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Lacey Tait

@laceytait

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Jeff’s widow.🤍Mom of 4 amazing kids.💗Follower of Christ-Latter Day Saint.Pressing forward w heartbreak & hope.Brow&lash artist @laceysbrowsandlashes

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Cornbelly’s throughout the years. 🎃 It’s always been a family fall staple for us. Jeff was always so good to go with us or meet us there. He liked it just as much as the rest of us!

I’ve missed him so much. I wish I could have him there with me to follow the kids around. Now I just have to follow Wes around because the two oldest don’t want to come much, and Smith doesn’t want me around. 😭 These kids are growing up!

Best memories here. ❤️ by @laceytait

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10 days ago

Six months without Jeff. Some part of me can’t believe six months have gone by so fast, yet they have felt insanely slow. It feels like he was just here, and at the same time, it feels like an eternity since I’ve seen his handsome face, heard his voice, had him make us laugh, felt safe in his arms, had his support/advice on raising our incredible kids & had him walk through the door. Man I wish he could just come back. We need him.

Somehow time keeps moving forward, even though part of me feels left behind when everything changed. I miss him more than words can explain. Love you Jeff taken in Lehi, Utah by @laceytait

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23 days ago

Happy 17th to my beautiful, strong, brave, joyful & resilient Nahla. I can always count on Nahla. She is full of goodness & light. She brings laughter & fun into our home. She’s loyal & a great friend to many. She’s such a hard worker keeping up w school, drill team & a job. I could not be more proud to be her mom. It’s not my favorite that she’s growing up but shes made it pretty easy on me. She’s becoming the most beautiful & wise human w so much goodness to share. We love her so much. Love you FOREVER Nahla! 🫶💓🤟🏻 by @laceytait

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a month ago

Happy heavenly birthday Jeff. We miss you like crazy. Last night we had a family party for you. We went to a park had yummy food, good company & played some yard games. All things you loved. We all shared something we loved about you or a good memory. These are some of the thoughts shared.

Confident (in every way, truly born w it!)
Funny
Supportive
Vacation Jeff
Protective
Thoughtful (always thought of others & always the first to help out)
Always leaved thinking better then when he found them
Baby whispers
Captain of the boat - Lake Powell Jeff
Sarcastic
Grateful
Humble
Athletic & could always win in the last min
Fun
Disneyland Jeff
Mexico Jeff
Could fix anything
Always showed up - always on time
Quiet & funny all at the same time
Hunter Jeff
Ice fishermen Jeff
Level headed
Best advice
Generous

Jeff had many hats & he wore them all perfectly.
I’m so grateful for everyone sharing. It was sad, happy, healing & funny. It’s crazy how you can feel all the emotions, all at the same time. I just hope Jeff knows how loved & missed he is. He was absolutely everything to us & to have him gone is the hardest things that has ever happened to us. Enjoy some photos of years past bdays. by @laceytait

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2 months ago

Summer 2026. One I will never forget. One of
many firsts, heartbreak & love. You never know exactly what you’re capable of until it’s thrown at you & you have no other choice. No other choice than to do the hardest stuff life can send your way. Never knew I was capable of so much but also never been carried more in my life. The only explanation of how we are moving forward is seriously angels helping us. They show up everyday pushing, helping, softening our load, expanding our whole beings. To take on more than I ever have. I’ve never prayed hard or w more intent. I know Heavenly Father hears my prayers, knows what I’m going through & loves me & is sending help & miracles. I feel it everyday.
Our summer we did a lot & made special memories. Thank you to all that helped us create a happy & fun summer.
I learned how to get the boat on the trailer. Papa Tait had full trust in me. Jeff & myself never trusted me to do it. Haha. The kids and I would hold the boat at the dock while Jeff ran & got the truck & trailer than he’d backed it down the ramp. He’d run back over to us we’d trade places. He’d drive the boat on the trailer & I’d drive the truck up the ramp. I wasn’t much help! This year Greg threw me the keys and knew I could do it & I did! I’m sure Jeff was cheering me on big time & totally impressed! The boat ramp can be pretty stressful especially at Bear Lake’s small Utah marina. I also drove the kids and myself to Lake Powell, I was pretty nervous about that. Jeff always drove us everywhere but we did it!
The girls both got summer jobs, had lots of drill
practices & had lots of fun times w friends. I just love them so much!
This summer Smith became quite the fisherman w all his friends. They have all taught each other a lot. He also made a home made fishing pond In the backyard. That was a mess. I think every other picture on my camera roll is Smith holding a fish!
Wes is always happy at home w at least 5 friends always here. He loves summer! He was not happy to head back to school. He keeps teasing that he skipped a grade & he rated school 3 out of 10! Haha! Oh boy!
I say summer FOREVER! It was so hard & sad sending them all back. by @laceytait

