tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-249274362024-03-13T14:41:59.830-06:00The Preister'sThe Preister'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01874099919966811133noreply@blogger.comBlogger581125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24927436.post-1546859772808799682011-08-22T20:07:00.001-06:002011-08-22T20:09:14.271-06:00
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<br /><div align="center">Fall is just around the corner!! </div>
<br /><div align="center">I just wanted to remind all of you that we have moved to a new blog at <a href="http://www.faithishopeonfire.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size:180%;">www.FaithIsHopeOnFire.blogspot.com</span></a> </div>
<br /><div align="center">We ran out of room for pictures, and I just haven't taken the time to get our book make yet! </div>
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<br /><div align="center">We love to have you pop over and share in our journey in life!! You will notice a few things are different, but the heart of the blog is the same...our kids!! </div>
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<br /><div align="center">See you on the other side!!</div>
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<br /><div align="center"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">xoxo</span> BRENDA <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">xoxo</span></div>
<br />The Preister'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01874099919966811133noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24927436.post-5891163923790639112011-05-16T20:24:00.002-06:002011-05-16T20:28:02.593-06:00Come visit us at our NEW home!!<div align="center"><a href="http://www.faithishopeonfire.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size:180%;">www.FaithIsHopeOnFire.blogspot.com</span></a></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">We outgrew our home so we hope you will join us at our new blog!! Remember, if you have us listed as a favorite you will need to update our address!!!! Can't wait to see you there....!!</div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"></div>The Preister'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01874099919966811133noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24927436.post-57152065779028663522011-05-07T21:12:00.003-06:002011-05-08T08:30:13.017-06:00don't give up on me!Don't give up on me yet...I am still trying to get a book made so I can free up some space and add more pictures! It is a process I just haven't had time for! If that becomes <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">reoccurring</span> I will just set up a second site, because it kills me to not post pictures!<br /><br /><br />I hope to post some stories soon, while I know the pictures are what you really come for!<br /><br />Hoping you have a great Mother's Day, and an enjoyable weekend!!The Preister'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01874099919966811133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24927436.post-67409140139114226712011-04-21T19:31:00.010-06:002011-04-21T20:15:41.684-06:00milestones!We have had a week of milestones in our family!<br /><br />Last week we attended they Relay For Life in Lincoln and Charli walked the survivor lap all by herself!! This was her first time doing so, and she was so grown up! Her apperance there caught the attention of the 1011 news station who interviewed us for that evenings news! While I was in Lincoln for work on Wednesday I was showna copy of that days Lincoln Journal Star, which Charil was in as well!! Fun times!<br /><br />I also took both kids swimming by myself. I was afraid of how this would work but a freind gave me a little trick and we had a great time! Charli wore a lifejacket most of the time and floated around enjoying her freedom! When Harper wore the jacket he laid on his back and was so relaxed he almost fell asleep!!<br /><br />After swimming we took a trip to the Children's Museum which was a great idea - however having our arrival time line up with the spring game - not such a great idea!!<br /><br />We had a great weekend! <br /><br />And...finally the milestone I just reached --> I have officially ran out of room for pictures on this blog! I am trying to get our books printed so I can take old posts off, however that may take awhile! In the meantime I will either have to create a second blog and/or delete posts as I go. If anyone is looking for a part-time job to get these books created...look me up :-)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CkQf_qb_ePA/TbDeugwtDJI/AAAAAAAAGGA/TRDavEgQ6Sw/s1600/IMG_1167.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598219227471088786" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CkQf_qb_ePA/TbDeugwtDJI/AAAAAAAAGGA/TRDavEgQ6Sw/s400/IMG_1167.JPG" /></a> getting ready to start the lap! she was so brave and the other survivors were so supportive and nice to her!<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_v6gvclziUM/TbDeuN7ekzI/AAAAAAAAGF4/0ZOLG9XwYcY/s1600/IMG_1209.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598219222416003890" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_v6gvclziUM/TbDeuN7ekzI/AAAAAAAAGF4/0ZOLG9XwYcY/s400/IMG_1209.JPG" /></a> nice to see her on the other side of the law! <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lTa2qpxAjtg/TbDeti-injI/AAAAAAAAGFw/Ixe0lHieCng/s1600/IMG_1208.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598219210886127154" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lTa2qpxAjtg/TbDeti-injI/AAAAAAAAGFw/Ixe0lHieCng/s400/IMG_1208.JPG" /></a> they each wanted to go in opposite directions while we were there, but they found a few common things to enjoy!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1aTRV0VehvM/TbDetLQaPHI/AAAAAAAAGFo/k7YVHZKJzFw/s1600/IMG_1199.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598219204518624370" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1aTRV0VehvM/TbDetLQaPHI/AAAAAAAAGFo/k7YVHZKJzFw/s400/IMG_1199.JPG" /></a> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Charli</span> played "dog" and Harper played "vet"!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LsPdJ33IWlM/TbDes-uvlnI/AAAAAAAAGFg/5rSDBD-UPxo/s1600/IMG_1210.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598219201156191858" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LsPdJ33IWlM/TbDes-uvlnI/AAAAAAAAGFg/5rSDBD-UPxo/s400/IMG_1210.JPG" /></a> he was not able to get his foot high enough to attempt the boot...but he tried and tried!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yYwR3k8qfZc/TbDeBMqu8YI/AAAAAAAAGFY/wJp9JBCbWJ0/s1600/IMG_1213.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598218448983224706" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yYwR3k8qfZc/TbDeBMqu8YI/AAAAAAAAGFY/wJp9JBCbWJ0/s400/IMG_1213.JPG" /></a> BIG tire! I tried to get Harper in the same tire - but he was too interested in the big semi next to it!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P2YYurmgOPU/TbDeA7AWcGI/AAAAAAAAGFQ/3pRcCUWpzZw/s1600/IMG_1216.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598218444242055266" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P2YYurmgOPU/TbDeA7AWcGI/AAAAAAAAGFQ/3pRcCUWpzZw/s400/IMG_1216.JPG" /></a> they two huge chairs which I love because it makes you feel so tiny! Harper just bailed off the sides when I tried to have them sit together!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BYBS4DvXKtI/TbDeASKIeII/AAAAAAAAGFI/eiNNCojVovY/s1600/IMG_1224.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598218433277229186" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BYBS4DvXKtI/TbDeASKIeII/AAAAAAAAGFI/eiNNCojVovY/s400/IMG_1224.JPG" /></a> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">harper</span>, the puppy!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hsXrSLgaYSg/TbDeAO3wR1I/AAAAAAAAGFA/lNMbJ7zAa9Q/s1600/IMG_1239.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598218432394839890" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hsXrSLgaYSg/TbDeAO3wR1I/AAAAAAAAGFA/lNMbJ7zAa9Q/s400/IMG_1239.JPG" /></a> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Charli</span> was a hippo -- not a puppy! please don't confuse the two or she may get crabby! she just started the "peace" sign, not sure where she picked that up!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V3a5U2FaVZw/TbDd_234UgI/AAAAAAAAGE4/ZHFufM0XSJQ/s1600/harper%2B-%2Bswim.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598218425952915970" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V3a5U2FaVZw/TbDd_234UgI/AAAAAAAAGE4/ZHFufM0XSJQ/s400/harper%2B-%2Bswim.jpg" /></a> fun in the water!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hk_kN0eBZks/TbDdPvHZ7GI/AAAAAAAAGEw/e99e5SAIHug/s1600/IMG_3112.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598217599236828258" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hk_kN0eBZks/TbDdPvHZ7GI/AAAAAAAAGEw/e99e5SAIHug/s400/IMG_3112.JPG" /></a>i love this picture!!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gC9QM9KEk2g/TbDdPA6ez_I/AAAAAAAAGEo/_NZlj3ttVh0/s1600/IMG_3096.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598217586834591730" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gC9QM9KEk2g/TbDdPA6ez_I/AAAAAAAAGEo/_NZlj3ttVh0/s400/IMG_3096.JPG" /></a>doing chores!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yRangQcMeos/TbDdO0rV4dI/AAAAAAAAGEg/PTF-_pnHG3A/s1600/IMG_3098.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598217583549866450" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yRangQcMeos/TbDdO0rV4dI/AAAAAAAAGEg/PTF-_pnHG3A/s400/IMG_3098.JPG" /></a> they both take their job of feeding the goats very seriously! Harper runs around the fence with his lips puckered up trying to kiss them after they eat!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2PxcHjWm5Mo/TbDdOcJ02yI/AAAAAAAAGEY/QNTLOJf_zL0/s1600/IMG_3110.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598217576966839074" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2PxcHjWm5Mo/TbDdOcJ02yI/AAAAAAAAGEY/QNTLOJf_zL0/s400/IMG_3110.JPG" /></a>just like grandpa?! at one point he even had one hand on the throttle and one hand holding the diet <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">pepsi</span>!!!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VDPPXp4UZE4/TbDdNy68V5I/AAAAAAAAGEQ/MpZOcMkQXO0/s1600/IMG_3116.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598217565898561426" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VDPPXp4UZE4/TbDdNy68V5I/AAAAAAAAGEQ/MpZOcMkQXO0/s400/IMG_3116.JPG" /></a> GOOFY!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UIe-QrXB7XY/TbDbydQALoI/AAAAAAAAGEI/SKNfAzkixOA/s1600/IMG_3120.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598215996713217666" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UIe-QrXB7XY/TbDbydQALoI/AAAAAAAAGEI/SKNfAzkixOA/s400/IMG_3120.JPG" /></a> egg time!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tH_E3JKFgmU/TbDbx755XdI/AAAAAAAAGEA/7fnkfTcSIM4/s1600/IMG_3123.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598215987762126290" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tH_E3JKFgmU/TbDbx755XdI/AAAAAAAAGEA/7fnkfTcSIM4/s400/IMG_3123.JPG" /></a><br />fun (and messy!!) times!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XpkG6z0E9DA/TbDbxpwmdXI/AAAAAAAAGD4/y5SC0V_YO1A/s1600/IMG_3087.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598215982891300210" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XpkG6z0E9DA/TbDbxpwmdXI/AAAAAAAAGD4/y5SC0V_YO1A/s400/IMG_3087.JPG" /></a> the jewelry (candy) box Chad made for <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Charli</span> on her "fun" day out in March for her <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">cancerversary</span>. he told her that when she was super good she could look here for treats!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pOFo85iVu-o/TbDbw6ttoII/AAAAAAAAGDw/YkiYq9HDmHY/s1600/IMG_3089.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598215970262720642" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pOFo85iVu-o/TbDbw6ttoII/AAAAAAAAGDw/YkiYq9HDmHY/s400/IMG_3089.JPG" /></a> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Charli's</span> plate for 2011. She even painted her fingernails orange!<br /><br /><br /><div align="left"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_dgIFROjT0Q/TbDbwdEmtqI/AAAAAAAAGDo/grIShjqOqms/s1600/IMG_3091.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598215962305672866" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_dgIFROjT0Q/TbDbwdEmtqI/AAAAAAAAGDo/grIShjqOqms/s400/IMG_3091.JPG" /></a> I made a bowl - which has sat empty...not sure what to use it for now that I have it!