Oh, the weekends. Crazy. Beautiful. Tiring. Fun.
Today, all the Halls went on our usual Saturday morning date to Pepper Place Farmers Market. Well, sort of usual.
Today was National Cancer Survivors Day, and UAB hosted a local celebration at the market. As part of the planning committee, I had to be there at 5:00am. It wouldn't have been so bad except that Eleanor woke up at midnight and then at 2:30am. Her sister heard the screaming at 2:30 and didn't go back to bed until almost 4:00am. My alarm went of at 4:15am. Fun times.
[I'm sure this sounds familiar to many of you out there.]
Anyway, it was a great celebration and the rest of the Halls joined in around 7:30. That's when "the usual" came back - smoked pork and chicken with grits, chocolate croissant, iced coffee, and blueberry muffins. Oh, and messy kids.
The rest of the day, we watched Eleanor climb in and out of baskets and search the house for jewelry and scarves. It's crazy - she crawls around looking for necklaces, scarves and bracelets, and we find her accessorized so much she can barely get around. She's definitely going to be my girly-girl.
Great day. Happy it's bedtime.
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Friday, June 3, 2011
365 :: 5
Thoughts for the day ::
I'm amazed at Eleanor's vocabulary. At just 12 months, she can say an incredible number of words: mama, dada, sissy, pop pop, mimi, kate kate, (we are working on grandma and grandpa) bye bye, night night, thank you, more, uh oh and no. That's quite a list.
I'm amazed at Eleanor's vocabulary. At just 12 months, she can say an incredible number of words: mama, dada, sissy, pop pop, mimi, kate kate, (we are working on grandma and grandpa) bye bye, night night, thank you, more, uh oh and no. That's quite a list.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
365 :: 4 Emma's Ballet Recital
Well, it looks like I'm already behind on my posting...
Without further ado, I present to you the much anticipated ballet recital of Emma and friends.
Without further ado, I present to you the much anticipated ballet recital of Emma and friends.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
memories - in memory
Wow. Life and death are but a mere moment apart.
Steve Malone, my former pastor - a man who taught me, challenged me and married Dugald and I is gone from this world.
My journey with Steve began at Red Mountain Church many, many moons ago. As a young 20-something I was searching for my next step in life. Unmarried and unattached, I had high hopes of escaping the Magic City.
While waiting on my next great idea, I began to attend Red Mountain Church. Steve Malone, then pastor, had been tapped to lead this new urban church - charged with a mission and vision for the community. To be frank, this place blew my mind. Incredible messages, incredible music (thanks, Brian T. Murphy) and communion like nothing I had ever experienced. Each week, I left overflowing - full of questions, full of challenges and full of life.
Let's just say, I never escaped.
My experience with Steve changed me forever. He taught and mentored me in a way that no one ever had. His words awakened in me to whole new life. He guided Dugald and I into a covenant with one another and Christ on our wedding day. If it sounds big, it is.
But his story was complicated, and in what felt like mere moments, his story at Red Mountain was over. His story with me was over.
Let's be honest, Steve made some poor choices. Choices with consequences that ran (ok, still run) very deep. I don't really know all that happened, but the experience left me with an immense understanding that we all should cling to Christ and pray for wisdom to walk away from sin.
At the end of the day, Steve Malone was created in the image of God. He was loved. He is missed.
Steve taught us a song that is sung when a child is baptized. We sang it often at Red Mountain, and I think of him every time I sing to my sweet girls.
Steve Malone, my former pastor - a man who taught me, challenged me and married Dugald and I is gone from this world.
My journey with Steve began at Red Mountain Church many, many moons ago. As a young 20-something I was searching for my next step in life. Unmarried and unattached, I had high hopes of escaping the Magic City.
While waiting on my next great idea, I began to attend Red Mountain Church. Steve Malone, then pastor, had been tapped to lead this new urban church - charged with a mission and vision for the community. To be frank, this place blew my mind. Incredible messages, incredible music (thanks, Brian T. Murphy) and communion like nothing I had ever experienced. Each week, I left overflowing - full of questions, full of challenges and full of life.
