Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Last Week in Pictures

So, I've had a little fun with my new camera this past week. I hope you enjoy seeing the pictures because I have LOVED taking the pictures!

My Sweetie.
My Baby.
So Happy.
Love her!
Sisters playing.
Audrey cooking.
Audrey playing.
My loves.
Sweet looks.
Saying hi.
Bath fun.
Big Eyes.
Baby cheeks.


Big blow.
Bubbles galore.
Sticky mess.

Monday, August 23, 2010

A Couple of Opportunities

Happy First Day of School to all you moms and teachers out there! I hope your morning went smoothly!

I wanted to tell you about a couple of events that my church is doing this weekend.

I know a lot of you know about the sudden death of the young wife and mother, Jenny Bizaillion, earlier this year. Jenny's mom, Beverly Ross, is speaking at a brunch at out church, Richardson East, this Saturday. You have to sign up by Tuesday, so click on the church link if you are interested in attending. Also say a pray for Jenny's daughter today. This is probably her first day of school.

Also, this Sunday, our church is doing "The Church has Left the Building" again. This is when the church goes out into the community and participates in several service projects. My class will be working with Storyline Christian Community to clean up graffiti in East Dallas. There will be other projects going on as well. If you are interested in this project or another project, let me know and I will get you more information.

Unfortunately, I won't be able to attend the brunch Saturday. I also will miss the graffiti cleanup since I'll have to have Julia with me and it's just too hot to be outside with a baby right now. I'm hoping to join up with another project instead.

Friday, August 20, 2010

Five Question Friday 8.20.10


I would love to see your answers to these questions! Copy, paste, and answer on your own blog. If you would like to link up, click on the button above and add your blog to the list. No blog? Feel free to answer in the comment section. Here are this week's questions:

1. Do you have any nicknames and if so how did it come about?

2. What is your birth order amongst your siblings?

3. In a movie of your life, who would play your significant other?

4. What is currently your favorite song?

5. Are you saving your money for anything right now? Big or small purchase?


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1. Do you have any nicknames and if so how did it come about?
Well, I got called "No Nose" in high school for my little nose. I suppose I could have been called worse.
In college, some called me BP (my initials then). After this oil incident, I'm glad I'm now BH and not BP.
I go by my middle name. My first name begins with an A. When I was a teacher, the kids would get a list of their teachers. It was listed in last name-first initial format. That made me Halla. I can't tell you how many eighth-graders would walk into my classroom proclaiming, "Hollllaaaa!"
Mainly, my nicknames are Brookie and Brooker.

2. What is your birth order amongst your siblings?
I'm the youngest of three and the only girl. That's right, I'm the baby girl. One of my brothers would claim that I was spoiled and got everything that I wanted. Maybe. I know I got things I never even asked for. Still do. My husband is sweet that way. :)
I grew up as a tomboy. I'm so much girlier now and I'm not that girlie.
I'm a strong believer that birth order shapes your personality. I live best with other babies. Fortunately, my husband is a baby too.

3. In a movie of your life, who would play your significant other?
This is a hard question! I recently saw a movie where the actor reminded me of an ex-boyfriend. Kinda weird. No actor has reminded me of my husband. So I get to choose anyone, huh? Robert Downy Jr. could pull off my husband and I wouldn't mind him.

4. What is currently your favorite song?
Church song: In Christ Alone. Fun song: One Life by Sister Hazel.

5. Are you saving your money for anything right now? Big or small purchase?

Just spent all of our money on a new camera! Super excited about that! I'm also excited because we are about to leave this town for a little anniversary vaca. Yeah, baby!

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Embrace the Camera 8.19.10

Well, I wanted to get some "real-life" shots today. Wow, that's hard! Here's what I got.

How do you french braid a 2-yr-old 's hair? Put on Curious George!








Wednesday, August 18, 2010

I Got a New Camera!

I finally took the plunge and bought a new camera! I asked around a lot and shopped around on the internet before making my decision. My knowledge was zero when it came to cameras; I only understood point and shoot. I also didn't want to have to go to a workshop to understand my camera. I'm not made of money, nor time for that matter. We are about to go on vacation, so I needed to do this now! I ended up with the Canon Rebel XS. If I ever come across more money (we all can dream, can't we?), I'll purchase lenses.

Anyways, here are my favorites from last night. I was just reading through the manual and taking pictures. The first is of Julia before I put her to bed. Poor thing was so tired. This is the second picture I took and it's in Full Auto mode.


