Each Spring I think about the newness of the season with excitement. The change of seasons is always symbolic to me, and each attached to super important seasons of life. For me, the summer brings a focus on just being, in the fall a focus on letting go, in the winter a focus on rest and the spring a focus on growth and change. This spring is bringing lots of change for our family. We decided to sell the home that we brought both of our babies home too, and that we have also completely made new! It’s a change that’s both exciting and slightly sentimental to me. Each week…

The week before last, something amazing happened. An ordinary morning in school unfolded to an extraordinary decision for Addisyn to give her life to Christ unprompted following our Bible time. I say unprompted, but these seeds have been planted for a long time as we have an amazing children’s ministry at our church and our kids are fed well with the Word of God. All Justin and I have done is make it easy for Addisyn to have her own personal relationship with knowing and loving God through reading His word daily, and practicing living out the Word of God. That being said, it was an amazing moment when she…

May the FOUR-th be with you is the slogan on Josiah’s birthday shirt this year, complete with Darth Vader holding balloons. This kid is FOUR! I’m not quite sure how the calendar pages keep turning, but I sure am enjoying every single second of raising this rambunctious little boy. This year, since we returned from Disney World the very day before Josiah’s birthday, we had a small party at home. Of course, it was Star Wars themed. We always start birthdays with special pancake breakfast’s, and then we took the birthday boy to his favorite store, Target, to pick out the “spensive Star Wars Lego” of his choice. Top shelf…

We just returned from spending a magical week with the Mouse himself, once again. The hardest part about going to Disney, is leaving Disney! The kids have experienced their own Walt Disney World withdrawals this year, and of course we’re already dreaming of our next trip. We had such a magnificent time! The kids were tall enough and BRAVE enough to ride almost everything, and that meant that we had even more of a fantastic trip! Seeing your 3-year-old with his hands up on the roller coasters, is definitely reason to smile, as if Disney doesn’t give you enough of those. We stayed at our favorite resort, and the best…

This year, I’m giving myself space. Space to rest, space to heal both mentally and physically, space to grow, and space to let go. New Years resolutions are great… but not for me. I’m more about any time resolutions, or every day resolutions. I would advocate that if there’s something you want to change…start today…and commit to whatever that is for the long haul, not just January. I do, however, think the new year is a good mental reset. It spurs the contemplation and consideration of dreams, goals, and desires. It provides a good platform to identify areas of desired improvement and motivation to implement changes. However, by March, how…

Christmas 2019 has came to a close in the Hall household. Make no mistake, we are still busy ringing in the New Year and enjoying Christmas break. This time is joyous, this time is precious. There’s a natural reset, not just the turning of a calendar, but a boost of mental energy and a surge of hope that fills the air. For me this year, this has largely meant out with old, in with the new. I’ve spent several of the lazy days the kids have remained clad in pajamas enjoying their haul from Santa, purging my home. In part to make room for new Christmas toys, and also just…

Here we are at literally my favorite time of the year, although it seems we were just here! I’m not complaining that the blissful holiday season has arrived again, only that life seems to be moving at such a rapid pace! If you’re like our family, we repeatedly say, “after X-Y-and Z occurs, things will slow down”, only to add more wonderful things and events to our calendar and well… here we are again… another trip around the sun… making more Christmas memories. I am confident that this cycle will repeat itself many times as my children grow, so it means even more for us now to be selective in…

The Hall family has been through MANY new seasons in the last year. We have had so many changes; both for better and for worse. We’ve experienced the stress of home renovations, the loss of beloved family members, we’ve had family members facing significant challenges and health problems. We’ve had promotions and new job offers to consider, we’ve had new vehicles, new school changes (hello, homeschooling!), we’ve had sadness…and joy, we’ve had fun, we’ve had chaos and rest, and through it all I’m grateful that these are my people. Do you find that with each new season you can directly see growth and progression? You can see what has been…

The definition of freedom from Merriam-Webster is “the state of being free from the control or power of another”.  How many ways do we restrict our own freedom in our lives? Discovering freedom usually means we have to let go of judgements, persecution, lies of the enemy, past hurts/events, burdens, feelings of self-worth, and much more. Perhaps it’s a past bad-relationship or feelings of unworthiness. Perhaps it’s a particular event or a season of life that has memories too hurtful to easily overcome, or perhaps it’s just an overpacked schedule that requires the ability to discern when to say, “no”.  Most of us could use a little extra “freedom” in…

There are continually new differences emerging and setting apart established generations, and our volatile younger generations. While technology continues to advance and procure the instantaneous mindset that drives current society, there are numerous qualities, skills, and concepts that are sadly being left behind. Principles and discipline are being traded for signs demanding equality. Hard work, pride, and recognition are now challenged by theories that everyone who plays the game gets a medal. And sadly, responsibility and accountability are being exchanged for entitlement and indulgence. As a child, I have sweet memories of my grandmother’s kitchen. I loved watching (and eventually helping) her, my mother, and aunt can jams, jellies, peppers,…