Pierson's Nursery & My Abilene Shower

Here are some pictures of Pierson's Nursery. I think it's just about ready for him!










Last weekend, some of my sweet friends threw me a shower here in Abilene. We had a great time, and I enjoyed opening lots of little boy things! I think he's going to be set. . .


We have so many milestones in our family this month, it's almost overwhelming to think about! I turned 30 today which seems impossible, because I still think of myself as about 24! That's where I stopped counting mentally. Ava will start back to preschool next week, and then she turns 3 and we're having her birthday party at our house the next weekend. And we're expecting Pierson Reed to arrive sometime in the next month! Lately, I've been having alot of contractions, so I am preparing myself and trying to make sure we're ready before my actual due date just in case, but I guess we'll just have to wait and see. Alot will be happening around our house in the coming weeks! Stay tuned. . .

Some of my dear friends in Fort Worth threw me a shower this weekend at P.F. Changs (my favorite resturaunt.) We enjoyed great food and conversation, and Pierson got loaded down with cute outfits as well as the necessities! I love that even though we moved over a year ago, I still feel such a closeness to the friends we developed while we lived in Fort Worth! I also loved letting Emma and Ava swim and play together, and spending some time with family! It was a great weekend! Here are some shower pictures:













There are actually 12 people in the picture above:From right: me (due in Sept.), Elizabeth (due in Oct.)Jamie, Cheslea, Shelly, and Tara (all due in Dec.)

A Bad Choice

On Monday Chad walked in the door after work and immediately said, "Why is the garage door open and where is my bike?" The answer to both questions was, "I don't know." We immediately had a sinking feeling because this is not our first time dealing with theft (Chad's truck was stolen when we lived in El Paso), and also because Chad had just recently purchased the bike after saving up for almost a year. It's a road bike that he loves! At this point in his life, I think he would have rather someone stolen his vehicle than that bike!

We immediately called the police who came out and took a police report as well as Bike Town, the shop where Chad purchased the bike, to get the serial number. They let us know they'd post a note on their computer that the bike was stolen. Chad has gotten to know the guys at Bike Town pretty well since he goes in for adjustments and equipment from time to time, and he browsed for quite a while before he made his purchase. It's a small town so the biking community is fairly well acquainted.

We were bummed all night Monday. Kate treated us to ice cream and Chad was trying to make the best of it, but I could tell he was truly disappointed. I felt awful because everything we've ever had stolen are Chad's favorite things. . . truck, golf clubs, and the bike! We had pretty much resigned ourselves to the fact that it was gone.

But Wednesday morning around 10:30, we got a call from the Abilene Police Department letting us know that the bike had been recovered! Apparently, the guy who took it showed up at Bike Town with the stolen bike wanting to know how much it was worth! The employees immediately guessed that this guy was not the original owner of the bike, and when they checked the serial number, they realized it was Chad's bike! The guy clued in to the fact that he was caught and took off running down the street! Two Bike Town employees chased him on foot and caught him, bringing him back to the shop and calling the police. Then we were called to identify the bike and file a complete report!

Gotta love a small town. . . where the thief is knuckle headed enough to take the stolen property back to the one Bike Shop in town the day after stealing it, and the employees recognize the stolen property, then chase the thief down!

The great thing about this whole ordeal is that we now we are both thankful and appreciative for a bike Chad owned in full and might have taken for granted a few days ago!

Also, Ava and I have had some interesting conversations about policemen, stealing and jail. Her commentary on the story is hilarious! She explained to me that a boy took daddy's bike, but it wasn't his and that was very ugly of him. She wanted to know what his mama was going to say!

Then after the bike was recovered, she asked me if the police man was going to put that boy in time out because it's not nice to take other people's things. I explained that he might have to go to jail which is like a very long time out for grown ups. She replied, "He made a bad choice, didn't he?"

Yes he did.

Yesterday, Debbie Riggs and her husband of Pure Photography, came to our house to take some family photos. They did such a good job and were so patient and loving with Ava! After she and her husband left, Ava commented, "Well mom, that was fun!" Here is a preview of more pictures to come. This is the first professional photo we've had made since we left Fort Worth. Ava has changed so much since the last time we did this! I can't wait to see the rest of the pictures. . .

