Writing Out Loud-Christmas, The Forgotten Pea and Other Ramblings

Well...the most eventful year of my life is nearly over! Christmas was great! We got to see all of our family from both sides and enjoy everything there is to experience with the season. Other than being slightly disappointed with our church's Christmas Eve service it was all I had hoped to be-but I can't wait for the years to come. Each year, the possibility of Jorja sleeping through the gift exchange becomes less and less! Everyone is asking me how it was-and honestly it was just like it usually is except I had a lot more presents to open and EVERYTHING WAS TOO SMALL! I'm definitely bigger than 3-6 months! And honestly, so is my baby. That's right folks. Jorja has yet to see her 3 month mark and she is busting through the footies of her 6-9 month gear. Oh man I think Aaron and I are in trouble! Speaking of the thumb-sucker-she's got so many new tricks now!! She's determined to sit up soon. I swear she says Mama...I just know it! She's moved on to cereal b/c formula is for babies-she can't get full enough on it! She has a new best friend. He/she/it is funny, charming-the whole package. He seems to be wherever she goes too, which makes her happy and that is all her father and I want. Next time we are together I will introduce you to the ceiling fan. You'll fall head over heals in love with him/her/it.
Paris is doing good. Thankfully she liked all the gifts we got her this year. I've learned I haven't lost my fashion sense in the years gone by which is great news to me. She gave Jorja the most thoughtful gift ever-an embroidered blanket with her name on it and she sent us a great family picture frame with all of our pictures in it. That meant a lot b/c we haven't been able to get family pictures taken since June of '06. We won't get to see her now until this summer so we'll get one big picture then! I can't wait!!
I'm not calling it my New Year's Resolution b/c it's honestly my "New Life" resolution. I MUST lose this weight. If I hear "Well Beth, you did just have a baby" one more time I'm going to scream. Why you ask? Because I had her almost 3 months ago-time enough for me to lose 50 lbs right after birth...gain 20 of it back due to cookies, turkey, cranberry bread and yes...the vice of them all-Chocolate in all forms known to man. This is not Jorja weight...this is HERSHEY WEIGHT! So I've changed the way I think and cook. I've been using foods that I've either forgotten about or just never thought about such as honey. My father raises honey bees and I've never really realized how awesome honey is!! I use it now instead of sugar. I heart honey. I also heart chick peas aka the garbanzo!! I use it in everything!! Veggie soup, chili, snacks...high in fiber, low in fat-what more could you ask for in a pea? I am drinking more coffee b/c Bob on the Biggest Loser said it was the best thing ever. I believe Bob! I drink coffee when I want a snack and when I need more energy. I joined a gym that has so much to offer in terms of workout gear-cardio and weights. I'm going to look like I did for my wedding in no time!!! Well....give me some time. I did just have a baby.

Prayer Request-yes...we are still asking for prayers for the Pinnacle job. They've selected 2 of the three new employees and Aaron is one of 2 applicants they are eyeing for that 3rd slot. Pray that the other guy gets a great job elsewhere. That way Aaron will get the job and everyone will be thrilled.

NEWS ALERT!! NEWS ALERT!!

THIS JUST IN-GIANT BABY CONQUERS GREENWOOD!!
Jorja had her Dr. appt on Friday. She's weighing in at 13 lbs 10 oz and is 25 inches long. Allow me to remind you she is only 2 months old!! Cripe!!
She had her shots too-she's a big brave dawg and didn't cry hardly at all!!!

