Tuesday, March 18, 2008

If I could....

If I could take back those 4 years in my life, I would. I would soak up the little moments and cherish every smile, every hug, every nose rub, every kiss, every little pinky promise. They forever changed me and made such a deep and lasting impact on my heart. Teagan is in Heaven and I know she wouldn't come back even if she had the chance. I am forever grateful for the gift that she was in my life and the lives of so many others- even in such a short time.
My hope is that her life will continue to inspire me to be a better mom, a better friend, a seeker of Joy and a person who loves life in all its glorious details. If I could take back the time I had with Teagan on this earth, I would do it in a heartbeat.
I wouldn't trade the memories we made for anything. She's still the love of my heart. I am grateful to share some of her life and smiles and memories with you today. Happy Birthday in Heaven!

30 comments:

somebody,somewhere said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY IN HEAVEN TEAGAN!
Sweet memories Chip, Jody, Brock, Wyndham, Ava, Bella & Baby! :)
YOU ARE LOVED!

Anonymous said...

Your slide show of memories was touching. . . Thinking of you today!

Allison said...

Crying!
Thinking of you all today. Happy Birthday sweet Teagan.

Cari Skuse said...

Happy Birthday Teagan!

Anonymous said...

Oh Jody! I am bawling my eyes out. Beautiful Teagan...happy birthday in heaven. How awesome that you get to celebrate your birthday with Jesus! My little one should be celebrating with Miss Teagan.

Blessings~

Anonymous said...

Thinking of you with huge, huge tears in my eyes. You are a strong, good person! Love to you on this special day.

Amy R. said...

Happy Birthday to Teagan. Your story has for sure inspired me to be a better mom and to appreciate the time I have with my daughter.

Andrea Wiebe said...

Thank you for sharing the amazing slideshow!!! Love you tons :)

Tabitha said...

Happy Birthday to a sweet angel.
Thinking of you today.
Tabitha X

Anonymous said...

Thinking of you and praying for you all! Thanks for sharing the beautiful photos. Love you ~

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful tribute to Teagan!! Words really escape me!
Happy, happy birthday to her!!!

Anonymous said...

Jody - I've been visiting your blog for a bit now. You inspire and encourage and are sincere in your journey of faith. I just want you to know that I'm thinking of and praying for you and your family today. With warm hugs - Laura

Unknown said...

I'm thinking of you all today... Thank you for sharing the slide show of your darling Teagan. Hugs and blessings. :)

CatherineS said...

Happy Birthday to Teagan in Heaven!

Your family is in my thoughts and prayers regularly, especially today! Thanks for sharing the slide show.

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday Teagan!
My daughter shares her birthday...we will celebrate for Teagan tonight too!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful...thank you for sharing those pictures Jody. Your words and those pictures moved me to tears.

Blessings,
Abbie VDP

Kindra-At Home With K said...

Happy birthday in heaven...I read your story and was so moved by your family's faith and love to get through your difficult time and trials. Thanks for sharing such wonderful pictures of your beautiful daughter!
Live each day like it's your last.

amy & lisa said...

Praying for you! May God continue to give you strength.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for sharing your beautiful pictures and sharing your story.
You constantly remind me to count my blessings and be thankful for all that I have because it can all change in an instant.
Happy Birthday to Teagan!
Christie

*reyanna* said...

Happy Birthday, Teagan! Loved the slide show, Jody! Just fabulous... I smiled the whole time. And I know my niece, London, is celebrating in Heaven with Teagan today. My niece would have been 13 this past September. Congratulations on such beautiful children, Jody and Chip! You two are truly blessed. :)

Anonymous said...

sweet Teagan, I know you're eating buttercream frosting today! Happy Birtday to you precious one.

Jody--((HUGS)) What a beautiful photo tribute.

Karen

Adrienne said...

Sweet Teagan, I pray that all mommies and daddies would take the time to learn of love from their sweet kids as yours did with you...

Jody, you've been on my heart steadily for the last week or so...praying...praying...

michelle raMirez said...

What a beautiful birthday slideshow!
my thoughts are with you today.
you are such a sweet soul Jody!

Nuts in a Tree said...

Thinking of you all Jody. Wishing Teagan a Happy 11th Birthday in Heaven! Our daughter Megan will be 11 in Heaven on May 14th...so our hearts smile and ache with you.

Hugs,
Rhonda & Family

Sonja said...

Such a beautiful girl, the world was lucky to have her...thinking of you.

Anonymous said...

thinking of you today! happy birthday to teagan in heaven- perhaps she is playing with my angel sister who passed around the same age. God bless you and yours...

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday to Teagan and happy birthing day to you, Jody.

She is a precious gift.

Love,

Jane

All moments remembered said...

Happy Birthday Teagan!!
Your whole family is in my thoughts and heart!! HUGS to you sweet Jody!!!!!
Hugs,
Stacey

Hooliganmama said...

Happy Birthday little Teagan! I am sure that the angels are throwing her a huge party in heaven!

Jody ~ your story continues to touch my heart and inspire me in so many ways. God is good. Praying a special blessing over your precious family today!

~Rachelle

Anonymous said...

Little children who pass away before they are accountable are redeemed. With little children who are taken away in infancy and innocence before they have reached the years of accountability, and are not capable of committing sin, the gospel reveals to us the fact that they are redeemed, and Satan has no power over them. Neither has death any power over them. They are redeemed by the blood of Christ, and they are saved just as surely as death has come into the world through the fall of our first parents. …

… Our beloved friends who are now deprived of their little one, have great cause for joy and rejoicing, even in the midst of the deep sorrow that they feel at the loss of their little one for a time. They know he is all right; they have the assurance that their little one has passed away without sin. Such children are in the bosom of the Father. They will inherit their glory and their exaltation, and they will not be deprived of the blessings that belong to them; for, in the economy of heaven, and in the wisdom of the Father, who doeth all things well, those who are cut down as little children are without any responsibility for their taking off, they, themselves, not having the intelligence and wisdom to take care of themselves and to understand the laws of life; and, in the wisdom and mercy and economy of God our Heavenly Father, all that could have been obtained and enjoyed by them if they had been permitted to live in the flesh will be provided for them hereafter. They will lose nothing by being taken away from us in this way. …

With these thoughts in my mind, I take consolation in the fact that I shall meet my children who have passed behind the veil; I have lost a number, and I have felt all that a parent can feel, I think, in the loss of my children. I have felt it keenly, for I love children, and I am particularly fond of the little ones, but I feel thankful to God for the knowledge of these principles, because now I have every confidence in his word and in his promise that I will possess in the future all that belongs to me, and my joy will be full. I will not be deprived of any privilege or any blessing that I am worthy of and that may be properly entrusted to me. But every gift, and every blessing that it is possible for me to become worthy of I shall possess, either in time or in eternity, and it will not matter, so that I acknowledge the hand of God in all these things, and say in my heart, “The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away, blessed be the name of the Lord” [see Job 1:21]. This is the way we should feel with regard to our children, or our relatives, or friends, or whatever vicissitudes we may be called to pass through.