Survivor....Blessed twice

Name: Heather

Location: Ohio, USA

 "I was told I would never be able to carry my son full term.
I was given the full rundown on the NICU multiple times and introduced to all the complications my son would probably face.
I was pulled into emergency surgery, rushed to the hospital in an ambulance, my veins pumped full of metal to stop the baby from coming, etc. etc. etc. 
I was told I needed to prepare to bury him.
I can't even count how many times we almost lost him...all because my body isn't capable to carrying a baby to a healthy term.
and then we tried it all again. it wasn't any better the 2nd time. it was worse.
then we survived... twice. we were blessed...twice. 
they said it was a miracle.
it was, it has been, and it always will be." - Heather

Survivor....still fighting

Name: Cate

Location: Georgia, USA

"This is baby Alexis.  She was born at 25 weeks. She was 1 1/2 pound at birth. She is doing great.  Baby Alexis will be in the hospital for a long time.  Please keep her and her momma Ashley in your prayers." - Cate

Survivor....Mud

Name: Flor

Location: Utah, USA

"My 3 year old survived a plunge into a mud puddle. I survived the shoe scrubbing." - Flor

Survivor....Wildfire

Name: Tracy

Location: Texas, USA

"Many homes burned to the ground during the widlfire of March 2011 north of Amarillo, TX including this one, but the little tree survived." - Tracy

Survivor....Rape

Name: Shelby

Location: Michigan, USA

Survivor: Rape

"One action can destroy the innocence of a child in an instant. At first, I didn't know that victims could become survivors, but we can and I did. We can survive, trust and love more than we ever thought possible. Our pasts do not define who we are..." - Shelby

Survivor....too early

Name: Jimmy

Location: Utah, USA

"This is my Jimmy with his daddy's wedding ring on his arm.  He was born 3.5 months early, weighing 1 lb 14 oz.  He is our fighter.  He is walking now and in a couple of months, we will be celebrating his 2nd birthday." - Jimmy's Mother

Survivor....Leaving

Name: Vivian

Location: Utah, USA

"As a native beach girl who spent every day of her first 17 years of life in the water until moving to the mountains, I survived leaving sunset in paradise, and the sand in my feet AGAIN." - Vivian

Survivor.....and Thrivers

Name: Amy

Location: Texas, USA

"This family photo is from Christmas 2008.  Dad passed away from Huntington's disease last fall, but his legacy of perseverance and strong character survives in us. His strength and joy came from God, and was not dependent on comfort or circumstances. My brother and I and our children are all at risk for this terrible disease.  But we are more than just survivors, we are "thrivers", and just like Dad did, we will not base our lives on an "IF."  Whether or not we develop HD, we will live life to the fullest for the cause of Jesus Christ!!" - Amy

Survivor....10 years

Name: Jenni

Location: Utah, USA

"My husband and I celebrated our 10 year anniversary this month!  We took this photo of us on our anniversary outing.  Three kids later and many lessons learned, marriage is a GOOD thing to survive!!! " - Jenni

Survivor....Breast Cancer

Name: Nicki

Location: Arizona, USA

"I am a survivor... breast cancer kills someone every 60 seconds... the shoe is raised to honor the women who fought with a disease they didn't ask to get, and lost. It's to honor their courage to fight, and that they didn't die in vain- we walk for them. The woman pictured, a survivor, still living, puts on a brave face to cheer on those who walked 60 miles to increase awareness and raise funds to help reduce the statistics, her only hope- no one else has to do what she has done." - Nicki

Survivor....Everyday illness

Name: Kristin

Location: Indiana, USA

"I am a survivor of Discoid Lupus, TMJ and migraine headaches.  As you can see in the pic, I am using my heating pad to try to get my jaw to unlock after a week of being locked down and causing severe migraine headaches, which didn't work, ergo the look on my face.  I am a "Survivor" in every day of my life." - Kristin