A Chocolate Mustard & Other Items of Interest

Ava's cousin, Karaline, was at ACU camp this week so we got to go visit her in the dorm. Ava LOVES her cousins and even though they live in Fort Worth, we talk about them several times a day. Ava will usually start by saying, "Pretend I'm. . . Kallan" (or Kaden or Karaline or Anderson, who she thinks is her cousin) and then she wants me to pretend that I'm Aunt Gay. She pretends to be other people ALL THE TIME, and then Chad or I have to be the mom, dad, or friend that goes with that kid. This week, I have been Julia, Gay, Grandma Ruby, Kendra (Anderson's mom, who Ava doesn't even know), Melissa, and April, as well as an unnamed "little girl" or "lady." It's a funny game, but sometimes I just want to be myself.


After eating this fudgesicle, Ava looked at herself in the mirror and exclaimed, "I have a chocolate mustard, like Kevin!" Translation: mustard means mustache and uncle Kevin has one, but it's not chocolate.


Don't I look thin in this photo next to an elephant? It's all relative! (See previous post for more on my weight gain. . . )


Checking out the lions at the zoo. I get this look alot from Ava and it seems like a flash forward of things to come, as if to say, "Mom, puhlease stop taking my picture and just let me hang out with my friends."


A day at the zoo with friends. (Will and Levi's first zoo playdate)


Hanging out with dad!

What is it about being pregnant that complete strangers feel they can violate all social rules? This week alone I have had people comment on my weight, eating habits, general appearance, and invade my personal space. Over the course of this pregnancy and the last one, I have gotten used to the occassional sarcastic comment, but last night was out of control! Chad and I were on a date, and I had dressed up so I was feeling pretty cute. After dinner, we stopped by the mall because I had painted in my wedding ring and it needed to be cleaned. While we were in the jewelry store, I was looking around, and the saleswoman struck up the usual conversation with me, "When are you due? etc." Only this time the conversation took an abrupt turn after I told her that I was having boy. Her repsonse, "Oh, that's why you look like hell!" (No exaggeration. Those were her exact words.) At that point, I looked up stunned, and looked at Chad to figure out what my response was supposed to be. We both just laughed because really, what else can you say? She then went on to say that I looked swollen and tired and that it would probably get a lot worse. After getting my rings back, we left and stopped in at Bath and Body Works where a woman stroked my belly with both hands for an awkwardly long time. By the time we left mall, I felt violated on so many levels. Fortunately, Chad and I just had a good laugh about the whole thing once we got in the car. To be honest, the woman described how I've been feeling lately-- bloated and tired, so there is some truth to what she said. Still, I can't get over how freely people make harsh comments. . . It is a strange reality of pregnancy.

Chad and I have been married 7 years today. I am so thankful for our marriage and continue to fall in love with him in new ways. . .through joys, hardships, parenting, prayer and laughter!

4th of July, Ava's antics, Pierson, & the Playroom

We hosted a neighborhood block party on the 3rd of July in an effort to get to know the people who live around us. We've lived here over a year, and there were still neighbors who we had never met. Chad and I have been trying to think of ways to be more intentional about building relationships outside of our church family. This seemed like a good idea. It was well received, and we had a good turnout. Everyone brought a food item to share, and we enjoyed hearing stories from those who have lived in this neighborhood for over 30 years! We were supposed to have a bounce house, but the threat of rain caused us to nix that plan. We'll have to make it up to Ava on her birthday; she was pretty bummed! This is a picture of Ava and McKinley. They are only about 4 months apart and play great together!


Click on Kate's blog for fun photos of our 4th of July with the Thompson family on Lake Brownwood. Ava was out of town, playing with her cousins in Fort Worth, so she missed the festivities and we missed having her there! She loves to ride on the boat. We'll have to go back to Brownwood before the summer ends now that the rain has slowed down. Kate got some cute cousin photos. I forgot my camera.

