Loving the Fall Season

The leaves are beginning to fall and change their colors

One of my favorites, this was taken up Ogden Canyon

I love going for a ride in the Fall, any canyon, amazing! 

and then....SNOW!

Therapy

Some people find comfort,
maybe even a little bit of peace in visiting a graveside.
One may turn to this place to release emotions,
to think out loud, feeling that their loved one is "there"
I cannot escape to this place, Virginia is just to far away.
Someday, maybe.

I wish...with all my heart that I could  figure out why I have been so affected by Ethan's death.
A friend said, maybe it is because he was here, (in Utah)
4 years old, and all alone.
He had no-one to stand over him,
to fight for him, to protect him.
This beautiful boy lived here for just under 10 days with who he
believed was his mommy but turned out to be a monster,
a monster that lived with the Devil himself.
I have had such a struggle in finding my peace with all that Ethan endured.

I have visited a few gravesides; my grandparents, some close friends....
Quietly, I say a little prayer, I love you and goodbye,
until next time of course.
While I very much miss my friends and family that have passed,
I have never experienced the emotions that I feel
when I visit the sacred piece of empty ground up Ogden Canyon.
There is a place near Powder Mountain, Wolff Canyon to be exact,
just off the trail a bit, that Ethan Stacy's body once lied.
Although he is no longer there, even if it is not real,
I have found some comfort in visiting this graveside.
Thank you to my new/dear friend Klint for locating this grave
and marking it with such a Beautiful Justice Cross.

Justin and I along with Lucinda and Dave
went up to visit this past weekend.

I took 5 blue star birthday balloons
(Ethan would have been 5 on September 22nd)
and a soft light brown teddy bear to accompany the angel I left up there a few weeks ago.
Lucinda brought "bug" transformers!
A Bee, Dragon Fly and some other bugs, Perfect!!

I know he is not there, but visiting.... is my therapy.

I do believe that Ethan knows we're there,
he loves us and he's smiling down on us.
I also believe that Ethan's death will not be in vain.
I believe that Justice will be prevailed.
I believe in Triumph over Tragedy

I am very grateful, for you have given me so much angel.
You continue to influence my life everyday.
Keeping you close to my heart, as always.

Teddy Bear Kids K

Hunter & Brooklynn (my niece) participated in the Teddy Bear Kids K 1 Mile Marathon today for the Children's Justice Center. They received a shirt, a stuffed animal and a medal for crossing the finish line!

Hunter's Day of Fun & Fitness

Brook's Day of Fun & Fitness

Awesome Job! Love You

 Malia Me & Billye

E.T.H.A.N ~ Education 4 The Homeless And Needy

What a success!
Caty (Caty Dawn Bond) Jayne (cute daughter),
Meme (cute momma) & Carlotta (cute Chihuahua)
traveled 1,240 miles to put on a school supply drive
for the homeless and needy children in honor of Ethan Stacy.
Our Bumble Bee
Amazing! It was an honor to take part in such a wonderful event.

My sister and I made the donation boxes. They turned out awesome!

Thanks Sissy xoxo

We started our drive off at Liberty Park in SLC-

We shared laughs, tears, emotions and great stories with new friends.
My family was wonderful!
Justin, Braxton, Harley and Hunter…
Thank you so much for all your love and support and for also
sharing such a great day with me. You guys are the best!

The Lovely Meme and Caty

The Cook Family xoxo

Together they made all the "Bee" tags for each back pack!

Bumble Bee Tags

They put SO MUCH love into these tags!

Carlotta ~ My sweet girl!

Texas Roadhouse in So. Ogden also participated in the

School Supply Drive. Another Awesome Family!

Rhonda, Caty & Kimberly

We were able to fill over 100 back packs thanks to PSS,

Texas Roadhouse, Utah Attorneys General Office, Facebook,

Many Friends and Families Thank you so much, EVERYONE!

New Friends, New Events

It has been 45 days since Ethan Stacy was murdered.
I think about Ethan often, everyday in fact!
I think about Joe and Ethan’s siblings.
I think about how awful their emptiness must feel.
Does that horrible word “Never Again”
really ever set in?
I cannot even imagine what his loved ones are enduring.
I hope that when the sun beats down on there face,
they feel his warm smile.
Or when they hear a Bumble Bee buzzing around,
somehow they hear his laughter.