Survivor....More than a Marathon

Name: Michelle

Location: Ohio, USA

"This picture is from May, 2008- It was fourth marathon I had done in 1 year.  I survived.  For this marathon, I raised money for my friend Jazzie’s school. Jazzie is a true survivor.  She was born in China and adopted as a baby.  At the time of her adoption it was discovered that she was deaf. Jazzie’s school teaches deaf children to talk.  She survived and is thriving.  She has cochlear implants and is in a “normal” classroom and is incredibly smart.  Jazzie finished the last .2 of the marathon with me.  It was a beautiful surviving memory for me." - Michelle

Survivor....Miracle boy

Name: Gina

Location: North Carolina, USA

"Our son Aidan was born 4 weeks early due to a Group B infection & developed PPHN. Although not expected to live, it's nothing short of a miracle that he's now a healthy 8 year old boy, a survivor." - Gina

Survivor....Cystinosis

Name: Tahnie

Location: Utah, USA

"I'm a survivor because my parents were told I would not live past 9 years old due to an incredibly rare genetic disease, Cystinosis. Furthermore, I am a survivor because there are only a few other women in the world with my illness who have been able to have children. In this photo, I'm basking in the miracle that is my daughter and soaking up the magic her existence holds." - Tahnie

Announcing Aprils Theme

Declare it - "I am ME!" What is it that you love about yourself? Yes it's ok to love yourself. You'd better, because you are with yourself 24 hours a day. 

(photo courtesy of Morgan - Meet Virginia Design)

Do you love your eyes, your freckles, your wiry hair? Do you love your hands, your build, your nose, your coloring?

(photo courtesy of Morgan - Meet Virginia Design)

 Do you love the way your accessorize or dress? Are you bold, shy, loud, brave, happy, quiet?

Capture and share one of those things this month. It's great to be YOU, now share it...

(photo courtesy of Morgan - Meet Virginia Design)

Submission guidelines and details are found here. Start sending in your "ME" photos today!

Survivor....Childbirth

Name: Jessica

Location: Ohio, USA

"Surviving natural childbirth and finally hold my son in my arms" - Jessica

Survivor....Treatment

Name: Wendy

Location: California, USA

"I was in the midst of chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer and refused to have my photo taken.  My friend snapped this of me and my daughter without my knowing and it's easily one of my favorite photos -- even with the head scarf." - Wendy

Survivor....Shooting

Name: Ali

Location: Utah, USA

"I survived the tragic shooting death of my sister-in-law.  She was my brother's wife, and mother to my 6 month old niece.  My family was shaken to the core.  But it's been 12 years now, and I have survived to become the best aunt/mom I can be, to my niece." - Ali

Survivor....Rough Start

Name: Shalee

Location: Idaho, USA

"This is a picture of the first time I was able to hold my daughter Kooper. She was born at 27 weeks gestation weighing only 2 lbs 11 oz. Not only did my husband and I survive being first time parents to this tiny miracle but she survived!  She survived surgery on her heart at only 8 days old, infection, blood transfusion, being poked and prodded on a daily basis among many other things! After 82 days in the hospital she was able to join her mom and dad at home. She is now 20 months and she is completely caught up developmentally.  In fact, you can't even tell she had such a rough start! We are a family of survivors!" - Shalee

Survivor....Loss

Name: Alida

Location: North Carolina, USA 

"This is Sgt. Daniel Woodcock, my first husband holding our daughter (then 3 months).  He was killed in Iraq in March 2007.  I not only survived his death but have gone on to thrive!" - Alida

Weekend insight.....quote

"We could never learn to be brave & patient, if there were only joys in the world." -Helen Keller

Survivor....First Ride

 Name: Sharyl

Location: Idaho, USA

"My Mom survived her first ever motorcycle ride on her 90th birthday. Her birthday was last July and myself and siblings threw her a party. At the end of the party she took a ride with her grandson on his harley - he even brought her a leather jacket to wear. She said afterwards it was the most fun she has ever had in her life! I am so fortunate to still have my Mom around!" - Sharyl

Survivor....We can!

