Guess Who is 3???

September 27th, this little sass a frass, in all her glory, turned 3! Last night when we were eating dinner Gerrad said 'Is it me or has Addaline managed to grown up and turn into this big girl over the last few weeks?' What do you think I did? Any guesses? Yep you got it, I CRIED! My baby isn't a baby any more, and its hard for me to grasp for some reason. Now I know she'll always be my 2nd born 'baby,' who I have this ridiculous attachment to from the year I spent nursing her...but now she's a back talking, loud noise fearing, big sister loving, dirt admiring, mickey mouse theme song singing, grandparent scheming, 3 year old who doesn't need her mommy as much anymore, cute little independent girl!

We celebrated her birthday with friends and family this past Saturday at a local pumpkin patch, and let me tell you, it was a BLAST for all, especially the birthday girl and her cute little girl friends. Addaline's little boyfriend couldn't make it, looks like he would have been highly out numbered. The girls rode the train about 8,001 times, went down the inflatable slide a few times, ran, yelled, jumped and played to their little hearts content. Addaline was SO worn out from the day's events, that the poor girl went to bed at 7pm.


Here are a few shots from the party. This slide was the hit of the party, even our friend Carrie took her sweet little baby, Adelyn down the slide, it was a hoot!

Here are some of the girls on the train. I think this was the favorite attraction to all the little girls, especially the birthday girl- she rode it NO less than about 5-7 times!

Addaline just tickles me sometimes... when we were singing her Happy Birthday, she was singing right along, to herself! HA! She was SO sidetracked by the train while we were opening presents, that when we got home and put them all away, she acted like it was the FIRST time she had seen ANY of them. She is her father's child, to the T! Poor Macie's been cursed with being my clone, raging emotions and all (send reinforcements when the teen years hit please)!


Wish my husband would have reminded me to take off my sunglasses, then the pictures of me with the girls would have actually been cute, ha! The one with Gerrad and the girls turned out as cute as can be, and the one of Addaline making her usual face... ahhh... typical!

So happy belated birthday baby girl! SO glad you enjoyed your party! We love you more than you'll ever know!

Tag You're It!

Happy Thursday ya'll! I'm just thrilled that its almost the weekend. This weekend we have Addaline's birthday party (2 weeks late I'm aware :)), Macie's volleyball, and a night out with our friends to one of our favorite events, Laughing Matters. Did I already mention, I love weekends!

So Lindsey over at Lovin' My Life tagged me in a fun little question game. Thanks girl, its always fun to participate in these!

So here are the questions that Lindsey got to ask all the girls she tagged (great set of questions chica):


1. What is your dream car?

Brace yourself here folks, this is a SUPER fancy car (insert sarcasm here)...

A Chevy Tahoe... yep that's it! Not a BMW, or Mercedes... just a Chevy SUV

2. What is your favorite piece of jewelry you own?

My wedding ring, I never take it off!

3. If you could have a spending spree at any store where would it be?

I'd have to say Target.... You can pretty much get anything you need from there. They have adorable, affordable clothing and accessories, and don't even get me started on the shoes, ahhh! I'm such a thrifty mom that I said I would want a shopping spree at TARGET, really Molly?!

4. Would you rather watch reality tv or scripted tv?

I have a SICK obsession with both, so this is super hard for me to choose. I LOVE my scripted shows- 90210, Vampire Diaries, Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice... BUT I also LOVE Jersey Shore, Any Real Housewives (minus D.C.), Teen Mom (I'm sick I know). So I guess this one ends in a tie for me.

5. What is your after work/school snack?

Since I'm home all day, this is one of my biggest weaknesses... snacking all day. I have been trying to not buy many snack foods, so I don't eat them. Wish me luck on this venture!

6. Would you rather have a good hair day or an awesome outfit?

Probably an awesome outfit. I think you can make your hair look even just OK, if you have a rockin' outfit. I may be way off here to the fashionista's, but I'm a mom who stays in sweats 75% of the time.

7. What is your dream ideal job?

I already have my dream job, its being a MOM! But... if I had to pick another dream job, it would be to own my own BABY BOUTIQUE! Hopefully some day soon that will all happen. I just keep praying about it, and if its meant to be, God will reveal the plan to me.

