We're BAAAAACK!!!

Hello blogging world...We are alive, I promise! You would think that I have three children under the age of 19 months- crazy thought! : ) They are sleeping through the night now, so I am back to living on cloud nine!!!!!! Oh sweetness!!!!!!  William Shephard and James Sawyer arrived on September 15, 2010 at 7:45AM.  Shephard: 5lbs12oz and Sawyer: 4lbs15oz.  Brother Sanders is WONDERFUL...I couldn't ask for a better "bigger" brother!

First family photo

Shephard, Sanders and Sawyer Halloween weekend

Sawyer and Shephard in the hospital

Shephard and Sawyer have been so...good.  Dare I say that?!?!? During the first few weeks I kept saying how I was waiting for them to realize they were in the world...but I'm pretty sure they know they are here now.  They are sooo laid back.  It's fascinating to watch how they can soothe each other.  They llloooovvveeee to sleep right by eachother- too cute! It's also fascinating to see one screaming in the others ear/face and the victim is able to tune the culprit out.  As for Sanders, he does so well playing with them and around them.  He has adjusted better than I could have asked! I've learned a lot (we all have) and I'm pretty much loving all of it...I couldn't imagine it any other way!  Matt and I are thrilled to have 3 boys to raise- the Lord has truly blessed us! I can't believe how in love I am with all these boys....I wouldn't change a thing.  I promise I'll blog more when I upload more pics...and when I have time  : )

All Boy, All the time

Playing outside in the mud...and in the "woods" across from our house...

Little Helper

It's been about a month...I was so focused getting ready for Shephard and Sawyer, that I had to stay away for a bit.  Before  (and now after) the twins arrived, Sanders has been the big boy helper around the house.  Sanders has helped:

Daddy fix the Camry

Sue Sue replace lightbulbs

Pop put together Shephard and Sawyers dresser

Sweep the carport

Mommy put together the Bob for the twins

And on a side note- I promise my child has clothes...it is soooo stinkin' hot outside (or was this summer) that if I could have walked around in underwear, I would have.  However, that would have been totally inappropriate!

When Mom's away, Boys will Play

The title of this post is the text message I received from Matt last night.  I was attending a baby shower for some friends, so Matt, Sanders and Max had an all boys night.  Matt had been out of town for work for two days, so it was perfect timing for them to hang out and play! Below are the pictures that came along with the texts:

Who needs a cup? Drinking out of the faucet!

Look- Red dirt + water = MUD!!

Train them young!

Sanders is learning some basics for life...reading "All about Aubie" one morning after breakfast. War Eagle!

Boys and Boxes

Sanders absolutely loves boxes.  Before Sanders was born, MANY people told me that little boys love to play with/in boxes.  I'd have to say it's true!  After getting his wagon for Christmas, Sanders played and played in the box it came in.  When we get large packages, I save the boxes so he can play in them around the house.  Who knew a rectangular/square hole with walls could make such a fun toy?!?

Christmas 2009- the wagon box

The Pampers box- start your engines!

VROOM VROOM!!!

Works on the slide too!

Max and Sanders are buddies

Dad and Me

I've been trying to take more pics of Sanders with Matt lately.  Matt is a wonderful father...it amazes me how he can get up and go to work early and then come home and be in daddy mode- Sanders absolutely LOVES him.  They rough house together and the giggles from Sanders are ones I wish I could "freeze in time." Seeing the two of them together makes me so...happy! I know I am blessed to have such an amazing husband, who shares with me the responsibility of raising children!!

Reading Splash Splash- the book of choice for that particular week.

Fountain- FREE fun!

Blowing out candles for Matt's 31st

Sanders 15 Months

Where is the time going?  I haven't been able to blog because 1. I couldn't find the cord to plug the camera into the computer and 2. I have been trying to spend time playing, laughing, loving, playing more and laughing more with Sanders before Shephard and Sawyer arrive.  The hot summer days have been jam-packed with fun things to do.  We have fed the ducks in Fairhope, gone to the park in Daphne, treated ourselves to snow cones at Eskimos (he likes the blue cotton candy flavor...maybe because I do,) played at the fountain, swam in the bay...the list goes on and on.  The biggest "milestone" this past month was walking...and when he took off, he took off.  It makes all of us laugh at how he waddles around- too cute!

