from Gardener's timeline part 1:
1997 - Two years after Chad became a sexton again, he is shoveling snow at the cemetery when he hears a voice say “It’s time to write your books.” (Chad’s blog
3- A voice in the cemetery | cdaybell.com ).
25 Feb 1998 – Lori’s 2nd divorce is finalized (Bexar Co Court records).
25 May 1998 - Stacey Cox Cope, the sister of Lori and Alex Cox, dies supposedly of diabetic shock; Stacey is survived by a young daughter named Melani (family interviews on GH; Daily Mail). Stacey Lynn Cope (1966-1998) - Find A Grave...
17 March 1999 – Chad Daybell is featured in an article about publishing his first book “An Errand for Emma.” The book is a fiction story set in 1868 with a teen girl main character that is based on Chad’s then 4 year old daughter’s personality. At the time of the article Chad is once again working as a cemetery sexton in Springville - a job he says he purposely took in order to spend more time with his family and have time to write books (BYU Universe).
2001 – Chad claims that Tammy’s grandmother, LC, had a visit from a deceased ancestor, RM; RM supposedly thanked Chad and Tammy thru LC for submitting temple paperwork in the ancestor’s name. Tammy’s grandmother passed away in 2005 and Chad would later claim he received a visit and message from LC in 2011 (Chad’s blog).
April 2001 – Chad is working for Access Computer Products’ in Provo, Utah (Chad’s website archives).
2001 – Lori Marries her 3rd husband, Joseph Anthony Ryan, Jr (JR). Exact date of marriage is unknown, but JR’s sister, Annie, confirmed the year. JR adopts Lori's son from her previous marriage (Post Register) JR’s sister Annie say her brother’s marriage to Lori got off to a joyful start. “They were just madly in love. I had never seen Joe that happy,” (KSLTV).
ETA: Between marriages 2 and 3. She hadn't had Tylee yet, so maybe she went home for a while in 1998. Don't really know if her family is a support system or not.