a great time!!!

We had a great weekend!! My brother was up from Arkansas so this meant our entire "Borg" family was together for the first time in a long time! It was great, but boy was it wild :-) There are eight big and little grandkids who have a great time together! Their ages range from 22 years to 16 months - so there is a nice range of activities that go on!! A majority of the energy ranges from 16 months to 6 years!! It was so much fun! And, lucky for us we will all be together again at Christmas!

On Friday Charli and I made Christmas cookies with Amanda and Dillon and I think everyone had fun! I think we ended the day with over 300 cookies that we split! So for any of you who are lucky enough to spend the holidays with us you can expect to see some of the following on our cookies plates....chocolate covered ritz peanut butter cracker sandwiches, peanut putter balls, chocolate covered peanut clusters, spritz cookies, sugar cookies, and chocolate covered pretzel sticks!!! And, believe it or not - but we didn't sneak any...hard to believe!! Charli and Dillon did all the decorating of the cookies with Amanda doing the initial frosting - so they are very special cookies!!

On Saturday we spent the afternoon at the farm before going to a benefit for a little guy in Columbus. Where, I am happy to announce that Chad actually won something!! He got a silver Ipod shuffle! I don't think he has every really won anything before - so this was a pretty big deal :-)

We hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving, that left your heart full of things to be grateful for.

this is a few weeks late - but a picture of the finished project of Charli's Angel that Jody got at the Angel's Among Us banquet.

my sister Rachelle and I at the benefit

the three little ones playing in the playroom at Grandma & Grandpa Borg's house!! CUTE :-)

Charli and Cohen

Charli in a box :-)

poor uncle Randy....being attacked by the sole three Borg grand-daughters

Charli decorating one of her many trees!

Charli with her Uncle Dillon - he was being attacked! I am sensing a pattern with her behavior!!

Charli and mom on Thanksgiving :-)

the bunch!! (Bryant, Colton, Charli, Derek, Macey, Andrew, Cohen, and Ryen)

For all things, give thanks

What a reflective time of year Thanksgiving is. To me, it is a time to reflect on what life has given us and all we have to be thankful for, sometimes even in the fog.

First and foremost I am thankful for the amazing blessing God granted us with, that is sleeping her her bed as she tells me "love you mom" about 78 times while she rocks with her daddy!! Her life's journey leaves me speechless. To think of what she has been through, and the sacrifice she has made in her life so that others may learn lessons is humbling to say the least. She has taught me so much, and even though we pray her fight with cancer is over forever, she will never cease to teach me lessons because of it. I know that may sound cheesy and "put-on", but those of you who know what I mean...know what I mean. And, lucky for those who don't and think these are just words!!!

I am thankful for my amazing husband. Chad is by far the hardest working person I know, hands down. He sacrifices for this family daily, and to him it is just what he does. He regularly will leave for work before 4:00am so he is able to pick Charli up from daycare by 5:30pm that night. He does this without complaint. He is the best dad I could have ever dreamed of for Charli, and she loves him with all her heart! It is easy to see that these two are a pair for life!!

My family will always remain top on my list!! My brother and sisters, no matter the distance are always the most supportive of my family! We were founded by amazing parents, who didn't get any credit when it was most deserved...and we will spend the rest of our lives trying to make that up to them I am sure!

I am grateful for my job - which allows me to work with neat-neat people!! I have the opportunity to see the most amazing families on a regular basis, and my life has been forever changed!! (and the girls I work with make it a "little" fun too!!!)

There are so many things I could list and go on about! I am thankful for foundations who make it their mission to help kids like Charli, for past cancer research, and all survivors. I am thankful for my three sister-in-laws who add so much to my life! I thank God for a roof over my head, wheels under my feet, and a warm home to spend my nights. There are many things in life that may be far from perfect, but who needs perfect when you have all the things I have listed above!! Thank you to EVERYONE who has taught me it isn't what you don't have that makes your life...it is realizing what you have, that no one else can even see!! Life is good, and God is great! Happy Thanksgiving everyone!! I would love to get comments about a few things YOU are thankful for.

Oh...these are a few pictures of BEAUTIFUL flowers my husband sent me for our anniversary last week!! What a sweet surprise!!

tears of joy!

I am so glad to be home tonight, but sure wish it was Saturday so I could sleep in tomorrow!!