Let's just say, I never escaped.
My experience with Steve changed me forever. He taught and mentored me in a way that no one ever had. His words awakened in me to whole new life. He guided Dugald and I into a covenant with one another and Christ on our wedding day. If it sounds big, it is.
But his story was complicated, and in what felt like mere moments, his story at Red Mountain was over. His story with me was over.
Let's be honest, Steve made some poor choices. Choices with consequences that ran (ok, still run) very deep. I don't really know all that happened, but the experience left me with an immense understanding that we all should cling to Christ and pray for wisdom to walk away from sin.
At the end of the day, Steve Malone was created in the image of God. He was loved. He is missed.
Steve taught us a song that is sung when a child is baptized. We sang it often at Red Mountain, and I think of him every time I sing to my sweet girls.
I am Jesus' little lamb,
Ever glad at heart I am;
For my shepherd gently guides me,
Knows my needs and well provides me.
Loves me every day the same,
Even calls me by my name.
Ever glad at heart I am;
For my shepherd gently guides me,
Knows my needs and well provides me.
Loves me every day the same,
Even calls me by my name.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
365 :: 2 & 3
365 :: 2
Happy babies = happy mornings
365 :: 3
Our first ballet recital was tonight. So cute!
Emma's style of dancing was more interpretive than classic, but she
had a WONDERFUL time. Will post pictures tomorrow.
Happy babies = happy mornings365 :: 3
Our first ballet recital was tonight. So cute!
Emma's style of dancing was more interpretive than classic, but she
had a WONDERFUL time. Will post pictures tomorrow.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
365 :: 1
Big little, little big.
Our world is crazy. Emma wants to be a baby; Eleanor wants to be a big girl.
Case in point - snapshot before dinner - Emma has found Eleanor's binkie and crawled into Eleanor's baby chair. Eleanor has found Emma's sucker and is sitting in a wooden chair with it hanging out the side of her mouth.
Hilarious.
Our world is crazy. Emma wants to be a baby; Eleanor wants to be a big girl.
Case in point - snapshot before dinner - Emma has found Eleanor's binkie and crawled into Eleanor's baby chair. Eleanor has found Emma's sucker and is sitting in a wooden chair with it hanging out the side of her mouth.
Hilarious.
So, I'm Committing - 365 :: A Year of Posts
So, I'm committing to a post a day for a year - 365 :: A Year of Posts.
There are so many amazing little things that happen every day, it would be a real shame to miss out on these sweet memories.
There are so many amazing little things that happen every day, it would be a real shame to miss out on these sweet memories.
Monday, May 9, 2011
What a Year!
Wow, it's hard to believe that Eleanor is a year old. And what a year it has been.
We were so excited to add her to our little brood, but man, two kiddos have been really challenging.
Now don't get me wrong, every mom is a working mom. Motherhood (parenting, really) is a job that is never-ending and rarely does one get enough rest, encouragement or fulfillment (honest, but true). Add to that a full-time, in-the-office, do-I-have-an-outfit-without-milk-on-it-kind of job, and it can be kind of brutal.
For those that know me, I've tried the part-time job thing, but it doesn't work. My career path is not one that is easily left at the office, and one doesn't ever arrive at completion. It's a daily grind of what-should-I-do-next, so it's not exactly part-time friendly. The only thing that was part-time was the pay. And that's not cool.
So, with Eleanor's arrival, Dug and I decided that I should pursue full-time employment. Staying at home isn't an option (for those of you who are wondering). The good news was that I was able to transition my job without really changing employers, so the transition was probably less challenging than it might have been. But, it's been a big change and has forced us to make some changes.
The first one is about protecting our family time and making choices that really work for us. This has meant that after-5:00pm activities have been seriously restricted, as it's really the only time for us to spend with the kids and get ready for the next crazy day. This has meant that our church home of almost a decade just leaves us completely crazy starting out our week - so, it's left us with some tough decisions.
