Graduations

Natalee had her Kindergarten Graduation back in May. She had a wonderful teacher and a great year at school.



We had her a Graduation Party at Aunt Bridgett's swimming pool. We invited her "graduate" friends from church. They are Jamie, Will, my girl, and Carter.



Here is her graduation picture.......she is so beautiful to me! Her smile looks so genuine. She was very proud that day.



Trent also had a Graduation, kind of. He participated in the "big kids" graduation at daycare even though he is not going to Pre-K yet. He has been part of their class since last year.



Trent learned so much last year! They learned letters, numbers, shapes, colors, and how to write their name. Ms. Lisa even taught them a Bible verse for each letter of the alphabet up to the letter K. He was excited to recite his "part" of the program.



This video shows him singing one of the songs.....

Blessed Mom

My Mother's Day 2010

My day began with breakfast at Trent's daycare. They always make sure that the kids honor and celebrate every occasion, especially Mother's Day. The look on Trent's face is so precious to me....he was so proud to give me the gifts he had made. I got a flower, notepad, hand-made card, and a jar of skittles.



My sweet little boy......


My mother is special to me.....she cooked dinner for us at her house. The food was delicious as always!


Natalee celebrated Mother's Day in her kindergarten class by inviting me to a Mother's Day Tea. Each girl in her class had made her very own "bonnett" and the boys made "baseball caps". The classroom tables were decorated with pink tablecloths and we ate cookies and had some delicious punch. Natalee gave me a flower, poem, and card.



Here is the letter Natalee wrote for me:


If you are a mom, you know what it feels like to be truly "blessed". Children are so precious....not only in our eyes as moms, but also in God's eyes.

I love to be able to spend these special days with my children. They mean everything to me.

I'm afraid.......

I'm afraid that I just might live with some rednecks......three of them to be exact!

Nathan takes pride in his Harley - he washed it up good the other day. Then, to dry it off.....well, you can see what he did.......automatic dryer..."Redneck"



It was a very hot day in May, and since we do not have a pool (yet....maybe next year) nor do we even have a "sprinkler", I turned on the sprinkler system on the front yard and let the kids run loose and have a good time. They thought it was lots of fun. What can I say? "Redneck?"

Atlanta Trip #1

We took a trip back in April during Spring Break to see the Atlanta Braves play ball and to visit the Coca-cola Museum. If you know me , you know why we went to the 2nd place! : )

Natalee and Trent love taking trips. They love staying in the motel and everyone sleeping in one big room. They especially love seeing and doing things they have never done before. Natalee is at the point where she enjoys hearing stories from us about how we came to the Braves games when we were her age. I'm thankful that me and Nathan are able to take them on trips and make memories with them.

Here's some pics:

First stop- Braves game. We saw an awesome game......however, Trent was ready to go in the 2nd inning because he was upset that it wasn't "his turn" to play. He dressed up in his baseball pants, shirt with "Trent 17" on the back, cleats, hat, and glove. He was READY to PLAY! We made it through the entire 9 innings. The Braves won the game and we enjoyed a fireworks show afterwards.




He's thinking....."when are they gonna let me play, Mama?"


Next stop - the Coca-Cola Museum! I could just live there. I used to collect Coke stuff, but I haven't bought anything in a long time. Most of my Coke stuff is upstairs and we will use it to decorate the new playroom.

More summer events to come: Mother's Day, Natalee's Kindergarten Graduation, Father's Day, Orlando Vacation, and Atalanta Trip #2......stay tuned!

God Hears and He Answers

There is something I must share with you.

I've always prayed. I pray for my family. I pray for my friends. I pray for people who have a need. I pray because I know that God is able to answer prayers.

God wants the best for His children and He will give us the desires of our heart if only we ask. There have been times in my life when trials have challenged me. Looking back, I realize that God was there by my side the whole time.

There is one prayer that I've been praying this week.....and God answered. I have to tell you.

Natalee asked Jesus into her heart tonight!

We have been having VBS at our church. The preacher invited any student who felt that God was speaking to them to stay after class to talk with him. Natalee stayed. Our preacher Bro. James asked her the right questions and she knew the right answers. He shared with me and Nathan after church tonight.

