Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Our 56 Days

This is the slideshow that my brother put together for us to show at Tristan's "Celebration of Life" service. This is a little glimpse into the 56 wonderful days that we enjoyed as a family of 5. This is just a portion of the over 1600 pictures taken during our time together. As you watch this we hope you are reminded, as we are, of God's faithfulness to our family as He granted far more than we could have possibly imagined.

Trayc

33 comments:

AK Angel said...

"Grace and peace be your in abundance through the knowledge of God..." (2 Peter 1:2)
Thank you for sharing this beautiful video of Tristan and your family ~ I live in Alaska and have been following Tristan's journey from afar ~ his face was so 'angelic' and sent forth such serenity and peace when you looked into his precious eyes ~ Tristan's 56 days brought so much to so many, far beyond your family, and I just wanted you all to know that ~ he was small in stature but his 'heart' was as big as the sky ~ I also would like to tell you that your other boys are quite the 'heroes'... the photos of your oldest son holding Tristan just brings tears to ones eyes ~ he holds him like he's held a hundred babies before... such a loving embrace for his special brother ~ and the glowing red hair of your middle son... he's pretty lucky to have such a wonderful big brother... again, thank you for sharing all the 'emotions' of your journey of 56 precious and miraculious days with Tristan ~ "Don't be afraid; God loves you very much ~ Be strong now, be strong..." (Daniel 10:19) Sending angel hugs, Joellyn

Candi said...

What a beautiful video of your precious boy. Thank you for sharing!! Continuing to keep you all in my prayers.

Vicki said...

Yvette & Trayc,

you don't know me, but I have been following your story for awhile now. I just wanted to say what a beautiful video tribute to your beautiful family.
You are all in my thoughts and prayers as you learn to live a "new normal".
I have 3 children with a rare genetic disorder... 2 of which we adopted as babies... they are the lights of my life... while I can't begin to imagine the ache in your hearts, I can relate to much of your story.
Hugs to all of you...
Sincerely,
Vicki Knopf
www.theknopfcrew.blogspot.com

Jen said...

I loved seeing that. Thank you!

Anonymous said...

what a beautiful family. thank you for sharing that. we all have our struggles though it is people like yourself that make us stronger daily. thank you for sharing your story. my daughter is Autistic and I struggle daily with the fact that she is different... I have nothing to complain about. praying for you and your family....

Hilary said...

Simply beautiful!!!! Thankyou so much for sharing Tristan life with us...it has been life changing

Laurie in Ca. said...

What a most amazing video of your 56 Days with a miracle named Tristan. I am so thankful for the love of God that is bringing you through each day at this time. I pray for your hearts to be soothed as you miss him and cherish these memories. I just love the picture of your boys' 3 sets of feet. That is so precious. They all are precious, but there is just something about feet that melt my heart. Thank you so much for sharing this with us. I miss Tristan's updates and I am sure this blog could not contain the joy of this little boys life with Jesus. May your hearts be filled with joy and hope too.

Love, Laurie in Ca.

Anonymous said...

So beautiful!! Thank you for sharing.

Jen in Al said...

Beautiful!!!! You can see how much you all love one another! Tristan is VERY loved! so wonderful to see how you celebrated each moment with your precious Tristan. thank you so much for sharing your incredible days with him. you chose such beautiful and perfect songs. how did you find them? Praying every day you feel cradled by our Heavenly Father as you "grieve with hope". weeping with hope with you, jen in al

Anonymous said...

Your brother did a great job on that video! Wow...the songs are perfect and the pictures...just beautiful. It's so awesome to see the pure joy on your faces in those pictures...treasuring each day you had with that precious little boy. Thank you for sharing this with us!!!

Anonymous said...

Thank you for sharing this sweet video as well as the 56 days with Tristan. The picture that got me was the one with the 3 sets of feet! what a sweet memory you will have of those tiny feet that left footprints on all of our hearts. He was truly a blessing and will never be forgotten. Thank you for sharing. Yvette, we miss your updates but please know we are still praying for you. Peace be with you. Much love, Annie- Nashville

Anonymous said...

Absolutely beautiful! Happy one-month Angel Day sweet Tristan! The miracle of your life endures through your wonderful family and spills over onto so many, many others!

Anonymous said...

Thank you for sharing part of this video. It was very moving. God Bless.

I am Heather...creator of all things crafty! said...

Beautiful montage. I've been following your story through Kenzie Stanfields blog. I would like to mail a little something special to you if you would kindly email me your shipping address. You will be in my prayers. Heather Rice
casaderice@sbcglobal.net
http://www.ricetrio.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Dear Hostetter Family,
I watched your beautiful slideshow this morning when I first got up. What a precious testament to the love that Tristan got to experience. I have followed your story since shortly before Tristan was born & am still amazed at your family & your faith. You have blessed my life beyond words and I don't think I will ever be the same after watching your story unfold. You are a tremendously generous family, to be able to share your joy & heart-ache. I love all the pictures of Tristan. You all look so happy just to get the chance to share his life. I still pray for you and will continue to. I pray for peace and I pray for your new vision.
Love,
Emily

Kenzie said...

Sweet friends-

That is such a beautiful video... one that shows how you lived each day to the fullest with your precious boys. It shows how you exemplified God's tremendous love to Tristan and to Tanner and Tayden as they watched you love so greatly. I know in many ways you showed Tristan unconditional love here so that he could look at our Father's face and see a look he knew so well from his parents here on earth.

