The Service for Evan....

Warning this is another LOOONNNG post.....What do you expect from me? They are always long!

When I first arrived at the cemetary and walked over to the place Evan would be buried I was so overcome with emotion. I had thought all morning about Kaitlyn for some reason and had even mentioned to Howie that I wanted to stop by the store to get a white rose to place on her grave. Not sure why she was in my mind so much that morning but the moment I walked over to the site and looked down and saw Katie's grave and headstone I was instantly in tears. So much emotion when you lose a small child. All of the memories from six years ago resurfaced and I knew it was going to be a tough day emotionally for all of us. I sure miss my angel grandchildren.

As soon as Karah arrived she began cleaning off Kaitlyn's headstone and explaining that this is where her big sister is buried. She tenderly wiped it clear from any debris and gently rubbed her hand over and over on the words imprinted on it. So tender!

Within miutes.... off came the shoes.

I love this picture because it reminds me of the little saying that goes something like....Some people come into our lives and stay for only a moment - but they leave footprints on our hearts forever. (I know that is not exactly how the poem goes and I am away from home so I can't look it up, but that is kind of what it says.) I think that is definately the case in Kaitlyn and Evan. They were not able to spend time here on earth with us but our hearts will be FOREVER touched with love for them. It really amazes me how much you can be bonded to someone in such a short period of time. I believe we knew them before we came to earth and that is why it is so hard to say goodbye.

The girls danced around on the grass for quite sometime as we waited for people to arrive. I loved watching them together. EVERYTHING that "Boo" does.....Lyssi follows. She is definately her little shadow! They are adorable and treat each other so well. I swear the very seldom fight. You can tell they love each other so much!

Here Karah is showing a friend the bear she bought for Evan. When she was at the hospital she was so sad when she found out that he had died. She was beside herself! She asked me if we could go and buy him a gift from her. I took her down to the gift shop in the hospital and she picked out this precious white "angel" teddy bear for her brother. Then when her mom was in delivery she kept saying how she couldn't wait to give this bear to him. He was an angel just like the bear. She is a tenderhearted kid and so thoughtful.

April had quite a few pictures to display at the service. She also displayed some teddy bears which were given him, his flight jacket, a small blanket I had made for him and some statues. Thanks to her sweet friend, Robbie she was able to capture some awesome family pictures while Evan was still alive (In her belly) They were so sweet. I also love the pictures that Shawn was able to take once he was delivered. PRECIOUS MEMORIES of our sweet little guy!

There were a lot of people who attended to give April and Shawn support. I have no idea how many ( I was kind of in a daze that day) but many, many family members, cousins and friends showed up. Some traveled quite a long distance to come and it meant so much to our family to see them there. Thanks guys for the wonderful support through all of this trial.

Amanda and her husband.

They had arrived there even before me and I didn't recognize her at first. April had danced with Amanda YEARS ago and they got back in touch with each other recently. I knew she looked familiar but not sure from where. It was nice once I knew who she was to think back at the time spent together at dance and to realize that people like her are sent into our lives to give us support and love in our times of need. Thanks, Amanda for being there for Ape and for being such a kind, sweet friend. I really appreciate it!

Kim and Rob....Good friends from their first neighborhood.

The first time I met Kim she was giving April a bay shower for little Kaitlyn. She has been a great support to them for years. Her husband just recently put in our kitchen countertops (by the way ...he did an awesome job if anyone out there needs some!)

Janet and Diane Stringham.....

Once April had her ultra sound and found out that there were going to be some problems with Evan, Diane came to April's aid. Shawn was out of town for several weeks and so Diane spent many, many hours with Ape so that she w0uld not be alone. The girls adore her and had fun playing with her. Thanks Diane for that nice act of service and love.

April with her "GRAMS" (My mom)

Tyson, Ashlee, Cheryl and Bryan (cousins)

There were a lot of cousins, aunts and uncles that attended that day. Here are just a few. Thanks everyone for taking time off work to be there. We have great family support and you guys are all awesome.

Not sure but I believe these are some of April's ward members. If not....OOOPS! Anyway, Shawn and April live in a very nice ward and the members have been a great source of help and support for them. Her ward members along with my ward, put on a luncheon right afterwards. Very KIND and very YUMMY! Thanks a bunch to all who helped out with it!

Once everyone had arrived, our family went inside the mortuary to say goodbye to Evan one last time. Shawn did a wonderful job giving tribute to him and sharing his pilot wings with him. It was pretty emotional to see Shawn and April standing next to that teeny tiny casket with the girls nearby and to see the pain that they had to bear in saying goodbye to another child of theirs. Shawn's words and thoughts that he shared to the family were so tender and you could tell the love he had for his son.

April holding his hand one last time.....

Sisters say goodbye.....

Just as I shot this picture Lyss turned around. I thought it was so precious just before I snapped this picture to see them surrounding his tiny casket as a family. My camera is so slooooow!

His pretty flowers.....

Aunt Shelly putting on flowers....

Me and my girls......

