December 31, 2013

New Year Dawning....

Goodbye, 2013. 

I have mixed feelings about this. Goodbye sounds nice because I know I won't have to relive painful times. Goodbye sounds bad because I will never be able to go back and change anything that happened and live in that time again. Sure, life wan't perfect but going from being able to give back and contribute to feeling like I've joined the rat race is not a pleasant sensation. 

How to survive is the game. 


And, it breaks my heart. 

~

You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble 
and surround me with songs of deliverance.



December 16, 2013

Flowers in December


Yes, I live on another planet! 
Flowers in December?? 


The Lord works righteousness
    and justice for all the oppressed.
Psalm 103:6





December 13, 2013

Psalm 34



I will bless the Lord at all times; 
  his praise shall continually be in my mouth. 
My soul makes its boast in the Lord; 
  let the humble hear and be glad. 
Oh, magnify the Lord with me, 
  and let us exalt his name together!

I sought the Lord, and he answered me 
  and delivered me from all my fears. 
Those who look to him are radiant, 
  and their faces shall never be ashamed. 
This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him 
  and saved him out of all his troubles. 

The angel of the Lord encamps 
  around those who fear him, and delivers them. 
Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! 
  Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! 
Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints, 
  for those who fear him have no lack! 

The young lions suffer want and hunger; 
  but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. 
Come, O children, listen to me; 
  I will teach you the fear of the Lord. 
What man is there who desires life 
  and loves many days, that he may see good? 

Keep your tongue from evil 
  and your lips from speaking deceit. 
Turn away from evil and do good; 
  seek peace and pursue it. 
The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous 
  and his ears toward their cry. 

The face of the Lord is against those who do evil, 
  to cut off the memory of them from the earth. 
When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears 
  and delivers them out of all their troubles. 
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted 
  and saves the crushed in spirit. 


December 11, 2013

Big Sister


Joanna is getting so BIG and grown up. She's learning how to say please, and can say several other words words like up, happy, mommy, daddy, knee, and out. She brought me some fuzz off her stuffed butterfly and said "puhpuh" (this means purple) and it was purple. Totally shocked me by knowing what sound "M" makes. She's actually listening to me! :)

Like, how did all this growing up happen? Did I blink or something?

Feeling Hollis Baby #2 a lot recently having fun inside flailing and stretching those arms and legs. So precious.
<3 p="">

November 18, 2013

Life Changes Again

Life is seasons. I don't understand all of them or why they happen. I do know that God loves me and cares no matter how out of control the world around me is. When the safe haven of a home or spouse evaporates you question....why? A lot of us have asked the "Why?" question. My situation is not the worst ever, and so many are in daily turmoil over circumstances or life that was beyond their control. My problems seem huge until I look around me. But, none the less, they tower even as they are dwarfed. 

I know God's Word is true and I can not let go. Jesus, be my strong anchor when I feel weak and like giving in. And, at times I do. Wouldn't life be simpler without conviction? Wouldn't it be easier if we just magically transformed into a people pleasers? Just blend in and be someone else! Don't worry about holding out for an impossible ideal. 

Maybe the above is more a journal entry but I feel some of this needs to be public. The closing of our public singing ministry was and still is a heavy weight for me. I had absolutely no desire to stop and way it was ended was deeply painful and hurtful. But, it was my marriage or music. I'm trusting and praying and that's all I can do now. My hands are tied and continue to be. 


In mid-October Seth, Joanna and I moved to Foley, Alabama. This change has been traumatic for a lot of us. People said I'd learn things about me. Mostly it's just a lot more work for me. :) I am learning things about myself though, too. I thought I knew how to cook a hamburger. As I was fanning the smoke away from the detector at lunch today I questioned that skill. ;) I know how to drive much better on a four lane highway and how to reach in the backseat to pacify an impatient toddler with crackers. 




1 year ago today our house burned down. It amazes me how much has gone on this last year. Unexpected hardships, unexpected blessings. This is a blessing to be alive and thank God for this grace. May we continue on being what God wants us to be and living only for Him in the strength He gives. 


 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 NIV



September 24, 2013

behind the times...

We want to announce to the world there is a new member of the Hollis family....

