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