Karleigh's 7th Birthday Celebration

So the bathrooms have been scrubbed and the laundry is washing, so I will finally take some time to update this blog that I have been neglecting in between loads!! Lots of pictures to post - we'll see how much I actually get done between laundry, kids and life!

First up....Karleigh's birthday!

It is hard for me to wrap my head around the fact that if things were different, we would have a 7 year old right now! I can only imagine the things she would be doing right now. Things in her life changed so frequently that I am not quite sure what kind of advancements she would have made physically and in other areas. Based on the amazing things she started doing the month or two before she died, I would like to think that she would possibly be a somewhat mobile and maybe even able to say something. Who knows - maybe even better than that! Someday I will know what it is like to have Karleigh here in my arms as a 7 year old! I look forward to raising her someday!

Her birthday celebration was a wonderful day spent together as a family. We had a happy day. A day filled with time together, giving something small to others to help them have a happy day, a day enjoying the beautiful nature around us and then reminiscing as we went through Karleigh's memory box. (usually we plant bulbs, but since those don't work too well here in warm Arizona, we had to do something else.) I think the most important part of the day was just the fact that we were a family, enjoying small little things that Karleigh did and remembering her. We indeed felt her happiness near. I really feel like that is why the day went so well. We sure do love our birthday girl!! Happy 7th Birthday, Karleigh!

First, we frosted sugar cookies to deliver to friends. We included the poem that we used last year that my wonderful sister, Marci wrote. (Poem at the end of this post)

Before leaving to make deliveries, the kids had a quick birthday photo taken. Just picture Karleigh in there with them!

After making our deliveries, we headed to the store to each pick out a flower for our flower pots that reminded us of Karleigh. (yes, you can plant flowers this time of year here! Weird, I know!)

We then came home to throw a quick dinner together. Chris threw some chicken on the grill while I got the other food together. When it was ready, we headed to a park in town to have a nice picnic dinner and watch the sunset. It was beautiful! After dinner, we took a stroll around the lake and enjoyed the cool air.

Chris enjoying his dinner! (sorry Chris for the funny face you are making....caught ya at the wrong time!)

Parker, happy as usual, had a great time hanging out in the stroller while we ate (yes, he got to eat too).

Chloe let me borrow a flower hair bow to clip in my hair. It was fun to wear it and be matching with my girlie in remembrance of my angel girlie.

After the park, we came home to have cupcakes and ice cream. Zach did a fabulous job making the cupcakes all by himself!

Last, we pulled out Karleigh's box of belongings and went through it together as a family. It was bittersweet as we reminisced. Zach really remembers a lot about Karleigh and wanted to help Chloe and Parker know her as much as possible. He would pull something out of the box and then tell us about it. It was nice to see that he still remembers, but sad that he has to remember - if that makes sense.

Happy Birthday, sweet girl! We love you!

A Birthday Wish…

We’d like to tell you of a girl we know
Who passed away a few years ago.
This is not a story of sorrow and tears;
Instead, it is one of smiles and cheers.

You see, her life was a gift from our
Father above;
And she taught us all what it meant to love.
Her eyes told a story of promise and hope,
And her giggles could cheer even the grumpiest mope.

Today we celebrate her precious life,
And try to remember there are blessings amid strife.
Although she is missed more than words can say,
Her message of love goes on each day.

So enjoy these treats and as you do,
Remember always there are many who love you.


Karleigh Ann Stimpson
10/16/02 – 4/14/05