Watching So You Think You Can Dance- He loves to dance!

Fountain Fun with the Coles

Feeding the ducks

LOVES frozen grapes!

Last, but not least...FIRST STEPS

Oh happy day!

So...it's the little things in life that make us smile- right? Well, here is one of my "little happy's."

Yes- Exotic Coconut Lotion from Bath and Body Works.  It only comes out twice a year.  January and June. You could order it online all year, but why pay the shipping and why miss the opportunity of going into the store to experience pure JOY?!?!  I've gotten several friends to become big fans. In fact, Regan met me up there the other day and I just had to take a picture of the happiness I wanted to spread after purchasing.  I  felt like a kiddo on Christmas morning!

Yes...two grown women thrilled to have gotten their hands on the gold!  Go into B&B...purchase some.  This week it is only $5 for a lotion,  a body wash, or a body spray.  I promise it won't let you down.  I've never worked at B&B, had the desire to, nor am I being paid to endorse.  Go get some to brighten your day!!!

Morning Baby!

Don't we all wish we could feel like this every morning?  This is without coffee or food!!!!

I just woke him up and brought him into our room to play on the bed...he LOVES to be thrown around and to play rough! Good thing boys are on the way- soon he will have two brothers to rough house with...along with Dad and Max the dog...and of course mom! How busy but fun our house will be!!

Summer Fun

Here are some pics of what we have been up to the past couple of weeks:

**Sliding inside on rainy days...and

there have been many of those!!

**Helping mom unload the dishwasher

**Playing a new game at bath-time with Dad and Max

**Army crawling outside on the cement...I'm

thinking walking would be better than this position. However, sweet Sanders has a double dose of stubborness, courtesy of mom and dad!

**First trip to Auburn and Momma G's-War Eagle and Yum Yum!!

**Lake Martin: First boat ride- He was cautious at first, but ended up laughing and giggling throughout the ride!

Running

I LOVE to run. Funny though- my track coach in high school couldn't get me to run more than a lap around the track. After gaining the freshman 20, I decided to pick up exercising again. When we moved to Spokane I started to run- but only occasionally. It was not until we moved back down South that I decided to really take a stab at running. My friend Anna ran her first half and encouraged me to do one. Nashville 2007 was my first- I was addicted. Running is such a challenge to me. It's mental. So many times I want to quit while running, but I don't like to quit, so I keep going. I have learned a lot about myself while running. At times my mind doesn't have to think about a thing. Other times, I enjoy taking in the Lords glorious creation and talking to Him. So peaceful. It makes me happy. I wish everybody could experience running this way! I feel...alive...free...relaxed. I started off this entry about running because that's exactly what I have been doing the past month..."running" through life. Figuratively and Literally. Here are some things I have been running through:

1. Sanders first birthday- Say What?!?!? My little pumpkin is a year old? CRAZY!!!Sanders, Britt, Sue Sue and I had a fun-filled birthday. We went to Starbucks, Jumpin' Jacks, Mellow Mushroom, the park, Bass Pro Shop, and then had a family birthday party. On Saturday, the big party took place with family, friends, cake, a mini-space walk, and presents!

2. We found out we will be having BOYS

! How exciting is that? Healthy baby boys to be born September 15- if not before. Matt and I are both excited to be adding more boys to the family. I am definitely outnumbered now! Hence the blog name change (courtesy of Regan Lawson): The Halls to Team Hall.

3. Nashville Half- At the end of April, Britt, Don, Ally, Seth and I loaded up the Camry and headed up to Nashville to run the Music City Half Marathon. Rebekah drove in from DC and Whitney met us in Nashville for the fun. IT WAS AMAZING. Despite the bad weather surrounding us, the worst held off for a little over three hours. It was just about enough time for everybody to complete the race. Rebekah was my heart and soul during the race- she stuck with me the whole time, so my stubborn self was forced to walk when I needed to. I owe a lot to her for driving 13 hours to run/walk a race. Finishing this particular half will always be special- 18 weeks pregnant with twins and running with an amazing friend God placed in my life.

