9 Years Ago Today...

Nine years ago today I married my best friend. I thought I loved him a lot the day we got married, but my love for him has grown over the years and has changed so much. I guess you would say it is maturing. I have never felt for anyone the way I do for Marshall. I have no doubts or regrets that he is my "other half", my soul mate. I am so grateful for him, and the love that we share. We have been through so much as parents, and I respect him for the strong father and husband that he is. So today I say "Happy 9th Anniversary Marshall! I love you."

Thankful

We were filled with joy this Thanksgiving as we have so much to be thankful for. We left for Johnson City, Tennessee on Tuesday afternoon, for what would soon be one of the most fun times we have had with our family in Tennessee. It was truly an amazing time with family...the only ones missing were Brooke and Russ.


Thanksgiving morning we participated in the Turkey Trot, a 5K run/walk in Johnson City that we did last year too. My cousins and even my aunt do it, so it is a great way to get some exercise before eating lots of turkey. This year even the kids did it! All participants get a medal at the end, and Elijah still swears he won first place. Here is the family.





Hunter and Elijah

(they were buds this trip)

For lunch we went to Fall Branch, TN, to my grandmother Reed's house. A good time was had there with the family on my mother's side. And mom cooked a delicious meal!



This is my grandmother Reed and her great-grandchildren!


For dinner we went to my aunt Barbara's house (dad's side of the family), with LOTS of family and friends. Another delicious meal was served, and we had a great time listening to some of the 'older' family members reminesce about how is used to be. It was really neat. I love being in Tennessee for holidays because it was always what we did growing up.

Below is a picture of most of the family that was there that night.

This is a picture of my great-aunt Christine and Payton. Imagine...that is Payton's great, great aunt. Pretty cool. She is an amazing lady.

Of course I have to show you what Odell looked like when he was here for Thanksgiving. These are the only pics we have of him from Thanksgiving 2006, when our precious son was here, in his daddy's arms, fighting for his life.

The next picture is Odell 3 days later, his last day on this earth. I don't think I truly could see how sick he looked that day, until I saw this picture months later. A friend took it on her cell phone when she had come to the PICU to see him that day. Hours later he was gone. This is the last picture we have of him.

I wonder what he looks like now, healthy and restored?

Santa Claus

I realilze that I have totally skipped Thanksgiving and gone totally gone to Christmas, but I have to tell this story...and I will get to Thanksgiving soon...

We are home and were supposed to get the tree today, but because of the rain, we decided we would go to the mall to see Santa instead ( we had to take some stuff back to the mall anyways, so it was dual purpose of course...)

There was no wait for Santa, and no one behind us. But I kidd you not when I say my kids talked to him for 45 seconds. We have always gone to Northlake ( I know, big time right?) and it has always been the same Santa. Not this year. The kids could barely get out of their mouths what they wanted and he was shooing them on. Even Payton noticed. I couldn't help but think of a Christmas Story when the Santa shoves him down the slide - Ho, Ho, Ho!!!

So, yeah, it was very strange. And ...dont' go to Northlake.

Memories

Today was a special day for the Presley family. We did something today that I look forward to all year long. As a family, we all raked the leaves into a huge pile. Then Marshall and I watched the kids jump and play in the leaves for the next 30 minutes. It was so much fun.

So, you're probably thinking, what's so special about doing that together. Everyone does that. Well, for the Presleys, it has a much bigger meaning than what I have told you so far.

Two years ago today I was holding my son Odell. He was living at home with us. He lived for exactly 4 weeks, 2 of which were spent at Egleston, and 2 weeks were spent at home. During the time that we had him home, we enjoyed a beautiful fall Saturday afternoon outside with the kids playing in a huge pile of leaves, laughing at our kids, holding our son. We were a complete family of 5. Probably a week later he was gone. How quickly things can turn.

So needless to say, leaf piles have a special meaning and feeling for me. It is very bittersweet. It is as if he is somehow there in the pile too. Odell came to visit me in my dreams this past week, which is unusual, because I really never dream about him. It was so real, and it was so good to see his sweet face again. The dream was cut short by my alarm clock, however, so I hope to see him at least once more in my dreams maybe this week.

The following pictures are actually from the day we jumped in the leaves WITH Odell. Elijah and Payton are so much younger. We have a very limited number of pictures of Odell, and we also have a video. The following are actually pictures taken from still frames of the video.

This is Odell out in the back yard in his swing while we were raking that day. He has a feeding tube in his nose. And of course, below are my two favorite red-heads.

As I was taking pictures of the kids jumping in the leaves today, I had a revelation. I think from now on, each year we are going to take family pictures in the leaf pile, and possibly always use a "leaf pile picture" on our christmas card. And when you see us in the leaves, know that we are surrounded by Odell's sweet memories and love.

This year Odell's death day falls on Thanksgiving Day. My family will be in Tennessee, spending time with my extended family. I am thankful to God for the 4 weeks that I had with my son, and for the memories we made that day playing in the leaves.

Pumpkin Patch

My precious son Elijah is getting so big! I am amazed everyday at how tall he is, as he truly seems to get taller everyday. Where does the time go? And why do kids grow up so fast?

Brooke took him to the pumpkin patch for some fun and a photo shoot last month. Here are a few favorites of my handsome young man.

