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Home Death-Child friends grief Her Family His Family Holidays Patrick Preslee Our Angel Tree

Our Angel Tree

I have some catching up to do! I finished the semester last Friday with much better grades than I would have ever expected due to the fact how bad I was struggling at the beginning of the semester. So I couldn't be happier. We celebrated Preslee's Birthday and Pay it Forward project. That post is coming soon, I have a lot of pictures to sort through! All I can say is thank you, we were able to assemble 350 bags. :) Amazing! We also took off to Utah for the weekend.

Though I wrote about Christmas decorations in an earlier post, we never put up a tree. Mainly because of the hassle, we have a huge fake tree buried underneath Sno Shack supplies in our basement. That really isn't like me, I've always been a Christmas fanatic. Well, today my dad showed up with a 200 lb tree... Yes that's right. My parents had talked about planting a tree in the backyard in behalf of Preslee. So they called around, and found a green house selling a pine tree that can be replanted in the Spring. It's sitting in a large pot, roots and all. It can't stay inside too long, or it will die. So we get it for a few days. They bought new ornaments, many of them are angels. They called it our angel tree. We decorated it tonight. We love it, and feel its perfect for us this Christmas. It kind of helps us feel like she's a little closer by. And we can't wait to replant it in my parents backyard. Kind of a cool concept right?





(Don't you love the little angel up at the top! We didn't want to trim the tree since it will be replanted. It looks kind of funny, but I love it.)

It's been a great day, I had a doctors appt this morning, its not that I didn't appreciate hearing a little heartbeat before, but now it means the entire world to hear that sound :) The appointment to find out the gender of the baby was made for February 1st. I made Christmas candy with my mom, my parents surprised us with the tree, we decorated it. My sis-in-law Cara sent Preslee's life sketch made into a book with pictures, and my friend Farrah dropped off a slide show with some pics I don't even remember seeing! Though I bawled all the way through it (a good kind of crying of course), I felt it depicted her life perfectly. And Pat finished work till after the Holidays, and spent the night playing ball.

Thank you everyone who has went out of their way to think of us these past few weeks. I know I say this a lot, but I really can't get over how generous complete strangers can be. And thank you to the two incredible people who sent us ornaments, we couldn't wait to place them on the tree!
// Labels: Death-Child, friends, grief, Her Family, His Family, Holidays, Patrick, Preslee
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22 comments:

  1. AmberDecember 22, 2010 at 12:54 AM

    Been thinking about you a ton this past week. So glad to hear that you got a tree! There is something magical about a Christmas tree, and to have it live and ready to be planted is such an awesome concept!
    Love you girl, can't wait till we get to spend some more time together.

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  2. KateDecember 22, 2010 at 7:36 AM

    Hi Ashley - Its so good to hear an update and that you are doing well! When you wrote that you got a live tree, I had to laugh because of my own experience. Please please please learn from my experience with a live tree:

    Our first christmas tree with my husband(4 yrs ago) was live. I thought it would be cute to plant in my parents yard to commemorate our first christmas together! When we bought it, the guy selling the tree said that it was "hibernating" and "didnt' need water until the spring". THAT IS A MISTAKE!!! At the very least, you need to put the tree in a place in your yard that will get rained/snowed on until the spring. We were living in an apt at the time and put the tree under the covered porch, and you guessed it, didn't water it. (Because the guy said so!) And I'm sure you've already guessed what happened: within a month it was nothing but twigs and an entire porch of fallen pine needles.

    Anyway, I'm sure your tree will do much much better than ours, but please make sure to water it from now until the spring!! It will be a lovely tree to plant for Preslee.

    Wishing you all the best. Merry Christmas!

    Kate
    from NJ

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  3. TiffanyDecember 22, 2010 at 8:43 AM

    what a beautiful way to remember your little girl. your parents are so thoughtful. and so happy that you got to hear little one's heart beat. i understand what you mean. i'm anxious to get pg again after losing my 4.5 mo old in Oct, and i know that i will appreciate my next pg SO much more because i know how fragile life is.

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  4. Melissa FrenchDecember 22, 2010 at 9:17 AM

    That angel tree is perfect for you this week. I've been thinking about you and know angels are watching over you this Christmas. Love you!

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  5. Ryan.Kendra.Makenzie.TrackerDecember 22, 2010 at 9:58 AM

    I love Love LOVE your tree. It so very perfect and I couldnt think of a more special way to bring Preslee into your home for Christmas. I am thinking about you often Ash. I pray for you. I pray for Pat and I pray for Preslee. I wish this road could be easier. I wish we could have a better understanding. The only thing that is getting me through this Christmas without Kenzie is knowing that because of this holiday- that day- I will get to be with my baby again. I will get to hold her and love on her and at that time, it will be like we never missed a minute. I can only imagine baby#2 having the very best Christmas with their big sister in heaven. What an AMAZING day that is for them. You are so amazing and Im so proud of the care packages you put together! Youre incredible.

