The Hollands

Catching up...again!

2009-03-23T08:29:00.000-07:00

We just got back from Myrtle Beach....our first large family vacation...it was fun!!! I am really missing it today....:( It was just too quick--I guess it always is! I was concerned about the babies riding for that long--we had never taken them anywhere longer than 3 hours away--but they did terrific!! They had a blast in the indoor pools...and we played on the beach although it was too chilly to be in swimsuits out there!! We ventured out to Broadway on the Beach Saturday night...ate at Joe's Crab Shack and then walked around to look at the stores....that is such a neat place!!! Devan and her boyfriend were able to go with us....it was so fun to be all together again...fun times!! Definitely one for the memory book---and I finally get to fill in the space in all 3 baby books entitled "My First Vacation"....:)

Wednesday is Gracie's 3rd birthday!! I cannot believe it!! She is such a big girl ....and I am proud to report COMPLETELY potty trained!!! Yay, Yay, Yay!!! We are really proud of her---she is so smart and beautiful!! Happy Birthday, babe!! You are a precious girl!! This is her pic on the beach....:)

6 Months---Whooo--Hooo!!

2009-03-02T20:23:00.000-08:00

2 teeth pushing through, rolling over, grasping toys, eating baby food, laughing, smiling, Precious, Precious, Precious!!
Yay, baby for 6 sweet months!! Can you just stay little a little while longer?? You are my precious boy....:)

Nifty-Thrifty....

2009-02-27T13:25:00.000-08:00

Right now I am on cloud nine because I got a steal of a deal today!! I went to "The Cottage" here in Ringgold and got 2 pairs of Tommy Hilfiger pants for $1.00 each!! Amazing!! I LOVE, LOVE thrift stores!! My entire closet is compiled of either hand-me-downs or deals from the thrift store...I know some of you are thinking..no thanks not for me....but just humor me..just about the time that you get the "shopping bug" someone else is bagging up clothes that they don't want or need anymore....and I am talking about some NICE stuff!! Now of course there are always things that are worn out hanging on the racks, but if you are willing to dig a little bit you can find treasure!! I have found numerous sweaters, jeans, pants, jackets, workout clothes, shoes, kid's clothes, WHOOO-HOOOO!!! I am talking NAME BRANDS, too...Gap, Old Navy, American Eagle, Cato, Children's Place!!!! LOVE it, LOVE it!! My absolute fav is America's Thrift Store ---out on Lee Highway--they have a tremendous selection and all of the money goes to help Teen Challenge(a Christian Teen Ministry)......

Potty Training...

2009-02-24T12:19:00.001-08:00

Ok, so Gracie is doing really well with her potty training...but I beg to differ that "it is so much easier than diapers"---It is a really good thing that I am not pregnant because I have already almost gagged a few times making the trip from the little potty to the big potty to dump the deposits....I HATE that part!! And we have had 2 really gross incidents to occur...the first was when I walked in on Gracie trying to wipe a "mushy" poop out of her little bucket..ugh...I got there just in time but she still got some on her finger...and the second was last night when she decided after she went to pee-pee that she would try to jump off her potty onto the floor...which ended up disasterously..is that a word? Well, anyway pee was all over the floor..ugh....I just love the diapers because you open them and then you shut them! Nice smelling wipes help to cover odors and when you have 3 little ones plus 5 years of daycare experience you can pretty much change a diaper with your eyes CLOSED!!

The good news is that we are both enjoying her being able to wear her cute, little panties and she really is doing well....only a few accidents outside of the potty. She is going to be moving up to Children's Church and Children's choir on her birthday, March 25...my little girl is growing up..I can't believe that 3 years has passed since my dream came true...:)

Catching Up....

2009-02-15T14:35:00.000-08:00

Whew! I just needed a new template...sort of letting the old of winter go and welcoming in the newness of our future Spring...:)

Well, am I behind or what? First, I would like to say that Cole (affectionately called Coley) is 5.5 months old...precious, precious, precious he is!!! He is still so laid back and sweet...I am enjoying him SO much!! Some days his cute smile is the only thing that keeps me going!! He is blowing bubbles, cooing, laughing, rolling over, and starting to push his way across the floor. He has been getting his first tastes of baby food/cereal...I just love him and the stage where he is in his little life!!

Gracie wore panties during the day this past week...pull ups at naptime and bedtime...she is doing great and has only had a few accidents. Yay for some progress!! She is very domestic and has been helping me fold towels, wash dishes, pick up her toys...she likes things to be just so..like me!! She is also very nuturing and spends time in her day taking care of her baby dolls...she is going to be a good mommy. She is really STUBBORN, though and we go around and around during the day!! She is always testing me..to see if I am going to follow through. I am trying to be consistent and I am seeing small glimpses of hope but some days it feels like she wants to break a record for "most discipline during the day"......

Ty is expanding his vocabulary...words are becoming clearer....everything is a ball to him...even his green peas! He is all boy with quite a temper of his own...he too pushes me to the end of my wits all day long!!! He is precious, though..and his hair matches his temper!

I celebrated my 27th birthday on the 6th of this month...it was a good one although I can't believe that I am 3 years from being 30!!! I was able to go out with Eric for dinner and a movie one night and out with Ashley for dinner and shopping another night!! Fun, fun...and much needed rest, too!!!

We have been in the midst of alot of sickness lately....it started with Logan---a stomach virus and then some kind of upper respiratory type infection...then to Ty with Strep, and now to Gracie with probably Strep...we are headed to the doctor tomorrow...all 3 little ones have had cold symptoms for several days now..I am SO OVER IT!! I am selfishly tired of being in the house and away from friends and fun!! Today has been a "order a pizza and eat the whole thing yourself" kind of day!! Thank goodness for the Valentine candy in the kitchen!!

