From Jamie

I didn't know Jace and Sheldon. The first time that I met them and the only encounter I had with them was at my son, Beckham's, 4th birthday party last summer. Heather called and said that she was bringing you guys and I was genuinely happy. I had not seen you in such a long time and I was excited to meet your husband and son. That day was fun. I don't remember a lot, but when I went through the pictures from his party, I came across these. They aren't the best pictures, but they document the time they were here. It may sound silly, but the few memories that I have of Jace are kind of what everyone who really knew him have. I remember he loved this blue and yellow dump truck and that he spent a lot of time pushing it around our backyard. I also remember thinking how outgoing that he was. I think the only kids that he knew at the party were Troy and Grant but he just walked around and was social with all of the kids without any problem. 

From Melanie

When I remember Sheldon I think of what a good man he was; kind, faithful, loyal, motivated, hard-working, and fun. He was usually soft spoken and never sought attention but he had a way about him that when he spoke you wanted to listen to what he was saying. He always projected an air of happiness, fun and light heartedness. He would constantly tease you but would never say or do anything that would intentionally hurt your feelings. Sheldon was a man whose beliefs were evident in the way he lived his life. Sheldon led by example and was always true to his faith. He was someone whose confidence came from his self assuredness in himself and his decisions. Sheldon was the first one to put himself out there and he never seemed self conscience. Sheldon had endless energy and was never afraid of a challenge. He accomplished amazing things in his life.

Because I always lived in a different city than Julie and Sheldon, most of my memories of them seem to center around planned family vacations, holiday, and events. As I have spent the last several weeks thinking of Sheldon and Jace I find the most random memories coming to mind. Like when Sheldon got his new motorcycle. I remember going up to Utah (probably for a graduation) and Sheldon taking me for a ride on his new bike. He was teasing me that he was going to go fast but he never did.

I also remember going to Mount Charleston for a hike with Julie, Sheldon and my parents. We had a picnic, played cards, hiked, and when we got bored started being goofy. I think we faked racing up and down that hill several times giving my mom plenty of photo ops of us being silly. I also remember when I ran my first 5K and Julie and Sheldon came down to race with me and support me. I will never forget watching the sun come up that morning and feeling so grateful to have them there with me on such a beautiful momentous day. In fact, the last thing Sheldon ever said to me was to ask when we were going to race again.

When I remember Jace what I associate the most with him is joy. He was a beautiful, good natured little boy who brought happiness to everyone. Another random memory I have is seeing Sheldon give Jace a bath when Jace was only two months old. I was walking by the upstairs bathroom in my mom’s house and there was Sheldon, spending some quiet time with his son, bent over the bathtub and holding little Jace so gently in his big hands. Both of them were just as happy as they could be.

I am grateful for these memories and the joy that Sheldon and Jace brought to our family. I am grateful we are an eternal family and that Sheldon will always be my brother-in-law and Jace will always be nephew. I look forward to the day we meet again.

From Heidi

I took this post from Heidi's blog.  She is one of Sheldon's sisters.  I hope she doesn't mind.  I loved seeing a few pictures of them that I haven't seen before.-Julie

Many of you may know that on March 17th we lost my brother Sheldon and his little guy, Jace. This was completely unexpected and the last people that I would have thought we would have to say good bye to. These two pictures are a few pix that were taken while they were staying with us in 2010.

This is a picture of the siblings with Julie at the funeral in Washington with Julie
Holly-Me-Julie-Lance-and Matthew

At the grave site in Salt Lake City we let balloons in the air in Memory of Jace and Sheldon.

This experience has really taught me that even though we expect to live a long life, that isn't always the plan for us. We need to live each day to the fullest with out any regrets. My brother was an amazing example of someone who gave everything in all that he did and all that he had accomplished. We love you Julie! I have had a few weeks to look at my life and the little things that I can improve on so that when it is my time I will be remembered as some one who always gave everything in all that I did just as Sheldon did.

From Kristin

 An early version of the yucky kisses...

From Karen

I ran across these pictures Sunday while sorting.  I remember this day so well.  Jace had so much fun playing in the sand.  The girls loved playing with him.

From Doni

Here are the pictures of you and your family from the Trunk-or-Treat.  I was so sorry that you didn't have a functioning camera with you that day, but as I look back I am glad that I was able to capture these images of you and your sweet little family together.

From Heather

Memories of Jace

From Dane

I miss Jace.  He was my best cousin.  I liked playing trains with Jace.  Aunt Julie must miss playing trains.  I should play trains with her.  Jace never bit me.  He was so nice.  He is my best cousin.

