These are a few of my favorite things

I love Bath & Body Works candles and this new one is the best! The perfect fall scent! I got a small one when they were on sale. Never buy anything from BBW that is not on sale. They have great sales and if you register your e-mail they send you tons of coupons. The big candles are on sale right now 2 for $20 and they last a long time.
Also love this new scent from BBW. I got the trial size for $1 when it was being introduced. I LOVE IT!

This is certainly not a new favorite BUT we can now buy Sun Drop here! I still can't believe it!!! Problem is we don't buy soda on a regular basis because we just drink it if it is here so I just don't buy it regularly and needless to say that since we can get our hands on SD we want it. Maybe it will pass soon!
My Paula Deen cookware! A's parents gave the cookware set to me for my birthday and I have really enjoyed it. Non-stick and pretty! I love the red.

I know, I know I always mention the pumpkin spice latte but I just couldn't do favorites and leave it out! It is the perfect fall drink and it reminds me that peppermint mocha is just around the corner!

Several weeks ago I was at a book party and we were all talking about the different things you can do with cake mix. The consultant mentioned this recipe and it is so good and easy! It is an Apple Spice Dump Cake-layer 1 can apple pie filling in 9x13, pour spice cake mix on top, melt 2 sticks butter and pour on top of that and top it off with chopped pecans. Bake on 350 for about 30-40 minutes!

AND my ALL TIME MOST FAVORITE "THINGS" (in no particular order!)

Fabulous Fashion Friday!

FABULOUS

(captured while watching the garbage truck aka their favorite Fri morning entertainment) "FASHION" Friday!

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!!!

It is our friend...

Mucinex is our friend this week! Lizzie and Sallie were sick this past weekend and they so graciously gave it to the rest of us! We are great at sharing! Lizzie got over hers really quickly but poor Sallie's is lingering on and on. I do not like medicine at all but I do like Mucinex. It really helps me and does not make me feel so bad like a lot of meds do. The children's Mucinex seems to help Sallie as well. Maybe we will kick this soon. I think we are beginning to feel better.

The weather yesterday and today has been great! I just want to be sippin a pumpkin spice latte. I do not even like lattes. I love mochas and coffee but not lattes but I LOVE the pumpkin spice latte. I so do not need to love anything else from Starbucks! I think I can break out the spice cake. I always make a spice cake each fall as soon as we have the first cooler weather. I think maybe it is cool enough! It is supposed to be back in the 90's by the weekend so we will enjoy it while it lasts!

Lizzie was walking around yesterday singing "Jesus, I love me" We were not at all surprised!

That's about as exciting as it gets at our house right now! I know I have some stuff to blog about but I just can't think straight through all this congestion. I will blame it on that for now anyway!

Our Cute Cowboys Fans!

Today was Sports Team Day at Discovery School so the girls wore Cowboys shirts and we told them to say "Go Cowboys" and they thought that was great! They love some football, not that they really have a choice about that in our house! HA! So here are shots of our 2 little Texans in their Cowboys apparel before heading to school.

#1!!!
Millie's face in this one cracks me up!

Lizzie getting all into it!Hilarious! #1 as I choke hold my sister!
Their wonderful big sister Elleigh thought it would be fun to cut their sandwiches in shapes to go along with what they were wearing. So, a star shaped sandwhich for the Cowboys and then a TX shaped sandwich. A's mom gave me the TX shaped cutter when we moved here and the girls have enjoyed making different things with it.
And a cute video of Millie saying #1 that is NOT cute of Lizzie! She was tired of taking pics and was READY to go to school!

I guess she needed a few days off

Mark this one down as one of the strange things that happened in the Hall house and ER visit # I've lost count!

Saturday we were later than normal leaving for Red Springs. A thought it necessary to watch the Gators devour the Trojans in the swamp! Oh, it was bad but we do like to watch Troy play anytime we can because we do not get those opportunities much so we watched. We knew it would not be pleasant so we were prepared. The little girls were napping and so that is always when Sallie makes sure she gets in some snuggle time with us. She climbed in my lap and she did not have her aids on because often if we are just around the house on Sat we give her ears a little time to breathe. I noticed something in the ear next to me. A popcorn kernal! Don't ask because I don't know! We have taken her twice before with beads in the ear and once with peas in the nose. Our ENT says that it is amazing that the same children always tend to do these things over and over. I believe it! So, A gets it out and looks into the other ear and there are 2 in there and he can't budge them. We call her ENT and he says they have to come out because they are food and bacteria could start to grow (which we knew was going to be the case). She and A go off to the ER. I felt so bad for him (and her). He said holding her down was awful. She is stronger than you can even imagine and she is not about to lay still for anybody to touch those ears. They both were beat by the time they got back. They got them out but she has an abrasion in that ear from them getting them out. They gave us antibiotic drops for the ears and she can't put her aids in or get anything in that ear for 5 days. It bled some that night but she doesn't act as if it bothers her anymore. That girl!

