Prayers for the Peek Family

We just want to send our deepest sympathy to the Peek family. Their son Wyatt River joined his angel brothers in heaven early this morning. Please keep them in your prayers during this unimaginably difficult time. Jason and Courtney you have been in our prayers all day, we can't imagine the pain you must be feeling and going through. We hope you feel your boys near you during this time.

Love,

Chris, Rylie, Preslie and Arista

Losing our Sense of Security

Sunday morning at 4:15am I was awakened by our bedroom door slamming and the light turning on. I laid there delirious until I heard the most frightening words..."Hi, my house has just been broken into...Yes, I heard a loud bang and the door is wide open. Someone is in our house." I immediately sat up and saw Chris crouched in front of our bedroom down on the telephone with 911. He looked at me with panic and told me to grab Arista and get in the closet. I was about to ask what was going on, when he again told me to get in the closet. I picked up Arista and ran into the closet. I could hear Chris' terrified voice talking to the 911 operator asking her where the police were and why they weren't here yet.

I stood in the closet, legs shaking, swaying back and forth praying to God that my husband would not be killed, and that they wouldn't come to get me and Arista next. I looked around the closet for some sort of weapon to defend myself, and figured I would have to use a hanger. I kept popping my head out of the closet to look at Chris to make sure he was okay. He would then tell me to get back into the closet. I kept praying over and over and over..."Please help us. Please don't let them get us. Please don't let them kill us. Please Preslie save us."

After what seemed like several minutes I heard some noises in the hallway outside of our door. I then heard Chris say..."The police are here?" Then I heard the most terrifying words..."The police aren't here?!?!?? Someone just tried to turn the door handle into our room!!! The person who broke in, is in our house and just tried to come into our bedroom!!!!"

Finally we heard multiple voices saying that they were the police. Chris did not believe them until they reassured him that it was safe. The police officers checked our place and all around the neighborhood and found no one. They took no fingerprints, and told us to put a chair in front of our door....YEAH RIGHT! We were terrified and called the Allen's at 5am and they immediately came over and sat with us the entire day.

Sunday afternoon after several calls the police finally came back and took fingerprints, and could not believe the other officers from the previous hours had not taken them. Our door was not able to be fixed since it was Sunday, so the Allen's spent the night with us. Do you really think we could sleep?

We decided we better pack up our stuff and get out of here as soon as possible. We are just petrified that it will happen again...although the chances are rare. It's amazing that the home we felt the safest in ended up being the house broken into. Our old place was in such a scary neighborhood, we are in such shock that this has happened.

Chris has driven to DC with Chewy. He will study for the Texas bar at his parents, and work for a firm there as well. Arista and I are at my parents house in Idaho and will meet up with Chris after the bar. We are so grateful for our wonderful friends and for all of their help this past week. We could not have made it without them. We are grateful to the Helgasen family for opening their home to us, and for everyone who helped us move.

I have to give a shout out to our great friends Breezy and Branden you guys are seriously incredible. You spend the night with us and helped us feel so much safer. We cannot thank you enough for the countless hours of packing, moving, lifting, babysitting, and laughing you did for us. We would not have been able to move as quickly as we did. We cannot wait to see you in August!! We will miss you guys a ton!!

A "Shrek" of a Half Birthday

Our little Miss Arista has been growing rapidly this past month. On her 5 month birthday she figured out how to roll all over the place. We have to constantly keep our eyes on her now. I laid her down on her play mat and the next thing I know she is clear over by our TV! She is so proud of her new freedom, and we couldn't be more proud of her.

Arista is starting to teethe. Her sleeping pattern has been all over the place, due to sore gums. We have been using oragel and teething tablets to help soothe her, and they seem to be working for the most part. We will just be glad when her teeth finally come in. Poor thing!

Arista's hair has been growing like crazy lately, especially in the front. We found out that it is long enough for a little pony tail! She looks just like those little cartoon baby girls with the little pony tail and the bow. Adorable!

One of Arista's favorite things to do is go for walks. We love pulling out the stroller and walking a 5k a few times a week. She usually gets a good snooze in.





Arista's hands move like crazy now. She is constantly grabbing for anything and everything. She loves to rip paper and pull Mommy's hair. She is also fascinated with the remote control.



We tried solid foods again last week and she loved it! She tried apples and pears, and leaned towards the spoon and everything.



On her half birthday we celebrated by going to see the new Shrek movie. Arista loved it...she would not sit still for a second. We then met our friend's the Al lens at A yummy local pizza place called Delucas. After lots of pizza and laughs we headed to Walmart, where Arista picked out a new toy. She LOVES all the songs that this little toy plays, and it has really been helping her to sit up. She can sit by herself for several minutes before she loses balance. She is so talented.





