Contributing Writer

I wanted to write a quick post to let you all know that I recently became a contributing writer for http://www.christianmommyblogger.com/.  Here is the direct link to the post introducing us: http://christianmommyblogger.com/our-new-contributing-writers/

I will also be helping Sara, the author of http://www.yourthrivingfamily.com/ when she takes a break for maternity leave in March.  I'm excited about the opportunity to write about topics that are close to my heart and possibly help a few mommies out there along the way while sharing my faith.

My first post (actually more controversial than I expected) went "live" on January 17th.  I wrote about scheduling babies as an alternative to demand feeding.  Here is the direct link: http://christianmommyblogger.com/infant-scheduling-an-alternative-to-demand-feeding/

I will try to let you all know each time one of my posts will appear over the coming months.  If you have time, I'd love to read your comments in the comments section of the blogs too.

If you have anything in particular you are interested in knowing more about, please let me know and I can see about writing a post on that topic.  Thanks so much and God bless!

TWO!!!

Happy Birthday, Zeke!!!

 

January 19, 2012, Zeke turned two!  It seems like his first year passed quickly, but the second year went by in a flash.  We decided to celebrate as a family on his actual birthday.  I made him a chocolate mousse cake, got him a balloon, and we gave him his own flashlight (he loves his Dadda's flashlight).  It was the perfect evening for a two year old!



"Mmmmm!"



"Lat-light"



The weekend following his birthday, we drove down to a cabin on the Georgia/Florida border (we literally could stand with one foot in Georgia, and one in Florida!) to spend the weekend with Jimmy, Maria, Nick, Krissy, Leah, Gregory, and Stacey.  Gary had to work and Dadder Poo and Chella didn't feel up to the drive.  Debbie was out of town.  Aside from missing them, it was an amazing weekend together that we will always cherish.




The cabin





I love this!



Sweet Leah took great care of Zeke!



Hangin' with the men!



He adores Aunt Stacey and I think the feeling is mutual!



Krissy was great with him too!



Mommy/daughter time



Exploring with cousin Gregory

The yummy cupcakes I had made locally in Acworth

Zeke didn't actually eat it (too much sugar), but it made a good picture!



New toys!





So sweet!



Breakfast before we had to leave : (



Brothers



The kiddos (minus Zeke)



I took Zeke to his two year well-visit and everything is going great.  He weighs about 33 pounds and is 35 3/4 inches tall.  That makes him in the 96th percentile in weight and 84th percentile in height...wow! 

We are slowly transitioning off of his "mush."  Those of you that know us well know that is the food we feed him based on Dr. Denmark's recommendations.  It's a combination of meat, beans, veggies, fruits, and grain.  He has been enjoying the new tastes and textures.  His first "table food" was organic puffs (rice puffs).  He will eat those non-stop if we'll let him.  I'm working on a batch of homemade granola right now to replace the puffs.  It is much more nutritious!

Next, he tried his birthday cake (all whole food ingredients) and continually said, "Mmmm."  I was thrilled!  He loves eggs and baked oatmeal for breakfast.  Last night I fixed "crocodile nuggets" which are baked nuggets made of chicken, veggies, eggs, and grain.  He loved those too.  It is fun to introduce him to new things, but I know it will be more challenging to get him to eat a balanced meal like he did with his mush!

All in all we are having a great start to the new year.  The weather has been strange here, so we've had many opportunities to play outside, which Zeke loves.  I think he'd stay outside all day if I'd let him.  We continue to thank God for Zeke, his good health, and the blessing that he is to us.

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust!” (Psalm 91:1-2)



To Him be the glory...

I had not planned on writing another post so soon, but I wanted to take a moment to write down my goals for 2012.  I have never been one to make "New Year's Resolutions," but I do want to reflect on the past and set goals for the future.  I think it's okay to seek God and set goals based on His leading with the understanding that they may change.  My friend Christy created a "New Year's Vision Casting" guide, which I plan to do (and had planned to do earlier, but didn't!).  Here is the link in case you are interested: http://beggarsharingbread.blogspot.com/p/new-years-vision-casting.html

In 2012 I'd like to do my best to bring glory to God....I will:

1. Continue to spend time in the word each morning before Zeke gets up (even if it's just 5 minutes)
2. Begin the "Treasures of Healthy Living" Bible study with Gregg (setting aside time 2-3 evenings/week)
3. Establish several television and computer free evenings in our home (Gregg and I decided to this together) 
4. Seek God's guidance to understand how to be a better wife
5. Be more intentional about reaching out to my neighbors
6. Be more intentional about setting aside quality time with Zeke during the day
7. Re-establish my sourdough starter and begin regularly making sourdough bread
8. Continue making kombucha regularly
9. Begin making fermented vegetables monthly
10. Read more (this will be greatly helped by doing #3)

I know some of these are broader than others, and I hope Christy's guide will help me focus.  I realize that I will never be perfect, and I thank God for sending His son to free me from that burden. 

