Mavi Jo's Story

April 10, 2013 Shane and I found out we were going to be parents! We were beyond thrilled and started planning right away. We enjoyed all the fun things pregnancy brings: announcing the news to our families, decorating the nursery, watching my belly grow, and buying lots of pink for our little girl that would be joining our family December 14, 2013. I loved being pregnant and Shane loved me being pregnant. We couldn't wait for our bundle of joy to arrive.

Tuesday, August 13, 2013 at 22 weeks my body was showing signs that something was wrong, so we went to the doctor and they did an ultrasound. They told me everything looked good with baby but its a good thing I came in. We then were given the news that my life from then on was going to change. I have what is called an incompetent cervix and when any weight is put on my cervix my body tells itself its time for labor. If I could get through the next 24 hours with no complications I would be eligible to get a stitch in my cervix to hold our little girl in there longer.  I was then hospitalized and put on strict bed rest. Things were looking good and continued to progress as the doctor told me we could move forward with the procedure. I was life flighted to the University of Utah hospital where the specialists were ready and within the 30 minutes of transport things had went south. I was no longer eligible for the procedure because I had acquired an infection that was starting to spread into my bloodstream. Our little girl was coming and there was nothing we could do to stop it. All I could think about was why her and not me? My worries weren't about the delivery or if it was going to hurt it was that Shane was not going to be able to play dress up with his princess, or take her on her first date.

Our daughter Mavi Jo Scoffield was born on August 14th at 6:38 pm weighing 1 pound and 2 ounces and 11 1/2 inches long. As we spent 1 hour and 1 minute with our little girl we fell in love with one of God's greatest gifts and my love grew so strong for such a little being of life with every breath she took, and every little wiggle she made. It was hard knowing we couldn't take her home but we find comfort in knowing we can hold her forever.

The loss of our Mavi Jo has been the hardest trial but yet the greatest blessing. I am so grateful to have the chance for our little one to come to earth to get a body and have just enough time to meet her and hold her in our arms. I have a testimony that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is true. I know that my family can be together forever through the covenants we have made. I know that our Heavenly Father knows us better than we know ourselves and knows our strengths and weaknesses. He chose Shane and I to have Mavi in our family and even though we did not have a lot of time on earth with her, we know why she was sent to us. I stumbled upon this quote and I feel it fits my feelings perfectly.

"One day she finally grasped that unexpected things
 were always going to happen in life.
And with that she realized the only control she had was
how she chose to handle them."

 I know that this trial was chosen for us because our Heavenly Father knew we were strong and we would face it together without our faith faltering. We know we are not able to pick and choose our trials but we never will regret the spirit and love our Mavi brought with her into this world. She gave faith to those who were lost and that is the greatest blessing to have a child, as little as she, bring others unto Christ.

We love you Mavi Jo and can not wait until we can hold you in our arms again.