Pic of me and Whit- waiting on one with Rebekah.

4. Mothers Day- Oh how sweet! Matt woke up and let me sleep in. He and Sanders went and picked me up some Starbucks and an Edible Arrangement- YUMMY! I could never eat too much of the fruit they have...especially the chocolate Sanders walked in the door with a card he handed me- too cute! The day was relaxing and made me feel so special- the way this day should!

It's been a long time!!!

Wow...How pathetic am I? I was soooo set on being a blogger the day I found out Sanders was a boy....and wham! He's almost a year, Im preggo with twins (yes, that's two; three under the age of 18 months) and I haven't written a post since. Bad mommy I am! I guess I've been- busy? There have been days I have had so many good things to post...but my laziness has caused me not to get on and post them. So, like a new years resolution that I WILL KEEP, I am promising myself to post on my blog at least twice a week. Feel free to shoot me hate mail at Brady.hall@yahoo.com if I don't keep up with it.

Where to begin? I cannot believe Sanders is almost a year old. Time sure does fly by. The Lord has blessed us with an amazing child (yes, I am the mother, so I can say it.) Really. He's been pretty easy. Such a happy boy. The first six weeks were tough, but after that, he picked up a routine and that made my life a whole lot easier. Every day gets better and better with him around. Matt has been an amazing support in a husband and father. There is not one thing that he hasn't tried to do on his own with Sanders. From the very beginning he would come home and tell me to leave for and hour or two, so I could have some free time- how wonderful!!! Little pumpkin is ALMOST walking...any day now. Im pretty sure he has a double dose of stubborness from his father and I- if you could get somewhere fast crawling, wouldn't you just crawl? I sure would!

The Surprise- ummm...getting preggo and not only that, but with twins. I cried and said some not nice words when I found out I was pregnant again. I have Ally and Anna to thank for me not being institutionalized that day. I called Susie at Dr. Dawkins office and somehow communicated to her (thru sobbing) that I was pregnant and didn't want to be. She was estatic...calming me down and letting me know what a blessing a child is. That night Matt came home and I was feeding Sanders. I balled right as he walked in the door ( I'm sure he thought I was dying of something.) Through my sobbing I finally got out that I was pregnant. He stood there with a smile on his face and said great. Great?!?!? Why wasn't he upset like me? Thank God for his support! Three days later I found out it was not just one, but two. Matt sat on the floor, my mom had her hands on her face saying "oh my gosh...oh my gosh" and I just laughed. I laugh when I get nervous. I couldn't stop laughing. The whole staff at the doctors office couldn't quit chuckling...I thought- laugh! Do ya'll want to provide financially for the family? It was ok for me to laugh, but not them!!!! To top off everything, I lost my job two weeks later. No more free car. No more free gas. No more free car insurance. Oh! and no more paycheck. What were we going to do?

Through all of the events of the past three months, the Lord has reitturated how much he LOVES me and is going to care for the family. I always have known it, but at times, I know it takes events like this in a life to wake up and see reality. I had been MISERABLE at my job for so long. As I have told many people, the Lord knew I would never have quit- why would I with all the great benefits. I knew I wasn't supposed to be doing that job any more. The almost six year run as a pharmaceutical rep had been a life changing experience. SO many great memories. However, it was time for me to move on. I'm thankful Matt and I have been doing Dave Ramsey for three years- without the budgeting knowledge we now have, we would be in a really messed up situation. God had all this in plan. Matt even got a new job in December that significantly raised his pay- I know all things in life happen for a reason, it's just really cool when you can look back and put the puzzle pieces together! I know there are a lot out there struggling and hurting right now. My encouragement would be to not lose hope! Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans for a hop and future."

So, as the days ahead approach, I will confidently lift my head high, knowing my Father is in control! Matt, Sanders, Max and I are going to cram in every fun and memorable moments we can before the next two arrive. I am trying to say sane myself by running, hanging out with friends, and attempting to relax. I'm not good at relaxing, so I have to make myslef just sit sometimes. Be praying for our sanity!!!! Tootles