Just the "In's and Out's".....

We have been outside playing football, picking up rolley-polley's (or "pooyyeeees" as Bry refers to them), and running in the grass. Moving apartments almost seemed pointless except that the new one is WWWAAAYYYYY better! We moved from one apartment to another and they are the exact same model. I mean they are the exact same apartment other than a linen closet in our bathroom. Why move you ask? Well, our downstairs neighbor didn't believe in children making noise. Instead he prefered she hover over the carpet or sprout wings. Since to my knowledge those aren't possible, we decided to hit the road so my kid could actually be a kid in her own house.

In the transition, she did a lot of this.



I like that she loves the classic kids movies. In the picture she is watching Charlotte's Web. I think I will use it when the time comes to teach her about death...what do you think? I mean, a movie should be sufficient info for that subject right? I love when the dad grabs an axe so he can "do away with" the little runt. Such imagery for a two year old. Good thing she doesn't get it yet.


And on a similar note, we have now all become "twinkle toes" since we can touch the ground without getting the cops called on us. My heart feels all ooey-gooey, mushy, and squishy when I watch this. Does your husband ever get hotter than when he looks all ooey-gooey at his little girl? Nope. Nope. Nope.

The All American girl...

I don't think many of our family members would have chosen to come to D.C unless we were living here. Not that they don't want to see the things that are here, I just think that other places would definitely come first. But, considering that Rusty and I live half an hour from the White House, we have had visits from both sides of our families. I have to say I am getting to be a pretty good tour guide. Dennis and Janet came out in October which was way better weather than when my sister and her girls were here. I almost wish we could do that trip again just because it was SO hot and humid. The weather for Dennis and Janet was beautiful and we had such a great trip!

The first thing to see whenever we pick someone up is inevitably the Washington D.C temple. You really can't avoid seeing it! It sits right in front of you as you come over a little hill on the beltway. Of course they loved it. We didn't get a chance to go for a session while they were here but we are hoping for another time!

Dennis and Janet didn't want to waste a minute so while Janet got to love all over Brylee in the back seat, we made our way downtown to the capital building. On the way there, all I kept hearing them say was "You see stuff like this in the movies, you just don't ever think people actually live like this!" Once we reached the capital Brylee, Grandpa, and Rusty took off for the pool. Once there, we noticed a large crowd was gathered around to take pictures of Brylee playing with the birds and ducks. It seemed that she became the main attraction! She kept yelling "DUCKS, DUCKS, DUCKS!" I noticed a guy next to us that had his tripod all set up and was really focused on getting his shot just stopped everything and started shooting Brylee. Not sure I loved a bunch of people shooting her, but what can I say? She is totally camera worthy!






Since I have already shown a lot of pics on here of visits to downtown d.c, I won't do it all over again, but let me say....this was one jam-packed, fun, and exhausting trip. I loved that Dennis and Janet were up for anything and everything, but by the time we were done, I think all of us but Janet were dragging a little. 5 non-stop days will do that to you! Here are some highlights of the rest of our trip:

The "Rally to Restore Sanity" led by Jon Stewart took place the weekend they were here. I have to say, I could have done without seeing it. I try not to get to hot-headed these days, but some of those rallying (along with the t-shirts promoting socialism) were a bit much for us. It was all I could do to keep my mouth shut!


Grandpa and Brylee enjoying a little relaxing before we start walking again!

While driving around in Georgetown, we realized we had happened upon a little cupcake shop known as Georgetown Cupcakes. They have a show on T.V called D.C cupcakes. We couldn't resist. Even despite the parking ticket! They are good enough that I'm salivating just a little right now.


General Conference was good.....the parts we saw of it! Osmosis works, right?



It took a little persuading but we finally got Dennis to Gettysburg. Wouldn't you know it, it was one of his favorite places to see.