Logan also broke his wrist about 2 weeks ago in bball practice...he had surgery this past Thursday..he is doing well but out for several months....out of bball that is. So where does he go from here???....we don't know....but thankfully the Lord does....:)

Valentine's Day was ok...not the most romantic of times...LOL I made a big breakfast for everyone only to have Ty and Gracie say..."I am not eating that"....ugh....so the rest of us enjoyed the meal....it meant the most to my hubby---which made it all worth it! In our time and money starved life..the smallest things mean alot...he LOVES breakfast so it was all worth it!!

I have officially joined Facebook!! I never understood the big deal until I joined but now I get it!! I am having a blast looking at pictures of friends that I haven't seen in a while! So now my computer time will have to be split...but my first love is definitely this blog...:)

Devan will be 19 next Saturday, the 21st!! Hopefully she will be coming home...her car has also bitten the dust! She has asked for some chicken casserole...a good excuse to make it....yummm!!

Well, that is it for now....hope that you all are doing well out there!! It is good to be back! LOL :)

A Belated Christmas Greeting?

2009-01-20T16:45:00.000-08:00

Ok, so this is my poor attempt to send out a Christmas card!! Can you even call it "New Year" if it is almost February? Well, I obviously wasn't very successful posting or even taking pictures during the holidays this year...maybe next year when the tree is no longer a "decorational" hazard for my children!! We did take this on Christmas day...with a timer and a tripod...I think that it actually is pretty good considering there was an invisible person on the other side of the camera!

Don't worry...you haven't missed anything since Christmas...we have just been hanging out around here....housework, laundry, and all....a few colds here and there...basketball games and church events...I hope to do better in the future (with my posting that is) ...Cole will be 5 months old next week and so I am aiming for post about him...:)

Gracie girl.....

2008-12-30T18:06:00.000-08:00

Scrub-a-dub-dub....3 Babies in the Tub

2008-12-30T18:04:00.001-08:00

2008-12-30T17:41:00.000-08:00

We wished you a Merry Christmas.....

2008-12-30T16:55:00.000-08:00

Well, here I am....back from the land of NO BLOGGING....I hope that each of you had a very Merry Christmas! The last few weeks have been full of cleaning, wrapping, shopping, cooking, and "refereeing" children....I am happy to report that everyone was feeling well for this holiday celebration...except for Cole...he is working on his first 2 bottom teeth..nothing that a little Tylenol won't fix! :) Speaking of our precious boy..we just celebrated his 4 month milestone!! He is just so perfect right now---laughing and cooing all of the time...he is cuddly and sweet--what a blessing he is!! I only say "perfect" because I just appreciate the gentleness about him after dealing with the terrible 2's and terrible 1.5's!! Just kidding! They all are precious...and even my little Cole is going to be heading toward the "terribles" before long!

Our Christmas was very eventful....as always....every day Christmas week was spent at some part of the family's house...we opened gifts here at home on Christmas Eve night--much fun especially for Gracie and Ty!! It is great to have all of our kids together to share special family times....who knows how many more Christmas' before the older kids will have families and kids of their own!!

We always have Christmas at my dad's parents house on Christmas Eve...growing up it was such a magical thing to drive home wondering if Santa was in the air yet....to lay in bed quivering with anticipation about when he would arrive at my chimney. I had the passing thought this year driving home....what about Jesus? Do I anticipate the celebration of His birth like I did Santa coming to bring me gifts? Jesus gave the ultimate gift..which is His life! He gave His life because someone had to be the sacrifice for my sin. If He had not come, the only option would be for me to die---but He loved me so much that He gave up His life for mine....and He IS coming..."like a thief in the night"......He loves each one of you, too....enough to give His life so that we could all be blameless before Him...are you ready?

Happy 2009 !! I always love a fresh start!! Here are some pics of our Christmas memories!

Thanksgiving Day-Throwing Up---Oxymoron??

2008-11-29T17:53:00.000-08:00

Well, this years Thanksgiving celebration has been very different....good for the scales but bad for tradition. To make a long story short....we have been sick here at the Holland patch for the entire Thanksgiving holiday---I have had a terrible bladder infection which included a high fever and throwing up, and Ty was throwing up simultaneously as he had picked up a stomach virus....this all started Wednesday night and last night Eric was up throwing up....we have spent today nursing him back to good health. Ugh...we missed all of our holiday plans....my brother came home and we have not seen him at all....Devan came from Toccoa with a friend from school....needless to say we haven't been very good "house hosts"....and Eric's sister and her family are here from Arkansas and we have only seen a little bit of them.

My precious husband has taken the kids and house over for several days while I rested...and Thanksgiving morning he told me "Happy Thanksgiving" and then reminded me that we had a lot to be thankful for...and we do... I obviously had a lot of time to reflect on the many blessings in our lives and there are so many that I take for granted.....but over and over I have had the reoccurring thought of how grateful I am that we were able to bring our little Cole home from the hospital. What a blessing he is to us....I am so grateful that he is ours to hold for a little while...

I hope that all of you enjoyed your Thanksgiving celebrations!! I am sure that someone out there ate enough for me, too!!

MOOOVE over Chick-fil-A Cows...here come the Holland babies!!

2008-11-03T05:49:00.000-08:00

Wednesday night was our Trunk or Treat at church...this year was a competition and so I flexed my creative muscles....but my husband beat me for first place as he was "Bubba" the mechanic with old, greasy clothes and "Bubba" teeth as well!! Oh well, it was cute....and I really do love Chick-fil-A!!! :)

Little Cole.....

