Happy Thanksgiving!!

In my efforts to give our family's Thanksgiving dinner a little bit more meaning, I suggested a few weeks ago that we all go around the table this Thanksgiving to say what we are most thankful for. Of course, my family members looked at my like I'm such a pathetic dork and said something like, "Ummm, yeah, sure ... I mean ... I guess we could do that if you want." I suppose I understand this response, seeing as how we have like 30 people who can barely sit through the pre-meal prayer without laughing (this would be my husband and his brothers) and crying (my mom, aunts, and grandpa). So I'm not going to bring it up at the table this year. Instead, I've decided to start a new tradition for my new little family. Today, I'm starting a Thanksgiving journal. Each year, I am going to have each family member write what they are most thankful for. I think it will be something special to look back on as my kids grow up, and hopefully something to remind us that Thanksgiving is about so much more than our meal.

I know that Tanner would probably say that he's most thankful for his favorite soft blanket.

I'm not sure what Jon is most thankful for. (He's still sleeping!) **P.S. When Jon woke up, he said he was going to say the same thing as me and that I stole his idea. Same words and everything ... imagine that. **

Here is what I'm thankful for:

I'm thankful that the Lord has made his faithfulness so obvious to us this year. He guided us with such a steady hand as we made one important decision after another. I'm so glad that we decided to just "let go and let God" when we didn't know what else to do. We were SO SCARED to leave the Army, and the LORD came through with an amazing job for Jon, which just *happened* to be close to our families. We had no place to live until the weekend before our movers came, and He provided a wonderful home for us in a little town that I've fallen in love with (incidentally, it's rated as one of the top towns in America to live in -- how cool!). And best of all, we were given the most perfect of blessings in our little Tanner. I get teary just thinking of how things have fallen into place for us. Thank you, LORD, for making it so clear to us this year that You are with us always.

Some pics of our day ...

Me and my sweet mother-in-law

Grandpa Fagan, Uncle Dennis, and Brent

My father-in-law, me, and my dad
Nicole, Grandma Fagan, and my mom. Nicole was teaching us all how to smile for pictures while still looking natural. The secret is to say "Heyyyy." I think Grandma's really got the right idea!!

My boys disappeared after dinner. I found them together in the bedroom napping. So cuddly together ...

My sister, Kat, and Jon's brother, Pat. It's a long story.

Nicole and her sweet Shanna

Another "Heyyy" moment with Missy, Lindsey, and Aunt Sue.

The boys went hunting for pheasant early the next morning.

Jon, Pat, Eric, and my dad. All of the young guys were West Pointers. Although they don't hunt often, we assumed they at least knew how to handle a weapon.
And we were right. I guess we are going to eat these birds sometime over Christmas break. Can't wait ...

A House Divided

Daddy, Grandma and Grandpa H, and Uncle Steve love Ohio State

Mommy, Aunt Kat, and Grammy and Grampy cheer for University of Michigan

Daddy is at the game right now, but Mommy is home with me. Guess which outfit I'm wearing...

Go Blue!

Welcome to McDonald's. Can I take your order?

Hi there. I'll take the Badonkadonk Butt Meal with a side of Thunder Thighs.

... and you can go ahead and SuperSize that.

This is how we came home from Babies 'R' Us today. Tanner had pooped through TWO outfits during our four-hour trip to see G-Grandma and Grandpa Fagan. What a chunk. We laughed all the way home.

Bedtime Breakdown

Maybe if I look REALLY cute after my bath, they'll let me stay up late!

Zippity-Do-Da, Zippity - A

Ummmm ... What's going on? I don't think I'm ready to get dressed. I'd like to just stay naked, thank-you very much.

Wait ... but I put on such a cute show for you in the bath-tub!

This is SO not fair! I see jammies coming!

Now you're starting to make me mad!

No! Not the jammies!

Can't I just stay up for Bill O'Reilly?

Convertible Car Seat

Tanner is asking Santa for a big-boy car seat for Christmas this year (i.e. Convertible Car Seat). Does any one have any recommendations for which brand and/or model they think is best? I've heard a lot of good things about Britax, but know they are very expensive. I would love any advice you have to give!!