One of my favorites from their trip was Arlington, VA. We had not ventured to the cemetery until Dennis and Janet came so it was a first for all of us. Let me just say, one of the best experiences EVER for me. I think Rusty feels the same way. The Tomb of the Unknowns has been watched 24 hours a day 7 days a week since 1937, and contains the remains of 3 unidentified soldiers from WWI, WWII, and the Korean War. The tomb guards have a very precise ritual of "walking the mat". Everything is done by 21. They pace 21 steps, then turn and pause for 21 seconds, they pace back 21 steps, turn and repeat. All while switching their rifle from one shoulder to the other signifying that they stand between the tomb and any threat. This represents the 21 gun salute- a great honor for any soldier. They have an amphitheater for people to stand above and watch. Since we had the baby with us, Rusty and I stayed on the same level as the guard. We watched for about 20 minutes (luckily Bry was sleeping)until the changing of the guard happened. The changing wasn't the most amazing part. The young soldier we watched for 20 minutes was silent and reverent as he completed his post. Then, when he saw that the changing of the guard had begun, he turned and paced back toward Rusty and I. On his face we could see the tears streaming down. His eyes never diverted but tears continued to flow throughout his last few paces and neither Rusty or I could help but shed a few ourselves. It was an pretty special moment in this soldiers life I am sure, and I know we felt honored to have witnessed it.





Even though I was tired and we had walked for 4 days straight, I was glad that Janet and Dennis really wanted to see the inside of the capital building. We were allowed inside the senate floor and it was like seeing c-span right in front of me. I thought it was kinda creepy (yet practical) that under every seat and in every bathroom they had duffel bags. I didn't realize at first but they were hazmat bags in case of biological or nuclear attack on the White House or Capital. I'm not sure if Janet and I were more embarrassed that Brylee had thrown something into the senate floor, or that the something she threw was a bottle of medicine we had given her to shake and keep her happy. (It was totally child proof!)


I have always considered myself lucky that I have such great in-laws. They raised my man and they love my daughter and if that's all they did, that would be enough for me to love them back. The nice thing is, I know they love me like one of their kids, and that makes them special to me. Plus, they have raised a family of amazing people, and I think that says so much about who they are! Thanks for such great memories!

Just like Brett Favre...

I have been away for a really long time. Even the last few posts I made were few and far between. Our computer crashed over a year ago and just a few days ago we got a new one up and running. Needless to say, I'm pretty excited to get back to blogging. I miss not putting memories, feelings, and thoughts down to remember some day. I have noticed myself forgetting things that I don't think I would if I were recording it. So, I will be posting a few special posts that I want recorded from the past year and some, and then will pretty much pick up from the present day.

(For anyone other than family that still looks at my blog, send me updated info for your blogs because a lot of you have gone private while I have been in the dark!)

Palmyra, Smith Farm, Sacred Grove, Hill Cumorah

Brylee was released from the hospital on July 31st. That night, Alisha, Shae, and Madison flew in to Maryland to visit us for the week. We had been planning this trip since April. We were worried that we would be in the hospital longer than anticipated, and that they would need to reschedule or that Brylee might not be up to it. Luckily for all involved, things worked out and they took the long flight out here. They had some weather in Phoenix so they got in late but I was so glad to see them I didn't care! A week of vacationing was going to be just what we needed after everything that had happened with Bry.

It was a week packed full of everything we could think of to do and have them see. PHEW! I needed a week to recover from everything after they left! This post all took place in the first three days of the visit.

It is 6 hours from our house to Palmyra, New York. We didn't head out of town until 7:00pm that night so we did only half the drive that night. We stayed in some town in Pennsylvania (which is a BEAUTIFUL state I think!), then headed up to Palmyra Monday morning. We had perfect weather with the exception of a little rain that wasn't enough to bother anyone.

First we went and saw the Martin Harris Farm. He mortgaged the farm for $3,000.00 so that the Book of Mormon could be printed.