From Skye

I have a favorite stuffed animal named Lucky.  Jace would always take it.  He was always coming in my room and running so fast away with it.  Aunt Julie went and bought him his own.  I think it reminded him of me.  He really likes me.  Aunt Julie gave me that stuffed animal.  I named it Jace.  I sleep with it every night. 

Jace was never shy.  He was so silly.  He would fall down over and over and ask me to help him.  It was a pretend fall.  He was so silly.  I love Jace.

From Kyra

One time we were playing tickle monster and there was a base.  Jace would never go on base because he would want to be tickled!  He would laugh so hard.  I would laugh too.

Jace was so active and playful.  We went to a park in Las Vegas and hiked to the top of the mountain.  It was super awesome and I was glad to be there with Jace.  Jace was always smiling.  He made me feel happy.  I love Jace and I miss him.

From Heather

Shortly after Jace was born, we travelled to Las Vegas to meet the newest member of our family.  The kids were so excited and Jace was the sweetest little baby.  I remember it being really hard to get a chance to hold him because everyone wanted to love on that little boy.

Jace grew and changed so much every time I saw him.  When he came for Kyra’s baptism, he was ready to play!!  I was in the kitchen cooking and he kept running in the room trying to get me to chase him.  After a few times, I did chase him and he squealed with delight that his game worked.  He did that every time he saw me in the kitchen.

Jace always seemed to be the first one up.  Julie would try to keep him quiet but there was just too much fun to have in the world.  One of these mornings, I took Jace for a walk, and he pointed out to me everything he saw and recognized.  He was so attentive, sweet and observant.  He loved the ducks we saw (and their poop) and quacked the whole way home. 

Skye was telling me the other day that she thinks Jace will remember her in heaven because he really likes her and she likes him.  I have so many beautiful memories of Jace to remember.  My greatest is how much I love him.

Memories of Sheldon

From Dane

Jace really liked his daddy.  I can’t really think what to say but Jace really loved his daddy so that is probably good.

From Skye

That silly Sheldon.  He was always trying to take my blankie.  When he did, he would give it back.  He was trying to make me laugh.  He would throw me really high in the air.  I liked that a lot.  He ate a lot of food.  I miss him.

From Kyra

When I was little, I was all over Sheldon.  Instead of him kissing me, I would kiss him all over.  He thought it was so gross.  When we were in Hawaii, I always wanted to be right by Sheldon.  I wish I could be by Uncle Sheldon.  I think he did like it.  I love Uncle Sheldon.

From Heather

I guess my first memory of Sheldon is not really of him but of watching Julie.  Chad and I were just married, living in Wisconsin, and the family had come out to visit.  Julie kept disappearing to the driveway to talk to Sheldon.  She would light up and glow when she talked to him or about him.  Shortly after, it was no surprise; we were on our way to Utah for a wedding.

One family vacation to Silver Dollar City, in Branson, Missouri, I was looking for a restroom.  He told me to ask Julie because she always knows where all of the bathrooms are.  He teased her about it all day long.  Later, he took off for a restroom and got turned around in the park.  He found us in line later.  He had missed a ride and most of the lemonade slushies.   Sheldon hated to miss the fun and a free beverage.  He couldn’t hide his disappointment.  It might have been the most upset I’ve ever seen Sheldon get.  During that same trip, Kyra asked to go on a water ride.  I felt that the line was too long.  Sheldon volunteered to take Kyra and they both came out happy and wet.

I have beautiful memories of Sheldon at Christmas.  He loved the holidays and having his monster Christmas stocking stuffed with candy.  Every year on Christmas Eve we have a Christmas program.  I remember him getting up for part and singing Christmas carols in German.  At first I thought he would be funny like how he always was, but I remember being so struck by how serious he was and how he brought the spirit into the room.

The next life just seems like too long to wait to see Julie and Sheldon by each other’s’ sides.  They belong together--with Jace sandwiched in between.  

Kyra, always right by Sheldon

Sheldon and Kyra in Hawaii

Sheldon was so excited to see the arch!

Picture taken after the water ride.  Sheldon made Kyra very happy!

Silver Dollar City, Branson, MO

Kyra dressing Sheldon up.

 One of my most beautiful memories.

 Sweet Jace

Sheldon was such a goof during his Sunday School lesson.  He had these funny pictures mixed in with the lesson slides.  He kept saying how he had no idea how they got there.  Hmmm...

 Always laughing

 Park day

 Cute cousins

Silly cousins

From Steve

I think that SO much meaning is available through pictures. I thought I would share with you a few a of my favorites of Sheldon from our time together. Hope they can bring you a modicum of joy.

From Cori

Hey Julie, I was looking through my pics from the cruise and found this one of you and Sheldon that I just LOVED!  What a fun time we had...

