Oh Christmas Tree!

The Christmas tree can mean so many things to so many people. A sign the holidays are coming or perhaps a nagging chore your wife keeps reminding you to get done. You haul it down from the attic, put music on, light some Christmas smelling candles, and try not to break your neck while putting the star just right on the top of the tree. Once your stockings are hung by the chimney with care, you get to sit back and enjoy the fruits of your labor for an entire month. When you come home from work, it is standing there almost smiling at you. When you go to bed at night it promises to be there in the morning and sheds this glorious glow all over your living room.

Since Thanksgiving our tree has been barren. We set it up before leaving for Thanksgiving with hopes to come back that weekend and deck the halls. Michael got called away for work and it seemed like with him went my Christmas spirit. I strolled with the two boys around the neighborhood and watched all the little families putting their decorations out. My heart became like the Grinch, two sizes too small. "Oh we don't need a tree and house decorated to recognize the meaning of Christmas", I told myself. I found myself jealous of the couple bickering over how to hang their lights and wishing I could say "stop and just be glad you are putting them up together". Long story short, add on me catching the flu to the mix and it was a recipe for a nervous break down.

With Jack away and myself in quarantine, my pity party became even more severe. I practically had the theme song "you're a mean one Mr. Grinch" playing and may or may not have tried to throw a poop bag full of fresh poop at Cooper when he was not cooperating with me as I tried to walk him in the cold. In my darkest of hours I did what I always do when the going gets tough…I came home, put on my Heart t-shirt and faded pajama pants, put in an old movie (normally Breakfast at Tiffany's or Pretty Woman but this time it was White Christmas) and literally cried on Cooper's shoulder. It often times is best to cry with your dog because they can't stop you. They can't offer any words of advice. Plus, you really know you need to get a hold of yourself when the dog finally stands up and walks away.

Today, Jack was back and the house was already buzzing. I couldn't let him see that I was not believing in Santa. I didn't want to tell him that his Elf on the Shelf hadn't moved in days and I may have even sneered at it (I would have used his leg to stir a martini if my meds would have allowed it). Once he was down for a nap I decided to do the craziest thing of all, I decided to decorate the tree myself. I put on Sunny 99.1 on Michael's difficult receiver/surround sound system and put on my big girl panties. The tree was complete before the end of his nap and I was just about to hop on Pinterest when I heard Jack's cry shout out. I brought him in the living room and excitedly pointed out the tree. Okay, no reaction.

As the day winded down and all of Jack's creams had been applied, I watched him playing with his toys in front of the tree. Just a year ago I put a tiny baby under the tree and stuck Cooper's Santa hat on him to take a photo. Just a year ago we strolled around a neighborhood and I sang Christmas carols, and wondered what it would be like when I could hear his first word. Here this little boy stood before me and time seemed so precious. I realized it wasn't the gifts, the lights, the tree, the anything…I realized it was us. No matter how near or how far we are, we all support each other. We have ups and downs whether we are all together or apart, but we must always know how much we love each other. And just like that God gave me the sign I had needed all week. This little boy that never snuggles sat on my lap, turned around and looked up at that tall tree. He finally noticed it. Sitting there in awe I kept waiting for him to stand up. From being too tired from the day he just sat there and snuggled his back into my chest. I started singing Away in a Manger, and he actually laid his little head sideways and started to fall asleep on my knee. My child does not snuggle. My child does not fall asleep on me. My child has never fallen asleep in the living room besides the time he was an infant in a swing. My child knows me just like his father and our father up above. Wait until she is good and ready, wait until she just can't take any more, and then give her all you got. That's when she'll appreciate it the most.

That's a fact Jack

I know I have become sub par on my blog updates. I do apologize. Life has been crazy and instead of sharing all of my thoughts and emotions, because there are too many, I will share some fun family facts.