2008-10-27T08:29:00.001-07:00

Well, on the 29th Cole will be 2 months old!! I can't believe how he is growing!! He continues to do well--eating and sleeping...he is a great baby!!! His new trick is smiling...so cute!! Yesterday, he looked at me and smiled like "Momma!!" It just melts your heart!! He and Eric have frequent conversations with each other and Cole almost laughs at what Eric is saying!! He is just precious!! Sorry the pics are blurry....I don't know why they are...but his face was too cute to delete!! :)

the Corn Maize....

2008-10-27T08:06:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we went to the Rock City Corn Maize with some friends from church. I was a little bit disappointed because the corn was dead....it wasn't full and tall like I expected. It was still fun..the babies enjoyed riding the "cow train" and the hay ride...they had the luxury of being carried through the maize...and of course Cole was tucked warm and cozy in his seat the entire time! Maybe next years crop will be better!!

Pretty Girl...

2008-10-27T08:04:00.000-07:00

Prater's Mill....

2008-10-11T13:10:00.000-07:00

Today we went to Prater's Mill Fair in Dalton....it was a fun day although blazing hot and humid!! We had a little picnic of hot dogs, funnel cake, and peach pie....oh so healthy for little kids growing up, right?? Ty rode the kiddie train with his daddy...Gracie was not interested..here are some pics..notice Gracie's new haircut--I chopped it yesterday....I absolutely love it!!! Also, the last pic was last year--with Ty in tow....this year another little red-headed cutie...fun, family times!!!

Brothers and Sister.....

2008-10-11T13:04:00.001-07:00

Cole is 1 month old....

2008-09-28T15:05:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow, September 29, is Cole's 1 month milestone!! Wow....an entire month has passed since he was born!! He is doing very well...eating and sleeping just like a normal baby...no problems since NICU!! Praise the Lord for our little blessing....he is truly a sweet little bundle of baby!! We are blessed that the Lord chose us to raise him!!

Playdate with "Anna Cake"

2008-09-28T15:01:00.001-07:00

4 Years....

2008-09-17T18:35:00.000-07:00

This past Sunday, Eric and I packed up and headed off to Jonesboro, Ga....Atlanta basically. He had a youth pastors conference on Monday and we had decided before Cole was born to make a little get away out of it....we came home on Tuesday. It was great to get away....so nice to do nothing!! We had fun eating out, getting to actually have serious conversation without interruptions, laughing at each other over silly things, and just being together....it was very refreshing! Oh, and of course, we took little Cole with us...but the other little ones stayed at home...

Our anniversary is tomorrow....September 18.....another reason why we decided to get away. I was thinking the other day about the things that we have faced in our short 4 years of marriage...the passing of Eric's grandmother, a job change, a move to a different house, a church change, moving a child to college, 3 births, 1 traumatic miscarriage, 6 days in NICU......some of those things happening at the same time....several of them on the list of "most stressful life experiences". The world has created this fantasy, feeling-based idea of marriage...once the feelings are different or perhaps gone the relationship is over....and reality is that some days the "feelings" are there and some days they are just not...we know that we cannot rely on our emotions...they are always changing! But the one thing that we can rely on is our Lord Jesus....and He says that marriage is a commitment...for better or worse...until death do we part. There is nothing better than knowing that your spouse will stand by you no matter what....so on this night before a new milestone in our lives I would like to honor my husband---

Eric, there is no one in this world that I would rather walk through this life with...you are the answer to many, many prayers. I could have never picked for myself a better mate...you complete me in many ways. I look forward to the years ahead of us...Happy Anniversary!! YOU are the man of my dreams and the hero in my life---I love you!!

Ty's First Haircut.....

2008-09-08T13:43:00.000-07:00

The first thing that I did when we got home from the hospital was cut Ty's hair....it was almost long enough for a "redneck ponytail"....not even hair gel could get him through another day without a haircut....so I put the booster seat on top of Gracie's helper stool and got my tools out.....and as the red locks fell to the floor...a cute little boy emerged again!!!

A Journey from Birth to Coming Home....

2008-09-08T13:24:00.001-07:00

Cole's Story.....

2008-09-04T18:20:00.000-07:00

Well, at this time last week I was laying in the hospital preparing myself for the birth of Cole....this week he is here asleep in my bedroom....sleeping peacefully. For any of you that don't know what this past week has been like...I would like to share with you...

