7 Year Anniversary

It's hard to believe that Stephen and I have been married for 7 years. But it has been amazing. It took a year or so for us to adjust to life with another person but it could not be any better. I am so very blessed to have him. I cannot imagine life with anyone more wonderful than Stephen. He is the best husband and an even better father! God has truly blessed me with him and with Ella! He took me to a cabin for a long weekend Thurs-Sunday. It was so very nice and relaxing. It was a special time for us to get away just the two of us. The cabin was nice and cozy and already had a fully decorated christmas tree. I am ready to go back again soon!! We enjoyed it so much we hope to go back every year.

Holly

Halloween 2007

We had a great time this year. Ella helped Stephen carve a pumpkin. As you will see in the photos she wanted to go out as a Solid Gold Dancer but it's a little chilly for that get-up!! So Ella dressed up as a lion and she had a blast. We went to the church first for the festival and then Stephen took her out to a neighborhood. Ella was a little shy but when she realized she was getting candy she wasn't so shy anymore. She really enjoyed herself!

Is it meant to be????

Well, Stephen and I have been on this fertility journey for close to 10 months now. Two weeks ago we had great excitement because I finally took a pregnancy test and there was a faint positive, five days later I miscarried. I just couldn't believe it. Thankfully it was very early and no surgery is needed. I am physcially better now and getting there mentally. I am so disappointed but at the same time at least I know I can get pregnant. We go to an RE on 9/24 which is a fertility specialist. I don't know how far we can go financially with this but we will at least explore our options. I feel a sense of peace in my heart, I don't know if I am coming to terms with the fact that this may not be meant to be or if I have a peace that it will happen in due time. I am trying to be ok with either and that is my prayer to be at peace with God's will and to also be at peace with the fact that I don't really know what that is right now.

Keeping the Faith,

Holly

Joe Came to town!!!!!

My brother came into town over the Labor Day weekend. It was so nice to see him again. He took me and my Dad on a hike down to the Green River. It is very secluded and not many people even know or attempt the hike and therefore never get to see amazing parts of the green river. It was a good hike but the hardest I have ever done. Thank goodness for the ropes, I would have never made it down or back up without them!! Joe enjoyed seeing Ella and they had a good time playing. Too soon it was time for Joe to head back to LA. I really hope he, Jane, Stephanie and Anna can make it here for Thanksgiving!

Holly

More Vacation Photos

Vacation Time

Well I can hardly believe that it is almost September and I have not posted since July. Time just gets away from me so fast. We are all doing fine. We are still working on the baby thing and so far nothing to report. This is my last month on Clomid and we will have to talk to the Dr. to see what the next step will be. A lot of what we can do will depend on the cost and what insurance covers. So we are praying that we will have options to think about after Clomid, and if we don't then for God to give us peace and to be grateful for eachother and for Ella. It has been HOT HOT HOT!!!!!!!! The last few weeks we have been from 96 to 105 degrees. We are ready for it to cool down! Stephen works outside and the air conditioner in his car just went out this month so I really feel for him! Ella is doing great. We all went to the Carolina beach with my parents a few weeks ago (thankfully 1 week before the heat wave hit). Ella LOVED the beach. The firt time she saw it her eyes got big and she just looked up and down the ocean and beach and just put her hand up to her mouth in total amazement. It made me think that I bet that's what we look like the first moment we see heaven! We took her down to the water and she would jump over the waves and splash around, by the third day she was riding waves in on a boogie board. No fear in her at all. We mostly stayed at the beach but we did go to the aquarium and then to South Port one day. All too soon the week was over and it was time to come home. We all needed the break but it was nice to get back to our own bed too. Well, on to some new things for me.....I am coaching Upward Soccer this year at Holston Creek Church. I have a K4-K5 league called the Fire Balls and that sums up the personality of my team. We have had a couple of practices and will start our games this Saturday. It is a lot of fun! I have posted some recent photos.

Holly Howard

HAPPY 3rd BIRTHDAY ELLA !!!!

