Holiday Highlights

A few highlights from the last week...

Last Saturday I turned 26 and as usual, Drew planned the entire day for me! I woke up to notes all over our room telling me to sleep in, take a shower and, "Don't even think about peeking out here until you're ready!" on our bedroom door.  After my shower I noticed a note on the mirror that Cash had wanted to give me his present first and it was on our bed. This is what he gave me...a picture frame with his pictures for my desk at work. He told me he knows how hard it is for me to leave him so he wanted me to have something to look at while we're apart. He's so sweet...and very insightful for 7 months old.

Then I went out into the living room to find a spotless house (which isn't the way it was when I went to bed the night before!) and a delicious breakfast waiting for me on our dining room table.

While we ate, I got to open my gifts: a pair of shoes I had requested, some cute new gloves, and a Willow Tree (my favorite!) plaque. 
The rest of my day was spent shopping and doing lunch with Megan, a movie with Drew ("7 Pounds - really good!), hot chocolate on The Circle with Matt & Jill, and dinner at Longhorn Steakhouse (another favorite) with my parents. It was a great birthday! Thanks to everyone who helped Drew plan it out perfectly, and especially Blake & Niecka for watching Cash while we gallavanted around town. ;) 

Christmas Eve we decided to borrow a Hollingsworth tradition and let each person open one present. Here is Cash opening his (I think it was clothes from Drew & me). He was so much fun to watch. And as you can probably guess - he played with the box and bow. 

Later that evening we went to the candlelight Christmas Eve service at our church. It's one of my favorite traditions of the Christmas season. We had a great time and this is a picture of us in front of the huge tree on the stage. Afterwards we headed over to my parents' house for food, movies, and lots of laughter...

There are a ton of pictures from Christmas Day and the 3 days following (that all included some type of Christmas celebration with a branch of the family) but I haven't uploaded them yet. We did have a fantastic holiday and it makes me just a little sad that its over. HOWEVER...exciting things are coming. But you'll have to stay tuned to find out just what that is... :) 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Years! 

Someone's always watching...

Last week a woman I do not know congratulated me as I ate my "Med Salad" from Noodles & Co. After I gave her a confused, half-smile she said, "You actually put shoes on your baby! I keep seeing all these young mothers with nothing but socks on their baby. You know it's cold outside. They're little feet must be freezing." I just smiled and said, "Thank you". 

I turned to Jill and said, "She caught me on a good day." Clearly she wasn't at the mall a few weeks ago when Cash was wearing nothing but socks...and only one sock at that. The other is still MIA in Greenwood Park Mall.

And people wonder why guilt is one of the main things a mother struggles with...

side note: Noodles & Co. is good...but slightly over-priced. Just an FYI.

Its been awhile

The holidays are in full swing around here, which means we've been BUSY! Thanksgiving seems like it FLEW by, but we had a great time spending time with my family eating, laughing, and doing some serious shopping! :) I'm so glad Christmas is just 10 days away so I can see my favorite people all over again. Those times don't come often enough, or last long enough...

Here is just a taste of what Christmas looks like at our house. We had lots of fun showing Cash all the different decorations and explaining to him the fun of Christmas. Of course, it'll be a few more years before he really "gets" it, but he still likes looking at our tree and stockings. 

My man is growing up! ;) Drew turned 28 last Wednesday. He couldn't wait so I let him open his presents at 11:45 Tuesday night. As you can see in the picture below, he was pretty excited...

The Sunday before I arranged for him to have an entire day with "the guys". He met up with them after church at BW3's to eat wings and watch the Colts game. Then they caught a showing of The Dark Knight (even though he'd already seen it TWICE before, in the theaters!), and followed that up with dinner at another favorite of his - Qdoba. We ended the evening at our house with cheesecake and friends. I think he had a pretty good day! Wednesday even Mom & Dad graciously agreed to watch Cash so we could go to dinner at PF Changs. Delish! And having a night out for just the 2 of us is always great. :) 

And finally, our baby is growing up! Cash was 7 months old on Thursday. I can't believe in just 5 months we will have a 1 yr. old! It's crazy to think of all the changes he'll go through that amount of time...He has successfully sprouted his two bottom teeth and is babbling up a storm! Its so funny to hear. I'll try to get it on video for you. We've gotten a "dada" in there more than a few times and much to my dismay, a "mama" every so often (I think he should be saying it ALL the time!).  He has such a fun personality and I can't wait to see his imagination and creativity come alive. I've heard so many times that each stage is the best, and I can't help but agree. 

I think that pretty much catches you up. I really hate how quickly this time of year passes. I wish I could freeze frame life every once in awhile. :) But enough of that, I've got laundry to put away and gifts to wrap... Merry Christmas! :)

Just a little Christmas cheer...