If you are reading this, please say a prayer
for The Stacy Family.

There are many people “world wide”– over 60,000 to be precise that has been affected by Ethan’s story.
I have had the privilege to converse on a daily basis
with a small number of them.
To name a few, Caty, Lucinda, Stephanie, Malia…
These girls are my new found friends, and I love them!
When I think about it… out of SIXTY THOUSAND people...
I have to wonder… for whatever reason, Ethan brought us together?
Thanks Angel! xoxo

I am very excited for August-
Caty and her daughter Jayne will be driving from Missouri to Utah
for an event in honor of Ethan!!!
Ethan should have started Kindergarten this year, but it is not to be.
Caty came up with the fabulous idea of holding a School Supply Drive
Once we have everything ready, the school supplies will then be donated to Social Service agencies for high risk children...
children that would not have them, otherwise,
or who are not in traditional situations getting them from mom & dad.
Homeless children, children who are in foster care,
children who are in hospitals who may not be starting school due to serious illness. They need a bag of school supplies, too!
Maybe, through this small effort;
Ethan can go to school in a different way...
in the backpacks of other little ones whom his memory is helping.
He can give a boost or a little piece of good fortune
to a child who is already at risk.
In Caty’s words-
“Isn't that a way to bring a tiny drop of Justice to Ethan's death
and honor his life?”

Our 1st donation- Thanks Laurie, xoxo

Someday… soon I hope…
I am going to travel to Virginia to visit Ethan.
1,872.68 miles away!
Caty, Malia and I have discussed meeting in Missouri or Virginia
to visit him together. Road Trip!

Walk for Ethan Stacy

Saturday May 22nd,
Shannon & I went on, The Walk for Justice for Ethan Stacy.
It was an amazing experience!!
The walk started at 9am at the Layton Meadows Apts
where Ethan spent his last few days.
I caught myself standing there starring
at the door that Ethan once lived behind.
My mind started to fill with terror & tears.
They began the moment of silence and as I looked down at the ground
I noticed some flowers that someone had planted in honor of Ethan.
Through all the rain, wind and mud...
they were standing strong and vibrant.
We had a prayer and began our 10.5 mile journey.

I am not sure that I have ever walked 1 mile much less 10 miles!
...thinking of Ethan helped me to go all the way.
He didn't get a break- I wasn't taking one either.
Hundreds of people showed up to support Ethan's voice.
Even children...a lot of children actually!
Many people felt very strongly that he was with us this day...
Along the way we saw ponies, goats, puppies...
The forecast was announced to be 50 degree's with rain,
turned out to be partly cloudy and warm!
We all carried a white balloon on our walk-
we were asked to write a message on it or simply just sign our name
so that once we reached our destination,
we would send them off to Ethan in the sky.
I am so grateful to the wonderful people who put this walk together
to show the family of Ethan our love and support!

Our journey ended 10.5 miles later at the Davis County Jail.
The children put there blue pinwheels in the ground for Ethan.
There was even a few woman that showed up all the way from
Grundy, VA just to walk for Ethan. Amazing!
After stretching out for a minute-I sat down-took off my shoes
and noticed a blood stain on the heel of my left shoe.
I have blisters...I am sore...but it was worth every mile.
I would do it again!
I know that by doing this walk today,
We SAID something...We STOOD for something...
to never forget Ethan, as well as to always look out for children
that are being abused, and to put a stop to it!

Today I Walked for Ethan Stacy...
I Walked for Child Abuse Awareness...
I Walked for Justice...
I Walked to be his voice...
Ethan you've touched our hearts and we will never forget you!
Sweet Dreams Beautiful Boy

Virginia's Walk

Ethan's Poem (above):

In the Heavens above,
I felt all of the love,
And saw everyone walking for me.
I couldn't help stare,
At my name everywhere,
Even on the balloons they set free.
I was smiling at you,
In your shirts white & blue,
And I put little signs all around.
Little signs you could read,
Little ponies to feed,
Pretty flowers to smell on the ground.
I want to thank everyone,
For all you have done,
So many that showed that they cared.
Please make it a vow,
to remember somehow,
All this love that we all have shared.