What a week! I fantasized about the Festival of Trees since the moment I knew Eli was going to have a tree and it turned out better than I could have wished for. There aren't words to explain my feelings of this event or how I felt when I saw Eli's tree for the first time but this picture does a pretty good job:
I was quite emotional and know Eli was there with us. This is definitely a moment I will never forget.
Everything about Eli's tree and everything around it is absolutely perfect. Although the fantastic ladies who put this all together never met him, they captured Eli better than even I could have. I'm sure he was helping them along the way :) For those of you that weren't able to make it to the festival, here are some pictures for your viewing pleasure.
Logan and I have gone to the Festival of Trees every year for awhile but this year was different so I made sure to be there every night. It was so fun to be there each night with different friends and family.
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| Wonderful Co-Workers |
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| Fantastic High School Friends |
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| The Lovely Cynthia |
Because of these wonderful people, Eli's tree gets to go home with me and Logan!
Thank you, thank you, mom and dad for this Christmas surprise! Logan and I are so grateful Eli's tree will stay in our family. Maybe one year we'll let you put it up in your house... ;)
I loved going to the festival each night to see Eli's tree but it was definitely a welcomed sight to see it delivered today! Its home will be my dad's office this year before being moved to mine and Logan's casa for next year.
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If it weren't for these two incredible ladies, none of this would have been possible. Dana and Melanie, all of it was perfect and we are so grateful you provided our family with this wonderful experience. You will forever have a special place in our hearts.
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| I sure love these ladies! |
In other exciting news...Eli's headstone was finally installed! There was quite a bit of drama trying to get it so we couldn't be more relieved to have it figured out. The cemetery told us they would continue installing headstones until the snow came so we were nervous it might not happen. It ended up getting put in on Monday and the snow came on Tuesday. What a blessing!
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| We are so happy with how it turned out! It was definitely worth the wait! |
It's amazing how much the spirit touches my heart as I look at these amazing pictures, the tree, the friends, the wonderful support and love you both have!! I love little Eli's headstone…it's perfect! Merry Christmas my dear friend!!!
ReplyDeleteThe tree was as gorgeous as I thought it would be. It was wonderful to be able to see it 2 days before it came to your work. I am glad you will be seeing it almost daily. Those ladies did an amazing job capturing just a little bit of Heaven that Eli's life was like. The headstone is beautiful. I am so amazed at a wondrous Heavenly Father who answers prayers and who helps us in the end. Love you both,
ReplyDeleteKeith and DeAnne Jorgensen
I, too, felt our sweet Eli with us at this year's Festival of Trees. What a magnificent organization and what an inspiration this event has been to me. This world is full of genuinely Christ-like people and I rubbed shoulders with many of them this week. "All is calm, all is bright!"
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful tribute to such a special little boy! There was a special spirit near Eli's tree. I continue to be amazed and grateful for the influence that sweet Eli has on so many of us. Thanks for such a sweet post to remind us of the many Christmas miracles all around us. Love you, Liz!
ReplyDeleteI literally had chills up and down my legs reading this and looking at the beautiful pictures of the tree!
ReplyDeleteThe tree and that picture of your baby are beautiful. Ruta and I made sure to see them in person.
ReplyDeleteYou made me cry.
ReplyDelete....
Again.
Liz everything turned out beautiful! I'm sorry I didn't get the chance to make it to the Festival of Trees. I was really looking forward to seeing Eli's tree. Hopefully I can still see it at your house someday :) I'm glad you're able to keep it. And Eli's headstone is absolutely beautiful! I love it. I'm glad they were able to get it in before springtime!
ReplyDeleteYou are both amazing and inspiring! I am so glad we get to see you as often as we do! We love you and little Eli!
ReplyDelete- Ben, Amy, Lauren and Mike