Headstone Placement Part 1

We had the opportunity to go to Snowflake this past weekend to put Jackson's headstone in. It was an awesome trip. We ended up leaving at 4am on Saturday, with Lincoln & I traveling on zero sleep. We slept for about 2 hours and then went to a sealing, a funeral, a burial, a baptism, to the cemetery to place Jackson's headstone, and then to a reception. It was a totally crazy day but it was one of the best days Lincoln & I have ever had. The burial that we attended was for a friend whose 6-month-old little boy died. They buried their little boy a few rows down from where Jackson is buried. It was the only other baby burial we have been to, besides Jackson's, and it was an amazing experience for us to be able to be a part of it. Everything that was said just took me back almost two years to the day that we buried our son. There were things that Mike (the boy's dad) said that were exactly things that Lincoln and I had felt and had talked about with one another. Mike & Clarice & their families were amazingly strong. I loved the spirit that I felt from them. It definitely set the right mood for us as we prepared to place Jackson's headstone. We learned so much that day.




Unfortunately we didn't get Jackson's headstone in on the first try...I'm not sure what happened. So the guys decided that we needed to come back on Sunday to try a few more things. The headstone just wasn't going down all the way. We left it the way it was and finished it the next day.

The whole gang at the cemetery...Roma Lee & Phil, Mom, Dad, Aaron, Megan, Jayten, Jarod, Lincoln & I
I love this picture of Megan, Mom & Aaron...it was so nice of them to come up to Snowflake to support us in this!!!
Best Sisters...that's what we always say. Melissa wasn't there for the sister picture...we missed her & Shawn!
My favorite picture...our eternal family. I love these two boys so much and are incredibly grateful that they are a part of my life. They are so precious to me.

Happy Birthday Jayten!

We celebrated Jayten's bday a little early with a really yummy chocolate cake that Lincoln's mom made. I can't believe that Jayten will be 9 years old! Our nephew Jayten has really made an impact on my life, and has helped me to want to be a better person. I absolutely adore him. He has the nicest spirit about him, & is one of the sweetest boys I've ever met. He is SO sensitive to my feelings. I remember on our first Christmas without Jackson he kept coming up to me & giving me big hugs. I don't even say anything to him & he just knows when to show me extra love & affection...I love it! That is such a good quality to have.

Jayten always seems happy and is constantly making me feel special. He also happens to have the same birthday as Jackson. I cry as I write this, because I can't think of anyone I would rather have share Jackson's birthday with him. He told his mom when Jackson was born that he was honored to have the same birthday as him. He also told his parents this year that he wants to put two extra candles on his cake for Jackson. What a sweetheart. I love you Jayten & I hope that you have the best birthday ever! Thank you for being you & for being such a great nephew!

Headstone Placement Part 2

After dinner on Sunday Matt & Danielle & their kids, Lincoln's parents, and Lincoln & I went back to the cemetery to try to fix the headstone. After a lot of work on Linc & Phil's part, the headstone was placed! I LOVE how it turned out. It was amazing to see my little boy's name in the middle of this beautiful place. It was a great experience for us.

PUPPIES!!!

Lamar & Robin's dog just had puppies...they are adorable. Matt & Danielle came over Sunday night and we all sat around & talked & held the puppies. We just couldn't get enough of them! Claire loved hugging & kissing the puppy...it was so cute!


Ha ha, I love the bottom picture! Lucky for us, we will get to see more of this thing...we are going to be getting one of these puppies soon! Yeah!!! I am so excited to have a little friend to hang out with me at home so I'm not by myself all the time. :)

Reaves & Lincoln

Kenny & Cleona drove down to Snowflake on Sunday night. I love watching Reaves & Lincoln play together. They love each other! Reaves was so excited about his new Hulk sleeping bag...he & Linc took turns making each other into burritos in the sleeping bag. We left the next morning & got home in time for Lincoln to go to school. It was such a nice trip!

Labor Day

For Labor Day we decided at the last minute to go up to the cabin. We left Sunday after church with Steve & Erica & their girls. That night we built a fire & sat around & talked, & the kids made smores.

We had a lot of fun that night. The best was playing "What If" until the wee hours of the morning with Lincoln, Steve & Erica, & Charlie. The game got pretty crazy...talking about naked goth people falling from the sky and all sorts of cool stuff. I know you wish you could have been there. :)

Our New Buddy

This guy was hanging out on the deck with us. The kids quickly made friends with it...it was so funny. They kept touching the bug and laughing their heads off when it would rear up on its back legs. As you can see, Lincoln didn't get enough dessert after dinner. :)

Welcome Home Gift

This is what we came home to...nice huh? Luckily Brandon & Christa called us and told us what they had found before we came home, so we were prepared for it. Lincoln's mom's wedding ring was in the truck! I am SO thankful that it wasn't stolen...that would have been such bad news to give to someone! Why we were stupid enough to keep it in there, I have no idea. Anyway, nothing was stolen. I guess maybe the culprits got scared off or something. Lincoln had a lot of fun cleaning up the glass that was all over inside!

Initiation

Lincoln decided that the truck needed to be "initiated" on our last trip to Snowflake so he drove through the mud on the road to Da's house. This picture doesn't do it justice. Linc was SO excited when he saw how dirty he got the truck...he was literally jumping up & down.

All Ready To Go

When we were in Snowflake a couple weeks ago, Lincoln, his dad, and brother Matt helped get the foundation poured for Jackson's headstone. It was actually more work then we thought it would be, but it turned out great. Now we just need to place the headstone & it will be finished!