• Jack is walking so fast he is almost running.
• He loves being outside. Cooper doesn't have any complaints about this.
• He adores bread. Cinnamon rolls, crackers, french bread, waffles, corndogs...
• Michael has accepted a new job. He is very excited.
• I just finished my last wedding of 2013. A big YESSSS!!!
• I got to meet Olivia for the first time this week. She is as adorable and perfect as can be.
• Michael wanted to put the Christmas tree up 2 weeks ago.
• We are excited about spending time with our family over the holidays. Although some very key family members will be missing :(
• Jack had the largest pinata ever seen at his first birthday. 
• We are sad to throw it away so it is still sitting in the front room of our house.
• MiMi made his first birthday cake.
• He loves bounce houses.
• He loves bananas, hence why he was a monkey for Halloween.
• He is saying "Da Da" a ton. Favorite word for sure.
• He also says ball, bye, Momma, no, and yeah. 
• He tries to climb up staircases.
• The teachers at school say he is "very popular".
• His skin is doing good, but we still have our challenges with it. 

Walk It Out

Where is the time going?

Jack started walking 1.5 weeks ago and by this weekend he has completely decided to stop crawling. Seeing him standing on his own two feet really makes him look like a toddler instead of a baby.

I sort of feel like we are all standing on our own two feet and feeling comfortable in our shoes these days. Every little family has to figure out how to make it work and we are getting better and better at going with the flow.

Jack really let's his little light shine. He has so many different ways of communicating with you just with the expressions on his face. I can't believe he and I haven't had a true conversation, and yet we talk all the time. This has made me realize how important your non-verbal actions really are. I see how much he shows me he loves me and yet he has not been able to ever tell me out loud.

Top ten new things with JACKAROO:

1. He loves to roll in blankets on the ground at the end of the day.
2. Touch and feel books are his favorite (thank you Aunt Krissy for "That's Not My..." books)
3. He has started to feed Cooper from his high chair. This in turn has increased Cooper's love for him.
4. He never stops moving in the bathtub.
5. He loves to push buttons on our entertainment center. Sometimes this leaves me without TV for days because I can't figure out how to fix it if Michael is out of town.
6. You can actually lay him in his crib and he goes to sleep on his own (only took 11 months).
7. Avocado, FAGE yogurt, and meat are his favorite things.
8. He loves for you to follow him like you are playing chase.
9. He enjoys getting into things. Cabinets, baskets, bookshelves, drawers...
10. HE IS SAYING "BYE". That's right, he actually knows that he is telling you bye and says it with a country accent.

What Life is About

Rambling conversations
Midnight swims
Laughing until your belly hurts
Cocktails on your front porch
Afternoon walks
Peonies
Big dreams
Friends that you fart in front of
...yeah I said it.

I want to give a shout out to one of my dearest friends. I know she reads this blog and as I grow older I realize how the person she is truly is always an example to live by. My PaPa would always ask "how is that Lindsay doing...she sure likes to giggle." I wish I had some digital pictures of the old truck she parked outside our high school when I turned 16. The golf cart we used to drive through cow pastures. The mission trips, bible study groups, and youth groups that taught me all about having faith. She IS a good person inside and out, and every time I think about her it brings a smile to my face.

Bastrop or Bust!

We spent some wonderful time with Pop, NaNa, Aunt Krissy, Uncle John, and Gail at Hyatt Lost Pines recently. Of course you know Pop captured some amazing moments. Things to note:
-Jack is fearless
-They have an awesome splash pad
-We all constantly watched him (spoiled first child)
-We are super excited about baby Olivia
-He smiles BIG

Young at Heart

This morning I am lucky enough to hang out with both my kiddos. As I was walking Jack and Cooper around the neighborhood my phone was playing old George Strait songs. I like to try and keep them as country at heart as possible. Thinking about simplifying life got me thinking about the titles we give ourselves.

Wife, mom, christian, sister, daughter, friend, employee, dog owner, home owner, car owner, runner...you get the picture. With all of those titles you have major responsibilities. Each of them require time and dedication. I always feel like the second I have a moment to breath, all of a sudden another beach ball hits me in the head. My oil needs changed. Michael needs a dentist appointment. My client can only talk on her lunch break. Cooper doesn't have enough time to poop in the morning. I have not gotten to call that friend in a while. I always fear falling short of not only other's expectations but my own.

