Belated New Years Blessings(more like celebrations)

God really does care about the little things in our lives, even as much as he cares about the big things.
We ladies had a wonderful time in the Lord last night! Wow! We as a group were able to claim victory over our lives and celebrate that together.
Personally, God fixed something in me that has been broken for a long time. Last night I was able to get the best night's sleep that I have had in probably 5 months or so. It was so wonderful to be able to rest in God's peace.  However, the side effect is that I can't stop crying!!! LOL  It's ok though. I have spent the last 6 months trying to suppress my emotions to keep up the "happy" front up.  I have become so robotic in going about my life lately, that I had suppressed so much of what I was actually feeling. All the while justifying it in my head for the good of the family.  When I woke up this morning, it just hit all at once, but I LOVE being broken and open before the Lord. It may not be pretty, but it allows Him to come in and tweak those parts of your heart that need tweaking and heal those wounds that need to be healed! Now, hopefully, I can keep myself out of the way long enough to see what God is going to do or is doing in my life this year.

Long weekends and yucky island weather ....

While we were thankful for the long weekend it wasn't great weather wise, but we managed. Friday we hung out and watched movies. Saturday Jacob and I went on a youth trip, while Christina and Keith got some Daddy/Daughter time in. The place we went to was called Round 1. It is this crazy, seven story, indoor recreation center that has, video games, virtual sports games, actual games, like basketball, badminton and batting cages, a roller rink, a little foam ball pit and foam ball guns, and playground for the little ones, oh even a real bowling ally. I am sure there are tons more but I just can't remember. It even has massage chairs in a quiet room for the Mama's! Yep, guess where I ended up! The crazy thing is that most everything is in Japanese. Thankfully, we had youth there to interpret for us, lol. I really didn't want to go at first, but I am so glad I did. I got to hang out with my new friends! :) Sunday, we went to church and just chilled at the house afterward. Worship service was pretty incredible. God has a plan for this year and I can not wait to see what it is! There are several opportunities for me to get plugged in here. I am just praying for guidance. I am just thankful for my new friends at Neighborhood. I just wish I could see them more than once or twice a week! Yesterday we just stayed in out of the rain. Well, they did, I went and got my hair cut and colored. I LOVE it! :) 

Today it is back to the grind. I had a ton of cleaning to do but didn't bother. I'm so bad! I know. I did get to talk to my Mother today and my Sister. So, that made it productive right??

Ok, so I am off to go figure out supper. Humm, I have ground turkey and taco shells, that sounds good! :)

Something to think about....

Raising children is always a challenge. Watching them grow, is amazing!!! Wow, I am so proud of my kiddos. Christina is the easy one for the most part, you almost always know what she is thinking and how she feels. Her teachers always have amazing things to say about her. She is so sweet, smart and outgoing. I had the privilege to help out in her SS class today. Wow, they had some great discussions and the way she answered some of the questions and the comments she made. I was blown away. We've raised them in church and I know they know what it is all about, but wow to see them first hand express what they know and have retained!! Jacob, on the other hand, likes to keep it to himself. Although, he has gotten better about it. He was 8 when we started on our adventure as a military family. He is 12 now and wow, it just hit me yesterday after the youth outing how much he was growing, not just physically but spiritually and mentally. He is such a good kid and so intuitive even.  It is like he matured over night!! It is always so amazing to hear his teachers talk so fondly of him. A handful, I am even blessed to call friends :)
God is so good!

Friday night!

Movies, video game and Manwich! :)

by the way ...

I simplified the lay out! :)
Blogger has come out with some new templates and the old lay out was cute but way too busy. I think I like this better, eh?? I am really beginning to like the new Google+ thing too!  I haven't really messed around on it much but I need to check out the Google talk as well.


*sigh* no work out today. I was a slacker but I did watch the football game. 
Speaking of ... Wow!! I can not believe Bama just walked all over LSU. I know the last time they played it was a battle of the defenses. I think LSU's defense forgot to show up, I feel sorry for my LSU fan family and friends because they just looked tired and defeated before the end of the first quarter. Hey you have got to love SEC football though right??? Go HOGS!


