Howard Happenings

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2010-09-11T10:15:00.000-07:00

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Is it really May 2010?????

2010-05-16T15:00:00.000-07:00

Was the last time I posted really August of 09???? Geesh I am more of a slacker than I thought. It has been a whirlwind of a year. Last September, Alex turned 1 and we had a wonderful party at the house with family. We all had a great time and Alex enjoyed all his toys and the cake. I think he liked the balloons more than anything. Alex continued his treatment about every 6-8 weeks and if you kept up on Caringbridge, you already know he finished up his treatments in December. He has done great and as of today, still no sign of his Cystic Hygroma and we do not have to go back for a year unless we notice something. He is just growing up and into everything. He will say anything you say and loves to chase/be chased by Ella. He has all but 4 teeth, that was not a fun process especially with all 4 molars coming in at once. But we got through it. Other than that and a 24 hour virus that we all got except Ella, he has been really healthy. He loves to be outside and doing anything Ella is doing and loves to be with Daddy. He is enjoying going to my Mom and Dad's to spend the night. He will try to sing "Old Mac Donald" I will sing the beginning and he will sing "Eee Eee Oooo" he is just a delight and I am so thankful for him, even in the middle of his new temper tantrum stage which consists of stomping his feet, saying "NO" and throwing himself on the floor. Ugh....these are the days!!

Ella, wow has she ever grown up right before our eyes. She is finishing up Kindergarten....I can hardly believe it as I type it! She has done really well. Honestly, I didn't know how she would do because she had just turned 5 when she entered Kindergarten so she is one of the youngest in her class. I didn't know if we may have to hold her back a year or not. She is such a little perfectionist (I have no idea where she gets it from). She would just get so frustrated if she didn't get something right on her homework the first try. It took a long time for her to realize that you have to practice to get things right. After the new year we really saw such an amazing transformation in her patience and her abilities. She has just done so well. We had an end of year talk with her teacher and she calls Ella her little success story and is really proud of Ella and how well she is doing. Ella cheered for Upward Basketball this past winter and really loved it. She is now taking swim lessons and is a natural. She LOVES the water!! We all joined the Y where she is taking lessons and have really enjoyed it.

Summer is upon us and we will be taking the kids to the beach for a week with my parents in mid June and Ella loves that and I know Alex will love it as well. We usually celebrate her birthday at the beach which makes it extra special for her. Of course we won't be doing a lot for her birthday this year because in July we are taking her to Disney World!!!!! This will be her first time there and she is excited but doesn't really know what to expect. I hope she has a wonderful time and loves it as much as I hope she does. We will not be taking Alex, he will stay with my parents for the week. He is just too young. Of course we will go back in a few years with both kids when Alex is older but this will be Ella's special time. She had to watch me and Mom or me and Stephen take Alex on multiple trips to Charleston last year. Although, she knew he was seeing doctor's while we were there but still, in her mind, we were taking Alex with us on trips and leaving her home. That was not easy on her. Plus, what 5 (actually she will be 6) year old doesn't want to see Cinderella and her castle??? We are really looking forward to it. We were planning on using my Delta miles to fly down and stay in a cheap motel but then I found out that my Delta miles can pay for hotels and we were able to book a resort for a week using my miles. Wow!!! We would never be able to afford a nice place like that so I am very thankful. Speaking of travel I went to the Dominican Republic last October to assist with their Upward camp as well as their medical mission. I loved it, and was so thankful to be a part of a mission that I normally don't get to be a part of. I am always going for Upward Sports, that I rarely get the opportunity to do humanitarian needs missions. I got to be a part of both and love it. It was an amazing time and you can't help but have a broken heart for the conditions that these beautiful people and oh the little children....they have no idea the desperate situation they are in. They just smile, with their dirty little faces with tattered clothes, if any at all and they are just beautiful. It shows me just how greedy I am and how I really don't need for anything, I just have selfish wants. Those are lessons that I need. After the Dominican I had a break from travel for several months. I returned to the Czech Republic in Jan. to see an Upward Basketball game. They were piloting a new Upward Sports program that our team has been developing for 1 1/2 years so that was amazing to see it in action. Plus, I LOVE Prague. It's the most beautiful city I think I have ever seen (even Sydney, although Sydney is a close second. I have been to Canada several times this spring for training and am now doing more domestic travel promoting our new International mission program to US churches. As far as I know I only have one more big trip (to the Ukraine) this summer. These things tend to change quickly so I never really know.

Well I better wrap this up. I will try to keep this current and not let life get in the way of writing about it :)

No Excuse

2009-08-20T11:45:00.001-07:00

Ok I have no excuse to not have updated a post since July. Well I have been traveling a lot, been absorbed by Facebook and Alex's Caringbridge site. So I do have excuses, not necessarily vaild but I will throw them out there anyway. We are all doing fine and I will update just a bit on Alex since you can get more information about his Cystic Hygroma treatment on his caringbridge site ( www.caringbridge.com/visit/alexhoward ). So Alex had did very well with his first treatment and it seemed to go down quite a bit. Two weeks later I was in Toronto for work and saw via webcam call with my husband that his CH was just huge. So I called his Dr. from Toronto, and big props to Dr. Chaudhry at MUSC. Within 1 minute of calling the hospital, he was on the phone with me. Amazing!!! Anyway, he said to try not to worry and we would be seeing him soon as his appointment was coming up. We went back to MUSC on August 10th and Alex's CH was starting to go back down. Alex had his second treatment last Tuesday and did very well. His CH didn't go down like it did after the first treatment but it is just a wait and see thing. I am waiting for his office to call me to set up our next treatment in 4-6 weeks. It's hard, so hard to see your child lay in the hospital. I am thankful for people God has placed in our path that we have been able to connect with, that can understand what it is we are dealing with. So we are just back to the waiting game to see what it does between now and our next treatment. Other than the CH Alex is normal, healthy and just great. He is just about to turn 11 months old. He says Ma Ma, Da Da, Ella, Mi Mi and just yesterday I was saying Poppi to him and he said Pa Pa (well something very close to that) and he said it again today....Can't wait for my dad to hear that!!! He also says bye bye and waves and is starting to say "up" when he is picked up. He has been standing on his own for about a month and took 1-2 steps a few weeks ago and he is still at that point. He is so close to walking, he will take that step or two and then just slowly sit down. He will be running before I know it!!! Can't believe my little boy will be 1 next month.

Now, little miss Ella. She is just growing up so much!!! She just started school Tuesday and is now in real "big kids school - kindergarten" Last year she went to the school half days for K4 but now it's all day with the big kids. She loves it. Her first day we walked into the room and her teacher knew her name and showed Ella the bunnys and hamsters and frogs they have in class. Ella was in heaven. I was trying to kiss on her and hug her and have those special mommy moments....Ella just waved me off and said "bye mom" Oh how it hurts, but oh how proud I am. I love her independence and her being to inquisitive!!! I will blink my eye and she will be in high school!!

Stephen and I are doing well. We are both happy that my travels are over for this year. It was great to go to all the places I was able to travel to for work, it truly is a blessing that God put me in this job, doing my hearts desire....serving Him internationally. I am as blessed to have a husband that supports that and helps so much with everything. I know it's not easy when I am gone but he doesn't complain. I will post some photos soon of Ella's first day of school and of Alex's treatment. I will try to update more often.

Holly

Alex Update

2009-07-08T04:40:00.000-07:00

Alex had his first treatment yesterday at MUSC (medical univ of charleston). He did great and will be going home today. I have updated in more detail on his caring bridge site: www.caringbridge.com/visit/alexhoward.

Thanks for all the prayers, they were felt, needed and still needed.

Holly

Good Googly Moogly

2009-07-06T08:18:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it has been so long since an update. Man, time flies and I just get busier and busier. We are all fine. Alex is doing great and getting ready for his first treatment tomorrow...more on that later. I have been so busy with work and traveling. In May I went to Winnipeg which was great but it was cold and snowy!! June 5-17 I was in the Ukraine for 1 week and Prague for a week. Both were amazing and it was great to see some of the same children at came in the Ukraine that were there last year. Prague was just unbelieveable. I can't even put into words how beautiful the city is. My computer at work crashed and I am waiting for a new one and can't post photos on my temporary computer but will as soon as I get a new one. I never seem to have the time to do it on our home computer!! Ella finished up her first year of school (4K). She had to adjust to no school for the summer and still doesn't quite understand it, she askes everyday if she will be going to "big kids school"....I guess that is a good sign that she wants to go back. Alex, the boy is growning and going all over the place. He now has 2 bottom teeth and a top tooth about to break through any day now. He is pulling up like crazy and just wants to walk so bad so I wouldn't at all be suprised if he was an early walker. Ella walked at 10 1/2 months.....but I will be fine with him staying in the crawling stage as long as he wants too. Once they walk, it's on. He really is doing well. He will have his first treatment for his Cystic Hygroma tomorrow. We will go to Charleston tonight and get admitted to the hospital at 6:45am. I don't know if they will have wi-fi or not but if they do I will post updates, probably on Alex's caringbridge site that I started to have all of his medical things in one place. It's www.caringbridge.com/visit/alexhoward We are just encouraged and although I am nervous and at times weepy, I have a peace and calm...for now anyway. I am thankful for that. We just pray that we will remain calm and that the treatment will go well and Alex will respond to it. I am just amazed at the outpouring of love for Alex and our family. Thanks to everyone for your prayers!!!

