Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Jersey's Special Day

We got our pictures back post funeral. Here's our day:

Jersey's sign in book.

Her darling program.

Her Daddy was the sole pallbearer.

Us watching as she is driven to the cemetery. I like how Tucker is waving.

Follow the sign.

Again her Daddy, our baby.

At the conclusion of the dedication of her grave.

Tucker, Tatum, and I set our balloons to sail before the group. It wasn't coincidence these 3 balloons stuck together until they were out of sight.

Watching our letters reach the heavens.

Watching them sail.
























This is one of my favorites. Every balloon had a message for Jersey Girl, I think she read every one!



Tatum, Jersey, and I had matching pink and white bracelets with a silver heart engraved with Twirl.













Dear sweet Tatum... she rarely left Jersey's side.

Some of our favorite nurses made the treck.

Tuck...being...Tuck.




Tatum darling as ever!!

















Us five.

It was a beautiful day, there's nothing we would have done differently. We were lucky to have Jersey, if only for 6 weeks.

37 comments:

Maren said...

Heidi, i love, Love, LOVE the pictures. They turned out great! You are so beautiful. Even on the day of your daughters funeral, you look very pretty. And I love the matching bracelets! I noticed that you and Tatum had matching ones on at the museum and I meant to ask you about it. We should get together or go to the zoo while Scott and Chris are at the softball tourney. I will call you.

blah, blah by lindsey said...

i am so glad you have these beautiful pictures to document jersey's special day.

The Kemptons said...

the pictures are beautiful and you all looks so wonderful considering the sad event

Pam Jorgensen said...

These pictures are so beautiful! The dang tears came when I saw that one of Chris holding Jersey's casket alone...so teeny!

Sure do love you Heidi!

Jessica K. said...

Thank you for posting those precious pictures!
I have been following your blog and I am here praying for you and your family!
She did leave many little footprints on this world!! And ALL OVER THE WORLD!! (I live in Germany)

You are in my thoughts and prayers!

Jessi

Trish said...

Oh, Heidi~ What a beautiful memorial this is. The photos are so moment-catching. I adore the Twirl bracelets. So wonderful!

Shanen said...

I am so glad you wouldn't change anything about that day. I thought the whole day was perfect from her pink glittery casket, to the display table in front, to how amazing Chris did in his talk, to the perfect weather outside at the gravesite, to the many, many balloons let go to heaven and not one hitting a tree on it's way up, to the way your whole family handled yourself ALL day. You have some amazing pictures of that day and I hope you find the perfect way to keep them and document them. Know that she is pround of you, and is surely watching over you all day long. Love you guys.

Amanda-The Family News! said...

What beautiful pictures. I love that the girls had matching bracelets. My prayers continue for your family.
Amanda-SC

Life Unscripted said...

Heidi, the pictures are beautiful, it was a beautiful service. I am glad that I went and heard Chris talk that day. You both are so strong, even the kids are. I am so glad I got to know you and meet little Jersey girl. Such a sweet angelic girl, with such strength, will and determination. A fight to big for her to fight, but fight she did, and win she did. She won because she is no longer hurting, she is free like Chris said of Needle Sticks, pain, surgeries, and anything else she might have had to endure while her time she was here on earth.
I miss our little chats, about our warrior girls. Even though the girls never got to meet, I know Jersey is in Heaven watching over all the special heart babies.
I think Jersey stopped by everyone on that early Monday morning, after she left you I think she let everyone else know she was at peace. I remember the day clearly as do you, but if you have not had a chance to read the blog I wrote about her, I will just let you know here, I felt her prescences right before I opended your blog that day, she came by me to tell me she was gone, I knew it before I opened the page...
She was and IS a special girl, she will always be with you...and like I have said before, she left an imprint on my heart. I was blessed to have known her and to know you.

Sending you our hugs, our love, and prayers.
Sincerely
Jenna and Lilyana

aleisha said...

okay, i have to really stop checking your blog while Im at work... i tear up everytime I see it.

Shot by blaine said...

I can't imagine. What I do imagine is that through your unique experience you guys understand things that most never will. Both spiritually and intellectually.

The Foster Family said...

Everything is so beautiful. What treasured pictures you have of that day (whoever documentated that day for you did a great job!) And the bracelets were beautiful- wish I could have had a part in that....my loss for sure! Thanks again for sharing such heartfelt feelings with all of us.

Kami Milliron said...

There are so many similarities between our little Graveside service and yours. The white casket that seems to glow when the sun hits it. The letter to Jersey ( I put a letter in Ellie's casket before she was buried. Just a note from Mother to Daughter ) The Family and close Friends that gathered together. And I know I have told you this, but I am pretty sure our little lovelies are buried pretty close to each other. Maybe we will run into one another while we're saying hello to our darlings.

Kami Milliron said...

I forgot to mention the bracelet. My Mother in Law made a sweet little bracelet for me that matched one she made for Ellie. We had the Funeral Home place it on Ellie's little wrist before they closed the casket. So my little Girl and I also have sweet matching bracelets. Oh the tender moments : )

Morris Mama said...

The pics are darling. So glad you had someone there to capture all the special moments.

The Simmons Family said...

Such beautiful pictures!! My heart aches when I see the look in Tatum's eyes as she looks at that tiny casket.

Praying for you.

lundgrenville said...

