The three ring circus

Today I decided that "sometimes sanity takes vacation time on me." Today our home was a circus. Both kids were wild and crazy. Our Miss. Isabella got stuck inside our bathroom cupboard, followed by getting into our food storage and finding a large container of oatmeal and pouring it all over the living room carpet. While I was vacuuming up that mess (Thank heavens for the invention of vacuum cleaners) Isabella was in Kirk and I's bedroom pulling out jewelry and carefully laying it in the window seal. Needless to say, she was a handful. However, our Mr. Zachary was also very busy today. Today was early release since his school has conferences this week. Once Zachary arrived home, within 45 minutes I found out he had invited half of his Kindergarten class over to play. I had a group of Kindergartner's knocking at my door and informing me that Zachary said, "They could come and play." I told them "sorry not today" After that I had to go and prepare to meet with Zachary's teacher which I will write about in the next post. After Zachary's conference, I prepared dinner and both kids informed me that it tasted "gross" Since it was a new recipe I did not force them to eat it so I went to option B which was blueberry pancakes with eggs. When I opened up the fridge, I discovered that we were out of eggs. I told Kirk I'm done lets go over to Costco pick up eggs and get them pizza so that is what we did, and you can imagine both kids loved it. Needless to say, they are both tucked into their beds and soundly sleeping while I'm trying to get my sainty back. Today was one of those days that I thought "Calgon take me away."

So long.....

"The Pain of Discipline is short, but the glory of fruition is eternal." Harriet Beecher Stowe.


Today I had to say farewell to my old gym shoes. I really loved these shoes because they were symbolic to me. These are the first pair of shoes that I wore the first day I entered the gym to embark on a new style of living. They were the first pair of shoes that I wore on my feet when I achieved running 3 miles in 29 minutes. These are the shoes that I wore on my daily walk reminding me each day, regardless of what was going on in my life, that I needed to continue to be disciplined and enter into the gym and complete my excercise activities. These shoes were a visual reminder to me that I needed to rejuvenate myself physically, mentally, and spiritually. Now I have a new pair of shoes that I wore to the gym last night. While completing the stair master for 60 minutes, and feeling my muscles ache, I decided that these new shoes were going to represent endurance and serve as a visual reminder to never give up and to keep moving foreward.

The day we were engaged!

On Sunday, March 13, 1999,was the day that Kirk proposed to me in Idaho Falls, Idaho. We were both in school at the time, but we decided to get married that summer on July 23, 1999. Our life together has been a journey, but I feel so blessed to have shared a life with him over the last 12 years. Together we have created a beautiful family and I know we both feel garteful to have our children Zachary and Isabella in our lives. Happy 12th to us!

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Leapin Lizards!

Today at school the Reptile man from Monroe came to visit Zachary's school and Zachary thought it was so awesome! When I picked him up he was very eager to tell me that he loved seeing the baby alligator. He also liked watching the Python go through the guy's shirt sleeve. He was also upset that he did not get chosen to hold the snake. I think once they brought out the snake I would have ran! However, Zachary said that he was a friendly snake. He also got to see a rattlesnake, but Zachary said the guy removed all of the poison from him. The cutest thing Zachary said was that he was sitting around a bunch of girls and once the reptiles came out a bunch of girls huddled close to him. He then said, "Hey girls back away and sit in your own spot." That would be my Zachary!

Isabella's hair cut

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Zachary's Art show

Tonight was a huge accomplishment for Zachary his art got chosen to go to the Art Show at City Hall.

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Zachary struggles with fine motor skills since he was a premature baby. He has worked so hard during the last year to reach this goal. We are very proud parents tonight. Thanks for allowing us to share.

The Science Project

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Crazy Seattle snow

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Where were you last Thursday? Well we were outside playing in the snow! Can you believe we had snow in Seattle in late Febuary!!! It was a great day! We were all home together as a family. However, we are now ready to spring foreward.

Valentine Photos

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Parenting 101

Yesterday during church, Kirk informed that one of the lessons was on parenting. He was very impressed with the lesson and it led us into a long discussion when we arrived home. Some of the things that they discussed during the lesson was being home when your children are home regardless of their age. This really hit home with me because I was away from home a lot over the weekend, and even though it was for good reasons once I was home in the afternoon on Saturday I expressed to Kirk that I really missed my family; however, the break was nice and occasionally you need a break from your children, still I missed being around them and spending time with Kirk.