Holly

What's New

2009-05-05T02:31:00.001-07:00

Have mercy, I have not posted much lately. Just life.....busy busy busy!!! It isn't slowing down for me that is for sure. We are all doing pretty well. Stephen has been so busy at the University getting ready for graduation. Glad when that is over and his schedule slows down a bit. I can't complain, his schedule is pretty good and only a few times a year does it call for longer hours. They are always understanding if he needs to adjust his schdule for a Dr. appointment or when I am traveling and he needs to take Ella to school. Speaking of miss thing, she is just getting bigger and growning up so fast. It's unbelieveable that she is almost 5 years old, just over a month from now. She has done really well with her first year of school and likes it. Last week we had a Mommy / Ella day. I have been away so much traveling and taking Alex to Dr. appointments she needed a special girl day. We did some shopping and went to a pottery shop and painted and the day is not complete without Chuck E. Cheese!! She is enjoying having a baby brother more and more. She is interacting with him more now because he laughs at her and gives her attention which she just eats up. He is "her baby" and she is very protective over him. She got a hair cut the other day and it's her first real style. It's a little short in the back and just a little longer in the front. I wasn't sur how she would react to shorter hair but she loves it and couldn't wait to show everyone at school. Well, Alex has just turned 7 months is 18 lbs and 27". It's hard to believe he is 7 months old already. Here are some things he is doing now:
* started rolling over in March and rolls all over now
* sits up unassisted
* Says "Da Da", "Mum Mum" "ba ba" and a lot of other cute sounds
* waves bye bye
* on the verge of crawling, he gets up on all fours rocks and scoots his little legs
and gets up on his feet but doesn't know what to do
* Is eating stage 2 foods but still NO Teeth!!
* loves his jump-a-roo and goes crazy especially early in the morning when I walk in
the room, I think he is going to bounce himself right out of the thing.
* loves to watch Ella and laughs out loud whenever she is around
* still sleeps all night 7:30pm-6am

Travel is getting ready to pick back up for me. I leave Friday for Winnipeg and return on Sunday. I will be home a week and then go to Toronto for 3 days home a week and then to the Ukraine from June 5-12th and then to Prague from the 13th-17th. I will be home a couple of days and then off to the beach for a much needed family vacation.

Alex is getting an MRI today and on Monday we will go to Charleston to meet with the Intervention Radiologist to discuss the best treatment for Alex. I am posting most of his medical information on www.caringbridge.org/visit/alexhoward

CaringBridge Site for Alex

2009-04-23T12:50:00.000-07:00

I have decided to create a site for Alex on CaringBridge. I will continue to update this blog about our life etc. but most of Alex's medical updates will be on the Caring Bridge site.

You can access it by going to Caringbridge.org and entering his name with no spaces "alexhoward"

Or here is the site:

http://caringbridge.org/visit/alexhoward

Holly

Charleston Dr. Update

2009-04-20T18:53:00.000-07:00

We spent the weekend in Charleston, SC and it was so nice. Perfect weather and Alex did great the whole time including the drive. Saturday we got in, in the afternoon and after checking into the hotel we went to the beach for an hour. Alex didn't quite know what to make of the water but it was fun. Saturday we drove out to Magnolia Plantation and walked the gardens. It was beautiful. Then we went into Charleston and walked around the market and my parents favorite candy store that has the best pralines in the world!! We drove down to the Battery area and walked around the park and up and down differnt streets. Just relaxing to walk around without a set adgenda or time-frame. That night we ate at Water's Edge. It was VERY good, I highly recommend the salmon! Monday, fun time over, we packed up checked out, got breakfast and headed to the hospital. My mind was racing and my stomach was in knots, I don't know why I am so at peace with things until I actually go to the Dr.....maybe it's just denial that anything is wrong until I am facing it head on. UGH!!! Anyway, I did like this Dr. and he said that he was sure that it was Cystic Hygroma (which we already knew) and he gave the run-down of possible options: surgery or sclerotherpy (ie chemo). He said that before we make any decisions they want to do an MRI. All we know is what we can see on his neck/back....we don't know what or how extensive it could be, where we can see (it could be in his chest and we just can't see it). So the MRI will tell them everything they need to know. We are set up to go the last week of May and he will be put to sleep for the MRI since you have to be still, and there is no way to keep a 6mo old still!!! After the MRI we will meet with another Dr. that will evaluate him and let us know what sclerotherapy options may be best for him. The Dr. said that they would like to try that first instead of surgery if possible. I think that there are just more risks with surgery in the neck area where so many nerves are located. So we are back in the wait period. I think I am ok, but haven't really processed everything yet. We have not ruled out staying with our Dr. in Greenville. We just don't know and have not really had the time to process. Prayer, that is what we need....that and for time to just stand still long enough for me to breathe and appreciate my kids while they are kids. Time is just gone before I know it....with my work and the Dr. appts it seems like my life is just one schedule after another!! I will upload some photos from Charleston very soon, if you are my friend on Face Book I have already uploaded some there.

Special thanks to my Mom and Dad who helped with Ella while we were gone, they have been so amazing any time we have needed them, they are there no questions asked...I hope Stephen and I are as good to our children as they have been to us!

Another special thanks to all of you who I know check this blog and some that I don't...Thanks for your prayers, they are felt and so needed. If you check in on this blog every now and then and would like to, leave a comment, you don't have to really say anything just let me know you stopped by so I can say a prayer of thanks specifically for you!

Holly

Alex Dr. Appointment Update

2009-04-04T00:28:00.001-07:00

It has been nice to be home for a a change. We are all doing well but we had to take Alex to and ENT (Ear Nose Throat) Dr. because he keeps getting ear infections. The Dr. said he needed to get tubes in his ears. The will call me next week to let me know when. The Dr. asked about the mass on his neck and he highly suggested that we see a Dr. with MUSC (Medical Univ of SC) in Charleston. There is a Dr. there that specializes in neck masses and has seen other CH patients. We have an appointment on April 20th. I like the Dr. we are seeing now but it can never hurt to get another opinion, especially one that deals with this more often. I just want it to go away, I don't want my son to have to deal with this. I pray that whatever treatment we choose will be the best for him. There is no cure for CH and only a few options for treatments, sometimes they are successful sometimes not.....we will just have to pray and wait. Ella has been so sweet and she is such a sweet little girl that loves her baby brother. After I took Alex to the ENT, Ella rubbed his little cheek and said "You did so good at the Dr. Alex, I am so proud of you." Oh, those moments are just the most precious. Ella is almost finished with her first year of school 4K. It's gone by so fast, she has enjoyed it and has done really well. Alex has achieved a milestone, he has started to roll over. He's rolling like crazy now that he has the hang of it and it won't be long before he starts scooting around. I wish I could slow time down.....these days are going too fast!

Back From Brazil

2009-03-25T06:46:00.001-07:00

I had an amazing time in Brazil. It was so beautiful and the people are just the nicest people you will ever meet. They have nothing but their hearts are so full. What a blessing to have been a part of it all. I left on March 11 and got to Sao Paolo on the 12th and flew straight to Campo Grande. It was good to get on the ground after flying for so long. We were met by missionaries Walter and Carole Ponder. They took us to our hotel and then we drove around the city. That evening we had dinner at an amazing restaurant. They just keep bringing skewers of different meats one after another until you just can't eat any more. It was so good, and I was so full! The next day we went to Bandierantes. A small town/village about 1 hour out of Campo Grande. We had vision casting that evening and then actual training the next day. The people were so receptive! They were the first church to ever do an Upward league in Brazil and several other churches came to train and are very interested. After training we went back to Campo Grande and had training at a church there Boas Novas. They had also run a league and were in the middle of evaluations. That evening they had a fund raiser for their Upward league and many people brought food and other items to sell. It was such a fun and festive atmosphere. The next day we trained at the church. The next day we left for a 5 hour drive to Corumba, which is on the boarder of Bolivia. On the way we stopped on the side of the road in the Pantanal (similar to the everglades) and a man took us to the waters edge and banged on the water and all of these aligators just came out of nowhere, at least 20. It was amazing and a little scary! We got to Corumba and held vision that night and trained the next day. Again the people were just so friendly and excited about Upward. The next afternoon we flew to Campo Grande on a prop plane, which I was not thrilled about but it was fine. Actually some dignitary was on the plane. Military personel lined up and he saluted each of them before boarding the plane. Not sure who he was but he must have been someone important. We flew on to Sao Paolo and met up with a pastor there, Ailton. He had a tiny tiny car and we tried to explain that we did not need all of our luggage we could store it at the airport and he kept saying it would fit in his car. We finally got him to understand that we didn't need all of it and got lockers. When we saw his car, we just laughed and laughted, there was NO way any of that luggage would fit in his car. We all had small carryon's and backpacks and we ended up having some of that in our laps. That is the Brazillian way thought, they want you to be happy and will tell you "sure" when there is no way it will happen. It was pretty funny. We drove 3 hours to his village and got to our hotel (that was over an auto station) at 2am. The next 2 days we drove around different villages where he wants to start Upward leagues. It was some of the most beautiful places I have ever seen in my life. Just breathtaking!!! I was ready to come home, 9 days was a long time to be away. We drove to see the largest Catholic church in the world, so I am told. It was really really big and then to the airport. We stopped by a sports store and I was able to find 2 cycling jerseys for Stephen. I was so happy to find something nice for him. Sometimes it's hard to find that perfect gift. I also found a stuffed piranha fish. I didn't want to get it, it was ugly and gross but I was told about them before I left and mentioned it to Stephen and he insisted that if I saw one, to get it. I reluctantly complied. I think he was happier with that than the cycling jerseys!! It was good to get home to my family even with Alex's double ear infection and Ella's strep throat....it was so good to be home!

Next week.....Vancouver

Holly

Canada and Brazil

2009-03-11T05:55:00.000-07:00

I got back from my trip to Canada. We flew into Buffalo and drove to Toronto. I flew in a day early with a co-worker to have an early meeting so we had the chance to spend s couple hours at Niagara Falls. I had never been and I just loved it, it was so pretty with the snow. I missed the kids and Stephen though! He did fine but the true test will be this week. I leave today for Brazil and will be gone for 9 days. I am excited about the opportunity to go and to meet with the churches there and help them begin Upward!!! I hope to be able to connect via Skype with Stephen and the kids. I was able to while in Canada and Ella loved being able to talk and see me talking to her via the computer. I don't know what kind of connection we will have there but we should at least be able to talk on the global phone. I ask for prayers for safe travel. Lots of flights getting there and back and several within Brazil. I never was nervous flying until I had children so it's a little harder for me now. I also ask for prayers for Stephen & the kids while I am away and also for our work in Brazil. That we will be able to be used to help pastors there use Upward to reach kids and families!

Photos of Niagara Falls and Brazil to come soon.

Holly

SNOW!!!!!!

2009-03-03T10:56:00.000-08:00

It finally snowed in SC and more than just a dusting, we actually got about 4". Which of course closed down the schools, businesses and just about everything else. It was so much fun to see Ella enjoy her first real snow.

