Christmas 2008

Here's a few pictures from Christmas on Saturday at my brother Brian's. We always have a blast when we all get together. It will be the last time that we see Christopher before he leaves for Afghanistan. So later on into the night Chad, Mike, Amanda, Steven, Chris and I went out to Winges Etc. to watch the UFC fights. It was nice to be with all the family but also hard not to have Alison and Tom there . Tom had gave Micheal, Heather's husband a gift from Alison to give to us that she had bought for all three sister's. There were tears, joy, and excitement. She bought us Friendship ball and they are beautiful. I will take a picture and show it in my next post.

Traditions

So the night before Christmas at our house it's all about traditions.

I make a really big dinner, which tonight was steaks, little cut up seasoned potatoes, noodles and biscuits. Then we make cookies for Santa. Which we made snicker doodles. Auntie Ali and Alyssa made them for the past two years for Santa on Christmas Eve. So in her memory we are going to make them every year.We also have to leave food for the reindeer also. last year it was the left over cinnamon and sugar from the cookies. But this year Alyssa made food for the reindeer at school. It's cereal with magic sprinkles in it. To help the reindeer fly. Then the last tradition we did is open one gift from Daddy and Mommy and it's always pajamas. It was something that my Mom and Dad always did for us growing up.

On to big news, I got a phone call from Kimberly today. The BRACELETS are here. It came at one of the best days. I was having a hard day today. Even though I enjoyed doing all those things it still was hard not to have or talk to Ali today. Having my girls has help me get through all of this. I have to get up and go because of them. I can't just sit around and cry or doing nothing on my hard days. I have to put my face on and get things done. They need me no matter what. So on these days when I want to cry, I put that smile on and remember what I had with Ali and what my little girls got to have with her.At times it might be fake but I have to be the best that I can be for my girls.

Bracelets are ordered

We are almost there. Stay posted for the pay pal icon to appear in the right column any day now, On Alison's Prayer Warriors page. You will be able to go directly there and purchase your bracelets. I will be receiving a supply of bracelets from Kimberly where I will be in charge of the Indiana crowd. So stay tuned for specific instructions. Shipping is included in the price and all proceeds will go directly to cancer research. As soon as the shipment arrives we will post a picture. Hope you are as excited as we are. Now lets all make this a success and hopefully through this maybe we all can help in the prevention, treatment and irradiation of the disease. Ali's Allies........ YOU ROCK!

"Ruff Ruff"

So tonight for dinner we had nacho's and the girls had burritos. So once dinner was done except for Chastity the of the girls wanted chips, which was fine. Alyssa got her own and Chastity was still eating. So as Alyssa was getting her chips Chastity said "get me chips" talking to me. So I replied back by saying "don't bark orders at me" so Chastity replied with "ruff, ruff". It was so funny that I laughed so hard. What my two little girls come up with. Alyssa has been acting like a dog for quite awhile now. And Chastity is her human, Chastity rides on her back and Alyssa crawls around on the floor. Alyssa will stick her tongue out and will brake. And Chastity will give her fake treats.
My niece Abby used to act like a dog when she was little her name was Sasha. I can still remember doing all the little things with her that I'm now doing with Alyssa. We just haven't came up with a name for Alyssa yet. So if you have any good ones let me know.
Just had to share the excitement in our house for the night. It's was just a little too nasty to go anywhere today.

Happy Frist Birthday Odet!!!!

Happy First Birthday Elliot !!!! It's hard to believe that last year at this time my sister Heather gave birth to their first child. I can still remember getting the phone call from Alison to tell me that she finally had her. It was a long labor for Heather. Heather and Micheal are wonderful parents and they both have learned that once you become a parent your whole life changes into something totally different. We love you baby Odet aka Elliot that's what Chastity calls her.

Chirstmas Cards

Okay so I can't wait any longer.... Here are the pictures that I took for our Christmas cards. I took them back in the end of October. I think that they turn out really well and the girls had a lot of fun doing it. I had a really cool idea but Chastity feet just aren't big enough yet maybe next year. Did you see what there shirt's said, I thought they were too cute to pass up.

Thanksgiving

Chad and I
Alyssa and Na-Na
Chad and Rusty
Laramie and I


We had one of our Thanksgiving yesterday at our house with Chad's family. It was a blast, I love to have the house full of people. Chad's mom always goes all out and make so much food, which is great to have all those left overs for the next few days. We will be going to Heather's tomorrow to have the Morgan's side Thanksgiving.
This morning I was one of those Black Friday shoppers. I had my niece Laramie with me and I even took Chastity with us. We got up at 4:15am and were home by 7:30am. The lines weren't too bad had to wait for 25mintues. I got all the deals that I wanted expect for one but it's okay. It was only $4.00 savings.
Hope that you all had a great and safe Thanksgiving.

