Sunday, July 19, 2009

Headed home.

Kristi and I are headed home tomorrow. The plan is to wake up early tomorrow so we can pick up Brooks; the weimerainer, before the vet closes. We are going to go visit the cemetary before we leave in the morning. There's still a lot of fresh flowers out there as well as some of Gray Man's stuffed monkeys. Kristi's ordered more lady bugs... we let them go this evening for Kinsey and Grayson.

I hinted in an earlier post about a suprise I had been planning for Gray's celebration. We decided to let the grandparents and uncles pick their favorite monkey; we picked our favorite as well, but we didn't tell them why they were picking one of little man's monkeys. I made cards that Wanda got laminated that had our blog address as well as a note that had his P.O. box address. Attached was a little plastic monkey from the barrel of monkeys game. The note and monkey were tied together and attached to balloons that were in turn tied to each of the 5 monkeys; each representing a day in Gray's life.

After the service, Brother Davis asked for the family members to retrieve the monkey they picked. We walked across the road to the grave site and Brother Otis talked about how monkeys became such a large part of Gray's birthdays. He then read the note attached to the monkeys. The notes ask that anyone who finds it to please return it and the plastic monkey to the P.O. box as well as posting on the blog. After the balloons were detached from each of Gray's monkeys everyone said, "Godspeed, Little Man" and the balloons were released. It was great to watch them take off and fly away.

We hope that someone finds the card and monkey. Getting one of those in Grayson's P.O. Box would be amazing. Everytime we go on vacation or go somewhere we plan on releasing more balloons with the monkey and note attached. Kinsey gets lady bugs and butterflies so we knew we wanted to do something for him as well. It will make checking his mailbox even more exciting!

Brookhaven Monument is finalizing the plan for his head stone. We spent a few hours with Kevin, Linda, and Penny a couple days ago working on the design. It will look very similar to Kinsey's stone, but will have more of a little man feel to it. Penny came up with a great idea to replace the flowers; it's going to look great. While we were working on the design I was introduced to a Brookhaven icon... Dude's. The biscuits were GREAT!! Thank you Linda for the Diet Dr Pepper and Dude's. That was kind of like drinking a Slim Fast while eating doughnuts I guess, but it sure was good.

It doesn't look like we will be home long. We plan on heading to Dallas to see some of our dearest friends. There will be a lot of laying around, more eating poorly, and some catching up with old friends. No planning anything, no worries about timelines, and no early mornings. It will probably mean a break from the blog as well. It has definitely helped us both and after reading all the comments our story has definitely touched a lot of lives. It will only be a short break though. Kristi will more than likely pick up from here and keep everyone updated. Thanks to everyone for the flowers, monkeys, cards and prayers. Godspeed!

27 comments:

KK said...

Praying for safe travel as well as your hearts as you drive back. I just pray when I think of you. Take lots of time for you, laying around eating poorly sounds like a great idea!

Renita McDaniel said...

Taylor & Kristi, I know Gray Man's celebration was amazing.Looking forward to seeing it on your blog. I'm glad the both of you will be seeing good friends, that will help in some spiritual healing. Love and prayers always.
Renita

Tammy said...

I did not find your blog until the day before Grayson was born. I set and read the entire thing in a short time. You are such an inspiration to so many people with all that you have been through. You are in my prayers for safe travel. Take time to heal and comfort each other.

Heather said...

I found your blog 2 days after Grayson was born. I went back and read ALL of your posts. I couldn't help but cry. You both have gone through so much in such a short time. Its good to see that you both are keeping your heads high during this very difficult time. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Take care of yourselves. God Bless your family!

Lisa said...

I am honored that you have chosen to share the lives of your children with all of us on the internet. And I would be even more honored if I were one who found one of Grayson's balloons.
What a wonderful way to remember your son.

You are in my prayers.

Anonymous said...

I just recently found your blog when mama told me about your story this past week... Like everyone else I sat and read the entire thing... your words are so powerful and strong! You are an inspiration. You & your family are in our prayers!!
With Love,
Kayla Case Brown & Candi Case
Brookhaven, MS

Sheila Bowman said...

Keeping you both in my thoughts and prayers. Praying for a safe trip back home as well as to Dallas. Even though I have never met either of you, I feel so close at heart with you. My thoughts and prayers have been with you both ever since I read the obituary for little Grayson and of course the blog about Kinsy and your family. I have caught myself many times over the weekend..stopping and thinking of you both and saying a small prayer. Your babies have surely brought me closer to God and I am sure have done the same for many. I feel sure you will never really know the extent of lives these two precious angels have touched. Blessed are the little children for "a little child shall lead them." May God always hold you near and comfort you in his loving arms.
HUGS to you both

Hokie Grandma said...

We are praying in central Virginia for travel mercies and His care as you start a "new normal" life.

Shannon Ryan said...

What a perfect way to honor your little monkey man!
Eating poorly is a must.. just take it easy for however long you need and know that there are so many people out there thinking about your family.

Sabrina said...

