School

Ethan and I both made it through my first volunteer session in his Kindergarten class on Tuesday. We had some long debates about whether I would be allowed to do this. He wasn't sure he could handle the part where I left and he stayed for the rest of class. So after some negotiations, he decided that he would try to be a big boy. I promised that I would be on my best behavior and not embarass him and he promised that he wouldn't attach himself to my leg when my time was over. So we both did well and I ended up having a great time. I wanted to see what he did during class. Everytime we ask what he did today at school, his response is always "I don't know". I am thinking this is a universal reponse for kids.
I got to his class around 10am and was put right to work. I had to do some cutting and tearing out. I think I fit right in. Then it was time for centers. I stayed in the art area to help the kids out with their cutting and pasting. They had to make a man out of the letter "H". Fun times!! Afterwards, we headed to lunch. We ate together and I got to talk to some of his friends (very interesting). After lunch, Mommy was off duty. We said our goodbyes (no tears!!) and I had some much needed "me" time.
Part of the negotation was that I had to pick Ethan up as a car rider. This was a bit stressful since it took him a while to come out and they kept calling his name. I was worried that he had forgotten and went to his normal pickup spot. This entire process took about 30 minutes once school was out so I told him we will go back to our normal pickup as a walker. It seems to a bit less hectic and faster.
After school, the boys and I went for coffee and a little playtime. Well... I had a mocha and they had hot chocolate. We enjoyed some fresh air out at Destin Commons and had some Mommy/boys bonding time. Overall, I would say that we had a very successful day!

Busy Weekend...

We had a busy Saturday planned in the Holt household. Ryan is taking the next few Saturdays off of work so he gets to see what Mommy and the boys spend their day doing.
Ethan started the morning at a baseball clinic. This year it was a bit unorganized so we got a little frustrated and left about an hour early. He had a good time though so that is what really matters. Then we went to lunch at the boy’s favorite restaurant- McDonalds. Afterwards, we had about an hour to rest up then we were off to a birthday party for one of Ethan’s friends. The party was at the Destin bowling alley and now Ethan has decided this is where his next birthday party needs to be. We have always had Ethan’s party at the Children’s park but with the rain situation last year we might have to change it up a bit and try something new.




Aiden wanted to be just like Ethan. Poor thing, he just had to stand around and watch.

Another lost tooth

Ethan lost his second tooth tonight. It is pretty sad but Mommy and Daddy will not pull his teeth out. My stomach turns every time he comes near me with it dangling and Ryan is afraid he is going to hurt him. So his bottom tooth has been very wiggly for about a week. I looked at it this morning and told him that it should fall out anytime now. I was crossing my fingers that it would fall out at school and the nurse would have to deal with it. (I know... that sounds really bad). But it was still hanging in there until he got a hold of some tough steak for dinner. That tooth didn't have a chance. Shortly after dinner while watching a movie, Ethan decided to go ahead and pull it himself just to get it over with. He is now awaiting the tooth fairy. Nana gave him a tooth pillow for Christmas and he is putting it to good use tonight. He even left the string hanging out from his pillow so the tooth fairy would find it easily. He explained tonight that when he was younger he thought that we were the tooth fairy but he quickly learned that if he doesn't believe then he doesn't receive. Sometimes he is too smart for his own good.

Our American Idol

Aiden got his inspiration from watching the contestants on the show. I think he actually did better than some we have seen.


Ok... So this is a litle dark and I couldn't stop laughing but you can feel his passion right??? Next after me... Here are some others with better lighting.


Now... I think this is an actual song from one of the shows he likes to watch.

Football with Papa

We went to see Nana and Papa on Tuesday night. Nana had surprised Papa with a trip to San Antonio for his 60th birthday. The boys had to go visit once they returned. They can’t seem to go a few days without seeing them. Every time we go over to their house, their first question is “Papa can we play football?” I have to warn them in the car that Papa may be tired tonight, or he may not want to play this visit. It still doesn’t stop them from asking and most every time they seem to be able to talk him into playing. 

Poor Papa!!

This is Aiden's normal spot.  He forgets that he is playing football and Papa ends up being the horse.

Aiden runs in for a touchdown

A quiet Saturday...

The boys and I spent a quiet day in on Saturday. It was way too cold for us to get out and about like we normally do. They did really well keeping occupied which allowed me to clean and do some laundry.  A clean house always makes Mommy happy.  Although I don't think it stayed clean for too long.  As you can see by the pictures, the boys made good use of the sleeping bags they received for Christmas.  They spent at least 2 hours sliding down the stairs with zero injuries!!

Perfect Timing...

