My wife, Alexa, is the best mother ever.

She gave birth twice in 10 and a half months.  That's proof enough right there.  But let me go on.

She has spent the last 355 days mothering a daughter in Heaven.  From day 1 when we found out we wouldn't get to bring Harper home, she has been fighting to make sure she is remembered.  She made sure that every detail was perfect for her funeral because she wouldn't get to help plan parties or a wedding.  She has bought more fake flowers at Michael's than anyone else so she could make sure that her spot in the cemetery was decorated for every season and occasion, because she didn't get to buy all the cute outfits.  She drove 30 minutes both ways to the cemetery many times, sometimes multiple times in a day, just to be closer to our third child.  She has reminded our children about Harper every day to make sure that they know about her, about Heaven, and about Jesus.  She created a blog to not only keep Harper's memory alive, but also to let others know our story in hopes of helping them walk through their own pain.  She has thought of ways to honor our baby girl on holidays, on vacation, in photos, and just in the day to day life.

She sat with Hudson, just 3 days after losing our daughter, as he accepted Jesus into his heart.  Even when I said that he was too young, my wife stuck to her guns, and Hudson proved that by taking that step in faith.  She made sure he got counseling so that he didn't have any hidden sadness or issues from the loss of his sister.  She works with him weekly on Kindergarten skills to ensure he is ready (and honestly she has made him advanced) to start school next year.  She plays with him, laughs with him, and holds him.

She has loved Henry.  Though he still doesn't fully understand, we see glimpses of his knowledge of Harper and Jesus.  That is thanks to his mother talking with him about his sister, Harper and our Lord, Jesus.  She has been patient with our "most active" child.  She has taken care of him every day even when he tests her…every day.  She has worked with him to potty train.  Even though he has not mastered it, I see that he is much closer now thanks to my wife's persistence.  Henry runs to her first when he gets hurt or in trouble because he knows she is a great comfort. 

She cared for Hattie throughout the entire pregnancy doing anything she needed to make sure Hattie was ok.  When Alexa had her health scare, she didn't worry about herself.  She said I will do whatever I need to, to make sure that Hattie is ok.  She visited five different doctors (OB, MFM, Cardiologist, Hematologist, Neurologist), added to her daily medicine box, and began injecting herself daily with blood thinners.  She asked the hard questions of the OB and MFM.  She demanded additional screening, tests, and ultrasounds to make sure that we were doing everything we could for Hattie.  Ultimately, all the extra monitoring paid off as Alexa gave birth last month (for the second time since last Mother's Day).  Since then, she watches the boys and Hattie all day, gets little sleep at night, and gets up the next day, does it all again without getting angry or complaining.

She has done all this while still strengthening her faith in the Lord.   While walking through grief, sadness, and depression.  While working through major medical issues of her own.  While standing by my side, loving me, and helping me through my grief as my loving wife.  While ministering to other women who have lost infants, even taking an active role in Hope Mommies.  While writing a Bible Study for couples experiencing infant loss and making sure that we get the opportunity to teach it.  While working with the church to ensure anyone else who walks this road has the communication, resources, and community they need.  While doing life with her family and friends.

Once again, I say, my wife is the best mother ever.

Happy Mother's Day Mama

<3 Hudson, Henry, Harper, and Hattie