Monday, December 29, 2008

Loving everything about my family!

This post is a little long, so if you are feeling A.D.D.ish feel free to just look at the pictures! :)

So I've been meaning to post about this since Christmas, however, I really wanted it to be in the ground before I showed pictures of it! We celebrated Christmas Eve with the Hinckley's and I'm going to admit- it was a hard day!! All I could think about was not having a kid to open presents with...it was pretty brutal. But if any of you know any of the Hinckley's they all have a different way of cheering you up. It's amazing. To add on to that, my Family randomly showed up to join in the festivities! yah!!


Well Santa came and I was so glad that Mike and Erin let Bryson sit on my lap. I know that he's not MY kid but it was nice to have A kid to hold while santa came in. I hope they don't mind because I'm sure that is something every Mom wants to do but it meant more than I can even express that they let me do that. When Santa was done with all of the little kids he said that he had one more present and asked Josh to come up. All I heard was, "we are short one this year aren't we", and I was in tears. They remembered Mac as one of the Grandkids! This is what was inside of McKallister's present...It's a temporary headstone!!!! Josh and I have picked out the one that we wanted but have been having a real struggle because Josh wants something there, but I want to wait for Mac's Birthday to put in the real one so this was perfect! I can not thank Santa enough for the thought that went behind this. I can not even express how selfless the members of Josh's family are- to think of us during the crazy holiday season. I've been sitting here for the last 10 minutes trying to word how I feel but there are not words. I LOVE my FAMILY!!

The day went on and there was yet another surprise. Rachel had made a dvd for Josh, Mac, and I to have for Christmas. It was pictures of the temple with recordings of our family throughout expressing their feelings to us. I can not tell you the spirit that was felt in that room as I listened to every member of my family say a little something. The entire time all I could think was, "Dang Mac, you are one lucky kid to have a family like this. How did we end up with such special people in our life".


On Christmas day I thought the tears were over...haha I had you fooled too huh? :) My Brother Colby, Dad, and Sister Taylor had made a disk of them singing a version of "I am a Child of God", but the words go along with a child that is already in Heaven who is now waiting for His family. I've been trying to figure out how to put it on Mac's blog so that everyone can listen- when it's up I'll let ya know. My big brother had then found talks/quotes of prophets and apostles saying something about those who have already passed away and placed that throughout the song. It was amazing!! My family is very talented when it comes to music and I realized then that is the best way for my Brother to help me. We have never had a sit down about everything that happened but he knew just what I needed. It was perfect.

My cute little mother then put a story in Mac's stocking. (Her and I are a lot in common and are excluded in the music talent so she found another way to make my christmas great! :)) She had written a story about Mac's first Christmas with his friends Maverick (who is buried next to Mac up at his grave) and Jesus. It was a childrens book and she did fantastic!! My Mom is totally kid geared and I think she had my future kids in mind when writing this. It is for sure one that I will keep around and Love her so much for being able to put her feelings down on paper in that way.

On Christmas day and the day after it snowed like crazy up at Mac's grave and when we had gone up there earlier the snow was up to my knees so we didn't think there was any way we would get to it for a couple of days. Boy were we wrong....

Josh's sister, Taylor, and her Husband, Abbel, had cleared a path from the road to McKallister's grave!!!! Holy cow there is no way anyone could not find his grave! I am not a huge snow person so wanted this done more than ever but honestly probably wouldn't have convinced myself to do it until after the snow melted! :) These two are the greatest! In one day, the knew there was snow, they trecked up there, and cleared it out. How much greater does my family keep getting? This may not seem like a big deal to some, but to me- it was the greatest act of service and love ever!

I never realized that you probably didn't know that this marker in the picture below is a little bit larger than the size of a sticky note. A dirty, not readable, sad, sticky note...so out with the OLD

And in with the new!!! Yah!!Merry Christmas...From the Hinckleys.
Josh, Cali, and Baby Mac




17 comments:

Donnetta said...

What a blessing your family is! I prayed for you & Josh many times Christmas Eve & Christmas Day. Stay strong and know that tears are simply another expression of love.

Ashley said...

Cali,
I've been meaning to comment for awhile now but I haven't, obviously. Your family is absolutely wonderful. I'm so glad that you have such a great one. It sounds like the Holidays have been special this year, and your family helped make that happen. My mom also had a stillborn, her name is Crystal. She was my mom's first child. We visit her a few times a year. I think that's important. You are amazing. Plus, I like your new blog layout. :) Happy New Year!

Young Family said...

That is so awesome. What an amazing family.

Ike and Bethany said...

I Love it! It looks so good and it's just perfect. I know Mac was very missed this Christmas by you guys and us. All I could think about was him not being here with you guys and thinking how it would be if he was here, but then thinking how would it be being in his position. He gets to celebrate that day with the man we celebrate christmas for. How LUCKY his he. Josh and Cali we love you so much. I really can't believe that it has been 6 months (HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAC). Oh and Cali, I think we need to be getting another Cali and Bet get together coming here soon. :D

Unknown said...

AWESOME! I love that last picture! xxx.

carrie said...

