Anniversary

Well our 2nd wedding anniversary has come and gone... 
It was fun. It was relaxing. It was needed. It's gone!


Well we started out rushing around Saturday morning to get out of town. Finally got on the road, made a stop by my Mom's for my HUGE cup and then got some gas and snacks and headed out... We made a stop at the World's Largest McDonald's and kept on going. We listened to music, talked, laughed, and had a good time. 

We drove through MO and into AR and then into the small town of Yellville, AR. We arrived in Yellville about 4:15p and we had about 14 more miles to go to the lodge. Arrived at the lodge and met the owners and they took us on a tour of the lodge and grounds. We paid for our reservation and unloaded the truck and settled in some. Took a walk around the grounds and then decided we were going to head into Yellville to go to the store to get some food to cookout with...

(our room)

(the main deck on the back side)

(the grounds looking from the main deck)

(the lodge from the backside)

(the gazebo/cooking area)

Into town we went and went to the grocery store... Bought a small ice chest, ice, steaks, potatoes, corn, and BBQ sauce. Picked me up some new clogs and to the Beer Barn (yes that was the name) we went... Got some AR 6-point beer, wine coolers and wine for me and ice and packed it in and headed back to the lodge. The lodge had a charcoal grill out under the gazebo and so we grilled. We had the meat, potatoes (wrapped in foil and onto the grill), and corn on the cob (wrapped in foil and onto the grill) and we drank wine and beer, relaxed, and waited on the food.


We had NO seasoning for the meat (we didn't buy any on purpose), no butter, sour cream, cheese or anything for the potatoes or corn... We had BBQ for it all... But it was actually GREAT food. The meat was tender, the potatoes were great (little BBQ sauce for taste), and the corn was so sweet. Sometimes we take the small things for granted. We always think we need to marinate, cover the taste with other things, etc...

Dinner was done - The gazebo had some rope lighting around the top and so we sat in the small amount of lighting, enjoyed our dinner, and then watched out fire that we built in the fire pit...

We sat outside for awhile while this fire burned and then we headed back into our room... 

We played Jenga...

And then we headed into our hot tub... 

(this was in our room - perfect, right?)

The night was very relaxing. We sat in the hot tub, drank some drinks, watched some TV, and just talked...

Bed time...

We woke up the next morning and had breakfast...

(blueberry pancakes, sausage, and strawberry yogurt, with orange juice)

Breakfast was great, we then showered, got around, packed, and loaded up (bought some shirts as reminders) and started our adventure... We headed into Rush, AR which was only a few miles away. It's considered a Ghost Town...

Here are a few of the houses and buildings in the town... 

(the General Store)

(house)

We continued on to the lake, Buffalo River National River, and looked around and made a couple more stops and then we went back towards town, filled up with gas, and headed towards home... We took the back way home and went into Siloam Springs, AR...

We stopped there and got the kids some things...

The older two a cool sprinkler, Preslee a pool, the older kids some sand shovels and buckets for their sand box, and Preslee a sock monkey and then we made one last pit stop at Dickey's BBQ Pit for lunch...

They have GREAT food so if you are ever in Siloam Springs, AR make a stop here... We both got 2 meat plates: 

Me: polish sausage, sliced brisket, coleslaw, onion tanglers, roll, and a drink

Albert: polish sausage, pulled pork, baked beans, waffle fries, roll, and a drink

They serve ice cream to everyone... It was less than $25 for everything... Great food, great taste, not a bad price for a lot of food... Anyways... We headed on into Sand Springs and picked up our kiddos and then homeward bound we were...

Our anniversary weekend was great...

Oh yeah... This was a sign at the lodge that I LOVED...

Strength To Go On...

I'm sure this will be random and scatter brained but I need to write...


Why is it that cancer attacks bodies? Why is it that this disease doesn't have a cure? Why can't it just go away?!?


