Hall Family in GA Home, School, and All

A Long While

2009-10-10T20:52:00.002-04:00

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

2009-03-07T08:30:00.005-05:00

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

2009-02-25T08:07:00.003-05:00

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

2009-01-31T01:04:00.000-05:00

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

2009-01-31T00:06:00.000-05:00

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

2009-01-18T10:56:00.000-05:00

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!

The Internet Issue

2008-12-18T23:33:00.000-05:00

Thank you, Michael! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

For more than 2 weeks, my Internet has been on the fritz, and my wireless has been non-existent. I didn't realize how much I depended on the Internet until I didn't have it. It is such a convenience that I have obviously taken for granted. So much so that I was almost lost without it. I couldn't pay my bills or check my email or finish my holiday shopping! Anyway, balance has been restored electronically in the Hall household. Thank you again, Michael! (That's my computer guy--my brother--the best!)

The Holidays are Here!

2008-12-18T09:54:00.000-05:00

Wow! It's only a week until Christmas! I can't believe it! My last entry was about getting ready for Thanksgiving and now it's only a week until Christmas. Where did the time go?

Well, things are gearing up for Christmas around here. Presents have been chosen, gifts have been wrapped, the tree was decorated, and we're making Christmas cookies today! Then, this weekend we are off to Metter, GA to have Christmas with my daddy's family at Aunt Debra's house. The kids are so excited about this weekend...and beyond! For them, even though we know the true meaning of Christmas, it's all about the presents! And Dennis and I can't wait for Christmas Day, when we get to give them to them.

How is it that when you're little, it's all about what you get, and when you're an adult, it's all about what you can give? I think it's about more than just growing up--it's about maturity. The spiritual kind. This Christmas has been about following Christ and His example to serve and give to others, and I really like the feeling I have on the inside because of it. Thank you Jesus for being an example to me and for helping me to follow Your example! It somehow makes me feel all grown-up.....Naaah! There still a little girl in me with a long plaid nightgown, quivering with excitement as I wait for Christmas morning!

Merry Christmas to you all! And have a Blessed New Year!

Getting Ready for the Holidays

2008-11-23T10:15:00.000-05:00

Well, it's the weekend before Thanksgiving. All this past week it has been cold, and we decided to have a light week with homeschool to gear up for the holidays. We decided to get started early on spending time having fun with each other instead of waiting until Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. That's what the holidays have always been about to me--having fun with family on a special day. So I started thinking...shouldn't that be more often?

When I think of all the blessings God has given me--my husband, my children, the opportunity to homeschool, family, friends, the list goes on and on--I realize that a celebration of those things shouldn't be set aside for only a few days out of the year. We should celebrate those blessing every day!! We should also set aside our work (and school) a little more often so that we can enjoy one another.

So we cut our school work down last week and started cleaning the house early. So this week, the week of Thanksgiving, the work is almost all done, and we will have more time for each other and the rest of our family. The Nashville Halls are coming to visit! We have been planning menus and sleeping arrangements and fun activities for when they are here. That is really what the holidays are all about anyway--family and fun, not the food or the fuss. Thank you Lord for reminding us that You came, not just so that we should have Life, but that we should have Life More Abundantly!! Praise God for His love and His abundance!!

Remember to enjoy your family, not just the holidays!!!

Cold

2008-10-29T08:33:00.001-04:00

Wow! It's really cold--anyway for Georgia it's really cold. It was 35 out when I woke up this morning. That is something for this part of the country. Anyway, the cool, clean air and beautiful sunshine make it look like the beginnings of a gorgeous fall day. An outing was the first plan for today, but as cold as it is, we may delay that for a couple of hours. Hopefully, the weather has officially caught up with the season.

A New Roof

2008-10-08T21:10:00.000-04:00

Yesterday, we had a new roof put on our house. During Tropical Storm Faye, we incurred some damage, and we had some leaks. So a new roof was called for.

So yesterday, beginning at 7:18 am, they started working. First they delivered the shingles in the big truck that goes "beep, beep, beep" the whole time they are backing up. Then with the big swing arm on the truck they put bundles of shingles all over the roof of the house, "bam, bam, bam." Then later we hear footsteps, "stomp, stomp, stomp." At this I make the executive decision that homeschool is cancelled for the day.

Later we hear, "buzz, buzz, buzz" from a saw. At this my eight-year-old looks at me and says, "Mama, I thought they were going to fix the holes in the roof not put new ones in it." Laughing (a little nervously), I say, "Don't worry, buddy. I'm sure they know what they're doing." (I later found out that they were cutting holes to fit our new ridge vents.) Finally, we begin to hear the "whack, whack, whack" of the hammers, along with the "bam, bam" of the bundles of shingles being moved and the "stomp, stomp" of the feet of the workers moving them.

