We are the Ingram family of 5. Jarrett-dad, Chelsea-mom, Peyton (7)-big brother, Conner (5)-middle brother, Trek (April 11, 2011-June 21, 2012)-little brother. We lived on the island of Maui in Hawaii, USA from 2008-2012.
We have always wanted to travel full time as a family and show our boys the world.
On April 11, 2011, Jarrett delivered Trek in the driveway of our Maui home. It made us all realize how wonderful life was, and we wanted to start traveling with our boys right away. We named our 3rd son, Trek Atlas, in honor of that dream. We began selling all of our belongings, Jarrett put in notice at his work, and we bought 1-way tickets to Thailand for January 2012.
Trek 3 days old-our inspiration for adventure!
In December 2011, just days before our move to Thailand, we took Trek to the doctor because he was losing weight, and was not reaching all of his developmental milestones. He was not eating solids (he only breastfed his entire life), or sitting up. Trek was 8 months old.
In the next 24 hours we flew from Maui to Oahu to Denver Children’s Hospital where we stayed for 2 days, and they diagnosed him with Niemann Pick Type A, a rare genetic disorder with no cure or treatment. Children with NPA rarely live past 2 years old.
We spent the next 4 weeks (January 2012) in Denver visiting family and friends, researching NPA, and gathering pain medicine for Trek. We knew we had to get Trek at least 1 stamp on his passport, and we wanted to continue our plans to travel with him. We ended up getting him 4 stamps. We had high hopes for him to never return to the hospital or the doctor, and he never did.
We left for Disneyland in January 2012 our first real family vacation. We left from California to Nicaragua where Trek road a panga boat on the ocean, to Honduras where he slept in a hammock on a private island, to Japan to meet real ninjas, and to Thailand where an elephant kissed him. Trek got 4 stamps on his passport between January 2012 and June 2012.
In between his world travels, we traveled to Texas and Maui to visit family and friends, so they could love on Trek while he was alive. He also had a very special fundraiser at Hard Rock Cafe in Maui, where he also celebrated his 1st birthday. (all of his travels here!)
Trek riding in a songthew in Thailand
Trek passed away peacefully in my arms with his daddy and brothers singing to him on June 21, 2012 in Phuket, Thailand.our precious son
you can read Trek’s entire story and about his travels here
We are devastated, our life will never be as sweet since Trek won’t be there. Our family is missing a huge part since he left us, we are just trying to live by Trek’s motto that is on his bracelets-Embrace Life. Not a second goes by that I don’t yearn for him to be cuddled in my arms. No matter how wonderful our life will ever be, it will be missing so much without our baby.
Jarrett wrote a book about Trek’s life as a tribute to our love for him and all that he gave us- Following After Trek. It is Trek’s story from Jarrett’s point of view. From Jarrett catching Trek in the driveway on the day he was born until he died in our arms in Thailand 14 months later. Jarrett had a dream just days after Trek died and that dream developed into the other half of his book. Jarrett weaved a beautiful tribute for Trek of his life and our hopes for Trek where he is now. You can read all about Following After Trek at www.jarrettingram.com.
Following After Trek is available in paperback on Amazon, on the Kindle, and the Nook.
Since Trek’s death we have traveled to Laos, Myanmar, Malaysia, and spent many months in Thailand. We are currently in Surat Thani, Thailand where Jarrett is teaching English until March 2013. After that we will continue traveling the world!
the following is what I had on the blog before we found out about Trek’s illness. It is just a little about each of us…
a little about me…
I love playing with my boys, snuggling, reading books: for children and myself, baking, breastfeeding, swinging on our porch swing, going on dates, drinking caffeine in any form, but a coke with ice and a pink straw is my favorite, clean sheets, learning how to make my life more full, the beach, homeschooling the boys, baby faces sticky with fruit, long kisses, cosleeping with our children, I love to make messes, but not clean them up, pedicures, fresh fruit, and creme brulee!