This is Audrey reading after she took her bath. I was playing with the ISO (whatever that means!) with this one.



And this one is of Michael consoling Audrey after she pinched her finger. Portrait mode on this one.
I am beyond excited! Woohoo!!! Thanks to everyone that gave me advice!

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

P90X

If you don't know about P90X, it is an at-home workout video program. It is intense and is supposed to do amazing things in 90 days. We'll see if I can commit to it for 90 days! The stretching alone is difficult!

Last night, I did a workout from the Core Synergistic DVD. Now that I've had my last baby, I've got to get this body of mine into shape - the core being what I focus on first. I'm only just a few pounds heavier than I was before getting pregnant, but those pounds are not in a good place. Very few of my outfits fit me how I would like. I am very grateful that I didn't gain weight while I was on prednisone for a month. That's a huge relief, actually!

Michael is my workout partner, so that's fun. It will be good for us to do something together and it will make us feel better too. I hope to be accountable to y'all. I will give updates at least telling you how stinkin' hard this program is. If you want to be more fit, maybe we can encourage each other on our goals - so let me know!

Monday, August 16, 2010

Always, Sometimes, Never

I always...

...want to stay in bed longer.
...like to smell my girls' hair after a shampoo.
...wish my house was cleaner.
...get excited about a storm coming.
...like the change of seasons.
...want it to snow on Christmas.
...am not deserving of God's mercy.
...want to be on TLC's What Not to Wear.
...plan to grocery shop on Mondays.
...enjoy a Dr. Pepper.

I sometimes...
...get to sleep in thanks to my wonderful husband.
...do a good job keeping the house clean.
...drink the last bit of juice straight from the bottle.
...drink coffee in the mornings.
...snort when I laugh.
...can get the girls to sleep at the same time.
...like taking long, hot showers.
...take the time to watch the entire Stars/Mavs/Rangers game.
...get to read a good book.
...don't get my grocery shopping done on Mondays.

I never...
...have enough fashion sense.
...get to bed when I want.
...turn down Michael's request to help with the kids.
....read the Bible like I should.
...thought I would want to vacuum my house so badly.
...thought I would enjoy having girls so much.
...grow tired of seeing my girls' smiling faces.
...like watching cartoons.
...eat Mexican food by choice.

I stole this fun idea from Abbe.

Friday, August 13, 2010

5 Question Friday


Here's how it works. You can answer questions in the comments or copy and answer on your own blog. If you'd like, click on the button above and link up your blog.

1. Have you ever visited another country?

2. Where is the strangest place you have ever been?

3. What is your favorite season?

4. What one song will always cheer you up?

5. What Disney character do you resemble most?

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1. Have you ever visited another country?
I have gone to Monterey, Mexico for a mission trip. We spent a week helping to build a church. We did the rebar (the supporting metal in the concrete walls). We had to use this tool called a hook. Many times throughout the week, someone would call out, "I need hookers!" and a bunch of us would come running. Hee hee!

I also went to Vancouver, Canada for my honeymoon. Beautiful place! While there, we were on a ferry boat going to Victoria Island. The boat was crowded, but extremely quiet. I commented to Michael that you would never be in a public place with this many people in Dallas and have it this quiet. Turns out that they were all deaf! Must have been a convention or something. They were reading each others lips, mostly. Michael still makes fun of me for my comment to this day!

2. Where is the strangest place you have ever been?
The Anson Light of Anson, Texas. I went to school in Abilene, Texas and my college buddies and I would drive out to Anson to see this mystery a lot. It was featured on Unsolved Mysteries and in Texas Monthly.

You drive your car next to this cemetery, turn around at the crossroad, turn off your headlights, and wait for just a few moments. Soon you will see this light appear down the road. It starts off behind the main street you turned off of. You can see the cars drive in front of it. Then suddenly, the cars are passing behind it. It comes closer and closer to you. It sways back and forth like a pendulum, or like a ghost is carrying a lantern. It moved slowly and quickly. Ultimately, some high school or college kid would run towards it and it would disappear.

There's also a railroad track nearby that we would drive to, park on, and put the car in neutral. After a while, you can feel the car being pushed off the tracks and the car rolls down the dirt road. You get out and there are handprints on the car. I'm pretty sure this one was made by the guys just to scare the girls.

We also followed the locals one day and saw so many creepy things, that I made my date floor it to lose these local guys. They scared me whacky.

Thanks to these college guys for making a video and posting on youtube.


