Welcome Bags

Here are pictures from the boys' welcome bags that we sent them!

Included:

• A Mickey Mouse photo book with 15 labeled pictures. I sent some of us, grandparents, aunts, great grandparents, the school they will attend, our house, and the kids doing fun activities. Since there are two boys were able to send 30 different pictures! It was hard to decide which ones would go in who's album...I just hope they are good sharers! :0)

• A blanket made by Marcinda. I got the fabric FOREVER ago when we thought we would be receiving a baby, but I think the boys will appreciate them still!

• 2 Hot wheels cars and a power ranger (picked out by Hunter from his personal toys).

• Several sheets of sports and smiley face stickers for them to share with their friends.

• 5 pieces of sidewalk chalk (again, I'm hoping they will share with their friends!)

• A disposable camera. I can not wait to see what they decide to take pictures of!

• A small silver cross that they can put in their pillow or in their pocket.

• Their bracelets that we made (and are wearing matching ones) are in there for them to put on each other.

• A card with Lincoln and I's voices recorded on them. We told them that we love them, miss them, and will be seeing them soon!

• A shirt I had made...you can see the front and back of them in each of the individual pictures...the front has an STJ picture and the back has "The Redburns" with a Dad, Mom, 3 sons (all the same size), and a smaller daughter. I'm so excited to get a picture with all of us wearing them!
• A letter from Lincoln and I, one from Hunter, and one from Grammie and Charlie. We can send them letters every 2 weeks and include stickers or pictures!
  

I hope the boys enjoy their bags. I hope they are able to study our faces, just like we have theirs and are able to pass some time playing with their new toys.



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Lessons from Claire #6:

People grieve in very different ways. Lincoln and I handled the situation very, very differently and for awhile I was worried about our relationship. I needed someone with me at all times (although I didn't always want to talk or have them talking). Lincoln wanted to be left alone. He didn't say more than 5 words a day for 2 weeks, I swear. It was challenging, but taught me a lot about the grieving process and having empathy for others.

I love my husband because:

he makes the most awesome home made chicken and noodles EVER!