 We are thrilled for the new little blessing. Mommy has been pretty sick (maybe that explains all missing posts...) but we're looking forward to better days soon. :)

Other than that, I'm behind on blogging and we're getting ready for our fall 2013 tour.  :) Joanna has been growing all the time. She is a delight and we all enjoy her company. She now walks and can say quite a few animals noises, mama, dada, up, and more. She's really trying to say "apple." It is amazing to me how fast she changes. Getting more "grown up" the time!

I haven't been taking many photos just due to full memory cards and being sick. Took some Sunday morning before we went to church...


                                             Kisses for daddy!

                                               
                                                   So happy!


                                              Hugs for daddy!

August 07, 2013

11 months old

Joanna is turning a year Saturday. What? Where did that time go?


Birthday Box inspection time!


 Posing!


 Watching daddy and the relatives play Frisbee. 


Wheeeee!


 Sharing a joke with Uncle Daniel. 


 Reading with grandmom...


 Love my rocking chair.


    Family photo. 

July 17, 2013

Joanna Boo!

She is growing up *quickly.* In only a month she'll be a year? How is this possible? I am looking forward to some nights when I can sleep through the night again, but in the meantime we'll just enjoy this stage. :)











July 11, 2013

Zinnia

Grew all these from seed!



I've got some gerbera daisy seed in little seed blocks which I'm hoping (*hoping*!!) will sprout. Anyway, I'm way behind on Joanna pics. Expect some new ones soon!



May 10, 2013

May is here. Again!

Wow. Time sure flies. Joanna is 9 months old today.  We are so thrilled with our little joy bundle. She continues to amaze us with new developments.  Out of the blue we see cute new expressions, or looking more intently at a book, or figuring out how to blow, or grabbing a cracker off someone's plate...it's all so precious! 

Here are a few shots to enjoy!


Sleeping babies are a beautiful sight. :) 


Aha!


She loves blowing the recorder. 


Riding in the Ergo is a must.


 Is anyone watching?


Mmm, pretty flower!


Love me the spring time!!


Raspberry!


Such a joy to her mom. 


April 08, 2013

Cute cute.


Spwing time. 

April 02, 2013

Framed

My husband is my better half. 

 I come up with an ok-this-isn't-going-to-work idea and he makes something better. He's creative. He motivates and inspires me to do more with my measure of creativity. Love him and I like his idea to utilize surplus frames we aren't using for art work yet.




These were at 66 N Main Street and we hung them went we started to move in, last summer. Hence, the frames were spared from the fire. I finally took a picture of them today.



March 25, 2013

60 free prints - for you!

Hi folks!

Carol is posting two days in a row? I must have CBD (compulsive blogging disorder ; )  I wanted to share this deal with you...if you are a new customer to York photo you get 60 free 4X6 prints for free if you use the link I provide here. In case you missed it, click here. :)  I was wondering about shipping when I first heard but it's super cheap, under $4's. I lost my own wedding album/scrapbook with a lot of printed photos and I was able to replace them through this. Yahooooo! Looking forward to filling up the new album now. :) When I have time....hehe. Joanna is a doll and I love her to pieces, but I don't as much done as I use to. :) It is a blessing to live with a lot of people in the house so I can have bathroom breaks and of course moment like this to blog. But, I'd better get off right quick so I can get MORE things done before munchkin returns.

Have a great day and don't forget to click here and sign up for York and get your free 60 prints!

Carol

March 24, 2013

HOME

Hello blogging world and readers.

Arriving safely home from an 8 week singing trip last week made me think we had stepped back into Christmas. It couldn't help but think of that looking at ALL that snow on the coniferous trees!  I was too lazy to grab a picture, but I was very busy unpacking to my credit. We are now cozily settled back into our little apartment.

Joanna and I had some fun times after church taking photos. Here's a sampling!



She LOVED playing with the props. 
She was under supervision for anyone nervous about the beads.... :)

Here's another outfit..as I said we had fun! 



As you might have noticed EVERYTHING goes in the mouth these days. :)


Ok, I need to let my darling have a turn on the computer. 

Tootles!

Carol

February 21, 2013

Florida Girl