A look back....

Well, it is that time to look back at the previous year and reflect...my favorite way of doing so, is through pictures.  I know that we all say it...can't believe this year is already over...time flies...etc etc...but man...it is so true.  Looking at my kids makes it that much more obvious to me. 

It reminds me to not get caught up in what might be, will be, should be....but to get caught up in what is...whether that be a messy house with toys and smiling kiddos...or crying kiddos who need a hug...or date night with my husband with popcorn and icee's. 

It reminds me not to worry about not doing it all....I am definitely not looking back on 2011 and thinking about the day I didn't finish the laundry, clean house, bake cookies, or all the other things that fell through the cracks.

I don't remember the arguments Kev and I had, the cries of frustration from the kids, the days I felt like a failure of a mom....there are many of these...but I couldn't pinpoint a day...but I do remember the day my husband gave his life to Christ and was baptized....the day that I got to spend at school with Katelyn and meet her friends....the day that we recieved the news that Bryce's heart was healthy....the day Carter met with a therapist regarding his speech and became a new, and very verbal kid....and Austin's first crawls and then his first steps.  All amazing things that I will hold dear to my heart when I look back on this year.

This year my marriage became stronger, and as a mother I became a little more sure of myself and I pray that as 2012 is upon us I will work on becoming a better friend and daughter.  Two things that I have put on the backburner that I know I need to work on.

I am fortunate that I can thank my Lord and Savior for all the above...the good, the bad, the tears, the smiles....all learning moments that have helped me on my journey.  I am so excited to begin a new year with new adventures on the Horizon....a few things that will happen this year...my husband will begin a new career, I will celebrate my 31st birthday, the twin's 3rd birthday, Kev's 38th birthday, KK's 5th birthday and Austin's 2nd birthday (in that order)...we will play hard....listen more, talk less.....make lots of messes....learn new things....and try to share with those around us the Truth....and have the opportunity to watch friends of mine marry people they love and friends of ours welcome sweet babies into this world.

Here is too ringing in 2012.....I will leave you with a snapshot of our year....

The Halls were Decked - Part Two...the Finale

Well, I am going to wrap up Christmas in this post...ha ha :)

No, really though...like I said we had a great weekend...we opened gifts and saw lots of family...4 houses in 3 days :) 

It began Friday night as we headed to church with our sweet family.  We also had a special visitor that stayed with us...cousin Trent :)  He is a day older than the boys (actually 12 hours older...).  Pretty cool, huh?

We attempted to take some pictures of the kids....

Me and the kiddos

Katelyn, Carter and Trent

It cracks me up....sometimes the cooperate...and sometimes they do not :)

Christmas Eve is a special day around here...it is my dad's birthday!!  So we had planned this year to cook dinner at my parents house to avoid going to a restaurant and asking for a table to accomadate 10 adults and 7 kids.  It is also the night that we do Christmas with Kev's Papa Butch and Grammy Suzi.  

Happy Birthday Papa!!!

This was us before leaving the house....you can tell Katelyn someone LOVES the camera

Christmas with Papa Butch and Grammy

We had a great time and came home with 4 tired kiddos :)  Then came Christmas morning....we started by singing Happy Birthday to Jesus and then it was crazy fun watching the kiddos tear into a gift and smile with the recognition of Lightning McQueen and Chugginton....Barbie and Princesses.

Ok...so Bryce cracks me up...this was what he did when we said pose :)

We had a very special Christmas morning....my niece was baptized and her father (my brother) is who baptized her.  It was very special!!  We then went to my parents house for brunch and then headed to Kev's mom and Grandpa Ronnie's for gifts and fun and then back to my parents for dinner!  It was so fun and completely exhausting!!  I wouldn't change a thing :) 

So I will leave you with this picture...because it makes me laugh...the boys faces crack me up...Carter and Austin such a similar expression....Bryce looks so annoyed ....and my Katelyn is grinning from ear to ear :)

My favorite presents....

Now....onto the New Year!!

The Halls were Decked....Part One

Well December was quite a BUSY month....lots of fun and exciting things that made it magical for me and my family.  So instead of boring you with lots of words...I will shower you with picture overload...I mean some of my favorite photos. 

These photos are the cliffs notes version of our December....the basics....

The House....

Welcome to my home....

