Pat and Nic Holloway

zzzzzzzz's

2012-02-04T14:12:00.001-08:00

Hopefully I'm not jinxing myself by putting this in print, but I think Dylan has broken the night time three hour sleep cycle! This past week he has gone down at 11 and slept until 4 - it is awesome! I can't remember the last time I got 5 consecutive hours of sleep and I am loving it, it is seriously heaven sent!

Dearest little boy, lets keep this up, or perhaps even achieve a 6 hour stretch!

The many faces of Dylan

2012-02-02T20:56:00.000-08:00

I decided to see how Dylan would do in his Bumbo chair today - he did great and looked so dang adorable so I decided to snap a few pictures. Within literally minutes I got all of the following expressions.

Oh boy he makes me happy! So so happy!!

2 Month Update

2012-01-16T17:31:00.000-08:00

Can you even believe that my baby is two months?!? I can't. Even more than that, I can't believe how much he's grown! It really does go by fast!

Stats:

Length - 23.5 inches - 70th percentile

Weight - 11 pounds 14 ounces - 53rd percentile

Head - 39.8 centimeters - 46th percentile

Accomplishments:

Has found his voice and started "talking"

Occasionally coos and giggles

Gives responsive smiles

Holds his head up for short periods of time

Likes:

Swinging in his chair while looking at the lights and listening to the music

Staring at the ceiling fan

Wiggling all over the place

Baths - he loves to swing one leg over the sling in his tub so his foot can dangle in the water

Sucking on his fist and sometimes managing to get his thumb

Dislikes:

Sitting in traffic, or anytime the car isn't in motion

His pacifier -he will occasionally take it in the car but that's all

Dairy, chocolate, onions, spicy foods (all things mom loves to eat!)

Shots - I know this goes without saying, but we got his 2 month immunizations today and they were brutal - poor little thing!

Love you little boy!!

Baby Blessing

2012-01-09T19:30:00.000-08:00

This past Sunday (1/8/12) we were able to have Dylan's baby blessing. The week before the blessing I bought him a little white cotton outfit to wear for the blessing. I however failed to try it on him until the night before at 9:00 p.m. and it sadly was huge! Luckily for me, my mom, Jana and Vinnie came to the rescue and ran out to the store to find an alternate option! The blessing was wonderful, Pat did such a great job and Dylan slept through the entire meeting - I call that a success! We were so happy to have my folks and all of my siblings and their families join us for our special day. Every day I am reminded of how blessed I am to be this little boys mommy and how thankful I am for eternal families!

My handsome little boy

Our happy little family

Grandpa & Grandma

Uncle Ryan

Uncle Jared (I'm in love with this photo!)

Uncle Vinnie & Aunt Jana

Cousin Lilli, Uncle Cason & Aunt Kimi -

the little ones were not thrilled with this whole picture situation!

Grandma with the grandbabies! So dang cute!!

I think Dylan looks like his Grandpa!

We thought it would be nice to take a family photo - however, there was not enough room in my house and it was super cold outside, so we only snapped this one - um, it turned out pretty awesome! haha At least it's good for a laugh!

The many outfits of Christmas

2011-12-30T20:14:00.000-08:00

One thing about having a winter time baby is getting lots of first Christmas outfits/PJ's. Below is a sampling of the many outfits of Christmas!

Christmas 2011

2011-12-30T19:42:00.000-08:00

For Christmas this year Pat and I decided to forego our normal trip to Boise and spend our first Christmas in Lehi. I confess I was a bit sad with the decision. This was the first year ever that I wasn't spending the holiday at my parents house, but with the little one we decided it was just too soon to travel, and while I certainly would have loved to be with our families, I'm glad we decided to stay home. Being at home gave us the opportunity to start some of our own family traditions. My only requirement was reading about the birth of the Savior in Luke and Pat requested we eat pizza on Christmas Eve (ha!) Both were pretty easy to accommodate. Christmas Eve was spent together as a family, cuddling on the couch eating pizza and watching Christmas movies. Before we headed to bed we ended the night by reading in the Bible and putting presents under the tree. It was a perfect evening. On Christmas morning Dylan woke up at 6:30 so we decided to all get up and go open presents. As always we were all pretty spoiled. One definite highlight was a necklace my sweet little boy got for me (he's so thoughtful). After presents Pat made a delicious breakfast. Confession - we didn't make it to church! We've been holding off taking Dylan but really wanted to go on Christmas. Dylan had other plans for us and we just didn't quite make it. The afternoon was spent mostly napping. That evening my brothers came over for a delicious Christmas dinner of Chile Colorado. I am so lucky to be married to such a great cook! It my opinion it was a pretty close to perfect Christmas spent with my little family in Lehi.

Our Tree with all the presets underneath

Dylan with his presents

Even the puppies were spoiled!

We are so grateful to be a little family and while we didn't make it to church we are thankful for this time of year where we are able to be together as family and reflect on our Savior and the many blessing that he has given us.

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-26T11:19:00.001-08:00

I subjected Dylan to my own personal photo shoot - I think it turned out pretty well if I do say so myself! I take little to no credit and give it all to the adorable little boy.

One Month

2011-12-14T17:01:00.000-08:00

"I'm one month old today!!"

I can hardly believe Dylan has been here for an entire month already! When I was pregnant a month felt like an eternity and now as all parents seem to say, it's as if time is flying by! It's crazy how much life has changed - some days I feel like I haven't accomplished a single thing and then Pat reminds me that I've done the only thing that's important and that's care for this little boy. That being said I hope to one day figure out how other moms manage to shower, get dressed and feed themselves! Below are some pictures taken over the last month as well as a few tidbits about Dylan at this stage in life.

He loves to have his back rubbed/patted
His favorite place to be is cuddled on his daddy's chest
It took nearly an entire month, but he is finally nursing (hurray!!)
He's giggled a few times - all while nursing
He grunts all the time - perhaps acid reflux???
He likes it when mom sings him primary songs
He's got his days and nights totally backwards - he loves to be awake between midnight and 3

Dylan and Charlie the bear -

the plan is to take monthly pictures with Charlie and watch Dylan grow!

Taken right after bath time -

he likes real baths so much better then those dumb wash cloth baths!!

Check out that smile and those dimples!

Sleepy time with mommy

Cuddled on daddy's chest with the puppies

Our family is so blessed! I love watching Patrick be a daddy - he is so good at it! Who knew that one little boy could change my life so much! I feel so happy and fulfilled. I love being Dylan's mommy!

Oh Christmas Tree...

2011-12-05T21:51:00.000-08:00

Pat and I are both big fans of real Christmas trees - I think it's mostly the smell of a real tree or perhaps because we both always had real trees growing up (in recent years my folks have switched to fake and I think Pat's have totally given up the tree, but as kids, they were always real). In past years I have insisted on heading out the day after Thanksgiving to get a tree, however, this year we've both been so tired that I honestly questioned if we'd manage to get a tree at all. Luckily Pat knows how much it means to me and wouldn't let me go without one! We didn't get one quite as early as usual but I am happy to report that yesterday we went and got our tree. I know Dylan didn't know what was going on and he won't remember going, but it was important to me that we went as a family to pick the tree. I of course had to choose one of the coldest days so far to go get it! We didn't examine the trees as much as I usually do because of the cold and wanting to get Dylan back inside, but we still managed to get a pretty good tree and I'm loving sitting in the soft glow of the Christmas tree lights as I type up this post!

All bundled up in his snow suit! He reminds me of Randy (Ralphie's little brother) from the Christmas Story!

Using the carrier for the first time - trying my best to keep him warm!

The glow of the tree I'm enjoying right at this moment!

(I do realize it's leaning a bit, please don't mention it to Pat!) ;)

One day at a time

2011-12-01T18:08:00.000-08:00

Today I have been...

Peed on
Pooped on
Spit up on
Had my puppy run away
Tried to chase after said puppy
Only to be reminded my knee is still numb from my epidural and I can't run (I got really lucky and he came back home)
Meant to text my neighbor but somehow instead posted the text to my husband's coworkers Facebook - the text was about pumping milk

Luckily I'm pretty good at laughing at myself and I have a sweet baby boy to help me keep things in perspective!

My first two weeks

2011-11-28T17:04:00.000-08:00

*I am a total cuddle bug - I love to lay and sleep on my daddy's chest

*I sneeze a lot and in multiples just like my mommy

*I get the hiccups ALL the time

*My favorite time to be awake is between 12 am and 2 am

*I have now peed on mom, dad and myself - yuck!

*I refuse to breastfeed which is discouraging and exhausting for mom!

She is constantly pumping!

*I have the cutest dimples (I know you can't see them here, but aren't I adorable?!?)

*I've started to smile regularly - it makes mommy giggle

*I have the stinkest toots!

*I love car rides

*I spent 12 hours on the bilibed to help clear up my jaundice, it broke mom's heart

*I have the longest fingers and toes

*I am so tough! I didn't cry one bit when they pricked my heel for blood work

(it happened three days in a row!)

*I just celebrated my first Thanksgiving - daddy and mommy are so thankful for me!

Labor and Delivery

2011-11-26T09:50:00.000-08:00

most of you (if not all) probably don't want to read the details of my labor and delivery, but seeing as I use my very sparse blogging as a journal of sorts, I'm going to blog about it, if for no one else but me. That being said, there will be photos, so feel free to skip the writing and just look at the cute baby

11/7/11 - The 7th marked 38 weeks gestation, and meant it was time for another doctor's appointment. Pat and I headed to our appointment with no expectations. I was certainly feeling ready to be done being pregnant, and I was way ready to be done working, but I wasn't feeling like the baby thought it was time. The doctor confirmed at the appointment that I wasn't ready. I was only dilated to a one and he even made the statement "plan on being pregnant next week." After being checked we continued to chat about some of my concerns, including the perceived hernia I previously wrote about. The Dr. then surprised us both by saying, "actually let's plan to induce you next week on the 14th." I was ecstatic! We finally knew when this little boy was going to arrive. In addition to scheduling the induction he set up an additional ultra sound at the imaging center to get a better idea of what was going on with my hernia. This turned into a minor freak out on my part. I had the ultrasound on Wednesday which confirmed I had a hernia and then was told I needed to find a general surgeon in the next two days that would operate on it when I delivered the baby. I managed to find a doctor who saw me on super short notice and then actually suggested waiting to operate until at least six weeks after delivery - it was a relief, however, I hate that I still have this to worry about a surgery in the not too distant future!

