Black Friday!!

This was the first year that I was able to go shopping on Black Friday. Work schedules or lack of baby-sitters made it impossible to go. But, this year the stars aligned just perfectly for me to shop!
Michelle texted me thursday night and we plans to meet at Walmart bright and early. She laughed when she saw my list. We also meet up with Rita and Amanda. After picking up a few more deals there, we heading over to Target for the last few things on our (mine and Amanda's) list.
I was surprised how nice people were. I mean it was crazy busy, but there wasn't any pushing or shoving. I guess we were lucky, because a lot of my friends that went out this morning had a horrible time just trying to get the deals they wanted. But apparently there have been some incidents where the authorities had to get involved. I'm just glad that we didn't have any trouble.
I think that I'll be doing Black Friday Shopping again, at least until I have one of those horrible experiences.

Okay, it's been a looong time...

For those of you don't know, Jake has signed his contracts and is enlisted in the Army for 6 years as a Intelligence Analyst. He leaves for Basic Training Feb. 22nd, and should be home around the end of July, beginning of August. The girls and I will be staying with my mom in Oregon during that time.
It's a lot to deal with, but it's something that Jake has wanted to do for a long time. We started talking about it again this last June. I told Jake that if he was really serious about it, he would lose the weight that he needed to lose to be able to go in. He proceeded to lose 20 lbs. in the first month. So, after another month or two, we went in and started talking to the recruiter. We had a really informative recruiter to talk too, and we made sure to check with my brother-in-law on everything they told us.
After a lot of talking and praying, we decided that this was the way we needed to go.
We will know where they're going to station us about 2-3 weeks before he gets back from training. We're hoping for Fort Stewart, in Georgia, because that is where my sister and her husband are stationed. That way they can help us(mainly me) get adjusted into our new life.

UPDATES!!!

So, I've been such a slacker. So much has happened and I've not shared any of it!!

The biggest event was Maddi's Birthday. YAY for turning 1 year old!! No more having to mix formula! AND she's starting to get the hang of her sippy-cup!! I am so happy about that last one. I was starting to get worried, because we've or I've been working on getting her to use a sippy-cup for about 2 months before her birthday. None of the ones we had or bought worked, but thank goodness for birthday presents! One of the ladies that Dennise works with gave her a sippy-cup that Maddi just fell in love with!! I think it's just because it has the Princesses on it, but that's just me.

Along with all of that, Jake has been in the process of applying for a promotion at work since May and they FINALLY got around to start the interviews at the beginning of August. We're hoping to hear one way or another in a week or two. We're keeping our fingures crossed!!

I've been very busy as well. In addition to planning Maddi's 1st birthday, I been trying to finish painting our house, getting all of out family pictures up, getting our scrapbook caught up, mending all of our worn out clothes that have seen better days, and helping Maddi to start walking...which we're still sitting on the edge of our seats for that to begin!!

Lizzi is growing more and more each day. She is very particular about how things are to be done...sounds a lot like her mommy. I have to ask her if she likes the outfit I picked out for her, and if doesn't meet her standards I have to find something new. At least when it comes to eating, all I have to do is throw some cheese on it and she'll at least try it. We've been working on getting her to understand that you have to stay in your seat at dinner time and it seems to be sinking in, but we'll see.

We've been just a little busy, and now the Holidays just around the corner!!

Our Anniversary!!

So, yesterday was our anniversary! A whole 3 years and we're still loving everyday together! Since our funds have been a little snug since we gotten our new home, we just stayed in and watched a couple of movies and I made my thia peanut sauce, that Jake just loves!! WE put the girls to bed early and had dinner alone. It was nice to just be together and not have to worry about which of the girls was throwing food where or if they had enough to eat.
Since we didn't really go anywhere yesterday, I'm taking today to tell Jake how much he means to me. I honestly can't imagine my life without him, or our two little cuties! I have been so blessed to have him in my life. I hope the next 3 years go as wonderful, if not better, than the first. I love you, honey, even if I may not always show it. I'm so happy that you were the one I married!

Just Hanging Out

I love how sweet Lizzi can be to Maddi. Lizzi was trying to hold hands with Maddi, and Maddi had her hand stretched out towards Lizzi just seconds earlier. But then she started to slip and pulled her hand back, and I couldn't get her to do it again. Oh well, still cute!

At the Park!!

Lizzi is growing up so fast. She is doing so much on her own.

The other day she went up and down the slide all by her self.

Silly Maddi!!

Maddi has been our little turbo-crawler. She also likes to find her way into tight spots. One of which was under one of the dining chair.

The 4th of July at Aunt Debbie's

Lizzi loves swimming! We had the hardest time getting her out of the pool. She would try to float to the far side of the pool so I couldn't get her, but Aunt Staci could!!

Maddi had fun too. She just got a little too cold after a while, so she had to get out sooner than everyone else.

Our Silly Lizzi!!

So, I've been training for a Marathon. Lizzi has been very interrested in my running. She decided that she was going to try it out. But, instead of putting on her "Dora the Explorer" tennis shoes, she put on my running shoes...on the wrong feet, none the less. I don't know what she actually said, but it was very firm.

As soon as I find our camera, I'll post more pics. But, this picture was taken on a different camera, so I was able to share it with all of you!!

My New Hair Cut!!

It was finally time for a change, and luckily I had enough hair to donate to Locks of Love!! A full 10 inches gone and a nice short hairstyle for this year's hot summer!!

mommy we love you

sence Lizzi and Maddi can't type yet i am going to post a blog for them. Mommy we just wanted to say we love you and we are greatful for the things you do for us. the snacks and drinks you get for us. the diapers you change. and most of all putting up with daddy man, he is a grump sometimes. you are the best mom for us and wish you a happy mothers day!!!


