2.02.2013

Hiiii!


Preslee has perfected the word Hi. She has many different versions of saying it as well. So thats why I am starting out with Hiiii! 


 I am sorry for the lack of post but this month was a long one! The holidays are always exhausting but add in the emotional fatigue and I am just glad I survived. But there are many special memories we made with Preslee this year and I wanted to document them so I remember there were some good days amongst the sad ones. 

We took P to her first Christmas parade! I grew up going to this parade so it was fun to taking her and seeing her enjoy all the sights and sounds. :) 

Then we sent to see SANTA! Obviously she really loved him. And to be honest, I love crying Santa pics. :) 
We have been so blessed by many of our friends coming to visit us. Jennifer and the kids have been down quite a few times and that makes our day! And that day, they just happen to be in Hot Springs so we met them for dinner at CFA! The kids had so much fun playing in the Chick-fil-a play ground!

 During the holidays, it was important to me to be surrounded by my closest family and to pour myself into Preslee and making sure that she had fun! I was really excited for her to get to play with my niece and nephew on Christmas Eve! 


There were many aspects of the holiday season that I could have just skipped this year but I didn't want Preslee to be affected by any of this. I want her to have memories and pictures just like she would have if Matt hadn't died. So... Santa came to see her even though he (she) didn't really feel like it! :) 

Then we headed off to do Christmas with Matt's family. She was so spoiled with all her new toys! :) 
We were at our 3rd Christmas by 1:00 and she didn't miss a beat! :) 
She is a gift to us all! She has become so affectionate and loves giving kisses! It makes everyone feel better! :) 

We ended Christmas night with SNOW!! I took a nap and woke up to inces of whiteness! It was so beautiful! 
 Preslee definitely brought so much joy to all of us during the first holidays without Matt.  Her smile and personality made us laugh instead of cry!

The new year brought on many different emotions. I found myself thinking about the past new year when we had a 4 week old baby and we just were starting a new chapter of our lives. My stomach hurt thinking about 2013 because it was a date that Matt would never be apart of. 


 Then, the week that had been dreaded.  Jan. 8 was Matt's 33rd birthday and Jan. 13 would have been our 6th wedding anniversary. I was really sick with virus that week and I decided that I would move to my new house that week too. I am not really sure what I was thinking but I just about killed myself trying to get things settled I guess I was just trying to keep busy so that I didn't let my thoughts and emotions of the week get me down. 

But that brings me to the fact that Preslee and I are finally in our own house! We love our little place and feel very comfortable and cozy here! I am going to do a whole post of the renovations of the house so you can see the before and after. After 3.5 months of living with family, I am just so thankful to have a place of my own again. My parents and MIL are absolutely wonderful and took such good care of us but it was just time to try to regain my independence and figure out what life looks like now. 

So now that I am somewhat caught up from the past month, here's to hopefully starting to blog more regularly again! Thank you ALL for you constant prayers and thoughts for us. They are so appreciated and I know are helping us get through this day to day! Love you all! 

43 comments:

glenda said...

A lot of new changes on this new journey. Wishing g you & P only the best as you navigate forward.

Thinking of you both!

Randi said...

So proud of you Julee!!! You went through something no young mama and wife should have to and you have been such an inspiration!! Missed your blogs and I'm so happy to see you are doing well. Praying for you daily!

Kristin said...

Hugs and blessings to you both!

Maryellen said...

Good for you Julee ~ enjoyed your post. Your an inspiration and a great Mom. Enjoy your new home.

Beth said...

I continue to think of and pray for you. Love to you and your sweet girl.

Kimberley said...

i pray for peace and joy for you in 2013. you're a wonderful momma and preslee is just a doll!!

Madison's Mommy said...

On my heart always. Praying for continued strength as you navigate through each new day.

Auntie Mip said...

Julee,

I pray for you all the time. I still pray for the same thing I have since that awful, awful day when Matt died. I pray for peace. I want so badly for this overwhelming feeling of warmth, comfort, security and safety to wash over you. Peace, pure, simple, safe peace.

I don;t know you at all. I live thousands of miles away. But I cannot help but believe that Matt would be so proud of you. I have no doubt that there are moments where the pain, grief and fear crush you. Yet you love your girl and move forward with enough strength, courage and determination for you and Matt.

Peace dear Julee, I will always pray for peace so that you can continue to move forward loving your Preslee and honoring your Matt!!

God Bless you!

Elizabeth said...

I am so glad y'all had a great Christmas! Preslee is so so adorable! Can't wait to see the renovations you have done!!

Nancy said...

So happy to see your post & that you are sharing your lives with us!
Thinking & praying for you & your mini beauty every single day!!

Becky said...

I think moving into your own place will be a very positive step - something you needed to do for you and Preslee. I am thankful that 'your first' Christmas without Matt is done. Those dreaded 'firsts' can be rough.

Frank and Natalie said...

You are one strong woman! Praying for peace and more blessings than you can count in 2013.

Victoria said...

congrats on the new home :)

glad to hear the holidays were still enjoyable if not bittersweet.

what a doll Preslee is!

Ashley said...

Soo glad P had a great Christmas and that you guys are settling into your new place!! Continuing to pray for you!

Jennifer said...

Hey Julee....it's Jennifer (from the "We Get It" fb group)...glad to hear that the holidays were as good as they could be. Praying that your 2013 is full of blessings for you and Preslee!

Summer said...