I know that's a vague statement but if we can get a man to land and walk on the moon how can we not have something to help... I just don't understand! Though that's not my job to understand but I would really like to know.


Currently I have a friend laying in a hospital bed in OKC fighting for her life... She's been through a hell of a lot of the last year or so and it's just not fair to her, to her children, and to her family.


Stephanie was diagnosed with ALL (a type of leukemia) in December 2010. She didn't know anything was wrong. 2 years ago (this week) she was helping me plan my wedding, helping me get everything together, helping me through everything, and being my friend in this all... Yes I had MANY other friends helping me also (just to clarify). May 1st everything seemed fine to her she was perfect, seemed healthy, she was Steph. Within 6 months she was diagnosed with this awful disease. She started therapies and doing everything that needed to be done. She was in the hospital so much, missed so much with her kids, but she was getting better. She had finally over time beat the cancer and she was in remission. She had the bone marrow transplant and that's what her body is rejecting.


How can someone so young, so full of life, so beautiful, and so enthusiastic have this problem. Why did it have to be here. She has children, 2 children at that that need her, those children need their mother. 


But yet her mother gave a status on FB this morning saying the doctor was only saying a "few days". A few days!!!!!! Seriously??? Last Thursday (19th) she was discharged from the hospital and now this... It's so left field, out there, not right... NOT RIGHT BY NO MEANS!!!!


A few days. A few days to say goodbyes, speak your peace, clear your head, consume it with madness, think of how unfair life is, and pray for the best... A few days is NOTHING. A few days doesn't get anything accomplished!


My amazing friend, Marisa, offered to take me to see Stephanie yesterday. I thought about it many times. I even ran scenarios through my head, words that I would say, tears that would flow... But then I realized I don't think I'm ready to face that... Watching someone die in "that" situation. 


By no means do I mean to be rude by that above statement - But my Dad passed away 4 years ago in January... He was in a coma... He was unresponsive... He was on life support... He had MRSA... He died that way... I stood in the room, by his side, hand in hand, as his heart stopped... No I'm not ready to face that again... I'm just not strong enough inside. I can't bear to see what I faced with my father... I can't bear to watch my friend go through that. I can't bear to see the agony in her family's faces... 


I pray... I pray... and I pray for God's healing hand to touch her. Give her strength to fight this. Give her more time with her children and her family. Give her the life she wanted so dearly BACK.


I'm consumed with pain inside... My heart hurts and aches for her! I wish there was something I could do or say that could take this away or even make it better! But there's not. Nothing I can do or say or anything. It's in God's hands... God is the only one controlling Steph's time on earth. Steph has been through so much in the last year and half and I know she is tired. I know she is weak. I know she probably thinks at times she can't do this anymore but I know she's not ready to go. 


I've cried for hours and hours over this. I've thought about it. Ran moments through my head that involve her, conversations, texts, calls, parties, times... Life! I met Stephanie in 2009 and she became one of my GREAT friends. She was there for me the day I found out I was pregnant with Skylar (in the work bathroom with me). She was there for the funeral and she was my friend anytime I needed to talk. She understood me and I understood her (yes many of my friends understand me also and I love them for that... This is just me talking).


God I pray that this turns around and that her life is handed back to her again. I know her body needs to rest but I don't want to see her leave this world yet! She's too young. 

Tears will flow but God is the only one with answers! Steph we love you SO much!!!!!!!

Days Keep Flying...

Well the days are coming and going and they just won't slow down! Goodness... It's already the middle of April.


I don't have a lot of free time to get on her and post. I need to because it's also therapeutic and it lets me say what's on my mind freely...


April... Ugh! The beginning of this month Preslee starting teething *molars* and then she got bronchitis... So she was on a steroid for a week and boy was she irritable. Then Easter was last weekend and we had a great time. Got together with family and did some Easter egg hunting and some family games/togetherness...

Preslee on Easter at McClure Park... She still wasn't feeling the greatest...

