We had our first Christmas this weekend with my parents. My mom so gracefully gave up trying to have Christmas on/near THE day so now we have our Christmas with them the weekend before Christmas Day. I love this arrangement because I really get to enjoy being with my family and not just hurry up and check another house off the list. We had a great time. After arriving in Searcy with a quiet trip with three sleeping children(bliss) we ate dinner with my brother and my parents. it was great to visit although my brother was his usual charming self. the children FINALlY went to sleep much later than usual bedtime and then got up very early to open prensents.
We had sausage balls, breakfast casserole and some great conversation. This year was crazy opening packages.
Our family is usually very orderly about opening gifts. We hand out three or four to each person and then take turns opening and enjoying what each person gets. Kenndey played "santa" and handed out the gifts as scott tore into each gift he got and some that were others. Gransy and Popsy were laughing because it was so chaotic.. so unlike us.Kennedy got mostly horses and a Breyer truck and trailer to haul her horses in. Scott got trains, and more trains and a track to run them on. I had a hard time because Scott loved Kennedy's presnet and wanted to play with it so bad. It is plastic and not Scott proof so we had to find ways to distract him from the truck. We all had a great time and enjoyed each other. After opening gifts, we hung out and did not cook the traditional Christmas dinner. We had steak and baked potatoes because my ENTIRE family are coming to MY house for dinner on Christmas night I am not nervous at all. HOpe it goes well.
I am so behind on so many things. here is some of them
Chrstmas cards
going through kids toys to give away
going through all clothes to give away
laundry
keeping up with college friends
cleaning out closets
organizing pretty much everything
printing pictures
learning how to use my camera like I need to
scrapbooking
did I mention scrapbooking
and so much more I don't want to even think about
I am so looking forward to Christmas with my family and seeing how the first dinner at our house goes.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Finishing up and Learning the Truth
Well, three weeks til Christmas and with close friends coming to my house for the first time in five years I think of all the things that need to get done. Since we added on this year I don't know how we can't have finished some of those obvious things...tile, columns on the front porch.. and so on and so forth.
Sean says the screens and the columns should be finished up tomorrow. I am so excited to see what the house will look like with real columns on the front porch.
I had given Sean an October deadline for finishing the tile yet that rolled around and still not finished... I just didn't have the heart to call anyone. He has his heart set on doing it so he can finish what he started.
I was getting all upset about not having everything done when our friend Jane Dobson, who is Klaire's namesake and the closet thing to family we have, arrives. I was frantically cleaning the house and yelling at everyone to quit dragging out and laying their toys around. My mom then reminded me that Jane is not going to care what my house looks like. She lost her husband last year on December 20. It made realize how unimportant those things we get caught up in are. I am so thankful for a family I can call on a daily basis and talk to.
Bobby you will be greatly missed but never forgotten. I remember so many Thanksgvings and Christmases with you and your family. Things I remember most is your huge smile and loving hugs everytime we came to visit. Everytime I hear Rainbow Brite I will think of you and our trip back to Texas. You and my parents telling me "no kids at the card table." Laughing hysterically while playing Trivial Pursuit and learning more about Czechasylvikia than I ever needed or wanted to know. I love you so much and miss you. Your family will live on to me in Klaire. I miss your smile and sweet spirit.
Don't ever take those for granted because you never know when someone you love will be called to be with Jesus.
Sean says the screens and the columns should be finished up tomorrow. I am so excited to see what the house will look like with real columns on the front porch.
I had given Sean an October deadline for finishing the tile yet that rolled around and still not finished... I just didn't have the heart to call anyone. He has his heart set on doing it so he can finish what he started.
I was getting all upset about not having everything done when our friend Jane Dobson, who is Klaire's namesake and the closet thing to family we have, arrives. I was frantically cleaning the house and yelling at everyone to quit dragging out and laying their toys around. My mom then reminded me that Jane is not going to care what my house looks like. She lost her husband last year on December 20. It made realize how unimportant those things we get caught up in are. I am so thankful for a family I can call on a daily basis and talk to.