<br /><br />Two of my nephews came to the Relay, which made it extra special! I have pictures of them with the kids...great pictures of them with the kids, which I am very sad to not be sharing! I will post them as soon as I have room on the blog for them!! They loved on the kids and I could tell they were proud to be there with <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Charli</span> -- and had fun playing with Harper! It's fun to see the big boys in my life take care of the little boy in my life! :-)</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>The Preister'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01874099919966811133noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24927436.post-28932213018537913782011-04-18T07:15:00.003-06:002011-04-18T07:20:14.120-06:00Charli's TV appearance!If you click <a href="http://www.1011now.com/video?clipId=5760958&topVideoCatNo=91962&autoStart=true"><span style="font-size:180%;">HERE</span></a> you can see Charli make her television debut!! I had the opportunity to speak at a Relay For Life this weekend and we were asked for a brief interview by a Lincoln station. (which happens to be the station we watch, fun!) Charli even got to stay up until 10:30 that night to watch it! We were on first, but she was too excited to fall asleep...it was sweet! I will write more about this and post pictures soon!! During the first interview you can see Chad and Harper playing in the background!! Ahhh, what a fun memory for Charli!!The Preister'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01874099919966811133noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24927436.post-26007352005347483472011-04-11T18:43:00.005-06:002011-04-11T19:16:34.972-06:00laughter and tearsThis was a sad weekend, yet we found times to smile. A friend from high school lost her husband in a car accident this weekend...these things make you think, that is certain. My heart goes out to these families, and prayers are being said around the world for them...I am certain they will feel God's arms in their greatest time of need. The weather was gloomy this weekend, but Chad and the kids still managed to work on a project outside. Our old fence had seen better days, so it was time to give a little mini-upgrade to something that didn't blow over ;-) <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Charli</span> enjoyed getting to help, and Harper enjoyed getting dirty! <br /><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Pnm3NUj0KuI/TaOjuL-1s5I/AAAAAAAAGB4/DbXwZx9EBbs/s1600/IMG_3070.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594495176009954194" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Pnm3NUj0KuI/TaOjuL-1s5I/AAAAAAAAGB4/DbXwZx9EBbs/s400/IMG_3070.JPG" /></a> we had lots of soccer time! I think I took about 50 pictures of her, and she has the same form in each picture! she loves soccer...hopefully she will enjoy it just as much when she has to follow the rules this fall!</div><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gzIJ_SX-ta8/TaOjt0WWU5I/AAAAAAAAGBw/ZwO0QlgWCXY/s1600/IMG_3064.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594495169666110354" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gzIJ_SX-ta8/TaOjt0WWU5I/AAAAAAAAGBw/ZwO0QlgWCXY/s400/IMG_3064.JPG" /></a> red cheeks! she insisted on wearing long pants, it was so hot out!! the kids were bright red after a day outside! <br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1s37af6cEMo/TaOjtp6LcnI/AAAAAAAAGBo/HsMH-ky8BZQ/s1600/IMG_3055.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594495166863602290" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1s37af6cEMo/TaOjtp6LcnI/AAAAAAAAGBo/HsMH-ky8BZQ/s400/IMG_3055.JPG" /></a> <br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nLGtifr6VpM/TaOjtUElDgI/AAAAAAAAGBg/o46kz5WBt98/s1600/IMG_3045.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594495161001643522" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nLGtifr6VpM/TaOjtUElDgI/AAAAAAAAGBg/o46kz5WBt98/s400/IMG_3045.JPG" /></a> she got to put several of the screws in, so this was truly a father/daughter project! it was cute!</div><br /><div><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lkixN_Zdyvo/TaOjsz_F_HI/AAAAAAAAGBY/I5o4AJRTeho/s1600/IMG_3043.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594495152388701298" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lkixN_Zdyvo/TaOjsz_F_HI/AAAAAAAAGBY/I5o4AJRTeho/s400/IMG_3043.JPG" /></a> she thought it would be hilarious to put Harper's pj's on! the pants are great <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">capri</span> size...we might be onto something!</div><br /><div><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3i9VbwNwL8w/TaOhzeUI8zI/AAAAAAAAGBQ/iTZWIbKm3cc/s1600/IMG_3035.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594493067807224626" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3i9VbwNwL8w/TaOhzeUI8zI/AAAAAAAAGBQ/iTZWIbKm3cc/s400/IMG_3035.JPG" /></a> <br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NzksO4F7lOo/TaOhzF43K-I/AAAAAAAAGBI/TCSnQ5082S0/s1600/IMG_3032.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594493061250362338" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NzksO4F7lOo/TaOhzF43K-I/AAAAAAAAGBI/TCSnQ5082S0/s400/IMG_3032.JPG" /></a> <br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_jR38wlrSXU/TaOhy1Pvo9I/AAAAAAAAGBA/siPb_MN15h8/s1600/IMG_3023.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594493056782934994" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_jR38wlrSXU/TaOhy1Pvo9I/AAAAAAAAGBA/siPb_MN15h8/s400/IMG_3023.JPG" /></a> <br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EoQbB6q6SgM/TaOhyUf3oVI/AAAAAAAAGA4/4RKWXxkE33w/s1600/IMG_3026.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594493047992197458" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EoQbB6q6SgM/TaOhyUf3oVI/AAAAAAAAGA4/4RKWXxkE33w/s400/IMG_3026.JPG" /></a> <br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kFLp9x3dp64/TaOhyDOXAeI/AAAAAAAAGAw/lGoI_9tQOWc/s1600/IMG_1146.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594493043355353570" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kFLp9x3dp64/TaOhyDOXAeI/AAAAAAAAGAw/lGoI_9tQOWc/s400/IMG_1146.JPG" /></a> he tried to run away before <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">church</span>...and tries each morning too! he opens the patio door and just takes off! <br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>The Preister'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01874099919966811133noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24927436.post-53321657529441120872011-04-04T19:33:00.005-06:002011-04-04T19:57:22.564-06:00dear God, please pray for Japan...Charli was on my lap tonight and out of her mouth came..."Dear God, please help the workers build everyone a new house in Japan". Sweetie!!! Harper threw some big-sized temper tantrums for a porkchop. He does not like to be anywhere but outside. He wakes up, grabs his shoes and runs to the door. We spent the night at the farm Saturday night and we were outside before we have breakfast most mornings...going in doors does not work for him! <br /><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mMJOOSeIlhQ/TZp0j7VNdSI/AAAAAAAAGAo/BoPoZ5l57KU/s1600/IMG_2978.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591910047904789794" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mMJOOSeIlhQ/TZp0j7VNdSI/AAAAAAAAGAo/BoPoZ5l57KU/s400/IMG_2978.JPG" /></a> so much fun to have someone to swing with!!</div><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0grhI3xBTII/TZp0jeYe98I/AAAAAAAAGAg/I62kDgJjZB0/s1600/IMG_2992.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591910040133892034" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0grhI3xBTII/TZp0jeYe98I/AAAAAAAAGAg/I62kDgJjZB0/s400/IMG_2992.JPG" /></a> <br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kdgq60Yg71I/TZp0jAVj7xI/AAAAAAAAGAY/SFutA7hpkzQ/s1600/IMG_2993.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591910032068570898" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kdgq60Yg71I/TZp0jAVj7xI/AAAAAAAAGAY/SFutA7hpkzQ/s400/IMG_2993.JPG" /></a> he sat in the big swing for about 15-20 minutes...and just took it all in!</div><br /><div><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GOyYG4hLkEE/TZp0i7QwSYI/AAAAAAAAGAQ/J_qDHXGTQes/s1600/IMG_1121.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591910030706231682" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GOyYG4hLkEE/TZp0i7QwSYI/AAAAAAAAGAQ/J_qDHXGTQes/s400/IMG_1121.JPG" /></a> for those of you who knew chad 'in the day'...this should be enough to make you worry. He loves this hat --> which means mom doesn't!!</div><br /><div><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KLVE46kWyqI/TZp0ibk6dKI/AAAAAAAAGAI/6HsoFjhw7Ew/s1600/IMG_1122.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591910022200849570" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KLVE46kWyqI/TZp0ibk6dKI/AAAAAAAAGAI/6HsoFjhw7Ew/s400/IMG_1122.JPG" /></a> well, if harper gets a hat....so does charli!</div><br /><div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RkN46s7GDRk/TZpzEEGmyAI/AAAAAAAAGAA/Yjz3k7OKqJI/s1600/IMG_3008.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591908400992012290" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RkN46s7GDRk/TZpzEEGmyAI/AAAAAAAAGAA/Yjz3k7OKqJI/s400/IMG_3008.JPG" /></a> mmmm, breakfast! he loves to drink his cereal milk! he doesn't usually spill, lucky me...but not so lucky this day!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uSDnJSEydpc/TZpzD0WJrOI/AAAAAAAAF_4/O-RCYXhNMDI/s1600/IMG_3002.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591908396762246370" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uSDnJSEydpc/TZpzD0WJrOI/AAAAAAAAF_4/O-RCYXhNMDI/s400/IMG_3002.JPG" /></a> busted!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wjm0YjmO9uk/TZpzDUAbnWI/AAAAAAAAF_w/Q7ApwuAvfLs/s1600/IMG_3014.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591908388081212770" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wjm0YjmO9uk/TZpzDUAbnWI/AAAAAAAAF_w/Q7ApwuAvfLs/s400/IMG_3014.JPG" /></a> sweet!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-itQMce2Xc2s/TZpzDFP7bcI/AAAAAAAAF_o/-OXOG8iuBRc/s1600/IMG_3017.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591908384119680450" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-itQMce2Xc2s/TZpzDFP7bcI/AAAAAAAAF_o/-OXOG8iuBRc/s400/IMG_3017.JPG" /></a> harper's favorite piece of attire!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5sWwPtRpO8M/TZpzCkB4fCI/AAAAAAAAF_g/gWTFPeY9vGY/s1600/IMG_3020.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591908375202397218" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5sWwPtRpO8M/TZpzCkB4fCI/AAAAAAAAF_g/gWTFPeY9vGY/s400/IMG_3020.JPG" /></a> "been farming long"?!</div></div></div></div></div>The Preister'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01874099919966811133noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24927436.post-79412620693254127652011-04-01T07:40:00.001-06:002011-04-01T07:43:23.549-06:00when your hut is on fire...The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him. Every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming. <br /><br />Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect himself from the elements, and to store his few possessions. One day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, with smoke rolling up to the sky. He felt the worst had happened, and everything was lost. He was stunned with disbelief, grief, and anger. He cried out, <em>'God! How could you do this to me?'</em> <em></em><br /><br />Early the next day, he was awakened by the sound of a ship approaching the island! It had come to rescue him! 'How did you know I was here?' asked the weary man of his rescuers. 'We saw your smoke signal,' they replied. <br /><br /><strong>The Moral of This Story:</strong> It's easy to get discouraged when things are going bad, but we shouldn't lose heart, because God is at work in our lives, even in the midst of our pain and suffering. <br /><br />Remember that the next time your little hut seems to be burning to the ground.<em> It just may be a smoke signal that summons the Grace of God.</em>The Preister'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01874099919966811133noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24927436.post-5452154154470780082011-03-28T18:31:00.012-06:002011-03-28T19:15:36.095-06:00if a pictures tells a thousand stories....Thank you for all the prayers, calls, emails, texts, and notes on <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">facebook</span> today...I was amazed to see all the messages we <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">acquired</span> today! <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Charli</span> won't be making a trip back to Children's for a year...thank you God! Lots of pictures to tell lots of stories, enjoy! <br /><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yTVMXkpAuRY/TZEuhAROaMI/AAAAAAAAF-w/A1kJ3QeuwR0/s1600/IMG_2933.