Bow Making Frenzie

I made a list today of things I needed to do to get ready for our trip to Ohio. Oh, by the way, we are going to Cleveland to visit Brandon and Rachel----I CAN'T WAIT! We leave on Friday after Jason gets home from work. The list will continue tomorrow.

One of the things that I had on the list was to make bows. We have MANY bows already made but didn't have clips attached(remember I couldn't find the clips to glue them to?). So I sat down to glue and decided to make a few. I have this drawer of ribbons(most of which came off a gift bag or were wrapped on a gift---I am so cheap!) and it drive me crazy trying to find a ribbon that would work with whatever the girls are wearing. I als wanted to get their Halloween bows done so they can wear their Halloween clothes tomorrow.

Well, a couple of hours later I ended up with this:

I think about 1/4 of these bows are store bought. I finally organized them also.

I feel relieved that I have finally gotten some bows finished and am pleased with how they turned out.

BREAKING NEWS

I turned the TV on yesterday as I was folding clothes and the program was interrupted for "Breaking News". I immediately looked up to listen just to find out that it was a news alert that Madonna and her husband are getting a divorce.

WOW! I was in total shock, how could they divorce. I mean haven't they been married for at least 5 years?

Alright, I hope you know that I am kidding. I couldn't care less if Madonna and her husband divorce. How does this constitute "Breaking News?" I am willing to bet that someone in Hollywood gets divorced every week. Why is this such a big deal. I just thought that was pathetic and blog worthy. I hope you enjoy!

Voice

For those of you who don't know, Jason and I are now using my mom's cell phone. The other day at Lynnae's I couldn't find it. Jessica had taken it and put it away somewhere. So we called it. We found it in one of the drawers in the bathroom(thank goodness it wasn't the trash). Well, I decided that I wanted to hear the outgoing message because my Mom was the one who did it. This was the first time I have heard her voice since she died. I didn't realize how much it would affect me, but I instantly saw her face and wanted her close. What made me think that I could handle that? Anyway, I am so glad that it is there though because it is a little piece of her here with me all the time. It amazes me how much voices spark memories.

Can anyone think of a way to record that so we can preserve it longer than the cell phone plan?

Finally some pictures

Here are the promised pictures of this past week.

Keaton's football practice:

Keaton is the one in the back squatting. He is really fast.

Jessica became very comfortable in someone elses' chair(she got up there by herself).

The park in the community:

These two were so hilarious. Such the little models!

The Powder Puff Game:

Cailyn is not the most patient one. We were there for at least 30 minutes waiting for the game to start.

This is Jacob, Lynnae's stepson, on the left. These guys were so funny. They needed quite a bit more practice, but oh well. The sun was in the way for pictures, so not many were taken. BUT, enjoy the video.

****Regrettably I didn't have my camera with me when we went to Maycie's game. I will try to have it with me the next time.

Drama Queen

This past Tuesday just before bedtime, the kids were wrestling on the floor. Keaton and Becca started a pile and Cailyn came running to add to it. The problem was that she jumped too hard and overshot a bit. She twisted her arm somehow and it got hurt. She was crying hysterically not letting anyone touch it. Lynnae, being a nurse, was the first to be called. She works at a hospital in Bryan, the closest medical attention, and I thought if she hadn't left for home yet and we needed to go there, she could just stay and we would meet her there. She had me check a few things and told me what to look for and feel for. Everything seemed to be alright(except for the fact that Cailyn was still screaming), so Lynnae headed for home. I tried to put ice on Cailyn, but she refused, so she just laid on the bed while Becca comforted her. When Lynnae got home we called her pediatrician and left a message, then called her home teacher for a blessing. Cailyn and I discussed what a blessing meant(you know reminding her that the men giving the blessing were just like Heavenly Father and Jesus giving it to her and we know that Jesus can heal people) and we were ready. The doctor called back and told us to do a little twist of her arm and listen for a snap. Cailyn hated this, but as soon as she was done(no snap by the way) Cailyn could move it without pain. The Priesthood showed up and gave a blessing. Then all of a sudden Cailyn was healed. She kept telling me that Jesus healed her. I absolutely love the Faith of a child. If only we could learn as easily and trust as easily the love and power of the Savior, with or without all the 'drama.'

A visit to the Horn's

My sister's husband owns a construction company and is in Houston for several weeks working on reconstruction after the hurricanes. While he is gone I have come down to help Lynnae with carpooling and feeding the kids. I can honestly say that I don't know how she does this all the time. It is so completely draining. Their schedule alone would wear me out, but putting that together with meals and laundry, laundry, and laundry. Oh, and did I say laundry? I can't believe how many clothes these guys have. I have literally done 15 loads in just 2 days. Please tell me that is not normal! We don't have even close to that much laundry.

