Hall of Halls

Health and Happiness

2011-03-08T06:10:00.003-06:00

Although we have been in the ER twice in the last 2 weeks (Anaphlaxsis and 3 stitches in chin)... I am just really grateful to God for the health of my family and the gentle hand he has watching over us to make sure we are okay and that he gives me and my family just enough for us to learn from our experiences but not too much... Just been reminded lately... and wanted to Glorify Him!

2010-11-07T01:05:00.001-05:00

Kids waiting for the kiddie trains

Bailee's amazing Gynastics skills

Me and toothless Zoe

Ben strummin' with the ladies!

do be dobe do

2010-11-06T16:41:00.004-05:00

Bailee and Jack's Halloween

Jack Helping Dad fix a tire

Bailee making her own skirt design

Family train ride

Dinosaurous

2010-10-11T11:12:00.000-05:00

Jack said that the other day thought it was the cutest word ever!

One of those Days!

2010-09-13T11:49:00.003-05:00

Wow... Saturday was an AWESOME day...

My husband had to work unexpectedly and he was going to watch the kids help me with the Primary activity I was in charge of. EEEEK.

So I found a place for Jack to Go - Blessing- and she ended up taking Bailee and Bringing her to the activity- Blessing 2

Right before I had to go take the kids I was feeling REALLY nauseous and tried to shove the nauseous feeling away with food (my normal tactic... It's just what I do?!?!) and I felt worse and worse till finally I just startes puking. Full on body up heavals. Since I was there alone with the kids they all came in for the show... Bailee kept asking me if I was okay I kept trying to answer between body convulsions and Jack got a stool and climbed so he could see the action better.

I finally felt as though I might be done... not feeling well, but at least able to brush my teeth and I had to leave for the primary activity. Side Note....I figured out I had taken my medicine before I ate my yogurt... APPARENTLY not the best idea... (Ben's comment was... and we learned something from this :) helpful!)

So stomach still week, Breakfast in the sink... drop off the kids, and get to Church. Set up the activity...Run the Activity.... Normal Activity Chaos... over in a few hours... Quick Break down- blessing 3

Pick up my kids... put then down for a nap, they take them- blessing 4. Ben gets home from work. I leave for work and run into Ben's Car... yea I was in tears... I guess I just scratched mine and his was unscathed-blessing 5...

Get to work stomach still funky, feeling exhausted from my day... HAVE to get some work done but all I can think about is that I have Sharing time Tomorrow... So I plan that instead of working... THAN finally get some needed work done, but I had to take some home since I spent my work time on Primary stuff...

I put the kids to bed and then CRASHED.....

GEEZ... There was more but that is the jist.... God is trying to make me see my blessings.... And I am trying to see them!

Lub!

2010-09-09T12:36:00.002-05:00

I am so in love with my Kids!!!!

They just started their new pre-school and they have the cutest teachers. Jack walks in the school and immediately starts hugging every adult in sight... it seems everyone knows his name now and we have only been there 4 times total.

Bailee loves to talk about Mrs. Janet. She is the kind of teacher that wears baby doll dresses at the age of 50... she is really cute and loves the kids. She is also laid back which I like for pre-K, I am not the drill sergent type-if you didn't know.

As far as Jack, He just walks right into his classroom full of tearful 2 year olds and goes right to the toys after a kiss from mom... no problems... It really helps you know they are in the right place when the transition goes so smoothly!

I just am thinking how fast life is going today... Jack's Sweet slurred "I yoveyou teo" and Bailee and I cuddling last night and her asking to tell her stories of the prophet Jonah.... then Noah... When we got to the part about how Noah was in a world when all the people were wicked and made bad choices, she stopped and said she needed to say a prayer and asked for forgiveness for hitting her brother... Then after the story of Noah, she asked how God can see us and hear us... I don't REALLY have a good answer except... I don't know, but I know he can by the way I feel.

I love my babies!

Building Forts!