My heart sunk with these pictures...but each tell a tender and loving story...All of them captured my heart in different ways...Chris holding his little angel...The balloons filled with messages of love on their way to the heavens...a brother looking up at his sister in the heavens...A mother embracing her daughter and holding out her hand...perhaps feeling the spiritual touch of her lost child....a family filled with love, looking up to the heavens feeling the love of Heavenly Father...and embracing His arms!
These pictures were humbling...heart warming....priceless!

Mandi said...

I am so grateful that I was able to be apart of that special day. I will never forget that day. Seeing the pain on your face, even though how brave you were, makes me feel so much love for you. Even now I think about what a touching, heartwrenching time that was and I will never forget the spirit that attended. Sometimes I have to wonder why you had to go through something so hard, but then I think how amazing it must feel to have a gaurentee that one of your sweet babies has made it to the highest. Not many people have something so motivating to keep them on the right path. It's just like you said, you and Chris are members of a very elite club. How wonderful. You must be very special.

The Smith's said...

Those pictures are perfect..priceless. I hope things are looking up for you guys.

MommyRohner said...

I don't have anything too special to say, but feel like I need to say something.
Just know that I love you and you amaze me. I'm so glad you're my friend. I'm so glad your family is a part of my life. Thank you for sharing with us.

Evie's Story said...

Precious Heidi,
I am awash with tears again! A beautiful day for her home-going service. Words fail me - how loved she is!

Sheen said...

i happened upon your blog the other day... and for days... i've been crying.

i have no idea how hard this would be and i'm sorry for your loss. she is such a beautiful little lady!

you've touched my heart in ways you won't ever know.

how thankful i am to be a part of this gospel and to know that families can be together forever! i know little jersey will be waiting for her amazingly beautiful family!

thanks for sharing your faith, love, trails and everything else with all of us.

you've strengthened my faith.

Heidi said...

The pictures are beautiful Heidi. The matching Twirl bracelets is such a sweet idea.

The Ridgway Family said...

I LOVE the photos Heidi. I would definitely frame some of them and make the one with the balloons BIG!!! I just love looking at my balloon picture every day and thinking of how our day could not have gone any better.

Thinking of you every day. I know how difficult it is just to move forward and that is okay. Thank you for your friendship and for remembering me.

Keisa

Nichols Family said...

The pictures turned out so lovely. I realize I came in the other entrance to the service and didn't get to sign your guest book. I would like to still though? Thanks again for letting us be apart of this event in your life. Thanks for sharing all of your thoughts and expressions. We love you always.

Jill said...

The pictures turned out great! And the sign in book is so cute. I just got Jersey's program in the mail. They did such a nice job on them. We miss you guys!

Brittanie said...

What beautiful pictures!!! I'm so glad that you have them. Love you guys!

Renae S. said...

Beautiful pictures for a beautiful family to remember a beautiful girl.

Love & Prayers!

BECKY said...

A friend referred me to your blog and I have been incredibly touched. I have been crying here at work for the past hour now! God bless you all for being so incredibly strong and such wonderful parents to your other two children and for not cursing God at this time. All our loses will be made up if we are faithful. I can't even fathom the roller coaster of everything you've been through these past six months-ish. My prayers and thoughts are with your family. Please stay strong for all of us who are now your fan club. Much love.

Unknown said...

I stumbled across your blog, and wanted to thank you for sharing your experience with Jersey in such an honest, intelligent, tender and beautiful way.

The pictures from the funeral are beautiful, I especially love the twirl bracelets. I hope these next few weeks bring you comfort and happiness, and that you will find special little things everyday that will help fill the hole in your heart. My prayers are with you are your darling family.

Sonia said...

Heidi and Chris, I abslolutely love the pictures. She really captured some beautiful and precious moments with your emotions. She did beautiful work. Thank you for sharing with all of us this moment. The service was beautiful, and you were beautiful and strong. I love you both. I will get the pics I have to you this week. Love you!!!

Suzette said...

I'm so sorry to hear about your daughter. We lost twins a little over a year ago, and I am so glad that we were able to spend what little time we did with them. Hold your other children close, they need the love too right now. My prayers are with you and your family.

sara said...

Beautiful, just beautiful.

Jewelia Eagar said...

I love the pictures. What a treasure. The ballon idea was so cute too. I think Jersey loved reading all the notes too :) I know Marcus Ridgeway - what a neat guy. I'm glad you have made friends with them. They are very uplifting people. I would love to get together soon. Hope you and your fam are doing well. Lots of love...

Unknown said...

I havent been back to the blogging world for a few weeks, but had to stop by to check out the pictures. They are priceless! What a treasure for your family. Just a thanks for the sweet treats you sent with your sweet man. Loved that you made one just for Bill. (guess youve heard about our familys eating problem) Cant wait to see you - "pinky":-)

Nancy Page said...

Hi, you don't know me, but a friend of mine, Beth Glenn told me about your blog. I lost a baby, Quinn about six years ago. She was my first. she brought joy into our lives for 10 weeks before passing. I just want you to know how beautiful your pictures are. what an amazing memory. And better yet how awesome it is that we have the gospel in our lives to know we'll see these girls again.

The Glenns said...

Heidi, Thanks for detouring your bike ride to talk to us on Saturday. You still look sad and it's hard to see a mom hurting. Thanks for sharing so much....and I like the pink. It's way cute. Have a good week. The Glenns