Pray for Stellan NOW!

A lot of you probably already know about Stellan, lots of you probably don't, but he and his family need your prayers RIGHT NOW! Please say a prayer this very minute for them, that Stellan will live if it is the Lord's will, and if not then that their family will be overcome with peace. You can read more about Stellan here: http://www.mycharmingkids.net/

Lexi...Stellan's mommmy needs lots of comfort, please go be with them, lift them up and give them peace!

Love you - Mommy

Ramblings...

I'm just sitting here minding the Storage Unit office and I thought I would sieze the opportunity to write a little something. I don't know how this is going to turn out, so we'll see.

First off, can I just say it is such a pet peeve of mine when people screen calls and don't listen to voicemail. I called this lady and after I got done leaving a voicemail, she called back.... like 30 seconds after leaving the voicemail (obvious screening... At least wait a little bit. I make it a point to wait at LEAST 5 minutes when screening calls.) So I answer the phone... "Thank you for calling Towne Storage, West Valley. This is Zach, how can I help you?" (I want to start answering the phone "It's a beautiful day at Towne Storage West Valley, what's your favorite number?" But I don't know how well that would go over...

Anyway. The first thing this lady says when I answer the phone is:
"Yeah? I just got a call from this number. What do you want?"

Well, right away I'm put off. Obviously she didn't listen to my message or she'd KNOW what I wanted.

Me (in my most pleasent customer service voice, holding back my sarcasm): "Oh, I left you a very detailed message. You didn't listen to it?"

Her (slightly embarassed): "Oh... um, no. I just called back before I picked up the message."

What I wanted to say: "Oh, wow. That wasn't very smart. Maybe you should be more considerate and take the time to listen to sincerely placed voicmails before wasting my time by making me repeat myself because you were too lazy to pick up the phone in the first place."

What I actually said: "That's alright. I was just calling to... (proceeded to repeat the voicemail I left, almost verbatim.)

I have to be fair... maybe she sincerely didn't get to the phone in time. I know there have been times I've been making a grilled ham and cheese sandwich and haven't heard my phone until the 5th or 6th ring and by the time I run up the stairs, trip on the top step, flig open the bedroom door and hurdle the bed only to hear the sound of silence when I answer the phone. I have also experienced the delay of telephone processing messages. (Sometimes it makes me wonder if SD 6 is holding onto my voicemails and only filtering the parts they want me to hear, keeping the other parts for itelligence purposes.)

But in this situation, I really feel like I was screened/message ignored. Not a good feeling. In short:

Screened call + immediate call-back - waiting for message = big pet peeve.

Well, that turned into a longer posting than I thought. I've got things to do to close up the office. Thanks for listening to me rant.

-Zach (sorry, no cute flower signature here.)

Today...

in honor of Alexis and all babies who are "gone too soon", on Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day, I've created a video that shows how we have tried to remember Alexis these past 9 months (and further back since it starts from when I was about 10 weeks pregnant!) and of how she has touched people's lives. (Not everyone's messages are in here...I apologize but I didn't have a lot of time to put this together but please know that I appreciate EVERY one that has been sent and they mean the world to me. If you haven't sent one you still can!, there is no time limit, whenever you get the chance) And just to warn you...the video is a tad long, but the music is really good! Just three songs long. Not too bad. :)

Without further ado!....
(If the video doesn't show up after a few seconds try refreshing your browser)

And don't forget!...

If you do light a candle I would LOVE it if you sent me a picture of it lit, wouldn't it be cool to have a bunch of pictures of all the candles that were lit?! You can email them to amy.chinagal@gmail.com

And to all my angel mommy friends...I'm thinking of you and your sweet angels today! You have blessed my life more than you know, thank you for your support and your example to me. And thank you to EVERYONE who has lifted us up and continued to do so as we continue to walk this path...we are very blessed to have such wonderful people in our lives.

October 15th

October 15th is known throughout the country as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness day. I realized today that it will also be Alexis' nine month angelversary! How ironic is that? I think its kinda cool.

I really want to do something special in her honor. We are going to the Utah SHARE "Walk to Remember" on Saturday, and I plan to light a candle and let it go all day on the 15th but there is something more I wanted to do. And thats where you all come in...I need your help. Though Alexis was not here for very long with us I hope she and her story have touched lives and made a difference. As her mother I've made it my mission to share her story and make sure her life means something to others and that she isn't forgotten.

So what I need from you is a letter of how Alexis has touched your life, what has she taught you? If you were lucky enough to hold her or see her what do you remember about her, what do you remember about the experience, feelings, etc? How has Alexis' life and story helped to change you for the better? Any thoughts about her and her influence you would like to share!

I know I'm not giving everyone a lot of time but I would really LOVE it if everyone would participate. Even if you've never met me or our family. Even if you've never emailed me or talked with me online. If Alexis' story has touched you I would love to hear about it. I really would love to see how many people's lives Alexis has touched. As a mother it would do my heart so much good. And I'd like to compile them all in a book. I would really love them by the 14th of October but if you can't get it to me by then still send it, whenever you can!

Thank you in advance! You can send the emails to amy.chinagal@gmail.com I'm excited to read everyone's experiences.

(and I haven't forgotten about my kit below, thanks for all your nice comments! I'm thinking I will make a mini kit for free based on the kit below, then the full kit will be available to buy)

Designing...

Ok...I've been trying my hand at designing and just finished my first kit, I'm really new to this so don't laugh! :) But I really wanted to get people's opinion and see how many people would want this kit. I haven't decided if I'm going to give it as a freebie or sell it. If you like it or want it please comment! :) Thanks!