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!

OH BOY!

I apologize to my friends and family who keep waiting for me to say something new. I have become the worst blogger! I considered giving it up altogether because I have been doing such a bad job at posting and responding to friends. There are SO MANY people with blogs now that I can easily spend hours online flipping from one blog to another to another, and by the time I check in to see how everyone else is doing, I don't have time to post on my own blog. Surely I'm not the only who gets lost and overwhelmed in blogland. Lately I have been avoiding it-- not really intentionally. I've just been busy and have put it off because there's so much to catch up on.

We are all doing well. I am 18 weeks now and we learned last week, rather unexpectedly, at my 4 month appointment that we are having a BOY! We are all very excited, and a little surprised. Ava has been really funny about the whole thing, commenting on my growing tummy, and letting me know that she is "bigger" than the baby. Overall, she hasn't had much to say about having a brother, but on Saturday while we were in the car, she said, "I don't want a he, I want a she." I explained that God was giving us a baby brother, and he was going to be so much fun! Ava kept insisting that she wanted a girl instead. She got over it pretty quickly though, and is back on track for having a brother!

Quick review: We have travelled some in the past months. We enjoyed spending time with family in Decatur and visiting the Fort Worth zoo with cousins, had a fun and crazy visit with Julia and Heather at Julia's new house. We each have very strong willed first born girls who love each other, but each want to be in charge! We had our hands full! We also enjoyed a snowy Easter in Brownwood with family.

Enjoy some pictures and I promise I will try to do a better job posting more frequently.

Big Sister

Sorry I haven't posted in quite a while. The truth is that when I have found any free time, I have been busy napping. . . if you haven't heard, I'm pregnant! I'm almost 11 weeks and due in late September. In addition to being very excited, I have beeen very tired and a little pukey. Ava is pumped about being a big sister and talks about it almost daily! She actually had quite a hand in praying for this baby. Chad and I had been trying for some time. Then a little over a month ago, as Chad was tucking Ava in, she asked if she could pray for a baby sister. Chad said he thought that would be a great idea. Ava looked up to heaven and yelled, "I want a baby sister!" After a few seconds of quiet, she leaned over to Chad and whispered, "He said, 'Uh-huh.'" Chad said that if I ended up being pregnant this month, we'd know that Ava has a direct line to God. Apparently she does because after months of trying, I found out about a week later that we were expecting! I love that girl, and look forward to the joys the next one will bring. Here are a few pictures since I haven't posted any in a while:

The gift of giving

If you haven't heard, Mike Cope's sister-in-law is going to be on Oprah on Friday with an amazing story. You won't want to miss it! Set your TiVo and tell your friends to watch. For more about this, check out Mike's Blog or The New York Times where she was featured in an article!

Chad and I have been convicted lately that Jesus repeatedly tells us throughout the Bible to take care of those in need around us and give to the poor. We have done this through tithing, but after some discussion and prayer, our small group decided to take it a step further. With Chad's leading, we set up a shared account with everyone who wanted to participate. People can contribute anonymously any amount they decide. After only a few months, we had collected several hundred dollars. Some give a regular amount every month and others just contribute when they can. The point is to set aside money collectively with the intention of using it only for those in need, and then be on the lookout for anyone who might need it. A few examples so far: we were able to help a struggling family by providing Christmas presents and groceries, we paid for someones car to be fixed, we've paid for meals for several people we have met on the street or the side of the road and medicine for one man's sick wife. We have already been amazed at the way God has multiplied the money in the account. There always seems to be enough, so we all just keep finding ways to share it. It's amazing!

This is my favorite story so far: Chad has the unique opportunity to be in people's homes through home health. He sees several patients a week in their home, many of whom live at the poverty level. Last week, he came home talking about an aging couple whom he has really grown to care about from Boston who have been down on their luck. The wife has been in the hospital and needing full time assistance, so the husband had to take off of work, and this has put them behind in their bills and rent. Chad happened to see several bills on their refrigerator and asked if they needed any help financially. The man (a tough Bostonian) almost broke down in tears. He explained that they were behind in the rent and their gas would be turned off next week, but it would be several weeks before he could go back to work. Chad consulted a couple of folks from our small group and we were able to use money from our fund to pay their bills and give them a good amount toward their rent so the landlord would let them stay. The couple was completely humbled and thankful, and wanted to know what they could do to show us their appreciation. Chad just told them that when they could, they should do something to help someone else who needed a hand. Yesterday, when Chad went back for his home health visit, the couple was so excited to tell him that they met a homeless man who needed a place to sleep for a few days, so they let him stay at their house for 3 nights and fed him. Then the husband went on to tell Chad that he wanted to start contributing to the fund we have set up, even if it's only $5 a month. Suddenly, WE were humbled and grateful!

