A Catch Up Post

It was so much easier to come up with and upload blogs when I stayed at home this summer! So, this will be a somewhat random catch up blog...

ELIN & BELLA...
...have got to be the sweetest sisters to ever grace God's green earth.
...shower each other with adoration and affection every day.
...play games in the back seat like copycat noises, taking turns escalating different two letter sounds (Bella will say "ba" quietly, then they'll take turns and each get progressively louder).
...have a bond so strong already. I couldn't possibly have imagined.
...both enjoy their new school and are just down the hall from one another.
...took really great school pictures!
...loved visiting with Grandpa Hall and Barnana.

I cannot believe that tomorrow is December 1st! Where did the last month go? Where did our summer and fall go?

We have now been in the great state of Texas for 3.5 months - I am in disbelief. I look back at the journey we have been on and am astounded that we have been living like nomads since July. We moved out of our Mill Creek house at the end of June, in with the Trujillo's for all of July, spent the first two weeks of August on the road at various hotels and with family, 6 weeks in a corporate apartment, 2.5 months in a subleased apartment... and in just a week and a half we will FINALLY be moving into our new house! OUR.NEW.HOUSE. It's been a long time a'coming. OUR.HOUSE. No more renting... hopefully no more moving for several years. We can finally get all of our things from storage and stop "camping" out in our apartment! This last week and a half will seem like eternity; we just cannot wait to be settled in for the long HALL! :)

Texas has grown on us quite quickly. Looking back at our move to Seattle, I feel that we have become comfortable here faster than we did in Seattle. Who knows? But, I am pleased at how "at home" we feel here, despite the fact that we've been living so "temporarily".

This will be my 3rd week at work and I really do enjoy my work! I sometimes still walk down the hall and think, "I live and work in Texas. Hm." I have a window office. My office suite is filled with wonderful, fun loving, sarcastic, eclectic, older ladies who love to tell stories and bring in homemade goodies. THERE.IS.ALWAYS.FOOD. We have a great cappuccino maker in our suite. There is free -- good -- coffee in the cafeteria. (In Seattle, I must have racked up $30 dollars a week at Starbucks, so this is huge!) The food in the cafeteria is delicious and healthy. Did I mention that there is always a homemade treat wafting its irresistible fragrance into my office from our kitchenette? Hmmm... desk job and treats everywhere, just as the holidays are upon us... not so good for my waistline. My new job is challenging in a way that is foreign to me, but I am learning A TON and am enjoying doing something new.

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with the Santa Fe Halls! I had forewarned them that though we would LOVE to have them for Thanksgiving, we were pretty much "camping" in our apartment and it wouldn't exactly be the Hilton. They wanted to come anyway and I was soooooo happy to spend our first holiday in Texas with family. I had feared that it would just be us and that the loneliness would settle in like a dark storm cloud. So, we improvised quite a bit (I have no pots, pans, or cooking utensils!) in the making of our Thanksgiving meal, but everything turned out fantastic! Barb planned well and brought all the necessary pots and pans. A few things were forgotten, but we got creative. I even learned how to make mashed potatoes and sweet potatoes with the marshmallows and I think I may try the turkey next year. No promises. (And yes, you read that correctly: i just learned how to make mashed potatoes!) It was a great visit! The girls loved spending time with Grandpa Hall and Barnana; there was a lot of wrestling, laughing, and cuddling. There was a lot of good eating, movie watching, and family time.

December is upon us and I am so anxious to get into the holiday spirit. Unfortunately, all of our holiday things are in storage and I'm not inclined to do up the apartment with decorations when we'll be moving out next weekend. And, I don't want to spend more money on decorations when we have it all. SO, I bought a tiny (12 inch) tall, fake, Christmas tree and a bunch of tiny ornaments, an advent calendar with little tiny drawers (thank you Halls!), and of course chocolate that the girls will decorate one advent day at a time! I'm so excited to start this new tradition with the girls! Each day they will open a drawer to get an ornament, a small piece of chocolate, and a letter that will stand for something in the Nativity story (A for angel, B for Bethlehem, etc...) and we will talk about it and possibly do a small craft. I have high expectations of doing this every day, so I pray that I won't let the busy-ness of our lives prevent us from doing this every day.

