Thankful Thanksgiving

It was quite the week. Reese and I spent nine days away from home. I'll just pick up where I left off on the last post. Wes and I were getting ready to leave for our date night...it was perfect. We left around 2:30, went straight to The Capital Hotel, enjoyed some peace and quiet, and then met some friends for dinner down the street at Flying Fish. Great food and even better company. Wes and I then started looking up movies, and the only one that either of us wanted to see at a good time was Breaking Dawn. Yeah, I dragged him to see Twilight, and it was ridiculous. Entertaining, but crazy. Having read all the books back in my 8th grade English teaching days, I have gone to see the movies very faithfully. Luckily, we made it out in time to make it back to Ashley's at the Capital for dessert. YUMMY. 

The next morning we had breakfast there...I had Ashley's Signature (chocolate French toast) and FRESH orange juice, and Wes had fabulous pancakes. We did some major Christmas shopping that day, and then we headed back to Conway. 

Thanksgiving Day was great. Incredible food as always, thanks to my mom. We then loaded up for Camden and grabbed Gran on our way out of town. She held the laptop for Reese to watch a movie the whole way down, and thank goodness she did. The fellowship hall at First Presbyterian of Camden was full as it is every year, and the food was great again. After a CRAZY late night Camden Walmart run with JB, we did our tradition of local shopping on Friday. The Walker ladies got our rings cleaned at the jeweler where all the boys bought our rings. Of course we then headed back to Mema's for the BIG game. Not so great, but I love my Hogs. Lots of really good family time this weekend. I so enjoy being with my in-laws and the extended Walker family. 

I'm very thankful this Thanksgiving. For extended family who loves well, for my little immediate family who brings me joy and love I didn't know possible, specifically for my husband who leads and guides me faithfully, for Reese who makes me smile more than anyone, for my friends who are always there for me, for my home, for food, for technology, but most importantly...I am so thankful to be called by Jesus Christ and saved by His Grace. I didn't do anything (and I still can't) to receive this, and God loves me still and calls me His. 

Here are 15 pictures from the second half of this week.  Yeah, 15. 

Breakfast at Ashley's.

Mopsy's Thanksgiving turkey.

The ladies.

Reese exploring the Kids Area at Camden Thanksgiving.

Go Hogs. Go Hogs.

Marion and Reese sharing goldfish.

We have watched many Arkansas-LSU games in front of this TV. The years we play in Louisiana, we stay in Camden. The years we are in Little Rock, we go to War Memorial.

Even a hard loss can't destroy the goodness of Mema's Cinnamon Toast.

Oh yeah, that's good.

PTL! She fell asleep for 30 minutes on the first leg of the trip home!

But the second leg was filled with a little movie watching. A Portable DVD player or iPad will be purchased at Christmas.

Home Sweet Home indeed. Mom sent leftovers.

Reese and her new owl hat. She loves it.

Don't know why these pictures are at the end, but...

Anthropologie, Apple, and J.Crew are now in Little Rock. Good shopping for sure!

Happy Thanksgiving! Love, The Walker Family

A Week in Conway

About a week ago, I started realizing that I had three different events in Conway beginning last Thursday through Thanksgiving that I wanted to attend. I didn't want to come down, go back up, come back down, go back up, and come down again. So, Reese and I loaded up Thursday afternoon, picked up Sydney (my co-cell group leader) and hit the road. It took some good engineering skills on Syd's part, but we got my iPhone hooked up with some PBSKids videos, and Reese was decent for most of the trip. I think it may be about time to turn that car seat around facing forward. Thursday night's event was really weird for me. It was a Rogers Mounties vs. Conway Wampus Cats basketball game. My former students and boys from our "brother" cell group were playing in my alma mater's gym. I gave restaurant recommendations to several families who had come down for the game. Reese had her Wampus Cat shirt and her Mountie one, and I must admit that she picked up the Mountie one first. Oh dear. It was fun, and I was so glad I made the decision to come on down early. Sydney's husband is the assistant coach (and leader of the boys' cell group), so she rode back with some parents. Wes came down Friday, we went to the Mississippi State game Saturday (my 2nd game this year! Much better than 0 last year!), and then he went back up to Bentonville Sunday afternoon. Reese had her first FUMC nursery experience, did fabulous, and had her second Hendrix College cafeteria lunch in three days. We have really enjoyed getting to settle in for a while instead of zipping in and out for a short weekend like we normally do. I've had lunch with my dear friend Cary, visited with some high school friends, participated in my mom's Doodles group last night, and Wes and I are going on an overnight date tonight to LR once he gets back down in just a little bit. Here are some pics from our fun week so far...

