Makenzie's Temple work

 I am so thankful that I am worthy to attend the temple.  Tonight Jerica N Neal Madsen and I were able to do Makenzie's work for her. We were surrounded by friends and family, thank you all for coming. I'm so grateful I was able to do her work on this side, so she can receive all the blessings the Lord has promised her. It was such a huge blessing and a special gift I could give her. We sure felt her love and spirit there. We had so many personal moments that are so sacred to share but it has helped bring us some peace as we know she is okay. 

I saw your sweet face and body all dressed in white happy as can be. I know you are safe and happy and healthy and whole and able to run, jump and your heart is perfect. Thank you for letting me know that you were with me today. During the sacred prayer Tyler and I were apart of it and it said to bless those in this circle with comfort and strength. I know those words were from you to me, so thank you for loving me. 

I am so grateful for this gospel and the opportunity to be able to do this for my baby girl. I also know we will be able to see her again and that this is not the end, and I will be able to see her again and raise her. We love you Makenzie and are so proud of you and the memories and legacy you have left us. #alittlepieceofourheartsareinheaven #LoveLikeKenzie #myinspiration #familiesareforever #missmygirl

Makayla's Baptism 9/18/21

 Today was a special day for Makayla. She chose to be baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day saints. We are so proud of her and her decision. Last year she was unsure she wanted to get baptized when she turned 8, and we told her it was her decision when the time came, and we would support her either way. So she decided to prayed about it and she said it felt right. I know it is something that will help her along the way in life.  I also know Kenzie was with her today watching over her and is also so proud of her decision, We love you Makayla. 

She also ask Myleigh if she would play the piano for a special number,  she did so good for the first time playing Infront of people. 

itsgreattobe8 #makaylasspecialday #

Braxton 14

 Happy birthday to my handsome son. I can't believe you are already 14 years old. Time sure needs to slow down, but you are growing up to be an amazing young man who adores your sisters. He loves to play football, basketball and his Xbox. He is amazing at math. His favorite color is purple, he loves the Utah Jazz, the Utes and Green Bay Packers. 

Happy birthday Braxton we love you so much and we are so proud of you.

Happy birthday to me!

 

Today started out really rough, my two girls Myleigh and Makayla had a rough time getting along today and it was to much for me, so I finally just put myself in time out in my room, and took a breather. After a little while these two sweet notes came flying under the door. It actually reminded me of Kenzie, She did that when she did something that wasn't nice, then felt bad about it.
Later, Tyler came home and brought me some roses. I told him "thank you" and he said "they are not from me, they are from Kenzie" I gave him a look, and he told me he was driving home and passed the cemetery and said he heard Kenzie's sweet voice say "buy mom some roses" so he went to the store and bought me roses from her. My heart just broke achy to hold her on my special day. 😭
Then the girls had a dance audition, so I dropped the girls off and went and visited with Kenzie while they did their audition.  I brought her one of the roses and thanked her for the sweet gift. As I sat there talking with her about everything that happened today. I changed the subject to us going to dinner tonight and that I wished she was here with us to celebrate my birthday. I told her that when we go I want a sign that she will be there with us.
Well, we got to the restaurant and got bumped back a little bit in the line, but we finally got seated. After a little bit, I realized that we got put at a table that had an extra chair right across from me while every one else was sitting on benches. It was the only chair in that whole section that had tables and benches. I then knew it was a chair just for Kenzie, and she was there with us celebrating my birthday. I'm so thankful that she wanted me to know that she is still with us and takes time out of her busy day on the other side to be with me. I thought last year's birthday would have been the hardest birthday without here, but this one was way harder for me. I miss Makenzie so much and just wish she was here with us.
On a happier note, since Kayla's birthday was this month she was able to ride the saddle at Texas roadhouse with me for our birthday, and then I got some yummy smelling candles for my birthday.
It has been a very emotional, draining day. But at the end of the day I'm glad I was able to have that sweet sign from Kenzie and be with my family.
#augustbirthday #feelingold #LoveLikeKenzie #misssweetkenzie #apieceofourheartisinheaven #familiesareforever

Makayla age 8

 How can someone be so little as 6.6 lbs and 17.5 inches long already be 8 years old. Makayla is so much fun and loves everything. She still loves to snuggle and be my mini me side kick. She loves everything from coke, to hot Cheetos, to fruit smoothies. Her favorite restaurant is olive garden (I think she loves it because it was Kenzie's favorite) She loves dancing and playing the piano, to hanging out with family and friends. 

