Washington Walkers: June 2007

>> Wednesday, June 27, 2007

Can you see any resemblance??

Cayla and her catch!

3.5 lbs and 18 in. Bass

It's a keeper!!

Thanks Audrey for a fun day!!

>> Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Yesterday we went out town. Yes, out town. Not...to town, not...out to town, but out town. That's what you do when you live in East Lewis County. Anyway, we stopped by to see Laura, our midwife. Tim had made her a votive candle holder on his wood lathe several months ago...a small token of thanks for everything she does for us. I don't know which was nicer...the candle holder hand-crafted by my incredible husband or the creme brulee candle inside the candle holder. Oh, how I miss Mary's Candles. Laura promised me she would make me Laura's Candles with the creme brulee scent. I'll be patiently waiting. Now...to get to the point. While we were at her house, she asked if we wanted to see our baby. Our baby was conceived just 8 weeks ago and we were able to see it moving inside of me. The heartbeat was just a beatin'...strong and fast. It was such a bittersweet moment, remembering twice in our life when we went to hear a heartbeat and heard nothing but complete and utter silence. Thank you, Lord, for the gift of life inside me and thank you for allowing us a glimpse at your newest creation to our family. You are truly amazing.

Heartsong and Family

>> Saturday, June 16, 2007

Here is the picture of Heartsong with our family...excluding Tim. He was taking pictures...of course. I think he will forever and always hate being in pictures. The team members in order, starting from left to right are: Tyler, Garrett, Aubrey, Amy, Keith, Nate, Dana and Tim. Katie and Aubrey were inseparable. Notice even Bun-Bun made the picture. What a good time.

The Past Few Days

>> Friday, June 15, 2007

I have had a busy but fun last few days. Here are some of the highlights.

Highlight #1-Heartsong...a group of 8 students from Cedarville University in Cedarville, Ohio. They arrived Tuesday afternoon. I made a huge pot of spaghetti and the Yo-Ads contributed garlic bread and cookies. I burnt the noodles BAD but they were all so sweet about it. After eating spaghetti, Heartsong put on the most excellent concert at our church. After hearing them sing and hearing some of their testimonies our family purchased 3 of their CD's. When the concert was over they separated and went to host families for the night. They met back here Wednesday morning, we packed sack lunches and said our good-byes. They informed us they had a concert Wed. night and had somewhere to stay but they didn't have anywhere to go Thursday and Friday. So we were blessed again Thursday afternoon when their white 15-passenger van and trailer pulled back into our driveway. Late Thursday afternoon Tim took them on a short journey toward Mt. St. Helens. They didn't get all the way to the lookout, but they did get to see some sights. After their road trip to the mountain, we met up at Pollman's for a bonfire and hot dog roast. Some took walks, shot guns and rode horses. A great time was had by all. We left Pollman's around 11:00. Friday morning started with Monkey Bread. What a way to start the day. Overall it was a pretty relaxing day. Six of the group, along with Justin and Matthew, went hiking. Tim took a few for a short ride to see some more sights. I stayed home all day...did house work, visited and took two naps. Yes, two naps. Being pregnant and staying up til 1:30 AM is not a good combination for me. Heartsong wrote Tim and I a note, gave us cash, babysat all 6 kids and told us to go on a date. WOW!!! They are down-right cool. We went to the local restaurant and enjoyed our time away. When we returned, dinner for everyone else was ready and the kitchen was cleaned. They had made homemade pizza. Like I stated previously...they are down-right cool. Right now ( Friday night at 10:52 PM) they are all in our living room watching Madea's Family Reunion. They are pulling out tomorrow morning around 9:00 to head toward Spokane and at that time we will have to say our final good-byes. It will be a sad few moments. Especially for our kids. They have fallen in love with the team. Saying good-bye is always hard, but knowing we will spend eternity with them helps. Sometime tomorrow I will post a picture of the team with our kids.

Highlight #2-Matthew's new tooth. MadDog had a dentist appointment Wednesday morning at 8:00. Needless to say...he didn't wake up in a very good mood. As a matter of fact, a few tears were shed. He got an extra-long morning hug from Mama. After sitting in the chair for over 2 hours and falling asleep 3 times, he came home with a new front tooth. He is very proud of it. He smiles more and shows it to everyone he sees.