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589299757086304450" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yTVMXkpAuRY/TZEuhAROaMI/AAAAAAAAF-w/A1kJ3QeuwR0/s400/IMG_2933.JPG" /></a> double the pleasure, double the trouble, double the work!</div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UtKUadoYRqQ/TZEuggHy8qI/AAAAAAAAF-o/e-OPvF7ucR0/s1600/IMG_2934.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589299748456821410" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UtKUadoYRqQ/TZEuggHy8qI/AAAAAAAAF-o/e-OPvF7ucR0/s400/IMG_2934.JPG" /></a> i love the way he looks at her!! <br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2OdZK3nupi8/TZEugCIhCJI/AAAAAAAAF-g/GH5KS8Wymf8/s1600/IMG_2935.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589299740406778002" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2OdZK3nupi8/TZEugCIhCJI/AAAAAAAAF-g/GH5KS8Wymf8/s400/IMG_2935.JPG" /></a> now, if only we could find a way to keep them in here when they are climbing the walls! </div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wjgYWARp4ng/TZEtfpNCsZI/AAAAAAAAF-Y/jIUovqxA7Qk/s1600/IMG_2929.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589298634203246994" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wjgYWARp4ng/TZEtfpNCsZI/AAAAAAAAF-Y/jIUovqxA7Qk/s400/IMG_2929.JPG" /></a> step 1 - put on mom's shoes</div><br /><div><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a1Di1okFH9Q/TZEtfCvXJ9I/AAAAAAAAF-Q/ipqekvTEwI0/s1600/IMG_2930.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589298623878211538" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a1Di1okFH9Q/TZEtfCvXJ9I/AAAAAAAAF-Q/ipqekvTEwI0/s400/IMG_2930.JPG" /></a> step 2 - walk with mom's shoes</div><br /><div><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ASBDO1DVVJI/TZEtePczZYI/AAAAAAAAF-I/aAPzljgagOE/s1600/IMG_2931.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589298610110162306" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ASBDO1DVVJI/TZEtePczZYI/AAAAAAAAF-I/aAPzljgagOE/s400/IMG_2931.JPG" /></a> step 3 - fall out of mom's shoes!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CBJ2pUzhlkI/TZEtdza7UFI/AAAAAAAAF-A/9GySzVr4lGQ/s1600/IMG_2945.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589298602586099794" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CBJ2pUzhlkI/TZEtdza7UFI/AAAAAAAAF-A/9GySzVr4lGQ/s400/IMG_2945.JPG" /></a> love, love, love when they find something they can enjoy together!!</div><br /><div><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YuyN5iKToCg/TZEtdW7_faI/AAAAAAAAF94/vXNFcDiTdrI/s1600/IMG_2949.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589298594940157346" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YuyN5iKToCg/TZEtdW7_faI/AAAAAAAAF94/vXNFcDiTdrI/s400/IMG_2949.JPG" /></a> ...and not fight over it!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X1QSgCsxHh8/TZErk3T7koI/AAAAAAAAF9w/s46eLKY9lZ4/s1600/IMG_2943.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589296524866327170" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X1QSgCsxHh8/TZErk3T7koI/AAAAAAAAF9w/s46eLKY9lZ4/s400/IMG_2943.JPG" /></a> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Charli's</span> first thing to grab as soon as we get to grandmas!! </div><br /><div><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iw8s-1J3VTg/TZErkeTFUkI/AAAAAAAAF9o/R2h_1nzcLKU/s1600/IMG_2944.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589296518151885378" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iw8s-1J3VTg/TZErkeTFUkI/AAAAAAAAF9o/R2h_1nzcLKU/s400/IMG_2944.JPG" /></a> and our dear Harper!! This is my old doll, Diana Marie. I wanted <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Charli</span> to love her and take her home...she said no, but was glad to offer to take grandma's football outfit. So, I gave her to Harper who gave her lots of love!! Wouldn't he make a fine big brother ;-)</div><br /><div><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pHuR5_SjRXw/TZErkGPSBhI/AAAAAAAAF9g/NktN0GiVV2c/s1600/IMG_2956.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589296511693489682" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pHuR5_SjRXw/TZErkGPSBhI/AAAAAAAAF9g/NktN0GiVV2c/s400/IMG_2956.JPG" /></a> Coloring like such a big girl! She also colored using "paint" on grandma's computer. Makes her seem so grown up when she starts to play the computer!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G9sYsZqKukY/TZErjqw3bUI/AAAAAAAAF9Y/2FDZWuQWf9I/s1600/IMG_2957.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589296504318160194" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G9sYsZqKukY/TZErjqw3bUI/AAAAAAAAF9Y/2FDZWuQWf9I/s400/IMG_2957.JPG" /></a> it just makes sense to put a color in there, it is the perfect fit!! </div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mcBwXp36YZQ/TZErir8YZaI/AAAAAAAAF9Q/QY9ln1zoq2M/s1600/IMG_2955.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589296487455024546" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mcBwXp36YZQ/TZErir8YZaI/AAAAAAAAF9Q/QY9ln1zoq2M/s400/IMG_2955.JPG" /></a> Harper and grandpa worked through coloring together!</div><br /><div><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-11HPedachSw/TZEqAgnfonI/AAAAAAAAF9I/2q5S6-WS_p0/s1600/IMG_2962.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589294800787448434" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-11HPedachSw/TZEqAgnfonI/AAAAAAAAF9I/2q5S6-WS_p0/s400/IMG_2962.JPG" /></a> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">harper</span> thought it was <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">soo</span> funny when grandpa would try to keep him from crawling on the table, eating colors, or putting them in his ear! </div><br /><div><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-brSKs8q97oU/TZEqARIY-YI/AAAAAAAAF9A/UBEc-5UewFk/s1600/IMG_1103.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589294796630456706" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-brSKs8q97oU/TZEqARIY-YI/AAAAAAAAF9A/UBEc-5UewFk/s400/IMG_1103.JPG" /></a> super-star!</div><br /><div><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mE11PPaH540/TZEqAEPnWfI/AAAAAAAAF84/8Vw0Wh6tpV8/s1600/IMG_1105.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589294793171098098" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mE11PPaH540/TZEqAEPnWfI/AAAAAAAAF84/8Vw0Wh6tpV8/s400/IMG_1105.JPG" /></a> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Charli's</span> first drink of pop...</div><br /><div><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-737DfJFp3no/TZEp_qNJPeI/AAAAAAAAF8w/yQMIjhWjcW4/s1600/IMG_1104.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589294786181414370" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-737DfJFp3no/TZEp_qNJPeI/AAAAAAAAF8w/yQMIjhWjcW4/s400/IMG_1104.JPG" /></a>...and she was not impressed!!</div><br /><div><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9T8pZqDZ5vw/TZEp_Y5WrHI/AAAAAAAAF8o/7UP3fmUoHI0/s1600/IMG_1108.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589294781535005810" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9T8pZqDZ5vw/TZEp_Y5WrHI/AAAAAAAAF8o/7UP3fmUoHI0/s400/IMG_1108.JPG" /></a> getting ready to have her finger poke. She was giving her '<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">tuff</span> smile'</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><div>What a difference a year makes!<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UdGZrSNld-0/TZEo0sff5sI/AAAAAAAAF8g/m1S-LVUPn6s/s1600/IMG_1111.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589293498305078978" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UdGZrSNld-0/TZEo0sff5sI/AAAAAAAAF8g/m1S-LVUPn6s/s400/IMG_1111.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div>being OH SO strong! She was concentrating so hard to watch them get the blood out!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3nJYAnk5X7U/TZEo0E1b1dI/AAAAAAAAF8Y/p7PAL42XsdU/s1600/IMG_1112.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589293487659668946" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3nJYAnk5X7U/TZEo0E1b1dI/AAAAAAAAF8Y/p7PAL42XsdU/s400/IMG_1112.JPG" /></a> and was so brave while they were doing it! "she is 4 ya know"</div><br /><div>Before we went got into the hospital she was so nervous, we think she made herself sick...how sad. She was brave and got to go pick out a toy from toys-r-us. She was SET on a big BUZZ who would talk and shoot <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">lasers</span>....</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KRBzFu8Td9E/TZEozoVp8qI/AAAAAAAAF8Q/4rNPUBPrR4A/s1600/IMG_1119.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589293480010183330" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KRBzFu8Td9E/TZEozoVp8qI/AAAAAAAAF8Q/4rNPUBPrR4A/s400/IMG_1119.JPG" /></a> then we get <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">there</span>, and she fell in love with BATMAN!! I love this because I remember my brother having <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">basically</span> the same thing for <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">HEMAN</span>!! </div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ICDTLzHOYOo/TZEoy_ckbTI/AAAAAAAAF8I/ZOf_4PNmfAc/s1600/IMG_1115.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589293469033327922" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ICDTLzHOYOo/TZEoy_ckbTI/AAAAAAAAF8I/ZOf_4PNmfAc/s400/IMG_1115.JPG" /></a>wow, who is this big girl here? She looks about 3 years older?! I don't like it!! oh so pretty.... </div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1m79VueX5do/TZEoyj1hwFI/AAAAAAAAF8A/b-rKEobJWRQ/s1600/IMG_1116.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589293461621817426" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1m79VueX5do/TZEoyj1hwFI/AAAAAAAAF8A/b-rKEobJWRQ/s400/IMG_1116.JPG" /></a> Oh, and we can't forget these!! <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">Charli</span> picked out these matching pj's! I was so impressed that she could be talked into purple for herself!! There is room to make progress!!! ;-)</div><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>The Preister'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01874099919966811133noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24927436.post-13610153062041592132011-03-27T21:26:00.007-06:002011-03-28T05:55:18.137-06:00MondayTomorrow is the day we go down for scans. <br /><br />There aren't a lot of words to describe tomorrow. Tonight when a friend asked I told her "most people don't need need to go to the doctor on a regular basis to find out their child is okay, so having to do that kind of sucks but I do appreciate that we have the opportunity to do it." And, in another conversation I realized that Charli has not had a "well-baby" check-up since she was 6-months old. This isn't because we are bad parents who neglect her health, but rather because she has met with her oncologist on such a regular schedule that we have not had to. This is our reality. <br /><br />So, tonight when I go to bed in a few minutes I will relive all the moments recently that I took for granted, all the times I raised my voice instead of offered hugs, all the moments I didn't realize how great life is, and all the moments I would have died to live the life we have now. The great part is, this IS our life -- all I dreamed of and more 4 years ago, I have. <br /><br />Tomorrow we will wake up and make the journey to the hospital to draw blood, visit with the doctor, and wait for the news we expect, which is that she is doing great. We know she is, and we know that is what we will hear. <br /><br />But tonight just before I fall asleep for the night, my mind will play the worst case scenario in my head, tears will fall down my face, and before I start to panic I will remember that Charli WILL be fine and that fear is normal. Well, normal for us anyway. <br /><br />sweet dreams...The Preister'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01874099919966811133noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24927436.post-4222361313820105342011-03-25T12:36:00.007-06:002011-03-25T13:36:57.830-06:00spring has sprung!We had a few great days before spring...once spring hit things have gone downhill!! It is much easier to handle when you know it is short term. The snow we got early this morning is so beautiful!