Happy birthday sweet girl hope you had a fun day and always remember to reach for the stars.

The beat goes on with the girls lemonade stand

 Before summer the girls wanted to buy a lemonade stand, so I saw on Facebook that there is a local company that makes things out of pallets, it is called pallet project. So the girls paid for half of it with their own money, they got to decide the colors, Makayla chose pink, and myleigh chose Teal (Kenzie's favorite color). 

After they bought the stand, the girls and I thought it would be nice to honor Kenzie some how by raising money for a charity. So I gave the girls some ideas and they chose Donor Connect a non profit organization that promote organ donation awareness, something that Kenzie was a huge advocate for and spoke a many symposium and the celebration of life. 

In May I got a hold of Clint my brother in law since he works there and asked if we could get some brochure to hand out when the girls pass out the lemonade when people come buy some, I told him they will probably only make about $100, but  Much to my surprise the media came and the girls got interviewed by a few different news stations, KSL, fox13, the tribune even good morning America called us for an interview, the Washington post got a hold of us and interview the girls and I as well.   From there it ended up going viral and it went all the way to Asia. We were planning on only doing it 1 Saturday in June, but since the news said the girls will be out their every Saturday in June we thought we should do what they told the people. So every Saturday in June the family sat in front of the house selling lemonade and cake pops the girls and I made and they sold their little hearts out for Kenzie. By the end of June they raise over $14,000 dollars To give to Donor connect. On July 13th Kenzie's Angel day the family got invited to the salt lake city council meeting to talk about Kenzie and the lemonade stand and to present the check. I was able to speak in front of 10 councilmen and the mayor and tell our story of love and loss and organ donation awareness. I am so proud of my girls for wanting to do this for Kenzie it definitely helped get through a rough day. They want to do it every June for Kenzie. We love and miss her everyday but we know Kenzie was behind all the promotion that the girls got to help raise money. Here are a few of the interviews and article that was published.. #lovelikekenzie 

https://www.ksl.com/article/50185217/sisters-run-lemonade-stand-in-west-jordan-in-honor-of-their-older-sister

https://www.abc4.com/news/local-news/lemons-for-kenzie-siblings-sell-lemonade-to-honor-late-sister/

https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2021/06/14/lemonade-stand-organ-donation-makenzie-madsen/

https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/family/story/girls-open-lemonade-stand-honor-late-sister-raise-78535071

https://ksltv.com/466470/lemonade-stand-organ-donor/

https://www.kiro7.com/news/trending/utah-girls-sell-lemonade-honor-late-sister-aid-organ-donation-awareness/PE6XHC6BNFBEDE5O45YXXL6ULI/

https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/sister-died-awaiting-transplant-two-130000623.html

Mother's Day 2021

 Today was definitely a day I could have skipped over and slept through it but it turned out to be okay. 

I woke up to breakfast made by Makayla, a bagel sandwich yummy. 

I am thankful to be a mother, and the joy it brings to me. My kids have helped me this past year to find joy in life and comfort when I thought I couldn't go on. I'm thankful for the 14 years I had with Makenzie and the love she has shown me even on the other side of the veil. 

Before I left for church I was at home by myself (Tyler took the kids to primary) I was in the living room cleaning up a bit and looked at Kenzies picture and asked her to let me know she was here today with me on Mother's day. When I got to church they announced the young women will be singing "More than Enough" I knew it was a message from Makenzie, I pictured her up there with the young women singing that song like she used to do at home, I cried of peace and grief all at once. It was also nice to hear Braxton talk at church for Mother's day, and the tears came again. 

My parents also came over and had dinner and went with us to visit Kenzie and watched a movie with us..I am so thankful for my own mother who has showed me selfless acts of kindness even as an adult, and a true example of Christlike love. 

Thank you all for those who thought of me today, and those who sent comforting messages. Hope you all had a wonderful Mother's Day full of love. 

The last 5 pictures are from previous mother's day with my kids