I'm With Miller

In 3 days it will be 365 days since you became an angel. The most beautiful angel heaven has ever seen! I know I have learned so much from you in these 365 days. It's been hard. It's been painful. But I know it's His plan. I'm so proud of you Miller. You continue to live on in the hearts of those who love you! Like miss Kate said you have called home this year. I cannot tell you how many times I have gotten a message from you and how I love it so much. For those of you who don't know Miller's story you might need a Kleenex. It is a story of love. of faith. and of hope. Miller McNeil Woodruff was born on March 28, 2011 to Patrick and Meredith Woodruff. The first two weeks of Miller's life was perfect as they were adjusting to a new family of four with Miller and his older brother Cole. Towards the end of April Miller went to the doctor because his parents were concerned with Millers lack of movement or his "floppiness". It was then that they heard the news that no parents should ever hear. There baby boy was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy type 1. Miller would most likely not live to see his first birthday. Miller fought for 87 days before earning his angel wings on June 23, 2011. But Miller's story didn't end there. Miller's parents created the Miller McNeil Woodruff foundation in memory of Miller to raise money and awareness for SMA. Miller there is not a day that goes by that I don't think of you. I know you are with me everyday and I'm so thankful for you. I love you sweet boy! Please join me in praying for the woodruff family this Saturday. Miller and his family are doing amazing things and I am so proud to be with miller. If you would like to learn more about Miller you can go the foundation website at: www.imwithmiller.com Or visit their family blog at www.colecrews.blogspot.com

SMA didn't take her smile away.

yesterday little avery took her last breath and wen to be with Jesus.

have i said before how much i hate sma?! because i hate it. a lot.

but avery's work is not done. like miller, her parents have committed to keeping her name and legacy alive. i promise i will not stop fighting until we find a cure for sma. miller and avery have put a face to this horrific, horrific disease. 

avery,

you have touched thousands of hearts and you did that without saying a word.

we will never ever forget you or your lessons.

call home avery, please send your parents signs.

let them know that you are with them everyday.

we love you avery! 

i had just sent in a letter to the Ellen Show to get avery on her show. 

sma is so mean.

please keep avery and her parents in your thoughts and prayers. let's not forget avery and miller and the lessons they taught us.

Dancin' Away with My Heart

have y'all heard the song Dancin' Away With My Heart by Lady A??

it is the best. song. ever. it so relates to my life right now! i think we all will have that one person that will always be 18, and beautiful, and dancin' away with our hearts.

you guys.... there's only 29 days until my graduation! can you believe it?! for some reason the 20's seem so much closer than anything else.

holy. moly.

i chose my dorm room today... maple hill south 221 hollaaaa! (did i really just say holla?!....oh gosh)

anyways sorry for the lack of posts lately... school is kind of kicking my booty! 

hope you have a wonderful week :)! 

xo 

Avery's Bucket List

this is avery. 

avery is 5 months old but she is on a mission. avery wants to complete her bucket list. 

it is a long list.

avery and her mama and dad.

she needs your help. 

avery doesn't have long to complete her bucket list. she has SMA. she, like miller mcneil (here's his blog), will not be able to live a long life. however, also like miller, avery's parents are making sure that avery's life is full.

sma is the number one genetic killer in children under the age of two. 

We need to find a cure for sma.

avery's bucket list has items that she can complete herself, and items that she needs help.

if you can help her please go to her blog at http://averycan.blogspot.com/.

avery,

you go sweet girl! you are on a mission and i am so glad that i am here to witness it. you, little lady are going to change the world.i am so inspired by you and your family. keep on going! 

xo.

claire

39!!!

oopsies....sorry for the lack of posts lately!

two words. senior exhibtion.

it's our last assignment before we graduate..which is in 39 days (hence the title;)) 

i present my project on may 1. so until then posts will probably be scarce...but after that I'M FREE!!

just a quick catch up:

i had a wonderful easter with my family in east prairie..there is something about east prairie. while i'm there i feel like i can just relax and enjoy family. east prairie is my happy place.

miller's bday was AMAZING! he had a bday party in fayetteville which raised over $2,000.00!!!!!! can you believe it? i am so proud of my sweet miller boy! 

it's almost koy and kadyn's 3rd birthday! kadyn is my little angel who has cystic fibrosis. she is such a little diva/fighter/princess/sassyface/cutest girl ever. i am so lucky to know her! (i'll introduce her soon)

i think that's about it! sorry for the lack of pictures/interesting stories. i'll be back to normal soon;)

have a great week!!! 

xo. 

happy birthday precious angel

miller,

today is your first birthday. 

if you were here you'd have a cake, and be loved on by your mommy and daddy.

if you never had sma you might be walking.

if you were here you'd open presents, and giggle, and know that you're loved.

but if you were here, i might not know you.

one year ago today you entered this world bright-eyed and beautiful.

when you took your first breath i didn't realize that my life was about to change because of one little angel.

i miss you more and more everyday.

but i also love you more and more everyday.

i will love you always and forever.

i could not be more proud of you, your mama, your dad, and cole crews.

when someone asks me about you, i have this overwhelming feeling of gratefulness.

i'm grateful that you changed my life, that you are in my heart for good:)! 

i'm so thankful that i can tell your story. that i'm a part of your story. 

i wish you were here more than anything. 

but i can only imagine what kind of party you are having with the angels.

enjoy your first birthday, little man.

keep calling home, keep sending signs. let us know you're still with us.

i love you, miller mcneil. 

all the way to heaven and back again. 

9 Months In Heaven

**if you're stopping by from confessional friday i promise all of my posts aren't this deep but i just can't resist talking about my sweet miller mcneil:)! if you want to learn more information about miller you can read this post by clicking here!

thanks for reading and happy friday y'all! 

today marks 9 months since Miller McNeil has been in heaven.
I recently received a note from someone and it said, "I got to meet Miller and cherished my times with him, whenever I left i felt better than before. it's as if you met him too, and held him in your heart."

that could not be more true. baby miller will be held in my heart until i get to meet him face to face in heaven!
miller has made such a tremendous difference in my life.
as i sit here typing this i glanced at my I'm With Miller bracelet that i wear everyday.

i'm always with miller.

miller's always with me. 

i love you more and more everyday Minner MACNeil! 

here's a poem that was written about miller:

God sent an Angel to the earth,

the sweetest Angel too

And for such a tiny little thing,

he had so much to do

He knew he did not have

much time upon this earth to stay

So he did not waste a second,

he got started right away

His eyes were bright and sparkly,

he took in every turn

He did not miss a single thing,

because Miller came to learn

God sent him here to touch the

hearts of those he could not reach

He taught them courage, strength and faith,

because Miller came to teach

His tiny little body

was so full of God above

You felt it when you held him,

because Miller came to love

In under three short months

he did what most never will

And then went home to Jesus,

because his purpose was fulfilled

And when I miss him oh so much,

I can almost hear him say,

"Please understand, my work was done,

I did not come to stay"

Lord,

i ask you, i beg you to keep miller safe in your arms until he can meet his family. lord i ask that you continue to shower meredith patrick and cole with your love. please, lord show them the plan that i know you have, i believe you have. lord please just continue to lead me, lord thank you for giving us this wonderful gift that miller was. i will forever be grateful, lord. please lord bless miller's new brother or sister that's on the way. i ask that meredith has an easy pregnancy and your will be done. lord thank you for leading me to miller. 

i ask these things in your name,

amen.