These past 6 months have been the best times in our lives. We are so blessed and grateful to have Arista with us. We can't get over her adorable and sweet personality. She has an infectious smile, and is constantly drawing attention to herself. Every minute we have with her is such a blessing in our life. We know that she is close with her older sister and that she is one of Preslie's favorites.

We love you so much baby girl! Happy 6 months!

Mother's Day + Turning 23 + Graduating Law School = an AWESOME week!

For Mother's Day this year Chris woke up early and made me a special breakfast in bed. We have started making egg breakfast sandwiches, and we LOVE them. They were so delicious! After a relaxing morning we attended church, then came home and ate baked french toast with fruit. It was a perfect! Chris surprised me with a griddle! It is awesome, I can't wait to use it! He gave me some new socks, lotion, and the biggest surprise of all was...he set me up a one hour facial, then a one hour massage for my birthday! It was a wonderful Mother's Day with my little family. Arista and I got in a 4 hour nap after church too! I couldn't help but feel a void all day long, wishing that Preslie was there with me. I know she was loving me from heaven, but it is just not the same. Holidays make it especially more real that she is not here with us.

I turned the big 2-3 on Tuesday! Chris gave me the most wonderful gift I think I have ever received. He turned my blog into a book. Every single post, every single picture. I have spent many hours looking through and reading back all the posts. I never would have even thought of it! I spent my birthday going to the gym and then heading to my day at the spa. The facial and massage was wonderful! I think I need to make it a monthly gift to myself. ;) Later that night our great friends the Boardmans and Allen's came over for an incredibly huge German chocolate cake. I have always wanted to have one special ordered from a good bakery, so I did the liberty of ordering it myself. It was yummy!!!

Wednesday morning Chris' mom came into town for graduation. We found out that our brother-in-law Chris was going to be in Detroit that night, so we drove half way and met him at Johnny Carinos for dinner. It was Arista's first time meeting Uncle Chris and she LOVED him! It was great to see Chris and spend a few hours with him.

Thursday Chad(Chris' Dad) arrived. We had our good friend Breezy watch Arista while the four of us went to a May memorial for Preslie and other lost babies. There were candles lit,songs played, poems read, and tears shed for the loss of our precious babies. I love that every year they do something in the spring to remember our little ones. It is neat to be able to all come together and remember our babies, and to know a glimpse of the pain we have all shared. The bond we have all made is something only the parents of an angel will know. Here is a wonderful poem that was shared by the former co-president...

My Mom is a Survivor


My Mom is a survivor,

or so I've heard it said.

But I can hear her crying at night

when all others are in bed.



I watch her lay awake at night

and go to hold her hand.

She doesn't know I'm with her

to help her understand.



But like the sands on the beach

that never wash away ...

I watch over my surviving Mom

who thinks of me each day.



She wears a smile for others ...

a smile of disguise!

But through Heaven's door

I see tears flowing from her eyes.



My Mom tries to cope with death;

To keep my memory alive.

But anyone who knows her knows

it is her way to survive.



As I watch over my surviving Mom

through Heaven's open door ...

I try to tell her that angels

protect me forevermore!



I know that doesn't help her,

or ease the burden she bears.

So, if you get a chance, go visit her.

Show her that you care.



For no matter what she says ...

no matter what she feels.

My surviving Mom has a broken heart

that time won't ever heal.

Here are some final verses my Mom wrote...


Please help to dry her tears,

and comfort all her fears,

our time a part will seem so brief,

when faith and love push through the grief .



My Mom is a survivor,

soon joy will heal her heart,

we will spend eternity together

we'll embrace and never part!

Friday Chris graduated!! It was so incredible to see him seated among his fellow law students. My eyes watered and heart ached that Preslie could have been there to see her Dad. We know she was watching from heaven cheering him on, with her little angel friends. We spent the afternoon taking pictures, going to lunch at Bravo, and then Chris and I went on a date to see the new movie "Robin Hood". It was such a great day. We are so proud of Chris and for all of his accomplishments. He could have given up after Preslie died, but instead he was steadfast and trudged forward. I can't even imagine what he went through last few years, while helping me with my grief, along with another pregnancy. He is amazing, and there is no one else I know who would have been able to handle all that he has. We love you Christopher! We are so proud of you!!

An "Earth Day" Half Birthday

Sometimes when I think of Preslie, I like to imagine her with all her angel friends. So, when I found this picture it was almost as if I had imagined it. I find it very comforting to know that Preslie is not alone, and together with her friends and family they are preparing the way for us.

