Jordan Mckinsey Kennedy

 

Our niece Jordan was diagnosed with Ewings Sarcoma Cancer in September of 2013 at just 11 years of age and just 3 weeks, to the day, after her father died unexpectedly. After a courageous and hard battle with cancer,  our beautiful niece Jordan earned her angel wings on June 16, 2014. I know without a doubt that she is safely back in the arms of our Heavenly Father. I wish that I could have a quick glimpse at the beautiful reunion that I know is taking place in heaven now with Jordan and her Daddy, and all of her other relatives that have passed on before her. I can picture her running around with her beautiful curls, free of pain and all earthly cares. I can't even express how much I have learned from this girl. She is the bravest, strongest, most courageous, loving girl I know. I will forever remember her beautiful smile and treasure the memories and sweet moments that I was able to share with Jordan. I love you so much Jordan!!  Thank you Jordan for all that you have taught me.Thank you so much to all of you for the amazing support and love that you have shown to Jordan and our family these past 8 months.

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At the beginning of April, I had the wonderful chance of spending the night with Jordan in the hospital.  I will forever remember the laughs, the talks, and the precious moments that we shared that night.  I am so grateful I had this chance to spend some time with Jordan. 

Jordan loved Owen.  Whenever I would bring him to the hospital to visit her, she would just smile and smile and want to hold him.  These pictures were taken when Owen was 2 months.

Jordan was part of a wonderful group called ‘Children and the Earth’ that help provide underprivileged and at-risk children with special opportunities they would not normally receive.  http://www.childrenandtheearth.com/  I can’t even begin to tell you how much this wonderful group did for Jordan.

This was a hard visit.  This was right after we found out that there was nothing else the doctors could do for Jordan.  That she would be sent home on hospice in the next couple of days.  She was very sleepy that night, but yet she has big smiles on her face when she woke up.

These pictures were taken exactly 2 weeks before Jordan passed away.  She had just come home on hospice.  She was so cute with little Owen.  She said, “we really need to take some matching bald head pictures together!”  She is so amazing.  Always a smile on her face no matter what.  I love the Owen has these pictures with her to keep forever.

The night before Jordan died, she shared some beautiful experiences with her Grandma that she was having.  She shared that she had seen her Father, her uncle TJ (Who just died a couple of months ago), and her Grandparents.  She said that they told her that they were waiting for her and that they had a place for her, but it wasn’t quite her time yet.  She shared that she couldn’t believe how much love was in heaven.  She also shared that she had been recommended for a job in heaven and that she just found out what it was, but she wasn’t able to share what it was.  We are so grateful for these beautiful experiences that Jordan shared with our family before she died.  2 days before Jordan died, I saw her for the last time.  I was able to hold her hand and spend some time with her.  She wasn’t responsive at all.  She would say a couple of things that were extremely hard to understand.  When I left, I told her that I loved her and gave her a hug goodbye.  She looked at me and told me she loved me to.  Her voice was so clear.  I am so thankful for that.  That is my last memory of her.

Her funeral was absolutely beautiful.  It was so neat to see how many people wore orange for her, which was her favorite color.  The Children and the Earth gave her a motorcycle precession and she was transported in the Last Ryde.  It was absolutely incredible.  At the cemetery,  all of the motorcyclists laid their bandanas on her casket. It was beautiful.  

We all sent orange balloons up to heaven for Jordan.

We miss you and love you so much Jordan!!  So incredibly grateful for the knowledge we have that we will see you again!

Owen is 3 Months

 

Our beautiful little Owen turned 3 months on May 2nd.  This little guys nickname in our house and among family is smiley.  He is honestly the most smiliest little baby that I have ever met. 

He just cracks me up.  He just smiles and smiles all day long.. every day.  He smiles so much that sometimes while I am feeding him, I have to try and look the other way because if I looked at him he would just smile and smile and not eat…haha. 

Such a little sweetheart.  His smile is so beautiful and it just melts my heart and everyone who is near him.  Everyone comments on how smiley and happy he is. 

Our little guy radiates so much joy.. it is incredible.  What a beautiful and peaceful little spirit little Owen has.  You can’t help but be happy when you are around him. 

He is so ticklish and every morning when we get him dressed or when we change his clothes.. he just starts laughing when we put his shirt over his head.  It is the funniest thing ever.

 

Owen is such a content little guy and sleeps from about 8PM until about 7:30-8 in the morning.. waking up once at night to eat.  He is off his acid reflux medicine and doing great without it now.  Owen is a drool factory and is constantly gnawing on his hands that we are wondering if teeth are going to make an appearance soon. 

Owen turned around from his back to his stomach for the first time on May 13th and from his stomach to his back for the first time on May 20th.  I have been trying to catch him turning on video.. but I haven’t been able to yet.. but I will keep trying. 

He is becoming very interactive with toys and has started being very interested in them and grabbing them.  He is also super interactive with people and just loves when he is played with.  His little brothers can make him laugh like crazy and he loves them.  Whenever they just walk by him.. he just starts smiling and laughing.   He makes the cutest little babbling noises and squeals like crazy when he is excited.  It is the cutest thing ever. 

 

 

Owen loves bath time and when he is in the tub.. he just starts kicking his legs like crazy.  He loves splashing and splashing in the tub. 

So cute to watch him.  He drinks about 5-6 ounces a feeding and eats about every 3-4 hours.   

Owen loves laying on the floor in our family room and watch the ceiling fan go round and round.  He just watches it and is so interested in it.  This day it put him right to sleep on the floor.  He looked so cute spread out sleeping on the floor. 

Happy 3 Months beautiful little Owen!  We love you so much!!