Ava is very into dressing up lately. She loves to be the "pretend mama" and fix my hair, or have me dress her up. The picture below is Ava as a princess!

Quick funny story: Lately, Ava wants to do everything by herself. A few nights ago, she announced that she needed to go potty and she could do it by herself. I wasn't sure, but I thought I would let her try. I stayed out of the bathroom, but I could hear her pull up the stool to turn the light on, work on getting her panties and shorts off, climb on the potty and flush, and then pull the stool back to the sink to wash her hands for about 5 minutes. Afterwards, she came walking down the hallway smiling ear to ear with pride. Chad and I oohed and ahhed over what a big girl she was! She was the funniest sight: her shirt was soaking wet from all the hand washing and she was wearing no shorts, with her panties turned around backwards which poofed them out in the front and gave her a wedgie in the back with her cheeks hanging out! She was proud though-- parenting is fun!


In case you haven't heard, we have decided to name the baby. . . Pierson Reed Walters. My dad has a sister and two daughters so there was no one in our family to carry on the name, and we loved the idea of Pierson as a first name. In all fairness, Kate thought of it, but graciously shared it with us. Thanks Kate! I'm still working on Pierson's Nursery, but here is a preview. The picture didn't turn out very well. Funny how many of you Fort Worth friends and family have been asking me to post pictures of the Nursery. I'll put a few up when we finish the bedding.


Ava went to spend a few days with Grandma Ruby last weekend so we could work on the playroom. It used to have very pink floral wallpaper from the previous owners. It worked for a girly playroom, but with a boy on the way, we decided it was time to gender neutralize the room. My mom took two days off of work to help me strip wallpaper, prime and paint the whole room. It was quite a project, and we didn't even strip all the wallpaper in the end. Too much work! Here is the finished project. Again, I feel goofy posting all of these house pictures, but several of you have asked to see them so here they are! Nothing spectacular... just less pink!

We have been busy lately with Bible Time Marketplace at Highland and a trip to Sea World in San Antonio and then Granite Shoals with Chad's family. I can't believe it's already July. The summer is flying by and it doesn't even feel like summertime yet with all the rain! I had to pull Ava from her swim lessons because it was cold and rainy every time we went. Ava didn't want to get in the water and I didn't blame her! I am about 3 months from my due date, and feeling bigger all the time, but am thankful that I am healthy and feeling good overall. Here are some highlights in pictures from the past few weeks:

Bible Times Marketplace-- Chad and I ran the pottery shop.


We loved the Shamu show!

Ava crashed after a long rainy day at Sea World.

The Sea World Pirate Movie which turned out to be a little too scary, but don't we look cool in our 3-D glasses?

Dinner at Rainforest Cafe on the Riverwalk

Ava loved getting to see her 2nd cousin, baby Bryson!

This is a random shot. I never know how I am going to find her once she falls asleep. This night, she had the blanket wrapped around her eyes. Funny girl!

Dinner at Lytle Land and Cattle with K-Papa and Sasi. The cowboy hat was my cousin Carly's, who was our waitress, and the boots were a gift from Sasi to grow into.

Ava needed my glasses for this book. She looks so studious!

Notice the title, "Greek Art". . .we start them young around here.

Here's another glance at my growing belly. This shot was taken around 26 weeks!


(Hope all is well with you Fort Worth girls. I keep up with your pregnancies and kiddos through your blogs. I miss our lunch play dates and small group, but I'm glad everyone seems to be doing well. I hope see you in early August!)

My Girl

Just a few fun photos of Ava:

Mexico and New Babies

Last weekend I got to spend the most amazing weekend in Mexico with two of my dearest friends, Julia and Heather! After the stress of a major passport mishap, we appreciated the trip even more. We stayed at a BEAUTIFUL all-inclusive resort near Playa del Carmen where food was brought to us, beds were made, and the only decision I had to make was whether I wanted to lay by the beach or the pool! We enjoyed a time of total rejuvination, and spent the entire weekend catching up, laughing, and encouraging one another. I could not ask for better friends. I am thankful for these girls and the ways that they challenge me to grow as a mom, a wife and a woman of God.

