October 15

October 15 is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. It's a special day to commemorate the blessings that God gives - and takes away - in so many lives.



Jenny and I lost a baby somewhere between 9 and 10 weeks in May of 2007. It was an incredibly difficult time for us - but our family and our faith got us through.



One of my closest friends from high school - Shelly - had a full-term stillbirth a few years ago.



And so many of you know the Rowe Family's story from the past 14 months. This year - as a tribute to Reese - the girls (Hillary, Suzanne, Jenny, Laura and Sarah) purchased shirts to honor her precious legacy and commemorate this special day. I think it is amazing - and just like God - to bring this day to light this year through Katie on her birthday, no less.

The front of the shirt - Reese Catherine Rowe.

The back of the shirt.

Eighteen weeks and 1 day.

Each month our church has a morning event for preschoolers and their families. This morning we went for our October Event - a trip to the pumpkin patch in Greenbrier. By this point, Jenny had taken off her white t-shirt, and it's a good thing. The absence of rain created one of the most dusty and dirty days I have seen in a while. We were covered in dust and grit by the time we left.

Mommy and Ben

Ben and some other kids petting a calf.


Ben kissing what might best be described as the world's most patient goat.

This is Howard. We love him.

Benjamin and Jenny went around and picked some large pumpkins to set around the children's wing at church.

Heading to the car with a load of pumpkins. Some more loud than others.

Thanks to Shanna - our former preschool minister - for continuing to lead this ministry to area children and families. It's a great outreach, and I'm so thankful for her and her heart for young families.