3. What is your favorite season?
Not this 107 degree stuff, I tell you! I knew that once I was no longer doing the student/teacher thing, I wold love the fall. I've only had two falls to enjoy without school and it has been soooo nice! Crisp air, warm aromas, cozy sweaters, football. Ahhh!

4. What one song will always cheer you up?
Anything by Sister Hazel or Counting Crows. The song that never ever fails has to be Lady Marmalade. Reminds me of my junior year in college, which so happens to be one of my favorite years of life. Christina Aguilera is just ridiculous.

5. What Disney character do you resemble most?
Weird thing about me is that I don't like animated shows. So this is hard for me. I don't know the Disney stories very well, so I'll answer based on appearance. I look like Snow White with the dark hair and pale skin. All I remember about her was that she had mice that she talked to. I most definitely would not do that!

HAPPY FRIDAY the 13th EVERYONE!!!

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Embrace the Camera 8.12.10



It's that time of the week again! If you would like to participate, click the button above and add the link to your blog.

I can sum up our day with this: Playdate, Nap, Chic-fil-a, Train. I enjoyed these things just about as much as Audrey did. Except the train. I could have done without watching a train go by. :)

Dallas peeps: Do you love your hair stylist? If so, who do you see?




Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Jammin' and Sweepin'

Yesterday, I spent the day with my mom on her birthday. Happy 39th birthday, Mom! Here's a little goodie from some of the grandkids. Don't know how Chic-fil-a snuck into the song! :)


Today, I am catching up on housework. I just don't know happened to my house. It absolutely exploded with STUFF. I know it all started with bringing in all the boxes of Audrey's old clothes and resorting, washing, folding, hanging and reboxing the clothes. I've been able to keep Audrey occupied by giving her a diaper and a bib so that she can play mommy with a doll. Julia is sleeping.

While I'm cleaning, I'm listening to Pandora radio. LOVE this little doodad. Here's a sample of what my ears have enjoyed this morning:
  • Counting Crows - Hazy
  • Pearl Jam - Yellow Ledbetter
  • Hootie and the Blowfish - Time
  • Counting Crows - Good Time
  • Toad the Wet Sprocket - Walk on the Ocean
  • Dave Matthews - Angel
  • Jack Johnson - No Other Way
  • Coldplay - Clocks
  • Toad the Wet Sprocket - All I Want
  • Ben Folds - Brick
  • Dave Matthews - You and Me
  • Counting Crows - Omaha
Do you listen to music while cleaning? What music gets you going? How do you entertain your kids while you are busy?

Monday, August 09, 2010

Name Remorse?

I have always loved names. For as long as I could remember, I was planning what I would name my children. The name I remember loving the most as a kid was Sara(h). I don't remember if I liked the H at the end or not. I knew I would have a great time naming my children when the time came.

The time came in 2007 when I became pregnant with my first. I had a spreadsheet with names that I've liked in the past. I had a column for first names and middle names. I finally had a last name to go with these beautiful names I had conjured up. Now on to naming this child!

What I discovered was that I am very picky. I didn't want a Top 5, 10, or 25 name. I wanted a name people knew how to spell. I wanted people be familiar with the name. I didn't want a name that was a flashing sign for the year my child was born. This became a task that suddenly weighed me down.

I gave birth to a baby girl and named her Audrey Grace. I loved the name until I had her. Fears overcame me. I just knew she would hate the name. It didn't fit her. What was I going to do? I know a guy whose parents changed his name at 2 months (I think). Was I going to do that? I'm a horrible mother. That feeling of doing my child a disservice lasted about a week. She can't be anyone but Audrey Grace. I love her and her name.

Then I got pregnant again. This one was even more difficult because it had to match the style of Audrey's name. I pretty much resigned to whatever my husband, Michael, wanted. He liked Julia. I don't think I would have ever listed Julia on my spreadsheet, but I dwelled on it for awhile. It grew on me and I agreed to name our second child Julia Kate.

I haven't been too nervous about the name Julia, but I still haven't truly connected with it yet. It is even hard for me to remember at times, or maybe that's because of my lack of sleep. I do know I love my beautiful daughter, Julia. And I know that she will grow into the name really soon and no other name will do.

Do you like your name and are you still happy with your children's names?

Friday, August 06, 2010

Five Question Friday 8.6.10

Rules for Five Question Friday: Copy and paste the following questions to your blog post, answer them, then link up with the button below. You may also answer the questions in the comments section.
1. Are you a neat sleeper or a messy sleeper?