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aDVV4D4IRZk/TYzpZfDKf0I/AAAAAAAAF74/_rq6-T5im-k/s1600/IMG_2919bw.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588097861700714306" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aDVV4D4IRZk/TYzpZfDKf0I/AAAAAAAAF74/_rq6-T5im-k/s400/IMG_2919bw.jpg" /></a> Harper is a hat man. Each morning he will go for a hat and tugs that puppy down low...so low you can't see his eyes! And that is the way he rolls until I take if off!! If he needs to see above he will crank his head up before he will adjust his hat!! He has three favorite now, and none john <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">deere</span>!</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eIisybZFOoY/TYzpY9RxwOI/AAAAAAAAF7w/HKY3mGYpymU/s1600/IMG_2920.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588097852635201762" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eIisybZFOoY/TYzpY9RxwOI/AAAAAAAAF7w/HKY3mGYpymU/s400/IMG_2920.JPG" /></a><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Charli</span> looks so pretty! Harper looks so cheesy - this is his new face, hard to find a picture of him where he <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">doesn't</span> look like this! </div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yNM7HS51J_Q/TYzpYm_1GuI/AAAAAAAAF7o/Is0F-bAB-yQ/s1600/IMG_2918.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588097846654343906" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yNM7HS51J_Q/TYzpYm_1GuI/AAAAAAAAF7o/Is0F-bAB-yQ/s400/IMG_2918.JPG" /></a>we had to break out the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">meds</span> at our house again!! Harper has never really gotten over his cough, but it has only bothered him at night. This week it came back and he shared with <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Charli</span>. We have had more sickness this winter than ever! <br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JKdcQlFlg88/TYzoLGn7xRI/AAAAAAAAF7g/cqZ6Hu17Zqw/s1600/IMG_2927.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588096515114255634" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JKdcQlFlg88/TYzoLGn7xRI/AAAAAAAAF7g/cqZ6Hu17Zqw/s400/IMG_2927.JPG" /></a> the view from our backyard!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-emf-FvUUE7Y/TYzoKiAOb4I/AAAAAAAAF7Y/P2NMIjzqJ3s/s1600/IMG_2925.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588096505284030338" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-emf-FvUUE7Y/TYzoKiAOb4I/AAAAAAAAF7Y/P2NMIjzqJ3s/s400/IMG_2925.JPG" /></a> so pretty!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_I4fuwQb8f8/TYzoJ03d-BI/AAAAAAAAF7Q/FAUj6Rq0kik/s1600/IMG_2903.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588096493167704082" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_I4fuwQb8f8/TYzoJ03d-BI/AAAAAAAAF7Q/FAUj6Rq0kik/s400/IMG_2903.JPG" /></a> we all know that before we can correct our children from doing wrong we must first take their picture!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M5Lp4A6o8N0/TYzoJRciBjI/AAAAAAAAF7I/NCt2iQDnPMg/s1600/IMG_2902.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588096483659482674" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M5Lp4A6o8N0/TYzoJRciBjI/AAAAAAAAF7I/NCt2iQDnPMg/s400/IMG_2902.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z6QoyRhPDYw/TYzoJIwz14I/AAAAAAAAF7A/Wsn3DULG-EQ/s1600/IMG_2901.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588096481328617346" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z6QoyRhPDYw/TYzoJIwz14I/AAAAAAAAF7A/Wsn3DULG-EQ/s400/IMG_2901.JPG" /></a> its <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">sooooo</span> funny to stand on top of chairs when no one is looking! he will just giggle and giggle to himself! I turned around to see this, and had to laugh. The look on his face was priceless! not to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">mention</span>, the only way this child will learn is to "learn the hard way" this has already been determined and proven!! <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YAeYVDPAK0U/TYzmZnse-5I/AAAAAAAAF64/dkaWbOSNk9A/s1600/IMG_2895.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588094565486623634" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YAeYVDPAK0U/TYzmZnse-5I/AAAAAAAAF64/dkaWbOSNk9A/s400/IMG_2895.JPG" /></a> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Charli</span> did not feel so hot Thursday afternoon. I got a call around 3:30 saying she was crying in pain, and that is not typical of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">Charli</span> - at all. She can tolerate pain really well and tends to mope around when she isn't feeling well rather than cry. I suggested giving her a drink and seeing how she felt after a little food. But, less than ten minutes later I got another call saying she was not in good shape. I took off to pick her up and couldn't <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">believe</span> my eyes and ears!! <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">Charli</span> was in rare form, I have never-ever seen her in so much pain! I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">decided</span> to take her into Urgent Care later, because I knew she would never make until morning. She has a bad ear infection, which probably would not have ended in rupture - but he said it was super soar. The picture above is of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">Charli</span> after I sat her on the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">counter</span> so I could fill up a glass of water! She laid down and was shaking in pain - I couldn't <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">believe</span> it! She was like I had never seen her before!! </div><div> </div><div>A few hours after the call she was acting and feeling much better. I am not sure if it was a little fresh air, or just mom-love, but something made her feel a little better before bed (pretty sure it was mom-love). Glad to report she is back to normal today! <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-error">YAY</span>!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XQpDUlvomC0/TYzmY7csrTI/AAAAAAAAF6w/op0-UFZRNK8/s1600/IMG_2910.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588094553609252146" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XQpDUlvomC0/TYzmY7csrTI/AAAAAAAAF6w/op0-UFZRNK8/s400/IMG_2910.JPG" /></a> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-error">Charli</span> found time to relax...a sign she was not feeling normal!!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kQUuMWeODVE/TYzmYUPlxVI/AAAAAAAAF6o/MLI57A12fgM/s1600/IMG_2896.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588094543085290834" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kQUuMWeODVE/TYzmYUPlxVI/AAAAAAAAF6o/MLI57A12fgM/s400/IMG_2896.JPG" /></a> and after awhile she even had energy to play with her brother! It was hard to believe it was the same child!!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q7B5B6aeevc/TYzmX-nSgMI/AAAAAAAAF6g/-cwQTPcSe9I/s1600/IMG_2899.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588094537279111362" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q7B5B6aeevc/TYzmX-nSgMI/AAAAAAAAF6g/-cwQTPcSe9I/s400/IMG_2899.JPG" /></a> oh.my.gosh. you can literally see the back of this throat! I am sure he has <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">inherited</span> his big mouth from his <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" class="blsp-spelling-error">father</span>. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tzKheZZQEZA/TYzmXjEhsUI/AAAAAAAAF6Y/irFd_Enu4Sc/s1600/IMG_2897.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588094529885548866" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tzKheZZQEZA/TYzmXjEhsUI/AAAAAAAAF6Y/irFd_Enu4Sc/s400/IMG_2897.JPG" /></a> I am not sure what this is about, but thought the photo captions could go on, and on, and on!!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yz9rP_PGFbI/TYzij3F1vQI/AAAAAAAAF6I/-2GV3NOeK7E/s1600/IMG_2893.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588090343371685122" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yz9rP_PGFbI/TYzij3F1vQI/AAAAAAAAF6I/-2GV3NOeK7E/s400/IMG_2893.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rat5W0nZKE0/TYzijlhaXyI/AAAAAAAAF6A/_pm8FaYXhQg/s1600/IMG_2892.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588090338655493922" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rat5W0nZKE0/TYzijlhaXyI/AAAAAAAAF6A/_pm8FaYXhQg/s400/IMG_2892.JPG" /></a> one lucky little girl!! <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_19" class="blsp-spelling-error">Charli</span> made an <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_20" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">elaborate</span> car path with her cards, blocks, boxes...pretty much everything in her room!! <br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0g-SXsef-WY/TYzijHQEl_I/AAAAAAAAF54/U-5pT61ZO9k/s1600/IMG_2891.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588090330529699826" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0g-SXsef-WY/TYzijHQEl_I/AAAAAAAAF54/U-5pT61ZO9k/s400/IMG_2891.JPG" /></a> this has been in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_21" class="blsp-spelling-error">Charli's</span> room for a long time! but I saw it the other day and thought to myself...what amazing words to be <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_22" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">surrounded</span> with!!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1H6NI8D4D7M/TYziiwCK9yI/AAAAAAAAF5w/6ZEvMMyM0ms/s1600/IMG_2877.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588090324297381666" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1H6NI8D4D7M/TYziiwCK9yI/AAAAAAAAF5w/6ZEvMMyM0ms/s400/IMG_2877.JPG" /></a> working hard on her project!<br /><br /><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_23" class="blsp-spelling-error">Charli</span> had a sucker from the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_24" class="blsp-spelling-error">dr</span>. and was holding onto the wrapper, when I took it to put in my pocket she replied "no mom <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_25" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">don't</span>, I want to keep that for my collection"! Great, a hoarder!!</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">Have a great weekend <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_26" class="blsp-spelling-error">ya'll</span>!!! </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>The Preister'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01874099919966811133noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24927436.post-59340120149206093142011-03-20T19:30:00.005-06:002011-03-20T20:00:07.831-06:00spring brings good things!!!!This spring weather has been good to our family, we have had so many great days together with all the sunshine...I almost feel like I might jinx it if I say it out loud!!<br /><br />After our fun day with Charli on Friday Chad and I had a "date"! We went out to eat and saw a movie...I am working on my list from several weeks ago :-) <br /><br />Saturday was a little bit of everything - but Sunday was probably the topper for the weekend. We had the Relay For Life breakfast in Humphrey this morning. After Sunday School Chad brought the kids there. Charli sat like such a big girl at the table where raffles were. Harper, of course, was not going to sit still so he spent a lot of time being chased outside. He did make it in doors and had a great time with about 4-5 other kids who were dancing to some music! There was a girl about 4-months older than him, you could tell she had older siblings (!!), and she would just walk around "roaring" to Harper! At first Harper just gave her a funny look, then they started going back and forth!! You could also tell she has had to defend herself because anytime Harper got close she would swat at him! It was too funny to watch, I think I could have sat for hours!! They were cute!!<br /><br />After naps today we tried to pack as much fun in as we could! We did a bike ride, a walk, and some fun with shaving cream thanks to Jen! (sorry we didn't come to Rising to bring you a pop instead!!) We took off for the shop where we rode 4-wheelers for hours!! It was great. If I could snap my fingers we would be living out there tomorrow...the kids are in their prime when they get to play, Chad can manage some work in, and I get to watch it all happen!! Ahhh, the dream.<br /><br />Enjoy the pictures!<br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-htw5ki0U1vk/TYatqdCw-NI/AAAAAAAAF5o/ThjpgiMZgHg/s1600/IMG_2846.