Travel Time Again

2009-02-24T11:33:00.000-08:00

Gosh time is just flying by....I can't believe that I have gone so long without a post. Busy Busy is all I can say!!

Alex is 5 months old today. He is just such a joy, he has had 2 ear infections since Jan and you would never know it....he just smiles all the time and rarely cries. I guess the Lord knew we needed some calm since Ella is just wide open all the time. Alex is really doing great and growing up. He is up to 16lbs already, he has found his toes and can push up on his arms when he is on his belly. It won't be long until he starts rolling over. He babbles and we think we have heard "da da" a couple of times but nothing consistant yet. He certainly wants to talk and loves to watch my mouth when I talk, actually he likes to grab my lips or hair, whichever is easiest to get at. We just got him a jump-a-roo and it's the funniest thing to watch him bounce around. He loves it. We have started rice cereal and will start other foods soon. We took him to his appointment at Children's Hospital yesterday and the Dr. thinks he is doing really well and doesn't think he needs to be seen until July. At that point he will do an ultra sound and then schedule his treatment. He will be put to sleep for the treatment and kept 1 night...that's the plan. So I feel good that the Dr. doens't think he needs to be seen again until then. I am at peace with it, really totally at peace. I just think that he is going to be fine and have a good feeling about the treatment, a far cry from when I was the mother of a two week old baby just discovering there was something wrong but not knowing what and the Dr.'s didn't know either. It seems like a lifetime ago, it was only 5 months!

Ella is doing wonderful. She is still enjoying 4K and doing really well. She is loving Alex and helps me take care of him and is just a little momma. She went to Stephen's sister and Brother-in-law's house last Friday and spent the night for the first time. She loved it. They have some cows and other animals close by and Ella just thought that was wonderful.

Stephen is doing fine and is such an amazing help with the kids! He had to get a tooth pulled yesterday so he's not feeling so good but better than he was last week when his tooth was hurting! Nothing worse than a toothache!

I am doing pretty good. Just very busy at work. I moved from upstairs to downstairs a few weeks ago and now sit by the window that overlooks the lake. It's really beautiful and a constant reminder of how Blessed I am to work here! Not that I have much time to gaze but it's still beautiful. Speaking of work, traveling season is upon me once again. This time it will be different....last year I had Alex in tow as I was pregnant with him. This time I am on my own and Stephen will be taking care of the kids while I am away....say some prayers for him. He is amazing and will do fine, but anyone with kids knows how hard it can be and I will be missing Stephen's Birthday on March 7! I leave next Thursday (march 5) for Toronto and return on Sunday. Then I leave that Wednesday (March 11) for Brazil and will not return until March 20th. So I will be gone quite a bit beginnig next week. I think I will be home fow awhile after that. I know that I am doing what I am called to do and feel very certain of that but it sure is hard to leave my family. So say a prayer for all of us!!!

I will be posting some updated photos soon. Sorry for the lack of posts especially with updates on Alex. I know there are people out there checking in and I hate that I have not updated sooner!!

Holly

No Pink Cookies!!!

2009-01-28T10:46:00.001-08:00

The other night Stephen was getting Ella ready for bed. I came in the room and it was a total disaster. I told Ella that she had a messy room and needed to clean it up. She was not happy with that at all. So I told her that tomorrow after school if she came home and cleaned her room I would give her one of the pink frosted cookies that she had been wanting all evening that I wouldn't let her have because it was too close to bed. She stopped and pondered this, and then said "Mommy, I don't think I want a pink cookie". Figures!

Alex is doing fine, he got his 4 month shots the other day and did ok other than not having much of an appetite. He is growing so fast, he is 15.9lbs and 27". I introduced him to the exersaucer this week and he loves it!! He is now reaching for things and putting them in his mouth. He grabs for my nose and loves to grab my hair. He has great head control but is still a ways off from sitting up. He goes back for his next Dr. visit at the Children's Hospital in late Feb. about his Cystic Hygroma, which seems to be doing fine. He is not bothered by it but it is definitly getting bigger. I just hope that it's growth will be slow enough to wait until he one and they will do the treatment then.

Stephen and I are fine, we have all been sick and Stephen is just now getting better from being sick AGAIN. We are doing fine with our jobs and thankful that ours are secure. It's so scary out there right now. I have just moved from the upstairs of the building to the downstairs. I liked it upstairs as it was quiet and our group was a little secluded. Down here it's a little louder and definitly colder!!! BUT, I sit by the window that over looks trees and the lake....so I can't complain about the view!!! It really is beautiful.

Holly

One year ago....

2009-01-18T14:27:00.000-08:00

One year ago today I took a pregnancy test expecting the same result that I had for over a year. But this time was different, positive, I couldn't believe it an actual positive....Alex was forming. What an amazing feeling, I wish I could live that moment over again, that first realization that I was in fact going to have another baby after finally coming to the realization that it probably was not going to happen. It wasn't the easiest of pregnancies but I'd gladly do it all over again. We had no idea if it was a boy or a girl but we both (as well as most everyone) felt it was a boy. The Dr. let Stephen tell me and I will never forget that moment in time, hearing Stephen say, "it's a boy, we have a son" the most beautiful words....as beautiful as hearing the Dr. say "it's a girl" when we had Ella. It's still hard to believe that it has been a year since that positive test.

Well we are all finally better, we have all been sick (except for Ella)just about since Christmas. We are all doing much better. Alex had his first sickness, double ear infection. He handled it well, a couple days of fever and more fussy than normal but he is doing great. We go for his 4 month shots next week, that is never fun but he did really well with the last set of shots so I hope he does as well. Alex is just growing up so much. He is now really wanting to sit up, he's not quite there yet but he's trying. He is now grabbing things and putting them in his mouth. He knows his name and knows it as soon as mommy or daddy comes into the room. He loves to watch Ella and she loves him so much. She just loves to give him kisses and show him toys and how to play. It's really cute and she is such a great big sister. I am so blessed by both of my children!

2008-12-28T17:30:00.000-08:00

I just had to post this photo of Alex. It just makes me laugh every time I look at it!

Merry Christmas!!!

2008-12-26T05:54:00.000-08:00

We had a wonderful Christmas this year! We had a great holiday, my brother Joe his wife, Jane and his step girls Stephanie and Anna came Friday-Tuesday. We had a wonderful vist with all of them and Ella really enjoyed them as well. It was a whirl wind of a trip for them but I am so glad they came. We didn't do much on Chrsistmas Eve except do some shopping. We usually go to Mom and Dad's church Christmas Eve service at 9pm but this year we decided to just have a quite evening at home. We did some shopping that afternoon and got home around 5pm but I realized when I got home that I didn't have my purse...UGH! I drove the 20 miles back to the mall in small hopes someone turned it in. We had so much going on with the kids and packages when we were leaving I was getting everything out of the stroller and think I set it down but had all the packages in my arms and thought I had my purse on my shoulder but I think I left it sitting on the floor. So far, it has not turned up. BUT it could be much worse....I don't keep my wallet with credit cards etc. in my purse for that very reason so I didn't loose it and I had my cell phone in my pocket I did, however, loose a really nice digital camera. I had just put in a new disk so I only lost a handful of photos. I hated to loose it but glad I didn't have to worry about canceling credit cards, getting new ID or loosing several gift cards. At least I now know what I will be spending my gift cards on!!

Ella really enjoyed Christmas this year although she is not, nor has she ever been a fan of Santa. She won't even look at him in the mall, so I don't fight her on it. I did ask her the other day how was Santa going to know what she wanted for presents....her reply, I already have enough toys, I don't need more presents. How do I argue that point??? But she had fun baking cookies for Santa. She woke up around 7:45. Mom and Dad were already there to watch her open gifts and she liked opening them. She opened a gift and looked it over, and took her time. In fact about 1/2 way through she took her two favorite gifts so far into her room, shut the door and started to play. She does love her room and to play on her own. She came out after a few minutes and finished opening her gifts. Alex just chilled on Dad's lap. He mostly just watched all the action going on but he did get his first hot wheels car!

We went to Mom and Dad's around noon for the day and had a great lunch with my Aunt Jean and Grandpa. My Grandpa is doing great at 96. He stays in SC during the winter and golfs about 3 days a week with Dad! We had a nice lunch and then Ella and Alex had some gifts to open there. It was really nice and warm (high 60's) and just a nice day with family. This time last year I was very down as I didn't think we would be able to have any more children...we had been trying for over a year at that point so it was kind of a sad time for me and I had pretty much given up the hope of having another. Little did I know that in a few weeks God would be forming Alex in my womb....and now he is here!

Stephen's Dad and Dorane will be coming in today from KY for the weekend. We will get together with Stephen's famiy Saturday night at our house so that will be nice. Stephen's Dad has not seen Alex yet and he has not been here for Christmas before so it will be a nice time. We still miss Stephen's mother...she would have loved to have seen Alex and to know that Stephen has a son. This is our 2nd Christmas without her. It still doesn't seem real that she has been gone that long. We miss her.

I hope all of you have had a wonderful Christmas and will have a blessed new year. I hope we all remember the reason to celebrate, Christ Jesus and all He gave for us.

.................Christmas Fun!!

2008-12-18T10:09:00.000-08:00

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

......................Back to Reality

2008-12-13T05:21:00.000-08:00

Well Monday I go back to work....I have been off for 12 weeks and have loved every minute of it. I am fortunate to have been able to take 3 months off because I will never have that opportunity again. I have been trying to cherish the days but they just have gone by so fast. It has been wonderful. Monday I will take Alex to day care, and Ella will join him after school. His day care is amazing but they aren't "Mom". I will be ok though, it will take a week or so of adjustment. Sabrina, who sits next to me, will just have to deal with my emotions.....she sat next to me during my preganacy so I don't think anything could do her in. Bless her she was so great during some really difficult pregnant days....thanks Sabrina you are the best! She is also the same Sabrina who is a photographer on the side (just another little plug for her) :-)Speaking of work, I didn't make it to the Christmas ladies tea this year but I included some photos in my slide show (taken by Sabrina, another plug...you owe me LOL) just because the decorating is just, well, there is no way to describe it, you have to see it. This year the theme was Audry Hepburn-Breakfast at Tiffney's.

