Sorry I have been slacking :) but I have a good excuse

Well it's been a while, but I have a good reason... Summer started!! We have been quite busy since Madison started summer vacation. One of my favorite things that has been taking up our time is swim lessons. They love being in the water and are learning all pool safety and beginner swimming. It's so cute, to see them with their teacher. They love miss Chloe, she is so good with them and really pushes them to do their best. I think Madison will be full on lap swimming by the end of the summer, while Matthew will be doggy paddling through the pool. They have 7 classes left this summer.

We have already had a trip to Disneyland, which was so fun! Both kids absolutely loved it. They were not scared of any of the characters. Had their picture taken with Minnie, Mickey and Goofy. They had a blast, and every ride Matthew was not scared of, which was a plus for me because I do tend to get grouchy from all the whining hahaha. We had a blast together and will be making more trips to Disneyland this summer. Hopefully Kurt will be able to come with :)

We have also been to the Wild Animal Park. We are regular attendees of the Wild Animal Park. The kids love animals and are amazed by them every time we go. Plus they have an awesome water play park for the kiddies which is the highlight of every trip. We have a picnic in the grass and the kids play. It's so fun, it's just a fun way to spend warm summer days.

I want the kids to always remember great outings with their parents. I want them to build
wonderful fun memories that they can pass down to their children. I remember trips to Disneyland and the zoo when I was a kid and want my kids to always look back and remember those great times. So I'm starting young to engrave it in their brains hahahaha.

We have definitely started this summer off right and have a few more fun trips planned :) I will keep you updated in our adventures as they come!

Long time, no blog :)

Hey Everyone, sorry it’s been a while, I seem to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the everyday life I forget all about this! I never know how to start the opening to these things, it always sounds so awkward so bare with me. So we got memberships to the YMCA and let me just say what a great investment for our lil family. The kids and Kurt, I might add love the pool at the Y, it is an amazing thing to watch Kurt bond with the kiddies over swimming. The way it makes him happy and to see them LOVE to do it, makes me happy. Since we have been swimming there ( at least 3 times a week) Madison has gone from terrified of the water to a fish! She absolutely loves getting in the pool with Kurt and I. We figured out the trick to overcome her fear was goggles.. All she needed were some goggles so she could see under water and now we can’t get her out of the pool. She is doggy paddling swimming under water jumping in and already doing somersaults! I just love watching her get excited about it.

Matthew has come a long way as well, I think he was more terrified of the water than she was. Always wanting to sit on the stairs never treading into the water, would run out if we even came near him and would scream " Don’t take me in the deep deep water" he really had an issue with it. Until we just started to leave him alone and let him come in on his own terms, no forcing like we probably would have done :) No, we just focused on Madison and let him make his own decisions on it and finally he did. He realized we were out there laughing and playing he wanted to be a part of it :) Now, he walks in all the way to the 3 feet line where just his mouth is out of the water, and he runs around us laughing and playing! He still won’t go head under but from where he was at, he has really come along way!!

I am just so proud of them, they both love swimming and they get braver every day. They officially start their first swim lessons June 6th and I cannot wait to watch that! I think I am more excited than they are ha ha. It’s just an awesome thing to watch your kids grow in something they love. If we are lucky maybe they will both follow in their dad and Aunt Leslies footsteps and do competitive swimming :) Wouldn’t that just be cool!

As for Kurt and I, we attended a Marriage retreat last weekend in Palm Springs and let me just say it was amazing! First of all, the resort we stayed at was the nicest place we have ever stayed in so that was awesome, and then seeing God work in our marriage is just such a blessing, and to see how we can fix things through Christ is just a refreshing feeling. We get burnt out with the kids and life in general so it was nice for us to have a weekend away where we could work on us, and what was really important to our marriage. So glad we both came to the agreement that a Christ centered marriage is key, and that showing our children the grace that God gives us is so important!

We definitely were humbled by the weekend, and what really changed our approach with our children was realizing we sin against God everyday and he does not punish us for every mistake we make. He forgives us even before we do it, and never changes the amount of love He has for us because of anything we do. God shows us amazing grace! Amazing, amazing grace. Now, if I am to be Christ like, shouldn’t we show that same grace to our children? Yes, we should! We should let them make mistakes learn from them and love them unconditionally through every single one of them. And teach them yes there are consequences for doing wrong but it doesn’t change the love we have for them and we should never ever make them feel ashamed or guilty for any of it. It has given me a renewed feeling for our family for sure!