Oh sweet Julee there isn't a day that doesn't pass that I do not pray for you and Preslee! I am so glad Jennifer comes so much to see you and P. Doesn't suprise me one bit she is made of awesome as are you! You are so strong pretty girl and that girl of yours will get you through I promise. I know my princess keeps me fighting my disease! I am so glad you have gotten in your new place! How is Romeo doing? I love that picture of Preslee kissing her grandfather I assume that is precious. The matching jammies on the kiddos are just darling, and I am so glad that you have wonderful memories of another first even though I know it must have been so tough you were such a trooper with it! I have to say Preslee has to be the best dressed little one in Arkansas she is absolutely gorgeous and I am so very glad she is bringing so much joy and keeping your mind off of things.

If you ever need to talk I am just an email away. We just lost my GODDAUGHTER in a tragic train incident and she was fifteen years old. It has been rough so rough on my bff her stepson just had a daughter and she is bringing so much joy in the midst of sadness so I totally get what you mean when you said Preslee is making you all feel better! GOD will see you through he will! Always praying pretty girl!
Summer

Spirt Mom said...

And constant prayers, you will have sweet lady. A big high five from Louisiana for staying strong for your girl!!

Toni :O) said...

Such a lovely post and glad you made it through the holidays and settling into your new home. Still always in my prayers. God bless!

Megan said...

You are just the best momma, and such an inspiration!! Preslee is so lucky to have you! Can't wait to see your new place!! Continued prayers!

Natasha said...

Julee --

I'm always holding you and Preslee in my prayers. I'm glad you had a good Christmas and are getting settled in your new house. You are being so strong for Preslee and are an inspiration to all of us, even though you probably wish you didn't have to be.

In This Wonderful Life said...

Continued prayers for you!!! You are amazing! I know how hard holidays are when you are missing someone, but I think it's so wonderful how you tried to make it as wonderful as normal for miss P!

Unknown said...

So good to see your post! Preslee just keeps getting cuter and cuter! Her daddy would be so proud of both of you, I am sure. Praying for you all....

Jill said...

I've missed your posts and think of you often.

Anonymous said...

Love the paint color....do you mind saying what it is? Glad all is well....

Ashleigh said...

My heart still breaks & hurts for you both. I cannot even begin to imagine how hard all this must be on you & through it all you have been so strong for that sweet little girl of yours. I am so proud of you, you went through something that no wife should have to so soon most get to enjoy marriage & live together while growing old! I know it is hard for you always even with the good days you do have from time to time! I am so glad that little miss got to enjoy Christmas with both family's. I love the new little house! I cannot wait to see more...

Unknown said...

So good to read a post from you, sweet Julee! Praising the Lord for carrying you through the past months, and praying that He will continue to fortify you with His strength as you begin to settle into your new routine in your new home. Big ((hugs)) across the ocean to you and sweet Preslee! xx

Unknown said...

Enjoyed reading your post Julee! You are an amazing woman!! Continuing to pray for you and P daily.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing all the wonderful pictures Julee !!! I am so glad to hear your doing well :) Your sweet girl P is absolutely the cutest ever !!! Happy New Year to both you girls !!!

Amy - OPC said...

Wow, you are an inspiration. Thank you for sharing. Sending you a big hug from VA!

Heather said...

I love reading your blog. You are such a strong woman! I think about you every time I log on to blogger. Preslee is an absolute doll!

LuLu said...

I love your updates. I often think about you and pray for you and your sweet girl.

Arielle said...

So excited y'all are in your new place, love it!:) All the Christmas pictures of miss p are adorable!

The Haugens said...

You are an amazing mother and so many people admire your strength. I know I don't know you, but I pray for you daily. Your story reminds me to reflect on what's truly important each day. My prayers will continue to come your way.

Erica said...

I adore you and your heart! Congrats on your new place and give your little lady lots of squeezes from a stranger in MD! :)

Cory said...

Silly, but it is good to see you here. I have been following along on instagram too. Miss P is delightful and so is Romeo. When I heard you all were having a little girl, I knew it would be so fun for you. Of course... a boy would have been just as fun, but I think God knew what you would need too. He is so wise. Keep hangen in, one day at a time...

Kathryn said...

Yay!!! So glad to see a new post and get a little catch up.

You and Preslee are in my daily thoughts and prayers and I checked daily - sometimes more than once - just hoping for an update.

Hugs to you both!!!

meg said...

Hope you're adjusting well to your new house ... so happy for you as I imagine that must have been a hard transition to pull yourself into!!! Thinking of you all often!!

Ashley Barnhill said...

I've been reading your blog for a while, but this is my first time to comment. Always praying for you and Miss Preslee! :)

Karrie said...

You are a wonderful inspiration!
I can't wait to see your house pics. Preslee is gorgeous and she is going to grow up knowing a special kind of strength with you as her role model!

Kate said...

Thanks for the update! Best wishes with your new house. I'm glad you and Preslee were able to have some fun over the holidays. Thinking of you and keeping you in my prayers.

Lexie Loo, Lily, Liam & Dylan Too said...

You are amazing, Julee!
I'm sure Christmas was a difficult time for you and your family, but I'm glad you still managed to make it special for Preslee.
Enjoy your new home!

Tara G. said...

Prayers!!

You're the best mama your little one will ever have!

Ting said...

Josh and I think of you often. You're so wonderful and Preslee (and her adorable smile) is so lucky to have you as her mommy! Hiiiii back at you both!