Burial

What a great weekend we had!

I am so thankful for all those that came and supported us.

Saturday morning we went to the mortuary to dress Joseph in a little white robe that I had made for him. I thought it would be too big, but it fit just right.

His body looked much better than I thought it would; it looked better than when we dropped it off two weeks ago. The fluid had drained off of his tummy.

It was such a neat experience once again holding his little body. The girls did really well. They of course wanted to hold him one last time. I had purchased some little babies for them that were about the same size as Joseph that we gave to them at the mortuary. I put them in his casket and they were able to take them out when we put Joseph in there. It worked out really nice. My mom came to the mortuary with us, and I am so thankful that she did. She took some great pictures and then she took the children out to the car so Eli and I had a few moments together with Joseph. I know I'll see him again someday, and he'll look so much better than he did, but it was still hard putting him in there knowing that his little body was going to be put in the ground.

Saturday was also Eli and I's 8th anniversary. It was very fitting that we would spend our anniversary celebrating the short life of someone that we created.

Our graveside service was very short and simple. Eli's mom gave the opening prayer, my mom read a poem, our family sang I Am A Child of God, Eli gave a talk and then dedicated the grave. Afterwards, we let the children release blue balloons. Three of the balloons had notes from the girls and I to Joseph. It was neat because after the balloons had been released, one of them took off on it's own and made a straight shot up towards heaven.

It was a very neat day; one which I will not soon forget.

We love you Joseph Steven and can't wait to see you again someday.

My mom carved his name on the top of his casket. She did a really good job.

Our good friend Mark Debry helped Eli with the casket. It was really neat that Eli was able to be so involved with the little details of Joseph's burial.

My mom with our children and the casket at the mortuary.Getting Joseph dressed.

My grandma wanted to look inside the casket, so we opened it back up. I'm glad we did because Sydney was able to tuck him in one last time. She and Claire put little notes, rocks and a feather in there with him. Sydney arranged him just how she wanted him.

My sister took this sweet picture of Samuel.

The flowers were done by my very talented Aunt Jeanette, current First Lady of Utah (how many people can claim that the flowers for their funeral were done by a First Lady?) =)

This was the only time that Claire cried at the graveside. Sydney had a pretty hard time throughout the service; she cried the entire time. Claire was pretty happy until we put his box in the ground. Because this is Ferron and because Eli likes to do things his way, he was able to put Joseph's casket into the vault himself. A friend had given me two white roses so we let the girls put them on top of his casket.The Ferron City Cemetery is so peaceful. I'm glad that he has a quite, peacful place to rest.