Weekend get-a-way

For the longest time Grant and I have been wanting to take the scenic highway 20 over the mountains to the west side. Finally, after a big push, we did it. I was afraid it would be different with a baby on board, making what should be a peaceful scenic drive a frantic one. But Reese is a travel trooper. As long as she gets food when she is hungry, all is well.

I took so many photographs I'm afraid I'll have to just make a Facebook album and mass upload them. As much as I would love to go through and edit each one, I don't have the time or patience. But here is a glimpse of our travels over the Cascades and a hike around Deceptions Pass National Park.

 

Reese loved exploring TEXTURES. And yes, at one point we caved and let her eat the rock.

 

 

 

 

 

Diablo Lake

 

Reese wanting to watch the waves.
Grant wanting to watch his little girl explore.
Angelina wanting to get a family picture.

 

Watch her grow!

Oh boy has this summer been busier than I had expected. Not having a full time waitressing job at the local winery brought expectations of calm days and extra time. I guess having a baby and now being apart of all things kids really does keep you busy. From VBS, to birthday parties, to camping, to play days, to extended trips in California (which doesn't involve kids but still took a chunk of my summer) I sure have kept busy. I wish I had my camera in hand more to document all the adventures Reese and I have had this summer. I am of the select few that still has an old-fashion phone that just makes calls and sends messages. Not looking like I'll come out of that anytime soon.

I'm keeping this short, as it is already past 12:30pm, and my sweet pea is going to wake up starving to death any minute.

Below I have compiled all her pictures from the last 6 months. Now if only I could find a good one from newborn, that would make it more interesting. That requires more time that I don't have. Her 6 month appointment was this past Monday. Shots....I think she has almoooooost gotten used to them. I am 26 years old and I still am scared of shots, so maybe not. But once the needle is pricked she cries for maybe 2 minutes and then is distracted by the wonders around the office. She is growing great! Slowly but non the less, healthy and on track. Reese is weighing in at a grand total of 15.5 lbs...and 25 something inches. 50th percentile. She is a mover and a shaker...watch out world!

{click photo to enlarge}

Reese's first trip to California

At the end of April I took a trip to California to see my family and friends for Michaelene's bridal shower and Lindsey Besthorn's wedding. I still can't believe my little sister is getting married in a months time. I guess we really are all grown up huh? It seems like yesterday I was walking into her room as she sat on her bed with her crochet bonnet she wore every minute of the day. Oh I wish I had a picture to show. lol It was the funniest and cutest thing! But years have flown by, I am a new mother, Jessica has three kids, and Michaelene is finishing college and planning a wedding. I am still in denial about it all.

And after being 4 years since college graduation, I am blessed to still be close friends with these lovely ladies.

 

Reese had quite the week, seeing a million new faces and bearing the 80+ degree weather. Unfortunately for her, her mommy didn't know how to dress her for the heat wave. Throughout the day something would be stripped off her until she was down to just a onesie.

 

Reese finally got to meet two of her grandpas, her other aunties, and crazy cousins Sonny and Marcus. I had a wonderful time with my mom, morning smiles and sitting on the back porch, bath time in the sink, lunch dates,my niece and nephews and of course preparing for a bridal shower. I know Reese misses sleeping on Grandma's cozy bed starring at the fan above too.

 

Here are a few snap shots from our trip:

 

 

My Dad picked us up from the airport and brought us back for a yummy dinner at his place....Reese was pretty wiped out from a long day travels as you can see.



With the help of the Maid of Honor, Julianne, my Mom did an AMAZING job with the bridal shower tea party. So much fun!

        

 

 

Reese's Great Aunt Liza came to visit too!

California Girls



Beautiful wedding for our dear friend Lindsey Besthorn. So great to see God bring about so many blessings in her life!

 



One of my all time favorite moments, Reese grooving on the dance floor with us, and decides she is too tired so she falls asleep admist the loud music and dancing.

 

 

Auntie T and Reese saying "It is way too hot Mom, take these tights off me!"

 



Hanging out with cousins! Couldn't get Marcus to stay still long enough to get a clear photo. Typcial.

 

 

Finally able to see my niece play in her soccer game.

 

 

 

Brewster gets many visitors

Over the past three months, we have been beyond blessed to have so many visitors. Since Reese was born, family and friends have come up to visit. I knew it would be hard living so far away from family and having a baby "alone" up here. Of course I am not alone and I have a wonderful group of friends and adopted family here that make Grant and I feel at home. But never have I felt more loved than finding out my family, without question, flew up here as soon as Reese was born. The support we have from family in California and Chicago is a huge blessing. Grant and I couldn't have asked for a greater love than that of our family.

Here are a couple of snapshots of the many visitors baby Reese has had over the past 2 months.

