Return To Zero

Grace & Wyatt’s Story

Posted on June 26, 2013 by Sean — 13 Comments ↓

(This is a guest blog by Andrea about her children, Grace & Wyatt. Thank you for sharing this with us, Andrea.)

My husband and I got married March 5th 2011. We knew we wanted to start a family and knew we would need assistance in doing so due to my health history. I was diagnosed at 18 with stage 4 endometriosis and chronic ovarian cysts. After months of fertility treatments we became pregnant. Sadly we miscarried shortly after. We continued our journey, crushed but not fully aware of the true ache that would consume us. We became pregnant again after another round of treatment.

This pregnancy seemed to be going well and then one Sunday I woke up to bleeding and abdominal cramping. We shortly lost that baby too. A year of more painful fertility treatments passed with nothing to show but empty arms and heavy hearts. We decided to try again and this time became pregnant with twins. Grace and Wyatt. We were beyond hopeful but still so full of fear. We had lost all of our prior pregnancies so we cautiously watched the days pass. The babies looked wonderful and we had a due date of December 11 2012. We couldn’t have been happier.

On July 16th our happiness turned into terror. We had a routine Dr. visit. It was discovered that I was having contractions and that my cervix was too weak to support a pregnancy. We pleaded for a cerclage, a stitch that is sewn into the cervix. It helps to support the weight and prevent shortening. It doesn’t promise anything but it can provide a few more weeks. Our team sadly refused to place the stitch. We were heartbroken. We were sent home on strict bed rest, and medications. One week later my cervix went from 2.5 to .98. We were devastated. The team still didn’t have any options for us besides continuing bed rest and hoping we make it to viability. We were 17 weeks at the time. We would have done anything to bring our babies home safely so I never once complained about being bed ridden or my lack of control. I relied on my husband, family and amazing friends for everything. I was allowed to shower every 3 days, but had to remain sitting and had to be quick. The days passed and we were getting closer to viability.

I was admitted to the hospital for closer monitoring. I lived there for two long months, all the while hoping we would bring our sweet Grace and Wyatt home one day. Living in the hospital was emotionally hard. The food was hard to eat, especially since I wasn’t using much energy in bed. I was rarely hungry but forced myself to eat as much as possible in hopes of helping our babies gain weight. My husband decorated my room. He brought books, flowers, a computer, all of my shampoo, soap and bathroom supplies. He brought me outfits and even had twin sized sheets for my bed. He was amazing! I knew I was lucky to have married such an amazing man, but that time showed me exactly how strong and loving he was. He helped me shower, he helped me on and off the dreaded bed pan, got me water and encouraged me the entire time. We never thought for one minute that we wouldn’t survive.

August 29th 2012, 23weeks 5 days… two days shy of “viability”. My contractions became worse, they were very strong and the doctors thought I would deliver that night. We prepared for a c-section all the while praying we would make it though this. Praying that our Grace and Wyatt would survive and not suffer. We asked the doctors to do everything possible to save them. I was placed on Magnesium to slow the contractions and also provide a barrier for the babies brains. I was given steroid injections which help to mature the babies lungs. I felt like a bus had hit me and my body was on fire. The medication took a huge toll on me. My head ached like never before. Days passed on the medication and we were still pregnant. My contractions were getting further apart and we hoped to make more days, weeks… I felt horrible, I just knew something was wrong.

I begged my husband not to leave my side. I told him I thought I was dying and honestly I did. I was struggling to breathe. I knew something was wrong. My doctor arrived and took one look at me. He ordered the medication be stopped and a chest x-ray be performed. I was right, my lungs were filled with fluid, I had pneumonia and was struggling to breathe. I had absolutely no energy for anything. I tried sleeping but the air starvation and my pounding head made it hard. I slept through my viability week! We finally started relaxing a bit. We reached 25 weeks and pushed forward. At exactly 25weeks and 5 days I went into full blown labor. There was no turning back. I was rushed into an emergency c-section where we delivered our beautiful babies. Wyatt was born September 12 2012 at 12:55 and Grace arrived at 12:56. They cried, they were intubated and taken straight to the nicu. I didn’t get to see them right away but my husband caught a view as they rolled them out. I spent the next few hours in recovery but pleaded to be allowed down to the nicu. I wanted to see the babies, to touch them, to tell them I was so proud of them and that I loved them always and forever.

They were beautiful. I was shocked at how small they were, yet how strong and perfectly formed they were. Wyatt looked just like my husband, his skin was light, and he had light blonde hair on his beautiful head. My husband is a brunette now but was a cute toe head as a kiddo. Wyatt’s nose was my husbands nose and we jokingly apologized to him for it.

Wyatt looked so big compared to his sister. Wyatt was 1lb 12oz. We were in love instantly. Grace looked just like me. She had an olive complexion and the sweetest brown hair. You could see the waves in it already. She was very petite. She had one eye open and we always joked that she had her eye on us! She weighed 1lb 4oz. We never for a second believed they wouldn’t be coming home with us alive. We knew we were in for a long nicu stay. We knew of the complications that could follow, but we knew that we were willing to be there for every step of that journey. They were our babies and we would have done anything for them, and we did.

Three days passed… our beautiful angels were perfect. They were doing ok, not great but not horrible. Then that night our world came crashing in around us. At 3am we were alerted that Wyatt had suffered a bleed. He was very anemic and needed a blood transfusion. Of course we signed the paperwork and rushed down to the nicu to see him. They had him on a blood pressure medication to help increase his pressure, and started the infusion. Grace looked good, but I think she felt her brother suffering. Her little heart was racing. They decided in the morning that they would run more tests and also do head ultrasounds to see if they had brain bleeds. We prayed on our hands and knees for them to be spared. I prayed for them to be out of pain, to be the miracle I knew they already were. We had so much faith, we were so strong then.

Sadly we were given terrible news. We learned that Wyatt had a grade 4 brain bleed. This was the most severe. He was having seizures and was in so much pain. My heart broke watching his little body struggle. We also learned that Grace too had a grade 4 brain bleed. We were besides ourselves. We continued to pray and support the babies. Another day passed and we had an outside dr come in to give us a second opinion. The babies were getting worse and were suffering. Aside from the brain bleeds our sweet angels lungs were shutting down. We were devastated. We asked to be able to hold our sweet Grace and Wyatt. We didn’t want them to pass in their cribs. We wanted to kiss them, to place them against our skin, to talk to them and then to put them side by side just as they had been for the past 6 months. We were able to do so.

Our angel Wyatt passed at 5:25 on September 16 2012, and Grace followed him at 6:30. We felt at peace then, I have no idea how we made it out of the hospital and into our car. We had nothing to carry with us, our car was filled with 2 months of hospital accumulation. It didn’t have car seats, it didn’t have Grace or Wyatt. The drive home was soberingly silent. When we arrived our house was filled with boxes of baby gear, baby clothes, toys etc. We sobbed and went to bed.

The two weeks following our loss was a blur. We were so busy planning the cremation, the celebration of life party and we were preparing to do the ocwalktoremember. I was in denial and my husband was doing his best to carry me forward. We took a trip to Yosemite where we spread some of the babies ashes in May lake. We spent days in nature sobbing, and learning how to breathe. It was a much needed start to our end. As the weeks passed I became more and more depressed. My husband broke down often but held it together all too often to help show me that he was strong and that we would be ok. I became suicidal. I didn’t want to do anything. I stayed in bed, never sleeping, my mind running a million miles an hour. I didn’t eat, I just survived. My husband found an amazing therapist and brought me to him. I have been seeing him weekly since then. It has helped so much. Our relationship was rocky. I was so angry and hurt. I was mean and cold. My husband had not only lost his two children, but his wife was now a shell of a person he once knew. He continued to love me and encourage me. He has been instrumental in my healing.

In January we decided that we would attempt IVF again. We had looked into surrogacy but it just didn’t work out as we had hopped. We transferred two embryos again and were lucky to become pregnant. One baby survived the transfer and implantation process. We called the baby EM. If the baby is a boy we planned to name him Ethan Wyatt after his brother and if the baby is a girl her name will be Micaela Grace after her sister. I am heading into my 20th week today. It has been very emotional and so hard on me. I have had a really hard time becoming attached to the pregnancy for fear of burying another baby. At 13 weeks I had major abdominal surgery to place a TAC- abdominal cerclage. This type of band is placed around the cervix just below the uterus. It is placed abdominally using either your old c-section incision or 5 small incisions in the belly. The risks are high and the recovery was brutal. This band is permanent, it requires a c-section delivery and very close monitoring. We were so blessed to have found information and experienced doctors to place it. We are finally starting to exhale a bit, but are still very cautious. We just shared the news with family and friends last week. We are so very hopeful.

We will always miss our beautiful Grace & Wyatt. We will always wonder what our lives would have been like had they survived. We will always think about the people they would have grown into, the friends they would have made, the jobs they would have chosen. I miss them every second of everyday, but I am learning to find the hope to live again. I am so excited to see them again one day! Until I can hold and kiss them again I will do my best to be the best mommy possible to their siblings and the best wife to their daddy.

Eleanor Roosevelt once said “You gain strength courage and confidence by every experience by which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing which you think you cannot do.”

I will continue to live, to be a mommy and to be a wife.

Thank you for your time and listening.

Andrea

Posted in Guest Blog, Your Story

Final Pledge Totals for Local Leader Contest

Posted on June 23, 2013 by Sean — 4 Comments ↓

Below are the FINAL PLEDGE TOTALS for the Local Leader “Contest” that ended on June 20th. Thank you to every Local Leader for BREAKING THE SILENCE and spreading the word about RETURN TO ZERO! This has already been an enormous success!

But remember, just because the “Contest” is finished doesn’t mean that we’re done with our pledge drive; our NEW GOAL is 150,000 Pledges by Norbert’s birthday-July 12th!

1^st Breath (Dr. Pat Flynn) - 57

Abbie Smith – 39

Afsi Mozaffarian – 33

Agata Kozlowski – 18

Alejandra Gonzalez – 61

Alejandra Valle – 8

Alex Castellon – 8

Alexa Bigwarfe – 30

Alexis Kralic – 35

Alicia Williams – 87

Alicia Wink – 35

Alison Feldman – 32

Alison Murray – 74

Allison DeGeorge – 13

Allison Feldman - 4

Allison Grove – 33

Allyson McDonald – 5

Alycen Malinowski – 5

Alyssa Margrave Byrd – 17

Alyssa Woodrow – 46

Alysse Magdaleno – 14

Alyvia Elliott – 40

Alyvia Wright – 7

Amanda Adams – 27

Amanda Balderrama – 17

Amanda Berk – 20

Amanda Boswell – 6

Amanda Bowles – 31

Amanda Gintz – 7

Amanda Groce – 17

Amanda Hollen – 18

Amanda Hoyt – 34

Amanda Lowell – 141 (T-SHIRT)

Amanda Lucas – 450 (T-SHIRT & DVD)

Amanda McHady – 20

Amanda Mulvay – 11

Amanda O’Neill – 11

Amanda Ross-White – 46

Amanda Sole – 34

Amanda Wilson – 20

Amber Dean – 114 (T-SHIRT)

Amber Grossmueller – 24

Amber Jumper – 39

Amber Kendrick – 8

Amber Roseberry – 37

Amber Zuckerman – 13

Amie Lands – 34

Amie Norris – 8

Amparo Cordero – 24

Amy Brannock – 8

Amy Crickenberger – 17

Amy Dahlenburg – 21

Amy Fessler – 13

Amy Lang-Johnson – 80

Amy Shucker – 99

Amy Sillanpa – 29

Ana de Stefano – 8

Andrea Andres – 24

Andrea Arias – 36

Andrea Caceres – 5

Andrea Garcia – 8

Andrea Hayes Arias – 7

Andrea Kirouac – 53

Andrea Manning – 29

Andrea Ploettner – 8

Andrea Radcliffe – 6

Andrea Richardson – 17

Andrea Ross – 6

Angel Names Association – 129 (T-SHIRT)