Another idea that was addressed was gaming. Kirk and I occasionally like to play video games, and I think as a teacher that there can be some educational value to gaming, but we need to be cautious of what type of games we allow our children to play and the frequency. Kirk and I have discussed getting a gaming system in our home, but we have not done it yet. After talking to friends, who have older children, they have encouraged us to wait and encourage our children to participate in other activities, which we have, and we have not had any regrets. However, I know eventually we will purchase a gaming system. I think like with everything else it is finding the balance. I have a friend, who purchased a gaming system for her family a year ago and she said that regardless of age each family member is only allowed 30 minutes of gaming a day. I liked that idea and thought that it sounded like a good practice.

In addition to the above topics, Kirk and I also addressed sleep-overs. Along time ago, prior to children, I had someone very wise tell me that your children do not need to spend the night with friends. She said that there is no purpose to it since at night we were suppose to be sleeping, and our children can have the opportunity to see their friends the next day. I thought that this was an interesting concept since when I was a kid I remember spending the night with friends. However, times have changed and even if your child's friends seem to be "good" people you do not know exactly what your child could be exposed too. Kirk said that in the article it talked about that a lot of children are exposed to ponography for the first time when they sleep over at friend's home, or are exposed to other negative elements. My father used to say, "Nothing good happens after mid-night." I have found this to be a true statement. We are intended to sleep at night, and my wise friend was correct, my children can see their friends the next day.

Since this article brought such a long discussion at our house, I thought that I would share what we discussed on the blog. Parenting is personal and it is between you and the Lord. However, we enjoy getting advice, and ideas about parenting because it is not an easy task. I thought that it was a healthy discussion between Kirk and I and I'm sure that as we go along we will have more discussions. I feel blessed that we have the Church in our life to help lead and guide us.

What kind of brain do you have?

This past Friday Zachary went to see his Doctor for social skills training. While we were in Dr. Lundy's office Miss. Isabella was in the room with Zachary and Dr. Lundy. When it was time for Zachary's appointment Dr. Lundy said, "Ok mom and Isabella we will see in a while." I reached for Isabella's hand and she turned to me and said, "Bye mom." I said, "Isabella it is time for us to leave." She again said, "Bye Mom." All of the sudden Zachary looked at Dr. Lundy and I and said, "Mom Isabella has rock brain and she needs to go and find super flex." I said, "Zachary what is rock brain?" He said, "Rock brain is something that happens to you when you keep getting stuck on the same idea over and over again and super flex comes in and tells your brain it is time to be flexible." I said, Who taught you about rock brain?" He said, " I learned it during social skills group at school." Needless to say, I had never heard him use these terms before, but I had noticed during the past couple of months Zachary was becoming more flexible in his thinking. I then thought to myself those are pretty good visual terms. I then questioned how frequently I had rock brain? And once I was able to answer my question I thought I could use more super flex too!

Changes

Over the past couple of weeks, I have been facing many changes, which have been exciting and sad. As I have reflected about these changes, I have realized how much Zachary is like me. My little Zachary is a very black and white person, who does not like change in routine, and after these last two weeks I have found that change is difficult for me. I think that is why I enjoyed teaching children with Autism is because I operate a lot like them. I like schedules, organization, clear, concise, and visual directions. I also thrive in an environment that is calm. I'm not an improtu person even if someone invites me to do something fun. I prefer to know ahead of time of what I am going to do. I'm so much looking foreward to a scheduled week. Hence, please nobody else move, please no more appointments that have to be shifted around this week, and please weather behave so that way our children can go to school!!! Psychologists may say that I have control issues and maybe I do, but I'm in need of just a regular scheduled week. That is my soap box for today.

The Art of Self- Discipline

I decided to write about self-discipline because it is an area in my life which I need to improve on. Yesterday I was a TV junkie, and all I did was take Zachary to school and came home and visited with a couple of friends and then I watched TV for the rest of the time. It was not a productive day at all!


As a Special Education teacher, the University prepares us to be self-disciplined in order to be effective special education teachers. For example, your classroom appearance must be highly organized, neat, clean, and not over stimulating. As a teacher you must be able to honestly and effectively communicate with parents and staff, supervise para-eduactors, effectively write and maintain legal documents such as IEPs, figure out the purpose of behavior, and manage those behaviors, have excellent time management skills, conduct and coordinate meetings, be consistent in your use of language and teaching methods, and finally go home to a husband who wants and needs to talk to you, and deal with your own children.

