Wedding News

June has been one of the busiest months. We have had so much going on with travel, work and Ella it has kept us going. June 8th I went with Mom and Dad to Louisiana for Joe's wedding to Jane. We left Thursday and stayed in Gulfport, MS. Then drove the rest of the way to Bunkie, LA on Friday. We couldn't believe the coast in Gulfport. I new we would see damage but thought we would see mostly rebuilding. The coast was gone, everything just gone or destroyed. It will be a long long time to rebuild and it really put it all into perspective. We drove through New Orleans and it was just like a ghost town. All you could see was neighborhood after neighborhood and no people, cars. Everything just empty. Friday we arrived in a little town called Bunkie and stayed at the old hotel there The Bailey which was just beautiful and on the national historic registry. We went to Jane's parents Friday night for a fish fry and it was fantastic. Everyone there was so nice to us and we really enjoyed meeting Jane's Mother, Dad and the rest of her family. Saturday Bunkie had their cornfest going on and a parade so we enjoyed all the festivities. That evening we went to Jane's friends home for the wedding. They were married inbetween a row of oak trees. It could not have been a more beautiful ceremony. Jane was beautiful as were Stephanie and Anna. Joe did great and I don't think I ever remember seeing him smile so much in my life. Dad was his best man. It was wonderful and I am just so happy for them both. We left early the next morning and 13 hours later we were home. It was so good to see Stephen and Ella. Ella looked like she had grown in just a few days. Four days later I had to fly to Columbus, OH for an Upward conference. Next weekend Stephen's Dad is coming and we will all be going to Robbie and Bob's (Stephen's sister and brother-in-law) lake house for the weekend. We will celebrate Ella's birthday there so that will be fun. We will have a little cookout here with family this weekend. So after next weekend things will hopefully settle a little bit. I will post soon about Ella's birthday celebration(s). Last night we had an Upward training conference here in Greenville so I was able to take Stephen with me to hear Caz (founder and President of Upward). It is such a joy to hear him give his testimony about how Upward came about and what God's vision is for Upward. I have heard him speak several times and each time is like I am hearing it for the first time. I am so thankful to work for Upward what a joy it is to love what I do and know what Upward is all about and to be a part of it. I was so glad to bring Stephen and be able to share it with him. I will close for now. I have a lot to do today, Stephen is going for a ride with his friend so I have a little time to myself before going to Mom's and getting Ella. I will sign off for now and post again soon!

Holly

Howard Happenings June 3,2006

We are finally getting with the times by creating a family blog. I always say that I am going to keep a good journal and within a few days it's in the drawer and collecting dust. Maybe this will be a way to keep a journal for our family. How well it is kept up to date remains to be seen. But my intentions are good. All is well on the home-front. Stephen likes his fairly new job at USC Upstate. He works hard and it's a state job so we are thankful. Ella is just growing like a weed. She will be 2 in a few weeks which is so hard to believe. She makes us laugh and want to pull our hair out at the same time. She says everything we say now. She counts to 10 and sings her ABC's albiet random letters but she is trying. She sings Jesus Loves Me, Rise and Shine but she says give God "gory gory" which I know makes the angels chuckle. She sings Twinkle Twinkle and other songs here and there. She LOVES Care Bears and Nemo. They were both really cute the first 30 times.................now not so much. I am fine and love my new job with Upward Unlimited (see Upward.org). It is a Christian Sports Ministry. We have Upward Basketball, Cheerleading, Soccer, and Flag Football. It feels so good to know that I am working for such a wonderful organization and I am a part of something that matters and is reaching out to kids and their families.

My brother Joe is getting married one week from today. I am so happy for him and so happy to gain a new sister-in-law, Jane and two nieces Stephanie and Anna. I am a little sad that Joe is moving to Louisiana I will miss him and miss seeing him with Ella but so happy that he and Jane will be married and happy together. I will be driving down next Thursday with Mom and Dad and come back on Sunday. It will be a long long drive. I would have liked to have had Ella but I just don't think 13 hours in a car would suit an almost 2 year old. She can hardly sit still long enough for me to put a bow in her hair. Plus this is Joe and Jane's day, Ella would want to run around and make noise and I wouldn't want to distract from their time. She will be staying home with Stephen so prayers for him!!! He will be fine, he is the best Daddy!! Well, it is Saturday and I have so much to do to get ready for the trip next week. I am really going to try to keep this up to date and hopefully as I learn more make it look nicer and add photos.

Until next time;