Haircuts today? I think not.

So, today was the day. Matthew and Andrew desperately need haircuts. So, I got up this morning, took a shower, and was completely ready before Ryan even woke up. Now, I was ready for this, and the morning was going well. I even managed to sweep and vacuum before we left. A huge accomplishment for me.

Lucky for me, I had a coupon for SportsClips for a free haircut. Always handy when you've got 3 boys constantly needing haircuts. So, I loaded everyone in the car, and headed down to the newly opened SportsClips, located directly across from our new Super Target. The place was packed, and there was only 2 people cutting hair - which should have been my first indication of trouble. I signed the boys in, and one of the stylists told me that there would be an hour wait. I asked her if we could go to Target, and come back, and she said yes. Well, the boys and I walk over to Target, and finally leave after 45 minutes and $40.00 wasted dollars. On the way out, I decided I had better go to the bathroom before taking the boys back for their haircuts. I had put the free haircut coupon in my pocket, and actually felt it in there right before going to the bathroom. Mysteriously, somewhere between the stall and the front door to Target, the coupon disappeared. I decided against dragging the boys back through the store to findthe coupon, and went back across the parking lot to Sports Clips. Now, let's remember that the lady told me it would be an hour wait...and I was back in 45 minutes. Can you believe they had already passed us by, crossed our names off the list, and there I was back at ground zero? So, in the midst of trying to sign the boys in again, Ryan dropped his snack of Ritz Chex mix (which I had been coerced into buying at Target) all over the floor. I finally got that picked up, and sat down (with hair all over me from picking up that stuff off the floor). I realized it was going to be another grueling wait, and I finally gave up. Defeated, I loaded the kids back in the car, and drove home...fighting back the tears. All I wanted was a nice haircut for my boys, and there I was, an hour wasted, $40.00 worth of junk, and no haircut.

What's going on...

What's going on with the Holloways today. Well, actually a lot. Monday marked the end of an era. Andrew graduated from The Little School. I actually handled it okay. Not too many tears. I can't believe that it has been a year since stressed and lost sleep over whether or not to send him to Kindergarten. This year it's completely different. I know he is ready. He has so much more confidence, and he's so excited about school.

Matthew has one week of school left, and he is ready. These last few weeks are such a waste. There's no learning going on there. The teachers are just as anxious to get out as the kids. Matthew's friend Zack came over today for a playdate after school, and they are playing the Star Wars Lego video game. (I've grown to despise that game.)

Ryan...my sweet little Ryan. He turned 2 last week, and is bringing us so much joy. Right now he and Andrew are visiting their grandparents, so the house has been very quiet. Ryan's big news is that he failed his hearing screening last week at his 2 year old check up. We'll be taking him to a specialist next week, and I'm anxious about the results. It's amazing to me because I know he can hear. He talks very plainly, and responds to noises, us calling his name, follows directions, etc., so I can't imagine that he's having a hard time hearing.

Chris had to go to the doctor yesterday. He's arm and shoulder have been hurting for several weeks. He was playing baseball witht he boys a few weeks ago, and somehow threw the ball funny and it started hurting. Turns out there's more than his shoulder hurting. Most of the pain and numbness are coming from a bulging disc in his neck that is pinching a nerve. Friday he'll have an epidural procedure to hopefully relieve the pain.

That leaves me...I'm hanging in. Actually, I feel very blessed to live in this chaos.

Okay...I am actually laughing at myself because it's been a year since I've posted anything. Not that anyone reads it. I don't even think anyone knows I even started this blog, so no big loss. Maybe I can do a little better this year. If not, I'll be back in Jan. 09 to try again.

There's been lots of excitement over the past year with our family (of course, no one could tell since I don't write about it). The biggest thing was moving twice. That might not sound so big, but moving twice in 6 weeks, with 3 kids was quite a task. Six months later, we've finally settled in, but there's still tons of work to do on this house. A bit of a fixer uppper.

The boys are getting so big. I'm amazed at how fast they're growing, and how smart they're becoming. I can actually have real conversations with Matthew and Andrew now. I am so thankful for them, and I am also thankful that God gave us another son. He is such a joy, and I love this age. He's just tons of fun.

So...I'm going to better on this blog. Not necessarily for anyone else to read, but maybe I'll do better at journaling for myself, so I can look back at this next year, and I won't have to wonder where the time went. I'll have it all written right here.