We have had so much fun though. Cailyn absolutely loves spending time with Becca, her best friend and cousin. And I can't forget how much Jessica loves Maycie and Keaton. They are so good with her and I wish I could capture the brightness in her eyes when they come home from school. I truly wish that I lived closer to Lynnae. We have become such good friends and I wish I could spend more time with her. But, even if I did live closer, I don't think I would fit into her schedule. They are so overwhelmingly busy.

Yesterday I did a tremendous amount of cleaning. I was amazed at how much I got done and was very pleased with the outcome. However, today I had very little ambition to clean and declutter. I did do a little, but decided to let the kids do a lot when they got home. They are pretty good workers if you give them specific jobs and remind often(that is normal, I remember having to be reminded a lot as a kid too). I still have about 2 more loads of laundry to do tonight, but then it will be caught up and easier to do just one or two a day instead of 12-15 all at once.

I will be here until Friday of this week and will return next week. I have gotten a little taste of what it is like to be excited to see the kids when they get home from school and having everything happen so fast at night. It feels like a race to get everything done and still spend a little time with them before the next day hits.

So far this week I have:
***gone to Bryan with Lynnae and found the clips I need to make my bows and had a Freebirds burrito, MMMMMMMMM!

***Seen one of Maycie's volleyball games(she was moved to the A team and did a great job)

***taken all the kids to one of Keaton's football practices

***helped do several pages of homework

***spelled about 20 different words while the kids are doing their homework

***taken all the kids to the park

***done 15 loads of laundry

***made dinner twice

***cleaned the kitchen 4 times

***vacuumed almost every room at least twice

***changed lots of diapers and given lots of loves & kisses


I am so happy to be here. Taking care of 4 kids and 2 teenagers is a great deal of work, but it helps me to sleep better. It has helped me to have some perspective on my own life. I feel for Lynnae working and having to take care of her family. I know that Doug helps a lot, and it is hard to change their normality while he is gone. I just feel for Lynnae and her schedule. I have always known that her kids are great, but I am learning and feeling that more being here in their home and watching what they do. They really do love each other and their mother. They wait to see her when she gets home from work and long for some individual time with her. I can't imagine juggling her responsibilities. She amazes me. She is an incredible person with abilities that way outweigh my own. I love her.

Most of all right now, I miss my sweet husband. I feel chaos right now, living in someone elses home and following their schedule instead of mine, and I am sure that he is bordering on boredom. OR, maybe he is cherishing the silence and the rare Jason time. Either way, I wish I could crawl into bed next to him and cuddle up close. I miss his unpredictable sense of humor and his smile that always shows up in his eyes first. I know the girls miss his kisses and cuddles, but most of all his games. He is such a wonderful person and I miss him terribly. I can't wait 'til Friday when I can see him again(and by the way we have a date planned( oh yeah) .

Tomorrow, hopefully I will post some pictures. I haven't taken many, but the ones I do have I will post. Lynnae will be home soon, so good night!

Play date

This morning I made a play date for the girls to go to lunch and the spray park in Weatherford, but at the last minute they canceled. I couldn't very well not go because I had already talked to Cailyn about it, so we went alone with the hopes that we could find someone to play with. While driving there I received a call from the Bells, some of our friends in the Weatherford Ward. Hooray!!!! They met us for lunch and we stayed a long time. It was so nice to sit and talk to Tonia and let Jessica, Cailyn and Maddie play. They had so much fun, but they couldn't have had a better time than I did. I love you Tonia and miss you terribly!

Even though Jessica refused to nap this morning, we headed over to the spray park. After all Cailyn wasn't going to let us forget. There was one family there when we got there, but they were dressing to leave as we were dressing to play. The girls weren't that interested in the water, but just being around it and watching it was somehow entertainment enough.

Just as Jessica knelt down at that water hole it sprayed her in the face. She was some kind of mad. The second picture is her attitude as she walked away.

And of course swings are a must.

Cailyn was obsessed with catching this butterfly. She actually caught it twice but it started wiggling and she let go.

It became apparent that it was time to leave when 2 different teenage couples showed up and started making out. If it had just been kissing we probably could have ignored it, but it was quite a bit more(When did common courtesy/decency go out the window?). Jessica was tired anyway so we loaded up and left.

Overall it was a very nice day. It probably would have been better if we hadn't gone to the spray park, but oh well. Next time I will surprise Cailyn instead of letting her know the plan. That way I can adjust it without repercussions.

Pumpkin painting

Yesterday morning the girls and I went over to the track to do some walking. We stayed over there for at least an hour and a half. We had so much fun. I could have gotten a better workout, but any workout is better than none, right? Then while Jessica laid down for her morning nap, Cailyn and I painted some pumpkins. We used watercolors so we could do it many times. I am not the best artist so I needed multiples opportunities to get it right. Cailyn had a really good time. Later in the day Jessica got ahold of one of them and of course licked/sucked all the paint off, leaving her face all black and gross. Luckily it was watercolors and came right off.