Angel Zevgolis – 5

Angela Bickford – 8

Angela Brown – 278 (T-SHIRT & DVD)

Angela Donaldson – 6

Angela Ewers – 42

Angela Grimes – 20

Angela Miller – 15

Angela Moeller – 48

Angela Vigil – 115 (T-SHIRT)

Angela Zamora – 8

Angi Ort – 15

Angie Bailey – 30

Angie Brown - 44

Anissa DiLeo – 28

Anita Teixeira – 21

Ann Carty Coyle – 298 (T-SHIRT & DVD)

Ann Helan Kvastad – 6

Anna Janzen-Lancaster – 13

Anna LaBenz – 50

Anna Lafountain – 213 (T-SHIRT)

Anna Valero – 22

Anna Wright – 63

Anne Dora Clink – 28

Annie Franzen – 39

Annmarie Tanton – 25

April Snider – 7

Apryl Dane-McNabb – 712 (T-SHIRT & DVD)

Ashleigh Wright – 35

Ashleigh Young – 38

Ashley Atkins – 16

Ashley Felix – 50

Ashley Kimberley – 8

Ashley Pereira – 33

Ashley South – 22

Ashley Spurlock – 26

Ashley Swearengin – 8

Ashley Weeks – 18

Ashli Peterman – 14

Ashante Bixler – 23

Association Lilly-Rose – 18

Association Nos Petits Anges au Paradis – 10

Audra Leighton – 31

Audra Sherman – 5

Aurelie Lecomte – 61

Barb Powell – 17

Bears of Hope – 225 (T-SHIRT)

Becky Anderson – 7

Becky Wadsworth Rohlke – 32

Beth Colla – 8

Beth Jones – 8

Beth Pullia – 49

Bethany Corcoran – 10

Bethany Rine – 40

Betsy Cahoon – 11

Betsy Webb – 15

Bianca Courtidis – 160 (T-SHIRT)

Bobbie Cohlan – 795 (T-SHIRT & DVD)

Brandi Chadwell – 8

Brandi Heck – 47

Brandi Northrup – 6

Brandi Van – 202 (T-SHIRT)

Brandie Little – 14

Brenda Bisharat – 6

Brenda Christie – 11

Brenda Cowan Franklin – 13

Brent Hoeft – 33

Brent Spraker – 19

Biranna Marie Foundation – 12

Bridgett Runyon – 5

Britta Kratzer – 46

Brittany Elliott – 404 (T-SHIRT & DVD)

Brittany Stark – 6

Brittany Wood – 11

Brittany Zeller – 11

Brittney Panzone – 52

Brooke Jenkins-Howard – 28

Brooke Tassin – 54

Brooke Tippett – 24

Buckley Shinto Farina – 68

Butch Otter – 8

Cally Mitchell – 8

Camille Laukka – 12

Cambpell Newman – 19

Candy Hodge – 24

Caoilfhionn McGee – 8

Cara Aiello – 9

Cara Tyrrell – 12

Carey Bear – 41

Carey Beltrami – 12

Carissa Deneca – 53

Carly Hayward – 14

Carly Marie Dudley – 927 (T-SHIRT & DVD) – NOT COMPETING

Caro Sabbagha Tapson – 99

Carol Fishelman-Rosen – 8

Carol Slaugh – 11

Caroline Kuether Gwaltney – 37

Carolyn Anne – 8

Carolyn Frances-Jurgens – 52

Carolyn Kirk – 56

Carolyn Mara – 34

Carolyn Randazzo – 105 (T-SHIRT)

Carolyne Davidson – 20

Carrie Easterling Parker – 20

Carrie Fisher-Pascual – 103 (T-SHIRT)

Carrie Parker – 34

Carrie Sloop – 37

Carrie Westover – 56

Casey Richards – 20

Cassandra Cohen – 28

Cassandra Mehan – 28

Cassie Hutson – 12

Catherine Adelbert – 122 (T-SHIRT)

Catherine Keating – 10

Catherine Kleinmeier – 6

Catherine Mallon – 6

Catherine Scott – 35

Cathy Hartman – 42

Celeste McLean Cote – 26

Charlette Gilbert – 28

Chelsea Zeiba Grioux – 15

Cherishing the Journey – 39

Cheryl Fink – 23

Cheryl Salter-Roberts – 12

Chirleen Evans – 5

Chris Copus – 8

Chrissy Franks Dyess – 60

Christian Limberg Moore – 69

Christina Bruyette – 12

Christina Bush – 37

Christina Henley – 35

Christina O’Flaherty – 31

Christina Rodriguez – 8

Christina Cyll – 13

Christine Ibrahim – 179 (T-SHIRT)

Christine Perin – 21

Christine Suarez – 8

Christine Tapson – 9

Christopher Botkin – 14

Christy Clark – 14

Ciao Lapo Onlus – 871 (T-SHIRT & DVD)

Cindy Dachenhausen – 17

Claire Fowler Morse – 13

Claire Morris Talenian – 52

Claudia Laurent – 8

Claudia Perez – 38

Colin Barnett – 29

Colleen Howard – 166 (T-SHIRT)

Colleen Lawley – 13

Connie Longacre – 11

Coretta Owen – 6

Corinna Bertone – 78

Corinne Brumbaugh – 30

Corinne O’Flynn – 28

Courtney Callis-Drennan – 68

Courtney Mendoza – 7

Courtney Roberts – 6

Courtney Woodgeard – 48

Crissy Post – 27

Cristal Robinson – 8

Cristina Kirchner – 8

Crystal Murphy – 7

Cyndy Martinez – 22

Cynthia Payne - 94

Cynthia Rodriguez – 55

Dan & Lauren Williams – 8

Dan Silk – 34

Dan Westhora – 85

Dana Kaplin – 9

Dani Taylor Zarbock – 214 (T-SHIRT)

Danielle Leacock – 21

Danielle Nelson – 30

Danita Lang – 67

David Bradbury – 6

David Henkhaus – 7

Dawn Guidone – 91

Dawn McNeil – 25

Deanna Wheeler – 6

Deb Gerlach – 6

Deb Rich – 17

Debbie Lee – 6

Debbie Schreurs – 84

Deborah Lee – 111 (T-SHIRT)

Deborah Valliant – 20

Debra Hague – 11

Dierdre Mannix – 40

Delisa Vansickle – 37

Denise Ankersen – 8

Denise Caperna – 60

Diane Eggemeyer – 76

Diane Farrell – 15

Diane Forsythe – 6

Diane Pitcher – 12

Diane Watts – 10

Dinice Buitendorp Paul – 50

Dinky Wyldeflower – 6

Don Atchison – 8

Don Ness – 5

Donna Crombie – 15

Donna Valdivia Wofford – 6

Donna Yell – 15

Dorothy Sanders – 11

Edie Edwards – 93

Edwina Raschle – 143 (T-SHIRT)

Eileen Vogel – 20

Elayna Terrell – 6

Elanor Ellerslie – 8

Elien Vanhulle – 39

Elisenda Santiago – 11

Elizabeth Manley – 5

Elizabeth Pate – 8

Elizabeth Quinn – 34

Elizabeth Schoos – 25

Elizabeth Sorenson – 5

Elizabeth Winter – 40

Elizabeth Yoder – 58

Elspeth Forsyth – 50

Elspeth McCallum – 21

Emelie Cherrone – 69

Emily Adams Turner – 53

Emily Geering – 29

Emily Holmes – 118 (T-SHIRT)

Emily Werner – 176 (T-SHIRT)

Emma Caballero – 9

Emma McLeod – 75

Emma Stephenson – 10

Emmanuelle Diallo – 10

Eric Edling – 8

Erica Barnard – 340 (T-SHIRT & DVD)

Erica Cooke Whalen – 5

Erica Flores – 5

Erica Guzman Coronado – 21

Erica Manser – 12

Erica Pacey – 31

Erika Ortiz – 67

Erin Bennett – 9

Erin Fiataruolo – 35

Erin Gaston – 12

Erin McHale – 8

Erin Vogt – 17

Erin Wright – 32

Esther Anneveldt – 12

Fabiana Brzeski Alves – 5

Farita Lou Bactat-Reyes – 194 (T-SHIRT)

Fernanda Olguin Pacheco – 60

Flora Laboureau – 11

Forget Me Not – 5

Fran McGovern – 6

Fran Meadows – 5

Franchesca Cox – 6

Furcy Cathy – 8

Gabriela Ibarra Kotara – 272 (T-SHIRT & DVD)

Geraldine Arnott – 38

Gillian Alagr – 60

Gina Booton – 20

Gina Harris – 86

Gina Villafana Rodriguez – 22

Ginnabo Mendoza – 8

Giovanna Tiberini – 18

Girlane Costa – 20

Gloria Adriana Navarrete – 15

Greg Meyer – 7

Greta Power – 8

Halo Golden – 10

Hanah Cummings – 18

Hazel Flint – 11

Hazel McCallion – 10

Heartfelt – 6

Heartstrings – 6

Heather Anderson Wilkins – 12

Heather Clear – 21

Heather Edouard – 74

Heather Kennedy – 30

Heather Moore – 16

Heather Pearson - 32

Heather Rafter – 87

Heather Rotondi – 37

Heather Slade Kennedy – 19

Heather Thompson – 109 (T-SHIRT)

Heather Tolan – 60

Heather Wilkins – 87

Heaven Ray – 82

Heidi Anderson – 30

Heidi Faith – 33

Heidi Files – 6

Heidi Newsom – 6

Helen Bartek – 38

Helen Kelley Edwards – 11

Helen Kennan – 57

Holly Dankin-Parker – 8

Holly Dodman-Jean – 43

Holly Haas – 8

Holly Knapp – 12

Holly Peach – 34

Holy Sews/Regina Binz – 74

Hope Soto – 45

Ida Catherine Bjurnnes – 42

Ilse Luypaert – 13

Ingrid Ebner – 19

Iris Bukobza – 180 (T-SHIRT)

Irlene Gardner – 25

Isma Granger – 235 (T-SHIRT)

J’Lynn Allen - 5

Jacki McDowell – 12

Jackie Bauer – 103

Jackie Kettewell – 48

Jacky Souders – 25

Jacqualine Bohannon – 552 (T-SHIRT & DVD)

Jacqueline Levenduski Bauer – 76

Jacqueline Linden Whiting – 9

Jacqueline Milette-Coveney - 80

Jade Dixon – 1,265 (T-SHIRT & DVD)

Jade Eastwood – 5

Jaime Granger – 16

Jaime Kinderknecht – 8

Jaime McKay – 163 (T-SHIRT)

Jami Haddock – 27

Jami Miller – 207 (T-SHIRT)

Jamie Angeli – 28

Jamilyn Baker Craig – 102 (T-SHIRT)

Jammie LeBoeuf – 20

Jana Elliott – 22

Jana Hahn – 416 (T-SHIRT & DVD)

Jana Orengia Elliot – 7

Jane Lloyd – 14

Janelle Bower – 32

Janelle Wourms – 239 (T-SHIRT)

Janet Cordingley – 19

January Carpenter – 29

Jason Goodman – 44

Jean-Luc Delvallez – 8

Jeanette Babilon Warren – 21

Jeanie Watts – 16

Jeanne Scully Jordan – 47

Jen Betts – 7

Jen Hayes – 19

Jen Martinson – 46

Jen Paterchak – 280 (T-SHIRT & DVD)

Jen Thompson – 6

Jenifer Smith Richmond – 62

Jenn Castronova – 14

Jenn Hamborg – 24

Jenn Meyer – 28

Jenn Porsche – 159 (T-SHIRT)

Jenn Rose Stremich – 22

Jenn Whitehead – 7

Jenna Godar – 44

Jenna Petro – 14

Jennifer Anderson – 14

Jennifer Barron – 9

Jennifer Brown – 400 (T-SHIRT & DVD)

Jennifer Correll – 24

Jennifer Davis Johnson – 14

Jennifer Haake – 8

Jennifer Harrison – 68

Jennifer Johnson – 39

Jennifer Knockwood – 14

Jennifer Lowry – 10

Jennifer Lynne Maser Correll – 6

Jennifer Novack – 5

Jennifer Ogburn – 243 (T-SHIRT)

