Week 26 - The Holloway Inn

When we were looking at places to live, we REALLY wanted to be somewhere that was either close enough to see family somewhat regularly, or be off a major route where people could stop and visit. WE LOVE to entertain, and host friends and family. I even wanted to go so far as to have a guest book and sample size toiletries to give each of our guests...we called it a happy medium to do a cute basket with fluffy white towels and a bag of Ghiradelli. But I still want to make some tweaks and have a super cozy, luxurious feeling space for people to come stay. At least that's the end goal. We have loved being kind of central location for people traveling East/West and North / South. We are super easy to get to, and provide a good rest stop for people...and we are close enough to "home" that we've had a couple family members be able to travel here fairly easy.

But when I say we love having people come, I really, genuinely DO mean it! I like to joke that we are the Holloway Inn--like Holiday Inn...which is only funny if you know that when people got confused spelling my maiden name (Hiatt) I would say, "Hiatt--like the Hyatt hotel, but with an i. Anyway, love to host! :) That was the point in all of that.

We were able to have Brandon's cousin Wayne and his wife Melissa and their cute bunch come stay for a night on their way through. Our kids had SO much fun.



A few days later, we had Brandon's parents and Jason and Mindi come stay, as they were driving back to Idaho. We had a short amount of time--24 hours really--and we filled every spare minute!

We started out with a trip to the canyon...it's kind of ironic to me that a place to flat has a Canyon that comes in 2nd place to the Grand Canyon in size. But we love having it a short drive from home.










































It was hot--but really fun! The kids explored all sorts of caves--and we loved feeling the cool in the dark caverns.



We went home and grabbed lunch, and then went to show the crew our new office. We picked up pizza for dinner and watched a movie, and then headed to the splash pad for some water fun and to indulge in some Bahama Bucks to celebrate Kaden's birthday.



We packed in a lot of fun in a little time--and we would do it again and again if it meant the chance to have people come stay! :) So family and friends....We'll leave the light on and the chocolates out. We welcome you!

Week 25 - Happy Daddy's Day

Dear Brandon,

This week's post is dedicated to YOU!

For the past 11+ years, I have had the privilege to have a front row seat to watch your adventures in fatherhood. I've seen you deal with it all--the good, the bad, the ugly. I have laughed and cried and cheered you on as only the biggest supporter would do...because I truly AM your #1 fan!

I have learned so much from that front row seat--and I feel blessed to have the opportunity to watch you develop relationships with our children and work to improve in your role as a husband and father. You fill our lives with so much joy. You genuinely make life so much better and we can't imagine life without you!

I asked the kids some of their favorite things about you...here are their responses.

--He plays hotbox with me.
--He reads with us.
--He helps take care of Josie.
--He makes us laugh
--He helps us do things
--He spends time with us.
--He wrestles with us
--He is worthy to have the Priesthood and baptize us.
--He teaches me what is right and wrong.
--He throws cold water on us in the shower.
--He takes us on adventures.
--He goes hiking with us
--He tells great stories about scouts
--He goes to Palo Duro canyon with us.
--He let us keep some frogs for a while even though mom doesn't like frogs.
--He is the best dad in the world.
--He teaches us skits
--He gives me Valentines
--He lets us play his phone and Ipad
--He makes up GREAT, awesome stories like the dragon one.
--He saves people's lives.
--He helped me with my ingrown toenail.
--He helped me when I smashed my finger.
--He helps us build our testimonies
--He does interviews with us on Fast Sunday
--He gets us great birthday presents
--He helps me tie my ties
--He taught us how to ride a bike

The list could go on and on...there are TRULY so many amazing things you do. I feel blessed to learn from you and see ways I could improve myself as a parent. So often in life I get caught up with the serious to-do side of things. I get bogged down in the details and making sure everything is just so. But you bring a fun side to life that helps balance all of that out.

I love you for sacrificing...for putting family before things of the world. I love you for honoring your role as a parent and priesthood holder. I love you for valuing the role of motherhood and in finding ways to help our children respect and value women. I love you for sharing your many talents so freely...for being generous and kind and giving.

You know that I had my share of struggles with dating and figuring out who was right to marry. My dad reminded me frequently of the GOOD, BETTER, BEST analogy. And my dad was someone I looked up to and desired to make happy. There were some close calls on the dating front...a few times I almost ended up with someone good...or better. But when it came to you, it was as though everything clicked and suddenly I had no doubt that choosing YOU was my BEST choice.

