yesterday was probably the most difficult day we've had since Raef's passing. it was time to say goodbye to my parents and to Tina. i woke up this morning to a snoring husband and an otherwise empty house. nobody had made the coffee yet, and the place was kind of a mess due to lack of a certain sister.

Toni, Gary, Chad, Julie and Lily leave today. it was so great to have them all here, i hate to see them all leave. we had some really great time together this week.

Lily and Kris being awesome

Leah and Judah came to visit!

the service for Raef on Thursday was absolutely beautiful and more than we could have every asked for. so many people came to show their support and we were able to see with our own eyes how much Raef was loved, and how many people truly care about our family. we've known it in our hearts for a long time, but to see it just kind of brings it all together.

Dean and Andrea Kladder, our dear friends and pastors presided over the service. with their help, we were able to choose scripture passages that conveyed our feelings about the last several weeks of our lives. they gave a homily that had most everyone in the sanctuary in tears including themselves and they were able to do so with the utmost grace.

Dave and Becca Bruner were there to provide some musical assistance. they sang a song that Becca sang to Raef the day he passed away. it was absolutely beautiful. most people commented that they should probably record the song together. judging from the versions of the song available online, theirs is by far he best. Bruners, make of that what you will.

Dave and Becca preparing for the service
(they really did get this together at a moment's notice. and they're just generally awesome.)

there was a lot of this going on.

and, apparently this was going on as well...
each of my coworkers came to show their support. they also had to put up with me during the last month of my pregnancy when i was just generally miserable. they're pretty great.

the best friends anyone could ask for and their parents whom we love dearly.

Tina happens to be the brains behind this operation. without her, we would not have photos of this day. unfortunately, she's not in any of the pictures but i assure you, she's amazing, beautiful, and i couldn't imagine my life without her.

i want to thank everyone who's shown us their support. whether it was sending us a note, making a small donation, coming to the service, sending us dinner, adding us to the prayer list at your church, adding us to your personal prayers, reading this blog, or even just giving us a passing thought, we love you. our lives are forever changed by your existence. to those directly involved in our care the last several weeks, (you know who you are) we don't have the words to adequately express our gratitude to you. thank you.