Next we headed over to the Grandin Printing Shop where the Book of Mormon was printed for the first time. 5,000 copies to be exact. Other than the Sacred Grove, this was my favorite stop. The flooring was all original where the Prophet had walked. The ink that was splattered all over the floor was all original as well. It was awesome to see the actual pages that Oliver Cowdry has scribed.





We made a quick stop at the LDS Bookstore to find a few things, then headed over to the Smith Farm and The Sacred Grove. It's humbling to see what the Smith family had, and yet for them, it was more than enough. Sometimes I think if I secluded myself on a farm somewhere miles and miles from anyone with just my family and lots of open space, I would be the happiest girl on earth. It's amazing how inventive they were to be able to get everyday chores done. Such smarties! I loved Lucy's granite sink!

However inspiring the homes were, the Sacred Grove is the by far the most impressive and amazing place I have been. We talked a lot as we entered about where exactly it was that Joseph knelt and prayed that day. I decided it didn't matter to me. What happened in that grove was the Restoration of Christ's church on the earth. What Joseph did in his life was amazing to bring that to pass, and he was an example for me. He wanted truth, and he sought it. He wanted answers, so he prayed. He believed in the scriptures when John spoke of asking and recieving answers. That's what I have to do as well. What I took from it was his example. It didn't matter where he knelt. What matters is what I do.








(I do have to say though, it was a little eery that we were met on the way into the grove by a friendly snake!)

Last, we headed to the Hill Cumorah on our way back home. Glad we didn't come when the pageant was on. I can't even imagine how many people were packed into that small town! We first went to the visitors center and the kids (either from exhaustion or the spirit being so strong) sat and loved just being in the room with the Christus.

The walk up to the Hill Cumorah Memorial we got to talk together about the night Joseph went to get the plates. The lengths Satan will go to to stand in the way of truth is pretty scary to think of.

I am so grateful for the Book of Mormon and for the chance I had to go and experience the spirit that still abounds in those sacred places. An even bigger bonus was the fact that Rusty, Brylee, and I got to do all of this with Alisha and her girls. It was a trip I don't think any of us will forget!

Eternity

On June 15th I received a call that I needed to head to Arizona. On June 20th Rusty, Brylee, and I all boarded a plane bound for Phoenix. We got in at like 10:00pm. Becky and Kyle picked us up. The next morning we drove home. The day after that, I had the opportunity to sit with my sister in the temple for the first time. I wouldn't have missed that for anything!

Justin and Alisha Walker Family
Together Forever June 22, 2010



I remember the day I was married, I left for the temple while my sister got in the shower. I remember thinking that I was kinda sad that she hadn't waited to tell me bye because the next time I saw her I would be a married woman. We have always been close, and I was so sad that I couldn't share that day with her and my Dad. As happy as I was, I could feel them missing in the sealing room. Once we were outside the temple I couldn't wait to hug my Dad and my sister. It made the sweetness of what had just happened complete. Later, Alisha told me that she didn't want to say goodbye to me that morning because she was sad she couldn't be there with me.

With that said, I'm so grateful that I got to finally sit next to her and watch as she went through the temple for the first time. Of course, I lost it many times through the session, but there is something about watching those kids all dressed in white becoming a forever family that melts your heart. It was such a sweet sealing and I'm so excited and grateful for the Walker Bunch! Love you guys!

Bucket-o-fun

My junior prom, I went with a big group of friends. It was one of my favorite formals. We spent the day at the Crosby's cabin and my date, Eric, had brought a "bucket-o-fun". It had a ton of different activities to do. Most of them were pretty corney, but we still thought it was fun! That's what this summer reminds me of. Summer-o-fun for sure. It's like things keep coming up! So, I thought I would do a synopsis of all the events. This is our "Summer 2010".

We finally moved our stuff out to D.C. We hesitated at first but Brylee was sure glad to be back in her own crib instead of that pack-n-play!


Swimming since it was so dag-gum hot.


Trips to the zoo!