P.S. Anna i love you and wish i could get you everything in this world that you want.

CINCO DE MAYO!!

Everyone is Invited to Elizabeth's 2nd Birthday Party!!

May 5th 2009

6:30 pm - 8:30 pm

At the NEW Hollingsworth Home

320 Brookside Ln. #C

Call for Info and Directions

Anna 503-559-6974

THE CONDO IS OURS!!!!!

We got the keys yesterday!!! So, we're getting the paint up this week, and hopefully start moving in next week. I'll be posting before and after shots once we get things done.

Our New Home!!

Okay, so Jake and I are going to sign on the condo tomorrow, and hopefully get the keys!! Basically, we're going to spend the next week or two painting and getting a few things done, before we move in all of our furniture. We've been extremely blessed at finding the additional furniture that we needed. My parents are giving us their old dining set. We're, also, getting a really nice tv armoir from Tommy and Amy. And, we got an AMAZING deal on a sofa set, thanks to Janette and Nate's connections! So, now we just need to get all of our stuff from Salem, and we'll be moved in. I'll be flying up to Oregon on April 17th, and driving back down with my dad and the 16 foot truck, which will also be towing my dad's car. We're hoping to be fully and officially moved in by Lizzi's Birthday, which, by the way, is May 5th.

PICTURES!!!!

I FINALLY got the pictures up for everyone to see!

Lizzi with a Joker smile from her juice

Maddi is starting to sit up!

Lizzi is learning to dress herself...note the shoes!

Lizzi has been doing really well with her sign language..."All Done!"

Lizzi likes to wear hats a lot, thus giving her a lot of "hat hair"!

Maddi's getting so big, she's rolling all over the place these days!

Condo Pictures!!

The downstairs bathroom

The Living Room

The Master Bedroom

The Girls' room

The Garage

The upstairs hallway

the upstairs bathroom

The Front Doors!!

We should be closing on Mar. 27th and officially moving in around the middle of April!!

Buying a New Home!!

For those of you that we haven't told, Jake and I are in the process of buying a townhouse/condo in Las Vegas. Yes, we are planning on moving back to Las Vegas. It's just across the freeway from Mike and Denise's house.
It has 2 bedrooms, 2 full bathrooms, fresh paint, new carpet and an attached 2 car garage. It's just over 1100 square feet, and the best part is we're getting it for $60,000.
We're currently in escrow, and have the inspection scheduled for Monday. Assuming everything goes well, we should be closed and able to move in by the end of March.
By the way, we're kind of looking for living room furniture, since we don't have any. So, if you have anything or know anyone that is looking to get rid of any living room furniture, we would love to take care of it for you or them.

Oregon vs. Nevada

So, if you have reading the blogs, you know that we've been trying to get Jake transfered to Oregon. Well, it's been six months and we've found out that it will take another six months (or longer) to get a full-time posotion up there. Needless to say, we've started looking into other options. Hopefully, we'll know more in the next few weeks, but at this point the girls and I are back in Las Vegas.

Updates on Maddi!!

I still need to get the video up, but Maddi is rolling over now! She has been working on kicking her feet up and rolling to her side, but now she is rolling onto her stomache. She still needs to learn how to roll back over, but she's really doing well with the rolling over.

One week down, a lifetime to go...

I'm very proud of myself! I've gotten up every morning and ran on the treadmill. I'm quite proud to report that I was able to run a full 5 miles this morning, without any breaks! I'm really excited about sticking with it. I hope to be able to increase to 6 mph by the end of the month.

Just wanted to toot my own horn!! I'm really, really proud of myself!!

This is how it's going to be...

I can definitly say that I'm not one of those women who can have their baby and go home from the hospital in their "skinny jeans". BUT, I am one of the most stubborn women you'll ever meet, just ask Jake. So, I have challenged myself to get back into my temple dress (the one that I've only worn once and that was for my endowments, before Jake and I got married) by the end of July, if not sooner. Take it as kind of a New Year's Resolution, but not really, since I actually started back in November.

I'm really excited about it, because I've already been doing really well. I started out using my sister's elliptical 30 to 60 mins. a few times a week and now I'm running 5 miles each morning(except for Sundays, of course). The crunches and push-ups still burn a little, but they are getting easier. At least I don't find myself lying on the ground in agony after each set anymore. My biggest challenge was realizing that I've lost a lot of muscle mass over these last years. But, I'm gradually getting it back.

So, here's to a Happier and Healthier New Year!!

Back in Vegas!!

So, Lizzi, Maddi and I are back in Las Vegas for a few weeks. Jake kept telling me how everyone was missing the girls, so we thought this would be as good a time as any for a visit.

Lizzi's been doing so well, she's learned how to say "Please" and "Thank You" in sign language. She's also learned how to put her shoes on all by herself, even if they don't always make it on the right feet. She's working on putting her pants on by herself. If it were not for those buttons and snaps, she would already be able to put her tops on.

Maddi growing faster everyday. She's already doubled her birth weight. She's starting to hold her bottle on her own when she's eating. She's even showing signs of crawling during her "Tummy Time". Maddi is going to be a big talker, just like Lizzi. She loves to smile and laugh. And she always seem to be hiding a secret, with the way she holds her hands at her mouth and giggles.

Grandma Denise is having lots of fun with Lizzi. She has her "Morning Cartoon" buddy again. Lizzi has really gotten into it. She goes over to the side of the bed and say, "Up!" Then once she's on the bed, she climbs to the middle of the bed, wiggles and snuggles into the pillows, pulls the blanket on top of her legs and sticks her middle finger and ring finger in her mouth.

Jake's getting really excited about his transfer. Things seem to still be moving forward. We're hoping that it will be able to be official moved up to Oregon by April.