In today’s episode we have the Garrets.  Sheldon and Xenia met in undergrad at Louisiana State University and began dating a little over 10 years ago.  They were married in 2013 after completing grad school and moved to Houston a couple of months later.  Sheldon is a Senior Business Analyst for a managed healthcare company in Houston. Prior to having our twins, Xenia was a Talent Acquisition Manager for a Restaurant Group here.   They are the proud parents of Nolan and Nash (1 year old fraternal twin boys) and Cassius, our 3 year old English Bulldog.  Prior to Nolan and Nash, they unfortunately lost a set of twins while they were 17 weeks along.  It was the most devastating life event for their family and an adversity they initially struggled with overcoming.  They are blessed to have their rainbow twin boys, as well as their angels who will always reside in their hearts.  

In today’s episode we have the Warren’s.   Ivori and Kevin Warren have been married for 16 years and are a the mommy and daddy to an Angel  born in heaven on August 21, 2017. Ivori is a creative entrepreneur and many times has some bright ideas, one of which is the Loving Our Angel blog. The blog is their personal journal about her and hubby’s journey to healing.  Loving Our Angel is also a new initiative that has been added to their non-profit foundation to increase pregnancy and infant loss awareness. As a very private person, it wasn’t her initial thought to be so transparent, but as God did when she was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in February 2012, He is leading her to be transparent about their loss.  Ivori holds degrees in both Psychology and Human Resources Management – and currently working toward a doctoral degree in Higher Education.   Kevin holds degrees in both Information Systems & Science and Information Assurance – and currently working towards a doctoral degree in Applied Information System Management.

In today’s episode we have the McCall’s.  John and Talysa McCall have been married for 6 years and reside Camp Lejeune, NC.  John is serving our country in the Marine Corps and Talysa McCall Talysa holds a MBA in Marketing from Southern New Hampshire University & currently works as a Community Outreach Coordinator for Lower Cape Fear Hospice.  The McCalls have endured several relocations, a healthy pregnancy, a miscarriage that shook their marriage, and a devastating diagnosis during the pregnancy with their rainbow baby. Talysa aspires to one day start her own non-profit organization focused on instilling self-confidence & self-validation skills to young girls. Talysa believes her life’s mission is to help others through connections.  Here are the McCall’s.

In today’s episode Kori Williams shares her multiple loss story a miscarriage and second trimester loss.  Kori is a PR and communications professional.  She founded K-Will Communications, LLC (KWC) in 2015, the company uses comprehensive PR and communications solutions to help entrepreneurs motivate, educate and inspire others through public speaking. Shortly after rolling out her company, Kori experienced a miscarriage (October 2015) and a second trimester loss (stillbirth at nearly 23 weeks) the following October (2016). She buried her daughter (Parker), and spiraled into a deep depression for months. After taking a moment to regroup, she decided to pick up the pieces of her seemingly broken life and career only to learn she’d been carrying another child the entire time; she was five and a half months pregnant and had no clue. Kori was immediately put on bedrest and gave birth to her first living child in August 2017—a beautiful, healthy baby girl named Miyaka’nwi, which means ‘Thank you, God’. Having always been driven and highly motivated, Kori is committed to rebuilding her life and career through the new lens of motherhood—sharing her story in an effort to minimize the stigma and silence surrounding pregnancy and infant loss.

In today’s episode Tamira Dunn shares her 2nd trimester loss story due to an incompetent cervix of son Elijah and her inspiration for Elijah’s Hope Foundation Incorporated.  The foundation sponsors an annual walk for pregnancy and infant loss in Baltimore and donates a portion of the proceeds to their scholarship fund which supports doctoral students who are majoring in women and reproductive health.  The loss of her son was very heartbreaking, but she has used her passion for helping others to create a resource for women who have experienced the same loss.  A year after her loss, she accepted a position at Roberta’s House as the Program Manager for the Hope Project.  The Hope Project provides supportive services to women who have experienced a fetal or infant loss before the child’s first birthday.  Ms.Dunn is truly using her testimony to help others.  Her goal is to empower women to keep the faith in spite of their loss.

In today’s episode Tanika Dillard shares her recurrent pregnancy loss story including 2nd trimester miscarriages and a stillbirth.  Tanika Dillard is a natural leader, motivational speaker, and trusted counselor to her peers.  She is a credentialed certified birth and bereavement doula, where she offers compassionate physical, emotional, and spiritual support to expectant families in any trimester and any birth outcome. Tanika’s passion for breaking the silence of pregnancy loss positioned her as founding member and Facilitator for Share Upstate Pregnancy & Infant Loss  Support Group. Her efforts to honor the lives of her children and increase awareness on the taboo subject have uniquely connected her with medical professionals and grieving families across the globe. In August 2014, Tanika embarked upon a new phase in the literary revolution by releasing Building A Family Breaks My Heart; a best selling novel inspired by her blog writings. Building A Family Breaks My Heart is a magnificent work of heart, capturing the essence of despair from loss and the beauty of dreams fulfilled. The novel is sure to capture and connect the hearts of those who have experienced pregnancy loss, infertility, or supporters of those who have.