100 days of Scripture Power!

Mikaela finished! She finished the Book of Mormon in 100 Days! Wow, what an accomplishment for a 12 year old girl. She was very dedicated to this Young Women's goal. Of course, there were days she didn't read as much or follow the schedule that was mapped out for her, BUT she never let that stand in her way. She made up missed times and plowed through to the end. She was determined to finish in the original goal of 100 days. Her Young Woman leaders extended the goal by a couple extra weeks because the "reward dinner" was planned for February, but Mikaela wanted to finish on time. So, yes, it's late Sunday night and a couple hours from turning into Monday, but she finished. She will sleep well tonight knowing she accomplished what she set out to do!

Beautiful! Bella!

Bella's baptism is next Saturday! We are so excited! We hadn't taken any pictures of her in her beautiful new dress. Today the weather was perfect here in Las Vegas so we ventured out for a photo op! Thanks to my new friend, Lisa, and her fabulous camera, we were able to get some really great shots. We took the photos at J.W. Marriott Resort and everyone we passed told Bella how beautiful she looked. I interpreted the comments to her and everytime, she was in agreement. "I know," she'd say. "Pretty," she signed. She is a very confident girl! Bella was very eager to pose and quick to be finished. She cooperated well and I think the outcome was worth it. I love to devote a special time like this to my children individually. I had fun doting on her like a little princess!

Working Mom?

Okay, I think I've come to realize that the only job for me right now is my family. I love being a mom. I love my girls! They are truly what makes me happy. When they are happy, I am happy. When they are sad, I am sad. I hate the thought of not being able to be there for them at any given moment. This last week, I tried out a new job. The job itself was absolutely horrible, but what made it worse is that I felt like I had abandoned my girls. I hadn't really, but I felt like it. I think being a mother for the last 12 years of my life has been the most challenging and rewarding job I could have ever asked for! Michael, of course, has been the perfect supportive husband through all this mama drama! He's the best! So, I must conclude that I need to find a way to help finacially support my family that doesn't hinder me from supporting my family. Get it? I'm not sure I do!

Wish me luck!

So, I have been looking for a job in Las Vegas and have had no luck. BUT tomorrow I have an interview. I'm nervous because for the last 12 years my primary job has been being a mother. Something I feel is the best thing I could ever be doing. It is tough at times and exhausting, but worth it! Anyway, I haven't interviewed for a job in years and feel a little uneasy about it. I do have comfort in knowing that this opportunity has presented itself because the Lord is blessing me and Mikaela for fasting a praying. So onward! Ever onward! Wish me luck!

A Day at the Park

While Lynette was here, we spent some time at the park with the kids. The weather being so much nicer in Las Vegas than Kansas City was quite enticing for their family. These were some of my favorite photos taken that day. There are alot more but I am getting frustrated while trying to make a slide show to display on this new blog of mine. Guess I need to figure that one out!

Happy New Year!

We celebrated our kiss 2 hours early because we set the clocks back two hours. We let the little kids "stay up" until "midnight"....sshhh, don't tell! Lynette and Zac were here with their kids too. It was fun. We lit sparklers then sent the kids to bed!

Year-End-Close-Out!

As the 2009 year comes to an end, we begin a blog! Welcome to the Holladay Inn! We have had a year filled with excitement and disappointment. Michael travelled back and forth from Guatemala for work. This was difficult for the family, but great for his career. We moved our family from Tucson to Las Vegas and bought a house! Yeah, no more renting! Mikaela turned twelve, entered Young Womans and went to camp. Lexi got cool new glasses and earned a citizenship award at her new school. Bella successfully lit a Christmas tree (twice) at a special charity event in Las Vegas for her new charter school for the deaf. Olivia lost like 6 teeth and also earned a citizenship award in the first month at her new school. Our family has a new addition as well this year. No, I did not have a baby. We got a puppy! I have survived and thrived on being a mother and wife with a family going in lots of different directions...and, oh yeah, I tore my ACL, again!

After living in a hotel for 3 months, we finally moved into our new house in November. The girls were thrilled! (Not as much as I was...) 10 days later my family came out for Thanksgiving. Then 3 weeks later, we enjoyed a fun week of Christmas in California visiting family. We didn't see everyone :( We missed Aaron's family in Dallas and Brandon's family in Bakersfield. We really enjoyed those we did see! I wish we all lived a little bit closer -- I always regret that, after we say our goodbyes and go our separate ways. But we had something waiting for us in Vegas! Our friends, the Justesens, came to visit us from Kansas City! They were in SLC with Lynette's family and took a small detour to Vegas and plan to bring in the new year with us!