Highlight #3-Thursday morning Tim went to Longview to pick up Lucas and Cayla. They spent 3 days at Karen and David's house. It was a long 3 days. We are used to having all of our kids around 24/7. To have two of them gone was quite different. The plan was for them to stay in Longview til Saturday but Tim got to missing them...BAD. So he went and picked them up early. I think they were glad to come home. They did have a great time, though. I thank the Lord for adopted grandparents who love our children and want to spend time with them.

Hightlight #4-Thursday afternoon Larah and I met two friends at the restaurant for lunch. I put Larah in her jog stroller with Mr. Bacon, I put on my ipod and we walked and we walked and we walked. It was wonderful. We walked from our house to the restaurant. I don't know if we made good time or not, but we enjoyed ourselves. We were able to wave at several people we knew, talk to some horses and we each got some sun. Next time I will have to remember sunblock. After lunch we trekked back home, meeting up with Matthew about half way. I did have to take a quick detour to One Stop...my bladder was so full, I couldn't make it home. I had to stop for a potty break. I was impressed by the cleanness of the bathroom. It was not what I expected. Thanks One Stop.

Highlight #5-Friday afternoon I received a phone call from a friend, Anne, asking if she could come over. Of course I said yes and an hour later she came for a visit. She stayed for about an hour and a half. We haven't visited together for quite sometime. I see her every Sunday and we always talk, but today we really talked. It blessed my heart that she took time out of her busy schedule to visit with me.

That pretty much sums up my last few days. It is 11:22 PM and I think it would be wise to hit the sack. Morning comes so fast. Sleep tight and I will post a few pictures tomorrow.

Breeder or Blessed?

>> Sunday, June 10, 2007

Several months ago I read an article in a well-known christian magazine about children. My memory in general is lacking but I do remember one thing...reading the term "breeder". I read on further in this article and concluded that Tim and I are "breeders". I don't get offended, as a matter of fact, it doesn't even bother me. It does, however, sadden me. Reading a magazine is just that...reading a magazine. It is an article on a piece of paper, written by someone I don't know, and more than likely will never meet. But a couple week ago Tim was at a home here in Randle. He was being introduced to someone new and the person introducing him stated..."This is Tim Walker...he's a breeder...children everywhere." That brought the term closer to home. It made it just a little more real. And it still doesn't bother me...it just saddens me all the more. By hearing this local call my husband a breeder brought forth a challenge to me. To live in Randle and to be a witness, in the area of children, to my community. I love living here and I love my children. I pray that as I live here day to day, at the library, the store, the gas station, the local flower shop, etc...that I would always and forever view my children as a blessing and a delight. And that others would see me doing so. Maybe, just maybe, by God's grace they will change their view...for children truly are a blessing from the Lord!!

Here is a poem a friend shared with me. She is a new friend and I look forward to getting to know her more. She loves her children as I love mine.

Here is another sweet, fragrant mouth to kiss;

Here are two more feet to make music with their pattering about my nursery.

Here is a soul to train for God,

And the body in which it dwells is worthy all it will cost,

Since it is the abode of a kingly tenant.

I may see less of friends, but I have gained one dearer than them all,

To whom, while I minister in Christ's name,

I make a willing sacrifice of what little leisure for my own recreation

My other darlings have left me.

Yes, my precious baby,

You are welcome to your mother's heart,

Welcome to her time,

Her stregth,

Her health,

Her tenderest caress,

To her lifelong prayers!

Oh, how rich I am, how truly, how wonderfully blest!

(Stepping Heavenward, Elizabeth Pretiss, 1800)

One Great Week

>> Wednesday, June 06, 2007

This past week, Monday, May 28th thru Sunday, June 3rd, our family spent the week camping just outside of Prineville, OR in the Ochaco National Forest. We camped with another family and a good time was had by all. Our family bond was made stronger and friendships grew deeper. Some of the good times included sitting around the campfire just visting...eating smores and popcorn...walks in the woods...a log cabin...dirty faces...camp food...laughter (lots of laughter...bust your gut til it hurts laughter)...baths in a five gallon bucket...a thunderstorm...the spotting of wild horses and an albino red-tailed hawk...spiders, more spiders and even more spiders...a beautiful creek...catching fish with hands...camp boogers...last but not least...ministering to the farmers of Central Oregon by blasting away a creature called Prarie Dogs. I am proud to say I shot one on my first try. Let me share some pictures.