On June 26th, 2021 our family woke up excited and eager for the day ahead, having no idea it would be one of the hardest days we’ve ever faced! You see Saturday’s recently became, family track day. 

I’ve been thinking a lot about how I could possibly put into words all that our family endured, and whether or not I could write it out.. I mean, I’ve shared E’s story a million times with friends and family, but typing it out feels so much harder! In fact, I’ve been avoiding it! I’m so incredibly thankful for all of the prayers and support you’ve sent our way & I know so many are curious as to what happened that Saturday! I’ve also had other moto moms reach out asking if I could share E’s story with them, so that they could keep their children safe as they ride. But before I share E’s story, I want you to know that this is a story of God’s working hand, a MIRACLE! Easton’s accident, was just that, an accident. Yes he had on all his protective gear & was in a controlled and safe environment. No, I do not believe the desert is a safer place to ride, but we’ll get into that another time, for now I am sharing what happen that Saturday morning, that shook our families world. 

For the moto moms asking, how they can learn from this accident and keep their children safe.. Please always make your child, husband, friend, or who ever you are with, WEAR A HELMET! I understand gear can be very expensive, but your child’s life is worth so much more! Please also consider buying jerseys or having your child wear pants and a long sleeve. Chest protector, jersey’s, boots, gloves, and goggles are all- also essential to our children’s riding gear! And the most important of all, having a personal relationship with Jesus! Whether you’re riding a bike, skateboarding over a concrete pool, busting teeth at a hockey game or tackling another team at football practice, accidents happen that are out of our control, but nothing is outside of the Lord’s hand’s. I hope & pray as I share Easton’s story, if you don’t already know Jesus as your Lord and Savior, that you would feel Him knocking on the door of your heart and invite Him. 

Saturday..

Easton had just jumped onto the big track. (NOTE: A flagger walks out onto the track to let all the riders know that younger riders will be joining the track, too slow down and be very cautious. Most adult riders leave the track for a quick break.) Easton had just switched off with his sister Laila, this day they were sharing a bike, and this was his favorite part of the day! So I did what any mom would do, I recorded a short clip of him entering the track. I waited for him to come around the track for his second lap so I could hopefully get a couple good shots of him jumping. Side note: When I setup Easton’s nursery, I painted stripes on his wall and added letters that said, “Snips n snails & motocross trails,” hung a professional photo of Chad when he raced & made Easton a motocross themed blanket for his crib. I looked forward to the day that I would get to add photos to his room of him riding, right next to his daddy’s racing photo.

As E came around for his second lap, I took as many photos as I could until he was out of sight on my camera. Within seconds I put my phone down on the fold up chair that I had been sitting on and then sat down. When I looked up to where Chad was standing, I saw him run without hesitation! Looking up at the flaggers, there had definitely been a crash. Without thinking I got up and ran, leaving Laila and Aspen behind with my sister-in-law. She had been watching her son and thought I was running to help him and said something like “he’s ok.” It was so clear to me though, in that moment, all I knew was I needed to run! I knew something was very wrong, but I had no idea we were talking about different incidents at that point, and I also had no idea I was running to E!