Walkers' Trail

http://www2.snapfish.com/snapfish/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=7430513013/a=112377666_112377666/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/ The link above should direct you to our snapfish album of the hospital photos (including delivery for those who don't want to see that stuff). I couldn't get the direct upload to work - sorry!

Here are a few pictures of our newest addition! I will get around to a detailed update on our life at some point but for now, Jason and I are enjoying our hospital time and getting to know our son-shine!!! Thanks for the love and prayers!

Five elements of a Biblical Blessing: Appropriate and Meaningful Touch: in the Bible, fathers and grandparents laid hands on their children and grandchildren. The Bible also contains many other examples of touch, included when Jesus "took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them" Mark 10:16 Words of Love and Acceptance: in many homes today, children grow up feeling that they are loved - yet they never hear words that express this love. If that's the case, then they've never received a verbal blessing from their parents. Their parents may care for them when they're sick, but kids also need to hear words of love and acceptance. Value Placed on the Child: Blessings used in the Bible attached a high value to children. They were words of praise and honor that imprinted a beautiful picture of parental love upon the child's memory. Acknowledgement of a Special Future: In biblical times, when parents would offer a blessing to a child, they w...

Scary, sad day for a lot of Oklahomans! This is from a few hours ago northeast of Oklahoma City.

End of year! Here is Grant's spring pictures and Kyle with his preschool graduation certificate! What big moments! :) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eI4Ee6bsNYk The link above is for Kyle's certificate presentation!

As a Christian mother, I think it is very natural for me to want to protect my boys and direct them towards a Christian life-style. It's also easy to say that I won't worry but will direct my desires to God in all situations. Easier said than done. I worry. I fret. But I should know and trust that He will help my kids through everyday difficulty. I received a magazine the other day in the mailbox that we hadn't subscribed to, and I finally got around to reading it while watching the boys play in the culdesac . It's Thriving Family by Focus on the Family. There are a few articles in it that I want to share and paraphrase on here (hope it's legal!). Some general ideas on how to pray for your children: Pray for Protection - ask the Lord to watch over your little ones as they play and your teens as they drive! Trust that the Lord will protect your kids in every way - body, mind and spirit (Psalm 5:11) Pray for Grace (both them and you) - Ask God to help your family lov...

pluggedin.com - a website that is Christian-based for reviews of movies, games, books, and online videos. Apps are also available for those of you with a fancy phone!

Playgroup was at our friends' farm this week! They have horses, goats, an emu and lots of fun stuff to do! Did you know that goats don't have upper teeth? We didn't! Just gums. Coach and Son - happy as can be (finishing up soccer season!)

Kyle's preschool had their art show and ice cream social. This is his picture - "Triangle Tornado." Also included with the art was a questionnaire with some questions. I'll just type it out because it is hard to read! Kyle, age 4. Likes: "I like to play cars" Parents: "My mom likes to play with me but she has a baby in her tummy. My dad likes to play cars with me, but he never ever ever ever cleans out his dirty Lexus." Future ambition: "When I grow up, I will be a Survivor guy and a race car driver. I will know how to drive really fast. I already have blue and red 3-D glasses to help out. I'll be #24."

Baby Walker's debut is fast approaching and after playing a little guessing game this evening, we thought it would be fun to include some others in the game! So, have a guess at when you think our baby boy will arrive and also his birth statistics. I am including the other boys' stats so you can try to compare and guess! Grant: due March 25, born February 26 - 6 lb, 1 oz, 19 1/2" Kyle: due February 5, born January 31 - 7 lb, 12 oz, 20 1/2" Happy guessing and thanks for particpating!

One of my most treasured memories about getting this year with Kyle "alone" during the days is our Wednesdays - we have taken a snuggly nap together nearly every Wednesday afternoon and it is a great memory for me (and hopefully him!).

How has this pregnancy been different? Without an ultrasound, just based on the items below, I would have bet it was a girl because so much has been different this time around! morning sickness for about six weeks medical issues/bleeding in the first trimester bed rest at 27 1/2 weeks consistent contractions way too early feeling absolutely great with three weeks to go another medical issue that you probably don't want to read about tested positive for Group B Strep I still have a waist from the front view and am carrying him more like a ball in my stomach than I did the other two we have no clue on what to name Mr. Perfect! labor and delivery room then transported to a teeny room (miss me some Lakeside!)

We always take the boys to the bathroom right before we go to bed as to prevent any nighttime accidents (note: Kyle has NEVER wet his bed!!!!). Kyle will usually partially wake up and make it to the toilet to do his business just fine. Grant, on the other hand, is usually a supply of laughter. He sleeps really deep, and will often times run in to a wall or a door frame on the way down the hall. When I am doing it, I will hold his hand and basically take care of everything for him. Jason likes to be a bit more comical and daring. He just came down the stairs laughing with this story: "I told him it was time to go stand in the closet, and he went in the hall closet, and I shut the door, and he stood in there for a few minutes before announcing he needed a drink of water." They then went to the bathroom, and Grant woke up enough to tell Dad to quit messing around and it was time for bed!

I have to give my husband credit: I wouldn't have gotten out of bed!! The Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon this year was in a rain shower , windstorm, and even some reported hail (those who ran the full). Jason got out of bed, drove down to OKC , and was back home to us before 11:00 a.m.! He improved nearly a minute/mile over his time from last year, and especially considering his very busy schedule of dentist, business owner, coach, and the recent acquisition of Mr. Mom, .... I am so very proud of him for finding time to train and finish!

My parents' house is finally coming along! The framing was started this week on the first floor so I had to grab a picture at this point in the process! We had an ice cream cone out there on Friday night and it was so peaceful with the wildlife noises! A great neighborhood choice for them! Silver Airjets T-ball is in full swing, with seven more weeks of games and practices! Grant is a very good hitter. He really enjoys smacking the ball in to the outfield, and has been the only one to get a double and a triple on his team! We haven't really seen him on defense yet as he hasn't been in one of the prime spots to touch a ball (pitcher, 1st, 2 nd ). He's even got the leg pull mastered! Here are my monkeys celebrating Jason's birthday with his cake (as requested, I didn't make it until after the marathon!). For some reason, they decided this was the night to experiment with cake in the faces. We just laughed. They must have some of Jason's blood in him as, for...

Last Saturday, I was suprised beyond measure at the loveliest baby shower I have ever been to - and it was for me! Supposedly going on a dinner date with my mom and her best friend, I really didn't feel the need to dress up after a day at home with the boys. So, I had on a maternity t-shirt, wet hair in a pony tail, and sunglasses! :) To Kristy, Katie, Anne, Denise, and Taylor - THANK YOU! Jason and I so appreciate of your efforts and thankful for all of your friendships! Because I couldn't select just a few photos, here is a slideshow of all of the decoration details and of my hostesses!