Let's see, the kids are great! Jacob is suppose to get confirmation on his Science fair topic soon, I hope! Christina is about half way finished with her quilt in quilting club! She has to pick a backing material or just use what the teacher provides. I can not wait to see the finished product! The will get to display them at school for a week or two then bring them home. I will definitely have photos! :) Speaking of, I need to make the Grandmother's their DVD's of the kids during the year. 


Oh! I got to talk to my Mom today! YAY, that really made my day. I felt like a jerk because it had been so long since I had talked to her, other than sending a note on FB. I even missed my parents' anniversary!! UGH! 
The sad thing is that Mom told me that Dad was watching the Cotton Bowl and was looking for Ryan Mallet at QB. *sigh*  However, the good news is that he may not always know where everyone else is but he knows where he is. I definitely need to start skyping more with my parents!


Ok, I guess it is time to figure out what we are going to have for supper. I'm thinking hamburger helper at this point. I have got to start planning meals better and cooking healthier if I am going to get my weight under control and hubby's cholesterol! Another plus of staying home these days! :)

Monday

Happy Monday all! :)
We had a nice relaxing weekend. I took Christina to the movies. I ALWAYS forget that they play the National Anthem before our movies, but it is really cool to see an entire theater of people stand and put their hands over their hearts. 
We had a good service at church Sunday. I just love a Pastor who isn't afraid to get up and preach what is on his heart! 
Christina got up and went walking with me this morning. We walked the neighborhood even though she wanted to go to the track. I still haven't measured to see how far it was but we walked for a good 30 minutes. I have gotten back on SparkPeople. I love it! It is like weight watcher but free! It helps me to track every thing that I eat because I know if I have to write it down that I will just avoid eating it. I should have dug out my Wii Fit today and done some strength training but that is for another day. I'm so excited hoping to get this weight off and get healthy!  
I hope everyone has a great week!!

Look out, I've been thinking ....

So, what is it about the New Year that makes us so philosophical?? It must be the freshness that January 1st brings us. Everyone planning NY's resolutions and all. Sadly, I always say I will do this or that, but never stick to it. Such is life.
At this point, all I can say for sure is that God is faithful. I can not wait to see what He has in store for our family in 2012. I have this recurring theme that keeps coming around. 
Until next time bloggies!

It is a New Year ....

....welcome 2012!!
Wow, I can NOT believe we have started a new year already. My, how time flies! Let's just see how the next 2 and 3/4 go, LOL.
So, we are in our little abode here on Okinawa and have gotten pretty much settled in. We made it through Christmas, enjoyed some time with K afterward and are now getting back into the school, work, and Mom routine. 
Wow, it has been so long since I have written anything on here, although, I do seem to be keeping up with my annual January report! ha ha. I am at a loss for words at the moment, believe it or not. The cool thing is that I added the iPhone app and can scribble, ok, awkwardly type in posts. That may not turn out well. We shall see. 
Let's see since we have gotten here we have survived four holidays, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years. The kids enjoyed Christmas break, although, they were really missing their friends back in SA. I was trying to keep them entertained. We saw Arthur Christmas, but missed Chipwrecked. We ventured off up north again and went to the Pineapple Park/factory. It was a really cool day trip. We had amazing weather which helped. I have gotten to where I love driving up north because the scenery along the coastal hwy is just beautiful. One of these days I am going to go up and stop at the look out spots and take photos. That is on my list of things to do along with going to the light house on the cape. :) We haven't made it down south yet to the WW2 park, or the glass factory. I heard today that the glass factory and the organized battlefield tour are a must do while stationed here. I am also making a list of things to bring back with me, lol. Ryukyu glass, a tea set, and chop sticks (not that I will ever use them). Driving here is still challenging, but luckily, a girl at the car shop told me today that it will take about a year before I feel comfortable just venturing out on my own. I have learned to keep Yen on me just in case I randomly decide to make a trip to the 100yen store or SanA. I have found that the most challenging thing about venturing off base is the language barrier and that the roads are not always clearly marked. These road signs here a just crazy. My brain is also not doing well converting miles into kilometers or feet into meters. Yeah, I don't do math.
Ok, hopefully, I will have something cooler to write about later. I have a few things bouncing around in my head. 

Kon Nichiwa from Okinawa, Japan

Kon’nichiwa! 