We had Alex's baby dedication last Sunday. My parents and Stephen Sister, Mary Kay, came. It was a really nice day.

Well we finally broke down and bought a Mini Van...I still can't believe it myself. We have been looking for a few weeks and I came across a Kia Sedona van on the net that looked great, it has really low miles and the price was unbelieveable. I researched it online and the price was way way below Kelly Blue Book, so I thought there was a catch or it was listed incorrectly but we got there and the price was correct. It has all the bells and whistles that we never thought we'd be able to afford...leather seats, DVD entertainment system, power everything and I got a suprise the other day I was walking to the van, pressed a button on the key remote thinking I was unlocking the doors and the van started up!!! How cool is that?? So Mom and Dad are in Ohio so I have not told them yet, they will be happy for us. Dad would be happier with an American made van LOL...no he will be very happy for us too.

My brother and sister-in-law and my step neices are coming next week. I am excited to see them as it's been a year and they have not see Alex yet. It will be a fun time having them here.

Ella is still doing great and loving school. She is telling everyone that we have the biggest giantest car so she is excited as well. She is excited about Christmas but can't stand Santa, she won't even look at him. Every Christmas she is frowning sitting on Santa's lap...I don't even think we will get a photo with santa this year.
She is 4 and some things just aren't worth the battle : )

Holly

.....................Giving Thanks

2008-12-05T03:20:00.000-08:00

I know it's late for a Thanksgiving post but so it goes....We had a great Thanksgiving this year. We went to Mom and Dad's and my Aunt and Uncle Ricki and Ron joined us. My brother was coming from Louisiana, while his wife Jane and his step children Stephanie and Anna went to NY for the Macy's parade and shopping. However their dog was not doing well so he stayed in LA. We missed him but they are all coming the week before Christmas so that will be great to have all of them here. It was a great day, lots of food and laughs. Ella played outside in the leaves and Alex, well he just chilled out on the bouncy seat and slept. Some things I am thankful for this year: Stephen-I don't know what I did to deserve such a wonderful husband, my girl Ella-she is just amazing and keeps us laughing and on our toes all the time, my boy Alex-one year ago I was trying so hard to be at peace with the fact that we probably would not be able to have another child and here he is. My parents that are the most giving people, my job-although I am loving being on maternity leave and would love to stay at home, I do love my job. A lot of people can't say that about their career but I do just love it. I feel so blessed that since I can't stay at home, I love where I work. I am thankful for our home and where we live, it's so easy to want for more but we have all of our needs met and that is plenty. Finally, I am most thankful for a God who loves us all, enough to give his Son that we may have life.

Since Thanksgiving we have put up our tree, we got a real one this year. This is the first real tree since early in our marriage and it's beautiful and smells great. Ella enjoyed decorating it. She is still enjoying school, not enough to hop out of bed in the moring...I still have to drag her out of bed but she does love it. Alex is doing great. He is 10 weeks old this week and still not one sleepless night woo hoo!!! He is growing so much and just smiles all the time and started laughing last week, which is just so much fun. He is reaching for things and is facinated with the lights on the tree. We take him back to the Children's Hospital on Monday to get a check on his Cystic Hygroma, it's larger than what it was but he is dong fine. Stephen has been busy landscaping all day at work and then coming home and working on our own yard. Little by little we are getting the yard the way we want it. The back and side of the house is pretty good now we are tackling the front. We started with just the one side of the house and will complete the rest of the yard by next fall. He dug up all the shrubs and planted a new bed. It looks great and I can't wait until the rest of the yard is done.

Christmas is around the corner and I am trying to get everything done before I return to work which will be here before I know it. I go back on the 15th. I already told Sabrina, who sits next to me, to have tissues on my desk ready. It will be an emotional day. After a week or so I think we will all be settled. Well, it's early in the moring and I need to get Ella up and ready for school....another day, another battle.

Holly

..................Mimi's are Great!!!

2008-11-22T14:59:00.000-08:00

Last night my Mom (mimi) and Dad (poppi) kept both Alex and Ella for the night. When I came back home it was strange to not have any kids in the house, strange but nice. Now I can't say that it really enabled me more sleep because Alex is the champion of all sleeping babies. He slept 9 hours the other night! But it was nice to get some things done and try to start putting photos together in albums. I am the queen of procrastination. I got an album for Ella when she was an infant and have 4 pages done. So I went through a lot of photos and put them in different catagories and am going to work little by litte to put some scrapbooks together. I am not going all crazy mom scrapbooking or anything (I am not creative enough and frankly just too ADD to put a lot of time into it). But I want to do it for us. I know once it's done, it will be easier to keep it up to date and I will be happy that we have them when we are older. Funny thing is I have so much more fun getting all the things I need and going through all the photos than actually working on an album. By the time I have everything out and pulled the pictures, I am bored with the whole thing. But I still try.

Alex is 8 weeks old already and just growning and his little cheeks are filling out so much I could just take a bite of them. He had his baby well appt. with 3 shots. He did pretty good, cried for a few minutes but then was ok. That evening and the next day he acted like he was hurting and cried a little but for the most part he did great, much better than Ella. Poor girl after every set of shots she ran a fever, was fussy and a few times threw up a lot. She just didn't handle them well at all. Alex is up to 11 lb 14oz and 23 1/4" long so he has grown a full 4" in 8 weeks, that's a lot of growing. I call him my cuddler as he just nuzzles himself in my neck. I hope I never forget that feeling.

I am looking forward to Thanksgiving, my brother is driving up from Louisana, his wife Jane and her daughters are going to NYC for the holiday so it will just be him. It will be so good to see him again and for him to meet Alex. Ella will like playing with him too. The only thing about Thanksgiving is that will officially star my countdown back to work. I haven't thought about going back much but now that time is quickly approaching. After the Thanksgiving weekend, I will be just two weeks from going back (Dec. 15th). It will be so hard. I love being home and forgot how hard it was to go back to work after I had Ella. I was on maternity leave with her for 16 weeks and will have been for 12 weeks with Alex. I do love my job, I enjoy what I do and the people I work with. I will be happy to sit across from Sabrina again and have great conversation and laughs. I will look forward to getting back to some projects and to travel again. Still, I will miss the days at home just spending time with Alex watching him grow and do new things. I will miss picking up Ella from school and going to the library. These are precious days that are too quickly going by. This is my only time to be at home with my children and I am trying to treasure it as much as I can but it just seems like the days are going by so fast and I am screaming and pleading for them to slow down.

Well how was that for a complete downer??? Really I am ok with working, I have made my peace with not being able to stay at home. The Lord provided me a job that is family centered and if I ever need to work from home I can, or if something comes up it's never a problem. I can have a Bible at work and we have company-wide devotions every Wednesday morning. I get to see and actually be a part of thousands of children all over the world have the opportunity to play sports in a great environment and be told about Christ. I get to work in the Global Department and travel to different countries and experience different cultures and meet so many wonderful people who have the same desire. I couldn't imaginge being happier working anywhere else, for that I am so deeply humbled and thankful. It makes it all worthwhile!

Holly H

.................Family Photo's by Sabrina Lewis

2008-11-14T17:46:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago we had an amazing photographer come out to the house to take some family photographs. She is AMAZING and we are thrilled with the shots she got. The photos in the slide show are a some of the photos she took. She comes highly recommended and you are welcome to ask me about her or contact her yourself. We work together at Upward so I can tell you with all my heart she is wonderful and will do a great job! Her links are listed under my "Link's" section on the right. You can also email her directly at sabrina.lewis@yahoo.com.

Holly

.........................History is Made

2008-11-08T05:44:00.000-08:00

This week we elected the first black president, Obama. Like it or not, agree with him or not, Democrat or not.........it is progress. I, for one, am optimistic. I think that it can't get much worse in the US and I hope and pray that it will get much better. Of course, my devotion is to Christ, not to man but I pray for Obama and our nation. Many think that you can't be a democrat and a Christian because they are too liberal. I don't agree with everything in either party but try to look at it objectively, what is going to be the better for the majority of America. I hope and pray that Obama is just that!

The other day my Mom and some of her prayer sisters came over to see Alex. They are a group of amazing ladies that have been prayer sisters for over 30 years. It was wonderful to have them over for lunch, conversation and prayer. I so apprecaite all that they have done for me and I just love them and am so thankful for them.

Well, Alex is now 6 weeks old and up to 11lbs!!! He is doing great and I can't say enough how good of a sleeper he is....it's almost unnatural! He has his routine down pretty good. He wakes in the morning for a bottle and will doze off and on for a few hours. He will wake again and eat and then be awake until around 1pm. Then he goes down until 6pm and stays awake until 10ish and then is down for the night. He usually wakes for a bottle around 4:30 or 5am but then goes back down until 7am and we start all over. He is an easy baby and just loves to cuddle. He has always smiled a lot since he was born but this week he began to truly smile in response. It's the best feeling in the world to see him smile back at me. I could just nibble his little cheeks off! Alex had his first bath in the tub this week too. I have ben giving him a sponge bath. He didn't seem to mind at all.

Ella is doing great and loves her little brother so much. She is doing great in school and loves her teacher. The other day I picked her up and asked her what she did in school that day and she said "oh Mommy, you wouldn't understand" I also got the "it's not fair" line for the first time. She is four but you'd never know it. I had to include a couple photos of Ella with the mice, she loves all animals and I thought these photos were so cute.

..................Happy Halloween

2008-11-03T06:54:00.000-08:00

Ready to trick or treat!