Woo Pig. SEC, 123.

Getting a bit more confident in the standing alone thing; however, I'm pretty sure she's leaning in to me a little bit in this picture.

Playing the organ with Popsy while Mommy and Daddy are calling the Hogs!

Sunday morning. 

New profile pic? I LOVE my girl.

Or maybe this one? Can she get much cuter? I think not.

Snack time. We have been struggling with food throwing, so for those of you who have given advice, here is a picture of her actually eating every piece of her snack. I appreciate the advice so much; I've read every word and taken it all to heart. We have a plan now, but I am not going to stress about it. Especially while we are away from home.

Yeah, I LOVE my snack. And my Mopsy who is making me laugh.

Hey. Watch me climb the stairs. 

I climb up and down very carefully and very effectively.

Yay! Gran is here for Doodles! (side note: Doodles is a ladies craft group that my mom and mother-in-law are in with 6 others. They meet once a month and do some fun crafts and talk A LOT. Mom hosted last night, and the theme was "Anything Tastes Good in a Crescent Roll" so mom showed how to make several things in crescent rolls and gave everyone a can of them along with recipes. Cute.)

Reese, her momma, and her two fabulous grandmothers.

Reese and the Doodles

I think I have mentioned Lovemore before, but he is in for Thanksgiving, so he had to get a pic with the Doodles. He's finishing up his first semester at Vanderbilt Law School, and we are so glad to have him "home" for the holiday.

11.11.11

Friday was a big day here in Bentonville and also a big day in the Walker house. No, Reese still has zero teeth and could still care less about walking, but for the first time ever, her babysitter had to do more than sit on the couch and watch her sleep on the monitor. Wes and I left for our wonderful date night before 6pm, so Maris fed Reese dinner, played a bit, gave her milk to her, and put her to sleep. And Reese did amazingly well. You see, we normally just wait to go out for our date nights at 7, so I put Reese to bed right before we leave. I'm so glad to know she did well with Maris, so this kind of date night will be happening a lot more often. We really are so blessed with such incredible babysitters, and Maris is so dear to us all. I love that I coached her in cheer when she was in 8th grade, I have led her in cell group for the past 3 years, and I'll get to be with her until she graduates and becomes a Kappa at the U of A.  

Okay, so 11.11.11 was a rather exciting day in our town. Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art opened, and we had to take the opportunity to visit on the grand opening day. I loaded up Reese and some friends at lunch time, so the kids could participate in the big day at the square. We ate crepes, listened to some beautiful choirs, and played by the ice skating rink. The museum lived up to the hype, and I kept thinking how great it is that I can go any time. I didn't feel too overwhelmed like I do at art museums around the world. This one is down the street, so my time isn't too limited. We did, however, pretty much see the entire collection. I can't wait to take Reese and let her just stare at everything. The museum grounds themselves are something to behold. Enjoy my pictures, and come visit!

We took the back entrance via the trail from the square. 

This was cool. It's made of spools of thread, and when you look into a little mirror ball, it flips it upside down and shows you The Last Supper. 

Chris, Wes, and Eric taking in the art. 

This guy looked real.

Possibly my favorite piece from my first trip. I may have a new favorite every time, but this one stuck out to me Friday night. TIME, by Max Ferguson.

Chris and Wes just doing their part. Kraft Foods.

From the restaurant Eleven, the reflection out the glass was beautiful.

The most expensive piece in the museum. Kindred Spirits was purchased for a mere $35 million.

Rosie the Riveter.

Andy Warhol's Dolly Parton.

Reese and Harper enjoying the daytime festivities.

Leah, Cat, and me inside Eleven.

GREAT date night.

Thursday Thoughts

It's been 9 days since I posted, and I feel the need to write. Today's post will simply be a list of thoughts or stories that have come to my mind recently.  Some serious, some not at all, but all ones that have affected me.

1. A week and a half ago, one of my incredibly dear friends entered a life-changing experience. Her husband was admitted to the hospital, diagnosed with Pancreatitis, underwent an extremely scary crisis, was put in ICU here in Bentonville, and just yesterday was transferred to a hospital in Omaha where there is a team of specialists helping to get James back to health. To say God's presence has been evident would be a major understatement. We are all in awe of the mercy, grace, strength, and love He has shown through the small steps achieved in James' health, the outpouring of support from family and friends, and the faith seen in Amy and through her perspective. I have been completely overwhelmed by my church's response.  To see the Body of Christ work in this way is such a testimony. So, if you would, please pray for James to continue to heal and for the family to be strengthened even more.

