Christmas 2010

Sweet Holly Story Christmas 5x7 folded card

Shutterfly Christmas cards

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Jasmine with her "Raja"

A

Abby had her Halloween party in Kindergarten today.  She was THRILLED to wear her costume this morning.  Look at her face, it kinda still has that "crazy excitement" look to it! :DD  She refused to be called Abby, so all morning we referred to her as "Jasmine".  The dog couldn't be called Billy...  he had to be called "Raja".  Abby, I mean, Jasmine couldn't understand why Raja wasn't coming when she called.  Funny!

 This afternoon "Jasmine" came home with candy and she has been on a Halloween high all day.  I think this weekend is going to be fun, fun, fun!  I can't wait.  BTW, tonight is homemade chicken noodle soup and rolls.  I'm sure it's going to be yum!

"Dining? No, thank you."

 

I had such high hopes...  I was hoping to "wow" my family, but it was more like "bow-wow."  I'm not going to pretend, the Chicken Cacciatore was not great.  The creamy salmon gravy was okay, but not anything to share...  Enchiladas are always good, but it's my SIL's recipe (tried and true).  Tortellini &cheese was good, but I made WAY to much, don't we all do that with pasta?  After three days, I couldn't look at it anymore and I threw the last bit away.  

I am still looking forward to the rest of my menu, so I will update you and if it's good enough to brag, I will share the recipe...

We've been busy mateys!!!

Learning to play Hopscotch

Becoming a Pirate for school

Taking a tour of Bountiful, and learning my 3rd great grand-father's house is still standing

and locating it!  This is John Stoker's house

The house is really cute, but in SORRY shape.

We also go a new dog, Billy.

The cat is bigger, but as you can see, he gives her a run for her money!

But he definitely is a keeper,

... dare say, a perfect addition!

What's for dinner?

I have a confession to make...  for a while I wasn't a very good wife and mom (please read the whole thing before you reject my statement.)  I was over-worked, over-stressed, under-slept, and barely making it.  I had two "part-time" jobs AND this Spring/Summer I was pregnant.  When I only had one job, I was still pregnant, but very depressed and had anxiety.  My way of coping was by not doing anything besides sleeping.  Sounds delightful doesn't it?

My poor family lived on frozen dinners and burritos.  My husband did my laundry, cleaned my house, made dinner for Abby, and even entertained her.  While I... coped.

This weekend, I was determined to take another step towards the "old" me.   I had a fantastic weekend.  Mike vacuumed, mopped, and dusted (sorry ladies, he's taken!)  and I wiped down bathrooms, rotated and put away laundry, changed sheets on beds, made cookies, dinner, and we both listened to conference!  Whew... I was tired, but a good tired!

Now that my house is back to normal, I feel revitalized.  I can see where I found pride in my home.  AND, with the weather cooling down, I feel the thrill of fall.  One of the things I really love to do is cook when it gets cooler.  Fall is when "comfort" food reigns!  Here is what's for dinner at the Preas' home this month:

Tortellini & Cheese, Homemade Pizza, Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup with Cornbread, Crispy Pork Chop & Apple Salad, Slow-cooker Chicken Cacciatori, Shrimp & Artichoke Fettuccine, Chicken Poppy-seed Casserole, Stuffed Squash & Meatloaf, Pulled Pork Sandwiches, Mustard Pork Chops & Rice, Creamed Salmon Gravy over French Bread, Chicken Enchiladas, Lasagna, and Taco Salad.

YUM, I'm glad I'm back! (Mike and Abby probably are too!)

The girl in June

I realize I am stronger than she is.  That girl from June is really scared; I cried for her tonight.  I read and felt her pain; to think of all she has to take on, decide, and experience.  She was told by God that it would be okay, but she didn't believe him, but I know it is true.

  I still see her in the mirror, but she is different.  The summer aged her, you can see it in her eyes, the difference is, she is no-longer scared.  She knows true pain, hard decisions, and heartache, she is wiser for it.  She has made it through a dark tunnel and can smile a smile that reaches her eyes, again.  

She knows that Levi knows, she loves him very much.  She still aches to hold him, but she knows it was to happen this way and is okay with that.  She knows his spirit and he is beautiful both inside and out.  She will hold him again, someday.

She is stronger, she is grateful, she is me.

Well, we are FINALLY 5!

 

So I'm not so great about taking pictures.  I brought cupcakes to Abby's kindergarten class and when I went to take pictures, the camera's battery died.  

