Life with the Hales

Life with the Hales

Saturday, September 6, 2014

"Sometimes, that mountain doesn't move."

Brian's sister, Nicole, sent us this Charley Jenkins music video today and I loved the message that he portrayed.  (Thanks Nicole!)  Charley Jenkins is from our hometown of Roosevelt, Utah so it almost makes it seem more personal coming from him.  Thanks Charley for the beautiful and inspiring song.


That MountainCharley Jenkins
A young bride on her knees asking God, “Please, don’t let it rain.”
With the groom and family outside waiting, on her wedding day.
“Please let the clouds roll by.  Oh, give us clear blue skies,” she prays.
Down the road a few miles out of town a farmer’s on his knees.
His crops are dying in the fields.  They won’t last another week.
“Don’t let the clouds pass by.  Let rain drops fill the sky,” he prays.

Sometimes all we see is our slice of reality. 
And things are not as simple as they seem to be.
There’s times, hard as we pray, heaven has another way.
And even though there’s nothing faith can’t do,
Sometimes, that mountain doesn't move.

Gathered in a waiting room, the family hopes that the doctor’s wrong,
When he says machines have kept her here, but she’s already gone.
Our daughter’s way too young.  Don’t let her days be done,” they pray.
Three floors up, just down the hall, a little one’s shutting down.
He’s been the first name on that list…going on six months now.
“Please let this be the day a new heart’s on its way,” he prays.

Sometimes all we see is our slice of reality. 
And things are not as simple as they seem to be.
There’s times, hard as we pray, heaven has another way.
And even though there’s nothing faith can’t do,
Sometimes, that mountain doesn't move.

I hope one day I can see all the strokes in the masterpiece.
And finally understand how they fit in the master plan.
(He's in the Roosevelt Cemetary in this scene...not far from where our little Tace's headstone is at.)

Sometimes all we see is our slice of reality. 
And things are not as simple as they seem to be.
It’s hard when we pray and heaven has another way.
And even though there’s nothing faith can’t do,
He knows what’s best for me and you,
And that mountain doesn't move.

I loved this message.  Part of it was hard to hear because I want the things I am praying for so badly, but I do know that our Heavenly Father has a plan prepared for us.  I love the chorus.  It is so true that often all we can see is "Our slice of reality."  It is hard to see the big picture and the overall master plan while we are here on earth.  My slice of reality really is all I can see, and right now our reality is that we have been facing some pretty big trials.  First, we lost our little Tace, which is a hard enough trial to face on its own.  And now, we're having to wait much longer than we hoped to welcome another child into our home.  Both are difficult trials to face....and especially both at the same time.  

Sometimes we may feel like our prayers are not being heard because we are not receiving the answers we are praying for.  It is hard when we are exercising our faith, doing what we are supposed to, and when we know that all things are possible through faith in our Savior...It's hard to not see the results of that faith in the manner that we desire.  But like this song said, "There's times, hard as we pray, heaven has another way. And even though there's nothing faith can't do, sometimes, that mountain doesn't move."  And I love what he adds in to the last chorus, "It's hard when we pray and heaven has another way.  And even though there's nothing faith can't do, He knows what's best for me and you, and that mountain doesn't move."  

We definitely have some mountains in front of us....and we've been praying that they will move.  However, it may not be time for those mountains to move.  I think we can continue to pray for them to move, but perhaps we also need to focus on praying for the strength to climb those mountains.  These trials are obviously happening for a reason....do I understand that reason? No.  Do I like it?  No....I'd much rather not be facing these trials.  But, I do trust in my Heavenly Father.  I have a very strong testimony that he loves me and he loves Brian.  He wants what is best for us.  It's hard to see that this pain and heartache is what is best for us, but there must be a higher plan.  

There is a talk by one of the general authorities that talks about a young married couple who recently found out that the husband has cancer.  They came to this general authority for a blessing.  He asked the young couple, "Do you have faith to be healed?"  They fervently responded that they did.  He then asked them, "Do you also have faith not to be healed?"

That really hit me.  I know that all things are possible through faith and I have a firm testimony that Heavenly Father can bless us with those blessings that we most desire.  But do I have the faith to not receive those blessings if it is not in His will at this time?  ...It really gave me something to think about.  I realized that we need to have faith to move forward, no matter what the path ahead of us may be (much easier said than done).  ...So I will work on that faith. This doesn't mean that I have lost faith and hope that we can receive those desired blessing, but I need to have the faith to move forward if we are not entitled to those blessings at this time.  Perhaps it is not time for this mountain to move.  