Bobby you will be greatly missed but never forgotten. I remember so many Thanksgvings and Christmases with you and your family. Things I remember most is your huge smile and loving hugs everytime we came to visit. Everytime I hear Rainbow Brite I will think of you and our trip back to Texas. You and my parents telling me "no kids at the card table." Laughing hysterically while playing Trivial Pursuit and learning more about Czechasylvikia than I ever needed or wanted to know. I love you so much and miss you. Your family will live on to me in Klaire. I miss your smile and sweet spirit.
Don't ever take those for granted because you never know when someone you love will be called to be with Jesus.
Thanksgiving.
WOW! I can't believe that Christmas is coming. Thanksgiving was here and gone before we knew it. I am late(as usual) but have been really thinking about what I am thankful for...
Jesus, who is intimetly spending time with me every day
A healthy, loving family
parents who come and see me often
a house where we can all have our own rooms
a baby who sleeps through the night.. and eats anything in sight
good friends who make me laugh
a church home that actually feels like home
and SO much more that is too much more. Thanksgiving should be something we do everyday and not just once a year. I hope I will continue to be thankful more this year.
Jesus, who is intimetly spending time with me every day
A healthy, loving family
parents who come and see me often
a house where we can all have our own rooms
a baby who sleeps through the night.. and eats anything in sight
good friends who make me laugh
a church home that actually feels like home
and SO much more that is too much more. Thanksgiving should be something we do everyday and not just once a year. I hope I will continue to be thankful more this year.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
First Trip to Zoo
This weekend was perfect. we had a family road trip to tulsa. It was Fall Break for Kennedy and we decided to take off on Satuday for the zoo and who knows what else.
This past weekend we went to the zoo... for the first time ever. It was fun for everyone. Kennedy's first time at the zoo went well. SHe loved the giraffes, rhinos, and the cheetahs. It was a little disappointing to me, I remember it being so much more impressive. The cages seemed cramped and the animals lethargic. I am not sure what I expected but the Tulsa zoo was not it. Don't mistake me I am not complaining but just speculating. The children walked all over that zoo to view animals they see all the time on TV. There is just something about being close to the animals that makes it more special. Seeing each animal was like opening a birthday present, after seeing what was in the box the kids were ready to move on. Watching the children get so excited was the best part. I am so glad that we waited until both kids were old enough to enjoy the zoo. Klaire was just glad to be riding out in the wind and sun and out of the carseat. THe weathere was perfect. Sun was somewhat overcast with the warmth we needed. The wind was blowing just enough to keep us cool without being cold. After leaving the zoo, we checked into our hotel and then headed off to Incredible Pizza. If you've never been there it's like Chucky Cheese on steroids. THere is food, games, bowling, and so much more i never saw. It was fun but the kids would have enjoyed themselves had they been a little older. Scott found a train and spent most of his time there. He also loved the game where there is an animal in the trashcan who randomly pops his/her head out and you try to shoot the balls into the trashcan. I loved watching him laugh when the guy popped out. Kennedy wanted to ride the pony and the carasouel, surprise.
On Sunday, we toyed with the idea of returning to the zoo. We quickly changed our minds when we looked out the window to find it raining. Disappointed as we were at first, Sean decided we should try the Oklahoma Acqarium.I was skeptical because I thought it would be too old for the kids. i was wrong. The kids loved seeing the fish. As we entered the lobby the kids first spotted Nemo. This made the trip more exciting. We found all kind of fish from the movies. Even some new unfamiliar fish.
