Kaden's Funeral Service was yesterday...it was so beautiful. Kristi and I are so happy with the turnout. Once again, there was such a show of support and love for Kaden and our family.
About 5:30 PM, our family was escorted by CHP motorcycles from our house to the Funeral home. The whole motor squad from my office volunteered to escort us on their own time. We felt very honored that they wanted to do that for us. We arrived at the Funeral home and immediately sat in the family area in the Chapel. Around 6 PM, the service started. Chaplin Rick Stonestreet conducted the service for Kaden. It was a beautiful service which touched each and every person in the Chapel. I would estimate between 175-200 people attended the service....standing room only! Our good friend Naomie Pruitt read a letter prepared by Kristi thanking everybody for their support and trying to raise awareness for CDH.
Naomie did a great job and we appreciate it. After the service, we were escorted back to the house by the CHP motors to celebrate Kaden's life. I would estimate about 100 people came to the house for the celebration. 
We had a ton of food and drink that was provided by several family and friends. It was so nice to see so many of our friends that we had not seen in quite a while. We ate and drank until around 1:00 AM celebrating Kaden's life and enjoying the company of our family and friends. 
It's looking like we will have a good amount of donations in Kaden's name to give to the "Nayeli Faith Foundation". There were a lot of people yesterday that were educated about CDH. I'm sure that they will pass on that knowledge that they gained from Kaden's journey. Please continue to keep those donations coming for the "Nayeli Faith Foundation" or any other CDH support group.
BELOW IS A PICTURE OF A LAMINATED CARD WITH KADEN'S INFO ON IT. WE RELEASED ABOUT 75BALLOONS WITH THESE CARDS ATTACHED FOR PEOPLE TO SEE AND TO RAISE AWARENESS FOR CDH WHEREVER THESE BALLOONS LAND.
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I am so glad you guys hada great turnout. I wish we lived closer so we would have been able to come. I thought of you all day yesterday and know Kaden must be so proud of you guys. Continuing to pray for you all!
ReplyDeleteMuch Love and Many Prayers.
Ashley
Kaden's service sounds beautiful. Kaden has touched so many lives! Thinking of you guys.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea for the balloon release and tags attached!! We pray that the service was healing for you and so happy that you received a great amount of love and support.
ReplyDeleteA celebration of Kaden's life is the best! He is an amazing little boy.
Continuing to keep you all in our thoughts and prayers.
I love the idea of attaching a tag to the balloons. That is great! I will continue to keep your family in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteThe funeral service was beautiful. Shane and I are praying for you both. We are thinking of you.
ReplyDeleteThe memorial service for Kaden sounds beautiful. Kaden touched so many lives and I am happy you were surrounded my much love and support in the memory of your son. I will always remember Kaden, for he shares Ian's birthday. Many continued prayers for your family. I have been thinking of your other children and keeping them in my prayers. Love the idea of attaching the cards to the balloons.
ReplyDeleteThinking of you, Tracy - Ian's mom
How beautiful! You guys thought of everything. From one CDH mom to another, THANK YOU for making a point to spread awareness about this horrible birth defect! It's people like you who will inspire others!
ReplyDeleteYou are so strong and we appreciate everything you have done (and continue to do) for you CDH Family! We're sure Kaden's very proud of you!
Good Bless,
Sending love and prayers,
Sheryl, Tom, Jared & Jaime
Hello Kristi and Craig,
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like it was beautiful service... It is so great you had so many people turn out to honor your precious Kaden. He will never be forgotten! All of u are in my heart!
Joanna
I thought about you guys all day long and pictured Kaden's service in my head as so beautiful which it sounds like it was. It was probably a bittersweet day but I hope that you found some peace and comfort in honoring his life in such a special way.
ReplyDelete~Lisa (mommy to angel Ava)
www.caringbridge.org/visit/avarosedaher
I wish we could have been there too. The service sounds amazing, and it's apparent how much Kaden is loved. Sending hugs and still praying for peace and comfort.
