Pumpkins Pumpkins Everywhere….

This past weekend we visited Berry Patch Farm Pumpkin Festival. We had decided against attending because of weather, but decided to go at the last minute. On our way up we picked up Valeria, and glad we did she takes such good care of our Isabella.

The weather cooperated just long enough for us to spend our time at the Pumpkin Festival. Overall it was a fun, inexpensive, and cheerful outing. Although I have to say….I expected to see pumpkins growing on vines (like a real farm), and it be a little more of a festival. There were only a few activities, the petting zoo was not a petting zoo at all (more like animals in cages with signs that said “we bite”), and the pumpkins were dumped in a field for you to purchase.

Despite this mild disappointment, it was fun seeing Isabella crawl around the pumpkin patch and explore. She was a bit hesitant at first; perhaps it was her lack of sleep but quickly got over it. Here are some pictures of our fun.

A busy few weeks

As some of you may know, we’ve decided to put our house on the market. We did this for a variety of reasons, but mainly to find a home that requires a little less maintenance and a different floor layout. Our home requires a normal amount of maintenance for an older frame home; however, a bit too much for someone who works as much as Tim does during the week. If Tim had a normal nine to five that would be one thing, but anyone who knows us knows that Tim does the work of three people in a work week. That being said, we have been in full gear getting our home ready, and I must say that after a couple of really rough days our house looks better than it’s ever looked.

I am a little upset that so many people let me keep the dinning room red. Now that it's the same color as the living room it looks so much larger and elegant. Tim added an entertainment center/bookcase in the living space, and we got rid of the dark brown in the downstairs bathroom. Not to mention we have a 7x10 storage unit busting at the seams with our excess junk.

It’s interesting how once you announce you are selling your home; people automatically ask “oh where are you looking to move?” I am sure this is only interesting to me since we don’t have an area in particular; we’re just going to see where the market takes us. Please keep us in your prayers that God directs us where he wants us.

Valeria turns 12!!!!

Six years ago next week I met Valeria, my little sister, for the very first time. I remember bringing her a little stuffed animal and we sat in her dinning room coloring. She was as excited to meet me (standing by the front door waiting for my arrival), as I was her. That day I think I heard her say just a few words, I was a little nervous that she would never open up to me. Not sure why I ever worried about that, because the girl can talk. :)

What's surprised me most about our relationship is how much I grew as her big sister. She has kept me on my toes and prepared me for my most important role, mother. Not because I act as her mother, far from that, but because I know that she is watching what I say and do. As she grows up and decides who she will or will not model, I want to make sure that anything she pulls from me is positive. Despite all the adversity that she faces in her life, she has turned out to be such a beautiful, smart, and sweet young lady. I am so proud of her.

Today we celebrated her 12^th birthday at Stevie B’s Pizza. It was smaller than her usual parities, but filled with just as much fun. I had a blast designating myself as the birthday party coordinator. Tim would call me the birthday party Nazi, but why get caught up in the details. ANYWAY……we had a great time and I enjoyed getting to know her family a little bit better.

Multi-Grain Bread

Most of you know that I recently bought a bread machine at a garage sale in Akin. We'll with my mom's help I have a full proof recipe. Here it is:

1.5 tsp Bread Machine Yeast
2 Cups of Whole Wheat Flour
0.5 Cups Bread Flour
0.25 Cups Oat Flour
0.25 Cups of Flax Seed Meal
1.5 tsp salt
1 TBS Butter milk powder
3 TBS Honey
3 TBS Olive Oil
1 EGG + water to make 1 Cup
1/4 Cup of walnuts (to insert at the beep)

Place ingredients in the order listed, and add the walnuts when the machine beeps. Best if all ingredients are at room temp.

Family Photo Session

OK. You guys know I love my pictures. I am a little obsessed actually. It is important to me for Isabella to have something to look back on this time in her life. I have no memories of my childhood much younger than 4/5 and those are few and far between; however, with technology the way it is we can change that.

I also have a dear friend Anna, an up and coming photographer, who is able to capture these moments for us. As you may know, my parents came over for a week and we had Anna take pictures while they were here. The photo session was on a Friday afternoon after Isabella woke up from her nap at Piedmont Park. Anyway....we are all so pleased with the results.

Isbella's Growing Up!!!!

This past week Isabella started climbing up onto things. Her two favorite items are our living room ottoman and either of her parents. She’s growing so fast, it’s such a joy to witness. I know you wouldn’t believe me, but we do occasionally dress her appropriately. This must have been taken after a lazy diaper change and the pants just didn’t make it back on. Today we had our one year doctor’s visit, and all is well. We are a blessed family.

Baby Grace's Dedication

After dropping off my parents at the airport "sniff sniff", we headed up to Alpharetta for a very important Shipman/Walker event. Randy and Melissa had a private Baby Dedication with her close friends and family. It was a very special moment, and we are so happy to have served witness as they dedicate Grace to God and we as part of her life join in to help encourage her to have a personal relationship with our Lord and Savior.

We were pretty tired, as Isabella decided to have a little party at 5 this morning, but were there with bells on. Isabella has become so vocal that it's difficult to keep her quite during important moments such as these. Despite the additional vocals, I am sure her cousin Grace was happy to have her there.

Isabella wore a beautiful dress that was made for her with love by Grandma Walker. She enjoyed eating lots of yummy roast beef, and exploring Uncle Randy's house. Thank you for letting us share such a wonderful moment with you.