Sounds like a beautiful service. Praying for your family and healing in time.

MLP said...

I love the surprise! Can't wait to hear when you get a monkey in the mail.

I will keep you very close in my prayers.

Channe said...

It sounds like the celebration service was beautiful. It's so great that you can be with friends. Safe travels...

rose said...

Taylor & Kristi, I’m so sorry, Steve and I didn't make it back from California for Grayson's funeral. We had flight restrictions. The logistics simply could not be worked out. It was all very frustrating. I consoled myself by thinking that we would have been but grains of sand in the sea of people there to support you. If Grayson’s service was anything like Kinsey's I know it was phenomenal. You both are an inspiration. You have remained strong and you’ve handled yourselves with grace to say the least. You are a stellar example to all married couples during the roughest of times. You are special people. I say that not only because you are my dear nephew Taylor but because it is so true. You have endured more grief in your young lives than most people experience if they live to be
100. I love that you named Grayson “Thomas” after daddy. I know he’s in heaven with Grayson on one knee and Kinsey on the other. He loved Babies. Get some rest on your trip. I know you’ve had little in the past year.
Love you, Rose

Kadence and Adam. . . and Mommy said...

The Barrell of Monkeys idea was just awesome. What an amazing way to share his life and his story with the world.

God bless you both and I will continue to pray for you.

Amy from Honolulu, HI

Sara said...

I'll be praying for your traveling mercies. That you're tender hearts will be filled with hope. And that Gray's monkeys find their way home. May God be with you both.

SampleBlog said...

No, thank YOU for being so open about your story, and letting us total strangers be touched by your tiny little man. He has more friends in this world than many people who live years and years... I (and my family) will never forget him.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for the update! You are most definitely in my thoughts and prayers throughout each day. Safe travels home!

Lisa in NC

Andrea said...

You guys are in my prayers...daily. I can't imagine what these past few weeks have been like, but I hope that God gives you peace. I pray that you will also receive the monkeys.
God bless.

Anonymous said...

I have been so touched by your family's story. My best friend is expecting a baby boy with Trisomy 18 and reading your blog has opened my eyes to the diagnosis. Your family has been in my prayers for weeks. I will continue to lift you up.

Tammy518 said...

I have been out of town for a few days, and wanted to check in with you. You are the parents of two beautiful, precious little angels. The love you share, and feel for them, is so apparent. The angel babies are so lucky to have you as parents, and now they have each other to keep them company until you two can join them some day. Your family remains in my prayers.

Jodi Lansink said...

I am so sorry for you loss....I wanted to say that our little girl was bornlast week on July 14, and was with us for a wonderful 22 hours. I am feeling the same pain as you right now...thinking of you during this hard time.

Jodi

T said...

I'm new to your blog, and I just wanted to leave a note to say how deeply sorry I am that you've had to endure the pain of losing a child twice. Kinsey and Grayson are both beautiful babies - I'm thankful that you share their photos and your story with the internet so that we can share in their beauty.

The story of your days with Grayson has truly truly touched me, and I will carry him and your little Kinsey in my heart.

Sending you much love and safe travels..

Anonymous said...

I just started reading your blog today. Prays being sent to you that the Lord may wrap his loving arms around you and comfort you.
Your children are beautiful!!!!!

Em
from Australia

Anonymous said...

I thought of you Kristi the other day as I drove by the subdivision. I remembered to check your blog today. I have cried so many tears and I don't know what to write other than I am so sorry. Grayson is just as beautiful as Kinsey. I am so, so sorry he is not with you now. Thank you and your husband for the courage to share these beautiful children of yours with the world. Many, many blessings of peace and strength to your family.

Janet

Anonymous said...

Kristi, I am not sure what to say. You may not remember me it has been so long. We went to high school together. I no longer live in Brookhaven but read the newspaper at least weekly. I am so sorry about both your children. God had a plan to bless more people than you or they could ever know by thier deaths. I can not pretend to know what to say but we serve a God is a great and a big God and He can bring you through this. I will pray for you, Taylor and all your family. I was on a mission trip in Belize when Grayson was born and I saw so many children that would welcome the love shown here for your children. My heart was broken for them but it is crushed for you. May God be with you!!

Love in Christ,
Carol Ann Fairchild Ballard,carolann.ballard@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

Children skipping hand in hand
Through grassy fields they dance
Kinsey Grace and Gray Man
Knew each other at first glance.

As butterflies around them swirl
And monkeys round them twirl
Ladybugs sing cheerful songs
And laughter fills the air.

Here on earth they’re sorely missed
But heaven’s richer far
For these two angels bring such joy
To heaven’s golden shores.

Anonymous said...

I am a sonographer for Dr. Wendel and I have kept up with your sweet family through your pregnancy with Kensey and with Gray Man. What a blessing your family has been for me and a testimony of how God is in control and there is no one else in this big world of ours that he wanted to be the parents to these precious babies except for you and Kristi. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to know your journey and seeing the beauty in things we can't explain. May God continue to protect,comfort and bless the two of you. Truly, Amanda S.