I love you guys and am praying SO MUCH for you today!

Love and praying,
Kenzie

Cathy said...

Thank you so much for sharing the video with us. Again, blessings and peace to your beautiful family.
Cathy & Annabel

Anonymous said...

Thank you for sharing Tristan's life with us. I am left speechless. He brought so much to my life. I have followed your story for a while but I'm not sure what day I found you but it has touched me in so many ways. It has brought me closer to God and my spirtual life and made me be so much more appreciative. I have 3 children ages 14, 9 and 6. The oldest are two girls and the youngest is a boy. Thank you again for sharing and God Bless your family.

Jenn in CA

Emily said...

Incredible.

Praying you through....

Anonymous said...

Yvette & Trayc,
The tribute to your son was absolutely beautiful. I fought back tears as I remembered what it was like for those 5 months the doctors were telling me my son might have Trisomy 18 and I was better off to have an abortion, how I decided to keep him anyway - and how lucky we were that we received a clear amnioscentesis five months later.
It's strange, that as unreligious as I am, how much I prayed to God during that time, begging him to send me a clear amnio and let my son survive. I know much of how you felt then, but I cannot imagine how you must be feeling now.
I tear up every time I come to your blog as I remember how my family too, was effected by Trisomy 18 - and how much I feel your pain.
God bless you and your family - especially your sweet little Tristan. Your family is always in my thoughts.

The Sasser Family said...

I have only been following your story for a few month but have been truly amazed by your constant faith in God. You are an amazing family with such love for each other and God. Praying for you today on the anniversary of Tristan going home to Jesus.

Anonymous said...

Oh, how I miss your sweet little boy. I'm sure my missing him is nothing in comparison to how you feel, but I miss him nonetheless. He was such a handsome little guy and everyday I looked forward to seeing how he did the night before and to see a recent picture of him. I think you spoiled us with the pictures - what a great thing that you still have those to look back upon your time with him here. He truly was a miracle for 56 amazing days. There isn't a day that goes by where I don't think about him or your family. You have been a blessing in my life, and you still are. Your foundation sounds like an awesome way to help other T18 families, and I pray it is as successful as you hope it to be. Blessings to you all!
Katie

Jenny said...

My husband and I just wanted your amazing slide show. I haven't cried like this in a very long time---I'm so thankful to know of your story and to "know" you and your precious family. Your faith and trust in Jesus are such an inspiration. You are in my thoughts and prayers. May God continue to hold you tightly and fill you with his love and peace.

Love, Jenny

So Blessed said...

That was so beautiful and precious...I have to say that the picture of those three pair of little feet was the sweetest thing in the world. I'm thankful you have so many amazing pictures that capture the love and memories with precious Tristan. My prayers continue for all of you.

Kim said...

That is such a precious video. Who were those songs by?

I know Tristan is resting safe and whole in Jesus' arms tonight, but I also know that you love him and miss him more and more. I am praying for peace and comfort for your family!

Anonymous said...

Trayc, Yvette and boys,

We are praying for you today and love you.

Love,

Jami, Anna and Tyler

Kathryn said...

Your video brought tears to my eyes. We had "A Visitor From Heaven" played at our baby girl's funeral. Brings back memories...

I'm so grateful for the time you had with Tristan. He was a beautiful baby boy.

Love ~ Kathy

Anonymous said...

Your family is just so precious! I loved the video. And I LOVE the photo of all the boys' feet. So cute.

Lots of love and prayers,
UNC NICU RN

Unknown said...

It's a beautiful collection of memories. "And we can cry with hope" rings true, doesn't it? I am so sorry that Tristan's no longer with you, but I'm delighted to see how strong your love for him is. I was reminded today and yesterday of how children lost are never forgotten. A friend (in her 80's) told me about her daughter who passed away (had hydrocephalus due to meningitis) about 45 years ago. And she still talks about how Jenny had beautiful hair and was such a beautiful girl. I hope and pray your memories of Tristan are a comfort and a hope for you. Praise God that you'll see him again, healthy and whole - the way you always saw him. - Susie S.

Rebecca (Ramblings by Reba) said...

Beautiful slide show. It sounds like Twila Paris in the first song and Steven Curtis Chapman in the 2nd, but I could be way off.

Tristan surely is a cutie. And if I read your 2/27/08 post correctly, the Day 53 photo is the very last one you took of Tristan? That's the one I have on my computer at work. I feel blessed... :)

Thank you for sharing Tristan with us.

Martha said...

After reading so many of the other T-18 stories, when I saw the picture of your family coming out of the hospital with Tristan, I thought, "Wow! That was truly a miracle." But every picture, every day, was a miracle! I pray the Lord will use your family to be an inspiration to many others who walk this road ahead.

Jesse said...

I'm so glad your family was able to live each and every one of Tristan's precious 56 days in the moment, taking advantage of every opportunity to make a memory. This video is a beautiful way of capturing so many sweet memories. Thank you for sharing.

Still praying for you and your family.

Anonymous said...

Trayc & Yvette,

I read your blog every now and then to check up on your family. I attempted to see the slide show of all of the precious pictures you took of Tristan during his days on earth, but unfortunately my computer does not support flash. I hope to one day see all the photos. Your family remains in my prayers. Always remember that Community Hospice offers specific berevement services for you both as well as for Tanner, if you feel it is appropriate. Feel free to contact me for any questions or comments.

Janine Hunt, RN
Community PedsCare