Governer's Letter

We received an incredible letter in the mail from the Governor of Virginia. This letter states how sorry he is to hear of the loss of our son and what a great fighter he was for such a difficult disease he had. For the first time Virginia is participating in Congenital Heart Awareness week in Memory of CORBIN!!!! Yes, Governor Kaine signed a proclamation stating that February 7Th through February 14Th is Congenital Heart Awareness Week!!!! How awesome is that!!!!

HELP SPREAD THE NEWS FEBRUARY 7TH - 14TH IS CONGENITAL HEART AWARENESS WEEK!

WE ASK THAT YOU WEAR A RED AND BLUE RIBBON ALL WEEK TO SUPPORT OUT KIDS THAT ARE IN THE ARMS OF JESUS AND THOSE THAT ARE STILL FIGHTING!!!

Thanks for your love and support!

Planning Fun

We had our first Disney world planning event. We planned some fun things we are going to be doing while there. We are having an international dinner and dessert with VIP seating for the Illumination fireworks and laser show at Epcot. A character dinner event at Magic Kingdom. Lots of great things. The boys are really getting excited.

They were also very excited to spend some time with Mr. Army Pat yesterday too. He had sent some small BDU's for them and they were all dressed up and ready to play. Even Savannah wasn't going to miss out on all the fun!

We are also starting a new project of re modeling our basement! So life stays busy and we love it!

God Bless,

The Grabb's

Looking forward to our fun adventure in Disney!!!

Change

Well we have made the changes to Corbin's room. We cleaned it out. Gave away all his toys, bed and such. This is how it looked when he was alive! HOW I MISS THIS LOOK!!!!

This is how it looked after he passed away. Many of his toys just sitting out of site so they would be out of mind! This is the look that drove me absolutely crazy and kept the door shut to his room so whenever we walked by you just wouldn't be reminded of the sadness of it all.

So this is the current look. Our new classroom and office. One that we can remember Corbin in and yet not have the sadness of boxed up toys and his clothes packed away constantly reminding us of what we don't have here on this earth.

How do I feel about it???

Good, I feel that it was time and the sadness of the closed room needed to leave our home so we could move forward and heal more. Pray that we will find joy in the new room and make new memories while remembering the old.

Terri and crew

Yucky Flu!!!! And the New Year!

We are finally over the flu. It took us all a week to recover from the yucky violent flu virus. It was really nasty stuff. All five of us caught it. It doesn't help having the crazy emotions hit in the midst of being so sick. We made it through the new year. It is amazing how you can feel so bad about something as simple as a change in a calander year. Yet, it took us two days to recover from that date change.

Well, we are back to school and working on all our new projects again. The boys are doing great. Getting school done by 1pm every day so they can plenty of time to get out in the fresh air. It has been great weather here lately.

We are also working on a new project. We are finally clearing out Corbin's room. Yes, we are going through all his things and giving away his bed, toys, books, clothes and medical supplies. It hasn't been easy but we know that they will be going to great new homes. Some will be going to families within our church others will be donated to the Cheseapeke Center where Corbin had his speech and physical thereapy. His room will be transformed into our new classroom for the boys. We have also cleaned out the boys room and given them more space and an organized closet.

We will have to give you a pre and post view of the room. Corbin's room became a room that contained all of his things and was hard to walk through. It will be nice to have it become the classroom and spend time everyday in his room, in some ways it makes me feel better that we will be using it again and not just leaving it closed up.

Ending with a picture of Savannah opening her ornament from Christmas eve!

God Bless

Terri

Mixed Feeling and The New Year

As the year 2006 passes on and 2007 enters in I feel mixed emotions, I hate the thought of changing that Calendar over to a new year with the knowledge of knowing that Corbin will never be here this new year, I will never hold him, kiss him, smell that sweet smell of his, feel his arms around my neck in the year of 2007. So as this time approaches it comes with mixed feelings. As it also means one year closer to our Savior coming down from heaven and bringing the new earth and new heaven! One when I will be free from sin and free from these crazy mixed emotions that draw me away from God instead of closer to him.

The year 2006 began with wonder and joy as we watched Corbin grow and gain such amazing strength. He went from not eating and being told that he would take years to gain all that he lost in the hospital to gaining it all back in months. He was eating mostly on his own, walking and climbing as any other 18 month old would do. Just beginning to communicate with us in sign and in some words. As the year went on it became the most difficult year we have ever lived through.