Little hand prints

Sometimes you get discouraged,
because I am so small
and always leave my fingerprints on furniture and walls.
But every day I'm growing up,
and soon I'll be so tall
that all those little fingerprints will be hard to recall.
So here is a special handprint,
just so you can say
this is how my fingers looked when I placed them here today.

I love this saying I can remember giving my mom a hand print with this saying on it. Ever year we do a hand painting for Chad on fathers day so we have one from every year and then I frame them. This is just a TRUE quote, both of my little girls are becoming not so little anymore. Alyssa can now see into the kitchen sink, she is getting so tall. And Chastity she is so independent and wants to do everything on her own. It amazes me that they were so little and tiny and now there getting bigger everyday.

Amanda's birthday weekend

Jamie and Amanda. Saturday night
Amanda, Julie, and Mike.
Amanda, Megan, and Jess.
Steven and I.
The Cake.

Amanda and I Friday night
First shot of the night and the whole group except my dad hadn't got there yet.

Okay so we had a really busy weekend around here with Amanda's 21st birthday this weekend.

Friday- Was my niece Amanda's 21st Birthday!!! It was spent with the girls @ home with my mom and Chad and I going out to the bar to PARTY with Amanda and the family. You only turn 21 once and she made the best of it. She had about 9 or 10 shots plus 2 or 3 other drinks. There was a band @ the bar and they made it be all about her all night long. She made it until about 1am and then she was done. Jamie took her home and put her to bed. The rest of us stayed and hung out for a couple more hours. Got to bed about 4am and the girls were up @ 7:45am it was an early morning for Chad and I. Not a big deal we don't go out a lot so it was worth it.

Saturday- My brother Mike had a party for Amanda @ my brother Brian's shop, more for the family and the ones that couldn't go to the bar. We did a little pitch in dinner, keg, and beer pong. Amanda's uncle did DJ. Tom came too I didn't get any picture of him though. It was so nice to see him.It was a lot of fun and the girls had a blast with dancing and running around with all the other kids and of course eating cake. I took so many pictures so these are just a little bit of them.
Sunday-Alyssa also had a preschool program @ church but I'll wait to post that until I get the video from one of the other moms. My camera went dead and I didn't get all of it. we had a really busy weekend but it was a blast.

Alison's Bracelets

Hello to all, we need to get total number how many people that will want bracelets (Ali bracelets). The more you order the cheaper they are. And we really would like to only have to do one order. Were wanting to order them by the end of the month. So please let me know how many you would want. If there is someone that you know that I don't know that wants a bracelet please feel free to forward this on to them. It looks like we are going with "Alison Kline" to be inscribed on the top, outside of each bracelet and we might include a little something on the inside that would be against the wrist. Please remember that all the money will go towards Neuroendocrine Cancer Research. Hopefully, with support of all you wonderful people we will have a very big donation to make towards research of neuroendocrine cancer. And someday, there will be a cure and prevention. The price will $3.00 to $4.00 dollars per bracelet. And then shipping. The top pictures is what the band will look like. I'm doing this with Ali's good friend Kimberly who lives in S.C. Some of you I have sent emails to you but for the ones that I don't have email address for then please get in contact with me. Thanks and can't wait for the feedback.

onesies

Here are some onesies that I made for Sarah B and Angie for their little ones. I got the idea from Alison she did this for all the little babies. The first three were for Angie. I've been trying to be a lot crafty these days, it makes me feel closer to Ali. There's one missing that I made for Angie I gave it to her and didn't take a picture. It was the letter M for Maddie. I used brown and pink on both because that was what they were going for in their nursery. I can't wait to make more for all those pregnant ladies out there in blogging world.

Tagged

I've been tagged.

Share 7 facts about yourself. Some random and some weird.

Tag 7 people at the end of your post. By leaving their names.

Let them know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Let us know who tagged you.

Thanks Kayla for the tag it's my first one in the blogging world.

1. I can still remember the smell of school. You know the smell of pencils, crayons, markers, glue. I think that is mostly smelled like that in elementary but it's a smell that I haven't forgotten.

2. I love the smell of cabbage patch baby dolls. It makes me think of when I was a little girl. I find myself smelling the girls dolls and makes me feel like a little girl again.

3. I'm not for sure how old I was but I had a strawberry short cake purse, it smelled like strawberry's. I was playing with Heather and Alison on are back porch (of the gold house out on 900) and I threw up in it. How weird is that?

4. I have a really good memory. I can remember anything and everything. If I was there when it happened I won't forget it. I replay it over and over in my head.

5. When I'm driving and I'm by myself it's really hard. I find myself looking at the sky and hopping that I see a sign from ALI. Most of the time I start to cry.

6. Becoming a parent is the most amazing thing in life. I love that I'm a mommy and I love the fact that I have two little girls that just think that I'm the best thing in the whole world. Even if no one else does they do.