Jordyn on Easter... (my niece)... 

Anastacia being silly with an Easter basket...

Preslee was excited about the eggs *see the one in her hand*

I guess Triton got too many eggs... His handle broke... Glad it was fixable...

Preslee opened each egg and took the candy out... Her basket after the hunt...

Anastacia at the park on Easter...

Kids doing the egg hunt...

I think they were done with the egg hunt and contemplating what to do next...

Easter was a lot of fun. Many people were at the park and we played football, horseshoes, had cake for Brenda's birthday and LOTS of food... Enjoyed seeing everyone, getting pictures, and eating...

Now that Easter is over we are on to birthdays... Tommy's birthday is the 17th of this month. We are going to have a party for him at Mom's house on the 21st... Yay!!!!!

Jerry's birthday would have been the 20th... Another year gone and another birthday that still comes. Sucks but it's life I guess! Wish he was here to celebrate with us...

Then comes APRIL 27TH... Tommy & Dara are getting married! How fun is that!?! Can't wait for that day! Albert & I are off work that day so he will get to attend also... It's just a small, intimate wedding for family... I have a surprise I'm picking up for them for that day... It will be fun!

Here's a few snap shots from the last few days...

Anastacia...

Triton...

Preslee...

Triton again being silly...

Our littlest angel... Isn't she the sweetest?!?

Anastacia is also gearing up for her dance recital... It's May 25th. She's been in dance almost 4 years now and this year she did ballet, tap, and jazz. She joined a new dance group last August when she moved to Mannford with us and we really enjoy them a lot. Can't wait to see the performance...

Here is a sneak peak of her outfit...

Anastacia and 2 of her friends...

Anastacia is also in soccer and it is starting to wind down... We have 4-5 games left... They have won most and she has decided that she wants to continue to play soccer also. Yay for her! Here is a couple pictures...

Mannford T-Rex

Silly girl... Ready for her soccer game!

She is the one kicking the ball... Right in the center of the picture! Go Anastacia!!!!

This month we also went riding. The Metcalfe crew and all... Anastacia didn't make it because she stayed the weekend with Nana that weekend.... Here's a few pictures...

First 4-wheeler ride with Uncle Wayne...

Triton's first time riding a 4-wheeler by HIMSELF...

Under the canopy Preslee and I were playing in the dirt... 

That kind of gives a rough idea of what we've been up to lately... Next we are planning after the parties and wedding is Albert & I's 2 year wedding anniversary... It's May 1st...

May 1st is during a work week so... April 27th we took off to get ready to go on our weekend anniversary trip... On the 28th we will be heading to Yellville, AR (about 4 1/2 hours from Mannford) to spend the day/night at Buffalo River Lodge Bed & Breakfast...

I'm super excited about going and can't wait. We get to check in at 3p and then we will get situated, have some dinner, and just enjoy some alone time. Then we have to check out by 11am... We have some plans to go down to Buffalo National River and look around (it looks GORGEOUS) and we are also going to go on 2 cave tours. We are going to spend the day doing things and drive home that evening/night. Can't wait to get away, do something different, and spend some time with the hubby...

2 YEARS ALREADY... SURE DOESN'T SEEM LIKE IT!

Then the next day which is April 30th we are keeping the kids out of school and going into Tulsa to take family pictures with Dana... Can't wait. Never done full family pictures yet! Lots of exciting things going on with us this month... Can't wait to share pictures from our trip and anniversary and then family pictures...

I've Been MIA...

Well I haven't been on here in awhile. We have just been so busy lately it doesn't seem like I get a chance to stop and rest sometimes.


January passed (thankfully) and February came and went quickly it seemed. I had my 27th birthday on 02/18 and that was about all that was eventful. Had cake/ice cream at Nana's and Albert and I had dinner at the Mexican restaurant and then went and saw a movie, This Means War. Very good movie.