Sunday, August 24, 2014

It's a Tace Day


We think about Tace every day, but some days are definitely Tace days.  Today is one of those days.  Our little angel is 9 months old today.  I can't believe it has been almost a year already...  



My dearest Tace,

    I want to take a moment and write to you and tell you how much I love you.  You are on my mind and in my heart constantly.  There have been many things going on lately that have made me think of you even more than I normally do. 
    I'm sure you have met Axton by now...(I like to think the two of you are best friends just like your daddy's are.)  His parents, Morgan and Kacee, are some of Mommy and Daddy's best friends.  Our hearts broke when we heard that they lost Ax in much the same way that we lost you.  Tace, losing you has been the hardest trial we have ever had to face.  I truly do know that you have a special mission to serve and that you are needed on the other side of the veil right now, but knowing that doesn't make me miss you any less.  ...And now we are heartbroken that our friends have to experience this same loss.  However, it was a great comfort to all of us that you were there to welcome Axton on the other side. The four of us wish more than anything that the two of you could be here with us now, but if you can't be, we are grateful to have such amazing guardian angels watching over us. 

Two amazing dads with two amazing boys .


   We have also been hoping to receive the news that one of your siblings was on their way to join our family.  Your brothers and sisters will never replace you Tace...they couldn't.  But, your daddy and I long to have another little one in our home.  We did not get nearly as much time with you as we had hoped and dreamed of.  We got you so easily and now we are having to learn a lesson on patience as we continue to wait and hope for another little one.  If you could give one of them a little push and let them know we're ready for them that would be great! ;). Thanks for watching over all of them until they join our family.  You are already an amazing big brother and a great example to them.
   Another experience that made me think of you happened today.  I had the opportunity to hold your cousin Jaxon today (actually second cousin).  He is adorable!  It felt so good to hold him close.  It made me wish I could hold you close, even for just a few moments.
   Tace, one of my favorite places to be right now is in the temple.  I love it because the spirit is so strong and the veil is so thin at times.  I know that of all the places on earth, this is where I can be closest to you.  While I am there I like to close my eyes and imagine your little arms around my neck :). Sometimes I almost feel as though they are really there.  It is the best feeling in the whole world!  I can't wait until I can hug you for real!
   Oh Tace we miss you so much!  Know that we love you with all our hearts!   Please be close to us as often as possible and let us feel of your presence when you are there.

With all the love I possess,
Mommy

Thursday, July 31, 2014

Fantasy Dates

I know it has been a really long time since I have written anything that doesn't have to do with our little Tace on this blog (since the first post).  The fact of the matter is that these past 8 months of our lives have revolved around Tace, learning to cope, and figuring out how to move forward without our little angel here.  However, there have been a few other things going on in our lives and I want to take a minute to share this fun idea that we have started.

Fantasy Dates.  They are great!  Bri got the idea off of a post he saw on facebook and we decided to implement it in our marriage.  So, once a month we go on a "Fantasy Date" and we take turns planning it every other month.  The rules:  when it is your month to plan the date, you plan something YOU want to do and take no consideration for your spouse's likes or dislikes.  Then the next month they plan something THEY want to do.  Sometimes it will end up being something that you both really enjoy, other times it may not.  It has been a ton of fun though because it has given us the opportunity to do different, fun things that we might not have done before.  And....it allows you to gain an interest, or perhaps a tolerance, for things that your spouse really enjoys.

So, here are our last 4 months of Fantasy Dates!!

April Fantasy Date (Heather)--UVU Ballroom Dance Concert
This is actually an old pic, but we forgot to take one while there!













May Fantasy Date (Brian)--Eating at a Sushi Restaurant

  













I did try it....not a huge fan sushi :)
And Bri loves it!











June Fantasy Date (Heather)--Racquetball
Bri plays racquetball all the time and is really good!
But, we have never played together (because I am not so good),
So for this Fantasy Date we played racquetball! 

It's a good thing he loves me otherwise this date may have been
fairly embarrassing for me.  Haha.  































July Fantasy Date (Brian)--ReAL Soccer Game!
ReAL Salt Lake vs. New York Red Bulls
I had so much fun with this awesome guy!

And we had incredible seats!! (Thank you Tanner and Kristyn Smedley for the tickets!)
The yellow box in the top right corner is surrounding us.  We had a great view!

















And more to come as we continue on with our Fantasy Dates!

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Giving Back

This Thursday, July 24, marks 8 months since we met our sweet little Tace.  His first birthday will be here in 4 more months.  For the past several months I've been thinking of different things I want to do to celebrate Tace on that day.  I want to establish some family traditions that will take place every year on or around his birthday that will remind us of him.