After my last labor and delivery being 5 hours long I expected to experience an even shorter labor...but I actually was in labor for 11 1/2 hours! After about 3 pushes, our baby Cole was here...but in not so good condition. To make a long story short, he ended up having fluid in his lungs and he was having to work very hard to breathe. We just spent 6 days in the NICU at East Ridge Hospital....slowly making progress to where we could finally come home. After 37 weeks, this was such an unexpected event for me....I had in fact told people that I expected him to be the healthiest of our babies because he wasn't going to be preterm. Eric and I were shocked and heart broken when the NICU nurses came to tell us that Cole needed special help. It was probably the most "helpless" feeling that I have ever experienced and yet we both had a peace in our hearts that our Heavenly Father was not only looking after us but also taking care of Cole. Some days were harder than others....the time table of recovery was up to Cole....and no one could tell us exactly when we would start to see improvement...we lived for 10am everyday because the doctors would come in and give us the report and the plan for the day. Sometimes the news was good and sometimes it was disappointing. At the same time, the Lord was making fingerprints everywhere that we looked....and those things were comforting to us. Monday our little Cole really "labored" and made some great improvement. They had started antibiotics 48 hours earlier even though every lab test was clear....Tuesday was a little better....and by Wednesday we were nursing for the first time. It was amazing to watch him move from struggling to breathe while resting to breathing well even when he was moving or upset and to go from feeding tube and IV fluids to nursing and taking bottles.
We have been told about people all over the United States who have been praying for us....that has meant the most. I now know just how long those days are as a parent in the NICU.....the Lord has shown Himself in every way...financially, with love from our church family, involving unbelievers around us, even down to providing a room at the hospital for me every night so that I wouldn't have to leave Cole. Last night, I got to have him in the room with me all afternoon and night...something that I am blessed to have been able to experience.
I have so many thoughts tonight of all of the things that the Lord did and so many things that he impressed upon our hearts....I don't think that I will ever be able to get it all out on this page...but I was reading last night in Psalms 94:17-20....a passage that I had circled earlier and it caught my eye again....now it is starred in my Bible as a testimony passage....testimony of Cole's birth.
"If the Lord had not been my help, My soul would soon have dwelt in the abode of silence.
If I should say, "My foot has slipped," Thy lovingkindness, O Lord, will hold me up. When my
anxious thoughts multiply within me, Thy consolations delight my soul."

We have several pics of Cole...I will post some soon...tonight I am too tired to wait on the camera to do its thing...thanks Jodi for the meal!!! It was all really good, and you can't get chicken rolls or cheerio treats from the hospital cafeteria!!

A trip to the doctor----Take #2

2008-08-28T13:34:00.000-07:00

Ok, so after my disappointment yesterday....I developed a really tough headache last night and as of right now...I have been up since 3:30am...I still have it. I called the doctor during the night and she asked me to come in this morning....after a non-stress test and multiple lab tests....plus having my blood pressure taken twice----she concluded that toxemia is starting to set in. My blood pressure was great yesterday....and today...not so good. So, Eric and I are headed to the hospital tonight at 8pm to start my induction....baby Cole should be here early tomorrow!! So, obviously my blog will be stagnant for a few days...I will post pics asap!!

Hurry up and wait....

2008-08-27T18:50:00.000-07:00

Clean house? Check. Laundry done? Check. Groceries bought? Check. Bags packed? Check. Haircut? Check. Toes polished? Check. Legs shaved? Check. Baby Cole? Nope!

I took my bags to the doctor today absolutely sure that today was the day!!! Feeling miserable I carried myself into the office and waited....for my answer.....can we have him today?? Well, actually I am still at 3cm...I have walked the track, played some tennis, worked around the house, and done laundry....still at 3cm!!! AAAHHHHH!!!! So, to anyone who is wondering....the "plan" is to take my bags with me next Wednesday....doctor's orders....and hopefully she will be able to find some medical reason to induce me....she seemed to think that maybe she could....she is on call Wednesday night and said that if she is able to get me in...we should have our little Cole by the evening time!!! Finally, hope....light at the end of the tunnel!!! There are certainly no guarantees but I was encouraged that she seemed to think that this plan would work!!

Let me just say....kudos to Women's East for offering manicures and pedicures...and candlelit dinners for new moms and dads....I think that it is a great idea...considering the fact that those things may very well be OVER for new parents or parents bringing their third baby home....also thank goodness for Sonic ice!! Nothing has gotten me through my pregnancies like Sonic ice...thankfully they sell 10 lb bags.....I can just about devour an entire bag by myself in 2-3 days...and their burgers have become a fattening favorite of mine....:)

Photography by Sunny Kelly

2008-08-26T11:57:00.000-07:00

Wednesday's doctor's appt....

2008-08-21T14:39:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, my appointment was again...more of the same. I am still at 3cm...if I go into labor I can have him and if I don't hopefully we will induce in 2 weeks at 38weeks--an all time record for me!! I am feeling pretty good...uncomfortable but oh so glad to be able to do things again!! No more bedrest....just taking it easy as I feel that I need to take a break! Hopefully, that will help me enjoy the time that I have left with just 2 little ones telling me what they need and don't like about what I am doing! LOL No, they really are precious and I have missed them being gone during the day as they have spent alot of time with my sweet neighbor Julie. They LOVE her and her kids which has been so nice....but at the same time...my life being centered around my husband and kids...I have really missed them!!

Today, we had some maternity pics made with a friend from church who does amazing work......Gracie had "Farrah" hair as I curled every inch of her long locks this morning....she looked precious and posed like a little model!!! Ty on the other hand could have cared less about the pictures...he was interested in all of the things that he wasn't supposed to be playing with! We did manage to get some good shots of him though....:) I cannot believe that in just a little while I will be holding another precious little one....I love the snuggly, quiet, "I need you, Mommy" stage...it is my absolute favorite!!!

M-Day....

2008-08-16T06:50:00.000-07:00

Today, it is M-Day for us....yes, moving day for Devan! The summer has absolutely flown by...I cannot believe that it is already the middle of August. So, amidst the packing up and moving out Devan has managed to get all of her things together....and is on her way to Toccoa Falls right now!! She is traveling with Eric, Lauren, Logan, and Gracie who wanted to "go to college" with her big sister!

Eric and I spent a few really late hours in the labor and delivery at East Ridge last night....only to be told that a bladder infection was causing contractions....although I am convinced that I had not had it long enough for it to do that much damage....I think that real labor is quickly approaching...so we returned home around midnight to Devan finishing her packing for school....can we have just one more major thing in life to heap on everything else?? LOL My poor husband is on the brink of an emotional melt down I am afraid...LOL Bless his heart...so...I told Devan "see you later" last night hoping to miss the actual departure this morning..and thinking that I would be knocked out from my medicine anyway....but they left a little later than expected and so the tears quickly came....we held hands in the kitchen and prayed before they left...we were all crying!!! It was a sweet moment that we will all remember but the best part was when Gracie looked at us all like we were crazy for crying and then started trying to cry herself!!! It was hilarious!!