The kids were thrilled with Sean's decision. The sting rays were the favorite of the day. On one side of an exhibit you could feed the stingrays. I had no idea that shrimp is "food of the sea" as we learned. These wonderful entrees feed the entire ocean, kind of disgusting if you think about. Anywsy, Scott was too excited to feed them. I think he might be quite the fisherman. Kennedy, not so much. ON the other side of the exhibit you could actually touch the sting rays and even some tiger sharks. The sting rays are different than I expected. Slimy is how they actually feel while I anticipated them to be more smooth. The sharks were scaly as I thought they might be. I think they enjoyed the aquarium better than the zoo.. you never know do ya?
Overall, it was a good weekend. I hope that the kids will remember this trip and cherish the memories as much as I will. These kind of trips are what being a parent is all about. Watching your kids explore and learn at the same time teaching them about God's creation. I am amazed every time I look at the animals and sea creatures how detailed God was in creation. How can anyone look at that and not know that they were wonderfully made or even just planned.
Dear Lord,
Thank you so much for traveling mercy, the opportunity to bond with my children and spend time with my husband. I thank you also for teaching opportunities and learning experinces for both my children and me. Please allow us more of these as they kids age.
This past weekend we went to the zoo... for the first time ever. It was fun for everyone. Kennedy's first time at the zoo went well. SHe loved the giraffes, rhinos, and the cheetahs. It was a little disappointing to me, I remember it being so much more impressive. The cages seemed cramped and the animals lethargic. I am not sure what I expected but the Tulsa zoo was not it. Don't mistake me I am not complaining but just speculating. The children walked all over that zoo to view animals they see all the time on TV. There is just something about being close to the animals that makes it more special. Seeing each animal was like opening a birthday present, after seeing what was in the box the kids were ready to move on. Watching the children get so excited was the best part. I am so glad that we waited until both kids were old enough to enjoy the zoo. Klaire was just glad to be riding out in the wind and sun and out of the carseat. THe weathere was perfect. Sun was somewhat overcast with the warmth we needed. The wind was blowing just enough to keep us cool without being cold. After leaving the zoo, we checked into our hotel and then headed off to Incredible Pizza. If you've never been there it's like Chucky Cheese on steroids. THere is food, games, bowling, and so much more i never saw. It was fun but the kids would have enjoyed themselves had they been a little older. Scott found a train and spent most of his time there. He also loved the game where there is an animal in the trashcan who randomly pops his/her head out and you try to shoot the balls into the trashcan. I loved watching him laugh when the guy popped out. Kennedy wanted to ride the pony and the carasouel, surprise.
On Sunday, we toyed with the idea of returning to the zoo. We quickly changed our minds when we looked out the window to find it raining. Disappointed as we were at first, Sean decided we should try the Oklahoma Acqarium.I was skeptical because I thought it would be too old for the kids. i was wrong. The kids loved seeing the fish. As we entered the lobby the kids first spotted Nemo. This made the trip more exciting. We found all kind of fish from the movies. Even some new unfamiliar fish.
The kids were thrilled with Sean's decision. The sting rays were the favorite of the day. On one side of an exhibit you could feed the stingrays. I had no idea that shrimp is "food of the sea" as we learned. These wonderful entrees feed the entire ocean, kind of disgusting if you think about. Anywsy, Scott was too excited to feed them. I think he might be quite the fisherman. Kennedy, not so much. ON the other side of the exhibit you could actually touch the sting rays and even some tiger sharks. The sting rays are different than I expected. Slimy is how they actually feel while I anticipated them to be more smooth. The sharks were scaly as I thought they might be. I think they enjoyed the aquarium better than the zoo.. you never know do ya?
Overall, it was a good weekend. I hope that the kids will remember this trip and cherish the memories as much as I will. These kind of trips are what being a parent is all about. Watching your kids explore and learn at the same time teaching them about God's creation. I am amazed every time I look at the animals and sea creatures how detailed God was in creation. How can anyone look at that and not know that they were wonderfully made or even just planned.
Dear Lord,
Thank you so much for traveling mercy, the opportunity to bond with my children and spend time with my husband. I thank you also for teaching opportunities and learning experinces for both my children and me. Please allow us more of these as they kids age.
