Random Things

Do you have a Sitemeter set up for you blog? If not, you really should set one up. You never know what interesting things you might find.

For example, recently I have had hits on my blog from Sweden, Australia & off the coast of Africa! How cool is that? Not sure who you are out there but thanks for stopping by. I love the international hits!

So I never finished telling yall about the book I just read. It is called "Angels & Demons" by Dan Brown. It is the prequel to the "DaVinci Code" if any of you read that book. I have to say that Ryan & I both liked this one better! It is set in Rome and is so colorful in it description of the layout of Rome and Vatican City. If you have ever been there, it takes you right back. You can almost smell the bus exhaust and city sewer rising up from the streets! Like the "DaVinci Code", this book is not for the faint at heart at times. This one could even be a little more graphic but not too over the edge. I loved it and love Dan Brown's style of leaving you hanging at the end of EVERY chapter. It makes it impossible to put the book down! Anyway, highly recommend this one!

I am also doing the Beth Moore study "A Women's Heart" this semester. It is great so far. Have any of you out there done this one before? Thoughts? I will have more on this later I am sure!

Also, I have been tagged again by my college friends Kim! (Check out her blog to the right! She is also a mother of twins and has just started a great blog. I love how the internet brings us all back together again!) This one if kind of fun and will take you back (and make me remember) what has been going on the past few years on this very day! So hang in there...here we go:

1. What were you doing 10 years ago? September 1997

It was my last semester of college and I was SO ready to graduate. Most of my friends had already graduated and moved on so I was ready to get out in the world and start making money too! I was dating Ryan and we were having a blast together!

2. What were you doing 5 years ago? September 2002

I think we had moved here and were living with Ryan's parents. I was looking for a job and we were starting to look for houses. I think. Was that 2002? I can't even remember...is that sad or what? This is why I have my husband around who has the craziest memory of anyone I know!

3. What were you going 1 year ago? September 2006

This one is easy! I was BIG and PREGNANT! I was starting to enter those final days of the uncomfortable stage and starting my "can't go to sleep until after 2am" phase. I remember having really bad joint pains during September and trying to stay somewhat active to keep me moving. We went to a high school football game and I remember everyone looking at me like "She shouldn't even be here more or less walking up those bleachers!". I was starting to get really excited about the kids arrival. Cheryl threw us a great shower in September as well and we got so many essentials! I was such a great memory of my pregnancy!

4. What did you do yesterday?

Woke and a toted the kids along to spin class. I wasn't feeling great yesterday so after lunch we all took a good 2 hour nap! After that, went to Wal-Mart and then spent the evening together while Ryan went to a high school football game. Got in bed and caught up on some magazines and feel asleep at the start of the 10:00 news!

5. Snacks I enjoy:

These next few seem a little random but...frozen snickers, the new nuts that only have almonds, macadamia nuts & cashews, a good coke and Andy's strawberry concrete.

6. Things I would do with $100 million dollars:

Hire a house cleaner!, put away for kids college, pay off house and build a new one, pay off our parents houses, by new clothes that fit (I am finding that after losing weight this summer, none of my pants fit anymore!), go eat at Mr. B's, and of course get season tickets to all Razorback & Cardinal games!

7. Locations I would run to:

Florence, Paris, London, Rome, Cinque Terre, Capri, Santorini, Chicago, NYC, Hawaii, Fresno (to see my bro, sis-in-law & nieces) Mauritius...I could go on for days with this one!

8. Bad habit I have:

Not keeping in better contact with friends and not remembering anyone's birthdays or anniversaries!

9. Things I like to do:

Get outside with the kids, camp at Lake Ouachita, go to the beach, cooking with Ryan...trying new recipes, catch up with friends, watch movies, take baths & naps!

10. Biggest joy of the moment:

Watching my kids grow before my eyes and seeing my husband so happy with his new job!

Ok, thanks for bearing with me if you are even still with me. I do enjoy reading others answers so here you go...Leslie L, Tesney & Emmy...you're it!