2. Fill in the blank. I wish I was more ________________.

3. What is something that you wish you had been warned about?

4. What was the best thing you ever found at a garage sale/flea market?

5. If you could have any meal brought to you right now, what would it be?

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1. Are you a neat sleeper or a messy sleeper?
I am a very, very, very neat sleeper. I am married to a messy sleeper. We may need counseling. Have you seen the Seinfeld episode about tucked and untucked sheets? I'm a tucker, hubby is not. We fight about this. A lot. I think I would even love to be swaddled. I don't move once I get into bed. I'm instantly comfortable and I stay put (until my baby wakes up). My husband flops around and the sheets go everywhere. And then there is the fan issue, but I won't go there today.

2. Fill in the blank. I wish I was more ________________.
I wish I was more of a good listener. My s-i-l, Emily, is really good at this. She listens to you in a way that allows you to share things you didn't even know you felt. You just begin to pull back the layers until you are raw and vulnerable. I have cried about things in front of her that I didn't even know I was emotional about. When I picture myself and how I want to be, I see an old lady (Don't know why I picture myself old...30 has been hard enough already!) whom all the women at church come to and hug. Then they feel like they can open up and share their life with me, knowing they'll receive love, compassion, understanding, and no judgment. I would love to offer love and warmth to people in a very natural and genuine way.

3. What is something that you wish you had been warned about?
I probably was warned about this, but you don't know how bad it can get until it happens - that you can run on auto-pilot for months when you have a baby in the house. I need a recharge, people!

4. What was the best thing you ever found at a garage sale/flea market?
Don't think I've ever shopped those. I did buy my dining room table and chairs from a consignment store. It came with only 4 chairs, but I saw that I could buy more online. Later, I discovered that those sites only told you that it was out of stock at CHECKOUT! Come on, people! I found only ONE place that had them. I placed my order for 2 chairs and I would buy 2 more later, when I had more money. I received a confirmation email and I waited my 4-6 weeks for my chairs to arrive. Nothin! I checked back with the company and the website is totally gone! It's like the business never existed! Luckily, they never charged me.

5. If you could have any meal brought to you right now, what would it be?
I really, really like BJ's Brewhouse's Parmesan Crusted Chicken. It comes with this white sauce that is creamy and delicious! I wanted this to be my last meal before having my last baby (had a planned C-section) but the day before ended up being super-crazy and the logistics didn't work out.

Your turn! I would love to read your answers!

Thursday, August 05, 2010

Embrace the Camera 8.5.10

I apologize for the bright light in the mirror. I guess that's what I get for having my computer take a picture rather than a person.
I took Julia to the doctor yesterday and she is 26 1/4 inches (95%) and 14 lb 6 oz (75%) at 4 months. She can start eating food now, which is a relief for me. Michael and I are leaving town without the girls soon and I won't worry about her starving without her food factory in another state. :)

Audrey got to spend two fun-filled days with Michael's parents and her Burrow cousins this week. She was dying to go on the go-carts, but she's too small. She did go on the boats and spray water at her cousins. They also took her to Jump Town. Perhaps the best thing to happen to her was receiving her Pillow Pet! She got the lamb. All is right in her world.

Wednesday, August 04, 2010

Playing with Pictures

I discovered a fun editing website called picnik.com. I took these pictures of Julia yesterday with my phone. Then I headed on over to Picnik and started playing with different editing tools. If I buy a really good camera, like I think I might, I will have a blast on this sight. I should be a poet. :)

Juila is going in for her 4 month well-check today. Poor little babe is going to get shots. :(



Tuesday, August 03, 2010

Life Without TV

My husband and I have bounced around the idea of not having tv for years. We pulled the trigger a couple of weeks ago. Well, sort of. We still have tv's, but no cable, satellite, or antenna. We thought about how much of a time-waster it is and how there's a lot of inappropriate stuff out there. I say the summer is the best time to do it. We all know that summer tv is pretty worthless. Also, the shows we had been watching are no longer. Those shows would be 24, LOST, and FlashForward (cancelled I think).

What about the Texas Rangers, you ask? We haven't caught many games as it is. If they make (and they will) the playoffs, we can watch it online. In fact, we can watch most everything online thanks to hulu.com.

What about Audrey and her obsession with Curious George? She's got the DVD's.

What about Michael and Seinfeld? Again, he owns all of the DVD's.