The amazing thing about giving is that it blesses those who receive and those who give, and God is glorified again and again! Still it's easy for me in our consumer driven society to think I can't give because I have school loans and car loans, and my daughter needs new shoes, etc. There is always something else I think I need, but God is faithful. I am only beginning to know God as provider. Whatever we give seems to come back-- sometimes in an anonymous gift of money in a time of struggle, sometimes in gifts from friends, and sometimes in the wonder of witnessing someone with so much less give with such an open and willing heart!

Just catching up

I've been feeling overwhelmed at the thought of writing a new post because I don't know where to begin. I guess I'll just start with what has been heavy on our hearts this holiday:

1. Two of our dearest friends here in Abilene are Zach and Kara Sheets. A few days before Christmas, Zach's younger brother, Tyler, died in a car accident. He was a freshman at ACU and an amazing guy! You never saw him without a smile. It's hard to write about, even now. I feel like my words are so inadequate to express the deep sorrow we have felt with and for the entire Sheets family. Tyler was one of 10 siblings in an incredibly close knit family. Over the past few weeks, we have cried and prayed and laughed remembering Tyler. His life, though short, was lived fully and authentically for God. Please continue to offer up prayers for family and friends of Tyler in the coming weeks and months.

2. Nothing seems like a good follow up to that, but I will share a few Ava stories some of you might enjoy:

Over Christmas, I got in the mood to rearrange so I had Chad help me move the couch. Ava had been out of the room at the time and when she walked back in to the new furniture arrangement, her reaction was priceless," Mommy, I love it! It's awesome! It's cool." She went on and on about the room with more excitement than she expressed on Christmas morning. Chad and I were cracking up. His comment: "She definitely takes after you!"

This morning Ava told me that Dotty (our dog) is her granddaughter.

Ava is almost entirely potty trained, except for night time. We are very excited about this new phase of life, but I find myself constantly looking for bathroom signs and mapping out the fastest routes when we are out. She is pretty good about telling me when she needs to go, but I have short window of time to get her to a potty, so I have to think fast and run hard.

3. We had a great holiday with family in both Fort Worth and Austin. We enjoyed spending time with my new great-nephew, Bryson. I feel much to young to be a great-aunt, but I loved holding him. Ava had so much fun with her cousins. She talks about them constantly. In her mind, she relates anything funny to Kallan. So if she's trying to be funny, she says," I silly like Kallan!"

4. One of my New Year's Resolutions is to be more laid back. I like laid back people, and would love it if someone used this term to describe me, but I unfortunately tend to lean towards the opposite personality descriptions-- high strung, uptight, and the ever popular "OC" (obsessive compulsive,) none of which, by the way, are endearing terms. On more than one occasion I have been compared to Monica on Friends. Seriously, am I that bad? I hope that I can learn to let the little things go and enjoy the moment. I really am working on it, but I have to confess that I did iron my newly washed sheet today-- only the top of the sheet though, not the whole thing. I hear that Oprah likes a crisp sheet, so maybe it's not so bad. Now I'm embarrassed I even admitted that, but rather than deleting it, I will be laid back and let you all know the real me. . . even if I am a little more like Monica than I'd like to admit.


Hope you enjoyed this, Nicole. Peace!

Christmas Pictures

With shopping and wrapping and parties and packing, I haven't had much time to blog. Here are a couple of pictures that didn't make the Christmas card this year. I'm hoping to get those in the mail before Christmas. We'll see if that happens. . . if not, Merry Christmas from the Walters!

Happy Holidays

Hope everyone is doing well. We're pretty busy getting ready for the holidays, but so glad to be settled in our house this year for Christmas instead of packing. I couldn't wait to put up the tree this year since I couldn't last year. Our halls were decked before Thanksgiving! The few of you who check this blog (mostly out of town family) wanted some new Ava pics so here you go! Enjoy! She's hilarious and is getting so excited for Christmas this year. She is starting to understand the whole Christmas present thing, and has let me know that she wants a rocking chair. We'll see what we can do. . .

Striking a pose in the mirror with cousin Carly. Riding a big girl tricycle
Catching snow
Playing dress up