We went on to Red Springs and Sun morning she woke up not feeling well. She was complaining with her head and tummy and just felt yuck so I kept her home and by Sun afternoon I was sick with fever, sore throat, aches, and a terrible headache. I was sick yesterday but today we are both feeling much better. There is so much going around it is unreal. I made the mistake last week of saying that we had done so well and not caught all the stuff going around. I knew not to say that!

No aids means no school. I guess Sallie wanted a little break! I am going to start back with her on Thursday. I am afraid this "break" is going to make it feel like we are starting over. Millie did well again today at Discovery School. She is still very quite and still no nap but most importantly this was day 2 of no crying!

I am tired of rain and ready to see the sun!!! This weather makes me so lazy!

4 BECOMES 5!!!

Yes, you read it right! 4 becomes 5!!!

Not JUST 5, but 5 GIRLS!!!

Did I get your attention???

Don't worry the 5th is not a Hall girl!

Now I REALLY have your attention don't I!

I couldn't resist!!!

Thursday night we had 5 girls in our house (plus me). We babysat a SWEET little girl named Eliana. Doesn't A look great with another baby in his lap! He would be happy if there were about 10 babies in his lap!

Think she had enough entertainment?

Sallie loves babies!

She is adorable and was SO GOOD! I don't think any of our girls were ever that easy. She was GREAT! Notice all the toys piled up around her. The girls kept giving her more and more toys!

"HELP, I can't get out of all these toys!"
It was so much fun having a baby in the house. I know it hasn't been that long since Millie was a baby (and actually according to her she still is) but it seems like a long time ago since she was this size! Millie told A before Eliana came that she (Millie) was the baby and that he needed to hold and rock her (Millie) so we were not sure how she would react but she did great. You can see though that she still wanted her daddy! She keeps asking me where Babyana went. Too funny! Kevin and Mandy-we will keep that sweet girl anytime. It was fun for 4 to become 5 (at least for a night)!!!

It's a yellow, tearless, whatever kind of day!

I could hardly wait to do this post! I know after my last post lots of people are praying for us. I can feel it for sure! Keep it up! Thanks for the encouragement from so many of you who replied on here, called, and e-mailed me to tell me you were praying and to encourage me through God's word and through Him using you. I love and treasure each of you who take the time to invest in our lives.

Today was YELLOW day at Discovery School! Aren't they just too cute in their yellow?! Millie looks pretty happy doesn't she!

Millie was very quite on the way to school but she was not upset and she walked into her classroom and was TEARLESS! She was not excited but she was TEARLESS! This was one proud mama!!! She was very energetic when I picked her up today. She has been in a very bad mood and would not talk to me at all about school. But, today she talked a little bit. She even pooped (I know you wanted to know that!) which she had not done at school before today. Still no nap but maybe soon! Lizzie's class does not nap so it really works OK for me for Millie to not sleep because then they both lay down for a little while when I get them home.

Things were still very trying with Sallie but I was TEARLESS and she was not quite as defiant. She means she is not going to do the things she doesn't want to do. She is very hands on so I am constantly trying to make things as hands on as possible. There are just times when I really need her to listen and concentrate and not be "doing" and she does not like that! A reminded me last night that this WILL glorify God in some way and I have tried to remind myself of that all day. Like he said, it is always easy for us to see how He has been glorified once we are through our trials but our trials are made easier if we can focus on the fact that God will be glorified. Thank you A for leading our family in a Godly way (especially when I am cranky and don't want to hear what you have to say!)

Today as we were leaving to take Lizzie and Millie to school I said, "what day is it Lizzie?" and she jumps up and down and screams, "YELLOW DAY!" I said, "what day is it Millie? and she says, "WHATEVER" with very little expression. She is SO much like her daddy! It takes a lot to get them excited!

Recipes, being real, and wisdom

Due to my crazy husband's comment on facebook (I will leave it at that!) I have had many requests for the molten chocolate cake recipe. Funny story, I have made them several times and my family loves them. So, last summer when A's parents were here I made them and they were AWFUL! I still do not know what I did wrong but they tasted like dirt. It was really bad! All of that to say, I finally got brave enough to try them again because they do make my man and my girls very happy!