Ella turned 3 on June 29th. The week before her birthday Stephen's Dad and Dorane came down. We all went to Robbie and Bob's lake house and spent the night. We got up on Saturday and went to the zoo. It was so much fun and Ella loved it especially the elephants. BUT, it was so HOT I thought we were all going to melt. We spent more time sitting in the shade, going to the gift shops, getting water and ice cream than we did seeing the animals. Ella didn't mind she loved it all. We had a cookout and a DORA party for Ella the next day at our house. We also had another party with my family. Ella got cute clothes, a shoe to learn to tie with, golf clubs, a vacuum, money, a birdhouse from Aunt Ricki and Uncle Ron and a lot of other fun things. It was a good time. The next week we made cup cakes to take for her party at day care and as you can see with the photos, it was messy and fun!!! Now she thinks that every day is her birthday! We finally finished her room by putting up the chair rail. I have to really give credit to Dad and Stephen for that. It looks like a little girls room now and she loves it. We are getting so excited about going to the beach in 2 weeks. Ella doesn't really understand the beach yet but is talking about it. She will have so much fun. We didn't take a vacation last year so Stephen and I are REALLY looking forward to it!! We are going with Mom and Dad. I am so thankful that they go every year and don't mind us tagging along.

**No news on the baby front. I finished 1 month on clomid and will start another round in a few days. We are still hopeful....

Holly

Hoping and Praying

Well I have a confession.....not many people read this blog, that I know of anyway so it's not a confession for the world but I want to let the close people around me know what is going on. Some may already know others may not. Stephen and I have been trying to have a baby since last November. I never thought we would have a problem since in 2003 we got pg the first month we tried (I miscarried) then with Ella we again got pg right away. It never crossed my mind that we would not get pg fast again. Each month I hope and pray that it is the month and each month I am disappointed. Well being 37, I don't have a lot of time to waste so I have been to the Dr and they are currently running tests and labs. I started Clomid today and will take it for 5 days to stimulate ovulation. If it does not work within 3 months we will look at other options. And those other options may or may not be an actual option for us as it can cost thousands of dollars, dollars that we don't have. I want a sibling for Ella and she is almost 3 and I don't want her to be so far apart from her sister or brother. I know it's all in God's hands and He is teaching me and Stephen lessons on faith and patience......but it is hard. We arem thankful for Ella and blessed to have her. If we are not given another child to raise we will be ok......but I am going to keep trying, hoping and praying!!

Holly

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

I am so very blessed to have a Father that I love so much and he loves me. Growing up he was always so much fun and made me laugh......he still does. I have such a high respect for my Dad and my Mom....they worked together to raise my brother and I. They did an amazing job, and they still do. They have an amazing marriage, it is complete love and respect for one another. You don't see that much anymore. I have to say now that I am grown and have my own family, I understand more the sacrifices they made but see the reward as well. Do they have as much as I would like for them to have, no, but they have each other, they have pretty decent children (if I do say so myself) and they have a grandchild that they adore beyond words and she adores them just the same. If I could, I would love to send them to the beach for the whole summer and it be my treat for a change.....and then I would send them out west. Just back and forth as much as they wanted. I would have Dad's music sung all over the country and world.....I would like to do so many other things for them to say just how much I love and appreciate them. Alas, I can't, for I have limited means. I guess I just have to settle for telling them that I love them. When it comes down to it that is the greatest reward anyway, to love and be loved unconditionally!

I love you both......Holly

Pink Princess Room

We FINALLY painted Ella's room. We painted it light pink on top and dark pink and green striped on the bottom part of the room. She loves it and told me that it was a princess room. I am glad that it is done and glad that we did it when she was old enough to notice and be excited about it. Everything else is going well at home and work.

Are You Kidding Me???

The other day I was talking to Stephen and Ella was trying to tell me something. She kept saying "Mommy, Mommy, Mommy, Mommy" I told her that I was talking to Daddy and she could talk to me when I was done. She waited for about 15 seconds and said "Mommy, Mommy......Mom, Mom, Mom.......HOLLY" I stopped and just looked at her and she just looked up at me and said "That's your name, right?" Lord help me, she isn't even 3 years old yet.