Chad left early Friday morning to go hunting with our brother-in-law Brad, which left Charli and I to have our annual weekend together! This is great, except I had two other events I wanted/needed to be a part of!!

Saturday morning about 6:45 I dropped Charil off at the McMeekins for the next 24+ hours, and got on the road to head for Grand Island to attend the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life - Relay University. This was my first year attending, it was a great experience. It was similar to Dallas, but on a smaller more personalized for Nebraska scale! I took part in this with 13 others from Platte County, it was great to have such a large group there!! The Platte County Relay For Life received recognition and awards for having the most people in one county raise $1,000 individually! We also were recognized for being #2 in our division for money raised per capita and #8 in the NATION!! Our county has a lot to be proud of! This event took place from 9:00 - 4:00.

As soon as this was over I literally ran to my car and got on the interstate to head to Omaha so I could attend the annual fundraiser for Angels Among Us. This is the organization who used Charli's picture on their billboard!! They give financial assistance to families who have children battling cancer. They are an amazing group who deserve so much support. It started at 5:30, I arrived fashionably late at 6:30 :-)

They had a live and silent auction along with a great meal and live entertainment. On the live auction there were about 6 handmade art pieces by children who are or have been touched by cancer. I will get back to this in a minute!!

On the silent auction there were about 100 baskets that ranged from $30 - $200 and had movie night baskets up to ipods and sport packages. I came home with a few Christmas gifts which I can't talk about yet!! But I am most excited about the Royals package I got!! Four reserved seats to any Royals game, $100 gift certificates to a restaurant in downtown Omaha, and a one-night stay at the Double-Tree in downtown Omaha! I can't wait for that weekend! We have already invited our friends from Des Moines to make the trip in the spring!! Oh, we also came home with an afternoon with the Omaha EMT group who will cook us a meal and take us on a ride and give a tour! I thought Chad might think this would be fun!

Okay, so back to the handmade artwork. The theme this year happened to be ceramics, which was fitting because that is what Grandma Preister did with Charil for the same event!! They had a nice time working on this together! At first Grandma said they would remake one for her to keep, but as she thought about it decided she wanted it for herself! I had decided that I wanted to purchase it for her and give it to her for Christmas. I knew she would be sad that she didn't win it at the event (because I was going to have a friend buy it for me!!) but didn't think it would be an issue. So, I informed Bob (Grandpa) of my plan and told him to go ahead and bid so she knew he was trying but to let my friend win! I made the mistake of telling him that I would pay anything to walk home with it that night. The final bid closed at $1,300. NOT WHAT I WAS EXPECTING!! But, all going to a good cause right?!! Jody was SO sad that she didn't walk away with the angle, and it broke my heart. So, I caved and had the angle delivered to her that night!! This is a very special gift to her from Bob, Chad, and myself -- and I wish we could have waited until Christmas, but I couldn't stand to see her so sad about not winning!! She deserved that angle!

I got on the road and was home by 11:30! On my way home I realized I was on the road for over 6 hours yesterday...but it went quickly!! I am thankful for making it there and back safely!! Amanda, Charli, and I went shopping today and here I am now - tired and ready to sleep!

Charli had a GREAT day/night away from home...which was no surprise to me! She came home saying all sorts of weird things like "no way batman" "BC" (whatever that means!!") and she now calls me "momma" instead of mommy! How quickly they are influenced!! A HUGE THANK YOU to Linda and family - we love you!!

up close AND personal!

Charli's angel on auction - more pictures to come!

the little goodie bag we gave those who attended Relay University for Platte County! It was a bag of lucky charms with a note that said "We are LUCKY to have you! Thanks for coming today!" We truly did appreciate everyones attendance!

look - a real pony!

cute smile ruined by a flinstone vitamin between her teeth :-)

need a prop?

I got this on an email today and I really apprecaited the message...thought you might too...

Every time I am asked to pray, I think of the old deacon who always prayed, 'Lord, prop us up on our leanin' side.' After hearing him pray that prayer many times, someone asked him why he prayed that prayer so fervently.

He answered, 'Well sir, you see, it's like this.... I got an old barn out back. It's been there a long time; it's withstood a lot of weather; it's gone through a lot of storms, and it's stood for many years.

It's still standing. But one day I noticed it was leaning to one side a bit.

So I went and got some pine poles and propped it up on its leaning side so it wouldn't fall..