Here's the recipe:

Molten Chocolate Cake
4 squares BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Baking Chocolate
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
1 cup powdered sugar
2 eggs
2 egg yolks
6 Tbsp. flour
1/2 cup thawed COOL WHIP Whipped Topping (I always serve them with ice cream instead of cool whip)

PREHEAT oven to 425°F. Butter four 3/4-cup custard cups or soufflé dishes. Place on baking sheet.

MICROWAVE chocolate and butter in large microwaveable bowl on HIGH 1 min. or until butter is melted. Stir with wire whisk until chocolate is completely melted. Stir in sugar until well blended. Blend in eggs and egg yolks with wire whisk. Stir in flour. Divide batter among prepared custard cups.

BAKE 13 to 14 min. or until sides are firm but centers are soft. Let stand 1 min. Carefully run small knife around cakes to loosen. Invert cakes onto dessert dishes. Serve immediately, topped with whipped topping.

They really are not difficult at all. The key is getting the center right but they were perfect last night! I served them once at Supper Club with Coffee Gelato and WOW!



I am always looking for new recipes because I have to change things up a little and I love trying new things so a while back I made this bread and it was SO GOOD! It is a Paula Deen recipe.

Herbed Monkey Bread
1 stick butter melted, plus 1/4 cup melted butter, plus more for pan
1 cup grated Parmesan, plus more for sprinkling
2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning
2 packages biscuits
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly butter a 12-cup Bundt pan; set aside.

In a small bowl, combine cheese and Italian seasoning.

Roll each individual biscuit into a ball. Dip each piece in the 1 stick of melted butter, then coat with the cheese mixture. Place dough into prepared pan; overlapping will occur. Bake bread, 30 to 35 minutes. Cover with aluminum foil during the last 10 minutes of baking to prevent excess browning, if needed.

Let cool in pan, 10 minutes; invert bread onto a serving plate. Drizzle remaining 1/4 cup melted butter on top and sprinkle with grated Parmesan.



We love this time of year! Fall and football! We usually have "football food" as we call it on Saturday nights so this past Sat. was our first football Saturday! I made a new dip that was so easy and good and A made buffalo and garlic parmesan wings and they were great! Here's the dip recipe:

White Ro-tel Dip
3 pkgs. pork sausage
4 pkgs. cream cheese
2 cans ro-tel
(I am sure this is for a crowd-I halfed the recipe)

Brown the sausage and drain. Add to cream cheese and ro-tel and heat until the cheese is melted. Of course, you could do this in a crock pot. Serve with tortilla chips. I think it would be good with scoops too. Cream cheese and sausage-you can't go wrong!!!



I made these for dinner last night and they were delicious. We were grilling and as easy as baked potatoes are, we get tired of them so I found this recipe (Pioneer Woman!) and we were not disappointed!

Potato Bundles
•6 whole Russet Potatoes
•½ whole Yellow Onion, Diced
•1 stick Butter
•½ cups Heavy Cream
•Kosher Salt To Taste
•Paprika To Taste
•Freshly Ground Black Pepper, To Taste
•2 Tablespoons Minced Parsley

Preparation Instructions

Pile potatoes and onions on a square of foil. Add 2 tablespoons butter. Splash on cream. Then sprinkle on salt, paprika, and black pepper. Sprinkle minced parsley over the top.

Wrap bundles tightly and bake at 375 degrees for 45 minutes, or until extremely tender.

Serve bundles right on the dinner plate.


What have we been doing besides cooking? Well, I think that is our therapy! A is in full force with his classes. Lizzie is adjusting to Discovery School. She seems excited about going. She is quite while she is there. She never stops talking here but she is much more reserved until she really gets to know you. Ell is still enjoying her new curriculum. The change has helped us tremendously. Millie is not wanting to go to Discovery School. I think she mostly sucks her thumb (great!) and observes all day. The crying has gotten worse each morning. Today it was "I want you mama" and "Daddy don't leave me!" all before we left home! Her teachers assure me that the crying does not last long. She started this weekend telling us she did not want to take a nap at school. She has yet to go to sleep. They say that she just stares at them! Well today she would not eat her lunch. Her teachers think it was because they were getting the nap mats out and she so dislikes that time. This is about to get me! Surely it will get better. Surely! Prayers please! Sallie and I had a really rough day. She was the most defiant she has been and I felt like I don't know what when we finished. As much as I thought I was prepared for this, I wasn't. I don't think I ever let myself think I would see results for a while. I knew what it would entail (although I had no idea how physically and mentally drained I would be). I think the thing is I didn't realize how much it would hurt every time she can't do something. Honestly, I just want to scream, "this is not fair." Now you all know that I really deep down don't feel that way but right now on the surface that is what I want to scream as loudly as I can! That and "what am I supposed to do next, please tell me how to do this!" I just fell apart 3 times today during our school time. Fell completely apart. The harder I cried the tighter that sweet child would hold me and kiss me over and over again and with her in my arms I thought "thank you Lord for allowing her to be here with me and for not taking her from me and for all she has taught me, now please show me how to teach her." This may just be the hardest thing I have ever done (it ranks right up there with handing her over 19 times to be put to sleep and not knowing whether she would live or die when she was born, and waiting hour after hour through surgeries, and being told you child is hearing impaired and on and on...) and this is ongoing but I am not giving up but I do need you all so much to be praying for us. It is like I was telling a friend last week, I do not begrudge any of this but it is real and it is tough! I hope I am never misunderstood because I love her just the way she is but sometimes I think can I really do this. I know this is another refining time for me and if I lean on Him, I will draw nearer to Him.