11/13/11 - Being a scheduled induction meant that I was checked into the hospital the night prior to our delivery date. As I mentioned, my body wasn't prepared for labor, so it was necessary to give it some extra help. I don't remember the name of what I got, but it was used to ripen my cervix. When the nurse gave it to me she told me she wasn't sure how I would react to it - apparently some women don't have any side affects at all, others have severe cramping. Unfortunately I fell into the severe cramping category. It was a long painful night. No matter what I tried I couldn't get comfortable, and of course every time I moved to get relief from the cramping I would move my monitors and the nurse would have to come in and re-position them. I'm pretty confident that my night time nurse hated me. I also was getting up very regularly to go to the bathroom which included unplugging all my monitors and taking them as well as my IV along with me. Around four I called the nurse and asked if I could take a bath to try and get some relief. A different nurse came into the room and helped me into the tub - it sadly didn't really help - that being said, after a failed bath attempt the nurse got permission to give me some pain reliever through my IV. I got this around five and managed to snooze until six.

11/14/11 - Come Monday morning I was pretty miserable. There were multiple times during the night/early morning where I asked Pat if we could go home. The sad part was, I wasn't really having regular contractions and didn't feel any closer to having a baby. Around 8:30 I finally saw Dr. Young. At that time he broke my water. I was super grateful to have had that happen in a hospital bed as opposed to sitting at my desk at work (yuck!) and he started the pitocin in my IV. Where I was already so uncomfortable I also requested some more pain reliever in my IV. The nurse left to get the medicine and in the few minutes she was gone I decided that I was ready for my epidural! I was sorta embarrassed to ask for it as I was only dilated to a three, but the pain over ruled. Once that was done I finally slept comfortably. I snoozed all the way through contractions until I reached about an eight. At that point I wasn't feeling pain, but could certainly feel the pressure of the contractions. It wasn't long before I was a 9+ and the doctor was on his way - it was time to deliver! I honestly don't remember how long I pushed for, I do remember saying I didn't want to do it anymore and even though I couldn't feel it I knew exactly when I got my episiotomy (this unfortunately didn't keep me from also tearing naturally) , but in retrospect it really wasn't very long at all. I think I pushed for 45 minutes max and then baby Dylan made his appearance! What an indescribable feeling! My little boy was finally in my arms. I felt a mix of relief, joy, and concern - I just kept asking everyone if he was okay, I needed pretty constant confirmation that he was perfect and I dare say that he is perfect! Patrick and I made an absolutely amazing little boy.

And as promised - here are some of the first pictures of our little Dylan. We love him so much and feel so blessed to have him in our family.

He's Arrived!

2011-11-20T12:28:00.000-08:00

Dylan Charles Holloway

November 14, 2011

8 pounds 4 ounces, 19 inches

A precious miracle from our Father in Heaven

Blessed beyond measure

Dear Dylan

2011-11-09T09:23:00.000-08:00

We're ready...and so is your room!

My not so adorable bump

2011-11-07T08:37:00.000-08:00

Back in June Pat and I enjoyed a fun, but wet trip to Boston, which resulted in us both coming down with a cold. I was about 20 weeks pregnant at the time and my cold happened to get pretty nasty and included lots of coughing, sneezing, and nose blowing. All of that added up to one super sore abdomen. For about a week I had a horrible pain right above my belly button (it hurt to stand up!) and I swore I could feel a small knot. At the time I mentioned it to my OBGYN and he assured me it was probably just a pulled muscle, but if it didn't get feeling better to let him know. To my relief it improved significantly and I forgot all about it.

At about 30 weeks I finally started looking undeniably pregnant. I had a full baby bump and one adorable spot on my belly where the baby was consistently sticking out. The doctor said he thought it was probably a foot. I would occasionally push on it and it would go in and then later be popped back out. I fell in love with that little foot. However, over the weeks it didn't move and was getting quite a bit bigger, at that point I decided it was actually my baby's cute baby bum. Every where I went people would comment on my bump and I would smile big and say "I think that's his bum" and they would feel it and I would love it.

Then right before 37 weeks said bump became extremely painful. Too much standing, bending, lifting caused my little baby bum to cause me pain to the point of getting teary eyed. I went into my next appointment and asked the doctor about it, assuming baby had been comfortable in that spot for so long that it just became horribly stretched and sensitive. To my horror the doctor said "I actually think that's a hernia, I'll take a look at it after you deliver." He was so casual and nonchalant about it, but frankly it's freaking me out. I keep imagining my insides poking out through this hole in my body, not to mention it's getting more painful by the day. Some days it hurts to put a shirt on because it rubs against it. On top of all of that, I can't even tell you how many people I let rub my "adorable" hernia. Oh me, oh my! Today is my 38 week appointment and I'm hoping to get more information about said hernia, if there's anything I can do to help with the pain and how it may impact my delivery. Just another ache and pain to add to the joys of pregnancy!

Sasquatch

2011-10-26T16:55:00.000-07:00

Our weather took a nose dive this week, dropping nearly 20 degrees literally over night. On Monday our high was 72 and Tuesday it was 55, plunging us right into fall and reminding us winter is around the corner. For the most part I was prepared for the change and threw on a long sleeved maternity top Tuesday morning as I got ready for work. Next I rummaged through the bottom of my closet and pulled out a couple pair of sensible pregnant lady shoes - a pair of Converse and my good ol' Toms. To my horror, I couldn't so much as get the Converse to go on my foot, no matter how I tried, the heel of my foot was not going into that shoe, next up, the Toms. I managed to barely squeeze my foot into the shoe, but determined if it was that tight at 7 am I didn't want to know how they'd feel at 5 pm after a full day of work. I pulled off the Toms and slid into my trusty flip flops and ran out the door. Nearly everyone I encountered at work had some sort of comment about my choice of foot wear, to which I simply replied "it's all that would fit on my foot." That evening when I got home from work my husband was equally unimpressed with what he saw on my feet and drove me down to DSW (one of my favorite shoe stores). We looked up and down the aisle for anything that looked comfy and was bigger than an 11 (my normal not pregnant lady foot size!) For you ladies with large feet, you know how impossible it can be to find an 11, let alone anything larger. After walking down all the aisles and trying on a few pair of super comfy looking 11's that didn't work, I headed over to the men's department. As I slipped on a pair of men's Converse the dear DSW employee approached me and said "we have Converse in the ladies department if you want to try those on instead" she looked horrified as I explained to her I normally wear a size 11 and my now huge pregnant lady feet will no longer fit in a woman's shoe. She gave me a somewhat awkward "oh, okay" and walked away. Luckily for me, I was able to come away from this shopping experience with not one but two ladies shoes - both moccasin type shoes with warm fuzzy slipper like material on the inside. I'm not going to lie, they are a bit snug and there's no way in hell they'd go on with a pair of socks, but I am hopeful they are going to work for the next four(+/-) weeks until this baby comes out and then I am praying that these feet of mine go back to their "normal" size of an 11 and that I'm just experiencing swelling due to pregnancy and not permanent foot growth because of pregnancy! As a kid when my feet were growing like weeds my dad used to tease "if those get any bigger you're going to have to start wearing the boxes" the joke isn't so funny now as I fear this may become my reality.

Stage 5

2011-10-11T16:38:00.000-07:00

Remember a few weeks ago when I posted this blog and was grieving the loss of my HR career? Well I am happy to report I have reached Stage 5 of the grieving process which is Acceptance. Not only have I accepted the end of my career, I am now counting down the days! I let my boss and coworkers know that I won't be coming back after the baby is born and now I'm just ready to be done! I am doing everything in my power to stay motivated and engaged, luckily I have a few projects to wrap up before I go! Six more weeks until the baby is due and until I trade in the HR business for mom business! Hurrah!!

REM Sleep

2011-10-04T17:22:00.000-07:00

I am sort of in denial of the fact that I ever even reach the point of REM sleep these days, but I must, because I'm having dreams, extremely vivid dreams, some of which could be classified as nightmares. A few nights ago I had a dream that I was horrible at being a mother. I wanted to be good at it and I was trying so hard, but I just simply was bad at it. It seemed no matter what I did it wasn't enough, or was just flat out the wrong thing to do. At one point during the dream I suddenly exclaimed "oh no, the baby is outside!" and then proceeded to go pick up my crying baby from a puddle in the pouring rain. He was swaddeled all nice and tight and had a hat on his head to keep him warm, so as you can see I was obviously trying to do good things, but that didn't counteract the fact he was lying soaking wet in a puddle. I'm sure the dream came from a few of the fears I've been having lately, namely that

1.) I am not going to bond with my baby

2.) I really am going to be bad at it seeing as I don't have a clue what I'm doing

3.) I am going to suffer from post pardom depression

With that, I suppose I shouldn't read too much into the dream as the very same night I dreamt that Pat was standing at the vaniety rubbing toothpaste all over his belly. I have no analysis of, or reasoning behind that one.

Me & The Animal Kingdom

2011-09-27T16:48:00.000-07:00

This week marks 32 weeks. Only 8 weeks to go (give or take a week or two)! I know that a lot of first time moms go past their due date and I could deliver as late as 42 weeks, but I'm hoping this baby has mercy on me and decides not to do that. The wait and anticipation are kinda killing me. Physically I am feeling pretty good, but emotionally and mentally I am way over waiting for him to arrive. In my ideal world he'd be all nice and ready to go at 37 weeks, which for those who don't know is considered full term. That being said, I have come to terms with waiting 8 more weeks, I am hopeful it will only be 5, and the thought of it being 10 kinda makes me want to hurt someone. As I sit and wait, I decided to find out some information about just how long of a wait (gestation period) us humans really have in comparison to the rest of the animal kingdom - here are my findings.

Animal Average Days

Hamster 16

Chicken 22

Kangaroo 35

Dog 63

Lion 108

Sheep 151

Bear 210

Hippo 240 (this one surprised me!)

Human 280

Horse 366

Blue Whale 373

Elephant 684

In short, the information I found didn't really make me feel any better, it did make me feel grateful I'm not giving birth to a whale and made me feel really bad for momma elephants. Speaking of momma whales and elephants, while I might not be giving birth to either one, I am certainly looking like both - don't believe me, here's picture proof!

