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My Jessie Journal: Happy early 14th Birthday Sweet-Pea. We will be celebrating you all day Monday. Mommy is working on a special cake, we will release balloons, and we will get to go to CHOC and see the new Joy-Lab that is dedicated to you. Uncle T and Aunt Kimmy are coming to visit too. I’m sure we will eat some extra “sweets” in your name too=). I wonder if you celebrate birthday’s in Heaven. Maybe they take on a new meaning???Monday will still be a tough day but last Sunday, which was Easter, it hit me like never before…we WILL see you again. That is the purpose of Easter for those that believe in it. I thanked God so much for his sacrifice so I can spend eternity with you. Sure it still hurts, but the hope I live with and was reminded about in a new fresh way softens the pain. I also had to confess that I had taken Heaven for granted and ask God to forgive me. Having you there makes it so real.

I hope you have been able to help the new kids that have joined you this month find their room and get settled in. You have always been so focused on making sure “others” are ok so I bet you are part of the welcoming team.

We are getting ready for the gala. Just 3 weeks away and still so much to do. Please pray people decide to join us so we can raise more awareness and resources to continue to “care” for the kids and families. It’s going to be a great event!!! We also have our 5K on May 5th as part of the OC Marathon event. There is no way I could run 26.2 miles but I will walk 3.1=). I know, silly daddy!

I just got word that the JoyFactory has now stuffed and shipped over 52,000 JoyJars to courageous kids. That is such great news! I love seeing the pictures of kids in the hospital with their JoyJars. Their smiles do my heart good and remind me of you every time I see them.

We also have finished the rough draft on the first four chapters of your book. It won’t come out until next year but I truly hope it inspires millions to “make a difference in their world”…just like you did. Everyone can us their hearts and hands to better a persons life. It just takes desire…the same desire you had when you simply asked Mommy and I…“how can we help them?”. Those five little words have changed my life forever.

Happy bday Jess! I miss you tons, love you more and can’t wait to see you in a “wink”.

xoxo,

Daddy

Photo: My Jessie Journal: Happy early 14th Birthday Sweet-Pea. We will be celebrating you all day Monday. Mommy is working on a special cake, we will release balloons, and we will get to go to CHOC and see the new Joy-Lab that is dedicated to you. Uncle T and Aunt Kimmy are coming to visit too. I’m sure we will eat some extra “sweets” in your name too=). I wonder if you celebrate birthday’s in Heaven. Maybe they take on a new meaning??? </p> <p>Monday will still be a tough day but last Sunday, which was Easter, it hit me like never before…we WILL see you again. That is the purpose of Easter for those that believe in it. I thanked God so much for his sacrifice so I can spend eternity with you. Sure it still hurts, but the hope I live with and was reminded about in a new fresh way softens the pain. I also had to confess that I had taken Heaven for granted and ask God to forgive me. Having you there makes it so real. </p> <p>I hope you have been able to help the new kids that have joined you this month find their room and get settled in. You have always been so focused on making sure “others” are ok so I bet you are part of the welcoming team. </p> <p>We are getting ready for the gala. Just 3 weeks away and still so much to do. Please pray people decide to join us so we can raise more awareness and resources to continue to “care” for the kids and families. It’s going to be a great event!!! We also have our 5K on May 5th as part of the OC Marathon event. There is no way I could run 26.2 miles but I will walk 3.1=). I know, silly daddy!</p> <p>I just got word that the JoyFactory has now stuffed and shipped over 52,000 JoyJars to courageous kids. That is such great news! I love seeing the pictures of kids in the hospital with their JoyJars. Their smiles do my heart good and remind me of you every time I see them.</p> <p>We also have finished the rough draft on the first four chapters of your book. It won’t come out until next year but I truly hope it inspires millions to “make a difference in their world”…just like you did. Everyone can us their hearts and hands to better a persons life. It just takes desire…the same desire you had when you simply asked Mommy and I…“how can we help them?”. Those five little words have changed my life forever. </p> <p>Happy bday Jess! I miss you tons, love you more and can’t wait to see you in a “wink”.</p> <p>xoxo,</p> <p>Daddy