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