1.Wrapping paper or gift bags? Both, some things are shaped too weird to wrap.

2. Real tree or artificial? We've gotten a real one since Drew and I got married, but after this year I'm tempted to buy a pre-lit artificial on sale.

3. When do you put up the tree? If it were up to me we'd put it up after Labor Day, but since we've gotten real ones the last couple years we've had to wait until after Thanksgiving when they are available.

4. When do you take the tree down? Try to get it down by the 2nd week of January, but I've been known to leave one up until February!!!

5. Do you like eggnog? Just tried it for the first time last week. It was alright. I prefer hot chocolate from South Bend Chocolate Company.

6. Favorite gift received as a child? The karaoke machine mom & dad (I mean, Santa) got my sisters and me.

7. Hardest person to buy for? My husband. He's always so good at just knowing little things I'd like without me having to tell him, and unfortunately he's not that easy for me.

8. Easiest person to buy for? My mom!

9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes! I love it - a Willow Tree set. Mom & Dad gave it to Drew & me the year we were engaged.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail with a family picture.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? The Heavenly Ham I got the year I worked at McQuay. Mom loved it though - she didn't have to buy a ham that year!

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Elf, Family Man, and the cartoon Grinch Who Stole Christmas

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? The day after Thanksgiving. But we wait until at least noon to go out to avoid "the crazies".

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? I don't think I have...now, we've recycled quite a few wedding presents.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? My mom's mexican wedding cakes, breakfast casserole, and barbecue weenies. Quite a combo, huh? Those are all taken from the MANY meals we eat over the course of Christmas Eve & Christmas day.

16. Lights on the tree? I'm a white light kind of girl.

17. Favorite Christmas song? O Holy Night, O Come, O Come Emmanuel, All I Want for Christmas is You, The Christmas Song (Chestnuts roasting...on an open fiiiiiire...), Silent Night...I love Christmas music!

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? This is the first year I'll be waking up somewhere other than at my parents' house! I know, I panicked at first too. But since we have a kid now we should probably let him wake up at home on his first Christmas! Don't worry, we're going to mom & dad's later that day. ;)

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Of course!

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Star. But ours has nothing at this point.

21. Open the presents Christmas morning. Bottom line.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? The crowds, everything having to be "P.C.".

23. Favorite ornament theme or color? My favorite ornament this year is the one mom got for Cash - its a little boy angel wearing a fuzzy hat, holding a blue fuzzy blanket. His wings say, "Tis a gift from God". He looks just like Cash!

24. Favorite Christmas dinner? We do brunch: breakfast casserole, biscuits & gravy, orange danish, bacon, fried eggs...clogged arteries... ;)

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? I asked for clothes, gift cards, a pedicure!, some boots, etc.

Since I'm awesome at thank-you notes...

It is 11:49pm on this Thanksgiving Eve and I'm waiting on Drew to come to bed. He's such a great husband - he's in the kitchen washing the crock pot for me since I need it first thing tomorrow morning. Anyways, tonight I was explaining to Cash that tomorrow is Thanksgiving - a day where we tell God "thank you" for everything He's given us. So, to practice what I preach I've created the following list. A list of mini thank-you notes, if you will...

Thanks, God, for...

• Loving me, finding me, saving me, healing me, putting up with me...this list goes on and on.
• my husband. He is more than I ever could've imagined praying for. I'm so glad You know me better than I know myself! 
• my beautiful baby boy. So many times I'm reminded how lucky I am to have a healthy child. I'm working on remembering that when he's extra whiney or refusing his naps.
• my family. They truly are my best friends and I wish we got to spend more time together.
• making me a woman. I know this may sound weird, but I love that I have a tender heart and sensitive soul because it helps even out things in my marriage; I love that I got to experience the joys (and annoyances) of pregnancy - even though I gave up my size 5's in exchange - and would do again in an instant,  I love looking at decorating and fashion magazines and envisioning my dream house and trying to imitate an "LA look" on an Indy budget, and I love that there's something different about "mommy" when Cash is upset. 
• Target! I know their return policy is annoying, but maybe You could talk to the head honcho about easing up on that a bit? 
• our jobs! I know sometimes I complain (only to You) about giving up time with Cash, but I know this job is perfect for our family right now and such a blessing. 
• disposable diapers! Holy NIGHT...there have been so many times I've silently thanked you over this one. Lordy, does our kid stink sometimes!!!
• toothpaste. 
• CHOC-O-LATE!!!!!! 

There are so many things I could and want and NEED to thank God for, but this is just a beginner list. Its getting late and I have to get up early to get food cookin, but I hope this list has, if anything, inspired you to send a shout-out to God for all the blessings He's given you...