It has been fun for us to think back to school years, and memories we had with you guys.  We had some fun times with you guys-I wish we would have done more with you.  From a small baby shower/bbq for Jace, to limo rides, to playing cards in the airport after the cruise, there were so many good times.  

Sheldon was a very good man, and I am sure he is guaranteed a spot in the Celestial Kingdom for sure.  He was so happy-seemed to soak in every moment and always turn a stressful situation, or any situation, into something fun.

From Jeremy

We wanted to attach a picture of the tree we planted in Sheldon and Jace’s memory.  I know how much Jace loved to play on that mound, boys love the dirt.  This will help us and remember the fond smiles they brought us.  I hope you can find peace and many people are thinking about you all the time. 

From Leslie

I remember when Julie was called to be our YW President at the beginning of 2009 in the Council Creek ward.  In her setting apart blessing, she was promised that she would be blessed with miracles.  And, not too long after that, we were meeting for a YW activity in the kitchen, she had just gotten the call that a birth mom was wanting her and Sheldon to be the parents of the child she was giving away.  She (the birth mom) was only two weeks away from having him.  She hadn't really told anyone yet, they were going to go meet the birth mom soon after that activity.  It was a miraculous moment.  

The weekend Jace came, was the weekend that Grant passed away.  Jace was everyone's miracle.  I think it only made Sheldon and Julie enjoy the precious time they had with him more.  

I keep thinking of the amazing honor and privilege I had to witness and be apart of Julie and Sheldon's sealing to Jace.  I remember Julie and Sheldon walking in the room, hand in hand.  They were beaming and the spirit was so strong.  The temple sealer spoke some words and then went to let the temple workers bring in Jace.  He was so handsome in his white suit and tie.  He was so beautiful.  He kept staring up at the chandelier.  Even when they sat him on the alter, he was so fascinated by it. He didn't cry or anything, he just kept looking up and around.  The temple sealer afterwards had them stand in front of the mirrors, so they can see their family reflection, that it went on for eternity.  This experience was and will always be such an amazing moment in my life.  I'm grateful to have been blessed enough to be there.  I also remember taking pictures in the atrium afterwards, and that was just fun.

I love the hike that we did for the YW.  We were raising our standards and waiving our values.  It was a beautiful day.  My husband and I were got to go and hang out with them.  Sheldon and Julie had Jace in the stroller.  The YW would keep showing Jace fun things, like snails and butterflies, and newts down by the water.  It was fun trying to get his stroller down the muddy slopes.  

Right before they started their rotations, our family got to come and celebrate Jace's first birthday.  My kids still remember it too.  Beau remembers bringing out Jace's pinata.  I remember Jace sitting on the ground getting cake everywhere.  What a lucky  kid.  I think he got his own little cake for that one.  It was so amazing to get to celebrate that with the Olsen's.  

That was just some nice memories I wanted to share.  

Love,
Leslie

From Theresa

I am an employee at Shelton Anytime Fitness and remember very clearly the day the Olsen family came in to become part of our gym family. I was greeted every and I mean every Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning with Sheldon's smile, wave and good morning hello's. He was a dedicated athlete who was happy to help other members who needed some help with a machine or technique. I will miss teasing him about his big ol backpack on the floor in my way as I'm picking up and cleaning around it:) Walking into the gym is not the same and his presence is greatly missed

From Lauren

Jace's friend Lauren drew this picture of a memory she has with him.  They loved jumping on the trampoline together.

From Elizabeth

I have been thinking about Jace today and one of my favorite memories of him is when he spent the day at our house and he had to strip down to just his diaper to eat his macaroni and cheese. Lucky in a house full of boys it was not an out of the ordinary occurrence so we just went with it. I did have to snap a pic and send it to Julie so she could see how at "home" he was with us :) Love you little guy.  -Elizabeth

Memories

If you have memories or pictures of Jace and Sheldon that you would like to share please email them to me at jaceandsheldon@gmail.com.  I will post them when I get them.  I would really love to come to this blog and read everyone's memories of them. -Julie

Blocks For Angels

A few weeks ago a foundation called Blocks for Angels asked if they could sponsor me by making blocks in memory of Sheldon and Jace.  I was able to pick out the wording and coloring of the bows.  This woman is a true angel.  In a time of need she has reached out to me to offer help, love, and support.  The blocks say, "Together Forever Someday."  This saying means everything to me because it is what I believe.  Sheldon's block has a blue bow, Jace's has a green bow, and she will be making a block with a white bow representing me.  So many of you are reaching out to me in so many different ways, and I am thankful to all of you for surrounding me with love.  It has meant everything to me.-Julie

http://www.blocksforangels.blogspot.com/