2010-08-25T14:10:00.003-05:00

I don't have a ton of happy memories from my childhood... not that I didn't experience any just he bad stuff sticks in my memory and I have forgotten alot of the positive things.....

BUT.... I just remembered that my brothers and I used to build forts together in the front room with blankets and couch cushions.... I love those memories... thinking of that makes me think of the game lava where if you step on the floor you fall in to the lava so you use anything handy to get around the house with out stepping on the floor....

I want to start having "premeditated fun" with my babies... if you have good memories from your childhood... leave a comment!

Choosing the better part

2010-08-25T13:33:00.003-05:00

I am going to be a better Mommy... I am a good mom I think but I want to be a better Mommy. You know the person that is the one you just sit and cuddle with and chat about anything... I think I am so worried about the kids getting dinner, the house and the bills and my calling that I forget to be a mommy.... Gonna make that happen!

Finding Footing

2010-08-16T12:12:00.003-05:00

Positivity... I'm working on that...

I'm not quite sure where life is leading me right now, I am not sure if I should go for the ride and see where it takes me or need to be steering in another direction forcibly.... really unsure....

Jack Turned 2 and we had a party for him at the Park... HE loved his friends all getting together to be with him... HE was such a HAM at the table, whipping his head back and doing big belly laughs so that everyone would laugh at him... Jack is the most loving boy I have ever seen. He tells EVERYONE he loves them and trys to kiss them ALL on the lips... UMMMMMMM... If he hasn't said I love you to someone before they leave he gets quite up set... well by upset he puts on a sad face, droops his head and sulks for a min. or so. Sweetest boy ever.

Bailee is becoming more of a little girl every day. She is really coming into her emotions and learning how to deal with them. She only seems to want to talk to me about them which is a difficult task when I am the problem, but you know it is making me realize that some of these emotional outbursts may stem from me and I need to evaluate myself more and control more of my raw emotions and let them come out less frequently... so then she can learn by example hopefully!

I am also realizing that I need to make more effort to be a better friend... I have just sectioned myself off in my world and been trying to stay afloat, but maybe friends would make it more bearable to be float... I need to try more.

Go Go...

OKAY....

2010-06-02T12:50:00.000-05:00

Found out there is a Temple trip today.... gonna make it happen.... hopefully!

The rope has ended....

2010-06-02T10:54:00.004-05:00

Do you ever look back in your journal and figure out you haven't changed that much in 10 years.... I mean, you have, but you haven't.... So wierd!

I had a hard day yesterday... I am being obediant to something I was asked to do that I COMPLETELY disagree with.... and am having an EXTREMELY hard time with it, wondering if I should say something.

I really want to get to the temple, but I don't think that is understood... It has been 2 years now since I have approched my ward about it- said somwthing again a few weeks ago for the 3rd time- and still no go... really frustrated right now and kinda putting this out there for guidance... UGH!

Blessed by our blessed Blessings!

2010-03-29T12:05:00.003-05:00

I love my cute family. We had fun Easter Egg hunting and the kids both held their own with no help from mom and dad.

Bailee Made Egg carton Flowers for her teachers and friends... she is quite crafty!

Just loving our sweet family!

On another note... found out Jack can't hear well... Said he hears like and old man underwater... Will get tubes and his adnoids scaped on April 9th... Little scared for my baby to go under the knife.... hope it helps!!!

Daughter of Decorating

2010-03-17T10:28:00.002-05:00

IT is St. Patricks Day- Happy Green To everyone!- and I was dressing up my kids and I in our green attire. I asked Bailee what green she wanted to wearin her hair. She said her green flower clip and RAN to her bathroom to get it. After a few minuites I was wondering where she was and found her green flower clip on the sink (it had been hung up on her hair clip ribbon). I asked her if she needed help getting it in her hair. She Abruptly said NO! I am decorating my bathroom with that and choose another clip for her hair... At least our bathroom won't get pinched today!

Have a great day!

I also love that my sweet babies always pick the flowers outside and bring me one every time they play outside. I have a sweet family!

BLAST!!!

