Visiting Jenny in Yakima....

Tricia and I had such a good time visiting Jenny. I met Jenny about 6 years ago through Tricia and she quickly became one of my best friends. Tricia and Jenny have been such good and faithful friends to me over the years. I am so thankful for them in my life. Jenny got married three years ago to a GREAT guy and moved to Yakima, Washington. As excited as I was for her...I miss her and hanging out with her everyday!

Three years and two kids later, Tricia and I headed to Yakima to see Jenny and her family. It was so fun to see the places she has talked about and get a glimpse of what her life is like. It was so great to be with two of my closest friends again and just be together. I LOVE these girls.
These are the two additions to Jenny's life. Olivia and Malory. They are too cute. Olivia is two years old with the vocabulary of a four year old and the energy of an eight year old and Malory five months is super chill.

It was a great weekend of good food, fun AND my favorite....fellowship!

A Rocky Road.....

Tricia and I have wanted to come visit Jenny for quite awhile. We got a really cheap ticket through Virgin Airlines and decided to go before she had her baby in March. I was so excited to fly Virgin Airlines as I heard they had great ammenities and good service.

I was loving our flight for the first two hours. I was instant messaging with friends, going through work emails and watching television. Then it came time to land. The last half hour was the worst travel experience ever! We started going through turbulance and I was starting to feel VERY sick. I was trying to take deep breathes so I wouldnt throw up and every time I looked at Tricia (who is six months pregnant!) she had a panicked look on her face. I couldn't even talk to her for fear I would throw up (sorry for the graphic detail!) All the sudden after 15 minutes of this I see lights, hear the landing gear go down and keep praying that I can make it to the ground before anything comes up. Next thing you know the pilot pulls up and we begin to go back into the air. I'll admit at this point I had a little fear creep in but that was overtaken by the sick feelings within me. The pilot came on saying we had to try it again from another direction in order to have a safe landing.

As we went up it was still very turbulant. My arms from my elbows down began to get numb and tingly. That was freaking me out a bit. I look at Tricia who started to cry and throw up. At that momement God was gracious to me and I was able to comfort her a little. I kept telling her to take deep breathes as I was doing. There were a few momements I thought I was going to pass out but about 12 minutes later we landed. You could other people on the plane crying and gagging!

I have never been so glad to be on the ground! I am so thankful that the flight wasn't my first time flying casue I would never do it again! God was so good to give us a safe landing and I can tell you I am NOT looking forward to getting back on the plane tommorow. More about our trip to come!

Happy Birthday Madison...

Madison, I wish I could be there with you to give you snuggles and celebrate your birthday today. You're getting so big and pretty. You are such a brave little girl. Your Aunt Hollie loves you and hopes to see you soon! Have a GREAT day.

*Today I am thankful for my two year old neice Madison!

Would You Rather Wednesday?!?!

"Would you rather limit yourself to TV viewing of ONLY QVC for a year for $30,000 or NBC only viewing for $5,000?!"

*Today I am thankful chocolate cake.

Gotcha Day!

Happy Gotcha Day Ivy! It was three years ago that Ivy was offically adopted! I was out of the country that day and was unable to attend the court hearing but what a special day it was for all of us.
I can't imagine how different everyones lives would be without her. On Sunday I called Ivy and told her that I couldn't come to her Gotcha celebration because I had to work. I asked her if she would like to have some special time with with me on Monday where we could go to lunch and do something fun. Her response was, "Hollie I would love to do that but i need to ask my mom first." I just loved it.
When I picked her up today I asked her where she would like to go and she told me she would like to go to the mall. She wanted Mac & Cheese and she wanted to go on the carousel. We did just that. She also wanted to go into some stores to "just look" for Christmas. She has become my little buddy and I love talking to her every day and love watching her grow up.
Ivy, I love you so much and am so glad you are my family.

Would You Rather Wednesday?!!?!!?

"You are in an extreme blizzard and could be stuck for up to three days would you rather have a blanket and 2 candy bars or cell reception?!?!"

*Today I am thankful for pumpkins.

Congratulations to Trevor and Patricia!!!!

Last night I went to a Suprise Engagement party for my dear friend Patricia. She has been such a HUGE encouragement to me over the last year and a half. I call her my blessing from God cause it was completly HIM who brought us together. We sat by eachother in church one Sunday and afterwards she started talking to me. She was so kind and we soon found out we were both single and going through the same things in life. It's crazy how fast we bonded. The first night we talked on the phone it was like we had been friends for 15 years. Her friendship came at the perfect time and I am so thankful for her.
She met Trevor last Spring at Grace and she was smitten right away. He proposed tonight and then took her to this restaurnat where we were all waiting for the happy couple. I was just talking to her Saturday about marriage and she was hoping this was coming soon. :) Patricia, I am so happy for you and thankful that the Lord blest you with Trevor. He is going to be one HAPPY husband. HOLLA SISTA!