News

June 28, 2010 1:00

A memorial service was held for Miles at the Woodland Cemetery in Carrot Creek. The weather was perfect and, for such a sad time, it was actually quite beautiful.

July 5, 2010

We planted a tree from three wonderful ladies at school, a rose from the school, and a rose from Brent's brother-in-law's brother (& family).

July 24, 2010

We went to visit the cemetery and placed a cherub by his name marker (had to replace that one on August 25th when I saw it was broken on August 24th).

August 2, 2010

For our two year wedding anniversary Dad gave us a wall hanging he had handmade- just beautiful.

This is written on the back of the wall hanging

October 2, 2010

In Edmonton, at the Legislature, Brent and I, along with my mom, participated in the Walk to Remember. This walk began in 2008 and is for families to remember babies lost to miscarriage, stillbirth or neonatal death. The weather was beautiful, and there were over 700 participants. We received a balloon and a tag to add a message to Miles, walked around the building, and could find his name written in chalk. At the end they read off the baby's names and when you heard your baby's name you were to release your balloon- it was very special. For more information on this walk, you can check out www.walktoremember.ca.

November 29, 2010

On my 27th birthday Jodie presented me with a gift; a charcoal drawing she got done of Miles along with the verses that were read by Pastor John, Pastor Paul, Brent's dad, and my dad, typed on the back. Safe in Jesus' hands...

December 9, 2010

On my birthday we also had some news to share with our families. Miles will be getting a brother or sister this spring; I am due May 21st. We have many mixed emotions but trust that whatever God has planned for us with this new baby is for the best.

December 26, 2010

On Boxing Day when we got back from Edmonton, we brought this arrangement to Miles' grave, for his first Christmas.

Out of material that made up some of the clothes Miles is wearing I made little angel ornaments for our families' Christmas trees.

May 16, 2011

Miles' baby brother has arrived! At 8:09am, 22 1/4 " long and 8lbs 2oz Wade John DeLeeuw entered the world. They aren't identical but you can definitely tell they are brothers. This was also on Brent's 29th birthday!

May 20, 2011

Miles' headstone was installed this spring. The engraving 'Miles' is supposed to be as big as 'DeLeeuw' and is being fixed. We are very happy with how it turned out and that it was in before his first birthday.

June 24, 2011

Happy first birthday in heaven Miles. Later that day we saw a beautiful rainbow which makes me think of the one we saw on his funeral. A few weeks later we were also able to plant a tree we got from our neighbours for Miles.

September 28, 2011

Miles' headstone is back and is perfect!

October 1, 2011

We attended the Walk to Remember once again, there were many people there, which is nice, but also sad. Seeing all of those babies' names written down is also tough too. Although he is never far from out thoughts, it was nice to have a day/ event to go to where we can especially remember Miles.

October 10, 2011- Thanksgiving

We went to visit Miles' gravesite and since his permanent stone was here we could place the klomp Alyssa made for him; Grandpa, Oma, and Aunty Jodie also brought some sunflowers. Wade is wearing a shirt that he got from Karen that he also wore for 'the walk' that says 'World's Greatest Little Brother'.

December 24, 2011

It was nice that we were around this year to be able to go to the gravesite on Christmas Eve; we can't believe that Miles would've been a year and a half on this day. Another Christmas without him. Grandpa and Oma donated money in Miles' name to the Stollery again this year and Grandpa and Grandma had Keyton read a poem and light a candle before our family Christmas dinner. He's gone... but not forgotten.

For both boys we ordered Dutch birth tiles from Holland~ they are perfect and arrived in time for Christmas.

June 24, 2012

Happy second birthday in heaven Miles!! I cannot believe that it has been two years. I still imagine you as a little baby, but I suppose now you would've been walking and maybe even talking our ears off. Love you & miss you so much each and every day.

We lit a candle for Miles and although last year my tulips did really well, this year it seemed that only my new tulips from last year's Walk to Remember came up and bloomed. Too bad, but these pink ones sure are pretty. We brought one to the gravesite (in the rain) along with some balloons, and once we came home we had some birthday cake.

July 11, 2012

Thanks SO much to Aunty Gertrude and Alyssa who cross stitched this for us. How long it must have taken!