Ella went as a dog and Alex was a Bumble Bee (for a few minutes anyway)

Ella and Alex

----------------------Fall is Here!!-----------------

2008-10-27T09:26:00.000-07:00

I love this time of year, cool but not cold leaves changing. I love living so close to the mountains, they are just beautiful. Last Thursday I packed up Ella and Alex and went to Mom and Dad's house. Ella had Friday off from school and it was Dad's birthday. I hated that Stephen had to work and couldn't come but I think, well I know he enjoyed having a night in the house by himself who wouldn't??? We went to a pumpkin patch and got pumpkins Ella loved running down the rows and picking out ones for all of us. Alex just wanted milk. Alex is doing great, eating and sleeping like a champ. Friday night and last night he went down around 10pm and slept until 5am and then back to sleep after a bottle!!! Other nights aren't that bad either, he sometimes wakes around 3am for a quick bottle and then goes back down. I have to give God the big high five for giving me such a good sleeper. I have not once felt sleep deprived. And actually Ella was like that too. On the very rare occasion she would be awake for a couple hours at night but not much. Now she was fussy every night from 5pm-9pm. I wouldn't call it full on colic as I am sure parents of a full blown colicky baby would have loved to have her fussy spells. But she just got fussy. She had a hard time eating too, she was a spitter, almost every bottle that milk would come flying out of her mouth....I was just waiting for her head to start spinning around. I think everyone in the family got it at one time or another. But all in all she was a great baby and Alex is just as laid back as they come.....he takes after his daddy and I can't complain about that one bit! Health-wise Alex is doing well. Growing in length and weight, he loves to eat that's for sure. I am just trying to relax bewteen noe and his next appointment with the surgeon in December.

Holly

Alex's Dr. Appointment Update

2008-10-17T19:11:00.000-07:00

We made it through the day! I never thought this day would get here...it's been a long week. We went to Children's Hospital and met with Dr. Chandler with Pediatric Surgery. He looked Alex over and right away was able to confirm that it was a Cystic Hygroma or Lymphatic Malformation. I thought for sure he would say that they would plan for surgery in the next couple of months but he actually said that he would like to see Alex every couple of months and hopefully they could wait until he is around 1 to try a new treatment. It will be an injection that will hopefully disintegrate it completely. Of course things could change between now and then. He said that he would keep a close watch on it and if he needed surgery because of infection or because it may continue to grow then he could always go that route. But he would prefer to wait as long as he can and would prefer the treatment over surgery. He also said that Alex has the type of CH that is the better kind to have. I can't remember the types but one is multiple cysts that is harder to treat and Alex has the type that is just one.

So, how do I feel??? I feel good about the Dr. he seemed to know a lot about CH even though he said that they only see about 1 case a year. That's hard to imagine, at a big hospital only 1 case a year. I knew that this was very rare but that really put that less that 1% into perspective. I feel relieved that we know for sure what it is and that the Dr. is confident that it is treatable, although with CH there is always the chance of it coming back no matter what treatment you have. I feel somewhat frustrated that we will still just have to do the wait and see what happens potentially for a year. I am worried about what the medical bills are going to look like. I feel mentally and physically exhausted, all the wondering and waiting plus still trying to deal with the complications I have had from the c-section, I am tired but functioning! However, I feel blessed that I have a savior that already knows the outcome and carries me...even when I don't know it or how much I fight it and try to carry it all myself. I know that God will provide all of our needs: from calming me from the stress, taking care of Alex, meeting our financial, mental, physical and emotional needs. I am thankful for the most wonderful husband, what a gift he is to me and our children. I am also thankful for family and friends who uplift me. One day I might even be thankful that we had to endure this, there is a reason and a purpose. I don't know what that is right now and frankly I wish we didn't have to go through it, but I have faith enough to know that God's plan is divine and this is just a part of His plan.

Thank you all for your continued prayers for Alex and all of us!!!

Holly

Only Two Weeks!!!???!!!

2008-10-12T18:33:00.000-07:00

Wow, it's hard to believe that Alex is only 2 weeks old. Well 2 weeks and 4 days to be exact. It seems like he should be much older by now. I mean it really seems like ages ago that we set off at 7am to the hospital and 4 1/2 hours later he was born. I guess a lot has to do with the fact that we have already had to deal with so much. With my complications, which are still ongoing, and then finding the lumps and not knowing what was going on with him. I am sure that it will take forever for next Friday to arrive. We go to the pediatric surgeon to find out more about Cystic Hygroma, and what they will do for Alex. I am just anxious. It's the unknown that is so hard. At least when I know, no matter how hard it is to hear the news at least I know what it is I have to deal with. I need patience and a lot more faith! I think right now I am just so numb, it's hard to even comprehend what is happening. Plus, there is Ella. She is still adjusting to having a baby brother in the house. It must have just turned her little world upside down when he came home. She is calming down and adjusting. The first week or so she was good but a little more hyper than normal and acting out more. She is settling in ok. She is just my sweet girl. We try really hard to make sure she understands that while we now have Alex in our lives she is just as special and loved. She does love her brother. She wants to give him hugs and kisses all the time. I am just so blessed with this family, I have been entrusted with. I hope I serve the Lord well by being the kind of wife and mother He has called me to be.

Holly

Cystic Hygroma

2008-10-08T19:11:00.001-07:00

Here are some photos of Alex's neck and back and what we think is a Cystic Hygroma. Never did I think that my first weeks of having this baby would be spent going to so many Dr's and so much uncertainty. I guess no one does, no one sees things like this coming. I have my good moments just full of faith and trust in God that this is just a bump in the road. Then I have those dark moments.....fear takes over and I only think of the worst things it could be, if it's not CH and even if it is in fact CH, many many complications can arise. I don't like those dark moments, it's the most horrible feeling right in your heart. I guess it's all a part of being a parent, just living life for that matter. We never know what will come our way. I am so blessed to have a God that knows my heart, comforts me when I am in the darkest of places. He loves Alex more than I do.....it's so hard to even comprehend how that can be. I am also so blessed to have Stephen. He is just so amazing as a husband,father and a follower of Christ. There is no one I would rather walk this road with than him and Christ one on each side of me.

Holly

Update on Alex

2008-10-06T19:42:00.000-07:00

As you know, from the previous post Alex has a mass on his neck and shoulder. We went to our family Dr. who ordered an ultrasound. Alex had the u/s this morning but they really didn't know what it was, so they sent us over to the pediatrician at the hospital where Alex was born. We saw the same Dr. that looked over Alex when he was born and discharged him from the hospital so that was good that we were able to see the same Dr. The pediatrician feels like he is 90% sure that Alex has a Cystic Hygroma, which is not life threatening or cancerous….thank you Jesus!!! He will have to have surgery though. The Dr. talked to the pediatric specialist at Greenville Children’s Hospital and sent over the images from the ultrasound as well. The Dr. in G’ville agreed with the preliminary diagnosis but will see him next Friday Oct. 17th to confirm. He said Alex will likely have to have surgery but that they would prefer to wait until he is 3-4 months old before doing the surgery depending on the confirmation and severity. I thank you all for your prayers. I feel so much more at peace and calm but the past few days and especially the hours and hours spent going from one Dr. to another with most of them saying, “I really don’t know what this is” today has had my nerves shot! I ask that you continue to pray as the diagnosis still has to be confirmed and no one likes to see their baby have to have surgery! I did some research and the fact that we found it after birth is actually a good thing and not associated with a chromosome issue. Many are found while still a fetus and if that is the case it's usually Turner's syndrome or other abnormalitis like Trisomies. But his was found after birth meaning that it probably developed in the last month or so before birth, which means it's not associated with a chromosome abnormality. So anyway, I feel much better but will be anxious to get a confirmation and will be glad when the surgery is over. The research does say that even wiht surgery it can come back. So we will just have to wait and keep praying. Thanks you guys for your prayers and support. It means the world to me!

Holly

Prayers Needed for Baby Alex

2008-10-05T16:28:00.000-07:00

Last week we found a lump on Alex's neck. We went to the Dr. and she ordered an ultrasound for Monday at 9:30. She thinks that it is probably nothing to worry about but wants to be sure. He is only 11 days old and I just keep praying over and over that it's nothing. I don't know how I would handle something serious. Please lift him up in prayer. Overall I am dealing with this ok, but I have my moments where I just totally breakdown too. I will just be glad when it's over and we know what it is and can deal with it.

I attached a photo of Alex and Ella both at one week....can you tell who is who???

Holly

It's A .......BOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-09-29T10:12:00.001-07:00

Here are some photos of our new addition Stephen Alexander Howard "Alex" He was born Wednesday 9/24/08 at 11:20 am 7lbs 8oz, 19 1/4" long. He is healthy and just beautiful. I am doing ok. A few health complications..had to have a blood transfusion that Friday because of anemia and then my BP shot up on Saturday. It is still up and down but we are keeping an eye on it. Stephen is great and so proud to have a son. I will post again soon the story of the birth as it was quite eventful. Ella is a great big sister and loves her baby brother! She is having a time of adjustment but is enjoying her brother.

All set for 9/24/08!!!

2008-09-21T18:03:00.001-07:00

Well, it's Sunday night and all is set for delivery on Wednesday. I went to the Dr. on Friday and my BP is back down to normal and he said I was doing great. I am doing much much better than I did at this stage with Ella so that is good and I feell good. I get tired and can't do as much as I'd like but I am able to do more and feel better than I thought I would. I still can't believe that it's almost here....after a year of trying, and a miscarriage along the way, our baby will be in our arms soon. I am excited, but when I think about this pregnancy (and it's probably the last one) there are things I will miss as well and some things I will not miss about being pregnant. I will NEVER miss going though the 1st trimester again!!! I will miss the first flutters of movement when you are not even sure if it's the baby or not. Then the kicks that are unmistakeable. In a strange way, I will miss my belly button poking out and being able to enjoy having a belly. I will miss people walking by and looking at my belly, tilting their head and smiling. I will NOT miss complete strangers walking up and feeling my belly or telling me their personal delivery story and all the horrors they went through.....I will miss my friends feeling my belly and me being able to watch their faces when the baby moves and they feel it. I will miss the strange reactions I get when people ask what we are having and I tell them we don't know, it's going to be a suprise. Some think it's great. I get the feeling that others think it's crazy and are frustrated with not knowing, but when it comes down to it, it's about us and no one else. I will miss Ella giving my belly hugs and kisses for the baby. I will not miss fat ankles and getting up 4-5 times a night. I will not miss having to practically get out of bed just to turn on my other side. I will miss my family of three, but at the same time, I am sure I will not miss my family of three because my family of four will be so much more than I can even imagine. Thank you God for this gift.....I look forward to meeting this little life that you have planned for us!

Holly

Ella Open House and saying the pledge...

2008-09-17T08:19:00.000-07:00

Here is a link showing a video of Ella saying the pledge. Really cute.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6071597643964450568&hl=en

Last night was Ella's first school Open House. It was really fun for her to show us her room and her projects. We just love her teacher and her teacher assistant. Ella is loving school and has been learning a lot!

