I have sat down so many times to write this and have not known how to start, it just makes me so sad. But if I put it off any longer we will miss the event and so here I am remembering and asking you to remember Briana today too.

In September on the 21st we would be celebrating Briana's 2nd Birthday. Two years old already and I still imagine this 6 pound 9 ounce little baby. I see two year olds and try to imagine what it would be like, but I just can't...she will always be my baby.

Briana was stillborn at 37 weeks. She died because of an umbilical cord accident. My daughter died before I ever got to hear her cry, or laugh or see her open her eyes. But I will be forever thankful that I got to hold her in my arms.  This Fundraising Walk is one way that we can celebrate Briana's life while preventing further loss and providing support for other families that have gone through what we have.

Candy, who runs Missing GRACE Foundation and I have become good friends and she coached me through my pregnancy with Beckham. I have attended a Missing GRACE support group and through Candy found out about Dr. Jason Collins at the Pregnancy Institute who provided fetal monitoring for Beckham. After a trip to New Orleans for an informative day with Dr. Collins I was able to check Beckham's heartbeat whenever I needed to! Everynight his heartrate was recorded and sent to Dr. Collins and my OB here and they looked for warning signs that Beckham's cord was being compressed. At 36 weeks after we knew his lungs were mature Beckham Olaf was born  on January 9, 2009 at 8:40 AM. 7 pounds 3 ounces.  PRAISE GOD!!!

For all of you who have asked over the past two years what you could do to help, this is it! The money you donate in memory of Briana will go to Missing GRACE Foundation and will help families like us who have lost a child. They stay with the family in the hospital and take photos of their child, they help plan the funeral, they train hospital staff and offer support groups. Missing GRACE holds conferences and special events in honor of our babies in Heaven. Basically, you are helping Candy, who runs Missing GRACE do for others what she has done for Dirk, Beckham and me. You are helping families survive the loss of a child, and preventing future losses. What a beautiful gift!

Thank you...such common words to express such heartfelt gratitude. Thank you to Missing GRACE for helping so many families, and thank you for donating in memory of my precious Briana.

I hope you can join us at the Hope and Hearts Walk this year on September 12th. The location has changed, it is at the Coon Rapids Dam this year and you can find all of the information at www.missinggrace.org and click on the Kaila and Grace Hope & Hearts box. Team Briana will meet at 8:00 to hand out Tshirts and get organized. You can register onsite if you need to, but it is much easier and faster if you register online. This can also be done through the link on the Missing GRACE page.

Last year we had such a wonderful time enjoying lunch with everyone at our house after the event and this year we have rented a pavillian at Coon Rapids Dam (the event site) and would like to host a cookout after the walk. If you'd like join Team Briana and walk with us let me know by September 1st.   To join Team Briana for the walk go to http://hopeandheartsrun.org/minnesota/  and click REGISTER ONLINE. Then  send an email to heatherjoyhanson@yahoo.com and let me know you will join us and what size Tshirt you need. You don't need to register your children unless they want to participate in the Kids Fun Dash. We can't wait to celebrate Briana, have a fun family day, and raise money for such an important cause.

Donating through this website is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to support my fundraising efforts. If you would like to mail a check please make it out to Missing GRACE Foundation and write Team Briana in the memo line.

Many thanks for your support -- and don't forget to forward this to anyone who you think might want to donate too!

Love, Heather Dirk & Beckham