Easton's Christmas Trees

We have truly felt so much love and support from around the world.  Ma Whipple had a wonderful idea to ask our friends, family, and acquaintances who want to join us in sending ornaments for Christmas trees that we placed at our house, the path toward the Garden of Easton, and at the cemetery.  We had such a wonderful response that next year, we will get bigger trees!  We also added a fourth tree and made an Easton tree at Ma and Pa Whipple's house.  We have ornaments from all over the country and world, even as far as Germany!  Our family had a great day preparing these trees, looking at every ornament, labeling who they were from, and placing them on the trees.  Our hearts are filled with love and gratitude as we have felt everyone's love toward us, helping us through the holidays.  We noticed that everyone put much thought and effort into the ornaments.   We hope to continue adding to the tree each year, so anyone is welcome to continue to participate with our family as you may desire.

Thanksgiving

 

Thanksgiving was a very fun time last year as our family went to Dallas to visit cousins.  We had a fun dance party with all the cousins.  We happened to catch Easton shaking his booty during the "Shake your Bum Bum" song.  It was a difficult day today, but I thought many of our loved ones may enjoy watching this fun video we caught of him last year.  I am so thankful for modern technology that allows us to capture priceless moments to cherish  forever.  As time continues on and I try to remember everything about Easton, many things fade.  I can't always hear his laugh in my mind.  I struggle to recall his voice so readily.  I know he had a sweet voice and the inflection always ending in a higher pitch with every word, but the exactness of it is fading.  I love being able to watch videos and see him so full of life.  I know his spirit is still living, but for now I don't know what all he is doing and what all that entails.  So, for now, it is fun to remember what his little body was doing while he was here with me for his short 22 months.  I have much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving, and one thing is being blessed with 6 beautiful children!  I'm thankful to be a mom.  I'm grateful to be Easton's mom.

Beckett's first words

After having 6 children, I love figuring out the first words of each child.  Cameron was quack, quack.  McKenzie, Zackery, and Briar was dada.  Easton was mama.  Beckett's first word was out of the ordinary, but perfectly fitting.  He said "num, nums" first.  It is Beckett's second word that brings me tears of joy and love.

Almost daily I will look at pictures of Easton around the house or on my cell phone wall.  Often times Beckett will see the picture on my phone screen and start kicking his legs excitedly as he tries to kiss and talk to Easton's picture.  But, on this particular day, I was standing in Easton's bedroom just staring at his crib.  Above his crib Nathan hung two canvas pictures of Easton and McKenzie.  As I was staring off at the pictures I heard Beckett chattering to his brother's picture as usual, but in the chatter, I heard Easton's name.   At first I thought I was imagining it.  So, I got my phone out and put Easton's picture right in front of him.  I said, "Easton," as I showed Beckett the picture.  Immediately Beckett said,"Easton."  We repeated his name together several times.  It was so exciting for me!  I didn't tell anyone except Nathan, so that night we did the same thing in Easton's room.  Nathan was able to hear Beckett say Easton's name. 

About a week later, I went to visit Grandma and Grandpa Whipple.  After being over there for a little bit, I remembered I hadn't told them that Beckett can say Easton's name. So, I found my mother in law and told her.  She replied, "I know.  We just came in from Easton's garden and I heard him say Easton while we were out there."  She didn't even know that Beckett knew how to say his name, but was able to recognize that he said it while they were in a special place. 

I love that Heavenly Father constantly shows me tender mercies during this difficult time.  Some people may think it is sad that Beckett will never know Easton, since he was only 2 months old when Easton died.  But, I know that is not true.  I know Beckett already knows his brother.  I know he will be able to feel Easton's spirit and presence throughout his life as he tries to stay close to Heavenly Father.  I also know the same is true for me and the rest of our family.  I know that as I go throughout the rest of my life that if I lean on Heavenly Father and live my life in a way that keeps Him close to me, I will be able to feel close to Easton as well.