Blessed by Jessica

I had the privilege of attending Jessica's funeral last week. I wrote these words to friend today, and they sum up the experience:

"It was so good to go the funeral. I had Karis with me so I was exhausted in watching her and caring for her alone on the trip, but I am so glad that I pushed through and attended all the events. It was because of the Lord that I was able to go. Money was provided for the trip COMPLETELY, and I even came home with a little to spare in my pocket. I hadn't even been considering going because of the money factor, but the Lord paved the way. I am so glad He did because I feel some closure after having seen her body and participating in the events with people who knew her at so many different stages in her life. Kristina, her friend who helped care for her even up to the moment that she took her last breath, told us about Jessica's last few hours and that last breath she took. It was super hard to hear, and I had trouble sleeping that night, but it was also good for me. I felt the Lord's presence during this whole trip. He showed me that our bodies are a shell containing life and our spirit...both of which He gives and takes away at his bidding. Looking at her body I knew her shell was the only thing in that coffin. She is with Jesus. I also learned through all the testimonies and Jessica's video that all of life is about Christ. ALL of it! I forget this instantly. The slightest thing distracts me from this truth. The Lord loved Jess, and she loved Him because of it. To see that blessed me!"

The video I mention above is one that Jessica made a few months before her death. She wanted to make it to be shown at her funeral. It was really poignant and also wonderful to watch it and cry at a table full of friends. I was so glad to laugh at her sense of humor, even as she was already gone. (That girl was FUNNY!) I encourage you to watch the video and to share it with others. It is long (16 minutes), and it is emotional. But it is totally worth it. Praise the Lord for Jess's life and her testimony. You can watch the video by clicking here or type in the address http://chriswinesette.com/2008/07/22/leaving-a-legacy/.

Remembering

Jessica Frailey Vannatta went to be with her Savior Thursday, July 10. I am so sad I won't see her again on earth. I can't wait to laugh with her in heaven.

For those who knew her and want to attend her funeral, it is going to be held at 10 am on Wednesday, July 16 at Stonybrook United Methodist Church in Gahanna, Ohio.

The Big ONE

On Saturday we celebrated Karis first year of life. The food was carefully prepared. The table lovingly set. The birthday girl festively dressed. The balloons hung boldly in the corner. This was her birthday party. Karis was turning one! And yet I told Matt that I felt as if this really was more of a party for us, her parents. It felt like our celebration of making it through this first year. It was our time to say "Thank you, Jesus" for loving us so much to give us this beautiful child and giving us the strength and sanity to make it through the newness, uncertainty, and sleeplessness that is infancy. So, yeah, Karis partied. (Crazy little thing knows how to shake it and dance!) And so did the relatives (minus the dancing). But most importantly, we rejoiced!

The birthday girl loved the balloons...they were quite the highlight of the party.


We had a cupcake theme going for her party. Cupcakes seem to be all the rage right now in the culinary/pastry world. I am no less captivated than all the other cupcake enthusiasts out there. A cupcake is, afterall, a single serving of cake without the guilt of cutting into an entire cake for just one slice. That is genius, in my book! Karis' aunt made her cute outfit. I had fun making her "cupcake" invitations with some beautiful, graphic paper. And I even tried my hand at making some actual cupcakes. I made the chocolate sour cream cupcake batter from here and the easy vanilla bean buttercream from here, one of my favorite recipe sources. Both recipes were delicious and worked so well together...I highly recommend them. It was a super fun project to work on, and I was glad they turned out.


On the actual day of her birthday we took her to the park for the first time. What an introduction that was!! She loved the plastic playground and crawled through the giant tubes and slid down the slide on her Dad's lap. The swing, on the other hand, was not love at first introduction. The expression on her face tells just how unsure she was. By the end of the park visit, though, even the swings had won her over.


Last, I thought I'd share a video with you of our family music party on her birthday. Dad is musically inclined and loves to sing and play music for Karis. Karis seems to be taking a natural liking to these "music classes." As you can see at the beginning of the video, Karis plays a mean drumstick....on her head.