2010-03-02T12:46:00.002-06:00

2 Snickers and a yogurt into my day.... SO need to eat healthy tonight! DAMN YOU FREE SNICKERS!!!!

This is whaz up!

2010-03-01T13:18:00.002-06:00

My Camera has disappeared again so no new pics till we can find/ replace it... it has been missing for over a month now so hope of finding are waining!

Recent events in a nutshell...

Trip to Canada- First time out of the us... only out of the US for a total of like 72 hours, but hey... it is something....

Flew from Canada trip to Utah to Help Mother-in-Law with a treatment series she had to undergo... There for 3 weeks... she doesn't even remember us being there... that's the breaks, but got to see a few of my favorite people while I was there... reminded me I do have friends...

Back to Texas to crash into a pile of work and responsibilites... moving and groving on those...

Ben returned to work today after being on disability for 5 weeks.... I hope he can do it.... Praying for his quick healing

Trying to get a grip on food intake and only eating healthy foods... too much stress eating lately and need to reign it in!

Loves to all of you! Bless You!

HORRAY FOR WARMER WINDY WEATHER! Kites in the park...

2010-01-18T23:27:00.003-06:00

We had 3 different Kites going today in the park... it was a miracle we never got tangled! Fopher, Jacob, Bailee and Jack had so much fun running around the grassy areas and playing in the park... nothing like being inside for winter to get you excited about the park... We stayed till it was dark... It was Ben's last free day before the semester... Good bye ben... We'll See you in May! WE LOVE YOU!

PS incase you are wondering.... yes those are jeans under Bailee's pants... she had to wear her dress... Too cold for just a dress... I had jeans... therefore,,, TADA!... She is still pretty cute though!

My Pretty Princess is 4

2010-01-18T00:52:00.009-06:00

Okay... So she turned 4 almost 3 weeks ago, but we rarely get to celebrate with friends since we travel for the holidays... so Bailee had a party... Turned out fun she really enjoyed it... which is what I do it for... I was hoping to have it outside, but the cold weather (cold for Houston Standards) prevented that... so no kite races... barbie Vs. Buzz Lightyear... would have been fun... I think Ben and I are going to do that tomorrow with the kids...

Anyways back to Birthday Party... We had a princess party and here are the cliff's notes with pictures....

The girls all made crowns with their names on them and put glitter and things on them to their liking. Then had mini makeovers with lip gloss, blush and any dress they wanted to wear... We were invited to the Ball but they had to clean like Cinderella first...

Then we played "Don't touch the spinning wheel" it is like musical chairs but you pass a spinning wheel around and what ever princess ends up with the spinning wheel falls fast asleep. The last princess wakes everyone up with a hershey kiss. They played this game over and over... LOVED IT... We also played charades with the Snow White Characters... but the Sleeping Beauty game was the favorite! Great Party... Great Fun... Thanks to all who came!!!

Lastly... This was this morning as I was getting flustered before church looking for Jack's socks.... Bailee was at my feet everywhere I went I finally said... BAILEE I NEED SOME SPACE... she went and sat in the corner... GUILT... and Jack went over to be with her and they were having the best time... Just the 2 of them in the corner for no reason... I love my sweet family...

No Way.... WE LANDED ON THE MOON!

2010-01-13T12:12:00.002-06:00

Yes... A Dumb and dummer quote.... it is kinda the way i've been feeling lately... like all my brain cells live in Mom and and there is nothing left for Melanie... I think alot of people feel that way though, but we all just smile and "Keep Moving Forward" as "Lewis" would say(Meet the Robinsons for those not in Mom brain land)

I had a good time last night I blasted my stereo to the oldies station... and felt more like myself than I have in a long time... I love the zone that only a good oldies song can provide... and then just had a chill night with friends helping register for a Baby- No not mine factory closed-at least for now maybe for good... yet to be determined....

I guess I am realizing I need WAY more me time, but that will soon not really be an option with Ben's school starting back in less than a week... but I need to find more me time at home... any suggestions?!?!