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586343332662016210" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-htw5ki0U1vk/TYatqdCw-NI/AAAAAAAAF5o/ThjpgiMZgHg/s400/IMG_2846.JPG" /></a> I will admit that at first this was too messy of an idea for Charli. For being a "boy" she has some really girly qualities I told her :-)</div><div align="center"><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4_RBx9Vfv1o/TYatp81OyEI/AAAAAAAAF5g/QWpJMll0h2c/s1600/IMG_2848.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586343324015315010" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4_RBx9Vfv1o/TYatp81OyEI/AAAAAAAAF5g/QWpJMll0h2c/s400/IMG_2848.JPG" /></a> this one, on the other hand, had no problem making as big of a mess as he could!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fOxjvdDBpG0/TYatpWxj0QI/AAAAAAAAF5Y/LbtMLxZLChY/s1600/IMG_2849.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586343313799368962" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fOxjvdDBpG0/TYatpWxj0QI/AAAAAAAAF5Y/LbtMLxZLChY/s400/IMG_2849.JPG" /></a> Charli jumped right in after a minute of seeing Harper have all the fun!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Kj5Wd78TmJI/TYatpECGj-I/AAAAAAAAF5Q/rsvsqsmfubU/s1600/IMG_2855.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586343308768481250" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Kj5Wd78TmJI/TYatpECGj-I/AAAAAAAAF5Q/rsvsqsmfubU/s400/IMG_2855.JPG" /></a> they were having a great time and got busted by dad walking in on the fun!! Chad had a hard time with this activity, Mr. Clean and all ;-)<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IHYznsCk4PM/TYatouDzeoI/AAAAAAAAF5I/0rP0B5atVqA/s1600/IMG_2858.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586343302870039170" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IHYznsCk4PM/TYatouDzeoI/AAAAAAAAF5I/0rP0B5atVqA/s400/IMG_2858.JPG" /></a> had.a.blast!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5EMXBh_i5ms/TYary35-dfI/AAAAAAAAF5A/QGCPIX__4R8/s1600/IMG_2859.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586341278288606706" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5EMXBh_i5ms/TYary35-dfI/AAAAAAAAF5A/QGCPIX__4R8/s400/IMG_2859.JPG" /></a> I was envisioning streaks of white up and down my walls and windows!! But, he behaved!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KmLIEy-5ZLs/TYaryr-o-1I/AAAAAAAAF44/pyMDWS_Hl9Q/s1600/IMG_2863.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586341275086945106" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KmLIEy-5ZLs/TYaryr-o-1I/AAAAAAAAF44/pyMDWS_Hl9Q/s400/IMG_2863.JPG" /></a> it was about 'now' that I realized none of our hoses were hooked up outside to clean our table off! oops!! ahh, details!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UaXppzmT4E4/TYaryO1QW5I/AAAAAAAAF4w/2v6JsNsFXgc/s1600/IMG_2864.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586341267262954386" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UaXppzmT4E4/TYaryO1QW5I/AAAAAAAAF4w/2v6JsNsFXgc/s400/IMG_2864.JPG" /></a> we got all cleaned up, we were ready to put new clothes on...and this is what I turn around to find! thank you for doing this before i changed your clothes ;-)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MI76CdQ-a-8/TYarx4RlzuI/AAAAAAAAF4o/57_ASKHI9Y8/s1600/IMG_2842.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586341261207785186" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MI76CdQ-a-8/TYarx4RlzuI/AAAAAAAAF4o/57_ASKHI9Y8/s400/IMG_2842.JPG" /></a> jackpot!! Harper likes to sit up and help, he just discovered the *junk* drawer!! <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YuyYR3akeP8/TYarxVw1FYI/AAAAAAAAF4g/oaQYQXkq7HU/s1600/IMG_2844.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586341251943568770" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YuyYR3akeP8/TYarxVw1FYI/AAAAAAAAF4g/oaQYQXkq7HU/s400/IMG_2844.JPG" /></a> after movie night Charli was acting silly - pretending she was sleeping. We said that we were going to put her in Wynston and Kaspers bed...she didn't budge so we did it!! I think her faking it relaxed her so much that she went straight to bed that night! I am pretty sure if we left her there she would have fallen asleep! <div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>The Preister'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01874099919966811133noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24927436.post-24106001473082003902011-03-19T10:02:00.007-06:002011-03-19T10:42:46.044-06:00new buddies<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p1j8MMLoQ_I/TYTWORbABoI/AAAAAAAAF4Y/SPWsoHmLB9c/s1600/IMG_2841.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585824978529420930" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p1j8MMLoQ_I/TYTWORbABoI/AAAAAAAAF4Y/SPWsoHmLB9c/s400/IMG_2841.JPG" /></a><br /><div><div><div><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JSDAYW-TwlE/TYTURqvF3YI/AAAAAAAAF34/gRlnK5DvPOc/s1600/IMG_2840.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585822837840928130" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JSDAYW-TwlE/TYTURqvF3YI/AAAAAAAAF34/gRlnK5DvPOc/s400/IMG_2840.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div>The Preister'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01874099919966811133noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24927436.post-26112972632029840602011-03-18T13:39:00.008-06:002011-03-18T14:01:51.269-06:00friday fun-day!We're inside on a little rest-break from our post cancer-versary Friday Fun-Day, to keep a happy 4-year old!!<br /><br />We've really enjoyed our day, so I thought I would share some pictures while Charli has some downtime to unwind a bit!<br /><br />After breakfast we took Harper to daycare, and he didn't notice that Charli was not with him, which is good! I wasn't sure how he would like going without his sidekick! We took both Chad and Charli to get their glasses fixed before the fun began!! Charli's glass broke with some combination of Harper & Charli..God only knows!<br /><br />We spent a good 90 minutes painting, and considering the length of time we were there Charli really was great. She wanted to do a plate again this year. I did a ribbon and a bowl and Chad did a keepsake box for her. They all stayed behind to be baked, so it will be awhile before we get them back! <br /><br />After our painting adventure we went to Applebees where we played eye spy and sang songs! Charli thought it was neat to eat "inside" :-)<br /><br />Bowling was probably the highlight, although she was upset she couldn't get them all down like other people! Having said that Charli did beat Chad by 10 pins!! lol, ahhhh - fair and square too!!<br /><br />When we got home Charli had one more cancer-versary surprise waiting for her! Grandma & Grandpa Preister left Charli a buzz and woody toy! Harper got a Tiger too, just so he wasn't left out :-) Charli thinks it is prety neat that she got to have a date with mom and dad, Harper got a date with Lynn, and mom and dad are going on a date tonight!! "date" is her new 'thing'! She would love to have more dates she told me!!<br /><br />enjoy the pictures!<br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ug2uMwdXDmM/TYO22MxqDPI/AAAAAAAAF3w/YU6ABPYfQM8/s1600/IMG_2837.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585509005128240370" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ug2uMwdXDmM/TYO22MxqDPI/AAAAAAAAF3w/YU6ABPYfQM8/s400/IMG_2837.JPG" /></a> part of our fun day was shoe shopping! Charli has been asking for twinkle-toes, so she got to pick them out today!! She is pretty excited! This has to be the most girly thing she has ever done and/or wanted!</div><div align="center"><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uYkKvI9ArzY/TYO216z7fCI/AAAAAAAAF3o/Qh5DE07Npbc/s1600/IMG_2838.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585509000305933346" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uYkKvI9ArzY/TYO216z7fCI/AAAAAAAAF3o/Qh5DE07Npbc/s400/IMG_2838.JPG" /></a> stocked up on some cute flip-flops! the nike's have memory foam, I want some!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HSv7PXR8Jgs/TYO21rYeMdI/AAAAAAAAF3g/jtGaCRdnoMs/s1600/IMG_2832.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585508996164235730" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HSv7PXR8Jgs/TYO21rYeMdI/AAAAAAAAF3g/jtGaCRdnoMs/s400/IMG_2832.JPG" /></a> these are out of order! but more fun with the balloons this week!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KEmB4tQh3lY/TYO21c3v_2I/AAAAAAAAF3Y/hNBw-5LO2oQ/s1600/IMG_1102.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585508992268894050" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KEmB4tQh3lY/TYO21c3v_2I/AAAAAAAAF3Y/hNBw-5LO2oQ/s400/IMG_1102.JPG" /></a> resting with her new buzz and woody! And, drinking from a little kid cup! she saw buzz and spiderman a few weeks ago and really wanted to get them for harper and her! Buzz her her #1 pal right now!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GTnmMX9LM5M/TYO208lMRMI/AAAAAAAAF3Q/3Qz45zyvi_g/s1600/IMG_1101.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585508983601120450" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GTnmMX9LM5M/TYO208lMRMI/AAAAAAAAF3Q/3Qz45zyvi_g/s400/IMG_1101.JPG" /></a> very excited to see what was peeking out of her surprise today!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gt54rauL1rw/TYO1iK0ZQxI/AAAAAAAAF3I/HXMJYLWLJwM/s1600/IMG_1097.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585507561493840658" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gt54rauL1rw/TYO1iK0ZQxI/AAAAAAAAF3I/HXMJYLWLJwM/s400/IMG_1097.JPG" /></a> by the end of the game she was running up and tossing with some momentum! <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-daY7bfMjLWM/TYO1htBcBOI/AAAAAAAAF3A/3MCh3aGuS_g/s1600/IMG_1095.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585507553495483618" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-daY7bfMjLWM/TYO1htBcBOI/AAAAAAAAF3A/3MCh3aGuS_g/s400/IMG_1095.JPG" /></a> showing me the sign for "Christ", when I said cross...she busted out in a song they sing at church and when they sing the word Christ they make the sign!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rF12VZuMuy4/TYO1hXFQfaI/AAAAAAAAF24/zVdClO6lInc/s1600/IMG_1094.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585507547605925282" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rF12VZuMuy4/TYO1hXFQfaI/AAAAAAAAF24/zVdClO6lInc/s400/IMG_1094.JPG" /></a>deep in thought for a serious game of 3-man eye spy!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W6E8RjkwjDQ/TYO1fs6LAJI/AAAAAAAAF2w/yQwCpxNFr2Y/s1600/IMG_1090.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585507519105269906" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W6E8RjkwjDQ/TYO1fs6LAJI/AAAAAAAAF2w/yQwCpxNFr2Y/s400/IMG_1090.JPG" /></a> her colorful plate this year!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bL6YO1S96G0/TYO1fQgeM7I/AAAAAAAAF2o/AINcSZpL7b4/s1600/IMG_1086.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585507511481283506" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bL6YO1S96G0/TYO1fQgeM7I/AAAAAAAAF2o/AINcSZpL7b4/s400/IMG_1086.JPG" /></a> serious business! picking colors was her favorite part! not using 250 different colors was her biggest challenge!!<br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>The Preister'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01874099919966811133noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24927436.post-76093109120117555252011-03-15T20:13:00.003-06:002011-03-15T20:32:12.196-06:00the love of great friends....We have over 58 more reasons to love our friends!!! While at the Relay tonight they were nice enough to give Charli about anything she wanted!! She came home with about 10 balloons and a noise maker...a metal one that one break on it's own! We get home and see bundle after bundle of balloons for Charli! Her face was beaming!!! Harper loved them too...we loved them too!! Thank you Linda and company!<br /><br />We were surprised with many acts of kindness today!! My friend Jen raised over $100 to honor Charli for her Relay team today, in ONE day!! We had other friends make donations to Charli's page, wear their Charli shirts, call, give us wonderful messages of support and more!! Today was a great day. Today was a day of celebration. Today was a day to remember!!<br /><br />Enjoy the pictures of Charli beaming with the joy that only balloons can bring!!<br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IrpKarlmtFs/TYAe_SuC4LI/AAAAAAAAF2g/wrPcO0_nu4Y/s1600/IMG_2830.