Corbin entered into Jesus arms, not long after my Dad followed Corbin into Heaven’s gates. We have had months of illness here at our home. The three boys have showed the stress of losing their brother and grandfather by becoming ill. We have had all three boys have strep over five times, a tick bite, two boys with stitches, sprained wrist, a closed head injury that landed us in the ER for 12 hours, all three boys once again diagnosed with strep and mononucleosis, and then to end the year all of them contracted the flu virus. Yes, we have made so many Dr visits that it seams very cruel considering we spent the past two years surrounded by Doctors and doing all we could to keep the boys healthy for Corbin’s sake. Now we are surrounded by illness and Doctors once again.

Then to top it off, we get a new puppy. One we have been looking into getting for over a year. The boys were eagerly awaiting the return of Corbin from his final surgery so we could bring a new puppy into our home. So as we recovered we did finally bring the new puppy into our home. Yet, as it would go we would get the puppy that was very sick. She was in our home for only five days before ending up in a puppy hospital with a central line receiving medications for not only severe dehydration and a blood infection but also insulin for diabetes. Yes, our new puppy is diabetic! So after a very scary time and thoughts that the puppy was not going to make it, the puppy spent over a week and a half in the hospital we finally brought her home again. She too has many doctor vet visits and is on special food and medication to maintain her blood sugar! Yes, the year 2006 was not one that brought the easiest of times for our family!

We would not change God’s plan for our family. Even though we miss our sweet Corbin greatly and celebrating Christmas without him was very hard. I was a little sad that no one mentioned sweet Corbin Christmas day, yet he was greatly missed. Yet, we must continue to go forward and trust God’s love for us. This New Year, Corbin and Dad leave us with a gift of new memories. We are taking our family and the Lamons to Disney World. We are using the life insurance money from Corbin and the money from Dad’s estate to give the family time together to heal.

With all our love,
Prayers that the New Year is Gentler to our Family and yours,
The Grabb Family

Family Newletter

Here is a link to our family newsletter!!!! Thanks for checking in on us.

Give you an update on the puppy soon!

http://www.grabbfamily.com/2006_Christmas_Letter.pdf

Merry Christmas
Love
The Grabb Family

Our new addition

We made it through Thanksgiving. We left just the five of us and went to Williamsburg, VA.

We toured the historic areas and had a good time. The boys loved playing solder and fighting with their muskets.

We are doing a fund raiser for Save A Heart this Saturday at Travis' Car groups Christmas party. Mary Catherine came this past weekend and helped pull me off the couch and dig me out of my funk.

We are awaiting the arrival of our little girl! Yep, we are getting a new puppy! She should arrive Friday. We can't wait to bring her home. She is a havanese.

My wonderful sister is coming to help us get through Christmas. Just knowing she is going to be here is a relief.

Thanks for checking on us.

Love,

Terri

This Week

This week has been a hard one for us. It seems just when you feel things can't feel any worse it does. The tears come easily for Travis and I. We miss Corbin greatly as the holidays approach. We feel the knot in our stomach and the ache in our hearts.

How is it that a person can hurt so much and still be alive?

Terri and Family

Tick Bites and Head Injuries

Having recovered from our camping adventure and strep throat virus. We found other ways to entertain ourselves.

Travis went to Conneticut for a few days and returned Tuesday night. Wednesday we found a tick that had a rash around it on Brodie. So we had to go to the Doctor again and have it removed. He is being covered by antiobiotics due to the rash being a first symptom of Lymes.

Later that same day, Aiden built a ramp for his bike and had an accident. He was out for a few and very disoriented and confused. He could not walk or even see. So as the symptoms became worse it required a trip to the ER! So off we went to have a CAT scan. We had to stay for several hours as he was observed. Thankfully, nothing broken or bleeding in his noggin and just had swelling so only a concussion. We are now trying to keep him quiet and stop the others from wrestling around or hurting his head.

Yes, I do feel the need for a quiet hotel room with bubbles and a nice book all alone after a week like this!

Terri

What do you do????

When all three of your children have strep throat??? Of course you set up a tent in the back yard and go camping!

To keep our sanity and find a way to break the boredom in the house as we are not allowed around others we set up a tent and went camping in our back yard. As the day was nice and hot, the night turned into a wind storm with heavy downpours. Yes, we did not plan that well. We did enjoy a campfire with marshmallows, roasted hot dogs on the fire and songs. As we sat around and told our favorite memories of Corbin.

