The kids and I decided we wanted to host an Easter Egg Hunt in our yard this year. We have the perfect yard for hunting for eggs! It was so much fun and I just feel so much joy in being able to have everyone here to hunt for eggs and eat some yummy food.
Of course, in true Colorado spring fashion...it snowed on us! The saddest part about that is that there wasn't alot of talking and visiting after the event. That's the mommies favorite part.
We had 38 kids and almost 700 eggs! It was AWESOME!
3/15/11
Happy Birthday Molly
2/11/11
We Are A Blue Star Family
Don't know what that means? Well I'm about to tell you...
Did you wake up this morning with your husband sleeping next to you or in the bathroom shaving his face, did you eat breakfast with him or kiss him on the way out the door? At 5:30 or even 7:30 did you hear the garage door go up and think "ah, reinforcements"? Did he come in a give you a peck on your cheek or even a pat on your butt? Did you have your husband to help with dinner or cleaning up? What about bath time or bedtime? Did you have your husband there to tell your son that there was no choice he was going to karate? Did he fix the closet doors that your boys (or girls) pushed off when they were being wild? What about those kitchen outlets that are mysteriously not working? Or the oil in the car? Or shoveling the driveway and sidewalks in -10 degree weather? What about that nasty fall your son took that needed stitches? Did you have someone to pass off the baby to when they had their 5th poopy diaper that day and you just didn't feel like changing another one?
Ahhhhh...all the kids are in bed!! Did you have your husband there to sit down on the couch with and watch some silly "guy" show just because you wanted to spend a little quality time with him? Was he there when your child came out of their bedroom for the third time concerned that they just can't get to sleep? Was he there to hold the baby so you could clean up the kitchen, pack school lunches, and sign all their homework? When the baby finally drifted off to sleep, did he climb up in the bed with you, turn on his lamp and lay there and read with you? Did he sleep through the baby waking up for the second time that night? Was he there beside you the next morning to do it all over again?
What about the "special" occasions...Did you go out on a date this week? Did you celebrate a birthday? or even two or three in your household? or parent-teacher conferences? What about that 9 am church time on Sunday? Was he there to help you get all 4 kids ready and out the door on time? Was he there on the pew with you to keep them all "reverent"?
Maybe you can answer "no" to some of these questions. Maybe your husband worked late this week or is out of town on a business trip. Maybe he volunteers his time on Sunday to help his congregation and isn't there to help you with the kids. But "blue star" families do this day in and day out for months and months at a time.
We are a blue star family. What that means is that our family has someone serving their country overseas. We are less then 1% of the population. We are in a war that has lasted over 9 years. A war that people are forgetting still battles on.
For our family it continues to have a significant impact every single day. We are on our 6th deployment since 2002. On our 7th wedding anniversary we calculated that we'd spent more time apart then together (not by much though). On our 10th wedding anniversary we spent it apart because he left the day before for his 5th tour of duty. We've endured many marriage failures and successes. Many of those related to my husband's military service. Our life is on hold until "daddy" gets home. In many ways we are just surviving until the other half of the foundation of our home returns. Then we get back to the business of enjoying life, celebrating family, and conquering new adventures. All the while knowing that he will be leaving again.
My husband willingly serves his country. He is a man of honor and commitment. He does what is asked of him most often without complaint. I am asked to do the same. The blue star wife serves too. We don't have the uniform or the awards but I can promise you we serve our country too. The sacrifices asked of our family are tremendous. Every member of our family does what is asked of them often without question or inquiry.
There is something that is ALWAYS at the forefront of the blue star wife's mind and that is the "gold star" families. Did you know that as of Jan. 16, 2011 there are 5,860 gold star families? Check here. They are the families who have made the ultimate sacrifice and have lost a loved one during this war. A blue star wife is always praying she doesn't become a gold star wife. Do you think about this on a daily basis?
You may ask...what is the point of this blog post? The point is: take the time to remember those families who sacrifice so much for YOUR freedoms. Think of ways that you can help them (because I can promise you 95% of them will not ask for your help). There is a great website here set up to help the average American help members of their own communities. Mostly just take the time to think how you could help your neighbor, friend, or family member survive this difficult and trying time. Be aware of those around you. Feel free to share this link and spread the word as they say. I would love it if I could encourage even just 5 people to think about the military family differently.
