Easter is of one my favorite holidays and times to really stop and think about our Savior Jesus Christ and his sacrifice and resurrection. Giving us all the same gift of living eternally one day. I love the following song and is so perfect for such a perfect moment
We began our morning with all the traditions of the Easter Bunny and taking a moment to teach the kids what the day really stands for.
After getting everyone ready we loaded up to head up to my grandmother's place to spend the rest of the day with family. But first we stopped at the cemetery to leave Jocelyn her purple peeps. While there the sun was shining and was such a beautiful day. I looked around with such gratitude and peace to know that all the loved ones there would one day get to be reunited with their families. That is such a wonderful thought and brings joy to my heart.
Upon arriving to my grandparents we finished hiding Easter eggs for all the kids to find followed by an Easter lunch.....
Jarren and my niece Sophia looking for eggs in the bushes.
Stockton a cousin, Sophia, Jacob, and Abby a cousin looking happy with their findings....
Jacob searching away....I try hard to get him on camera since as you know it is not his favorite thing to do.
Joseph making sure that he is finding all the eggs that are OK and peanut free. Although they were all safe for him to eat.
Jarren and Stockton racing to get the last egg up out of the tree.....They really all had a great time. After eating and visiting with family we gathered the kids for coloring Easter eggs. I made most of my kids strip down so they would not get dye on all their new clothing. Even my dad and brother in law Layne got into the action.
bottom left to right: Joseph, Layne,Jacob, Jarren, My dad, and Stockton
Left to right: Sawyer, Abby, Joseph
Left to right:Layne, Stockton, Jacob, Jarren
Jarren enjoying his creations
Left to right: My mom, John, Amie, Zoey, and Heather
Look I got my mom and John to smile for me!!
Amie my cousin, Heather my sister, and Justin my cousin
It really was such a great time with family. I would have to say one my most favorite gatherings since we actually had everyone there which is very rare when everyone runs busy life's. We were fortunate to get a complete family picture with my grandparents and their legacy.
What a great legacy to see my grandparents in the middle with their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren with spouses. Just amazing when you really think about the eternities.
Another rarity is being able to just get a complete family picture with just my parents and us kids' families.
I hope and pray this past Easter was one of joy for your family and that you can always find joy in one another even when times are not very enjoyable. Lots of love from our family to yours.
I did not realize this past March was going to be busy full of great things and miles stones. Jarren turned the BIG 10!!, and completed his Bear in the boy scout program moving on to Weblos and fun time with Saint Patrick's day.
March 7th Jarren turned 10 years old!! I can not believe that it was 10 years ago that he was born this 8 pound 5 oz boy and now growing into very special young man. He has been such joy to have in our life with his sweet spirit and kind heart. Yes he loves to take moments and push his brothers buttons at times.
This year for his birthday he chose a movie and dinner. We went to see John Carter, but ate at Sweet Home Chicago Pizza before hand. After we enjoyed.....
Cheese cake and singing happy birthday to Jarren. He decided he did not want a regular cake this year and we went with his request. yummmy!!!
After singing and visiting some we moved on to....
The best of any birthday!!! Presents!!!
I love watching their faces as they open things up with excitement.
Being that he is now getting older and ready to do bigger kid things John and I got him an air soft gun set. Lets just say it was the highlight of the day and he was so excited to get out side and put it to use on some empty soda cans.
Jarren all loaded and ready to give his riffle a try. Overall a successful day and birthday!!! Still can't wrap my head around him turning 10!! Love him so much!!!
Not only did Jarren turn 10 he completed his Bear ranking in Scouts moving onto being a Weblo. He was so excited to make this achievement and receive this award at the Blue and Gold Banquet Dinner. But before the dinner Jarren had to make a cake that showed something about him and his interest. So think think think.....Awe!!! A karate cake is what we will do. Of course mom did most of the work. Go moms!!!
Jarren's Cake!! not bad I say!!
Jarren getting some awards other then his Bear.
Joseph enjoying the cakes that were made by others. Not sure where Jacob ran off too....
Jarren and I after he received his Bear award. Yes, that is a small baby bump that I am sporting.
