Glimpses of a few friends searching for Jayci

Titled: Jayci Lillian
from my friend Melissa Silcock
I have been dreading writing this post. I feel it is necessary and something I want to keep in my blog book forever. My good friend, Krissy and her family lost their little girl this last weekend in a tragic accident. I have no words to even describe the way I feel and this community feels. When Robbie called me to tell me that Jayci was missing and to get down to the house she was last seen at, my first thoughts were, "well, that is Jayci." I didn't know her as well as I should have. I am good friends with her mom and when all of us friends get together, we tend to prefer it without our kids. You know, some quiet time. So sometimes I feel like I know my friends really well, but go a long time without seeing their kids. I did keep Jayci one time for Krissy and I remember that she just cried and cried. I was trying to cook dinner, so I had to cook it with her on my hip. The one thing I knew Jayci for was her wild hair! She had the prettiest dark, curly hair and it was crazy!! I always loved the stories Krissy would tell us and put on her blog about Jayci. They called her "the beast" if that tells ya something. She was a typical 16-month old...always into everything...and always busy, busy. I would always see Layne with her out in the hallway at church and he would just be following her around, wherever her little legs would take her. This experience has been horrible, devastating, and amazing all at the same time. Krissy and Layne have been soooo great during this whole ordeal. They understand that it was a part of a plan that we don't quite understand yet. Krissy has been a support and an example to each of us. I am always so down when I am constantly thinking about it during the day, and when I go visit her and see her..I feel better. I know that they are suffering and that we cannot comprehend what they are going through. But they are staying strong and I am so glad that I have been close enough to Krissy to witness this firsthand. It has changed me, as well as everyone in our little community. That night when we were looking for Jayci, there were sooo many people there and it seems like people just kept showing up throughout the night. I mean, hundreds of people and a lot of people who were there had no idea who Krissy, or Layne, or Jayci were, but they were there helping. As I was walking and looking, I was kind of on a hill and I could see all of the people who were scattered all around looking for her and it was amazing. I heard the search planes above my head and I actually got chill bumps on my arms when I thought about the love and support this community shows to one another. People can knock small towns all they want, but there is no way I would EVER live anywhere else. Jayci will be missed and we all will feel a little bit emptier because she is not with us, but I know her parents will be supported throughout this and that our Heavenly Father will strengthen them. I am so grateful for honor and privilege I had of getting a little glimpse of heaven through Jayci. I have learned that life is short and that we should cherish every moment with our family and friends!!! Everyone please keep this wonderful family in your prayers.

Titled Jayci Lillian
from my friend Kenna Harris
I've thought of a hundred ways to word this and what it comes down to is my heart aches for one of my closest friends and her husband. A week ago today they realized every parent's worst fear in the loss of their sweet baby girl.Krissy called me last Friday morning and we chatted about dance stuff, easter weekend plans, and the day's plans. She coaches softball and they had a game that afternoon. She mentioned that Kari's kids (head coach) would be watching her girls. They live right next to my parents and I remember Krissy saying they'd have to watch Jayci around the river. She loved water. I almost thought to validate her concern and offer to watch the girls but I thought of the handful of older kids that would be there watching her and we moved on with our conversation.Chip and I had planned a trip to Twin to do a little shopping for the kids. We were halfway there when Chip's cell rang and he handed it to me with Robbie and Ben's name showing on the caller ID. I knew the minute Robbie started talking that something was wrong. She was upset but I heard the words Jayci, missing, and river and my stomach sank. We immediately turned around. As we pulled in the hundreds of people walking the river bank, the divers in the water, and planes flying over were all so surreal. This kind of thing only happens to other people, people on the news who's faces aren't familiar.They found Jayci's little body early the next morning.Jayci was such a busy little thing. So busy and so fast. She loved, loved the water and they figure she slipped out the door in a small window of time. Krissy and Layne have confirmation that is was her time and no body's fault. The loss hurts nonetheless. I think every parent tries to imagine when you hear such a story and the reality has to be many times harder. It gives everyone a stark reality check about how quickly life can change and just how short life can be. I've felt guilty this week when I've lost my patience with my own kids but I've tried to appreciate them more as well. My cousin's wife, Jess made this comment on her blog and it really touched me, "Love your babies. Hold them close tonight, because others are relying on our Heavenly Father to do so. Memorize their faces and their laughs. Breathe in their scent and smooth your hand over their cheeks. You need their grace to realize your own."I had the chance to tend Jayci the week before and I'm glad I got to enjoy that little person one more time. I've watched her in the past but I don't think I ranked up there among her favorite people because she was always so fussy with me but we had a good day that day. I remembered at the last minute that MaKendrie had a doctor's appointment. I sent Rig to Grandma's and off we went. I knew I'd be on the losing end of things if I had to keep up with both little girls so I buckled Jayci on my double stroller along with Ridge. We had a little bit of a wait in the waiting room and Jayci kept looking at me with her big brown eyes as if to let me know it wasn't fair that she was stuck in that dang stroller. I tried to keep her busy with peek-a-boo and pat-a-cake and she also kept busy giving the older couple across the room her big bright smile. When we made it to the exam room I felt brave enough to let her off the stroller. I worked up a sweat keeping those little ladies from dismantling the room before the doctor came. Thank you Krissy for letting me enjoy her sweetness that day. We'll miss her.

There will be a few more because I have asked some of them to share their words about their experience that night so I always have it to look back on! And if any one out there was there please leave a comment and share your feelings also. I don't remember much but I want to remember things like the plane flying over head and the beautiful sunset that set across the water. thank you.