Friday, January 20, 2012
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Wow! How time flies!
I am almost embarrassed by how much time has passed since my last blog update! Where to begin?
Well since almost 8 months have passed there is a lot to catch you up on. I guess I'll start with Olivia :) She is almost done with Kindergarten and although she was a little apprehensive at the beginning of the year, she is excelling now. Olivia is now speaking Spanish! Her teacher is really proud of the progress she has made in producing language. In August Olivia started taking ballet at Schramel Conservatory of Dance. She quickly became passionate about ballet and auditioned for The Nutcracker and got the part of a cherub. That was so exciting for her! For Christmas, Santa brought her a piano/keyboard and she began taking piano lessons right away. She is doing really well with that. She is looking forward to the summer vacation and will be on the swim team for the first time. She is counting down the days (11 to be exact) until her birthday.
Cole is very close to being fluent in Spanish as he finishes up 1st grade. He asked Santa for a guitar and he got an acoustic one, which he named Max, for Christmas. He just added an electric guitar to his collection, named Jack, this week. He is continuing writing songs and their music teacher is teaching Olivia the chords as well so she can play along on the piano while cole plays his guitar :) Cole discovered a LOVE for the game of soccer this year. It was like a light switch was turned on! The kid is awesome. He had a great season and can not wait to play again in the fall. His team, the Great White Sharks, won almost all of their games, losing only two the whole season.
Holden is about to graduate from 8th grade at Holy Cross. I can' t believe my first born son will be in high school in just a few short months! This year has proven to be very challenging for Holden academically. He is in all honors again but the material is getting harder. He still has all A's and B's but definately had to work harder this year to acheive them. He hasn't done much in the musical theatre department this year, but he did letter in Chorus :) He has his final exams next week and then leaves for Disney World on the 15th with his 8th grade class. His graduation is on the 21st and then I'm sure he'll take it easy this summer, maybe doing some theatre camps around the city.
As for Paul and myself, we continue to run around town, driving the kids to all of their activities. We are looking forward to a great summer. I'm not making any promises, but I will try to post more frequently this summer when life slows down a little. That's all for now!
Love to all,
Holly
PS. I will post pictures as soon as I get my picasa web albums storage updated!
Well since almost 8 months have passed there is a lot to catch you up on. I guess I'll start with Olivia :) She is almost done with Kindergarten and although she was a little apprehensive at the beginning of the year, she is excelling now. Olivia is now speaking Spanish! Her teacher is really proud of the progress she has made in producing language. In August Olivia started taking ballet at Schramel Conservatory of Dance. She quickly became passionate about ballet and auditioned for The Nutcracker and got the part of a cherub. That was so exciting for her! For Christmas, Santa brought her a piano/keyboard and she began taking piano lessons right away. She is doing really well with that. She is looking forward to the summer vacation and will be on the swim team for the first time. She is counting down the days (11 to be exact) until her birthday.
Cole is very close to being fluent in Spanish as he finishes up 1st grade. He asked Santa for a guitar and he got an acoustic one, which he named Max, for Christmas. He just added an electric guitar to his collection, named Jack, this week. He is continuing writing songs and their music teacher is teaching Olivia the chords as well so she can play along on the piano while cole plays his guitar :) Cole discovered a LOVE for the game of soccer this year. It was like a light switch was turned on! The kid is awesome. He had a great season and can not wait to play again in the fall. His team, the Great White Sharks, won almost all of their games, losing only two the whole season.
Holden is about to graduate from 8th grade at Holy Cross. I can' t believe my first born son will be in high school in just a few short months! This year has proven to be very challenging for Holden academically. He is in all honors again but the material is getting harder. He still has all A's and B's but definately had to work harder this year to acheive them. He hasn't done much in the musical theatre department this year, but he did letter in Chorus :) He has his final exams next week and then leaves for Disney World on the 15th with his 8th grade class. His graduation is on the 21st and then I'm sure he'll take it easy this summer, maybe doing some theatre camps around the city.
As for Paul and myself, we continue to run around town, driving the kids to all of their activities. We are looking forward to a great summer. I'm not making any promises, but I will try to post more frequently this summer when life slows down a little. That's all for now!
Love to all,
Holly
PS. I will post pictures as soon as I get my picasa web albums storage updated!