One tradition I want to start is making and donating items to the hospital for other still-births or premie infant deaths.  I know that the items we received from the hospital when we lost Tace meant so much to us and they are items that we treasure now.  I was so grateful to have a tiny outfit to dress him in and a small blanket to wrap him in.  The items given to us were made and donated to the hospital, and now I want to return the favor of providing something for others that meant so much to us during this trial.  These are the items that were given to us in the hospital:


Each year I want to donate either some blankets, some gowns, some remembrance boxes, or a combination of these items.  This year I have decided to make some little blanket/wraps for extremely tiny babies like our little Tace. Eventually I would love to learn to crochet so I can donate afgahns like the beautiful white one we received.  However, the blankets I am making and donating this year are little flannel ones.  

Here are the pictures of the first one I made.  I'm hoping to donate between 4 and 10 this year.
There is a little pocket to slide their feet into...
Then you wrap the edges and tie it closed.

The second one I made has a minky inside.



I am excited about this tradition that we are going to start and that it will give us a way to serve and give back to others as we celebrate Tace and the great example he is to us.




Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Happy Father's Day to the Greatest Dad on Earth!!

To the Greatest Dad on Earth

Dad, I'm sorry I'm not here right now
To hug you and to say,
How much I love and cherish you 
On this first Father's Day.

I'm sorry that my time on earth
Was so very brief,
But know that I am in a place 
That is glorious beyond belief!

I want to take a moment, Dad,
And share the things I know.
I have learned so much from watching you
And the example that you show.

Although you're in the midst of a trial,
You press forward day by day.
And because your testimony has never wavered,
You have taught me about faith.

I see you bow your head each day,
Your concerns and hopes you share.
You stand tallest when you're on your knees.
You have taught me the power of prayer.

I have watched you care for mom.
You've held her close when there are no words.
You put her needs before your own.
You have taught me to love and serve.

I rejoice when you're in the temple,
Because there we can be together.
You are steadfast in your covenants.
You have taught me about forever.

There are many other things I've learned
From the greatest dad on earth,
But these principles are most important
For the mission I've been called to serve.

Thank you, Dad, for teaching me
To love as Christ has loved.
And now I'm sending that love to you
From Heaven up above.

                            Love, 
                                Tace

(Written by Heather-- from Tace to his Daddy)


Brian truly is an amazing dad!  I see the love that he has for our sweet Tace and I am constantly amazed at his goodness.  I am positive that Tace has seen these principles in practice as he has watched the example his dad has set.  I know that over these past seven months Brian has helped to increase my testimony of faith, the power of prayer, love, service, and the promises of forever.  He is such a strength to me and I am so blessed to have such a wonderful husband and Tace is blessed to have such an amazing Dad!  We love you with all our hearts Bri!  Thanks for being an example to us both...on both sides of the veil.

                              Love,
                                  Heather

Mother's Day and Father's Day


This first Mother's Day and Father's Day were a little bit tough on both of us.  They were not the days we had imagined they would be.  This is the first Mother's Day and Father's Day we have celebrated as parents...however, we never imagined our sweet little boy wouldn't be here to celebrate with us.   

For Mother's Day Brian got me a beautiful necklace.  It had a white rose and a "T" on it.  He also got me 2 dozen white roses and printed off the "White Rose" story that I posted in April in the post titled "5 months".  The "T" is for my sweet Tace and the white rose is to remind me that he is a pure and chosen spirit.  I love it.



As Father's Day approached I wanted to get something for Brian too.  I had Tace's poem to give him (previous post), but I wanted something tangible as well (like the necklace he gave me).  After many days of thinking and pondering I decided on a customized key chain. 

I decided I wanted one for me as well. :)

I love having a piece of my sweet boy with me wherever I go.  We sure do miss him.

Thank you, Tace, for making us parents and giving us the opportunity to celebrate these days.  We love you so much!




Wednesday, June 11, 2014

A Weekend with Halli!

 Halli came to stay with us this last weekend!  It was so fun to have her come out and we did lots of fun activities together.

The first day Halli and I went and explored the Provo Library while Brian was busy with classes/work.  It has some really neat areas inside!  Then we went and played at the park.











The next day we went to Color Me Mine and Halli got to pick out whatever she wanted to paint.  She chose a princess.  Brian and Halli had fun playing with the masks as well, haha.






That night we took Hal to dinner at The Old Spaghetti Factory and got to sit in one of the tables inside the train car.

The final day we grilled hamburgers and had a picnic at Bridal Veil Park.  Then we hiked up to the falls.  It was such a beautiful day!
















It was so fun to have her stay with us for the weekend!  We sure love this girl!