So... I hesitate to say it... but... so far... Texas ain't so bad y'all.
Pictures to come!

Bella's First Homework

The assignment was to decorate the turkey in as many ways that reflect our family:

A Little Bit About Baylor

Feel blessed to be a part of this great organization! Watch the video and be inspired! :)

Falling Into Place

...quite nicely.

I've accepted a position at Baylor (Fist pump), doing exactly what I want to be doing -- everything from my position in Seattle that I loved, minus all the things I didn't so much enjoy. I start November 14th! Great chemistry with the team and such a high caliber organization.

I'm pretty sure I've found a fantastic school for the girls! They will be starting next week. The director, knowing how much I loved it (the environment, their academic philosophy, the teachers - everything) but noticing how I hesitated over the tuition, offered us 2 weeks free for each of my girls! That's almost an entire month free!

God is good - and not just now when things are great - but all the time. He teaches me so much every day. If only I could really just give up worrying all the time!

Tiny example of His amazing ways... I've been here 3 months, unemployed and worrying/stressing about it almost every day. BUT, had I found a job right away and jumped into work immediately, I wouldn't have been able to get integrated into the church, mom's group, and of course enjoy 3 beautiful months with my girls. Hindsight's always 20/20.

Just a quick update!

Texas State Fair

We went. We ate. We sampled fried this and fried that.
We rode. We spent. We played.
We watched. We walked. We admired. We cheered.
We laughed. We posed. We'll do it again.

Heroes Away for the Holidays

Here's a way to share some holiday spirit with our soldiers who can't be with their families for the Christmas season:

Operation Holiday Stockings

If I could knit, I'd make one... but since chances are, I won't be able to learn in the next month the kids and I will buy and stuff a handful to send. Let them know we're thinking of them!

A link to the blog and update on how the collection is going for 2011: (Also, instructions/pattern for the stocking) Operation Holiday Stocking 2011 Update

Swimming in October

One Last Hurrah in Seattle

Two weeks ago we had the pleasure of returning to Seattle to supervise our belongings being loaded onto the truck. Initially, Charles was just going to go, but it meant too much to all of us for us to stay behind.

I debated for a while wondering if this would be hard for Bella (Me), to see friends again and have to say good bye again. Ultimately, we decided it was a good thing. Bella (I) needed to have good quality friend time after the dry spell of the last two months in Texas.

We had a great time. The trip helped us realize that Seattle and our friends would always be there, that we could visit when we wanted, and that our three years there were an amazing time filled with good people and wonderful memories.

The girls and I arrived on Thurs and spent the morning with Josh and Araya. They greeted each other with HUGE hugs and then took off. Josh and I didn't see them the rest of the morning. The girls slipped right back into their routine of dress up and pretend upstairs. I had lunch with co-workers. That evening was PEPS group, so Bella got to see even more friends and we all walked over to the Farmer's Market and got my fave Thai food from Thai One On. Friday, I took Bella to school for the day to see her friends. They tackled her in the hallway and couldn't stop hugging her, chanting her name, and giving her the cards they had made in preparation for her visit. It's amazing to think these kids have been playmates since around 1 year old! I might have shed a tear. I let her stay for the day because they had soccer at the end of the day. SHE LOVED IT. I loved seeing her so happy and in her element.

Friday night, the ladies pulled together a mom's night out and we enjoyed several bottles of wine, good food, and lots of laughs. Ahh, home.

Saturday we picked up Jake and spent the day at the Pumpkin Patch - our favorite one at Remlinger Farm with the Trujillo Fam. I'm sure Jake got his fill of family land! The little girls had a blast.