Jennifer Sanchez – 12

Jennifer Siefken – 14

Jennifer Soos – 6

Jennifer Stick – 98

Jennifer Thomas – 26

Jennifer Thompson – 5

Jennifer Turner Barron – 7

Jennifer Whitehead – 8

Jennifer Young – 8

Jennifer Zylstra – 32

Jenny Hill – 7

Jenny Moorhead – 10

Jenny Wheeler – 13

Jeri Hickey Bemis – 169 (T-SHIRT)

Jessica Bachus – 12

Jessica Fuller – 7

Jessica Green Stacey – 5

Jessica Keet – 15

Jessica Kolenda – 10

Jessica Malloy – 11

Jessica O’Dell – 46

Jessica Peerwani – 12

Jessica Ruiz Diaz – 525 (T-SHIRT & DVD)

Jessica Ryan – 19

Jessica Smith – 25

Jessica Stacey – 58

Jessica Standridge – 156 (T-SHIRT)

Jessica Trzaskos – 27

Jessica Wadkins – 10

Jessica Whitehead – 6

Jessica Wilhelm – 57

Jessika Matheis – 11

Jesyka Ryan – 6

Jesyna Rausch – 15

Jill Alderman – 12

Jill Davis – 72

Jill Kottmeier – 8

Jill Pogodzinski – 162 (T-SHIRT)

Jill Wenta – 14

Jillian Cassidy – 30

Jillian Leighton – 93

Jim Watson – 6

Joan Lee – 8

Joana Flores – 32

Joanna Cosbey – 532 (T-SHIRT & DVD)

Jodie Brolese – 147 (T-SHIRT)

Jodie Miranda – 8

Jodie Moss – 15

Joelle Verfurth – 7

Joey Johnson – 7

Johanna Chavez – 19

John Allen – 5

John Key – 8

Joleen Roth – 1,210 (T-SHIRT & DVD)

Jonathan Pascual – 23

Joshua Carlson – 32

Juanita Fawcett – 7

Judit Birinyi – 251 (T-SHIRT & DVD)

Julia Brettenklieber – 27

Julia Gillard – 79

Julian Castro – 12

Julliana Pickard – 16

Julie Fifer-Wilson – 23

Julie Gratton – 12

Julie Houle – 10

Julie Lundy – 16

Julie McNamara – 16

Julie Simeone – 6

Juliet Spear Gardner – 77

Kali Linder – 60

Kaylan Pesature – 7

Kami Perry – 62

Kara Masi – 21

Karen Corr – 20

Karen Dawson – 16

Karen Gilkyson – 22

Karen Hancox – 9

Karen Murphy Corr – 14

Karen Murray Rivers – 6

Karen Paul Stern – 31

Karen Powers – 14

Karen Richards – 7

Karen Rivers – 123 (T-SHIRT)

Karen Struzik – 72

Karen Taggart – 15

Karla Tancock – 13

Karrie Houser – 9

Kasie Coeyman – 66

Kate Amaezechi – 16

Kate Polley – 123 (T-SHIRT)

Kate Windmill – 11

Katerina Krikoni – 35

Katherine White – 5

Kathie Phipps – 9

Kathleen Gettle – 86

Kathryn Matte – 98

Kathy Keck – 13

Katie Albeck – 40

Katie Chazen – 22

Katie Dorney – 34

Katie Haswell – 71

Katie James – 5

Katie Milligan – 45

Katie Reese – 111 (T-SHIRT)

Katrina Knight – 116 (T-SHIRT)

Katy Boozer Dortenzo – 132 (T-SHIRT)

Kay Beale – 16

Kaydee Clark – 117 (T-SHIRT)

Kayla Johnson – 23

Kayla Smith – 27

Kaylan Pestature – 100 (T-SHIRT)

Keli Cosgrove Hansen – 102 (T-SHIRT)

Kelli Schnieder – 19

Kellie Brocco – 8

Kellie Cuper – 34

Kelly & Lee Maskiell – 55

Kelly Albornoz – 17

Kelly Asmus-Albornoz – 5

Kelly Connelly – 123 (T-SHIRT)

Kelly Gerken – 65

Kelly Licari – 106 (T-SHIRT)

Kelly Mills – 64

Kelly Smith – 20

Kelly Tagliaferri - 69

Kelsey Bigelow – 7

Kelsey Pike – 44

Keri Svec – 49

Kerin Lee – 880 (T-SHIRT & DVD)

Kerri Koestner – 13

Kerry Boot – 9

Kerry Gordon – 7

Kerry Lederman – 313 (T-SHIRT & DVD)

Kevin Lee – 10

Kiley Hanish – 200 (T-SHIRT)

Kim Cerretta – 19

Kim Fernandez – 8

Kim Hatt – 8

Kim Newman – 7

Kim Shaumburg – 7

Kimberly Dunn – 5

Kimberly Fernandez Evans – 23

Kimberly Keyes – 11

Kimberly Lucero – 272 (T-SHIRT & DVD)

Kira Adams – 215 (T-SHIRT)

Kirkley & Shawn Brown – 352 (T-SHIRT & DVD)

Kirstie Chidgey – 56

Kirsty Purcell – 18

Krista Ertel – 103 (T-SHIRT)

Krista MacEachern – 18

Kristen Newsom – 103 (T-SHIRT)

Kristen Onan – 8

Kristen Wirth – 6

Kristi Russell – 76

Kristi Sagrillo – 39

Kristi Valentine – 21

Kristie Leach – 36

Kristin Esmail – 17

Kristin Fitzgerald – 9

Kristin Jared – 41

Kristin Young – 16

Kristin Zita – 5

Kristina Hathcock – 193 (T-SHIRT)

Kristy Christenson – 71

Kristy Hobberstad – 59

Kristy LeSage – 12

Kristyn Von Rotz – 155 (T-SHIRT)

Kyla Carmichael – 91

Kylee Pruitt – 581 (T-SHIRT & DVD)

Kylie Ashton – 213 (T-SHIRT)

L. Zimmerman – 8

Lacey Carney – 6

Lacey Girard – 66

Larisa Barth – 25

Larisa Black – 27

Larissa Genat – 97

Laura Balzer – 55

Laura Cooper – 119 (T-SHIRT)

Larua Epperson – 81

Laura Grieco – 16

Lauren & Dan Williams – 9

Lauren Brunn – 24

Lauren Chamides – 6

Lauren Helper – 32

Lauren Hosford – 23

Lauren Riley Blote – 308 (T-SHIRT & DVD)

Laurianne Conner – 11

Leah Brummer – 21

Leah Taylor – 7

LeAndre Davis – 11

Leanna Reeves – 6

Leanne Hiser – 18

Leanne Lattrell – 125 (T-SHIRT)

Leanne Parke – 11

Lee Cavalli-Turner – 19

Lee DeNigris – 13

LeeAnne Walters – 65

Leigh Anne Duchene – 6

Leigh Hindry – 7

Leigh Anne Sastre – 18

Les Petits Anges au Paradis (Quebec) – 19

Lesley Jeruzal – 6

Leslie McGinty – 12

Lianne Rowlinson – 39

Liesbet Timmers – 20

Lilma Morris – 14

Linda Burton – 8

Linda Sellers – 10

Lindsay Chipman – 18

Lindsay Felty – 32

Lindsay Raynor Martinez – 6

Lindsay Scripp – 111 (T-SHIRT)

Lindsey Henke – 260 (T-SHIRT & DVD)

Lindsey Medley – 22

Lindsey Wimmer – 6

Lisa Brown – 34

Lisa Cerda – 29

Lisa Hunter – 74

Lisa Jennings – 50

Lisa Lahr – 113 (T-SHIRT)

Lisa Parker – 6

Lisa Satterfield – 8

Lisa Vreeland – 34

Liz Lowe – 25

Liz Mayfield – 14

Liz Tyler – 8

Lizeth Pineda – 15

Llanie Smith – 220 (T-SHIRT)

Lora Arisman – 15

Lore Jarrett – 14

Lorena Yslas – 80

Lori Edling – 265 (T-SHIRT & DVD)

Lori Esteve – 104 (T-SHIRT)

Lori-Ann Huot – 384 (T-SHIRT & DVD)

Lorraine Bless – 8

Lou Slater – 10

Lou Stephens – 31

Louise Carbone – 9

Lucia Lower – 233 (T-SHIRT)

Luke Hanish – 41

Lyndsie Baker – 28

Lynette Spruille – 8

Lynette Crellin - 29

Mackenza Hill – 74

Maggie Baltz – 41

Maggie Hamnes – 16

Mana Mulvay – 11

Mandi McHady – 56

Mani Rosner – 7

Mandy Lorbert-Skinner – 46

Mandy Suess – 8

Marcia Armstrong – 91

Marcia Rodrigues – 12

Margaret Mayer – 355 (T-SHIRT & DVD)

Margarita Mareboina – 301 (T-SHIRT & DVD)

Maria Polo – 8

Maria Laura Grieco – 37

Maria Lozano-Gorena – 6

Marianne Harvey – 6

Marie Hughes – 130 (T-SHIRT)

Marisa Page – 191 (T-SHIRT)

Marisel Atienza – 4,669 – WINNER, FIRST PLACE PRIZE!

Mark Mallory – 8

Martin O’Malley – 7

Mary Booher – 16

Mary Pilgrim – 7

Maureen Rutten-Willems – 76

Maurina Gilbert – 9

Mayra Gallegos – 147 (T-SHIRT)

Megan Golec – 54

Megan Balthazor – 10

Megan Crase – 8

Megan Elliott – 34

Megan Hughes – 9

Megan Lyons – 12

Megan May – 78

Megan Redmond – 31

Megan Roberts – 28

Megan Trayner – 93

Meghan Lorentz – 36

Mel Lathlean – 10

Melanie Calkin – 20

Melanie Jean Sanogo – 6

Melissa Alexander – 6

Melissa Beebe – 10

Melissa Bowers – 368 (T-SHIRT & DVD)

Melissa Childers – 20

Melissa Clark – 17

Melissa Flint – 21

Melissa Foy – 12

Melissa Gilley – 13

Melissa Hamilton – 226 (T-SHIRT)

Melissa Harris Neu – 85

Melissa Hoppe – 87

Melissa Johnson – 18

Melissa Katz – 16

Melissa Makela – 8

Melissa McLean – 35

Melissa Worley – 23

Melodie Ford – 49

Melodie Hagner-Salava – 5

Melody Byford – 168

Meme Sufleta-Bubnick – 59

MEND – 5

Mia Moran – 8

Michael McGinn – 9

Michele Haytko – 8

Michelle Perez – 9

Michelle Bailey – 8

Michelle Corry – 56

Michelle Douglas – 36

Michelle Hibbs – 5

Michelle Miller – 5

Michelle Mosca – 20

Michelle Murphy – 7

Michelle Murray – 16

Michelle Ramirez – 78

Mick Cornett – 8

Marcia Maria Coelho Rodrigues – 36

Mike Facherty – 12

Mike Houston – 6

Mike Monday – 6

Milena Iribarren – 136

Missy Mullens – 13

Misty Mckenzie – 18

Molly Baab – 66

Molly Kvien – 30

Molly Monday Schmidt - 32

Monica Thompson – 13

Morgan Jimenez – 125 (T-SHIRT)

Nadia Hoffman – 3,798 – WINNER, SECOND PLACE PRIZE!