8. Why did you start blogging?

Since I became a stay at home mom a year ago... I wanted to start blogging quite a bit more, which worked well for quite a while, lately I've been slacking. Hopefully I'm back for good. I think blogging is a super fun way to have a record of the things that were going on at certain points in the girls' lives. I plan to have my blog made into a fun little scrapbook over the years. Its also fun to share things with friends and family that we may not see all the time.

I'd love to tag some of my favorite blogger gals...

Candice at The Perfect Pair

Aly at Analyze This

Caroline at Oh Pickles

Molly at Stilettos and Diapers

Summer at Summer's Story

Sarah at The Sparks Plugs

I've gotta run and pick up Addaline from preschool so I'll let you gals answer the same questions that I did!

Have a GREAT Thursday everyone!

BB Courtney's Baby Shower

This past Saturday, I helped throw a baby shower for one of my best friends, Melisa. She is due to have another sweet little baby girl, December 12th. There were 4 of us girls who threw the shower, and I think it turned out wonderfully! Melisa got TONS of cute stuff for BB Courtney, and big sister Makenna got lots of adorable gifts as well. She was the guest of honor, and the only kiddo at the shower, so she got to feel extra special that day.

We played lots of fun games (I'm not usually big on games, but these ones were pretty cute).. We played a celebrity mom game where we pinned a photo of a celebrity mom on every ones back when they came in the door, the object of the game was to get people chatting, and try to guess which celebrity mom was on their back by asking YES or NO questions. We also played a music game to guess the song names, and artists of songs with BABY in the title. So much work and love went into this shower, we're all SO excited to meet the newest addition to the Courtney family :)




The adorable cupcakes and cupcake picks that were made. Melisa's nursery accent theme is Owls, so we centered the shower around her colors (hot pink, black, white) and the owl theme.

The clothes line that turned out SO cute!

The girls even made water bottle labels for this special day!

The mommy to be, and big sister!



This was the SWEETEST card from Makenna to her baby sister, made most of us mommy's tear up!

The hostesses with the mommy to be: Carla, Jenni, Melisa, Me and Tracy!

Thanks Mel for letting me be a part of your special day! We cannot wait to meet this sweet girl!

Slacker!

Again, I've failed miserably at keeping up with this blog. I need to just set a time to do it every morning while I have some down time!

So what have the Hall's been up to lately you ask? I've been crafting until my fingers nearly bled for WEEKS upon WEEKS preparing for a HUGE craft fair I did last week, that went great if you're wondering. I'm also doing another craft fair this Sunday, so say a little prayer for my success if you wouldn't mind. Its been super fun and exciting just getting my business name out there, and showing people my products, which I'm beyond proud of. I've had the help of some great friends getting things made for these fairs, and wonderful support from our awesome families as well, so THANKS to everyone who helped out... ya'll ROCK!

Gerrad turned the big 29, last year in his 20's I keep reminding him, I'm sure he appreciates the reminder. Addaline turned 3, seriously, 3?! Where the heck have the past 3 years gone? She started preschool, and is growing up right before my very eyes, which kind of breaks my heart. I LOVE the big girl that she is becoming, but I miss my baby too. I had a SUPER hard time with this birthday for some reason. I wasn't even this emotional when she turned 1, who knew?! I guess because her baby day's are long gone, and she doesn't need me as much anymore (Boo to that)!

Macie has started up volleyball, and has been kicking some booty weekly at her games, I'm SO proud of her!

We're running all over town Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday nights to and from dance class (Macie Mon/Weds, Addaline Tues), volleyball practice, and just trying to keep up with every one's numerous activities.

I'm still loving being home with the girls (we just passed a year of me being home)... being a mom is the BEST job anyone could ever have! Even in our 8 year old drama rage, and 3 year old temper tantrums, I continue to count my blessings, big and small!

One of my very best friends from high school announced that she is expecting in April, and another one of my best friends is due to have another precious baby girl in December. I'm so glad I get to snuggle all these sweet little babies :-)

I turned 27, and celebrated with some of our best friends, and family as well. My husband bought me a plane ticket to New York, and I'll be going there with 3 girl friends at the end of this month, WHOO HOO! I'm trying not to think about being away from the girls for a few days, but I know they'll be in good hands with Gerrad and our parents (as back up of course). This year felt like one of the best birthday's I've had for some reason. We are just in a really great place right now, and I couldn't be happier!