Sunday we had Bella's best friend's birthday party! We didn't plan to be there this weekend, it was just a wonderful coincidence. Claire's party was tons of fun and another day Bella got to spend with her school friends. It was also nice to see Claire's parents, Mindy & Jeff, who we got to know well the last year with lots of Double Date Nights. Afterward, we sped over to the storage unit to spiff it up before Monday morning's load. Then we sped back to the hotel where Josh, Lina and the girls met up with us for some pool time. Around 6 that evening we sped over to the Mindy & Jeff's for another date night! Mindy's parents graciously offered to watch all 4 girls so we could go out! Great evening, good food, lots of fun!

Monday we spent 8 hours monitoring our stuff being meticulously loaded onto the truck. Atlas Van Lines - great folks. Josh and Araya came to help and the girls played while we, well, watched and inventoried.

We later went over to Josh & Lina's that evening for dinner and relaxing. Laura, Matt & Emeline also joined us! We spent our last night with the same wonderful friends we spent our last, last night in Seattle.

It was a busy whirlwind kind of weekend, the kind we love filled with friends and happiness.

Here it is in pictures:

9 month stats

18.5 lbs (35%)
28.5 in (73%)

Looking good!

Sent from my iPhone

Serving Those Who Serve

I've felt this calling for many years now. That's what steered me towards joining the navy in the first place: a desire to serve those who serve. Being in active duty, being a nurse, during OIF and OEF, caring for those fresh from the field - allowed me to do just that. I felt like I was doing important work and part of a something greater. I felt like I was doing what I was meant to do.

It's been four years since I was on active duty and it's been four years that I've been yearning for a way to give back, to be involved, to continue to serve. Life happens, though, and I've been tending to my career, raising my girls, and enjoying my family. But there hasn't been a minute that I wasn't thinking about how I could give, serve, contribute, help. (Maybe I wasn't thinking about while giving birth, but you know what I mean...) I was complacent/busy and allowed my status as a reservist suffice over the last four years.

Now, that's no longer true. I was officially discharged August 23rd and so began my quest to continue to serve. There are many organizations that support our heroes, our military, so I began to research and learn about what organizations exist in our area.

My favorite one is The Wounded Warrior Project. My first exposure to the group occurred while I was on active duty. They supported our wounded warriors at every hospital these guys touched down in. They delivered backpacks filled with basic necessities: a toothbrush, a towel, a t-shirt, a pillow, socks, boxers, tear away pants (which accommodates external fixators, wounds, dressings), an MP3 player, phone cards, etc.... It's not much, but it meant the world to our patients who obviously didn't have time to grab their things before being rushed to the helo. Sometimes their families didn't arrive for a few days, so these items helped our guys feel comfortable, let them know someone was thinking of them. They also brought information, resources for the families on where to stay, where to get financial resources, how to get help. They were in the rooms as much as we were. So, I'm a fan of their work and purpose and looking to get the word out about what they do and how people can help.

Luckily, I am now in a state that is extremely vocal and active about supporting the troops and there are a lot of opportunities to be involved. The first opportunity I came across was a 5k to support The Wounded Warrior Project (WWP). A neighboring community to the West of us, called Trophy Club was holding their inaugural event to support The WWP.

Hmmm... a 5k to an inactive person was a bit intimidating, but it paled in comparison to what our troops do for us every day. I could certainly muster up the will power to do a 5k - walking - if it meant showing and giving support to our troops. The other important piece to my new found purpose is that my girls are exposed and involved. (I would be so proud if either of my girls eventually joined the military...) I quickly called to see if we could bring the kids. Yes! I explained as best I could to Bella what we would be doing and of course she was excited: a race!
(P.S. Charles has been on board as long as he's known me... and fully supported this and agreed to walk with me!)

So, the morning of, we got up and braved our first "cold" Texas morning with dozens of others. Several other walkers, kids, and strollers showed up. We registered, donned our event shirts, and ate the breakfast refreshments.

The other part of this (yes, there are more facets to this...) you should know is that I've always dreamed of being a pseudo-runner. Someone who at least enjoys running. I may never do a marathon, but I'd like to be able to run a 10k, maybe a 15k, with ease one day. I just never had the fire under my behind to do it. I kind of hoped this first 5k would be my inaugural race, too. Starting with walking. So... I was shocked when Charles said, "Why don't you jog it? I'll walk with the girls." I responded with, "Um...no. That would be nuts. I haven't prepared to run, er jog, at all. Haven't properly built up to this or stretched or mentally prepared." On and on. He said, "Go. You've always wanted to. Try it, see what happens." But... But... But... Ok.