Ella and Soccer

2008-09-11T11:02:00.001-07:00

So Ella is enjoying playering Upward Soccer, which is a good thing since I work for the Upward organization!!! Well, she loves it for the first 30 minutes and then she is more interested in pouring water into a snowcone cup from the cooler and picking weeds than playing. But all in all she is having a fun time. It's a joy to see her play and not care which direction or even if it goes into the goal. She just loves chasing the ball. What joy there is in childhood! God bless her I just love her so much, I can't imagine that in 2 weeks I will have another child that I will love just as much.....I know I will but I don't know how I will have that kind of capacity. God makes room I guess :)

As Ready As I will Ever Be.....I think

2008-09-04T06:47:00.000-07:00

Well, 19 days and we will have a new family member. I went to the Dr. yesterday and she said that all is well and she thinks the baby may have dropped a little. I can't really tell though. My iron is really low but other than that everything else is going well. Ells is doing great and loves her big kids school and teacher Miss Vaughn. She is coming home with books to read for homework and singing songs she learned in class. I am glad she enjoys it and is getting a head start to Kindergarten next year. We had a nice Labor Day holiday although we didn't go anywhere. We did go to the Labor Day festival in Simpsonville. Ella loved it and enjoyed the rides and the pony's. My highlight of the day was a very good corndog....they are just not the same anywhere but at a festival!! Anyway, we had a nice time. Ella continues to enjoy her soccer and does a really good job. She is getting better with kicking it in the right direction now so that is good.

Upward Soccer

2008-08-27T06:03:00.001-07:00

Ella started Upward Soccer this year at a local church. It is so much fun to see her out there. I have worked for Upward for 2 1/2 years and now to see my girl playing in a league is awesome. It's so much fun to watch these 4-5 yr olds run around without a clue and kicking it in the wrong direction. But they don't care and we don't either. They just have fun and enjoy playing.

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

2008-08-19T10:53:00.000-07:00

Today is a milestone....it was Ella's first day of "Big Kid's School". She started half day K4 classes at the Elementary school. She has been asking for weeks if the school was open yet. She was ready to go. She didn't even cry when I had to wake her up this morning...we'll see how long that lasts! Stephen and I walked her to school and met her teacher Miss Vaughn. Ella just walked in like she owned the place and made herself at home. When it was time to leave Ella gave us kisses and waved goodbye then showed other children coming in where they were suppose to put their stuff. She loves to tell people what to do, I have no idea where she gets that from hmmmmm??? I held it together but I have to admit, it was really hard when we left her class and walked down the hall to realize that my baby is not my baby anymore. She is a little girl growing into her own. It won't be long before she is teaching Stephen and I new things and we won't be able to spell words we don't want her to know when we are talking. Yes, time is marching on and she is just so ready to tackle the world. I pray God's protection on her as she makes her journey.

Holly

6 Weeks to go!!!

2008-08-14T13:23:00.001-07:00

I can't believe that it's only 6 weeks until my c-section. I think we are just about ready. I have bought most of what we need, just need to get stocked up on diapers etc but other than the little things we are ready. I don't know about being ready for the sleepless nights again but it will be worth it. It took us 13 months to get pregnant and now the time is just about here!!

Ella started Upward soccer on Tuesday. She had a good time. It's a joy to see the 4-5 yr olds run around. They have no clue which end to go to, or to stop when it goes out of the lines. Just a lot of fun to run after a ball, that's what it should be all about anyway. I am looking forward to seeing her in her uniform for her first game on the 23rd.

As well as starting soccer, Ella will start her first day of K4 or "big kids school" next Tuesday. Stephen and I will take her there and meet her teacher. We got a sweet letter in the mail from her teach and am looking forward to having Ella in her class. Doesn't seem possible that she is old enough for school though. She will go from 7:30 - 10:30 and a bus will take her to her day care she goes to. I am glad she gets to go 1/2 day this year, it will make the transition to full day school next year easier. She keeps asking if school is open yet, so she is looking forward to it. We will go and buy her school supplies this week, I think I might get teary eyed buying her back pack and other items!!!

Holly

50 Days and counting

2008-08-05T18:09:00.000-07:00

Well I only have 50 days until my c-section. I still can't believe it. I went to the Dr. today and my BP is starting to climb and I am in the beginning stages of water retention. Woo Hoo! Lucky me! He mentioned that at the very least we have to make it to 36 weeks...that's only 4 weeks away YIKES! I still have a lot of things to buy to be ready. The baby's room is pretty much done but I need to do an overhaul of our bedroom, move the bedroom around and really dust and mop behind the furniture and in those nooks that never seem to get cleaned really well. Oh and I have yet to pack a hospital bag.....I have more to do than I thought!

Holly

Link to Photos from Ukraine and Budapest

2008-07-24T10:14:00.000-07:00

http://www.flickr.com/photos/28870200@N02/

Copy and paste the link to go to my photos at Flickr Photos. I hope the link works.

And by the way, I promise I didn't wear the same top the whole time I was there. I just happened to wear the same shirt on my touring day in Mukachevo and Budapest.

Holly H

Ukraine - Budapest

2008-07-16T11:08:00.001-07:00

These are two photos from my trip, more to come later. One is from Ukraine and the other is on a river cruise in Budapest, Hungary. I had a wonderful trip. Baby and I did great!! I am glad to be back home but wouldn't trade the experience for anything. I will fill in more later about the trip along with photos or a link to my photos.

Holly H

Ella 4th Birthday

2008-06-30T09:42:00.000-07:00

Ella had a wonderful 4th birthday this past weekend. We had a pink princess party and she really enjoyed it. She got lots of presents and attention!!! Mom, Dad, Ricki and Ron came from my family and Stephen's sisters Robbie and Mary Kay and her husband Chip came as well. We missed not having my brother and his family there as well as Robbie's husband Bob. Ella enjoyed her day but it's hard to believe that my little baby girl is 4 years old already! I can't believe that time goes by so fast, and she will be in 4K school this fall. She is growing up fast!!! Thanks to everyone for coming to the party and for all the great presents!

Holly

Dr. Appt - 25 Weeks

2008-06-17T13:03:00.000-07:00

I went to the Dr. yesterday and all is well. The baby's heartbeat was in the 150's and my blood pressure was great at 100/60. Hope that keeps up! They gave me the all clear to travel to the Ukraine on July 4th. I do go back to the Dr. June 30th for a final check and to do some standard tests. From here on out I will have appointments every 2 weeks. I can't believe I am at that point already. Last weekend my parents came over on Saturday and got a lot done. Stephen and Dad put up a swing set for Ella's birthday on June 29th, which she loves. Mom and I got the baby's room set up with the furniture and an area rug. Mom took all the neutral infant clothes we had for Ella home with her to go through and wash. So we are getting closer to being ready. I just have to start buying little things here and there like diapers, wipes, bottles, bibs etc. I guess we have everything else we need. I am really looking forward to having this baby. With Ella I think I was so terrified because I had no idea how to be a Mom or what to expect. So I think I am a little more calm and excited with this baby. I mean I was excited to have Ella but it is scary with your first as you have no idea what it's really like until you experience it. I think I will feel better once I get back from the Ukraine and I can really concentrate on all the final touches with the baby's room and getting the things I need.

Holly

Beach 2008

2008-06-10T10:14:00.000-07:00

We went to the beaach with my parents all last week. Stephen stayed back at home because he was training for a bike race. We had a wonderful time and Ella loved the ocean, no fear of it at all! It was a great week to just relax. We spent a couple hours in the morning and afternoon at the beach most days. On Monday we took Ella to the Acquarium at Ft. Fisher and she loved it. On Wednesday we took the ferry over to Southport and visited the farmers market, christmas shop and had our traditional hot dog at the Trolly Stop. Other than that we didn't do much else except get doughnuts from Britts just about every day. Thursday night they had fireworks on the boardwalk but we could see them from the front of our cottage so that was nice too. All too soon it was time to pack up and come home. It was nice to get home though, me and Ella missed Stephen.

Everything is going well with the pregnancy. The baby is kicking a lot more and a lot harder now! I am 24 weeks and have my c/s scheduled on September 24th. It will be here before I know it. Hard to believe!!

In 3 1/2 weeks (July 4th) I leave for the Ukraine. I am so excited to go but know that it will be tiring. I will return on July 12th. I am going for work to help with some camps there. We will fly into Amsterdam and then to Budapest and drive from there to the Ukraine. On the way back we will have a day in Budapest to tour the city so that will be nice too. Looking forward to getting there just not the traveling part!!!

Well, I am really proud of Stephen. He completed the bike race the Assult on Mt. Mitchell yesterday in 100 degree heat. It was 103 miles and went to the top of Mt. Mitchell which is the highest peak east of the Mississippi. I can't even imagine. He said it was brutal, he was glad he did it but was really glad it was over!!! Over 1000 cyclists from all over the country come to participate in the race. We are really proud of him!!!!

Holly

Latest Dr. Report

2008-05-20T09:55:00.000-07:00

We went to the Dr. yesterday and had our ultra sound. Everything was normal and looked great. We got to see the baby move around a lot and several photos. We have one where you can see the side of the head and then it's whole leg up in the air with the toes touching the top of the head. It's really cute. I am 21 weeks and feeling really good. Stephen is taking Ella to Ky. tomorrow and I will fly up and meet them on Friday. Then the next Saturday, I will be going to the beach with Mom and Dad and taking Ella. Stephen will be staying home that week :( I am looking forward to the week at the beach and I know Ella will have a great time!

Holly

Video Link of Ella

2008-05-06T10:04:00.000-07:00

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8779541180021789355&hl=en

The Bad, The Good, The Awesome, The Bad and Good

2008-05-06T09:40:00.000-07:00

The Bad: Two weeks ago on April 23rd, I was on my way to my Dr. appointment. I was stopped at a light and the next thing I knew, BAM!!! A girl hit me from behind. I called 911 and told them and she asked if I was hurt. I told her I didn't think so but the seat belt got me on my belly and I am pregnant. Well next thing I know 3 fire trucks, 2 EMS, and about 6 cops show up in a matter of minutes. I called my Dr. to see if he wanted me to go with EMS to the hospital or to go and see him first. He said to come in his office after we get done with the police and he would check me.