Wednesday's Dct Appt...

2008-08-14T06:08:00.000-07:00

My appointment yesterday was more of the same...everything is going well and I still have no signs of toxemia!! My next appointment is next Wednesday....my good friend Anjie is being induced that day so it will be exciting and encouraging to meet her little Isaac!!

Update....

2008-08-11T19:51:00.000-07:00

Today, I went to the doctor....for several reasons....feeling like maybe Cole was thinking about coming soon. Bummer.....still in the same phase as last time....he IS head down and definitely letting me know it!! I thought after 2 other babies I would be a pro at determining what was happening....turns out--just more waiting!! I am to return to the doctor on Wednesday...it is so hard to know what to do....sit at home and go from 2-10cm in nothing flat or go and be checked only to find out that you are still at 2cm!! Cole and I are finishing our 35th week on Friday....every week closer to 36 is making more and more certain that he will be healthy...although we don't know how much he weighs...I feel like he is 10 lbs right now!! LOL I am sure that every fellow mom out there remembers the "desperate" feeling that comes upon you as you slowly cross each week off the calendar in the end....you want your baby to be healthy and you also want to be able to go 20 minutes without having to pee--again.....we have to sacrifice for our little cuties even before they take their first breath in this world...

Showers of friends....old and new

2008-08-04T17:37:00.000-07:00

Sunday afternoon we celebrated baby Cole and his soon to be arrival....my church friends gave me a shower...it was fun and the best part is often seeing friends that you haven't been able to catch up with in a while.....it is always so hard for me to decide where to sit...with family, friends that are giving the shower, people that don't know anyone else and you haven't seen in forever, who knows?? Anyway, we received tons of diapers and wipes...just what I asked for!! I didn't do so well with pics....I was trying to make sure that Gracie didn't eat the entire plate of blue jello and talk to people....between all the activity I didn't really get one good picture. But we did have friends there taking pictures so maybe some of those will make it to the blog before long.

As far as Cole goes, I am currently at 1cm....I go back to the doctor this Wednesday and she has said that if I go into labor after this Friday(34 weeks) she will not stop it....but she won't induce me until 38 weeks(first week of Sept) unless I develop toxemia or some other reason to go early....if I have already put this on the blog I apologize....I can't really remember what I wore the day before, when I last fed my kids, etc these days...:)

Echoes of the past....trimesters that is...

2008-08-04T17:29:00.000-07:00

I have never re-experienced things in my last trimester that I did in the first...except for fatigue...but I have really been noticing things like my sense of smell being much more sensitive, nauseous feelings because of certain smells, etc....weird, huh? And unfortunately, not many other things than eating out sounds good to me these days...just like at the beginning when those awful nauseous feelings only permitted random chicken caesar salads and lots of hamburgers...it is only unfortunate because our money tree is really short and not very leafy these days!! :) Has anyone ever experienced this before??

Cousins and more cousins!!

2008-07-29T12:44:00.001-07:00

Today, I took the kids to play with our cousins......my grandmother organized a little get together for the little kids so that everyone could visit before school starts again. She made little sandwiches for lunch and we were supposed to swim in my aunt's pool.....but as "motherhood" goes we got swimsuits and sunscreen on just in time to spend 10 minutes in the pool before it started thundering!! So, we played on the carport instead but all of the kids had a great time together and it was really good to get to see everyone! I couldn't help but post a pic of my cutie pie red-head who was intrigued by the cat....I caught a smile that some people don't get to see very often......

Big brother, little brother......

2008-07-29T12:40:00.001-07:00

A full belly.....

2008-07-29T12:33:00.000-07:00

Victory!!!

2008-07-23T18:30:00.000-07:00

To all of you fellow house cleaning fanatics out there or fellow nesters-----I am finished!!!! Yay!! After 3 full days of nonstop, serious house cleaning I have finally finished the end of my list!! I think that our house is probably cleaner than it has ever been in the 2 years that we have lived here....I have managed to vacuum baseboards, clean ceiling fans, wash sheets, dust walls--yes, that is right!!! Crazy, huh?? None of this is a part of my regular cleaning routine....who has time to dust walls on a regular basis?? LOL But at least it has been done for now.....tomorrow I have one more task to tackle....cleaning the carpet...ugh. It is fairly easy it just has to be done late at night so that it can dry before feet are on it again....which almost always means a midnight cleaning.
So far Cole has faired well with the string of activities....although he was a little upset last night....I had contractions all night long and some of them were not very fun....I hope my doctor doesn't read this!! Anyway, for me I know not to be alarmed....my body seems to enjoy "preterm" contracting..especially when I have done alot. So, I thought that I might have to take it easy today but luckily I was able to finish with a bang!! Ok, Cole.....I am well on my way to being ready for you, baby!!!

Nesting.....

2008-07-21T15:44:00.000-07:00

Today, I started a long list of "things to do"......I feel a tremendous need to clean and clean out the house....which could be "nesting".....I have experienced it every time a baby was on the way. Anyway, I have a huge amount of things to do and I was so proud of myself for actually following through on my plan this morning....I got up and took a shower and then got the kids ready and headed out for some breakfast. I thought that would be a good start to my day of busy things....I even took some breakfast by Eric's office, but as I headed home things began to really take a turn for the worse...Ty pitched a crying fit in his seat all of the way home which would have been tolerable if my precious Sonic Coke--large that is--had not fallen into the floorboard as I made the turn into the neighborhood!! AHHHHH!!!! I have to have some caffeine and not from coffee!!!! I knew that I had to have it...so I circled through the neighborhood and headed back out to get another Coke....all while my child is screaming at the top of his lungs....a great start to a long day ahead!!

