We are getting closer to the third trimester of this pregnancy, which equally excites and scares me! At almost 26 weeks, we have gotten the motivation to begin preparations to move Addy into her new big girl room and transform her nursery into Josiah’s own space. Our goal is to have all of this completed before the holidays that are quickly approaching, and that means painting. Painting is not my favorite task, although we’ve painted everything in our entire house, some rooms twice (sorry hubby)! While painting is tedious, there is also something relaxing about it to me, and something exciting about it when you’re preparing a space for your child. I am…

September came and went… and welcome October. I’m so ready for all things fall, and have been enjoying life with pumpkin everything as usual. This is my favorite time of the year. Hello crisp days, cool nights, fallen leaves, fire pits, warm blankets and ghosts and goblins. The Hall family is ready for you! Addisyn turned 18 months old a few days ago.  She continues to amaze us daily with the things she says and does.  Her current obsession is Frozen, which she loves to sing and dance to.  Along with chasing Addy around we are getting ready for our baby boy in just a few months. Addisyn is preparing for her…

A few months back, I went on a girls trip with some amazing friends courtesy of our husbands who decided to give us a break from mommyhood for a few days. So we packed up our things, boarded a flight to Cali and headed for a west coast road trip once we arrived in San Francisco. After enjoying San Fran, we traveled north to Point Arena and Mendocino before making our way back south to spend a few days in Sonoma and wine country. We had an amazing time traveling Highway 1 along the rocky coast with good views, good music, and good conversation. One of our stops along the…

This is the question I’ve been asking my husband, almost daily, since early July. I would rather skip the month of August for several reasons, and I am so looking forward to FALL! It’s not an intent to wish my life away, although, at times I guess that’s exactly what I do. August is a very tough month, however, since Addisyn’s birth I have willed myself to give a tough time a more positive atmosphere. Next week, it will be three years since the worst day of my life, when I lost my dear sister. Last year, I made the choice that it would be the first of attempts to make that dreaded anniversary,…

  Okay, admittedly, it has been over THREE months since I last posted. What can I say besides, where did the last three months go? Most notably, I should lead with a statement about how many changes can occur in a three month time period. At my last post, we had just recently celebrated Addisyn’s first birthday, and were looking forward to summer activities. Now, Addisyn is 16 months old! She is  21 lbs 15 oz. according to her last check up and she is growing and changing every single day. Speaking of growing and changing, so is our family! We will welcome baby Hall number 2 in January of 2016! That’s…

We recently celebrated Addisyn’s very first birthday. What an occasion! She had a candy themed birthday party. It truly was Addisyn’s ONE-derland, complete with a huge mural crafted for her by her great uncle Carlos, candy tables and displays everywhere and the house filled with her friends and family to make precious memories with. Such a blessed day. To think the last year has went by so quickly is almost unfathomable. The night before I put her to bed for the final time as a “baby”, knowing that when she woke in the morning she would be a “toddler” by society’s standards was admittedly both heartbreaking and exciting. She is turning…

I met a neighbor of mine today. Not a new neighbor, in fact my husband and I walk past her house only a few doors down several times weekly. Before today, we’ve just smiled and waved and kept on about our business. But this morning, I met my neighbor in the most unfashionable way. I met my neighbor at 5 a.m. as I handed her a pair of shoes for her bare feet as we watched her house burn. It was then that I hugged this person and prayed with her and her husband, it was then that I met these neighbors. Afterwards, I retreated to the crowd of neighbors who gathered and watched…

I seem to open several posts in this manner, time has passed so fast once again! Last week Addisyn turned 11 months old. ELEVEN months old! I’ve been busy planning her first birthday party, which seems surreal. How can my baby be getting ready to turn ONE? During the past 11 months, I have grown and learned so much. I have found my life holds more passion than ever before. I’ve cried with more emotion, I’ve laughed with more inflection, and I’ve smiled with a happier heart than I have in a long time. Addisyn has taught me so much. She has taught me what a selfless love is. She has made and…

Our first Christmas with Addisyn has came and gone so quickly! We had such a fun time making memories with our main girl and of course we can’t forget the pup! We started Addisyn’s Christmas traditions this year by braving the cold and taking her to Christmas Town at Busch Gardens, Williamsburg. It was a great evening where we wrapped Addy up in her warmest clothes with plenty of blankets, and enjoyed warm hot chocolate, meeting Santa for the very first time, the elaborate lights, and a show with dinner. Addisyn was a trooper and took in the sights. She truly lit up upon seeing Santa. I wasn’t enthused about…

Wow! It’s been weeks! Only further proof that life happens, and that the days do not contain enough hours for all the tasks. Life is busy and full, full of wonderful things, full of not so wonderful things, full of time consuming things, and full of surprises.  Yet, one thing remains the same, we continue to fall utterly and helplessly in love with our baby girl!  Addisyn turned 8 months on Thanksgiving day. EIGHT months! I now find myself brainstorming for a first birthday party that will be here before we know it.  She’s now 17 lbs. (verified at this week’s doctors appointment for being sick; again), and learning new things…