I really do love you all! Thank you for listening... or not but if you are not you are not reading this... and so... Thanks!

OH YES... 2 Days in a row!

2010-01-12T13:43:00.006-06:00

Jacks head bonk of the day... bending down to get Bailee's shoes on and at full bending velocity wacked his head on her foot board.

Bailee's fun of the day.... Mom i'm gonna read this to you loud...and in full scream 'read' "CHAPTER 1... This Chapter is really loud... The end"

I am INSPIRED!!!

2010-01-11T12:17:00.003-06:00

I am AMAZED by everyone... WAY TO BLOG PEOPLE!!!!

The HALL clan has been doing well... Here is us in a nutshell...

Ben has been at his job for almost a year... got a fabulous year end review and has been moved to a new team so he can get more knowledge of the company and continue to grow... He has been going to school for a year straight now and I have seen him grow so much! He got the top grade in his drafting class and his teacher said he had better lettering than him even after over 30 years in the business! He is really finding things he likes and has a natural talent at! SO COOL! He spends as much time with us that he can... He goes back to school on monday so we hope to make this week count!

Melanie has been at her job for almost 2 1/2 years (HOLY WOW!!!) and is focusing on marketing the business on top of the usual duties... I think I can I think I can.... I have also been primary chorister for a year... DOUBLE WOW! My friend Theresa just got called as chorister too so I am hoping she can keep my ideas fresh... it is so easy to get stuck in a rut!

Bailee is 4... that is right 4... she has the attitude of a teenager though... I think she gets that from mom... ALAS... She loves to write words and knows how to spell the word spell, mom, dad, Bailee, Joy, and Hall. She LOVES to help... She is such a sweet lovely girl. She is SO girly, you can find her in her Belle dress most hours of the day... I just couldn't have asked for a better little girl.

Jack is my miniature man- almost 18 months... Grunts, talks loud (MAAAM, MAAAAM- that is mom with a Texas accent... think he has one... sorry Utah Family :) and adventure should have been his middle name... He is the busiest kid I have ever seen- as witnessed by the whole ward as he tries to make it to the stage every sunday... He succeeded yesterday from the cultural hall... he is fast- Sorry Brother Baxter!!!! He always has bruises from his adventures going awry... actually he has a fat lip today from a realization that socks are slippery on tile floors and hitting a metal chair with his face... yea... that bled for many hours! No more paci till that heals! He has the cutest pucker lips... melts your heart... sweet baby...

OUR CURRENT ADVENTURES

Chicago Trip for Christmas

Replaced old fluorescent light in kitchen with COOLEST lighting fixture with 2 fans and a light

Clogged Sink.... PLUMBER can't come yet with all the frozen pipes :( doing dishes in the bath tub... yeah... fun!

Bailee's 4th B-day party- Saturday at Carl Barton Jr. Park at 3pm... come one come all...

Going to Canada for the kids and my first time out of the country... we aren't staying long sadly

Amee's Wedding- in Canada- Thus the trip

Make Amee's Wedding Cake... 1st time traveling and decorating a cake... I'm not sure how it to do it all, but will figure it out pretty soon I only have 2 weeks till we leave...

And... now we are up to date... hopefully pictures to follow...

STAY TUNED!

2009-07-13T15:50:00.002-05:00

Same Bat Time Same Bat Channel... I will post a new blog SOON!!!

We have been up to...
Our own 4th of July Parade around our neighborhood... TOTALLY homemade :)
JACK's First unassisted Steps on Amee's B-day :)
Daddy and Bailee on a DATE!

Chat with you soon!

It's all about..... time!

2009-05-29T22:51:00.013-05:00

This is Bailee doing her eye lashes.... Pink is a good color for eye lashes... I am SO doing this on Sunday for my talk!

Jack never stops! He never has no less than 4 visible bruises... Heads are like battering rams... apparently! His smile lights up a room though...