Many people have given us many special things to help us to remember Miles- trees, rosebushes, pictures, blankets, and we thank you all for these precious gifts, they are all so special to us. One of the greatest gifts though, I find, is simply when people bring up his name and talk about him- I never get tired of hearing his name.

September 29, 2012

The weather was just gorgeous for the Walk to Remember this year. We blew bubbles instead of releasing balloons, due to the helium shortage, and tried our best to take a picture of the three of us next to Miles' name, which wasn't very easy with a 16 month old. A very special day to remember the short lives of the 350 (!) babies' names that were written on the path.

December 2012

We've announced to our families that Miles and Wade are going to have another sibling as of June 11th (or so). We are very excited and it will be here before we know it, as we wait and see what God has planned for us with this new baby.

December 24, 2012

Miles would've been 2.5 years old today, I can't believe it. Where does time go? Merry Christmas in heaven, Miles, we love you!

June 7, 2013

At 5:20am, our third child, Ruby Breanne, entered the world weighing 8lbs and at 20" long. We were so grateful she arrived safely and with a healthy cry. We had a few anxious days as a late ultrasound revealed that the cord was loosely wrapped twice around her neck.

June 24, 2013

Happy 3rd Birthday Miles! I can't believe it's been three years already. Sometimes it feels like it was a lifetime ago, and othertimes, like it all happened just yesterday. We miss you every day Miles and Wade knows that "Mi-yuhl is in hea-ben".

Due to 'the elements' I had to repaint Miles' angel, and the klomp from Alyssa (I tried to do it as closely as possible Alyssa). Also, very long overdue to be posted on this site is a poem Alyssa wrote June 30th, 2010:

Sometimes it’s hard for me, to think about the past
Know that you’ll be gone forever
But I know that we will meet again
Someplace called heaven.

I knew, that people would die
But I never knew that it was fast
Time flew
And before I knew, the wind dances.

I wish I could hold your hand
Just like a song
Whispering in my ear
That heaven is where we will meet

If I could make a time machine
I would go back
But, time machines doesn’t exist
It feels like a crash on a soundtrack

Miles we will be together
Someplace where angels fly
And our memories will flood like holy rain.

September 21, 2013

This year's walk was the earliest one yet. The trees weren't as beautifully coloured but there were flowers still in bloom and it was HOT out. It was another nice time of gathering and reflection, and Dwayne and Jolene joined us for their first walk. Wade is also getting older and could understand (and kept saying) that we were on a walk for Miles.

Wade & Ruby by their big brother's name on The Walk

December 24, 2013

Wow, 3.5 years already! I can't believe it! There has been a LOT of snow so far this year, so Brent (and Wade) went out earlier to dig a path (trench) so we could all go to the gravesite. Merry Christmas in heaven, Miles! We love you xoxo

June 24, 2014

Happy 4th birthday, Miles!!! What a warm day! It is unbelievable that four years have passed and that your brother is three, and your sister, one. We went to visit the grave site and then went home to have some cake. Wade liked blowing out the candles and asked a few days ago if Miles was going to come out of heaven for his birthday. xoxo

September 2014
We announced to our families that God has blessed us with our fourth child! We are due March 23, 2015!
We used 'fortune cupcakes' to announce our news to my family, and 'fortune cookies', to Brent's.

December 25, 2014
Merry Christmas in heaven, Miles! Crazy to think you would've been 4.5 years old yesterday! Love you!

March 26, 2015

At 1:27am, weighing 7lbs 3oz, and at 21" long, our fourth child, Olive Janette safely arrived. What another wonderful blessing!

June 24, 2015

Wow, another year has passed already. Happy 5th birthday in heaven, Miles! Alyssa brought a little kissing couple from Holland for your grave :)

June 28, 2015

Sunday after church we had family come over and made bird houses. It was a VERY hot afternoon, and I was thankful so many were able to come. We raised caterpillars to release that day, but the butterflies came a bit too early, so we released those on June 22.

