Farewell ...

Well ... we feel it is time to end this blog. We have LOVED this blog and the time it documents in our lives will always be a tender, reverent time for us. We've decided to keep blogging the events of our family and our journey, so for those of you who still want to follow our new address is:

www.vancefamrocks.blogspot.com

Thank you to everyone again for your love and support. We know that this phrase is overused and therefore comes out trite, but we genuinely express our gratitude to all of you for your support to us.

Jared is a hero to us. We ache for him and feel the void in our home all the time. To bear that void is easier at times and other times the ache is practically tangible. We're grateful for all the pictures, home videos, journal entries, blog posts, and memories to help us remember our time with him and also keep his memory alive for our children, especially Beck (and those to come) who have not spent time on this earth with Jared. We find all the peace and comfort from our Heavenly Father's plan for us knowing that we will be all together again if we will live accordingly. We're so grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ. We're so grateful for Jared. Thank you again for being such a support to us during this time. Thank you and Farewell ...

Festival of Trees

So our dear family, friends, and Taylor Elem. all worked together in bringing this big project to reality of funding, decorating, and contributing to this beautiful tree in honor of Jared for the Festival of Trees. The theme was super heroes and legos - two things Jared loved. It was such a neat tribute to our boy and we loved it! It just so happened that this event took place the same week of Jared's passing and services one year ago. The week ended with a great big surprise. Someone purchased Jared's tree anonymously but had it delivered to our home! We were speechless and still are ... how excited and grateful that we get to enjoy this tribute for years to come! Although we will never be able to thank them, we say it anyway - thank you! And a great big thank you to all who contributed and played a role in this special project. Thank you. Especially you two Liz and Marilee - we just can't say it enough!

opening night

our parents

And here it is in our home!

Make A Wish Anniversary

November 9th, marks the anniversary of the memorable Make A Wish Party where Jared's lego wish came true. We love this short video of pictures from that magical evening, and love all the people who came together that night to make it so special for Jared and our family. Thank you Superman, Spiderman & Incredible Hulk! Thank you Make A Wish! Thank you Kevin for capturing these memories! Thank you family! We do feel that we are "lucky ones" . . .

October 2010 October 2009

Our Family at the pumpkin patch Oct. 2010

Our Family at the pumpkin patch last year Oct. 2009

October 2010

October 2009

carving pumpkins Oct. 2010

carving pumpkins Oct. 2009

The kids on Halloween Oct. 2010

The kids last year Oct. 2009

Crazy to think it's almost been a year without him. Everyday we think of him.

JV Team Shirts Anyone?

Ever since my family designed and ordered these shirts a year ago to support Jared, and their cause to raise money for the Chordoma Foundation, many of you have asked how to order a shirt for yourself. Well . . . with so much interest from everyone we are going to do another order. So pass the word around and let me know your order by Nov. 1st. The prices are as follows:

Adult cotton t-shirts (S-XL) are $6.25 each

Youth sizes (S-XL), along w/ 2T-5T are $5.00 each

Adult exercise shirts (dry-fit like material) are $14.50 each.

The cost of the shirts is exactly the cost of production. No profit will be made to anyone or any organization. The shirts will be exactly the same as the last time (all youth sizes and smaller will only have the front logo - not the writing on the back).

Please have your orders into me by Nov. 1st

Thanks everyone. Go JV Team!!

This Same Week Last Year

This exact week last year our family was having a vacation of a lifetime in the wonderful DisneyWorld Resort. Our week together truly was such a highlight of 2009 and we couldn't have done it without the generous hearts of our family members who paid for it all. Thank you so much, again for sending us and allowing us to experience such a time with Jared, Gabrielle & Bradley. We all loved every minute of it and will always be so grateful for the memories of this week.

At the Lego Store - I think this is where Jared's love for legos was born

At the end of the day - wiped out!

It really was such a great week. Thanks again family for making this possible.

Summer pictures

Here are some pictures that I wanted to share of some of our happenings . . .

picture by Gabrielle to help decorate Jared's grave

we all made lego cakes on Jared's Birthday

Memorial Day

Summer Fun!

Beck Jared Vance - getting bigger

Bradley wearing Jared's Indiana Jones' hat

Gabrielle wearing her JV shirt on the 1st day of school

Oh how we miss Jared!