More Pics of my Sweetheart

I love it when he first wakes up and his cheeks are a bit flushed and his eyes are still bleary.

He loves to hear himself talk and sing and screech right now.

Just when I thought he couldn't possibly get any cuter ...

Did someone say they were looking for a studmuffin?

Does foaming at the mouth indicate OVERSTIMULATION??

It's getting chilly outside, so I have to bundle him up for our walks! The poor guy is nearly sweating by the time I take him out of his seat at the end, but I just don't want him to be cold!

Sensational Saturday

What a Saturday! I feel so rejuvenated and re-energized!

The Hall family started the day by meeting our realtor at a house we've had our eye on buying -- totally out of our price range right now, but who knows -- we've got time on our hands and prices are falling. It's exciting to begin looking again for a place to buy, and great to see our realtor again -- she is so much fun to talk to. We loved the house and will just have to wait and see what happens.

After our showing, I dropped my boys off at home and made my way to the salon for some pampering. I'd been looking forward to this hair appointment for weeks. My usually blonde hair had become quite dark and dull, which definitely had me feeling the same! (I know all of you blondes out there understand!) It's funny, though, how I always expect to get my hair done and then leave the salon a different person, which never really happens. Rarely does the final product match the look I was envisioning. This time was no different. I wanted to be a bit blonder than she made me, with a cut that was a little trendier, but oh well. At least I don't look so white-trash anymore.

Afterwards, I stopped at home again to make sure that "No-Girls-Allowed-Football-Saturday" was going well without mom there to take care of everyone. My heart melted when I walked in and saw my two favorite boys playing and laughing together on the floor. Jon had literally turned our family room into a little play-land, with all of Tanner's toys arranged around him and his computer. I wish I had snuck in with my camera and gotten a picture of it.

Jon said that he also thought my hair would be a little blonder when I got back -- "You know, like Posh Spice in this week's People -- Now she's HOTTT," he said, as he flipped through to find the picture. (I mean, I know I'm already built like her and we basically share the same taste in clothes. In fact, I just wore my black leather corset and snakeskin pants to MOPs this week! I didn't want people to start mistaking me for HER at church this Sunday if I got the same hairdo, too! -- RIGHT) I just rolled my eyes. After feeding Tanner and kisses for everyone, I was off again.

This time, my destination was Starbucks, where I was planning to finish Eat, Pray, Love. I had definitely been looking forward to this part of the day for two reasons. First of all, I was excited to just sit and read with no interruptions. Secondly, and most importantly, I hadn't been to Starbucks since Monday. "Big deal," you say? Why yes -- to me it is. You see, I have either been to Starbucks or had a drink from there almost everyday for the past year (even when I was in the hospital after having Tanner!). I am totally addicted. I don't know what it is. I mean, really, the drinks aren't THAT great. But I'll find myself getting a drink in the morning, and then seeing the Starbucks logo somewhere later that same day and thinking "that looks GOOOOD." I never have two in the same day, but still, I was starting to feel a little bit guilty about my "habit," as we like to call it in our house. Especially after I saw the episode of Oprah about the woman who shopped her family bankrupt. It started by saying "she goes to Starbucks every day." YIKES!! Anyways, I decided earlier in the week that I'm going to try and give up my daily drink and save my Starbucks visits for special occasions or times when I really want to treat myself. So today I did just that. I sat in peace, enjoyed every drop of my 1/2 caff, nonfat, no-whip mocha, and read until my heart was content.

I did finish Eat, Pray, Love and I have to say, it was fantastic. I would totally recommend it to anyone. Elizabeth Gilbert is just a wonderful writer, extremely witty and thoughtful. It would be an awesome book club pick because there are so many great ideas to think about and discuss.

I drove home feeling completely refreshed and refueled -- ready to be a mom again and hang with my two loves. Now my little one is in bed and my husband and I are munching on pizza from our favorite local pizza-joint.

My bucket is overflowing. What a day...

Just another day at the office ...

It seems that Gasperini-ville lovingly refers to their exersaucer as "The Office." Too cute -- we've decided to adopt the term, also.