While all this noise is going on, I think to myself, "Uhhh. Will the noise ever stop?" Then, very quietly, I heard a little voice say, "Are you really going to complain about the noise? Don't you remember who gave you the new roof?" Then, I said a little prayer, asking forgiveness and thanking God for His wonderful provision as I thought back to how we were blessed with this new roof.

As I said ,Tropical Storm Faye left a lot of wind damage, but to completely tell this story I have to go back a week or two. In the days before Faye, while they were forecasting the path of the storms, I said a little prayer during one of my quiet times. "Lord," I prayed, "I know that pretty soon we're going to have to put a new roof on this house. I know that I need to start saving up for that now, but I really don't know where that money is going to come from. I'm trusting in You to take care of this situation, Lord, of us needing a new roof."

The very next week, Faye blew through our little part of God's creation, leaving behind a damaged roof and interior ceiling. Knowing that nothing would come of it, we had the insurance agent come out to look. He told us to get an estimate and that they would compare it to what our deductible was. Then, an insurance adjuster called saying that he had been told to inspect our roof. What a foul-up, we grumble to ourselves, watching as he walked around the inside of our well-lived-in-homeschooling-child-filled-house and later hearing as he wandered around on the roof.

When he came down, I sent Dennis (who just happened to be home that day) out to hear what we were sure was going to be the grim news. He came back in, looking slightly dazed and said, "He said we need a whole new roof and that the damage is covered under our policy."

I started bawling. "What is it? They're going to pay for the new roof! What's wrong?" he says. "Nothing," I sob. "I'm just so happy!" To which he gives his classic I-have-no-idea-how-your-mind-works look. Then I tell him the history of the quiet time prayer. He finally gets it! Oh, and here's the kicker--we didn't need a new roof b/c of Faye; we got the new roof b/c of significant hail damage from a storm that happened last year!!

God is so good! He cares about every little thing. He knows what we need, even before we know we need it. He provides for us when we don't even know we need His provision. Thank you God! Thank you for all the noise on the roof yesterday! Thank you for a day of interrupted school work! Thank you for just being God!

By the way, right now as I type this new posting, it's raining!! Thank you again, God, for Your glorious timing!

Summer Flashback

2008-10-04T22:22:00.001-04:00

Chandler is Five

2008-10-04T20:12:00.000-04:00

It seems like only yesterday that I held her in arms, praising God for His safe delivery of our baby girl. Now she is five! I look into those beautiful green eyes, smiling up at me in mischief, and I realize that my baby isn't a baby anymore. She's a little girl--riding a bicycle, writing her name, learning to read, and growing up way too fast. I still can't believe it.

Her birthday was extra special. We had a busy day--haircuts, shopping, homeschool gathering, and a special birthday dinner. I made spaghetti with meat sauce (at her request), and Mawmaw and Papa, Mimi and Granny, and Granny Agnes and Ms. Lydia came to eat it with us. The highlight of her day came after dinner when she was presented with her new bicycle. Then, on Sunday afternoon, we had a little party with her cousins and her new best friend, Jordanna, where she had Little Mermaid cupcakes. Everyone loved the Ariel tattoos, the playdough table and blowing bubbles.

So, for now, she's five. For a little while longer, she's my little girl--but no matter how old she gets, she'll always be my baby!

A Mother's Sabbatical

2008-09-15T22:51:00.000-04:00

How is it that motherhood can be the most rewarding and most draining thing in a woman's life? I ask myself this and wonder how I can love my family so much and yet feel the need to escape from them at the same time. I'm sure that every mother, whether she stays at home or not, asks herself that very same question every once in a while.

Well, last week, I escaped--for a few days anyway. I finished all the laundry, shopped for extra groceries, planned a few meals, packed my scrapbooking gear and left my family behind as I headed to the North Georgia mountains with my best friend (who was also escaping from her kids). We packed more scrapbooking paper than we did personal items, not to mention the photos, the embellishments, and all the other paraphernalia that goes along with that celebrated pastime. We stayed up late, ate whenever we wanted, and scrapped to our hearts content. And not once did we hear the words "Mommy" or "what are we having for dinner." It was wonderful.