I have now sent both Gracie and Ty to VBS and I have stayed home to do more work.....which I swore that I would never be the "drop my kids off mom"......but maybe I just need to admit that yes!! I needed a break from them and I am sure that they needed a break from me!!! LOL We are in the process of moving kids around in this house....with Devan moving in a few weeks we have moved Logan down into her old room and Gracie into Logan's old room. All of this moving has stirred up "yard sale" material....LOL.....which we hope to get rid of in 2 weeks...Eric has been painting Gracie's room and tomorrow should be the "big" day for her!! I am off to clean the bathrooms now.....hopefully after this week my mind will be more at ease!! LOL

He owns the cattle on the hills...

2008-07-19T10:17:00.000-07:00

Today, we received a much unexpected gift....a $2500 check from my great uncle!! There is more significance in the situation than it at first seems....yes, $2500 is alot of money that we could do many great things with....but the reality is that our hospital bill for my delivery is due by the end of July...it is $2750...and we were going to have to put it on credit...in 2 weeks, I will be going to the office to make our payment and just like always the Lord has seen to it that we are taken care of!!! Amazing!!! Why are we surprised when He promises that He always will take care of us?? Why do we have to catch our breath when He moves in such a way?? He really is our Heavenly Father....and we are His children. If He loves us with a love that is much greater than we are even able to love our own children with - can we even begin to fathom how deep His love is??

Update on Cole....

2008-07-17T11:08:00.000-07:00

I went to the doctor yesterday for my check-up and Cole is doing well....he was measuring 2 weeks bigger at the last visit and yesterday he was between 1-2 weeks larger still. So, that is good...he is growing well....my doctor said that she would like to get me to 38 weeks if I don't have reason to have him before that....a bummer for me....since I have been thinking around 36 for some time now....:( But, if that means no jaundice, hernias, or hip-clicks that is great!! So, who knows exactly when he will make his first appearance in this world??.....only our Heavenly Father.....He has already determined the exact time of day and day of the week....:)

An Update on the Air....

2008-07-15T10:19:00.000-07:00

I do need to say that Yes!! our air is fixed!! Thankfully, we were able to use window units until the central unit was fixed.....which I absolutely loved!!! We had the bigger unit in our bedroom window....Eric said that it was like a meat locker in there but I found the best sleep of my pregnant life during those few days!!! In fact, I told him that I wanted a window unit for Christmas!! The van air is still out....looks like we will have to tough it out until the fall....we really need to wait to fix it until we have some extra money available...and the pool was really never messed up....it just overflowed and I happened to be up to hear the water coming out. It is back up and running!! Sorry to have left some of you hanging all of this time!!! :)

Ty's First Birthday...

2008-07-11T19:17:00.000-07:00

Today is Ty's 1st birthday!! We just finished his party....we had fun with our friends Chris and Amy and their darling..."Anna Cake".... my cousin Staci and her two kids...Madison and Brock....and our family...on both sides!! Ty had a blue cupcake....in his mouth, on his hands, on his face, and everywhere! It was great! After watching both Gracie and Ty dig into their own little cakes during their first birthdays....it just made me think about the sweet innocence of a little child. There were no thoughts in their heads about IF they should eat the cupcake....just pure indulgence. I love it....wouldn't we all benefit from a little "first birthday" innocence every once in a while? Ty, you have grown so much this past year!! You are so precious and I love you very much!! Happy Birthday, Baby!!

Happy Birthday, Eric!!

2008-07-10T09:30:00.001-07:00

Today is Eric's birthday....only one more year until the big 40!! He originally thought that he would have all of his children 18 and older before he turned 40....and now we will be celebrating Cole's first birthday the same year instead!! Funny, huh?? We had a surprise party for him last night and all of the youth came over to party with us....Tonight, we are going out for dinner with our families to celebrate...Happy Birthday, Honey!!! I love you!!!

Just precious...

2008-07-06T14:13:00.001-07:00

Fun with Aunt Erin....

2008-07-05T16:06:00.000-07:00

We have had a fun week with Eric's family....the highlights of the week were going to Fall Creek Falls and the Aquarium. Yes, it was really hot and humid for both adventures...which makes for a swollen and sweating me....but nevertheless we had a good time!! This week, we have Eric's 39th birthday and Ty's 1st birthday!! With celebrations on Thursday and Friday there will certainly be pics to follow.....

Hot fun in the Summer Time.....

2008-06-26T21:12:00.000-07:00

Well, upon my return home from tonight's service at Bryan College... I discovered that our air conditioning has kicked the bucket!! If you add that to the air in our van saying "Bon Voyage" as well and our pool collapsing at the beginning of the week....it is not really looking that good around here!! Is the Lord trying to make a point?? LOL

Summer Camp at Bryan College.....

2008-06-25T20:49:00.000-07:00

This week, we are having fun with my sister, Ashley, who Gracie and Ty affectionately call "Neenah"....Eric is at New Camp with the youth this week...I knew ahead of time that I would need Ashley's help for this week as I round the 7th month stretch!! Literally!! :) She has been a huge help to me and I give kudos to her for being such a responsible teenager!! I totally trust her with the babies....she is a wonderful aunt!! And we don't have the camera because Eric has it ....so we have no cute pictures of things that we have done....but I am sure that we will have some more soon!! Aunt Erin comes in this weekend to spend the week with us...Yay!! It will be a great end to the week....getting Daddy back home and Aunt Erin and her family coming in to visit!!

