Mattie Lynn

I think Mattie is starting to go down hill. Mattie Lynn is just a dog..............but she's our dog. We found her on the side of the road in Hammond about 7 years ago. She was hungry, thirsty and hot. It was about 98 degrees outside and a hornet was trying to sting her.

Paul said, "We are taking that dog home with us." So he went to Walmart, got a kennel, picked her up and brought her to get groomed. She was so matted, they had to shave her....hence her name, Mattie.

We brought her home. Her eye was missing and she was riddled with heart worms. But my husband, having the biggest heart in the world, told the vet to do whatever was needed to save her life. She had aggressive treatment for heart worms and after a few weeks a frisky little dog emerged. She's been the best doggie ever since.

We don't know how old she was when we rescued her so we still don't know her true age but I think she's getting up there. Lately, we've noticed that she is really slow to get up and she doesn't always come when we whistle. It rained while I was gone today and she was in the backyard so she got a little wet. I let her in when I got home and let her go into the garage to dry off. Holden was about to bring her back outside when I noticed she wasn't walking right. She kept tripping over her back leg and her tail was all the way to one side. Holden picked up her tail and saw that it was cut. I took a closer look and I saw what was really going on. She chewed her tail raw. It was bloody and I could tell it was hurting her.

I read somewhere that dogs started chewing on ther bodies when their time was coming. I remember Baby, my family dog, did that right before we had to have her put to sleep. I just hope Mattie has a little time left. She is such a good dog.

No More Tubes!

Thank you, Lord, for watching over Cole and Livi this morning while they were in surgery.

Today Cole and Olivia had surgery to remove the tubes from their ears. They have finally outgrown the chronic ear infections and for that, I am so grateful.

My kiddos are growing up right before my very eyes. They were so brave! Olivia even walked back to the operating room with the nurse all by herself! We were home by 9:30 this morning and they are napping now. I guess it will take a while for the anesthesia to be completely out of their bodies.

I am so grateful for our health and I lift up those who need to be healed, in Jesus' name!

Love to all,

Holly

My Big Girl!

Well, my little girl is growing up and it was time for a "big girl" haircut. I was reluctant to do it at first but Paul thought it was a great idea and Olivia said she wanted to look like me. So off went the ponytail. Olivia has decided to donate her hair to Locks of Love so some little girl who has no hair can have hers.

Love to All,

Holly

My trip to Orlando

As many of you know, Aaron worked for Walt Disney World's Watercraft Division. He drove ferry boats agross the lagoon at Disney. I went to Orlando to spend time with my Aunt Gwen, Uncle Ricky and Adam. The day that I got there we were scheduled to go on one of the boats Aaron used to drive. It was raining and we had to wait because there was lightening in the area. As we were waiting to to get on the boat, a huge rainbow stretched across the entire sky.

We wanted a sunset.....We got a rainbow. I'm sure that was Aaron's way of "messing" with us.

The sun was supposed to set at 8:36 so at that time we released yellow and purple flowers into the lagoon as a tribute to Aaron. After a moment of silence, I spoke and sang, just like I did at the funeral. After I sung, Adam hugged me and we just couldn't let go. I will remember that moment forever.

Disney presented the family with a beautiful shadow box frame with a Disney Life Ring signed by his fellow cast members and some pics of Aaron at work. It was very overwhelming. After that we watched the fireworks over Cinderella's Castle.

The next day we spent on the lake riding jetskis all day. I'm still sore! I had an awesome time hanging out with Adam all day. Monday I helped Aunt Gwen in Aaron's room most of the day. If you didn't know Aaron and you stepped into his room, you would know him when you walked out.

Monday night was a very emotional night for me. I had been holding it all in for most of the weekend and it finally came spilling out and there was no stopping it. I didn't realize how overwhelming it would be being in Orlando, sleeping in Aaron's room, meeting his friends and seeing a little piece of Aaron's daily life. I know that crying is a part of healing and I know that I will have times like that and they will eventually become few and far between.

Over all, it was a much needed trip for me and I think it was for my Aunt Gwen too. I'm just sorry I couldn't see Aaron's world while he was still in it. But he will be with us in spirit forever and forever watching over us.

I love ya, lil cuz XOXOXOXOXOXOX

Love To All,

Holly

Our Beach Vacation

What a whirlwind these past 2 weeks! Where do I start? We definately needed a vacation from the stress of everyday life so Paul suggested a beach trip. I thought it was a great idea......short enough so that we weren't missing anything important but long enough for us to feel like we had escaped.

We loaded up the car with all of our beach stuff and headed out to Pensacola. The only thing missing was Holden. He was starting theatre camp and really didn't want to miss the first 3 days. Cole and Olivia did great in the car. They both played their DS the whole time and Paul and I enjoyed the peace and quiet.

I wish we had more sun while we were there but at least it didn't rain the entire time. We were able to hang out on the beach, play in the surf, look for seashells and bury Paul in the sand!

The morning that we left, it was a little sunnier than we expected so our family pictures were a little bright. But at least we got a few! Here are some of my favorites.

Love to All,

Holly

4th of July

Thought I would share a few of the photos I took from the 4th of July down in Myrtle Grove yesterday. We packed up the kids and drove down to my mom and dad's for a day of BBQ, swimming, sunshine and friends. It was a beautiful day and we left around 3:30 so we could come home and pack for our beach vacation. We are leaving today for Pensacola and I am so looking forward to spending 3 days on the beach doing nothing! I'll write again when we get home.

Love to all,

Holly