Did you wake up this morning with your husband sleeping next to you or in the bathroom shaving his face, did you eat breakfast with him or kiss him on the way out the door? At 5:30 or even 7:30 did you hear the garage door go up and think "ah, reinforcements"? Did he come in a give you a peck on your cheek or even a pat on your butt? Did you have your husband to help with dinner or cleaning up? What about bath time or bedtime? Did you have your husband there to tell your son that there was no choice he was going to karate? Did he fix the closet doors that your boys (or girls) pushed off when they were being wild? What about those kitchen outlets that are mysteriously not working? Or the oil in the car? Or shoveling the driveway and sidewalks in -10 degree weather? What about that nasty fall your son took that needed stitches? Did you have someone to pass off the baby to when they had their 5th poopy diaper that day and you just didn't feel like changing another one?
Ahhhhh...all the kids are in bed!! Did you have your husband there to sit down on the couch with and watch some silly "guy" show just because you wanted to spend a little quality time with him? Was he there when your child came out of their bedroom for the third time concerned that they just can't get to sleep? Was he there to hold the baby so you could clean up the kitchen, pack school lunches, and sign all their homework? When the baby finally drifted off to sleep, did he climb up in the bed with you, turn on his lamp and lay there and read with you? Did he sleep through the baby waking up for the second time that night? Was he there beside you the next morning to do it all over again?
What about the "special" occasions...Did you go out on a date this week? Did you celebrate a birthday? or even two or three in your household? or parent-teacher conferences? What about that 9 am church time on Sunday? Was he there to help you get all 4 kids ready and out the door on time? Was he there on the pew with you to keep them all "reverent"?
Maybe you can answer "no" to some of these questions. Maybe your husband worked late this week or is out of town on a business trip. Maybe he volunteers his time on Sunday to help his congregation and isn't there to help you with the kids. But "blue star" families do this day in and day out for months and months at a time.
We are a blue star family. What that means is that our family has someone serving their country overseas. We are less then 1% of the population. We are in a war that has lasted over 9 years. A war that people are forgetting still battles on.
For our family it continues to have a significant impact every single day. We are on our 6th deployment since 2002. On our 7th wedding anniversary we calculated that we'd spent more time apart then together (not by much though). On our 10th wedding anniversary we spent it apart because he left the day before for his 5th tour of duty. We've endured many marriage failures and successes. Many of those related to my husband's military service. Our life is on hold until "daddy" gets home. In many ways we are just surviving until the other half of the foundation of our home returns. Then we get back to the business of enjoying life, celebrating family, and conquering new adventures. All the while knowing that he will be leaving again.
My husband willingly serves his country. He is a man of honor and commitment. He does what is asked of him most often without complaint. I am asked to do the same. The blue star wife serves too. We don't have the uniform or the awards but I can promise you we serve our country too. The sacrifices asked of our family are tremendous. Every member of our family does what is asked of them often without question or inquiry.
There is something that is ALWAYS at the forefront of the blue star wife's mind and that is the "gold star" families. Did you know that as of Jan. 16, 2011 there are 5,860 gold star families? Check here. They are the families who have made the ultimate sacrifice and have lost a loved one during this war. A blue star wife is always praying she doesn't become a gold star wife. Do you think about this on a daily basis?
You may ask...what is the point of this blog post? The point is: take the time to remember those families who sacrifice so much for YOUR freedoms. Think of ways that you can help them (because I can promise you 95% of them will not ask for your help). There is a great website here set up to help the average American help members of their own communities. Mostly just take the time to think how you could help your neighbor, friend, or family member survive this difficult and trying time. Be aware of those around you. Feel free to share this link and spread the word as they say. I would love it if I could encourage even just 5 people to think about the military family differently.
2/9/11
The Girls
They grow and change so fast. Some days I can't get it to move fast enough but most days I just can't believe how fast time is flying. I'd post pictures of "the boys" but they are so over the camera! ha, ha
1/21/11
This job is NOT for the weak
I'm feeling a little overwhelmed these days. The job of motherhood is not for the weak in spirit. I was sooo blessed to have my mom here for 4 weeks to help me out but she left yesterday AND I have to say it's not nearly as fun.
Our little Grace is a night owl. She loves to perk right up around 9:30 or 10:00 pm. Right about the time I'm about to pass out from exhaustion. She's so cute but let's be honest how many babies are all that cute at 10:30 p.m.? Especially when you know your morning shift will be starting again at 6:30 am.