On the eve of 2012, I can't help but wonder what the Halls will be doing this time next year.  Will we be living in Texas?  South Georgia?  Will we be expecting another baby?  I know what my desires are, but I pray that I can truly surrender to the Lord's will and find joy in the plan that HE reveals.

"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen." ~ Ephesians 3: 20-21

Happy Birthday, Jesus!

This Christmas season has come and gone very quickly.  We were surprised to still be living in the Atlanta area, but very thankful!  It looks like we may be living somewhere else by next Christmas, but it's hard to know for sure!  We did a photo shoot with our photographer, Summer Adams, to use for Christmas gifts.  Here are some of the shots:

Zeke and I planned to spend a week at Wynna and Granddaddy's, but Gregg's travel schedule changed and my mom got an awful cold, so we came later in the week.  We still had a wonderful time with "Nynna" and "Papa."  I got to go see my friend Dena's new baby, visit with Ellen and Teresa, and go to the annual Atlanta Athletic Club Christmas dinner (Gregg had to work, though, which was disappointing).



Heading to the AAC dinner

 

At the "Build-a-Moose" station!



Zeke and his moose

 

Keeping his eyes on the robot



Wynna was protecting him from the robot...ha!

He loved the "balls" (ornaments) on the tree

 

Real reindeer!



~~~~~~~~

Christmas Eve we got to visit with my friend Kristen who was visiting from NYC, then we headed off to Perimeter Church for their Christmas Eve service...always a blessing!  Zeke went to the nursery with Wynna, then we all went to dinner at Di Paolo's.  Yummy!  After Zeke was in bed, my dad and Gregg put together the kids Little Tykes toys.  It took longer than expected, which made us appreciate their efforts even more!

 

Ready for bed in his flannel pjs!



Trying to get one more family shot, but Zeke was over it!



The guys "working!"

~~~~~~~~~

On Christmas day, Jared, Jami, Kariss, and Sophia came over to my parents' house so we could all celebrate together.  We had a wonderful meal prepared by my mom and opened gifts.  The kids had fun playing with their new toys (and so did Jared as you'll see below)!  Haha!

Happy Birthday, Jesus...it's Christmas day!

 

We couldn't get a good one of all three kiddos, but this is pretty cute!

 

Heehee!

 

Sohpia's new scooter!




Kariss' new big wheel

Zeke's new truck (just like Daddy's!)





Jared having fun on Kariss' big wheel...haha!

 

Playing in the garage because of the rain



Sophia driving the truck!

 

Helping clean up after a long, fun day!



~~~~~~~~

Gregg and I have prayed and talked a lot about how to "do" Santa next year.  We don't feel comfortable with the traditional way of doing it, although we totally respect parents who make that choice.  We both feel uncomfortable telling him something is real when it's not.  We never want him to wonder if Jesus is real because we have told him Santa, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, etc. are.  It may seem ridiculous to some people, but that is the good thing about parenting...we follow God's lead for OUR family, while others do the same! 

My friend Amberly gave me some good ideas about how to still include Santa.  We will still "do" Santa, but Zeke will be told that it is pretend.  We will take him to get his picture with Santa if he wants to go, and just "play" Santa each year.  The focus will be on celebrating Jesus' birthday.  We will sing "Happy Birthday" to Him and have a cake.  We will give each other gifts to celebrate Jesus.  We will also focus on reaching out to our neighborhood and community.  I'll have to let you know how it all goes next year, but that is the plan for now.  I'm thankful Gregg and I are able to pray about these things and make decisions together about what is best for our child (and future children).  We certainly don't have all the answers, but our hearts desire to glorify God. 

1 Corinthians 10:31 ~ "Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."

Well, I hope you all had a Merry Christmas celebrating our Lord's debut on this earth as a tiny baby.  What an amazing way to save the world!