Grandma Anna was the first family member to meet sweet little Reese in the hospital

Reese and her cousin Alexandria

My sister Jessica came up too but for some reason I can't find the picture. Jessica while eventually send it to me she said.

 

her Auntie Mandy came to visit with Uncle Scott

Uncle Sam and Auntie Michaelene flew up

 

Natasha came up to help while Grant was away. And she helped make Reese's room look amazing!

Grandma Nan got to spend precious time with baby Reese

Auntie Claire and Uncle Evan flew in from Chicago.

 

Jon Lee came up too but again, no picture. Man, I thought I was good at getting pictures of Reese with everyone...guess not. Sorry Jon!

 

 

Gabi make the trek out to little Brewster to see Reese in April

 

 

Looking forward to many more visitors! SO incredibly blessed to have friends and family make the effort to come see us. It means the world to us! I guess we really are loved...or maybe just Reese. lol 

Easter Sunday

I hope everyone had a happy and blessed Easter. Here in Brewster the weather was gorgeous. We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day to celebrate the resurrection of our Savior! I even wore sandals for the first time this season.

Through all the egg hunts, easter baskets, and feasts I pray we all remember the real reason we celebrate this special day. It is this:

 "that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,  that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures" - 1 Corinthians 15:3-4

That in a nutshell, I believe, is the gospel and reason I live. It is this simple yet complex truth that gives me new life. Without it, I am a doomed sinner with no hope; no hope for a more glorious life after death. I am alive and well because He died and rose again.

If your wondering what we did for the holiday, nothing but relax. Started our Sunday with church and then a delicious brunch at Rivers. After an afternoon nap, Reese and I snuck over to the annual Gebbers egg hunt to hang out with all her other baby friends. That pretty much concluded our day. I was able to video chat with both sides of my family.  I don't know how I would handle living 2,000 miles away from all my family if it wasn't for technology. I miss them all dearly, but seeing their faces on video chat makes life a little easier.

 

Family Photograph

 Reese with her bunny from Grandma Anna

 

 Blessed to be a part of this family of moms

Grant's Baptism

This past Sunday at church, Grant was baptized! What a glorious day it was! You see, my excitement is not that this act of baptizing saved him and is now assured a place in Heaven. It is Grant's step of faith and obediance to God in his walk with Him. The meaning of baptism today holds too many different views. This is what I believe to hold true of baptism (in a condensed version):

Baptism is not necessary for salvation because we are saved by faith alone. Although Jesus commanded baptism (Matt. 28:19), it is not what gives us justification from sins. Mark 16:16 states, "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned." It does not say 'he who does not believe and is not baptized' will be condemned. It says nothing about those who believe and are not baptized. Clearly the thief dying on the cross next to Jesus was saved (Luke 23:43) but did not have a chance to be baptized. He went to Heaven by faith alone. The only spiritual benefit to believers who are baptized is the blessing of God's favor that comes with all obediance, as well as joy that comes with the public profession of faith. Baptism is a symbolism of dying to self and rising with Christ (Romans 6:1-11, Colossians 2:11-12). It is an outward, public confession of one's faith in Jesus Christ and regeneration of life  As Wayne Grudem professes, "The amazing truths of passing through the waters of judgement safely, of dying and rising with Christ, and of having our sins washed away, are truths of momentous and eternal proportion and ought to be an occassion for giving great glory and praise to God."

To Him be the glory and honor forever and ever. Amen.

God's new surprise

I'm back! After a long break, a year and a half later I return to the blog world. Maybe because I actually have something exciting to blog about these days...a baby! God surely has yet again shaken things up and reminded me I can't plan my life without seeking Him first. To think, just a year ago Grant and I hadn't even remotely considered the idea of being parents yet. Sure, in the 'future' we would, but we had adventures to live out. Funny how God heard me and smiled knowing that the biggest change I would ever experience was about to happen. I meditate on these promises:

He knows the plans he has for me (Jer. 29:11)
His purposes will always stand (Isaiah 46:10)
He is at work in my/our lives (Rom 8:28)
He will finish what He has started in me, continuing to work, allowing me peace in knowing it is not just my job (Phil. 1:6)
 
Now I will try and do my best to stay current and keep my friends and family living thousands of miles away updated on our new adventures a a little family. I know you would hear Grant say, and I agree, we can't imagine life without Reese anymore. She is our world.



 Reese Marie Walker: Fearfully and Wonderfully made (Ps. 139:14)

 
Now look how big she has already gotten from one month to the next

Spring is here it seems and it might be nice to pack Reese in the stroller and get outside for a bit. But it's the weekend and I am more looking forward to lots of this:

 

 I hope you all are able to find some rest and relaxation this weekend. :)