Mancy Cimiano – 17

Naomi Letorneau – 417 (T-SHIRT & DVD)

Nat Douglas – 7

Natalie Baker – 25

Natalie Taylor – 8

Natalie Whitty – 49

Natalie Foster – 7

Nathalie Himmelrich – 24

Nerissa Tiffany – 23

Nicki Vogt – 83

Nicole Alfonsi – 15

Nicole & Paul De Leon – 273 (T-SHIRT & DVD)

Nicole Clark – 80

Nicole Dodson Sands – 165 (T-SHIRT)

Nicole Eddington – 10

Nicole Goulette – 7

Nicole Heinze – 59

Nicole Sapigao – 6

Nicole Touzalin Heinze – 9

Nicole Van Lierop – 362 (T-SHIRT & DVD)

Nicole Vogt – 6

Nikae Mcara – 18

Nikki Arnold – 10

Nikki Ellet – 72

Nikki Vogt – 8

Nita Lowey – 6

Nonie Medley – 12

Noreen Kelly Towsley – 37

Nos Petits Agnes au Paradis – 71

OC Walk to Remember – 11

Paige Pendergrass – 47

Pam Ferguson – 120 (T-SHIRT)

Pamela Purcell – 19

Parents Orphelins – 24

Park Nicollet – 8

Patricia Castillo – 9

Patricia Dompieri – 8

Paula Andrews – 19

Paula Boggs – 17

Paula Dillon – 36

Paula Holland – 6

Penny Dewberry – 25

Petra Hoehfurtner – 52

Petroula Hanson – 18

Priscilla Stewart Moore – 110 (T-SHIRT)

Rachel Fedor – 28

Rachel Birk Kain – 6

Rachel Crawford – 12

Rachel Fedor – 18

Rachel Ownbey – 26

Rachel Redhouse – 24

Rachel Safyurtlu – 8

RaeAnne Fredrickson – 768 (T-SHIRT & DVD)

Rain Gwen Zeccolo – 22

Randy Forbes – 7

Raquel Archung – 25

Rebecca Alley Wilson – 18

Rebecca Arnold – 8

Rebecca Aziz – 44

Rebecca Garcia – 5

Rebecca Greenstein – 16

Rebecca Hayes – 58

Rebecca Morales – 5

Rebecca Pruitt Johnston – 57

Rebecca Scantlebury – 42

Rebecca Sparrow – 47

Rebecca Wood – 413 (T-SHIRT & DVD)

Rebecca Woolsey – 18

Rebecca Zimmerman – 79

Renae Gusaas – 12

Renee Frasl – 36

Renee Wick – 197 (T-SHIRT)

Rick Cohlan – 8

Rina Balsimo – 229 (T-SHIRT)

Robin Cross – 54

Robin Zundel – 10

Robyn Bear – 197 (T-SHIRT)

Rochelle Amaro – 45

Romina Bona – 196 (T-SHIRT)

Ronesha Roberts – 6

Ronni Vlamnick – 8

Rosalyn Skelton – 64

Rose Manry – 9

Rose Sukl – 337 (T-SHIRT & DVD)

Roseana Robbins – 31

Ruth Perez – 6

Sade Crosland – 17

Sally Heppleston – 47

Sam Katz – 8

Samantha Carpenter – 10

Sandra Sangster – 7

Sandrine Laurent – 260 (T-SHIRT & DVD)

SANDS Queensland – 171 (T-SHIRT)

SANDS New Zealand – 24

SANDS Manukau – 10

Sandy Allen – 5

Sara Ashmore – 15

Sara Heavilin – 15

Sara Hendricks – 10

Sara Mahmoud-Davis – 27

Sara McDonald – 9

Sara Neau – 199

Sara Schmaltz – 12

Sara Tadak – 12

Sara Weeks – 102 (T-SHIRT)

Sara Wheeler – 14

Sara Young – 86

Sarah Bain – 63

Sarah Bitner – 6

Sarah Caito – 66

Sarah Connors – 37

Sarah Dunn – 40

Sarah Hambarian – 90

Sarah Hendricks – 132 (T-SHIRT)

Sarah Hinman – 334 (T-SHIRT & DVD)

Sarah Jones – 7

Sarah Lamb – 27

Sarah McGrady – 21

Sarah McLane – 23

Sarah Muthler – 37

Sarah Numan – 18

Sarah Wenz – 8

Sarah Williams – 8

Sari Edber – 59

Savannah Leyde – 151 (T-SHIRT)

Segolene Gille – 29

Servine Carpentier – 10

Shannon Brooks – 7

Shannon Johnson – 12

Shannon Leonardi – 98

Shannon Martin – 6

Shannon Rachel – 34

Shannon Rector – 10

Shannon Sciotto – 59

Shannon Skolney – 74

Shannon Westhora – 6

Shari Reif – 47

Sharing Parents – 8

Sharon Thirwell – 151 (T-SHIRT)

Shaunna Edwards – 12

Shawn Roberts Soumilas – 41

Shawna Smith – 27

Sheila Garey – 144 (T-SHIRT)

Shelby Lee Zook – 47

Shelley Contento Ball – 129 (T-SHIRT)

Shelly Anderson – 26

Sherokee Ilse – 2,276 – WINNER, THIRD PLACE PRIZE!

Sherri Horvat – 7

Sherry Simonsen – 8

Sherry Singer – 6

Shirley Bond – 5

Shirley Criswell – 121 (T-SHIRT)

Shyla Ducharme – 27

Segolane Gille – 12

Severine Carpentier – 16

Sim Gray – 15

Sky Wilson – 10

Sofia Harris – 16

Sofia Navarro – 94

Sonya Neal – 8

Stacey Lauzon – 15

Stacie Bridgewater – 13

Stacy Abrams – 123 (T-SHIRT)

Stacy Annick – 8

Stacy Crews – 43

Stacy McGhee – 23

Stacy Merkel – 583 (T-SHIRT & DVD)

Stacy Moore – 63

Stacy Shrum – 99

Star Legacy Foundation – 750 (T-SHIRT & DVD)

Stefanie Sotka – 9

Stella Livermore Jurofcik – 7

Stephanie Azri – 237 (T-SHIRT)

Stephanie Burnett – 740 (T-SHIRT & DVD)

Stephanie Cole – 383 (T-SHIRT & DVD)

Stephanie Desjarlais – 15

Stephanie Gehrs – 5

Stephanie Nalley – 73

Stephanie Varoudakis – 48

Stephanie Wickham – 154 (T-SHIRT)

Stevie Michael – 16

Still Parents NY – 11

Susan Andrews – 42

Susan Fransen – 56

Susan Sahr – 16

Susan Sheffey – 47

Susana Jimenez – 186 (T-SHIRT)

Susana Rabines – 19

Susanne Priest – 9

Suzanne Helzer – 8

Suzanne Kraeck – 22

Suzanne Pullen – 7

Suzanne Weithofer – 74

Suze Wilson – 17

Suzy Cawdrey – 7

Sydney Blatt – 10

T.J. Orwick – 20

T.J. Randall – 16

Takiema Bunche Smith – 14

Tami Lanzel – 51

Tammy Bidwell – 8

Tanya McLeod – 9

Tanya Perekrestenko – 20

Tara Castillo – 78

Tara Corder – 13

Tara Holmes Williams – 107 (T-SHIRT)

Tara McDonald – 21

Tara Roberts – 5

Tara Schafer – 6

Tara True – 16

Tasha Murillo – 42

Teegan Rodgers – 39

Tera Schmalzriedt – 123 (T-SHIRT)

Teresa Annie Kinard – 13

Teresa Gonzalez – 31

Teresa Kinard – 65

Terry Branstead – 8

Tess McVey Mullan – 16

Tess Tagg – 39

Tia Sumlin – 70

Tiffany Kapp – 74

Tiffany Lindstrom – 148 (T-SHIRT)

Tiffany Parry – 21

Tiffany Phillips – 32

Tina Friedrich – 60

Tiona Hall – 18

Toni Boehm – 113 (T-SHIRT)

Toni Easther – 39

Tracey Diehl – 96

Tracey Gibb – 26

Traci Gemberling – 5

Traci Russell-Fleischmann – 6

Tracy Maschke – 7

Tracy Wallis – 5

Travis Pryor – 8

Tressa Tompkins – 15

Tricia Walania – 18

Trina Saruwatari – 72

Trisha Rochford – 106 (T-SHIRT)

Ursila McFadden – 267 (T-SHIRT & DVD)

Val Isherwood - 23

Valerie Kane – 11

Vanessa Pino – 64

Vanessa Scott – 8

Veronique Lalonde – 15

Vicki McGowan Baird – 53

Vicki Zoller – 22

Victoria Denney – 77

Victoria Landis – 9

Virginia Gimenez – 8

Virginie Payet – 12

Wanda Acebedo – 36

Wanda Wudel Wieser – 10

Wendy Palmer – 18

Wendy Scott – 8

Whitney Bebb – 10

William Hardy – 28

Willow Call – 67

Yamell Galarza – 163 (T-SHIRT)

Yasminah’s Gift of Hope – 8

Yesiren Thielman – 27

Posted in Local Leaders, Pledge Drive

Maci Eve’s Story

Posted on June 18, 2013 by Sean — 1 Comment ↓

(This is a guest blog by Amanda about her daughter, Maci. Thank you for sharing this with us, Amanda.)

Wow, two lines… TWO LINES! After two and a half years of trying nothing made me happier than seeing those two little lines.

I phoned my fiancé and he couldn’t believe he was finally going to be a daddy, his very 1st baby! After raising my three girls for the past 6 years this wonderful guy was chuffed about now raising his own “son”.

Things were fantastic although I was extreamly sick all the time. We made it past the 12 week mark and started to share our news with our family and close friends. Glen’s cousin was also expecting (8 weeks further than us.) She breezed thru, and I struggled everyday. I vomited every day at least 8 times a day for what seemed forever.

Had our 1st ultrasound and all seemed fine. Weeks pass, and I had the next scan and up on the screen was our daughter. She was small but there she was… Very active, strong heart but measuring 4 weeks smaller than she should have been! But no probs the O.B just changed my due date and kept going as normal. I was still so violently ill for the next few months.

Christmas came and went as did New Years then we got the phone call… Our cousin lost her daughter at 41 weeks. I went into shock or a panic. What if this happens to me???? I didn’t attend Nikita’s funeral as I thought I may cause further upset being that I was so blissfully pregnant. I couldn’t shake that question “What if it was me?” My heart was broken for her, how do you go on after you lose your child? How does a parent arrange a burial for a baby? I just couldn’t understand.

Then 6 weeks later the worst week of my life unfolds and completely alters my future. My vomiting had stopped and I was just loving being pregnant. My girlfriends threw me a massive baby shower. My nursery was complete, bags were packed and we couldn’t wait to meet our baby! My daughters were counting the days ’till she arrived.

I went for my check up as usual and things were fine. Baby was still small but her heart was strong nothing seemed to be out of the ordinary “go home and we’ll see you next week” says the doctor.

That was Tuesday. Thursday I spend all day out bridal shopping for our aunt (whom was dying from cancer.) I finished up, went home, then it hit me “I’ve not felt movement all day”. So I get out the timer and take to the bed for the next few hours… I tried to tell myself I was over-reacting, things were fine, go to sleep… The baby always gets very active the minute I want to sleep-by this stage it’s 11:30pm and I know something’s wrong. I get dressed, kiss Glen good bye, take myself to the hospital.

Everything’s a blur till my O.B (also a friend) says “Amanda I’m sorry you what I’m about to say” I’m frozen, I can’t make a sound or move a muscle I just sat there staring… What just happened??? What the F*#k ??? Am I dreaming??? Is this real??? I manage to call Glen and tell him to get to me now, next thing I remember is Glen, my children, my mum his mum and his sister all there it’s 4 am and I’ve had to tell them all our baby is never coming home!

I decided to get induced straight away (if I had of gone home I wouldn’t have gone back.) 13 hrs later my baby girl was born, I couldn’t bare to see her or hold her as it just hurt to much. We named her, and from that moment I will never be the same. That was March 2012. I cry every day… I will never heal from this and I don’t think I will every have another child!

Maci Eve, too beautiful for earth x

- Amanda

Posted in Guest Blog, Your Story

Bridger Lee’s Story

Posted on June 18, 2013 by Sean — 3 Comments ↓

(This is a guest blog by Darrenn and Willow about their son Bridger. Thank you for sharing this with us.)