Not even 5 minutes after I finished my last post, I get this story in my email from my Mom.  This story hit home for me and she didn't even know I needed it right now.  I thought I would share since it came at such a perfect time.
*I don't consider myself old by any means but the story still hit home just the same.*

Old barns and old people

A stranger came by the other day with an offer that set me to thinking.
He wanted to buy the old barn that sits out by the highway.
I told him right off he was crazy.
He was a city type, you could tell by his clothes, his car,
His hands, and the way he talked.
He said he was driving by and saw that beautiful barn
Sitting out in the tall grass and wanted to know if it was for sale.
I told him he had a funny idea of beauty.
Sure, it was a handsome building in its day. But then, there's
Been a lot of winters pass with their snow and ice and howling wind.
The summer sun's beat down on that old barn till all the paint's
Gone, and the wood has turned silver gray.
Now the old building leans a good deal, looking kind of tired.
Yet, that fellow called it beautiful..
That set me to thinking. I walked out to the field and just stood there,
Gazing at that old barn.
The stranger said he planned to use the lumber to line the walls
Of his den in a new country home he's building down the road.
He said you couldn't get paint that beautiful.
Only years of standing in the weather, bearing the storms and
Scorching sun, only that can produce beautiful barn wood.
It came to me then.. We're a lot like that, you and I.
Only it's on the inside that the beauty grows with us.
Sure we turn silver gray too.... And lean a bit more than
We did when we were young and full of sap.
But the Good Lord knows what He's doing.
And as the years pass He's busy using the hard weather of our lives,
The dry spells and the stormy seasons to do a job of beautifying
Our souls that nothing else can produce.
And to think how often folks holler because they want life easy!
They took the old barn down today and hauled it away
To beautify a rich man's house.
And I reckon someday you and I'll be hauled off
To Heaven to take on whatever chores the Good Lord
Has for us on the Great Sky Ranch.
And I suspect we'll be more beautiful
Then for the seasons we've been through here...
And just maybe even add a bit of beauty to our Father's house.
May there be peace within you today..
May you trust God that you are Exactly where you are meant to be.
And I do sincerely Thank God for my wonderful friends and
Family who care about me even though I show signs of weathering!

A Quick Prayer

This blog is normally about the boys and the fun times of the Holt’s. But today, this is about a Mommy who just can’t seem to get it together lately.  If you have been reading my blog then you probably realize that it hasn't been too personal at least about me.  But hey, this is my blog and I am doing this for the boys so they can have this as a kind of scrapbook of their childhood.  I am very much apart of their life and it is ok that they know that their mommy struggles at times with everyday situations just like they do.  And my struggle right now is patience.  Life is not perfect, right??   


So… this picture has been me lately. I feel like I am burning a candle at both ends. My patience has run dry and it has been affecting every aspect of my life. I am constantly running late (which is not like me). I can’t seem to get things organized. My house seems to never stay clean. My patience has been very short an often time doesn’t even exist. What is most difficult is when I get home from a long day at work and my patience is very short with the boys or my husband. I am not sure if it is getting back into a routine since school was out but they are extra whiney and hyper (difficult combination). However, these boys are my life and I want to be the best example possible. I want them to grow to be great men in this world, who love Jesus, love their family and also have a good head on their shoulders. I want them to know that it is ok to make mistakes in life and learn from them.

So even though I can’t pin point what the issues are (possibly: work, temper tantrums, etc). I am reminded that I can say a quick prayer each day for a little help to get through this bump in the road.  I know that I am never given more than I can handle.

You can ask Ryan... sometimes I am not the best at talking through my feelings or emotions (I know, I am  suppose to be the girl) so I thought it might be good to lay it out there so I can move past this and get on with life.   

Thanks for listening and now let's go and have a good day!!

Our little Avatars...

This is how my boys like to get clean!!

Christmas day...

This is their annual Christmas morning picture with their signature look (half asleep).  I could have used a few more hours of sleep as well (this is why you will not see any picutres of me).  For some strange reason...our boys don't believe in sleeping in. 

Papa with his grandkids. 

It is almost impossible to get all of them to cooperate.

Aiden with his bee pillow

Nana always hides money on the tree for everyone.  This is the highlight of the morning for the boys.

We are truly blessed to have our families close to us.  We were able to spend time with everyone during the holiday season. 

Visit with Santa...

The boys went to see Santa at the Bass Pro Shop this year.  We went by Santa's Station at the Destin Commons but they were charging $25-$50 to get a picture with Santa!!  We kept walking and we found out that Bass Pro had a much better deal.  We could take our own pictures as well as get a free one from the store.  They also got to look at the big fish tank and shoot some turkeys.  Who could ask for more??

Aiden is in deep discussion about some serious business!

The boys with their friend Stevie! 

Christmas Eve

We had a great Christmas with our families.  We started Christmas Eve with the Holt's.  We ate dinner and then it was present time!

Can you tell the boys have been watching Home Alone?

Mimi hung mistletoe and the boys each had to get a kiss.

After dinner and presents with the Holt's we meet Nana and Papa for the Christmas Candlelight Service.  We think it is important to make sure the boys remember why we are celebrating Christmas. 

Ethan in action!  We must leave some food for the reindeers.

We heard the reindeers like oat cereal so we had some left over from Aiden's allergy testing. 

Then of course... we had to feed Santa.  I know that his cookies are suppose to be homemade but this Mommy is busy!  Although Ethan did leave a note for Santa so that probably makes up for the store bought cookies.