October 15th and 16th

To all babies born sleeping or whom we have carried but never met, or those we have held but could not take home or the ones that came home but didn't stay. 

October 15th is Infant and Pregnancy loss awareness day and on the 16th of October our family participated in our 1st of many Walks of Remembrance and Hope sponsored by SHARE parents of UT a support group for families that have lost a child through Still birth or new born death. It was beautiful day for October, in fact it felt almost spring like that day. 

Natalie my sister in law with hubby my brother Sean along with my mother Julie. Wearing this years t-shirt for the walk.
For the program we had a guess speak from Angel Watch,  who shared some wonderful words of peace and comfort. Angel Watch is an organization that helps families who have learned that their baby will not live outside of the womb.

Cute Sophia in her Share shirt!

 

After a short program everyone went on a short walk to remember all the babies that passed through this world to soon. Above are pictures of John, our kids and family and myself

After the walk everyone got a balloon for their baby and marker to write a sweet message along with their name and date.

John taking time to write on Jocelyn's balloon from us.

Our family just before releasing our balloons. And of course there is Jacob who did not want to smile for the camera.

Jocelyn's decided that one of her balloons would take a trip in the trees 1st. I am not sure who the other little girl balloon is.

Jarren after writing on his balloon for Jocelyn.

Yay!!! a clean break and up it went to her.

John and the boys taking a moment to watch the balloons sailing up and up to heaven.

My friend Jessica the sweet mother of Scott who shares my birthday.

 John and I 
Jennifer Holt, Jocelyn's photographer with NILMDTS and now one of my dearest friends.
Here we are all together. left to right...Joseph, my friend Charise, Sean, Natalie, My Dad, Me, John, My Mom, Sophia, and Jacob. I think Jarren was hiding behind John.

Sophia wanting her food now!!

Jacob waiting patiently.

My mom and dad. Love them!!

 After the walk we all went to eat at Red Robin. It was beautiful day to remember and honor Jocelyn not only for this national awareness day, but for her 9 month angel birthday as well. We miss her very much and are honored to have her as part of our family.

Not Just 1 Birthday But 2!

Not only do I get the joy of raising boys in this life but I have joy of two of them having birthdays in October. October 4th was Joseph's 4th birthday. He is turning in my sweet little boy rather then my baby boy.

We went to IHOP for dinner after his soccer game and then had cake at grandma and grandpa's house!!! Jacob and Jarren standing watching Joseph blow out his candles.

October 12th was Jacob's 6th Birthday!!! When did get so big. I can not believe he is in Kindergarten.

Jacob chose to bowling with friends early in the day for his birthday followed by presents that night. He has such a cute smile when you can catch him on the camera.

Joseph Plays Soccer!!!

This past fall was Joesph 1st time playing a sport, so we started him out with soccer. It was so cute and one of the funniest things to watch. He loved to run kick and then pretend to fall down on all the other players. Looks like he should have done football.

 
Joseph there in the back...Go Joseph!!!

Joseph receiving some coaching on what he needs to do next.

Turning 80!!

The 1st of October my Grandmother Jerri Jonas turned 80 years old. She still looking good.

My Grandmother with all her Great Grand children. There is one missing cute Sophia my niece who left earlier. W even added a butterfly for Jocelyn.

Here is my cute niece Sophia.

Joseph's 1st Field Trip

Back in September when Joseph started preschool he got to go on his 1st field trip to the fire station. It was nice to be out on field trip with him.

Joseph with his whole preschool class.
Joseph coming through the fire truck.

Dec 1st Through the 4th

I will post pictures of the tree that Amy and I did very soon.  But wanted to be sure everyone had a chance to go and see all the beautiful trees that so many have worked on to help support a great cause with Primary Children's Hospital. All proceeds from the sale of the trees and the admission will benefit.

Our Angel Tree Featured In The Paper

The Tree that Amy and I are doing for the festival of trees in Jocelyn's honor and memory of all babies gone to soon was featured in the Salt Lake Tribune on Thanksgiving day. The only mistake I saw in the paper was that they put Jocelyn's birthday wrong. She was born on Jan 16th. But that is OK. To read the full article click HERE

The Festival of Trees...

I am jumping a head a little...I am in the middle of updating Birthdays, Share Walk, Halloween and few other things but wanted to share some information on the Festival of Trees that my friend Amy and I are doing.

Dear Family and Friends,

As we come upon to the end of the year and the holiday season, we are reminded of the things we are grateful for, those that we love here on earth and those in the heavens. As part of the season of giving and thanks, my friend Amy and I want to be able to give to others through the tradition of the Festival of Trees.

The Festival of Trees is a charity event held here in Utah to raise funds for Primary Children’s Hospital. Every year, families and friends come and decorate a Christmas tree centered on a theme. The theme may be in memory of someone or something or just in the spirit of Christmas. The trees are then put on display for all to come and enjoy, followed by the trees being auctioned off to raise money for Primary Children’s Hospital. Last year, the Festival of Trees rose close to 1.5 million. The money raised goes to research for childhood illnesses, families who need finical help in the care of a sick child, and to help even the tiniest of patients in the NICU.

Amy and I are doing a tree in honor of my daughter Jocelyn and in memory of all angel babies. In order for us to do our tree we have to supply the tree and the decorations. We are asking for any monetary donations you are able to give. To help us put our tree together for a very worthy cause. We understand that times are tough and appreciate any help you can give us for our tree. We don’t need much and every little bit will help. All money will go towards the purchase of the tree, ornaments and other decorations. If there is any left over funds, we will be donating those funds to Primary Children’s Hospital. We have set up a pay pal account for donations at Revamped913@gmail.com or you can mail donations to Amy or Heidi.

