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.