Thankful Day 30

So today is my last post for my month of thanks to be complete, and it simply would not be complete without giving thanks for my wonderful and amazing friends.  I have some of the most amazing friends in the world, ones who no matter how close or far away from me they are physically, are always right there beside me to get me through.  They make me laugh, give me ideas, listen to me vent, and set wonderful examples for me to follow and I am truly grateful that I have been blessed with such wonderful friends!

Thankful Day 29

Today I am thankful for a dishwasher.  As many of you know, dishes are the bane of my existence and I avoid them as much as humanly possible.  I will come up with almost any excuse to get out of them, so today as I started doing some dishes I was grateful for my dishwasher to do some of the work!

Thankful Day 28

Today I am thankful for cookies.  They just make life better.  Enough said!

Thankful Day 27

Today I am thankful for a healthy body.  While I'm still working to get mine where I would like it to be, I am blessed to be healthy.  I have no long term conditions, no issues, and plenty of energy and strength and I'm greatful for it! 

Thankful Day 26

Today I am thankful for our nanny, Kristin.  She is so awesome with Max.  She helps him learn and play.  She also does a great job keeping the house clean and tidy despite Max's best efforts.  It is so wonderful to know that while Nate and I are at work he is happy and safe at home with her.  She truly is AMAZING  and I am VERY VERY VERY thankful for her!

Thankful Day 25

Today I am thankful for my extended family.  We have had lots of time to spend with our family over the past few years (a trip to Disney World, Christmas, Blessings, Thanksgiving, etc.) and it has been wonderful.  It is so much fun to have built in friends and people who love you unconditionally.  Here are some pictures of our various family adventures over the past year or two:

  
 

Thankful Day 24

Today I am thankful for XM Satellite Radio so I could listen to the Ohio State vs Michigan game and hear the Buckeyes have a perfect season while we were driving home from Michigan! Go Buckeyes!!

Thankful Day 23

Today I am thankful for music.  Max was dancing and singing today with me while watching the Disney Very Merry Sing-a-long and it was so adorable.  I have always loved music, from playing to singing to listening.  I am so glad that Max is showing the same thing.  Even when he was just a few weeks old he would calm down almost instantly when he heard music playing.  Music also has the amazing power to bring the spirit and I am grateful for it's power and influence in my life!

Thankful Day 22

Today I am thankful for Finn (my dog).  Yeah, I know it makes me sound like I am 5 years old but I don't care.  She is crazy at times, but she is a really good dog.  She is definitely my dog.  She gets super excited when I get home and follows me around.  She loves going for walks/runs with me.  She plays fetch and tug of war with me.  She is still learning to like Max, but enjoying him more now that she can play with her a little.  I am grateful for her unconditional love and companionship!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thankful Day 21

Today I am thankful for my calling.  I have the opportunity to work with the Young Women (specifically the Laurels - girls 16-18 years old) and I LOVE spending time with them.  I get to have wonderful gospel discussions with them on Sundays, plus talk about life and movies and boys and music and everything any other time.  They are such wonderful girls with strong and growing testimonies that set such a wonderful example to me!  I love them and they are truly awesome!

Thankful Day 20

Today I am thankful for my Parents!  We have lived close to them for almost five years and it has been great!  I love having them be a part of Max's life all the time.  It is nice to be able to just go shopping or out to lunch with my mom.  Nice to be able to play games or make cherry tarts with my dad.  Nice to have them close when we need help, or just to hang out with!  They really are awesome people and I am grateful they are my parents!

Thankful Day 19

Yep - you had to know this one was coming.  Today I am thankful for Diet Dr. Pepper.  Cami and I joke all of the time that it is the "sweet nectar of life" and sometimes I worry that I'm not joking... but seriously - it is awesome and often the best part of my day!  Good think I can buy it in bulk at Costco...

Thankful Day 18

Today I am thankful for comfortable beds.  They make life much easier and happier because you sleep well!  I know this one is kind of silly, but it is the kind of thing that if I didn't have it, I'd really miss it (like last night in our hotel where we basically slept on a rock).  So yep, today I'm glad for comfy beds!

Thankful Day 17

Yesterday was big, today is simple. I am thankful for Donatos Pizza (I'll be having it for lunch).  I'm thankful there is now one located only 2 hours from my house!  The edge to edge toppings, the thin and crispy crust, the delicious flavors (one of the only places I like MULTIPLE specialty pizzas) all make it one of the most delicious things ever! Hooray for Donatos!