Good thing we had a second "go" with her party.

I think everyone had a great time.  Candy, Chips, Cake what more could you want???

Alison thinks....

1.    We were in Washington DC, helping to "Restore Honor."

2.    It's fascinating that Alveda King went to the "Restoring Honor" rally and not Al Sharpton's rally.

3.    That "the dream" was fulfilled.  Now the fight Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson fight is just so they have a job.

4.     It's sad...  She wanted to BBQ in the mountains with Mike's friend.  He promised that Abby could ride horses.  Abby was sick this weekend, we canceled.

5.     She LOVES, LOVES, LOVES her husband, even more so when he cleans up vomit...  (she doesn't do vomit.)

6.    She is a procrastinator!  Abby's birthday is Thursday, and hasn't planned anything yet.  Maybe the "party" should be NEXT weekend.

7.     Abby LOVES school, but hates getting up in the morning.  That's where the fights start.

8.     Is so grateful that one of Abby's teachers worked at Abby's school last year.  Makes the kindergarten transition SO much easier for mom...

9.     She is still 35, literally, her wonderful husband reminds her that she is actually 36.

10.   She feels bad for herself and the loss of her "Levi Angel", but then reads that her friend lost her husband to cancer after a year long battle and suddenly feels grateful she has her life and not her friends.

11.    Is always on the "prowl" for a cool handbag, but can never afford the bag that she loves.  The Ethel (yes, there is some) in her won't splurge past her budget (whatever that is... ((that's the Doris in her!)))

12.   She worried about assembling taxes at her work for nothing.  It's no where near as bad as her last experience!

13.   Never realized she would have the bra, makeup talk with her daughter at 4.  (outcome: Mom 1, Abby 1)

14.  She is having a good moment.  

15.   She loves her family more that anything... even handbags!

L. Levi Preas

L. Levi Preas

August 1, 2010

1 lb., 3 oz.

so tiny...

so beautiful...

so blonde...

so like his dad...

so loved...

so missed...

so thankful...

so sad...

so now we are suppost to go on...

I've got great family...

With all the trials we are going through, there is one picture that makes me smile.  I look at it at least once a day.  Each time I look at it, I marvel at it.  My Aunt Hilary ran, RAN a triathlon.  Not only did she finish, which I wouldn't even think of doing, she sent a signed message to Abby.  For those of you who don't know, Abby has a signed name (Hilary's right hand).  In her left she is saying "I love you."  It's amazing and it makes me smile.

We love you too, Hilary!

Will the sun ever come out?

I'm not sure how to talk about something so close and devistating to our hearts...

Three weeks ago, my doctor called and said I needed more testing for possible spina-bifida in our baby.  Mike and I went to that follow-up appointment and we received the biggest shock of our lives.  After meeting with the specialists, they are convinced that our baby will not survive because of multiple physical defects.

Yesterday we went to another appointment, saw every perinatologist that worked at the new IHC hospital.  None of them had definite answers or could agree on what were the causes of his problems.  All they know is that it is life threatening and very, very serious.  Next week I go in for an MRI, to see if they can get a better view.

Yesterday, I took back the few baby clothes I had bought for him.  My insides dared the clerk to ask me why I was returning them.

Abby knows her mom isn't doing very well, no matter how hard I pretend.  She has been so sweet with kisses and hugs.  She knows the baby is sick, but she also knows the dog was sick four weeks ago and now she is an angel.  She can't differenciate between me and the baby, so she worries.  She even asked if after I die, if she will get a new mommy.

Mike and I spoke with a genetics counselor.  We had questions about the relationship between Abby's hearing and our new son's problems.  She said both were like being struck by lightening, twice.

I wish I had some little funny quip to finish off this update, but I have nothing.  Thanks for listening.

What a mixed bag of June...

School is over, I turned my notice in at the garage...  all I can say is, "I finished!"  I had help from my wonderful husband, but I still finished! Yeah!

I got a new job with an old boss with an exciting opportunity.  I'm very excited! 

He wasn't very excited when I told him I needed "six weeks in six months."

This is my second week and things are great.  Yeah!

 

At 17 weeks, I still fit into my pants (well most of them).  Yeah!

We decided to post-pone our trip to California for later in the year.  We are missing a beautiful wedding and seeing wonderful family.  :(

I got a call from the doctor, tomorrow I go in for tests.  There might be something wrong with the baby.  :(

I had a dog, her name was "Holly".  I had raised her from a pup.  She could stand upon her hind legs, if I held her front legs up. 