Happy Thanksgiving! 

Monsters, Inc.

Tonight we realized our camera actually records videos too, so from now on you will be able to witness Cash in action!

Inspired by his cousin, Gibson and Uncle Eric, Cash has been working on his growl.

Also, you'll need to pause the playlist at the bottom of this screen to hear the video. Enjoy!

"Snowglobes are MAGICAL" - Ashley Henry, christmas '07

Megan just created the cutest snowglobe ever. And just in time since a snowglobe is on mom's list this year. Merry Christmas, Mom! 

Break out the Bing

I'm not sure if you're all aware but I love christmas. Love it. In fact, I actually teared up in the christmas section at TJMaxx last Sunday because I just absolutely love this time of year. (I might add that mom had just wound up a snowglobe and it was playing 'O Come All Ye Faithful' and lets be honest - music has a way of pulling at your heart strings.) Its just magical to me. Everything about it: the music, the decorations, the scents, the warm feeling you get when everyone's together laughing and enjoying being a family. And yes, I'm completely aware that I sound like a hallmark card. Anyways, you get the point.

I've started listening to christmas music and came across this little dandy - 'Joseph's Lullaby' by MercyMe. You'll find it on the playlist at the bottom of this screen. Absolutely beautiful. I urge to take a listen and really listen to the lyrics.

Its a song written from Joseph's point of view as he's rocking baby Jesus to sleep. Isn't it amazing to think of how Mary & Joseph felt as parents...it couldn't have been that different from our own joy we felt when we became parents. They were human, afterall. I think sometimes we forget that and automatically assign supernatural characteristics to them since they were the parents of the Most High.

As you listen, I pray that you are blessed with tremendous joy at the gift of our Saviour.



maybe I should work for hallmark.

S-A-TUR-DAY NIGHT!

I just spent the last 45 minutes creating and attempting to attach a playlist to this thing so you, my avid readers, could enjoy some music on your frequent visits. ;) Obviously, since there is no music playing, that didn't work. I'll try again when I'm not so tired.

Why am I putzing around on the computer on a Saturday night, you ask? Well, sit back and relax as I fill you in...

The plan was to meet up at Blake & Niecka's around 8:30. We then would head over to her brother's house to enjoy some pizza and girl time as the men watched the UFC fight. Sounds like a killer Saturday night, right? I thought so too. However, the son had other plans for his still-too-young-to-be-staying-in-on-the-weekends mom. 

Actually, its not entirely his fault. Being the cautious mother I like to think I am, I thought it would be smart to make sure Cash got his flu shot at his 6 month check-up. Still a wise decision, however we now have a somewhat fussy, congested, coughing, gunky-eyed little man. Since no illness or injury seems to phase this kid (remember, this is the child that was unknowingly starved for the first 3 months of his little life) he endured an afternoon at Memaw & Papaw's playing with his cousins in from Ft Wayne, and a rather lengthy trip to Target and back. All in the lovely wind and cold that is Indiana in November. 

Feeling guilty about dragging him along all day when he clearly isn't totally healthy, I felt like it'd be unfair to take him to another house to hang out and be sick all evening - for Cash mostly, but also for everyone else in the general area. And we come to the point of this blog...I didn't go. I really wanted to. REALLY wanted to...but alas, the mother's heart won out in this one. And isn't it truly strange how in an instant your heart - the heart of a wife, daughter, sister, friend - gets traded in for this humongous, crazy, always-worrying heart that melts when you hear laughter from your baby for the first time or see him smile when you get him up from his nap (that wasn't nearly long enough)? The heart that stops beating for a split-second when you realize he's slept through his 4am feeding for the first time; The heart that could stare at picture after picture of the same little person for hours and think each one is adorable in it's own way....

I'm sitting in front of my computer - at 11pm on a Saturday night, mind you - with tears in my eyes thinking of all the ways Andrew Cash Hollingsworth has changed the way I think, feel, PRAY, and love. And all those changes took place at 12:07pm on May 11, 2008 when I saw his purple scrunched up face for the very first time. Actually...I take that back. Some of the changes came about when I saw that 2nd line on the pregnancy test back in late August of 2007. But I'm forever different. Everyone told me life would never be the same, and they were right. But what I didn't realize was how wonderfully different it would be...

I thoroughly enjoyed my evening in with Cash.  I will cherish every minute of just me and him because they are numbered. There will come a day when he's the one going out on Saturday nights. But thank God those days are far, far away...

