Presley: Barn Boutique- Saturday

Today we spent most of the day at the barn again... 10-3pm. I am, again, so thankful for the opportunity to have come to Colorado and see everyone. The support we feel is so strong. I have had a smile on my face for 2 days. My heart and soul needed this trip. Today those Colorado blue skies showed up to support our event as well. The weather was perfect! We jumped on the tramp, rode bikes, held the baby chicks, fed the horses, talked and talked and talked! Everyone commented on how well we looked. The timing was just perfect. Our life 2 weeks before was much different, and we start our next phase in two weeks, where harder days are ahead. The barn event was perfect timing for Presley and I to enjoy, celebrate life, and to really feel lifted up from everyone in our journey and fight with childhood cancer.

I made a last minute appointment for Presley to get her pictures taken professionally. The studio doesn't normally shoot pictures on Saturday, but when Helen heard the story she agreed to come take pictures. What an amazing group who helped take pictures of our "super hero". We did 5 outfit changes and Presley held up great. She was such a sweet cutie during during the whole session. One of the children boutiques in Downtown Castle Rock, Glitter, donated a whole new outfit for Presley for her photo shoot. The staff at Sandy Puc Photography have all the secrets for taking pictures of children. They have got it down, and do such a good job! Thanks Helen for coming in on a Saturday and for your creativity. At first I didn't want professional pictures of the bald head. I did not want to document this stage in Presley's life. But I then realized that would be silly. That bald held represents so much, and to hide it would be a shame. Presley will be stronger one day because of what she is going through right now. I don't want to deny her of that. Plus I'm not ashamed. This is not something I have caused, or something to be afraid of. I am a much strong mother and person today than I was 2 months ago, and I don't ever want to forget that.

Presley and I met Heather or "Feather" for pedicures. I was in desperate need! Presley enjoyed getting her toes polished and was such a good girl to sit on my lap as we talked. We went to dinner, and that story of waiting forever for a table and to get our food, was a bummer! But we spent the evening with Heather and Libby. I'm so thankful for your friendships and kindness!
We also had a fun little thing happen while we were waiting to be seated for dinner. We went into the American Girl store. That was a bad idea! As I was carrying Presley a little girl about the age of second grade said, "You baby is so cute." I quickly said "Shes not a baby, she just lost her hair because she has cancer". I only do this because I don't want those subtle messages sent to Presley that she is a baby. She even at the beginning resisted wearing headbands because "those are what babies wear". The girl and her mother was embarrassed, but I told them they didn't need to apologize. The girl then went on to tell us that her school was collecting pennies for a girl who had Leukemia. I had a feeling that little girl was Presley. I asked the girl what school she went to and sure enough "Soaring Hawk"! What a neat experience for that mother and child to see Presley and know that the pennies they are collecting are going to someone they met in person and could put a picture to the face! We had made a big scene in the store, and by then everyone was listening. One of the workers at the doll store asked if I had heard of "the dolls". I was like, "yeah we have all heard of American Girl Dolls!" Then she went on to tell me about the bald American Girl doll. I became very interested. Anything for my daughter to feel normal, I will go the extra mile. The worker continued to explain that when Presley's hair begins to grow back that she can bring the doll in and get hair for her too! I can't wait to get her a doll! What a great keepsake.