My Party Planners....Alf & Mara~

For a couple of weeks before my Bday, Maranatha began to tell me not to plan anything the Friday before my Bday because her and Alfred wanted to celebrate with me. They were leaving for Memphis that weekend before and wanted to take me to dinner. So, of course I cleared my calendar, however, I attempted to convince the both of them that I simply was very happy with hanging out at the house, watching a movie, and having take out. Even up until the day before I was telling Mara that's what I wanted to to do and she sent me a text message that said, "Get over it; we're taking you out." I didn't know where we going or what we were doing. Alf called me that day and tried to play it cool by saying, "What are we doing tonight?" I didn't have a clue but I wasn't the least bit suspicious. I guess you could say I'm used to hanging out with Alf & Mara so it really didn't surprise me that we were going out to dinner. They picked me up and off we went.....to an unknown destination. I wondered where we were going so I asked Mara (Alf was on the phone) and she was like, "You need to ask the man, he's the one that knows." Well, then I was confused but I just sat back and reveled in conversation. Before too long I realized, myself, that we were on our way to the Oasis. I absolutely love that place! We went inside and the hostess began walking us to our table.....well, then came the suspicion. She began to walk us through the kitchen which I thought was weird and then said, "they're all in there." Well.....there ya have it! A SURPRISE party it was....and ALL of my favorite people were there! It was so much fun- good food and great fellowship- what more could you ask for! Thanks, Alf & Mara~ It was a memory I'll never forget! 

OLC Surprise....

The Thursday before Thanksgiving I was on the phone at work and there was a knock on the door. I was on an important call so I ignored the knock and another knock came. At this point I was a little aggravated so I said "I'm on the phone." There was this voice that said, "I know but I need you." I opened up the door and it was my sweet friend and teacher at OLC, Johnna. She said Barrett was very upset and wanted to see "Aunt Holly." Well.....you tell me one of my kids is upset and I come running! So, I told my friend on the phone I would call them back and Johnna and I began walking through the hallway. She proceeded to tell me what had taken place in the classroom and that Bear was just having a hard time getting "over it." I was wondering why we were walking towards a classroom that we typically do not use during OLC, however, I had a one track mind of Barrett on my mind. As soon as the door opened I began to hear all these little voices scream at me, "SURPRISE!" Soon thereafter they began to sing Happy Birthday to me! It was the sweetest thing. There was a cake with candles and the teachers had all signed a BIG card for me! Most of the time my Bday is celebrated very early due to my Bday always being around Tgiving so it typically always catches me off guard. It was a sweet day at school that day! 

My Heart is blessed....

A few weeks ago my sweet Big Sis and Big Bro had a new "Day" baby enter the world! Lathon Atley Day was born on November 18th at 5:00 a.m. He is SOOOOOO precious....of course, I say that about all my "Day" babies! A tradition that was started when Garrison was born 12 years ago is to take dinner the night Angie has a baby of HER choice! This is a time where she can eat what she wants and ENJOY it! Each year it's been different, however, when Garrison was born she wanted Chili's and when Lathon was born Chili's it was again! It's a great time to love on my new baby and enjoy hanging out with my precious Sis and Bro. I'm SOOOOOO excited to watch another little one grow up calling me "Aunt Ha-Ha!" 

What a Sweet Sunday.....

Today was such a sweet day at church and always one of my favorite days especially when one of "my" babies are up on stage! I love Parent-Child Dedication day. A time when parents acknowledge in front of our church family that they will raise their child in the admonition of the Lord. Today, Will and Johnna, dedicated precious Anna. She was GORGEOUS in her little dedication gown. Mom and Dad were glowing on the stage. I consider it such a privilege to be able to witness such a special day in the life of Anna Adeline Hold. It has been SOOOO neat to watch God work in their lives the past year. Johnna took pictures after church of "Aunt Holly" with Will, William, and Anna but of course Mom was the one behind the camera. Sad day....we'll have to snap a picture together SOON!