Ok so my Christmas newsletter did not get out in the cards this year, so, I am blogging it this year!

What an adventure this year has turned out to be! We found out this summer that we were moving to Okinawa, Japan. We started making all the necessary preparations to leave San Antonio, and were on our way late October. It has not been easy leaving family and friends half way around the world but thank goodness for the modern technologies today! We are able to keep up with everyone via internet, emails, SKYPE, and most especially facebook. 

We arrived on the island late Friday Oct 21st and have been busy since. We are now in our base house, and have gotten our first small shipment of items. We are hoping our big shipment will be here before Christmas! 

We are all getting settled in. Keith is learning a new job and is enjoying the challenge. His coworkers are great! The kids both love their schools!! I am so proud of both of them. They have both gone in and been able to adjust and jump right in!! Jacob loves being the big 6th grader in middle school and enjoys his new schedule and classes. Christina, my social butterfly, has jumped right into her 3rd grade class, and is acting as though she has been here all year long!! She has signed up for quilting club, which will start up after Thanksgiving break. She is so excited! She has also started Stars!! Yes, we found an AG church here on the island. It is an international mission church. They are an amazing congregation, who really care about each other. The Pastors are very supportive of their military family. 

As for me, I’m the glue that keeps us all together and organized! HA!! I am learning everyone’s new schedules as well as trying to get things organized around the house for now. I’m sure I’ll find somewhere to jump in and get busy.

Our hearts are warmed by the memories we have of each one of you. May the Lord bless your home and may you have the merriest Christmas and happiest 2012! 

Until next year, 

The Walker’s 

PSC 80 BOX 20936 

APO, AP 96367
phone (210) 401 6018 or (662) 655 0405

what a year!!!

I haven't blogged in ages!! I guess I didn't feel I had anything productive to blog about.
These last four to six months have been very difficult and trying! I feel so unchristian like because of all the whining, and worry that has gone along with it. Thankfully, God understands! This whole house thing has taken it's toll on me emotionally and financially!!! I know that will all get better in time! I already feel 100lbs lighter! The financial situation will take a little longer. God is good!! The couple who bought the house seem to be a good Christian couple! They have been amazing from what I've been told!!
I am so ready for Christmas now though! I get to hang out with the kiddos and enjoy some time together! I am gonna miss having the extended family around though!!
Thanks for all of your prayers and support!
Merry Christmas to all!!!

The Past Few Months

Yes .... obviously, I've been running so I haven't been blogging!

Usually I have nothing to blog about but there has been a lot happening lately. April has been a busy month!

We started the month off with Keith's knee surgery. I've you've been keeping up with me on Facebook, you've heard all about it. He had damaged cartilage in his right knee so the Doc went in to repair it. Keith ended up with the micro fracture surgery so he is non weight baring for 8 weeks. He will have to return to work on May 6th on light duty.

The kids have been busy! Christina has been in two spelling bee's, got in the gifted and talented program at school and has had one field trip and we are scheduled for another the first week of May. Jacob got accepted into the National Elementary Honor Society! They have both done very well in school this year! I am so proud of them both. I knew once Jake got the hang of things here he would be fine. Jacob is also playing baseball again this spring, even though our practices keep getting rained out. I bought him a net so he can practice pitching, apparently Coach Freddy was impressed with this throwing, especially since he's never pitched before. I just want to have fun!

Christina and I are working on a float for the 1st grade float parade this week. I will definatly have to take pics of that!

I guess I had better get the kids ready for bed! Busy busy Monday ahead!

A New Year; A New You

Wow, what an interesting few weeks this has been. I've run the gamete on emotions. Joy over spending time with my family over Christmas; contentment over the last year passing and a new one coming around; sadness over finding out that a dear friend and mentor has suffered a tragic health event and has now passed on. We had an awesome time with the Lord this morning during worship. Of course as I have had the day to reflect and think back on it. Maybe the Spirit was so sweet because I had walked through the doors expecting something from God today. I can't say that I have ever actually walked into a church service with a truly expectant heart. God is so amazing, even in the small things. During Sunday School this morning I found it interesting but strangely comforting when our teacher mentioned funerals today during our lesson. This may sound morbid, but it kind of makes sense if you think about it. A funeral for a Christian is actually more of a celebration. We celebrate our loved ones life and influence here on earth as well as their home going. I had never taken into consideration how much someone else's funeral can make you look at your own life until Brother Steve said it today. I guess as we age these things seem to hit closer to home? The more I've thought about it, the more I see how that can be true.