Ben is AMAZING! He is working well before the butt crack of dawn 6 days a week and going to school at MOCO 5 nights a week. I wish he didn't have to work so hard, but I am glad he does. I thought without him traveling we'd see him more... hasn't really been the case, but I think it does his heart good to see his kids light up when he comes home every night!

Oh... and Ben just got a Blue Ray player... he is way excited! Now all we need is blue ray movies and time to watch them!

Me... I just deleted half the post I just created and am a bit miffed! So I am done... Whittiness (sp?) will have to wait for another day!

Leaving you with My Bearded Princess! Auf Wiedersehn!

2009-02-05T22:45:00.008-06:00

For one of Bailee's many birthday celebrations, we went Ice Skating which was SO fun! Ben is a good ice skater and me well... I didn't fall... that was my one accomplishment... which judging by the way I snowboard, is QUITE a feat! Bailee was on Cloud 9 to be able to "Skate like Wonder Red"- a Super Why character (Super Why is Bailee's Favorite Show... and only one she gets to watch everyday- it has really helped her with her letters and starting to get the whole spelling concept) anywho... Wonder Red is Wonderriffic in Bailee's world and She SO enjoyed it!

Below is a Video of Jack... He was saying Da Da so I got out the video camera and he promptly stopped, but it is funny cause he was laughing everytime Ben said ma ma and repeating da da... Ma ma is just a funny word to a 6 month old... yes 6 MONTHS... can you believe that... most people haven't even meet him 6 months old... next thing we know he will be spouting Emerson and applying for college. Anyway... See for yourself... He is just too cute!

I started reading the Life of Joseph Smith by Lucy Mack Smith- a book from my parents collection of books from the 50's. I am not too far, but I am finding it interesting see the life of Joesph Smith (and really his whole family dynamic) through her eyes. I haven't even gotten to the first vision and you can see how prepared that family was for a Prophet of God to be in their family.

Now, I am pretty sure there is no prophet in my future family ( I added the pretty in pretty sure... Okay God...) but I need to start to look at things in my life a little more like "where is God taking me with this one?" instead of constantly being weighed down by the responsibilities and "talents" he has given me. I am currently Priamry Chorister, Enrichment Leader, Still have one foot in Young Womens since I just got released and the YW president's husband just died, Bread Winner for my family, emotional stability for my 3 year old (as stable as I am), the only person my son wants 3/4 of the time and then on to the wifely, dautherly, housekeeping, and friend duties- some I neglect and some I focus on a bit too much. I think maybe God wants me to humble myself and submit more to his will instead of juggling all of these balls... hummmm... interesting thought... Y'all are getting this out of my brain... I don't really edit these things either.. the rough draft is the final draft in this instance...

Okay... so the video is finished loading and it is way to late... I am at least going submit this post and go to bed... submission of wills... I will continue to work on! Enjoy your lives friends! It is yours!

Lickity Snipits!

2009-02-04T13:14:00.003-06:00

... Life is getting more and more... ummm... let's say interesting. We have been through getting our gas mysteriously cut off for no reason, death of a good friend's husband, Ben's job rollercoaster, craziness at work, late library books, unemployment denials (Laid off ain't what it used to be!?), and sore muscles from trying to work my trash off and all I seamed to lose was my ability to stand and sit without wincing. OH and so much more!

I will say though my mood is still suprisingly up (my husband may say differently based on the cry fest I had on his shoulder the other night but,,, hey I was stressed). ====note to self... forgot to take birth control====

I lost 8 lbs in the month of January... Which has made me feel like I have some control over my life. The power of weight loss!

I am not feeling really long winded today so you are getting snipits of thought today... it's the multi tasking... like switching channels really!

I am really bouyied by all the people around me and love to read your blogs and see you on Facebook... although I need to do much less of those things at work now that we have internet at home and focus here at work... Speaking of... SEE YA!

It's Official!

2009-01-19T12:26:00.002-06:00

So Ben has been "Officially out of work" now for a month- although he hasn't actually worked since November 2nd- yeah try explaining all that to unemployment. This is a real trial of my faith. We have decided that he needs to go back to school. He is really not happy doing what he is doing... need to find a happier existance! For the meantime, I am workign everyday and missing my kids... It has made me realize that I have been blessed to be at home with them more than many people, including Ben.