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584497610644971698" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IrpKarlmtFs/TYAe_SuC4LI/AAAAAAAAF2g/wrPcO0_nu4Y/s400/IMG_2830.JPG" /></a> 'they are all for me'?!!! </div><div align="center"><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x7MGOeFiaFs/TYAea9dLbOI/AAAAAAAAF2Y/BTNI3wm8dH4/s1600/IMG_2829.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584496986461793506" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x7MGOeFiaFs/TYAea9dLbOI/AAAAAAAAF2Y/BTNI3wm8dH4/s400/IMG_2829.JPG" /></a> pure excitement!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AN2--Dec5I0/TYAeaRne9xI/AAAAAAAAF2Q/aWq2433WAcg/s1600/IMG_2828.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584496974693857042" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AN2--Dec5I0/TYAeaRne9xI/AAAAAAAAF2Q/aWq2433WAcg/s400/IMG_2828.JPG" /></a> dancing in a world of balloons!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ns4WvKJ9pW4/TYAeZ1mk7nI/AAAAAAAAF2I/_fuPy_AG-kQ/s1600/IMG_2827.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584496967173860978" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ns4WvKJ9pW4/TYAeZ1mk7nI/AAAAAAAAF2I/_fuPy_AG-kQ/s400/IMG_2827.JPG" /></a> she loves balloons, what a great fun surprise!!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ghy9oJtCvms/TYAeZsn-o8I/AAAAAAAAF2A/xioPIjvZSjQ/s1600/IMG_2826.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584496964763820994" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ghy9oJtCvms/TYAeZsn-o8I/AAAAAAAAF2A/xioPIjvZSjQ/s400/IMG_2826.JPG" /></a> so proud!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_6ZPsO4fbGI/TYAeZHY9qwI/AAAAAAAAF14/zVSdhsDl3q0/s1600/IMG_2825.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584496954768730882" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_6ZPsO4fbGI/TYAeZHY9qwI/AAAAAAAAF14/zVSdhsDl3q0/s400/IMG_2825.JPG" /></a> we love this girl!</div><div> </div><div align="left">Again, thank you to each and everyone one of you who helped make today extra special!! Thanks to grandma for staying with Harper so we could take Charli to the event tonight!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>The Preister'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01874099919966811133noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24927436.post-3480806584289615082011-03-14T17:22:00.010-06:002011-03-14T18:54:53.009-06:00happy cancer-versary(On <strong>Tuesday - March 15th</strong> - we will honor Charli's cancer-versary...I KNOW if I wait to post until morning, I will forget all together!!)<br /><br />You all know her story, but yet on this day - 4 years after we heard "<em>we think Charli has cancer</em>" I feel compelled to talk about it, write about it, get it out...whatever it is. I will admit that each year gets better and better. <strong>Year #1</strong> I was a wreck in February. She had just had surgery, I started a new job, it was so fresh, etc. <strong>Year #2</strong> was a little better, yet I think I was just starting to really "deal" with what we went through. <strong>Year #3</strong> was all about making it a celebration for Charli and now are are at <strong>year #4</strong>. It truly is a celebration, had the cancer not been found - I know I wouldn't be writing this blog today. That is something to celebrate.<br /><br />I have always said that life will never be the same, and it won't. From the outside I am sure it looks the same. We work, the kids go to daycare, we play on the weekends, the kids fight, they get in trouble, they learn, they love, they grow, and they do all the typical things they should do. The difference is, we have done it all with a cloud of the past above us. Each milestone and each highlight in Charli's life is amplified. <em>Should it be</em>, maybe not. <em>But is it</em>, yes. Regardless of the reality we have been blessed to have, there was a time it was all unknown. There was a time I had doubt, there was a time I didn't have hope. These were short lived, but they were still there and the black hole (while small) is still present enough...not that I still feel that way, but I can still remember <strong>HOW</strong> I felt <strong>when</strong> I felt that way. I am not sure how to put that into words. The fact of the matter is that while I know Charli is a vibrant 4-year old with the world at her finger-tips I can still remember standing in wal-mart thinking "will she..."and that is a feeling that never-ever goes away. I can laugh it off now, as just a moment in time when the unknown beat out our hope and faith, for a small-small moment in time. However, being <u>forced</u> to face that and feel that way will never be something I can laugh at.<br /><br />Having said all of that, what a path God put us on. Humble is the only word I can use when I describe how being Charli's mom can make me feel. I look at our life now, this week, this year and I think of all the greatness we would have missed out on had this not been our life. I have an awesome opportunity to travel the state and share Charli's story as a Hero of Hope for the American Cancer Society. Most days I shrug the "big-ness" of this off...but today I am going to relish in it. As Relay season picks up I am able, almost weekly (!!!) to share Charli's story of HOPE. I, Brenda, am able to look others in the eye and I can see their fear for themselves or their loved one, and I can see if fade. I can see them take Charli's story in and see that lives are being saved - I can see the weight fall off of their shoulders sometimes. I see them look at Charli with all the wonder and awe in the world, and know that God delivers miracles. There are times I can actually feel their pain go away. Does that seem possible? I have met survivors of childhood cancer and I have met mothers of angels. I would not have understood that 4 years and one day ago. <u>I was too self-absorbed to feel the pain of others.</u> I know the phrase "<em>I feel your pain</em>" is over-used, but I CAN and I DO feel their pain. Gosh, just ask a few of my close friends who have seen me go off the deep end each time someone I care about in treatment takes a step back. I have said that sometimes it is debilitating. But, it is worth it. To be able to connect to people who sometimes feel like no one understands...<br /><br />Four years ago we adopted the phrase "<strong><em>expect miracles</em></strong>", and we do. Not only do we, but I know others do too!! One thing I will never get sick of is seeing pictures of my three "young" nephews (25, 22, 16) and seeing that they sport, everyday, Charli's bracelet from four years ago. They are not "too cool" for that. The oldest two have gotten tattoos in honor of that with the phrase "expect miracles" on them...I expect Derek to follow suit when he is old enough (no pressure, just think he will!!). What amazing men, to be so faithful to their cousins journey. I say men, even though to me they are still little, because it is a sign of maturity to be so kind.<br /><br /><em>sidebar: (I think that when I am at a loss for words I ramble, case and point - now!!)</em> <br /><br />Through all of this, we have had great friends and family stand by us and push us on when we probably couldn't have had we not had them there to be watching. I often think about the calls I would make to my friend Linda, I could call her just to cry...and in the next sentence still love hearing her talk about her trials in raising a "tween"! I think about how excited my sisters girls were to finally get to play with Charli when she was all better...and all the suckers they at the first time they got to play at the farm together after treatment! I remember her oldest, Ryen, whose imagery friend had cancer and couldn't be around lots of people. I remember strangers sending notes and leaving messages of hello...and I remember someone apologizing to the moon and back for just weeks before telling me how horrible it was to name a girl "Charli" (in the house of God no less!)!!!! (she felt like such an ass when she found out Charli had cancer!!!)<br /><br />I remember thinking, man when she goes to kindergarten here is no way I am going to cry and be sad..I will cry with tears of JOY because that means FIVE years!! You know what, I will cry both kind of tears!! I remember just wanting her to be normal, more than anything else. And, last summer when she had a very typical "childhood" moment and I was left devastated, it was my sister who called and left a teary message of "<em>brenda, three years ago you wanted nothing more for her than to feel good enough to play a little rough</em>" -- and she was right. A naughty kid means a healthy kid - and I thank God we have those moments!!<br /><br />I guess what I am trying to say is that on Charli's 4th cancer-versary I am filled with hope, sadness, anxiety, faith, worry, and happiness. While this is not the life I planned, I am thankful it is the life I have.<br /><br />Thank you for still coming back to check on our family! We have added a little brother who thinks the world of his sister, just like the rest of us!! They will never know - they will never understand..and I am okay with that. My goal, my wish, is that with the work Chad and I continue to do they will feel the desire to keep it going on their own freewill someday. Might be a stretch, but it is my hope!<br /><br />In honor of Charli's cancer-versary I challenge you to go do something that makes you think of Charli today!!! And - I would LOVE to hear about it!!The Preister'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01874099919966811133noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24927436.post-44225327885280517052011-03-13T19:35:00.007-06:002011-03-13T20:00:22.696-06:00new bffWe had a fun weekend, again :-)<br /><br />Chad got to spend the entire day with the kids Saturday as I made my way to state bowling. Before you laugh, just remember not everyone makes it to state...right Kelsey?! (this is not true, anyone can go if they want!!) It is a great excuse to spend good girl time, so who doesn't want to go!?<br /><br />Charli sang in church this morning followed by typical afternoon stuff and topped off with a visit and supper with grandma and grandpa borg! I am pretty sure Charli found a new bff for the week. She and grandpa Charlie washed his car together followed by about 90+ minutes of uninterrupted play! I snuck in there once and found them playing "guys" however, the next I went in there they had about every toy and half the books out in some sort of maze for cars! It was so much fun to hear them play!<br /><br />Harper was in prime form for the rest of us in the living room. He is such a different child when Charli isn't around! <br /><br />Tuesday will mark "4-years" since Charli was diagnosed so we have some fun things planned for a fun day for her again this year. Some days it feels like 4 years, and others more like 4 weeks. Life is an amazing journey, and we never know what tomorrow will have in store for us. Today I overheard an adult tell Charli "you have no idea what an inspiration you are to so many do you?" I looked at Charli and she shrugged her shoulders and gave them a high-five! She will never know, WE will probably never know!<br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6J98w2LKVO4/TX1zR3lYEJI/AAAAAAAAF1w/XXpSQwyuhgk/s1600/IMG_2821.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583745863824969874" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6J98w2LKVO4/TX1zR3lYEJI/AAAAAAAAF1w/XXpSQwyuhgk/s400/IMG_2821.JPG" /></a> this was early on, as you can see only a few toys had the privilege of being out so far!! It was just priceless to hear these two play, and giggle!! I am pretty sure Charli and Charlie had a great time together!<br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OXXuLQbMJjs/TX1zRaDveWI/AAAAAAAAF1o/71PRW2LBpa8/s1600/IMG_2819.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583745855899269474" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OXXuLQbMJjs/TX1zRaDveWI/AAAAAAAAF1o/71PRW2LBpa8/s400/IMG_2819.JPG" /></a> big helper! Charli and Harper have graduated to washing their hands alone before we eat... I never really know how it goes so I wanted to see today! It was too cute to not grab my camera for! She does a great job with him!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C2a5qiHVTaE/TX1zRKUyz4I/AAAAAAAAF1g/e0NkeVsbovY/s1600/IMG_2817.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 280px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583745851675824002" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C2a5qiHVTaE/TX1zRKUyz4I/AAAAAAAAF1g/e0NkeVsbovY/s400/IMG_2817.JPG" /></a>She was giving him step-by-step reminders! I love this picture because I think you can see the love and attention in her face. <br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1pvdIBR7lVI/TX1zQl0YDXI/AAAAAAAAF1Y/lv8kIl3s7B4/s1600/IMG_2814.