Preslie would have been 18 months today. Since her half birthday falls on Earth Day each year we decided we would celebrate it.



We started off the morning by us all putting on our Old Navy "Happy Earth Day" shirts. Arista and I then met Chris at the law building to meet his favorite law professor. Professor Jacobs gave Arista the cutest stuffed giraffe and 3 picture wall hanging frame. Arista rolled over for us and tried to eat the Professors hair. She had an absolute blast being held by her. Chris is sure going to miss Professor Jacobs.



After chatting for a while we headed over to the MSU Dairy Store. We had heard great things about the dairy and finally was able to taste it for ourselves. It was so yummy!



While finishing our ice cream we stopped at Walmart to pick up a beautiful plant for Preslie's grave, and then headed up to the Mausoleum. We introduced Arista to Preslie's tomb, and then sat outside on a blanket for a while where we had the funeral. Arista rolled around all over the blanket, while we told her all about her sister Preslie. After a while we walked around the cemetery and put little toy animals on all the baby graves we could find, in honor of Preslie's 18 month and Earth Day.









After a few hours we decided to drive to 45 minutes to Brighton for dinner at our favorite place, Johnny Carinos. We reflected on our time with Preslie, and talked about how great it will be to see her again. Afterwards we walked around the Tanger Outlets for a while. I found the cutest dress for Arista for Chris' graduation. I was very excited.

When we got home we were pooped! We gave Arista a nice bath, and ended our Earth Day by watching "Avatar". We are also going to see the new movie "Oceans" tomorrow to celebrate this day as well.



Our hearts were heavy today, but we know Preslie was glad that we celebrated her. We know that she loves animals, and nature. We could not have picked a more beautiful day to celebrate her half birthday. We are grateful for the knowledge we have that we will see her again. With each passing day we are another day closer to our baby girl. We love you Preslie Quinn!

Five Fun Months

Arista turned 5 months old today. Each day she surprises us more and more with the new things she is learning to do. She is constantly smiling and laughing and entertaining us. She is such a blessing to us, and we love her more than anything!

This Month Arista:

Went to the Zoo

Went to her first baseball game



Rode on her stuffed animals



Had a nasty cold/flu




Found her feet




Rolled over from back to front




Had her first modeling gig










We love you Arista Kitty. You are the best rainbow we have ever seen. We can't wait to see all the many fun things you will do through out the next few months and years. Happy 5 months!

Happy Easter

While Chris was away in Indianapolis, Arista and I spent the entire weekend together. Chris took the car so we were stranded at home, but we didn't mind it one bit. We spent our weekend soaking up General Conference, going on walks, hanging out with our neighbors, watching basketball and spending time together. I watched an old classic movie "The Easter Parade", which I LOVE too.

The original plan was for Arista and I to go with Chris to IN, to site see, shop, etc. I felt like I really needed to stay home, and was happy with my decision. I needed to be home to hear conference that weekend. There were so many talks that moved me to tears (more of that later). I am grateful for the time I was able to spend with Arista, and for being able to enjoy Easter listening to our apostles and prophets.

Before Chris left he kept talking about how Arista needed a Duke jersey to wear while they played. So I made one! Arista wore it during the Final Four game, and was helping me cheer Duke on.







Arista's first Easter was so fun. We woke up and found that the Easter Bunny had come. He was good to Arisa this year and gave her many books, sun hats,stuffed animals and clothes. The Martin Grandparents spoiled her with little books and stuffed animals, and The McDonald Grandparents bought Arista a breathtaking Easter Dress. I won't let her wear it yet, until we take her to get pictures taken this weekend. I set up the webcam so that Chris could enjoy watching Arista open her basket. Her favorite thing was a stuffed Chick that we got her!







We spent the rest of the morning enjoying conference, then we got all dressed up and went for a 3 mile walk with our friends down the street. It was a beautiful day outside. After a long nap for Arista and more conference we joined our friends for an awesome Easter dinner!





Easter was an emotional day for me this year, and I couldn't help but wonder how excited Preslie would have been to see her Easter basket. Easter has taken on a whole new meaning for our family, and we are so grateful that Christ sacrificed his life for us. We are grateful that through him we are able to reunite with Preslie again someday. Although there are difficult days and moments, the knowledge of Gods plan reassures our fears and comforts our aching hearts. I am so grateful I was able to spend Easter with our miracle baby, and for the light she has brought back into me. I know that without her I would not be able to move forward. Through Preslie's death I have learned to not take any moment for granted with Arista. Although motherhood has it's own challenges, my favorite thing is being a Mom to my daugthers. I hope you all enjoyed the inspired conference this weekend, and had a blessed Easter.