I just checked on the team page a moment ago, and...

Ava's Angels have raised $1,015 for the March of Dimes WalkAmerica!

Annette set a goal of $1,500...and we still have almost a month to go!

This is the note I passed out to parents at the childcare center I work at (edited some to be safely posted on the web).

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I haven't updated in a while...I haven't really known what to write about, nothing seemed appropriate. Some memorable things have happened over the past week or so, but I just didn't have it in me to write anything funny.

Ava's birthday is today. This should be her first birthday -- right now I should be at my sister's house, laughing as a one-year ( Read more... )

Now, I know someone who's not directly affected by the loss of Ava may not "get" the Kindness Project, and may think leaving Beanie Babies in empty strollers, shopping carts, or on cars w/ baby carriers inside is pretty pathetic. That's their loss. For my sister, for myself, for other people involved, it's one small way we have of channeling our ( Read more... )

As I wrote about in this journal entry:  June 18, 2006, Annette has gotten us involved in MISS Foundation's Kindness Project.

I left two more Beanie Babies anonymously last week, in Ava's memory.  I always keep a few in my truck, ready to go, with the tags tied on with either sage green or lavender ribbon, and the URL for Ava's website written on ( Read more... )

My sister found out almost two weeks ago why Ava was born still. Annette was diagnosed with a blood clotting disorder called Factor V Leiden. It's a genetic mutation, and basically it dramatically increases the risk of developing blood clots -- due to surgery, long car rides or airplane flights, or during pregnancy. If you have this disorder, it ( Read more... )

I can't stop crying!  This is incredible and I'm still not believing how everything worked out -- it gives you faith.
Read all the way past my journal entry to the comment: http://aisling78.livejournal.com/27573.html

Annette gave me a handful of cards not too long ago for the MISS Foundation's Kindness Project.  The concept of this is to do anonymous random acts of kindness, in honor of and in memory of a loved one who has passed away.  It just seemed like such a beautiful tribute to Ava, and such an awe-inspiring way to keep her memory alive...to be able to do ( Read more... )

I'm really having a dark week, just having a hard time poking my head out of the clouds this week. I'm thinking too much, I think. That's my problem. I've been thinking so much about Ava, every waking moment of every day...I think for the past two months I've been mourning Ava, mourning for my sister, for Andy, for my Mom & Dad, for friends & ( Read more... )

Annette made a request on Ava's webpage Our Angel Ava, and I offered to help her spread the word to more people. She's organizing a project to help other grieving parents, and to keep Ava's memory alive. She's so brave and generous in wanting to help other grieving parents when her own grief is still so raw, and I desperately want to help her out. ( Read more... )