A Long While

It's been a really long time since I've update our blog. I discovered Facebook in February and have had little inspiration to come here. But, time has passed, much has gone on, and here I am again.

We are still homeschooling, though we began a little differently than we will finish. Ander was enrolled in GVA--Georgia Virtual Academy--public school online. In theory, it seemed perfect for us, but as we began our sixth week with both of us utterly confused and miserable, it became apparent that changes needed to be made. So, after much prayer, counsel, and discussion, we withdrew, took a week off for our Fall Break, and will be starting again on Monday.

Other changes have occurred as well. Dennis's hours at work were cut dramatically in April--something that turned out to be a good thing. A little less money that has been more than made up for by a lot more time with Dennis. The Lord also blessed our family with a new truck in June--something we thought would be an impossibility for another couple of years. God is so good! We think we know how it will all unfold, but when we give it to Him, it's so much better His way! Finally, our newest change is my new business. I have become a Pampered Chef Consultant, and I love it. I was so apprehensive at first, but through prayer and confirmation after confirmation, God let His plan be made known. His favor has been on my business, and the first month has been great.

Hopefully, we will be able to keep up with the blog a little better. I am excited to see what God is going to do next. Next week will be a new beginning for our homeschool, and I thank Him for the wonderful changes He is going to make.

A Kid in the Candy Store...or the American Girl Store

Last weekend, we went to Atlanta to spend time with the Pisanos, see Laura's play (The Sound of Music--awesome!), and to go to the American Girl Store. Chandler saved all of her Christmas and allowance money and had been looking forward to it ever since Heather told us that they have a store in Georgia!

On Friday after lunch, we took her to the store and the look on her face was priceless!! Everything was "Mama, look!" and "OOOOooohhh, Mama!" She had an absolute blast. She walked around the entire store and looked at everything. Then she walked around again. Then she finally decided on her purchases!! The other kids got a little antsy toward the end, but we all enjoyed watching Chan have such a good time.

Busyness

Wow! I feel that this month has been all about busyness. We have been so busy! Girl scout cookies, Girl scout cookies, and more Girl scout cookies, Girl Scout cookie booth sales, home church at our house, homeschool field trips, every day routines of laundry, homeschool, and house cleaning, visitors...and this weekend a trip! Wheeww! I'm tired just thinking of all we've done and have scheduled to do, no matter how much we enjoyed each extra activity and visitor. But I know the rest we need is in Jesus!

I am learning, again, that there is no way that you can do all you need to do without Him. All my efforts to strive and be perfect and be everywhere come to naught if I do not give everything to Him first. Why do we assume that because everything is going well that we can skip this crucial step? I know that I myself am guilty of thinking that "I" can handle it. But I really can't--not on my own! I am so glad that I have had a reminder that I need to put everything in His hands. Everything goes so much better when I do. This past week has been so much more peaceful than the two weeks previous because I finally got my life back in His order.

And, I am also glad that I have learned to lighten up on homeschool a bit. I still have high expectations, don't get me wrong! But I have realized that homeschool is NOT just bookwork. This is a big step for me! We can learn all kinds of things without everything coming out of a book. I am taking baby steps toward that realization, and we are having so much fun. Thank you, Lord! You have taught me so many things, and when I realized that all of them didn't come from Your Wonderful Book, I realized that my children could learn from me without them sometimes, too! It is very refreshing to have a baking day or to do only Math and Language and go on a field trip or even to take the day off.

So today, we are resting! We are hanging out, reading, playing games, and leisurely packing for our fun trip this weekend. We are looking forward to our visit with the Pisanos, seeing "The Sound of Music," and shopping at the American Girl store (Don't Worry: Ethan will have his DS--he is looking forward to shopping with distraction!).

Chandler Loses a Tooth

Before: While I went to find Daddy and the dental floss, Ander pulled out the camera and began to document this moment in Hall Family history.

During: Ander continues to photo-journalize the event by taking blow-by-blow photos of the actual pulling of the tooth.

After: We now see rather a rather gory picture of the space left by the lost tooth and the phone call to tell Mawmaw and Papa about the momentous occasion.

So, join us again next time in the continuing saga of the Hall Family in GA--Home, School, and ALL!