Then I look down at a dog smiling and a kid's toes wiggling and realize that they do not have a care in the world. Okay they do care about eating, sleeping and having fun, but really have no responsibilities at all. I wish I could be everything to everyone at once, but I can't. So I will have to be the best I can and love every second I get when I get that precious time to spend with each of you.

Give me a high five! Five Years!

I have never thought about it until now, but our wedding anniversary actually falls around the same time of year when we first met. It was the end of summer, Krissy and Amanda had been hanging out a bunch during summer school, and they were in the middle of work week for rush. Both of their younger siblings were headed to A&M and they couldn't wait to show us the ropes. Amanda and Michael came over with Sonic drinks so he and I could be introduced before they dropped us off at Fish Camp the next day. He was tall, thin, and shy. I was certain I would do the networking for the both of us at Fish Camp. A miracle put us in the same color group at camp, so we continued to have a safety net and fellow friend during that overwhelming experience. He came out of his shell more and more as the week went on. He introduced me to a girl named Mandy from his hometown who would be going through rush too. She had a sister that was an older Zeta too. Little did I know I was about to spend the rest of my life with these two people...from East Bernard, Texas.

I can still remember eating lunch with him in the MSC like it was yesterday. We would eat "dirty Chinese" and have the best conversations. Although I thought he may like me more than just a friend, he never sugar coated anything and was brutally honest with me. To this day it is my favorite thing about Michael Preisler. I found myself waiting to eat lunch with him excited to get his opinion on things. He noticed I would always keep my fortunes from my fortune cookie, so after a while it became second nature that after he read his he would hand it over to me to keep.

I looked at the frame again today and these are some of the fortunes:
The future holds great things for you.
Simplicity in your lifestyle will ensure you a happy life.
Your cheerfulness will win success.
Don't put off till tomorrow what can be enjoyed today.
Hard work is always appreciated.
A sincere apology goes a long way.
The best mirror is often a good friend.
The most important things in life aren't things.

Looking at these photos you realize how much you have grown up. We thought we were adults when we graduated high school...

Shorty got LOWE

Your first thought...boys and their tools. We both decided to work from home last Friday and part of that entailed shopping at Lowe's. We braved it and decided to take the little man with us. He loves riding in grocery store carts. He dangles those little feet and just takes it all in. We had decided long before we even had kids that our children would know how to use tools. It may not mean driving a tractor down a major interstate at the age of 10 (cough couch Michael), but it will mean using a hammer and nails at a young age. Since Jack's favorite toy has become a baby hammer (literally we did not force this on him), we knew he may enjoy this. Let's just say that the ceiling section of fans may have blown his little mind into another universe. 

Enjoy appreciating Lowe's through a child's eyes. 

Those that know Michael and James Preisler well, know that pictures of Jack next to pipe looking all excited is pretty comical. I am pretty sure he may have a little Preisler coming out in these photos. 

Phase 2 of this post will include his "at home" implementation of using tools. 

New life!

Who knew that grabbing food with your finger tips was such a big deal?!?

We all find ourselves in odd places, you just have to find your way back out!

"When fear knocks let faith answer."- Robin Roberts

I realize as I watch Jack advancing around the house that babies really do have to be brave. They are constantly facing something new every single day and pushing their little bodies to learn. I appreciate the miracle of life and how amazing God's design for each person is. The time and energy that has gone into every person is really overwhelming when you think about it. Sort of makes you realize that you should never treat another person poorly. I think a lot of people think parenting starts once life is brought into this world, but really it starts far before that. It is putting the faith in God that you hope to become pregnant, praying to him every night that you receive that blessing, and then hoping you can do everything in your power to show it true love. Your faith in him and inability to control any of it, reminds you that "we are human." Thank you for being Jack's village. As Dot says, "you can never have too many people love your child." That is right. How sad I would be if he only experienced my love.

Here are photos of our celebration for Krissy's journey with baby Olivia. A baby shower full of friendship and blessings.