While at the pumpkin patch they found a "booty pumpkin". Elijah loved it and ended up asking Brooke if they could get it for mommy. He said that he knew mommy would like it very much. So this year, we had a booty pumpkin at our house.

More Baptism Pictures

My sister's pictures from Payton's baptism are too good not to share. Brooke is always good to take lots of pictures, and it is an amazing bonus that she is an incredible photographer. So here they are...

TRICK or treat

I might have to say that this year trick or treating with the kids was the best yet. In past years we have gone to friend's neighborhoods to trick or treat with them, but this year we did it in our own neighborhood. It was like a street party with all the neighborhood kids. Lots of fun. It is always more fun to go in a group. So we really enjoyed the evening. The funny part is, Payton decided on a costume change at the last minute and decided to wrap her ankle and use crutches as her costume, but every where we went the neighbors all thought she was really hurt. So she had a great time TRICKING everyone all night.

Elijah also bailed on his original shark costume, and he decided to wear his Batman mask and cape. He had a big time.






Wednesday night there was a fall festival at church, so the kids dressed up and we went. Payton threw together a last minute "rockstar" costume, and Elijah wore his shark costume. I love the following picture.

Happy Birthday to you...

Today is October 30, my son Odell's 2nd birthday...in heaven. I have taken the day off work today to spend time with my family reflecting on Odell's life and death. Imagine, a birthday party in heaven...I wonder what that is like? Thrown by the King of Kings himself, what a party it must be. Far greater than what we can even imagine here on earth. How many angels do you think join in singing the "Happy Birthday to you" song...10...100....1000....or maybe more? Imagine what that sounds like, and then realize that they are all singing to YOU. And the balloons...imagine the colors of the balloons. Colors that we have never even seen before, more beautiful than our mind can understand. I just wish I could be there with him to celebrate.

This was me, 2 years ago today. I was trying for a v-bac, so it was something we had to schedule because the doctor needed to be there the whole time. Contractions never really got going, so it ended up being a c-section. In hind sight, thank God, He knew what was best for Odell.


Brooke was there with Marshall and I the whole day. Would you believe that I found a 5 dollar bill in the pocket of my hospital gown?! How random is that?! It was all folded up again and again and again until it was very small, and you could tell it had been washed several times. You can see it laying on my belly in the picture of Brooke and I.

Odell Andrew Presley was born at 7:21 in the evening. He was 7 lbs. 3oz, and had the best red hair. All was well with the world. And for about 36 hours life was great. We had no idea what was going on inside him, and how our world was about to come screeching to a halt.

Hallelujah!!

Today was an amazing day, because Payton got baptized!!! We are so very proud and excited, it was a very special day. She was baptized in a tub outside of church, so it was really neat. A little cold though, but that just made it even more exciting! Here are a few pictures that I love.

Knoxville, Tennessee

Anyone who knows Brooke and I well, knows who the Sharpe family is and what they mean to us. Growing up they were our very best family friends, meaning that our parents were best friends, so by default the kids hung out and became close. Actually, our mom's were college roommates. They always lived in Knoxville, and we obviously lived in Atlanta, but we would often vacation with them to the beach, Gatlinburg, or Chattanooga. We have such a special bond to them, and it has really changed and matured as we have gone through life's tragedies together.


This past weekend, Marshall, the kids and I went to Knoxville to see Ashley and Todd and their new baby Lexie! She is 4 weeks old. They also have a precious 15 month old daughter named Raegan. Going to the Watson's always means big fun, including 4 wheeling, tractor riding, lots of kids and GREAT food. We had an unforgettable time. And I don't know who is cuter, baby Lexie...or big sister Raegan.

Meet Baby Lexie

Payton and Raegan


Of course on the way up there God gave us another rainbow. He is so good to always remind me that he is going to keep his promises. It was really neat, and at one point you could actually see where the bottom of it went into a field...you know, you could actually see the end of the rainbow.

Did I mention they just got a new tractor? They live on lots of acreage with cows on some of the land, so it is absolutely necessary. Elijah got to enjoy his first tractor ride, and Payton looked all too grown up and country sitting on the tractor.

Elijah and Todd

Eric also came by with his family. His has a 4 year old son Beau, and 9 month old daughter named Georgia. Beau and Elijah became quick friends, and Georgia actually took to Marshall! They were both precious, sweet children- amazing coming from the Eric we all know and love!

Beau and Elijah

Georgia and Marshall

We always treasure our trips to Knoxville, as they truly are a part of our family.

Ashamed

I cannot believe it has been so very long since I have blogged about something...anything. My excuse is that school (work for me) started back, and life is crazy!!! It always takes several weeks to truly get back into the groove of things, and get both of the kids to transition and get accustomed to their new schedules. Anyways, so this is a little summary of what we have been up to lately.

Payton and Elijah have enjoyed spending time outside in the yard. Elijah likes his bike, and Payton has been roller skating. They are both getting so big!!!

























Work is going very well. Working with first grade is fun, but much different than the fifth graders. The people I work with are incredible, I truly couldn't ask for a better place to work.



We spent Labor Day at Six Flags with the kids. They had fun as always. Here are some of the pictures.

That's about it for now, but I will be posting again soon. We are going to Knoxville this weekend!