Heaven is the face......

happy birthday Devan Marie.
We miss you, love you and still think of you every day.

Devan Marie Advincula

 With every July comes the anniversary of the saddest day we've know.  July 25 marks the day that our niece, Devan went home to be with God.  I can image her sitting with the angels as she looks down on her family.  This year marks five years that shes been gone.  Even now, I still expect to see her sitting in her moms lap, or smiling for the camera.  She is still so much in our hearts and daily thoughts.  I could never put to words exactly what I felt, but whenever I would think of Heaven I'd see Devan.  This past year Steven Curtis Chapman put out a song, Heaven is the face, if you've not heard it, click HERE)

 Devan with the boys at Disney World.

Look at that smile!

One of my favorites.

Prom

Devan and her mom.

Devan and Chris

Snow skiing, she did better than me.  She was always full of life.

Devan and her mom at my wedding

Lori, Brandon and Devan on a cruise

 Devan,

I hope you know how very much you are loved and missed.  I know we'll see you again. 

Homesick, by Mercy Me

You're in a better place, I've heard a thousand times
And at least a thousand times I've rejoiced for you
But the reason why I'm broken, the reason why I cry
Is how long must I wait to be with you

I close my eyes and I see your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
I've never been more homesick than now

Help me Lord cause I don't understand your ways
The reason why I wonder if I'll ever know
But, even if you showed me, the hurt would be the same
Cause I'm still here so far away from home

I close my eyes and I see your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
I've never been more homesick than now

In Christ, there are no goodbyes
And in Christ, there is no end
So I'll hold onto Jesus with all that I have
To see you again
To see you again

And I close my eyes and I see your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
Won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
Won't you give me strength to make it through somehow

I've never been more homesick than now

Balloons for Devan

Another wonderful tradition our family has: Balloons for Devan

Donna started this with the birthday after Devan's death. Now every year the last Sunday of February, we write our notes to Devan and release them to Heaven. I'd like to think she is smiling down on us knowing how loved she is.Paul even drew her a picture on his.

Happy Birthday Devan Marie

Devan

Happy Birthday Devan Marie

Happy Birthday Devan

You are forever in my hearts. We love and miss you.

You can shed tears that she is gone, or you can smile because she has lived.

You can close your eyes and pray that she'll come back, or you can open your eyes and see all she has left.

Your heart can be empty because you can't see her, or you can be full of the love you shared.

You can turn your back on tomorrow andlive yesterday, or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.

You can remember her and only that she's gone, or you can cherish her memory and let it live on.

You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back, or you can do what she'd want:

Smile, Open your Eyes, Love and Go on.

Ornaments from years gone by......

These are some my boys have did over the years, Grace a few new things from school this year I need to get pictures of as well. I wouldn't trade these for any ornament or any money. They are truly priceless.

My Sweet Brandon PaulPaul, sweetly spoiled!

This last one is new. The picture is our niece who died 4 years ago. She'll always be in our hearts. Merry Christmas Devan, we miss and love you always.