Now come the Leprechauns!!! They hid the boys shoes around the house leaving them with some gold coin chocolates and got into our pancake mix!!! Those little stinkers really had the boys hyped up on St. Patty's Day!!
The moment we discovered what they had done to our pancake batter. The boys were like what?!!
Joseph trying not to cry anymore about the pancakes being green. He was so upset about it and refused to eat them at first. I had no idea that he would be upset about it. The other two thought it was great!!!
I hope that your March was full of fun happenings and craziness.....til next March!!!
The past two years we have weathered a Storm with heartbreak from the passing of our daughter Jocelyn and many other trials during these past two years. Through the storm we have grown as husband and wife, as individuals, and as a family. It has not been easy and we are now starting to see some light at the end with some of the other trials we have been facing....
But the one thing that has been hard for me is that after Jocelyn passed I knew that we would have another child and when it did not happen in the time I wanted it to. I began to feel as though I was grieving two children. The one I carried for 9 months and got to hold for a beautiful 24 hours and a child that did not exist yet. Over time I had excepted not being pregnant again and was grateful even that we were able to have that first year after Jocelyn's passing to grieve and let her be our sweet little baby.
Then as time continued to pass people kept asking when we would have another or if we were, along with "It will happen in Gods time". All these statement became hard and reminders that I had not been able to conceive or made me feel as though you can just replace one child with another. Well that is not so, Jocelyn can never be replaced I did not carry her for 9Months for nothing. So, I started to just tell people we were done so I could be left alone in my pain and try to process what it was that the Lord wanted. I know that everything happens for a reason and is in Gods hands.
Mid to Late 2011 I had a visit my doctor and being someone who has never had to try or put an effort into getting pregnant had changed. We started clomid a fertility drug. We went three months on it with no luck and my emotions getting the best of me. By the end of the third round I did not want to do any more. So we stopped trying so we could enjoy the end of the year and Christmas with our boys. But.....
So the saying goes after the storms comes a rainbow. Today I was able to see the tiniest of beats of a rainbow. I pray that we will get to the end of this sweet rainbow safely and healthy Sept 8th, 2012. For those of you who still don't get it yes we are finally expecting our rainbow baby after two years. Although we are just in the beginning we are feel blessed at this point and want to try and enjoy each day we are given with this little one. We are prepared for a long and emotional ride but looking forward to it. We ask that you all please keep us in your prayers that all goes well. We are blessed and grateful for our family and friends who love and support us through this new adventure. Thank you
Wow!!! I am not sure there are words that can express the love and gratitude that I have for everyone that helped put in cash donations, supply donations, and time to help with the service project to honor my daughter's memory in a service that is needed and will help other families who feel the heart break of losing a child in infancy. So from the bottom of my heart THANK YOU!!! I don't think I have ever felt so much love and met so many selfless women. You are all truly amazing!!!
We had a fabulous turn out at both open house times. Everyone worked hard and enjoyed food and good company. I loved seeing and visiting with everyone even though I bounced around making sure everyone had boxes at their tables. Here are some pictures from the service project.( only regret not getting any from the afternoon time and more during the evening when more people were around. :(...)
The table in the kitchen all prepared and ready to make boy boxes
Table in the living room is all prepared for making girl boxes
The painting table. At this table we learned what kind of paints work best to cover the boxes nice and evenly.
The yummy snacks for everyone to enjoy.
A great start for the first part of the day!!!
My Friend Steph helping two of my boys put together a couple of boxes.
More boxes being made these fabulous ladies. Thanks!!!
Look at those two beautiful ladies!! Painting away!!!
Jen and myself enjoying the yummy snacks!!!
And at the end of the evening we were all burnt out even though a few of us stayed and visited long past 12 midnight. I then did a count of boxes before bed which I now wish I would have wait till morning I missed a few and a few more boxes were dropped off this morning to add to our completed boxes........
We Have 71 Completed Boxes!!!! And 9 Boxes half done!!! WOW!!!! That is far more then my intended goal!!!
WOW!!! Don't they look awesome!!!
Thank You again for all this hard fabulous work!!!
