First Family Vacation...to Chicago!



We took our first family vacation this week! Lee had the week off, so we visited our friends in the windy city.  The Thompsons were such generous hosts and put us up, and we got some good time with the Schmitzes too!  After driving all night (Esther did GREAT!) and starting the vaca off right with some Yolk, our first official outing was to the Aquarium.

Esther liked the fish and the turtles and especially anything that was noisy or bright.

She did not, however, like touching things...

This was the best pic of the whole group...the kids were getting HUNGRY!

 Then we went to Club Lucky for lunch, and to the Schmitzs' house for dinner.  It was so good to visit with friends who have been missing from our lives!

On Tuesday, we all went to the Children's Museum. Here's my attempt at a family pic:

There were tons of hands-on activities, so we were able to let Esther run a little wild.  There was a "snowball" pit, with soft snowballs you could throw, and build a snowman and sled through.

Theo grabbed the reigns and loved pulling Esther for a sleigh ride!

The water room was ingenius, but the raincoats didn't work...Esther got SOAKED.

But everyone had a great time!

For lunch, we went to Harry Caray's and made it home for naps all around.  Liz and David kept Esther Tuesday night for a special date.  They made reservations for us at Table 52, which was AWESOME.
Wednesday was a lazy day, where we ran a few errands and had some yummy sushi, then waited patiently for Liz and David to get back from the doctor!  One last dinner all together and a group pic:

Such a great trip!!  Special thanks to the Thompson and Schmitzs for feeding us and hosting us.  We miss them all so much - yay for road trips!!

Fall at the Walkers

    This fall has brought many changes to the Walker household.  The biggest and craziest - I quit my job at Sheldon!  After more than six years at that job, we decided to try my working at home.  I'll admit, it has been a difficult change for me.  In so many areas, this has brought major adjustment. 
    Changes bombarded me financially, emotionally, socially...even physically.  We went from one income to two to one (which was a bigger change than expected thanks to a new car and icky healthcare).  I went from being around a fun, challenging group of adults every day to staying home with my beautiful, hilarious one-year-old. I went from getting up very early and having to be somewhere, to getting up not so early and getting to make my own schedule.  I've had to learn how to manage my time better, plan meals and use coupons, work around a busy little person, and choose a good attitude.
    While my staying at home and not working a sometimes stressful job is something Lee has always been supportive of, its not something that has ever been a specific goal of mine.  All that to say, the first month (or two...ahem) was not easy.  Even hanging around with this booger all day:

    And then I was reminded of something very important: God hasn't commanded me to make a lot of money, or to climb the professional ladder, or even to be "successful" as the world defines it.  He commands me to do the best I can do at whatever I'm doing.  And he commands me to be obedient.  I know that quitting my job was the obedient thing to do, and whether I'm staying home all day, teaching my precious 2-year-olds two days a week at MDO, or cooking and cleaning - I am to do it to the absolute best of my ability.  I'm ashamed it took me so long to get it, and I'm embarassed at how often I forget it!  Esther can't believe it either...

    I am thankful for a gracious God who forgives me over and over.  And I am incredibly grateful for a husband who is patient and also very forgiving.  Finally, I'm so glad I get to be home with Esther all day and watch her learn and explore new things.  My life could not be more blessed.





Back at MC

I can't even begin to express what this girl means to me.  Casey Johns Bradshaw is such a dear friend and for so many reasons.  There's something very special about a friend who, amidst homeschooling three kiddos, singing on a worship team, supporting a hard-working hubby and cooking meals from scratch, finds time to call and chat with an old friend.  Casey is deliberate in her friendships, and it screams "I value you" to those of us who get to call her friend.  That, in addition to her compassion, thoughtfulness, loyalty and lest we forget - the fact that she was Homecoming Maid - make her a cherished friend.

 

In May, we had the wonderful chance to spend some time with the Bradshaws. Casey is one of two of "the girls" - my besties from college - who live far, far away. She's married to Jonathan and they live aaaaall the way in Knoxville, TN. Thankfully, she still has family in NOLA, and they stopped for the weekend on their way to visit! All our families got to visit, and we even walked down memory lane at MC.

 

The hubbies got some good visiting in - all are such wonderful Daddies!

Most of "the girls."