The tree we are doing is called Butterfly Angel and will be decorated on November 29^th and will be on display at the South Towne Expo Center December 1^st through the 4^th. Along with our tree will be a card with Jocelyn’s story and a poem that Amy found. So the card and poem will read as follows:

Jocelyn Cristeen Files was born sleeping still on January 16th, 2010 the day before her due date. She touched and inspired so many lives in such a short time. We decorate this tree in honor of every angel baby who was born sleeping still, whom were carried but never met, or those that were held but were not able to take home and those that came home but did not stay. 

"These are my footprints,
so perfect and so small.
These tiny footprints
never touched the ground at all.
Not one tiny footprint,
for now I have wings.
These tiny footprints were meant
for other things.
You will hear my tiny footprints,
in the patter of the rain.
Gentle drops like angel's tears,
of joy and not from pain.
You will see my tiny footprints,
in each butterflies' lazy dance.
I'll let you know I'm with you,
if you just give me the chance.
You will see my tiny footprints,
in the rustle of the leaves.
I will whisper names into the wind,
and call each one that grieves.
Most of all, these tiny footprints,
are found on Mommy and Daddy's hearts.
'Cause even though I'm gone now,
We'll never truly part."

Thank You for supporting us in this wonderful event to help others. If you have any questions or want to know more about the festival of trees please contact Amy or I.

Lots of Love

Amy and Heidi

E-mail me if you are planning on mailing donations to us. Again thank you!!!

One Firey Night!!!

On Sunday September 19th late afternoon when John and I were headed over to my parents for a late afternoon dinner we noticed a large amount of smoke coming from the other side of our mountain. We were thankful that the wind was blowing the smoke up and over us so we would not smell it. But when we arrived to my parents place you could smell the smoke!!

Later that evening John and I had to leave and go to a church related class at a home near our home. We left the boys at my parents with the plans to pick them up afterward. You could still see the heavy smoke coming up from the back side of the mountain. Although we were never worried about what was going on the other side of the mountain, I did have concerns on the smoke and what effect it would have on Joseph since he has asthma.

About the time we got to our class I received an message on my phone that parts of Herriman are being put on alert due to the fire. Still did not think anything of it. We enjoyed our class, but as we were leaving at 8:30pm and walking out to the car everyone was in awe to see that the fire had now breached our side the mountain and we could see the flames coming down the mountain. We learned then that they had started evacuating the area. I called my parents to verify that the kids could stay there for the night and that I would be in touch if we are to evacuate.

John and I got home and all our neighbors were out watching the hill side going up in flames. At this point our little area was only on voluntary evacuation, but two streets up were on mandatory evacuation. John and I did pack up a few things just in case we were to become mandatory. We did not feel a need to leave unless forced to. By this time it was roughly just after 9pm. I went in the house to get the camera and here are some of the photo's taken at that time from our street in the front yard.
This was taken just after 9pm
This was about an hour later.
Just after 10pm.
30 min later


At this point I was a little nervous but felt sure that it would not breach our homes. I felt prepared if we had to leave and John was confident that all would be OK. Our only concern were the houses just up from us and wondering if they would survive the night.

By midnight over 1500 homes had been mandatory evacuation and several hundred more on voluntary evacuation. John and I were so tired and at the same time so wide awake. John had come to me about this time asking if I was hungry and I replied yes. He said we should see if there is a place open to grab a quick bite to eat. We both said In and Out Burger which is about 2 miles from our home. **This part of the evening is sorta funny*** As we were headed there we noticed that parts of Herriman had been blocked off to support evacuations and the fire fighters. John and I got our food and I noticed that they were not letting anyone back up the way we came. I remember telling him that if the street we normally use to head to our house is closed off I am going to be really mad. Since the things we packed up are sitting by the door at home and we still had my father's truck there. Well Sure enough they were not letting anyone back into the Herriman area. By this time I was not a very happy camper. Good thing I still had a plan to get us home.

We parked our van across the street at the Super Walmart and walked up and over Bangeter Hwy just past the road block where we walked to a gas station. It was there that I called our neighbor BJ who works for a fire dept in another city in the Salt Lake Valley and was off duty. He came to get us and took us home. The part that made me even more mad was that I was so upset about not getting home that I lost my appetite and never ate my food. In fact I left it in the van parked in the Walmart parking lot.

Once home I was calm and decided I would try and get some rest. About 3am I was still laying in bed wide awake watching the local news going over the latest on the fire along with updates on the mandatory evacuations. I was also complaining because the winds had shifted a little causing us to smell the fire. So at this point I decided to go out back and take more pictures. When I walked outside I was in awe on how much closer the fire was to us and how fast it had traveled.
This was taken about 1 or 1:30am in our back yard.
at 3am from our back yard
also just after 3am
I wish I had a much cooler camera to catch the details on the flames here because you could see them with the naked eye. It made it feel scary.

It was about 4am when we finally gave into some sleep to just be wakened again at 6am to head to my parents to get the kids since both my parents were headed out the door for work. When we got there the boys were still sleeping so John and I crashed in the basement guest room. We woke about 9am to take the kids home and to see what had become of our mountain. The fire was just starting to be come contained but at least the major part was over. In total there 1650 homes evacuated not including those who voluntarily left, 2 homes had gone up in flames, and lots of smoke and soot damage.
This is the mountain from our back yard taken about 10am. It is crazy to see how close it did come. The base of the mountain is just under a mile from our home and we back up to an open space.

The things we have learned through this is to keep the things that mean the most to us in a more central area so that if we ever have to leave under short notice that we can just grab and go. We are very thankful that the fire did not take out more homes and feel sadness for those who did lose their homes. Our whole community is so grateful to the wonderful fire fighters who worked hard and quickly to put this fire out.