Monday, September 20, 2010
Toothless!!
Ok so picture day is Thursday and Livi will be toothless :)
This is my favorite.
Love to all,
Holly
My little cherub
Olivia auditioned for The Nutcracker and made it! My sweet little Lu is going to be a cherub! Here are some pics from her audition and one of the costume that she will be wearing.
Love to all,
Holly
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Memories
Just a few memories I never want to forget.
1. Livi lost her top tooth 9/6/10
2. Cole trying on his football pads 9/7/10
3.Holden after his first 2 mile cross counrty meet. 9/4/10
Love to all,
Holly
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
lessons to be learned
Good morning, world. Just a little epiphany I had this morning, I thought I'd share. If I am supposed to set an example for my children, then why do I behave so badly in front of them? And why do I get so upset when they behave badly in front of me?
When my children act up and are disobedient, it frustrates me beyond belief. It occured to me that when I act up and am disobedient to God, it frustrates Him. The difference is His grace is sufficient and His mercy is new every morning.
I seem to be asking my children all the time, "How many times have I told you.............?" and I realized that God tells me over and over, in His word, how I should live and what I should say. And yet, I still don't listen sometimes.
Heavenly Father,
Please forgive me for acting like a spoiled brat sometimes. Help me to see my children the way you see me. Shower me with your grace so I may give my children the same grace that You bestow upon me, day after day. Thank You for blessing me with 3 beautiful, healthy children. Thank You for the air in my lungs every morning and for Your mercy, which is new every morning.
In Jesus' name,
Amen
Lesson learned.
Love to all,
Holly
When my children act up and are disobedient, it frustrates me beyond belief. It occured to me that when I act up and am disobedient to God, it frustrates Him. The difference is His grace is sufficient and His mercy is new every morning.
I seem to be asking my children all the time, "How many times have I told you.............?" and I realized that God tells me over and over, in His word, how I should live and what I should say. And yet, I still don't listen sometimes.
Heavenly Father,
Please forgive me for acting like a spoiled brat sometimes. Help me to see my children the way you see me. Shower me with your grace so I may give my children the same grace that You bestow upon me, day after day. Thank You for blessing me with 3 beautiful, healthy children. Thank You for the air in my lungs every morning and for Your mercy, which is new every morning.
In Jesus' name,
Amen
Lesson learned.
Love to all,
Holly
Monday, September 6, 2010
Saturday, August 7, 2010
All My Babies are home
Just a quick post.........
Holden came back from the National Boyscout Jamboree (100th Anniversary) last night and we are so happy to have him home. Here is a candid shot of all my babies home under one roof.
Love to all,
Holly
Monday, May 17, 2010
A new arrival
What a great month! I love the month of May :) For starters, Olivia's birthday is May 16th and she just turned 5! I can not believe my baby girl is a five year old. This month is the start of summer excitement. I know that summer doesn't really begin until June but the anticipation begins in May. I am proud to say that I am reaching one of my goals......to be home more with my kids. I am making more time for my family and I think the kids really notice.
Holden just completed 5 performances of 101 Dalmatians over the past 2 weekends and I have to congratulate him on a job well done.
Cole is becoming quite the slugger. He started baseball last month and he is playing with boys older than him......and holding his own.
Olivia is riding a 2 wheeled bike and swimming like a fish. She is excited about starting ballet in the fall.
All 3 kids will be very busy this summer with swim team and all their various summer camps. And Paul and I are looking forward to taking them on a fun family vacation in July.
Speaking of Paul......My wonderful husband has taken the initiative in our back courtyard and turned it into a wonderful, relaxing space for me. I am so thankful to be married to the most wonderful man in the world.
Looking forward to a great summer with my family!
Love to all,
Holly
Friday, March 12, 2010
Spring
I'm a little ashamed of myself for taking this long to blog. My last post was January 27th and now we are almost half way through March. Life just gets in the way sometimes!
February was great and horrible at the same time. The Saints won the Superbowl, which is unbelievable! Then we celebrated Mardi Gras, but unfortunately Cole was sick the whole time. Also this year Mardi Gras only reminded me of what happened last year during that time. February 24th marked the one year anniversary of Meme's death. Not only does it bring back feelings of loss, but it reminds me that her funeral was the last time I saw Aaron. It's hard to separate the two because they will always be connected, at least in my mind they will.