When I grow up

2011-09-14T18:07:00.000-07:00

As a little girl if you were to have asked me what I wanted to be when I grow up, the answer would have been a mom, more specifically a stay at home mom. Motherhood was always the “grownup” goal. Even at a young age I realized there were other important aspects to this goal, for example, I knew I wanted to be an educated mom and that meant working hard in school and making good grades, it meant going to college and getting my degree so that one day I could teach my children and help them to understand the importance of an education, so this is exactly what I did. Then came that great day when I graduated from college. I was so proud of my accomplishment, yet it also came with the realization that I was now officially a grownup and I was nowhere close to becoming a mother. I had no children, husband, or even a boyfriend. I realized I needed a Plan B, and this was scary and challenging. I figured the first step to moving into adulthood was the ability to provide for myself, so I found a job. It wasn’t the ideal job, but it paid well for a young girl right out of college and it was after all only a job until the real plan of motherhood became a viable option. After about six months at this job I realized I needed more than just a job, I needed a career, a way to provide for myself for the long term. I felt completely immobilized. I had never thought about a career, something to do for the rest of my life other than motherhood, I was lost. As luck would have it I found a job in my current field and quickly realized that this job had the ability to be more, to be my career. I enjoyed what I was doing and saw there were opportunities, so just as I had done with my education I worked hard and was able to turn my job into my career. Over the years I advanced myself both in pay and position, taking on new titles and new responsibilities. I realized I was good at having a career and for the most part really enjoyed it. I still hadn’t lost sight of the desire to be a mom, but I loved the sense of accomplishment that came with providing for myself and reaching career goals. After a number of years, I met my husband, and the opportunity for Plan A became a bit more of a reality. My husband was extremely supportive of my career, but also of the goal of motherhood, so together we started working on Plan A. It turned out motherhood wasn’t as simple as deciding I wanted a baby. I once again found myself working hard for my goal, doing whatever the doctor asked of me. Then in March we found out we are finally going to have a baby. I am going to be a mother. I am ecstatic. Finally this lifelong goal of being a stay at home mom is going to happen. At first thought choosing Plan A was so obvious, it is the “A” plan after all, and doesn’t that make it the first and the best plan? But wait a second, what about Plan B? The career that I’ve worked so hard for, that I’ve cared and nurtured over the last seven years of my life, can I really just let this plan die? I once again find myself scared. I don’t want to seem ungrateful, because trust me I am immensely grateful for this little boy we’re about to welcome into our family and that I have a husband that is going to be able to support our family and allow me to stay home, but I’d be lying if I didn’t admit to be mourning the loss of my career. If nothing else I am certainly mourning the loss of my income and the changes and challenges that will present! But more than that for the last seven years my career has defined at least a part of who I am, it’s where I spend most of my time, it’s the source of my adult interactions, it requires me to continually push myself to achieve more. I am going to miss Plan B. It scares me to walk away from something I’ve worked so hard for, the realization that one day if I come back to this career path that I will likely be starting over. In a sense, I feel like I’m throwing away the last several years of my life. I do realize that there are women who either out of choice or necessity have children and career and that I am making the decision to be a stay at home mom, but it certainly isn’t as easy of a choice as I thought it would be. I look forward to the new experiences, opportunities and challenges that come with Plan A, but for now I’m taking a moment to mourn the passing of Plan B.

Two-Thirds

2011-08-29T16:06:00.000-07:00

Well folks, I am happy to report that I have officially reached the third trimester, 28 weeks today(!) and for the most part, feeling great. Sure I've got various aches and pains, not to mention the heartburn (oh the heartburn!) but overall I have no room to complain. Not only can I not complain, I am super grateful - I just got off the phone with my nurse and my glucose test came back fine and my blood pressure was perfectly normal at my appointment today (it's been a bit high at the last two appointments). I can hardly believe I'm saying this, but I'm really loving this phase of pregnancy. I love the little kicks and hiccups and am kinda in love with my growing belly! At least when it's covered, uncovered it's pretty yucky and already covered in stretch marks, but I figure no one really saw my stomach before pregnancy, so it shouldn't matter too much. Here's hoping that the third trimester is as kind to me as the second was! Just 12 weeks to go and our little boy will be in our arms. Hurray!

Night Owl?

2011-08-14T07:00:00.000-07:00

Lately I feel like Dylan has been super quiet during the day - to the point it's concerning. I will sit and poke/push/pat my stomach trying to get him to respond, and I may get a kick or two, but not much. That being said, the last few nights I've woken up and he's in there going to town! Does this mean his sleep cycle is already backwards?? I know I'm in for a lot of sleepless nights, but this night time movement is making me nervous for what the coming months may hold!!

That being said, two nights ago he woke me up with my first baby hiccup experience

and I was so totally in love!

Baby Boy Updates

2011-08-02T16:03:00.000-07:00

7/18 - As my alarm went off this morning, I painfully pulled myself out of bed and got into the shower. I was not feeling much more awake after my shower and in my normal lazy way I sat down on the ground to dry my hair. Once my hair was dry I decided it was impossible for me to stand up and get ready, I was just too sleepy, so I laid down on the floor. Suddenly as I was laying there I felt a tiny "pop" in my belly, almost like a bubble. I laid still for another minute and then came another "pop"! It suddenly dawned on me, I had just felt my baby move! Needless to say, I stayed laying on the floor for quite some time after that trying to encourage some additional "pops", consequently making me quite late for work! I only got the two small "pops" that morning, but in the weeks that have followed there have been times where my belly feels a little something like this… "POP, pop pop POP pop" Oh how I love feeling this little guy move around in my belly!

8/1 - Today we had a follow up ultrasound. At the initial ultrasound they couldn't get a clear view of Dylan's* heart, so they just wanted to take another look to make sure everything is okay. To our relief, everything looks great. They were able to see all four chambers and confirm he's looking good. I love every chance I get to look at our little boy. Towards the end of the ultra sound we were looking at his face when Dylan started yawning sooo big, then stuck out his tongue and yawned again. It was the most incredible thing. I couldn't stop giggling and crying at the same time. Somehow seeing those tiny baby yawns just made everything seem that much more real. Our little sleepy boy just growing away, getting ready to join our family. As we drove home from the appointment Pat made the comment, "we made that together, it's our greatest project to date." We love you little boy and can't wait to meet you, but we'll be patient as you still have some serious growing to do!

*Name subject but not likely to change

Quite the cook

2011-07-31T13:29:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

On Friday we decided to have an "easy dinner" and do breakfast. I cooked some french toast, sausage and hash browns. On Saturday Pat informed me it's the best meal I've ever made him. I was and am so embarrassed. So, if you happen to read this, please send me some cooking tips and/or your favorite recipe, I clearly need the help!

Signed,

Domestically Challenged

My big day!

2011-07-22T15:30:00.000-07:00

While I know most everyone at this point knows my news, I thought I should write an official blog documenting how I celebrated my 29th Birthday! I spent my birthday (or at least part of it) at the doctor's office, having my first official ultra sound! I personally thought it was the perfect birthday present I could get and honestly the only thing I asked for. My dear doctor agreed to let me have it a few days earlier then normal so it'd be on my big day. I am excited to report that my "motherly instinct" was correct and IT'S A BOY! The second the technician pointed out his little boy part I got all teary eyed and then couldn't stop the rest of the visit. It was the most incredible thing to see all his little body parts and get confirmation that his organs are growing and developing just as they should! After the appointment we packed up the car and headed to Boise to celebrate the rest of my birthday weekend! It was a great great day and I am so excited to meet my little boy in the next several months! 29 is going to be great! Happy Birthday to Me!

*not the most attractive photo ever, but that's my 20 week baby bump

and one very goofy but proud papa*

Pat's Birthday in Bean Town

2011-07-16T08:44:00.000-07:00

For Pat's Father's Day/Anniversary/Birthday Present I decided to "surprise" him with a trip to Boston. The plan was to tell him on our anniversary and then actually be there on his birthday, but I'm horrible at keeping a secret, so it didn't quite work out that way! I did manage to spend all the money for the trip without telling him!

Day 1 - After a very early morning (woke up at 4) and a very long airplane ride, we arrived in Boston and managed to get a very cranky very deaf cab driver. Even with his profanity we refused to let it bug us, because we had finally made it and it was clear even from the cab that Boston is a beautiful city! We stayed at the Marriott Copley which attached to two very high end shopping centers. When we arrived we decided to walk over to Fenway Park and for the record, I totally underestimated how out of shape, pregnant, and tired I was! I was very thankful to make it back to the hotel and rest up for day two.

Day 2 - The second day was Pat's birthday and the reason for the entire trip - to go see the Red Sox play! Sadly the day was pretty rainy (as was the rest of the trip) but we still managed to get to Fenway and see 90% of a baseball game. The game took six hours with all the rain delays, and the Sox ended up losing but neither of us minded, we were at Fenway and it was awesome! We bought plenty of Red Sox gear and of course stadium food - it was a pretty great day!

Pat enjoying is sausage sandwich on Yawkey Way!

Sitting in our awesome covered seats at the stadium

and the only picture we took of the two of us the entire trip!

Day 3 - On the third day we toured the city and managed to figure out the subway system! Our first stop was at Flour Bakery and it was delicious! We then headed downtown to check out some historic Boston sites. We saw the State House, the site of the Boston Massacre, Quincy Market and Faneuil Hall. We loved all the old historic buildings mixed in with the new and modern. As I said before, Boston is a beautiful city!

Day 4 - By day four we were both pretty tired and Pat had come down with a cold, but we didn't let that hold us back. We jumped on the subway and headed over to Harvard. Such an amazing beautiful campus. I loved just hanging around and being in the college environment, for a brief moment (very brief) I wished I could go back to school!

Day 5 - This was our last day in Boston, but we had a pretty late flight, so we managed to see the Boston library, Trinity church and take the duck tour. We really should have done the duck tour on the first day so we had a better idea about the city, but it turned out to be the perfect way to spend those last few hours where we had to be out of the hotel but it was much too early for our flight!

Overall it was a great trip and we look forward to going back one day to catch an entire Red Sox series next time!

Happy Daddy's Day

2011-06-19T13:36:00.000-07:00

Once a daddy's girl, always a daddy's girl.

I love you dad!