A Look Back-2008

What a year! To think that last year this time we were in the middle of so much heartbreak and the Lord has brought us through to a place that I've desired for so very very long. My heart is full right now thinking of all I've been blessed with, and all the trials friends and family have endured. Last December I was recovering from losing our first child and losing my beautiful Grandmother in less than 3 wks of each other (as I write this, her favorite song "Ava Maria" has started playing). After Aaron got laid off for the third time we learned that we were pregnant again and that's the turn of events that created one of the best years of my life. The trial of unemployment in the DC Metro area led us back to where we belong-with our families and friends in Indiana. While we are currently going through something similar my outlook on it is totally different. I saw no hope then, now I see only potential. Being home has made my relationship with my husband more fun and meaningful as we can relax in knowing we are not alone anymore. It just proves that God doesn't give you more than you can handle, and when you look back it makes you STRONGER and SMARTER! And for me-it's made me love my husband more than I can even imagine! Man do I love him, and I don't think he even knows exactly how much. We've been through more in one year than most couples go through in decades and I really don't know that I would change a bit of it. So a look back on 2008 is a little sad, but in the end we made it! And I know that my God will never push too much on me. And when I get to the point where I start to wonder exactly how we're going to do it-my family and friends show up. We are truly blessed beyond believe and this Thanksgiving/Christmas time I have so much to thank Him for. Just a few things:
My Daughters-I've had Paris for a few years now and each year she surprises me with her uniqueness and generosity. She is by far the smartest, funniest, loving and loyal young woman I know. I couldn't ask for a better stepchild and I'm so proud of her. Jorja has brought a new hope in my life. I now know why I'm here on earth-to create a life so precious and pure and teach her to make the world a better place. I know for a fact that my girls will change lives and make the world a much better place.
My Family- When I say family, it includes those who most people would call friends. Aaron and I are lucky to have such a good spread of friendship that they have become our family. My East Coast girls took care of me after my miscarriage and surgery, and really made me feel at home in a place where I never thought I'd feel it. The clan here took care of me when I had Jorja and made sure Aaron was taken care of as well. My father is my sounding board, my mother never left my side and my sister became my backbone. Without them, I would be a soggy mess. (As Corinna would put it)
Faith- I'm lucky enough to have been raised in a family who taught me where my blessings come from, and where my strength lies. I have come to realize that faith isn't something everyone has and it's my daily prayer that my friends and family come to feel the safe and secure part of being a Christian. Without my faith-my life would be dark, lonely and painful. I have such love and light in my life that I know I can get through anything! Though some people don't like to recognize or admit it-Jesus IS the reason we have Christmas. And I don't know about you-but I have a lot to thank Him for.
Number one on this list-LOVE. I feel it each day. I give it each day. And without it-we are nothing.
Jorja is soooo done with the sappiness-I must go tend to a not so touched baby right now. :)

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Prayer Request-Aaron had a great interview with Pinnacle Airlines. This is the job he's been after since April. Please pray that this is it! It's a great company with fantastic bennies including FREE FLIGHT BENEFITS!! That's right folks-I'll be coming to an airport near you.

Just Call her Toots

The past few days, Aaron and I have had a growing concern for our daughter. Yes, it's true....Jorja has a gas problem. The poor dear can't yawn, stretch, cough, sneeze or breath without letting out a little 'love'. It's come to the point where we call her Toots Walker more than her real name. They've even become a little on the stinky side. My fear is that she will move on in her life to become the gassy girl in school who will be made fun of. Good thing she's cute!
Still no news yet on the job front for Aaron. He's at least getting some information now on his unemployment-please pray that they get that set up, it would be a blessing. I've seen on the news where IN is in a budget crunch with their unemployment and VA (where IN says he needs to get paid from) is at an all time high of 9% (32,000 people) so he could never get through. But now-we've made contact! I hope this is the start of something good!

Be Patient, God's Not Finished Yet!

Wow-my maternity leave is nearly finished! The time is certainly flying by me. I was going to go back to work tomorrow, but it seems as though I've run into a few roadblocks with company "protocol" and can't go back until Monday. Lot's of things got miscommunicated on a few different subjects today, which makes me remember a quote I saw one day. "Be patient, God's not finished yet." I've repeated it several times to myself today!

Jorja is growing so fast! I swear I pulled my back out of whack picking her chubby self up this morning! She's started a few new tricks including rolling onto her belly while sleeping and then back on her side again, she's found her voice and coo's at us several times a day (it is the sweetest sound!), she's even put her pacifier in her mouth all by herself!! I can't believe how each day brings new and exciting developments. She has finally started going to church with me and does very well sleeping through the entire service. Our only issue is getting her gas problem under control or at least work on her timing. The week before last she tooted during prayer, and last week she belched during communion. I'm glad everyone thinks it's so cute because when she's 14 no one is going to think it's very funny.

We've spent a lot of time with the grandparents. It seems we've been alternating back and forth each week with Grandma Soni and Pa and then with Grandma and Grandpa Walker. It's very important to Aaron and I to have our daughters experience an established and loving relationship with both sides of the family and I think the four of them wouldn't have it any other way! We can't wait for next week when everyone on each side of the family meets her!!
Aaron is hoping to hear some positive news tomorrow about his interview he had last week. Please pray for this situation as well as my work situation. It's going to be tough the next few weeks getting back to work and dealing with some issues with that.

Hopefully by my next post-I'll have some good news! Until then: Be Patient, God's not finished yet!

Life is Good!!