Then I got to thinking about that and how much I was like that old barn. I've been around a long time.

I've withstood a lot of life's storms. I've withstood a lot of bad weather in life, I've withstood a lot of hard times, and I'm still standing too. But I find myself leaning to one side from time to time, so I like to ask the Lord to prop us up on our leaning side, 'cause I figure a lot of us get to leaning at times.

Sometimes we get to leaning toward anger, leaning toward bitterness, leaning toward hatred, leaning toward cussing, leaning toward a lot of things that we shouldn't . So we need to pray, 'Lord, prop us up on our leaning side, so we will stand straight and tall again, to glorify the Lord.''

1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11

We had a fun weekend!! Charli got to do some work with dad and Grandpa Preister and she loved to be in her "work coat"! Charli also surprised us one night this week when we discovered that she can count to 11!! Tonight we learned that she can say her alphabet, but a little backwards! She has q-z covered!! I put a video on of that, I think she does some counting on it too! I really wanted to email it to just a few of you, but the file was too large...so sorry guys - everyone has to deal with it! But, if you don't want to see you don't have to watch :-)

charli in her 'work coat'

she is R-E-A-D-Y to go work with grandpa!!

she found her glasses from last summer!!!

Charli's rendition of the A-B-C's!!!!

making cents of it

A few weeks ago I mentioned Chad's cousin, Joe, who was severally injured in a car accident. Not a lot has changed since I made those posts. However, his family and his doctors are hoping that he will be able to make a move to the Rehab Center located in state putting him much closer to family and friends.

Now is not the time for the family to be stressing over financial worries. I realize that times are tight for many of us right now, even more so for this family at this time of crisis. But, if anyone can spare a few dollars here and there I know that the Korth's will appreciate it more than any of us could imagine. I for one know first hand the difference $5 can make.

Chad's aunt, Linda, (Joe's mom) has not left Joe's side since the second she got to the hospital the night of the accident, one state away. That not only shows the love and devotion she has as a mother...but also creates a financial burden. His dad has only left his side to bring in an income to continue to support the family, a hard decision to make...and one that they shouldn't be forced into making.

Any help we can offer this family will mean more time they are able to stand by Joe's side in his ever-important recovery that he has ahead of him. Transportation, food, and daily necessities are not free when you are in the hospital - if anything they are overpriced!!

We would like to help our family in anyway possible, and granted this is only one small way to help...it will make a big impact on their life.

If you feel that anyone else would be able to help, PLEASE pass this information along. THANK YOU!

November already?!!

It is November already?! Hard to believe!

Our weekend was busy, but nothing too earth shattering. Friday night we did the trick-or-treat circuit! Charli has enough candy to last her about five years!! Saturday Charli and I went to Andrew's football game (which they won!!) in Fremont!! Today we went to watch Pumpkin Chunkin' and then to the spaghetti dinner in Tarnov. Charli had a good day, although she was tired! She went to bed a little bit early tonight with the time change, but seemed to handle it like a champ!

Enjoy the pictures :-)

at football game!! GO ANDREW :-)

watching the game with grandpa

so pretty!!!

Charli wore her hat all morning, wouldn't take it off!! Probably hiding her crazy fuzzy hair!!

Grandpa was tyring to get Charli to show her teeth!! At least one Charlie has a BIG smile here!!! ha ha

three girls -- one chair!

what do you get when you have a care bear, puppy, princess bride, and Dorothy all in one room?!! A CRAZY, wild, and fun time!

Aunt Amanda and "Dorothy"...poor uncle Brad was sick :-(

Charli "begging" for candy!

at our stop by Great Grandma and Great Grandpa's house!

Charli and Grandma Deb

Charli with Great-Grandma

I love this picture!! Charli and Grandpa Preister! Sadly Grandma was working :-(

I will have one of these...and two of those...oh, and this one too!

Dorothy and her basket from our neighbor Jacky

SO PRETTY!!

movie star smile :-)

Charli's Halloween Day outfit from Grandma (and probably Grandpa too!) Preister

"Charli's Angel" - to auction off at a charity event later this month
(the wings are Charli's hands!!)

Charli put on all the sparkles and helped grandma with the project!

Charli also go to roll the head! Looks like Grandpa helped too!

look, a ball!! She didn't mind having her hands dirty!!

these two really enjoyed the night!