Travis, I am sure will never want to sleep in his own bed again after such a wonderful night of sleeping out doors in the rain and damp cold. It was glorious! The boys were snuggled down in their sleeping bags noticing nothing of the cold. That is except Brodie who could not sleep in his as he kept falling out of it! :) And everyone managed to stay dry except for Travis' shoes. Somehow his shoes were under the only leak in the tent and all the water poured into his shoes! Yes, it was slightly humorous to all of us. It actually saved the boys from being wet!

Hopefully soon we can again get out and about as this virus completes its course.

Take Care,
Happy Camping!!!
Terri and Family

Heart Walk Update

I wanted to give a re-cap of the Heart Walk that TenderHearts did in Memory of Corbin. They did an awesome job. We put together a short video of the day and events. It started out at 8am for Beckie. She worked so hard to put together this day for all of us. Her efforts were amazing. We arrived to find a huge banner that had the boys walking through our yard and Corbin and I’s picture on it. It was incredible. I don’t think I will ever be able to describe how loved our family felt that day. Thank you to all who came out, to the many who donated and the many who supported us.

We made shirts for the children and handed out buttons that said Fight CHD with Corbin’s picture. The weather was great, yes a little on the chilly side but wonderfully sunny. We ended the day with lunch at Brione’s Grille, with many laughs as sweet Kate Yawney named her veggies and Zachary Steele showed his amazing spunk. Then, as we felt the day couldn’t have been any better Tender Hearts presented us with a Tree of Hope. This tree had special ornaments made in memory of Corbin from the families that walked. It was the most beautiful gift we have ever received. We have it up in our dining room and may never take it down. Each ornament was selected and given with such love. Thank you so much. We love each ornament and find joy in each one that you have given us.

On one ornament had a story written on it by our good friend Diane James. She wrote exactly how we see our son’s life. No other words could say it better than hers so we wanted to share those words she wrote with you. Thank you again Diane.

“Before God formed Corbin in his mother’s womb,
He determined a specific plan and purpose for Corbin’s life.
God didn’t plan a long life for Corbin on earth,
But He gave Corbin a very big job, one only Corbin could do.
In less than two years, this little boy taught people some very big lessons.
He taught people how to care deeply for one another.
He taught people how to sacrifice for loved ones.
He taught people how to persevere.
He taught people how to find joy in pain and suffering.
He taught people where to find God and how to pray fervently to him.
He taught people around the globe how to unite in prayer.
He taught people that a man’s days are like grass
And that our only real hope is in heaven.
Corbin went to heaven before us, but those who hope in Him
Will spend eternity with Corbin when God calls us home.
And in the meantime, Corbin is basking
In the sweet presence of our Savior.
Praise be to God.”
With much love, hope and prayers,
The Grabb Family

This week

We have had an amazingly busy week!

I took the boys to Cox farm with Hope and Diane. All 10 of the kids (yes we really took 10) had a great time. Travis took the boys to the harvest carnival at chruch Tuesday. Wednesday they had their soccer tournament. They did awesome. Gunnar and Aiden's team won 2 and tied one. Brodie's team won one and tied two. Today they have co op and scare crow making for our new garden thanks to Gary (Travis Dad). Then Friday we prepare the house for company. Saturday the Heart walk, and Sunday Travis and I have box seats for the Redskins and Cowboys game. Nothing much is really going on here! :)

I have posted photos of Corbin's Monument. It was placed yesterday. It turned out well.

As I said we have the heart walk that Tender Hearts is doing in memory of Corbin this Saturday. They have done an awesome job. So far they have raised over 14,000 and have over 80 people walking.

Thanks for checking in
Terri and Crew

Corbin's favorite bear and blanket etched on the monument.  

Corbin's Monument Placed Nov 1st 2006 

My Dad

I am very sad to report that Dad passed away Sunday, October 8th at around noon. We had his funeral on Wednesday. He will be cremated and buried at the foot of Mom sometime this next week.

Needless to say we are all exhausted. I am back home now with Travis and the boys. The boys were very glad to have Mommy home.

Thank you for the prayers and support.

