Bein' Green

John Hall is 'going green' this Halloween and it's not easy!!!

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Pumpkin Pals

Tonya, Brandie, and I took to the boys to the pumpkin patch to get a few pictures of the boys in matching outfits. I think by the looks of the pictures, you can get an idea of what they thought about this outing! I can almost just hear Cade telling John Hall he feels ridiculous in one of the pictures. Oh well, we still had fun anyhow and I know we'll cherish the pictures always! Here are some of my favorites....

Puppy, Pretties, and Playing with Pappa

My Sweet Snuggle Puppy! I bought this outfit in Oklahoma City on a trip to see Coldplay last year. The week before we went, we found out our little baby was a boy. When I saw it in the store, I knew it had to be my first "boy" purchase for his wardrobe. It is such a blessing to finally see him in his sweet puppy suit!

You have to check out this post...I am now in search of a pretty brooch that will work for this look! What a great idea! http://stylishhousewife.blogspot.com/2009/10/vintage-finds.html

Here's my sad attempt at replicating her look. I know, Iknow...it needs some work!

Going along with finding cute/cheap deals, I found this jacket at Forever 21 on our trip to Dallas for $27....It was similar to one that I loved at Ann Taylor, but couldn't justify spending $260on one single item!

Here's the link to the Ann Taylor Bistro Jacket. I'm so excited about my find!

John Hall is learning all sorts of new tricks everyday and he loves playing with his Pappa (Daddy). He plays peek-a-boo, hates to get his tempurature taken, laughs when he thinks you're going to "get him," "rides the horsey into town', and loves all sorts of funny noises we make (I seriously don't need to speak when a camera is rolling; anything for a laugh I suppose). We have also been putting him down when he's still awake and he'll talk for a while before he goes to sleep. I wonder what he's trying to say?! He eventually falls to sleep and he absolutely looks like the sweetest little angel when he's sleeping...I don't think we could love anyone more!!!!

Oh yes, they call him the hurricane!

It occurred to me the other day that John Hall's cowlick resembles the Doppler Radar depiction of a hurricane!

I know somebody who could care less about his hair style; he's just happy to finally be growing some at all! Oh yes, just call him 'The Hurricane!

'

Catching up!

I've been catching up on a lot of things lately. I have a VERY hard time remembering birthdays, so it comes in handy to receive a birthday invitation in the mail so I can pick up a gift for the birthday boy or girl. Even then, I still can't guarantee my attendance at the party so I've had a couple of make-up parties for Adalie, Sam, and Jacob (which really means giving a gift at a lunch we already planned...but they don't know that!). We were able to go to Julia's birthday and will be there to celebrate James' first birthday. Happy belated birthdays, sweet kiddos!!!

I caught up with friends, Adrienne & Kerri, from high school at the homecoming game. I also caught up with all sorts of people that I haven't seen since graduation. I happened to have my camera with me when we ran into Nancy (pictured center), and she asked that I take a picture and post it to my Facebook page. I haven't gotten around to that yet, but thought I would put it on here just in case she checks my blog. She said she's been having hard times lately and to keep her in my prayers....so, I've done just that. I hope things get better for her very soon!!!

We caught up with our good friends who we haven't hung out with in a while on Saturday. I LOVE Saturday nights when we just go over to someones house to sit around and visit. It's usually very laid back and everyone brings a food item for dinner. We had Pizza, breadsticks, hot wings, celery & carrot sticks, pulled pork BBQ for sandwiches, and chips & salsa; random menu but it was all very good.

I was also surprised by the interest in real estate surrounding John Hall! He was playing with his toys and had someone entertaining him any way he turned. I overheard Luke saying that he wanted some space too and that those girls couldn't "hog" him all night! It was really sweet!!! John Hall's future friends, Max & JT, didn't take as much of an interest in him; they were too busy doing their own thing!

John Hall is catching up to his bigger buddies and will be big enough to play in no time! Look who's no longer riding in an infant seat in his stroller! He sits up so well, we thought we'd see how he did forward-facing on a walk. He loved it, but may have preferred to not have the mosquito netting around him. He still got eaten up, but can't say we didn't try to prevent bites. He's getting so big!

We went to a pumpkin patch on Saturday with my family. I didn't get very many pictures because I busy dodging the mud and trying to keep JH wrapped up away from the cold. I didn't plan on being outside with him, so I was less than prepared for that outing. Even so, we had a good time and that PP was pretty cool with all sorts of activities for kids. They even had a homemade carousel that we rode a couple of times. It doesn't look like it was very scary, but it really was....I thought it was pretty neat and inventive!