So when naptime came around, Jessica and I laid down and Cailyn played instead of sleeping. She then refused to eat dinner and threw a huge fit about it and was put to bed at about 6:45. This is extremely early for Cailyn, but she was asleep by 7:15 so obviously she needed it. I went in to give her a kiss and hug, she was asleep but still made the kissy face to me. What a sweet little girl, fits and all. She didn't wake up until around 7:45 this morning(before Jessica, which is also strange around here). She was much more pleasant this morning. Isn't is amazing what a little(or a lot) sleep will do?

These are today's hairdos:

This is called the butterfly.

Can we say, "Attitude"?

A good day

I found it interesting that I made this post about Fall and then immediately after dinner the girls and I went outside to water the yard, and of course play in the water. They both had a great time. I didn't take the camera, sorry. I just have this huge fear that it will get wet and then need replacing. That is the last thing we need right now. So, no pictures.
The latest thing for my girls is to push things around. When inside they get laundry baskets, empty boxes, or computer chairs. Outside they push their jeep and a stroller, switching often. Cailyn is really good about just going to the other when Jess is ready to switch(yeah!!!!!). After I put the water away the girls loved to feel the wet grass on their feet so they started pushing in the grass(luckily the fire ants are not around anymore-or just not attacking). I watched them and suddenly felt overcome with love for them. They were playing so nicely and giggling almost non-stop. I definitely felt a piece of Heaven tonight. I like to believe that Meme was with us enjoying the laughter and fun.
Jessica is learning quickly to stay up close to the house instead of down by the street. She has started turning around without me telling her to(with a few reminders from Cailyn--she is such the little mommy outside). When it became time to come in I had the girls "park" their cars and go to the bathroom for baths. I didn't get ANY protests. I usually get a huge fit from Jessica with the stiffening of her body, clenched fists, and screaming through gritted teeth. But, nothing. I like to believe it is because they are sweet little angels, but maybe it is because we were coming in to take baths, which they LOVE(usually). Either way, I will take it.

Pregnancy update:
I am still tired a lot of the time, but when awake I have a lot of motivation to clean and prepare for out latest Jr. I don't get nauseated anymore, but that has been replaced with heartburn and acid reflux.
I have craved: mexican food, deviled eggs, baked potatoes, pizza, chocolate, and much, MUCH more. However, most of the things on that list inflate my acid reflux so I try not to indulge. It usually depends how much time has gone by since my last attack of acid. When I am affected by the acid then I usually drink a cold glass of milk(this gets rid of it almost instantly for me), but I am lactose intolerant so that only creates other problems. But, the cure for one thing usually causes other symptoms, right? I can handle the latter problems easier.
It is definitely time to wear maternity clothes. This is a little sad for me and then Ithink why fight it, I will be alot more comfortable if I just start wearing them. I have started to walk more like a pregnant woman again and am already losing my lap space for the girls. I would take pictures, but I am NOT one of those cute little pregnant women like so many of you so I will spare myself the embarrassment and you the trauma. I am starting to exercise more though for sake of having the energy I need when the baby comes. If I laze around from now until then, I will need help just getting into the bed.
We have our next doctor's appointment on the 14th. I can hardly wait. We find out the gender of the baby then. THEN, the name will soon follow(and with that enormous bonding) and the final preparations. I am so excited. Cailyn tells me she wants a little brother because Jenna has a little brother. Well, I am kind of hoping she gets her wish, and then sometimes I think it would be a lot cheaper if we had another girl. However, if we have another girl then the chances of another little Holloway after that is almost gauranteed so then I guess it wouldn't be cheaper. Anyway, all I am saying is that I am anxious to find out what we are having. (Jason would say, "I think we are having a baby." To which I think, "thanks for pointing out the obvious")
I will keep everyone posted about the progress. Everytime I get onto my blog I see our baby tracker and think, "Oh goodness, we only have that many days left until the baby comes." It seems so close, and I am a bit nervous to be a mother of 3. I know it will all turn out alright, it just makes me a little scared. That's natural, right?

We're waiting, Fall!

I am so ready for fall. I love it. I love that when the temperature cools off a bit we can go on walks anytime during the day, not just early morning. I love that we can go to the park without worrying about staying too long because of heat exhaustion. I LOVE that we can make soups and stuff that bakes for a long time without sweating through it.

Fall makes me want to bake cookies and candies and all sorts of baked goods. I am so excited about the numerous loaves of banana bread soon to be eaten. I am excited about wearing fall clothes. Well, I guess I will have to wait until winter here because fall temperatures aren't THAT cold, but I am still excited non-the-less.

Most of all I am excited about the fall Holidays. They are just one right after another and each one is so fun and exciting. I love the fall. Now all I need are the cooler degrees(w are still getting into the 90s here, ugh!)

Here are some of the latest hairdos:

I love these little buns on Jess' head, they are so cute.

I didn't use product on this one and I will definitely have to next time. It was cute, but really hard to get out of her hair. I will have to be sure to only put it in on a day when she isn't going to nap.