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I always knew I wanted to be a Mommy.  I was blessed growing up to have two actively involved parents in my life, and my Mom was home with us most of the time.  I began my professional career working in downtown OKC, where I was able to meet wonderful people and experience great things.  I loved it.

And then came our first child...

And my husband cried more than I did the day we dropped him off at daycare for the first time.

Long work days and commute led to my resignation at one job and acceptance of a 20 hour week position also in downtown - perfect fit for that time.

We then moved towns and I have spent the past six years doing the marketing and bookkeeping of our office.  It's very part-time and flexible as I can do it at 10 p.m from home if needed.

Nearly a month ago, one of our new neighbors was asking about my "previous life" and when I shared with her my professional background, she asked me to interview for a "part-time marketing position" with a great place in town, and it is literally 3 minutes from our home.

I met with the committee and was offered the job that day. I loved dressing up in my professional clothes for the interview and my mind had been racing about the things I knew I could start implementing at once to improve the business.  However, the Walker family goals and the job's requirements didn't coincide, and I, very reluctantly, declined to start the job.

I cried. But I cried thinking "it would have been perfect" but knowing in my gut it just wasn't meant to be.

And you know what is so odd from this whole experience?!?  I truly feel like the past two weeks I have been a better mom to Reid.   I have organized a brand new playgroup like what I did with the older two boys when they were little.  The time I have with him has been more intentional.  I was also contacted out of the blue by the elementary school to serve on the PTA board next year as the Treasurer (which is so funny b/c I have been uninvolved there since having Reid at home).  Totally a God thing for these other doors to have opened within days of the job decision.

And you know what else is awesome?!?  That Grant told me he didn't want me to go to work because he loves knowing I am here for him.   Those comments can grab heart strings any day.

So as the professional return isn't happening yet, and who knows if/when it will, I love having had experiences, both good and unfortunate, to develop character and a balanced outlook on life's true blessings.

As You Grow Up, My Child...

My days are full, so much to do.
But there should be some TIME for you.

TIME for us to share the things this fleeting time of childhood brings.

TIME to play beneath the sun,
TIME for prayers when day is done.

TIME for laughter and surprise,
TIME for watching butterflies.

TIME for early morning walks, playing games,
and late night talks.

TIME for warmth, a tender touch,
the gentle things that mean so much.

TIME before you go away to taste the joy of every day.

For years will pass so soon it seems,
and you will go to find your dreams.

The days so busy now for me, will then be just a memory.

When that TIME comes,
my heart will yearn these precious hours to return.

So before this busy day is through,
remind me to take TIME for you!

B.J. Hoff

Grant's 8th Birthday

Mr. G celebrated his Great Eight today - a snow day - with 1" of snow that was melted by 10 a.m.  Really?!?!  So far that makes two days we "get" to make up in the beautiful spring weather.  We've decided the meteorologists are asked to be dramatic because it will increase viewers and ratings.  All predictions so far this winter have been poor.

But I digress from my reason for posting...

Grant is eight!  He was able to spend the day with us, and Jason was even able to be home because of so many patient cancellations!  Here are the boys playing with our neighbors....

He has entered the beginning of the awkward years - big teeth that don't quite fit the face yet.  But he's still so darn precious and wonderful and funny and kind and oh-so-cute!  :)  AND, very happy!

G took Reid for his first sled ride.  Reid actually fussed the whole way - not a huge fan.

We went out for birthday lunch instead of dinner.  Joseppis was his choice.

And we closed the day with birthday chocolate chip cookies since we had cake on his birthday.  New recipe - we love!

How can our babe be halfway to his 16th and driving?!?  And in less time than we've been married he'll be on his own and in college and having to make grown-up choices!  

As I was texting with my friend of 30 years about today - our parents are 35, we are 21 and our kids should all stay about 4.  Isn't that right?  And my Granny is only 60.  However, none of that is true... it's now my own Dad who is 60 and I'm approaching 35.  Geez...

Reid's 1st Haircut

Our sweet little curls on the back of Reid's head have been looking more and more like a little mullet... so they needed to go (tear tear from this Mommy!).

He did a great job - just sat on his booster seat and played with a comb.

SO HANDSOME (and such Kyle's brother!)

Grant's two best buddies. Can you tell what is in style for 2nd graders now?!?  Kinda funny they all wore this w/o knowing the other would.  Hooded Under Armor sweatshirts and decorative mid-calf socks.

Grant's 8th Party

Somewhere during his life, Grant has really decided he NEEDED to have a surprise party.  Well, we told him "no way, Jose!" and planned his party - so he was involved in the activities and details - for tomorrow (Saturday) night.  HOWEVER, we are soooo very sneaky.  (insert a silly cackle laugh here!).

My folks helped out by picking him up from school to take him to get ice cream to celebrate his birthday since Bubba was in town today.  He was then "just coming home for the night" at 4:45 when he walked in to a living room of his friends!  