Seeing you snuggle our babies, wrestle with the boys, teach the gospel, and love and listen to the kids, is that stamp of approval over and over that I did choose best the day I chose you...

I love you. WE love you...
for you are...for who you are helping us to become.
And we love you for loving us back...

 Happy Father's Day.
Love, us.

The last year in single digits

Dear Kaden,

You reminded me a few days ago that this is your LAST year in single digits. I tried to smile and be excited, because I AM! But it also makes me wonder how 9 of the best years of my life have flown by?

I absolutely loved doing our birthday photo shoot this year. You were SO geared up and ready for it. You had the location picked out, and even suggested several different "poses". Even when I tried to get some candid shots of you just playing, you had your face turned to me and your sweet smile ready to go! It was so fun to watch you do tricks and play. You have grown up so much, and it seems the older you get the faster it happens!

Kaden, You are SUCH a wonderful example. You do so many things right--it is something I feel you were genuinely blessed with. Your desire to live in a way that would please Heavenly Father is so evident by the decisions you make and the actions you take. You always try so hard to make good choices, to apologize quickly, to make things right and to obey. You frequently think of others and want them to be happy, even if it means giving something up that you really want.  I frequently have to remind myself sometimes that you are just a human too--and a little boy at that--because your soul is just so mature and wise.

At 9 you FINALLY learned how to ride a bike. I cannot tell you how happy this makes me--I love seeing you fly down the alley and feel a new sense of freedom. You love to dig in the empty lot behind our house. As much as the dirt and mud make me crazy, I love that you could stay occupied for hours letting your imagination run wild, all while digging a hole! You love legos and reading...a lot. And you adore being a big brother. Not going to lie--I adore watching you be a big brother.

You are just such an amazing little guy with a big heart. I knew you were supposed to be in our family before I ever had you--it was a strong impression that I will never forget. You bring such a special part to our family that makes life just so much better. I love you Kaden-roo. I love your smile, the way you beam when you put on a button up shirt (or as you call it, a "handsome" shirt). I love your desire to obey and to be your best, and to try to express your love for those around you.

I hope you feel my love for you--I hope you never doubt that you make my heart sing and the gray skies turn sunny. I have loved you since before you were born--I love you now--and you will have my love forever and ever, even after you enter the double digits. :)

Happy Birthday...
Love, Mom

Week 24- Happy AMA-Versary!

Holy Smokes...1 year. It's been 1 whole year since we loaded up our house, ran frazzled and crazy until changing for residency graduation, saying goodbye to friends, loading up all our kids at almost 10 p.m. and then driving through the night to get to Amarillo...our new home sweet home.

We arrived here exhausted...in so many ways. Having a newborn and moving and driving through the night at the end of a very long, long day is not for the faint at heart.

It was so chilly when we arrived...early in the morning, and not much open yet. I almost hurried to find a Walmart to buy something because it was just so cold! We had never ever seen the house we are renting, so we headed there first. After a quick look around the yard, since we couldn't get inside, we made our way to IHOP and grabbed breakfast and then picked up the parts for our washer and dryer that we knew would be delivered that day.

After picking up keys we headed back to our new home to wait for our stuff to be delivered. We walked around our house just in awe...it was everything we needed and more. Not perfect. But definitely a blessing.

Ours was such a weird situation...I knew that after our mad dash drive through the night, unloading, and grabbing a few things to get settled, I would have to take Brandon back to the airport to fly back to Temple to finish the last 2 weeks of residency. We took the plunge and hired movers. Kind of hybrid-movers really. They let us pack stuff, and they packed and did what we didn't. We paid them by the hour, so I was really motivated to get stuff packed before they showed up.

We knew we were walking in to a few months of no paycheck--which was a little scary. So I was INCREDIBLY  grateful for the people who showed up to help unload the truck, even knowing we had movers. It literally saved us hundreds of dollars and our hearts were overflowing with gratitude.

I have thought a lot today, about everything that has happened this past year. We have switched bedrooms a few times, moved things around, decorated, took over a practice, had many sleepless nights, held a few different callings, shed tears....of joy, and of sorrow. We are learning to adjust to different schedules, and grow with the dynamics each age and stage bring to our family, and get used to the fact that THIS is our new home.