On a lighter note:
Lizzie to Elleigh (completely out of the blue last week) "Elleigh, you need to go to church and praise God!" Words of wisdom for all of us from the 3 year old Hall priss!!!

Firsts

This is the longest I have sat down all week and as much as I love blogging I would really rather be soaking in a tub of hot water and sippin a pumpkin spice latte (which reminds me of fall, aka my favorite time of the year, even though it was 94 today! The morning was cool and fall like though) or sleeping for that matter but I know I need to catch up on blogging. That and my husband has asked where the newest pics are! He lives in the house with us and is a part of this crazy life but he loves this blog more than anyone I know. He just likes to sit and stare at his girls!!! Really, he will admit it! So, it has been a crazy busy week and a week of many firsts.

Our first day of school with Sallie and Elleigh

Sallie so excited! Her enthusiasm really is great! A little too much at times but great! PLEASE pray for us in this. She is so willing to learn and for that I am extremely grateful. The big challenges are keeping her attention, finding a balance between encouraging her to focus on the task we are doing and not expecting too much, and me knowing exactly how to do this and not getting discouraged when I feel like we are going no where. I have to remind myself over and over that this is going to be slow. It is also extremely tiring for me. It is not a matter of giving her something to do and letting her do it. I am constantly having to be there and doing it with her and trying to do the best I can. God has given me this responsibilty and I know I have to do it and I have to do it to the best of my ability. Pray that I lean on Him, everyday, every second!
I love this girl more than I can even describe!!! Is it just me or does she look growny here? My favorite 7th grader! She is LOVING her new curriculum and so am I!!! Elleigh has been wonderful to work hard! She has also helped me some in doing a few things with Sallie. She loves her some Sallie and Sallie loves her some Elleigh!

This melts my heart! Thank you God for our sweet daughters!
Ell working (with a little distraction!)

Lizzie and Millie's first day of preschool

As I mentioned before we decided this year to put Lizzie and Millie in the preschool program at our church here for 2 mornings a week. This gives me the chance to work more closely with Sallie with fewer distractions and is a chance for the girls to interact with other children and have some fun! The girls have never really been away from us so this is an adjustment for all of us!

Getting ready to head outThey look excited!
Showing off their backpacks

Me with my sweet baby girls!

This is not posed. I was taking their pic and Millie just layed one on him! He didn't mind!Lizzie telling Daddy what she is going to do at school
Just because I love it! AND THEM!

Walking to the car (I know I got a little carried away but that's just me!)And again...
Walking into the building. Lizzie is running but Millie is wanting daddy to "carry me!""Mom, can we please go inside?!"Mrs. Nancy helping Lizzie put away her lunchbox. Nancy has been my mentor mom in MOPS for the past 2 years so I am thrilled that she is Lizzie's teacher!!! This is the only shot I got of Millie going into her classroom. She was not happy! She cried but they said not for long but she did not participate. I know it will take time and she is the baby in her class. We will see what tomorrow brings! Hopefully, no tears!!!

They were both worn out at the end of the day!

Today we had our first MOPS meeting of the year and my first meeting as Registration/Finance Coordinator. It was a great meeting. You know you just never know just how much goes into something until you in a position to see all the work. It takes a lot of work to make it all happen and it is neat to see the different gifts that God has given everyone to bring it all together. Over the past few weeks we had many changes with registrations and were able to take all the moms off the wait list! This is a wonderful thing because I do not like the thought of moms desiring to have that time and not being able to get it. Being a first time mom, staying home with your kids, living a long distance from family, etc... can be very lonely and I am thankful that there are Christian groups where we can meet and help carry each others burdens.

NOW, I am going to get a hot bath! I will dream of a pumpkin spice latte!