Tyler's birthday

Tyler had his birthday a few weeks ago and it was great. We are still in shock that we have a teenager now but love watching him grow up as an amazing young man of faith, love and integrity. He is one of the hardest workers I know and we are so proud of all the many things he is accomplishing in his life. He is unbelievably responsible which makes my job as a mother sooooo easy.



He does miss his little brother beyond anything in this world and has had to go through some hard moments of grief lately. He prayed so hard for a little brother and then to have him taken so suddenly it's just plain hard. His arms ache, as do all of ours, to hold his brother again. I think what he misses most is not being able to watch him grow up and teach him all those things that an older brother gets to teach his younger brother. I believe Wyatt is with Tyler and by his side as he continues to mourn over him. As a parent it is hard watching your child go through the process of grief. I know all too well that pain and I just want to take it away for him but I can't. I think I'm learning a glimpse of what our Heavenly Father must feel as he watches us go through this mortal life.



We love our Tyler and marvel at the intelligence he posses and the many talents he has been blessed with. But most of all we are so grateful he is a part of our family and look forward to seeing what he becomes as he continues to grow up. We love you Tyler!


This is the toy Tyler put in Wyatt's casket. Tyler had hinted to me that he would like one to remember Wyatt by so I got this for his birthday. Wyatt loved this toy. He got it for Christmas from Santa the year he was with us. We would hook it to his car seat and to his little play pad on the ground. He had learned how to hit the buttons so the lights would flash and the music would play. I was grateful Walmart still carried it. It was not easy for me to go into that toy section. I've avoided that since Wyatt's death...just too hard to see all the fun new toys that we will not be buying for our boy. I cried as I pushed the buttons and heard the songs. Oh, how that can bring back so many memories. Tyler would sit by him in the van and push the buttons to entertain him while we would drive places. Oh, how we miss hearing that. I think Tyler will cherish this all his life even though it's a hard reminder of what isn't here anymore.



The toy Hayley put in Wyatt's casket is one that I think Emily got as a baby and I don't think we will ever find it but I'm grateful we have found all the others to remember Wyatt by. As I write this it still seems beyond real that we put his toys into a casket...seriously? UNREAL.

We took Tyler to lunch and dinner...what else could a 13 year old boy want? I think he had a great day and it was fun celebrating it with him.