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.