Thankful Day 16

So today we are half way through the month!  Hooray!  I figured that in order to celebrate, I would do one of my big thankful's - perhaps the thing I am most thankful for in this world.  Yep, you guessed it, it's Nathan.

He is truly a wonderful person!  He is an AMAZING father.  He will do the fun stuff (like playing and snuggling) but he also helps with all of the hard stuff (getting up in the middle of the night, changing dirty diapers, etc.) without me having to prompt him.

He cooks for me, helps me clean the house, helps with the chores outside.  He watches girl TV shows with me and remembers to record the ones I like.  He remembers my favorites and the things I don't like (perhaps even better than I do).  He spoils me with all kinds of things (like shopping and vacations) but also by letting me spend lots of time with my sisters.  He brings me flowers for no reason other than he knows how much I like them.

He is patient with me when I'm being moody or cranky or just plain irrational.  He always forgive me for being ridiculous.  He understands that sometimes I just have to vent and he listens quietly.  He supports my decisions and helps me stay strong when I'm tempted not to be.

He studied hard and is now working hard to provide for our family. He focuses the gospel and makes decisions by consulting with Heavenly Father in Prayer.  He takes me to the Temple often.  He encourages me to study and pray and continue to strengthen my testimony.  He is my very best friend and the love of my life.  So today I am thankful for my amazing, handsome, and wonderful husband!!

{The picture at the top is the first picture ever taken of the two of us - we weren't even dating yet.  It is still to this day one of my favorites.  The second is Nate and Max on the plane during our round robin trip to visit great grandmas this summer}

Thankful Day 15

Today I am thankful for my home.  Nate and I have been blessed to rent a wonderful home for the past 4+ years and it has been so good to us!  While I might gripe and complain about the creaky hallway, the ugly counter tops, or the drafty doors, the reality is that this has been a wonderful, warm and inviting place for us to live.  We have had many happy and warm memories in this house and I am so grateful for that! 

I'm grateful that in this house I'm able to have a study where I can retreat and read a book with no noise bothering me.  I'm thankful I could paint the nursery walls bright green to match the monkey theme I wanted.  I'm thankful I could create a garden in the back yard where I could learn to grow my own food and herbs.  I'm thankful to have 2!!! bathrooms so that I selfishly don't have to share mine with company.  So yes, today I am grateful to have been blessed with such a comfortable place to live!

Thankful Day 14

Today I am thankful for games.  I had LOVE playing games with my family and friends. (this includes word games, board games, video games, etc).  I am thankful for the fun they allow us to have together, even if we are in different states!  They challenge me and entertain me and the like.  So that is what I'm thankful for today!

Thankful Day 13

Today is another simple one.  Today I am thankful for my Smartphone.  I use it all day everyday.  It is has simplified my life.  It give me directions, keeps me up to date with my family, provides me with access to my accounts and money, lets me play games wherever I am when I am bored, and most importantly allows me to catch all the cute things Max does on a regular basis on camera (stills or videos).  Thank you Apple for making me such a great tool! 

Thankful Day 12

Today I am thankful for my job (ironic I know since I had today off).  I am thankful to work for a company that values a work life balance and makes it so easy to be a working mom.  I have always enjoyed working for Capital One, but I truly started to appreciate just how great of a company they were when I was so sick during my pregnancy.  Rather than give me a hard time, they supported me.  They let me work from home and were understanding through the whole thing.  And now that Max has come along, I recognize just how supportive they are of working moms.  I am very proud to say that Max has never had formula (If you knew my thoughts on nursing vs formula BEFORE I had Max, you will better understand this, if not, ask me next time we talk).  I am 100% certain that if they didn't provide me with the Mother's rooms and support I needed, that would not be the case.  On top of all of this, I actually ENJOY what I do.  I like the challenges I come across at work and the satisfaction that comes with solving them.  So today I am grateful not only that I have a job, but one that works so well for me!

Thankful Day 11

Today I am thankful for my Siblings!  My sisters are my best friends!  They are the people I call when I am excited, upset, angry, and any other emotion worthy of note.  And I love living so close to Kye that we can go to all his games and just hang out!

Last year Kristan, Shelly, Cami and I went to Vegas for a fun sister's weekend!  We saw Lion King, played the slots with our $5 (it's a good thing I'm not a gambler, or that is all I would do!), shopped, ate yummy food, hung out by the pool, and just in general enjoyed having a good time together.

