Grace's Viewing and Funeral

I love this picture of Ben and Gracie. These last few days have been amazingly hard yet wonderful. My testimony has grown. My testimony of our Savior has become more real and I know that He is aware of us and our pain. Whenever I hear of a tragedy such as this my heart aches for the family. Now, being this close to it all I really feel the comforting strength of our Savior. I have seen forgiveness, service, sacrifice and love. I have come to know of the surety of our Heavenly Father's plan. One of our friends who lost her 15 month old son came to the viewing. When she hugged Amber she said, " It's so hard right now, but it is so awesome, it's awesome to have a child in heaven." This was such a comfort to Amber . The gospel is true! People have been so kind and giving to my sister and her family and all of us. I love the feeling in her home. The past few days we have shed a lot of tears, but we have also found joy. Joy in the Plan of our Savior. I didn't know that first night if I would ever see Amber happy again, and she has been. She is finding joy in the testimony of our Heavenly Father. We have laughed. Grace brought her such happiness and she knows Grace would always want that to continue. Sorry for all the pictures. I just never want to forget this week.

When we came back from the cemetary this is what the church looked like. It was so perfect. It was bright and beautiful and the love and time that went into this was amazing. Thank you RS for all that you have done for our family and especially Amber's. If we all served the way you all have what a world it would be.
Amber and Gary with their girls.
Amber and my mom.
Our forever family. I am so grateful for these people. These people are my best friends and I feel so blessed to have them in my life. We have leaned on each other and held each other up. We know that we are important to one another and that we are always there for each other. My dad said that it has been one of his greatest joys to watch us all come together and be there for each other. What a blessing the family is. I love you all!

My Dad. I wish I had a picture of my parents together. I have been so grateful for the way our parents have raised us. We have held each other up through this. I don't know what people do without an amazing family.
Amber and Gary watching the balloons float into the sky. I can't even tell you how much I love these two, and I am so grateful for who they are.
The balloons floating up.
Ben with his balloon. He was actually pretty good about letting it go. I thought he wouldn't want to. I love this boy.

My mom and dad did a balloon send off and the end of the service. It was the most perfect thing to do. All the kids, and most adults sent off a balloon and watched it rise in the sky. Look at the sky. It was supposed to be a stormy and and it couldn't have been more beautiful. One more blessing we received.
It is still hard to look at such a little casket, but it was so beautiful. And we are so grateful for it. The inside was white silk with purple little flowers pushed in the buttons. It was perfect and made with a lot of love.
The four pall-bearers. These are the four men that were there the day Grace passed away. Tom, Gary, John and my sweet nephew Brennan.

This is the nursery. Between the Elggrens and the Hills there are 33 kids 15 and under. We were so grateful for this nursery.
This I still can't believe. These Amazingly wonderful sisters are from my Eagle Mountain ward. They drove an hour and a half to come and see me at the viewing. I'm still speech-less. I love these ladies and I don't know if they will ever know how much this meant to me. They truly knew exactly what I needed! Marion Cline, Tiffany Monsen, Melissa Leatherwood, Annika Paxman, Chelsea Prince and Jobi Niu. I couldn't dream of better friends.
Gary and Amber. The strength of these two has been so amazing and has helped my testimony grow. I watched them at the viewing and all week comfort everyone who came. They have been a Christ-like example for all of us to follow. They have been so gracious to everyone. They are being held by our Savior. They know where Grace is and that they will see her again. We have all felt of the comforter these past few weeks and we are aware that He is aware of us. I love you Ber and Gar!
Tom and his wife. We will always love these two. Really, these are two special people. (Gary is the city manager and Tom is the assistant city manager), but now he will always be a part of our family.

Kirsten, Dan, Staci, Tiffany, Mom and Russ.
Dan, Staci, Kirsten, Russ, Me and Brendan.
The set ups were so beautiful. So many people donated thier time and talents to make everything so amazing. The halls were all lined with picutes and cute things that Gracie loved.
More pictures of our beautiful Grace.

The flowers were so beautiful. They were perfect for Gracie. Bright and Happy. I can't believe how many people sent flowers.
Some of the display.
This blanket was made by the ward and neighbors. When they took it to the quilting store they kept it open all night and did it for free. I can't believe what a treasure this is. The friends that made this are so kind.
Carter, Abbie, Matt, Kirsten, Matt and Shaun looking over little Gracie. She looked so beautiful.