Standing on the Threshold

Yesterday we handed over our keys to the Heights house. It was the first closing I went to that felt like it didn't take long enough. When the title company said we were finished signing papers, I found myself continuing to talk to the young couple across from me basically because leaving that room meant it was finally over. Even though we no longer lived there, it still was ours and gave us our "Heights street cred." There is something so unique and magical about that area of Houston that just makes you feel like you are warping back in time and yet being the most progressive at the same time. The newly engaged couple sitting across from us had everything we just closed a chapter to waiting ahead of them. Their wedding, registering, buying a dog, backyard bbq's with friends, walks around the neighborhood, snow cone runs, and lazy Sunday's on the couch watching football or golf. To be young and newly married!

I have several friends facing transitions right now. New life, new love, new places, and new journeys! I think of each of them, just like me, anxious at the beginning of this new journey you are about to face. That door that slams shut behind you sometimes leaves you shaking in your boots. A familiar Garth Brooks song comes on and all you want is a pint of beer and a class to skip, but those days are long gone. Sure you still have friends in low places, but they all have work the next day (and potentially a baby to wake them up at 3:00 a.m.) Thank God for these new adventures, new responsibilities, smiling babies, careers, love and homes to keep us so busy. This is what we all have been working for our whole youth and it is finally here. The fruits of both our parents and our labor coming full circle.

I often think of what I would want to tell my 21 year old self if I were able to go back in time. The good sign is, I find myself not wanting to spill the beans at how amazing it all will be.

'Merica is Beautiful

These photos make me want to say "God Bless America"! A little something for you to enjoy and get you ready for the 4th! Jeeps, the "river", cows, tractors, road trips, and Great Grandma's on a front porch. Alleluia!

(plus I have to put stuff Michael loves on this blog too. He loves his Jeep Scrambler and cows in E.B.)

You ask me what I like about Texas

I tell you it's the wide open spaces

It's everything between the Sabine and the Rio Grande.

...It's the spirit of the people down here who share this land.

It's another burrito. It's a cold Lone Star in my hand.

It's a quarter for the jukebox boys!

-Gary P. Nunn 

Come Sail Away With Me

We've enjoyed some great adventures with family recently. From swinging in the country to sailing on a boat, we know how to have fun. Even Cooper has been getting dirty and enjoying himself (maybe not so fun for me to have to clean him but what the heck)

Jack has had a major break through with his eczema. Your prayers have been working! We visited a dermatologist that gave us some new ointments to try. They seem to have given him a lot of relief. If you thought he smiled a lot before get ready to see him now that he isn't scratching. We pray this progress continues and that we can continue to have better control of his skin. 

We have officially moved all of the stuff out of my PawPaw's place. There is something about going through someone's stuff that makes you realize the impressions you leave behind on people. I noticed my family members being attached to things that have little to no monetary value, but extremely high emotional value. A grapefruit spoon can make all the difference to three grandkids who all learned how to properly eat one by watching their PawPaw have that in his daily routine. He ate oatmeal, grapefruit, checked his blood pressure constantly, watched the news, paid attention to the world, always tried to learn something more, kept in shape, and most importantly made time to take a nap. I can think of the countless times I listened to the tick of his grandfather clock while resting in the cold AC after being at the beach all day. Those are some of the best naps I can remember. Your skin always felt the cleanest when you took a shower after getting all gritty and put a cotton t-shirt on. Makes me want to walk the beach just thinking about it (but then I remember how hot it is outside). 

That's the way love goes, babe;

That's the music God made,

For all the world to sing.

It's never old; it grows.

Losing makes me sorry;

You say, "Honey, now don't worry.

"I love you too."

That's the way love goes.

-Merle Haggard

Thelma and Louise

Today is my sister's birthday. I am so excited for the exciting changes she will go through this next year when she has baby Olivia. She has always looked out for me my entire life. I know Olivia will cherish the comfort and safety she will feel with her amazing mommy. 

Krissy and I recently went on a trip up HWY 1 in California. We started in San Diego and worked our way up the coast. It is pretty amazing that most major cities in that state all fall along this gorgeous highway. We really did feel like Thelma and Louise out for a new adventure. I know I will always keep those memories dear to my heart. 