This is what memory lane looks like...full of funny stories and "remember when's"

We almost got in trouble from campus security for this...worth it!

We all had special places, where special events happened...the Bradshaws took a family picture where Jonathan proposed to Casey:

 

The Goldens took family pictures at Provine Chapel, where Karen and Chad got married:

And I couldn't get Lee to take a serious picture, but this is where we got married too!

Lee, Nora, and Liam had races around the big tree - and they are waaay faster than Lee.

Nora and I were practically BFFs by the end of the day. She even rode with US to lunch...such a sweet big sister!!

We broke another rule and played in the fountain.  The kids loved putting their feet in...except Esther, who was way too tired to play:

 

It was this, then on to a chaotic Mexican lunch...I love these people!

 

Our college years were certainly some of the best, but there's something very special about getting to watch each other grow older, have families, and become the women God has in mind.  Not to mention the fun we have laughing about the past and joking about the future!

Pictures

So, it's been a while since I've posted anything.  We haven't had a ton going on - just life.  As each day passes, and Esther grows accomplishes more, I'm struck with how quickly time seems to pass.  To quote a favorite movie, "Honey, time marches on and you soon you realize its marchin' across your face." For anyone who actually looks at this, or enjoys updates/pictures of the Walker family's going-ons...here are some of my favorite moments in the past several weeks.

 

Car shopping...again (we started this process in February):

 

And finally...a purchase (only 5 months later):

 

Our first "family" car!

We only made it to two of Jay's t-ball games...but so glad we did:

I love that I captured this moment.  After the game, as snacks are handed out, he was the happiest he was the entire evening:

Esther "almost crawled" for several weeks.  I tried to capture her biggest obstacle on camera...she just couldn't get over that leg!!

 

But then, almost over night, she just did it.  Here's a video of one of the very first times:

 Eric graduated, and this is by far my favorite picture (and a common face she's been making lately):

She is such a Daddy's girl.  I have to force myself to be thankful instead of jealous.

New summer shoes!!  (She'd rather eat them)

Our favorite face.

Daddy's girl.

This was Mother's Day.  I tried to take bunches of self-portraits in an effort to capture the whole day.  This was right after church...

And this was later that night.



 

I know I'm biased, but this is the funniest video EVER.  Robin captured it one afternoon, right around nap time.  She said Esther would force her eyes open every now and then to make sure she wasn't missing anything.  I'm submitting it to AFHV.  We will win, probably.

 

Play date with Isaac!!

First "big girl" pajamas. Also she loves to dance (bounce).

This is why Unca Wee is the favorite.  He can handle all 5 kiddos without an ounce of anxiety.

I got a mini-break to the beach with my longest BFF Toni.  Perfection.  (Except I got sunburned the first day - rookie mistake - and got a fever blister from sunburn.  But other than that- perfection.)

Our girl.

Easter

This was such a special first Easter for the Walkers.  We had an intimate "Maunday Thursday" time with close friends at the Deese household.  It was their idea - just a few friends and some reading of the scripture, then the Lord's supper.  It was a very sweet (albeit noisy, thanks to our kiddos) time to stop and remember what Easter is all about.  I wish just one of us had thought to take pictures!

I did have the afternoon off, so I got to do some baking AND be creative - two things I haven't done in a long time!

Lee was off Saturday (his last of only FOUR total days off in March)!  We were so thankful to have him home, and Esther and I got up early to surprise him with breakfast and his easter basket:

We spent the rest of the day relaxing and just enjoying his being home.  (We may have even ALL taken naps!!)

Lee had to work Sunday, so Esther and I headed off to church early enough to keep the nursery for the 8am service.  Esther decided to show up in her pj's and get her fancy clothes on later...

Mom made the bonnet and gifted baby girl with the bracelet.  And the dress, come to think of it.  She was so sweet!  Our church hosted a breakfast/family picture time between services, and I'm not sure I've ever seen Mittie Kay so proud!

Even though Lee wasn't with us, we did get to spend Easter with our family, the Renicks!  I absolutely LOVE that I get to go to church with my sister and her family!  We went to their house for lunch after church, and watched them open easter baskets.

 

Again, we have so many things to be thankful for.  Not only for our family, friends, and community, but also that we can worship WITH so many people and celebrate our living Christ.  He died.  He was buried.  He rose from the grave.  And He lives in us.