I have always been grateful and prided myself on being a self-disciplined person, and this has come easy to me because of my career choice; however, I have been lacking and I need to bring this skill back up to speed. As many of you know, Kirk is in a full time Master's program, works full time, and tries to maintain some family time. I on the other hand, maintains the home, takes the kids to appointments, tries to daily workout, and a list of other things which I will not mention at this time. I will not say that it is easy to have a husband who works full time and attends Graduate school full time; however, it is easier if you have self-discipline. So my goal is become more self-disciplined within the next month.

Make a Guess

Tonight Zachary was watching the movie "Yours Mine and Ours" and he came in and informed me of the following.

Zachary: Mom guess how many kids I want?

Mom: How many?

Zachary: 40 kids, and don't worry I can run fast.

Mom: If you have that many you will need to wear shoes that can fly as fast as lightening.

Zachary: I already fly as fast as lightening so don't worry.

My 1st Hair Cut!

That is correct! Our little Princess gave herself her 1st hair cut. Why go to the salon when you are two years old, and already learned how to correctly hold scissors, and cut with them? And by the way her cuts are clean and precise. No worries about fine motor skill control with Miss. Isabella. Here is the story:


The other day I was in the bathroom and I looked on the counter and I saw a pair of kid scissors and hair right next to them. (At least she saved her hair so I could put it in her baby book) I picked up the hair and looked at it and thought this really looks like Isabella's hair. I then yelled out, "Sister Bear come here." (Sister bear is a nickname given to her by her "Brother bear from the Berenstain Bear books) Isabella quickly came and I asked her, "Sister bear is this your hair?" She replied pointing to her hair, "hair cut" I said, "at least you saved your hair so I could put it in your book." She said, "That's right mom." I really did not know if I should laugh or cry because I like to take them into the salon and get their hair cut and take photos. So I have no photos of the process of the 1st hair cut, but at least I have her hair. Some of you may also question well why do you allow your child to have scissors? First of all the scissors are put up high, but I have myself a climber, who is not afraid to climb any where to get anything she wants or desires. Second having another child with fine motor delays, requires me to keep scissors around so he can consistently practice. Plus OTs and Kindergarten teachers encourage you to have your child cut, paste, and color at a very young age to build up their small muscles. Therefore our house is a pro- fine motor home, which at times can be nerve racking and difficult, but trust me well worth it in the end! I think now we will have Miss Bella open up her own hair and nail salon considering what happened a week ago!

The Gift of Art

""In art there are no mistakes, only opportunities for creativity.""


As many of you know I'm the art docent for my son's Kindergarten class. Art and I have not always agreed and I have not always enjoyed teaching art, but I decided to teach art to the Kindergarten class because no other parent volunteered. Well today I discovered why I took this project on. The lead Art docent teachers sent out an e-mail last night stating that one art piece from each classroom would be taken and displayed at our local City Hall, and there would be a reception for the students, whose art pieces were chosen to be displayed. This morning when I dropped Zachary off, I ran into the lead art docent and she told me that she chose Zachary's art piece to be on display at City Hall. Some of you may know that Zachary struggles with fine motor skills and frankly does not always enjoy doing art. However, since I have been coming into the classroom and teaching the class he has been doing his art projects more carefully. Eventhough, I'm the art docent for his Kindergarten class , and that is probably a factor of why Zachary's art piece was chosen, I'm very happy that he gets to show off his Art. I think that when children get this opportunity it is an excellent confidence builder and it increases their self-esteem. The piece that will be on display is very well done and Zachary should be proud! If you have not volunteered in your child's classroom, I encourage you to do it. You never know how your presence will help build your child's confidence and how important that your child sees that you value education!

""I love you not only for what you are, but for what I am when I am with you. I love you not only for what you have made of yourself, but for what you are making of me. I love you for the part of me that you bring out.""
Author: Elizabeth Barret Browning

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Not by Chance

"I have been learning that the people, who we meet in our life are sometimes put in our pathway at a specific time for a specific reason."