Jarrett-
The backbone of our family. We all wait anxiously everyday for him to come home from work-he is so much fun to be around! He is the most funny, loving, smart man I have ever met. He is always reading and writing, wrestling with the boys and taking me on dates. He loves video games and watching our favorite tv series together, but recently sold all the latter to focus on our dream of world travel so he could write more. He is a talented author. He always knows what I need even when I don’t and makes it happen. He is strong-willed and gets things done and I know we will accomplish all our dreams together.
Peyton-7 years
Is the best brother I have ever known, is a wonderful friend, will play with toys for hours deeply involved in some imaginative plot, jumps and climbs off of everything-no height is too great, loves learning and asks everyday to homeschool, wrestling with Daddy and Conner, swordfighting, playing video games, and will eat almost anything. Peyton is our sweet sweet boy, we are amazed daily that he is our son!
Conner 5 years
Calls Peyton ‘brother’ and is always by his side, you want him as your friend not your enemy-he will defend you to the death if he likes you! Loves to snuggle and wrestle. He is so full of life and love, he always makes us laugh with all the cute and funny things he does. He is the most passionate person I have ever met. He is the sweetest most doting brother to Trek, he is always kissing him and talking to him. He likes video games and watching movies, anything with cheese, is a huge mamas boy, likes to run around in the buff and has big brown eyes and chubby cheeks that will melt your heart.
Trek-April 11, 2011-June 21, 2012 (died at 14 months old)
Our catapult into adverture-we named him Trek Atlas (the latter after my Grandpa), and for our life dream to travel the world. He was born in the driveway in our attempt to make it to the hospital and our life has not been the same since! After that moment Jarrett and I both realized that we needed more moments like this and began working on our dreams right away. I call Trek my little lover-he is the sweetest angel we have ever met. His 1st few months of life have been so relaxing and truly enjoyable thanks to all we have learned from our 1st two babies, Trek has had an unmedicated birth and an unvaccinated, uncircumcised life and it has made all the difference. He is so peaceful and alive-we are captivated by him and his enormous blue eyes.
I am so glad I met you all. you are one of the most wonderful family I’ve ever known. may God bless you and protect you all the time
thank you sweet Mara Liz, we are so happy to have met you too. much love
I have read your story and am inspired by you and your family. May God protect you all on your travels and keep you safe. May you especially know peace during this time. Being a mother is the most special gift from God. He chose a special child for your family, and Trek is so blessed!
I look foward to reading about your journey. I will pray daily for you all! April
thank you so much April! that means a lot to me, Chelsea
I never knew you’d been back to Maui, I just hadn’t heard. I meant to read your blog so much sooner, and fell into the trap of making excuses, and trying to remember to do it…soon. I think you set a wonderful example of how not to waste time, for it is so very precious as are our sons and daughters. I feel devastated to hear about Trek. As my husband and I were driving away from your yard sale last fall, we commented on your driveway birth story in awe. Our own son was born this past February, Will. He is also the sweetest, most peaceful child I have ever encountered. You are the kind of person I need next door, with all your love and positive energy. We only bought a few of your things as you were selling all to head to Thailand. We picked up a booster seat, blue bumbo chair, and four sweet receiving blankets. I think I will always keep at least one of the Trek Atlas blankets for Will, and try to tell him his story one day. May your lives and travels be blessed, and please kiss Trek just once for me, right in the middle of his forehead.
Love,
-Niki
Hi Nikki:) I remember you! I am so glad you sweet Will was born and all went well! Thank you for catching up with us and sending your kind words. much love to your family
I have been reading on your family for quite some months now!! I just love you guys!
you are simply just wonderful to read about! you have so much energy…and love..and are so kind! The boys are too cute! Enjoy your famly trips…my GOD bless you all and keep making memories!!! you are in my prayers!! If i had 1 million dollars..i would give it to you and your family! Thank you for shareing your life and the life of Trek, Conner and Peyton!!! XOXO…From Richmond VA! Stacy
wow STacy, that is so kind! i also think my boys are pretty cute, but it is so nice to hear it:) thank you for your sweet words of encouragement. xoxo
I learned about your blog from a friend and am amazed by your family’s journey and sweet sweet spirit. You are in my prayers.
Our deepest sorrow for your loss. He is so beautiful. May the Lord give you comfort. Many blessings to you and your family.