Terri

Update on Dad

I am in Michigan. It has been difficult at best. Dad is in critical condition. They found that Dad had a heart attack and it hit the main artery running through the heart. It was stented back open. He is on an ECMO device to maintain his heart to pump correctly. Yesterday the Doctor told us he had lost all of his left ventricle. It is no longer pumping at all and there was nothing more they can do for him. So we wait, pray and wait. Dad is aleart and awaire of his surroundings. He communicates through hand squeezes and gestures. He is being very cooperative with the nurses and so he is not completely sedated so we are able to see him awake and he is aware we are all here with him. One of the many blessings we have seen in this. Please pray that today, the Doctors will find that his left ventricle is working and that we will not have to make any difficult decisions.

All our Love,
Terri

Pray Please

Please pray for my Dad and family. My Dad is being flighted to a hospital in heart failure. He is currently intubated and still not getting enough oxygen.

Not sure when I will update again,
Leaving now for Michigan.
Terri

September 24, 2006

It has been awhile since I have updated. The boys are doing well. We have began our crazy schedule. The boys all have loved soccer. Brodie played in his first soccer game this past week. We are still working on kicking toward the correct goal. He loved making a goal unfortunately it was in the wrong net and counted against his team instead of for it. Not to worry three other boys did the same thing. Yes, this does make me question my coaching abilities. But I keep telling myself that I can not do any serious harm to 4 year olds.

Gunnar and Aiden are on the same team and are doing very well. They both scored several goals.

School is going well. Gunnar and Aiden are loving Co-op this year. They love their classes and are learning a lot. Aiden loves sign language. Gunnar's favorite class is history.

We went away for the first time this weekend as a family. It was hard but good. The boys had a great time at their GrandPap Grabb's house. The boys rode their motorcycles, went for a canoe ride, swam and rode in the mule! Yep a busy three days but a nice mini holiday for us all. Unfortunately both Gunnar and Brodie are a little under the weather, having trouble with their breathing and needing asthma treatments. Doing well despite needing the treatments.

Hope all is going well with each of you. As always we are missing Corbin but overall doing well. We are keeping our eyes on God and telling us His truths to get us through.
All our Love,
The Grabbs

This week

We are excited to say we have sold over $150.00 in bracelets and necklaces for CHD research and families. The boys love sealing each package. Sometimes so fast the notes can't even make it in. They have also been mailing off their Lovies as well.

All three started Soccer and Awana's this past wednesday. They were a little unsure of awana's but took right to soccer. Aiden is doing much better than Gunnar dealing with Corbin's loss. I think that is because he will talk about it to ANYONE! In the checkout line he will tell the clerk or bagger, his teachers in Awana, strangers standing in line next to him. He loves to talk about his brother and tell people that Corbin is in Heaven. We are not going to stop him from this or tell him that it makes people VERY uncomfortable because I would rather let him heal and that he is. Gunnar will not discuss it. He gets upset when you mention Corbin in anyway. So I am looking at ways to help him heal. Gunnar is also sick. He is running a fever and has flu symptoms this past few days.

We are working on the American Heart Walk in the DC area. We are overwhelmed by the responses we are getting. We have families traveling from all over coming to join us. Still amazed at the love we are shown by God.

Well thats all for now we will update again another time,
Terri and Crew

Two Months

Yes, it really has been two whole months since Corbin joined Jesus in heaven. Its hard to believe we have made it through two months without him with us here.

We are getting by. Travis has been staying busy with his Auto Cross Racing. He actually won a trophy! Gunnar and Aiden have begun home school. They start a weekly co op class here soon, that I am volunteering to serve at. All three boys will begin soccer on Wednesdays. I am coaching Brodie's team. They also begin Awana's next week. So we will be busy with their school activities. I am staying busy by painting our home and yard work. Something that really needed to be done but never was able to get to.

We are doing a few things to honor Corbin's strength and courage during his fight against CHD. We are making bracelets and necklaces that the boys refer to Corbin's Heart. They are simple with just a leather band and a heart pendant. We will be selling them on our family website to raise money for CHD and families. We are also walking in the American Heart Walk this November 4th in Washington DC. The local heart group here in our area who has supported and cared for our family is honoring Corbin by walking in his memory this year.

The boys are still making Corbin's Lovies that they are dropping off at the hospitals for the babies. Something they enjoy making and doing to bring other babies comfort too.

So we are staying busy and fully relying on God to bring us through the hardest time we have ever faced.

Love,
Terri and Family

Sorry this would help:

www.grabbfamily.com
The information is under Fundraising