A look from the entry...I was completely obsessed with twinkle lights...the kids LOVED them :)

I am pretty traditional with decorations....I like red/green/gold combo and this year was really special for me.  My mother gave me some of her Santa Clause's that she has collected for years and was able to display them in my home.  My FAVORITE is our dining room table Santa sleigh and three reindeer....I remember it as a child and I am glad that now my kiddos get to play with it.  We also added a kid-friendly nativity set.  I have looked a nativity sets that are beautiful that I would love to purchase...but with 4 kids 4 and under...I am going to hold off and let them enjoy the hands-on one that we purchased this year.  Another add-on was the set of three small lighted trees...this deterred our kids from playing with the ornaments on the big tree...we turned the three small trees into candy cane trees that they could take off and on all the time.

The Tree....

Oh our tree....I would love to keep it up year round...I forget how much I love how the twinkle and glow from the lights makes me feel warm and fuzzy...and the little tears I get when unpacking the ornaments that spark up a nostalgic memory.  Every year we always add a few personal ornaments and I grow our basic collection by hitting up 50% at Hobby Lobby. 

We recieved a sweet pillow with Austin's name on it from his teachers at school and KK made the sweet tree.  The balls were for each boy because they LOVE playing with all balls...the one that looks like a white blob (forgive my picture taking...great camera...bad skills LOL) was the first ornament Kev and I bought together for our first Christmas...this year it displayed an 8 to represent our 8th Christmas together and the one in the center was a new add this year, a birthday cake for Jesus :)

After adding all our presents to complete the look of the tree...(this was taken Christmas Eve after Santa left)

The presents....

I have LOVED the wrapping paper I have used the past couple of years...and fortunately I had enough for this year!  Also, thanks to a blog I read, I got the idea to use my children's first initials as decor...they LOVE letters write and now and recognize their names so I thought it would be fun for them as well.

The activities....

During the season we like to do as many activities as possible with the kiddos...short, easy and fun because we know attention span is short and we want it to be fun and not stressful for all parties involved.  So we made gingerbread houses and ate the icing...colored puzzles with snowmen and Santa, baked cupcakes with lots of sprinkles and painted ornaments for their teachers.

The lights....

Every year, starting when Kevin and I dated, we load up to look at Christmas lights.  We have a few places here in Oklahoma worth driving around to see.  I think next year when Austin is two (that almost makes me cry typing it!) we will probably get out and walk.  But for this year we stayed in the car and listened to Christmas tunes.  I did not get pictures of the actual lights...however, this is the crew before we loaded up...and let me say that this just might be my FAVORITE picture of my four kiddos...

The projects....

So....I got a little crazy...the tags for the presents were a great idea...and then I realized...how do I make them??  Well...you break out the good ol' Cricut that's how...so I spent my day on the bed and surrounded by paper...

I also decided that this year I would make gifts for people to help save on some $$ so I made wreaths and then bows for my oldest niece and tutus for my youngest nieces.  It was fun and I was pretty happy with the turnout :)

The Singing....

My sweet girl sang Christmas carols at school...the sweetest was by far "Away in a Manger"...timid little voices and the sweets hand motions...it is a shame this is the only picture we got...obviously on a bad setting...the guy's hand in front of us, clear as day...my little girl and friends...blurry as can be :)

A New Tradition.....

Thanks to Pinterest, I had plenty of ideas to look at for traditions to add to our family.  Having a young family, I love the idea of starting new things that they will look forward to each year.  I have taken some from my family and my husbands, but creating our own is very special.  So this year, we did Santa's Key for Jesus.  Attached is a note that says,

"Dear Santa, This magic key works just for you, Please open the door and come on through. Thank you for coming to our house tonight. We are celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. Thank you Santa for the gifts you bring.

Thank you Lord for everything. "

Katelyn found it on the tree when we got home Christmas Eve and we read the note together and she placed it on the front door.  Next year we will include the brothers :)

Sorry...picture overload at it's finest....so...hopefully you enjoyed seeing what led up to Christmas for our family and  I will have only one more post regarding Christmas Eve & Christmas and then we will welcome the New year!! 

Twas the day after Christmas....

The past few days have been filled with Jesus, family, laughs, smiles, cooking, eating, wrapping, boxes, traveling, and batteries....lots of batteries....why is there never enough batteries ???