A Chapter Complete

On Wednesday night, when church was over and the kids were getting ready for bed, Chandler came and asked me if her tooth was ready to be pulled. It was. So, with much production and drama, I pulled her first tooth. Ander and Ethan were excited, Chandler was a little wary of the hole in her smile, but happy that the Tooth Fairy would come, Dennis was his normal, joking, supportive self, and I was a little dazed.

It was not until Thursday morning that it hit me. My baby is not a baby anymore, and I won't ever have another one, another baby that is. And I cried! Not because I don't want Chandler to grow up, not because I want another baby, but because I realized that a chapter in the book of my life was finished.

For twelve years, I have had a baby in one form or another. Yes, Ander and Ethan are 12 and 8 and have both lost many teeth, but this time was different. This first lost tooth will be the last first lost tooth. I won't ever have another "baby" first. I have always had a baby, but now I have three children. Babyhood has left our house, and Childhood and Adolescence have taken up residence. I am not dreading the future; I am simply mourning the past because it has been a part of me for so long--a part that I have treasured and enjoyed and have been fulfilled by.

While I never minded them at the time, I am happy that we have left the 3 a.m. nursings, the poopy diapers, the searches for "the Passy," the potty training, the cute-but-unintelligible-babble, and the portable nursery that I used to carry in my trunk every time we were more than 45 minutes from the house. I remember fondly all the first smiles, first steps, first words, and hilarious antics of my three toddlers of yesterday. I hear the laughter and the different child-unique words that my former pre-schoolers uttered just a short time ago. These memories are all wonderful, but knowing that I will never again experience them anew is a bittersweet moment.

I poignantly say farewell to Babyhood and embrace the future. I look forward to new firsts now for Chandler--and for Ander and Ethan. While Chandler may have never ridden a school bus, Ethan has not yet played tackle football. And even though Ander has had braces, she hasn't yet "become a woman" [referred to discreetly in case she reads this:)]. So, now that I've had a little while to mourn the closing of a chapter, I think I'm ready to step bravely into a new one.

Thank you Lord for the three beautiful babies You blessed me with. Each of them were healthy, a joy to their parents, and a testimony of Your Faithfulness. And thank You for the wonderful children they have grown up to be. Continue to bless each of them with health and safety and with the knowledge that they are loved--by You, by their daddy, and by me. I ask for Your wisdom in the ever-evolving role I fill of "mother." Help me to raise them always in Your Will and Your Word. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Holiday Wrap Up

I can't believe it's been a month since I updated! Our lives have definitely been busy...I guess too busy to blog :) ! We had a great Christmas without too much hustle and bustle. We opted for family time and truly enjoyed each other.

The weekend before Christmas, we did travel to Metter to celebrate with the Thompson clan which was so fun. Lots of good food and catching up with family. Christmas Eve was spent with the Hall family at Dennis's granny's house. It was so fun watching the our kids and our nephews sitting around the tree, shaking presents while they waited to open them. After we filled our tummies with goodies and hugs and kisses were passed around, we headed home for the true Christmas story and of course "Twas the Night Before Christmas" poem before bedtime.

Christmas Day was so perfect! Our kids actually woke us up for a change, and we opened our gifts in plenty of time to get ready for my family to come over for brunch. Breakfast casserole and homemade cinnamon rolls--my mouth is watering with the memory--yum! Then we went to Mama and Daddy's for presents, and by 1 o'clock we were back at home to rest, play with our presents, and cook Christmas dinner dishes.

We had dinner at my parents' house that evening, but with lots of extra family. Dennis's mom and granny, Michelle's mother, and Jay and Emily all joined us for a fabulous meal. Dennis fried a turkey; it was fabulous! Mama, Michelle, and I cooked up all the sides, and our guests added a few dishes for good measure. It truly was a Christmas Feast!

Presents, food, and traditions are wonderful, but the true meaning of Christmas was evident in the blessings spoken over one another, the gratefulness of the children, and the peace felt by all. I think what would be even better than a perfect Christmas Day would be to live every day with peace and joy God gives us. Be blessed in the New Year and live the abundant life that Christ came to this earth to give us!