It has shown us that God brought us together on purpose, then blessed us with Madison and Matthew and they are our first priority. He showed us that when Kurt and I walk in the light, with love and mercy and grace for our kids, it will show them how to walk in the light and show everyone love and grace and mercy. I have to say that makes my heart so happy. So we have had a awesome couple of weeks, and I pray they continue. That we stay focused to what is important to God and to us.

So on a small side note I have become very intrigued by this extreme couponing, I am thinking of giving it a go.. any thoughts or suggestions?? I have not started anything yet, just day dream about the possible savings. It seems a little overwhelming for me, so who knows if I will even try it out! I will have to see if I actually have the time and patience for it ha ha :) I love you all, I will be back soon.. hopefully!

Leslie is getting married in 5 days!

So we are pretty excited to have Aunt Leslie here. She came early to prep for her wedding coming up April 24th and to relax and visit with us. We love having her here if I haven’t told you before :) I am so happy for her, talk about an amazing love story she definitely has it! I am just so excited to see her walk down the aisle and become a Mrs. I love her so much and can’t wait! So we are taking this week and doing some last minute things, manicures and pedicures, waxing everything under the sun hahaha and just relaxing really enjoying each other’s company. What I love about Leslie, is that no matter what is going on I can always come to her with anything. She is always comforting and real with every situation. Our friendship has blossomed into something I could never imagine, she is definitely one person I can’t see myself living without. At the end of the day, she is my best friend and my sister and I am so blessed to have her in my life. I pray that she is a shining role model for my children. She is driven, smart, successful, fun, easygoing, loving, trustworthy and devoted. I could not have asked for a better sister in law, or better yet a best friend. Leslie you are amazing and we love you from the bottom of our hearts...You complete our family and am so excited that Nate is now a part of it! Love you Leslie!!!!

God is good! Shout it from the rooftops!

So I just have to start by saying God is so faithful! He is amazing, and I am so thankful for the tests He has put in our paths and the growth that we come out with is just unreal. God has blessed us with the Secret Clearance so Kurt keeps his job. The last 4 and a half months have been a growing process for Kurt and I to trust Him to approve it! We had our ups and downs, well I take that back, I had my ups and downs, and one day I broke down, cried and cried out of fear. God led me to Kurt, said talk to your husband of this and I will ease your fear. So I did, asked Kurt how he felt, his exact words were "I’m not worried at all. God already told me He took care of this." From that day on, I knew God was with us, I knew that I didn’t have to carry this load anymore! God had taken control and told us to trust Him and don’t look back and we did! And I am so thankful for where we are today from this experience. I am just so happy, happy and in love with my Lord :) I know a few blogs back I was talking about starting to pray before anger or actions to make sure that I was reacting the way God would have me react and let me tell you, He must love to her my voice ha-ha because He has changed my family as well! I see so many changes in my children, how they act, what they say to each other, what they say to me and how they treat us. I just love seeing all God’s work in my children it is just so precious to see their little hearts filled with so much love for Him. My favorite is when I ask Madison do you want to pray and she starts every prayer " I love Jesus" it just melts me and I am so thankful for her kind spirit. She is going to be an amazing woman because the love she emanates. I pray she never lose that soft innocent side and stays faithful. She is such an amazing daughter. Soooo on another note :) I made a nice sanctuary in our "backyard" (which is a porch off our apartment) It’s a peaceful area where I will be spending a lot of time! It’s so nice to sit out there and listen to the wind blow through the trees :) Definitely my new hang out spot :)

It is the little things in life  :) Good night All!