This week I have been blessed to meet two women, who have been able to help me with some personal issues that I have been struggling with for the past two weeks. When I laid my head down on my pillow last night, my heart was full of gratitude to my Father in Heaven. I knew that he was starting to answer some of my silent prayers through these two women. I was just amazed how quickly this mixed-up puzzle in my mind was starting to come together to form a complete picture of what was happening and what next steps need to be taken to help remedy this issue. I also thought that it was so wonderful that I was able to openly and honestly share my feelings and concerns with these two women because one of them struggles with the same concern, and the other woman is very familar with the situation and she has earned my trust. The interesting thing is neither of these women attend my church or are close friends. However, I knew that my Father in Heaven placed them in my pathway yesterday because they had the answers that I desired to know. I so much apprectiated their knowledge, support, and understanding .

Our Family Journal

Today I was talking to a friend and during our conversation we were talking about facebook. While we were visiting, an impression came to my mind that instead of posting brief snapshots about my family on facebook, I should post them in my blog so that way I can print it off if I would like and my husband and I and children can have a copy of some of our daily happenings. When I found out that I was pregnant with all of my children, I wrote each of them a letter, and I have always kept a Mother's Journal so that way when I am gone some day they always have something to go back and read. So what I have decided is I'm going to start writing down some of our family events in my blog so that way I also have an eletronic copy as well as a written document.

Fast Bar Cookies

For those who know me well they know that I'm not a "Betty Crocker" and cooking and sewing are not my favorite projects. However, I'm a mother now and my family needs to eat so I have had to learn to cook at least simple meals. The other day I came across this easy receipe and I thought this is my kind of baking so here it is.

Cake Mix Bar Cookies

1. One yellow cake mix
2. 1 Egg
3. 1/2 C of oil
4. 1/4 C water
5. 1C semi-sweet chocolate chips


Mix cake mix, egg, oil, and water until smooth. Stir in chocolate chips, bake in a greased 9x13 pan at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. Cool and cut into squares.

Polish

" Never underestimate a child's ability to get into more trouble."

Each day I tell myself I love having a two year old in my life, and most days she is adorable; however, last night she turned into a little turkey. Kirk was gone to a study group and I was visiting with a friend when all of the sudden it was really quiet. I excused myself from my friend to walk down the hallway and walk into the master bathroom to discover my little girl sitting in an empty bathtub painting herself and the tub with white fingernail polish. My first thought was how in the world did she get the fingernail polish? And then I looked down and noticed that she had taken her potty chair closed the lid and used as a stool to get up onto the bathroom counter, and reach up to the shelf to get the polish. Evidently she then chose to sit in an empty bathtub and begin to create her masterpiece. First of all I was thankful that she was in the tub painting and not painting the wall or floor. Second she was in the bathtub so I was able to remove the paint from the tub and most of the paint from her face. Zachary wanted to take her picture, but Isabella loves having her picture taken, and I was not going to reward her with taking her photo eventhough years later it would be funny to show her the photo when she has to deal with her own two year old child. Needless to say, today Isabella's masterpiece has diappeared never to be seen again.....

Great Quote

"Finish every day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can to be cumbered with your old nonesense. This day is all that is good and fair. It is too dear with its hopes and invitations, to waste a moment on yesterdays." Emerson

I came across this quote today and really liked it because it is so true. Often when we lay down in our beds at night we question and wonder what we could have or should have done differently and we replay this in our mind. As people we really do have to let go of yesterday and embrace tomorrow with a fresh and new outlook.

What's Up?

Last week I was able to do a brief post, but I did not have time to write about the family. So here is a brief summary about the Walker Family and what we have each been up to during the past few months.


Kirk: Kirk has been busy at work and has been gaining new responsibilities. He is also working on his MBA full time and writes a lot of papers. He is just finishing up his fourth class and will be entering into his fifth class. He only has seven classes to go and then he will be done so he is close to the 50% mark. At church, Kirk no longer teaches Sunday School he is now responsible for the Weatherly Inn. This is a great calling for our family right now because it does not require a lot of time. When Kirk was Ward Mission Leader in the Highlands and Elder's Q President he was frequently gone, but now that he is a full time spouse, father, worker, and student he would not have the time serve in a position like Elder's Q President or Ward Mission Leader. It wonderful how the Lord knows and understands each of our lives, and only asks us to do things that we can currently handel and do. We have truly appreciated the benefit of Kirk attending school and earning a higher education degree. Our family sees this as a true investment into our future. Even though writing weekly 10 page papers can stink it is paying off. Kirk's goal is to eventually teach college students in the area of buisness.