I suppose my question is ... as we enter into the next year how do you want to be remembered?

Do you want to be the one everyone sees dragging your baggage from past events around from place to place or do you want to be the one who sheds each piece of luggage one by one dropping it behind you and leaving it there?

I want to drop it all, grab my sword and my shield and run out into the battle field leaving it all in the dust behind me. Thank you lord that you do have a plan for our lives. May we learn to trust in you and let you guide us through the journey!

"I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out - plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for." Jeremiah 29:11 MSG

New Year Resolutions

Every year I make some and every year I am lucky if I stick to one of them.

My main goal for this year is to work on getting myself healthy. What a job that alone is going to be. UGH I know I can do it though. I need to work on reading my Bible more and stick with a devotional. This is the one I struggle with the most. I say this every year and every year I stick to it for a few weeks or months then my ADD kicks in and I allow other things to take over. I also need to work on getting more organized and get us on a budget plan. YUCK! I'll be diggin out the old Dave Ramsey books!!

Wow a New Year!

It is so hard to believe that 2009 is just about over! What a year it was, ha ha! I never in a million years thought I would be 41 and have such a year of firsts. Keith got commissioned into the USAF December 2008, went to training in January 2009 and we moved here to San Antonio in February. I haven't worked since January which has been quite a change, but I am loving it! I enjoy getting the kiddos off to school in the mornings and being here when they get home in the afternoons. We've been able to explore San Antonio and the Texas coast. The kids and I have also had the opportunity to go visit some relatives that we don't get to see very often. We have found a church that we are getting involved in and have met some amazing people here.

We still haven't sold the house in Memphis. I am hopeful that we have found a realtor that will work with and for us. Although, the idea of a short sell is not appealing at all. Those details have yet to be worked out so we shall see.

I am looking forward to what 2010 will have to offer! This should be a great year!

I pray each and every one of you have a blessed year!

where have I been???

I am obviously a terrible blogger. I has been so busy around here getting us all back into a school routine that I haven't really felt like blogging. So ... here I am.

I have no clue where to start, so hopefully I wont bore you to death.

The kids have had a great first few weeks of school. I have had an opportunity to go volunteer up at the school. Which has been kind of fun. Christina had her first soccer game Sat. I think she had fun. I know she was worn out from all the running. I was very impressed with how well they did. Our Coaches are awesome. I think they have as much fun as the kids. Simply because they just want to get out there and have fun too.

I suppose I had better get off this computer and get to something constructive.

I hope everyone has a great week!!

vacation week 2

I am so not ready for this week to come to an end, even though it has been a working vacation. I have had a blast visiting with everyone!! It feels so like home even after 6 months! I love my family!! Especially the new addition!
I have learned a few things about myself this week. I can do just about anything if I set my mind to it!! I not any good at picking paint colors! The big one is that God is faithful in whatever we do!!! Even if he pulls us out of our comfort zone!

Packing for vacation

Well it's here ..... vacation time!! Whooo hooooo!

Everything is just about ready to go. I'm letting the kids play with their friends for a while before we start packing their clothes and work to do in the van. Of course dumb me forgot about the defective screen to the portable DVD player .... ugh. It has two but they like having their own to watch. I know my poor kids are rotten. We bought a game to take with us to Munnie's (my Mom). We got Mario Kart racing for her Wii along with two wheels. We've talked Keith into getting a Wii. Unfortunatly, that is Jake's bribe for learning how to ride his bike.

Keith did manage to get leave so he can go visit his Mom, Kimbie and Reggie. I hate we wont get to see Rocky, Cindy and Cierra though.

The kids finished swim lessons. I guess they did ok. Their instructor never said one way or the other, lol. Oh well, at least they got more confidence in the water. I would like them to take the other two levels. Maybe next summer.

I guess I better get busy so I can get Christina's things packed before supper.

I can't wait to see everyone at home!!!

This week!

I can not believe that we have two more weeks then we are headed home for a visit!!! This summer is really going to fly by!