Pregnancy Woes

2011-06-17T15:27:00.000-07:00

So I haven’t really blogged as much about pregnancy as I thought I would. I really thought I’d have a lot to say about it, and I suppose I do but, I keep my mouth shut because I don’t want to be a whiner. Don’t get me wrong, I am thrilled to be pregnant, but the truth is, it’s not that fun. The things I’ve experienced lately have consisted of breaking my nightly bathroom trip record. I hit five times last night, and what was more depressing was the realization that the number is only going to increase. In direct correlation to this I've been 20 minutes late to work every day this week as I can't seem to pull myself out of bed at 5:30. Or, I’m at this lovely stage where I don’t look pregnant I just look fatter than normal. This situation has created ridiculous levels of paranoia where I am convinced that every random passerby is judging me for being so grotesquely overweight, which in turn causes me to want to scream really horrible profanities at them. I luckily have been able to refrain from this behavior so far. Or the other day Pat wanted to discuss something that immediately made me angry and I refused to talk about it. I let him know I was too tired and grumpy and perhaps we could talk about it the following day. Or the guilt I feel every time I drink a Coke and wonder if this is going to be the one that does permanent damage (yes, I am a horrible mother who hasn’t given up soda).

Basically being pregnant has really brought out the pleasant, positive, upbeat side of me.

I’d hate for you to think it's all negative. I do have my monthly doctor's appointments that I confess give me a bit of anxiety, however, every time I hear that little heartbeat mine skips a beat and then I remember that I really do love being pregnant, even if I don’t have many positive things to say about it.

Oh Wednesday...

2011-06-08T17:57:00.000-07:00

3:00 a.m. - woke up suffering from a horrible allergy attack.

5:30 a.m. - alarm goes off - "accidently" sleep for 20 more minutes

6:45 a.m. - throw up

7:20 a.m. - stuck in grid lock on I-15

8:45 a.m. - tear a huge hole in my pants

other things happened today, but really, once you tear a hole in your pants, what else is there to say.

Happy Days

2011-06-05T17:08:00.000-07:00

May 23, 2009

Husband & Wife

June 5, 2010

Sealed for Time and All Eternity

Loved you then.

Love you now.

Will love you forever.

Happy Anniversaries.

Feels Brand New

2011-05-29T15:29:00.000-07:00

For the last week and a half we (when I say we, I mean Pat and the hard wood floor installers) have been transforming my front room from this

to this

I am super in love with it! I am also thrilled to finally have my furniture out of the garage and back in my house! Pat wouldn't so much as let me lift a finger as "I have his property in me." This meant I spent a whole lot of time sitting on my bed. Thanks babe for all the hard work!

Mother's Day

2011-05-29T13:09:00.000-07:00

Last year I tried to convince Pat that I deserved something for Mother's Day as I was the future mother of his children and the mother of his two four-legged hairy children - he didn't go for it. This year though with Baby Holloway busily growing he decided I had a legitimate argument for celebrating my first Mother's Day, and he didn't disappoint. He started the day with making me a delicious breakfast in bed, followed up by this amazing gift. (which is also my anniversary, birthday and everything else present)

Now if I can only figure out how to use it before the little one arrives!

And of course a very special mention to my own mom who has made me who I am today. Thanks mom for always answering when I call (multiple times a day) to ask advice, or chat or just rant about whatever happened that day. I am sure these calls will only multiply as my own little one arrives. I love you!

The Last 12+ Weeks

2011-05-17T18:57:00.000-07:00

So, you may have noticed that I’ve taken a bit of a hiatus from blogging, or more than likely you didn’t think twice about it, because I’m a totally inconsistent blogger. Which ever camp you fall in, I wanted to put on the record that there is a very good reason for my silence. The last 12+ weeks I have been very busy, busy doing what you ask? Well, I've been busy growing a baby! Yes, it’s true, the Holloway’s are finally expecting, and we are thrilled about it! With all the difficulties we had getting to this point I have been really hesitant to share the news. Honestly, it still feels a bit scary, but I felt like it was time for it to be out there, because frankly, I don’t know what to tell people about my life without telling this one very huge piece of news. I will spare you all the details of my daily journal, consisting of what foods gave me morning sickness and the exact time of day I experienced it, but I will share some thoughts/experiences/realizations I’ve had over the last several weeks. I assume all of you mother’s out there already know most of these things, but they were eye openers for me.

* Knowing the exact moment you got pregnant is not a good thing. With all the fertility/hormone pills I’ve been taking I can pretty much pin point the exact moment we conceived. This made for a really long 12+ weeks. I’ve been worrying since close to day one, where most women get a least a missed period or even two before they think “hey, something might be up”

* I will now worry about this child every day for the rest of my life. I will constantly be hoping for it to have nothing but the best in life.

* When pregnant, going to bed at 7:30 (or earlier) is totally acceptable, even if you’ve already taken a two hour nap. I had no idea of how totally and completely exhausting it would be to grow another person.

* Don’t panic. Be smart and talk to your doctor when something doesn’t feel right or there are potential signs of trouble, but don’t automatically assume the worst. About five weeks in I got to work and was spotting. I immediately assumed I was having a miscarriage and became hysterical. Also, if you do become hysterical, allow one of your coworkers to drive you home, especially if you live 30 miles from work. Not the safest commute I’ve ever had.

* The term morning sickness is stupid. I’ve had my share of this sickness, and rarely did it occur in the morning. It should be called anytime of day sickness.

* The first time you hear that heart beat or see that little baby, everything you’ve been through or are going through becomes completely insignificant. It’s incredible.

* Your husband will never get it, it’s impossible for him to totally understand, so cut him a little slack. Pat is amazing and has supported me so much, but he’ll never understand the exhaustion, the sickness, and the hormones that cause crazy irritability. I need to remember to try my best to be nice to him.

* It’s the strangest feeling to wake up one morning and realize your body is no longer your own. I sleep when the baby says it’s time to sleep, I eat when and what the baby says to eat, I get sick whenever the baby gets “angry”. My body belongs to this amazing little person, and however strange, I’m happy to provide it occupancy for a time.

* I’d never even heard of pregnancy migraines, but I am painfully aware of them now. Far worse then any other symptom I’ve experienced.

* Don’t be ashamed of maternity pants, they’re awesome.

* No matter how much work I think it is to grow a baby, the little one is working a million times harder. I lay in bed some mornings and I am completely overwhelmed thinking about this little person working so hard to grow all of its little organs and body parts and amazing little features.

Last, I want to thank so many friends and family for their support, prayers and love. We have felt it and are so grateful. To those who have spent endless hours listening to my struggle and heart ache, you have no idea what it has meant to me. For the prayers from all of you, when frankly there were times I didn’t feel strong enough to pray for myself. To my amazing husband who has been there for me every step of the way, lifting me up and keeping me positive. To my Father in Heaven who carries and strengthens me. The last year and a half were hard and I spent many nights crying and feeling sorrow and now I realize what a short trial it was and through the trial I was so incredibly blessed. I know there is a long road ahead of us, but I also know that whatever is put in front of us, that we’ll come through and that is because of all of you and the amazing gift of the Gospel.

Awesome.

2011-04-12T18:14:00.000-07:00

Last night's awesomeness - Arcade Fire Concert

Today's awesomeness - New iPhone4

It's been a pretty awesome couple of days.

I wish every day was a day off.

2011-03-21T17:05:00.001-07:00

My day off work started early with a doctor's appointment (not the funnest thing to do on a day off, but it did provide the excuse to take the day off, and for that I'm thankful.) Pat came with me to the doctor and then we headed to breakfast. My brother had told us about this place in Orem called Joe's Cafe, and that's where we decided to head. It was seriously so good, and I loved Joe! If you're ever in or near Orem you should seriously go check it out. The -best- southern food I've probably ever had. Pat got the option of hash browns or grits with his breakfast and went with the hash browns. Joe pretty much told him it was a mistake and then gave us a sample of his grits. I never knew I liked grits, but I sure did like Joe's - yum! I had the biscuits and gravy and it was seriously so delicious!

After stuffing ourselves silly we went to the mall to window shop and walk off a little bit of our breakfast. We then headed to the movies where I ate a bucket of popcorn for lunch. Then it was time to go home, put on my pj's and try to recover from all that eating!

Happy St. Patty's Day

2011-03-18T15:45:00.000-07:00

Forget green beer.

We celebrated the Mormon way with green ice cream.

The Doctor Is In...

2011-03-11T15:24:00.000-08:00

...in our bedroom that is, in the form of a bed. We bought ourselves the most wonderful gift, a king size Dr. Breus bed. Who or what is a Dr. Breus bed you may be asking, well let me share with you "Michael J. Breus, Ph.D., is a Clinical Psychologist and both a Diplomat of the American Board of Sleep Medicine and a Fellow of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. He was one of the youngest people to have passed the Board at age 31 and, with a specialty in Sleep Disorders, is one of only 163 psychologists in the world with his credentials and distinction." I know what you're thinking, I'm a sucker, but the bed and doctor also get accolades from the likes of Oprah and Dr. Oz. Still not convinced that I'm not a sucker, well since buying this bed I am able to sleep all night long in the same bed as my husband (with the help of a fan to drowned out the snoring), when I wake up in the morning I am not so stiff that is hurts to bend over, I've stopped getting headaches in the morning from the horrible kinks in my neck, I lay in complete comfort and don't feel a thing when my husband rolls over! Basically what I'm telling you is I am a believer in Dr. Breus! I only wish we would have done this sooner!

Working Weekend

2011-03-09T18:41:00.000-08:00

Two weekends ago we decided it was time to paint our bedroom. This was my first time ever painting. I guess I’m a boring person, because I’ve always been content living in our floor to ceiling off-white bedroom. Pat on the other hand has been talking about it for at least the last year, and he finally convinced me. Here’s how the weekend broke down.

Friday – Pat took the day off and spent the entire day moving furniture, taping baseboards, and buying paint supplies and test colors. He put five different shades of blue on our walls to choose from. Once I got home we got busy painting the ceiling white. Again, this was my first time and let’s be honest, I’m kinda a slow poke and a bit clumsy, so it wasn't exactly a speedy process. On top of that, I was put in charge of all the small work that had to be done on the ladder. I’m happy to report I didn’t fall off the ladder or step down into any paint even once.

(You can see my contribution to the Friday painting there in the blue paint - I'm oh so helpful!)