Shortly after the death of Lylac, we began to discuss having another baby; little did we know that Bridger was already with us. This news brought joy and comfort to Willow and me. We found out you were a little boy and we were getting very excited to have three brothers. We talked about how you would be the ‘bridge’ between Lylac and our family. We guessed which brother you would be more like, as many of you know, are very different. We envisioned you being calm and easy going to relate to Thatcher and tough and spirited, considering you would have to be if you’re Gunnison’s little brother.

As many of you could imagine, Bridger’s pregnancy was a difficult one for us emotionally. With the placenta positioned so it was difficult for us to feel him and that he was more of a stretcher than a kicker, it was often difficult for us to feel his movements. We had several incidents were we had a quiet time to focus on his movements and even once time that we made a trip to the hospital to ensure that he was doing alright. The result every time was that we simply had a hard time feeling the little guy; he was a very healthy and active boy with a strong heartbeat and very active mover.

We spent Bridger’s last days on a wonderful family vacation. We spent a lot of time on the beach in anticipation of you joining us. We were so excited for you for you to join our family as we celebrated the first anniversary of your sister being gone. It was a truly an amazing family vacation.

After our family vacation, and after another quiet time during our vacation, we had another incident when we got back to Colorado and felt we needed to go to Willows doctor to ensure that Bridger was still doing alright. They began our assessment with a heartbeat monitor which was unsuccessful. This was followed with an ultrasound which confirmed our worst fears - once again, our baby had passed away.

The pain of this loss is unbearable. We both have felt that the gift of Bridger was from God to act as a healing pregnancy after the loss of our daughter. But, as the saying goes, God is mysterious and elected to take our son. What was seen as healing has become devastating. Bridger’s face looked amazingly like Lylac. He has the same wavy dark hair, the same lips and eyes and a very similar facial structure. He has Thatcher’s nose and limbs and Gunnison’s stout body. Lylac was 35 weeks old and passed on March 26. Bridger was 34 weeks old and passed April 7.

Last night, April 8, I walked to our church Calvary Aurora which is just up the street from our home. Jeremiah Wheelersburg was there and shared a scripture that truly helped me. Romans 8:18-27: “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.

“We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen in no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.”

When Jeremiah shared this with me what really stood out was that I do not have my two children, Lylac and Bridger. It is my hope, for which I will patiently wait, to see them in heaven when God calls me home. In the interim, I pray that the Spirit will intercede for me because I feel that this devastation has crushed me beyond my expression. I pray that the Spirit helps me in my weakness.

At the hospital, a card was posted on our door that had an image of an oak leaf with a water droplet on it. This image has come to represent Bridger for Willow and me and on the back of the card a poem was written:

“The leaf with the teardrop reflects both intense suffering of loss and hope for the future. Though fallen, the leaf maintains its vitality symbolizing hope. It cradles the teardrop with its upturned edges creating a sense of comfort. As seasons change, so do feelings. Just as there is winter and spring, there is sadness and hope.”

Again we received such amazing support, when we were in the hospital we got the privilege of meeting Laura from string of pearls, our story is not a typical string of pearls story. Laura put it best “different path same ending” She really supported us as we trying to make our way through this path.

Now that we it has been three years since Lylac death and two since Bridger’s I can say we have found the hope, the good that God has given us our we had a good marriage now we have a great one.

Posted in Guest Blog, Your Story

Lylac Butterfly’s Story

Posted on June 18, 2013 by Sean — 1 Comment ↓

(This is a guest blog by Darrenn and Willow about their daughter Lylac. Thank you for sharing this with us.)

The story of our little girl starts with the birth of our youngest boy, Gunnison. We had just moved into our home in Aurora, Colorado and we were expecting our second child. When Gunnison was born our oldest, Thatcher, began to realize the life that was possible with a sibling. Although Gunn and Thatch were building a relationship that is not like any other you can have on earth, Thatcher told us just a couple months after we were blessed with Gunner that he was praying for a baby sister. Several times we remember Thatch during family prayers; whether it be before bed, at the moment, or ever before dinner prayers, would rush through the applicable prayer and then pray that God would give him a baby sister.

As the months passed and as Gunnison got older Willow and I felt that it was time to grow our family. We wanted our family to be about the same age difference and so we began trying for another baby. Willow has wanted a larger family and Darrenn wanted a smaller family and the third baby was the compromise – and the final addition to our family. We didn’t wait long; after only four months of trying we found out we were pregnant July of 2009. As I’m sure that you could imagine, Thatcher was ecstatic and absolutely certain that God has answered his prayer for his baby sister. Willow, on the other hand, was a bit unsettled because one of my wife’s “small” prayers was for a baby girl born in April and it initially looked as though the baby was going to be born in May. But God answers prayer – even the “small” ones. We soon found out that our newest addition had an expectant birth date of April 26, 2010 – an April baby with a couple days to spare.

As the pregnancy progressed we soon found that she was unlike any other pregnancy that we have ever experienced. Willow got a healthy dose of “morning” sickness; which in her case could have been called “all day” sickness. But because this we going to be our last pregnancy we were determined to be thankful and enjoy every minute. Then, as the sickness slowly subsided, Willow got a healthy dose of heartburn and pregnancy asthma. But, yet again, we remained joyful and thankful. She was our little girl and any side effect was acceptable; even relished.

Our boys and I began to visualize the pregnancy and we began to interact with her. We would read, sing, dance, and even communicate via vibratory raspberries to our princess that was still developing in her mother. She was never a heavy mover; always moving very lightly and almost never with strong movements. She was our Butterfly. I only felt her a couple times because of her light movements and loved feeling them when I had the chance. Several times Willow, in concern for her, would do at home ‘stress tests’ and lie still to feel her after meals. She was always there, and we could always find her no matter how light her movements were.

But God, who is mysterious and leads us in trial in our lives that we don’t understand, had a plan that we were not anticipating. March 26 2010 my wife was yet again worried for our little girl. She hadn’t felt the baby for several hours – although chasing two high energy boys isn’t ideal for focusing and feeling our Butterfly’s little movements. We ate our dinner and sat down for an hour after we had laid the boys down. We couldn’t feel her. We couldn’t find her heartbeat with our at home heart monitor. We contacted our doctor and then proceeded to the hospital to see what our little one was up to.

We arrived at Sky Ridge Medical Center March 26, 2010 at 7:40 PM. I had just gotten home from work and Willows mother had just gotten home. It was Thursday night and we had a standing babysitting arrangement so Willow and I could go to our salsa dancing lessons – but this evening we elected to go to the hospital to monitor our daughter and be certain that she doing ok. We arrived at Sky Ridge and checked into the pregnancy ward and were escorted to the labor and delivery triage. The nurse at this point used a fetal heart monitor and attempted to find her heart tones to no avail. She then escorted us to a labor and delivery suite, called Willow’s doctor and performed a sonogram. It was at this point that I could see that our baby girl, our princess, our Butterfly…. wasn’t moving - at all. Nothing. My heart broke. Willow told me that hope wasn’t gone – the hospital has asked that a radiologist complete another scan with a more powerful machine. This machine gave the same result. Our baby girl was dead.

Devastation.

Loss.

Pain.

Why had this happened? What could we have done? Did I do something wrong? A million destructive questions entered our minds tearing our very souls. But no question… no answer could bring our Lylac back to us. Her life was in the past. Willow and I now had to face our present; birthing our baby Lylac - our Butterfly - as a still-born child. God gives and he takes away. Our April baby was going to be born March 26, 2010. She passed away March 25, 2010.

We informed our families and shared our news with them. As the news spread quickly, the unbelievable support of our family and friends became apparent. Our pastor, Pastor Ed, of Calvary Chapel Aurora was at the hospital quickly. My parents came from northern Colorado within a couple hours. Willows parents stayed with our boys to support them – we were surrounded by love. Willow’s network at MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) supported us in phenomenal ways – we have meals organized for us for the next month. Willows parents, although they too were devastated by the news, stayed with our boys and comforted Thatcher who, at 5 years old, was able to a degree to understand what was happening. My parents came and gave their support to us. My mother stayed that first night with us, supporting us though several difficulties including Willow getting an epidural and me blacking out due to dehydration and stress.

She was born March 26, 2010 at 12:10 in the afternoon. She weighed 4 pounds, 12 ounces and was 17” long. She was right on track for her age and had no apparent signs as to why she passed away. She had almond shaped eyes, perfect little ears, a cute pudgy nose and a smooth chin. Her hands were rather large - larger than her feet - and she had long legs with petite feet. She was perfect. And still is, with our heavenly father. We held her for three hours, taking photos and other memories while she was with us. When we were ready let her go and the hospital proceed with what we had planned, we were yet again flooded with the support of our friends and family that were there to support us. We will continue to need your support. I assure you, we are thankful for all that are with us in this trying time and we thank you and need your support and love.

- Darrenn, Willow, Thatcher, and Gunnison written in memory of Lylac Butterfly Call

Posted in Guest Blog, Your Story

The RTZ EVERYTHING Page!

Posted on June 12, 2013 by Sean — 3 Comments ↓

Like an everything bagel, this is the everything page. Below you’ll find everything you need! If not, e-mail me at “[email protected]” and we’ll add whatever we’re missing.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

FAQs - in english

FAQs - in spanish

PLEDGE FORMS:

Pledge Form in English

Pledge Form in Spanish

Pledge Form in French

Pledge Form in German

Pledge Form in Portuguese

Pledge Form in Italian

LOCAL LEADER FORMS:

Local Leader Form in English

Local Leader Form in Spanish

Local Leader Form in French

Local Leader Form in German

Local Leader Form in Portuguese

Local Leader Form in Italian

MARKETING-FLYERS, POSTCARDS & SIGN-UP SHEETS

RETURN TO ZERO Postcards!

RTZ_LARGE_Postcard_April

RTZ_SMALL_Postcard_April

RETURN TO ZERO “on-the-go” sign-up sheets

RTZ “on-the-go” pledge sheets (pdf) - English

RTZ Formulaire (pdf) - French

The RETURN TO ZERO flyers!

RTZ_Color_Flyer_April

RTZ_BW_Flyer April

RTZ_Color Flyer_with rip-tabs_KyleePruitt 1

RTZ Color Flyer 1_Allison

RTZ B/W Flyer 1_Allison

VIDEOS TO SHARE

Return To Zero “First Glimpse”

Return To Zero “First Glimpse” with Spanish Subtitles

Return To Zero “First Glimpse” with French Subtitles

Google Hangout: LOCAL LEADERS CREATIVE ROUNDTABLE 6_12_13

Google Hangout: LOCAL LEADER PLEDGE DRIVE 5_16_13

BECOME A LOCAL LEADER!

Sherokee Ilse & Sean Hanish-preview from forthcoming STILL Project

Pledges by Local Leader through June 8th

Posted on June 10, 2013 by Sean — 7 Comments ↓

Hello Local Leaders! We are more than half way through our pledge drive! Through June 8th we have over 60,000 pledges to see RETURN TO ZERO when it opens in theaters!

The last day of the pledge “contest” is June 20th! So that leaves a week and a half to reach the incentives levels of 50 and 100 pledges (for which you receive a local leader t-shirt and DVD respectively) and June 20th is also the last day that pledges will count for the top 3 individual prizes and the big community prize!

Below are the pledges we have received for each Local Leader through June 8th. If you received 5 or fewer pledges your name will not be listed below (or it would be the longest list ever.) This list is not final, nor is it complete. It’s a work-in-progress. And there’s a margin of error of (+/-5%).

IMPORTANT NOTE: Please remind the people who you’re asking to fill out the pledge form to use your entire name, FIRST and LAST. If your last name is not used it is impossible for me to track your pledge.

FINALLY: There are probably a few of you who have received pledges under more than 1 name. We’ll fix that for the final counting after June 20th. For now, just count up your pledges under those two names so you know where you stand.