So, I did. It was an out and back course. I got to the turn around somewhere in the last third of those who were running/jogging/not walking, chugged some water and struggling to get started again. When I passed Charles, Bella, and Elin, Charles let me know that Bella had been running nearly the whole time! Before I knew it, I was calling to Bella to come run with me. I suppose subconsciously I knew she would give me an excuse to walk and rest! So, Bella and I continued on - she walked and jogged with me the rest of the way! I did have to give her a piggy back ride for a short time, but not much. When the finish line was in sight, I told her we had to jog the rest of the way through the finish line and that she would get a medal! She was so excited! So together we crossed the finish line to throngs of cheering folks, some even in uniform. It was exhilarating and I was so proud of my Bella who received many high fives from the crowd. I can see how this can be addicting.

After several minutes, we got sight of Charles and Elin (who, mind you, was in a regular stroller since our jogger was in storage). I told Bella we had to go and run with them through the finish line. So we did and we crossed again as a family - symbolically, it felt like we crossed into a new life of military service as a family. A new chapter in the life of the Halls.

So, we've got our sights set on a Veteran's Day Run. The choices were an 11k or walk a 1 mile. Since Charles can't come and I only have a single jogger, I'm walking the 1 mile. It's to benefit Veteran charities. I thought I'd invite some of the mom's in my new mom's group. One can't come but offered to pay my registration fee. I'm humbled, truly. Another mom and her family are going to walk with me.

On the 12th, we are walk/running a 5k to benefit The Fisher House. The Fisher House organization provides housing for the families of our injured military members to stay in while they are uprooted. There was one on base where we were in Bethesda.

I'm excited about this new fire in The Halls.

Bella's Ten

Bella's October 10....

1. She likes me to floss her teeth! (I know, right?)
2. She is not my child, she can't be. She doesn't like Chick-fil-A!
3. She adds to her list of words she can spell every day.
4. She is starting to understand the concept of sounding out words.
5. When I ask her what number to call in an emergency, she responds, "Ninety-one-one!"
6. This is what she sleeps with every night: a mommy horse (from Jake), a baby horse, Lightning McQueen, Sally (the car), and a cup of cold water. And, it must be cold.
7. She tells random people that we're homeless. I try to explain to her that our apartment is our home, but since it's not an actual house in the traditional sense, she thinks were homeless.
8. She is a tad bit bossy and were working on it. She just thinks the way she learned it is the only way there is...
9. She colors in the lines.
10. She really, really wants to do ballet, so we are looking at classes to start soon!

Elin's October 10

It's been an exciting month in Elin's development! So, before I forget...

1. She crawls with purpose and speed.
2. She pulls herself up!
3. She repeats DaDa on cue and will look at Charles, too!
4. She said Mom yesterday!
5. She has 2 more teeth sprouting.
6. She loves salmon!
7. When she doesn't want anymore food she throws her forearm in front of her face dramatically - to block the spoon - and leaves it there for a solid minute until she is sure I've put the spoon down. The second I go for the spoon, she blocks her face. It's so cute how dramatic it is.
8. The girl has personality like, woah.
9. She is well into her 9-12 month clothing.
10. She has the same pudgy feet Bella had at this age. Her instep is so chunky she cannot wear Mary Janes.

First Pumpkin!

Reunited!

And it warms my heart!

She's on the go!

Mini Updates

Elin is army crawling, saying dada on cue, and waving!

Bella can spell and write her name, Elin, mom and dad completely by herself!

We are all doing our first Wounded Warrior event tomorrow to support our troops!

We are moving to a temporary apartment while we continue my perfect job and home search.

We are flying to Seattle next week!!! Can't wait!

Sent from my iPhone

Stockyards

Finally found my cowboys and longhorns!