Just a fly-by

Cash had his 6 month appointment this afternoon. He is 17lbs. 13oz. and 27 inches long. That puts him in the 50th percentile for weight, 75th for height. He still has a bit of an ear infection in his right ear, but other than that he's a perfectly healthy boy! He demonstrated that by completely destroying the paper mat they had on the exam table...seriously, boys and girls are different from the start. And he's ALL boy! 

My time is up for now, I'm attaching a few recent pictures....

taking advantage of the semi color-coordination

6 months old today

best buddies

What the world needs now...

Obviously tonight was a big night. They say it's "historic". I'm not sure what they're referring to...the fact that we've elected, well...not me personally, the first african-muslim-american president, or because our country is headed in a direction even further away from "one nation under God". Don't get me wrong, I'm aware that our country hasn't been living in a way that would be pleasing to God. I was just hoping we wouldn't go any further. 

I've come to the sad conclusion that I've done all I can to prevent him from taking office, all that's left now is to stand and pray.  That reality hit me hard when I went in to Cash's room to tell him good-night. He was already asleep, thanks to Drew so I just leaned over his crib, placed a hand on his little chest and whispered a prayer. I do this every night, but tonight the magnitude of my prayers over him hit me. I'm responsible for him....physically and spiritually. I actually teared up while I was praying for him because I'm afraid of what "President Obama" means for our country, but most of all - what it means for my kids. Cash is going to grow up in a completely different kind of world than Drew and I knew as kids. At first glance, this terrifies me. But then there's peace. Because MY God is the same...yesterday, today, and forever. And the truths we will teach Cash will never change.  Our biggest prayer for him is that he will be a man RUNNING after the heart of God; steadfast and sure of his faith, backing down for NO ONE. That's the cry of my own heart, to fight the good fight...sometimes literally.

Satan's tactics aren't new....they may be packaged differently, but there's nothing he's gonna pull that God hasn't seen before. "Greater is He who is in me, than he who is in the world."

 

A little ham & eggs coming atchya...

As I was uploading the pictures below (just a little Cash to get you through the week!), Drew brought my dinner in to me: breakfast...for dinner. AKA brinner. One of my favorites which works well since Drew is a master when it comes to cooking breakfast. One of the bonuses of marrying him. Our monster of a son is asleep looking like a cherub, squeaky clean from his Sunday evening bath and I'm finally allowed some peace and quiet. 

Not much else for you this evening other than some adorable pictures and prayer requests. They are as follows, in no particular order:

• The upcoming election.  Please pray God would have His hand in all of this and that the man elected would continue to lead our country as "one nation under God". Not only pray for the election, but pray for our country, our troops, and Barak Obama. I hear word that he's likely to be assasinated, if elected. I'm not particularly a fan of his, but c'mon...no one deserves to be shot. 
• A discerning spirit for me. As most of you know, I've been looking for a part time job. Which isn't easy when you're working around a retail manager's schedule and coordinating limited childcare options. I do, however, have a phone interview this Tuesday at 4:30pm (EST) with a company based out of San Francisco, CA. It sounds like a really fun job, but I dont know a whole lot about the company and just want to make sure we make a smart decision for our family. There's also a potential job with a law firm in town needing a part time legal secretary, something I have experience in and they need someone on Tuesdays and Fridays which would work lovely for us. 
• Drew's sinuses.  He's got a cold. He hates it. 'Nuff said. 

 I think thats it for now. I'm off to cuddle with the hubby...

Who else could look this cute with just a hat and jeans on?

First trip to the pumpkin patch! 

sitting up and playing like a big boy! 

The Home Page

So...I'm not a writer. However, seeing as how most of Drew's family lives thousands of miles away and my family isn't nearly close enough, I thought it would behoove me to create a blog. Something the family could check in to at their leisure to see exactly what it is we're up to. So thats what this is...your window into our world. :) 

And now the run-down:

Cash is continuously growing...mostly his cheeks and chins (yes, chins...as in plural), but also his personality. I catch him laughing at the Ellen Degeneres show - mostly when she's dancing, he thinks Drew is hilarious and his little face lights up every time he sees him, and if you try to take that bottle away before he's done (regardless of whether there's anything left) all heck breaks loose. He is officially a person. 

He's also rolling over from back to belly and vice versa, he holds his bottle by himself, and can sit up on his own for about 15 minutes before toppling over (and then that whole "heck breaking loose" thing happens again). So basically next week we're looking at prospective universities and getting him a job. 

On the horizon is "the army crawl" - this kid is DYING to get moving. He wants so badly to get down on the floor and play with the big kids, but just cant figure out how to move once he's on his belly. I'm sure I'll be posting about that soon enough. 

In order to keep this from sounding like an annoying Christmas letter, I'm going to stop. But rest assured from here on out its sweet anecdotes, witty banter, and the like...

Nighty 'night!