11 months update...

Yes, I am a day late on this but that's what you get sometimes. Wednesdays are now hectic for us as we have my bible study on Wednesday mornings and our community group on Wednesday nights. I know that doesn't sound like much for most of you but trust me, when you throw two kids into the mix...its all work!

So yesterday the twins hit the 11 month mark and we simply cannot believe it. I know I always say that but truly, this year has flown by for us. Thank goodness it is this time this year and not last year as I was about to be blessed with "the rash" this time last year! I think we all remember that misery! But, we are not itching today and all is well at the Halford house.

Thought I would just update you all on some of the kids milestones. I honestly can't believe they aren't walking yet but every day they get more and more steady on their feet and brave so it shouldn't be long...stay tuned!

Let's start with Miss Elliot (we are trying to teach Keaton that ladies always go first):

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• Can call the HOGS...we are probably most proud of this accomplishment right now!


• LOVES to sing and dance. Seems to most like the Razorback fight song, worship music and Fergalicious (nice combo huh?)


• Can say "mama", "dada", and what we think is "bubba". She is also making lots of consonant sounds and pretty much has her vowel sounds down. When she is really concentrating on something she says..."Ohhhhh, Ohhhh"


• Can take a few steps if she tries!


• Stands on her own. She can also do this while shaking a toy or again, calling those HOGS.


• LOVES anything blueberry (right now their favorite is nutrigrain blueberry waffles by Eggo), cheese, cheese & more cheese, noodles, french fries, any fruit, little green peas, carrots, gnocchi (yes, they had this the other night and LOVED it!), cheerios, puffs, yogurt, graham crackers and of course ice cream and popsicles.


• Loves to laugh at her brother...she thinks he is hilarious when he tries to take things from her. Hopefully she will always find this act humorous!


• Has started blowing on our arms and legs to make (sorry mom...) fart noises! She thinks she is so funny doing this!

And for Keaton...

• Pulling up and starting to let go.


• Has taken a step but doesn't seem that interested right now.


• Still LOVES to watch sports. I honestly think he is glad that it is football season again!


• LOVES to sing and dance as well. Mostly like the Razorback band CD, the song "Two Little Dinkie Birds" and digs him some Kanye!


• LOVES LOVES LOVES Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.


• Starting to realize he can pull out Elliot's bows and barrettes.


• Loves all the same foods as Elliot but seems to like yogurt a little more. Also, they love fried okra and sweet tea!


• Can play alone so well and seems to love going to bible class.


• Can still melt his momma's heart with his sweet smile.


• Loves to jump in his bed to make sissy laugh and has continually turns off the fan. Guess he's cold?

Well that is about it. I don't have updated weights as our scale still doesn't weight them correctly. I guess they are still not heavy enough. We are probably going to be getting them new carseats for their birthday. If anyone has any favorite, forward facing carseats...please share! We are hoping that one day they will weigh 20lbs so we can turn them around. Maybe the will be close enough and the Dr. will let us next month! Momma would be so happy!

Here are some more shots from yesterdays photo op.

Pass on 3rd down???

This seems to be the biggest phrase thrown around these woods this week. If you aren't a HOG fan and didn't watch the game, you didn't miss much. Although parts were exciting,for a moment we thought a comeback was in our future, we were wrong and should have known that nothing has changed for the Hogs and road games.

Congrats Tesney, Clayton & Wendy! Yall got us back this year. Next year, back to our house!

Pregame with our Papa Curly!

Keaton in his new D-Mac jersey...

Elliot in her cheerleader outfit...

We had a great time getting back with the fam and watching the game. All the cousins new babies were there (we have had 6 born in the last year...within 6 months of each other). Here are some pics of the kids with their cousins! What a blast we have on our hands these upcoming holidays! I see some pushing and shoving ahead in future Easters with all those boys around. GGs gold money eggs will one day be the hunted prize once again!