Thanks for hanging around and continuing to read my blog, even though I have been about the worst blogger in the universe lately! Hope you all are doing well!


I'll leave you with a few pictures of what we've been up to....

Addaline and I cheering on the Hawks to a victory!

Birthday outing in Kansas City at a piano bar, SO much fun!

Gerrad and I at dinner for my birthday!

Our set up for the lastest craft festival, Cider Days

The big 3 YEAR OLD (*tear*)

Macie's been camera shy but I'll get some good shots of her this weekend at her volleyball game, and her school carnival as well.

Happy Birthday Macie!!

I loved her from the womb, despite the shame and fear I felt as a teenage single mother. But I loved her still, feeling hopeless that God would ever be able to “fix” this mess into which I was ushering her. I never imagined that she would be one of my greatest influences. My own daughter, still very much learning and growing, nevertheless makes me want to be a better woman, a woman striving to serve harder and love deeper.

This kiddo has been an easy child since day 1. Labor was even a breeze with her, 4 hours and she was out! Slept through the night from 2 weeks on, never crying unless she was hungry. She is not high maintenance, she loves others and loves to care for others. Her greatest joys are helping those in need; helping her sister, cleaning up messes, cleaning her room, making her bed... things I NEVER have to ask her to do. Maybe I should hire her to be my house keeper?? HA HA! She will make a GREAT wife and mother one day (in 20+ years).

She is my girly girl for sure, always wanting to wear lip gloss, jewelry, anything and everything pink, her mom's latest hair bow creations. I can't believe how fast 8 years has gone by. It seems like just yesterday she was placed into my arms.

I always used to say I never wanted kids, when I was much younger, but when I wake up to those 2 sweet faces every day, I know I found my true calling. Hopefully one year when she reads this, she will be able to look back, and be proud of the parents that Gerrad and I have become thanks to her and Addaline!

Happy Birthday Macie! I love you to the moon and back!

This girl is ALWAYS posing it up for pictures. She's back to being the camera hog instead of being camera shy!



Macie with her pink golf clubs that Gerrad got her for her birthday!

Showing off her 'cool' shirt, what a ham!

Yes, its really ME!!

Hey ya'll! I've been on a month long (or more, as my dad keeps KINDLY reminding me) hiatus. I'm just so busy with kiddos, business, life, etc... I'm sure you can all sympathize, but at the end of the day, the blog has gotten the short end of the stick, FOR SURE!

So how are you all doing??? I miss all my blogger girlfriends!!!

Today Macie started school, 3rd grade. Seriously, where the heck have the past 8 years gone???? It seems like just yesterday I was a TERRIFIED teenager thinking about bringing a baby into the world, but knowing God had a plan for me, and now, here we are. Couldn't be happier as our family of 4! Macie's turns 8 on Friday, 3 more days, sheesh! Addaline starts preschool on September 9th, be prepared all, that day is going to be ROUGH! Unless Gerrad has an epiphany and decides we are having another baby, Addaline is IT! WHAAAAA!

There isn't a lot to update on it doesn't seem. We had Macie's birthday party this past weekend, I'll post pics, don't worry. I've been busier than all get out with my business. I'm now selling product in a local hair salon, and building up my stock for a local boutique which I am SUPER pumped about. It is so amazing to have all these wonderful opportunities at my finger tips. I can't even begin to show my thanks and appreciation to the people who have helped me along the way. I keep praying that my business stays busy, and continues to take off, and it certainly does- God is SO good!

OK I'll zip it for now, and leave you with a few pictures of Macie from her first day as a 3rd grader. It seems SO strange saying 3rd grade, boo :( I need a pause button STAT!

I will TRY my hardest, friends to come back to being a regular blogger- try to hold me to it ya'll!!

Customer Appreciation Sale!!!!

Hey all!! I know I've been seriously M.I.A. lately, but I wanted to clue in some of my favorite ladies, on one of my biggest sales!!!

I'll keep the suspense to a minimum... head on over HERE to check out all my products and place an order. My customer appreciation sale is good until Wednesday night at midnight (Thursday morning if you want to get technical about it ;)). The sale is 25% off ALL orders placed during that time period. So order away ladies!!

By the way... I miss all of you dearly, and promise to be back SOON! I've got LOTS of exciting things in the works I want to share with you all!