So, when we woke up this morning....this was what greeted us....

Not going to lie...it still kinda looks like this...minus the paper and boxes :)

This is because I have been opening toy after toy for these sweet faces....

We have been a band, race car driver, princesses, train conductor, fashionistas (Barbie), movie watchers, chefs....and finally...sleepyheads...

Well...only KK....the boys laid in their cribs for an hour...and then ran errands with dad...so then I jumped on the computer to look for storage bins for the countless toys (and their hundreds of parts) that we received :)

It was a super special weekend....and when I get all the photos organized I will post a couple of Christmas posts :)

I hope everyone had an amazing weekend as well...(still feels like the weekend...but it is Monday, huh?)

Well I am now going to divulge in some yummy pizza...that was ordered and not homemade LOL...and finish watching Toy Story 3 (tear...)

Happy Monday!

Random catch up post....

(Truth be told...I started this last week....and I am just now getting around to posting it...)

So with the Christmas time approaching (way too) quickly....I have not hardly posted or even felt like I had anything to post about....we are busy just hanging out, cleaning, crafting, decorating, baking and whatever else we can add to our plate :)

But I figured I would jot down a few things that I have had on my mind....

1.  Twinkle lights....I think they are my favorite ever...I love our house this time of year because of the glow of twinkle lights....it is so much fun!  The kids really get a kick out of it....kinda wish it was stylish to have lights year 'round.

2.  My daughter....at the ripe ol' age of four...she has such a big heart!  We have been gathering donations for a local foundation and she has been such a HUGE help...I really want to raise children that think "give" instead of "get"...and this time of year is especially hard because of all the toy advertising hoopla...I love getting a gift as well as the next person...but I want her (and the boys as they get old enough to understand) to have an appreciation for helping others.  While cleaning her room, she filled up a HUGE bag of toys and various things to give away.

3.  Austin....he is a crazy walker!!  He is absolutely all over the place...he went from a step or two to being all over the place in a matter of 24 hours....crazy, but so amazing to see!

4.  Wreaths....I have been crafting it up again...I LOVE making wreaths for friends.  I made them for Christmas gifts for the women I work with and also my sister-in-laws.  I had such a blast making themm...I had planned on giving them at the first of the month, however, they were just delivered today....oops :)  Good things all the ladies know that I have 4 kiddos that keep my hands busy 95% of the time, so they are super understanding!

5.  Teachers....I feel so blessed for the MDO and Preschool program my kids attend....we have the absolute BEST teachers.  These women that give their time, love and teachings to my children, as well as so many others.  They are truly angels in my life!  I trust my kids with them and more importantly my kiddos trust and LOVE them.  I love picking them up during the week...they always have a new story to tell about school and come home with the best crafts.  We have added many sweet things to our Christmas collection.

(This is where I left off....so now I will finish up LOL)

6. My husband....last week we went and saw New Year's Eve....LOVED IT!  The best part was that I met him at the theatre...I saw him before he saw me and I got butterflies...and a goofy grin on my face :)  Then he turned around and had the same goofy grin...so wonderful to know after 7 years and 4 kids...we still got it :)

7.  Office Food....I don't know what it is about this time of year...but I eat EVERYTHING....working at an office, there is always food available and NONE of it is good for you....cookies, candy, flavored popcorn, etc etc etc....The new year is going to bring on a new excerise regimen...

8.  Christmas Cards....I love checking the mail right now!  I am getting at least one card a day and it is so fun to see my friends (and their sweet families) faces....

9.  School is out....so my kids are going to be SO incredibly bored with me and Kev....no really...they always do such cool things at school...it will be interesting to see what we come up with for entertainment....I am pretty sure it will consists of boxes, dress up, and crazy imagination...my favorites :)

10.  I got served....well at least I am going to get my serve on...at church that is....we have been attending our church for over a year now and we have truly loved where it has taken our life...marriage, parenting, with friends and just life in general....Kevin started serving Sunday and I start Wednesday...I am so excited to give back and meet new people.  So blessed to have found a church we feel like we are growing into and not away from :)

Well...the countdown is officially on until Christmas!  I am just glad all my shopping is done!!  All the wrapping is done except for a couple of gifts for my nephews :)  I plan on doing a MEGA Christmas post with activities, traditions and decorations in the next couple of days :)  Until then.....

