5 months old

Somehow we missed four months... I'll have to find those pictures :) This bundle of joy is growing up way too fast, he is rolling all over the place and loves loves toys or anything he can hold onto.  He's going to be an adventurous one for sure.  Love this guy!

Home.

To many this is just a cute saying.  To my family this has gained significant meaning in the past year.  As I sit tonight I remember back to one year ago tomorrow - it was one year ago when we got a phone call that changed the course of our family.  We did not know it but my mom had begun her journey home.  A day does not go by that I do not miss her, it has been nearly 6 months that my mom said goodbye to this earthly home and went on to her forever home.  The biggest blessing was to watch a godly woman finish well, to know where she was going, to know that it was going to be better for her, to know that she was going to a place where she could kneel in front of her Saviour, face to face.  What in incredible blessing!  The second blessing was that she left a family that knows our Maker as well.  I do not have the strength to live my life without my mom - everyone needs a mom (which brings our desire for adoption in full strength, but thats for another post) - but He has the strength.  What a concept that He sees the big picture, that He knows, and that He cares.  So today as I remember back to when the journey all began I look at this pillow and I have hope - hope that my home is in Heaven, and I wonder, what do people do who don't have that hope...

Camping

This past weekend we went out on our first camping trip with the kiddos.  It was a blast!  The first thing we noticed about camping with kids and not just us is all the stuff, you actually have to be prepared with little ones.  But - once the planning and organizing was all done we were ready for a fun weekend away.  Emma was most excited about sleeping in the tent with her flashlight and s'mores!  Sorry - lots of pictures...

Matt was excited about his coffee!

Emma and Matt canoeing 

 It was beautiful there - 

 Testing our raft, it floated.

About to load up and head home, we had a great time!

Apple cuties

Well, to me, not much beats kids in matching pj's!!

1.2.3.

Well - its catch up time.  Ty is now 3 months old.  He is growing up so fast, scoots himself around and is close to rolling over.  He is a great sleeper and even better at smiling and laughing.  This little boy is so much joy, we just love him so much.  So here he is from the last few months!

LOVE these kids.

Just some cute pictures from the week - yes, I am tired but would not trade being a mom of two at all!

Meeting Ty

Emma's first time meeting Ty - and her face just says it all!

Ty David Waller

What can we say about the birth of our son except that it was perfect and he is such a miracle in every way.  God placed His mighty hand on this little boys life months ago and we are overjoyed to have him here today, what a gift and symbol of life.  Ty is now 2 weeks old, healthy as can be and adjusting well into our family.  Emma loves being a big sister and has done really well with him.  While summer is still in full swing, Jen has been learning how to do mom of two hard- core, but it is going well and we are getting on a good schedule.  Jen's mom once said that having multiple kids gives us a glimpse of God's complete love for all His children and we have come to understand what she meant - we could not love Emma or Ty more, what special gifts He has given us!

At the end

Well - we made it to 40 wks and now we get to wait and see when his perfect birthday is going to be.  Last week we took a few quick pictures and here is one from today, his actual due date.  Can't wait to meet this little guy!!