We are back

I actually feel overwhelmed with everything that has happened in the last 7 days, that I don’t even know where to begin. Kurt's 30th Birthday was Saturday and Leslie and I did it right! We planned a huge surprise for him for the whole weekend. He was totally surprised and we had a great adult weekend :) So let’s see if I can break it down short and quick.. Friday Leslie came in Surprise #1 Friday night he got his first gift Riding jacket surprise #2. Saturday we wake up go to breakfast and he went golfing with his two friends at Torrey Pines Golf Course.. surprise #3 Reservations for 333 Pacific in Oceanside with Limo service to and from where ever we wanted to go... surprise #4.. I think he had a wonderful birthday now we have set the expectation high for my 30th hahahaha. At least he has 2 years to plan for it :) So that was our weekend, the week has been nice, went to the Zoo yesterday, the kids always have a blast. Madison's favorite animals were the Iguanas.. who would guessed? That place is definitely a work out, uphill downhill uphill downhill pushing a double with two kids who don’t want to walk up hills so I got a nice leg work out :) Anything for my lovies! Today Matthew and I hit up the beach with Meagan and Baby Madison (she isn’t really a baby anymore cant believe she is going to be 2 next week) I just have to say Madison and Matthew are meant to be.. they already show signs of a married couple. For example, she is always looking for affection from him and he turns away and pushes her away hahaha, she goes to hold his hand and he lets go because his hand is sweaty. they fight, they kiss they fight again haha they are too cute together! So tonight was pretty peaceful in our home for the first time in forever.. seriously forever! I tried a new technique for bed times. Every night it’s been bathes then 2 books then prayers then bed, and every night our kids stay up for at least 2 more hours after this playing laughing fighting screaming yelling crying.. you name it they do it. I really have been at my wits end with them, I just didn’t know what to do, till it recently dawned on me to put them to bed at separate times. So far they go in there together then as soon as we leave they go wild. Well tonight everything was done separately. Bathed Mathew did prayers laid him in bed, and no joke 5 minutes later he was out!! I was so relieved I actually cried, I thought this was just going to be our lives from now on and I really was thinking of committing myself to a mental institution. I mean I love my kids to death but they sure can run everything out of you. So I praise God for the revelation to actually do this. As soon as Matthew was sleeping in goes Madison, she wasn’t as easy but she is a piece of cake compared to Matthew. She has to come out and ask a few questions before she can relax. Question #1 "Mom, when I wake up tomorrow is it show and tell?" "yes, Madison you can pick out a toy in the morning" then she runs back in bed. About 3 minutes later she comes in "Mom, when we wake up tomorrow where are we going?" "To Maggie’s" (their nickname for Meagan) "okay, mom goodnight... oh wait kiss hug?" "yes Madison you can have another kiss hug" then she scurries to bed and is now sleeping after about 15 minutes!! I am just so happy right now, because I think of previous nights trying to write and I have to stop and yell " GET IN YOUR BEDS" or "TURN OFF THE LIGHTS" or "KURT HELP ME" which he does :) I really just feel relieved that we may have found a nice solution to our bedtime terror :) I have to give it all to God, because when I was boiling over I stopped and prayed and repented of the way I have been with them and asked God to fully intercede take over take control help me to love my kids the way Christ loves them and help me to see all the good in them. Show me what to do to raise them the way HE wants me to. And snap of the fingers God was there. He was waiting for me to let go and let him take control. Funny how you see the test after you pass but not when you are going through it. God is so good to me and my family it is just so overwhelming to talk about. I always get emotional when I think about how great His grace is for us! We were dirty with sin and he loved us anyway to send His Son to die for us! What a sacrifice!! What an amazing God! All I know is that I want to raise my children to love Him and know Him the way I do and a million times better! I want them to know the creator of this world as their best friend, their Father their Savior and worship Him with every ounce of their souls. Praise God for all things, He is so faithful!