Photos From the Funeral

Here are some photos from the funeral includig some with Stephen's brother David who had not been back to Spartanburg for 17 years. It was nice to have the family back toghter, Kay would have been so happy to see all of her children reunited!

Goodbye GranKay

Stephen's mother passed away this past Wednesday April 4th. She was put on Hopsice care on Friday and it was decided on Monday that she would only be treated for pain. We all knew that she was suffering and ready to go. There was nothing more that could be done for her. We were all present when she passed and it was very peaceful. We will miss her very much but know that she no longer suffers and she is with the Lord.

This was the last photo taken of her the week before she passed.


Holly

Brag on Ella Day

Well I can't help to just be a proud Momma today. I was just thinking how much Ella is growing up so fast and she is so smart. I can't believe that she will be 3 in June! She has known her ABC's,her colors, and numbers to 20 for over a year now, an she knows all of her shapes including an octagon. She can sing every song imangineable. Sometimes she is too smart for her own good and she tests us. Like whenever she asks for milk and we bring it to her in her sippy she checks to make sure its milk before she drinks it. The sippy is colored so you can't tell what is inside so she looks at the bottom to see what is in it before she will drink it. She is such a joy and I just love her so much I can't even explain it.

Until...........

Holly

Potty Trained!!!!!!!!!

Well I am seriously lacking in the blogging department. All is going pretty well. Ella is great and fully potty trained! We are all happy about that. She only wears a diaper at night and pull ups if we are going to be out and about for the day. Other than that she is in big girl pants. She is doing really really well and no accidents. Stephen is doing well and enjoying the weather getting warmer which means more time on his bike. I am fine and gearing up for traveling season for work. I won't travel too much about 1-2 times a month through July. But I like to travel and meet people. I will enjoying meeting people from our churches, and those I talk to on the phone all the time. Stephen's mother, Kay has been in a nursing home but was taken to the hospital the other day for an infection. We hope that she has a quick recovery and can go back to the nursing home soon. Stephen had a birthday on the 7th. And bless his heart, when I made the cake I made the number of his age, but when he looked at it he said what is that? I told him it was his age, and he said well that doesn't look like a 33......I put 37 which is how old I will be next month................:)

Until next time,
Holly

New Year!!!!!

Ok so the New Year rang in well over a month ago but for some reason, I lag behind once again. So what is new.....Ella is just growing up so much. It's incredible to see how much she changes week by week. She is doing really well. She stays pretty healthy. Although she has had a couple colds recently but nothing serious. Stephen and I are fine. I am busy at work but absolutly love it. It amazes me that I work for Upward. I have always had a yearning to do something, to have a job, that was more than a job or a way to make money. Something that would really mean something in the long run, that what I did mattered. For the first time since returning from Australia I know that what I am doing matters. And it's not an ego thing, it really is not about how I feel at all. It's about having the opportunity and resources available to make a difference for someone else without them ever knowing who I am. I am so very thankful that God saw fit to use me at Upward. Stephen is great. His job is going well and he really likes it. I think that he plans to stay there maybe for the long-haul. It would be good to retire with the state and he likes what he does. That makes all the difference. Well, we have gone on a budget, a strict budget. We sould be debt free by April (other than the house and car of course). I read the book The Financial Peace Planner by Dave Ramsey. It has really changed the way we look at money and finances. I actually like working the budget now and we took a HUGE step. We cut up all of our credit cards except for 1 each and we use cash for everything. We don't even use debit cards anymore. It has been YEARS since I used cash, but it has made a world of difference in how we use our money and what we spend it on. It has been the best thing we ever did. Well one thing that is new in our budget is that we will begin saving for a big trip in 2010. We will be married 10 years and want to take a vacation. Right now we are saying that we will go to France during the Tour de France. I am still pushing for Tasmania though! We still have plenty of time to decide!

Just a side note, Stephen's Mother, Kay, is now in a nursing home and doing much better. She can talk more and eat. It's amazing that she is doing as well as she is! We are all so happy that she pulled through!

Until next time!