LIFE DISHES OUT MORE THAN WE CAN HANDLE

 

June 8, 2022
Lassen and I drove over to Bloomington yesterday to spend a few days with Lolli and Pops. We were eating icecream tonight at the table and mom has a picture frame with Brighton’s picture. I asked Lassen who it was and he said “Brighton.” I asked him if Brighton was his brother and he said “yes.” And then completely unprompted he said “Lassen crying. Daddy crying. Mommy crying. Pops crying.” And then the three of us started crying. He gets it in his own, sweet, innocent way.

Butterflies always remind us of Brighton!

There was an amazing “glimpse into Heaven” cloud with this incredible white light tonight. Brighton was shining bright. We love you sweet boy!

June 9, 2022
Today, Lassen and I went with mom and dad to Peoria to run some errands and we stopped off in Washington and walked around the square. We went into a store and mom was with Lassen, talking to the owner of the store about the origin of Lassen’s name and she thought it was so cool. Then she told mom that she had friends who named their son after a mountain in Utah. Mom got really still, just listening. Of course, (another God wink!), their son’s name was Brighton! Mom started crying and told her about our sweet Brighton. I haven’t heard of anyone else named that!!

June 11, 2022
6 weeks since I held Brighton in my arms. 6 weeks since Jesus held him for me. The sun broke through the clouds in a blinding white light at 8:39am, exactly 6 weeks since I birthed my second son! Thank you God, that you are always sending me God winks. We went and picked out trees for Brighton’s celebration of life that we will have this fall. They will be beautiful and always a visual reminder of our sweet boy. Kyle and I picked out a Burr Oak specifically because they are wise and rugged and last through it all.

Isaiah 61:3
“…and provide for those who grieve in Zion-to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.”

WE LOVE YOU JESUS!

Lassen and I did our first 5k race together tonight. It was so fun and he did great, eating goldfish (which then he needed a drink so that was a quick stop) and telling me to “run fast.” It was really fun.

June 12, 2022
We sang this song in church today called Homecoming and these lyrics hit home.

“And I can see it now
smiling in Heaven, You and I
And I see bright crimson robes draped over the ashes
A wide open tomb where there should be a casket
The children are singing and dancing and laughing
The Father is welcoming
This is our Homecoming!
Roses in bloom pushed up from the embers
Our rivers of tears flow from good times remembered
Families are singing and dancing and laughing…”

Jesus, I can’t wait to be with you and Brighton!