Saturday – We got up early, realized we didn’t like any of the blues and went and bought 3 gallons of untested green. We spent the majority of the day painting away. Luckily we loved how the green turned out – it was defiantly the right decision! I also managed to escape this day without any mishaps!

The best part of the entire process was that we got to spend the entire day together. Pat’s schedule has him working every Saturday right now, which really limits our together time since I work Monday – Friday. I loved that he took the time off work to be with me and to take our bedroom from a drab off-white to a lovely shade of green.

A Simple Life

2011-03-04T15:14:00.000-08:00

Today while talking to a friend she made the comment that "she imagined her life would be more glamorous" and it got me thinking, because I think frankly we all think that sometimes. The comment reminded me of a red carpet interview with Natalie Portman where she was asked how she was feeling as the award season was coming to an end and she replied with something along the lines of "you know it's kinda funny, most people would love to be here dressing up and think it a luxury, but for me a luxury is staying at home in my sweats and watching t.v." (not an exact quote, but close enough). Yes, there are times when I wish my life was more glamorous and I occasionally catch myself feeling bad for myself as I have all these friends who lives across the country and world and live these lives that at times seem more glamorous than mine here in little old Lehi, Utah where I go to work five days a week, come home exhausted and often find myself sitting on the couch eating dinner with my husband, but then I remember that there's no one else I'd rather be with. Regardless of what we are doing, I want to be with him. Sometimes the day to day gets mundane, but for the most part, I love being at home in my sweats watching t.v. As The Weepies say, "I want to live a simple life".

FAIL

2011-02-24T16:01:00.000-08:00

Ever have one of those days that just feels like the ultimate fail? Ya know, you're sick, didn't get enough sleep, chose not to do your hair or make up for work because at 6:00 a.m. it seemed like the right choice, have a giant painful ugly zit, and screw up pretty much every task you've got at work - well, that was my day today. But don't fret, I found my ultimate cure. It's listening to indie noise rock really loudly during my commute home. Something like this number...

Be Mine

2011-02-17T15:59:00.001-08:00

This Valentines day my husband proved how well he knows me. Observe the below picture and you will see he got me my four most favorite material possessions in the world - flowers, candy, shoes and music.

As if that wasn't enough he also cooked the most delicious dinner (yes, I take a lot of pictures of the food he cooks)

As you can see, he did a really good job - too good of a job really. I am one lucky lady and not because of the material things that my husband gives me (though I'm not going to lie, they are nice) but because he loves me with all his heart and I feel the same towards him.

And don't worry, I took care of him for Valentine's Day as well. :)

Failed Blogger

2011-02-16T17:59:00.000-08:00

I'm really bad at this blogging thing - horrible really. I had every intention of blogging after Christmas, but now here we sit two months later and I haven't posted a thing since showing you all that delicious turkey (by "all" I mean the two of you that read my blog). Anyway, I just thought I should post a little something letting you all know that I am alive and well and happy and plan to blog about something soon. I'm thinking it will be about valentines day, or perhaps I'll try to jog my memory and write a little something about the past lost two months!

So Thankful!

2010-11-29T18:53:00.000-08:00

This Thanksgiving Pat and I decided to cook our first Thanksgiving dinner at home. The previous two years we've gone to one of the ski resorts, but this year decided we could do it on our own. My husband cooked the most delicious turkey - not to mention all the tasty sides! I helped, but he did the Lion's share. We were able to have both of my brothers over to join us. Even though our group was small it was still so nice to be together. We are quite proud of ourselves on how well everything turned out! A few obvious things to be thankful for came from this dinner - family, love, home, delicious food and two good jobs to make it all possible. We truly are blessed.

Happy Halloween

2010-10-31T14:16:00.001-07:00

Our Puppies

Our Treats

Our Pumpkins

Dear Santa...

2010-10-25T16:00:00.001-07:00

As I saw the first few flakes of snow this season it came to my attention that Christmas is a mere two months away from today. Now I realize that is a bit of time, and we have some great holidays to celebrate between now and then, however, I feel I need to get my wish list to you as soon as possible. You see, I'm not asking for much, but my requests are complicated. I'd also like to point out that I have been very good this year. With that, here are my two requests... This year for Christmas I would like a baby and a much smaller waist line. I understand that these contradict one another, but hey, you're Santa, you can make it happen, right?!?

Can't wait for your visit!

Love,
Nicole

can't stop...

2010-10-01T21:01:00.000-07:00

listening/watching/enjoying this.

I just really love the pioneers

2010-09-30T18:23:00.000-07:00

A few Sundays ago the topic in sacrament meeting was the pioneers. I have such a great love and respect for the early Saints. In my teenage years when my testimony wasn’t as strong I often found myself relying on the testimony of those Saints. I knew it had to be true, because they knew and suffered so much for it. On this particular Sunday I was especially touched. My sweet visiting teacher was speaking and I couldn’t help but cry as she talked of the Prophet, Joseph Smith. At first these tears were fine, and within reason, but as her talk progressed I found myself crying heavily. Then a word. By the end of the song, I was bawling. Patrick was mortified. He leaned over and asked me what was wrong and all I could say was “I just really love the pioneers.” I felt ridiculous! Yes, I love the early saints, but this was out of hand! I called my mom later to relay this event to her and she was quick to remind me “well, you are taking all those hormones.” It was a relief to know I hadn’t completely lost it and there was a good explanation for this little episode.

Forgive Me - I'm on Crazy Pills

2010-09-29T16:04:00.000-07:00

I’ve been extremely reluctant to put this information out in the blogosphere for the world to read, but I feel it’s necessary to put a disclaimer out there for all my craziness. Also, it might be nice to just get it off my chest, so here it is. I am dealing with infertility. Just typing the words made me eyes tear up a little bit. We have been trying to get pregnant for about a year now with zero success. Yes, I understand that a year is not that long, and there are couples that have tried or are still trying after years with no luck. That being said, it doesn’t make my last 12 months any easier. I always assumed that once we decided to have babies I would simply stop taking birth control and would have a little one growing within the next couple days. The first few months I didn’t worry or think anything about the timing not going right as I had planned. Then in early May my period was late – much later then normal. I didn’t feel pregnant (people laugh at me when I say this, but I’m assuming I’ll feel different when/if it actually happens) but I took a test anyway. It was negative. A few weeks later and still no period or baby. I called the doctor to make an appointment; it was time for my yearly exam anyway so I figured I’d just have both checked out at once. By the time I actually got in to see the doctor it’d been nearly 90 days since my last period. I had taken a home pregnancy test the day before my appointment which was negative, yet when the doctor confirmed I wasn’t pregnant I couldn’t stop myself from crying. I knew, but hearing it out loud was heartbreaking and concerning –no baby and no period for that long, something was up. Thus started my routine of hormone pills. The doctor prescribed both progesterone and chlomid – the two most common pills for infertility. I currently go in every month to have blood work done to see if the pills are working as they are supposed to (so far, they aren’t). The first time I went for blood work they gave me my paper work to take to the lab and it had the word “infertility” circled on it. I decided right then it’s the worst word that anyone has every associated me with. It since has lost its sting a little bit, but it still hurts. Most days I am totally fine and happy and honestly love my life, but there isn’t a day that passes that I don’t think about making our little family of two a family of three. It’s hard not to think about something that I so desperately want. Coupled with the desire to have a baby is the wonderful side effects of taking so many hormone pills, and here is where the disclaimer comes in. If you happen to see me crying for no apparent reason, or if I’m rude or short with you, please forgive me – I’ve got these crazy pills running through me.

footnote – sorry if you feel I shouldn’t have shared such personal information on my blog, but be warned there’s likely more posts of this nature to come. Not to mention some stories from side effects of the crazy pills.

Here Comes Your Man

2010-09-09T17:02:00.000-07:00

This little diddy came on my ipod today and it brought back happy memories of our wedding day. I love that Pat picked this tune to walk into the ceremony to. He's so hip and cool ;) Oh how I love him!

Till Whatever Do Us Part

2010-08-30T18:14:00.000-07:00

This past week I went back east for a little bit of business and a little bit of pleasure. It was the longest I've spent away from my husband since we got married and I missed him so much! On my way home I read the following article in Elle magazine and admit I started to cry on the airplane. I felt quite ridiculous, but was touched by it.

**disclaimer - there are swears, that I didn't totally remove, but made reader friendly - also, it's quite long, but I think worth the read!**

The day before I got married, my mother and I stood in a hayloft overlooking the barn floor where the reception would take place. Workmen were rolling out tables and the florist was rigging up giant branches over the dance floor, to make it look like a bower. My mother and I were considering where to hold the ceremony - in a pasture outside or there in the hayloft.

It was August, and the field was at its peak - a dazzling madness of grass and goldenrod - and would require mowing, for which the venue charged a modest fee. Also, it looked like rain. The hayloft was a little warm and cramped but wouldn't cost extra. The wedding budget was already dangerously bloated, and I was reluctant to spend more. My mother shrugged, "You and Orlando are going to be married for the rest of your lives," she said. "That money isn't going to matter in the end." But I'd grown weary of the "you're spending for posterity" argument over the months of wedding planning. She persisted, "When I go to a wedding, I always hope the couple will be married forever," my mother said, "But with you two, I know it. Get married wherever you want."

That moment has stayed with me over the years and, in moments of marital despair, even given me hope and comfort. (Well, if Mom says we'll be married forever, I guess that means we'll get through this...") It feels almost embarrassing to say - and like it will jinx my marriage - but it's one of my main goals in life to make good on the vow I took in that hayloft (it did rain) and stay with my husband, for better or worse, until death do us part.

At the moment, though, American culture doesn't seem like it's rooting for my marriage - or anyone else's. The brightest lights in politics, sports, and entertainment seem to be engaged in a secret competition to devise the most outlandish way to humiliate themselves and their spouses.(Anyone for a hike along the Appalachian Trail with a call girl - or 20 - with a swastika tattoo and a blackmailing fiance?) And now Al and Tipper Gore, poster couple for the baby boomer set, are going their separate ways after 40 years of marriage.