On top of all of this, Chad took two days off of work to have a daddy/daughter weekend with Ava so I wouldn't have to worry about finding a sitter. He also sent a couple of surprise gifts for me to open on the trip--an Ipod fully loaded with my favorite songs to enjoy on the beach, magazines, sun lotion, and a note that explained that while I was gone he did a "While you were out" makeover on our bathroom. He painted the shelves and vanity, got a new mirror and bath mat, and fixed the broken towel bar! The trip would have been enough, but he went way above and beyond the call. And did I mention he worked in the Nursery for me and took Ava to a 3 year old birthday party while I was away? My brother-in-law has started calling him H.O.Y.(Husband of the Year) for all of his efforts. I could not agree more! He is an amazing man-- I love him for all the ways he takes care of Ava and me. But most of all, I love him for being such a spiritual leader in our family. He constantly puts our needs ahead of his own. I am realizing that such a selfless love is rare, and I am grateful beyond measure that he chose me to be his wife.

One of the best things about the trip is that I left feeling exhausted and overwhelmed and came home refreshed-- feeling more in love with my husband and more appreciative of Ava! On Sunday morning, the girls and I got up early and spent some time before breakfast watching the ocean, listening to praise music, reading the psalms, and praying together. I came away remembering that Jesus, amid all of his healing and teaching, would find time to get away to quiet place to rest and pray. Even when I cannot escape to the beach, I can choose to make time to rest and rejuvinate, even in Abilene.


We do have several photos of us in the water or on the beach, but I'm not about to post a swimsuit picture of myself at 5 months prego, so here is a lovely picture of the pool. You can just imagine us in it.




Kara and Zach had their babies, William Cotton (called Will), and Levi Blake on May 16th! We are so thankful that they are here and doing well. Here are a couple of pictures of the boys! They seem so tiny, but are a fairly good size for being twins. Will was 6 lbs. even and Levi was 5 lbs. 7 oz. All I can say is that Kara was carrying around almost 12 lbs. of baby and I never heard her complain. That girl is a Rock Star Mama!

YCW Program

Below are pictures from Ava's Young Children's World Program on Monday night. The kids were so cute! Something about 2 year olds singing on stage is just funny! We had our 20 week sonogram today-- still a boy! Everything looks good so far, and we are thankful everyday for good health both for me and the baby. On that note, any of you who check this and don't know about Christine Pinson, please be praying for her health and baby. You can read updates on Mindy Tyndall's blog. Christine has struggled her entire pregnancy with severe pain and we have been lifting her up constantly. Those of you who do know Christine are already praying I'm sure. Today I pray for relief from pain, and peace for all of the Pinsons and Tyndalls.

Ava's Big Girl Room

This week we moved Ava to the room that used to be the guest room. Her old room is going to become the Nursery. We spent the week getting it all ready for her, and she has been pretty excited as she has seen her toys and clothes move in. She loves it during the day, but adjusting to sleeping in a different room at night has been hard. Hopefully, it will become more familiar and she'll start going to sleep a little better on her own again. Here are some pictures of the room. I think it turned out pretty cute. We used all the furniture we already had and just updated the bedding, pillows and curtains. It looks better in person. The pictures don't really show the colors well. (Teressa, you'll just have to come to Abilene to see us and check it out for yourself!)

Daughters

Right after I got married, I had a conversation with some girlfriends about how different it is to have a boy roomate than a girl roomate. One main difference is affirmation about appearance. Girls are good at this, whether they are commenting on a new outfit, how slim something makes you look, or your new haircut, they just notice and give positive feedback. Chad is actually very affirming as a husband. . . but not like a girl. Yesterday, after I got ready in the morning and came into the living room, Ava looked up from playing and exclaimed, "Oh mommy, you look cutie-cute!" Then later the same day, she looked down at my flip flops, and said, "I like your shoes today." I was reminded that it's fun having a girl in the house again, and I love it even more that she's my daughter!