When I talked to Natalee, she had tears in her eyes. I asked her if Jesus came into her heart tonight and she shook her head "yes". She could hardly talk about it. Later at home, she asked me to talk to her in private in her room. She told me how her heart was "beeping" and that she thought about getting saved tomorrow night, but she knew it would be too late....she wanted to get saved tonight!

She understands so much to be such a young girl. She has always wanted to know the explanation about things, and I've always been honest with her. She knows that Jesus will be in her heart for all of eternity and that he will always be there for her, no matter what.

God answered my prayer tonight. PTL!

So, here is my question to you......will God always be there for you? Have you asked Him in your heart yet?

Trent's 3rd Birthday

My little boy turned 3 last month! Nana made him a cake with footballs and baseballs per his request. PS, Nana makes the "best" cakes!

One of Trent's favorite gifts is this monster truck.

Natalee, Trent, and cousin Carter eating at the kid table.

Trent and his new sunglasses

Here is Trent on one of the mornings after his birthday. He is such a big boy and insists on doing everything by himself. On this morning, he requested a bowl of "pillow cereal". I asked what he was talking about and he told me, "that yellow pillow cereal like Daddy likes!" Well, I looked in the pantry and figured out what he wanted.......Captain Crunch! And, yes, it is his daddy's favorite too.

Easter 2010

EASTER 2010

For Easter this year, we attended Sunrise Services very early in the morning, and it was such a blessing to be able to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus with our church family.

We went to my mom's for lunch. She cooked a great meal and then the kids had fun hunting eggs.

Circle of Life

Philippians 1:21 "For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain."

God demands that we live our life to reflect the eternal love of Jesus for those who do not know him. That is how we should live our life, but what should our death say about us?

Nathan's grandfather is on his deathbed. The family has been gathered for two days now since his release from ICU in Jacksonville. Papa Walker is a good man. As the verse in Phil states, "to die is gain", I've been thinking about what Papa will gain from death.

What do you gain from death? What does the person that dies have to gain from dying? I guess that answer is different for everyone, but Papa will gain Heaven. He will be able to see the face of Jesus and walk on streets of pure gold. His body will be renewed and restored. He will be ever-present with his Savior for all eternity.

Papa was a minister for several years. He has shared the Word of God with so many. He was a man of God and God used him in mighty ways. The fruits of his labor are plentiful - that is one thing he has to gain.

He is struggling for every breath he takes and it is only a matter of time before God will call to him, "Come home, my good and faithful servant."

I titled this Circle of Life because as Papa's life draws to a close, there is another life growing inside of me......a boy by the way! This baby's life will be affected by the life that Papa lived. Papa will leave that legacy for all of his descendants to come.

Papa has a lot to gain from "his" death. What do you have to gain from yours?

One more makes three.......

We're having a baby!

I know this may surprise some of you because you had no idea. But, we decided back at the end of last year that we wanted one more baby. God blessed us and now I'm 4 1/2 months! Due date is Oct 4th.

Just to fill you in on some details in case you are wondering.....I haven't said much to anyone until now because the first three months of pregnancy were not pleasant. If there was ever a pregnancy symptom in this world, then I had it. You name it.....moodiness, irritability, lack of energy, sleeplessness, nausea, moodiness....or did I already say moodiness?? : ) It was like, "I cannot control any of this!" It was frustrating. But, as soon as I hit the second trimester at month 3, I could see the silver lining. Things have been better. My energy has picked up and the nausea is gone, but Nathan says the moodiness is still there! I can't believe he would say that to a pregnant woman!

Natalee and Trent are super excited about us having another baby. Trent says he wants another sister, but Natalee doesn't care. She has already said, though, that the baby will have to share Trent's bathroom because he has two sinks and she only has one sink in hers! I think she is marking her territory don't you?

We've been busy planning on getting the "playroom" ready for a nursery for the new baby. The playroom will now move upstairs, and the kids are thrilled about that too. So, this is definitely a fun time for all of us right now.

