The big DAY and a weekend in pictures

Friday was hubby's first day on his day shift. To make things even sweeter, he is in our area. Meaning, he can come by and eat lunch with us at home or we can meet him somewhere!

I would love to say that I was able to take advantage of his absence and make our bed, clean up upstairs, etc, but I can't. We have been out and about for days and it's been so much fun!

My parents came down this weekend to go with the babies and I to the Azalea Festival. I took tons of pictures, but here are just a few.

Azalea Belles are a tradition for the festival.


They even have little ones! I secretly think it would be so fun if Hollin ever did something like this :)






Harper had his first cotton candy.


My babies :)




On a completely different note, I tried to re-do a few pictures of Hollin with her Easter dress on a few days ago. Harper was so occupied with playing on his new tractor, I knew there was no way I could pry him from it to pose with her.

She did pretty well, but she is wiggle worm.




She is REALLY into sticking her tongue out these days.


She has become such a ham at bath time too.


We also took a trip to the beach on Sunday. Harper wasn't really into it, but he did end up having a good time :)


Hollin is always up for an adventure. This girl is loud and proud.




We went back to the beach today and I took pictures, but my computer is really being a pain. I think it has a major virus :(

Anyway, I hope everyone had a great weekend!!

On the other side

I struggled a little bit over whether to blog about this or not. Ultimately, my blog is how I document my life and I felt that I would regret not sharing what is going on.

We received news yesterday that Jimmy has been moved to a 9am-9pm schedule and will no longer be working nights. He starts on Friday morning and both of us are thrilled beyond words.

The reason I hesitated to share is because I feel slightly guilty that things are finally starting to get a little easier for us. I'm not sure why.

I think a lot of it is because I read so many blogs and see so many people hurting around me. There is a young lady in our Sunday School class that lost her baby last year within 24 hours of her induction. She became pregnant again this year and during her pregnancy found out that she has stage IV lung cancer that has spread throughout her body. Her baby girl was delivered early and is still in the NICU. Please, please pray for them.

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Last year at this time, we were smack in the middle of the terrible twos. I was pregnant, with gestational diabetes and having to go to the Dr. all the time. Jimmy worked nights and I struggled to deal with the tantrums and nighttime routine while dealing with my fatigue. Our little girl was born and after a 5 week stay with us, he headed back to working nights while I recovered from a C-section.

Harper began lashing out terribly at preschool. We literally went nowhere. I simply could not manage my 2 year old for the longest time. When Hollin was born, we stayed in even more. We didn't do anything unless it was one of Jimmy's days off, which were few and far between. By the time we ran all of the errands I had to put off, managed babies and spent time with other family members, Jimmy and I almost zero quality time with each other.

The last 2 years have been outright hard. They have been lonely. I didn't blog about the times I called Jimmy, crying, and told him that I felt as if his job was eating me alive. I didn't blog about the tantrums that Harper would throw every single night when trying to get him ready for bed. I didn't blog about the times I had to get up with Hollin 6 times a night without him here to say, "Will you please take this shift?". I didn't blog about having to get up with Harper the next day, on maybe 2 hours of sleep while Jimmy slept off the night before. There are so many things I didn't say.

I didn't write about it because I tried so hard to stay positive. I didn't see a light at the end of the tunnel. I tried to focus on the good parts of my life. I wanted to document mostly good because blogging about the bad would only make me dwell on it more.

We are finally in our home. My mom just moved here and is living with us temporarily until their home is built. Jimmy has been moved to daytime hours. Harper's behavior is better. I feel like I can handle Hollin better, even though she is still pretty demanding. I have help. We are getting out, going places.

I feel like we are on the other side of things.

I am not trying to make a hero of myself by any means. There have been so many moments when I've caved. When I said, "I can't do this anymore" and wanted to lock myself in my room.

I never thought I'd see today.

I know this change is so desperately needed for my family. At the same time, I know so many of you are struggling. I see it around me and read about it daily.

I'm happy for us, but I'm more excited to start watching things turn around for the friends I've made through this blog! I pray for all of you, every day.

Philippians 4:6-7

Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs, and don't forget to thank Him for His answers. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ.

Love,

Our Easter 2012

Easter this year seemed to creep up on us so fast! We decided to go to our church's Sunrise service at 7am. I had my doubts that we could make it, but we did.

The Lord was looking after us this particular morning because I was able to get both babies dressed in 10 minutes. Harper didn't throw a tantrum and Hollin kept on sleeping during wardrobe change, haha. We didn't wake up until 6 and the service started at 7. Needless to say, we were rushing.

Here is my stinker trying to open candy at 6:20am.


I was in such a rush to get out the door, I had to do Hollin's Easter bucket later in the day.


We arrived at the service just as the choir was singing and it was so awesome to hear the message as the sun was coming up. It was held at Airlie Gardens, in front of an oak tree that is estimated to be over 400 years old.

My parents went with us this year, which was so nice. I have photos of them, but my mom is not a fan of being on my blog haha. So here is a picture of Harper and dad.

And here is little Hollin with her wonky bow. I tried 3 times to make a headband with it, but it just didn't work.

After the service, a few Sunday school friends and I organized a little Easter egg hunt. Most of the photos I took were blurry (seriously, I'm so annoyed with myself. My hubby seems to think it's my vision because he takes the clearest pictures ever.) I borrowed these from my friend's facebook.

Here is Harper hugging her little girl, Eliza. She is not quite 2.

Probably one of my favorite pictures to date.

The moment quickly passed when Harper lost his balance. They both went tumbling and well.....


She was a good sport. And so were her parents. Thankfully.

Harper apparently had to use the restroom, so we left not long after.


I wanted a family Easter photo, but this was the best we could get.


