The Beginning

Codi was born at Phelps County Regional Medical Center in Rolla, Missouri, at 9:09 am on December 4, 2002. She weighed 7 pounds 2 ounces and was 19 inches long. I thought she was absolutely perfect.

Codi was a very loving child. Always giving hugs and kisses. She could and would steal anyone's heart just by batting her big blue eyes. Her blonde curls defied all attempts at brushing.

Codi enjoyed singing and dancing and cuddling with mommy. Her favorite shows were Dora the Explorer and Blue's Clues. She was just starting to talk in understandable words and she learned how to say Where'd it go? There it is. She also recently learned No, go and one, two.

Codi loved her family. She had everyone wrapped around her little finger. She looked forward to spending time with mawmaw and pawpaw and her daddy.

Her daddy pretty much worshipped the ground she walked on and would do anything in the world for her. He loved her so much. We all did and still do.

On January 29, 2005, we had a good snow on the ground and I decided to take Codi and her older brother, Devin, outside to play in it. It was Codi's first time playing in the snow. She quickly learned how to make and throw snowballs and when she did, she'd say "fwoo." Codi walked around saying "no-bah" which, to me, sounded an awful lot like snowball.

She mimicked her brother in everything and this was no different. He threw a snowball, she threw a snowball, He lay down to make a snow angel, she did too. Her eyes were always on him.

This was the last time I saw her alive.

If you suspect child abuse and/or neglect, please call the Missouri Child Abuse or Neglect Hotline at 1-800-392-3738.
1-800-4-A-CHILD® (1-800-422-4453)
24 hours a day, 7 days a week