In alphabetical order by first name:

1st Breath/Pat Flynn - 41

Abbie Smith - 18

Afsi Mozaffarian - 18

Alejandra Valle - 8

Alex Castellon - 8

Alexa Bigwarfe - 23

Alexis Kralic - 35

Alicia Williams - 46

Alicia Wink - 6

Alison Feldman - 32

Alison Murray - 49

Allison DeGeorge - 10

Allison Grove - 26

Alycen Malinowski - 5

Alyssa Woodrow - 41

Alyvia Wright Elliot - 45

Amanda Adams - 16

Amanda Balderamma - 9

Amanda Berk - 20

Amanda Bosswell - 6

Amanda Groce - 15

Amanda Hollen - 18

Amanda Lowell - 119

Amanda Ryan Lucas - 240

Amanda O’Neill - 11

Amanda Ross White - 33

Amanda Sole - 34

Amanda Wilson - 20

Amber Dean - 115

Amber Elizabeth Jumper - 33

Amber Grossmeuller - 22

Amber Kendrick - 8

Amber Roseberry - 37

Amie Lands - 29

Amy Brannock - 12

Amy Crickenberger - 17

Amy Dahlenberg - 17

Amy Fessler - 13

Amy Lang-Johnson - 27

Amy Shucker - 87

Amy Silampa - 26

Angel Names Association - 124

Andrea Andres - 24

Andrea Arias - 40

Andrea Manning - 29

Andrea Polethner - 8

Andrea Radcliffe - 6

Andrea Ross - 6

Angela Bickford - 8

Angela Brown - 135

Angela Donaldson - 6

Angela Ewers - 33

Angela Grimes - 13

Angela Moeller - 13

Angela Vigil - 27

Angela Zamora - 8

Angi Ort - 13

Angie Bailey - 22

Angie Brown - 18

Anissa DiLeo - 10

Ann Carty Coyle - 253

Ann Hellen Kvastad - 6

Anna Jansen Lancaster - 10

Anna LaFountain - 42

Anna LaBenz - 26

Anna Wright - 57

Anne Clink - 47

Annette Franzen - 39

Annmarie Tanton - 21

Apryl Dane Mcabb - 77

April Snider - 7

Ashleigh Young - 38

Ashley Atkins - 16

Ashley Felix - 36

Ashley Pereira - 33

Ashley South - 22

Ashley Spurlock - 16

Ashley Weeks - 18

Ashli Peterman - 10

Ashtane Bixler - 23

Association Nos Petits Anges au Paradis - 12

Audra Leighton - 25

Audra Sherman - 5

Becky Anderson - 7

Becky Rohlke - 28

Beth Colla - 8

Beth Davidson-Jones - 9

Beth Puilla - 44

Bethany Corcoran - 10

Bethany Rine - 21

Betsy Cahoon - 11

Betsy Webb - 15

Bianca Couditis - 131

Bobbie Cohlan - 417

Brandi Chadwell - 8

Brandi Heck - 47

Brandi Northrup - 6

Brandi Van - 186

Brenda Cowan Franklin - 17

Brent Spraker - 21

Brianna Marie Foundation - 12

Bridgett Runyon - 5

Britta Kratzer - 46

Brittany Elliott - 12

Brittany Panzone - 6

Brittany Wood - 11

Brittney Panzone - 46

Brooke Howard - 21

Brooke Tassin - 50

Buckley Farina - 54

Cally Mitchell - 8

Camille Loukka - 8

Campbell Newman - 8

Candy Hodge - 24

Caoiilfionn McGee - 8

Cara Aiello - 11

Cara Tyrrell - 12

Carey Bear - 40

Carey Beltrami - 10

Carissa Daneca - 45

Carly Hayward - 10

Caroline Gwaltney - 37

Carolyn Frances-Jurgens - 48

Carolyn Kirk - 16

Carolyn Mara - 15

Carolyn Randazzo - 48

Carolyne Davidson - 19

Carrie Fisher Pascual - 94

Carrie Parker - 52

Carrie Sloop - 36

Carrie Westover - 54

Casey Richards - 18

Cassandra Mahen - 26

Cassie Hutson - 10

Catherine Adelbert - 13

Catherine Keating - 10

Catherine Kleinmeier - 6

Catherine Scott - 30

Cathy Hartman - 38

Charlette Gilbert - 25

Cherishing the Journey - 17

Cheryl Fink - 18

Cheryl Salter-Roberts - 12

Chrissy Dyess - 28

Christian Limberg Moore - 43

Christina Bruyette - 15

Christina Bush - 17

Christina Conlan O’Flaherty - 35

Christina Henley - 31

Christina Rodriguez - 8

Christine Cyll - 13

Christine Perin - 14

Christopher Botkin - 14

Christy Clark - 14

Ciao Lapo Onlus - 598

Cindy Dachenhausen - 5

Claire Fowler Morse - 5

Claudia Laurent - 8

Claudia Perez - 36

Colin Barnett - 26

Colleen Howard - 83

Colleen Lawley - 13

Connie Longacre - 11

Corinna Bertone - 56

Corinne Brumbaugh - 19

Corinne O’Flynn - 26

Courtney Callis-Drennan - 40

Courtney Mendoza - 7

Courtney Woodgeard - 46

Chrissy Post - 23

Chistal Robinson - 8

Christina Kirchner - 10

Crystal Murphy - 7

Cyndy Martinez - 7

Cynthia Payne - 76

Cynthia Rodriguez - 55

Dan and Lauren Williams - 7

Dan Silk - 34

Dan Westhora - 81

Dani Zarbock - 111

Danielle Leacock - 21

Danita Lang - 53

David Bradbury - 6

David Henkhaus - 7

Dawn Guidone - 46

Dawn McNeil - 21

Dawn Pipek Guidone - 19

Deb Gerlach - 5

Debbie Lee - 6

Debbie Scheurs - 84

Deborah Lee - 13

Deborah Valliant - 19

Debra Hague - 8

Deirdre Mannix - 22

Delisa Vansickle 37

Denise Ankersen - 8

Diane Eggemeyer - 73

Diane Farrell - 15

Diane Pitcher - 12

Dianne Eggemeyer - 10

Dinice Buitendorp Paul - 42

Donna Crombie - 19

Donna Valdivia Wofford - 8

Donna Yell - 15

Dorothy Sanders - 11

Edie Edwards - 81

Edwina Raschle - 137

Elanor Ellerslie - 7

Elisenda Santiago - 11

Elizabeth Manley - 5

Elizabeth Pate - 8

Elizabeth Quinn - 31

Elizabeth Schoos - 20

Elizabeth Winter - 29

Elizabeth Yoder - 6

Elspeth Forsyth - 15

Emelie Cherrone - 55

Emily Adams Turner - 48

Emily Geering - 29

Emily Holmes - 119

Emily Werner - 89

Emma Caballero - 8

Emmanuelle Vary - 6

Erica Barnard - 97

Erica Guzman Coronado - 21

Erica Manser - 10

Erica Pacey - 31

Erika Ortiz - 28

Erin Vogt - 17

Erin Wright - 30

Esther Anneveldt - 12

Fabiana Brzeski Alves - 5

Fernanda Olguin Pacheco - 57

Fran McGovern - 6

Franchesca Cox - 6

Gabriela Ibarra Kotara - 40

Geraldine Arnott - 36

Gillian Algar - 26

Gina Booton - 11

Gina Harris - 52

Gina Villafana Rodriguez - 22

Giovanna Tiberini - 18

Girlane Costa - 20

Gloria Adriana Navarrete - 11

Greta Power - 8

Halo Golden - 10

Hanah Cummings - 8

Hazel Flint - 11

Hazel McCallion - 10

Heartfelt - 6

Heartstrings - 6

Heather Anderson Wilkins - 6

Heather Clear - 15

Heather Edouard - 47

Heather Kennedy - 30

Heather Rafter - 87

Heather Rotondi - 35

Heather Slade Kennedy - 19

Heather Thompson - 79

Heather Tolan - 60

Heather Wilkins - 40

Heaven Ray - 74

Heidi Anderson - 30

Heidi Faith - 33

Helen Bartek - 38

Helen Edwards - 11

Helen Kennan - 37

Holly Dakin-Parker - 5

Holly Dodman Jean - 28

Holly Haas - 8

Holly Peach - 34

Holy Sews - 49

Hope Soto - 16

Ida Catherine Bjlurnnes - 42

Ilse Luypaert - 13

Ingrid Ebner - 8

Iris Bukobza - 19

Irlene Garder - 29

Isma Grainger - 128

J’Lynn Allen - 5

Jacki McDowell - 12

Jackie Bauer - 90

Jackie Kettewell - 45

Jacky Souders - 15

Jaclyn McDowell - 8

Jacqualine Bohannon - 40

Jacqueline Levenduski Bauer - 80

Jacqueline Linden Whiting - 9

Jacqueline Milette-Coveney - 50

Jade Dixon - 127

Jade Eastwood - 5

Jamie Granger - 8

Jaime Hoyles MacKay - 158

Jaime Kinderknecht - 8

James Vinson - 8

Jami Haddock - 23

Jami Miller - 87

Jamie Angeli - 22

Jamilyn Baker Craig - 87

Jana Elliot - 22

Jana Hahn - 155

Jana Orengia Elliot - 5

Jane Godwin Lloyd - 18

Janelle Boewer - 7

Janelle Worums - 58

Janet Cordingley - 13

January Carpenter - 13

Jason Goodman - 44

Jeanie Watts - 6

Jeanne Scully Jordan - 32

Jen Betts - 7

Jen Hayes - 19

Jen Martinson - 34

Jen Paterchak - 153

Jenifer Richmond - 41

Jenn Castronova - 14

Jenn Hamborg - 27

Jenn Meyer - 28

Jenn Porsche - 101

Jenn Rose Stremich - 15

Jenn Whitehead - 7

Jenna Godar - 44

Jenna Petro - 14

Jennifer Anderson - 10

Jennifer Barron - 145

Jennifer Correll - 5

Jennifer Crawford-Ogburn - 161

Jennifer Haake - 8

Jennifer Harrison - 18

Jennifer Johnson - 31

Jennifer Knockwood - 14

Jennifer Lowry - 16

Jennifer Novack - 5

Jennifer Sanchez - 12

Jennifer Siefken - 8

Jennifer Stick - 30

Jennifer Thomas - 6

Jennifer Turner Barron - 7

Jennifer Young - 8

Jennifer Zylstra - 8

Jenny Hill - 6

Jenny Wheeler - 13

Jeri Hickey Bemis - 166

Jessica Baccus - 12

Jessica Green Stacey - 5

Jessica Keet - 14

Jessica Kolenda - 10

Jessica Malloy - 11

Jessica O’Dell - 31

Jessica Peerwani - 12

Jessica Ruidiaz - 318

Jessica Ryan - 19

Jessica Smith - 25

Jessica Stacey - 35

Jessica Standridge - 26

Jessica Trzascos - 22

Jessica Wadkins - 10

Jessica Wilhelm - 50

Jessika Matheis - 8

Jesyka Ryan - 8

Jesyna Rausch - 8

Jill Alderman - 12

Jill Davis - 72

Jill Kottmeier - 8

Jill Wenta - 10

Jillian Cassidy - 24

Jillian Leighton - 29

Joan Lee - 8

Joanna Cosbey - 325

Jodie Brolese - 42

Jodie Miranda - 8

Jodie Moss - 17

Joelle Verfurth - 6

Joey Johnson - 7

John Allen - 5

Jolene Roth - 409

Jonathan Pascual - 15

Juanita Fawcett - 7

Judit Birinyi - 136

Julia Brettenklieber - 27

Julia Gillard - 61

Julian Castro - 6

Julianna Pickard - 16

Julie Fifer-Wilson - 17

Julie Lundy - 12

Mulie McNamara - 16

Juliet Spear Gardner - 71

Kali Linder - 60

Kalyan Pesature - 7

Kami Perry - 60

Kara Masi - 21

Karen Corr - 17

Karen Dawson - 16

Karen Gilkyson - 22

Karen Hancoz - 5

Karen Murphy Corr - 10

Karen Paul Stern - 31

Karen Powers - 14

Karen Rivers - 101

Karen Struzik - 39

Karen Taggart - 15

Karla Tancock - 13

Karrie Houser - 9

Kasie Coeyman - 46

Kate Amaezechi - 15

Kate Polley - 116

Kate WIndmill - 11

Katerina Krikoni - 31

Katherine White - 5