According to Wharton economist Betsey Stevenson, the Gores aren't an anomaly. Just as the boomers were responsible for the highest rate in history - 22.8 per 1,000 married couples in 1979 (by comparison, the 2008 rate was 3.5 per 1,000) - they now appear to be creating a wave of "gray divorce," with nearly a third of divorces, according to the most recent census, among people who'd been married 20 to 40 years. Stevenson called them "the great divorcing generation in U.S. history" in The New York Times. She has pointed out that many reasons for these breakups are positive: Gender roles changed dramatically during this group's adulthood, stoking more conflict in their marriages but also more equality; people are living longer, healthier lives, making starting over seem more doable and attractive; and since the boomers married younger than my generation, they achieved key milestones earlier. (When I graduated from college, my mother was 44; when my eldest does the same, I'll be 56.) In an interview with NPR, Stevenson said that she thinks we need to reassess what success means, and look at the divorce rate not as a failure of marriage, but as "a celebration of life."

You know what I think of that? Bullsh**. The Gores' marriage failed. Stevenson is using the same reasoning Brad Pitt used in GQ to reframe his divorce from Jennifer Aniston as a "beautiful" example of the "messiness of life." "The idea that marriage has to be for all time," he said, "that I don't understand." In fact, that is the essence of marriage - a lifetime commitment. Without that, it's just legally sanctioned dating.

"You are articulating a very strong ideal," says William J. Doherty, PhD, a professor of family social science at the University of Minnesota who often criticizes our culture as too quick to divorce. "For me, it goes back to a promise made. It's about integrity. What's the meaning of the promise if you don't bend heaven and earth to keep it?"

Doherty, who is also a couples therapist, says marriage isn't about what you're feeling for each other on any given day, because on many days love isn't even on the top 10 list. "You can't have a feelings-based marriage," he says. "I call it a consumer marriage, where you're saying, 'As long as my spouse is meeting my needs, then I stay. But if the costs go up and the rewards down, I bolt. And if a better alternative comes along, I'm gone.' So there's always a threat to the marriage and couples are always asking, 'How happy is this making me?'"

In surveys where divorced people are asked why they split, Doherty says "soft reasons" are rising. He defines soft reasons as "that loving feeling isn't there; the sex isn't good; we see life so differently; we argue but never get anywhere." Hard reasons include physical abuse, chronic infidelity, drug or gambling addiction, and the sort of major lying that amounts to conning your spouse. Doherty says no one should divorce over soft reasons. With hard ones, if the spouse can't or wont change, "then the way I see it, people can behave so badly that they lose their claim on your commitment to them."

Doherty's bright lines appeal to me, but when I talked them over with a friend who's written a book on marriage, she accused me of being puritanical. But I actually think my belief system is more accepting of human nature. I'm not saying that all divorces are wrong, or that marriage can't be so unrelentingly ugly that divorce isn't the right and righteous choice. I'm saying that much of what we accept as grounds for divorce is, in truth, forgivable - including many of Doherty's "hard reasons." I know couples who've overcome compulsive gambling, addiction and infidelity and are all the richer for it. Isn't is more puritanical for there to be so many acts over which you could punish or abandon your spouse (forget gambling away the college fund - many of us think being boring in bed for an extended period is a divorceable offense) and so few for which you might forgive him? And isn't it more rigid to have a long list of things that can demolish your trust in or love for your partner?

Michael Vincent Miller, PhD, a couples therapist and the author of Intimate Terrorism, says it is just this act - of facing a crisis and finding a way to move on - that defines the beginning of true marriage. "I think of the first marriage as a dress rehearsal for the real thing," he says, "And then the ideal would be two people maintaining enough empathy for each other's differences so that the second marriage could be between the same two people but on new grounds of being wiser, more able to tolerate disappointment, and without the expectation that marriage is salvation from all of the defects of the past." The payoff of marriage, Millers says, is not romantic ecstasy but maturity. "our education for intimacy is pretty lousy," he says. "We have this romantic myth of two people coming together, and there's great abundance, and both people's needs are easily met. You notice that the great lovers of fiction get killed off by the age of 14. The authors don't know what to do with them after that. The romantic myth doesn't support long-term intimacy." But if you choose to make your marriage work, "there's no other arena I can think of that can create the same kind of growth." Miller continues, "Everything that's unfinished business from your family and early development, marriage throws it in your face dramatically. It's the big opportunity, if two people can team up, to finally grow up."

When I was in grade school, my parents had a pitched marital crisis, with operatic fighting and long separations that were devastating to me and made a deep impression. In the end, though, my mother and father reconciled and still have an obviously alive, engaged - though not always deliriously happy - marriage. This has also made a deep impression. I've often been grateful that I learned at eight what many don't know at 48: that even those you love most dearly and depend on most completely are profoundly flawed; that even someone who loves you to the fullest extend of their capacity can hurt and disappoint you more than you imagined possible; that the feelings that lead to divorce aren't necessarily permanent; and that marriage is hard but the rewards of sticking it out can be greater than the trials.

That marriage is tough isn't a new idea. Everyone's heard the 50 percent divorce statistic. And yet on our wedding days, says Doherty and Miller, most of us think we'll be the exception, the ones to live happily ever after. But I wonder if happy is even the point. I sat in on a seminar not long ago for parents of troubled teens. The therapist leading it talked about how current parenting styles don't create resilient children. "Parents worry so much about whether their child is happy," she said. "if you take home one message, I want it to be this: F*** happy."

"Yes! I thought, F*** happy. The point of living isn't to be in a perpetual state of fairy-tale ecstasy; it's to find the meaning of life, the meaning of your life. And the point of marriage, I think, is to create meaning, with every happy and sad memory, every hardship overcome, every kind act, every moment of acceptance, every triumph (Gore will likely never get to have another wife watch him win a Nobel Prize), every child, grandchild, pet, and friend you accumulate together. The point of staying married until you die is to have a witness to your whole life, to the meaning you built. In the end, you can look at your spouse and say: Somebody knew me - and I knew them. Which isn't to suggest you need to marry to have this kind of intimacy, but if you do marry and stay alive to that marriage (it's possible to live your whole life with someone and never summon up the humanity to get to know them), you will get that reward.

My grandmother died last winter, parting from her devoted husband - actually, her second husband. My grandfather tells of walking in a nightclub where she was performing and feeling love at first sight. He took a rose to her onstage (she was annoyed that he interrupted her act). Neither of them was perfect, they never had much money, and they shared much heartbreak, but they also shared what I'd call true love.

The night my grandmother died, several of her eight children were at the nursing home that she and my grandfather had moved into when her care proved too much for him. The hospice nurses had withdrawn food and water days earlier, but she clung on into the night as her kids and husband kept vigil. My grandfather, in the bed next to her, finally fell asleep. My mother and her brother went into the hall to call their families to tell them not to wait up.

But while they were making the calls, she died, her husband of 61 years the only one there with her. And through my grandmother's mind at the end of her life was not what it once had been, I do think that it must've been a comfort to know my grandfather was near, to have the visible, physical bulk of his body still there after all those years, to remind her of the ways her life added up to this final moment, and if there was nothing else, at least she mattered to him. While my grandfather may have experienced love at first sight, Miller says, paraphrasing critic Walter Benjamin, that she knew love at last sight. I hope my husband and I will be lucky, patient, empathetic, resilient, and forgiving enough that one day, we will experience the same.

-Rachael Combe

It is my prayer for you and of course for me that we also live our lives in a way that we have "love at last sight" and then one stop further, to have love into eternity.

Don't Talk

2010-08-05T18:21:00.000-07:00

I love music. I love good music. My love of good music started at a young age and it was my love of Natalie Merchant and 10,000 Maniacs that molded me into the music lover I am today. While my friends were listening to New Kids on the Block or whatever was trendy at the moment my ears couldn't get enough of this little number...

...I had the opportunity to see this lady with her spectacular voice sing this song live last night and I just wanted to thank Natalie for pointing me in the right direction! Thanks Natalie.

Girl Crush

2010-08-02T17:44:00.000-07:00

I have a serious girl crush on Neko Case - I love her solo and with the band New Pornographers. I've seen her solo a couple times but had the opportunity to see her last Thursday with the Pornographers and it was fantastic! Basically I love her and hope you all enjoy this little ditty.

(i kinda love the robot, but this is clearly not the official music video) :)

Annual Camp Trip

2010-07-19T18:52:00.000-07:00

Apparently our new Holloway tradition is to go out into the wilderness once a year and sleep in a tent. This is not a tradition I ever thought I would embrace - I like the air conditioning and a nice big comfy bed, flushing toilets and showers! - despite all of this, I've found myself in the woods two summers in a row. In all fairness I will admit now, that I did book the camp spot and bought the tent, this is because I am a very loving wife who wants her husband to be happy - so once again this year for his birthday we spent the night under the stars. I also will confess that I actually have a good time when we go. I love being with my husband without all of the distractions of day to day life, where we just get to enjoy one another.

Life is good, marriage is great and we are so blessed to live in such a beautiful world.

And while I might not hate camping - I do hate that when camping I think it's okay to look like this!

28 is Great!

2010-07-02T13:42:00.001-07:00

Can you even believe that I am 28 years old?!? I sure can't, but it's true. The truth is, I really love birthdays - I love any reason to celebrate, eat cake and get presents. I mean really, what's not to like?? And this year was no exception, I had a great bday thanks to my fantastic hubby and wonderful family and friends!

(I know, all of our pictures looks just like this one, but I promise they are different occasions!)

My day started with my super sweet husband waking up early on his day off to make me this delicious french toast! and then even better I came home from work to this super yummy cake!

And of course the gift! I spotted this little "H" charm in a shop window a few weeks ago when we were in Seattle - Pat tried to buy it for me then, but I wouldn't let him. So instead the sneaky man bought it for me online when we got back to Utah. I love him so much!!!

Aside from all of this, I got so many phone calls and birthday wishes from family and friends! AND next week we're going to Boise so I can celebrate again with my family!! Basically getting older is pretty awesome - especially when you are loved and cared for as much as I am!

Happy Day!

2010-06-22T19:30:00.001-07:00

Happy Birthday to my best friend in the whole wide world!

June 5, 2010

2010-06-22T17:55:00.000-07:00

Pat and I have had an amazing first year of marriage and we were blessed to celebrate year one by being sealed for Time and all Eternity in the Draper, Utah Temple. I am so impressed by the man Patrick is and has become. I love watching his testimony, love and knowledge of the gospel grow and for the strength he has given me. Many thanks to all of our friends and family who have supported us on our journey. I am so thankful for a Heavenly Father who loves us beyond measure and gives us the opportunity to have eternal families. He truly loves us so much!