We headed over to my father-in-laws house for a quick brunch. Hollin fell asleep so sweetly in Jimmy's arms. Love these two.


I sort of stopped taking pictures as this point. A week of non-stop going and party planning on top of getting up so early kind of hit me all at once. I ate, socialized and then came home to crash.

Every year at this time, I am humbled by the magnitude of Easter's meaning. It makes everything I piddle with seem so insignificant. It doesn't really matter if my photos are blurry or if we can't get a good family photo. As a mom, I absolutely want to preserve these memories in photos the best I can, but ultimately, it isn't that important. What's important is that we recognize what Jesus did for us and to live for Him each day.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter.

John 11:25-26
Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. (NIV)

Hollin is 5 months old!

Hollin, you are 5 months old!


You are such an active little baby. Anyone who is around you or holds you usually comments on how busy you are.

You are still pretty demanding, but I think I have gotten used to it :)


You are wearing size 1-2 diapers, but the 2's fit better. Mommy is just trying to use up what she has.

You are very talkative! So much more than big brother was at this age.


You love to put your feet in your mouth.


We think you may be teething, because you keep one hand in your mouth all of the time. Mommy doesn't feel a tooth, but you are very drooly.


You recognize all the people you love. You still light up if anyone pays attention to you.

You are so good with your hands!


We bought you a little swing for the back porch and you love it so much!


We just celebrated your first Easter!


Mommy tried so hard to get great pictures of all of us, but it was kind of difficult this year.

She may dress you and Harper up and try again.

Last year at this time, mommy was pregnant with you and wondering what Easter would be like this year :)

You are taking anywhere from 4-6 ounces at each feeding. Sometimes you want even more! You don't care for rice cereal at all and I haven't really forced that or baby food. You are content with milk at the moment. Mommy gave you bananas today though and you got really excited as the spoon got closer. You almost ate the whole container!

You laugh when your brother is crying or being loud. You also think that Maya is funny. All she has to do is walk by and you laugh.

At night, you still usually wake up once to eat. You go from silent to screaming. There is no lead-in. A few nights ago, you slept through the night and that was nice.

You are wearing 6 month clothes. Mommy sure is having fun dressing you still.

You love your swing, but don't really care for your Boppy or walker. You are still pretty wobbly. You get really frustrated when you are in either of them because you slump over and drop whatever toy you were holding.

You nap every 3 hours or so, get your bath at night and are asleep by 7:30pm.

You still love to be held and don't want to miss anything that is going on.


You are such a sweet-natured baby. It's so funny to mommy to see how much more vocal and emotional you are than your brother was at this age. You two are so different. You keep me on my toes!


Mommy, daddy and brother couldn't love you more!

A first.

There is something so special about watching your baby do something for the first time. A few days ago, I took my first baby to the dentist!

I know he's almost three and I know that "technically" he should have gone by his first birthday. I trusted my mommy senses and waited to take him a little later. I'm so glad I did, because he actually let them clean his teeth! He wouldn't sit in the chair, but he compromised and sat on the spinning chair.





The pediatric dentist's office was unlike anything I've ever seen. It was so cheery and fun! There was a saltwater fishtank, playstation and X-box for the older kids and oodles of toys and books, all with an ocean theme.


Jimmy and I are proud of our little monkey. Jimmy was especially happy that Harper didn't seem to share his fear of the dentist. Let's just hope it stays that way!

End-of-week Randoms

~ It's Friday ya'll and I've had a great but busy week.

~ Since my mom is here now, we have been on.the.go all week! It's amazing how many places I can go now because I have help.

~ I took 2 large, full laundry baskets (along with a full one of my mom's clothes) to Plato's Closet and Clothes Mentor. Plato's Closet didn't take a SINGLE item. They told me that they were "outdated." Of course that made me feel kinda lame, but at the same time, it's a testament to my life. I just haven't shopped for myself in a long time. I think it's time.

~ Speaking of clothes, I have no idea what's "in" right now.

~ I saw the most BEE-utiful engagement ring today. It was so unexpected, but gorgeous. It looked something like this:

The girl wearing it had the most gorgeous pale skin, dark hair and her nails were perfectly manicured to match the ring. I had to compliment her. Seriously stunning.

~ I am slightly worried about my to-do list for Harper's birthday party. It's on Saturday and there is SO much I want to get done in the house.

~ I know that no one will care much about these things that I want to get done, but I use birthday parties and get-togethers as timelines to help motivate me. I feel like a crazy for doing this, but it just helps me get it done.

~ We took our first visit to Costco today. I'm in love.


~ There may be a position opening up for a K-9 officer at the Police Dept. For some of you EARLY followers, you may remember that this is something my hubby has always wanted to do. It is in the early stages and nothing is official, but if the position opens, he will put in for it. This means I will have either 2 German Shepherds or a German and Belgian Malinios in my house.

Yeah, it's pretty awesome. I have to admit. Along with it, however, will come a totally new schedule and lifestyle. The schedule will be even more unmanageable. He will be on call a lot and there will be travel involved.

~ Changes are usually fun, but I feel like we've had so many in the last year. Sometimes I want to hit the pause button and take a breather. Things need to slooooow dowwwn a little bit.

I can barely keep my eyes open, so I think I'll go for now.

Have a great weekend!!

Early Easter Festivities

Yesterday, Harper attended his first preschool Easter Egg hunt!

I really wanted Harper to wear the bowtie he wore on Easter last year, but he just wouldn't have it.

What a handsome little devil.


After listening to them sing a few bunny songs, the hunt was on!




My sweet girl had a great time watching her brother, too. She lights up when she sees him. It's the sweetest thing.


Here is our little ham with the rest of his class.


I'm so thankful for little activities like this. They create so many wonderful memories for the both of us. Now if I can just keep him from fighting other kids over the eggs........

:)