Monday, October 5, 2009
This weekend was our first trip to the zoo. We waited until Kennedy was five so she would enjoy it more. Tulsa was the place we decided to visit, close to home and animals are animals right? Not so much. The weather was perfect and we had a great time. I guess I just remember the animals being more active and the habitats being so much cooler. Just proves how memories are what makes life. Kennedy's favortie things she said were the giraffes, and the "I like to move it"
Sunday, September 20, 2009
First tooth
Klaire got her first tooth last week. I have benne wondering about the snotty nose and sneezing but just attributed it to allergies. Dr. Fred would tell me the two have nothing to do with one another yet I would tell him he is wrong. As a mother, I have seen all three of my children get a nasty diaper, runny nose and sometimes run a low grade fever. It is the left bottom incisor. SHe is biting everything and I don't think it will be long before she gets another one. How much fun is watching all of the milestones happen. I didn't enjoy it this much with the other two because I was so worried about meeting them. I am so blessed to have three wonderful, healthy children. Thank you, Jesus, for blessing my family.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
First Day of SChool
Soo.. Kennedy is offically a kindergartener. Her first day of school was a series of mixed feelings for allof us. I was excited yet apprehensive at the same time, Kennedy was so excited she woke up before 7:00, and SCott was pretty much oblivious...until sister left, Sean was sad for his"baby girl" to go to school. He wasn't ready for this he said.
OF COURSE, it was a monsoon the first day of school. Kennedy looked soo cute in her white capris and green and brown shirt. When she looked outside and saw the rain, she said, "Dang it" (thanks dad) "well, at least I get to wear my new leopard rain coat." She was okay with that. Sean and I loaded ALL three kids up and took everyone to her first day of school, camera in hand. As Sean says, I am THAT mom. I love every minute of it. I took the camera into her classroom and made pictures with Miss Anderson her teacher. WOW< She is such a big girl. I am soo proud of her. I didn't even cry. Sean had some tears put bit them back. When we got home Scott kept asking where is Kenney(kennedy)? he missed her terribly. Life goes on for Klaire. What a day. It seems that our lives have just changed in so many ways.
After picking up the princess, it seems she has grown up in the time she has been away. She has mastered the typical kindergartener response to everything, MOOOMM!
I in some ways look forward to the days ahead while I also dread the change of dynamics in the Holland house.
OF COURSE, it was a monsoon the first day of school. Kennedy looked soo cute in her white capris and green and brown shirt. When she looked outside and saw the rain, she said, "Dang it" (thanks dad) "well, at least I get to wear my new leopard rain coat." She was okay with that. Sean and I loaded ALL three kids up and took everyone to her first day of school, camera in hand. As Sean says, I am THAT mom. I love every minute of it. I took the camera into her classroom and made pictures with Miss Anderson her teacher. WOW< She is such a big girl. I am soo proud of her. I didn't even cry. Sean had some tears put bit them back. When we got home Scott kept asking where is Kenney(kennedy)? he missed her terribly. Life goes on for Klaire. What a day. It seems that our lives have just changed in so many ways.
After picking up the princess, it seems she has grown up in the time she has been away. She has mastered the typical kindergartener response to everything, MOOOMM!
I in some ways look forward to the days ahead while I also dread the change of dynamics in the Holland house.
Monday, August 24, 2009
A little bit of everything.. catching up
Wow, so it's been forever since I have blogged! A lot has happened since the last time I was here. Where to start? Welll.... since the last post was about my pregnancy I will begin there. Klaire Dobson Holland was born on March 5, 2009 at 11:15am. My water was broken about 8 so I wasn't in labor very long. I "enjoyed this child birthing experience soo much more tha nthe other two. Dr. Bell came in and took part in what was going in. he didn't just waltz in, catch the baby, smile for a picture then say, thanks, that will be $5000.