We also have movies and the Wii to play with. Life won't be boring. In fact, we will probably grow closer as a family.

Monday, August 02, 2010

Goofy Videos

Saturday night, we went to a going away party for some of our friends that are moving to Abilene. One of the games we did was Minute To Win It, which you may have seen on tv. This time, we not only had to complete the task in a minute, but you had to beat the time of your competitors. I was in the first group. We had to place seven oatmeal creme cookies on our foreheads and hold them there for three seconds. I may have been the fifth person in line, so I believe I was at a disadvantage. My cookies had already started to crumble. And to prove my point- only the first two people advanced. See. Told ya.
Michael was also eliminated in the first round. He had to spin around to unroll a roll of toilet paper. Everyone had done a great job until Michael got up there. He claims it was a defective roll. Yeah, right.
And here's Audrey being Audrey.

Saturday, July 31, 2010

4 Months

Sweet Julia is 4 months old today! Really? No stinkin' way! Here's the latest about my absolute joy:
  • Poor girl is losing her hair. (As am I. Hate this postpartum stuff!) And that black hair is turning dark brown. If she ends up bald - I. Will. Cry.
  • She's gotten better in the car, until the last 2 or so days. Not her fault though. Mommy was just dragging her all around town.
  • Sleep: You never know what you're gonna get. There was a night last week that she woke up every single hour. Can I get caffeine through an IV, please? But she also gave me a full night's sleep too. Most nights, she gets up twice. She also is beginning to want you to put her in her crib and not be rocked.
  • She laughs so easily! This is good medicine for my soul. She's beginning to watch Audrey wherever she goes and she usually has a big grin on her face doing so.
  • She has found her feet! She holds onto them like they were made of gold.
  • I finally started giving her tummy-time. She doesn't like it, so I was not making her until a couple of weeks ago. Maybe next month I will post that she rolled over.

Friday, July 30, 2010

5 Question Friday



Rules for Five Question Friday: Copy and paste the following questions to your blog post, answer them, then click on the button above and link up! No blog? You can answer the questions in the comments section if you want to play.

1. Did you have a favorite blanket or toy as a kid? If so, do you still have it?

2. Do you dream in color?

3. How tall are you? Do you wish you were shorter or taller?

4. If you could have anyone's (celeb or other) voice as the
guide on your GPS, who would it be?

5. Do you return your shopping cart to the corral or leave it wherever in the parking lot?

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1. Did you have a favorite blanket or toy as a kid? If so, do you still have it?
I had a lovely yellow gingham blanket that I took with me everywhere! I remember sucking on the corner of that thing. And I remember how traumatic it was when my mom took it away from me to wash it. How dare she! I haven't a clue where it is now. My 2 year old has a taggie that she is pretty attached to. Unlike me, my child actually asks me to wash her taggie.

2. Do you dream in color?
How do you people know this? I try to remember dreams but it is so hard! I can remember some events vaguely, but I can't picture it in my head. No clue! And I must say, there is nothing like the dreams you have while pregnant!

3. How tall are you? Do you wish you were shorter or taller?
I'm 69 1/2 inches tall, or 5' 9 1/2". It's an okay height. I'm taller than my husband, though. In fact, I'm the runt in my family and the giant in his family. Clothes are difficult to buy. I probably should do that whole tailoring thing, but you have to buy stuff that's actually too long, right? So that's the hard part. GAP does tall stuff, but it's online. I like to try on clothes before buying. I'm anxious to see how tall my girls are going to be. They have a grandmother under 5 foot and an uncle that is, let's just say, VERY tall. (He reads this and may not want me sharing his height.) Here's a picture showing the height difference between my brother and me.
And here's one of my husband and me. I'm wearing flats and not standing up straight.
So, you see, it's all relative. I don't mind being taller than my husband. This is how God made me and He knows what He's doing.

4. If you could have anyone's (celeb or other) voice as the guide on your GPS, who would it be?
I know who I wouldn't use! Nicholas Cage has the most ANNOYING voice! I'm sick and tired of people selecting him to play roles in movies. I will not see a movie with him in it - just because of his voice. I wouldn't mind Meg Ryan. She's cute. Now who is going to buy me this Meg Ryan GPS thingamajig?

5. Do you return your shopping cart to the corral or leave it wherever in the parking lot?
RETURN, RETURN, RETURN! I've done it with a toddler who is scared of parking lots, while holding a baby in a HEAVY car seat, while it was pouring rain. You can do this people! It's just common courtesy.