ReplyDeleteLove, Stephanie
You both don't know me but I'm someone who is on the TWW boards. I have been following Kaden's story for awhile now. Anyways I wanted you to know that I did my first march for babies today and I was telling all the girls I walked with about Kayden and CDH. I can only hope that some of the money that was raised today will go towards babies that have CDH. It was amazing to be a part of such a great cause. Kaden was blessed to have such a great family. I will continue to keep yoour family in my thoughts and prayers..
ReplyDeleteAmy TWW
craig and kristi, i haven't commented yet because i just didn't know what to say. like i said in my pm to you kristi, there are no words. kaden's service looks like it was absolutely beautiful and i'm sure the celebration in heaven was a great one! we are still praying for your family and for the peace that only God can give. we love you guys!!!
ReplyDeleteCraig and Kristi,
ReplyDeleteOne of the most powerful tools of healing from a tragedy is to find a bright spot within the darkness. I know that your bright spot is to raise awareness about CDH. So here is a small, but true example of just that. After the funeral, Olivia and I went out to dinner. We sat there in the busy restaurant still wearing our teal ribbons from Kaden’s service. We engaged in normal conversation through the meal, but it always came back to you guys and Kaden. Counting our blessings and reflecting on the miracle of life seemed to be the theme of our night. After finishing our somber meal, the manager came over to check on us and ensure we had a great experience. After a few seconds of positive customer feedback, the Manager asked about our ribbons. Realizing this was a chance to carry Kaden’s torch a little further, Olivia and I spent the next five minutes educating the gentleman about CDH and Kaden’s journey. We shared information about the defect, the statistics involved with CDH, and the comparison to other birth defects and illnesses, and the unfortunate mortality rate of babies born with CDH. The manager, whose wife is an executive with a pharmaceutical corporation, explained that he seemed to recall having a conversation with his wife about CDH some time ago. The manager related that he was not sure if the problem was one that could be addressed by medication, but said he was curious and would have to ask his wife about the defect. The manager left us with a salutation and Olivia and I stared at each other for a few seconds. Both near tears, we realized that there were now at least three people we knew, who had been completely educated about CDH through Kaden’s brave fight for life. We felt we had to share this story with you, and hope it brings a small bit of comfort at such a tragic time for you guys. Our thoughts and prayers have been, and continue to be with you and your whole family.
Jay Brazil
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you.” Jeremiah 1:3
I pray that you and your family are well. It's so hard to know what to say and I simply want you to know that all of us "strangers" are still thinking of you and inspired by all you've done thoughout this journey you've been committed to from the minute you heard the crushing news of CDH.
ReplyDeleteHey Kristi and Craig. I just wanted to let you know I was thinking of you today. All the "anniversaries" are hard. Hang in there and now I am here for you both whenever you need me. Much love and many continued prayers.
ReplyDeleteAsh
We lost our baby but while he was in womd, hvaing read your story I was so touched by Kaden's life and your strength that I was brought to tears. IO had never heard of CDH before but I will now forever bring that with me.
ReplyDeleteMy heart and thoughts go out to you and your family and I pray that God grants you the peace and happiness you deserve.
I am soo sorry it took me so long to send my condolences. I saw the post on BoH and replied there but it was very hard for me. I am so sorry, so sorry that you have to know this pain. It hurts to see another Kaden lost his battle. Your son was beautiful and I know you will treasure every memory. If you ever need anything or someone to talk to I'm here. I'm not sure if this poem is to soon to give you but I found it and have been using it. "It broke my heart to lose you but you did not go alone, Part of me went with you the day God called you home. A million times I've thought of you A million times I've cried, If loving you could have saved you You would have never died. Forgive me Lord, For I'll always weep for the son I loved but could not keep" My heart and prayers go out to you, God Bless!!
ReplyDeletehello Kristi and Craig,
ReplyDeleteI haven't any word for describing this kind of services in Funeral Homes