Heidi: What can I say about my life??? Currently, I'm a taxi service, an office manger, cook, housekeeper, personal fitness trainer (for myself), spouse to an awesome husband, and mother to two active, but wonderful children. I also stay busy working in Zachary's full day Kindergarten classroom, teaching art to a classroom of 20 children, and teaching a very active and lively bunch of 11 year olds every Sunday. I also schedule in my work-out time, which I truly love. Excercise keeps my depression away, helps feel strong and healthy, and gives me time to myself. It also helps me be an effective time manger which I need since Kirk is working full time and going to school full time a lot of the family responsiblities falls onto me, which is great because it keeps me going and busy.

Zachary: Currently is attending full day Kindergarten, which he likes but he comes home exhausted. He's enjoying reading, learning how to spell words, and playing at recess. He likes his teacher and playing with his friends at school. He came home very proud the other day because his teacher showed his handwriting to the class and said, "This is first grade handwriting." I was happy for Zachary because learning how to write has been challenging, but we are now seeing the rewards of OT and hard work. Zachary also still loves to play with his cars, build with Lincoln Logs, play with Tinker Toys, and watch Curious George. He's a fun guy to hang out with! Kirk says he is a lot like me. which could be good or bad or both!

Isabella: She's a two year old all the way through. She's quick, smart, and talks really well. She also has a fiesty personality. She loves anything Princess related and playing with her baby dolls. When she's upset she will give you a dirty look and tell you what she's upset about followed by what she wants and then she places her little hand on her hip and firmly says "OK" She is already reminding me of a teenage girl with this OK business. She also loves playing with Zachary, but I do not know how much Zachary likes playing with her? Again fiesty describes Miss Isabella.

This is what is new in the Walker House. We hope everyone has a great year!

Memories

Resources

The other day I was out reading one of my favorite blogs, and someone wrote about her miscarriage seven years ago. As many of you know, I suffered a miscarriage in September of 2005. As the years have gone on, I have found myself not thinking about that day except for the anniversary date when it happened. However, when I read this post it brought back memories of the day that I had a D/C performed because I had lost my baby. That is a day that will forever be in my heart. I clearly can visualize that day and being wheeled into the OR with tears streamming down my face and my doctor telling me "Oh do not cry" and then my eyes falling down and going to sleep. As I read this post, this person attached a link. I went out to the website and was very impressed with the information so I decided to write about this personal trial and link this website to my post. While reading this website, I found a song titled "Still" by Gerritt Hofsink. I was so excited that I found this song that I went out to Itunes and purchased the song in memory of my lost baby. Each of my children have their own baby song. Zachary's is a "New Day" by Celine Dion and Isabella's "Amazed" by Janelle. I always felt bad because I had difficulty finding a song for this baby, who lived a brief time inside of me, but now I can say that I found a song. I hope for those of you, who have or will experience this trial that you will find this website helpful. To view the website click on Resources above.

Have you been Twilighted?

"I'll be back soon, you won't have time to miss me. Look after my heart.... I've left it with you." Edward Cullen Twilight books.

As many of you are aware the movie "Eclipse" came out on DVD last Friday night. Well I found Edward and Bella and my friend took a picture of me with them. Have you found Edward and Bella yet? You never know you may wake up one morning and find them on your door-step like I did. For all of the fans I hope everyone enjoys watching the movie again and again...

The Drawing

"Every child is an ARTIST, the problem is how to remain an ARTIST once he grows....."

Zachary drew a picture of himself in Kindregarten. I thought it was an adorable picture with the glasses on. He also added a lot of color. That is my Zachary he loves color in his life.

Christmas party

Last Friday night Zachary had a Christmas party with his private OT. It is great that Childrens Therapy offers a Christmas party for the kids since they have to attend therapy and it is not always fun for them. The above photo is a picture of Zachary and his OT Elyce. Elyce has helped Zachary so much with his fine motor skills. We have been very impressed with how much Zachary's handwriting has improved.

The Drive

"Outings are so much fun when we savor them through the children's eyes."

We took Zachary to a doctor's appointment last Friday and while we waited for him Isabella decided that she wanted to practice driving the car with her cute sunglasses on her sweet face.

Counting to 100!

"Smarter than the average Bear."