Kimbie and the boys were here this week. I am worn out from the running, but we had a blast! I didn't realize how much I had missed them until they showed up! The boys are all a foot taller than me, and I know that is not saying much, LOL. The funniest thing is that they are like a bunch of locusts. I have no groceries left in the house. Kimbie has always said that the boys ate a lot, but man I never realized how much damage three growing, starving teenage boys could do to some food! I didn't mind of course!! We went to Natural Bridge Caverns Sunday, spent all day Monday downtown. I managed to get us lost, imagine that. I think I finally know my way around downtown now, maybe. We did see the Alamo! Now I can say I've seen it. Hee hee! We took a river taxi around most of the River Walk. I think the kids and I will go down and take a boat tour sometime, especially since I now know that I can go park in the Mall garage ..... hee hee.

I got my kids signed up for swim lessons! YAY! Ironically, Christina was swimming around yesterday with out her vest! YAY again. I didn't realize but if they go all the way through to level 4 they can try out for the swim team. I guess we'll see what happens.

I am completely behind on my laundry and need to go grocery shopping, so I guess I had better get off this computer and go do something constructive.

Have a great weekend all!!!

HUGS!

Summer break!

Wow, you would think that I have been too busy to post in here, huh?

The kids are enjoying their break from school. The boys across the street have gone on vacation and they are trying to find something to do. They have been hanging out with the girl two doors down. Kimbie and the boys are coming in tomorrow! YAY!! It will be nice to spend a few days with them. The kids and I are planning a trip to the mid-south (AR/MS/TN) next month. We're excited. It will be nice to get home to see everyone. I'm gonna have to stay three weeks just to make my rounds, lol.

I'm trying to think what all we've done since schools been out. We spent one morning at the Zoo. Which was nice because it wasn't as busy or hot. We actually got to see some things this time around that we didn't get to see before. Last Sat we went to Sea World. We saw Shamoo and the penguins but that was about it. It was so crowded and hot that you could barely move through the place. We are going to try a weekday first thing in the am.

Jacob's baseball season ended on a terrific note. They won their last two games!! The cool thing about one of the wins was the other Lackland team who had beat the snot out of us twice in a row!!! He really enjoyed it! I'm glad because he did improve through the season. Christina keeps saying that she wants to play soccer. Sign ups are the first week of July.

I am going to sign them up for swim lessons Tuesday.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot. I had to take the kids to the dentist this week. Jacob needs a baby tooth taken out and Christina needs to go see an Oral Surgeon to have a mucocele removed. YAY .... NOT! Luckily Jake could get in before we left town. I am hoping Christina can get taken care of before we head home!

OK, I have to put away some laundry take a bath and put myself to bed!

Night all!

Has it really been ......

 ........ this long since I've posted on here?? Sorry! I guess time really does fly when you're having fun! hee hee

Let's see if I can cram a months worth of stuff into one post without boring you to death, lol.

I finally got a new computer. YAY!! It's an iMac. It has been a learning experience but I am loving it!! I still need to go take one of those new user classes, but with the ball schedule I can't.  They are only offered on Sat and Sun.  I am suppose to have my new camcorder tomorrow. We'll see. We thought Jacob had broken his foot, but thankfully had not. Unfortunately, he hasn't been able to play baseball for a couple of weeks. We have two games this week. The first one is tomorrow night at Randolph the second is Sat morning here. Then the kids have a birthday party Sat for one of the neighbor kids.  Speaking of Jacob, I went with his class on a field trip to the Natural Bridge caverns! We loved it and want to go back with Keith and Christina.  I'm hoping I can keep the kids busy and out of Keith's way this summer, since he is going to be on nights ... boo!! Oh well we'll make it. The kids and I are going to take a trip to Memphis over the summer to see the family. That will eat up some of our summer break, lol. Of course we couldn't be more excited that Kimbie and the boys are coming to visit in June.

Christina is doing just fine. She is doing her little girl thing, lol.

Oh, I almost forgot. I am going to be on next yrs PTSO board at the school. Oh well, it will keep me busy. I have to learn excel and it will get me out of the house at least one night a month, lol.

Ok, my load of towels is finished in the dryer so I'm off to go watch a little rerun TV in bed.

Nite all!!