Klaire weighed 8 lbs 10 ozs and was 21 inches long. She, like the other two, was beautiful. Like her sister, her head was and still is shapes so beautifully. I had people asking me if she was a c section baby. She had a hard time getting accostomed to the real world but once she did it was never looking back. She began sleeing thru the night at 2 1/2 months. We did a good job of keeping this baby on a schedule. Not exaclty babywise but pretty close. She has started eating rice cearal and just about every fruit and vegetable you can imagine. Thank you Jesus for a good sleeper and eater! I prayed so hard for that. There is so much more that I am missing I know. her smile can light up the room and she is just the happiest, most content child. Maybe it comes from being number three.
We also finished (sort of) our house. The big stuff is done. WOW what an undertaking. I look around and think, I should be a better decorater. Sherry and Shannon, will you come help me. The tile in the kitchen and bathroom backsplashes are not finished yet. The colomns on the porch are still a work in progress but.. it will all be there. We have a wonderful house to live in and a healthy family.
Scott has started talking nonstop and yo ucan understand him.. most of the time. After two sets of tubes, adenoids and tonsils being removed I think we finally are making some progress. He is my litte man now. Finally off the bottle now if we could just tackle the potty issue.
The BIG change in our life, besides the baby, came on Thursday, Aug.20, 2009. My little girl started kindergarten(pics to come later) She wore the cutest green shirt with white pants. It was like a monsoon the day she started. When she woke up to the rain she said,"Dang it, dang it, dang it. It's raining. Oh well, at least I get to wear my new leopard raincoat." What an optimist. She did so good. We walked up the breezeway and holding my hand she asks me why the other kids were getting dropped off. I told her that they were older. Then she proceeds to ask,"mom, do you HAVE to come in? YES!! It is the first child's first day of kindergarten. Of course I am going in.. with my camera in tow. I am so proud of this little girl. She is such a sweet spirit. She wants to love everyone and show that love. I am reminded everyday how I should love others.. until she hits her brother.
My commitment is to do better in keeping up with things about our lives here so that one day we may go back and look at it. A scrapbook is my next (one of ) projects.
Klaire weighed 8 lbs 10 ozs and was 21 inches long. She, like the other two, was beautiful. Like her sister, her head was and still is shapes so beautifully. I had people asking me if she was a c section baby. She had a hard time getting accostomed to the real world but once she did it was never looking back. She began sleeing thru the night at 2 1/2 months. We did a good job of keeping this baby on a schedule. Not exaclty babywise but pretty close. She has started eating rice cearal and just about every fruit and vegetable you can imagine. Thank you Jesus for a good sleeper and eater! I prayed so hard for that. There is so much more that I am missing I know. her smile can light up the room and she is just the happiest, most content child. Maybe it comes from being number three.
We also finished (sort of) our house. The big stuff is done. WOW what an undertaking. I look around and think, I should be a better decorater. Sherry and Shannon, will you come help me. The tile in the kitchen and bathroom backsplashes are not finished yet. The colomns on the porch are still a work in progress but.. it will all be there. We have a wonderful house to live in and a healthy family.
Scott has started talking nonstop and yo ucan understand him.. most of the time. After two sets of tubes, adenoids and tonsils being removed I think we finally are making some progress. He is my litte man now. Finally off the bottle now if we could just tackle the potty issue.
The BIG change in our life, besides the baby, came on Thursday, Aug.20, 2009. My little girl started kindergarten(pics to come later) She wore the cutest green shirt with white pants. It was like a monsoon the day she started. When she woke up to the rain she said,"Dang it, dang it, dang it. It's raining. Oh well, at least I get to wear my new leopard raincoat." What an optimist. She did so good. We walked up the breezeway and holding my hand she asks me why the other kids were getting dropped off. I told her that they were older. Then she proceeds to ask,"mom, do you HAVE to come in? YES!! It is the first child's first day of kindergarten. Of course I am going in.. with my camera in tow. I am so proud of this little girl. She is such a sweet spirit. She wants to love everyone and show that love. I am reminded everyday how I should love others.. until she hits her brother.