Saturday, we had to put her to sleep.  Yes, I will admit that at the end, she was becoming high maintenance, but now that she is gone....  I really miss her.  I miss her face, her barking when she hears us coming into the house, her looking at me with undying adoration.  We throw out more leftovers than knew...  It was hard to leave her body at the vet's, I feel like we left part of me there. :(

It's been a rollercoaster, I'm ready to get off the ride...

Bliss List

Diet Pepsi with ice crystals
Laundry caught up
Nap in the afternoon
Unsolicited, "I love you so very much," from Abby
A good gab with a friend

The "Rug"

Several weeks ago, a student at the school wore a ponytail and it was so cute.  I overheard another student compliment her, her response was "it's fake."  

I think we also watch a little too much of "Toddlers and Tiaras"...  that being said, we went shopping for "fake" hair and found a perfect match! 

Abby loves it so much that she has worn it four days running. 

The first night she slept in it.  I came home and when checking on her, took it out.  Four am Abby comes in our room and very loudly demands, "Where's my long hair"...  at 4:01 am help her put it on, just so I can go back to sleep.

Abby walks around with an extra bounce in her step...  thanks to "good" hair.  Abby is totally "rocking" the hair; however,  I have giggled, and giggled, and giggled about her "rug".

I'm Thankful...

(I'm just cleaning house...  now that I can get into my blog, I am posting old entries that were in the "draft" stage.)

Well, Thanksgiving is next week.  I wouldn't believe it, if I hadn't followed the year on the calendar.  Christmas right around the corner, this year will be the funnest yet.  Abby is already talking about Santa.  Before I jump to Christmas and Christmas posts, I want to share what (and who) I am thankful for this year...

My mom.  She loves her family and I'm lucky enough to be one of them!  My mom sets high standards for herself in everything she does.   She loves big and works hard to achieve her goals.  Most days, I don't think I could ever reach what she is.

My sister.  I have missed her so much.  Sometimes when I talk on the phone with her, I think our conversations sound like we are 19th century ladies of the "ton, and other times I am talking to myself which becomes most apparent when we say the same thing at the same time.  She is creative, witty, charming, and loves her kids fiercely.

Mike being out of school.  Wow, we made it!

Mike.  He compliments my personality in every way.  He picks up (literally) my slack.  He isn't above mopping and vaccuming.  When I am overwhelmed he just knows what I need.  After 15 years, I even think he is still funny.  He has become a devoted dad and husband.  He thinks that the world revolves around Abby, which I happen to agree with.

My friends.  They are co-workers, neighbors, visiting teachers, and old roomates.  They help me get through tough days.

Monnie, Kathy, and Hilary.  I lucked out in the in-law department.  As unfortunate as not having actual in-laws, these three strong ladies have filled in 100 fold for their brother and son.  Not a month or holiday goes by without me hearing from at least one or all three.  They spoil us with their time, sentimental gifts, or just something "cool" they have found.  They have conditioned Abby enough that when a package arrives, she thinks it's for her.  Being the only family outside of California, they make sure we know we are missed and loved.  I would have married into their family even without Mike.  (He knows it too!)

I am thankful.

Catching up with One Word Answers

1. Where is your cell phone? bag

2. Your hair? hurried


3.Your Mother? wonderful


4. Your Father? caring


5. Your favourite food? sushi


6.Your dream last night? none


7.Your favourite drink? diet


8.Your dream/goal? happy


9.What room are you in? family


10.Your hobby? When?


11.Your fear? loneliness


12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? here


13. Where were you last night? work


14.Something that you are not? skinny


15.Muffins? chocolate


16. Wish list item? jewelry


17. Where did you grow up? farm


18.Last thing you did? blog


19. What are you wearing? smile


20. Your T.V.? 5


21. Your pets? beside


22. Friends? many


23. Your life? hectic


24. Your mood? thankful


25. Missing someone? yes


26. Vehicle? old


27. Something you are not wearing? really?


28.Your favorite store? ross


29. Your favourite colour? black


3o. When was the last time you laughed? minutes


31.Last time you cried? minutes


32.Your best friend? hurting


33.One place that I go to over and over? bookstore


34.One person who emails me regularly? spam


35. Favorite place to eat? burgers


Whew!!! Go ahead and play along if you like!!!


Let me know if you do....