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  6. shannonDecember 22, 2010 at 10:01 AM

    PERFECT tree! You have some very special parents who know just what to do for you this holiday season. I LOVE it! So happy to see you are feeling a bit of joy & peace. Preslee must be so proud to know she has her very own tree! :) What a special, sweet little girl! Have a Merry Christmas!

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  7. AnonymousDecember 22, 2010 at 10:04 AM

    I always look to your blog for inspiration and good things. Your family is incredible. Thank you for the wonderful example you have set and for your goodness!

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  8. RosalieDecember 22, 2010 at 10:13 AM

    What a beautiful tree! What a beautiful way to remember your angel too! Congrats on so many bags! That is awesome!

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  9. bryan and meganDecember 22, 2010 at 10:30 AM

    Your tree is BEAUTIFUL!! That is so neat for your parents to do for you. Lucky little Preslee!! :)
    Congrats on Pay it Forward. That is AMAZING!! When my sister was 19 she was diagnosed with Lukemia. We spent a lot of time at Primary Childrens Hospital. I KNOW the people receiving those bags will be very greatful.
    Wishing you and Pat a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

    Bryan & Megan McDaniel

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  10. UnknownDecember 22, 2010 at 10:36 AM

    Perfect tree! What amazing parents you have! :) My mom planted a tree she recieved at my step-dad's funeral, and I know that everytime she looks at it, it is a big reminder of him. I hope Preslee's tree can be the same for you all in the future! Try to have a good Christmas.

    xoxo

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  11. Chris & StephanieDecember 22, 2010 at 10:38 AM

    I am so excited that you were able to get a great tree and how special that tree will always be because it will remind you of Preslee and also the Christmas spirit that came along with it. Merry Christmas.

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  12. HeatherDecember 22, 2010 at 11:05 AM

    That is awesome ur parents did that! I cant imagine the holidays missing a baby like that! I am thinkin of u and holdin my kids so much closer to me! U never think something like this is going to happen to u! I hope u have a wonderful Christmas and I am excited u will b holding a little one of ur own again soon!

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  13. HarperDecember 22, 2010 at 12:28 PM

    Your tree looks great, and I'm glad you were able to have it as a reminder of sweet Preslee.

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  14. UnknownDecember 22, 2010 at 6:37 PM

    I have been thinking alot about you & Pat and how strong you two are. This is an emotional time of year and to lose someone so close is so heart renching. I have faith that you will move forward! You & Pat are amazing people! Merry Christmas & the angel tree is beautiful!!

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  15. UnknownDecember 22, 2010 at 7:34 PM

    I always looks forward to reading your new blog posts. You are so amazing to me. You are always in my thoughts and prayers.

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  16. AnonymousDecember 23, 2010 at 2:00 AM

    It amazes me every time I read your blog, your strength and what Preslee gave and is giving to the world.
    I know you don't know me, but I am very proud of you for earning your Great grades.

    I would just like to say that Preslee has a pretty cool birthday, right next to Christmas.
    Have a Merry Christmas.

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  17. AnonymousDecember 23, 2010 at 8:40 AM

    What a beautiful tree. I love the angel theme. Your daughter is a very special little girl. I'm always thinking of your family. You will be in my thoughts and prayers this Christmas and always.
    Love, Jenni-Ohio

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  18. The Ingleby FamilyDecember 23, 2010 at 8:56 AM

    Ashley, LOVE the concept of that tree! One Christmas you are sure to never forget. I just want you to know I am thinking of you and your sweet husband during this holiday season and pray you are able to get through it. Very special people you are. I can't wait for your new bundle of joy as well!!! Happy Holidays, Andrea

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  19. Kip & MelissaDecember 23, 2010 at 12:16 PM

    I love your angel tree!! Your parents are so sweet :) We are thinking of you guys during the holidays and I can't wait to hear what the sex of the baby is!! Merry Christmas!

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  20. AnonymousDecember 23, 2010 at 7:27 PM

    So we excited for the post! Congratulations on the good grades...maybe Preslee was helping you through all those finals. :)
    I am so happy to see you have a tree up, it is absolutely beautiful and most of all perfect! You have such an awesome family that is so strong! You have changed my life for good, and I will never be the same ater following your journey!
    Happy Holidays!

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  21. AnonymousDecember 24, 2010 at 11:24 PM

    Wishing you and Patrick a very merry Christmas! I'm sure it is very difficult for you to think about the holidays. There are many out there praying for you, including myself. Happy Holidays!

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  22. debbieDecember 26, 2010 at 7:08 PM

    I come to your blog every so often to catch up on how things are going and find out what amazing, inspiring things you have to say :). I just want to let you know I pray for you every night. Preslee is completely gorgeous!! Thank you for being so brave and sharing your daughter and your thoughts with all of us.

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Hi, we're the Sullengers! Life turned upside down for us in 2010 when we lost our daughter in an accidental drowning. Since then, we've documented our highs (life with all five of our kids) and our lows (struggles with grief) but amongst everthing we've experienced, we know as long as we hold on to one another we can get through anything that comes our way. Read More. . .

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