Mommy & Baby Christa (in womb)

We are certain that Gabbie is looking down with smiles upon her mommy & new little sister...

Gabriella's Family - Christmas 2009

Mommy, daddy & sisters, Angelina-age 11, Lila Rose-age 5, and baby Christa (in womb) due on Feb 8th, 2010.

Gabriella's Angel Tree - Christmas 2009

Angels, Bows, lights, a star....love. This is your tree, Gabriella.

Mommy & Grandma Visit Ronald McDonald House Today

Our committment to Gabbie, in addition to research for infant organ transplants through her foundation: A yearly breakfast around her birthday each year and food bags during the holidays and any other time we are able to help out. Mommy and Grandma kicked off the food bag distribution by visiting Ronald McDonald House today, leaving non perishable food bags in recycled food bags, for the 8 families currently there this week and the 8 families scheduled to be there the week of Thanksgiving. We plan to take food bags weekly through the Christmas holiday, as well. Our CHKD Social Worker, Monica, is also aware that we would like to help any family in the NICU that are in need of food, through "Froggie's Food Pantry" and in need of newborn baby clothes through "Teresa's gift" through Gabriella's Miracle Foundation. While no donations are accepted through the foundation until our non profit status application is complete, the family is committed to providing on their own and with the help of family & friends, the breakfasts, food bags, and baby clothes. We know that our Gabbie is pleased. Thanks to all of our family & friends who also donated to the CHKD hospital fundraiser through the yearly "change bandits" by collecting change throughout November and/or making a one time donation online at the CHKD site. We reached our $250 goal set for the month! We appreciate you so much! God richly bless you. The Mayo's

ITS THE HOLIDAY SEASON 2009

As the Mayo family has committed to do in memory of our Gabbie, our first group of food bags via our own "Froggie Food Pantry" were put together with lots of love, good feelings and memories of Gabbie. Teresa delivered a bag to a friend of her brother's and is delivering a bag to a classmate's family in her English night class tonight. Ronald McDonald House (Norfolk) has given us a count of 15 familes during this Thanksgiving holiday that will be residing/visiting their children. We will make a trip there this week. We feel really blessed to be able to help in some small way to remember Gabriella. We know that she is smiling down upon us.

Angel in the Garden

Gabriella's sisters visited Disney World last week. It was bittersweet that our beautiful Gabbie was not with them. They spoke of her often and knew she was right beside them- an angel on their shoulder. While also visiting the Holy Land Experience, there was a wonderful angel garden there. A little girl Angel stood to the side under the trees. Instantly Gabbie quickened her spirit showing the family that she was with us. In the center of the garden, an Angel was kneeling in prayer. Our confirmation that she is always praying for her sisters...her family. We love you, sweet Gabriella Christina.

Gabriella's First New Flower

Thank you, Uncle Greg, for sending us this pic of one of Gabriella's bulbs from the Celebration of Life in October. It has been 6 months since she passed. It doesn't seem possible. We think of her every day. Here is the first sign of "new growth". We appreciate it, Greg. If any of you faithful followers to this blog have any new flowers that were planted in her memory and that are now sprouting or blooming, please send a pic to add to this blogsite. Much love to all.

"Gabriella's Miracle" Foundation Under Construction

Hello. The Mayo family has exciting news! "Gabriella's Miracle" Foundation has been published to the web. It is still under construction and in the process of obtaining a non profit status, so until then, no donations are accepted. With much love, it has been created and is still a work in progress, but it is finally coming to life. We appreciate your love and constant support-thanks to all our family and friends.

Sisters Still.

Ronald McDonald House Breakfast/Brunch.

February 21st, 2009.

In memory of Gabriella, our Angel.

For You, Gabbie Girl.

Keeping our promise to Gabbie, the Mayo family served our fellow families at the Ronald McDonald House on Saturday, February 21st. We had wanted/intended to do this on or around Gabbie's birthday, in remembrance and in celebration. Due to schedule conflicts, we had to push it back a month, however, it is our intent to every year, serve our fellow familes either at RMH or in some other capacity on or around Gabbie's birthday in remembrance and celebration. We hope that every year, our other family members will join us. This year, Uncle Greg came to lend his expertise in catering and serving. We hope that he will join us each year, as well. Nurse Angie was there, dear Gabbie, and spoke of you and how you still touch her life every day. She speaks of you at her Bible studies, so we know that God is still using your life to remind us all to love more, to serve more, to care more.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SWEET ANGEL.

Tuesday, January 13, 2009 would have been our Gabriella's first birthday. As you might imagine, we were overcome with sadness on this day. The weekend prior began a very melancholy mood that overshadowed our family. Teresa and I had plans to visit the NICU unit and Gabbie's nurses, but when it came time, we could not bare it. Instead, I decided that work would be better for me, giving Teresa the day to herself in the house alone with her memories and Gabbie's spirit. The night before, Teresa, Angelina and I started making decorations, pictures and writing letters to our precious Gabbie-all to be added to her room on that Tuesday morning. I purchased red roses and white Fuji mums for her room, so that a lovely scent would fragrance the room that day, and Nurse Michele sent baby red roses and daisies. Uncle Greg placed an order for pink flowers, but unfortunately they never arrived, when an online glitch somehow didn't confirm the order. We appreciate the thought and the effort, so no worries, our dear Greg. After dinner that night, Teresa, Angelina and I made pink & white cupcakes with one candle in each. After sharing half of them with the neighbor family, we took the remaining ones to Gabbie's room, sang Happy Birthday with the lit candles- Angelina blowing them out in honor of Gabbie. We each took a few moments, I turned on her lullaby music just like I do every evening, and turned on her Angel nite light, closing the door behind me. Attached see some pics of this memorial day for us.

Gabbie's Ornaments.

Nurse Michele had given the family two angel ornaments at Gabbie's Celebration of Life in October 2008. Those ornaments adorn our tree. Nurse Michele had told us the the one with uplifted hands represented "a free spirt" at last. We agree. The other shows Gabbie's pic showing her "peace" sign that she often made in her sleep. Appropriate, as now she is at peace.

Christmas 2008 - In Memory.

Our bittersweet Christmas, 2008. In memory of our Gabriella, the family decided on an "all angel" tree this year.

PRETTY IN PINK - OUR PRECIOUS GABBIE

As promised, here are Gabbie's Professional pics taken a few days before she passed back in October. It has been 5 weeks now. We hope you like these final pics for the blogsite. God bless you all.