Can you fit a year of events into a week and a half?

I can! phew, this little mama is pooped but happy:) Starting on the 10th we had Keller's first birthday party-such a hit. He had his first cupcakes, hit the pinata, got more toys than he knows what to do with and of course played with the balloons. On his actual birthday we went to the zoo for the first time with Daddy, Luci and Ana- the kids loved it. It is so fun to see him experience things for the first time. He especially loved the giraffes and the bear-fitting since he is our bear cub. The very next day, he took his first step! It was so exciting. He now just sort of shuffles, usually no more than five steps, but we will take it. Then the 17th was James' birthday, he said with his own mouth, the best birthday he has ever had:) We went to breakfast as a family, sat around and talked about all God has done in his life, he got a new chair that he loves, played poker with friends and then was surprised the next day with a paintball tournament! He deserves it. He is the coolest, most beautiful, funny, smart, humble, loving, and talented guy I know! So then we did Thanksgiving at my house on Thursday, so fun but I am DONE with partying- oh wait, between our two families we still have five more birthdays between now and the new Year, oh yeah, and Christmas. So I am taking a nap every chance I get, slacking on chores,no working out, eating lots of Taco Bell and dealing with the consequences later? eh, probably not the best idea. But I will nap alot:) Even though it is exhausting, I love it and I want my kids and my husband to always feel celebrated on their birthdays even if that means a few less winks for this ol' girl.....

One Whole Year...

Today is my first child's first birthday. I feel so many emotions. The one that seems to overwhelm all the others is wonder. I stand in awe of what I have had the privilege of experiencing- a beautiful year, the best one of my life with an amazing person,Keller Cade Walker. James and I sat in his room this morning watching him play with all his new toys and talking to his stuffed animals and we talked about what we loved the most about him. James said he is inquisitive, engaging, joyful, tender, and loves to laugh... I said he is persistent, beautiful, fun,and passionate. Still there so many more things that make up this precious gift God gave to us one year ago today- so many of those yet to be discovered. I wonder at the marvel of how much he has grown and changed in a year. How I have gotten to witness just about every moment of his first year as a mother and a friend. I am amazed that one year ago today I was laying in a hospital bed tired, a little scared and drugged so excited about what was in store and in a moment my life would never be the same. After trying to get my body in gear for over 12 hours (like we really have control over that),they finally did a C section and I had the honor of seeing this child that grew inside of me for nine months. Even though it is something that happens every day, it truly is miraculous. So I bask in the wonder of it all today. I told James I am not doing any housework today, nothing boring, only fun, restful endeavors that allow me to revel in the magic of this day...So here's to you my magnificent son, there truly has never been another. "Heaven blew every trumpet and played every horn, on the wonderful, marvelous night you were born."

Ratatouille...

So last night James and I watched Ratatouille- cute movie. And if you know me, you know that after I see a movie, I want whatever was in the movie i.e.- After Stuart Little I wanted a little mouse brother that drove his little red sport car around. After seeing Cheaper by the Dozen I told James I thought we should think of having 12 offspring. After seeing Titantic, I wanted to marry Leonardo Decaprio- you get my point. So of course after watching this movie about an adorable little, yes RAT but was an inspiring one who could create masterpieces cuisine and just knew that he was destined for more than living off of human scraps, I told James I wanted a cute little rat who would sit on my head and help me cook and of course made sure to wash his hand often. Hmm... so I am laying in bed reading just moments after telling James this and I hear a scratching in the wall. My first thought was, its my imagination after seeing all the rats living in the roof in the movie but the scratching got worse and I knew it was real. I yelled at James that there was a rat in our room and I could hear him laughing- he also knows me really well and knows that I sometimes tend to imagine thing...anyways, so he came into the room and he heard the scratching too. My wish cam true. A rat or some rodent is living in our walls- probably thousands of them just like the movie named Earl and Roger, eating my leftover sandwich from lunch playing Texas Hold Em'. So my days of wishing for what I see on the movies is OVER after God's funny little joke on me last night. SO now I pray, forgive me for always wanting what I cannot have, especially little mice, rats and please please forgive me for wanting a dozen kids!

Ta Da

Here are the "long" promised pictures of our finished kitchen. I love it so much.

Grrr...