So here we are in March. 3 months into the new year already! Doesn't seem possible, the years just fly by so it seems. Anastacia started soccer and still continues in dance. Triton started t-ball and Preslee and I are just in for the madness!


Here is a brief schedule of our weeks (mind you I work from 8-4p):


Monday - Soccer Practice 5:30pm - 6:30p
Tuesday - Baseball Practice 5:30p - 6:15p
Wednesday - Soccer Practice 5:30p - 6:30p
Thursday - Baseball Practice 5:30p - 6:15p
                   Dance Class 5:45p - 6:45p
Friday - Nothing after work
Saturday - Games (times vary from 9a - 11a)


Saturday following games we normally try and do nothing or housework and same for Sunday. Sometimes I feel like my days run together. Since Albert works nights I am doing this mad schedule by myself. Preslee and I either walk the fields, sit in the car, or do something :)


This week has been a very trying week. Albert & I are about to make a few major changes in our life (no I won't go into detail). I will elaborate more to a few people (if asked) but not many. Some personal things that need to be dealt with (not marriage problems or anything like that, please don't think that). Once these issues have been dealt with then the beans will be spilled (and NO it's not another baby just yet).


I sometimes have had people question me as to why I have let the kids get involved in several activities making my schedule look like the above. Well here's your answer...


My kids are my number one priority. If they want to participate in something and I have the money in my pocket to do it they are allowed to do it (granting its nothing bad). If they want to play a sport, be involved in an organization, or do something fun I will do my best to make that happen. Therefore I will have the craziest, busiest schedule possible (as above) to make them happy and let them be involved. You are only a kid one time and as a parent you want to make that experience for them memorable. You don't want your child to grow up thinking that they didn't get to experience some sports/activities that others did. So with that said I may complain about being tired or busy but it's all worth it in the end.


Tonight (03/09/12) I am having a It Works Wrap party at the house. It's at 6pm if anyone reads this before then and would like to come. It's just a time for us to hang out, listen/learn about a new product, and have some girl time.


With all the above said I'm going to end this. Just wanted to let everyone know I'm still around and still blogging just rarely as my schedule allows! 

Skylar Faith

I've never really sat down to write this story down. I've told several people the details of this day and the few days leading up to it. If you are a close friend and asked I've told you, it's not that I'm keeping it secret it's just that I haven't really thought about writing it...

But here is the full story. Here is what happened. Here is my journey. Here is my angel.

January 23, 2010
We were having Anastacia's 4th birthday party at Bounce U. Everyone was having a blast. The was over and we decided to go to Incredible Pizza to eat and play some more games. After stuffing our faces we headed off to the games but I needed to make a stop to the bathroom. I went to the bathroom (16 1/2 weeks pregnant) and I was spotting. I didn't think too much of it though it did cross my mind. Played games and had fun since it was her birthday. I went to the bathroom several other times and the same thing. The more I went, the more I got scared. We left there and I told Albert but I told him I could still feel the fluttering/movement (or so I thought). Got home and it quit. Never thought anything else about it that night.


January 24, 2010
This was a Sunday... Woke up all was fine and got almost through the day and into the night and then the spotting started again. Yes, I did start to freak out but I thought since it quit last night it wasn't much to worry about. I stressed all night long and stayed awake. When it was time to get up and go to work I had such a pounding headache that I called in on Monday.

January 25, 2010
Woke up and wasn't spotting anymore. Got through the day again. Albert went to work as normal and my night was going ok. Then it started again. I went to the bathroom several times, I would drink tons of water and juice just to make me go again. I was curious and I was scared. I cried for an hour or so and then I knew my doctor was on call every Monday... I called the doctor's office since it was late and my doctor called me back. She told me to come in the next morning and she would check everything and do an ultrasound. I still cried after the phone call. I talked to a friend that night, Erica, and she told me to drink lots of juice and lay on my side to see if I could feel anything. I could have bet you money I felt movement so I convinced myself all was OK. I finally got some sleep because I knew I had to be at the doctor at 8:30a when the office opened.