Hope you football weekend had a better turn out than ours. Now that we are back home and hopefully somewhat settled for a couple of weeks, I should be a better blogger. I have several things I can't wait to share with you all about my fall bible study and a book I just finished (yes, a whole book I read in less than two weeks...it must have been dang good huh?).


See you all tomorrow for our 11 month update. Can you believe it?


This is how I found Keaton sleeping in his swing the other day, he turned and started watching tv in this postion as well. My little yogi!

Keaton's new way to get off of Grammy's fireplace...

Linny & I took Keaton & baby Liam for a walk...they both love to cover their heads with their matching blankets!

The oldest of the bunch...cousin Landon.

Preston pretending to be one of the babies...he actually fell asleep in the stroller!

Keaton loves sleeping with his Grammy...

Go Hogs Beat Bama!

The kids wanted me to show yall their unending love for the Razorback fight song. Also, Elliot has started to learn to call the hogs but of course wouldn't perform when I got the camera out. More for another post!

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Here is how the rest of our night went...(Oh yeah, it is suppose to be getting down into the 40s this weekend...Fall here we come!!!)

I am so cute and sweet in my long sleeve pjs!

Me too...just standin' here watchin' the sun set from the playroom window.

Ok, she's not looking....how we gonna bust out of here sis?

You help me up and I will catch you when you jump.

Here we go...one, two, three...

OH NO SIS....WE'RE BUSTED!

It was totally his idea momma!

BTW, you should really clean this window seal we are licking!

I think I just licked up a bug!

HAPPY GRANDPARENTS DAY!!!

Here are just a few of our favorite shots with some of our most favorite people in the world! Thanks for the the best Nana, Papa G, Grammy, Papa Curly, GG, Grandy & Great Memaw anyone could ask for!

We love yall!

Keaton & Elliot

Our birthday with Nana & Papa G

First time with our Great Memaw

At home with our Grammy...thanks for helping our momma & daddy out in the early days!

Nappin' with Papa Curly Xmas morning!

We love our GG and Grandy...see you next weekend!

We love our Papas! We are so lucky to have a Papa G & a Papa Curly!

I love the changing of the seasons???

Does anyone else out there have a lake as your main water source?

Supposedly as the weather changes with the seasons, the water turns in the lake and flips from top to bottom. So twice a year, our water smells & taste like dead fish! I have been so good at forgoing coke for water but it may be back to cokes for a few weeks. Back to filtered or bottled water for Miss E. They say the water is fine for drinking but would you want to drink water that smells like the bottom of a lake? And we all know what people do in lakes that they don't do in pools...YUCK!

Oh well, just a wonderful thought for the day!

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Also I have been tagged (thanks Allison) to share 8 random facts you may not know about me. Bare with me on these...

1. I was run over by a car when I was in 2nd grade. I was running out to catch the bus and didn't notice a car coming around the bus. The bumper hit me in the side, the rear view mirror caught my head and the wheels ran over my foot. Trying to be brave, I told everyone I was ok and rode the bus home (45 minutes) and then got off the bus and started crying when I saw my mom. We went to the ER and all was fine but I had to stay off my foot for several days. I have this weird "extra ankle" now because of it.

2. I LOVE to cook. I think this comes from my long line of great cooks that I come from! I love to try new recipes. My current new favorite is my vodka sauce lasagna...YUMMY!

3. I would love to be a better photographer. I have always like taking pictures and I have never been happy with the 'ol point and shoot cameras. I guess I should take this up as a hobby.

4. I love naps! I know some people think that napping is a waste of time but now being a mom of two, I truly know that value of a good nap. Don't be afraid to take one moms out there....it will help you get through those afternoon fussies!

5. I may write a book. A friend of mine & I are thinking of writing a book compiling all the stories of our friends who have struggled with fertility and how they got through the hard times. This would be a book of encouragement and hopefully one that will help so many people out there who struggle through this issue in silence. If you have any thoughts on this, please feel free to comment or email me. I would love to have some feedback on whether or not people feel this would or would have helped them through their journey. Ashlee and I know that we looked for something like this when we went through our struggles.