{many thanks to Ashley Stolworthy with Lemondrop Photography!}

Happy Daddy's Day

2010-06-20T11:35:00.000-07:00

Thanks Dad for making me everything I am today. You are the greatest example. I couldn't have asked for a better father and friend. I love you so much!

Time and all Eternity...

2010-06-05T13:06:00.000-07:00

...the most lovely words I've ever heard.

(i didn't take any pics with my camera, so we'll have to wait for others to share.)

Happy 1st anniversary to my best friend

2010-05-23T11:36:00.000-07:00

The day I married Patrick I couldn't imagine loving him anymore than I did at that moment, yet somehow my heart has found a way to expand and grow every day for the last 365 days. I am so blessed and thankful to have this man in my life and I look forward to an eternity of growing love.

a place of love and beauty

2010-05-22T17:56:00.000-07:00

Today Patrick and I had the opportunity to attend the Mt. Timpanogos Temple and receive our endowments. My heart is truly full. Words cannot express the peace, love and joy that is felt in this sacred place.

it's a boy!

2010-04-10T19:54:00.000-07:00

a boy puppy - named jack - he's the newest member of our family!

happy day to you mom!

2010-04-06T16:39:00.001-07:00

1. she loves to read
2. she has a great laugh
3. she’s supportive of her family
4. she loves going to NYC
5. her favorite color is red
6. she loves the Savior
7. she’s a smart alec (and passed it down to all of her kids)
8. she has a facebook account
9. she drove a mini-van for a number of years and wishes she still did
10. she loves her husband very much
11. she watches the news just long enough to see the weather
12. she is a perfectionist
13. she is a kid at heart
14. she loves her parents
15. she used to lay by her kids every night before bed – lovingly referred to as a “layby”
16. she is a peacemaker
17. she recently gave up all soda
18. she enjoys going to concerts
19. she loves teaching primary
20. she’s hilarious
21. she prays for her kids daily
22. her favorite candy bar is a milky way
23. she’s creative
24. she thinks being a grandma is the greatest
25. she loves a bargain
26. she sends her adult children gift baskets for every major holiday
27. she enjoys traveling with her husband
28. she has five kids
29. her favorite flowers are tulips
30. the Elvis song “I can’t help falling in love” was playing when she got her first kiss
31. she’s an Idahoan but has lived all across the USA
32. she’s giving
33. she loves roller coasters
34. she doesn’t like to camp
35. she has a testimony of the Gospel
36. she has a “secret” candy drawer
37. she was the junior high lunch lady
38. she doesn’t own a debit card
39. she is witty
40. she loves her robe
41. she is married to her best friend
42. she is the best at getting Lilli to fall asleep

43. she loves holiday decorations
44. she’s a lefty
45. she takes fashion tips from Stacy and Clinton
46. her favorite show was E.R.
47. she talks to strangers
48. she loves vanilla bean lotion
49. she’s not afraid to act silly
50. she’s the bravest one in the family
51. she rarely wears makeup
52. she loves Disney movies
53. she graduated from Ricks College
54. she leads by example

55. we talk on the phone almost daily – sometimes multiple times a day
56. she used to cross stitch constantly
57. she’s good at keeping secrets
58. she considers the words “butt” and “fart” swear words and doesn’t allow them to be used in her home (I was uncomfortable even typing them)
59. she still gets an allowance
60. she always has gum in her purse
61. her homemade pizza is really yummy
62. she loves unconditionally
63. she enjoys playing spider solitaire

64. once she accidentally dyed her hair green

65. she spoils her grandbaby
66. she loves bubble baths
67. she hates snakes
68. she works at Target
69. even on your worst days she can make you laugh
70. she likes her money to all be the same direction in her wallet
71. the junior high kids used to call her “suzie”
72. she’s really good at whistling
73. she’ll order a kids meal for the toy
74. she tears up easily

75. she loves her mom’s apple pie
76. she’s the only one in the family with green eyes
77. she has been married for 35 years
78. she is sensible
79. once at a football game she got really excited and yelled “kititicky” and she still gets teased about it
80. her eyes sparkle when she smiles
81. she always saves the receipt
82. she loves BYU football

83. her mom always made her wear her hair super short – now she chooses to wear it that way
84. she rarely sees a movie in the theatre
85. she has two sisters and one brother
86. she always sends chocolate dipped pretzels for Christmas
87. she really likes onion rings
88. she lost all her wedding gifts when the Teton Dam broke
89. she has really pretty white fingernails
90. she has read all the Harry Potter books – twice.
91. she is compassionate
92. she owns multiple pairs of reading glasses and has them all over the house
93. she likes things done her way
94. she finally learned how to copy and paste
95. she gets cold sores on top of her nose

96. she loves going to the zoo and/or aquarium
97. she never leaves the house without a quick trip to the bathroom – just in case
98. she buys clearance holiday candy and saves it until the next holiday – for example, she puts valentines candy in easter baskets
99. she talks in her sleep (it’s the best time to ask her for something)
100!! she is the BEST wife, mom, grandma, friend a person could ask for!!!

(thanks erica for the cute idea!)

a typical holloway text conversation...

2010-01-08T20:35:00.000-08:00

Patrick: Deer wife, You never responded to my suggestion of sushi eating tonight. Love, Your Husband.

Me: Husband, I am game but not a deer

Patrick: Doh'

Me: Nor am I a doe

Patrick: Are you saying you're not a defractive optical element?

Me: I'm not that or a female deer

Patrick: Just my doe eyed beauty?

LOVE

2009-12-11T16:45:00.000-08:00

ABC's of Thanks

2009-11-26T07:20:00.000-08:00

Atonement
Books
Children
Dad!
Employment
Friends
Giggles
Home
Ice Cream
Jesus
Knowledge
Love
Mom!
Neice!
Orange Juice
Patrick!
Quiet time
Repentance
Siblings!
Turkey
Uniformed men and women
Vacation
Wedded bliss
X - my puppies! (I know there's no x, but I couldn't think of anything, and the puppies had to make the list!)
You
Zoo

Aunt Nikki

2009-11-10T18:30:00.000-08:00

I love being an aunt and I'm lucky enough to be an aunt to the cutest niece in the world!

I love you little Lilli!

i heart babies!

2009-09-13T12:31:00.001-07:00

The Hogle Zoo has so many new babies and I love them!

I heart the baby snow leopard!

I heart the baby tigers!

I heart the baby giraffe!

I HEART the baby elephant!

...BUT, mostly I HEART the baby Lilli!
(not seen at Hogle Zoo) ;)

I'm an aunt!

2009-08-25T06:21:00.000-07:00

Lillian joined our family today, August 25th at 4:09 a.m. I'm a little fuzzy on the details as I got the call at 4:30 a.m. but from what I remember she's 7 lbs and some ounces, 19 inches and perfect.

Timponeke

2009-08-24T06:51:00.000-07:00

All Pat wanted for his 30th birthday was to go camping. I was exactly two months late on this request, but we did make it out to enjoy a weekend in mother nature. We camped up American Fork canyon in the Timponeke campsite. It's so crazy that this sorta beauty is a mere 30 minutes from our home!

In the car and ready to go! But not before stopping to fill up the gas tank.

Our home away from home...

...and our beautiful surroundings!

We arrived Friday night and pretty much just set up camp, Pat had some hotdogs and we enjoyed a nice fire under the stars. Saturday is when the real fun began!

We started the morning with a nice little hike/walk around the campground and down Timponeke trail.

Next we went and collected firewood. Well, Pat collected firewood while we watched. Who needs to buy that stuff when you have a husband as manly as I do?!?

Then during the heat of the day it was time for some relaxing and reading.

Followed up by playing in the water. Oliver loved it! Chloe was a little more hesitant but she warmed up to the idea.

One of my favorite times was nap time!

We rounded out the day with a rousing game of scategories, some delicious dinner, and once again sitting by the fire as a family.

It was a fun weekend and a great way to spend time with my family!

And for all of those who can't believe I survived a weekend in the woods, trust me, I wouldn't have made it without one of these!!!

Life Lessons

2009-08-01T16:23:00.001-07:00

On what I lovingly refer to as my two-month-aversary a good friend asked me the top three things I've learned so far. The list could go on forever, I feel like every day I learn something new, but so far these are my top three.

1. Continually remember you love your spouse and want to serve them. This makes the little annoyances go away and it's no longer a big deal to pick up the dirty socks, or wash the dish that's been sitting in the sink for a couple days. It's a blessing to be able to serve someone you love and the more you serve them the more you love them!
2. You aren't going to change someone's habits, even if you'd like to. Make sure you really know the person before you tie the knot and then be able to let those things go, don't stress out or get upset about it - you chose them!
3. Communicate, communicate, communicate! Even if the reason you're upset seems ridiculous and petty still vocalize it, it's so much easier than letting it stew.

I openly admit my husband is much better at the above items than I am, but I continue to learn and to work on them. I'm trying my best and so is he which is a great recipe for success!

Things I loved this week (7/5-7/11)

2009-07-11T13:41:00.000-07:00

1. Testimony meeting
2. Walking the puppies
3. Chick-Fil-A
4. Meeting my good friend Heather for lunch.
5. Hair appointments - cut and color!

6. People watching
7. Good lovin'
8. Laughing till I cired
9. Marcey coming back from vacation!
10. Free concerts at the Gallivan - I heart Jenny Lewis!

11. Seeing Jalene
12. $1 large cokes from McDonalds (even though I'm suppose to be giving it up!)
13. Emily in all her awesomeness
14. My husband (every week, every day, ever hour, always!)
15. Clean doggies

16. Beautiful weather with plenty of sunshine :)
17. Clean laundry and a husband who does it!
18. Rainier cherries - so delicious!
19. Seeing a baby horse
20. 50 cent swirl ice cream cones from Smiths!

Nic and America's Birthday

2009-07-05T19:19:00.000-07:00

I am a very lucky girl and was able to celebrate my birthday for an entire week! The weekend before my birthday Pat took me to Lagoon which I've already commented on, but just to reiterate - i loved it!

On my actual birthday I had to work, which isn't the funnest thing in the world, but my dear coworkers did take me to lunch. That day Pat got sick and had to go to the doctor :( so our evening was pretty laid back, he did though make me a delicious pineapple upside down cake and gave me some fabulous presents. A few items from my very favorite store anthropology. The super cute bag pictured below as well as a couple of tops - i'm so spoiled! He also got me a couple other gifts that I'm going to keep between he and I. ;)

On the 4th of July Pat took me to the Zoo for my birthday. I LOVE THE ZOO!