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583745841876176242" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1pvdIBR7lVI/TX1zQl0YDXI/AAAAAAAAF1Y/lv8kIl3s7B4/s400/IMG_2814.JPG" /></a> it's a sad day for me...we have to retire Harper's excavating pj's!! He has worn these multiple times a week since his birthday last June!! Sad, sad, sad!! :-) They just don't make a more perfect pj for this boy!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J6qPa0GsYXk/TX1xIE2fp7I/AAAAAAAAF1Q/r5d6QSM9bZ4/s1600/harper_4wheeler.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583743496564484018" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J6qPa0GsYXk/TX1xIE2fp7I/AAAAAAAAF1Q/r5d6QSM9bZ4/s400/harper_4wheeler.jpg" /></a> Harper cannot wait until this 4-wheeler becomes his! I am not sure when Charli will outgrow this size, I assume Harper will want it long before she is willing to give it up!! We will change out the pink for black so it will feel nice and brand new again in a few years!! <div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>The Preister'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01874099919966811133noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24927436.post-16016748696971210612011-03-08T18:14:00.008-06:002011-03-08T19:58:57.391-06:00soap in the mouth!!!!There is no hope for Harper...as a child who grew up in a house with 'soap in the mouth' when I talked back, harper is already showing a preference for soap. Specifically DORA soap which we use to wash out hands. In his defense it does smell delicious!!<br /><br /><br />We had a nice weekend, and enjoyed the sunshine. We headed west to broken bow Saturday morning and came back Sunday evening. We celebrated Ryen's birthday, played the wii, went to town for a special breakfast, played in the park, played outside, played inside, are you seeing a theme! Charli had her first 'official' slumber party! The three girls all got to sleep on the floor together in the basement! They got their beds ready and popped in a movie before calling it a night. After they feel asleep we went to check on them, Charli and Ryen were sharing a pillow - it was too cute!! They are the two that look the most alike and were in matching pj's - so we weren't sure who was who - Chad had to turn the light on to see!!<br /><br /><br />After two days without a regular nap they were full of vinegar, so we welcomed company when grandma and grandpa stopped by for a bit!<br /><br /><br />Charli is really enjoying hearing who has all donated to her Relay For Life page each day, she gets a big grin on her face and says something a long the lines of "are you kidding me, they like me too?!". If you are interested in helping our efforts you can <a href="http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/RelayForLife/RFLFY11PL?px=14131494&pg=personal&fr_id=32212"><span style="color:#000099;">CLICK HERE</span> </a>to find the Charli's personal page. You can donate online, or email me for our address if you would rather. A million thanks to all who help with the Relay in one way or another!<br /><br /><br /><br />BIG SHOUT OUT TO DEREK!! Derek, my nephew, will be playing in the state games on Thursday night, go big blue :-)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RBRlQz7DL_4/TXbJx_E4oCI/AAAAAAAAF1I/8WrDOIW8Mv8/s1600/IMG_2770.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581870648755003426" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RBRlQz7DL_4/TXbJx_E4oCI/AAAAAAAAF1I/8WrDOIW8Mv8/s400/IMG_2770.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4kX8zYDbkrE/TXbJxuFqIzI/AAAAAAAAF1A/CPkwNkPvipc/s1600/IMG_2781.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581870644194845490" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4kX8zYDbkrE/TXbJxuFqIzI/AAAAAAAAF1A/CPkwNkPvipc/s400/IMG_2781.JPG" /></a> super comfortable for pizza & movie night Friday night!! He was adorable and sat on my lap for the entire movie...which Charli picked Toy Story 2 this week! Harper was a toal love bug! After being gone several nights last week, I welcomed the one on one time very much!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mqeXrmxBJM4/TXbJxVLVo6I/AAAAAAAAF04/ZF4G1OP2g7o/s1600/IMG_2788.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581870637507781538" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mqeXrmxBJM4/TXbJxVLVo6I/AAAAAAAAF04/ZF4G1OP2g7o/s400/IMG_2788.JPG" /></a>Charli * Ryen * Harper * Macey before the party started! Ryen loves on Harper ALL THE TIME!! She is very good with him, and always wants to be doing something with and/or for him!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c6K-MusOS0k/TXbJxCYnI9I/AAAAAAAAF0w/ks6Astg_kW8/s1600/IMG_2796.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581870632463180754" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c6K-MusOS0k/TXbJxCYnI9I/AAAAAAAAF0w/ks6Astg_kW8/s400/IMG_2796.JPG" /></a>the three amigos! Ryens cute cake!! Macey had a pink JD cake, Ryen a green JD cake...so I wonder what Charli will want for the big #5?!!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aYWZzkcdPvw/TXbJwpuuq4I/AAAAAAAAF0o/izAQllSYKno/s1600/IMG_2801.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581870625845062530" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aYWZzkcdPvw/TXbJwpuuq4I/AAAAAAAAF0o/izAQllSYKno/s400/IMG_2801.JPG" /></a> soaking up the sun! They had two dogs out there this weekend and several adorable cats - harper was enjoying giving them lots of attention!!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y9qpbm4vnoc/TXbH1yU-ZXI/AAAAAAAAF0g/wYHoqLEy--c/s1600/IMG_2805.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581868515029050738" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y9qpbm4vnoc/TXbH1yU-ZXI/AAAAAAAAF0g/wYHoqLEy--c/s400/IMG_2805.JPG" /></a> Macey and Charli playing the wii!! they were sword fighting here!!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-am--UJg0yTs/TXbH1QjeYFI/AAAAAAAAF0Y/5Dpit5KE3h4/s1600/IMG_2808.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581868505963061330" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-am--UJg0yTs/TXbH1QjeYFI/AAAAAAAAF0Y/5Dpit5KE3h4/s400/IMG_2808.JPG" /></a> Grandma and Charli were playing hide the purple circle!! It was a group effort to find it sometimes!!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5Iku8nSv1nA/TXbH1HtsjLI/AAAAAAAAF0Q/k7xMrBwE5kI/s1600/IMG_2810.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581868503590014130" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5Iku8nSv1nA/TXbH1HtsjLI/AAAAAAAAF0Q/k7xMrBwE5kI/s400/IMG_2810.JPG" /></a> poor grandma, harper just jumped on - thinking he would get a "bull ride" like he does from daddy when he lays like this!! Sorry about your back grandma :-)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CcuI0TmQIuc/TXbH0oO3_kI/AAAAAAAAF0I/UVghVduOhXs/s1600/IMG_2812.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581868495139241538" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CcuI0TmQIuc/TXbH0oO3_kI/AAAAAAAAF0I/UVghVduOhXs/s400/IMG_2812.JPG" /></a> doing his best to hold on to grandpa's bull ride!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gDSfMA72J-Q/TXbH0SjZgSI/AAAAAAAAF0A/ztXR2ezTeN8/s1600/IMG_2813.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581868489319743778" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gDSfMA72J-Q/TXbH0SjZgSI/AAAAAAAAF0A/ztXR2ezTeN8/s400/IMG_2813.JPG" /></a> wow!! that is a long ways to fall!! good thing grandpa is so limber to keep him up :D<br /><div> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>The Preister'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01874099919966811133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24927436.post-75247795452781363082011-03-07T22:00:00.003-06:002011-03-07T22:05:01.455-06:00a common goalWe all have a common goal, even if we can't seem to find common ground sometimes!<br /><br />If you are able please consider donating $5, $10, or $20 to Charli's Relay For Life fundraising efforts this year! She is excited to be involved this year. Her "magic" number she wants to reach is always "fifty-nine sixty"! Each penny makes a difference, each and every single penny!!<br /><br />We will be sending our letters out soon too...so I do apologize if you see this message several times!! We can never assume our loved ones know how to help!!<br /><br />Please follow <a href="http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/RelayForLife/RFLFY11PL?px=14131494&pg=personal&fr_id=32212"><span style="color:#3333ff;">THIS</span></a> link! You can donate online if you would like...or shoot me an email and I will get you our address!<br /><br />Hope to get pictures up from the weekend tomorrow!!The Preister'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01874099919966811133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24927436.post-91657601293294844532011-02-28T13:22:00.004-06:002011-02-28T15:42:05.195-06:00what.a.dayToday is a sad day for me...and a bit of a stressful one too!<br /><br />I was able to get Harper into the doctor this morning, so after six days and $500 we have ruled out:<br />-pink eye<br />-influenza<br />-strep<br /><br />But have assumed "<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">rsv</span>". Either way we are on the downhill slide, hopefully. So far we have not had a fever, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">yay</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">harper</span> :-) We had a long sit at the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">dr</span> office, and am <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">soo</span> glad to be home! This is a slice of the stress.<br /><br />The sadness comes from the fact that I had to miss the celebration of life for our "always a hero" 2008 Hero of Hope Tracy, who I have written about several times. The viewing was last night followed by a special <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">luminaria</span> ceremony held just for her, which included story time and snow angels. What an amazing event to hold in someones honor, what a pity to have missed. This morning I was sad again when it was time for the funeral service to start and I was unable to attend as well. My heart breaks knowing I was not able to be there in person - Tracy deserved such a different ending. Most people will only fantasize about leaving the legacy that Tracy actually left behind. As my friend, and fellow 2011 Hero of Hope, said - there is nothing more difficult to watch that a 30-something year-old man bury the mother of his two young sons. And she is right. Does anyone want to use this opportunity to tell me why they are too busy to relay?!<br /><br />So while today is a sad and stressful day, it is a day of so much more than I can put into words.<br /><br />I went into work to pick up a few things so I could work from home today, and on my desk sat $60+ of girl scout cookies! And because of this I reaffirmed that just as many bad things can create a whirlwind of a bad day....many good things can turn everything around!! I am off to sample of a few of my "good things" for today while the kids sleep and I catch up on work!! Thank you girl scouts for selling cookies...and thank you girl scouts mothers for helping to sell said cookies!! :D<br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">Here is to a better tomorrow, and adios February...take all the sadness and stress with you!! </span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;"></span></strong> </div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">EDIT TO ADD:</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">3:37pm - I have had a total day turn around! After nap, while both kids were sitting on my lap <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Charli</span> turned to me and said "<em>mom, I do love you a lot, but I think I will always love <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">harper</span> more</em>" My reply to her was "<em>that is exactly how it should be honey, thank you for being the best big sister ever</em>!" She said "<em>but maybe that isn't nice to say mom, I love you the same</em>". I reminded her that she will ALWAYS be Harper's big sister, so it is her job to take care of him...and that means loving him more than anything else in the world!! What a sweetie-pie. I think this afternoons nap was good for everyone!! :-)</span></div>The Preister'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01874099919966811133noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24927436.post-7720142856150101242011-02-27T13:11:00.007-06:002011-02-27T13:50:12.728-06:00welcome back, monday!Have you ever seen a movie or tv show where mothering/parenting is stressful and then all of a sudden they are swept off their feet for a few days at the spa? I want <em>that</em> life! I am ready for outdoor play, sunshine, fresh air, and less germs. My mind has already said <u>good-bye</u> to winter, so the fact that it is still here is really messing with my life. ;-)<br /><br />Charli and Harper seemed to really enjoy being at the new daycare this week. Having said that, I am sooooo glad to be returning to Lynn's tomorrow!! <span style="color:#cc0000;">We -heart- Lynn!