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2 months ago

Today we would be celebrating 21 years of marriage. Last year for 20 years we celebrated in San Francisco. When it was coming up & we were so busy all summer. We were lucky to sneak away. We looked up where Morgan Wallen was playing our last opened weekend & he was in San Francisco at the Levi’s Stadium. We had traveled to Boston & San Diego to see him before. He’s our favorite so we thought, let’s do it again & explore the city. It was a magical weekend, doing something we both love together. Country music + time together. Jeff thrived on vacation. Always providing the best & must fun. Always up for anything & everything. 100% best time.
If someone would have told me a year ago, you wouldn’t be here to celebrate year 21 or beyond. NO WAY, would I have believed them. Absolutely no way. Completely insane, crazy, unbelievable, devastating & unbearable that you’re not here. I’ve always heard life can change in an instant. Well I’m here to tell you things can change in an instant. And it’s devastating & completely unfair. I cherish the 20 1/2 years we had together here. Jeff was my perfect match. He loved me, respected me, showed up for me, protected me & also our kids. He made us laugh & always brought optimism w him. I remember years ago in primary, one of the questions on the birthday spotlight was. “What are you most scared of or what’s your biggest fear.”Or something like that. Most kid answers were snakes, the dark, spiders, etc. Mine came easy & fast. I thought losing someone, I love too early. I couldnt even imagine it & it was my worst nightmare. And here we are, living it. I don’t know if I’ll ever truly believe it. Hold, cherish & show up for the people you love everyday. Jeff did that for us each & everyday. Always missing you Jeff. by @laceytait

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2 months ago

I have to shout out our amazing dad, who we are missing terribly. This guy made our world go round in every way. He was truly all things good. He was good at everything he did. Everything came natural & easy for him. He was for reals effortlessly cool! He was kind, optimistic, funny & generous. He made each of us feel loved. He taught us all so much. We just miss him, everything about him, every day. We love you forever Jeff! by @laceytait

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4 months ago

I saw @heydanidavis make her reel like this, I knew I had to do the same! I wish I would have had my ring doorbell working earlier. I got it working probably 2 weeks after.

Our front porch, door & us have been so well loved. The love, kindness & generosity that you have all shown us is crazy. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I’m missing so many others that have come to our door in this video. Each have brought gifts, love, meals, cleaning, hope, kindness & support. I’m sad I dont have them all but just know how grateful we are, for all of you for showing up. We have the very best people around us. Thank you for ministering to us, just as the Savior would. Thank you for being our earthly angels. FOREVER GRATEFUL taken in Lehi, Utah by @laceytait

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4 months ago

When you’re given tickets to the ACM’s (American Country Music awards) thanks @mia.kmangum 🫶🩷🥹You go! Love making memories with my girls. Ever when it’s hard. Even when it’s easier to just stay home. Grateful for my family who dropped everything & made it a fun weekend for us all. FOREVER GRATEFUL!! by @laceytait

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5 months ago

This Mother’s Day, I have never been more grateful for the children Jeff gave me. He helped me bring these sweet babies into our home. They aren’t babies anymore. Nahla, Channing Smith, and Wes are my absolute EVERYTHING.