So many cute animals, I could watch them all day!

That night we met up with our newly wed friends Dan and Emily to celebrate America's bday and watch fireworks in Sugar House Park. It was so fun to be able to see them!

Sparklers can be so fun...

...That is until my dear husband was done playing with his sparkler and decided to burn a hole through my plastic coke bottle. Even though I watched him do it, I somehow managed to forget 10 minutes later and took a drink spilling coke all down my brand new birthday top. Oh husbands!! Despite the coke top it was a very fun night and the fireworks were great.

The zoo asks the question "do you measure up?" and I'm here to tell you folks my husband more than measures up! He is a wonderful husband who does so much to make me happy and show he loves me. I'm super grateful to have such a wonderful man in my life!!

Lagoon!

2009-06-29T19:13:00.000-07:00

Jana came to visit this weekend and one of the things we decided to do was go to Lagoon. I had never been before and while I realize it's no Six Flags or Disneyland I was still really excited! It'd been so long since I'd been on a roller coaster! Jana invited her friend Jordan who now lives in SLC to come with us. We got up early Saturday morning and headed to good ol' Farmington, Utah. This is me pulling into the parking lot and being super excited.

It didn't take long into the park before Jana and I realized we brought two boys with us who really don't like roller coasters!! We felt sorta bad as we ran from one ride to the next and the boys sat and waited for us, but not that bad. I thought they'd eventually toughen up and ride with us, but we never quite got there. I did convince Pat to ride a few roller coasters - the first one we went on he held on tight and yelled "oh shit...oh shit...oh shit..." the entire time! hahaha! Even though he didn't love the roller coasters he was a fan of the water rides and below is a picture of us on his favorite ride of all. ;)

It was a really fun day and super great to have Jana here. I'm also reminded how much I love my husband and appreciate his willingness to do things that he doesn't really love but knows that I enjoy!

The Holloways Honeymoon in Hawaii

2009-06-24T18:30:00.000-07:00

Pat and I were fortunate enough to spend our honeymoon in Hawaii, it was lovely and we were able to make so many fun memories! However, before we headed off to the islands we shared a lovely dinner at the Happy Sumo the night of our wedding with a few of our out of state friends before they all left town. I know I've already mentioned it, but we really did love having them all there! So much love!!

After a very long day and with bellies full of sushi it was time to go to bed! Our first night as husband and wife was interesting to say the least (not in the way you're thinking, sicko). I apparently am not as good of a sleeper as I thought I was and Pat is quite the snorer and this all became very evident on our wedding night! At about three in the morning I woke up to the lovely sleeping sounds of my husband and could not fall back asleep, so I made the decision to go lay on the couch in the other room where I immediately broke into tears waking Pat up. Pat comes out to find his new bride sobbing and as he kindly took my hand and asked me what was wrong I expressed "I am just so exhausted and I need to sleep and now that we're married I'm never going to get another good nights sleep in the rest of my life!" I was distraught to say the least! I think it was a traumatic experience for us both, but he was so sweet and held my hand until I calmed down and was able to go back to bed. And now of course we're laughing about it!

The next morning we woke up and were on our way to Maui!! After flying all day we were so excited to get to our lovely resort and pleased as punch when they informed us we'd be upgraded to the Ohana Suite! As the bellboy escorted us into our upgraded room he said "oh, I hope you're okay with two double beds" ...um, hello, honeymooners! I obviously wasn't okay with it and come to find out our "upgrade" was a result of them not having any of the rooms we were suppose to be in available. They promised us they'd move us the following day. That night the only thing we managed to do was eat dinner, drink our complimentary sparkling cider and then sleep in seperate beds. We were really on a role with this whole sleeping thing!

Our first day in Maui we spent just checking the area out, taking in the beautiful scenery and shopping. We're probably the only couple in the world that does their shopping on the first day instead of the last day. I am embarassed to say that we got suckered in by one of those crazy pearl ladies and our $15 pearl ended up in a $200 pearl necklace, oops!

Day two started very early in the morning - very early! We're talking 3 a.m. early. Pat and I decided one of the things we for sure wanted to do was to watch the sunrise from the top of Haleakala and then bike ride down. We decided to go with a tour group that picked us up in the middle of the night and then drove us to the top of the volcano. It was so beautiful but also SO COLD! I had no idea you could even be that cold in Hawaii. Luckily some good friends had warned us so we brought pants and sweatshirts and then the tour group also gave us windbreakers otherwise I probably wouldn't have made it. The sunrise was beautiful and the bike ride was amazing. Many of you know that I was pretty old when I learned to ride a bike and I'm still certainly no expert so I was really nervous about the ride down but I overcame my fears and made it all the way and I'm so glad I did. The sights and smells going down the mountain were fantastic! Plus it was the easiest bike ride in the world, I think we were only required to pedal three times!

The rest of day two was spent playing on the beach and in the ocean!

Day three brought us our snorkeling adventure. Pat had snorkeled before but it was my first time. We first snorkeled at blackrock where we saw lots of fishes before the waves started to get to me and I felt a bit motion sick and decided I needed to get out. Pat kept snorkeling and saw a turtle, I was so jealous. A few hours and two motion sickness pills later we went out again at a little bay called Honolua it was fantastic snorkeling but the pills didn't help me and yup, I lost my cookies in the ocean - gross! I loved the snorkeling but the snorkeling didn't love me.

That night we went to a luau at our resort the Sheraton - we sat at a table with some other young couples, so the company was good, the food was great and the show was fantastic. At one point Pat even got on stage and did a little love dance for me! Sadly he was hiding between an old man and a buff polynesian so it's hard to see him in any of the photos, but he's in there, see if you can find him, it will be like a fun game of "where's waldo?"

Thursday we jumped in our convertible with our packed lunches and headed down the Road to Hana. I'm pretty sure it's the most beautiful drive in the world, words can't describe and my pictures don't do it justice. Gorgeous green rainforest, wonderful waterfalls, and beautiful black sand beaches. The total mileage is only about 60 miles but between all the things to see and the twisty, curvy, one way roads it took us about six hours to finish. Everyone told me with my motion sickness that I shouldn't do it, but we went and I handled it just fine.

Our fifth day on the island we decided to just relax and enjoy the ocean! We rented cabana chairs and laid out of the beach, read books and played in the ocean all day! Pat loves playing in the water and I love sitting in the sun, so it worked out perfectly until one fateful moment! Pat wanted me to come play with him which I said I would once I finished the chapter I was on. He headed out without me and then I followed a few minutes later. Now I know most of you know that I don't know how to swim and am pretty intimidated by the ocean. As I started to walk into the water a large wave came in and took me off my feet and I just couldn't manage to get back on them. As the ocean is tossing me around the shore it also helps my right boob fall right out of my one strap bathing suit!!! I exposed my right girl to all of the lovely families vacationing in Maui! I was mortified but what can you do other than laugh, so that's what I did! And made Pat stay in the ocean with me until all the people who may have seen my little incident were gone!

Our last day we had to be out of our hotel by noon but our flight wasn't until nine that night, so we had to figure out something low key to do all day. We decided to drive to Wialea and I'm so glad we did. The beaches in Wialea are gorgeous! The various shades of blue are just incredible.

Our last little bit of time in Maui was spent at the aquarium. I love the aquarium and Pat is a good sport and goes with me!

Pat and I loved Mauii - we didn't want to leave! If you've never been we suggest you go, if you have been then you know you should go back! Either way, if you go, let us know because we'd love to join you!!!

Wedding Weekend

2009-06-23T15:44:00.000-07:00

Since I'm new to the blog I figure I'll be forgiven for multiple posts in one day as well as posting about past events, especially if it's about my wedding! Words can't even express how wonderful our wedding day was, I really couldn't have asked for anything more! The weather was perfect, all of my favorite people were there and my husband was so handsome! Thanks to all who were there and helped make it so incredibly perfect. Here's a quick (or not so quick) review of the wedding weekend!

On Thursday four of my very best friends got into town - my sister Jana, my friend Bri from IL and then Lauren and Jess from PA. I had no idea that Jess was coming until she got into town so it was such a fun surprise!

Friday started the influx of family and friends. That day we had our rehearsal up at Log Haven

After getting the details out of the way we went and had a little picnic where Pat was our grill master and made sure we were all well fed! It was really low key and fun to just hang out with everyone, I think Pat wishes we would have just had our wedding there in shorts and flipflops!

After our little picnic my dear friends Emily and Marcey threw me a wonderful little bridal shower, it was so fun to have all my best friends since I was a little girl in the same room! I admit I got a bit choked up, how could I not?!?

After all the Friday fun it was finally Saturday and time for the wedding. Our wedding was at 11:00 a.m. so needless to say the day started pretty early with hair, makeup etc. but it was well worth it! My Uncle Eric is a judge in St. George and we felt so honored to have him there and perform the wedding for us.

Pat and I had a civil ceremony since he just got baptized in November, so it gave me the opportunity to walk down the aisle, not something I thought I'd ever do, but it was wonderful. As I mentioned, Eric performed the ceremony which included Pat and I exchanging vows (let the water works begin!)

After the ceremony it was time for the majority of our guests to go eat appetizers while we did about an hours worth of posed photos with the amazing Russ Dixon (I'm suppose to have the link to the professional shots by 7/3 and promise to share them with you all!) In the meantime my family managed to snap a few great shots for us!

Finally the reception started - it was really wonderful and low key. One of the first things we did after eating was say our thank you's to everyone, I cried like a baby! Next I asked my dad if he'd be willing to play a song for me that he'd written about his daughters, he was really nervous to do it, but did such an amazing job... it certainly didn't help the crying but it meant the world to me. After that we cut our delicious wedding cake and then had our first dance. We picked the longest song for our dance, we both were just laughing because we thought it would never end and we'd lost everyone's interest minutes ago! However, then we remembered that the dance was for us and not anyone else and decided just to enjoy it!

As I said, the entire day was perfect and we felt so honored to have so many of our friends and family there for us - it was more than we could have asked for!! We feel so blessed to have all of you in our lives and mostly to have on another. It's such an amazing thing to know we get to go through the rest of our lives with our very best friend.