The boys are typical 9 and 7 year old boys. Not much help at all! LOL
Molly is a HANDFUL! Wow. I guess God felt that I needed a child that would push me on every single thing and then throw an ever loving fit every night getting into her p.j.s. Ah, Ugg. BUT that girl is about as cute as they come!
I've discovered the one thing I know about Sam being in Iraq is I don't like Sam being in Iraq!
That's all my griping for today! This too will change because if it didn't there would be a very high incidence of mommy abandonment!
Love,
Me
Our little Grace is a night owl. She loves to perk right up around 9:30 or 10:00 pm. Right about the time I'm about to pass out from exhaustion. She's so cute but let's be honest how many babies are all that cute at 10:30 p.m.? Especially when you know your morning shift will be starting again at 6:30 am.
The boys are typical 9 and 7 year old boys. Not much help at all! LOL
Molly is a HANDFUL! Wow. I guess God felt that I needed a child that would push me on every single thing and then throw an ever loving fit every night getting into her p.j.s. Ah, Ugg. BUT that girl is about as cute as they come!
I've discovered the one thing I know about Sam being in Iraq is I don't like Sam being in Iraq!
That's all my griping for today! This too will change because if it didn't there would be a very high incidence of mommy abandonment!
Love,
Me
12/12/10
Walker Family Christmas Card
Family Wall Red Christmas Card
Personalize the christmas season with Christmas photo cards.
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12/10/10
Grace Birth Annoucement
Storybook Setting Birth Announcement
Find hundreds of cute baby birth announcements at Shutterfly.com.
View the entire collection of cards.
12/1/10
Welcome to the World... Grace Anne
Our last family of five picture
Our family welcomed baby Grace on Sunday, November 28th at 11:48 am. She decided to come on her own time frame (and mess up Mommy's perfectly planned birthday). I woke up early Sunday morning to my water breaking. For those of you who know me well then you know that all of my babies have been planned C-Sections and that I have never experienced a single labor pain...not even one.
Grace was scheduled to be delivered on Wednesday, December 1st. Her birthday would have been 12/01/10. For those of you who know me well...then you also know I have a "thing" about dates. You also know that I've tried with ALL of my kids to give them a cool birthday and NOT EVEN one time did that work out. Ethan's was supposed to be 02/02/02 and he was 01/21/02. Ryan was supposed to be 02/03/04 and he was 02/02/04. Molly was born on Friday the 13th (which honestly I think is kind of cool). But still not the day I had "planned".
So, of course, Grace decided to come on her own time frame! It was an "interesting" experience to have my water break. Especially since that is not something I've ever had happen with any of the other kids. It's a story we'll save for a more private conversation. Needless to say my "scheduled" c-section got moved up 3 days. There are a few bright parts to this story. My mom was in town for Thanksgiving weekend. She was able to be here and spend the first night in the hospital with Grace and I. She was tickled pink to be able to be here for Grace's birth. Thankfully, she'll be back around Christmas to help us out some more. The other great thing was Sam was in town! He was not scheduled to arrive home from Iraq until Monday or even Tuesday. However, the stars all aligned and he was home on Thanksgiving night. (I secretly think it was all his fault she came early because she sensed he was sitting around anxious. He mentioned the night before "ok, let's get this over with" and I think she was listening. Another daddy's girl!) I was super scared and nervous because my doctor was on vacation in Utah and so I was left for whomever was on call at the hospital. Thankfully it all went well and baby Grace was born healthy. My time in the hospital was mostly uncomplicated and now everyone is home recuperating.
Grace was born with a head full of blonde hair. Our son Ethan, who also has blonde hair, had been praying for months that his sister be born with blonde hair. He always says "Ryan has a sister that looks like him and so I want one that looks like me". I was pretty sure that Ethan was a freak of nature and that all the praying in the world wouldn't give us another blonde baby. Oh the faith of a child! He's so proud of his little sister that looks like him. He was also determined to have her name be Emily. He thought if she had blonde hair then she should also have a name that starts with "E". Thankfully, he handled it well when we told him her name would be Grace.
I'm just so happy knowing that (God willing) I will never be pregnant again!! I could almost drink to that!
Grace Anne
8 lb 13 ounces
21 inches
11/28/2010
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