This past summer for a little while both Cami and Rachel were home, and Shelly lived so close it was lots of sister's time all over again.  We played lots of Mario Party!  Somehow Cami seems to win the most, but it's okay cause we still have a fun time playing anyway!

Sherise is now back here in VA and it's nice having her around.  Kristan and her girls were able to come out for a visit over my Birthday, and I truly loved having them!  It was fun to see Max and Adalie play, and to watch Remi "help" Max with things.  If only they lived closer.
 {Random side note, we tend to gather in 4s as sisters, and not necessarily the same 4, but almost always 4 and we have no idea why that is...}

Thankful Day 10

First of all we are officially a third of the way through November and so far I haven't missed a day!  Oh yeah, I'm awesome....anyway.

Today I am thankful for cookies and cakes.  Not so much eating them, but thankful that I've been able to learn how to decorate them.  I find it relaxing and fun to just sit down with an opportunity to decorate.  It also allows me to pretend to be creative (which I'm not) because I can replicate other's designs (which I am good at).  I've included a few pictures of things I have made over the past year or two to give you an idea of what I'm talking about.  Evidently I am not as vain as I used to be because I do not have nearly as many pictures as I thought I did.

 {I am fully aware that I snuck in a picture of Max.  Technically I made him too, although you wouldn't know it to look at him....}

Thankful Day 9

Today I am thankful for Holidays!  Holidays are so much fun.  They bring fun decor, traditions, and often special spiritual experiences with them.  We have missed out on sharing our experiences from the most recent ones so here is a quick update in photos:

I always love Christmas, and last year was no exception.  We made our Gingerbread houses, watched TONS of Christmas movies, played games, decorated cookies, and all of the other fun things that go with it. (This was the ONLY picture I managed to snap on Christmas Day of the two of us - we were ready to head out the door to church.  NO, I do no know why I am making that face - must be pregnancy making me crazy...)

Valentines Day was fun because it was Max's first holiday.  We took PLENTY of pictures, but here are the best ones.  As you can see Max got way too much stuff for valentines day - we will NOT be keeping up with that on.  {if you notice, there is a Plush Darth Vadar there, and as if that wasn't enough, it s actually a backpack.  One week old and he already has star wars toys...}

For Easter, this year we did not do our annual Egg Hunt, but that didn't prevent Max from hunting on his own (well, with a little help from Daddy).  For the record, this may have been the most fun I have ever had taking photos cause I just couldn't get enough of that cute tiny little suit!

The 4th of July was fun - we got together with friends and enjoyed a little home  grown fireworks show - turns out that I am a little crazy about Fireworks....

You've already seen some of the Halloween pictures, but here is the one where he did his first "official" trick or treating at the Nelson's.  It was super fun.

And now I am TOTALLY in the mood for the Holiday season.  Thanksgiving and Christmas are such a super fun time of year, and I can hardly wait!

Thankful Day 8

Today I am thankful for sleep.  Good old fashioned crash early sleep in without waking up in between sleep.  Max has decided (knock on wood) that he can sleep through the night in his crib and I realized just how much I really do love sleep!

Thankful Day 7

Today I am thankful for Grandparents (and Great Grandparents .  My Grand parents have always been great.  I am especially close with my mom's mother - Grandma Allie, and I cannot tell you how many wonderful memories I have because of her.  Grandparents are people who love us and spoil us and are always excited to hear our news and I'm so grateful for mine.

This summer we had the awesome opportunity to take Max to meet 2 of his 3 Great Grandmother's.  First we went to SLC to visit Grandma Allie, then it was off to Phoenix to see Nate's Grandma Smith.  Max was such a great little traveler, and super cute with both of them.

Then in September we Max and I were able to fly to Oregon.  My Grandmother Nuffer was in the hospital after a stroke, but we were able to get there in time so she could "meet" Max before she passed.  We then stayed for the funeral services.  I am so grateful that she waited so we could be there and we could say our goodbye's.

Thankful Day 6

Today I am thankful to be an American.  I am thankful for the Men and Women who have and continue to fight for my freedom.  Their sacrifices are the reason I have the life, liberty and the ability to pursue my own happiness.

I am thankful for my freedom of Religion.  Thankful that I can worship how, where, and what I may.