Wow-what a gorgeous fall day! You know it's a good day when you can drive your big truck with the windows down, classic rock up and enjoy the busy farmers harvesting. I love it when the stations play CCR, Tom Petty AND Pink Floyd all in a row. Jorja does too. She will have the best taste in music ever-the only child in class who knows who Steven Tyler is and all the words to the song Free Fallin'. Jorja and I got up and started a "ladies day" full of getting mom's hair cut finally!! Then we went shopping and then off to see Dr. Cline for a follow up visit. Dr. Cline said that I am healing nicely and I can finally start weening myself off of my medications! No more pills! (for a few days at least, I've been ordered on birth control b/c I'm one of the most fertile women ever...good in some ways-not so good right now. )

We've been working on "tummy Time". Jorja says "Tummy Time is for chumps". Daddy lays down with her to help her enjoy it more and Lazer totally digs tummy time. He loves his little baby.

Good News!! AARON HAS AN INTERVIEW ON MONDAY!!

I'm Official!

That's right folks-as of this morning, I am officially Bethany Anne WALKER!! I know...I know...a year too late-but it's done now and everyone in my family now has the same last name. It feels great and I'm very excited to get my new SS card soon! Oh-and get my new drivers license too! :)

The weather has been incridible and fairly odd. Who has ever heard of 75 degrees in November?!?!!? Not I said the Walker. I took Jorja out for her very first walk around the block yesterday. She didn't care about the sunshine in her eyes-but that wind was something very strange to her. She kept looking around as if to say "WHO DID THAT!?!?!?" I found it pretty hilarious and walked a little faster just to see her do it over and over again. Yea, I'm going to be that kind of mommy. We are hoping to have decent weather in a few weeks so Aaron's father can take us out to get catch the Midwest Fall colors for our first "family" picture. It's not really a family picture b/c we are missing a vital part of the family with Paris in AZ. We'll get official FAMILY pictures whenever we have her here for her next visit. Speaking of the diva-she's doing super awesome in school, she just finished up her volleyball season where she totally ROCKED! She played on the 8th grade team (she is in 7th grade) for their final tournament and is getting ready to start yet another season...the question is wrestling or basketball... because as most of you know she is a local celebrity with her wrestling skillz. She makes boys cry and let me tell you-that makes her mother and I so very very proud!!

Not much else to report today-Jorja is about to attend her first playdate at the park and she's pumped up for that.

Intro and Updates Since Jorja's Arrival

Good Morning!
As promised, I've set up this blog to update everyone all across the country on what's been going on with the Walker family since our newest addition. Jorja Kinsley Walker was born at 10:39 a.m. on Thursday, October 09, 2008. She clocked in at 9 lbs 6 oz and was 21 inches long. Turns out Walker/Holmes hybrid babies are gigantic. The actual c-section went well. I managed to totally freak myself out before the proceedure causing them to monitor my blood pressure and vitals a little closer than usual. They asked if they could do anything else to help comfort me and that's when I asked for someone to pray with me. Surprisingly, Dr. Cline had everyone in the room gather around me and she said a very nice heart felt prayer. This means quite a bit, but I'm not sure where she stands in her personal faith-so the fact that she cared enough to pray with me means the world to me. A few days after coming home, I was feeling pretty sick to my stomach and a little woozey. I started to throw up and that caused a sack of fluid and blood to burst out my incision and elsewhere. I want every woman reading this to know and to pass the word along that this is completely normal. No one told me that so when it happened I was sure I had ripped open my uterus and was either dying or no longer able to have babies.
Now that I feel human again, and am able to keep food down I've gained about 10 lbs in a week. Usually this isn't the right direction, but I had lost over 50 lbs of baby weight and other weight in less than 2 wks. THAT is not good!
Jorja is absolutely perfect. We spend our days on a schedule! YES! A 3 wk old can in fact be on schedule. This might be totally accidental but we're taking it while we can. She is nursing, however I'm not able to feed her enough. She will nurse about a hour then take about 3-4 oz's of formula in addition to that. She's quite the eater! The past few days we've noticed a considerable change in her movement and in her vocal attempts. She coo's and kicks and plays-Aaron and I stood at her crib for a good amount of time last night before bedtime just watching her. It's better than any movie ever made!
That's the quick version of the past few weeks. Jorja is just days shy of her 1 month birthday-I can't hardly believe it. I will update this when I have the chance to let everyone know how she is and to post the newest pics etc.

Prayer Requests- Aaron was laid off from Eagle Creek Aviation with a less than ideal severance when Jorja was just 2 wks old. Please pray for him to find a job that suits him, and hopefully one to get him out of the dreadful aircraft business.