Justin and Loni Hodge were married in 2007 and began to start a family just a year later. We were thrilled when we found out we were expecting our first child who was due on May 6, 2009. However, the pregnancy didn't go as planned, at 20 weeks we were told that our daughter, Maddox Elise, had a fatal syndrome called Triploidy. Maddie wasn't expected to make it to term due to the rarity of her diagnosis. I (Loni) was blessed to carry Maddox Elise for 8 more weeks until she was born still on February 19, 2009. A few weeks after Maddox Elise's death Loni was introduced to The Amelia Center and began going there for free grief counseling. With God's grace, love and peace and with the support from our families, friends and The Amelia Center we have been able to turn Maddox Elise's death into an opportunity to help others in similar situations.
God has since blessed us with three wonderful miracles. Hudson was born on September 21, 2010, Colton was born on June 5, 2014, and Marlee was born , August 7, 2015. We don't always understand God's plans for our lives, but His word promises that He will never leave us and He will carry us through the storms of life. Even though we miss Maddie always, it is by God's promises that we live each day knowing that we will be reunited with Maddox Elise, as a family of 6, one glorious day in heaven.
"He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain..." Revelations 21:4
SAVE THE DATE - Our 15th Annual Baby Steps Memorial Run will be Saturday, September 9, 2023! Register online by August 9th to have your loved ones name included on the race shirts!