On the last day, I woke up early and felt a small twang of guilt as I reached for my Bible. Was I just being selfish? Should I really have asked my husband, my mother, and my mother-in-law to take up my slack and care for my kids for three and half days just so I could go scrapbook with a girlfriend? With those questions still floating through my mind I opened my Bible for my truly quiet "quiet time" and the Lord led me to this passage in Matthew 14:"...And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray..."

When I read that verse, tears came to my eyes and thanksgiving filled my heart. I knew that the Lord was telling me that even He had needed time away from His family and friends to pray and rejuvenate. I knew than that it was okay to go away and be alone in the mountains. While we may not have prayed to whole time, we did seek His peace and share about His work in our every day lives. I also knew then that I would be ready to go home when the time came--that I would be ready to face again all the joys and frustrations of motherhood and homeschooling because I had been renewed in body, mind and spirit.

This short sabbatical was a learning experience for me. I learned that my husband and my children can survive if I am not there to tell them where the refrigerator is. I learned that I can still scrapbook, even though I had feared that the busyness of life had stolen the ability from me. I learned that I am still a person apart from being someone's wife and someone's mother and that I can enjoy being just me. I learned that friendship is something never to be taken for granted but to be cherished and nurtured. I learned that taking time for me can make me a better wife and mother. I learned that God cares for everything I care about--even about me taking a much-needed mini-vacation from my life. God is so good--all the time. Praise be to the Lord!

Ethan's Accomplishment

2008-09-04T18:54:00.000-04:00

Everything is different for everyone, especially for children. Each one has his own strengths and weaknesses, likes and dislikes, fears and dreams. Recently we were at an older playground where they had older equipment--like the kind Dennis and I used to play on when we were in school. Ethan was drawn to it at once because it was different from what he usually sees. It was one of those igloo shaped jungle gyms, and he decided to climb up. When he got to the top, he began to see that it was higher than it seemed, and he began to be afraid. Heights are not Ethan's favorite thing. He wanted to stop, to get down, to not go any further. So, to help Ethan not give up, Dennis climbed right up on the jungle gym with him to encourage him. Then Ander climbed up. Then Chandler climbed up. I yelled words of encouragement from the ground and took photos of this trial of childhood. Eventually, Dennis talked Ethan through his fear, helping him to climb down on his own. Tears and cries for help were interspersed with the words of encouragement from us all, but Ethan made it back to the ground on his own steam. He didn't give up! When he finally touched solid ground again we all cheered.

The sweat pouring from his face and the look of accomplishment in Ethan's eyes--those are the photos I should have taken, but I was overcome by the emotion of the moment and cheering for Ethan conquering his fear. When I looked at these photos today, I was overcome again with emotion. As I looked at them, I knew that they depicted what family is all about. It is about sticking together, encouraging one another through the tough times, and celebrating every accomplishment--big or small. Thank you God for my precious family! And thank you for giving our children a daddy who will walk them through every difficult hurdle.

Wednesday Morning

2008-09-03T12:59:00.000-04:00

So, here we are on Wednesday morning. It's the beginning of the week for us. We're homeschoolers, and we've been on an adventure this past weekend. So we're just starting our school week today. We started off a little bumpy, but we seem to be on track now. This is one of the things about homeschooling that I love--having the freedom to travel without being tied to such a strict schedule, like a school schedule. We get all our lessons in, usually in less time. And we have so much more together time. I love it!

During our travels this weekend, we headed to Nashville, TN to visit family and to Kennesaw to visit friends that are closer than family. Dennis's brother and sister-in-law just bought their first house, and we went for a visit to check out the new digs. Very Nice!! We are so happy for them. All the little cousins played, and the adults talked and laughed. It was a great time with family, and a trip we'll not soon forget. Especially since on the way home, we missed a turn and took a detour. But the detour turned out to be pleasant enough. We were able to stop at a Scenic Overlook and see a beautiful view. Isn't God good? His Word says that all things work together for good for those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose. So even though we lost a hour in traffic time, we gained a few minutes to view an example of His glorious creation.

And visiting with Heather and her family on Monday and Tuesday was wonderful! Like I said being with them is like being with family. We all felt so at home and had a great time catching up, even though the visit was too short! The kids had a fabulous time together. Now I'm not too sure about Allye--she was a little overwhelmed by the Pug Parade at the Pisanos--but she made it through and chalked it up to a growing experience. She told me that--REALLY!

The Beginning?

2008-09-03T12:49:00.000-04:00

The Hall Family in Ga Home, School, and All is going to be about our family. Homeschooling will be a big part because that is a big part of our family and who we are. But it will cover all sorts of other things, too. Come along and join us in the advcntures of our life.