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!

New Veggie tactic

Well tonight was a first - Emma was actually picking the red bell peppers out of her corn chowder to eat them first. The ticket - earlier she was holding the pepper before I cut it and giving it "hugs". When I placed that bowl in front of her to eat she said "Oh, the pepper is so nice for letting me eat it, thank you thank you pepper" and ate each and every piece.

So - in our house - we will be hugging our veggies before eating them from now on!

Such a silly girl but so cute.

Happy Valentines Day!

Baby Waller

Our parents have been anxiously awaiting two boxes coming their way and today they got them. Want to see what was inside?Well, if you guessed that its a baby boy then you are right!! We are so excited to have a little brother coming soon, we could not love him more. More importantly, he is healthy as can be and measuring right on schedule. It always blows me away to see God's little creation all perfectly formed inside. To see the spine, heart, to see him move around and those little fingers and toes wiggling, it is incredible. Emma got to come and this picture was the one that she really caught "I see his foot!" So cute!

So here is 21 weeks, getting bigger and feeling great! God is so good!

Finally did it.

I have been wanting to make our own laundry soap for ages and this week I finally did it! It was so quick and so easy. All you need are these ingredients and some water:

And after a little simmering and mixing you get about 550 loads worth of detergent! It made both of these plus one more jar, which has already gone over to wash its first load. I think once we are in our house I may have to buy some cute glass jugs to store it in.
So far the clothes came out smelling nice and fresh. I can't wait for Emma to get nice and dirty playing outside to see how it works on that. I love that it is all-natural, and I will add so much cheaper than buying! Finally - why did I wait so long to do this. Pretty sure we will not go back!

Birthday Party

Emma had such a fun birthday party - I could have put up so many pictures, but here are just a few.

Thank you to everyone who came out to make it a special day! Emma loved having all of her family there and some new special friends - thanks for making it feel like home!