I am thankful for my freedom of Speech.  That for good or bad, I can say what I would like to say; that I can express my opinions without fear of being pursued unfairly by my government.

I am thankful for my right to bear arms. Weird one, I know - but this right allows me the ability to protect my family if there would ever be the need (yet at the same time the only gun I own is a bb gun...).

I am thankful for my right to Vote.  It still amazes me that every four years, we the citizens of this great Nation have the opportunity to elect our leaders.  We can choose who we want.  We have the right and ability to take a stand and elect the people we think will do the best job leading and guiding our cities and our country.

So today I choose to show my thanks for all of these things be Voting. I hope each of you take the opportunity to do the same, and also take a moment to pause and reflect on what a truly great opportunity this is!

Thankful Day 5

Today I am thankful for the seasons!  I love the changing of the seasons - from the flowers in spring, the sun and fun of summer or the snow and hot chocolate in the winter.  But the one that I love most of all is Fall.  I love the cool crisp air, the changing of the leaves, the sweaters, the pumpkins, the scarves, the holidays....I could go on and on.

This year we had the fun opportunity to go to the pumpkin patch with both my mom and Kye, but also Nate's parents!  We had tons of fun!

We decided to head up to the Ashland Berry Farm. It was all the pumpkins you could carry (at least 3 steps) for $20.  The picture is just the trial run, they actually carried even more cause after this we found white pumpkins and gourds!

Max definitely enjoyed exploring the pumpkin patch.  He found Plenty of Leaves to eat!  He also ended up finding a very cute little yellow pumpkin (not pictured) that was smaller than a tennis ball.  He spent the entire hayride back playing with it and chewing on it! Once back from the patch, we also enjoyed yummy homemade donuts! Overall it was a very successful first outing to the pumpkin patch!.


Fall also brings Halloween and I had WAY too much fun dressing Max up.  He was Link from the Nintendo game Zelda.  He got to have fun wearing his costume to Trunk or Treat as well as on Halloween!  He didn't really understand the candy part (but to be fair he isn't even 9 months old), but he had fun going around and smiling at everyone!  Definitely a success! (Special thanks to Caitlyn for his AWESOME costume! It was really nice to only have to do the sword and shield myself).

Anyway, I'm thankful for both fall as well as the other seasons for reminding me that change happens, and it always brings new and fun adventures with it!

NOTE:  If you happen to still be following my thankful posts, I'm silly and like comments - so let me know you stopped by the blog - it helps motivate me knowing that people are actually enjoying the updates.  (Although this is a personal goal, so I guess I'll keep doing it whether others are reading or not...)

Thankful Day 4

Today I am thankful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  I am happily a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  I love the peace and truth that the gospel brings.  We had Stake Conference this weekend (where all of the local congregations meet together and listen to local members and leaders speak).  I really enjoyed listening to our local leaders provide guidance and insight on how I can continue to better myself and my family.  

Of course it reminded me of the last time we went to Stake Conference because it was a special time for me.  It was the first time we took Max to Church.  He was just 2.5 weeks old.  We put him in his tiny shirt and tie and loaded him up and off we went.  He did great! (This picture was taken afterwards and he was done and ready to be out of his church clothes.

Another thing that we do in the Church is bless babies.  In the purpose is two fold, 1 - to give them a name (on the records of the church) and also to give them a Blessing.  Max had his blessing on March 25th, 2012. It was a very special occasion  especially because all of our siblings (yep, all 6 of mine and all 4 of Nate's) were able to be in attendance.  It was wonderful to feel the spirit and the love of family on that special day.

If you would like to know more about this gospel that I am so grateful for please feel free to ask me or check out www.mormon.org for more information.

Thankful Day 3

Today I am thankful for Sunshine.  Here in VA we get a fair amount of sunshine year round, and whenever the sun is out it just seems to brighten my day.

In February, Shelly and Chase moved to Wilmington North Carolina, which is an easy 3 & 1/2 hour drive from us.  Max and I made our first trip down Easter weekend and fell in love.  Wilmington is a charming beach town with a beautiful beach!  That first trip was much to cold for swimming (unless you are crazy uncle Chase who is never afraid to get his feet wet!) so we walked on the beach and enjoyed the sunshine.

Over the next 5 months we managed to make it down to visit about half a dozen times, and had tons of fun each time.  Then Shelly and Chase got adventurous and moved to Canada, so we stopped going.