I love many things about Amarillo. But I would be lying if I said I haven't cried a time or two about the fact that we didn't end up in a comfy job with a set paycheck like we anticipated. And everyone else we know who has bought a practice has bought it because it took them exactly where they want to be. We are here because...well, because it's where the Lord wanted us to be. Every time the jealousy enters and I see other people's lives unfolding the way I wish ours had, I have to remind myself that our journey has been one of miracles. It has been one of faith and fulfilled promises and seeing all the pieces come together in a way that is absolutely impossible to deny how specifically Heavenly Father KNOWS us, our needs, and where we will best be able to stretch and grow and become closer to Him. For us, for reasons beyond our current understanding, that is Amarillo, and because of that, we truly do love it here. We love it for what is meant to us after an incredibly trying year of job hunting...we love it for what it is to us now--a place to settle and plant our roots and let our family gain lifelong friendships. And we love it for everything it will be to us as the years go by.

1 whole year of trials, happiness, letdown, birthdays, celebrating, growing...

Happy Ama-versary! :)

Week 23 - School's out for summer!

I swear, the last few weeks of school were INSANE! Busy, busy. Plays and award ceremonies and all sorts of stuff.

I have pictures of the other kids, but for some reason theirs didn't upload--I'll fix that later.

I really loved how Spencer's teacher did her awards ceremony. She had each kid stand up and said 3 great things about them. Some were more about grades. Some were more about personality. It was really so touching and appreciated.



On the last day of school, I limped to the finish line...This year has taken a toll on me in many ways. Between the practice, and moving and having a baby and trying to figure out a new norm in our life, it just sucked the life out of me.

We gathered everyone up and signed up for the library reading program, then hit up Chick-Fil-A for dinner.




The library has these cute statues in the yard, and Josie was TERRIFIED of them. Literally. she shook and clung to me. Honestly, it was hilarious.



We had heard that the Food Network channel was coming through with their food truck competition show--and I was SUPER anxious to get in on the action. In watching Instagram for where they would be setting up, I saw another woman post that her son was serving a mission in Amarillo and she wishes he could know about this! I tagged her back and said I would help track him down. They happened to be serving in the same ward that shares our building. I contacted them and we ironed out details for her son and his companion to meet us there so we could buy them some waffles.

We pulled up early--camera men and tv people were all around. Everyone signed releases so they could be on TV, and it was just so cool!

Because we were so early, we weren't far back in line--anxious to see if we make it on the show! :)



The wait was WORTH IT! Oh my goodness, this waffle was SO amazing! We got 3, and shared. But we wished we had bought more! I'm still thinking of them over a week later. YUM!




This week we got a big package with some diapers in it. I was getting dinner ready when I looked over and Brandon was sitting in the box with Josie playing peek a boo. He's such a great dad!



I have a serious love of pajamas. It's funny because I remember often just wearing my dad's shirts as pjs. But I tend to be OCD about the kids wearing actual pjs. Not sure why...I actually just had this realization this week. When pj's go on sale, I stock up and keep them in a bin in the garage. My max price point is $6 for a pair of pjs. Gymboree and Crazy 8 have really nice pajamas and if you wait for the right sales, you can snag some killer deals! This week, I decided it was time to retire some cool weather pajamas and break out some summer ones. The kids were excited (although a little upset that their pants were too long--sorry guys. We're not tall in this house!) and anxiously got together for a picture.

Speaking of height...Spencer is inching ahead quickly and is almost taller than Jenna at this point.
I love these littles and their matching pjs.







This week has been full of running..meetings...man, I can't even remember what all it has been. But it's been SO busy! I keep waiting for the lazy days of summer, and fear they may not ever come! Hoping this week is less..."eventful". Running ragged this week put me in bed with no voice this weekend. Hoping I recover in the next day or so.

In all of this we have been trying to plan a vacation. Not a family one...but kid free one. This is hard to do because I have no idea where we really want to go! We picked Cancun / Playa Del Carmen, but we don't have passports and I worry about them not coming in time--and we are having a hard time nailing down dates that would work with our credit card miles.

Our choices have gone from New York City, to Mexico, to Oregon Coast, Florida, California...We are all over the place. So if you know where an amazing kid free place to visit for 4-5 days would be, we're listening...

I am looking forward to establishing a summer routine--doing some fun family activities, and perhaps getting the chance to sleep in now and then. :)