Yesterday our Brother Bear counted to 100! He was so excited because his name got to go up on the poster that says "I can count to 100." Zachary wanted me to take a picture of it. He was very pleased with himself and I was proud of him because we have not been working on counting to 100 at home.

Kindergarten Advice

"Put your finger on your lip and you hand on your hip!"

Today in Kindergarten Zachary had a sub. When he came home I asked how his day went? He gave me the above advice. I thought this sub must have had pretty good control of the class. Last time Zachary's class had a sub the class ran around and jumped off from the tables. When I go back to teaching, it will not be Kindergarten. Those guys are busy little kids.

Thanksgiving!

"Gooble 'til you Wobble"

This year for Thanksgiving Kirk baked our first turkey. As some of you may know I have a strong dislike for turkey, but Zachary came home from school one day and said he wanted "a turkey with legs." So here is the turkey..... Thanks Kirk for doing this for Zachary.

Dancing Queen Performance.

Tonight we were invited over to a party and the kids and I sang and danced to "Dancing Queen" by ABBA. It was so much fun and cute watching the kids. Zachary has been very blessed to have met JJ in preschool from last year. JJ is still in preschool, but we have stayed in touch. Zachary is JJ's big brother and loves helping him! Within a few months JJ will be attending Zachary's Kindergarten class to get him ready for next year. Zachary is so excited to introduce JJ to all of his Kindergarten friends and his teacher Mrs. Cichy. There is a true bond with Zachary and JJ,and I know that they were met to get to know each other.

"Dance like No one is Watching"

The Dancing Queen solo and Dance performed by Zachary, Isabella, and JJ

JJ loved helping Zachary sing and Zachary loved singing for the audience. They both did a great job, and I have not laughed this hard in along time!

Cold and Snow

A snow fight!

Even though it was bitter cold the kids had fun today.

Snow in Seattle!

"Let it Snow, Let

Snow, Let Snow"

Today we saw snow in Western Washington. We built a snowman and played with our Friends! It was fun having the day off school and work!!!!. And as of right now it is still snowing!!!!!

Soccer

"Mom we are all winners!"

Yesterday was Zachary's last soccer game and here is a photo of some of Zachary's Kindergarten buds at Red Robin. What cuties.

Gratitude/ KIndness

"A little consideration, a little thought for others, makes all of the difference."

Today I'm thankful for people, who are kind to one another. Kindness is a value that I need to think about and practice more in my life. Sometimes I think we all get wrapped up into our day to day activities and we always do not stop and think about how our actions can impact people and their feelings. So with that being said these are my goals that I'm going to try and practice during the upcoming week.

1. Smiling more at people.

2. Saying thank you more frequently.

3. Making sure when I'm around others, sending e-mails, posting comments on FB, talking to others in social settings that everyone feels that they are appreciated, valued, and included.

4. Doing more random acts of kindness for others.

These are huge goals for me, but during this past week I have been reminded that it is truly important that we are kind to everyone.

Gratitude Excercise/ Music

"I am unwritten, can't read my mind, I'm undefined

"I'm just beginning, the pen's in my hand, ending unplanned

"Staring at the blank page before you

"Open up the dirty window

"Let the sun illuminate the words that you could not find

"reaching for something in the distance

"So close you can almost taste it

"Release your inhibitions

"Feel the rain on your skin

"No one else, no one else

'Can speak the words on your lips

"Drench yourself in words unspoken

"Live your life with arms wide open

"Today is where your book begins

"The rest is still unwritten."

Natasha Bedingfield's Lyrics.

Today I'm thankful for music and excercise. It now has been 11 months since I began my healthy lifestyle and decided to dump away my "weighty issues". During my workouts, I have found the above song to be my favorite because as I workout and get better I always feel like I have opened up a dirty window and started to let the sunshine back into my life again. I also like the line that reads "No one else can feel it for you." This is so true! No one knows how wonderful it feels to sweat out all of the toxins in your body, and not to mention how emotionally good you feel after a hard workout. I have been very pleased with the results that I have made this year. I'm not always perfect with working out or eating, but I do give it my best every day. All I can do is take it one day at a time!

Gratitude Post #5

Falling Behind!!!!

Today I'm thankful for Daylight Savings Time. I love falling back and gaining an extra hour of sleep. For all of you who know me well you know that I love my beauty sleep. Before I married Kirk, my father told him to make sure that I get my 8 hours of sleep. This is so true!!! If I get my sleep, I am for the most part a happy person, however, if I do not get enough sleep watch out!!!!