I don't have a picture to post, but, Yes, I am "showing". I've got Easter pictures that I will post one of these days, and you can tell I'm pregnant in those. Plus, Trent turned 3 and I have to post birthday pictures! I'll get to it, I promise.

I find out next Thursday whether we are having a boy or a girl, but if you ask Trent......"Mama is having a dinosaur!"

Well, that IS how I feel sometimes......

Trent

This is one crazy boy! He got into Natalee's jewelry box and put on a necklace around his neck and bracelets on his ears for "earrings."

I love this picture of Trent. He got a toolbox from Nathan as a gift and he puts it to good use everyday. What I love about this picture is that it is exactly how Nathan works - one leg bent beneath the other one. Trent was using his pliers to "fix" my dining table.

This one is of Trent playing in my closet - his favorite pasttime. Check out all of the toys behind him. He emptied the "trunk" of his motorcycle which included a cow, calculator, paper guitar, spoon, tape measure, thermometer, etc.

Trent can ride his bike - with training wheels!

More Updates

Trent riding his "motorcycle"

Celebrating the 100th day of school: Natalee's class decorated hats with "100" items from home. Fun! We hot-glued pennies, pipe cleaners, buttons, stickers...you name it. Everything but the kitchen sink.

Remember the snow? We drove to my aunt's house in Mt. Vernon because they got a decent enough amount to play in. The kids loved it!

I think this snowball ended up on me - compliments of Mr. Trent!

Me and my snowbunnies

Natalee and her snowman!

Backtracking

Here's what we've been up to since Christmas

Christmas 2009

Christmas 2009 - Natalee and Trent's favorite gifts from Santa: She got a nurse's uniform with all of the accessories and he got a Georgia Bulldog football outfit. Here: she was doctoring his injury.

Uncle Brad's birthday: Dec 28 - he's how old now??? Or worse, how old am I now???

These kids love to save money.......good trait to have, right? They enjoyed wrapping it.

Girly time! Natalee painting my toes for me.....and she does a good job!

Dinner Party

Two weeks ago I was able to host a dinner party for the women at my church. We meet once a month to study a lesson, pray, eat, and socialize. For the month of December, we decided to explore a new path - we had a "Progressive" Party. This is where the meal is planned out so that the appetizer is at one house, the soup/salad at another, the main dish at one, and the coffee and dessert at another.

I volunteered my house for the main dish and I wanted to impress! I got busy cleaning and Nathan helped out a lot. Also, I knew the best cook around and I knew that she would help me cook that day. Nathan's mom helped prepare a meal of homemade bread with cheese spread, slow roasted pork loin with gravy, twice baked potatoes with everything in them, and sauteed broccoli with cheese sauce. Let me say that the meal was so delicious!

I had the entire house decorated with Christmas everywhere. Wreaths on all of the windows outside, Santas inside, snowmen, a beautiful tree, you name it. We pushed back all of our living room furniture to make room for two round tables. All the tables, including the dining and breakfast tables, were dressed with gold, green, and red fabric table linens. The silverware was tied with cloth napkins, a ribbon and decorated with a candy cane.

The women had a fabulous time. The meal - delicious..... the house - festive....... and the company of a few godly women - a Christmas memory that I will cherish for a lifetime.

Birthday Girl

I wanted to share some pictures from Natalee's birthday party. Her day began around 10 when she finally got out of bed. Her birthday was the day before Thanksgiving and I just let her sleep as late as she wanted. This is her spot at the breakfast table and I fixed her favorite - syrup with waffles! : )

Later that day, we had a family party. My mama made the cake - it was a "lighthouse" cake by special request from Natalee. She also wanted a lighthouse helium balloon. I have no idea why she chose these things, but we delivered because she wanted it!

She had a great party here at the house with her family. Two days after her birthday, she was able to invite two friends over for a spend-the-night party. I promised them a movie and popcorn and guess who had to be right in the middle??? Little brother! The girls didn't mind though - they thought he was cute!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Happy Birthday to NATALEE!!!
My sweet little girl turns 6 today!!