Let me hold you longer

Today, as I was rocking John Hall to put him down for a nap, it hit me how big he is seemingly all of the sudden. It just seems like yesterday, I was holding my tiny newborn and now he's almost as big as my torso. He can roll back and forth, sit all by himself, and I just know any day he'll be crawling....I think I have cherished every second of him, but I was thinking 'could this be a last?' I received a book written by Karen Kingsbury called 'Let me hold you longer' for a baby shower gift that made me think this; read on and you'll understand what I mean...

Let me hold you longer

by Karen Kingsbury

Long ago you came to me,

a miracle of firsts:

First smiles and teeth and baby steps,

a sunbeam on the burst.

But one day you will move away

and leave me to your past,

And I will be left thinking of

a lifetime of your lasts...

The last time that I held a bottle

to your baby lips.

The last time that I lifted you

and held you on my hip.

The last night when you woke up crying,

needing to be walked,

When last you crawled up with your blanket,

wanting to be rocked.

The last time when you ran to me,

still small enough to hold.

The last time you said you'd marry

me when you grew old.

Precious, simple moments and

bright flashes from your past-

Would I have held on longer if

I'd known they were your last?

Our last adventure to the park,

your final midday nap,

The last time when you wore your favorite

faded baseball cap.

Your last few hours of kindergarten,

those last days of first grade,

Your last at bat in Little League,

last colored picture made.

I never said good-bye to all

your yesterdays long passed.

So what about tomorrow-

will I recognize your lasts?

The last time that you catch a frog

in that old backyard pond.

The last time that you run barefoot

across our fresh-cut lawn.

Silly, scattered images

will represent your past.

I keep on taking pictures,

never quite sure of your lasts...

The last time that I comb your hair,

or stop a pillow fight.

The last time that I pray with you

and tuck you in at night.

The last time when we cuddle

with a book, just me and you.

The last time you jump in our bed

and sleep between us two.

The last piano lesson,

last vacation to the lake.

Your last few weeks of middle school,

last soccer goal you make.

I look ahead and dream of days

that haven't come to pass.

But as I do, I sometimes miss

today's sweet, precious lasts...

The last time that I help you with

a math or spelling test.

The last time when I shout that yes,

your room is still a mess.

The last time that you need me for

a ride from here to there.

The last time that you spend the night

with your old tattered bear.

My life keeps moving faster,

stealing precious days that pass.

I want to hold on longer-

want to recognize your lasts...

The last time that you need my help

with details of a dance.

The last time that you ask me for

advice about romance.

The last time that you talk to me

about your hopes and dreams.

The last time that your wear a jersey

for your high school team.

I've watched you grow and barely noticed

seasons as they pass.

If I could freeze the hands of time,

I'd hold on to your lasts.

For come some bright fall morning,

you'll be going far away.

College life will beckon

in a brilliant sort of way.

One last hug, one last good-bye,

one quick and hurried kiss.

One last time to understand

just how much you'll be missed.

I'll watch you leave and think how fast

our time together passed.

Let me hold on longer, God,

to every precious last.

Razorbacks on the Road

We headed to Dallas for the Arkansas/A&M game at the new Cowboys stadium.

We got there just in time for dinner Friday night and made a bee-line for a Tex-Mex restaurant. It was just as yummy as we expected it would be, and it really hit the spot after a long drive!

The next day was spent shopping with the girls at Northpark. We had planned on making "Hog" shirts, but the project didn't quite work out, so we went with attempting to find something that matched at the mall. We found little white tee's and plaid scarves. I do realize this is a little goofy to dress alike, but it's tradition and we really aren't too concerned with the "goof" factor anyhow. We barely scratched the surface of the mall, when it was time to go back to the hotel to get game ready. However, we did make time to have a little snack at PF Changs before we left.
We met up with Kevin's mom to enjoy their RV tailgating spot! I don't think I've ever seen such a nice coach in all of my life. His mom is a very gifted decorator and she had it all decked out with crystal, house plants, and candles burning. It seriously felt like a fancy home on wheels. I think the boys were glued to the flat screen for the majority of our time there....I can't say I blame them! It was so nice of them to let us invade their space and private bathrooms!

We finally made our way to the unbelievable stadium to watch the game. It was so big and so nice! I simply can't imagine how something like that could be built around a football field. We were in AWE! It was a great night and it ended with a Razorback win! Can't ask for much more than that!

On the way home, we stopped and everyone racked up on junk food at the gas station. I like to eat sunflower seeds on long trips, and Brandie picked these out. It is something I would have never piked out on my own; pickle flavor and sunflower seed don't seem to be flavors that go together to me, but they were very good!

At the game, Jason hit the Cowboy's gift shop and bought a little outfit to bring home to John Hall. He was all giggles when I first put it on him, so naturally I had to get out the camera. I love to hear him laugh and he was full of them yesterday!

For those of you who know Christopher and are interested in reading a blog interview of him, there is one by Lincee of 'I hate green beans' (Bachelor review site to right) or just click here:

http://www.ihategreenbeans.com. How funny is that???!!!