Welcome to the Exersaucer. What can I do for you today?

This just needs a bit of a tweak ...

Listen, Mom, if we're gonna make things work around here, this is what needs to be done.

Let me just enter those calculations into my computer.

You're Fired!

Happy Halloween!

Tanner went to his first Halloween party yesterday at our class at the hospital for Mommies and Babies.

Tanner and friend, Joey

If he is able to stay awake until Jon gets home from work, our little pumpkin will be trick-or-treating for the first time tonight (just to our neighbor's of course!). Hope you all have a great Halloween!

Happy Birthday, Jon and Grandpa S!

We had so much fun celebrating Jon's birthday with our parents this past Saturday. A great end to what Jon fondly calls his "birthday week." Hmmm ... something I'll have to remember come January. (I'm envisioning flowers, no dishes to do after dinner, and somebody else getting up with our little man in the middle of the night). :)

We all had a great time together doing what Jon loves best -- watching college football! It was also my dad's birthday and Jon's parents' anniversary.

I'm afraid my cake wasn't very original, but that's okay. I was so proud of myself for putting my cake-decorating skills to work again -- I took a class way back in college! Now I remember why I don't do it often -- so time consuming!

Here are some pics from our Par-Tay!

Jon and my dad opening gifts.

Happy 36th Anniversary, Grandma and Grandpa Hall!

Tanner and Grandpa H watching football again.

The cake

Snuggling with Grandpa S

Eat, PRAY, Love

I've been reading Elizabeth Gilbert's Eat, Pray, Love. It's a great read for moms because the chapters are only 1-2 pages, so you can read a whole chapter in less than 5 minutes. The author is witty and a little funny and has some really great insights. I really liked this one on prayer. It's a little bit lengthy, but so important to remember ...

My prayers are becoming more deliberate and specific. It
has occurred to me that it's not much use to send prayers out to the universe
that are lazy. Every morning before meditation, I kneel in the temple and
talk for a few minutes to God. I found during the beginning of my stay
here at the Ashram that I was often dull-witted during those divine
conversations. Tired, confused and bored, my prayers sounded the
same. I remember kneeling down one morning, touching my forehead to the
floor and muttering to my creator, "Oh, I dunno what I need ... but you must
have some ideas ... so just do something about it, would you?"

Similar to the way I have oftentimes spoken to my
hairdresser.

And, I'm sorry, but that's a little lame. you can
imagine God regarding that prayer with an arched eyebrow, and sending back this
message: "Call me again when you decide to get serious about
this."

Of course God already knows what I need. the
question is -- do I know? Casting yourself at God's feet in
helpless desperation is all well and good -- heaven knows, I've done it myself
plenty of times -- but ultimately you're likely to get more out of the
experience if you can take some action on your end...

... Prayer is a relationship; half the job is mine. If I
want transformation, but can't even be bothered to articulate what, exactly I'm
aiming for, how will it ever occur? Half the benefit of prayer is in the
asking itself, in the offering of a clearly posed and well-considered
intention. If you don't have this, all your please and desires are
boneless, floppy, inert; they swirl at your feet in a cold fog and never
lift. So now I take the time every morning to search myself for
specificity about what I am truly asking for.

How often I come to God with vague requests and prayers. The other night, after reading this, I prayed that God would just completely heal my little man's ingrown toenail -- I thought I'd start small. In the morning, it was as good as new -- after WEEKS of being swollen and red and yucky looking. Praise God!

** I can't believe I have a Master's Degree and still don't know how to cite a source. I'll give it a try, though:

Elizabeth Gilbert, Eat, Pray, Love (New York: Penguin, 2007), 176 -
177.

3 Month Portraits

I've been meaning to post these for a few weeks now. Oh, how the time flies! These were Tanner's 3 month pics. I originally went to the photographer intending to buy the special $9.95 package and that's it. By the time I walked out, I had spent $100! Yikes -- I learned my lesson. It's so easy to get sucked in when you're presented with 50 pictures of the love of your life! Next time it's the basic package and nothing more! I thought you might enjoy some of our faves!

What a poser.