowers are cut from a third sheet of patterned paper, covered with Stickles and added to the page with glittery brads. The title "Vickie" was cut out with my Cricut and glittered with Stickles also.

Because of the purple in her scrub top and the bouquet of flowers, I strategically added "pops" of purple on the page using the photo corner, a purple journaling marker and the purple glittery brads. The journaling box is cut from the center of the flowery-edged patterned paper. I added the detail at the top using the spiral punch from SU!, then inked the edges with Green Galore ink.

Thanks for stopping by...I actually made a few cards on Sunday evening and will have a few things to show this week. Thanks to God for that little streak of creativity in the midst of my grief. He is so good to me! At times, I am in awe of the peace I have about our loss of Macy. Though my heart is torn I will praise Him through this storm! Here's a powerful song for today...click HERE to listen. It is so true.

Acts of Kindness

We want everyone to know how much we appreciate the acts of kindness these past few days. Whether it was an e-mail, flowers, phone call, visit or a card...it has all helped us. We are so blessed with friends and family who have shown acts of kindness in all these ways. Some of you have also simply given us time alone to deal with our loss.

On Friday night, we enjoyed dinner and a movie so we could just "get out" and not be here at home for a few hours. We saw Beverly Hills Chihuahua and it made us both laugh. Yes, it was a dog movie, but it was a funny movie so it was ok. As soon as we got home, I was on the internet searching American Eskimo breeders. One of my initial thoughts was that I couldn't have another dog, but it's just too quiet here without a furry bundle of joy. We figure we'll start looking for our next baby girl in the spring.

I may not have a lot to post this next week as I get back in the normal routine of life.....go back to work and just adjust to a different schedule without Macy here. I am just going to take things a day at a time, especially in regards to scrapbooking and stamping. Once I get past the first hump of my grief I hope to have lots of creativity to share.

You may also notice that I changed the wording in my profile on the left column. It's not that I am erasing our Macy, but I wanted the wording to be accurate and it meant removing her name. I have a lot of restlessness right now, but part of my healing is to slowly move her things here at home, change wording on stuff and get into a new routine. I still automatically look for her all around the house and sometimes the reality just stops me in my tracks and I can't do anything. It will take time. I know that. Along the way, I will hold onto my faith and look forward to what God has next for our life together.

We love you guys!

Natalie & Kevin

What We Decided

We decided together to have her little body privately cremated and we will get her ashes back next week. They also do a permanent impression of her little paw and that goes on top of the container that holds the ashes. Neither of us could bear to see her body today or to bury her ourselves. I did ask the office if they would cut off a good handful of her luscious fur that I can keep. I always used to put my nose in her fur and just snuggled her soft body. She always smelled so good, even if she hadn't been bathed recently. I wanted a bit of that for a keepsake. Kevin lovingly picked up her collar, the fur and the towel today I had her wrapped in when I took her Tuesday. We will settle the bill when we pick up her ashes. I tried to convey our gratitude despite my tears when I called them back with our decisions. We couldn't have asked for a better vet office. Their care and compassion are priceless. I will also tell them again in person next week and want to hug Dr. Lehman for all she has done.

We also truly appreciate all the nice, loving messages, e-mails and phone calls we have received. Thank you! It helps ease the pain. It is painfully silent in our house, so I've had music on all day. I go from laughing or dancing to bawling within the blink of an eye. I am off work tomorrow and don't know if I'll stick around here or have to get out for some fresh air and go somewhere. Just a day at a time, I guess.

Goodbye Baby Girl

I am so sad to tell you that she died this morning. The vet did an autopsy and they found her heart, lungs and liver were all smaller than normal and she most likely had a blood clot that went to her brain....causing a stroke. I think she actually died in her sleep. So, basically she was a bit physically abnormal, but had a good 6 years of life with these abnormalities. The vet was very thorough in explaining everything and is very compassionate. She, too, was shocked and stumped that this happened to Macy.
I have to tell Kevin when he gets home and I've already spoken to his boss to let him know that if Kevin is too upset that he may not be back today. I told him to not tell Kevin I called and the reason I called was so he wouldn't be in trouble. I am having my own waves of emotion and just trying to count the 6 years of blessings with her. She was such a good dog and she always knew she was loved. I thank God for the time we did have with her.
I have to talk with Kevin and see if he wants to bury her or have her cremated. I want cremation and don't want to see her dead body at all. I can't. I am too visual and will only remember the bad if I do. I'll let you know what he and I decide together. His mom is coming over soon to help me tell him. I totally dread it. Totally.
I know God is in total control of our lives and perhaps has something better waiting for us in our life together. God knows I will hurt. But, I have faith that this situation will strengthen us both and get us ready for what life has ahead. I am just so grateful that I knew the unconditional love that sweet Macy gave us daily. She will be missed terribly. It is just such a shock. Thanks to everyone who reads my blog and cares about what we're going through. :)

Although it is painful, I know God has all situations in the palm of His hand. I can't help but praise Him in my pain by sharing this beautiful song. Click HERE. Listen carefully to the words. I praise Him although he "gives and takes away".