It is hard for me to articulate the exact feelings I have. The only way I can explain it is sorrow, regret and longing.
Next month will be one year since Aaron was taken away from us and two years since Maw Maw died. And it's only one day apart so the 18th and 19th will be rough. It is true that time heals all wounds. I can attest to that. The days of crying on and off all day are few and far between now. But every now and then it sneaks up on me. Something triggers an emotion and the waterworks begin. I am so grateful to know the Lord though because I don't know how people go through tragedy and loss without God's grace and love. He has wrapped His arms around me and held me when I needed it the most. And without the safety and comfort of the Father's arms, I'd be lost.
If I could say one thing to each of the loved ones I've lost........
Maw Maw you brought joy into my life and the lives of my children. And I miss you and your gumbo and potato salad :)
Meme you loved me and accepted my decisions when not many people did. I miss your ability to make us all laugh :)
And Aaron, this is the hardest one of all. I am so glad I had the first half of your life to be with you and really get to know and love you. I wish I had made more of an effort to be a part of the second half of your life. I am so proud of the person you became and when I see you in the faces of my children, it makes me hopeful for their future. I miss the way you became a child again and played with my kids when you came back for Christmas every year. I miss rocking you as a baby and I will forever miss the possibility of knowing you as an adult. I love you so very much, more than you will ever know.
And one last thing, The fact that all three of you are in heaven together with the Father is a great comfort to me and gives me peace.
Spring is a time for life and rebirth and it's ironic that God chose Spring time to bring you all home. I guess I have to trust that He knows what He is doing. There is a season for everything. Now that spring is in the air, I am hopeful.
Love to all,
Holly
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Divine Intervention
We all could use a little divine intervention every once in a while. Right?
I believe that there was divine intervention in Sunday's game against the vikings. I would have loved for Sean Peyton or Drew Brees to stand there after the game and give all glory to God because I know without the real "saints" on their side, they might have lost.
Anyway it got me thinking. How many times in my life did God intervene when I desperately needed Him to? I can think of several specific incidences. So why am I always surprised when He shows up? And why are there some areas of my life that I hesitate to give up control?
Just a thought I'm having................
Thank You God for Your Divine intervention in my life................whenever You see fit.
Love to all,
Holly
I believe that there was divine intervention in Sunday's game against the vikings. I would have loved for Sean Peyton or Drew Brees to stand there after the game and give all glory to God because I know without the real "saints" on their side, they might have lost.
Anyway it got me thinking. How many times in my life did God intervene when I desperately needed Him to? I can think of several specific incidences. So why am I always surprised when He shows up? And why are there some areas of my life that I hesitate to give up control?
Just a thought I'm having................
Thank You God for Your Divine intervention in my life................whenever You see fit.
Love to all,
Holly
Monday, January 11, 2010
January 11, 2010
Today I drove to Baton Rouge to teach a class and I got to have lunch with my good friend Lacey on her birthday. Of course she had Oliver with her so I was so excited. He is the cutest and funniest 2 year old I have ever met. I can't wait to meet the new baby Sam when he finally gets here, but that won't be until May so I guess I'll have to wait a while. But anyway, it was so nice to spend a little time with them today.
On my way back to New Orleans, I was just driving and enjoying the music and "Finally Home" by Mercy Me came on the radio. If you don't know, that was the song that I sang at Aaron's funeral. I have only heard it a few times on the radio since the funeral and when I do hear it, I get choked up. As the song played, I felt the tears start to well up in my eyes and eventually spill over and run down my face. Even though time is supposed to heal all wounds, there will always be little reminders here and there that I've experienced great loss. Even though emotional triggers can be very difficult and sad to deal with, they can also be powerful reminders about what is really important in life.
This year I challenge you to get your priorities in order. Find out what is really important to you and place the highest value on it. Where your treasure is, so shall your heart be. In my last post I wrote a few of my goals for this year and I put God as my number one and family as my number two priorities. It only takes a second to tell someone you love them. You never know what tomorrow holds and tomorrow may be too late.