SURPRISE!

 "Is this really happening?"

ahhhhh - group hug!

There they are - his Blue Thunder teammates and Kyle!  Kazoos and signs helped greet Grant upon arrival!

We had nerf gun fights outside....

And capture the flag....

 With only a few injuries and a little bit of mud, the outside games were fun.  We moved the party indoors at dusk and 30 degrees for hot dogs, presents, cake, movies, playstation and goofing around with lots of laughter!

 This cake is Lego Chima.  A brand new thing... all of these kids knew about it but I had to google a lego box to get the Lion's face for the cake.

As I write, they are camped out in sleeping bags (added since the picture was taken) watching a movie and (fingers crossed) heading off to sleep.

Jason and I have been so impressed by their manners and how quiet (SUCH a relative term) they have been for the majority of the night.  It would be considered crazy for a group of girls but I think they're great.  Gotta love parents who raise their boys with both manners and a festive spirit!

I'm a brunette now.  Back to the 'ol natural color.  I still have some dark blonde highlights but way less TADA blonde!

This is the 'ol bruise gracing my left hip.  It is 6" wide and 3" tall.  Let's just summarize to say that I also have a matching one on my right rear, and I simply stumbled and fell in to a stone retaining wall!

We had a snow day off of school.  Literally - maybe 1" total of SLUSH.  What-EVER!

But we had a nice day at home!  (Kristi, laughing are you at us Okies?!?)

Isn't he to-die-for precious?!?!  

Befores and Afters

I don't even think "befores and afters" are even words, but I ran across this picture from 2002 of our first home and just had to post it so it would forever be saved for the boys to see!  And then that decision led to me finding all of the real estate photos we had of the houses - right before we closed on them and right when we were listing them to be sold.

I think you can tell that Jason and I don't mind a bit of a challenge.  We like to get a good deal on a great house and then make it ours with some TLC.

Here is our first home, bought in October 2002.

Here it is when we were selling it in May 2007.  The inside changed just as much during those 4.5 years!

Our second home on the day we decided to make an offer!  Mr. G is 2 years old.

We added a new flowerbed and then gutted the old flowerbed.  Otherwise, the exterior was new and in great shape!  Sold September 2012.

 And, finally, here is a dreary-looking picture of the new place.  Landscaping is in works for the next several weekends in the front yard (not worrying about the back for a while!).  I can't wait to post an after photo for this once we get everything green and new and fresh! 

Playdate with Brice

Reid REALLY didn't want to leave the Wondertorium.... really!

Kyle has started taking a gymnastics class - trampoline and tumbling.  His biggest goal is to learn to do a flip - and he's t-h-i-s close to being there on our trampoline.  Here is is running and jumping.

That little speck of red would be Reid behind our fence.  He just took off on an adventure one afternoon and he didn't realize I was following him, but it's a good/bad thing - he has NO fear.

G's class Valentine's Party.  Darn - I forgot to take a picture in Kyle's classroom.

This picture makes me sad (and relieved) - our old home is the one on the left and one of my good friends lives in the tan house on the right.  The field that is behind these homes is being developed and all of the trees are gone.  

New house's first snowfall!  View from our kitchen window.

JW was able to be a substitute coach at G's game on Saturday.  They won!

I caught these two having a wrestling match on the stairs.  So happy that - at least for now - our kids play so well together, despite the age difference.  

Water Zoo

Our family took advantage of the long weekend with a trip to Clinton, OK, to go to the new indoor water park, Water Zoo.  We were also able to see my friend from Edmond, Katie, and Jason's friend from dental school, Kyle, who married each other and now live there.  It was a fun weekend!

We stayed in the hotel next to the water park and it is literally 10 yards from the Water Zoo.  Other than check-in advertised at 3 pm, and our room finally being ready near 7 pm, and then no late check-out available at this hotel,.... it was good.  :)  The boys didn't know there were any problems and they had a blast.  Our package included a suite with bunk beds for the kids - this may have been one of their favorite things!  Here are just some silly shots on our bed as Reid was trying to go to sleep in the boys' room.

We arrived right at the opening - 10 a.m.  I took a few pictures just so they could remember and then put the camera back in the car.  So, there aren't too many fun shots from the day but at least enough so you can get the idea of the possibilities of hours of fun. 

View as you enter.  The bottom part is a lazy river that goes around the building, and the top section is the fun play area for preschool to early elementary ages.  Smaller slides and buckets and water guns, etc.  

Toddler area - 5" deep.  Unfortunately, the water in this area was the coldest of any place and poor Reid was shivering with blue lips.  We didn't last too long in this area.

The three big slides and then the bottom picture is of the main pool, which turns in to a wave pool quite frequently (which means we also visited the beach, too, in my book!)

Snoozing on the ride home!  Followed by Ted's - perfect ending to the day!