January 26, 2010
I get up and around and take Triton to daycare and drop him off and head into my appointment. I went to the doctor's office first thing that morning because my doctor wanted to do an ultrasound to check on our baby (in one month - Feb 17th - I was set to find out what we were having). Laid down on that cold, hard table to have that cold gel squirted on your stomach and that wand placed there to see the life inside you... As I patiently waited for a positive answer I was watching the screen and saw nothing. Still waiting for that answer I looked at my doctor's face and I knew with that look... She said "Ashlee, I'm so sorry" and I broke down. She started explaining there was blood around the placenta and around the baby. She started explaining how she must have passed the day after my last visit (one week ago) because her body had already fallen to the bottom and bunched together. Those words wrecked me... She said I will leave you alone and you can come out when you want and we can discuss things.

I got dressed, I dried my eyes for the moment, I tried to concept what I was just told, I tried to tell myself this was a dream, I tried to thing the best but I couldn't...It didn't work! I walked out and met my doctor in her office. I could see she sincerly cared, she asked me how I was, she wanted to make sure I was ok, she kept asking me to let her call someone to come and get me (I declined). We sat there minutes (which seemed like an eternity). She gave me the options: D&C, naturally, or induced/deliver. She gave me a brief synopsis of each situation. D&C - baby would be removed and due to gestational age when it was done baby would probably come out in different pieces (NOPE I could NOT do that). Naturally - She said my body would start rejecting the baby and I would end up passing the baby on my own. She said most likely I would pass the baby into the toilet during a bathroom visit (NOPE I could NOT do that either). Induction/Birth - She said she would put a pill against my cervix to help it and also give me a pill that I would put in between my cheek and gums and dissolve and this would cause me to dilate. I would give birth to my angel baby. We could see her and then have a funeral or whatever. This was the decision I made. She told me I could do it at anytime within the next few days just to call the office and let them know and they would get me all set up. This was the plan. We checked into the hospital that evening.

I left Dr. Gibbens' office in like a daze state of mind. I was numb. I didn't know what I was going to do. Albert was at home asleep since he had just got off work and home around 6a that morning. What was I going to tell everyone. I get driving and I call Albert - I tell him what happened he is freaking out (as I was also). I had a 40 minute drive home and he wanted to know what he could do. I said "Nothing just get some rest and I will be there shortly." I call my Nana and my Mom and tell them what happened. I get home and I tell Albert I'm there. We talked shortly, we cried, I laid in bed with him, and I told him the options. He called his boss and told him what happened and that he wouldn't be in. I told him to rest because we would have a long day/night ahead of us still. While he slept I went to the computer. I google and searched the internet for anything and everything relating to stillborn deaths. I google for pictures of babies born at 17 weeks gestation so I would know what I was going to see when this baby was born (at this point we didn't know that our baby was a girl - my ultrasound to find out the sex was scheduled for Feb 17th). I laid down and cried some more, I text some of my friends and talked to them about things, I cried some more, I googled and searched some more. Then Albert got up and we discussed all the stuff the doctor said again, we cried together.

I finally called the doctor and told her what we were wanting to do and she told me to be at the hospital by 5p that afternoon and she would have everything ready for me and that she would be the one there when I got there. We picked up Triton from daycare and headed to Albert's Mom's house to drop off Triton while we checked into the hospital. We headed to the hospital and filled out all the paperwork and then was checked into a room. My doctor was there when they were still getting me all situated in the room. She started giving me the med that you put between your cheek and your gums and let dissolve. We did that several times. My Mom, Wayne, my Aunt Brenda, and Candace all came by to visit. The night went on and we went to sleep. The next morning everything changed. Mom was still there and Albert's Mom came up and we delivered our baby. Skylar Faith was born to the angels. Doctor wiped her off a bit, laid her in a towel type thing and handed her back to us. The nurses went and got the packet they give out when delievering still born babies. It was a quilted type "brief case" shape and inside had many reading materials, a tear drop necklace charm, certificate of birth form, etc. The madness in the room settled down and I read through some papers and I seen it saying to make sure and request footprints, so I called the nurse and asked her to do them. The nurse did them and brought it all back to me and also had them type the paper up like they would for a newborn showing a certificate of birth with the prints. My nurse informed me that anytime I wanted our baby back to let her know and I could have her when and as long as I wanted until we said our goodbyes.