Love to all,
Holly
On my way back to New Orleans, I was just driving and enjoying the music and "Finally Home" by Mercy Me came on the radio. If you don't know, that was the song that I sang at Aaron's funeral. I have only heard it a few times on the radio since the funeral and when I do hear it, I get choked up. As the song played, I felt the tears start to well up in my eyes and eventually spill over and run down my face. Even though time is supposed to heal all wounds, there will always be little reminders here and there that I've experienced great loss. Even though emotional triggers can be very difficult and sad to deal with, they can also be powerful reminders about what is really important in life.
This year I challenge you to get your priorities in order. Find out what is really important to you and place the highest value on it. Where your treasure is, so shall your heart be. In my last post I wrote a few of my goals for this year and I put God as my number one and family as my number two priorities. It only takes a second to tell someone you love them. You never know what tomorrow holds and tomorrow may be too late.
Love to all,
Holly
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Hello 2010
My oh my, it's been quite a while. This holiday season has relly been hectic. First I want to start off by telling you what my mantra for the new year is. "In 2010 we're all going to win!" I know it's cheesy but it is catchy :) So if you own a business or breathe, you know how hard you got hit by the economy in 2009. Well I, like many of you, was starting to accept it for what it was. But then I had a wake up call Sunday morning by Pastor Mike. I am not going to accept it. I am going to believe that my God is who He says He is. Another little catchy phrase I'm going to use is, "In 2010, I'm not going to live like that again!" This is the start of a whole new decade. Life is what you make it. I am going to make this the best year of my life, personally and professionally.
I have so much to be thankful for and I intend to thank God every single day that I am alive and well and that my children and my family are healthy, happy and whole. Of course, I do have to make the standard resolutions that I do every year, but this year I'm not calling them resolutions. I am calling them goals because I do much better hitting the target when I know where the target is.
My first goal is to put God first in EVERY thing I do. Before I do something I will ask myself, will this honor God?
My second goal is to spend more time at home with my husband and children. I don't want my kids to ask me, "Why do you always have to go back to work?"
My third goal is learn more. This is a very broad goal and I intend to keep track of what I am learning by documenting it here in my online journal.
I have several other goals but those are just a few that I am asking you to hold me accountable for. I promise to post more often this year and I encourage your comments.
Have a Blessed and Prosperous 2010!
Love to all,
Holly
I have so much to be thankful for and I intend to thank God every single day that I am alive and well and that my children and my family are healthy, happy and whole. Of course, I do have to make the standard resolutions that I do every year, but this year I'm not calling them resolutions. I am calling them goals because I do much better hitting the target when I know where the target is.
My first goal is to put God first in EVERY thing I do. Before I do something I will ask myself, will this honor God?
My second goal is to spend more time at home with my husband and children. I don't want my kids to ask me, "Why do you always have to go back to work?"
My third goal is learn more. This is a very broad goal and I intend to keep track of what I am learning by documenting it here in my online journal.
I have several other goals but those are just a few that I am asking you to hold me accountable for. I promise to post more often this year and I encourage your comments.
Have a Blessed and Prosperous 2010!
Love to all,
Holly
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
One Proud Mama
Today was one of those crazy days. you know those days when you don't think one more thing could be added to the calendar but somehow things keep coming up. Well that was today. Paul left to go out of town yesterday leaving it all up to me so I was prepared for a nutty day. But I wasn't expecting to be up all night with Olivia coughing her head off due to post nasal drip! Cole only had a half day so I decided to let him stay home from school since Olivia was sick. I drove them both down to my mom in Myrtle Grove and started my day.
I had to cancel one thing this morning because of the hiccup with Livi being sick so that made it a bit easier. Every year for the past 3 or 4 years my salon participates in the Holy Cross College Health Fair. I went and set everything up and met Tara and Kelsie, two of my stylists, who were going to stay for the health fair. Then I left to go to Cole's school for a parent/teacher conference with Cole's teacher, Maestra Carmen.
For those of you who don't know, Cole goes to The International School of Louisiana, which is an immersion school. He is learning only Spanish. He will not have any formal English instruction until 2nd grade. Anyway, the moment I walked into the classroom I could tell that she was excited to tell me about my son. She started to tell me, in her very broken English, how smart Cole is and how surprised she is by how much Spanish he knows already. She said that when the rest of the class has a hard time understanding what she is saying, Cole jumps right in and interprets for her. She raved about how hungry he is for more knowledge and how he makes more work for her as a teacher because she feels like she has give him so much more because he wants to learn more and more Spanish.