Michael and Jack really took care of being the "men" around the house. Jack is really crawling and moving around a ton doing his "busy work". He is taking after Michael and already prefers to wear gym shorts and no shirt. We really miss being all together and are ready for life to settle back to a normal routine. We are very fortunate to have fun trips and Michael's great job, don't get me wrong, but  we will really appreciate the day to day when we are all at home. 

Fighting to the finish line!

It happened just like that. He passed the 7 month threshold and all of a sudden he has not stopped to take a breath!

Thursday, May 23rd- I really saw him starting to get better at sitting up and crawling.
Saturday, May 25th- He was unstoppable.
Sunday, May 26th- First time to ride in a grocery cart sitting up. WalMart trip for Mommy and Jack  for the necessities (formula, diapers, and wine).
Monday, May 27th- He realized he could crawl further than our rug and made his way to Cooper's dog bowl. First handful of dog food...don't worry he didn't eat it. He also tried puffs for the first time this day.
Tuesday, May 28th- He pulls himself up by clinging to a book shelf at school. Get's all the way to standing position and stands smiling so proud. When he falls back on his bottom he doesn't cry.
He also sits in a high chair at Pappasitos for the first time.

It sort of feels like our entire Preisler family is burning the candle at both ends. Michael is still away in Colorado for work and can't wait to get back. I am trying to adjust to this moveable object and still waking up with him at night (yep... 11 p.m., 3 a.m., and sometimes 5:40 a.m.). And the obvious mover and shaker is Captain Jack. I can tell he has some of our favorite qualities that members of our little family enjoy most:

Positive attitude
Hard work
Loves family

You can't stop us from getting what we want. Not even if you buckle us into a bouncer!

Normally I update the blog with the thought that our mom's love seeing it, my PawPaw used to love reading it, Mi Mi looks at it, and my sister who is far away can keep up with everything he is doing. I also am graced with some close friends who frequent the link (Carly and Lindsay). Recently I have been posting so Michael can see what is going on at home. Such a different feeling!

On Memorial Day it reminded me of how thankful I am for the service men and women who fight for us every day. They are away from their families for much longer periods of time and their loved ones fear their life throughout the entire process. What amazing people we have to thank for our freedom, so many of them not even knowing the people they fight for. Freedom doesn't come free and I sometimes think we all just believe it is a given. I am lucky to know that when I count down the days on my calendar to see my husband he is expected to come home safe. I am not sure I could be brave enough to be in their position.

Peace and Love

I like to move it move it!

I am going to let the pictures speak a thousand words.

I am glad to see that Jack is taking after us and loves to spend time with his family. He is such a social baby that he is even doing face time with his aunt Krissy.

Jack crawled right up to MiMi and of course she knew just what to do. 

Jack loves turning my mom (his NaNa) into a jungle gym. 

He is becoming very interested in Cooper. As you can tell by pictures, Coop is also close by with a watchful eye. 

Check out all my moves!

I crawl, sit up, plank, and even use wet wipes as props.

And if you were wondering about my hair...yes I have recently had it professionally cut again.

We Miss Daddy

It is true. Life isn't the same without Michael around.
There is plenty of room in the bed for Cooper and I both to stretch out, but we still don't like it.
Jack seems to not sleep as well. I am not sure if it is just because I am the only one answering his crib party in the middle of the night or he really is extra fussy because something is missing. Either way, multiple weeks in a row of him being gone makes you extra aware how much we love him being in our life. I give mad props to single moms. I have felt like one the past couple of weeks and you really do have to be on your toes every minute.
School bag ready- check
Start heating bottle- check
Did you change his diaper- check
Put out money for lawn guy because Daddy isn't here to do it- check
Wash clothes- check
Get more formula- check
Did you prepare the client contract- check
And the list goes on and on and on.

I want to give a thank you to my parents for being so helpful last weekend and for taking Jack on his first "Walden Vacation". Here are some pictures I took of our arrival in Galveston. Can you believe how much stuff you need for one weekend with someone so small? Jack enjoyed dinner overlooking the bay with Pop and NaNa and site seeing on Saturday. Pretty cool that his first trip was to Galveston with his grandparents, and I have had so many of my best memories with my own grandparents in the same place.