2. High school drama. I'm so glad I'm over that. Now I'm not saying a little drama or teenage issues don't creep back in every once in a while at age 27, but geez, NOTHING like what I'm witnessing in my cell group girls. Want to know what I blame? (other than pride, selfishness, gossip, and regular teenage self-esteem issues?)  Twitter and texting. I try not to get caught up in wondering what will be around in 13 years when Reese enters this stage. Oh dear.

3. Double spacing should not be done between sentences. It's just supposed to be one space after the period and before the next sentence. I was always taught to hit the space button twice, so I'm having major issues in correcting something that I've practiced for 15 years.

4. Watching other people's kids before and after having your own children is much different. For example, I instinctively know now to dilute apple juice and to cut up grapes. I have kid snacks on hand. I have toys to play with as well. Case in point--I'm keeping two four-year-old neighbor kids today, and they are happy playing with Reese's toys. I'm not nervous about keeping kids like I used to be. It's much nicer now.

5. I'm thinking Reese is trying to get rid of having two naps every day. I also think Daylight Savings Time isn't nearly as great when you have a one year old who goes by sunlight rather than the clock.

6. I cried on my drive home from the gym yesterday.  I was driving by Crystal Bridges, saw the policemen escorting cars onto the property, looked at the big white tent set up with something cooking for an event that night, and thought to myself...How stinkin' cool is this?!  The assisted living village across the street has their American flags up, too.  That's when the tears started.  I LOVE my town and love that this extremely well put together art museum is within walking distance from my home. Friday night can't come soon enough. I just have to go on 11.11.11.  

7. To describe what God is teaching me these days would take much more time than I have available right now.  Especially seeing that Reese is crying. I'll just say this...I'm learning that constant communication, dependence, and intimacy with Him is essential. I'm learning a ton through reading Bible stories with Reese.  God is revealing parts of my character that need some work. I need to have opinions on more things instead of always being that person who agrees with everyone, I need to be more joyful instead of worrying about pleasing others, and really, I just need to pray and read the Word more.  That's what it comes down to...I could easily get overwhelmed with all the things I need to work on, but God isn't commanding me to change in one day or even feel that burden.  Talk to Him and let Him guide my days.  Let my Faith drive my works. Nothing I can do will save me, but it's the faith that Jesus died for my sins that saves. And because of that faith and knowledge of what has been done for ME, I want to do good. Holy Spirit, fill me up and let me pour out for you.

8. Reese stopped crying. She's just laying there in her crib looking up...or maybe she is actually back to sleep. Question to mommy friends: Do your kids wake up, play/cry/talk, and then go back to sleep? Reese does this at most nap times and has even started doing it during the night/morning before I get her out of bed.  

9. I love Nordstrom because of this.  They have on their store windows signs that say..."at Nordstrom...We won't be decking our halls until Friday, November 27th. Why? Well, we just like the idea of celebrating one holiday at a time. From our family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving."

10. Completely a different topic than #9, I'm beginning my Christmas list and Reese's, too. It's fun, and I'm finding lots of really great goodies, but it also reminds me of how little I really NEED.

11. Oh, I have so much more to talk about, but I'm sure you are glad Reese is awake and wants her momma.  Happy Thoughtful Thursday to you.  I hope to be back soon.  With pictures.

Halloween 2011

Well, everyone is posting pics from last night, and y'all know I don't like to be left out...

 Reese woke up yesterday morning feeling like herself again.  Here is proof #1.

Proof #2.

Mopsy sent a picture of Rocky the Raccoon and some of the treats she was about to hand out to the kids.  Rocky is quite the tradition at my parents' house, and you can tell the holiday is definitely celebrated well in Conway (more proof a few pics down).

We headed out for some fun trick or treating around the 'Hood.  There were at least 40+ cars who had come and parked in our neighborhood, so those kids plus all the kids who live here made for a busy night.  We got started early and just visited a few friends because all Reese wanted to do was throw the candy on the ground.

It was light as we headed out and dark by the time we returned.

Gran's favorite holiday?  Halloween.  One of these days we will make it to Conway to trick-or-treat there...she sets up an entire room for kids to explore when they ring her doorbell.  

Rocky the Raccoon scaring all the kids.