The Dillard Family

🥀This week is her week…when we delivered our baby girl into the arms of Jesus two years ago. Isla Marie Dillard, March 19th, 2024. 💗

She shares her daddy’s birth month (only 10 days after him) and the time stamped their birth certificates is the same too, 1:40pm. 🥹 @derickdillard

🥀Grief is a strange thing…similar to other pain and suffering here on earth, it reminds us that this world is not our home & it keeps us longing for perfect peace with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Sometimes grief comes in the form of tears and sadness. Sometimes it’s a cloud, or foggy brain that envelops nearly everything and you are constantly tired but maybe can’t sleep well. Sometimes it feels like stress, anger, irritability and inability to focus. Sometimes everything just feels overwhelming and being around people is hard, so you want to withdraw. Sometimes you have moments of joy, but feel guilty about it amidst the sorrow. Sometimes your highs aren’t quite as high as they used to be, but your lows drop lower than you’d like. Periods of sadness are ok and often make sense when you’re processing loss or trauma. If it lasts, don’t be afraid to see a therapist and get help! You matter! Your mental health matters! Grief and joy can coexist.

⛅️Derick and I were able to see a grief therapist together online (check out @betterhelp and their couples therapy @regain.therapy option) after we lost our baby in pregnancy and it was SOOO helpful to process the loss together!
If you know of other great options or support groups, feel free to drop them in the comments below to help others! ⬇️

☀️This week we are coping by being intentional about family time, taking some mornings a little slower when possible, going for walks and stress vacuuming. lol
💞And huge thanks to my friend (you know who are) who let me cry on her shoulder and scooped up our kids for a couple hours the other day when I texted to say it was a hard day…so thankful! 💗

#islamariedillard #pregnancyloss #1in4pregnanciesendinloss #mentalhealthmatters

✅ Standardized testing done! 😅 Homemade baked goods, UNO, homemade stilts, church & dinner with friends before they moved away! 😢 💕

#homeschooltesting #homecooking #doubledate

🇺🇸Voting, family walks, flowers, cooking together, swim, basketball wins & the movie “Migration” (it had us LOL)…💙 my family!

💗Life is a constant combination of ups and downs, joy and sorrow, roses and thorns. I’m thankful for God’s faithfulness through all. 💗

💗Anyone who has experienced loss knows that it’s often in the quiet moments when the waves come stronger and we are reminded more of the hole left by a loss. Or sometimes it’s felt deeper at a place that just gives you the space to feel. I’m so grateful to have a place to go to remember our daughter.*

☀️So thankful for the recent happy moments too! The sun continues to shine & I love trying out my kids cooking! Recent recipes included maple cinnamon swirl bread & Froyo dots! 😋

*Note on loss: for whatever it’s worth…if you or someone you know experiences a pregnancy loss (no matter the gestation), cemeteries often have a designated baby burial area with much lower fees (or even free!) for babies and infants! Not everyone chooses to bury or process the same, but I think everyone should be aware of the option.
I was made aware of the free burial options when my mom lost my youngest sister at 20 weeks gestation, and I am so glad we were also able to benefit from this generous gift to hurting angel families!

We got some extra Dillard family time this weekend. 💙 Getting all the boys together = loud crazy fun!
Also, @montenechicken is always fabulous! Their starter bean soup and endless chicken & sides are all so yummy! (Just be sure and make a reservation in advance!)
Church celebrations together and bowling + regularly scheduled basketball & swim kept us hopping around. So grateful for this season of life together. 💙 @cldilla @justdand @deena.dillard @derickdillard

Sunshine, the first spring flowers, forts & fishing for minnows with friends. 💕 #dillardfamilyadventures #thankful

💕weekend vibes with my valentine and little valentines. @derickdillard