Moms Wholehearted

01/16/2018

I was just a little past the one year mark from losing Ella, when I knew I had to start a group for others like me who were yearning for our sweet babies. I sat down with some of the directors of the Pekin Hospital who openly welcomed me and my idea and offered many of their services to me. I created a name and tag line for the group and with the help of their advertising department, "Mom's Wholehearted, A place to find hope, healing and friendship" had a design and became official. My dear friend wrote a beautiful article for the Pekin Times telling of my story and the details of the group. Fear set in as I got myself prepared at that first meeting. Fear there would be people there and fear that there wouldn't. I told myself I was going to sit there every month by myself if I had too until some showed up. That first meeting, January 2009, one brave woman who had seen the article in the paper walked that long basement walk to the meeting doors. We shared our story and hearts with one another. Most of you that are familiar with the group know that that courageous woman, Melissa, has become a dear friend to me and has been instrumental in following out the missions of the group. Month after month, more women came. Some stuck around and others just came for one or two meetings. After several months, I told the women that I wanted to have an Angel Walk to publicly honor our babies. I asked them if they were on board and if they thought we could at least get 30 people to attend. We had over 100! Every October, the angel walks just got better and better. They consumed lots of my time and energy especially as I went on to have child number 3 and 4 over this time period. But, reading the names of each of those babies while the families came up to acknowledge the beauty of the short life that would forever be a part of them made it all so incredibly worth it. Melissa and I had the help of our families, especially our husbands, to pull off a beautiful event each year. I've said for years that women come when they need us, and then move on. On this 7th anniversary of Mom's Wholehearted, Melissa and I have decided that it is time for us to move on as well. The dissolution of the group is bittersweet as most life changes can be. To the women who have come to meetings and the families I've been blessed to meet at each walk, thank you. You and your babies hold a special place in my heart. Thank you, Stephanie Leichtenberg

01/08/2018

Our next meeting is Tuesday, January 9th from 7-8:30pm at the hospital main floor former restaurant area in Pekin.

12/09/2017

Our next meeting is Tuesday, December 12. Change of time and location: 6pm Hacienda Fuentes. Bring a small gift. Message me with any questions!

11/13/2017

Our next meeting is Tuesday, November 14 from 7-8:30. The holiday season is here and this time of year is so tough when you are missing someone. Please join us at the hospital in Pekin where we meet on the main floor in the old restaurant area.

10/20/2017

Today, this page is dedicated to this beautiful baby boy, Luka and his amazing family who has been loving and missing him for 3 years.

10/15/2017

https://www.facebook.com/pregnancyandinfantlosskeepsakeboutique/photos/a.10152533790910741.1073741831.56401190740/10154805378330741/?type=3

Click “share” to pass around. Tomorrow is October 15th, Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. Http://www.pregnancyandinfantlosskeepsakes.com

10/09/2017

Our next MW meeting is Tuesday, October 10th at 7pm at the hospital in Pekin at the main floor (old restaurant) area.

09/28/2017

It is with great disappointment that we have made the tough decision to cancel the Mom's Wholehearted 7th Annual Angel Walk set for October 14th. Registration numbers were way too low this year to justify the time and expense it takes to organize this event. Over the past few years, close to 100 people register, around 130 people attend and we honor nearly 50 babies. We have treasured every moment of each ceremony over the past 6 years. The number of people that have registered this year is significantly lower. You and your babies are so important to us. Sadly though, expenses rise and we would be taking a very big financial hit that will affect some of the other things that we do for families who have lost babies. We will continue to meet monthly as always. Thank you for your support.

09/24/2017

Two days left to get registered! Message me with any questions!! Looking forward to honoring our babies together. http://momswholehearted.com/

Our mission is to serve those whose lives have been touched by the tragic death of a baby through pregnancy loss, stillbirth or even in the first few months of life.

09/20/2017

As you all know we are having you as a speaker this year. I want to encourage anyone who have had even a thought cross their mind as a maybe, Please share your story! As most of you know I have been an active member of Mom's Wholehearted since the beginning, I lost our first born Aleea. My family and friend's have always supported us in remembering Aleea. I was asked to share Aleea's story a few years back. I want to encourage you to share your baby's story also, I'm not a public speaker. I was a nervous wreak, I was scared, but that day I over came so much. As I stood and told other mom's of the worst days of my life. So much healing came, I felt that I was able to tell others and speak of Aleea's name and not worry if people would think I was crazy. I never realized how much of healing would come just talking, sharing my story. As our 7th walk is quickly approaching I would like to encourage you if you would like to share your story, please do so! Please write your story down and email it to the email address on the registration form. If you don't feel you are strong enough and you want to have you story read there are people willing to read them for you. I can guarantee you reading your baby's story your life will be changed!