6. I would love to create the perfect bag for moms of multiples! After traveling through an airport with two 10 month olds, I realize that all diaper bags stink!!! Nothing is big enough, wide enough or has long enough straps to comfortably pack for an entire day for two kids. If anyone has a great bag suggestion that is already out there, please share. I am desperate for a good bag!

7. Oh this is getting hard to think of two more....

I hate doing laundry. I don't know why I just don't like it. I let it pile up until it is out of control. I am good about keeping up with the kids but fortunately I have a husband that usually helps out with the laundry. Ry, you're the best baby!

8. My Harding friends & family know this but our newer friends that we have made in NWA and blog friends may not know that I went to school for a semester in Florence, Italy. Through this program I was able to travel to 11 countries and will forever feel that Florence is my 2nd home. I also changed my major upon returning from biology to international business.

Whew...done with that! Thanks for indulging me.

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Finally, Michael David Saeva was born yesterday! Our friends Danny & Laura welcomed in their sweet baby boy yesterday morning. That didn't find out what they were having (as they didn't with their first daughter Kate) and were so surprised when out came a little boy. We are so happy for them! They are also about to move to London for two years to do an expat program with Disney. We will miss them terribly but hopefully will get to go over for a visit! Congrats you guys on your perfect little family!

Back from the Beach!

We made it!!! We had a blast at the beach and to be back together with my true friends was indescribable! I am so blessed that God put these girls in my life over 10 years ago. He definitely knew what He was doing!

We had a blast just as a family for the first few days. Our first family vacation was definitely memorable! We were all in one hotel room for the first few days so that made for some early nights for me & Ryan since the kids could see us from their orphanage type metal bar cribs.

The kids LOVED the beach. Elliot had a rough transition in the beginning (not sleeping well the first night, hating the beach the first day etc...) but once she got readjusted with her new surroundings, she fell in love with the beach! Keaton was hands on first thing. He immediately loved the sand. They both got to where their favorite thing was sitting at the waters edge and playing in the wet sand and giggling when the waves would wash up over their feet. As you can see from the slide show below, both kids realized they could lay down and cover their entire bodies in sand! Ever tried to get sand off and out of every crevice of not one but two 10 month olds? I am sure there is an extra jewel in our crowns after that task!

After our few days of family time, we drove down to Seagrove and met up with all our friends. Here is the breakdown of families (with maiden names for all you Harding folks)...

Tracy, Amy (Machen), Griffin, Sophie & Lainie Childers
Brian, Jenn (Land), Wilson, Davis & Mary Ellis
Dru, Heather (Robertson), Archer & Wylie Montgomery
Josh, Wendy (Savage), Parker, Dawson & Maren Bowling
Kelly, Becky (Canter) & Jett Monahan
Brandon, Ferne (Howe), Evie & Samuel Keown

Yep...14 adults & 16 children (ages 7 & under)! Who ever knew we would procreate like this? To all our delight, the kids were all wonderful and have made some new friends that they will hopefully be close to for years to come. Us girls got to go out to dinner one night and the guys were able to go out the next. The night the guys went to dinner we invited all kids to our house. Wow....what a moment! Becky commented that our house looked like we had had a frat party after everyone left. Pringles, popcorn & Cheerios covered every inch of our floor...but we loved every minute of it! Somehow Elliot & Samuel slept through the chaos but Keaton was just too curious as to what all the noise was.

It was a little hard to visit with someone chasing a kid or yelling "No...NO!" every two seconds but the main thing is we were all together again and hopefully we made some good memories for the kids.

Will we do it again...DEFINITELY! Will we do it every year with all the kids...we'll probably try to bring the kids along every other year. It was a blast but hard work at the same time. I wish I had a picture off all of us carrying all of our gear to the beach each day! We ran off a few families out of shear fear I am afraid!

I will post an update with pics from the other families when I get a chance. Therm also put together a great video of the kids that I will try to figure out how to post on here.

Until then, enjoy the slide show below!