Kathie Phipps - 11

Kathleen Gettle - 72

Kathryn Matte - 13

Kathy Keck - 13

Katie Albeck - 40

Katie Chasen - 22

Katie Dorney - 34

Katie Haswell - 59

Katie James - 5

Katie Milligan - 44

Katie Reese - 111

Katrina Knight - 104

Katy Boozer Dortenzo - 99

Kaydee Clark - 117

Kayla Johnson - 23

Kayla Smith - 16

Kaylan Pestature - 97

Keli Hansen - 15

Kelli Schneider - 11

Kellie Brocco - 9

Kelly & Lee Maskiell - 43

Kelly Connelly - 73

Kelly Gerken - 53

Kelly Leigh - 14

Kelly Mills - 32

Kely Smith - 18

Kelli tagliaferri - 13

Kelsey Bigelow - 7

Kelsey Pike - 32

Kerin Lee - 755

Kerri Koestner - 13

Kerry Becker Lederman - 42

Kerry Boot - 9

Kerry Gordon - 7

Kerry Lederman - 216

Kiley Hanish - 175

Kim Cerretta - 11

Kim Fernandez - 8

Kim Hatt - 12

Kim Schamburg - 7

Kimberly Carretta - 8

Kimberly Evans - 23

Kimberly Keyes - 20

Kimberly Lucero - 36

Kira Adams - 112

Kirkley & Shawn Brown - 160

Kristie Stewart Chidgey - 49

Kirsty Purcell - 18

Krista MacEachern - 18

Kristen Conley Newsom - 62

Kristen Onan - 8

Kristen Wirth - 6

Kristi Sagrillo - 21

Kristi Valentine - 21

Kristie Leach - 36

Kristin Esmail - 12

Kristin young - 16

Kristina Hathcock - 148

Kristy Christenson - 13

Kristy Hobberstad - 13

Kristy LeSage - 12

Kristyn von Rotz - 83

Kyla Carmichael - 73

Kylee Pruitt - 30

Kylie Ashton - 205

L. Zimmerman - 8

Lacey Girard - 31

Larisa Barth - 21

Larissa Genat - 89

Laura Balzer - 42

Laura Cooper - 71

Laura Epperson - 48

Laura Grieco - 14

Lauren Brunn - 20

Lauren Chamides - 6

Lauren Helper - 26

Lauren Hosford - 15

Lauren Riley Blote - 10

Lauren Ryley - 22

Laurianne Conner - 11

Leah Brummer - 19

LeAndre Davis - 11

Leanna Reeves - 6

Leanne Heiser - 5

Leanne Lattrel - 124

Leanne Parker - 11

Lee Anne Walters - 15

Lee Cavalli-Turner - 12

Lee De Nigris - 13

LeeAnn Walters - 57

Leigh Anne Duchene - 8

Leigh Hindry - 7

Leigh-Anne Sastre - 10

Jesley Jeruzal - 6

Leslie McGinty - 12

Leslie Timmers - 20

Lilma Morris - 12

Linda Burton - 8

Linda Sellers - 10

Lindsay Carrell Chipman - 18

Lindsay Felty - 34

Lindsay Onionen Scripp - 107

Lindsey Donny - 6

Lindsey Henke - 67

Lindsey Medley - 22

Lisa Bartsch Lahr - 14

Lisa Brown - 5

Lisa Cerda - 21

Lisa Hunter - 22

Lisa Kukal Jennings - 26

Lisa Lahr - 69

Lisa Parker - 6

Lisa Satterfield - 8

Lisa Vreeland - 34

Lisseth Pineda - 8

Liz Lowe - 7

Liz Mayfield - 8

Liz Tyler - 8

Lizeth Pineda - 15

Llanie Smith - 142

Lore Jarrett - 21

Lorena Yslas - 69

Lori Edling - 133

Lori Esteve - 102

Lori-Ann Hout - 280

Lorraine Bless - 8

Lou Slater - 12

Lou Stephens - 31

Louise Carbone - 4

Lucia Lower - 211

Luke Hanish - 41

Lyndsie Baker - 30

Lynette Spirell - 10

Lynnette Crellin - 30

Marcia Maria Coelho Rodrigues - 48

Mackenza Hill - 74

Maggie Baltz - 40

Manda Mulvay - 18

Mandi McHady - 51

Mandi Rosner - 7

Mandy Lorbert Skinner - 27

Mandy Suess - 10

Marcia Cerana Armstrong - 44

Margaret Mayer - 215

Maria Laura Grieco - 28

Marianne Harvey - 6

Marie Hughes - 73

Marisa Page - 60

Marisel Atienza - 608

Mary Gooher - 5

Mary Pilgrim - 7

Maureen Rutten-Willems - 76

Mayra Gallegos - 141

Megan Balthazor - 10

Megan Crase - 5

Megan Elliott - 27

Megan Hughes - 9

Megan May - 66

Megan Redmond - 31

Megan Roberts - 28

Megan Trayner - 22

Megan Donahue Lorentz - 26

Mel Lathlean - 10

Melanie Calkin - 20

Melanie Jean Sanogo - 6

Melissa Bowers - 156

Melissa Childers - 16

Melissa Clark - 12

Melissa Foy - 12

Melissa Hamilton - 123

Melissa Harris Neu - 72

Melissa Hoppe - 86

Melissa McLean - 30

Melissa Worley - 23

Melodie Ford - 22

Melodie Hagner-Salava - 5

Melody Byford - 166

Meme Sufleta Bubnick - 58

Michelle Corry - 17

Michelle Douglas - 36

Michelle Miller - 5

Michelle Mosca - 16

Michelle Murray 16

Mike Facherty - 8

Milena Iribarren - 108

Missy Mullens - 13

Misty Robinette Mckenzie - 18

Molly Baab - 66

Molly Kvien - 30

Molly Monday Schmidt - 30

Monica thompson - 7

Morgan Jimenez - 93

Nadia Hoffman - 576

Nancy Cimiano - 17

Naomi Letourneau - 302

Nat Douglas - 7

Natalie Baker - 25

Natalie Whitty - 49

Natalie Foster - 7

Nathalie Himmelrich - 24

Nerissa Tiffany - 21

Nicki Pieper Vogt - 83

Nicole Alfonsi - 15

Nicole & Paul De Leon - 234

Nicole Dodsen Sands - 60

Nicole Goulette - 7

Nicole Heinze - 30

Nicole VanLierop - 206

Nikae Bcara - 18

Nikki Arnold - 6

Nikki Ellet - 38

Nos Petit Anges au Paradis - 77

OC Walk to Remember - 11

Paige Pendergrass - 42

Pam Fergusen - 112

Pamela Purcell - 5

Parents Orphelins - 18

Patricia Dombieri - 8

Paul Pissale - 6

Paula Andrews - 19

Paula Dillon - 29

Paula Holland - 6

Penny Dewberry - 22

Petroula Hansen - 16

Paige Ricci - 8

Priscilla Stewart Moore - 88

Rachel Fedor - 28

Rachel Birk Kain - 12

Rachel Crawford - 12

Rachel Ownbey - 8

Rachel Redhouse - 24

Rachel Safrylutu - 6

Rain Gwen Zeccolo - 11

Randy Forbes - 7

Raquel Archung - 21

Rebecca Alley-Wilson - 19

Rebecca Arnold - 8

Rebecca Aziz - 36

Rebecca Hayes - 50

Rebecca Morales - 7

Rebecca Pruitt Johnston - 55

Rebecca Scantleberry - 26

Rebecca Sparrow - 47

Rebecca Wood - 205

Rebecca Woolsey - 8

Regina Binz - 10

Renae Gusaas - 7

Renee Cuadle Wick - 117

Rhonda Mason - 15

Rincey Renee Wick - 19

Robin Cross - 38

Robin Zundel - 10

Robyn Bear - 182

Rochelle Amaro - 45

Romina Bona - 161

Rosalyn Skelton - 64

Rose Manry - 9

Roseanne Robbins - 25

Sally Heppleston - 45

Sam Katz - 8

Samantha Carpenter - 10

Sandra Sangster - 6

Sands Queensland - 151

Sands Manukau - 10

Sands Tasmania - 12

Sara Ashmore - 15

Sara Gramalki Heavilin - 15

Sara Hendricks - 10

Sara Hinan - 6

Sara Mahmoud-Davis - 10

Sara McDonald - 10

Sara Neau - 77

Sara Ragalie - 8

Sara Tadak - 12

Sara Weeks - 93

Sara Wheeler - 16

Sara Young - 88

Sarah Bitner - 6

Sarah Caito - 22

Sarah Connors - 8

Sarah Hambarian - 74

Sarah Hendricks - 110

Sarah Hinman - 227

Sarah Jones - 7

Sarah Lamb - 6

Sarah McGrady - 19

Sarah McLane - 25

Sarah Muthler - 31

Sarah Numan - 18

Sarah Wenz - 8

Sarah Williams - 6

Sari Edber - 17

Savannah Leyde - 54

Vanessa Scott - 8

Severine Carpentier - 6

Shannon Brooks - 7

Shannon Johnson - 12

Shannon Leonardi - 72

Shannon Rachel - 18

Shannon Sciotto - 63

Shannon Skolney - 74

Shannon Westhora - 6

Shari Reif - 36

Shaunna Edwards - 12

Shawn Roberts Soumilas - 40

Shawna Smith - 27

Sheila Garey - 46

Shelby Lee Zook - 34

Shelly Anderson - 13

Sherokee Ilse - 321

Sherry Simonsen - 8

Sherry Singer - 8

Shirley Criswell - 95

Shyla Ducharme 27

Sim Gray - 15

Sky Wilson - 10

Sofia Navarro - 18

Stacey Lauzon - 15

Stacie Bridgewater - 13

Stacy Abrams - 12

Stacy Annick - 8

Stacy Crews - 20

Stacy McGhee - 19

Stacy Merkel - 198

Stacy Shrum - 19

Star Legacy Foundation - 12

Stefanie Sotka - 7

Stephanie Azri - 22

Staphanie Burnett - 424

Stephanie Cole - 32

Stephanie Nalley - 67

Stephanie Varoudakis - 43

Stephanie Wickham - 113

Stevie Michael - 16

Still Parents NY - 7

Susan Andrews - 24

Susan Fransen - 52

Susan Sahr - 16

Susan Sheffey - 8

Susanna Jimenez - 81

Susana Rabines - 19

Susanne Priest - 5

Suzanne Helzer - 12

Suzanne Kraack - 26

Suzanne Pullen - 7

Suzanne Weithofer - 25

Suzi WIlson - 13

Sydney Blatt - 10

T.J. Orwick - 20

T. J. Randall - 16

Rami Lanzel - 42

Tammy Bidwell - 8

Tanya McLeod - 9

Tanya Perekrestenko - 7

Tara Castillo - 38

Tara Corder - 13

Tara Holmes Williams - 81

Tara McDonald - 12

Tara Roberts - 5

Tara Schafer - 6

Tara True - 16

Tasha Murillo - 38

Teegan Rodgers - 35

Tera Schmalzriedt - 100

Teresa Gonzalez - 23

Teresa Kinard - 78

Terry Branstad - 6

Tess Bragg - 7

Tess McVey Mullen - 11

Tess Tagg - 39

Tia Sumlin - 70

Tiffany Kapp - 73

Tiffany Lindstrom - 19

Tiffin Yamen - 6

Tina Friedrich - 60

Tina Meyer - 6

Toni Boehm - 8

Toni Easther - 39

Tracey Deihl - 44

Tracey Gibb - 26

Traci Gemberling - 5

Tressa Thompkins - 6

Tricia Walania - 17

Trina Sarwatari - 20

Val Isherwood - 19

Valarie Kane - 11

Vanessa Pino - 55

Vicki McGowan-Baird - 56

Vicky Phillips - 8

Victoria Denney - 72

Victoria Landis - 9

Victoria Gimenez - 8

Wanda Acevedo - 28

Wendy Burkes Palmer - 14

William Hardy - 28

Willow Call - 43

Yamel Galarza - 146

Yasminah’s Gift of Hope - 8

Yesiren Thielman - 27

Posted in Local Leaders, Pledge Drive

State, Province & Country Leader List

Posted on June 7, 2013 by Sean — 7 Comments ↓

This is a list of the STATE, PROVINCE & COUNTRY leaders. They are going to be helping us out with coordination on the state, province & country level by coordinating the Local Leaders in their location! They may also be helping us with area-wide events and screenings surrounding the release of the film in their state, province & country.