We were lucky to hang out with some amazing friends. No matter the distance that comes between us, our love stays the same.

For some reason these two totally different bodies of text have been heavy on my heart already this week. Maybe they will be helpful to you as well.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Love is patient, love is kind.
It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

The Woman With You- Kenny Chesney

She hit the door 6:55 sack full of groceries split down the side.
Can goods scattered all the way to the curb.
Look on her face sayin' don't say a word.
So, it's me and her and a can of beans sitting there on the front porch swing.
Western sky all turning red.
Head on my shoulder she sighed and said:

Been gopherin', chaufferin', company chairmen.
Coffee maker, copy repairman.
Anymore there ain't nothing I swear man that I don't do.
Been juggling, struggling, closing big deals.
Dancing backwards in high heels.
Just when it feels like I can't make it through.
She said it sure is nice to just be the woman with you.

She said the girl I was with the business degree probably wouldn't recognize me.
I was gonna run the bank.
I was gonna run the map.
Now all I want to run is a bubble bath.
Back then you know I had this plan.
Before all this reality set in.
Here comes life boy ready or not.
Hey I wanted it all and that's what I got.

Movers and Shakers

It has been a very busy time in the Preisler household. Michael has been traveling, Jack has been starting to crawl, my work is heating up, and friends have been getting married. We are fortunate to have spent some recent weekends with great friends and also to have parents that support us by watching Captain Jack. We can't believe he is already 7 months old!!!

He always finds a way to get from point A to point B. It may be army crawling, it may be getting on his knees and lunging forward, but either way he gets there. Some comments from school are:

Jack is very social.

Jack loves going outside on his private buggy rides.

Jack is really starting to explore all stations around his classroom. (sometimes in interesting locations....see picture below)

Everyone knows that Jack loves to be outside.

Crying...take him outside.

Scratching his skin...take him outside.

Disturbing others during nap time...take him outside. 

One of his favorite things to do outside is sit in a swing. Michael has installed a swing on our front porch and tonight he ate carrots sitting in it while Michael watered the yard. These are the moments that are so simple but I love the most. 

To all my Baby Mommas

Although I shouldn't consider this my first Mother's Day (Cooper totally gave me a bad look when I typed that), it is my first "human" Mother's Day. Being a mom has literally changed my world. Anyone who knows me can easily say that is true. Jack dominates life. I'm not saying that because he is a baby and it is overwhelming to be a first time parent, although that is true. I literally mean he REALLY lives life to the fullest and is super energetic.

At school Jack tends to wake up from his naps before the rest of the kids. Because he is so loud and energetic they are forced to take him on a private stroller ride outside so he does not wake the other kids. This has created a monster. HELLO, this little kid loves being outside. Taking him out there does not encourage him to want to sleep more because he LOVES his private buggy ride. Smart kid if you ask me. Dominating teachers! I am not encouraging bad behavior nor do I want me child to be "that kid" in class. The problem is, they love him to pieces and literally can't get enough of him. I am not just saying this, he literally has already learned MAD sales skills from his mother and utilizes them to get his way with teachers. They are eating out of the palm of his hands.

Sure his skin issues and everything have caused people to  go a little easier on him and pay extra attention. Once again, he is playing off of his weaknesses and using them to his advantage. Genius!

I vow to not spoil him rotten.....much :)

I want to take this time to thank my Mom for being such a major help to our little family. I really appreciate all of the effort you have put into making my life successful and that you continue to support me to this day. Jack is very lucky to have you as a NaNa. I can't thank you enough for always being my biggest cheerleader. I can imagine it is hard to step back and watch your kid be an adult and not appear to need you anymore. The problem is, we always need our moms even if we don't like to admit it.

DeeDee, we want to thank you for loving us so much. You are always ready to give a helping hand and step in to do whatever it takes. Your selflessness is amazing and truly inspiring. I have not doubt how much you genuinely love each one of us. Thank you for constantly sharing your love and support.

Okay, your courtesy photos. I know you don't read this blog for my writing!