2008-06-19T13:19:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday, Eric and I took Gracie and Ty to an indoor playground...there were several inflatable "play things" which was fine with both of them....they both played like champs going from "bouncy thing" to "bouncy thing" and they climbed to the top of some pretty steep slides...all of course with their Daddy in tow!! We had a good time and it was refreshingly cool to me...although Eric worked up a sweat trying to keep up with them!! And of course, Gracie who never meets a stranger made a new friend!! Isn't their picture so cute??

Under Construction....

2008-06-16T20:34:00.001-07:00

I am doing a little bit of work on my blog....as you can see...please excuse the mess while I figure it all out!!

Oh so pregnant.....

2008-06-15T10:53:00.001-07:00

Ok, so I thought that today would be a good day for a preggie pic.....and when I say that I am HUGE I mean it!! As of my last appointment, I had gained a total of 6 pounds....and as of my last ultrasound, Cole weighed approximately 2 pounds.....so what is the deal?? LOL I am quickly growing out of many of my clothes....and I have at least 10 more weeks!! I am starting to wonder how much more I can "grow".....so here's to 6.5 months!!! Oh, and notice the small appendage at the bottom of the picture!!

father's day.....

2008-06-15T10:42:00.000-07:00

Happy Father's Day to the father of my kids...my great husband...the hero of my heart!! He has been faithful many years through many things with Lauren, Devan, and Logan and had the choice of starting over...and whether to pursue it or not. Thankfully, the Lord reopened that door in his heart and now we share six beautiful kids together....he is a wonderful father and husband....and someone that I very greatly admire!! I love you, Eric!! Oh, and Devan is in Guatemala right now...that is why she is not in the picture....:)

To Swim or Not to Swim..?

2008-06-13T09:53:00.000-07:00

Well, my good friend Amy and I made a special play-date for our kids to get to swim together on Thursday. Gracie was thrilled when she found out that "Anna Cake" was coming over to play!! We looked forward to it all week but when Thursday was finally here and we were in the pool my kids decided that it was nap time!!! So, 15 minutes into our swim they were both crying and ready to get out!! It was so bad that I had to go ahead and put them down while our friends were still here!! Oh well, that is just the reality of motherhood, right?? LOL Anyway, thanks Amy and Anna Kate for coming over....we can't wait to see you again!! Oh, and there are of course no pics to share....we didn't have time to grab our cameras before the party was over for the Hollands!!

A Pic of Baby Cole.....

2008-06-09T07:06:00.000-07:00

Here is the best ultrasound picture of Cole...if you look closely you will see his eyes, nose, and mouth....he was kind of frowning...:) You can also see his arm up in front and to the side of his face...The other "stuff" around him is placenta....he is a cutie, isn't he??

Doctor's visit....

2008-06-05T19:11:00.000-07:00

Today, I had an ultrasound....Baby Cole is doing great!! He is a whopping 2 pounds right now and is measuring right on time--we got a good look at him today...he seems to favor Ty. We got a few 4-D pics and one really good one of his face...so cute! My doctor says that she is sure that he will come early as has been the case in the past....around 36 weeks...which as I have said before will be around the end of August. I am looking forward to meeting him...

summer fun in the backyard....

2008-06-05T18:55:00.000-07:00

Eric's parents graciously bought Gracie, Ty, and baby Cole a brand new swing set for the backyard!! Yay!! Gracie and Ty have already had so much fun playing.....Gracie said that "it was so cool!! " the first time that she saw it completely put together....it was so funny!! So, now we have all of the ingredients for a successful summer here at home--our pool from last year and now a sandbox, swing set, and clubhouse!! Thanks Grandma and Grandpa!! We love you!!

Eric's Ordination......

2008-06-05T18:34:00.000-07:00

On June 1, Eric was ordained as a pastor. It was a milestone in his life as he has felt the Lord leading and calling him into full-time ministry for many years. It was a neat experience.....a simple recognition of what the Lord has been doing in his life for a long time and the marking of a new day in our life together.

Devan's Graduation....

2008-05-23T19:48:00.000-07:00

Tonight was Devan's graduation from Ringgold!! We are very proud of her...Congrats Dev!! We love you!!

Roseola and a dance with Daddy....

2008-05-20T07:16:00.000-07:00

Well, the past few days have not been so fun around the Holland house....I had a cold over the weekend and then Gracie started running a high fever Sunday night. I thought that maybe she was getting what I have had but there have been no other symptoms...just a really high fever. She feels fine as long as her medicine is keeping her temperature down...so I think that she has Roseola....she had it for the first time last year at Lauren's graduation....so weird to have it 2 years in a row at the same time of year...it is the worst of her "common illnesses"....I hate the high fever even though the doctors tell me that it is fine for her to have one....ugh!!

Anyway, last night...after a day of Motrin and feeling really bad..she put on her Cinderella costume and begged Eric for "a dance with her Dada"....it was really sweet. So, he couldn't resist her proposal and he put Steven Curtis Chapman's "Cinderella" on and they danced....it always tears me up to hear that song...we have Gracie as the little girl, Devan as the one going to prom, and Lauren as the oldest getting near the age of marriage...but last night I was just thinking about the words of the song and how the little girl begged her daddy to dance with her...and the fact that the very moments that we were all experiencing were the very moments that Steven Curtis Chapman wrote about!! It was really sweet and I sat on the couch and cried while Eric and Gracie turned the living room into a ballroom!! :)

Mother/Daughter Brunch....