So we had her in the room for awhile and I was tired and exhausted and I hadn't delivered my placenta all the way so the doctor thought it would seperate and I would deliver it. I had to go to the bathroom and they would have those "hat" things in the toilet and at each bathroom visit I would fill one of those up with blood. I was passing blood and clots left and right. I probably filled at least 6 up and the last time I was in the bathroom I tried to stand up and almost passed out. Albert had to help me back to bed. So then they brought in a bedside toilet thing and I got up to use it with help and once I sat down the same thing, more blood. But I couldn't even push myself up to try and stand up. They called the nurse and she came in and they got me in bed. My blood pressure was 70/30 and I was pale and light headed. My doctor came in and they rushed me to the OR to do an emergency D&C. As they were transferring beds and all the OR nurse came down to take me and I asked if they would let Albert come back with me and let me say bye and she said yes. They were pretty much (not running) but walking VERY quickly to the OR and they had him follow us with all of our stuff since we would not be returning to that room. They started to take me into the OR and they didn't really stop for me to tell him bye I just got to say it and they took me. I was SO scared. I had never been through anything like this, no surgeries like this, and I felt like I had no one because they wouldn't let him in there with me. I remember getting into the OR and transferring beds again and that is all I remember.

I woke up in the recovery room and asked for Albert and they went and got him for me and I went to sleep for a bit and then I was ok'ed to go a regular room. They put me over on the cardiac floor since there wasn't any room in the women's center like that. Once we got in the room Albert and I both slept for hours, it was just exhausting everything we had went through. After we woke up my nurse came in and told me she looked at my chart and knew I wasn't there for heart related issues and that whatever I needed she would assist me with (she was a younger nurse - more my age). Albert and I decided we wanted to go to the cafeteria to get something to eat so we had the nurse bring the wheelchair and he rolled me down there. We got food, came back, ate and then I called the nurse and I told her I wanted our baby and she said "I will personally go and get here for you" and she left the room. She was gone about 30-40 mins and she came back to the room with a basket (big) and it has blankets stacked in the bottom for softness and then it had a blanket draped over the handles and hanging down and she brought our baby back to us. She said "I personally walked over to the women's center, got your baby like I said, and I brought her back to you personally." She was the sweetest nurse I've ever had. She told me whenever I was ok with everything and I wanted to let her go she would do the same thing to deliver her back to the women's center. We kept her in the room for hours. My mom, Albert's mom, Wayne, Richard, Justice, Baylee, Madison, Nana, John, Keyna, and many others came by to visit us while we were there. After people started leaving and it was mid day I decided I was ready to walk and so Albert and I started walking around the floor I was on. My nurse told me to be careful and rest when I needed because of all the blood I had lost.

My doctor came in and said the nurses said I had been out and about and walking and that since I was able to do that and not pass out she didn't think she would do a blood transfusion. My blood was half of what it should normally be. She told me to rest, take iron pills, and I would have to have my blood count checked. My Mom called the funeral home and got everything arranged and then she let me talk to the funeral director. He gave me some details. Told me when I was ready he would come to the hospital and pick her up and take her to Floral Haven. He explained how everything would be free besides the headstone. We kept Skylar in the room for a few more hours and called the funeral director and told him we was ready. He said he would be there within 2 hours. We kept her a bit longer, said our goodbyes, took pictures, and then had the nurse come deliver her back to the women's center. My doctor came back in and said she wanted to keep me overnight and she would release me the next morning.