My commitment is to do better in keeping up with things about our lives here so that one day we may go back and look at it. A scrapbook is my next (one of ) projects.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
It is Thursday, I have been fighting Scott to go to bed for 30 minutes. He has been taking lessons from sister. he usually goes down so easy.
Today has been a good day. We had our ultrasound today. I am 32.5 weeks and the baby is measuring 33.5 weeks. She weighs 4lbs and 15 ounces already. I hope she doesn't get too big. The tech said not to worry she won't get bigger than 8.5 lbs. That is huge to someone who delivers 6 and 7 lb babies. (with no epidural) Ekk! We got to see her in 4D and she smiled at us. She is soo cute.
The new year is beginning as expected. Resolutions, trying to get back on schedule, and having fun all at the same time. I am reading the book "One Month to Live" It reminds me how I should be living although I don't always follow my own advice.
Today has been a good day. We had our ultrasound today. I am 32.5 weeks and the baby is measuring 33.5 weeks. She weighs 4lbs and 15 ounces already. I hope she doesn't get too big. The tech said not to worry she won't get bigger than 8.5 lbs. That is huge to someone who delivers 6 and 7 lb babies. (with no epidural) Ekk! We got to see her in 4D and she smiled at us. She is soo cute.
The new year is beginning as expected. Resolutions, trying to get back on schedule, and having fun all at the same time. I am reading the book "One Month to Live" It reminds me how I should be living although I don't always follow my own advice.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
It's been a long time since I posted. We have been to Gransy's house, Nana's house and home for Christmas since I wrote. Gransy's house was soo much fun. We got all kind of glittery toys, much to daddy's chagrin..he HATES glitter. We got to have Jesus birthday cake and ride in a one horse open sleigh in Searcy. The kids had so much fun but even with all of the presents we felt like they were focused on spending time with family. My brother and his wife were there so we got to spend time with them. I wish he would come visit more ofetn.
I am reminded how important family is because while we were there one of our family friends passed away. My mom's best friend for 25 years died in his sleep December 19.
It made the holidays so hard for us because he was more like an uncle to me than any family. It's the first time I have seen my mom so upset since my grandmother died adn I was so young then that it is hard for me to remember. The reminder that we never know how much time we have was very prevelant thru the season. It goes back to the book only 30 days to live.
On a lighter note, we got all of our cabinets in and are waiting for countertops. We decided to go with quartz. It was a difficult decision at first but then realized that what our counters were made of didn't really matter in the big picture. i am waiting for the results to finazlize. they have to bring their computer out and do final measurements and then two more weeks our counters will be installed. Plumbers are waiting for counters and then we can FINALLY be DONE! I will try to post pics after all is said and done. Progress from beginning to end is fun to see.
I am waiting to describe Christmas in more detail until I get my pics uploaded. It was soo much fun this year.
I am reminded how important family is because while we were there one of our family friends passed away. My mom's best friend for 25 years died in his sleep December 19.
It made the holidays so hard for us because he was more like an uncle to me than any family. It's the first time I have seen my mom so upset since my grandmother died adn I was so young then that it is hard for me to remember. The reminder that we never know how much time we have was very prevelant thru the season. It goes back to the book only 30 days to live.
On a lighter note, we got all of our cabinets in and are waiting for countertops. We decided to go with quartz. It was a difficult decision at first but then realized that what our counters were made of didn't really matter in the big picture. i am waiting for the results to finazlize. they have to bring their computer out and do final measurements and then two more weeks our counters will be installed. Plumbers are waiting for counters and then we can FINALLY be DONE! I will try to post pics after all is said and done. Progress from beginning to end is fun to see.
I am waiting to describe Christmas in more detail until I get my pics uploaded. It was soo much fun this year.
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