4th of July in D.C. We didn't go to the capital since we thought we ought to go to church instead, but we did go watch fireworks with some good friends that night!







Hung-out shopping with Ligia and Madi. These girls are such great buddies. I love it when Madeline calls Brylee "chunky"! It's the cutest!



Our bank account doesn't love our summer escapades but I wouldn't change anything. Money comes and goes, but these experiences I will always remember. Hope you all have been having as much fun as we have!

Brylee turned 1....

...like two months ago! There has been a lot going on for us this summer, but I don't want to forget to post about her 1st Birthday. I wrote this post a long time ago, and just needed to add the photo's when Brylee got sick. Once you read it, you will see how ironic it is. Thought I would keep the original posting...I kinda liked it. Here it is:

Have you ever wanted something to be just absolutely perfect that you almost miss the most important stuff? I almost made that mistake on Brylee's very first birthday. Luckily Rusty was here to ground me.

Bry and I had just returned the day before from a two week long trip to Arizona. I had huge plans for her birthday cake which involved blocks and fondant and a cake fit for beautiful pictures.


However, when I went to Walmart to finish shopping for her presents, the cake decided to crash in on itself and ruin any chance of my picture perfect cake. Then, when we did finally get a cake for her with a candle burning, the camera wouldn't work to capture the moment, so we didn't get her blowing out the candles. And then my husband pulled me from the depths of selfishness to make me remember that it wasn't my day, that Brylee didn't care what her cake looked like, and that she only has one 1st birthday so lets let her live it up. So I threw all my plans out the window and that's what we did!

I didn't do a real cake, just one block that I saved from the rubble and decorated it with the cheap icing you get in the can. I didn't put bows or ribbon on her presents, and I didn't invite anyone over.







I made her favorite meal ever, YUMMY chicken. It was just the three of us...and I think she LOVED IT and I know Rusty and I loved having her all to ourselves to fuss over and spoil.

She dug into her cake like a total pro! We hadn't really given her cake before so this was a first of sorts for her. She would take a handful of cake in her hands, grind it between her fingers, then stick her tongue out as far as she could and just smear the cake on it. It was dirty, nasty, awesomeness. Her bath that followed was full of cake bits and tears because she could have sat there licking her high chair all night.



Her dad and I tried like crazy to get her to help unwrap the presents. She wouldn't. She would wait until that was done, then take the present and shove it in our faces until we stopped everything and opened it up so she could play with it.






When she was a few weeks old and crying all the time, I had people tell me that if I could make it until she was 4 months old that I would be in the clear. But see, that was the problem. I couldn't see myself making it that far without some serious medication to make me not care about the crying. We did make it though, and I know Rusty and I have learned so much throughout this 1st year. You learn a lot while you watch your child open up the secrets of the world one by one.

I have told people this before, but Brylee is my nemesis.She brings every fear of mine out in the open and makes me confront it head on. I have thought many times that I don't know how moms sit and read the same book, or play the same game, or sing the same song over and over again. Even now, I know that some days I do better than others, but she makes it easier with the fact that I worship the ground she walks on.

I worry that I don't teach her well enough, that my lack of patience is something she will pay the price for. When she is sick, every weird medical ailment that could possibly afflict her comes to my mind. I have seen sad, heart wrenching things. I have seen things happen that people tell themselves would never happen to them or their children. I have asked parents how they deal with children hooked up to ventilators and tubes. I have held children's hands through tough procedures I never want Brylee to even know about. So my mind never sleeps when she has an unexplained fever.

She is my nemesis but she is also the reason why all of those fears are worth fighting through.

To my sweet Chunk-o-monk....I speak for your dad as well when I say that we love you Brylee! You have been our miracle baby from the very beginning. You roll with the punches with a smile on your face and a sweet giggle in your heart. You laugh out loud at everything, especially yourself. You think you are the funniest person alive! It just so happens that we do too! Please keep laughing and loving life like you do right now. It makes this whole adventure the best ride ever! Love you Chunky!