What could make a parent more proud? I am so happy that Paul and I decided to take a chance and do something totally out of the box for Cole. I hope that next year when Olivia joins Cole at ISL, she will thrive there as well.
As for Holden, he is still working really hard this year at Holy Cross. It is much more challenging for him because he is in all accelerated classes this year. He is learning that he really has to push himself this year to be the straight A student he has always been. But I know that he will do fine this year.
Thank You God for blessing me with 3 very different children. They all have so much potential in so many areas. Please help them realize their own potential and remind them to lean on You and not on their own understanding and You will direct their paths. Amen.
Love to all,
Holly
I had to cancel one thing this morning because of the hiccup with Livi being sick so that made it a bit easier. Every year for the past 3 or 4 years my salon participates in the Holy Cross College Health Fair. I went and set everything up and met Tara and Kelsie, two of my stylists, who were going to stay for the health fair. Then I left to go to Cole's school for a parent/teacher conference with Cole's teacher, Maestra Carmen.
For those of you who don't know, Cole goes to The International School of Louisiana, which is an immersion school. He is learning only Spanish. He will not have any formal English instruction until 2nd grade. Anyway, the moment I walked into the classroom I could tell that she was excited to tell me about my son. She started to tell me, in her very broken English, how smart Cole is and how surprised she is by how much Spanish he knows already. She said that when the rest of the class has a hard time understanding what she is saying, Cole jumps right in and interprets for her. She raved about how hungry he is for more knowledge and how he makes more work for her as a teacher because she feels like she has give him so much more because he wants to learn more and more Spanish.
What could make a parent more proud? I am so happy that Paul and I decided to take a chance and do something totally out of the box for Cole. I hope that next year when Olivia joins Cole at ISL, she will thrive there as well.
As for Holden, he is still working really hard this year at Holy Cross. It is much more challenging for him because he is in all accelerated classes this year. He is learning that he really has to push himself this year to be the straight A student he has always been. But I know that he will do fine this year.
Thank You God for blessing me with 3 very different children. They all have so much potential in so many areas. Please help them realize their own potential and remind them to lean on You and not on their own understanding and You will direct their paths. Amen.
Love to all,
Holly
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
The View From The Edge
This weekend I went to Dallas with my Mom and Dad. I wasn't thrilled about going, mostly because my husband wasn't going and I would be away from the kids for a whole weekend. But I went anyway because I knew it was important to my Dad. We went to The View. Most of you probably are thinking about The View, as in ABC's hit talk show with Barbara Walters. But thats not the view we went to. The View is a 3 day motivational seminar. The Director, Marc Acceta, uses characters to drive home different points, all done with humor, emotion and drama.
I was expecting to be entertained but what I experienced, I never saw coming. I've been in business for 13 years and have faced the same trials that most business owners have faced. I've trusted God and He has always been there for me. But every now and then we need someone, possibly someone from the outside, to shake us and wake us up.
Marc Acceta did that for me. My eyes were opened in a different way. I have a new outlook, not just on business but on life itself. So many of his characters spoke to me on different levels. And his wife Kelly gave an incredible testimony that ministered to me in a very personal way.
I am no longer going to let other people steal my dreams. I am in charge of my own future. God has given me dreams and visions and I will never let Satan lie to me again and tell me that those dreams and visions weren't from God! God has given me the power to create wealth and the passion to make it happen. He is my source and my provider and He wants me and my family to be BLESSED!!!
I will make a difference in this world. Today I make this statement and I mean it with my whole heart. I will give back. I will help others. I will run and not grow weary. I will not fall. I will make a difference.
I am so thankful for my husband Paul. Even though we don't see eye to eye sometimes, we can still work it out and our love is stronger because of it. My children point out my flaws and weaknesses as they see them and for that too, I am thankful. Sometimes we need to see ourselves the way our children see us. And lastly, I am so thankful to have parents who support me no matter what. They may not always see things from my point of view, but they still love me and want to see me succeed. My Dad especially. I have the best Dad in the world. He encourages me when I can't see the light at the end of the tunnel. He is a dreamer also and I believe he passed that on to me and I am thankful for that.