For now I am just praying that the kids get accepted into CHIP or Medicad so at least they are covered through this down time. That application has been in for 2 months now- MAN THEY ARE SLOW! I just want to know my family will be alright and for now... I can only pray and hope and do as much leg work as possible to get a job... I really to micromanage our family, I have learned that through all of this and I am learning to let go (not much but starting)...

I have lost 5 lbs so far this month- which was my goal for the month- so as long as I don't gain- heaven fobid- in the next 11 days... I will have actually accomplished a goal I set for myself. I ALWAYS seem to start things and NEVER finish... I don't want to be that person... so I am trying to change it... hopefully I have begun!

An Update!

2009-01-06T11:30:00.004-06:00

Bailee had a WONDERFUL birthday... thank you to everyone that pitched in!!! We focused on getting her dress up clothes for her birthday to broaden her imaginative play. This is her cat outfit Shasta found... TOO CUTE!!!

She is now also OFFICIALLY potty trained... and we thought the day would never come! An accident now and again but all in all DONE!!! She even woke up in the middle of the night the other night and stumbled out of her room looking for the potty... nothing like sleep walking pottying!!!!

Jack is getting HUGE... and he is actually interested in toys now! He will be 5 months tomorrow! Man the time is really flying with #2... It took forever for Bailee to get this old and now here we are!

Ben is still looking for a Job... Any new Ideas?!?... but I think he has found a new appreciation for being at home....

Me... I am working alot... well.... not currently... i'm on a "break"... my computer internet time is my break time... Just trying to keep the Family afloat... been doing it, but it is stressful being the only income... I have learned from the experience though... I am really trying to trust in God and Ben and I am finding that the stress isn't getting to me nearly as much and I can't ask for more than that!!!! I actually had a really great experience. I was talking to the Bishop about tithing and I committed to paying my tithing (I have never been good at this!) and I was really worried because 10% of my income... 10% less $ for keeping our family afloat... but I committed to it and just a short time later I got an email from my Boss that said... You are great I gave you a 10% raise on this check!!! Even my boss' wording said 10%... God really is looking out for us and does no the intents of our hearts and when we turn to him... he is always there... that experience has helped me this whole time of trial because I know he loves my family!

Oh and one more thing... Biggest loser starts TONIGHT! I am so addicted! (great segway!)

2 days in a row!!!!

2009-01-06T11:29:00.002-06:00

I am looking for a better Blog layout.... any sugestions?!?!?! I want to be able to post pictures better!?!?!

Okay... so Literally here goes nothin....

2009-01-05T15:22:00.002-06:00

So.. I'm no too good at this Blogging thing... But I am going to aim to do better... Ijust figured out my password again so he it goes! Ben and I are starting to cleanze our bodies and get healthier. We started on Jan. 1st (cliche, yes... but we are doing good) and are not eating Sugar or Flour. We are following the FAA food plan but not the program entirely, and I finding streanth in not eating as much... I am much more available to my self... or maybe I can say honest with what I am feeling. And I am excited to not be eatting ice cream (tradition) for the first time when I watch Biggest Loser... MY FAVORITE SHOW!!! I am totally going to win this year!!!! We are getting a computer at home so... hopefully posts will be more possible.. Post Pics soon!!!- New Hot bod coming soon....

Here goes nothin'

2008-06-16T10:16:00.000-05:00

So we have family all over and we just wanted to create a place where people can keep up with us... Not that we keep up with ourselves that often, but hey... we are going to try :)

We are 8 months prego with # 2... a boy this time... we just had a 3D picture taken of him that I'll post here tomorrow... I am at work and I left it at home... sorry folks...

We know we are going to name him Jack Hall but the middle name is eluding us... any Ideas... we are open to suggestions... but if we don't name him after you... no hard feelings K?!?! :)