7. I'm a picture freak, I take pictures of anything and everything. I always have my camera with me no matter what. I even take it just to go to the store or to take Alyssa to school. You just never know what you might see.

I'm tagging

1. Kimberly
2. Steph
3. Addi
4. Lauren
5. Darcy
6. Penny
7. Colin

Birthday Party

On Saturday my sister Heather and Micheal had a birthday party for our friend Jen and I. It was a blast and a reason to get together. The weather was even better. We did a cook out, bone fire, cake, s'mores, wii playing and even a little dancing. It was so nice to see everyone and just to be able to get away for awhile. The girls had a lot of fun playing with Elliot and Abby.
Tom even came over before the Marine Core Ball all dress up, he look great. I know that it was hard for him to go but he did. As the days now have turned into months it still seems like a dream. But then other days it hurts just like it just happened. It's hard at times when were all together because I know that Alison would also be there with us. Even though I know that she is there watching us and laughing along with us. I miss you and love you Ali. Your in thoughts everyday. I know that you see the girls growing up and how much Alyssa talks about you. She ask so many questions about Heaven and I know that when it's our time you'll be there waiting to take us in.

Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween from the Eash family. We took the girls to Goshen up town to all the business, my mom also came. The business pass out candy from 12 to 5pm some of the store even ran out of candy because they has such a good turn out. The weather was wonderful, Thanks Auntie Ali (that's what Alyssa kept on saying.) Ali gave us a wonderful day mommy. The girls had a blast they both practice all morning long on saying trick or treat. Last year we couldn't get Alyssa to say it at all and Chastity wasn't old enough yet. But this year we got them both to say it. Alyssa couldn't get over how many little kids their were all dress up. Then we all went to dinner at Applebees and got to see Na-Na Eash. Alyssa kept on trying to flew every time the wind would blow her wings. And Chastity would say Go Notre Dame. We sure did get a lot of comments on her outfit. Chastity pumpkin bucket was getting so heavy that she would push it all the way up to her shoulder to hold on to it. And she didn't want anyone else to hold it for her. I think that they both got about 5 pounds of candy. I think that were set for a couple of months.

Halloween Party

Alyssa had her Halloween party at school today. The whole class dress up and they played games, danced, read a Halloween book, and even got to hit a pinata. She got some really cool toys and tons of candy. Chastity got to be a part of the class and dress up also. They loved that I painted the nails, put sparkles in their hair and got to ware play make-up. They both had a blast and were ready for a nap when we got home.

List is getting done

I just wanted to let everyone know that I'm still doing all the things I said I would do "In memory of Alison." I became a "Card Angel" it's like "Chemo Angel" but you send a card at least once a week and other small gifts. It was all that they could offer me at this time. Alyssa and I are still growing our hair out. Alyssa's will be ready to donate before mine. She can't wait she ask me every day "momma is time time to give my hair to another little girl or boy yet." I will be donating blood next week you can only do it every 8 weeks. Then I'll start donating platelets which you can do every three days. I think that I will start out just once a month for now and then go from there. It takes 2 to 3 hours to donate platelets. I help Katy with wedding things and it was really nice to be apart of all of it. Still writing on the blog and in my journal to Alison. I haven't had the blogs made into books yet. But now that Tom is added things I might wait and do it later but it will be done. I have the wall almost done with pictures I have a few more pictures to put up with frames. We still have our kitty, man she is a little brat sometimes she loves to be outside so we let her and it was fine. But a couple weeks ago she would run away when it was time to come inside so we stop letting her out. So now she waits at the door for someone to open so she can escape and she does sometimes, so then we have to chase her. Or she'll sit at the door if your outside and meow and meow. Last night she got out for two hours and I didn't think she was going to come back because we couldn't find her, she finally did about 9:30pm.
Just wanted to let you all know that I have got almost all done on my list.

Happy Birthday to ME

So today is my 26th birthday. I'm not really doing to much. I have received most of my gifts already. I got some Notre Dame gear from Chad and the girls, Alyssa sang Happy Birthday to me (that I had to add) tee and jeans from my sister Heather, the famous card from my grandma with $10.00 in it, and my sister Kim got me 3 big pots of mums. There of course is one person that I won't get a card or gift from this year, ALISON. It's not the gift that I really want it's just the phone call and her card I'm missing very much. I really miss hearing her voice telling that me she loves me. I got in my box and got the card out that she gave me last year and of course I cried. At first I couldn't find it but I was finding all the other cards that she has gave me over the years. I was afraid that I hadn't kept it but I found it, there was relief. There were so many cards in there from her to Chad, Alyssa, Chastity, and I. I'm so glad that I saved all our cards from ALISON and from everyone else.
Chad is going to make me my favorite dinner Pot Roast with potatoes, carrots, and slice bread I can't wait. The girls are going to my brother and sister in laws for a couple of hours tonight.
Next Tuesday were going to have a birthday party for Alyssa, Olivia, and I with Chad's side of the family. Hope you enjoy the singing!!!!

