Thankful Thursday A Little Mackenzie Christmas

Thank you for all the beautiful, heartfelt comments on m last post about Baby Brennan.  Isn't it wonderful how God works.  It's been almost two months since I thought of surprising Brennan's family with this little gift.  I was wanting to extend some Christmas, love and hope to someone else to comfort them, as it also comforted me.  Little did I know how many people were going to return the gesture...

The most perfect gift.  I knew about this gift.  In the summer my sister asked us if she could have a picture sketched of Mackenzie, as a memorial gift from her.  She was not sure if we would want one done.  Of course we agreed, and I gave her a CD copy of all Mackenzie's pictures.  This beautiful picture was drawn by an artist in Red Deer.  Thank you Leslie.  We now have a very beautiful picture of our precious daughter to hang on the wall that captures her in "life".  You will never know how precious a gift you've given us.

"Because you deserve rainbows in the winter too!"

(sigh) what can I say??  I was so surprised to receive this very sentimental gift.  One of my best friends and I always buy gifts for our daughters to give one another, this year she had this wool hand dyed in Oregon, and she knit these beautiful mitts herself!!!!  Thank you so much Keltie!  You were with me on the worst days of my life, and I pray we have many happy times ahead.

One of my special "moms" (you know from my Internet group I'm always gushing about), sent a beautiful snowman ornament for each of our girls!

Thank you Shanon!

I entered a Christmas exchange for moms who have lost little ones.

Wanda sent me this beautiful ornament (and some chocolate!!).

Thank you new friend!

Had to add this ornament Anna received from her BFF, Rylee (Keltie's daughter).

Thank you!

"Celebrate with Love"

Keltie also gave Mackenzie this ornament!

From Mackenzie's God Parents, my brother Joey and his beautiful wife, Janelle.

Thank you!

"Faith, Hope, Love"

This ornament I received from another special mom, Christina.

I saw this ornament, along with the one from Keltie (above) way back in November in a local drugstore.  I fell in love.  I wanted to buy it for myself... but decided not to.  Awesome how God put a thought in their minds when they saw the ornament and thought of our little angel.  I did pick up this exact ornament and send in to a wonderful, amazing mom in Manitoba... another one of my "moms".

This was the very first Christmas ornament Mackenzie received back at the end of summer.

I believe the idea came from my cousin Sarah and was sent with love from Auntie Dolores, Uncle Ross, David & Karen and Family, Susan & Chris and Family, and Sarah & Justin and Family!

Thank you!

"Bless this Child"

Once again, my Kimmy!  This is the ornament that came with the beautiful Christmas bouquet Kim brought to Mackenzie's memorial at the cemetery.

Thank you Kim, Matt. Dylan, Nathan and precious baby Ally!

A HUGE THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO CONTINUES TO PRAY FOR MY FAMILY,

TO EVERYONE WHO HAS THOUGHT OF US DURING THIS BLESSED SEASON,

TO EVERYONE WHO ASKS ME HOW I'M DOING WHEN YOU SEE ME,

AND TO EVERYONE WHO HAS SENT US BEAUTIFUL CHRISTMAS CARDS

(MY "MOMS" ESPECIALLY).

I didn't do cards to my entire (huge) family this year.  I wasn't sure how, it felt awkward and weird.

I did send cards to my "moms", OK really their kids, as a part of a card exchange organized by Susannah.

In lieu of a post marked card this year, please accept our Christmas message:

May God Bless You and Your Family

as You Remember and Celebrate the Birth of

Our Saviour, Jesus Christ.

May the Year 2012 Find You With

Faith, Hope and Love.

Love Always,

The Erikssen Family