I just found out about your story from one of my friend’s post and I wanted to express my deepest sorrow for your loss. May God hold Trek in the palm of His hand and may he happily dance with the angels in heaven.
I am truly sorry for your loss. I have kept up with your blog and was not expecting this to happen so soon. You are an amazing mother and your family is incredible. Thank you for sharing your amazing travels with us. It reminds me daily that life is unpredictable and we need to enjoy every moment. Sweet baby trek will forever be in my thoughts and prayers. Xoxo
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Hi.first of all, I just wanted to say your family is in my prayers. I am a mother of a beautiful little girl named selena. I am 20 years old. And she will be 2 in 2a days. Me and her father are not together and we dont get along. I am going to let him read “our story” and tell him we need to Embrace Life. Maybe it will help us be a family or at least get along. You have really opened my eyes. Thank you. I wish the best for all of you. Your family is beautiful.
beautiful story you are living and telling.
thank you so much Jessica, that is so kind and sweet and means a lot to me. xoxo, Chelsea
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I nominated you for the Illuminating Blogger Award.
http://hollytabitha.wordpress.com/2013/02/26/friends/
thank you so much Holly! that is so sweet:) xoxo ,Chelsea
I stumbled across your page while surfing on the internet. I am a mother of four children and I don’t know what its like to lose a child so I can’t imagine what you and your family are going through. I lost my grandmother almost three years ago and it was devastating. I was so touched by your story so I sent up a little prayer to my grandmother asking her to wrap little Trek up in her arms and let him know that he is loved and that his family misses him dearly and for God to wrap you and your family in his arms and love and help you through this difficult time. I pray that you and your family find peace in knowing that Sweet and Adorable Little Trek is not longer in any pain and that he is watching over you from above. Thank you soooo much for sharing your private moments with the world. It has changed my life forever and I will never forget you and your family. It has made me want to cherish every moment with mine. Sending love and prayers your way.
Hello Jessica, thank you so much for taking the time to write such a thoughtful comment. I really appreciate your love and prayers for Trek and our family. We miss him more than words can ever express, and our life still revolves around him in so many beautiful ways. Sending you all my love too-thank you, Chelsea
Hi Chelsea, I came across your blog after reading about Eileen and Quinn. I spent some time (hours actually) reading about Trek’s story, crying and praying for you and your family. As you have shared so much of your personal story, I felt compelled to tell you that I had been here reading about you all and praying for you. As a mom myself, I couldn’t help but think about how this must have all felt for you and Jarrett, as well as for Peyton and Conner (who are both just too cute for words, by the way). I am sure that this was extremely difficult for them, too, and that they miss their brother. Hopefully you can find comfort in knowing that sweet, beautiful Trek is with you on your day-to-day journeys and you will all be reunited one day. I wish you and your family peace and happiness.
Our prays with your family and little son .from Turkey.
thank you so much Emre, that means a lot to us-xoxo, Chelsea
I began reading your blog about a week after you found out about Trek’s illness. So many times I wanted to post words of encouragement but found it difficult to find the words for nothing seemed appropriate or fitting. I fell in love with your family and look forward to reading about your adventures. The day you posted about Trek’s passing I sat and cried in my work parking lot for an hour. I cried with you and for you. I ached knowing you were aching. I felt so connected to you guys from reading your blog and I too felt a loss. Every time I hear Mercy Me’s song “The hurt and the healer” I think of you and Trek. Your family and Trek have touched my life inmensly. I truly try to embrace life with my kids. My babies (2 yrs old and 4 months old) are more precious to me because of you. Thank you Ingram family for sharing Trek and your family. I keep you in my prayers; may God hold your family in His hands as you continue your travels.
I am so glad you commented Priscilla! I feel like I should know you since you have been reading since the very beginning! You are so sweet to stick with me so long and share in my pain. It means so much to me that you cried with me and loved Trek with me-thank you. Your babies are the same distance apart as Peyton and Conner, that is my favorite:) They will be best friends. THank you for sharing your thoughtful words and thoughts with me. It made my day. so much love ,Chelsea