The Good: All was fine with the baby. The heart rate was up but that was just because I was stressed. The Dr. was fine with how everything was going.

The Awesome: The girl who hit me, her insurance called me (Geico) and set up an appointment a few days later for me to have my car repaired. I took it in and it would be about a week, they had a rental car waiting for me.....a 2008 Red Mustang. Now I am not a Mustang kind of girl, but it sure was fun to drive for a week. Not so much fun getting a 3 1/2 year old in and out of the back but still fun. I got my car back yesterday and it looks as good as new. I have to give Geico credit, they made a frustrating, stressful situation a really good experience with no stress at all!!

The Bad and Good: The day before I had to take the Mustang back and get my car, I was in a drive-thru waiting to order and the next thing I knew, BAM! I got hit from beind AGAIN!! The good news, it was just a bump so no damage at all. But still, can you believe.....hit twice in less than 2 weeks!!!

Other than all that,things are going well. Ella has started to Yodel, something she picked up in a cartoon. It's hysterical. Next week I go to Orlando for work for 2 days, but all work, no play :( We will be taking a family trip to KY to see Stephen's Dad in 2 weeks and then we are off to the beach for a week. I am really looking forward to that!!!

Later,

Holly

17 Weeks and Counting

2008-04-23T07:00:00.000-07:00

I can't believe that I am 17 weeks along already only 3 more weeks and I will be 1/2 way to my due date. It's going by so fast! I am feeling better but still very tired at the end of the day, I am hoping to get back in the gym soon. I have not been since Feb and am actually missing it. I keep thinking I will have more energy next week but I am not quite there yet. Ella is doing fine. We took her to the elementry school that is across the street from us and signed her up for Pre-K. It was exciting to watch her walk down the halls but part of me wanted to cry. My baby will be 4 years old soon and will be going to school 1/2 days this August. It doens't seem possible. I now understand what people meant when they say they want to stop the hands of time when their kids are little. She is so excited about "big kids school". She was very very upset the next day when I had to take her to her day care because she thought that she was starting school. Stephen is doing well but fighting allergies. Working outside all day is terrible for him this time of year. I hope it clears up soon! Other than that not much is going on. I go to the Dr. today and then on Friday I leave for Calgary. It will be hard to leave 80 degree weather and go to 20 degree weather!!! But I am excited to go!

Holly

Masters Golf Tournament 2008

2008-04-14T10:08:00.000-07:00

We got to go to the Masters last Tuesday for the practice round. It was amazing and so beautiful. Here are a few photos.

Easter 2008

2008-03-24T08:44:00.001-07:00

Well, it's that time of year once again. Hard to believe that Spring is bounding in so quickly! We had a good weekend. We went to my parents on Saturday. Mom and Dad bought a swing set for Ella to have at their house so Stephen and Dad put that together. It was only part way put together and Ella started climbing and hanging all over it. She was excited about it. We hope to get one this summer for her at our house. She LOVES to be outside!

Sunday we went to church early service and they didn't have children's church so I was stressed about Ella making it through the service. She did great and didn't really make a sound. She colored most of the time. After that we got our things together and went to Pacolet to Stephen's sister and her husband's house (Robbie and Bob). His brother David came as well as his sister Mary Kay and Chip. We had a feast of lamb and so many sides you couldn't count. It was very very good. After we took some photos and Ella searched for eggs. That afternoon Ella was in Robbie's bed watching cartoons and I climbed up there with her to relax. The next thing I knew it was 45 minutes later and Ella was fast asleep too. I think everyone there found a couch or a bed somewhere and took naps. That is the best kind of day!!!

Things are going well and I have a Dr. appt tomorrow, I hope to hear the heartbeat. I have seen it on the U/S but I haven't heard it yet so I am excited about that! I think the morning sickness is starting to pass and I am a week away from the 2nd trimester. It has been easing off the past severl weeks so my energy is slowing coming back. I keep saying I hope next week I feel well enough to make it to the gym. Even if I just go 2-3 times a week and get on the treadmil I think I will feel much better. It's just having the energy to go that's so hard. I can hardly make it past 9pm before I am in bed any more!

Until next time....

Holly

Showing Already???!!!???

2008-03-17T06:28:00.000-07:00

Ok so I think it's a cruel joke in life that almost the moment you find out you are pregnant, your belly just pouches out. Now this was not true with my first, but's it's like the second time around your body says..."Oh hey I remember this, I know what to do.....POUCH!!" I can't belive that I am in maternity pants already. With Ella I was 15-16 weeks along. This time in a span between my 9th and 10th week everything just spread out. I shouldn't be bothered....and most of it is in jest but I really am shocked! But, I am just thankful that we are having another baby. I just hope that I can still fit a seatbelt around me at the end of June when I go to the Ukraine :)

Don't forget to visit my baby site - babysites.com/sites/hollyhoward

Holly Howard

Busy Busy Busy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-03-13T08:33:00.000-07:00

Time is just flying by and I can't really keep up. I am now 11 weeks along and all is going great. I am sick off and on but starting to feel a little better. The Dr. says eveything is looking wonderful. So we are certainly grateful for that. Ella is understanding more and more that she is going to be a sister and always wants to give my belly a kiss for baby!

Work is going fine and I am really enjoying Upward. I love Global and doing research about countries that we may be able to enter. We have had the opportunity to talk to a missionary in Bethlehem and he wants to start an Upward league there.....how amazing is that??? In Jan. I went to Vancouver for Mission Fest and in Feb went to Mission Fest in Edmonton, Alberta. Both were fantastic and Upward was well received. We have several leagues in Canada and it continues to grow. I will be going to Calgary for one of our trainings in April and then in late June I will be going to the Ukraine to help with a couple of camps going on there. I am really excited to see what God is doing and just so thankful that He sees fit to invite me along! Most of the Global have been or are presently in Brazil and it is amazing the reception. 24 (90 people) churches came to training and want to incorporate Upward to reach their community. That is awesome. I was sad that I couldn't go. I can't get the shots needed to travel there because I am pregnant. So it's worth it but I would have loved to have been there!

Please check out my baby website I am using to journal the pregnancy and birth!
http://babysites.com/sites/hollyhoward/

Holly

PREGNANT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-02-07T11:37:00.000-08:00

I can hardly believe that I am actually posting that I am pregnant. After 13 months and finally accepting that it probably wouldn't happen for us......it happened. I am just over 6 weeks and the Dr. said all is great. He did the ultra sound and the baby was there with a heartbeat already. I am due Sept. 30th

God is so good!!!!!!

Holly

New Year

2008-02-04T10:55:00.000-08:00

Ok so I am really really behind on my posting. A lot has happeded the past few months. My brother, Joe and his family came for Thanksgiving. It was great to see them and Setphanie and Anna really had a good time with Ella and Ella really loved them. Christmas was good as well. Ella really got it after Christmas was over the whole santa thing started making sense. Now anytime we make cookies she thinks we are making them to leave out for Santa. I have started a new position with Upward to the Global deapartment doing Global Research. I am really looking forward to this change. I had the opportunity to go to Vancouver last week to Mission Fest. It was a great experience and just beautiful. Cold but beautiful!!! I will update with some other news I have in a couple of days.

Holly

7 Year Anniversary

2007-11-14T15:24:00.000-08:00

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

2007-11-14T15:11:00.000-08:00

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????

2007-09-09T06:16:00.000-07:00

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!!!!!

2007-09-07T07:08:00.000-07:00

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

2007-08-24T10:53:00.000-07:00

Vacation Time

2007-08-24T10:08:00.000-07:00

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 !!!!

2007-07-13T05:42:00.000-07:00

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

2007-06-20T05:58:00.000-07:00

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

2007-06-17T17:46:00.001-07:00

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

2007-06-14T13:01:00.000-07:00

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???

2007-05-04T12:43:00.000-07:00

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

2007-04-23T09:26:00.000-07:00

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

2007-04-06T14:17:00.000-07:00

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

2007-03-22T11:03:00.000-07:00

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!!!!!!!!!

2007-03-21T09:43:00.000-07:00

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!!!!!

2007-02-10T17:43:00.000-08:00

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!

Christmas Photos 2006

2006-12-27T07:31:00.000-08:00

Happy and You Know It

2006-12-20T07:14:00.000-08:00

The other day I told Ella that I loved her and she sweetly said "I lub you tooooo" and I said "Oh, you make me so happy." Ella replied, "If you Happy, know it, cap a hand!"

December Updates

2006-12-16T09:26:00.000-08:00

Well a lot has gone on since the last post. We had a great Thanksgiving. I had Mom, Dad, Aunt Ricki and Uncle Ron here on Thanksgiving day. We all had a wonderful time and too much food as always. Then on Sunday Stepen's Sisters and their husbands came over for dinner. We had a great time with them as well. A week later was the Holiday Fair at the Greenville Expo center. This is something that I really enjoy every year. It's a huge arts, crafts etc expo. Mom wasn't feeling up to going and so she kept Ella for me and Dad said he would go. I would have never thought that Dad and I would share such a wonderful time together at a craft fair but it was a perfect day. We talked a lot and laughed more and looked at all the diffenet things for sale. Not many people can say that they spent the day with their Dad at a craft fair! Anyway, we have been getting shopping done and spending time with Ella. She and I have battled being sick off an on the past few weeks. But other than that we are all fine. Ella helped us decorate the tree she enjoyed it, and to my suprise, she really hasn't touched the tree much. We have only had 2 ornament casualities. I think she is getting excited, but she really doens't understand what is going on yet. She know who santa is and says HO HO HO, but I don't think she quite gets it that next week she will have presents to open etc. I think next year she will definitly get it and we will probably miss this time that she doesn't. We can still have presents for her in our spare room just covered up in a corner. It will be the last year for that certainly!!! Well some sad news: Stephen's Mother Kay is a diabetic and has other health issues. She is in and out of the hospital several times a year. On December 7th she had a severe stroke. For about a week she was in ICU and not given much hope but she has taken a turn for the better and is in her own room. She has a long long way to go but she is improving and we are just so thankful. I will update again after Christmas.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!
Holly, Stephen and Ella

Uncle Joe and Aunt Jane

2006-11-16T13:42:00.000-08:00

Joe and Jane were here this weekend. It was so good to see them again. Ella had a great time playing with both of them. Joe would always pump his arms and make a funny noise at Ella and she would just laugh. Now everyday she says to me "What Joe doin"? and then copy him. It's really funny and sweet. Anyway, we all had a great time visiting with them. Joe has been in NC for several weeks and I know he was glad to get back home to LA!