Luckily we found some time to head to the Outer banks with Grandma and Grandpa (and Uncle Kye and Aunt Rachel!) While on our trip the Sunshine spend a good amount of time hiding behind the clouds, we had fun relaxing, playing games, go-karting, riding bumper cars, and just hanging out in general.

Hooray for Sunshine - I'm certainly thankful for it!!

Thankful Day 2

Yes, it's 1AM, so technically it is Saturday and I blew it on day two. Guess I'm not perfect (shhh - don't tell anyone, you might blow my cover).

So I had my day 2 post all written up and just needed to add pictures, but then I changed my mind.  So now that one is day 3.  For day 2, I'm thankful for Books.  All kinds of books.

I have always been an avid reader.  As a child/teenager, some of my favorite memories are sitting in the chair in the living room curled up with a book reading.  When we made my dad a cheesy home video for a birthday present, that was one of my hobbies that we listed.  As an English Lit Major, I spend TONS of time in college reading.  I mean like - 1000+PAGES a week were required for my classes.  Now don't get me wrong, I read fast.  Very fast (but I do NOT skim).  But even for someone reads fast, that is a lot.  So once I finished up school, I took a break from reading.  And I got out of the habit, for a while.  I read a book here or there, but I no longer had the constant thirst for reading.  

But last spring that changed again...suddenly I was ready to pick up books again and I LOVE it.  I love that when reading you can totally transport yourself to another place.  You have the ability to see new perspectives and experience things you never would otherwise.  {I just realized that I managed to read almost 1000 pages this week. No wonder I'm tired - guess I can't blame it all on Max}

So for day 2, I'm thankful for Books.  I'm thankful that I have access to so many books, and that I have the time and opportunity to read them.  

PS - if you have any good suggestions let me know - I'm always looking for new books to read!

November - A month full of thanks!

So in an attempt to both catch everyone up on events of the past year (or two) AND get into the spirit of the season, every day (yes, I'm holding myself to all 30 days this month) I plan on talking about one thing that I am thankful for that has happened.

Today I'm starting BIG. I am MOST thankful for our little bundle of Joy, Max.

Maxwell Richard Walker was born on Tuesday February 7, 2012 at 5:46pm. He was 8lbs 2oz and 20 inches long. He is so much fun. He has always been an active little guy, and is proving that to be the case now as he is not even 9 months old and walking around like a champ! He says Mama and Dada, and "mo" for when he wants more. He gives high five and waves bye-bye. He is honestly one of the happiest babies I have ever met, and is always glad to flash his smile around.

He loves to play with his toys, as well as get into Finn's food and water, no matter where we hide it. He LOVES swinging, and also music. He is very very independent, and definitely strong willed (I cannot imagine where he got that from). He is not super cuddly unless he is tired, but when he IS tired, he loves nothing more than to snuggle up and be held until he falls asleep. He has also provided me with an excellent excuse to watch lots of Winnie the Pooh movies!

Also, I have to admit that I have WAY TOO MUCH FUN dressing him. He has 9 pairs of shoes (this is size 2 only!) and tons and tons of clothes. And apparently I have issues because he always has to match, down to his socks and coats.
Most of all I love how much he loves me. His face lights up when I walk in a room, and I love it. When he is sad or hurt (you know, from banging his head into things cause it's way bigger than the rest of him) he always calms down for me and it makes my heart melt.

So for today, that is what I am most thankful for. My Baby Max.

Thankful

So I know that a million and one things have happened since I last blogged, but Nate had an experience today that made me want take a moment to express my gratitude. Here is the IM Nate sent me at work:

12:51 PM Walker, Diane: what did you end up with for lunch?
12:52 PM Walker, Nathan: they brought in jason deli and the delivery boy was someone i went to school wth thankful for this job

It reminded me how thankful I am for my good husband, my job, my home, and especially my healthy happy little boy! Sometimes I take for granted all of the amazing things that I am blessed with, so today I'm thinking of them and being grateful. Oh, and here is a picture of my little one who is definately the biggest blessing in my life:

Nate's Graduation

Nate Graduated from VCU in December with his degree in Mechanical Engineering!! I was so proud of him!

His parents were able to come for almost a week and it was great having them. He graduated on Friday night! We went out to dinner with the family afterwards to celebrate. Then on Saturday his mom threw him a graduation Luau! We had tons of delicous food, awesome entertainment, and over 150 friends come and celebrate with us! So much fun!