Because of them:

* I get up every day
* I still laugh, smile, and have joy
* I have found strength I didn’t know existed
* They each remind me of Jeff
* They bring me comfort and purpose
* I have more hope
* We have unconditional LOVE
* We hug a lot more
* We say “I love you” a lot more
* I have been blessed with more patience
* We have tender and deep conversations
* I have a new perspective on what “really matters”
* We have a true trust between each other
* We always have each other’s backs, even on the hard days
* I have a new gratitude for all the good around me

My sweet sister-in-law gave me the sweetest necklace. It’s a compass with my kids’ initials on it. I love it so, so much. We are each other’s compass, especially now. We are guiding each other through the deepest heartbreak life can throw at you. With each other, I know we can get through this wreckage.

Also, with our compasses pointing straight to Heavenly Father and our Savior, Jesus Christ, I know we can press forward with Their help. They are literally carrying us through this.

Jeff, thank you for the best kids ever. I’m biased, but they are the most beautiful, kind, loving, brave, thoughtful, loyal, funny, courageous, tender-hearted, and strong kids I know. Just like you, Jeff. The most beautiful souls. My greatest blessing Heavenly Father has blessed me with. I thank Him every morning and night for them, and for you too, Jeff. Miss you. by @laceytait

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5 months ago

The minute this all happened. I can’t even begin to explain or describe the army of people that showed up. It’s absolutely wild. It’s like nothing, I have ever seen or experienced.

The list is endless of the selfless acts of kindness & support. The earthly angels & miracles that show up in my life everyday.

It literally happens EVERYDAY.

When I even think about it, i get super emotional.

I can’t begin to list them because there are so many. I’d say thousands

I’m here wanting and needing to say thank you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Thank you for showing up for me & my kids. This experience and tragedy has taught me more than the last 40 years of my life have.

I’m going to say, I’m not as good as all of you. I wouldn’t know what to say to the lady that just lost her everything. I’ve learned there is nothing to say but showing up, giving the hug, the note, the text/message & the gift. It all has taught me so much. You are all so brave & continue to show up. THANK YOU.

I feel like we are so loved because of Jeff. He was the one making the connections, relationships & serving others. I stayed home & took care of the kids, while he connected w others. He was a quiet server. Never looking for acknowledgment or praise but always serving quietly. I’m so grateful for the connections he made. Because he did and he was so loved so many have show up for us.

I wish I could thank you all individually and give you each a big hug. Just know you all have changed me & my heart forever. People are so good & my people are the best of the best. I’m bonded to so many for life because they have shown up for us in ways I can’t even share. They are sacred and so special.

I know Heavenly Father is completely aware of us and what we are going through. I can’t deny the constant miracles in my life daily. I can’t believe how hard this is. We miss Jeff every single day. He was everything to us. by @laceytait

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5 months ago

One month without you. On one hand, it’s gone so fast… a month? No way. And on the other, it’s been the longest month of my life.

One minute we’re okay, and the next something sets me off. It hits me in the little moments, leaving a family function without him, not having him here in the evenings to help with the boys while I run somewhere with the girls, not having him to talk through the kids’ emotions. How am I supposed to help them with theirs when mine feel so unsteady too?

I miss hearing the garage door open around 5:30, that feeling of knowing he’s home. I miss even being able to track his location during the day. I’m scared, and we need him. He was the rock, not me. This is the plot twist of a lifetime. I never saw this coming.

Today I’ve been exhausted, more than any other day this month. Maybe the adrenaline is wearing off, and my body is starting to catch up to what’s happened. I don’t know…

Yesterday, sweet Wes, on the way to school, not even thinking about Jeff, asked me, “Mom, what’s the worst age you’ve ever been?” That took me no time. I said, “41.” He asked, “Why?” Sweet boy. I said, “Because that’s the year we lost Dad.”

We both started crying. And Wes, my 8-year-old, tried so hard to be strong & not to let the tears fall. We held hands and worked through it together. I told him I was sorry. Then he got out of the car, walked into school so brave and strong.

How unfair is it that the sweetest 8-year-old has to lose his dad? Or any child, at any age? What the heck???

But it’s these kids who are keeping me moving forward. They’re the brave ones. They’re the ones showing me how to show up, push forward, and be stronger than I ever thought possible.

They give me hope. They give me faith to keep going, that maybe, with time, things will get a little easier. That joy will come again.

I’m relying heavily on Heavenly Father and Jesus right now. I have faith it will all work out, and somehow, someday, be made right. by @laceytait

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6 months ago