We feel good about the decisions we are making, as we prayerfully consider our options. It may seem at times that we are only thinking of ourselves, but honestly, our job as parents is to help create a home that is filled with love and honesty, not a million things to do. We've stayed well-connected with our community and have sought out new relationships. It's been a fearful, but fruitful time.
So, I leave this post with a promise to post more - I'm actually thinking about challenging myself to a post every day for a year. We aren't talking some complicated group of pictures with a play-by-play of our life, but a nice reflection on the day.
Here's one from last week's celebration of Eleanor's first birthday - so cute!
We were so excited to add her to our little brood, but man, two kiddos have been really challenging.
Now don't get me wrong, every mom is a working mom. Motherhood (parenting, really) is a job that is never-ending and rarely does one get enough rest, encouragement or fulfillment (honest, but true). Add to that a full-time, in-the-office, do-I-have-an-outfit-without-milk-on-it-kind of job, and it can be kind of brutal.
For those that know me, I've tried the part-time job thing, but it doesn't work. My career path is not one that is easily left at the office, and one doesn't ever arrive at completion. It's a daily grind of what-should-I-do-next, so it's not exactly part-time friendly. The only thing that was part-time was the pay. And that's not cool.
So, with Eleanor's arrival, Dug and I decided that I should pursue full-time employment. Staying at home isn't an option (for those of you who are wondering). The good news was that I was able to transition my job without really changing employers, so the transition was probably less challenging than it might have been. But, it's been a big change and has forced us to make some changes.
The first one is about protecting our family time and making choices that really work for us. This has meant that after-5:00pm activities have been seriously restricted, as it's really the only time for us to spend with the kids and get ready for the next crazy day. This has meant that our church home of almost a decade just leaves us completely crazy starting out our week - so, it's left us with some tough decisions.
We feel good about the decisions we are making, as we prayerfully consider our options. It may seem at times that we are only thinking of ourselves, but honestly, our job as parents is to help create a home that is filled with love and honesty, not a million things to do. We've stayed well-connected with our community and have sought out new relationships. It's been a fearful, but fruitful time.
So, I leave this post with a promise to post more - I'm actually thinking about challenging myself to a post every day for a year. We aren't talking some complicated group of pictures with a play-by-play of our life, but a nice reflection on the day.
Here's one from last week's celebration of Eleanor's first birthday - so cute!
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Such a Joy
My kids are such a joy. Even in the midst of these challenging years, joy in the tiny moments are {often} enough to keep my heart full.
I ran across a journal with a single line for each day - basically a mom's journal with one thought about the day. A dear friend of mine does this, and I think it will be a true gift to my girls. So, I've decided to reflect each day with a thought for each of them.
I have to admit that I'm a little bummed about the fact that I didn't take the time to do this when Emma was a little one, but there's nothing I can really do about that, right?
Although I don't plan on blogging all of my thoughts, here are a few rolling around in my head from the past couple of weeks.
How can it be, Eleanor, that you are already pulling up and walking around objects? You are a mere nine months old {this week} - I'm not ready for this.Emma, I love that you say "Magaline" for "Madeline" - your current favorite book.
Emma is obsessed with blueberries, even in this, the dead of winter. Each night before she goes to bed, she eats and entire bowl.
I'm amazed at the intensity of Eleanor's thoughts and emotions. Let's just say that she is quite spirited when she wants something. I'm thinking the twos just might be terrible.
Sleep, oh sleep, you are a mystery to me. Even now at nine months old, Eleanor eats twice a night!
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Survivor Pantry :: Week One
When the pantry gets too full for groceries, you know it's time to stop spending and start surviving.
As the new year rolled around, we found our shelves too full and freezer overflowing - so Survivor Pantry began. What's nice about forcing yourself to use what you have is that creativity seems to abound. We allow ourselves to buy fresh meat if needed, and of course, food for the kiddos. The other thing we instituted is a weekly pizza night, which is a lifesaver in the middle of the week.
So, week one was a great success. It's been freezing here, so comfort food is on the mind.
Saturday :: A good ol' lasagna -- this recipe from The Pioneer Woman is great.
Sunday :: Sante Fe Chowder from Moosewood Restaurant - I love this soup! Super easy and pantry-friendly.