If your state, province or country does not have a leader and you would like to step forward, then please send me an e-mail at “[email protected]” and I’ll put you down. OR if you would like to be a co-leader with one or two other people, that would be great, too. Leaders at this level can be individuals OR organizations.

FYI-there is no set time-limit for how long you have to be a state, province or country leader. If you need to step aside just let us know and we’ll make sure we take you off the list and someone else will take your place.

USA

Alabama - LAURA EPPERSON

Alaska -

Arizona - SHEROKEE ILSE, GILLIAN ALGAR & CARRIE WESTOVER

Arkansas - HOLY SEWS

California (Southern) - LISA PEDERSEN

California (Northern) - AMANDA LOWELL

Colorado - GINA HARRIS, STACY MERKEL, ANGELA DONALDSON & RANDI HENDERSON

Connecticut - SARAH HINMAN

Delaware -

Florida - JENNIFER HARDEN

Georgia - KIMBERLY KEYES & PATTY ADAIR

Hawaii -

Idaho - JENNIFER BROWN & JANA HAHN

Illinois - BETH PULLIA

Indiana - KYLEE PRUITT

Iowa - JENNIFER CORRELL

Kansas -

Kentucky - AMBER ROSENBERRY & BRANDI CHADWELL

Louisiana - JAMMIE LEBOEUF & CHRISTIAN MOORE

Maine - AMBEROSITY GOTT

Maryland - JEANIE WATTS, ALICIA HAYES & STEPHANIE NALLEY

Massachusetts - BRIAN & REBECCA HAYES

Michigan - ANNE LA FOUNTAIN

Minnesota - SHEROKEE ILSE, SHAUNA LIBSACK & LINDSEY WIMMER

Missouri - SUZANNE TUCKER and PAT FLYNN

Montana - JIM & LARISA BARTH

Nebraska - MIKE MONDAY

Nevada - MARIBETH DOERR (Northern Nevada)

New Hampshire -

New Jersey - LISA BROWN

New Mexico - JOANNA COSBEY

New York - SARAH CONNORS & BOBBIE COHLAN

North Carolina - KATHERINE HENSLEY & AMANDA RHONEY

North Dakota - ELIZABETH YODER

Ohio - MILENA IRIBARREN & SUZANNE WEITHOFER

Oklahoma - ERICA BARNARD & BRITTANY ELLIOTT

Oregon - SHEILA & JASON GAREY

Pennsylvania - MICHELE HAYTKO

Rhode Island -

South Carolina - LESLIE DISPENSA-PERLMAN & PENNY DEWBERRY

South Dakota -

Tennessee - JACQUALINE BOHANNON

Texas - LAURA COOPER & NADIA HOFFMAN

Utah - DANI ZARBOCK & TIFFANY LINDSTROM

Vermont -

Virginia - KAY BEALE

Washington - CELESTE MCLEAN

Washington (District of Columbia) - MARISEL ATIENZA

West Virginia - JENNIFER RICHMOND

Wisconsin - MELISSA HAMILTON

Wyoming - EMILY WERNER

CANADA

Alberta - LORI-ANN HUOT

British Columbia - ALISON MURRAY

Manitoba -

Maritime Provinces - HOLLY JEAN & SHAWN and KIRKLEY BROWN

Northwest Territories -

Ontario - TRACY MASCHKE & BECCA ABREU

Quebec - NAOMI LETOURNEAU

Saskatchewan - JENNIFER HARRISON, AMANDA LEONARD-MACK & TONI BOEHM

AUSTRALIA

Canberra - KATHERINE FOSTER

New South Wales - JENNIFER THOMAS & AMANDA BOWLES

Northern Territory -

Queensland - STEPHANIE AZRI

South Australia - LOUSIE CARBONE & MAUREEN WATTS

Tasmania -

Victoria - SARAH LAMB

Western Australia - CARLY & SAM DUDLEY

UNITED KINGDOM -

England -

Northern Ireland -

Scotland - KIRSTY PURCELL

Wales -

By country…

AFGHANISTAN -

ARGENTINA -

AUSTRIA -

BELGIUM - ELIEN VANHULLE

BRAZIL -

COLOMBIA -

COSTA RICA -

CZECH REPUBLIC -

DENMARK -

ECUADOR -

ESTONIA -

FRANCE -

GERMANY -

GREECE -

GUATEMALA -

HUNGARY -

IRELAND -

ISRAEL -

ITALY -

LITHUANIA -

MALI -

MALTA -

MEXICO -

THE NETHERLANDS -

NEW ZEALAND -

NORWAY -

THE PHILLIPINES -

PUERTO RICO -

ROMANIA -

SLOVENIA -

SOUTH AFRICA - KATE POLLEY

SPAIN -

SWEDEN -

SWITZERLAND -

THAILAND -

TRINIDAD & TOBAGO -

URUGUAY -

VENEZUELA -

ZIMBABWE -

Posted in Local Leaders

PRINTABLE RTZ FORMS (pdf)

Posted on June 7, 2013 by Sean — 6 Comments ↓

Download and print out these PDFs to take with you wherever you go!

Sign up more pledges to help get RETURN TO ZERO seen in theaters around the world! When you get back to your computer just enter the information into the Pledge Form and make sure to put yourself down as their Local Leader!

NEW! RETURN TO ZERO Postcards!

RTZ_LARGE_Postcard_April

RTZ_SMALL_Postcard_April

RETURN TO ZERO “on-the-go” sign-up sheets-in English & French

RTZ “on-the-go” pledge sheets (pdf) - English

RTZ “on-the-go” Formulaire (pdf) - French

The RETURN TO ZERO flyers are here-

RTZ_Color_Flyer_April_1

RTZ_BW_Flyer_April_1

RTZ_Color Flyer_with rip-tabs_KyleePruitt 1

RTZ Color Flyer 1_Allison

RTZ B/W Flyer 1_Allison

Posted in Local Leaders, Pledge Drive

Facebook Pages & Twitter Feeds

Posted on June 6, 2013 by Sean — 3 Comments ↓

This list is a work-in-progress… e-mail me at “[email protected]” if I’ve made an error or am missing your state, province, or country page! Thanks!

USA

Alabama - Facebook / Twitter

Alaska - Facebook / Twitter

Arizona - Facebook / Twitter

Arkansas - Facebook / Twitter

California - Southern California Facebook / Northern California Facebook / Twitter

Colorado - Facebook / Twitter

Connecticut - Facebook / Twitter

Delaware - Facebook / Twitter

Florida - Facebook / Twitter

Georgia - Facebook / Twitter

Hawaii - Facebook / Twitter

Idaho - Facebook / Twitter

Illinois - Facebook / Twitter

Indiana - Facebook / Twitter

Iowa - Facebook / Twitter

Kansas - Facebook / Twitter

Kentucky - Facebook / Twitter

Louisiana - Facebook / Twitter

Maine - Facebook / Twitter

Maryland - Facebook / Twitter

Massachusetts - Facebook / Twitter

Michigan - Facebook / Twitter

Minnesota - Facebook / Twitter

Missouri - Facebook / Twitter

Montana - Facebook / Twitter

Nebraska - Facebook / Twitter

Nevada - Facebook / Twitter

New Hampshire - Facebook / Twitter

New Jersey - Facebook / Twitter

New Mexico - Facebook / Twitter

New York - Facebook / Twitter

North Carolina - Facebook / Twitter

North Dakota - Facebook / Twitter

Ohio - Facebook / Twitter

Oklahoma - Facebook / Twitter

Oregon - Facebook / Twitter

Pennsylvania - Facebook / Twitter

Rhode Island - Facebook / Twitter

South Carolina - Facebook / Twitter

South Dakota - Facebook / Twitter

Tennessee - Facebook / Twitter

Texas - Facebook / Twitter

Utah - Facebook / Twitter

Vermont - Facebook / Twitter

Virginia - Facebook / Twitter

Washington - Facebook / Twitter

Washington (District of Columbia) - Facebook / Twitter

West Virginia - Facebook / Twitter

Wisconsin - Facebook / Twitter

Wyoming - Facebook / Twitter

CANADA

Alberta - Facebook / Twitter

British Columbia - Facebook / Twitter

Manitoba - Facebook / Twitter

Maritime Provinces - Facebook / Twitter

Northwest Territories - Facebook / Twitter

Ontario - Facebook / Twitter

Quebec - Facebook / Twitter

Saskatchewan - Facebook / Twitter

AUSTRALIA - Facebook / Twitter

Canberra - Facebook / Twitter

New South Wales - Facebook / Twitter

Northern Territory - Facebook / Twitter

Queensland - Facebook / Twitter

South Australia - Facebook / Twitter

Tasmania - Facebook / Twitter

Victoria - Facebook / Twitter

Western Australia - Facebook / Twitter

UNITED KINGDOM - Facebook / Twitter

England - Facebook / Twitter

Northern Ireland - Facebook / Twitter

Scotland - Facebook / Twitter

Wales - Facebook / Twitter

By country…

AFGHANISTAN - Facebook / Twitter

ARGENTINA - Facebook / Twitter

AUSTRIA - Facebook / Twitter

BELGIUM - Facebook / Twitter

BRAZIL - Facebook / Twitter

COLOMBIA - Facebook / Twitter

COSTA RICA - Facebook / Twitter

CZECH REPUBLIC - Facebook / Twitter

DENMARK - Facebook / Twitter

ECUADOR - Facebook / Twitter

ESTONIA - Facebook / Twitter

FRANCE - Facebook / Twitter

FRANCE (Central Region) - Facebook / Twitter

GERMANY - Facebook / Twitter

GREECE - Facebook / Twitter

GUATEMALA - Facebook / Twitter

HUNGARY - Facebook / Twitter

IRELAND - Facebook / Twitter

ISRAEL - Facebook / Twitter

ITALY - Facebook / Twitter

LITHUANIA - Facebook / Twitter

MALI - Facebook / Twitter

MALAYSIA - Facebook / Twitter

MALTA - Facebook / Twitter

MEXICO - Facebook / Twitter

THE NETHERLANDS - Facebook / Twitter

NEW ZEALAND - Facebook / Twitter

NORWAY - Facebook / Twitter

THE PHILLIPINES - Facebook / Twitter

PUERTO RICO - Facebook / Twitter

ROMANIA - Facebook / Twitter

SLOVENIA - Facebook / Twitter

SOUTH AFRICA - Facebook / Twitter

SPAIN - Facebook / Twitter

SWEDEN - Facebook / Twitter

SWITZERLAND - Facebook / Twitter

THAILAND - Facebook / Twitter

TRINIDAD & TOBAGO - Facebook / Twitter

URUGUAY - Facebook / Twitter

VENEZUELA - Facebook / Twitter

ZIMBABWE - Facebook / Twitter

Posted in Local Leaders, Support Groups

Connect with me

Grace & Wyatt’s Story

Final Pledge Totals for Local Leader Contest

Maci Eve’s Story

Bridger Lee’s Story

Lylac Butterfly’s Story

The RTZ EVERYTHING Page!

Pledges by Local Leader through June 8th

State, Province & Country Leader List

PRINTABLE RTZ FORMS (pdf)

Facebook Pages & Twitter Feeds

Recent Posts

Archives

Categories

Discussion Guide

Connect