That's a wrap....

So after a full evening of wrapping and a day with the cricut yesterday...our tree finally has presents under it.

I am now ready for bed...but will play catch up tomorrow:)

Merry Christmas!

Happy Happy Joy Joy

One happy momma reporting in....we received the ECHO results today...finally!!  His heart looks great :)  He does indeed have a VSD, but it is small and no cause for concern.  His lab work also came back clean.  So, the doctors only concern is his tiredness that seems to remain.  Not ALL the time but definitely is there.  We are supposed to keep an eye on him to see if it gets better or worse. 

But today we will rejoice in the fact that our sweet Bryce's heart looks good :)

Thank you for any and all prayers!! 

Matter of the heart....

So, tonight I am a momma with a case of some serious nervousness....today, my husband and I took one our twin boys, Bryce, to Children's Hospital for an echocardiogram....and we are supposed to get the results back tomorrow....so I am really ready for a certain phone call.

Here we are upon arrival....

They had the BEST Christmas tree....and Bryce went to go check out the Snowmen.  This was our first trip to Children's and I loved how decorated the lobby looked.

During check-in time, Bryce kept himself busy playing....

I was going to take a picture of him in the room...being a big boy during the procedure...however, it took my husband and I to get him to lay down and relax in order to do the echocardiogram.  All hands on deck basically....He is quite modest and does not like having to sit anywhere without a shirt on...and when he is laid flat on his back he feels exposed....so this brought on the tears.  Poor fella....the tech was SUPER nice...and another tech came in and blew bubbles and brought toys to help out...and it did.  He calmed down...somewhat...and they were able to finish up.  I had been told that they will not provide much information...not their job...but my husband thought he would try to start conversation...so he simply asked, "So...what are we looking at?"....all she said...."The heart."....DUH...we knew that much...so we will have to wait on the results tomorrow. 

After going through something so not fun for Bryce...we figured ice cream would be a great way to forget about it....

 Pretty sure...it did the trick :)

So how did we end up getting an echocardiogram?? 

Well, about a month ago...our sweet, super active little boy...starting acting different...honestly...the first people to notice were his amazing teachers at MDO....they mentioned that he seemed tired...We had added an additional day of MDO each week and started gymnastics, so I figured I had overbooked him...so I pulled him from gymnastics to see if that would help.  It didn't.  He talked less, played less.  He wanted to be held or just sit in my lap.  I went ahead and e-mailed my pediatrician because we started to become concerned.  He wanted us to watch it for a few more days to see if there was any changes (the week of Thanksgiving) and let him know...by Saturday we realized it was not getting better...and possibly worse.  So I went ahead and e-mailed our doctor and we went in that week for bloodwork and x-rays. 

After the appointment we left finding out that our little man had a very noticeable heart murmur (one that we knew about...since birth...but after two years he had never had any issues) and the heart looked somewhat enlarged.  So that is what sent us to the echocardiogram today.

My mind has been ALL over the place...sometimes I feel like...he is fine...nothing is wrong at all...other times I imagine my little man having to have surgery and I get scared/nervous.  I have tried hard to not get too many steps ahead....just want to know what is going on. 

With everything going on...I have one memory that sticks out in my head of my little Brycers...after he was born.  He was Baby B and the second out of my tummy....when he was born they could not get his heart rate regulated.  They took him directly to transitional nursery to work on him....Carter (Baby A) came to the room right away...but we waited...and waited to see Bryce.  Finally, 8 hours later a nurse came in with Bryce in her arms...it was the first time I really got to look at him in his eyes.  She explained that his heart rate had come down however it was still not regulated how they wanted it...and that by putting his bare chest to my bare chest would help.  That my heart beat would help regulate his....and so that is what we did...and he laid there...sweet little guy...just him and I and our hearts together.  His heartbeat was regulated shortly thereafter...and he got to come stay in the room with me and his brother.  I wish right now there was something I could do to make sure his heart would be okay....

So please, whoever might come across this...lift us up in prayer that his little heart is healed and he will resume normal 2.5 year old activity :)  Running, jumping, getting into trouble...beating up on his sister...you know, the norm...

God is Good :)