I know my daughter was here to help see this project come together as a success. These precious boxes that have been made with love will be donated to hospitals in the area and to Share Parents of the UT for the precious hand and feet molds of babies gone to soon. It has meant so much to us to have Jocelyn's little hands and feet and to know they are cradled in a sweet box that holds a lot of love. Thank you again and again for helping me in this project.
All the extra supplies and donations will be given to Share parents of UT for future boxes and supplies to help make the molds themselves.
It's so crazy to think that it's been almost two years since we welcomed and said goodbye to our sweet daughter and angel Jocelyn. She has changed our lives in so many ways and showed us things we never thought possible through this journey. She is forever in our hearts and lives.
We continue to honor her memory each year with a service project for bereaved families experiencing the loss of a baby. Last year my friend Amy headed up a tree for the festival trees that raises money for Primary Children's Hospital in Salt Lake City during the Christmas season. In January for her 1st birthday we and others family and friends donated to Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep in Jocelyn's name. We are grateful to all who were able to help in these projects.
This Year we are going to make mold boxes that hold the most precious molds of little feet and hands. We were given a box for which to hold Jocelyn's little feet and hands. It has meant so much to us to have this little memento of her. We hope that the boxes we make will be of comfort to other families the way our little box has been to us.
To make this happen and give you more details on how you can help:
On Monday January 16th, Jocelyn's Birthday I will have two open house times. 1pm to 4pm and again at 6pm to 10pm at my home ( please email or call for address and directions).
I do ask that when you come to please bring one box or two if you wish. The boxes can be found at any Hobby Lobby or any craft store. They do come all sizes and shapes. As you all know babies are born at different times and sizes. So all sizes are welcome. If you are not able to come but want to help donations are welcome. $6 will get one large and one small box. You can also donate other supplies like scrapbook paper and white craft paint to paint the boxes and any other craft items that can be used to decorate the boxes. Below are some pictures of boxes to give you an idea of what I am needing and looking for. If you any questions please e-mail me at Hfiles28@comcast.net. The goal is to have 50 boxes so that I may keep 25 for Share parents of UT the support group that has helped us so much and I now volunteer for. We do the molds at the hospitals that do not or unable to do their own molds. The other 25 will be donated to the hospitals that do their own molds.
I want to Thank You for all your love and support in this project and may you feel the blessings of serving others.
These are the boxes I am looking for. This picture was taken at Hobby lobby
These are just few boxes that were completed by other angel mommies and donated to Share. As you see there are several shapes that work well.
This is Jocelyn's box cradling her feet and hand molds.
With 2011 behind us we now begin a new year with hopes and dreams and a brighter future.....
The year has already begun with big changes in store and can't wait to share them as they reveal themselves. But in the mean time we are looking forward to this fresh start and pray that all will be well.
As for new year resolutions I do have a few but not your topical ones that everyone has..
1. I would like to have a more consistent daily routine
2. Get some long needed areas cleaned out and organized.
3. Spend more time reading and studying my scriptures to better know my savior Jesus Christ
4. Spend more time my boys playing and being together
5. Eat better not necessarily to loss weight but to be healthy and feel better.
6. Enjoy the time and live in the moment and to not take what has been given for granted.
May your year be blessed and wonderful. Wishing everyone a Happy New Year!!!
Began as any other Christmas morning. The boys waking up filled with excitement and eyes popping out of head that Santa had come. We were able to enjoy a nice relaxing morning followed by the most beautiful music program at church to honor and celebrate the birth of Christ. The afternoon was then spent with the rest of the family and fun goings on......
Santa sure knows how to leave a display
Santa's pretty good at filling the socks for all 4 kids.
Even ate our cookies and drank the yummy milk the boys left for him.
The Boys ready to get the morning started.
Looks like things are on a roll
Joseph was so excited for his candy in his sock! I love this picture of him and his total surprise and excitement.
Even Our new family pet Hally got a sweater for Christmas. Now she won't freeze when she goes outside.
Jarren totally focused on his new Halo Lego set.
Santa brought Jocelyn a little angel snow globe that took and put on her headstone.
15 years later with 3 boys and 2 girls with one who soars with the angels in Heaven, one mini van and house full of Legos, Mincraft, dolls, dressups and a random Butterfly here or there must mean you are in the Files home.