 Name: Amber

Location: Montana, USA

"So this is not a picture of me, or my family, or my messy house, or a story of me overcoming a tragic event or life threatening illness, but it is everything I am. Rosie the Riveter is the picture of every woman and the attitude of every woman I have ever met. This picture says it all "WE CAN DO IT", and we always do, because we ROCK!" - Amber

Survivor....Remission

Name: MaryBeth

Location: Michigan, USA

 "Here is a picture of my sweet niece with my sister in law and brother in law.  She was diagnosed with Lymphoma last Thanksgiving and went into remission this past Spring.  She was a trooper throughout it all...a definite SURVIVOR!" - MaryBeth

Survivor....16 years

 Name: Amy

Location: Indiana, USA

"My mom is a 16 year breast cancer survivor and we do the Komen for the Cure walk every year. My dad has stood by her every step of the way. They are an inspiration to me!" - Amy

Survivor....One-that-wasn't

Name: Alicia

Location: Windsor, Canada

" As of February 2007, I am a miscarriage survivor. This past year I finally lit a candle for the one-that-wasn't and found peace in the silence of the moment." - Alicia

Weekend Reflection....Angel Watch

I recently learned this week about Angel Watch. It's a free service in Utah for those families whose miracle of having a baby is cut short due to life threatening or life limiting conditions. It's a support team who has been through a similar circumstance. These people are angels.

When we went through our own "empty arms" situation, we received a service from a angel of a different kind. A woman who worked with our hospital offered her cherished memories services for free for families in our type of situation. She captured the mold of our tiny daughters hands to be made into a 3D form for us to forever have. They are cherished to this day. To all the angels that are brought into our lives.....Thank you.

Survivor....Avon Pass

Name: Kandice

Location: Utah, USA

"I survived running up Avon Pass in the Ragnar Wasatch Back 2010. Here are me and some of my teammates!  What a great experience in the beautiful mountains of Utah!" - Kandice

Survivor....Tour of Duty

Name: Jayne

Location: Essex, UK

"...a picture of my youngest son James with his dad and granddad  on the day he came back from a tour of duty in Afghanistan.  It was such a relief to know he we home and safe and a survivor.  He had been driving mastiffs out there for almost 8 months and in that time he had been blown up 3 times, and survived.  Unfortunately one of the friends he had made out there a Marine called Danny didn’t survive so this is dedicated to him." - Jayne

Survivor....empty arms

I thought I would personally kick off this month's theme. It's only fair right? :) I ask others to share their photos, I should share 1 from me as well. I know sometimes it's hard to share these moments. My hope is that you will feel the strength to share a "survival" moment this month....

Name: Megan (here and here)

Location: Utah, USA

"I know the feeling of empty arms. To want to fill them with a baby. I have received that blessing 4 times in my life but one little angel only stayed to fill my arms for 2 weeks. She is missed and thought of everyday but I know I have her forever....."  - Megan

March - I am A Survivor

I know you may not see yourself as a Survivor but you are. And like the explanation in the "About" Tab, we are more than just all the labels that we define ourselves with. They are just part of who we are. Part of experiences that have molded our personalities and refined our characters. So embrace this "survivor" word and share your photo. 

We all have survived something. From a bad day, to childbirth, maybe even raising a teenager. Or maybe your survival story runs deeper. Are you a survivor of loss, death or illness? Are you survivor of an accident or a life altering event? You are a Survivor.

Here are 2 examples....

Photo courtesy of Shelly 

"There are so many pictures that can fit into this category! But pretty much, if I can survive THIS mess... then I feel like I've accomplished a LOT in a day :)" - Shelley

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Photo courtesy of Amelia

"I survived spinal fusion and emotional alignment.  The photo you see is proof that when things look and feel the worst, deciding to survive, makes it so" - Amelia 

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And to inspire you even further, here is the Theme Song for March -