Monday :: Lasagna leftovers
Tuesday :: Chowder leftovers
Wednesday :: Pizza night!!
Thursday :: Five spice pork tenderloin and roasted sweet potatoes
Friday :: Tomato, red pepper and spicy sausage risotto - no recipe, sorry...it's a Dugald special.
Week one was a success. In the queue for week two - Saturday morning scones, homemade barbeque chicken with cornbread topper (ala Rachel Ray), breakfast potatoes and poached eggs, and whatever else we can figure out...
As the new year rolled around, we found our shelves too full and freezer overflowing - so Survivor Pantry began. What's nice about forcing yourself to use what you have is that creativity seems to abound. We allow ourselves to buy fresh meat if needed, and of course, food for the kiddos. The other thing we instituted is a weekly pizza night, which is a lifesaver in the middle of the week.
So, week one was a great success. It's been freezing here, so comfort food is on the mind.
Saturday :: A good ol' lasagna -- this recipe from The Pioneer Woman is great.
Sunday :: Sante Fe Chowder from Moosewood Restaurant - I love this soup! Super easy and pantry-friendly.
Monday :: Lasagna leftovers
Tuesday :: Chowder leftovers
Wednesday :: Pizza night!!
Thursday :: Five spice pork tenderloin and roasted sweet potatoes
Friday :: Tomato, red pepper and spicy sausage risotto - no recipe, sorry...it's a Dugald special.
Week one was a success. In the queue for week two - Saturday morning scones, homemade barbeque chicken with cornbread topper (ala Rachel Ray), breakfast potatoes and poached eggs, and whatever else we can figure out...
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Holly-day
Better late than never, right?...
It was such a nice Christmas.
Although we are always happy to visit family, staying at home for our first Birmingham Christmas was a welcome new addition.
No bag packing, kid wrestling, no plotting and scheming...just a little cleaning and we were off to the races.
Emma has reached the age where Christmas is much more exciting. Her reaction to every Christmas tree, plastic yard Santa and ornament is pure elation...and quite amusing. It was also wonderful to have her learn more about the true celebration of Christmas, although I must say that Jesus, Santa and reindeer are all a bit confusing for a three year-old.
I, personally, was very emotional throughout the entire Advent season. It was quite a mix of emotions, really. This was our family's first Christmas at our own home, and our first Christmas with sweet Eleanor.
At 7 1/2 months, didn't have a clue about what was going on, but was thrilled to have three more people to entertain.
It was such a sweet time, but as with most holidays, it was bittersweet. With family all over the world, we don't have the opportunity to celebrate with everyone...at least in person. That said, Skype keeps the smiles coming through the ability to video chat. It melts my heart to see running to the computer the moment she hears the familiar voices of Grandma and Grandpa.
Life is sweet, folks. We have to take every moment captive, as we don't know what is around the bend.
Enjoy our photos!
It was such a nice Christmas.
Although we are always happy to visit family, staying at home for our first Birmingham Christmas was a welcome new addition.
No bag packing, kid wrestling, no plotting and scheming...just a little cleaning and we were off to the races.
Emma has reached the age where Christmas is much more exciting. Her reaction to every Christmas tree, plastic yard Santa and ornament is pure elation...and quite amusing. It was also wonderful to have her learn more about the true celebration of Christmas, although I must say that Jesus, Santa and reindeer are all a bit confusing for a three year-old.
I, personally, was very emotional throughout the entire Advent season. It was quite a mix of emotions, really. This was our family's first Christmas at our own home, and our first Christmas with sweet Eleanor.
At 7 1/2 months, didn't have a clue about what was going on, but was thrilled to have three more people to entertain.
It was such a sweet time, but as with most holidays, it was bittersweet. With family all over the world, we don't have the opportunity to celebrate with everyone...at least in person. That said, Skype keeps the smiles coming through the ability to video chat. It melts my heart to see running to the computer the moment she hears the familiar voices of Grandma and Grandpa.
Life is sweet, folks. We have to take every moment captive, as we don't know what is around the bend.
Enjoy our photos!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)