Carrying on a legacy

I have been avoiding this post, not knowing if I want to write anything or what I should write, but when it comes down to it I want to share about the amazing life of an amazing woman - my mom.  I was reading back a few months ago to the post I wrote when we found out my mom had cancer.  I cannot believe that was 6 short months ago, it is amazing how much can change in 6 months.  I would say that one of the biggest things that happened in that 6 months was witnessing the true faith of my mom who walked the road that no one ever should have to walk.  As a close family friends said, her faith was woven into her life.  I think it is in those last days that we truly saw that statement lived out.
The last few months have been a road that I hope others do not ever have to go down but looking back, and still today we truly have seen the Lord's hand on so many details.  Even though He did not choose to heal my mom as we were praying and hoping, He showed His faithfulness, His love, His peace through so many incredible details.  My mother was a woman of faith that I can only hope to live out.  In her last days she continually prayed for us and friends, she encouraged us and loved on us like I have never seen before.  There was no anger, no regrets, only her faith speaking out in truth and strength.  We had such a unique opportunity to all be together with her the last few days.  Those three days I will cherish always.  Although it was hard it was such a sweet time as a family and I believe it was comforting for my mom, to have us all together and to know that we were all going to be ok.  We also got to see a marriage that was faithful and strong to the end - they did it well and I am blessed by my dad.  His faith has been incredible and they lived out their vows.
I know hard days are ahead, I know we will miss her every day, but her legacy is one that I cannot wait to live out!  My mother was the example of a godly wife and mother and I am grateful for the qualities that she has instilled in me.  It has been incredible to see the faith of the kids in our family, and being able to teach Emma more about our Lord through this event.  I only pray that we do not forget and continue to use my moms life as a testimony for His glory!
The last night as we were all together in the hospital room, my mom prayed that we would continue to bring Him glory, that we would follow Him and praise Him.
I hope that through her testimony we are all encouraged to do just that!
This picture was taken on Mothers day.  It is our last picture together and was taken three days before she went to be home with our Savior.  I love her smile!

Little dancer

Emma finished up dance class this year with her recital on Mothers Day.  We did not make it to the recital since we were going out of town, but we went to the rehearsal the Friday before (yes we video taped it, brought flowers, it was good enough for our little 3 year old!) and she did such an amazing job.  I was pretty shocked that she remembered so much of the dance, but was not surprised that she loved watching all the other girls dance in their "preeetty costumes"  She loved it all and is already talking about next year!  Today I finally took some quick pictures of her in her dance costume - little girls are just too fun!

Getting closer.

Well one thing is for sure - this pregnancy is moving right along!  Sometimes I do not think I have grown much, but when you compare these pictures there is no doubt.  Did not even plan to have the same shirt on, but it is fun to really see just how much he is growing!  We now have a little under 3 weeks (give or take) till we get to meet him.  Getting excited!

32 weeks

37 weeks

A few of the house

We have been in our house almost a week and are getting all settled in.  We still have a lot of unpacking to do, but it is definitely coming together.  We were completely blessed by some friends of Jen's parents who came and helped us for two days this week.  They hung anything we asked and organized even our closet!  A huge thanks to Tom and Kathleen!  So - here are just a few pictures...

The front view

Loving the kitchen!

Living room - cannot wait for it to get cold so we can use that wood burning stove.

And just for fun - the animals are a plus too - Emma loves watching them in the mornings, this is the view from our kitchen table.  Love it!

We still feel a bit like we are just staying in a vacation home and cannot believe this is our house.  Amazed at how the Lord has provided for us to live here and cannot wait to make so many memories in this place!

Easter.

The Zip line!

Here is our big girl doing the zip line - so fun!

A weekend to celebrate

Wow - As Matt and I were talking about the last two years during his school, we both agree that it has been two of the most crazy years of changes, challenges and growth - and then add school on top of that. We are blown away by the strength that the Lord has provided through it all, because many times I think we both could really have struggled, but God pulled us through it all and showed us so much of what He can do through us. So - before I write way too much, I will move on to our night away. We decided it would be so great to have a family getaway, mostly for Emma, for us all to just play together and have fun. So thats just what we did!

We did some swimming at the hotel.

Headed to the Rodeo for a GREAT day! Yes - that baby goat is chewing on my bag.

Emma and dad did some rides, it was her first time and she loved them all!

And just enjoyed being together.

So - this picture says it all to me - Dad is back, in full force and we could not be more thrilled!

I think we each got exactly what we were needing from the weekend. Matt got to just be with us. He and I sat up in the hotel on Saturday night and looked at lights for our house and felt like such a normal couple again. Emma got some great play time, new experiences at the rodeo and family time. And this pregnant mama got to relax a little, sit back and take pictures of my husband and daughter having quality time together - nothing more precious. Life definitely is not going to slow down for these Wallers, but we are excited for a new chapter, new challenges and new growth - at least we will be doing it together!