2008-05-10T10:54:00.001-07:00

Today, Gracie and I went to our first Mother/Daughter event...a brunch at our church. It was fun....very dainty and "girly"...I couldn't help but think that one day she will be a young lady sitting in the chair beside me....but then I snapped out of it when she announced to me and several other ladies that she "had the poopies"....and that she would be back from the bathroom in a minute!! LOL :) Happy Mother's Day!!

The Baby's Name....

2008-05-10T05:19:00.000-07:00

It is official....Eric and I have decided to name our baby no.6 Nicholas Logan...and we will call him Cole....get it??....Ni-chol-as?? :)Anyway, if you ask Gracie what the new babies name is she will confidently reply "Nic-tol-as-a-Log-an"....it is so funny....She received a new book in the mail yesterday called "Big Brother, Little Brother" and she told me that she didn't want it and that Ty could have it....that is saying a lot for her because she is a total book worm!!! She LOVES books as much as her daddy!! I hope that isn't a sign of what is to come!! :)

Correction.....

2008-05-10T05:13:00.000-07:00

I need to correct my previous financial "statement"...in that Devan didn't receive that much tuition for school....she did receive more when she went to visit TFC but when Eric told me he was thinking in terms of a semester instead of the year....so we have to spread that extra money out over the entire year....anyway, I just wanted to be correct in my "proclamation"!! Nevertheless.....it is a blessing and we are excited for her to get the opportunity to go!!

Yay for Devan!!

2008-05-08T12:22:00.000-07:00

Today, Eric took Devan to tour Toccoa Falls College....to make a long story short...they found out that all of her tuition is covered except for $1000!! Wow!! It is definitely a blessing for her from the Lord...the total cost for 1 year is around $20,000!! So, needless to say, she is thrilled!! Moving day will be August 16....oh so close to the arrival of baby Nicholas!! Isn't that funny?? Last year, we joked that we would have a freshman in college, senior in high school, junior in high school, a 15 month old, and a newborn....thinking that was it!!! This year....well it will be a sophomore in college, freshman in college, senior in high school, 2 1/2 year old, 15 month old, and a newborn!!!! We will be moving one child out, and bringing a new one home!!! All of that to say....Congrats, Dev!!! I am so proud of you!!

Blessings.....

2008-05-07T19:52:00.000-07:00

I have been thinking a lot today about motherhood and this upcoming Mother's Day....my first celebration as a new mom was very special to me...so first I would like to say "Happy Mother's Day" to all of my new-mom friends!! I also have been thinking about the women out there who are unable to have children or have lost a child to some unfortunate circumstance....I hate to think that for some people this Sunday will be a difficult one to endure...much less celebrate. I think that the Lord just wanted to remind me in the midst of a messy house, laundry, and whining children that I am blessed to have my sweet Gracie and Ty...I all too often take them for granted...and just wish to survive until nap or bedtime...but I have been reminded today that I am blessed to have experienced their birth and their growth up until this point in their lives....I get so caught up in diapers, juice cups, bath time, yucky messes, and now even back-talk (from my 2 going on 22 year old) that I so often miss the moments that really matter...so today I want to say "Thank You, Lord" for what You have given me....I am not worthy.

Happy Birthday, Logan!!

2008-05-05T08:21:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is Logan's 17th birthday!! He is a great big brother and Gracie and Ty love him very much!! Happy Birthday, Bruh!!

Bathtime fun!!

2008-05-05T08:13:00.000-07:00

So cute, huh?? We love Crayola bath crayons!! And Ty is only holding a pink washcloth because he borrowed it from Gracie!! :)

5 months pregnant.....

2008-05-02T18:42:00.000-07:00

Well, today is my 5 month pregnancy milestone...ugh....it is so hard right now....I am exhausted every day almost as soon as I get out of bed in the morning!! How do other women do it?? I feel like my body is full of lead and I am just dragging myself from one thing to another...:) Can anyone relate??

Ringgold Park.....

2008-04-24T18:33:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday afternoon, we played at the new Ringgold children's park....we stopped at McDonald's for some cheap eats to make our outing a little more fun!! As you can see, Ty scarfed down his own double cheeseburger!! We had a good time playing together and it was good for Gracie to run off some energy!! When we got in the van to come home, she said, "That was fun!"

LFO Prom 2008

2008-04-20T20:04:00.000-07:00

This weekend was also Ashley's prom....she looked beautiful and we had lots of fun getting her ready to go!!

Our little Cinderella.....

2008-04-20T19:50:00.000-07:00

This weekend, we attended the Father-Daughter Ball at Silverdale Baptist Church. Ashley and I were Dad's dates and Eric was Gracie's date.....we all had a great time of dinner and dancing...she looked like a true princess!!

And baby makes 6......

2008-04-17T13:42:00.000-07:00

Well, today Eric and I met our #6 for the first time.....an ultrasound confirmed that it is a BOY!!...Gracie says that it is okay with her "because Ty needs a brother"....we assume she means another brother!! Logan is glad that the ratio of girls to boys is even now....

A Picnic with "Anna Cake"

2008-04-15T21:17:00.000-07:00

Today, we met my good friend Amy and her sweet little girl, Anna Kate, at the Battlefield for a picnic......Gracie loves her so much and calls her "Anna Cake"....Eric and I think that Ty might have fallen for her as well....

Prom 2008

2008-04-15T21:04:00.001-07:00

What good-looking kids, right?? Last weekend, Devan and Logan got to party the night away at Ringgold's 2008 prom....they both looked so great!! Lauren was a great photographer!!