Quick Trip up IH-35

Last week Kent's dad had open heart surgery. That called for a quick trip to Ft. Worth for Aunt Holly and Momma T.....we left early Saturday a.m. and enjoyed a day with the fam! It was Abby's last soccer game. She did AWESOME playing goalie! I was SOOO proud of her! While Kent and Brooke went to the hospital we headed to Southlake to do some shopping with the girls! Books are always a favorite with the girls and Aunt Holly CANNOT ever pass up the opportunity to buy her girls some new books! We frequently travel to Barnes and Noble.....the girls had fun picking out some books. Mom had never been to Southlake and LOVED it! It's similar to the Domain just MUCH bigger and of course the weather was beautiful Saturday afternoon. We met mom and dad for dinner and then Momma T and I hit the road to come home! We had fun listening to the Texas Tech game in the car on the way home.....man oh man, that team is a POWERHOUSE this year!

Anna the Ballerina

Well....I absolutely LOVE Harvest Day at school every year! It makes my day standing out in front of the doors greeting all the kiddos in their costumes! I had encouraged the teachers to dress up or be "festive" so when I got home the Wednesday before our Harvest Party Day I had the crazy idea to paint pumpkins all over a pair of my jean capris. I was up until nearly midnight but I believe they turned out cute if I do say so myself! My sweet little Anna-banana was dressed up in her Ballerina outfit so I just HAD to capture the moment!

Fun Times in Ft. Worth

Well, it was time for my Fall Trip to Ft. Worth to spend time with my Wells family.....I've canceled this trip twice so it was TIME! Selfishly, I needed time away and nobody better to spend it with then Kent, Brooke and the girls. I ate lunch with Abby-girl at school and met her friends. After we picked Abby up from school we headed to the pumpkin patch. Friday night was girls night and Aunt Nannon came over while Joshy and Kent went to the Football game. We painted our pumpkins and had a great time catching up. NOT to mention that I got to hug the "new mommy's" neck.....YES! Rhiannon is PREGNANT! I'm SOOOO thrilled and excited for her and Josh. They are going to be such AMAZING parents! On Saturday we enjoyed the morning at Abby's Soccer game. I thank God EVERY DAY for my friendship of over 15 years with Brooke....it's amazing that throughout the years God came full circle from Highschool days to now! My heart always leaves so refreshed, renewed, and rested after my getaways in Ft. Worth. Until next time.....

"Aunt Ha-Ha"

Because of this boy I'm privileged to be called "Aunt Holly." Well, actually it's "Ha-Ha." Garrison Clark Day was born 12 years ago and I remember it like it was yesterday! Angie and I were on our way home from Missouri with her being 9 months pregnant with G-man and it wasn't long after our trip home in the car he blessed us with his presence. I kissed mom's tummy before he came out and began a tradition of being the FIRST to "kiss" my Day-babies.

Any "DAY" now I'm going to be blessed all over again with kissing Angie's tummy again before the 7th Day-baby enters our world. I CANNOT WAIT!

When Garrison began to talk he coined the name "Ha-ha" which is what I continue to be lovingly called by my Day-babies. I LOVE IT and I LOVE THEM!

Time with Bubba and Sister!

I absolutely ADORE these kids! Peyton and Beth had a wedding in California to attend so it was my time with the kids while they were away.....5 days worth! The Smith home is MY "home away from home" and I LOVE it when I'm there. Lincoln, Scarlett, and I have SOOOO much fun when we are together. We talk about anything, play Wii together, watch movies together, spend LOTS of time shopping at the Domain and drive Lincoln around WHEREVER his next stop is~ ha! It has been a pleasure AND a blessing to watch these two kids grow up. They are simply amazing and I CANNOT wait to watch God's plan fold for each of their lives.

Veggie Tale Live!!

Okay, so I'm definitely catching up! SOOOO.....6 weeks ago Veggie Tales Live came to Austin and of course we could NOT pass up the chance to take Barrett and Brock! These boys know EVERY Veggie Tales song from the first word to the last; especially Brock! It was SOOOOO much fun watching them. And the Veggie Show wasn't too bad itself!