December 25, 2015
Merry Christmas, Miles <3 from the 5 of us! xoxo

June 24, 2016
Happy 6th birthday, Miles! It was a bit rainy today, but it cleared up later, which worked well so we could come bring balloons. Wade even took the picture of Brent and me at the gravesite. Afterwards we went home and had some birthday cake. Love you xoxo

October 2, 2016

This year's "Baby Steps Walk to Remember" followed two miserable days (weather wise), but was beautiful. It is so nice to have these walks and 'special days' to remember Miles, and for his siblings to have too. <3

December 27, 2016
Brent and Wade shovelled a path to his grave, and we went there the morning of Brent's family Christmas. It was a bit chilly and I can't believe it's been 6.5 years already. Merry Christmas in heaven, Miles, love all of us! (Wade and Ruby each took a picture too :D- see below)

January 8, 2017
I was hoping to be able to have another pregnancy announcement on here, but unfortunately our latest little pregnancy didn't last very long. I was 9-10 weeks pregnant with our 5th child, and on January 7th, in emergency, via ultrasound, it was confirmed that our little one's heart had stopped :(. Our little baby was delivered January 8th, just after noon. It was terribly heartbreaking, but 'nice' to know that this little baby will have his/ her big brother up in heaven, until we get to see them again <3. While still pregnant, I was able to take a few pictures (the heart I drew represents where baby was sitting during my ultrasound).

June 24, 2017
Where did seven years go? Wade and Ruby made those plastic melt beads for Miles this morning, and as they get older, they definitely ask more and more about him. It is sweet and sad at the same time. Happy birthday in heaven, Miles. Happy celebrating with your li'l bro or sis xoxo

October 1, 2017

This chilly day was the first time we walked for two of our children. The location was beautiful, as were the autumn colours. We took off toques to get some quick pictures. It was a nice day again, but seeing all of those names along the walk sure can be sad.

December 25, 2017
Merry Christmas in heaven, Miles & tiny baby <3
We had lots of snow, and it was chilly- can you tell?

January 8, 2018

One year already.... You would have been almost half a year old, baby. It is so easy to imagine you in our family. Your cousin and you would have been about a week apart. It is neat to see how big you would have been by watching him, but it makes me miss you, too. Happy birthday, little one, we love you xoxo
This is a picture I made and it hangs on our family photo wall.

June 24, 2018
Happy 8th birthday, Miles!
We love you!!!
Wade, Ruby, and Olive all wrote their names themselves, too
Wade and Ruby also helped with picture taking :)

October 14, 2018

Another Walk to Remember, the second year where we were walking for two of our children. It was a sunny day, and it was nice that all the cousins on my side could attend.

December 25, 2018

Merry Christmas to both of our children in heaven. We went to Miles' grave on Christmas day with Wade, Ruby, and Olive.

June 24, 2019

Oh, Miles, how are you nine already!

Happy birthday big boy! How time is flying. We love you, and your siblings often talk about you <3

Your newest cousin, Andy, came out for your birthday too.

Septemeber 22, 2019

It was another beautiful day for the Walk to Remember. We were back at the Legislature in Edmonton.

December 26, 2019

Merry Christmas in heaven, Miles and tiny baby <3

March 30, 2020

I have finally completed my first Christian children's book. It was almost a year in the making, and it is self-published. I dedicated this book to my children, which, of course, includes Miles and tiny baby.
I hope it will be a blessing to many, and a portion of all sales go to a local Pregnancy Care Center.

June 24, 2020

Where did ten years go? It feels in someways like we lost Miles a lifetime ago, and other times like it all just happened yesterday. I found this birthday really emotional. I don't know if it was because '10' feels more like a bigger milestone type of year, or what, but it was tough. I didn't have a big family gathering as I did when Miles turned 5, but I did give each family a pack with snacks and treats to enjoy while spending some quality time together as a family. Happy 10th birthday, Miles! We ate some cake and will enjoy the birthday treats together as a family soon! We love and miss you so much <3
We also received gifts from our parents- a shrub and some gifts from the Fearfully & Wonderfully Made Project, in memory of Willem Kees Huig Aarnoutse https://www.wonderfullymadeproject.com
The day also ended with a huge double rainbow.

August 28, 2020

We were on holidays and Brent used a weiner stick to burn our children's names (as well as our dog) onto these pieces of wood. It looked neat and so, here it is.

September 9, 2020

I haven't been for a run in ages. So after putting my kiddos on the bus for school I decided to run to Miles' grave. He'd have started grade 5 this year.

September 21, 2020

Due to restrictions our 'walk' was virtual this year so we went on our own walk and brought bubbles along. My parents went to the legislature (where the walk is usually held) and wrote this in chalk.