Mobile posting

I've recently learned I can send things from my phone directly to the blog! That's why you've been seeing random pictures and videos pop up! It's great and fast! Ah, technology!

Sent from my iPhone

Little Cubs Fan

Giggle girls

Love & War

Besides being a great Texas restaurant, Love & War also describes how I've felt about living in Texas over the last 6 weeks. Maybe not as extreme. Like & Refuse to like.

After having a complete & total "I-miss-Seattle-we'll-never-be-as-happy-as-we-were-in-Seattle" 12 hour sob fest (triggered by talking to Jake and hearing about how much he LOVES Sea-town), I decided I've got to figure out why people love it here. And they really do love it here. I've met dozens who've said that they'd only intended to live here a few years then move. They've now been here many years beyond the plan and they love it. The schools are good. It's family friendly. The spring & fall are fantastic. No state has more pride than Texas!

Bloom where you're planted.
Lemons into lemonade.
The silver lining.

So...here are a few things we've discovered, enjoyed, and are adding to the list of things we will do again:

1. Frisco Roughriders games. Our minor league baseball team plays just north of us in a town we LOVE. The venue has a great local, community feeling, good and affordable food, zero bad seats, a fun playground, a pool in the outfield (I know, right?!), and super family friendly. We had a great time and will definitely enjoy these games during the season!

2. Heritage Park in Grapevine, TX. The girls and I discovered this park when it was finally cool enough to play outside. I found it online and was under the impression it was simply a botanical garden with a koi fish pond. I knew Bella would have a blast feeding the fish! We were very pleasantly surprised to find multiple koi fish ponds and a great playground right next to the gardens with lots of shade (something I know to look for when I read playground descriptions and reviews now). We've been to this park a dozen times already: it's close, it's shaded, it has a nice walk between the playground and the gardens, and it's FREE!

3. Grapefest. Annual festival in Grapevine, TX, known to be the largest wine festival in the south! First of all, love, love, love Grapevine & Southlake (the adjoining town). So much to do, retail therapy heaven. Going to this festival was like stepping into Smallville (that's a reference to the TV show - I know, I'm a geek). Picture small town (though Grapevine is not, it's downtown is made to feel that way), great atmosphere, adorable, restored downtown, trendy, urban area -- felt like home. We went on Thursday night when Charles got off of work because it was free to scope it out, we went with friends on Friday, and then we went again as a family on Sunday. Bella participated in an impromptu children's show, enjoyed the petting zoo, rode the carnival rides, and danced at the concerts. We enjoyed watching Bella have a ball, listening to country concerts and good festival food. It was such a good time and we'll definitely plan on doing this every year!

4. Plano Balloon Festival. I've never had the pleasure of being in Albuquerque for the largest hot air balloon festival, but Plano also hosts one annually that is pretty impressive. We went on a Saturday and really enjoyed relaxing on the hill with our blanket, snacks, and smoothies; we people watched, giggled with delight at Bella dancing with new friends to the concert that was going on at the bottom of the hill; we "ooohed and aaahed" at the balloon glow once the sky grew dark.Unfortunately, due to inclement weather, the balloons never launched. Despite that, it was a great family evening. The event itself was well organized, laid out conveniently, and provided lots of family entertainment.

5. Alliance Moms Group. One of the moms I talked to at church mentioned she was starting a mom's group on meet-up, sponsored by the church. Many of the families at church also relocated to the area within the last 3 years, so they had plenty of advice to give as well as references to doctors, dentists, and daycare. Trish was starting this meet up as a form of outreach to the neighborhood and fellowship for moms! So, I've attended the first two meet ups and really enjoyed the conversations (Yay! With adults!), the kiddo-time for Bella, and discovering new parks!

6. Christ Alone. This means many relevant things, obviously, right now, but it's also the name of the church we really like in Keller. It's a mission church that meets in the elementary school gymnasium. The congregation is smallish, but really engaged, lots of young families, and the message is right on.

So, that's kinda where we're starting - new adventures, new places, new faces, new friends. I'm throwing up the white flag, Tex. You and me, well, I reckon we'll be all right.