Gratitude post #4

"Had a Ruff Day Today"

Today I'm grateful for rough days because if we did not have rough days we would not learn to appreciate good days. Today Zachary lost his Beta Fish and he was very sad. Kirk came home from work feeling sick and had to attend class until 10:00p.m. I did not get everything done that I would have liked to accomplish. Needless to say, we are all ready for tomorrow to begin!

Gratitude #3

" Whenever I hear the song of a bird Or look at the blue, blue sky, Whenever I feel the rain on my face Or the wind as it rushes by, Whenever I touch a velvet rose Or walk by our lilac tree, I'm glad that I live in this beautiful world Heavnly Father created for me." Song from The Childrens SongBook, pg. 228.



Today I'm thankful for our beautiful world. I love watching the leaves change color, and feeling the cool brisk air on my face. I love watching the birds swiftly flying through the air, and feeling the cool Northwest rain. I'm so blessed to live by tall evergreen trees and large bodies of blue water. What a beautiful world that our Heavnly Father created for you and me!

Gratitude #2

"He that LOVES Reading has Everything within his reach."

Today I'm thankful for good books! When we read books we get to go on a personal journey. We sometimes get to be a Princess in a castle, a cowboy riding in the West, or a variety of other characters. We also sometimes get to travel back in time or the even into the future. Reading also enhances our knowledge and wisdom. It adds more dimension to our souls. So during this Holiday season, find time to read a good book! It will be one of your best journeys that you have ever taken!

What am I thankful for?

"Because just being Together is enough"

Since Thanksgiving is just right around the corner I thought I would write about one thing I'm thankful for today. And today I'm thankful for my small family Kirk, Zachary, and Isabella. Tonight I met a mother of one of Zachary's classmates, who told me that her husband passed away two years ago and what a challenge it has been for their family. As she shared her story with me it started making me think about how blessed I am to have my small family living, happy, and healthy. Too often I take for grant it that they are all around, and I find myself just doing daily tasks and not stopping and thinking about how much I love and care for them. This young mother, whom spoke with tonight brought tears to my eyes as she shared with me how her son believes that his father is going to come home, and how he also has night terrors every night about his Father's death. I hope to be a good friend and listener for this lady. I can not imagine losing my husband at such a young age. I'm so thankful for the Gosple in my life and the knowledge and peace that it brings into my life. During this season, I ask each of you to please keep this lady in your thoughts and prayers and please find the time each day to embrace and love each of your family members because we never know when we will be called home.

The Walker Halloween

"Trick or Treat Smell our Feet"

The Walker clan celebrated Halloween one day early. We went to the mall in Bellevue. Zachary rode in a Nascar and Isabella got to see a Princess. They got a lot of candy and had fun!

The Ward Party!

Here are some photos of our ward Halloween Party. Zachary and Isabella had a lot of fun. There is also a photo of one of my Primary children with Isabella.

TP

"Children reinvent the world for you."

Last Friday it was our ward's Halloween Party and this is my class, who helped decorate a room. Mind you this was their entire idea! They are very creative.

The Big Meeting

"Life isn't a matter of Milestones.... But of Moments"

Today Kirk and I attended Zachary's IEP meeting. First of all I'm so thankful again for Zachary's Kindergarten teacher Mrs. Cichy and his OT. I know that these two people were and are inspired to be currently working with Zachary. We learned today that the OT Zachary is seeing at school was the first OT who evaluated Zachary back when he was three years old. I remember when I first met this OT I wished that she could have worked with Zachary because I really liked her approach with children.
Well today, I received my wish and she is Zachary's OT for this school year. This really made this IEP meeting good. I also appreciated Zachary's Kindergarten teacher's knowledge and expertise. She truly knows and understands how Zachary views and approaches life.

During the meeting, we also learned that Zachary met all of his goals and objectives from last year. This is a wonderful celebration, and we are very grateful to the previous teams who have worked with Zachary. Reflecting back to when Zachary arrived two months early and Dr. German told Kirk and I "Zachary looks healthy right now, but when he turns two we may see some delays, but do not worry we will take care of it when or if the time comes" to right now Zachary has made light years of progress. A big thank you to all who have helped our son!