</span> Harper ended his week with illness, which is always a good time. We've had an urgent care visit, calls to the dr, conversations with the PA, and lots of questions amongst ourselves. Today is a new day, right?!<br /><br />Charli and I are hitting the movies this afternoon and the boys are going to the shop after Harper wakes up from nap...if he's feeling good! Sigh, I hope he is feeling better!!<br /><br /><em>I am not the girl who drinks cherry vodka. However, if I were - today would be a great day for a drink :-) </em><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BwhFvzRRiCc/TWqkCNo3eOI/AAAAAAAAFyo/6uaXCdlb2CQ/s1600/IMG_2756.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578451446379542754" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BwhFvzRRiCc/TWqkCNo3eOI/AAAAAAAAFyo/6uaXCdlb2CQ/s400/IMG_2756.JPG" /></a> She found this hat from when she saw mickey with her cousins last fall, and was playing a combination between magician and animal trainer!</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xvKxcnGgIbk/TWqkBoIXntI/AAAAAAAAFyg/rn2fOwDEKLA/s1600/IMG_2765.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578451436311125714" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xvKxcnGgIbk/TWqkBoIXntI/AAAAAAAAFyg/rn2fOwDEKLA/s400/IMG_2765.JPG" /></a><br />totally busted, he stole a toy from his sister! you would never know he isn't feeling the best! I am thankful that he is acting as well as he is. Now, if only we could get him to feel tip-top, sleep well, and get back to normal - life would be grand!</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jJvyYE2sEH8/TWqkBYs3pFI/AAAAAAAAFyY/k4qcLsMz2AY/s1600/IMG_2762.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578451432169251922" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jJvyYE2sEH8/TWqkBYs3pFI/AAAAAAAAFyY/k4qcLsMz2AY/s400/IMG_2762.JPG" /></a> so these are the "Fun" games dad plays when he gets his hands on the vacuum...<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F6GZ_lgjx5M/TWqjCi9wj_I/AAAAAAAAFyQ/W6cwy0tgsYM/s1600/IMG_2764.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578450352592687090" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F6GZ_lgjx5M/TWqjCi9wj_I/AAAAAAAAFyQ/W6cwy0tgsYM/s400/IMG_2764.JPG" /></a> harper could not stop fixating on the wand which just finished assaulting his hair. For those moms out there who rock the faux-hawk for their kids, I would like to say that using a vacuum gives great style, and it stays up for a long time!!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5Wf3tQLWUvU/TWqjCDNcDwI/AAAAAAAAFyI/ZGf9Jacr-n4/s1600/IMG_2761.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578450344068517634" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5Wf3tQLWUvU/TWqjCDNcDwI/AAAAAAAAFyI/ZGf9Jacr-n4/s400/IMG_2761.JPG" /></a> its so nice having kids who want to help! ;-)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eJA03YFtuE4/TWqjB445K-I/AAAAAAAAFyA/rRzE9v9PWaU/s1600/kids_close.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 385px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578450341297990626" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eJA03YFtuE4/TWqjB445K-I/AAAAAAAAFyA/rRzE9v9PWaU/s400/kids_close.jpg" /></a> this shot puts a smile on my face, simple happiness!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-scOXZR7la9M/TWqjBkiKXmI/AAAAAAAAFx4/ifKwlNKisl4/s1600/crazykids.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 387px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578450335833939554" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-scOXZR7la9M/TWqjBkiKXmI/AAAAAAAAFx4/ifKwlNKisl4/s400/crazykids.jpg" /></a> it looks like they are BOTH ready for the circus if you ask me!! I think it is safe to say that Harper's fever has altered his state of mind, and make him "unique" these last few days!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wsv5dqodASY/TWqjBS1OtVI/AAAAAAAAFxw/n97kO3ZCTCo/s1600/sweet_eyes.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 280px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578450331082077522" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wsv5dqodASY/TWqjBS1OtVI/AAAAAAAAFxw/n97kO3ZCTCo/s400/sweet_eyes.jpg" /></a> but in their moments of silence, these two still find time to steal smiles from each other. Charli has been mother-hening him all weekend by checking for fevers, and reporting runny noses, etc! Harper is eating it up...he might not always want all that he gets, but he does love her attention!<br /></div></div></div></div></div>The Preister'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01874099919966811133noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24927436.post-45060407614637064812011-02-22T19:36:00.001-06:002011-02-22T19:41:39.948-06:00day in lincoln<div align="center">I spent a fun day in Lincoln today, I was able to lobby at the capital for LB 436 in Nebraska. Because I know my mom will look I am posting a link to read a little about it!! :-)<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://hpne.wordpress.com/2011/02/22/nebraskans-meet-with-lawmakers-to-encourage-support-for-cigarette-tax-increase/">http://hpne.wordpress.com/2011/02/22/nebraskans-meet-with-lawmakers-to-encourage-support-for-cigarette-tax-increase/</a></div>The Preister'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01874099919966811133noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24927436.post-3439303445001900162011-02-20T12:05:00.005-06:002011-02-20T12:33:14.370-06:00are their toys in heavenCharli has had a lot of questions about heaven recently. She has asked if there are toys there, if you take naps, etc...and I am reminded of how great heaven sounds! It is with a heavy heart that I write about heaven today, as you may have seen below our dear ACS - Relay For Life friend/family member Tracy passed away this morning. She is who inspired me to want to tell Charli's story. I am in awe when I sit to see how she has touched so many lives. She will live on in those who knew her and those who have loved her dearly. Our fight will be stronger and harder with her in our hearts forever. So while I write this with a heavy heart, I am happy for her that she is finally pain and cancer free. Please pray for her friends and family, especially her two young boys who will have such a hole in their heart with her absence. <br /><br />Tomorrow is the big day for "new school"!!! I am excited to hear all about it ;-)<br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H87XQPNiBK0/TWFa7D3DXKI/AAAAAAAAFxk/fpHYdvu6KzQ/s1600/IMG_2739.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575837784356379810" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H87XQPNiBK0/TWFa7D3DXKI/AAAAAAAAFxk/fpHYdvu6KzQ/s400/IMG_2739.JPG" /></a> mr. cool guy Harper has found a new past time, relaxing!</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qBSRw1RyrwQ/TWFa63CevcI/AAAAAAAAFxc/g82BdJMHrTQ/s1600/IMG_2738.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575837780914650562" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qBSRw1RyrwQ/TWFa63CevcI/AAAAAAAAFxc/g82BdJMHrTQ/s400/IMG_2738.JPG" /></a> Charli's new way to watch cartoons!!</div><div align="center"><br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dfKvaioI_Hk/TWFa6vWzfpI/AAAAAAAAFxU/kvrUhs22Y5A/s1600/IMG_2743.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575837778852413074" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dfKvaioI_Hk/TWFa6vWzfpI/AAAAAAAAFxU/kvrUhs22Y5A/s400/IMG_2743.JPG" /></a> what a comfortable way to read a good book!! Harper is very attached to books right now, you will hardly ever see him without one in his hand! <br /><br /></div><div align="left">Are you seeing a pattern in our house this weekend...we are laying around being lazy and just enjoying each others company!! Sometimes the weeks get too busy and hectic and we aren't able to slow down enough to see our kids in their prime. From week to week we can see them change and it reminds me how fast this time goes and how lucky ...scratch that, <strong>blessed</strong>, we are. As the "big race" is starting on TV Charli has been inspired to get all of her race cars out in the kitchen as well. If they manage to take all of her cars on 500 laps they will sleep great tonight!! :-) <br /></div><div align="center"></div>The Preister'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01874099919966811133noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24927436.post-5776312481611256082011-02-20T11:26:00.002-06:002011-02-20T11:28:30.661-06:00heavy heart<div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Rest in peace Tracy Lingwall Harnly...you will forever be in our memories and hearts. You are now pain and cancer free, and we will honor you as long as we fight.<br /><br /></span></strong><a href="http://www.mycancerandme.blogspot.com/"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">www.mycancerandme.blogspot.com</span></strong></a><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></strong></div>The Preister'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01874099919966811133noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24927436.post-49131625178617783292011-02-19T08:55:00.005-06:002011-02-19T09:33:19.017-06:00stop long enough to STOPOne of my friends recently posted something on her blog that I wanted to steal! It is the concept of a "stop doing" list. This is to take place of the traditional "to-do" list, and the premise is that a "stop doing" list takes more effort to make these changes. I have to admit, what a great idea!! In her post she challenged us to make our own list. It got me thinking of all the things I wish I could stop doing, which would better the life of myself and those around me! So, I am throwing it out there as a way to stay accountable. I would also like to encourage you to do the same!! If you don't have your own blog, post your list here!<br /><br /><strong>#1.</strong> <u>Stop telling the kids we are late in the morning</u>. If we are late, it is MY fault and telling them isn't going to solve the problem!! In addition to this goal I am adding, stop saying "<em>we don't have time to play, we are late</em>". Ugh, do those words seriously come out of my mouth some mornings? The answer is yes. {insert sad face here}<br /><br /><strong>#2.</strong> <u>Stop taking "everyday moments" for granted</u>. As I type this I watch <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Charli</span> feed Harper...thinking nothing of it. Then realizing that in the moment it is a symbol of the love she has for him, that she wanted him to eat all his breakfast....and the trust he has for her to allow her to do so. May be a silly example, but it is the everyday moments that will make our life what it is not, not just those that are surrounded by bells and whistles.<br /><br /><strong>#3.</strong> <u>Stop thinking time for Chad and I will "come next week".</u> I feel safe writing this here because I don't think Chad will read it! We are both aware that we need to continue to make time for "us", which is hard to do with already full days and weeks! But, my goal will be to set aside an afternoon or evening (whatever we can get a sitter for!!) and keep it in the schedule just as we would if it were a commitment to a friend or family member. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Hmmm</span>, check back with me on this one. I think the previous two goals will be easier for me than this one!<br /><br />If you know me well, you know that lists are big to me! Without a list, most of my life probably wouldn't happen. I have lists at work, a list for volunteer activities, lists on my phone, lists for the kids each morning (mental lists, since they can't read YET, soon to be picture lists on their door!!!), and lists to get me through the week. Something like this makes sense for me. I challenge you to make a list. It doesn't have to be big, pick 1-3 things that you would like to make different...write it down, tell someone - post it here, it will make it real!<br /><br />Good luck and happy "stopping"!!!The Preister'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01874099919966811133noreply@blogger.com0