I not see him Mommy

2006-11-16T09:02:00.000-08:00

Today I was taking Ella to day care and the sky was so pretty. I told Ella to look at the sky and that it was pretty. She said "pretty sky Mommy". I told her that God made the sky and didn't he do a good job, she said "good job in the sky", I like a da sky". I told her that Jesus loved her and for her to tell Jesus she loved him. She said "lub (love)you Jesus. She said "look at sky Mommy". I told her Jesus lives way up in the sky.........she looked up out the window and said "I not see him Mommy". Doesn't get much sweeter than that!

Autumn, I love it!!!

2006-10-23T06:13:00.000-07:00

You would think that it wouldn't be so hard to enter a blog, attach a photo and update about our life but for some reason, I just don't seem to get around to it much. And the next thing I know it's almost November. I love October though, it's my favorite time of year. The leaves are beautiful and right at their peak. A couple of weeks ago we all went to KY to visit Stephen's Dad. Stephen's sister Robbie drove her new Honda Accord. All was well until we got up around the Waynesville area, Ella then puked all over herself, and Robbie's beautiful leather seats, which makes for easy cleaning, but still not good. And don't get me started about the aroma for the next 200 miles. It wasn't really that bad, thankfully I knew where the Wal-Mart in Waynesville was and it wasn't out of our way at all. So we stopped got Ella cleaned up, bought some Febreeze and about a dozen towels (just in case). She was fine the rest of the trip. We had a good time in KY. We went to the Explorium in Lexington which is a science center for kids. Ella had a blast. She enjoyed seeing the horses and of course playing with her Pa Pa Howard and Dorane. We were glad to get home though. It takes a lot out of you to travel with a child even though she could not have behaved any better, it was exhausting for all of us. Let's see what else is new? Not really that much, I am still enjoying my new job. Well not really new I have been here 6 months now. I got a promotion a couple of months ago so that was good. We are finishing up our Football and Soccer season and the Basketball season is about to hit. We will be really busy in a couple of weeks as most leagues start their evaluations and practices in November and December and then games start in Jan. So it will be full on soon. I really love what I do, I could not ask for a better organization to work for. For those of you who want to know more about Upward, go to www.upward.org. Well I will sign off for now. I hope it won't be so long next time. Until then keep the Faith!!!

Holly

I like a de monkeys!

2006-09-18T17:51:00.000-07:00

We have been busy the past month going here and there but never seeming to get much done. Ella has gone to the zoo the past two weekends. Mom and Dad took her to the Greenville zoo 2 weeks ago and this past weekend the three of us went to Hollywild. She loved it! She kept saying "I like a da monkeys" "I like a da elpants" she had a great time and so did me Mom and Dad. It's just a joy to see the wonder in her eyes and that smile on her face. Stephen had a busy weekend too. He rode in a charity event for MS. He rode his bike from Columbia to North Myrtle Beach in two days. We are very proud of him. He did great, a little sore and tired but overall it was a fantastic experience. He raised a little over $200 for MS so it was all for a great cause. Not much else is going on right now. Work for both of us is going well. Upward just moved into our new building and it is really nice. It overlooks water and is in a wooded area. It's really nice. Well I will have to post later and try to post more photos soon.

Holly

Weekend Get-Away

2006-08-14T16:30:00.000-07:00

Stephen and I went away for the weekend to Georgia. We have not done that for a very long time. Mom and Dad kept Ella for us. Friday we drove to Rome, GA to spend some time at Berry College where I graduated from. The above photo is from one of the dorms I lived in for awhile at Berry. Some has changed but it was still like going back home. I told Stephen all the memories I had and he did a great job pretending that it was so very interesting! We really did have a great time and Berry is so beautiful. Deer are always around the campus and we saw at least 50. Saturday afternoon we headed to Clayton, GA where Stephen's Aunt and Uncle live and spent the night with them. It was really nice and we enjoyed them. His Uncle keeps bees so we saw his hives and all his blueberry bushes which are more like trees at 10' tall! I couldn't help picking them and eating them off the vine, nothing better! Sunday we spent some time with them in the morning and left around noon. We got home around 4 and Mom was at the house with Ella. It was a wonderful weekend away but it's so nice to come home. I missed Ella, and I think she missed us. Maybe she was getting back at us for leaving because I noticed she was quiet in the kitchen and went in and she had colored on the kitchen floor. So she got a time out for that and she thought her life was coming to an end. Sitting in a chair for a few minutes was torture. She was sweet after time out though and told me she would be a good girl and she was sorry. So hard to dicipline when they look at you with huge round eyes filled with tears. Anyway, she learned her lesson, for now anyway......there's always tomorrow!!

Holly

August Already???

2006-08-09T18:47:00.000-07:00

It's hard to believe that it's August. If it wasn't 100 degrees outside I would think it should still be June! We are all well and happy. Ella continues to grow and say new things all the time. She has learned to blow her nose which is great! She twirls her hair when she is drinking from her sippy and tired so that has lead to little hair knots to try to get out each morning. Usually I can pull most of it apart and what I can't I just have to cut it out. So far you can't tell. Nothing else is really going on right now. Stephen's job is going well and after 8 or 9 years, of steering clear of bees, Stephen has been stung close to 16 times this summer. Twelve of those were at one time but the others were freak stings, riding on his bike or mowing the lawn. He is allergic and has to be very careful but thankfully none of them were too bad other than the 12 stings at once. With those he was really hurting and swollen. I have had a good but uneventful summer so far. Work is going really well. It has only 3 1/2 months but it seems like much longer. I love what I do and know that God has put me there for a reason and it is amazing! We have had some friends move back to the area recently, Jason and Kimberly. Actually they knew Stephen first and Jason was in our wedding. They moved back from Charleston a few months ago and they have 3 daughers: Megan 5, Katie 3, and Lauren 1. We have had them over and vice versa. It is so nice to have friends with kids close. We really enjoy them so much and Ella just loves playing with them too. Well I will close for now until my next update. Hopefully something a little more exciting!

Holly

BIG GIRL BED!!

2006-07-22T15:56:00.000-07:00

Ella has transitioned to her "Big Girl Bed" and she loves it. The first night she woke up several times but never asked for her crib. She has been in her bed for about 2 weeks and seems to love it. Here is a photo from her second night sleeping in her bed. Now, potty training........somehow I don't think that will happen in a day!

Weekend at the lake

2006-07-08T12:09:00.000-07:00

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Last weekend Stephen's Dad came down from KY and we all went to the lake with Stephen's family for the weekend. We all had such a nice time and Ella really enjoyed everyone. She loved the sprinkler, blow up pool, and of course the trees. She has started climbing up trees. She wants to climb on anything and jump off of everything. We certainly have our hands full all of the time. We celebrated Ella's 2nd birthday there. She got so many nice things: books, clothes, nemo chair, princess chair, potty seat, bubbles, toys a blow up pool and lots more. She had a wonderful time. We went Saturday night down the road for a fire works show and Ella was scared at first and then within 30 seconds, she was asleep. She just couldn't hang on any longer. We came back Sunday afternoon and Charles (Stephen's Dad) stayed with us and left Monday morning. He had a wonderful time with her and we all had a great weekend. Thanks Robbie and Bob for a great weekend at your place. Thanks Mary Kay for the great meals! Thanks to everyone for making Ella's birthday special and all the wonderful gifts!

Ella's Birthday June 29, 2006

2006-07-03T15:08:00.000-07:00

I can hardly believe it was 2 years ago I was a week over due and felt like the Michelin Man. Then at 12:26am the Dr. said "it looks like a girl". I could not believe my ears as I was convinced I was having a boy. I was so happy to have my girl. At times I still look at Stephen and say "I can't believe we have a girl". She is my whole world and I can't imagine life without her nor can I really remember what life was like before she came. I know it was a lot quieter and less expensive that's for sure but I wouldn't change it for any peace and quiet or any amount of money!!! Last Sunday June 25th my Mom, Dad, Aunt Ricki and Uncle Ron came over to celebrate and we had a little cookout. Ella opened her gifts up and enjoyed everything. She loves her Dora video she got from Ricki and Ron, and also her pig/hippo/zebra flashlight from Dad (we can't really figure out what animal it is). She got new sheets for her first big girl bed. We sang happy birthday to her but I walked in the room starting to sing it and started out singing "A,B,C" and then realized it was the wrong song. Well, she is 2 and can sing her ABC's all the way through so obviously we sing that a lot!! She knew exactly what to do with the candle, she blew it right out. We had a very nice time. Thursday Stephen's Dad came from KY and stayed with us. He enjoyed spending time with Ella. Friday we all went to Robbie and Bob's (Stephen's sister and her husband) lake house and Stephen's other sister Mary Kay and her husband Chip came also. We spent Friday-Sunday at lake Murray. We all had a wonderful time with food, food, and more food and lots of laughs. Ella got so many nice birthday gifts. A Nemo chair, blow up pool, several outfits, a princess chair, bubbles, a bikini, potty seat, shoes, books, toy puppy, college money, toy stroller, watering can, and lots of other gifts. She had a very very nice birthday!!! Saturday she played in her new pool and climbed up the trees. We went to see a big fire works display at the lake. At first Ella got a little scared and within 30 seconds she was fast asleep. She had a long day and just couldn't hang on even for fire works. We came home Sunday and Monday Stephen's Dad left to return to KY. It was a wonderful weekend and Ella had a perfect 2nd birthday. Thanks to everyone for all the gifts and for loving Ella so much. Seeing how much she is loved by everyone on both sides of the family brings that much more joy to being a parent! I will post photos of her birthday celebrations soon.

Until next time, Holly

Wedding News

2006-06-24T07:20:00.000-07:00

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

2006-06-03T08:00:00.000-07:00

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;