Katy and Micah's wedding

Yesterday was Katy and Micah's wedding, it's was beautiful. Chad and I had a really good time with everyone. For the ones that stayed later we all got shots for being the late night partier's. Lets just say I had a few drinks. The picture of Katy and I dancing together is a song that we had played in memory of Alison. Some of you might remember it I had it on my blog, Brandy: "I'll be missing you". Katy and I both cried and laugh it was hard without Alison there but I know that she was watching over all of us. Before dinner was served there was prayer and also a moment of silences for Alison. I of course was caught off guard and began to cry. Chad was wonderful at getting me calmed down. All the girls in the wedding party had A's on there bouquet's. The picture of the bag had candy in it, it was an idea that Alison had and was going to make. So Katy deiced to still make them herself ad with the help of Micah. Along with all the center pieces and card box that (I forgot to get a picture of) but Katy and I work our butts off on it. It was great to be able to help and be apart of this big day with Katy, Micah, and family.
Congrats.

Pumpkin time

The family craved pumpkins yesterday. The girls were so excited about it until it came time to clean them out. Alyssa did clean hers out some, but Chastity was having no part in it. As you can see from the pictures the best I could get was her just to look inside. We went on the Internet and found craving stencils and I let the girls make their own faces it's pretty cool and there free. The web site is http://www.bhg.com/ check it out if you don't want to have to buy the book. And just scherch for pumpkin stencil maker.

Pledge of Allegiance

Here's Alyssa saying Pledge of Allegiance. They say it at school every morning. She hasn't even been in school for 3 months and she already knows it. At the end you can hear her say play my song. She wanted me to put it on my blog so she could hear herself sing. And when she does she always says "mommy I sound different". I can't get over how much she has change in just these few months.

Alyssa and Abby's birthday party

On Saturday we had Alyssa's 4Th birthday and Abby's 10Th birthday party. This year we did them together and it was a lot easier. We also did a pizza party instead of cooking out which also was an easy clean up. The weather was nice still a little cold to be outside with the wind coming off the lake. We had planed on doing a bone fire but it was too clod for that I think it got down to 38 degrees that night. So we played some PlayStation 3 and some Wii. I had never played Wii before and it was a blast I really kick butt on blowing. I think that our family is going to have to get one of those. As you can see from the pictures Tom came!!!!!! It made Alyssa and Abby's day to be able to see him. All they both wanted to do was be right up on his lap. It was great for the whole family to be together.
Some of you might now know because you read Tom's blog but he was in an accident on Saturday night. It happened about 15miles after he left our house from the party. He was on Colin's (Tom's sisters husband) motorcycle and a deer ran out in front of him. He flew off and the bike was found about 50 yards from were he was. He is okay after being at the hospital for hours and doing x-rays and an MRI. I'm so glad that no mater what he always wares a helmet and he's spacesuit (that's what he calls it.) I know that he has an angel watching over him.
Thnaks again for everyone coming out, can't wait to have my birthday party.

Happy 4th Birthday Alyssa

Alyssa is fours years old today. I made her a little something to show how much she has change in these past four years. As I put this together for me it was hard. In every picture I noticed that Ali had a part of it. She either took the picture or was in the picture. Except for the very first two pictures of Alyssa's life. Ali didn't get to be here for her birth even though if she could of been she would of been. Ali and Tom did visit me when I was prego and about a week and half later I had Alyssa. I have to say that I did have a break down making this and seeing how much Ali loved to be with Alyssa. I can still remember the first time that she got to see her and hold her. The first time we went to her house. The garden pictures that Tom Thumb took. And Alyssa 3rd birthday, how much fun we had that weekend with the fire, the cooking out, and just being together. I know that Ali got almost four years with Alyssa and Ali made a impact on her life FOREVER and for that I am thankful. I also can remember calling Chad at work and telling him that it was time. And he said it's time, and I said yes it's time to have her. We were going to get induced two days later but she wasn't waiting. I had so much false labor with Alyssa that I waited fours hours before I went to the hospital that morning because I didn't want to be sent home. So I was there for an hour and then they broke my water. So because I had been there so many times I waited to call Chad until I knew that it was the real thing.
My life has change a lot in these past four years and I love every minute of it. There are good days and some bad days but I wouldn't change any part of it with my little girl. I love that I am a stay at home mom, I love that I am the care giver, a teacher, and most of all her mom. It's amazing to know that Chad and I created someone so beautiful. Giving birth is one of the greatest gifts in life.

I Love You Alyssa Rene.