Just before we were ready to walk out and begin the service, April's good friend Robbie came in. She traveled from Idaho to be there. I know this picture is not good because of the lighting but I love it. Robbie has been through so many similar experiences in her life. TONS of trial with the death of her daughter not too long ago and a very sick little son (who by the way Karah says is a PRINCE!) It was very heartwarming to see her walk through those doors and to see the love and dedication she has for April. She had spent hours, and hours putting a book together in hopes of it arriving in time for Evan's service. I think she didn't even sleep one night as she was putting it all together. When she got the disappointing news that the book she had worked on so hard would not arrive in time for the service, she decided to put the pictures together in a slideshow presentation for the luncheon afterwards. She is soooo sweet and really helped capture some beautiful pictures and memories for April and Shawn. She has been friends with April since they were kids and they have a special bond and friendship. By the way.....Her mom, Siri is my best friend. They have an awesome family. Siri and Kelly also came up from Cedar City to be there that day. Thanks for the support! WE LOVE YOU GUYS! Heck maybe we will be "FAMILY" if Karah marries her "PRINCE"!

Shawn and April carrying little Evan to his "Resting Place"

I love this picture of Luke and how somber he looks. I noticed him just soaking in everything that was going on around him. I wonder how much these sweet young children understand about all of this. He seemed very concerned about something.....He is such a cutie!

Karah was able to speak at her little brother's service.

With the help of her daddy she delivered a special message....

It was a sweet talk. Very appropriate to have a small child speak at an infants funeral service. What a tear jerker. She talked about her memories that she has of painting with Evan and she spoke about how they can be an eternal family.

Okay....YES! I was BAWLING!! She is a sweetheart and my little buddy. She seems so wise at her young age and I just love her to pieces.

She then sang a primary song,

"Families Can Be Together Forever".

What a cutie. I loved it!

April spoke as well.... Yep! I was still crying my eyes out.

It was nice to hear her words as a mom and to feel the love she had for her son. I loved how she began her talk by saying that she felt it appropriate to speak since she is the one who knew him best. She felt him growing and moving inside her. There is nothing quite like the bond a mother feels for a child. She spoke about how she felt when she found out the problems Evan would be facing. She shared how she was determined to make every moment count in his short little life. How they sang to him, read stories to him, had blanket rides with him, and even painted with him. It was very touching!

No one can really know the pain of a mom who has to say goodbye to the child living and growing inside her. No matter how hard I try I will never truly know the emptiness she feel inside. April you are so strong and I know that your Heavenly Father is so proud of you and the way that you have endured the trials set before you. Evan is lucky to have you for a mommy and I feel truly blessed to have you as my daughter!

In fact I have been blessed with two beautiful daughters.......


Who I love with all of my heart!

They are my EVERYTHING! How did I get so blessed?

They also had the little children that came that day and were willing to come up, sing the song "I Am A Child of God" It was very sweeet. I wish all of the kids would have gone up. It would have been even better to see all of the small kids, hand in hand, singing their little hearts out. I love to hear sweet innocent children sing that song. It is one of my favorite with a very special message.

Their bishop also said a few words......

It was a beautiful service and a nice farewell to our little guy!

I was going to zoom in on this picture to show off the kiss BUT.... then I would crop off his HAND! Hey what are you grabbin' there Shawn?

Shelly and Tayden...(Shawn's sister and nephew)



Saying goodbye.....


This was a tender moment watching Shelly and her son together.

After the service everyone just stayed around and visited for the longest time. I was in no hurry to leave. It was nice to be surrounded by family and friends and there was a nice spirit about the day. Here are some pictures of Ashlee and her cute family. She looked so pretty that day. Well actually she is pretty EVERY DAY!

No fair! She has shades on.....You can't see her smeared makeup!

Cheer up kiddos......

Whisker tickles from dad.....Always works :)

Now there's that great smile we all know you have, Jack!

Kisses for mommy......

Little Luke Flying High.....

Robbie and April

It was such a windy day. I remember when we buried Kaitlyn 6 years ago it was just like this. Hair blowing everywhere!

While the adults took pictures, hugged and just visited the little kids got together to play. It was so nice to hear the squeals and laughter coming from the little ones. Very comforting and made me really appreciate the grandkids I have in my life right now. They are all so adorable.

Here is a video of Boo chasing the boys. When she tripped I thought....WOW she is falling "head over heels" for Trey! I also think it is funny to watch Lyssi following in her sisters footsteps. When Boo falls down, so does Lyss. When she finally caught "her prince" she grabbed him by the tie as if she was going to haul him off somehwere. She isn't a tiny bit "forward" is she?!? He gets tired of her chasing and suggests...."Go chase my brother" VERY CUTE!

Trey taking a "Breather" from the CHASE!

I heard the kids just giggling when I came around the corner. Luke was spinning around this pole. I think he was so dizzy that he was just delirious. He could hardly stand up. He had actually almost walked right out of his PANTS! They were saggin' so bad. As soon as big brother Tyler saw me video-taping he jumped in to rescue his little brother by pulling up his pants. Way to go TY!

Luke with his BIG BLUE eyes.. WHAT A CUTIE!

No one really wanted to leave that day, especially the boys. They went kicking and screaming the whole way. PLEASE DON'T MAKE US LEAVE!

Well I am posting this on Howie's laptop and have had a heck of a time figuring it all out. In the process I accidently erased the last 3 or 4 pictures I wanted to end with. I am out of town for several weeks and the copies are not on Steve's computer. ERRRGGGG! Oh well. Maybe when I get home I will post just a few that were left off.

Anyway.... the day went well. April and Shawn were terrific throughout the whole experience. They are incredible! There's bound to be tough, tough times ahead in the months to come. Losing a child has got to be hard. Luckily they have two beautiful girls that are with them that they can hold, play with and love. This may be some sort of comfort to them both. It still does not take away from the pain they feel but always remember, families are forever! That gives me great hope for better days to come. I love my family dearly and am so blessed to have them in my life. Evan, we all love you very much and will see you again someday soon!