Well let me just say today was a great day! We have officially started Kurt's 30th birthday weekend off with a bang! So, our day starts with waking up to Aunt Leslie being here :) The kids were so happy to see her. They love love love her, and it is just so sweet to see them interact with her. When I sit back and watch them it makes me think of how much they have changed over their few years.. sometimes makes me want another one.. I said sometimes ha ha, anyway today Leslie went over all the times she had seen Madison when she was a lil babes, before Matthew was in the picture, and Madison in all her adulthood responds so differently than I would have expected her to. The most serious response of the day... Leslie and I were telling her about her crazy hair as a one year old. Were were explaining it like feathers, it looked and blew in the wind like a feather would, know of course Leslie and I are giggling because we remember how sweet she was at age one, just reminiscing of the baby days of the first born :) Madison so bolding says to us, with a look in her eye that a 17 year old would give you. "Don't laugh at me" Leslie and I look at each other and then try to back track were we lost the fun conversation to her being offended by us. It was so sad, made my heart break a little at the emotion her little 4 year old self had shown us. What really made me sad was she isn’t my lil babes anymore. She is growing and changing into the most beautiful little girl, and soon she will be a beautiful young lady, then a beautiful teenager, then a beautiful college student and then the gorgeous bride. I actually just teared up thinking of this! It seems like years away but they will come faster than I can even imagine. I love her so much, more than I can even comprehend!! Ok, so enough of the sad gushy stuff.. after that we surprised the kids with a trip to Chuck E Cheese. Now they always have mixed emotions about it, they are terrified of the mouse.. if they see him walking around they become tree frogs plastered to your chest or leg.. whatever they can grab and cling to its in their death grip, and let me tell you they have some strong grips! So after we get there and they walk around on guard making sure he is nowhere to be seen they let loose and really have a blast :) Their favorite game is skee ball, and they played almost all 40 tokens on it. Matthew cracks me up, he likes to play it over hand and he does pretty well with this method, making it in more than half the time, Leslie and I were cracking up :) It was just nice to sit back and watch them be kids.. free kids to do as they pleased to run around and just let loose. Not worrying about cleaning rooms, or taking baths but just having fun. It was nice to be there with them. They are enjoying a fun weekend sleep over and my very best friend Sara's house with her two lil girlies. So they were packed and ready all day always asking "now can we go to Hailey and Chloe's sleep over?" no joke Madison asked 50 times, I finally said Yes its time and she was so excited. We get there she runs up stairs and didn’t care about anything else except playing with them. Matthew on the other hand my sweet sweet boy was stuck to my hip. We get inside and he takes his shoes off we hang out for a little bit and then I tell him "Okay Mommy is leaving now" He runs gets his shoes and say "I’m coming with you" It was so sad, I actually contemplated bringing him home cause I just love him so dang much! Sara sweeps him away with a nice super mom move and we were off to start our Adult Birthday Weekend for Kurt. Meagan and Travis and Grace all showed up for our surprise for Kurt. We had a great night hanging out relaxing and chatting all in all I am so blessed and so thankful for everyone and everything the Lord has given us! Tomorrow is going to be amazing day.. more birthday shenanigans to come.. I will keep you all posted.. Love you all and God Bless YOU!

What a day :)

Hello All, I am happy to see I have followers! Makes me feel special :) Today, was a typical day here in the Hollar House, one of the things I am starting to get used to is getting up before the Sun with Matthew ha ha. One thing I could always count on Madison for was sleeping in until 9-9:30, but Matthew has other plans. He likes to come into my room very very early get two inches from my nose and say.. "I want juice" in the wee hours of the day. I have learned to wake up about 10 minutes before he comes in so I am not scared to death every morning. But you gotta love his tenacity, the kid really never gives up on the juice hunt! Today was a learning experience for us all, I decided this morning that we weren't going to go through the day with chaos and whining and temper tantrums. Now, I know what you are thinking how do you prevent this from happening with a  3 year old and a 4 year old. It wasn't easy, and its a on going process. I made the decision as a parent to pray every time I feel the waters boil. I need the guidance from God desperately. I feel the change of moving to smaller quarters has been wearing on us all. The kids have definitely struggled with all of it, and even with being moved for 2 months now, its hard to get used to. So anyway back to my point, I need God to intercede, I need Him to calm me down and show us all how to handle every aspect of our lives. One thing I am guilty of is not following through with consequences. I am just a barking dog with no bite. So that changed today, we get one warning and a consequence follows if you are still being dis obedient. Let me just say, when you put God at the front of raising your kids, its like a brand new day! Now, I am not saying that they were perfect angels BUT I will say we worked out our differences in much healthier ways than in the past :) So, we will see how tomorrow goes! So now as I write this I can hear them giggling in their room, Matthew has the hiccups already from laughing so much and Madison with her high pitch squawk are just enjoying each others company. Its late I know they should be sleeping but that is a whole new ball game, something else we are "working" on. We are heading into a great weekend.. Leslie is here! a.k.a lafawnduh, my home slice :) We love our Aunt Leslie around these parts, and are so happy she is here to spend Kurt's big 3-0 with us. Good night all, we love you! and, remember praise God for everyday :)