I've seen the view from the edge and it has changed me. Thank You God for your faithfulness and for giving me dreams and the passion to make them a reality.
Love to all,
Holly
I was expecting to be entertained but what I experienced, I never saw coming. I've been in business for 13 years and have faced the same trials that most business owners have faced. I've trusted God and He has always been there for me. But every now and then we need someone, possibly someone from the outside, to shake us and wake us up.
Marc Acceta did that for me. My eyes were opened in a different way. I have a new outlook, not just on business but on life itself. So many of his characters spoke to me on different levels. And his wife Kelly gave an incredible testimony that ministered to me in a very personal way.
I am no longer going to let other people steal my dreams. I am in charge of my own future. God has given me dreams and visions and I will never let Satan lie to me again and tell me that those dreams and visions weren't from God! God has given me the power to create wealth and the passion to make it happen. He is my source and my provider and He wants me and my family to be BLESSED!!!
I will make a difference in this world. Today I make this statement and I mean it with my whole heart. I will give back. I will help others. I will run and not grow weary. I will not fall. I will make a difference.
I am so thankful for my husband Paul. Even though we don't see eye to eye sometimes, we can still work it out and our love is stronger because of it. My children point out my flaws and weaknesses as they see them and for that too, I am thankful. Sometimes we need to see ourselves the way our children see us. And lastly, I am so thankful to have parents who support me no matter what. They may not always see things from my point of view, but they still love me and want to see me succeed. My Dad especially. I have the best Dad in the world. He encourages me when I can't see the light at the end of the tunnel. He is a dreamer also and I believe he passed that on to me and I am thankful for that.
I've seen the view from the edge and it has changed me. Thank You God for your faithfulness and for giving me dreams and the passion to make them a reality.
Love to all,
Holly
Sunday, September 6, 2009
A blah Labor Day weekend
This is Labor Day weekend and it's been pretty rainy so there hasn't been much to do. Yesterday, me and Paul stayed in our jammies all day and watched movies in bed. The kids climbed in bed with us to watch Journey to the Center of The Earth.
This morning we went to church and so far, it's still yucky outside. Maybe we'll take the kids downtown later if it clears up. I'll keep you posted!
Love to all,
Holly
This morning we went to church and so far, it's still yucky outside. Maybe we'll take the kids downtown later if it clears up. I'll keep you posted!
Love to all,
Holly
Monday, August 31, 2009
My Baby Girl is BACK!
For those of you who don't know, Olivia went on a trip with a family friend to Indiana these last 2 weeks. Well, she is back! She had the time of her life! These are just a few of the things she did while she was gone:
1. went to the zoo
2. went to a real working farm and saw 2 baby cows being born
3. went to The American Girl Place (got an American Girl doll named Krissa and had lunch at the American Girl Cafe) which is a really big deal!
4. had a princess tea party
5. had several sleep overs with her new friends, Savannah and MaryBeth
6. ate at the Rainforest Cafe
7. rode bumber boats and go-karts and played putt putt
8. went to an amish market, rode a horse and buggy and got an amish babydoll
9. went to visit her cousins, Lexie and Hunter
10. rode on an airplane there and back
I'd say she is one blessed little girl! I flew to Chicago yesterday to get her and we flew home together today. It is so great to have her home. Her brothers missed her so much. I wish I could say that we had a peaceful evening all night, but...............it was short lived. Olivia wasn't home one hour before the sibling rivalry began. Anyway, I'm just glad all my children are home under one roof. The only thing missing now is my hubby! Paul is in Charlotte, NC but will be on a 6am flight home tomorrow morning. So then our family will all be together again.
Thank You, Lord, for watching over Livi while she was away from us. Thank You for giving us such a wonderful neighbor, Ms. Pam and Mr. Bernie. They took such great care of Olivia while she was with them. Lord, give Olivia peace about starting school next week. She is sad that her best friends are at a new school this year. Comfort her as she goes into a new class and give her the courage to make new friends. I know that Olivia has awesome potential and I trust in You that You will bring that potential out in her this year, Lord. I ask all these things in Your precious Son, Jesus' name.
Love to all,
Holly
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