This Heart is Heavy

It is 8:36 am. I am on vacation in New York for my birthday. I have been up for almost two hours, listening to the sounds of traffic, construction, and life in the city outside the window. I am completely relaxed.

Until...

I log onto Facebook and see a prayer request for former school mate who was shot twice (once in the back and once in the thigh) during a bizarre shooting at the midnight premier of Batman in Colorado. He is in stable condition but still has to have surgery. His wife was with him and although she was unharmed by the bullets, she is in shock.

As soon as I finish reading this, I see another link to a news channel about the story. A gunman walked into the theater, threw a smoke bomb, and opened fire. He himself had on a gas mask. 14 people were killed, including a 9 year-old girl while almost 50 others were wounded (ranging from stable to critical, so the number of deaths could rise). He was apprehended in the parking lot. He did not resist. He also did not say anything as to why he committed this act.

Stunned. Angry. Saddened. I don't know which emotion overwhelmed me more. I do not understand how people can be so incredibly heartless and cruel. I do not like to watch the news because of all of the incredibly insane events that take place everyday. I encounter heart wrenching acts and despicable deeds on a daily basis but I'm never numb to it.

My prayers and thoughts go out to the families effected and the victims. And Lucas, I pray you make a full recovery.

Tomorrow is not promised. Even something as innocent as going to a theater is no longer safe. Take care of each other. Love deeply and without condition.

For Ava and Miles

I had the chance to throw a baby shower for a male co-worker whose wife was pregnant (their first pregnancy) with twins, a boy and a girl. Here are just a few pictures of what I put together for Baby Ava and Baby Miles

 This HUGE mess eventually was tamed by this super cute animal bag. With twins, you have to have two of everything!

Some decorations, thanks to Pinterest! The Flower bursts are styrofoam balls and q-tips with dyed tips and the holders are votive candle holders with balloons pulled around them. About $5 total!

You can't see it from here but the cake and cupcakes are pink and blue swirled

 What is a shower without shower games! And games are more fun when there is a prize to be won!

Lollipops made from washcloths 

My diaper cake which I absolutely fell in love with! 

I only took pictures of the things at my house. At the actual party, I did not even think about taking out my camera (FAIL)!