Annie, Russell, Me, Brennan, Jack, Ashton and Cooper.
Livie and Lucy with their favorite uncle Dan. It was so fun to have them back for a while. Brendan said, "I can't wait til Dan goes back so I can be an uncle again." You should have seen all the kids when they saw that Dan was there. They got in a line to play with him after they tackled him. We all love him
My beautiful sister Amber holdinhg little Eliza. She wanted nothing to do with anyone. It was quite a fight to get her in this pretty dress and she wouldn't even consider wearing her new black shoes. She had on some old brown ones instead. She is such a Tom Boy and I love her little smokers voice.
Stick and Gary closing the casket for the night. It was so beautiful! I hope one day we can meet the amazing people who donated their time and talents to make this. We love you!

Lucy, Eliza, Annie and Livia in the Limo. Amber said this was one of the best parts of the day. The girls got to undue their seat belts and stand up. She said they all had a blast! It's probably the only pictures of Eliza smiling.
Matt and Jack in their matching suits. Jack loves Matt.
Celste and April. My two beautiful sisters. My Grandma Elggren. Open your eyes!
Jack and Lucy dancing at the viewing. They looked so cute. Both in their nicest clothes. They are best buds and Jack informed me the other night that he has a crush on Lucy. We'll talk about that one later.

Sweet Baby Gracie

Grace Hill West Point, Utah Our sweet Gracie returned to her Heavenly Father on November 7, 2009 after 15 too-short months with our family. She passed away with her mother and father by her side at home. Grace was born on July 9, 2008 in Davis County to the great joy of her parents and four (yes, four) sisters. Gracie is the 20th grandchild of Mark and Darline Elggren of Kaysville and the 15th grandchild of Stick and Melba Hill of Bountiful. Few children have been blessed to be loved by more caring sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins, or grandparents. Gracie loved animals, picture books of all types including "Goodnight Moon", all kinds of music, pictures of the Savior, and especially her sisters and mom and dad. We in turn have treasured her hugs, giggles, "moos," "meows," kisses, and snuggles. Our hearts are full but broken. Gracie is survived by her parents Gary and Amber Hill, her four sisters, Anne, Livia, Lucy, and Eliza, 35 cousins, 22 aunts and uncles, four grandparents and three great-grandparents. She was preceded in death by her Great-Grandma and Grandpa Hill, Great-Grandpa Jensen, Great-Grandma Rigby, and Great-Grandma and Grandpa (Pop) Elggren, all of whom we are sure greeted her with joy when she passed through the veil. Funeral services will be held Friday, November 13, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at the West Point 10th Ward chapel, 2850 West 300 North, in West Point, Utah. A viewing will be held Thursday, November 12, 2009 from 6-8 p.m. at the same chapel in West Point. A short viewing will be held the morning of the funeral at 9:30 a.m. Online guestbook and condolences at http://www.russonmortuary.com/

I am so grateful for the comfort of the Spirit at this time. What a blessing it is to feel of our Savior's love and we truly know that Gracie is a special Daughter of our Heavenly Father who had served her time on this earth. My testimony has grown as I have felt and watched the arms of our Savior encircle my sister Amber, her family and all of us. I can't believe the outpouring of love and service that has come my families way. So many people have reached out and kindly done amazing acts of service. The sweet husband and wife who donated a hand made casket. The Family who called for the 4 sister's sizes and then showed up with four beautiful dresses, tights, shoes, hair bows, bracelets and lockets for the girls. The steady flow of visitors from every ward they have ever been in. Tom, please keep him in your prayers, who brought soil, bulbs and flowers to make a garden for Gracie. There are so many to name. We love you all and we are grateful that Amber and Gary have such wonderful people as friends. We are seeing the hands of our Heavenly Father used through so many amazing people. I know that families are eternal and that I will see my sweet sister hold Gracie in her arms again. What a comfort it is to know that nothing can take our loved ones away. We will all hope and try to live worthy to be together forever. Hold your little ones tight and never let the really important things come last. My sister is a wonderful example of this. Her girls know that they come before the house is clean, and before Amber takes a shower. They know that they are loved and there has been no regret about the time spent with Gracie. We miss you Gracie, but I know we will see you again. I am so grateful for our Savior, Jesus Christ. For it is because of his wonderful sacrifice that we will all be together again.