Balloons for Jada

Eleven years ago yesterday, Sept. 1, 1997, I went to all my classes at UW. I was in my final phase of the el. ed. program before I started student teaching. It was the beginning of semester and I know some thought I was crazy starting these courses when I was due to have a baby towards the end of September and Journee was not yet quite 2. I, however, knew if I was going to get through with my schooling it needed to be now or it would be even harder to get back to later. After my classes I had my normal check-up with the doctor. We found out my blood pressure was high and he sent me over to the hospital for an ultrasound to check the baby. It was then that we discovered we would be having another girl. The doctor said the baby looked good but we should probably induce the next day. The next day, Sept. 2nd, they started my labor. It was very slow to get going with little progression. I would spend the whole day and night continuing on slow but steady. It wouldn't be until the next evening, Sept. 3rd, before we got to welcome Jada into our lives. Once she decided to arrive she didn't hesitate. I went from a 4 to the doctor isn't going to make it in time, in about 30 minutes. The nurses delivered her. The doctor left his softball game and got stuck behind an accident on his way to the hospital.

(Sept. 3, 1997)
Jada Adelle Burton was a healthy 6 lbs. even.

Her exciting entrance was fitting as she was always on the go. Always an adventure to be had.

(First birthday)

I couldn't help but think today how I would know what kind of a cake to make for her birthday tomorrow, not sitting here wondering what to do. She would know what kind of a cake she wanted weeks in advance. She was always so excited. I miss that so much. On her 8th birthday, she requested a monkey doing ballet. I told her no at first, I didn't know how I would pull that one off. I am so glad I attempted and let her have her wish.
(2) (3)
I was talking to Gerry the other day and asked him if he ever remembers Jada being angry. I couldn't think of a time. He couldn't either. She would get sad or things would upset her but she never got angry or lashed out at others. She was the peacemaker in our house. Always there to comfort or sacrifice to help make the others feel better. I miss that, too.
(4)(5)
I still don't understand how she could be needed somewhere else more than she is needed here. She would have been joining Journee in middle school this year. Journee is sad and missing that. (Jada would have been kicking the boys for her :-)

(6) (7)
We all miss her. It is as simple as that. It is something that does not go away. Our family continues on and we will continue to do so but we are not the same. We don't understand, but we have faith she is where she is suppose to be and that we will be 'whole' as a family again, but we still miss her every single day.

(8 years old)

So, tomorrow we will celebrate. We will celebrate her birth, celebrate her life. She is still part of our family even if she is not physically here.

I am sad I don't live closer to her grave so that I could decorate it for her. I think I will make a balloon birthday cake for her. We are planning to let balloons off for her tomorrow. We are going to attach messages for her on them. If you would like for us to include a message from you, please leave it in the comments or you can e-mail me (ashgerburton@yahoo.com) and we will include it with ours. We would love to have more to share and send to her.