Cali, You don't know me...and I keep commenting every now and then on your blog...and I'm sorry if I'm intruding in any way. I clicked on here to see how Erin had decorated your blog, and I couldn't help reading about your Christmas. I saw the video on Erin's blog and I thought it was the most amazing and touching thing. Even though we don't even know you, your little baby continues to be a part of our lives, too. Jessica Madsen is one of my best friends, so my son, Matthew, sees Josh at baseball camps and feels like they are friends. :o) My kids STILL talk about Baby Mac. We were setting up a little version of the nativity set for them during a FHE one night...and I asked my little 3 year old about the "baby Jesus". I talked about how special he was...and asked him what the baby's name was, and he said, "baby Mac". When I corrected him, he looked right at me and said, "Well, Baby Mac is WITH Jesus, huh Mommy?" My kids were touched by his story, cried like he was their friend or family, and they all still remember him. My oldest son, Matthew, wanted to get a baseball bat made w/Mac's name on it....and we got one, and then saw that you had received one almost exactly like it...and had shown it on Mac's memorial blog. I let Matthew just keep it, but the other day he told me he wants to give it to Josh the next time he sees him. He said, "Josh is cool, Mom. He won't care that he got two bats." :o) I'm so glad you had a good Christmas...and that you have amazing families to support you and love you through everything you guys have gone through. You're all such incredible people. I can't even tell you what we've learned from you all. Please know that you're still in our thoughts and prayers. May the New Year bring you so much happiness. :o)

Melissa said...

hey, I'm always checking on you, even though we don't know each other. I promise I'm not stalking you...well sort of:) just kidding. Isn't family the most amazing thing. We are so blessed to have them. I think of you so often Cali, and your sweet baby Mac. I wish you the best in this year to come and I have a testimony that your little one is still close. Happy New Year you sweet girl!!!!

The Brady Bunch said...

You sound so happy and that touches my heart. My holidays just got so much better knowing that you guys are doing so great. I think of you often and with the postpardum I cry alot too!(aaron will tell ya)ha ha and family and The Lord are the only things that pull me through it. I totally know where you are coming from as far as being blessed with an amazing family goes. I am so grateful for your testimony! Anytime you want a baby to hold mine is available for as long as you want. We will come down any weekend you want us to.We love you guys more than you know! GOD BLESS YOU THREE!!!

Cyndy Mikesell said...

I don't know you. But i got to your blog through your friend who designs blogs through her friend Carrie Christensen. Anyway I loved everything I read. I never lost a child but after 2 children could not have anymore. I remember those sad days. I wish you the very best... And I really admire you for going through something like this and for being so strong. You are amazing. Heavenly Father knows you, he loves you. He listens as we pray and prayers are answered. Good luck and I will keep you in my thoughts. Thank you for sharing your story. I am so glad I read it. It really touched me. Again Thanks. My prayers are with you.

~Rachel said...

Your family is amazing! The pathway to Mac's playground put me in tears! I know you don't know me but I love reading your blog. You are still a true inspiration!
~Rachel and Willie Eyre

Chesilyn said...

I know you dont know me but I really want to say thats I`m so sorry for your loss. Even though I dont know you just seeing your babies blog made me and my aunt cry our eyes out. I`m so sorry.

Emilee said...

I don't think you know how many lives you are truely touching with your story. You don't know me either. I started, by finding the blog set up for your sweet baby Mac, then it linked to yours. I hope I'm not invaded your privacy, but thank you. Thank you for your testimony and your amazing strength. Thank you for teaching me things I needed to learn and touching my heart. I cried through every word and every picture. May God be with you and your family each day and bless you to face each day with the strength you need to make it through that hour of need! I send my love and prayers to you and your family and again, THANK YOU!!!

Emily said...

I have always admired your family, Cali. Your dad has always been an incredible example to me. I watched him through my entire childhood, teenage years & now my adult life. He is amazing & of course I feel the same about your mom! She is my sister as much as Mike is my brother:) They raised wonderful children who are strong & loving & very close to each other. One of the things that made us as extended family feel better about you having to go through this was knowing that your family would be such a great support for you & that they would take care of you & help you through. I love all the cute things they do for Mac & Josh & you:) And it sounds like your two families mix very well. I'm so glad you have that on both sides:) Love you!!!

Henich Family said...

Thanks for sharing all the wonderful things your family did for you. It honestly just kept getting better and kept bring more tears to my eyes. You guys are so loved.

Andrea

Waggoner Family said...

You don't know me, but I found Mac's blog and it brought me to tears. You are an amazing family and I know that the Lord will continue to look after you. Please know that there are people out in this large world who are thinking about you and praying for your continued strength. Thinking of you,
Robyn from Oklahoma

Anonymous said...

You have brought tears to my eyes. You are an amazing family. You have touch my life with your story. You and your family are in my prayers.

Impressions Studio & Gallery said...

I love Mac's present! I have to admit it was hard to find him in all that snow & I probably missed. LOL I know he was looking down giggling at me & that does my heart good.

I think of you often.....

Julie