January 28, 2010
Released from the hospital and made our way to Walmart to pick up a few things that we needed to turn into the funeral home. The Walmart we went to the baby stuff was at the very back of the building. That walk alone made me dizzy and light headed so I had to stop several times. We got an outfit (though she was so small the funeral director said he would make it work), a small blanket (like the comfort ones with a bear attached), socks, shoes, bow, and a doll and then we went to the funeral home to make arrangments. I thought I was strong and I made it through all the planning, the details, the songs, the everything until the funeral director (so wonderful) asked if I wanted to see her bed she would be in and of course, I did. He showed up this small, tiny, pink & white casket for babies and I lost it. We went back to sit and I pulled it together. I did NOT want to leave the funeral home without our baby but I knew I had no choice but to. Then he said a few words that shattered me - we will leave the nightlight on for Skylar so she won't be in the dark! God I broke! I was done! We left and went home and "rested." We had the viewing set up for one day so anyone that wanted to come by could. We had many friends show up and we sat there all day. We bought flowers and Albert bought me this gorgeous cross to hang in my car. The funeral home gave us a bear from a foundation that does things for stillborns. It was so comforting. Funeral was scheduled for Feb 1, 2010. They gave us pamphlets on headstones, the wording we could have on it, prices, etc. She also told us that we could set up a memorial fund so friends/family could donate money to help with this cost.

February 1, 2010
We had Skylar's funeral. It was a rainy day that day. We had alot of support there for us. Many of our friends and family showed up. My old pastor came and officiated the funeral. We played the same song that we played at my Dad's funeral - Far Away by Nickelback. It was heartwrenching and still I felt like I was in a daze. As everyone left we stayed so I could see them put her small casket in the ground, we through flowers in on top of her casket, and we stayed and watched them fill the hole. I needed some closure... I needed peace! We left there and all my immediate family went with us to Lonestar Steakhouse and we had lunch/dinner and then we headed home.

A few days later we went back to the funeral home and picked out the headstone and put the down payment down and some of our friends/family had donated money. We had a bit of a hick up in the process because they couldn't locate some of the money and so I was mad of course. They found it and we went in to pay the remaining balance a few days later and the lady gave us a huge discount. We only paid like half of what they were originally telling us the price was.

About a month later they called and told us that Skylar's headstone was placed. We went out to visit and see the headstone and it was beautiful. Her resting spot is also by my niece, Brooklyn, and my cousin's daughter, Ryleigh.

So 2 years later this is what life is. We are missing a huge chunk of our life. She was something we wanted and never got to take home. She is our angel, our guardian angel. We did concieve a baby about a month later and now we have a beautiful 15 month old baby girl, Preslee. We were NOT trying but getting pregnant so quickly and not trying we believe it was God's timing.

SKYLAR FAITH WE LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU! *MUAH* KISSES FROM MOMMY & DADDY AND THE FAMILY.

The Fun...

We have had some fun this month...
We went to an Oiler's hockey game with a lot of people... Mostly family/friends but it was fun... Preslee's first hockey game, she fell in LOVE with the blimp and it was so cute. She even cried and pointed in the air when it would go off the floor...

Pictures of the game...



She even got pictures with the Oiler's cheerleaders...

Then I went on a work trip and got to spend the night in a fancy hotel and then the next day listen to an 8 hours Medicare conference... It was a nice break away but I miss my family...

Then Preslee's daycare teacher sent me some pictures of my baby... Here is one of the few...

Now time for the drive home...
Welcome to OKLAHOMA

We also have the birthday surprise coming up and I will update about that after it is over with pictures... Albert still doesn't know where we are going.

We also had Anastacia's birthday party as a swim party... Will update more on that once I get the pictures back from Dana of the party. Let's just say it was awesome. The most kids I have seen at a birthday party in the years I have been throwing parties...